"ROMA!"
"If you fuckers don't shut up, I'm gonna Roma your damn faces!"
"Haha…"
Bell felt his sweat run down his skin as he witnessed the…err, 'invasion'. The fight between Rakia and Orario's adventurers. Usually one would think it'd be a lot more serious and dramatic and heartbreaking with fighters on both sides trying to kill each other. Instead, as he stood upon the wall like many other people, the battles had a sort of comedic sense.
That didn't mean the warriors were stupid however, at least when it came to the soldiers of the conquering nation that was Rakia. In a way, the role of the Orario combatants were reversed from what they usually were. The soldiers of Rakia appeared to be an organized group, 'hunting' in squads of four, as they aim to take down singular individuals stronger than them. It was as if Orario's fighters became the big monsters, the minotaur, while the soldiers were the rookies teaming up to take down something bigger than them. Then there was the way the squads were split up. Not too close to get into the way of each other, with four people cooperating appearing to be the optimized limit. But not far away enough to prevent support in case of emergency. Like a pack of hyena, the spear and shield wielders would jump at any weakness, turning four against one into eight against one. One adventurer being overwhelmed and beaten up, until the other adventurer left behind gathered his bearings and jumped in himself at last.
Controlled chaos, in a way. Bell wasn't sure if he would have been able to see the designated 'fields', the 'paths' and 'flow' without Solaris shifting his attention towards it during their lessons.
"You've grown again."
He flinched a bit. He glanced to the side, staring at the blonde who kept a passive expression as she overlooked the battlefield herself. Aiz smiled ever so slightly as she turned to him. Bell was not sure if it was because she was complimenting him or if she enjoyed seeing him startled. It wasn't as if it was his fault, she wasn't saying anything for the last twenty minutes since they both met up on this wall by coincidence!
"Ah…" Bell licked his lips as he calmed his beating heart. "In-in what way?"
"I can see it in your eyes." Aiz gestured across the field of fighting, with an approving nod. "You are reading the battlefield."
"I'm not as good as Solaris, but she is a good teacher," Bell muttered, feeling a blush creep up on his face. Aiz' mouth twitched, not a smile, but not a frown either, before she decided to keep a neutral face.
"Hm. She didn't seem the type."
Bell scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He felt he should defend his captain…but it wasn't like Aiz was wrong to have that impression. Heck, he had that impression himself until recently.
"Haha, I know…but she is pretty smart if she wants to."
"Smarter than me." Aiz lowered her head a bit. "I usually act on instinct. The sense of…the winds changing."
"Well, there are different types of fighters. No use comparing." He smiled at her encouragingly, before looking at the horizon with a small frown. "I do wonder where Romulus is…"
"He's over there at the camps and the tree they set up, next to his god," Aiz said, almost casually, as she stretched her arm forward to point at a…small spot on a hill. "Ares looks angry."
Bell narrowed his eyes, trying to see what she was referring to. But beyond the color of the tents, and the movement of some people, he couldn't quite make out any details. Seeing him struggle, Aiz took a small breath before humming as she looked forward.
"He appears to urge Romulus to enter the battlefield. But Romulus only laughs him off and is remaining seated back there." She paused, tilting her head in confusion. "He is…standing up. Patting the shoulder of a general it looks like. Giving him some orders I think. And he is…leaving?" She blinked before pressing her lips together. "I guess Finn was right…"
"Right about what?"
She opened her mouth, about to answer him, before closing it. Bell stared at that, as she seemed to mull over something. Then she nodded to herself, pumping herself up rather cutely with a slightly raised fist before turning to him in full. His lips quivered, trying to keep the blush and the goofy smile from his face at her adorableness. Aiz fortunately ignored those things and then pointed at the fighters once more, with an excited shine in her eyes.
"Look at who is fighting. What do you notice?"
…Did she want to teach him too? Well, this wasn't the first time, but it was usually in terms of one in one combat. Did she want to one up Solaris? Or did she feel proud of being 'smart'? Bell felt he shouldn't follow that train of thought in fear of…something. Clearing his throat, he turned at the battlefield, rubbing his chin in thought.
The way they fought. Ignoring their 'sluggishness' compared to him, Bell noticed a certain lack of…fluidity in movement. Stiffness at occasions, awkward shifting of weapons. Some others were more confident in their movements, old and tired actions well oiled and trained.
"...They're all level one? Well, with a level two here and there I guess…"
Aiz nodded in approvement before crossing her arms.
"I've heard Rakia managed to raise some level threes. More than in the past, before Romulus. Outside the dungeon, it is usually close to impossible to reach the mid rank of the Falna in fifteen years."
She glanced at him, waiting. Bell frowned at her words. It spoke volumes of what Romulus' influence was like, to increase the average of skill among Rakians. Yet even though he had such resources…
"They aren't being utilized. And since Romulus isn't entering the fight…" Something clicked in his mind. The way the warriors were looking out for each other. Making sure they weren't harmed and pulled back quickly. It wasn't an invasion where they desired victory over all in the first place! "They are using Orario as a sharpening tool!"
"Hm. Finn theorized the same," Aiz said, smiling at his insight. "It's why we aren't sending in anyone stronger too."
"Because we can't afford to, due to Evilus?"
Her smile fell, as she let out a slight breath of irritation.
"Yes." She grimaced, pressing her lips together as she looked down at Bell's body. "...how are your legs?"
He blinked before laughing a bit, waving her off as he wiggled his right leg in demonstration.
"I can't move fast yet, but walking is alright. Lord Miach even recommended I'd take more walks, 'to get the blood flowing again', he said."
And boy, was he glad to follow that 'advice'. If he had to remain seated in a wheelchair a moment longer or need those crutches again, he'd go insane. Even with Ryuu around, or rather especially because of Ryuu around, the wheelchair felt like a torture chair sometimes.
That behind…
"BUTTS OR BREAST, BOTH ARE CULTURE, BEEEEEEEELLL!"
The voice of grandpa snapped him out of that memory rather quickly. It was the opposite of his intention, probably, but in that instant, Bell felt gratitude! He was about to get lost in something dirty! Thanks, grandpa!
"...Want to take a walk?" Aiz asked quietly, completely unaware of what Bell was imagining. At his slight widening of his eyes, she averted her eyes, clutching her right arm. "If…if you don't have anything better to do."
Shy Aiz was too cute. Bell made sure not to let that slip out of him, as he coughed a bit.
"I was worried about the invasion, but it looks like it'll be fine." He smiled at her, nodding. "I'd love to."
She visibly brightened up, causing his heart to race just a bit faster. With that, they descended the walls, moving among the other civilians through the streets of Orario. It spoke volumes of how 'low stake' this entire situation was. The initial worry and fear of Romulus, mostly due to the reputation of having defeated the Braver and the Nine Hells in combat, was replaced by the usual complacent and bright mood that the city usually had. The two of them didn't say anything for a while, just wandering on Bell's tempo and direction. Eventually however, as the sun kissed the both of them for a while, Aiz frowned a bit as she turned her head a bit towards Bell.
"...How is Solaris doing?"
Bell exhaled at the name of his captain.
"It's complicated…"
He would be lying if he said he wasn't worried. While Solaris tried to wave their concerns off, even Kojiro noticed she was visibly struggling. Her eyes, filled with yearning and shame alike, as she glanced at the walls of Orario over and over, even during the night. Each time she flinched when she heard their chanting. How she was practically dragging either Haruhime or Kojiro with her to the dungeon, making excuses of growing capital, when it was just her trying to escape.
Escape from the choice in her mind's eye.
Aiz seemed to get what he meant with just those few words. She closed her eyes before shaking her head, biting her lip.
"I…I don't really understand it. Patriotism and what not. I've lived in Orario for most of my life, but I don't think I'd be that passionate about it."
"Me too. I grew up in the boonies. I do care for home, but it's more of a faint memory than anything. That isn't the case with Solaris."
What was it like, to dedicate their whole self to a nation? To equate one's identity with the identity of their home? Home was a place of warmth, of protection, to return to no matter what. Yet to Solaris, home was not only that. To Solaris, home was a responsibility as well. Home was a subject worth dying for. A sentiment Bell would never understand…and would not accept. After all, if one died for their home, they would never be able to return to it. Maybe if it was for the sake of saving others, he could see it, but Rakia didn't need any saving now…did it?
"I hope all goes well," Aiz muttered, hoping to sound encouraging. Then her head fell, as she took a deep breath. "...Is all well with the…the…Xenos…?"
"Uhm…" Bell hesitated, not sure what to make of this. The change of subject was appreciated, but he knew how much Aiz struggled with even the idea of Xenos. Not that he was blaming her, but the Xenos were a…sensitive topic. Seeing his hesitation, Aiz visibly recoiled before looking away.
"Forget I asked. I don't have the r-"
"It's fine! Really!" Bell shouted, before clearing his throat a bit. "I guess it wouldn't hurt telling you."
He looked around a bit, hoping nobody was listening in on them. Somewhat making sure of that, he gestured for Aiz to come a bit closer. Unfortunately for his nerves, she got more than a bit closer, her cheek almost touching his face. Gathering his resolve and focus, he leaned in, whispering into her ear.
"They are planning to leave the Dungeon and Orario. I don't know how they plan to, but I know Artoria is involved in some…unorthodox method."
Not that he knew what that unorthodox method could even be. If landroutes and sea routes were taken out of consideration, what was left? The air? Underground? Both sounded absurd…so absurd it might even work, honestly. Anyway, after Aiz shuddered, for some reason, he moved back a bit.
"Leave…" Aiz muttered, with a small tint of red in her cheeks. When she noticed him noticing that, she looked away, coughing a bit, before turning around again, with a completely blank face. "Are you alright with that?"
"They seemed to be alright with it. And…" Bell felt his shoulders slump, feeling his body get tired just at the thought of the Xenos. "I do want them to be happy. I wish they could be here, but right now, I am not good enough to make it happen yet."
"One day you will. I know you will."
Sometimes he wondered what he did that warranted such confidence from others. Still…his heart warmed at the support from Aiz. Said warmth quickly vanished when Aiz tilted her head ever so slightly. Her voice was the same tone as always, and yet, it sounded like it grew colder by a hundred degrees somehow.
"Since when are you on a first name basis with the Radiance anyway?"
"Oh, since we met back in Yggdrasil." Bell chuckled at the memories. "She really is an amazing person…Helped Kojiro and I out a lot."
"Is that why you let her princess carry you?"
"Err…I was kind of badly injured at the time? And, well, it was a bit embarrassing but…" Bell could only shrug helplessly. "It's Artoria?"
"It's Artoria, hm…"
Waaah, why did she have such a dangerous glint in her eyes?! Why did he feel like he said something wrong?!
"Oh, Bell, there you are."
Distraction! He spun around, laughing almost exaggeratedly and facing the maid in question.
"Syr! Great to see you!" He noticed the bags in her arms. "On an errand?"
"Yup, yup." Syr giggled, almost amused by his words. She turned her head a bit and looked at Aiz with a nod. "And I see you are taking a stroll with the Wind Princess. Hello there."
"Hello."
Now many could accuse Bell of being dense, but even he had something called 'pattern recognition'. Thus, in order to cut this in the bud, before things could escalate in misunderstandings, Bell cut in with a raised hand.
"It's not what you think!"
Aiz frowned ever so slightly, opening her mouth. However, Syr cut her off, laughing lightly. Yet the usual cute laugh was undercut by…something. Bell felt a shiver down his spine when the maid opened her eyes.
…Why were they so blank?
"Oh, I'm not thinking anything." She covered her smiling mouth, tilting her head ever so slightly as she glanced at Aiz with half lidded eyes. "After all, there is no way there'd be anything between you two. So don't worry about me teasing you."
"...Excuse me?"
But Syr was unfazed by Aiz' words. Instead, she kept that look. The dangerous shine in her eyes, as if she wasn't just a mere maid. But a predator, sizing up delicious and an inferior predator daring to encroach on what was hers. She raised an eyebrow, almost challenging, at the Wind Pricess, before leaning forward a bit.
"Am I wrong? Haha, forgive me for my rudeness, it's just…" Her voice grew quieter. "You two aren't really compatible in my eyes? So there's not a chance I'd have a misunderstanding."
Aiz flinced at the words. Bell felt his heart heat up. He wasn't sure if it was outrage or shame, but he knew he felt the words boil over in his throat. Syr didn't seem to notice, almost gleefully taking in Aiz' reaction-
"Oi, maid."
-before flinching visibly herself, her head snapping around. Bell felt the words, whatever they may be, die in his throat when he saw a certain blue haired man appear out of the corner. Adjusting his glasses, Hans crossed his arms, giving the maid a pointed look, filled with an utter lack of amusement. He just looked at her, like a father catching their child doing something incredibly stupid. Syr shrank into herself, admonished by the look alone. But it was then that Hans utilized the weapon he was all too famous for.
"Too far. If you keep this up, you are about to burn a lot of bridges." He leaned forward. "You aren't that petty, are you?"
Syr recoiled, before lowering her head. Aiz and Bell shared a look, unsure what was going on. Hans didn't seem like he was going to explain, instead pressing his palm down on the back of Syr's head.
"Sorry about her. It's that time of the year, you know?"
"Ah…" Aiz nodded slowly in comprehension. Bell on the other hand could only blink in confusion.
"What time?"
Deadly silence. He felt he said something wrong, but all he did was maybe being ignorant. Hans sighed, patting his shoulder.
"Bless your heart, you naive little shit." He turned to the maid. "And you. They're waiting."
Syr took a deep breath. The light returned to her eyes, filling them with guilt. The maid then lowered her head lowly, bending over.
"I…Sorry. That was really rude of me. I just…" She straightened up her back, laughing awkwardly as she looked away. "Wow, I guess I am really stressed. With the girls gone…"
Ah. Bell understood now, at least a little bit. Syr was close to Ryuu and the others. The fact that they were gone, out of the city, into the arms of the enemy…The maid must have desired some sort of outlet for her frustrations, her sense of powerlessness. It didn't excuse using them as a target but…he understood. Understood wanting to do something but being unable to. His legs ached before he smiled weakly at her.
"It's alright. We all have our slip ups." He paused before looking at the actual offended party in question here. "R-Right, Aiz?"
"...I miss them too. I understand." Aiz narrowed her eyes, making it clear that while she understood, he wasn't exactly forgiving either for the insult to her face. "But please. Don't do anything they wouldn't approve of."
"R-right. Sorry again, I'll just…get back to my job."
Syr thus disappeared into the streets, looking all too small. Bell felt the urge to follow her, but before he could follow up on that desire, Hans was moving. He nodded at them, silently, before waving them off, leaving the two of them alone.
"That was weird…" Bell muttered, with Aiz nodding in agreement.
"I didn't know Hans got along with the maids."
He paused before rubbing his chin in thought.
"Huh. Me neither, actually."
Hans never looked the type to care for maids, unlike most other males. Then again, he did eat often in the Hostess of Fertility. Maybe they got to know each other that way? Bell shook his head, taking a step forward and then another…before stopping, realizing that Aiz wasn't moving alongside him. He turned to her, as she looked at the ground, rubbing her lips against each other.
"Do you…" She stopped herself before shaking her head. "Nevermind."
Smiling gently, Bell shook his head.
"I don't think we are incompatible." He saw Aiz stiffen up, having hit the nail on the head. He scratched his right cheek a bit. "I guess I can see how it looks on the outside, and I know I'm still inferior to you…but we're friends, right?"
Aiz visibly brightened up. He could swear the white tips of her hair glowed gold for just a moment. Bell resisted the urge to clutch his chest at the good girl energy she radiated, instead looking away with a strained noise almost escaping his throat.
"I'm inferior to you…"
"What was that?" Bell asked, turning around. Aiz shook her head, smiling just a bit.
"Nothing." She paused, before tilting her head with her hands behind her back. "Where are we going anyway?"
He almost fell over. They were walking this entire time and only now did she ask? She really was an airhead sometimes. But she wouldn't be the ever attractive Aiz Wallenstein if she wasn't. With a laugh, he pointed forward, being close to their location anyway.
"Oh, I just wanted to visit Welf. Err," At Aiz' blank look, Bell cleared is throat awkwardly. "Welf Crozzo?"
"The blacksmith," Aiz said, nodding in realization. She narrowed her eyes a bit. "Does he have…issues as well, with Rakia?"
"That's what I want to find out." As they got closer to the workshop, he realized the door was open. And standing in its way was… "Oh, hey, Solaris!"
"Greetings."
Yet the red head didn't react to their presence. She just…stood there. Silently. With the air around her warping, as Bell noticed the sheer heat she radiated. With concern, he stepped close to her, pushing past his own discomfort.
"...Solaris?"
It was then that he saw it. The clutched letter in her iron grip. Somehow, the paper didn't burn up yet, considering the veins on her skin and the force she put onto her own teeth with how she pressed them against each other. Before he could ask what was going on, he read the actual contents of the letter…and felt anger in his own heart.
"We have taken your brother. Follow him back to where you two belong. We shall wait for a day."
Rakia. It had to be Rakia. Bell snarled as Aiz' eyes widened. Solaris on the other hand? She burned up the letter at last, letting the fire out through her palms as she let out steam through her distorted expression of primal rage.
"Oh, you little mother-!""ROMA!"