Chapter Text
A.N. Start of CS4. It's just a prologue, so shorter than usual
"DIE! DIE! DIEEE!"
Instructor Rean is hacking the mangled corpse of the Corrupted Holy Beast with reckless abandon.
We can't kill it!
"Ins—!"
As I call out, I suddenly feel a pain in my chest.
I suddenly lay on the ground. Bleeding.
Huh…? What…? When did…?
"Jessica!"
Elise and Alfin? When did they get inside the Gral?
"Rean! Stop!"
Instructor Rean? And…when did the ground become snow?
Oh, I get it. This is a dream.
"H-hold on! ARCUS Activate!"
"Damn it! She's losing too much blood!"
It hurts.
I thought you're not supposed to feel pain in dreams.
"Toval, what should I do?"
"Hold down on her wound! Apply pressure, we have to stop the bleeding!"
Toval. Right, you were probably on the Courageous too. With Prince Olivert and Viscount Arseid. That means you also…
I prevented it! It's not supposed to be that way! I told them! I told them about the engine and yet—!
It's not fair!
It's not fair! It's not fair! IT'S NOT FAIR!
Why were my warnings for if everything ended up the same anyway!?
And given Valdrand happened because of me—I…Didn't I make everything worse instead!?
"No, no! I—what did I—"
"Rean! Help me stop the bleeding!"
…This was the part where Vita was supposed to come. But maybe it's better if she didn't.
Blood continues to flow from my chest, as the dream figures of Instructor Rean and the others try to stop the bleeding in futility.
Ah…Vita really doesn't come. They do say if you recognize you're in a dream you can control what happens.
At this point, I'm pretty sure I'd be dead if this were real. In fact, isn't this pool of blood too much from…just…me…
I suddenly realize that I'm not the only one lying on the ground. To my right, is Kurt, his eyes lifeless, his expression as if frozen on a surprised look.
No! Nononono!
I don't want to see this! I don't want to see this! It's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's not my fault!
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Sorry? For almost killing someone who can't make a single difference? And probably only makes things worse?!
Maybe that day, this girl named Jessica Schleiden should have just—!
"I'm sorryI'm sorryI'msorry!"
Just leave me alone already!
"Now, Rean. Let us begin. Together we shall write the end to this wretched fairy tale, with ink, black as despair."
In the distance, Ishmelga suddenly appears, grabbing Valimar by the throat.
Just stop!
At that moment, everything starts to fade away, as the memories of what happened after rapidly flash through my mind.
"We need to get out of here now! Grab Altina and Jessica so I can—Musse?!"
"Grianos? No, is this Vita's magic?"
"…The Great Twilight has begun. And I too have a role to play. But I will always treasure the memory of these months we spent together. So…take care. Ah, but I'm afraid I'll be needing Jessica with me."
"Musse…! Jessica!"
Everything fades to white, leaving only myself and the snow.
That's right. I was barely conscious at the time, but Musse teleported herself and me away to…somewhere. Meanwhile, Emma teleported the rest, presumably to safety.
What does Musse even want with me, anyway?
I failed.
I only made everything worse.
I lay down in the cold snow.
I know that sooner and later I would wake from this dream, but for the moment, why bother?
I'm not sure what I will be doing afterwards anyway.
Besides, what was the saying? 'I dream I was a butterfly, and when I awoke, I know not if I were a man dreaming I was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming it was a man?'
Maybe Jessica Schleiden died that day in Ymir. And everything after was nothing but something my mind conjured on the brink of death.
Or perhaps it was further back. Maybe the girl named Jessica Schleiden was just something that doctor's mind… ▅l▅f▅o▅d ▅i▅'s mind conjured on his deathbed.
Maybe that's better. Because then…that…wouldn't need to happen. The demon invasion in Schleiden Viscounty and everyone that died there…needn't happen. Everything that Jessica Schleiden might have inadvertently caused wouldn't happen in reality. Because it was nothing but ▅l▅f▅o▅d ▅i▅'s dream.
Yeah. I suppose if that were reality…it wouldn't be so bad.
But of course. It's fallacious. Nothing but wishful thinking.
This is reality. Or at the very least, the reality that I currently live in. There is…really no other path except forward.
The only way to make sure everything hasn't been in vain…to repay whatever damages this existence called Jessica Schleiden had inadvertently committed…
Is not by wallowing in self-pity. It's to dedicate everything I have to rectify it. Whatever it takes.
And I will myself awake.
Septian Calendar, 1st of August 1206
"…Tch. You got called here too?"
I turn around to see a familiar face approaching, wearing her conspicuous knight armour. I've known this chick since the Civil War two years ago. Never really got to know her, but pretty surprised she's still on this side. Unlike me, this gal's straight as an arrow. Probably the only reason she's not an Enforcer.
"…Azure Siegfried, or do you prefer Armbrust?" she asks me, her face taciturn.
I lazily shrugs, "Whatever floats your boat, Doobs."
"Don't call me that!"
"Eh…just following that crazy ogre chick's lead," I reply.
'Sides. These types are pretty cute when they get flustered.
"Argh! I told that girl to stop calling me that!" she shouts in exasperation, stomping her feet, somewhat.
Heh. See? Lucky you, Rea—well, I guess considering your current situation, not so much, huh? Well, at least he has that cat—Celine, looking after him.
My thoughts returns to two weeks ago, when we brought Rean back to the Gnomes' headquarters.
I've seen him use his ogre mode first-hand when we fought during the Civil War, but this is different. It's not just his hair now. It used to be that his eyes only turned red, now they're yellow with demonic slit pupils. More so than ever before, 'Ogre' is an apt descriptor for that form of his.
…Honestly. Snap out of it, already, you spoiled idiot. Your usual oblivious goodie two-shoes persona fits you better.
That dense lady killer act you have got enough ladies already without going for the devilish wild beast look, okay?
I can't help but joke sardonically in my head.
"You have any idea why Albarea called us all the way to Crossbell?" Duvalie asks again.
"Except about something that has to do with the Geofront?" I ask again, gesturing at one of the entrances to Crossbell's vast underground network behind me.
I continue, "Beats me. You know how he is from when we all worked together during the Civil War, don'tcha? That one's always acting shifty. Wouldn't be surprised if the slimy bastard backstab the Blood and Iron eventually."
"My, such opinion you have of me."
Yep. I totally said that because I noticed he was coming. Though judging from the faux politeness of that voice, it doesn't unnerve him one bit. Too bad he's not as easily provoked as Jusis.
I turn around and true enough, the Ironblood's leader is walking toward us, though he's not alone.
A masked blue-haired kid—though his hair is a couple of shades lighter than what I remember…an immortal like me then, just as I thought—wearing a gold and black military uniform, carrying a twin sword.
"Vander…" Duvalie remarks with a strange tone. Ah, right. Her 'student' had some sort of thing going with this kid, didn't she? I guess she's concerned on behalf of Jessica.
"Auric Etzel. A pleasure," the boy says simply…or I suppose I should say 'curtly', introducing himself.
Also, he got one of those embarrassing names I got, huh?
"Auric Etzel is our new comrade. He is here to assist with our mission," Rufus says, introducing Kurt as Auric Etzel.
Smug bastard. The kid's only here because you tried to make a shish kebab with his heart.
I turn to Rufus, "So? What's the mission then?"
Rufus simply looks amused at my barely concealed distaste. He replies, "Well, we are to go on a witch hunt. Or rather…a cultist hunt."
Cultist?
"You mean those guys who were at the Schleiden Viscounty?" I ask.
"The Garden? They're here? In Crossbell?" Duvalie adds.
Rufus replies, "Indeed. Though…not exactly. According to our intel, none of their operatives are here. Instead, our targets are fresh local recruits, shall we say."
"Recruits? How'd they even go about recruiting? Thought you Ironbloods made sure to tighten security so we ain't gonna have a third party interference," I ask again.
And speaking as someone who had successfully pulled the wool over these guys as C the terrorist leader, I can safely say that if they knew I was coming like they do about the Garden, ain't no way I'd pull it off.
He nods in confirmation, "Indeed. Still, you remember their capability to control people who have consumed the drug, Gnosis, yes? And, it just happens to be the case that we are in Crossbell. The city where quite a number of people consumed the drug two years ago."
Right. I remember reading the news about that when I was still in Thors. But, still from that far back?
Rufus continues, "Considering that no riot has broken out in Crossbell, I can only assume that their control is limited to a select group of people. That or they do not wish for a large-scale incident at the moment. Still—"
Duvalie cuts him off, "Wait, if they can control people that have consumed Gnosis, then is—"
Rufus chuckles, "Aha. No. Jessica Schleiden should be fine. That girl had shown a degree of immunity to Gnosis' adverse effects after all. Also, if they could control her, they would have done so during the incident in her Viscounty. So rest assured, your pupil is fine."
"S-She's not my pupil! And I'm not that worried about her in the first place!" Duvalie immediately denies it.
I can't help but snort. Alisa and now her. What's with Rean attracting these types of girls? Well, I say type, but I'm not sure what a good descriptor would be.
"What!?" She asks me.
"Nothing," I say nonchalantly.
"Listen! Schleiden is not my—"
"Schleiden…Jessica Schleiden?"
Kurt, who has been silent up to now suddenly remarks. We all turn to him.
"Hmm? What is it, Etzel?" Rufus asks him.
Kurt shakes his head, "Nothing. That name felt familiar is all. It won't hamper my capability."
"Yeah? 'course it's familiar she's—"
Rufus cuts me off.
"I'm sure you can chat with Etzel later, Siegfried."
I click my tongue, but let it go. For now.
Rufus continues, "As I was saying, we have reports of a suspicious group entering the Geofront not long ago. And since then, the mana level inside has spiked. Lechter and Claire both agree that that the most likely scenario is that Crossbell citizens under the Garden's influence are aggravating the spirit veins."
He turns to me, "As you've noted earlier, we cannot allow a third party to interfere in our preparation for the apex of the Great Twilight. Therefore, our job is to head into the Geofront and stop whatever they are doing, and if possible uncover more information about their plan. They represent an…unknown factor that must suppressed."
"I see. That makes it simple then," I say.
At least our targets are scums like them. Not that I have any right to say that considering I'm scum myself.
Beside me, Duvalie nods, "…My lord has been preparing for 200 years for this. I…will not let these cultists interfere."
Hmph. You can't be even more obvious that you're still convincing yourself that the Steel Maiden's got good intentions behind all this.
"Haha…I'm glad I can count on you two then," Rufus replies. He then turns to the entrance to the Geofront, "Well then…shall we?"
"And that is that," Rufus remarks as he sheathes his blade.
In front of us are three Crossbellans, lying on the ground. Gnosis certainly boosted their physical strength, but eh…against us, they stood no chance. They didn't even undergo demonization.
Kurt turns to Rufus, "The intel we received mentioned four people," he remarks. Rufus nods, "Indeed. We are still missing one."
He turns to the three Crossbellans on the ground, "I don't suppose you're willing to tell us where the other one is? I'd rather this not get messy."
"…Hmph," one of them scoffs.
Another one adds, "You can do what you want. The lord's gift is for he who endures!"
And…that's the other thing. Surprisingly, these people are not controlled.
Duvalie speaks up, "…The lord's gift? Have you people already forgotten what the D∴G cult did two years ago!? And you just…decided to join a dubious cult?"
"We don't speak of that false cult! This is different! Have you not seen the sign, woman!?" The third one shouts.
"The sign…?" Duvalie asks, unsure.
"Yes! The sign! The signs in the sky that appeared two weeks ago! Like those who have not been touched by the Lord, bound by the Goddess's chains, you blindly ignore what is in front of you!"
"The crimson miasma that spread from Heimdallr! Covering the land like a plague of locusts! A curse upon the world! Look at the emergence of the dark crimson flowers! They are just as described in the Book of Ladders! A bad omen that heralds the end!"
Wait. Huh!? They saw the curse being unleashed? Most people were oblivious to it. Nah. It's not that. Rather, just like the Infernal Castle, they already started to forget about it.
Also, what was that about the Book of Ladders?
Rufus remarks, "It is possible that due to having consumed Gnosis two years ago, these people became innately more sensitive to the Great Twilight. However, the part about the Pleroma Grass and the Book of Ladders intrigues me. It is not part of the Testament, therefore, I can only surmise that it is one of the Church's secret apocryphals. How do you obtain such knowledge, I wonder?"
They laugh.
"This is why we are the unchained, and you are the chained ones. In the ethereal realm of dreams, our souls entwine with the Dead God! But even a dead god dreams still, one that we can partake of and shed the coils of mortal illusion, freeing ourselves. Two years ago, a false prophet tried to bring about a false god into this land, but this time…the Lord is awakening and reality unravels!"
"Tch. Nonsense. You ain't some herald of hidden truth. You guys are just delusional pawns being used by this guy in Calvard. The bastard's the one sending you this vision, probably," I say, clicking my tongue.
"A rational assessment. I concur, it is most likely the Sponsor was the one sending them visions through their dream via the connection left over from their Gnosis consumption two years ago," Rufus agrees. He then adds, "Though, it does not look like they are in the mood to be hearing reason. The Sponsor had them fully believing in this vision."
Of course. They're convinced there is some higher purpose than just being used as pawns. That's definitely what the Sponsor is trying to do.
"…Disgusting," Duvalie remarks coldly.
Yep. Disgusting. Exactly like what I did to the Imperial Liberation Front members.
A bespectacled man with messy hair briefly crosses my mind. G…No, Gideon. I fully exploited your love for Erebonia and its people to become the philosophical heart of the ILF, didn't I? If we hadn't met…I wonder if you would even do all the things you did. I was the one who convinced you that it was for the greater good, after all.
Like I said, Crow Armbrust is a scum. Probably why I hung on to the Azure Siegfried's identity longer than I probably should have. Because shedding the mask, and admitting that I am Crow Ambrust means becoming that man who trampled over many lives just for a shot at revenge.
Still, I suppose at the Gral I finally admitted that I am that scum. Azure Siegfried has no reason to jump down and stop Rean Schwarzer from rampaging and doing something he'd regret even more. But Crow Armbrust does.
Though…whether that's out of genuine friendship or my own desire for redemption is anybody's guess.
Rufus speaks again, as he turns to the cultists, "Well, never mind that. What deeper truth does this vision of yours reveal? Does this lord require our submission and worship?"
"Fool! The Lord does not require our submission and worship! Our exaltation cannot add to the Lord's majesty any more than a madman writing 'bright' on the wall can add to the sun's light! Neither can our lack of worship diminish the Lord any more than that madman's writings of 'darkness' can darken the sun! The Lord simply is! A fount of wisdom for us to partake in unravelling reality!"
"And what cosmic enlightenment did you acquire?" Rufus prods on.
"Behold! In the wake of the curse upon the land, two great beings arose! One, the Leviathan, a metallic wyrm with seven gaping maws, seeks to ensnare the world within its fangs and devour it whole. The other, hazy flames, endeavours to beguile the colossal dragon. Through a mesmerizing dance, it aims to entangle the beast, methodically severing its heads, one by one!"
"Ugh…I can't be bothered to hear any more of this nonsense."
Before any of us can say anything, Duvalie leaps forward, before knocking them out with the edge of her blade.
Yeah…she's the Swift alright.
Rufus sighs, "I was hoping we could get the location of their last comrade out of them."
"Hmph. They won't talk easily. They fully bought into that ridiculous delusion," Duvalie rebuts.
"It's true. To my eyes, they had believed—No, they had convinced themselves that they were in the right," Kurt suddenly remarks.
"Same. Take it from someone who used to deceive people they're working for some higher cause. They ain't gonna crack easy," I say. I then add with a smirk, "Looks like you're outvoted, Blondie."
A flicker of annoyance briefly passed his face.
Heh. Nice. I'll take a win where I can.
He sighs, "Very well. You two aside, Etzel is somewhat trained in the Eight Leaves' Unclouded Eye. So I suppose I can trust his assessment of their mien."
Duvalie turns to Kurt, "Schwarzer taught you that?"
"Schwarzer? I do not know the name, but like Jessica Schleiden earlier, it seems familiar," he replies.
Duvalie sighs, "Right…"
She then turns to the passed-out cultists.
"…These are but innocent bystanders. Because of things outside of their control, they saw things they did not understand, and the Sponsor took advantage of their fear, exploiting them. And this is only possible because of the Great Twilight," she remarks.
Rufus turns to her, "Nevertheless. The Great Twilight is a necessary evil. An evil, perhaps, but necessary. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that not the Lance Maiden's stance on this?"
"It…is," Duvalie concedes with gritted teeth.
Girl's going to break before this is all over if she ain't choosing. Unlike that Icy Maiden, she doesn't have what it takes to see this through to the end while being that conflicted. She's too…pure? Honest? Well, in any case, she's too much of a goodie two shoes to truly do things that are against her conscience because of loyalty.
Guess I should try to help out and change the subject.
"So considering their enhanced strength. They gotta take Gnosis recently, right? Where'd they got 'em?" I ask.
Rufus replies, "Judging from our earlier conversation regarding dreams, I would hypothesize that the Sponsor showed them how to make Gnosis in their dreams. And then, they simply took the black Pleroma Grass that has been sprouting all around."
Makes sense.
"And then he opens the connection between them even more and sends them that weird nonsense, huh?" I remark.
Rufus nods, "More or less, but I do wonder if what he sent was entirely nonsense. I believe that he sends just enough truth hidden in a cryptic veil. Take the metallic wyrm they spoke of."
"You know what they mean by that?" Duvalie asks him.
"I can hazard a guess, yes," Rufus replies. He continues, "I am quite sure they are referring to Operation Jormungandr. The official name of Erebonia's military operation to conquer Calvard. An army of 1.2 million strong, marching East."
"Jormungandr. The mythological serpent of legend," Duvalie remarks.
Ah, so that's why it's a wyrm.
She continues, "And I suppose the metallic part refers to…"
Rufus nods, "Yes. Most likely the fact that our army is highly mechanized. With soldats, tanks, and airships bolstering our force."
"And the 'Hazy Flames'? Calvard's counteroffensive?" I ask.
"Maybe. Or it could be a hitherto unknown force," he replies.
"In any case, as I said, we can talk lat—" Rufus starts saying before his ARCUS rings.
"A moment," he says to us before answering.
A face appears on the screen. Black Alberich.
"Rufus. How goes your mission?"
"We've apprehended three of the intruders. One is still at large, however,"
"Oh? I believe I can help with that."
Another face appears on the ARCUS' screen. A blonde woman with drilled twin tails. Ah, I've heard of her. Though this is the first time I'm seeing her.
The Third Anguis of Ouroboros, Mariabell Crois.
Man, considering Vita and the Steel Maiden, it makes a dude almost wonder if being a hot woman is a prerequisite to being an Anguis.
Mariabell continues, "The Geofront is part of my family's magnum opus, after all. Now that you're there, if you could come to one of the terminals and connect it with the Orchis Tower, I can pinpoint the location of the last one from here. Though…Alberich would like you to take care of something else."
"Indeed. We had intruders inside the Orchis Tower. They had slipped past Rieveldt, Lady Crois, and myself, but I do believe they are heading towards the Geofront. Intercept them," Alberich says.
Rufus nods, "I see, who are they?"
"Bannings and MacDowell, Cassius Bright's children, and the Zero Child."
Well, those are some names all right.
"So two members of the SSS, two B-rank bracers—one a former enforcer—another former enforcer, and the cult's original Divine Child is it? Well, now, that is quite the intruders we have on our hands," Rufus remarks.
Kurt turns to him, "Are we aborting our current mission then?"
Rufus shakes his head, "No. His Excellency was clear that we are to stop what these cultists are doing."
He then turns to Duvalie and me, "We will split into two groups. Etzel and I will intercept them, while you two go on and stop the last cultist. Of course, once you do, I expect you two to reinforce us."
Before waiting for our response, he walks over to a nearby terminal, "Lady Mariabell, the coordinates. For both the cultist and our 'guests', if you would."
"Hmm? Only two against those opponents? Ohoho, you're quite confident aren't you?" Mariabell answers with a laugh.
"…Well, beating them outright is another thing, but I am certain we can stall them enough for Siegfried and Duvalie to show up"
"Oh? But Azure Siegfried is your biggest asset, no? What with the Divine Knight under his command? But you're not taking him with you?"
Well, he WOULD have a Divine Knight by his side too if El-Prado isn't in the Black Workshop for 'maintenance'. What does he think he's pulling? Sure, the Gnomes might be the ones who created them, but I can't imagine El-Prado just abandoning his chosen Awakener if Ordine is anything to go by.
"Hah. True enough. But the biggest possible threat is that the cultist would be summoning a powerful demon. On Etzel and my end, worse comes to worst, our opponents are not the type to go for lethal attacks. Therefore, it's only reasonable that the ones taking the more dangerous part have the insurance of the Azure Knight," Rufus continues with a chuckle as he starts working on connecting the terminal to Orchis Tower.
"I did not know you cared that much about us," Duvalie remarks sarcastically.
Rufus gives her a smirk, "Well, I DO hate wasting good resources unnecessarily. If nothing else you two are good assets."
I snort, "You ain't even gonna pretend and just say it outright, huh?"
"Haha, apologies. This is simply the sort of person I am, I suppose. I'm sure you two already know. I see no reason to hide it from you."
At least he's honest about it.
Once Mariabell found the coordinates for us, we split as planned. On Duvalie's and my end, the cultist did summon a demon all right, but…
"There!" Duvalie shouts as she severs the wings of the demons with several fast strikes, knocking the demon of the air.
Prompted by our ARCUS link, I leap forward, bringing down my double sabre at it. I'm already tapping into Azure Destiny, Ordine's self-strengthening power that I've learned how to use on myself.
I bring down my double sabre, the edge of its blades cutting into the demon, before spinning it, and hitting the demon with the other end, delivering the final strike.
"Well, that was easy. Guess Rufus worried for nothing," I remark.
The last cultist grits his teeth, "I'm so…close, in that case, I might as well—"
"Nah, not so fast, buddy!"
I dunno what he was gonna do, no way I'm letting him do that.
"Wha…what did you do!? Why can't I move—"
Duvalie knocks him out with the back of her blade.
"I…almost…transcended…shaking off this…mortal…body…" the man managed to say before passing out.
He was trying to induce demonization, huh? Good thing I stopped him. Honestly, I'm not sure how I got this magic eye that can restrict movement. Must be an aftereffect of the curse, since considering their ties to the Divine Knights, me being revived because I'm an Awakener sort of ties me to it a bit.
Anyway, for the time being, I'm calling it…the Eye of Balor.
Heh. Pretty cool if I have to say so myself. Prolly not gonna shout it out loud though.
Duvalie turns to me, "…I suppose we have to head to where Vander and Albarea are?"
Well, about that…
My ARCUS rings. Speak of the devil…
"Siegfried. Are you finished on your end? Use your Divine Knight if you have to, but finish quick and reinforce us."
"Ah yeah, you see…I'm already kinda using it. Yeah…sorry, this demon's kinda tough. Not sure if we can help you guys over there. Anyway. Siegfried out."
"Wha—"
I cut the call.
"What? Why did you…?" Duvalie asks with a small frown.
I shrug, "What? You don't wanna go there and actually prevent those guys from escaping, don't you?"
"I…but they might become a problem for my Lord's plan."
"I mean, you guys are big on chivalry and stuff, right? Ambushing 'em while they're on retreat AFTER they had fought Black Alberich, the Third Anguis, and the Icy Maiden doesn't seem the way you guys like to do things."
"That is…"
There. I've provided her a nice justification of why we're letting them go. I'm sure she wants to let them go regardless, but until she makes her choice, she probably needs to convince herself that it's because of her code rather than her own wish that contravened the Steel Maiden's plan.
I add, "Look, if that's not enough let's just agree it's my whimsy that I wanna let them go? Do this as a favour for me or something. Probably should try to intercept them so it doesn't look too suspicious though."
I then start walking away, before turning back a bit, "You coming?"
"…Ugh! Fine! But only because you asked! N-Nothing more!"
…Heh.
Yep. Note to self. If Rean, actually picked Alisa or her, I gotta do him solid teach him how to be a tease a bit.
"Tch! Another one?" A black-haired man with twin swords remarks as Duvalie and I stand in their way.
Beside him, the cute brunette in the twintails scowls, "Gah! One after another, seriously! Oh, fine, just another two people who will get my big stick to their face!"
"…Whoa, there. Phrasing, lady," I can't help but say.
She glares at me, as she brandishes her quarterstaff, "Oh shut up! Just stay still and let us beat you up."
Yeesh. She's a feisty one.
The two bracers. Joshua Bright, former Ouroboros Enforcer and Estelle Bright, the biological daughter of Cassius Bright the Divine Blade.
Two of the groups are focusing on Duvalie more than me.
Duvalie gives them a small nod, "The SSS…it's been a while since our last bout."
"…One of the Stahlritters. I remember you from Stargazer Tower two years ago," a silver-haired girl with optimal bounce—all right, not the time, Crow.
Beside her, a brunette man in a red shirt and CPD jacket nods, "Yeah. The Head Knight of the Stahlritter. Aside from the Steel Maiden, I remember her being the most troublesome one to fight."
Elie MacDowell and Lloyd Bannings.
Duvalie seems pleased at their cautious look. She must be happy that she's taken seriously again after dealing with Class VII for so long.
I glance at the two SSS members, I guess these guys just haven't got to know Duvalie yet.
Bannings turns to me, "As for the other one…"
"Crow Armbrust. Also known as C the terrorist leader of the Imperial Liberation Front. And, according to the data we just received, the Azure Awakener of Ordine, the Azure Knight," the purple-haired girl in a black dress says.
The other adopted child of Cassius Bright, Renne Bright also a former Enforcer. Gee, the Divine Blade sure likes collecting Enforcers as his children, huh?
I sigh before mock bowing, "At your service, ladies and gents."
"The Divine Knight…of all the things. I seem to encounter them a lot in the Geofront these days," Bannings sighs.
Oh, right. He and Rean fought each other in the Geofront after Crossbell's annexation.
He then turns to the green-haired girl behind him, "KeA, stay back, okay?"
"Yeah! I will Lloyd!"
And finally…the original Divine Child, and now Bannings' adopted kid, KeA Bannings.
Duvalie turns to me, "So, we're doing this or what?"
"Yeah. Let's," I say with a nod.
Bright—er…Estelle Bright I mean, too many Brights here—starts spinning her staff, "All right! Bring it on…Eh!?"
I make a dramatic showing of falling down with one hit of her staff.
"Ah…I expended too much energy against a demon and now I can't fight…Oh no…what am I gonna do? I guess I can't stop these intruders…"
Duvalie sighs as our 'opponents' just look at me.
"What the heck!? Are you friggin' serious!?" Estelle Bright shouts incredulously.
"Is this a trap? Some sort of trick? No, but…" Bannings remarks, glancing at Duvalie. I guess he inferred that the Stahlritters aren't ones for tricks.
Duvalie sighs again, as she steps aside, "That is how it is. Now go. B-But only because I've no interest in cutting down a tired prey!"
Yeah, sure. Again, whatever floats your boat, lady.
They look at each other.
"I think we can trust them."
"Well if you say so KeA, then that's…probably the case," MacDowell replies, as she regards us with some suspicion still.
Beside her, Renne sighs, "We'd better not look a gift's horse in the mouth then,"
"Yeah. Besides, we better hurry, the Governor General and that masked guy is probably on our tails, and they won't be as generous," her fellow former enforcer replies. He then turns to us, "And I don't think they can just let us go once Rufus Albarea arrives."
"If you know that, then scram already," I say.
The six look at each other before nodding.
"All right, I don't know what's going on but let's go!" Estelle shouts.
They then start running past us, Bannings giving us a small nod.
…Hah. What, you don't really need to feel indebted or anything. I'm just doing what I want here, I'm sure knight girl over there is the same too.
Seriously that guy is reminding me of another goodie two shoes idiot.
Duvalie turns to me, "You sure about this?"
"Yeah. I'm just doing what I want though. Thanks for going along."
"W-Well…I'm just doing what I want too."
"Oh? I thought you said something about…what was it? Not wanting to cut down a tired prey?"
"Shut up! T-that too!"
Hah…seriously make your choice already. You ain't gonna last. Then again…it's probably the same for me too. Dunno if this stupid thing called conscience—that Crow Armrbrust still surprisingly has—can allow me to live on this side much longer but…
My mind flash to a certain dense lady killer, and his protégé both in swordsmanship and dense lady-killing.
As long as those two are still here…I can't go to the other side just yet. Not until I can secure their freedom.
A.N. Buggy!CS4 be like, throwing a third Boss Battle without save point in the prologue...just for the boss to go down in one hit.