Marieflorine Corasell
The events transpired in a whirlwind of chaos. With the chopper's door flung open, the soldiers wasted no time in launching a swift and aggressive assault on Cleru. Their concerted efforts resulted in him losing consciousness due to a harsh blow to the head. Swift reflexes combined with the surge of adrenaline propelled me into immediate action. Without hesitation, I summoned Eva, enabling her transformation into the magnificent Fairy Dragon once more. Despite the odds stacked against us in terms of sheer numbers, time did not permit a rescue mission for both Cleru and the Princess. The latter was promptly seized by Dragunov's sinister henchman, Nox.
In the midst of this tumult, a solitary victory emerged. I managed to seize Jasmine, who initially exhibited a wavering reluctance to flee. My persuasive reassurances eventually swayed her, and together, we emerged from the chaotic scene unscathed. A shroud of secrecy and protection enveloped us, courtesy of the Night Cloak magic woven by my Fairy Dragon form. This safeguard ensured our trail remained concealed as we soared onward until reaching the sanctuary of Goldcliffe City. Under the cover of night, we awaited the arrival of General Holster's valiant knights, entrusted with our retrieval.
In these moments, the once-familiar taste of helplessness coated my experience. The very essence of vulnerability, which I often chastised Sir Amphere for, now gnawed at my own endeavors. The realization struck deeply – I was merely a child, confronted with limitations I had scarcely acknowledged. Within the confines of General Holster's encampment near the city, preparations for the assembly of his forces and the elite Chevalier Unit were underway. As Amphere and Airi graced our midst, their concern for my well-being resonated palpably. Their solicitude persisted despite my decision to flee, forsaking the Princess to an uncertain fate.
The weight of consequences pressed heavily. Absent the Princess's presence, the painstakingly crafted Dragonoid Rights Bill, a testament to my parents' relentless efforts, faced the bleak prospect of never materializing into law.
Optimism mingled with Airelina's words of encouragement, her conviction a lifeline for my dwindling confidence. "Everything will be okay, totally!" she proclaimed with unwavering faith. "Together, my love and I shall reclaim Cleru and the Princess, without a doubt!"
Contrasting her buoyant sentiment, Amphere's demeanor bore a more measured tone. A bemused scratch of his head prefaced his revelation. "Actually," he began, "Cleru is entirely unharmed. He was discovered within the depths of Goldrudge Forest, unconscious but intact. It appears Dragunov's interest in him has waned. In fact, I glimpsed him this morning, hastening away from the very doors of the Royal Palace."
Cleru Neos... There's an unmistakable air of enigma surrounding him. While it's indeed plausible that Dragunov's interest in him has waned, there's an undeniable sense that he harbors a trove of concealed truths. His past connections are shrouded in shadows, and it's evident that he shares a certain familiarity with the despicable terrorist commander, offering him insights into Dragunov's motives and rationale for his malevolent schemes.
Amphere's concentration was interrupted as General Holster strode into the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Amphere," the General addressed, his tone weighted with urgency, "the knights, along with the Princess's designated Knight, have convened. We're slated for a briefing in just ten minutes."
In seamless accord, Amphere and Airelina exchanged synchronized nods before rising to depart the room. However, a feeble gesture on my part – a pinch on the back of Amphere's pristine white uniform – accompanied by faintly whispered words, signified my intention to participate. "I'll come too," my voice barely above a murmur.
Receptive to my subdued request, both Amphere and Airelina responded with welcoming smiles. With Eva in tow, the four of us assembled in the expansive conference hall within the encampment. This space diverged sharply from the opulent grandeur of the royal hall, adopting an ostentatiously oversized semblance that more resembled a colossal classroom. Remarkably, its amenities bore an uncanny resemblance to the facilities of the Dragon Knight Academy.
The hall was abuzz with the presence of numerous knights and dragonoids, seated with an air of quiet anticipation. Familiar faces from my memory adorned the assembly – predominantly the knights who had succumbed to defeat in the past, vanquished by Amphere, Rudolf, and Reina during the tournament.
General Holster, a figure of commanding authority, wasted no time in taking center stage. "To begin," he commenced, his voice ringing out to seize the attention of all present, "I'd like-"
"Cut to the heart of the matter, General. Spare us your trite humor," Dennis interjected, his voice laden with impatience. A recollection stirred – he was the dragon knight who had wielded the Black Feather Dragon, ultimately vanquished by Amphere in the heated quarterfinals clash.
"Very well," General Holster cleared his throat, his stance shifting into one of formality. "Leading this mission is none other than the Princess's own Knight, Cleru Neos." With that introduction, the general yielded the stage to the elusive figure of the royal guard.
A derisive comment sliced through the air like a blade, originating from Adrian. "Ah, the fresh addition to the roster as the Princess's Knight. Quite the ineffectual vagabond, it seems. Kidnapping the princess within his first quarter on the job. I'd sooner heed the general's directives. 'One job, ROYAL KNIGHT,' you couldn't even manage that," he sneered. Adrian, if memory served, was the Chain Dragon Knight overthrown by Reina Fleuret at a certain juncture during the tournament.
Undeterred by the insults hurled his way, Cleru Neos stood resolute, choosing to address the assembly with a measure of humility and a bow. "I beseech the Empire and my fellow knights for forgiveness," his voice held a contrite edge. "The responsibility for the princess's abduction rests squarely on my shoulders. My apologies, though insufficient, are sincere. It is my intent to rectify my transgressions and redeem the situation. I shall spearhead the task force charged with the twin objectives of rescuing the princess and dismantling Arcadia once and for all. Endowed with the Emperor's sanction and a carte blanche in terms of resources, we are empowered to recover the princess at any cost."
"Sizable claims for a knight of your stature," Sherman retorted, his voice laced with mockery. He, if recollections served correctly, was the debonair contender bested by Rudolf in the tournament's inaugural round. The White Rose Dragon stood as his partner.
Amidst the varied responses, Rudolf's measured voice resonated. Though not shouted, his tone radiated authority and garnered respect. "Our allegiance aligns with the highest knight of the empire. Objections hold no place, for Cleru undoubtedly navigates treacherous waters. Isn't that right?" His gaze pivoted to Cleru, a silent question hanging in the air.
Cleru acknowledged Rudolf's inquiry with a subtle nod before proceeding to elucidate the intricacies of the impending plan, ensuring that the assembly of dragon knights could grasp its complexities.
Within the aftermath of the airship crash site, a small victory emerged as the empire's soldiers successfully apprehended several Arcadian terrorists. These captives, subjected to thorough interrogation, divulged vital information regarding the locations of safe houses and concealed bases consistently frequented by Dragunov. Armed with these insights, the empire's forces poised themselves to exacerbate the ongoing conflict by preparing their weaponry for battle.
Yet, despite these revelations, a thick shroud of mystery enveloped Dragunov's true objectives, beyond the ostensible pursuit of monetary gain. Additionally, Nox's cryptic riddle lingered as an enigma, their actual intentions cloaked in secrecy.
"The course of action seems to call for a coordinated assault on all the safe houses and bases simultaneously," proposed Reina Fleuret, her voice laced with determination. The urgency dictated that a piecemeal approach would only serve to tip off Dragunov to their impending moves.
"Executing raids across six distinct locations in a single day – is it a feasible endeavor?" queried General Holster, his voice tinged with pragmatic skepticism.
"Not for the Task Force Libera." Reina smiled with her dragonoid Richard.
Reina's response bore the confidence of Task Force Libera. Her lips curled into a smile, mirrored by her dragonoid companion, Richard. The meeting unfolded, delving into hours of minutiae and intricate military discussions that sometimes veered beyond my comprehension. Faced with the tedium, a brief respite beckoned. I ventured outside the confines of the building for a breath of fresh air, allowing my mind a moment of reprieve.
As I strolled around the perimeter of the structure, the door creaked open, admitting another presence into the open air. The figure that emerged was none other than Sir Amphere. My assumption of a shared pursuit for a respite from the enclosed space proved only partially accurate, as it became clear that he harbored a specific intent in mind. Slow, measured steps carried him toward me, signifying a purposeful approach.
"Duchess," Amphere's voice held a noticeable quiver, and his usually composed demeanor seemed tinged with nervousness. "There's something I'd like to ask your help with."
His gaze darted around, checking all angles before he retrieved a petite black box from his pocket. Deliberate movements revealed an exquisite sight: a crimson diamond ring, unparalleled in its beauty.
"Wow," I breathed, taken aback by the stunning spectacle. "That's absolutely gorgeous. Are you and Airi... planning to get engaged?"
Amphere's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and he fumbled with his response. "Not quite, not yet. My plan is to propose once everything is settled – once the bill is enacted, the princess is safely rescued, and the war comes to an end. At that point, I'll present this to her." He paused, his gaze locking with mine. "You're the person closest to her whom I can confide in. I need your assistance with a few... matters."
A grin spread across my face as excitement bubbled within me. "Consider me your maid of honor for the wedding, and you've got yourself a deal! I'll gladly help with anything you need."
Amphere's response, though, returned with his trademark mild demeanor. "I think your talents might be better suited for the role of a flower girl."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes playfully. "Come on now, I'm a tad too old for that, don't you think?"