A/N: It's been a while since I've written fight scenes. Not to mention the actual ship battle stuff… man why did I do this? I'm not going to do the repetitive thing I did before. But still, a lot of this isn't going to cover more than what canon did. I mean, there is some stuff I came up with based on the fire emblem awakening fics I've read over the years (Interviews with a Tactician, A Cruel Mother's Gift, and Fire Emblem Awakening: The Tactician Magician were my favorites from what I recall… though that was years ago, and I don't remember most of what happened aside from a few jokes. Also, I think all of them were discontinued at some point sadly.)
Well I gotta try at least.
Leon Fou [now Rapha] Barfort: Renowned adventurer and current crown prince. / previously: Hiro (pre:isekai)—Lea of Bart's Fort (The true founder of Holfort and lover to the Saintess Ann and Mary)—JOU_MOU_ (someone who used to work in Luxion's facility.)
Angelica Rapha Redgrave: Daughter of Duke Redgrave and ex-fiancé to Julius/ Previously: Ann of Bart's Fort (aka Saintess Ann and lover of Lea of Bart's fort). / Also goes by Angie to close friends and loved ones.
Olivia: Commoner from the Kagenou Barony. / previously: Mary lover and companion to Ann and Lea. When they had returned from their adventures in ancient Midgar, all three had been attacked by the founding heirs as they all wanted Ann. To save Lea and Ann from such a fate, she teleported them away, and swapped bodies with Ann. / Is also known as Livia by her close friends and loved ones.
Cid Kagenou: fiancé to several famous elves but just a regular mob you'd find anywhere / previously: Minoru Kagenou boy from Earth that would be transported to the ancient times of the current before dying at the hands of his friends due to becoming demonically possessed out of grief. / Also dons the secret identity of "Lord Shadow." Leader and founder of The Shadow Garden. / Mundane Mann, a pathetic looking sword wielder that disappeared many years ago and has returned for the Bushin festival. / Kageno of Mitsugoshi, after an argument with his parents, Cid decides to go by Kageno for a while.
Alice [Kagenou: Cid's personal elf servant, lover, and childhood friend / previously: Beatrice (this is non canon, but all of Shadow Garden had identities before joining so I made a name up for her.) / Dons the secret identity of "Alpha" or "Lady Shade." Co-leader and second founder of The Shadow Garden, first of the Seven Shades. The name "Alpha" is only used by those in Shadow Garden.
Other Shadow Garden Members: All of the seven shades have secret identities. They see their Shadow Garden names as their true names and will use that in their own thoughts. But to everyone not in Shadow Garden that sees them as their secret identities will use those names.
Beta: Natsume Kafka, renowned writer.
Gamma: Luna of Mitsugoshi, owner of said store and many others, richest Woman in the world. Xianyun, Swordmaster of the fareastern kingdoms.
Delta: Sara, certified good girl.
Epsilon: Shiron, amazing musician known internationally.
Zeta: Zetan. Previously known as Lilim, named after the therianthrope hero, Lili.
Eta: Goes by Eta Lloyd Wright, renowned Architect.
Charlie: Known previously as Carla Fou Wayne.
Yankee: Known previously as Stephanie Fou Offrey
Foxtrot: Sherry's mother, real name Lukreia.
Aurora: Called Violet by Cid, and now camps out in his soul/brain. Known as the Witch of Calamity, and the Demon Diabolos.
Disclaimer: I don't own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs nor The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.
-?-
War.
War never changes.
…
Well I mean it changes a little.
The mechs weren't there back then.
…
Okay they were but we didn't have so many back then. I had to steal them by using electric magic to force the cockpit eject the user before taking it for myself. Which wasn't as easy as I make it sound, like I definitely almost died several times. It's like going up against a tank; a powerful statement to stand in front of one, but not exactly a good idea.
That's not even counting all the vampires that were going everywhere. Especially near those weird trees.
I looked cool though, no one can deny that. Even that downer scientist guy I ran into a couple of times.
Anyway, I can only hope that my memories of war are passed down.
It's not like people are going to ruin all the work we've put in by fighting over stupid stuff The Cult set up hundreds of years for now…
Right?
-Angelica-
As a woman who has been born to the family named "Redgrave" I of course have been trained to deal with conflict. It's an unfortunate memory, but I recall as a child being instructed to kill an animal after looking into its eyes. The tutor even let me name them before telling me what I was going to be doing.
Mr. Whiskers… your life had taught me how difficult it would be to see one fade. Either because I would be tasked with ending it myself, or defending it to best of my abilities. As I had tried with Mr. Whiskers. However, as the eight-year-old me would find, defending things that you grow to care about is exceptionally difficult.
Fighting with your best isn't enough sometimes. All that does matter is if you win or lose.
I wonder if that's why I love Leon so. I know him to be a scoundrel, someone willing to do what he believes is right even when no one else does, even if it seems hopeless. I know him to be someone who will create a world he believes should exist.
And as we all stare the for now empty sky as Luxion's monitors begin to lose signal from his spy bots. As he told us, the Giants of the Sea and Sky that were summoned by the twin princesses somehow messed with his systems. Nothing our ships would have to worry about, as they were all what he called 'closed networks' or something. But now we had to do things the old fashion way, relying on what we could actually see.
I squeezed Livia's hand for the nth time today. She squeezed back, likely also needing the comfort.
It's not as though we're helpless. Leon, the man he is, can even begrudgingly admit how competent we've become even without the power of the Saintess.
Speaking of Leon, he isn't alongside us currently. He is in his new armor, Stolz. It bears a great resemblance to Arroganz. Honestly the only thing I noticed was different were some bits that appeared to have a liquid-looking texture, but Luxion had assured us that there were several things in the make of it that warranted the new name.
There were also some decals placed upon the inside to help motivate Leon. Namely on a monitor to his side that flipped through pictures of all of us and his other girls. Cleare had taken the pictures apparently, and several of them were ones we'd not want anyone but Leon to see.
I suppose since he's the only one who is going to be in Stolz I don't exactly mind. But knowing how easily he is distracted by breasts, I worry it may distract him during. Then again I've never seen him stare at any of Cid's wives, and if anything he's really shy about staring at us outside of times we are specifically flirting or showing of to him…
"Angie?" Livia's voice called out and broke me from my thoughts. I look over to her in her outfit that by no means is what I expected from a Saintess regalia.
As Livia explained it, it consisted of blue robes to symbolize the spirit of the Saintess, who is usually shown through teals and whites. It's dark blue now to represent her, but she kept gold. However, this is in the form of gold chains that wonderfully highlight her body in a way that ignites the more sadistic part of my brain. These gold chains are supposedly supposed to represent Mary and her holy chains.
In my case my Saintess regalia consists of a flowing white dress that reminds me of the sort of thing that either an Angel or Clarice would wear. Which I suppose is the same thing… as Leon would say… but in any case, I don't see why Livia tried to insist that out of the two of us I was somehow the one showing off more. I mean, I suppose it is a mermaid style skirt, so the figure I've grown proud of, and that Livia and Leon are so fond of, is shown off somewhat more than in her outfit…
"Angie? Where's your brain at?" asked Livia with a smile.
I smiled back, "Just focusing on things that don't really matter. Sorry, are we close to the location?"
Livia shook her head. "We're at least another few hours away according to Cleare."
"Do we still have a communication link with Leon?" I asked.
Livia shook her head. "Just lost contact with him and Luxion a few minutes ago."
I squeezed Livia's hand.
Leon…
BOOM!*
The sudden explosion catches me off guard. I look to the sky and see that some armors and monsters with the Fanoss sigil begin to emerge from a portal hidden by a cloud. Our forces easily meet them, shouting 'for the Saintess's' or something to that effect.
I look in front of me where Mylene, clad in her own skin tight piloting suit provided by Luxion (with a cape for modesty), shakes her head. Signaling that Livia and I shouldn't do anything but maintain the barriers as we had been. Thanks to the nature of the ship, able to amplify our emotions, we had to be nothing other than resolute to maintain them without costing us any more mana than we couldn't replenish.
So I dive back into my thoughts, knowing that I'd fly off the handle in someway if I tried to get involved right now. However, the sounds of fighting
-P2W/Angelica-
"Angelica!" cried out the voice of someone Angelica could no longer care any less about.
With an annoyed look Angelica turned to Julius who really should've fled earlier. "What do you want? Wait no, your highness why are you even still here? You should've evacuated already."
Even Olivia, who was in a good mood thanks to Leon's love being proven to both of the girls on the Royal Airship and what they had done after, couldn't help but stare coldly in Julius' direction.
A shiver travels down Julius' spine due to Olivia's gaze. He had never bothered paying attention to her before, thinking of her something like an accessory to Angelica and Leon given how he only ever saw her hovering around them. But he now recognizes that he should've maybe looked out for the scholarship student like his mother had mentioned, at least so that she wouldn't scare him so much right now.
Nervously glancing at the two girls, as though if he took his eyes off of them they'd cross the room and snap his neck in an instant, he continued his pleas. "Angelica, please. With your connections to the military through your status as the" Julius glances at Olivia who he swears got a little closer, "-One half of the Saintess and as the daughter of the Redgraves, surely you can lend me at least an armor."
"Why would I?" Angelica's voice was cold and curt. Something that Julius had never really expected from her.
Julius of course knows that Angelica had moved on some time ago. He knew she resented him in some regard, and he didn't fault her. But still… he never thought that she could talk to him like that. But he wasn't deterred, even if Olivia scared him.
"Angelica please… I know you may not hold me in any positive regard anymore but I can't just let the other boys go out there and then flee by myself! Please, even if you hold a grudge surely-"
Angelica simply shook her head. "I have no grudges or hatred left. Not even a desire for revenge." Angelica then smiled beautifully, the face only a woman in love can muster. "I'm just worried about Leon. I want to see him return from this war as soon as possible."
Julius, having been able to witness Angelica without his hatred for his fate as prince clouding him for the first time, stared at her for a moment, as if captivated. But before he got the chance to say anything, her family's knights found her and raced over.
"My lady, there you are!"
"We're headed underground," Angelica instructed them. "Take the prince with us so that he may evacuate."
"Yes, miss!" They surrounded Julius, guiding him and the girls to the storage area beneath the palace.
Olivia squeezed Angelica's hand. "Are you okay? I, uh, um…"
"Don't worry. I'm fine. All of those feelings… they're dead and buried." Angelica smiled once again.
Julius stared down at his feet.
Olivia glanced at him. "Is something the matter?"
"I'd never seen her smile like that. That's all." His voice was full of self-derision.
Olivia smiled smugly, her Mary showing. "I'm sure that even if you had married, you never would have been able to make her smile like that. So, take a good long look, see what Leon can do and you can't. See how much happier she is without you."
Angelica barely heard the conversation, too otherwise concerned to care. Leon, you have to come home to us.
-Leon-
I do my best to recount the plan I had made with others as I fly Arroganz and the Partner closer to Fanoss.
To sum it up, Fanoss itself is essentially a monster that we all have to team up to beat.
The army of people and monsters in our way are essentially the armor. But just chipping away at that wouldn't really do anything. What we needed was to hit the organs, namely the equivalent of the brain and heart.
That made the major game plan to get the Royal Airship with Angie and Livia on it. With the power of love, they should be able to get the monsters to disappear. If I recall the lore of the game correctly, they're otherworldly beasts that run on hatred, so they could never hope to exist once the power of love presents itself so clearly. I did think on staying on the Royal Airship to try and help with that, considering how high all of our scores were.
However, if the Royal Airship was targeting the heart. Someone still needed to handle the brain.
The brain being the princesses, Vandel, and if I'm right, Lord Shadow.
The first two are obvious. We're fighting Fanoss and in the game Hertrude and a powered up Black Knight served as the final boss. A bullshit phase two… or really 5 considering you needed to beat both the Giants and the army once weakened by the power of love. It was a sort of victory lap things so I don't really count it. But then there was the bullshit part where through sheer stubbornness and hatred Vandel and Hertrude would fight you until their dying breaths, which I can only imagine is so much worse in real life. That's not even counting that there's another princess.
For now, I'm going to do what I did during the attack on our school and wipe out as many of the people in my way as I can… I'm sure that if it wasn't for Lea's memories influencing me I'd be throwing up.
But for now I go to the biggest ship I see, briefly passing by what I'm pretty sure is the ship Daniel and Raymond are on, and immediately begin to attack it.
Oh, and as for Lord Shadow?
Even ignoring that I asked him for help to make the demi-human armors, I just know that guy can't miss the chance to get involved somehow.
-Cid/Shadow/Kageno/Herlock-
There's no way I could miss the opportunity to get involved here.
The tricky part is just figuring out how.
Usually, I'd consult the seven shades about this, but I just dropped off Alpha and Beatrix at my folks' place. They began to dote on Alpha terribly, which is to say that she was pampered even more than she was at Mitsugoshi. She cutely asked for me to take her with me but obviously I couldn't do that. Plus, I didn't want her to try and use a slime double or something considering the amount of mana it would take to control it from so far away.
Gamma, Eta, Beta, and Epsilon were all public figures so they couldn't exactly just join in, at least not right away or in their civilian personas. It'd be like fighting next to Elvis Pressly in the middle of the Vietnam war. Strange and really distracting.
That just left me with Delta and Zeta.
Hm… but how should I go about this…
"I thought you already had a plan? Why else did you have everyone practice that stuff earlier?" asked Violet.
Well, I know what I want to do, but I need a good time to get involved. I wouldn't be an eminence in shadow if I got involved at the start or right at the end. I'd just be annoying or like That reminds me, are you good to pilot the slime body again?
Violet jokingly saluted, "yes sir!"
I smile at her. This also means I smile at Zinaida (Lambda). She tilts her hat down so I can't see her blush, but that doesn't hide her wiggling ears.
"Look at you Mr. Casanova. I always knew your smile was dangerous cutie." Violet giggled as she looked around. From what I can tell several of my subordinates, including Victoria and Nu, were also smiling back. It's nice to see them all smiling so happily.
Oh, and for the record. Alpha was the one to recommend Nu, Epsilon recommended Lambda, and Zeta recommended Victoria. I can't do much else other than accept it, I guess. I mean I didn't really have any plans on romance so leaving it to the girls to dictate how a harem should work, especially Alpha who reminds me every day that she deserves the name.
"Bossu…" cried Delta as she snuggled into my right leg. "When do I get to hunt too…! Mr. Lion is already going!"
I watch as Leon causes an entire ship to explode before moving onto another one, no one bothering to follow after him as they'd just get into the carnage.
"Dumb dog. This isn't the main force yet; you'd get done in maybe ten seconds and give everything away." Scolded Zeta as she snuggled into my left arm.
Delta just whined and began to snuggle into my leg. "If I was going to just sit around then I should be guarding Her Ladyship Sir and Bossman's baby.
I pat Delta's head. "Patience Delta, good things come to those who wait."
Delta pouts but allows me to pet her more.
I watch as some of the monsters are cleared by the remaining forces. Daniel and Raymond even pull off a team attack where Raymond fired a laser (Kougaon I'm pretty sure) and Daniel tackled a monster into the beam before backing off when most of its body was melted to allow the laser to go straight through.
"Sir, it looks like the preliminary strike was cleared, shall we proceed?" asked one of the numbers.
Everyone looks to me and I nod.
Now… when to intervene.
Gah!
If only there was some kind of named character with a backstory that fit here! I want to pull off the shadow broker going up against a important character before the hero (Leon I think this time) shows up so that they'll think "Woah! How is he so strong!" or something.
But I don't have an armor that I can use, and honestly, I feel like it kinda kills the moment. I mean, armors are cool and all, but it always felt a bit more like the machine was impressive and not me. That's why even though it's horribly inefficient I made sure to become strong enough to go toe-to-toe with an armor… Hm.
"Maybe you should go to the princesses? I think Lea said something about them being the 'final boss' or something earlier to us right?" suggested Violet.
True, he did say that. Hm… I mean that would probably work but I feel like given how interconnected most of this storyline has been with stuff like Lea and the secret of the kingdom I should have a good reason to intervene too…
Wait.
I have a friend on the inside.
I look to my right where I see her mom shooting the canons at several of the Fanossian soldiers, and specifically the soldiers, with a wild grin on her face.
Oh yeah, it's all coming together.
-Sherry-
I watch out the window and witness the rest of the forces not focusing on defense fly out. I decide to close the window as I walk back to where Hertrude is lying down. I wipe away the sweat from her brow as she writhes in pain once more. I do my best to bring her comfort by cupping her face.
"You dummy…" I grumbled as Hertrude seems to nestle into my hand. "Why would you do this? I told you so many times that it wasn't a good idea. Now look at you. In pain while I can't do anything about it."
With the hand I don't have on her face, I hold one of Hertrude's hands. She squeezes tightly and I can't help but wince a little.
"Sherry, Sister… oh sorry, I didn't realize I was intruding."
I look back to see Hertruada shyly closing a door but not really closing it all the way for some reason. I then look to how closely I was standing to Hertrude, practically hovering over her like I did Stephanie after our date.
"ah." I uttered as I did my best to get up but for some reason Hertrude had an iron grip on me despite being too weak to do anything earlier. I don't doubt her pain of course, but I have to wonder where her priorities lie right now.
"Hertrauda? What are you doing peering into your sister's room… oh."
I look to the door and see my adoptive father, Vandel Him Zenden, staring at me. He then bows.
"Apologies for intruding. Make sure to use a protection ward before the wedding… wait, you're both girls. Just-"
"FATHER!?" I shouted, mortified, "I-I-I-IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!"
Father shrugs, "So long as you make each other happy and you're okay with her eventually having to marry a man and provide an heir…" father strokes his beard, "Or is there something in your artifact research you haven't told me about yet?"
"FATHER!?"
-P2W/Luxion-
[Master.] Called out Luxion, his tone almost apologetic. [I'm afraid this is it. I will only be able to provide the bare minimum of support from here on.]
Leon, having known this was coming, just nodded.
"Got it. Do your best."
[Are you truly sure about this?]
"Yep. Get going. You know I can't leave this to anyone but you."
Luxion would then look at Leon for a moment before he nodded back. [The royal airship is fast approaching. I have prepared another AI to support you, but it will not have contact with my main body, as we discussed.]
"Thanks again Luxion, don't be afraid to send a signal or flare if you end up needing help."
Luxion seemed to laugh given how his body shook. [As though I could ever need the help of New Humanity. However, I must ask that you don't push yourself. If the battle seems hopeless, re…tre…at…]
Static swallowed his words before he could finish his sentence.
After a pause, his voice returned, but it wasn't the same Luxion. In fact, it was like a separate person. The red lens had even changed to a purple one. But Leon was familiar with this voice, if only slightly.
(I have disconnected with father. It looks like it's me and you now, Mister Master.)
Leon smiled, "Let's do your father proud then, Hikaru."
Luxion, meanwhile, hovered in the sliver of space separating the kingdom's floating mainland from the ocean below. The bulk of the continent cut off any sunlight, so the narrow space was bathed in darkness. A pillar of liquid carried ocean water up to the land above, but this was far from the most interesting sight down below. A number of tentacles jutted out of the sea, burrowing deep into the land above.
The Sea Giant was so vast that, despite the humanlike face peering out from the water, it looked more like an island. Luxion's spaceship measured over seven hundred meters long, but compared to this creature, it was a flea.
Despite this, Luxion was calm as he faced the monster alone. [Well, it shouldn't be a problem to repeatedly annihilate this thing.]
His main cannon emitted a beam of light, severing the creature's tentacles. Like the monsters from a dungeon, the limbs then disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
The Giant's eyes seemed to focus, all of them on Luxion. More tentacles then burst out of the water and reached for Luxion.
[Don't touch me.]
Luxion sliced through the tentacles with a horde of lasers, then took aim with a missile launcher and fired. The bomb struck dead center, and the massive explosion blew the creature apart.
Smoke billowed around Luxion, momentarily swallowing his vision. But as an AI this didn't keep him from making observations.
[It's gradually regenerating. Seems Master's information was correct.]
Fresh tentacles shout out from the water, and Luxion blasted them off. The creature, with its human face and squid-like body, reared up, violent waves crashing all around it.
Luxion fired his main canon again, wreathing himself in smoke once more. In a tone reminiscent of his master, Luxion would taunt the monster. [Too bad for you. As long as I'm here, you won't be able to complete your objective.]
The only problem was the remaining Giant—the one on the surface that Luxion couldn't fight. He had no choice but to leave it to Leon and the Partner.
As the Sea Giant regenerated over and over again, Luxion continued his barrage, pinning it in place so it could do naught but heal itself.
[Hm. Master appeared to tell the truth; I won't lose to this beast but I won't win either. I will have to wait for the Mistresses to carry out their task…]
Luxion continued to have some fun blasting the monster.
[I'll admit, this is somewhat relaxing. Almost as good as creating the AI's with Cleare.]
Luxion continued his rapid assault.
[…I should be glad Master or the Mistresses didn't hear that comment. I would never be able to escape the allegations of being married to her otherwise.]
In between cannon blasts, Luxion focused his attention on adding improvements to Schwert inside the spaceships' onboard factory.
[You'll be reborn anew, Schwert, in order to better serve our master.]
-Sherry-
The constant explosions leave me awfully nervous. Hertrude fell asleep at some point, and I didn't want to risk disturbing her rest. Hertruada stayed, sleeping next to her sister.
That just left me to wander the palace.
…
These halls have always been empty, but after having spent so much time in the academy I can't say I enjoy it anymore.
I wonder where father is. He said he was going to stay and guard us but…
That look in his eyes… I'm worried.
Father…
Should I even call you that?
From what Stephanie told me during our date, I shouldn't trust you. It was a bit of a shock to me, but with how much Stephanie wants me to trust her again she wouldn't say that for no reason. Stephanie is a big liar, like she's good at it, but she never lied to me without a reason. Like telling me that the tooth fairy was the one leaving money under my pillow, she just wanted me to experience something kids usually get to.
I have a lot to consider.
With what I've studied about history during my time on his highness' air ship, father is a really big deal. For Fanoss he's recognized as a war hero, Midgar recognizes him as a formidable warrior, but Holfort declares him a monster. Every valiant warrior he slayed was a number tallied in Fanoss' books, but a person with a name in Holfort's.
I know that how people view war really depends on what side you fought on. So I did my best to study things from other perspectives, like Midgar and Oriana. Honestly, I never would have considered how other countries viewed our conflict if it wasn't for Cid.
Hehe~
Cid-kun is really a light in the darkness for me, always there to help me out.
…
Though I suppose I shouldn't be thinking about getting closer to him. After I was let go from His Highness' ship in Midgar I hadn't seen him again.
…
You know, if Hertrude has to marry someone to produce an heir… wouldn't Cid-kun be a good candidate? He has a bunch of wives already, and he's the richest man in the world…
Hm…
Hm?
What's that sound?
Is that a piano?
-Leon-
After the preliminary strike of 30 ships was dealt with, I went back to the partner for repairs as we got ready. I could briefly see the Royal Airship, which we've told everyone else is named Weiss, and waved towards it. I don't know if they could see me, but I feel like they could.
"Leon… I still can't believe that was you out there."
Bemused, I turned from looking at Weiss to see Nicks and Dad standing behind me. A couple of the others, like Raymond and Daniel were also here.
"Was I just that impressive?" I asked.
"Well… that's part of it. After all It's not like we ever taught you anything on how to pilot an armor." Nicks adopted a complicated look.
True, with how sparse they were and how expensive they are, they couldn't have thought it was a good idea to teach the 'third' son of the family anything other than how to turn it on. Luxion was the one to teach me how to pilot Arroganz when I used it to help cultivate the land I found.
Hm.
You know, after this a dip in the hot spring with all the girls sounds nice…
Heheheh…
"What's with that gross look on your face?" snarked Dad. I looked to him, and he shook his head, "No, never mind. I can guess. But that just makes me a little more confused. Just last year you were a boy riding high off of his successful adventure. Now you're the Crown Prince of Holfort that's taking charge in the assault. Hell, I just saw you sink at least 3 of the ships and who knows how many monsters on your own."
"Your point?"
Dad sighs and rubs the back of his head. "I guess… I'm just worried on how this is all affecting you. At the end of the day, you're only 19."
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm 18."
"Leon." Said Dad with a concerned tone. "Your birthday was in May. Did you forget?"
Huh? Oh yeah, we don't really celebrate birthdays in this world, so I never really thought about it. That's when I was training everyone anyway… neat.
I just shrug. "Well, it's not like my age changes anything. I just gotta do what I gotta do. If Fanoss was kind enough to lie down all their weapons of their own will, I wouldn't be forced to kill everyone on my way to their palace."
"Their palace? Wait, why do you need to go there again?" asked Daniel.
I nodded towards the Giant of the sky in the distance, it's still several hundred miles away but visible from here.
"Those Giants and other monsters were summoned by the magic flutes—lost items—in possession of the princesses. Even though I have a trump card in the form of The Weiss, one of the best things we can do right now is grab those flutes. That's not even mentioning The Black Knight, who must be guarding them." I informed everyone.
I see a hand pop up. When I take a good look, I see that it's Glen. The guy who works for Iris.
"Your highness, if I may. Would it not be enough to destroy the flutes?"
I shook my head.
"That would just get rid of the control over the Giants. Not get rid of them."
Another hand pops up, this time it's Marco.
"But how can we be so sure that the Princesses would even play the flute to send away the monsters?"
I shrug. I mean, with The Weiss powered by Angie and Livia, we won't need them to but I can't explain how that works given how even I have some doubts about it. So, I decide to use some lies with truth behind them instead.
"We don't exactly need them to. After all the flutes can be played with anyone with Fanoss' royal blood." Every questioned this before I reminded them, "And Fanoss is an offshoot of Holfort's royal line. Chances are that either I, Julius, Mylene, or Angelica could also play them."
I could visibly see the lightbulbs turn on over everyone's head.
Marco seems to consider something.
"Remind me, what is it that The Saintess's are going to do? I know they were giving everyone a light barrier, enough that our casualties only resulted in some two ships sinking and heavy injuries with no deaths… although I think some of them won't walk again. Er, anyway, is there a reason you aren't with them?"
Time for some more logical lies.
"We both have different targets." I inform them, after all they're just following orders and weren't in the war room with the high-ranking nobles and wouldn't know. "The Saintess's are going to use their power to force the main army and Giants to stop. You remember the chain things that Livia can summon? Like that but on a different and greater scale. I'm going to use that chance to storm the palace. There I'll make sure to get the princesses and defeat The Black Knight."
Everyone's eyebrows shoot up.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Eh?"
I see Marco, Daniel, and Raymond all smile.
"You need to get ready for the most important part of this mission, right?" asked Raymond as he adjusted his glasses.
"Leon." Said Daniel, "You assembled an army. As future king, use it."
Marco nods in agreement. "It's our job to protect you and the others, especially if you're going to need to save your strength for something so important. Your Highness, please join your lovers right now. I'm sure you'll be able to afford them the chance to give you yours better than anyone."
"You guys…" I smiled. "Alright, but you better not get yourselves killed, or I'll get Lord Shadow to bring you back like he did Cid just so I can kill you myself."
Everyone sent me off with a laugh. Before I left, I made sure to grab something from the ship.
When I landed on Weiss Livia, Angie, and Mylene all rushed out to me immediately.
"Leon!?" Yelled the girls as I greeted them with a hug. "What's wrong? I thought you said that we'd be separate for the duration of the war."
I nodded. "That was the plan. But our friends convinced me that I shouldn't try to fight the war all by myself when I went to the trouble of creating such a large army. So I'll stay here for now, if you don't mind."
Mylene smiled. "If the commander in-chief of the army and crown prince of our new nation said he's changing the plan, there's nothing anyone can do but follow orders… but why do you have that?"
Mylene pointed to the gremlin I held by the scruff of her neck.
"Oh, I figured that since Marie trained to apply for the position of Saintess too, she'd be able to help maintain the barriers. It's the one thing she's probably good for honestly." I said.
As Marie dangled from my arms she tried to kick me in the face. "Hey! If I'm so useless, why didn't you just let me evacuate with Kyle!? Let me go! I don't wanna fight!"
I just glare at Marie.
Livia however, "You don't need to be walking around to use your powers. I would know. I could just chain you up to a chair or in a kneeling position. Your choice."
Marie immediately curled up as though she was a puppy in my grip.
Angie, meanwhile, seemed to take some glee in Marie's reaction.
I let the little gremlin go seeing as she would now behave, and at the same time a squad of Armors landed on the deck, each painted a gaudy color. "Marie," the red one called, "No need to be so anxious!"
I rolled my eyes. "Why are you guys here? I'm pretty sure I told you all to station yourselves at different places. It's bad enough that this ship has The Saintess' and The Queen, and now me, you guys are too much."
The four pilots—Red, Light Blue, Purple, and Green—descended from their cockpits. They ignored me and gathered around Marie.
"I, Greg Fou Seberg, swear to protect you." Greg said, his voice swelling with confidence.
Tears streamed down Marie's cheeks. "Y-you guys…"
"Don't forget about me." Chris removed his glasses and smiled at Marie.
"As long as we're here, you have nothing to fear." Brad swept a hand through his hair, striking his standard pose.
Finally, Jilk held a hand out to Marie. "Miss Marie, this time, we'll be at your side. You aren't going out there alone."
"All of you, I…"
Before she could finish, another Armor touched down on the Weiss's deck—sparkling white with a blue cloak that billowed in the wind.
"I'll be taking part in the battle as well!" the pilot declared from within the suit.
I squinted up at it, immediately able to tell why people and the systems let him get this close. "Go home."
As Mylene groaned into her hands, the hatch to the sparkly armor's cockpit opened, and a masked knight poked his head out. It was obviously Prince Julius. He was wrapped in a tight-fitting suit with a mask on his face befitting of a masquerade ball and a cape fastened to his shoulders.
What in the world are you trying to pull? You look ridiculous. Stop. I'm getting secondhand embarrassment here!
"Who are you?" Jilk, Julius's foster brother and best friend, appeared to be genuinely caught off guard.
You're kidding me. He's just trying to be nice and act like he doesn't know who he is, right?
Greg stepped in front of Marie, fully on guard. "Hey Masked Dude, what are you here for?!"
Oh my god.
I look to Mylene who hasn't looked up, Angie and Livia seem to also be somehow fooled as they look to me to handle this, but Marie…
"Bubby" whispers Marie, "I know, and you know. Just play along okay! I can tell he's having fun with this and no-one else seems to have caught on!"
"Well look at you being a supportive girlfriend, going along with your boyfriend's fantasies like that." I whispered back.
…
Why do I feel like I should've said that to someone else first?
Anyway, thinking about it I know that in the game there was another masked knight. It was likely King Roland considering how he disguised himself during the meeting we had a couple of months ago.
But come to think of it, masks must really mess with people's object permanence in this world I mean, I know that some of the Shadow Garden members look familiar, but I was only able to catch Nicoletta due to the fact she was supposed to be dead. Who knows whom I've overlooked over the years.
Mylene's likely familiar with who the masked knight Sr. is, so she would be able to see through Julius' disguise now.
I sigh and pull Julius into a headlock leading him, Marie, and Mylene away.
"Wha—hey! Prince Leon, release me!"
"Shut up and get your butt over here, you big moron."
Once we were at a safe distance, I reached my hand out towards his mask, but Julius slapped his hands over it. I looked to the two women in Julius' life that he'll listen to.
"Julius…" sighed Mylene, "You're just like your father sometimes."
Julius flinched at this and slowly turned to Marie.
Marie walked up to him, asked him to lean down, took off the mask and kissed him on the nose before putting it back on him.
"Like I wouldn't be able to recognize you, baka." Marie and Julius exchange goofy smiles befitting teenagers their age. But more importantly:
Gasp! She said the word! She really does love him!
"S-stop looking at us like that bubby!" Marie flustered.
I snicker, "Sorry, but I can't really take you seriously… ever. But Julius' ridiculous outfit doesn't help."
"Ridiculous!?" whined Julius, "I thought I looked cool…"
Marie patted him and lied to his face like the good girlfriend she was… apparently, "You are! The coolest! Like a knight from a storybook!"
…
Again, I feel like this is an exchange I should've had with someone else first.
"Y-yeah!" said Julius as he perked up. He then pointed at Mylene, "Besides I can't be anymore ridiculous than you mother! You look like a jellyfish in that outfit. Did Leon force you into that? I know you two have something but there is surely a time and place to do such ridiculous things!"
Mylene leveled a glare at her son forcing him to try and hide behind Marie. Obviously, she covers almost none of him.
"This is a traditional armor piloting outfit from Lepart. All the women in my family have had an outfit like this. Apologize to your ancestors from my side of the family."
"Sorry…" said Julius as he kneeled on the ground.
"Eh? Really? But it shows off your breasts a little too much doesn't it? I mean it looks like they were vacuum sealed-"
Mylene glared at Marie.
Marie also kneeled on the ground. "Sorry…"
I laughed a little on the inside before sighing on the outside.
"You're really serious about this?" I asked.
"Absolutely."
"In that case, I'm going to put you in the most dangerous place possible."
"Leon-kun!?"
"Bubby!?"
As Mylene and Marie shrieked, Julius pumped his fist.
"At the front? Hah! Wise choice, Aniki!"
The way he grinned from ear to ear made me want to punch him, but I suppressed the urge. "Don't be stupid. The key to this battle is the Weiss—the ship we're on right now. We're going to use it to defeat that ridiculously huge monster. Thus, the enemy is most likely to target it"
Prince Julius's expression turned resolute.
"Plus, Marie's going to be here. It'll be dangerous. Do you have the guts to do this?"
He readjusted his mask, a smile spreading across his face. "Leave it to me, My liege!"
I am so, so, glad you're so, so stupid.
"All right, off with you." I said while I shoed him away.
"Yes! You won't regret this!" Julius jumped up and moved to run away before pausing. "Uh, by the way… I kinda jumped from my cockpit without thinking. Is there any way for me to get back up there?" He pointed at his Armor, puzzling over how to climb back in.
I sighed again.
"Hikaru? Can you get the dope a ladder?" I asked with one hand covering my eyes, afraid I'll catch the stupid if I stare any longer.
(Okay Mr. Master. I don't want to help New Human scum, but father and mother said I'd have to follow your orders even if I don't want to.)
The little orb talked to me in an innocent voice, as though it was saying that it would eat its veggies when it didn't want to. But I'm a bit concerned over the education plan being given to it.
As the three went away, Mylene began to giggle.
"Hm?"
"Oh it's just," said Mylene as she wiped a tear from her eye, "Roland is going to be so mad when he realizes that Julius took his stuff."
I started chuckling as well. "How long did you know about his mask knight shenanigans?"
"Oh, the entire time. It's part of why I agreed to marry him actually…" Mylene hesitates realizing she was talking about her soon to be ex. I just kiss her cheek, causing her to titter a bit as she continues. "I used to think of him as an exemplary knight and looked forward to being with such a character… but it was just that, a character. Some years later when Julius was a young boy, he found the secret room that he kept the armor and outfit in… *chuckle* he used to look up to Roland back then as well."
I guess if I found out my dad was essentially a superhero, I'd also think he was cool. But if I then found out he cheated on my mother hundreds of times and made her cry every night I'd hate him more than I ever thought he was cool.
Mylene then starts fidgeting.
"Um… Leon-kun… You don't also think I look like a jellyfish, do you?" asked Mylene.
"A sexy jellyfish. I can only assume that the outfit was designed with ease of access." I admitted.
Mylene blushed and fidgeted. She then started whispering a bit, "There's… a zipper… I can show you it after the battle if you want…"
I smiled. I then kneeled before Mylene and took her hand, kissing it. "I swear to protect you."
Mylene then did her best impression of a tomato.
Heh, I should do something similar for Livia and Angie.
I mean, we only have a few moments before we get into the thick of it. I wonder what our enemies are up to right now.
-Sherry-
I couldn't find the source of the piano, but I did manage to find something else. In the treasure room, I saw father approach a strange display case. I found a litany of dead bodies surrounding a case that showed some weird black goop in the shape of a monster arm that appeared to have eyes jutting out of it. Whatever it is, it isn't good.
As I saw him reach for it, I reached for a pistol I began to keep on me. Father was always stubborn, so I'll have to threaten him to keep him safe.
"Who's there?"
Of course, being the war veteran he is, father would be able to recognize the sound of someone arming themselves.
"Step away from the box."
"Sherry…"
click*
"Step away from… whatever that is father. I don't know what that is, but I don't want you to touch it. I'll hurt you if I have to."
Father turned around, closing the case behind him. He took a look at the gun in my hands, and chuckled.
"How Ironic." He muttered.
I couldn't help but question that. "Ironic? What do you…"
Suddenly, Stephanie's warning flashes through my mind.
"Sherry. I… I hate to do this to you. But… you need to consider something. I… my family was hired to go to the territory you and your mom were at… there's a reason that father was able to get his hands on the eye of avarice… when you go back to Fanoss, please, please make sure you have a bunch of stuff to defend yourself with. And don't ever be alone with Vandel."
"OH COME ON!" I shouted, surprising Vandel. "HOW MANY TIMES AM I GOING TO LEARN THAT SOMEONE I LOVED WAS INVOLVED IN MY MOTHER'S DEATH!?"
Jeez! Next, I'm going to learn that Cid-kun was there the day she died!
Vandel closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. But she was in my way."
"I'm in your way too." I said as I took out my spell book with my other hand. "Are you going to get rid of me too?"
Vandel said nothing.
But he readied his sword.
Tears briefly formed in my eyes before I steeled my resolve.
BLAM!* *Ting!*
I shot my gun only to see Vandel immediately parry the bullet with his hand. He then picked up a random sword from one of the random men and begin to charge at me. I charge mana into my legs and then jump over him, pulling out my tome—a relic I had created to replicate a spell I saw at least once—and taking out a preloaded Hamaon before throwing it at him. Vandel blocks but I see the endless torrent of seals begin to attack him.
"I've planned to kill the person who ruined my life for the last 18 years." I snarled. "You aren't getting away from this unscathed."
Vandel immediately tries to use a spell to dispel Hamaon as it attacks him, but I take out a replica artifact I had made.
"That's!?"
I smile as I activate it. "Something of my own design. A tool based on both my mother and my research, further enhanced by the knowledge given to me by the relics of Old Humanity. I call it the Eye of Vengeance."
I suddenly feel the air cool as the mana stones fueled by magic go out as their power, and Vandel's mana, is absorbed.
"…" I stare coldly at the man… the liar before me. "I loved you. I loved the father that raised me, even if he couldn't be there all the time. I loved the father that encouraged my research and gave me everything I wanted. For that, memory, even if it was all lies, I'll make this quick."
I turn the page in my tome and take out a Mudoon spell.
"What are you doing!?"
A voice calls out from the doorway, and in that instant Vandel manages to break free from the Hamaon spell.
He then charges towards me and kicks me away like a ball. The barrier protects me but it doesn't keep me from moving. As I bounce away I notice that the voice belonged to Hertrauda, who's accompanied by Hertrude.
"What's going on?" asked Hertrude as she helped me up, "Why are you fighting? What happened to our mana?"
"Vandel's the one who killed my mother!" I shouted as I shoved her off. I took my tome out again and shot a Myriad Arrows I had copied from Claire. The tips she gave me on how to fight while I was stuck in the jail cell when we went to Lindwurm are really coming in clutch here.
Vandel has to dash away from the case he was reaching for once again. Faster than I can blink he appears in front of me, but before his sword can hit me I see a couple of monsters tackle him out of the way.
"Wait!" cried Hertrauda as she put the flute down, "Let's talk about this! I'm sure it's a misunderstanding!"
Hertrude tried to put her hand on my shoulder this time, "Vandel wouldn't… He raised you, Sherry! Please, I'm sure-"
"He admitted it himself!" I shouted as I slapped her hand away, I then took out my gun and fire at Vandel a few more times. When I have one bullet left a small piranha takes it away from me. "Hey!"
"Please, Sherry!" begged Hertrauda. "Let's talk this out!"
I growled as I turned to Vandel "Tell them! Tell them you murdered my mother!"
Vandel said nothing as he destroyed the monsters surrounding him, something probably made easier by my artifact. I take out a potion that I know is flammable and throw it in his direction. The sparks from him slashing away at the heavily armored monsters cause it to ignite.
"Sherry! Stop! Stop it Sherry!"
I see some monsters surround me now, but before they can get to me, I take out a gem shaped artifact. It shines brilliantly like a star in the sky, and as I grasp it close to my chest, I feel myself surrounded by a holy aura that boost me much like a Heat Riser spell.
I take out my knife and slash through a monster, my body aches from the unexpected strain as I'm not really cut out for this type of movement, but I need to keep going.
At the same time Vandel takes out his blade and meets me. I do my best to jump around as I slash at him, knowing that if he blocked me he'd stop me in my tracks. Instead he seems to effortlessly parry all of my attacks, even when I get behind him or aim for his ankles.
"It wasn't just me was it!?" I accuse as I continue the flurry of blows, even using the tome to coat my knife in elemental powers as I had seen His Highness do, "You raised me so that I would finish the eye of avarice! I bet that it didn't start there! Who else was 'in your way'!?"
"Sherry! What are you saying!?" cried Hertrauda.
Vandel kicked me away again, my barrier cracking even though I had it built to tank a hit from an armor.
"I suppose there's no use in hiding it anymore." Said Vandel as he began walking back to the display. Hertrude and Hertrauda try to summon more monsters but my artifact renders their mana useless. "Yes. I killed Sherry's mother. Yes, I took Sherry so that she could finish her research."
I took out a Bufudyne to try and stop him, knowing that I'll never to be able to kill him if he gets whatever it was in that case.
He slices through the pillar of ice easily enough. "But I didn't kill the princess's parents."
"But you could have stopped it, couldn't you?" I accused as I used Garudyne next, Vandel managing to avoid damage and planting his sword in the ground so he wouldn't be thrown around.
Vandel doesn't say anything.
But Hertrude does. "What."
"I know that sounds bad-"
Hertrude and Hertrauda both play their flutes as hard as the can and cause a giant shark to burst out of the ground and attempt to swallow Vandel whole.
I walk up next to them. "Hands."
Not taking their eyes off of where Vandel was dragged across the room, they give me them. I then registered their mana signatures to the Eye of Vengeance.
"Let's get him." I commanded.
I open my tomb and throw a Megido at Vandel, he cuts through the shark but has to block the spell. Unfortunately, his sword is strong enough to tank the shot.
"Eigaon!" shouted Hertrude as Vandel was attacked by a large black flame from below.
"Makougaon!" shouted Hertrauda. A barrage of light pillars begin to pelt Vandel, but he deflects them all.
The girls go back to using their flutes and I take out the shotgun Stephanie had given me all those months ago, having picked it up from the ruined school after I fled from the fire.
I shot and reloaded as quickly as I could, and with my and the girls combined efforts I see cracks appear in Vandel's armor.
I begin to look for some more spells, seeing Hama and Mudo still in there.
However.
"ENOUGH!"
Vandel slams his sword down on the ground causing everything to shake. The monsters around him disappear and he dashes towards us quickly. I do my best to go in front of the princesses and guard them, but a black figure appears before all of us even faster.
Clad in the darkest black, descending from the ceiling, and looking as cool as possible, a man catches Vandel's blade with two fingers before kicking him away.
"Vandel Him Zenden. Did you ever get what you wanted?"
-Crown Prince Leon-
I sat Stolz down on the Weiss' deck. Inside the cockpit, I whistled to myself, trying to downplay my anxiety. "This sight's got a lot more impact in person than it did in the game."
The principality's forces flew beneath the giant monster in the sky, as if using it for protection, sticking close as they steadily made their way towards us.
Currently, we were over a lake on one of the border baron's territory. This is where wars are usually fought in this world given that it's possible to survive falling into the lake, whereas it's near impossible to do so over the endless ocean.
(Mister Master. The target has entered blast range)
Through the clouds I saw the enormous creature was covered in dozens of eyes and had multiple arms. Several of its gargantuan pupils were trained directly on our forces.
Our fleet—The Partner and all our ships—charged theirs.
I stayed still as I saw everyone go. I need to wait for the right time. I need to trust that they can get me that.
"Hikaru, feel free to fire now, just don't hit our allies." I commanded.
(You got it Mister Master! Die you blight!)
As the Giant's hand threatened to close around the Partner, said ship released three rounds, triggering an enormous blast as the bombs hit their mark. The creature's limb disintegrated in a puff of smoke.
As a country full of adventurers, all of our soldiers new to capitalize on the weakness presented and started to dive towards the enemy forces. The principality was in a bit of a panic as The Partner continued its assault, I'm guessing they never thought anything could damage The Giant.
The Principality's forces changed positions in an attempt to return fire, but they were uncoordinated. I saw several Mitsugoshi ships surround some 5 ships and fire at it, practically disintegrating them with the amount of fire they receive before they move onto the next.
A quick glance shows me Daniel and Raymond taking down some monsters attempting to go to the blind spots (or the assumed ones really) of the Partner.
Dad and Nicks are also fighting, casting spells to support their own troops as other big monsters, whales, squids, and jellyfish all begin to charge.
The crimson knights appear to be dashing to and fro, likely relaying orders and information.
While everyone I'm closely associated with seems to be fine, I can't say that for everyone else.
I see several of Holfort ships take fire, barriers surrounding them getting cracked.
I stood Stolz up, readied my rifle, and began shooting down the monsters that got past everyone. It's not much, but there were thousands, maybe even tens of thousands. The Partner was busy attacking the Giant. So dealing with everything else was up to us.
The kingdom's fleet fired as they closed in, canons pelting the monsters, which burst into clouds of black smoke. Meanwhile, the principality's forces turned their broadside towards the Mitsugoshi ships and The Partner. While the Mitsugoshi ships shook slightly, the Partner just shrugged everything off.
I feel some surge of power well up within me, like I had just synched with Lea once more as I order Hikaru.
"Blow them to pieces!"
The Partner careened forward until it was nose-to-nose with the enemy forces; the allied ships behind it opened fire with front-mounted cannons. The principality's fleet also had a barrier, but our rounds pierced through and sank vessel after vessel.
(Mister Master, The Partner is now out of my range due to the giant. If you'd like to continue ordering it you'd need to get closer.)
I shook my head, "Transfer the authority to the captain on board. If there isn't one then the General Dark Elf from Mitsugoshi or Marco would do."
(Understood).
I saw warships begin to sink and armors deploy in droves. Several warships attempted to block The Partner but it and Mitsugoshi's flagship just rammed right through them, sending several into the lake below us.
"I just need a clean shot…"
I see a path slowly clearing though the monsters, but for the most part that monster's in the way. The girls are waiting for my signal to do their best…
I watch as Daniel and Raymond raid one ship only to get jumped by a whale shark. I feel my hand grab my controls immediately, but then relax as a Mitsugoshi ship plows it and saves them.
There's no time to relax as I then see several ships and armors escape the preliminary force and head straight towards us.
"There he is!"
I hear a staticky voice from an armor.
"This must be their flagship!"
"And that must be the Fiendish Knight!"
Fiendish Knight? Is that what they've been calling me in Fanoss? I prefer scoundrel anyway; fiend seems to describe you guys better.
I took my rifle and aimed it towards them, blasting straight through the cockpit of one armor and forcing it sink immediately. I then notice the ship that these guys came from.
"Ziodyne." I chant, shooting a giant laser at one of the ship's engines and causing it to burst into flames.
"Get him! Somebody get him!"
"Shoot him down and they'll make us generals!"
"Ha! Beat him and we'll be heroes for the rest of history!"
I grabbed my axe with my left hand and dashed forwards off the ship. I immediately hack an armor in half, leaving no question as to the state of the pilot. I then use the rifle in my right to fire at the next two guys directly through the cockpits before heading towards more ships.
Suddenly, I heard the cry of the beast that started it all.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF!"
I look into the distance to see a wolf therianthrope jumping from monster to monster, dragging her claws alongside them and causing them to poof into black smoke before she jumps to a ship, slashes it in half with a giant sword, then continues her assault.
I see her target both Fanoss and Holfort ships, although she does seem to be aiming for specific ones. I guess The Shadow Garden is taking the opportunity to get rid of some targets.
Other ships and armors that mimic my mass-produced design but with a distinct black and gold appearance also appear. It's a small fleet of about 5, but they join the fray and begin to target ships.
They do seem to stray away from Mitsugoshi's part of the fleet, meaning my loved ones are fine, but I can't say much for some of the others. What's interesting is that they also attempt a few drive by's on the Giant and cut off a few arms.
And I realized this was what I was waiting for.
"Hikaru, tell Cleare that the girls need to start now!" I ordered.
(Yes sir Mister Master sir!)
-P2W-
Angelica and Olivia watched from the Weiss's bridge as the now three-way war commenced. Olivia trembled at the sight of the mass carnage, depending on Angelica to keep her upright.
(Okay ladies~! My baby just said Master just gave the all clear! Let's do our best to end this war!)
Olivia nodded as tears fell from her face. She had both hands on her head, with her only being able to breathe thanks to Mary's influence starting to flood in. "It's so painful… Why is everyone fighting? It hurts so much… Why?"
For as used to seeing people fight Olivia grew over the last year, but none of them were to this scale. For a girl who grew up in a village never expecting to see war, the sight was almost too much to bear.
Angelica hesitated. "I wonder the same."
Angelica knew the logical answer; her teachers had taught her countless reasons for war. But seeing such a battlefield first hand made her second-guess them all. The only thing holding her and Olivia strong was the knowledge that this would have happened one way or another thanks to Leon relaying the story of Alto Liebe.
Still, Olivia clutched her chest in pain. Mylene wanted to reach out and comfort the girls, but was busy ordering the 5 idiots around to keep them safe.
"Hey!" bellowed Marie as she maintained the barrier. "We've got enemies swarming us, you know?"
"Be quiet!" Angelica snapped.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Everyone is moving as planned, even with The Shadow Garden's recent intrusion."
Cleare, floating beside them, moved her eyeball in a nod. (The biggest threat is far above—The Giant, as your people call it. Other than that, nothing on this battlefield can sink this ship… I mean maybe The Shadow Garden, but I doubt it. Now, are the two of you ready? Marie, what about you?"
It irked Marie to be treated as an extra, but she was too intimidated by Angelica to complain.
Angelica held Olivia upright, whispering softly, "Livia, let's finish this quickly. Are you up for it?"
Although she continued to sob, Olivia nodded and clasped her hands as if in prayer.
Angelica mimicked the pose—and some strange sensation overcame her. What's going on? My chest aches. This overwhelming sadness… I can't stop the tears.
Voices of those on the battlefield, both from Holfort and Fanoss, trickled into her head:
Every cry was a life, and every single one faded after it called out—they made Angelica's heart twist in anguish. This is what you're feeling Livia?
(Hm, this function wasn't listed in the manual—the ship seems to react to Olivia's power. Perhaps it would be apt to call this phenomenon Resonance?)
Suddenly, Marie shrieked, "Aaaaaah! A monster is coming right at us!" She pointed straight ahead.
One of the principality's creatures lunged toward them, its jaw cracked open.
(Away with you) As Cleare spoke the Weiss's main canon blasted right through the beast. The AI turned to Marie. (I'd appreciate it if you would do some work as well.)
"Huh? What am I supposed to do?"
(Master said that you trained to try and take the Saintess position yes? Then mimic the other two girls and make use of what power you have in that tiny body.)
Clearly flustered, Marie copied Angelica and Olivia's posture and began praying. At last, the Weiss shuddered, finally drawing out its true potential.
Angelica glanced up at the ceiling and spread her arms wide. A warm sensation is washing over me. It's so calming.
As she did, an image appeared in her mind: summer break, when she, Livia, Leon, and Deirdre had come home after bathing and fooling around in the hot spring. The evening sky had been so beautiful. She enjoyed herself so much—so truly.
If only those days could have continued forever.
-Sherry-
Vandel straightens himself as the Man clad in black flourishes his coat behind him. A woman also appears, her gold fur glistening in the light like the moon on a cold cloudless night.
"You…" said Vandel, recognizing the people in front of us. "You've grown since the last time I've seen you."
"And you've clearly decayed." Said the man.
Vandel chuckles, and I see that he was knocked away to the display case from earlier. His arm is coated in the black sludge, and it looks like his armor repairs itself, except now it's covered in eyes. He then takes a sword from another case that I recognize as his Adamantium sword.
"Yes, I suppose that's why I have to resort to these methods." Vandel swings his sword and knocks away several pillars. "Before I end your life for getting in my way once again, tell me your name."
The man chuckles.
"I am Shadow. I lurk in the shadows and hunt the shadows." Lord Shadow chuckles as woman next to him take out her own weapons. "Black knight… your villainy goes farther than anyone in Holfort and Fanoss could ever know."
Vandel growls and attempts to strike at the trio only to have Lord Shadow bat it away with his free hand and force Vandel into the air.
"Your name isn't really Vandel." Started the feline therianthrope, catching the princess's and my attention. "That's just the name you chose this century."
Like always Vandel only confirms things with silence.
"It's also the last name you're going to have, considering that you are a former knight of the rounds." Declared the feline, twirling the chakram in her hand before throwing it where Vandel tries to land, tripping him and making him roll.
"Knight of the rounds?" questioned Hertrude.
"A title given to the most treasonous of humans. Those who would sacrifice everything to achieve their goals. Nothing is sacred to them, aside from themselves." Explained Lord Shadow.
"That's not true!" shouted Vandel he then begins to grow in size, looking like somewhere between an armor and a human. "There are some lines even I wouldn't cross! That's why I was kicked out!"
Angry at the statements I decide to just chuck my whole tome at him. Activating every spell I could on it, I grabbed both of the princesses and hid behind a pillar.
I briefly see everything go white and lose my hearing only to feel some kind of light pour over me. When I look up I see Lord Shadow… and the roof now gone showing the moon rising behind him. I suppose it was getting late.
I glance quickly into Vandel's direction and see Vandel back in human form.
Still alive unfortunately.
"Heh."
And laughing…
"HAHAHA!" bellows Vandel. "HAHaha… Sherry…"
I glare at the liar.
He grins evilly. "Was that all you had?"
Vandel then rushes towards us once again but faster than even the sound of the rushing wind, Lord Shadow disappears and then reappears beside Vandel, kicking him upwards into the sky.
"Zeta!" calls out Lord Shadow.
The woman with gold fur, Zeta, takes out a long string with knives that she then quickly wraps around the pillars like a spider creating a web, then as Lord Shadow kicks Vandel back down Zeta quickly moves and causes all the knives to strike Vandel before landing before us and pulling.
I see a large amount of blood emerging from it, but at the same time so does a plume of fire. From it, Vandel falls, clearly covered in scratches as he kneels.
Having dropped his sword he looks to the left where he had dropped his sword. I can't see anything other than darkness. But as I try to get a closer look, a familiar figure lands in front of me.
"Don't look." She whispers.
"H-hey! Who do you think you are touching her like that!?" shrieked Hertrude.
-Shadow/Cid/Kageno/Herlock-
As Stephanie covers her girlfriend's eyes, I walk towards Vandel. He backs away cautiously, not caring about dignity as he crab walks backwards.
But I point behind him, as I'm not the one he should be worried about.
Hesitantly, Vandel looks back.
From the shadows a hand emerges, then another.
Then, a voice haunting in nature, gravelly in tone, and damning in its words begins to call for the man.
"Vandel… Vandel…!"
Vandel gasps and crawls back towards me as he sees the woman he left for dead crawl towards him.
To help sell the effect, Lukreia even formed her slime to look like guts trailing after her.
"VANDEL!"
"H-how…!" Vandel hits my leg and then gets back up. "You! Boy, what did you do!? Was this some kind of trick."
"No. No trick. Just your past sins finally catching up to you." I then sneered. "Since your actions forced them to crawl it took a bit. But they can't move on until they settle their regrets."
Vandel tries to attack me but I just deflect every blow. This guy was intimidating way back when, but now I have nothing to worry about it. Especially since Sherry and the Princesses seemed to drain him of everything. One thing that sucks about this world is just how reliant everyone is on magic.
Sometimes it feels like Leon is the only one who could play around losing magic, but that's due to the technology he has access to so it doesn't exactly count.
Anyway Vandel tries to swing his sword but I meet it with my own, then I jab his face with the pommel and force him to stumble back.
He does so right into Lukreia's own hands of hell (glue trap) maneuver.
"Vandel." She taunted "Do you want to know what I regret the most from the last time I saw you?" Vandel quickly turns his torso and head, seeing Lukreia holding the gun that Sherry had dropped earlier. "It's that I missed."
*BLAM!*
But before I could applaud Lukreia on a job well done, or worry about ending things a little too soon, a warm feeling starts to wash over me.
-Crown Prince Leon-
I cut down an encroaching monster and dared to glance behind me. All the Armors, all the ships—everything had frozen in place. The battle came to a sudden stop and suddenly every monster in the area evaporated in a burst of black smoke. Warm light enveloped us, emanating from the Weiss.
As it washes over me, I feel like I'm back in the bed with all of the girls like the night after I proposed to them all.
"Well, there it is. The final weapon."
Even the Giant looming above us snapped its eyes shut and shielded itself with its arms, for what good it did. The Weiss's light was so powerful that it looked like it was slowly evaporating the thing.
"And now it ends."
One by one, the principality's Armors lowered their arms. The static on our communication networks cleared, and the thick clouds shrank back, giving way to a beautiful orange sky that slowly was turning purple.
"Love really is amazing! Hmm?!" I tried to cackle over our victory, but I suddenly felt as though Livia and Angie were in front of me. Angie pinching my cheek and Livia going 'no-no.' In other words, I was calmer than I ever been and lost all aggression within me.
A voice echoed all through the sky.
"Don't fight anymore. I don't want to see you all hurt. Please, stop this!"
It was Livia.
"So that's it… that's what Livia's power really was."
Her voice pierced straight to the heart, but not in a way that unsettled. As she spoke, her words touched people's souls and swayed their emotions. No one could resist her.
"Let's stop okay? If we keep this up, many lives will be lost. Please quit fighting."
If mere words could stop a war, people would never have suffered it. Yet her desire for the battle to end seeped into everyone. Beside me, Hikaru spoke up.
(Psychic attack detected.)
Yes, that was exactly what this was—and a powerful one at that.
The Weiss amplified and strengthened Livia's natural ability, and I was altogether brutal. The principality's knights, who so resented the kingdom, dropped their weapons as they listened to her. Some of them might have wanted to retort, 'Screw that!' or 'We can't let it end like this!' But whatever lingering hatred they had evaporated in the face of Livia's sorrow.
The sight brought back memories from one of the scenes in the game.
"What a fearsome attack," I mumbled. A power like this shouldn't be used lightly… but then again I've been facing and creating powers like that this entire time haven't I?
Suddenly I hear the Giants react strongly, and even see the Giant of the land awaken. Everything near Fanoss is swallowed up by a strange light.
And then when I open my eyes. I see what appears to be a large airship made of flesh, roughly the size of The Partner, with a demon armor on its back floating over the ocean.
"It's headed towards Holfort!" I scream as I see it rush past everyone.
Feeling the charm from back in the day glow I suddenly feel myself filled with the resolve to protect everyone, and with that I gain the will to fight again.
But… should I try and stop the monster directly or go to the flutes? I finally have a clear path…
Before I can debate the issue, I see what I recognize as a red door used by the witch of Calamity appear above the Weiss. From it, another one of the Shadow Garden ships appears, but this time it looks bigger and has more gold. On top of the deck, I see someone who arrived at the perfect time.
"Leon!" cries Cid, using the communication device I have him a while ago to talk to me. "You go after the flutes! We need them to find a weakness on this thing! I'll stall until then! By the way, if Lord Shadow asks, you stole his ship!"
"You're the best Cid!" I called out as I began to fly in the direction of Fanoss' Palace.
-Cid/Shadow/Kageno/Herlock-
"You back cutie? Ann and Mary did the psychic thing again. It's been a while since I experienced it so I needed a sec to remember how to give you everything back."
Wait. A psychic attack?
Violet shrugged. "You've always been weak to those. I guess being talented in nuclear stuff makes you weak to psychic? I dunno. But everyone but Vandel lost the will to fight."
Vandel's alive? Where is he, I don't see him.
Violet pointed to the edge of the room where the man was holding a device. I look back to Sherry and see that her and the princesses had collapsed at some point, Lukreia even going over to them.
Zeta is also with them and is the only one conscious. She waves to me as though she's high on catnip, "Hey~ bossman~ That old dude, like, totally didn't hurt us or anything… but like… he took that thing the baby girl had… man…"
He's got the eye of vengeance!
"I… I refuse!" shouted Vandel. "All I have is my vengeance! All I have is my anger! All I have is my desire to keep fighting! You won't deprive me of that! Even if I have to destroy the entire world to keep it! My wife and daughter will be avenged!"
Vandel activated the eye of vengeance and the monster arm. He suddenly swelled with power and grew in size. I suddenly see the sigil of Fanoss appear over his chest and glow. As it does, the ground below us shakes as another Giant monster awakens. But it's then ripped from the ground and is absorbed by Vandel, as is the remains of the monster of the sky and the one from sea is slowly sucked up slowly after.
Huh. I guess when Sherry was absorbing the magic earlier she also absorbed some from the flutes. Vandel must be using it now to have summoned the giants and forced them to merge with him like some kind of flesh mecha.
Now how do I handle things from here…
"Did you still want to do the whole 'save Lord Shadow' story line?" questioned my Lovely Violet.
Yup.
Violet chuckles "Then leave it to me. I've got an idea."
.
.
.
A/N: Okay ending it here. A lot was copied from the LN but I did my best to change stuff. Like the fight with Sherry and Vandel. For everyone that reads EiS it's very clear that behind the wholesome cinnamon roll, there is a yandere ready to kill. Kinda like Olivia. However, Olivia is very sympathetic/empathetic. For as much as I've had her stand up for herself and take charge in some moments, she's still the same caring person.
Hope I did a good job on delivering for the first phase of this war arc (especially with everything I just copied, like I wanted to change stuff but I don't read a lot of stuff with similar war things). Now for the boss fight and then whatever Violet has planned.
Rendfire: Thanks for the super long comment again. The little sidequest things you wrote were really cool. If it's alright with you can I copy and paste them for other people to see on the other sites? I kinda want to do an Omake based on the quest idea actually.
As for your question about cloaking. So, Luxion does have something like that, he usually uses it to hide his main body as it moves. But as for the Shadow Garden I could see Eta making it one day, just not during this conflict. An interesting idea to be explored later though.
Also yeah… that's also part of the reason I didn't use the outtake. It's funny in the moment, a little messed up if you think about it too much.
Johan Uzumaki: I'll admit, I'm not sure what sin sequendo seco means. Sorry. Thank you for commenting though, and that I'm glad I could make you laugh.
Guest: I want to hug Delta. I feel like it could fix me.
Guest: Whenever the bill that says I could go to jail for it disappears I guess.
SB
MWKillKenny84: Luxion also knows that makes them perfect for his pervert of a master.
Roland kinda just fucked off here. I know that in canon Mylene and Roland stayed home, but I figured that with how I had Mylene sit in on all the planning it would make sense that she would participate as well. As I recall the Redgraves and several other heirs did, so I didn't see why none of the Royal Family wouldn't. Like I know why, but in canon it didn't make sense to me. Then again I think hypocrisy was just the name of the game world.
Someoneani: Hope you did well on the exam. Also yeah, I would probably like Epsilon in her true body as well. I wonder if we'll ever get a good look at it. I know a lot of people joke it's just her in the Chronicles stuff, but from what I saw in the anime I think she'd be a little more mature ish.
The love meter was one of the scenes I absolutely had to keep in. I'm sad most fics don't have it. It's essential to the series I feel.
Also yeah, The slime is born of dead possessed in this fic, sometimes splitting up when given more mana (like in the chibi manga). Cid's has his… well I'll explain it more later.
Havefeith: I feel like if you're going to include elves, you should have the elven ear wiggling. Sadly in canon the elf ears are actually pretty short, so they can't do that.
Glad you liked the reading for Angie Livia and Leon.
Bladist: Thanks again for the fun Omake. If it's okay with you, could I post it in the other places I post the fic? As for the love meter omake, I have an idea for it just being canon. But that will take one or two chapters.
Voidfull911: I imagine it was, and honestly I thought of Yukime doing something similar too. She can jump pretty high in canon from what I recall…
Ao3
Dawnwatch: Lmao.
Thanks, glad I could make the last one distinct enough. I think my biggest constructive criticism is that I don't really change enough. These chapters would take so much longer if I did that though.
Yeah, I think they're fun reuniting in some way, but I don't think they could ever get back together.
You make a valid point, I didn't consider all of that. Good thing he got his girls to heal him then.
I can see that being odd but I saw it as Luxion being in a good mood since he was reintroducing Old Humanity's tech and Clarice being there.
Yeah, Merce was the only 'smart' one from Zola's family so she's really the only one you can do anything with unless you change things a lot.
Anisomeone: I'll agree with that. I'm honestly surprised Gamma isn't that popular, her clumsiness is adorable for me. You aren't wrong about that Christmas outfit thing though.
Wolfpaladin: Lmao yeah, I loved writing that bit. I just imagine that in the moment Balcus made strangling motions.
Good for her indeed.
It wasn't a tattoo, more like a decal given it was on his armor.
I totally see Marie being into the "I can fix him types" I honestly think that's most Otome /Galge love interest though, to be fair.
I mean, Alpha's score was also 200, so her and Cid having the same one when presented was good enough. I didn't elaborate on it at the time, but Alpha saw it as Cid being too shy and reserved, but then as his score rised he must've realized that her feelings here true.
Yeah Cid totally just forgot though.
I mean, with how I have the lore work here someone had to die for the slime to exist.
Or he'd pull the Mibry style "I AM F*CKING ATOMIC!"
Bloodful: Lmao, I thought about doing something similar but didn't want to spend any more time on the scene.
Late24: I have a plan to show the others.
Shadowy_mann: I mean I guess it depends on when Cid died.
I feel like a Alpha / Beatrix pair could go crazy. But I absolutely want a Alpha / Cid one at some point. Delta / Zeta is inevitable and Gamma / Eta makes sense to me.
Kingdom hearts was on play station for the most part though? That's a good suggestion though.
Dynamic_Kaleidoscope_sensei: Merce's changes have been in the background, because as she explained she didn't want to actually get involved with Leon due to shame. I'll probably go more in depth after Alzer when her family becomes relevant again.
I did change the scores on the scene, even including the possibility of scores going up or down in the moment. Mylene actually had a score of 50 in canon I think, and still has some feelings for Roland given that when she thinks he's going to die later on she calls him "my love."
Totntotbt: That Leon summary was truly my finest piece of writing, lol.
It's like seeing your ex somehow more in love with you when you aren't together for Nu.
I mean I don't think it's an AI of the ship, just the love device. A neat idea though.
BOY4_GOW:
I could see there being tear marks on the letter, both Balcus's and Merce's.
She didn't care before, definitely wants him dead now.
It was half for me honestly, needed a way to sort everything.
Luxion is super competitive lol.
Lmao.
It's one of my favorite scenes from Mobuseka, couldn't not write it.
Nope, he only did the one room. If he did all three rooms it would've ended with him fighting Lea, not Minoru.
Lmao, yeah. Though it's more just Cid's fault there.