-M29. 671. Falmart. Italica-
Bozes rides her horse to its utmost speed. She hurried alongside the rest of the Rose Knights to the Italica. They heard their Princess went to the Italica to conduct a recon mission to the Zalvus and Alnus; she must face bandits that besieged the city.
If the information was genuine, the bandit numbered in thousands. Furthermore, Italican's garrison armies were depleted due to the invasion of the Zalvus Hills. Princess Pina's fate will be unthinkable if the bandits manage to seize their victory.
"We need to hurry. Princess needs us!" Bozes shouted.
The knights roared in unison. They forced their horses to move faster as a dust cloud covered their band. They went with anger and anxiety.
Anger to unleash on their enemies and anxiety to think about their lady's condition.
As they passed through the barren soil, Bozes stopped her advance. She was paralyzed, starting directly to the sky with widened eyes.
Soon, she was followed by the rest of the Rose Order. Their eyes are glued to the sky, trying to comprehend the sight before their face.
"It was joking, right?" Panace whispered, sweating as her eyes showed a sign of horror.
"I... I don't know." Bozes swallow her saliva bitterly.
The sight of Italica is drastically different than they saw years ago. Even the recent image of the city itself has not yet changed in these few years. But now, it was something akin to a marvel of engineering and bizarre architecture.
Flawless black steel covered the city, lowering to a height even higher than any building in the Sadera. It was something beyond their wildest imagination, existing only in the realm of dreams and nightmares.
Behind that wall, various building scratch the sky. They are hovering over the endless blue atmosphere.
On the top of the tallest building, a gigantic fortress floated. It blackened the sun, massive as it was, like a great beast from the stories of old.
A thing that human hands could not make.
"What...What is that?" Panace said with a trembling voice.
"... A fortress on the sky... How." Bozes could not believe her own eyes, rubbing them to ensure there was no dirt that caused any illusion to the flying fortress.
An earth-shattering voice snapped them before they could collect themselves from their shocks.
"Freeze!" A giant pointed its steel staff right in front of her head.
They initially did not see anything from their sight—only the sight of changed Italica, no metallic giant.
"Don't move!" Another booming voice came from their side, and another giant appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.
Slowly and intimidatingly, one by one, they appeared with the steel staff in hand.
Bozes loses all of her colors, trembling because of the sheer presence of the metal giants.
"Intruder detected." Another voice came to her ears.
It was an utterly different thing than the metal giants. It was a golem with unnatural proportions, having the size of three metallic giants.
Bozes tried her best not to scream as her blood ran cold. She was aware they could easily kill her and the best of the Rose Knights. Yet, they did not.
"State your business, you intruder." the giant in front of her pressed, pushing his staff closer to her forehead.
Bozes tried all of her power to withstand the terror unfolding before her eyes. She can barely speak, as if her face had turned into stone.
"Bozes!" Panace shouted desperately, slightly shaking her friend frantically.
"Panace..." Bozes muttered. "I-I want to meet Princess Pina. I'm her knight and servant. I heard Italica has been sieged by the enemies. Thus, I'm here to help her."
The voice is adamant, unflinching with pure determination. Though fear it there, clouding her little heart as she clenched her hand.
"Princess Pina is in our hospitality. If you want to meet her, follow me. Don't you dare do something careless, Lady Bozes." The giant said firmly, causing the knight to feel her muscle lose all its strength.
Thus, the group followed the giants. The menacing atmosphere is everlasting. The Rose Knights did not dare to face the giant's figure.
As they near the wall, silently, the steel wall turned into thousands of seemingly liquid black substances.
"Get in." The giant said emotionlessly.
They pledged, directing their horses into the city. The knights could not believe their eyes as the city began to reveal itself.
The old buildings still stand firm, but exoteric features surround them. Peerless metal stretched around the city complex; the road had transformed into the same steel that made the wall. But it was shimmering with a faint light, forming a line across its body.
Bozes' eyes are directed upward. The grey pillars stood proudly to the sky as the cracking lightning slightly spotted on the top of them.
"Who are these people?" The blonde knight muttered slowly.
The realization only brought them fear as more and more giants were present around them. Moreover, the golem beside them was not the largest at all. Alongside the metal giants, the golem stands still with its menacing presence.
Despite the horrendous pressure around them, the Rose Knights noticed something in particular.
The Italican did not even feel any distress or discomfort. Instead, they look with gleaming eyes filled with hope.
"Thank you very much!"
"I-I don't think I can repay all of your kindness."
"My wound, my severed arm... Thank you. Thank you."
They had tears in their eyes. Happiness shines brightly in their spirit.
"M-My son's descendant will... Have... No." A father shuddered as his baby son clung to his embrace.
"Yes. It was obvious. But do not worry, we can cure it." The giant woman smiled softly.
"Y-You can?" The man asked.
"I will do my best." She answered.
With that, the baby and the father went inside.
Bozes could not understand what they were discussing, but she was sure it was beyond her league.
As they came closer to the manor, they could see the manor still the same, only filled with giants that were guarding it.
As they scanned more around the manor, they also noticed the golems were very much different. It was slimmer and had the same height as the giants.
The manor's door opened. There, the demi-human maids welcome them with a bow. "Welcome, Lady Bozes Co Palesti."
"U-Um, yes. Thank you," Bozes mumbled, trying to keep her composure straight.
"The Princess is in the sanctum. You've been authorized to meet her by order of Lord General." The giant beside her speaks firmly.
"U-Understand," Bozes swallowed her saliva, dismounting from her horse.
"Only two people are allowed to enter." The giant added sternly.
This caused Bozes to stop her step, stiffened by the unknown danger lurking from the giant. Yet, when she glanced at the maids, she did not spot any fear or a sign of dread. They serenely bowed their bodies with respect.
"I will come with you, Bozes," Panace said, smiling at her blonde friend.
"But we know nothing that awaits us there," The blonde Co Palesti scolded.
"That was my reason to come with you." Panace insisted, glaring intensely into her leader.
"Stop the bickering. I promise there will be no harm to you and the rest of your friends. But I will ask you to honor this invitation correctly." The giant speaks with almost edging fluency, causing Bozes the slightly taken aback. As she looked at the maids, they slightly nodded their heads in confirmation.
"Very well." Bozes stilled her heart, bracing for anything beyond.
Thus, both knights slowly make their way to the said sanctum. Even though unfamiliar, they recognized the term as an ancient language dating back to the Saderan founding—Sanctum is a term with two different meanings.
A sacred place like a temple. Or it can also be referred into a very private place.
The maids are in front of them, guiding them to the said place.
It did not take a long time for the knights to arrive at the big wooden door.
The maid knocked. "We bring the guests, Milord."
"Came in." A masculine voice answered from behind the door.
With that command, they open the door.
Bozes and Panace carefully scanned the entire room to search for their Princess. They indeed found the red-haired liege. But someone beside her is something that could not be taken lightly.
A golden man towering over all people around him, even the metal giants, could not be compared to this man. This is utterly on a different level.
"So this is your knight, Princess Pina Co Lada." The golden man said softly, fooling everyone around him like calm water.
"Yes, Lord General. They are Bozes Co Palesti and Panace Fure Kaigi. They... The most loyal knights of mine." Pina said with a warm smile.
Despite being glad about that smile, the pale face of their lady made them bite their lips bitterly.
"Princess." Bozes bowed, followed by Panace.
"Princess Pina, I think you need a rest before we can continue our meeting. Moreover, Lord Herald is still busy with the entire management." The golden giant said to the Princess.
"Thank you very much, Lord General. I will excuse myself for a moment." Pina slightly bowed, smiling politely to the said Lord General. "Come, Bozes, Panace."
As her loyal knights, they followed her command. They did not dare to speak a word; only silence filled the atmosphere. Pina began to lose her balance when they arrived at the resting chamber.
"Your Highness!" She shouted, holding her liege's body.
"Bo... Bozes." Pina said in a voice that was near a whisper.
"Please, save your energy, Princess." Bozes and Panace slowly brought the red-haired noble to the bed.
"Princess, what happens to you?" Panace said slowly, trying not to Invite distress from the pale Princess.
"I... They." Pina said in between her breath.
"They... Who are these people?" Panace asked, slightly alarmed by Pina's hollow gaze.
"They... The faction that builds these wonders. They are our enemy from Zalvus Hills." At that very moment, the temperature of the room dropped drastically.
The realization struck them like lightning. Their face paled as they could feel their souls begin to leave their bodies. They have entered the monster's maw and walked deeper as there is no escape.
"We need to run!" Bozes shouted desperately.
"Run? Where... They have full control of the city. And are you sure we can make our way out from this manor?" Pina said with a bitter smile.
"I'm sure there is a way, Your Highness." Bozes insisted as her eyes were still filled with determination, despite the overwhelming power in this city.
"I will ask you one question, Bozes. When you are in the presence of the Lord General, can you even escape from his gaze?" The question made Bozes open and then closed her mouth. The truth could not be denied, as it was a complete suicide.
"Is there any way, Princess?" Panace asked in concern.
"Unfortunately, no, Panace. There is no escape." Pina admitted with a tired sigh.
There is silence, dreaded silence that only brings discomfort to all present within the chamber.
"Princess," Panace broke the silence. "These giants. Who are they?"
"As I said prior, they are our enemies. They named themselves the Imperium of Man. A vast empire came from behind the Gate." Pina chuckled dryly. "Vast, huh? I think it was an extreme understatement."
"What do you mean by that, Your Highness?" Panace asked, deepening her gaze at the Princess.
"From their numbers, armor, and size. How strong are they? And how many of them will need to conquer our Empire?" Pina asked, smiling wryly as she rested her palm on her forehead.
"From their size and numbering in hundreds currently present in the city. But still, despite their armor. They need hundreds of thousand strong to defeat us."
At this point, Pina laughed hysterically. The pale Princess laughed with a strength that normally a person in her state could not laugh with that high-pitched noise. A laugh that was disturbingly uncaring, like a blunt mockery to anyone she intended to. In this case, she laughs at the innocent face of her knight's expression.
"Milady?" Panace asked, her voice trembling the shock by Pina's reaction.
"I will tell both of you something. A fact that it might blow your view of the world." Pina smirked. Ironically it was a hybrid of various emotions held together by her will from her eyes.
"What is it, milady?" Bpozes asked patiently, feeling intrigued by the truth.
"I know you've heard that Italica endured siege warfare against the bandits, warbands numbered in thousands. And those armies were destroyed by the Imperium. They have been destroyed by four of those giants. You heard me right, only need four giants to destroy them." Pina told them with eyes that dilated with fear. Fear that was as bright as the daylight.
Though deep into those eyes, Bozes could recognize the hope beneath the layered fears. As the person who stayed at the Princess' side since childhood, Bozes could determine various emotions held by the Princess.
"Four giants?! How?!" Bozes shouted in shock.
"Which gate you entered?" Pina asked slowly, trying to comfort her own emotion.
"We came from the northern gate." The simple answer only received a dry chuckle from the Princess.
"Then see the eastern gate. Thus, you shall earn your answer." Pina said while her eyes dilated, glaring into her hand that was shaking.
"Eastern gate," Panace murmured.
"Then what's now, Your Highness?" The blonde asked, waiting for the next order.
"They invite me to their country. I don't know, but I think it was our best hope to negotiate with their Emperor." Pina smiled an ironic smile that only made the blonde knight flinch.
"Is there something clouding your mind, Princess?" As the question was asked, Pina nodded her head narrowly.
"There is no peace talk. The only discussion about what we will offer to them." Dread began to take over both the royal knights.
"Don't... Please don't offer yourself, Princess!" The Co Palesti knight frantically grabbed the arm of her liege, pleading with her utmost sincerity.
"If that was the only way. I will do it." She replied honestly, smiling weakly as her mental fortitude had long been lost.
"No way," Bozes said as her strength disappeared from her legs.
The thought of Pina surrendering her body to the enemy noble would be a disastrous dream for the loyal knights. Horrors filled Bozes, utterly distressed by the imagination alone.
"The answer will be clear when I meet their Emperor as a diplomat myself. I will ensure what kind of man he is. But something about this Emperor's title made me nervous." Pina admitted, rubbing her head as confusion clouded her mind.
"What's wrong with his title?" The silver-haired knight asked.
"The Solar Guardians, the name of those giants. They addressed their Emperor as the Emperor of Mankind. Some of them called this Emperor as the Master of Mankind." Pina recounted her memories when Lord General Agral or Captain Raias spoke about the Emperor.
"Master of Mankind, a very arrogant title if you ask me, Princess," Panace stated carefully, trying to make her voice as low as possible.
"Arrogant? I think no." Pina said dismissively.
"I mean, a person who dared to claim such a title. To be master of the entire humanity. Isn't that... Foolish?" Bozes added her opinion, though in a voice near a whisper.
"Did you see their warriors? Did you see how Lord General's presence alone is enough to subdue any normal human? Or I would instead use their terms on us: Mortals." The red-haired explained with a sigh. The term mortals were only used by some Apostles to call ordinary humans. And that terms used by all of Solar Guardians and even their General casually address Pina like it.
"I must admit. They are not a mere human. If they did not open their helmets, I wouldn't convince they are indeed human." Bozes ribbed her chin, trying to recollect every moment she saw them. She only trembled at their presence.
A mighty presence that completely washed away anything in its path.
"That's the point," Pina said firmly. "If someone like Lord General and his subordinates referred to their liege as the Emperor of Mankind. I just can barely imagine what kind of being that would be."
The logic is palpable. Nothing could be denied, as speculation only led it further. A being impossibly powerful that can bear the rank of the ruler of all humanity.
"To add this bizarre fact. Colt Formal told me that their Emperor can only be described as a god," Pina said slowly, trying to avoid their eyes.
"Colt Formal is still alive?" Both of the knights widen their eyes in shock.
"Lord Herald, that Lord Agral said prior is Colt Formal. He had taken the mantle as their representation to us and those green men, JSDF." Pina explained.
"So, he turned traitor," Bozes concluded, sighing in exasperation.
"Apparently. Furthermore, he became one of their Herald. It also means he is directly in the Imperium's protection." The Saderan Princess closed her eyes, her brows heavily furrowed.
"Then, what's our next step?" Panace stared deep into Pina's eyes, seeking resolve.
It is a wall that was impervious to any kind of breakthrough. A two-layered wall named JSDF and Imperium of Man.
The fate of Sadera rested on her shoulders. A burden that might be became an ignorant bliss if her brother or father did not hear about this.
"I can't say for certain. But I will do anything I can when I meet their leaders. It will be our journey to the worlds beyond Gates. A journey that I was sure would change this world forever."