The appearance of the Infernal Castle, as that was what Emma said Testa-rossa's Reverie Corridor was called, completely shifted the tide of the war's final battle. Almost immediately after the structure appeared in the capital, the Noble Alliance's forces ceased hostilities, with an uneasy truce being declared until they figured out what was happening. And with the structure came its consequences, as magic knights, cryptids and other monsters started to manifest themselves through the streets of Heimdallr, threatening the already frightened populace and catching the Imperial forces by surprise.
Although it was far from the same intensity as when Ouroboros' machines had managed to summon the monsters to key locations across the Empire, it was still a perilous situation and it would only grow worse if its cause wasn't dealt with.
After delivering the Royal family and Governor Regnitz to the RMP, Class VII returned to the Courageous and the airship surveyed the supernatural structure, though for safety they didn't dare get too close or follow Fie's "Just shoot it at" suggestion. They convened at the conference room from where Emma desperately called the elder of the Hexen Clan and explained the situation.
"Grandmother, things have gone beyond just the Rivalries. We need you here!"
"This happened before, didn't it? When Emperor Dreichels and Saint Sandlot fought the False Emperor the castle was there too. That means this can be reversed," said Rean, the memory of the final battle of the War of the Lions had flashed before his eyes back when the Infernal Castle appeared and it still lingered in his mind.
"So, you know…" The elder witch drawled with unease in her voice, her demeanor much more collected than their previous conversation. "You're correct, Ashen Awakener, Lucifen Lied can be reversed as that was how the Vermillion Apocalypse was sealed again 250 years ago and I shall teach you the incantation, Emma. As for me joining you, I regret to inform you that I cannot do that."
Before they could accuse her of being difficult again, Roselia explained that not only protecting Eryn Village against the army of cryptids days prior had taken its toll on her but that other contingencies had been placed to stop the witch from interfering, as she could feel dangerous presences stalking the forest.
"More Ouroboros goons I'd imagine," said Machias with a tone of annoyance.
"They haven't done anything yet and if I were in my top shape I could easily handle them but I can't risk leaving the village and its people at their mercy," Roselia continued. "Given enough time I could flush them out but that's not a luxury you have, is it?"
They didn't, not with the monsters running amok the city and Vita doing Aidios knew what inside the Infernal Castle.
"The Reverie Corridor can be sent back to its plane but it must be done from inside the castle, that is the only way the spell will be effective."
Sara rubbed her forehead and let out a weary sigh. "And let me guess, we will have to fight through the entire castle and apprehend Vita Clotilde, the second Anguis of Ouroboros, to do it because Aidios forbid we just get through the door at the ground floor and Emma cast the spell. That's just dandy."
"And while we do that, the Army has to fend off the monsters and protect the people of Heimdallr," Rean added, thoughtfully with a bit of anxiety in his voice. Even as they were speaking people were in danger. "Valimar and I could help but-"
"We can help." Beryl's head peeked from the conference room's door and along with her were Loggins, Friedel, Kenneth, Patrick, Vivi, Linde and other Thors students. Along with them was also, much to Rean's displeasure, Elise, who had insisted on boarding the Courageous instead of staying with the Imperial family, who had been taken back to Trista where it was safe. "I felt something like this would happen so I brewed a concoction that we can use to lure monsters away from population centers."
"And Beryl will need people to watch over her while she places those things around the city, that's where we come in," said Loggins.
"And along with that, we can help guide people to safety too," Vivi added and her twin reiterated her words enthusiastically.
"We're all Thors students and this isn't just Class VII's show after all," Kenneth finished the thought that everyone else had in mind.
And not only the students for instructors Thomas, Beatrix and Makarov had come along as well and were pledging to help them with whatever they needed.
The students of Class VII exchanged a few looks and nods between each other but they didn't need much deliberation to approve of the idea. It wasn't like they had much room to talk and try to stop their fellow students from doing something risky. There was only a little problem…
"I am going as well," Elise said, walking past everyone else and standing in front of Rean in an almost defiant manner. "I want to check on St. Astraia. Some students managed to leave but not everyone, especially not those whose families didn't support the Noble Alliance. Some of them are my friends and I need to see if they are okay."
Rean frowned and opened his mouth with a clear indication to protest but Elise cut him off.
"I'm not asking for permission. I am going, Rean."
The swordsman's mouth moved without a sound as he attempted to counter his sister's determination but then he gave up, shaking his head at himself as he forgot how strong Elise could be. "Alright, but you are not going alone."
Upon hearing those words, Patrick stepped up.
"Lady Elise, if I may volunteer-"
"Friedel, if you could please accompany Elise, I would be very grateful."
"Of course, Rean," the noble girl nodded while the young Hyarms lowered his head in defeat.
"Your assistance is most welcomed, my friends," said Laura. "Especially since I believe it's about time we share our plans and the information we have with the rest of our allies."
It didn't take long for the screen in the wall of the conference room to light up, with the faces of Prince Olivert, Viscount Arseid, Captain Claire, both Matteus as well as Zechs Vander, General Craig and, surprisingly enough, even Captain Lechter of the Intelligence Division was present. All these important and powerful people had gathered there and now were looking at the young members of Class VII with an air of expectation in their minds.
"Alright, Class VII. Are you ready to surprise us once again?" The prince said with a sharp look in his eyes.
The Courageous flew over the streets of Heimdallr, the city now making due to its epithet as the Vermillion Capital as it was bathed in the crimson aura of the Infernal Castle, making a quick stop at the northwest part of the capital to drop off Elise and Friedel through Emma's teleportation so they could meet with a team of RMP officers waiting for them.
"Letting you go like this after I spent all this time looking to rescue you feels wrong but… Just promise you'll be careful," Rean hugged his sister tightly, a gesture which she returned.
"You too, Rean. Whatever you have to do out there, just promise you'll be back so we can go back to mom and dad and be a family again."
The siblings disengaged and Rean offered Elise a reassuring smile. "I will, and if I falter just know I have some people who won't let me fall," he gestured to Laura and the rest of Class VII.
"I don't doubt it for a second, not after you've been fighting together this whole time. Thank you, everyone, for looking out for my brother. Especially you, Lady Laura, thank you for being here for Rean and if you don't mind, once this is over, I would love for us to get together for some tea so we get to know each other better."
"I would be honored. And please, simply Laura is fine."
"You should tell Laura all the embarrassing stuff Rean used to do as a kid so she can tell us later!" Millium suggested cheerfully.
"Aaaaand she's going. Emma, if you could get on with it," the slightly annoyed swordsman urged the witch, who complied with amusement.
"Don't worry, Rean. I won't allow anything to hurt your sister," Friedel said as the teleportation circle began to form under them before they faded into the light.
Next on the order of business, the Courageous started on its way northeast where Beryl's group would meet with an army squad. The mastermind of that part of the plan had just finished explaining for the others how the monster lures would work, showing off a small canvas pouch in one hand and a glass container with a dark brown liquid inside in the other, which while separated they had no effect, the combination of the pouch's content with the liquid would quickly begin attracting the creatures prowling the city, even magic knights and cryptids.
"How do you even know how to make these things? What are they made of?" Patrick asked, reluctantly picking one of the pouches in his hand.
"Do you actually want to know?" Beryl threw the question back at him in a way that made the blond prefer not to know the answer.
Meanwhile, Linde and Vivi were checking on their weapons, both carrying orbal pistols. Well, Linde was doing a final check up on both of their guns, her sister was good at aiming and shooting with it but never paid much attention to its actual maintenance. With their guns ready to go, both started making their way to join the rest of their group when Fie joined them.
"So, see you on the other side?" The former jaeger asked her girlfriend, not able to hide the tinge of worry in her voice.
Vivi was worried too. In fact, she should be even more worried, since she was just going through monster infested streets, not raiding a supernatural castle from another plane of existence to fight Aidios knows what. But she knew if she tried to say that Fie would just shrug it off.
"Yep. See you once this is over, Fie," the pink haired girl nodded with a confident smile and continued on her way but then her left arm was caught by something, she was spun around and suddenly her lips were on Fie's and it kinda left her speechless.
"Okay, now I'm good. Good luck out there." And then Fie walked away, all nonchalant and looking very cool.
"Oh, young love. Makes one long for those good ol' days, doesn't it old chum?" Thomas snickered at the scene and playfully elbowed Makarov, who only responded by grunting and lighting a cigarette for himself. "Then again, I'm surprised you and instructor Mary didn't have a similar farewell once we left her back in Trista."
"Get off my ass, Lysander, unless you want to start answering questions about how someone like you managed to vanish from Thors without anyone noticing. Don't think I'm not onto you."
The eccentric history teacher laughed off the accusation but also dropped his pursuit of provoking his fellow instructor.
After some much less intense farewells, the Thors students and instructors were deployed onto the streets of Heimdallr, leaving only Class VII on the hangar while they made their way to the Infernal Castle. Over the comms, Towa informed them that the rest of their allies were on their way as well.
Soon, the Courageous was hovering over Dreichels Plaza, right above the statue of the Lionheart Emperor himself and where the last battle of the War of the Lions had taken place, and the small cruiser faced the supernatural structure that had taken the place of Valflame Palace in defiance. The Infernal Castle irradiated its crimson glow that darkened the skies and seemed to twist the space surrounding it, almost like a distorted mirror reflection, as if it wasn't truly real. The airship's crew still at the bridge had to steel themselves to properly comprehend what they saw and even those at the hangar, where there were no windows, could still feel its overwhelming aura.
Its presence was truly the product of something that shouldn't be.
"Alright, is everyone ready?" Rean asked, looking over the rest of his friends as they joined up closer for the teleportation spell. They gripped their weapons tightly and their bodies moved with clear anticipation of what was to come, but in their eyes was a clear resolve to see things through and trust in each other. In truth, they were feeling just like he was.
"We don't know what we might find there or who we'll end up fighting but we've been through too much to let any obstacle get in our way, and I don't mean just this war. We've had to deal with the machinations from the Noble Alliance and Ouroboros since our first field exercises and it's time for us to show them how far we've come and that no matter what they throw at us, we will be there to stop them. Let's show Crow and Vita that we are not going to dance to their tune and allow them to do whatever they want anymore!"
Rean wished he could have said that with more bravado, without the hint of restlessness in his voice, but he couldn't muster faking that anymore, it would feel hollow and that was not what the people around him deserved. What they deserved were his honest feelings, the capacity of going forward even in the face of the uncertainty and fear he felt.
"Indeed, let us make them pay for all the crimes against the people of Erebonia, but also let us end this so we can get back to the lives we had and reach the future that awaits us," Laura added to Rean's words emphatically to their friends, but for him she had also reiterated the promise the two had made earlier that day, of experiencing everything they could together.
The rest of Class VII echoed their feelings, also wishing to do the best they could to put an end to this war and return to what they once had. Sara watched it all with an unquestionable sense of pride, smiling to herself as her students found strength in each other, but then, what was she doing if not reaching for them for support as well? Because A-rank bracer or not, even she could feel nervous in a situation like this and she was glad she wasn't alone.
"We are in position," Towa's voice came from the ship's speakers. "We have three magic knights prowling Dreichels Plaza so you guys will need to be extra careful once you touch the ground."
"Valimar and I will take care of them while everyone else goes ahead then we'll join them," Rean said.
"Understood. Prince Olivert and the others are on their way as well to join you but they might still take a while with the chaos going on in the city," the acting captain then sighed. "I wish we could do something more for you guys besides bringing you here."
"You said it, Towa," Angelica echoed her sentiments. "I wish I was going there but I don't like how the sky looks and I'd rather be at the helm in case something happens. So, you know what that means, right, Rean? Give our buddy Crow some extra kicks in the nuts for all of us here."
"Sure," Rean chuckled. "And don't worry, Towa. You've done enough getting us here. See you guys once this is over."
"Alright. Good luck, everyone!"
"Emma, if you'd do the honors?"
"Okay, Rean." The witch raised her hand and staff one more time, focusing on the streets below as her eyes gained a blue shine, and the magic circle appeared on the floor under them.
The spell was cast and in the blink of an eye their feet touched the cobblestone of Dreichels Plaza and was Valimar, who came in flying to intercept the first magic knight that attempted to attack the members of Class VII, holding it off long enough for Rean to approach and enter the Ashen Knight's cockpit and take control. The magic knight was a centaur much like what he had fought in Ordis but this time Rean didn't have to worry about civilian casualties in the empty city square and he had an even better grasp of controlling Valimar.
The zemurian ore tachi sliced through the golem's attempt to block it, cutting through his limbs and torso with ease and the monster howled in pain as it began to dissipate. Sensing the dangerous presence, the other magic knights zeroed in on Valimar and completely ignored the rest of Class VII, who had the rest of the way clear to reach their destination.
One of the magic knights, a burly one carrying a flail, attempted to attack Valimar while his back was turned but Rean quickly turned around and hit the spiked steel ball with the flat side of the tachi, deflecting the weapon back at the magic knight and lodging it on its head. The third knight, a four armed one similar to the one Rean had fought in Ymir, rushed to assist its companion but was deterred on its way by a Hexen spell that hindered its movements and was subsequently hit by a barrage of Arts, arrows and bullets. As the four armed knight turned to face its attackers, it suddenly fell as Laura cleaved through its right knee with her sword and it crashed on the ground, turning into an easy target for Sara and Gaius to finish off with their weapons.
With the magic knight he was fighting dead, Rean turned around to catch the tail end of that particular scene and almost found himself telling his friend he could have handled everything by himself and that they should've gone to the castle like they had agreed on but he held that in, instead he just laughed at himself. Old habits were hard to break.
Their path clear, Class VII made their way across the bridge that connected Dreichels Plaza to Valflame Palace, or rather the now Infernal Castle, unperturbed. A massive set of doors blocked the entrance and even those without any sensitivity towards magic could tell no matter what was thrown at it, even if they had unloaded all of the Courageous' artillery at it, the doors wouldn't give away, but that didn't matter once Rean focused his power through Valimar and it reverberated through the Divine Knight's tachi. The attack used, a clean strike of the Eight Leaves' fourth form, disintegrated the magical barrier that protected the doors and took them down along with it.
Crossing the threshold felt like moving into a completely different world and not unlike when they had undertaken Valimar's trial and despite their urgency, Class VII could help but stare in awe at their surroundings. Valflame Palace's entrance hall had become unrecognizable, the many corridors and doors that originally connected the royal residence's many rooms were gone as the foyer was transfigured into a circular room with a central floor, where they stood at the moment, surrounded by a chasm that gave way to the darkness below. The only pathway further into the castle was a spiral staircase that led up, ending on a door that was only big enough for humans to pass through.
Elliot looked up at the way that was ahead with dismay. "Looks like they won't make it easy for us."
Leaving Valimar's cockpit, Rean joined the rest of the group. "Nothing new there. Valimar can still reach us through spatial translocation in case we need him, provided there's enough space."
"Indeed, my teleportation capabilities are facilitated while within Testa-rossa's dwellings. Mana reserves won't be an issue."
"Is our gear okay?" Rean turned back to the musician, who was checking on the contents of the backpack he was carrying and Elliot gave him a thumb up back.
"While there are some similarities with the trial grounds at the old schoolhouse, this Infernal Castle looks much more different than what we witnessed back there," said Laura, her eyes trying to analyze everything around her. Despite its supernatural origins, the place still resembled a castle and was a far cry from the stone structures floating in an endless void of Valimar's resting place.
"Upon being dragged away from its usual space, the Reverie Corridor changes its shape, using the structure built upon it as a base so it can exist in our world," Emma explained. "In this case it was Valflame Palace but if Lucifen Lied were to be used in Valimar's Corridor, it would have used the old schoolhouse."
"I suppose it was too much to count on even some surface knowledge of Valflame Palace's architecture to navigate this place," Jusis lamented.
"And judging by its size it could have also engulfed all of Trista," Gaius added grimly, thinking about the peaceful town being replaced by a similar structure.
The thought of five other Corridors were spread across Erebonia and that the same thing could all across the country sent a haunting chill down their spines. Laura especially felt apprehensive about Lohengrin Castle. Once things were over, she would have to discuss this information with her father.
"Infernal Castle…" Rean muttered to himself, tapping a finger on his chin. "What is your Reverie Corridor called, Valimar?"
"My trial grounds were named the Realm of the Great Shadow."
"Yours is definitely cooler," Fie said with a nod of her head.
The loud clapping of Sara's hands together snapped everyone back into attention, as fascinating as this whole experience was, it was no time for lollygagging. "Let's get a move on, guys, we have some bad guys to stop."
With their weapons ready and hearts filled with strength, Class VII started on their way up.
Fortunately, the castle was free from the magic knights or cryptids that were infesting Heimdallr and while the monsters there were no pushovers, they were no match for Class VII's teamwork, who overwhelmed the obstacles in their way. Navigating the way ahead proved to be a bigger hassle, as the first stratum of the Reverie Corridor was filled with twists and turns, narrow hallways and staircases that led nowhere and with no clear indication as to how they could go up.
"I guess this is what happens when you pull a castle from another dimension and plop it on top of a real place," Alisa huffed with frustration as they walked into a room filled with several stone columns that reached the ceiling when she suddenly stopped, eyes wide with apprehension. "E-Emma, what's going to happen to Valflame Palace once you undo Vita's spell?"
That question had given the others pause as well as they looked at the witch for an answer.
"It'll just go back to what it was, Alisa. Just like what happened 200 years ago during the War of the Lions."
There was a collective sigh of relief from the rest of the group as the image of a massive hole replacing what once was the royal residence remained only in their imagination. The only one who didn't seem to care was Fie, in fact she seemed even more tense as she scanned their surroundings.
"I swear, this boggles the mind." Meanwhile, completely baffled by the explanation, Machias pinched the bridge of his nose and barely paid attention to the way in front of him, certain that it was safe due to the lack of monsters. "This makes no sense. How's Valflame Palace supposed to-OOF"
Out of nowhere, Fie had tackled him and as she did so, an explosion fired off in the spot Machias had been standing on. The blast promptly made Class VII take defensive positions and search for the source of the attack, although Fie and then Sara were pretty aware who had been responsible already.
"Ah great, those two," the former bracer grumbled.
"Alright, come on out, guys," Fie called out as she helped Machias up.
Out from behind the columns walked the Zephyr jaegers, Xeno and Leonidas, blocking Class VII's path ahead.
"Nice catch, Fie!" Sporting a casual grin, the Trapmaster flashed an ok sign at the girl.
"You let me see that. You could have blown Machias' leg off if you really wanted it."
"Guilty as charged."
"Don't talk about blowing my leg off so casually!"
"Eh, you'd live."
Rean locked his eyes onto the two jaegers. The fight against them back when they were trying to reach Elliot's father had not been easy and the two hadn't even been serious and he had been pushed into summoning Valimar as a trump card. And this time, their meeting hadn't been a case of happenstance and the room wasn't large enough to fit Valimar.
"So they sent you two to stop us from going up, huh."
"That's where you are mistaken," Leonidas replied to their surprise. "You may pass, Rean Schwarzer. Our orders are to stop only the rest of Class VII so they don't interfere with our client's plans."
"Can't have their Rivalry thingy without the ashen kid and I guess the glasses girl can go through too if she wants to see her sister, but as for everyone else…" Xeno drew a line with the blade of his rifle on the ground. "You ain't getting past this."
"Aidios, you two are unbearable. You know that, right?" Sara pinched the bridge of her nose with a weary sigh.
"Aw, we missed ya too, Purple Lightning."
Undaunted, Laura raised her sword against their foes, a reply to their words ready on her tongue, but then a hand on her shoulder stopped her. It was Fie.
"There is no way I'm accepting being left behind. Rean's my friend and I'm not letting him go up there alone and I'm sure he thinks the same."
"That's right, Fie. This is Class VII business and I'm not leaving anyone behind."
"All of these guys came to mean a lot to me, the same way Zephyr did, and you're not breaking us up, not here when we're so close to the finish line. And you know what? I get it," her stern expression softened then. "After the boss died I spent a lot of time wondering why you left me, I was even angry for a while, but I get it now, you were just giving me a chance to have a normal life like a normal kid should. I got to go to school, I made friends, had fun and I even got a date lined up after this is over."
That last tidbit of information got the older men completely off guard, not that she would elaborate on it.
"Wait, what?"
"Fie, hold on. Who-"
"I even get why the boss chose Sara to take me in. So I understand it now and I'm grateful for what you guys and the boss did. What I can figure out though, what's been bugging me since I saw you when the war started, is why are you doing this?" She threw the question with a glare.
Leonidas raised an eyebrow at the question. "It's the nature of the job, Fie. You know how it goes."
"Bullshit, we never did anything this big. When I think about it, you guys must've been in the Noble Alliance's pocket for at least a year and I don't remember us ever taking a contract for that long. And teaching provincial soldiers how to pilot soldats? Since when did Zephyr take that kind of job? Why go this far? It can't be just the pay, not for all this effort."
The lips of both jaegers became thin slits and from behind their sunglasses their eyes were wide in surprise. It seemed that the little girl they knew had grown more than they thought if she could see through them like this.
"And I know, I know you won't just tell me," the silver haired girl took a fighting stance. "So I'm going to take it from you, the jaeger way."
There was a pause as both jaegers stared at Fie, finally realizing how much she had grown. They had to admit, she had seen through them.
Suddenly, the sound of clapping reverberated across the room and it was soon followed by a haughty laugh.
"Bravo! Bravo! That youthful fire was simply magnificent, Sylphid. And the look on the faces of your former guardians was stupendous as well!"
There was a collective groan from everyone as Bleublanc appeared behind Class VII, not even the jaegers were that excited by his presence.
"Just what we needed," Jusis groused as he and the rest of their team changed to a circle formation to deal with the new threat. Things had just escalated tenfold, the Zephyr jaegers by themselves were already bad enough but the Phantom Thief's appearance added a degree of unpredictability that made everything much worse.
"I forgot that guy was here," Xeno grumbled.
"Well, I did promise to give you gentlemen some reprieve for a proper reunion with Ms. Claussell but I still have a role to fulfill."
The combination of jaegers and Enforcer just to keep the rest of Class VII from interfering felt like overkill but if they expected to beat Vita and Crow, they couldn't give up at every challenge that appeared ahead of them. With that on his mind, Rean's power burst forth without a second thought.
"Oh I adore that spirited look on your face, Rean Schwarzer. Show me you have the will to surpass insurmountable odds."
"We accept your terms, Fie," Leonidas' deep voice rose from the rising tension. "If you show us how much you've grown we shall tell you what brought us to our current employment."
"Are you serious?"
"She deserves to know something, Xeno."
The sniper sighed. "Fine. But if we beat you then you have to tell us about your date," as he said that, he raised his rifle toward Rean. "And it better not be that guy."
Rean could only shout "Give me a break!" as he felt the accusing glares the jaegers aimed at the back of his head.
With nothing else left to say the battle was on. Fie and Sara rushed at Xeno, using their speed and knowledge of his M.O. to avoid and neutralize his traps while Alisa kept a steady barrage of arrows and Arts to keep him sufficiently distracted. Laura, Gaius and Millium faced Leonidas head on, or as head on as his massive gauntlet allowed and Elliot kept himself back, using support Arts to bolster his companions' fighting abilities.
On the other end of the battle, Bleublanc evaded from the deadly swinging of Rean and Jusis's onslaught with a series of pirouettes while throwing shadow stitching needles that were deflected by Emma and Celine's magic. After a powerful spell released from his staff sent Jusis flying, Bleublanc then had to resort to using his weapon to block the incoming blazing tachi swinging in his direction and while he was unscathed, the thief felt his body strain under the impact.
"How is this for a maelstrom of flames?"
That the young man remembered his words from months ago made the thief let out a joyous laugh. "Absolutely splendid! You might just have what it takes to make it through this."
The battle raged on and it was a difficult one for Class VII. They needed to get past their foes but still had to conserve their energy for the impending fight against Crow and Vita, not to mention whatever other challenges would show up ahead to stop them, and healing Arts could only go so far to keep them in top shape.
Laura had to respect the strength of the one known as the Behemoth as he smacked her with a backhand of his enormous gauntlet and sent her flying, but was in his skill where the danger truly lied. Every move of his was calculated as he had complete control of every muscle in his body and it was due to that control that he didn't shatter every bone in her body when he hit her. A disciplined fighter despite following no formal schools. So it came as a surprise when the large man tripped and fell on his face and it became downright disconcerting once he was lifted up in thin air by his right leg.
The fighting took a sudden stop as everyone turned to look perplexed at the scene.
"What the-" Xeno started before a ball of goldia energy hit him in the face while gunshots forced Bleublanc to step back.
A shadow then flew over Gaius and Millium's heads towards Leonidas' direction, dashing past him and hitting one of the pillars before rushing at him again and each time that action was repeated, the jaegers' flailing movements became more constricted as his arms wound themselves tightly around his body and he struggled to move. And that was when they finally realized he was bound by steel wires.
Judging the Behemoth sufficiently subdued, a certain super maid fell elegantly back on the ground. "How do you find the sensation of being bound and vulnerable? Thrilling is it not? I'd suggest you to not struggle too much unless you wish the ropes to dig even more into your flesh. Then again, maybe you'd want that."
Leonidas felt that the sadistic smile on her face was a thousand more times uncomfortable than the trap itself.
Predictably, Alisa was gobsmacked.
"Sh-Sharon!?"
"At your service, my lady," the woman curtsied and bowed in response.
"And she's not the only one," Toval walked out from behind a pillar, his combat orbment in one hand and stun baton in another.
"A marvelous entrance, don't you agree, my dear rival?" Prince Olivert declared as he made his appearance known as well, his orbal pistol aimed at the Phantom Thief, who seemed very amused.
"Oh look, it's my two favorite people and Sharon," Sara said.
"Class VII, allow us to handle things on this end. You have quite the climb still ahead of you so keep going forward with your mission and continue to show us you can create a new future for this country. And please, rescue my dear brother."
What Class VII wanted to do was to stay and help but if they were to do that then their foes would have to step up their game and they'd end up back to square one. Not willing to miss the opportunity they were given, they quickly rushed to the exit the jaegers were guarding but as they were about to cross it Leonidas called out to Fie.
"Fie! You and your friends fought bravely and you've shown us how much you've grown. So, if you wish to know our intentions…" Still hanging upside down, the Behemoth shot a glance towards his partner, who sighed and shook his head in response but relented.
"If things work out right, we can bring the boss back!" Xeno shouted and knocked the wind out of the girl.
"Wait, what!?"
The Trapmaster then flashed a device on his left hand and pressed a button on it that caused a series of explosions to go off right above the exit, causing debris to fall and block the way, leaving a completely bewildered Fie to be pulled away by Rean before she was crushed.