Sumire sat quietly on her side of the table. She wasn't expecting to join the Duke for dinner. She thought that they would simply let her go when all the confusion was cleared up. But the Duke was strangely kind enough to give her the honor of eating at his table. She felt so out of place on the banquet table, and her seat mate, Ruby likely felt the same way, judging from her behavior.
"Hey, why are you acting so nervous?" Sumire asked her seatmate.
"I-I don't know how to act in front of the Duke… I'm even surprised he invited me here…"
"I know right?" Sumire said silently, relating with Ruby on that feeling.
"How do his relatives act so calmly though?" Ruby asked as she and Sumire stared at the two youngsters sitting close to Haru.
"Now say aah." Penny said affectionately while waving a spoonful of food.
"Damnation, Penny! I can eat on my own!" Millicas protested, while averting his gaze to actively avoid the spoon being shoved at his face.
"I'll keep doing this until you love me." Penny teased as she tried to bring the spoon closer to Millicas's mouth.
"I-It doesn't work that way!" Millicas exasperatedly screamed while shutting his mouth.
"It won't hurt to try!" Penny retorted as she then made a final push with the spoon. "Now eat your beef stew!"
"No—mmph!" Millicas sounded before the spoon entered his mouth, gulping down the food. "I'm not a baby, you know!"
"Oh shut up and eat!" Penny said playfully as she then took another scoop of food. "How about another bite?"
"I'm not playing this game with you." Millicas said indignantly as he then again tried to avoid the spoon.
Ruby and Sumire watched with absolute confusion. Being in a society where women were leaders, seeing a woman so subservient to a man was a sight to behold. Though Haru and Rias didn't seem that surprised as they continued their dinners.
"Lady Penny, I will have to ask you to stop feeding my nephew. Though you may be his betrothed, he is mature enough to eat on his own."
"Yes milord." Penny said sheepishly as she then put down her spoon and returned to eating.
Millicas then takes the opportunity to say his piece.
"Uncle, do you not think that it is time for me to also aid your efforts in the upcoming war?"
Haru stops eating, and glances at Millicas. The silence of Haru was so heavy that the other people at the table stopped eating. Ruby squeaked while Sumire tried not to look directly at Haru. Lady Rias merely stared at Millicas, who suddenly felt small from his uncle's heavy gaze.
"I am quite sure that we discussed this before." Haru said stiffly.
"Yes, but I remain adamant that I can help." Millicas replied with a small tone of contempt.
"You still have your squire duties to accomplish." Haru added.
"But the tasks you have bestowed upon me can be completed with little to no effort! I could finish your given tasks five times over and still have the rest of the day to myself!"
Rias gave a sort of disapproving look at her husband, who looked a bit sheepish for unknowingly spoiling his nephew.
"You'll be safer in the castle."
"But I don't want to be safe!" Millicas replied indignantly. "I want to be of help to my country! I want to help cleanse the filth of this land!"
"And you will soon." Haru said firmly. "But now is not the time."
"But uncle! I've heard the stories! Stories of when you were nearly my age! You weren't shut in a castle with servants at your beck and call to spoil you. You were out there, slaughtering the enemy and bringing glory to the Kingdom of England!"
Haru stiffened at the mention of his old days. Haru closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He gives his nephew a very somber glance as his eyes bored into Millicas.
"Believe me Millicas. I didn't have a choice there. I never actively pursued the glory of battle, it was a weight that was pushed onto my shoulders, and God help me, I wish you to never experience it. I would never forgive myself if you ever experienced the pain I did. I just want you to have a safe and secure life for now."
Millicas hung his head, realizing that he opened some old wounds for his uncle, feeling ashamed for being so rebellious towards his uncle.
"But, your desire to aid us is most admirable and it will definitely not go to waste." Haru added in. "Tomorrow, you can join the commanders in training the citizens."
Millicas's eyes brightened at the sudden change of heart of his uncle.
"R-Really?" Millicas asked with much shock in his voice.
Haru merely smiled and nodded.
"Y-You will not regret this uncle! I will not let you down!" Millicas said with much gratitude.
"Of course you won't." Haru said before standing up and signaling the servants to clean his plate.
Haru leaves the table, with Lady Rias also standing up and telling the servants.
"I will be in the palace gardens."
And that left only Millicas, Penny, Ruby and Sumire at the table. Millicas looks fearfully at Penny, who had a spoonful of food ready for him as he then booked it, with Penny running after him. Ruby and Sumire were left on the table as they then began to converse.
"So how did you come into servitude under Haru?" Sumire asked with much curiosity.
"It was by chance that he found me. I personally asked him to be his apprentice and he obliged."
"That's strangely brave of you. Knowing that guy, he could probably do things to you while you're his apprentice." Sumire said suspiciously.
"I-I don't think he's that kind of person." Ruby protested. "I overheard a conversation he had with the Grandmaster, and it had something to do about his sister."
"Interesting…" Sumire said while stroking her chin. "What do you think happened to his sister?"
"I-I'd rather not invade his privacy." Ruby replied defensively.
"Come on! Aren't you the least bit curious?"
"The only thing I am curious about is why someone as beautiful and charming as that woman Penny would fall for someone like Millicas?"
"Actually, I was curious about that too. Not to insult Millicas, but that girl's way above his league, even if he's the nephew of the Duke."
"Let's go ask her now!"
Ruby and Sumire see Millicas run across the hallway, panting and screaming.
"I'll outrun you eventually!"
"Running only makes me want you more!' Penny screamed as she chased him.
"Maaaybeee when she's less preoccupied." Sumire added in, watching the spectacle unfold.
Rias was well on her way to the garden, but as soon as she exited the banquet room, she encountered the all too familiar Celestine and Alicia standing outside the banquet hall idly.
"Lady Celestine, Lady Alicia, I was not expecting to see you out here."
"We were actually waiting for you milady."
"Really now?" Rias asked with surprise. "What do you require of me?"
"We have many questions to ask." Alicia said.
"Questions about your husband." Celestine clarified.
"Well please join me in the gardens for an evening talk. I'm sure your former maidservants will be happy to serve you."
Celestine and Alicia followed Rias to the garden. Celestine looked in nostalgia, these were once hers. She was once the most respected figure among the kingdoms, only rivaled in prestige by that damned witch Olga and the beautiful dragonness Xiaolong. But now, she was at the mercy of a mere mortal man. Though he seemed kinder than the Black Dogs, his attitude intimidated her. A no-nonsense, apathetic man like him scared her so much, and she couldn't imagine what sort of person could become like him. Rias sits on one end of the table and Celestine sits on the other end, with Alicia sitting on the side.
"So, what do you wish to know about the Duke?" Rias asked while sipping from her cup.
"I want to know what sort of man he was back in your land. What kind of leader he was to his people."
"And why do you need to know that?" Rias asked while tilting her head in puzzlement.
"I just need to know if my citizens are in good hands."
Rias sighed as she set down her cup.
"Promise that you will tell absolutely no one of this."
"Goddess' oath." Celestine said while putting a hand on her chest.
"Knight's oath." Alicia said firmly.
"Good." Rias said in a satisfied tone. "Now to understand my husband, you must understand the world that he lived in."
"Okay…" Celestine said while listening intently.
"The continent that we all lived in was called Europe. And there were many nation-states that occupied the land, but there were only four major powers that stood out, the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of England, the United Kingdom of Scandinavia, and the Portugese-Spanish Alliance. Though we lived in separate nations, we were united under one faith by the Catholic Church."
Celestine was intrigued that there were more armies as powerful as that of Haru. She was also very interested in this Catholicism that Haru had introduced and imposed on her citizens. Alicia was interested to hear more about the military of this world.
"Haru was born into a high noble family in England, under the Duke of Whirlingpool and the Duchess of Leafvalley. Haru was the eldest of his family and therefore was next in succession to inherit his parents' lands."
Celestine nodded at that, so Haru had a very powerful background after all. But that still didn't answer her question. Alicia grew a little respect for Haru for having noble blood.
"What sort of person was he?"
"Patience milady." Rias replied calmly. "Haru' mother, the Duchess of Canterbury, was a very caring mother. The moment he had exited her womb, he had immediately clung to her. He always ran to her loving arms in times of pain and suffering."
That was the least of Celestine's expectations, the Duke? A mama's boy? It almost seemed adorable, but the Duke's attitude quickly brought the High Elf back to reality. Alicia couldn't see the Duke being so soft, he looked too tough and serious.
"But one day, he and his mother were attacked by bandits. Though his mother was able to escape with him, she was fatally wounded. With her dying words, she told Haru to try and find his way back home. Imagine that, at seven years old, young Haru watched his mother die."
Celestine had to admit that was tragic, an important figure in his childhood, dying in front of his very eyes. Alicia couldn't imagine seeing that happen, especially since she and Prim had also lost their parents.
"Haru was able to escape the forest and inform his family of the travesty committed by those bandits. As soon as they sorted out the problem of bandits, they were finally able to retrieve her body. Haru was there to see it all. Her body in the funeral pyre, seeing his beloved mother turn into nothing but ashes."
Celestine and Alicia frowned at that, Haru really had it rough when he was young. Maybe that was why he was so serious. But Celestine and Alicia knew that Rias had more to say.
"Young Haru convinced himself that if he knew how to fight, his mother would not have died. He firmly believed that he needed to protect those close to him. So he demanded that his father train him. His father obliged of course, giving his son the training he wanted so badly. It was tough for Haru but he pulled through. He aspired to be like his father, powerful, skilled and intelligent, traits that he needed to protect those he loved."
Celestine could notice that this was the time when Haru was starting to become the person he already was. He certainly was powerful and his plans so far have had no failure, he was quite the multifaceted man. Alicia saw an admirable sense of determination in the man, maybe he wasn't so bad.
"Over time, his father became a source of inspiration for Haru. Someone to look up to. Haru saw a mentor in his father and he grew a great respect for him. But one day, his father became bed-ridden after contracting a terminal disease. At fourteen, Haru was once again struck with the horror of losing the one he loves."
Celestine gasped. Another important loved one had died? This was getting even more grim than Celestine had imagined. Alicia hung her head in solemnity at what Haru had experienced.
"With his last dying words, Haru's father made Haru the man of the house, the patriarch to watch over the lands of his family. But, he also gave Haru another responsibility, to take care of his younger sister, Lady Naru of Leafvalley, who was only a year younger than him. And he took his father's words to heart."
Celestine was surprised to know that Haru had a sister. If he really cared about her so much, then why wasn't she with them? Alicia was also surprised, perhaps she and the Duke shared something in common and that was great care for their younger siblings.
"Now back to the politics, the Catholic Church had excommunicated the Holy Roman Empire, meaning that the Holy Roman Empire was no longer a member of their religion, which angered the great power. The Empire sought to attack the capital of the Catholic Church, the Vatican."
Celestine was shocked at this. These men were willing to desecrate holy artifacts to wreak their revenge? This Holy Roman Empire sounded very crazy, though Celestine knew they were not close to being as crazy as the Sex Empire. Alicia shuddered at the mention of another empire.
"The Catholic Church was ruled by a figurehead known as the Pope, who was the head of the whole Catholic Church, much like you were of your religion."
Celestine could see the similarities between herself and this "Pope". She couldn't help but feel the desecration of a city was all too familiar, as her city was close to suffering that very fate, had it not been for the timely arrival of the Duke and his men.
"The Holy Roman Empire stormed into the city, hell-bent on capturing the Pope. While the Pope's defenders, the Swiss guard, valiantly fought against the invaders, the last stand fell and the Pope was captured. Lady Naru accompanied Haru and the other English to a meeting with the Hapsburg Dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. Other representatives from the Portugese-Spanish Alliance and other nations arrived in the Holy Roman Empire to try and negotiate with them."
Celestine nodded, this story was getting more interesting. Alicia was interested to hear about the politics of their world.
"Though he was only fifteen years old, Haru was already acquainted with politics and diplomacy, and he played an important part in the negotiations. But it turns out, the whole thing was orchestrated as a trap. The Pope had been executed long before the arrival of the emissaries and the meeting was merely a ploy to gather the nobles of the different powers. Assassins would enter the bedchambers of the nobles and kill them in their sleep. Many nobles died to the unexpected assault by the assassins, except for the English, Scandinavian and the Portugese-Spanish Alliance nobles, who had foreseen the betrayal of the Holy Romans. And the whole attack was orchestrated by Leopold Hapsburg, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor."
Celestine was once again taken by surprise. The Holy Roman Empire was such scum to even backstab the other major powers like that. She was growing to hate this Empire a little more. Alicia saw the empire as dishonorable and despicable.
"Though Haru had also foreseen the assassination attempt and thwarted it; he made the fatal mistake of leaving his sister alone. He ran to her rescue, to only find that he was too late. His sister was not dead, but she was being raped by Leopold Hapsburg himself."
Celestine's eyes widened at the trauma that Haru suffered, seeing his dear sister being violated like that. She could only imagine the pain he felt when he saw his sister being molested and abused. Alicia was even more shocked. She couldn't imagine something like that happening to Prim. To the best of her ability, she had protected her dear cousin, whom she treated like a sister, from anything. She couldn't imagine the feeling of failure of protecting the one you love.
"Haru was enraged, together with his guards, he was able to stop Leopold. One eyewitness account stated that Leopold acted smug, as he was the heir to the Holy Roman Empire and he believed that the boy Haru would not even touch him. But he was dead wrong. Haru took sheer pleasure in beating the man with his bare hands. For the rest of the night, Haru prolonged the suffering of the man who dared touch his sister until he himself ran out of energy. By dawn, Haru had left with the rest of the nobles, escaping the clutches of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Emperor himself was treated with sight of his dead son, horribly beaten to death by Haru himself."
Celestine was a bit torn there. On one hand, it was disturbingly sadistic of Haru to take pleasure in the suffering of another, but on the other hand, the man did rape his sister, and that would justify his anger. Haru wasn't as black and white as she thought, he was becoming even more complex in her eyes. Alicia smirked instead, seeing justice in what Haru did.
"How did the Empire react?" Celestine asked.
"The Holy Roman Empire demanded Haru to be handed over, but by the time, the other powers didn't listen. They had already concluded that the Holy Roman Empire needed to be punished. The King of England punished Haru for his reckless act against the Holy Roman Empire by putting him on the front lines to fight the Empire."
Celestine's heart stopped there. A mere boy? Being put on the front lines? It seemed the world that Haru lived in was harsher than she thought. If he had really gone through all that, then who knows what he could be going through? Alicia began to respect Haru as a warrior and knight, perhaps she gave him too little credit.
"So what happened?"
"Of course, at the young age of fifteen, you would think that Haru would die immediately on the spot. But that was when his genius kicked in. Haru proved himself to be an amazing tactician. As a general, his quick mind had always carried the day. No matter how many men he faced, he had the wit to outmaneuver and defeat his opponents."
Celestine nodded in amazement, so this was when Haru's military career began to grow.
"Haru's rage against the Holy Roman Empire was unyielding. With every battle against them, his fierce determination was what his enemies feared. Due to his efforts, the English advance on the Holy Roman Empire grew quickly, with the other nations still a little far behind in piercing the Holy Roman defenses. A few years of war passed and it was not long before Duke Haru of Whirlingpool became a household name. His name causes enemy soldiers to abandon or even defect to his side."
Celestine was amazed that a mere mortal like Haru could earn himself such a name. A name that could strike so much fear belonged to that of demons or the Black Dogs. But even then, the Black Dogs were feared as a whole group. Haru was feared as a single man. Even Alicia couldn't dream of such fame, or infamy in this case.
"When he had finally won over the Holy Romans, he had marched into the capital, the place already giving him bitter memories of what had happened to his sister, He marched into the palace and ordered every member of the Hapsburg Dynasty to be executed on the spot."
Celestine did not expect that. And neither did Alicia. They both stared at Rias slack-jawed.
"Why would he do such an atrocious act? That makes him no better than his enemies!" Alicia declared indignantly.
"I never did tell you what happened to his sister after she was raped."
Celestine and Alice shared a glance, before turning back to Rias.
"So what happened to her?"
"She was pregnant with Leopold's child at the age of fourteen, as she decided to keep the child. One day she had gone into labor and gave birth to a healthy, baby boy."
Celestine sounded relieved to hear the child was safe, but Rias left out a crucial detail.
"What happened to Lady Naru?"
"She died giving birth."
Celestine and Alicia could clearly see what caused Haru's grief. Now that he had lost all his family, Haru had almost little reason to go on.
"The execution of the Hapsburgs was sensationalized, everyone knew about it and feared Haru. He was invited to numerous banquets and was generally a sociable person. People liked him for his comedic nature and his eloquent way of speaking. He became a very popular person among the nobility."
Celestine and Alicia nodded slowly, so Haru had quickly gotten over his grief. Good for him. Looks he wasn't one to dwell on the past. But then again, Rias never mentioned how she met him.
"Before he could return home to England, Haru would then be called to battle once again, this time, against the Mongol invasion and the Timurid Conquest. And the usual did happen, the Mongols and Timurids were beaten back, and Haru once again got most of the credit."
"So he stopped the invasion?" Alicia asked in awe.
"He insists that it was thanks to the collective efforts of the other nations, but I would admit that he did most of the heavy lifting."
"So how did you meet him?" Celestine asked. "You must have been a princess or some powerful woman to have been married to someone like him."
"Wrong." Rias smiled. "I was the daughter of a low noble family in German, another kingdom occupied by England."
Alicia and Celestine gasped at that. The Duke didn't even marry a powerful woman? Had he existed, thousands of women would throw themselves at his feet, if not to marry, then to carry the child of the man himself. It seemed strange for a man as social as Haru to not even exploit his fame a little.
"So Haru was well on his way to returning home. After nine tireless years of fighting on the frontlines, Haru had gotten a well-deserved rest from battle. Of course, he was excited to see Whirlingpool, his home that he had not seen for nearly ten years. But he would have to make stops frequently to spend the night."
So Haru was returning home after all the fighting he had experienced. He deserved it after all. Alicia would have to train with him more to pick up some good advice from him. Celestine had a better picture of why Haru was the man he was.
"Of course, being a famed general and hero, Haru was subject to many invitations to party. Numerous noblemen would invite the young man to their parties, throwing numerous upon numerous marriage proposals, offering their daughters to him. But Haru declined all of them."
Celestine wasn't expecting that move from Haru, as she couldn't help but wonder how a mere mortal like Haru could resist such pleasure. Then again, she wasn't very well acquainted with mortal affairs.
"Haru arrived in our humble manor in Frankfurt to spend the night before finally going home to England. My family was too scared to even entertain him, as we were already struggling and couldn't afford to accommodate anymore men. My family had sent me as his entertainment, hoping to use me as a scapegoat."
Alicia was a bit disgusted with the family antics. It seemed so wrong to use your very daughter for such a traitorous and possibly dangerous purpose.
"I entered his bedroom and merely talked with him. He was a pessimistic and cynical man, and I would not blame him for being so after seeing so much war. We both had incompatible views of the world. I believed in a better world, where I could make people happy. He believed that the world was cruel and that in the grand scheme of things, we were insignificant."
Rias was voluptuous in figure, though her dress did a good job of hiding it. She had fair skin, with rich lips. Her crimson hair was long and flowing, shining under the sun. From a beauty standpoint, Rias would have fit the bill as a princess. But Celestine returns to Rias' story.
"We've had a few clashes over our viewpoints, but much to our surprise, Haru had decided to stay another few days. He was curious on why I would hold such an idealistic position. I said that though we were just drops in the bucket, we can cause ripples and change the world just a little bit. He was taken aback by what I had just said, and that really caused him to reflect deeply. Soon he conceded and tried to follow my example, and see the world in a better light."
Celestine and Alicia leaned forward in anticipation to hear what Rias had to say next.
"But it was easier said than done. Haru talked to me privately about it and revealed his insecurities regarding his view of life. When he was young, he always hated people who wanted to change the world, because he believed that people didn't really know how big the world was and were merely egotistic and desperate to be remembered, and all his years of war only solidified his belief. But after he met me, he saw the sincerity in my words and saw no desperation in my words. Seeing someone so cheerful and determined about making the world a better place was the even that made him envy me for being so happy all the time. He wanted to try and see things my way before finally admitting that he could not do it. He said that he could not see the world in a happy light after it had been so cruel to him. As he told me all his insecurities, he broke down in tears and began to cry."
This story took quite the sharp turn for both Celestine and Alicia. It didn't seem like him to just cry out of nowhere. Haru seemed too mature and emotionally strong to just cry over trivial things.
"Haru was a man of high standing, but deep down, he was really unhappy. It was not like he refused to be positive about it, in fact, he was desperate to be positive. But he could never see anything in a positive light. He wanted to be happy but could not find it in him to be. I realized that I was privileged to have such an uncorrupted view of the world. Haru was not so lucky. I tried to help him the only way I knew. I embraced him and comforted him.
And he suddenly looks at me like I'm insane, wondering what I was even doing. I nearly regretted doing that until the next day, when he gave me his gratitude. I was relieved to see that he wasn't going to punish me. And on the contrary, he invited me to join him to England."
"So why was he sad in the first place?"
"Doctors had told me that Haru was suffering from melancholia from the trauma of what he had experienced. I never understood what melancholia was until one of Haru's personal guards described to me how Haru viewed the world."
Celestine was interested to hear how such a complex personality would view the world.
"Imagine being in a feast. Lively music playing, people dancing, jolly mood. Quite fun, right?"
Celestine and Alicia nodded.
"Now imagine an empty feasting hall, dead silent, no food, no people, and overarching mood of melancholy. Very depressing, right?"
Celestine and Alicia nodded again.
"Well, back then, that was how the Duke saw the world. Each feast for him was not a lively gathering, but an empty and trivial event for him. There was this voice in the back of his mind that taunted him, tortured him, blaming him for what had happened to his family. The trauma he had suffered had completely distorted his view of the world."
"Wait, if only Haru knew about his ailment, then how come you're telling us in great detail?"
"This is information that only I know. Haru had confided in me ever since we met and he's depended on me for emotional support. My infectious positivity and happy nature is what keeps him from feeling sad and lonely, not because of my beauty or my noble background."
Even Celestine couldn't see that depth into Haru's relationship. She simply thought he was like the other husbands, but this had changed her perspective of him. Haru was a man who could take control, command respect from his peers and lead people to success. But deep down, he was still a man. A man who had suffered a loss beyond comprehension, and had only bottled up his emotions until he reached his breaking point.
"After the marriage, Haru's mood and attitude improved. Guards said that it was the first time he genuinely smiled in years. His devotion towards me was no less short of loving. He became a genuinely humorous and social person, rather than the convincing facade, he was truly happy. He finally no longer walked the thin line between his sanity and the abyss below."
Rias then stared wistfully at the distance.
"And I shudder at what would have happened if he truly fell into the abyss."
Haru sat in silence in his throne room. The silence tortured him. It was the same silence that taunted him years ago. Though he may have recovered from the losses he had suffered, the memory would always be there. That unholy night will forever stick in his mind. His breathing became more frequent and panicked. He began to sweat profusely as his panicked state began to grow. But a slam of the door interrupts his moment of anxiety.
"Sire! I have come with a message from the Hospitaliers!" the messenger announced with a scroll.
"Well, what is the message?" Haru asked, quickly calming down.
"The Hospitaliers have successfully taken the first few villages outside of the city. And they have found one of the shield-princesses!"
"Is that so?" Haru asked, clearly surprised. "Where is she?"
"Hospitalier escorts will have her over shortly." the messenger said before bringing out another scroll. "I also bring information that the scouts have returned."
"I trust that the collaboration with the Beastpeople has been successful?"
Meanwhile…
The spy was clearly tired as he trekked through the forest. He seemed to be carrying something heavy as sweat poured down his brow. He then feels uncomfortable and shouts behind him.
"Quit fidgeting! You're making it hard for me to carry you!" he chided to a girl on his back.
The spy was actually carrying a rabbit girl on his back, it seemed that she was chosen to be his partner for the scouting missions. He thought that their advanced senses would be of much help, but now he was having second thoughts.
"B-But there might be spiders and creepy crawlies around!" the rabbit girl quivered.
"Isn't that why I'm carrying you?" the spy asked exasperatedly.
"B-But they might come from above!"
"If you don't stop squirming, I'll be tempted to leave you here alone!" the spy threatened.
"No! No!" the rabbit girl panicked as she then held tightly onto the spy. "Please! I'll stop fidgeting!"
The spy was being choked by the rabbit girl's panicked embrace.
"… How about… you stop hugging… me so… tightly…"
"Sorry!" The rabbit girl said while letting go abruptly, causing her to lose balance and fall over.
The spy sighed as he looked down on the poor timid girl.
"What am I supposed to do with you?"
Celestine suddenly got a headache as she massaged her forehead. Alicia and Rias clearly saw her distress and became concerned. Celestine tries to stand up but collapses nearby, causing Alicia to stand up from her chair.
"Goddess! Are you okay?" Alicia asked while rushing to Celestine's aid.
"I-I'm fine… I'm just having a vision…"
"A vision?" Rias asked.
"Celestine has the power of seeing into the future. But the gods seemed to have an urgent message if it's one of this magnitude."
"What is it?"
"I see… I see Maia, being escorted by the knights into the kingdom."
"Maia!? They found her!?" Alicia expressed in shock.
"Maia?"
"One of the shield-princesses. We never heard from her after her kingdom fell." Alicia said before turning to Celestine. "Is it true?"
"Yes, the visions never lie. But it seems her mind has been broken, and they are taking her to the castle infirmary for healing."
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go!" Alicia hurried as she tried to help up Celestine.
"No… There's something else…" Celestine said while closing her eyes and concentrating, before she reopened them, wearing a face of horror as she turned to Rias. "Lady Rias, we must get to the Duke at once."
"Why?" Rias asked, confused at all the commotion.
"Because your knights are in grave danger."
Rene ran through the dark forest, with the monsters hot on his trail. They were waiting for him, he should have known. He had to escape, but these monsters wouldn't let him. His helmet and body were stained with blood and there was a sound of heavy breathing from his helmet. The situation was getting dire and Rene was getting even more desperate. A stray ogre wanders onto his path and tries to whack him.
Rene blocks with his shield, but the ogre kicks his shield, sending Rene back. Rene quickly recovers and charges back in. He slices the ogre's stomach and kicks him to stun him. While the ogre was stunned, Rene threw his sword in the air and caught it by the blade, holding it through mordhau. He uses the crossguard of his blade to pull the ogre's head closer to him, before going ahead and bashed the ogre. The ogre falls dead, while Rene turns to see himself surrounded by smaller goblins, clumping up together as they ganged up on him.
One goblin lunges at Rene who stabs it midair, before raising his shield to block another attack by another monster, before bashing that monster away. He shakes off a goblin biting his leg and stomps down on it. He proceeds to elbow a monster sneaking up behind him and then uppercuts his sword to stab another wolf-like monster attempting to scratch him.
Rene took a moment to breathe while the monsters hesitated to attack. The smaller monsters couldn't hurt him with their claws and teeth, it was only the ogres he had to worry about. But he had to make sure that none of them could get his armor off or else it would be over.
Rene glances around to see that he was surrounded. Black Dogs and monsters everywhere. The mercs were hanging back to let the monsters do their job, and they seemed rather smug that Rene was running out of options, but spotted an abandoned mine in the distance.
"Maybe if I run in there, I'll be safe from them. There may be a risk of a dead end, but it's all I have."
Rene then looked through the crowd, seeing that he would have to fight too many monsters to break through.
"But how will I break through… Wait, I still have something that can help."
Rene then took out a blue glass bottle with a cloth stuffed over it. The mercenaries laughed at this and taunted.
"Looks like he wants a drink before he dies!"
"Eh, let him have it! It's useless anyway!"
Rene then recalled what this strange item was. He recalled the time an industrious, young priest wanted to ask a favor from him.
"Monsieur Rene!"
Rene turned around to see a young man with a tonsure run up to him. He had to entertain the main, because of course, he was a priest and he needed to give his respect to the men of God. And he took a particular liking to this young man.
"Yes, Mon Père? What is it this time?"
"I wish for you to try this new improved incendiarius I have made!" the young priest said while handing Rene a blue bottle stuffed with a cloth.
"How will this incendiarius work? It looks too simple to operate!"
"Just light it with your torch and throw it at the enemy! That liquid inside is the same liquid used for Greek fire, so do not let it break!"
Rene felt inclined not to use such a dangerous item, but he felt like it would save his life someday. He carefully places it in a secure area on his belt.
"I'll make sure to give you back the results Monsieur l ' Abb é ."
"I have a good feeling about this one, trust me and God on this."
Rene wasn't one to indulge in one's requests, but the young priest showed promise in creating something game-changing. Rene had always seen a promising future in the new field of science that has been becoming prominent. Each innovation was a step closer to being truly like God.
Rene takes off his torch and gets ready to light it. He turns once again to his desired path of escape. He lights the bottle and throws the improvised explosive at the crowd of monsters. As soon as the bottle broke, all Hell broke loose. The bottle exploded in to a huge blaze that immediately scorched any poor soul within its vicinity, leaving wails and cries of agony. All of Rene's opponents immediately took a step back in fear as Rene saw his chance to make a break for it. Rene immediately ran for the mine. The monsters and mercenaries made motion to pursue but one mercenary shouted.
"Wait! Don't bother! Look at the sign!"
Everyone looked at the sign saying, "Emmet & Murmek Mining Co." The mine was surrounded by mountains and mountains of gold right outside the mine entrance. Though it looked easy to grab, the mercenaries and monsters elected for some reason to not even stay close to the collection of gold.
"Hahaha! Looks like the lad's walkin' into a death trap!"
"Yeah! Let the murmeks eat him!" another one jeered.
The monsters and mercenaries quickly dispersed as they laughed at the misfortune of the knight as they then disappeared into the foliage.
Rene, on the other hand, simply crawled into a space and tucked himself. His body slowly bleeding as he decided to shrug off his wounds for good night's sleep.
Haru stroked his chin as he stared at the apparition conjured by Ruby, who was reading Celestine's vision. He was a little relieved to see Rene making it out alive, but he was still wary of his safety. He wanted to know what these "murmeks" were and what kind of creatures they were.
"What are these 'murmeks'?"
"We can't say for sure sire." Celestine replied. "Few people ever live to see those creatures and usually those people don't live long after that either. But a common tale was that these creatures resided inside the mine, digging out more gold than a whole company of miners, though they kill those who even step close to the mine."
Haru had to process this information, but Celestine looked distressed once again. She moaned in pain as the apparition began to change. Haru saw something else in the picture.
Grandmaster Oswald dismounted his horse and raised a hand to his men, signaling them to ready their weapons. He looks down on the ground and investigates the strange footprints on the ground. He sees multiple footprints in the mud as he knelt down to investigate.
While Oswald was investigating, a soldier nearly gets shot by an arrow, ducking just in time to save himself. Another soldier raises his shield as more arrows flew at them. Grandmaster Oswald retreated behind the lines as the Templars set up a shield wall, ready to face their unknown opponent.
A group of half-naked women wear running at them, holding a sword and dagger in hand. They had dark skin and pointy ears like other elves.
Celestine gasped as she saw the adversary. She pointed and screamed.
"Dark elf assassins!"
"What do they want?" Haru asked with much worry.
"They are very territorial and will chase out any outsiders, especially men. But this doesn't make sense, the Dark Elves live too far north to be wandering in this territory. Unless…" Celestine trailed off before her face paled. "Haru, where did you send Oswald?"
"To the Northwestern region of course. We were investigating the lack of Kuro Inu presence in the center of the continent. Why?"
"Because if Grandmaster Oswald doesn't leave now, there will be something even worse that will awaken!"
Haru' eyes widened as he turned back to the apparition, desperate to know what would happen next.
Grandmaster Oswald and his men steeled themselves as they stood their ground against the Dark Elf assault. But before the assault could even reach them, a giant figure bursts through the trees. A giant scaly beast emerges and charges down the Dark Elves. Grandmaster Oswald watched as the giant lizard-like creature ate and trampled all the other elves. Oswald made a silent hand motion to his men to return to their horses as they scrambled away. The lizard creature takes notice and roars, before charging at them.
Grandmaster Oswald and his men could only run deeper into territory because of the giant lizard chasing them. It seemed that they would have to outrun that beast before trying to get home. Oswald turns back to see the beast, but he also sees something riding on it. It was a smaller lizard, holding a frightfully ornate club with spikes.
Haru and everyone else in the room where at a loss for words. They had never seen a frightening creature like what they had witnessed. A giant, scaly creature that could trample and swallow men with ease was more like a hellbeast than anything else! Not even the mercenary elephant riders could beat such a thing. And that thing that was riding it, looked like a part-man, part lizard type of creature.
"What were those things?" Haru asked in horror.
"Anthrosaurs. A legendary race faded into legend." Celestine replied curtly. "Olga the Queen of the Dark Elves sealed them away after they tried to stop her from summoning the Legion."
"Wait, Olga didn't create the Legion?" Haru asked.
"Of course not, if Olga had actually created them, then they would have been completely subservient to her, but their defection to the Black Dogs says otherwise. Instead, the Legion has existed long before the human kingdoms. And the Anthrosaurs were the first to fight them."
"Why did Olga seal the Anthrosaurs away?"
"Because they were trying to stop her from reawakening their long lost enemy. Olga responded by sealing their whole kingdom in an inescapable barrier. Legend has it that only men of true faith could break it open."
"So that means…"
"Your men have reawakened the Anthrosaurs, and they are eager for revenge."
"But wait, on human matters, where do they stand?" Haru asked.
"If you choose to somehow side with the Kuro Inu, or even worse, Olga herself, they will consider you as a threat. But for now, they will ignore you in favor of revenge against the Dark Elves."
Haru looked frightfully at the apparition once again. The Dark Elves, Anthrosaurs and the Black Dogs were having a big free-for-all. The Dark Elves possessed hellish creatures at their disposal, hellhounds, hell-horses, hydras and wyverns. The Anthrosaurs commanded different lizard beasts of different sizes. Some had horns, sharp teeth, spikes or even all of the above. Though the Black Dogs looked like they had the numbers advantage. The battle was bloody and Haru lauded the fact that one day, he would have to bring his men into that bloodbath. For now, it seemed that Oswald was safe, and was going to be a mere spectator to a large battle.
But Celestine had another headache as she closed her eyes tight to concentrate. Haru then turns to the apparition to see what else Celestine could see.
Weiss had his longsword drawn and circled a lady wielding a strange looking spear. She appeared to be mostly wearing leather with a gray knee-length coat on top. Her outfit possessed two small strange shoulder pads. She wore a mouthless white mask and a strange hat.
"You trespass the field of Blooming Petals foreigner. I, the Wild Warrior, demand that you turn and leave at once."
"I will not turn around. For I am searching for the Far East. If you shall allow me passage, I promise to not sully your lands."
"Only the worthy may pass into these lands. And the only way to prove your worth, is by combat!"
"Then let us begin." Weiss said calmly as he lunged.
Rene woke up, feeling different. He felt as if his armor had been taken off, making him feel a bit naked. As if the surface of his sleeping area had suddenly changed. He felt something smooth and warm below his head, and something spongy below his body. He opened his eyes to see that he was suddenly sleeping on a silk-like bed. He then takes a brief moment to look around, to see giant insects all around the room. They looked like ants, but Rene only knew those tiny insects he used to play with, not these gargantuan, lion-sized ants. He was wondering why these ugly creatures weren't attacking him yet. But then he notices the cushion below his head wasn't a cushion at all.
He slowly looks up from his curled up position, to see realize that he was sleeping on the lap of a strange, purpled haired lady wearing a strange hat that had antennae. She had a fair bust size from Rene's point of view, together with beautiful emerald eyes.
"Oh I see you're awake!" the woman said with delight.