Sometime ago, in the middle of a forest, Pepper stands wearing a long white dress as she walks through the grove. She takes in the scent of the flowers as the animals move around her. She moves across the ground as if gliding across as she plucks fruit from the trees. As she makes her way to the middle of the grove, she sits on a tree stump and sings as the various animals and beast all crawl up towards her. They sit listening to her song in silence before a sound from the tree line disturbs her performance and sending the animals scurrying back into hiding.

“What a lovely voice.” A large man in resplendent clothes comes from the trees flanked by two large men.

Pepper stands, bowing to the man as he approaches. “It’s been some time, my Lord. I wish I had known you were coming. I would’ve prepared a more pleasant song.”

“Think nothing of it. It’s good to see you doing well.”

“I thank you for giving me the time and space to heal after my encounter.”

He laughs. “Again, think nothing of it. It’s a shame Fae are a rare sight nowadays. You’re almost an endangered species like those Elves.”

“Yes, the Demons and their tainted mana did a number on my people. But with time, the land has recovered and us along with it.”

“Good. But speaking of the future.”

“What?”

“I’m sad to say that his majesty has died.”

Pepper nods. “I’m sad to hear that. He was the hero who slayed the Demon Lord. Am I correct?”

“Yes. He, alongside his allies, killed that monstrous beast and saved us all one hundred years ago. Sadly, in all that time, he never left an heir.”

She pauses. “Oh….”

“Yes, you must be aware of what’s coming.”

“The potential for war is strong. And if war were to come, then….”

“Then the land will suffer again from all the battles. No one wants a war, but some people will fight tooth and nail for power or anything else,” He explains.

Pepper nods again. “I am aware. But why tell me this?”

“Because there’s one way to avoid an all-out war and put someone on the throne that most will agree with.”

“What?”

“This is a secret. But if everything goes like I think it is, then I’m going to need you to help support someone.”

She nods. “I’ll do whatever I can to pay back this debt.”

“Good. Let’s look over the contracts, shall we?”

She lifts her head, staring at him for a moment before nodding. “Yes, sir.”

The man escorts her away from the grove and she turns back longingly before turning forward and going along with him.

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In the present, Pepper screams as her body rips itself apart. Her internal mana flows wildly as the airspace around her twists to her uncontrolled whims. The wind twists into cyclones around her and random bursts of wind explode around her. Glyn and Mila stand under her as Glyn holds a Bishop Piece, waiting for the right moment to stop her uncontrolled rampage.

“Save her? How can you do anything, Glyn!? Show me if you can save anyone you powerless Half-Elf!” Fenwick screams out from the rafters.

Glyn turns to Mila, who leaps ahead and fires off several fireballs. The flames die out within the maelstrom of wind as Glyn watches.

“Alright, then, this is going to be rather annoying.” He pulls out his book and stares into the raging windstorm. “This might hurt for a bit, but I promise you the pain will only last a moment!”

He holds out his hand as a burst of electricity shoots out of his fingertips and flows with the wind. The electricity hits Pepper, and she screams out in pain. As she screams, the surrounding wind weakens and Mila leaps forward, breaking a hole in the cyclone of wind.

Glyn leaps forward through the hole, forcing the Piece forward into Pepper’s chest as it glows brightly. The light envelops the area, blinding everyone as Glyn’s mind fades.

Pepper sits in a void, crying as her tears fill the surrounding space. As she cries, Glyn appears, standing next to her.

“I hate it. I’ve tried so hard to uphold the honor of the Fae, to work my hardest. But everything I do it all ends up causing so much pain.” She looks up at Glyn, who simply watches her, opening her eyes as the tears continue to roll down her cheeks. “Tell me. Tell me what am I supposed to do!? What am I supposed to do to make amends for everything that I’ve done?”

Glyn sits next to her. “Listen up. None of it’s your fault. It’s the fault of assholes trying to use you. It’s well within your right to throw those asshats away.”

“What?”

“Listen. I don’t want you to work for me if you don’t want to. But at least until we can stop Fenwick, please take this.” He holds out his hand and holds out the Piece. “Think of it as a temporary contract.”

She pauses and laughs, reaching out for Glyn. “A contract with no conditions?”

“Think of it as a temp job. Just until we can clear away the old boss.”

“Alright then. I accept. Oh, but don’t expect me to do any fighting. I’ve used up too much of my mana. I doubt I can even maintain my current form.”

“That’s more than fine.”

Glyn opens his eyes and finds Mila staring down at him. He shoots up and stands stretching as he notices something on the ground scooping it up and smiling.

“Glyn, what was that!?” Mila asks.

“No idea. Likely some kind of feedback from the Pieces.” Glyn says.

“Where’s Pepper?”

He opens his hand to reveal a small young woman with insect-like wings on her back, covered in a leaf. She sifts and shakes in Glyn’s hand but remains calm, seemingly sleeping, as Glyn watches over her. With everyone looking, her body dissolves into small particles of light that fade away into the air.

“What was that?” Mila asks.

“Pepper. Fae are creatures mostly composed of Mana. Since she expended much of her own, she’s lost her physical form and will have to rest for a while before she can take form like that again.” Glyn explains. He turns to Fenwick as Zanrit and Tisha stand over a pair of mercenaries on the ground. “Now then, we just have to wrap this mess up here and then we’re home free.”

Mila nods as she runs in front of Glyn. “Right!”

Fenwick laughs. “I see. You would be foolish enough to try something like that.”

“Yeah, I know. The odds it would work were against me. But I figured it was worth a shot.”

“To think someone could inject their Piece into another person’s Queen. Seems like the system they created is more flawed than I imagined.”

Glyn shakes his head. “Sorry, but no. What happened was she willingly accepted my Piece. If they were forced into a contract, then they have no reason or right to uphold it after being given another offer.”

Fenwick clenches his teeth. “You always are an annoying thorn at my side, Glyn.”

“And you’re always a pompous ass who thinks he’s God's gift to the world.”

“And you’re too smart for your own good.”

Zanrit and Tisha stand by Glyn as the mercenaries ready themselves for another assault.

“So, is not the time or what?” Tisha asks.

Glyn smirks. “Now’s the time. Let’s wipe them out here and now!”

As he yells out, the three put their weapons away and switch to another set of arms. They hold the Magic Tools in hand as the weapons glow infused with mana.

“Let’s destroy them once and for all!” Glyn yells out.