[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]
At this month(or turn), and season of summer, things were quiet inside the kingdoms around the continent of Selenus
Geofu, Rad, and Thorn had made an agreement to reinforce their trades, though the rulers of Rad and Thorn (both Luu-Luu and Kaguya respectively) did not agree to cutting off their supply routes to the other kingdoms, only shortening them to not be suspected of anything wrong until a certain point of time.
They've also sent messages to the Princess Knights of the kingdoms of Feoh, Ur, Ansur, and Ken, though they have not gained a response from each of them.
They hoped something didn't go wrong with the messengers, but only a few returned, reporting that they successfully sent their messages with barely any trouble.
It might be said that somebody was trying to stop their messages from reaching their eyes, or they didn't believe what was inside the contents.
Such a cliche'd thing that normally came from novels was something Luu-Luu didn't really like, and Rance began to decide that infiltrating one of the now enemy kingdoms and avoiding delivering too much attention to him.
But, they might not notice it, but the Chariot that drags the wheels of fate is now moving.
What naturally shouldn't have happened had already happened.
Due to the appearance of the "Anomalies" alone, the Chariot of fate is led to a long road uphill.
[ ~ Line • Break ~ ]
{April 6, C.L. 721}
{ Fortress City of Ken, Levantine Manor }
{ Exactly 1 week after the Black Dogs/Kuroinu Mercenary Group's failure at attacking Olga }
Alicia had arrived at the manor where she knew her mentor, Claudia was due to being sent a message by her to meet here.
Her trusted advisor and foster-parent, Beardsley had not followed her because he told her Prim is in safe hands with him at the Fortress City of Ur. If it was anybody else, she would get suspicious quickly.
The moment she arrived at the specified room, with some guidance from a maid, she noticed that Claudia was already waiting for her there.
She turned around, and Alicia was stunned at her current appearance.
Claudia's chestnut hair was no longer in a braid, rather, it looked like she had let it flow down halfway to her waist, and she was wearing a dress reaching below her knees. At this very moment, the strongest of the Princess Knights radiated an aura of mature femininity that usually wasn't shown during their time serving under Celestine and their Kingdoms.
Maybe it was the very first time Alicia saw Claudia in such a state.
"Alicia, where's Prim?" Claudia suddenly asked, bringing Alicia's attention back to reality.
"She's under protection of Beardsley in Ur." Alicia replied, and Claudia nodded in understanding. "Anything else?"
"I've been troubled about whether to attack Geofu with my forces recently." She began to speak, sighing under her breath. "I don't want any innocents to die, and I don't really like the notion of attacking anybody who are under the protection of Celestine."
Claudia approached Alicia, a deep frown beginning to show on her face, and a tear flowed down from her eyes.
"But.... even if I didn't want to do this.... necessary sacrifices have to be made."
Alicia took a step back with a gape on her mouth. What was she talking about? Does she mean...-?
Claudia took a few steps forward and grabbed her fellow Princess Knight's shoulders, and this time she exudes desperation.
"Alicia, listen to me! We are in a war, and soon enough, the wounds Geofu will gain will be healed. I'm even willing to sacrifice my position as the Princess Knight for Lady Celestine and it's people!" She spoke in desperate reasoning, trying to convince Alicia to trust her.
The said princess Knight gulped, but, even if she didn't want to.... in the end she did.
They must break whatever spell they thought Rance had used against Celestine at her weakest state.
[ ~ Line • Break ~ ]
At the same time, deep commotions were going on around the Mercenary City of Ansur. The mercenaries that were sent by it's rulers had failed. Badly.
The people had originally thought that they were overwhelmed by an army of monsters, but after a report that Olga was becoming much stronger, and that she singlehandedly killed most of the members in the force commanded by Vult using her newfound powers, they began to despair.
But through force, those who began to spread these news was killed or manipulated into being silent or saying false information by none other than several high-ranking Black Dog members that didn't want their pride as the best mercenary company tarnished by some news.
Once it did reach a certain red haired Princess Knight, she immediately began to worry about the Black Dogs's leader.
"Hicks! What you're trying to say is false, right?! Is he dead? Is Vult dead!?" Maia yelled, grabbing the bandit's coat and raising him up using her strength alone.
"Hey, s-stop that! I never said boss's dead!" The bandit, Hicks replied, raising his hands up to the air before said person entered the room.
"Maia."
His voice alone had stopped her from choking Hicks further, as the bandit was dropped to the ground ass-first and grunting in slight displeasure.
She looked at Vult, and she could almost jump towards him, but refrained from doing such a thing simply due to discipline.
After a short explanation of his battle with Olga, Maia sighed in relief that he was completely safe, but still had to recover from his deep injuries that would soon be treated by priests.
"Honestly, it's been years since we last met. And you've grown from being some brat, to a really good-looking woman!" Vult commented quite jokingly and gave her a soft chuckle.
"Hah, really?" Maia replied, but couldn't hide the fact that her heart was beginning to race.
"Really. You're probably 14 years younger than me, but that's fine as I have.... a proposition."
Vult simply told her that they could try replacing the rulers of the Mercenary City of Ansur, then after that they would get to know each other more.
A small conversation happened between them, though after that Maia remembered she still has something to do so she left after apologizing to Vult.
Watching her leave, he began to gain a small, victorious grin.
"Boss, what would you do now?" Hicks asked, and Vult nodded with negative intent.
"What else? Turn her into my puppet, of course!"
[ ~ Chapter • End ~ ]
Fun Fact: Rance preferred Sill to have hair that was as puffy as when they first met.
Psst. I lied at the Maia part. 💀💀💀💀💀