Hey guys, MT here.

So, I know you guys are probably surprised that I am posting for the first time in a few months. Firstly, I'd like to apologize for being gone for so long. I hadn't really planned to take a break. Around two or three weeks before I posted the last chapter, I was in some pretty stressful situations that brought back my depression and I've been dealing with it for the last few months. I finally felt that I was recovered enough that I could start writing again. I AM deeply sorry I didn't say anything to you guys, but I do hope you can forgive me and just go back to enjoying my stories as you did before.

I tried to make this chapter a bit longer as a bit of compensation but I decided to end it when I got to a certain part to give myself some time to plan out the next section

ENJOY!

Chapter 70

The next day…

"Ah~! I'm finally back to 100%," said Saito as he rolled his shoulders while standing next to the bed. Gwen was smiling as she watched him move and twist his body, happy that he was back normal after all her healing and a night of sleep.

"Good to see you up and moving again," said Otr as he walked in, Eir close behind. Saito grinned at him and Otr chuckled a bit before putting on a more serious expression. "So, Saito, what are your plans?"

"Ah," said Saito, remembering the situation at hand. "Well, firstly I'd like to ask you something. Do you think your dad is impossible to move from war? Like, could we convince him to give up war? If he does, I could deal with Halkeginia and Elvenheim."

"Hmm…" said Otr as he put a hand up to his chin. He was silent for a moment as he thought and mulled over the idea. "Father…was very much scarred by mother's murder. It would be very difficult. I do not think it is impossible at least. Fafnir will be difficult to subdue since he has always loved war but he won't be a problem. Aside from father, I think the only problem would be my eldest brother, Reginn. He's very cunning. I believe he might attempt something."

"Alright, then we should try to find a way to convince him. Your mother…she was assassinated by a group of people from the Valkyrie, Elves, and Halkeginians, right?" asked Saito, receiving a nod of confirmation from Otr. "Hm…well, it would have been impossible, then, for it to have been organized. The Halkeginians had practically forgotten about the Valkyrie and the elves hated us until awhile back. It would have been impossible to have organized a group."

"Meaning that it was an independent group. Yes, I already know that. I do not believe that that will be enough for my father, though. We might require a bit of force with this. Maybe if we put a bit of pressure on father, he would open up a bit. I mean, he is aware that this was an independent group, however he still blames all magical beings," said Otr, seriously. Saito nodded in understanding and then looked to Gwen.

"Gwen, this might get a little dangerous. Do you want to stay behind?" asked Saito, worriedly.

"Saito-san, I am not staying behind. I'm not leaving you alone again," said Gwen, uncharacteristically seriously. She stared at Saito with serious eyes and he smiled at her after a moment before patting her on the head.

"Alright, Gwen. Keep close when we go, though," said Saito, causing her to smile, brightly.

"Yo, Partner," said Derf from off to the side. "What are you gonna do about the others? Gwen was right when she said your master might do something out of grief. I've seen it happen before so you shouldn't take it lightly."

Saito stared at Derf for a moment, a worried expression on his face and he glanced over to Vivlio.

"Vivlio, any chance you can help me with this?" asked Saito, hoping the book would comply.

"What? You want me to tell you what she's doing? Sorry, bud, can't just reveal info like that," said Vivlio, causing Saito to look down a bit in dismay. "But…"

"But what?" said Derf, a bit annoyed.

"But, I can make a magical tool that can watch her. Kinda like a security camera that follows her," said Vivlio, confusing everyone except Saito. Saito walked over to Vivlio and opened him.

"Do it," commanded Saito before Vivlio pages began to fly back and forth. His pages stopped and a drawing began to be formed on the page. After it was finished, the object drawn materialized on the book and Saito picked it up. "A mirror?"

It was indeed a mirror. A simple, circular mirror with a thick, golden edge around it, the back being a darker golden color.

"You feed some of your power into it and it shows you the girl closest to your heart- Oh dammnit I think I'm gonna throw up from this freaking lovey dovey shit," said Vivlio, disgusted. Saito chuckled a bit under his breath at the book's vulgar words and then turned his attention to the mirror. He did as instructed and poured some magical power into the mirror. The glassy surface glowed a bit and he could no longer see his face in it. Instead, he now saw an aerial view of his study and his heart was wrenched out from the scene.

There, in the seat at his desk, was Louise, hunched onto his desk. She had one of his spare parkas draped over her shoulders and tears streamed down her relatively blank eyes. Saito touched the mirror, gently, with his fingertips, dragging them along the mirror's surface as he watched his broken wife with pain sadness in his eyes.

The others in the room gave Saito a moment as he watched the scene before Gwen hugged Saito, tightly, from the side.

"That's how Asuna-nee is. That's how Siesta would be if she didn't have to stay strong for Louise. That's how I and Tiffa almost were. I know that Henrietta and Tabitha aren't too far off from this. We need to work fast, Saito-san, so that we can reassure everyone," said Gwen, her eyes glassy at the thought of everyone's faces when she last saw them.

Saito, tears threatening to break free, nodded to her with a serious expression and then looked over to Otr.

"As soon as we can. As soon as it's possible, I want to talk to your father and stop this war," said Saito, seriously. Otr smiled at his passion and nodded.

"Tonight. We sneak into his bedroom," said Otr, receiving a serious nod from everyone in the room.

Saito had prepared for what they were going to do for most of the day. He skimmed over some of the recent history books so he could get an idea of what the Queen's assassination had done to the country, how it had affected her people. He was surprised by how bonded the books' writers had spoken about her and the rest of the royal family. The people seemed to be enamored with the royalty. They spoke like they had a deep emotional connection with them. Saito could see that it wasn't just the King who had a problem. The people, hopefully, would at least be able to listen to him when the King was convinced…if he could be convinced, that is.

After several hours, Otr entered the study and Saito shut the book he was looking over and got up.

"Is it time?" asked Saito, seriously. Otr nodded and Gwen picked up Vivlio before standing next to Saito. The two followed Otr out of the study, Eir not with them because Otr did not want her to be in danger.

They all walked down the dimly lit halls and Saito noticed the distinct lack of guards and servants.

"Where is everyone?" asked Saito, on guard by the strange situation.

"I informed the guards of a false report that thieves planned to steal from the treasury downstairs. Most went down to guard it, leaving only a guard for each of us. I dismissed my guard and the route we are taking will only cross paths with the guard for my father's room. I plan to dismiss him prior to you two coming into view. As for the servants, it is midnight. Most are asleep and the few left are down in the kitchen and entrance area in case they are needed," explained Otr, receiving an understanding nod from Saito. It made sense to him that Otr would have had some prior preparations.

During his explanation, Otr had led Saito and Gwen through the dark halls and stopped once they reached a corner. He held out a hand to stop them and peered around the corner, seeing the one guard he expected. He held a finger to his mouth after turning to Saito and Gwen so that they knew to be quiet and walked out and around the corner.

He walked towards the guard who turned to greet him.

"Hello Otr-sama! How may I be of service tonight?" asked the guard in a clear but hushed voice.

"I require entrance to my father's room. I wish to speak to him about something and I require you to leave as it is a very delicate matter," said Otr, sternly. The guard nodded and left immediately and, once he was out of sight, Otr beckoned Saito and Gwen over. The two quickly, and quietly, made their way over and Otr placed a hand on the door handle. "Now, remember, do not be coaxed into violence by anything my father says. He is an angry and bitter man and will do anything to justify his means. If you attack him then war will be unavoidable."

"Don't worry, I won't do anything, and neither will Gwen. Vivlio, don't say anything rude or I'm going to kick your ass," said Saito, sternly. The book didn't respond and Saito heard a very light snoring sound coming from it, causing him to sigh in annoyance. "Good enough, I guess. Let's go, Otr.

Otr nodded and slowly opened the door, trying to be as quiet as possible. He pushed the door open, it creaking a bit, before they all slipped in. Saito and Gwen walked over to the corner to give Otr a chance to introduce them before his father freaked out. Otr locked the door after they entered and removed the cover from the glowing crystal, lighting the room dimly. He shook his father who awoke with a start.

"What! What!…Oh, it is just you, my son. Why have you entered my chamber so late at night?" asked Hreidmar, startled but quickly recovering.

"Father, there is something that must be discussed about the war and it is imperative that we speak about it immediately," said Otr, seriously. Hreidmar eyed is normally aloof son with an expression of confusion and seriousness before nodding. "Prior to speaking, though, I have two that I must introduce."

Hreidmar's face contorted in confusion and his eye began to search the room, seeing Saito and Gwen as they stepped out of the shadows. He immediately reached for the dagger on his nightstand and leapt out of his bed.

"How dare you enter my chamber, filthy magical beings!" shouted Hreidmar, angrily. "Son, what is the meaning of this?! You lacked interest in participating in the war for your own kind's sake but you will participate for these creatures!"

"Father, please, I have not betrayed my people. I need you to wait and listen for a moment, I beg of you," said Otr, his expressions pleading. Hreidmar grinded his teeth at his son's words and looked between him and the two he viewed as enemies. He took a strained breath after a moment and nodded his to speak, though not lowering the dagger he held in his hand. "Father, this is Saito, familiar of the Void mage, known as Gandálfr. The other is known as Gwendolyn and she is a Void mage. The two wish to convince you against this war."

"And what if I refuse to end the war? Will these two kill me while you watch? Perhaps you might join in," hissed Hreidmar, receiving a wary expression from Saito.

"We don't plan to attack you now. If you really don't end this war, then we'll just have to kill you during the fight. After tens of thousands are lost on both sides. That's why Otr is helping us; he doesn't want to see his precious citizens die because of your baseless revenge," said Saito, seriously.

"Baseless! You savage monsters murdered my wife, your mother, Otr. How dare you call my desire for revenge baseless!" growled Hreidmar, spit flying out of his mouth from how loudly he was yelling.

"The ones who killed your wife were not organized by any of the races you seek to wipe out. On top of the fact that the three major races would have never worked together when your wife was assassinated, why would they have done that? Think about it rationally, what could we have had to gain from killing your Queen? We already had favorable trading terms with you, so what would have been the point?" said Saito, sternly.

"That is just a show of how detestable you magical beings are. You speak of rationality yet what you do lacks rational and logic. You move the elements with this irrational thing you call 'magic' you can create things from nothing, I have even heard that one of the Void mage can manipulate memories. Nothing you all do is rational so why would your thinking be any different!" said Hreidmar, angrily. Saito sighed a bit and shook his head.

"Father, you know that isn't how magic works. I have explained my theories to you many times," said Otr, anxiously.

"But they are just that, my son, theories. None of it is proven fact. These magical users are all monsters who cut down my precious wife in front of me. I refuse to work with anyone associated with such savagery. I will wipe it all out and rebuild a better world without those savages' interference," said Hreidmar, angrily.

"Is there really no way we can convince you?" asked Gwen, sheepishly. Hreidmar seemed to hesitate for a split second, not unnoticed by Saito.

"There is a way. That's why you hesitated when she asked you," said Saito.

"No, there is not," said Hreidmar, some grief now on his face. He lowered his dagger ever so slightly and glanced away. "I hesitated, because that girl reminded me of me of my love when she was young. Hesitant, a bit introverted. Bright rust colored hair and fair skin…I no longer wish to continue this conversation. Otr, if you still have any loyalty to this country and her people you will lead these two outside the city and return to me. I will only allow them to leave on a whim. Do I make myself clear?"

Otr hesitated for a moment, but the seriousness in his father's eye told him that this wasn't going to work. He nodded and Hreidmar lowered the dagger to his side. Saito and Gwen frowned, saddened that they were not able to convince him and followed Otr from the room. Hreidmar watched the three leave his room and, once the door was shut, breathed out a heavy sigh and fell onto his bed in a seated position.

"That son of mine is the only worthy successor and yet he performs such outrageous actions. Honestly…" said Hreidmar as he set the dagger down on the nightstand. Just as he was beginning to relax again, he heard the door creak open and his hand snapped back over to the dagger, his eye glaring at the door.

"Father, it is I," said a familiar voice. Hreidmar saw Reginn peer around the door and he relaxed a bit, releasing the dagger back on the table.

"Reginn, you surprised me, my son. Why do you come to my chamber at such a late hour?" asked Hreidmar, suspiciously.

"Well…" began Reginn, a very faint smile on his face. "I had heard from a guard that Otr had gone to see you and heard shouting on my way here. I then saw Otr leave with two figures that I did not recognize. I wished to see if you were alright."

Hreidmar eyed his son, very suspicious now. He knew Reginn was cunning and deceptive. He also knew that his son had not once ever worried about him. Not when he lost his eye, not when they lost the Queen, and certainly not when he started a revenge war. So, why now.

"I…am fine, my son. I was meeting with two…guests, if you can call them that. Otr wished for me to meet them. I was shouting at Otr for bothering me at such a late hour over such petty reasons. It is nothing for you to worry yourself over," said Hreidmar, a bit wary.

"Ah, good. I just heard some things that I thought might have caused some problems," said Reginn, mysteriously. Hreidmar squinted a bit at his son's words and his hand inched towards his dagger.

"What did you hear, my son?" asked Hreidmar, suspiciously.

"Oh, you know, about how Otr brought the enemy into your chamber in the middle of the night, as well as giving a false report of potential thieves," said Reginn, bluntly. Hreidmar's expression became very irritated and he reached out further for his dagger before being stopped by Reginn. Reginn pulled out a curved sword, similar to a cutlass, and pressed the blunt part to his father's throat, causing Hreidmar to freeze.

"What are you doing, Reginn? What your brother did was treasonous, but what you are doing if far worse than that," said Hreidmar, angrily.

"Oh, father, please. What I'm doing is a godsend. Just imagine, under my leadership, I could bring our country victory, take out your revenge for you. I would, under normal circumstances, ask you to retire and allow me to take the throne, however, aside from your distasteful lack of ability to be swayed, you have already chosen Otr as your successor, no?" said Reginn, the end seeming less of a question and more of a statement.

"Reginn, what you are doing now is why I believe you to be unworthy to rule this country. Too deceitful, too dangerous. Your lack of being the heir is your own doing," said Hreidmar, seriously. Reginn, grinned, evilly, at his father and rolled his head, making a light cracking sound in his neck.

"Father, everything I have done up to this point, was for my own gain, so that I could become king. Everything that has happened up to this point has all been a part of my plan," said Reginn, slyly.

"What do you mean by everything?" asked Hreidmar, eye widening a bit.

"Otr bringing those two into the castle, the other bloody magical beings who got in and out of this capital city, and of course this war. That does, of course, include the cause," said Reginn, sneering at his father whose expression was horrified.

"You killed the Queen? My wife? Your mother?" asked Hreidmar in disbelief.

"Of course, though not directly. How else do you think a group of assassins entered into the most well-fortified capital in all the world? I, just as I did for those magical beings recently, had the guard at the entrance be less attentive in checking the carts. They snuck in and I guided them to where they should be when they attacked. Once mother dearest was dead, I knew your hatred would build over time and you would direct your anger towards the races involved. Now that things have come this far," said Reginn before flipping his sword pushing the blade into Hreidmar's neck, through his beard, drawing a bit of blood. "I no longer need you and can proceed with my plan."

"Reginn," said Hreidmar, tears in his eyes at hearing that his own son was the one who caused his wife's death. "You won't be able to win, not against Otr. He will defeat you in my place."

"No, father, he will not. He won't be able to do anything, once I'm king," said Reginn.

"Reginn-," began Hreidmar before Reginn quickly sliced his throat. "Gahh!"

Hreidmar coughed up blood and blood blew out of his neck soaking his clothes and sheets. He reached out to his son before collapsing onto the bed, the life leaving his eyes. The last thing he saw was Reginn grinning, evilly at him, his eyes filled with joy.

So? What did you think?

I'm a little rusty but I hope it wasn't too bad. I tried to re-read the last few chapters to get into the flow again.

Please leave feed back for me so I can fix any major mistakes.

Also, I probably won't update for two weeks since I'm a lot busier now, what with my job, college work, and the fact that we're redoing the whole kitchen in my house which I need to help with. Please be a bit patient and I promise to get a slightly longer chapter out by the end of October.

Anyways, until next time...byeee :D