Chapter Four: Part Four

One day later…

Blutkrieger

Kion was starting to get frustrated. He couldn't help it. He knew that his arm was fully healed, but King Franz would still not allow him to return to active duty. No,hewas still stuck overseeing the reconstruction of the Great Hall while Vahan and Philomena were still in charge of the campaign against Astraea. His two younger siblings that he knew fully did not have their hearts completely in it!

They were both heartbroken when we all thought Astraea died. And when Astraea was exposed as being a traitor they hesitated to act. They sided with Father, but they still hesitated! They're going to blow this campaign. I just know it!

Kion looked at his surroundings. The scaffolding that lined the walls and the debris still littered across the floor. He cursed under his breath.How long does it take to reconstruct one damn room, anyway?! Are there really no House Pixies left?!

"Your Highness?" Gwenette approached him from behind. She lowered her voice as she leaned close. "Are you all right?"

Kion gave her a look. It wasn't a glare but it wasn't a gentle gaze. "Have they reported how long it will take to get the Great Hall finished?"

Gwenette nodded. "The foreman told me. He said it will take another fortnight."

"Another fortnight," he spat, looking away. "This is theEisenblütig! The seat of the Royal Family! It should not be taking this long to rebuild one damn room!"

"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness," Gwenette said, ducking her head.

"Why are you apologizing?!" Kion demanded. "This isn't your fault! Don't apologize for other people's laziness and incompetence, Gwenette!"

Gwenette kept her head ducked and her hands clasped in front of her. "Look at me," he told her. "You're my assist and I'm your charge. Don't—cowerin my presence!"

She looked up at him then. Her eyes were sad, and he felt a twinge of discomfort upon seeing that. "It's not like that, Your Highness," Gwenette said. "I'm not cowering. I'm only showing you respect."

Kion reached out and held her chin. "You will show me respect by holding your head high. By being proud to be by my side, Gwenette. Are you proud?"

Gwenette nodded. "Of course I am. I don't want to be anywhere else, Your Highness."

But the sadness still lingered in her gaze. Kion didn't know the last time he saw her happy. He pushed the thought aside and released her. "Let's get back to work," he said, turning away from her. "There's a lot—"

"How rare to see you being an idle royal."

Kion froze when he heard this voice, and the familiar irritation and anger flared inside of him. He swiftly turned to see a man in his mid-twenties standing two meters away. He was dressed in black from head to toe—a black top hat, black fur-lined coat, black gloves, and black clothing—but he was wearing a familiar smirk that Kion always wanted to slap off his face. He clenched his jaw and clenched his fist. "…Taiwo Winn." He said the name with a snarl.

Taiwo's smirk widened, and the intense blue eyes of the Reiser lineage burned at Kion as he approached. "Long time no see, Your Highness," Taiwo greeted in a condescendingly respectful tone. "I must say I'm not surprised to see my brother largely unchanged."

"I'mnotyour brother," Kion spat. "Being one of the King's recognized bastards doesn't make you my sibling, Taiwo."

"Actually Your Highness, that'sexactlywhat it does," Taiwo responded. His gaze shifted to Gwenette and his expression visibly softened. "And there she is." He suddenly swooped into a graceful bow before Gwenette. "The "glowing light" of Eisenblütig is still as beautiful as always."

The rage surged stronger in Kion as Gwenette stammered in shock. Her face was flushed as she looked between Kion and Taiwo. "Ah…thank you, Mister Taiwo?"

Taiwo took her hand and pressed a kiss over her Fire Rune. "I have missed you, sweet Gwenette. You haven't responded to any of my letters. Your charge hasn't been intercepting them, has he?"

"Okay, that's enough," Kion said harshly. He moved forward and physically inserted himself between Gwenette and Taiwo. "What the hell do you want, and why the hell are you here?!"

Taiwo's smirk returned as he stood up. "I didn't realize that I needyourpermission to answer a summons by His Majesty the King," Taiwo retorted smoothly.

Kion's brow rose. "His Majesty summoned you?"

"Yes, he did. And not just summoned." Taiwo gestured behind him and Kion saw three suitcases on the floor behind him. "I have been formally invited to take up residence here in Eisenblütig. Isn't it wonderful that I'm being granted the same privileges as Lady Darya, Aravine, and Kerime? And I didn't have to kill anyone or—marry the right person to do it."

Before Kion could respond, a palace guard hurried over. "Mister Taiwo Winn," the guard said. "Sir Albert sent me to personally escort you to His Majesty the King."

"Then I won't keep him waiting," Taiwo said. He glanced at Kion. "Since you don't appear to be doing anything Your Highness, can you arrange to have someone bring my bags to my new room?"

"What?!" Kion snapped, but Taiwo hurried off after the guard. He clenched his jaw and his fists once more.Damn him…!

Taiwo Winn was the son of Iyanla Winn; the owner of Zelant's largest newspaperCall to ActionDigest. As seemed to be the habit Iyanla became a mistress to King Franz, and from that moment she produced nothing but positive news coverage for the Crown. Even after her…arrangement with the King ended her stance did not change. Taiwo was largely following in his mother's footsteps as a reporter, and Kion couldn't stand him. Taiwo lacked tact and was blatantly disrespectful. He never held any regard for Kion's rank, and even though he was aterribleexcuse for a soldier Taiwo still acted like he was better than Kion.

It was infuriating being around him. Especially since Taiwo was a bastard, andespeciallysince Taiwo was younger than him!

Kion glanced at Gwenette, who looked to be at a loss for words. "Taiwo Winn sends you love letters?" he asked. "I didn't realize you were in a relationship with him, Gwenette."

"I'm not, Your Highness!" Gwenette exclaimed, raising her hands. "A-And he doesn't send me love letters! I've gotten two letters from him in just the past year, and it was only pleasantries! I didn't respond because I haven't had time!"

Kion relaxed, but only a little. "You're allowed to have a personal life, Gwenette. Just because you're my assist doesn't mean—"

"I'm fine, Your Highness," Gwenette interjected firmly. "Standing by your side is enough for me."

Kion nodded to that. "All right." He turned away again. "Let's get this matter with the Great Hall settled so I can return to active duty."

Gwenette glanced towards Taiwo's suitcases. "Ah…what shall we do about Mister Taiwo's bags?"

"Leave them." Then Kion stormed away.

It wasn't the first time Taiwo Winn had been inside the Eisenblütig, but itwasthe first time that he was in the presence of King Franz and Albert by himself. He held onto his carefree smirk as he stood before the dais in the Onyx Chamber took off his hat and saluted. "I am honored to be in your presence, Your Majesty," he said respectfully.

"It's been a long time, Taiwo," King Franz greeted him. His tone was professional and lacked warmth. "How is Iyanla?"

Taiwo twitched very slightly. "My mother is the same as always."

"She has done this country proud with her coverage of the crises afflicting this country."

She cannot report the news any other way.But Taiwo knew better than to say this out loud. "Mother is the best at what she does."

"You must be wondering why you have been summoned here," Albert said. "And why you have been extended an invitation to live in Eisenblütig."

"The thought has crossed my mind," Taiwo said.

"You are an excellent reporter, Taiwo," Albert said. "Your report on the Massacre of Innocents was flawless, and your coverage of our conflict with the Bianca Alliance has impressed His Majesty deeply."

"Thank you, Sir Albert."

"But now we need more from you," Albert said. "Astraea Reiser has challenged His Majesty to Royal Combat. She has chosen a less than ideal time for this country to do this. The general perception from the public regarding this has been ambivalence, and we need to change that. We need to remind the people who the true Monarch is, and that Astraea Reiser is a traitor and our enemy. That is where you come in, Taiwo."

Taiwo's brow rose in shock. "I see," he said slowly. "You would like me to create propaganda against the Princess?"

"Do not refer to her as a princess," King Franz interjected. "She is a traitor, as are her siblings Sigrun and Denzel. They do not deserve the honor of royal titles."

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Taiwo said, ducking his head. "But you still wish me to promote press coverage against…Astraea?"

"Yes," Albert said. "We will be giving you Astraea Reiser's former quarters for your living space. We have stripped the quarters bare to find anything treasonous, but you are a skilled investigative reporter. If there is anything that you may glean from her quarters, we have you to utilize it in your writing."

Taiwo's smirk faltered. "…I will be staying in the bedroom of an eighteen-year-old girl?" he asked uncomfortably.

"You will not be sleeping in her former bed," Albert reassured him. "We have provided a new bed for you, and the room has furnishings that will appeal to your tastes."

Taiwo's shoulders eased slightly in relief. "I appreciate the efforts you have gone for me."

"But we have left some of her possessions behind," Albert said. "Nothing overly personal, but enough that we feel that you will be able to write about her accurately."

But I will still be invading Astraea's privacy for propaganda purposes.

He again wisely kept the words to himself and nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Sir Albert. I will not let you down."

"See to it that you don't," King Franz spoke up. "Iyanla has never let me down and I trust you—as my own son—to do the same."

Taiwo smiled thinly. "Of course, Your Majesty."

"That will be all," Albert said. "We will show you to your new quarters."

"May I ask about any upcoming military campaigns?" Taiwo spoke up.

"Your concern is anti-Astraea propaganda, not military movements," Albert said. "But as you will be staying here then you should know this—we are at a stalemate with the Bianca Alliance, and Prince Vahan and Princess Philomena are collaborating to take down Astraea."

They are doing more against Astraea than the Alliance.

"Good to know," Taiwo said aloud. He saluted again. "Thank you again for this opportunity."

"The scouts say that Giant's Passage has had some repairs and people have been seen crossing it," Vahan said, looking up from his paperwork. He was seated in his sitting room, Philomena across from him. Kerime stood behind him, and Aravine stood behind Philomena. The small table between them was covered in paperwork. "This all but confirms the rumors that Astraea has taken over the Old Capital."

"Why would she do that?" Philomena asked, shaking her head. "The Old Capital was abandoned long ago! It is undoubtedly a dilapidated city! She will be spending a lot more time making that place livable than trying to challenge Father!"

"There is nowhere in this country that she would be safe, especially after all the lords and ladies pledged fealty to the King," Vahan said. His upper lip rose in a snarl briefly before his mouth relaxed. "Taking the Old Capital for herself was probably her only option."

"Is it true that there are werewolves on the South Island?" Philomena asked.

"I doubt it," Vahan responded. He rubbed a hand over his face. "Let's focus on our campaign, all right?"

Philomena slumped in her chair. "Shouldn't we be focusing on the Alliance warships that have surrounded our island first? Lord Benedict sent a report to Father over it, didn't he?"

"Thankfully in written form," Vahan sighed. "But yes—I've heard that foreign ships have been uneasy to land because of the Alliance warships framing our waters."

"Then why are we going after Astraea first?"

"Because the King told us to!" Vahan said harshly. He covered his eyes for a moment and let out a prolonged and exasperated sigh. When he lifted his head, he saw that Philomena looked hurt by his shouting. "I'm sorry," he said more calmly. "Just…" he gestured to the papers covering the table. "Let's get ourselves organized, okay?"

Philomena nodded slowly, but her frown was full of pain. Vahan's natural instinct as a big brother kicked in and he looked over his shoulder to Kerime. "Could you ask the kitchen to send vanilla sweet cakes and tea up to us?"

Philomena perked up upon hearing this and Kerime gave a small smile. "I'll call a maid to place the order." He hurried over to pull the cord to summon a servant.

"So the campaign," Vahan said, turning back to Philomena. She was already looking to be in better spirits. "I'll advance with the vanguard with my Calvary unit. You command the rearguard with your unit. Sound good?"

"Vahan, you shouldn't advance with the vanguard," Philomena protested. "You're a prince, you need to stay in the rearguard and lead from there!"

"I'm a Reiser," Vahan reminded her. "And I'm the older sibling. I'll command from the vanguard. We had 300 soldiers who deserted to Astraea's side, but our numbers are still greater than hers. We can crush her easily."

"Her True Wind Rune will be a problem," Philomena said, rubbing her forehead. "We should lean heavily on archery units to keep her at bay."

"Good idea," Vahan said. He hesitated for a moment, and his chest tightened slightly. He ducked his head forward. "Vahan?" Philomena asked him.

"…Before we commence," he said, meeting her gaze. "I want to extend an invitation for a conference. To give Astraea an opportunity to sue for peace before we clash on the battlefield."

"That's a great idea!" Philomena exclaimed, sitting up. "If we can get Astraea to surrender, then there won't be bloodshed on either side! Then we can focus on the Alliance!" But then her shoulders drooped. "But—Father will still kill them, won't he? Sigrun, Denzel, and Astraea."

Vahan's frown deepened. "Let's get them to surrender first," he said. "Thenwe'll worry about what the King will do."

It was risky, but he had a plan. Astraea had no chance against the King in Royal Combat. He knew that. Even with a True Wind Rune she would not be able to win. But Vahan…deep down he knewhecould win. He could best the King and put an end to everything. And then…

If Astraea surrenders, that will nullify her bid for Royal Combat. Then before the King can sentence Astraea, Sigrun, and DenzelIwill issue my own bid for Royal Combat. Then all I have to do is beat him, and this insanity will end. But if she doesn't surrender…he shook his head. He wouldn't think about it.

There was a knock at Vahan's door. "Your Highness?" a soft voice called out. "I have brought the tea and sweet cakes."

Philomena grinned in relief and Vahan nodded as Aravine went to the door. "Let's continue."

Old Capital

"Nin mel!"

Astraea looked up. She had returned from the Quiet Room and was standing in the great hall with Dawa when Brownie flew over to her and grew large in size. "Nin mel,a dragon is outside!" Brownie exclaimed.

A dragon? Before Astraea could speak David raced down the stairs towards them. "I saw it upstairs," he said, his tone breathless. "It's a Dragon Knight!"

"Futch!" Astraea exclaimed. After she had recruited Erment in his shop, they had searched the city for Futch and had not been able to find him. They left the city and found Viki, Gygax, Bright, and Swift still waiting for them. Astraea gave Gygax milk for Swift, which the boy appreciated, but none of them had seen Futch.

"He'll come around," Gygax said dismissively. "You don't need to wait around for him. We'll be fine."

So they had used the Blinking Mirror to return to their HQ with the Dragon Knights. But they were here now?

"Heeeeey!" Viktor shouted jovially from outside. "You punk! Who do you think you are, growing up so much?!"

Astraea, Dawa, David, and Brownie hurried outside. In the front courtyard they did indeed see the Dragon Knights, but Viktor appeared to have Futch in a minor headlock with his left arm. Viktor glanced towards Astraea. "You didn't tell me you met Futch on the road, Your Majesty! We go way back!"

Futch managed to pull himself free, but the man blanched when he got a good look at Viktor. "Your arm!" he shouted.

"Yeah, Pete had the same reaction," Viktor said, waving a hand nonchalantly.

"W-What the hell happened to you?! That was yoursword arm, Viktor!"

"Oh really, it was?" Viktor asked sarcastically. He shrugged. "I'm alive and that's what matters."

Futch stammered, looking Viktor up and down before he noticed Astraea's presence. He cautiously approached her. "I wasn't able to catch the thief," he said. "And I received confirmation that there are no incoming or outgoing ships to the Northern Continent currently."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Astraea said sincerely. "If you need a place to stay, you can stay here."

"That's actually why I'm here…Your Majesty," Futch said. "I unfairly judged you when we met, but you have helped me and you have demonstrated fairness and compassion. You also kept one of our eggs safe."

"I bought it because of that," David said, raising his hand. "We knew you Dragon Knights would come looking for it, so we kept it close by to hand it over to you when that time came."

"And now I have a dragon!" Gygax cheered, hoisting Swift up into the air.

"But we currently cannot leave the country without difficulty," Futch said. "And wewereable to find the last missing dragon egg because of you. So as thanks, I would like to lend you my strength."

Astraea's eyes widened with shock. "Unofficially," Futch quickly added, raising his hand. "I would be helping you as an individual soldier andnotas an official representative of the Dragon Knights. I want to make sure that this distinction is clear."

"O-Of course," Astraea said, offering him a handshake. "Thank you for your consideration. Welcome to the Reformation Army."

"I'll help, too!" Gygax said, hurrying over. "Swift is too small to fight, butIcan fight!"

"I only ask that as the next Queen of this country that you ensure that incidents like thieves selling dragon eggs illegally don't happen again," Futch said.

"I'll try my best," Astraea promised him.

Futch nodded to this, but then Viktor suddenly grabbed him in a headlock again. "You're old enough to drink now, aren't ya? Let's get a couple of pints!"

"It's barely noon!" Futch protested.

"Yeah, it's evening somewhere in the world!" Viktor laughed and proceeded to drag Futch off back towards the city. Bright hurried after him.

"So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" Gygax asked her.

Astraea stared at him. "Ah…"

"Show him that wheel game,nin mel!" Brownie said, turning small again and flying around.

"No!" Dawa interjected. "That's gambling!"

"Is that a fairy?" Gygax asked, watching him fly around.

"A House Pixie," Astraea said. "I could show you around the city if you like, Gygax."

Gygax shrugged. "Okay."

Futch eventually managed to get away from Viktor and found them as they window-shopped in Jeane's store. "Thank you for watching him, Your Majesty," Futch said. His brow lifted when he saw Jeane. "Don't you ever age?!"

"What a peculiar thing to say, teehee," Jeane laughed softly.

"There are plenty of residents here for you to choose from," Astraea told him. "At its peak the Old Capital had a population size of one million people."

"I would need a place large enough for Bright," Futch said. "I'll know what to look for."

"Can I have my own house?" Gygax asked.

"No," Futch said quickly, grabbing his arm. "Let's go."

"He acts like an exasperated father," Dawa observed.

They departed not long after they did and she look a moment to admire the Old Capital's market district. There were still empty storefronts but she saw that Pete had established his item shop and Erment had established his armor shop. And she saw that Satoshi had set up his stand in another building. She knew that Janna and Haruna had set up in the basement level of the castle and she made a mental note to visit them. After looking around she decided to stop in at Pete's shop. To her surprise, she saw David was in there looking at some items. "Hello, Your Majesty! Lady Dawa!" Pete called out.

David looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I was just browsing Your Majesty, go ahead." He moved aside so she could step up to the counter.

"I have my usual inventory but also rare items," Pete said. He motioned to a cubby hole behind him that had a curtain in front of it. "These items are pricey but you won't find them in a regular shop setting."

"What do you have?" Astraea asked.

Pete pulled back the curtain. "A recipe and a few different types of seeds—"

"Seeds?!" Astraea exclaimed, grabbing the counter. "What kind?!"

Pete chuckled softly and laid them on the counter. "Let's see…carrots, beets, and cabbage."

"No potatoes?" Dawa asked

Pete shook his head. "Not today."

Astraea tried not to get too disappointed. "How much for the carrot seeds?"

"3,000 Potch, Your Majesty."

Astraea's brow rose in shock. "I apologize Your Majesty, but thesearerare items," Pete said. "This recipe for example you won't find anywhere else."

David glanced at the recipe. "Oh, tamago nigiri," he read. "I've had it before, it's good."

"How much for the recipe?" Astraea asked.

"5,000 Potch," Pete said.

Astraea nodded. "Good thing I won big atgaraponyesterday. I'll buy all four."

"That will be 14,000 Potch, Your Majesty."

She left the shop with Dawa and David following her. "I'll stop off and see Janna in a bit," Astraea said. "I'll keep the carrot seeds on me since I need them, but I have a lot more I need to drop off."

"Before we go back," David said suddenly. "I need to talk to you, Your Majesty. Alone."

"Sure," Astraea said. "We're alone now—"

"Alone," David interjected, looking to Dawa. "May I see Her Majesty in private?"

Dawa narrowed her eyes at David. "It's okay, Dawa," Astraea told her. "We'll stay inside the Old Capital. You gone on back without me."

Dawa didn't look pleased, but after a few moments she nodded. "I will take your items to Janna for her to put into storage."

"Oh, thank you Dawa."

Astraea pocketed the carrot seeds but Dawa took everything else and set off. Then she looked at David. "So, what is it?"

"Let's go somewhere more private," David said. He gestured south of the position. "There aren't many people inhabiting the area near the southern bridge. We can go there and talk."

Astraea nodded. "All right, let's go."

She led the way towards the southern bridge and started to walk across it. On the other side was the area where they had first encountered Brownie. There was no one else around. Halfway across the bridge David stopped. "This is fine," he said. "No one can eavesdrop here."

Astraea's brow furrowed as she turned to face. "What's wrong, David?"

Instead of immediately answering, David turned and faced south. He stared out across the city for a long moment before he leaned his elbows on the stone rail, clasping his gloved hands together. "I promised you," he said softly. "I promised that I would tell you why I was scared of being caught by Harmonia. So I'm going to tell you now."

Astraea moved in closer and stood by his side. "Why do you think the Holy Kingdom is after you?" she asked him.

David looked down at his clasped hands. After a moment he let out a shaky breath and released them. He rested his left hand on the stone rail with the palm facing down. "It's because ofthis."

He suddenly pulled his glove off. On the back of his left hand was a rune symbol, but it was unlikeanyrune symbol Astraea had ever seen in her life. It looked like an emblem made of pure silver; a flower made of gold with eight petals, and golden designs in between the petals. Astraea looked at David's face, but his eyes were on the unknown rune. "What is that?" she asked him.

"This…is the Shining Rune," David said, his tone grave and full of resignation.

The Shining Rune?"I've never heard of that rune," Astraea said.

"It's a True Rune that has been hidden from the world for eons," David said softly.

"ATrue Rune?!" Astraea gasped, her eyes widening. "David! Y-You have a True Rune, too?!"

David met her gaze. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said, hugging his hand to his chest and covering the symbol with his right hand. "The Shining Rune is responsible for the endless wealth the Holy Kingdom has enjoyed for hundreds of years. This Rune is the parent rune of every money-making rune that has ever existed. It's the rune responsible for the existence of precious metals in the world."

The air seemed to burned as she sucked in a breath. Astraea exhaled sharply and looked at his hand. "H-How—is that how you had those gold bars?! You get them from the Shining Rune?!"

David slowly shook his head. "The Shining Rune exists on my body, but it jumped to me out of necessity. It won't allow me to access its powers. The gold bars that I have were ones that I—that Istole," he enunciated. "When I escaped with the Rune. If I knew how to use it, then I would have produced unlimited wealth for Viktor, and even for you Your Majesty. But as it stands…" he shrugged sadly. "I cannot use it. All I can do is hide it."

Astraea met his gaze again. "Where did you get this Rune, David?"

David looked away, and Astraea thought she saw tears building in his eyes. He blinked rapidly though, and composed himself before he spoke again. "I…found the previous wielder of the Shining Rune," he said quietly. "And I…" he let his voice trail off.

Astraea swallowed thickly. "What did you do?"

David remained silent for a long time. When he answered, his words shocked Astraea to the core.

"I killed him."

Recruits: Futch (58), Bright (50), Gygax (74), Swift