THE REBORN PLANET - 4
The three spent the rest of that night in the hot springs, resting their now tired bodies from all of the trouble the day had brought. Cu in particular was out of commision for the time being, that last battle had nearly done him in.
If it hadn't been for the others finding him, he very well could have met his end right then and there…
He got lucky, that was it, and he knew that fact very well.
Inside the palace, Nero looked down upon her city…
Despite everything that's happened yesterday they all still do what's needed of them, some even seem to be pushing themselves harder then usual. Their dedication would be rewarded absolute, she swore that unwaveringly.
Hakuno sat up as best as he could.
"Something worrying you?" He asked.
He couldn't say he didn't have his own, but nonetheless..
"No, I know our subjects will look after their own, but, still… I know we may also lose some… Whether it be another attack like earlier today, maybe another tomorrow" She paused momentarily…
"After the months I spent with them all, while you were still asleep. I grew to love them all. It pains me to see them suffer like they did yesterday, worse that I had to end the life of one. He did not deserve what happened to him, he should have never had to feel the end of my blade for any reason. I know what may be coming, and I'm not looking forward to it." She said.
He had seen her like this before, though the circumstances were much different. He'd known for a little while now that something had been on her mind…
"I know how you feel, I don't like whats happening here either," Hakuno replied to her.
He couldn't stand up like he had the night prior, it was the first time he'd been able to hold himself up since he'd awoken. But still he tried to move over to her as far as the bed he sat on reached. She turned to him, worried at first, but it quickly turned into a smile as he no longer struggled to look up at her.
She leaned in and held him close, embracing him.
"My king, maestro, it's wonderous to see your health improve, and in such little time" she told him softly.
Hakuno hugged her back, resting his cheek on hers.
"I could honestly sleep like this" he mumbled without thinking.
He heard her chuckle quietly, having something clearly in mind…
She carefully laid him down before crawling in next to him.
"Come, roll over maestro" she said, lightly pulling his sleeve.
He did as she said, she embraced him yet again, guiding his head to the top of her chest, right under her chin.
"I can hear your heartbeat," he said softly.
She smiled at his comment, taking a deep breath.
"We'll handle this, just like we did in the holy grail war, with your commands, and my ability, we can conquer any land and fell any foe, were unstoppable my king..." She told him.
"Yeah, that's right, so no need to be fearful my queen" Hakuno said back.
Nero halted right as she was about to speak, and let out a hearty laugh.
"Umu! Maestro! May you never change!" She told him cheerfully as she hugged him tightly, kissing him several times on the cheek.
It wasn't long after that they fell asleep, cradled in each others arms.
The next three days were spent searching for the remaining cultists who'd escaped that night, Cu gave a general description of them, and the one they'd captured was quick to speak, unlike what he'd been back then.
They learned that wasn't the only base they had made within New Rome, according to him, there were three others, all located within the city itself. Two were found quickly, and dealt with promptly with New Rome's full force led by Nameless. Despite her protests, Hakuno had Nero take him with her as she helped search for the final base. They had no idea what they may find in there, if anything at all, as the last two bases were not what one would call heavily occupied. They all hoped there'd be something more in this last base.
"Any luck on your end, empress?" Nameless asked seriously.
"Nothing as of now, but don't give up. It's here. Just last night, we caught two more cultists. Hopefully, they'll tell us something," she replied.
"Has Iskandar come back? Maybe he could help?" Hakuno asked.
He could utilize his army for such a purpose, and doing so would definitely quicken up the search.
"Not yet, apparently, something had happened while he was away, one of his men informed me this morning on the matter, apparently a riot broke out over scarce resources and he's stuck trying to sort it all out" Nameless replied.
A riot? Must have been quite the ruccuss if HIS army couldn't even quell it… Then again, knowing him his residents are probably all soldiers themselves…
"Tell the next man he sends that if he needs assistance we'll send a few of our own over to help, it's all we can do as of now" Nero ordered.
"I see, it will be done," Nameless replied.
He and his platoon set off, searching every last inch of the city. Nero carried Hakuno to the top of the walls and started walking down the north west side.
"You think they might be trying to leave," Hakuno asked.
"Maybe, I couldn't say, there's a good chance they might try though" she replied, looking over the side of the wall.
She knew for a fact they were still in the city as of now, the captured cultist made that clear enough.
"We have guards at every opening. They only sneaked by before because of the corrupted servant that attacked Nameless on the eastern wall…" Hakuno said.
"Yes, you're right, that means if the guards aren't seeing them then they have some kind of back door" Nero suggested.
"Exactly, there has to be, there's no other way to get past this places security without one"
New Rome's walls were nearly impenetrable, a full-on assault wouldn't work no matter the scenario, unless they had an extremely powerful servant, or something on par with one. Even an army of corrupters would be hard-pressed to get in without a good distraction.
"You're still as sharp as you were back then my maestro" Nero complimented.
"And you're still just as strong, and good looking I might add" Hakuno responded.
She couldn't help but giggle a tad at his comments, it had been awhile since she'd heard that.
"Your praise means more than you realize… Now, let's hurry, maestro. I think I may have an idea as to how our little invaders are getting past the walls,'' Nero said cheerfully.
She moved to the northwest side and dropped off to the ground, landing gracefully.
"Look down" she told him with a nod.
He did as she said and seen what looked like a tunnel, with water of various colors flowing through.
"Some kind of sewage tunnel?" Hakuno asked.
"Exactly! It's the only way I could imagine someone sneaking past the entry points" Nero replied.
She brought Hakuno to the western entrance, the sewer tunnel led right over to it, but curved away right before reaching it.
"This confirms the decoy theory" Hakuno said aloud.
"Yes, it does, the berserker kept everyone busy on the north east side wall so the rest of the intruders could sneak in from here" Nero told him.
She had a feeling the cultists may not have been aware of the tunnels upon entry, and there were no way to enter from outside of the western entrance.
But if they were trying to escape, they'd likely discover them at some point or the other, it may even explain how they've managed to hide as well as they have been.
"Maybe down there is where the last base is.." Hakuno pondered aloud.
Her eyes lit up briefly before looking down at him in her arms.
"Yes! Perhaps it is! Good thinking maestro!" Nero praised.
She carried him into the city, finding a small wood shed with a ladder inside, leading all the way down to the tunnels below.
"Are you sure about this maestro? It could be dangerous and in your current state could get you killed" she asked seriously.
"It's fine. Regardless of how I am now, I can still supply you with enough magical energy to keep us both safe," Hakuno replied.
She let out a heavy sigh of resignation…
"Umu! Then let us be off then!" She told him as she jumped to the ladder and slid down, Hakuno in tow.
"If anything I should be asking if you should be down here? Your the empress right? This seems more like a job for knights"
"Oh its no problem! I usually go with the hunters when were low on meat supplies, this isn't any worse then that" Nero replied with a smile.
She started walking briskly down the sidewalk when another comment came to mind.
"Im suprised you'd ask, we did win the holy grail war after all" she added with a chuckle.
Hanuko tried to respond, but couldnt come up with anything….
She was absolutely right….
"Umu umu! You have nothing to fear my beloved maestro! Just watch as your beautiful servant does her work!" She told him proudly.
They took several turns as they walked through the sewers. Hakuno had mapped out pretty well all of it as they went. Both the west and east tunnels are connected and since the city is buit on a slight slope everything flows down to the same place. He hadn't seen the south side but the north flows downwards, meeting with the east and west, he'd assume the southside would have the opening wherever that leads to…
"Does the smell bother you at all?" Hakuno asked as he plugged his nose.
"Its most certainly unpleasent, but its nothing I can't handle. Do you need a break, maestro? I can handle the rest of this if you need" she said back as she looked him over.
He shook his head and said
"No, no… I'm ok, lets keep going"
After yet another turn they came across a small waterfall.
"These stairs lead to the upper level, if they are trying to escape through these tunnels, this is likely where they'd start" Nero told him.
"Lets go then, hopefully we find something" Hakuno replied.
They climbed up the steps and spotted drops of blood at the very top.
"Its recent maestro, we don't know what's down here" she warned him.
"Keep going…. There's another ladder up here right? If so we'll be alright" Hakuno replied.
He'd imagine that there'd be one on each level. She designed the place so there's no way she wouldn't know the layout especially with how specific she is about well….Everything….
If there was anything they couldn't handle, she had more than enough firepower to get them out of there, that…
Well that and If things REALLY got rough his current mystic code could get them out. He hadn't even remembered putting it on but it was very high end and had very good abilities attached.
Actually, speaking of which, he should ask.
"Hey, Nero, do you still have spiritron levels? Or did that all go away after we won the grail war?"
She didn't look like she'd been weakened at all, so he assumed either way, since he'd already unsealed all of her past abilities. Hence why she could create her golden theater at will.
"Indeed I do, the rules of this new world are both similar and entirely different from what you know. My stats are all the same as you set them, without a master or anyone who knew how to synchronize I had no means of leveling any further" she replied.
In that case then. Both Nero and Nameless have all of their abilities, noble phantasms and all. Nero has most of her stats put into physical strength, hence why she rarely relys on anything that requires magical energy on her own. Nameless has both his strength and mp stats nearly maxed out, so he can rely on either if needed, his agility was fairly high as well so he could escape quickly if things got too rough. Those were the only two he knew about, Cu Chulainn seemed to have all of his abilities, as well as Iskandar.
"Maestro…" She said suddenly as the sound of her armored boots halted.
He looked ahead and seen what she was looking at…
"What is that?!" He whispered.
"It looks like a huge corrupter…" She replied.
It was much different then what had been reported prior. It stood at at least several feet, had large arms and muscular legs, and appeared to have what looked like tentacles that rippled back and forth along its backside…
"If it touches either of us were done for…" Hakuno said.
"Allow me maestro, I'm confident I can handle this" She said assuringly.
"I don't know, it may be best to avoid it"
Hearing him say that, and giving the creature a second look made her think again… It may be large, but she was certain it wasn't at all slow…
In front of them was a large square hole with a small ledge.
"Hide there for a second" Hanako told her.
She did as he said, ducking under right as the creature turned its head around.
"We can't leave it here though, if it gets to top ground it'll wreak havoc on the city" Nero said seriously.
"I know, but we have to be careful, let's sneak around, see if we can't take it out while its back is turned" Hakuno told her.
He knew that wasn't really her style, but in this case he'd hope she'd agree.
"Yes, alright maestro, let's do this, as always I am your sword" she said back quietly.
She slowly sneaked around the ledge, being careful as to not make too much noise, stopping whenever the creature turned to look.
Once in position, she carefully sat Hakuno down where he'd be well hidden and drew her sword.
Once it looked away she'd take it's head.
"..."
"..."
"Now!"
She shot forward, her sword bursting into flames, took a horizontal swipe through its neck and sent the head rolling. She backed up a ways as the creature stumbled a few feet before falling into the wall across from them. A smoldering smell lingered as smoke rose from the opening in its neck.
It would seem she had done it. She turned back to get Hakuno and continue in.
"Nero look out!" Hakuno suddenly yelled.
She turned and seen two pitch black tentacles flying towards her.
Hakuno aimed his palm ahead and entered the command:
Add_invalid()
The tentacles halted right as they were about to make contact.
Nero immediately dove under them and shot forward, aiming her sword for the base of the tendrils. She severed them all with a single strike, burning the wounds shut with the flames from her sword, rendering any regeneration abilities useless. She then backed off as it took a wild swipe at her. It was blind, thankfully. As long as she was careful, she should be able to deal with this.
Well that and this could be a good opportunity to learn how to kill these things, as clearly the way one would expect was inapplicable here…
The creature charged forward, it was even faster then she thought.
"Woah!"
She'd just barely gotten out of the way, responding with a large upward slice along its back. The creature's back peeled open, exposing the spine along with a bright red object… Almost like a magical gemstone.
"Wait a second…" Hakuno said to himself…
He knew someone who had something similar…
"Nero! Aim for that gem! Thats the way!" He ordered.
"As you say I'll-"
She was interrupted as the creature swiftly turned and swung for her head. She raised her sword and blocked it just in time, the force knocked her back, almost hitting the wall. It then charged again, she jumped up above it, kicked the wall behind her and landed behind the creature. Before it could turn around she aimed her sword for the gemstone, and thrusted as hard as she could, shattering the rock into pieces. Her sword bursted into flame once more, much more intensely then before, cooking the creature as it toppled to the ground without so much as a twitch. They watched as it then disintegrated in the same way as the corrupted li shuwen they fought long ago did.
Nero turned and went over to her master.
"Are you ok maestro?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm ok, what about you? It didn't touch you did it?" He said back.
"No, I'm ok, come on up, lets get moving, we have much more to do" she told him as she lifted him back up.
It was then that she sensed it…
There were more, or at least whatever they were gave off a very similar aura.
"Maestro, will we keep going? That one alone was a challenge, facing more then one at a time would be reckless" she said.
He knew that, but… Damn it! They must of known someone would search here, why else leave all these monsterous beings waiting. They'd be a terror on the surface, if they ever got out…
He looked down and seen what was left of the gemstone. The pieces had grown dim, but still regained their red hue.
"Alright, Nero lets get out of here, but first grab those pieces" he ordered.
She looked where he was pointing and quickly gathered what was left of the gemstone, shoving them in her sleeves before turning and darting for the nearest exit using a burst of magical energy to shoot them down each hallway.
Once they reached the surface, they sealed the shack shut with a magical barrier, doing the same on all of the others.
"Hopefully, this'll prevent any of these creatures from escaping at least until we can get a group down there to help deal with it" Hakuno said.
"I'll inform Iskandar of this, once the rioting situation is over he'd be happy to help us" she said back.
"Master, empress, what is going on here?"
Nameless landed beside them after dropping off one of the nearby apartments.
"We have a problem on our hands," Hakuno told him.
Both he and Nero explained the situation as best as they could.
"Shit… Just what we needed, big issue is we can't bring any of our men with us, only a servant could stand up to something like that" he told them.
"Yes, indeed, hence why were turning to Iskandar for help once his kingdoms available, it's all we can do right now without risking the citizens" Nero said back
"Yeah, no kidding, I'll make sure we have look out keeping an eye on each sewer entrance, the moment I feel the barrier starting to wane I'll inform you" he told her.
But if they did get out, how would they stop them? There were three servants here, not enough to handle anymore then maybe ten of those things on their own.
Not enough without some serious strategizing, and actually…
"Nameless, I have to ask you something," Hakuno said to him.
"Yes, master, what is it?" He said back.
"Is it about the gemstone?" Nero said as she pulled out the pieces.
"Yeah, Nameless the one we killed had a red gemstone in its chest, it looked kind of like the one you have" Hakuno told him.
"Like this?" Nameless asked as he pulled out the gemstone in question.
It was a red gemstone pendant, Nameless held it by the chain it hung off of.
"Yes, exactly, it glew brightly until I shattered it," Nero replied.
Nameless suddenly grew quiet…
"What is it, Nameless?" Hakuno asked.
Nameless said nothing momentarily then…
"Master, the thing that bothers me is that there was ever only…One of those gemstones ever made… Long before S.E.R.A.P.H"
"What? Then how are…" Hakuno paused, almost in shock.
"Either someone duplicated it… Which, unless they have one heck of an assassin class servant or equivalent, would be impossible while I held it…
Or, these visitors are from afar, somewhere outside of the mooncell, its the only way to explain this" Nameless replied.
Outside New Rome, by the southern entrance, an army stood firm, led by both a blonde and purple haired knight.
"What are your names and from which kingdom do you reside?" One of the guards asked.
"I am sir Gawain, from New Camelot to the east of here, we come to meet the king of this fine kingdom" the blonde knight replied.
"And I am sir Lancelot, from the same as he" the purple haired Knight answered.
"Ah, I know much of you all, the empress was expecting you, however I should warn you all, trouble has been brewing as of late, the empress may be busy dealing with it as of now" the guard told them.
"Trouble hmm?" Lancelot mumbled.
If it was just him and Gawain there'd be no issue, but the king was with them as well as the son….
"It is fine, sir Lancelot, let us proceed"
Gawain turned to the king.
"Are you sure, my king? It may be dangerous" he asked seriously.
"He said its fine, come on we could probably handle it for them" said a knight with a large red sword in the back.
"Sir Mordred, I ask you mind your tongue" the king demanded.
"Yes….Father…." Mordred replied, turning away slightly….
The king looked ahead, into the city, no one was out other than the guards, clearly whatever was going on in there was quite serious. Gripping Rhongomyniad the king said…
"Come, knights of the round table, let us see what can be done!"