“Madam?” Turning to Leonard, whose armour is covered in monster blood, he frowns slightly. “Is there a problem?”
I explained what I had felt as he frowned. “Sounds like an eruption. They happen from time to time out here, it’s natural magic that clashes. Though this timing is a little…” Leonard strokes his chin while in thought. “Madam, it may be best to join us for dinner once the convoy has stopped.”
“No problem, just let me know when.” Eager to leave this carriage, I take him up on the offer. I knew why he had suggested it, it’s likely that the magic had been a signal of sorts, possibly from Harrington.
“I will inform you once the convoy has stopped and the pot is boiling. For now, it’ll be best to rest.”
Leonard leaves as I sigh. I’ve done nothing but rest! I really did just want to forget this facade and leap into the wind with Alice. She’d gotten so bored that she’d taken to sulking on the bed. She understood why we were doing this, like me she had reluctantly accepted it, but she’d still acting childlike. I didn’t mind, she never rejected me and we made up games to play.
***
“Madams, dinner is about ready.” Leonard entered the carriage, leaving the door open.
“Alright, let’s go.” Walking with Alice, we leave the carriage and with Leonard leading us make our way towards a small camp. I could feel the stares from the Royal Guards that were around the convoy, disgust and disdain coming from them. All except for two of the Royal Guards believe me to be a noble brat so those looks couldn’t be helped, I just ignored them. I didn’t care.
As I approach the camp, a merchant turns to look at me, a very big smile on his face. “Well, if it isn’t the Moonflow Children! Come come, though the food isn’t exactly what glamorous nobles like yourselves eat, you’ll find that it has quite the unique flavour!”
“Oh Henry. You know those children are off limits, you won’t work your way into their coin purses like that. You must be Roxy while the teen here is Tali, is that right?” A refined older gentleman looked us up and down, a smile on his face. “My name is Terry, I am affiliated with th-”
“If they’re off limits why bother introducing your company, Terry? Excuse him, he’s a sly older man, he worms his way into any coin purse. I’m Beth, it’s a pleasure to meet you two.” A middle aged lady smiles softly and gives Alice and I a small bow. “I am led to believe the two of you are travelling for life experience, is that right?”
I look around the campsite, Alice and I have drawn the attention of them all. From their levels none of them were above level 50. “T-that’s right. Father believes it is best for Tali and I to see the world for ourselves.” I repeat the line Leonard had told me, and out of the corner of my eye I see a slight frown come from Henry before it disappears.
“I see, noble children are usually sent for life experience a little younger than you are at the moment.”
“Mother is a bit of a worry wart, as Father puts it. Wanted me to be of age before letting Tali and I wander outside of Vale.” Once again giving the line that Leonard had prepared, I stiffly smiled as we sat on a log near the fire that had a giant cauldron on it. From the smell it’s a soup, the ingredients seem high quality.
“Ahaha! I understand that young lady.” Henry comes over and sits opposite of Alice and I, a grin on his face. “Well, out here we’re all equal. There is danger all around us, at any moment a wave of monsters even those guards can’t handle might appear. Out in these parts being a noble won’t save you. You’ll do well to remember this, it’s the best life advice one should heed. A monster won’t care for your family name after all.” Henry laughs joyfully as I nod thoughtfully.
He isn’t wrong, I have known that truth for a while now. This world isn’t so simple, death is around every corner, it’s why I swore to become stronger. For all I know, Tessa could come slamming into this camp and kill us all here, myself included for betraying Celestia, even though I don’t see it as betrayal. I didn’t know what She had planned, but I knew the best way forward is to eclipse even Her in power.
“Oh, don’t be all doom and gloom, Henry. Here you go, Roxy and Tali, our finest meal for you two. Please excuse us for the poor ingredients, we tend to travel with only the bare necessities to ensure bandits don’t take too much if we run into them.” Beth passes both Alice and I a wooden bowl and spoon filled with soup, which smelled really good. Thanking her, I slowly eat while Alice eats quickly, drawing attention to her.
“Seems Tali likes it! We have plenty here Madam Tali, so feel free to eat as much as you want.”
Alice gives me a gaze, as if seeking permission and I nod. From what I’ve seen, the merchants, while greedy because of our fake identities, were nice people. I made conversation with them, learning that because of the war they had begun to struggle with peddling their wares. They were what they called exporters, they would export their wares to the surrounding towns and make their money that way and could only leave Vale this time because they had been granted permission to do so.
“It is rather odd, the Royal Guard had kept declining our requests, then suddenly they approved it. The only condition is that your esteemed selves had to join us, along with an entourage of Royal Guards. Though I do enjoy the free protection.” Terry laughs lightly. “I could get used to not needing to pay adventurers, those types tend to charge a heavy price.”
“Now now, you can’t blame the adventures. After all, we ask them to leave Vale for months on end, taking them away from the profits they could earn in the city.” Beth sighs lightly. “Though would it kill them to stop asking for more on the return trips? It is rather draining on the coin purse.”
The other merchants share a knowing laugh as I smile to match the mood, which had become rather light. Leonard had said the merchants had some disdain towards my fake identity but they seem to have gotten over it while we conversed. After a while, the merchants started to pack their belongings as they began to return to their carriages to rest. Alice and I made our way back, and since nothing had occurred I felt a bit relieved.
***
Over the next month Alice and I had joined the merchants for dinner, and at first they had been a bit surprised, but I had told them, in Leonard’s words, that I wished to get to know others outside of nobility. Alice had become popular, she found it rather easy to speak with a few of the merchants, especially Beth. Once you got past their greed, they were nice people, never once complaining that Alice and I were joining them.
Tonight, I joined Beth in helping to cook the usual stew that they made. Since I didn’t want to shock them too much, I kept my help limited to helping to cut the meat and vegetables without imbuing them with mana. While chatting with Beth, I sensed a presence which then turned into two, three…before I knew it, there were about twelve presences slowly surrounding the camp, and glancing around as if I’m looking at Alice, I couldn’t see anyone.
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Finishing the preparation as per usual, I turned to look at Leonard and winked at him. He frowned slightly before his eyes widened, a hand going into his pocket and pulling out a pouch. I knew this to be a decoy, while his hand had been in his pocket he had crushed a stone, alerting the other Royal Guards. Leonard nods and walks over to the camp.
“Excuse me, everyone. The time for payment is now, please fetch the coins or we Royal Guards will leave.”
Beth, and the others, fell silent at his words, with a few of their expressions hardening. “Ah, you’re too much of an arse for a Royal Guard. Fine, let’s get their cuts everyone.” The merchants start walking to the carriages.
“I believe they need you to provide payment, dear.” Beth gives me a worried look as I smile at her.
“Don’t worry, I’m all paid up.” As Beth nods slowly and walks off, I catch Henry from the corner of my eye, giving me a wink as he walks off.
Soon, it’s just Alice, Leonard and I in the camp. I put the knife down, still pretending I am unaware of the situation and glance at Leonard. “I’m returning to my carriage. Do not follow me.”
As I took a few steps while Alice followed, I felt a power swarm over us, familiar in nature. It’s a domain. This domain however is powerful, very powerful. Our surroundings changed, from a snowy clearing that contained our camp to an ancient battlefield, rusted weapons of all types plunged into the ground.
You are marked for death. The Domain Master sees all your weaknesses.
Glancing around, I see that the three of us had been surrounded as my eyes landed on a refined old man, a large battle axe on his back, dressed in what I could only describe as military clothing. As our eyes met, he stared down at me as I frowned slightly. Delta-Class and unlike that foolish girl from Crater I knew I couldn’t win against him, he’s too strong.
He flicks a wrist as I sense magic and in the next moment Leonard, who is next to us, is impaled by dozens of metal rods, all of them piercing his armour like a knife through melted butter. Glancing at Leonard, I knew he’s dead, likely not even knowing what caused his death. Glancing back at the old man, I sigh.
“A bit decisive, don’t you think?” Holding Alice close to my side, I stared down at the old man as his attention turned to me.
“He is not needed. You two, on the other hand, are. Though the Royal Guard attempted to disguise you, it’s impossible for us to not know who you are, Alisha ‘The Fox Chef’ Piper, previously known as Alisha ‘Starcaller’ Nocturne.”
Raising an eyebrow, I continued to stare at him as he walked towards us before sitting down nearby. He gestures to the ground before him.
“Come, I believe discussion is better than fighting, especially when my opponent has no chance of victory. Do not worry, I will not harm either of you during our discussion.” He glances at Alice before looking at me again.
“Mum?” Alice looked at me, a face that had no fear. It’s as if she’s asking if we’ll fight, and glancing around once more I felt my mouth twitch slightly. Twelve people in similar military clothing stood around us, encircling us, all of them level 100. Including the Delta-Class, I knew there would be no chance Alice or I could make it out alive, it seems they had come prepared.
“It’s useless to try and seek help from your master, we know you do not have your adventurer's plate with you.” Turning my attention to the old man once more, I sigh once again and sit in front of him. “Very good, a mature approach.”
“I take it you’re from Harrington?”
“So you are aware of the impending war. Yes, I am Captain Howie of the 121st Battalion of the Harrington Special Forces.”
“So what do you want with us? If you wanted to kill us you would’ve done so by now.”
“Good observation. You are aware of the neutrality that the Guild and its adventurers hold, correct?” Nodding to his question, he continues. “We do not simply attack or kill adventurers easily, it is against International Law. The Royal Guards with you have all been killed; however, they were dead before we allowed you to send the merchants away. We do not harm civilians, we had wanted them sent away before approaching you.”
“So you only wished to speak with us, and not fight?”
“That is solely up to you. Though if you were to choose to die here, that would be disappointing. You, along with a handful of others, have been identified as a threat to our victory over Vale and we have chosen to approach you first to offer an olive branch of sorts. Do not concern yourself, we will not use our current position to sway you to swear an Oath, instead we will listen to any demands you have. We do not want you to participate in this war, if you agree to this I am authorised to provide you compensation and agree to any acceptable demands you have.”
Watching his eyes carefully, I couldn’t tell if he was lying or not, but if what he said is true then perhaps I could avoid participating in this war altogether. As if to further convince me, Howie continued speaking.
“You’ve grown tired of how those within Vale treat you, no? Even after all of your heroism and accomplishments all it took is one accusation and all of them turned on you. Why would you want to fight for those within Vale itself? If I were in your position I’d have left Vale behind.”
“Saying what I want to hear does help, but I had thought one in your position would do better.”
Howie smiles before laughing loudly. “The rumours of you do indeed do you justice! Even now I fail to sense even a drop of fear from either you or your daughter. You are indeed correct, I had thought to sway you to our side, but it does appear that won’t happen. Why is it that you remain in Vale, Alisha? One with your potential, that has soared to such heights in a year, yet you remain in Vale. Is it for your friends? Or perhaps for your lover?”
“Lover?” I tilt my head, confused at his words. “What does that mean?”
“No point in trying to hide it, we are aware of those you’re close to. The evolved monster with a special constitution, Aubrey, she is your lover, no?”
Looking at him with a bit of confusion, he frowns slightly. “Do you not know what a lover is?”
I shake my head as he looks a bit bewildered before he shrugs. “Well, let’s just say friends. Is that the reason you stay within Vale, for your friends?”
“It’s a bit more than that, but yes.”
“Well, I can guarantee that when the war begins none of your friends will not be harmed, unless they provoke our army of course. As I said, we do not harm adventurers or civilians so if you wish to withdraw yourself from this war we would have no reason to harm you. We will also provide you with compensation in the form of coin and protection from the Royal Family of Vale. I will of course swear an Oath on this, as well as an Oath to state that we will not harm those you are close to. If you wish to switch our side, we can always provide one of your status with a very healthy reward to fight with us.”
I frown slightly as I think over what he has said. It’s true that I’m only fighting this war for the sake of those I care about, I don’t have any ill wishes against any of those from Harrington, in fact Howie could’ve taken my life but instead he has spoken to me with respect.
“Of course, if you require time we can provide it. My understanding is that you’re currently heading to Hiems on a journey to step onto your Path, correct? This is a difficult decision for you, so I will provide you with a way to contact me.” Howie holds out a scroll, but before I took it I looked at him.
“So you’ll just leave after this?”
“Of course. We will however take Alice with us to ensure you do not betray us until we hear your answer. Don’t worry, we will not harm her, we simply want to ensure your cooperation.”
“No! Alice stays with mum!” Alice grabs my arm while I stare deeply at Howie.
“Seriously?”
“Of course. I will ensure no harm comes to her.”
“And what if I don’t give you the answer you want?”
“I am sure you’ll conclude the best answer, for both of your sakes.”
Breathing in deeply, I look at Alice who looked at me. I didn’t see uncertainty in her eyes, my feelings pouring over to hers, so I knew she’s as prepared as I am. Giving her a small smile, I heard Howie speak once again.
“This is the best course of action for you to take. I understand your hesita-”
Raising a hand calmly, I mutter a single word.
“Midnight.”
Howie flicks his wrist as a shield of mana appears, blocking my spell as I stand up, my chakrams appearing in my hands.
“No one takes my daughter from me.”
“An immature decision, I expected better. In the end, it came down to conflict as we expected. Capture them, they will be extremely valuable assets in the impending war.”
I brace myself as I look around, all twelve of the level 100s had surrounded us, with Howie standing in the air watching over the battlefield, his Domain still standing strong. I gulp down my nerves as I raise my hands, ready to fight as Alice transforms into her monster form.