Year 697, April 2nd, 08.10 AM
Sograt Desert
"So that's Shion's beloved student."
The voice said from far away. The voice emanated from a man clad in beige-colored strange light armor, a Guillotine Cross. His flaming red hair was standing like spikes. His hand was covered by his armor, and looks like a claw. Together with axe blade attached at his arm, he looks like a fearsome warrior.
"Master..."
Another voice echoes, calling the man. It was a female assassin, with a hair of gold-colored. Her long hair was tied up in braid behind her head, circling in there into a bun. On her waist, lies sword and dagger on each of her side. Behind her, a set of katar was hanging.
"Oh, you're here, Runa. Good timing." the man said.
"What are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be helping in Morroc?"
"I've taken care of the monsters inside of Morroc. The people of Morroc should be fine for now."
"Then isn't it time to leave? Our job is done."
"Wait. This is a rare opportunity. You haven't got any chance for a good battle lately, right?"
The man pointed at the place he's looking at. In there, three persons are standing.
"They seem to be trying to invade Morroc, especially the Champion in there, which seems to be their leader. What cowards, for them to be trying to robbing our poor little town, especially after what just happened. I've dispatched my assassins, but it seems that they were defeated."
"...!"
The female assassin looks surprised. She took out her katars and making a stance.
"Then what are you still doing in here?! Shouldn't we stop them?!" the assassin named Runa shouts.
"I can't fight them alone. Even thought I'm the Master of Assassin Guild, I can't fight against three Transcendents alone." the man said, though his fearless smile said otherwise.
"...then what are we gonna do?" The girl asks calmly.
"You can take care of the champion. I'll take care of the rest."
"Got it...and last one..."
Runa just stand silently for a while, and then...
"Should I go all out?"
The Guillotine Cross smiles at that response.
"Yes, go all out to your heart's content." he said.
...
...
...
"Well, did you found anything left behind?"
Vilya asks it towards the Lord Knight and Champion.
"No luck here. Nothing but sands everywhere."
"Same here."
They was trying to identifies their attackers, but it seems that the enemies was pretty nimble for not leave anything behind.
"Seems like we can't find anything at all, right now. Perhaps the people in Morroc may know something." Zeke said.
"Then we should hurry there. Man, a bath is all I want..." Vilya said.
"Actually, perhaps with the state Morroc currently at, I don't think they have spare water to take a bath."
"What?! Oh, this is getting worse as the seconds goes."
Vilya grumbles on, while riding on her grand peco, behind Zeke and Snowe.
"Come on, we won't be that long in there. Perhaps just a day. You can take a bath in Prontera later." Zeke said.
"Are you nuts?! I don't think that wasn't long! Don't group me the same with you boys!"
"...Oh yeah. I forgot that you're a girl."
"...Zeke, should I break your back with my shield, or skewer you to death with my spear? Choose one, please, though I wouldn't mind should you choose both."
"None of that, thanks. I'm not worthy enough of being the victim of your almighty spear or shield, or both."
"...exactly because of your behavior and the way you spoke that we thought of you as a boy. Only your name that sounds girly." Snowe added.
"Even you too, Snowe?! I don't believe this!"
Vilya's mood worsens as she rides. Seeing that, Zeke and Snowe chose the golden rule of silence. When suddenly...
"Wait right there! You three beasts!"
"""...?"""
From another part of the dessert, a female assassin was standing, initiating a battle stance from there.
"You cowards! Trying to taking advantages of the situation, and even in the condition of Morroc, right now! Are you guys even a man?! Damned cowards!"
"…Hey, what did she think she's doing?" Zeke asks from where he was.
"Who knows? She seems to be a member of Sograt's assassins, though. So perhaps she could tell us the reason of earlier assassins group's attack."
"Under the Sograt Desert Assassin master's command, I've come to behead all of you!"
"...though the problem is that she doesn't seem to have any intention to talk peacefully. Vilya, you're a still a girl, right? Try to get some information from her. Perhaps talking to people with a same gender would convince her somehow." Snowe said.
"What do you mean by I'm still a girl?! I'm still a girl from birth until now!"
"Right? Then you're still a girl, right?"
"Grk...! You...!"
"Just hurry up. We don't have much time, here." Zeke said.
"...Fine, I'll let it slide for now."
Vilya then moves forward and asks the assassin from her mount.
"You, the female assassin! What is your group's reason of attacking us?!"
"Silence, pervert! A man trying to look feminine! Not only you fail at being a man, you even fail at trying to look feminime! Looking at you is enough to make me puke! How utterly shameless!"
""...!""
Hearing that, Zeke and Snowe broke into a cold sweat. They can only watch at Vilya in front of them, and...
"What is this...today, everyone just called me a man..." Vilya murmurs from her grand peco.
Her body was trembling. Snowe and Zeke didn't know how, but they can imagine that her eyes looks as if it was darkening as each moment passes, and veins popped here and there on her face.
"Snowe, you're a Champion now, but you're still an Acolyte after all, right? I'm not sure whether you should do this, but shouldn't you give that assassin a prayer, to cleanse her of her sin before she holds her peace forever?" Zeke said.
"...good idea. Little lost lamb, confess your sin to me, and may the Lord provide you with a salvation..."
Snowe started praying for the assassin who doesn't understand on what they're doing.
"What are you guys talking about? ...no more talking, I shall strike the three of you down!"
Saying that, the assassin dashed forward with such a high speed, that she could be called teleporting! The sands were flying at each step she took.
"She's coming!"
"What speed! She's on a different level than those assassins just before!"
DROK! DROK! DROK!
Vilya was charging ahead at the assassin while Zeke and Snowe were commenting at the assassin! She started clashing with the assassin!
TRING! TRING!
The sparks were flying from the metal. As they clash, Vilya shouts at the assassin…
"I won't forgive you! Can't you see that I still have a b-b-breasts?!" Vilya shouts, though she was stuttering on the last part.
"Are there even chest? It's as flat as my dagger!" the assassin shouts back as she strike back.
CLANK!
"How dare you! Look at this armor! This armor is covering mine! And what's more, this is an armor for women!"
"What?! Now that you said it, that was true!"
For a moment, Vilya sighed in relief, seemingly able to resolve the misunderstanding, but...!
"...So not only you're a man, but you're also a cross-dresser?! What a freak!"
SNAP!
Although Vilya's breasts were not small, when it looked closely, it loses when compared to the assassin's. Not only that, her armor also hid her chest well. So those who don't know her well might think of her as a man. And that remark just now has snapped Vilya's mind and reasoning.
""…Uh-oh…"" Zeke and Snowe muttered.
"….hehehe… Seems like that you have a death wish…! Prepare yourself!" Vilya shouts as she charges!
"Uh! What power! So you're not just some cowardly cross dresser man, after all!"
"I'M GONNA FREAKING KILL YOU! HEAAAAAAH!"
FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH!
Vilya rapidly attacking with her spear. Using the Spear Quicken skill, she pierces at the assassin quickly! But the assassin was able to dodge all of her attack!
"That's too slow! Watch this! Sonic Blow!" the assassin shouts as she unleashes a flurry of stabs!
TRANG! TRANG! TRANG! TRANG! TRANG! TRANG!
Vilya blocked all of her attacks with her shield. She then pulls her grand peco leash and swinged her spear downwards, at the assassin's legs!
"Haaah!"
SWING!
Seeing the attack, the assassin sliding backwards!
"This is the end for you!" she shout as she suddenly disappeared! And then…
"Grimtooth!"
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
A series of earth tusks are running fast at Vilya!
"...! She's good!" Snowe said.
"…! This is bad! Vilya won't be able to dodge it! Not when she was riding on her mount!" Zeke said too as he charges forward, trying to save Vilya.
But Snowe has already moved faster! He shoots an energy ball from there, aiming at the grimtooth!
"Finger Offensive!"
BOOOM!
The energy ball exploded at where the tusks at is. The tusks then ended, and didn't grow any further.
"…che. Though I didn't need it, I guess I have to thank you for your help." Vilya said.
"A simple 'thank you' would suffice, I believe." Snowe replied.
"Shh! Be quiet! Snowe, be careful! She shouldn't be far from where you are!" Zeke commands them.
Snowe watches the place where the assassin hides just now. Quickly, he gathered his energy, and…
"Finger Offensive!"
He shoots it at where he remembers the assassin was hiding! And it was correct, for the assassin was out from her hiding and evaded the energy ball!
BOOM!
The place where the assassin just stand was exploded. Should the assassin reacted slower, she would surely engulfed in the explosion.
"Kuh! To think that I was caught without you even casting Ruwach...! Not bad for a thieving mongrel!"
"For an assassin, you sure quite a chatterbox..."
"Silence! Especially you who were the most corrupt of all! Who would have thought that a servant of God was the most wicked of all?! I'm disappointed in you as a fellow believer!"
"…well, well, well, seems like you've been promoted into a corrupt clergyman, Snowe. Congratulations is on the way, I guess?" Zeke said from where he was.
"Shut up, Zeke. And this is not the time for such a joke. Anyway, Vilya, leave her to me. I'll try to talk her personally." Snowe said as he dashes forward.
"Hey! I'm still having a business with her!" Vilya said, but it was already too late since Snowe has already dashed far and engaging the assassin.
"Now, now, why don't you have a drink with me instead?" The voice came from the rear.
"Who want to have a drink with…! ... who are you?"
As Vilya looked at the voice just now, she and Zeke was confronted with some man who was wearing some strange looking armor! The man who has a spiky red hair was smiling at the two of them.
"My name is Cranz. I'm just a gentleman who was wandering aimlessly in this desert, searching for someone kind enough to buy me some drink." the man said.
"...!"
Hearing his name, Zeke realized something bad.
"(Cranz? Wait, isn't that the High Leader of the Assassins, the Guillotine Cross?! Damn, this could get ugly!)" Zeke thought to himself.
"I don't care who you are, but you're getting in my way!" Vilya shout as she charges with her spear.
With a swift evasion, the Guillotine Cross parries the Paladin's attacks, and in just a split second he counters her with a fast slicing maneuver!
TRAAANG!
"Tch! A tough one! I'll give you that...?!" Vilya shouts as she barely parried with her shield and thrown from her Grand peco.
But before she could do anything...
Tap, tap, tap!
Cranz has already closing in to her in a high speed!
"Tch!"
Seeing that, Vilya hurriedly stand and trying to counter him with her spear! But...!
"...eh?"
There's only a shield on her left hand. But the spear on her right hand has already disappeared.
"...! He disarmed me?! When?!"
She saw that her spear was already stabbed on the ground, far behind Cranz who was already running so near towards her!
"Haaaaah!"
DROK! DROK! DROK!
From Vilya's side, Zeke charges his peco-peco at Cranz while drawing his sword on his side!
"...heh."
But Cranz just smiles a bit. He then...!
FWOOOSH!
Without losing any momentum, he jumped, propelled himself right at Zeke, with his sharp claw aimed at Zeke's neck!
"...! The hell?!" Zeke shout in disbelief.
"...! Zeke! Dodge it!" Vilya shout.
"Grk!"
BRUUK!
Zeke threw himself away from his peco-peco to evade the attack. But Cranz hasn't finished yet! He rushed at where Zeke was laying in and stand on his side.
"This is the end... boy!" he said coldly, smiling as he thrusted his sharp hand at Zeke!
FWOOSH!
With his sharply armored hand, it might wasn't an understatement that his hand was as dangerous as a blade itself!
TRANG!
"...!"
But this time, it was Cranz's turn to be surprised.
"Heh, like I would die that easily...!"
Zeke blocked Cranz's attack by using Vilya's spear! It was fortunate of him to fall near it!
"Haaah!"
FWOOOSH!
Using his inner strength, Zeke pushed Cranz away, and thrusted the spear with high speed!
FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH! FWOOOSH!
"...guh! Not bad!" Cranz said as he defends against Zeke's attack.
"And it's not over yet!"
FWOOSH!
Zeke took a stance, and then thrusted the spear with all of his might!
"Take this! Clashing Spiral!"
VRWOOOOOOR!
A furious wind are swirling in spiral at the spear, increasing its overall destructive power! Not even a full armored crusader could completely defending against this attack! If this hitted the Guillotine Cross, he definitely wouldn't survive!
"...eh?"
But that's if he was indeed get hit.
FWOOO...
Slowly, the wind disappeared, without even hitting its target.
"...damn."
Zeke looked behind him. In there, Cranz was standing, smiling confidently as ever.
"Here."
Tap!
On Zeke's side, Vilya threw him his sword. Following suite, Zeke then throw her spear at her.
"...he's tough." Vilya commented.
"Yeah." Zeke answered.
After saying that, Vilya initiating a battle stance, and Zeke followed behind her.
"Aura Blade!" he shouts.
"...!"
From where he stands, Snowe realized that there's another enemy that his two friends are standing against.
He also realizes that the enemy was a dangerous one.
Realizing the situation, Snowe was trying to help his two friends, but…
"Your opponent is me. You're the one who said that right?" the assassin charges in front of Snowe and said that.
FWOOSH!
The assassin swinged her katar at Snowe after she said that!
"By my blade, I swore that I would destroy you!"
TAP!
But her katar was catched by Snowe's hands!
"…! Che, Blade Stop?!"
"So you know? Hmph, too bad that someone like you was having an ear problem. I've already said that I was trying to talk to you, not fighting you."
"Nothing you say will convince me!"
The assassin swinged her other katar! Seeing that, Snowe dashed backwards. But the assassin attacking him furiously, making him further from where Zeke and Vilya is…
"I will not let you get away!" the assassin said.
"...Damn! You're persistent!"
"Now then…should we start the second round?" Cranz said.
""…!""
Hearing that, Zeke and Vilya was readying their weapon, but…
"Or maybe not. I'm just trying to have a good view in here…"
""…?""
Cranz just sat on the sands as he said that, making Zeke and Vilya confused.
"Wait, you're not planning to attack us?"
"Nope, not at all. Though I wouldn't stop you from attacking me. Just be prepared for the consequences."
Cranz said it without any care. He doesn't seems to saw Zeke and Vilya as a threat. Seeing that chance, Zeke then asks what's on his mind…
"…Just what are the Morrocians planning to do? No, perhaps it would be more like what are you planning to do? That group of assassins from before, they're under you command, isn't that right?"
Cranz just sit silently, watching as the assassin was fighting Snowe. And then...
"I'm just trying to test how strong the Three Commanders of Prontera is. I want to know whether the three of you was fit to be a commander." he said.
"…! You're trying to kill us just for that reason?!" Vilya shouts.
"Yes. It would be better should you die in here, if you are weaker than what I thought. At the very least, you would be spared from a gruesome death by the monsters."
"…!"
Vilya became silent at his words. Cranz then continue…
"Nowadays, every day of our lives are filled with fear because of the monsters. It was understandable. The monsters might attack us tomorrow. Or perhaps a month later, or perhaps even now. The people are powerless against them."
"…what are you trying to say?" Zeke said.
"…I want to know the potential of the three of you, who protected the people. Whether the three of you fit to be called the three Commanders. Whether the people should entrust their lives to you guys. Especially that boy…"
Cranz continue to watch at Snowe who was fighting the assassin alone. It was different from Vilya, who was just attacking recklessly. Even on a situation where time is critical, Snowe evaded and countering the assassin's attack fluidly and calmly. The assassin was faster, but slowly, she was pushed back.
"You know Snowe?" Zeke asks again.
"...Not much. I just heard about him. That's all." Cranz said.
He then continues to watches. The female assassin becoming more furious because of her attack was countered and evaded continuously, and started to recklessly charging ahead.
"…that idiot Runa. She loses her cool… It's over." Cranz said as he stands, and walks there.
And it was correct, for then Snowe grabbed the assassin's katar and disarmed it, and also pointing his fingers at the assassin's neck.
"Che! To think that a fake clergyman like you could beat me! Just kill me already! But remember! We, the people of Morroc, wouldn't just stand idly while you guys desecrating Morroc!"
The assassin closes her eyes and threw away her face from Snowe, seemingly already prepared for her fate, though with great regret.
"Just shut your mouth and be silent. Are the assassins nowadays like you, mouth and words never closes in?"
"Why you...! Even though I would fall today, my fellow assassins would hunt you to the end of the world!"
"Geez, can't you just shut your mouth? I don't want to hurt a woman."
"I don't need your pity! Especially from someone who was trying to pilfering Morroc even in this situation of war!"
"Alright, then. Who the heck said that?"
"My master!"
"...and who is your master? Actually, never mind... Where is your master, instead? I want things to teach to him."
"Like I would tell you!"
"Oooh, just exactly what I teach you... who is your master, then?"
"I won't tell you!"
"You're a stubborn one, indeed. Just what did your master teach you?"
"There's no need to tell an outsider like you!"
"My, how cold. Won't your master be sad when you said it like that?"
"Hah! Like he would ever do that! All he does every day was dilly dallying, not to mention the drinking and neglecting my training! Everyday, I was the one who was supervised the other assassins training!"
"I see. So you're saying that I'm lazy, then?"
Over time, the assassin are feeling a burning rage on her heart. But after hearing something private like that repeatedly, she was trying to burst her anger and turned her face at the one who talk to her...!
"Are you deaf? I'm talking about... ugh, Master?!"
As she turned back to Snowe, she realized that the hand on her neck has already disappeared, and was switched with a hand covered in beige armored glove.
In front of her, Cranz was standing as he holds Snowe, his arm in his back. Snowe was seemingly pained by Cranz's grip, but he holds his pain back by gritting his teeth.
"...when did you switched with him?"
"When you said 'like I would tell you!' If I'm not wrong."
"Uuuu..."
The assassin walks backwards, moving away from her master. She broke into a cold sweat.
"Khu khu khu. Now then, young Champion. Seems like you're pretty big shot for thinking that you could teach me something. Well, can you please teach me those things, then? I'm begging you." Cranz said coldly, while smiling viciously. He tightens his grip at Snowe's arms.
"…kgh!" Snowe gritted his teeth, seemingly trying to withstand the pain of Cranz grip. He tried hard to break free from Cranz's hand, but he can't
"Seems like you two are still lacking in training. Especially you, Runa."
"Uuh, sh-shut up, Master! You're the one who was neglecting me and all the other assassins! Uughh..."
"Oooh? Should I resumed my teaching, then?"
"Uuuuu..."
The assassin was backing down even more. She seems dissatisfied with something, but she can't argue. But on the other hand...
"Then, what about this...?!" Snowe suddenly shout.
"...?"
"Finger Offensive!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A direct hit!
From Snowe's fingers, an array of energy bullets are striking Cranz head-on!
"Well..." Cranz looked to the Champion. "...it seems that Shion trained you well, boy."
"...!"
But even though he did that, Cranz still gripping Snowe's neck. There doesn't seem to be even a scratch on his body!
"It's just that you still lacked some of her..err.. what should I say...ah! Her 'touch'! Yes, that's it" Cranz said cheerfully.
"...you knew Master Shion?!"
"Hmph. Well, we can talk about it later. Not here. The Sandman and Hode are getting restless to peoples that stay in here for too long."
Cranz then release Snowe, and giving a cue to Zeke and Vilya, seemingly asking them to follow him. Seeing that, Snowe and Runa becomes confused.
"Are you taking us somewhere?" Snowe asks curiously, pressing his hand at his neck, seemingly still hurt from Cranz's grip..
"Master, where are you taking these thieves to?"
"To Morroc, of course. Where else?" Cranz said, still with his fearless smile on.
As she heard that, Runa can sense a mischievous air surround her master.
"...I have a bad feeling..." she said worriedly.
Year 697, April 2nd, 09.00 AM
Prontera City
Meanwhile...
Clay is on the way to the Barracks of Prontera where he stumbled upon a little girl, who seemed like just about 5 to 6 years old.
"Mister Priest! Mister Priest!" she calls out to Clay while grabbing his coat.
The little girl seems afraid and worried at the same time.
"What's the matter? Is there something happened?" Clay kneeled and smiled to get a hold of the little girl.
Looking at the girl makes Clay's heart soothed and calmed. She was a girl with a green hair. Her round eyes looks pleading to him as she moves excitedly.
"Would you please help my friend?" The little girl points at the direction where there is a boy sitting on a couch holding his knee.
"Is something wrong with your friend there?" asked Clay.
"Umm..we're playing tag, and it was his turn to become the 'it'. So he chase after me. But then he get tripped. It looks like his knee was bleeding, mister." said the little girl worriedly.
"Aahh...Okay, let me help your friend then." Clay stands and let the girl holds his hand to guide him to her friend on the couch.
"Yulie, I told you not talk to strangers, right?!" the boy said.
He was a boy older than the girl. He has a heterochromia, with a red and blue eye on his head. His white hair made him looks eerie, but other than that, he doesn't look different than a child of his age.
"Well, excuse me, Erkard, but it's you that crying for help when you tripped!"
"I'm not! It's...just sands that got into my eyes!"
"Sorry, mister, he likes to act strong, but he's sure is crying a lot."
"What? Why you little..?!"
"Okay, okay, you two...now let me see the wound."
Clay approaches the boy to see his knee. The boy's knee was bleeding, but fortunately, it was just a scratch. Clay then pointed his hand at the wound.
"Divine light, answer the prayer of your believer and cure their wounds… Heal!" he shouts.
With a green bluish light appeared from his hand, the wound healed itself and the bleeding stopped.
"Well, that takes care of it."
"Thank you, mister! Erkard, you better thank the mister, you ungrateful brat!" The girl spat on the boy's hand.
"I know! Still...err...thank you sir..for healing me."
"No problem, kid. Now, be careful when you two play ok? Don't wander too far. It's dangerous outside of the city."
"Yesssssirrrr!" The two thanked the priest, and went off.
Clay feels calm and warm inside seeing the two kid cheers, play with each other. For a moment, he feels that he truly can help others in need.
"(Was there still a use for me?)" he thought.
After a brief contemplation, he suddenly realizes.
"Hey kids! Do you two know the way to the barracks?!" He shouted to the two kids.
The two stopped, and see each other.
"Well.. we are on that way anyway! Let's go there together!" says the little girl.
Hearing that, Clay feels relieved. It's the first time he got lost in a city. Well.. It's the capital of Rune Midgard after all, he thinks.
Year 697, April 2nd, 09.10 AM
Prontera Barrack
Passing through some flower fields and buildings of houses and shops. Clay thinks he would be delighted to get a tour of this beautiful city if it would not because of this war. After a couple of minutes walking, they finally arrived at the Barracks. The building was surrounded by steel fences, stones decorated that probably will be strong enough to hold any attacks, without mentioning the size. The grand door itself would probably fit enough for 5 Grand Pecos to pass through simultaneously. The barracks are guarded by many crusaders and knights, just exactly what one would expect. It's the heart of the Cavalry of Prontera after all.
"Well, here we are, mister! This is the Barracks of Prontera!"
When they reach the big sized door, the two kids looked a bit more anxious, they searching among the Knights and Crusaders. Suddenly...
"AHA! There you two are!"
The two of them jumped and frozen where they stand after hearing the voice that came from the back of the Barracks. It sounded so loud… yet strangely so gentle.
"Where have you've been, you little twerps?!"
There are fingers reaching for their ears and then...
"Aaaahhhhh..!" & "Ou.. Ouu.. Ouuuuchhh.!"
A female Priest with a long to the shoulder blue dark hair, and brown eyes are pulling both the kids ears. She looked so angry, but also worried and afraid at the same time. Her appearance looked so natural and pure, yet beautiful. This is definitely the first time Clay ever seen so beautiful female priest. Because from where he came from, almost every Priest was a male. And even though there are some of female priest, their beauty can't be compared with this sister.
"S..so..sorry, sister Milena. I just want to accompany Yulie." said Erkard.
"You're supposed to take care of her, Erkard! You're her brother, right?!"
"Wait?! Now it's become my fault?!"
"And what exactly are you doing running from here, young girl?!" The priest asks the little girl.
"Hey! You ignored me! ...Ouch!"
As the sister pinched Erkard's ear even harder, Yulie started to talk.
"I...I...I heard from Crusaders talking that daddy is coming to Prontera, so I want to go look for him, I missed him so much, sister." says Yulie with glasses eyes and a cute cat sound.
The priest stopped and looks about to cry hearing what the little girl said.
"...You silly girl! I've told you that he will be away for some time." she said as she kissed the two kid's forehead.
Though from the observer side...
"(...I thought that they're playing tag?)" Clay thought inside his head. But he decided to let it be as a child's prank.
"Now you two get back to... Oh my...what happen to your leg, Erkard?! Why are you bleeding?!" She looked so terrified looking at the blood from the boy's pants.
"Eh?...oh, I got tripped."
"Where's the wound? Let me heal it for you."
"It's already healed sister, thanks to the Mister Priest here!" Yulie points at Clay.
Sister Milena looked surprised to see Clay. She's finally realized his presence, Clay thought. He thanks the gods as he thought of that.
"Oh my...you're not from around here are you?" She looked deeply.
"How do you know? I'm just like the other, your average priest." Clay smiled.
"Ah, of course you're not! ... You're not... Are you?"
"Heh...sorry, sister..?"
"M...m...Milena just fine."
"Okay, sister Milena, I have come here because, well...my sort of new friend, Zeke had ask me to come. So…maybe I can be of some...help?"
"Oh! Sir Zekemond? Yes, we are really kind of shorthanded right now, and we would really appreciate any kinds of help." Milena said with her face seemingly dazzling at Clay's words.
"Hey sister.." Yulie grasp for sister Milena's hand.
"Ye...yes my dear?" She kneeled to give her ears to the little girl.
"I think he's still single..!" Yulie whispered with naughty voice.
Sister Milena face turn red, she's feeling hot air.
"Whatttt...are...you little naughty girl talking about?!" She screamed.
"Mister! Sister Milena is pretty, but she hasn't got any single boyfriend before! So good luck trying to be her boyfriend!"
The little girl and the boy ran off while laughing at sister Milena. Clay sees it pretty funny for a grown up Priest, teased by little kids. Well, in this case, it seems that the kids behavior itself is a little too mischievous from its usual standards.
"Ahah...haha...please don't mind them. They seem to have fun by teasing me."
"Ahahahaha...it's okay...you seemed to likes children."
"Yes...I really love children! We at the church takes care of orphan and many of them are still a child. Would you like to come visit them?"
"Y...yeahh sure...! Ah, but I don't think that now is a good time for that. What should I start with to help you all?"
"Ah, I guess you're right. I'm sorry that I got sidetracked."
"It's okay."
"Well then. Before you start, you should see Sister Lucrida first."
"Who's sister Lucrida?"
"Our Arch Bishop of course. She's also one of the Lord Captain, the group of the strongest Rune Knight, Royal Guard, Shura, and Arch Bishop in all of Midgard!"
Clay stunned. The first time he ever sees an Arch Bishop is at Juno on his trial to become a Priest. He was an old man with extremely long white hair, wearing big white and blue coats, that surrounded by bunch of Priests. But still he remembers, the aura of an Arch Bishop is so intimidating, that he failed the tests of becoming a priest three times. Clay can't believe he had to meet another Arch Bishop just for a volunteer task, and the strongest one on top of it.
At the inside he followed the priestess passing through some Peco-peco's stall and big armory that hold almost every weapon and armor that the Cavalry has, and finally they're at the infirmary. Many Knights and Crusaders lying on the bed, bleeding, and wounds wrapped in bandages, moaning, and screaming. The priests around them help them ease their pain with their healing magic, but it looks like their wounds are not healing yet.
Sister Milena approaches a female Priest at the back side. She's wearing white blue coats, and while her hands filled with shining white bluish ray of light and surrounds the knight at the crouch in it. From her uniform and the scene, Clay realizes that she was the Arch Bishop. He continues to look at the magic while sister Milena talks to the Arch Bishop. She turns around and took her eyes at Clay. Clay blinked, as he looked at the Arch Bishop. A long to the back golden hair sparkles to the shine of her magic. Her oriental face is smooth enough for the sparkles to be reflected. Well, at least it's not an intimidating old woman, Clay assumed. But he was kind of surprised, that he just met yet another beauty in front of him just in a single day, and she's maybe not older than sister Milena.
...
...
...
For a moment, he wasn't able to talk, or even move. The girl in front of him are so beautiful, that Clay couldn't turn his gaze away from her.
"Why, hello there. My name is Lucrida Andatch." she said politely.
Her calm and soothing voice maybe only the beginning of what would become Clay's future, which he didn't anticipated at all.
Very very very sorry for the LONG update. Thanks a million to renseiryuu for helping me continuing this fics. Boy it's such a long time!
Update :
- Clay (The protagonist) is a Priest, not a High Priest no more (i had to demote him for upcoming story reason)
- added "To be a Transcendent you had to be chosen by Valkyrie and "Tasted Death""
- Lord Gyno is added as son of Lord Vincent Elua (Lord of Geffen).