In front of Eliza's mansion, Jane was looking at… A wavy shadow? She couldn't put any term on what she had in front of her eyes. Something she was sure of was that thing was talking right now.
- Yes, my Lady. That army appeared almost out of nowhere. We don't know how they got this close without us noticing anything.
- Did they use teleportation artifacts?
- It's quite possible, but the cost must have been tremendous then.
Jane remembered when Eliza mentioned these artifacts the last time. With her tone at that moment, the redhead knew the cost of using those was really high. Even with just two or three people using it. She looked over the far gates. It must be pretty busy right now, preparing to confront the enemies.
{ - Maybe they made new and better artifacts? With a skilled enough mage it could be possible.}
[{ - Were these artifacts around when you were alive, Anna?}]
{ - Maybe. I don't know, actually, I've never been interested in those. Flying was more interesting, you know?}
[{ - What? You could fly? Teach me!}]
{ - Ermh. We don't even know if you can use magic. How the hell do you expect me to teach you how to fly?!}
The redhead just shrugged, making Anna sigh in her head. Focusing once again on Eliza and the shadow's conversation, Jane looked at them and interrupted with some urgency.
- Wondering how isn't really useful right now. We should go and help. I don't really want to let the capital of my country burn to the ground. And… Aren't I a Denki? Shouldn't it be my "duty" or something to help?
Eliza turned her head toward Jane, smiling with gratitude. She nodded once.
- Yes, we need to get going. Thank you, Jane, it means a lot to me.
The young mercenary smiled and took out a cookie from her dimension, putting it in her mouth before approaching Eliza.
- Uh? Why did yo-
The white-haired woman got interrupted when Jane suddenly lifted her in the princess carry position. She let out a little startled cry, looking in Jane's eyes with confusion while she put her arms around her friend's neck to secure herself. The redhead winked at her, turning her gaze to the shadow.
- Where is the main army?
- Hm? It's on the east gate, Miss Denki, why?
- Okay, and where does Nohana live exactly, Eliza?
- Uh, she lives in the commoners' district. What are you planning to do?!
Jane didn't answer either of them and just laughed a little. She finished her cookie before issuing a warning to the princess she was carrying.
- Well, if you have a barrier that can protect you from the wind, it's time to use it.
Then she vanished from her spot the next instant. A few seconds later, Jane was letting Eliza down on the ground, holding her by the shoulders to prevent her from stumbling. The white-haired woman was unsteady, her eyes unfocused as well. It made Jane smile a bit; seeing someone experience her speed for the first time was always funny.
- Are you alright?
- I… I'm fine… Urgh, how do you deal with that every time?
- Meh, I don't feel the impact of my speed on myself, actually. Not physically, at least. So I'm fine on that part. And, well, my gift grants me better reflexes too, remember? So no problems about the mental part too. Is that Nohana's house?
Eliza didn't answer immediately, still trying to get herself together. She shook her head a bit before looking around them.
- Yes, it is. But why did you want to come here?
- Well, we will need her healing magic, no? And isn't she a member of our party anyway? We need her.
The white-haired woman nodded at that answer. She looked over at Jane's stomach, a concerned look flashing across her face. Jane caught that and put her hand on top of Eliza's head while smiling.
- Don't worry too much. I'll be fine. And Nohana will be here to at least prevent me from collapsing, right?
- I just joined you guys, and you're already planning on squeezing me dry of magic? Dear, what have I done?
The sultry voice that echoed was none other than Nohana's. The green-eyed woman came out of the house, yawning a bit. She had a leather pouch that seemed to be on the verge of cracking at any time. Nohana approached them with a sigh.
- I guess you're here because of the bells? What's happening?
- An army is here, Nohana. And I need to go help the army. I am the princess, after all, even if not many people acknowledge that.
- And of course, I won't let her go alone.
The green-eyed woman nodded in understanding. She knew it would come to this when she heard the bell. But she was still caught a bit off-guard by how fast her two friends arrived. She knew about Jane's gift, but she still expected to join them on the front lines, not in front of her house.
Jane reached out toward Nohana, who looked at her redhead friend with confusion.
- Give me that pouch, I'll keep it and give it back when we reach the gates.
- Uh? What's the difference between you and me holding it?
- You'll see, don't worry, your stuff won't break.
A bit suspicious, Nohana still gave her pouch to Jane, but only after Eliza nodded to her with a smile. The next instant, her eyes and mouth opened wide when she saw her belongings disappear suddenly.
- What the?! Hey, where is it!
- Long story short: I can store items in another dimension that can only be accessed by me. So don't worry about that. Now, do you think you can hold onto me really tight?
- Uh? Wait. You don't mean what I think you mean, right?
- Of course I mean it! C'mon, we don't have time. Hold on—my neck and legs around my waist.
Jane picked up Eliza again, eliciting another surprised cry, and presented her back to Nohana. The green-eyed woman stared at it for a few seconds before whispering, "screw it," and climbing aboard, holding on as best as she could.
The redhead straightened up, jumping in place just to check if anything was wrong, before vanishing once again from her spot.
Over the east side's gate.
- We still don't know where these guys come from?!
- N-No sir. There was no warning at all. And we can't contact any scouts we sent ahead some time ago. Contact just simply stopped suddenly.
- Then they are most likely dead. Do we at least have an approximate number of enemies?
- Yes, there are about ten thousand on three of the gates, and twenty thousand here on the east gates.
- That's all? It's not much.
- Sir, we only have about half of that amount of soldiers to spread out across all four gates. Maybe we can kind of compensate with mercenaries. But it will cost us. And they aren't disciplined at all.
The two people talking were an old man dressed in a military uniform. On this uniform were signs that told his rank: General. Next to him was his aide, a younger man that seemed strict. The older one sighed a bit, rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
A commotion echoed outside of the temporary tent where they settled in. Frowning, the General got out of the tent to see what was causing that turmoil.
A little bit earlier, just before the General got out of the tent.
Jane stopped once they reached the temporary camp. At first, she wanted to go directly to the command center. But Anna dissuaded her. It wasn't a good idea to show up suddenly with the princess in her arms.
In front of the camp, Jane put down Eliza, who wobbled a bit before standing straight again. She was doing better already than the first time she experienced her friend's speed.
Nohana, on the other hand… almost collapsed when she let go of Jane. The redhead caught her before she could really fall.
- Eh, sorry. But you knew what was about to happen.
- Uuuh… Yeah. That's not really how I imagined hugging you the first time…
- What?
- Nothing.
Jane looked at Nohana with suspicion in her eyes, but then lifted her head to look at the soldiers surrounding them. One of them, apparently the most senior, approached them with a serious expression.
- Who are you, women? This is a military area! Non-authorized personnel shouldn't be here. Especially mercenaries!
The disdain he had for mercenaries was obvious in his voice. Jane lifted an eyebrow, disgust in her eyes but an insane smile starting to form on her lips. Eliza, noticing her friend's atmosphere going wrong, grabbed Jane's wrist. The redhead looked at her and calmed down a little. The white-haired woman nodded, then took a step forward.
- I'm Eliza Havenflow. The princess of that kingdom. We need to meet the General please.
- You? The princess? Ha! We don't have a princess. I think you are spies. You appeared like that army, you must have used the same artifact! Archers! Shoot.
Eliza and Nohana didn't notice, but Jane did. When they were talking, around twenty archers had taken positions around them. Once the order was given, all the archers let their arrows loose, and Jane vanished on the spot. All the arrows disappeared too, and a series of painful sounds echoed.
When Jane reappeared in front of the officer who gave the order, she had a last arrow in her hand. She made it twirl between her fingers, a wondering expression on her face.
- Where should that arrow go, hmm?
- Jane. Don't please.
- Fine, you heard the princess. You are safe for now. But watch your back; talk to her like that one more time… And you will regret being born.
This said, Jane took a step back while shrugging, the arrow in her hand vanishing as she stored it in her dimension.
At this moment, the General finally appeared after making his way through the crowd of soldiers. He looked around a bit, his gaze stopping on Jane, who frowned at the attention. His mind was ringing in danger. He instinctively knew she was not to be trifled with. Then he saw Eliza and bowed with reverence.
- Hello, Your Highness. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming. You were fast. May I know who your two companions are?
- Hello, General Talr. Don't worry about that. We… used a special method. Let me introduce you. This is Jane and Nohana Doku. They are both part of my party of mercenaries. But let us talk about that army right in front of our doors.
Jane noticed that Eliza didn't mention her surname. She didn't know if it was because that General knew about the Denkis or because she didn't want to attract the attention of some possible Ouroboros members.
- Of course, Your Highness. Let's go to the command center.
He turned around and led the three ladies to his tent. When Jane passed the officer who was sweating, she flashed a dagger near his throat before walking away. The man almost collapsed when she disappeared from his sight.
Once they seated themselves in the tent, General Talr summarized the situation. Eliza rubbed her chin, pondering how to deal with it.
Jane got up and smiled at her friend before looking over at the General.
- I can hold this side with fewer soldiers. You said the enemy were all simple soldiers, right?
- Yes. At least that's what we got from observing them. Unfortunately, we can't really confirm that since our scouts all vanished.
- Then I can go. And if my suspicions are right, that attack is the work of someone I want dead.
Without adding anything else, Jane left the tent, determination in her step. Eliza was stunned but quickly regained her spirit and followed her friend outside.
- Jane, wait!
She grabbed Jane's wrist, making her turn around with confusion in her eyes.
- Why do you want to go alone again? You intend to leave me behind once more?
- I… No Eliza, why? I… I just need something to let off steam, that's all… I promise I'll be careful.
- Really?
- Yes, of course!
- Then…
Eliza hesitated a little, prompting Jane to tilt her head, wondering what Eliza was thinking. Then her eyes widened when Eliza grabbed her collar, pulling her close, and kissed her on the lips. Jane could feel her trembling a little. That kiss seemed to last an eternity, but the white-haired woman broke it after only a few seconds. Her face was crimson, and she panicked, running inside the tent once more.