The plot thickens yet again.
Chapter 48 – New Orders (Lone Moon)
Ladislava tried not to groan at Trauare as the water mage spun her trident around in a series of flashy moves. The two were sparring before a crowd of soldiers, who cheered on the two Black Eagle aces. The Crimson Warrior knew Trauare was just trying to show off to the crowd, and though it was certainly pleasing them, it wasn't what Ladislava wanted to demonstrate.
As Trauare made another spin of her trident, Ladislava darted toward her with Longinus, surprising the blue-haired Falcon Knight as she tried to move her weapon to block the attack. Ladislava's sweeping strikes quickly knocked Trauare off balance, the water mage barely blocking the attacks. The Crimson Warrior then swung her new lance at the mage's ankles, tripping her and sending Trauare to the ground on her back with a yelp.
Trauare barely had a moment to gasp in pain before Ladislava brought the Mythril spearhead of Longinus to her throat.
"Too much flash, not enough substance, Trauare," said Ladislava. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"
Groaning, Trauare answered, "Well, excuse me for not being as good as you at close quarters, Ladi."
"Maybe if you weren't trying to show off all the time, you'd improve."
Trauare opened her mouth to object but said nothing upon realizing it would fall on deaf ears. She reached a hand up, allowing Ladislava to pull her to her feet.
Ladislava turned to the crowd and shouted, "Alright, back to your drills."
Disappointed, the soldiers turned back to their own training as Ladislava and Trauare moved to the side to rest on a wooden bench.
"Did you have to hit so hard, Ladi?" said Trauare. "Ugh, I think that last one's gonna leave a bruise."
"You'll live," Ladislava said as she set Longinus down beside her.
Looking at the black lance, Trauare said, "Heck of a new lance, Commander. Where'd you get it?"
"Berwick made it."
"Really? Maybe he got tired of how you keep breaking weapons so often."
"Very funny, Lieutenant," Ladislava said sarcastically.
"What's it made of?"
"I'm not sure. The spearhead is Mythril, but I've only seen one other weapon made of a metal like this: Lord Hrym's scythe."
"Lord Hrym? Oh, you mean the Death Knight. Right. Yeah, kinda looks like it when you think about it."
"I'm impressed that Berwick could make something like this. He's the best blacksmith in the Empire, but even for him, this is impressive." Ladislava lifted Longinus as she spoke.
"Mind if I give it a try?"
Smirking, Ladislava answered, "Only if you'll let me try out that trident of yours."
"Eh, I'll pass. Wouldn't want you to break it."
Ladislava realized Trauare was probably right to worry. The Crimson Warrior, as much as she hated to admit it, broke weapons with alarming regularity. It was almost considered a joke among the Black Eagles. She just hoped Longinus wouldn't share the same fate; Berwick would never let her hear the end of it if she broke it.
The commander then looked at Trauare's trident. The Scarletite weapon was still in good condition despite how many battles it had gone through. The weapon, though very functional, had the design of a sea serpent coiling up the shaft, with a blue Arcane Crystal near the head connecting the three tines of the trident.
Giving in to her curiosity, Ladislava said, "You've never told me how you got that weapon, Trauare."
"Hmm? Oh, guess I haven't."
"I recall you already had it when you were transferred to us. Did you have it when you enlisted?"
"Yep."
"So, where'd you get it?"
"I found it in an old cove near my village when I was in my teen years. It'd probably been there for… I dunno, maybe a hundred years or so? I have no idea. Seeing as no one was using it, I took it with me."
"I see. When's the last time you did some maintenance on it?"
"Umm, well…"
Ladislava sighed loudly and said, "What have I said about keeping your weapon in good condition?"
"You're one to talk. You keep breaking your lances about every other mission."
"Even so, a weapon like that needs to be maintained for it to be effective. I want you to take it to Berwick and see what he thinks."
"Ugh, fine! I'll do it tomorrow. You can be such a killjoy."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that last part, Lieutenant."
Just as Trauare was about to stick her tongue out at Ladislava in an immature gesture, a soldier came up to the Crimson Warrior and said, "Commander Ladislava, Her Majesty commands you and your officers to meet with her in the war room."
"New mission already?" said Trauare. Getting to her feet, she added, "Just like I said: no rest for the best."
…
Ladislava and the officers of the Black Eagles stood at attention in the war room before Edelgard and Hubert.
"Thank you all for coming," said Edelgard. "Our forces have begun their push into the Leicester Alliance. The 5th and 11th army groups have crossed the Airmid River and are already meeting resistance from House Riegan's forces at the border of Gloucester territory. They're holding the line for now, but it's clear Claude wants to push us back across the river."
"Shouldn't our invasion have been larger than this?" asked one of the Black Eagle officers.
"We're currently holding most of the army back for now. I suspect that if we were to cross in full force, Claude could try to cut off the Airmid River and surround our army."
"Would he not try such a thing now?" asked Setiawati.
"So far, he hasn't made such a move," said Hubert. "If he does, he will likely try to take the Great Bridge of Myrddin. Count Gloucester has assured us that his men will defend it to the death, but we do not have much confidence in his loyalty."
"Never trust a Gloucester, am I right?" Trauare quipped, prompting some of the officers to agree.
"What will our mission be, Your Majesty?" asked Ladislava.
"As I told you before, Ladislava," said Edelgard, "your mission will be to support the 5th and 11th armies by attacking targets of opportunity near the front. Any supply bases or outposts you find are to be taken out. Leave the heavy fighting to our army, but you need to do whatever you can to weaken House Riegan's troops."
"Sounds easy enough," said another officer.
"Don't go getting careless," said Salia. "House Riegan's army hasn't fought much yet in the war, but they're well trained and well equipped. Don't take them lightly."
"Major Tereshkova is correct," said Hubert. "And Claude has several powerful allies in his army. You would be foolish to underestimate them."
"Is there anything else we should know, Your Majesty?" asked Ladislava.
"There is," said Edelgard. "Recently, the Almyrans have been gathering in numbers near Fódlan's Throat."
"So? That's House Goneril's shit to deal with," said Zola. "If they wanna worry more about the Almyrans than us, that's fine by me."
"We have concerns that Claude von Riegan may be seeking an alliance with Almyra," said Hubert. "He is half-Almyran, after all. Reconnoiter Fódlan's Throat when you have the opportunity and see what they're up to. The last thing we need is for House Riegan to be reinforced by several thousand foreign raiders."
"What are we to do if the Almyrans are helping the Alliance?" asked Salia.
"Do not engage them," answered Edelgard. "Your mission there is reconnaissance, not battle. Regardless of what the situation is at Fódlan's Throat, you need to survive to report back your findings."
"Understood, Your Majesty," said Ladislava. "We won't let you down."
"I know you won't, Commander. You're to ready yourselves to march at sunrise tomorrow. Make your preparations before then."
The Black Eagles saluted Edelgard before turning to leave the war room.
But just as the aces were about to leave, Hubert said, "Ladislava, Salia, remain here for now. There is something else you must hear."
"What, just the two of them?" asked Zola.
"This is for their ears only," said Edelgard. "And from what the others have told me, Sergeant Axberg, you have a loose tongue when you're drunk."
Laughing, Zola said, "Guilty as charged. Alright, alright, you go do your secret shit while I sharpen my axe."
Turning to Trauare, Ladislava said, "Speaking of which, go see Berwick about your trident before we leave."
"Fine, fine," said Trauare.
Trauare, Zola and Setiawati left the war room as Hubert said, "Shut the door."
Salia complied with the order, sealing off the war room from anyone who might listen in.
Hubert waited several seconds until the sound of footsteps dimmed from outside. He then said, "There is another reason we wish for your squadron to enter House Goneril's territory."
"What is it, Lord Vestra?" asked Salia.
"First, a question: Have either of you noticed figures among our forces in black robes with skin as pale as snow?"
Ladislava paused to think about it. She then said, "I believe I've seen some of them in the palace. Aren't those your mages, Hubert?"
"No. They are members of an ancient society I refer to as 'Those Who Slither In The Dark'."
"The 'Twisted'?" asked Ladislava.
"Twisted…" Hubert smiled as he said, "I suppose that's an apt moniker. For years now, they have had their members worm their way into the Empire, Kingdom and Alliance, seeking to use them to their advantage. To what end, I cannot say. But I suspect they seek to bring about the Empire's downfall… no, not just the Empire, but all of Fódlan."
"For the past while, we've been secretly cooperating with Those Who Slither In The Dark," said Edelgard. "Our access to Demonic Beasts is largely due to our dealings with them."
"Why would you work with those who are trying to destroy us?" asked Salia.
"They are a means to an end. They may be powerful, but they skulk in the shadows, trying to manipulate all sides of this war, rather than trying to destroy us themselves. I suspect they aren't strong enough to face us head-on, which is why they're trying to use their influence to drag out this conflict."
"Then why have we not rid ourselves of them?" asked Ladislava. "If the Twisted are as weak as you say, should we not dispose them as soon as possible?"
"It is not so simple," said Hubert. "They have agents all across Fódlan. My subordinates have been working to root them out, but it is clear the… 'Twisted', as you call them, have been at this for decades, if not centuries. And even if they cannot face us directly, they are still capable of causing immense damage. We are forced to tread cautiously around them, lest we give them a reason to turn on us at just the wrong moment."
"You asked why I am withholding the bulk of our army, Ladislava," said Edelgard. "I believe the 'Twisted' would've taken advantage of the situation if we had crossed the Airmid River in full force. That is why I sent only a portion of our army against House Riegan."
Ladislava took a moment to think over everything she had heard. Suddenly, a lot of things were starting to make sense to her. Given the Empire's might, the war should've been won already. But if these 'Twisted' were sabotaging their efforts, that would explain why the Loyalists and Alliance hadn't already been defeated.
"Why are you telling us this?" asked Ladislava.
"You have done more than enough to deserve our trust on the matter, Commander," said Hubert. "Perhaps I should've explained all of this to you sooner. But what we are sharing with you here must not leave this room."
"But–"
Interrupting Ladislava, Edelgard said, "Ladislava, I know you trust the rest of the Black Eagles, but these are people capable of taking on the identities of others. Take my uncle, for instance. We have good reason to believe he may be one of them."
Edelgard knew she was putting it lightly. She knew without doubt that Arundel was Thales, leader of the Agarthans. However, she wanted to keep that certainty hidden for now. She also knew she had to keep Cornelia's involvement a secret. Edelgard was still trying to decide on whether to trust the duchess or not.
"Lord Arundel?" said Salia. "Are you sure?"
"Most likely," said Edelgard. "They also had one of their number impersonate the daughter of House Ochs, Monica. I was forced to sacrifice her to avoid antagonizing them."
"Lady Edelgard…" Ladislava said in muted disbelief.
"They've also been murdering people across Fódlan to help achieve their goals. Vivian von Raziya was one of their victims. I seek to rid the Empire of their foul blight, Aerin, but it must be done carefully. The moment we turn our blades against them, they will unleash horrors upon the Empire that I cannot begin to imagine. That is why I can only trust the two of you with the knowledge of their existence for now."
Hubert then said, "I have been attempting to locate the lair of the Twisted. They call it Shambhala. My agents have been scouring Fódlan for it, but without success. However, recently, two of my agents disappeared in Goneril territory while searching for traces of the Twisted."
"One's an anomaly, two's a trend?" asked Ladislava.
"Precisely. I fear sending any more of my agents there could provoke a hostile response. This is where you come in, Commander. While you are scouting Fódlan's Throat, keep your eyes open for any sightings of the Twisted in House Goneril's territory. Look for men and women in black garbs and with pale white skin. You may see them outside of towns and villages. If you spot them, do not confront them, even if you are attacked. Avoid giving them any inclination that you may have seen them. You must report back any sightings of their ilk directly to me or to Lady Edelgard. No messengers. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Vestra," Salia said with a salute.
Ladislava saluted with a frown. She didn't like being ordered to keep things secret from her comrades, even if it was for all the right reasons.
"I know this is a lot to ask of you, Aerin," said Edelgard. "But the future of the Empire may depend on it."
…
The next morning saw the Black Eagles readying at the main gate of Fort Merceus. Ladislava tended to Fenix as the others prepared their mounts and gathered last-minute provisions.
"So, what'd Her Majesty need you two for anyway?" asked Zola as she readied her Wyvern.
"Special orders," Ladislava said after a moment of consideration. "You just keep yourself worried about House Riegan's men when we cross the river."
"Heh, no problem."
"Trauare, what'd Berwick have to say about your trident?"
"Have a look," said the water mage as she showed off her weapon. The Arcane Crystal was practically glowing with power.
"Finally decided to get it fixed up, did you?" said Zola.
"Yeah, good thing I did. The crystal was about to conk out on me."
"How exactly does a crystal fall asleep?" Setiawati asked in confusion.
"Alright, enough chatter!" said Ladislava. "Time for us to pay the Alliance a visit! Black Eagles, move out!"
"Yes, ma'am!" shouted the elites of the Empire.
Probably heavy-handed again to have Ladislava and Salia learn about Those Who Slither In The Dark, but it'll help set some stuff up later.
Gotta wonder why Hubert never used the acronym of "Twisted" when referring to the Agarthans. Probably a translation thing from Japanese to English. Oh well, Ladislava gets to coin the term.
We'll next be heading over to the Alliance side of things, including adding Holst and Shahid to the story.