CHAPTER 3.5: AN ATTEMPT FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION

***The border crossing of Chersea and Cherflammen***

The news of the attempt of Kuro’s conspirators to cross into Cherflammen, as well as the Human Saint’s efforts to apprehend them, reached the ears of every monarch in Chersea. As a result, the rulers supporting Lady Rubinforth sent armies to bolster her paladin guards pursuing the conspirators’ forces. On the other side, the Count of Hermon and the other nobles in cahoots with him fortified the small hill near the border crossing, much to the consternation of the demon border guards nearby.

“Milord,” one of the Count of Hermon’s servants came to him as he supervised the building of their temporary defenses, “we were approached by one member of Her Holiness’ paladin guards under the flag of truce. According to the paladin, Her Holiness the Human Saint wishes to meet you and the others regarding our continued resistance.”

The Count pondered for his options for a bit, and then turned to his servant, “Please tell Her Holiness, ‘I’m willing to meet you at the foot of this hill. But I will come alone…’.”

At once, the man set off to bring his liege’s words back to the waiting paladin. Soon, there was a commotion at the entrance to their makeshift fort, as the Human Saint showed up along with her Head Maid and the paladin envoy earlier. They were all wearing the armor and weaponry set of the Paladin Corps.

“Greetings, Your Holiness!” the Count welcomed them. “It’s been a while since we met each other bearing arms…”

“It sure is, Lord Hermon,” Lady Madelaine Ann Rubinforth smiled. “And I’m hoping that we never get to use it today.”

“Well, it depends on what we we’re talking about this time.”

“Yes,” the Human Saint turned to her Head Maid, who gave her a scroll of paper. “I implore you to lay down your arms for the peace of this land, and for the lives of your men, Lord Hermon.”

“And what do we get if we did just that?”

“I ensure you will have a fair trial for your sins, you and the other nobles involved in the conspiracy and subsequent disappearance of the Lord Kuro of Arles.”

“Heh…” the Count had a smirk on his lips. Then, he laughed, which grew so loud and annoying that the paladin with Lady Madelaine nearly drew her sword and kill the noble. However, the Head Maid was quick to stop her…

“Is anything funny, Your Lordship?” Maddie asked.

“Is anything funny about your terms, Your Holiness?” the Count never hid his contempt to the young Saint, “Of course it is! Why would I even laugh if it isn’t? I’m no fool, Your Holiness! Those terms of yours are unfavorable to us, just like how you showed favors to that despicable commoner!”

“Despicable?” the Human Saint couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Her hands unconsciously went to her sword, “Are you talking about the Lord Kuro? Tell me how he is despicable!”

“Did I hit a nerve, Your Holiness?” he was sarcastic. “All that commoner did is to ride with the bravery and skill of us nobles in that Imperial War, and he gets all the credit and praise for it! Such injustice!”

“Y-You…” Lady Madelaine’s face was red, and her clenched fists were shivering, “I can tolerate your words if I’m the one you insulted. But to say that to our hero…this is…”

“Maddie, calm down,” her Head Maid was quick to whisper to her.

“We won’t surrender, Your Holiness. Not until you recognize our contributions to that battle and let us off,” the Count of Hermon proudly declared. “You’re only wasting our time.”

“Your contributions?” the Head Maid exclaimed. “Isn’t it we already rewarded your efforts before? And if I can clearly remember, most of you didn’t move until your lands are under threat! You’re asking for too much!”

“Too much, Your Highness? That bastard gets all the credit, the praise and the support, while we—the nobles—are the ones who actually fought his battles! I repeat, that man should know his place! He’s a commoner, and his filthy blood is a stain to Chersea’s long, proud line of nobility!”

The succession of insults felt too much, even for the normally-calm Princess Lilyhaven (the Head Maid). Her hands were already reaching for the hilt of her sword, but she looked at her liege first to check on her…

“Filthy…blood…eh?” Lady Madelaine said in-between her breaths, “If you’re looking forward to your deaths, then so be it!”