Chapter 37
Later that night, after the 60,000 soldiers gathered in Payon....
Payon isn't really a big town. The main area is pretty much destroyed thanks to the last war with Lethe Guild, forcing the civilians to move into the guild residential area. Now, the main area is occupied by the soldiers. Since the town isn't big enough, the forest surrounding Payon is now filled with strongholds of Sagramore. Literally, making Payon somewhat safe. And not to mention respectively, there's no quiet place in the entire Payon area anymore. The soldiers consist of 15,000 archer class, 5000 acolyte class, 35,000 swordsman class, 3000 mage class, 2000 merchant class.
That night, at the main temple....
Elraven entered his room and find Frea is sitting on his chairs. "Welcome back. Where have you been, Elraven?" The soul linker stood and prepared some tea.
"I helped the arriving soldiers to build some simple strongholds. I'm pretty tired now" Elraven said as he sat on his bed. Frea smiled and gave Elraven the tea she was preparing,"OK. Drink this tea. You'll feel better".
"Thanks" Elraven accepted the tea and drank it. "Wow. You're right. I feel a lot better" The gunslinger said while readjusting his purple glasses. "See? Told you!" Frea sat beside him and they kissed. After some enjoyable moments, the new couple broke the kiss. "So, what's our plan for tomorrow?" Elraven asked his girlfriend.
"Well, the princess told me something about a meeting to discuss further plan. Maybe she is planning to raid another guild, knowing her fiancé is now here. And don't forget we have to tell them our stories about Rachel" Frea simply explained. "OK!" Elraven gave a short respond.
"Oh, yeah. Speaking about fiancé, have you heard the story about this Alphard guy, Elraven?" The gunslinger shook his head as an answer. "No, have you?" Frea nodded happily much to Elraven's eagerness to listen. "Well, tell me then!" Asked the gunslinger. The soul linker smiled and started sharing.
"I pretty much heard about him when Palamedes was still in contacts and jobs with Valdomir. You can say, Alphard Pendragon is like the vice leader of Sagramore. When Sagaramore started to make their move a year ago, they split their parties into two. The soldiers led by the princess took care of Gonryun and the remaining soldiers, led by Alphard took care of Amatsu. And they both succeeded, although perhaps the main reason of their successes were they executed their plans while Valdomir is busy having a war up there in Juno. And I've heard he's an exceptional swordsman. You can say, he's like the male version of the princess?" Frea ended her explanation.
"That's make him a prince, I believe" Elraven gave a comment.
"Yep, a young prince for a young princess. An eye for an eye!" Frea replied much to Elraven's confusion, "Frea, what did you say? Young? How old is he?".
"He's fifteen, El. He's at the same age with the princess" Frea's answer made Elraven drop his jaw, "Fifteen?! He's fifteen?! They both are fifteen and they lead the rebellion army against the most fearsome powerhouse in the history of this world?!?! For god sake, what's with today's kids?!! I was trying to be a gunslinger at that age!!! Suddenly I feel bested!!".
Frea giggled seeing her lover over reacted like that. She doesn't know Elraven couldn't handle such issues, "Bested? The man who literally single handedly defeated Lethe Guild feel bested by two teens? What's your problem with them? Come on, it can't be that bad. You're pretty much the strongest here, you know?".
"Really? I though Alexandria is stronger than me?" Elraven asked again. Frea slowly caressed his cheek and enlightened him, "Take a good look at your record, Mister Sinclair. Since your coming here, you defeated the top dogs Valdomir could offer. You should be proud of yourself. Maybe she didn't say this in front of you, but the princess pretty much envy you. In terms of battle abilities of course".
"Battle abilities? Now that's a news for me. With her glare and her rudeness, battle abilities are still a problem,huh?" Elraven's comment made Frea laughed.
"Don't say that, El. She's a lady. She has her soft side. This morning after she gave you her mighty punch, she brought me with her, right? After she asked me about Palamedes, she asked me about you, you know? Especially about your strength. She couldn't believe one man would be able to defeat a guild leader and the vice leader at the same time. She realized that 'Angel of Darkness' isn't just a name. She secretly tried to be as good as you, you know? I think you should treat her better. I kinda angry when you said she's a bratty. She's not. She was just confused to act in front of you. I don't know her reason, though. Maybe, it's because she has a rough life. I can tell that much although I didn't really know about her past" The soul linker advised the gunslinger.
Elraven fell quiet for a minute. He tried to understand his lover's words. "Well, I guess I'll have to try my best being a role model then" He said to Frea, who gave him a gentle smile as they got down for their 'business'.
Meanwhile, in one of the hall inside the main temple....
The remaining former royal family of Prontera Kingdom, consist of Fiorentin, Felicia, Olivia, George, and Alphard were enjoying their dinner (big foot steak). "This steak is delicious, who's the cook?" Alphard who was experiencing his first ever big foot steak asked his colleagues. "The hot shot hero, Elraven" George was the one who answered.
"Oh, the gunslinger you guys told me about this afternoon? What is this steak called?" The answer made the rest of the group looked at each other, unsure whether he will like their answer or not. "Big Foot. It's a big foot steak, Al" Fiorentin finally spoke representing the group. The male lord knight fell silent for a minute before continue eating. The atmosphere was suddenly cold.
"Oh, by the way. How was Gonryun and Amatsu? Everything is fine there?" Olivia tried to enlighten the mood.
"Yes. Everything is fine. No sign of Valdomir attacking. I left another 50,000 soldiers there. It should be enough for at least fending off a full scale war. The civilians should be safe, too. By the way, do you know your mother is here?" Alphard's reply was enough to bring Felicia and Olivia attention.
"Mom is here? Do you know about this, Fel?" Olivia's question was answered by a head shook from Felicia. But after seeing her sister sad face, she said, "Oh, well. Let's meet her tomorrow. Dad is probably looking for him. It won't be easy to find her among 60,000 soldiers", which made the high priest smiled. The rest of the group were happy to see that too.
"Good for you, Olivia. For having such an understanding sister" Alphard praised the Paladin's choice. "Well, unlike Elraven. Felicia is caring and understanding. She's a fine adult and a good role model. Whereas Elraven is totally insensitive and lanky, but his ability is unquestionable. I must give him that"
Fiorentin suddenly said, insensitively making the atmosphere bad again.
"Uh, anyone here care to tell me about this Elraven guy? He seems to be an interesting person" Alphard asked his friends, trying to enlighten the mood again. No one seemed wanted to answer at first, afraid of angering the moody former princess. But Felicia, as the only attending adult there, felt that she must do something and start explaining.
"Well, Elraven Sinclair joined us after the incident around almost three weeks ago at Payon. Ever since that day, he has been a good colleague. He's good at cooking and hunting. He's loyal and trustful. But, I must admit that he's totally insensitive. Not stupid, but insensitive. That makes him somewhat annoying. But the plus about him is, he's outstanding in the war field. His skill is exceptional. We told you about how he contributed a lot defeating Lethe Guild, right? He lived up to his nickname. An angel coming from darkness to slain the demons. I pretty much glad he's not on our bad side. We have a plan to ask him whether his country could join forces with us" Felicia closed his short explanation.
"Thank you, Felicia. Judging by your words, I need to meet this guy" Alphard thanked her as the group finally finished their dinner. But Fiorentin seemed somewhat angry.
Meanwhile, in one of the strongholds near the bridge....
Wendy, Kirigi, Clyde, and Sasha were enjoying their dinner (big foot steak). Salvador, Willy, and Devi were enjoying their dinner too (with pet food of course) inside the stable where all the pecos were being kept. "So, Clyde! Tell us more about you and your sister" Kirigi started the conversation after the four finished their dinner.
"Well, our family has historical influence in the military of Schwaltzvalt and being an army soldier is our family's job. Our parents are soldiers. Me and my sister are pretty much the same. We joined the Ropera Squad about half a year ago" The brown haired answered.
"Why did you choose to join the Ropera Squad? Didn't your family has a their own squad?" Wendy took her turn to ask a question. When Clyde was about to answer, Sasha tap his shoulder, indicating her will to answer.
"We joined because one simple reason, Vice-Captain Elraven Sinclair. We pretty much heard about him during our days at the academy. The Angel of Darkness. That name derived from his experience when he and the Ropera squad Captain, Emilio Barragan, fought the guardian of Ice dungeon, The Ice Salamander Ktullanux, almost to their deaths. It seems that he was really dead for some minutes, before suddenly came back alive, and put Ktullanux out of his misery. Ever since that day, he is known as an unstoppable force in the war field. A man who escaped the death and bring his enemies to their ends. He and our captain are more than enough to swipe the entire battalion. To this day, I have never heard of him losing one single battle. Some even said it takes more than the Valdomir to defeat him. We adore him for that. An angel who bring the devils to hell, The Angel of Darkness" Sasha concluded her story much to Wendy and Kirigi's awe. Clyde smiled seeing his sister, "She always like to tell this story about vice-captain, good for you Sasha!".
"Oh, by the way, what's your opinion about your vice-captain and our leader relationship?" Kirigi asked for another opinion much to the two young gunslingers' confusions. "What relationship?" Clyde asked back.
"Oh, you don't know, huh? Elraven is our leader's boyfriend. We saw them going together to the woods last night and they returned at the morning. I'm wondering what they have done together, hm? Although some part inside me told me that they were enjoying their 'time' together. Honestly, I never though Elraven like older girls. So, what do you think guys? Will they make a good couple?" Wendy explained her friend's question.
"Your leader? The beautiful white haired woman? A soul linker?" Clyde asked back as the two Palamedes members nodded. Seeing their answer, Sasha suddenly fainted (again). "Oh, no! Sasha! Not again!" Clyde shouted when he and the other two tried to help her.
Later that night.....
Fiorentin was drinking some tea in the hall. Felicia was accompanying her. "The atmosphere seems good, don't you think? We've asked Elraven to hold his stories until tomorrow, I wonder what kind of news we will listen this time" Felicia shared her mind to the quiet lord knight.
"Well, let's just hope it's not going to be a bad news. I'm not in the mood for a bad news" The former princess replied. Felicia stared at her, she saw her face. "Fiorentin is thinking about something. I wonder what she has on her mind" The blue haired Paladin asked herself. "Fio, tell me what's inside your head. And don't bother avoiding, you know I can tell if you lie. I'm an understanding adult, right?" Felicia grinned as the former princess sighed as a sign of giving up.
"You're undefeated in this kinda thing, right Felicia? Well, to be honest. I'm starting to wonder if Elraven made us softer and weaker. Since he's coming, he literally took care of our problems in the war field. Drake, the Lethe soldiers', Cecil, and lately Gloom Under Night. Palamedes joined pretty much because their leader fell for him. And to tell you the truth he...pretty much encouraged me to set my sights in this battle. I'm grateful to have him on our side, but it's just...annoying to feel so...weak" Fiorentin finally admitted.
Felicia was surprised to heard this. "Weak? You're not weak. We are not weak. That's what we call help. We can't do everything all by himself, right? He's been a great help, that's a fact. Yesterday, George and Olivia told me the same thing like you just did. I know it's hard to accept that someone is better than us after all the things we did. But you shouldn't feel weak. Humans can't live alone. Elraven is no exception. Be grateful for him. He can't win this war by himself. Isn't that why he joined us in the first place? Maybe because he's insensitive, we can't tell how much we, as his comrades, means to him. But I'm sure, Sagramore, Palamedes, and Elraven, we complete each other" Another great advice from one of the finest adults in Sagramore or even, Rune Midgard.
Fiorentin seemed somewhat relieved, but she all of a sudden something crossed her mind. "Felicia, do you think Elraven is stronger than me?". The question made Felicia sweat dropped, "Huh? Well...because he's a gunslinger, I think he will prevail in a a quarter and long range combat. And you will prevail in a close quarter combat. Well, that's what I think. But, why all of a sudden?".
"Do you think I should challenge him in one on one combat? I'm curious to know, who's the best between us" Another shocking question from the lord knight. "What? No way! There's no time for that!! And he probably won't take the challenge seriously! We're in the middle of a war! This is not the right time to fight!" Felicia's reply snapped Fiorentin's mind.
"Are you trying to say, I'm not good enough to be his opponent? Fine, I'll prove it!" Fiorentin grabbed her Claymore and rushed to Elraven's room. "Fio, wait! Don't do this!" Felicia chased her from behind.
"Like hell I care!! He likes it or not, he'll fight tonight!!" Fiorentin shouted as she approached the gunslinger's room.
Meanhwile, at Elraven's room....
Elraven is putting his clothes back after doing his 'business' with Frea, who was still sleeping in the bed. "What's with the noise outside?" He though when he heard Fiorentin was bragging outside his room. "Elraven, come outside and fight me!!" Fiorentin opened the door in rush as Felicia tried her best to hold the former princess from behind.
But the two girls stopped when they saw Frea was sleeping on Elraven's bed. The gunslinger confused seeing the two and insensitively asked, "Wha...what happened? Outside? Fight? What fight? Is Valdomir attacking?". Instead of an answer, she got another question as a reply from Fiorentin, "Why is Frea sleeping on your bed....without wearing anything??", and not to mention a vicious glare. "So, you did bone her, El" Felicia slowly whispered to herself.
Elraven found it hard to answer, "Well...we..uh...we were playing.....mom and dad? I guess...". But that was not the right answer as the next thing he knew, Fiorentin gave him another uppercut and knocked him out. "Go to hell!! Got to hell and pay for all your sins!!" Fiorentin shouted with a red face as she stormed out of the room.
Felicia was too shocked to move when Frea suddenly woke up. "What? What happened? Who's there? This soul presence...Felicia? What happened? Why is Elraven on the floor?" The soul linker asked. "Uh, he....slipped. Well, I...better get going now. And put some clothes on, OK? Bye!" Felicia said as she rushed out from the room and closed the door, leaving the still confused Frea wandered in her mind.
Meanwhile, in the barn where the pecos are being kept...
Devi, Willy, and Salvador were having a conversation (I will translate it into english) :
Devi : That was a nice dinner, right? What was it again, Sal? The name of the food?
Salvador : Big foot steak. That Elraven guy cooked it.
Willy : And when the soldiers though they gave a pet foods. Meh, I can hardly eat per foods these days.
Devi : Hey, is it right that your leader is in love with with Elraven? I've heard my master talked about it?
Willy : It seems so. But no big deal. She needs to get laid sometimes. And in all honesty, your leader seems to envy those two.
Salvador : Envy? More like jealousy!
Devi : You know what, I she needs to get laid too.
Salvador : Can't agree more, buddy. Can't agree more.
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OK, that's it for this chapter. I had a hard time updating cause my part time job. So, sorry for the late update (). The battle chapter will come sooner than I expected, and that's a good news to me.
And this chapter makes me wonder, too. Who's stronger between Elraven and Fiorentin? If you have an opinion just say it, OK?
Hope u enjoy, see u next chap!!!