Unduh Aplikasi
22.44% Unbound Familiar / Chapter 160: Warring Crimes

Bab 160: Warring Crimes

A few hours later the duo return to their inn with a better idea of just what sort of person Nicolas Grimpt actually was. Most people either didn't know him at all or were reluctant to say a word on the subject, but with some persuasion(Tiffania bending over slightly and Michael bribing them), they were able to gather a bit about the man.

Firstly, he was greatly feared before he'd even gotten become the Commander of Tristania's defences. Most knew of stories from back then that the man would strut around wearing full plate armour except for the helmet, trying to goad people into picking fights with him at bars.

The man wasn't all that impressive of a fighter, but since he was wearing armour and using his heavy metal gauntlets as weapons, most fights ended up with his opponents getting knocked out, crippled, permanently deformed, and some even dying from the trauma to their heads.

Things didn't get any better once he became the Commander of the City's Defence though, the man quickly becoming paranoid that there were assassins coming after him. Now, apparently, even in his home he wore full plate armour, only ever revealing his face to eat or drink, and using a specifically designed flap in the armour to relieve himself.

His servants sometimes spoke about how bad the man smelled. Since he never bathed and was always in his sweaty armour, you'd know if he was coming your way simply due to the sheer stench of him.

lastly, there were rumours of his servants occasionally going missing, with no word of where they'd gone, why, or even how. Though, some speculated it was Nicolas who was the one responsible...

All in all, Michael wouldn't feel an ounce of pity cutting him down and taking back Derflinger. So that was a positive he supposed.

Back in their inn room, they walk in and find Ralf already sitting at a desk with a tea set prepared, one cup in his hand and two already prepared for them. "I'm guessing you did not find the blade?" Ralf asks, as if he already knew something.

Michael crooks a brow, "Yeah, how'd you know?"

Ralf nods and sips his drink, gesturing for them to join him. "Because I attended an execution held in the town square, and noticed that it wasn't just the prisoners that were screaming. The executioner's blade also seemed to be screaming..." he says, causing Michael and Tiffania to glance at one another.

"How did we miss that?" Michael mutters, rubbing the teenage-stubble growing again on his face.

Ralf shrugs, "It was not an official execution I heard, it was sudden and ended just a quickly. Still, now that we know who owns the blade, we can recover it and leave just as soon."

"After we find the prayer book, you mean?" Tiffania says, more excited about finally learning some Void magic than Michael had thought.

Ralf nods, "Of course, though, I suspect the Princess and Miss Valliere too kit during their escape. A good portion of the palace is still being rebuilt from an explosion the Valliere had cast. And rumours of her dark magic have spread to most corners of the city."

"Yeah, I don't know how true it is, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was." he says, having also heard about the magic Louise had cast. It sounded more along the lines of a gravity-based spell than anything else, meaning she had likely started mastering her magic already. Regardless, they couldn't leave it to chance, so he'd check the palace anyway.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day the trio are awoken and meet up at the window to see what was happening. Only for them to see lines and lines of soldiers waiting next to the gate... It was an entire army, and Michale had no idea why they were here, nor if they were here for them.

Fortunately, it seems that the trio wasn't their target. A man with short blond hair and a goatee on his stern-looking face walks up in front of the army, his arms held behind his back in an authoritative stance.

The crown sitting on his head and decorative armour was the only real way for Michael to tell who he was, besides all of the soldiers straightening their backs and stomping on the ground in unison as he steps up. This was the 'new' King Gramont.

"He doesn't look like much." Michael mutters, glancing to his companions to see their reactions. Both also seem pretty disinterested.

Ralf instead just points at some of the nearest soldiers, specifically their expression, "That man doesn't seem to inspire more loyalty... These people look ready to rebel against him at the drop of a hat." he remarks.

"Well, this coupe did only happen recently... Maybe most of them are still loyal to the Princess?" Tiffania asks.

Michael shakes his head, "Why haven't they rebelled then? They must outnumber Gramont's men as it is."

"No. They are loyal to their country, and understand the situation they are in. If they start fighting, there will be nothing to stop the other countries from taking Tristain. There must be someone coordinating this all however, I do not believe regular soldiers would be able to stop themselves otherwise."

The trio is interrupted from their talk when King Gramont begins addressing his army, "Men! Today we will make our first mark on Tristain's history! Our first act to save our beloved country from those that would seek to destroy us!" the man shouts as he points towards the city gates, "WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF DESTRUCTION! SO WE MUST TAKE DRASTIC ACTION TO PRESERVE OURSELVES! WE WILL MARCH ON OUR OWN MAGICAL ACADEMY AND TAKE HOSTAGE THE FOREIGNERS! WITH THEM SECURE! THE ENEMY WOULD NEVER DARE BREATH IN OUR DIRECTION! LET ALONE ATTACK US!"

...

"Well, shit." Michael mutters, feeling slightly bad as this is probably is fault... To some degree at least.


PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Niggross Niggross

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Bab 161: Family Reunion

The army's reaction to King Gramont's words is mixed. Some looked determined, while others looked as if they were going to break ranks and run at any moment. Still, after a moment of silence, the men just stand their ground, no one wishing to be the first to draw the King's ire.

Michael was tempted to just kill the king here and now, but that had the chance of going wrong in so, so many ways. The man hadn't actually done all that much to Michael, especially considering that Michael was technically in the wrong concerning the Gramont family. Plus, the king was probably fitted with many artifacts to stop any assassination attempts.

It should also be noted that all three of them would be run out of town since the three had been seen together by many, meaning they'd be implicated at well. Michael wasn't willing to lose the chance to retrieve Derflinger just to kill some old fart who meant literally nothing to him.

The only thing he was worried about was Charlotte, as she'd be in the Academy when the army arrives depending on how long it takes for her to look for the prayer book.

"I think we should wait for the King and his army to leave, it'll make searching the palace way easier." Michael says, with his companions nodding in affirmation.

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Hours later :

Louise anxiously wrings her hands together from atop the horse she was riding. Before her, was a massive villa belonging to her family where her mother, father, and two sisters were currently residing. Unlike most times she'd come here, all along the outskirts of the territory was many soldier patrols, all of them loyal to the Valliere family.

There were even some Manticores, who'd likely come seeking leadership under her mother, Karin de la Valliere, the Heavy Wind and former captain of the Manticore Knights.

She was anxious to see her family again, but not because she'd failed or shamed them as she used to do with her inability to do magic. Instead, she was worried about what they were to think if she revealed her status as a Void Mage. Not to mention the fact she'd kind of disobeyed them by becoming Henrietta's attendant...

Louise glances over at the princess who was riding beside her and scrunches her brows as a determined expression makes its way onto her face. She fully intended to help Henrietta take back her country, even if that meant fighting. She'd been truly shocked and disturbed by her first kill in the capital, but she'd be willing to do it again if it was for Henri.

"Are you alright, Louise?" Henrietta asks, noticing her friends fervent glare.

Louise shakes her head, "N-no princess! I'm just worried about what my parents will say, if they will assist you.. N-not that I think they won't, but we are only a single-family... I don't think we can fight that traitor Gramont and his allies alone..."

"Do not worry, Miss Valliere, there will be many families seeking to take Gramont down. His attempts to create alliances before the coupe have turned many against him. And now that he has gone against Brimir's will, even those allied to him will be rethinking their actions."

Henrietta nods, "And don't forget, we have you as well Louise. I trust you completely." she says with a smile, though, feeling slightly duplicitous that she was manipulating her best friend, even if slightly.

The group are stopped outside the estate, but once Louise and Henrietta reveal their identities, they are let inside while a messenger goes to retrieve Louise family. Not long after that, the trio are met with four people, two with pink hair similar to Louise, and two with blond hair.

The first was a stern-faced woman with a concrete straight posture, she was beautiful, but looked as if she hadn't relaxed in many years. She had long pink hair that curled at its end, most likely via the use of magic, and was quite tall despite her gender. This was Karin de la Valliere, Louise' mother.

The next is Louise' father, Duke Centurion de la Valliere. He has blonde hair with a well-maintained beard and moustache, he was somewhat portly due to inactivity but didn't look unhealthy per se.

Next to her parents were Louise' sisters, the elders, Eleonore de la Valliere, who has long blonde hair matching her father, beautiful mature face with glasses over her pink coloured eyes. Sadly, her bust matched Louise's washboard figure, unlike her mother and younger sister, Cattleya de la Valliere.

Cattleya had pink hair matching her mother and youngest sister, with the same pink eyes. She was pretty, though, her face and body were marred with a slight gauntness due to a long-suffering illness. She had her hands delicately folded in front of her, and looked as if she wanted to break the tentative greeting party to go wrap Louise in a hug.

"Daughter. You have finally returned." Duke Valliere remarks, sending an accusatory glance at Henrietta. They had wanted Louise back after she'd been expelled from the academy to train her up so that she could be married off, but the princess had decided to ruin all their plans and take on Louise as her attendant, causing both Louise and the Valliere family a lot of grief.

Louise smiles and slowly dismounts from her horse, bowing deeply towards her family, "I'm home... Ah, this is Princess Henrietta de Tristain. And the Captain of the Muskateer Knights, Chevalier Agnes de Milan." she corrects herself, almost forgetting to introduce her guests, as proper etiquette dictates.

Henrietta gives a slight bow at her hip while Agnes bows far lower. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Duke Valliere, Duchess Valliere. I hope our arrival has not inconvenienced you at all."

Eleonore scoffs despite herself and decides to just state her thoughts, "You've done more than just inconvenience us, Princess. Starting a Civil War because you couldn't stand your Fiance? Stealing Louise from us because of your selfishness? And now arriving here to get help to take back the throne you lost?... Did you even fight for it? Or did you just scurry away like a roden-Ouch!" luckily, she'd stopped from making too many faux pas by Cattleya.

"Sister, they have only just arrived, let us hold the serious discussion for later."


PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
Niggross Niggross

Hope you bois liked the chap, if I missed anything please let me know. Thanks!

Also, thanks to my patrons for their support :

ShinAmazake

Kingsprovince

JayJonnaJamison

Jack Allen

Faruk Ereng

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