Interlude Chapter: Prelude to Chaos (3)

While Sylphie is walking together with Ekirschteria, a group of middle-aged male dwarves approach them.

With their help, they quickly find the two white horses while also trying to deal with the aftermath of the battle.

After Sylphie and Ekirschteria finish helping the survivors, they got called by the king of Bajuelle City.

So dwarves end up healing Sylphie's white horse familiars which managed to survive from the battle while both of them went for the Bajiuelle Castle at the centre of the city.

Within the castle, most of the walls are brown-coloured.

Sylphie and Ekirschteria kneel on a red carpet in front of a old male dwarf with crown on his head. The old dwarf was sitting on a throne implying that he is the Monarch.

There is also another chair besides him, but it was unoccupied.

There are other dwarves standing around the same room. One of the dwarf starts talking with a loud voice.

"Commence the audience with the Monarch of Bajiuelle, Picus Bajiuelle Maegalaus."

Right after one of the standing dwarves said that, the old dwarf sitting on the throne starts talking as well.

"You may stand."

Sylphie and Ekirschteria stand up and look at Picus.

The audience begins with them discussing about the three stolen relics. The stolen relics were meant to be handed over to Sylphie and Ekirschteria so that both of them can bring it back to the Brahmastra Continent.

Relics are mysterious ancient devices that were excavated in Brahmastra Continent. It's impossible to turn the relics back to its original form, so the dwarf technology manage to revive its function by applying current magic knowledge to the relics.

By the help of dwarf's technology, Brahmastra have been able to repair many relics. Brahmastra Kingdom compensates the dwarves' help with steady supply of food, drink, various blacksmithing materials, and platinum coins.

Upon getting the relics back into the Kingdom, each relic will be assigned to the Royal Knight family.

The example would be the 'BLASTER' sword that Ekirschteria is currently holding and the 'EMERGENCY TELEPORTATION GATE' which was kept at the underground of Graize mansion.

"We were trying to go through the gate on the ground but the barrier around the city suddenly disappear..."

Sylphie says that to explain her activities before fighting the three intruders.

"I see... the intruders probably did that so that their comrades can escape."

The Dwarf Monarch says that while looking at Sylphie.

Meanwhile, Ekirschteria takes out paper and quill pen from the armor's gap and starts writing.

Other dwarves besides the King starts looking at Ekirschteria's odd behaviour.

(What the hell is that knight writing in the middle of important audience...)

(Did that knight always keep those paper and pen inside his armor all the time??)

(Wow... that knight writes so fast...)

Lots of the high officer dwarves think a lot about Ekirschteria's action but hesitant to speak up about it.

Sylphie then notices that Ekirschteria ia handing over a paper to her.

"Excuse me..."

Sylphie says that to the Monarch before taking the paper from the the purple knight. Then she quietly reads it.

"... ! Wait, this is a bit..."

Sylphie looks unconformtable while looking at the purple knight but Ekirschteria remains silent.

Picus, the Dwarf Monarch, starts talking again after noticing Sylphie's behaviour.

"Is it related to the relic matter?"

"Y- yes. But..."

Sylphie quickly looks at the Monarch back to reply.

"I would like to hear the opinion of a Brahmastra Royal Knight myself. Don't hesitate to state your opinions."

Upon hearing that, Sylphie starts speaking about what the purple knight wrote despite still being reluctant.

"Judging by how the timing of the city barrier's disappearance and the demons' attack, I suspect that there is tra... traitors among your ranks..."

Sylphie's tone softens before she finishes speaking but it is clear enough for everybody around her to hear.

An dwarf official starts shouting at Sylphie.

"How rude! You two are in front of- !"

"QUIET."

A voice with deep tone can be heard from Monarch himself. The official immediately shuts his mouth after hearing it.

The Monarch then starts talking to Sylphie.

"I suspected the same thing as well. In fact, my wife is currently leading a team to investigate those matters. If there really is traitor among our ranks, we will deal with it by ourselves."

"... understood."

Sylphie replies to the Dwarf Monarch's statement despite Ekirschteria making the statement. It's just the usual routine for Sylphie.

"Now that the demons have their hands on the relics, what will the two of you do from now on?"

Upon hearing the question, Sylphie looks up straight at the monarch before speaking with serious tone.

"We will take the relics back from them."

.....

....

...

Few minutes after the audience, Sylphie and Ekirschteria goes to the stable to see both of their white horses are still sleeping after being treated by the dwarves' healing magic.

The Monarch knows that and already prepares transportation for both of them to take back their belongings at Orna Village as well as explaining the Orna Village's Guild Master about Ekirschteria's Crest Force usage.

However, Sylphie decides to stop by the church in the city before going back to the village.

(Goddess Astraea, please bless and watch over us.)

Upon praying, Sylphie starts remembering the gruesome battle she previously had. She feels helpless remembering how many people were killed at warehouse area.

The magic circle within the church activates. A blue-coloured aura comes out from Sylphie's body and disappears.

This is the function of praying in Astraea religion. The church's magic circle will remove negative emotions from the prayers.

After finished praying, Sylphie and Ekirschteria departs.

.....

....

...

At a certain harbour in Brahmastra Kingdom, a giant ship can be seen floating on water.

On the same port, a blonde bearded man wearing gold knight armor can be seen walking at the port together with his attendant, a middle-aged man wearing brown military clothes.

The knight is none other than Graize Els Victorious and his attendant is Elbehnna Orarorio.

Victorious then notices his son, Graize Els Millson, standing near the entrance bridge.

"Have a safe trip, father."

Millson slightly bows towards his walking father.

"I'll leave things here to you."

The father says that without stop walking. He quickly walks past Millson and enters the ship.

Unlike Victorious, Orarorio stays back and talks to Millson.

"Don't push yourself too hard okay? Feel free to contact my family if you need any help."

"Mr. Elbehnna... Thank you."

Upon hearing that, Orarorio whispers to Millson.

"It has not been made public yet. But the Queen approved our plan of searching for Graize family members in Elverwad Continent after we finish our mission."

"!?"

Millson looks surprised hearing that. But Millson continues whispering.

"So rest assured and leave the search to us. I'm sure that Shion and others are still fine out there."

Orarorio pats Millson's left shoulder with his right hand while saying.

"... YES!"

Millson replies with greater enthusiasm.

Orarorio then enters the giant ship.

Inside the giant ship's deck, Orarorio sees Victorious sitting at the centre chair among human crews wearing military uniforms.

Many of the crews are sitting near long iron tables while talking to floating white magic circles in front of them.

"Aegandr is about to take off! All crews must go to your respective station! I repeat!"

While the other ship crews are busy talking through the light-based communication magic, Orarorio sits on the chair besides Victorious center chair.

"Sorry for the wait."

Orarorio says that to Victorious but he didn't get any reply.

And then, one of ship crews comes to Victorious and hands over a telestone.

"There is a call from madam Eigre Newstein."

Victorious quietly takes the telestone and places it near his right ear.

"Alright, is this Graize Els Victorious speaking?"

A woman's voice can be heard from the Tele-stone. It's the voice of Eigre Newstein, another Brahmastra's Royal Knight which is famous for her human supremacy belief.

"Yeah."

Victorious replies to her statement with just that.

"Don't worry, I'm just checking on you since you're chosen as Mriento's anchor. This is your chance to rebuild your reputation as a Royal Knight. So make sure to not mess this one up."

"I act as the Kingdom's Sword only for the sake of Brahmastra Kingdom."

"... heh."

With Eigre's short laugh, she closes the communication.

Victorious gives the telestone back to the crew who gave it to him.

Right after that, other ship crew talks to Victorious.

"Sir! The ship is ready to take off!"

"!"

Upon hearing that, Orarorio looks at Victorious waiting for his response.

Victorious gives a small nod to Orarorio.

Orarorio immediately states his order while the rest of the crews is ready to hear his order.

"Start the Twin Drive magic! Condition 'Yellow'! Destination, Liasr Town at Elverwad Continent!"

Condition Yellow is a signal statement for all the ship crews to standby preparing for battle at any time.

Right after Orarorio said that, one of ship crews talks to the white magic circle again.

"Condition Yellow announced! Condition Yellow announced! Pegasus and Archery Squad are to standby in their respective positions until further orders!"

About few seconds after the ship crew says that, Victorious gives his short order.

"Aegandr. Launching."

Right after he says that, two big green magic circles appears on the two propulsion devices at the lower back part of the ship.

It causes the ship to move forward while also increasing it's altitude. As a result, the giant ship flies towards the sky from the sea surface.

Millson looks at the flying ship hoping that things will go well for his father, Shion and the maids.

.....

....

...

In a certain forest, a wyvern emerges from the sky after Nelsia takes out the Invinsible magic talisman from its back.

A blue-haired male human named Firth is the only one waiting for the wyvern.

"Welcome back. I'm glad that all of you made it back safely."

After Firth says that with a smile, three people comes down from the wyvern's back. Nelsia, the one-eyed goblin and Bion the masked woman also bring their respective relics. The three of them no longer have pink-coloured eyes like before.

A white eagle then flies from the back of the wyvern to one-eyed goblin's shoulder.

"Is there any new movement on the other side?"

The one-eyed goblin says that while putting down the iron jetpack relic to the ground.

"Unfortunately and fortunately, yes."

Firth says that while talking out a white envelope with red seal. The red seal has a symbol of a cross.

Nelsia notices the seal and starts talking while still holding her chainsaw relic with her right hand.

"That seal... is from the church."

"I heard that this envelope is meant to be delivered to Ekirschteria Pentagon at Bajiuelle City. The content of this message is mostly about telling the activation of Mriento."

"!?"

"!?"

The one-eyed goblin and Nelsia are surprised by Firth's statement while the masked woman doesn't seem to care. Regardless, Firth keeps talking.

"Their target this time is Liasr Town."

The one-eyed goblin grins upon hearing that.

"They finally take the bait huh..."

"The operation will begin in three days."

The one-eyed goblin's grin turns into shock upon hearing Firth's next statement.

"T- three days!?"

"I hate to say this knowing that you guys must be tired. But can you help preparing for the next operation?"

"You don't need to ask. I would take any chance to get rid of that thing."

The one-eyed goblin picks up his relic again before continue talking again.

"Where is that 'hero' guy? We definitely need his power for the next operation."

"He's still in the middle of strengthening himself. But don't worry, he will definitely get back before the operation begins."

Firth replies while still calmly smiling.

"... He better be. Let's go, we don't have much time left."

Upon hearing the one-eyed goblin's statement, Nelsia and Bion starts following him while also carrying their own stolen relics.

"Ah, Nelsia, please stay here. I still need to talk to you."

"?"

Nelsia ends up staying while the one-eyed goblin and Bion leave.

Firth puts the envelope back to his pocket before starts talking.

"The Mriento's anchor this time... would be none other than Graize Els Victorious."

"!"

Nelsia looks surprised hearing that. But Firth continues talking regardless.

"The chance of you ending up fighting him would be quite high. Are you... ready to fight him? Your former master?"

Nelsia stays silent for few seconds before replying.

"I guess it makes sense that you are still doubting me huh..."

"But of course, you have been living in that mansion using fake memories that I planted inside your mind all these years after all. If you still have lingering feelings from those days, I suggest you to not participate this time-"

"I AM A VILLAIN."

Firth stops talking after hearing Nelsia's reply with deep tone.

"With these hands, I already killed innocent people in order to take down Brahmastra Kingdom. And now you're asking me to back down from killing people who truly needs to be killed...?"

Nelsia tightens her grip on her chainsaw relic before continue talking.

"There's no going back... I don't even have any intention to go back. From the day I joined Villain's Rebellion, my goal has always been the same. TO KILL FRAGEST."

Just for a moment, Nelsia's eyes start showing a faint pink light for a second.

Firth looks at Nelsia's determination and starts smiling again.

.....

....

...

In a certain underground cave on Elverwad Continent, a skeleton body wearing red priest robe falls with its front face planted to tje ground.

Despite having skeleton face, it can still talk as if it is dying.

"No way... this very me... is defeated by-"

*stab!*

A broad sword stabs the back of the skeletal head, turning it into a lifeless skeleton body.

The person who stabbed the skeleton is a blue-haired teenage guy wearing metal headband, Midora Jaeger.

*beep!*

Midora notices that the sound comes from his status window. His status window suddenly opens up revealing that Midora had just levelled up to level 100.

Midora press a button on the air revealing up his many game-like skills. As he scrolls down, he finds out a certain skill that has requirement of reaching level 100 to be unlocked.

That skill's name is: "Synthesis Element: Cheat Breaker".

(All that's left is to use combine this with alchemy skills...)

He thinks that as he closes his status window by pressing another button on the air.

Then he remembers Shion's face which is full of horror after Midora killed many maids in front of her.

Just remembering that scene alone makes Midora's face grins out of extreme amusement.

"I'm looking forward to the day we meet again... Shion..."

He says that despite knowing that there is no one else near him.