Volume II: Unforgiving Kingdom
Chapter XXI: A Short Rest
Location: Throne Room, Castle Vallera
"They're... They're where...?!"
"Happily on their way to the bottom, I'm afraid."
"But... But this can't be...! It can't be! I assigned both Aglovale and Vira onto this! As strong as they are, working together that little group should have been no problem! A-And I even placed a reward as high as I could on their heads so that they would have no allies wherever they went within this kingdom! S-So how...?! How could they be so close to the first floor!?
Following the events that transpired on the fifth floor moments ago, Ragna, Monika, and the others were now on their way to the first floor of the kingdom of Goldenia, having left Alexiel, Aglovale, and Vira behind. Their successes were being observed without their knowledge, by the mysterious woman who appears to be commanding Freesia to capture Ragna for whatever plans she has for him. As she saw how close they were to escaping the woman thought to contact Freesia to inform her of how her allies and plans have all failed her, much to the dismay of the new Queen of Goldenia, who trembled on her throne with fear as she heard the woman's voice speak to her.
"It appears that one after another, all of your little schemes and plans have failed." the woman said to Freesia, her voice echoing throughout the empty throne room. "Such a shame... I trusted you to handle this and yet..."
"P-Please, your Excellency! Don't lose hope in me!" Freesia pleaded. "I-I'll figure something out! I'll-"
"You'll what...? Freesia?"
Freesia was shaking and whimpering on her throne as a purple mist swirled in front of her, a silhouette of the woman appearing out from it.
"We've known each other for such a short time." She continued. "And even so, just look at what I did for you. This power, this position. You and I both know that this is all because you had my assistance." The woman puts a hand on her cheek as she had a disappointed frown showing on her face. "And yet still, all I asked was for one thing and return and you can't even seem to do that. It appears I made a mistake. You might just be useless to me after all."
Freesia wanted to say something in response to defend herself, but she was too frightened to muster up the courage to say a word. The woman paced around the room in front of Freesia as she thought out loud.
"Now what to do with a useless girl like you, I wonder..." she said to herself, scaring Freesia even more. "The easiest thing for me to do would be for me to just outright kill you, right here and now, then be on my merry way. I'll be able to find a way to obtain Ragna on my own, and you'll be out of my hair." The woman folds her arms and giggled. "Or if I wanted to be funny, I could start forwarding suspicions towards you. If I play my cards right, everyone would soon know that you're the one who killed the former king.
"No! Please!" Freesia pleads while stepping down from her throne.
"But then again, I don't know I feel like putting in that much effort into doing something like that... It'd be must easier for some of my... associates to find their way into the kingdom and do whatever they please with you. I believe you're aware of how... violent some of them can be?" Freesia went wide eyed as she had an idea of who the woman could be referring to. "One can only imagine just what they would do to you if I left them to their own devices... isn't that right?"
The woman turned around to face Freesia and saw the Queen of Goldenia on her knees, bowing before her while shaking very nervously, knowing just how much trouble she's in if she can't get another chance.
"P... Please..." Freesia begged timidly, at a low volume. "D-Don't... abandon me... I-I'll get r-results for you... I swear it..."
"Do you now?"
The woman giggled, walking over to Freesia. She bent over and lifted up the Queen's head using her finger, so that Freesia was looking at her. This revealed not only the scared look on Freesia's face, but also the tears strolling down her cheeks. Knowing what will happen if she fails had scared the Queen of Goldenia to the point of crying. Freesia continued to shake and whimper as she stared at the woman's face.
"I-I-I swear..." Freesia spake softly, trying to stop herself from crying to no effect. "I w-will please you... S-Spare me..."
Tears started flowing even more from Freesia's face as the woman took her finger off of her chin, leaving Freesia to collapse back to the ground where she could be hears sobbing and breathing heavily out of complete fear. The woman folded her arms and thought for a moment as she continued to stare down at Freesia. She then smirked and straightened back up.
"Very well." She answered. "It appears that your tears have moved me. Normally I would've done away with someone like you by now, but there's something about you that intrigues me. It makes me want to watch whether you'll succeed or fail. And I think I would like to watch the show unfold one more time..."
"You... You're going t-to... spare me...?" Freesia asked, slowly looking up.
"This will be your final chance, Freesia my darling. So don't disappoint me."
"Th... Thank you, Your Excellency! Th-Thank you!"
The woman's silhouette started to disappear without saying a word as Freesia remained on the ground. As the woman was gone, Freesia couldn't help but still be afraid as she stood up, her legs shaking furiously. She knew that nothing good awaited her if Ragna and the others manage to escape.
"One last chance..." she said to herself. "Nobody is going to stop me... Nobody... Nobody will take this all away from me! I cannot afford to die here!"
Location: Somewhere between the 5th Floor and the 1st Floor of Goldenia
Returning to the main group, the four fighters were enjoying a much needed break after all of the fighting with Goldenia's army they had been doing. Monika was currently tending to Ragna's injuries as the man was still unconscious after what happened during his fight with Alexiel. Grena had her arms folded and was leaning on her motorcycle, spinning one of her chains around with her index finger. Feena was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, holding Goblin Mage in her arms as the little girl was currently asleep.
"Well... all of you seem quite relaxed considering... well, you know..." Wiz responded, still controlling the lift.
"Surprised?" Grena asked. "It's been nothing but action for us every moment since we left the twelfth floor. I'm one for action and fighting and stuff like that but come on, even I could use a nice break now and then."
"Not to mention..." Monika chimed in, with Ragna's head propped up on her lap. "Even if you and Goblin Mage couldn't see it, I'm sure you had to hear Alexiel's screams at least. Whatever Ragna did to make her act like that also took a lot out of him. He's still alive, but he needs a lot of rest."
"He'll have plenty of time to get that rest, I'm sure of that." Feena said with a smile. "We've overcome three Prime Ministers coming after us all at once. Who else in Goldenia is left to try and stop us?"
Just as Feena finished talking, the lift had started shaking once again due to the earthquakes affecting the lower floors.
"These earthquakes are the only thing left in our way." Monika sighed. "So please don't tempt the Gods into making them a huge obstacle for us, Feena."
Feena chuckled slightly as she rubbed the back of her head. "Hehe... Sorry."
At that moment another earthquake could be felt.
"Well one thing's for sure." Grena commented. "We're definitely getting closer to the bottom."
"Yeah, that's some good news for you." Wiz replied.
"Speaking of getting closer to the bottom, where should we go from there?" Monika asked the group. "Ragna needs to rest before we can think about leaving Goldenia, but its not like we can just sit out in the open. After all we're still wanted criminals."
"Oh yeah!" Feena perked up. "We can always stay at my place. Goblin Mage and I live down here."
"All the way down in the first floor?!"
"I had a feeling you lived on a lower floor than where we met, but you're telling me that you two suffer these damn earthquakes every day?" Grena asked. "How the hell does your house not fall to pieces all around you?"
"Well it kinda does..." Feena sweatdropped. "But the two of us do our best to keep it from falling apart completely. That house has been where we lived ever since we first came to Goldenia. I guess you could say it's like... well... something special to the two of us."
"I'm... sure there's got to be more... sturdier places for us to leave the guy at, no offense."
"Where would that be? People are bound to recognize him if we head anywhere like that."
"People are gonna recognize us regardless."
"Feena does have a point." Monika cut in. "Judging by what Feena's told us, I can only assume that her house would have to be an abandoned area that's away from most others on the first floor. And when we were both in the Imperial Army I recall one of the first things that I found out from my former subordinate is that when she came here she was, and I quote, 'flat broke'."
"You don't have to say all that..." Feena whined as Grena snickered.
"Granted it's not the ideal hiding spot that we can hope for. But going off of the assumption that everything I just said is correct, that would be an excellent temporary hiding spot. Even if the Imperial Army does follow us down here, if we hide there then we'll have time to properly plan an escape route without worrying about a civilian reporting us."
"Alright, I guess that's a valid argument." Grena admits.
"I'm glad to hear you've all made up your mind." Wiz said. "Because we'll be at the first floor in about another minute or two."
"Thank you again for all of your help." Monika replied. "I don't think any of us would have been able to get this lift to work without your help."
"Oh, uh, no need to thank me! The unwanted have to stick together don't we?"
"I suppose you're right about that. If the five of us had come out here on our own, we wouldn't have survived after all."
"Guess I can't fly solo all the time, huh?" Grena chuckled.
"I... guess not." Feena said.
"So. Who's carrying the big guy?"
"I can help with that." Monika answered.
"You? You'd just be dragging him along the ground with how short you are."
"Excuse me?!"
Grena and the others laughed as Monika pouted after Grena's short jokes.
"Relax I'm just joking with ya, Monika." Grena snickered. "Let Feena and I do it. We're closer to his height. You watch after Goblin Mage, alright?"
"Fiiine." Monika sighed, looking away from Grena. "But stop treating like a kid." she then grumbled afterwards.
As if to joke around even more Grena patted Monika on the head, making the girl growl angrily at her as she smacked Grena's hand away.
Location: 5th Floor, Goldenia
Meanwhile at this time, Aglovale could be found walking through the streets of the fifth floor in search of Alexiel after she ran off a moment ago. Other imperial soldiers were either searching the area as well or keeping the civilians from interfering or approaching the Prime Minister as they did not need anymore unwanted trouble.
"Where could she have gone to...?" He thought silently to himself. "I know I saw her take off in this direction, but where could she be?"
"Sir! We've found her!" One of the soldiers called out as they approached Aglovale.
"Where is she? Is she alright?"
The soldier guided Aglovale in the direction of where they found their target. Walking over to an alleyway that is where Aglovale found Alexiel sitting down on her knees, staring at the ground below her. Not even a sudden earthquake was enough to make Alexiel move after what just happened. Aglovale directed his soldiers to stand outside of the alleyway as he walked in to check on Alexiel. As he walked towards her, the redhead made no moves as the sound of his footsteps filled the air around her. Seeing Alexiel still hadn't made a move as he was now right behind her, Aglovale took a knee and reached his hand out towards Alexiel's shoulder.
"What do you want...?"
Aglovale stopped as Alexiel gave him a near inaudible answer.
"Alexiel, are you alright?" Aglovale asked, trying to get her to have a conversation.
"What do you think?" Alexiel responded, this time a bit louder.
"I'm... sorry, I didn't catch that-"
"I said what do you think?!"
Alexiel turned around and faced Aglovale, revealing by the look on her face that she had been crying quite a lot ever since she ran off. Her hands were clenched into fists and were shaking as if she was ready to punch Aglovale for him just being there.
"I have been beaten down... humiliated... embarrassed... defeated... by the one thing that I devoted myself to hunting! I stood no chance against him! I couldn't defeat him! And then..." Alexiel started to tear up again as she slammed her fists into the ground, coincidentally at the same time as another earthquake. "AND THEN I RAN AWAY! How do you think I feel Aglovale?! I ran away from the one thing that I hate! From the one thing that I strive to kill! I ran away from the demon that took everything from me! How can I be alright?! HOW?!"
"Alexiel, I..." Aglovale looked away as he spoke. "I don't know what to say... Is that one man that important for you to kill?"
"You can't possibly understand how important it is that he dies by my hands. It's not just because he's another demon. When I saw that red soul of his I knew that he was indeed another demon, but... There's something else about him... Something that makes me despise him with every fiber of my body!"
"What is it?"
"He's the demonic entity known as the Grim Reaper, the same one that you've all heard about. That's where my grudge lies. I'd recognize it's energy anywhere... I always knew it from the moment I first met him, and that last attack he used on me only helped me confirm it any further. I haven't felt fear like in a long time... not since the first time I was up against the Grim Reaper... Not since then... Not since..."
Aglovale helped Alexiel back up to her feet as the redhead was constantly wiping her tears.
"If I may ask Alexiel..." Aglovale started to ask. "What is your relationship with the Grim Reaper?"
"..." Alexiel remained silent as she stared at the ground.
"...If this is something you would rather not discuss-"
"No... I'll tell you." Alexiel clenched her fist as her tears had finally stopped flowing. "This goes back to a long time ago. Long before I even joined the Imperial Army, or came to Goldenia for that matter. Back then, I served under Her Holiness, the Goddess Gabriel. Ever since she saved me since I was a little girl, I served her with all my heart and soul." Alexiel held her right fist close to her. "These powers, this body. It's all because of her. I eventually became part of her group of elite soldiers, all of us were people who she took in out of the kindness of her heart. We were named the 7 Warriors of Gabriel, a name we all came up with ourselves." She chuckled slightly at light before her smile quickly faded away.
"I see... So... Something happened to this group I assume."
Alexiel nodded. "One of Her Holiness Gabriel's temples on land were attacked by hordes upon hordes of demons. The seven of us went to take care of them. This was my first battle."
"Your first battle was something this major?!"
"I hadn't seen real combat before then. Her Holiness Gabriel helped to train me up. I often sparred with my teammates, which usually resulted in me getting my own ass handed to me over and over. But I never actually got to fight a demon, mainly because at the time the realm had been so quiet up till then. I was so anxious to go out into battle no matter how dangerous it was, no matter if it was my first time. I just had to go." Alexiel slammed her fist into the wall next to her. "I couldn't just keep sitting back and watching after all they've done for me! So they took me with them. It didn't seem like it would be too bad at first... But then..."
"Is this where the Grim Reaper made its appearance."
"It was... and... and it's all my fault!"
Alexiel started sobbing once again as she started to collapse, Aglovale catching her before she could hit the ground.
"What happened? Surely you can't blame it all on yourself Alexiel!"
"Why wouldn't I?! If it wasn't for me, they could have all survived! But they didn't! And it's all because my inexperienced, selfish ass had to follow them! Everything was fine, everything was alright until the Grim Reaper showed up! I took one look at that demon and... And I froze. I was afraid. I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything when I stared at him. I couldn't even look away. Everyone had no choice but to worry about me because we were all a team! And then... And then all of them... I watched all of them die... Every last one of my team... Slain... their souls taken from them... And he left me alive..."
"Why would-"
"Because I was weak! It mocked me... it laughed at me... It knew that even if it turned around and went on it's merry way, I wouldn't pick up my sword and try to kill it! It knew I was a coward! Even after all of that Her Holiness still had no animosity towards me. She told me not to pursue after it in vengeance but I did so anyway... Even all the way here. I've disobeyed her... I've abandoned her... And yet still she believes in me... Why me?! Why believe in a coward like me!? Somebody who can't even protect those that were closest to her?! Why?!"
Aglovale didn't know what to say as Alexiel continued on.
"I swore to myself... I swore that I would kill the Grim Reaper even if it costs me my own life! I devoted myself to getting stronger so that I could accomplish this! Even though it's original self was killed by some unknown entity I never stopped training because I knew it would reincarnate! And it's power... it's soul has reincarnated into that of the man we've been chasing! Now do you understand?! This is why he's my fight and my fight alone! This is why I can't rest until I kill him! This is why... This is why I ran... It was the same face I saw back then..." Alexiel's arms dropped to her side as she let out a small, dry laugh. "Even all these years later, I'm still that same weak, hopeless cowards I was back then, aren't I Aglovale?"
Aglovale didn't know what to say at first as the redhead started to stand back up straight.
"It's a lot to take in isn't it?" Alexiel asked while chuckling.
"...Does this mean you've given up?" He asked her in response.
"Huh?"
"I know what happened back there was... quite a scare for you. But does this mean that you've given up on this?"
"I..."
"I know that deep down you still want to keep going don't you? You want to do this so that you can feel like you've redeemed yourself and so that your friends can rest in peace, correct? Then you can't stop here. You have to keep your head high, so that you won't give up. No matter how many times you've fallen, you have to keep getting back up and trying again. I know that there isn't much I can say to ease your pain. But I can still try and give you the courage to keep going."
"I know, but..."
"But is right. But you can't win this alone, you know this. You have to let us help you. You have to stop trying to do everything by yourself. You need us, and you know this. We'll be there to support you, I promise."
"Aglovale..." Alexiel smacked herself on both cheeks as she started to regain her serious composure. "You're absolutely right. My carelessness... That isn't going to help me get my revenge... I need your help... I need the help of all my allies. Will you help me?"
"I just said I would be there to support you, didn't I?"
Alexiel smiled. "Thank you."
"Shall we head after them?"
"No. We won't. We'll head up to the castle for now. I need a plan if I want to win this. And I'll need all the help I can get. Even if it means going back to Her Highness and begging her to allow me to become a Prime Minister again."
Aglovale nodded as the two left the alleyway, Aglovale commanding his soldier to follow after him as they were making their way to the lifts.
Location: Imperial Dungeon, 17th Floor, Goldenia
On the seventeenth floor of Goldenia lies the Imperial Dungeon and Prison all in one. Being held so close to the top floor was to keep prisoners from easily escaping. Many criminals and mercenaries were locked away in here, one of them in particular being none other than Predator. After being apprehended by Chat Noir and given over to the Mercenary Guild, she was arrested for her wanted poster that Chat Noir had shown her, and imprisoned. The woman could be found without her claws and mask while sitting alone inside of her cell. She suddenly looks up upon hearing footsteps heading directly for her cell. Due to the prison being dark she couldn't see who it was that was now standing in front of her cell.
"What do you want with me now?" Predator asked, believing it to be one of the guards. "I don't have anything else to-?!"
Predator suddenly stood up in surprise as the figure stepped closer, revealing that the person she just called out to was Freesia.
"Your Highness?!" Predator said in surprise. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't expect you to visit me."
"Predator, correct?" Freesia asked, in which Predator nodded. "Come with me."
"Excuse me?"
Soon a guard came up behind Freesia and unlocked Predator's cell.
"I have a mission that I would like you to help with... No, a mission that I need you to help with. Your skills and stealth are too good for you to be wasting around in a prison cell. Therefore, they are suited much better to serving my needs." Freesia turned around and started to walk out of the prison. "Now come along. Your weapons along with your mask shall be returned to you once we leave the prison."
Predator was confused by the sudden release, but at the same time she didn't wish to disobey an order from the Queen herself. She quickly ran after Freesia as she left the prison, the guard closing Predator's former cell as they left.
Location: 1st Floor, Goldenia
"Alright! We're here-W-Whoa!"
Soon, the group's lift had finally reach the fist floor of Goldenia. Feena cheered as they reach the floor, only to be interrupted by another earthquake shaking the group around.
"Ugh. Stupid earthquakes." Feena groaned.
"I thought you were used to them." Grena said.
"I am. But that doesn't mean that they can't sneak up on me every now and then."
"Well I guess this is the end of our journey together." Wiz said as the group started to get off of the lift.
"You'd best get back up to the guild as soon as possible." Grena replied. "Even though you weren't with us fighting, you'll get in a lot of trouble if somebody were to catch you, especially on a lift that formerly wasn't set to move."
"Don't you worry about me. I can take care of myself just fine!"
"You do that then." Grena threw one of Ragna's arms around her shoulders. "Yo, Feena. Come on, help a girl help this guy out."
"Oh, right." Feena said, getting up and handing Goblin Mage to Monika. "I gotcha!"
"Monika, " Grena said to the girl. "Could ya grab my motorbike while you're at it will you?"
Monika only grumbled as she walked out ahead of the rest of them, the sleeping Goblin Mage sitting on the motorcycle as she pushed it out. Feena and Grena both threw Ragna's arms around them as they lifted the man up, and started to walk off the lift as well. As the group left the lift, Wiz began to move the lift back upwards as he headed for the Mercenary's Guild once again. Feena guided the group in the direction of where the house she and Goblin Mage stayed at was in, doing their best to avoid people despite being a big group.
While they walked around, Monika took the time to also observe the floor around them. The difference in comparison to the eleventh floor where her home was, the first floor looked as if nobody even bothers to take care of this place. In several places there were abandoned buildings worse than those that the dealt with on the twelfth floor. The place where you could see the majority of people interacting and living wasn't anything to brag about either. It looked just as bad as the abandoned areas.
"I never realized that the first floor was THIS bad." Monika said.
"It's been like this for years, even before I showed up." Feena replied, looking back at Monika. "It surprised me too when we first came here. I used to hear all kinds of stories about how Goldenia was this great place for everybody who lived there. From its bottom floor all the way to the castle." Feena then looked down. "Either those stories were lies, or I missed out on one hell of a golden age."
Another earthquake occurred, forcing the group to momentarily stop and try to keep their balance. During this, Monika just took a moment to think about what Feena told her.
"I say blame the royal family for all this shit that happened to the lower floors." Grena commented. "From what I understand, the previous monarchs before that new one took over weren't doing the lower floors any favors. They just forget about these places and leave the poor to be poor and the rich to be rich."
"I... never knew that." Monika responded.
"Don't worry about it." Feena replies. "You get used to living down here after a while. Eventually it doesn't bother you." She gestures to the right of the group. "Just look at everyone over there."
Monika turned her head to the right where the more populated areas of the first floor was. Despite the poor conditions of everything, the majority of people didn't seem to be bothered by it. Everyone was living their lives just as normally as you would find a normal person living on any of the above floors. What's more, unlike what Monika sees from the people on the upper floors, nearly everyone seemed to get along just fine.
"They all seem so cheerful." Monika said. "Hey Feena... Do you know anyone down here?"
"Huh? Oh yeah." Feena answered. "When you're down in the lower floors you eventually get to know the folks down here, if you walk around enough. Goblin Mage doesn't know anyone though. I wouldn't risk letting people catch her."
Feena was interrupted as another earthquake shook the floor, nearly knocking down the group and also waking up Goblin Mage as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Walking is gonna take us too long if we've gotta deal with these earthquakes." Grena groaned. "Monika take Goblin Mage and you walk. Feena, Ragna and I are driving our way there."
"Seriously!?" Monika complained.
"You really wanna drive a motorcycle with these earthquakes!?" Feena asked in a worried tone.
"Just tell me which direction I need to head in." Grena answered, pushing the unconscious Ragna onto Feena as she walked over to her motorcycle. "I'll get us there before the next earthquake." Grena lifted up the barely awake Goblin Mage and put her in Monika's arms before hopping on her bike. "Now get on."
"Well... If you say so."
"Hey wait a damn minute!" Monika yells at Grena. "What the hell?! Why do I have to be the one to walk?!"
"This bike's barely big enough for the three of us." Grena answered as Feena got on while carrying Ragna. "It's gonna be a wild ride trying to get there quick without these two falling off."
"Wait, what?!" Feena spoke up.
Another earthquake occurred and Grena started revving up her motorbike as soon as it ended.
"That's my cue!" Grena exclaimed. "Later!"
Without another word, Grena took off on her motorcycle, Feena holding onto her and Ragna at the same time while trying to guide Grena where to go. Monika just sighed as Goblin Mage hopped out of her arms.
"Ms. Monika?" She asked, getting Monika's attention. "Where are they headed?"
"Yours' and Feena's place." Monika answered. "Speaking of which, you wouldn't happen to be able to guide me there would you?"
"I can do that."
"Oh thank the Gods."
Goblin Mage and Monika walked after Grena and the others speeding towards Feena's and Goblin Mage's home on her motorcycle.
"Hey, Goblin Mage?" Monika started to ask. "What's living down here been like for you?"
"It's been pretty fun!" Goblin Mage answered with a smile. "Even if it's just the two of us Feena and I have always been able to keep the mood around lively and fun because I have to stay in the house all the time."
"She really is protective over you isn't she?"
"Mhm. Actually I didn't want to leave at first-" Goblin Mage gets distracted as the two walked past something shiny sticking out of the ground. "Ooh..."
"Goblin Mage? Goblin Mage!"
"Hm? Oh, sorry."
Monika picked up the shiny object, revealing it to be a simple silver coin.
"I guess someone dropped this." Monika said, handing to Goblin Mage. "But anyways, as you were saying?"
"Oh, right." Goblin Mage put the coin away inside of her dress. "I didn't wanna leave the house at first because I knew it might make Feena mad if I came out. She's really afraid of someone dangerous here finding out that I'm a goblin."
"For someone who misunderstood friendship, it's a surprise to me how much you mean to Feena."
"Even then, she always said that I was someone important to her and someone she cared about." Goblin Mage stretched her arms. "But she still didn't understand that I was her best friend. I think now she's finally starting to understand."
"You do?"
"Yeah. She's changed ever since she's met you and the others." Goblin Mage smiles brightly. "You guys are the friends she needs."
"We are huh...?"
Soon another earthquake occurred as Goblin Mage and Monika fell by the sudden surprise.
"Aww man. The ground hasn't knocked me down in a while." Goblin Mage pouted.
"Dammit, I scrapped my knee..." Monika sighed. "I wonder if Grena made it to the house already."
Around The Same Time. . .
"G-Grena slow down! You're gonna miss where I said to-"
"Relax! I got this! Hang on!"
With the others, Feena was hanging on for dear life as she was trying to keep herself and Ragna on Grena's motorcycle as the bike's owner in question was... quite a reckless driver. Feena had given Grena a certain place to turn at, which seemed impossible to do at Grena's high speeds. Though the chained mercenary still managed to accomplish this by drifting straight into the turn, Feena's loud whimpering could be heard behind her as she straightened out.
"Could you at least slow down a little?!" Feena exclaimed. "You're g-gonna throw us both off at this rate!"
"Nonsense!" Grena responded. "How else are we supposed to make it there in time?!"
The motorcycle suddenly started to wheelie as Grena sped up even more, much to Feena's dismay. Nonetheless, she continued to give directions to the motorbike's driver as quickly as she could due to Grena not slowing down. Soon, they were finally in a straight shot towards Feena's home.
"It's just up ahead! You can stop now!"
"No need to waste time walking am I right?! I'll get us up close and personal into the house then I'll stop!"
"I'd prefer if you didn't crash into the house!"
"Who said I would crash?!"
Grena suddenly started drifting on her bike once again as the right side of it was pointed at Feena's home. However, just as they were about to reach the house, an earthquake suddenly happened. Grena's drift got messed up as her motorcycle started shaking before spinning around and eventually flipping over, throwing off the three as they crashed right in front of the house. Grena crashed bottom first into the ground below while fell flat on her face, Ragna's body landing directly on top of her causing her to wheeze in pain. Grena's motorcycle finally crashed right in front of them.
"Agh... Ugh... God... Dammit..." Grena groaned as she brought herself up to her knees.
"I told you..." Feena groaned as well. "We should've stopped..." Feena tried to move Ragna off of her. "Ugh, how the hell can he stay out through all of that."
"Yeah yeah, rub it in... Why don't you rub it in asshole...? At least I didn't hit the- Ah what the hell?!"
Grena looked up and had an angry and surprised look on her face. The front wheel of her bike was missing after it crashed.
"My front tire!" She exclaimed while getting up to her feet. "Goddammit, my front tire's gone!"
"Can you at least get him off of me before you worry about that...?"
Grena helped pull Ragna off of Feena so that the crossbow-wielding mercenary could get back to her feet. Feena groaned as she stretched, he hands on her hips as she bend backwards. Grena stepped inside of the house for a moment so that she could sit Ragna down somewhere.
"Damn, it's much worse in here than I thought." Grena said as she looked around.
"Yeah, I know." Feena replied. "But it's home to us."
Grena laid eyes on an old couch. Walking over to it she laid the man down there before heading back outside where Feena finished stretching.
"Man, I gotta admit. This place is sturdy as hell if it can take earthquakes like-" Grena shakes her head. "Wait a minute why am I standing here complimenting that house of yours?! Ugh, dammit! Where did that tire get off to?!"
"Calm down will you?" Feena asked, turning to face Grena. "I'm sure it'll turn up. Can't have gone that far."
"I'm sorry to interrupt you two ladies, but..."
"Huh?!"
Grena and Feena looked ahead of them upon hearing someone else's voice speak to them, and it was obviously not Monika's or Goblin Mage's. Looking ahead, they laid eyes on a young man with blonde hair standing in front of them. He was noticeably taller than the two girls and was wearing a brown shirt and dark red pants and jacket with a long lighter colored red torn cape hanging around his neck all the way to his legs. He had a long sword at the side of his waist that also had part of a red cape around it and a small dagger as well. Over his hands he was wearing dark metal gloves that were nearly the same color as his shirt, which also applied to his belt, boots, and the straps keeping his cape on. In his hands he was holding up the missing tire from Grena's motorcycle.
"Does this belong to you?" He asked the two of them politely.
Location: Castle Vallera, 18th Floor, Goldenia
Meanwhile, on the highest floor of Goldenia, Freesia had been hard at work. Ever since she had been given this last chance by the woman who has her on a leash, she was desperate to capture Ragna for her. She's stepped up herself and started to formulate her own plan in order to catch him despite his group already being on the first floor. Ever since she last met with the woman, Freesia had left the castle and gathered up several people in order to help her with this plan. Predator, a former assassin that had gone after Ragna and the group due to their bounty. Iska, Aglovale's retainer who had been resting after she had been badly beaten by one of Grena's attacks. Juri, Jick, and Harper, the three soldiers who had been pursuing them for a while and had been defeated twice. Prime Minister Vira was also among them that were there. After being knocked out by Grena's motorcycle attack, she had been brought back to the castle in order to properly recover, to which she has been doing so.
"Your Highness, if I may ask.." Vira spoke out. "Why have you gathered all of us up here?"
"I figured you would want every hand you can get out searching, wouldn't you?" Jick also questioned.
"You said you needed me for a special mission, correct?" Predator also asked, now having her mask and claws returned to her.
"That's correct Predator." Freesia answered. "Everyone as I'm sure you're aware, our efforts to catch these criminals have been... far from successful. That is why you have all been gathered here. If we want to stop them before they can escape from Goldenia, we will need to think hard and fast so that we can formulate a plan. Therefore, I need to know everything that we've learned about them. Anything that you can tell me will be helpful as of now."
"For starters, they have more connections than just the group of four that you know about." Predator begins to respond. "The Phantom Thief Chat Noir is associated with them I believe."
"Upon seeing the Crimson Chain, Grena, I would believe that they must have some affiliation to the Mercenary's Guild." Iska also speaks out. "If so, then there's also the chance that we can finally arrest that band of criminals." She sighs. "I'm glad I quit being a mercenary."
"Unfortunately it looks like the others already know everything that we can tell you."" Harper said in a disappointed tone. "I'm sorry but there's nothing new to report on our end."
Though as Harper said that, Juri looked away from the rest of the group.
"They're right." he thought to himself. "Grena is indeed with the three of them now. But... if she's with them then that also means that the young girl that was with her that day must also be travelling with them as well. She's just a child... But if I told them about her, then they'd obviously use her against them as well. She's too young to be caught up in some grand scheme like this. It's not right."
"Oh? Juri?" Vira said, getting the boy's attention. "What's with that look on your face? Something you wish to say?"
"Uh-No ma'am! Nothing at all. Predator and Iska have already told you what I know as well."
"I see. Then I shall speak next. When I caught up with them on the seventh floor I noticed that alongside them there were two others that I haven't seen before. One of them was obviously a mercenary and I observed that he was the one tampering with the lift. The other one was a little girl in a green cloak with a staff." As Vira said that, Juri did his best not to show any noticeable reaction. "I don't believe she's any mercenary but she is definitely connected to them as well."
"I see." Freesia responded, clenching her fist. "So they're now a group of five, possible six. They could have the backing of the entire Mercenary's Guild, and one of the most famous criminals in Goldenia is an associate of theirs... It's no wonder they continue to slip through my grasp." The Queen looked away from the rest of the group. "Even me declaring them all criminals before the entire kingdom was useless if they've gathered this many allies to help them. How could this be?"
"It is most likely that the guild had no care for what you announced." Iska spoke up again. "If anything, they have respect for criminals such as them. Furthermore, with the Crimson Chain on their side, it is most likely that she played a role in gaining them this help as well. I doubt the three of them could accomplish such things without her aid."
"Blast it...! Damn those mercenaries...!"
"Where are Aglovale and Alexiel?" Vira asked. "Did they not return Your Highness?"
"They have in fact not. They did not arrive at any time before all of you and I haven't heard from them either."
"You called?"
At that moment, looking behind them everyone saw Aglovale and Alexiel walking up to them.
"And just where have you two been?" Freesia asked.
"Our apologies, Your Highness." Aglovale answered.
"We continued to pursue the demon and his allies after they got past Vira, but they escaped our grasp as well." Alexiel replied.
"At least you're here now." Vira said. "Now, you can help us actually formulate a plan to catch them. What we know so far is that there's at least five of them, the descriptions of each of them, and that they are most likely on the first floor as we speak. We'll have to act fast if we want to catch them."
"We'll have a little more time than you think. Before we lost to them, I managed to at least fight the demon to exhaustion. He collapsed sometime after he bested me. It was then that they escaped with him. If they are on the first floor then they'll most likely wait for him to awaken again before they leave Goldenia. I don't know how long he'll be out, but I'm positive he hasn't recovered fully yet."
"Either way that means we still need to hurry and formulate a plan." Jick stated. "Do either of you have any ideas, Prime Ministers?"
"We do, actually."
"Oh?" Freesia walked over to the two. "Pray tell, what is your plan?"
"It is only a temporarily solution, but this will at least keep them off of the floor for a little while so that we can come up with a full proof one." Aglovale looked behind him. "I believe it is your turn to speak out now."
Aglovale steps to the side to reveal somebody else behind him. Standing behind the Prime Minister was a young girl with yellow eyes and long, blonde hair. She was quite a curvaceous woman who was wearing a green, black and white uniform that stretched down to only her hips, leaving her thighs exposed and had a small opening at the bottom of her chest area of the uniform. Though there was a black piece at the bottom of the uniform that covered her behind. She has silver armbands and boots that stretched up to past her knees and had straps on them that connected to the rest of her uniform. She also wore a black satchel that was attached to the side of her uniform by a strap. She had a small black hat and had a silver and black staff with a long tip and a green gem in the middle of it.
The girl stood at attention with her staff behind her back in both hands as Aglovale moved out of the way. It was quite easy to tell that she was a bit nervous due to being in front of the Prime Ministers and the Queen herself.
"Hold on a moment..." Vira said as she walked over to the girl. She then blinked in surprise. "Don't I know you?"
"Mona! Vice Captain Mona, ma'am!" The girl answered with a salute. "Former member of Goldenia's Sky Knights, but still a member of the Imperial Army!"
Both Freesia and Vira were surprised when Mona introduced herself.
"Wait... the Sky Knights- I remember you!" Freesia responded. "You all served as His Late Highness' father's personal guards correct?"
"Yes ma'am! I-I mean yes, Your Highness!"
"Ah, that's right." Vira said. "You all were disbanded the same day as his death, as well as two of you were lost. I'm quite surprised to see that you're still serving in the Imperial Army." Vira tapped her chin. "Didn't you former commander leave after this?"
"W-Well-"
"All the blame for what happened that day fell on him, and he requested to resign after we forced the Sky Knights to disband." Alexiel answered for Mona.
"Uh- Yeah! Yes, that's right!" Mona also said. "Me and my older sister are the only ones still in the Imperial Army after that day, Your Highness!"
"Not to try and change the subject, but if I may interject." Iska butted in. "My liege has brought you here for a reason, yes? What do you know that can help us out with our current situation?"
"My older sister, Mina! She's already pursuing the targets that you're all after! She' should already be down on the first floor as we speak, ma'am."
"We've decided on a temporary solution now that I'm aware of this." Aglovale spoke up. "If Mona's sister can keep them preoccupied then we can use all the information we've gathered by fighting them to trap them and lure them back up to a higher floor."
"I believe I have an idea of what we can do." Iska commented. "As long as this Mina can hold her ground, then we'll be able to come up with a great plan."
"How long do you suppose your sister can last on her own?" Freesia asked Mona.
"Mina's a strong and brave woman!" Mona replied. "Even if she has to face such a strong person by herself, multiple strong people at that, I have faith in her abilities to fight!" Mona held her hands in front of her, staff still in hand. "And... well..."
"And?" Predator said.
"There is another reason for Mina pursuing them so far down on her own..."
Location: 1st Floor, Goldenia
Around this time, another lift being operated by three Goldenian soldiers arrived at the first floor, one of them stepping off.
"Are you sure you would like to do this on your own, Captain?" The first soldier asked. "They've gotten past everything that's been thrown at them!"
"You're such an excellent commander." The second soldier said. "We don't want to lose you."
"I'll be alright. I promise. Please head back up to your stations." The third one said.
"Yes, Captain!"
The two soldiers moved the lift back upwards as the third one was left on the first floor. The soldier that remained was a girl who's body was built similar to Mona's. She had blue eyes and long, blue hair. Her uniform was identical to Mona's but with much longer arm guards that stretch to her shoulders and had a smaller satchel attached to the uniform, and another larger one on the back of it. The uniform was blue as opposed to green and part of it stretched down past her thighs. She had her hands on a silver rapier with a gold hilt, the blade pointed down at the ground. The sword's sheath was on her right side by her waist.
"Alright..."
The girl took a deep breath as she sheathed her rapier.
"Once I find Albert, then the two of us together can do this for sure. And even if I don't find him, if I try to play it smart and fight them one at a time then I might be able to succeed. No more wasting time. Let's go!"
With that, she started to walk off to search the first floor for either Ragna and the rest of the group or the person she calls "Albert".
"I need to do this. That reward is my only chance to clear Albert's name."