Welcome to the next chapter of The Magic Knight, before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Hellspam: It will be a miserable day for him if he ever crosses Lancelot. Serafall went over the edge and turned their hot bath into a freezer.
Wako12: Why are you so adamant about this?
King0fPowers: Thanks. Reading about Serafall's anger towards Gabriel is always funny, along with the different interpretations that people have about their "rivalry". Power-Types are in danger of being defeated by a Technique-Type Fighter just like Yumi. It's not that she isn't talented in using swords, Xenovia would just rather use her power to overcome situations instead of her talent. You'd never consider Azazel doing a thing like taking care of someone else. I'll make sure that this chapter will be a good one and Gilgamesh will be making an appearance later on.
Guest: I don't think there are Ea complainers in these reviews. I'll make sure that there are a more interesting ways that Gilgamesh uses the Gate of Babylon.
Guest 2: I don't know about that.
Guest 3: I really don't know if I would make a story like that.
Guest 4: That sounds like an interesting idea, but I don't think that they can have a full rating game if he gets enough members.
The Monster Slayer
Located inside of a cave barely lit by the candles placed along the wall, coming from inside of the depth of the cave was the breath that came from an individual who sounded as if they were running. But, that wasn't the only sounds that came from a monstrous creature.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAO!"
A dangerous sound echoed throughout the depths of the cave accompanied by the sound of large rocks being shattered. Based on the silhouette within the darkness, the creature was around five-meters tall carrying two distinct weapons in its hand. The second silhouette whom it was chasing was a was a lot smaller in comparison, though it was keeping pace with it.
"I'm almost there, I just got to make it in time."
This thought came from the young man who continued to run forward, until glancing forward noticing a bright light in front of him. It was the exit from inside of the cave. Seeing that the exit was before his eyes, the young man picked up the pace and―
"Yahoo! I'm finally out!"
He called out cheerfully as he jumped through the exit with his arms held out.
The young man seemed to be at least seventeen-years-old with light brown hair and gray-colored eyes, he seemed to be well-built for someone his age. He wore armor themed around the Greek Faction, which covered his chest, forearm, and legs providing him as much mobility as possible. Sheathed on his sword was a unique silver short sword and strapped on his back was a shield.
This was the individual that Lance and the others had been planning on added onto his Brave Saints in their arrival to the Greek Faction. His names―Percy.
"*Sigh* That was a close one. If I had fought that Minotaur in that cave, then I probably would have died." After he stopped running, Percy started to stretch his arms as he turned towards the entrance to the cave. "Alright, let's get started."
Bursting out from the cave was a five-meter tall humanoid-shaped monster possessing thick arms and chest with the head of a bull, but with fangs. As the minotaur exited the cave wielding a massive battle-axe in one hand and a shield in the other hand, it continued to charge forward at Percy without stopping. Reaching his hand towards his back, Percy pulled out his shield and strapped it to his arm.
As he brought down its massive battle-axe, the air vibrated due to the level of physical force held in its attack. After getting the shield properly strapped on, he blocked the attack from the battle-axe. After it came in contact with the shield, a massive gust of wind was generated by the attack. Though the attack was blocked using that shield, Percy felt a bit of the force that pushed him back a little.
"Gaaaaao!"
Letting out another roar, the minotaur made another strong swipe with his battle-axe. Again, Percy held out his shield to block the wide attack and at the same moment, he drew out his silver sword making a slash at its chest. Almost too easily, blood was drawn from the minotaur's chest. The pain caused it to step back away from him. Not wanting this opportunity to slip away, Percy charged at him and started to launch a number of slashes at the chest of the beast.
More and more blood started to spill out from the creature's wound. At a final attempt at survival, the minotaur let out another loud roar from its mouth. Different from it other ones, the sound was so loud that Percy was stunned with a second. Using this opportunity, the minotaur slashed diagonally at him, but not before Percy rose up his shield in an attempt to block it. His attempt was successful, but due to the great force that was put into the attack, he was sent flying backward.
"Damn."
Percy cursed to himself after finally regaining his footing, while also losing his shield in the process that fell further away from him. Once he feet touched the ground again, he looked forward and noticed that the minotaur was preparing for a charge attack. Without flinching he stood his ground while sheathing his short sword back in its sheath.
"Alright, bring it."
Percy taunted with a signal that said 'bring it'. Taking this chance, the minotaur charged at him with its horns directed at him. Opening and closing his hands, Percy stood prepared to take the charge head-on and—
Anticipating its assault, he held his hand out at the right moment and literally grabbed the bull by its horns. Due to the massive weight and force from its charge, Percy was being steadily pushed back by the minotaur with his feet being dug into the ground.
"Ngggh!"
Percy continued to let out grunting noise feeling his muscles started to tense up in an attempt to move this creature out of the way. Putting more pressure on the horns of the minotaur breaking both them off its heads. From the feeling of having its important part broken off its head, the large beast let out a massive roar that echoed across the area. Using one of its horns in his hand, Percy stabbed it directly in its heart. Digging it deeper and deeper into its chest, the minotaur started to lose all strength in its body and it fell back on the ground creating a large thud.
"Okay, that minotaur is taken care of. I need to go before―"
As he was standing, there was a rumbling sound that could be felt under him. Letting out a couple of nervous chuckles from his mouth, Percy turned his head towards the direction of where it had come from. Coming in his direction were a number of familiar creatures coming in his direction. It was a whole herd of minotaur seeking revenge for their fellow monster.
"Oh, crap!"
Percy turned around and started to run away from the herd of monsters, even going as far as to make a number of afterimages in an attempt to confuse them.
"I didn't sign up for this one!"
He shouted as he started to pick up his pace, before remembering something. Just as the herd of bull-like monsters was close to trampling over him. He held his hand out creating a small dimensional tear and reached inside of it. What Percy pulled out was a helmet that gave out an ominous sensation, this sensation was different from any holy or demon sword. Without hesitation, Percy placed the helm on his head. What happened next was that Percy completely vanished from sight even his scent couldn't be detected by any of the minotaurs.
{I'm glad that I "borrowed" this from good ol' Skeletor.}
The now invisible Percy started to walk out away from the herd of minotaur. Instead, he headed in the same direction that he had come from beforehand.
{I'd better get that minotaur to those villagers.}
Meanwhile, inside of the Du Lac residence, within Xenovia's bedroom, there was a number of workout equipment placed a bit messily around on the floor. Said bluenette was currently out of bed dressed in the clothes that she went to sleep in. A simple pair of shorts that were a bit higher than normal, and a black low-cut tank top. There was a bit of sweat dripping on the ground as she continued to do push-up after push-up.
{Xenovia-chan, you have a habit of charging at your opponent with pure strength alone. While those methods can work against a weaker opponent against another [Technique] who especially specializes in using a [counter]-type move can be dangerous. Since you're Lance-kun's important Queen, then it can also put him in a dangerous position.}
Remembering the words that Serafall had said to her, Xenovia clenched her teeth tightly and continued on with her workout.
"I refuse to be a burden on him."
The last thing that she ever wanted to do to him and that was being a burden on the person who helped change her life. Xenovia continued to do push up after push up thinking of a number of ways for her to become stronger.
"So, you guys are heading to the Greek Faction?"
"That's the plan. We were planning on heading there to meet up with this Percy, but since the Hero Faction is now involved we have to go and deal with that."
Sitting at the table were the whole house residents aside from Yuuma and Irina who both left the house earlier with Lance explaining the situation to Sona who held a pair of chopsticks in her hand. Though unlike Sona, everyone else was dressed in their normal clothing. Picking up the food that was in front of her using them, Sona placed a piece of food in her mouth. She took in the situation and understood why it was important for them to leave and not attend school for the day.
"I heard from Onee-sama and Christian-sensei that they're attacking a number of factions."
"I wonder what they're planning?"
Jeanne questioned, with a wondering look on her face.
"Sona-san, how serious were their attacks?"
"Most of them weren't that serious, but there were a number of serious injuries. There were also those abnormal black combatants who were with them all."
"Abnormal Black Combatants?"
"From what I heard there was a number of them always beside a number of Hero Faction members, but I don't think that they're human. Especially since whenever a human member was ever attacked by either a powerful magical or physical attack, they would always get in the way before vanishing."
Her explanation caused Lance's attention to be peaked due to the troubles that those odd combatants would cause for them.
"We can only hope that they don't come to Kuoh, but knowing the people living here it's useless. What do you think about it, Lance-kun?"
"I think I know what those things are, but I won't know until I see them for myself," Lance answered with a curious look on his face. "So~ Sona-chan you do know that we might have to miss school today."
Saying that final sentence caused the expression on Sona's face to shift into one that was almost cold causing Lance to laugh nervously a bit. Both Jeanne and Yumi stared back between both of them with a curious look on their face.
"Lance-kun, you know that I value our relationship a lot. But, as Kaichou of Kuoh Academy, I can't abide by a student intentionally missing school."
"Buuut, Sona-chan…."
The tone that she was speaking to him in was a bit much for even him to deal with, but Sona held her hand out and stopped from saying anything else.
"But, I'll allow it. Considering the dire situation…but you'll have to somehow appear as if you all are at school to draw away suspension."
Sona told him after nonchalantly taking a sit of the tea that was in front of her. The change in demeanor caused those who sat around them with let out a sigh of relief.
"You had me scared for a second, Sona-chan."
"I apologize if I'm late."
After taking a shower once she was finished with her morning workout, Xenovia walked downstairs and like them were dressed in her normal clothing. Seeing her caused Jeanne to point her chopsticks in her direction in a bit of a huff.
"Xeno-chan you missed our debriefing with Sona-chan!"
"…I apologize."
Xenovia didn't know how to respond to what Jeanne had told her since her mind was still somewhere else. She silently walked towards the dining room table taking a seat, then after saying a short prayer Xenovia started to eat her breakfast. Everyone else watched her silently with a wondering look on their face since this would be one of the first times that Xenovia would be this silent.
"Well, I think that I should probably get going to school. Lance-kun can you walk me out?"
Even after hearing that from her, Lance could tell that there was something important that she needed to talk with him about.
"Okay."
Getting up from their seats, both Lance and Sona started to walk towards the front door. Even after she opened the door, Sona didn't completely walk outside and just stopped in front of him.
"Lance-kun, do you know what's wrong with Xenovia-san?"
"It started after Yumi used Durandal…so she feels like she inadequate compared to her. She's not even showing her usual spirit much. I'll have to have a talk with her sometime, later on, …it is my responsibility. As a King and since she's my fiancée."
"I see that you don't have a problem with it anymore."
"I had a problem with it since it was sprung up at me out of nowhere, but I don't really have a problem if it's her or any other girl that I care about."
Sona smiled a bit after hearing that from him without much warning, Sona leaned forward pressing her lips against his. Although this kiss lasted for almost a second it was enough for the two of them. Since their date, the two of them had already decided to officially become a couple. After moving away from him, Lance made a slight smile on his face and questioned.
"What was that for?"
"Is there a problem with a girlfriend kissing their man?" Sona questioned back leaving Lance without much room to respond back to her. She walked out the front door and sent a kind smile his direction, one that reminded him of the one that Seekvaira gave him. However, there was no way that he would say that out loud. "Have a nice trip, Lance-kun."
As he stood in front of the open door preparing to close it, he could sense two distinct senses of dark intent being sent in his direction. Lance didn't even need to turn around to tell that it came from both Yumi and Jeanne.
After they finished breakfast, the three only members of Lance's brave saints stood in front of him in preparation for their trip to the Greek Faction. Despite them gaining permission to leave by Sona, there was still the issue of them appearing in school when they weren't actually there. Though, Lance already explained to them that he would be the one who takes care of that.
"Alright, I'm calling them out."
"Who?"
Xenovia questioned with a curious look on her face.
"Just wait and see."
Holding out his hand, a small magic-circle formed on the palm of his hand that gave off a bright light that shone before them. What shot out from them were four streams of lights each possessing all their own color. Red. Green. Blue. Yellow. Almost as if these colors had their own mind as they flow around in the entire room. As their marveled at these colors shining in the air, one of them caused a strong gust of wind that pushed up Jeanne's skirt showing off her underwear.
Seeing this caused his face to become a bit luminous at the sight of them. Each of them was wearing different colored underwear. Noticing his look caused their faces to turn a bit red out of embarrassment.
"Iyah! What's going on?!"
Jeanne called out, as she held down her shirt with both her hands.
"Lance-kun! You pervert!"
"Lance-sama if you wanted to see me undressed, then you could have just asked."
Yumi shouted at Lance as she pulled down her tank top after having her black bra being exposed to him not that she minded much. Xenovia, on the other hand, was the calmest compared to both Jeanne and Yumi. As they all stood there they could silently hear the slight sounds of laughter in the air causing all of them to wonder what it was.
"What was that?"
"No."
But, Lance was the only one who had a clue as to what it was. He looked towards the four light that was currently over his head near the living room ceiling and stared at them with a bit of a stern look.
"That's enough."
That single word from Lance caused the four lights let out was seemed to be a disappointed "Uhhh" as the wind that blew up their clothing vanished. Each of the four lights soon each of them took a physical form as they flew around Lance happily.
"Kiii~"
"Kiiiii~"
The red and green light went towards him first and started to nuzzle his head. Lance who closed one of his eyes let out a slight chuckle.
"I know that I hadn't seen you guys in a while, but I never really have much time anymore."
"Lance-kun are these…?"
Yumi questioned as she looked at the fairy-like creatures who flew around him.
"These are just some of the spirits and fairies that I made a contact with, while I was still staying at the Chivalric Order. As you've just seen they can also be a couple of tricksters, but they can get serious the moment I ask them for a favor."
Lance explained to them as one of the fairies began to nuzzle his cheek affectionately being happy to see their pact partner again after so long. Once they finished, all of them appeared in front of him almost as if they were waiting for an order from him.
"Okay, I need you guys to go to our school and impersonate us."
[Kiiii~!]
All four of them gave out their response in a solder-like fashion complete with them signaling him off before being covered in a bright white light. The collective lights from them were enough to cause them to cover their eyes. Once the light had finally died down what had appeared before they had confused and surprised them.
"Does this suit master's command?"
It was a familiar voice that Jeanne herself had recognized well.
"Th-They look and sound exactly like us!"
Jeanne pointed towards the now human-looking fairy-like entity under a contract with Lance, and she looked like an exact double of her complete with the Kuoh Academy uniform. Jeanne who was curious about how much the lookalike resembled her stood in front of her and examined her. With the fairy disguised as her stared back at her in the same fashion and position. Both continued to do this and it looked almost as if they stood in front of a mirror.
She childishly did a number of motions to the point where it looked like a gag, Jeanne danced, twirled, jumped, etc. with her lookalike doing the same thing. They soon stopped and took a deep breath.
"Hi, my name is Jeanne d'Arc! I wield a sacred gear that makes holy sword and I love dancing!""
Both the real and lookalike spoke at the same time.
"With this, they can do to school as us, while we head to the Greek Faction and take of business."
Lance said with a bit of a chuckle after seeing Jeanne playing with her lookalike.
"Hmm, master do I really look like this over busty blonde?"
"My breast aren't that big?!"
Yumi complained as she glanced towards her lookalike, watching as the fairy started to play with their new chest. The fairy even let out a slight moan from her mouth causing Yumi to stare at her blankly not sure how to feel about a lookalike playing with what appeared to be her body. Similar to her, the fairy who disguised themselves as Xenovia stared at her chest.
"Hmm, it's odd how to this bluenette and blondes move with these things."
The Xenovia lookalike questioned with a curious look on her face.
Xenovia soon stepped in front of her, then started to poke her lookalike's cheek, the sensation of her skin felt so much like hers that it was almost scary.
"Her skin even feels similar to mine."
"Well, the magic you used did make you look exactly like the person your impersonating and they even have some of your memories making it a bit easier for them to be us. Though I will have to inform Ise-kun and the others about this just in…wait where's me?" Lance questioned taking a glance around the room before noticing the lookalike of himself was acting a little odd with their back turned towards him. "Huh? What were you doing?"
Becoming aware of Lance glancing at them, the lookalike tensed up with an embarrassed look on their face. Almost as if they were doing something that
"Nothing master!"
The lookalike of Lance said using his voice before joining up with the others with the same flushed look on their face.
"So, do you guys know what you'll be doing?"
"Yes! We will be acting as the lookalikes of master and his three harem members."
"You know before I would have questioned that, but you're not exactly wrong."
Lance said as he walked over and handed them the lunchboxes that he made for the three of them to eat during the lunch period. This would also act as their payment for this contract and it was different kind of food that matched their tastes.
"Hah! Master's food is always good to eat."
The Jeanne lookalike cooed as they took the bento box off of his hands. Seeing that things had already taken care of Lance started to create a magic-circle meant for teleportation on the floor. While he was doing that the Lance lookalike turned towards the three real girls who stood by and watch, then they walked over towards the three of them.
"Huh? What's wrong? Eh…Lance-kun #2."
Hearing Yumi's voice of concern, the lookalike smiled a bit mischievously and soon waved them in their direction. Answering its signal, the three of them walked towards them out of curiosity. If Lance had this much trust in them as his pact creatures, then they had no reason to distrust them either. Once the three of them made it to the lookalike.
Getting in the range all of three of their ears, the lookalike started to whisper something into their ears with them nodded before a second before―
Both Yumi's and Jeanne's face turned a bright red of red almost as if it wouldn't be weird if steam were to leak from their ears, while Xenovia's cheeks turned a bright shade of red.
"Okay! I the magic-circle…eh, what's wrong with you guys?"
Lance glanced towards them noticing the flushed color that continued to increase by the moment, but they snapped out of it after hearing his call out to them.
[Nothing! There's nothing wrong! Noting happened! We're all perfectly fine!]
All three of them spoke in unison causing Lance to stare at him in both confusion and wonder.
"Riiiight. Well, if you don't want to be left behind come on."
Lance beckoned the three of them to step into the magic-circle with him. Once all of them stepped onto the glowing circle it released a bright light that shined throughout the living room and wrapped around them. The last thing that they all saw was the fairy lookalikes waving their hands at them with a bright smile wrapped around their faces.
Soon enough they made it to their destination, a small Greek shrine meant for teleportation that had a number of stone pillars around them with the faction's symbol under their feet. They looked around taking note of their brand new surroundings and were in owe about it. Around them was a wide number of towns as far as the eye could see with a number of individuals dressed in Greek-styled armor and they carried their own kind of weapon originating from their faction.
"So this is the Greek Faction."
"The atmosphere certainly feels a lot different."
Both Yumi and Xenovia were taking in the scenery. The two of them were obviously enjoying being in a different place and silently being thankful being able to come to a place like this. Lance could already tell that this wasn't the kind of place were any normal humans could get into on their own signifying that there was a powerful barrier wrapped around this whole place.
"I'm already sensing a number of different presences here."
"Lance-kun look over there is that what I think it is?"
Hearing Jeanne's voice, she pointed towards a massive mountain that seemed to go on and one to the point where it goes past the clouds. Neither of them could help but sense a massive presence from that entire mountain. It wasn't anything like killing intent, it was more like they truly stepped into the territory of the gods.
"Yes, that's definitely…."
"Mount Olympus. Home of the Gods of the Greek Faction."
Hearing that voice caused the four of them to jump a bit and turned their backs.
The person who they saw standing behind them. A young man appearing to be somewhere in his mid to early twenties with a handsome face. His eyes were a rare shade of orange and the young man was wearing a large robe that Lance knew was called a chiton. Even without the man needing to move from his spot, he gave off a powerful aura that could only come from a god. The three of them flinched a bit after seeing the man directing his index finger towards one of them in particular. It was Lance.
"I presume that the young man among the young ladies is Lancelot."
"Yes, that is me."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my names Apollon."
The man now named Apollon held his hand out towards Lance with a kind smile on his face.
Someone like Lance have definitely heard that name before. Apollon is one of the many children of the Chief-God Zeus, named after the sun and is a patron god of the arts. It wouldn't be an understatement to say that he was among the highest ranks amongst their religious. Returning his smile, Lance reached his hand out and shook his hand.
"It's an honor to meet you, my name is Lancelot Du Lac." Lance returned his greeting, then started to introduce the others down the row. "This is Xenovia Quatra, my Queen. Yumi Kiba, my Ace. And Jeanne d'Arc, my Two Card."
Hearing their names being called, the three of them bowed their head towards Apollon.
"Why don't I show you around the area?"
Apollon suggested as he began to walk forward outside from the teleport shrine.
The four of them agreed that it would be great for them to scan the area and so they decided to take Apollon on his offer to show them around the area.
Further away from the town, there were a number of individuals humans were standing on a mountain further away in an attempt to avoid being spotted. Amongst them, there was a familiar two-meter tall man who was looking down at the area from his position. Standing next to him was a handsome young man with short black hair and blue eyes. He wore a combination of Japanese school uniform and Ancient Chinese attire. It was Heracles a member of the Hero Faction joined by the leader of the Hero Faction, Cao Cao.
"Oh, it's been a while since I've been here."
"It's a shame that Perseus couldn't come, he was adamant about not coming back here."
Cao Cao added as he held an ornate looking spear in his hand, which gave off a presence that would be deadly to even an Ultimate-Class Devil. It was the strongest and first of the thirteen different kinds of Longinus out there, the True Longinus.
"I was actually surprised that you wanted to join Cao Cao. Why's that? This is just another simple attack on another faction to develop these rookies' sacred gears."
"I simply wanted to take this chance to fight against the Magic Knight."
Cao Cao answered with a slight confident smirk on his face, as he looked down at the area. Just as they continued to look at the area there was another member of the hero faction.
"Cao Cao the anti-monsters are prepared for their assault and Georg is in position to form the barrier."
"That's good, now. Why don't we get little project stated?"
Cao Cao questioned as he turned towards the number of individual hero faction members who stood behind him prepared for a fight. It was obvious that neither of them had any issues with this attack, but it just showed the level of loyalty that they had in their leader.
Still going through their tour of the town, Apollo continued to show Lance, Xenovia, Yumi, and Jeanne around town. While on their tour they had a number of people who glanced in their direction and were gossiped at by of the number of residences. It was quietly questioning how important they were if they were being escorted by one of the main gods of their faction.
"And that covers the food court, the blacksmith, the training area, and some of the living quarters," Apollon said with as he glanced in their direction. "Sorry, but with the time that we have left I don't think that I can give you all detailed tour of the town."
"So, where are were headed to next?"
Lance questioned.
"Towards an odd black skinned monster that a number of senior monster hunters caught as a unit. To tell you the truth, none of them have a clue of what it was. There were even a number of people from that faction of the Khaos Brigade who were captured and questioned, but neither of them held any memories of their time within the Hero Faction."
"Could that have been due to some kind of magic?"
Xenovia questioned as she glanced towards Lance for an answer due to her not being too well into the deeper workings of magic.
"There are a number of spells that can be used to erase a certain portion of someone's memories, but at times there are feeling as if something's missing. If I had to take a guess, then those spells were all placed on the disposable members or those who they figure would be easily broken as a delay if they were ever captured or question. The person who had that spell placed on them was Georg."
Apollon nodded at what he said as if they came to the same conclusion. They soon stopped in front of a large number of senior monster hunters dressed in Greek armor and wielding swords. Seeing Apollon in front of them, all of them slightly bowed their heads.
"Lord Apollon."
"These are the people from the Three Faction and they would like to see it."
"Of course, this way."
Another senior monster hunter had answered as he started to lead the four of them towards the large five-meter tall deep black skinned monster being strapped down by a series of thick metal wires kept down by nails. After seeing this monster firsthand, Lance and the others were confused by what it was.
"We certainly never seen anything like this before."
"I can't say that I'm an expert, but I've definitely never seen a creature such as this before."
As the Yumi and Xenovia continued to speculate about what this creature was, while Jeanne stood in front of it and started to poke it using a holy sword without an edge using her sacred gear. She then had stepped aside after hearing that monster growling at her. Lance stood in front of the monster with a calculating look on his face before holding his hand out.
A dimensional distortion soon occurred, what came out was a unique double-edged knight sword with a gold cross embedded into its blade near its hit connected to a two-handed hilt. This was the demonic war sword, Secace.
"Would you mind stepping aside Jeanne-chan?"
Lance questioned covering Secace a green aura that released an ominous sensation while gripping its hilt. Taking note of what he was prepared to do, Jeanne stepped aside not wanting to get caught up in this attack. Without much hesitation, he cut off a piece of the black monster and―
Nothing happened. It didn't bleed. It didn't scream. And it didn't even budge. No matter how powerful the creature is, each of them felt some kind of pain. Seeing that his conclusion was reached Lance had nodded his head.
"I thought so, this is a monster that was born naturally…it was made using a sacred gear. One of the four high-tier Longinus, the Annihilation Maker."
"I heard that those sacred gears from the Vatican, they're far deadly than the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing. Being able to create monsters like this."
Xenovia replied as she stared at the monster as it wound already started to close.
"A sacred gear that can make monsters. You know sacred gears can be both helpful, but also a bit of a pain."
Another familiar voice could be heard approaching them. Apollon turned towards this person with a bit of a smile forming on his face. It was Percy walking in their direction with all three of his weapons perfectly placed back where they were on his body, but that wasn't all. He was riding on top of
"Oh, Percy did you get the minotaur to its requester?"
"Yea, they were thankful. There are a number of things that someone can use the liver of a minotaur, I went through a lot of trouble catching that one."
"You do great work for a still growing monster hunter."
"You're flattering me, Lord Apollon. Who're the new guests?"
Percy asked after glancing towards Lance, Xenovia, Yumi, and Jeanne.
"This is Lancelot, Xenovia, Yumi, and Jeanne. Lancelot is the one who wanted to walk with you."
"Right? I remember Old-Man Lord Zeus talking to me about that." Percy said as he started to approach them more specifically Lance and held his hand out. "So, Berserker what's up?"
"Nothing much, by the way, I didn't quite catch your last name. Let me is it, Jackson?"
Both Lance and Percy continued to throw snarky remarks at one another, with the four individuals were staring at them with somewhat of a smirk on their face.
"I thought that these two would get along with one another."
Apollon said letting out a bit of a hearty laugh after seeing both Lance and Percy talking with each other with wide smirks on their faces.
"There's another version of Lance-kun out there."
"I don't think that Azazel would like that."
"From what I heard from him, I hadn't read anything from the report."
Both Lance and Percy continued to talking until both stopped.
"Hahaha, I don't remember talking with anyone like without someone trying to kill me."
"There's no one that enjoys a good joke anymore. So, from what I heard this was about that brave saint thing that I heard rumors about made from the Angel's of Heaven."
"Yep, so are you interested?"
"Wouldn't say that I'm not interested, I also can't say that the offer doesn't sound appealing. But, if I have to give an answer then―"
"What?!"
Just before Percy could have an answer to him, an older male's cry caught their attention as the black monster that was immobile started to move again suddenly and started to pull out the nails that kept it secure. There was another cry from a woman after seeing that another number of other black monster started to arrive. Along with the outside arrival of a number of other monsters that arrived in their line of sight.
"Another attack from these creatures?" Apollon questioned as he started. "Alright, everyone get ready for another―"
At the same moment, just as Lance and the others were prepared to listen to his instructions soon enough there was another sudden phenomenon that suddenly came to their attention. A warm slippery feeling enveloped their bodies then Apollon vanished from the area along with most of the people. Leaving a few number of them remaining in the area. Realizing the situation with needing anything else, Lance had crossed both his arms and nodded to himself.
"Well, they got up with the Dimension Lost's Balance Breaker." Lance suddenly said as he took notice of the mist lingering in the area. "It was a smart tactic using the black monster that we all thought was tied down as a distraction to catch Apollon and us off guard, then use Dimension Create to trap up in this little space."
"It seems that there are still a number of monster hunters still around here, but for them to make an almost replica of this place," Percy said after surveying the area noticing that everything seemed to be exactly. "Either they've been scavenging the area for some time, which is impossible unless someone knows of the traps placed around the area. Which only two people could do? Both traitors and people that I'm somewhat related to."
"*Sigh* Alright, Percy I'm guessing that you and around remaining in this area know a number of people still remaining. Could all of you them gathered where we're standing?"
"Sure thing."
"What do you want us to do, Lance-kun?"
"I need can you three scavenge the area to ensure that no one else got trapped in here by mistake, while I scan the area to see if there's any to get up out of here. Then place up a barrier to make sure that we're not surprised attacked again." Lane answered looking towards everyone who was all left in the area. "We don't know when they're going to attack again, so I need everyone to work fast."
[Right.]
Everyone in the area answered and not wanting to waste any time, they started their search of the area for anyone else who was still in the area. Seeing that everyone was gone, Lance soon activated a small magic-circle over his hands after mumbling, "Connecting to Avalon Syntax" to himself. A number of different procedures were being performed by him.
"There's a good chance that I won't be able to summon any fairies or spirits to assist me with this, but I don't think that this would be much trouble."
A number of different equations started to form and encircle the hand where the emblem was located and before long a number of light particles started to come from his body. Each of them started to take the shape of ten small angelic entities made from his magic; at the same moment, his right eye started to shine with a green light.
"Become my "eyes" and scavenge the area for me."
Following the command, the ten entities flew quickly around the area overhead and began examining the area from above the skies. Seeing that was already taken care of Lance turned his focus back to the magic circle that remained in his hand and continued on with his preparation.
Almost three minutes passed before everyone else that remained were gathered around him. From the looks of it, there were a total of at least fifteen adult monster hunters, thirteen monster hunter who did not appear to be any older than Lance, and a small number of stragglers who were all stuck inside of their houses. Seeing that everyone was gathered here, the brown-haired knight started the meeting.
"Okay, I don't know how much time that we have so I'll make this quick," Lance said to them all with a look seriousness on his face. "For those with experience in dealing with monsters, I need for you all to be prepared for a battle. For those without any experience, I have already had a barrier placed around in the food court next to me along with this entire area and don't worry I made it so that not even an attack from a large number of these monsters will be able to break it. Finally, for those who―"
"Are we seriously dealing with this kid?"
Amongst the crowd of those who were senior monster hunters, a man with a gruff voice stepped had in front of him. In terms of both his height and build the man could even remind him a bit of Sairaorg, but Lance could tell that he was far from matching the young Bael in terms of pure power. This man was indeed a far experienced monster so he alone was troubled about him being led around by in his own mind a far "inexperienced" kid who less than his own age.
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there's a problem. We far experienced monster hunters have protected this town for years against a number of threats. So why should any of us follow orders from a kid not even half my age?!"
"How dare you talk to―?!"
Xenovia was prepared to pounce on the man with Durandal if he were to insult Lance like that again, along with Yumi and Jeanne if he were to say something against him again. They were stopped when the brown-haired knight held his hand out stopping them from saying anything else.
"Okay, if you believe that you can do a better job then, by all means, take command," Lance answered the man's question causing him to smile a bit his calm demeanor. "But, I would like to know how you would handle the situation. How many contingency plans have you come up with? How many teams have you led? How would you deal with the number of abilities of the Longinus wielder if they were to arrive? How would you lead the young monster hunters into battle against the small number of black monsters led by the sacred gear possessors?"
As Lance continued to ask question after question like a machine gun, the man himself started to feel like the child that he was attempted to lead. A nervous sweat started to come down from his brow. This situation caused a bit of a smirk the form on the face of Percy who felt a newfound amount of respect for Lance. Not for him berating this adult, but about for how calm he was in this dire situation.
"Okay, okay I get it. I'll leave this to you."
The man said with a wave of his hands, feeling a bit overwhelmed himself of just the idea of the young knight doing all of this beforehand. Lance's expression soon softened as he looked towards everyone in front of him.
"Look, I know that you all don't feel comfortable with someone who you don't even know coming out of nowhere and leading you all into a battle like this. I can promise you all this. I will make sure that neither of you dies in this fight, but I will need your full trust."
Lance said to them all in a calm trusting voice.
Despite not knowing him, those who barely knew him and those who didn't know him felt as if they all could trust him in this situation. They answered him with a single nod of their heads. Seeing that all of them were prepared to trust him completely, Lance decided that it was time for them to begin the plan that he had in mind.
"Alright, here's what I need you all to do. I need everyone who can't fight or don't want to fight to enter the barrier placed around the food court. Jeanne, I need you to go around making holy swords for those around here planning to fight. Then, during the battle, I need for you to enter balance breaker and start attacking monsters from above supporting the monster hunters from above during their battle with the black beasts heading here. Xenovia, Yumi, and Percy, I need you all to lead a group to the areas where the devices that keep this dimension together and destroy them. Before you guys go I need to give you all a communication spell that will allow you guys to talk with each other telepathically instead of out loud to avoid our plans from getting revealed. All you need to do is think of the person you want to talk to and they'll respond."
"Lance-sama, you didn't say what you're doing."
"I'll be guarding the area while dealing with a more difficult opponent than the hundred monsters that are coming this way."
If Lance was saying that there was a person more dangerous than even a hundred black monsters, then they knew that he was being serious. The only question they didn't know was how it was would could this person be to cause Lance to be this cautious. Not wanting them to be caught on this single thought Lance glanced towards them with a serious look.
"Alright, let's get this operation started."
[Right!]
Hearing that from Lance caused the rest of them to shout out with confidence coming out from their bodies. Everyone started to move just as he instructed all of the people who couldn't fight entered the second barrier placed around the food court. After receiving their holy swords from Jeanne, which was in the shape that was more comfortable for them all of them began to head out into battle.
The main force of senior monster hunters started to head out where the black monster was supposed to be heading and led by the sacred gear, demonic, and/or holy weapon wielders within the replica of their town. Since this was indeed just a replica of their town they could fight to their heart's content without worrying about collateral damage.
"Alright, is everyone in position?"
Lance mentally questioned, while walking on the top of one of the building and started to walk until he walked passed the barrier he made. The person who he was talking to with was his blue-haired Queen, Xenovia who was currently leading her own group.
{Yes, Lance-sama. Everyone is position. I'm also leading my group to the first device.}
{That's good, if things go alright, then we can make it home on time.}
{…Lance-sama, when we return could I talk to you about something?}
{Uh, sure. About what?}
Xenovia didn't answer him for a second before speaking with him again.
{It can wait until later.}
That was the last thing that she said before cutting off communication with him. Since he knew that she wouldn't do a thing like that, Lance realized that Xenovia was pushing herself more than she should and that she wanted to focus more on the task at hand. Lance stood stopped both his feet planted on the roof of the building that he was standing on and stood in front of a familiar face.
"I really didn't think that I'd see you here…Cao Cao."
"I was quite surprised when I heard that you and your group were arriving here." It was indeed Cao Cao who held the True Longinus in his hands and resting on his shoulder. "I thought I'd take the chance to fight the Magic Knight before Gil returns and hogs all the fun."
"Who's Gil?"
Lance questioned since this was the first time that he had ever heard that name before.
"I'm sure that you'll meet him eventually since your one of the people who he wants to fight against the most."
"Why're you telling me this?"
"I'm just giving out a warning from one hero-descendant to the other. Gil can be a bit difficult to deal with at times."
"I can't say that I'm not interested in fighting against the True Longinus."
Saying that last part from him, Lance held his hand out and pulled Secace out from its dimensional storage. He reached his hand into his pocket pulling out a coin, then held it in a position on his hand so that he could flip it into the air.
"We start after it hits the ground."
"Interesting, then let's see which one of us gets the first hit."
Lance flipped the coin into the air using his thumb. As it rotated in the air it was almost as if time has slowed between the two of them. A different kind of pressure was released from both of them as their sights were locked on one another. Neither of them showed any kind of hesitation or fear with the area being completely silent. The two of them just wore the same smirk on their face. This wouldn't be a contest of power or strength, but between two technicians masters in the Technique-Type category.
Once the coin finally landed on the roof floor its sound echoed. At the same moment, the two of them vanished without making a single sound or disturbance in the air. The both of them appears before one another almost instantly and started their battle between sword and spear. Cao Cao launched an insane barrage of precise and near impossible to follow stabs using the blade of his spear.
Following the direction of his spear trusts, Lance dodged each of the attacks being launched at him and even deflected a number of them using the edge of his sword. Finding the opportunity he slashed his sword downwards with Cao Cao easily blocking it using his spear with sparks flying in the air. Despite the barrage assault being launched at one another neither of them could find a way to injure the other.
"Just as I thought, you truly are a terrifying prodigy."
"Well, if that isn't the same as the pot calling the kettle black then I don't know what is."
"Though, I have to know. Why aren't you using that sacred gear?" What Cao Cao was referring to was the Avalon Drakon that remained in its standby mode resting in the holster on his leg. Without much effort into figuring it out, he could already tell by examining it was a sacred gear. "Even if you aren't the official wielder, you should still be able to wield it with no issues."
Lance glanced towards him with a wide smirk forming on his face.
"I haven't been using Secace in a while so I think that it's a little antsy," Lance said after spinning around the sword in his hand, before pointing it towards Cao Cao with a green aura covering its blade. "As I'm sure that you know every demon sword has a will of their own, Secace, at first is that of an individual picky about who wields it and turns into a hyperactive child when a good fight comes around. If I don't let Secace fight against the holder of the True Longinus at least once, then my relationship with it may worsen."
"If to say I never looked forward to a fight this much since my last bout with Vali." Cao Cao said with a bit of a hearty laugh pointing his spear at Lance releasing a golden aura that formed a far denser blade of light. "Now, why don't I see if I can find a weakness in the Magic Knight."
"You better relish in finding it, because for me a weakness or flaw in never lasts last long."
With both their feet pressed against the ground, both Lance and Cao Cao; two hero-descendants began to charge at one another in a battle of high-speed attacks.
A/N: And there goes the thirty-third chapter of The Magic Knight, this story showed the introduction of the Greek Faction with a number of things happening. Xenovia still feels a bit insignificant when compared to Yumi, but don't worry she will realize that she's as good as her. We got an official look on Percy doing his job as a monster hunter just before Lancelot and the others arrived. After arriving we all got a look at the god Apollon who acted as their tour guide.
Percy has been introduced, and he is just as much of a smart aleck as Lancelot. It seems that the Hero Faction's reasoning for attacking them is just to develop their members further. A fight between the Hero Faction, the Lancelot Team, and the Monster Hunters has started. Both Lancelot and Cao Cao has started their first bout with one another. I'm pretty sure that you all know who Gil is.
Not much to say about this chapter. So, until next time later.
Lancelot's Harem: Yumi, Jeanne, Irina, Xenovia, Le Fay, Sona, Serafall, Rossweisse, Valarie, Seekvaira, Kuroka, Yuuma, Griselda, Yasaka, Lavinia, Liu Bei, Tiamat, Kiyome.
Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Ravel, Tsubasa, Aika, Isabel, Katase, Murayama, Mira, Kunou, Elmenhilde, Bennia, Reya, Karlamine.
Lancelot's Brave Saints:
King: Lancelot Du Lac
Queen: Xenovia Quarta
Jack: Lint Sellzen
Ten:
Nine: Himari Kirigakure
Eight: Alex Grimm
Seven: Rossweisse
Six: Ariel Light
Five: Chelia Ashker
Four: Percy Mycenae
Three: Yukio Saito
Two: Jeanne d'Arc
Ace: Yumi Kiba
Joker: