Days later, winter break was over and it was time to go back to school.
Kira is in his dorm room as he placed some of his belongings on a table before sighing tiredly when he sees stacks of letters tied in packs and are placed near the doorway. The young man had just come back to school after the winter break. he had his days off in peace and away from the countless letters filled with marriage proposals or threats from his fan girls and such.
"Are all these letters from the fans and other girls?" Kira asks as he focuses back on settling a few of his belongings back into his room.
"100% are all from the women of the school who are your fans and the women who desire your fame and reputation." Hachi replied via the earpiece communicator while the AI's drone comes hovering near the stack of letters. "it would seem that some didn't know that you returned to the island during winter break and just sent the letters here."
"And I'm glad that they did." Kira said as he settled his laptop to the table before he picks up the stacks of letters before he carries them to the fireplace. He picks a match and a small bottle of oil which he uses to set the letters on fire and gives some warmth into the room. "if they learned that I returned to the island and they went after me. I had no doubt that we might have to perceive them as intruders to keep them away."
"Certainly." Hachi replied after beeping a few times.
Kira watches the fire burn as he held a fire iron that he uses to poke and then turns the stack of letters that begins to burn. Afterwards he places the item away and then goes to his cupboard where he begins to change his clothes.
"Hachi, has there been anything new at the capital while we were back at the island?" Kira asks, knowing that Hachi had drones keep on surveying the royal capital.
"nothing much other than the fact that the people are somehow very excited and happy to learn that Marie Fou Lafan was selected as the new Saint of the kingdom." Hachi replied as the drone projected an image of Marie at the temple, wearing a white dress and the three Saint Items. The girl looking smug and prideful while getting cheers from the priests and citizens who came to meet her. "it has been a rather hectic moment during the start of the winter break."
"I see." Kira said while changing his shirt with a new one. "and no other more prominent news?"
"Nothing as of such has come up lately." Hachi replied before the drone stops projecting the image and then hovers to the window. "but something is currently happening at the school ground."
Kira made a confused noise before he goes and checks outside the window. He looks around and finds a scene where there are girls bullying a single girl who is alone and crying.
"that girl is…" Kira spoke before he turns and quickly grabs his school blazer then head straight out the door.
"Where are you going, Kira?" Hachi asks via earpiece communicator.
"To the school grounds." Kira replied while having a stern look on his face.
A few minutes earlier at the school grounds. There is a female student sitting on a bench with a gloomy aura. Her navy blue, long hair was fairly dishevelled, and there were noticeable stains and tears on her uniform.
This girl is Carla Fou Wayne, a noble who was an underling of the abolished Offrey household whose head and heir had been executed for treason and being accomplices to sky pirates.
After the abolishment, many households under the Offrey household's guardianship started to disappear one by one until only Carla's household remained.
The young girl and her family had been given a strict warning by the royal family as they are allowed to stay in the kingdom after Kira had kept his promise to show some mercy. However, even with his mercy Carla has been officially designated as a traitor to the kingdom no matter what.
Her life now almost a living hell because of how she is now treated by other students in the school who had bullied her non stop day by day.
As Carla hangs her head low and looks all gloomy, a pebble came and hit the side of her head.
"ow!" Carla wince in pain before she looks at the pebble that fell near her feet before to the side and she begins to look scared because there are a couple of female students who look down at her with smirks on their faces. "p-please…" she held up her hands as she prepared to shield herself from any objects that the bullies might throw at her. "please...i'm begging you!"
"for a traitor, you think you can ask mercy when you dare betray the kingdom!?" "What a disgrace to the nobles. She should just hurry up and vanish!" "She was involved with sky pirates, so why is she still in this academy?" the bullies gives out their verbal abuse on Carla who could only accept it because no matter what she wish to do, her life has been set with the punishment of her being treated like a total outcast.
"i-i…" Carla cried out before she winced in pain when pebbles and trash were thrown at her. "p-please! Stop!"
Her plea falls deaf as the bullies keep on abusing her however they please.
"you disgrace to the noble society! Why don't you just die!?" "yeah! You're just trash now!" "it's so disgusting to know that you were once a noble!" the bullies threw their verbal and physical abuse at Carla who begins to cry in tears. "Look! She's crying! What a baby!"
"just go and be the trash that you are!" one bully picks up a can and then threw it hard at Carla who is crying but that object was caught by someone. "wha?"
Carla cries before she stops when she notices that the bullies were quiet, no trash or pebble thrown at her, and the fact that there is someone standing in front of her.
She looks at whoever is standing before her and she gasps and looks a bit scared because it is Kira who stands and faces the bully while his back is to her.
"C-Count Bartfort!?" "w-why are you here!?" the bullies look a bit tense at the appearance of Kira while being afraid because of how his ranking is higher than theirs and because of how strong he is in a fight.
"I suppose I should ask you all the same question." Kira said as he lifts the can up and looks at it before he throws the object to the nearby trash bin. "why are you throwing trash at this girl when you should be throwing it to the trash bin?"
"t-that girl is a traitor!" "yeah! She allied herself with the Sky Pirates! That's why she's the trash here!" "you should be doing the same because she was with that Offrey girl!" the bullies gives out their excuses and Kira merely hardened his gaze.
"I suppose that you all believe that the Wayne Household had given assistance to the Offrey household who were colluding with the Sky Pirates." Kira said while crossing his arms on his chest. "but you are mistaken because the Wayne Household's heir; Carla Fou Wayne was being mistreated by the former Stephanie Fou Offrey who threatened her into submission." He hardens his gaze even more into a glare. "so do not give such assumptions without definite proof."
One of the bullies gulped while the others tensed.
"b-but that doesn't change that she is a traitor! And!" one bully retorted but stopped when Kira glares at her. "igh!?"
"She is a traitor to the kingdom in your eyes, but not to the truth." Kira spoke in a deep and angered voice. "Carla Fou Wayne was merely a victim to Stephanie Fou Offrey's arrogance and nothing more." His eyes showed hollowed life because he just went SEED mode. "so leave her be or else."
The bullies tried to retort but the look in Kira's eyes made them pick otherwise.
"l-let's go!" one bully cried out before leaving with the others following.
Carla watches the bullies run away before she looks at Kira who is watching them leave and then he turns to face her.
"w-why…why did you help me?" Carla asks, nervous and tensed. "i-i…"
"I am merely returning the favour." Kira said as he reaches into a pocket on his school blazer and then takes out a white handkerchief that he uses to gently clean some stains and dirt on Carla's face. "I heard from Livia how you tried to stop the Offrey girl from vandalizing her room. For that, I owe you this one favour."
"eh?" Carla looks surprised and confused before she receives the handkerchief from Kira.
"if you find yourself in the same situation with those girls or other bullies, just announce that your household is under my household's guardianship, understand?" Kira said with a small smile. "and do your best to stay strong."
Carla looks at Kira with wide eyes. Her mind confused as to why he helped her because of such a small thing, yet her heart felt relief washing over itself.
"take care." Kira spoke before he walks away.
"Count Bartfort.." Carla watch Kira leave before she looks at the handkerchief he gave her. She cries in tears of happiness as she was so relieved to have been protected. She held the item near her face and gently cries on it. "t-thank you…"
Kira walks away as Hachi's drone came flying near him.
"was it really wise to help someone who is a former enemy?" Hachi asks.
"she wasn't an enemy, just a victim to someone's ego." Kira replied while glancing at the drone. "and besides, she doesn't deserve to be bullied."
"if you say so." Hachi said as the drone follows Kira who made his way back to the dorm.
Meanwhile, near the area of the school grounds.
There is Marie who is being surrounded by girls who are giving her shower of praises.
"Marie-sama, you're as lovely as ever today!" "As usual, your clothing today is wonderful. You've got good taste!" "Marie-sama, a new cafe opened up. Do you want to visit it together?" compliments and praises were showered upon Marie by the girls who are actually former bullies who did a complete 180 in personality.
The crowd moved and followed Marie as it was large because of the girls having exclusive servants and their personal followers.
"Mou, didn't I say to just call me Marie?" Marie said with a smile while she is actually grinning happily inside.
"But, calling Marie-sama such a thing would be too much." One girl spoke while looking a bit bewildered.
"I prohibit using -sama. I mean, aren't we already close friends?" Marie stated while holding up a finger and then smiling. "right?"
"Marie-sama, how kind of you!" the girls smiled happily to hear Marie's words.
"Jeez, I said to stop that~." Marie replied. 'ahh~! This is it! The life I am meant for~! Praise me! Compliment me! I am now the true main character of this game~!"
As Marie keeps on getting showered with compliments and praises by her followers. Chris appears and came walking to her.
"Marie, this is where you were?" Chris spoke with a smile.
Marie felt at ease when Chris approached her in delight. The surrounding followers, particularly the girls, blushed and felt charmed when looking at Chris.
"What's the matter, Chris?" Marie responded while turning to face him.
"I'm here to deliver a letter sent to you, Marie." Chris replied while taking out a letter that he presented to her.
"for me?" Marie takes the letter before she widens her eyes upon seeing who the sender was.
"What's wrong, Marie?" Chris asks.
"I-It's nothing!" Marie replied a bit hastily while slowly moving away. "I-I suddenly remembered some business I have to take care of! so I'll be heading off!"
Not listening to the surrounding people's attempts to stop her, Marie dashed away to find a place where she could be alone.
She hides behind a corner as she made sure that no one was around before she looks at the letter in her hands and upon the name of the sender.
'Calm down! It'll be fine. I'm already the saint!' Marie thought while slowly opening the letter. 'I don't know what my household is going to do, but I'm protected!'
Marie folds open the letter and slowly reads the written content.
As her eyes scans each words and sentences, they begin to widen by the passing second.
"Why is this happening?!" Marie clutches the letter while looking shocked because her parents sent her a debt notice that they want her to pay, but what shocked her was the amount of debt that they accumulated.
"Why!?" Marie screams to the sky, surprising anyone nearby.
Some hours later, at the school's many hallways.
Kira is found carrying his school bag in hand as he is walking around after a class break.
"hey! It's Count Bartfort~!" "he's here~! Let's go and greet him~!" some girls that Kira passes by whispers amongst one another as they are his fans.
'just great…' Kira thought while sighing tiredly. He already knows that he is going to get crowded by them, therefore he is hurrying his pace a little. 'even during school breaks, I cannot relax for a single moment.'
As Kira hurries his pace, he meets up with Olivia who he nearly bumps into.
"ah, Kira-san!" Olivia looks surprised at Kira who returned the expression with his own.
Now the two are walking side by side, Kira grateful to meet up with Olivia as this made some privacy between the two and not allow anyone to come and interrupt because of the blonde's friendship with Angelica and Clarice.
"Kira-san, are you alright?" Olivia asks while looking at Kira with her blue eyes. "you look tired for some reason?"
"yes. A bit." Kira said while tilting his neck side to side. "I keep getting invitations to host tea ceremony to various girls and they had been hassling me to do so by doing various things." He sighs softly. "and I mean doing very much everything possible to be thought of."
"well, you're a hero, Kira-san." Olivia said with a smile.
"they can call me a hero but that doesn't allow others to hassle me for tea ceremony and marriage proposals." Kira said while rolling his right shoulder around. "ugh, it still hurts."
"are you alright?" Olivia asks a bit concern.
"so many girls keep on pulling or pinching my arms every time they come and crowd me." Kira said while massaging his right arm a few times. "it starts to hurt over time."
"t-that's troubling." Olivia said worried before she got an idea that made her blush. "u-um, I can help massage your arms if you want." She started to become nervous. "I've been learning a lot on my healing magic and I can definitely help."
"thank you, but there's no need." Kira said while flexing his arms a few times. "Hachi has already started to make some massaging tools for it. It'll be ready by the evening."
"b-but I can still massage them for you!" Olivia said while looking very determined. "you should get them to be massaged before Hachi-kun finishes the tools!"
"r-right…" Kira replied, a bit taken back from Olivia's sudden change of attitude. "p-please do, I guess?"
Olivia soon smiles brightly like she is very happy about something and Kira doesn't know about it.
The two keeps on walking in the hallway as they chattered about some random topics before they came to an area where there is a billboard which is surrounded by many students.
"What's happening?" Olivia asks as she and Kira goes near and sees what the fuss about.
"some sort of event or something being hosted?" Kira spoke, trying to see what is posted on the billboard.
Kira and Olivia tries to see what is interesting on the billboard and they find a poster about studying abroad to a neighbouring kingdom of Holfort.
"It's about studying abroad in some foreign location called Alzer Republic." Kira spoke as he reads the content of the poster. "It seems to be for a year."
"A foreign place? This academy really has a lot going for it." Olivia looks impressed as she wowed.
As Kira and Olivia tried to see any other posters that might interest them, Raymond came by.
"you guys interested in studying abroad too?" Raymond asks while adjusting his glasses.
"Raymond, you were here?" Kira said as he and Olivia faces the glasses wearing teen.
"yeah, I was just around and seeing the crowd that got me curious." Raymond replied while looking at the crowd and then back to Kira. "seems that you guys were pulled in as well."
"somewhat." Kira spoke before he looks at the crowd. "is everyone here interested for the studying abroad program?"
"Nope." Raymond shakes his head. "The crowd here is gathering due to the establishment of bodyguards."
"Bodyguards?" Kira spoke in confusion. "for what?"
"for the Saint." Raymond replied as he explains how there is the need for bodyguards for Marie which is why the Royal Palace and the Temple priests decided to make the posters and try to recruit any volunteers. "Though they're forming a bodyguard squad for the saint, it seems that there's something unique this time."
"Unique?" Olivia asks, curious. "What?"
"Well, you see the saint is Marie, right?" Raymond explained while holding up a finger. "Her lovers are quite special people, to the point that not only the temple, but the royal palace is also involved with the process of forming the squad."
"so this has something to do with the former crowned prince and his comrades, is it?" Kira said as he crosses his arms while having a hand to his chin.
"Right." Raymond nodded while waving a hand to the side. "In short, people are making a big deal out of the fact that his Highness Julius didn't go wrong with the woman he chose." He points another finger up. "There are even rumours that his Highness will return to being the crown prince and that the saint will become the crown princess."
"I see. So the people here who want to gain connections with the Saint." Kira nodded in understanding before he raises an eyebrow at Raymond. "so you're interested in joining them, Raymond?"
"I was planning to, but I changed my mind when I realized that I couldn't join at all." Raymond replied while having a bitter smile. "turns out, feudal lord's heirs can't become bodyguards."
"t-that's a bit of a pity?" Olivia sweatdrops to see how Raymond is sulking before she caught sight of a familiar person coming and she quickly tugs Kira's back shirt to get his attention. "Kira-san, it's Angie."
"eh?" Kira looks at Olivia and then to the side as he sees Angelica coming. The blonde having a very serious look on her face. "Angie? What's wrong?"
"Kira…" Angelica stops in front of Kira before having a very complicated look on her face. "listen, I got some news from my brother a while ago and I believe you should know about it."
"What is it?" Kira asks curious.
"I-I don't know how to put it nicely, but…" Angelica scratches the side of her cheek with a finger while having a rather awkward look to Kira. "you've been chosen as the head of the Saint's bodyguards."
When she said that, Kira and the others could only respond with a single word in utter confusion.
"Eh?"
a few days ago at the Holfort Kingdom's Royal Court, there is a meeting held by the royal family's vassal households, governors, and officials who have gathered to discuss an important matter which is the Saint's bodyguards.
The meeting had only started for a few minutes and there are already complaints from many sides.
"The priests are getting carried away." "Are they planning to take the budget for the saints bodyguards out of the royal palace's funds?" "There's also the matter of his Highness Julius and his crew. If we make the mistake of rejecting the plan, we won't know how they'll react." the officials discussed with one another the matter of Marie, the Saint's bodyguard which is leading to one problem after another.
"For that girl to be the saint…." one official spoke before sighing tiredly. "This would definitely be a massive problem for all of us."
The officials in the court had viewed Marie becoming the saint as a problem because of the fact that she was the one person who ensnared Julius and the other four heirs from prestigious households. Now with her becoming the saint, the temple has started to support Julius in regaining his title as the crowned prince once again which in another definition means that they want to seize the power of the Holfort Kingdom.
As the officials discussed with one another, there is Vince; Angelica's father and the head of the Redgrave Household and Bernard; Clarice's father and head of the Atlee household.
Both are present in the meeting but not having too many complaints to be given out as they merely watched in silence.
"Is this really alright?" Bernard breaks the silence as he looks at his friend sitting beside him. "Leaving the flow of this meeting to a rather troublesome path, i mean?"
"Even if I were to oppose, it wouldn't change the decision," Vince replied as he closed his eyes. "This is the fate of this meeting."
"I see," Bernard spoke before he sighs and had an awkward smile. "I personally feel a bit awkward about it since I'm indebted to him," he closed his eyes when he remembers how Kira helped cheer up his daughter after the engagement she had with Jilk was broken off. "But it's a fact that he's the only suitable person." he sighs again before opening his eyes and smiles a bit. "I can't help but give him my approval."
"He's neither under my guardianship nor is he my pupil." Vince replied while shrugging his shoulders. "There's no need to worry about it."
As they were speaking, Marquis Frampton stands up from his seat and all attention is on him..
"It seems that all opinions have been brought out in the open." Frampton spoke as he looks around before waving a hand to the side. "Now then, I would like to make this venue's opinion the opinion of the royal palace, but are there any objections?"
As Frampton glances around, nobody offered a comment. Not even Vince nor Bernard.
"I see…" Frampton smiles towards Vince who remained silent and stoic. "Redgrave Household probably also has something to say? Please understand that this is for the kingdom after all, Vince."
"Even when I didn't voice any opposition?" Vince spoke as he folds his hands on the table.
"Is that so?" Frampton said with a raised eyebrow before he turns and raise a hand, making a young noble from his faction stand up and announce the result of the meeting's discussion.
"Well then, we hereby announce that Viscount Kira Fou Bartfort to be the commanding officer of the Saint's Bodyguards." the man spoke, and then came the complaints from many nobles regarding the young man.
"That foreigner as a bodyguard of the saint?" "At least we can track his whereabouts by finding where the bodyguards are." "The issue is that guy's lost item. Shouldn't we get a hold of it before the temple double-crosses us?" "You mean getting a hold of a treasure he obtained from an adventure? That goes against national policy." "Perhaps if he were to relinquish it of his own accord." "Would that really be okay though?"
Those who were alert about Marie raised voices of concern about Kira's disposition.
They all believed that this could lead to a problem for the kingdom considering the Marie is the one person who ensnared five prestigious nobles, they now fear the possibility of Kira being ensnared next.
"I understand how all of you feel." The noble on Frampton's faction spoke out while raising his arms out. "However, during the summer break he managed to defeat his Highness Julius and the others in a duel while promoting Armors and Airships he has created, it is found that Viscount Bartfort holds no care for the Saint and her Entourage as he placed the factor of them to never bother him." he then had a smile. "The man-eating saint also dislikes that guy."
While others understood and made light smiles in response to those words, Frampton slightly raised his hand and got everyone's attention back to him.
"I have a say about this matter." Frampton spoke. "everyone's concerns about Viscount Bartfort are valid though, but how about viewing this matter as a test? a way to see his qualifications in handling the lost item?"
This time, Vince gave an objection.
"Do you mean to be like vultures and steal a treasure into the kingdom?" Vince asks while having a tense gaze at his fellow noble comrade. "Marquis Frampton, that will not go unchecked."
"Duke Redgrave…no, Vince. We're only investigating if it's appropriate for him to hold such a strong lost item." Frampton explained with a smile after chuckling. "I am not saying that we will take anything. It all depends on his qualities."
The surrounding nobles began to speak their thoughts, saying "Indeed, leaving this alone would be a hazard." "If we're not taking anything right away, then it shouldn't be a problem." "Right. However, that power is too big for one guy." "We can't say that he has no ill intentions."
The meeting venue was being overrun by the opinions of Frampton's faction.
"No complaints, Vince?" Frampton asks. "Or perhaps you were planning on monopolizing the power of that lost item for yourself? Your daughter is quite close with Viscount Bartfort, isn't she?"
Vince looks at Frampton as both old men gaze at each other before the Duke of Regrave closes his eyes and sighs softly.
"Do as you please." Vince spoke
"I'm glad we came to an understanding," Frampton spoke with a nod before he continues the meeting's discussion on the Saint's bodyguard.
"I have a rather bad feeling about this, Vince." Bernard told Vince who nods.
"Only time will tell how bad of a feeling it is." Vince said before he started to think on the possibility of the Kingdom now having Marquis Frampton's household and factions leading it. 'Whether they plan to take the young man's Lost Items before or after doesn't matter anymore.' he close his eyes and think of the future. 'What matters now is to see what is the path that is laid out in the future…''
In the sky, there came the Espada 00 that just soars through a large clump of white clouds.
The airship had just set off from Holfort Kingdom's port and is flying for a floating island just a few miles away.
On the deck of the airship, there is Kira who was appointed as the head of the Saint's bodyguard. The young man wearing fancy adventurer clothing that had been handpicked by Hachi as he needed to have the appearance of a noble which matches his ranking.
"I don't like this at all, Hachi." Kira spoke as he stands at the front of the Espada's deck and just watches the vast sky in front. "Not one bit."
"I have the same opinion, Kira." Hachi replied with the AI's small copter drone hovering near the young man's right shoulder. "This is without a doubt, a plan by the faction opposing the Redgrave Household. Perhaps my calculations on this situation were off by a few numbers. I should've expected this to happen much earlier than later."
"Doesn't matter now." Kira spoke after sighing as he turns and sees the people on board his airship. "What matters now is how am i supposed to say sane with these people?"
On the deck of the Espada and getting compliments from many girls is Marie; the Saint.
"Marie-sama, it suits you so well~!" "you look pretty rather than cute~!" compliments showers Marie, who smiles happily and proudly.
"I would admit to saying that I am rather frustrated that the Espada 00 has these people on board," Hachi spoke.
"Tell me about it…" Kira whispers.
When Kira was appointed to be the head of the Saint's bodyguards, he had been given a task to provide the highest and most efficient form of protection for her and that is to bring the Espada 00 along with the Archangel that is cloaked with its Mirage Colloid System and is currently swimming through the ocean waters below.
As Kira and Hachi watched how Marie just laughs while getting showered with compliments, both see Kyle just by the edge of the deck and leaning against the rails. The demihuman elf servant of the Saint looking rather absentminded as he stares into the vast sky.
"Is he perhaps sulking on the fact that his Master is being surrounded by her followers?" Hachi asks Kira who just shrugs his shoulders before turning around to look away.
"Can't be bothered with that," Kira spoke after sighing. "The matter of his welfare should be in the hands of Marie, correct?"
"Correct" Hachi replied
"Kira-san~! Look~! Look~!" Olivia's cheerful voice is heard as Kira turns to see her and Angelica near the other side of the deck and are looking rather excited. "I can see the floating island we're heading towards!"
"Let's prepare a campsite near the ruins!" Angelica added in while looking giddy and excited like a little girl going to a candy store. "We'll be the ones to find the treasure first!"
"I can understand Livia's excitement, but why are you so excited to find the treasure, Angie?" Kira spoke as he looks a bit confused at the red eyes blonde. "Is your family's fortune running out?"
"No, i'm just excited about the adventure and finding the treasure!" Angelica replied with sparkling eyes. "I mean, we're going to unexplored ruins where there are treasures waiting to be found! When i heard where we were going, i was so excited and at the same time nervous! I couldn't sleep a wink last night!"
"I-I see…" Kira replies with an awkward smile.
"Considering the fact that most nobles of Holfort Kingdom are descendants of adventurers, it is not confusing to understand that their traits are passed down," Hachi stated with a few beeps. "Perhaps this is what they call; the apple never falls far from the tree?"
"I guess so." Kira nods in agreement.
"But rather than treasure, I'm more excited to be investigating a historic ruin." Olivia pointed out as she wasn't interested in the treasure. "I'm interested in how ancient humans lived."
"I see." Kira nods. "It seems that this trip would be worthwhile in a way."
"You have my thanks, Kira. There's a dungeon in the royal capital, but being an adventurer means traversing to unknown sites." Angelica spoke, wanting to discuss more on adventures and related stuff with her crush but Marie came and interrupted the moment.
"Hey! The island is in sight! Hurry and prepare to land this thing!" Marie exclaimed while pointing a finger at Kira. "i want to find the treasure now!"
"Huh?" Kira turns and has a hard gaze at Marie, the young man showing his clear dislike of her attitude and presence which made the Saint gulped and then quickly changed her character.
"U-Uhmm…I'd like for you to prepare to land ~" Marie said all sweetly and nervously while clapping her hands once. "that's all~."
Marie was alone without her followers as they had backed away considering that Angelica is there with Kira who they knew would act in such a way to the Saint.
"The Espada belongs to Kira," Angelica spoke a bit roughly at Marie, the red eyes blonde clearly not liking how the moment between her and her friends was ruined. "Do you have a complaint about Kira's conduct, Saint?"
Marie merely looked away and take quiet steps to make a big gap in the distance between her and Angelica who she was afraid of.
As Angelica was about to continue, Jilk and Greg appears. Both being members of Marie's bodyguards, but they are the only ones present because Julius and the others were busy with other things.
"Angelica-san, what do you plan on doing with Marie?" Jilk asks with a rather smug looking smile.
"Nothing." Angelica replies after sighing, "i was just warning her."
Before anyone could speak a thing, Kira stepped in.
"Enough chattering." Kira stated with a hard gaze at Marie, "we will make sure to land properly and we're also in the process of other arrangements. Be patient"
"I-I see." Marie nods before backing away, still afraid of Angelica and Kira himself.
As the clamor was about to end, someone came upon the deck and made themselves known.
"Oh, it seems everyone was gathering here." that person is Hertrude Sera Fanoss, the Princess of Fanoss Dukedom. The girl wearing a noble adventurer outfit. "I was looking for you all."
"I still can't believe that you came along…" Angelica muttered in an annoyed voice.
After the invasion of her kingdom failed, Hertrude is currently in a semi-forced position to study abroad and the reason she is on board the Espada, it is because of Royal court not only decided that Kira is to be the head of Saint's bodyguards but he was also positioned to be a supervisor on Hertrude' presence in the Kingdom. Making him some sort of watchful nanny in a way
"She has been walking around in the Espada." Hachi informed Kira who hardens his gaze a bit at Hertrude. The young man is suspicious of her actions. "Would you like me to restrict private areas from her reach?"
"Please do." Kira nods to Hachi's drone before he faces Hertrude after taking a few steps forward. "Why were you wandering around the areas of my airship, Princess Hertrude?"
"Your airship is quite big, Viscount Bartfort." Hertrude replied with a carefree smile as she shrugs her shoulders. "I got lost because of that."
Kira looks at her in suspicion before he closed his eyes and bowed his head a bit. "My apologies for that." he then stands up straight and hardens his gaze at her. "But that does not excuse you for the fact that you were wandering around all alone." he glances to the side before back at the black haired princess. "Where is your bodyguard?"
"You called for me?" a person came beside Hertrude as it is none other than Canard Pars, the self-proclaimed True Ultimate Coordinator faces Kira with a rather smug looking expression on his face. His appearance made Olivia hide behind Angelica, the blonde heard that the black haired man is the pilot of the Lost Item that fought toe to toe against Kira's Strike, but she seems rather surprised because of how the man's voice is similar with her friend's. "I was taking a leak while I let the princess here roam around freely a bit."
"I see…" Kira replies before glancing at Luxion who appeared floating near Canard's right shoulder. "Then perhaps your AI friend was doing the same as well?"
"I do not have the function or the need to dispose of bodily fluids or excrement," Luxion stated. "I am an AI after all."
"Please be assured that he didn't do anything, Kira." Hachi told Kira as the two-faced Canard and Luxion face to face. "I have blocked his functions from scanning the Espada or doing anything relatable as information gathering for Fanoss Dukedom."
"To be able to redirect my system and take control of it," Luxion spoke while the metal sphere's red lens eye had its inner gear just spin around. "For another AI, I must be honest about the fact that your functions are higher than mine even though my specs exceed your own."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Hachi replied. "And please stop trying to hack into my systems. It won't work no matter how many sub-routes you try through."
"Enough of that, Hachi." Kira stated as he and Canard are locked in a tense glaring contest. "What matters now is to keep the leash on and that it stays on them," his gaze hardens. "No matter what."
"You think you can treat me like a dog?" Canard retorted as he and Kira got close and continues their glaring contest to the point that they were reaching for their concealed weapons.
"H-Hey, Kira!" Angelica cried out, already knowing that two former enemies onboard the same airship won't get along no matter what. "Remember that he's Princess Hertrude bodyguard and that means he has diplomatic immunity!"
"Angie is right, Kira-san!" Olivia added in. "if you do something to him!"
Their warnings just falls deaf as Kira and Canard continue to glare at each other before their contest was stopped when someone came and intervened.
"That is far enough." the person spoke as she is Lacus, the princess of Holfort Kingdom had come on board the airship while wearing the kimono like outfit she would wear when she commanded the Eternal back at her and Kira's world. "please put some distances between yourselves."
Lacus had come along on the adventure trip on the account that she had requested to her father, King Roland and at the request of Queen Mylene who wishes to have someone keep an eye on Princess Hertrude from another position to which she volunteered to take.
"Any transgression of violence between the citizens of Holfort and that of Fanoss is not allowed in accordance with the temporary peace treaty." Lacus spoke as she faces Kira and then Canard while holding both hands out to the two. "Please back away from one another."
Kira and Canard keep on their glaring contest but they soon backed away and heeded the pink-haired princess' command.
Lacus watches the two making distances between each other before she looks at Hertrude.
"Princess Hertrude, It is my responsibility to supervise you in your actions in Holfort Kingdom." Lacus spoke to the black haired girl while hardening her gaze. "Please do not cause any more disturbance on this moment."
"I was merely stretching my legs while trying to find my way around this peculiar airship." Hertrude replied all carefreely again. "It is not my fault that i could not navigate myself."
Lacus didn't show any response to her words, only hardening her gaze that is filled with hostility which wiped away the carefree look that Hertrude had.
Both princesses stare at one another as there was a tense moment in between them.
"An action of yours that could be seen as a transgression of the peace treaty will guarantee war, Princess Hertrude." Lacus spoke as she had a very tense and superior air surrounding her. "Do you wish to create another war that would end your kingdom?"
Hertrude looks at Lacus for a moment before she closed her eyes, crossed her arms on her chest, and turns her head away.
"Very well. I shall abide and be disciplined on this trip." Hertrude spoke before she turns and walks away. "Come, Canard."
Canard gives a sneering glare at Kira who returns it before the two Ultimate Coordinator separates, the Hyperion pilot goes with Hertrude while followed by Luxion, and the Strike pilot with Hachi stays on the deck.
Kira watches Hertrude, Canard, and Luxion leave the deck and enter the Espada's hull before he turns and sighs a bit.
"Have you calmed down?" Lacus asks Kira with a frowning face and the young man nods slowly in reply. "Please understand that this is all a scheme from Marquis Frampton, Kira. He is trying to do something, i just don't know what." she place a hand on his chest and leans a bit close. "Please try not to be violent with them no matter how much provocation they send your way. Please do it for the peace of the Holfort Kingdom."
Kira sighs and nods his head again, understanding Lacus' words.
"Let's go there and just wait for our arrival on the island," Lacus said as she held Kira's right hand and leads him to the front deck of the ship with Hachi following.
As Lacus leads Kira away, Angelica and the others watch the closeness that they are showing.
"How is it that Princess Lacus is so close to Kira-san?" Olivia asks, seeing Kira and Lacus going to the front part of the Espada and stand by the rails while watching the view. "I mean, aren't they strangers to each other?"
"I know…" Angelica replied while looking a bit jealous and also sceptic, jealous because of how Lacus held Kira's hand and sceptic about their closeness. 'I know that the one in his heart is named Lacus but Princess Lacus is a different person….right?' she looks rather curious at the pink haired princess when a thought came to her mind. 'but I still don't get why would she join an adventure when she would always decline when given the offer?'
"And here I thought the guy would never be with anyone while at our kingdom," Greg said while having his arms crossed. "To think he would get the attention of the famous Pink Diva." he scoffed a bit. "Not bad, if i have to say so myself."
"Agreed." Jilk spoke with a rather disagreeing face. "But this cannot stand." he places a hand on his chest. "Princess Lacus is the younger sister of Prince Julius and I am a foster brother to him which also means I am also the princess's foster brother." he then started to make his way to Kira and Lacus. "As requested by His Highness, I will protect Princess Lacus from people who are not worthy of her."
"Like you are someone who can say such things?" Angelica spoke with a sweatdrop.
"Kira, violence won't ever solve a problem." Lacus told Kira with a frown. "If you allow yourself to be swayed by your emotions, it will lead to trouble at the end. Please always be calm when facing Princess Hertrude and her appointed bodyguard."
"I know and I'm sorry, Lacus." Kira said with a frown and then sigh, he turns and looks at the pink haired princess. "I couldn't help but feel angry at the one person who wanted to hurt everyone back during the invasion." he frowns even more when he remembers all the lives that were endangered when the Hyperion crashes the Gunbarrel Strike on the deck of the rescue airship. "If i didn't stop him in time…"
"I know, Kira." Lacus spoke as she gently caresses his hand while holding it with both hands. "You wish to do everything in your power to protect the innocent, but power is only power and without a heart to lead it, disaster will follow." she raise a hand and gently cups the young man's right cheek. "Please do not always burden yourself with this power, Kira. please rely on me as well."
"Lacus…" Kira looks at the princess who smiles to him as that made him smile back. "Thank you.."
"Please also rely on me too, Kira." Hachi added in as the AI had its little copter drone hover near Kira. "My function is to support my friends and you are currently my number one priority."
"I know. Thanks, Hachi." Kira said with a nod and a smile before Tori came flying in and perched to his right shoulder. "Tori."
"Tori~!" Tori cried out to Kira before the mechanical bird flaps its wings and flies away when Jilk came by.
"Princess Lacus, a word please?" Jilk spoke as he faces Lacus.
"What is it?" Lacus asks while facing the green haired man.
"Please put distance with Viscount Bartfort." Jilk spoke all politely to the princess. "You are the Princess of Holfort Kingdom and cannot act in such a way to Viscount Bartfort who is still considered a foreigner." he place a hand on his chest. "It would be in your best interest to not linger around him."
"I see." Lacus spoke after being silent for a moment, she then smiles while tilting her head to the side a bit. "Did my brother told you to do this, Jilk-san?"
"Yes, His Highness wishes for his sister to be safe after all." Jilk replied.
"Duly noted and also duly ignored." Lacus said with a short giggle. "I can take care of myself and do not need advice from someone like you, Jilk-san."
"B-But Princess Lacus! It is for your sake!" Jilk replied after wincing to hear her rather harsh words. "Viscount Bartfort is still considered a foreigner and!"
"Please leave us be." Lacus spoke before opening her eyes by a sliver. Her pale cerulean eyes having a rather dark look in them. "I am rather displeased that a person like yourself is near me and i am more displeased on the fact that you of all people are trying to give me advice to be with someone." her eyes grew darker. "I never wish to hear any advice coming from the mouth of the one person who dares bring shame to his own household. So go away. N~o~w"
As if a blizzard had come to the land, Jilk looks like he got frozen in it because Lacus' words just puts the chill of fear on his heart and pride that soon shattered it.
Jilk backs away staggering before he slumped and is covered in a blue pale aura like he just lost a great battle that tired him mentally and physically.
"S-Scary…" Marie muttered while looking a bit nervous towards Lacus' direction.
"P-Princess Lacus is….amazing…" Olivia said as she and Angelica looks rather tensed after seeing how Lacus made Jilk go away in an instant.
"I-I heard that she could bring men to their knees, but not like what i've just seen.." Angelica spoke after gulping.
"And she's supposed to be Julius' half sister?" Greg spoke, he wasn't the one who spoke to Lacus but her words felt like daggers attacking anyone who hears her.
The conversations ended as a few more continued while the Espada slowly arrives to its destination, a floating island with the inhabitants who are the Demihuman; Elves.
Some minutes later, the Espada docked to the harbor of the Elven island as the people on board are getting off.
Kira and the others got off the Espada, both stayed in a group while the remaining people are still doing some unloading, which is actually only occurring for the girls who gave instructions for the guys who are carrying their luggage while their exclusive servants stayed standing by their side.
"Hey, don't treat my luggage so recklessly." one girl commanded a guy carrying a big suitcase while walking down the stairs. "You dropped it, and your life is dead!"
"S-Sorry." the guy apologized.
"It is so demoralizing to see how you people bring demihuman as servants to the girls who are commanding the male students to do all the jobs." Hertrude spoke as she walks with Canard by her side, the princess seeing the matriarchy of the kingdom up close. "The Kingdom is rather cruel."
"Are you implying that it is different in your kingdom?" Kira spoke with a glance at Hertrude.
"Of course!" Hertrude replied while looking to have taken an offense. "There is no way for the principality to be engaged in such a primitive behavior."
"I wonder why they are so different?" Olivia asks in confusion. "Wasn't the Principality a part of the Kingdom' territory in the past? Why are they so different?"
"The answer to that question lies in the history, Livia." Angelica replied to her friend. "Best not to pry into it right now." she then took a quick glance at Hertrude. "And not when the Fanoss' first princess is with us."
As their conversation was going to progress, Marie made a scene.
"Hey, what happened to treasure hunting?!" Marie shouted. "Let's hurry up and go look around! I want to find the treasure now!"
"You want the treasure that badly?" Hertrude spoke with an amazed tone as she crosses her arms and looks at Marie. "You're the saint, right? I'm starting to wonder if you're too attached to money."
"What do you know?! Over on my side…" Marie spoke while looking irritated. "my parents put me into debt without my knowledge and now I have to pay it back! Besides, it's painful having no money!"
"Marie, it'll be alright." Greg comforted Marie with a smile. "Julius and the others are working, so we'll get your debt sorted out somehow."
"A Saint that has a debt to be paid." Kira whispers as he looks rather sceptical at Marie for a moment.
"Is there a problem, Kira?" Hachi asks Kira.
"I believe so." Kira replies as he looks away. "I'm just not sure if it is a problem yet."
"Let's focus on the adventure," Angelica spoke out as she looks at Kira. "We should talk with the residents of this island first and then.."
As Angelica was speaking, Kyle raises a hand.
"Let us go to the Village chief's home." Kyle spoke out.
"Village Chief?" Greg said. "You know this place like you've been here or what?"
"I know this place because this is my homeland after all." Kyle replied before he turns and begins walking away. "Please follow me."
Everyone followed Kyle as the young elf walks through the forest with a stance like he is familiar with the area.
"Geez, if this was your home, you should have told me, Kyle." Marie told her demihuman servant. "I would have prepared a present or something."
"No, there is no need." Kyle replied in a flat tone.
"K-Kira-san, doesn't it seem strange? Kyle-kun's behaviour that is?" Olivia asks Kira who glances at her. "He's returning to his home, so why does he look so down?"
"I don't know how to answer that, Livia." Kira replies as he looks back at Kyle. 'but i can tell that he actually dislikes something related to his hometown.'
"We should think of that matter later." Angelica said as she looks at Kira and Olivia before to the front. "We should think of the adventure we are having."
"I can understand your excitement for the adventure because you are a descendant of an adventurer, Angelica-san." Hachi spoke before making a few beeping noises. "But it is rather confusing on the race of inhabitants of this island."
"Confusing?" Olivia asks.
"Perhaps you are also unable to comprehend the fact that there is a race called the Elves?" Luxion spoke as the metal sphere floats near Hachi's copter drone. "As a fellow AI, would it not be beneficial for us both to collect and exchange information on these so called Elves?"
"Hey, Luxion. The hell you doing there for?" Canard spoke in a rather annoyed voice and having a glare at his AI partner who is being friendly with his foe's AI.
"I am merely intrigued with a fellow AI who has been on the side of my curiosity for quite some time." Luxion replied turning its red lense towards Canard before turning towards Hachi. "Do you wish to exchange any available information you possess regarding the elves with the information that i have?"
"I have already analysed all basic information regarding the Elves from various available sources, i only cannot comprehend the coming of their race." Hachi replied. "There is no recorded evidence on how they were even to have existed centuries ago." the copter drone then rams Luxion away. "and i do not wish to exchange information with an AI who has been trying to hack into my systems."
"Both are quite lively, aren't they?" Lacus said with a smile as Kira nods after chuckling a bit. Both are a bit amused to see how Hachi and Luxion conversed as fellow AIs.
Some time passes and everyone is getting a bit impatient.
"We have been walking for quite a while." Hertrude spoke out as she looks side to side and only sees trees and bushes. "Is this really the forest where elves lives? I don't see a single one and i see no sign of the Dungeon at all."
"We have arrived." Kyle spoke out as he stops and points a finger at front.
Everyone stops and soon looks amazed to the sight of a calm, but fairly developed village. The buildings were mostly log houses and the town had a sense of unity. All the villagers are beautiful and nice figured elves who wore outfits clinging to their bodies.
"OH MY~! HOW BEAUTIFUL~!" Marie swooned at the sight of the beautiful male elves who are like total hunks for her.
"Elves are basically well-favored in looks," Jilk spoke while placing a hand over his chin. "but do not seem to judge beauty by outward appearances like how humans do."
"Oh, is that so?" Marie replies as Jilk nods.
"They judge based on the magical power that one holds." Jilk replied while pointing a finger out. "Due to that, they have almost no preferences in terms of looks."
"No preferences.." Kira spoke after hearing Jilk's words, he thought about it for a moment before he remembers the elf demi huma servant that Zola has with her. He close his eyes, shakes his head, and sighs at the same time. "It would make sense now."
"What would?" Angelica asks, hearing what Kira just said.
"Nothing, I was just speaking to myself," Kira replied while shaking his head.
As everyone walked into the elven village, Olivia notices how Kyle look rather angry at something.
"Is something wrong?" Olivia asks Kyle who glances at her.
"Don't talk to me." Kyle spoke as he turns and looks back to the front. "If you're trying to fulfil a sense of self-satisfaction by acting worried about me, then stop." he squinted his eyes. "I absolutely hate people like you who tend to get the wrong idea."
"I-I was just!" Olivia cried out but Hachi stops her from trying to defend herself.
"Olivia-san, please remember that Kyle is Marie Fou Lafan's contracted servant." Hachi spoke out. "It is impolite to be involved in a matter that only his Master may be allowed in it."
"B-But…" Olivia frowns as she was just worried for the young elf.
"Livia, please be considerate of your standing." Angelica told her friend who frowns even more.
As the group keeps on walking in the village, one of the elves who is a woman with green hair, yellow eyes, and wears a nearly patched up outfit came running to them, but at the direction of Kyle.
"Kyle~!" the elf cried out as the group stops and sees her coming. Kyle however had a look of disdain for a moment in seeing the coming elf.
"An acquaintance of yours?" Kira spoke to Kyle who sighs then adjusted his posture and moved to Marie's side as she was talking with Jilk about something.
"Master, this woman here is my mother." Kyle spoke as the elf had come and started to look a bit confused. "Her name is 'Yumeria'."
"EH?! YOUR MOTHER!?" Marie exclaimed in shock.
"Is she really his mother?" Kira asks as he was bewildered on the sight of a person who looks incredibly young to be a mother of a young boy who is almost 14 or so.
"Elves are known to be a race with a long lifespan, Kira." Hachi told the young man as they watch Marie being all flustered with meeting Yumeria who is doing the same. "She may look young, but she may be older than you yourself."
"Um, oh! N-Nice to meet you!" Marie cried out in greeting Yumeria with a head bow to which the elf did the same.
"P-Pleasure to meet you too! Thank you for taking care of Kyle!" Yumeria cried out, she and Marie keeps on bowing repeatedly to each other.
After calming down the situation, Kyle explained the situation to his mother while looking uninterested.
"Everyone wants to enter some historic ruins that are in this town. We need permission from the village chief, so we're heading over to give our greetings." Kyle explained in quick detail before he turns and walks away. "With that, please excuse us."
"wait, Kyle!" Yumeria cried out while looking sad. "You've been away for a long time, but you don't need to talk like we're strangers…."
"I cannot," Kyle replied flatly. "It is because I am in the midst of my job after all."
Yumeria looked hurt as her son's own words were cold and that made Kira hardens his gaze at Kyle after hearing it.
"H-How can you say that!?" Olivia cried out. "Your mother wanted to see you and you just push her away like she is a stranger!? Apologize to her this instant!"
"Don't get so commanding with me, commoner woman." Kyle spoke with a hardened gaze. "I'm Marie's exclusive servant, and I only hear her commands. Not yours."
"Hey!" Angelica looks angry from seeing Kyle's attitude on her friend, she was about to give him a piece of her mind when Kira raised a hand and stopped her.
"enough." Kira spoke while looking at Angelica. "Do not be involved in this ended matter, Angie."
"But Kira!" Angelica cried out but Kira shakes his head and then looks at Kyle.
"You know the location of the village chief's home, correct?" Kira asks.
"Indeed." Kyle replied with a small nod.
"Very well." Kira said before he turns to the others. "I shall go and be the representative of our group to be present in the meeting with the village chief." he glance at Greg. "I'm temporarily leaving you in charge to watch everyone, Greg. understood?"
"Yeah." Greg nods while crossing his arms.
"Hachi." Kira glances at the AI's copter drone that was soon accompanied by 6 more drones that came flying in.
"I shall strictly supervise our Fanoss guests while protecting the Princess." Hachi spoke while there are a few drones that are flying away. "and I shall also scout the ruins ahead and survey its structure for safety."
Kira nods before he glances at Lacus.
"Remember to be cautious, Kira." Lacus told him and Kira nods before he turns and looks at Kyle who is talking with Marie at the moment.
"Hey, Kyle. are you alright?" Marie asks with a confused face. "You've been acting weird lately."
"I'm the same as I always am." Kyle replied before he looks at Kira. "The village chief's home is here."
Kyle walked ahead, not even glancing at Yumeria who looks sad.
"Why is he so mean to his own mother?" Angelica whispers as Olivia nods while curios about the answer to the question.
"It's fine. It's my fault." Yumeria spoke with a sad smile. "I'm an unseemly misfit, after all."
"Misfit?" Kira heard her words as he was following Kyle, he thought about the meaning before he decided to think about it later and focus on the task at hand.
Kira enters a large wooden residence which is the home of the village chief. He stands before the village chief who is an elf as expected but with the appearance of a young man with a beard and seems to be in his late twenties.
"You want to visit some ruins within the village?" the village chief spoke to Kira who nods.
"This adventure is done on the request of the Saint." Kira replied. "Is it possible?"
"The ruins are a sacred place for the village, so it would be tough." the chief replied while pointing out a finger. "You won't be able to obtain permission so easily. I don't think the other village chiefs would allow it." he then sighs while shaking his head. "Furthermore, the village elder is quite stubborn. There's no doubt that you will face opposition to enter the ruins."
"Other chiefs? The village elder?" Kira spoke in confusion.
"Our island consists of several villages and therefore there are many village chiefs who formed the villages as one town." the chief explained. "And the village elder is an old woman whose strong point is divination." he shrugs his shoulders once while closing his eyes. "I've heard that in the past, there were many guests who visited the collective chief, but her power has currently weakened and there are often times where her divinations aren't accurate either."
"I see…" Kira spoke.
"I'm sorry, but you might have to give up. Though, we frequently visit the ruins and have found no treasure there." the chief continued while crossing his arms. "Searching for some would be fruitless."
"How can you be certain that you searched all of the dungeon?" Kira asks.
"Us elves are free to enter and exit it as we please, and there are even many people who go there on a whim." the chief replied while shaking his head. "We've exhausted ourselves searching through it, but contrary to everyone's hopes, there's no treasure to be found."
Kira looks a bit skeptic at first as he felt like he shouldn't believe in the village chief's words.
As Kira was thinking on what to do next, there was a furious pounding on the door that swung open for a female elf to come barging in uninvited.
"Village Chief, it's the elder!" the female elf exclaimed before the village chief suddenly grabbed a nearby ornament and tossed it at the woman, hitting her head, "ah!"
"hey!" Kira exclaimed in seeing the action as the village chief ignores him then goes to the female elf and begin hitting her. "What insolence, running over in a commotion and pounding on the door! How many times do I have to tell you? Apologize to the guest!"
The village chief hits the female elf multiple times before Kira came and grabbed his arm then pulls him back.
"Stop it!" Kira stated as the village chief brushed his hand away.
"Don't interfere." the chief retorted with a scornful look. "This is important elf etiquette. If we're not careful, the children will learn bad manners. That means their worth as slaves will diminish."
"And you believe doing such things in front of your own guest would assist that?" Kira asks as he grew an angry look in his eyes. "Do you?"
The village chief looks back at Kira before he smiles.
"Please excuse my rudeness." the chief spoke before he looks at the female elf. "Now, what did you say about the village elder?"
At the plaza area of the village, there is a gathering of elves who are looking to one elder elf who has an assistant and a large cane to support her walk.
Kira with the village chief came walking into the scene, the young man to his comrades while the chief went to the elder.
"What is going on?" Kira asks about the reason for the crowd of elves nearby while going to Lacus. "is there something going on?"
"the elder of the village seem to have come and causing the commotion." Lacus said before directing Kira's attention to the elder at the center of the village. "there."
The elderly elf looks very pass over her 100 years or maybe even more. Her back was hunched over and her eyes were slanted and it is hard to tell if they are open or closed.
The elderly elf muttered something to her assistant who is another elf who is younger and is wearing the same native outfit.
"I will convey the words of the collective chief!" The elf announced loudly. "Do not enter the ruins again. At this rate, you will incur the wrath of the Demon Lord!"
All the elves began to chatter amongst each other on the words of the elder chief that is confusing them.
"Collective Chief, what do you mean by demon lord?" the chief asks in confusion. "In the first place, aren't the people from other villages entering the ruins too?"
The collective chief muttered something, and her assistant listens then speaks.
"Do you think that the collective chief knows nothing? She's aware that you all are heavily involved with the ruins." The assistant elf gave a hard glare like gaze at the village chief. "The collective chief is leaving a message. Don't come into contact with what's taboo. Don't enter the sacred ground of the elves."
The surrounding elves were shocked, but the collective chief and her assistant were serious.
"Is this a divination?" Luxion asks Canard, the metal orb hovering near his shoulder. "are elves known to be able to use such powers?"
"how would I know?" Canard replied while crossing his arms on his chest. "but divination and everything, sounds bogus."
"do you not believe in such things, Master?" Luxion asks.
"where I come from, there's no such thing as divination and prayers or anything alike with it." Canard said while looking away. "there's only survival of the fittest that needs luck, guts, and a will to live. Just that."
As many chattered about what the elder chief just told, Kira and Lacus are curious about something else.
"a Demon Lord? What's that?" Kira asks.
"I have information about a demon lord/s that comes from references to children and fantasy story books, but not one coming from Holfort Kingdom." Hachi responded after a few beeps. "perhaps this Demon Lord is of an old tale not recorded in the books?"
"perhaps not." Lacus said while cupping her chin and ponders about something. "there has been many old tales of the kingdom that has not been recorded in the history books, but I'm certain that the Demon Lord is a phrase to something else."
"but we just don't know what, is it?" Kira said and Lacus nods.
As everyone chattered, Marie came and faces the elder.
"hey! Wait a minute!" she cried out loudly. "Someone take me to the historic ruins! I absolutely must capture the treasure!"
As Marie keeps on proclaiming her need to get the treasure, the collective chief's eyes widened at Marie before she begins to whisper a message to her assistant who listens and then nodded a bit hesitantly.
"you are the Saint, correct?" the assistant asks Marie who nodded while looking a bit prideful.
"Oh, you could tell? Yes, I'm a saint. If you understand that, then-" Marie spoke before getting cut off by the assistant who says.
"You're allowed to enter the ruins. The saint brings along the old demon lord. That is the future the collective chief foresaw in recent months." The assistant waves a hand to the side and Marie looks confused and surprised.
"eh!? Really!?" Marie asks in surprise. "wait! A demon lord!? What does that mean!?"
"there it is." "the elder is really going senile these days." "it's getting confusing whether or not her predictions are true or false." The other elves chattered ad whispered to one another.
"Just what is going on here?" Angelica asks, confused as to what is going on. "first they said that no one is allowed to the ruins but when that girl comes into the picture, they changed their minds? Just why?"
"I think there's got to be something to do with Marie-san being the Saint?" Olivia stated while a bit hesitant. "I mean, she's the chosen Saint and all?"
"The time of judgement has come. Will this island sink, or will it remain?" the assistant elf once again speaks on the behalf of the elder. She waves a hand towards Marie and the others. "These people will not be allowed to interfere. The collective chief warns all to sit still and wait for the appointed time."
afterword, the collective chief and her assistant left the village and the chattering villagers who are all talking about her warning and predictions.
"does this mean we have permission to enter the ruins now?" Olivia asks Angelica who nods while a bit confused.
"Maybe?" Angelica replied while cupping her chin. "it's hard to tell with all those warnings and all."
Some time later, within the Elven island's dungeon.
The interior of the Dungeon is rather futuristic in design but everything is overgrown with tree roots, ivy crawling to the walls and the floor.
Kira and the others came into the scene as they walked within the Dungeon with the accompany of the village chief who is watching over them.
"This place is just a big messy garden." Greg said as he steps over a large tree root.
"with the dungeon being near a forest, it is not confusing as to see why everything is overgrown." Jilk added in.
Everyone besides Kira and Lacus gave their remarks about the Dungeon's current condition, but Olivia just looks rather excited.
"Amazing! Look Kira-san!" Olivia goes near a closed metal door and pointed to a broken card reader panel on the side. "This object is found in other ancient ruins! The form is a bit different, but that thing near the door is a feature of ancient sites!"
"yes, I can see that." Kira said before one of Hachi's little drone came and projected a red laser beam that scanned the broken card reader then flies back to him. "is it repairable?"
"no. it has been damaged beyond repairs." Hachi replied. "and the interior room behind the door has nothing of value because there are roots of a tree that has overgrown inside of it."
"with nature growing amok, I don't believe that any object we find might be functional." Lacus spoke as she comes near Kira and Hachi before motioning towards a nearby opened doorway that they could not enter because of a large tree trunk that grew out. "everything is possibly damaged."
"Hachi, any possibility of finding still functional equipment in this area?" Kira asks Hachi who beeps a few times while the drones move around.
"no, all equipment in the area are no longer functioning." Hachi replied as one drone comes to a control panel box that has moss growing around its frame. "I have located some items of interest but they are also damaged and beyond repairs."
While Kira and Lacus ventures first with Hachi accompanying them, the others look rather displeased because of the lack of treasure.
"is there really no treasure?" Angelica asks in a disappointed voice.
"I had my hopes up when I heard that these ruins belong to the elves and all…" Jilk spoke as he looks disappointed as well.
"Did you really think that we would find ruins with treasure so easily?" Greg spoke out while coming near Jilk. "It's fun because of the chances of finding nothing. Though, it's also quite novel for us to go this far and still find nothing."
As everyone keeps on looking, Canard and Luxion stops and turns to look at Hertrude who looks rather disappointed like the others.
"hey, what are you waiting there for?" Canard said while turning to face Hertrude. "let's go."
"I know." Hertrude replied as she sighs and slowly follows. "I was just pondering for a moment."
"or perhaps you were expecting to find treasure?" Luxion asks. "do you have the same fascination for treasure just like the nobles of Holfort Kingdom?"
"isn't it obvious?" Hertrude replied. "the Fanoss Dukedom used to be a part of the Holfort Kingdom's noble society and we adore adventurers like them." She comes near and then walks pass Canard. "although that may change over the coming time."
Canard and Luxion looks at Hertrude before to each other.
As everyone keeps on venturing into the Dungeon's ruins, they got to a corner and stops because they find nothing at all.
"why is there no treasure~!?" Marie cried as she looks tired from all the walking. "I don't want to do this anymore! We've come this far and not a single gold to be found! Why!?"
"it'll be alright, Marie-san." Jilk comforted Marie. "We can search for a different set of ruins and go on an adventure together with his Highness and the others."
While Jilk was comforting Marie, Angelica walks towards Kira who is with Lacus and Hachi, the three still watching their surrounding for any objects that interests them before to the blonde girl.
"Kira, what should we do now?" Angelica asks with a hand under her chest and another held up ad waved to the side. "we don't find anything here. So should we withdraw at this rate?" she then motions to the village chief nearby. "It seems like the village chief here with us is bothered as well."
"I can see that.." Kira spoke before he glances at Hachi. "have you finished surveying the entire ruins, Hachi?"
"yes. 99.99% of the ruins' layout have been compiled into a map and.." Hachi replied before beeping a few times and the gears in its lense moves. "it would seem that I found something of interest."
"What is it?" Lacus asks.
"It is another AI that seems to be in a dormant state and located…" as Hachi was about to explain, the village chief came with a disgruntled look on his face.
"Have you had enough?" he spoke while crossing his arms on his chest. "There's nothing worth seeing in these ruins."
"yes, we know." Kira said before he looks a bit sceptic at the village chief. "but why do you wish for us to be away from the ruins so eagerly?"
"these ruins are the historical ancestral grounds of the elves, of course I want you all to leave." The village chief retorted.
"even so, we have the permission from the elder and therefore.." Lacus spoke before everyone felt the ground shaking a bit. "t-this is!?"
Everyone looks at the floor and cracks begin to appear at the center before it spreads apart.
"get away! The floor is breaking!" Angelica shouted as everyone tried to get away from the cracking floor that spreads even more before creating a large hole.
"kyaaa! Help me~!" Marie screams for help.
"Marie/-san~!" Greg and Jilk tried to save her but they were too late as the floor below Marie cracks and breaks then made her fall into a hole.
"damnit!" Canard quickly grabs Hertrude and threw her towards Kyle who caught her but fell.
"Canard!" Hertrude cries out as her bodyguard fell into the hole.
"wha!?" the village chief also falls but Kira quickly catches his hand and then held to the edge.
"hang on!" Kira exclaimed as he slowly pulls the village chief up but his ground cracks and soon enough he falls along with the elf. "wha!?"
"Kira!" Lacus gasps as she quickly tried to catch Kira but she was too late.
"Kira/-san!" Angelica and Olivia cries out as they goes near the hole but was stopped by Hachi's drone.
"do not come any near! The flooring is weak and any more weight on it will cause it to break and everyone will fall!" Hachi stated while Luxion flies into the hole, going after Canard.
"but Kira is!" Angelica exclaimed.
"I shall go and ensure that he is safe." Hachi said before the drone follows Luxion into the hole.
Everyone stands near the hole as they look at how deep the hole is.
"Kira…" Lacus whispers, praying that her beloved is safe.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye