Chapter 9: personal thoughts
After the funeral of Jean Colbert and the troops Agnes lost last night, the queen of Tristain has announced to her people that she will go out and fight to protect them with her life. Which got cheers to her safety and wished for her to come back and continue being their ruler in Tristain
I sighed at now being called to fight again. Even though this war is causing trouble for everyone... no one can stop the battles until one side is defeated in this war
'Better hope that Louise won't take this role too seriously' I thought walking to the pier of La Nocher walking to the airship carrying Louise's luggage 'and at least this time she packed lightly...'
Louise received a message from the queen and requested her for help. So she started packing and told me to join her since the girl would no doubt need my aid due to her spells taking time to cast than the other elements
With me are Kirche and Matilda. They were still slightly shaken from but did far better than the others in the academy. Most were jumpy at mentioning flames and some were still mourning of Jean Colbert's passing after he saved them from danger against Menneville and his rogues
"I'm surprised that you two would see us off" I said in surprise "I mean...Louise and I are going to fight in this war against Reconquista of Albion"
"Even though it was scary that night" the fire mage looked at me "you did stop that monster from getting permanent mental scars..."
"Not to mention that you are carrying unusual magic that can help turn the tides against Reconquista" the former thief added
"We wish to see you off" they finished together "as a reminder that you changed our lives after you arrived Halkegenia"
I blinked at their words, didn't realize that my meddle in this world has caused their views to change...
So without a word, I dropped Louise's luggage and held the two in my arms surprising them
"Thank you for that" I whispered to them "you just helped me remember what I was fighting for" and let go getting Louise's luggage again "I'll be sure to come back "
"Peter/darling..." the two muttered as they watched him go to Louise and board the ship to join the queen and her forces in the battlefield
Upon arriving in the battlefields of Albion, we were seeing a camp and greeted by Mazarin as he was the one to escort us to Henrietta's tent as she finished giving positions to soldiers of her army with her general and bodyguard beside her
"Your highness" the advisor spoke "I have brought you sir Peter Lionheart and Louise Franciose la Blanc de la Valliere"
The queen turned to see her two friends and smiled at seeing them
"I'm glad that you have arrived" she said "our forces need all the help to get victory"
"What would you need of us?" the void mage stepped forward
Olivier walked to the map and pointed at our location "this is Lowscythe military port" and then moved his finger into another spot "and our target is our target, the capital of Albion; Londinium" he looked at us "we expect a large resistance there, can we request Ms. Valliere to eradicate the soldiers positioned there like what you did in the battle of Tarbes?"
I sighed at the request. Even though Louise has the power of the void, she is still young and to have her kill people will be burned in her memory until she dies. I turned to Henrietta and saw her feel the same since she's asking her to do this
Said person looked ready and turned to the queen "I'll do what I can" was her response " and I'll be sure to only focus on the soldiers"
That really surprised me, at least she is considering the burden placed on the queen's shoulders
"I'm glad" Henrietta smiled before she looked at me "and what of you Peter?"
"Before I give my answer" I raised my hand "may I speak to you privately first...?"
"You are not having your terms boy" the general was about to say another crude statement but stopped when the queen raised her hand
"It's alright general" she spoke "can you please give us a moment? That includes you Agnes"
"Understood" the musketeer walked with the general and Louise was escorted by them outside the tent
"I sense discomfort in you" the queen looked at me
"Sorry for saying this but you do know that you are sending your best friend out into battle right?" I crossed my arms
"I do" she nodded "even though war won't help anyone, Cromwell had followers behind him and they intend to continue his work" and then covered her face with both hands "not to mention that my responsibilities as ruler won't let me think of alternatives thanks to the traitors joining them"
"Your highness" I walked to her and grasped her hands "you have a great burden placed on you, as the ruler you have to show your strength and help the people feel they can protect their home"
"Peter" Henrietta blinked at his words before looking down his right hand and saw the rings she and Wales had worn before "those rings..."
"Yes" I nodded to her before letting go "when I was entrusted these by you and your lover. I kept them with me for a while, even wore them from time to time as a sign of respect between you and Wales" and raised my right arm "apparently it's more than a symbol of royalty"
With a flick of Peter's wrist, wind suddenly was felt on Henrietta's skin, her eyes widen upon seeing a small ball of water over his open hand
"You can do magic!?" she gasped
"Only with the rings" I replied dispersing the water "I hope that you can keep this a secret Henrietta"
The queen nodded quickly knowing that if this information were to spread there would be no doubt people who want to have them personally
We said our goodbyes and Henrietta wished me good luck as I now have to keep Louise safe from this and return to her
We flew in the air on the dragon's raiment reaching target location of the enemy
"We're almost there Louise" I kept us in the air "are you ready to do this...?"
"I am" she nodded "just keep this thing steady for me"
I opened the hatch and my mistress stood up and pulled out her wand. She started chanting and her magic started glowing
At Londinium, soldiers of Reconquista saw a glow in the sky
"Looks like Tristain is using their secret weapon"
"Men! Ready your dragons...!"
The Albion soldiers quickly moved to their positions
I covered half my face from the bright light in front of me 'if this is the power of void magic...' I grunted 'then Louise has to chant fast'
But when she was about to cast her spell... the glow suddenly stopped and Louise fell unconscious...!
"Louise...?" I shook her a bit "come on wake up!"
"Looks like she exhausted herself" Derflinger spoke
"Is it related to the void element?" I asked
"Yep" it responded "void magic isn't normal magic partner"
"Meaning the mage that uses void magic get's exhausted faster thanks to it's power..." I blinked 'that explains the damages whenever Louise tried to cast a standard spell' I dodged a group of dragon riders after nearly getting hit by flying boulders "have you known this or did you just remember it...?"
"The latter" my sword replied "sleeping for a long time makes it hard for me to remember important things"
I felt a jolt on the plane, I turned to see it's burning in flame!
'Great...' I struggled with the controls 'this zero fighter is not keeping hold and I have an out cold master in this battle!'
Back at the army of Tristain, Henrietta and Olivier de Poiters saw the enemy forces still at their posts in Londinium
"Looks like the plan has failed your highness" the general shook his head "we shouldn't have relied on unpredictable magic" he turned to the queen "a frontal assault is now inevitable, I only need your approval"
"Yes general" she nodded "have the army ready themselves"
When Olivier went to the soldiers, the queen turned to her bodyguard
"Have Julio find those two" she commanded "Peter and Louise are alive somewhere, I know they are strong"
"It will be done" the captain went her way to find the Romalian
The queen was alone now, she looked solemn that two people she trusted outside of the council are lost in the battlefield
"Louise...Peter" she muttered to herself feeling her heart ache at the possibility of their deaths "please be alive..."
I groaned at crashing against the ground again and my plane won't be flying anymore and worst still...Louise, Derflinger and I are in the middle of nowhere with the sun going down
"This is a mess" I walked ahead thankful that snow hasn't fallen yet "we're nowhere and far from Londinium"
"What am I going to say?" Louise looked ashamed from her failure
"Be honest to Henrietta" I supplied "tell her that you failed your task"
"I can't!" she shook her head "that would tarnish my name as a noble...!"
"She won't mind it, if anything she preferred you to be alive and with her in this conflict" I reasoned
My master went quiet after hearing that and was contemplating how to apologize to her best friend
We managed to find a cave and stayed there for the night. Louise instantly leaned on me and I wrapped my arms around her so we could stay warm and the girl was already asleep due to her exhaustion of using the void element
'I hope you replenish your magic soon' I rubbed the girl's back 'I have a feeling that Reconquista will send out a patrol to find us'
Sheffield was looking out the window thinking on how this war before a soldier walked in
"Ma'am, I report that Tristain is heading for the city of South Gotha. We must send for reinforcements!"
"That won't be necessary" she smiled "tell the soldiers to retreat, let the enemy think of getting victory" before turning to the soldier "and tell them to get the food and supplies"
"Food and supplies...?"
"Yes" she nodded "the enemy may have the city, but even they need to replenish their forces"
"What about the civilians?"
"They don't matter" she frowned "in war, sacrifices are always made to reach a goal" she raised her arm "now go inform the soldiers"
"Yes magistrate"
When the soldier left the room, Daido walked in
"I see that the plan is still going smoothly" he smiled
"Yes" Sheffield nodded "is there something you wish to report Daido?"
"An iron dragon was spotted earlier today"
"Iron dragon?"
"Yes" he nodded "I believe that it's the same dragon Cromwell lost against in Tarbes"
"Interesting" she smiled "send a party to find it and see if the enemy is still around"
"Yes ma'am" Daido nodded and went out of the room 'I'll have some of my members give one Albion soldier an edge to fight back' he thought 'wouldn't want my client to feel bored so soon'
Daybreak came with a clear sky, good that means no weather changes for the moment
"Let's go Louise" I called to the void mage "it's time to move"
We trekked the snow and found a dead dragon partially covered in snow
"Looks like Tristain got busy while we were shot down" I hummed
"Do you think that the rider is still near?" the void mage blinked
I heard a rustling noise and quickly dodged a surprise attack seeing a young Albion soldier with his sword wand in hand
"Nice tactic" I complimented unsheathing Derflinger "but I expected that"
"You're the rider of the iron dragon!" the enemy pointed his weapon at me and cast a wind spell
I raised my sword and blocked the spell with Derf absorbing the wind magic
"Nice try"
The soldier growled at this predicament before falling onto the snow and I saw a wound on his right leg
"Looks like he hurt himself from the fall" I checked the wound "and he can't stand up straight"
"Carry him" Louise commanded
"Excuse me...?"
"I said carry him" she repeated
Seriously? We're in the middle of a war and she wants to play nice?! Then again, she did promise Henrietta to not be reckless... I walked to the fallen soldier only to jump back when he grabbed his sword and swung at me!
"I'll protect my honor even if it cost's my life!" he stood up again only to fall back onto the snow
"You're in no condition to fight" I said kicking his sword away "don't waste your life like this"
"An enemy showing mercy...?" he grunted before narrowing his eyes "is this thanks to your honor?"
"I don't care about that" I replied before pointing at Louise "but she does, since she's a noble herself"
The void mage walked toward us but saw a glint in the snow, she kneeled down and picked it up to reveal an open locket with a picture of a woman
"Give that back!" the soldier shouted standing up before falling into the snow again
I walked to Louise and looked at the picture "looks like someone our enemy knew, thanks to his jumpiness" and took the locket from her hand "here"
"Huh?" he blinked at the gesture
"This seemed important to you" I said "can you give us your name?"
"Why would you ask that?" the soldier took his locket back
"I may be an enemy but I still am emotional enough that killing isn't going to help us" I said before kneeling down "come on, I'll carry you on my back"
The soldier was a bit skeptical at first but sighed in defeat before latching onto me "my name id Henry Stanford"
"I'm Louise de la Valliere" the void mage responded
"Peter Lionheart" I nodded "and I have a sentient sword with me, it's name is Derflinger"
"Greetings!" said sword spoke surprising him a bit
We walked through the snow with Louise holding the weapons as she stayed behind still thinking on my words last night
"Hey" Henry spoke "the iron dragon you flew earlier, is it still alive?"
"In a sense" I replied "but since we are from opposite sides I can't tell you, but I will say that the iron dragon is made for battle"
"I see" the Albion soldier hummed "that does explain why it's speed is faster then Winzar's"
"The dragon your hiding under earlier?"
"The very same" he nodded "kept me safe to the end"
"At least your friend did a good job" I turned my head to him "otherwise you'd have more injuries than a wounded leg"
"Peter" Louise spoke getting my attention "are you sure the her highness is okay with my failure? I mean dying seems appropriate to me due to the war we're in..."
"That option seemed preferable" Henry sighed in agreement "to die in battle is a great honor"
"So that story is the same no matter where you live" I said getting their attention "so focused on the honor of your noble status"
"And what's wrong with that?" Louise narrowed her eyes at me questioning the noble status
"So you'd rather leave the people you trust to their despair then?" I pointed out making them flinch
"Then what do you fight for?" Henry questioned as he felt curious
"I fight for those I care" was my answer "honor doesn't mean thing to me compared to the people in Tristain" and recalled the letter Jean Colbert wrote to me before his death "a friend of mine gave up his life to save a misguided from death and said that honor meant nothing because he was blinded to his position of duty"
"I see" Henry leaned my back "I am envious of you Peter" and sighed "the locket you gave back was actually my fiancee, I broke my engagement with her thanks to this war" his voice filled with regret "but after interacting with you and Louise...I feel like I've made a wrong decision"
"Then consider that your motivation to survive" I retorted "you can reestablish the engagement when you go back"
"But-!"
"Don't think about your honor, think about your love" I argued "she may have understood why you did it, but that doesn't mean she was happy"
Henry opened his locket and looked at the picture again. He can imagine her grief and tear stained face when he has to go into war, and the guilt he carried from that day only grew heavy in his heart
"Thank you for this revelation Peter" he looked at me "I'll make sure to survive this and return to her"
"Good for you Henry" I smiled
Louise watched the interaction between Peter and Henry. She kept quiet listening to their conversation and held the swords tightly
'Am I making the wrong decision too...?' she thought 'was I too selfish on my honor to not realize my best friend is worried?'
"Looks like partner got you good Louise" Derflinger spoke "you aren't sure of what to do now"
"Oh be quiet" she mumbled
Boom!
All of us turned to the sound and saw smoke in the sky
"What's happening?!" Louise screamed
"That came from South Gotha!" Henry pointed at the smoke "something must have happened!"
I can guess that Henrietta's general requested the order to confront the Albion troops
We ran to the direction only to hear footsteps heading our way
"Hide!" I shouted as we jumped behind the trees nearby and set down Henry as I peeked out to see a small group of soldiers wearing Albion uniform
"Great, enemy soldiers" I muttered "give me Derf"
"Wait" Henry called "give me my sword, I'll draw them away from you two"
"Going back to your group?" I smiled "good, at least you can be in trusted arms again"
"Agreed" he nodded using his sword as a support "I hope that we meet again someday"
'Me too Henry' I thought 'and your fiancee will be happy to see you again'
Henry went to his group giving Louise and I the opening to get in South Gotha
Inside the city Tristain soldiers, led by Oliviers de Poiter, were lying on the ground... the bodies had their armor sliced or dented by the enemy that attacked them
The general was on his knees holding his body as it aches from his battle against a monster
"Damn you monster...!" he breathed
The monster in question was a humanoid male being with metallic skin, a single red eye holding trident standing a short distance away, there was blood on him signifying that he was the reason Olivier lost his soldiers
This was the Metal Dopant
"I'm surprised that you survived general" he chuckled walking to the general "though I shouldn't complain, you have proven at least to handle yourself" and raised his weapon "so consider this a sign of mercy"
The trident was about to strike the man dead
Klang
The Dopant felt his weapon struck missing the target hitting the ground instead, the two saw a blade blocking the trident and the person who did that was Peter, in his Accel armor, holding said weapon
"I was wondering when you would arrive" the Metal Dopant hummed "I almost thought you would not show up"
"With your power, I would not miss it" I pushed him back "Louise! Keep the general and his soldiers safe while I handle this!"
"You're braver than the rest boy" the metal monster commented "the soldiers may have handled their fear, but could not even hurt me"
"Then let me be the first to do that" I moved the trident away which gave me time to insert the Engine memory into Derf
Engine
I pulled the trigger
Jet
With one swing of my blade, heavy wind went against the Dopant but he used the trident to stay on the ground but still skidded backwards
"Impressive Accel" the Metal Dopant stood up again "but is it enough to finish me?"
Electric
I swung my blade releasing electricity striking my target
BZZT!
"Gah!" the Metal Dopant screamed in pain releasing his weapon at feeling the electrical surge in him thanks to his metal body
Engine Maximum Drive
I ran forward delivering three slashes on the Dopant
Ka-boom!
The metal monster flew back from the explosion, but I was surprised that the Dopant was okay from my attack
'I should have realized that his memory can make him very durable...' I thought 'better add another attack before he fully recovers' before squeezing the hand brake
Accel Maximum Drive
I quickly turned the throttle and jumped forward delivering a spinning heel kick at the Metal Dopant
Boom
A cloud of smoke appeared and the Metal memory flew into my hand
'Another T2 memory in my possession...'
Thud
I saw the Dopant's real appearance, an Albion soldier lying face first on the ground with his armor and cape ruined
'No doubt the current leader of Reconquista was able to get one memory' I frowned 'glad that I stopped it before before Tristain lost their army'
I saw a shadow pass me, I looked up to see a white dragon flying in the sky
"Julio..." I muttered 'no doubt he's been searching for Louise and I since yesterday' I removed the acceldriver from my waist 'better go to him so the queen will feel relief' and changed into bike form to reach him
As Peter drove off to get the Romalian, two members of Daido's NEVER team saw the entire fight from the rooftop
"Peter is getting strong with every battle" Matt spoke
"Indeed" Emily smiled "master Daido will be pleased with his report"
The two left the city to give their leader the report today
Back at Lowscythe base, Henrietta hugged Louise tightly feeling relief that her best friend was back and uninjured from the mission
"Louise!" the queen of Tristain felt glad to see and feel her friend "I'm so glad you're safe" and then she looked at me "you too Peter"
I nodded at her concern before turning to Louise and see what will she say next
"Your highness" the void mage looked ashamed "I... apologize for my failure"
"Don't worry about it" she assured "the city is captured and I heard that you were able to save general Poiter with his troops in South Gotha"
"That wasn't me, Peter was the one who saved them" Louise then kneeled before the queen "please give me another mission! I don't care what it is! I'll prove myself to you as it is the greatest honor to fight for the queen of Tristain...!"
"Louise..." the queen of Tristain looked at her friend in worry
"So this is your answer" I spoke getting their attention "forsake everything in the name of honor...?"
"Yes" she glared at me "a noble would care more for honor as it is the most important thing to do!" her words were not minced since it carries absolution "and I am one of them! You Peter have no say on my choices in this war...!"
I can't believe that she would say that to me! And to even blatantly state that I have no right to give opinion is proof how her mind has become narrow due to the war against Albion
So I did the only possible thing to respond on that selfish thought
Slap!
The reactions were varied at seeing that; Henrietta covered her mouth, Agnes was surprised and Julio had wide eyes
Louise was in disbelief... she touched her face feeling the sting and looked at Peter in shock
"I thought our time together would help you get out of that noble pride" he sighed "but apparently, you would still be selfish on people who care for your life"
"Peter..."
Peter quickly pulled out his sword pointing the sharp tip at Louise making her stop and scaring others
"Don't bother talking back" he stared at his master in disappointment "you said it already, honor before feelings" and started walking away "since you plan on redeeming that, don't come to me for help... get the missions yourself"
The four were quiet at the whole thing...it was practically scary to see someone who cares suddenly turn apathetic
To be continued...
Author's Notes:
And done, sorry if it isn't much but I wrote this chapter to show certain things:
1. Louise blinding herself to noble status due to her wish on proving herself which made Peter upset (the girl may has gotten good fortune thanks to her familiar, but her personality makes it hard that pride isn't always first)
2. Peter showed what the royal rings can do to Henrietta and was surprised but kept it to herself (even though it can only be worn by a trusted individual, the value is till high for anyone who wants them)
Plus with the fact the next chapter being the finale of season 2, I'll try to make Peter's battle against Reconquista epic (hopefully I can also change his fate since he will be using the Gaia memories against Reconquista)
Here's another cameo of Peter as Kamen Rider W
W vs Menneville, Heat Dopant
I was staring at the battle inside the dining hall, Jean Colbert badly burned, Agnes focusing on revenge, Matilda stopping the former with her magic, Louise, Kirche and Tabitha in front of Menneville as he became the strongest wielder of the flame by defeating his former captain by becoming the Heat Dopant and worse still...the rogues are waking up again
"It's finally done" Menneville looked around "my mission, my goal... are complete"
The fire rogues surround us aiming their scepters ready to cast their fire spells
"What should we do now boss?"
"That should be obvious" the fire rogue huffed "burn this academy down" and turned to us "starting with them"
I can tell that everyone isn't capable of fighting against these rogues and most had their hands full on keeping the hostages safe
Leaving only me to defend them from being burned. Even though risking my life is obvious... I stepped in between the fire rogues and the hostages
"Oh?" the Heat Dopant looked at me "trying to play hero?"
"I'm not letting you get your hands on them" I declared "you will have to kill me first!"
"You'll die braver than the rest" Menneville raised his arm "burn him"
The other fire rogues cast fire balls at Peter
"Peter/darling...!" everyone screamed
Roar
A small creature jumped into the area and dispersed the flame attack to reveal a small creature protecting Peter
"What is that thing!?"
"Kill it!"
When the rogues were about the cast their spells again they were struck by the small creature's surprising speed
Whack
Baff
Bam
Screams came from the rogues, the watchers were in disbelief that such a creature can fight against the enemy group. Menneville shot a volley of fire balls at the moving creature and missed every shot before getting struck in the head by it
"Gah!" the Heat Dopant held his head in pain
"Unbelievable..." Matilda blinked
"I agree" Osmond felt the same at seeing the fire rogues get hurt by such a small creature
"Me too" Julio followed "what is that thing?"
"I can tell you" I raised my arm "Fang! Come to me...!"
The small creature stopped and moved toward me and landed on my hand
"Peter...?" a few dared to speak at seeing him hold the creature
"I'll warn you guys now" I spoke altering the appearance of my newly item and revealed a Gaia memory "stay away from the fight" and glared at the fire rogues getting on their feet again growling at the surprise attack
Fang
I pushed the Joker memory into my Doubledriver following the Fang memory and opened the buckle locking my new memory in place creating a horned beast head on my belt
Fang Joker
I felt the power of the Fang memory flow into me as my armor formed on my body
Peter now wore a a half white and half violet armor but what stood from his other changes was the fact this armor had small spikes giving it beastly appearance
At first the look would have been only as a scare tactic but then Peter made a loud scream causing most to cover their ears at the power he carried
And suddenly he leaped to the fire rogues and started bringing the pain. His movements were wild and erratic but he was delivering strong attacks making sure that they facing something scary
The rogues screamed in pain feeling their skin getting torn by Peter's power, some were struck to the walls leaving cracks on them while getting stuck in the process, others had broken wands or limbs from his a few were lucky to even dodge leaving claw marks on the floor. Even Menneville wasn't safe from this new power as he flew away from his group with Peter reaching for the horn on his Fang memory
Arm Fang
Peter raised his right arm and a curved blade appeared, he slashed the rogues destroying their wands leaving slash wounds on their bodies before going after the Heat Dopant
"Darling..." Kirche muttered seeing act beloved act so... wild!
"This is not good" Osmond stated "he has become wild beast..."
"Peter" Siesta wasn't faring any better as her love was spilling blood in the dining hall before covering her eyes
Tabitha watched in silence as her eyes kept on the fight "
Agnes may have her mind on revenge of losing her home but the battle before her made her start to think on her actions
'I will not deter on killing Colbert' she thought 'but I have questions about him that night...'
Menneville slid against the floor, he may have beaten the Flame Snake tonight but he wasn't able to fight back on fighting against Peter's new power
He saw his only chance to get and edge and grabbed the nearest hostage, which happened to be Louise
"Louise...!" most shouted in fright at seeing her get taken
"Now you won't stop me!" Menneville said in manic glee
But that fell into deaf ears as Peter ran forward with his blade ready to strike his target by going through the hostage...!
"Don't do it partner!" Derflinger shouted trying to get him back in control "you'll regret this...!"
He raised his arm and moved it down with the blade nearing Louise and Menneville
"Peter! Stop it...!" Louise and a few others shouted in desperation before covering their eyes at the inevitable attack
The void mage felt nothing, she opened here eyes to see the arm blade inches away from touching. She blinked at this and looked at Peter finally regaining control of his body
"I finally got back my senses" he said before getting Louise out of Mennville's grasp
Pow!
The Heat Dopant rolled on the floor as I put Louise near the others before pointing at the Dopant
"Now Menneville, count up your sins"
I saw that the remaining rogues from Menneville's group stood up again trying to keep strong for their pride as a group
'No doubt showing the means of their mercenary work' I thought 'better thin the numbers'
Matilda helped Colbert sit up and see the next ability of Peter's new armor
Shoulder Fang
Peter's right shoulder spike grew, he grabbed the item and threw it making the bladed projectile fly around striking down the enemy group and Menneville hitting the floor again
"Amazing" he groaned "Peter's new armor has capabilities that other mages can't use"
"Still one on studying Colbert" the former thief laughed a bit 'you are stronger than I will ever be...'
I slowly walked to Menneville and he was struggling to stay on his feet "you've lost your men, your title and now your losing your goal"
"I won't be beaten by the likes of you!"
"He's already lost his mind partner" my right eye blinked "just finish him"
"Yeah...everyone needs relief now" I went for the horn on my Fang memory
Fang Maximum Drive
A blade appeared on my right leg and I can feel the energy gathered on my body, I jumped to the air and delivered a roundhouse kick to menneville
"Fang Strizer!"
Ka-boom!
Menneville flew back his body returning to his human self and the Heat memory landed on my feet. I removed my memories and saw Louise, Kirche, Matilda and Tabitha protect Jean from Agnes as the latter was ready to kill the professor
"You can't do this...!" Kirche shouted
"He's not the man you want to kill!" Louise followed "he's our teacher in the academy"
"Move!" the captain wasn't letting this chance slip "this is the man that I've been looking for and have to kill"
"Girls...let her do it" Jean coughed "she has that right"
"Professor...!" the two looked at their teacher in disbelief
"No matter how different I am now, I still remember the choice of destroying lives" he then turned to me "I've been trying to atone for that when you first made your statement"
"Now, count up your sins" I said making him nod
"Yes, I have been counting up the lives from the sin of blindly following orders" the professor looked back at the captain "even though I have no right to say this... but please make this kill your last, find a path that will help you find purpose"
"You think that your words will sway me killer!" she raised her sword again "time to die!"
"Agnes stop" I stepped in front of her "you don't have to do it"
"Why should I?!" she shouted back "he's responsible for destroying lives...!"
"He's already gone" I turned to the girls silently crying for the professor "you can't kill the dead..."
The captain looked at the body and saw the professor unmoving as he was held by the former thief with Kirche and Louise holding his hands with sorrow pouring out to their teacher
Agnes screamed at her lost opportunity and stabbed the sword on the floor feeling so conflicted tonight
'Why was the killer of D'angleterre my hero?' she thought 'I shouldn't feel this way about it...!'
I was cleaning the dragon's raiment with Kirche and Matilda as my company
"I'm surprised you two stayed here with me instead of going to the funeral" I said finishing my chore "what made you stay?"
"I'm still serving my sentence Peter" the former thief spoke "even though you believe I can control myself, the others wouldn't want to risk me going out of the place I was sent to"
"After what happened last night darling" Kirche looked at me "I'd prefer staying in the academy. And with the rogues being fire mages...Agnes wouldn't like being near the element in her mourning today"
That reminded me, earlier today the captain came to me and presented a letter. She said it was addressed to me from Jean Colbert, he had written it as a means of being truthful to me from his past and warns me of the choices I will make in the future thanks to this war with a wish of seeing my world that didn't have war as the first thought to make progress
"This war is costing so much life" I muttered "I'll stop it when I'm called to help the queen..."