The sun's downward gaze shines brightly as the winds glaze our skins. Almost a week has passed as the three of us travel through the wilderness inside the discomfort of a rocky carriage.
The carriage bounces lightly once more, but ignored just like all the others. "Alice, can you hand that over to me please." I ask politely, mixing a concoction in a bowl.
The girl nods politely and hands me an empty bottle mutedly with a blank expression.
Draped with the only term that I can come up with -that's learnt from Oberon- is "immaculate". Specially tailored garments that outright should be considered armor-were designed by Tale and made by me and gramps.
We truly outdid ourselves with the design and I'm glad to say I'm proud of it, I mentally pat myself on the back. Regardless how outlandish some parts of the designs were... With matching colour schemes fashioned that to Tale's with a silk smooth gray-black trench gown that reaches down below her knees, the bottom tip of the skirt is lanced with gold highlights; long sleeves covers her wrist, with a white collar undershirt and a white short cloak like scarf circling around on her shoulders that hide her lower half of her face, golden trim accentuated as the edge's outlines; Her waist is tied around with a small amber yellow neat ribbon knot, coupled with belt loops on both the front side of the waist, gray thigh stockings and knee high black boots cover her leggings, and finally a very wide black-gray brim hat.
Through Tale's original intentions was getting a top hat or fedora for her, but Alice was very adamant of not having any headwear. But unfortunately for her due to Tale's relentless pleading, she had to reluctantly settle on a compromise -as much as she loathed it with a pout- and agreed on a fancy brim hat that's able to cover her face well.
It comes with boat-loads of benefits and status effects? Something unique to this world pretty much. Anyway it comes with all sorts of status resistance, it can withstand any manner of attack without a scratch or tear- well albeit it's extremely hard to do so. and all sorts of other terminologies that I blanked out on, it is also capable of self repair. And it'll be even better if we finish it, believe it or not. I bet that if the outfit were to be displayed in Gloucester, it'll make them all turn in envy at how gorgeous it is. Yes. That will definitely happen, I'm sure of it, I nod to myself.
Also did I mention its lightweight and very comfortable to wear? It has a temperature localizer that adjusts itself so that even if you were in the desert, you'll barely feel the heat in it!
"What are you making?" The murmur was soft but quiet enough that I almost hadn't heard it. Interrupted out of my thoughts, I looked towards the quiet girl who asked, her eyes beam with curiosity as she lodged on the larger woman's lap; who's silently combing her hair, it has become a very common sight regarding the two.
"Something to mutter the sound," I held up the bottle and poured the exotic liquid into it from the bowl. "If I get this mystic code to work just right, any sound near this will be absorbed and become muted. that's also including our footsteps or breathing." I explained, using much simpler wording for her to properly understand. It's preferable for both of us, or else Tale will go on about with metaphors and big or weird words that will just pass both of our heads.
"Now I just need to apply this to the mystic code and test it out."
She hums and nods slowly in understanding. See! I knew she agreed with me.
Tale looks on with a fond smile, darting her eyes smoothly to each of us with warmth and amusement.
"Would you like your hair done too?" she asks with an all knowing look.
My cheeks flushes, scratching the back of my head as I look away.
Tale can really be perspective, especially at the oddest of times. How does she do that? Does she stare at Alice all day and figure her out like clockwork? …She probably does, and then again I guess I was staring a bit too much…
"Eh? I don't want to-" I hastily attempt to deny.
"Nope! It'll trouble me not." Moving towards me with Alice along in a one arm side carry, held in a way for her to lay on her shoulders, settling down beside me and began untangling my hair; Alice helping as well.
"...Thank you." My cheeks taint with embarrassed gratitude.
Tale with her easy-going smiles that matches her eyes that's always present, hums a tune as she styles my hair into twintails.
"Hmm, maybe we should braid the left side here… it adds a bit of style. What do you think?" Tale asks curiously.
Alice nods. I'm pretty sure she's not even trying, just going along with whatever her whims.
After hours spent in the calming lull of each other's presents, the carriage we're in pulls to a stop. We were able to hitch a ride thanks to Tale. Their destination was the west side of Melromarc. While it is said that their borders are close, that doesn't stop those who can turn a profit to those who would want or try to enter or leave. We come to an agreement with a cheaper cost to our trip by acting as guards for the remainder of our trip.
"You sure you all don't want to stick around with us?" The merchant inquires.
"Verily, this is where we part ways, there lies not of any danger to impede your remaining journey." Tale affirms.
The merchant shrugs. "Alright I guess, it was a pleasant journey with you folks. This is goodbye now, stay safe lads." We waved the merchant off as we got off the carriage, standing by the border's wall that separates Siltvelt and Melromarc, we waited until the carriage was no longer in view.
Staring up high of the walls that stand imposing, towering over thirty meters as the shadow cast by the sun that overlays us. I begin to doubt our capabilities getting over that wall. I turn towards Tale, questions at the tip of my tongue. Only to pause as the question begins to die in my throat, as her expression had not changed at all, her eyes casually scanning the wall around us. Her smile of calm filled confidence that any challenges can simply be handled one step at a time.
If Tale doesn't seem at all bothered by the height of the wall, then there really isn't much for me to complain if we are able to jump on top of it.
Once the carriage is out of our purview, Tale turns to Alice and speaks up.
"Now remember what I taught you," She spoke softly to her ward. "If you would Artoria." Turning to me with a winning smile on her face.
"Alright, hope this works!" I declared. The Staff glows softly as my hands hold it gently, chanting an illusion and presence concealment on us; Alice stays in the arms of Tale in a side-long carry.
Alice's eyes closed with a hand stretched out. "Tick. Tock. Twice point strike right. Let vanity shines toward twilight: Fantacracy Idiom."
A prism begins to appear before her outstretched hand, with the shape of a square with four of its sides connected to a singular point at the top, it glows a soft golden hue as it comes to existence.
Fully formed, Alice opens her eyes and rotates her hand above the prism. As if following her summoner's movement, the prism alters itself into a lantern.
'A lantern?' I mentally questioned. Before I can ask about it, Alice nods as a signal to me and then speaks up.
I prepared myself as she uttered the words. "High Jump. Slow descent."
Jumping up sends us soaring up towards the border wall with barely any difficulty, the touchdown being soundless and soft, thanks to the follow up of a second spell that was cast.
Alice, with a swipe of her hand, banishes the prism turned lantern from her hand, as it evaporates like smoke. We were able to sneak past the bored looking guards stationed on the wall with little to no difficulty, the illusion spell I cast at the start which rendered us almost invisible worked wonderfully, I happily nodded to myself. After many twists and turns of direction, we made our way across to the closest town to the wall by the road.
According to Tale, the beast that possesses a Dragon Emperor's Core has been sealed inside a monolith, located inside Rabier's Territory in the kingdom of Melromarc. The plan we've settled on is sneaking up the monolith and finding the seal, once we've done that, Tale will be activating a killing seal that she had devised for this specific situation. After which we reverse the construct of the seal releasing mechanism to a localized bounded field with perception blocking, then retrieving the beast's core by there.
It was simple enough, even by Tale standards surprisingly, I may or may not have expected it to be more complicated. Alice seems to be going with it without complaint, or with any word really, or she just gave up and just simply went along with it. Though I was able to tell that even she is a bit anxious about it. I wouldn't blame her, I was going to reach that point too with how many small ecstatic ideas Tale loves coming up with and trying to implement it into the plan.
The road to the Rabier's Territory was long and dull, occasionally there were travelers or merchants along the road, we did our best to avoid them by sneaking away or hiding in the nearby wilderness before resuming our journey.
"Alice watch your step." Tale cautioned again.
It's a frequent occurrence that Tale worries over her ward, no matter how many times the same advice had already been said.
"At the pace we're going, on foot, I'll say we'll reach in two days time by sundown." Tale says, her eyes wondering ahead. Alice by her side walking hand in hand.
"That is also to say if it doesn't rain?" I ask. Kicking a stray pebble on the walkway into the forest.
"The rain is not a problem, I bought an umbrella."
Tale elegantly pulls out her umbrella out of her inner coat. How she is able to stuff that inside her is beyond me, and is one of the adding piles of strange quirks Tale seemingly possesses.
"How…?" I question dumbly as her inner coat doesn't show any sign of anything concealed let alone a bulge for her to pull out anything.
"It's a special umbrella that has a variety of uses," She cheerfully adds.
"It should be able to cover all of us. Though maybe just to make sure..." Humming to herself, as she triggers her umbrella to open, gauging the length of cover before muttering a spell.
The umbrella's canopy continuously expands slightly, Tale ushers me inside the cover of the umbrella and begins adjusting until she is satisfied with the length of the coverage.
"Again how?" I question curiously.
"It's a magical umbrella."
I waited for her to continue. But she didn't. Seemingly saying it's just magical, is enough to answer all my questions.
No it doesn't! …And part of me wants to be able to do that too, I quietly reason out.
"Tale, I think we should set up camp, the sun is about to set." Alice softly spoke up.
I look up towards the skies, the sun is indeed setting half-way down.
Tale hums affirmatively while I begin looking around for a spot to set up camp, maybe we can find a lake nearby too if we're lucky. We have already consumed our last ration during our walk, looks like we'll have to go hunting too.
"Leave the hunting to us, this would be a good opportunity to try out some new tricks I have planned." Tale glanced towards her ward before addressing me.
I simply nod as we delve into the forest.
Alice in the meanwhile stretches out her hand and conjures up the familiar golden prism which then alters itself into a lantern. In the place of a fire where a lantern should be, It insteads emits a bright soft and warm glow in the nightfalling sunset.
I look in awe as the light bathes the forest in its soft glow, not awfully blinding nor dim that we can't make do afar. Looks like we wouldn't be having any trouble navigating the forest at any rate.
"Were you able to find anything?" I ask when the sound of crunched leaves echo beside me as I finish setting up a small fireplace, I honestly doubt we'll ever need it when Alice's lantern is fulfilling its exact purpose… though I would expect it to be fueled by Alice's own magical energy, so It's probably a good thing I did make one, incase of any emergencies.
Alice responds with a hum of a nod; Tale levitating a deer over to the side of her shoulder. She doesn't reply but retains her constant smile, content to let Alice respond.
The night finally falls. We sat together around the campfire, three soft leaves cushion Tale conjured up as our makeshift seat. I decided to ask something of small curiosity that had been on my mind, before igniting the wood in our encampment.
"Is it possible for you to use that as a stove?" I mindlessly blurted out, pointing curiously towards the lantern in Alice's hand.
I slowly look towards Tale. The realization hits me.
Oh.
Oh no.
"Forget I asked th-"
Tale already wasn't listening. "You mean to ask if this mystic code that was meticulously crafted with the devising of over dozens of different thaumaturgy foundations, using Concentrated Soulism as a Protonica Reactor to make its quantum core-"
The more Tale goes on the more flustered I become. I know it's a stupid question -I don't understand what type of jargon she's saying- but I can't help but ask if it was possible! I wanted to interrupt and stop her explanation that would further berate me. But her calm demeanor and voice with some manner of exaggeration, -which I know fulwell what to expect next- is saying otherwise. "-and you want to know if you can use it as a simple little stove that can cook the deer meat?"
"Yes…?" I say, with a painfully embarrassed retort.
"Why, of course it can!" She jaunty declared. "It is the reason why I made the device after all. What kind of magnum opus would it be if it can't even be used as a hair dryer." A stove formed from the mist appear before her.
I expected such a response, but that's where it came from!? So this whole time we've been using such luxurious mythic code to dry our hair? I get the feeling I should take back my guilt, as I deadpan at Tale.
"Magnum opus? Wouldn't something like that be much more grandeur?"
"Simplicity, and those of small, can also be considered its own kind of splendor. One that has the potential to view the little things, will grow of becoming something among the giants." She says, welding the lantern from Alice's hand.
The lantern disintegrates into particles of mist, she then smoothly commands it to move to float above her hand. With a fling of her hand, it moves as fast as the wind towards the deer and golden apparition of slices begins slicing it, skinning and removing the edible parts from the inedible. After she's done processing, with a snap of her finger, she commands a small part of the mist to carry the meat towards us.
I nod, draining and preparing the meat, I let it lay inside of the stove pot. Being around Tale sometimes makes me think I'm becoming smarter and able to understand what she's trying to say half of the time, but she definitely lost me at the last part.
Alice yawns softly as we finish the hearty cooked meal of the deer, with the use of the lantern altered stove. Actually I don't think I had even asked for the name of her Magnus Opus. though I guess I can do that tomorrow, since our cue to settle in is already turning herself in for the night in our tent. Though it is rather awkward that I haven't asked about it way earlier.
We were finally nearing the walls to Rabier's Territory, after a long walk of over one and a half day, we decided to sneak in by jumping over them. Not much different from when we first jumped over Melromarc's border wall, but this time it would be much easier as the wall isn't as tall as Melromarcs'.
My stomach growled again. I frowned.
"We're almost there, we can find an inn once we get in." Tale comments, looking my way.
"And a bed too. I'm getting really tired of sleeping on leaves." I mumbled the last part to myself.
We spent the whole sunset treading to the side of the wall where there wouldn't be any lookouts. Cloaking ourselves in illusions, we once again jump over the wall with no difficulty, before suddenly-
ROOOAARRR
A loud bestial roar thundered across from afar. Alarmed, I immediately look towards the source. Tale did the same while trying to comfort the one beside her, who's clinging to her anxiously.
"Looks like there has been a change in plans." she spoke with a tint of seriousness.
"I'm guessing that is the beast we're supposed to be after?" I ask in dread.
"I'm afraid so. The beast unleashed will wreck untold destruction, and worst of all with so many people at the centre of it. The cause we know not. The perpetrator shall be dealt with then after,"
She turns towards me. "We shall attempt to extract the Dragon Emperor's Core from the beast post-haste to resolve our situation. Lest we allow more casualties." She finishes.
I swallowed uncomfortably. I knew this journey won't be without any fights but with the moments we had so far, I almost believe I can held out hope for it to be true.
"Just when I thought we wouldn't have any trouble." I half-heartedly bemoan.
"Adventures are rarely so. Expect the unexpected one would say." She spoke, a small gleam of amusement in her smile.
Another roar echoed through us, the beast standing tall at the heart of the town. Towering over almost twice the size of houses stacked over one another, with its two legs and twiggy and short arms as claws, spikes sticking out of its back from head all the way to its long tail, it glares at its surroundings with its red eyes that seem to glow with malicious intent, trying to find something.
"Do you have a plan in mind?"
"I have an idea in mind."
Terror and screams filled the air with people fleeing away from the castle in the middle of the town, we ran and dodge around people and houses alike to confront our beastly foe.
The beast ran chasing after a giant bird? No, a giant filolial. -It definitely the biggest filolial I've ever seen- It crashes into the Beast periodically as it runs away, the Beast by contrast is by far larger by multiple times over, the giant filolial repeatedly smacking itself against the beast with its claw or head to no avail. The beast only took annoyance and easily swats it aside.
Finding a vantage spot for myself, as the beast rampages across in a straight line, it looks like there's a group of two riding the giant filolial to lure it away somewhere.
I begin to charge up three explosions with my staff as I run to catch up to them, shots aiming to stump its speed as it's catching up to them; Alice and Tale swifty moved unseen somewhere else.
As I prepared myself to shoot, a shield appeared between the filolial and the beast, blocking the impact of the swat by the beast; a shield formed just above the filolial, it uses the shield as a platform and jumps off even higher.
Seizing the momentary respite, I fired my charged up blast.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
Direct hit! The Beast roars in pain and falls over to the ground, the giant filolial dropping faster and faster, readying its claws as it comes down hard on the beast, smashing it head on.
Despite that, it stands up moments later. Glaring as it searches for its offender, seemingly more focus on the cause of the blast than the filolial's assault.
Soon later its continued assault was rewarded with the Beast's rage, as it tries to swat or take a bite out of the filolial.
I watch on as I prepare for another round, the filolial continues its repeated assault with a swordswoman joining in, dodging around the beast. But it doesn't seem to be working as the slashes barely made a cut.
The beast charges again once more at them. The group draws its aggression, leading with their repeated attacks. A shield appears once more for the swordswoman as a foot threatens to crush her.
The filolial with incredible speed grabbed and ran; re-embarks the two, no, three into riding on its back. Running as fast as it can, hoping from roof to roof.
I decided to forgo my shot, the beast chasing with ever increasing fervor that will out-match my shot unless coordinated. So instead I chased after them. My eyes tracking the signs of Alice and Tale to no avail.
The Beast crashes through the Border walls and into the open, the group leads the Beast into an open area near a pond.
Closing in on them, I once again charged up my shots, even more powerful this time, as there aren't any collateral or lives to worry about. The four, Shielder, Swordswoman, And a Caster and Filolial were kiting, hitting, firing water blasts at the Beast with no avail.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
My blast rings out once more, the beast roars again as it falls; its flesh is blown off by the blast. Even as its body is littered with holes that's close enough to see its bone, and with blood gushing out, it still tries to stand.
The group, immediately try to take the chance to finish the Beast, but suddenly-
"Bonds."
Alice and Tale appeared out of nowhere. Alice with her hand forming the ever familiar golden prism -Archive is the name- morphing into binding golden chains, it encircled around the Beast, it thrashes around trying but unable to break free.
The group paused at the new individuals before resuming their strikes on the beast.
Before they can even deal the finishing blow, a mist begins to envelop us. Alarmed, Tale pulled Alice away while getting her to call off the bindings and retreat away.
The group, cautious, was able to hear Tale's warning and hesitantly backing away as well, warily caution clear on their faces. I too heed the warning, retreating from the very magical mist and cautiously position myself between the group and Tale with Alice.
Suddenly a flock of filolial came out of the fog and surrounded us.
"Tale do you know what's happening?" I ask with practiced caution.
Everyone is on their toes, including me, preparing for anything that might happen with dread. Except for Tale, who is more curious than afraid than anything, then again that's a new emotion I've seen from her that isn't of amusement.
"It is much preferred for one to see with their own eyes." The woman says airly while trying to comfort Alice with reassuring pats on the head, Alice hiding behind Tale, clinging to her.
"Huh!? What's that supposed to mean?" The shielder angrily demanded.
Tale didn't respond.
Before the group can say anything else, a gigantic filolial rises from the pond, and jumps over them. its size dwarfing the Beast by a good 5 meters or so, already bigger than the group's filolial by a few dozen times over. Its red eyes of royalty focus only on the Beast, it slowly approaches it with grace.
We look on in awe, especially Alice, her mouth agape.
The beast tries to gets up to stand before falling before the filolial.
"Rest." The filolial declared with finality. With a swing the beast instantly decapitated, its head flown away from its body a good few meters away.
"The Shield Hero, I take it?" The majestic filolial turns to peek at the group as it stands In front of them.
The named hero cautiously replied "...Yes."
"I wish to discuss many things with you, but unfortunately now isn't the time."
"I renounce as the queen of all filolial from all the world over,"
"Fitoria."
She smoothly turns towards us, her entire being demanding attention and respect. It's like going up against Woodwose all over again, someone if we ever try to fight against, it's better to just run.
The majestic queen eyes trail over us, before settling on Tale. Her eyes wide in familiarity.
"Outlander," She spoke with authority.
Alice and Tale tenses suddenly.
"Perish."
In that moment three air slashes aimed directly at us, speed that's too fast for me to react as I tried to lift up my staff up to cast something to block as a last second desperate attempt-
Tale stand In front. Blocking the attack with Archive transforming itself into a spatial shield.
The impact sends us flying back. Finding group, I try to cast three spinning arcs at an attempt to distract or deter but to find they're no longer there.
Instincts screams at me as I immediately block an attack from behind-
THUD
My stomach was smashed in, and I went flying.
Alice held Archive in the form of a whip and lashed onto me, pulling towards her.
A tornado slash aimed towards Alice was redirected by Tale. Tale moved with speed I'm barely able to keep track as I'm being pulled airborne by Alice.
She repeatedly sends attacks of light that sprouts out spikes in instants, while dodging.
The filolial seemingly warily of the attack, evades it if possible. Sending more deadly air slashes before rushing in herself for an attack.
Tale readies herself for attack-
It was a feint.
She was instead aiming for Alice.
"ALICE!" Tale hurriedly shouted
Even though that bout took over ten seconds, I was long recovered from that blow. I stood in front of Alice and cast the strongest shield I could.
"MURAMA-" Ah. I just realised a mistake I made. There isn't a Muramasa, a Oberon, a Mash, a Da-vinci, A Ritsuka Fujimaru, to help.
Crack
Ah. The shield barely stood a chance. Its claw is going to hit me dead on.
A second shield emerged, its form black of sludge that reeks of baleful resentment clashes against the filolial.
It was able to hold out for half a second before breaking, but it was enough time for Tale to appear before me with her own shield-
Slash
A silent claw cut right through Tale's right shoulder.
The limb flies over up high somewhere, my focus never on it. My eyes utterly transfixed on Tale's right shoulder, as it bleeds heavily as she slouches.
"Tale!!" Alice screams, horrified as tears begin to form and run down.
Tale coughing up blood, but stood resoluted in front of the terrifying monster that we had no hope of beating.
My face's grim. If only Oberon and Muramasa were here.
"Don't you think we should something Naofumi-sama?" The racoon swordwoman asks.
"No way in hell am I intervening against that oversized bird. I'm not interested in a death wish."