CHAPTER 8:
THE MOURNING AFTER
"Based on the interrogation of the few interlopers we managed to capture, their target was Harry. Nominally, it was to ensure they could claim the Black family vaults on Harry's homeworld, by claiming that Harry met an unfortunate end on this world. In truth, it seemed to be partly on the orders of a being they claim to be a deity, one responsible for the Waves of Catastrophe. Before they could divulge the identity of said deity, however, they perished, their heads exploding, and their very souls disintegrating."
Harry barely heard Mirelia's words. He was numb to it all. It was the day after the Wave. Mirelia had taken over the hotel and used the outdoor bar for an ad hoc conference. She'd plead with them to come to the post-mortem. Even Motoyasu looked shaken after what happened.
Harry didn't want to be here. He and Raphtalia had put Rifana's body into the Shield's inventory storage, and had cried themselves to sleep, and an uneasy sleep at that. Keel and Hedy were also devastated…hell, almost everyone, save for Mald and Itsuki's party were devastated by Rifana's death. And she was far from the only one. A number of Mirelia's soldiers were murdered too.
And what was worse was that they had freed Malty, and nearly murdered her father. For all of Harry's issues with the former king, he didn't want to see him murdered by those monsters. Melty at least would mourn his death.
"In other words," Mald just had to open his big mouth, "those damned warlocks attacked because of that damned Shield!"
"It's not like he wanted them to come after him!" Raphtalia snarled at Mald in protest. "You keep your damned mouth shut!"
"Raphtalia…" Harry said, touching her arm gently. Mald was right, damn him. It was his fault these bastards came for them, killed Rifana, and all those soldiers who, while willing and ready to die fighting the Waves, were attacked by people who wanted to hurt Harry.
"Oi, lay the hell off him, you Sir Arthur ripoff! Ghosts 'n' Goblins called, they want their armour and moustache back!" Motoyasu snapped. "They're mourning!"
A small part of Harry's mind wondered at Motoyasu actually showing some actual empathy towards him and Raphtalia. Another small part of him wondered why Raphtalia or Keel weren't blaming him for Rifana's death. But the rest of him was caught in a spiral of self-loathing and self-reproach.
Itsuki hissed something at Mald, and a brief, albeit quiet, argument started between the two. Eventually, Mald subsided sullenly. Mirelia then continued. "It is not Harry's fault that these fools attacked us during the Wave. They are xenophobic fanatics, no better than the Three Heroes Church and the nobles who supported them." She glared pointedly at Mald, who recoiled. "His only fault was in showing them mercy after their original master perished. And even then, he could not have foreseen that they would have pursued him to this world, or that they would interfere in the Wave."
"They also overplayed their hand," L'Arc said grimly, his usually cheerful demeanour gone. "We know they were sent by whatever force is behind the Waves. And for some reason, they decided that Malty was worth recruiting. That means they could have people amongst us, not just on this world, but our world. I wouldn't be surprised if Kyo was part of this faction, or at least allied with them."
"In any case, we now know for certain that there is an intelligence behind these Waves, a being that claims to be a deity," Mirelia said. "True, Harry had stated this before having been told by the spirit of the Shield, and Fitoria and others have suspected as such…but we have a confirmation, of not only an enemy that delights in sowing discord and destruction, but is willing to go to any lengths to conceal their identity." She then slammed her hand down on her table, palm-first. "This will not stand! Not content with causing these Waves, and thus death and destruction on a massive scale, they sow discord amongst those trying to defend their worlds from annihilation. They are the enemy of not only this world, but of others, perhaps even a milliard of worlds, and every last person living on them, human, demi-human, or otherwise! This so-called deity has even exerted influence over at least one iteration of your homeworld, Cardinal Heroes. Therefore, Earth is not safe, even if it is yet to feel the sting of the Waves. That is what we must face, and that is what we must fight, or else we all fall into oblivion!"
After her vehement speech, Mirelia seemed to sag into herself a little, before she said, "We need to prepare, for whatever devilry this faction may have in store for us next, to say nothing of the next Wave. I am having arrangements made to have the Cardinal Heroes and their parties trained, arrangements that were postponed by the need to exploit the activation event here. But we can tarry no longer. I know that I ask much, even too much of you all." She looked to Harry, Raphtalia and Keel in particular. "Some more than others. You will be given time enough to rest…and to mourn. But know this. Despite the interference from these Death Eaters, you saved lives before and during the Wave. That is what matters…"
Afterwards, Harry just stayed sitting there at the table, staring at the ocean, trying to marshal his thoughts and failing miserably. All that his thoughts seemed to revolve around was that he'd brought Rifana, still technically a child even if her body was in her late teens, and she had died saving his life from the Death Eaters. Even though she had been saved by Naofumi, Harry had wasted her life.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't fucking fair! So many people dying because of him! Because of this curse clinging to him, not of the Curse Series, but of Voldemort and his damned followers deciding that he needed to die. Even with Voldemort dead, it didn't stop them from coming after him, again!
The only good thing from this situation was that at least Raphtalia didn't seem to blame him for it. Well, neither did Hedy, but Hedy had a childish disposition anyway. But given that they held each other in bed last night, their relationship hadn't been sundered…even if Harry was somewhat surprised.
He was certainly surprised when, a few minutes later, Raphtalia, Hedy, Rishia, and Keel sat at the table. "…What do you want?" Harry asked, a little too sharply.
"…We just came to see how you felt," Raphtalia asked.
"…You know how I feel. Those monsters came for me…again…and your friend…" His voice caught in his throat. "Rifana died, and she shouldn't have had to, and I lost control, and…" Suddenly, pain blossomed in his foot from someone stomping on it, and he turned to glare at the culprit, Keel, who was looking at him with her own tear-filled eyes.
"Harry…that wasn't your damned fault!" Keel snarled. "Those freaks had it in for you, but…did you want them to come over? Did you think they'd be able to? You didn't get Rifana killed. She died saving you, saving the Shield Hero. I don't know if I could have done the same thing."
"But she didn't need to die!" Harry retorted. "I know demi-humans grow up from battle experience, but…she was still a kid! I was at least a little older before I got involved in adventures in Hogwarts, and I was a stupid kid who didn't know any better, that loved these grand adventures full of risk and derring-do!"
"Harry!" Raphtalia snapped. As he looked at her, she said, her voice husky with emotion, "Rifana made her choice. So did Keel." She looked down at the table. "I spent nine years in Japan, fearing for their lives, worrying that they may be dead. Rifana was dying of that lung disease we had caught. But I got to see them again. Yes, I would rather Rifana be still alive, I am not at all happy about this, about the Death Eaters coming after her…but I spent nearly a decade mourning her. And she died saving you, saving the Shield Hero. It's only a small consolation, given that one of my oldest and best friends is dead…but I'll take whatever I can get. That, and I sent her murderer to join her in death."
Harry looked to Raphtalia, before he looked to Keel. "…You don't hate me?"
"…Why would I hate you? Those monsters ambushed us like the cowardly freaks they were," Keel said. "I'm not stupid! Yes, I'm angry, and sad! But not at you! And if you think this is going to stop me from fighting alongside you, then think again, Harry!"
Harry looked to Hedy, who nodded, an unusually grim look on her face. Then again, her loyalty was never in doubt. But then, he looked to Rishia. "What about you, Rishia? I know you didn't get time to know Rifana, but…you know that it's going to be dangerous with me."
"Fweehhh…I know. I've fought in at least two Waves now. They're…scary," the green-haired girl said, before she looked up at him, her golden eyes filled with determination. "But I need to fight, for Sir Itsuki's sake, and for the world. It'll be an honour to fight by your side, Sir Harry, if you'll have me."
Harry nodded. He wasn't okay. He wasn't remotely okay. The self-loathing and guilt was going to plague him for a long time after this Wave, probably for the rest of his life. But…he might just be able to get through this. He still had friends and allies, people who cared about him, who gave a fuck about him despite his failures, after all…
Mirelia and Melty soon joined them, the queen looking particularly haggard now. She simply sat down next to Harry and Raphtalia, looking out across the ocean. For a time, she sat there in silence, before saying, "It's not easy, losing someone you care for. Especially so young, and to treacherous, dishonourable monsters."
Raphtalia looked to her. "You're speaking from experience?"
"Indeed. I lost my younger sister and brother when I was young myself," Mirelia said. "My mother claimed it was an ambush by Siltvelt assassins. But later, I found evidence suggesting that she suspected that their murderers were actually Zeltoble mercenaries, hired by an arms merchant of considerable renown there who wanted the wars against Siltvelt to continue so he could continue selling arms to both sides. I also lost a child…a son. Malty's younger brother…and Melty's older brother. He died, apparently of poisoning, right in front of his father. Siltvelt was blamed, or a radical demi-human group, but…I always suspected Malty to be the responsible party, and as only a child, barely into her teens. I had just announced my son's betrothal to a Siltvelt noble to try and mend relations between our countries. Malty had voiced her objections to that, loudly, viewing demi-humans as beneath us. And it is not just beloved family I have lost."
Melty nodded. "Lord Seatto was a dear friend of Mother's, and like an uncle to me. We learned that he wasn't actually slain by the Wave of Catastrophe's monsters, but rather, was assassinated on Balmus' orders."
"Loss affects everyone, regardless of their station," Mirelia said solemnly. "Raphtalia…I must ask…we have a mausoleum reserved for heroes of all kind in Melromarc. I can have Rifana interred there if that is your wish."
Raphtalia shook her head. "I'm sure that is a great honour, Your Majesty, but…I think Rifana would prefer a simple grave, near our village."
"…Of course. I understand. But…I will ensure she will not be forgotten, not during my lifetime, at least," Mirelia said. "She deserves that much, at least, after everything she, along with everyone else in Lurolona, have gone through."
"Too right," Keel murmured. "I…I can't believe she's dead. And those monsters are still out there…" Her teeth were bared in a bestial snarl, the dog-girl demi-human's fist clenching. "Hermione told us about them, the Death Eaters. Next time I see them, I'll tear out their throats."
"We'll have to work on ward systems for key areas," Raphtalia said. "Lurolona, Melromarc Castle Town, and the like. They can block Apparition and Portkeys to some degree, so it's a good first line of defence against them."
"We can begin work on those when we get back," Mirelia said. "I appreciate any and all help you can render me…"
After all was said and done, Harry, Raphtalia, Hedy, Keel and Rishia went straight back to Lurolona. Thankfully, the Death Eaters hadn't attacked it, though the few inhabitants were devastated to hear of Rifana's death. L'Arc and Therese also came with them.
Harry dug out the grave with Raphtalia, Hedy and Keel's help, close to where her parents had been. Then, he gently placed Rifana's body, now wrapped in a white cloth, into the grave, before filling it in. Meanwhile, Raphtalia began carving a grave marker for Rifana, and placed it there.
He swayed on his feet soon after they were done, only for someone to hold him steady, embracing him from behind. Not Raphtalia or Hedy or Keel or anyone else he'd thought were present. It took him a moment to recognise the distinctive frilly sleeves of Fitoria's outfit.
Eventually, Fitoria said, "You used the Cursed Series again. I felt it. Briefly, but I did."
"…Sorry," Harry said.
"…No, I was not accusing you, Harry," the Queen of All Filolials said quietly. "You felt her loss keenly. Hedy told me of Rifana's death, saving your life. I felt the loss of much of my flock keenly too. It was one thing to free Malty from her Slave Crest. But they murdered them out of spite, the spite of Malty S Melromarc. I came to show my respects to Rifana."
Fitoria gently released him, before walking around him to Rifana's grave. There, she began signing softly, a gentle, beautiful dirge. The song moved all who heard it, with the accumulated sorrow of having lived for centuries, and watching those Fitoria cared for pass on.
After she had finished, she looked to the Shield, and then frowned, before an odd expression came over her face. It was contemplative, as far as Harry could tell, but whatever she was thinking, she didn't say anything. She simply said her farewells, before leaving them to mourn in their own turn…
CHAPTER 8 ANNOTATIONS:
So, the dust is settling. Harry's trying to come to terms with what has happened, helped by his friends and allies.
Motoyasu reading the room here is one of those broken clock deals. While he's not quite ready to admit this world is real or that Harry and Raphtalia are in the right and he is in the wrong, he does have just enough empathy and self-awareness to realise how badly Rifana's death has affected them. Ren and Itsuki already know this.
While Mirelia's siblings are wholly made up for this fic, her son, the middle child between Malty and Melty, was referred to in Reprise of the Spear Hero. I don't consider any series that makes Motoyasu a hero anything like canon, especially if Naofumi needs to go through the shit he did to get Filo. Plus, Motoyasu being a virgin prior to being shanked by two yanderes? Please, he seems like the type to be a serial lothario and not just an incel that talks up a big game. But I will happily take some concepts and elements from that.
No numbered annotations this time.
