Chapter 3: The Special Region
Light shined through the gate, and Itami emerged into a new world. He struggled to take it all in. Bright blue sky brought sunlight down upon vast grassy plains and an expanse of snow-covered mountains behind them. Peering through Forest's dragon eyes, he spotted small settlements in the distance and a coastline further off, with forests leading up into higher hills.
"So beautiful." Itami said.
"Home." Pina muttered.
Suzaka and Crusher flew in close behind. The samurai focused less on the environment and more so on their quarrel. He grinned and pointed to the base of the hill. Itami looked down and saw Pina's wide grin. There rested a mighty army. Tens of thousands of men gathered around a city of tents and wooden fortifications. Walls, ditches, and spikes protected the camp. The centermost portion flew a purple banner depicting a dragon with a yellow blade cross in the center. Itami remembered it as one of the banners brought by Pina's forces. Thousands more of the legionaries they encountered in the commune moved about in the camp alongside men equites riders, wyverns, and archers.
However, these forces were not alone. An assortment of different contingents flying different banners joined the legions. They wore less standardized gear of mail or scale armor. Some wore none at all, including many minotaurs, pig monsters, and other mercenary beasts. Itami guessed the other humans were vassals of the Empire brought as auxiliaries.
"Impressed, barbarian?" Pina boasted.
"We shall see." Itami said.
Remembering the promise to his parents, Itami set about his duties as a captain. He handed Pina to a pair of Royal knights to keep under guard while Bruno did the same with Bozes. Together, they directed the forces under Itami's command and began building their own defenses along the hilltop. Soldiers continued to pour in all morning as those already in the Special Region started digging trenches, planting stakes, and setting up war machines. Others set up their encampment around the gate and unloaded provisions.
Itami helped his men and labored away with a shovel while Bruno shoved stakes into the openings. His magical roots made the work far easier for common soldiers as they cleared up much of the dirt, and Forest scooped up larger quantities with her paws. Both glanced at Suzaka further off, who knelt down and drank tea while surveying the enemy army before them. Bruno rolled his eyes while Itami sweatdropped.
"He is here for battle and glory."
"Ja, but he could help."
A few of the soldiers chuckled before snapping to attention and bowing. Itami wiped some sweat from his brow and looked up to see what was the commotion. There, a young man his age in black dragon-esk magicae armor and a matching epaulet jacket cape with the Imperial Coat of Arms on it stood before him. His golden blonde hair was cut short, and bright blue eyes like the sky met Itami's.
"Ahh guten tag, cousin."
"Itami." Prince Frederick said.
Bruno shook his head and grabbed Itami before dragging him down into a bow. The men and Forest chuckled, and even Frederick got a laugh.
"As you were, preparing the hill for battle is more important than bowing." Frederick's black dragon, Drache, said.
Frederick was roughly Itami's age and size. Kaiser Joseph's third son and uncle to four sons by his oldest brother and two by his next oldest, his prospects for taking the throne were only a little better than Itami's. Still, Joseph entrusted him with such an important task.
"You acted promptly, Itami. I suppose miracles can happen, mon ami." Someone else chuckled.
Another young man with short honey-blonde hair stepped beside Frederick. He stood a few inches taller at six foot eight with a powerful body beneath his silver magicae armor and epaulet jacket cape. A pair of green eyes fitting his handsome face met Itami, who rubbed the back of his head.
"I have been known to act promptly, from time to time, monsieur Jean."
Jean de Maître was a Royaume knight in Frederick's retinue and his champion. A silver dragon came up behind Jean before nuzzling Forest, who wagged her wail and whined with pink cheeks.
"Easy Silver, we'll have time for that after the battle." Jean said.
"I'll hold you to that, Jean." Itami said.
Frederick stepped up closer to the hill's edge and beckoned Itami over with Bruno. Together, they all looked over the army below them. Itami took note of the catapults and ballistas being set up by soldiers and how primitive they appeared compared to their war machines.
"What do you think?" Frederick asked.
"They make me think of what the Aurevitas Empire's armies were described as looking like in all those manuscripts." Itami answered.
"Ja, the similarities are eerie. I suppose certain military tactics are universal." Bruno said.
"Vielleicht, but you two fought them the other day. I need a rundown."
"Well, cousin, our combat against them was limited and in an urban setting, not a field. Still, we can give you what we have."
Itami and Bruno both gave a detailed breakdown of what happened and how the enemy fought. Frederick and Jean both nodded and chimed in every few minutes. Jean noted how the legionaries' tactics were just like those of the old Aurevitas legions.
"No equoferri, but their cavalry was heavy. They will probably have light cavalry, too." Bruno said.
"Ja, I can see some." Drache said.
He continued looking over the opposing army alongside the other dragons. Itami noted the local humans' smaller size compared to them, which Drache confirmed. At last, they came to the subject of magic.
"They possess magic wielders, but not among their dragon riders. Chaplains can absorb it without issue, and it seems they do not have a means of absorbing magic. At least none that we know of." Itami said.
"Unmöglich, that changes warfare entirely." Frederick muttered.
"As far as we know. I might have just gotten lucky against that old man. We should not make any assumptions." Itami added.
"Oui, I agree. Father, be good. We will not need to fight them at all."
"Vielleicht, but we must be prepared, Jean. Keep preparing the fortifications. We'll send that equites Beefeater back as a translator to their Emperor, Molt Augustus, with Father Alram to negotiate. In the meantime, keep preparing for battle. Depending on how the talks go, we will assemble a council of war over dinner."
Frederik and Jean departed with their dragons. By midday, Itami and Bruno's muscles ached from hours of manual labor, working them up a big appetite for lunch. Together, they enjoyed a grand spectacle alongside hundreds of soldiers, knights, dragons, and non-combatants. Laughter erupted in every direction, including Itami, Bruno, and Forest.
Pina and Bozes both screamed, then charged their foe once more. Their chivalric maiden opponent stroked her long silver hair that flowed down toward her waist and matched her eyes. She smirked at the two smaller women racing toward her. The young woman's brown dragon, who sat on the sideline, let out a soft huff and shook both of his heads.
"Try not to hurt them, Arda." One head said. "Nonsense, the rose-haired one needs a lesson in humility." The other head growled.
"Löwe, you're sending me mixed messages again. It's ärgerlich."
Without even looking, Arda blocked both incoming attacks and shoved the other women back. Pina snarled like a beast and tried every method, from quick, precise blows to leverage and even dirty fighting, such as attempting to grab the Chivalric maiden's flowing hair. Yet, even with Bozes attacking in the other direction, their efforts proved fruitless.
After disarming the two equites, Arda seized them by the hair and lifted them up amid wails of agony. The chivalric maiden smirked in Itami and Bruno's direction, then arching her arms back, she cried.
"Achtung, Itami, Bruno, Catch!"
Pina and Bozes's eyes widened, and faces turned pale when they saw Arda transform before their eyes. She took the form of a brown human-lioness hybrid, complete with razor-sharp claws and long fangs. She also grew almost to Bruno's size and, with a thunderous roar, hurled the other young women through the air.
Itami and Bruno shook their heads but smiled and got up with their arms out. Pina landed first, then Bozes, both safe in the knights' arms, earning a round of applause from the crowd. Cheers came for Arda, too, who bowed in approval and waved to her adoring fans.
"Ouch." Bozes moaned and rubbed her head.
"I want a rematch!" Pina snarled.
She tried to break free of Itami's arms but lacked the strength and started to groan. The prince chuckled before gesturing to the nearby table.
"How about some lunch instead, Pina? You must be hungry."
The princess puffed up her cheeks and tried to look away, but a loud grumble escaped her belly and Bozes's. At that, she offered no resistance as they sat down. Bruno poured some wine for them, and Bozes almost squealed with red cheeks.
"Ahh, careful, fraulien. That's Royaume vintage, very strong."
"Humph, it's probably nothing for people as big as you." Pina grumbled as she sniffed the alcohol.
"I don't know if you noticed, Pina. But I am rather small for an Aciemes man." Itami said.
"Ja, and I am considered quite small for my people." Bruno said.
"Eh?" Bozes muttered and turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"I may be Reich, Bozes. But I come from the Dutchy of Polonia. Many people call us giants."
"Ja, you should see what some of the bigger men from there look like." Itami laughed.
"So wonderful." Pina took a long swig of wine.
Itami waited a moment before she coughed and spun in her chair with swirled eyes before she collapsed into his lap. Bozes cried out in fear for Pina while Bruno and Forest laughed. Pina remained in the prince's lap for several minutes, not that Itami minded. He gently stroked her head while they watched the next round of sparring.
Suzaka and Jean faced off in an earth-shaking sword match. Both young men's blades moved like flashes of lightning, one after the other, sending sparks in every direction. The samurai started to sweat and grit his teeth as Jean pushed him back. Crusher tried to intervene, but Silver slammed him back with her tail. After another few minutes, Jean slammed Suzaka onto the ground and held him there, earning more applause from some while others groaned and paid up to those they made bets with.
"Humph, battling each other for entertainment. You are barbarians." Pina muttered in a slurred voice.
"I find it rather fun."
Itami said and imagined the match as a painting. Perhaps he should make it that night if negotiations went well. Yet, as he looked back down at Pina and her scarlet face, he imagined painting a picture of her. The thought sent a warm sensation throughout his body, but not one of simple lust or desire. She was beautiful, but there were so many beautiful women in the world, and Itami wanted more than that. Perhaps there was something else about the strange princess that enticed him. Her spirit, determination, or perhaps it was just how she made him laugh.
Itami thought about what his mother said before they left, about finding him a wife. The prince shook such thoughts away. He could not marry Pina, and even if he could, they just met. Sensing his thoughts, Forest wagged her tail and licked Itami. He gave her an exhausted sigh but then saw his dragon gesture toward Bruno and Bozes.
The two lost themselves in conversation about their lives. The young blonde woman turned a little pink but gave a bright smile and went on about herself and listened to Bruno, too. Forest nudged Itami again, and he rolled his eyes before relenting.
"Pina, what are your plans should peace be reached?"
"Humph, what makes you think we want peace? You were foolish enough to bring your army here where my father can crush you. We are no longer in the domain of your shepherd god, but our gods-" Pina started.
"That is, if you win, Pina." Itami said. He smiled at her, but she shivered a little from the hint of iron in his tone.
"We-we won't lose to barbarians. My father will not accept terms of weakness. Once he wins, I will reform the Rose Order and ensure loyalty this time. I may even allow some men to join to fill in the gaps."
"Really, your father does not have other plans for you. Perhaps a political marriage."
Itami's smile grew when he saw her cheeks puff up again. Despite this, the princess remained in his lap but let out another 'humph' as she glared toward her father's army. "My prowess will convince him I can be of more use to him as a commander."
"Ahh, so that's why you wanted to become a soldier, to ensure you are not sold off like chattel."
"Shut up!"
She howled and sprung up, turning her back on Itami, who sweatdropped. With a sheepish smile, he held his hands up. Forest shook her head at him and growled.
"If that's not it, why did you form your order?"
Pina started to ease her shoulders a little and sighed. She sat back in her chair and took another swig of wine while gazing off into the distance. After what felt like an eternity, she spoke.
"I never saw my father much when I was a little girl. He is the Emperor and has so many duties and responsibilities, but my brother Zorzal was always so close to him. I spent all my time with nannies while Zorzal remained at my father's side. At sixteen, he first joined in on a campaign and told stories about how he slew three orcs and a barbarian warrior. Father showed him with praise, while I listened and saw the pride in father's face."
She took a deep breath, and after another long gulp, Pina collapsed back into Itami's lap. Once more, he stroked her hair with a gentle hand and gestured for her to go on. Speaking a little faster, thanks to the alcohol, Pina said.
"At eighteen, Zorzal got to lead an entire legion and won a battle against one of our rebellious vassals, and my father gave him a triumph parade. Zorzal even let me ride in the saddle with him."
For the first time that day, a smile spread across Pina's face. She lost herself to the precious memories and clasped both hands together.
"That was when I knew what I had to do. If I could become a great commander like Zorzal, father would be that close to me too. So I gathered the other noble girls my age and asked Zorzal to train us."
"Did he?" Itami asked. He savored the way Pina's eyes lit up.
"He taught me how to ride and even brought a retired equites drillmaster to help instruct us. Years of hard work and training, only for father to make us nothing more than honor guards, decorations."
"Perhaps he was just worried you might get hurt or worse." Itami said.
"Humph, your parents let you come here." She muttered.
Itami's stomach turned to stone as he thought about his mother's tears. The knight shook such thoughts away and focused on his duty. He asked the Father for strength and soon found it as he smiled again after a thought entered his mind. It was foolish and reckless, but perhaps it would prove funny. He pinched Pina's cheek and said.
"This could still end peacefully. Who knows, we are both members of the opposing royal families. Maybe we will to get married as part of the agreement."
"Ehh!?" Pina turned bright red and sprung up.
Bozes and Bruno's heads shot over to them as Pina scrambled away, only to almost fall out of her chair. Snickering, Forest caught the young woman with her snout and pushed Pina back into Itami. The princess tried to push herself away, but the dragon kept nudging her back until Pina snarled.
"Damn dragon! As if I'd marry Itami!"
Bozes covered her mouth while Bruno snickered. Itami savored Pina's reaction, especially as Forest refused to let her go.
"It was just a suggestion. I have never cared that much for official duties."
"What?" Pina said.
Her rage subsided into curiosity. Itami gave another spaced-out expression and put both hands behind his head.
"I love my parents and all, but if I had my choice, I would rather capture and create beauty through painting than fight in wars. But alas, as a noble, there are expectations of me, and thus here I am."
Pina's mouth hung open and almost hit the ground. She sat there for almost a minute with trembling hands and fidgeting eyes. Bozes waved a hand in front of her face but got no reaction. Finally, the princess lit up with a fiery aura, seized Itami by the collar of his jacket and tried to shake him. However, she lacked the strength and merely rocked herself back and forth.
"Are you mad!? You have the chance for real honor and glory, and you'd rather be an artisan!?"
"War is not a good thing, Pina. It is a tragic reality of our fallen nature. I do what I must for my Empire and the Father, but I would rather paint."
Itami retained his dreamy expression and smiled as he spoke, but Pina huffed out like a dragon with a nerve twinge in her forehead. She ranted on for several minutes until even Bozes had to cover her face in embarrassment. Itami, however, did not budge and kept smiling before placing both hands on Pina's shoulders. She went silent and pink again as he stared into her eyes.
"The world is beautiful, Pina, yours is too. I want to see more of it instead of killing. More beauty, like you."
Pina almost yelped, and a little steam shot from her ears. Bruno nodded approvingly at Itami while Forest panted and wagged her tail.
"Painter! Your cousin wants to see us." Suzaka groaned.
All eyes turned to the samurai, who gestured toward Beefeater and Father Alram, who rode back into the camp. Itami took a deep breath and nodded, his heart racing a little. They joined Frederick, Jean, Arda, and the other officers in the command tent. There, they stood around a table while Beefeater read from a scroll.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Molt Augustus of the Saderan Empire-" Beefeater went over another fifteen titles before Frederick held a hand up.
"Fraulein, get to the message if you please."
"Humph, after due consideration. Emperor Molt Augustus demands the return of all prisoners, including his daughter, Princess Pina and her Rose Equites-"
"I'm not going back!" Sherry cried and hugged Freidhelm tight.
"Nein and neither are the others unless I hear what he is offering in return." Frederick turned to Alram who sighed.
"I am afraid Emperor Molt Augustus does not consider us on equal grounds and considers our proposal of keeping an outpost here at the gate an insult." The priest groaned.
"Blutrünstige Heiden, does he not care what happens to his daughter?" Freidhelm growled.
"Herr Freidhelm, we cannot harm the lady or any prisoner. It is a crime against the Father." Alram said back.
"Seriously? You won't take advantage of your prisoners?" Suzaka scoffed.
Bozes shook and held onto Bruno, who kept an arm around her and gave the samurai a warning look. Pina found herself doing the same to Itami but tried to appear unafraid.
"No, father Alram is right. It would be sinful to do them harm." Arda said.
"Perhaps, but this Emperor Molt Augustus need not know this." Drache growled.
"We cannot deceive these people if we hope to evangelize them!" Alram shot back at the prince's dragon.
"Regardless! We must focus on the task at hand. The gate cannot be left undefended after what happened. My father insists on this. Return to your emperor and tell him we will keep an outpost on this hill, and then we shall return his daughter, along with those who wish to return."
Itami joined the others in prayer that Molt Augustus would agree to these terms, but as they finished, he noticed Pina whisper something to Beefeater. It lasted a moment, but a moment only before the violet-haired woman nodded. Forest growled, and Itami grabbed Pina with narrowed eyes.
"What did you tell her?"
"Nothing." Pina muttered.
Itami looked up, but Beefeater was already gone. He tried to sleep, but not knowing what Pina said to Beefeater lingered on his mind like a nagging whisper that would not go away. When morning came, he groaned and had to get a bath of healing water from a priest to get up and ready. He petted Forest as she ate some dried meat when horn blasts erupted throughout the camp.
"Zu den Waffen! The enemy is ordering for battle! Zu den Waffen!"
Itami went still and stared blankly out of his tent. "Scheiße."
Author's note
Greetings, I hope you guys are enjoying so far.
If you guys are interested in the world Itami comes from, I have written a novel set in the equivalent of Spain. The story is on my Wattpadd account under Fictionknight2 and is called Righteous Ambitions: A King's Journey. It is heavily inspired by anime like One Piece and Fairy Tail and also takes inspiration from history. If you are interested, please consider taking a look.
As for this story, it is already completely written so I am afraid I cannot take requests for characters.
So until next time,
Please review, comment, suggest, or ask (VIA PM)