Heroes of the Arks
ESKK: Well here we are Chapter 22 and with it the moment you've all waited for. So then let's begin the chapter.
(Start on the Road)
Melty was shocked over what she saw, Shiro was glaring at the knights in contempt, and Jun was angry at the traitorous Knights. No scratch that she was beyond angry as she glared at the Knight before. "I won't let you take her away again." Jun snarled as she held the Knight off with the promise to prevent them from escaping unscathed. But this was the beginning the butterfly has flapped its wings and in turn fate has played its hand. Now the only thing that can be done is to face it and hope to come out of it as the victor.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Shiro demanded as he glared at the Knight while Jun then pushed him back.
"That's my line!" Jun yelled as she glared at the Knight.
"Curse you! How dare you take the Royal Princess Melty hostage?!" The Knight yelled clearly playing a role causing the Four Pactmakers and their allies to all go wide eyed to this.
"I'm not taking anybody hostage!" Shiro yelled in defense but he then reminded himself these guys are from Melromarc which meant in their minds he was the Devil.
"You're a liar!" The Same Knight called out pointing his sword at Shiro. "Fellow Knights justice is ours lets destroy this devil of the Shield!" The Knight called out and thus the Jun glared at them.
"Over my dead body!" Jun yelled and in turn she and her two cohorts charged in.
"Not without us." Tsubaki said and thus they were ready. "Rishia stay with the cart!" Tsubaki called out and thus Rishia nodded.
"Right!" Rishia called out not wanting to be a part of this.
In turn the battle began as the heroes and pactmakers used the flat sides of their weapons to attack. Shiro worked on defending Melty as he was on the defensive while Taiyo spun his spear around hitting as many of his foes as he could. During this Demonicon slammed his halberd to the ground causing a burst of air to blow out knocking the Knights back while Pete proceeded to smash two of them together with his bare fists. Rino hacked and slashed at the foes with Greede as Tsubaki fired her arrows intent on causing as little harm to them as possible. Using both her sword and dagger Jun fought her way through her foes as Kuro flew around attacking them to aid his master in her fight. He even clawed at one causing him to yell and try slashing the phoenix away but missing the target. The group had the upper hand in this but Jun saw they weren't even trying it was an act and a damn convincing one at that. She in turn knew that Operation Masquerade was a go and knew she had to find her target NOW.
Once this was done the Leading Knight and the Knight with the crystal ball nodded to each other and gave the next order. "Full retreat!" He ordered and thus the Knights got moving.
"No you don't!" Jun called out and thus gave chase to the Knights with Pete and Demonicon.
"Wait Jun!" Shiro called out but Jun looked to them.
"Go you need to protect Melty!" Jun called out as she looked to her friends. "Please I need to do this! I can't let Melty become another Kizuna." Jun added and thus pulled out her Knights ark. "Verto!" She called out and in turn in a flash the Black Knight formed and in response Pete and Demonicon jumped onto the Knight as they chased after the fleeing Knights.
Once they were gone the group all looked to each other as they got worried now. "Now what?" Taiyo asked as Tsubaki knew what to do here.
"We need to start moving." Tsubaki said knowing that right now they just became public enemy number 1. Melty was of course shell shocked through it all but right now the remaining Pactmakers may be her only chance at survival out here.
(With Jun)
As they came upon the Knights they seemed to take notice to the Black Knight and in turn it caused them to panic in response and thus run faster to escape. "Guys Operation Masquerade is a go." Jun said as she then looked to Kuro. "Kuro find Malty." Jun said and in turn Kuro nodded and departed to locate the First Born Princess.
Just then the sky around her began to explode causing her to stop her flight and glide before looking for the source. As she looked down Jun went wide eyed under her Knights armor at what she saw below. "Oh shit." Jun cursed as on the ground were the Mech Knights upgraded and updates but most of all they were firing at her from shoulder mounted cannons tipped with magical stones. The stones charged up once more and thus Jun was forced to avoid another blast at her.
"What now boss?" Demonicon asked as he looked at Jun.
"We disappear like we planned!" Jun called out and thus Pete nodded as did Demonicon. Jun then began to dive bomb torts a hill seemingly going for cover as the shots kept firing at her. But as the enemy continued firing she took a sharp turn and flew upward avoiding the shots as best she could. Eventually as fate would have it one of the Mech Knights got managed to hit her and thus the Black Knight began to free fall when its wing was hit. The Knight began to turn to smoke and vanish in a flash of light which was their cue to start moving with one objective in mind... retrieve the Black Knight's Ark at all costs. One thing was certain Jun may not be coming back to her friends alive like they had hoped.
(Scene Break a weeks later)
Needless to say Tsubaki's assumption was spot on as the group had been made into public enemy number 1. Across the land a clearly modified version of the incident was shared as the image made the group look like bad guys. Luckily since Rishia stayed out of the fight she was able to leave and get what they may need as well as gather firsthand information for them.
The Heroes were forced into hiding as checkpoints were seen all over the country and what made it worse they had Mech Knights now patrolling the boarders. Jun was right on the money they were mass producing them and it was clear that this left them at a disadvantage out here. At the moment the Heroes were gathered at a camp site as nearby was their wagon. Raphtalia had gone with Conan, Rishia, and Rino to do some recon while the rest remained here.
The group had not heard anything from Jun, Pete, or Demonicon. It was like they had completely vanished filling the three friends with dread over Jun's possible fate. Ryuko and Filo were seen comforting Melty as after the incident she endured it was no surprised she was scared to death. Just then they heard rustling of leaves and from it they saw Conan, Rino, Rishia, and Raphtalia show up and with them news.
"What's the damage?" Shiro asked fearing over what the answer may be.
"The altered images have gone to pretty much every town and village." Rino began as she looked to the Shield Hero/White Knights Pactmaker.
"As things are now entering them would be too much of a risk." Conan reported and thus it was clear they were in some deep shit now.
"What about Jun?" Taiyo asked as they were all worried about her.
"Nothing I'm afraid." Raphtalia said as it was clear to them Jun was missing or worse... dead. All this because they disturbed what the Three Heroes Church views as the natural order of things.
"Damn them." Shiro cursed as they were all in agreement on this. "This is wrong." Shiro added as he sat down on a log. "How can anyone go out of their way to murder their own daughter?" Shiro said as he looked to the darkness. "It doesn't make sense." Shiro said while he's trying to figure it all out and thus Melty stood up.
"That's not true! My father would never do something like this!" Melty defended as Taiyo obviously begged to differ on this.
"I can't see why you'd stick up for that scumbag." Taiyo said but before Melty could snap at him Ail cut in to speak.
"But you have a point what would Aultcray gain by killing his daughter and framing Shiro for it?" Ail asked as he tried to make sense of this.
"It has to be Malty who's behind this." Tsubaki said as she got everyone's attention on her. "Shiro told me what Jun found out, Malty is the only one who has anything to gain out of this and Jun must have known and gone after her." Tsubaki said as it sounded like something Jun would do.
"She's right." Melty agreed as she hated to admit it but this was right up her sister's methods.
"She kills you and takes your place as Crown Princess, frames Shiro and Tsubaki, and gets away with it due to this countries state religion." Taiyo said as it was made worse with Jun currently MIA on them they were short a Knight and a hero.
"Then we must locate Jun we will need all our strength if we want to survive." Conan said as he knew without Jun they may not make it through unscathed.
"We can't look because everyone is looking for us that's including bounty hunters if any." Shiro said as he wanted to locate Jun but the risk to them was too great to even try.
"Papa." Ryuko suddenly said as she heard and smelled them... the Knights. "The bad people are coming." Ryuko said and thus Shiro went to the edge of their meager camp site and saw fires in the distance. With it he could hear the sound of the Mech Knights coming for them and thus this meant they had to run.
Shiro returned and then looked to Melty and had to ask her. "Where is your mom right now?!" Shiro asked as Melty was surprised by this.
"She was in Faubey last I spoke to her." Melty said as she looked to Shiro.
"Faubey it's far but it's a start." Shiro said as they had to leave the country as soon as possible. "But the Wagons will give us away." Shiro said as he looked to the Wagon in question.
"Don't worry." Tsubaki said as she looked to the group. "We can hide it in my secret village and get them back later." Tsubaki said much to Melty's surprise.
"Secret Village?" Melty asked as she was confused about all of this.
"I'll explain on the way." Tsubaki said and thus they all got ready to move.
(Scene Break Demonicon and Pete)
"Ok our part is done." Demonicon said as he and Pete were hidden away in a secret location as it looked like an abandoned house in Melromarc. "The package was dropped off and now we need to make sure they reunite without any suspicion to her or us." He said and in turn Pete nodded to this before they turned to the doorway nearby. "Isn't that right, Princess?" Demonicon asked and from the doorway Malty walked out as she had a smirk on her face over her victory.
"Of course you two did you job well, that bitch never saw you coming." Malty said as she smirked at the two before her nodded in agreement to this. "Now I must be off I can't let Sir Motoyasu suspect anything from me so try to stay out of sight otherwise I'm going to have thrown you both to the wolves." Malty said as she took her leave of the two Mercenaries.
"See you next time, Princess." Demonicon said as it seemed that Demonicon and Pete had betrayed Jun to the Royals. But the question was what they even had to gain from helping this bitch after seeing all she had done to those around her. Something was up and the question was obvious and that was, what.
(Scene Break Mountain Range a few days later)
A few days had passed as the group were now travelling by foot. After dropping off the wagons, much to Filo and Ryuko's objections to it, they had continued travelling till they hit the mountain range. From there they would head to the boarder and hope that they can cross it without a blockade in their way. But they knew if they crossed it Jun would be stuck in Melromarc by herself without any of them there to help her. Jun worked great by herself but the group worried for their friend even if they were not given a choice in the matter.
With the group soon came across a small mountain area with some seem to have form natural caves to duck into as Shiro knew how much they travel, they needed a break as he stop at open cave and said, "We'll stop for the time being, get some rest and recover our energy."
"Good idea, as no doubt the border to Faubey isn't that much further now, but would be heavily guarded," Tsubaki as Taiyo said, "Not to mention get all the rocks out of my boots."
Taiyo stop on one leg and remove one of his boots, tipping it over and watch as a small pile of gravel come out from it as Rino said, "I'll start gather up wood and preparing meals for everyone."
"I'll gather some water, as I believe I saw a river nearby," Conan said with Raphtalia said, "I'll get camp set up inside."
"I'll go do some hunting around see what I can find," Tsubaki said as with her being the bow user, no doubt she would be good at sniping her pray with Shiro said, "I'll go with you and look around for herb and maybe some edible vegetation."
"I'll scout around on Takaya for bit to see if we have anyone following us," Taiyo said as Ali came up and said, "I'll put up some protecting spells around just in case."
"Hey what can we do papa?" Ryuko said as she looks at Taiyo as he look down at his adopted daughter and said, "Well you're going to guard the princess, let no one touch her."
"Same to you as well Filo, and if need be carry her out to Faubey and get her to her mother," Shiro said as he knew how fast Filo can be, and no doubt if it just Melty riding on top of Filo they will no doubt get out of and situation fast with Shiro said to the two girls, "But most of all… try to have fun even with the situation we're in."
The girls nodded to this as they lead Princess Melty into the cave as Shiro turn to everyone and said, "Alright let's get to working."
(Later)
With everyone doing their part as Tsubaki and Shiro brought what they have gathered, with Tsubaki gotten some rabbits and birds, with Shiro gotten some mushrooms, herbs, and some wild potato that he sure that were safe to eat.
Rino had made a campfire and made food for everyone with the supplies they had, and prepared the gathered food for process for later use with Conan return back with bags of water from the river and boil it to make it safe to drink for everyone.
After everything was said and done, everyone soon went to bed with Shiro taking the his shift of night watch with everyone asleep but Melty who had awoken early, as she held up a locket that was open, showing the drawn image of her mother and father together as soon Shiro said to her, "You should get some more rest princess, as we're going to be headed out soon to reach the border of Faubey and we may be going to be fighting to cross it."
"Alright… but there something I need to ask you sir shield hero," Melty said as Shiro said to her, "I told you to just call me Shiro, I don't really care for titles right now."
"Sorry, but I must know, what happen between and father?" Melty said as Shiro looks to her as she went on saying, "I mean my mother said that the shield hero should be treated well. What happen?"
"To tell you the truth, My friends and I don't know as before we were brought here, the king seem to have some sort of vendetta against the title of Shield hero itself, we play nice, we gave our respect to him but it seem he never trusted me or my friends, and when your sister did the whole fake rape stuff he just showed his true colors of hating me, even going as far as to punish my friends when it was supposed to be me that was in trouble when they try to defend me with strong evident to prove I didn't do it, but he brush it off like it was nothing," Shiro said with Melty was surprise that the whole rape stuff was just rumors but to hear it from Shiro himself was something else and she is surprise to hear her father would try to punish Shiro's friends like that.
"But that can't be right?" Melty said as Shiro said, "Well like it or not, it happen regardless. I had to summon my armor to stop him and make him release them, not like I wanted too but the way he acted it seem nothing would have stop him otherwise, so I do apologize for that, but after that I couldn't trust the king anymore, even more so that he seem to have ignore everything bad thing that the spear hero, the sword hero, and former bow hero had done within this kingdom that my friends and I had to clean up."
Slowly enough a heavy emotion fell upon Melty as it seem everything about her father had done when her mother was away… it was truly disgraceful, even if he is a stand in for her mother as ruler of the kingdom, he should have done better, not make things worse as she said, "No… It seem I the one who has to apologize, as my father is a sweet person, I just… I don't know what has gotten into him that made him do such things."
"Who knows, maybe he is a well guy, he could be a good father, but whatever issue he has with me seem to over written of being a good king, or maybe what you know and saw was just a mask he wears to hide what was really underneath it, but who knows as at this point he will no longer talk to me or see me as a normal person but someone lower and evil and thus talking to him won't do anyone any good as until your mother comes back, we're at a disadvantage and will keep on being seen as criminals until we are captured and put to death or worse," Shiro said as Melty just nodded to that as it seem even if she did try to get Shiro back to the castle safely her father will not listen to reason.
Soon enough Shiro saw the moon in the night sky getting lower, as no doubt within a few hours or so, the sun will rise and they needed to reach the border before then, as he stood up and said, "Its time, help me wake up everyone and pack up. We need to leave right away."
Soon enough, everyone was up and pack everything before they headed their way closer and closer to the border, but soon they ran into a problem, up ahead there was a check point to the border itself with many guard there with a squad of mech knights as well that had anti-air weapon too if the staffs were anything to go by, with the party keep hidden in the trees as Taiyo said, "Great, how are we supposed to get pass them?"
"Changing into our knights to fly over won't do us any good if they can shoot us down," Tsubaki said with Shiro said, "And just try to force out way through would be stupid and a waste of time as well."
"So if we can go from the air or the front… how do we get around them?" Raphtalia asked with Shiro look around and saw a cliff area with a road leading down a path below the cliff line as he said, "Maybe we can go around them instead."
"Wait what?" Taiyo said as Shiro pointed out the road that was near the cliffs as he said, "IF we take that route we may able to get pass them from the side of the cliff and use the dragon knight and moon maiden to fly out once we pass them before they realize we were even there."
"I don't know, those path are pretty narrow and one wrong step and say bye-bye to living," Taiyo said as Tsubaki said, "Maybe, but without our limited option it maybe the best choice to take."
"IT seem we have no other choice at the moment," Melty said as she knew there was no way to get pass other than there as Shiro nodded and said, "Let move."
After that the group manage to get to the cliff route without being seen, but as Taiyo said the path was narrow and the edge of the path for it was unstable, but never the less they went forth.
Everyone line up in a single form some of them putting their hands on the cliff walls to keep themselves steady while the smaller party members just walk normal as Filo, Ryuko, and Melty walk without much trouble, until suddenly the ground underneath melty left foot broke off and about to fall down until Shiro reach out quickly and pull her back up losing his bag in the process.
That gotten everyone worry with Shiro a bit freak out as he had done that soon found his breath and said, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you Shiro," Melty said as it seem thing were good suddenly became bad as a voice of a guard from above said, "There they are! Down there!"
"Oh crap," Taiyo said as Tsubaki soon said to everyone, "Everybody run now!"
They took off running, blowing cautious to the wind as they ran across the narrow path before they came upon a more open area with the guards catch up as well with a mech knight following as well.
The combination of both Mech Knights and Horses cause the three Pactmakers to pick up their speed. "Guys get ready to summoning our Knights down over there pass that big rock!" Shiro called out and thus Taiyo agreed.
"Then lets rocket!" Taiyo called out as he picked up the speed.
But as they got to the rock they only found a ledge in their path. "Turn around!" Shiro ordered only to stop as he saw that the guards had him and his friend surrounded. "Or not." Shiro said realizing they were trapped and for them it was going to get worse. The group looked and saw the large group of Knights and saw the Three Stooges were there also.
Just then one of the Mech Knights with a bow similar to the Moon Maiden's chest opened up and from it they saw Itsuki inside it. "That's it you got nowhere left to run." Itsuki said as he, Motoyasu, and Ren entered the area. "Your surrounded even you have to admit that." Itsuki said as he glared at the group. "Cease your resistance and release Princess Melty at once and surrender yourself and the Legendary Bow." Itsuki said as Tsubaki saw Itsuki couldn't take facts as they were. But now this whole situation has steeled his resolve over Tsubaki being a thief and hacker who stole the bow from him.
"Yeah how about no." Taiyo said as he glared at Itsuki. "It's not like she's even tied up here." Taiyo added as he pointed his spear accusingly at the group.
"Quit lying to us we have all the proof we need now." Motoyasu said as he smirked at the group and clearly still refusing to believe that he was not the chosen Spear Hero.
In turn hoping to defuse the situation Melty stepped up knowing that this was a huge misunderstanding and a set up against the Shield. "Please sir heroes I'm perfectly find as you can well see." Melty said as she tried to stop a fight before it happens. "The Shield Hero kept watch over me making sure I was safe." Melty said as she looked to the Heroes.
"Wait a minute this whole thing is happening because Shiro and Tsubaki abducted you." Ren said as he saw something fishy was going on.
Seeing she had their attention Melty spoke up once more. "This is all a misunderstanding you see someone is plotting to have me killed I asked him to take me with him and to protect my life." Melty said as she looked to the Three Cardinal Heroes.
"He's protecting you, come on." Ren said as he didn't believe it one bit.
"What advantage would the shield hero stand to gain by abducting me?" Melty said as Shiro was honestly grateful that Melty was standing up for him and his friends by proxy. Perhaps things were starting to look up for them now. "The Queen told me that this is the time for all of us to work together it's the only way we can thwart the catastrophes." Melty said and then got to her main point. "Our world can't withstand any more of these ridicules pointless conflicts." Melty said as it seemed like the heroes were listening to her. "Put your weapons away please." Melty said hoping they would listen and not be what Jun had told her what she had felt they all really were.
"Look it's like she said this whole thing is a set up. I have no secrets so I'll tell you everything I know and then." Shiro began but it seems thing were turning south as a new voice spoke up.
"I command you not to listen to him." Malty was heard as the group saw the red haired bitch was here. "That Devil of the Shield possess a brainwashing shield." Malty said no doubt trying to stop any attempt from her gaining the throne. "It allows you to take over you mind by simply talking to you it's the most dangerous weapon he has." Malty said clearly lying through her teeth.
"What? Who would be stupid enough to believe... oh forget it we're surrounded by such people." Tsubaki said as she knew a lost cause when she saw one and was in turn ready to fight her way out if need be.
"The Three Heroes church has discovered that heretics who worship the Shield Hero and his allies have started popping up all over the kingdom in the past month." Malty said as Shiro felt off by this.
"Not this bitch again." Shiro growled a bit but then calmed somewhat. "But she's acting differently especially with how she's moving." Shiro said as the way Malty was moving it almost looked rehearsed. No wait it was something else something familiar about her which in turn caused the White Knight's ark to pulse within his Shield. 'Wait am I dreaming or?' Shiro wondered as he saw Malty continue her speech.
"The Devil of the Shield calls himself the Savior of the Fowl and goes around brainwashing the innocent with the aid of the Witch of the Moon calling herself the Maiden Huntress of the Sacred Forest." Malty said as she fabricated her lies even further.
"Sister you're evidently mad." Melty said as Tsubaki had to agree with the princess when she sensed the same feeling from her Moon Maiden's Ark as Shiro did.
"Um I think we've passed madness and entered outright deranged and psychotic." Taiyo said as he looked and saw that even his Dragon Knight felt the same as the others.
"Melty my dear little deranged creature it's obvious that devil of the Shield had already brainwashed you." Malty said playing the role of a caring elder sister while looking over to the group before winking at them.
"Now I see." Motoyasu cut in and in turn they knew things have gone from bad to worse. "That means, Raphtalia and Filo were brainwashed by Shiro too." Motoyasu said as the group wanted to really ring his neck hoping it may cause enough blood to block that when they release him it will flow into that peanut he calls a brain. "It might mean Shiro helped Taiyo brainwash Rino, Ryuko, and Tsubaki also." He added as even Malty for a split second looked ticked before regaining herself.
"What are you stupid!?"Tsubaki asked as the Cardinal Bow Heroin/Pactmaker of the Moon Maiden glared at the moron.
"She's right Shiro hasn't brainwashed any of us!" Raphtalia said and thus it was Rino who spoke up glaring at Motoyasu.
"How can you be this much of a moron!?" Rino yelled as she looked to Motoyasu in shock to how stupid and gullible this dumbass was against a pretty face.
"If my shield had that power and I even dined the thought of using it we wouldn't even be here right now." James said to which even he knew the flaw in Malty's lie.
"Do we have any guarantee that it can't? What kind of proof can you provide us that you're not lying?" Ren said and thus Shiro looked ready to argue until Taiyo stopped him.
"Dude just don't there's no reasoning with stupid." Taiyo said as he knew what was about to happen.
"Sir Motoyasu, Sir Ren, and Sir Itsuki it's clear as day these villains won't surrender and even if she is a false hero she still is in possession of the Cardinal Bow." Malty said as she then turned to the heroes. "You must set aside your differences and defeat the threat that lays before us all!" Malty said as she looked to the group. "If you don't then they will surely tear this country asunder with their armors of war and tainting the legendary bow with evil." Malty said as she looked to them playing the roll flawlessly.
"She's right." Ren said as he stood next to Motoyasu as Itsuki stood behind them inside the Mech Knight. "We need to cooperate long enough to take them down." Ren said as he had his Cardinal Sword ready for battle.
"Please Sir Motoyasu, for me." Malty said when she saw Motoyasu would not listen and thus he sighed.
"Alright fine." Motoyasu said as he then pointed the legendary spear at the group ready for battle. "But Shiro is mine." Motoyasu said and thus Taiyo countered.
"Over my dead body!" Taiyo said knowing he had to get that Spear away from Motoyasu.
"Oh and there is one last thing you must learn if we are to be victorious." Malty said as she looked away from the heroes and then smirked to the pactmakers with a look that said 'watch this,' to them.
"What is it?" Motoyasu asked and thus Malty struck.
"I lied." Malty announced but this time in Jun's voice before she turned around and swung a sword at Ren forcing him to block it. But when he did so to his shock he saw the Black Knights Ark there instead of a sword. The clash caused the Ark and weapon to react much like it did between Itsuki and Ren causing the alert to pop up before Ren's widened eyes.
"Legendary Weapon Violation: Wielder has been noted of tampering with the Cardinal Bow as a Falsified Hero. Statues Magic privileges and any and all other privileges as the Cardinal Bow Hero have thus been terminated." The Alert read and thus Ren realized that what happened to Itsuki was about to happen to him. In turn he was dragged into the inner world of the Knight.
(Location Unknown)
Ren opened his eyes and thus saw Jun standing there in her normal gear as she faced away from Ren on the platforms edge. As she stood there she turned to face Ren with a smirk and thus showed off her Cardinal Sword now where it belongs. Ren reached for his sword and saw it was gone before from below the ledge the Black Knight shot out.
It glared down upon Ren before it flew higher only to come back down as a Black Phoenix and with it looked as if it was the envoy of death. It flew at Ren and thus he was unable to protect himself from the impending attack.
(Real World)
Ren and Malty shot away from each other and as Malty landed with the Pactmakers she reached for her hair and removed it showing it was in fact a wig and upon removing the make-up she revealed herself as Jun now wielding the Legendary Sword.
"What Jun?!" Motoyasu cried out and thus Ren got up and saw the Legendary Sword was no longer with him.
"JUN!?" The pactmakers cried out to Jun who had retrieved her sword at long last.
"Hah I knew you were alive!" Taiyo cheered happy to see Jun was alive and well and dressed as Malty for some reason.
"Sorry I had to worry you guys but I couldn't risk contacting you and blowing my cover." Jun said as she looked to her friends before looking over to the shocked Motoyasu. Motoyasu had just become the Lone Cardinal Hero as he was now facing three Heroes with a Knight each.
"How... where's Malty?!" Motoyasu demanded as he glared at Shiro and thus Jun spoke up.
"Dude I've been impersonating Malty for almost two weeks already and neither you nor her dad could tell the difference." Jun said as she then sighed a bit. "Heck I even dropped a few signals to see if you numbskulls could figure it out but nope you bought whatever a pretty face told you and papa saw her baby girl could do no wrong." Jun said as she was almost bragging about how easily she tricked everyone to believe she was Malty. "In fact grabbing her wasn't even that hard to begin with." Jun said as she recounted the incident.
(Flashback)
Malty was alone in her Inn room over how the Knights had failed to kill Melty. As she was ranting she didn't even realize Jun was there until it was too late. She found a dagger to her neck and froze up when she was restrained. "W-what but you were shot down!?" Malty said and thus Jun smirked to this.
"Not exactly and right now you need to get off the stage and let an understudy take over." Jun said before she knocked out Malty then and there.
(Later Downstairs)
'Malty,' passed by Motoyasu as she carried a large sack over her shoulder. "Pardon me Sir Motoyasu." The fake Malty said as she smiled to Motoyasu. "I need to take care of something but I shall return momentarily." Malty said and thus Motoyasu nodded.
"Oh sure." Motoyasu said not even suspicious over the large sack Malty had that probably had the real Malty in it.
(End Flashback)
"As for shooting me down." Jun went on and thus recounted it.
(Flashback)
As the Black Knight flew torts the hill Jun knew it was time to act. "Shadow Mirage!" Jun invoked and thus created a shadow double of her Knight before reverting to her human form and thus the trio of mercs rolled on the ground and hid. They waited there until the fake Black Knight was shot down and crashed into the ground a bit away from them drawing fire and getting the Knights to go to the crash site clearing them a path.
(End Flashback)
"The point is you idiots all got played and now I got my sword back." Jun said as she presented her Cardinal Sword to the shocked group.
"Wow Jun I knew you were smart but even I didn't suspect you were THAT smart." Tsubaki said as Jun smiled to this.
"What even though I'm not that bitch from my past doesn't mean old habits died with her." Jun said and thus Motoyasu had to ask.
"If you were impersonating Myne then where is the real Myne?!" Motoyasu demanded as he glared at Jun. When Jun thought of where she left Malty she couldn't help but make a sinister smile over it.
(Flashback the real Malty)
When Malty next awoke she had been stripped of her armor which was replaced by raggedy clothes.
"Oi you, new meat!" The owner of Melromarc's prisoner farm shoved a hoe into Malty's hands. "Get to work!"
Malty's reply was interrupted by two things, the first the painful discovery that she had been branded with a slave seal, and the second the realization that someone had cut out her tongue. Malty scrambled to figure out what was going on and in the process learned that someone had burned off all of her hair, between those and the beating she took during the fight and no one was able to recognize her. Malty gave a terrified glance around the farm like a lamb who realized she had been left alone with the wolves as her rags failed to hide either her gender or her clear well-proportioned curves. Perhaps this place would help her with her rape victim act.
(End Flashback)
"After Pete and I knocked her out and messed up her face a bit we cut off her tongue and shaved her hair off and used said hair to make this." Jun said as she threw the wig over to Motoyasu who was shocked and horrified over this information. "My crew and I then dropped her at a prison slave camp and hopefully she'll learn a bit of humility and if not well her rape act may improve." Jun said and thus it became clear that Jun covered her tracks well. "If I'm right the Queen had already had her Shadows read to retrieve her once I revealed myself and if not well I still got the location here." Jun said as she held the paper that had where she left Malty at.
"Which reminds me, Rino." Jun began and tossed over some coins to her which Rino caught.
"What's this?" Rino asked and thus Jun smirked.
"That was the amount Melty sold you for, I sold her for double that price call it getting your dues plus interest." Jun said surprising Rino and the others to now end.
"Jun you are one evil and vindictive bitch and I am loving it!" Rino cheered as she was happy that Malty was getting a taste of her own medicine after what she did.
"We won't let you get away with this!" Itsuki yelled as Jun then smirked a bit. "What you did was underhanded and outright dishonest." Itsuki accused and thus Jun then sighed a bit.
"Did you really forget about my duel with that spear using moron with you? I don't care I'll use whatever tactics I need to in order to win on or off the battlefield when either my life or the lives of my friends are on the line." Jun said as she glared at Itsuki showing she didn't care what she thought of her.
"Yeap that's Jun alright." Shiro said happy to see she was alive and well here. "Now this is your last chance let us through or else." Shiro warned as right now they had Four Knights with three of them being Cardinal Heroes against Motoyasu a fake heroes and a group of mech Knights. Shiro of course didn't hold high hopes they would listen but he really rather leave here without any needless conflicts.
Of course Shiro always at times forgets that life wasn't fare especially to those seeking a peaceful resolution to a situation. "Like Hell I'm going to let you get away with this you bastard!" Motoyasu yelled accusingly as he glared at Shiro and thus the battle between the two sides began.
To start off Filo and Ryuko transformed and in doing so had each of the group mount them. Shiro, Raphtalia, Melty and Tsubaki mounted Filo, Taiyo, Conan, Ail, and Rishia mounted Ryuko, and Rino with Jun mounted Takaya to make their escape. After all Jun only recently retrieved the Cardinal Sword and was still dressed in Malty's stolen armor so she was at a disadvantage here.
"Let's go!" Taiyo called out and thus the three mounts ran for it with Takaya following Ryuko and Taiyo. As they ran the group jumped up and in turn Shiro acted to help with their escape.
"Triple Airstrike Shield!" Shiro invoked and thus the three Airstrike Shields formed. In turn this allowed for the three mounts to use them as spring board and start making their way to the roared below.
But it seems Motoyasu was five moves ahead for once as he had two items in his hands. "Not so fast!" Motoyasu called out and thus the last of the three fake heroes threw the items at Ryuko and Filo's feet.
The Items in question were in fact metal clamps of sorts that locked onto the feet of the two mounts causing Filo and Ryuko to revert back to their human forms and thus their riders to start falling downward. They in turn screamed out in shock and panic as they fell to the ground.
"TAIYO/GUYS!" Rino and Jun cried out as they saw their friends were now in danger. Filo and Ryuko landed on the ledge before the enemies while the rest of the group landed on the road below much to their shock.
"Sir Ren quickly the Alchemists Knight!" One of Ren's former Party Members called out as no doubt Jun already kicked them out of her party after acquiring the Cardinal Sword.
"Dammit." Shiro cursed as he began to get up as he luckily used himself to break Melty's fall.
Just then they saw a magical flare shoot upward and light up the skies and in turn Jun figured out what had happened. "Shit they're calling for backup!" Jun cursed realizing they needed to leave now before said back up arrives. "We need to leave now!" Jun called out knowing if they don't start moving then in all likely hood they'll be outnumbered.
"That might be difficult." Tsubaki said as she saw Itsuki with the Mech Knight and Ren using one of his own no doubt brought here for him sliding down the hill and standing in the group's way.
"Wait Filo!" Melty cried out as she realized Filo was missing and from the looks of it Filo wasn't the only one missing.
"Wait; where's Ryuko?!" Rino asked worried for her adoptive daughter before it hit Taiyo.
"Wait she's still up there!" Taiyo called out and in turn the two adoptive Parents realized what this meant.
"Oh Hell no!" Taiyo and Rino called out as they now had rage burning in their eyes when they took note of Motoyasu walking the pervy walk to only one target in mind.
"Looks like we don't have a choice!" Tsubaki called out and thus they all got ready for the battle with their Ark's equipped.
"VERTO!" They all invoked and thus a flash of light covered the area.
Ren and Itsuki were forced to shield their eyes from the light but once it died down they were caught off guard when the Black Knight and Moon Maiden came for them. Ren was forced to fight the Black Knight who now had the blue gem of the Cardinal Sword on its rapier while Itsuki had to fight the Moon Maiden. The sides parted once the clash got to a point and thus the Moon Maiden began firing her arrows at the two who in response ran for cover.
Taking the chance the Black Knight flew in and thus used one of her new abilities. "Phoenix Blade!" Jun invoked and thus her Rapier turned into a curved Phoenix themed sword curtesy of Kuro's feathers. "Phoenix Talon!" She invoked and thus sent a fire slash against Ren forcing him and the Mech Knight back in response.
"Meteor Shot!" Tsubaki invoked using one of Itsuki's old attacks and managed to force the Mech Knight back but not pierce it... yet. The two sides glared at each other while the two Heroin's parties protected Melty while looking for an opening to escape from.
(Over with Ryuko and Filo)
"I can't get it off." Ryuko said as she and Filo were trying to remove the leg clams from their feet.
"Me neither." Filo agreed trying to get the clam off as well.
Just then Motoyasu appeared and in turn managed to grab the two girls. "You're finally mine, Ryuko Filo!" He called out and thus Ryuko cried out from this.
"Let go of me!" Filo cried out as Ryuko was struggling to get free as well.
Just then a familiar sound made him go wide eyed when he heard it. "VERTO!" The sound came from below from Shiro, Taiyo, Jun, and Tsubaki and in turn he looked and saw the White Knight and Dragon Knight jumping up from the road below torts HIM!
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BABY GIRL!" Taiyo yelled out and thus slammed his Trident down forcing Motoyasu to let Filo go.
Once that was done Shiro with his White Knight grabbed Filo from the ground as he was seen wielding Talion now instead of White Steel no doubt due to the mech Knights in the area. After that fiasco with the Demon Knight and Wrath Shield Talion remained as part of Shiro's arsenal but even then he made sure to avoid using the Wrath Shield and by proxy the Demon Knight if it can be helped. Meanwhile Taiyo had grabbed Ryuko and thus the two Knights glared down at Motoyasu who saw he was cornered by the two massive forms.
"Sir Hero!" Came one of the Knights and thus Motoyasu looked and saw his Mech Knight was also ready for battle. Following it up the two Knights were hit in the face via a Mech Knight and thus Motoyasu took the chance to book it to the Mech Knight.
"This one better last longer than last time!" Motoyasu called out as he hated to be in the same situation as before against Jun.
Just then more Mech Knights appeared as they had varying weapons of swords, arrows, bows, and a few with magic based shoulder cannons equipped. See how things were it was clear Shiro might not have much of a choice here especially since they were clearly out-numbered. It was worse since many of those Mech Knights had the crest of the Three Heroes Church on them. "Taiyo take Filo and get her and Ryuko to safety." Shiro said as he also saw Motoyasu was in his Mech Knight.
"What do you plan to do!?" Taiyo asked as he looked to Shiro.
"I'm going to let the beast out of its cage again." Shiro said and thus Taiyo was wide eyed to this and understood.
"Are you sure, last time nearly killed you." Taiyo said and thus Shiro looked to Taiyo through his Knight and lo9oked him in the eye.
"I'm sure." Shiro confirmed and thus it was agreed upon.
"Fine but don't die on us." Taiyo said and thus he took Filo off Shiro's hand and fell back to regroup with the others.
Once Shiro was alone he glared at his foes as he knew against many a small group of them he had a chance but with these odds he couldn't take the risk. "Alright you bastards you asked for it." Shiro snarled and thus got ready to unleash the dark power of the Rage Shield and the Demon Knight. "Come Forth Rage Shield!" Shiro invoked and in turn the gem on his shield turned crimson red and in doing so unleashed a powerful energy from it.
The night was lit with crimson energy as Shiro's Shield transformed into the Rage Shield once more and in doing so the White Knight instantly transformed into the Demon Knight. Shiro roared out as he could feel the beast inside roaring with him as they shared their rage and in turn were ready for battle once more.
"Hurry bring forth the hammer of justice and destroy the Devil of the Shield, the Witch of the Moon and the Black Winged Demoness and their parties!" A Knight called out and in turn they all charged forth for battle. Mech Knight and regular Knights went forth unaware of the force of nature they were truly facing here with Motoyasu and his Mech Knight leading the charge.
But with no intentions of letting the Demon Knight, out for long Shiro opted to end this as quickly as he possibly could. He then raised Talion and thus imbued it with as much power as he could and thus proceeded to spin slash it to the side causing a wave of energy to come forth. The energy knocked back many of the ground troops while the Mech Knights in its path were sliced in in two for their troubles severing the legs from the torso.
Motoyasu was such a victim as his Knight fell to the ground much to his chagrin of this. Shiro wasn't done as he then looked to the side and saw that his friends were in trouble. "Guys!" Shiro called out with his voice still sounding beast like in this form before charging into the battle.
"Dammit not again!" Motoyasu yelled as he slammed his fist onto his Mech Knight's controls as even with the upgrades he got his ass kicked.
(Back with the fight)
Jun and Tsubaki were fighting off Ren and Itsuki with their Knights as the battle proceeded as so. As the battle went on it seems Jun and Ren were evenly match as Jun used this fight to take a crash course with her new Legendary Sword. Jun of course took advantage over the fact Itsuki wasn't experienced with his Knight enough to be a major threat but still a threat to them. But before anything could be done Itsuki already had another shot ready before Tsubaki could counter.
"Lady Tsubaki!" Rishia cried out when she saw this.
"Don't worry." Ryuko was suddenly heard as everyone looked and saw Ryuko and Filo was with them. "Papa is on it!" Ryuko confirmed as Rino acted upon seeing her baby girl.
"Ryuko!" Rino cried out and hugged her daughter close happy to see she was ok.
Luckily for Tsubaki Ryuko was right because just then back up arrived from behind her as the Dragon Knight jumped in and thus slashed the shot away before ramming his trident into the Mech Knights arm.
"Got you bitch!" Taiyo called out and thus proceeded to tear the arm off causing it to lose it use of its primary range weapon.
"Not so fast!" Itsuki called out as he used the Mech Knights remaining arm to show a smaller magic cannon was inside it.
"Look out!" Rino called out when she saw this.
But seeing this as well Tsubaki jumped to the side and fired an arrow at the cannon through the barrel part. The result was the Mech Knight losing that arm as well as up to the elbow causing the Mech Knight to literally be disarmed. Acting fast Itsuki aimed the shoulder cannons only for Taiyo to jump up and stab the Mech Knight in the back before proceeding to tear off the cannons with his Dragon Knights bare hands. Once that was done he jumped off and kicked the Mech Knight over to where Ren was.
"Jun heads up!" Taiyo called out as he kicked the Knight.
Seeing this Jun spread her wings and got out of the way in time for Itsuki's Mech Knight to crash into Ren's Knight. As Ren and Itsuki were getting back up the Demon Knight landed between the two sides and glared at the false Knights used by the former Heroes. With a savage roar the Demon Knight unleashed its power and thus the road between them exploded and thus created a gap that was impossible to pass by normal means. The Smoke it created blinded those who saw it and thus gave time for Shiro to revert to his Regular White Knight and after that his human form.
Once the smoke began to clear Ren was getting out of his Mech Knight only to find a rosary of the Three Heroes Church thrown at his feet. "Ren!" Jun called out as she was in her human form as well. "Your smart kid so I know you can figure this whole thing out." Jun said using the fact the Church may believe that she and Tsubaki stole the Cardinal Weapons to her advantage. "Don't be Motoyasu and use that head of yours." Jun said as she glared at Ren who picked up the Rosary and gave it a stern look. Once that was done she took her leave to regroup with her friends once more after nearly two weeks apart.
(Scene Break that Night in the Forest)
Shiro and the large party was seen gathered as he was working on getting the clamps off Filo and Ryuko's feet. Ryuko had hers off first and was now being smothered by Rino who was worried sick over what Motoyasu could have done to her. As Shiro worked the clamp came off and in turn Filo was happy. "Yay!" Filo called out happy to be free at last.
"Jeez how does Malty fight in this?" Jun said as she was forced to continue wearing Malty's outfit until her party arrived with her regular gear.
"I don't know I guess it looked nice and expensive and Malty wanted it for those reasons alone." Shiro said as he was glad to get his money back on that outfit.
"Well one this is certain first chance I get I'm selling this thing and giving you the money." Jun said as Taiyo laughed a bit.
"Yeah but you got to admit that con you pulled I swear you should have been an actress I actually thought you were that bitch for a bit but when you busted the Ark out I knew it was you." Taiyo said as he looked to Malty. "Malty wouldn't risk her ass to become the Black Knights Pactmaker once she becomes aware of what kind of test it demands." Taiyo said as he smirked to his friend.
"Yeah but it would get rid of her for us." Jun said with a smirk on her face until they heard bushes rustling.
"Hey boss!" Demonicon called out as he and Pete came out of the woodwork followed by Kuro.
"Good you guys have my stuff?" Jun asked as she looked to the three.
"Of course." Demonicon said as Pete handed Jun her gear.
"Thank you." Jun said as she then pulled her swords out and then had the Legendary Sword Copy it.
"Weapon Copy Completed." It read as Shiro saw this.
"Wait what?" Shiro asked as he saw what had happened.
"What you didn't know your Shield can copy other Shields?" Jun asked and in turn Shiro went wide eyed to this. "I saw that Ren didn't have any duel swords so it's why I copied my dual weapon." Jun said as Shiro realized something.
"I could have copies those Shields!?" Shiro cried out in shock over what he learned.
"I'm surprised you never realized it." Jun said as she looked to Shiro and to add insult to injury his Cardinal Shield gave him an alert from the help screen saying it can in fact do that.
"All this time, I could have copies those shields all this fucking time." Shiro ranted as he realized how much time he could have saved doing that.
"Should we tell him?" Tsubaki asked as she looked to Jun knowing of another thing Shiro could have done.
"Maybe later." Jun said as she rather not risk Shiro going berserk so soon after using the Rage Shield and Demon Knight.
"Well that's not all we came here with." Demonicon said as he cut in before stepping to the side to reveal one of the Queen's Shadows.
Seeing this Rino, Conan, and Raphtalia were ready to fight until Jun spoke up. "Wait!" Jun called out as she stepped in. "She's on our side, I've been in contact with the Queen through her." Jun said as she looked to the group calming them down.
"It's true it's how my mother hired Jun and her party to protect me." Melty confirmed as she looked to her new friends. "That's one of the Shadows an espionage squad under the Queen's direct control." Melty explained as the Shadow in questioned kneeled to the group.
"Sir Shield Hero, this is the first time I'm meeting you in this form I dare say." The Shadow spoke as she looked to the group who then looked to Shiro.
"You know her bro?" Taiyo asked as Shiro was confused for a moment.
"I don't think so..." Shiro trailed off until a memory popped up for him just after he had his meeting with Aultcray. "Wait your." Shiro began only to see the Shadow was gone much to everyone's shock.
Just then she was heard from behind Melty. "Allow me to get straight to the Point." She began surprising the group as they saw her.
"Ok Batman much?" Taiyo asked but was of course ignored for that one.
"Sir Shield Hero, you and the ladies Sword and Bow Heroines are hereby requested to meet with her majesty the Queen." The Shadow said as she looked to the group.
"The Queen?" Shiro asked when he heard this.
"The roots of this conspiracy run deep you understand? I dare say we would appreciate all the aid you and your mighty Knights can provide." The Shadow said as she looked to Shiro and his friends. "This abduction and the events leading up to it was set up by those who find your accomplishments alarming." The Shadow said and thus Shiro sighed to this.
"Great just what I need more problems to deal with." Shiro said as he then had to ask. "So what would I have to gain from meeting with her?" Shiro asked as he was having a hard time with a lot of things lately.
"I have no doubt you will all understand better after you have met I dare say." The Shadow said as he looked to Shiro who then looked to the side and then his friend.
"And... she's gone." Jun said suddenly and thus they all looked back to where she was and in turn saw a bag in her place.
"Like I said fricking Batman." Taiyo said as he looked to the bag in question.
"SO I suppose you guys already plan to head to Faubey?" Jun asked as she looked to her friends.
"Well if the Queen is there it's our best bet." Shiro said and in turn Jun figured it was smart.
"The fact you guys made a smart move by leaving me behind instead of looking for me, I think I'm rubbing off on you." Jun said as she had expected her friends to do that. Sacrificing one of them for the greater good was a tough call to make after all and she was proud of them for making that call.
"Yeah... just don't make us make that call again." Shiro said as he rather not leave any of his friends behind.
"Trust me I make no promises." Jun said and thus it felt good for them all to be back together again. "Still we now have three of the Four Legendary Weapons." Jun said as she looked over to Shiro and Tsubaki.
"Yeah that mean all we need is the spear." Tsubaki said and thus they looked to Taiyo.
"Which means you have to put all your focus on getting the Spear for Motoyasu." Shiro said and thus Tsubaki sighed to this.
"We're doomed." Tsubaki joked and thus Taiyo glared at her.
"Hey!" Taiyo called out in indignation as he glared at Tsubaki. Yet somehow they all managed to share a laugh to this and in turn Jun was just happy to be back with her friends after spending nearly two weeks with Motoyasu and his party.
(Scene Break with Malty)
Malty glared as her injuries were being healed as Motoyasu was summoned once they had retrieved her from that prison camp and freed of the Slave Crest. Malty was bald and her face was bruised. Her body was sore from the labors she had to perform and worst of all... well she didn't want to think about it. That Black Knight bitch ruined everything and what was worse she now has the Cardinal Sword in her possession making her the Cardinal Sword Hero.
She swore silently in her rage that she would make them all pay for ruining her like this. What made it worse was that bitch had the nerve to turn her own hair into a wig to add insult to injury while impersonating her. Her tongue was of course healed thank God but now she had a problem. This proves Motoyasu was more likely than not the false hero and thus she knew if Taiyo claims the spear she didn't see her chances of entering their good graces to be very high. Her only option was to kill Taiyo and ensure the Dragon Knight is passed over to Motoyasu before anyone else can claim it.
But with that party now on the run she had to modify her plans big time. But soon her thoughts came to a startling halt when she felt a familiar chill race through the air and with it the fear she sensed before. She then looked out her window and saw the Three Heroes Church was there and that was where the aura came from.
(Three Heroes Church Summoning Chamber)
"Gather round for today we shall summon our God to save us." The Alchemist said as he stood with the pope. Miyuki, Shiba and Lezarg were already ready in the world to set up the Yshrennian Empire. The Sun Kings mask stood center in the circle as it seemed similar to the one used to summon the Heroes.
"I never thought such a day would arrive that we would summon God." the Pope said as he stood before his fateful followers. "With this we can save this kingdom for the heretical Royal Family and spread his grace upon this world." He said and thus the Alchemist nodded.
"And I shall confess I had truly considered you a friend." The Alchemist said and thus surprised the Pope. "This ritual requires the sacrifice of one closely connected to God and though you are an apostle your connection is not strong enough no Apostles is you need to be something above an Apostle to summon god, hence why I must be the one to do so." The Alchemist said as that was an utter lie on his part.
"I see my friend." The Pope said as he saw the Alchemist making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. "Then I shall ensure you name is forever honored when you are gone." The Pope said and thus the Alchemist walked over to the circle.
"Now let us begin." He said taking a sacrificial knife for the ritual and thus began the incantation.
"From the Ancient Skies you shall descend upon this world, from the Ancient Shadows you rise from timeless sleep, to the Ancient Lands you bring justice and stability through destruction and judgement, through the ancient Night you guide followers most loyal and devote, and by the Ancient Blade you bring judgement and punishment upon all the Heretics."
As they all incanted the circle glowed as on it was the crest of Yshrennian though they did not know this. As the Alchemist pulled the dagger he did not fear death if it is in the name of his one lord and master. "Emperor Madoras Dark God of Destruction... I summon thee." The Alchemist said quietly to himself finishing the incantation. In turn the man turned the blade on himself and with a thrust ended his own life as his blood spilled and covered the ritual.
Then to their shock the magic and blood flew out to the air and melded into an orb of raw power. Everyone ran for cover as they saw how it shook the cathedral and even destroyed falling debris that fell upon it. Nearby the twins Alexandria and Elizabeth hid in fear of their father's arrival as the girls held nothing BUT fear for him. The served him out of fear and were only lucky to be alive because they were useful to him.
The energy began to be absorbed into itself as a form was seen inside it wearing the mask of the Sun King. As the figure continued to absorb his topaz eyes shined even through the Sun Kings Ark. His breath radiated the power he held within as he came forth while wielding a scepter of sorts in his hand. From the magical power the Alchemist saw with his own eyes that at long last Emperor Madoras was descending upon this world.
"Emperor Madoras you have at long last descended from on high to rule us." The Alchemist said with what little strength he had left in him while reaching to the orb.
Soon the orb was fully absorbed and from it Madoras descended and softly landed on the ground. As Madoras landed he looked around to see where he was summoned and already these members of the church were kneeling before him without realizing who he truly was. This could be of some use to him but business first. He walked forward and saw the Alchemist who served him faithfully to this point.
"You're excellency." The Alchemist said as he reached out for Madoras basking in the glory of his Emperor.
"Ikora. Rest now. You have borne your burden well." Madoras said as pointed his scepter at the dying man before the immortal then used his power ended his follower's pain.
"You are too kind, my lord." The Alchemist now named Ikora said closing his eyes with his face showing peace as his body was destroyed instantly and painlessly.
"My lord." Came the Pope and thus drew Madoras attention upon him. "Your Apostle most humble and loyal is ready to serve you as is your following." The Pope said as he looked upon Madoras and sensed the power radiating off him a power that only belonged to god.
"Your name, pope." Madoras said making it clear he wants to know this man who swore loyalty to him name. He might prove useful to Madoras and Yshrennia but that is yet to be seen and Madoras has high expectations of all whom swear loyalty directly to him.
"I am Biscas T. Balmus Pope of the Church of the Three Heroes my lord." Biscas said as he was in the belief he stood before his God which wasn't too far from the truth.
"Very well Pope Balmus be humble and grateful to learn the true name of your God." Madoras said playing the role flawlessly. "I am Madoras." He introduced and thus Balmus nodded to the Emperor of Yshrennia.
"Lord Madoras you humble this Apostle with such knowledge." Balmus said and thus Madoras nodded to this.
"Do not thank me yet, I have been summoned for a task and in turn shall complete it but I expect absolute loyalty and total obedience am I clear?" Madoras asked as his tone though radiating power showed a certain demand to it.
"Of course milord make no mistake whatever you have need my church and YOUR following shall provide all you need do is ask." Balmus said and thus Madoras nodded to man's blind loyalty.
Madoras saw what he was his faith and bigotry against the shield made him easy to manipulate. But when he finds the truth Madoras would have already done away with this man. Madoras was manipulating him after all and the rightful ruler of this world of all worlds had little need for small men such as this Pope. This man believes all he does is by the will of god to which Madoras will take advantage of to its fullest.
He then turned his attention to Elizabeth and Alexandria who were almost shaking in their boots in terror of their father. "Good then let us begin the work by your Gods will." Madoras said as he looked down upon the now kneeling Pope as he saw how his daughters were terrified of him. Madoras made sure that they understood that Obedience comes with a stiff penalty especially for his own children.
"As you will it." He said unaware that Madoras was not the god he was lead to believe. But to those who knew the truth it was clear that Yshrennia would rise once more as the sun would in the east and in doing so conquer this world and all world of heroes. This world was but the first stop of many to come and Madoras will see it through to the end. But Madoras he was still vested in the Shield Hero who wields his White Knight. The boy managed to summon the Demon Knight form and from what he gathered doesn't even realize the truth of it. It didn't take him long to find it himself after all while he did somewhat raise Elizabeth and Alexandria they were simply ways to amuse himself with his immortality. Now they were simply tools with a means to an end but Shiro... no he was something else as mortals would say Shiro was a regular chip off the old block. More so he was that and more.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here we go chapter 22 and with it Jun now has the Legendary Sword which means only the Legendary Spear is unaccounted for. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will join me for the next one. But until then leave a review for me and as I always say ja-ne.
