Disclaimer: GUST/NIS

Chapter 6: Precious, Wishes and Protect.

Like what they promised yesterday, Roze takes Puniyo to join the last day festival in Civitate Dei. The little girl is so happy when she hears about it and keep urges Roze hurry up so she can enjoy her day. That end up Ulrika alone in the cabin. Puniyo looks a little disappointed but she understands the reason behind. Just what a sweet girl! Ulrika can't help but smile touchingly.

She begins her usual clean up stuff, just like what she always does every morning. However, think of the conversation she had with Roze still make her uneasy.

"What's wrong with me?"

To eliminate everyone…she surprisingly finds herself happy to this. She shouldn't feels this way but she just cannot stops the delighted feeling run through her body.

Why? She does understand the pain of losing someone dear, so why she feels happy about that?

"If everyone die…will that mean…no one will feels pain and sad?" She mumbling, but soon she realizes she has speak something terrible.

"No! It's not like that!"

Right, it's not like that. Even no one will suffer for this, Roze will. He is here to protect his family; he sure will suffer for that.

"But…what about me?"

Does she have someone to protect to? Will someone appreciate her for helping them? No. none of them needs her for this. She knows this even she still a child. Will someone blame on her?

She suddenly remembers Chloe and Roze.

No, Chloe and Roze will blame her. She doesn't want them both hate her, especially Roze. She can't bear to see Roze treat her like the others because…

"Because…what?"

Hurt. Her heart feels hurt. She can't imagine how she will feels if Roze treat her like an alien. Her heart almost stops beating just thinking about that, because…she already becomes attached to him, because she likes him, she wants to be with him.

She wipes her face as she feels some water flowing down from eye. She shakes her head. No, now it's not the time to think this. She has to consider how to take care Puniyo. The jobs from Chloe have greatly decreased; she has to get other job before too late. Right, let's think of this first.

After the daily cleaning, she heads to her workshop. When she walks out from the cabin, she sees someone coming out from the northern forest.

"That person…!"

That is a man, which his appearance just exactly match the description of Roze: long gray hair and blue coat, and also the disgusting smile carry on his face.

"It's annoying to get lost in the forest…um? Oh…it's so rare to have a cabin around here." He looks at Ulrika and says oddly, but then he realizes something after a while. "Are you…Mulberry?"

Ulrika shocks.

"Looks like I'm right." The man forms an evil smile. He glances at the cabin then to Ulrika again. "Are you living here alone? Oh, I know, is it because of those peoples?" He points at Civitate Dei.

Ulrika can't get her sight away from this man, her heartbeat getting faster and faster. Is he…

"Calm down, you don't need to scare." He sees through her fear. "I'm here to help you."

"Help…me?"

"You wish to away from everything. You want a peaceful life." He smiles grimly. "You wish everyone die because they deserve it!"

His every word ruthlessly stabs into her heart, the try that she holds on her hand drop down to the ground.

"I will accomplish your wish." The man turns away but then turns back to Ulrika again. "My name is Reicher…I think you know who I am."

Ulrika's face turns to dead pale. She can only helplessly watch Reicher head to Civitate Dei.

Is that what she wishes for? Is that really what she wants?

"No…! I'm not…!"

She cries hard. What's wrong with her? Why she can't recognize herself anymore? Is this what she's really is?

"Oh yeah…I have to tell Roze…"

Puniyo happily pulling Roze around the city, seeing things she never sees before, and eating delicious food she never tastes before. On the way, they meet Whim, Lily's maid, tells them Lily is busy preparing tonight event—Praying Day since she is the chosen maiden this year. After Puniyo has enough fun, they decide to head back.

"We're back." Once open the door, Roze notices Ulrika sitting on the chair, gazing blankly. "Ulrika?"

"Oh?" She seems shock. "R-Roze, and Puniyo? Y-You're back?"

"Are you okay? You look pale."

"Ulrika?" Puniyo takes a close look at her, seem notices her weirdness.

"No…I-I'm fine. Thanks Puniyo. You should go to bath and have a good rest." Ulrika does her best to maintain her usual expression, not to make them worry more. She takes Puniyo to bath first, and then to her room. After settle down Puniyo, then only Ulrika walks to Roze and tell him about Reicher.

"Did you really see him?" Roze asks agitatedly.

"Yes…he headed to Civitate Dei." Ulrika lowers her head, look a little diffident. "…I think he goes for the event tonight…I'm sorry I didn't stop him."

Roze shakes his head. "No, is fine. You can't stop him though." Then he ponders. "What is he trying to do? To destroy the event?" He takes his dagger together with him, prepare to set out.

"W-Wait! Where are you going?" Ulrika stops him.

His expression is somewhat darken and…kinda scary. His eye shows murderous…she never sees him like that.

"I'm going to stop him. I don't know how is he going to eliminate peoples, bit I do know he is serious. He is the type of doing anything he said."

"T-Then, I'm going with you."

"But you…"

"I know a secret path that no one will find us out. I think we should be fine." She smiles, try to cheer up.

Roze gazes at her instead of respond. She doesn't know what he is thinking now, not even from his face expression. Does he notice her weirdness? She knows she may looks suspicious but she tries her best to hide it, though…

"…Alright."

Before they set out, Ulrika takes a quick glance at Tower of Avenger. It looks kinda creepy at the night, and more frightening as it looks bloodthirsty while ridicule the on going ceremony.

They manage to sneak into Civitate Dei by follow the secret path Ulrika mentioned earlier. According to Ulrika, that secret path was caused by Chloe when they played there and accidentally blow a hole by Chloe's incantation.

"The event ceremony is holding in front of the castle." Ulrika points at the magnificent castle.

The street is so empty and quiet, no even a single person. Everyone gather at the ceremony, that really helps them a lot, especially Ulrika. They hide behind the building once they reach castle area. There is an altar set in front of the castle, and Lily standing up there, about to present Song of Forgiveness. Roze just impatiently checking the peoples around to find that damn Reicher, totally ignore what is about to present soon after this. Seeing that, Ulrika feels guilty.

Lily starts present the Song of Forgiveness. Ulrika has to admit Fancypant does have beautiful and pleasant voice, which slowly telling the libretto of Forgiven Song. Everyone enjoy the song, at the same time pray inwardly that goddess will forgive them. Only Roze who even paying any attention to this at all. Just when Ulrika asks him to calm down, someone appears on the altar.

"Hmm?" Lily notices someone's present. She turns back to take a look, but before she can sees anyone one, everything go up side down. "Ahhh!"

She has been toss to aside.

"Miss Lily!" Whim gasps, immediately rush to the altar. "Who are you!"

Whim guarded as well as examines the man that attacks her milady. She aware her opponent is not someone easy to handle. She may get into a worst trouble.

"Whim…" Lily holds herself up. "Who is he?"

"No idea…I never see him before." Whim prepares her ice axe, ready for the battle.

"Oh~you're a mana, huh?" Reicher's lips curve into a grim smile. "Well well, finally I can bloodshed that damn goddess's pet."

"Pet?" Whim blinks by the words.

Reicher takes this good chance strikes to her. Whim unable react to his attack, she steps back and almost get slash. Reicher wields his giant sword again before Whim ready to the next attack, Whim can only gasps and watch. Suddenly a blue flash light blocks the attack for her.

"M-Mr. Roze!"

"Oh?"

"You finally show up, Reicher!"

"Roze!" Ulrika runs to them, to the altar. Those peoples who still in shock immediately catch their attention back and become agitate when they notices her appear on the important event ceremony.

"Why are you here!"

"You spoiled our ceremony!"

"Get down, you bitch!"

Ulrika stuns.

Those insults almost engulf her; all she can do is standing stiff there with fear run through her face. She turns away her face, not even dare to look at them.

Lily notices her inconvenience, she quickly stops them.

"Silent! Now is not the time for this!"

The peoples seem about to protest, fortunately the imperial representative, the first prince Vayne manage to calm them down.

"Look, this is all you get. None of them will appreciate you, no matter what you do. This is the reality, and also the truth." Reicher speaks despising.

"Shut up, you bastard!" Roze stands in front of Ulrika. "Don't hear him, Ulrika."

Ulrika bites her bottom lip hardly. His words are so cruel. Even she feels angry about it, but part of her heart still admits his words.

"Am I wrong? In fact, you admit it." Reicher sees through her. He gives her a grim smile. "You're Ulrika, right? What about we talk in a quieter place like in the tower? I'll waiting for you, and don't forget I'm here to help you." Then, he leaves.

"Reicher!" Roze runs after him but a hand grabs him from behind and stops his movement. "Ulrika!"

"Huh?" Then only Ulrika realizes hat she had done moment ago. She quickly let go her hand. "I-I…"

"Are you alright?" Roze asks her worried.

"I-I…" Her eye keeps peep left and right.

Meanwhile, Vayne orders the imperial soldiers block all the entrance of the city and chase after Reicher. While everyone still confuse with the situation, Lily quickly grabs Ulrika and Roze away from the ceremony.

"Stupid Country Pumpkin, what do think you are doing!"

"Huh?"

"Not 'huh'! I said why you are here!" those brainless peoples only blame on you for the failure of the ceremony!" She glances at Whim while keeps pulling Ulrika and Roze. "Whim, don't let anyone come near. You both follow me."

Lily takes them to Vehlendorf mansion then to her room.

"Fancypant, why takes us here?"

"This is the safer place I can only think of. Listen, I can't guaranty your safety now, so don't do that kind of stupid thing again. Roze, look after her."

"About Reicher…please let me know of there is any news about him."

"Okay, I will." Then, she locks the door before she leaves.

A slight sigh escapes from Roze. He turns back to find the girl gazing at the tower.

"Ulrika?"

"…"

Her wish…all she wants is to be with her precious person, and live peacefully without any disturb. Will he really accomplish her wish? Can she away from everything by doing that?

"…If they die, then maybe…" She whispers to herself.

"That's not true, Ulrika." Roze forcefully pull her to him. She gasps for all the sudden. "That's not true."

"He said he will accomplish my wish! You hear him!"

"…Did he say anything else to you before?"

Ulrika lowers her head. "He said…I wish everyone die…"

"Have you ever thought about that?"

"…" She remains silent. She can only gazing down at her two feet.

Yes, she did, she even happy about that. Look, just how scary she is! That's why she stopped Roze from chasing Reicher. Deep down her heart, she wishes for that!

"It's alright." Roze's voice coming from top of her and making her raise her head. "Even if toy did, no one will blame you." He looks into her emerald eye.

She is afraid, which she starts to realize the darkness that hid in her heart. He sees tears flow down from her eye, he frowns. He hates her tears. He wishes she can smile often without any worry, and smile all she wants. He likes her that way more, and he wants to see that everyday. Yeah…he wants to embrace her tightly; he wants to stay with her.

"Don't lose to yourself. I'll be with you, no matter what happen."

"…Really? Is this a promise?"

"Yes, promise. I'll always be with you."

"Roze…!" Ulrika falls into her embrace and burry her face into his chest. "I'm sorry Roze…I shouldn't think like that! I'm sorry…"

Roze slightly pats her head. "It's alright. You don't need to bear everything by yourself, I'm here for you, and I like you the way you are."

Ulrika raises her head. "Thank you, I'm thinking something bad like this again, please stop me."

"Of course." He wipes away her tears by his palm.

Suddenly, someone knocks the door.

"It's me, ." Is Whim. "Miss Lily has me to report Reicher already in the Tower of Avenger. He killed two imperial soldiers that guarded there, and now the entrance being block by a fire mana."

"Thank you, Whim."

"Whim, where is Fancypant?" Ulrika asks.

"Miss Lily is meting with the representative of citizens and Vayne-sama."

Ulrika takes a glance at Tower of Avenger and then turns back to Roze. Her face is covering with fear and worry.

"What's wrong?"

"That tower…is not an ordinary tower. It may seem unfinished, but the system of the tower is actually done. If the tower activates, Civitate Dei may destroy, just like what Reicher said, everyone will die."

"What…!" Whim covers her mouth so her squeak won't let out.

They fall into dead silent. Who can actually think of the tower is bearing such terrible secret? And now the tower is in enemy's hand. What is worst than this? Roze clench his fist tightly.

But he is not going to give up. For now, they have to clear up the mystery of the tower, and let everyone know.

"Then, let's go." Roze suggests. Ulrika surprisingly looks at him, find his hand in front of him. "Let's tell everyone about this."

"…You're right."

Chapter 6 end.

I'm sorry I take quite some times to update. I'm pretty busy lately, and I have another story on hand…I'm not sure when I will update next chapter. Next chapter maybe the longest chapter I have ever written, so please be patient.

And last, I'll like to thanks those who like this story. That really encourages me more to continue. I know I may not that good enough, but I will do my best not to disappoint you.