"Well things are getting rather hectic. Don't you agree, Bernard?" Marco looked calmly at the stacks of papers before him.
"I-it is. Nelson gave us the temporary position of governor, so all his work has been piled up on you (which you dragged me into) including the occasional attacks from the revolutionaries," Bernard examined paper after paper, helping Marco organize and work things out.
"like I said. That man is incompetent in dire times, becoming sick and infecting even his able bodied secretaries, leaving us no personnel whatsoever."
"Well, you did ask for volunteers from the guild. So I think we have uhm, seven of them."
"It's better than nothing. Oh, and could you pass me the most recent report from the scouts? I think I need to change the guard patterns a bit. Everyone's getting exhausted quickly, and its only getting worse even if we are safe inside the city," he pinched the temple of his nose, picking up and reading the papers before him, yet skillfully handling the affairs handed to him.
"I think this is it. Here," Bernard gave him what he wanted, but wearing a face of clear concern.
"I'm guessing that you're worried about someone, correct?" he spoke while handling other tasks simultaneously, as if it were the most natural thing for him to do.
"Well, it's about Remuil and the others. It's been a long time since they've gone on their mission, but they still haven't returned. I'm afraid that those revolutionaries might have done something to them. You don't look as concerned, Marco."
"And I shouldn't be. Larrus is with them, and that alone makes me sure that nothing terrible happens to them. And if something ever did, he'll get them out of that rut. That's how much I trust and know him. You'll see, Bernard. I and some others have developed a deep trust for that strange man," he smiled while working, easing his assistant's worries for now.
"Now, enough brooding and help me out here... ah, another report from the recent attack. I guess they took our defense as rejection, now looking to forcibly take us. With numbers, you could expect an outcome such as that to come with ease, but with Farron breathing down their necks, they have no manpower to spare other than their main unit. What do you think will be their next move, Bernard?"
"Uh, I think the best thing to do is wait us out till we get exhausted?"
"You're not entirely wrong, and that could be one means, but there's a high risk that they won't comply and force their way in. They are capable of that much. What I had in mind was that they might attack the other cities first and complete their so called alliances of the cities. But who knows when they'll do that. All we can do is defend and hope for the best."
"But Marco, with our casualties growing with each attacking wave, we won't last a month if it keeps going like this. Yesterday we were just attacked, and now there's another wave coming in a few days."
"I have something in mind, but I won't reveal it just yet. As we speak, I am working out the plan in my head. We won't fall, we'll guarantee that," he confidently proclaimed, passing from his work to look at the sun that's beginning to set.
"Wait. Who do you mean by we?" Bernard asked, but Marco did not respond, simply smiling at him, keeping his lips unnecessarily sealed about his plan.
"Oh, and could you call the 'magnificent' top three of Regulus? I have special tasks lined up for them while they are here."
"We are at your beck and call, my Lord. Speak, and we shall obey," four mysterious figures where gathered in the palace where Spencer Olfrin, the leader of the revolution, ruled and sought for change.
As night approached, their faces became shrouded, but recognizable in terms of the aura they emitted, each one being unique and imposing, creating the need for them to be in a special room, one that could hide the blood-curdling presence they gave away.
"Good. I have something for one of you to do. The rest will simply resume what they have been doing. Take a step forward if you think you can accomplish my tasks," his rough, low voice echoed, filling the room to the brim with his presence, which was feared and respected by all present in the room, except one.
One stepped forward silently, a young-looking girl with short, faded, pink hair till her neck, blue eyes, and a less proportionate, but seductive body, one that could put even the most attractive mortal human women to shame.
She wore an altered, large, dark cloak for a priestess, and under it was a loose, casual, dark, looking-sleeved shirt, having leggings in replacement to a skirt, and pair of heeled, dark boots.
"Interesting. This is the first time I've seen you take the initiative. I wonder how this'll turn out," one of them said, smiling deviously.
"Better than you, Alastor. You're slyer than a snake. Even if the Lord chose you, I still can't help but distrust you," another one said angrily, staring daggers at the man with his arms crossed, standing firmly and imposingly.
"Oh, is that so? I though we disciples needed to be, as you said, 'sly' at times. Or am I too in character for you?" he retorted wittingly, forcing the man to hold his silence and take this defeat for now.
"If no one opposes to Layla taking the task, then hold your silence... Very well. Your task will be to go to Zeal and try the might of a man named Marco Fairway. I want to turn him into my disciple. His abilities have piqued my interests. If you can, then defeat him and bring him to me. No, bring him to me," the man said, ignoring the two's bickering.
She nodded, not saying anything, then moving back into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.
"The rest of you are dismissed," and at his words, those who were in attendance disappeared as well, leaving only two presences alone in the room.
He then approached the man he had bound to a wall, looking down upon him without much remorse, nor sympathy of any kind.
"Now, returning to you. How long will you keep resisting? Does the pain not agonize you, or must there be a need for drastic measures?"
The man he was speaking to kept his silence, glaring back at the large, cloaked figure, using his remaining strength to show his resistance.
"No matter. I will take things slowly, then you will all see my plans falling in place at once. No one can stop me, not with my initial plans nearly in completion. That man who is doing my bidding without his knowledge, will soon be corrupted. His medicine is my blood, one that makes those who drink it my disciples. Yet he is an odd human, showing resistance to it. On the other hand, using it on someone like you is useless."
"I-I will not bow to you... And if I do fall, that will remain the same. You demons are fated to fall, always. You think I do not know why there isn't a hero being chosen every generation? Even without a hero, there will be an exception to topple you all," he said with a fervent voice, one filled with determination and hope.
"Yes, that seems likely... Coming from a defeated Yavelian. You cannot do anything anymore to oppose me. All you are now is a conduit to which I siphon power from, enough to become the king of demons sooner or later. Then all will know of my glory," he began walking away, leaving the space that he had created especially for keeping the man inside the palace without anyone's knowledge.
"Check this district off the list. We're moving on to the next one before night sets in, Rayleigh, Johann," Roland looked at the paper he held with various things listed on it, each one having instructions and directions that they were tasked to do by Marco.
"This is... surprising, isn't it, Rayleigh? Roland taking care of tasks as meticulous as this. I always thought that he would be objected to things like this, and would much prefer something like guard duty," Johann said, wearing his casual clothing which he wears under his armor, walking only with the other two around the city.
"I don't really know him that well, but from impressions, I must say that you are right," she said, checking something off with her thin graphite stick.
"But I must wonder. Why us of all people? Not that I wouldn't do this. Yet I thought that we would be made to protect the walls and the city constantly," Johann continued.
"It's because we're low on people. It's already odd enough that a city's using guild members as guards, and the guild master as the governor. Everyone's got their hands full, but we can't call on reinforcements since we're separated from the unaligned cities," Roland said, leading the three into the other parts of the district.
They continued doing their tasks, meeting the citizens, who lavished them with praise for protecting them, grateful that the city still stood because of many of their efforts, also commending everyone in the guild, including Marco, who took the attention of many scholars in the city after he displayed his genius in many other defenses, all wanting an audience with him as to learn valuable things from such a man.
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"So cool! Are you a knight?!" children flocked Roland as he passed by the residential district's square plaza with Johann and Rayleigh, all looking amazed and awed by his figure and demeanor.
They rode upon his shoulders and back as he did his inspection of the area's safety, not seeming to mind the commotion at all, while the children's mothers and daughters fawned over Johann's impulsive seduction and charisma, all trying to hold themselves back despite trying to get his attention with effort, which he is aware of, but plays along with, knowing how to handle such things in his own 'special' way, leaving the men they were with dumbfounded faces.
The men then turned their attentions towards someone who stood above all women in the area in terms of grace and cold beauty, staying silent amidst the commotion, doing the inspection as well.
Unable to control their feelings, they were immediately captivated by her.
"Uhm, what might be your name, fair maiden? I'd like to introduce myself." one brave soul said, unable to take his eyes off her as he worked up the courage to ask up front, not knowing what he was getting in to.
"I'd like to know you as well, my lady!"
"What might your name be, miss?"
Many began flocking to her as well, wanting a chance to be with a charming maiden such as Rayleigh, making the women turn their heads as they saw some of their husbands trying to do as the young men did, making them infuriated
"I am not interested in such narrow–minded men who chase something as materialistic as beauty. Away with you all, and return to your wives and women," flatly rejecting them, her words had the opposite effect, much to her surprise.
"Amazing, how does such charm exist in one woman? She rejected us, yet I feel that I want her to reject me more and more. And with each rejection, it feels like I'm an inch closer to becoming acquaintances with her, when in reality, it is not even close, in fact farther, making me work harder and to better myself, and possibly my hard work could pay off in the future!"
Her cold, piercing gaze struck them like a charm, much like a tingling sensation that attracted them much more to her, making them relent and improve themselves.
*sigh* "Why does this always happen?" she asked herself with a sigh of exhaustion, her hair waving with the coming of the wind and the night.
"Ha ha! Is that so? Will you look at the sky. Forgive me, ladies, but it seems like it's time for my companions and I to leave and protect the peace from those that seek to disrupt it," Johann caressed a young woman's cheek while holding another in his embrace, parting from the crowd that kept their eyes glued to him even after moving away.
"There is no need to question why men chase you, Rayleigh. Your charms, they are, what you might call, addictive. But enough of them, let us call Roland and go back to our guild master. He must be worried by now," Johann said, walking towards Roland, who set down the kids hanging on his body, ending their fun for now.
"Aww! C'mon, play with us a bit more, mister!"
"Yeah, teach me how fight like this! Ha, ha, ha, and that!" the fiery-hearted and energetic child demonstrated a kind of shadow play with using his imagination of possessing the sword that Roland had with him, Durandal, and swinging it here and there.
"First, grow older, then I might consider it," he said with his natural rough and grumpy looking expression, acting as his normal face.
"Yes!" the one that asked him jumped in joy
"No fair. Me too, me too!" many of them relented upon hearing that, crowding him again.
"Quite famous with the children, aren't you Roland? You just continue to amaze me with your hidden traits," Johann said with a coy smile, seemingly teasing him.
"Let's get going already. We've got guard duty after reporting to the guild master," said Roland, ignoring him and walking away after guiding the children back to their parents with care.
The city lights were all being turned on as night came and the moon showed behind the clouds, providing the much needed light for the anxious and nervous citizens, who have no idea when they might be attacked again, leaving their fates on those who want to protect them.
The three of them were walking by the quiet streets being patrolled by soldiers and guild members that they were familiar with, taking in the serene atmosphere that filled the air, something that was seldom experienced after the attacks began and became frequent, preventing them from feeling peace.
"Ahh, how I missed such an experience. Who knew something that was natural in the world could only appear if one found peace in him or her," Johann breathed the fresh, invigorating air in, spreading his arms out with a clear smile, similar to that of a child's.
"I think having nothing but your shield and sword with you is foolish for someone with the title of Aegis. Should you not at least have your armor with you at all time? Your carefree attitude will cost you some day," Rayleigh scolded him with her normal voice, not angrily, but normally.
"Such is the feeling of being someone like me. You have to relish the little things life has to offer, all the while trying to balance it with your life. In my case, I could confidently say that my scales are balanced, without a sign of it being tipped at all."
"I don't know if i should be amazed by your confidence, or disappointed by it. Never be too sure of anything. That rule keeps you alive as far as I know. Having doubts is never a bad thing," said Roland, drawing surprise from Johann.
"Woah! Who knew that you could say a few good lines like that. When I first saw you, I'll admit that I was pretty terrified. I also thought that you were the deadly lone wolf type of person. In reality. You are a caring person at heart. Pity that not many can see that side of you," he placed his arm around his armor, teasing once more.
*sigh* "Say whatever you want," Roland removed Johann's arm, sighing in exhaustion of his antics.
"But still, I've noticed that this had been the only time that the three of us have ever spoken to each other freely. Oddly enough, it seems that we get by well," he continued.
"Now that you say it, you're right. I'm always away from the guild because of Arch-Mage training, and Roland's... hmm, what do you do when you're out for a long time, Roland?" Rayleigh inquired, surprisingly going along with Johann's topic of choice.
"I take high ranking missions alone, so it takes up more time. But, the end result is always the same. I accomplish it, then head back. Rest, then take another request."
"That must seem pretty dull. That's why you're always coming back looking battered. I think if I remember correctly, I tried talking to you once, but you ignored me. It was quite the tragedy. I may have agonized over it."
"There seemed to reason to talk back then, isn't there? I made better use of my time by taking on more requests and honing my skill. Beyond the west is a terrifying menace that's been rampaging for ages. To become stronger means that you can overcome such odds, even with a single percentage of victory," Roland seemed to look grave, clenching his fist, seemingly remembering something.
"I guess you have a point then. I won't pry much longer. But, if you ever need a companion on your lonely quests, feel free to ask me anytime. Rayleigh will agree to that as well."
"What? Why are you deciding for me? Like I said, I might be busy for guild related things. I think Roland can handle anything on his own. Us going will only get in his way," Rayleigh indirectly rejected Johann's offer.
"Is that so? I think I can match Roland somehow. I might have a weapon that I can utilize against him," Johann said, smiling confidently as he said that, drawing a sanguine smile from Roland.
"Oh? Is that so? What weapon do you think can beat me?"
"The greatest proponents in life, skill and luck," he placed his hands on his waist, gloating about his mundane secret weapon.
"I don't know if you're a fool, or a confident charlatan. I'll pass on you. well do it when you're serious about trying to beat me," Roland resumed walking alongside Rayleigh.
"The toughest of crowds cannot be appeased, how cruel."
Before they could enter the district leading to the governor's office, a familiar ringing sound of a bell could be heard echoing throughout the city, awakening the supposedly sleeping citizens, filling them with an unknown fear.
"That's the warning bell. What could it be at this time?" Rayleigh's face turned grave as she turned towards the direction of the ringing.
"Quiet... It's coming from the main gate, the one to the north-west of the city. Let's go!" Roland rallied the two, whom agreed with him without needing to say anything else, rushing to inform to guards they encountered on the way, giving them warnings and instructions.
"Same protocol! Get the citizens in the chapel or the guild house calmly and orderly, and have a guard unit around it. You, get word to Marco Fairway, immediately! The rest of you here, come with us," Rayleigh, the one tasked with acting as the second-in-command in the case of an attack, ordered those they passed by in an orderly manner, having prepared herself for times like this.
"Monsters! Monsters are attacking the walls! Get some people over here, there's too many of them!" people were going back and forth, to and from the gate, shouting tirelessly, looking around with terrified faces.
"Hey, you! Tell me, how bad is it," Roland forcibly grabbed one of the tense soldiers, looking dazed until he snapped him back to reality.
"A-ah, I-uh."
"Get a hold of yourself and speak," Roland lowered his tone, setting the man down, giving him room to breathe.
"T-There are monsters attacking the walls, many of them! We're going to get overrun at this rate. There's large monsters, small ones, every kind! I-I don't want to go back there!" the man left, running away in fear, leaving the group dumbfounded and without any concrete information other than that.
"Well, let's not delay, shall we?" Johann led the group, running fast towards the gate, where a red light shined, and a, large, dark fume of smoke came rising from it, making the situation, whatever it is, more urgent that it was.
Arriving at the scene, they came upon a massacre already happening, and with more casualties happening in the process.
Monsters, ranging from small ones to terrifyingly large ones, had broken the gates, setting it on fire through methods unknown, passing through it in groups, fighting the soldiers that remained, unable to escape their fate.
Bodies were strewn all along the streets, being consumed by monsters that are hungry for blood, not stopping there and taking some more.
"I am at a loss for words. For now, let us help out those that we can," Johann suggested, raising his shield and preparing to fight.
"Are you stupid? You'll get yourself killed through a suicide attempt, and you don't have any armor on but your shield. There's nothing we can do for them as we are now. We're at a disadvantage. Maybe if we had more people, then we could, but that would mean sacrificing more just for another with the same exchange, maybe even more threatening than you originally hoped for," said Roland, firmly standing his ground, looking at the brave men in front of them with a scowl.
"I could try blasting through them. But it wouldn't be enough to take out all. Both of you run in quick and get them out of there with that window of time. No hesitations. I've already started channeling my Essence Cannon," Rayleigh started glowing faintly upon voicing her plans.
The two nodded in agreement, not having anything else to object with, sticking to their current tasks.
"Alright, I'm ready. Start running whenever you want. I'll blast through when you're close enough."
Taking a deep breath, the two ran through exhaling, exceeding the speed of a normal human, yet as they ran, a white, bright, beam passed them by, piercing through the crowds of monsters, creating a clear path for them to take the handful that could be rescued, leaving behind the unfortunates, retreating as quickly as they had gone in.
"Hurry, I'll keep barraging them with my spells. You worry about getting back to safety and asking the guild master what comes next. I'll follow after I've secured your escape," she said, already casting a wide variety of strong looking spells, decimating the growing number of monsters instantly, showing her prowess as a chosen Arch-Mage candidate.
"Let's go! Don't lag behind," Roland yelled to Johann, clearly concerned about Rayleigh, as he hesitated in leaving her behind with the immensely growing number of monsters.
Just before they could get a move on, from further through the crowd of monsters, above ground, flame arrows, made up of dark and eerie magic, quickly came raining down on them, exploding into a massive ball that engulfed much of the area with an unusual dark, flame, knocking everything near its radius away, even the monsters.
Then came forth from the street, walking up to them, a maiden wearing a dark, large cloak that covered her body, leaving only her pretty face and faded pink hair to be seen, her eyes shining in the darkness of the night.
"Marco Fairway, where is he?" she said in a calm, low, unenthusiastic voice, looking at the three knocked down on the ground, reeling from the strong explosion that came as a surprise to them.