Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad helping me with SPAG edit. Also thanks to Angle Wraith who read my draft and provided feedback.
More author note at the end for people who are interested to see me blabber some more.
While the Shield Hero and Eclair work together to put down the dungeon boss, the rest of the church and their group are still busy fighting over the undead. Mein noticed the undead become much weaker as Death Knight Uther goes down. Even Kyubey, someone who uses a light weapon and only manages to help distract the undead from the side, is now fighting them on even terms. That's saying nothing for their heavy hitters like Farkas and Yatsuhashi, who are just cutting down the remaining undead by the dozens.
The princess balls up her fist and feels her connection with her magic strengthens. She flips her hand out towards a death knight who is trying to sneak up behind Raphtalia. "[Hydro Sphere]!"
Instantly, the undead monster is swallowed up by a ball of water, its movement slows down to a crawl. Raphtalia pushes her blessed steel sword through its chest, instantly reducing it to dust. The lost Q'ten Lo princess turns around, gives Mein a quick nod of thanks and joins the rest of the fight.
With the battle a foregone conclusion, the princess turns around to look at Eclair. The last living member of House Seaetto still has her sword buried in the chest of her unliving father.
"Well done. My daughter." Much to Mein's surprise, Eclair's undead father didn't give her more insane ramble. Perhaps he finally reached a moment of clarity now? "You have the strength to pursue your own way now."
Chapter 63: Never Compromise
"Fa-father?" The female knight sounds equally surprised.
"Time waits for no one… the last time I saw you, you were still a young girl. Chasing after the senior knights." The undead lord mumbles to himself, no difference than any man in his twilight years. He slowly turns his head to look at the Shield Hero standing over Eclair's shoulder. "You are in no obligation to accept my request, Shield Hero. But may I have a few solitary moments with my daughter before I pass over to the gray realm?"
Naofumi's eyes wander over to Eclair. The young hero is clearly concerned for the young lady's safety. But her undead bodyguard takes over. "I shall stand guard over my lady."
The Shield Hero looks over the room, seeing his followers and the church expedition finishing off the remaining undead creatures. He nods to the dying dungeon boss and steps backward. "Granted."
Mein herself is curious on what Eclair's dying father wants to share with her in private. Perhaps he simply wants to hide some foolish sentimentality, but it's possible he is going to share some secret that would be helpful in Mein's own venture.
Lord Uther was one of Mother's more trusted allies. It goes to the reason that he would know a lot of things that can't be written down in parchments, public or not.
But with Naofumi already accepting the undead lord's plea, there's no way for her to object to his decisions. Not without making her look suspicious, at least.
Oh well. Learning to pick which battle to fight, and which to give up from the start was one of the lessons. She'll simply have to sit this one out.
"Now that we cleared out the undead scourge, what should we do with House Seaetto's artifact?" Alfred's question makes Mein's heart jump right back into her throat. After fighting side by side with the expedition from the Three Heroes' Church, it's easy to forget they aren't allies with one another. "You do remember recovering the artifact was also our objective, Brother Jaune?"
"Yes. I remember, Brother Alfred. But that was only because we assumed House Seaetto has died out." The young Arc looks over to Eclair, still kneeling besides her undead, and dying father. "Now that we know the true heir to House Seaetto still exists, Lady Eclair, is the only one who can rightfully decide what happens to her family heirloom. I'm sure His Eminence would agree with me.
For some reason, the first princess of Melromarc is sure this wasn't what Pope Balmus intended. But who is she to argue with the young templar, when the situation benefits them?
"I'm not sure I trust the decision of someone who openly fraternizes with the faithless and savage." The legionaire's brass dome helmet tips slightly towards Farkas. "But I default to your decision, Captain."
"The faithless and savage is right here, and he can hear you. Don't pretend I don't exist." The giant werewolf growls right back at Alfred.
Both Naofumi and Jaune step between Farkas and Alfred, ready to physically put a stop to a possible fight between them.
"...How could SHE!?" That's when everyone's attention turns towards Eclair. The young knight takes a deep breath, clearly trying to calm herself down as her voice once again dies down till Mein can't make out anything. "THEN Why did you…"
Lord Uther is clearly revealing something very important and shocking to his daughter, if Eclair is reacting the way she is. A shame he didn't share it with anyone else… particularly Mein herself.
Before the princess can have another thought, the death knight lord crumbles into dust in front of his daughter. Eclair's body is shaking, she nearly trips on her feet as she tries to stand up. Lucatiel is quick to hold onto her arm. The last Seaetto slowly raises her head, looking at her family artifact everyone is after.
Just like she said, the thing is an almost unremarkable looking crystal ball sitting on top of a marble pedestal. It's hard to imagine something that looks no different than any common crystal ball sold in an enchanter's shop would hold the same power to unlock someone's potential like a legendary hero.
Mein quickly walks forward, following right after Eclair as her friend moves towards the artifact. Now that she is closer to it, she notices something different from the most common magical crystal. Right in the middle of the malachite sphere is a dull looking, gray colored bead. It's hard to figure out what the bead is made of, as it looks too smooth to be some kind of stone, yet lacks the texture of metal. One could almost mistake it for some well cut and polished gemstone, if it doesn't look so unexceptional.
As the princess walks closer to the artifact, she can almost hear unintelligible chanting in the back of her mind. Perhaps it is an eldritch promise of unimaginable power? She can't help but try to concentrate on the sound, despite the possible danger.
"...a lie… everything I believed was a lie. I wasted my life…"
Mein suddenly realizes the voice she's been hearing isn't some unnatural chanting coming from the artifact. It was the mumbling of Eclair who was just walking in front of her. And judging by what's coming out of her mouth, the mind of the Seaetto heir is completely unstable.
"WHAT WERE WE FIGHTING FOR!?" With a loud scream, Eclair holds the blessed steel sword over her head, and slams it down towards her family artifact.
"MY LADY!" "NO!" Both Lucatiel and Mein reach out towards Eclair in a desperate attempt to stop her from hitting the artifact, possibly for different reasons.
Mein imagines Eclair's undead sworn shield wants to stop the last Seaetto from destroying an artifact that's been passing down her family line for more sentimental reasons. As for herself, her reasoning is a bit more practical. Magical crystals need to be handled with extreme care, as they are fragile due to their material, and the magic stored inside can be extremely volatile when unintentionally released.
Neither of them manages to grab Eclair in time, as her sword clanks onto her family heirloom. The result is fortunately underwhelming. There is no explosion of force, vortex of erratic mana, or even a wisp of spark. In fact, despite the artifact seems to be made of some kind of glass material, Eclair's blessed steel sword didn't even leave a crack on its surface.
At least the artifact is deceptively hard to damage.
"My lady! I know you are in distress, but please don't take your anger out on your family heirloom! It's been passed down in your family for countless generations! It saw through the rise of House Seaetto!" The undead knight grabs Eclair's shoulder and pries the heavily panting young Seaetto back from the pedestal. "Please, don't deny the last trace of your family!"
"It was a lie… all a lie, Lucatiel." Eclair murmurs under her breath. The young Seaetto sounds more like she's trying to convince herself than her undead swornshield. "This artifact… it didn't belong to my family. My ancestor found it, and took it for himself. No better than a common thief, or robber."
There is something very pathetic about Eclair's current state. The formally courageous and faithful knight, reduced to a distressed shadow of her former self. The princess in disguise takes a few steps forward, and holds onto Eclair's other shoulder. "You shouldn't be too stressed out, Lady Eclair. That's how a lot of noble families started. As thieves who discovered some magical artifact, or bandit lords who took the land. At least your family descended from the old Boletaria royalty, even if he was from the cadet branch. That gave your ancestor a stronger claim to such an artifact."
The princess gives a quick glance to the remnant of the church expedition. It's probably a good thing that they didn't figure out Eclair's admittance that she didn't have a stronger claim than anyone else yet.
"Maybe… but a noble's claim comes from their ability to protect their people. And this thing... didn't help my father protect our people." The last Seaetto casts her eyes to the Shield Hero, her eyes become more focused. "You take it, Sir Shield Hero. Maybe it'll serve you better than it did my family."
"M,me?!" Naofumi sounds completely surprised at Eclair's proposal. "I mean, I'm always looking for more ways to unlock more shields. But are you sure? This thing belongs to your family, and I don't want to impose."
"Yes, I am sure." Eclair nods her head with a sense of finality. "You offered to help me. Reclaim it without any promise of reward. You did your best to help everyone we come across on our journey. Out of everyone here, I'm sure you will put this artifact to the best use."
"PLEASE! Reconsider, my lady. This is considered a symbol of your family for…" Out of everyone present, Lucatiel is the only one who tried to convince Eclair otherwise. But she is interrupted by a simple hand gesture from Eclair.
"Do you not trust Shield Hero, Sir Lucatiel?" The last Seaetto stares deep into the eyes of her undead bodyguard. "This artifact, like our family's reputation, has become a burden. Father should have moved our seat of power to Port Harp, but because he was trying to protect this heirloom, he divided our forces during the Wave. And look where it got him. I don't want to repeat his mistakes, and that's why I have to let go of some burdens he carried. Especially with my family weakened as it is."
To say the force, and influence of House Seaetto has been 'weakened' after the first Wave is a severe understatement. But something tells the first princess that she wouldn't have a warm reception if she insisted on semantics.
The left foot of the undead knight leaves the ground. For a second, it looks like Lucatiel wants to take a step forward and argue with Eclair some more. But Lucatiel stares at Eclair's face twisted by distress, takes a step back and bows her head down and sighs in submission. "If you insist, my lady. I default to your decisions."
Naofumi looks back at everyone, seemingly looking for support at this unexpected boon. To his, and Mein's surprise, the first one to offer approval is once again, none other than the leader of the Three Heroes' Church. "Go ahead and take it, Sir Shield Hero. You have shown yourself as someone who puts the needs of others above yourself. I trust you will put this artifact to the best use, just like Lady Eclair."
"No need to act coy, or fake humility. Shield Hero. You don't deny an advantage, especially when you use it for the betterment of others." Farkas sounds remarkably subdued, and even a little solemn for the giant wolfman's usual standard.
"I'm not sure… you guys saw what happened to Eclair's father. What if this whatever power goes to my head, and I go insane like him?" The Shield Hero looks at the crystal orb, and back to everyone around him.
"If the artifact was to blame, everyone is at risk of falling under its influence. You have generally acted with a rational mind since you freed me, Shield Hero. I trust you with it more than everyone else." Kyubey also gives his words of approval.
"Come on, just do it, Father!" Raphtalia looks like she wants to say something right after, but Firo beats her to it. Under the raccoon dog girl's pinched glare, Firo tackles Naofumi's leg and furiously shakes him. "HURRY UP! You are wasting time."
As much as the first princess hates to agree with Firo of all people, she actually does this time. "Firo has a point. It's clear this artifact is the dungeon's core. If we leave it for too long, it might summon, or create a new dungeon boss. Take it, Master Naofumi. Before anything else happens."
"Alright, here goes nothing." The Shield Hero quickly hops over to the pedestal. He grabs the crystal ball with his left hand, and brings it up to his shield ready to absorb it.
Mein isn't sure what happened right afterwards, but needless to say it wasn't what she expected. Her brain feels like it's splattering from the inside, and bursting through her skull as the most devastating screech seems to ring around her head. It's hard to describe how it actually sounds, like the kind of sound of a nail moving through a glass surface, but at the same time it sounds like the scratching noise of metal against metal.
The princess turned adventurer is barely aware of a silhouette of shadow flying across the room as she falls down the floor. At the same time, her vision is completely blocked by something that looks like one's own status screen. Except it looks completely crazy. Countless screens flood her vision, until there is nothing in her eyes but screen over screens. At the same time, none of them give any useful information. All of them are filled with messed up symbols, she can't recognize any of them.
Mein slams her forehead on the marble floor over and over, desperately trying to stave off the pain, or knocks herself out so she no longer has to suffer from this sudden ailment. Lucky for the princess, after a while of this pure torture, the noise in her ears (or perhaps inside of her head) subsides, and her vision clears up. As she slowly comes back to and both her hearing and vision returns, she notices everyone else is also sprawled on the ground, groaning, rolling around, or also hitting their head. More than one of them are also screaming their voice out, the devil bird being the loudest.
Then, she noticed something concerning. Her Naofumi, who was just standing in front of her, is no longer beside the pedestal. The crystal ball is also nowhere to be found.
The sudden incident happened when the Shield Hero tried to absorb the artifact into his shield. Did something happen to her Naofumi? That sudden outbreak… could it be the volatile mana reaction she was expecting when Eclair hit her family heirloom with her sword, and damaged the artifact?
"Master Naofumi?" Mein shakily stands up. She nearly falls right back to the marble floor when a sudden wave of dizziness assaults her. She closes her eyes shut, fighting back the spinning head while crying out to no one in particular. "Has anyone seen the Shield Hero?"
"Wha- what happened to Master Naofumi?!" A panicked, almost shrill voice comes near the entrance. Mein manages to recognize Raphtalia after a few moments
"Here! Master Shield Hero is against the wall!" Mein opens her eyes again. She manages to recognize the steel armor, and green cloth of Yatsuhashi on the side of the wall where the entrance is. Besides the young giant, Naofumi's crumbling form is lying against a cracked marble panel. His eyes half open, unfocused.
"Master Shield Hero." Kyubey crawls over on his one good arm. He kneels down on the other side of the Shield Hero and holds up two fingers. "How many fingers do you see?"
The Shield Hero's head rolled to the right. His eyes blink at Kyubey's fingers. "...Tuesday?"
"He's fine…" Farkas lets out a single scowl before he falls head first on the floor once again.
"Brother Martin?" Jaune helps Nikos to her feet, and then turns around to look at their dedicated healer. The battle priest is quick to make his way over to make his way right over to the downed Shield Hero.
"Master Shield Hero hit his head. He needs rest." Martin secures the Shield Hero's head against the wall with his right hand, and flips his eyelids, checking over the young hero.
Raphtalia quickly turns her head around, settling her eyes at the Shield Hero, to Mein, and back to Naofumi again. She bites into her lips, looking torn for a moment before half run, half crawl over the princess in disguise. The girl supports Mein by dripping her arm across her shoulder, and they slowly move back towards the Shield Hero.
Firo finally stopped rolling on the floor while screaming her lungs out. She rolls up, takes one look at the Shield Hero slumped against the wall and whips around to glare at Eclair. "YOU! This is your fault! What did you do to Master Naofumi!?"
"I, I don't know! AH~!" Eclair has to quickly duck down as Firo dashes through the air right above her head. The head of the last Seaetto would have popped open like an overripe fruit smashed by a hammer, if she didn't manage to dodge Firo's strike. "I didn't know this would happen! Please believe me!"
Her words didn't appease the dumb bird, judging from Firo's continued effort to kick Eclair's head off. The Seaetto heiress hastily dodges and blocks Firo's assault, till her sword is kicked out of her hand. Lucatiel immediately steps in and tries to defend her master. "Do not harm my lady! You monster!"
"Stop this, Firo! Aiii~!" Raphtalia also tries to stop Firo by running over, and tries to hold the girl-shaped devil bird with her arm. Firo easily breaks her hold, and tosses the poor raccoon girl over her head.
"Raphtalia!" Mein rushes over to the Raphtalia, who lands on her back with a thud on the stone floor. The princess kneels down by the raccoon girl's side and checks her. The girl's face contorts. It might have been an attempt to smile at Mein, but distorted by the pain Raphtalia is obviously feeling. Thankfully, that's the only part contorted about the lost princess of Q'ten Lo. Her limbs aren't bent to an unnatural position like Kyubey, and her body is still straight if tense, while nothing seems out of place.
"Farkas! Stop Fi- oh…" Mein whips her head back and looks at the werewolf. To her surprise, she found the large wolfman still sprawled on the floor.
At first, Mein assumed he fell because of a sudden wave of dizziness like she herself from earlier. But him completely losing his consciousness doesn't look normal, considering Farkas is the highest leveled member of their ragtag group. Whatever harm caused by that artifact, it should have affected him the least.
Regardless, wondering over the werewolf's condition doesn't help their fragile situation. Firo killing Eclair would be the worst outcome, even if it wraps up the loose end that is undead knight Lucatiel. With Farkas indisposed, Mein turns to the next best thing. "Yatsuhashi! Do something! Stop Firo's rampage!"
"What about my master? He is still hurt." The sworn shield tightens his hand around the handle of his greatsword, but he doesn't move away from the Shield Hero's side.
"You aren't helping him! Make yourself useful and stop Firo before she kills somebody!" The princess points her finger furiously at the gluttonous devil bird. Who thankfully hasn't used one of her stronger attacks yet, and is only kicking and scratching Eclair and Lucatiel. Small comfort, considering she has the strength to kick someone through a wall. "What if she uses one of her attacks and brings down the castle on our heads!?"
"She has a good point!" Richard pokes Alfred on the shoulder. "We have to stop that crazy kid!"
Naofumi's bodyguard, and the church knights run towards Firo at once. After a short scuffle where more screaming and kicking is involved, the five of them manage to subdue Firo with some effort. With her tied up tighter than most guards restrain a convicted criminal, the only thing the deceptively innocent looking devil bird can do is to bawl her eyes out. "YOU MEANIES! ALL OF YOU! YOU HURT FIRO! FIRO HATE ALL OF YOU!"
Mein finds herself tempted to shove a piece of rag into Firo's mouth. A dirty one.
"I don't get it… why did the orb of power reject Sir Shield Hero this violently?" Eclair dug both of her hands into her hair. The young knight looked frustrated enough to pull her hair out.
"The artifact! What about House Seaetto's artifact? Did anyone see it?" Mein quickly glances over, the magical crystal ball is clearly not around the Shield Hero. "Did we at least break the dungeon core?"
"I wouldn't worry about the artifact, at least for now." A seasoned voice echoes inside the burial chamber, as brutal looking mercenaries begin to make their way through the entrance into the room. Mein knows the master of the voice well, for he was the one who taught her how to use magic and many other things.
Uncle Aldrecht, her magic instructor.
Of course, she should have suspected as much, when Farkas didn't get back up. The wolfman was a promoted, prestige level range warrior. It goes to reason it also required a prestige level mage to put him under in the first place.
"Master Aldrecht…? Are you here to help with the undead scourge? I'm afraid you are a bit late-'' Eclair, still looking confused and dazed, walks towards her benefactor, who helped her escape the dungeon. She is stopped by Lucatiel, when the undead knight holds her arm up. "Sir Lucatiel? Why are you stopping me?"
"He's not here to help, my lady." It might have been the lighting, or lack thereof. Or perhaps it's because the speaker is now an undead who might no longer be sane. But there is something dark and grime about Lucatiel's voice. Not that Mein really disagrees with the undead knight's sentiment. "Look at his escort - these aren't the Queen's sworn knights."
Sure enough, the men Uncle Aldrecht brought with them are the unsavory looking sort. The first sign of trouble is their lack of proper equipment. None of them wears a standardized knight's plate. While some have bits of metal armor such as helmets, chest guards, pauldrons, gauntlets or boots, all of them wear leather as their main source of protection.
Not that a knight would always be in their plate armor, but they tend to take great pride in their own social standing. A set of standardized plate armor is a symbol of their class, as well as offering best protection against most damage types except magic and blunt force trauma. And if Uncle Aldrecht is on some kind of official business, such as stopping the undead scourge, he would be more likely to bring knights, and well trained soldiers. And they would damn well be wearing their best protective gear.
Out of the men besides Uncle Aldrecht, the only one Mein recognizes is Coach Zellus, her swordsmanship instructor… and that bearded berserker who 'sparred' with Yatsuhashi back when they stopped to rest at Flute. But it still doesn't stop her from figuring out the general identity of Uncle Aldrecht's men.
Melromarc free fighters, the sellswords, mercenaries who are officially hired by Father, criminals working for their pardon, or slaves serving out their sentence. Back during the Great War, they were an unofficial branch of freedom fighters causing mischief to the Sitlvelt occupation army behind enemy lines independant of Melromarc army. After the war, they were absorbed into the official army, but still serve as a branch with a lot more autonomy than the soldiers and knights.
Needless to say, they tend to be the ones who do Father, and Mother's dirty work that can't be kept in official records and documents.
Mein takes another good look at the men Uncle Aldrecht brought with him. Xepan doesn't need further introduction after the rage he showed fighting Yatsuhashi. The rest of them all have cocky smirks on their faces, with shaved eyebrows. These aren't even the mercs, no. They are criminals, and convicted slaves.
"Menlo the child butcher," Lucatiel's voice is cold enough to freeze water. She points her finger at a tall, well-built man with a shaved head standing besides Coach Zellus. "His band was responsible for the massacre of Alphorn ten years ago."
"What? He's still alive, and part of the free fighters?" Eclair's eyes shoot open as she looks back and forth between Lucatiel, and the bald former bandit. "Why wasn't he immediately put to death?! What was the king thinking? And Her Grace- oh…"
Mein squints her eyes at the sudden look of realization on Eclair's face. The Seaetto heir's reaction regarding Mother is interesting. The young knight's initial hesitation shows that she wasn't used to thinking Mother's powerful, benevolent and even-handed 'good queen' persona is simply an act to justify her right to rule. Yet her belated recognition also 's growing awareness of how a real queen would act in the field of politics.
Mein has been slowly educating both her mother's true actions, and the grimier side of the court to Eclair, yes. But the first princess doubts she has already swung the last Seaetto fully to her side. A true knight is faithful, which is a more courteous way to say they are stubborn. It would not have been easy to change the world view of someone like Eclair, and their value that's been built up since childhood. As much as Mein's distaste towards her mother is undeniable, she can't ignore how the Red Queen of Melromarc has managed to craft herself the image of a good queen among a generation of noble scions.
That leaves whatever Eclair's father told her, before the undead lord crumbled into ashes. Yes, Eclair's own father is likely the true culprit of her sudden antipathy towards mother. As one of Mother's most steadfast and trusted allies, the knight lord knows a lot of her secrets, even if he wouldn't have agreed or approved of such.
On the one hand, Mein is grateful for the late Lord Uther finishing the work she herself started on Eclair. On the other hand… she wants to know what he told his own daughter now.
"It's nice to know my reputation still precedes me- AAAHHH!" The criminal's smug boosting is interrupted when he doubles over in pain.
"Taking the lives of innocent people who can't defend themselves is nothing to take pride in. You do well to remember that." Uncle Aldrecht's hand glows with magical symbols as his eyes seem to also light up with the righteous fire of anger. It's admittedly a small comfort to know that her magical instructor approves neither Menlo's action nor attitude, even if he is working with the scum.
"Yes, of course. Master battle mage…" The slave free fighter's face looks pinched as if sucking on a piece of sour fruit. But he doesn't do much to fight against Uncle Aldrecht. Probably on account of his life is in the old mage's hand in a literal sense, courtesy of the slave seal he must have tattooed on his body.
"So, you are the Zeltoble grand champion after me. 'Pyrrha the Invincible', huh?" The left hand of Coach Zellus never left his own chin. The unofficial captain of the Melromarc free fighters takes a step forward, looking at Nikos with excitement in his eyes. "Quite the name you made yourself in Zeltoble. So young too! Makes me wonder if you actually live up to your own name."
"My title was given to me by the colosseum. It means nothing." Nikos steals a sideway glimpse at Jaune, the Arc scion didn't pay enough attention to notice her action. The former gladiator turns back towards coach Zellus, her shoulder tense. "But I'll show you how strong I am, if you insist."
"Heh, I might just take your offer up." Coach Zellus takes a few unmeasured strides around and shrugs his shoulders, his hand finally leaves his chin.
"Please do not antagonize the vice-captain, Pyrrha." Jaune holds his arm up, trying to defuse the situation just like he did between Farkas and brother Alfred. At this point, Mein can't be sure if her former friend was too optimistic, or not educated properly by Arch-Duke Wales… or simply dumb like Consevatie says.
"...Do you need me spelling everything out for you?" Richard stares at his noble family captain with a dumbfounded expression. "They brought former convicts with them. The royal battlemage and vice captain clearly means business."
"Now, now. There's no need for any hostility." Uncle Aldrecht holds his hands up in a gesture of placation. "I'm a scholar at heart, and I would never resort to violence if negotiation can solve the problem."
"Now you want to talk? Old Al?" Coach Zellus turns his head around and smirks at Uncle Aldrecht. "That's not what you promised me when you asked me on this trip."
"Oh, shush, Vice-Captain. I'm sure you'll get plenty of chances to test your mettle against the heroes, or your successor, Zellus."
Mein narrows her eyes. Uncle Aldrecht and coach Zellus are clearly doing a classic 'red face guard, white face guard' act. But the question is… why?
Uncle Aldrecht is clearly after Eclair's family artifact here. And he brought enough muscle with him to not only ensure his own safety… but secrecy as well. And the best way to achieve his second goal is always leaving no witnesses. Dead men tell no tales, after all.
So why is he wasting time putting up the act with Coach Zellus? While yes, Uncle Aldrecht has always been someone who prefers deceptive tactics over brute force just like Father, there is no need for him to resort to intimidation tactics here.
The first princess is in no illusion of her fellow's current fighting ability. Thankfully, no one had been seriously hurt fighting through walls of undead. Nothing a few healing spells, or potions can't fix, thankfully.
But both her own group, and the remnant of the church expedition are exhausted. If Uncle Aldrecht ordered the free fighters to charge in with their weapons raised, many of her fellow fighters would have died before realizing what's going on. Uncle Aldrecht is an experienced commander, and served as Father's right hand throughout the Great War. There's no way he would make such an amateur level mistake.
Which means Uncle Aldrecht genuinely wants to leave them alive, if he can help it. This begs the question of why. If she was still a sentimental and foolish princess sheltered by Father, she might assume she herself is the reason. After all, she is both his student, and niece in all but blood thanks to Uncle Aldrecht's friendship with Father.
Said friendship also ensures Uncle Aldrecht's undying loyalty is to Father, first and foremost. After the stunt she pulled back during the trial for the Shield Hero, there's nothing preventing Uncle Aldrecht killing everyone and bringing her back to Father like a rebellious child who ran away from home.
Which leaves the other obvious possibility: Uncle Aldrecht doesn't want to run afoul with the Shield Hero. Not yet, at the very least.
Needless to say, Father's little stunt of summoning all four heroes while mother is still away negotiating with other powerful countries would have put their nation in a precarious position. In fact, if one of the heroes was harmed, there will likely be a crusade declared against Melromarc. Wave of Catastrophe still on going be damned. So Uncle Aldrecht has to be careful with how he treats the Shield Hero, in addition to accomplish whatever goal he sets here.
As for the goal itself… well, it doesn't need a lot of imagination to figure it out.
"If you meant us no harm, you aren't being very convincing." Naofumi's voice is a little quieter, softer than usual. Mein turns around to look at the Shield Hero, and sees him being held up on the arm by his sworn shield.
And speaking of the son of the Miyamoto clan, Yatsuhashi is glaring daggers at Coach Zellus. Not his full on murder face, but still intense enough to reveal some personal grudge. He probably didn't expect anyone would notice.
"...bringing this many armed men, and they all look like they mean business too. With a child murderer, if Lucatiel didn't lie." Naofumi turns around to glance at the undead knight standing by Eclair's side.
"A knight must always be truthful." Lucatiel gives a brief statement, before returning to being as motionless as a statue, or a suit of armor.
"I'm afraid you have to excuse me, Master Shield Hero. I am an old man, and I fear death more than someone young and vigorous like you. Think of them as my protection when traveling to dangerous locations." The old battle mage glares at Menlo from the corner of his eyes again. "As for my company, I admit they aren't the most savory sort. But they are ones I can trust on a tight leash, while I try to accomplish my goal."
"Your goal… it has been that artifact from Eclair's family from the start, hasn't it? You wanted it for yourself!" Naofumi narrows his eyes as he slowly rips his arm away from Yatsuhashi's grasp. "That's why you took the risk to free her from the dungeon."
"Is it true, Master Aldrecht? I thought you wanted me to-" Eclair stops suddenly and takes a quick cast of every member from the church's expedition. "Keep it safe."
"Truly, I enjoy holding a conversation with someone of intelligence. It makes everything much smoother than trying to negotiate with a blithering fool." Uncle Aldrecht looks the Shield Hero up and down. He probably noticed Naofumi's haggard expression, and all the dust clinging to his traveling cloak. He turns to look at Eclair once again. "Keeping your family artifact safe has always been the priority, Eclair. Yes. But it would be a waste to let a powerful artifact sit in a crypt, or some treasure vault gathering dust. Especially while we are beset by threats from all sides. And considering how the artifact obviously rejected the Shield Hero, I consider it an act of prudence to take commission of it and put it to good use."
"If you wanted it so badly, you could have fought through the undead yourself. Or maybe help us. No, you waited behind us and took the prize without paying any effort." Naofumi takes a few shaky steps forward. Yatsuhashi quickly catches up, trying to hold onto his master, but the Shield Hero stops him with a gesture. "I can't trust someone like you."
"Please, cease your childish dramatics, Master Shield Hero. I do intend to give you something back in return, if you are willing to pass the ownership of the artifact to me." Uncle Aldrecht also holds a hand up. He slowly walks towards the Shield Hero, while bringing out a tome from his cloak. "In our last meeting, you asked me to help you end slavery. How would you like the help now?"
"This book contains all the research I delved into the mystic art of the arcane. The familiar seals from The Founder of Wizardry and all its derivatives included. With it, you will have the tool you need to dismantle the operation of all slavers everywhere." The old battle mage holds the book over his shoulder to let everyone present ogle it to their heart's content. Uncle Aldrecht slaves the tome into his left hand, making a crisp sound that makes more than a few people jump on their feet.
The breath of the princess turned adventurer instantly becomes heavier. She almost gave in to the urge and asked her Naofumi to accept Uncle Aldrecht's proposal right there. As Uncle Aldrecht's student, there's not many people who understand the value of his book more than Mein herself. While the magic wouldn't be as ancient, and powerful as the Founder's own grimoire, it would also be filled with notes from Uncle Aldrecht's life as an arcane researcher, making it much easier to digest and learn from than the Founder's magical tome.
"You want to exchange an artifact that's been running down Eclair's family, for your own notebook?" Naofumi's eyebrow rises into his hairline. The Shield Hero clearly doesn't understand the value of the item he's being offered to. Luckily for him (and Mein herself), someone is quick to inform him.
"Master Aldrecht is one of the greatest battle mages alive on Medea, Master Shield Hero." Eclair's eyes wander between Naofumi, and the elderly royal battle mage. Mein looks at her face more closely, and realizes Eclair is biting her own lips. "Even more, he is considered one of, if not THE greatest arcane researcher in the world. Any tome of magic filled with his own notes would be considered priceless."
"And you are going to give something this valuable to me?" Naofumi looks back at Uncle Aldrecht, his eyes narrowing once again. "In exchange for an artifact I can't use? Possibly broken by Eclair earlier?"
"Think of it as a show of goodwill from an old man to you, Master Shield Hero. As an apology for my friend's mistreatment of you, if you will." Uncle Aldrecht smiles and extends his arm towards the Shield Hero's direction. "As for Eclair's family artifact… you don't have to worry about it anymore. I will examine it, learn from it. And if need be, try to fix it."
"I don't think it's this simple. I'm no politician, but I know there's no free lunch in this world. You don't simply give out something priceless for something broken. Especially not when you didn't think so highly of my plan to abolish slavery when we last met." Naofumi's words feel like a slap on Mein's face.
Despite her younger sister's 'superior' qualities, she has always prided herself for being a more shred politician, and cunning player compared to Melty. Yet, she completely overlooked one of the most basic tricks Uncle Aldrecht played in front of her. She had allowed herself to be tempted, and in terms of being distracted by the bait her magic instructor lay before her…. It's almost pure luck that she wasn't the target of Uncle Aldrecht's trickery - How fast she would have died, if she wasn't hiding behind the Shield Hero and was playing the Game for real.
"...The way I see it, this means two things. Either Eclair's family artifact is truly more valuable than your book is, which I doubt since there's a good chance it's broken. Or, you want something from us, and you are laying the trap now." Naofumi on the other hand is completely focused on Uncle Aldrecht, completely ignorant of the sudden wave of self-reflection he gave to his first companion. "So stop playing games with us, and say it out loud!"
"You are an intelligent, and perceptive young man indeed, Shield Hero." The placating smile on Uncle Aldrecht's face slowly dissolves into a more neutral expression. "Very well. I would like an unbreakable vow keeping our exchange a secret. From all of you."
"You want to hide it from our Pope, don't you?" Everyone turned their head towards the speaker. To Mein's surprise, it's not her Naofumi this time. No, the one who took a wild guess at Uncle Aldrecht's motivation is the commoner knight templar from the church expedition.
"Brother Richard? What makes you say that?" Jaune slowly tears his eye from the royal battle mage and looks at his fellow knight. "I can understand it, if Master Aldrecht wants to hide it from the likes of Prince Joseph, but His Eminence? His Eminence is an ally of His Grace."
"Think about it, who does he want an unbreakable vow out of in secret? The Shield Hero's party, who are made of former demi-human slaves, commoners like myself, and the Shield Hero's sworn shield. Do they look like people with deep connections with the king's enemy? That leaves us. And who can cause enough harm to the king in the church? Confessor Cromwell? That's a laugh. That rat will bend over and kiss the king's feet. It has to be Pope Balmus himself the royal battle mage is alarmed of." Richard slowly explains his deduction while pointing at Eclair without looking at her. "Also, she's been stealing glances at us this whole time, so our not fugitive knows something. Ask her, if you think I'm talking rubbish."
"Is it true? Lady Eclair?" Jaune turns around to look at Eclair. The knight stumbles her feet on flat ground once again. "Is Master Aldrecht having some misunderstanding with His Eminence?"
"Master Aldrecht was… concerned about the church's involvement with my father's death… and also the church's recent collection of holy weapon fragments." Eclair doesn't look at Jaune back. She clearly feels guilty about giving away information Uncle Aldrecht gave her in privacy.
"Lord Uther's death has nothing to do with His Eminence! It was committed by a small faction of heretical zealots, ones he punished for their misdeeds!" Jaune shouts back at Uncle Aldrecht with indignation in his voice, while Naofumi's eyes continue to dart between the two of them like a hawk. "How can you doubt the faithfulness and loyalty of His Eminence to the crown!? He supported our queen's claim to the throne against Prince Joseph!"
"As I said before, I am an old man who values his own life. I like to be careful when it comes to everything." Uncle Aldrecht's eyes also narrow in on Jaune. His voice rising, not quite angry, but like a disappointed father reprimanding his foolish son. "And do you honestly believe Pope Balmus would have no prior knowledge about a heretical cell within his own faith? Would it not make more sense that he knows of their existence, and allowed their existence to do certain work he himself can't be seen doing?"
"YES! I believe in the innocence of someone who once charged into and out of a besieging army, and carried my father to safety in the Great War!" Jaune roars right back into Uncle Aldrecht's face with the same scorn.
A naive statement, but also understandable. The first princess herself would be equally exasperated, if someone tries to convince her that Uncle Aldrecht is going to betray her father.
Jaune's twisted eyebrows suddenly unwind, his eyes grow larger. For a moment, Mein wonders if he remembered something that convinced him of Uncle Aldrecht's sincerity. But then he says something that makes the princess actually stumble on her feet. "You, you are the one who's plotting something to betray the crown!"
"WHAT!?" Mein quickly stands right back up, she slaps Richard's hand away while the commoner templar tries to hold her. "Are you listening to yourself, you fool!?"
"Don't speak bad about Brother Jaune!" Nikos hisses at Mein, as the princess turned adventurer doesn't dignify her with a reaction.
"Un- Uhhh! Everyone knows Master Aldrecht is like a brother to our king, there's no way he'll betray His Grace!" Mein points her finger at Jaune's face, nearly poking his nose in her anger. "To suggest something like this is pure nonsense!"
"Maybe not betraying His Grace, as it may even be a misunderstanding. But Master Aldrecht is clearly plotting something here. Just take a look at who he brought as his escorts! Free fighters, and convicted criminals who are enslaved, no less! These are not the actions of someone on official business for the crown."
Mein feels like tearing her hair out. All the time Jaune could have become perceptive of politics… it has to be the moment where it drives him to make the worst possible decisions!
"I said the artifact belongs to Lady Eclair, and I intend to honor my words. The Malfoys aren't the only ones who always keep their words!" The knight templar points his sword at Uncle Aldrecht, making his intention clear. "But I'm also tasked by His Eminence to safeguard House Seaetto's family heirloom, and I will NOT give it to someone with malicious intentions!"
"It seems like Sir Arc already made up his mind. What about you, Master Shield Hero?" Uncle Aldrecht's disapproving eyes leave Jaune, and casts onto Naofumi. "Will you choose someone who has the ability to end slavery, or will you choose a boy who serve under a faith that vilifies you?"
Pick Uncle Aldrecht! It's not even a contest. He's the obvious right choice!
Now that Jaune has chosen to stand against Uncle Aldrecht, the first princess herself knows who she would pick if she is the one making the decision. Stabbing someone who used to court her, who she had an amicable relationship with and still some lingering fondness is a shame. But in the Game, there's no room left for sentimentality.
She also knew what decision her Naofumi would make in this situation.
"I don't know who is against the king, or the queen here. And frankly, I don't care. Because all of you can take all this political backstabbing, and shove it up where it belongs." Naofumi's face is colder than the crypt air they breathe in. "But Jaune's group has helped us fight these undead, while you've been hiding away this whole time. I know who I trust more."
"I was more than willing to meet you boys halfway, but you have to give me something to work with here!" Uncle Aldrecht's beard is being shaken by the intensity of his voice. He is clearly more than frustrated at both Jaune and Naofumi for throwing his good will right back in his face.
"This is my offer to you, Master Aldrecht." Jaune who is fully settled into a fighting stance, face stern, eyes glaring back at the royal battle mage. "Turn yourself in. In the honor of my family name, I will make sure you get a fair trial."
…
That's not an offer, it's an ultimatum.
One you aren't in any position to give.
"It appears our negotiation has broken down. A shame." With a snap of Uncle Aldrecht's finger, Farkas suddenly rises right up to his full height, his eyes glowing red. "Vice-Captain, looks like you are getting your fight after all."
The big, toothy grin on Zellus' face widened as the sound of a katana was slowly unsheathed from its scabbard.
End Note:
Once again, that escalated quickly.
I been dying to get to this part of my story as soon as I wrote Aldrecht's ending omake. Funny enough, him pretending to be an ally to the heroes and later backstabbing them had originally been planned by Pretty Lazy when he first created this OC. Although obviously, much like most characters I took from someone else, I gave my own spin on it.
Both Naofumi and Jaune finally gets to shown the consequence of their more moralistic personality here in this chapter, which just like Aldrecht being a twist villain is also something I been dying to get into for my story. Because they strive to do the right thing and are uncompromising with their own integrity, they end up pushing someone to oppose them when that person could be won over, and was actually willing to work with them. As much as I red princess (haha) and moan about canon all the time, I actually liked canon RotSH's idea of showing how good intention along can often cause dire consequences, and I think this chapter is very much written in spirit to Rising canon for a change.
Also, a genuine question to the more trope savvy ones reading this story. Does it still count as a 'twist villain', when the villain in question isn't malicious and is forced into opposing the protagonist because the protagonist made bad decisions?
Editor's Note:
Hi, this is Ace-Triad, the aforementioned editor of the story. The following chapter is something I have waited for over a year and a half to write, something that I am excited and proud to show you.
Ever since I was chosen to write the duel between Eclair Seaetto and Weiss Schnee, I have appreciated the positive feedback and comments from that fight. I plan to outdo myself in the next chapter, which I have waited with anticipation.
I hope that you all will get a kick out of reading next time's big chapter, showcasing the combat abilities of everyone involved.
Have fun,
Ace-Triad, editor and fight choreographer