While Michael was waiting for his target to finally arrive in Tristania, other parts of the world were also moving... With news of Tristain's civil war finally reaching other countries ears, Gallia finally decides to make its first move.
Instead of employing its troops to attack Albion as their plans might suggest, they instead direct all of their men to begin encroaching into Tristain's territory... King Joseph sites the country's attempt to take Princess Charlotte hostage as the main reason for this, but it is well known that the King cares nothing for his niece, and might've actually celebrated her death if it'd occurred.
Germania on the other hand, began its invasion of Albion, and while it might still be winter, they believed that their excess of Fire Mages made it more than plausible for them to conquer the land.
Romalia, watching all of this unfold, is unable to do anything but watch. Their military was far, far too weak to force peace, and neither Albion nor Tristain was in any state to actually defend themselves. Making it all seem as if any intervention would be pointless in the end.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Princess Henrietta looks over these reports from within the Valliere estate and anxiously chews her lip, she looks up at Karin Valliere who'd been discussing their possible actions, or lack thereof, "Do you believe we have any chance to win this?"
Karin shakes her head, "No. Not even if we employ my daughter, perhaps if she had more time to master her magic it might be possible. But for now, it is very unlikely."
Henrietta nods and stands for her seat, "We need to return to Tristania and gather what support we can. The west is already lost, but if we can fortify the capital, perhaps we could wait out the storm until Albion or Germania decide to get involved." she says, too focussed on her own kingdom to actually worry about Prince Wales right now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three more days pass, with Michael, Tiffania, and Ralf waiting within a large crowd on the streets of Tristania for Princess Henrietta's 'triumphant' arrival. The crowd around them were incredibly cheerful despite the rather dour news of Gallia's invasion. Still, most of them believed that their rightful ruler would be able to do something about it... Even if those in the know knew just how screwed they really were.
A horn sounds out, and the city gates open to reveal a large procession, with Princess Henrietta sitting in the middle of it, easily visible for all to see no matter where they were located in the crowd.
Many decoratively armoured knights, dragon knights, and manticore knights ride out in front and around the Princess as the procession slowly makes its way through the street. The atmosphere itself was more like a parade than the return of a monarch, especially one who was not all that popular like Henrietta, due to the fact that it was her actions that'd begun the civil war in the first place.
Just behind the Princess, was a flash of pink hair that quickly draws Michael's attention... Louise. He stares at her, Tiffania and Ralf following his gaze. But just as they stare at her, Louise notices and stares back, her eyes widening as she spots her long lost familiar.
She sends a cautious smile at him, and Michael smiles back, hiding his true intentions of stealing the prayer book in her possession.
And just like that, the procession continues unto the royal palace. Michael glances at his two companions, "Looks like meeting up with her won't be that hard after all."
Ralf nods but Tiffania pauses, "Do we have to steal from her? Can't we just work with them? Or maybe borrow the book?"
Michael shakes his head, "I doubt it. The thing is like a national treasure, and they'd want to meet whoever the other Void Mage is... Do you think they'd show an 'Elf' any more mercy than Cendri or Albion did?"
Tiffania pouts, obviously aware that she'd be hunted like an animal if they found out that a Half-Elf was a Void Mage. The fact that an Elf was capable of inheriting Brimir's legacy would send ripples through the world, not good ones either. As there were only two real conclusions that could be made from it.
The first, that Elves weren't the demons people thought they were, and that they thought, felt, and acted as humans did.
And the second, that the elves were able to steal the legacies of Brimir, which would almost instantly spark another war between humanity and what remained of the elves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The procession quickly comes to an end, but celebrations continue throughout the city. Not that Michael was taking part, of course, he had a different objective entirely.
He slips one of the palace guards a note and asks them to hand it to Louise, paying them a couple of gold coins to make sure it gets where it needs to be.
Two hours later, two figures enter the booked bar room Michael was waiting in. His brows raise when they lower their hoods to reveal not only Louise, but Princess Henrietta as well.
"Huh, didn't expect to be greeted by royalty when I set this up." he mutters as he gestures towards the chair opposite him.
Henrietta shakes her head, "And I did not expect for my attendant to be contacted by her long lost familiar. But it seems surprises are many these days." she pauses, "If it isn't obvious enough, Louise received your message."
"And? What do you make of it?" Michael asks, wondering what they thought he wanted from them.
Henrietta shakes her head, "I am wondering why you would risk entering this city, you say you need to speak with Louise, but you have never gone anywhere without a goal in mind." she states, her tone sounding accusatory.
Michael shrugs, "You don't know me well enough to say that." he says, ignoring the many cities he'd had a hand in destroying.
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"Mich-Familiar... Did you have anything to do with the disaster in Antomiers?" Louise finally asks, sounding as if this question had been weighing heavily on her shoulders.
Michael shakes his head, "That's a stupid question... Of course not, why would I do something like that?" he scoffs.
"Perhaps you wished to assist the Reconquista against us as we were hunting you?" Henrietta asks.
Michael crooks a brow at this, "If you think that I might've been with the Reconquista, why did you come here with little to no protection?
The princess straightens her posture and lays a hand over Louise's, "I trust Louise' judgement concerning you. But despite what you think, we are far from powerless here. So I would ask you to not try anything untoward."
Louise smiles at her words but firms her expression as she turns towards Michael, "What did you want to talk about, Familiar?"
"I need to borrow something of yours. It's important, very important. Brimir's Prayer Book." he states, causing both girls to tense up.
"What would you need that for?" Henrietta asks with a frown, her hand lowering from the table and onto her lap, so that she could reach for her wand faster.
...
"Don't worry what I need it for, just know that I need it... I've helped Tristania out by dealing with some psycho's, so I think I'm at least due a favour..." he looks to Henrietta, "I helped rescue your boyfriend Prince Wales, if he wasn't such a douche bag I might still be over in Albion helping them... So help me here."
Henrietta shakes her head, "You won't see the book unless you tell us what you need it for. The founder's prayer book isn't just something we can hand out. It's a national treasure, enough to give Romalia reason to denounce us if we lose it. And I have heard nothing of you helping my kingdom, perhaps to you murdering Nobles is something to boast about, but for me, it is a loss of yet more resources we could use."
Michael taps the armrest of his chair in irritation, glancing over at Louise who just nods in affirmation with Henrietta. "Nicholas Grimpt wasn't a Noble."
Derflinger chuckles from the corner of the room where Michael had left him, "That guy was one sick puppy, partner!"
"Just stay out of this, Derflinger." Michael says while palming his face, looking at his guests, "Ignore the talking sword, he was cursed by an elf or something... As for Nicholas Grimpt, I don't know if he was around while you ruled the city, but he was a freak who tortured people on a whim. So, if you care at all about favours or paying someone who deserves it, you'll let me borrow that book!"
"No. Even if we gave it to you, there would be no point! Only a Void Mage can make use of it!" Louise proclaims, looking slightly smug.
"What if a Void Mage's familiar has a use for it?" Michael asks, causing Louise to go silent in thought. "Besides, you owe me for summoning me here! Can't you just let me borrow the book?"
Louise's face reddens, "I helped you escape the academy! You're the one who should owe me, Familiar!!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!" Michael continues to retort hotly, only for Henrietta to interject herself into the incredibly intelligent discussion.
"Enough! Both of you!" she looks to Michael, "We will not be handing the book over based on some perceived amount of favours, it is simply far too valuable to consider! So, unless you have something worth trading for it, this will be the end of the discussion!"
Michael scowls, "Alright, I've asked you nicely, but since you're going to be a bitch about it..." he stands, "Give me the fucking book or I'll knock your pretty fucking teeth out!"
His abrupt change to violence has both girls rapidly get to their feet, Louise looking suitably offended and angry at the disrespect to her friend and rightful ruler. "Familiar! You take that back right now, or I swear I will punish you!" she exclaims while pointing her wand at him, her hand actually trembling slightly as she does so.
"You can try, Louise, but I promise you'll not like the results." he retorts, preparing a Blink Strike.
*Crash!*
The door to the room slams open as Agnes charges in and points her musket straight at Michael's face, "I knew you couldn't be trusted, False-Familiar!"
"Pick me up, partner, I'll handle them!" Derflinger shouts from the side of the room, causing Agnes to turn her attention towards it, allowing him to Blink Strike behind her. He vanishes and appears behind her and grabs her musket, pulling it back and pulling it over her neck to hold her hostage.
"Give me the book and no one will get hurt!"
"You stupid, disloyal familiar! The prayer book is mine! I won't let you have it! Implode!" she exclaims, causing a wisp of smoke to shoot from her wand and begin crawling towards him as he holds Agnes hostage. He tries to step around it, but finds the smoke crawling over Agnes and onto him.
"What the fuck is this!?" he mutters, trying to shake it off, but by the look on Henrietta's face, something really bad was about to happen. He casts Counter Spell, but the magical barrier appears and disappears without any effect at all.
"Let go of her, Familiar, or I'll blow you up!" Louise threatens as she inches towards Henrietta who'd fallen over when Agnes had burst into the room.
Michael scowls at her, "Blow me up then, and take this bitch with me." he says, pulling Agnes closer to him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't aware of the complexity of the 'Implode spell', so, when the smoke crawls onto his arm and detonates. Michael is incredibly confused to find his entire arm disintegrating into itself and disappearing, exploding outwards a second later in a spray of gore that covers everyone in the room.
Indeed, had he not invested in Anti-Mage's magical immunity, his entire body would've gone the way of his left arm... A bloody smear on the floor, walls, and ceiling.
"Arrgh!" he groans as Agnes shakes herself free from his now single-handed grip, smashing the butt of her musket into his face as she turns around.
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