In the capital of the Seven Shields Alliance, the city of Ken, life was still in full swing, despite the centuries-long continuous war between the alliance and the dark elf queen Olga Discordia, who terrorized the northern outskirts with her monsters in revenge for the oppression of her relatives. On the training ground, one young man with blond hair and a hood on his head stood out among the warriors, who quickly ran through the obstacle course, while not losing his accuracy while moving, hitting distant and close targets with a bow, doing it quickly and with surgical precision. Such skills would truly be the envy of any archer in these lands.
When a stranger finishes off the last target dummy with a swift arrow, the crowd of soldiers nearby erupts into cheers. A grizzled sergeant approaches him, clapping on the back.
"Well done, lad! You're a natural! What's your name?"
Before he can answer, another soldier nudges the sergeant, whispering something in his ear. The sergeant's expression sours as he steps back.
"Ah, I see. You're the new recruit from the south, aren't ya? Word is, you've got quite the reputation."
The crowd around you grows silent, eyes filled with suspicion and unease. You can feel the tension in the air, the weight of the accusations and whispers unspoken.
"Alright, listen up!" the sergeant barks, silencing the crowd. "This here is... what was it again, boy?"
"My name is Ithilgail." - Said the young man, taking off his hood. As it turned out, he was a half-elf. - "It's no surprise you've never heard of me before, because usually I prefer to keep a low profile in service of Lady Celestine."
The revelation sends a murmur through the crowd. Half-elves are rare, and even rarer are those who align themselves with the allies of the Seven Shields. The sergeant raises an eyebrow, scrutinizing him closely.
"You're a ways away from the southern territories, Ithilgail. What brings a loyal servant of Lady Celestine all the way up here to Ken?"
He pauses, and then leans in closer, lowering his voice. "And why should we trust you? With the shape things are in, we can't afford to let just anyone into our ranks."
A challenging glint appears in his eyes, testing him. The soldiers around watch intently, waiting for half-elf response.
"Why don't you ask lady herself? She usually runs things in the capital city of Ken, although she is not a military commander like the other six princesses of the Alliance."
The half-elf had barely said this when he immediately heard behind him the steps of a figure familiar to him personally, who had been his mentor for many years.
Just as half-elf finish speaking, Celestine appears, her presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone around them. She walks over to his apprentice, her brilliant white dress fluttering gently in the wind. Her blue eyes shine with a warm smile as she greets him.
"Well met, Ithilgail, it's been a while."
She turns to the sergeant and the crowd of soldiers.
"This is a trusted companion, a skilled archer and a loyal servant of the Allied Forces. I have come to Ken to coordinate the defenses against the Dark Elves, and he has agreed to assist me."
Celestine's words carry weight. The sergeant nods, accepting her word without question.
"Welcome to the ranks of the Seven Shields, Ithilgail. We'll need every able-bodied fighter we can get."
The mood lightens as the soldiers cheer, clapping half-elf on the back. It's clear that the shadow over him has lifted, and he's now among friends. Celestine takes half-elf arm, leading him away from the training ground.
"Let's get you settled, Ithilgail. We have a lot to discuss to."
"Yes, my lady. I heard news from the front lines in the north. It turns out that the Kuroinu mercenaries have driven Olga Discordia's monsters away from the borders of Eostia and are gradually advancing towards her Dark Citadel. However... I still have a bad feeling about this."
Celestine's brow furrows as she listens to half-elf report, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Indeed, the sudden involvement of the Kuroinu mercenaries is troubling. They are a ruthless and unpredictable force, and we cannot underestimate their capabilities."
She sighs, looking out towards the horizon, as if she could see the battlefields beyond. She turns to half-elf, with determination in her gaze.
"I need you to gather information on the Kuroinu's movements. We must know their intentions before they catch us unawares."
She places a hand on half-elf shoulder, her touch cool and reassuring.
"Be cautious, Ithilgail. The road ahead will be perilous, but I know that I can rely on you."
"I am always ready for missions from you, Lady Celestine. It is the least I can do to thank you for the day you found me in the ruins of my home village, saved me and trained me."
Celestine smiles softly at half-elf words, her eyes reflecting the memory.
"You have grown into a fine archer, Ithilgail. I am proud to call you my ally and friend."
She hands him a scroll sealed with her crest.
"Here is a letter of safe passage and authority in my name. May it protect you and grant you access to the resources you need."
Her expression becomes stern once more, her resolve unwavering.
"Now go, Ithilgail. Ride swiftly and silently. Time is of the essence, and the fate of our alliance rests upon your shoulders."
Ithilgail had an important task - to go north straight to the camp of Kuroinu mercenaries, who were personally commanded by Vult, to observe their every step in their further advance against Olga Discordia, with whom Celestine and the other Princess Knights of the Shield Alliance had been fighting for several years. Whether this war would finally end or not depended on it... And in this adventure, he will not be alone...
Meanwhile, northeast of the capital and Rada (Claudia's city) - the city of Ansur - a young mercenary named Mark was modestly celebrating his latest achievement in a tavern in terms of a success contract to kill dangerous monsters.
"Yhoo! Lay, don't be sorry. Today it's all on me.~ To our glorious brave heroes who are kicking those creatures out in the north."
In the tavern in Ansur, the crowd of mercenaries and adventurers cheers as Mark raises his mug in a toast. The sound of clinking tankards fills the air, the atmosphere thick with camaraderie and revelry.
"I'll drink to that, Mark!"
The crowd erupts in laughter and jovial banter, the tension of the battlefield temporarily cast aside as they enjoy the simple pleasures of food and drink. As Mark sinks into his seat, panting from the exertion of downing his tankard, a cloaked figure slips into the tavern, their hood casting their features into shadow. Their piercing eyes scan the room, searching for a familiar face.
The cloaked figure approaches Mark's table, the others parting to let them through. They pull up a chair and sit down, their hood still concealing their identity.
"Oh, Maia! Long time no see. Or should I call you "your highness" from now on?~" - Mark asked teasingly with humor.
"Maia will suffice, Mark," the cloaked figure replies, a hint of a smirk playing on their lips as they push back their hood to reveal none other than Maia, the former Kuroinu mercenary and now one of Celestine's Princess Knights. Her red hair cascades over her shoulders, her eyes gleaming with intelligence and cunning.
"I'm glad to see you're still alive and well, though I can't say the same for the monsters you've been hunting," she says, nodding towards his bloodstained gear. "But I didn't come here to reminisce about old times. I have a job offer for you, if you're interested."
"Well... It's been a while since we were together in the ranks of Kuroinu as green recruits, when Vult personally led us into battle against monsters. Still think of him with sighs while he is raging at the front?"
Maia's expression hardens at the mention of Vult, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and sorrow.
"Vult is no longer the man I knew, Mark. He has become something... darker. Now, he commands the Kuroinu mercenaries, marching on Olga Discordia's Dark Citadel. I need someone to infiltrate their ranks, gather Intel, and report back to Celestine and the other princesses."
She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I need you, Mark. You were always resourceful, and you know how the Kuroinu operate better than most. Will you help us stop Vult before it's too late?"
"Hmm... Let me think about it... If you know me pretty well - my services as the Grim Reaper do not come cheap. Can I then count on your "special blessing" if I successfully return home from the mission?" - As always, the Mark's face was adorned with a sly, optimistic grin, as if he had completely lost his fear.
Maia smirks, shaking her head at Mark's audacity.
"Always the opportunist, I see. Very well, Mark. If you successfully complete this mission and provide us with valuable Intel, I will personally ensure that your reward is... generous."
She leans back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"But remember, Mark, this is no trivial task. The Kuroinu are ruthless, and Vult is not a forgiving man. You will be walking a dangerous path, and there is no guarantee you will make it out alive. Are you sure you're up to the challenge?"
"Hey, don't get too worked up about it. I know the war with Olga Discordia has been going on for a long time. Hell, Celestine and Olga were arguing between themselves before we were even born, considering how long elves live. So... I'll definitely come back to you from another daring raid. And at the same time, I'll have a blast in the blood of my enemies, sending their souls to the underworld." - Having finished his mug of ale with a satisfied grin, Mark, with a two-handed sword on his back, rose from the table and headed towards the exit of the tavern, giving Maia a final wink. - "See you later, Maia.~"
Maia watches Mark leave, a mixture of concern and admiration in her eyes.
"Be careful, Mark. And may the gods watch over you."
As Mark exits the tavern, he finds a horse waiting for him, along with a pouch containing travel supplies and a map marked with the location of the Kuroinu mercenary camp. The night is dark, but the stars guide his path as he rides north, ready to face whatever dangers await him.
To the west of the alliance capital, the city of Ken, there was another large city, Geofu, which sparkled with life and harmony between the local races and ruled here with the blessing of Lady Celestine, a young-looking halfling girl (a gnome with animal genes) Luu-Luu. Here, within the confines of his forge, worked one gifted beast-man, Floki, who, in the haste of an experienced blacksmith, made the first two samples of a flintlock pistol and was just about to test them in action.
"Let's hope these things show the first good results." - Having set himself up positively, Floki was already aiming his pistol at one of the walls of his spacious forge hall.
Floki's forge is a place of constant motion, the clang of metal against metal filling the air as the gifted smith works. Numerous weapons are displayed, showing the smith's skill in forging arms for the allied forces. The halfling Luu-Luu, dressed in a green frock that covers her waist, flat breasts, and shoulders, leans against a workbench, watching as Floki prepares to test his new invention.
At that moment, Floki, as if on the instinct of self-preservation from extraneous sounds, immediately pulled the trigger of the gun on reflex, hitting the wall with a bullet as he wanted, and even a little dust from the impact scattered. However, Luu-Luu's peer soon began to earn a rather weak noise in his animal ears, which made him squat down for a moment in irritation, pressing his ears closer to his hair to recover from the temporary ringing.
"Argh! Damn it... Such a powerfull killer and at the same time loud...!"
Luu-Luu giggles at Floki's reaction, her petite frame shaking with amusement. "They are supposed to be loud, silly beast-man! That is how the humans designed them. Besides, it's not like you can sneak up on anyone with a crossbow, either!"
She steps closer to Floki, examining the pistol with interest. "Can I try?"
Floki hesitates for a moment, and then hands the weapon to Luu-Luu. "Be careful. It's loaded and ready to fire."
Luu-Luu grins, taking the pistol gingerly. "Don't worry, big guy. I'll be careful." She aims the pistol at a nearby straw dummy, pulls the trigger, and... nothing happens.
"Huh? Why isn't it working?" she asks, frowning as she tries to reload the pistol.
"The projectile flies faster and is more convenient to carry in your bosom than a bulky bow and crossbow. One downside - it will take longer to reload after each one shot from this thing." - Having finally recovered from the ringing, Floki immediately began to clean the barrel of the flintlock pistol after the shot, refilling it with a bullet and gunpowder.
"Ah," Luu-Luu says, nodding her head. "Now I understand. I can live with the reloading issue. Just make sure to make them more reliable, Floki."
She pats Floki on the back. "I'm sure you'll improve them soon enough. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Floki. I'm sure the Princess Knight will be pleased."
"Always happy to try for the benefit of our hometown and the Alliance, Luu-Luu." - Beastkin Floki smiled modestly at the Princess Knight.
Luu-Luu blushes slightly at Floki's words, smiling warmly at the beast-man. "You're too kind, Floki. Keep up the good work, okay? I'll make sure to spread the word about your progress to the others."
Just as Luu-Luu finishes speaking, a messenger rushes into the forge, breathless and covered in sweat.
"Pardon the intrusion, Princess Knight Luu-Luu! Urgent message from the capital!"
Luu-Luu's expression turns grave as she takes the rolled-up parchment from the messenger.
"Thank you. Dismissed."
She unrolls the parchment, scanning the contents quickly before turning to Floki.
"Let me guess - It's about the possible end of the war against Olga Discordia and her monsters?"
"Yes," Luu-Luu confirms, her eyes filled with concern. "It seems the Kuroinu mercenaries have joined the fight, and their leader, Vult, is marching on Olga's Dark Citadel. Celestine fears that if Olga falls, Vult will turn his sights on the rest of the Alliance. We need to be prepared for the worst."
She looks up at Floki, determination in her eyes. "I need you to speed up production of these pistols, Floki. We need to give our forces every advantage we can if we're to stand a chance against the Kuroinu."
Floki nods solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Consider it done, Princess Knight. I'll work day and night to ensure we have as many of these weapons as possible."
Luu-Luu smiles gratefully at the beast-man. "Thank you, Floki. With allies like you, I have no doubt we'll prevail."
Floki immediately took the mysterious suitcase from the table, packed two pistols into his belt along with grenades with fuses and hung his huge blacksmith's hammer on his back.
"I'm heading north to get precise information about Kuroinu and Vult's progress. If they really intend to betray the Alliance later, we must be prepared for anything."
Luu-Luu's eyes widen in surprise. "Floki, wait! You cannot go alone. It is too dangerous. I'll send some guards with you-"
"No need," Floki interrupts a fierce determination in his gaze. "I move faster alone. Besides, I have a few friends along the way who owe me favors. I will be fine, Luu-Luu. Trust me."
Before Luu-Luu can protest further, Floki strides out of the forge, leaving the surprised halfling princess in his wake. As he mounts his horse and rides off into the night, Luu-Luu cannot shake the feeling of unease that settling in the pit of her stomach.
"Please, be careful, Floki..." she whispers to the darkness, hoping that her prayers reach the ears of the gods.
The City of Feoch. This northwestern city was once the center of the human kingdom in Eostia under the patronage of the Arcturus family. However, after the death of Eos Arcturus, Alicia's father, she had to yield the primacy to the reincarnation of the elven goddess in the person of Lady Celestine Lucross during the unification of seven cities into a single alliance against the formidable dark elf queen Olga Discordia and her dark creatures. Since then, Princess Alicia, along with her younger cousin Prim Fiore, ruled her hometown of Feoch. Moreover, right now, she and Prim were watching a serious and intense duel between two knights in armor in the training arena. The fight was quite fierce and serious. And if one knight clearly showed age and skillful experience, the second was young and compensated for his shortcomings with tenacity and unconventional combat techniques for a knight, such as ramming with a shield at full speed or using it as a stunning blow, which almost knocked the older knight off his feet, blocking the next onslaught of the young knight's blade in time. Alicia and Prim watched this duel attentively, and while the first one watched it attentively and assessed each knight, the second one looked at the young knight and dreamed that he would somehow save her from the villain or from the dragon, as in her books.
Alicia turns to Prim, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Cousin, I've been meaning to ask you... Have you noticed anything strange happening lately? Anything out of the ordinary?"
Prim tilts her head, thinking for a moment before shaking her head. "No, nothing comes to mind. Why do you ask?"
Alicia sighs, her grip tightening on the balcony railing. "I've received reports of increased activity from the Kuroinu mercenaries. They're moving north, towards Olga's citadel. And I can't help but feel that something is not right. I fear that this war may not end as we had hoped."
Prim's eyes widen with worry, but she puts on a brave face for her cousin. "Don't worry, Alicia. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Right?"
Alicia smiles weakly at Prim, grateful for her support. "Right."
At the end of the duel, both knights removed their helmets, showing each other their faces. The older one was Graham Acker - captain of the cavalry knights. His opponent was the young knight Bernard Lemar - loyal to the principles and ideals of good in serving the Arcturus family.
"Not bad for your first demonstration fight, young man. You show glimpses of quite amazing potential for development."
"You praise me too much, Captain Acker. However, it is an honor for me to hear such things from you."
Bernard extends his hand towards Graham, who takes it firmly and gives it a shake. "Keep pushing yourself, Bernard. You've got a bright future ahead of you."
Graham turns to Alicia and Prim, who are still watching from the balcony. "Your Highnesses, Bernard here has shown great promise. I believe he could be an asset to our forces."
Alicia nods, impressed. "We'll consider it, Captain. Thank you for bringing this to our attention."
Prim, however, has other ideas. She claps her hands together excitedly, her eyes shining with admiration. "Oooh, can Bernard be my personal guard? Pretty please, Alicia? I want someone strong and brave to protect me!"
Bernard blushes at Prim's words, looking away nervously. Alicia rolls her eyes but cannot help but smile at her cousin's enthusiasm.
"Very well, Cousin. But Bernard, you must swear to protect Prim with your life."
Bernard bows deeply, his hand on his heart. "Of course, You're Highness. I won't let you down."
As the three of them descend from the balcony, Graham watches them go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He has a feeling that things are about to change, and he hopes that Bernard is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Meanwhile, young Bernard was in front of Princesses Alicia and Prim, awaiting future orders to fulfill his duty to the Arcturus family.
"What do you wish of me, Your Highnesses? I heard about the war still going against Olga."
Alicia's expression turns serious as she addresses Bernard. "Yes, the war with Olga Discordia continues to rage on. Recently, we have received intelligence that the Kuroinu mercenaries, led by their enigmatic commander, Vult, have joined the fray. Our sources suggest that they are marching north, towards Olga's citadel."
She pauses, her gaze unwavering. "We need someone to investigate their movements and report back to us. It's a dangerous task, Bernard, but given your skills and dedication, we believe you are the right person for the job."
Prim nods eagerly, grabbing onto Bernard's arm. "Will you go, Bernard? For me? Please?"
Bernard looks down at Prim, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Of course, Princess Prim. I won't let you down."
He turns back to Alicia, his resolve strengthening. "I'll leave at first light, Your Highness. I won't let the Kuroinu threat grow any larger."
Alicia nods, satisfied. "Good. May the gods watch over you, Bernard. We're counting on you."
In the very east of Eostia, in the mountainous area, there was a city called Thorn, which was the local center of eastern culture in terms of traditions and religion. Here, the shrine maiden Kaguya, skilled in the mystical arts, ruled, who had long ago sworn eternal service to her god, giving him her body and taking a vow of celibacy so that no mortal would dare to desecrate her body. While she was meditating in the main hall of the temple, in the room itself there was a feeling as if someone's inconspicuous shadow was standing behind the women.
A sudden chill running down her spine interrupts Kaguya's meditation. She opens her eyes, her senses heightened as she scans the dimly lit room. Satisfied that there is no immediate danger, she stands and turns around, addressing the empty room.
"Show yourself. I know you're there."
There is a brief pause before a figure materializes from the shadows, stepping into the faint moonlight streaming through the window. It's a hooded man, his face obscured, but Kaguya can sense the powerful aura emanating from him.
"My role is always to be your shadow that protects you, Kaguya-sama." - A quiet voice of the ninja figure behind the girl sounded.
In the past, he was a hungry orphan and Kaguya nursed Hanzo that day. Although their paths later diverged in that Kaguya became a shrine maiden and Hanzo subjected himself to grueling training and eventually became a ninja, they did not forget each other. Especially Hanzo himself, remembering the kindness of the priestess and henceforth dedicating himself to the duty of following her instructions in the future. For the sake of justice.
"I felt that you needed me. And so I am here."
Kaguya's eyes widen in surprise at the sudden appearance of Hanzo. "Hanzo, it's been years since last we met. I'm glad to see you're still alive. How have you been?"
Hanzo bows to Kaguya, a conflicted look on his face. "I've been... busy. Training, mostly. I have come to inform you of the new threat, Kaguya-sama."
He hesitates for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with what he must say. "The Kuroinu mercenaries have joined the war, Kaguya-sama. They're marching north, towards the Dark Citadel."
Kaguya crosses her arms, her expression darkening at the troubling news. "The Kuroinu... Vult's men..."
Hanzo continues, his voice firm. "I've been tasked to find out more about them, Kaguya. I'll leave at dawn, to gather intelligence."
Kaguya nods, her resolve unwavering. "Do as you wish, Hanzo. Protect the East while I focus on our shrine."
As Hanzo prepares to leave, Kaguya calls out to him. "Good luck, Hanzo. May the gods watch over you."
Hanzo turns back, a determined look on his face. "Thank you, Kaguya-sama. I'll return with the news."
With a final bow, Hanzo disappears into the night, leaving Kaguya to continue her meditations.
