Wrath of the Knight and Oni Pt. 2

Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of A New Crusade IF! We'll be picking up, more or less, from where we left off with the last story. Also, mild apology for getting this chapter out a few days late as I was getting out a crossover chapter for Armory of the Forgotten Hero. With luck you'll still find this chapter was worth the wait and remember to send in your requests so that new alternate stories can be written! And to answer Zero's question, we'll have to see on the lemon part. Now then, on to the story!

1 Year Later: Daytime: Kararagi

"So if I'm understanding you right," said a man with long dark blue hair which was wrapped in a ponytail, "you're asking me to temporarily leave the side of my emperor to help you in your little quest for revenge?" His outfit consisted of a pink robe which Ulric was told was called a kimono along with a type of blue fabric coat called a haori. Two swords called Katana hung from his hip, one red and a shorter one that was blue.

"It won't be a long errand," explained Ulric as he and Ram sat across from the man at a table outside a restaurant, "at least not if you're as skilled as the legends state, Cecilus Segmunt. Moreover, the enemy we face is a threat to all nations including your emperor's nation of Vollachia."

"You really don't know Vollachia well if you think someone could so easily threaten us," said the blue-haired swordsman dismissively, "and don't even bother trying to offer me payment. I've devoted my life to the service of the emperor and no amount of money will make me change my mind. The only reason I even agreed to this meeting is because the lovely lady here asked so nicely."

"We're well aware that your services can't simply be bought," said Ram, "as a former maid and a knight we both have sworn oaths at one point or another ourselves. Please don't misunderstand, we're not asking you to betray your emperor, in fact, we believe we can offer you something you want."

"Oh, and what would a couple of nobodies like you know about what I want," questioned Cecilus with narrowed eyes.

"The title of the Heavenly Sword," stated Ulric, "to my understanding it is currently held by Reinhard Van Astrea whom you've dueled in the past."

"Are you saying you can set up a duel with Reinhard Van Astrea," inquired Cecilus with a raised eyebrow. He tried to hide it, but the slight straightening of his posture gave away that they at least had his attention.

"I imagine this will be hard to believe, but Reinhard Van Astrea is something of a friend of mine," said Ulric, "and even if he's too busy to agree to a meeting, we know of a way that will make him drop everything and come running."

"That sounds like an awfully despicable thing for a 'friend' of the Sword Saint to be saying," Cecilus pointed out, "you realize I'll be trying to kill him if you actually make this duel happen, right?"

"We are only setting up this duel between the two of you," said Ram, "whether or not you can actually defeat him is another matter entirely. Personally, I doubt you'd be able to accomplish the feat."

"Hah, you're a bold one to be saying something like that to my face," replied Cecilus with a grin, "but there's one question you'll need to answer for me first: if Reinhard is your friend, why aren't you going to him for help?"

"Our current target has stationed themselves in an area that would prove problematic if a member of the Lugnican army was discovered," explained Ulric, "and the time it would take to get him approved for such an incursion is more than we're willing to wait, especially when the possibility exists that word might get out about such an attack. But hardly anyone would question a Vollachian looking for a fight in another country on their own. Moreover, we have another target Reinhard might not agree to us slaying."

"So that's it," said Cecilus with a hand to his chin, "they must be quite troublesome if you're asking for my help."

"He wields a great deal of magical power," explained Ram, "far more than either of us could deal with on our own. But with your help and the help of at least one other, they would most certainly be dealt with."

"And if the circumstances go as we expect, you'll get your duel with Reinhard Van Astrea," assured Ulric, "but of course, all of this depends on your answer. So what will it be, Cecilus Segmunt, will you simply go home and let this opportunity slip by? Or can we help each other to all get what we want?" Cecilus crossed his arms as he thought for a moment.

"I swore that I'd achieve the title of Heavenly Sword, the greatest master of the blade in the world," he said, "to that end I've tried many times to get a rematch with the Sword Saint. If you two can really set up a match between the two of us, even under slightly questionable circumstances, then you'll be some of my favorite weaklings in the entire world. But know this, should you at any point try to pull a fast one on me, I won't hesitate to cut you both down without mercy."

"We'd expect nothing less," said Ram, "we've already put our lives on the line multiple times for our goals. So long as they are achieved, death is inconsequential."

"Glad to know we understand each other," said Cecilus as he shook hands with Ram and Ulric, "don't wait too long to send me word now. Just the thought of facing Reinhard again is already getting me excited."

A Couple Days Later: Lair of Capella

"Oh, and who might this be," said Capella as Ulric entered the chambers of the leader of the assassins and knelt alongside a wolfman wearing a dark purple kimono. Ulric himself had been outfitted with a new, darker chainmail that resembled his teutonic armor. The cloth portions had a black and purple color scheme to them.

"Someone I feel will be an incredible boon to your work, Mother," said Ulric, "of course it is you who will know for sure. May I present to you, Halibel, the great Shinobi and strongest fighter of the city-state of Kararagi."

"But not greater than you by any means, O mighty Sin Archbishop of Lust," said Halibel.

"I see," said Capella as she approached and lifted Ulric's chin up so that he was looking her in the eye, "and what possessed you to make such a decision as to bring someone like this here? You seem quite confident that he doesn't have an ulterior motive, my child."

"My familiarity with shinobi is admittedly limited," said the Knight, "they are said to be crafty warriors if what I've heard is true. But surely even the greatest of the shinobi could not stand against your power and beauty, Mother." Capella removed her hand from Ulric's chin then and tilted her head back, letting out her familiar piercing laugh.

"Ah I never knew what fun having a knight could be," said Capella, "so humble and never speaking ill of your Mother, though the latter is as it should be. I am the most beautiful and powerful of all the Sin Archbishops, so it's only natural you'd believe me capable of surmounting any task. You didn't bring this one to me just so you could have an excuse to bask in my radiance and beauty again, did you?"

"But of course I came to bask in radiance and beauty," said Ulric, "I feel most especially strongly about this night in particular."

"Oh and why's that," asked Capella as she moved her grinning visage just inches from his face, "is there something special you were hoping to receive from your oh so generous Mother tonight? Something other than merely being in my magnificent presence, hearing my entrancing voice or feeling my wonderful fingers on your skin? You're such a greedy child, but it's understandable that you'd want Capella all to yourself."

"As expected, nothing escapes your wondrous mind, Mother," said Ulric, "there is something else I desire." A sudden searing pain was felt in her side then as Capella looked back to see a dagger in her side. And the one responsible for putting it in her, was Ulric. "Your death."

"GAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Shrieked Capella as she leapt back in surprise, "What is the meaning of this?!"

"Is it not obvious," said Ulric as he drew his sword while his body became enveloped in blue light magic. "I said I desire your death, and this is how I intend to bring it about."

"You," seethed Capella as her face contorted into one of disgust and rage, "HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO MARE MY BEAUTY!" Her body bulged and expanded then, changing color from white to black as it took on a reptilian shape that towered over the Crusader and Shinobi. The chamber shook slightly as the beast's front legs slammed down onto the ground, steadying it before tilting its golden-horn-tipped head to look down at them from atop its long neck. "By the time I'm through with you, knight, you'll be begging for my love once again. As for your friend, I could use a new throw pillow."

"Then you'll have to kill me four times over!" Exclaimed Halibel as he suddenly split into four, three of which were identical copies of the original as they charged forward with kunai held in their hands. Ulric also leapt into the fray by firing a few blasts of Kito Jiwald into the body of the black dragon before them. It seemed mostly to anger Capella as she snapped her jaws at the knight who dodged out of the way while Halibel hurled several of his kunai at their foe, managing to stick at least a few in her.

This further angered Capella who swiped at him and the clones with her dragon tail, only to be frustrated by all four of her targets leaping over it while throwing even more kunai. Ulric aided on his end by managing to get up close and slicing into her hide with his glowing, mana-charged sword. He was forced to roll out of the way quickly after that to avoid a swipe from the Sin Archbishop of Lust. She then shook her body in an attempt to throw off the four Halibel's who were trying to climb up her neck and nearly succeeded, save for the one who was able to hold on long enough to stab her in the lower part of her throat.

This merely served to further enrage the Sin Archbishop of Lust as she tossed the final Halibel off of her neck. "Remember not to let the black blood touch you," warned Ulric, "you'll be cursed by it!"

"I don't know how you knew that," said Capella as she opened her mouth and breathed in, "but you'll find my blood is hardly the only thing you need to worry about!" A jet of black flame erupted from her dragon's maw then, bathing much of the area in front of her in intense heat. Thankfully, Ulric and Halibel managed to dodge around it in time with only one of the Halibel clones getting burnt.

Capella attempted to fire another blast of flame but was interrupted by a light orb to her face from Ulric, causing the dragon to shoot flames wildly around the room. The Knight and Shinobi used this opening to slash into the back of her knees, causing her to topple over as they all leapt onto her back and skewered her with their weapons. "Wretched pests!" Exclaimed Capella as she threw them all off before healing her wounds, "after everything I did for you: a home, food to eat, a place to sleep, training to make you stronger and even restoring that pink-haired meat person's horn and this is how you repay me?!"

"Ram and I owe you nothing," said Ulric as he landed on his feet along with the other Halibels, "two of your own assassins are the ones responsible for much of the misery I've faced after coming to this land, and Ram's twin sister was taken from her by your mabeast tamer. That is the reason we came here in the first place, the reason we spent a year in your wretched presence learning exactly how to kill you!"

"You know nothing about my authority as-huh," the black dragon suddenly stumbled as she noticed the wounds in her legs and body weren't reformed completely despite her alterations to heal them, "what is this, what have you done?!"

"Oh, that's me," said one of the Halibel's as he pulled out a strand of his fur, "I'm a curse expert, you see. I can mix my own hair and nails into my weapons which can then be used to curse people with a single scratch. Though I was told your transforming abilities would be a bit of a problem, which is why I also cursed the dagger my Knight friend stabbed you with at the beginning."

"A knight willing to use curses," said Capella, "what knight of Lugnica would be willing to do such a thing?!"

"One who knew of no other alternative," answered Ulric as he brandished his sword, "and I am not a Lugnican knight anyway." The battle resumed then as Capella unleashed another blast of black flames at the two, forcing them to scatter before coming at her from all sides again. The Shinobi proved predictably tricky to take on as he dodged, slid under or leapt over her limbs while also flipping over her flames with a grace she hadn't expected from one with such a shaggy appearance. Ulric was attacking in a similar manner, though a bit more direct than Halibel given that he was wielding a sword as opposed to kunai.

Even if the glowing sword he was wielding wasn't cursed, it still cut into her hide incredibly well, often bringing the Sin Archbishop a bit of pain as he continued to traverse the room with the aid of his improved Jiwald spell. He'd worked on that and many other fighting techniques while serving as an assassin for her, or at least when he was pretending to serve her. "Stop moving around you pesky slabs of meat," seethed Capella, "being eaten by me will be a far greater honor than you'll ever experience in this life!"

"As I said earlier," replied Ulric while dodging a swipe from one clawed hand before slicing the finger off the other, "I desire your death. The only time I'll ever appreciate the so-called beauty of a monster like you is when you're a corpse!" Capella's response to that was a roar of anger as she continued trying to catch them with claw swipes, swings of her tail and occasionally snapping at them with her teeth. She also employed her black flame breath a few more times, but the Crusader and Wolfman quickly learned to stick near her backside, making it more difficult for her to hit them.

'I can't keep on using this form,' thought Capella as she felt more kunai piercing her body, 'so I'll just need to use this instead.' As her five opponents rushed her once more, she lunged forward as the group leapt over her head again. This time, however, Capella shifted back to her regular form with the addition of black wings and two large, black clawed hands. One of the Halibel clones was too taken by surprise to dodge as Capella slashed him with her claws while he was still in midair. He fell to the floor and faded away, leaving them one clone shorter, but no less prepared.

"Now Halibel, the net!" Ordered Ulric as he and the others landed before charging again. The Sin Archbishop of Lust attempted to swipe at the knight and shinobi, but they jumped high into the air, spreading a net out between the four of them which caught her as she tried to take flight. Capella shrieked as she was drug down towards the ground where Ulric came in and stabbed her in the chest, pushing her all the way down until she was pinned to the floor. "Your remaining kunai, quickly!"

The Halibels complied as they stuck several kunai into her arms and legs, effectively stapling her to the floor with even more cursed weapons that ate away at her powers. "You bastard, what kind of net is this?!"

"A type of capture metia," answered Ulric as he noted how Capella was trying, and failing, to enlarge her form while in the iron net, "they use these types of nets to bind mabeasts with shapeshifting abilities. And Halibel's cursed kunai work even faster on a smaller target."

"You came surprisingly prepared for someone who spends all their time thinking about meat," scoffed Capella.

"More than just prepared," said Ulric as the whole hideout suddenly shook with the sound of explosions from the other hallways, "Ah, there they are. Ram's running a little behind schedule."

"What was that," asked Capella, "what just happened?!"

"Fire stones," replied Halibel, "me and the oni maid have been planting them for the last couple of days. She was supposed to set them off earlier once our fight had started, but now's not a bad time either."

"You…..you destroyed my lair, killed my children!" Exclaimed Capella, "your own comrades-in-arms!"

"They are no comrades of mine," said Ulric as he stabbed his sword deeper into Capella, "each and every one of them is a murderous criminal or at the very least mad, not that you actually care about their well-being. I have my own plans for those that survive this, but for those who have already perished, their judgement is nigh."

"Do you actually plan on….taking over," coughed Capella as the curses ravaging her body began to take an even greater toll on her, "they'd never….chose you over…their Mother. How could…you?"

"That remains to be seen," said Ulric, "as for me, there's a beautiful lady I'd chosen long before you came along, and she is far more desirable than you'll ever be." He channeled much of his remaining mana into his sword then. "Now be smited, AL JIWALD!" A powerful blast of light magic was unleashed from his blade then, completely destroying the Archbishop's body, leaving only smoldering remains and a crater where she'd been.

"You've really gotten the hang of that spell," complimented Halibel as he threw a kunai into a piece of Capella's burnt flesh, "but I'd best do my part to make sure she's dead. I still can't quite believe she's as resilient as you claimed."

"We should count ourselves lucky we didn't have to find out the full extent of her resilience," said Ulric as numerous memories flashed through his head, mostly of his deaths at her hands. This was far from the first attempt he and Ram had made on her life or the first attempt at bringing about the destruction of her coven of assassins. He'd attempted multiple ambushes during their year of training and work as Capella's henchmen and each time had yielded new information on just how terrible a threat they faced. In fact, what was a year for Ram was closer to two for Ulric as he stopped counting his deaths after he reached a hundred.

His point of return had moved on a number of occasions during that time, but even striking at her most vulnerable moments hadn't been enough with just the two of them. Hence their recruitment of Cecilus Segmunt and Halibel, fighters renowned for their prowess in combat which was said to rival even Reinhard Van Astrea's. And speaking of Ram, Ulric needed to get moving to make sure she was doing alright.

Another Section of the Hideout

"Elsa, Elsa," said Meili weakly as she tried to move and discovered her legs were trapped under some rubble from the earlier blast.

"I don't think she can hear you right now, little bird," said an unfamiliar voice as Meili raised her head to see a man in a pink kimono with a blue haori, "she's kind of immobile at the moment." The mabeast tamer's eyes widened then as she caught sight of the wall just behind him. Elsa was there, beaten and bloodied with a blue-handled katana shoved through her heart which kept her hanging there on the wall. "She's not the strongest of opponents I've ever faced but damn if she isn't persistent. I can hardly believe what that Knight told me about her being a special curse doll as opposed to a vampire. I must've killed her five times before deciding to just knock her out."

"W-Who are you," squeaked Meili weakly as she tried to call out to her mabeasts.

"I'm Cecilus Segmunt," revealed the swordsman, "and I'm honestly hoping the lovely lady hanging on the wall changes her mind about joining us. Her fragrant smell reminds me of just how well I can sniff out beauty wherever it is."

"All I smell on her is blood and murder," said a voice Meili had come to recognize as a pink-haired girl stepped out of the shadows with her oni horn glowing in the darkness. Capella had been convinced to grow her a new horn after hearing that she'd be a better assassin with it than without it, mainly because she would collapse too easily without it. "And if that's the kind of woman that excites you, well, I suppose that's what one would call a hopeless love."

"No need to be like that, Ram," said Cecilus, "I'm man enough to handle an oni woman and an assassin woman at the same time."

"Then perhaps you can get back to handling the rest of the uncooperative," Ram more ordered than suggested, "need I remind you, you'll only get your reward if you perform your job satisfactorily."

"Geez fine," said Cecilus as he pulled Elsa off the wall and retrieved his sword from her body, "You really know how to ruin a good mood you grumpy oni."

"If you decide to remain here, you'll find 'grumpy' will be the least of the words that describe my current mood," said Ram with narrowed eyes, "now, get back to your duties. I have something a little personal to take care of." Cecilus left in a huff then as Ram turned her attention to Meili. "Don't bother trying to call for your mabeasts, we've already taken care of that little dilemma."

"What, what are you talking about?" Questioned Meili as she tried to hide the fear in her voice. Ram's answer to that was to hold up a talisman of sorts.

"If you'll recall," she said, "the Witch's Cult occasionally makes use of these to hide the scent of the Witch's miasma. Even my dear sister wouldn't have been able to sniff out a cultist with one of these. You remember her, correct?"

"Your sister," said Meili, "I don't remember doing anything to your sister." Ram stomped on her fingers then, getting a shriek of pain out of the mabeast tamer.

"Don't think lying is going to save you now," said Ram with narrowed eyes, "you were with the children that day in Arlam Village, carrying around that filthy wolgarm with you disguised as a puppy. That pathetic excuse of a beast bit and cursed my sister along with nearly all the children in that village, killing them at nightfall."

"I-It's what I was paid to do," sniffled Meili as she cradled her broken fingers, "I-If I hadn't…..Mother would've turned me into a group of frogs."

"Your 'Mother' is being dealt with by Ulric and Halibel," said Ram, "and let's not pretend like you didn't get some form of enjoyment out of killing them. Were your specific instructions to kill the children, or merely to create a situation which would make Emilia look bad?"

"Well I was told," said Meili as she tried to think of something, anything to get out of this predicament, "the client just said to cause a disturbance that could be blamed on her."

"And that could've easily been accomplished without inflicting actual death on anyone," said Ram, a sudden wind kicking up around her body as her horn glowed brighter. "Instead, you chose to end the lives of several children who'd called you friend and anyone else unlucky enough to be bitten by your mutt. Unfortunately for you, one of those people happened to be my sister!"

"Wait, what if I told you the client's name?!" Said Meili as she held her hand up in a pleading gesture, "We're all just tools here…we just do what Mother tells us too!"

"I know the client's name," said Ram in a low voice dripping with venom, "and it truly is a shame that it was someone I felt enamored with at one time. But that time has passed and my affections have shifted elsewhere, as well as my wrath." The wind picked up even more then, almost as loud as the screams which followed shortly after.

Back in Capella's chambers, Cecilus had just arrived with the unconscious Elsa over his shoulder, and was quickly followed by the remaining assassins who'd survived the bombs going off. "There are a lot more shinobi here than I thought there'd be," said Cecilus as he held his sword lightly in his hand.

"But the question is whether or not we'll have to deal with them," said Halibel as he glanced at Ulric, "now's probably the best time you're gonna get for this." The Crusader nodded before stepping forward and holding up what little was left of Capella's wings, a few feathers.

"My fellow men and women of the organization," said Ulric, "Capella Emerada Lugnica, the Sin Archbishop of Lust, is dead! It was by my hand and the hand of the great shinobi, Halibel, that she met her end. And for those of you who don't recognize him, I have also brought Cecilus Segmunt who has defeated Elsa Granhiert and many of the other powerful members who reside here. The question now becomes this: do you wish to side with me and reform this organization into a tool of justice, leave and never return, or do you wish to challenge us for leadership of the organization?!"

A murmur broke out among the gathered assassins as they spoke in hushed tones. While this was happening, a few shadows crept in from the other side of the room. In the next instant, out from the shadows leapt several shinobi, their weapons poised to bury themselves into the backs of the three warriors. But then, several flashes of steel met them as Ulric, Cecilus and Halibel maneuvered out of the way. As for the assassins, shortly after they landed their bodies fell into pieces in a bloody heap as the two swordsmen and shinobi cleaned the blood off their weapons before sheathing them.

"It goes without saying," continued Ulric, "while we won't stop anyone who wants to leave, we will cut down any who challenge us. So what say you, brothers and sisters? Do you wish to stay and be a part of change for this organization and the world at large, or will you depart this place?!" Silence followed his question for several moments as the gathered professional killers mulled over their options. Eventually, several retreated into the shadows, likely exiting the hideout through whatever entrances hadn't collapsed.

What remained, was a number of talented assassins ready to do the bidding of their new leader. "Very good," said Ulric, "the first order of business is to begin preparations for moving to a new hideout. Afterwards, we hunt down the first of our new targets!" A cheer rose from the normally quiet assassins, liking the idea that their skills would still be of use. They were swiftly dismissed after that as Ram entered the room sporting her new attire.

It greatly resembled the dress she used to wear as a maid, but with no apron or maid's cap to go with it. Her shoes and leggings had also been replaced with one's resembling Meili's and black stockings instead of the white ones she had before. Her entire outfit had a purple, vine-like lining on it, reminiscent of what Elsa would normally wear. "It seems you managed to succeed after all," said Ram, "yet another victory I can likely attribute to your oddly good timing and having a lot of help."

"While I may have dealt the final blow I will admit that it was Halibel who inflicted the most pain on Capella during our bout," replied the Crusader, "and what about you? Judging by the red on your hands, you found Meili."

"I did indeed," said Ram as she rubbed some more of the blood off on a handkerchief, "and I made her suffer. In all honesty, I'm not certain if it was the pain or the blood loss that killed her, but." The former maid grabbed the back of Ulric's head before pulling him in for a passionate kiss. "The one who took my sister is gone now, and while I hate to admit it, I owe you everything for helping me, Ulric."

"It was the least I could do," said Ulric as he gave her a quick kiss back, "I was rather fond of my life at the mansion and it was ruined by Capella's underlings. But now we have the means to bring wrath upon the one truly responsible." Ram gave a small smile to this as she kissed Ulric again. They'd grown surprisingly close during the year spent together under Capella, no doubt thanks to sharing a common goal and only being able to put their trust in each other.

"Uh, this is great and all," said Cecilus, "but I recall we had another part of this little plan of yours we needed to fulfill. Not to rush you or anything, but I still want to fight Reinhard while I'm young."

"Oh very well," said Ram, not terribly fond of the interruption, "go help gather supplies then. We'll be heading out soon and we'll need all we can carry. That childlike brain of yours hasn't forgotten the location of the next target, I hope."

"As if I could forget the target you're both going after," said Cecilus, "there's bold and then there's this madness you two are stirring up!"

"Either way, it might make for an interesting fight," said Halibel, "so how should we approach this?"

"Well to begin," said Ulric, "a little inside help would probably prove quite beneficial."

A Few Days Later: Mansion of Roswaal L. Mathers

Ulric knelt on a nearby hill as he took stock of what was in and around the mansion. He honestly felt it a little strange to be here now. He'd already been gone for two years and only recently had he been able to get news on the Mathers Domain without having to sneak it away from someone else or hear it from the others. According to the latest reports from his scouts, Roswaal L. Mathers had hardly been seen out of his home and had hired some Vollachian mercenaries to guard its perimeter. In more unbelievable news, Emilia had apparently elected to drop out of the Royal Selection.

"Gotta say, I always expected you to return someday," said a familiar, child-like voice as Puck materialized into existence next to Ulric, "but I didn't expect it to be quite like this."

"God often works in ways that none of us expect," replied Ulric as he stood up, "but however I returned, all that's important is that I have returned. Is Lady Emilia safe?"

"That's kind of the problem," said Puck, "she's a little too safe. Ever since she decided to drop out of the Royal Selection, Roswaal's kept her confined to the mansion using both his magic and Beatrice's until she changes her mind. If it was just Roswaal there we'd be more than willing to fight our way out. But Emilia doesn't want to fight Betty nor the head maid, Frederica Baumann. And those mercenaries are Vollachian, meaning even if they're not top-tier soldiers they're still tough."

"Frederica was the maid who taught Rem and Ram if I recall correctly," said Ulric, "under different circumstances I'd have Ram confront her and try to reason with her. But she has her own objective here and she won't be dissuaded from it."

"You can leave Frederica to me," said Puck, "she's a half-beast with the ability to transform into a huge female tiger, but I can get even bigger if need be."

"Then I shall try and dissuade Beatrice," said Ulric, "or at least distract her long enough for you or one of the others to arrive. I don't wish to bring harm to her, but I will not allow her to aid in holding Lady Emilia against her will any longer."

"Then it sounds like we've got a plan," said Puck as he flipped in the air happily, "so let's get to it!" Ulric agreed as he made his way back down the hill before stopping and pulling himself up onto the saddle of a steely grey and white liger. He'd found the mount in Kararagi and paid a merchant by the name of Hoshin for him, dubbing the large wolf with the name 'Spiegel'.

"Are we finally ready to go," asked Cecilus as he popped out of the bushes he'd been hiding in, "because I'm starting to itch something awful in here."

"We are," said Ulric before looking up at a large nearby tree branch, "Halibel, is everything ready?"

"The troops are in position," said the wolfman as he appeared on the branch, "we simply await your signal to begin."

"Then the time has come," said Ulric with a nod. Halibel bowed in return before speeding away, looking almost as if he'd vanished from sight. The Crusader then signaled for Spiegel to start moving forward with Cecilus walking alongside him.

"So remind me again how it was that you got Halibel of all people on your side," said Cecilus as he walked nonchalantly with his hands behind his head.

"Ram and I encountered him six months after we joined the assassin organization," explained Ulric, "up to that point we'd managed to take only the assignments that required the killing of absolute scoundrels. But this particular job required us to assassinate an innocent and their family. While we were pondering what to do, Halibel appeared to us and offered a suggestion on how we could accomplish our goal without shedding innocent blood. He has extremely good instincts and could tell that we weren't cold-blooded killers."

"So he helped you two fake the deaths of some innocents and then you convinced him to keep tagging along," surmised Cecilus.

"Something to that effect, yes," replied Ulric, "despite Ram's protests I decided to explain our situation to him and what we faced. We needed help badly to take down Capella and he wanted to put an end to the death of innocents by her hand. It was also he who informed us of your existence and your previous bout with Reinhard. And should this venture succeed, I've no doubt they'll send him out."

"I can see now why you didn't recruit him for this," said Cecilus with a smirk, "it wouldn't be very knightly of him to aid in an attack on his own kingdom's head mage."

"Not to aid someone's quest for revenge, no," said Ulric, "but from what I've seen, your skills should suffice for this battle."

"Truthfully you should've just brought me and me alone," said Cecilus as he gripped his red-handled katana, "I'm more than enough for a challenge like this."

"We shall most certainly see," said Ulric as he and the swordsman stopped several feet from the gate as one of the Vollachian mercenaries, a bald man with several scars on his head, stepped forward.

"State your business," he said, "the Margrave is not in the mood for visitors at this time."

"I am Sir Ulric," replied the Knight, "I've come with but one demand: release Lady Emilia into our custody, or face the consequences." The rest of the mercenaries drew or readied their weapons which consisted of several polearms and a few swords.

"We have a standing order to turn away anyone who wishes to free her," explained the Mercenary Captain, "she shall go free only once she's agreed to the Margrave's terms."

"And I'm afraid I didn't come to negotiate," said Ulric as he drew his sword, "Cecilus, let's begin." The swordsman grinned manically as he shot forward like a ballista bolt. The surprised Mercenary Captain barely had time to block the strike with his own sword and was quickly pushed back by Cecilus's skill before the samurai scored a cut across his stomach. The other mercenaries moved in then, targeting both the swordsmen. "Now Halibel!"

Several kunai suddenly rained down on the mercenaries, killing a couple as four Halibels leading several shinobi leapt out of the trees and bushes before charging the mercenaries. Ram was among them and blasted down the gate with a powerful blast of wind magic as Ulric rode in. A few more mercenaries arrived in the courtyard to cut them off, but the Crusader leapt off of Spiegel with light magic covering his body as one of the Halibel clones accompanied him and Ram. 'Unseen Path,' thought Ulric as the glowing light around his body began to shift, seemingly distorting his form in and out of existence.

The mercenary he faced looked on in confusion as he swiped and swiped at the Assassin Leader with his spear, barely missing him each time as the knight seemed to appear and disappear, getting closer each time. Eventually, Ulric closed the gap and slashed his opponent in the throat with his glowing blade before continuing onward with Ram close behind. The Halibel clone stayed to finish off the remaining mercenaries behind them. "I'm actually a little impressed you can use such a complex technique," quipped Ram, "or perhaps it's less complicated than you made it sound."

"That is a question for an expert on light magic," replied Ulric as they arrived at the mansion's main entrance, "all I know is that it took me nearly a year to get the spell good enough for combat." And it had been difficult. 'Unseen Path' required Ulric to use his magic to shift the light around his body, making him invisible for brief moments as he moved. To many it seemed like he was fading in and out of existence, teleporting or moving faster than the eye could perceive. He'd based it off of another technique he'd managed to read about while training with the assassins, the Leaper Technique.

It was a difficult spell to maintain, however, which is why he was only able to use it in short bursts during a fight. And speaking of fights, it seemed someone was waiting for them as they busted open the entrance to the mansion: A tall woman with extremely long, blond hair, green eyes, sharp teeth and a pair of leopard claws she'd grown on her hands. "State your business here intrud-Ram?!" Said the woman in confusion but without letting her guard down.

"Hello Frederica, is Roswaal in," Ram addressed the woman as she took on a more relaxed posture. Ulric noted the blond woman wore a similar maid's attire to Ram and Rem's, though with a skirt that went down to her ankles.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that without knowing your intentions first," replied Frederica, "who are these people you're with and why are you attacking the mansion?"

"My name is Sir Ulric," said the Knight with a short bow, "and it's my intention to liberate Lady Emilia from this place, along with assisting Ram in the dispensing of her wrath."

"Wrath?" Said Frederica, "but the only people here are…..I see. Then you realize I can't simply let you through."

"We assumed that was a possibility, yes," replied Ram, "which is why we came prepared." Ulric held up a crystal necklace then which glowed before summoning Puck.

"Heya Frederica, how are things going," said the spirit happily as he floated around the room, "any chance you could let my friends by to get Emilia out of here?"

"I'm afraid I can't go against the oath I swore to my master nor can I disobey his orders," said Frederica with a sigh, "So I must refuse your request."

"Don't say we didn't try to be nice," said Puck as he summoned several large ice orbs above his head. Frederica's response to this was to morph into a large, yellow leopard, letting out a powerful roar as she did so.

"I believe it is time for us to take our leave," said Ram as the two of them rushed off to their right. Frederica attempted to follow but was quickly intercepted by some of the ice orbs from Puck. "Remember, I'm your opponent right now!" The sounds of battle sounded behind the Knight and the Oni then as they made their way up an alternate staircase.

"Puck said Emilia still sleeps in the same room she did when I was here two years ago," recalled Ulric, "we should be able to find her without much of a problem."

"You go find Emilia," said Ram as she pulled out her wand, "I'll hunt down Roswaal."

"I know we've discussed this already," said Ulric as they arrived at the top of the stairs, "but are you absolutely sure you don't want any help dealing with him?"

"This is my vendetta to settle," said Ram, "our journey for the last two years has been for this moment. I will not keep you from your objective, so please," Ram pulled Ulric into a quick kiss then, "allow me to fulfill mine." The Crusader still didn't look entirely sure, but he eventually nodded before heading off towards Emilia's room. As for Ram, she turned and headed straight for Roswaal's study.

Even despite having been away for two years, the former maid still recognized every twist and turn in the mansion as she climbed more stairs and raced down the hall towards the place she'd used to go every night to receive mana. But she was no longer the little dependent she'd been back then, a fact she displayed as her horn revealed itself upon her kicking open the door to Roswaal's room. "Well now," said a weak voice, "isn't this a surprise. Is that you Ram, and you have a horn again?"

"Lord Roswaal," said Ram as she holds her wand at the ready, taking in the sight of the man before her. The last two years had not been kind to him. He no longer wore his makeup and the shadows under his eyes and the messy state in which his hair was in lent to the image of a broken man. "You've looked better."

"What else would you expect," said the Court Mage as he stood up slowly. Judging by the creases in his clothes, which were likely only washed thanks to Frederica, he'd missed more than a couple meals here and there. "I thought I'd lost both of my servants, and Emilia opted not to participate in the Royal Selection despite my pleas. My dream, my greatest desire is practically in tatters."

"Had you been less despicable, you'd have kept both your servants," said Ram, "I don't care what that tome of knowledge told you, there was no reason to hire that assassin."

"Oh, so you know the truth then," said Roswaal with a weak smile, "yes, I hired Meili to cause a little incident in the village. Ulric was supposed to get bitten by the wolgarm and then Beatrice would've dispelled the curse for him. After that, you all would've investigated and stopped her little plot, gaining some well-deserved praise and recognition which was supposed to aid Emilia's path to the throne."

"A plan which went disastrously wrong," said Ram, "now most of the children there are lying in little graves, and my sister is buried in her favorite spot in the garden. But you won't be going where they've gone."

"Oh I was never going to a peaceful place in the afterlife," said Roswaal as he conjured a pair of fireballs in his hands, "I've been a part of more evil schemes over the last four hundred years than you could possibly imagine. So come and strike me down if you can!" Their battle ensued then, quickly destroying Roswaal's study in the process.

Back on Ulric's end of things, he was just about to reach Emilia's door when he was met with an interruption of sorts. One of the other doors opened up and a blast of wind erupted from it. The Crusader just managed to leap back in time to avoid it. "Beatrice," noted Ulric as the little magic wielder walked out into the hallway, "it's been some time. How have you been?"

"The affairs at the mansion were a little noisier than usual after you left, I suppose," said Beatrice, "but then Ram went after you and things became, quiet, quieter than they'd ever been here. At first I enjoyed it, but after a while the atmosphere became nauseating."

"There's a simple solution to that," said Ulric as he held his hand out, "come along with us. Roswaal L. Mathers's time is at an end and I intend to take Emilia away from this place. I doubt Frederica could stay here either, and it wouldn't sit right with me to leave you behind."

"Hmph, Betty is used to being alone, I suppose," she replied, "I have sat in that library for four hundred years and I have no intention of leaving."

"But your magic allows you to create a path to your library so long as you have access to a door if I recall correctly," Ulric pointed out, "so there's no real reason you should feel compelled to stay here."

"I stay here because it's what Mother asked me to do," said Beatrice, "I am the caretaker of the forbidden library and I will not simply abandon it."

"Then step aside and allow me to take Lady Emilia away from here," requested Ulric, "to my understanding, you weren't entirely fond of her."

"I think you've forgotten, I suppose," said Beatrice as she raised her hand, "Emilia is the one who's contracted to Bubby. You're quite mistaken if you think I'll let you walk out of here with him." Ulric cast Jiwald around his body and jumped just as the mystic librarian fired another blast of wind at him. The Knight landed on the other side of her and ran towards Emilia's door but was stopped as he felt a force pulling him back towards Beatrice.

He managed to correct himself by rolling back and turning as soon as he got back to his feet. He swung his sword at Beatrice who blocked it by forming a type of purple crystal before holding her hand up to fire another blast of air. Ulric was able to dodge this as well before casting 'Unseen Path' in midair. Beatrice fired more blasts of air where she thought he was, narrowly missing the Crusader as he landed behind her. Before she could attack again, Ulric struck with a powerful back kick which sent his apparent foe flying a good few feet thanks to her small stature.

But she wasn't done quite yet as she got back to her feet. "I guess I'm a little rusty after not having fought in four hundred years, I suppose," said Beatrice as she dusted herself off before holding her hand up in the air, "but the time to fool around has ended." A multitude of purple crystals formed over her head then, practically filling up her part of the hall. "I don't know what technique you used just now, but I doubt even it will allow you to dodge an entire hallway full of these."

Ulric readied himself, his own plan forming in his mind on how to deal with this specific attack. Due to the short time he'd spent at the mansion before his untimely departure, he hadn't had a lot of time to learn the scope of the magic she could perform. But there was a way he could potentially avoid this attack if he timed it just right. Or so he thought, until the unexpected happened: most of Beatrice's body was suddenly frozen in ice crystals.

"That's enough Beatrice," said a voice the Knight hadn't heard in two years, "you and I both know you don't actually want to hurt him." She walked out from behind Beatrice then, the fading mist of her ice attack revealing the white-haired half-elf who'd saved his life two years ago. She still wore her usual white outfit with robed sleeves, but her hair was a little more messy and her eyes looked tired. It was likely that her time spent resisting Roswaal's demands had been taxing on her. Yet they lit up upon seeing who was there.

"Lady Emilia," said Ulric with a bow, "it is good to see you again. Please forgive my absence over these last two years." Emilia simply gave him a sad smile before embracing him suddenly.

"It's alright, Ulric," she said as a few tears of joy feel down her face, "I know what happened wasn't your fault. And Puck told me you brought Ram back with you too. Is she really doing okay?"

"Better than okay," said Ulric, "we tracked down the one responsible for what happened to Rem and the children. She's currently dealing with Roswaal, so in the meantime, we'd best get you out of here." Emilia was about to answer to that when the sound of cracking was heard.

"You're not going anywhere," said Beatrice as her ice crystal prison shattered, "I've had to watch too many people leave this mansion! I won't allow you to take away the one friend who I won't outlive!" She formed her purple crystals in the air again as Emilia and Ulric both summoned up their elements in their hands, waiting for the small opponent to make a move. A move, which thankfully never came.

"Wait a minute Betty, HOLD UP!" Exclaimed Puck as he suddenly flew in front of Ulric and Emilia, "don't go hurting our friends, you know that upsets me."

"But Bubby," said a now flustered Beatrice, "I can't just let them take you away from here! You're the closest thing to a forever friend I have!" Tears started streaming down her eyes as she said this. Out of all the situations that could've occurred, this was the one she'd wanted to happen the least.

"Oh come on, isn't it obvious what's happening now," said Puck, "Ulric's clearly the person meant to take you away from here. Ya know, 'that person'?"

"What, but that can't be," said Beatrice, "how could this simpleton possibly be that person?!"

"Because he's a simpleton who took over an assassin organization with Ram," said Puck, "and the first person in forever with the stones to challenge someone like Roswaal in order to get everyone out of this mansion. I don't know about you, but that sound's a lot like 'that person' to me." Beatrice's eyes shifted to Ulric then.

"Are you really that person," questioned Beatrice with an actual note of hope in her voice, "are you here to liberate me from the library?"

"Well I-ufff," Ulric started to say before Puck bumped into his face. He wore an expression that said 'play along'. "I mean what else could I be? God clearly brought me to this land for a reason and I intend to fulfill that purpose. I do very much wish to bring you along with us, but it has to be your choice. So what will it be, Beatrice, remain here alone forever, or come along on an adventure with us?"

"I…well I," Beatrice started to say, "if it's really true, if you're really 'that person', then I'll do it, I suppose. Mother's final instructions were to wait for 'that person' to come get me, so, if you're really him, then I'll go with you." Ulric nodded before stepping forward and holding out his hand. Beatrice took it gingerly as a light suddenly rose around their hands. "Your full name is, Ulric Arkwright. That's somewhat interesting, I suppose."

"You can still just call me Ulric or Sir Ulric," replied the Knight, "and what just happened, might I ask?"

"You and I are contracted now," explained Beatrice, "I am not just a mere mage, I suppose, I am a great spirit like Bubby." The Crusader shifted his gaze to Puck with a raised eyebrow.

"Had you ever planned on telling me this, Puck?" He asked.

"Sure I would've told you," replied the Cat Spirit with a thumbs up, "you just never asked." The Knight rolled is eyes and was about to comment on his timing when the sound of a floor caving in drew their attention. Ulric realized it came from the direction of Roswaal's study and quickly signaled everyone to follow him as the group rushed down the hallway. When they arrived, they realized the study and all the floors beneath it had been destroyed.

All that was left now was a mess of debris on the bottom floor. It was there that two figures resided, one collapsed on their back with sickly veins spreading over their body while the other stood breathing heavily with their hands on their knees. "It seems your magic really is a lot stronger with your horn," coughed Roswaal, "to think how much more useful you could've been had you kept it."

"Spare me," said Ram, "It was you who let my village be attacked by the Witch's Cult all those years ago that cost me my horn, my home and my family. But because you gave us a new home and a new life, I was actually willing to forget my hatred for you. In fact, I'd even say that I was in love with you at one point. Then you took my sister, even if it was indirectly, you took the last person in this world that meant anything to me."

"You…loved me," said Roswaal weakly, "you'll forgive me….if I find that hard…to believe. Although, I have found…..love can be quite a poisonous thing sometimes. Not unlike….the poison you administered…to me just now."

"It is the most lethal fast acting poison the assassin organization has," replied Ram, "or should I say the fastest one to bring about a slow death, a modified version of Capella's cursed blood. You'll endure this agony for the rest of the day, the pain increasing in intensity over time. Eventually, your body will shut down or you'll die from the anguish."

"My," groaned Roswaal, "what a….horrible way….to treat the one….you say you love." As they spoke, Emilia created a pillar of ice for Ulric and the others to slide down on, though they kept back and continued to watch the scene unfold.

"As I said, I was in love with you at one point," repeated Ram before moving over towards the others, "but that love has since faded over these last two years and been replaced with love for the one who helped fulfill my dream." She pressed herself against Ulric then, drawing his head close in order to deliver one of her more passionate kisses. The Knight put up no resistance, instead looping his arm around her waist to keep her steady due to the height difference between them. Naturally this surprised Emilia more than a little as she had few memories of Ram actually liking Ulric in any way.

"Well it's not like…..I don't…deserve this," said Roswaal, "even had I….achieved my dream…something like this…was all that waited for-." His voice faded then as the poison in his system was now making it impossible for him to speak coherently.

"May God have mercy, should it be right for him to do so," said Ulric as he made a quick prayer.

"So he's…really dead then?" Asked Emilia with a tone between relief and sadness.

"He was dead long before I managed to get a poisoned needle into him," said Ram, "his spirit broke after I departed this mansion and you refused participation in the Royal Selection, which was why I was able to best him in the first place. All I've done is put an empty shell in pain that will eventually end once it leaves this world."

"I imagine you'll want to watch his final moments," said Ulric, "but I'd rather not put Lady Emilia through such a thing right now if it can be avoided."

"You needn't worry," said Ram as she glanced up at him, "this is enough for me, so let's go home." The Knight nodded as they headed towards the entrance which had been reduced to a half frozen, torn up mess by Puck's bout with Frederica. Currently, the unconscious maid was slung over the shoulder of Halibel as he stood in the hallway with Cecilus.

"Are you guys all finished up here," said Cecilus, "we cut down those guards a good ten minutes ago."

"Our business here is at an end," replied Ram, "though Frederica is not part of our business, so don't harm her."

"Yeah I was thinking we should take her back anyway," said Cecilus, "we haven't got enough people at the hideout who also have the skills of a maid."

"Ulric," said Emilia as her gaze shifted between the two warriors, "who are these people?"

"This is Halibel and Cecilus, your ladyship," explained Ulric as he introduced the two warriors, "they were a great help in bringing down the assassin organization. Now it belongs to us and is to do with as we please."

"You lead an assassin organization now?" Said Emilia with more than a little confusion in her voice.

"A lot has happened over the last two years, Lady Emilia," said Ram, "It'd be best if we explained on the way."

"Before we go, could you at least tell me one thing?" Asked the Silver-haired Girl. "What do you both intend to do now?"

"Eliminate the Witch's Cult," said Ulric, "We've already taken a great step by slaying the leader of the assassin organization: The Sin Archbishop of Lust. It is my intention now to eliminate them and all others who may do you harm for their own misguided reasons. You, Ram, Beatrice and many others deserve happiness and I intend to deliver it. So what say you, Lady Emilia, would you still like to come along with us?"

Naturally she was hesitant at this new information as she thought back to what she knew about Ulric, which was actually very little. But in the end, she took his hand and allowed herself to be led away from the mansion with the others because she still felt she could trust him. And from that day forward, the wrath of Ulric the Crusader, or the Clairvoyant King as they came to call him, began as he waged war on the Witch's Cult and any others who might threaten Emilia.

He paid no heed to the positions of those he slayed, be they peasants or the highest of officials, he slew anyone associated with the Cult or its doctrine. Even the great Reinhard seemed incapable of stopping him, suffering a grave wound as he came into the promised battle between him and Cecilus. And all the while word spread, warning all to be wary of the wrath of the Clairvoyant King and his unyielding queens.

Whew, the longest one yet! Even I didn't expect it to be this long, but I hope this explains why I divided it into two parts, there's a lot happening. Anyway, hopefully you all enjoyed this alternate side story and as always feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked and what alternate stories you'd like to see next! 'Til then.