Part 5 - Championnat

"Is that everything?"

"Ah, yes. Thank you so much, Miss Satie, you didn't have to..." said Orchestra

"No worries. I was tasked with giving a positive impression of Championnat so, this is all part of the work"

"I-I suppose..."

Satie had just finished packing the carriage-car with the supplies needed for this multi-day trip to Championnat, impressing Orchestra, Poda-Bruss and Sacrosanct with her incredible strength.

"A-are you some kind of magical creature or something?" asked Sacrosanct

"Nope! 100 percent human"

The group got on the carriage-car, a carriage driven by motor instead of horses, one of the newest inventions from Championnat.

"But I've never seen such a carriage... There are trams in the city, but this can go anywhere even without tracks correct?" asked Poda-Bruss

"Yup! No idea how it works but it just does. Championnat isn't called the central hub of innovation for nothing! I think"

"And how long will the trip take again?" asked Sacrosanct

"Hmm... Around 3 days?"

"What?! 3 days stuck inside this small carriage?!"

"Well, there are some beautiful stops along the way. The road wasn't built just for the capitals of Championnat and Avangarden to connect. There are a lot of fun things too!"

"Wow, really? Like what?"

"Eh... I've never actually travelled this road before, so... Well, I'm sure it'll be fun!"

...

The group was now on the road, travelling at a consistent pace toward the capital of Championnat, the Forte-Blanc.

After hours of driving, their first stop was at a small village along the outer areas of Avangarden, a town famous for its calm and cozy sceneries, undisturbed by human progress. It was home to many artists and had strict laws to protect its beautiful nature. It also harboured many species not found anywhere else.

"This would be a nice place to retire to..." said Sacrosanct

"Indeed" agreed Poda-Bruss

"What's retire?" asked Satie

"Huh? Do you not know what retirement is?" replied Orchestra

"No. What is it?"

"Retirement is when you get too old to work, so you quit and live without working"

"Huh?! How can you be too old to work?!"

"I mean, people get weaker and duller in the mind as they get old...?"

"At that point, wouldn't you just die?"

"D-die? Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"I mean, surely you won't be able to survive with such a feeble body"

"I think you're misunderstanding something... Let me put it this way. Let's say that Miss Satie became too old to pick up the blade"

"That would never happen"

"Let's say you do, okay? Everyone does - except maybe people like Reginn - but mostly everybody. Now what will you do?"

"Life without my blade... Is there even such a thing?"

"I'm sorry to tell you, but that's how it is. You won't work forever!"

"Th-this is bad! I have nothing but my swordsmanship, so without my blade I'm nothing!"

"W-wait! There's no need to panic. Since we came to this beautiful town, why don't we try some art, Miss Satie? Maybe you can do that in your retirement"

"Alright, let's go!"

...

The heroes entered the elusive forest with a canvas in one hand, brush and paint in the other. It was a popular tourist attraction where individuals or groups of up to four could experience what it would be like living in this town as a painter.

This wasn't about the product or how good you were. The lush forest view, the thoughts behind the strokes, the sensation of the brush and the sound of the woodland critters. The process was the experience they had paid for.

Orchestra was trained in art as a royal since she was young and was confident in her stroke, but added her own spins to the scenery, letting her imagination run wild. She enjoyed painting. It was one of the only times when she felt the burden of being a hero fly away, only the artist in her remaining. Now free to express herself and play on the canvas.

Poda-Bruss on the other hand was clumsy and slow. Carefully bringing what he saw with his eyes to the canvas to little success. He was losing hope when he saw what Orchestra was doing, not letting the rules define her piece. Poda-Decided to do the same. Painting the feeling of being in the forest rather than the forest itself.

Sacrosanct did not care much for painting and only care here on the recommendation of the others. He was the type of person to sleep and rest in his free time, so the calming environment was still enjoyable.

Satie was the only one who had never held a brush before, but she learned quickly, handling the brush with the grace of a blade.

When the designated time was depleted, the group picked up their canvases once more, bringing them outside the forest. Orchestra shared her work first, impressing the others to her embarrassment. It was a beautiful piece. Amateurish for sure, but there was a soul behind the picture, a story. Poda-Bruss's on the other hand was much more impressionist, rough and vague, but focusing on the emotions invoked rather than the physical accuracy. Sacrosanct lay a few strokes, covering the canvas in pleasing colours without much thought. Satie's was...

"Wow! I don't think I've ever seen such a style before!" applause Orchestra

"Indeed. A very foreign piece" added Poda-Bruss

"Well, I suppose so. I just tried to emulate the artworks from my home country" replied Satie

"Hm? Where are you from?" asked Orchestra

"I'm not sure if the kingdom still stands in the present, but I'm from the kingdom of Shiryu"

"Shiryu... I feel like I've heard of that place before"

"Wait, wait. Did you just say 'if the kingdom still stand in the PRESENT'?" said Sacrosanct

"Uh, yeah. I'm a hero too you know"

"Y-you know that we're heroes?" added Orchestra

"...Was I not supposed to know?"

"Well, Satie is a hero too, so I don't think anything's wrong," said Sacrosanct

"If you say so..." replied Orchestra

The day ended peacefully, the group spending the night at a nearby hotel. They learnt that Satie was the 44th hero, hailing from Shiryu, Orchestra tried to remember what she knew about Shiryu. It was a kingdom far east, with a long shore famous for its sea life. They were very different from what was known as the Western Sphere, encompassing Britomart, Championnat, Sonosis and of course Avangarden. On the other hand, the Eastern Sphere was composed of the Nomadic Giants, Zeross Theocracy - also known as the Dwarven Kingdom, the mysterious land of frost giants and finally, the Kingdom of Shiryu. Orchestra knew that the list was not complete, that there were more people and kingdoms out there yet unreached. The Eastern and Western Spheres are connected through the land, the Zeross Theocracy lying between the two continents. Sonosis was the entrance to another continent of its own, rumoured to contain hellish landscapes including volcanoes, geysers and natural fire pits. Avangarden lay in the middle of the Western Sphere, Britomart to its north, Championnat to its west, Sonosis to its south, Zeross to its east, Nomadic giants further east and Shiryu being the furthest east recorded. It was easy to travel to the east but it was a different story to travel west. Beyond Championnat lay the turbulent sea, stretching for eternity, no sailor returning from its depths. Even the aircraft of the current era did not seem to be able to cross the ocean.

Orchestra knew a lot about the world, better than most, but she never really travelled much. She remembered travelling to Zeross when she was a princess during her father's travels and remembered how strange the place was, filled with noise and metal, the gears unstoppable.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

She wondered if Championnat was going to be similar, since they were both technologically advanced nations, far surpassing Avangarden. Perhaps if the eternal war ended, the kingdom would grow to compete with its neighbour, but for now, it was locked in progress with Sonosis, the eternal war draining great resources.

Orchestra ended the night, dreaming of travelling the Earth

...

The group was back on the road, travelling to even more rural areas of the expansive kingdom. They saw fields of wheat and corn spanning the size of an ocean, the endless golden sea with the wind as its waves. They also saw more wildlife, witnessing woodland creatures they had never seen before. Overall, it was a great sunny day with beautiful clouds to be seen.

They soon passed a sign reading:

'Welcome to Mendelssohn, Population: 500'

Poda-Bruss's memories came rushing in, the nostalgia filling his mind. This was the hometown he was born in, the hometown... he never returned to.

"This is... my birthplace"

"Really? I thought you had to be born in Cadra to become a royal guard"

"Well, there are no strict rules about that. At least there wasn't as far as I could remember. It's just that it's a bit more difficult"

"I see..."

The group decided to stop here after their long travel. They would not sleep here as to not delay any further but ride during the night.

Poda-Bruss walked the familiar paths, Orchestra following. Sacrosanct decided to find a good place to take a nap while Satie went to buy more supplies as well as souvenirs for her king.

As Poda-Bruss retraced the steps he took when he left the town for the last time, heading for the Royal Gladiatorial Academy in a royal carriage. He had many siblings and both parents, the house lively every single day. He loved this place, his home. However, on one fateful day, he decided to go to a strongman competition where he was watched by the king in disguise, on his way to Championnat. He was impressed by his feats and personally invited Poda-Bruss to the academy, an offer he could not refuse. Poda-Bruss promised his family that he would return, but in the end, he was killed by the demon lord's army while protecting the kingdom.

"Is that a royal grave?" pointed Orchestra

They were at a graveyard, a dozen graves under a large tree. The largest one had the signature crown, showing that a king was buried there.

"Arthur... Who was King Arthur?"

"He... He was a great king. The king of my era, the one I've pledged my life to"

"...I see, but what is he doing here?"

"King Arthur and I were close friends... I... Orchestra. There is something I need to tell you"

"What is it?"

"It's about my past. Something I've never told anyone else."

...

The 25th era of Avangarden was not a peaceful time, filled with violence riots and war. The streets smelt of blood as the demon lord Brutus's invasion began. The massive set of armour destroyed the streets and the buildings as hordes of petty demons ravaged the kingdom. The army was doing the best it could, but it was not enough without the help of their hero, who was guarding the capital, a massive barrier covering the entire city.

"Poda. You need to leave the capital and help those much more in need. With your barrier, I do not need more defence"

"I apologize, my liege, but I am first and foremost the head guard. It is my duty to-"

"Are you defying my orders?"

"I-"

Suddenly the roof of the throneroom caved in at the south side, the demon lord appearing within the dust.

"H-how"

"E-e-elementa-a-ry"

Poda-Bruss noticed that a foot soldier was captured by the armour. He realized that Brutus must've entered by possessing a soldier, which tricked the barrier into letting him in.

"I will not let you any closer, demon!"

Brutus was not pleased. His opponent was far too weak for him. To Brutus, the defence did not matter as he could bypass it with his possession. The slow and tanky types were the easiest prey for him.

However, underestimating Poda-Bruss would be a deadly mistake.

Poda-Bruss travelled swiftly bashing into Brutus without hesitation. He was surprised by the burst of speed but retaliated with a long-ranged punch, blocked by Poda-Bruss's shield. Brutus extended both of his arms and grabbed the shield, ripping it out of Poda-Bruss's arm. Now he had to rely on an inferior mana shield.

Brutus transformed into a ball and slammed Poda-Bruss against the wall with momentum. The hero was now stuck on the wall. A single piece of the armour - the helmet floated out of the sphere.

"I-impressi-ssive, but your-r duty-ty is ov-ver"

The helmet travelled directly toward the king, who tried to fight against it with his own blade. However, the king was far too weak to beat even the helmet of Brutus, and the equipment forced itself onto the king, latching onto his face.

"Gahh!"

As the king struggled, he began to bleed out of his face. Brutus was forcibly extracting mana from him in order to heal himself.

"My liege!"

Poda-Bruss struggled to escape the wall. Hearing the cries of his king, he began to slam his fist against the wall, eventually breaking it. Poda-Bruss almost fell from the high throneroom, barely holding onto a ledge. Down below was Cadra, the city smelling of heavy smoke, houses blazing down. By the time he pulled himself up, the entire armour had assembled itself onto the king.

"N-now what-t, hero-ro?"

"P-Poda! You can't hold back! You have to destroy the armour now!"

"But-"

"That's an order!"

Poda-Bruss resummoned his shield and battled his king possessed by the armour. King Arthur continued to scream in agony as the hero and the demon lord exchanged blows. It seemed that Brutus was actually weakened by possessing the king, Arthur's strong willpower fighting against the armour.

After an extended battle, Brutus and the king finally fell, the glow of the armour dissipating.

"My liege!"

Poda-Bruss ripped the armour off of the king, who was bloodied and bruised all over his body and bled heavily from his mouth.

"Y-you did the right thing Poda"

"...How... Why-"

"Listen to me Poda. This isn't your fault. It's mine. If I had done better, the demon lord's army wouldn't have advanced so far into the kingdom"

The armour slowly floated away to the hole Brutus made in the ceiling. Poda-Bruss tried to chase it but was stopped by the king grabbing his arm.

"Stay with me for a little bit, Poda"

"...Yes, my liege"

"Thank you..."

"...If only I had been stronger if only I listened to you-"

"Poda. One cannot live with regret. The past is in the past, it is up to you now. Everything"

"Arthur..."

"Protect my children and the children of my children. You will always be a royal guard"

"..."

"Now go get that rusting armour! The job of the head guard is to protect the king, but you're more than that! The job of the hero is to protect Avangarden! Protect my people, Poda!"

"Arthur! I'll avenge you! I'll protect this kingdom! So wait for me, okay?!"

"...When the war is over. I'd like to visit that small town again. Let's have a drink there together"

"I swear on the Goddess I will fulfill that promise!"

"Now get out of here, Poda!"

Poda-Bruss quickly hurried out into the blazing city, the floating armour within sight from the castle. This would be his final battle, but he would avenge Arthur, and the kingdom of Avangarden.

...

"Poda..."

"...Haha, sorry for telling such a depressing story"

"...Come follow me, Poda-Bruss," said Orchestra

Poda-Bruss was confused by the sudden request but followed her nonetheless. Orchestra began looking around the town when she finally found her destination.

It was a bar, almost empty as it was the middle of noon on a weekday.

"What would you like?" asked the bartender

"We'll take two of your recommendations"

"Very well"

"Orchestra..."

"Poda-Bruss. You've been protecting Avangarden, protecting a king, protecting a kid with Arthur's blood flowing in her and you also returned to your hometown, like you promised. If you think about it, you've fulfilled all your promises, except that drink with King Arthur. I can't help you with that, but I hope that... maybe I can still help you"

"...Ha! I've been so foolish to be hung up on the past. I see that even now, I am not good at listening to the king's orders. Thank you Orchestra" said Poda-Bruss "Bartender, could we purchase a bottle from you?"

The two of them finished their drinks, talking about the adventures they had and the people they met. Afterwards, they head back to Arthur's grave, a bottle in hand. Poda-Bruss lay down the bottle next to Arthur's grave, finally fulfilling his promise made centuries ago.

"...I see what you meant, Arthur. I know that you are watching over me in Elysium and I just want to say... thank you. For taking in a dumb country bumpkin like me and making me a hero. For everything... After I leave my village I'll be leaving my past behind, but you'll always be in my heart"

"..Uh... King Arthur! Thank you for taking care of Poda-Bruss when I wasn't around. He's doing great now and is now the best at following the king's orders! I know you don't know me but your bloodline lives on. Poda-Bruss succeeded in his mission"

"...You can call me Poda, Orchestra"

"...Okay, Poda!"

The two of them returned to the carriage where Sacrosanct and Satie stood by, waiting for departure. The carriage travelled through the night, Poda-Bruss finally entering a new era of his life.

...

They were finally past the border and were now in Championnat territory. It was a swift process thanks to Satie and the royal privileges given to her by the king. Satie seemed particularly close with the king, talking about him all throughout the trip. Now the heroes knew more about the king than themselves.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped as Satie spotted a person blocking the road.

"What's that guy doing?" questioned Satie

After confirming that the carriage had stopped, the figure jogged closer. The heroes could now make out the fancy clothes fitting of a royal, dirtied and tattered. This wasn't a bandit or anything of such.

"How do you do, stranger?"

"I... I need a ride to Forte-Blanc. Take me with you"

"And who are you exactly?"

"I am the rightful prince of Championnat!"

"Huh? If you're a prince, what are you doing all the way out here?"

"I WAS the prince until a few months ago when I was exiled for no reason by my father to the wilderness of Avangarden! It had to be that damned stranger... Curse him!"

"A stranger?"

"Yes. A stranger with golden hair and heterochromia. He's been using his mind tricks on my father and has probably usurped the throne by now... I must return immediately! I've come so far, so please! Help me!"

"...Doesn't that sound a lot like King Gaius, Satie?" questioned Sacrosanct

"I guess so... But there's no way Gaius would do something like that! It must've been some other incubus with golden hair and heterochromia! Gaius probably chased that guy away by now"

"Well, I don't think it matters too much whether we leave him or not. Let's just give him a ride" said Orchestra

"Sure, why not"

So the prince, Jean-Paul joined the carriage travelling to Championnat. His presence made the heroes wonder about what could possibly be going on in the capital. Perhaps Satie was already under Gaius's mind control and perhaps this was a trap. The heroes decided to follow through with the journey. It was their duty to promote Avangarden and the well-being of its allies was the well-being of the kingdom.

...

"Wait!" shouted Sacrosanct when he caught sight of a familiar location "Could you guys wait for me for a bit?"

Sacrosanct hopped off of the carriage and entered the familiar forest. He saw that some of the trees seemed unchanged, standing true for centuries. After quite a bit of wandering, he entered the open field, his house waiting for him.

"Finally... Home sweet home..."

It was literally millennia since he was last home. He entered the building and found it untouched, everything perfectly as he left it. He explored the house and it was a surreal experience as if he was sent back to the past. Through the bedroom window, he noticed a strange monument in his backyard.

After exiting the building, he found the monument and he realized that it was a grave. Inscribed upon it was the name...

"King June..."

Sacrosanct caressed his friend's marble grave. She had fulfilled her part of the promise, to find him in Championnat. She had found his home.

Sacrosanct closde his eyes. Even her bears were buried here according to the gravestone. He continued to feel the gravestone, unsure what emotion he should be feeling, and what kind of face he should be making. Suddenly, he felt a small bump and looked.

This was June's royal heirloom, the neckless made from the second hero's scales. She left it here for Sacrosanct to perhaps someday find, or perhaps it was waiting for its rightful owner.

Sacrosanct removed the necklace from the headstone and put it on himself. He felt a strange sensation as if the rest of the world had fallen silent, comfirming that the artifact still worked after centuries.

He would come back to his house again someday, but this was enough for today. He would return to June again, next time with a gift.

Sacrosanct returned to the carriage, telling the others about what he had found.

Now with promises fulfilled and pasts resolved, the group headed to Forte-Blanc, ready to face any obstacle head-on. However, they were woefully unprepared for what was to come; the False Incubus King and the Emperor's Blade.