Knight of the Duchess Part Two
Hello everyone and welcome to part two of 'What if Ulric became Crusch Karnstein's knight?'! I know you've all been waiting more than a bit for this and naturally I apologize for not getting it out sooner, but the holidays are the holidays. Despite that, hopefully you'll find this was worth the wait and of course, don't forget to leave your requests for any other 'IF' stories. Now then, with no review questions this week, let's dive on in!
The Castle of Lugnica
Despite actually having been inside the great castle of the capital of Lugnica, Ulric still couldn't help but be impressed by its size whenever he saw it from the outside. Even some of the largest fortresses in Israel were dwarfed by the massive stone walls and spires that reached high into the air, allowing the structure to be seen for miles before even the kingdom itself came into view. And the inside was just as impressive as the outside with numerous paintings, statues, plants and suits of armor decorating ornate hallways with incredibly detailed wallpaper. It was always a sight to behold, and yet, Ulric found himself focusing on another matter. Something that didn't go unnoticed by his mistress.
"Ulric," said Crusch as she glanced back at the Knight, "what seems to be on your mind? You've been rather quite ever since we exited the carriage."
"I just feel that I'm a bit out of place here," he replied after a moment, "This meeting is no doubt an extremely important affair and everyone bearing your status shall be present. Wouldn't it have been more prudent to bring Sir Wilhelm instead of me?"
"Sir Wilhelm may be my right hand," replied Crusch, "but he is not an entirely sworn knight to me like you and Felix are. If you'll recall, he and I have something of an arrangement, one that I intend to fulfill soon. More to the point, I thought it would be a good experience for you to have a more complete grasp on this country's situation. I know you've been studying quite extensively in order to aid me, but there are some things that even the most descriptive of writings cannot tell you. And besides, your progress in Lugnican Knight training is progressing extremely well, so don't think you aren't measuring up to any of the other knights."
"You are too kind, your ladyship," said Ulric, thinking back on all he'd been able to learn in the month since he'd arrived. It had been discovered fairly quickly that he couldn't read or write the native language despite understanding everyone around him perfectly. He'd also found that his knowledge of this land's workings was also foreign to him, prompting Crusch to make Felix his instructor in both the literary word and the many laws, rules, regulations and history of Lugnica. Adding on to that was also sword and magic training. Naturally he'd felt most at home wielding a blade and was eager to learn how else he could wield it, especially after seeing some of the things Wilhelm could do with a sword and only a slight bit of effort.
Magic training had been the most odd out of the many regimes he undertook as he found it to be a very different practice from the black arts he was warned about back in his homeland. Felix had also been appointed to oversee some of his training as it was also good practice for his healing magic when Ulric did injure himself accidentally. During this training is where Ulric learned that everyone had their own magical affinity which coincided with one of the many elements of nature. In his case, his magic leaned towards a light nature and thus he learned to wield light magic from some of the other mages that Crusch brought in.
His progress was apparently remarkable as he soon learned how to summon and maintain a strengthening aura around his body along with a couple of other spells. Despite all of that, however, the Crusader knew he wasn't quite as good as the other knights who'd been honing their craft in Lugnica since they were young. It was apparently good enough for Lady Crusch, though, as they entered into a large room lined with multiple white columns, a tile floor and arches that were all decorated with one symbol of the dragon or another. At the end of this room was a pair of double doors standing easily as high as five people if not more with a symbol of a golden dragon emblazoned on both sides.
These were the doors to the throne room where the most important decisions concerning the fate of the country were made. And unbeknownst to the current group, today was the day the country would be made aware of five very clear choices on how they wanted the land to be run. Today would shed more light on the Royal Selection, and the day Ulric would finally see the rivals Lady Crusch would be up against. "Lady Crusch," said a man with green, buzz cut hair and a goatee, wearing an almost full suit of knight armor, "punctual as always."
"It is good to see you as well, Marcos," she replied as she held her hand up to indicate the Crusader, "You remember Ulric, I hope?"
"I do indeed," he said as he shook Ulric's hand, "I hear your training is coming along nicely."
"Everyone says I'm advancing well," replied the Knight, "but I haven't seen this land's knights in combat enough to know whether or not that's true."
"If Lady Crusch is still keeping you around, then you're doing just fine," said Marcos as he signaled the two other guards to open the door, "Felix can show you where to stand. The other candidates and the council should be along shortly."
"Let's hope they don't keep us waiting too long," said Crusch, "Felix is not the best at holding still."
"Nya-o need to worry about me, Lady Crusch," said the cat demi as he pawed the air playfully, "I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
"Let us hope the others are interested in doing so as well," said Crusch as she proceeded through the doors, "in the meantime, take Ulric over to where you two are supposed to stand."
"Nya-o problem," replied Felix with a salute before slinging his arm around Ulric's and pulling the Crusader along, "this way."
"Felix," said Ulric in mild annoyance as he was pulled towards one side of the room, "could we be the slightest bit more professional, please?"
"You don't have to worry," said Felix with a wink, "everyone here already knya-ows how I am. This is all just routine."
"Even so," Ulric started to protest before they were greeted by a redheaded knight.
"Ah, Felix, Sir Ulric," said the man with a slight bow, "good to see you both made it."
"Sir Reinhard," said the Crusader as Felix finally released him, "it's good to see that you are also well. I feel I should inform you that your advice on pulling mana from the atmosphere has proven quite helpful in my magic training."
"It was nothing, really," said Reinhard in his usual humble manner, "when I heard that my grandfather was the one training you I figured you'd need all the help you could get."
"A knight's path is never an easy one," replied Ulric, "but for the sake of her ladyship I will gladly endure the time and pain necessary to improve my technique."
"A good attitude to have," said another, purple-haired knight as he also came walking up to the formation, "one cannot become a competent knight without at least a degree of dedication to their craft."
"Sir Julius," said Ulric as said knight shook hands with him and Reinhard. Felix merely held up two fingers with a smile. According to him it was called the 'peace' sign, though the Crusader was unsure as to why. "It's been a few weeks, how have you been?"
"My own mistress is as eccentric and greedy as always," said Julius, "perhaps you'll have the pleasure of actually meeting her today."
"I will be the first to warn you that I've not had the most pleasant of encounters with merchants," said Ulric, "but the only ones I ever met were those selling military supplies. Regardless, I'd like to think it'd be a memorable encounter."
"Lady Hoshin would ensure that such an encounter is memorable," said Julius, "but I'll let you make up your own mind about her. Now then, I must take my place, the wise men are entering." The Crusader nodded as he and the others followed suit, joining a large collection of other knights who were all situated on the left side of the throne room. Ulric himself had elected to remain in his more familiar Teutonic armor, or rather the white and blue-crossed mystical variant he'd been gifted by Lady Crusch earlier in the week. The other knights all wore black and white outfits which with long white capes that reached down nearly to their feet. In Ulric's opinion they more resembled business attire than a knight's uniform, though they also did little to impede the Imperial knight's effectiveness.
The other exception to this rule was a burly man who was missing his left arm with a knight's helmet on his head, a yellow cape around his shoulders along with a green vest and white pants. He also wore a rather unique sword with a large, curved blade which hung on the back of his waist. On the opposite side of the throne room were the many merchants, business leaders, and other managers of royal affairs, better known as the nobility. They were dressed in black and purple clothing that was more similar to robes than the military attire of the Lugnican knights.
As for Crusch Karnstein and the other royal candidates, they stood in the center of the room with the throne and council chairs several feet in front of them. Lady Hoshin, as she was called, arrived shortly after and was followed by Emilia. She was then proceeded by a blond woman whom Ulric was less familiar with but did happen to recall that her name was Priscilla. "The wise men are now entering," said Marcos as he indicated a number of older gentleman adorned with blue and white robes.
They were each distinct from each other with different beards or completely bald heads or, in one case, abnormally large eyebrows. Though that was hardly the oddest thing Ulric had seen since arriving in this strange land. "Now if I may be so forward," said Marcos as soon as the wise men sat down, "I, Marcos, leader of the Imperial knights, shall act as the director for all proceedings. To begin, it all started half a year ago when members of the royal family started going into hiding-."
"Excuse me," said the purple-haired royal candidate, Lady Hoshin, "I get that you want to put on a good show and everything, but I'm rather busy. You may be unfamiliar with it but we have a saying in Kararagi, 'time is money'." 'An unsurprising focus on her funds, as expected of a merchant,' thought Ulric. Though the next one to speak surprised him a bit.
"I couldn't agree more," said Crusch Karnstein, "while I do agree on the importance of ceremony and procedure, our time is very valuable and it would be wise if you would inform us as to why we are here? Though I already have a fair idea as to the purpose of this meeting."
"And why do you suspect you have all been gathered here?" Questioned one of the wise men, an older gentleman with a white braided beard.
"Quite obviously a drinking party," said Crusch with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face, "we'll all be rivals quite soon so this is a chance for us to break bread and learn more about each other."
"That is actually incorrect," said the Wise Man, "you have been called here for a different reason."
"It's not," said a surprised Crusch before looking back towards the knights, "Felix, this is not what you told me earlier."
"What I said was it might be a drinking party," replied Felix in his usual cat-like tone, "I never said I knew it for a fact. Why do you think we're all here right now, Ulric?"
"I have as much knowledge as you, Felix," replied the Knight, "though if I had to guess, everyone here is a royal candidate which likely means this is in relation to the Royal Selection."
"Quite right," said the Wise Man, "and come to think of it, I don't recognize you young man. Whose knight are you?"
"I am Sir Ulric Arkwright, your eminence," said the Crusader with a bow, "I serve her ladyship, Crusch Karnstein, though I am not the chosen knight to represent her today. That honor belongs to Sir Felix Argyle."
"Regardless of that she seems to have chosen good company," said the Wise Man.
"I still feel I should apologize," said Crusch with a slight bow, "please allow me to retract everything I just said."
"Well even if you do, what about the rest of us," said Hoshin impatiently, "we all know how the Royal Selection works."
"It still might be a good idea if we let them proceed-," Emilia started to say before being cut off.
"I don't recall asking you for your opinion," said Hoshin rudely, causing Ulric to narrow his eyes a bit. Such rudeness, especially directed at one who he viewed as a possible friend was not something he cared for. Though his attention was drawn to the one-armed man as he suddenly raised his hand.
"Hey I don't know how the Royal Selection works!" Called the man, getting a raised eyebrow from some of the other council members.
"Miss Priscilla," said the Wise Man, "is this man not your knight? Have you not explained the Royal Selection process to him?"
"Whether I have or haven't is irrelevant," said Priscilla as she closed her fan, "you old men will go on and on about it regardless, so please proceed Marcos."
"As you wish," said the Knight Captain before turning to face all of them, "there is a specific reason we have gathered you, the ones qualified to be the next dragon priestess. A new prophecy has engraved itself upon the dragon stone. It states 'from the five capable of becoming the nation's new leader, chose one priestess to enter into a covenant with the dragon.'" Ulric was quick to note that there were only four candidates and yet he couldn't help but think that they must already have or know of the fifth, otherwise they wouldn't even be having such a grand meeting.
"Knight Reinhard Van Astrea," said Marcos then, "please come forward." The red-headed swordsman did as instructed with an actual air of excitement around him as he stopped just behind the royal candidates.
"Honored members of the council of wise men," he said while taking a knee and setting his sword next to him, "I, imperial knight Reinhard Van Astrea, would like to announce the completion of my mission. The fifth and final candidate mentioned in the prophecy of the dragon stone, has been located!" As if on cue, which it likely was, the large double doors at the back of the throne room opened as everyone looked upon the fifth candidate. Though none were more surprised than Ulric and Emilia.
"She is also the one I revere as queen," said Reinhard, "Miss Felt!" And looking upon her now, one might've been hard-pressed to think that over a month ago she'd been a thief on the streets. She now had on a long yellow dress with white frills and a black corset that left her shoulders exposed, along with a pair of long white gloves that stopped just past her elbows. A pair of short, pink-haired girls who looked more akin to royal chefs due to their pink aprons walked along behind Felt, holding the longer part of her dress. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Miss Felt."
The little red-eyed girl honestly looked like she had no idea what was going on until she stopped next to her apparent knight. "Reinhard," she said with what sounded like relief, until she suddenly lifted up her dress and lashed out at him with an orange-booted kick that somehow reached up to his face despite their obvious height difference. "You bastard! What's the deal with putting me in this dress and dragging me here without an explanation?!"
"My word," said Reinhard, acting as if he hadn't just blocked her kick with his hand, "what has brought on such aggressive behavior, Miss Felt?"
"Don't just stand there saying that like nothing happened!" Exclaimed Felt, "I've about had it up to here with your surprises!"
"Am I to take it the dress is not to your liking," questioned Reinhard as he gently put her foot down while kneeling, "I had it sized specifically for you."
"You know that's not what I'm talking about!" Growled Felt.
"Well that certainly explains why Wilhelm was so adamant about delivering you to the guards back then," Ulric couldn't help but say, "it seems a royal candidate can come from any walk of life."
"Hey, I know you," said Felt upon noticing Ulric, before lashing out with another kick. Ulric was quick to block it with his arm, not really having any room to step back due to all the others standing around him. "You're the one who was hanging around with that old guy. How'd you wind up here?"
"Sir Wilhelm had a hand in both of our fates it seems," said Ulric, "I am here now as Lady Crusch Karnstein's newest knight."
"I hope that means you're getting paid well," said Felt, "you still owe me a knife, ya know."
"Lady Felt," said Marcos, "if you are done rekindling old friendships, please step over here."
"Well what is it you want me to do, anyway," said Felt as she took up position next to Emilia.
"I would say act more ladylike," replied Reinhard as he took her hand and placed the royal insignia in it, "but first comes this." As before, the red jewel of the insignia glowed in Felt's hand while Reinhard addressed the rest of the assembly. "As you can see, the dragon gem has recognized Lady Felt as a priestess and with her selection approved, I believe it is time to begin the Royal Selection in earnest." Marcos acknowledged this by putting a hand over his heart as the other knights, including Ulric, followed suit.
"Even if the dragon stone has recognized her," said one of the men from the noble's side of the room, a sickly-looking man with tired eyes, a short beard and combed back, messy hair, "isn't her selection a bit problematic?"
"Are you insinuating that we, the Imperial Knights, have made an error," replied Marcos, doing his best not to raise an eyebrow at such a statement. A number of irritated looks from the knights were directed towards the nobles gathered on the opposite side of the room. Their apparent response to this was a string of comments among them about how Felt lacked self-awareness to rule, was uneducated, and so on before being silenced by the bearded wise man.
"Sir Reinhard," he said, "would you begin by explaining to us how you discovered her?"
"I believe Sir Ulric would be better equipped to give such an explanation," replied Reinhard, "after all, it was him and Wilhelm Van Astrea who discovered her."
"I see," said the Wise Man as his eyes turned to the Crusader, "would you say this is accurate, Sir Ulric?"
"I was merely present and partly assisted in her apprehension," Replied the Knight, "It is Wilhelm Van Astrea who deserves the credit for recognizing her as a royal candidate."
"So you say," replied the Wise Man, "but given that he is not currently present, would you kindly step forward and explain the circumstances that led to her discovery."
"As you wish," said Ulric as he stepped forward and knelt next to Reinhard, "I had just arrived in this kingdom and was wandering the city shortly after meeting Wilhelm Van Astrea when we came upon her fleeing from Lady Emilia. At the time she was operating as a thief from the slums-."
"She's a gutter rat from the slums?!" Exclaimed the same tired-looking Nobleman from earlier.
"Well excuse me for being low born," Felt called back, "I'm only here because you dragged me here against my will!"
"All of this blather couldn't be any more boring," said Priscilla, "then again I suppose you were a gutter rat because you were only able to manage tedious conversation."
"Hey if you're looking for a fight," said Felt, turning a hard glare on the woman, "you got one!"
"Such insolence," replied Priscilla with her fan covering her mouth, "who do you think I am?" She raised her fan then and nearly brought it down on the smaller girl, only for Reinhard to step between them at the last moment.
"Many pardons, Lady Priscilla," he said with a slight bow, hardly noticing the fan barely two inches from his head while Emilia had also moved in front of Felt.
"What are you thinking starting a fight in such a hallowed place?" Questioned Emilia.
"I was only trying to teach an untrained little bitch her place," replied the blond woman as she went back to fanning herself.
"You just tried to attack her," said Emilia, "you won't even apologize?"
"Will you apologize for being born?" Replied Priscilla with narrowed eyes, "you silver-haired-."
"Not a single person in this world needs to apologize for being born," said Ulric suddenly as he stood up, "we are all born into this world for a purpose, one known only to the All Mighty God. To suggest one should apologize for their birth is naught but pure foolishness and arrogance."
"Now what are you blathering on about," said Priscilla as she turned to Ulric, "are there really so many insolent rats crawling around this kingdom?"
"I merely state the truth as I know it," replied the Crusader, "if it troubles your frail heart so, then perhaps it would be best if you simply left the proceedings and the Royal Selection altogether. Such a burden as this is not one to be taken on lightly."
"You dare to imply I cannot handle something as trivial as this," Priscilla more stated than asked, "I am far more capable than you could possibly dream."
"Then you will not mind if we continue," said Marcos, "you may return to the line, Sir Ulric. And the Royal Selection candidates, please come forth. We shall begin with Lady Priscilla Barielle and her attendant, Al." The blond-haired woman stepped forward with her knight right behind her, flaunting her large yet revealing red dress as she spoke.
"As I was just explaining to that knight," said Priscilla with a wave of her fan, "this selection is pointless. I am the one suited to rule this nation, so all you need to do is serve me and grovel at my feet!" Marcos said nothing to that as he introduced the next candidate.
"Head of the Karnstein family, Duchess Crusch Karnstein," continued the Knight Captain as he motioned for the green-haired woman to step forward along with Felix, "and her attendant, the knight Felix Argyle." She was donned in her blue military uniform, though with a longer tail on the back while Felix was dressed like the rest of the knights in the chamber.
"Should I become the new ruler," she began, "I shall sever the covenant between the dragon and the kingdom, for it belongs not to the dragon but to us!" 'Inspiring as always, your ladyship,' thought Ulric as Marcos moved on to the next candidate.
"Lady Anastasia Hoshin of the Hoshin Company," Marcos introduced as the purple-haired royal candidate bowed, "and her knight, Julius Euclius." She was a shorter woman whose height was easily dwarfed by the taller knight behind her. Ulric himself wondered if she was cold given how heavy her white dress and fur shoulder coat looked. She even had an expensive looking white fur hat atop her head.
"I'm a greedy gal," she said with a smile, "so I want everything. No amount of commercial success can satisfy me, so naturally I want a nation." 'At least she's up front about it,' thought the Crusader as Marcos moved on to the silver-haired candidate next.
"Lady Emilia and the man endorsing her, Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers," said Marcos as the half-elf stepped forward. She was dressed in much the same white and purple clothing he'd seen her in the last time they'd met, though she wore a heavy white cloak which an eared hood on the back for this meeting. Her apparent endorser who easily stood six feet tall behind her was the most eccentric man Ulric had ever laid eyes on with a purple outfit resembling that of a jester's and a long black pointed cape with a red lining on the inside. He even wore white makeup on his face that lent to his appearance as a jester.
"I have only one wish," she said with a hand over her heart, "for all to be equal, and thus I shall create a nation where all are equal!" She bowed then and turned to head back towards the line of other candidates as the Knight Captain moved to introduce the last two.
"And finally," said Marcos, "Lady Felt and her attendant, the knight Reinhard Van Astrea."
"Now just hold on," she said with her arms crossed, "I never said I wanted to be the next ruler! Who'd want to take part in this Royal Selection thing anyway?!"
"Are you saying you wish to withdraw from the Royal Selection?" Questioned Marcos.
"Damn right I do!" Exclaimed Felt angrily. That should've been the end of the matter right there but for some reason the tired-looking noble decided to speak up yet again.
"This is a joke," he said, "I've kept quite because the situation is dire but to drag it out this long is senseless!"
"If you acknowledge the situation is dire then please remain silent or leave this hall so that we may proceed," Ulric called back, his own patience running thin for a different reason.
"What did you say to me?!" Seethed the Nobleman as he glared in the Knight's direction.
"He does bring up a point, however, Sir Ulric," said another wise man with extremely large eyebrows, "one of the candidates is a gutter rat while the other is a half-demon endorsed by the Margrave. It is utter foolishness to even entertain the thought of them as rulers!"
"I fail to see how that has any bearing on the Royal Selection itself," replied Ulric, "Lady Emilia and Lady Felt were selected the same way as Lady Crusch and the others. Or are you suggesting that the method given to you by the dragon is flawed despite trusting it for so many centuries?"
"It seems the rumors about you are true," said the Wise Man, "you really are from a land ignorant of the Jealous Witch. Has Lady Crusch not informed you that she too was a silver-haired half-elf like this filthy woman?! Even allowing her in here is a great risk!"
"And yet she was found worthy to form a contract with the dragon," Ulric pointed out, "perhaps the dragon sees something in her and Lady Felt that we do not. Because if she was really the witch, Satella, she wouldn't need to participate in the Royal Selection, she'd simply kill us all and take it."
"I just thought I said I wasn't participating," exclaimed Felt in annoyance.
"I think Sir Ulric still brings up a valid point," said Emilia as she turned to the assembly, "I am a silver-haired half-elf and am fully aware that my similarities to the jealous witch shall subject me to prejudice. But I adamantly refuse to let such a reason as that pluck out all of my potential!" Silence fell on the room for several moments then before anyone else spoke.
"I see," said the bald Wise Man finally, finding it hard to argue with Emilia's charisma.
"By the way," said the Bearded Wise Man, "aren't you supposed to be serving Duchess Crusch Karnstein, Sir Ulric? Why are you speaking up in defense of two rivals?"
"I would like to know that as well," said Crusch as she turned to Ulric, "will you speak so ardently in my defense?"
"But of course your ladyship," said Ulric with a slight bow as he stepped out of the line slightly so that he could be heard better, "I merely wish for the selection to be as fair as possible. Would you really be satisfied with your victory if it came too easily?"
"I am not one to back down from a challenge, that much is true," admitted Crusch as she turned back towards the Wise Men, "I also choose to acknowledge Lady Emilia and Lady Felt as royal candidates."
"Noted," said the Bearded Wise Man, "then let us now discuss how the royal selection shall proceed-." He was interrupted by the sudden appearance of and surprisingly quick spreading of a large amount of smoke.
"Your ladyship," said Ulric as he rushed to where Crusch and Felix were with his sword drawn. For a brief moment, he caught the movement of a large shape in the smoke heading towards them. But instead of going for the Duchess, this apparent assailant veered to the right and scooped up Felt who let out a frightened squeal as she began to be carried away. 'What is this,' thought the Crusader as he looked around for any other possible movement before a sudden and very powerful gust of wind blew all of the smoke away.
Ulric quickly noted that the blast of wind had come from Reinhard swinging his still sheathed sword, revealing the intruder to be an extremely large, bald black man wearing a black vest and pants with red tattoos on his head along with large white eyebrows and patches of a white goatee. He had Felt hanging over his shoulder while trying to head for a hole in the floor where a tile had been moved to reveal an underground passage. But his attempt was quickly halted as the other knights moved in with their swords drawn, quickly subduing the large man by binding his wrists behind his back with irons. He was then forced to his knees with swords hovering over him as Marcos stepped forward.
"I don't know who you are or why you're here," declared the Knight Captain, "but for stealing into the castle, you must die."
"Hey, stop," called Felt who was currently being restrained by two knights, "I know him, that's Old Man Rom! Let him go right now!"
"I'm afraid I cannot comply," stated Marcos with a glance in the short girl's direction, "you have already publicly declared that you've withdrawn from the Royal Selection. Therefore, I have no obligation to obey your orders." Felt gritted her teeth for several moments as she looked between Rom and the Knight Captain. Then, her breathing calmed down as a smirk appeared on her face.
"Fine," she said, "I'll do your stupid Royal Selection. The gist of it is to become the next ruler, right?"
"What in the world are ya talkin' about, Felt," said the large man now known as Rom.
"That old man is my only family," said Felt, "so release him now and treat him with care!"
"At once," said Marcos as he signaled the knights to do just that. Rom was expectedly surprised by this, but before he could speak up Felt beat him to it.
"We'll talk later, okay Old Man Rom," said Felt with a genuine smile. This seemed to be enough for her apparent family member as he was lightly escorted out of the throne room. "Hey Reinhard, this wasn't a part of your plan too, was it?"
"Certainly not," said Reinhard with his hand over his heart, "this was guided by something greater, the hand of fate."
"So, you're a slave to fate then, are you?" Questioned Felt with a laugh.
"By no means," said Reinhard as he knelt in front of her, "from this moment on, I am your knight."
"Alright then," said Felt, still smiling despite everything, "I'll work you to the bone." Reinhard simply nodded as the two of them proceeded up the stairs to stand before the assembly while everyone else returned to their original positions.
"Now picking up where we left off," said Marcos, "Lady Felt and her knight, Reinhard, are we to conclude that you have indeed decided to participate in the Royal Selection?"
"Yeah I'm in," said Felt, "but let me say one thing." She turned to address everyone else, "I hate the nobility, I hate knights, and I hate this kingdom! I hate every last thing about it, so I plan on tearing it all down! What do ya think of that?!" Naturally this caused a stir among the gathered nobles on the right side of the chamber. "I'll destroy it all, I'll take down every last one of you and bring a little fresh air into this country!"
"Your lady is an intense one," commented the Bearded Wise Man shortly after Felt was done.
"And one day her words will reach everyone's ears," said Reinhard with his characteristic smile.
"The important thing is, all the candidates are here now," continued the Wise Man as he stood up, "and thus, the Royal Selection can now begin!"
That Evening: The Mansion of Crusch Karnstein
"Well nya-ow," said Felix who was back in his usual blue dress outfit as they all sat in Crusch's office, "that was way more interesting than I thought it was going to be."
"Indeed," agreed Crusch as her gaze shifted to Ulric, "though I still must ask, why was it you defended Ladies Emilia and Felt in such a way?"
"While it was brief," replied Ulric as he sat in a chair across from Crusch, now out of his armor and in a more casual blue dress shirt, "you'll recall that I encountered Lady Emilia and Lady Felt before meeting you. While Lady Felt is obviously quite brash and impulsive, Lady Emilia herself proved to be a kind person who'd offered to buy Lady Felt a meal despite having been robbed by her. And her actions and words thus far demonstrate that she is nothing like the Jealous Witch. So I saw little reason she shouldn't be allowed to participate in the Royal Selection. And you yourself once told me that having a master of magic in one's debt can prove incredibly useful from time to time."
"Am I to understand then that you helped her and Lady Felt in hopes that they might return the favor one day?" Questioned Crusch.
"I merely did what I felt was right at the time," replied Ulric, "as the head of the Karnstein family it is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not we should ever require such assistance. But even with their participation in the Royal Selection approved, I have little doubt that you will be the one to take the throne. Especially if the upcoming expedition succeeds."
"It shall be a great undertaking," said Wilhelm who'd been standing next to Crusch up to this point, "the likes of which haven't been seen in four hundred years."
"Yeah, but we still have a lot to do before we can even set out," said Felix, "finding weapons, wagons and supplies won't be that hard but where are we going to find the manpower?"
"Wilhelm and I both have more than a few favors we can call in," said Crusch, "moreover, finding mercenaries for such an undertaking as this won't prove too difficult either. In fact, there are a number of knights out there who'd embark on an expedition such as this for free. Because our goal is not the slaying of any mere beast, but a monstrosity who has terrorized the entire world for four hundred years."
"The White Whale," said Ulric, "from what I've read it's an impossibly large creature. Had I not seen numerous other strange oddities of this land, I'd have believed it to be nothing more than a fairy tale."
"Well it is very real and is responsible for taking more lives than we will ever know," said Crusch, "thankfully, we have more than a couple of veterans here who know how to organize a siege. So, starting now, we shall begin our preparations for the extermination of the white whale!"
And that ends part two of the 'Knight of the Duchess' IF story. Now first off, I know, I could've made it longer but this seemed a natural ending point especially with what's coming up. Now with luck the next chapter shall be the final one in this 'IF' story but we'll have to see, so in the meantime, feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any requests for future 'IF' chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as our fellow Crusader has his first encounter with the White Whale, and death. 'Til then.