Wardes was following them. It was fine. Mikoto would deal with him once they'd reached La Rochelle. Until then she'd continue keeping watch for more immediate threats.
They arrived at sundown and whilst Tabitha led everyone to their accommodation, Mikoto left under the pretense of scouting. Casually slipping down an alleyway, she pulled on her hoodie and headed in the direction Wardes landed. His title meant he was strong and competent so striking head on wasn't an option. She trailed him via rooftops until he checked himself into a hotel. He may be a Captain but his stealth was nonexistent. She kept watch and at exactly 10pm he left his hotel to wander the streets. Stopping only to speak to a few people before continuing.
He was searching for them. Despite their group they'd only received a few strange looks. But now Wardes was actively drawing attention towards them. Any idiot could see he was a high ranking mage given his clothes, wand/sword and griffon. They'd realise he was a member of the Griffon Knights would start asking questions. Wardes was jeopardising their entire mission, that alone was reason enough to eliminate him. She frowned when she recalled her counsellor saying people were innocent until proven guilty.
She'd realised he'd noticed when he stepped down an alleyway. So she struck low to the front, knocking him unconscious. She gently lowered him to the ground and waited. 10 seconds later, she was satisfied no one was coming to investigate. Mikoto quickly rummaged inside his pockets. Searching for proof of treachery. She discovered some letters and quickly went through them. The first was a reply from Fouquet agreeing to meet him outside a nearby hotel. The second was a letter to the Leader of Reconquista, Cromwell about killing Prince Wales, obtaining Louise's void magic and retrieving Henrietta's letter.
Mikoto smiled. She was right. Wardes was a traitor. Even better she now had a lead on Cromwell. Although she'd need to find information about Reconquista.
Pocketing the letters, she killed Wardes and destroyed his body using iron sand. Before rushing off to meet with Fouquet. She'd spared her once but this time was under no such obligation.
The mages here really had no concept of stealth. Fouquet was wearing a black cloak, hidden in the shadows of an alleyway. Only she'd left some of her light green hair intentionally exposed. Wasting no time landing behind her, Mikoto pierced her heart with an iron sand sword and watched silently as Fouquet only managed to turn her head.
"Y-You-" was all she could say before she collapsed. Dead. Her clothes were also searched but she only had the letter from Wardes requesting to meet her. Her body was also destroyed.
With her work done Mikoto headed back to the hotel idly wandering if the restaurant was still open.
Louise glared at Mikoto throughout breakfast. She'd already demanded what had taken so long. Mikoto simply answered 'scouting takes time'. Everyone else wisely stayed out of it.
To get away Mikoto and Tabitha spent the entire day in the library. Mikoto decided to memorise the layout of both Tristain and Albion. You never know when when information like that would come in handy.
"Did you kill someone?"
Tabitha's voice was so quiet she almost didn't hear her. Mikoto glanced at her but her eyes only held cold indifference despite her tone being slightly curios. Mikoto nodded and Tabitha returned to her book. It was nice having someone that understood.
Mikoto had just finished a novel when Kirche informed them it was boarding time.
"You're late." growled Louise and they approached them in front of the ship.
"Has the ship left?" countered Mikoto grabbing a few bags from Saito.
She still couldn't believe they were using actual ships and not something more aerodynamic. Louise huffed and they quickly boarded. After paying for two rooms they sat in the larger discussing their next move. Well Mikoto, Tabitha, Kirche and Saito tried to plan whilst Louise and Guiche decided to improvise. It didn't help, Louise refused to diverge the meeting place. Therefore Mikoto couldn't plan in conjunction with the potential battle field. More proof Henrietta only explicitly trusted Louise.
At exactly 8am they docked at Newcastle. After departing they mounted Sylphid, who was forced carry Guiche's mole, and departed towards the meeting point.
A white chapel on the outskirts of Newcastle was where Sylphid dropped the mole, much to his horror, before landing. Mikoto called attention to herself before he caused a scene.
"Only 3 people maximum will enter the chapel. Vallière, Myself and Saito."
Everyone nodded and Saito looked surprised but happy to be included.
"I will enter first, followed by Vallière and then Saito. Everyone else, be ready."
Mikoto confidently entered. Immediately taking noting the soldiers and possible escape routs.
"We are emissaries from Tristain here to see Prince Wales." she announced.
She could feel Louise gripping her shirt, though her eyes were trained on the approaching soldier.
"An emissary from Tristain? Why not try a better lie? Nobody from that country would know this location."
Mikoto's eyes shone in realisation but Louise pushed passed.
"I heard it from Henrietta! I have no need for any of you. Where is Prince Wales!" she flung her arm outward in front of Mikoto.
Mikoto wanted to strangle Louise. What kind of response did she expect! These guys were at war. Then she comes in, insults them and demands to see their leader.
"That ring?" whispered the soldier Mikoto was 85% sure was Prince Wales.
It was only when her pulled off his glove revealing another ring was she certain.
"Now put forth the ring."
Louise hesitated but Mikoto nudged her forward. A rainbow appeared between the two rings.
"What's going on?" whispered Louise.
"This is the Ruby of Wind that has been passed down through the Albanian royal family, and that is the Ruby of Water. Wind and Water together create a rainbow. A rainbow across the royal family."
"They do?" asked Saito turning to Mikoto who shrugged. This was news to her. Then again they were magic rings.
The man removed his helmet.
"I apologise emissaries. I am the Prince of Albion, Wales Tudor. Please follow me." He led them towards the altar.
"Saito inform those outside of the situation and invite them in."
He nodded whilst Mikoto and Louise followed Wales down a secret passageway and into an underground city. they followed him into a house where Louise passed him the missive from Henrietta. Mikoto frowned at the sad acceptance covering his face once he'd finished reading, and watched silently as he passed the requested letter to Louise.
"Prince Wales, can I ask you something?" asked Louise.
"Please."
"Did Lady Henrietta suggest you go into exile."
"Unlikely. Henrietta's not that type of person." answered Mikoto in Wales's steed.
"I believe that is a love letter." Mikoto nodded to the letter Louise was holding.
"Whilst the letter we delivered requested you come to Tristain."
Wales picked up the letter and turned around.
"Miss Vallière, Miss Misaka. It's stepping out of bounds for emissaries to try and guess what's in a missive."
"You didn't deny it."
Wales sighed.
"This is not merely a war between the royal family and the nobility. No, those pulling the strings of the nobility is the Reconquista."
"The Reconquista?" asked Louise as Mikoto's eyes narrowed.
"The nobles are merely their puppets and I've only recently discovered their existence."
"Impossible." whispered Louise.
"During my scouting at La Rochelle I encountered a Reconquista operative." informed Mikoto.
"What?" hissed both Louise and Wales.
"Both him and his partner have been eliminated."
"Did you find out what they wanted?" asked Wales.
"The letter. Your death, Prince Wales. And your magic, Vallière."
"M-Me?" stuttered Louise.
Mikoto nodded and Wales frowned.
"As the Prince of Albion I must protect this country. Even if it cost me my life. Please tell that to Henrietta."
"What about a tactical retreat." suggested Mikoto.
"Tactical retreat?"
"The royal family has all but lost this battle, if you continue death is certain. However by retreating to Tristain you can regroup and form a plan to retake Albion. Also I'm sure any information you possess on Reconquista will be beneficial to both Tristain and Germania. So the alliance is still a possibility."
"Lose the battle to win the war. Is that what you are saying?"
Mikoto nodded.
"I'm afraid I cannot. My pride as an Albion Prince demands I stay."
"Then you are a coward Wales Tudor."
"Mikoto!"
"You have given up and are taking the easy way out."
Prince Wales looked very taken aback.
"I've noticed most mages here place their pride above their lives, that is unacceptable. To complete the mission no matter the personal cost. That is what it means to be a soldier. So Wales Tudor, what is your mission?"
Mikoto felt distinctly happy as she, Louise and Wales exited the underground city. She was now working outside mission parameters. That was what missions were all about. You were given a task to complete and made judgment calls depending on certain circumstances. Providing it benefited your side, going above and beyond mission parameters was to be encouraged. At least that's what she believed. It didn't hurt that Prince Wales now had a healthy amount of respect for her.
"This is Prince Wales Tudor. He and his men have agreed to a tactical retreat and will be returning with us to Tristain."
Her comrades glanced at one another but didn't protest.
"How are we transporting them?" asked Guiche.
"Wales where can we procure a ship?"
"T-There is a military port in Newcastle, but it is tightly guarded."
"Not a problem. Now, how to move 800 soldiers onto this ship without anyone the wiser. Thoughts."
Kirche suggested Sylphid carry them, but Tabitha objected saying they'd be seen.
Guiche suggested walking, but Saito said it was too far.
"You already have a plan, don't you?" whispered Wales and Mikoto nodded.
"So why did you...?"
"Independent thinking."
Seeing they weren't getting anywhere and they were pressed for time Mikoto gave them her solution.
"I propose Tabitha, Sylphid, Guiche, the mole, Wales two of his men and I will procure the ship. We will re-dock below the cloud line. Grammont, your mole will then dig towards the Ruby of Water in Vallière's possession. The soldiers will travel through the hole and onto the ship. Kirche you will board last. Any questions?"
Silence.
"Wales recruit two men that can fly a ship. Tabitha prepare Sylphid. Grammont grab your mole and hover by the entrance. Kirche, Vallière remember personal feelings have no place on missions. So don't antagonise each other. Your rivalry can wait till after our debrief."
They gulped and nodded.
"This is William Anderson and Martin Smith." introduced Wales.
"Mikoto Misaka, I'm sure Wales has already briefed you. Good, take off your armor."
"Huh?"
"If you leave here wearing that armor we'll be spotted immediately. This location would be compromised and your comrades killed."
William and Martin couldn't shed their armor fast enough.
Mikoto passed her hoodie to Wales.
"You are too recognisable."
He nodded and took the hoodie before following Mikoto outside.
"Tabitha, up front. William your next. Now Wales. Martin. Grammont. Sylphid, the mole."
Mikoto mounted behind Guiche.
"Lets go."
Per Mikoto's orders, Sylphid landed just outside of Newcastle. Mikoto ordered Wales, William and Martin to dismount and the others to stay out of sight. They were only to approach once they'd moved the ship.
Wales led them towards the military port where 4 ships were docked. Two guards per ship. Four more pacing the docks. The guard on the left of the smallest ship caught her attention. He was right on the edge and shuffling from foot to foot. A rookie.
"What now?" whispered Martin.
"Leave the guards to me." answered Mikoto already summoning her iron sand.
It rose from the edge and slammed into the back of his ankles. He fell backwards and screamed. Two of the pacers rushed to where he'd fallen whilst the others watched from the edge. Iron sand slammed into the front of all their ankles and they all plummeted. Mikoto rushed towards the ledge and sliced their bodies apart. She didn't need them flying back up. Mikoto turned back towards her now terrified companions.
"We're taking that one." she nodded towards the second smallest. Big enough to fit everyone with the least amount of air resistance.
William and Martin practically teleported on board and began departure preparations.
"Aren't you going to destroy the other ships?" asked Wales as they boarded.
"That would alert everyone."
"What if we are attacked whist my men are boarding?"
"I will handle it."
"Ma'am we are ready for departure." informed William.
"Then lets go."
"Yes Ma'am."
They departed and lowered altitude until they were completely hidden by the clouds.
"Here's fine." called Mikoto and the ship soon stopped. Two minutes later Sylphid landed on deck.
"Grammont, mole you're up." said Mikoto as Martin and William pushed the gangplank against the wall. Mikoto secured it with iron sand.
"Go Verdandi. Towards the Ruby of Water."
"Grammont follow it. Then order it back towards the Ruby of Wind." ordered Mikoto.
Guiche nodded and climbed up the hole.
Now it was a waiting game.
40 minutes later Verdandi reappeared and attacked Wales. 15 minutes after Guiche crawled back onto the ship followed by Wales's soldiers.
Mikoto kept watch on the cloud line, as one by one soldiers flooded onto the deck. Her radar activated maximum range. Eight ships circling above cloud line. She glanced back when Louise climbed on deck complaining about dirt. She was closely followed by Saito and finally Kirche.
"That's everyone." confirmed Kirche.
"Good. All non essential personnel below deck. We depart in five."
"Yes Ma'am."
Mikoto refocused on the cloud line. Calling forth a thunderstorm above the enemy ships. If they weren't gone in four minutes, she'd strike them down. She smiled slightly when they all turned back to port.
"Alright, lets go!"
"Yes Ma'am."
The ship was carefully steered away from Albion and quickly rose back through the cloud line into her thunderstorm.
"Ma'am, we can't fly through a thunderstorm!"
"Relax. This is my power." Electricity enveloped Mikoto's arm.
"Full speed ahead!" called William.
Happy New Year.
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I really appreciate it.