A/N: Apologies, everyone. It seems I decided to not add in Maron or any of the female villains from QG: Spiral Chaos cause I feel they will mess up the plot of the story, but I will add in the Queen's Gate characters, including the ones who didn't make it into SC as well as Wonder Momo and Painkiller Kotone (Sorry, don't know her name and yet I forgot.) Anyway, here is Chapter 11 along with some scenes seen in Record of Agarest War.
Chapter 11: Meeting with the King
Later that night...
Camp was made and Borgnine and Yuri were keeping guard. Mai, Kohta and Ellis were playing patty cake with Alice M. Mai and Kohta taught Ellis how to play patty cake and she enjoyed it, Renee watched as they played patty cake.
It was then, Luana walked up to Renee.
"Miss Roberts." The dancer smiled. The wolf girl noticed her presence and turned to face her.
"Yes, Luana?" Renee returned the greeting.
Luana's gaze was fixated on Renee's clothes for about 10 seconds till she spoke "Leo told me you along with others are from other worlds judging by your clothes. True be told, I have never seen clothes like that. Well, the exception is when I met Alice D. and my other companions." Luana turned to see Alice D. Junko, Dizzy, Jean, Lili, Leo, Fyuria and Ed chatting.
Renee stared at her old and new companions and asked "Did Alice D. and her friends have amnesia?"
Luana shook her head no. "No, they told me where they're from and they have memories of their home worlds. Alice D. said she was looking for her mother who disappeared after activating a strange relic called the Queen's Gate." She explained.
"Oh... Well, can you tell me more about Mai, Junko, Dizzy and Lili?" Renee asked the dancer.
We turned to Leo who was chatting with his friends. Apparently, Leo was surprised by the stories his new friends were telling him.
"So you're looking for your mother, Dodgson?" Leo asked in concern.
Alice nodded and stated "She is the president of the Dodgson Foundation and she disappeared while looking for a ancient relic called the Queen's Gate." Alice looked down in sadness.
"And you found this relic and activated it in hopes of finding your mother?" Fyuria asked out of pity.
Alice D. nodded and stated "When I woke up here, I found an amulet that won't come off after I put it on and got a strange tattoo on my left arm." Alice D. showed everyone the tattoo on her left arm.
"She's not the only one who has these damn things." Junko showed the same tattoo on her right leg, Dizzy on her right hand, Jean pulled up his sleeve to show the same tattoo on his left hand sadly and Lili with her right leg showing the same tattoo.
"Oh..." Leo looked down in sorrow. But his mood cheered up and stated "We shouldn't worry about those tattoos for now. Right now, we need to get to Rigulus to meet with the king."
"Right." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Back to Renee and Luana.
"I see... You were casted out of your world along with others by Summeril." Luana frowned sadly.
"Yeah. That's why I have amnesia and can't remember a thing about my world. The only clue to my lost past is this Power Pendant which allows me to transform." Renee showed Luana her Power Pendant.
Luana gasped in awe as she was amazed by the Pendant's beauty. "So this pendant is the only clue to your past?" Luana looked up to Renee.
The wolf girl nodded and said "Yes. it allows me to transform when the need arises. I'm tired now, so we'll continue this discussion another time, okay?"
Luana nodded and said "Okay, good night, Renee."
And Renee went to her tent to sleep for the night.
The next day...
The party finally arrived at Rigulus. It was a lively city.
"We finally arrived at Rigulus... Man, I thought this game will take many hours to get here..." Neptune sighed in exhaustion as she fell on her knees.
"Game? What is miss Neptune talking about?" Luana raised an eyebrow.
"Please don't mind her, Luana. All we need to do is a seek an audience with the king." Vert told her with a smile.
"I may be able to help some, but my usefulness in this country will be limited. I have my connections, but I am afraid none of them are particularly close to the king." Vira-Lorr frowned.
"Then we're screwed then..." Junko sighed.
Luana stepped forward with a smile and said "Perhaps I can act as your mediator, then? You wish to meet with King Gunther, yes? I have business of my own at the castle. Perhaps I can get you an audience."
Noire turned to Luana with a shocked look. "W-What?! Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" She snapped.
"Please calm down, Noire. Luana can help us." Kanonno pleaded.
"Just who are you, Luana?" Alice D. questioned.
Luana giggled and replied "Only a beautiful, mysterious, traveling entertainer!" She twirl around and struck a pose.
Fyuria however was skeptical of this and muttered "Traveling entertainer? Somehow, that makes me trust you even less."
"We don't have much choice. If Leo trusts Luana, so do I. Luana, see if you can get us an audience with King Gunther." Renee nodded to Luana.
The dancer smiled and said "Wait here, then. I shan't be long." Luana head to the palace.
1 hour later, Luana succeeded in granting the gang an audience with King Gunther. King Gunther was in perhaps his mid forties, has gray blond hair, wore purple robe with a symbol on it and kingly like clothes underneath it.
The party except for Neptune bowed before the king with Noire forcing her to bow.
"Luana has informed me of the situation. You are Golden Leo. That name has made its way all over Rigulus." King Gunther stated calmly.
"I realize you must be extremely busy and I thank you for granting us this audience." Leo nodded, Zerva spit, possibly of anger for this king.
King Gunther gave a small chuckle and stated "Oh, no need for such formality. I've heard that Gridamas's army has begun to invade towns all across the Frontier. It is true that elves and syrium possess powers that humans lack, and are therefore a threat. However, they have yet to show us any hostility. We can easily reach an understanding through diplomacy. We may differ in appearance and abilities, but I believe that we are all equals. They are not our enemy, but our brethren. But do not think the present situation does not give me cause for concern."
"Then, I beg for your support and ask that you do not overlook our predicament." Leo offered.
Zerva snarled and stated coldly "I've heard enough. Your excuses will not save my people. You say you feel concerned, so why have you done nothing?"
"You are right. Words cost me little, and they mean even less." King Gunther stated calmly and continued "But men with the responsibility of entire kingdoms on their shoulders cannot give in to their emotions. A king has the respect of his people when they can live their lives in happiness and safety."
Zerva was unconvinced. "The kingdom before the man, eh? So you would let us die while you avoid war and a stain on your reputation?"
"That might be easiest, yes. But I am a calculating man, and such a choice would serve my country poorly. Once they have the Frontier, Rigulus will likely be their next target. I would like to avoid that situation. I would deploy soldiers if I could, but current events in my own country have prevented me from doing so." King Gunther stated solemnly.
Luana stated worriedly "Beasts have begun to emerge from the Cave of Origins in the north in great numbers."
"If that were all, we could seal the entrance, but unfortunately things are not so simple." King Gunther reported.
"One of the beasts is especially powerful, and the cave is too small to send in a large military force." Luana added in her report.
"Exactly. I would ask you to deal with this creature." King Gunther asked politely.
"I see. If you are to scratch my back, I must scratch yours. Calculating, indeed." This time, Zerva was convinced. Then he added "Nonetheless, at least you are honest. That is something."
Leo was silent for a moment till he stated "Forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. I do not believe that you, King Gunther would go back on your word, but if your promise could be recorded...?"
"Sounds fair to me." Yuri nodded in agreement.
King Gunther also agreed as well and said "Your request is fair. Very well. I shall make the necessary arrangements and see that you are given a copy."
"I am terribly sorry to have to be so persistent. We will be happy to accept." Leo smiled.
King Gunther turned to Luana and told her "Luana, go with Leonhardt and show him the way."
Luana saluted and stated "I will do as you say, Your Majesty."
Zerva raised an eyebrow. "You believe we need a chaperone?"
King Gunther chuckled again and stated "I suppose you might see her as such, but she is quite skilled in the art of war. Do you think I would trust her as my spy if she was not?"
Vira-Lorr smirked and stated "You are a clever king to choose a girl such as her for a spy."
King Gunther smiled and said "A certain amount of subterfuge is required of a good leader.
"Forgive me, King Gunther. But we will be on our way to make short work of those beasts when we are ready." Kirito bowed politely.
King Gunther nodded and responded "I await good news."
To be continued...
Next chapter: Dolls and Shifters