That week of dealing with Eina's curse flew by as the two awkward lovey-dovey lovebirds (Bell and Eina deny being lovebirds vehemently) as the curse manifested as a phantom of sorts that was then slain by the Familia and liberated the Guild Advisor from any future shameful acts of desperate flirting (which will haunt the half-elf for the rest of her life). Gilgamesh was not amused by the fact he was left out of an amusing situation where he would sit back, watch it while drinking his fine wine and laugh at the jesters before him.
Which bit Hakuno back hard. Welf was working on her armor commission now and she decided to make a combat-based Mystic Code by herself. Of course her mother's grimoire held information on a multi-functional Mystic Code dubbed 'Add' as inspiration. Due to her own skills, she could not replicate everything, save for the scythe function. But…she could add her own personal touch to it, an additional weapon. She pondered it when the Regalia gave her two things.
First: Ishtar's Cadaver would be used as a catalyst to aid in the Servant Summoning Ritual it was performing right now in the background.
Second: It had recommended the second weapon component to the Mystic Code Hakuno was making…a high-caliber sniper rifle.
Hakuno requested the reason why for the second one and the Moon Cell sent her information and reasons why. Hakuno could not believe it, from a simple web animation she never heard of, combining that with her recent training of attempting Mana Burst. It made the scythe even more dangerous in a very absurd way…a magical sniper scythe. Somehow that idea was just to absurd and outrageous to even work, yet she can see it work. She thanks the creator of this wonderful idea, Monty Oum for inspiring this newfound masterpiece she would craft.
Which brought Hakuno to where she was now, with a sulking Gilgamesh (he wasn't admitting to it, but as his Queen, she knew the King of Heroes better than most) as she tried to get his help in making this Mystic Code. He was ignoring her, and frankly it was starting to annoy her with how bratty the king she was married to was behaving.
"Hah…" she sighed turning her back to him as she folded her arms below her chest. "Well fine, I was considering having you join me on my next attempt to go on an adventure and Level Up," Gilgamesh's ears twitched at what he just heard. "-but since you're busy for me. I'll just-!"
"Hold it Hakuno." Gilgamesh spoke up, silencing her as she paused in mid-step. "Do you even have the money to get the materials for what you are making?" he demanded of her. Oh, she knew this back on the Far Side. Since she always made sure to be a smart saver and buy only the necessities. The only thing she bought on a whim was the leopard printed jacket and the suit that came with it for Gilgamesh so he wouldn't feel left out with the lack of alternative clothes.
The King of Heroes knows of Hakuno's spending habits and is aware of how certain magi make items from completely expensive items. He knew of a former contractor whose magecraft involved jewels, and expensive ones at that to confirm just how poorly things will go if Hakuno wanted to make such a formidable weapon by hand. No, he would not allow his Queen to settle for a simple, mediocre creation. She was his Queen, and one he loved to spoil (even if she hates it); therefore, he was going to make sure the weapon she sought to craft was deemed a masterwork like his own treasury. He would make it so, for he was a king, and his word was the law.
*Private Meeting Room-Demeter Familia*
"It has been a while everyone." Wodime spoke to the holographic projections of Ophelia Phamrsolone and Scandinavia Peperoncino as the three sat in their small room. "With the current situation we're finding ourselves in with the balance of power violently being torn apart I feel we needed to converse and figure out what we should do next." He explained to his two Crypters.
"Within this Lostbelt, the divergence on par with PH History in terms of strength is formidable. It is also violently unstable thanks to the forced actions of the gods that have Authority over Time and Fate. It can turn from a Lostworld into a Lostbelt in an instant and then…" Ophelia trailed off, a heavy spiritual weight pressing against her.
"No need for that Phelia," Pepe spoke up, "We all know one small tip of the scale is a bad end. What we should be talking about is how to keep the scales balanced." He corrected his friend who smiled and nodded her head in agreement.
Wodime wasn't the only one that was saved and sent to this Lostworld after their deaths. By the grace of the one called the Gardener, they were granted a second chance at life, born as a native in this world as well as sharing the same fate as the world they live in. Wodime was in the Demeter Familia in Orario, while Ophelia was in the Astraea Familia in a village far from Orario while Pepe was in the Hermes Familia who kept going on bizarre adventures that he'd often regale to his two friends.
The three enjoyed their lives here, living their new life to their heart's content. But it was also inevitable that it would not last forever. Ever since Hakuno Kishinami came to Orario and the massive chaos following her, they knew that the awaited moment that they must fight to protect their homes and this world was nigh. Thus Wodime made the first step via teaching Primo the Animusphere family magecraft as her affinity for it was dangerously high. Ophelia herself was diligently guiding her familia's newest members on how to tactfully fight monsters and criminals.
Pepe himself was the only one that went out beyond Orario and where Ophelia stayed, gathering intelligence and reporting it all to his allies. Especially one with such grave news as the one he had now.
The Empire was on the move. They were on a Holy Crusade to purge the world of Demi-Humans, Gods, and anything magical from the world. Remnants of the Holy Church from PH History had drifted in this world. Both good and bad people of that faith have helped make the Empire into what it was now, and a bloody legacy is carried on to this world.
"I have read the stars Pepe, and they speak of ill omens ahead if we remain idle." Wodime said, folding his hands in front of him and then continued, "This world will collapse, dragging everyone into an endless curse if Orario falls to the Empire's heel."
"So you suggest that we gather allies from outside Orario to aid in repelling the Empire?" Ophelia asked. "Because convincing others to fight back isn't going to be easy, especially since the training from the Burial Agency has found its way in the Empire. We might be fighting Executors." She warned them.
That made the three grimaces at the thought, Executors were nasty pieces of work the Holy Church had created. Trained priests that specialize in killing magi and use special armaments for special targets. Things were going to get ugly fast.
"I'll go and spread news of the Empire's atrocities, try and convince major places with their own familia in them to take action." Pepe announced with a rather serious face that didn't fit him as his hologram faded away.
"…I'll see if I can convince Lady Astraea to lend her support in this upcoming battle. If these soldiers are blessed in a way, I think they are, then it's a crisis not even the Holy Witch, Loki and Freya Familia can ever hope to beat." Ophelia said as she seemed to be in thought before smiling at him. "It's good to see you again Wodime." She told him before her holograph faded away.
"…It was good to see you too, Ophelia." Wodime said to her empty spot, a small happy smile on his face.
*Shopping District-3 Days later*
Hakuno sighed, slowly going over the newspaper in her hand at the stall she bought it from as she looked at some interesting news. It seemed a dwarf by the name of Ted posed as Terry Cervantes who was deceased and used illegal connections to take over the casino that Terry owned to hold his 'collection' and show off his power.
It sickened her how those girls were turned into playthings to such a repulsive man. But it seems justice had prevailed, and the dwarf was arrested and a nervous wreck. If she were to make a guess, Ted had made an enemy out of someone incredibly dangerous and can reach him since he's in so much fear.
While she mulled over it, she wasn't aware of what was going on as armored figures were pushing people out of the way, heading right into her direction. The looks of alarm and shock the people around her on the streets went unnoticed as they cleared the area and the stand owner ducked beneath his stall in fear.
Then, a finger politely tapped her shoulder, causing her to pause before looking over her shoulder in confusion. "Hakuno Kishinami?" the armored warrior asked politely.
"Yes?" she asked, turning to the warrior, noticing several others in the same armored uniform starting to surround her.
"You're coming with us." The man stated as numerous restraining items were now in their hands.
Hakuno blinked, wondering if they were trying to do what they think they were. "Are you…kidnapping me?" she asked.
"Yes!" one of them exclaimed with annoyance.
Hakuno knew Passionlip and Kingprotea were with her in astral state and felt their rising bloodlust. "Oooohhh…" she said, eyes narrowing and a smirk on her lips. They'll never see it coming.