Welcome Back

“...What a sight for sore eyes.”

Medrauta breathed a sigh of relief as she laid her eyes on the intact structure of Avalyne Academy. Although it had only been a few months since she’d last seen the institution, it felt like she’d been absent for an eternity. A quick glance to the side told her that Viviane was likely feeling the same.

“Right?” Viviane grinned. Despite the upturned streets and ruined buildings that dominated most of the capital’s cityscape, Avalyne Academy alone stood tall and proud, undaunted by the witchspawn that poured out from the Spire.

Most of the destruction had been contained within the northern and eastern districts of the capital, a fact that Viviane and Medrauta quickly discovered as they followed Rosaline and Leticia to the so-called “outpost” which had turned out to be none other than Avalyne Academy.

Though the tremors caused by the ascent of the Spire had resulted in a few problems to the already damaged buildings, the majority of the academy had been unaffected thanks to the deep magic that enchanted its grounds and the solid foundation that it was built upon. As Viviane and Medrauta walked through the academy grounds, they noticed several scaffolds and groups of citizens milling about, indicating that repair efforts were already underway.

As it turns out, the witchspawn presence in the capital was primarily constrained around the Spire to stop powerful senior knights like Eirlys from sortieing out during the night and ending Amelia’s reign of terror. However, this too was a product of Eirlys’ hard work, as well as the knights who were working under her command.

Originally, the witchspawn had run rampant in the capital as they did in the territories of the other duchies, but through careful tactical maneuvers and hard-hitting guerilla strikes, Eirlys and those brave enough to heed her call had managed to push the witchspawn back until they were forced to patrol only around the Spire’s base. Of course, they attacked somewhat frequently during the day in an attempt to dislodge Eirlys’ position or simply to maintain an element of attrition, but the knights managed to deal with them thanks to several artifacts produced by two senior knights by the names of Brennal and Verdia.

Apparently, they had stolen them from the capital’s main cathedral with the help of a rather mischievous cardinal several months ago. At the time, they had questioned the purpose for such dishonorable deeds, but their benefactor had assured them that it was for a good cause. Only now did those artifacts show their true worth.

“You know, Carnwennan is one of those.” Eris remarked as Medrauta made a comment on the dubious identity of this so-called benefactor. She had been sent back by Scarlet to escort Medrauta and Viviane. Normally, such a duty would have fallen to Rosaline and Leticia, but the pair supposedly had other business to address.

“Yeah? Are they all wyrblades like your dagger, then? How the hell did this mysterious ‘benefactor’ even find out about them?”

Eris shrugged, responding with a simple “I don’t know” despite Medrauta clearly aware that Eris knew more than she was letting on.

“Well, whatever.” Medrauta sighed, shaking her head and dropping the matter. “If you’re not gonna share, you’re not gonna share. I’ve had enough of all these secrets for now, ‘cause honestly, I’m just glad to be back.”

Viviane nodded in agreement, a nostalgic smile on her lips as they passed by the courtyard on the way to the administrative building. Apparently, the staff offices were being used as the officers quarters and a meeting with Eirlys was the first thing on their plate.

“Do you think they kept our rooms in the same shape? I think I could do with a fresh change of clothes. Maybe even a bath, if time and resources permit...”

Medrauta shook her head in mock admonishment. “First thing she does after we make our way back to civilization is act like a princess... But that’s what I love about you, Vivi~”

“Get a room, you too.” Eris rolled her eyes as Viviane gave Medrauta a quick peck on the cheek. “Speakin’ of rooms, I’m pretty sure that thing is supposed to be locked up when it’s not being used.”

Medrauta frowned, following the direction of Eris’ finger. It was pointing to a large, pure-white lance that seemed to glow with an inner light. Reminds me of Caliburn... Maybe if—

Her train of thought immediately ceased as she saw who was holding the weapon. Coincidentally, the lance’s wielder noticed her in that very same moment as well, a massive, braincell destroying smile blossoming on their lips as they made eye contact with Medrauta.

“Medrauta~!” Melindra cried, barreling toward the silver-haired knight at full speed with her lance still in hand. Knights and civilians alike threw themselves out of Melindra’s path, desperate to keep themselves out of danger from the charging knight’s swinging weapon.

“H-Holy shit! Watch where you’re swinging that thing!” Medrauta shouted, stepping in front of Viviane instinctively and shielding her lady from the absolute buffoon who had practically thrown herself at them. With great effort, Medrauta managed to grab the length of the lance with both hands, stopping Melindra from flailing it around and being an active safety hazard for everyone around her.

“Medrautaaaaa~! I missed you so much!” Melindra dropped the lance, allowing it to clatter to the ground as she threw her arms around her best friend, squeezing with all her might. “Esme and Brig have been sooooo annoying ever since you left! And Charlotte says I’m stupid every time I try to do something cool! I’m not that stupid, right!?”

“...I said I was glad to be back, but please... Get me the hell out of here.” Medrauta groaned. She had been prepared for an idiotically sappy reunion the moment she ran into her friends, but she wasn’t expecting Melindra to be this emotional.

“Boo! You’re so mean, Medrauta!” Melindra pouted, releasing the silver-haired knight and stepping back. She gave Medrauta a quick glance from head to toe, adopting a thoughtful expression. “Y’know, you look a bit lankier. Bet there wasn’t much to eat out there.”

“You bet right. I’m planning to pig out tonight, so don’t go hogging all the meat,” Medrauta grinned. “How’ve things been ‘round here while I was gone?”

“They’ve been a-okay! Between myself, Brig, and Esme, no witchspawn is getting past the defenses! We were actually planning on attacking the Spire soon, so it was pretty good timing that you came back today!”

Medrauta nodded. “I see... That’s probably why Dame Eirlys wanted to meet us right away, then.”

“O-Oh! If that’s the case, I’ll be getting out of your hair, then! Can’t keep Dame Eirlys waiting!” Melindra winked.

“Huh. What the hell happened to you, actin’ all disciplined and stuff? Last I recall, you could barely remember your orders.”

“H-Hey! That was a while ago! And, well... I guess the whole war business changed me. It changed all of us, really. I mean, even you. You look a lot more sure of yourself, I guess... And stronger too. Other than the whole lankiness, I mean.”

Medrauta laughed. “Thanks, Mel. I’ll see ya in a bit.”

Melindra nodded and waved, picking up her lance and skipping away. Mid-step, she stopped and turned around. “Oh! I’ll let Esme and Brig know that you’re back! And Lady Viviane!”

“Hm? What is it, Dame Melindra?”

“Jocie and Lady Shallie have been super duper worried about you! Should I let ‘em know you’re here too?”

Ah... Thank Aluvsha they’re safe. Viviane smiled and nodded happily, feeling a weight lift off her chest. “Yes! Please do!”

“...And there she goes.” Eris remarked as the three of them watched Melindra happily skip off into the distance as if she didn’t have a single care in the world. “How did you even become friends with that girl?”

“Don’t let her idiocy fool you, Eris. She can probably kick your ass s’long as it’s on horseback.”

“Bullshit.” Eris snorted. “I would simply give her an equation to do and she wouldn’t even be able to move.”

Medrauta shook her head. “Tell you what, Eris. After all this is over, I’ll set you and Mel up for a joust. If you can beat her, I’ll eat my sword.”

“...Now I’m not sure if you’re serious or if you’re just trying to insult me.”

“I’m serious. She can beat me too.”

Eris frowned, staring at Medrauta with disbelief in her eyes before finally managing to accept that her fellow knight was being completely and utterly serious. If Medrauta was vouching so strongly for Melindra’s skills despite her airheaded attitude, she was going to have to be careful during that jousting match.

The three continued toward the administrative building where Eirlys awaited them, making light conversation along the way. According to Eris, Rosette and Estelle as well as Leticia and Rosaline should’ve arrived already.

“What about you and Lady Scarlet? Will the two of you not be joining us?” Viviane asked, curious.

Eris shook her head in response. “I’m afraid not, Lady Viviane. My lady has already been briefed on the plan and is in fact busy preparing for it. I imagine she will be requisitioning my aid, so I will not have the time to be briefed until much later tonight.”

“Ah... I see.” Viviane murmured, pursing her lips slightly. It was a habitual expression that she often made when she was displeased about something, something that Medrauta had noticed long ago.

The silver-haired knight guessed that her lady was probably unhappy about the sheer amount of work Scarlet was foisting upon herself. Unlike most other noblewomen in the empire who saw Scarlet as an existence far above their own, Viviane’s close friendship with the so-called “greatest noblewoman in the empire” allowed her to see sides of Scarlet that not even Eris had seen.

Because of that, she knew just how human Scarlet truly was, and being a kind-hearted soul, Viviane wanted to do nothing more than lend a hand to her friends. Unfortunately for her, she would have to wait until much later before she would be able to lighten Scarlet’s load.

“We’re here.” Eris said, gesturing to a door that remained closed.

Behind it, Medrauta and Viviane could hear voices engaging in what seemed like heated discussion. Though she recognized all of them, the presence of one particular voice surprised her quite a bit.

“Is that... Sir Bradley? I thought he was shipped off to the northern front.”

“Evidently not.” Viviane remarked. She had thought the same, but his presence here suggested otherwise. “Shall we head in?”

Medrauta nodded, she and Viviane bidding Eris farewell before reaching for the doorknob. She rapped her knuckles against the door twice before swinging it wide open.

The pair was greeted by a warm smile from none other than Eirlys, the knight who proudly bore her epithet of “Bloody Snowflower.”

“Welcome back, Medrauta. Lady Viviane.”

Medrauta and Viviane exchanged a glance and grinned.

“It’s good to be back, Dame Eirlys.”