A large caravan guarded by numerous heavily armed soldiers traveled steadily westbound on the main highway from E-Rantel. At the head of the column is a monstrosity of a carriage, highly decorated with golden linings on its door and window frames. Its entirety painted with crimson, the Kingdom's color. Magical lamps hung from all corners jutting out of its roof. Pulled by eight strong horses that required two coachmen to control, it is wide enough to take up nearly the entire road. Enchanted with weight-reducing magic and equipped with shock-absorbing suspensions, it is worth a small village. Two flags of Re-Estize flew proudly on top. Anyone smart enough was quick to make way for such an impressive vehicle.
Ariel sat inside the fancy carriage, looking through the glass window framed by purple curtains. The interior is richly furnished. Soft leather seats and armrests served for the occupants' comfort. The backseat is separated in the middle, serving as a walkway to the rear section concealed by thick curtains, which is Ariel's personal bedchamber. Drinks and snacks are aplenty in the carriage's storage compartments. Thick wooden tabletops could be unfolded from the sides in front of the seats if needed. Ariel's newly hired bodyguard, the only other occupant in the carriage, sat in the wide front seat facing her.
"Have you been to the capital before, Brita?" Ariel turned her gaze away from the window to look at her sharply dressed subordinate.
"No, mistress. I did not have enough funds or reasons to go there. Although I have heard details about it from merchants and travelers." Brita held her new arming sword against the floor, not strapped to the sword frog hanging from her belt at the moment. Her other hand resting on her lap.
She was dressed in a dark blue uniform with brass buttons, specifically designed for her by her mistress. It is enchanted against mid-level physical and magical attacks. Admantite meshes sewn in between the layers to protect all her vitals, her shoulders, and forearms. They are all invisible on the outside. Her fingerless black leather gloves also have hard padded knuckles filled with adamantite beads. Dark blue shorts partially covered by her uniform jacket, followed by black thigh boots with built-in armor paddings, enchanted with agility boost and reduced stamina usage. A dark blue flight cap sits on top of her head. On its side is a platinum lapel in the shape of Sanguinaria flower polished to a shine. Similar lapel pins made of platinum are on her collars. An ornamental dagger is strapped to her belt on her right hip.
Brita looked like she is cosplaying some modern military officer. Ariel had her dressed this way on purpose. She noticed some people in this world did not dress historically like the Middle Ages on Earth if they could afford it. Brita's new outfit did not raise any eyebrows. Why would it? Ariel thought. "Female armor" is a reality here. Even Gagaran has some exposed thighs in her red heavy armor.
'With healing magic and the difference in levels, maybe people don't have to worry about every little scratch, or they all had influences in style from the Six Gods who propelled humanity to prosperity.' Ariel thought lazily with her head propped upon her palm.
"How are you adjusting to your new role? Are the food to your liking?"
"Very well, mistress. Thank you for asking. The food was the best I had ever tasted in my life. I'm still not sure if I should be eating from the same table as you do, mistress. As your personal guardian, I should be standing by your side at the ready."
"Don't worry about it. There are plenty of well-trained guards here with us. You should enjoy being comfortable around me and not be tense all the time. I heard you had a hard life, so eat as much as you want. I need you to be well-rested and well-fed whenever possible. Use your energy to train up your body and become the best guardswoman you can be."
"Yes, mistress! I won't fail you!" Brita sat up a little straighter. Ariel sighed internally. Her bodyguard just became more tense. She wants to treat people close to her kindly, so they can spread her reputation as a kind person.
'I can't have a tired and hungry subordinate accompany me to the royal summon. It would look bad for me.'
"Have some wine, Brita. You had to save money for even some simple mead, right? Now's your chance to taste some of the finest wines Re-Estize has to offer." Ariel opened a chilled storage compartment and gestured at the wine bottles. Some of them were recommended by the butlers from the mayor's mansion, who were still learning their ways around a wine cellar.
There is no such thing as legal drinking age. Since the trip started, Ariel has tried many types of cheese snacks and meat jerkies, drank several glasses of different wines, and got stupid drunk. She reactivated her poison resistance when she was about to get sick.
"No thank you, mistress. I must be on full alert if I hope to serve you well. I have been considering quitting alcohol to keep my every waking moment alert."
"Don't be. There are occasions where you might have to drink. I am going to some high places, by the looks of things. You should practice keeping a tight lid no matter how drunk you get. I can easily make you sober again with [Cure Poison], so go nuts."
Brita didn't know what Ariel meant by the end. She looked into the wine compartment and searched for a bottle with the "nut" flavor, but decided to just pull out a bottle of random green wine when she couldn't find it. She poured it into the glass offered by Ariel. The wine tasted sweet, refreshing, and fruity. It was expensive, she had no doubt about it. She could work hard for a year as an adventurer and not earn enough for one bottle. Even the smooth glass bottle is worth a few silver coins.
The trip would take several days. The hours felt long with nothing to do. Ariel enjoyed the natural scenery at first, but got bored soon enough. She chatted with Brita, asking about her life, trying to learn about the Kingdom from her perspective. She acted as a curious little girl and got a lot of information.
Brita is a strong person, Ariel judged, not in strength, but in character. She did not lose herself to depression despite what she went through. She has been behaving more maturely than her former self, in fact. None of the spunky personality Ariel saw in the anime.
Ariel likes her because she is a survivor with a conscience. Brita has her pride as a swordswoman, but also knows when to let go of her pride to get things done, unlike Gazef. He is a person who's willing to die for his country. Brita would probably make her enemies die for theirs. She is resourceful, street-smart. Her being low leveled is not a problem in the New World for Ariel. With the appropriate buffs from her, she can even defeat Gazef in an all-out fight.
During short lunch breaks, the caravan pulled off the road. Butlers that accompanied Ariel from E-Rantel helped set up a small shade at a scenic site, while some maids and cooks prepared her meal. The guards walked around or worked on different things, letting the horses graze.
Ariel didn't have to do anything. The entire caravan was designed for her needs. Three large carriages were used just to carry supplies. There were also two carts in the back filled with tools and replacement parts like wheels.
In addition, skilled huntsmen and trackers hunted wild game and poached eggs whenever possible and added them to her diet. Ariel ate in peace along with Brita sitting at a little fancy table and watched everyone else did their work.
'Ahhhh… This is the life.' Ariel thought as she sipped on her warm tea emitting a light fruity fragrance. She felt like some rich White folk who owned a large plantation in the South. All the servants waited on her hand and foot.
She is the first to go to bed and the last to get up each day. Servants woke up early to boil water for her to use. They set up an outhouse for her personal use. She was kind enough to purify all her waste into wet mud like she has been doing since her stay at the mayor's home. The servants thanked her profusely and told her she didn't have to waste her magic on something so trivial. She said it was normal for her, that the smell could attract monsters in the wild.
She especially enjoyed the positive attentions from all the attractive boy butlers. Nobody treated her this way in the old world. Otto, her squire, ran around delivering word whenever Ariel requested something, while Brita stayed closely on guard.
The butlers mostly stayed away from the maids, somewhat intimidated by their professionalism and seniority. Unlike the greenhorns that are the butlers, the maids are highly trained and chastised the butler trainees on every little mistake. Ariel is their first client. If they can't learn to serve someone gentle and easy-going as her, then they can't be trusted to serve more demanding guests like Nobles.
She watched the gentle rolling green hills in the distance. Some villages dotting the landscape could be spotted with her sharp eyes. The farmlands did not cover a lot of area, unlike the massive food industry in the modern world. People still had to rely on animals or their own hands to till the land. It is a lot of fertile land. Almost every inch of it covered by green. Other than the road, the caravan is the only sign of civilization for miles around.
Brita ate almost like a lady and finished quickly. She no longer shoved everything into her mouth like it's a black hole like the first time she ate from Ariel's table. She trained with her sword and dagger skills and practiced archery on distant targets set up away from Ariel's carriage when idle. She could also keep an eye on the distance this way and be ready to shoot any approaching threat. Not that she ever needed to. Feral beasts instinctively knew not to approach such a large group of humans. Large monsters also did not venture so close to a main highway.
"You can take it easy you know?" Ariel called out from the table. "It's healthier to do only light exercises after a meal. Don't worry if you get a little fat. You can make a better shield that way." She joked.
Brita lowered and sheathed her sword. She wiped off some sweat from her forehead with a simple handkerchief.
"That will never happen as long as I can help it, mistress. I dedicate my body and soul to you." Brita stood in front of Ariel and put her fist over her heart with her face blushing. "I can never do enough to repay you for bringing all my friends back to life, and for giving me a new one."
"Your adventurer friends were fine with you leaving? You didn't leave any romantic interest behind?"
"We parted on good terms, mistress." Brita looked down and shook her head gently, arms at her sides. "Even if there was someone who took an interest in me that way… I already had my taste of men enough for several lifetimes. Thank you for restoring my maidenhood, but it was not necessary."
Brita bowed respectively and turned to walk away. She picked up her bow and started putting arrows into straw targets set up in different distances. Ariel saw her superimposing the faces of bandits on the targets in her mind.
After the sun goes down, Ariel asks Brita to tuck her in. She curled into a ball underneath her soft blanket and snuggled up to Brita, who sat at the edge of her bed. Brita lightly stroked her shoulder with an un-gloved hand. She looked like a bundle of cuteness in her eyes. Brita vowed silently to protect her mistress from all the evils of the world. Nothing must taint her virtues.
When the caravan neared E-Pespel, some riders who went ahead came back and talked to the caravan leader. Ariel opened the window and listened to the conversation discreetly after the caravan halted. They were talking about some kind of human effigy, made of limbless corpses stuck on pikes in the middle of the road. Severed limbs displayed on the ground forming primitive symbols.
The caravan leader rode back to the side of Ariel's carriage. "Apologies for the delay, my lady. The road ahead is damaged. We may need some time to repair it. Please wait here a moment."
"Alright. Please don't strain yourself. Tell me if any injury incurs so I can heal you." Ariel replied with a gentle voice. The caravan leader nodded once respectively and rode away.
Some soldiers rode ahead followed by a horse cart. They quickly buried the body parts in a shallow grave, covered the dark blood stains with dirt, and cleaned up any signs of blood from themselves. Ariel saw everything with her [Sky Eye].
"Is the Kingdom's southern border dangerous?" Ariel asked Brita when they started moving again.
"Not as dangerous as the area between E-Rantel and the Tob Forest, mistress. E-Pespel serves as an important garrison and re-supply station for the soldiers patrolling the southern border. But I have heard from traveling merchants that there are less and less patrols due to the Kingdom's decline. Some bold demi-human tribes do come close to the border occasionally from the Abelion Hills. They are mostly for trade. Attacks on the Kingdom's subjects are rare."
'I'm curious why there's not more raids on the Kingdom's highway and villages by demi-humans. The Robel Holy Kingdom has a giant Trump wall, while Re-Estize is wide open.' Ariel looked towards the south through the left side window. Some mountain tops peeked out from thick woodlands. She sensed no human presence in that direction.
They rested for only one night at E-Pespel. Riders were sent ahead to secure lodging. Its finest inn was nothing like the Shiny Golden Pavilion, but she's got her own army of servants, unlike the other guests. Soldiers and laborers restocked supply and checked for damages tirelessly, making sure everything was in working order.
The journey continued the next day, with the road curving more northward than before, until it curved sharply heading north. Ariel convinced the caravan leader to let her ride on a horse for fun, since they were getting into the heart of the Kingdom and the road was becoming safer.
She rode with Brita by her side on another horse. They raced quickly along the road to reach the scouts ahead of the caravan, then doubled back. They did this several times until they needed to rest. Ariel enjoyed the wind on her face and the smell of grass. Her ranger levels allowed her to control her horse easily. She squeezed the horse with her legs to make it go forward, keeping her upper body straight so it doesn't bounce, just like she learned from watching TV.
'This is another first for me.' Ariel thought. 'Will I remember moments like this, after I live for hundreds of years in this world? Nations can rise and fall in my eternal lifespan, while I search for new reasons to live. What kind of person will I become? Could I still recognize myself several millenniums into the future?'
Ariel felt a little depressed thinking about those things. She could make some friends, and keep them alive and young forever using her magic. But she wasn't sure if that is a smart thing to do. They might learn enough about her eventually and exploit her weaknesses, maybe betray her. Things can be cliché like that. You never know when your closest friends can become your worst enemies.
She doesn't want to have children either. Ariel wants to keep all the powers to herself and not pass any of them to someone else. Humans have a reason to create new generations and give everything to them because of their mortal nature. Not Ariel. She can easily assume other identities, but her first alias as a female divine magic caster will always be her priority. This person can live in seclusion from time to time if needed, while the real her can experience living and dying as other people.
'Yes, that is what I will do. If I get tired of being 'me' one day, I can change up the pace a little bit. One person cannot be everything by herself. I will steal a piece of every interesting person after they die, revive the one I want to talk to when I get lonely, then wipe their memory before killing them.'
When the caravan reached the Re-Estize capital at last, the outgoing traffic at the gate was stopped so Ariel's carriage could get through. People were impressed by her carriage, and all the guards and other carriages following behind. They were thinking some kind of high nobility from a distant country has arrived, or maybe a diplomat.
'I could get out of my carriage and enter the city on foot or horseback like a gracious saint so the traffic can resume as normal. But who am I to challenge the way Re-Estize does things? I'm just a naïve girl who's at the whims of the big wigs. Tehehehehe.'
She was transported all the way to the royal castle with no incident. All checkpoints granted passage with the display of wealth, power, and the letter of royal summon stamped with the royal seal. Guest quarters were prepared for her well in advance. It was within a building attached to Valencia Palace, reserved for special guests of the Crown.
Her maids and butlers were required to stay somewhere else unfortunately. The palace has their own servants who know how things should be run. Only her bodyguard was allowed to accompany her. Brita was trying hard to maintain her composure while taking in the impressive sights, while Ariel walked with a spring in her steps following the palace's butler to her room. She didn't bother to change out of her traveling clothes and looked out of place. At least her enchanted boots didn't track any dirt onto the carpet.
Brita offered to stay in the same room as her mistress, but Ariel insisted she sleep in a separate room across from hers, which shared a common sitting room. She said it would be weird for the King's guest to not sleep in her own bed. Royal maids served them both with their highest regards. Brita was not used to this. She fidgeted in her comfortable and expensive robe while the maid prepared her bath, not looking in her direction.
The next morning, a maid asked Ariel if she needed one more day of rest before meeting the King. She said she was ready. Brita accompanied her to the doors leading to the throne room that afternoon, dressed in her clean uniform good enough for elite light infantry. Ariel still wore her usual gear. She wanted to be in her element and not be mistaken as a wealthy girl. The Nobles may underestimate her and be more forgiving of her unrefined demeanor.
Both the Royal faction and the Noble faction waited impatiently in front of King Ramposa III. They were finally going to learn what really happened to Gazef out there. Some of them had different reasons than others.
"SUMMONING ARIEL SANGUINE!" A royal guard announced by the door.
The Nobles turned their heads and saw a petite girl in traveler's attire enter the double doors. Brita was left standing guard outside. Ariel walked with confidence and stopped right after she passed the front row of Nobles.
"Your Majesty." She did a quick bow with one arm in front of her and the other arm behind her. Some of the Nobles raised an eyebrow. They have seen different people meeting the King for the first time. Some were so nervous they could not talk properly. Some couldn't stop talking, praising His Majesty and all his children to the nine heavens.
This strange girl handled it with a relaxed air. Almost too relaxed, as if she's acting in a play that she had no interest in participating. They felt like they should say something to correct her ways, but didn't want to appear callous to the vulnerable looking girl. More than a few frustrated sighs were heard around the room.
"Hmm. Thank you for answering my summon, Lady Sanguine. First, I would like to thank you for saving my most loyal subordinate. Gazef, is this the person who resurrected you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. After the Sunlight Scripture massacred Carne village, my Warrior Troop, and myself, Lady Ariel restored my body to its entirety as well as returning my soul. She is a powerful divine magic caster. I and many others have witnessed her power at E-Rantel during the undead invasion." Replied Gazef, who was standing at the King's side.
"This is ridiculous." Muttered someone from the Noble faction. The room became silent momentarily.
"Now, Sir Stronoff, if you want to take a girl much younger than yourself as a partner, all you needed to do was just say so. No one would judge you for your tastes in companionship as if you are nobility." Count Lytton sneered. He has a face that looks like a fox, made only uglier whenever he smirked.
"Yes, yes, no one will interfere. You can retire and have an easy life. Let someone else more suited protect His Majesty." Another Noble chimed in.
"I assure everyone there is no such thing between Lady Ariel and I. As the Head Warrior of this kingdom, it is still my honor and responsibility to safeguard His Majesty."
"Oh, save it, Gazef! First you lose all your gear and your men. Now you accuse the Slane Theocracy of being behind the village massacres. We may not have the best relations with that country, but they do not kill innocent people for no reason! They are the champion of humanity, for Gods' sake! Quit making up stories to cover up your own failures."
Gazef was taken aback by the comment. Ariel sensed the speaker was trying to cover up something.
"I bet you just lost your fight so badly against Imperial knights, that you were trying to use this girl to cover your blunder. How much did you pay her? Or did you intimidate her with your authority? Shameful of you to coerce the savior of E-Rantel in such a way." It was Marquis Boullope this time.
"Your highness, I did no such…"
"Now now, I trust Gazef with all my confidence. He wouldn't do something like that." Ramposa interrupted.
"Your Majesty, you must not believe this deceiver! He is exploiting your weakened state. It is understandable that his so-called Warrior Troop are no match to real soldiers. If you had dispatched my elite troops instead, the Empire would be too scared to invade right now."
Boullope was using this opportunity to slander Gazef's men, hasting Barbro's succession, and boasting his own elite troops at the same time. Ariel was impressed. The boar of a man did not have an empty head on his shoulders.
"My Warrior Troop gave their lives for the Kingdom. They were facing a Scripture from the Theocracy. None of them cowered in front of such unfair odds!" Gazef was losing his temper. He could hear the screams of his men in his head. None of them were the voice of cowardice.
"Compose yourself, Gazef. You are not acting according to your station and putting shame on the Crown." Marquis Pespea chastised him. None of the Nobles liked Gazef for being a commoner. But any shameful display by him can weaken the Royal faction.
"My warriors brought honor to this kingdom! It is some of the people in this room who should be ashamed of themselves! Scheming behind closed doors against His Majesty for their petty greed. I and all my men gave our lives willingly for their King and its subjects. I will not stand as you tarnish their memories!"
Gazef could not control himself anymore, even if he tried. He was being influenced by Ariel's Trickster racial ability, [Enrage]. It was used to turn enemy NPC's that failed to resist against one another in the game. Ariel had a lot of fun watching AI-controlled characters fighting everyone in their sights. It is not the same as mind-control. It would fade if she was not around to maintain it. But it had the benefit of not using any mana, and not detectable by magic-detections.
"How dare you disrespect your betters?! I will make you the headless warrior!" Bellowed Marquis Boullope. He pulled out an ornamental sword and stomped his way towards Gazef.
Royal guards rushed forward and tried to restrain the agitated Gazef, while whispering in his ear to apologize and beg for forgiveness. Gazef would have none of that.
"Your elite troops are nothing like my warriors! They may have the best equipment, but they will never risk their lives to protect the common people!"
"Filthy low-born!" Boullope pulled back his sword ready to swing, just as Gazef threw the royal guards off of himself. The King watched speechless, not knowing what to do.
"[Mass Hold Species]!"
Boullope's sword was stopped an inch away from Gazef's neck, while Gazef's hands were almost touching Boullope's. No one in the room could move a muscle except Ariel. Not the royal guards, not the strongest man in the Kingdom.
"I still have not been paid as promised!" Ariel cried. She walked forward and stood to the side between Gazef and Marquis Boullope. Eyeballs followed her for those who could see her. "Can you two settle this in a duel or something later? You can fight to your heart's content. I think you can afford to have me revive or heal you back to full health afterward."
Gazef calmed down immediately. Boullope was bewildered to be rendered completely helpless by a little girl. He wanted this embarrassment to his warrior pride to end as quickly as possible. They both blinked rapidly at Ariel.
"Alright. If you both decide to be civilized from now on. Release."
Everyone else in the room felt like they could breathe again. Boullope sheathed his sword. Gazef backed away and stood beside the King like nothing has happened.
"Arrest her!" Someone yelled. The royal guards ignored the command. They went to stand beside Gazef and Ramposa to prevent anything else unexpected from happening, but felt they were powerless with Ariel around.
"I think this is enough for today." The King said in a tired voice. "Guards, escort Gazef to his quarters after I leave, I need to be alone for a while."
"Should we request a healer for you, Your Majesty?" Marquis Raeven asked.
"No healing can cure old age, Marquis Raeven. I just need to rest. That spell was really something. Believe me, I tried summoning all my old man strength, but I couldn't lift a finger. Such a helpless feeling for a king."
"Sorry about that, Your Majesty. I had to do something to prevent blood being spilled here. I can make you feel well again, if you can trust me."
Several Nobles near Ariel backed away slowly. They were afraid of whatever magic she might cast next.
"Oh? I am curious. Fine, I will allow you to do this, since you so graciously offered, after saving my loyal subordinate, again." The King sat back and relaxed.
Ariel raised her hand towards the king and cast her spell. "[Revitalize]."
Bright blue light washed over Ramposa from a magic circle. His white hair and beard became darker until they turned blonde. Wrinkles disappeared from his face, followed with some colors returning. His arms that felt like twigs became thicker and muscular. His large belly gone, replaced by a sturdy trunk. His old, injured leg no longer felt painful. The King's whole body felt 20 years younger. He felt he was strong enough to fight ten men. Twenty if he was armed.
"There. Now you are at your healthiest state for your age. You are 60, correct? I thought you looked 80."
Ramposa stood up and flexed his arms. He stretched his legs, then hopped from one foot to the other effortlessly. People watched with their eyes almost popping out of their heads. Ramposa laughed a hearty laugh. He never thought he could feel like a warrior king again.
"That was a very fine demonstration of your power, Lady Ariel. Don't tell me you can also turn back time and make me younger again." Ramposa joked as he sat back down.
Ariel stayed silent.
'She can do it!'
'What is she, a goddess?'
'We must do something!'
'She must not be allowed to leave!'
'My future son-in-law would not like this.'
Thoughts echoed around the Nobles. Ariel heard them all. They want to shackle her. The Royal faction wants to conscript her into the Kingdom's service. The Noble faction wants to bribe her with their power and influence. She was not worried about any of that. 'Let them fight amongst themselves.' Ariel thought. It feels good to be wanted.