In this chapter, we head to the shield's perspectives while the crew trains for the approaching war, how will they prepare their defenses? and what of this mysterious faction of Marpesia? what role do they possess in all of this, find out now!
Chapter 39
Season beginning...
In Feoh, Royal Castle...
Alicia was walking through the halls, thinking over the recent events.
"What should I do..." as she was about to turn, she bumped into Niall who was talking with a knight she had never seen before.
"Commander Niall..." she greeted, "Who's this?"
"Oh, I didn't know that you'd be here, lassy." Niall replied, "This is Sylla, someone who recently joined my boys as the one who'd train them in horse fighting."
"Nice to meet you, my lady." Sylla gave a quick bow, "I'm Sylla, a former member of the Night Cavalry."
Alicia analyzed the knight in front of her and noticed a staff with some sort of purple gem on top.
"Is this a magical staff?" Alicia asked.
"Yes." Sylla answered, "I am exalted in the magical arts to aid in my fighting style. The one that I mastered is Gravity Sorcery, as well as some other sorceries, and a few healing Incantations."
"You can use magic..." Alicia narrowed her eyes, "Well, Commander Niall's soldiers aren't bound by the same rules as us. Although... I can see that you get a better position; swear allegiance to Celestine, and you can have an entire fortress of soldiers that would obey you."
"I'm not interested." Sylla waved her hand, "I'm quite content to be the second of Niall. And, it's not a bad thing."
"Well, you're the one who asked me to take you in." Niall deadpanned with a stare.
"C'mone, you know that you're happy that I joined." Sylla pointed with a smug.
"I'm not unhappy, since my boys can now fight on horseback, but your sassy attitude is something to work on." Niall sighed.
"That's how I am." Sylla shrugged, "Besides, anyone who stays around Lady Ranni for so long would end up like that."
"So!" Alicia interrupted the two, "Why are you in the castle?"
"Needed to have a word with the money guy to get enough resources to equip my boys," Niall answered.
"We went to meet with the Minister of Finance to discuss the terms to get armored horses for the majority of the knights." Sylla translated.
Alicia's eyes twitched at that.
"Commander, you can't just ask for things like that without a good reason." the princess stated.
"Do you want to keep this kingdom safe or not?" Niall asked, reminding her of the pact between him and the king.
Alicia recoiled before continuing her way.
In the castle of Ur...
Prim was walking with two Holy Knights following her. Once she arrived at a door, the two knights stood at the sides as she entered.
"What a pain to deal with." the pink-haired princess sighed, "Their attempt at spying on me is pathetic." as her tone changed, she went to her bed table and touched a necklace that glowed, "You can come out now."
At that, a Dark Elf assassin exited her shadows.
"The meeting with Lord Swain and Lord Regis is about to begin," she said.
"Right, I was wondering if they'd accept." Prim smiled as she sat at a table that had three cups and three plates ready.
Not too soon after, Swain used the shadow of one of the chairs to teleport in.
"It's been quite too long... real princess Prim." Swain greeted with a smirk.
"It was indeed." Prim nodded, "Also, thank you for distracting Rey. After all, if he had gone there, he would be dead."
"Well, you wanted your pet to be safe." Swain sat on one of the two free chairs, "It would have been a shame if it died."
Prim giggled before adding, "It would have taken me a long time before finding one as stupid as him."
"Still, you went to quite the troubles for him." Swain stated, "You do know that your recommendation wouldn't be enough, right?"
"Yes~" Prim nodded, "I just want to hear of all his failures~"
"My lady, you need better hobbies..." Regis said as he turned from a mist that entered using the window.
"Oh my! How have you been, Lord Regis?" she asked with a sweet tone.
"It's clear that you want to hear if I found a way to save your parents from the current High Priest." Regis sighed.
"And?" Prim tilted her head.
Regis only shook his head, "We still don't know how."
"What shame." Prim said as a maid served her tea, "It would seem that they must be disposed of."
Regis shivered at that, 'This girl is a true demon. One that may be crueler than Lord Swain...'
"With them dead, there won't be any problem with taking the city," Prim added as she took the cup and drank from it.
"And as we agreed, you'll have control over Feoh and Ur as the Regent Queen." Swain pointed, "But for the second part... you'll have to see it with her."
"That Jester doesn't scare me, but I understand her taste as Alicia-nee-sama is too perfect to be given to the first useless noble." Prim smiled before looking at the snacks on the table, "My favorite biscuits!" she took a bite before saying with a sweet smile, "The owner must be disposed of as soon as possible."
"Is he connected to the slavery ring?" Swain asked.
"Yes~" Prim nodded, "He offers them a job for three days before sending them to a noble who drugs them and sends them to the Red Snake."
"I'll send some of my men," Regis said before noticing how Prim began looking at him.
"Lord Regis, it would be a bad idea to do so now." Prim informed him, "Instead, you must wait until he's asleep before cutting his head, making sure that he thinks that he's safe."
"Tricking the turtle into having it exposing its head." Swain concluded, "Smart."
"Moreover, I would like a personal guard, and one who cannot disappoint." Prim said as she drank from her cup, "One that has a real weapon, not a dagger."
Regis sweatdropped as Swain sighed, "Didn't you say that you wanted Reynold?"
"But after reading the report, I find him boring." Prim looked unamused, "A dog who can't do tricks, or please his master, should be put down."
"I have yet to read this report... and something is telling me that I won't like it." Swain began to mass his head.
"You'd find it like your typical Holy Knight." Prim pointed, "But I'll still keep him, just to see his face full of despair."
'By the Elder One... I don't know who's worst...' Regis simply shook his head.
In Ansur...
Maia was walking as she was reading the report she got from Gerhman concerning Volt.
"Something's wrong." a young man, wearing a dark brown coat said as he walked to her.
She glanced up at him with a saddened and tired expression, "You...don't even know the half of it...you don't..."
"Really?" the young hunter tilted his head, "It's not like you'll have any troubles with it. You're the Mercenary Queen and the favorite of the master, I'm sure that you can deal with it. And if you can't, you can ask me to help at any time." he pointed to himself with a proud smile.
The Mercenary queen sighed deeply, setting down the report, "This...just came in, from Master Gerhman...a report from the Nightjars, your brother...he didn't make it..." in a low somber tone, "I'm...I'm so sorry..."
"W-What?" the young hunter began to laugh nervously, "C-Come one, Maia, you know that these kinds of jokes aren't funny, right?" it was like he was on the verge of being broken.
Her lip quivered, knowing what was coming next, "I wish it was...would've been easier to laugh off..." shakily breathing, "He...was...captured by the lone shadows and...the black dogs...he took his own life so this could get the report back...the last entry on this mentioned that...I'm truly sorry, your brother was a very good man and even better hunter..."
Before that a response could be heard, and a laugh came from behind Maia.
"So that weakling is dead?" it was a hunter, but wearing a silver coat, "Looks like we got one lesser pathetic hunter to work with."
Maia scoffed, closing her eyes, "For someone claiming to be the best hunter and a Lightbringer, you sure lack the respect of one, Gorron," turning around, "What the hell do you want...? Did you come here to mock the dead?"
"I'm here to see about the guy who put himself between us, you know? The failure who got caught." Gorron smirked, "Now that he isn't here, how about my proposal?"
Maia gave him an empty stare, "I believe I gave you my answer on that before and that's not going to change because he's gone...The answer is no, by Celestine, I'm already dealing with telling that other fat ass no, why would I say yes to you?" she responded, completely irritated.
"Really now? You're still stubborn..." the Lightbringer walked up to her and stared at her dead in the eyes, "You know that it's inevitable that you'll be mine. That useless noble is nothing compared to me, you hear?"
She gave him an unamused stare back, "See? this... this is why I say no to you! You think you can't be outdone or that your status is enough to have a chance with me...you already know what you need to do to get that approval, You've still got yet to succeed in that... Last time you tried, Master Gerhman already had you on the ground in twenty seconds, during your time as a Lightbringer at that! so if you're done mocking Thomas for his sacrifice, I was in the middle of something..." she growled.
"One day, you'll regret this." Gorron growled at her, "I'm the best hunter, and you will bow to my will one day or another, you-"
Before he could continue, a fist threw him away.
Maia bitterly chuckled, "Wow...he didn't try that hard either, best hunter indeed, when you pick yourself up, get out," taking a seat back at her desk.
Gorron got on his feet and glared at the young hunter, "A little shit like you thinks that he's hot shit? You're wrong... using these cheap tricks doesn't mean that you can win." he then drew his weapon.
"Don't draw unless you intend on using, or have you forgotten, Gorron?" Maia asked, back up with her hands on her daggers, "He was in your face, there was no cheap shot and that was his brother you were disrespecting, he had full rights to do that...now put the weapon away and leave...Now..." narrowing her eyes.
"One day... you'll be on your knees, in front of me, begging me to take you... and when that day'll come, I'll make sure to humiliate you." with that, Gorron stormed out.
Maia only shook her head at his departure, "I wouldn't hold my breath...Wonder what Gehrman sees in him to have him around...?" looking at the other hunter, "Sorry about that, I didn't know he was there..."
"Well, big bro always said that those who speak a lot are those who can't grasp their true potential." the young hunter pointed.
She gave him a warm smile, "Your brother always stuck true to the teachings of Master Gehrman, as do you...he will be missed..." taking a deep breath "And We'll cover the funeral cost, since they did manage to recover his body...If there's anything else you need, please let me know, alright?"
The hunter only nodded before leaving.
Maia sighed deeply, knowing she would have to go see Gehrman about this report soon, standing up and leaving the office...
In Rad, Kaguya's temple...
The priestess was thinking about the recent events and the emperor's decisions.
"Emperor... what is going on? Why are you doing this?" her thoughts then went to the current political situation of Rad, "Lord Isshin still refuses to come to the castle... not to mention that the other Daimyos that followed him during the civil war..." she sighed and continued to think about possible solutions.
At Geofu...
At the royal castle of Geofu, Luu Luu was training with her axe when someone entered.
"My lady! I have some good news!" it was Dong Zhuo, smiling, "Most of the rebels were chased from the city, and we're gaining more terrain."
"That's good." Luu Luu nodded with a proud expression, "We need to find the leaders to end it."
"Of course." Dong Zhuo replied, "With the people's help, this rebellion will be crushed before the heating days."
"I knew that I could always count on you for that." the Halfling said with a smile, "However... I heard that we lost five cities in the recent month."
"They were lost, but we regained them." Dong Zhuo affirmed, "However, we need more gold to pay the men. That's why I propose an increase in taxes."
"That seems fair." Luu Luu nodded to it, "As civilians of this kingdom, they must show their loyalty by helping us in exchange for the protection that we offer them."
Dong Zhuo smiled wickedly before saying, "Leave that to me, I shall make sure that everything goes well." he then left.
Luu Luu sighed as she said, "Lord Dong Zhuo is very reliable. Ever since the death of father, he took things in his hands and fixed a lot of problems."
She then returned to her training.
The next day, Feoh... (2 days remaining)
Prim exited a carriage and began to look around.
"This place is kind of lacking something." the princess mumbled, "Oh well, I've been thinking of talking with Niall regarding some villages that need help." she then turned and looked at the maid who was with her last night, "Let's hope that Alicia-nee-sama would shower me with her love~"
The maid said nothing as she bowed.
"I agree~ there's nothing more that I'd gain after all this time away from her," Prim added.
"Nothing like that would happen to you." a feminine voice said, "A brat can't satisfy milady."
"Oh... the little jester is here." Prim smiled with a dark aura around her, "Shouldn't you be opening your legs at the inns?"
"Please, it's not like a child like you can understand." Jenelica smiled back with the same aura around her.
"I know how bitches like you are," Prim added.
"Takes one to know one," Jenelica responded.
Nearby, Reynold was wandering around town, trying to take his mind off that test from Yesterday with New Knight, coming upon a strange carriage on the road and hearing what sounded like two people arguing, 'What's that about...?' getting closer...
"You sure have a beautiful mouth, princess. A shame that it has such Filth inside." that was Jenelica's voice.
"We aren't all known to be manipulative of the masses." that was Prim's voice.
Rey frowned harder, recognizing the voices until he found the sources, "Oh! Lady Prim! I'm surprised you're here," he greeted.
"Rey!" Prim beamed, "How nice to meet you here! I thought that you'd be in Ken now. I'm glad that you're still here!"
The young knight had a small sweatdrop, "I was in Ken at first, I was transferred here after refusing to go to the final battle, which I still have yet to hear how that went, I had...friends that had gone, wonder if they survived..."
"I'm sure that your friends are alright." Prim said, "Maybe they had to go back with haste to deal with a problem in their homeland."
Reynold frowned, "In the middle of the war...? wouldn't that count as desertion if that was the case...?" with an eyebrow raised.
'Boring and simple-minded, not to mention that he doesn't care about anything else besides his circle. I need to find a better pet if it continues.' Prim thought, still smiling brightly, "I don't know, but I'm sure that everything is fine." she turned and found that Jenelica had disappeared, she sighed before turning back to Rey, "So, how are things going for you?"
He thought on that, wondering what to tell her, "Honestly, it's been...an experience, had some bumps here and there, but nothing I can't manage, been under Commander Niall's company for a while, that's something," he said rubbing the back of his neck, "That said, I should probably get back, it was good seeing you Lady Prim," giving a bow and smile.
"That's awesome! Does that mean that you have a golden armor too?" Prim asked, "After all, it's the thing that proves that you're one of Commander Niall's men."
The young knight chuckled, "No, not quite...I'm still trying to earn my gold set and...it's coming a long way, but with the war being a few days away, maybe I'll have my chance to earn it..."
'How to screw with him...' Prim began to think until an idea came to her, "Why not sneak in the changing room to test one of the armors?" she suggested, "And it can help you to be more appreciated by them if you look nice in them."
At that, Rey laughed nervously, "No offense lady Prim, but if I did that with my standing with them now, no doubt I'd be kicked out with a busted-up face, and after my embarrassment yesterday, I just want to stay under the radar until it's time," he waved off.
"Really? Oh well, you could have been looking way cooler, but it's not a problem." she then waved at him before leaving, "See you soon!"
He gave a bow, "Y-yeah, see you soon! Hopefully..." that last bit in a low tone, 'She's not wrong about that...my armor isn't as good looking as those gold plates, but I'm not willing to get in THAT kind of trouble, been there done that...' he mentally sweated, before slowly making his way toward Niall's headquarters.
Black Dogs' hideout...
The mercs were searching franticly around with expressions of fear and terror.
"Find her!" one of them yelled, "If the boss finds out that she disappeared, he'll skin us!"
All of the mercenaries were looking around and some even arguing with the monsters there.
Hiding somewhere, Salma was silent and looking for an opening to escape.
Meanwhile, at the Musel Estate...
Otto Musel sat with a phone in hand, sweating a storm as he talked with one of his business partners...his last..., while Catherine watched in silence with her eyes, closed, knowing how futile it was...
"Please you've known me for that long, you cannot be seriously believing those rumors!" The older noble pleaded, "I beg you, this is just a setback!"
"No deal, me already being in business with you, is costing me mine...we're done, Otto..." A voice on the other end snapped, the line disconnecting.
"Dammit!" He roared, slamming the phone back on the receiver, "That was our last business partner and a long time one at that! We have no one left now!" growling, huffing.
His wife sighed, "Then we're done, all that we built has crumbled down...we don't have a choice anymore, we'll have to take what we have to cabin, most of everything as almost already packed, the guards handed in their resignation letters as well,"
The older noble sighed, "I expected that, they were mercenaries when they joined, some holy knights, no doubt they left because we no longer have the means to pay them...what of the workers?"
"That's...what I don't know about yet, haven't heard anything regarding them," Catherine sighed, shaking her head.
Troy walked in, dressed in his noble clothing, no longer wearing the armor, "Everything is just about packed up, from the money to the food and clothes we'll need," noticing his parent's mood, "Did I pick a bad time?"
The old count said nothing at first, chuckling after, "Did you pick a bad- No son, you're right on time...just lost our last business partner...all because of your stupidity..." shaking with rage, "I hope this was worth it...I do..."
"Father I-" Troy tried to retort with, but had a hand held up.
"Save it, just...save it, Troy...normally I would be willing to listen to you, but I'm not in the mood..." His father said, turning a hardened glare, "You're lucky we had a cabin paid up for just in case we ran into a situation like this, otherwise we'd be on the streets!"
"Okay, but at least we're not locked up or being hung about it! that would've been way worse!" The young blonde tried to defend with.
The old man threw something at him, prompting him to duck, causing it to shatter, "Just get out...leave Troy...I do not wish to speak with you until we're ready to go..."
"B-but I-"
"GET OUT!" The old count roared, putting the younger man's heart in his throat, who just gave a quick bow and left
Cathrine sighed deeply, "Think you were a bit harsh?"
"I was harsh on Reynold, I spoiled Troy and now I'm beginning to see the mistake in that!" The old count groaned, standing up, taking a deep breath, "But...you're right...what's done is done, time to take our assets and move on...luckily the cabin is near Feoh, and that's where Rey also happens to be..."
His wife nodded, standing up as the butler came up, "Yes? can we help you?"
"My lord..." the butler spoke with a heavy and slow tone, "All of the belongings that you have are set on the carriages. Also... I have two things to add; one, we aren't going to stay. I'm the last one here, actually, the Dark Elves went to the lands owned by Lord Swain to reconnect with their lost heritage that you forced out of us, to earn the forgiveness of the Earthmother. Two, Lady Claudia wants to talk with you, she's waiting in the room next to this one. As for me, I sent a letter to Lord Swain to enter his service, and he accepted, not only that, but he found the members of my family that weren't killed by your kind." Lord Otto was about to say something, but he was harshly cut, "Don't you dare say the same crap that you've been spilling! You forced us to forget about the Earthmother! There's no Dark Elf who would accept that by choice!" after a deep breath he turned and said, "Goodbye... and I hope that I'll never set my eyes on you, ever again..." he then walked out.
They watched his departure, as the old man sighed deeply, and flipped his desk over in a fit of rage, "And there go our workers! Yeah, let's go see what Claudia wants and then we're out of here!" making his way out of the room with his wife behind him.
They reached the now-empty main lobby with Claudia waiting there...
"Thank you for coming, Lady Claudia, as you can see, we're already in the process of moving out..." The old count bowed.
"Otto... I tried to talk with Lady Celestine... even the council of nobles... but there's nothing that I could do..." Claudia said with sadness in her tone, "I even asked Lady Marpesia to clear your record from the Inquisition's archive... but she refused. I tried to see Lord Swain to get him to help you, but he isn't here as of this moment. I'm sorry... I tried anything in my power, but there's nothing that I can do."
The count waved her off, "No, I expected it to end like this once this began, our business partners have left, so have our guards and workers...better this than being hung by the neck until death..." giving a tired smile, "Still, thank you for taking my boys in...I don't regret my service, only that...I could've had a better eye on my sons... Someday I pray you never have this burden to deal with, Milady..."
"Well... there's a way." Claudia stated, "Not to reclaim everything, but one that can clear your name for the church... and I think that you know what I'm talking about..."
The old noble sighed, nodding slowly, "Yeah...I do...to disown him entirely...I've thought about doing that myself...I was going to wait until after made it to the Carriage for that but...after our butler just walked out, if I'm alone with Troy, I'll hurt him and I know it..."
"H-honey...you can't mean...he's our firstborn!" Cathryne argued, in complete disbelief.
"I know that Cat! I know that! but he's also of age...he's a man now! we can't keep defending his actions, not anymore! not anymore..." The old count repeated, tone going low, "It'll be the hardest thing I've ever done, but at least we won't have to worry about an inquisitor coming after us..."
Claudia nodded at that, "Indeed, by doing so, you cut all ties with him, and any mistake, or crime, that he'd do, won't be put on you. However, the nobles are still stubborn about forgetting what he did..." she took a deep breath, "I can try to see with some people in Rad to aid you, but I don't know if they would accept."
"Thank you, that...would be generous, and I'll talk to Troy about what's happening, I had sent him out to the carriage, hoping he takes this well..." Otto sighed, making his way to the door and opening it, "Troy! son! We need to talk!"
Within moments, The blonde ex-knight walked in with a raised eyebrow, "Okay...? I see master Claudia's here, what's this about...?"
The old count took a deep breath, "Is everything ready to go?"
"Yes, I'm just waiting on you and Mom and we'll be ready to set off," Troy smiled.
Otto shook his head, "Thank you son, but that's where we're going... You, on the other hand..." he paused, "Due to your actions, son you've left me no choice in the matter..."
"W-what are you saying...?" The blonde asked, worried about what this meant.
"What I'm saying son, is after talking to the paladin...I've come to a decision...You are disowned from this family..." The old count finally breathed.
Troy went wide-eyed and slackjawed, "W-what did you just say...?"
"You heard me, son, you are hereby disowned...we cannot keep you after what you've done without worrying about the inquisitors coming for us...we have to do what we have to do here...blame yourself, you chose to use blood magic, even more, that you kept it from us...I think this is as fair as it's going to get...take your things and go, son..."
The young noble felt himself about to tear up, "You can't be serious...I make one mistake and suddenly, I'm being banished from the family?! what about Rey huh? you gonna kick him out too?!"
"No! your brother will always have a place with us, should he choose, but you...? you need to go, I'm giving you money for you to stay at an inn should you run into one, but you will not be supported by us or be allowed to use the family name any further...effective now until otherwise..."
Troy's lips quivered as his head was now down to the ground, wiping his tears and nodding, "I-I understand...I'll leave at once...and...I'm sorry..." turning around to leave the house.
His mother began to tear up, turning and leaving for another section of the house, not willing to talk any further...
"I... I wish that there was another way..." Claudia began to tremble as she tightened her hands to the point of bleeding, "I thought that I was doing a great service to the Goddess... but I was a fool to think that Jericho Swain wouldn't have seen that coming." she sighed before saying, "I talked with Alicia, and she accepted to send a couple of people to help you if you wish." after a sigh she began to walk away, "I hope that everything would become like it was before..."
The old noble slowly nodded, eyes shadowed over, "So do I...I...have no doubts...there was foul play on both sides...it doesn't change what he did, nor does it change the outcome...thank you for helping us...but...I think I need to be...alone for a while..." clenching his hands.
Claudia tried to say something but chose not to before leaving.
Once he was alone, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed his scotch before pouring himself a small cup...While he did, his mind went back to all those years of service, all those years of hell...Just to secure a better life for himself and his family...Otto thought he made the right decision trusting Claudia with his sons...Maybe this was Karma, in truth, he may have earned heroism during the war, became a politician even, but that Ascension wasn't a clean one, for anyone who made it to his age... They ALL know that climb wasn't a clean one...especially when working with a man like Grave at the time...and now? Now this came back to bite him and in the worst way...
Even as he sat in his chair and drank with a hardened expression, it didn't stop the hot tears from streaking down...On top of being betrayed by people he thought to be brothers-in-arms, now he condemned his eldest son to die...and that would haunt him now and for the rest of his days...
In the capital of the Gnolls...
Swain stood in front of Ashar, Gnolls looking at him as Dihya was near the castle gate.
"I believe that you're ready to give your answer," Ashar said, her tone, facial expression, and body language screamed authority.
"Indeed," Swain seemed unfazed, "I contacted some... allies, and they agreed to send you someone to satisfy your... demand."
A light flashed and a purple-haired young woman who appears to be a Succubus appeared. She was wearing a fancy red dress and wielding some sort of spear.
"She's a Succubus." Swain pointed, "Despite her appearance, she isn't human."
Ashar began to think before sighing, "Fine, I accept."
Swain smirked before summoning the heart he promised her, "And this is the second part of the agreement."
A Gnoll went to him before taking the heart to the queen.
"With that, the pact is sealed." Ashar began to eat the demon's heart before feeling a huge burst of power from within her.
"I hope that our business will be fruition." Swain turned and left.
The Levantine residence...
Claudia got back to the residence, still thinking over what happened. As she walked through the halls, she heard Grave talking with Marpesia.
"I'm glad that you saw how things would be." Grave laughed, "When it's done, I'll welcome you to the family."
"How thoughtful of you." Marpesia chuckled, "Well, Volt is useful as long as we need him. That aside, with our little project in development, you may have your wish."
"Not something that I'd regret." Grave smirked, "Nor you would."
"It was an interesting experience, but not in a bad way." the High Inquisitor pointed, "Still, that girl needs to learn her place."
"Don't remind me." Grave lowly growled, "Nearly busted things."
She frowned deeply, unable to hear it, 'What does he mean by that...how's Volt useful to them, isn't he a traitor...?' listening in more...
"Well, a few months and you'd be able to get rid of two parasites." Marpesia pointed out, "With some luck, we'd get what's best for humanity."
"Once I get rid of the useless expenses, I'll get full control over Ken." Grave poured a glass of alcohol, "Wish we could share a glass, but it would be dangerous for you."
"Maybe we can get Volt to throw himself into the danger... and close a trap on him." Marpesia stated, "After all, war is the true nature of this world."
At that she felt her stomach turn, not believing what she was hearing, '"War is the true nature...?" that's not something an inquisitor should be saying and father shouldn't be agreeing with that, what's going on?'
"Without war, we won't be able to evolve." Marpesia added, "We wouldn't strive to become stronger."
"The lesson that you taught me." Grave said with a laugh, "What Volt wants, is a poison to humanity, and would lead it to extinction."
"The members of the Obsidian Table are all ready. Once they take control of the kingdoms... they'd turn on each other and unleash the greatest human war this world has ever seen." Marpesia chuckled before adding, "Well, we can also use the Dark Queen and her army, but we can't risk having them unite with the Birds of Prey."
'Considering what hearing right now, that's not almost not a bad thing...I hope they're just drunk I do...either way, I should announce I'm home...' Claudia mused, walking towards the office.
But before she could make an appearance, she heard something else... from Grave.
"Once the project is done, I would throw that useless son of mine." he said, smirking, "And I'd make sure to raise the other one to be a real man, not a sissy girl."
"Well, even sheep have their utility." Marpesia chuckled, "Give him to me, and things will go for the better."
"I'll remove the Levantine name from him and he's all yours." Grave laughed.
The Paladin's heart nearly stopped at that sentence, slightly gasping, 'He...he wouldn't...he's gotta be joking tell me, he's gotta be joking...' her mind raced, but since she was already at the door, it was too late to turn back now...she approached the door and slowly knocked, "Father...I'm home...I took care of affair with the Musels..."
"Come in!" Grave yelled.
She shook off her shock and opened the door, finding him drinking with the high inquisitor, "Ah, I didn't know you also had a...guest...Greeting High Inquisitor..." Claudia greeted, closing the door behind her.
"So, those heretics are out." Grave took a deep breath, "Now, we can see with the other useless wastes of space."
"Unfortunately, their lands were given to Lord Swain by Celestine." Marpesia sighed, "I wish we could take him out without fearing the wrath of the Goddess Reborn."
"If only we could understand why..." Grave took a deep breath before pouring another glass.
The paladin sighed, "Only one would wonder there, I wish she would tell me the connection, but she refuses to push the conversation any further upon being asked," taking a seat, "We still haven't found the deserters on where they could've gone...But heard rumors of them running around out there,"
"You should be smarter than this." Marpesia commented, "If they're roaming the roads, create a false rumor and trap them."
"If it wasn't for my schedule, I would have set up an ambush." Grave stated, "Well, I'll leave it to you. A way to earn forgiveness for what you did."
Claudia looked almost unsure, until nodding, "I'll...see what I can do, hopefully it works..."
"And don't fail again." Grave warned, "Next time, there will be consequences."
The paladin stood up, gave a bow, and then left the room, closing the door behind her...
As soon as she was away, she began hearing some sort of moaning coming from the office.
Claudia frowned deeply as she headed towards Klaus's office, hoping that'd he be in...
Later that night, Yamakhroz...Gronik's yard...
At Gronik's yard, bodies upon bodies of summoned bandits laid on top of one another, the clashing of steel echoing around them all...The source was two people being the last to fight, The Redguard tiredly dodged the swing of the final bandit's hammer, before rising back up and impaling him through the gut and tearing out the blade harshly with a spray of blood, killing him...
However, Traysek dropped to his knee, huffing and out of breath, looking around...
"Impressive." Gronik commented as he approached the Dragonborn, "Still not at the level of Kallan, but it's still good."
The tired captain glanced up at him, "It was fine, until they started showing up with more advanced weapons, got a good few licks in too," chuckling, while many wounds he gained from this bout were closing due to the enchanted ink show under the tears in his garb, glowing a gold color, "Gonna assume numbers like these were small to her?"
"Give her 20,000 of the highest-ranked Dremora and she won't be tired." Gronik stated with a nod, "Those small fries are nothing but dust compared to the real challenge that's awaiting you."
Traysek chuckled, "20'000...Gods be damned...If these guys are small fry to you, and after having my taste of this world's foes, I can believe that..." sighing as he stood himself up, stretching his back.
"To put it simply, the greatest army we had to face together was around 700,000 creatures from the Astral Plane." Gronik said, "Just the two of us fighting tooth and nail, those were the good times."
The Redguard whistled loudly, "Never fought that much to be honest, not even as a group...that's more than impressive, damn..." thinking on something, "That style of hers seems unbeatable...especially going toe-to-toe with 700'000 like that..."
"Considering that the Astral Plane is home to some creatures that put the Dremora to shame... you can say that it does." Gronik shrugged.
"So basically that automaton I couldn't break would've been a child's toy to her...glad to know that, makes me wonder how that style goes," Traysek nodded, impressed.
Gronik laughed as he said, "She could cut it down to so many pieces using a dull blade."
The Redguard glanced down at the blade he held, noting it to be sharper than a dull blade, "Huh, this sword here is sharper than one and I had a harder time...in fact, it still stood even after going through its crack...So I was correct, a child's toy..." slightly sweating, shaking it off, "So what happens now? another wave?"
"The time is up." Gronik pointed out, "Well, things are going fine if we consider how many sessions are needed."
Traysek sighed, handing him the sword, "I see and with only two nights left, that'll be quite a bit to crunch down..." chuckling and giving a bow, "Thank you for today's lesson..."
"Tomorrow, two waves of 1,000 will be waiting," Gronik said with a thumbs up.
The Redguard was in a cold sweat, "O-oh... oh by the gods, that many...? Very well," feeling like he was going to pass out as he stumbled out of the yard.
"Right, before I forget..." Gronik used his space storage magic to bring out a strange crystal, "I'll lend you this, it has all the battles of Kallan recorded in it. Be sure to give it back... in. One. Piece."
Traysek stopped and turned around, walking up to him, and took the crystal, "Thanks, I'll make sure it comes back as such..." and made his way out of the yard...
Near Feoh, River...
As the days counted down and many trained for the upcoming battles ahead on all sides, the fracture of this world would only grow...for one of them was about to show... Soon enough, strange lighting crackled over the sky, zapping down in massive light and leaving four silhouettes in the smoke where the light struck down, in a thundering boom...
To be continued...
So with that ending, our next group of characters arrived along with the help of a third author, Sylvia_Fey, if many of you don't already know her, she also has an account and many stories written on Ao3 including one we've been working on, so give her a shoutout too when you can :) That said, the next chapter is gonna be a fun one, until then may the gods watch over your internet history XD
