"Talking"
"Thinking"
[Status Magic or other reference to a system or power]
…
But she was far from alone. She also knew that he likely was torturing some other demi-humans now.
She quietly resolved to save them. After that, sleep came a little easier.
...
The following morning, everyone stirred awake from the smell of something heavenly. Van, Naofumi and Raphtalia were already up. They had Van send servants out to gather supplies from town, while Naofumi made a huge breakfast for everyone.
Things were bad, but every little comfort helped. They also needed to get up early to discuss how they were going to explain the plan to the kids. They both agreed to not lie to them, but if they just told them outright, Monti would likely be against it.
Filo smelled the food, stood up in her bed, and proceeded to run straight for the door. Stepping on Monti, Teal, Leon, and Ake. She avoided Melty and nearly stepped on Eclair, but she dodged even while sleeping. They all started waking from that and upon smelling the food, made their way to the dining room.
"Filo smells something yummy~!" Filo ran in the room to see Van and Raphtalia setting the table, while Naofumi brought the dishes in one by one.
"No eating until everyone has their plate, Filo. You know the rules." Raphtalia said.
"Boo~." Filo then went back to the room.
The kids and Melty were leaving the room already, Eclair was getting her armor on, and Ake was doing his best to pretend he heard nothing.
"Filo wants to eat!" Filo yelled while grabbing Ake's leg and dragging him from his bed.
"Wha-Ack! Stop... help!" Ake tried begging as Filo was pulling him down the hall, begging Eclair for help.
"Just think of it as training." Eclair said dismissively.
Eventually, everyone was seated and they dug into the nicest meal they had ever had. Van provided the raw materials and so Naofumi was able to go all out for the first time. The meal was more than enjoyable and did more to lift their spirits than all the words they tried wasting the prior day.
They all kept eating happily, but Teal, and then Monti, realized there was something wrong. Naofumi and Raphtalia saw this and gave them a look of 'in a minute'.
After everyone was full, Naofumi spoke to the kids.
"Listen. We talked to Liviccic and Sophia last night. We have a clearer picture of the situation and we cannot just leave. Our exit is blocked and everyone who has been nice to us is in danger..." Naofumi said.
"So how do we help?" Monti asked.
"We have a plan, but we know that some of you won't like it, so we want you kids to know why." Raphtalia said.
They even prefaced it as something some of them wouldn't like. They were skeptical, but they trusted their parents completely.
"I'm sure whatever it is, it's something that'll help." Teal said.
Leon nodded in agreement.
"We hope you see that as well... The greater lords of this country are gathering in a specific way. They are readying their troops and waiting for their allies to reach them before joining their forces. They are the enemy." Raphtalia said.
"...There are a lot, huh?" Monti asked.
"Yes. Their numbers are really high and they have a lot of strong individuals among them... We will need the queen to win, but even now, the numbers are not in our favor..." Naofumi finished, eyeing Raphtalia to speak.
"One of those greater lords is nearby. He would be the last to join the warband. We need to do all we can to stop this threat... For everyone's sake... So we are heading there to kill the greater lord."
"You mean we will capture him, right?" Monti asked for clarification.
"No." Raphtalia's voice and eyes were as stone, unmoving and certain.
"...Why?" Monti could not imagine his sweet, ever positive mother saying this.
"...As all of you know, I was a slave... Your father was not my first owner. I had three previous owners. The first two were more or less the same, they bought me to clean. I had fits of night terrors before your father and so I screamed every night. Both times I was sold back for keeping them up at night."
The kids listened intently. While they knew of their parent's past a bit, neither ever went into too much detail. What was being said now was obviously hurting Raphtalia, so they listened closely to her words, so she'd never need to say them again.
"My third owner was that... monster. I know what I've said to you, Monti, but this beast is no person. They bought me, not to perform a task, but to simply be tortured."
They all flinched, even Naofumi. He knew it was bad, but...
"He whipped me every day while he said whatever he believed would hurt me the most and wanted nothing more than for me to cry, but I wouldn't. My parents told me it was important to smile, even in the worst times. They wanted my life to be filled with happiness... and it is now."
Eclair was feeling a sense of guilt building. Raphtalia's suffering was because of the Seaetto family failing to protect its people.
"That man's whip never broke me, nor did his words. I want to be clear that I was faithful to my parents' words for as long as I could... Something else broke me... Having destroyed my personhood completely, he sold me. That was what he wanted from me. He is too wicked to be given quarter. So that's why-" Raphtalia went to finish, but saw Monti's eyes.
They were filled with a fury. While all the kids were angry, Monti was about to go berserk. The spirals in his eyes turned slowly, just as they did during the wave. Both Naofumi and Raphtalia took note of that.
"Stop. Mom. If talking about it hurts, then don't." Filo said with the kind of concern she rarely offered.
"It does, but I wanted you to understand the reason. I know we like to avoid killing, but-"
"He's dead." Monti said with an anger he never felt before.
While not as outspoken, the others felt the same. They each quietly stopped thinking of that thing as a person.
Naofumi and Raphtalia only meant to ease their consciences, but they were now more than convinced. They all thought of Raphtalia as their mother without reservation and anyone who caused her that much pain was going to pay.
"Well, it looks like that is decided. I will gather my people." Van said.
"What?" Naofumi was confused.
"I must also act on this information. I have many demi-humans in my lordship and even more humans who have no issue with them. They would all be targets of this warband."
"Where will you go?" Raphtalia was concerned.
"I'll gather them into two groups. The majority will be sent into the northern wilderness a ways to stay hidden. They will be made up of the children, elderly and those unwilling to fight. I'll also have some hunters stay with them to secure food. The rest will go after you to Idol's province. Without their leader, they will be suppressed, if only long enough to take the slaves away to freedom."
"Thank you." Raphtalia said with a hand over her heart.
"What of Princess Melty's safety?" Eclair asked.
"She can stay with the others in the wilderness." Van offered.
"I'm going with Naofumi." Melty declared.
The table turned to her in surprise.
"Melty, I know you wish to convince us to stay, but-" Naofumi went to say.
"No... I've seen and heard enough... Your home was destroyed, your family nearly killed. All you've done for us and... Raphtalia's story... I can't just let you go off without my help. We've hurt you so much, so I need to do what little I can to help. It's my burden as the one who holds the name Melromarc." Melty said, stubbornness clear on her face.
"Dad, Filo will protect Mel-chan, so..." Filo, of course, sided with Melty.
"I'm against it." Eclair said.
"Me too." Ake agreed.
It looked like Melty was going to be overruled.
"...I'd like Melty to come. I'd like the future ruler of this country to see the parts of it that need fixing the most." Raphtalia said.
The opposition died.
"I will." Melty promised.
They prepared for the assassination of Idol Rabier.
...
Opaltown
...
The warband waited outside the gates of Opaltown as the mercenaries marched into the forming army. Lord Wagner (Lv 55) and his son, Eadwig (Lv 41) both joined the other greater lords.
"Oi, Wag! Good to see ya! Surprised you aren't wearing gold!" Lord Averill greeted.
"If I could get gold to work well enough as armor, I would. That said, this armor is the best money can buy, wahaha!" Wagner responded.
"You think so? Were you able to fit any useful magical effects in it between all the finery, Wag?" Lord Langiva asked.
"I don't want to hear that from you, Lang. Your armor has little metal." Lord Wagner taunted.
"Unlike you and Av, I'm not a fatass. I dodge attacks." Lord Langiva countered.
As they continued, Eadwig directed the troops, wishing his father would just shut up.
"Ah, young Eadwig. A sight better than your old man." Lady Grimwald greeted.
"Greetings, Lady Grimwald. At least you're here. I thought I'd have only their word to suffer." Eadwig admitted.
"Yes, please ride with us up front. You've class upgraded, right? You're befitting a seat amongst us." Lady Grimwald was desperate to have someone else to speak to.
"Lord Aldreick is with you, no? He is fine enough company." Eadwig wanted to escape that fate.
"Indeed, I am. It is good to see you. I heard you've had a daughter of your own recently, congratulations." Aldreick said, peaking forward for Eadwig to see him.
Aldreick also needed to scout Eadwig. He wanted to spare him if he could.
"Ah, yes. Little Monica is just the cutest thing that ever was! Just yesterda-... I'm not falling for that." Eadwig was nearly tricked into gushing over his daughter.
Doing that would allow them time to convince him to stay with them as they traveled.
"Please Eadwig, Wag is nearly another Av. I beg you." Lady Grimwald pleaded playfully.
"Someone needs to make sure the mercenaries behave. They are not used to military protocol or such strict behavioral guidelines. Without oversight, trouble can arise... Also, I had to deal with that man for 27 years, you can deal with him a few weeks." Eadwig said as he joined the mercenaries.
"And they boast of my cruelty." Lady Grimwald said, pouting.
The other lords continued their conversation.
"I heard you got in a bit of a mess with the savior of the heavenly fowl? How'd you manage that?" Lord Veramir asked lord Wagner.
"You only want to bring up the bad stuff. 10 years of proper management and you say nothing, a single mistake and you want to hear every detail. You're such a woman, Vera." Lord Wagner tried dismissing it.
"10 years of you doing literally nothing and getting paid. The moment you actually try anything, you fuck up your father's legacy." Lord Veramir goaded him.
"..."
"..."
Suddenly Wagner pulled out his weapon, a morning star head as large as a man's torso on a chain of over 50 feet. He threw it at lord Veramir with speed unbecoming of a man his age. Lord Veramir drew his greatsword which was covered in curses. He struck the weapon, a massive shockwave forming. The mounts freaked out and the normal soldiers fled a bit away. In the next moment, lord Langiva's Glaive was resting on Veramir's shoulder, while lady Grimwald's knife was at lord Wagner's throat.
"Now, let's all play nice. Vera, don't take it out on Wag. Idol is the one you're really mad at. Wag, don't fall for these taunts. You know they're nothing new." Lady Grimwald chastised the both of them.
The two disengaged and took their places at the front of the warband. They got to moving again as soon as they could. They had three more stops, three more lords, then the battles would begin.
...
Briarhaven
...
The night before, Sophia helped Fitts and Chloe leave the city. Sophia had full authority to use the gate, but if they ran into the heroes or the princess, shit would hit the fan. So instead, they climbed the wall and ignored the gate entirely. Chloe didn't need the help, but Fitts certainly did. It was fortunate for them that Sophia could make a web rope and walk on any surface. She saw them off before returning.
Currently, Liviccic was traveling to different sections of the town with Silvius. They were discussing things while Silvius did what he could to educate Liviccic on the details he thought he needed to know.
"My men reported that the heroes suspect you of something for some nonsensical reason." Silvius informed.
"If they try something, they have to fight 100s of soldier, then 100s of zombies... I believe the princess will play nice in the short term, which means the spear hero won't act. The bow hero doesn't seem to do anything at all, so I think he'll continue his inactivities." Liviccic said.
"So the sword hero then?" Silvius concluded.
"Yeah. He killed Gaelion and nearly killed Leon. He is quick to act and he seems to be the strongest of the three." Liviccic reasoned.
"I'll have an extra set of eyes on him." Silvius said.
The two walked throughout the kitchens, observing the meals being made for the men. Silvius showed the difference in quality between the food they can make to eat in town versus the quality of food they can prepare for travel rations. Silvius did this while listing the cost of both meals, which were roughly the same.
"So I should find excuses to let the men eat in town more? If they cost the same, but one treats them better..., but there will be times that their convenience is out-weighed." Liviccic concluded.
"Precisely." Silvius was pleased with Liviccic's progress.
He was all work in public and even sometimes in private. Silvius even started liking Sophia. She was firmly in Liviccic's corner and had a number of abilities that were very useful. Seeing her secure such important information and capturing Fitts unharmed were the best examples. There was the problem of securing an heir, but they'd address that when the time came to entertain something other than war and death.
"These cooking areas are quite uncomfortable, far too hot. Can nothing be done about it? The cooks work too many long hours for this to be acceptable."
They continued discussing things when they caught sight of Itsuki inside the inner section. They were caught off guard, as they had not been told he entered. They decided to go see what he wanted.
"Greetings, Bow hero. Is there something I can help you with?" Liviccic tried being nice.
"Oh, it's you... I was just looking for the kind of bows these knights use. I was told they all hunt, so they must have a standard issue bow, right?" Itsuki sounded needlessly rude.
"Yes. Not every knight uses a bow though, they learn to use three weapons each. Most of the time that includes a ranged option, but they also know magic so-" Liviccic was bragging about the Briarhaven knights.
"I don't care. I didn't ask for that dialog option. Where's one of those bows?" Itsuki dismissed
"Stop disrespecting the l-" Silvius went to correct him, but Liviccic waved it off.
"Ah, yes... Sorry to keep you. I assume you want to copy one? I'd have to charge you, but you are welcome to it." Liviccic did what he could to keep things calm.
"I'm not paying, that's ridiculous. You lose nothing... How do you know of the copy function?" Itsuki asked.
"Shit." Liviccic needed to keep what he knows and what he should know in mind more.
"Ah, I guessed right? I heard the heroes went around stealing from blacksmiths yet nothing was missing. The rumors made it all the way here." Liviccic lied.
"Tsk. Nothing was stolen, we just copied them." Itsuki refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
"A blacksmith has to use nearly everything they've ever learned on each thing they make, not to mention the physical labor and the heat. To just copy their efforts without offering them anything is exploiting them while belittling them." Liviccic was lecturing Itsuki.
Itsuki ignored him and made his way to the blacksmith's area. Liviccic and Silvius followed, trying to get him to stop. Itsuki didn't see the bows at first, but near the fletcher he saw them. Really nice bows made of darkened wood, sliver, monster horns, and animal leather. They all looked the same, but all high quality.
Itsuki went up and touched one a moment and then his bow transformed into it.
"This is pretty good." Itsuki whispered as he looked it over.
The worker saw this and rushed towards Itsuki. Liviccic intercepted the upset man.
"Lord! Did you see what he just did!?" The man was confused and angry.
"It's okay. The bow hero already paid for it. He just couldn't wait to get his hands on your quality work." Liviccic lied with a smile, handing the smith two gold coins.
Silvius gave Itsuki a look. Itsuki seemed even more upset as he left in a huff. Liviccic spoke to Silvius as he left.
"He was able to get in here as easily as Sophia or a shadow... We need to find out how." Liviccic said.
For the rest of the day and most of the following day, Liviccic did his best to avoid the heroes, which wasn't hard with a huge wall separating them. He had Sophia set up traps in a few places, trying to figure out how Itsuki got inside.
...
Military tent
...
The queen had just finished delegating work among her upper staff as a shadow entered the tent. At the sight of the shadow, they quietly bowed and left.
"I assume you've spoken to the young lord and secured his support?" The queen asked.
"Yes, my queen. He was most cooperative and knew quite a bit himself. He is gathering his strength and will do what he can to both thwart the coup and convince the shield hero to stay..., but he had news we had yet to receive. It's terrible. Melty pursued the shield hero and the church tried to assassinate her. It-"
"Is she okay!?" The queen broke character completely.
"Yes. She reached the shield hero before the attack and he is protecting her." The shadow quickly answered.
The queen sighed heavily in relief.
"Lord Blackcrown said they were en route to Briarhaven. They are now fully out in the open. They are trying to control the narrative, but many people know the truth and more will in time. Her own knights were heading there, dame Seaetto accompanying her directly."
"...Melty did excellent in the organizing of the wave, having all of Briarhaven at her side will be a boon like no other."
"I think so as well. Here. This is a letter from lord Blackcrown." The shadow presented.
The queen took the letter. It was three pages and rather helpful. It had a lot of Liviccic's observations about Naofumi and what he thinks would help in convincing him to stay. It also had a somewhat accurate listing of his men, their levels and such, allowing her to assume his strength properly. Lastly, it had a series of rather problematic requests, ones she could wait years before addressing.
"..." Neither spoke.
"Securing this fake family's safety truly is the key... At this point though, is there any amount of de-fanging I can do to those two that could convince him to not demand their heads? ...I can argue killing my husband may cause others to retaliate. For Malty... I'll need to go quite far. She'll never forgive me, but she may make it out alive..." The queen was thinking.
"I'd like you to attempt to make contact with the shield hero, if possible. Return to Briarhaven. I'd have you deliver a very important letter to the young lord." The queen ordered.
"It will be done." Was all the shadow said.
The queen wrote a letter slowly, stopping a few times and having to reference another sheet to confirm the accuracy of her statements.
"Here. Now, join my party. Once you reach the shield hero, you are to join his party so that I may have a constant communication with him and the young lord Blackcrown... Do not try to retrieve Melty. I have to provide her with as much time to influence the shield hero as possible. I have faith that he will keep her safe." The queen explained.
The shadow received the letter and bowed.
"It shall be done."
"Dismissed."
...
Briarhaven
...
Liviccic was doing his best to avoid the heroes and princess. That simple task was going great, until two days later, roughly midday he was informed there was an incident and rushed to the scene the moment he was informed.
A merchant was traveling the same route that the heroes fought on. The road was basically destroyed and the man's cart was in rough shape, but he was worse. He was thrown from his cart, impaled his knee on a rogue piece of wood and his cart ran that same leg over. He currently could not feel it.
Two of the heroes and princess Malty watched the situation passively from a slight distance.
Liviccic went to the man. His leg was in absolutely terrible condition. He pleaded for aid, but the knights thought it was too far gone. They believed they'd need to take his leg. Liviccic was pissed. It was his road that did this and the heroes left it a mess and thought nothing of it.
"Silvius, bring Sophia here immediately!" Liviccic ordered.
Silvius did not care for his own opinion and did as he was told. He ran off at full speed, which was quite impressive for a man in full armor. The heroes seemed to think they had nothing to do with it. Malty seemed to smell an opportunity and approached Liviccic.
"Lord Blackcrown, I know you may want to ignore the truth, but you need to remove the leg while you still can... It is wiser to concede when a chance still presents itself, than to foolishly hope for the best. If you don't... It'll lead to an even worse outcome." Her words had many meanings.
They were not lost on Liviccic.
The heroes looked in surprise as Sophia ran with Silvius back to Liviccic's side.
"What...is she?" Malty asked in disgust.
"Extra limbs aside... I think I'm in love." Motoyasu said, everyone near him sighing.
"He has no necrosis yet, what do you think?" Liviccic asked for Sophia's opinion.
"We'll need at least two of those potions." She answered.
Sophia began using her [Mending Thread] on the man while applying some of the healing potions they received from Naofumi. Liviccic thought to answer Malty now.
"As to your suggestion earlier, Princess. I believe jumping to conclusions before you fully understand what someone is capable of could lead to a lot of unnecessary losses." His words also had many meanings.
Once the initial healing was done, they had the man take a second potion. It looked promising. Liviccic was leaving nothing to chance, so he turned to his men.
"I want this man off of his feet, give him a week's stay at the local inn on me." Liviccic ordered.
"Heroes, how far out is the damage?" Liviccic asked.
They all seemed uncomfortable in answering his question.
"I need to know, spit it out." Liviccic wasn't in the mood.
"Calm down... I'd say 10-12 miles, roughly." Ren said.
"Why should I calm down? A man nearly lost his leg on a road within my lordship." Liviccic was facing them now.
Motoyasu tried approaching Sophia and she quickly placed herself behind Liviccic, draping herself over him. Motoyasu was very disappointed.
"Ignore them. There's something more important, right?" Sophia asked.
Liviccic knew she was right, he refocused.
"...Silvius, we can't spare the workers to fix the road right now. Send out a rotating assignment to caution those traveling the road until me can fix it." Liviccic ordered.
"At once, my lord." Silvius then turned to speak to the others.
Ren, Motoyasu, and Malty looked at Liviccic and Sophia with obvious distrust. Ren went to approach, but two more knights came running.
"Lord Blackcrown, there's trouble!" One called out.
"More? What now?" Liviccic was losing his temper.
"It's the bow hero. After Miss Sophia left your residence, somehow the bow hero broke into the house and began fighting your skeletons. There is a bit of damage." The other guard informed.
"What!?" Both Liviccic and Sophia yelled.
"So you do use skeletons? I knew you were a villain." Motoyasu commented.
Before they could move back towards the manor, Itsuki walked out of the nearby wall. He seemed upset that others caught him. He had been bypassing walls using his [Phasing Arrow].
"You! How dare you break into my home! I have half a mind to-!" Liviccic approached while yelling, but was interrupted.
Itsuki drew his bow and pointed it at Liviccic. "You were so easy to figure out. The only place no one was allowed was your home, so whatever you were hiding, it was obviously there. I go there and I find skeletons guarding the inside. You are an evil mage that twists the dead to your whim. I'll judge you." Itsuki said as he loosed the arrow.
But nothing happened, the arrow fell. Sophia placed a web holding the string pulled back to Itsuki's body, sabotaging the bow. Itsuki was confused and looked down to see what was wrong. Liviccic ran forward and punched Itsuki in his face with all nine people's worth of strength he had. It caved his face in a bit and sent him flying back.
"Capture the bow hero for the attempted murder of your lord!" Sophia ordered.
Everyone reacted. The knights all drew their weapons, as Ren, Motoyasu, and their parties ran to Itsuki's side. Malty was a little more aware of the situation and made no move at all.
As Itsuki stood and opened his eyes, he felt a bit foolish, Ren and Motoyasu agreed. Before them was a large number of strong knights, 40 or so and still growing. They thought they might have bit off a little more than they could chew.
"Myne, what should we-Myne!" Motoyasu went to ask Malty what to do only to see she was at a distance, not involving herself.
"Hero or not, you attempted to kill me. I shouldn't kill you, but if you do not cooperate at this point, I might have to see if your skeleton still counts as a cardinal hero!" Liviccic warned.
Everyone took a stance and prepared for combat.
"What is the meaning of this?" Came a new voice.
Many people turned to see the source and lowered their weapons at the sight of him. The only people who didn't immediately back down were the three heroes, Liviccic, Sophia, and Silvius. The person in question was the pope of the three heroes church, Biscus T. Balmus, accompanied by his five archbishops. They had just arrived.
"Why are you fighting amongst yourselves while the shield devil is at large?" The calm official asked.
Silvius answered, "The bow hero attempted to kill lord Blackcrown. We will be taking him into custody."
"Lord Blackcrown...? Ah, I see. It is a relief that you've returned, young lord. After what befell your father, I was fearful that you would be next." Balmus said smoothly.
Balmus was beyond ecstatic. He believed having a lord of Briarhaven meant that using its knights were possible, but that was only if Naofumi was unable to explain things.
"Speaking of, where is the shield devil?" Balmus asked.
Liviccic's side did not answer or even budge. Malty however answered.
"The shield devil escaped after we fought him and his brainwashed slaves. They ran away like cowards. They got nowhere close to here." Malty informed him.
"So the young lord is clueless and can be molded? Excellent!" Balmus thought.
"Lord Blackcrown, I'm sure whatever happened here was simply a misunderstanding. We have an enemy to fight. Why not stop here?" Balmus proposed.
"Is the killing of lords such a trifling thing? Is that why you've yet to produce that traitor Fitts? Briarhaven will not tolerate such things." Came another voice.
The other higher-ups in Briarhaven that knew the whole truth had also just arrived, one of them saying the previous statement.
"Is it the church's position that the heroes can just murder whomever they please?" Another of them asked.
Even if their loyalty was only holding true due to the curse on them, they were snapping at the church quite strongly.
The calm official traded looks with Balmus, then stepped forward to speak. "That is not the case, but we are nearing war. We ask for forgiveness and understanding. The heroes are needed, we can't afford to leave them locked up."
Liviccic knew he couldn't push for Itsuki's arrest right now. It would help Naofumi later, but he absolutely had to present himself as someone the pope could use.
"You are right... and you are wrong. Understanding is needed, forgiveness will not be tolerated. I can stop my pursuit of the bow hero for his crime..., but he has lost any right to remain in Briarhaven. How can we focus on anything with a killer at my back?" Liviccic stated.
"Don't let him fool you! He's evil! Would a hero do something like that without just cause!?" Itsuki yelled.
"If we are offering such ridiculous leniency towards the heroes, then the shield hero would get that same leniency, no?" Silvius argued.
Balmus wished he had arrived just a bit sooner. As things were, he had to side with Briarhaven to gain them as allies.
"As you say, some things cannot be forgiven. Murdering a lord is certainly among those things... Bow hero, I ask you to do what is best at this very moment. If we fight each other now, will not the shield hero benefit? Is it not, therefore, in the best interest of everyone here that you excuse yourself?" Balmus asked.
Itsuki looked furious. The idea of being seen as being in the wrong drove him up the wall. At the same time, the pope was the good NPC and did not outright say Itsuki was wrong. He understood. The pope was basically saying 'not now'. It was frustrating, but he knew he'd be seen as the hero in the end. The hero that acted graciously... Still, he nearly didn't concede.
"Fine. I'll go to the sight of the fight with Naofumi..." Itsuki said, not sure what to do.
Itsuki quickly left, his party right behind him. Motoyasu and Ren finally started seeing that pissing off the entire town was a stupid idea. They both decided to leave the area, where all these knights looked at them so harshly. Malty stayed, approaching as Balmus did, towards Liviccic.
"I am sorry for them..." Balmus waited until the heroes and their parties were out of sight, excluding Malty, before continuing. "They are not heroes in the least. A shame that we will suffer for now and solve when able."
Balmus revealed the plan to kill the heroes. He hoped doing this would please Liviccic. Liviccic saw this and played along.
"That is a small comfort. I hope that is done with more efficiency than the capture of Fitts." Liviccic said.
He had to play this right. If he was too agreeable, it'd be suspicious. By demanding action against Fitts, he was basically asking for something. A demand made him seem far from overly cooperative.
"I understand your feelings, young lord. A son's grief can be quite compelling..., but we must pursue him, not because of revenge, but for justice." Balmus responded.
He just agreed to pursue Fitts more, as expected.
"Regardless the reason, I want his head..." Liviccic reiterated.
"I can help you in that regard, lord Blackcrown." Malty offered.
"All help is welcome. If you were to bring me his head, I'd forgive just about anything."
Malty saw this as the answer to buying his loyalty. She thought how best to trick Motoyasu into finding the wanted man.
"Perhaps I need only to say that it would make amends. Moto would probably do it for that reason alone..."
"I'd like to speak to you in private, your holiness." Liviccic requested with a nod to both Sophia and Silvius.
When Malty went to follow, she was given a look by Sophia that said 'stay there'. One of the officials handed her a letter and they left Malty there.
The three of them and the church officials moved to a more secure location. Once there, Liviccic started.
"I assume you came to ask us to help you in your manhunt?"
"...Lord Blackcrown, would you say the crown's action as of late have been acceptable?" One of the officials asked.
"...No. They do not treat the waves as the threat they are, and I know for a fact that the church has done more to find Fitts than the crown... I believe my father would be ashamed of the state of Melromarc." Liviccic played along.
"Then to answer your question of this crusade against the shield devil... yes and no." Balmus began to explain. "The goal of the coming battle is not simply to slay him, but to gather all of our forces secretly. We believe the crown can no longer govern. The greater lords will gain sovereignty over the bulk of Melromarc, with the church gaining sovereignty over the interior surrounding the soon to be former capital." Balmus explained.
Liviccic and the others acted shocked as best they could.
"So Melromarc will be no more, but a series of smaller allied nations... that allow better governance." Silvius said aloud.
"Indeed. And you, lord Blackcrown, would be one such sovereign leader." Another official offered.
"...If my father was alive, he'd never agree to this." Liviccic said.
Silence filled the room.
"But that is because he is a man of his word. I've sworn no such oaths though. I'm free to pursue the best course of action without needing to worry about all that... Briarhaven will assist you, on two conditions." Liviccic decided.
Most of the officials were elated, the calmer one was not.
"Those being?" Balmus asked.
"I will not be joining the manhunt for several more days. Briarhaven is still quite disorganized. When it's in order, we'll join. In the worst case, you'd have to kill the shield hero without me. The second one... I want Fitts' head. I'll assist before that, but I want real effort put into catching him." Liviccic finished.
The pope and the archbishops exchanged nods, an easy agreement reached. They spoke a bit longer on a few things, but they needed to speak to Malty too. Once they left, Liviccic sighed in relief.
"I think we're good for now." Silvius said aloud.
"Yes... What's the plan?" Sophia asked Liviccic.
"...We'll organize and ready ourselves. We'll join the fight the same time as the queen. We'll even have the guise of being allies to help us approach without them contesting us. Once the fighting breaks out, we turn on them with lord Wymarc. In the best case scenario, their forces are surrounded before they realize there's an enemy army."
At this point things could go very well or horribly wrong.
...
With Naofumi and the party.
...
The party had flown most of the way in the two days and was now traveling on foot. They moved slowly, using Raphtalia's illusion magic when able, knocking out guards when unable. They had finally made it. As they crested a hill, they could see the town where Lord Rabier lived. A full town of stone, like Opaltown. They saw a lot of soldiers around, far more than normal. Could Idol be expecting them?
They only considered that for a moment before they continued.
.
[Author's Notes]
Monti is more than accepting of this one exception.
Melty is coming along.
The greater lords are quite volatile.
Itsuki is a dick.
The queen is updated with information that is already old.
Itsuki is an even bigger dick.
Balmus enters chat.
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