Chapter 11: The King of Alnus
While Itami and Pina flew back to their castle, Jean and Frederick flew toward Alnus Hill while Silver and Drache howled in delight. A broad smile escaped Jean when he looked down at the caravan below. A squadron of knights and a squad of Polonian men-at-arms escorted dozens of newly arrived settlers from the Special Region.
"Merci, Father, and you, Saint Petronas." Jean held a Christogram and savored the sense of euphoria flooding his body upon seeing so many people safe and sound thanks to their intervention. "I'd say your new subjects will have a high impression of their new King. Mon ami."
"Jean, enough of that. I'm not a king yet." Frederick muttered.
"In the eyes of your father and the Papst you are. That's what matters most." Drache said and nuzzled his rider.
"Why not just have yourself crowned now?" Jean asked.
"Because, like it or not, the Empire is still the dominant power here, and I would rather work with them. Once their ambassador finally arrives, we can begin negotiations, especially with these increased orc raids. Only after Emperor Zorzal recognizes me as a King will I crown myself."
"Oui, you're humble enough to be a good King, mon ami." Jean chuckled, and Frederick groaned but smiled back at his friend.
A week earlier, word arrived from back home that Kaiser Joseph and the Papst granted Frederick the right to build an Aciemes Kingdom in the Special Region and spread the Faith. Jean lost himself to the thoughts of everything Frederick could do as a King here. The churches he could raise, the people he could uplift, proper medicine, and laws.
"It looks like Tuka's been busy." Drache said.
The black dragon gestured down near one of the new villages. It was not just Aciemes influence that reigned there, for several small groves of exceptionally tall trees sporting a few treehouses with high elves and humans moving about them.
"Oui." Jean said.
His smile grew tender with a warm sensation that filled his entire being. The knight clutched his Christogram again and said a prayer in his head. "Saint Circe, merci. Please keep interceding for Tuka until she is fully healed. You are her guardian saint, great healer. Father, s'il vous plaît, heal your child and help me bring her out of her darkness."
Jean performed a holy sign and took in the beautiful trees again. His heart soared upon seeing a newly raised church built atop one with Christogram-wearing elves coming in and out of it. It might start at Alnus, but their new Kingdom would mix the best of their world with the best of this one and create something even greater for them all. Jean sat tall in Silver's saddle and beamed. He, from the most chivalric of all the Aciemes Kingdoms, while at his King's side, would ensure the true ideals of chivalry grew strong here.
As they approached Alnus Hill itself, Jean and Frederick took in the vast fortress that sprung up over where their camp once lay. The Riech Empire's banners flew over a series of turrets and battlements, with a series of smaller stone and wooden buildings within the complex and a grand castle in the center. As they descended upon the fortress, soldiers along the gate towers bowed before Frederick. More soldiers, knights, and fortress residents assembled for his arrival at the entrance.
Jean fixed his eyes on a great garden of flowers, trees, and other plants that almost glowed in the morning sun. With Silver's eyes, he saw through the lush foliage and saw the gardeners. Two nuns and a chaplain mixed their gleaming water with the magic of a few high-elf men and women. Within moments, more gleaming flowers sprouted from the ground. However, despite this beauty, Jean kept searching for the head gardener.
Forest panted and howled in delight when they spotted her. Tuka knelt before a small bush that sprouted jewel-like flowers. She wore an outfit similar to the high-elf women around her, consisting of a green and yellow shoulderless top that went down to the front of her waist and between her legs, with a white chest covering and a brown corset in the abdomen. White leggings went up to above her knees, leaving Tuka's thighs exposed, and a silver christogram hung around her neck. The wood elf had a somewhat peaceful expression as she grew more plants, but she almost jumped when one of the high elves came up to ask her something.
She muttered an answer but avoided her gaze and quivered a little despite one of the chaplain's attempts to calm her. Jean grimaced and took a deep breath. Forest let out a thunderous howl, and Tuka yelped again. As Jean climbed down, he spotted the wood-elf sprinting from the garden toward him, tears in her eyes.
"Jean!"
"Tuka-" He started before she ensnared herself around him.
"You said you wouldn't be gone long!" She sobbed, tears forming in her eyes. "It's been hours!"
"Pardonne-moi, mon amour. We had to rescue new arrivals from another orc raid. It's my duty as a knight to protect the innocent."
"Hmm, ok. But you're not leaving again, are you?" Tuka muttered and held onto him tighter. However, he replied with a tender smile and ran his hand through her soft blonde hair.
"No, mon amour." He leaned in and pressed his lips against Tuka's. She turned bright red and almost yelped, but after the initial shock, the wood elf melted away into his strong arms.
Frederick shook his head but smiled at his friend. Forest panted fast and wagged her tail. She tried to nuzzle them both, but Tuka shivered and tried to back away. Jean and Forest's joy vanished a little, and they sighed. However, after a moment, she clutched her Christogram tight and muttered.
"Saint Circe, heal me, Saint Circe, heal me." Shaking worse than ever, Tuka stepped out from behind Jean and let Silver come close enough to touch. The wood elf grimaced with both eyes clenched shut but allowed the dragon to nuzzle her. Silver whined in delight and wagged her tail, and Jean's heart melted. Frederick, too, found himself overcome with a warm smile, at least until he saw his officials approaching with parchment and other forms.
"Los geht es, looks like fun time is over. I have a domain to run. Jean, I'll leave you and Tuka to tend to the affairs of agriculture, but I plan on visiting the town tonight for supper. Meet me here before then." Frederick said.
"Oui, going to visit your girlfriend again, I see, mon ami." Jean chuckled.
"Jean, it's good for my people to see me among them. That's why I visit there regularly." Frederick muttered, at least until Drache snickered.
"Ja, that's why you insist on visiting her tavern every time."
Frederick turned a little red and departed with Drache, his officials, and a royal knight escort. Jean shook his head a little while Tuka blinked.
"Girlfriend, you mean the tavern maiden?" She asked.
"Oui, mon amour. Not that he'll ever marry her, especially since he is to become a King here. Still, I've seen the way he acts around her and how happy she makes him. Almost as happy as you make me." Jean kissed Tuka's cheek, and she blushed harder but smiled again.
"Come on, you heard him. We have work to do." Giggling, Tuka took Jean by the hand and led him back into the garden. Once there, the others greeted him while he returned the favor. Yet, they did not last long, for Tuka went right back to work. Her subordinate gardeners breathed a sigh of relief at the wood elf's renewed sense of purpose.
"Alright, so we've been working on something special, Jean. By combining your chaplains' water magic with our nature magic, we are not only growing plants faster but stronger, too. Take a look at this plum tree."
Tuka gestured to a gleaming tree with blue plums that shined in the morning sun. She plucked one of the succulent fruits and offered it to Jean. "Merci, mon amour." Jean took a bite, and savory juices filled his mouth with a rich flavor. Beyond the delightful taste, the enhanced fruit washed away the last of his fatigue and muscle aches from the fierce melee against the orcs and trolls earlier that morning. It reminded him of the sensation one got from healing water. Aciemes food already carried similar effects from its magical enhancements, but this took it to the next level.
"Magnifique, mon amour. You and your gardeners have outdone yourselves."
"Thank you!" Tuka beamed with pink cheeks. "Soon enough, we'll be able to do the same with all our crops. People will grow up healthier and free of disease."
The chaplains and high-elves nodded with similar enthusiasm. Yet none of them could match Tuka. All the fear and anxiety they had seen on her from a distance earlier vanished now that he was by her side, and she led him through the rest of the garden without delay.
Elsewhere, Suzaka and Crusher flew past two castles where the samurai spotted young noble boys from their world training in the tilting yards in the art of chivalry. They hacked at pells, grappled, sparred, and jousted against quiltons or each other while riding equoferri. Suzaka thought back to his own days back home training to be a samurai. Even then, years later, he grimaced and rubbed his arms, still feeling the welts and bruises from his father and uncle's ruthless methods. A slight smirk grew over Suzaka's face when he saw one of the knight instructors beat two adolescent squires to the ground with a combination of swordsmanship and punches.
"Is that you, Uncle Tatsyua? Those two will become fierce knights one day, for certain. " The samurai chuckled with Crusher. Upon closer inspection, they also spotted ordinary Reich soldiers drilling in the fields. Seasoned sergeants adorned with battle scars howled louder than dragons at the young enlisted men, and Suzaka's eyes widened a little when he realized that almost half the recruits were high elf, demi-human, or Special Region men. "How about that. They're already willing to fight for the Aciemes. This will make things interesting."
A few minutes later, their destination came into sight. A walled town resting near the base of Alnus Hill, bigger than any of the other settlements in the area, save Italica and Alnus Fortress. The Reich Empire's banners flew over the wooden towers with a few squads of Reich soldiers patrolling the dirt roads.
"I'll give this to the Aciemes. They work fast." Suzaka chuckled. Of course, the influx of local settlers certainly helped. Most of the buildings remained wooden and Aciemes in design, but the samurai noticed subtle Special Region influences too, though far more refined thanks to the Aciems technology. Even from the air, Suzaka and Crusher heard the clanging of blacksmiths laboring away on fine Reich steel, leaving many local settlers in awe as they inspected the quality.
Crusher grunted when the foul smell of new leather filled the air above them. Suzaka had to cover his nose while they passed over the tanner's shop but took a closer look at the fine apparel on display, including a fresh pair of black boots set down before the tanner returned to some animal hide with his wife and son. "Hmm, maybe we ought to do a little shopping while we're here."
The Kaigai dragon panted in delight while nodding after a far better smell took hold of them. Suzaka, too, salivated from the overwhelming scent of fresh bread and seasoned meat coming from a bakery and butcher's shop nearby. A loud growl escaped the samurai's stomach and his dragons. Both looked at each other and within moments, Crusher landed in front of the meat vendor, kicking up a cloud of dust and scattering a dozen frightened townsfolk.
"I'll take your most delicious item. Price is not an issue." Suzaka said and tossed his heavy coin purse up and down, much to the demi-human with wolf ear's delight. He wagged his tail and nodded.
"Absolutely! Lena, how about something from your home!" He howled.
"Ja, I have just the thing." A Reich woman wearing an apron came out, and a minute later, Suzaka's pink cheeks filled with meat.
"Bratwurst." He clenched the sausage close and wolfed down another bite. Crusher took another ten from a bucket laid before him but chewed slowly, his eyes sparkling in wonder. Even if greater glory still evaded them, at last, there were things to enjoy here. Within the hour, Suzaka walked the streets wearing the black boots he had eyed earlier.
All around him, Special Region humans, demi-humans, and high elves went about their day, making up most of the town's population. Suzaka noticed that over half now wore christograms around their necks, with more joining them every day. Crowds gathered before Reich preachers who captivated their listeners with the gospels of their God, the Father, and his saints. Suzaka, however, rolled his eyes while passing them.
"Better hurry, Crusher, or they might come after us again." The samurai muttered. More than once since arriving in Aciemes lands, they tried to convince him to convert too. At the very least, he appreciated they did not require it of him to join their side, nor did his refusal come with any noticeable judgment or hindrance from them. But the code of Bushido had to come above all. If he accepted this Father as his highest authority, Suzaka could not properly give loyalty to anyone else who might deserve his service back home. Then, there were the other matters.
Suzaka glanced at a demi-human young woman near a street alley with cat ears. She was scantily clad and purred at passing men while gesturing toward herself with a seductive gaze. However, her business proposition ended when a patrolling Reich soldier approached. She hissed like a cat and tried to run off but ran straight into a Reich nun and fell backward to the ground.
"Come along, fraulein. It's time to learn why you deserve better than the path you've taken." She said before dragging the demi-human prostitute away. Such 'occupations' were illegal in Aciemes society, not that Suzaka minded too much. Paying for a woman's body was beneath a samurai and just showed they were not man enough to get them by charm alone. The downside to the Fidels Faith's insistence on purity outside marriage was the effect it had on everyone.
The moment he came here, Suzaka fantasized about his glorious conquests, not just of monsters and worthy opponents, but women too. The high elves and demi-humans were proved fine specimens, and even now, a sly grin emerged across his face after passing a few. However, it vanished upon spotting their wedding rings. His pool of potential bed partners dwindled each day. Crusher whined a little and tried to nuzzle him, but Suzaka still sighed.
"Maybe I'll just get a drink." He searched for a tavern before hearing muttering from a nearby alley, thanks to Crusher's ears.
"These damn invaders, they think they can just come here and force their way of life upon us." Someone growled in the local dialect.
Curiosity peaked. Suzaka and Crusher carefully crept up against the edge of a building near the alleyway and peered around the corner. There, three shady-looking men carrying weapons and adorned in leather armor sipped on alcohol while staring at a stone idol of a local god.
"Humph, what was it their damn priest said? Oh yeah, 'if you want to pray to your heathen idols, you are free to do so, but not in our town.' Hah, as if locals didn't really build this town."
"It's our world, too! Look at them over there. Just who do they think they are!?"
Suzaka glanced where they pointed and sweatdropped when he saw a Reich chaplain and nun serving a fresh meal to the town's poor and homeless while another nun healed their injuries.
"I've got it." The lead thug said with a malevolent grin. "I hear that church of theirs has gold and silver in it. I say tonight we sneak in, steal everything valuable, then burn it down."
"Yeah, and leave an idol of Emroy there. That'll show em'-"
"Sorry, but no." Suzaka said, and all but appeared before them.
The thugs almost choked on their booze and scrambled to their feet, weapons drawn. Suzaka stood almost a foot taller than each of them and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, insects like you lot are not worth my time, but as a samurai, I am duty bound to aid those I am in service to. In this case, it is the Reich, so I'm afraid I cannot let you cause trouble here."
"He's one of the invaders!"
"Perfect, we can leave his body on display-" One started.
Crusher growled and almost came around the corner but stopped when Suzaka held his hand up.
"Look, you three have obviously had a bit to drink, don't do anything stupid."
Suzaka groaned when they tried to surround him. Shaking his head, the samurai grabbed his katana by the hilt but waited until they lunged at him. Without moving from that spot, Suzaka drew his katana, made three slashes, and then sheathed it. Within moments, the thugs' weapons fell apart into scraps of metal and wood, followed by their leather armor and pants. All three turned pale and quivered as if buried in snow, then ran off screaming.
"Fools." Suzaka picked up the idol they left behind but then smashed it to pieces against the ground. He almost went back to his tavern search when Crusher picked up more voices.
"Come on, knife ears, I'll pay you real good."
"I told you, I'm not here for that. Back off, human." The soft voice somehow growled back.
"Do you know how long I've searched for a proper working girl in this damn town."
Suzaka's heart raced when he heard the woman grunt. He and Crusher sprinted through the back alleys until they found the source. A heavyset thug in leather armor, like the others, struggled with a young woman draped in a black cloak. A twinge of terror ravaged his nerves after the man pulled a short sword on her. Yet just as Suzaka gripped his katana and readied some gravity magic, he blinked when the young woman performed an acrobatic kick to her attacker's head.
Once free, she whipped out a thin sword and parried the incoming slashes before slicing deep into the thug's arm. Blood poured out, and he wailed before fleeing, leaving his blade on the ground. A slight smile grew over the samurai's face after watching her form. He whistled, not meaning to do so, but impulse forced it out. Crusher shook his head, and Suzaka sweatdropped with a sheepish expression. The samurai tried to raise his hand, but it was too late.
The young woman raced at him and slashed high, only to meet his katana. He held her there with ease, and Suzaka almost heard her gritting teeth. Moving back, the cloaked woman attempted an acrobatic kick followed up by another slash. Yet Suzaka blocked both with ease and then grabbed her sword arm by the wrist. She thrashed about, trying to break free, but to no avail, and soon, her sword fell to the ground.
"I'm not going to hurt you. I-" Suzaka went silent after her cloak fell free. His eyes glistened, and scarlet overtook his face when he saw the young woman. She was an elf, but not like Tuka or the high elves. Instead, she had long silver hair and light brown skin, almost matching her eyes. She wore purple colored lipstick, the same color as her leggings and top, barely containing her elegant figure. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he ever saw in his life. Crusher agreed by the way he panted and nudged him. Just then, she gasped upon seeing Crusher and started to tremble.
"Ahh, he won't hurt you, he-"
"Are-are you one of the warriors who drove off the Flame Dragon!?" She cried.
Immense pride swelled up inside Suzaka, who stood at his tallest height and nodded.
"Hai, I am."
"Please!" She wailed and seized his hands. Tears filled her eyes. "I am Yao Ro Dushi, of the dark elves. You have to help us!".