In the game's common storyline, Alicia was only able to join the protagonist's party in the final battle against the General Borris during the final act of the first mission, after his escape.
But what if he couldn't escape this time?
What if the main scenario had deviated from its predetermined path?
Would the system act differently and change its course depending on the variable that I chose to manipulate or still the same and punish me even though it wasn't my mission scenario....?
This time, with Alicia joining these early, the chances of him being to escape now would be as close to impossible.
(My dear protagonist, the stage has been set for you to step up.... Don't you dare disssapoint me.)
But still, I couldn't shake this feeling of bad luck was coming my way.
As I turned around, try to calm down and ponder my next move, a unknown presence was suddenly approached the ship.
Squinting my eyes and see a three people riding their monsters with a gigantic wings emerged.
(Is that.... a wyvern?)
KRAAAGGHHH!!!
Its deafening roar reverberated through the air causing some students to immediately collapsed, their ear and nose were trickling of blood.
Luckily, I wasn't one of those students.
(Shit!)
Suddenly, a man leaped off from the wyvern's back and step onto the ship's deck.
"All of you, stay down!!!" He commanded, his tone was cutting through the chaotic crowd.
He opened his jacket, revealing an array of mana bombs that was strapped onto his body, a wave of panic washed over all of the students around.
Any one of those bombs could detonate at any moment, given on the pulsating mana connected on his veins....
Then two of his burly comrades were also step onto the deck, one by one as they came down off their wyvern.
Fucking hell....
So this is the reason?
The reason why my favorite heroine was late to join the protagonist's party against the starting boss in the game.
I couldn't believe it.
I first thought before when playing the game, the reason why my favorite heroine was last to join the party were partly due of her being unable to locate the protagonist's ship not until the final battle.
And this is why I had pointed out to her the protagonist's ship in the first place, but its seems that I was wrong... very wrong.
Our ship wasn't even the closest one to the princess's ship in fact it was probably even furthest away from the floating fleet right now.
This is really bad....
And to make matter worse, its seems the protagonist's party hasn't finished wrapping up the battle... not even reaching the final battle depicted in the game.
How the fuck was the protagonist hasn't finished the battle as it was supposed to end by now.
(Ha–ha–ha.)
I thought that if I could to change the variables now since all the starting conditions were that good.....
This was supposed to be lot more smoother since this mission scenario alone was perfect definition of walk in the park, and with the strongest variable that I send out much earlier than scheduled, this battle would end instantly.
So please, why I have to be fucking the one holding the short end of the stick!!!
I quickly glance at status screen.
Fortunately, it seems thanks to the void ring weapon that I equipped was able for me to meet any requirement for this mission scenario.
[ Class: Knight ]
[ Level: 7 ]
[ Strength: D ]
[ Intelligence: E ]
[ Power: D ]
[ Skill: C ]
[ Agility: D ]
[ Endurance: D ]
[ Luck: 0 ]
[ MOV: 163 ]
[ ATW: 55 ]
What the player is gonna do, the player should do.
(Am I really have to be directly involved?)
[ Mission: Stop the terror! ]
You don't have to tell me Goddamn it!
As the terrorist group slowly capturing the floating ship and forces the students to settled down or threatened to explode the ship.
Myself, I made my move as to not get exposed until I get a better position to my plan..
I just hope that these guys were the only ones for I need to dealt with and not something far worse.
"Corrin... What are you doing? Are you mad?!" Rein asked lowering his voice but his gesture were sense of concern.
"Rein, I need your help on this." I exclaimed as I whispered him the plan on the way
....
"Is that all of them?" The man with rustic voice inquired, his menacing red eyes scanning at the fearful students with a sinister grin.
The scar that marked his face only served to accentuate his villainous appearance.
"Yes sir!" his men came a obedient response.
"Good."
With a flick of his finger, he casted a small fire magic spell, igniting the tip of his cigar as he regarded the hostage students with a intense scrutiny.
This rustic man found himself the pleasure in mentally tormenting anyone that he finds it amusing.
Upon boarding the floating ship, his men wasted no time in rounding up all the students who were collapsed onto the deck. From the Captain to every member of the crew were none was spared from them.
Even the mage engineers who were primarily responsible for the ship's trajectory, hidden below the deck, were not exempt.
Now, the floating ship was currently running on autopilot as it was relied on the shipcrew's monitoring in the ship's mana pathways.
Without them, it won't be long before the ship plummeted onto the ground.
Even as panic gripped practically everyone onboard the ship, there was an unspoken understanding that showing fear in front of this rustic man was not a option.
With his menacing demeanor and the aura of danger that surrounded him, it was clear for everyone that this man was not someone to be trifled with.
Whether by these suicidal bombers or this rustic malevolent man before them, they knew well just how truly screwed this situation.
Even the most capable students from the knight department, who are likely able to taking action for this situation, remained motionless.
Fear had already paralyzed them, rendered them unable to taking intervening action.
As for the rest of the students whom were mostly enrolled in general education programs, seemed utterly helpless in the face of unfolding crisis.
Their future careers as civil servants may have required general knowledge skills, though such expertise was little of use in the current situation.
Within the foyer room where the all the students of Holy Land Academy were being kept hostaged, Misha was one of those students.
Despite her high rank as a countess, her status offered little protection against these deranged group of individuals onboard whose unknown organization that she didn't know of was likely known for targeting members of the royalty and higher nobility.
In the moment of crisis, her social standing held no sway over this crazy group.
For now, she had to think a way of stay alive at this situation. Roughly around 3-5 minutes sinced Alicia's "little brother" whom his friends called by the name of Corrin that told her to stay alive while he and other three friends to taking care of against the terrorist group.
As strong as he said might be, in front of this malevolent deranged man before her, even he wouldn't last long against that man. In just a few minutes, her best friend Alicia should be returning soon.
"Shouldn't we help the general, Sir Galkin?"
"Nah.... the old man wouldn't like that." The man with rustic voice whom called Galkin responded casually, his demeanor was unwavering as he puffed out the smoke from his mouth.
"He was resolved to kill the princess by his own hands. Let's just respect his decision and wait here. It won't be long before we reach our objective."
Listening to Galkin's words, the other terrorist nodded in agreement before turning their attention back to the scorched ship in the distance.
A hush fell over the room as the gravity of their sank in.
"The princess?"
"Are they going to kill the princess?"
"But who?"
Speculation ran rampant as minds raced to comprehend the implications of the terrorist's intentions.
Who among the multitude of attending princesses could be their target? And Importantly, why?
For those who were gathered in this lobby especially those with a noble descent or any ruling status knew the implications were dire.
The death of a single princess of any nation could serve as the catalyst for cascade of international conflicts.
It was clear now just how serious and atrocious this's group plan were.
(Galkin..... )
As the name of Galkin resounded in Misha's mind, a surge of memories flooded back, jolting her with the realization of who he was.
Galkin, known by the his atrocious nickname "The Grappler" is a formidable wanted war criminal.
How could someone like him doing here in the Holy Land?
Misha thought, her heart was raced as she grappled with the implications of his appearance.
As Galkin wasn't just another terrorist; he was a former imperial knight whom been sentenced to hanging for abusing his authority by fulfilling his carnal desire of mass killings.
However, his escaped unscathed was partly unknown as some Imperial officials would explained that his escape was been backed by some unknown cult organization known to be operated all throughout the continent.
The fact that he was here, of all places, was deeply unsettling. In the past, he was known for his bravery and combat prowess.
But why he was here of all places?
Now that she think about it, remebering from Galkin's words that they purpose here in Holy Land was to wait for their general in taking action to kill a princess as their objective.
Based of his origin and history, and for the facts that there were certain rumors coming from Ambrosia Empire that they were been clashing a small pockets of rebellion.....
Misha gasped as realization washed over her as she was able to connect the dots to their malevolent intentions.
(So the rumor was true....)
The ambrosian royalty has only one princess who was known for her affection and compassion to her those under her.
And that was none other than princess Rose.
Right at this moment, her best friend and the Holy Land's four saint mechmaster were been dealing with their general's force.
Not to mention that a certain junior is taking his sweet time in dealing the ones boarding in the ship.
So their only viable option was to keep quiet and bide time for either her best friend or junior returned.
In three to five minutes, that would enough time should be finishing their intending purposes and returned to save them.
All they had to do was to wait and pray for a peaceful resolution. As long as nobody in their midst provoked them especially Galkin, things should be remain relatively calm.
But of course, luck wasn't on their side.
"Y–you do you guys not know who I am?!!"
She couldn't help but scoff inwardly. It seemed her only hope for a quiet resolution were nothing more than a wishful thinking as young male junior rose to his feet and raised his sword, pointed at Galkin.
(Does this junior really want courting death?) Misha thought.
"My name is Rhodeus Eldris, heir to the county of Eldris! I will not have myself threatened and played with mere peasants like you!!!!"
His voice boomed with misplaced bravado as he assumed a fighting stance.
As Galkin fixed onto him with a piercing gaze, Rhodeus stood his ground, his trembling demeanor belying his earlier boldness.
The tension in the air grew palpable as Galkin advance towards him, each step a deliberate measure of dominance.
They held their breath, bracing themselves for a inevitable confrontation.
"Rhodeus Eldris, is that correct?" Galkin's voice was like a steel trap, trapping Rhodeus in a cold embrace.
"Y–yes....." Rhodeus stammered, his sword was now resting limply on the ground as his bravado had reduced to a mere vapor in the face of Galkin's presence.
In a surprising turn of events, Galkin simply embrace the young man, his actions defying all expectations.
The sudden shift in demeanor had left everyone in shock, their eyes widened in disbelief.
"For a child like you to be this so corrupted at such tender young age, you've must have a hard time.... Allow this adult to put you in the right path." Galkin said, his embrace tightening with each passing moment.
"Ughhuck?!?!"
Rhodeus was struggled as to comprehend the situation, but before he could be even react, the blood begun to spurt from his mouth as his bones were crushing within him.
In a matter of seconds, a flashed of red light was enveloped him, followed by gruesome explosion that scattered his remains all throughout the room in a horrifying spectacle.
His organs and blood rained down upon them, transforming the scene into a massacre straight out of a nightmare dream.
"KYAAAAAHHHH!!!!"
A girl's panicked scream pierced the air, sending waves of fear rippling through the crowd.
Fear had also growly affected within Misha as the chaos erupted her. Galkin's atrocious nickname exist for a reason, but she never imagined it would be this horrifying and repulsive than what rumors tells of him.
The scene before her, coupled with the putrid stench of blood in the air, threatened to her senses.
To make matters worse, Rhodeus's eyeball had rolled to a stop right next to her after his gruesome demise.
She wanted to scream, but the situation didn't help her as she scanned the scene for signs of little junior's return, but no signs of him just yet.
(Where are you?)
Misha thought, as she struggled to keep her composure, a deafening boom echoed in the air. Galkin's foot slammed into the floor, sending shockwaves rippling outward.
Those who tried had to rise immediately stumbled back down on the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer force of Galkin's oppressing aura.
"Commoners, Nobles, Royalty, Rich, Poor, Strong, Weak..... Since beginning of time, society had always governed us all by these uniquely labels that people had decided to forces us, divided and putting value into each and every single one of our lives." Galkin's voice boomed, his arms outstretched in a grand gesture.
"But as you can see, How are we all be different? At the end of the day, we are all still human inside. We are all fair and equal. We are all just!!!!"
His voice rose to a cresendo, punctuated by a pointed gesture towards the lifeless remains of Rhodeus.
"You, You, You, You, YOU!!!!" He shouted, single out individuals randomly from the crowd.
"You may look different from each other, but you all one and the same. Why can't you young children see that?"
"How can you think of yourself being higher than the one next to you?"
"Do you think you're much more important?"
"Do you think you're special?"
"WRRROOONNG!!!!"
Suddenly, his intense gaze has landed on Misha, her face was trembling under his crazed stare.
With swift and forceful movements, he seized her by the hair, dragging her forward to present her to everyone.
Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to retaliate.
"Tell me child, are you noble?" Galkin's low voice was menacing, fixated his crazed gaze on her eyes.
"Y–yes..." Misha responded though it was barely audible, filled with fear.
Hearing her reluctant answer, Galkin smiled wickedly before ripping her uniform. The fabric fell away, leaving her vulnerable and exposed as her dignity barely protected by her remaining undergarments.
"Kyaaaah!!! Pl–please no! help me!" Misha's cries pierced in the air, desperate and terrified as she closed her eyes and prayed for her best friend and her little brother to saved her.
"This noble child may seem like someone of importance, but the moment you rid of her–"
"That is quite enough! Crazy old man." Someone shouted.