Chapter 88
"Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter"
Winston Churchill
First and foremost, I'm sorry again for another late update. My thesis and work got the best out of my previous two weeks. From now on, I hope I can update in more proper schedule.
Anyway, enjoy!
"You're a two timer!!! I hate you!! I hate you!!" Ah, a usual complaint from Frea whenever El crossed the limit. The play ended with another big success for Amatsu. The audience was entertained and the city got another good publication for its tourism. But, of course it's another story for Elraven. The kiss he gave to a certain lord knight brought to him…another trouble from the jealous former goddess, "Get out of my room!! I don't ever want to see you anymore!!"
"Wait, wait!!! I can explain this!!" The usual self defense from a certain black haired gunslinger rises, "That was all part of an act!! It was just a play!! "
"Is that why you enjoyed kissing her so much?!"
"How do you know I enjoyed it?!"
"So, you didn't?!"
"Well…uh…I…kinda did…" See what I was talking about?
"Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! You enjoyed kissing her!!! You're officially a two timer!!!" Frea roars and starts jabbing Elraven with her mighty staff, "You're an indecent insensitive prick!! You kissed her in front of the whole world!! Now, every single person living in Rune Midgard knows that you love her!!"
"But, she let me do it also!! She said she didn't mind because that was just a play!! Nothing serious!!"
"If she told you to do her, would you do it?! I bet you would!!"
"What does this have to do with doing her?! She didn't tell me to do her! Stop saying nonsensical things!!"
"Uwaaah!!! Stop avoiding your own sin!!! Get away from me!!" Frea pushes El away and quickly closes her door. But El is quick enough to hold the door from outside, "Get off the door!! Why don't you go to her room and impregnate her?! That way would get you a big chance to become the next King of Prontera!!"
"You don't need to tell me to go to her room!!" Here comes another fatal insensitive remark, "We've been sleeping together for more than a month!!"
We don't need an Einstein to say that last line snapped something inside Frea's brain. The next thing the Terrace Inn heard is…the sound of an explosion. You know, something like Purgatorio…
Meanwhile, in Fio's room…
"Ow, the little Fio I once knew is now a woman!!" It isn't usual for Felicia, the honored maiden, to tease her companion. But tonight, she just couldn't help it, "That was a really good kiss he gave you back there, wasn't it?"
"Stop it!! There's no need to continue this any further!!" The lovebird…I mean, the lord knight, strongly denies the accusation (although we all knew she is doing this just because she's tsundere), "It…it wasn't like that at all!! It was all part of the play!!"
"Come on!! Your red face says otherwise!!" Olivia too, she's been there all along waiting for a chance to tease the golden eyed girl, launches her assault, "You enjoyed his lips touching yours, didn't you?! We saw your so called 'performance' live, you know!! You cannot trick us!!"
"Just admit it, Fio. All three of us have known for your whole life, there's no way you can deceive our eye" George joins his three other childhood friends to bully the maiden in love, "Can you tell us how you returned his kiss?"
"I said stop it!! This conversation ends here!! Right now!!" Yeah, the usual tsundere denial, "That was all part of an act!! A play!! I allowed him to k…I mean, that was because they script said so!! That wouldn't happen in real life!!"
The three bullies glance at each other, smirking as they attempt to continue this by letting Olivia speaks, "Is that so? You wouldn't think him kissing you in real life is happening?"
"Y…yes!!" There's no way Fio would want to lose her pride here, "Not in a million years!"
"Don't be too sure of it, Fio" The troublesome high priest carries on, "You might have to swollen back…those words. We can tell lies easily, you know. Especially, if it's regarding someone whom we have been watching all her life"
Right at that moment, George rises and locks the door at the same time when Felicia slowly walks to Fio's back. The three Prontera native stare at her with an eerie stare, obviously planning something to her.
"What…what are you guys planning to do?!" Fio puts a defensive stance, "Guys…I don't like this, OK? What are you going to do to me?!"
"We're going to make you…feel like a real woman" George crosses his hand and leans on the door, ensuring no one comes in or comes out, "Whether you like it or not. Although, I'm sure you would like it"
"Or to be more precise, we're going to make you…become a real woman" The Hammond sisters begin to walk around the princess in circle, raising the tension, "What do you think, Fio?"
"I…uh…real woman?" Obvious, a kid like her wouldn't get it, "What do you mean by making me a real woman?! I've been a woman all my life!!"
"Not yet, Fio. Right now, you're just a girl. You need something to be called a real woman" Felicia reveals the plan, "You need a man to do that"
"And we will bring you…right to that man" Olivia continues her sister, "You see, at first…we felt kinda weird about you having a crush on Elraven. But, we have come to accept it. He's not that bad after all"
"I don't have a crush on him!!" Another tsundere denial, "That's wrong!!"
"Yeah, you don't have a crush on him…anymore. Rather, you're in love with him" A great point out from Felicia, "And we're going to make you…admit it, before you consummate it"
"Consummate…it?" Fio finally gets the clear point, "No…no way…you guys…"
"Got you!!" Felicia successfully grabs her from behind. And before Fio could do anything, Olivia grabs her from her front, rendering all her means to escape useless, "Sorry, but you will thank us later!!"
"What are you going to do?!" Fio tries to resist but the other two constantly overpower her. George, meanwhile, is trying to find something on the drawer.
"George, don't take too long finding the rope!! We cannot hold her for long!!" Olivia sounds up, surprising the lord knight.
"Rope?! What are you planning to do?! Stop this!!"
"Don't worry, we're just going to tie you up for a bit!!" That's not a nice explanation, Felicia.
"And undress you" The more unpleasant explanation from Felicia's sister, "But in a good manner"
"What?! No, no!! Stop this at once!! What is it you're trying to do?!" Fio struggles even more than before, but the two Hammond sisters also hold her even stronger that before.
"We're going to pack you up real nice…and lovely…in an…inviting stance" George grins telling the evil scheme, "Then, we will leave you alone here and make sure El comes in. He'll know what to do afterwards"
"Waaaaaaaah!! Stop it!! This is indecent!!" Fio's trying to reach to her sword in her bed but George quickly dispatches them, ending her attempt completely, "Don't do this!!!"
"No worries, Fio. He will make you feel like a real woman" Olivia takes the rope from George, "I'm sure he will do it gently"
"OK, let's cut the chit-chat and get down to business" Felicia holds the smaller lord knight firmly on her hands. Thing is going crazy here, "Start with her shirt, Olivia"
"Nooooooooooooooooo!!!" Thanks god, as Fio lets out a desperate cry someone knocks the door loud enough for the four Prontera natives to hear.
"Who's that?" George frowns.
"How would I know?" Felicia replies.
"Do we have to open the door?" Olivia points out something important, "What if it's El? We cannot open the door before tying Fio up"
"Someone please he…umph!!" Fio tries to scream but unfortunately Felicia quickly grabs her mouth before she could say anything anymore.
"Okay, George" Felicia takes over, "Open the door, if it's someone other than El then fend them off"
"Roger that" George quickly opens the door and…action! "Sorry, whoever you are but we're in a..."
"Please let me see Princess Fiorentin!!" A woman, Isabel, loudly begs and cuts George at the same time, "This is really an important matter!!"
"Who's there, George?!" Olivia shouts from inside.
"I…I don't know" George snarls at the woman, "Who might you be, lady? Princess Fiorentin is…uh, busy right now"
"I'm sorry I was such in a hurry. My name is Isabel…and I got an important news for Princess Fiorentin" Isabel tries to calm herself, seeing her act just now was improper to someone she just met, "From Naght Sieger"
The last name is more than enough to get her the attention she wanted from the four.
****
"That kinda hurts…" El, bloodied and beaten, sits in the living room on the first floor of Building B along with other gunslingers and new companions.
"It's rare to see you bemoaning the fact that you're hurt" Emilio, being his best friend in all his life as a gunslinger, takes a quick notice, "For all I know, anyone could slowly melt your body and you will still smile at them"
"No, it's my feeling that is hurt actually" El pokes his chest, "I couldn't believe Frea attacked me with a hundred esma"
"Yeah, that would reduce any normal man to bits. Thanks God you are not one of those normal men" Emilio grabs a bottle of water and delivers it to El, "Drink that, you will feel lighter"
"Gracias, amigo" The black haired gunslinger takes kindly of the offer.
"Wow, I've never seen them so friendly to each other before" Sasha tells her brother what she got in mind seeing the captain and the vice captain of their respective squad, "I thought their friendship consisted of brawling and yelling"
"They just proved you were wrong, Sasha" Martina kindly explains, "They brawled a lot, but it was only to show how close they have been as a friend. At least, they're better than the crying loser back there"
Martina was pointing out to Ty, who just got exposed in front of Felicia and succumbed, "Wuaaaaaah!! My good image in front of Felicia has been destroyed!!! Now, I cannot videotape her anymore!!! Wuaaaaaaaaaaah!!!'
"See? Since when he got such a good image other than in the underworld of adult videos? Retard" The two girls turn their attention back to the two friends.
"So, how are you planning to take responsibility for your action tonight?" Emilio reopens the conversation.
"What action?" The abysmally insensitive Elraven doesn't get the point at all…as expected.
"Oh, come on!! You have just kissed the princess!!" The fun begins when El's face slowly turning red, "You did her like that and now you're going to leave her?! That's cruel!!"
"I didn't do anything to her!! It was all part of the play!! That's why she agreed to do it!!" The insensitive defense mode on, "The conversation ends here!! Frea nearly killed me because of it and I don't want you to start the exact same thing!"
"What a chicken!! You don't want to admit it because you enjoyed it?!"
"No comment!!
"Yeah, right!! That is soooo brave!! Saying no comment when you're too afraid to admit it, right buddy?!"
"No comment, amigo!!"
"Chicken!!! You're chickening out!!" Emilio raises the volume of his voice, "Elraven is a chicken!!! He doesn't want to admit that he loves Princess Fiorentin!! Elraven, my best bud in the last 6 years, is the biggest chicken from Einbroch!! He's too afraid to admit his own feelings!!"
"Hey, hey!! Stop that blabbing of yours!" Elraven tries to shut Emilio's mouth but the captain retaliates, "You're going to make everyone misunderstand this!"
"A guy is brave enough to take on dozens of enemies, fight monsters, and go toe to toe with a god, but he's chickening out because of a lady!! Who is that guy, ladies and gentlemen?! That chicken guy is, the one and the only, Elraven Sinclair!!! The biggest chicken from Einbroch serving on his third year as the gunslinger of Military's Special Squad, Ropera!!" Emilio mirthfully continues the assault.
"OK, that's freaking it!!" The purple glassed gunslinger loses his patience and withdraws his treasured double handgun, "You're sooooo gonna get it, amigo!!"
"Bring it on, buddy!!" Emilio, too, withdraws his Hyperion.
"Now, this is more like it" Sasha points the familiar scene. But before the two can do battle, Gen Ed steps in and catches their attention.
"Boys, sorry to ruin your fun but I need Elraven to come with me. There's something I would like to discuss with him" As usual, calm and composed.
"Well…if you say so…" El retires himself following the general, but not before threatening Emilio, "I'll get you later, amigo"
"We'll see, buddy" Emilio sneers.
And the focus goes back to Gen Ed, "So, do you have anything to inform to me, General? Or, is there anything you need my help for?"
"Well, not particularly. But someone wants to see you" And Gen Ed presents someone who has been waiting in the corner of the corridor, Sarkhan.
"Hello, Elraven" The grey furred Eddga gives a friendly greeting, "Nice to see you again"
"Sarkhan? What are you doing here not in Umbala?" Much like us, El cannot contain his sudden curiosity.
"I happen to have something important to tell you" The conversation turns serious, "Something regarding the true nature of your changeling power"
"The true nature of my changeling power? You mean the light power?"
"Actually, there is more to your power than it looks" Gen Ed joins the conversation, "I, for one, have witnessed it by my very own eyes. Now, why don't we sit down somewhere quite so you can hear more about this?"
"No one other than us three can hear about this?"
"I prefer it that way. This is not a matter anyone would easily understand" Sarkhan patiently responds.
"Okay, that's fine with me" The younger gunslinger shrugs.
But, someone wishes to join them, "May I join?"
And it's Frea.
"What a surprise" Sarkhan delightfully comments, "I see no harm in you joining. This matter involves you after all"
"I agree with Sarkhan" Gen Ed looks at El (who seems to be scared shitless), "What about you, El?"
"Uh…I…uh…" El wants to say that he feels uncomfortable with Frea around because of the explosion earlier tonight. But, when he sees Frea glaring an intense glare at him, he loses his ball, "I don't mind!! Of course I don't mind!! Why would I mind, right?!"
"Well, if you say so then let's get ourselves going" Sarkhan continues the spell as the four goes somewhere quite where they can discuss the matter all they want.
****
With the situation of the room's been calmed down, the four childhood friends politely serves Isabel a cup of warm tea, allowing her to ease herself before they sit on the floor, "Ah, thank you for the tea. I feel calmer right now"
"Don't mention it" Felicia represent her other friends to respond to Isabel's thanks, "You said your name is Isabel, right?"
"Yes"
"Alright, what kind of business you have with Naght Sieger that brought you here, Isabel?"
"Actually…I'm here to ask for Princess Fiorentin's help" Isabel, with a very concerned look, casts her attention on the silent lord knight.
"Considering your earlier action, I believe this one is really important" Fio puts some serious tone on her reply, "He hid it from me the last time we met, so I can pretty much guess what has happened. There is something going on in Endless Tower right now, correct? And I assume Valdomir have some kind of involvement on this"
"Yes, you are right" Isabel wastes no time responding, "The Endless Tower...and its inhabitants are in dire danger right now. They are heading to their demise, and I do not wish for that to happen. And…I do not know who else is capable enough to prevent this from happening other than you and your comrades, Princess Fiorentin"
"Uh…excuse me, guys?" Olivia chimes in, "I'm not trying to ruin the mood, but who is this Naght Sieger you are referring to? Is he some kind of a legendary warrior from the world of darkness? I and George missed 8 months of your journey so we don't really get the idea. And since we're not on the same page at all, can someone please fill us in?"
"He's my direct ancestor from more than 10,000 years ago, Olivia. One of Adler's very first generation" Fio really puts a patience on her explanation, "Due to something I do not know, he's still alive now and rules an island called Endless Tower"
"And I supposed he's one grand swordsman?" George adds another question.
"Well, the last time I fought him at Glast Heim he let me live"
"OK…" Well, at least now George and Olivia have the faintest idea of what the demon is capable of, "So, Isabel isn't it? What makes a man of that stature would need Fio's help?"
"Because he is just a human after all, George. Regardless on how he appears outside" No truer words can be said to answer the last question. Indeed, there is one other thing that keeps bugging Fio's mind ever since she knew Naght Sieger, "Isabel, I wouldn't mind lending my help if it's really necessary. Yet, there's one thing that keeps bugging me ever since I first met Lord Sieger…what actually happened to him in the past? What changed his appearance into what he is now? He's such an honorable person…what have he done…"
How come such a noble man got turned into a demon? A question that has been bugging anyone who met Naght Sieger personally.
"I understand…his past does have something to do with this after all. I shall tell all of you what actually happened to him" Understanding the demand and situation the dark haired girl puts her tea cup on the table. The other four Prontera Native sits around her, putting all their ears in online mode so they can hear her. A wing of silence embraces the room for a moment. Isabel looks like as if she's putting all her courage to tell the story. Fortunately, Fio can understand why and the other three are also aware of this. It's not everyday you see someone so gentle turning into a demon.
Finally, Isabel begins her story, "This is the story from long ago, long before Prontera Kingdom was even named Prontera. It all began during the reign of the very first king of what now is Prontera Kingdom, Eisenheim Adler. Lord Sieger was born as a normal human named Gaeris Adler, the second son of Eisenheim Adler and his queen, Teresa. He had two siblings, the older one was Gerald and the younger one was Grisham. Their parents raised them to become great swordsmen so they would be able to protect their kingdom, their family, and their people when the time comes. Apparently, Gaeris Adler was the strongest swordsman out of the three, but according to his father he lacked something compared to his two siblings. Thus, if he were to become the king he would be third in line after the other two. King Eisenheim never meant to hurt him, he had wanted to encourage him to become a better man but Gaeris failed to see the idea. Lord Sieger had admitted it by himself, that during his life as Gaeris Adler he believed that he loves his kingdom and its people so much that he didn't want anyone other than him to rule the kingdom. Thus, the seed of envy had grown slowly but surely inside the deepest bottom of his heart. He had stared at them with hatred and anger. Years passed, the three swordsmen had found their loves and created their own family with the women they had loved. They had become fathers as their family grown, but the envy inside Gaeris' heart never faded, not even the faintest bit. Especially it was about time King Eisenheim going to choose who will succeed him in the throne. As I told you before, because of his lack Gaeris couldn't have the throne as long as his two other brothers live, because it would be either one of those two to succeed King Eisenheim. Having the throne as his lifelong dream…Gaeris Adler couldn't bear the burden of not succeeding it, being the third in line for the throne. Thus, he resolved to commit a horrible sin…two nights before the crown ceremony began, Gaeris sneaked into Grisham's family residence and…murdered his own brother before killing Grisham's wife and children entirely"
"Impossible!" Fio widens her eyes listening to the story and rebuts it, "Lord Sieger?! Doing such a thing?!"
"I knew you would say that. It's only normal, I reacted like that too when Lord Sieger first told me" Isabel waits for seconds until the tension decreased. Fio collects her cool and sits back, silently allowing Isabel to carry on, "His action was quickly uncovered by King Eisenheim and Gerald…resulting on his banishment from the kingdom. But they didn't banish him before making him pay for his sin…"
"Could it be that…" Fio cuts in, "King Eisenheim…cursed him with a certain magic and changed his outside appearance?"
"Precisely, Princess Fiorentin" Isabel rapidly continues. That way, the pain inside her heart caused by telling this story won't hurt her too long either, "King Eisenheim also told him that it was kindness that he had lacked all his life, only ugliness and evil resided within him. So, he casted a forbidden spell created by the gods to change him into a towering demon, just like what he had kept inside him"
Not even the slightest of voice is heard after that, especially from the lord knight. Felicia, Olivia, and George never met Naght Sieger in person, so it's only normal if they can only try to understand what it is on her thought. Frankly speaking, it's hard for Fio to learn this truth. Ever since knowing that she indeed has a family after not having one for so long, she believed Naght Sieger was only exaggerating things a bit about his sin in the past. But, she's been wrong before.
"And then…" Isabel breaks the spell by continuing her story, once again catching other's attention, "After having been banished from his hometown, Gaeris wandered all over Rune Midgard. His appearance made people fear him, reject him, and detest him. It was impossible for him to join a civilization and live like normal person anymore, so he never stops his journey travelling the whole world…realizing that was also a part of his many punishments to come. And…after God only knows how long, he arrived in a deserted island with an extremely tall tower on its center, The Endless Tower"
"I've heard a bit about that tower from Eremes" Olivia throws the info so everyone can get some more knowledge, "It's a tower said to be built by Gods long before humans were even born. You cannot see its top from below. That tower pierces through the sky"
"No truer words can be said about The Endless Tower" Isabel continues by proving that Olivia was indeed correct, "The tower consists of a hundred floors but mysteriously each floor does not connect directly with others. There are certain ways to reach the next level from each floor. Having no other things to do resulted on Gaeris trying to solve the mystery of the tower. And he did, one year after his arrival he managed to reach the hundredth floor. The Endless Tower doesn't have any other inhabitants so he made it as his new house, his place to continue living. For the next fifty years, he reconstructed the tower as he wished, inside and outside, while trying to erase the pain of being alone…shrouded in silent and cold. Lord Sieger told me that…those fifty years was perhaps the most painful years in his life, because no one was there with him. Living night after night alone in the darkness for as long as he could remember…but only until his wife visited him, one day after fifty long years. It seemed that King Eisenheim allowed her to meet Gaeris after learning where he was back there. If anyone asks me the reason why he allowed her to see his son who killed his own flesh and blood, I can only answer that maybe that was a fatherly love. Gaeris welcomed her wholeheartedly, and for the first time after a very long time, he felt love and being loved again. They shared their moment and their joy, his wife told him how their children had grown and now they are grandparents. How the kingdom is currently running, and of course how much she had missed him. Her words, her figure, her kindness, and her love helped him to rediscover a small yet precious truth…that despite his sin, regardless of his appearance there is someone out there who loves him, misses him, and holds dear the memory of him. After staying for a night, she told him to move on before leaving him…forever"
Not only Fio, but after the other three learnt how hard Naght Sieger's previous life was, they cannot help but empathizing him. Fio is somewhat happy yet sad, because she was such a fool for thinking Naght Sieger was exaggerating things.
"And…he spent the next hundred years preparing himself to see the outside world once again. He learned how to fully mastered his magic he got as a demon. He remastered all his techniques as a swordsman, and now a changed man, he set out to see what his old hometown had become" Isabel displays a weak smile on her face when she's telling this part, leading the other four to believe this would be the good part of the story, "When he arrived in the middle of night in what now is Prontera City, he witnessed the town was full of slumps and ruins. The king by that time, Caplan Adler, was a dictator. He confined his brothers and sisters so he could reign in Prontera all by himself. He forced his people to pay high taxes and put heavy penalties to those who defy him. A demon he was, but his love for Prontera and its people never changed. So, in the middle of a night a day after he arrived, he sneaked in to Caplan's residence and killed him…but just him, not his underlings or his family. He sent a warning to those who would rule the kingdom for the next generations to not misuse their power or they would pay it dearly with their lives"
"Yes, I've heard about that back there in Prontera" Felicia states, yet again proving that the story is indeed true, "A legend about a warrior who walks in the night and slays the kings of Prontera who is brave enough to misuse the kingdom's power to satisfy his own need. It is written in some of the books in the Imperial Library, actually. Although I never know it was Naght Sieger who did all those slaying"
And of course, Fio also throws her mind into this, "At least, he slay only the ungrateful kings. Kings or Queens are not allowed to misuse their power, especially to hurt their own people, because they live not only for their own but also for their people. I just feel weird not having heard of this before"
"Well, I'm not trying to sound rude…but if you didn't spend most of your time bullying the bullies in the streets of Prontera back there, maybe you can read something useful like the myth or the legend surrounding the kingdom" A certain champion says a true thing, but unnecessary.
"Well, excuse me for doing what I like!" Fio spats back before turning her attention to Isabel again, "But, it's true. I've never heard of that story before"
"It's only normal, Princess Fiorentin. The legend is only told before the crowning ceremony, so other people that the would be king or queen didn't find out" Isabel, amused by the princess' reaction, is trying to hold her laugh from seeing her spat, "And, the name Naght Sieger also derived from that legend. His warning and him slaying the dictator rulers in the midnight caused a lot of people to refer to him as He Who Walks In The Night, Naght Sieger"
"That sounds fit and cool, alright" Another comment from George, "So, what's the continuation of the story? What did he do after that?"
"Sometimes later, Lord Sieger decided to use the Endless Tower for the better. After knowing that there are so many people who could use his help, he began gathering those who…the so called civilized people rejected or overlooked, be it orphans, slaves, or other rejects. He gathered them all and allowed them to live inside his island and tower. Thus, creating what he called as his 'family'. This is…the beginning of the true problem" Isabel squeezes the story with a deep serious tone, making the other four pay their attention again, "Over the centuries, his family grown bigger and bigger, but he never felt tired ruling the Endless Tower to watch them over and ensuring the work of the rulers of Prontera. He did his jobs excellently, and he was also a great father figure for his family. I've only lived with him for not more then fifteen years, but I can tell what kind of a man Naght Sieger is. He is a kind hearted man, he keeps his manner and he is polite towards others. He loved his family as his own children, everyday was full of happiness and joy, he thought it would last forever. But he was wrong, during the attack by Valdomir six years ago, Valdomir sent a strong demon named Entweihen Crothen to defeat Lord Sieger. They battled in Endless Tower, resulting in Lord Sieger's victory. But that battle was more than enough to make him late from assisting Prontera. Knowing he had no chance winning against the whole Valdomir, he subsequently joined them as a supporting fighter so his family's and children's safety is guaranteed. But, Valdomir didn't keep the part of their deal. They used a certain chance to screw every possible peace the Endless Tower could have…and it's called jealousy"
"…making the family fought with each other" Fio can easily guess what Isabel was trying to imply on her story, "No better way to destroy a grand citadel then starting from its inside, its core. Did Valdomir throw a cheap fraud?"
"Exactly, Princess Fiorentin" Isabel responds after staring at the ceiling for a second, as if she was remembering something unpleasant yet pivotal, "For over the years, a small debating among the family about who will succeed Lord Sieger as the ruler of Endless Tower has been ricocheting all over the tower. This is mainly because Lord Sieger is…perhaps not going to live any longer"
"What?!" Fio cuts Isabel (again) before she could continue, "Why?! Shouldn't his physique allow him to live for a lot more than ten thousand years?!"
"For a natural demon, yes. However he is a man turned into a demon, so the curse would be lifted under a certain condition. Something he has been looking for all his life…the forgiveness of his past sin. King Eisenheim told him this not long after he was turned, and Lord Sieger believes the only way he would ever find a forgiveness and hope for himself is by sharing his love with others" The answer brought memories back to Fio; Naght Sieger was indeed hinting something about this matter, "Anyway, I'll get back to the point. Beelzebub, one of the Valdomir's strongest fighters came to the island with his dozen underlings alongside Amon Ra and the recovered Entweihen Crothen. But that time, they didn't throw a direct attack like before, perhaps knowing even if they had won they would still suffer from fatal injuries. They had new plan…they spread a rumor that Lord Sieger was actually too greedy to leave his throne and successfully caused the Endless Tower split into two sides, the first side is they who still believe in Lord Sieger and the other side is they who believe Lord Sieger is due, this side is led by Matthew"
"Matthew?" Fio frowns, "I've never heard of him before. Is he one of Lord Sieger's sons?"
"Yes, he is the oldest among the youngsters and usually reckoned to be Lord Sieger's right hand man. He's sort of the leader for the other children. As the means of protection for Endless Tower, Lord Sieger occupied his children as either Sniper or Soul Linker to protect themselves. Matthew is the best Soul Linker on the island, and many of the children believe he could be the successor for the throne of Endless Tower. Yet, Lord Sieger believed he isn't ready just yet. Not to mention…there's a huge power difference between Matthew and Lord Sieger, leading Matthew to believe Lord Sieger didn't actually want to be replaced. Beelzebub saw this as a chance and executed it flawlessly" Isabel continues the grim story, "After the island split into two sides, Lord Sieger tried his best to prevent any outbreak from happening because he didn't want his family to start killing each other. But not too long ago…Matthew and his supporters attack the tower assisted by Beelzebub, Crothen, and Amon Ra. The attack resulted in many casualties from both sides…to be honest, all the family who sided with Lord Sieger was slaughtered….everyone but me"
"That's…horrible…" Olivia is the first to react, "How could a family kill each other just because a group of strangers used them?!"
"In this crazy world, everything is possible I guess" Felicia sounds disgusted by the act committed by the so called 'children of Endless Tower', "Sorry for saying this, but what they did was utterly disgusting. There was nothing right on that"
"I second that" George is not one to be serious all the time, but since this matter is indeed serious.
"And I believe that brings us to your most important point?" Fio scratches the matter again, allowing Isabel to continue.
"Yes, because of that incident…Lord Sieger finally lost his patience and unleashed his anger" The other four can clearly see tears start streaming down from Isabel's eye, but none of them is eager to stop her just now, "He felt that all his dedication and his only chance to find the forgiveness by building a happy family was destroyed because of his children's own greediness. He was enraged, finally revealing all the power and anger hidden inside his heart for so many years. Lord Sieger started hunting down anyone who sided with Matthew and killed them, he killed anyone he could find. I couldn't blame him for that, but I couldn't believe he could do that either. And by the way it goes, he will never stop. Maybe even after he kills Matthew and the others, he will continue killing innocent people who have nothing to do with this"
Isabel is starting to tremble; her eyes keep wetting her chin with its tears. Slowly, she puts both his palms to her face and speaks with a shaky painful voice, "I had felt his warmth when he embraced me. I had been touched by his kind heart when he protected me. I could always feel his compassion whenever he looked at me…but….but, the kind honorable man I once knew has turned into a vicious demon…a demon just like how he appears! And I cannot bear the sight of him slaughtering the people we've been calling a family for all this time!! I…"
Before she could continue, she is cut by the sudden warmth covering her body. Slowly opening the palms concealing her face, she sees Fio hugging her. The lord knight's eye is so full of pity and understanding, she could understand her feeling, "You love him do you? You love Lord Sieger as a man. That's why you don't want him to ever change"
"It's true…it's true, Princess Fiorentin. I have always viewed him as a man, not a father. He had saved my life, given me name, and taken care of me. He had loved me even though I was a complete stranger…how could I not love him? I couldn't help but realizing that he views me only as a daughter, nothing more. But, I couldn't help it…" Isabel buries her face in Fio's arms, still crying uncontrollably. The princess firmly gentling her embrace to ease the crying lady, letting her pouring all her feelings, "I don't know what I should do! I couldn't stop him! That's why, please, I'm begging you!! Please save him!! Help him!! He doesn't deserve any of this!! I knew about his sin, but he's a changed man!! I don't know anyone whom I could ask for help but you, Princess Fiorentin…please, help him!!"
"I will, even if you didn't ask for my help I will still help him" An instant answer, stated so quick yet so reassuring. Usual Fio style, "I owe him a favor, too. He let me live although he knew it was against his order to finish me off. And not to mention I already promised him to cross swords with him again one more time. There's no need for you to beg, Isabel. I will do my best to help him…and help you"
Isabel can feel a kind warmth on her voice, her answer. The very same warmth that brought life to her when she first looked at Naght Sieger. Felicia, Olivia, and George stare at each other without forgetting to display a smile on their lips. Because they know this is usual for Fio, and of course because they knew that means a new battle awaits them in the horizon. To be more precise, in The Endless Tower.
At the same time, El and the elders…
"I see…so that what was actually happening…" El mutters with a shock on his voice while slowly putting his finger on his purple glasses, "I have always wondering why Gen Ed ordered me to put this purple glasses all the time. Now that I find out, I find it hard to believe…"
"Think of it as a sword, Elraven" Sarkhan advises, "If you use it wisely, it will be your greatest weapon. If you don't, it will stab you"
"Still, the pay I have to price if I use this is imaginable…" The black haired gunslinger thoughtfully responds, "But…that is fair enough. I can live with it. When I decided to take this path of being a gunslinger, I'm ready to face its consequences. This one is no different"
"That's the spirit, boy" Gen Ed pats his shoulder and smiles, seeing a smile from the younger gunslinger in return, "You're The Angel of Darkness not for nothing"
Frea doesn't say anything seeing El gets the praised, her mind is wondering somewhere. But of course, El doesn't notice this at all. He's the most insensitive man in Rune Midgard for nothing, too.
"Um, lady and gentlemen?" Emilio shows up, breaking the spell hugging the room, "I don't know how important the talk you were having just now, but Princess Fiorentin asks for an audience"
"Well, it's got to be important" Gen Ed rises and takes the first step, "Let's go, El"
"Yeah, maybe she wants to announce her engagement to you" A painfully sarcastic remarks from Frea who didn't even bother seeing El's reaction, "Or maybe we will see a live make out session"
"Hey, that's cruel…" El puts a sad face before excusing himself to Sarkhan, "Well, thank you, Sarkhan. Thanks for everything"
"You're welcome, and please remember" Sarkhan notes, "Don't tell any of this to anyone, not even Princess Fiorentin"
"OK…but, what does this have to do with Alexandria?"
"Nothing, just wanted to tease you" Sarkhan chuckles, "Now, scram"
And the gunslinger goes for the new battle.
****
The next day…
Pegasus is heading to Endless Tower in full speed, and the alliance is ready to engage in any kind of combat inside it. Last night, Fio told the gunslinger and her other allies what is currently happening in Endless Tower. Though it's clear she would head there for personal matter, Valdomir is still involved, thus resulting on the other parties agreeing to lend their help because they have the same enemy after all and might gain something from this.
And of course it wouldn't be fun if I don't show what happens in the ship:
Emilio: El, I suggest you go talk to the princess right now.
El: Not again…
Emilio: No, no!! I'm serious! Listen, pal!!! I got this weird feeling about Endless Tower, I mean...maybe your life will change forever!! This is your last chance to declare your love for the princess!
El: Emilio, what's that bump on your head?
Emilio: What bump?
El: This one (punches Emilio's face and knocks him out cold)
El: Ah, finally at peace.
Frea: (Staring at El from afar with murderous intent)
El: Or maybe not…
Ty: Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Felicia hates me!!!
Martina: Come on, Ty!! Stop bawling!!
Ty: But, but…Felicia doesn't want to talk to me anymore!! She doesn't even want to look at me when I greeted her this morning!
Sasha: Maybe she just didn't hear you.
Ty: But I greeted her 100 times!!
Sasha: Wow, that means she detests you.
Martina: Big time.
Ty: Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Felicia hates me!!!
Clyde: I thought he is used to being hated.
Hugo: Second that, Clyde. After all, all the girls back there at Einbroch despise him…from what I heard.
Vanessa: …these gunslingers are weird
Gen Ed: (From her back) yes, miss. But they are so lively and that's what matters.
Vanessa: Well, we are entitled to our own opinion, sir.
Gen Ed: By the way, how is your relationship with Clyde going? I heard you got rather friendly with him after the training in Umbala.
Vanessa: Nothing is going on between us, General. That I can assure you.
Gen Ed: Well, we are entitled to our own opinion.
Marcus: Why is Ty crying?
Gregory: You won't understand even if I tell you.
Marcus: Ow, come on!! Tell me!! I wanna know!!
Gregory: No, get a life!!
Marcus: Wuaaaaaaaah!!! Gregory mocked me!!
Gregory: I thought he was just an idiot, but he turns out to be a crybaby also….The Archer Guild got no hope…
Hikari: Iris, what are you doing on the ship? Didn't I tell you to stay at the town?
Iris: But, I'm worried about Fio!! I want to see her in action also!!
Hikari: This isn't a play!! Endless Tower is a dangerous place from what I heard!!
Iris: Yes, but…now that I got friends…I don't want to be left alone…
Hikari: OK…but you have to stay on the ship when things get too hot to handle, promise?
Iris: (Cheerfully) Yes!!
Hikari: (Smiles) good.
Iris: (Mutters) not to mention I have to kill Elraven the prick secretly!! How dare he kissed my precious Fio!!
Hikari: What? Did you say something?
Iris: What?! Me?! No, no!
Fio: I hope everything would be fine once we get there.
Isabel: Thank you, princess. But, I'm sure it wouldn't be easy.
Fio: It wouldn't, but that doesn't mean we cannot finish what we started.
Olivia: (Looking from afar) Is it just me or ever since She fell in love Fio is somewhat wiser?
Felicia: It isn't just you…and look, your boyfriend and George are staring at each other.
Olivia: Ow, boys!! Couldn't they just let go what has happened?!
Although they set sail on the morning and should arrive on the tower by noon, they can already see a moon from the deck. A round island with a towering building on its center, the tower pierces the sky and its top cannot be seen. Surrounding the tower is forest of trees and seashores. The group landed in the eastern part of the seashore, where no one can be seen except for a statue of tower protection. "Well, here we are" George gets the honor to take the first look of the infamous tower, "So, where is that Naght Sieger? If he's really so damn big he should have showed up by now"
"Don't rush yourself, George. If he shows up, we will notice" Fio warns the lanky champion, "Beside, you would freak out seeing him. I'm sure of it"
"So, where are we going now? Right to the tower, right?" Olivia directly asks Isabel, who asked the group to take her with them, "How do we get there? By feet?"
"Um, I think…" Isabel looks around her. She's been living in the island all her life but the aura surrounding it is somewhat different, "I…I don't know"
"What do you mean you don't know? You've been living here for 15 years"
"Yes, but the atmosphere is somewhat different…it's as if…" Isabel looks uneasy, "Something other than the hunt by Lord Sieger is occurring here"
"I second that" Frea adds her opinion, "I could hear hundreds of souls crying all over the island, something is definitely going on"
"How do we find out what is going on?" George speaks again, this time rather logically. But, they don't need a long time to find their answer.
"BEHOLD, THEE!"
A gallant voice casts their attention to one single target, The Tower. "What's that sound?" El, already aiming his Tristan at the tower, slowly advances to a stance.
"That's…Lord Sieger" Isabel's answer pretty much put everyone on standby alert, "He's speaking from the tower…no, from the sky!"
"That loud?" Emilio frowns, "It's probably magic"
"And in a grand scale too" Gen Ed informs the others, "I could feel the presence of other parties in this island, but we couldn't see anyone from above. It must be his magic that conceal our sight, what a magic it was"
"Coming from someone with Naght Sieger's stature that is not really surprising, General" Fio responds, but still preparing herself if something surprising comes up.
"INDEED, PRINCESS FIORENTIN. WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF SHOULD HAVE SURPRISED NO MAN"
"My, oh my. Isn't that the voice of the famous gentleman from Endless Tower I'm speaking to?" A rather calm reply from the lord knight, "I'm sorry for saying this, but where are your manners, Lord Sieger? Yelling like that from somewhere high isn't too polite, me think. May I advice you to show yourself so we can talk in more polite manner like a decent civilized people?"
"YOU'RE GOOD WITH WORDS, PRINCESS FIORENTIN. I MUST GIVE YOU THAT. BUT WORDS ALONE ARE NOT SUFFICED TO SETTLE THIS MATTER. ESPECIALLY, WITH ALL THE CROWD GATHERING ALL OVER THE ISLAND"
"Oh, so we are not alone after all" Fio glances a noticing glance to her other comrades, who give her the impression that they have already found out about that, "Do you mind informing us who are the other guests, Lord Sieger? We can use some attention here"
"BEELZEBUB WITH THE HIS BAND ON THE SOUTH, REKENBER CORPORATION'S GUNSLINGERS ON THE NORTH, AND VALDOMIR ON THE WEST. THERE ARE SO MANY UNINVITED GUESTS TODAY…OR SHOULD I SAY INVITED BY FATE?"
Emilio: Wow, guys from Rekenber are here? Interesting!
El: Now, that's one hell of an opponent!
Sasha: What the hell?
Hikari: It's so crowded here.
George: Yeah!! Cannot wait to kick some ass!!
Olivia: That, or maybe getting your ass kicked.
Felicia: I'm prepared for everything.
Ty: Wuaaaaaaaaaah!!! Felicia hates me!!
Marcus: Wuaaaaaaaah!!! Gregory mocked me!!
Gregory: Marcus, that's not the idea right now. Do you know enemies are waiting inside that tower?
Clyde: …this is tempting
Vanessa: …
Frea: …
Gen Ed: Well, what can we expect?
Fio: At least Lord Sieger has rolled us the red carpet.
"NOW, WITH ALL THE GUESTS FILLING THE ISLAND…SHALL WE MOVE TO THE MAIN MENU FOR TONIGHT'S SUPPER?"
"Hopefully, this won't be the last supper" Fio murmurs before Sieger continues. He heard it of course, but he chose to ignore it.
"I KNEW FOR WHAT PURPOSE YOU HAVE ALL GATHERED HERE TONIGHT…AND THAT IS MY THRONE, TO BE THE RULER OF ENDLESS TOWER. HOWEVER, I'M BUT A DEMON WHILE YOU ARE MILLIONS, SO I SAY WE SHALL EVEN THE NUMBERS A BIT"
Not only the heroes' party, but the others guests are also listening quietly.
"HERE'S THE DEAL, IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU THEN YOU WILL FIND A STATUE OF TOWER PROTECTION STONE. THE STATUE WOULD ALLOW YOU TO TELEPORT TO FOUR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE ENDLESS TOWER. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IN ANY LEVEL YOU'RE IN IS SURVIVE, THAT IS RULE NUMBER ONE"
"Keep surviving, sounds casual" El comments with a low voice.
"RULE NUMBER TWO, YOU WILL FIND IN EACH OF THE STONE FOUR PACKS OF THE ASHES OF DARKNESS. EACH SIDE HAS DIFFERENT COLOR OF PACKS. SOUTH'S PACK IS BLUE, EAST'S PACK IS YELLOW, NORTH'S PACK IS RED, AND WEST'S PACK IS GREEN. TWO DIFFERENT COLORED PACKS ALLOW YOU TO TRAVEL INSIDE THE TOWER RANDOMLY. EACH PACK INSIDE THE STATUE HAS A NUMBER WRITTEN ON IT, FROM ONE TO FOUR. OF COURSE YOU CAN LUCKILY TRAVEL TO WHERE I'M WAITING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ONLY REACH THE PLACE WHERE I'M WAITING, THE TOP LEVEL OF THE TOWER, IS BY COLLECTING ALL THE FOUR PACKS WITH EITHER THE SAME OR DIFFERENT NUMBER, AND I DON'T THINK THE OTHER SIDES WOULD JUST GIVE THEIR PACKS SO EASILY"
The contestants finally read the idea.
"THAT IS RIGHT, THE GAME WE WILL PLAY TONIGHT IS A SURVIVAL GAME. BY THE RULES I HAVE STATED BEFORE, REACH THE TOP LEVEL BEFORE THE TIME LIMIT OF FOUR HOURS. IF NO ONE REACHES THE TOP LEVEL BEFORE FOUR HOURS, THEN YOU WILL ALL VANISH WITH ME AND THIS ISLAND ALTOGETHER. THE SAME WILL HAPPEN IF ANYONE DARES TO STEP OUT FROM THIS ISLAND FOR EVEN JUST ONE STEP. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, THEN YOU ARE FREE TO TRY"
Of course, no one would try after you hear things like that.
"I don't the like the sound of that" Gen Ed throws a nerving comment, "So, he covered the island with a self destruction magic…no, perhaps he covered the whole area of the radius of 5 miles with the magic"
"He doesn't have any intention of letting us escape at all, and not to mention he also prefers to let the 'guests' killing each other rather than him taking them down personally, smart but mischievous" Fio agrees with the gunslinger hero, "He sure has changed"
"A lot" Isabel slowly adds.
"PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SOME OTHER RULES IN THIS GAME. IF YOU LOSE YOUR PACK, YOU'RE DISQUALIFIED, IF YOU LOSE YOUR LIFE, YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED. AND YOU WILL HAVE TO PROTECT THE AREA YOU ARE CURRENTLY STANDING. THAT AREA IS YOUR BASECAMP, IF YOUR BASE CAMP GETS DESTROYED, THEN YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED. AND OF COURSE SINCE I'M STILL THE RULER OF THIS ISLAND, I WILL PERSONALLY END WHOEVER DARES TO DISRESPECT ME AND THIS ISLAND. GOOD LUCK"
"Good luck? That sounds like a sarcasm" El posts a quick comment before getting serious, "So, what do we do now? Anyone got an idea on how we move on this game?"
"Well, I do have an idea" Gen Ed picks the four yellow packs inside the Tower Protection Statue and shows them to the younger fighters.
"We're all ears, general" Fio signals their preparation to listen.
"There are sixteen of you kids here. My idea is to split you into four groups consisted of four persons. Each group will choose a leader of their own to keep their pack. This way, your number is balanced and thus your chance of winning the game in any level you're in is higher than being alone" That sounds like a wonderful idea, Gen Ed! "As for our base camp, I mean this base camp, I shall guard it"
"So you'll leave all the actions to us, dad?" Emilio smirks.
"Delightfully, son" Gen Ed gently smiles.
"That's a wonderful idea, general. I say, we bet on it" Fio nods, full of satisfaction of having a good tactician with them here, "The problem is, how do we decide who will be in which group?"
"We will draw straws" Gen Ed reveals sixteen straws, "I've written number 1 to 4 per four straws. Whichever number you get is the group you're in"
The group doesn't waste time drawing straws. "Alright, we're done with the straws. There will be no repeat" Gen Ed amusingly announces, "I'll announce the result of the drawing"
And the groups are:
Group No. I (Stacked Ups) = Emilio (c), Hikari, Hugo, and Martina.
Group No. II (El's Harem) = Fio (c), El, Frea, and Sasha.
Group No. III (A Bunch of Idiots) = Marcus (c) [& Gregory], Olivia, Eremes, and George/Fenrir.
Group No. IV (Two perverts and two girls) = Ty (c), Felicia, Clyde, and Vanessa.
And this is the reaction of the groups,
Hikari: I should be the captain of the group, not you!!
Emilio: I'm a real life captain!! You don't know sh*t about being a captain!!
Hikari: Oh, yeah?!
Emilio: Yeah!!
Martina: We will never hear the end of this…
Hugo: I prefer not to say anything
Frea: (Staring at both Fio and El with murderous intent)….
El: (Stays silent, dare not to look at Fio)….
Fio: (Stays silent, dare not to look at El)….
Sasha: This has got to be the quietest harem in existence.
Marcus: Yaaaaaaay!! I'm the captain!! I'm the captain!!
Gregory: That's why I'm dead worried for the safety of this group…
Olivia: Come on, the both of you!! Why don't you want to look at each other?
George: I'm busy thinking.
Eremes: I got better things to do.
Clyde: Hi, Vanessa.
Vanessa: Hi.
Clyde: …
Vanessa: What?
Clyde: No, nothing.
Vanessa: (Glances at the smiling Gen Ed) this is must be his doing!
Ty: Felicia?
Felicia: Oh? Did I hear something?
Ty: Felicia? I'm sorry for what I did, OK?
Felicia: Oh, I don't hear anything. It's just me.
Of course, Iris who has been watching them from the ship couldn't help but worried, "General, do you think they will be fine? I mean…just take a look at them…"
"Yes, they will be fine. They are comrades, Iris"
"You draw them on purpose, did you?"
"Smart girl, indeed I did. But, I did it on purpose so they can get closer"
"You don't have to draw Fio with that prick, you know…"
"They are good for each other, couldn't help it"
And with the groups set and ready, they go to their respective destinations by putting their pack on the statue.
"Good luck everyone" Gen Ed withdraws his Azarael and Tezzereth, "Now, if you may, Iris and Isabel"
"Yes" The two answers in unison.
"Please get in the ship" Gen Ed gently asks when a figure walks towards him from the forest, "We got a company"
****
Group 1, Level 34, Meadow Area
"This place sure isn't cozy" Emilio throws the first comment once his group gets to the meadowland, "Although, I kinda get the feeling we're not alone here"
"Tell me about it" Indirectly, Hikari agrees.
"Stay on alert, Hugo" Martina warns her comrade, "This meadowland is more dangerous than it looks"
"Indeed it is" What Hugo will say next surely alert the other three, "Right now, I'm spotting 251 heat sources"
"That many?" Emilio wrinkles, "From where?"
"From us" A deep voice catches all the heroes' attention, and it turns out to be no other than…
"Red Valdes!" Emilio shouts once he sees who their opponent is, "What a surprise to have you in here. It's no other than the Python number I himself"
"Thanks for the acknowledgement" The leader of Pythons grins, "Alexandria isn't with you? That's too bad, I've been wanting to see her…or should I say it is her who's been wanting to see me?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"No need for me to explain, you make me lose my interest on fighting" Valdes looks somewhat disappointed and turns his back, "Guys, I'll leave these four pigs for your supper"
All of a sudden, 250 other green uniformed Rekenber gunslingers slowly show up from every direction there is, completely surrounding the four.
"Nice trap" Hikari draws her Refined Muramasa, "I'm sure that gunslinger with the mechanical eye is the one who got the pack"
"That means we'll have to defeat his lackeys before defeating him" Emilio withdraws his Hyperion, "Sounds fun"
"I second that" Valdes mirthfully accepts the indirect challenge, "If you pigs can defeat my 'lackeys', I'll face you personally"
"One against four?" Martina mocks Valdes, "You're overestimating yourself"
"No, it's you who are overestimating your squad" Valdes cozily sits on the meadowland as his lackeys grow closer, "I can take care your entire squad any given time, piggy. Now, let's get down to the business so I can meet my long time fan"
****
Group 3, Level 51, Desert Area
"Hey, desert!! It's the first time I've ever seen a desert!!" Marcus sounds like he's enjoying the view, but the case is different with the other three on his back.
"Stop it, you two!! We're a team, can't we work like a team for now?!" Olivia is still feeling pissed off because George and Eremes wouldn't make up.
"What team? A Quarter King is here, he might be a spy" George murmurs without even bothering to look.
"That's what a loser would say" Eremes responds with style.
"A loser? Yeah, like someone who pissed his pants and run once he saw something scary in Glast Heim"
"At least I didn't get beaten to pulp"
"At least I didn't sh*t myself"
"At least I'm not the one who counts on other's power to win"
"Stop it!! Both of you, stop it!! I'm so sick of this!!" Olivia finally snaps, "If you two cannot work like a proper team, then go ahead!! But, don't cost other's life in the process! Do the two of you know what's in the stake here?!"
"Uh…guys…" Marcus tries to catch their attention, but the three glare at him instead.
"What?!" They shout at the same time.
Marcus gets startled and turns to Gregory, who gets the message, "We have a problem in front of us…to be more precise, four problems"
That's right, four Baphomets coming at them with slow pace from the other end of the desert. One of them carries a green pack on their neck.
"Four Baphomets…Great Demon Baphomet must have sent them" Eremes prepares a pair of Chakram katars.
"So knowledgeable, as expected from one of the quarter kings" George still mocks while putting his gloves, a pair of knuckles.
"Damn it…" While cursing the two, Olivia picks her Angra Manyu, "I don't care anymore"
"It's four against four, eh?" Marcus gets spirited and shows his Refined Ballista, "Sounds fair enough"
"Yes…" Gregory glares at the other three and changes his mind, "Or maybe not"
****
Group 4, Level 62, Mountain Area
"Felicia, please forgive me!! I cannot bear having you not talking to me!" Ty still begs for a mercy but Felicia prefers observing the ruins…quietly.
"Oh, lord!! I admit my mistake!! I will never tape any of your pictures anymore!!" Still, no response, "OK, name it!! What do I have to do to have your forgiveness?"
"Nothing" A dry response from the paladin, "Because, I will never forgive you"
"Wuaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!" And Ty, 23 years old, finally bawls.
"Uh, Felicia?" Clyde feels pity for his senior, "I know Ty's a dick sometimes, but he's good inside. I think you should give him a second chance"
"At what cost?" Another dry remarks from Felicia, "There's no guarantee he will change at all"
"Well, yes. But…"
"No, buts" Vanessa joins in, "I agree with Felicia here. You boys should learn to respect your opposite gender"
"Hey, I'm the one in problem here!! It's Ty!!"
"Yeah, but you stood up for him" It's the girls vs the boys now, "You're the same as him"
"What?! No!!" Round 1 begins, "Are you out of your mind?!"
"Yeah, are you out of your mind?!" Ty, still bawling, joins Clyde, "There's no way a no balls like Clyde is the same as me!!"
"Hey, who did you call no balls?!" Clyde takes an offence on that, "I was sticking for you, you freaking pervert!! How ungrateful!!"
"How…pathetic" A cold dark voice seals the arguments of the four and makes them ready, "I've been expecting you, Tyrael. But it seems to me that you don't worth my interest"
"Thanatos Phantom…" Ty changes into his serious mode and withdraws his Xylphas, "What a surprise, do you have the green pack with you?"
"Yes" Thanatos shows the green pack, "If you want to have this then…I welcome you to try"
"How nice" Ty slowly walks toward the undead warrior, "I'll be sure to have the green pack in my right hand…and your head in my left"
"Now, that is interesting" Thanatos unsheathes his Tirfing and keeps the pack, "Let's see if you can walk the talk"
"I'll help you" Felicia calls from Ty's behind. The western graced gunslinger turns over his shoulder and spots everyone is ready with their weapons. Felicia with her Saber & Sacred Mission, Clyde with his Cutlass, and Vanessa with her pair of Drill Katars, "We're racing against time here, there's no need to play around"
"Tell you what, Paladin?" It's Thanatos who answered with a grin, "I'm not alone"
In a blink of an eye, three figures attack the other three but Ty and force them to split into different areas. "Guys!!" Ty attempts to catch with them but a slash which nearly hits his face stops him.
"Your opponent is here" Thanatos plays around with his Tirfing, "Or, you don't believe on them enough?"
"I do believe in them" Ty advances to a stance after the taunt, "Prepare yourself"
Meanwhile, the figure attacking Clyde now stops. Clyde can see who he is, "You're Gert Haarhof, The Black Thrasher, and you're Pythons number IV"
"And you're Clyde Williams, one of Ropera Squad members" Haarhof, Pythons member with the largest and finest built among his team, recalls to his enemy, "Too bad you have no pack with you"
"Oh, you have one?"
"Here" Haarhof shows a red pack, "Get this if you can"
"I will" Clyde prepares to fight with his Cutlass, "I definitely will"
Felicia got a rather familiar figure, much like Ty, "I remember you…you are The Lord of Death"
"Right, paladin. You remember me after all" The giant undead demon responds with hatred, "You killed Bacsojin, now you will pay for that sin!!"
"Sorry to disappoint you, but meeting God isn't my exact plan for now" Readying her Saber, Felicia displays a confident smile.
Whereas Vanessa...she gets a new figure, "I haven't seen you before in Valdomir, who are you?"
"I'm called Hibram, woman" Fallen Bishop Hibram introduces himself, "And I will make you suffer"
****
Group 2, Level 87, Forest Area
Ever since the kiss on the play, Fio never speaks with El again and vice versa. This awkward situation continues even now, the two of them dare not to even stare.
And Frea seizes this chance to mock them, "The newly wed couple doesn't seem to be happy, eh? Or is it just me?"
"Frea, stop it" El reacts, "That's not funny, OK?"
"The kiss? Why, of course!! It wasn't funny, it was exciting!"
"Frea, I beg of you…please stop it"
"Why would I stop? You're not my boss!!" Frea mocks again, "Or is it maybe that your new lover is too young for adult stuffs?! She's just a brat after all!!"
"Well, excuse me!! At least I don't have wrinkles on my face!!" Fio retaliates and the bride wars begin, "And I'm glad I'm only 16 year old!! I'm not older than dinosaurs!!"
"How dare you said I'm older than dinosaurs!! And I don't have wrinkles on my face!!"
"Well, you ARE older than dinosaurs!!"
"Tsk!! At least I got proper physical proportions!!" It's getting down to be more personal, eh? "Unlike a brat who is flat chested!!"
"What?! I'm not flat chested!!" Yes, Fio. You are, "I will still grow!!"
"You will grow to be flatter and flatter!! And uglier too!! In fifty years you would be a grandma who pisses your skirt every five minutes while I'm still as attractive as always!!"
"How can someone grow flatter, you silly?! And in fifty years you will still be older than dinosaurs!! And you're not attractive at all!!"
"You said that only because you have half-assed curves like a snotty brat!!" Will we ever hear the end of this?
"The least of all, I don't give the impression that my chest would pops out anytime!! Unlike yours, who is a big eyesore to Rune Midgard!!"
"What?! You snobbish little brat!!" We're going to have a catfight here, "I have my proud to be a modest woman!! Unlike you who keep showing off your legs!! Do you want the boys' attention that much?!"
"Modest?! You said showing your curves to everyone living in Rune Midgard are modest?!"
"Girls, can we all stop this at once!!" El's had enough and shouts, successfully shutting both girls, "We're here to collect the pack, OK?"
"Hey, you cannot say that!! This is all because of you!!" Frea blames Elraven, although Fio is somewhat silent, "See? She couldn't say anything because you…"
"Guys!" Sasha cuts them off. All of them, "I'm not trying to interrupt your fun-fun harem, but I think we have a company here"
"Lots of company, you mean" El prepares his HAVOX, "I can hear so many of them"
****
Well, I would like to keep the strongest group's enemies a secret so there you go!! God, I have tons of battles to write!! BTW, in the next chapter we will have an omake about Ty and a bonus chapter about Alphard!
I'm sorry for the late update like I stated above. Thanks for reading, c u next chappy!!