Overgrown grass gave way to a lush forest. They were in what one would describe as wilderness. Which made the fact that they were so close to a major settlement so much more ironic. But, then again. All cities were just a pause between two patches of dense wilderness.

This particular field is most likely used by merchants and other travelers to seek rest. To finally calm down after a long and arduous journey. Perhaps enjoy the scenery and the slight breeze that came from a small river nearby. The people here could also check on their goods, and make sure their documents are right. After their rest, the merchant will be met by the guards at the city's gate. So it was prudent to make sure that everything was alright, so the inconvenience would lessen. Although, even then, a bribe or two came in handy.

At least that is what Anastasia believes this place to be used for. After all, that is what she would order the merchants under her to do if she was still running her company. Yet, despite the places seeming usefulness, there was nobody around but them.

Perhaps, with the rise of the Republic, such places are no longer in need. The city guards might not be that strict nowadays, so one of the reasons for stopping was voided mute. 'Unlikely' the short woman thought. From what little she saw of this "new" state the bureaucracy should be worse than ever.

Perhaps these stops are forbidden. After all, while the merchants were resting, a different group of men would just start their work. Yes, it wasn't unheard of for bandits to attack the poor unsuspecting victims in their time of relative weakness. 'Impossible' in her mind the beautiful woman denounced. Not only would such an order be impractical, commerce, as fragile as it currently was, would suffer even further and cost the city unnecessarily. Plus, Halibel doesn't want them to be seen, so bringing them to the place where the guards were sure to come was against his desires.

Then, perhaps, it is possible that simply…

" There is a better place down the road. That is where everybody else is" Halibel as if he was able to read her mind confirms Anastasia's unfinished hypothesis.

" Are you sure that nobody will disturb us?" Ana immediately asked.

" I will scout around to check." The tall demi-human answered.

" And leave the tree of us behind?" Sounds a bit unsafe." Surprised a bit, Ana spoke.

" No need to worry there is no danger here, I could sense it if there was." Taking the opportunity for a bit of mischief, the tall warrior added. " I thought you were perfectly fine alone with your spirit." Chuckling a bit the Archangel of Death finished.

Unamused, Ana just rolled her eyes and answered, " You are smart enough to understand the difference between a city and wilderness."

Halibel just nodded his head, " Yeah, Yeah, not in the mood for jokes I see." With those words, he just disappeared.

Quite literary, at one moment Anastasia saw him clearly, a second later he was nowhere to be found. Such are shinobi techniques.

Despite her earlier protest, the sudden disappearance of Halibel was in the beautiful woman's favor. It allowed her to finally, without prying ears, talk to Echidna. The coachman seemed to be a rather passive person, so there was no need to concern herself with him overhearing them.

" Ana" the voice of the spirit came.

" Echidna," the human voice answered.

" What is happening Ana? Do you truly intend to succeed that monster?" The spirit's concerned voice left nothing to interpretation. Echidna worried greatly for Ana, something that their separation only exacerbated. But, there was also confusion, what could that monster have done to make her agree?

" Yes, I do…" Ana simply answered in an awkward voice. But she was unable to elaborate because of the spirit's quick interjection.

"But, why? You hate him for what he did don't you." After the initial wave of emotion, Echidna added, " Why do you want to continue his madness?"

" I do hate him for that, and I can never forgive him for killing them." As she spoke she moved her head to the side and gritted her teeth. " But, to call what he had done madness is to call the great Hoshin mad as well."

" What do you mean?" Utterly confused and without the ability to correctly follow Ana's thoughts Echidna asked.

" Natsuki and Hoshin hail from the same lands. Natsuki was a scholar in training and held as much if not more knowledge than Hoshin himself" Anastasia kept her voice steady, knowing well that if the smallest hint of a smile appeared Echidna would take this, to every normal person's ludicrous statement, as a joke.

And Echidna almost did. It took everything in her not to dismiss this as crazy talk. Perhaps Ana had finally snapped from the pressure she carried all these years. But, Anastasia's sanity seemed fine. So Echidna just accepted her contractor's statement.

" How do you know this?"

" Natsuki told me, and he proved his claim with the book he gave me." Yet no matter how hard Anastasia tried she was unable to suppress the joy when she thought about the knowledge that the book contained.

Picking the spirit up so their eyes would lock Anastasia, like a schoolgirl talking about her crush, spoke of the content of the book. " There is so much great knowledge there. Ancient civilizations that even the people beyond the great waterfall revere. There are languages of those extinct peoples. There is even the nation in whose image Hoshin made Kararagi in this book."

Overwhelmed with Ana's enthusiasm, Echidna merely added. " That doesn't excuse what he did to the world"

"No, it doesn't, but it gives it a context." This sudden change of topic levels Ana a bit, but soon she would say what Echidna never expected to hear, " Or perhaps it does. Perhaps all of this was inevitable and he merely hastened the process."

" Ana, what are you talking about. " taken aback by the princess's words, Echidna couldn't say much more.

" Something like this happened already beyond the great waterfall. This very well might be a phase of development."

It was true that the people beyond the waterfall were widely respected. Or more accurately, the impression of such people, if they even existed, was revered. Many claimed the origin from those faraway lands. Most of these people were frauds hoping to decide people for their gain. But, some individuals were so mysterious, yet so strange and successful, that their otherworldly origin was considered true. At least by the masses.

Echidna had to admit that Natsuki, even with his great evil, does fit the pattern of these otherworldly men. Perhaps one could argue that he was mistreated when his pedigree is taken into account. But, that doesn't lessen his actions, nor make him infallible.

" We aren't those people. Just because it happened to them doesn't mean it would have to us." Argued Echidna.

But Anastasia quickly answered, " No, we aren't them. But we are what they used to be." Somewhat despondent Ana spoke before her voice took a more hopeful note as she added, " But, with the book he gave me we might be able to get that little bit closer to them. That is something the great Hoshin never tried, nor mentioned any of the great ideas made by those beyond."

" Perhaps, in never trying and never mentioning, he was protecting us. Maybe, that knowledge was not for us."

Anastasia just dismissed " No, we can't waste this opportunity."

Seeing that arguing is fruitless, Echidna changed the topic. " Alright, that might stand. But why do you want this? Now that Natsuki is dead you can permanently go into hiding, or join the knight remnant in the city we are near."

Ana just smiled, " You know why, it is the same reason why you decided to follow me. I am a greedy girl."

Echidna giggled, " You always wanted to buy a town."

" Then I wanted a kingdom, but now I can not only rule a nation but make one. You know how much I admire the great Hoshin. I even took his name hoping that one day I can become a sliver of what he was. But now… now with Natsuki's knowledge, I can become even greater than Hoshin."

" Truly, the greediest thing ever, never change Ana" Echidna's voice sounded like it belonged to a mother that was simultaneously proud and disappointed in her daughter.

" I won't. Plus I think that the idea of a republic is worth it."

" Indeed it is citizen Anastasia" suddenly the intimacy between the mother and daughter was broken by a meddlesome demi-human. " I hope you are having luck convincing your spirit to see the light."

Anastasia gently put Echidna down and confronted Halibel." You…giant… fanatical… weirdo. Ever heard of privacy!?"

Halibel brought his hands up as if to defend himself, " Alright, alright, sorry. I just couldn't contain my excitement when I overheard your last sentence as I was approaching."

" You were happy to hear me talking positively about republicanism." Anastasia extrapolated.

" Of course, you must understand how your previous behavior brings forth that desire in people."

" If you are satisfied now. What are the results of your scouting?" Ana quickly brought the conversation to its proper way.

"There will be no people here for about an hour," Halibel answered.

Impressed at the report, and the demi-human's skill, Ana commented. " You can be that accurate?"

Halibel just smiled and retorted, " Usually I can do even better, but the current situation chains me a bit."

" Why is that?" Ana asked.

" Has to do with my abilities. Spells and techniques don't work well in these circumstances."

Seeing that Halibel is being purposefully vague, and clearly unwilling to reveal the issue, Anastasia decided to drop the question.

" Alright, inform me when you are at full capacity again."

If it was anybody else Ana would have never let this go. But, this wasn't anybody, this was Halibel. The demi-human is powerful enough to kill anybody in this country. Any folly that could arise from his action can be mended by his combat strength alone. Plus, she knew for a fact that Halibel would never target her, or her close ones. So there was no need to pry too much now.

"Ok." Halibel shortly answered before adding, " When we are on the topic of abilities, your spirit should have no problem changing form in Costuul."

Ana raised an eyebrow at that, causing Halibel to quickly add, " Costuul hasn't been industrialized, so spirits shouldn't have any problem existing there."

" Good to know."

With those words, the conversation stopped and awkward silence remained. It lasted until Anastasia decided to move forward with her plan.

" Alright, you know how this goes. Echidna and I move forward to the city and you stay here guarding the carriage."

" I still keep that this is a stupid idea. But Ok, we do as you say." Halibel quickly answered.

Unsatisfied with the response Anastasia demanded more, " I want you to promise that you will stay here."

With a sigh Halibel obliged, " I promise I will remain here."

" Good, I will keep you to that promise," Anastasia said as she turned around and started walking towards Costuul. She was determined and assured as she walked forward.

Halibel enjoyed that. After all, it is only right for the leader of the revolution to present herself that way. Although it did irritate him a lot that he had to tolerate the monarchist. But, Su-san wanted it like that, so there is not much to argue about. If the father of this great fight of theirs thinks this to be the best course of action, then it must be.

But there was something else bothering him, and it didn't have to do with Subaru but with Anastasia. The small woman was so confident, so assured when leaving, but that confidence shouldn't exist, because it relies on forgetfulness. Or perhaps ignorance?

" No, she is from Kararagi, she must have known. " silently Halibel spoke.

But her actions now showed no sign of her knowing. She must have forgotten then. Perhaps she lacks humility for acting so rashly, and from Halibels perspective arrogantly.

" Hopefully that arrogance doesn't cost her life one day," Halibel muttered into his chin.

But, such rash actions did remind him of Su-san a bit. But Subaru had a talent for always succeeding, hopefully, Anastasia has one too.

" Documents you provided failed to mention any carrots." The soldier's voice gave no room for argument. His authoritative tone, mixed with the slight annoyance of having to deal with such an issue again made no effort to hide the fact that he won't make exceptions. " Without proper documents, you can't bring the cart into the city."

"What! I have traveled for weeks! Those imbeciles at the guild must have made a mistake, don't force me to go back because of a single sentence."

While the shouting merchant provided discomfort to everybody around him, the truth was that most people genuinely felt sorry for him. Sure, he is annoying now, but so would they if they were in his place.

The soldier perhaps felt sorry too, or he just wanted to get over with this man. The stoic expression on his face revealed nothing.

" Your documents are alright, so you can enter the city, but the cart remains here." The soldier attempted to bargain with this man, but the result was expected.

" What is the point if I can't take my goods?" Sarcastically the merchant asked.

" If it was a mistake that your documents are incomplete, you can appeal to the city council. Perhaps they can rectify it."

Both the soldier and the merchant knew that this was unlikely if not impossible. But, the poor man having no other options just nodded his head and silently asked.

" Could you at least keep an eye on the cart?"

" Of course, it won't go anywhere."

With that, this unpleasant conversation ended, and everybody can do what they were already doing, but now in relative silence.

Truthfully Anastasia was somewhat pleased with the soldier. The way this man changed the topic, by introducing the council was just perfect. In doing so the soldier changes the question from; ' will he let him in', to ' will the council let him in'. So in the eyes of the merchant, he was no longer an opponent, but an ally of a sort. The soldier has done right.

But why was he there? Why was, what seems to be an entire regiment here at Costuul?

They are far away from the front lines so they can't be in transit, they are too comfortable here to be staying just a short amount of time. Plus, their policing the city instead of a local guard was unusual, to say the least.

Yes, these weren't the guards or the militiamen. Their red coats, black pants, and tricorn hats designated them as the regulars. The Republic's professional army.

No wonder Halibel didn't want her here. She can only imagine how loose the Convent's control of the city is if the regulars are needed to police it.

But, she has to come here, so she is here. Wearing a cloak to hide her intensity Anastasia approached the city gates.

" Your documents please." The soldier with monotony asked not bothering to take a closer look at the person in front of him.

" Of course." Calmly Anastasia answered as she handed the man a letter.

The soldier's monotony was broken the moment he saw the letter. He didn't open it, he didn't have to. the Security Council's seal told him everything he needed to know.

Now he properly appreciated the person in front of him. It was a short woman, at least he thinks she is a woman because of her voice. She wore a cloak, and at her side was a white fox.

" Is that a great spirit?" The soldier asked pointing to Echidna. The unease in his voice is now apparent. Not only was he talking to a person that is with the Security Council, or at the very least under their protection, but a person who has potentially a being as powerful as a great spirit following her.

" Yea, isn't she lovely?" in contrast to the solder, Ana's response was jovial.

" Of course, citizen but you can't just bring a great spirit into the city." thinking shortly, the man added, " I will contact my superiors."

" But isn't that letter good enough to let the spirit in? "

The woman's voice only furthered the soldier's unease, until it reached fear. But, her words did carry value, didn't they? The letter is enough. Isn't it?

" Yes, you are right, citizen. You are free to go." Hoping that she will now just go her way solder spoke, but to his dismay, the woman still had things to say.

" Thank you, but I would like to ask you a few questions."

" Like."

She chuckled, it looked like she was making fun of herself for some minor failure. " You see, I am here on a mission, but it has been so long since I have been here or in the Capital that I don't know if the leadership of the city has changed."

The Soldier quickly answered, " Yes, Colonel Servius, the head of our regiment, is in charge of the town." Before she could ask either question he quickly added, " He is currently not in the city, so in his place, the usual mayor is running the city."

" Alright, as far as I am concerned nothing changes. Thank you." With those words, Anastasia left the soldier behind. The poor thing didn't even have time to look back before having to return to his duties.

The city itself changed little from what she remembered it to be before the revolution. The large streets seemed mostly undamaged. The sky was blue like the Tigrecy river. While this might seem trivial, Anastasia still remembered the look of the Capital. Where dense grey smog blocked the sun, making every day appear cloudy.

But from what she heard the state of the Capital was nothing compared to the former Astrea domain at large. The large furnaces producing steel necessary for the war effort turned the sky black, and the people there rarely see the sun. Of course, Ana was skeptical when it came to these claims. A war of survival has been raging for years now. There is no doubt that loss in this war meant the absolute destruction of the nation and all of the people's customs. In such a situation every side is ready to lie and manipulate in order to gain the advantage.

So such stories, as ridiculous as they were, made sense. But, they were ridiculous, there is no way that such a state could be reached, for the sky to turn black. Yet, Anastasia knew well, if such a thing is possible she could see Subaru doing it to win this war that he had started. His determination as a ruler, something that usually brings people prosperity, could easily bring destruction. Well, she will see that the same thing doesn't repeat with her.

Nevertheless, she continued to walk the city, and in doing so noticed the only notable change to it. The Revolutionary flags were everywhere. Primarily concentrated in the main street, where every second building hoisted it. They were supposed to represent the power of the Republic, the zeal of the people following the ideology espoused by the state. But, knowing what she knows of Costuul, this show looked more like a childish tantrum, rather than an actual display of affection by the denizens.

Those same denizens, mostly demi-humans, were silently rebelling in the strangest way possible. They seemed completely apathetic about everything. Not interested in anything around them they just minded their own business. A strange yet cunning form of resistance indeed. From what she read a republic requires an active populace to function. By refusing to be that active populace, the people of Costuul impeded any ability of the state to impose republicanism onto them. They could, of course, just put governors appointed by the capital to regulate the city. But, in doing so, they are defeating the purpose of their ideology, they are in fact, acting like hypocrites.

While this behavior might hinder Ana in the future, currently it served in her favor. Everybody that noticed a short hooded person with a great spirit, just turned their head the other way. The reason why Echidna is walking normally and not hiding is Halibel. He argued that since nobody knew Anastasia Hoshin had a great spirit, it would be smarter for Echidna to move openly. After all, a former knight might recognize her due to her uncommon white fox scarf. While nobody would think of her when they see a great spirit, even if that spirit is a white fox.

Anastasia had to agree that Halibel's plan did make sense. Plus, it further guaranteed her safety. The great spirits are mostly known for one thing, and that is their immense power. Only the strongest, or the most foolish of warriors would dare challenge one. While Echidna wasn't a strong combatant, her appearance alone should inspire enough fear for that fact not to surface. In a way, Anastasia was bluffing. But, she is used to doing so, merchants, after all, fight more with words and gestures than with fists.

And to a fight, she was heading. It didn't take her long to locate the mayor and even less time to get an audience with him. Courtesy of her authority. She indeed followed Subaru's recommendation and used it when she could. It indeed made life much easier, the power was like tailormade for her. Truly a wonderful parting gift.

That is how she found herself sitting in front of the mayor. Who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, and clearly not happy about receiving such a visit.

" Citizen..."

" Agrippina." the beautiful woman quickly fills in.

" Citizen Agrippina, to what we owe this visit." Appearing as courtesy as he possibly could the mayor spoke. Yet he was perhaps too courteous.

" I am here to investigate the presence of counter-revolutionaries." Anastasia simply stated.

" You are here about the demi-human resistance. Good, I have been sending requests to the convent for months now. Yet no response." Appearing relieved the man spoke to Anastasia, yet the keen merchant didn't miss a single thing.

" I don't think any such requests reached the capital." Anastasia pondered aloud, " Perhaps the courier can't be trusted."

" Perhaps indeed. But, what are you to do with the demi-humans." Quickly returning the talk to the topic the mayor asked.

Cheerfully Anastasia answered, " To them, nothing. I am here for the monarchist, the remnants of the royal guard to be exact."

Yet the question was quickly dismissed, " I am afraid that your information is wrong, there are no monarchists here." With a completely serious expression, the thirty-year-old man spoke.

" It won't hurt for me to check, will it." Pressing her issue Ana continued, " Are their places where soldiers go missing."

" The slums, but that could be for a variety of reasons." He just said this with a plain expression and turned to the papers on his desk. Anastasia had gotten the message, and being satisfied with the answers just stood up and went her way.

She figured him out immediately. Although, his attempt to quickly change the topic when the validity of his requests was questioned dammed him completely. He is hiding something, perhaps something that gets one to lose their head. He is in his thirties, overly courteous, and hiding the existence of the monarchist. There is a good possibility that he is a former senior knight, hiding his comrades.

But he might not be, which is why she never revealed her face but still wore her hood. If he is truly a monarchist, and he believes that he has been sawn through, which he should. He will no doubt inform his men and they will make an attempt on her life. That is usually a bad thing but, in this case, it worked perfectly. They will no doubt wait for her to get to a secluded place where they can strike, she will then revile herself and they will lead her to their base.

" This is too risky Ana," Echidna warned.

" Oh, come on don't make a fuss, everything will be fine." Anastasia dismissed the concern of her spirit. After all, nothing bad can happen now and she will share her reasoning, " I can just use the new power of mine and everything will be fine."

" I don't know Ana, you are gambling too much with your life." Still concerned the fox spirit continued, " You don't even sound like yourself right now."

" I am not gambling anything, their risk is minimal. Honestly, I am more likely to be killed by a falling roof tile." Still as hard-headed as always Anastasia remained steadfast in her belief. Again, she is following Subaru's instructions, and this is one of the few that make sense and are verifiable. She used the power many times and it hasn't failed her once.

But as these two were bickering, they failed to notice that they had ventured into a back alley, and some men, even this far never give up their convictions or skill. The last things Ana remembers were the damp bricks of the buildings and a dull pain on the backside of her head

She was once again in that strange black world. Like last time the Rose Revolutionary stood before her. She tried again to speak to him, but still, it was fruitless. Yet the revolutionary didn't seem to care, and with a happy expression complimented.

" You did well in using your authority. "

" But, the threat isn't over yet."

" You will have to use it many times more, princess."

Just like before light started to replace the darkness and she woke up.

All, yet nothing