CHAPTER XXXVII.
"Sir, we are almost there. We will deploy in about five minutes."
Arthur Fia Archlight simply grunted in response, there wasn't much to do here.
Already inside his Knight Armor, the only thing he could do was wait, they would attack at sunrise to take them by surprise.
No real glory was to be found here, he knew it, the idiotic Viscount got himself crippled in an accident and denied him the pleasure of crushing him.
Upstarts like him were supposed to be crushed by their betters!
However the crown needed to make a spectacle out of this.
That is why Arthur was sent to capture Vince's daughter and dispose of the trash.
Normally the Sword Saint wouldn't bother with a bug like Leon Fou Bartfort, but the Viscount managed to make a name for himself before he was crippled.
Mylene will conveniently keep that fact a secret, it was necessary to send someone with a good enough reputation that no one would doubt he was able defeat him without a scratch so that even if anyone managed to learn about the Viscount's accident it would be seen as them making excuses.
He was given a fleet twenty strong to command, the enemy ships demanded no less to be defeated, however he hoped to catch them by surprise and make this easier on his men.
There were a few ships in the harbor, a gigantic 700 m. long class and a smaller 300 m. at opposite sides of the harbor, at least they weren't stupid enough to put them together and make them a nice easy target.
They would destroy one of the ships that took part in the Offrey's destruction..
As the hours passed he entertained himself with mental training, he would imagine himself sparring with two of the strongest people he knew: the Masked Knight and the Black Knight.
He spent hours.
"Sir, we are within shooting range" one of the members of his crew informed him.
"Let's greet this Upstart!" he ordered with a sigh.
Immediately after he finished speaking the sounds of fleet cannons were heard loud and clear.
He waited for the sound of impact that would inevitably follow, but it never came.
"Did you miss it!?" he asked sharply, how does one miss on a ship that size!?
"No sir, beams of light intercepted the projectiles." the man sounded confused, it was better if he saw it for himself.
Arthur got out of his ship and ordered his crew to fire again.
However, this time his ship was shaken by an impact…
Arthur felt a drop of sweat go down his cheek when suddenly the largest ship on the island was moving to cover the island and the deadly, smaller ship moved to flank his own fleet.
Well, he wanted some real Glory, now was the time to earn it!
0x0x0
Mylene knew this was going to be a long night and as such she did her best to prepare, she was dressed in elegant furs to stave off the chill of the night, often she would pass her hands over the white fur just to have something to do.
She, alongside a few trusted officers from the army, were waiting for a report from her spy in Bartfort's territory.
This was an important operation and they needed to confirm its success, now that they subdued the Principality they needed Angelica as a hostage and her husband gone to weaken Vince's position.
She stares at the glass rectangle in front of her with intensity, waiting for it to display the ancient characters, the vibration and the melodic sound that alert her of an incoming call from her spy.
Behind her she could hear the officers chatting among themselves and having a few drinks to celebrate the fall of Fanoss and toast to the Saintess.
Finally!
Although the melody and the characters are different, she lets it sound a little bit longer to get the attention of the military men behind her.
To her ire they all took their time, and it took them a whole minute for them all to stand behind her in hearing range of the device.
Now that she was ready, she accepted the call.
Something unexpected happened and the little glass transformed into some kind of window and it showed none other than Angelica!
The girl was dressed in what was probably her finest dress, black and red, the colors of her new house looked good on her, she would be the perfect image of a noble lady if not for the bags under her eyes.
She had her baby in her arms sleeping peacefully…
She paid no mind to the maids in the room, instead she focused on the woman sitting at Angelica's right, wearing the same colors is the Baron's mistress holding another bundle… another baby…
Mylene felt her heart ache. She didn't want to do this to Angelica and her family, but the circumstances are forcing her hand.
"So you were truly managing Aaron personally, Mylene" the girl's voice was one filled with contempt.
"Angie…" for the first time since becoming the Queen of the Holfort kingdom, Mylene didn't know what to say.
She was shocked seeing the young woman calling her using a Lost Item that was supposed to belong to her spy, the fact that Aaron assured her that even if he lost the device no one else would be able to use it always reassured her.
But it seems it was just a lie.
It was rather obvious that her spy was caught and taught Angie how to use the device to save his life probably.
Overcoming her first reaction was not easy but Mylene managed to keep her composure.
Also, there were many things she wanted to tell her old pupil, she wanted to reassure her that everything would be alright, that she would be taken away from the kingdom that had inflicted so much pain on her and sent to a place were she would eventually heal.
It wouldn't take long for her to arrange a new husband for her and she could start rebuilding her life.
"Do you think You are still allowed to call me by my nickname, Mylene?" but she couldn't, instead Angelica seemed eager to put her down, verbally at least, she very much doubted that House Bartfort would last long after tonight.
"Is it really relevant? given the current circumstances?" Mylene deflected.
"I guess that is how it looks from your perspective, however: Do. Not. Call. Me. Angie. Ever. Again!" Obviously, Angie's rage has not diminished in the couple of years since her bethroral was broken.
It's not surprising though, she was a Redgrave, they are rather notorious for how long their grudges last.
Nevertheless, that hurt, even if she would never admit it, being asked to not use the term of endearment was surprisingly painful.
"Indeed. From my perspective, you have much more important things to deal with, right now Count Arthur Fia Archlight is about to attack your husband's island and take you hostage" she said, hoping to get a reaction out of her.
She wanted Angie to beg for her help so she could give her a hand and protect her from the backlash her family will suffer soon, the only one who truly needed to die was the Pirate's Bane.
"Do you know that my father will take this unprovoked attack as an act of war, Mylene?" she couldn't help the pride she felt in her chest after hearing her threaten her.
Her old pupil was using every resource available to her to stop the attack from happening, but it will happen no matter what Angelica has to say, Vince has much to respond to.
"Do not play the fool Angelica, You know very well what is happening and I know your husband is in no shape to fight!" She taught the girl better than this, and her acting ignorant does not suit her at all, especially knowing her spy told her about the Viscount's health.
"I know what the situation is better than you, Mylene, after all I'm not the one trying to intimidate my rival with a washed out knight or deluding myself thinking I can win a lost war" Judging by her expression Angie either believed everything she said or maybe she had the best poker face in the kingdom. However Angie drops her guarded expression as she smiles, as if she knew something she herself ignored.
At this rate Mylene would lose her chance to save Angie due to her stubbornness, even if it is unbecoming of her she decided to offer her salvation.
"Angelica, please reconsider your decision, I can save you and your son, just surrender and let me do it" she said as sincerely as possible and due to Angie's reaction she believed she did a splendid work.
"You really think you are offering me salvation?" Mylene wanted to yell, to scream that yes! she wanted to save her, she grew attached to her in the time she took care of her, she wanted to save her because she still cared deeply for the young woman!
Mylene wanted to say that and more but she limited herself to nod at the image of her former protege.
"It is entirely too late for that Mylene, I could have used your help when your son was prancing around with that whore…" Angie was interrupted when one of the officers in the room with her yelled to the device as if he was yelling at Angie herself for insulting the Saintess.
"Don't you dare to speak of the saintess like that you skank, What do you know about…" Angie just smiled and shook her head at the lack of decorum of the officer, Mylene was embarrassed by her subordinate and was about to reprimand him but Bartfort's second wife beat her to it, surprising everybody.
"That is enough, You will apologize to Lady Angelica and get out of the room!" That was the first time she heard the other woman speak, and it was in defense of her lover's first wife. She could see why Angie kept her around and even allowed her to be officially wedded to her husband.
It was even more surprising when the rowdy official acquiesced to the woman's request and apologized and even obeyed the order to leave the room!
Baffled, Mylene stared at the woman holding Viscount Bartfort's second child; she wasn't particularly forceful with her command nor did she appear threatening enough to guarantee compliance.
And the man she so casually dismissed was notorious for doing as he pleased, if not for his ability to achieve results he would have been thrown out of the army a long time ago… What kind of…?
"Arclight is here, perhaps this will be the dose of reality you so desperately need, Mylene!" Angie said as her image in the device was reduced and relegated to a corner while the small rectangular crystal's image switched to the night sky and a barely visible airship belonging to House Arclight and the multiple silhouettes of the ships she loaned him.
The sky was lit aflame for a second when Arclight's fleet opened fire on the island… no, not on the island but on a single ship, its black body almost invisible in the night, however, none of the salvo impacted with it, instead beams of light intercepted each projectile before they could cause any harm to the ship or the island.
Again the sky was lit aflame, but this time it was the fleet she sent the one struck by the enemy´s artillery barrage, but her fleet doesn't possess the same defense as the Viscount's island.
She watched in despair as over half of her ships dropped out of the sky.
However, even the falling ships still managed to deploy a few knight armors, her men were still willing to fight, despite the fact that they were promised an easy victory this ambush did not extinguish their spirits.
"Impressive" she said recognizing the defense of Angie's home, "But it's useless, Count Arclight survived, you'll get to see what the most powerful knight in the kingdom can do when going all out" Mylene could see the Count's personal knight armor hastily taking its place in a formation that will destroy Angie's ships.
Angie showed no signs of worry.
Mylene could see her son's former fiance in the small section of the rectangular crystal and she didn't look worried at all. What else did she have under her sleeve?
"You are too used to getting your way Mylene, not a single time you have truly found something that surpassed you and the resources that the Capital leeches from the rural nobles" as Angie spoke she could see the silhouettes of two knight armors appear in response to the dozen or so survivors of the counterattack.
"And is your crippled husband supposed to be the thing that surpasses me and the capital?" Mylene asked rhetorically, this was the moment where Angie's hopes get crushed by reality and hopefully the young woman accepts her help!
When Angie answered her question she felt she may have made a mistake "Crippled? I think you are working under incorrect information, I don't blame you though, we did set a little performance for you little spy".
Did Aaron betray her?
Was she being feeded misinformation all this time?
No!
Even if Aaron was captured they must have found him out recently. Was Angie bluffing? or was her husband really inside one of those armors?
Leon Fou Bartfort is supposed to have many Lost Items from his time as an adventurer, was one of those treasures capable of exposing her spy?
It would be better to assume that was the case given the current situation.
Did that mean that the Viscount didn't take the bait Frampton set up?
Most likely since he is still breathing!
In the crystal she could see that neither side had taken any further action, how she wished she could hear what they were saying.
"The fool accepted a duel" Angie said, but Mylene didn't know who she was calling a fool, the Count or her husband?
Mylene watches as two armors take the center of the battlefield, Bartfort's black armor is bulky, probably has thick plates capable of enduring a lot of damage, but the Count is perfectly capable of aiming his strikes at the less armored spots like the joints.
The white and blue knight armor of the Sword Saint gets ready for a match, this was not how Mylene envisioned this affair going, but this was not the Ideal win she desperately needed, but a victory in a one on one duel would have a more devastating effect on the Redgrave's faction morale.
Arthur's stance is flawless,his blade is ready to attack or switch to defense while Bartfort's stance is… sloppy.
For someone considered to be a rising star his knight armor stance displays more than a few weaknesses, the sword he wields one handed is pointing downwards for example, watching Bartfort stance leaves a foul taste in her mouth.
Mylene smiles, it'll be quick.
Both knights move at the same time, charging towards each other at blinding speed and the easy victory Mylene hoped for the Sword Saint is not to be, Bartfort blocked the first strike and positioned himself to follow up with a kick that was promptly evaded by Arthur.
Arthur tries to chop off the black armor's leg but his blade is intercepted by the black armor's free hand.
Bartfort kicks again with the same leg and sends Arthur's armor flying backwards in an attempt to incapacitate Arthur, but he manages to nullify most of the kicks' impact by retreating..
Arthur's experience has just saved him!
Again both armors take a stance, and once again Arthurs posture is flawless, but this time the same could be said about Bartfort's…
Mylene is now sure the one inside the black knight armor is indeed Leon Fou Bartfort, and she reevaluated her opinion of the Viscount after the last clash and she doesn't like the conclusions she got as a result.
Bartfort was confident enough to purposely leave an opening in his guard and
They charge at each other again but this time she doesn't pay her full attention to the armors, she directs the blunt of her focus to Angie's face and her expression triggers Mylene's mental alarms!
Angelica's face is serene, it's as if nothing happening on the battlefield was surprising to her, as if the victory of her husband is a foregone conclusion at this point.
Mylene switches her focus to the battle again and to her disappointment the young man's speed and power are starting to push the Sword Saint back!
It's subtle, but she could see the younger knight was reducing Arthur's avenues to strike!
At this rate Arthur will end up captured!
With a swing of his blade Bartfort bats away Arthur's own swing and in the same fluid motion his footwork places him inside the Count's guard and Bartfort uses the chance to land a hit on his opponent's helmet with the pommel of his sword as he gets ready for another strike.
Arthur's spinning dodge technique allowed him to survive that last exchange with minimal damage again, but it's clear that Bartfort has what is needed to defeat him.
However, Arthur has decades of experience to fall back on in the face of the power and speed of the younger man's knight armor, and that is something the rebel lacks.
Bartfort attacks are relentless and before Arthur could recover he swings his sword mercilessly!
No, this can not be!
Much to her dismay she now sees no way for the Sword Saint to win this match!
But so do his men!
House Arclight's knights all advance with the intent to help their Lord put down their enemy!
The loyalty of the single Bartfort knight was something to admire, the second armor adorned with the black and red colors of House Bartfort also charged towards the dozen or so of enemy armors.
Mylene paled when the blade the knight wielded cut through the shield and armor of the first Arclight knight it faced, and to her horror the blade did not stop there and also cut another armor in half and through the sword of third armor!
There is only one blade in the continent capable of such a feat!
Eyes wide open and mouth agape she looked at Angie who was still smiling, and she could understand now why she was so confident all the time.
That is Vandel Him Zenden's sword and part of his invincibility is attributed to that blade!
The fact that that mythical sword was in the hands of a Bartfort knight meant…
But that couldn't be!
The Black Knight being defeated in his duel with Bartfort was not something she ever considered possible!
In the small rectangular crystal the rest of the Arclight knights hesitate and try to withdraw but the Bartfort knight chases and kills a couple more of them.
"This old man is done for Angie, what do you want me to do with him?" She could hear Bartfort's voice from her device!
After a Couple of seconds the image on the crystal now shows Arthur's armor with both arms missing and Bartfort holding him hostage!
Just her luck!
"Don't finish him, he may be of some use yet" Angie said those words with a serene smile directed to her side, she was speaking with her husband through another device.
"As for you Mylene…" this time Angie had a softer expression but her tone of voice revealed she was still on guard
"I can't offer you pardon, even though you want to destroy my family you still think of me fondly… I can't help but wonder, where was this caring side of you when Julius abandoned me?" Despite the loaded question, there was no anger behind Angie's words.
Mylene had no answer for Angelica, it was a mistake from her part and Julius' but it was too late to apologize now.
"I'll request my father to imprison you once We take the capital and from there…" Angie left the rest of her supposed fate in the air.
Probably she doesn't know what to do with her yet, and with the situation as it is, it was worrying!
"Lord Balcus has only one wife Angie…" The concubine spoke again, this time with a mischievous tone, and It was outrageous!
How dare she insinuate her side would lose and she would become some rural noble concubine!
Much to her horror, Mylene saw Angie's face brighten up as if she hadn't thought of that!
"And that way Repard wouldn't have any excuse to cut off the alliance!"
"Angelica Rapha Redgrave!" she scolded her former successor as she would when she was under her care.
"It's Bartfort now Mylene, and that is the best I can do for you, so you better be grateful!" She no longer could discipline Angelica, she lost that privilege a couple of years ago.
However she was still in the stronger position and while she will still be generous with Angie when all this is over, she would not let her have the last word in this issue… Arthur was a loss the loyalist would feel deeply, but they still have Chris, Brad and Jilk, and they would have to suffice.
"Besides, she really looks like she needs to get a good pounding!" said one of the maids she barely paid attention to before, she had a rather petite body and shoulder length brunette hair .
And then, they just cut the call!
0x0x0
"FINLEY!" Angelica yelled after hearing the crass words her favorite sister in law just delivered to the person she once considered a second mother.
Said girl just shrugged and asked "Was I the only one who noticed?"
Livia, the traitor giggled.
Jenna just looked puzzled.
Angelica had to inwardly agree, but her facade still indicated her displeasure.
And she stayed like that for a few more moments until Flinley had to give up and muttered "I'm sorry."
"I think," Livia said with mirth "That the problem isn't that the Queen does look like she needs a Good Pounding, as you so eloquently said" Angelica had to contain a smile once again, her sister wife was on the right track "But the fact that it wasn't the moment for such a crass words, It made us look like undisciplined bunch of academy aged girls… more than necessary"
That last part was said with a bit of regret. Livia's words about marrying Mylene to Barcus were out of order as well, but it came out as a show of confidence and power.
Finley had a look of realization and apologized again.
"Lady Angelica, I have a message from your father: House Redgrave won't stand this unprovoked attack: this is war" Cleare spoke, unnecessary as it was she still felt happy to receive the news.
She just wanted this to be over so she could go back to the pacific life she enjoys alongside her family.
0x0x0
Roland was in good humor.
One of his men had just delivered good news to him: Arthur was defeated.
Just as he predicted.
The fool aged from wine to vinegar in his old age, killing his body with training to keep up with his son.
Unlike himself, Roland aged like the good wine by taking care of his body and resting properly to maintain his body at peak performance and with the added benefit of experience
He is now head and shoulders above the rest of the knights in the continent.