CHAPTER 6:
THE BEST LAID PLANS…
The Portal Shield took them back, and Harry hurried into a meeting with Mirelia, who had already received word via transmission crystal. The other three Cardinal Heroes soon returned in their turn. And not long afterwards, they began going over their plans.
"…In light of what we have learned, I feel that the battle formation should be as follows," Mirelia said, before looking to Ren. "Sir Ren, due to your…disadvantage, I will have you stay with me on my flagship, to slay any Wave Monsters that board it. Does that work for you?"
Ren nodded, looking ashamed. "It does, Your Majesty. And I'm sorry for my…inability causing this inconvenience."
"The so-called Wave Boss is but part of the Wave, as you well know, Sir Ren," Mirelia said pointedly. "We are merely ensuring your power is used to the best of your abilities. Sir Itsuki, Sir Motoyasu, Sir Harry, we need to find ways of you attacking the Wave Boss from afar, as well as a means to get close, with Sir Harry working on support as well in order to protect the troops."
"Hedy's a strong and fast swimmer," Harry pointed out. "She can help get me there at least. Of course, I have magic, and both Itsuki and Motoyasu have long-range attacks, as do members of our parties. Motoyasu, you know something about this supposed Dimensional Whale, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Sit back and let me tell you the tale of the whale." The cocky blonde was back on form, before prodding the table they were gathered around. "Now, back in the game, this thing was a nightmare. High attack, high agility, and high defence. We're going to have to give this our A-game."
"Was it vulnerable to any particular elements, Motoyasu?" Itsuki asked. "Lightning, maybe?"
"Nah, the shitty devs wanted it to be one hell of a raid boss, so no weaknesses there. I mean, I guess you could try something here, see if that works," the blonde said. "The thing is, I think it tends to dive and then try and ram ships from below to attack."
"Which means, if it's anything like the game," Raphtalia mused, "we'd best find a way to either protect the hulls of the ships, or prevent such an attack in the first place."
"We do have one advantage, though," L'Arc said. "You said this thing has high defence, right?"
"Yeah. Why?" Motoyasu asked.
"Do you have a defence-inversion attack in your game?"
"Yeah, but I don't have that for the…" Motoyasu's eyes widened. "No way! You have one?"
"Yep. Got it in one, kiddo."
"Kiddo?! I…look, never mind. As much as I want to take that beast down myself, fighting on the ocean is a pain in the ass, even without fighting a superboss, so I'll take what I can get."
"Are you sure your own world doesn't require your services?" Mirelia asked L'Arc and Therese.
Therese shook her head. "The Cardinal Heroes, along with at least two of the Vassal Heroes, will be fighting there. And if they need help, Glass or Naofumi could come over to tell us. Hopefully, they won't, and if they have to face something as bad, Glass knows how to use a defence-inversion attack too."
"Then I am grateful for your assistance, especially as we have no word on our own world's Vassal Heroes. My…former consort was the Staff Hero, but that Vassal Weapon had showed signs of finding him unworthy of late, even before the latest Waves. I should have seen it as a sign. However, I have made tests…and there will be another Weapon wielder on the battlefield."
Harry and Raphtalia got the implication almost straight away. "You tested using the Replica?" Harry asked.
Mirelia nodded. "Under supervision from my court mages and physicians, in case something went awry, but the Replica found me worthy, much to my surprise, I should add. I will have to be vigilant about the mana drain, of course, especially if I use my magic to attack in concert with the Replica. I may not have to worry about it as much as Balmus did, but it is still a concern. However, I can certainly contribute to fighting the Wave Boss more directly, and substantially, I hope. Amongst Balmus' effects, I found writings by him and prior users on what skills the Replica can use."
"We'll probably need supplies of mana potions," Raphtalia mused.
"I intend to have them distributed to the mages and Weapon wielders," Mirelia said. "Now, let me remind you all of something very important, especially Sir Motoyasu. We are not fighting for glory and fame, but the survival of this world and its people. Whatever the Wave throws at us, we need to kill quickly. No showboating, no competitions, no bickering about…what do you call it? Killstealing? Let Lurolona stand as an example of what happens when we fail."
Ren, Itsuki, Harry and Raphtalia all nodded, while Motoyasu muttered, "Yeah, yeah, got it."
"Very well. Cardinal Heroes, Vassal Heroes and their parties, you do not have much time to prepare. Make whatever preparations you can. You must be on the assigned vessels at least an hour before the Wave hits. Let us go over those arrangements…"
Itsuki had asked them to come with him after the strategy meeting was over. He led them to the same balcony they had spoken on prior to the trip to Cal Mira. Eventually, Itsuki said, "I need to transfer Rishia to your party before the next Wave."
Harry and Raphtalia shared a look, noting the teenager's voice, suddenly thick with emotion. "Why? What's the matter?" Raphtalia asked.
"…The bullying got worse on Cal Mira," Itsuki said. "I tried to stop it, but they blew me off, calling it discipline and training. Rishia's stats aren't rising as much as they should, and they're using it to bolster their arguments. The problem is, they're too competent for me to simply dismiss from my party, and I'm worried about what they might do outside of it. And after you beat Mald at arm-wrestling that night…well, he's gotten worse, Raphtalia." Itsuki held up a hand. "And Raphtalia, I'm not blaming you. If getting rid of Mald would stop Rishia's bullying from getting worse, I'd do it. But I've caught the others doing it, even if they're more covert about it. But starting with a blank slate party at this late stage may not work out. So I'm making the best of a bad situation."
"Itsuki, it may be that you'd need to start afresh with your party anyway," Harry said.
"…I know, and it's something I'll give considerable thought to between this Wave and the next one," Itsuki said solemnly. "And if I do end up dismissing Mald and the others…well, I'll welcome Rishia back. I'm just…worried."
"About what?"
"…Waves have a high casualty rate. I…I shouldn't think that of my team-mates, but…what if they decided to leave her to die, or worse, kill her and blame a Wave monster? They wouldn't dare do that to a Cardinal Hero, as we're needed to fight the Waves, but Rishia? I hope I'm just being overly paranoid."
"I hope you are too, Itsuki," Raphtalia said.
"Maybe. Mald's a racist arsehole, but killing her outright? I can see Malty doing that, but Mald and the rest of your party are other matters entirely," Harry observed. "But in any case, I'll bring in Rishia."
"…Thanks," Itsuki said with a sigh of relief. "That's a load off my mind. I think she'll flourish better under you." He looked out across the city below, and shook his head. "…Honestly, if it weren't for you telling us those things…I was bullied a lot myself back home, partly because my Esper ability was crap. I welcomed coming here, even if I thought it was some weird game. If I didn't believe they were anything but NPCs…no. Even if I had my suspicions…honestly, I have to thank you. Remember that day in the pub, when I accused you of taking the money from our quest?"
"Yeah. You quoted Spider-Man, despite not knowing it," Harry said.
Itsuki chuckled morosely. "…I remember you saying you might have done the same thing as I did, being the hero and riding off into the sunset without realising anything had gone wrong. And that's what got to me. Because I've never really met that many people who'd want to admit they could make mistakes, even though you and Raphtalia were being heroes. I guess that got me to wake up a little to the reality here, even if Raphtalia's spiel about this world being real…never mind. I want to be a hero everyone can be proud of."
"…Being a hero is overrated, Itsuki, believe me," Harry said solemnly. "I just have what Hermione called a 'saving people thing'. Do it because, without you, there'd be people suffering."
"I know. After this Wave and the training they're arranging with us, I'm thinking of heading to Zeltoble. You told us of that Sadeena woman trying to free the Lurolona slaves by fighting in one of the arenas there," Itsuki said. "If I can do something similar, or even help her…I'd prefer to free the slaves outright and deal with their owners, but would that change things for the better?"
"I doubt it, given the merchants running Zeltoble," Raphtalia pointed out. "Even a Cardinal Hero may not be able to change things. I mean, Harry is the Shield Hero, supposedly beloved by Siltvelt…but if he demanded that they stop human slavery, how do you think they'd react? The last Shield Hero died under mysterious circumstances, and there's evidence for either Melromarc or Siltvelt themselves killing him. Anyway, if you do go to Zeltoble, we'll contact Sadeena, put in a good word for you."
"Thanks. But that's in the future," Itsuki said. "The Wave takes priority. Anyway, come with me, I'll have you bring Rishia into your party…"
Malty S Melromarc was not in a good mood, to say the least. In her mind, she was the victim of unjust persecution and betrayal, and at the hands of her own family no less! Her sister usurped the throne that was rightfully hers, her mother never treated her with any love, and her father gave up fighting for what was rightfully hers.
Now, of course, Malty was a self-centred bitch with a self-serving memory and an entitled mentality. That a lot of what she had done was actually her own fault never occurred to her. A supreme solipsist and psychopath, Malty believed that her life should be one of indulgence and pleasure, and if that pleasure came at the expense of someone else, then so much the better. As royalty, everything and everyone in the world existed for her pleasure alone.
The fact that Balmus had played her like a fiddle rankled at her, as did having to be saved by the damned Shield Hero. True, she had intended to betray that preaching prick of a pope at the first opportunity, but she didn't expect to be pre-empted. Besides, she had the Spear Hero wrapped around her finger, along with her father. She held all the cards, and yet, they all cheated!
And now, here she was, being forced to muck out Filolials like some peasant! Who cared if it was her bitch of a mother's edict, and she was under this Fitoria bitch? Malty was supreme!
She'd hated Filolials for a long time. It was something about the smell that set her off, along with their raucous cries. She didn't mind Filolial down pillows, or their meat, but the beasts themselves pissed her off something fierce. She was hoping to deliver that little brat of the Shield Hero's to the Spear Hero, use some drug or curse to weaken that damn bird, let Motoyasu have his way with her, and then slit her throat, just to see the looks on that bird bitch's face, as well as the Shield Hero and that damned demihuman companion of his.
Still, such fantasies were all she had now. That, and prayer. Her father was useless, even trying to encourage her to do the work, that fucking weakling! She prayed if only because she hoped some god would smite her enemies. She didn't expect an answer, though, save perhaps for her own thoughts rattling around her own skull.
And yet…this time, she did.
She was on a break, and had wandered away, as far as she could from the queen bitch of those damn birds (which wasn't far, thanks to the conditions of the Slave Crest), and prayed, when those prayers, against all odds, were answered. She heard a voice. A voice answering her.
Ah…so we finally are able to speak, Malty S Melromarc…unjustly-deposed princess of Melromarc. As she opened her mouth to reply, it spoke, Do not speak out loud. The Filolial Queen and her subjects may overhear you. Act as if I am not speaking to you, and instead, speak with your thoughts.
Yes, of course. Thank you, Malty said, oddly grateful despite herself. Then again, she knew that this being was more powerful than anything she had met, she could sense it up the link with an instinct. If there was one being she had to avoid pissing off, it would be this one. May I ask…who are you? What are you?
The time has not come for you to know the answer to who I am, Princess. However, what I am is another matter entirely. Simply put, I am a god, the one that fool Balmus prayed to, though his ambitions against you were his own doing rather than my own. I let my followers do as they will, as long as they further our cause, and do not betray anything about it. Some are born on the worlds I rule over. Others are reborn or summoned here from other worlds, like the Cardinal Heroes. Indeed, you may remember Prince Takt.
Malty blushed a little at the memory of her…relationship with Takt. She had given her maidenhead to him, and their coupling had been very enjoyable. True, technically he was a cousin of hers through her father, but cousins had married each other here for centuries, it wasn't like he was her brother, and besides, she took precautions to avoid falling pregnant. Not to mention he was not only a looker, but damned good in the sack. He is one of yours?
Many of Faubrey's latest advancements are down to his remembering his past life, the god said. But that is merely an example. You were but a princess of a single kingdom, large though it is, on a single insignificant world. Swear undying and everlasting fealty to me, and you will have a place amongst gods, with dominion over many, many worlds. Age will not wither you, death can never keep its grasp on you, no laws restricting what you may do, save for absolute obedience to my will at all times. Only by forfeiting that absolute rule would your life, no, your very soul be forfeit. Otherwise, do what you will.
Now, Malty knew that this wasn't an idle threat. Whoever or whatever this being was, she knew she could not lie to it, deceive it, or gainsay it, born of an instinct that allowed her to manipulate most with impunity. The thought of truly and sincerely serving under anyone or anything rankled at her, and yet…the thought of being given power and dominion over many worlds instead of a kingdom, even one as large and grand as Melromarc, the thought of being immortal, the thought of being effectively a god…all of this was appealing to her.
It was surprisingly easy, despite Malty knowing the gravity of making such a promise sincerely (normally an impossibility for her anyway), to make the decision. I swear my fealty to you, my god. But I want revenge too.
And you shall have it. I am sending some acolytes over when the next Wave begins. They are former…acquaintances of the Shield Hero. The Filolial Queen is too powerful towards them, but…hurting the Shield Hero and his allies are other matters entirely. Tell me…before you go, what do you wish done with your father?
Malty sneered. He is no father of mine. He gave up, he didn't fight that bitch who dares to call herself my mother! And he tries to get me to submit to this! Feel free to have your peons kill him if you can spare them.
But of course. Consider it a welcome gift…
CHAPTER 6 ANNOTATIONS:
Plans are being made to fight in the Cal Mira Wave…and oh dear. Malty's been contacted by someone connected to the Waves. Honestly, if she still existed, I would have made it explicitly Medea Pideth Machina, but unfortunately, that's not happening, thanks to her being retconned out of existence.
That being said, I was, to some degree, inspired by the Idea of Evil from Berserk, or rather, the infamous missing chapter that Kentaro Miura had withdrawn from official publication in the omnibuses. That is where I got the 'do what you will' directive from the World Eater (which is what the mysterious voice is meant to be). Plus, it's just enigmatic enough to potentially fit any interpretation, especially when the next light novels get released and more is discussed about the mastermind or masterminds behind the Waves.
No numbered annotations this time.
