Many thoughts ran through Alicia's mind as she arrived at the door of the hospital room where her soldier, Mayfield, was resting. She still questioned whether or not it was right of her to release the orc general. Then there was Red the Stoic, who she wondered what secrets he held and if he knew who killed her father. And now, doubt began to spread amongst the Alliance, and she feared the worst, for her comrades and for Eostia. She closed her eyes, trying to seek strength within herself, but memories of her father appeared and she was on the verge of breaking apart.
A wail of pain from inside the room interrupted her thoughts, and she quickly entered to see Prim tending to Mayfield's arm, with Vera watching in amusement.
"See? That wasn't so bad," Prim laughed.
"Perhaps not for you, but it still hurt!" complained Mayfield.
"It's not even that bad of a wound," Vera pointed. "No need to be so dramatic."
All three of them then noticed Alicia and greeted her with warm smiles. She was relieved to see that all was well in the tiny hospital room, a welcoming presence to ease her mind from her anxiety.
"How did the hearing go, sis?" asked Prim.
Alicia sighed as she recounted the details. "Everything was fine. The subject is still up for debate, but they were willing to look the other way. However, news of a rebellion has begun to arise."
"A rebellion?" Vera asked, raising a brow. "Against whom?"
"Against Her Holiness," Alica answered. "The people have begun to show hate and disdain towards her, as well as the rest of the Alliance. And news of my actions sparing the enemy has allowed them to incite."
Vera clenched her fist in anger hearing the news. "Sons of bitches! After all you have done for them, this is the thanks you get?! I'll go kill those bastards right now and-!"
"Calm down, lieutenant," Alicia ordered. "I feel the same way too, but now is not the time to instigate a civil war. We must recuperate from our losses and decide what our next move is against the Dark Queen."
Vera wanted to say more, but understood Alicia's words as she held her tongue.
"Did Lady Celestine say anything else?" asked Mayfield worriedly, afraid that more trouble had arisen because of Alicia's actions at Halem. "Is the Church really going to forgive you?"
She sighed heavily. "I don't know. Lady Celestine seems to have pardoned me because she also sympathizes with the Dark Queen and the aberrants."
"Sympathize?" Vera asked with shock. "With the Dark Queen? And those monsters?! Forgive me, but I can understand why the people would doubt Her Holiness."
"Perhaps Lady Celestine has greater perception than us," Prim interjected. "She is an elf after all, and her power of foresight and influence is beyond our comprehension."
"Prim is right," Alicia added. "Though I do not agree fully with Her Holiness, we must trust in her judgment."
Vera could not argue with the logical conclusion, though she still had some doubt in her mind.
"So, what are your orders now, my lady?" she asked Alicia.
"Have the medical wards watch over Mayfield," ordered Alicia. "I want you to rally the rest of our knights and have them ready to move out on a moment's notice. And Prim."
She perked up to hear Alicia's words, and her face beamed with delight upon what she told her.
"You and I must go visit a certain rogue."
Sol began gathering his possessions, which included various crafting tools, bottles filled with alchemical substances, snares and traps and stocked them neatly inside the large duffel bag.
"Do mercenaries have uses for so many items?" Kaguya asked, staring curiously as he worked.
"No, I carry them for show," Sol answered dryly. "But this is nothing. I actually need to restock soon."
"Then perhaps I can offer something," said Kaguya.
She handed him two small vials filled with a clear substance that appeared yellow.
"It's the antidote I used to treat you," she explained. "My people have used it for a long time to treat many serious illnesses. My native language has a complicated name for it, so translated into common tongue, it's called 'yellow wagtail'."
"Strange name for a strange medicine," commented Sol as he took the yellow vials and inspected it. "But perhaps it may come in handy someday. Thank you."
Kaguya bowed in response. "You know, you are expected at tomorrow's celebration."
Sol grunted with discontent. "Yeah, I was told about that. Seems I've no choice in the matter."
"You do not like celebrations?" Kaguya asked. "To be in joyous company?"
Sol scoffed. "Nothing joyous about being in company.
"These are dark times," she explained. "Very rare is it that people find happiness during this strife, so we all must take advantage of it. So, Sir Varron, at least pretend to have fun- you might have some by accident."
As Sol left Kaguya's tower, he was then greeted by two familiar women waiting for him outside, whom he had hoped not to see anytime soon. Alicia was still wary of Sol, despite proving his valor and commitment in saving Prim, but she did not show hostility towards him like she had shown before.
But something then happened that none of them expected. Prim rushed into Sol's arm, shocking both him and Alicia. She held him for a long time before looking at him with her innocent blue eyes filled with relief. Sol nodded in gesture, smiling behind his red scarf as Prim released him.
Alicia wanted to scold Prim and Sol, but held her tongue as she stepped in to intervene.
"Good to see you're doing well," Alicia stated.
"Likewise, Arcturus," replied Sol in the same manner.
Feeling an awkward tension, Alicia cleared her throat to regain her composure.
"I've come here personally to thank you for rescuing Prim. I may have doubted you before, but twice now you've proven to me that you are a man of chivalry. I am in your debt."
Sol grunted in response, uneasy at the praise and knowing he had a greater debt to her.
"Don't mention it," he answered dryly.
"I also came to inform you that there is a celebration tomorrow for those who fought at Halem," Alicia continued. "No doubt Lady Kaguya has already informed you about this. You and your Kuroinu are expected there as well."
"Speaking of whom," Sol interjected, "where are they?"
"They are at the guild," Alicia explained. "Come with me. There are other matters I wish to discuss with Lord Vult as well."
Sol reluctantly agreed, feeling uneasy with Alicia alongside him. He wished to be as far away from her as possible, but for now he had to maintain his composure and play the charade.
As the three of them walked along the white streets of Geofu, Sol couldn't help but notice Prim admiring the architecture of the city, gazing at the tall buildings in awe like a small child. She was utterly lost in amazement that she nearly lost her footing, with Sol catching her fall at the last second.
"Don't let the white city blind you now," Sol jested.
"S-sorry," Prim stammered, her face reddened from embarrassment. "I wasn't paying attention. I hardly ever get the chance to travel outside of Ur, let alone my own palace. So seeing a city so grand as this is such a wonder."
"A shame," commented Sol. "I'm sure you would be able to see more marvelous sights if a certain knight allowed it."
"What do you mean?" Alicia interjected, overhearing their conversation.
"Nothing," Sol replied sarcastically, causing Prim to chuckle.
As they walked on, they passed through a bustling market filled with exotic and colorful merchandise. The music played by the bards was an uplifting tune that brightened even Sol's brooding demeanor.
One particular market stand that they walked past displayed hundreds of sweet treats that caught the attention of Prim and she broke away from the group to take a glimpse. Sol quickly followed her, as did Alicia, and he looked at how Prim marveled at the sweets like a child, which slightly amused him.
"I'm sorry, Prim, but we don't have time right now," Alicia told her.
Sol saw the hurt on Prim's face as she reluctantly returned to Alicia's side. He gave one last look at all the candy before leaving.
They soon arrived at the guild, and upon entering, Sol was greeted warmly by his fellow Kuroinu. The men were having a lavish feast, finally having time to celebrate their victory over Halem.
"The hero has returned!" Hicks shouted in a drunken state. "Let's give him a warm welcome!"
All the men cheered, raising their mug to Sol, which he responded with an uncomfortable grunt.
"And he's won himself not just one, but two of the Princess Knights!" Hicks added. "A fitting prize for one as deserving as you!"
Prim's face reddened as she glanced nervously over to Sol, who looked on with uninterest. Alicia maintained her composure as she hid her blush and cleared her throat.
"I wish to speak to your commander," Alicia addressed in a firm authoritarian voice. "Where may I find him?"
"Right here."
Almost instantly, Vult appeared from the crowd, grinning proudly as he walked towards Alicia.
"I see Sol has tagged along with you," Vult teased. "Safe to assume he's earned your trust, hasn't he?"
"He's here because he should also hear what I have to say to you," Alicia said, brushing off the teasing.
"And what does the Princess Knight of Feoh have to say to a humble mercenary?" asked Vult.
Alicia stared firmly into Vult's eyes. He was much taller than her, and his appearance was quite intimidating up close. She second guessed herself, but for a moment, she sensed some malice from his presence.
"Your former comrade, Maia, said to me that she had given you an item of extreme value to her," Alicia explained. "A ruby amulet."
Vult pondered to himself for a moment. "I kinda remember something like that, yeah."
"What did you do with it?" Alicia asked.
"Sold it, of course," Vult answered dryly. "War is expensive, we had no funds, so trinkets like those have no value to me."
Alicia would have figured even someone like Vult kept sentimental gifts, but was surprised to see him give it away with little care. Somehow, she didn't believe his words, and that there was no sincerity in his answer.
"What's this about?" Sol asked, having no notion of Alicia's questions.
"When I was fighting Red, he told me he had something planned for Maia. He died before he could give me an answer, but he gave me a ruby amulet that had belonged to her. She gave it to Vult as a gift, but Red had somehow obtained it."
"And you care about this, why?" asked Sol.
"Because I need to know what he wants. He claimed to have known my father, and I suspect he may also have something to do with his death."
Sol felt a chill crawl up his spine upon her mentioning her father. The pieces were moving into place now, and it wouldn't be long until she discovered his secret, his crime, and his sin.
Vult gave a hearty laugh.
"Perhaps you're over analyzing this, my lady," he said. "We all know that no man would dare raise a sword against him. His murder was the doing of the Dark Queen, nothing more."
Alicia felt tense as anger began to boil inside her. Her father's words began seeping into her mind. She knew it was wrong of her to accuse and point fingers, but emotions clouded her judgment, and all she could think about was her father's words.
Be wary of the Kuroinu, my daughter.
"Perhaps you're right," Alicia nodded. "Or perhaps there's more to this than what you would like to acknowledge."
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Vult said with confusion. "Are you suggesting that I'm lying and-"
"I'm suggesting you tell me who killed my father!"
"Alicia!" Prim interjected, finally having enough of the accusation. "Lord Vult and his men have been loyal to the Alliance! How dare you accuse them of such atrocity!"
"Stay out of this, Prim," Alicia scolded, ignoring her plea. "You know nothing of this matter!"
"But sister, you must listen to me-"
"Enough!"
Shock and fear filled Prim as she tried to speak but choked. She felt hurt and betrayed, her older cousin never allowing her to do anything of her own will or speak her mind.
"I think Lady Prim is right, Arcturus," Sol growled as he stepped in, his crimson eyes glowing with murder and his voice filled with hate. "You're taking this too far. Stop this, or I'll stop you."
Tension began to fill the air as Alicia and Sol glared at each other with murderous intent, neither of them backing down.
"Woah, woah, enough of this!" Vult stepped in. "No need for hostility. Sol, you'd do well to not offend the lady like that. After all, you two are comrades in arms, are you not? And my lady, I'm just a humble mercenary who speaks what he knows. And I know for a fact that neither me nor any of my men raised a sword against your dear father."
Alicia finally saw reason and cooled herself, deeply ashamed of her display.
"Forgive me, Lord Vult. I-I lost myself in my emotions."
Vult waved in apology. "Don't worry, my lady. Once we capture the Dark Queen and end this war, we will get to the bottom of this mystery."
Alicia swallowed her pride as she composured herself. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave. I expect you to be at tomorrow's celebration."
"We'll be there," Vult assured her, flashing his usual confident smile.
Alicia beckoned for Prim but then noticed that she was not by her side.
"Where's Prim?" she asked Sol.
"You scared her off, Arcturus," he answered dryly. "You wouldn't expect her to run off after what you just did? Some knight you are."
She ran past him without a care for his witty answer, fearful and ashamed for what she had done.
Vult gave a hearty laugh, amused at Alicia's bravado, but Sol didn't share his enthusiasm.
"Well, she's a feisty one, aint she?" he remarked.
"You should've put her in her place," Sol told him. "She had no right to speak to you that way."
"Yeah, but I didn't want to hurt her," Vult explained. "You care about her, don't you? Don't want you to get angry at me, either."
Sol spat in disgust, brushing off his tease. "This is getting out of control. She's starting to pick up on things. What if she finds out?"
"She won't," Vult reassured. "As I've said, I have my ways, so your secret is safe."
Sol grunted, but the guilt still gnawed at him. Even if Vult could prevent his crime from being discovered, it did not comfort him nor give him peace of mind.
"Seems our knight has also lost the princess," Vult teased. "Go help her, Sol. It would benefit the two of you to reestablish your friendship after that confrontation."
Sol sighed in annoyance, not wanting to deal with Alicia anymore, but reluctantly obeyed as he left to join her.
As Vult watched Sol leave, he folded his arms and a stern look came across his face.
"You're getting too attached, Sol," he muttered. "I trust in you to make the right choice now."
"Prim?! Prim!"
Alicia rushed outside, calling for her frantically, but there was no answer, say for the confused mummers of startled onlookers.
"Calm yourself, Arcturus," Sol called out as he followed her.
"How can I calm down?!" she cried. "Prim is gone again! What if someone else tried to steal her and-?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Sol assured. "She's fine. She just wandered off on her own."
"Why would she do that?" asked Alicia.
"Because a certain Princess Knight will not allow her to speak her mind or allow her any kind of freedom," Sol answered in a strict tone. "She's finally had enough of you and wanted to get away from your confinements."
Alicia was hurt by Sol's words, but there was some truth to it as she looked away in shame.
"It's all my fault," Alicia said meekly. "I was so angry, and so bent on revenge, I was willing to blame anyone. And now I've pushed her away."
Sol didn't know what to say. He was still somewhat resentful towards her, but he also felt sympathy for her, though whether it was out of guilt for what he had done or something else, he didn't know.
"Where do you think she would run off to?" Sol asked, trying to stay on topic.
Alicia thought for a moment. "I figured she went back to the hospital to watch over Mayfield."
"Your injured soldier," remarked Sol. "How is he?"
"Broken arm, but he's expected to make a full recovery in a few days," Alicia answered, surprised that Sol asked for his well being. "Prim may also be at the market that we just passed by. She adores looking at nice things."
Sol nodded. "So, we can conclude that there are two likely spots she'll be in."
"Then let's split up," Alicia proposed. "I'll head back to the hospital and check there while you look at the market."
The both of them split off to search for Prim in the locations Alicia mentioned. As Sol entered the market district, he realized that it would be more difficult to spot her than he initially thought. She would stand out from the crowd, given that she was shorter than most and wore a long pink dress, but the crowd was so large, even she would be difficult to discern.
He had asked a few passerbys, but none had seen her, which surprised him, given how high of a status Prim was.
He then figured he may have a chance to spot her from higher ground, and so utilizing the mechanical gauntlet on his left arm, he scaled the walls of a tall building, grappling onto the steep surfaces until he reached the top. He had a good vantage point, seeing the entire market district, but it was still difficult to spot her.
He watched for a while, tracking all movements like a predator watching for prey, until he caught a glimmer of a petite woman wearing a pink dress from a distance. He was too high up to get back down to the streets conventionally, so he resorted to unconventional methods. He sprang the hidden chain inside his gauntlet, casting it over to a building across and used it as leverage. He jumped off the tall building, swinging on his chain like a vine until he retracted it and landed safely back onto the street.
He ran to where he last saw her, carefully checking each market stand until he spotted her.
"Prim?" Sol called, approaching her from behind, but she did not answer.
"Prim," he called again, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Immediately, the woman turned around and gasped in horror, with Sol realizing that it was not Prim, but an elderly woman who happened to be wearing a pink dress.
"Stranger danger!" she screamed as she fled in terror.
Slightly embarrassed and severely frustrated, Sol cursed at his mistake as he pondered where she could be.
His eyes then fell upon a father buying a large candy on a stick for his child, who joyfully ate it. Looking upon the father and son brought back memories of a distant past, a past he tried to forget. He reflected on them and was ashamed of what he had done and who he has become.
The sight of candy also made him remember the large candy stand he had passed by earlier and he suddenly knew where Prim would be.
He made his way through the crowded market until he reached the candy stand and finally spotted her.
"Finally found you," Sol called to her as he approached.
Prim was startled by his appearance, with her mouth still full of the cake and crumbs scattered around her mouth. Her innocent comical appearance would've made anyone else laugh, but Sol did not break his dead demeanor.
"I'm sorry," Prim apologized as she regained her composure. "I didn't mean to run off and make you worry. I just… Alicia gets too emotional at times, and I just wanted some space for myself."
She expected to be scolded, but Sol only shrugged.
"I know," he said. "I'd have tried to get away from Arcturus, too, if I were in your shoes."
Prim looked down as she tried to find courage in her words.
"I'm sorry for my sister's false accusations. Please don't hold it against her."
Sol grunted, uncomfortable at how naive Prim was to the truth of it all.
"We should get back," he said, quickly changing the subject. "She's worried about you."
"I know," said Prim. There was a hint of hesitation in her voice, however, as she spoke up again. "But, can we not go back just yet? The capitol is such a beautiful place and there's so much more I want to see."
The dilemma Sol faced made him sigh with frustration. He was going to regret the decision he was about to make, as if he hadn't already regretted everything he had done up to this point.
"Fine," he answered. "But I'm staying with you."
Prim's face beamed with delight.
"I wouldn't have anyone else be my escort, Sir Varron."
"Unintentional escort," Sol corrected. "Besides, if anything were to happen to you, Arcturus would kill me."
"Then don't let anything happen to me," Prim teased.
"Now you're just being mean," Sol laughed.
Prim stopped at nearly every venue, admiring all the merchandise and bombarding the vendors with questions. Needless to say that Prim was enjoying herself. Sol, on the other hand, was not as enthusiastic about being dragged along.
"You must try this!" Prim said excitedly as she offered Sol a spoon of sweets covered in frost that the merchant called 'ice cream'.
"No thanks," Sol declined.
"But it's strawberry flavored," she pointed. "Don't you like strawberries?"
He hated to admit it, but the sweet flavor of the red fruits was always alluring to him, and despite being frozen, the sweets did look tempting.
"Fine," Sol conceded. "I'll take the spoon."
"Uh uh," Prim shook her head. "You have to let me feed you."
Sol nearly choked. "You have to what?!"
Prim laughed at Sol's terrified expression, who was clearly not amused with this new antic side of hers.
"I'm kidding," she laughed. "Here, don't lose that stoic expression of yours now."
Aggravated, Sol took the spoon from Prim, examining it carefully before sticking it underneath his scarf and pulling it out once he had consumed it. It was cold but sweet, instantly melting in his mouth and his dead expression changed into delight.
"Will you ever take that off?" Prim pointed to his scarf.
"No," Sol bluntly said as he fixed it even tighter. "Someone here may have contracted a virus that could spread a worldwide pandemic."
Prim only laughed at his answer, figuring she wouldn't be able to convince him to reveal his face so easily.
As they moved on, they came upon a tall and busty tailor woman who sold exquisite clothing for special occasions. Prim marveled at the fine clothes, wanting to try on every dress available, with Sol watching on with uninterest.
"Will the madam be buying anything?" the tailor asked.
"Nothing for me, unfortunately," Prim pointed. "But this doublet will suit my bodyguard just fine for tomorrow's celebration."
Sol's eyebrow raised as he glared at Prim and the tailor. "Oh no. We are not doing this."
"But you must!" pleaded Prim. "It will be a joyous occasion. You cannot expect to go with what you're wearing right now, like you're out to hurt someone."
"If I end up going in that suit, I just might," Sol retorted.
"Oh fine," Prim conceded as her expression saddened. "I guess I'll just tell my big sis that you tried to kidnap me."
"Are you blackmailing me?" asked Sol in disbelief.
"Of course not!" Prim smiled deviously. "I'm just giving you motivation to wear that suit. Besides, it will look great on you. You may even make an impression with a lady or two."
"Specifically why I don't want to wear it," grunted Sol. He sighed in frustration, seeing that he wouldn't change Prim's mind. "Fine. You win. But don't expect me to reveal my face."
"Of course not," Prim agreed. "In fact, I think there's a masquerade mask here that will match with your suit."
If it would have been anyone else, they would have been honored to have the Princess Knight of Ur buy them a fancy doublet that would have cost a fortune. But for Sol, he was quite aggravated to be coerced into it. Fancy garments and special occasions were not his bread and butter, to say the least.
They soon moved out of the market district and into the main square of Geofu. A beautiful fountain made of pearls and marble laid in the center with water spewing in magnificent form. Decorative statues of deities, heroes and important figures of the past were displayed for the crowd to see, and Prim stood in awe at the sight.
"They say Geofu was built by the elves who first lived in Eostia," she explained. "The first temple of Laurentia was established here and laid the foundations of the Church's teachings. That's why Geofu is translated from the elven language as 'Land of Holy'."
Prim's eyes lit up with ambition as she stared at the deities. "I hope someday, my own city, Ur, can become a beacon of hope just as Geofu is. I wish to be a good princess knight, just like Her Holiness, and just like my sister."
She then turned to Sol with a bright smile. "I thank you again, Sir Varron. You have shown true courage by helping Alicia and saving me. I'm glad that you were there for the both of us, especially her."
Sol grunted as he shifted uncomfortably. "Don't mention it. I've said before, it was for the coin, thats it."
"Are you sure?" Prim asked, staring curiously at his dead expression. "You said before that you owed her a debt. What is it, exactly, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I do mind," he answered bluntly. "It's a complicated issue that you don't need to know."
Prim's expression saddened as she could see the emotional defenses Sol held up.
"You're just like her, you know," Prim pointed, catching Sol's attention.
"Who?" he asked.
"My sister," Prim explained. "When she was smaller, she was often picked on by other children because of her nobility and status. As such, she harbored strong emotions of anger and resentment. She always stuck to her duties, dulling herself away from other things in life, like friends and family. I saw how she was, how lonely and bitter she became, and so I tried my best to stay by her side, to be her companion when she had none. Though she's now a Princess Knight and the commander of the Iris Order, I fear she's still the angry girl that had no friends. I think its one of the reasons why she sticks so close to me and acts as my bodyguard. Now, given that her father is gone, her emotions seem to be getting the better of her."
Sol grunted, uneasy yet intrigued at Alicia's background.
"The same expression I see on Alicia," Prim continued, "I see it on your face as well. You both carry a great burden, right? That's why I want to help you and her, in any way I can."
He was then shocked when Prim suddenly laid her head against his shoulder, pressing her body hard against his as she embraced him.
"I don't know what you did," Prim said in a gentle voice, "but you don't need to let it burden you. You helped me before, now it's my turn to help you."
A strange feeling welled up inside Sol. It was a mixture of fear, anxiety, and terror, but at the same time, there was also comfort, joy, and hope. Prim truly was naive, but her good nature allowed anyone to feel at peace. Sol could never forget the atrocity he had committed, but for a brief moment, he allowed himself to feel happy, to forget about the villain that he truly is.
"Uhm, my lady," Sol started. "People are watching."
Prim soon realized what she had done and quickly let go, her face bright red as she nearly fainted from the rush.
"I'm sorry," Prim stammered. "I-I don't know why I did that."
Sol chuckled. "Well, keep doing that. It will make others happy."
Prim would have explored the rest of the city had Sol not insisted they return. They soon made their way to the hospital and met up with Alicia. She expressed many emotions at once upon seeing Prim again- anger, sadness, joy, confusion, shock, but mostly relief. Prim had expected to be lectured, but instead, she was met with a warm embrace. The tender moment was brief as the two Princess Knights had their own duties to attend and left Sol alone with Mayfield.
"Thanks again for your help," said Mayfield. "We would not have escaped that traitor, Johan, if it weren't for you."
Sol grunted in response, feeling uncomfortable at the praise. The young soldier was just as naive as his commander.
"Don't rush blindly into battle next time, kid," Sol said, trying to change the topic. "You may lose more than just an arm."
"I'll be prepared next time," Mayfield boldly stated. "If I may ask, out of curiosity, why would a mercenary such as yourself go out of their way to save us? Its beyond your pay, and you owe no allegiance."
Sol remained silent, thinking about what Prim had said about Alicia and making him feel rather pitiful towards her. He left the room, leaving Mayfield confused with no answer.
The next day had come swiftly, and the celebration was well underway as evening fell. The guests gathered in the Grand Hall of the White Citadel, greeting and welcoming each other as they dined and celebrated.
Alicia, however, was not as enthusiastic. She stared nervously into the mirror, looking at the fancy blue and silver dress she wore, trying to muster the courage to step out of her bedroom chamber and face the crowd. She was happy that there was finally a time for respite, but it didn't sit right with her.
"What do I do, father?" she asked herself, trying hopelessly to get an answer.
A sudden knock at her door startled her and she quickly recomposed herself.
"Sis!" she heard Prim's voice. "The guests have all arrived."
"C-coming," Alicia called as she stammered.
She looked into the mirror one last time, sighing heavily to relax herself. As she opened the door, Prim stood in the hallway, adorned in a beautiful white gown.
"Is everything alright?" she asked her.
Alicia nodded uncomfortably. "Yes, Prim. Its just been a while since we last had a celebration."
Prim saw the worry on her face. She wanted to speak up, to reassure her sister, but didn't know what to say.
"Well, keep doing that. It will make others happy."
For some reason, Sol's voice echoed in Prim's thoughts. She thought that perhaps there was something she could do to make her sister happier.
She did not say a word nor give an explanation, but she simply embraced Alicia in a tight hug. Her touch instantly gave peace and comfort to her sister, and it was enough to encourage her to face the crowd.
"Come," Prim ushered. "Everything will be alright."
Alicia was used to crowds, used to the gatherings of nobles and royal households. She was used to giving toasts and giving speeches to honor the dead. People kept praising her heroic deeds and being compared to the likeness of her father, but their words of comfort did little to ease her anxiety, and she had to step outside to the fountain courtyard, fearing that her facade would break any minute.
"Take it the party isn't to your liking," a voice suddenly said, startling her.
A man dressed in a fancy black and white doublet had been sitting by the fountain's edge. His red masquerade mask hid his face, but she instantly recognized him by his monotone voice and dull red eyes.
"How long have you been out here?" Alicia asked, surprised that she hadn't even noticed him when she came out.
"I haven't even entered," Sol answered. "Banquets like these aren't my kind of thing."
Alicia felt an awkward silence fall in. She realized it was the first time that they were alone, and she still felt the tension between them after what had happened before.
Alicia was the first to break the silence. "I suppose you're still mad at me for accusing your commander of my father's death."
Sol grunted. "What's there to be mad about? Besides, we know he didn't do it."
Alicia sighed, frustrated and embarrassed with herself. "I'm such a fool. I let my emotions get the better of me. People praise me for my deeds, but I feel so incompetent. Sometimes, I feel as though I don't deserve the title of Princess Knight. My father would be disappointed in me."
Sol remained silent as he listened to Alicia. He wanted to comfort her, he wanted to tell her the truth, but held his tongue.
"I hope you can forgive me," Alicia continued. "I don't see myself as a leader, as a knight, or even as a wife. A lot of the noble's sons at this party have tried to ask for my hand in marriage, but I'm not suited for that kind of life."
Sol gave a hearty scoff. "That's no surprise."
Alicia blushed slightly as she looked away. "I don't see myself attractive anyway. I'm always wearing my armor, so I'm not used to fancy dresses, it shows too much of my muscles. I look a bit silly in this, don't I?"
Sol took a moment to study her. Her long blue dress had a cut top revealing much of her shoulders and bare back, showing off her ivory skin that seemed irresistible to touch. Her long blonde hair that she usually let down was kept in a neat bun. He had also noticed she was now wearing jewelry, with two blue earrings and a silver necklace that matched her dress. Her makeup was simple, consisting of eyeliner and lipstick, but it added on to her elegance. She was, to put it in his own words, beautiful, and it was easy to see why so many men wanted her, even if she was ignorant to that fact.
"Sol?"
Alicia's voice broke his trance. He cursed at himself, aggravated that he was caught staring at her.
"Sorry, lost my train of thought," he stammered.
Alicia stared at him for a moment before turning away. "You know, Prim told me that you took her to see the city. She told me how happy she was, and I thank you for doing that."
Sol grunted, but glanced curiously over at Alicia as she continued.
"It's funny. Before, she was always so shy and reserved, she hardly spoke to anyone, even to me. But she's only known you for a few days, yet she's more talkative than ever. She's everything to me, and I'm grateful for what you've done for her."
Alicia was woefully ignorant of Sol's deeds. Nothing he could do would change what he had done, and he cursed himself for it.
"I'm sorry," Sol abruptly said, catching Alicia off guard.
"For what?" she asked.
Sol winced as he cursed at himself for speaking his mind aloud. "Nothing."
Alicia stared at him, trying to find an answer past his mask.
"Anyway, you should get back to the party," Sol said. "Your guests might start worrying about you."
Alicia nodded. "Yes, but… I'm afraid some of those men might start pestering me again. Would you… be my escort for the night?"
Sol's dead expression would have been shattered if it weren't for his mask. "Come again?"
Alicia turned red as a tomato as she tried to explain. "It's just for tonight. You're the only one I can trust."
Sol chuckled at the irony. He found it amusing that the Princess Knight of Feoh, the leader of the Iris order and a renown knight was flustering before a rogue, though Alicia did not share his view.
"I thought you were distrusting of me," Sol sighed. "But if you demand it."
Alicia was surprised when Sol then offered his arm like a gentleman, something that she wouldn't ever imagine him doing. She took his arm and they both walked back inside the grand hall.
The biggest talk of the party that night was not the victory of Halem, but the mysterious courtier who stood by Alicia. All eyes seemed to fall on them as they walked through the grand hall, making Sol rather irritated.
"Seems we've attracted all the attention," Sol muttered.
"No one would stare if you took off that mask," Alicia pointed.
"Prim bought it for me, so I didn't want to disappoint her," Sol argued. "Besides, it's not my mask that they stare at- it's you. Folk probably figured you to be a proud peacock, unable to find your mate."
Alicia chuckled slightly at Sol's imagery. "Well, just because I'm a woman, doesn't mean I'm helpless like a bird with their wings clipped."
"True, but to act like you're on top of the pecking order can make others think you're rather fowl."
"Please. I don't need to birden myself with the opinions of gossiping hens."
"Yeah, and you're-" Sol paused, unable to make another comeback. "Damn. You're pretty good at this."
"As are you," Alicia laughed. "As a noble, I had to study my vocabulary intensively, and it became such a bore, I had to entertain myself by mixing words into creative sentences."
"Interesting," Sol remarked. "I feel sorry for whoever does became your betrothed, having to deal with your groan worthy wit."
"I could say the same for you," Alicia tease. "That sarcastic deadpan nature of yours will scare off any potential spouse."
Sol scoffed. "Perhaps we're both destined to be unmarried then."
The two of them then watched as the band of bards played their tunes, the guests dancing gracefully to the music.
"Aeris Grand sets a good mood for this occasion," Sol pointed to one of the lead bards. "I prefer Tailor Haste and her tunes though. She's upbeat, but her lyrics are much more subtle."
"I never took you to be a musical connoisseur," laughed Alicia.
"You insult the educated but penniless artist in me," he remarked sarcastically, trying to sound offended. "Generic high class pieces are well suited for the obnoxious crowd and mundane banquet."
"Well, if that's the case, perhaps something darker like Three Meter Bolt would be more fitting for this party," Alicia sneered as she smiled deviously.
"Oooh, as a Princess Knight, you must be careful what you listen to, for that stuff will give folk the impression you are a pagean worshiper," Sol mocked.
"But thats the where folk get it wrong," Alicia pointed. "Sure, their music is not for everyone, but if you look past their dark exterior, you get a rich and beautiful tale of emotions. It's where Mirai of Kanedele got her inspiration for writing 'The Beast of Boghlim'."
"'The Beast of Boghlim'?" Sol laughed. "Aren't you a little old to be reading fairy tales?"
"You must be, too, if you know about it. Who doesn't love the story of a poor girl rescuing a cursed man and living happily ever after?"
"Sure, but you do know they don't actually get together and the girl's father still dies, right?"
"In the original lore of Fanata, perhaps, but Mirai's version is more popular, so therefore, is considered canon."
"Mirai was an obsessive advocate of the genre, so her version is not canon."
"Well, if you found a story worthy of redeeming qualities, wouldn't you want to correct it into your own version?"
"That's blasphemy, Arcturus."
"You're a blasphemer because you don't enjoy good story telling!"
"And you're a female fanatic!"
They both continued to tease and laugh at each other, unaware but uncaring of the crowd now staring at them as if they had become mad.
Alicia hated to admit it, but she enjoyed her conversation with Sol that night very much. In fact, she began to grow fond of him.
"Sol," Alicia started, swallowing nervously. "I never thanked you for saving Prim back there. And for saving me back at Halem."
He was caught off guard by her statement, seemingly coming out of nowhere.
"You already did," he said dryly.
"I mean, it was more of a formality than anything else," she explained. "Before, I didn't trust you. My father had told me to beware of mercenaries, especially the Kuroinu. He once told me that they weren't to be trusted, that they fight for nefarious reasons, but you- you're different. I was wrong to have mistreated you. Prim is right. You are a good person."
Sol began to feel sick to his core. He knew that in the back consciousness of his mind, he, too, was growing fond of her. Yet he also knew that they were not meant to be, not in this life or any. And it wouldn't be long, it was inevitable, that she would soon find out who he truly was and what he had done. He decided that if he truly did value her, he would end it here and now, and tell her the truth.
"Arcturus," Sol began, his tone becoming somber.
Alicia stared curiously into Sol's dull eyes, trying to catch his gaze, but he looked away.
"Listen, I… there's something you need to know."
"Hey, Alicia! Klaus wanted to tell you about-" Maia's voice interrupted Sol before he could begin, much to his relief.
Both Maia and Klaus appeared, unaware of what they had walked into.
"Oh my," Klaus gasped. "Seems like an inconvenient time."
Alicia flustered as she looked away, though Sol was able to keep his composure, thanks to his mask.
"You could say that again," Sol remarked in his usual deadpanned voice.
Maia smiled deviously as she began to tease him. "And who's the mysterious fellow? Why wear the mask? Since Alicia has finally found herself a worthy man, you don't need to be so shy in front of her."
"Can it, Maia," Sol said with annoyance. "Hicks and Keane have told me they've had enough of your tease, so don't try it on me."
"Hicks? Keane?" Maia raised a brow upon the mention of her former comrade's name. "Ah, wait, you're Sol! Now it makes sense. The dead demeanor, the mysterious mask. Such a shame, too, you'd be such a gentleman if you got rid of your snark."
Sol only grunted in annoyance while Alicia looked away, trying to hide her blush.
Klaus stepped in before Maia could further push her antics.
"Forgive her, Lady Maia is not particularly accustomed to formalities. I'm Klaus Levantine, and I am privileged to finally meet the Crimson Rogue."
"You know who I am?" Sol asked, curious just how much the scholar knew about his moniker.
"Your deeds may have gone unnoticed by some, but not I," Klaus pointed. "You became quite famous even before you joined the Kuroinu. You were considered a master thief, a bane of scoundrels, a deadly assassin-"
Sol's dull red eyes seemed to glow like burning coals as he glared at Klaus, who seemed to know too much about him. The scholar took note of his death gaze and stopped mid sentence.
"Ah, my apologies," he stammered. "I tend to exaggerate things when I find it fascinating."
"Crimson Rogue?" asked Alicia. "What's that about?"
"It's nothing," Sol shook his head, not wanting to reveal anymore than what has already been told.
"Despite being a mercenary, you're quite a brilliant strategist," Klaus praised. "As proven by how you contribute to the Kuroinu's victory time and again."
"I'm just a scout, I report what I see," Sol corrected.
"But knowledge counts just as much as strength when it comes to warfare," Klaus explained. "As the saying goes, 'the pen is mightier than the sword', and you show more potential than you wish to portray."
"And I thought that I made Sol blush," Maia teased. "Enough of the praise. I think you had to tell Alicia something."
"Ah, right," Klaus remembered. "My lady, I did what you asked and dug around the archives in the library and came upon some interesting stuff concerning Red."
Sol found it funny that Alicia was still trying to find information on Red, desperate to find the truth of her father's murderer when her answer was so close to her. Still, he wanted to hear what Klaus had to say and remained silent.
"There aren't many records on Red," Klaus explained, "but I did come across this. Apparently, he had a spouse and her name was Rosine."
"Was?" asked Alicia, confused with the past tense.
"Yes," answered Klaus. "I'm afraid she's dead, unfortunately. Has been for the past 26 years. But around the time of her death, the two of them also bore a daughter. The thing is, there are no records of her, either."
"Interesting facts. But if there are no records of his daughter, we don't even know who she is or if she is even still alive," Alicia sighed in defeat at what little information she had. "Do you know where Rosine lived before her passing?"
"South of Ansur," Klaus answered, "in a city called Tomegade."
"Tomegade?" Maia perked up upon hearing the name. "That's a crap shack where wenches whore out and thugs run about. It's a lawless and insufferable place to even be called a 'city'. My troops don't venture there, and for good reason."
"It's our only lead," Alicia concluded. "Maia, since its the city closest to your district, I have to ask you a big favor."
"I already know what you're gonna ask, your highness," Maia brushed off casually. "It's a tall order, but I'm curious to know about Red's motives as well. He wouldn't do things without good reason, so I'll help you. If he does have a daughter, then I'll begin my search in Tomegade."
"Thank you," smiled Alicia.
Just then, Claudia appeared with a concerned look on her face, which quickly turned into surprise upon seeing the four.
"My, seems quite a group you formed here," she remarked.
"Something wrong, dear?" Klaus asked, noting the concern on her face from before.
"Its Lady Celestine," she explained. "She was supposed to appear from her bedchambers an hour ago. I wanted to check on her, but Pontiff Samel and the Church guards are adamant of letting anyone in."
Klaus suddenly had an idea. "Perhaps Sir Varron here can help. He was famously dubbed the Crimson Rogue, and for good reason. He's a master of stealth and espionage, using the shadows as his ally and his brilliant deducing skills to break into any vault or navigate through tough passages."
Sol groaned at Klaus's romanticized description of him, leading Maia and Alicia to laugh at his embarrassment.
"Ah, you're that mercenary," Claudia smiled. "I heard you've made a name for yourself at Halem. I'm glad to finally meet you, though I must admit, I thought you'd be taller."
Sol was normally one to not react to any manner of teasing, but Claudia made him feel rather insecure about his height.
"All praises aside, I can check on Lady Celestine, if you'd like," Sol offered.
"Well," Claudia hesitated. "Normally, I wouldn't allow just anyone to see Her Grace. But since this is a rather difficult situation, and if my husband, Lady Maia and Lady Alicia trust you, then I'll allow it. I must ask- how will you do it?"
"I have my ways," he answered cryptically as he left the group.
Sol made his way to the outside entrance of the white citadel, making sure no one followed him and that he was clear of any bystanders who might've spotted him. He waited a while, keeping alert until a palace guard showed up, but his appearance was rather shady and sinister.
In truth, he was a spy for the Kuroinu, and he was one of several dozen members scattered throughout Eostia, keeping tabs on all that happened within the Alliance and reporting to Vult. Sol did not like them one bit, but they have been crucial in providing tools and information he needed for missions. In this case, he had ordered one of them to hold onto his gauntlet just in case.
"Ya need something?" the spy asked, cackling. "Vult told me ya's busy charmin' dem ladies."
"Can it," Sol bluntly ordered. "I need my equipment."
"Of course," he answered, showing him his mechanical gauntlet. "Good thing I had it on me, just like ya ordered."
Sol took his gauntlet and fixed it on his arm, eyeing the man warily.
"Always happy to be of service," the man cackled. "If ya needs me, ya know hows to contact me. For the glory of Kuroinu."
Sol scoffed, but left the man as he made his way to an isolated part of the tower.
"That's one hell of a climb," Sol muttered to himself as he looked up.
Utilizing the grip the gauntlet provided, he began his slow ascent up the tower.
What Celestine saw first was the blackness that covered the dark lands and all the monstrosities that dwelled within. She then saw the Black Fortress, it's walls and defenses jagged and sharp like rocks and swords. And inside it's walls, at the center of it all was the dark elf and the Queen of Darkness herself, Olga Discordia. But something was off. Celestine could feel something was not right.
She saw the dark elf standing inside the middle of a drawn pentagram, trying to summon a kind of dark magic, one she did not recognize. She saw the dark queen cursing, clenching her fist in frustration.
"Why?" she heard Olga cry. "Why isn't it working?!"
Olga raised her hands, trying to create the spell. She began chanting, practically screaming it, pushing her magic level to the absolute limit, but nothing.
"Dammit!" Olga cursed. "I lost it… the powers. I can't save them now…"
Fire suddenly consumed the pentagram and swallowed Olga, as well as the entire Black Fortress, and Celestine heard the dark elf scream in terror. The fire then came for her, manifesting itself into a man wielding a large sword. She tried to break contact, tried to wake herself, but the fiery image grasped her by the throat, choking her as it began to tear her robes apart and expose her bare body.
A voice suddenly called out to her from beyond the flames, and immediately everything went black.
"Wake up."
Celestine's eyes shot open, breaking in a cold sweat as she rose up from her bed, trying to catch her breath. Her power of premonition was something that still unsettled her, and it was something she couldn't control at will, happening at random intervals. She felt it coming this time, however, and had prepared herself as she locked herself inside her chambers, isolating herself from everyone. What she saw was truly frightening, however, and she had never felt anything like that before. The visions she saw could never interact with her, nor could she with it, but the heat of the flames and the hand around her throat felt so real.
"You okay?"
Celestine heard the voice again, the same voice that called out to her and woke her from her dream. Except, it was real this time and in the same room with her.
She turned her head to the right and saw a man wearing a studded black and white doublet and a red masquerade mask. He also had a strange mechanical gauntlet attached to his left arm. His presence was certainly unsettling, but she sensed no malice from him.
"Oh my," Celestine gasped. "Who are you? And how did you get in here?"
"Your balcony was open," he pointed. "I simply scaled the walls, a much harder endeavor being said than done."
The man bowed low as he introduced himself. "I'm Sol Varron. Pardon me for the rude awakening, but your subordinates began to worry about you, and so I was sent to find you. The guards allowed no one to enter, so I used other means of entering."
"Oh, so you are Sol," Celestine noted. "You helped Lady Alicia defend Halem. You also rescued Prim when she was abducted."
Sol shrugged nonchalantly. "Not the first time I've been highly praised. But yeah, it's me. The one and only."
Celestine chuckled at Sol's deadpan response.
"I never got the chance to personally thank you for all that you have done," she said, smiling. "My heart is filled with joy knowing that courageous men like you exist, and it gives me hope for a better future."
Sol grunted, the only way he knew how to respond to kind words. The tales he heard about Celestine were true; not only was she beautiful, but she was kind and caring. Indeed, her presence alone gave Sol a sense of peace and comfort, fitting for one who was described as the goddess reincarnated.
"I do apologize for not attending the banquet," Celestine explained. "But I had good reason. As you are aware, I have been gifted with the power of foresight. However, I cannot control these powers on my own will. They happen randomly, and many times take a heavy toll on my body. Though with the aid of the Church's Miracles and some magic training, I have been able to sense when these premonitions are about to take effect. This time, I was able to control my powers, albeit slightly, and so that's why I isolated myself, strictly ordering no one to enter."
"A reasonable explanation," Sol nodded. "I suppose it wouldn't do Her Holiness any favor if she suddenly had a premonition and fainted right in front of her guests."
"That's one way you can put it," Celestine laughed. "But thank you for understanding. I hope I have not been a burden to you and ruined the party. It was meant for you, to commend your bravery and honor your actions."
"I did it merely for coin, nothing more," Sol stated. "And no, the party hasn't been ruined. You have nothing to apologize for."
Celestine smiled brightly, brushing aside her long, blonde hair as her green eyes sparkled like stars, and for a moment, Sol became captivated by her beauty.
"If I may ask," Sol started. "Your vision… what did you see?"
Celestine brought a hand to her chest, still finding difficulty in breathing.
"I…I saw the dark lands and the aberrants. I saw the Black Fortress. And then I saw her… Olga Discordia. She… she seemed to be summoning a spell, trying to cast her magic, but was unable to. She was frustrated, distraught, and defeated. I think… I think she has lost her power."
The revelation shocked Sol. He had heard of Celestine's power of future sight, and indeed, she has never been wrong once. Still, he was skeptical, as he was never a person who believed in mystics or fortune tellers.
"But that's not all I saw," Celestine continued. "I also saw her fortress engulfed in flames. And from the inferno, the shape of a man wielding a greatsword emerged. It then grabbed me, started choking me and tearing at my robes. Never have any of the visions I've seen been able to interact with me, yet this one felt so real. Had you not woken me up, I would have burned."
"So," Sol concluded. "The Dark Queen has lost her powers, and the war will finally be over… but that does not mean there will be peace, judging by what you saw near the end."
"Perhaps," Celestine said. "My visions may tell me of events to come, but they do not show me everything, nor do they provide clarity. For example, at Halem, I only saw the orcs marching onto the city. What I did not see was that you would join forces with my subordinate, Lady Alicia, and be a key factor in winning the battle. Now with this vision of Olga losing her powers, along with that flame… I'm not sure what to make of it. What should I do, Sir Varron?"
Sol was slightly taken aback. "You're asking me? I would take this to your subordinates or the Church."
Celestine shook her head. "You may not know this, but Olga is the last of her kind, the only surviving dark elf left alive. Her kind may have done evil deeds in the past, but that does not mean she deserves death. That is why I want to save her and make peace with her, if possible."
Celestine paused for a moment before looking at Sol with determination in her green eyes. "And so that is why I ask you, Sir Varron, to personally bring back Lady Olga."
This time, Sol couldn't hide his shock.
"Impossible," he objected. "The Dark Queen may have lost her powers, but that does not mean she's vulnerable."
"It is a tall order, I understand," Celestine pleaded. "But you must do this. I cannot imagine the terrible fate that awaits Lady Olga if the Alliance were to get a hold of her. She must be saved."
"And why do you care about her so much?" asked Sol skeptically. "Even if she is the last of her kind, she is still your enemy."
"Because she deserves a second chance," Celestine argued. "Anyone and everyone is worthy of grace."
Sol would have laughed if he did not see the determination in Celestine's face. Her reasoning was that of a naive child. Second chances were not given, and grace was practically non-existent. The world was too cruel, and concepts like grace, second chances, and redemption were foolish.
"Why me?" asked Sol. "I'm just a rogue."
Celestine sighed heavily as she placed a hand on her chest.
"Call it a hunch, but I know there is good in your heart. The reports on Halem say that your initial mission was to scout the aberrant army, and nothing more. But you willingly stayed behind to help the defenders until reinforcements arrived. You showed compassion, and to my intuition, that may have inspired Lady Alicia to spare that orc general as well. So I'm sure you will hear the plea of a helpless goddess and bring her peace of mind."
He sighed heavily, juggling the decision in his head.
"I'm afraid it's not up to me to make such a big decision," Sol said. "Even if you paid me. I made that mistake a long time ago, and I lost more than I gained. So, I can't give you an answer right away. I can tell you that you need to let everyone know what you've seen. Even if they don't agree with your plan to save the Dark Queen."
A somber expression filled Celestine, but understood Sol's words as she nodded.
"Thank you for your honesty," she said. "I will do as you say. But, perhaps you wouldn't mind lending a hand to a helpless woman who can barely stand? I still feel rather weak, and being with you would be most reassuring."
Sol nodded, seemingly smiling behind his mask. "Of course."
Everyone was relieved to finally see Celestine return, but she appeared frail and weak, as Sol had to guide her every step. Claudia was distraught upon seeing her and demanded to know what happened.
"It's not my place to tell," he said as he gestured to Celestine, who seemed to hesitate. She knew that what she had told Sol, she would also have to explain to everyone else.
"I had another premonition. At the most inopportune moment, no less."
Claudia was shocked. "Another premonition? Your Grace, we must cancel the party and call for a meeting at once! This is of the utmost importance!"
"She's right, you know," a voice intervened as the three of them turned to see Pontiff Samel approach.
Sol felt an ill ode emitting from the old man. He had always been skeptical of the Church and it's religion, and after hearing the rants from Father Gaul, his skepticism was further enforced. He did not enjoy the presence of the pontiff, to say the least.
"Every time Lady Celestine experiences a premonition, it's an issue that must be addressed immediately," he explained. "We cannot treat it so carelessly, lest we jeopardize the war and the entire Alliance. Thus we must take this matter seriously."
"Then it's settled," Claudia agreed. "I'll gather the Princess Knights and we'll all meet in the throne room."
Preparations for the meeting were underway as the guests were escorted away and the participants assembled. Celestine had asked Sol to stay for the meeting, to which he reluctantly agreed, and waited patiently.
"Gotta say, its an honor to be a part of this, huh?" a familiar voice called to him.
Sol looked to see Hicks approach him with a cocky smile.
"Not really," he replied dryly. "Surprised to see you here."
"So am I," Hicks said. "The goddess insisted that the boss and Keane also stay. But to be in the presence of such a gorgeous babe is a dream come true!"
Sol grunted, indifferent to Hick's opinion, which made him frown.
"You're such a party pooper. You wouldn't know how to react even if a woman were to strip naked and throw herself on top of you."
A vein nearly burst in Sol's head as he sighed in annoyance. "What's your point?"
"Everyone saw how close you and Alicia were," Hicks teased. "The way she laughed and smiled like she had a crush on you. She was practically begging for your cock!"
Sol would have done something he would regret had Vult and Keane not appeared in the nick of time.
"Hicks, stop thinking with your dick for once and focus," Vult told him. "There are more important matters at hand."
Hicks was baffled. "Huh? Since when did you start being so serious?"
"Since I told him how important this meeting is," said Keane. "It pertains to the war effort, and if we are allowed to be a part of it, it may also give us a chance to further our reputation. The commander saw the strength in my argument, no doubt you will too."
"Keane is right," Vult agreed. "If we are to achieve our goals, we must be respectful during this time."
"Tch," Hicks spat as he conceded. "Fine. I was just trying to help Sol get laid. He needs to, seeing how he's always got a stick up his ass."
"I'm sure plenty of other things have been stuck up yours" Sol jested.
The meeting quickly began as all the participating members presented themselves. There were the four Kuroinu, which included Sol, Vult, Hicks and Keane. Grave Levantine and Klaus were also present. Pontiff Samel would give advice and be the voice of the Church. And at last, the seven Princess Knights were all assembled, who included Celestine, Claudia, Kaguya, Lulu, Maia, Prim and Alicia.
"Please do tell," Samel asked Celestine. "What has Her Holiness seen this time?"
Sol saw the nervousness grow on her face as she began to explain what she had told him. No one could hide their shock upon hearing the news as they all clamored with excitement.
"That's amazing!" Claudia exclaimed. "Then surely, the war has finally come to an end! We can put an end to this once and for all! Your Grace, please allow me the honor to lead the charge!"
"Hey, no fair!" Lulu protested. "She can't get all the glory to herself! Let me take on the Queen of Darkness!"
Everyone bickered among themselves as they caused an uproar, the only ones keeping silent were Celestine, Vult, Sol, Prim and Alicia.
Prim folded her hands, nervously biting her lip as she looked at Alicia, who clenched her fist in anger and anxiety. She could already tell what was on her mind and what her older cousin would want to do.
"Just a minute now," Samel called out. "Lady Celestine's visions have always been accurate, but we should not be so quick to take action against the Dark Queen."
"But you said yourself, Celestine's visions are always accurate," Lulu pointed.
"Indeed," he nodded. "But I question when this will occur. What if we were to march on her this instant and she still retained her powers? Even with our combined strength, it would not be enough to destroy her and the aberrants. Let us also not forget what Her Holiness saw in the last part of her visions. Nothing has ever attacked her before, and what it means is something we can only speculate. Does it truly mean the end of the war? Does it mean the Alliance is victorious, or is there something more malevolent at work here?"
Claudia became desperate as she pleaded for a plan of action. "Still, we won't know unless we try, right? At the least, we should send scouts to survey the Dark Lands. We have always trusted in Her Grace's powers before, so we have nothing to fear."
Kaguya finally spoke up. "Pontiff Samel is right. It is far too great of a risk. There is no indication as to when the Dark Queen will lose her powers. And even so, the ending of Her Grace's visions is a clear tell that something far more sinister will come into play should the Dark Queen be defeated."
Samel nodded in agreement. "Well said, Lady Kaguya. We must also remember the rebellion that threatens to destroy Her Holiness, the Alliance and the Church. If we were to commit an attack and lose, not only would we lose a significant amount of lives fighting the Dark Queen, but the rebels will be justified in their actions to undo everything we strived so hard to work for. Until we can get more clarification as to when Her Holiness's visions will come to pass and what they truly mean, we cannot commit any of our forces to march on the Dark Lands and attack the Black Fortress."
Silence fell onto the crowd, with no one able to argue against the pontiff.
"So then, we will do nothing?" Claudia asked disappointedly.
Hearing everyone's statement, Vult flashed a confident smile as he stepped forth and made his own in a loud and clear voice.
"If the Church and the Alliance ask for it, the Kuroinu will take the Black Fortress."
Everyone gasped in shock. Even Sol, behind his red masquerade mask, grew pale white upon hearing Vult's statement.
"Don't be ridiculous," Grave called out. "The Kuroinu may have won every single battle they've been in, sure, but to take on the Black Fortress? You heard the Pontiff! Even with our combined strength, it still wouldn't be enough to destroy the Dark Queen."
"I don't need the strength of the Alliance," Vult calmly stated. "Just my Kuroinu. They will be enough."
Everyone muttered among themselves as they expressed doubt until Samel finally spoke.
"Lord Vult has not let the Alliance down yet, it's true. Before, we were skeptical and hesitant to call upon them to fight, but the Kuroinu have proven their worth time and again. It is unfair for us to say that they stand no chance, and so I say we can trust in them."
"But Pontiff," Grave pointed. "They are only mercenaries. They care not for peace, only war and money. We cannot trust them so easily."
"I agree," Claudia added. "Besides, if our combined forces cannot match the Dark Queen, what makes the Kuroinu think they'll fare better?"
Vult was unwavering, however, as he stood confidently and added onto his statement.
"It's true. If the Alliance were to fight the Dark Queen and lose, then it would be catastrophic. If the Kuroinu were to fight the Dark Queen and lose, however, the Alliance would lose nothing. And if we were to succeed, then the Dark Queen would be overthrown and the war, as you know it, would be over. It's a win-win, if you ask me."
No one could argue that Vult's argument was logical. Sol, however, was shocked to hear how Vult was so casual, yet confident, in throwing his life away. He made himself sound so expandable, but he knew why he wanted to do it. It was his dream, the dream that he constantly told Sol about, his desire to be more than just a mercenary.
Did it never occur to you exactly what it is he wants?
Johan's words crept into his mind again, and he tried to shake the thoughts off.
Sol looked to Maia and saw the worry on her face, the concern in her eyes as she gazed at Vult, almost as if she were pleading him not to go through with his plan. He wondered if she felt something towards him.
Samel sighed heavily as he looked towards Celestine for guidance. "Your Holiness. What is your will?"
Celestine closed her eyes, carefully weighing the decision in her mind while everyone looked on with great anticipation. It felt like an eternity, the air thick with tension and anxiety, until she finally opened her eyes and came to a conclusion.
"Lord Vult and the Kuroinu will be tasked to take the Black Citadel. And bring back the Queen of Darkness alive and unharmed."
The members of the meeting were baffled with the last request as they expressed their doubt.
"My lady, you cannot be serious about bringing the Dark Queen here," Claudia exclaimed. "She will try to hurt you!"
"I agree with Lady Claudia," Grave added. "There is no reason to bring the Dark Elves here and give them a fair trial. We know their history, and they chose the path of damnation long ago. They deserve no second chance."
Celestine could not find the heart to argue against her subjects. Their cries for blood were too strong, and she had feared that this would happen.
"Perhaps Lady Celestine is right."
Everyone fell silent when they turned to Sol. His dull eyes became stern and serious as he spoke out against the members of the meeting.
"The Dark Queen deserves to answer for her crimes. That does not mean putting her to death. If we try to seek justice through vengeance, then we will be no better than the Dark Elves. We have trusted Lady Celestine this far into the war, and she has not led us astray."
The entire throne room was shocked to hear Sol's words, mummering among themselves and agreeing with his logic. Celestine, most of all, was filled with joy seeing Sol's defense. She was afraid he would speak against her, given his cryptic answer from before, but was glad he took her side.
Vult grinned widely as he gave Sol a pat on the back, though he did not share his commander's enthusiasm.
"Well said," he complimented. "Seems the snarker has a compassionate heart after all!"
He then stepped forward and bowed to Celestine. "If Her Holiness wishes it, the Kuroinu will bring back the Dark Queen. Alive and unharmed."
Celestine smiled warmly and nodded. "Then it is done."
The council was still skeptical, but everyone ultimately agreed to Celestine's decision. Alicia, meanwhile, clenched her fist in anger. She did not agree with Celestine's choice to spare the Dark Queen. There was no way she would forgive her. If Celestine's visions were correct, she knew she had to do something. She had to avenge her father, one way or another.