Centoria, Jaymes
"Ugh, it's pretty gross when you see it up close. Like a giant mushroom cap… So...should we call it the Cathedral Mushroom now?" I stare at the transformed Cathedral Cedar with Alice and Eydis.
"Don't be ridiculous," Eydis replies.
"Oh, you're back." I look down to see Cardinal approaching us. She, too, glances up at the Cedar with worry.
"Um, Cardinal… About that webbed cap on top of the Cathedral Cedar…"
"Yes, Alice, it is a cause for concern. It suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It seems to be growing gradually as well."
"What for?"
"I've no idea. We are investigating, but we still don't know the Administrator's goal."
"We do," I interrupt. "Norlangarth was quite the fulfilling trip."
"Is that so? Tell me."
"First, what did you find out from the Clamp seed? Anything new?"
Cardinal sighs. "We have tried various means of research, but… The only thing we've discovered is that the seed is empty inside."
"Empty? That's unusual."
"Yeah. There's a hole inside, but nothing in it. We have nothing else to investigate."
"Well, see if you have any luck with this one." I toss her the seed from the castle. "We found a Clamp on the imperial grave. But here's the kicker: it brought an empress and her chamberlain back to life."
"Hmm… With two seeds, we can make comparisons. I'll continue studying these."
"Also," Eydis speaks, "Deusolbert was captured by the Clamp Core, just like Eldrie. According to Deusolbert, the hooded man can use Deep Freeze. There also wasn't a seed from the Clamp Core this time. Kayode was defeated by us, but killed by who we believed to be the hooded man."
"And not only that," Alice adds, "but when Deusolbert shot an arrow at the hooded man, it bounced off an invisible wall."
Cardinal cups her chin. "A lot to process… Unfortunate that you couldn't unmask him, but I am glad you're all safe. You're likely to meet him again, so stay on your guard."
Deusolbert steps up. "I have one more report, Acting Pontifex. After I was unfrozen, I felt the Pontifex's will run through me. And before I knew it, I drew my weapon on Eydis and Alice."
Quinella's will? So that's what happened. "What did it feel like?"
"I don't exactly remember. I only knew that I had to obey her. And that is why I fought against the girls."
Cardinal scoffs and looks up to the Cedar. "Even after her body's demise, her will lives on… What an obstinate woman."
I smirk. "Apparently my type. Oh, and Cardinal… Two more things. I have a matter I wish to talk to you privately about. And the other… Have you heard of a man called Hersyrian, a so-called Senate Representative?"
She shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid I have not. There are no such records of such a person in the senate. Why?"
"If what we learned about Clamps in Norlangarth is that they have the power to resurrect the dead… I believe Administrator's endgame is obvious. I've seen it before with your creator not long ago. Her mind continues to persist, but what she really wants is a body."
"Resurrection of the Pontifex… How simple a goal that is. The senate floats in the sky, so I'll try checking unit names in the records. Jaymes, I'm assuming you're coming with me."
Eydis nods. "Alice and I can handle the briefing with the commander, probably just a regurgitation of this. Go on, Jaymes. I'll fill you in tonight."
"How is Medina doing," Alice asks.
"She went off somewhere with her wayfarers as soon as we reached the capital. You need something from her?"
"No… I've just been a bit worried about her."
"Well, they're probably training. That's all they did on our way back, save the moment me and her went hunting for a cat… We'll find her later."
Medina
"I have to get stronger to get Jaymes, Alice, and the others to understand me. I'll never restore honor to my name as I am now."
"What's wrong, my savior?"
Medina turns to the girl wayfarer, who Medina decided to name after Jaymes suggested she does so. "Nothing, Selina. I'm fine."
"Really? You look sad. Wanna eat my flan?"
"Thank you. But I don't need any flan right now."
"Aww, okay."
Medina sighs and stops on the side of the market street, facing Selina. "Selina, why are you always with me?"
"Well, because...you're our savior."
"No, I mean, why do you all think I'm your 'savior?'"
"Oh, if it isn't the savior. What a coincidence." Medina gasps and reaches for a sword, careful to not draw it as she faces the man in the white robes.
"You… What do you want?"
Hersyrian bows to Medina in greeting. "You needn't look so defensive. I have no intention of hurting you."
"Then why are you here?"
"You don't think the ACTF is threatening the realm and leading it to destruction?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"They send out useless sentries just for appearances, and deny your methods. The simple truth is that they harbor a criminal who killed the Pontifex."
Medina frowns. Hersyrian is lucky they're out of earshot from the shoppers and merchants of the street, which are mostly wayfarers who could care less about the Church. "I heard there was a good reason for that!"
"Then why are you here with your followers, instead of together with them?"
"I…" Hersyrian suddenly begins to clap and smile, which annoys Medina. "Wh-What is this about?"
"I merely wanted to applaud your ability to see what is true and just. How fitting of the last savior of House Orthinanos. Strong, just, and honorable."
Those words...they are the motto of Orthinanos. "How do you know those words?"
"There's no need to sell your soul to the false Axiom Church. Now, let us do as we were destined together!"
"Claiming the Axiom Church is fraudulent? Is there no limit to your insolence?"
Hersyrian points to himself. "Insolence? Between me, her loyal retainer, and you, who helps the organization who harbors her killer, which of us is guilty of betraying our Lady Pontifex?"
"You're… You're wrong!" But is he? Jaymes confessed mutiple times Kirito and Eugeo attacked and killed the Pontifex after Hersyrian revealed it. He might have hid it, but ever since, he hasn't denied it to be false.
"Hmph, you seem awfully hesitant for a lady of House Orthinanos."
"What do you know about my family?"
"The truth is simple. You need only the strength to face it, and it can be yours. The door to the truth is unlocked. All that is left is for you to open it."
"The door...to the truth…"
"Indeed. You need only wish to step through that door, and I will aid you in doing so." Hersyrian extends his hand, but Medina hesitates to take it. "Could it be that you are frightened? Do you lack the strength to face the truth? Your ancestors must be rolling in their graves."
Medina sighs. "Very well. Go ahead and show me this 'truth'. But if anything feels off, I will kill you."
The man smirks. "Spoken like the Lord of Knights… You have my sincerest gratitude, my savior."
"But, my savior, where are you going?"
"Wait here for me, Selina. I won't be long."
"...As you say, my savior."
Medina steps forward to Hersyrian, not letting go of the hilt of her father's blade. "Lead on."
He gestures to the alleyway nearby. "Let us head off then."
Jaymes
"This is...something, Jaymes. Another person with your level of strength...would be impossible outside of Quinella and the Integrity Knights."
I nod. "I came to the same conclusion. But even Kirito and I aren't exempt from that. Kayode specifically spoke of my sword, but that's impossible except for Kirito's sword. My original blade could not measure to the power Falchion has. Perfect Weapon Control, for example, would be impossible."
Cardinal sets the journal of Zappas down and begins to search her library. "Where is your original blade?"
I take out Falchion. "It was remade and joined with the elemental stones in possession by Medina's ancestor. I guess one of the 'goddesses' turned those elements into the seven stones you see across the hilt. That is how I'm able to access the weapon's memories and unleash Perfect Weapon Control."
"I understand. But are you sure there's no possible way another person from your world could have entered this world?"
"Mostly positive. There are five super-accounts originally higher than my own, but only 4 have been used. The three goddesses and the dark lord himself. Mine is a high-level account, and I think Kirito got something similar, if not a mid-level one. Do you have a record of this?"
"It's not like I record who comes and goes from the Underwo--Wait." Cardinal pulls out a book and flies down to me. "This might be it… Ah, what do you know? Here's a record of Norlangarth from that time period in the north."
"And?"
"And… Yes, a mention of a warrior who came in the night and the night only. No name mentioned, but it does correlate with Zappas' documentation. And here's the mention of a beast defeated by her. She must have been powerful. How this slipped by Quinella must mean one thing: the person wasn't here for long. Whoever this person is, wherever she came from, there's no indication, so this person appeared for one reason only, this beast. I believe we're too far in the future for me to attempt showing you this."
"Damn. This wouldn't bother me if I knew who it was, but I've been around for each previous dive. Did Kikuoka have one without my notice, and if so, it was between me and Kirito."
"Does Kikuoka know of your friends?"
"Yes. One of them he also employs, but he's not connected to this project. He hasn't directly spoken to anyone else lately besides Kirito's girlfriend." Sighing, I stand up. "Well, I'll let this go for now. I should go meet with the others."
"Indeed. I'll look into this on the side. And if we don't speak before you leave Centoria again, be careful, Jaymes."
I nod to Cardinal. "I'll do my best."
Medina
"This is…"
"Central Cathedral. The top floor."
Medina gasps. The interior of the Cathedral is filled with branches from the Cedar, but even more that she's here… "What? The top floor is supposed to be in the heavens!"
"I am the Senate Representative, appointed by Lady Pontifex herself. Therefore, I alone have access to this sanctuary. As such…" Hersyrian gestures behind to something behind Medina. She turns, and in her shock she takes a step back. A female body is encapsulated within the Cedar, and it can only be one being. "Is this...Could it be…"
"This is the first time you've laid eyes upon her splendor. Indeed, it is her."
Mesmerized, Medina walks forward. "Lady Pontifex… As beautiful as ever, even now."
"Please no closer than that!"
Hersyrian's outcry frightens Medina, but she listens to him. "Ah, right… My apologies."
"Please forgive my outburst. This fragile body is just waiting to be awakened. It is ot something one should approach carelessly."
"You said 'body'. So it's true, this is where Lady Pontifex lost her life?"
"Yes. She is merely in a deep sleep waiting for the savior's rescue."
"The savior's rescue?"
"Of course. Now then, I'll show you the truth using Post-Cognition. System Call: Generate Umbral Element. Generate Crystalline Element. Fusion Element. Access to Past Long Data!" A mirror-like item appears in Hersyrian's hands, and he holds it up to Medina. "Now please, watch..."
"To think...neither of those swords...was metal… Hee, heehee…" Kirito, with his black sword and a red one, stands before the nude, one-armed Administrator. His fight with her claimed the life of his best friend and nearly his own several times, but not he had the ruler of the Underworld on her heels. She knows it, too. "This is...sooner than I planned, but I'll have to take my leave."
"No, you're not going anywhere. We're finishing this fight right here and now." Both combatants hold a sword up with an art glowing on them before they simultaneously attack. "Take this!"
"You impudent boy!" Both Administrator's rapier and Kirito's Night-Sky Sword slide against each other, puncturing and severing the shoulder of their opponent's attacking sword arm. Quinella, totally armless, screams and grabs Kirito with her long hair. "Curse you!"
"Not yet…" Kirito glares down at Administrator and activates a sword art with Eugeo's sword. "Not yet!" He breaks out of Quinella's hold and flies down, impaling the Pontifex in just above her bosom.
"Was that…"
Hersyrian nods as the mirror fades. "You understand now. The truth. That there was no justice in his actions."
"But…"
"Medina Orthinanos. You are the chosen one…"
Medina looks to the capsule, her eyes wide in shock. "Lady Pontifex?"
"Slain by the black swordsman. If I am resurrected, you may follow me once again."
"Wh-What was that? Isn't this just a corpse?"
"The remnants of her will, the voice I follow, and what you've been seeking."
"B-But Lady's Pontifex's will or not, a talking corpse…"
"Your ancestor, Taval Orthinanos, fought an army of orcs from the End Mountains. But the truth was twisted by other noble houses, envious of his exploits. Though just, his actions were denounced and he was expelled from the kingdom."
"How do you know that? All records of it were purged and only family members know!"
"It's just as I told you before, I know a great deal about House Orthinanos. From the first, Matthew Orthinanos, to the ninth, you, a family that fights for truth and justice, despite ostracism and dishonor. Then you appeared, our savior, just as Lady Pontifex's prophecy foretold."
"Prophecy?"
"That the last descendant of House Orthinanos has the power to awaken her. And doing so ensures that she will restore honor to the family name."
"Lady Pontifex would wipe away the dishonor that stains House Orthinanos?"
Hersyrian nods. "Yes. As your faithful servant, my wish is to guide you through the revival process."
"B-But is that really possible?"
"That depends on your ability."
"What do you mean?"
"Are you familiar with the shade that looms over the human world? It is an essential tool in reviving Her Eminence by absorbing humanity's Sacred Power."
"Humanity's Sacred Power?"
"Yes. But it is insufficient. Hence the flowers of life, or what you cal Clamps."
"But beasts are spawning from the Clamps!"
"Those very beasts hold the key to the ressurection of Lady Pontifex. The beasts feed on Sacred Power and help the Clamps to bear fruit upon their defeat. I sowed the Clamp seeds, and reaped the fruit once the beasts were eradicated. All to gather the Sacred Power necessary to revive Her Excellence."
"So before, when you killed that beast yourself?"
"I did it to resurrect Lady Pontifex, of course. However, I cannot gather the required Sacred Power all alone. Indeed, I realize that I need the help of the chosen one of House Orthinanos. Nevertheless, I refuse to coerce you. The decision is yours alone to make."
"If I decide to help you at all. My mind isn't made up just yet. But tell me… If I'm to help resurrect Lady Pontifex, what exactly would I need to do?"
"As savior and head of House Orthinanos, you can command the otherworld soldiers. Using that ability, you can amass an army of these soldiers and lead them."
"Then defeat beasts and collect fruits to revive the Pontifex… Am I correct?"
"Yes. Please deliver the collected fruits to the hidden area of the Cathedral. I will share those coordinates with you when the time comes. If we accomplish this, you will be the revered chosen savior of the people. And thus, we will restore honor to House Orthinanos, fulfilling your ambition. However, there is one thing I must insist."
"What would that be?"
"The flowers of life across the land are a vital source of Her Eminence's life. Therefore you must stop at nothing to ensure that they remain unharmed."
"But if the Clamps aren't rooted out, won't the beasts just keep appearing?"
"Do you doubt you very own power?"
Medina frowns. "Excuse me?"
"The birth of beasts is a wondrous sight! Another source of life for Lady Pontifex! It simply means another opportunity to collect more fruits by slaying them. Unless you fear that you may not be capable of defeating subsequent beasts?"
"No, that's not why I'm asking. It's just...the citizens will suffer."
"Great achievements often require even greater sacrifices, do they not? Come now, the ancestors of the great House Orthinanos would be ashamed."
"It's not a decision so easily made. I belong to the Anti-Cedar Task Force, to Jaymes…"
Hersyrian laughs. "What an odd thing to say, my savior! 'Belong' implies you have a place amongst him. But is that really true?"
"W-What?"
"Allow me to ask you a question. Is there always someone by the invader's side? Someone whose counsel and whose sword he values above all?"
Medina lowers her eyes in thought. "Next to Jaymes…"
"Is it you? Or perhaps…"
"I don't know."
"People always utter those words when they don't want to face a problem before them. When in reality, it is a weakness suffered by the mediocre! This is no place for such weakness in the proud and strong House Orthinanos' legacy. No doubt your ancestors would hold you to the same standard as well expect you to walk the righteous path of the Axiom Church."
"The righteous path… I…"
"Hey, Medina." Medina looks up as Jaymes approaches her, coming from the meeting with Bercouli. She hadn't meant to linger here, but here he finds her.
"What is it?"
"I was hoping you'd come with me to hunt some beasts in Wesdarath. Just got a report about them. How about it?"
Medina frowns. "Why are you asking me?"
Jaymes rubs his black hair and shrugs. "You're always up to hunt beasts, right, if there are beasts needed to be slayed? Besides, I like fighting alongside you, like we're...partners. You're not busy, are you?"
Medina sighs. "No… I'll go."
Jaymes nods. "Great, the quicker we get this done, the quicker we can rest. I'll meet you at the front gate in a few minutes." As Jaymes splits from Medina, she sighs and looks to the sky. Her mind heavy with troublesome thoughts, maybe a little monster busting might help clear her head, or be a momentary distraction.
