Chapter one: Elisa Harrington.
Dead bodies, rising smoke and Men in green.
These were on display on Italica after the fierce battle that was ended quickly, a show of might more than a rescue mission one might say, this was exactly the thought of one Rose Knight, with long brown hair and green eyes. Nobody even knew that this individual would be one of Falmart's iconic figures in the War of Defiance.
She stood a few meters away from the Men in green, she was curious to know how their weapons work, during the battle she tried her best to peek through the walls to see how the weapons create thunderous sounds loud enough to kill an enemy. "Does the sounds from those sticks killed the bandits?" She questioned herself, but she shook her head at how ridiculous it sounded.
Right besides her was a red haired woman, clad in white and gold armor, with a face that looked shocked, she was shocked at these otherworldly people, flying chariots and armored pegasus, it's too much information to break down "Do we really want to make enemies of these people?" the red haired woman qquestioned to which the brown haired one overheard "maybe not now, but in the future."
"Elisa." The red haired woman said, obviously a bit irritated, Elisa just grinned, she noticed at the Princess' depressed demeanor "What's wrong Princess Piña?" Elisa asked, facing her. Princess Piña kept her head down "it's just that, those Men in green, they took out the bandits without any losses of life on their side, mere minutes and all of those barbarians are dead!" Princess Piña explained.
Elisa then puts a hand on Piña's shoulder "Hey, never show the enemy that you're afraid." Elisa said, Piña looked at her and brightened up a bit "You're right. Never show fear in front of the enemy." Piña smiled.
"But I think we need to negotiate with these men on the fate of Italica." Elisa said, looking at the green men carrying dead bodies and throwing them with the rest. Piña's smile quickly faded as she approached the men, Elisa was about to follow her and she was stopped by Piña herself.
"Elisa, stay here, I can't risk losing you when things go sour." Piña said, Elisa opened her mouth but she quickly understood the Princess and her decision "I understand Princess." Elisa replied, she saluted Piña before she confronted the men.
Moments Later…
At the time Princess Piña was done negotiating with the Men in Green or what they call themselves, The JSDF. Elisa was able to come up with her conclusion on how the rifles work. Based on what she observed once the rifle made the loud sounds, the enemy would bleed, that is if the rifle was aimed at the enemy. She also noticed some kind of small pellets hitting the bandits, Elisa also picked up shell casings, she observed it and was able to understand how it functions.
She came up with the idea that these pellets come from the casings which was pushed away from the rifle at high speed by some unknown force. She just needs enough information to really know how.
Princess Piña went back to where she left Elisa "How did it go?" Elisa asked, standing up straight after moments of leaning against a brick wall "They didn't request any payment and only took a few prisoners that survived their attack." Piña answered, leaving Elisa confused. No payment? With all those possible resources they spent on that attack for such little result? It just doesn't make sense for her.
"What about the prisoners? Who did they take?"
"Just some bandits and the mage they were with."
Elisa became suspicious, she doesn't like to accuse but in her mind. There's a possibility that those JSDF might exploit the mage for her abilities, if not, they might rape her.
"Now what?" Elisa walked with Piña towards the Mansion "I've established a treaty between the Empire and the JSDF." Piña answered while looking at the injured civilians, possibly got hit from the stray bullets.
"Good idea princess, that'll buy us some time to observe them from afar." Elisa said, Piña stopped midway and faced Piña "I don't think you're seeing how a war with them will turn out Elisa."
Elisa's face morphed into a confused expression "Princess, what do you mean?" Piña breathed deeply "The Jay-Ess-Dee-Eff, are you even there when they mowed down those bandits mercilessly, a war with them would be suicide and I'm not risking it ."
"Princess…" Elisa's face turned into a sad expression but quickly turned into anger "Princess! How-" Elisa was cut off when Piña interruptted her "Elisa Harrington please! You know how the Jay-Ess-Dee-Eff killed thousands of Imperial soldiers on Alnus Hill, gone in mere moments, I don't want the same fate to befall on us."
"Princess! You always said to never surrender to an enemy, no matter what the odds are. If we could just devise a plan or strategy to make the battlefield favorable to our odds!" Elisa suggested, but Piña stayed silent. There was long pause between the two, nothing but the sound of Italican citizens salvaging what they can get from the rubbles of blown up buildings.
"I'm sorry Elisa, but the treaty has been signed." Piña told her, Elisa balled up her fist in anger, she felt betrayed by the decision of the Princess "Fine then." Elisa held her chin up "if being a Rose knight means capitulating to an enemy, then I quit." Piña's eyes widened at her decision. Her lifelong friend was about to abanabouthe Rose-Order of Knights and especially her.
"It's been an honor fighting alongside you Princess." Elisa said to Piña before she ran off to get her horse "Elisa! Wait!" Piña shouted but Elisa ignored her.
Elisa jumped on her horse and left Italica, avoiding rubbles blocking the road, Elisa cried while riding her horse, a heavy feeling is felt inside of her, she has revoked her loyalty to the Knights and to the Empire.
Elisa has reached a small hill overlooking Italica, she took one last look at it, before going into the forest.
With no one to serve, Elisa rode the countryside. Looking off into the distance, ready to face what this new path in life she took has to offer.
A/N: So this is the first chapter guys, I kinda got low confidence towards my writing skills and there might be some spelling or grammar errors so I would like for someone to please point that out. English is not my first language so please forgive me, So Anyways that's all and I hope to see you next chapter.