Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad for fixing my SPAG problems, and Angel Wraith for beta-reading the chapter.
Special thanks to BogStandardOtaku from AO3, whose story where Bakarina gets exiled to a country about to have a pseudo French Revolution inspired much of this current arc. Also, special mention to both the comment from guest reviewer on Chapter 92, and Allyexis for a certain added scene in this chapter.
As always, I will blabber some more in my end note.
Ken disappears into the tunnel that leads back to Nagumo's little slum residence. Mein and Naofumi on the other hand begin to follow the rest of the Q'ten Lo warriors behind Nagumo. She has a hand on Streibough's shoulder while constantly keeping both him and Naofumi in her field of vision. The last thing she needs is for the little shit to sneak off, and warn the Three Heroes' Church of their plan. Sure, she could simply be acting out of paranoia. But she would rather be safe than sorry considering Prince Joseph's past records, and the way this arrogant straw boy acted. Both Naofumi, and herself are very vulnerable after all.
It's easy enough now that they are crawling inside dug tunnels. But she's going to expend a much more considerable effort once they get out. Especially since she's going to be the main speaker to incite her little revolt. Peering from the corner of her eyes, she grabs the young knight with her free hand. "Sir Oersted. I want you and your friend to stand near Master Naofumi and I once I start speaking. I'll look more trustworthy if I look like I have a retinue, like a princess would be entitled to."
"Of course, Miss Mein." The inexperienced Gallian knight furiously nods his head. Streibough cast a quick glance at Oersted. If the disciple of Lady Sheffield felt indignant about being further used by someone who manipulated him, or how quick his old 'friend' is ready to help her, he didn't show it. It seems even the insolent little shit realized just how precarious his current position is among the group. "I'd have to polish up on my Germanian accent to not sound Gallian, but I could do it if I have to speak with you."
"You don't have to, hopefully. Just standing around with your weapon, and looking intimidating should make you look like a personal guard to a princess."
"Are you absolutely sure about impersonating the first princess of glorious Melromarc, Miss Mein?" Uranus asks with well meaning concern, not realizing how unneeded, if appreciated, his well intention is. "Master Shield Hero need not worry for future prosecution, for he breaks no law by impersonating himself. But the clemency to being a companion of a hero only goes so far. It will not save you from capital punishment. At best, you will be banished from this country and never allowed to return."
"I'm sure, Master Uranus." Mein turns back to look at the elderly priest, before quickly spinning her head straight to keep her eyes on their primary suspect. "Master Naofumi lost his shield to the outer goddess. He can only make use of a limited form of 'shields' even with his practice of miracles, and his mimic balloons. If whoever is in charge of the Three Heroes' Church is smart, they could make Master Naofumi look like an imposter. It's much better for me to be the most important inciter of this little revolution, and simply have Master Naofumi work around me. In any case, the time for careful deliberation is already over. We have already committed to the plan. We just have to try our best."
"You are right. I suppose I simply feel a bit of shame for such a fate to befall you." The retired battle priest falls silent for a few pauses, before his voice starts to trail off as if talking to myself. "I can see why Lord Commander Cloud believes you are worthy to stand beside the heroes now."
The disguised fugitive princess fights through the urge to shake her head. He is only seeing what she wanted him to see, of course. Because in the end, she is still only trying to achieve a selfish goal: breaking out of the Three Heroes' Church's lockdown of Graile. And she's sacrificing a lot of Gallian lives to do so. Perhaps her mother's illusion had a point. She can't change who she is after all.
The Q'ten Lo warriors in front of them stop their feet. Nagumo's voice can be heard through the gap of the tunnel into what seems like a larger room dug out of dirt. "We are at the exit."
Chapter 93: Vive La Revolution
"We are close to the eastern gate. And from Ken's last report, that's where the captain you are trying to convince to your side is sitting around with his most trusted men." Mein's little merry band of humans huddle closer to Nagumo, some eagerly, others (Streibough) has to be dragged over by her. The old raccoon warrior began to draw lines in the dirt with his finger. "I'll take you up to the surface where you can attempt to incite your revolt. But our warriors will hide in the back alley. Our numbers are few compared to the fighting men in Graile as you said. And the sudden appearance of Q'ten Lo warriors around you might spook the Graile Garrison into attacking. So the best way for us to deploy our forces is to act as a surprise element. Attack the Three Heroes' Church forces when they inevitably come over to investigate. Of course, we'll come out and help you if you fail to win over Graile Garrison. In which case we'll just have to hold out, hopefully long enough for Ken to return with the Moonstone of the Fang King."
"That makes sense. Most nobles of this nation look down on demi-humans. I wouldn't make a very convincing first princess of glorious Melromarc, if I'm seen working with you guys from the start." Mein nods along at Nagumo's plan, despite it putting her into more danger than if she's simply hiding in the middle of the demi-human warriors.
"Wouldn't Lord Shield Hero's armor cause a problem then?" Oersted turns his head over to look at Naofumi with worry in his eyes. "He's clearly wearing Q'ten Lo style armor."
"Not necessarily." Streibough turns his nose up at the young knight's concern. "While there are some inconsistencies. It is well recorded throughout history that most summoned heroes have cultures similar to Kyutenrou. With their names following a very similar style. While not all heroes recreate the same style of armor from their home, it's still possible that this shield hero could wear armor that's intentionally crafted to look like the armor from his home. You would know this, if you bothered to actually remember your history lessons."
It seems like making snide remarks at other people is an innate character trait for the infuriating mudblood. Oh, well. At least this time he isn't making her life more difficult and miserable. "If you want to bitch and moan at each other, do it now. We are going to be as quiet as possible once we get above ground. I want to sneak closer to make sure Captain Alderic is with the crowd I'm trying to incite a revolt on. I also want to get a sense of where the Three Heroes' Church people are in the area. Help me better estimate how long I will have to work on the crowd before I have opposition."
"I'm going to be your wingman and support you the whole time?" Naofumi looks up from the line in the dirt to look at Mein. With Nagumo's helmet and faceguard, it's harder to see his actual face. Although once Sister Amelia or someone else from the Three Heroes' Church recognizes her, it won't be hard for them to make the connection that the Shield Hero is the real deal since she was the last companion he had when he escaped from them. Still, the full helmet might have them doubt his identity in the initial confrontation, make them second guess if he's hiding somewhere nearby to not immediately commit all of their force on their location.
"Yes. Let me take the lead and you follow my instructions. Keep your speech short and to the point while I work up the crowd." Mein leans further over and places her free hand on Naofumi's shoulder. "You don't have your shield because of Lautrec's goddess, but most people don't know that. Once Sister Amelia realizes who we were, she's very likely going to try and undermine your real identity by calling out how you don't have your form changing shield, or maybe she'll try to taunt you into showing your hero abilities. That's when you can surprise her, with your balloons mimicking your shield changing abilities. And if you need to use a shield weapon art… call out the name, and let Sir Oersted use it for you. You can use something like [Air Strike Shield], right?"
"Yeah. I'm not as good at defense as some of the more senior knights, but I know the basics." The young Gallian knight holds up a small wood shield he got from the Okami warrior remnants after his metal buckler was eaten by Naofumi's balloons.
"Okay, stick to [Air Strike Shield] if I have to fake it. Easy enough." Naofumi nods his head. It might be the dim light, or maybe it's the Q'ten Lo styled face guard making him look more demonic than his usual soft face, but he comes off as more confident than before. "Before we start… if the Church tried to kill the first princess. Wouldn't they plan something with the second princess too? Weren't they around Princess Melty before they jumped us?"
Mein has to take a pause at Naofumi's sudden suggestion. On the one hand, he does bring up a good point. On the other hand… "I'm sure the real first princess is fine. Master Naofumi."
The Shield Hero silently stares into her eyes at her reply. Enough to make her avoid his gaze. "But it makes sense. Doesn't it? I mean, if the church tried to murder me, they have to find a way to legitimate their action other than accusing me of summoning an evil goddess right? What better way to do it, than controlling the actual monarch of this country?"
Naofumi's words makes Mein suddenly have a hard time breathing. Of course, it would make sense. All this time she thought Pope Balmus planned to support her in her bid for the throne. No, the rat bastard was luring her into a false sense of security, and his real target was Melty all along! And honestly, why wouldn't he predate on the much younger, and less experienced Melty? She's both hard working and smart for her age, and mother poured enough effort and time into her education. But she's still only a kid, without enough life experience to know how manipulative a man can be. And she honestly thought Balmus was a kind, friendly uncle to her!
Why would Pope Balmus aim to put the first princess, someone who is an adult and need no regent on the throne. When he could have had directly ruled through a child queen and had all the power for himself?
"Mein! Breath. One, two and three. You need to breath." Naofumi's words brings her back to reality. "Sorry I mentioned that. Probably shouldn't have done it right before we tried to start a revolution."
"It's okay. I'm okay, Master Naofumi." The princess turns back to the Shield Hero. "We'll… we'll worry about the princesses of glorious Melromarc after we escape from Graile, okay? We can't help anyone, if we can't even save ourselves."
"Yeah. Okay. That makes sense. I guess it's time then?"
"Yeah. Ken is depending on us to create some chaos to distract the guards in Graile to cover for him. Let's not keep him waiting." Mein turns her face to look at Nagumo. "We are ready."
The old raccoon warrior nods back at them as he climbs up the holes dug into the dirt wall and slowly pushes open the disguised exit to their underground tunnel. Oersted follows him up, brother Dimetrius and Naofumi follows right after him. Mein is next in line, and it doesn't take too much more time for Streibough and Uranus to also climb back into what seems to be a small, but empty storage house. From the faint, but constant noise underneath her, she knows the Okami warriors are following them up as well, even if they'll stay out of the way till Three Heroes' Church begins to converge on them, or if she failed to win the Graile garrison to their side.
Brother Demetrius is the first one to carefully step outside of the empty room. Being a local, he probably has the best sense of direction and situation awareness on where they are, and if there are enemy sentries near their location. Oersted and Naofumi kneel down close to the door, ready to jump into action if he is discovered. After a short but panic-inducing wait, the young acolyte beckens them follow him out while whispering to them. "There's no enemy. Come on."
Mein takes a step back, keeping Streibough in her line of sight before she starts following Naofumi and Oersted. The building they stepped out of is in the back alley. As should have been expected, consider it being a secret entrance to the underground tunnel that leads to the safe house of the Okami remnant. They obviously wouldn't have picked a prime location on the main street that would leave their trail exposed.
Still, looking at the narrow, winding street. She can see torch light lined up against the side of the busier, and wider street.
"We'll stay in the back alley, and help you when it's needed." Nagumo gives one last whisper to Mein, before he turns on his heel and disappears back in the shadows.
"See if you can find a way to get us closer to Captain Alderic, Champion of Graile without exposing us. Brother Demetrius. Hold your hand up if you find something unusual, wave, if you want us to stop in our tracks."
Mein gives one light tap on the young acolyte's shoulder. The young Romalian man gives Mein a quick nod, as he scurries ahead into the distance to scout ahead. The princess turns back to the Shield Hero next. "You hang back behind us with Master Uranus, Master Naofumi and watch out for me repeating Brother Demetrius' hand signals. Your armor makes you easier to spot by people than the rest of us. I'll follow behind Brother Dimetrius with Sir Oersted and Streibough. You come out when you hear my voice calling for the Shield Hero."
"Don't worry, Master Shield Hero. Streibough and I will protect your companion with our lives." Oersted slams his fist over his heart, as he gives pledge in grim-faced determination that the princess has no doubt he'll follow through. His 'friend', not so much. The little shit is just as likely to run off by himself in the chaos, as he'll change sides and sell everyone to the Three Heroes' Church as soon as he gets the chance. Part of the reason why she keeps him close to her, and ready to set him on fire the moment she feels something go amiss.
"Be careful. I'm coming to you as soon as I hear you call me, or a fight breaks out." Naofumi reaches his hand out, and gives Mein's hand a tight squeeze before letting go.
"I know you will. Sir Oersted, Mister Streibough. Come with me." The princess once again reaches out her hand to grab the straw boy's shoulder, and gives it a squeeze with her fingers hard enough to feel his shoulder blade. Making sure she gets the message clear to the insolent mudblood: your life is in my hand. Once again, if the little shit felt indignant about it. He's at least wised up enough to not make a fuss about it.
She leads the two Gallian forward when she sees Brother Demetrius waving at them from the corner. The three of them bend their knees and back, as they quickly run over to where the Romalian acolyte is kneeling. Naofumi and Uranus follow over to them afterwards after they make sure nobody is around to spot them before Mein has the chance to kick start their planned revolution.
The six of them repeat the process. Brother Demetrius scouts ahead with his familiarity of the fortress city. Mein takes Oersted and the straw boy over to the Graile acolyte once he makes sure the coast is clear. Naofumi and Uranus follow after them. Until Brother suddenly stops and holds his hand up. It's not a wave, so he's not telling them to stop and turn back, only that he found something significant. She looks up, and notices how they have nearly reached the outer wall of the city. She can definitely spot guards patrolling on top thanks to all the lit torches and braziers.
The fugitive princess quickly repeats his hand signal to let Naofumi know what's going on. She sneaks over to the Four Heroes' Church acolyte and takes a peek around the corner above his shoulder. Sure enough, Captain Alderic, 'the Champion of Graile', is once again kicking things around a lit bonfire, while cursing up a storm.
Mein can't help but belatedly notice how similar his name was to her late mentor Uncle Aldrecht, and how different the two of their personalities are. She wonders if Uncle Aldrecht would have the patience to deal with the muscle-bound Gallian if the champion was under his command.
The princess shakes her head free of useless musing and focuses on the situation. She doesn't dare to take her eyes completely away from Streibough, fearing the man might run out in the open and start screaming for the Three Heroes' Church over to apprehend them the moment she has her back turned. But she didn't hear the sound of Naofumi shuffling behind her. She isn't trained to be a proper ranger, or spy, but thanks to the heavy set of armor Nagumo gives him, the Shield Hero definitely has a more unique set of footsteps compared to the rest of their little group. Another reason why she wants him to stay as far behind as possible till the last moment.
Aside from Captain Alderic, there are other men wearing the plumed captain's helmet around the bonfire. Thankfully, she didn't see Captain Felix among them. From their conversation, it sounded like the Three Heroes' Church gave a lot of privilege to the much slimmer Graile captain. She isn't confident to win him over, and she'd have a much harder time whipping the Graile garrison into a raging mob if Captain Felix is here to cause difficulties.
There are also some guards in grunt armor standing around. Perhaps Captain Alderic's fight with Captain Felix made them more careful around the short tempered champion.
"That's Captain Alderic. You can tell from his size alone." Mein nods along while Brother Demetrius helpfully points out the obvious. At least he's informing her two Gallian 'escorts' on the person she's trying to locate.
"Yes, I had a rather close encounter with the man when I was scouting two nights ago. There was this Captain Felix, who he had a fight with." Mein turns her head, ever so slightly to be able to look at the acolyte's face while still keeping Streibough in the corner of her vision. There is definitely a sign of recognition when she mentioned the name of the other captain. "They had a fight. And I mean that in the literal sense. Fists were clearly flying, and a bunch of guards had to run over to pull them apart."
"Ah, yes. Captain Alderic and Captain Felix. They have hated each other since the first day Lord Le Bridgit brought them in." Brother Demetrius lets out a sign at Mein's words. Seeing her blank looking face, he elaborates. "In short, they were orphans from the Great War. Lord Le Bridgit no doubt saw their talent, and wanted Captain Alderic's strength and Captain Felix's intelligence to help his children protect Graile. But they were too busy fighting over their surrogate Father's attention than working together."
Not an outlandish tale, it almost reminds Mein a bit of her Father's own past with how much he and his adopted brother hated each other. The fugitive princess can't honestly say that she's too invested in their past, other than how she might exploit it to her advantage. Taking another look at the Gallian fighters, she turns to Brother Demetrius. "Do you recognize the rest of the captains? Captain Alderic mentioned how the Three Heroes' Church appointed Captain Felix to oversee the city's garrison. Anyone close to him that'll give me trouble once I start to work them up against the Three Heroes' Church?"
Brother Demetrius leans his head lower as he slightly peaks out from the corner they are hiding in to get a better look. "I don't know the other garrison captains as well as Captain Alderic and Captain Felix, but I don't recognize anyone close to Captain Felix. He probably has most of his cohort with him, wherever he is now. If he leaves one of his own with Captain Alderic… Captain Alderic might just beat them into a pulp out of spite for Captain Felix."
Makes sense, considering this Alderic is an absolute raging beast who assaulted her for nothing other than she was dressed as a lay sister of the church. And for all he knows, she could have worked for the Four Heroes' Church too. Still, a dimwitted brute who has an ax to grind against the church, but still has some prestige within the garrison is just the kind of person she wants to help kick start this little revolution. "Alright, I'm going to get the show started. I'm going to distract everyone in Graile with King Aultcray's message first to buy me some time."
"And how do you plan to do just that-" Mein points her wand skywards before Streibough has the chance to fully finish his snide remark. Father's voice begins booming over the sky of Graile, thanks to the [Aural Mimic Wand] ability to throw, magnify, and mimic sound.
"I am Aultcray Melromarc XXIII, regent king of glorious Melromarc." The guards and their captain's body freezes up as they hear what sounds like a sudden message from heaven itself. Those who were sitting around jumped to their feet, those who were leaning against walls pushed themselves away, weapons in hands while looking around. "If you hear this message, then I have likely fallen, or have been incapacitated in the battle of the Third Wave. By the power vested in me, I grant you the right to stop and strike down anyone who dares to subvert this glorious nation in my absence!"
The princess looks up at the wall. The guards above look equally clueless. Their weapons are drawn, arrows knocked on the bow, but they run around like a bunch of headless birds. "What's going on here?" "Is this some kind of trick?" "Are we under attack?"
Further in the distance, she can hear the raging howls, and scream. From the way words, such as 'foul magic', or 'heretic' are used, she would place her bet on the voice belonging to the Three Heroes' Church. With the message from her 'Father' raining down from the sky, the traitors are clearly confused and disoriented trying to find out who is trying to undermine them. And more importantly, where are the locations of said saboteurs so they can apprehend the culprit before the situation deteriorates against them. She won't have too much time left.
"That's the king's voice! I have heard of his speeches!" A guttery voice on the ground draws Mein's attention back to the ground. It's Captain Alderic.
"But Captain, how could the king be addressing us, if he's nowhere to be seen?" One of the guards moves closer to the champion of Graile, his voice sounds less sure than the simple minded captain.
"I remember something like this before when Lord Le Bridgit brought me here as a boy twenty years ago! It was the announcement that Princess Mirellia was to be crowned the new queen after we won The Great War!" The eyes of the brutish Gallian open wide in what seems to be a sudden, misguided realization. "That's it! This must be another message recorded from a memory crystal!"
Intentionally misguided by the fugitive princess of course, everything is going according to plan so far. She hears the guardsman continue to ask his captain for clarification. "But who could be delivering a message like this?"
Well, now would be the time for her to make her grand entrance. Mein gives a push on Oersted and Streibough's shoulder, her hand shoving Sheffield's pet mudblood harder than the young knight, making the mage nearly stumble on his feet. "It's I, Malty S Melromarc, first of my name!"
"The first princess… of Melromarc?" Captain Alderic, as well as the rest of Graile captains and guards all froze on their feet once again. The sudden turn of events were clearly too much for their mind to handle.
"YES! I am the first princess of glorious Melromarc! The rightful regent of my younger sister Melty in my Queen Mother and King Father's absence! I bear grave news to you, brave warriors of Gallia! We have been betrayed…" The princess' eyebrow suddenly raises up as she notices something from the upper corner of her vision. Amongst the commonly dressed Graile guards, one suddenly stepped to the edge of the wall and raised his right arm. A blue lightning bolt suddenly forms in his hand.
Mein's mind begins to turn faster than the lightning bolt in the guard's hand. A spy of the church, hidden among the common Graile garrison? It seems like whoever commanded (be it Sister Amelia, or someone else) the Three Heroes' Church wasn't wholly incompetent, if they were cautious enough to place their agents among the Gallian troops.
She still has time to react. Defensive magic isn't her strong point, but she could have fired an attack of her own, either to try and overwhelm the church agent's [Lightning Spear] before it hits her, or take him down before he has a chance to throw it out of her hand. But if she allows the man to attack her first, it would help sell her… not entirely made up story of THE Three Heroes' Church attempting to assassinate a member of the royal family.
If she can take the hit, and not immediately get knocked out, of course. But in her moment of hesitation, the church agent made the choice for her as he tossed the lightning bolt down. "She's lying! Kill the blasphemy spouting witch!"
The princess once again debates on which action would pose more risk even as Streibough already throws his body onto the ground to avoid the hit. Should she follow the arrogant mudblood's example, throw herself onto the ground and look undignified in front of her crowd, or take the lightning bolt with her face and risk getting knocked out. Once again, someone made her choice for her as Oersted jumped up from her right, throwing his body at the incoming [Lightning Spear]. "Princess! Watch out!"
With a flick of her fingers, Mein sets the church agent on fire as the blue lightning bolt strikes the young knight down. Causing him to violently spasm on the ground. With the commotion they are making, it wouldn't take long for the church to find them now. But she still kneels down by the side of Sir Oersted. Mein ignores the howling of the man being burnt alive on the wall, and the panic of the guards when they try to understand how one of them was able to cast an offensive miracle that is typically only used by clerics, or a well trained senior knight. Putting on her best distressed face while holding his twitching body up against her. "NO! Not again! Don't die on me, Sir Viktor! I can't lose you too!"
While she is giving her best performance as she nurses Sir Oersted, she continues to monitor the situation around her from the corner of her eyes. Streibough's feet seem to be slowly sliding across the ground, looking like he's trying to shift into a stance that's better suited to running. His body tenses up, when he realizes he is still being watched by Mein.
The other target she tries to be vaguely aware of is Captain Alderic, the thuggish Graile captain she's trying to convince to help her start her revolt.
"Someone get a healer here! Damn it! And how did we get a spy from them damn church! Chief God damn it!" The Gallian captain screams his throat hoarse at his subordinate. Almost all of them shake on their feet. He turns back to look at Mein, takes a few light steps, voices much more tender than before almost as if he's afraid to shatter Mein into countless pieces with his howl alone. A sign that her attempt to play up her fragile side has worked for the Graile captain. Hmmm… it's nice to know that even a brute has his soft side. "My, my princess? Worry not, help is on the way for your knight. But you mentioned you were betrayed?"
"No, not just myself, Brave Sir of Graile. We were all betrayed. By someone we all put our faith in!" Mein let go of Sir Oersted as Brother Dimetrius runs over and starts tending the wounded knight with a healing miracle. She stands back up to her full height and pulls her hair back, revealing her burnt face. "There was an assassination attempt on me shortly before the Third Wave! And now seeing there was a spy hiding in plain sight among all of you, I am sure of the identity of the traitors who conspired to take over our glorious nation. It was none other than the Three Heroes' Church!"
A round gasp of loud disbelief is released among the garrison of Graile. She continues before they have a chance to fully process what she just said. "I escaped by less than the skin of my teeth! Through noble sacrifices of most of my loyal knights, and the help of one legendary hero who perceived the church's betrayal: It was the SHIELD HERO!"
"The princess speaks the truth!" Taking his cue, Naofumi walks out into the open in his full Q'ten Lo armored glory. The mimic shield on his arm. With Q'ten Lo warrior's custom to dress for intimidation, he looks every bit the Shield 'Demon' described by the Three Heroes' Church than a glorious hero. No doubt, it would have been better if Naofumi still had his suit of knight's armor. Oh well, you can't have everything.
Perhaps growing weary of his appearance, the Graile garrison begin raising their weapons, into what look like guarded stance. At least they haven't tried to attack her group yet.
Seemingly recognizing their look of trepidation, Naofumi takes off the helmet on his head, revealing his young, soft and boyish face that clearly looks different than most Melromarc men. More akin to the face of the raccoon people of Q'ten Lo, minus the round, fluffy ears. "I am Naofumi Iwatani. I am the Shield Hero!"
"The Shield Hero?" Many guards from the Graile garrison look around at each other. Looking very lost at what to believe. Meanwhile, Captain Alderic, the Champion of Graile's unfocused eyes wanders away, mouth open like a gasping fish in what's best be described as 'does this mean I have to use that brain thingy' look. "Didn't the clerics from the church say something about him summoning an outer god?"
"The Three Heroes' Church made the story about the Shield Hero summoning an outer god up! To besmirch his good name, and try to get to me in an effort to isolate my young, and inexperienced sister Melty!" Mein quickly takes over the speaking part, just in case Naofumi slips up on something, and to stomp out any sense of hesitation and opposition from the men of Graile garrison. The trick about influencing the opinions of a large group, you need to be able to ride the flow like you are riding on top of the Wave. If the flow of opinion turns against you, it'll be very hard to fight back.
"I hid myself in the Shield Hero's group while I fought alongside him in the Third Wave! I saw how my father fell near the end of the Wave, and how the Three Heroes' Church immediately took my younger sister and tried to murder the Shield Hero and his companions! Just like that spy among you tried to murder me as soon as I stepped forward to reveal their dastardly plan! And now, they are trying to take our glorious country, by enslaving our own countrymen and turning them into church's indentured servants!" Mein's eyes sweep across the men and women wearing Gallian armor standing before her, and on the wall. She sees the small, but noticeable movement of their fingers tighten around their weapons. Good! It seems like the flow is definitely with her. "RISE UP! Brave men and women of Gallia! Help me retake our nation from the traitors and heretics!"
"WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS!? Have you finally turned into a TRAITOR!? Captain Alderic!?" The ear scratching shrill of a woman interrupt Mein's passionate speech, as Sister Amelia finally arrives with her own retinue of white robed priests, knights in shining armor with a tabard of a red triangle in front of their chests, and slaves in rags carrying low quality 'hands me down' weapons. The princess turned adventurer, turned fugitive never imagined other women more fitting of a screeching harpy than her own regal mother. But Sister Amelia somehow managed such a feat.
And so the fugitive princess has run out of her free time with the arrival of the Three Heroes' Church, someone who personally knew Mein and Naofumi no less. Now, she needs to be prepared to defend against a true opposition on her claim of events. "The true culprit of this rebellion has shown themselves! Why are you allowing the traitors to enslave your countrymen and order you around like animals walking freely among you!? In the name of your first princess, and her savior the Shield Hero! Strike these traitors down where they stand!"
The priestess actually has to take a pause when she sees Mein and Naofumi face, a hideous recognition dawn on her otherwise soft features. A snarling smirk split from her small, delicate lips. "Do not be fooled by the words of these heretics! Men of Gallia! They aren't the real first princess, or even the real Shield Demon! If this is the real Shield Demon, he would be able to show you his form changing shield!"
It seems like whatever lineage from House Amelia's ancestor, or perhaps the heroes they descend from that blessed Iris' mainland with their superior intelligence didn't extend the same grace to the line Sister Amelia spawn from. Or maybe she's just the one exception to the rule. Would certainly explain why she was forced into serving the church rather than enjoy the luxury and easy life from her family's fortune.
Sister Amelia clearly recognized Mein and Naofumi for their true identities. But rather than trying to fling muds on their name to make them look like villains, her attempt to discredit Malty and Naofumi was to dispute their actual identity. Something she knew was true?
Granted, she was clearly under the impression that Naofumi has lost his shield to the Lautrec's fucking goddess, therefore knew that Naofumi couldn't pull out his shield. And by stomping on his identity, it would immediately cast doubt in all the Gallian's minds for whatever Mein has been saying to this point. But still, she clearly doesn't understand the basic concept of the best lie is truth, or half-truth designed to misdirect someone's opinion.
Mein really should thank Sister Amelia for resorting to the one counter argument she has been fully prepared to deflect away. Perhaps after all of this is settled, she would actually grant clemency to Sister Amelia. Keep the harpy around as an enslaved servant for the trouble she caused… and possibly as a favor to Iris.
"You mean like this?" Naofumi immediately holds his mimic balloon shield up, as it quickly changes from a metal buckler, to that of an orange clump of rubber. "I don't know where you got the idea I'm not the real deal from. Were you betting on the probability that I'm not one of the four summoned heroes, so I wouldn't have the right to condemn your action in this city? Too bad for you, I am the real Shield Hero! And I say the act of forcing your fellow men into slavery is as appalling as it is amoral! I, the Shield Hero, do NOT stand for slavery!"
Sister Amelia's eyes comically enlarge as if they are about to fall out of their socket. The Graile garrison began to shout at Naofumi's display. "It's the legendary shield!" "He really is the Shield Hero!" "Does this mean she really is the princess?" "We were lied to this whole time by a bunch of traitors?!"
Fearing Sister Amelia might insist Naofumi pull off some other tricks to affirm his identity. Mein immediately raises up the Star Wand she inherited from Father. The wand shifts through a dozen forms in her own hand. "My King Father also entrusted his Star Wand to me before he fell, with the last message from him! To take our nation back, if a traitor tries to steal it away from my younger sister in my Queen Mother, and King Father's absence!"
"It's- it's a trick! The heretics are deceiving all of you!" Sister Amelia isn't mounting any better defense than a hesitant stammer. She clearly lacks any sense of quick wit, and didn't expect Mein would be so bold to attempt inciting a revolt under her nose when both the fugitive princess and the Shield Hero are at their weakest. The priestess throws away any pretense of trying to debate Mein as she turns to screech at her entourage. "What are you fools standing around for! Apprehend these traitors and heretics!"
"Now wait a minute here! How dare you try to lay more hands on our prin-" Captain Alderic didn't have the chance to finish his demand as the Three Heroes' Church members drove their armed slaves forward, pushing past the Graile garrisons. The guards hesitate to engage them despite their superior equipment and training. Mein isn't sure if they are still hesitant about her outrageous claim, or if they don't want to hurt people who they were supposed to protect only a few days ago.
Behind their moving wall of slaves, the templar knights, and battle priests of Three Heroes' Church press forward. Ready to strike Mein and her small group down when they are busy defending themselves against the slave legion.
Thankfully, they aren't the only ones lying in wait. From the dancing shadows they came, illuminated by dim light of torches and braziers. Cold mist of night blankets them like capes. The warriors of Q'ten Lo, whose last major appearance in the world sixty years ago were utterly crushed, and humiliated by the King of Rape's Carthus lizardmen mercenaries. Ornament on their helmet looking like horns, faceplate fashioned like the visage of demons, the Okami warriors charge out of the backstreet like demons wielding their thin, slender blades and smash right into the side of the church knights and priests before any of church templars are even aware of them.
Red blood spills like a field of roses. Body parts fly as the enchanted robes, or blessed steel armor of the church didn't put much resistance to the blades of the Okami warriors. These aren't the scavenged, or hands me down weapons Mein first saw the demi-human warriors use when she first saw them in the sealed off catacomb. These weapons are well maintained blades, likely made by dedicated swordsmiths. Likely passed through generations just like the armor the Okami warriors wore.
"Demons! They are demons! The Shield Demon has summoned actual demons upon us!" One of the priests screamed as the blade cut off his head. Mein silently utters a thank you and a prayer for him affirming Naofumi's identity to the Graile garrison before his death.
"Run for your lives!" The slaves, already less willing to fight than even forced levies, begin to scatter and try to run before they even reach Mein's group. But soon, they drop onto the ground like a bunch of flies, convulsing with pain.
"Stand up and fight! The heretics and rebels have unleashed our enemies upon us! These are filthy animals from Siltvelt! There are clearly traitors to the nation!" Sister Amelia turns towards her head to howl at the Graile captains. "What are you useless Gallians standing around for? Fight for your God against His Enemies!"
"Brave men and women of Gallia, have you seen the full treachery of the Three Heroes' Church? They are trying to kill your own countrymen, forcing the poor, enslaved people to fight for their personal ambition, even while the remnants of Q'ten Lo fight to save your brothers and sisters!" Mein gives one further push, aiming at the common Gallian's sense of pride both at their kingdom, and themselves. "Are you not a man? Born, live, and die free?! Rise up against your oppressors, if you do not wish to die as a slave!"
"I've seen enough!" Captain Alderic pulls out his battle ax, and throws it at Sister Amelia with such strength, it spins towards her, cutting through flesh and armor on the way. The priestess throws herself onto the ground with an ear piercing shriek, her spectacles fall and shatters on the ground. Alderic's axe finally stops its trajectory, when its blade completely buries itself into the stone wall of a house behind Sister Amelia. "Men of GALLIA! Form up around your princess! Let's kill and paint the ground red with the blood of these traitorous church dogs! We live and die as MEN! Free to make our own destinies!"
"ALDERIC! You dare to- AAAHHH!" The priestess loses any sense of courage when she sees the giant Gallian barrels his way towards her, wielding nothing but his mace-like fists as he punches and kicks his way through what remains of her force. She turned around, and ran with the metaphorical tail behind her legs.
"Tonight, we take back our nation from the traitors!"
Behind him, and on the walls. The soldiers of Graile rises their weapons, and form around the Gallian captain, or charge down the walkways of the wall to join him as they scream as one with their captains.
"VIVE LA REVOLUTION!"
Omake: Awakening of the Prodigious Son
She floats in an endless voice. It feels peaceful, carefree. Like the first time Father took her away from the suffocating walls of the cathedral, to the harvest valley. Where she was allowed to freely spread her wings and embraced the azure sky for the first time. The only difference was the lack of Father's warm presence, and the gentle wind blowing past her feathers.
Despite the sense of peace, she tries to recall what happened that led her here. There was an intense fight… much more so than the hunt where she and her brothers hunt down occultists, heretics, or demons. No, calling it a fight was wrong. It was a war, where they found alongside Father against an seemingly endless army of otherworldly creatures.
Not just Father. The summoned heroes were with them too. One of them… the Shield Hero. Looked down upon by her faith, yet supposedly allies to the children of Medea and Malis like her and her brothers. He and one of his companions were thrown, no, teleported into the sky. Being chased down by leviathan monsters and swarms of exploding monster fishes. She took to the sky in an attempt to save his life.
Everything was a blur afterwards. Was she dead? Did she fall, and failed Father in the very first war she fought in? What of her brothers? She was their eldest sister. Who will look after them now? Merciful Cain? Wrathful Abel? Or Faithful Raziel?
She hears a voice carrying itself through space as it slowly reaches her. Calling out to her name. "...sister… Big Sister Janne…"
Darkness recedes around her as Janne D'Arc, the Prodigious Son of Biscas T. Balmus opens her eyes. She stares at the white, sterile roof of her bedchamber in the Cathedral of the Three Heroes, and the worried face of young Mittelt looms over her. The biggest smile blooms on her face, as one of her youngest sisters throws herself onto Janne's chest. "Big Sister Janne! You finally woke up! Cain told me you were fine, but you keep on sleeping! I was afraid you'd never wake up!"
"I'm fine, Mittelt. It takes more than only the Third Wave to take me down." Janne smiles as she slowly moves her right hand over and rests it on Mittelt's hair. "How are our brothers? And Father? Did we all make it out of the Third Wave?"
Her younger sister falls into silence at her question. For a brief moment, she starts to worry about the casualties sustained by her brothers… and the well being of her Father. Father was one of the best warriors in her faith and her nation, and he was also Melromarc, and the Three Heroes' Church's Miracle Maker. But he is getting on in years.
"Some of our brothers didn't make it. But most are alive, and healing. Father… Father is resting now." Janne's heart feels heavy at Mittelt's words. Being the big sister of her Father's sons, she is no stranger to losing her fellow brothers. Being the children of Medea and Malise, they are the first line of defense, and the vanguard of the Three Heroes' Church. And a Wave battle would be in a way, even more brutal than a war, so the hope of all her brothers surviving is unrealistic. She at least takes solace in that they died well, against the enemy of their world, and Father is still fine. "I was worried I'd lose you too."
"I'm fine, Mittelt." Janne slowly pushes herself up to a sitting position, while still keeping her right hand on her younger sister to comfort her. She flexes the wings on her back, trying to wrap them around Mittelt like a comfort blanket but unable to do so. Her wings feel awkward and stiff… either they are permanently damaged, or they are still cramped because she's been lying on her back for too long judging by Mittelt's words. Her words will have to suffice for now. "I promised you that I'll always be with you till you find redemption."
"Yeah. Until I lose the stigma I got… from him…" Mittelt's words turn bitter as she slowly turns her face sideways in Janne's embrace. Almost as if her younger sister still felt a sense of deep shame when talking about the demon that masquerades as her caretaker before she was taken in by Janne.
She can't do anything else for the younger girl, other than wrap her arms tighter around her as feathers fall. Black feathers?
Janne looks back, and sees her previously immaculate white wings are now dark as a night without moons and stars. Her memory suddenly returns, almost like a jolt of lightning through her head. The swarm of crasher fishes descended upon her, and the Shield Hero below her. She tried to stop them as best as she could, but was overwhelmed as explosion rocks all around her…
It goes to reason that her brothers would have cleaned her up after treating her with healing miracles. Magic, and potions would only go so far to recover one's health, if they end up lying in filth. Unfortunately, that also means the white dye her brothers painstakingly painted over her wings would be completely washed off too, leaving her wings their natural color. "Mittelt… will you help me repaint my wings?"
Mittelt pushes herself away from Janne, as she simply stares into the eyes of the Prodigious Son of Biscas. After a short, silent pause. A pair of black, feathered wings spread out behind Mittelt's back as well. "Do you find me grotesque, Big Sister Janne?"
"Of course not, Mittelt. I think your wings are beautiful." Janne reaches a hand over, brushing her fingers through the crow feathers on Mittelt's wings.
"Then why do you detest your own wings? Your wings are prettier than mine."
Janne casts her head, and eyes down. It shames her that she can not live free, exactly as she would have wanted. But as the big sister of Father's sons, she has a certain responsibility to carry for her younger brothers. "I'm Father's Prodigious Son, Mittelt. I have a certain responsibility as the big sister of you all, and I must live up to the ideal of our faith. Black is considered the color of the sinful and impure. I can not go around, looking like this."
"It doesn't matter to me how you look. You are always my kind, compassionate Big Sister Janne." Once again, Mittelt throws her head into Janne's chest. She wanted to savor the moment a bit longer, unfortunately the door to her chamber opens at the same time. Janne looks up, and sees the young man with short, well-groomed black hair on his head and a pair of bat wings wrapped around his shoulders.
"Brother Raziel." Janne nods her head towards her brother, who returns her courtesy. The elder most of the Seraph brothers isn't known for being brash like Abaddon Abel. He would not have barged into her room without at least knocking on the door especially when he doesn't even know if she's awake. Unless something very severe had happened that required immediate attention. "What happened?"
"Too many, Big Sister Janne. It has been one disaster after another since the tailend of the Third Wave." Raziel shakes his head in distaste, but quickly regains his composure. "But the latest and the most severe. Someone broke into Father's private sanctuary while he's recovering in the healing chamber. Father's private shrine to Master Shiro has been desecrated."
Janne feels her body go cold when she hears Raziel reveal that Father was hurt, and is currently recovering. When Mittelt mentioned he was resting, she assumed he had been resting because he had exhausted too much of his willpower, healing all the wounded from Third Wave. And then the second part of Raziel's explanation finally reaches her consciousness. Someone within the cathedral has desecrated Father's private memorial of Master Shiro.
"WHAT?!"
End Note:
Well, after more than a hundred chapters, Malty gets to act as... Malty. At least she's making the lives of the bad guys difficult in this story.
XD
With how much I incessently red princess (haha) and moan about dumb villain, some people might get the impression I hate the use of dumb villian on principle, which is just not true. There is something inherently satisifying to see a twat gets twat'ed. And dumb, secondary/tertiary villain can be a good clown like character to break up and pace out the story in between main villain with more character depth, who can actually be there to challenge the heroes. My big problem with Rising is the complete lack of main villain with actual depth who can actually challenge the main character, and push the main character towards actual height (as opposed to him just walk all over everyone like a 3rd grade schoolyard bullie thanks to all the plot armor and cheat code his pet author waifu air dropped to him).
Heck, I'd say even Reprisal of the Spear Hero gets away with only dumb villains, mostly because the story is about a series of pre-destined failures. There's nobody who can meaningfully challenge unbeatable demi-god Motoyasu within the actual story only highlight how his insane and dumb action eventually comes back and catch up to him, to the point even him being an unbeatable demi-god can't get him out of a self created trap he set up for himself. And seeing Motoyasu gets a bit further with each loop, learning a bit about his previous mistakes even while he's still insane is a much more satisifying emotional journey than Rising.
Case and point. Yes, my story will also have dumb villains straight out of canon Rising (Sister Amelia definitely being one). But I do have the eventual main villain these little intermission arcs eventually build up to can actually challenge the main character in a meaningful way.
Also. Since a full political scheme is underway... Act 3 will definitely be more heavy on alternate POV omake and interlude than two previous Acts. Because there's simply much more information I need to show to the readers that Malty would have access of. This chapter's omake is a bit light on the plot element, where I gets to shown a bit more personal scene from one of the 3HC OCs for this story. Still, I hope it did give some valuable clue on what's happening within 3HC.
Guest review time.
To Guest:
You are correct. Naofumi would be an idiot, if he didn't give any thought to Streibough's accusation. I hope this chapter (as well as the previous Interlude from his POVs) give enough clue for you to piece out what's actually happening in his head.
;)