Chapter 3: Finding New Allies
They finally arrive at the Higheast City to take refuge after the incident and Lars oversaw the Higheast Palace.
"This castle has been untouched." Lars was surprise to see the castle and he finally wants to know about Seed. "Lene, can you explain about this young man who helped you and for rescuing me?"
"About Seed... he's from a different timeline where he was the 3rd General of the royal Highland Army. When Professor Asher examines this Rune which is now attached on my right hand, it manage to activate the dimensional portal device and he was summoned here accidentally." Lene explained clearly to her father.
"My worth... but this young man had already being slain at the hands of the Dunan Leader and it's army. I wouldn't expect he was very exceptional skilled in swordsmanship." Lars said surprisingly and Seed bows him in respect.
"I'm glad to meet you, your Majesty."
"It's okay... No need for formalities... I'm also glad you were at my daughter's side." Lars said smiling.
"I'd like to reform our beloved country in Highland. I know you and Lene needs to regroup and to fight back against that old fool." Seed said wanted to reform Highland which Lene angrily reacts.
"Don't tell me that you're going to restore the former glory of the fallen kingdom, do you?"
"It's not just the Kingdom, Lene. I'd like to make this castle our Headquarters just like Lord Riou did to his Dunan Army. That would be the reason of why him and Lord Jowy had conflicts between them. I'm also being unfit for being act responsible like Culgan does."
"He has a point, Lene. It would be best to make this castle as our base of operations. That way, we can make a counter strike against my half-brother."
"This is different in my timeline, can you tell us why is your family had conflicts with another family member. I felt that it was just like Luca Blight's tyranny to his own royal family." Seed said wanting to know about the conflicts between the Ashitares.
"It all began when my father Baron Ashitare chose me as his successor and Doug was completely jealous. After my father's death, Doug was longing to overthrow me and wants to rule as King. The capital of Jenova was peaceful during my reign as King and I can't let anyone who wants to take over my throne and I'm willing to sacrifice my life for the sake of my people."
"Doug's mother was the descendant of the sorceress named Sarah who always sided with the instigator behind the Second Fire Bringer War and she was willing to let her son to become the heir to the throne at Silveria. But grandfather chose my father because he was worthy enough to make our capital in peace." Lene said finally reveals about her half-uncle's bloodline.
"So the old fool's bloodline came from a sorceress' descendant." Seed became surprised as he boasts at his actions to him. "He maybe act cowardly because I took him down in an instant. I would glad to put him down again."
"You really don't know Doug's true extent when you face him in battle. He's both a powerful swordsman and a magician and I know you're the one who's capable of using the Runes. Within this world, we stopped using Runes after the entire conflict is over. But since, he's going to instigate another war, we're going to take up arms and using Runes again." Lars said knowing of his half-brother's actions.
"Father, are you sure that you're gonna stay in the castle?" Lene asked which he confirms.
"Yes... I want to rebuild this castle into a fortress. I have many contacts around in this country."
"What!? Contact!? Wait... how come he's saying this?" Seed said horribly shock as Lene laughs at his reaction.
"We have mobile phones to contact someone because my father had connections within this country. I guess your timeline does not have those, haha..."
"..."
"Anyway, Lene... you must find some people to recruit as many as you can. Because the war that Doug's doing will be extremely dangerous."
"I just hoped you can reform this capital and our beloved country, your majesty." Seed said which Lars gladly accepts.
"Of course..."
As they traveled to Kyaro Town, they meet Asher once again and this time it's about a new war happened at Jenova, the capital city of Silveria.
"So the King of Silveria is now living at the Higheast. That was amazing..."
"Professor Asher, is it okay to join us?" Lene said as Asher stands up and takes his rifle with him.
"So this is what I've been waiting for. This is my goal to put my inventions into a good use on the war. I'll join you..."
"Well the guy who summoned me is at our side now."
"To be honest, red head. Professor Asher is a marksman." Sean said remarking about it.
At the newly rebuilt Toto Village, he meets a martial artist named Zefer as he admires at Lene's appearance.
"Wow... you're so gorgeous. Do you want to have lunch with me?"
"Excuse me, are you trying to hit on me?"
"Uhhh... no not at all. Kinda reminds me of someone." Zefer said as he states. "I would glad to join you on this battle. But before that, I'd like you to show off my burning passion as a martial artist."
"Enough of your this!" Seed then personally confronts Zefer and he angrily scolds him. "Did she ever told you that you're still hitting on her?"
"Well oh well... this guy's got a temper. I can feel the burning passion inside of you." Zefer remarks Seed as a fighter. "How about an arm wrestling match, what do you say?"
"That guy is a total spunk to speak to him." Sean remarked as Seed states while claiming himself being a General from the Highland Kingdom.
"I'd never done arm wrestling before... But anyway, I won't lose because I'm the Flaming General from the Highland Kingdom."
Both men then wrestle their arms as both Lene and Sean watches as most patrons wanted to see the two men had an arm wrestling.
"I would expect about the red head's arrogance. He even claiming himself being the General of the fallen kingdom." Sean complained as Lene sees his capability as a fighter.
"He maybe from a different timeline, Sean. Seed was a powerful fighter. He was the one who rescued me when my half-uncle is about to kill me with his men."
"Seriously!? Him!?"
"I know he remains speaking like he was in the kingdom that he had loved. He was a passionate guy. Despite his scolding at me, he does not want me to get lost and we always fight side by side." Lene said shows her admiration to Seed.
"Lene, don't tell me that you're getting interested over the red head?" Sean teases Lene for getting interested to Seed which she retorts.
"I'm not into that guy, Sean. My father made an arrange marriage from the prince in Falena and I can't decide whether to marry this man or not. I need some time..."
Both men continue to wrestle their arms as Seed beats him in arm wrestling, much to everyone's amusement.
"Oww! That pretty smarts..."
"That shit happens..." Seed shrugged and he looked at both Lene and Sean. "Since I won his game, you wanna recruit this guy?"
"Sure... I want to see how this guy battle." Lene smiled at him as Seed allows him to join at their side.
They soon meet another warrior who lost his money as they assist him to take a bite and eat at the inn.
"I thank you for helping me, my name is Runmaru and I'm also a traveler. It appears that you need a hand. I'm glad to join to your group."
Runmaru decided to join at Lene's side as she pays potch for his food. Both Sean and Seed are waiting for Lene to come out until a Japanese entourage led by an androgynous man in a pink kimono along with his dance troupe.
"That was disgusting! A man wearing a dress!" Seed was horribly disgust to see the man's appearance as Sean replies.
"Hard to look at him like this... He's really a dude..."
The man's troupe are orphans from different provinces and tries to find young and handsome men. Lene soon arrives to see them and Runmaru decided to join at their cause. They soon found a girl who knows to make maps who is on their way to Ryube Village.
"All right... I can't wait to make maps there. Here's the map and you need it."
"Can you tell us your name, please?"
"I'm Tracy..."
As soon as they arrived at Radat Town, the two boatsmen Daimaru and Moichi recognizes Lene as the princess as she needs them to take boat trips.
"Lady heiress... We just heard the news."
"It looks like a family problem going on at your kingdom."
"I'll recruit both of you because I need the both of you to take me in other places."
"We glad that you let us join, lady heiress..." Daimaru bows her in respect and the two join to their cause and Seed smiles and tells them.
"Let's call it a day. If we go further tirelessly, we ended up getting fatigue."
Returning back to Higheast City, Lars was impressed to see them recruiting five to their cause and Seed was surprised to see the reconstruction of the castle.
"I'm completely amused you really are an amazing King. Lord Jowy does not have these kinds of connections."
"In a modern world it always changes in every year."
"Father... don't tell me you called-?"
"Sir Lars... everything is set and done." Jules arrives and Lars tells them.
"Jules is a brilliant architect and he is able to fix anything here in this castle and he's at our side."
"I heard the Silveria was taken over by the other Ashitare and I will be glad to be at your service."
"An architect? This is new to me..." Seed commented on Jules' appearance as the man arrives the scene.
"Lars..."
A man appears along with two men and the rest of the Silverian troops.
"Tougou... long time no see."
"I heard that Jenova has taken over. So I guess I made my decision to help you defeat your brother."
"Thank you so much, Tougou. I'm glad you're at my side." Lars said in relied as Seed asked him.
"Your majesty, who's this guy and how come their outfits are different at my time?"
"Tougou is my friend and confidant who is a military combat specialist at my palace and as an assistant strategist when it comes to war games. I let Lene to master her hand-to-hand combat techniques. You seem to be familiar about their outfits."
"Oh yeah... modern times..." Seed grunted while closing his eyes.
"Marik is the weapon and firearms specialist and he's the one who make bullets and explosives. He himself was the one who gave Lene the double-sided tonfas." Lars explained to Seed. "And finally is Xian is a doctor after Tougou leads them to escape in Jenova when Doug had taken over the kingdom. He is able to cure the sick and injured within this new headquarters.
"We pledge our loyalty to our current King." Both men bowed in respect as Lene, Seed and Sean watch them.
"This is how Culgan and I we pledge allegiance to Lord Jowy once Luca Blight's tyranny is over. I'm glad that you and your father are able to accept them."
"Yeah..."
"What with your face, red head? You keep staring at Lene." Sean said which he became embarrassed.
"Uhhh! It's none of your concern! Why would I like the feisty princess who can fight off enemies?!"
"With the look on your face, you really like her, do you?" Sean teases him as Lene smiles at his embarrassed look as he calmly admits.
"I had no idea of why I keep protecting her like this. I like her because she was a very strong person. A man who always protects a woman like she is."
"I think it's about time you three will come along with us. We have a discussion thing to do." Lars said and the trio and Tougou followed him.
On the way the meeting halls, Seed continued to gaze at Lene and became interested to her as he thought.
That Sean guy was right... I am getting interested to the princess. I think it's about time for myself to make up for my loss in every war battles that I'm in... I want Lene and her father to reclaim which is rightfully theirs and this is my effort to push them to victory.
With that, the group enters the discussion room.