Chapter 10: Aftermath! King Tristram III's decision

Chidori watched as her Storm Gust subsided, leaving the carcass of the Golden Thief Bug behind. She couldn't believe her eyes. The almighty MVP, the Golden Thief Bug, dead, killed by her powerful Storm Gust. The deadly creature that took entire armies to defeat was now dead.

"Wow," she exclaimed in awe. She never thought that she possessed such a powerful spell. To think that all these years she had been running away from it! Fleeing from her true heritage, her true identity! She now knew why the Yukino clan was so thoroughly feared by the other wizard clans. She fully understood why her family was hailed as the greatest wizard clan ever, even amongst other powerful clans like the Galewing clan.

It was due to the Storm Gust.

"All right," the Crimson Cloak said as she sheathed her saber. "It's time for me to go."

"Aren't you staying?" Chidori cried. The Crimson Cloak smiled as she turned her back towards her. "The Golden Thief Bug has been destroyed. The Ice Hound has been uncaged. My job here is done."

"But why can't you stay?" Chidori asked. "After all, we may be heading towards the same destination, right?"

"I have no destination, Chidori," the Crimson Cloak said curtly. "I am a bounty hunter. I go wherever my job takes me too."

"Then why did you come here? What was your job this time?" Chidori questioned. The Crimson Cloak merely smiled, as she replied mysteriously, "Oh but this was an exception. I came here to ensure the unchaining of the Ice Hound went smoothly."

Chidori looked at her, very much confused. "But what does my Storm Gust have to do with you?" she asked once again.

"Let's make it simple." The Crimson Cloak said. "The unchaining of the Ice Hound shall greatly benefit me."

"In other words, Chidori, I want your Storm Gust."

Chidori let out a gasp, "Y...you can't be serious, right?" she said shakily. "If you had wanted the Storm Gust, you would have taken it when I was defenseless back then."

The Crimson Cloak gave her another mysterious smile. "But that would spoil the fun, wouldn't it?" she said.

"But don't worry," she said as she sensed Chidori's anxiety. "I won't take your Storm Gust... Yet." She then turned her back to Chidori and made her way towards the setting sun.

"But I thought you had already forgiven me!" Chidori cried out loud as she Crimson Cloak turned to leave. "I thought that you were on my side!"

The Crimson Cloak stopped abruptly in her tracks, as she said, "I never once said we were friends..." With that, she picked up her speed, and began dashing towards the glorious sunset, leaving behind a very much hurt Chidori.


A week later, Chidori, Tsukiyo, Sky and Axis were kneeling before the king, heads bowed low.

Thanks to the Crimson Cloak's mysterious medication, Tsukiyo had made a swift recovery, and was now fully recovered after being treated by the Pronteran Priests. He now knelt before the king along with his comrades, awaiting what his highness had to say.

Sky suffered minor injuries, and was patched up in no time at all. Axis, being a royal knight, was entitled to special medication. The last time Sky saw him, he was carrying the hollow exterior of the Golden Thief Bug into the castle. Throughout the week, he had pondered hard. Axis's fighting style seemed vaguely familiar, as if he had seen it before, not long ago...

Chidori was perhaps the one hurt most in this ordeal, not only physically but also mentally. Her brief encounter with the Crimson Cloak had given her the motivation to cast the Storm Gust, but it was also the Crimson Cloak who had shattered her spirit by claiming that she would one day steal her Storm Gust, just as she finally thought that she had found a true friend.

Now, a week later, the king of Prontera, King Tristram III summoned them into his audience chamber. They now knelt before him, not knowing what to expect.

"Sky Zanryuu," the king said in a majestic tone. "Although you are not a citizen of Prontera, you gave it your all in order to defeat the MVP the Golden Thief Bug. I am truly grateful for your efforts, and will see to it that you are handsomely rewarded,"

Sky bowed his head, before saying, "Pardon me your highness, but there is something that I wish for more than any amount of riches you could offer."

King Tristram III was interested. "Go on." he commanded. Sky nodded before continuing, "Your highness, if possible I would wish for your immediate attention." After finishing his sentence, he reached into his cloak and retrieved a thick brown envelope. "This is something my Guild Master wishes me to deliver. Your personal attention, your highness, would be above all rewards the Pronteran Empire could possibly offer."

"I see," King Tristram III said as he waved his hand. Two foot soldiers immediately retrieved the envelope and handed it to the king. "I assure you that I shall read it as soon as I have dismissed you all," he said as he laid the envelope upon his lap. "You are dismissed, Sky Zanryuu."

Sky stood up, gave a deep bow, and finally retreated. The king now focused his attention towards the remaining three. "Axis," he said. "I will personally speak to Lord Shark after this. You can expect a promotion any time soon. Dismissed."

Axis stood up and saluted before leaving the chamber. King Tristram III then turned to Chidori and said, "Yukino Chidori, although you did play a vital role in the annihilation of the Golden Thief Bug, you did, however, assault my Chief Advisor, Zephyr Galewing. This act of high treason is normally punishable by death, but this time I shall make an exception and let you go."

Chidori bowed, before saying, "I am grateful, your highness, but if possible, I have a request to make."

At her request, Zephyr flew into a rage. "How dare you utter such a statement, you ungrateful woman!" He bellowed. "You should..."

"Silence, Zephyr!" King Tristram III roared. "She was the one who delivered the killing blow, and thanks to her you and I are still standing here in one piece!" Turning towards Chidori, the king said, "Speak, what do you wish for? I will do everything I can to fulfill it."

Chidori looked up at the king, and said, "Your highness, I humbly ask you not to pursue the A-class criminal the Crimson Cloak."

Upon hearing this, Zephyr went berserk. "Ignore her?" he shouted. "She attacked me and threatened to kill me should I refuse to co-operate! Such acts are highly unforgivable! Your highness, this is totally unheard of and..."

"SILENCE, ZEPHYR!" King Tristram III roared again. "How dare you order me around! One more word and I shall have you thrown you out of this chamber!"

Zephyr immediately fell silent, and the king continued. "I'm sure you have your reasons, Yukino. Please kindly state them."

Chidori cleared her throat, before continuing. "Your highness, I think I should rephrase my request. I hope that you do not pursue the A-class criminal the Crimson Cloak but instead allow me to settle my score with her personally."

King Tristram III was shocked, but he quickly recovered. "Very well," he said. "I leave the hunting of the Crimson Cloak to you. Do you have any further requests?"

Chidori bowed her head, and said, "I am truly grateful, your highness. I have nothing more to ask for."

"Very well then. You may leave,"

"Thank you, your highness" Chidori said as she left the audience chamber. Now only Tsukiyo was left.


"Tsukiyo Sousuke," King Tristram III said. "Needless to say, your post as an acolyte of the church will be reinstated. You can return..."

"Pardon me for interrupting, your highness, but I too have a favor to ask." Tsukiyo interrupted. "Three, in fact." He said uncertainly.

King Tristram III raised his eyebrows. "Speak, Tsukiyo. I may consider them, but no promises."

Tsukiyo gulped, before continuing. "First of all, your highness, I would like to enlist your help to locate someone." King Tristram III looked at him, before saying, "Done. Continue."

"Second, I wish to personally pursue this person, without the aid of Pronteran forces. Something personal, just like Chidori."

King Tristram III nodded and said, "Very well. And the third?"

Tsukiyo braced himself, and finally said, "I wish to be given the authority to execute him, rather than take him into custody." King Tristram III paused for a while, before finally nodding. "Granted. And who is this character you wish to execute?"

Tsukiyo paused, before finally saying, "The corrupt acolyte, Kira Galewing."

Beside the king, Zephyr's staff came crashing onto the ground, leaving the stunned sage there, too shocked for words.


King Tristram closed his eyes and thought deeply. Kira was indeed a wanted man, but since he was Zephyr's grandson, the king had promised Zephyr that he wouldn't be executed. He was faced with a dilemma, to either side with the church, or with his chief advisor.

"Very well," he finally said. "I guess you leave me not choice." He opened his mouth to reveal the location of the traitor, Kira, when Zephyr suddenly stopped him. "Kira Galewing was last seen in Geffen, the arcane city of magic." Zephyr said shortly.

This time it was the king's turn to be surprised. He turned to look at Zephyr, who had just made that statement.

"Rules are rules, your highness," he said as if reading his mind. "Traitors must be put to justice, even if they are... connected... with us..."

The king looked at Zephyr, before saying, "I'm glad you understand, Zephyr." Turning to Tsukiyo, King Tristram commanded, "Tsukiyo Sousuke, I give you full authority to hunt down the traitor Kira Galewing. After you have captured him, I will leave him to your mercy."

Tsukiyo got up and bowed, before slowly retreating out of the audience chamber. "Geffen," he thought as he clenched his fists tightly. "I'll definitely pay you back, Kira Galewing!"

END OF CHAPTER TEN


Heh, sorry this chapter took so long. My modem crashed and I was left without an Internet connection for weeks >
This chapter is the transition chapter between the two arcs, marking the end of the Prontera Arc, and the beginning of the Geffen Arc. Next chapter will bring them to Geffen /heh