Lady Castellia

“Krista!? What the hell are you doing here!?”

Inwardly, a pang of pain shot through Medrauta’s heart as she automatically realized how similar the knight’s name was to another’s who had only just recently passed. Quickly, she shook the feeling off.

“Take another step and I’ll put an arrow through your head, just like I did to that other noble. You might be tempted to think I’ll miss in the dark. I won’t.” Krista declared flatly as she watched the sole standing noble attempt to retreat into the foliage behind. Only after confirming the noble and formerly hostile knights were pacified did she turn her attention to Medrauta.

“You’re getting sloppy, Medrauta. You used to never turn your back to your enemies.” Krista remarked as she stepped toward the silver-haired knight.

“Yeah, well... I guess I let my worries get the better of me.”

Krista nodded. “It happens sometimes. Just don’t let it happen too much,” she grinned. “So... What are these assholes doing here?”

“Ah...” Medrauta paused, her eyes switching between Krista and Trianna. She sighed before letting the point of her sword fully drop to the ground, launching into a brief explanation of the situation for Krista’s benefit.

“...I see. Well, that’s certainly a dilemma.” Krista frowned, turning a sharp gaze to their surrendered foes. “I’d advise executing them on the spot. There’s no need for us to spare traitors.”

“But—!”

“Medrauta.” Krista’s voice rang with authority. Although she knew that the silver-haired knight was by far the better duelist between them, she was still Medrauta’s senior. “They were not coerced into entering this pact. They knew full well what the consequences would be and yet they still chose to take the plunge.”

“I...” Medrauta dropped her gaze, gritting her teeth. It was obvious that she was torn between heeding her senior’s advice and sparing the knights who she knew would not only be useful to the country in the very near future, but who were also once her classmates.

Classmates who had once strived to become great knights just as she herself did. Classmates who had dedicated their body and soul to martial excellence, swearing their loyalty to their nobles and the crown. Classmates who had passed each day with worry-free smiles on their faces.

...Krista is right. They’re willful traitors and even forged pacts with Amelia after what she did to our peaceful lives... But even so... Medrauta’s hands clenched tightly into fists. She didn’t understand why she was feeling like this at all. Mere moments ago, she had slain Duncan with ease despite having been classmates with him. Killing Trianna, the other knight, and the remaining noble should’ve been easy.

No. With Duncan, I was executing an unrepentant traitor who could no longer be saved. But Trianna and the others... They’ve only recently sworn their pact, and just a second ago, Trianna was planning on renouncing it too... Medrauta looked up at Krista intending to protest. The older knight met her eyes with an unwavering gaze, an eyebrow raised as she saw the reluctance in Medrauta’s eyes.

“...No need to worry. I’ll do it for you if you can’t,” Krista said, nocking an arrow to her bow.

Medrauta’s eyes immediately fell to the ground again, stepping back and leaving Krista to her work. What else can I do...? Attack Krista? She’s... in the right.

“...Who the hell do you think you are?” Viviane spoke in a low tone, but her voice carried easily nonetheless.

She’d stayed silent as she observed the knights conversing. Since Krista had arrived with the intent to aid them and her tone with Medrauta had been friendly at first, she assumed that the two knights would work things out between them.

Unfortunately, the longer their conversation dragged on, the clearer it became to Viviane that the older knight was just abusing her seniority to back Medrauta into a corner where she would have no choice but to execute the surrendered knights with her own hands or watch helplessly as Krista did it for her.

It was only once Medrauta had seemingly given up that she found it necessary to insert herself into the conversation. She refused to allow this event to burden her knight, especially when it was because of her selfish urgency that they even encountered Trianna and the other witch-sworn.

Krista turned, staring at Viviane in surprise. “Have you forgotten me so quickly? My apologies, Lady Viviane. I am Krista Almisa, a second-year knight. We met briefly in the training hall when Lady Sakura challenged me to a duel.”

Viviane frowned as she sifted through her memories for a moment before finally recalling Krista. She’d witnessed the knight’s impressive archery during the duel, but she hadn’t actually conversed with Krista at all.

“Ah, right... It was you who answered Lady Sakura’s challenge back then. I did not think that you were such a mean-spirited person when I first encountered you.”

“Mean-spirited?” Krista asked, genuinely shocked. “What makes you say that, Lady Viviane!?”

“Hmph! I would appreciate that you not lord your seniority over my knight!”

Krista blinked, her mouth hanging agape as she attempted to process what she’d just heard. She had been expecting explanations as to why the traitors should be spared, arguments that supported Medrauta’s earlier words, or even pleas to refrain from executing the traitors.

The last thing Krista expected was for the blonde noblewoman to vehemently chastise her over how she had treated Medrauta. She forced an awkward laugh in an attempt to recover, fully knowing that she’d lost whatever momentum she had at the beginning of their discussion.

“I apologize, Lady Viviane. I shall be more gentle with my words going forward.”

“That would be preferable, Dame Krista. Now then, since you are here, I would like to question you as to why you are heading to the Revelo duchy. As far as I am aware, the territory that House Almisa governs resides in the south. Should you not be helping Lady Scarlet instead of gallivanting around in the woods at night?”

Again, Krista’s mouth hung agape. Her last memory of Viviane hadn’t been flattering at all. She recalled the noblewoman being meek, insecure, and ultimately ineffective as a ducal heiress. However, the Viviane standing before her and addressing her right now was the complete opposite.

Had this discussion taken place in the academy, Krista would’ve had the advantage. Not only had she been made aware of the fact that the Round Table seemed to be biased against Viviane, but as a knight who ranked within the top one-hundred, she possessed full rights to ignore such a line of questioning from a noble who had barely produced any results.

Unfortunately for Krista, they were not at the academy, and with Duke Castellia leading the war effort in the north, Viviane was technically the acting duchess of Castellia fief while her father was away. Not only that, but this forest was still well within the borders of the capital, meaning that she had every right to exercise her ducal authority within the territory that was referred to as the “arena of nobles.”

“...I understand that my sudden appearance may look suspicious, however, I would like to offer an explanation if you would permit it, Lady Castellia.” Krista dipped her head slightly, understanding that Viviane was more than aware of the power she wielded right now.

“Speak.”

While Medrauta had remained silent as she watched over the surrendered knights while Viviane and Krista spoke, she couldn’t help but secretly wish that she was the one on the other end of Viviane’s tongue-lashing. She would never openly admit it, but she loved the strong side of her lady.

“...My lord is Albert Dietrich, Lady Viviane. He has ridden ahead of me upon receiving notice of unrest in Revelo duchy and his family’s territory of Dietrich fief. Though I wish I was on the front lines in Avimorne duchy earning fame and glory for House Almisa, I must first ensure my foolish lord’s safety.” Krista explained.

Viviane nodded, sensing no guile from the knight. There was no reason for Krista to lie in any case seeing as she had so easily killed one of the traitorous nobles without remorse. “Very well. We are en route to the Revelo duchy for similar reasons. Perhaps you can assist our cause.”

Krista frowned, not sure where this was going. “...In what way?”

“Medrauta wishes to spare these criminals whereas you wish to punish them. I see no reason why we cannot come to a compromise and satisfy both conditions.”

“...Lady Viviane, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. The only valid punishment for them is death.”

Viviane shook her head. “You misunderstand me, Dame Krista. My knight says their pacts are freshly sworn and can be removed by the grace of Aluvsha. I choose to believe my knight. You will escort them back to Vargos and have those pacts cleansed before the cathedral altar and then ride to Revelo duchy with them in tow. I have no doubt that we will be forced to do battle there. If they survive all these ordeals, then have they not earned Aluvsha’s mercy?”

Krista nodded in understanding and approval. Even the emperor would not overlook a significant contribution like the retaking of a duchy if they right their wrongs. “Understood, Lady Viviane. However... What if their pacts cannot be cleansed even before the altar?”

At that, Viviane couldn’t help but hesitate. She had learned to put on a strong, commanding front befitting the daughter of Duke Castellia, but even so, she faltered when it came to making truly difficult choices.

Viviane’s lower lip trembled slightly as she prepared to deliver her response. Though she tried her best to hide it, she was sure that Krista’s keen eyes caught her moment of indecision. “...If that is the case, then please execute them cleanly and swiftly, Dame Krista.”

“...By your will, Lady Castellia.” Krista bowed, addressing Viviane by her official, though provisional, title.

She turned to Trianna, the remaining knight, and the quivering noble. A quick glance allowed her to spot the unconscious noble who had collapsed earlier at the sight of Duncan’s beheaded corpse before she arrived. Medrauta had taken the liberty of dragging them over to the group.

“...Tch. So there’s a fourth, huh?”

Medrauta cleared her throat awkwardly. “Yeah.”

Krista merely heaved a sigh. “I hope Aluvsha’s feeling mighty merciful today...” She remarked as she scooped up the unconscious noble easily and hefted them on her shoulder. “I shall see you and Lady Viviane in four days. Oh, and if you see Albert around, feel free to give him a good ass-whooping.”

Medrauta nodded and grinned, relieved and impressed at how Viviane managed to settle the dispute. “Will do.”

With a quick gesture of finality, Krista signaled for the three surrendered witch-sworn to follow her. With several quick strides, she and her group of impromptu prisoners disappeared into the darkness, heading back down the road whence they came. Disarmed and exhausted, they wouldn’t be a match for Krista even if they tried to ambush her now.

Viviane heaved a loud sigh of relief once Krista was out of earshot, turning to Medrauta with an exhausted expression. “...I don’t know how father does it all the time in front of everyone. Acting like that is exhausting...”

“Well... I thought it was somewhat attractive,” Medrauta remarked, her rosy cheeks easily visible in the dark. “Only somewhat.”

“‘Only somewhat’, huh?” Viviane replied, her expression downcast. “I suppose acting so assertive is unladylike...”

“N-No! Not at all! It’s very ladylike a-and very attractive!”

“Oh? So it’s very attractive, is it?” Viviane asked, suddenly striding up to Medrauta rapidly. Her arm moved in a flash, reaching out and securing Medrauta’s chin with her hand. Although she was a good head and a half shorter than her knight, she was still somehow managing to make it the gesture work as she tilted Medrauta’s head down toward herself.

“W-What are you d-doing!?” Medrauta floundered, completely caught off-guard by Viviane’s sudden aggressiveness. She certainly wasn’t used to being forced on the defense like this!

Viviane merely smirked, leaning closer. Her heart thumped rapidly in her chest, threatening to burst out at any second. While she was pressing the attack right now, it wasn’t something that she was experienced with and though a part of Viviane’s mind was pleading with her to back off, she soldiered on.

“Why don’t you tell me how attractive it is to you, Medrauta?” Although Viviane had attempted to lower the pitch of her voice to emulate a seductive tone, even she was surprised at how deep her usually high-pitched voice became.

Medrauta stiffened dramatically, not expecting such a husky and sultry whisper from Viviane. Had there not been a tree just behind her, she would’ve fallen flat on the ground. “I... Wh... V-Vivi...!”

For the first time in her life, Medrauta’s eyes spun rapidly. Her brain refused to function properly, and Viviane could see that this was the perfect time to deal her finishing blow. She leaned in, preparing to pry open her knight’s lips with an enticing bite before diving in...

“Um... Lady Viviane? Dame Medrauta?”

...Only to be interrupted by the coachman that everyone had forgotten about. The man stepped out of the carriage now, causing Viviane to back off immediately and cover her face as she squealed in embarrassment.

“A-Ahem! Yes! That’s me! Medrauta! What is it that you need from me?”

“A-Ah! Sorry, Dame Medrauta. I can’t quite see very well in the dark, but shall we continue on our journey now that we’re safe?”

“Y-Yes! Of course! Shall we go, Viviane?” Medrauta said, offering her hand to Viviane despite the fact that she was still reeling from what her lady had done earlier.

“O-Okay...!” Viviane took her knight’s hand, averting her gaze. She didn’t trust herself to meet her beloved knight’s eyes, fearing that she might faint from embarrassment if she so much as looked at Medrauta’s face.

However, as the two of them made their way back to the carriage, Viviane couldn’t help feeling a pang of disappointment in her heart.

...I should really learn to do these things only when we’re alone, huh?