Morale 13: Tension of the Nations

"Another day, another travel by train." Flores groaned. At first, he was joyed at riding in something other than a helicopter for once. But after riding it for the 20th time in the same week, he started to get sick of it. Mostly because he had nothing to do during the long travels other than sleep.

"If you ask, we can just teleport without issue," Riala explained as she got inside. Flores then suddenly shot up from his seat and stared at the Peryton.

"Hold the fuck up. You can teleport!"

"Yep! It's a very complicated process!" Riala beamed.

"Why haven't we been doing this earlier? We could have saved so much time!"

"Because taking a moment to relax is the only thing keeping me from becoming a caffine addict." Lizen added as he walked in with everyone else.

"Also It's very complicated as I said. You see." Riala conjured up a diagram as she talked. "When I register to an hourglass. It creates a track between other hourglasses that I can teleport freely through."

"Ohh. so if you're not on one of those tracks, then you can't portal away."

"And areas outside of those tethers can't be ported too as well. So I'll have to stop at a specific point before going on normally."

"Weird. After everything I've been through, God finally started to add balance patches." Flores sighed. "Do you have one to Ken'bitch at least?"

"Yep! One-way trip to Ken'bitch coming right up!" Riala blew her train whistle as the train sped off, disappearing the second it reached its top speeds.

/~/

"Triple kings! Give me that Luara!" A soldier cheered as took all the silver off the table. The other soldiers groaned as they started to replace the money they just lost.

"Um Sir? What do I do If I see a speeding train heading towards us?"

"Get your eyes checked Ketsu. Trains drive on tracks not grass." The soldier laughed, prompting the others at the table to do the same.

"You sure? Cuz there's a train heading directly towards us." Ketsu exclaimed.

Sigh. "Fine I'll check. And if it's something stupid then I'm kic-" The soldier spat out his drink as he looked over the wall. The soldier was correct. There indeed was a train heading towards them. And the soldier knew exactly who it was.

"CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK! Riala is approaching! Prepare all cushion spells!" The soldier ordered.

Immediately. All the knights watching the gate ran outside, and casted every spell they could. In the scenario this was an out of control Riala. They were task with lessening the damage as much as possible.

The soldiers shudder as the train got closer and closer. And when it was about to hit , the train drifted itself to the side, and slowly came to a stop as it let out a puff of steam.

"See. Told you I'm getting better." Riala bragged as she hooped out the train.

"Yeah Mommy that was awesome!" Neila cheered.

"Yeah. Great way to put several lives in danger. Congratulations." Lizen sighed.

Everyone else got out the train normally. Flores however stumbled his way out, looking extremely nauseous from the ride.

"Never… do that again." Flores gagged as he supported himself with a tree.

"Don't go puking on us yet Flores. We haven't even gone inside yet."

"Mercyyy~" Flores groaned as Lizen dragged him inside.

"Too slow of a reaction Lieutenant. -5 points." Lizen bonked the lieutenant on the head before walking off.

/~/

As they entered the town, mostly everyone went their seperate ways. Ricten and Cadenza stayed behind so they could secure the star temple. Leo, Shiku Isu and Neila went off to have a bath, leaving only Lizen, Riala and the nauseous Flores together.

"It's just a train drift Flores. You should be that discombobulated."

"Trains do not drift! You're the weird one in this situation!" Flores raged before shielding his eyes from the light.

"THIS LIGHT AIN'T HELPING EITHER!"

"Quite odd though. It around six why is it so bri-"

As the reached the top of the forts hill, they saw a gaggle of people blocking the path to the entrance. And above them all, was a giant ball of fire.

"Oh that explain it." At the sight of this. Lizen quickly scanned the area and spotted a carriage. It was black and gold, with two heavily scarred pegasi strapped to its reigns. On its side bore the symbol of a golden deer, immediately making Lizen realize who it belonged too.

"Of all the days."

"What's wrong no- omph." Flores grunted as he fell to the floor. When he got up to yell at him, Lizen was already making his way through the crowd.

"Damn, archer."

"Here. It seems like we have some bad company." Riala sighed.

Riala handed Flores some medicine for his motion sickness. It tasted bitter, bu after a sip, he felt his nausea go away. Thanking Riala for the meds, they both made their way through the crowd as well. And once they made it to the center, it was a scene that took Flores a long time to process.

In the middle, was Mihare holding up an obese man off the ground as she slowly choked him out. Lizen was also there, but he was too busy trying to pull the two apart. Not to mention laughing now and again.

"Lizen." Riala stared. The archer stopped laughing and sighed as he pulled the two apart.

Cough "Y- you dare try to choke me! KING HAYDER!" The man shouted. He ordered his guards to attack, but they all back away instead of getting closer.

"Cool it Hayder, Yomiko will be here in a second so drop your spell. And you. I know we were all thinking it, but you can't just go and choke the king of Hatyr!" Lizen reprimanded as Mihare pouted.

"That things a king? Fat, annoying voice, self-absorbed, quick to execute. Guess most isekai were right. More importantly, this fireball was his? A real dangerous one at that." Flores thought as he focused on the Lizen and Mihare.

"But Zen! He called you a disgrace that brings shame to the Sinclair clan."

"Very False."

"He called Riala a demon!"

"Debatable."

"Hey!"

"Then he called Neila the spawn of Satan!"

"I'LL KILL HIM MYSELF!" Lizen and Riala then proceed to choke King Hayder as well, this time being stopped by Flores himself.

"I get that you're offended and all but can you guys not start a war while the waves are-"

"Don't tell me what to do, you disable crippled."

"Okay my turn now." Flores shot a bundle of paper at the king, pinning him to the fort's walls by his neck.

"Save my pride and move in stride. Tie them up and drag them to my side. [Star Binding Air]"

Flores, Lizen and Riala were all suddenly bound by an invisible force and was dragged to Yomiko side. The paper girl did not look happy one bit. But her anger wasn't directed towards them, but king Hayder instead.

"Hayder. Who gave you the balls to cross the border of Foo without giving a proper warning. Yomiko asked. Her voice sounded cold. Her menacing aura affected everyone as she walked toward the cowering king. Despite all of his shaking, however, the man still dared to stand up to her.

"IT'S KING HATYR TO YOU. AND I DEMAND RESPECT YOU DOOHICKEY!" The king yelled. Everyone in the crowd gasped. Many even started to run away as Yomiko let out a soft sigh.

"Flame's of the beginning, burn brighter than before-"

"Let's not get too hasty Paper." A mellow voice said from behind. Yomiko looked over at the new person, a fireball still growing in her hand.

He looked extremely flamboyant. He had tanned skin, a black top hat with a purple trim, and bangs covering his right eye. He wore a purple shirt, and black pants along with black cloak with a golden trim. His left arm was completely armored, along with two gauntlets that acted as his only set of armor.

What got Flores attention however was that his face looked similar to Lizen. It was odd starting at the top, but he composed himself.

"Silas Tome."

"Greetings Paper. Nice to meet you once again." Silas smiled.

"It's Yomiko now."

"Ahh a fancy name for a very fancy lady. I love it." Silas blew Yomiko a kiss, making the construct shudder as she dispelled her fireball.

"Kiddo, Kiddo monster wife. Great to see you two again! How's Shiku doing?" Silas asked as ruffled Lizen's hair. The two again look very similar. After a quick chat with the too, he looked over to Hayder who fell back on the ground.

"Master?"

"Mihare! There's my little grandmaster! It's been forever! Adjusting to the role of commander nicely?"

"I wouldn't say that. But it has been a while man." Mihare and Silas did a long and complicated handshake. It ended with a mini earthquake cracking the ground.

"The citizens of Rinoth being extra as always. even for something as simple as a handshake. What a surprise." A lofty voice interrupted.

"Great another one." Flores sighed as he looked back toward the newest arrival. He wore a black and white suit along with a boater hat. On his shirt, there was an insignia in the form of a dog.

"Since Rinoth's, Hatyr's, Zell's, and Foo's leaders are here. I can safely assume this is the main guy of... Fallum?" Flores looked around at the scene once again. Whether it was planned or not, The leaders of five nations were all here. As he looked around. He took note of everyone, and who to watch out for the most.

Hayder was the least scary person here. Not even his knight listened to him, so he posed no actual threat to Flores.

Garesh was a close second. He looked like a shady businessman. And much like Silas, he came without an escort. He is so confident in his abilities that he thinks he can waltz into an enemy nation and fight off its army if needed. and Flores did not want to figure out if that overconfidence was a facade, or legitimate.

Then there was Silas who was the same, but actually had the clout to prove his skills. Being the chief of Ken'bitch. Mihare is possibly one of the strongest people in the nation. And if Flores heard correctly. Mihare was trained by Silas. Not to mention being the grandmaster of a nation made of fighters meant he was the top dog around there too.

Aside from scaling their strength, he also noticed that all of them besides Riala and Yomiko. wore a hat. This made Flores question whether they were constructs, or just a human trying to look fancy.

"Hayder, Silas. And now you Garesh." Yomiko sighed. "Guess it was only a matter of time before you all figured out."

"Figured out what? What are they here for?" Flores asked. He had been rather confused by the sudden arrivals. It didn't help that his usual walking history books were also focused on the arrivals.

"If you must know crip-" Before he even uttered the word. Flores gave the king a death glare that startled the king. The king cleared his throat starting again with a better choice of words.

"If you must know, commoner. I. King Hayder Rashon Hatyr the IV. Has come here to properly take what is mine!"

"Fat, annoying voice, self-absorbed, quick to execute, and now a long ass name. Man, no wonder all those isekai manga had kings like that." Flores pondered as he now wanted to give a few of those stories a better rating for realism. But it wasn't the time for that.

"And what might that be? I'm… Forty percent sure we didn't steal anything from Hatyr." Flores replied before whispering to Lizen.

"You didn't steal anything from Hatyr did you?" Flores whispered.

"Um. What do you take me for a thief… cuz I totally did." Lizen chuckled as Flores facepalmed.

Sigh "You commoners are simply helpless. The thing we are gunning for is the right to host the successor of Miguel. Sylvester Kennedy Flores!"

"How did they find out about my middle name!" Flores jerked back in shock. One of his most guarded and well-kept secrets was now public knowledge to everyone there. Even Lizen had started to laugh the second he heard it.

"Bro. Your middle name is fucking Kennedy!"

"Shut up!" Flores shouted. At the request, however, Lizen started to laugh even harder.

"Okay, I've had enough. I'm throwing him out the gate myself. Pray to God he makes it out alive." Flores cracked his knuckles and approached the king.

"You dare threaten me!" Hayder drew his own weapon. It was a sword coated in a golden alloy. It's hilt was purple with other gold decorations littered about, but that's all Flores saw it as. A decoration.

"Do you know who I am you wretched impaired!"

"I'm not sure you know who he is either?" Silas interrupted, also chuckling at the scene.

"Like some captain of Foo would ever have the gull to threaten me. I'll have your he-"

"He's annoying me, so before I get violent. Grab his voice and make him silent. [Star Mute]"

A miniature white flag flew from Flores hand and attached itself directly to Hayder's mouth.

"Huh. didn't think that would work. Thanks, Yomiko."

He had just muted the king and was five steps away despite stating he'd straight up murder him. He was expecting to be stopped by some guards, or even his own group. But no one gave a protest.

"Guess I'm doing everyone a favor."

"Nice to meet you fat fuck. I'm Flores. [Attack Order]"

/~/

The scene that followed was comedy to everyone. Flores wasn't actually going to kill the king. He was going to stab him, no argument there. He wasn't planning on making it lethal, just either an arm or leg to get his point across. Silas however did step in at the least moment and stopped Flores flag as he was inches away from his left arm.

Despite being stopped, however. Silas made no effort to push the flag or him away. He just stood there "struggling" as the king coward on the floor and begged for forgiveness. This went on for another two minutes before Yomiko came and stopped him. Sending the crowd of civilians away. She then led everyone to Ken'bitches war room and brought in more chairs as the nation leaders sat down.

"Now that we're somewhere more private. Let's get this inevitable argument started."

"May I ask why though? Isn't Foo supposed to be the Morale heroes nation? Why argue over who gets me?" Flores asked. The rest of the room went silent, with Silas being the first to speak.

"It's a difficult question. As I said earlier. The Morale hero is needed for the world to survive, so their starting location is crucial. We've been having debates about this since the hourglass started. That was until Hatyr pulled their little stunt with the little muffin, leading to you being summoned to Foo as a petty jab."

"Muffin?"

"He means Neila."

"The hell did Neila do?"

"Beat up his Sombra unit trying to kidnap her. By the way, watch where you sleep" Lizen eyed Hayder. Menacingly carving some runes onto another disc.

"Muffin aside. Each country had its own ways to benefit the hero.

Fallum has the technology and the craftsmen to supply you with everything you need. Rinoth has trainers for magic, lifeforce, and combat in general. The Sanctuary of Soul has Shang Fo and Riala. And Finally, Foo has Yomiko and the kiddo. The greatest magician to walk Arcadia. And the... last survivor of the Sinclair Clan."

"The hell was that pause for?"

"I find it hard to believe that Lizen is that important."

"Well if you want to know. Lizen is -"

"Finish your damn prompt already and stop going on a random tangent!" Lizen interrupted. Flores could tell he was hiding something but knew he couldn't proceed with the archer in the way. He'd put those thoughts on the back burner for now as he restarted the convo.

"And what about Hatyr?"

"What about Hatyr?" Yomiko scoffed.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"Yeah. Shit army, shit craftsmen, shit trainers. Everything is shit." Garesh added.

"He's sort of just a placeholder until we get a better country." Silas chuckled.

"Agreed." All the nation leaders were insulted. Flores wondered why the king didn't butt in with his usual rage. But he remembered that the king was still muted from his spell from earlier. "Huh. Would of thought that be gone by now. Eh who cares."

"Anyways with all that said. I have no qualms with Foo having the Morale Hero. The only reason I'm here is because I'm a bit curious as to how he lost his arm so early." Silas explained.

He stared at Lizen with a look of disappointment on his face. Like a teacher finding out his favorite student has been cheating.

"We got attacked by orcs."

"You lost to the Barbarian pigs? You're really losing your touch Zen."

"Berserker pigs. And unfortunately yes. Over forty of them jumped me as one of the captains followed his escape."

"Did he win?"

"He survived."

"Good enough. High fi… thumb u… g-good job."

"I still have an arm you ass." Flores scoffed. Silas only laughed back despite being insulted.

"Lol. I like this guy."

"He's competent, efficient, and has a background as a soldier as well."

"My word a super jackpot! Tell me. How good are you now!" Silas beamed, now on the table in front of Flores.

"Is everyone in this place insane in some way?" Flores thought as he scooted his chair back.

"I can use magic up to Star level, still working on planet-level rhymes. I also have several skills and a basic understanding of ki."

"You can use lifeforce!" Silas giddy with excitement. Like a kid on Christmas waiting to open their big present.

"I want to fight him. Lemme at him!"

"Not right now!" Mihare forced Silas back into his seat.

"Well, there's Rinoth's side. What about Fallum's."

"Foo already has a hero. It's only fair that they give away the other." Garesh argued.

"I don't think that's how that works. Wouldn't it be better for the hero to stay near their piers?"

"No. Heroes can do things most people can't. The food they make can rival the meals of master chefs. They can craft weapons and even potions whose recipes were lost to time. They're also economic wellsprings that can raise and topple nations with ease."

"You're just in it for the money aren't you?" Flores scoffed.

"Never said I wasn't in it for the profit. My point still stands." Garesh responded, not helping his case one bit.

"So from what I'm hearing. Silas is here cuz why not. And you're here so you can use me as a walking advertisement… Alright, let's hear the last idiot already." Flores turned to Hayder who was still muted by the spell.

"How is that still active?"

"Yeah, that's my fault. One sec." Yomiko snapped her finger, removing the muting effect from Hayder. That was when they all came to regret that decision.

"THAT IS IT. I REFUSE TO TAKE THIS DISRESPECT ANY LONGER!" Hayder raged. He slammed his fist on the table, completely destroying it. He then put a foot on its remains and pointed his finger at Yomiko.

"My table!" Mihare whined.

"I challenge Foo to a round of gladiatorial combat. The winner shall hold the rights to the Morale hero once and for all. No more debates, no more arguments. Just straight mano e mano!" Hayder exclaimed.

"Denied."

"THEN I DECLARE WAR!"

"Also denied!" Yomiko exclaimed.

"Yeah, Hayder. I think that's going a bit too far."

"Ever since I got here. I have been choked, almost stabbed, and insulted by everyone. I will not stand for any of this! Mark your days Foo. The only thing that'll be left when I'm done with you, is oblivion!"

Hayder got out of his seat and headed towards the door. He was then suddenly stopped by Flores who blocked the exit with his paper.

"Okay need I remind you all that the world is in danger. Why are we even arguing about this in the first place? I'm not something that's owned, by anyone!" Flores ridiculed.

"Listen Kennedy-"

"I will stab you if you say that again."

"Ha. like that could ever-"

"Focus Lizen!" Mihare bonked Lizen on the head.

"Ow. alright geez. Anyways Flores, think of it this way. God descends into your world and will bless the city he stays in. Heroes in this world not only bring power. But potential wealth and influence for the nation that works, or in some cases. Controls him."

"Foo and the Soul Sanctuary already has apostles of their own. Because of this. Three nations are left potentially undefended. It'll also be trivially easy for someone to stop support from heading to that nation if they're on bad terms. That means it's a safety risk for more than one country to control more than one weapon at a time."

"Not to mention. Military power would vastly improve. Riala is worth two hundred people, and her child, forty. At least that's what we recorded last time. I'm sure Lizen here is in the same boat." Silas added.

"Eh. Probably like, ninety… hundred-twenty max."

"Not helping. In any case. In the event, Foo was to go rogue… I'm sure you've seen their destructive power firsthand."

"So it's like an arms race. Classic humanity." Flores shook his head.

"That, and we want you to survive so we can survive. In all honesty, though, I do want to see this tournament play out. The strongest gets to keep Flores, simple as that."

"I-"

"If Rinoth's humoring this idea, then Fallum would also join." Garesh budded in.

"Look I'm not gonna-"

"Don't hog my glory Fallum!" Hayder exclaimed.

"It's Garesh Tylia Hayder. And I have every right to join."

"Can you all please just lis-"

"If this is the fastest way to get everyone off our ass, then I'll happily join in too." Lizen cracked his knuckles with Yomiko, Mihare, and Riala nodding with him.

"If the sanctuary is joining, then they and Foo count as one team."

"Uh, fuck that. Why do we have to?"

"Cuz she'll just give em back to you guys if they win. Obviously, that's unfair pla-"

"I'm trying to speak to tell you what's up, so listen now and please shut up!"

"If you want to talk then gather some authority. I reject your mute, cuz I have Priority."

"[Cluster Star Mute!]"

"[Collapsing Star Mute!]"

The second Flores finished rhyming. Yomiko cast her own spell that canceled out his in a fraction of the time. Flores had never encountered this speed of casting yet, so all he did was stand there in amazement.

"Well, speak. You were about to cause a scene weren't you?" Yomiko demanded.

"R-right. As I was gonna say. I am not someone's property. You can not just host a tournament without my consent and assume that I'll go along with everything!"

"True. But think of this more as a showcase than fighting for you. Warriors from each region showing off their path of power. You would obviously want to choose the strongest warriors to be your vanguard right?"

"Huh… guess your right."

"Then I say the tournament is a good idea. Probably the best idea Hayder has had in a while."

"Why you Silas!"

"Neyaaa." Silas stuck his tongue out, angering the king even more. He drew his sword and swung it, but it snapped upon impact with Silas's head.

"That was probably expensive." Silas laughed.

"... Fine. You guys can have the tournament."

"Yes!" Silas and Lizen cheered.

"But under my rules and conditions. Any of you break it. Your not participated. That means say goodbye at all chances of me even casually visiting your country." With that demand, Hayder begrudgingly sat back down and listened.

"First. We'll do this when the first round of waves is over. You guys can figure out who defends what. Second, it will be five people from each nation. Riala you're banned."

"Damn it," Riala swore.

"Ha!"

"You too Silas."

"Oh come on!" Silas whined.

"This battle will be between your subordinates only. So no leaders allowed."

"Ughh. Fine." Silas's face planted on the table.

"Third. This will not be for the rights to me. Instead. I'll take the winners as members of my party, due to a bad run-in with pigs in the past, and too many options to choose from at the moment. I only think it's fair to take the top five. That will give you all a chance to get some influence."

"Fair." Garesh nodded.

"Making me fight for my position huh? Dick move." Lizen pouted.

"If you're so good as you say you are, then this wouldn't be an issue. Speaking of issues. Ken'bitch is my base of operations. I'm not moving anywhere else. Although, I will take any support that you all may offer. We're basically at war with hell. So let's act like it. Understood."

Silas nodded. "Guess the hero is a bitch. I respect that."

"What did you say!?"

"Bitch. A valiant warrior."

"Right. The definition has changed."

"Sad that I couldn't convince you to come to Rinoth. But I'll agree."

"We're already allies, so I'll send my best." Riala nodded too."

"I have no objections either. I already know who I'm sending." Yomiko patted Lizen on the back.

"Then as the proposer of this challenge. I, King Hayder accept, and shall show you the might of Hatyr lord hero." Hayder got up and pounded his chest. He dragged his finger across his arm before throwing it down to his side.

"It's like the salutes are getting worse and worse."

"Good. As far as I know. You have probably two to four weeks to prepare. I'll let y'all agree on the other rules." Flores got up from his seat and headed towards the door.

"Oh, and if anyone else leaks my middle again. I will stab you, and nobody will stop me that time." Flores closed the door. Leaving the five leaders to their own devices. He had never been a political man, so all that talk about political power and rights tired him out. Not to mention, the bombshells of Neila being worth forty men made him shudder a bit. A child with that much power is a scary thing.

As Flores entered his room, he slowly took off his shirt and wandered into the bathroom. Throughout his upper torso were many scars and stitches from his previous battles. Both from this world and his previous ones.

Taking a long shower to make up for the four days he was out for. Flores stumbled onto his bed and finally passed out for the night.