Mistakes Were Made
"We've done a wide search and there's nothin' to say these bandits are hidin' in the city like yellow bellied cowards. You lot show'd 'em what for, huh?" Tyson took a look around to see what captives had been taken in and could understand their handiwork if the reported eight hundred or so hostiles were reduced to about fifty wounded and alive prisoners.
"Most came here to die from what Natsu tells me, saying that Rory knew they wanted a warrior's death. I don't think we provided that." Erza said as even she understood that it was far too many opponents to let live and had cut down a number of them with her own blades.
"Ya mean that little one in black said that? Ain't she that priestess that belongs to one of them gods of chaos ya mentioned? Thought she'd look older and scarier, not small and adorable like a house cat." Tyson had made her out to be someone akin to that doom and gloom fellow of the Garou Knights in the underkeep of the castle, so he was surprised to see a little girl with a massive halberd instead.
"Yes well, we have finished everything needed of us and one of the princess' knights has given us a copy of the finalized draft of the treaty." Erza said as pulled a parchment from her pocket dimension and gave it to Tyson. "Please deliver it to the Supreme Commander, it's our first step to ending things."
"Oh I see, this thing here's like having our foot in the door. Looks like them Imperial folks will need to listen to us if their princess already does." Though his opinion wasn't so favorable for Erza, Tyson had to commend her and her group for achieving a big step for the FEF. "Good on ya for getting this, so is that everything else you got for me?"
"The treaty and prisoner transport should be everything, along with Natsu who has decided to go with you back to base. He insists on being there once the women have talked." At that moment, Natsu and Happy were seen boarding one of the Pelicans that was transporting the bird woman and Tyson simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine by me, do ya need a lift back to the Ambassador, Ice Pop?" Tyson asked as Gray had finally come to join the group, looking at tad put off after speaking with the princess. "Aren't ya like their translator or somethin' like that?"
"No, I won't need it. My translating duties won't be necessary since I found out that some of the Alvarez soldiers that came with us have learned Old Firoean, plus the second assignment I was given has returned to base. Not to mention that it was Ambassador Myu's idea for me to come along with the JSDF cavalry."
"I guess she wanted you to do something than sitting around looking pretty. Looks like yer riding with yer old gang again, congratulations." Tyson said as he turned to face a group of JSDF soldiers packing up their equipment. "So, what do you think of our new friends in action?"
"They're efficient and well trained, that much we've been shown a lot of." Erza answered, recalling Kuribayashi fighting alongside her.
"That's good, but keep yer eyes open. Higher ups are cautious about them bein' here, we've got our mission so what's keepin' them here?" The white haired man had a hard time understanding why their ally stayed in the Special Region if their superior weapons would've gotten their revenge a long time ago.
"We've yet to figure that out ourselves, but we'll see what we can do." Gray replied and Tyson accepted it for what it was worth, preferring to finish his duties in Italica over thinking about possibilities.
"Fine by me. Anyways, y'all are resupplied and set to get movin' again. Happy trails to you lot and you best make the Queen proud." Tyson made a circular hand gesture and the soldiers he came with began to round up near the gate. "Alright, double time it people! We're goin' home!"
Tyson gave them one last wave before leaving the group to themselves, making sure everyone was accounted for before stepping in himself. The JSDF soldiers had a similar idea as their helicopters began to lift off as well, the citizens quickly scurrying out of their homes and towards the wall to wave their last goodbyes and thanks. Erza stood and watched as all the aerial vehicles become small dots against the horizon, hoping Natsu wasn't giving their people a hard time because of his motion sickness. She sighed to herself as she made her way towards the Rhino, having been left to wonder what kind troubles were happening aboard Tyson's Pelican and silently hoping nothing was happening aboard it.
"You sure you don't want me to drive? You did fight in a battle just a few hours ago." It's already been well over a couple of hours since they left Italica, so Gray offered to drive the Rhino again now that he was a part of the group. It was to allow the armored woman a moment of rest but like how she answered him previously, she refused it.
"As I said, it's quite alright. Driving has given me a chance to relax and I quite enjoy being behind the wheel." Erza truthfully had been growing accustomed to driving the Rhino and likes the feel of it, plus it was much better than those old magic mobiles she's driven before.
"If you're really sure then alright, but I still say that you have to switch with me at some point. I know you don't like showing exhaustion, but I have no doubt you're just as tired as Lucy and Wendy are in the back." Both mages and Exceed were leaning against each other in tired sleep, spending the majority of the night supporting the defense of Italica with everything they had.
"Will it ease your worry if I agree to let you drive and get some rest after a few more miles?" Erza asked and the ice mage gave her a smirk, confirming to that arrangement as the crimson haired woman shook her head with a satisfied smile.
"I never said I was worried." Gray said, more so to himself but Erza had caught it and gave a small laugh in reply. "Erza look out!"
The requip mage slammed on the breaks as the JSDF vehicles had suddenly stopped in front of them, the action causing Lucy and Wendy to lurch to the side with enough force to land on the floor of the Rhino. Complaints rang about at the sudden stop, but were all silenced as a dust cloud became visible from Gray's side of the Rhino before it stopped a few feet before the leading JSDF vehicle.
"I don't like the looks of this, I'll go check it out. Whatever you do just follow the lead of the JSDF, alright Erza?" Gray offered as he got up to get out, stopping in his actions because Erza had tugged on his arm.
"I'm the commander here and I say that I'll go." Erza countered, but Gray merely removed her hand and hopped off the Rhino. "What are you doing, Gray!?"
"I'm the most rested person out of the entire group, I can handle it and you need to watch out for the others." Gray replied and before he closed the door, Erza had tossed him an earring from her pocket dimension. "What's this?"
"It's one of the commlacs we used back when we were tracking down Zash Caine, if you're that insistent on going then wear this and keep in touch."
Gray nodded his head as he walked away and began putting on the earring, noticing the other JSDF soldiers speaking to each other within their vehicles. Their concern evident on their faces and yet they didn't seem combat ready, possibly standing down or ordered to stand down? He tapped the earring to see if it was active and was met by Erza's voice coming back to him, but held in his reply as the roof gunner armed the machine gun and Gray sped his way to the front. He was met with the sight of a blade pointed at Itami's throat with his hands before his chest in surrender, also noticing the lead vehicle surrounded by spearwomen on horseback.
"Can we please calm do-" A quick slap from a blonde woman with ringlets shut Itami up and was followed by the sound of guns cocking around Gray, who was closing in with his maker stance already set. "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Just run! Get out of here!" Gray couldn't understand what Itami was ordering for his men to do, but by the way their vehicles roared to life and sped away was enough to tell him that they had to escape.
"Gray what's going on!? Where are the JSDF going!?" Erza's voice came through the commlac and the ice mage had to act fast now that Itami was left behind without a weapon.
"I'm not sure, just follow after them, Erza! We'll be alright, so just go and keep yourself on the line." Gray informed as the women had taken notice of the ice mage, pulling Itami away from sight as they stood before him. "At least Erza's following them." Gray said to himself as he watched their Rhino speed off to catch up with the others.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" The ringleted woman commanded him, unsheathing her sword as the white haired woman next to her did as well. "Are you allied with the man we've captured?"
"I am, so how about you return him to me and we can avoid a fight." Gray replied, purposefully avoiding identifying himself as he gauged his odds of fighting them all to reach Itami.
"Wait Gray, don't attack them!" Itami called out to him behind the mass of women in armor, a woman from the mass punching him in the face for speaking out.
"So much for keeping my name a secret." The ice mage thought to himself as Itami spoiled his initial plan, unsure as to why the Japanese man asked him to not fight back. "There aren't that many options left Itami, plus you're being held hostage here."
"Just take a look at their flags!" Itami replied back and once again punished with a sucker punch to the gut from another female knight.
"Shut up!" She hissed as Itami lurched over, Gray believing that the wind had been knocked out of him from it. "You will only speak when we want you too."
As instructed, Gray looked up at the flags they were proudly displaying and he was met with an all too familiar tri-colored rose crest while the two women made their way to him. The ice mage realized that these were Pina's knights that Erza had mentioned were on the way to help defend Italica, cursing to himself as this meant that if he did anything to retaliate could very well mean the nullification of the treaty.
"Gray, what's happening?" Erza's voice rang through, finally having a moment to get in contact with him again once the JSDF had found a suitable distance to be away from the knights and have a clear visual of the situation with their binoculars.
"Looks like we just had a run in with Pina's knights." Gray replied as the women stood a few feet before him, the ice mage unwavering with his maker stance. "Itami's asking me to stand down and I understand why, but things aren't looking good."
"Stay on your guard for now and try to reason with them, notify them of our involvement at Italica. It could smooth things over as a simple misunderstanding and avoid any confrontation, but act in self defense if need be. We can sort it out with the Princess later if need be." Erza ordered and Gray dropped his maker stance, trying to find a clear line of sight to Itami if they needed to make a quick escape.
"Got it." He simply replied as two blades were pointed at him, some spearwomen coming up the rear for support.
"So your name is Gray. I, Bozes Co Palesti, order you to divulge the reason as to why you've allied yourself with that marauding scum." The blonde stood strong before Gray, catching her gaze examining the insignias on his pauldrons in an attempt to figure out who he was with.
"I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding here, we're both coming from Italica and-" Gray on his own reflex caught the blonde woman's supposed surprise slap after he mentioned Italica, giving a side longed look at her own surprise. "Are you prone to slapping people?"
The blonde pulled her hand back, her fellow knights on horseback immediately surrounding the unknown armored man with weapons trained on him. She couldn't believe the speed in which he had caught her hand, most were far too slow to stop her and their bewildered state made for easier capture. What more was for the fact that he wasn't even looking at her when she made to go for his cheek, Bozes doing her best to keep her movements subdued and silent to get the drop on him. The blonde managed to get some distance after getting her hand back and could have sworn that the man's eye glowed blue for brief moment, but she just thought her mind was playing tricks on her.
"Silence! I will not have your sass; you both will be coming with us back to Italica." She marched up to him again, this time her blade mere inches from his neck and watched as his eyes narrow sharply before turning them back towards the man in green. "Beefeater restrain him, keep them separated at all times and interrogate the one in green." The spears were withdrawn so the dark haired woman had space to accomplish her task.
The short haired woman came up to him, her hands constructing a restraining knot from rope and Bozes felt a surge of annoyance as he looked at her again. She couldn't stand it one bit and wanted to show him that he should tread carefully now that she was in control. The blonde was preparing to give him a minor cut on the side of his neck to show that he was at her mercy, but everything happened in an instant.
Gray grabbed a hold of her blade and had surprisingly taken it out of her grasp, performing a leg sweep on Beefeater somehow in his armor and lodging her blade into the dirt next to him. Bozes couldn't believe that she had been disarmed so fast and one of her own had been taken down within seconds as the man gave her a steely gaze and the spears were pointed at him again. It was if he had read her intentions and prepared himself to take action by having them believe that they were in control.
"I don't want to hurt you, but I will defend myself if need be. We can talk this through, without the need for the rope." Gray said in an even voice, still having half a dozen spears trained on him menacingly.
"You dare humiliate the Order of the Rose?! You will pay for this!" Bozes was fuming because of what he had done and had an idea of how to make him surrender. "If you want to talk then by all means, lets." She made a signal and the women who were restraining Itami moved him into view.
"Listen to me Gray, just stand down and we can set-" Itami was thusly backhanded for speaking out of turn, very harshly this time as even Gray slightly flinched at the strike.
"How many times will we have to teach you this lesson, Old Man!?" One of his retainers said as the ice mage could tell that the soldier was going to have swelling from where he had been hit.
"This is your opportunity to speak, but let me warn you that the longer you do, the more your ally will suffer. If you care for his well being, this is your chance to spare him some pain and surrender to us." Bozes said as Gray sent a glare her way, no doubt trying to call her out on a bluff she had no intention on relenting.
"That's pretty dirty for a knight, would you really threaten to inflict as much pain possible on another to achieve your goal?" Gray knew she wasn't lying, but would she stoop that low just for him to bend the knee and get taken prisoner?
On cue, Itami was punched in the face and a bit of blood began to drip out of his nose as he looked slightly dazed. The ice mage was taken aback as they weren't pulling their strikes in the slightest, as if they weren't planning to stretch out the ordeal than need be. Itami's already been hit a few times before and they no doubt were just as hard so Gray had to be careful about this as he needed to keep Itami alive.
"I-It's their world...This is how-" Another punch to the gut soon followed as Itami felt his legs almost give way, but he needed Gray to understand how things worked. "This is procedure for them..." Then a back hand to his other cheek as the swelling began on the other side of his face from the previous hit, but Itami grit his teeth to get through the pain.
"Itami shut up! For your sake, shut it!" Gray understood that the Japanese man wanted him to acknowledge that this is how they usually treat prisoners, but he couldn't stand to watch the abuse for his message. "Wait, wait, wait, wait!"
Itami was punched in the face this time and Gray could see the black eye left forming behind as his head flew back after the strike, the ice mage hoping that he's a sturdy soldier to take this punishment. The ice mage had a bad feeling that they'll move onto kicks if he didn't surrender now and even if he could use his magic to get them out of this, the possibility of a fabricated story getting relayed to Pina was highly likely. Gray had to return with them to Italica and thus to Pina, so this mess could be cleared up.
"Your choice on whether he continues to suffer for your pride or you surrender yourself to our Order." Bozes spoke up in a haughty tone, knowing that she had become victorious by the conflicted face on the young man. "We're more than fine to give you more incentive if need be."
"Alright fine! I surrender." Gray spoke out as he noticed a knight preparing herself in a stance for what was likely the kick he feared they'd do to Itami's face. "I'll go to Italica as your prisoner."
"I'm glad we can come to an understanding; Beefeater, go and restrain him. He won't resist this time." Bozes dared not smile as war called for the necessary actions to be taken and if the torture of enemies was needed, then she must swallow the bitter feelings and do what must be done.
Gray watched the dark haired woman come up to him cautiously as she tied his arms up, the ice mage accepting his fate and a part of him tried to make light of his situation by thinking about how Natsu was not going to let him live this down. He despised seeing the JSDF soldier beaten as much as he was, but Itami did his best to remind him that the Special Region plays by different rules than either of their worlds. The ice mage knew he couldn't hold his anger against the knights either as they were only doing what they believed was right in order to protect their kingdom, Gray's thoughts about the knights being confirmed when catching glimpses of those who held uncertainty on their face. Even Bozes, who stood as their commander and pridefully leading the knights, found no joy in what she ordered to be done to Itami.
It was simply a means to an end.
"Let us continue our journey to Italica, you three will try to see what you can find out from the man in green." Bozes ordered to the two retainers and the one knight ready to kick Itami as she went back to her horse. "Do what you must to get him to talk."
"Wait a minute! I surrendered to you, why do you need to continue the use of brutal interrogations on him!?" The ice mage thought they'd leave Itami alone and just transport them to Italica without further delay.
"Because he is one of the marauders in control of the Holy Hill of Alnus, the ones who have decimated the armies of our allied nations and killed many brave and respected imperials." Bozes replied as Beefeater pulled him along, watching as the man in green be draped over one of the horses as the knight originally riding it made to ride along another. "He has more importance at the moment, but we'll have our Princess deal with you personally, traitor."
The ice mage quickly came to the conclusion that just like Pina, they thought that he was someone of their world and couldn't quite grasp how they couldn't tell he wasn't. He made no move to say that they were wrong and allowed Beefeater to wrangle him over to the horse Itami was draped over and sat in the saddle. His hands were still bound as the dark haired woman used a lead to control their horse and kept them in pace with the group. Gray made sure that the lieutenant was tied up well so he wouldn't fall off and added a hidden layer of ice just to be safe as they rode off.
"Gray, what's going on? The JSDF have grown concerned after that brutal display to Itami." Erza's voice came through and Gray was glad to hear from her again since he was far too busy with what was happening to them. "Do you need a distraction for an escape?"
"That won't be necessary, Itami wants us to return to Italica. He's tougher than he looks, but keep on standby. Maybe we can find out their true intentions now that they have us as their "prisoners" who'll face Pina personally." Gray tried to keep his voice as subdued as possible as to not rouse the suspicion of their captors.
"Copy that, we won't be far behind you. The JSDF think that at the rate you're going at, you may be entering Italica by nightfall. Keep things civil Gray, Pina may come to honor the treaty so don't go all out on a retribution angle for Itami and go more for resolutions to ignorance." Gray felt that Erza was dealing with Natsu than him at times with all her cautions, but he was the definition of civil in comparison to the flaming idiot.
"Don't worry Erza, I'll try to embody the nickname of "The Negotiator" if it'll ease your worries for us." Gray cheekily replied as he noticed the lead horses venturing off the path to stop near a creek.
"I never said I was worried." Gray chuckled at that and watched closely as their horse was led towards the creek as well, dispersing the ice as Itami's retainers came over to them.
He watched as they carried him off and every fiber of his being wanted to follow after, but thought better than to try or else he ran the risk of making it worse for Itami. He had theories as to why they weren't attempting to do the same things to him, most centering around how swiftly he disarmed Bozes and kicked Beefeater's feet from under her. A side note he had was why did someone name their child such strange names, but it mattered little as he heard the interrogation of Itami begin. They tried to do it as far away from him as possible, but Gray's superior senses allowed him to hear what they were doing and the familiar slap to wake Itami up was the first thing he heard.
They started with basic questions that he easily answered, but as they drew closer to the more information sensitive material did he become more tight lipped. Of course, his insubordination to answer the female knights was met with physical punishment and each strike echoed in Gray's ears. He hated that he couldn't do a damn thing, it would be simple to tear through the ropes, freeze them all to the ground and get Erza to pick them up, but then he had the feeling that Itami would say he had it all under control. It felt like an hour had gone by since they stopped at the creek to give the horses a moment of rest and during it all, they were still with Itami.
Gray listened thoroughly as they grilled the lieutenant for answers and when their strikes grew stronger, Itami began to recite his identification code, as the ice mage had dubbed it, repeatedly. He could tell that the man had enough and was swaying too much to keep conscious for much longer, Bozes noticing it as well as she called off the interrogation and left him be.
"So it seems that we didn't get much out of your ally, will you be much more compliant than him?" Beefeater questioned Gray who spared her a glance as he kept sight of Itami, making sure he was still breathing.
"Try as you might, you won't get anything out of me." Gray replied as he's been through so much more punishment than they'll ever think of doing to him. "It'll be a waste of time and I'm just trying to save you the trouble of going through it the long way."
"Many a prideful man has said similar words and that many have given in to reveal their secrets. You'll reveal all that you're hiding in due time." Beefeater had heard it all before and after a few hours of torture do their spirits begin to break, followed by their wills.
"Believe me when I say that I could have escaped twenty times over if I wanted to, but I'm showing restraint here." The ice mage wasn't lying as he had figured out a number of ways to escape from his captors that ranged from the bare use of magic to full on retaliation.
"My, aren't I scared. The unarmed and bounded prisoner is capable of overpowering a large band of elite knights on his own." Beefeater sarcastically remarked as she fixed the rear pack on Gray's horse as her fellow knights came back with Itami in tow. "If Bozes hadn't had the intention of having the Princess cast your fate, traitor, then we would've been given the task of eliminating the threat to the Empire."
"Most traitors' fates are always death, but unlike them, I haven't betrayed my country. After all, this world isn't mine." Gray replied and before Beefeater could question him, the knights set Itami back onto the horse and Bozes gave the order to continue on towards Italica.
Once again, they rode off on the laid-out path, silent to everything with the drumming of hooves unbroken as they passed plains and fields of grass with the occasional grove of trees in the distance. The ice mage applied inconspicuous amounts of ice magic onto Itami's face to sooth the worst of the swelling as the bleeding from his nose had stopped since he plugged it with a bit of ice as well. Gray was no stranger to this kind of brutality as being a guild mage gives you numerous experiences around the country, especially if you're a part of Fairy Tail, but these women really wanted information out of the Japanese man. He would have been fine to have taken his place to ease the abuse Itami suffered, but his display may have rattled a few of them to know that he was still dangerous even without a weapon.
Gray left his thoughts to wonder and made occasional check ins with Erza to tell her about their status. She kept in contact with him as much as she could and provided him a distraction from this monotonous and frankly boring ride back to the trade hub. Which was far longer because of the maximum speed the horses could reach in comparison to the FEF's Rhinos. When Gray noticed the sun begin to set sometime later, he could see Italica off in the distance and was glad that the trip was almost over. Itami had awaken, given that he seemed pretty lucid as he wouldn't correctly answer Gray back most of the time and remained quiet until he did.
Night had fallen once they entered the city, Gray finally being released from his rope bonds to only get stuck having to carry Itami over his shoulder to the Countess' manor. As he walked with the escort of Rose Order knights flanking his sides, curious gazes and hushed whispers went about from the civilians as they had just watched their saviors leave not long ago. He understood their confused faces as he passed them all, the knights on the other hand were unsure of all the stares that they were receiving for a town in danger of an attack. Bozes found it troubling how calm the people were as it didn't coincide to her preconceived idea of a city under attack with certain defeat looming over them.
She left a complement of knights to watch over the south and east gate while the rest came with her to the Countess' manor, still having a troubled feeling about all of this. Beefeater shared her sentiment, but they pressed on until they came in full view of the manor and knocked on the door. The head maid had answered and bowed her head before the Rose Order, but held a gasp at the sight of Gray carrying a wounded Itami over his shoulders who nodded his greeting to her. The majority of the knights were made to stay behind in the lobby while herself and Panache were to meet before the Princess with their prisoners in tow. The blonde had noticed that the head maid seemed rather troubled by something and was holding her tongue for some reason, but she never got around to asking what it was as they were led inside the main room where Pina was sitting upon a throne sipping from a goblet.
"Princess Pina we've arrived to give our support in the defense of Italica and come bearing prisoners that have taken the Holy Hill." Bozes turned to point at her prisoners that Panache was escorting into the room as Pina spat out her drink once she caught sight of who they were.
"W-What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Pina roared in sheer astonishment and anger as she threw her goblet at Bozes' head without thinking.
Bozes was momentarily stunned by her princess' sudden explosion of anger at her, just barely starting to register the pain coming from her forehead as a bit of blood began to leak down her face. She watched her princess heave in exasperated anger at them, Bozes falling to her knees in shock at the suddenness of it all as Panache raced to her side with a cloth to help with the bleeding.
"You idiots!" Pina reprimanded, her breathing still a bit erratic as she watched Gray move off to the side and placed Itami sitting up against the far wall. Glad that Hamilton made her way over to help with the JSDF soldier's wounds.
"But Princess, what have we done wrong?" Panache questioned as she tried to wipe away the blood from Bozes' face as Pina looked over the beaten form of Itami.
"Can't you tell?" She said in reply, her spirit wavering at the sight of the state the man in green was, Hamilton trying her best to keep him conscious until he fell over on his side.
She yelped in fear as the bruising was pretty severe, but hadn't expected the man to succumb to his wounds right before her. Gray, doing his best to calm her, picked up Itami once again and asked her where he could take him to get healed. The short woman sprang into action as she directed him to follow her and had called for the head maid to bring healing salves, exiting the room and leaving Pina with the bewildered knights before her. Pina couldn't believe what fools her knights were for what they did to Itami, but was thankful that they at least left Gray alone otherwise they would be in far hotter water than they were now.
Grey came rushing in at the sound of the Princess' exclamation to see all his students completely in a state of shock, with two on the floor and Pina sitting on the throne in disbelief. A maid came in to look over Bozes' injury but she had yet to move, waiting on Pina to explain how she failed her.
"You idiots have doomed us." Pina simply said, putting her head in her hands in defeat now that everything they worked for was shattered so quickly.
"Sir Grey, I don't understand what has happened." Panache spoke up as Bozes was still too stunned to say anything at the moment.
"Given to the state I saw Sir Itami being carried away in, along with Sir Gray being here as well, I can assume that you lot captured them as prisoners out on the roads leading to Italica?" The white haired woman nodded her head and even Grey passed a troubled hand through his hair at their mistake. "Those two men belong to the forces who had come to our aid in defending Italica, single handedly defeating the bandit horde on their own."
Panache was shocked by the news as it now made sense to why everything and everyone was so calm within the trading hub. They had nothing more to worry about now, peace had been delivered to them and they tortured one of their saviors. Bozes coming to, now realizing why the head maid seemed so troubled as they walked in and the insecure feeling she was having when walking towards the manor.
"What did you do to Sir Gray? In the state that you left Sir Itami, I'm sure you morons didn't keep your hands off him either." Pina was baffled at herself for not seeing this coming, thinking she could have informed them once they arrived in two or three days in Italica.
"Bozes was smart enough to merely restrain him as he was a dangerous foe, he disarmed her and toppled Beefeater in mere seconds in the name of self-defense." Panache replied noticing how her princess was relenting a little bit.
"That's good, that's good. At least you didn't harm him." Pina was glad that Gray came out of this unscathed since this incident could very well lose them the JSDF's support, but it meant that they still had the FEF on their side for the time being.
"I do not understand, Princess. Why is it a good thing that we left that man alone?" Pina didn't reply to the white haired woman so Grey took it upon himself to enlighten them.
"Sir Gray is in a sense, a prince from another world who's allied with a War Maiden, dragons and even a celestial princess. His repertoire of allies alone could topple the very Empire, with even more forces stationed at the Artisian Valley." Panache's eyes widen in shock at the revelation, now understanding why her princess was so distressed.
"We signed a treaty with them and look at us now, we violated it within the same day it was signed..." Pina was still facepalming at the unbelievability that at the end of the day, her people still attacked the JSDF.
"And there is a high possibility that they'll use this as an excuse to start a war." Grey wouldn't put it past a power as great as the JSDF to do such a thing, it made it simple for them with good reason to boot. "This is a standard tactic of the Empire and one they'll very will mimic it for the benefits that it can reap for them."
"And if that happens, we are certainly doomed." It was a terrible reality Pina could see coming to pass with no real means to argue against them enacting it, which she prayed to the gods that she could smooth things over with Gray to have the FEF support at her side.
"On the brighter side, we can thankfully say that there weren't any casualties. The situation could have been unsalvageable if someone had died." Grey knew that with proper aid, Itami's wounds could be healed away and at best, the prince was inconvenienced by their knights. "Why don't we just try to apologize?"
"You wish for me to bow my head to Itami!?" He may command troops, but even Pina would not bow before a mere soldier while she is the princess to an empire.
"You'd you rather fight him and his forces?" Grey understood his former student's pride, but even he knew that an apology was worth a minor hit to a person's pride.
"No, it would ruin the Empire." Pina relented as Grey was right, but she wouldn't stand to tarnish her pride for a man as small as Itami.
"Both of you come with me, we'll find a way to deal with the apparent problem on our hands." Bozes finally rose to her feet, Panache assisting her as they followed after their princess into an adjacent parlor.
"I understand what you two have done was in the best interest of the Empire, but I can't condone your actions as you both now know that the two men you brought in are important individuals." Pina began as she sat down at the furthest seat, Bozes and Panache standing before her nervously for what punishment may come. "You attacked the JSDF and FEF after we guaranteed their safe passage, treating your prisoner in a fashion that was not "humanely" by their worlds' standards."
"Those actions were both violations of the treaty, I can understand your ignorance of it since it was signed this very day, but your actions are another matter. The JSDF have enough power to topple an army in mere seconds, whereas Prince Gray and his FEF have the power to defeat a Flame Dragon." Pina watched their expressions unchanging from their previous worried states, she too would don one if she hadn't the need to keep the visage of a strong ruler before them even if she let it slip earlier.
"If they use this as an excuse to start a war, I don't need to remind you what will happen to the Empire..." Bozes looked down dejectedly as she knew the blame solely landed on her as she led the knights personally.
"Yes." The blonde meekly replied before looking up at her princess as she huffed shortly after.
"For the safety of the Empire, we need to make everyone pretend this never happened. To do so, Bozes, you will have to use your body." Pina saw the color drain from the ringlet blonde's face, feeling remorseful for what she was making one of her oldest friends do. "It's a shame to give it to a man as small as Itami, but he's the one who suffered the most."
"A-As the daughter of a noble house, I've been trained in these matters." Bozes began as a look of determination flashed across her face. "I shall offer my body up for the sake of you and the Empire."
"I too will offer my body for the sake of the Empire!" Panache spoke up as she couldn't allow herself to let Bozes suffer alone. "I acted as her second in command during the incident and have come to terms that my punishment should be equal to that of Bozes, Princess."
"Very well, carry on to an available room and prepare yourselves to "heal" Itami's broken body." As terrible as it was for what she was making them do, Pina swelled with some pride knowing that her knights were like sisters to the end.
One of the manor's maids stood outside the room awaiting the meeting to end and helped guide the two knights to an available guest room, excusing herself to retrieve their required garments. Bozes plopped herself down on the bed as she began to remove her armor, each piece feeling heavier than the last. Panache followed suit although not as slow as the blonde, knowing that everything they were doing was for the sake of the future. A solemn laugh escaped from her lips as she removed the clasps holding up her breast plate, her friend giving a quizzical look at her.
"Perhaps you should've kept on going in cutting the man's throat a little bit, then Pina might've given more thought to him." Though the white haired woman came to support Bozes for her punishment, she still thought it might have been better with the other man. "We are losing our purity to the man we interrogated just a few hours ago, fate must be laughing at us."
"Our ignorance comes with a price to pay; besides, we still would've ended up in the same situation if I had harmed the prince as well." Bozes replied as it wouldn't have made a difference, the punishment would be the same just with two people they needed to seduce instead of one.
"True enough, but wouldn't you have rather given your body to a prince over a simple man?" Panache was looking at this from a different perspective, as the honor of their families would be blemished for what they had to do. It still would've been besmirched if they were tasked to appease the younger man, but because he was a royal then the Empire would overlook it as a noble sacrifice.
"I don't wish to think of such things, all I ask is to get this over and done with. We failed our Empire and Princess Pina, so we must accomplish this as penance to both." Bozes replied tiredly as she tried to calm her erratic heart, her worries bubbling within her.
"My ladies, your nightwear." The manor maid said as she walked into the room with two sets of lingerie in each hand; one in red with light blue accents and the other in indigo with black accents.
"So, this is the point of no return." Panache voiced as she came up next to the blonde and picked up the indigo colored nightwear. "I'll go in first and then... switch with you thereafter." The white haired woman kept up appearances for so long, but now she was starting to waver in her conviction.
"No, I'll go first. I am the one responsible for all of this and should be the one to offer myself in apology." The blonde had to do this no matter what, taking off the last of her undergarments and changing into the revealing clothing. "Panache, remain here until I call for you. That's when you'll join in."
The maid bowed her head as her services were no longer needed and the two were left alone once again, each mentally preparing themselves for what was to come next. The knights shared a few more words before Bozes exited their room into the moonlit hallway. She took tentative steps as she passed a number of rooms, her sandals making minor clicks with each step as her thoughts were muddled with Pina's words. Bozes, as well as the other knights in the Rose Order, swore an oath to follow their Princess' lead and commands with the added purity of their being which she now had to sacrifice. Her family trained her to entertain when needed, but she had no idea what to do once those led into the more nightly activities lovers acted upon.
This was different as she was not about to be bedded by a lover, but by a man that holds the fate of her Empire in his hands. Her heart ached at the glaring reality that her purity would be taken before she had the chance to fall in love, to give herself to the man she'd spend the rest of her life with who deserved it. The ringlet blonde sighed solemnly as she stood before the doors of Itami's room, feeling the prickling of tears from the corner of her eyes before wiping them away. Bozes breathed in a bit of air to settle her nerves and put on a determined face as she reached out for the handles to face her fate.
"Now what might you be up to?" The blonde let out a squeak of surprise from the sudden voice as she turned to look further down the hallway to see a figure make his way to her.
The knight hadn't thought anyone was still wandering the halls at this hour with the belief that she was the only one awake, save for guards outside the manor, a few maids and Panache. She worried for who the figure was as her embarrassment would launch itself into the air if it was her old mentor patrolling the halls. An evening cloud covering the moon had finally passed by to allow more light from the windows, revealing the figure to be the prince from another world, Gray.
"P-Prince Gray, you gave me quite the scare just now." Bozes said as he came closer, amazed at the fact that he was very quiet while wearing his armor. "I was coming to pay Sir Itami a... visit."
"A visit?" The young man was skeptical by the looks of it and gave her a once over before turning his head to the door. "You're a bit under dressed if you came to apologize."
Bozes' cheeks flared at his words as she turned her back to him swiftly, remembering that the lingerie she had on was very revealing that left little to the imagination. The sudden rush of embarrassment had her act on instinct as she then came around in one fluid motion to slap the young man.
"Like I asked before, are you prone to slapping people?" Gray asked as he caught her hand with the same speed as he did the first time, Bozes' cursing herself for repeating the actions that landed her in this mess in the first place.
"No, I'm not, it's just that a man should not lay eyes upon a woman without appropriate attire on." She huffed, pulling her hand back from his grasp as he rolled his eyes in response and the blonde couldn't believe he had the gall to do so. "And what of you? Why are you stalking the halls so late at night?"
"I'm coming to check on Itami since they led me to a separate room after dropping him off to get healed. Plus, I'm not the one walking the halls in sexy lingerie in the middle of the night, am I?" He said pointedly and Bozes couldn't believe this man's nonchalant attitude about seeing her like this.
"Why you! You're just a scoundrel getting his eyeful of my maidenly body, you should be like respectable gentlemen who avert their gaze before a woman who isn't modest." Her embarrassment transformed into annoyance by the way Gray had been reacting to her as he seemed apathetic to her womanly physique.
"If calling me names makes you feel better, then knock yourself out. Just take this for the meantime." Gray said as he removed his cape and draped it over Bozes' shoulders, stepping back to avoid a devastating kick that she planned on giving him.
"What's the meaning of this?" Bozes questioned as she made to take it off, but thought better of it and decided to wrap her exposed skin underneath it.
"I can tell you're just as prideful as Pina and I have the feeling that you didn't come to the idea of persuading Itami to look the other way on your own." Bozes averted her eyes in defeat for finding her out and Gray just couldn't believe the lengths this world goes to fix problems. "Trust me when I say that with a person like Itami, a simple apology can go a long way."
"That's impossible, no man would accept something as feeble as that for compensation. Especially if their pride had been shattered, at the hand of a woman no less." Bozes wouldn't have it, she's learned that pride was everything to a man and they became laughing stocks amongst the masses if it was tarnished at the hands of woman.
"Give me the benefit of the doubt then because I can assure you that Itami is enjoying himself just fine." Gray said as he made for the door handle, giving her a cheeky smirk once he got a hold of the handle. "Oh and just because I don't look away doesn't make me any less of a gentleman."
"Just get on with it!" The blonde huffed as this man was merely teasing her at this point and allowed herself to take his word on the matter of Itami.
Gray gave a small chuckle as he opened the double doors to Itami's room and Bozes' was met with the cheerful atmosphere of a room filled with people. More men in green with a woman dressed just like them made idle conversation with the various demi-human maids, an elf, a mage and Rory the Reaper were also present with the latter seeming to be put off with the head maid's constant praise. There were also three others that were dressed like the prince; a blonde woman, an armored crimson haired woman and a teenage girl with a cat in a similar outfit. The ringlet blonde took a moment to realize that these were probably the allies her mentor had mentioned before, the very outlandish ones of myth and absurd power.
"So your people are called Exceeds?" The cat maid asked the white cat who nodded her head before a pair of wings sprang from her back.
"Yes and with proper training, some of us have learned to transform into combat forms." Bozes watched as the white cat was consumed in a puff of smoke before a young cat girl stood before them. "These forms are dependent based on the different Exceed, I use this in tandem with my Aera to fight alongside Wendy."
"Oh meow goodness!" The cat maid exclaimed as she began to exam the younger one from top to bottom excitedly. "My people have always believed that a race akin to ours existed that remained much closer to our natural roots than us. You could be them!"
"Looks like you made a friend, Carla." The teenager, Wendy, said as Bozes tuned them out to hear another conversation.
"Your fighting techniques were amazing during your battle against the bandits! It was amazingly wonderful how bravely you stood before the horde; I think I'm in love!" A bunny maid said towards the woman in green and the crimson haired woman, the petite one growing bashful at her words.
"It was nothing." The petite woman said modestly as the armored woman nodded in agreement.
"I look forward to what you have in store as a Warrior Bunny, I have battled a powerful one back in my world and have been impressed by her strength." The crimson haired added and it was the bunny maid who became bashful at her words this time.
The ringlet blonde couldn't believe that this was all going on inside Itami's room, said man lying in bed with a few of his men at his side laughing alongside him. A part of her began to feel anger at the fact that he was ignoring her, but took a deep breath as she couldn't allow herself to get consumed by the urge to slap him. She; however, was grateful that the prince had intercepted her before she entered the room and embarrassed herself in front of all these people in her current attire. She was too engrossed with her thoughts that a spark of surprise ignited within her as a hand pressed against her back and began pushing her over towards her former prisoner. She turned her head to see Gray guiding her and swallowed what curt words she had for him as Bozes stood at Itami's bedside.
"Looks like you're doing better Itami, I have someone that wanted to speak to you." Gray said as he presented Bozes, the soldier giving her a confused look at seeing her wearing the young man's cape.
"S-Sir Itami I...um... I wished to ask for your forgiveness!" Bozes blurted out as her nerves were starting to get to her, bowing her head slightly in shame. "I was ignorant to the fact that you were a valuable person for saving Italica and treated you like a common criminal."
"That's quite alright, you were just doing your duty, right?" Itami nervously laughed as he never had a woman apologize to him before, especially a noble lady like her. "Strangers going through your land can make anyone cautious, so let's just brush this under the table and say it was an accident."
"Are you certain, we showed no mercy in our interrogations." Bozes couldn't believe it was this simple and was expecting the man to laugh in her face if she even believed it to be so.
"I got healed and had amazing maid service from demi-humans, it's like a dream come true!" Itami cheered as all present maids bowed their heads in thanks to his compliment.
The ringlet blonde didn't know how to respond to the soldier's unusual tastes, but came to accept that he was genuine with his acceptance of her apology. She felt a weight was lifted off her shoulders, both figuratively and literally as the cold of the air nipped at her skin. What Bozes hadn't realized was that a part of the cape had landed upon the bed's linens and Itami tossed them off to stand up, using full force without realizing the extra fabric he clutched in his hand. Bozes hadn't been grasping the cape as she had been doing earlier so as the linens were removed from Itami's body, the cape came off her person which had also snagged the over arm strap on her right shoulder.
It fell far enough that it almost exposed the whole of her bare breast and an in instant she shot a hand up to cover her modesty. She was blinded by embarrassment and anger once again by this accident and chose Itami as the target to release her rage upon as hand rose high into the air and a resounding slap followed shortly as it fell with great speed.
"And... That wound?" An angered Pina asked witnessing the distinct coloration of a handprint upon the JSDF soldier's face as the group was delivered before the princess because Itami's howl of pain had awoken her.
"It was my doing..." Bozes defeatedly replied as she could see Panache, still dressed in her lingerie, facepalm from the corner of her eye. Wishing she could now sink further into Gray's cape even more so, hoping one of the maids would be bringing her a robe soon.
The group stood awkwardly as Pina groaned loudly at her subordinate's second blunder as she spoke to herself through gritted teeth. Many feeling sympathies for Bozes after the accident had occurred and a select few having the feeling that something like this would happen. Of course not with Bozes specifically, but the incident occurring nonetheless. Tomita took the initiative to speak for his lieutenant as he still seemed to be in a dazed state after the young lady's retributive strike, signaling Lelei to translate for him.
"He says that they'll be taking their commanding officer back and wants you to work it out for yourself." Lelei translated to a distraught Pina who appeared as if her world was shattering right before her eyes.
"That won't do at all!" Pina nervously exclaimed as they hadn't properly apologized for what happened to Itami earlier and Bozes botched their attempt to do so. "I know! It's almost dawn so you should join us for breakfast! Maybe then you could recons-" Pina was cut off as another JSDF soldier behind Itami spoke up, the princess awaiting Lelei's translation earnestly.
"They are grateful for your offer, but Itami has been asked to report to their Senate." The mage replied and that was the worst possible thing Pina wanted to hear. "He has to return immediately."
Everything was coming undone right before her eyes, Itami had to speak to their senate and with a simple word, he could bring down the entire JSDF onto the Empire. Pina was terrified that there wasn't enough time for her to salvage Itami's opinion of them, but had been grateful that the FEF's opinion still remained the same if perhaps a little shaded because of Bozes' actions. The Third Princess had to think of something to help plead a case to keep the JSDF where they were stationed until she had the chance to have the FEF deeper on her side as a backup in case the Japanese decided to invade anyways. She could see them already prepared to leave and that's when it finally came to her, a plan to help her people and quite possibly duplicate with the FEF.
"Wait! I'll go to Alnus as well." She announced confidently as she had garnered the surprise from the JSDF, though it was much more evident on the faces of her people. "For the blunder that has occurred, I wish to apologize directly to your superior officer for violating the treaty."
"But, but, but!" Itami was flabbergasted that the princess had suggested something like this herself, unsure how this could all play out.
"I'm sure that is fine with you, Lieutenant Itami?" Pina was adamant about going now that she chose her course of action and by the looks of it, Itami had no room to argue against her request.
Just as she had thought, the soldier could not say anything in opposition and in good faith, Pina ordered breakfast to be made for everyone. Though the sun was barely starting to peek through the horizon, a meal fit to feed so many people was readily prepared for all as they were led to a large dining hall. During their walk towards the hall, Gray had come to notify her that he and his party were all departing for their home base as well and wished to at least say his thanks to Myui for her hospitality.
Pina had advised to not wake the Countess since it was so early and that she'll inform the head maid to deliver his message once she does wake. The Third Princess also asked for the head maid to make preparations to have her diplomatic garbs prepared for her departure. Everyone was quickly seated and as everyone began to enjoy their meal, none present noticed that Pina had yet to take a bite of her food. The reason being that her apatite was nonexistent because of her nerves and quickly found a way to excuse herself in order to speak with the two knights she had ordered to take care of the situation properly.
"I gave you one simple order and yet you still failed it!" Pina was none too pleased with everything at the moment as Bozes didn't step up and Panache never even made the attempt she volunteered to do. "I understand that it was a problematic one for you, but I expected a disciplined mind when you ventured out to right our wrong."
"My deepest apologies, Princess Pina. I was going to enter the room, but Prince Gray had caught me at the door and their allies were already within the room." Bozes, though feeling weighted by her inaction, was rather glad it didn't come to it because of the young man's interference. "I wouldn't have had the chance to do anything either way."
"Well, it doesn't matter much anymore as now I must go to their base of operations to fix this. I pray to the gods that they'll be willing to hear me out." Pina sighed as the last thing she wanted to do was walk right into the enemy's hands so easily. "You two will stay here and watch over the relief effort while I'm gone."
"I can't allow you to go on your own, My Princess! Allow me to accompany you, I've failed once before but I won't this time. I swear upon my name that I will support you!" Bozes wasn't going to let Pina out of her sight and knew that this was one way she could kill two birds with one stone.
"Nay, I will protect you! I think it best that Bozes remain here to think things over and I go in her stead." Panache wanted to protect Pina since she knew that her opinion of Bozes was whittled thanks to the recent happenings and wanted to save the blonde from disappointing her again. "I'll be just as efficient if not more than her."
"I won't allow it; I failed our Princess one too many times as it is. The duty to protect her shall be my penance to her, I will sacrifice all to ensure that her safety is my top priority." Bozes countered as this was her chance to redeem herself in the eyes of Pina.
"How sure are you of that if you hesitated to accomplish the last order she gave you previously?" Panache had no idea why Bozes was fighting her over this as she was giving the blonde a chance to recuperate and have a moment to herself while she did the terrifying journey of entering the enemy camp.
"I had my reserves, but I will not fail her I will-"
"Enough!" Pina ordered harshly as she began to rub her temples, their arguing giving her a headache on top of everything she was going to have to do soon. "I'm giving you this opportunity to fix your past mistakes Bozes, you will be coming along with me. With my choice to go with the JSDF, I'm sending Hamilton and you, Panache, to go with the FEF in my stead."
"A-Are you sure, My Princess." Panache wasn't fond of the idea of her going alone with only Bozes for support, but she still had her reserves of going with the FEF back to their camp and have only Hamilton as her support.
"Yes I am, Hamilton is very skilled in negotiation tactics given our treaty with both factions and you will help support her while at Prince Gray's camp. If things don't work out with the JSDF, Hamilton will have already established a reasonable connection with the FEF." Pina already feared the power both forces posses and so long as she had one at her side, she'd be satisfied at the idea that they wouldn't be so outclassed.
"Now hurry on and change into your diplomatic garbs, we have less than a few hours to prepare before our departure." Pina commanded and watched as both her knights salute to her before walking away into the halls to change, just like she had to do.
It wasn't long before the early morning was upon them and in a quick conversation with Gray did Pina notified him that Hamilton, alongside a trusted Rose Order knight, would be accompanying him. The Third Princess was aware that it was extremely short notice and knew that it may have seriously inconvenienced him as he was previously in a serious discussion with his people before speaking to him. She wasn't sure what it was about, but they each held troubled expression for the majority of their talk before having to wave it off and appear content with things. In any case, Gray had a few words with Scarlet and after a bit of back and forth, returned to her with an agreement that they would be allowed to come so long as they listened to their instructions.
Pina readily agreed and called forth the duo who were dressed just as she and Bozes were, save for the fact that their shawls were all a different color. The four shared a few words of encouragement as they each boarded their respective carriages and all the manor's maids bowed their heads to bid farewell to their esteemed guests. As the carriages roared to life and each began their journey, Pina prayed to the gods to watch over her friends as the FEF carriage broke off in a different direction.
"May they have safe travels and for us all to reunite soon." Pina thought to herself, trying her best to ignore all the movement about the carriage and focus on her one true goal. To make peace with the monster they had awaken.