Year 2: The Encroaching Dread - Chapter 6

The Festival of Heroes was of King Alexander’s design.

A grand holiday to celebrate the anniversary of when the Summoned Heroes first descended, by the grace of the Goddesses, to Aangapea, the first true sign of hope for the Free People’s Alliance in their fight against the Demon Emperor.

In attendance were millions of citizens from across the Alliance’s territories, including hundreds of thousands of soldiers and hopeful recruits. The city of Rhodes was so busy that not a single inn or hotel had space for new guests, and a temporary tent town had been established outside the city, between its walls and the vast military camp that lay nearby.

Despite its great cost, the resources used and diverted to allow the event to take place, and the risks associated with putting on such a grand show, King Alexander insisted that such an event was necessary.

“For two years, the people of the world have lived in fear, of an unknown dread rising in the east,” he told the council and fellow monarchs. “Then, eighteen months ago, we were able to place a name and a face to that fear - the Demon Emperor. Since then, we have fought many times and lost much. What the people of the world need to hear and see is merriment and hope, something that I’m sure many still feel is in short supply.

“All expenditures will be covered by Rhodes, mostly from my personal treasury. Fear not - this shall not distract us from our ultimate goal; it will, instead, encourage the people to see it to its end.”

Princess Hiiragi, Queen Dorothy and Chancellor Bernaught all pledged their support to the Festival of Heroes, and invested much of their own money and resources into seeing it succeed.

Security was increased tenfold all across Rhodes, though there were still fears of a possible attack.

Communication lines were still strong with all frontiers and many hundreds of thousands of soldiers remained on standby across the Alliance, by the borders, in the ports, in every castle and fort from the northern coast to the far south.

There were no gaps, yet the Alliance did not relax their guard for even a moment.

For almost four months, the Demon Empire had been quiet.

Their attacks at the borders had decreased to small skirmishes and raids, nothing substantial and with only skeletons, unarmoured and weak.

Princess Hiiragi wondered if the Demon Emperor was trying to bait them into attacking, but that didn’t seem to be the case this time, unlike the First Battle at The Dragon’s Mouth with the Bloody Knight of the Beast Woods. Bernaught sent a handful of raiding parties across the border, but they entered and left unmolested.

The reports from their spies indicated that nothing was out of the ordinary or that the Demon Emperor was preparing for anything, though it remained clear that Princess Raeanne and her rebels were still alive and continuing the fight.

No matter what, the Festival of Heroes has to succeed, King Alexander told himself as the preparations continued in the city below.

In two days, the festival would begin, on New Year’s Eve.

Then, it’ll be our time to attack.

***

“One, two, three. One, two, three. One-” The instructor signalled the band to cease playing. “Lord Duncan, please do not move so stiffly to the music.”

“S-sorry.”

“I know that this is your first-time dancing, but the waltz is an easy to learn one, one that is both romantic and intimate. If you move so stiffly, your partner will answer in kind and worse, she’ll feel embarrassed.”

“I think there might be another reason she’s embarrassed,” Duncan whispered, looking down at his blushing partner.

“I’m not embarrassed, you are!”

“I didn’t say-”

“Leave the flirting to one side, you two,” Hajime teased.

“Exactly. Learn from Hajime and I; we reserve that sort of behaviour for when we are alone together.”

“No, we don’t!”

“Oh, forgive me,” Akane said. “We are rather into showing off our intimacy in public and would-”

“Please take this seriously!” The instructor, who had screamed loudly than she had expected, quickly coughed and recovered. “N-now, from the top. One, two, three, one two, three!”

***

“Wow, the stars of the ball have to put in a lot of effort, don’t they?” Yve joked as she and Hailey watched the rigorous practice from the sidelines.

As part of the Festival of Heroes, all of the twenty-nine Summoned Heroes were to take part in a Royal Ball hosted at the palace by the monarchs themselves. The most high-ranking nobles, officials and adventurers from across the Alliance would be in attendance, and it would be the first time many of them would lay eyes on the famed heroes from another world.

In order to make a good first impression, King Alexander said that it’d be best to appeal to them in the language they understood best - a dance and at a party.

Of course, not all of the heroes were happy to take part, and many were reluctant or embarrassed to do so.

“Everyone who takes part will have their allowance triple.”

Just like that, everyone had signed up, aside from Dao Chen and Talon.

They had then partnered up, though Gabriel had said he would attend alone.

The normal expectation was that each hero would attend in a girl-boy partnership, but not everyone liked that idea, so any pair would be accepted instead.

Yve was going with Hailey and Kayleigh was attending with Elysa.

“Let them take the spotlight,” Hailey said with a small hint of anger in her voice. “The more it’s off me, the better.”

Yve let out an awkward laugh, unsure if her friend was joking or not.

Ever since it was revealed that the Demon Emperor was David Athelward, Hailey’s former best friend and childhood sweetheart, her position among the heroes had become strained to say the least.

Yve still accepted and believed in her, as did the rest of their team, but most of the others remained neutral. Even Duncan, their unofficial leader, didn’t fully support her; instead, he wanted to believe in her and let her actions prove her innocence, but that was about all he did.

He still spoke with her when he could, even if it was just to offer a good morning or a good night.

The same could not be said for others, like Talon who still glared at Hailey whenever she saw her.

“W-well, think about it like this, once we’ve done the first dance, all we have to do is just grab some food and find somewhere to hide and have our full,” Yve said. “I don’t know about you, but I plan on having nothing but the best desserts all night long.”

“You’ll get fat.”

“Don’t worry, I have a separate stomach for sweets!”

“…Even though that was French, I feel like I know what you just said.”

“Oh, and what was-?”

“That I’m a glutton.”

“Wrong!”

“Confirmation.”

“…I thought all you English kids had to take French at schools.”

“In the same way I had to do PE. That doesn’t mean I got anything out of it than a grade on a piece of paper.”

“How cruel! My beautiful language ignored in such a cruel way!”

“…Answer me honestly, Yve. How much English did you actually know before getting reincarnated to Aangapea? Oi, don’t look away.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak English.”

“I know that one.”

“How?!”

***

“Look, it’s the heroes!”

“Wow!”

“They look so cool!”

“Lord Heroes! Thank you for everything!”

“Lord Heroes, over here!”

“Lord Heroes!”

“See, Adrien, this right here, this is the life every guy our age ever dreams off back on Earth.”

“I don’t think that’s true, Liam.”

“Of course it is, lad.” Liam smacked his friend’s armoured shoulder. “Dressed in badass armour, gazes of admiration from everyone along the street, and to top it off.” He gestured with his head to a crowd of young women that were watching them. “Even people like us get that sort of celebrity treatment.”

“Both of you, shut up and get back to work already!” Gati yelled, swinging his foot at them, narrowly missing the tops of their heads. “These beams aren’t going to move themselves, you know!”

“What? All we’re doing is appreciating the scenery.”

“I really wish you didn’t casually group me with you like this all the time.”

“Sometimes, lad, that’s just what-”

Kavi clipped Liam around the back of the head. “Help first, other stuff later.”

“Right, right. Adrien, grab that end and lift it on three, alright?”

“Alright. One, two, three!”

With a strained groan, the two boys lifted the heavy wooden beam between them and began the slow, arduous task of moving it through the crowded streets to where the platform was going to be erected in the city’s centre.

It wasn’t a far distance as the beams had been brought in by cart, but the large crowds that had turned out to catch a glimpse of four of the Summoned Heroes, in their armour, helping set up the festival slowed their progress. Their armed escorts tried their best to keep the crowds at bay, but it proved difficult at times.

“The best rewards come after a long hard day at work, or at least that’s what my old man used to say,” Liam said, nearly flashing a perverted smile at his comrade. “Just focus on the goal, Adrien! And that will see you through even the worst of times!”

“They’re so blatant it’s not even funny,” Blake groaned.

Brenda chuckled. “Well, I can’t say I blame them. I mean, none of the girls wanted to partner up with them, so they’re dancing in male pairs. I imagine that might’ve hurt their egos.”

“Egos seem to be all they have some days.

“Now, now, Blake, Brenda, I promise you that’s not the only reason we’re doing this,” Liam assured them as he and Adrien put the large beam down.

“It’s the main one though.”

“It definitely is.”

“Master said as much last night!”

“Okay, the two girls chiding me is nothing new, but even my own Divine Artifact is having a go at me!”

The mace laughed and began to sway as it did so.

Liam sighed and smiled. “It’s not like we’re just doing this for the-Okay, fine, we are here to score, you happy now, Blake?”

“Gross.”

“Lame’s the word you’re looking for,” Brenda added.

“Hey, what’s the big deal? It’s not like we’re going to force ourselves on them or anything. We’re just doing the right thing by lending a hand to make sure everything’s ready for the festival. As part of that, we will look to be enjoying a very festive mood in the town this evening and the evenings after, hopefully in the company of some beautiful women. Any man would do the same, I tell you.”

“What about Guy?”

“Okay, fair point, but he’d be aiming for a handsome man, I bet you anything!”

“L-Liam, don’t yell too loud or else someone could overhear you,” Adrien begged him.

“…Okay, can I be a little bit honest?” Liam beckoned them closer, then said in a soft whisper, “This was all Adrien’s idea. Not in a pervy sense, but, well…you know how he died, right? Well…he never really got a chance to do stuff like this back on Earth, so we just went along with it and here we are.”

“…He wanted to do charity work?” Brenda asked; Liam nodded. “How bad was-?”

“I’d rather you didn’t ask me for the details.” Liam gave her a thin smile. “Anyway, if he hadn’t suggested something like this, we wouldn’t be here. We’d be in the town doing whatnot, but it’s for him, so we’re here for him, alright?”

“So, why put up an obscene act like this?” Blake questioned.

Liam grinned. “Because we don’t want him to think we’re taking pity on him or anything. Look at him.” The three turned and saw Adrien eagerly helping some of the soldiers steady the newest beam, so the builders could tie it to the rest of the platform. “He’s happy doing this, happier still with his mates beside him.”

“…Huh, I guess you guys can be decent from time to time.”

“My God, Liam, that might be the highest bit of praise Blake will ever give you. Savour this moment.”

“…I think I might cry, Brenda.”

***

“You’ll be pleased to know, Ewan, that you’ll soon have other apprentices learning Arts alongside you,” Dante gladly told the hero.

“Really? You finally found other candidates?”

“I did, most of them in the few weeks leading up to today. I’ll give King Alexander this - the man knows how to draw in the crowds, and that makes it much easier to headhunt. Well, whether or not they’ll all want to join in the war is a different matter.”

“How many have you asked?”

“About fifteen, though I reckon only eight will stick with it,” Dante said. “Maybe if the war starts turning in our favour, they’ll all join in.”

“Why not try and get as many as possible, even if their natural talent for the Arts are a little low?”

“Ewan, you have done exceptionally well to get as great of an understanding of my order’s Arts this year, but not everyone else can do what you can. Once the invasion begins, I’ll probably be hanging back in Rhodes to train the reinforcements, including your fellow apprentices. Once that’s done, hopefully, we’ll have an elite fighting force that can surpass anything the Demon Emperor throws at us, even his beloved Dread Knights.”

“…Do you think I could defeat them?”

“As you are now, hmm…you couldn’t beat the Satyr Knight, no doubt about that. However.” Dante grinned and put a hand on Ewan’s shoulder. “I bet you could easily crush the normal Dread Knights.”

Ewan smiled. “Thank you, Dante, for everything.”

“If you want to show me how grateful you are, lad, kill as many of the Demon Emperor’s men as you possibly can until the war’s won.”

***

“P-please, I really must be going.”

“What’s the rush, love?” The man stepped closer, nearly pinning the young lady against the wall. “It’s party time, why not come with me and really let loose?”

“I-I’d rather not, thank you. Please, excuse me.” She tried to leave, but the man jumped in front of her again. “Sir, I must insist-!”

“Oi.” Gabriel placed a hand on the man’s shoulder from behind. “The lady isn’t interested.”

“Huh?!” The man angrily turned around, but quickly lost his temper when he saw the vicious, strong gaze of a hero behind him. Gabriel, like the others, was in his full-dress armour, and his handsome face was staring burning hot daggers into the man’s soul.

With his confidence gone and fear in his heart, the man ran away with great haste, nearly falling over twice as he darted into a back alley.

“Are you okay?” Gabriel asked the lady.

“Y-yes, thank you very much, Lord Hero. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

Gabriel solemnly shook his head. “No…I don’t need a reward for doing the right thing.”

***

“Ah, I feel alive again,” Hiiragi said as she emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a dressing gown. Sat on the bed in the same attire was her husband, studying some documents. With a small pout, Hiiragi climbed onto his lap, letting the papers fall onto the floor. “What happened to taking a day off?”

“Sorry, Mao-Mao.” Akechi kissed her lips and hugged her back as she nestled her arms around his neck. “It’s just hard to break old habits.”

“I know. I don’t think I can remember the last time we both had a day off together.”

“Sixteen months and two weeks ago.”

“Creepy.”

“I wish you’d call it romantic.”

“Creepy.”

With a mischievous smile, Akechi stood upright, carrying the panicked princess in his arms.

“Oh, what a deep blush, dear wife - you wouldn’t happen to be embarrassed, would you?”

Hissing through gritted teeth and red in the face, Hiiragi did not answer and instead playfully pulled at his hair. “Don’t do that again.”

“Only if you apologise for calling me creepy.”

“…No.”

“Look me in the eyes and apologise sweetly.”

With a smirk, Hiiragi lent in close, pecked his nose and said, “In your dreams.”

“Is that right?” He spun her around and dropped her onto the bed, then pinned her beneath him. “What should I do to make you change your mind?”

Blushing more deeply, the princess looked away. She risked being captivated by her husband’s now exposed chest muscles, something that Akechi knew she adored about him.

Then, she suddenly recomposed herself and pushed him off her, racing to the bedside table and picking up a stack of papers, documents that she had signed and completed yesterday that had not been collected by her maid staff.

“Baozhai and Xue, what are you doing? It’s not like them to forget such important affairs.” Quickly, she began to dress herself with a small exhale. “On all days, why did it have to be today?” She turned to look at her disappointed husband and smiled. “I won’t be too-”

“Captain Hu! I know you’re in the corridor! Get in here now!”

In a rush, the young man did so. “Sir?!”

“Take those documents from my wife, hand them to her maids and then do not return to your post for the rest of the day!”

“At once!”

With a respectful bow, he did so, then scurried off.

“Takahiko, those are sensitive documents that you cannot just hand off to a random member of your guard.”

“Hu’s reliable and doesn’t ask questions.”

“Tell me, dear, do you even remember what valuable information those documents contain? They are the financial reports of all of the districts of the Shogunate indicating which of them are seeing economic growth or loss, and to what extent, and-”

“What happened to taking a day off?”

“…Oh, I am going to wipe that smug grin off your face.”

“Then, come over here and prove it.”

***

“Oh, this shortcake is just delightful, Queen Dorothy!” Delwyn exclaimed, before putting the remainder in her mouth.

“I’m glad you like it,” the queen happily replied, letting out a playful giggle. “Oh?” One of Fala’s cats roamed over to the queen’s leg, rubbed itself against it, then leapt up onto her lap, nestling itself comfortably on the elf’s thighs. “What an adorable pet. What’s her name?”

“Roxy, your majesty,” Fala shyly answered, petting her other cat, Nala, that was loafing peacefully on the table.

“What a wonderful name. Fala, dear, remember, you can just address me by name at this tea party.”

“Exactly, Fala. Dorothy would rather be our friends than our boss.”

“I’m glad you understand me so well, Elysa.”

Elysa smiled. “Thank you again for the invite, Dorothy. Everything is just exquisite, especially this tea.” Elysa took a few small sniffs of her cup and asked, “Lavender with a hint of mint and honey?”

“Spot on. Yes, the brew is a little unusual for most, but I think the flavours of the ingredients blend together beautifully, though.” The pair looked over at Eerika who was sitting quietly beside Delwyn, not drinking or eating anything from the refreshments prepared for them. “I fear I have not found something suitable for everyone’s tastes.”

“Don’t worry, Dororthy!” Delwyn embraced Eerika in a tight bear hug. “She’s just too nervous to touch such fine things, aren’t you?”

“D-Delwyn, please.”

“What a cute voice,” Dorothy said. “Feel free to have your fill, Eerika. There will be plenty more wonderful treats and meals to enjoy over the coming days, so spoil yourself and don’t hold back.”

With great trepidation, Eerika did just that.

Then, after a single bite of a muffin, she filled a plate with baked goods and began to eat them like a hamster.

“With all due respect, Queen Dororthy, why is it that you waited so long before asking us to attend such a tea party?” Elysa questioned.

“…With all of the work I’ve had to do, combined with your tight schedules for training and tackling assignments, the opportunity sadly never arose. I had considered trying to ask for you all to meet with me in private once a month at an agreed time during the day, but council meetings interrupted those plans many times.” The elf smiled a little solemnly. “After how fun today has been, I am sad that I didn’t try as hard to make the arrangements work sooner.”

“…Me too. But.” Elysa grinned. “Now, we can make those arrangements and right wrongs, can’t we?”

The elf smiled back; her cheeks slightly pink. “Indeed, we can.”

***

Bernaught’s mighty hammer split the ground in two, separating Sayeh from Zuzu and Ari.

Then, as if it was as effortless as breathing, he dodged three of Feng Li’s arrows. Sayeh leapt forwards, brandishing her Kris daggers, but Bernaught lazily avoided every slice and cut. Once he saw an opening, he elbowed her in the stomach, then swung his hammer into the side of her cheek, sending her off spinning to the side and out of bounds of the stage.

Feng kept loosing arrows at Bernaught to no effect as Zuzu and Ari launched magical attacks from the sides. Bernaught ran forward, darting between their projectiles, and closed the distance between himself and Zuzu. He took out her legs, then hit his warhammer into her ribs, shattering a few and knocking her out of the arena too.

Shortly after that, the dwarven chancellor did the same to Ari and then turned to face Feng Li.

“Should I take it as an honour to have been left for last?” Feng nervously chuckled as he drew his next arrow.

Bernaught grunted. “Take it to mean nothing, boy.”

Feng Li was easily defeated; then, the medics and healers came rushing in to tend to the wounded.

Within seconds, everyone was back on their feet and healed, though still hurting and with some more angry than others.

“Calm down, Sayeh!” Ari tried to hold her back, but the young girl proved formidable and powerful. She nearly broke free twice. “We asked the Chancellor for this, remember?”

“Kill.”

“Down, girl, down,” Zuzu joked. “On a serious note, thank you for agreeing to this, Chancellor Bernaught.”

The dwarf grunted and swung his hammer casually onto his shoulder. “Don’t be silly. I’m happy to help. I’ve heard much about how far you’ve all come, but trying to take on someone like me with just the four of you was foolish. Why come at me with such a skewered party set up?”

“To emulate the field of battle,” Feng Li said.

“Oh?”

“If, in future battles with the enemy, we become separated from our own teams, then we need to be able to fight together in any combination with any other hero. When I served the Great Liu Bei, I would often fight beside different men, some of whom died young and others who were too wounded to carry on. Others, however, I saw time and again, stood beside them, stood behind them, stood before them, and found them as stragglers in the larger battles.

“Trust and cooperation between fellow warriors is what will allow us to adapt and survive any engagement we might come across in the future.”

“Wise words, though the hope is that day never comes.”

“Prince Julius?!” A few exclaimed nearby, quickly bowing to the approaching prince.

“I believe this is technically our second official meeting, young heroes.” The former prince of the Holy Empire bowed politely with a kind smile. “I’m Julius Gaius. I hope you don’t mind me intruding on your little training session?”

“Of course not, your highness.” Feng bowed back respectfully. “I have heard many stories of your bravery and your tactical capabilities.”

“How kind of you to say, though I imagine most stories about me these days regard the fall of the capital.” The prince let out a low laugh. “I did everything I could to protect it, but I failed to predict and counter the malice of the Demon Emperor. Still.” He patted Feng on the shoulder. “You lot should have no problems like that moving forward. You are all strong and wise, and your teamwork is exemplary. Or so the report I’ve read say. The Chancellor here might prove too much for you four at present.”

Bernaught grunted. “They could do it one day, no doubt. That Sayeh girl could be strong enough to take my life by herself.”

“Which is why I shall do my utmost to stop her from doing so!” Ari yelled, as Sayeh continued to struggle and attempt to break free in his arms.

“Prince Julius, care for a round or two?” The dwarf asked.

“As honoured as I’d be, I don’t think I’d be strong enough to compete.” He tapped his bicep. “My strength is yet to fully return, even after this many months.”

“…A shame. I had always wanted to go a few rounds with you.”

The prince smiled. “One day soon, maybe once the war’s won and my sister is safe.”

“Aye. I shall hold you to that promise.”

***

“My prince, that crate’s awfully heavy.”

“Don’t worry,” Augustus said with a grin. “I might not look it, but I’m still my father’s son, and his proud, powerful blood runs through my-veins!” Try as he may, however, Augustus struggled to keep his balance and hold the crate of potatoes at once, nearly tumbling over and spilling the contents everywhere. A passerby helped him by holding the other side. “T-thank you. I guess just being Julius’s kin isn’t enough to have his strength.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, prince Aug,” a nearby elderly woman said. “We all do our part one way or another. Look at me!” She proudly lifted a small brown sack of apples with both of her shaking arms. “Even I can lift this much, for in my blood runs my granddaddy the Burly Bear of Birth-harth.”

The other refugees from the Holy Empire burst out into laughter, Augustus included, as the last of the shipment’s crates were lifted off the cart. Once placed between them, Augustus picked up the invoice sheets and started taking in the stock.

“Patrick and Randy, those two are going to the bakers on the sixth street, the one at the corner with the really nice muffins. Yulia and Jeff, those ones are for Granny Goodhealth’s punch, so make sure those apples are nice and fresh before giving them to her. The rest are all for the food stands along main street, so we need to get them over there asap. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, my prince!”

“Yes, Augustus!”

Each of their responses were different and were more casual than the former prince had been accustomed to, but he welcomed their friendliness all the same.

When the Holy Empire of Themis fell, hundreds of thousands sought refugee in the west and the Alliance welcomed them with open arms once the borders were secure. Since then, they had gone above and beyond to ensure all the refugees were treated well and looked after, a debt that Augustus could never repay.

It might just be a small gesture, but I hope it will be the first of many we can give you, Augustus thought as his people, though scarred and shattered, kept fighting.

He had seen them in their darkest hour and in their most uncertain days, yet they had kept fighting, kept their heads held high, and kept on living, even as the whole world seemed to turn against them.

Even after Count Barthlow’s failed counterattack.

Even after learning of Julius’s broken mind.

Even when they saw the princess, tears in her eyes, being escorted unchallenged into the east to suffer a fate no doubt worse than death.

Prince Augustus, for the first time in quite a long time, smiled happily.

Even if the Holy Empire never returns to its former glory, it’s spirit shall never die.

***

“What about jewellery?” Tomar asked.

“Hmm, I think that could send the wrong message. Also, have you ever seen Talon wear any?” Guy asked back.

“…No, no I haven’t. Hmm, then maybe something to wear, like a scarf for-”

“Hmm, again, isn’t that sending the wrong message?”

“Really?”

Guy nodded. “I remember overhearing Yve say something similar the last time she dragged Hailey out shopping.”

“R-right.” Tomar sighed for the eleventh time since their trip to the city had started. “What would you get someone you wanted to make up with?”

“Make up?”

“You know, apologise to or-?”

“I take it just saying sorry isn’t enough?”

“Guy, this is Talon we’re talking about.”

“Right, yeah…best not to say that near her, not that you’d ever know if she was using her dagger.”

Tomar laughed bitterly as his eyes seemed to glaze over.

For five hours, he and Guy had been walking around the bustling merchant district and had bought nothing. Still deeply regretting what he said to her before, Tomar hoped to make things up to Talon by buying her a present; even if she didn’t accept or want it, it would hopefully convey his sincerity to her.

It had been bothering him ever since their argument, so he hoped to put the matter to rest with a good present.

Alas.

“What about just something simple then? Like a book or-?”

“The library has books on just about anything and everything, right?” Guy asked. “Not that I’ve been there, but I’ve heard as much.”

“Then, what else could I get her?” Talon exclaimed. “In your mind, everything’s a bad idea.”

“Well, I don’t really know what she’s like or what she’d want, so I’m still not sure why you invited me here.”

“Because you’re a nice guy and a second opinion is always helpful.” Tomar sighed, again, more wearily than before. “Honestly, what am I going to do?”

“…Well, think carefully is all I can really say. What does she like?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, think about it in reverse then - what does she hate?”

Tomar grunted. “Me?”

“…Yeah, maybe don’t give yourself as the present.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Really? Yve said it’d make an effective gift on Valentine’s Day for-”

“Was that before or after Hailey punched her in the stomach for suggesting such a thing?”

“…Most likely before.”

“Exactly,” Tomar laughed. “…Honestly, what would be a good idea?”

“…Money?”

Tomar shot him a quick look. “At this point, that’s as good an idea as any. Maybe a hairpin or something small?”

“That’s…not the worst idea?”

“Cheers.”

“Well, what did you expect? I don’t think I’ve ever bought a present for a girl every or, if I have, I don’t really remember it. Being totally honest, it’s been so long since I’ve seen Talon I’ve started to forget what she looks like. Oh!” He hit his closed fist against his palm. “What about some shampoo or soap, or a candle? Something that smells nice like a perfume might be good-”

“I think that might send the wrong message.”

***

“…Whenever I smell it, I just…freeze, shut down for a while,” Reis mumbled. “I had to start asking the maids to stop lighting the fireplace in my room, or anywhere I intended to be for a long period of time. It reminds me…too much of it, of the fleet burning in the bay.” He swallowed hard as he rubbed his left hand over his knuckles. “I still hear them, sometimes, at night, in my dreams…screaming…amongst the fire.”

“Your teammates seem to think you’re getting better,” Atalanta said.

“I just pretend I am, so I don’t worry Guy and the others,” Reis confessed. “If…If I’m lucky, I’ll fall asleep quickly and not dream. But those days are few and far between, especially whenever the next assignment comes up…I just can’t sleep, thinking about what could happen next. Not knowing if I’ll do the same to others again and again, and it…” He shuddered. “It makes me want to die.”

Atalanta took a sharp inhale. “It’s better to be honest about these things than bottle them up. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has worries and fears over taking lives. It’s…a shame that your way of fighting has to involve the Robe of the Fire-rat.”

“…I didn’t even try to fight at the Rivers House. I just cowered away, waiting for the sounds of fighting to go away.”

“…I did that, too,” Trevor finally said, opening up for the first time since their private session had begun. “I hate fighting. I hate…the feeling of uselessness, you know. You can fight, Reis - all I can do is stand in the back buffing and debuffing people. I have to pray that I’m contributing in some way, even if I’m not.”

“…Have you killed anyone?”

“Three people…more I set up to be killed by the others.”

“…Right.”

“Reis, Trevor, you both are not alone in so many ways here, among your friends, your teammates, among the heroes and all the other staff here at the palace,” Atalanta said reassuringly. “Any one of us would be happy to support you when you feel you’re at your lowest point. Being frank, I don’t know how many people I’ve killed. Sure, I like to fight, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my days like you guys do. Dante does, Akechi does, and you can bet Dame Chelsea did too, even if she’d be too stubborn to admit it.

“Unfortunately, you will have to get used to it, even if you don’t want to. It’ll take time and you’ll lose a bit of yourself in the process, but you’ll keep yourself and those you care about alive, and that is worth the cost in my opinion.”

***

Alone in her locked bedroom, Kayleigh sat at her desk, staring blankly at the open book before her.

Normally, she would be happily indulging in the text, but her mind wouldn’t allow her such pleasures at the moment.

The plan to invade the Demon Empire is solid; it’s very well thought out with multiple contingencies and fallbacks should things not go according to plan. Further, by limiting the number of individuals who know about the plan, the monarchs are able to minimise the risk of leaks or other such errors that could reduce its chance of success.

Right now, the Alliance’s army is vast and powerful, and it should only continue to grow in strength as more join the cause and are trained to serve. The Festival of Heroes will definitely hit the reserves of all the countries hard, but the morale boost gained from such a glamorous event is definitely worth the cost.

Yet, I’m…scared.

Kayleigh rested her head against the tome’s pages and shut her eyes.

Amen was a traitor, the Demon Empire has been silent for months now, and there hasn’t been an incident as big as the Rivers House in nearly six months. Hailey’s been under the careful watch of Talon and Dao Chen, and others no doubt, but has shown no signs of being a traitor. No one else has either.

Elysa’s kept tabs on as many people as she possibly can, so has Akane, but it still feels like we’re missing something…or am I just being paranoid over nothing? She sighed and sat up again. The Demon Emperor has gotten into my head, no doubt about that. Duncan and Hajime seem to be fine, but that might just be on the surface.

…I still remember how hurt he was when he found out we suspected someone was a traitor.

“Something’s wrong,” she whispered, gazing out of her window towards the east. “What are you up to, David Athelward?”

***

“Something is coming,” Dao Chen muttered, gazing from the top of a tower down at the city of Rhodes. “The Demon Emperor’s been too quiet these last few months.”

Talon nodded. “Any idea what it could be?”

Dao Chen shook her head. “I don’t know, but it will be big.”

“…Do you think we’ll be ready?”

“You and I? Maybe. Everyone else.” Dao narrowed her eyes. “No, no I don’t think they will.”

***

Days later, just as the day turned to New Year’s Eve, fireworks were set alight in a grand explosion of colour and sound, announcing the commencement of the Festival of Heroes.