The Purpose of the Sanctuary
Hello everyone and welcome to the latest chapter of A New Crusade! Now ordinarily I give the shout outs first and move to the guest reviews last, but I feel now's a good time to give a few reminders. So, to guest reviewer Buggy: I certainly have far better things to do than to entertain the complaints of a condescending prick. If you have suggestions, requests or ideas for how a chapter could be done differently then I will hear them and might even implement them, but only so long as you do so with a respectful tone. If you have no ideas, constructive criticisms or suggestions, however, and don't like what you've read then no one is forcing you to keep reading.
Sorry about that everyone but it needs to be said from time to time that like many writers I don't welcome flamers, I welcome constructive criticism. Now putting all that aside, I'd like to give a shout out to Noble Eight and all my other fellow readers who've helped make this story enjoyable. Now then, onto the chapter!
The Witch's Graveyard: Outside the Mausoleum
It was a strange feeling for the Crusader. Here he was standing at the entrance to where all the other witch's souls where lying as literal shadowed darkness closed in on both sides. And at the foot of the stairs, slowly approaching was none other than the foulest witch of them all, Satella, the Witch of Envy. Ulric was indeed a bit fearful and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't trembling to a degree. But not all of the trembling was from fear.
In a strange way, the swordsman was also excited. Because at last, on this night, he was confronting the one responsible for bringing him to this world and forcing him to do things over and over again. He was well beyond tired of watching the ones he cared for suffer due to the actions of her followers or being forced into silence lest he die by one of her shadowed hands. His rage was such that he summoned up a large amount of mana from the surrounding area, ignoring the pain it was causing his gate as he took a step forward and stabbed the ground where the darkness was approaching his feet. The effect was almost instantaneous as several shreds of darkness receded, floating in the air like torn up fabric before Ulric fired a light orb at the witch.
His attack was answered by a pillar of darkness rising up and intercepting his attack, canceling the two out as both the orb and darkness were blown apart. A number of shadowed hands shot forth towards the knight then, who slashed and slashed at them one after the other in a flurry of defensive sword work that might've made even Wilhelm proud. Despite this, some of the attacks still got through and damaged parts of his chainmail. One of the more powerful blows even managed to knock his helmet off. But the Crusader was not deterred as he put more power into the shining blue aura around his body, increasing his speed and strength even more to cut through the relentless attacks.
The Witch of Envy seemed to sense this attack wasn't working and ended her assault before rising up a few more feet in the air with the shadow itself spreading out behind her. It appeared her intention was to surround him with darkness on all sides. 'Well if there was ever a time to give it everything I had, this would be it,' thought Ulric as he held his sword in front of him and began refocusing his mana. Reinhard had called this sword technique a secret of the Astrea family, but that didn't mean Ulric couldn't create a close substitute.
And while it wasn't quite as magnificent, the light emanating from the Knight's sword was still very bright as he held the blade up towards the night sky. "God in Heaven allow me to strike this witch down for my loved ones and all those who have suffered because of her! DEUS VULT!" The light from the sword continued to intensify as more and more mana was drawn to it. The moment he felt his sword start to shake from trying to contain it all, he swung downwards with all his might and unleashed the true Al Jiwald, the supposed ultimate form of light magic as a massive wave of blue light was released from his sword and impacted against Satella and her darkness.
Her form retreated back into the shadows as the others attempting to surround him were torn to shreds, all floating down like feathers from a bird. Ulric collapsed to one knee with his sword in the stone pathway to support him as he breathed heavily. "Sir Felis wasn't kidding about the gate," said Ulric as he grasped his chest where a large amount of pain could be felt, "it's quite possible I won't be able to use anything beyond my basic spell for a little while. But it was all worth it in the end if, what?!"
The swordsman's moment of triumph was cut short as several of the shredded pieces of shadow began to quickly pull themselves back together while others congregated around his feet. Ulric used his remaining strength to force himself back up to his feet and raised his sword over his head, only for a hand to lay itself on his cheek. "My knight, I love you, my knight, I love you," she continued to chant as if nothing had happened while hugging him with her other arm. Her touch was causing a terrible feeling to well up inside him, as if her shadowed hands were raking across his mind, causing images to flash of everyone he held dear at the mansion.
"I Love love love love love love love you, my knight," Satella whispered in his ear as she embraced him. Despite feeling the black shadows moving up his legs and started to consume him, Ulric couldn't move. 'What is happening,' he thought, 'why is this happening?' He screamed at his body, his limbs, his fingers, even his toes to move if even just a little to try and get out of this predicament. But it was not his body that answered his pleas but a body falling from the Heavens.
"Quit screwin' around!" Exclaimed Garfiel as he slammed his fist on the ground, causing a tornado of wind and dust as the darkness scattered once more and Satella was forced to retreat. Ulric was not immune to this display of strength either as he was thrown into the temple wall. "You'd best hang on Knight Boy," said Garfiel as he picked him up off the ground, "we're gonna jump!"
"How fa-aaaaaaaah!" Ulric was taken slightly by surprise as Garfiel managed to leap onto one of the temple columns and then catapult them both towards the nearby village houses. Satella attempted to stop them by firing a rain of dark tendrils in their direction, but none of them were fast enough or accurate enough to hit the two of them as they landed on one of the many roofs.
"Garfiel," said Ulric, "you're alive after all."
"I hope that's not a problem for you," remarked the half-beast man.
"Not at all," replied Ulric, "I'm just surprised you're not blaming any of this on me."
"I never said I didn't think it was you, especially not with her scent clinging to your body like that," said Garfiel as he turned to face the Witch of Envy who was now several feet in the air thanks to a column-like shadow, "but it's pretty clear you weren't expecting her to be here, and you were definitely trying to kill her just now. So it's obvious we both have the same thing in mind, tearing her head off!"
'I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a beast can also smell this,' thought Ulric as a small grin spread on his face. "Garfiel, I think you and I finally found something else we can agree on." The two stood ready for the Witch's advance on the roof, but then, something strange happened. She turned and started heading away from the village.
"What in the," said the surprised half-beast man, "why's she going away? Is she gonna exit the barrier?"
"But why would she," Ulric started to think as he recalled her going through numerous images in his mind, "Oh no, she's heading for the mansion!" The Knight sheathed his sword and jumped down with Garfiel right behind him as they pursued the swiftly departing Satella.
"Roswaal's mansion," said a somewhat confused Garfiel as the two entered the forest at a hard run, "but how can you be sure she's headed there?"
"For whatever reason the Witch of Envy has a fixation on me," explained Ulric, "when she touched me earlier, I felt her in my mind. She looked through all the images of my loved ones and where they're at right now, which is the mansion."
"Well that's just great," said Garfiel, "I won't be able to help you if she gets too far."
"If I can just get in front of her I should have a chance to draw her back," said Ulric, "as mentioned, she's-."
"I'll bite off a few of your fingers if you suggest using yourself as bait!" Garfiel shot back, "Ram, the old hag and everyone else already got swallowed up! If I let you get swallowed up too, it'll be a disgrace for me!"
"Everyone's, gone," said Ulric as he slowed his run a bit, trying to comprehend what he'd just heard.
"I didn't even realize it was happening until it was too late," said Garfiel, "the whole ground suddenly got engulfed by a shadow. I only got away because Ram sent me flying with her wind magic." Ulric felt his hand tighten on the handle of his sword upon hearing that.
"So just like that, they're all gone," said Ulric through gritted teeth, "damn you witch, I'll send you to hell for this!"
"Well we'll need a plan first," said Garfiel as he stopped in front of the knight, forcing him to stop as well.
"What are you do-," Ulric started to ask before some shuffling in the bushes drew his attention. The Crusader drew his sword, but lowered it upon seeing the strange sight before him. It was Ryuzu in her white robe. But there wasn't just one Ryuzu, there were at least a couple dozen. "Garfiel, what sorcery is this?"
"I was hopin' you wouldn't have to see this," said Garifel as he held his stone in his hand, "but don't worry. These ain't Ryuzu, just a bunch of empty copies with no real will of their own."
"And they'll help us against Satella, how, exactly?" Questioned Ulric with a raised eyebrow.
"That should be obvious," said Garfiel, "we're gonna bust through with sheer numbers and crush that bitch!" And as if she'd heard the half-beast man's crude declaration, Satella appeared as the shadow seemed to engulf much of the forest behind and to the side of her.
"I love you, my knight," she said once again. Ulric was beginning to think those two phrases were all she could speak.
"Well that saves us some trouble," growled Garfiel as his body started glowing red and changing. He grew several times his size as his upper clothing was torn by his newfound bulk. 'He's even larger than Frederica was when she changed,' thought Ulric in a bit of awe as a gigantic and heavily muscled man-tiger stood where Garfiel once stood. With a roar, he charged forward and leapt at the Witch of Envy with surprising speed for his size.
But Satella didn't seem phased one bit as four tendrils of darkness shot out and bound Garfiel's wrists and ankles, leaving him suspended in the air and unable to break free. "Go," he ordered. The many Ryuzu's obeyed and charged forward, seeming to glide across the ground as their cloaks flew behind them. Several of them exploded on impact against the dark tendrils while others rushed the witch herself, who responded in kind with spear tipped tendrils.
In a matter of seconds, the numerous Ryuzu copies vanished either by exploding against the tendrils or disintegrating from impalement. But they served their purpose as Garfiel was again free to continue his descent towards the witch. Satella's reaction speed was quick, though, and she fired a larger tendril with a spear tip towards the falling tiger man. Thankfully, it never reached him as Ulric leapt up and carved the tendril down the middle, allowing Garfiel to fall upon his prey and begin ripping and tearing at the darkness itself.
'We have to keep fighting, for them,' thought Ulric as he readied to charge into the fray as well. He was halted, however, at the sight of Garfiel's massive form suddenly getting impaled by a large number of shadowy spikes from all different directions. Even more spikes exploded from his body then before he was torn into bloody chunks, his remains raining down on the knight as he stared in utter disbelief. 'It took her practically no effort for her at all,' thought the Crusader as Satella arose from the darkness once more.
"I love you, my knight, I love you, my knight, I love you," she chanted while swaying side to side.
"Do you even know what that word means," growled Ulric as he pulled himself back up to his feet and held his blade in his blood covered hands, "You who've clearly never experienced that feeling, never truly tried to understand the power of it. When the woman I loved confessed her feelings for me, the sincerity of her words radiated from her very soul. In that moment I would've sworn to the entire world that an angel stood before me. Your false feelings don't even begin to compare to hers or Emilia's. My heart belongs to them and to God, no one else!"
He charged forward then, using all of his remaining strength to wield his sword as more shadowed tendrils reached up to grab hold of his limbs, slowing him down but not stopping him as he ran mana through his body again. He tore through one tendril after another as he slowly approached his quarry, yanking his feet out of the shadowed depths as if it was thick mud before raising his sword over his head. But his strike was stopped as even more tendrils grabbed hold of him and pulled him to his knees, the darkness slowly engulfing him. "I love you, my knight, I love you," she chanted before suddenly changing the words, "love me, Sir Knight, love me, Sir Knight, love me." The shadow engulfed Ulric as he felt a mass of memories that weren't his own surging through his head.
'I'm, not dying,' he realized, 'she wants to keep me here, repeating that blasted phrase for all time.' He tried reaching for the poison vial in his pocket, but the shadow was constricting his movements, only allowing him to pull a bit before jerking his arm back up. He also couldn't summon up any more mana right now without his gate collapsing, so causing himself to explode again wasn't an option either. That's when he noticed something strange, Rem and Petra's handkerchief's were glowing yellow. 'You damn witch,' thought the knight, 'so you knew this might happen all along, didn't you Echidna?'
As if in answer, or mocking, the handkerchiefs glowed brighter and destroyed the tendrils around Ulric's right arm, allowing him to reach back and draw his dagger before slashing his own throat in quick succession. An audible gasp came from Satella upon realizing what had just happened as she watched the knight choke on his own blood. 'Just one thing left before everything resets,' thought Ulric as he reached up towards the Witch of Envy's veil, 'SHOW ME YOUR FACE!' And with his remaining strength, he yanked the veil off before staring wide-eyed at the face and hurt eyes of the one looking back at him.
He'd always thought it was an exaggeration. That the descriptions just happened to look similar. But what his eyes saw destroyed that line of thought as Emilia's, no, Satella's grieving face stared back at him with tears in her eyes. "This….isn't over," coughed Ulric, "I swear I'll…end you." He felt his life slip away then as the familiar embrace of death came.
The Witch's Graveyard
Ulric awoke coughing yet again as he looked around the chamber. 'That seems to have gotten me and everyone else out of her clutches for now,' thought Ulric, 'but why was she-?' The Knight jumped slightly as his eyes landed on a familiar face, only for him to relax as he realized it was Emilia lying on the floor and not Satella. 'How embarrassing, to be frightened of the one I'm supposed to be protecting.'
Ignoring the minor trembling in his body caused by his latest death, the Crusader reached out and shook Emilia lightly. The silver-haired girl awoke slowly and sat up as the tried to figure out what was going on. "Where am….that's right, I was," Emilia started to say before catching sight of him. "Ulric, are you alright? You look, tired." She rested a hand on his cheek as she examined him.
"I most assuredly am," said Ulric with a sigh as he covered his hand with hers, "but I imagine you are as well. Let's get out of here for now and inform the others." Emilia nodded in agreement as she stood up and helped the knight off the floor before the two of them proceeded out of the stone tunnel. Outside, Otto, Ram and Garfiel were waiting and immediately went to asking questions.
"So you went in to help Lady Emilia and wound up in the trial yourself," said Ram, "it makes little sense that you're qualified for it given your apparent weary state upon its completion."
"I don't think there was anything wrong with the way he acted," said Emilia, "that trial is a scary thing, and it's rare to see Ulric a bit more vulnerable, so I got to help him for a change."
"The way you phrase that makes it sound like you enjoy seeing me miserable," quipped Ulric.
"Oh it's nothing like that," said Emilia as she waved her hands in a mild panic, "I was just happy I could be there to support you for a change. You've done so much for me and everyone that it hardly seems fair that we don't help you out once in a while."
"Either way you should thank Lady Emilia," said Ram, "I would've told you to be a man and stand up already."
"Well I wasn't expecting much in the way of sympathy from you Ram," said Ulric, "but at least you're honest."
"You know it's not like that Ulric," said Otto, "that's just Ram's way of showing she cares." This statement was clearly a mistake as the pink-haired oni shot a death glare at Otto, causing him to all but scream in fright. The knight turned his gaze to Garfiel then, wondering what his reaction would be at this point. He was relieved when the half-beast man smiled.
"Well I wasn't sure what was gonna happen in there for a minute," admitted Garfiel, "but I guess I'm glad you managed to make it back. Seems a little breeze won't knock the gafgalon fruit off the tree after all!" He actually started laughing then, which confused the knight to no end but he smiled at the situation regardless.
A Short Time Later: Main Village Cottage
The discussion in the cottage went much the same as it did the last couple of times, save for a slightly more friendly sendoff with Garfiel and Ryuzu. It was when they left, however, that Ulric dared to ask the oni girl something he wouldn't normally ask. "Ram, I need to speak with you for a moment," said the Crusader as soon as no one was in earshot.
"Pervert," said Ram almost instantly, only glancing at him while keeping her back turned.
"Jumping to conclusions yet again," said Ulric, "and I have eyes for someone else who's much more pleasant to be around."
"I am plenty pleasant to be around," said Ram, "though I pity the girl who's caught your interest. She could likely do better."
"It's impressive that you can make a statement I both disagree but also agree with," grumbled Ulric before clearing his throat, "but that's beside the point. I need your help with something."
"And what is it you want to ask of Ram," she replied without turning around.
"I need your help with Garfiel," said Ulric as he crossed his arms and put a hand to his chin, "there's something I need to do that he might misinterpret as a threat to the Sanctuary, but it's not. So if possible, I'd like you to keep him distracted while I'm absent."
"I'm not sure I like that look in your eyes, Sir Ulric," said Ram.
"You don't like the regular look of my eyes either," Ulric pointed out, "look, I just need to investigate something for a bit. In return I'll do you a favor if that's what you want."
"It will cost you ten favors for my help," said Ram rather quickly, eliciting an annoyed groan from the knight before he agreed.
In the Forest of the Sanctuary: Unknown Structure
Ulric wasted no time in hurrying over to the new location. It was honestly a very strange feeling, knowing the details about a place he'd never once visited in his entire life, even if it was just in fragments. But he supposed that's what happens when a mass of memories floods one's mind and leaves a few impressions, such as the place he was approaching. He didn't like thinking about the fact that all the memories he saw were most certainly the victims who'd been swallowed up by Satella's shadow.
But if all went well, he could prevent such a fate from befalling them again. When he came upon a stone structure that looked like it'd been carved out of the hillside with four stone columns at the entrance, he knew he'd arrived. Keeping a hand on his sword, the Crusader entered the structure and slowly crept down the long stone hallway which was lit by the occasional hole in the ceiling. After a few minutes of walking, he came upon a stone door with a butterfly wing symbol, very similar to Echidna's hair piece.
He searched the fragmented memories and saw an image of someone putting Garfiel's stone necklace in a cut out section of the wall. Ulric was able to locate it and put Frederica's stone in the hole, noting how it was a perfect fit. He didn't quite expect what happened next as the stone began emitting a bright blue light. Ulric backed away and covered his eyes instinctively as the brightness intensified for several moments before quickly fading.
When he looked up again, the stone door was gone and the two gem torches were glowing. Inside the doorway, a small amount of mist and dreadfully cold air met the knight as he proceeded in and gazed upon the largest crystal, or perhaps ice cube was more accurate, that he'd ever seen. But it was what was inside the crystal that caused Ulric's eyes to widen slightly. It was Ryuzu Bilma, or one of her copies, inside the crystal with no clothing to speak of and her were eyes closed as if she were sleeping. He didn't have long to look at the sight, however, as a soft pair of footsteps echoed behind him.
Ulric spun around and pulled his sword partially out of the sheath, stopping once he realized who it was. "I did not expect you to discover this secret only half a day after your arrival, young Ulric," said Ryuzu Bilma as she entered the chamber with one of her white robed copies behind her.
"I happened to see a memory," explained Ulric, "I'm not entirely sure who it was that was swallowed up by the Witch of Envy, but they knew where to find this place. And out of curiosity, do I happen to know that doppleganger?"
"Unlikely," replied Ryuzu, "this girl is assigned to this place with the role of guard. The one who led you to the Sanctuary was a different one."
"That answers one question," said Ulric as he let go of his sword and relaxed a bit, "but if you don't mind, I have quite a few more."
"And I'm more than willing to answer them, Apostle of Greed," said Ryuzu as she gripped her staff a little tighter, "as well as fulfill any other requests you might have. That is, after all, what has been written in the contract that binds us, the copies of Ryuzu Meyer."
Later That Night: Ryuzu's Cottage
Ulric had to admit, the more he found out about the Sanctuary, the more questions it seemed to raise. And while he was familiar with identical twins, the fact that one could make dozens of identical copies of a person without a mother or father involved. It was a lot to take in. Though the current question on his mind was, "Why does this little one seem to desire being close to me?"
He was referring to the fact that the white-robed copy was sitting on the bed next to him with a hand on his arm, as if she was trying to keep track of him. "You are aware of who's responsible for creating this place, are you not?" Questioned Ryuzu as she sat at a small table near the fireplace.
"The Witch of Greed, Echidna, is what I was told," said Ulric.
"Correct," said Ryuzu, "this land was built by her hand as an experimental facility to fulfill said Witch's dream."
"And what was this 'dream' of hers that she was trying to fulfill?" Questioned Ulric, "I doubt she was trying to help the world with a place like this."
"Can you not see what is before your very eyes," Ryuzu asked back, "your eyes did not deceive you when you gazed upon the girl who looked just like me in the magic crystal. That was the first, and true Ryuzu, Ryuzu Meyer. I and all the others are mere copies of her. Imitations, if you will."
"I understand that much," said Ulric, "but it doesn't answer why she would need to create so many copies. She doesn't seem the motherly type."
"We are mere tools to her," said Ryuzu, "empty vessels meant to fulfill whatever role she designated us for."
"Well she's not here anymore," Ulric pointed out, "you should be free to make your own decisions now as living beings."
"You are quite kind, young Ulric, to think of us in such a way," said Ryuzu, "but our bodies are merely artificial, as are the cores of Od that have been produced by magic. They've been wrapped in mana to give us physical form."
"So Echidna created people using magic, created artificial life?!" Said the Knight as he tried to wrap his head around it all. "Was she really so incapable of giving birth to an heir the way God intended?"
"A naturally born child would've possessed a soul and a will of its own," replied Ryuzu, "Echidna could not have achieved her goal under those circumstances, which was to add personalities, memories, knowledge and the other workings of a soul. In the case of Ryuzu Meyer, she filled her body with her own being and when it would inevitably perish, she would make a new vessel to inherit the soul."
"She sought to extend her own life indefinitely," realized Ulric, "she didn't want an heir, but to be physically and mentally immortal. I suppose it's no surprise that she'd fear death given what awaits her in the afterlife beyond." 'Though it might explain why she finds my existence desirable,' he thought, 'I'm basically partially immortal myself now.' "Given the fact that none of you have that conniving smile on your faces, I take it her experiment was a failure?"
"It is as you say," replied Ryuzu, "her soul was not inherited and her plans only came to pass in the imperfect forms you see before you."
"We are all flawed beings to one degree or another," said Ulric, "was she not able to come to that conclusion on her own already?"
"You misunderstand," replied Ryuzu, "by 'imperfect', I am referring to the fact that Ryuzu Meyer was incapable of housing said Witch's soul. After her death, this facility remained and with no one giving the order to cease production, copies continue to be made. We owe our continued existance to the fact that our bodies made of mana require no resources to survive."
"Then why bother making and drinking tea if that's the case," Ulric pointed out.
"It is merely a hobby I adopted," answered Ryuzu, "you might call it an individual quirk I acquired over my long life. I was one of the first four copies created 400 years ago, you see, granted the wisdom and personality to manage this facility, the Sanctuary and the ever increasing copies. It was difficult at first, having no memories and nothing but a job I was supposed to do. I don't know how long it was, but it took a number of years before I truly felt alive."
Ulric frowned upon hearing this. Despite her best efforts, a living being was a living being and if Ryuzu was still capable of understanding suffering, then-. "Do not look so troubled, young Ulric," she said, "I have come to find significance in fulfilling my given purpose, in my own way."
"I suppose one advantage to that is knowing exactly what your purpose is," said Ulric, "and if you're truly happy with the way things are then I suppose it isn't my place to say what you should be doing. So instead, why not tell me what you meant by 'Apostle of Greed'? I am not a follower of Echidna nor one who practices her ways."
"In simple terms, it is the title given to the one who has the right to command us copies of Ryuzu Meyer," explained Bilma, "When you were in the graveyard, the Witch bestowed upon you a symbol of her apostlehood."
"I don't recall receiving any such symbol unless it was this qualification," said Ulric.
"Her symbol is taken from a part of her body," explained Ryuzu, "a strand of hair, a fingernail-."
"Bodily fluids," said Ulric, "damn the Englishmen in me for drinking tea to calm my nerves. I basically ingested part of that conniving witch."
"That would most certainly do the trick," said Ryuzu, "as long as it is a part of the witch, you will have the title of 'Apostle of Greed'."
"But that brings up another question," said Ulric, "If us 'apostles' are marked by our ability to command you and the copies, doesn't that mean Garfiel is also an apostle of Greed?" His answer was a simple nod from the pink-haired woman.
"Well that's another potential complication," said Ulric with a sigh, "if possible, could you keep it a secret for now that I'm an apostle and that we discussed any of this? Garfiel does not seem the type to accept something like this easily."
"Your suspicions are well-founded," said Ryuzu, "Young Gar would most certainly have some choice words if he knew that a relative of his was meeting with his lover."
"I don't have those kinds of feelings for Ram if that's what you mean," said Ulric, "and I most certainly haven't done anything with the Witch of Greed. Were there another way I'd avoid meeting her altogether. But since the circumstances are rather convoluted at this time, it's good to know that I have someone I can rely on. It's very likely I'll need your help in the near future."
"Ask anything you like of me," said Ryuzu with a happy expression for some reason, "I cannot defy an order from you. I could be a Garfiel ward, a hug pillow, even-."
"If I didn't know better I would think you were trying to tempt me into doing something unseemly," commented Ulric as he stood up, "for now, simply keep to your tasks of being the Sanctuary's eyes and ears and warn me or Garfiel if you happen to spot a hoard of approaching rabbits."
"As you wish young Ulric," said Ryuzu as the silent white-robed copy got up and headed out the door.
"Oh, and before I go," said Ulric as he stopped at the door, "This will simply nag at my mind if I don't ask now, but why do you have the surname 'Bilma' and not 'Meyer' if you're a copy?"
"Going by the name 'Ryuzu' is part of the duty instilled within me," replied Bilma, "so I and the others express our individuality in other ways like hobbies, preferences and names." An idea suddenly seemed to occur to the pink-haired woman as she said that. "Young Ulric, if you wouldn't mind, could you ask me the same question again…after tomorrow?"
"I don't see why not," said Ulric with a slight bow, "so for now I bid you a good night, Ryuzu Bilma." He took his leave then, noting that his apparent servant was probably smiling behind her robe-covered mouth. 'It's no wonder the Witch's plan never worked,' thought Ulric, 'being able to express individuality is the mark of one being their own person. Try as she might, she failed to create completely empty shells.'
His thoughts turned to the numerous problems concerning the mansion and the Sanctuary after that. He had a few ideas to get everyone safely out of the mansion, but that blasted Great Rabbit was the real problem. It was likely the presence of Roswaal and Emilia that drew them to the Sanctuary in the first place, though it was still curious that they didn't show up after five days the first time, and where did the sn-of course! "That has to be it," he said, "whatever produced the snow, be it the rabbits or something else, that'll be the sign that-."
"Ulric," said a voice suddenly, startling the knight out of his thoughts as he turned to find the source. "What are you doing out here?" It was Emilia, wrapped in a blanket, wearing her pink night gown and slippers. Despite that, the moonlight reflecting off her skin and hair still made for a dazzling sight, almost as beautiful as Rem in the moonlight.
"I should be asking you that, your ladyship," said Ulric as he approached, "shouldn't you be resting right now instead of wandering the woods in your night clothes?"
"Obviously I was worried about you," replied Emilia with a tilt of her head, "though it looks like it was all for nothing."
"As always I'm touched by your concern for me," said Ulric with a slight bow, "and apologies if I worried you. I was simply doing some investigating. You never know what sort of evil traps might've been left behind in the resting place of witches."
"Well I also haven't been able to sleep," admitted Emilia as she and Ulric sat down on a large stone nearby, "so I thought a walk with the night breeze on my skin might help."
"Have the trials been giving you nightmares?" Questioned Ulric.
"It might be that and it might be something else," said Emilia, "I'm honestly not sure. I was hoping I might figure it out by walking around a bit. I just really wish…Puck was here right now."
"You're still unable to contact him?" Said Ulric, "then I suppose I should apologize for leaving you alone at a time like this."
"No please, this isn't your fault Ulric," she said before sighing, "it's just, he was my only friend for so long. He and I have been through a lot together and for him to suddenly be gone, it's just, difficult."
"Well if it's encouragement you need, perhaps I can help," said Ulric as he stood up, "I've made it no secret that I think very highly of you. I've seen you fight monsters that would frighten even the bravest of men and lend your hand to those in need. And despite trying and failing to overcome this trial, you persevere through the pain over and over again because you want to help people without asking for anything in return. You're one of the kindest and bravest people I've ever met and even were I not a knight under oath I would still want to support you and your vision for a better world."
"What's bringing this on all of a sudden," asked Emilia with a confused tilt of her head.
"Nothing sudden about it," said Ulric, "that's my beliefs about you as a person, an amazing girl with more strength than she knows. It admittedly pains me to know that I can't help you through this more, but if anyone can pass this trial it would most certainly be you."
"Hmm," said the silver-haired girl as she grasped her necklace with a small smile, "you already have. You've given me the courage to keep going Ulric, so thank you." The knight nodded his head with a smile on his face as he helped her up and proceeded with her back to the cottage.
The Next Morning
The knight spent a good bit of time awake that night, his mind at work as various solutions and issues swirled about. Otto was curious to know what he was thinking, but Ulric told him it was nothing to worry about. In fact, it would be best if he attempted this next part by risking as few lives as possible before moving to deal with the next problem. So as before, he wrote a letter to Emilia explaining that he had something he needed to take care of and then set out early in the morning for the mansion. This time, it was just him and Spiegel.
'I need to find out just what exactly is happening there,' thought Ulric, 'so I'll need to seek answers as well as get Rem and the others out of harm's way. The ironic thing is that the safe place I'm sending them will only be that way temporarily, so I'll need to move quickly.' His thoughts were interrupted by a figuring seeming to fall out of the sky in front of him, forcing Spiegel to stop as they faced the new arrival.
"You've got a good bit of energy this early in the morning," said Garfiel as he stood up, "that liger you got there is pretty gutsy too."
"Garfiel," said Ulric, "if you're here because my actions worry you, your fears are unfounded."
"Like shit they are!" said Garfiel with an annoyed smirk on his face, "with a witch's stench like that, you're definitely up to no good, aren't ya?"
"This wretched scent was forced upon me," said Ulric as he dismounted from Spiegel and hopped down, "have you come to confront me about it now because we're in a secluded area? Or did you wait until now to bring it up because you're still trying to decide what to do?"
"You'd best watch it," said Garfiel with a sneer, "pissing me off will only help me make up my mind about what to do a lot quicker."
"Then could you answer a question for me first before you do?" Asked Ulric, "you'd go to great lengths for Ram, correct?"
"Don't bring her into this," growled Garfiel as he closed the distance between them by a few feet, "I may have the hots for her but don't think I'll risk the safety of the Sanctuary just to get a date with her!" Spiegel growled at this aggressive display but was silenced by a hand from Ulric, who didn't show a sign of intimidation at the moment.
"You misunderstand my point," said Ulric, "I'm currently dealing with something of a conflict of interest. Right now, the woman I love is back at the mansion and in danger. I plan to get her, your sister, and everyone else there away from danger before returning here. After that, it will depend on the situation."
"And I'm supposed to just take your word that you won't do something bad?" Questioned Garfiel.
"My goals are the same as they've always been," said Ulric, "protecting Emilia, my love and our friends. I have no reason to harm the Sanctuary or its inhabitants, but it will have to endure some hardship in the near future. But with a little planning, it's nothing you or your people can't handle."
"And what do you know?!" exclaimed Garfiel, "Like you know shit about me, the old hag or this place! Between the two of us, can you even say you've suffered that badly?!"
"What do my eyes tell you?" Questioned Ulric as he fixed the half beast man with a hard look, "even without experiencing two years or so of war before coming to this land, I've experienced enough pain and suffering here to last most people a lifetime. I cannot say I know the true extent of Hell nor its endless tortures, but I believe I know hell on earth." He moved back to Spiegel then and climbed back aboard him, "I want to prevent those I love from suffering such a thing. It is my duty as a knight after all, to endure suffering so that the ones I protect don't have too, isn't it?"
Garfiel grit his teeth at that, wanting to argue but not really finding anything he could say back to it. Taking that as an answer, Ulric set off past Garfiel and continued on towards the mansion. There were a number of things he hoped to accomplish and, much like Garfiel, he too needn't to find out if he could trust a few certain people. It would be the start of another terrible struggle very soon.
'You keep using that word, I don't think it means what you think it means'. Gah, I'm sure I just dated myself again, but I'm sure everyone will get the reference. Feel free to name it in the comments and reviews as well as what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as Ulric confronts the assassins and more in his quest to protect those at the mansion! 'Til then.