«rp» Fate's Eye [7/7] ~arc 3~

With a loud voice Jand says "Run! I'l crush your bones and grind you into the ground you small men!"
The men were already terrified of seeing me, if I act as if I will kill them I can get them to run away.

 

The bearded man in front of Andrei gritted his teeth, then he shouted. "Move your asses! I'll take the giant!" He swung his sword and leapt towards Jand, keeping his stance low. The other three men, hesitating, turned towards Andrei with their swords raised.

 

In a demanding but calm tone Andrei says to the three men: "Lay down your weapons."

 

Estelle glanced at Siegfried, who sighed deeply and let go of his aura. He bowed to everyone.

"I apologise for the interruption. I still have much to learn." He said. Estelle shook her head.

"No.....you should join in the conversation as well, Siegfried." Estelle turned back at Carol.

".........and that was an unexpected phrase that came up. But..... you do not seem to be lying."

"....I am glad you understand." Carol nodded. "To add onto my earlier words, we know the exact date and place where it will appear, and on what circumstances it will happen. It must become a crucial data for your plan to subjugate the witchfiend, am I correct?"

"How did you......" Estelle seemed surprised, and so was Angela. Even she had not known of such plan.

"Well... firstly, there are too many carriages travelling in and out of this mansion.... too many warriors and weapons gathered, as well. I deduced that you must be planning something big in the near future.... and when I heard that Master was back to the Capital, I was convinced that you were planning the subjugation of the White Whale."

Estelle was silent for a few seconds, then nodded impressedly. "...right, you were the disciple of Siegfried, weren't you? No wonder you knew."

"W-wait, Carol's old man's disciple!?" Fenri cried, then nodded deeply. "Ooh, now I understand why I found your techniques so familiar...."

Angela wasn't able to keep up with the conversation at all. How did the old butler fit into Carol's deduction?

"....may ask you on what terms you know of the information?" Estelle asked.

"I apologise—but not before we can agree on our Camps' alliance. As much as I want the White Whale subjugated, I am still Lady Alice's knight."

"Hmm, that's right." Estelle smiled wryly. "Well.... my Divine Blessing is absolute. Presented with such conditions.... it will be foolish not to accept your offer." The woman said, then stood up, and offered her gloved hand. "I, Estelle Belstain, King Candidate and the Head of Belstain House, will accept the offer of an alliance with the Alice Camp on equal terms."

Carol stood up as well. "Thank you, Lady Estelle." ———and the two of them shook hands.

".....the deal is struck." Fourier said.

________________________________

One of them spat. "We die either way if we fail this job, you shit!"

It seemed like they were confident in the strength of the bearded man as he faced the giant. It also seemed like battle was inevitable.

The three of them moved to surround Andrei in a semi-circle, their swords readied.

________________________________

@TheStormLizard @Host_Legacy

"Hm...... I'm offended." Gren smiled weakly as he shrugged. "I think it's a good deal?"

Kayde bit his lips, thinking furiously on how to escape——until he sighed tiredly.

".....I give up. You never change, Gren."

"Haha! This is how I live as an information broker, kid." Gren turned to Isaac. "Glad things turned out good, yeah?"

Kayde narrowed his eyes, then muttered to Rathius and James. "It's inevitable. We should be glad he's not hindering us. As an ally, he's a great asset, both power-wise and information-wise."

"......if you say so....." Rathius muttered, but both he and James didn't look convinced.

"So, how 'bout you share with us what you're up to?" Gren asked.

(I forgot to mention, you guys are going with the story 'they overheard a conversation of «Greed» talking about the White Whale', hiding Kayde's ability. Technically the story is true so yeah.)

 

"I've got nothing to share. Kaybe, you can explain to your 'friend' if you want to."

 

Affrice noticed Ramadel glancing at her, and she shrugged. "Ah~, I'm sorry 'bout my knight. He doesn't know how to hold back, ya know~?"

Lucian smiled bitterly as he walked towards his master. "I wasn't really holding back, Lady Affrice.....he was really strong...."

Rujeld came behind Ramadel and slapped him on his back repeatedly.

"Gahahah! You lost, Ramadel!" He laughed in his overly-loud voice. "Don't worry though, you were against a bad opponent!"

Ramadel winced from Rujeld's violent slaps, then asked to Lucian. ".....what are those rapiers?" They weren't normal magic items, as far as Ramadel could tell.

"Oh....these?" Lucian touched the hilts of his weapons. "They are «spirit armaments».... weapons with spirits living inside. I'm not directly in a contract with them, so I guess I'm just a downgraded version of a spirit user like Diabel....." His voice trailed off.

"Ya know~, Lucian, you should be more confident in yourself~? It's good to be modest, but it's displeasing to see a servant think too lowly of himself, as a master~." Affrice chided.

"I agree, Lucian!" Rujeld shouted. "There's no-one in the whole Kingdom who can use «spirit armaments» as good as you!!"

"What exactly.... are spirit armaments?" Ramadel asked, confused.

"Hm.... you want to try?" Lucian walked up and offered his wind rapier towards Ramadel. Nodding, he accepted the weapon———

As soon as he touched the hilt of the rapier, his head exploded with pain. Through touch he could feel the beings inside the weapon trying to flow into his own body to take control.........

The blade burst into wind and fire, and Ramadel couldn't help but drop it.

"Wha.......?"

"You see, spirits inside these weapons are powerful, but since they are not bound by contracts, are hostile. They attack one's mind as soon as someone picks it up. It's thanks to years of mental training that I can keep them down under control and draw their powers in battle." As he said he sheathed the fire/wind rapier.

"It's his countless endeavours that make my Knight strong~!" Affrice said, crossing her arms and looking somewhat proud, as if she was boasting about herself.

Lucian laughed weakly. "P-please stop, Lady Affrice..... it's uncomfortable...."

 

"Well, your attitude changed quickly..."

Okay, so I have a few ideas for tactics. First of all Andrei would rather not kill them, but knock them unconscius (possibly subduing them and using his powers.)
Now I would either if I'm still connected to the squirrel from earlier use that to see the men circling behind me or I will bring my hand to one of my eyes and move it to the hand (closing the now empty eyelids) and using that to secretively watch behind me. Then I will make fake openings from behind me, while obviously pretending I'm trying to orientate me with the eye in my face. I will be ready to quickly put my eye back in its place, because it is obviously very unpractical to have it in my hand, while fighting.
Also I will secretively bring my skeleton to right under my skin skin because getting their swords stuck in me in the middle of the fight will give them an upper hand. I will though leave small spots open that I can (when convenient) make a single sword get stuck in me and disarm one person at a time.

 

“Thanks for the save” I whisper to gren

 

I lightly smile before asking, "How come I never seen you these past four years?"

 

Clap my hands slowly. "So, uhm, what happens now?" I say looking around the room.
"Should I go back to my duties?"

 

"Simply put, we've been told of the possible coming of the White Whale to a nearby town. We didn't feel right just sitting around doing nothing, so we're gonna see if anything can be done."

 

Jand swings his warhammer at the bearded man and tries to cast some magic to destabilize the ground.
Looks like violence in inevitable. Now I will crush my foe.
(What can I do with my magic, any examples?)

 

"Hmm. Where is that?"

"Fleur, next to the Flugel's Tree. Along with «Gluttony» of the Witch Cult, they are going to assault the town on the third night." Kayde explained.

"We haven't got much time then, huh...." Gren seemed to think about this.

"We have people at Estelle Belstain's mansion for negotiation, and they will most definitely succeed. But......"

"The problem is «Gluttony» and her witchfiend army." The man nodded. "I've fought her. She herself is dangerous enough, but the sheer amount of minions she can bring about will for sure be about to cause damage on the similar scale the White Whale can."

Kayde nodded. "That is why we are going to the Ordo Trading Company to get Affrice Ordo's help...."

"You're thinking of just walking in there?" Gren asked. Kayde nodded uncertainly, to which the man shook his head.

"You won't be able to get through to Ordo in time. I'll help you get to her—they've got debts to me enough for me to put through some unreasonable requests."

"You..... are you sure? Why would you go so far to help us?" Kayde asked, looking uncertain.

Gren scratched his head. "Because lives are at stake.... and I want revenge on «Gluttony» for the deaths of my comrades, I guess? Though I quit, I'm still a knight who pledged his loyalty to the Kingdom."

".....seriously..... I still can't get used to that uncharacteristically righteous part of you...." Kayde sighed, giving the man a weak smile, before turning to the two-colour eyed boy, Isaac. "And you..... you will help us, right? Can you fight?"

"Oh, don't worry. He's stronger than me." Gren said, waving his hand.

"I'll help you..... I want to definitely kill the White Whale." Isaac said determinedly, to which Kayde nodded.

"......alright. The trip to Fleur will take a day — it's ideal to settle things by tonight, and leave by tomorrow. Let's head to the Ordo Trading Company."

________________________________

Andrei's winning condition was to touch them—and with that he would be able to stop their movements. The problem was——

"Tch!" He clicked his tongue as he jumped back from one of the men charging towards him from the front, who was much faster and skilled than Andrei had initially anticipated. As soon as Andrei's feet touched the ground, the two other men were already besides him, swinging their swords.

Andrei lifted an arm to block the sword with his hardened flesh and bones, but the other sword cut at his side and tore his skin apart.

Wincing from pain, Andrei retreated while mending his wounds to the level it won't hinder his movements. Seeing this, the three men closed in their distance quickly, brandishing their weapons.

"It's healing! What the hell is he!?"

"The hell would I know! Just don't let him think!"

***

Cause sudden vibrations in a certain effect area, make cracks all over the place, send earth pillars/spikes out from the ground, make an enormous earth shield, etc. He doesn't use incantations for his magic.


The man leapt off the ground before Jand's magic took effect.

"Ruaaaarrrghhhh!!"

Roaring, the man spun and swung down massively towards Jand, easily reaching his height.

"....!?" Jand lifted his warhammer just as the sword swung down at him. The impact sent both of them staggering a bit back. Jand was surprised by the enemy's agility and strength in his swings.

The man rolled backwards to break the impact on the ground, then immediately leapt again. It seemed like he would be using his speed and mobility in order to strike a good blow through Jand's defence.

 

*sorry, there was a confusion on the timelines and relationships. Please ignore me saying Ramadel is relatively new, they've seen each other before, however not interacted with each other at all. Lucian became interested in Ramadel as he saw he could beat Rujeld.

"Hmm.... but looking closely, you aren't bad, huh~?" Affrice said, peering into Ramadel's face, much to his discomfort. Affrice was nodding and murmuring to herself.

"His skills are considerately high..... he's not bad looking either..... a bit too young, though? Also might be inexperienced..... but his youngness can cover that......he seems diligent and intelligent as well.... if he's put up with................."

Now Affrice was in her own world, mumbling to herself. Ramadel looked at Lucian, but the knight only shrugged lightly.

The petite woman suddenly lifted her head. "Alright, Ramadel. Would you like to become my knight?"

".....?"

"H-hey, li'l lady, you can't just take our best fighter out of the group....." Rujeld muttered, looking slightly flustered. Affrice playfully smiled at the large demi-human.

"Actually I can, Rujeld, you know~? You're all my subordinates, so I can do whatever I want~."

 

"We should inform the others that we're heading out then. Don't want them to get in a panic cause they can't find us."

 

Estelle shook her head. "There is no need, Angela. You wait."

Carol seemed relieved that their negotiations had gone according to plan. "Lady Estelle... I would like to place myself as an ambassador to your camp as a representative of the Alice Camp. Is that alright with you?"

Estelle nodded in affirmation. "Then I will send Angela as our representative. It seems fit as she had built good relations with your members this past few days."

Angela nodded, then faced Carol. "I'm glad things worked out, Carol."

"Thank you, Angela." The knight smiled. "I——"

She stopped as they realised the old butler, Siegfried, was approaching them. The two of them—master and student— stared at each other for a few seconds, Siegfried over a head taller than the girl.

It was him who first narrowed his eyes. "......Carol. Please allow me to apologise for how I treated you over two years ago. As a master and as a man, I truly regret that my actions were disgraceful...."

"Master.... please don't mind it. I understand that you were really driven into a corner back then...."

From their conversation, Angela could tell there were some history of conflict between the two of them in the past.

"But Carol..... my actions are not something that can be forgiven..... at least let me repay you in some way......"

"T-then, Master." Carol said, scratching her slightly reddening cheek. "Please train me again after all of this is done. I still want to learn.... from you....."

Siegfried widened his eyes——then smiled and nodded.

"I would be honoured, Carol. Again.... thank you. I pay my greatest gratitude to you, Lady Estelle, as well as you, Carol.... for giving this old man, Siegfried Trias, an opportunity to avenge my wife's death."

"Then let me ask something in return as well." Estelle said, a cool smile forming on her face. "I would like you to teach me your sword as well. It will be the greatest honour for a swordsman such as myself to learn from someone like you, the infamous «Sword Demon» who surpassed the «Sword Saint». And...... I hereby order you to abandon your fake surname, and take on your real name...... Siegfried van Hestiria."

Siegfried bowed deeply.

Fenri poked Angela from the side. "Confused~?" She asked, to which the seraph nodded. The fox-girl continued to explain in a whisper."Old man Sieg, in his young days, defeated the former Sword Saint Thearesia van Hestiria in a duel... and took her as his wife. His wife died in a battle against the White Whale....... and ever since, he had frantically been searching the world for clues, patterns of the White Whale's appearances. Lady Estelle agreed to assist his cause once enough evidences were formed..... and going by old man Sieg's theory the White Whale was to appear somewhere around the Lifaus Highway in the next two weeks. Carol's information really changed everything...... now we can fight the monster with the best preparation we can manage.."

 

ah

How many of her knights do I know? And how many of the mercenaries do I know?
And did I have a close relation to either?

 

"Defeating the «Sword Saint», that's pretty surprising. I wouldn't think people can get that strong." Nod thoughtfully at the idea.
Smile and put a hand on my cheek. "That's great for our plan though! I feel like I should get around to honing my archery as well."

 

Go in a defensive position and use all magic I can to get him into an open position.

 

@Host_Legacy @TheStormLizard

Kayde sent a look to Rathius. "Don't worry. They'll know where we'll be."

And with Gren Walker leading the four of them, they departed towards the Ordo Trading Company's branch building.

***

The Iron Fangs, you practically know everyone. The knights, near none. However most knights are just assigned, they are more like noble families trying to make ties with the King Candidates. The first knights are those who are actually loyal to their masters (Lucian, Fourier, Alexander).

***

As Ramadel considered Affrice's proposal, one of Affrice's secretary came into the training field. She ran up to Affrice and whispered into her ear.

Affrice widened her eyes. "Really~? If it's that man guiding them, I can't postpone our meeting so we can gather information beforehand.....it's a shame, but I'd have to negotiate on the spot......"

Lucian heard the message from the secretary as well. "Lady Affrice. If Walker's here, we must....."

"Yes, I know, Lucian." Affrice nodded, then turned to Ramadel. "You come as well, Ramadel. It's good for one like you to build up experience."

Ramadel looked towards Rujeld, who gestured to go. He nodded back. "....alright."

The three of them walked out of the training grounds.

***

"Okay. Affrice Ordo puts on a carefree and gentle aura, but she is extremely smart." Gren explained to them as they waited in the guest room where the Company's employees led them to. "She normally would gather as much information on us beforehand, then negotiate so that things go to her liking naturally. But because she's very aware of me, she won't do that. That's one thing we have advantage over her."

"Will she help us on the case of the White Whale?" Isaac asked.

"Most likely, she will be willing to. But she will also bring about harsh conditions for sure. Remember.... you cannot give in."

"O-okay....." Kayde was visibly nervous as he rubbed his hands together. As he started to say more——

Knocks rang on the door, then it was opened by an employee.

The five of them—Gren, Kayde, Rathius, James and Isaac tensed as three figures entered the room.

At the front was a petite wavy-purple-haired girl, dressed in fluffy expensive-looking clothes and donning a white fox-fur around her shoulder. Behind her was a slender long-haired youth, equipping two rapiers on his waist. The last was a young boy wearing rough black clothes, equipping numerous knives and weapons on his body.

"Well well~..... welcome you all to the Ordo Trading Company~!" The girl—no, the woman— at the front spread her arms with a smile. "My name is Affrice Ordo, head of this Company as well as one of the 48th King Candidates of the Arcuntar Kingdom."

"I am Lucian Eulaus of the Royal Knights Brigade, first knight under Lady Affrice." The two-rapier wielding knight said.

"Representing King Candidate Lady Alice, her knight Kayde Ferris." Kayde bowed. Gren was watching amusedly.