"...so this is Ascheral Ruin...?" I looked around once I descended from the steed.
The form of white stone slabs filled my vision, each of them in a not-so-descent state with overgrown trees, mosses and roots blanketing them. The bigger picture would be an entrance... similar to the Academy's front gate but nothing like iron fences stood out.
It's definitely ancient, possibly from megalithic period with the sheer size four times larger than Temple of Athena, crude design without recognizable carvings (though I might be wrong if it came from Age of Sinking Dawn) and...
Well. I guess there's a statue of some sorts representing a long-sleeved robed guy without the upper torso and head blocking the entrance but it'd do nothing against Warriors and Mages.
"Hm... to think there still exist a place such as this." Eliza spoke out. "How distasteful. What good is there to keep a living relic from ages bygone?"
Fei snorted, "It will be good if some unknown being related with it rises in power after finding this place."
...he's clearly hoping for a rebellion to take place or is it my imagination? I glanced between the two who was smiling smugly but their eyes were FAR from smiling. Even if they wanted to stab each other's throat, we're basically in an unprotected area.
The reason being that Raumia certainly had some Wards and fortress walls to halt outside threats, but those trapped in them were running rampant. Also, it's not like the kingdom is heavily populated with so many empty yards remaining unused so monsters and abnormal things remained as common.
“...Although..." I paused. "There looks to be a warm welcome."
I gripped one of the two swords dangling on my waist. A black gold ornamented sheath with considerable width, a sword guard taking the image of dragon wings with a thick, simple and long hilt. The silvery white blade shone from the twilight in the horizon and when the two-edged blade left the sheath, a profound sound similar to a bell chime echoed.
Setting up a stance, I let my aura to cover my entire body and heightened my sense. There I found wavering auras tingling and emerged like moths drawn to fire.
"Fei," I called out. "There's no golem around here." I surveyed the area with my eyes and saw nothing except fierce beasts corrupted by evil miasma.
"Obviously. They're deep in the ruin and not like these grunts." Fei said with indifference.
I curled my lips upward at that. "Then allow me to test my limits here."
I first leaped over the fallen statue. In my flight, I saw two four-legged beasts resembling rhinoceros with long legs and paws... correction. Razor claws. Their eyes were murky red, dully shining and they reflected my floating figure in surprise. Once I landed behind them, I pivoted in one place and coated the sword with my aura.
First Step... Tail Smash!
"Haa!" I yelled, slashing the two beasts with a burst of power unleashed at the tip of the broad sword.
One of them escaped but the left one had its face slashed cleanly when it turned around, spraying dark red blood wit nauseating scent. Ignoring the foul scent and miasma, I thrust the broad sword right between the eyes of the wounded rhinoceros, pounding the hilt with additional force.
"RrrooOAaoOaAaaaAAAAAA!?" The beast let loose a death throe and collapsed.
The other one jolted in shock at this but I quickly pulled out the sword, condensed the blade with aura and slashed at it.
Fifth Step: Raging Scales
"..........?!"
Whoa. It got sliced in parts! While Raging Scales can be an intermediate-ranged skill, the Blade Waves mimicked the sharpness of the sword used while the strength put in the motion mirroring the effective distance of the sword wave. Unfortunately, this move could easily snap the blade if the blade was not flexible enough so I never dared to use this skill when using Tyrfingg and Tsukuyomi.
After all, one-handed sword isn't made for bashing and full-power swing and although Tyrfingg is double-edged, it has thin blade so it's as fragile as glass.
Un. A damn good job, I say. This sword was crafted considering my skills set huh? Looking at the sword, a flash of idea appeared in my head.
"I guess I should name you 'Gram' then." I muttered as I locked on to the next target. "Pleased to work with you!"
In a good mood but also cautious at the same time, I kicked off the ground and flew like a guided missile. At the same time, I glimpsed Fei using his mana threads to bisect surrounding enemies with ease. The azure threads shone and trailed the air as if alive and they weaved as if dancing.
Really, it's a beautiful scene to behold even though he's killing monsters. As expected of my dearest knight.
Other than that, the brown-haired woman was... Huh? Wait, why is she staying idly? Does she have cold feet?
Once I slashed through another rhinoceros monster, I gave a glance at her but nothing happened! All she did was staying behind while smiling smugly as if pleased by us cleaning up the trouble! Grr...! Even if you're Fei's sister, that kind of attitude won't do anything other than inviting death flags!!
I really wanted to yell at her but she suddenly turned to me, her gaze sending chills on my spine and she gestured with her lips. At the same time, a lone rhino jumped off the bush and tried to ram into her. The arrogant noble chuckled and she raised her hand and...
"Erupt - Tata L'Yurfa."
A bright white beam erupted from her right hand, the blinding light caused me to wince and the color was soon dyed by the color of earthen brown and black mixing together in a double helix formation. As the hand was aimed at the monster, a bone-chilling smile flashed across Eliza's face. Her eyes glowing and another flash of light blinded me. In the next second, silence fell. I reopened my eyes...
"Wh-what...?" I muttered in disbelief.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
After all - the location where the monster was and the area behind it... everything was completely leveled with thousands of earth pillars protruding like porcupine's back. The amount of destruction was never to be sneered at and only Fei sighed at the inexplicable sight as if he got used to the mysterious phenomenon.
"...there's... there's no mana, aura or even soul essence detected. How does she do- ow!" I yelped as a surge of heat came from my chest.
...huh...? The Crest is shining? And it feels warmer than usual. Why?
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After the battle, I went back to regroup with Fei and Eliza.
“Good work out there, Charlotte.” Fei said with a soft smile. “Is the sword to your liking?”
“Un, perfectly!” I replied and beamed a bright smile.
That wasn't a bad workout but I had to secure the perimeter and checked anything that might lead to unfavorable situation with Fei. Due to it, once I returned to the entrance, darkness shrouded everything.
All except one campfire which kept the surrounding dimly lit. I watched Fei strolling around, taking things out while waiting for the food. Hm, a cooking pot... Looks like we're back to plain ol' soup but something bugged me so much I had no choice other than asking.
"Why is there a luxurious military camp here?" I inquired while staring at the hexagonal camping tent.
"That vixen's hideout. She said since we have the base operation secured, she has all the right to rest in her vainglory. Just ignore it... or rather, please deny her existence from your memory, Charlotte." Fei said in flat tone.
I sighed immediately. Really, these two are handful. When I swept the area, I could hear yells and insults till no end that even the monsters scattered in the great four directions. The argument that scared monsters away… Hah, I wonder if historians would note this down.
Well, let's just grab my reward (dinner) and be done with it. I sat in front of the campfire, placing Radiata and Gram next to me and waited for Fei's cooking finished. Once he nodded in satisfaction, he took out a ladle and a thick wooden bowl, scooping out the soup and pouring it into the bowl and I accepted it. It smells good~
"…but the taste is average." I commented, slightly dispirited but still content with the edible taste.
"As if I have the appropriate seasonings or skills." Fei retorted with a sigh.
I raised one of my eyebrows and lifted the empty spoon.
"Change the 'seasonings' with accuracy. Wild vegetables are not to be made fun of for their rich extracts." I reprimanded.
The youth rolled his eyes away, but after a few moments of silence, he hung his head down and smirked.
"...actually. I'd prefer your cooking, Charlotte."
"Heh. Finally done with formality, beloved knight?"
No comment on that, he answered with the usual poker face on. I spilled a smile at his way of dodging talks related to personal opinion. Well, at least he said he likes my cooking so it's a big plus. Although...
"So... mind if I ask what you are trying to find here?" I pointed at the ruin behind me with a thumb finger.
"...it's nothing serious. It's only an object that probably exist or not. There's nothing but rumors about it." Fei reaffirmed.
"Hn. So what of it?" I asked again, then taking another spoonful of the hot soup carefully into my mouth.
I waited and waited and the boy exhaled, almost as if he had released a large amount of stresses. It did sounded like a sigh but it wasn’t. Maybe. Then my knight said.
“Something that can change Fate without relying on Gods’ blessings. Such is the nature of the object sleeping in this ruin.”
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-Eliza’s POV-
How… exquisite, I mumbled in deep thought. I almost thought it was all but a lie, a rumor that spread among the nobility but this time… I could hardly deny father’s words. He spoke of truth even though he was one with devilish silver tongue.
To think the Deceitful Ruler would speak of truth… That meant he taught us not for naught, be it the acts of killing, the rules of nobility, the shames and arrogance he partook, and our rights as Vagnalos. Despite my disdain and longtime hatred at his gaze whenever he looked at us, I admit he thought of our future.
Or maybe… he had even planned this all? To set out our future path, to make us believe that we are nothing but his puppets?
“…be that as it may, this chance is not something I would like to ignore.” I tapped my heel as I unbuttoned my dress. The fabric rustled against my fair skin and I quickly undressed completely.
Huff… such a hassle. But I’d like my sleep unperturbed and thus I often slept without clothes, although the lack of company is certainly one aspect I would like to fix. Oh well, at least being alone is far better than being pushed around by my foolish brother, and I doubt I could take his Oratoria for myself.
…Although I couldn’t believe it. Why does she have to fall in his grasp? Why not me? Why can’t it be me? Once the swirls of doubts dawned, I realized I was frowning and my hands clenched tightly they looked pale white.
“Oh my, how unrefined of me.” I uttered with a shrug.
For now, I have discovered that 'One of the Two' was found. It was a godsend that That Thing knew nothing of our ordeal, much less our sufferings. But with It being bound through the Crest Contract, my movement is far restricted than I expected. If so…
I have but one path left for me. Thus I shall play along for now, Luna.
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A/N: The mission began! And with a foreshadowing! And... I don't know what to say. Honestly, my mind's still out-of-shape every morning so... see ya soon!