"We can't thank you enough for going through all the trouble of returning our precious daughter to us. I-Is there anything we could do in return?"
"No, no, it's fine. I'm just glad I was able to find her before anything bad happened." Christopher, Azure, Roselina, Azare, and Deva found Hana's parents shortly after leaving the inn about a day later, and managed to return her without incident. Standing from his seat, Christopher grinned anxiously toward the adults. "But, how come two demons are taking care of a cat-girl? Isn't that really, really uncommon here?"
"Isn't it uncommon for fox-humans to be in the Underworld and pairing up with half-angels?" Hana's father, Amon said. "It's a long story. Before we came to Elysium, my wife and I lived in a small village not far from here. One day I went out hunting game for the village when I stumbled upon a small demi-human, this was around five years ago. beast-humans weren't allowed in my village, but I couldn't just leave her there to die, so I decided to take her in. As I expected, after the elders found out about this, we were expelled from the village, and forbidden from ever setting foot on it's land. After that, we came here, where we were free to interact and house any species we come across."
"Wow..." Christopher and Roselina were taken aback by their story. One thing bewildered the boy though. How come beast-humans weren't allowed in the village if they're allowed in Elysium? As if she read his mind, Roselina asked the same thing.
"That, I do not know. My thoughts were that it is due to the great war between species thousands of years ago." Amon replied. He folded his arms, and looked toward the flooring, as if deep in thought.
"That was so long ago though. There can't still be people who hold a grudge against us." Deva stated. She had a point.
"Well, looks like they do." Christopher peered toward her with a half-timid expression, "Ahaha..."
"Anyway. Are you sure you don't want anything in return?" Amon's wife, Lili spoke with a concerned voice, she was truly grateful toward them.
"Nah, we're fine, really." Christopher spoke. "But..." He moved his gaze to the little girl Hana, who instinctively gleamed. "...If it's not any trouble for you...well...in the Overworld, I'm engaged to the princess of the Kingdom Aznos..."
"A-A princess?"
"...I'd like to secure you three a home there, where it'll be much safer to raise a beastman."
"..."
"Ch-Christopher?" Immediately upon hearing that, Deva sent him a look. "B-but they're demons, they can't go to the Overworld!"
"I know." He said, "But I don't really care. I don't want Hana to come into any more danger, bringing them all to Aznos will help prevent that." Smiling, he continued, "And if anyone gives them trouble, they'll have me to answer to. You too, right sis?"
"Y-Yeah!" Roselina, on cue, exclaimed, "That's right!"
"See? Hehhheh!"
Amon and Lili were shocked by the sudden proposal. They were delighted by what he said to them, but were partly reluctant. The demons had never been to the Overworld before, so they weren't aware of how it was. In the past, humans would frequently enter the Underworld to hunt the demons, dark elves, and others for profit, but they all died. With that in mind, they clearly knew they would probably not be welcomed by them.
"A-Are you certain there wouldn't be any danger for us, Ch-Christopher?" Amon asked him.
"I can't guarantee it, but I'd say probably not. Just, if you decide to take me up on my offer, if anyone bothers you, just call me, and either me, or my familiar will have them eliminated."
"I see..." They paused for a moment. Hana glanced at her father, then back to Christopher.
"...Well, we'll think about it." Amon finally said. "I pray for your safe journey back to your kingdom, young ones. Take care."
"B-bye-bye!!" Hana sprinted up to Christopher, and tightly embraced him. He returned it with a light pat on her soft noggin.
"Bye, Hana. I'll come visit, okay?"
"Uh-huh!" The two retracted. Shortly following, after they said their farewells, Christopher and his party departed from the Underworld.
The gateway to the Overworld was reached, and as soon as they set foot through, Roselina, Christopher and Deva instantly covered their eyes.
"Ugh, it's so bright..." Roselina grumbled. Neither her nor Deva had ever been there. "...Nnrng...h...huh..?" Though when they looked, both girls fell completely silent. Christopher and Azure eagerly awaited their reactions.
"Well, welcome to the Overworld, sis!"
"Mhm!!" Azure happily nodded, "Don't worry, it's a ton safer than the Underworld so you wouldn't run into much trouble here."
"W-Wait..." Roselina was having trouble processing everything. Through the portal, they found themselves deep inside a forest, completely surrounded by lush, green grass. The trees towered over them like giants. Around the party were small, golden orbs-Christopher recognized them as pixies.
"This...This place...this is the Overworld..?" Roselina struggled to take note of everything. She looked around her, her eyes widely opened. Her body felt lighter than it ever was.
"Yeah." Christopher acknowledged her. "Wait till you see the Aznos kingdom, you'll fall in love with how stunning it is!"
"Oooh, really??" Deva inquired. She was drawn in by his remark, "Hmmmm, it can't be much different from Elysium, is it?"
"Well, uhh..." Christopher stopped, then added after a bit, "...It's got better housing and better food. Here in the Overworld, we don't eat eyeballs and gross purple stuff."
"Huh? Then what do you eat?"
"...Huh?" Deva seemed unknowing of the Overworld. Was it really the first time she had ever departed from the Underworld? He wondered. Though before he spoke, Azure quickly mouthed to everyone.
"Come on, everyone! We're finally out of the Underworld! Let's head back to Aznos already!!" She was desperate, and even though she tried to hide it, her master clearly noticed.
"Ah, Azure's right. Let's go, everyone."
"H-Hold on, j-just where is Aznos and how far from here is it..?" Roselina was worried, she was intimidated by the sudden change in scenery.
"Erm, if we depart now, we should be there in about three days from now."
"Three days?!"
"B-but don't worry!! There's an inn nearby for us to stay at and we'd be able to hire somebody to take us there via carriage! Ahaha..."
Roselina stared at him. It wasn't a glare, nor was it a smile. She let out a long, disappointed sigh, then shook her head.
"God...there's just no escaping this walking thing, is there?" She halfheartedly said. "I seriously miss cars...don't you, Christopher?"
"You don't know how much I miss cars, Roselina." He sympathized. "Anyway, let's get a move on."
"Hey, what's a car?!" Deva was the only one who wasn't aware of what a car was. Though the remaining party members ignored her.
It took a while before they arrived at the inn. There, they hired a coachman, who drove a horse-drawn carriage, to take them to Aznos. Two and a half days past before they finally made it to Aznos' gates.
"Roselina, Deva, we're here." Roselina and Deva were fast asleep, only awakened by the gentle nudges Christopher gave the two.
"Mmm...we're here already..?" Sluggishly, the girls sat up, and looked around. Soon, the carriage entered the kingdom.
Inside, Christopher felt at home. Nothing seemed to have changed over the period he was away. He peered toward the castle, and remembered his promise to Eloise.
"Eloise..." He murmured. "...I'm back."
The carriage stopped near the castle grounds. The party exited, and Christopher paid the driver.
"Hmm? Why'd we stop here, Christopher?"
"You'll see in a bit, Roselina." Christopher replied. Then he started strutting toward the castle's entrance.
"W-Wait up!"
As soon as he reached, the guards flinched. They knew who he was, but seeing the state he was in, they nearly didn't recognize him.
"M-My God, Ch-Christopher, w-what the hell happened to you?" One of the two knights ahead of them asked. "Y-Your left arm...a-and you're covered in blood..!"
"Huh? I am? Oh..." He surveyed his clothing, and noticed his state. Crap. I forgot... His shirt, along with his long pair of pants, were both completely ruined. Tears and blood stains were everywhere. "...Ahaha...w-well, it's...a long story..."
"..." The knights exchanged glances, then sighed simultaneously. "...You've really gotta take better care of yourself, you know. Anyway, you may pass."
"Thanks." The knights let them all in.
"Eh?" The first thing he saw upon entry was a little girl, twelve years in age, sitting on a wooden bench with a maid beside her. She was dressed in a sea-blue gown with a large bow in the middle. When she laid her eyes on the young boy, she flinched.
"Ch-Christopher?" She stammered. It was Eloise, Christopher bride-to-be.
"Eloise?" Christopher met the little girl's gaze, and immediately teared up. "Eloise..." The two were frozen, unable to even move an inch. Eloise surveyed Christopher's body, and the moment she noticed his left arm was missing, she let out a loud, audible shriek. Roselina noticed Christopher staring at her.
"Huh? Who's that girl?" She asked. Christopher didn't answer.
"You...You're back...Ch-Christopher..." Though the joy she felt for her fiancee's return was more than enough to distract her from his wound. Slowly, but surely, the two approached each other.
"I'm back, Eloise." He stated. His right hand was placed on the girl's cheek, and her face grew beet red. With a smile, she held his hand, and leaned onto it.
"Christopher...You...You've returned..." She quietly muttered. "...But your arm...what happened to you..?" Her eyes teared up, and she gave him a look of great worry.
"Ha...well...it's a long story..." He stated. The last thing he wanted was for Eloise to be worried, "...But don't worry, it doesn't really hurt that much."
"Mm...Are you sure..? I-if it does, I-I can have Aznos' medical team inspect you." She said, her dejected peepers fell upon where his left arm was supposed to be, "But I'm not sure they can give you a new arm...I'm sorry..."
"N-No, i-it's okay, it's okay..." Eloise's face twisted up with sadness, as she silently wept into Christopher's chest, he instinctively hugged her, and affectionately stroked her back. He held her closely, and whispered silently into her ears, "...Calm down, honey..."
"*Sob**Sob* Ch-Christopher...*sob**sob*" She forcefully clung to him, and continued her cries...until he quietly said a single phrase to her, "I love you, Eloise."
"...!" She swiftly paused, and stared up at him with a shocked, pale expression. Eloise's gaze softened with a loving twinkle toward her beloved. "...Christopher..." She murmured. "I...I love you too!!"
Further, Roselina approached them, utterly baffled by the show of affection between the two.
"Alright, Christopher, just what are you two doing?! W-Who the hell's that girl and why are you two being so lovey dovey together?!"
"E-Eh?" Eloise peered toward her, frightened by her sudden shouts. "O-oh, is...is that your s-sister, Ch-Christopher?"
"A-Um...R-Right!" Christopher glanced toward his fiancee, then back at his sister. "Eloise, this is Roselina, my little sister. She's the one I told you Azure and I were looking for." He stated. Eloise seemed to understand.
"And Roselina, this is Eloise, she's the girl I'm engaged to...She's pretty shy around other people but I'm sure you'll find her pretty fun to be around."
"..." Roselina gaped at the two. She was aware that her elder brother was engaged to someone, but she didn't know what to think of it.
"Uhh..." All she did was stare at Eloise, which made the princess uncomfortable. Eloise went even closer to Christopher's chest as Roselina's gaze pierced through her skin.
"Mmmm..." It was obvious to him she was tense.
"...Alright." Eventually, Roselina spoke. Sighing, she forced a smile to her lips. "You're my elder brother's fiancee, right?"
"Y-Yes..."
"I hope we can get along then, Eloise. Just don't keep him all to yourself all the time though, alright?!" Roselina exclaimed, she slightly scowled at Eloise, who shrunk back in fear of the girl.
"O...Okay...R-Roselina..." Eloise muttered. "...Nnrng..."
"Mmmmm!" Roselina started glaring at his fiancee, until the boy awkwardly giggled. Deva approached from Eloise's behind, and moved her face close to Eloise's.
"Ooohhhhh so this is Christopher's fiancee!" She shouted out, startling her.
"Eek!"
"Wowwww, she's beautiful!!" There, Deva glanced up to Christopher. "Good job finding her, Christopher!! It looks like she's definitely in love with you!"
"Ahaha...th-thanks..."
"A-Anyway, are the king and queen free right now, Eloise?"
"Oh, mhm. They're in the throne room right now. B-but are you sure it'd be alright for you to go dressed like that..?" Eloise stuttered. She peered at Christopher's clothes, and he immediately realized..he had to change.
"Ohh, right." He said, "I'll be right back, I'm gonna get some new clothes. Roselina."
"Mm?" Roselina acknowledged him, "What is it Christopher?"
"Go introduce yourselves to the king and queen. I'll be right back." He said with a cheerful expression.
"Okayyy. Hurry back, Christopher!"
"Mhm! Don't be too late, Christopher!" Roselina and Deva agreed to this, and Azare went along with her master. Azure hovered up to Christopher, and signalled him to go. With a final embrace from Eloise, Christopher and his familiar went out to purchase a new attire for the young boy.
"My, it's wonderful to see you back safe and sound, dear Christopher. And it looks like your journey was a success."
"Aha...thank you, your majesty." The duo returned to the castle about nearly an hour later. He then wore a long black long-sleeved cloak which reached down to his thighs. It didn't have any unique marks, the entire thing was coloured in pure black, along with the hoodie which was kept down. His long pants was coloured a dark grey. He was originally against the idea of wearing it, but Azure convinced him to-she found it suited him more than anything else did.
"But I must say, you must've found yourself in quite the predicament if it costed you your left arm. Are you sure you're okay, Christopher?"
"Well, I'm mostly fine. It's going to take some getting used to though." Christopher replied. His face suddenly reddened, "I've got to remember not to get involved with Dark Elves next time..."
"Heck yeah you do!" Azure promptly growled at him, her cheeks were puffed as she exclaimed to him, "Masterrrr, I warned you like six times not to get involved with them! Gosh, you've really got to believe me more..."
"Aha...sorry Azure..." Christopher knew he should've believed her when she warned him. Though he was gullible, and actually believed Rukat. He didn't regret it though, the mistake ended up as a great feat, the children were found, and Hana was returned home to her parents.
"At least everything worked out though, right Roselina?" Deva glanced toward Christopher's younger sister, who was munching on a plate of plain, white rice.
"Mhm! Man, this food is so much better than food in the Underworld! Gosh I've been missing out!"
"Hahahaha. Blame Amaterasu for that. He sent you there in the first place, sis."
"Yeah, stupid Amaterasu!! Hmph!" Roselina pouted and cursed Amaterasu for sending her to the Underworld the moment she was incarnated to the new world. Though Azare found it necessary-since she had stopped the Goblin Lord from taking over the Underworld. Looking at her, Christopher chuckled, "Ahaha...O-oh y-your majesty?"
"Hmm?" King Aznos peered over to him.
"Where's Bertrand? He's usually at the castle, isn't he?"
Bertrand, Eloise's brother, wasn't in the castle at the time. King Aznos explained Bertrand was out training in the castle training grounds. He had yet to be informed of the young boy's return. Hearing about this, Christopher decided to visit the prince.
Entering the training ground, the sun's rays caused him to stagger.
"Nnrng...it's bright..." Christopher had yet to properly transition from the Underworld's eternal darkness to the Overworld's day-night cycle. Roselina and the others came with him. When he noticed his presence, Bertrand sent him a triumphant look.
"Ah! Christopher! I see you've finally returned," Bertrand approached the party, and looked at them all. "I see you've finally found your sister. Roselina, was it?"
"O-Oh y-yeah."
"It is an honour." Without reluctance, Bertrand took Roselina's hand,, and gently kissed it. "Christopher's told me you were trapped in the Underworld?"
"W-Well...ahaha...I...uhh...t-technically I wasn't trapped since uhh..."
For the first time ever, had Roselina received a royal kiss from someone. She shot a look toward Christopher, who immediately noticed her embarrassment. Hahaha. Roselina... But Christopher expected that, since Bertrand was a knight, one who kept his morales, and took the role of safe-guarding both the princess, and the king. For him to kiss Roselina's hand was a given.
"...Ahaha..." An obvious blush befell her face. Bertrand once more stood straight, and noticed Christopher's state.
"B-By the Gods, what happened to you, Christopher?!"
"B-Bwaah!" That caught him by surprise, as he jumped from the sudden yell. Before he could respond, Azure promptly glared at him, and grumbled, her little face red from the annoyance she possessed at both him, and herself for not preventing the injury.
"Master here didn't listen to my warning and got tricked by some Dark Elves we encountered. So we ended up in a bigggg battle and he nearly died!" Azure blurted out.
"A-Azureeee!! You weren't supposed to say that!"
"D-Died?!"
"...!" Bertrand definitely didn't take that lightly. He scanned the fox-human head to toe, then shot him a serious face. Christopher knew he wasn't going to get away with that.
"Christopher, you and I will-"
"L-Lord Bertrand! Report to the throne room immediately! The noble's back!"
"Hm? Who's..." As if on cue, a voice rang out from the entrance of the training ground. It was a servant, and he was calling for the knight. Bertrand took note of it, and responded with a nod.
"Well that doesn't look good. Everything okay, Bertrand?" Roselina asked him. She looked at him with concern on her face, and Bertrand shared the expression. His demeanour suddenly got tense as he locked gazes with both her, and Christopher.
"Y-Yeah. I've got to go, the king is beckoning me." He solemnly stated. Bertrand strutted over to the messenger, who waited for him at the entrance. "Make yourselves comfortable in the meantime, I'll see you soon."
"Okayyyy!!" Deva shot him a wave as he left. "Man, what a nice guy, Roselina!"
"Hrm...yeah...he is..." Though Roselina wasn't the least bit comfortable with the display. Despite only now meeting him, she sensed that something was off about his behaviour. Christopher realized it as well, as they both exchanged glances.
Azare caught wind of the atmosphere, and hovered in front of her master.
"What should we do, master? Should I eliminate him?"
"E-Eliminate him?! N-No way! J-Just tail him for me, okay? A-And don't let yourself be seen."
"Yes, master." Azare bobbed her head, then gaped toward Azure.
"Oh, you go with her, Azure. Use your invisibility to make sure you both aren't caught."
"Yes master." Azure acknowledged him. She was excited to go on a mission with Azare. Azare, not so much.
Bertrand was usually called to the throne room when visitors presented themselves to the king-which wasn't very often. Normally they were travelling merchants, nobles, or other royalties. That, the party understood. Though the expression he wore when that time concerned the party, something must've been up. Christopher headed to the throne room with Roselina, Deva and the familiars. Deva asked what they were up to, but everyone remained silent.
There was a noble dressed in a knight's attire. A sword and shield at his side, and silver armour covered his body. Around three other knights surrounded him, guarding his every direction. Azure and Azare were watching them from close up with invisibility hiding their presence. Princess Eloise, Prince Bertrand, and King Aznos entertained their presence.
"So you've come again, William Marquis." King Aznos begrudgingly stated.
"Yes, my fair king. I believe I made a request during my last visit?" The noble, William Marquis proudly said. He stared toward the king, then to Eloise with a prominent gaze.
"And the answer is no. My daughter has already chosen whom shall be her beloved. And it most certainly isn't you."
"..." William was anticipating that response. With an unwavering gaze, he spoke again, this time, louder, and more commanding, "...If I may, I shall announce my plea once more, dear king of this glorious kingdom. If you do not hand your daughter over to me, I have given my soldiers permission to storm the kingdom, and take you, and your family prisoner, as well as anyone they see fit. So hand Princess Eloise to me this instant."
"Grr..." King Aznos shot daggers at the foolish noble. He was truly backed into a corner. From what William said, King Aznos had no choice but to give into his demands. However, he was determined to solve it without surrendering.
Swiftly, Eloise took the stage. She peered at the noble with a grave gaze, her eyes locked onto his round, white face. Seeing this, William smirked.
"Oh? Hypnotized by my tremendous beauty, are we, Eloise?"
"That's princess Eloise to you, noble. And no, I find your face to be a complete annoyance."
"Eh? What was that?"
"I have already decided on a fiancee, and his name is Christopher Hallowswift. There is no room for anyone else to be my beloved. So get out of my kingdom, and do not come back. Tell your Azelfarian royalties that they are not welcomed here any longer."
"Christopher Hallowswift?" William tilted his head with a blatant snicker, "You mean that doofus everyone is saying took down the Babalonian kingdom by himself? Get real, no one's able to do that. And besides, I am MUCH better and stronger than that guy."
"Why you-!"
"Eloise." Eloise grew enraged at his remarks, but was silenced by her brother, who held out his palm.
"Grrr...you...How dare you..." The twelve year old wanted to strike him, she couldn't believe someone could speak that way about her beloved. But alas, she held back her tongue, and stayed put. Sighing, she stepped back. Though her anger was clearly visible.
"I wouldn't be so certain of that, Prince Marquis." Bertrand said to him. His gaze was piercing through the boy's flesh like a thousand needles.
"Oh? Have we something to say, Prince Bertrand?" Marquis sent him an arrogant glare.
"Christopher Hallowswift is a powerful fighter, one whom took down the Babalonian king's guard, whom is rumoured to be one of the strongest swordsmen alive. Tell me, if you fought him in a battle, are you really capable of felling a man that strong?" Bertrand presented him with a question, and Marquis hesitated to answer.
Instead of giving a proper response, Marquis drew his blade against Bertrand. His sword was the same as Christopher's, an iron longsword, but his had the crest of the Azelfanian Empire embedded into it's hilt.
"Are you mocking me, Prince Bertrand?! You fool! Know your place, you filthy cur!" Marquis sneered, "I for one am not a force to be reckoned with! Guards, seize the princess!"
"Yes, sir!" On command, all three of Marquis' guards saluted, then darted to Eloise, grabbing both her arms, and her hair. She tried to escape their grasp, but with each movement, the guards' grip only grew stronger.
"N-NO!! L-LEMME GO!!! CHRISTOPHERRR!! CHRISTOPHERRRRRRR!!!!!!"
"Shut up." One of the three took their hand, and latched onto her mouth, his fingers digging into the skin on her cheeks. Bertrand drew his weapon, and was about to attack, but Marquis shook his head.
"Ah-Ah-Ahhhh, I wouldn't do that if I were you, Bertrand. One false move, and your king, and your kingdom is slain." He said. Princess Eloise was taken to the prince's side against her will, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to call out Christopher's name.
"Now, I bid thee farewell, oh king of-"
All of a sudden, Christopher alone strutted into the room with his mana gathered, and his gaze locked onto one of the knights, his footsteps caught the attention of everyone there.
"Ch-Christopher!" King Aznos instantly reacted, and each of them turned in his direction. Eloise was relieved to see him.
"Huh???" Marquis not so much. His face twisted up in vexation. "Who the hell are you?"
Christopher had his weapon drawn, he wasn't happy in the slightest. Roselina and Deva stood by in the doorway in case he needed backup-which was highly unlikely.
"My name is Christopher Hallowswift, disciple of the Elder God Amaterasu." Christopher spoke. His words caused Bertrand, Eloise, and King Aznos's eyes to shoot open. The knights suddenly got stiff, but William Marquis remained calm. Christopher aimed his weapon at them, and scowled. "Unhand my fiancee, or face immediate death. You have three chances." Three chances, he gave him. There were three knights, Christopher was going to eliminate them one by one until Marquis gave up. Alas, he didn't. In fact, he laughed at him.
"Hahahahaha! YOU'RE Christopher Hallowswift?! Bwhahahahahahahahaha! You stupid fucking kid, what are you and your ONE arm going to do, eh?!"
"S-Sir, I-I don't think you should underestimate him, y-you know how disciples of Amater-"
"Wrong answer." Christopher said. He wasn't going to let him get away with that. All Christopher did was do a single finger snap, then one of the knights promptly released their grip on Eloise...
"Huh??!" This infuriated Marquis. Noticing the action, he was about to scold him, but flames started appearing on the knight's body.
"W-What the..?" Marquis stared at them as they swiftly grew bigger until they engulfed the entire individual. The knight screamed and yelled for help as he was then burned to a crisp, void of any life.
"..." Marquis and the two other knights were rendered speechless after the display, they just witnessed what seemed to be Christopher murdering one of them in a blink of an eye. Marquis stared at him with, his face completely bewildered, and horrified.
"What...WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?! Y-YOU COULDN'T HAVE-"
"Two more chances. Release Eloise, or else." Christopher stood his ground, not losing focus even for a second. Marquis yelled at the top of his lungs that he will not release the princess. As a result, Christopher, using his boosted physical abilities, darted behind one of the knights in a flash, and chopped off both of his opponent's arms, then his head. His speed was too quick for Marquis to even realise what happened. After, he returned to the spot he was previously in.
"Haah...haah...HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-! Y-Y-Y-Y-YOUR MAJESTY, WE MUST GET OUT OF HERE, NOW!"
"Huh..?" Marquis and his final knight watched as the now deceased individual lay flat on the ground, their arms and head splattered along the floor beneath him. Blood gushed out of the body, and created a pool beneath their feet. The sight made them all feel ill.
Eloise found this to be the perfect moment for escape. With her eyes shut, she broke free of the final one's grasp, and ran to her fiancee, who welcomed her with the tightest embrace he could muster. Eloise held on tightly to Christopher's clothes, and shoved her face into his chest, her body quivering in fear.
"Ch-Christopher...th-thank...y-you..."
"It's no problem, honey. I'll protect you." Christopher sent the girl a warm smile, then glared back toward the now shaken Marquis.
"Y-You...b-but...h-how..?" Marquis was utterly terrified at his speed, and power. He clearly underestimated him, and was regretting it.
"One more chance. Decide, or you'll be next." Christopher spoke in a low voice, putting an emphasis on the consequences. "You value your life, don't you?"
"Grnh..." Now, the prince was backed into a corner. Clearly with a foe stronger and more ruthless than he'd ever seen, he had no choice but to give in.
"Y-Your majesty..." His knight spoke in a stammer, "...I-I believe it will be w-w-wise for us to surrender...H-He really won't show any mercy to us if w-we don't..."
"I-I know that!" Marquis yelled out. There was a pause in his speech, not a single word was said from him.
"Come on, I'm waiting. Or do I have to eliminate all of you, instead?" Christopher was more than ready to kill them all. He wanted to. After what they did to his beloved Eloise, and after seeing Marquis' arrogance, he wanted to see them all dead.
Marquis wasn't ready to give up just yet. Mustering all the strength in his body, he raised his sword, and gave out an ear piercing cry. The foolish prince started sprinting toward Christopher at full speed.
"HAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Wrong answer." Was all Christopher replied with. There was a voice from beside Marquis, a voice which spoke loudly, and audibly enough for all to hear.
"You foolish mortal, do you really think you could win against my master's elder brother?" It was Azare. She conjured up her power, and lunged at prince Marquis.
"GFFFFARRRRGHH!!" Kicking him hard in his side, the attack pierced through his armour, and the edges of his attire made it's way through his flesh. He was sent crashing into the throne room's polished concrete wall.
"BWAAAHH!" A noisy crack was heard as his eyes bulged out of their sockets, and he gawked at the boy, who kept a straight face at the sight. "Nnrng...b-but...h-how...? Ugh..." Coughing up blood, the prince collapsed onto the ground, falling face first onto the throne room's unforgiving hard floor.
"Y-Your majesty!!" The final knight scrambled to him in a panic. Marquis' body was bloodied and battered from Azare's attack.
"Y-Your majesty, your majesty!?" The knight shook him, but no response was heard. Maybe he was dead?
Looking at him, Christopher let out a nervous giggle, "Uhh, you didn't kill him, did you, Azare?"
"A-Azare?" The king and Bertrand, completely dumbfounded by his words, scanned the area. They were utterly shocked to see two figures suddenly materialize in front of the boy.
"No, Christopher. But I did damage him greatly." Azare, hovering in front of him, said.
"G-Good..." Christopher glanced over to the other girls, and signalled them to enter. "...Roselina, Deva."
"...!" After they entered, Marquis' knight was even more agitated.
"Th-There's more of you?!" He shouted out, his voice shaken, and he was on the brink of tears.
"Yeah." Christopher peered in his direction, still furious at what they did. "Now, give me one reason why we shouldn't kill you to, knight."
"N-No! Pl-Please!! D-Don't kill me I-I have a family! Please, I beg of you, spare me, I'll do anything!"
"Not happening." Christopher plainly stated. Eloise wasn't against it-she hadn't even let go of her fiancee.
"You willingly harmed an innocent girl, and obeyed that shithead's commands to take her from her home against her will. Why shouldn't I kill you?"
"P-Please...I...I..."
"That's enough, Christopher."
"Mm?"
Promptly, King Aznos called out to him. Christopher saw his face, and clearly noticed his strained expression.
"It doesn't look like they're going to do any more harm to us. Stand down, Christopher." King Aznos spoke in the most assuring way he could muster, and Christopher obeyed. He sheathed his weapon, and let out a sigh.
"Alright, King Aznos." He said. "Knight, if you try anything else, both you and your prince will be killed. So try anything, and you're both dead."
"Y-Yes sir..."
Following, Christopher glanced over to Eloise, who had finally moved. She gazed up at him with a face filled with concern, and fright.
"Is...is it over?" She asked him.
"Yeah, it's over." He replied with a smile.
"G-Good..."
"But, what are we going to do about him, master?"
"Oh, Marquis?" Christopher gaped over to where Azure pointed. Marquis' knight had already hoisted him up to his shoulders, and didn't move an inch afterwards. "Hrmph..." Good question... From what he knew, the Azelfarian Kingdom could very well be planning an attack on Aznos that very minute-he wanted to avoid that at all costs. So did King Aznos by the looks of it.
"Hrm..." Christopher started pondering around this...until Bertrand suddenly said exactly what was on his mind.
"Excuse me, your majesty. Shouldn't we visit the Azelfarian Empire to try to negotiate about the potential war this foolish prince spoke about?"
"Ah-yes. You're very correct, Bertrand." King Aznos agreed with that. He decided to call upon Christopher, for the task. Though one question weighed upon his mind...why would the very Prince of the Azelfarian Empire act so abruptly, and foolishly within another kingdom?
King Aznos ultimately chose to send a messenger to the Azelfarian Empire with a letter describing the events which took place. Christopher and his party volunteered to carry it out, and were permitted to do so-with of course, taking the prince and his knight as prisoner beforehand.
Eloise wished to accompany them to the Empire, begging King Aznos to grant her the request. Eventually, she was given permission-though not without any reluctance from her father. Christopher promised to return Eloise safely after the mission was over. Prior to departing, the party aided the maids in cleaning the mess they made in the throne room...