“… Your lack of interest if obvious, Rance.”
It didn’t sound like the prince was scolding him but more… amused. The warrior in front of him was very similar to himself when it came to showing his feelings and yet it had been really easy to understand.
Ah, but he didn’t feel guilty for forcing him to assist in this mission, as he was his unit for now. While saving Ren was a property, as a prince he will still had other fights to win.
“We shall depart tomorrow at dawn with the Murakumo, be prepared.”
Kai ordered, finally.
“A-ah. My apologies, lord prince.” Bengal flushed slightly at having been found out, but quickly regained his composure.
“At dawn, then.” He had to prepare for his journey, after all. His sword and horse were no doubt back in home territory, so he would need to visit the armory and see what he could get. As for a mount…he wasn’t quite comfortable with riding wyverns yet, but at least he had managed to learn how to ride without falling off.
“Are you still having problems with the mounts?”
The prince asks, they can still had enough time to get a horse ready for Bengal if he asked. A new high level sword, though, would be problematic, so the knight will have to use a standard Kagero one.
As Bengal suspects, while the prince seems as stoic as always in his mind he was considerably distraught for the fate of both dear persons. One more time he had to agree with Bengal, as their thoughts went in the same direction: something was off.
They, however, lacked the information to settle which one was the trick. As Kai Toshiki, the person, he was not willing to risk their safety.
“… We shall raid the main fortress of the Dark irregulars with stealth forces. Leaving Mizuki Jun alive may be best.”
The quick mind of a knight that grew up in the battlefield was working of a way that would risk less people and not alert the one that spreaded the fake info of their actions. If it was an small attack, they won’t notice unless they were there, which wasn’t probable.
“… giving than Miwa’s kidnapping is apparently the first one, the odds are that he will be the one we rescue there.”
It’s not something he can assure, but his intuition says so.
“Very well, my lord. When shall we depart?”
Even if it wasn’t Misaki who they were likely to find, he was still indebted to Kai, and in his service, so he couldn’t complain. It was selfish of him, but he had no duty to protect this alchemist, nor even any attachment to him, hence his lack of excitement for the mission. Yet there was still a thin thread of hope within his heart that even if they failed to find her there, a clue would be present. He wished that he could have prevented this somehow, but there was no way anyone could have predicted this seemingly arbitrary kidnapping. Misaki, please be okay.
“… Your lack of interest if obvious, Rance.”
It didn’t sound like the prince was scolding him but more… amused. The warrior in front of him was very similar to himself when it came to showing his feelings and yet it had been really easy to understand.
Ah, but he didn’t feel guilty for forcing him to assist in this mission, as he was his unit for now. While saving Ren was a property, as a prince he will still had other fights to win.
“We shall depart tomorrow at dawn with the Murakumo, be prepared.”
Kai ordered, finally.
The red knight nodded with a sigh.
“I think the same. And the fact that all the kidnapping are being attributed to the dark irregulars just makes it more improbable.”
It seemed like a trick no matter from which point they looked at it.
“… however, it seems our only information about them, even if false.”
His tone invited Bengal to share his own findings, if he had any.
The other knight remained silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. After a few seconds of rumination, he spoke up once more.
“Having not been out of the castle recently, I have new information to offer, but only my insight. It is my belief that part of this information is part of a much larger trap, and yet I can not rule out entirely the possibility of these rumors actually being the truth.”
His heart hurt when he thought of the idea of Misaki being held hostage somewhere, but he couldn’t do anything about it on his own. Perhaps he could request to be sent on a mission? No, his identity might be discovered if he had not the Kagero prince to back him up. As for the alchemist…he had never met the man, but had heard that he and the prince were good friends. This event must be rather unsettling to Kai, he thought. Having two friends go missing like this.
As Bengal suspects, while the prince seems as stoic as always in his mind he was considerably distraught for the fate of both dear persons. One more time he had to agree with Bengal, as their thoughts went in the same direction: something was off.
They, however, lacked the information to settle which one was the trick. As Kai Toshiki, the person, he was not willing to risk their safety.
“… We shall raid the main fortress of the Dark irregulars with stealth forces. Leaving Mizuki Jun alive may be best.”
The quick mind of a knight that grew up in the battlefield was working of a way that would risk less people and not alert the one that spreaded the fake info of their actions. If it was an small attack, they won’t notice unless they were there, which wasn’t probable.
“… giving than Miwa’s kidnapping is apparently the first one, the odds are that he will be the one we rescue there.”
It’s not something he can assure, but his intuition says so.
Kai Toshiki ordered the generals to prepare the troops for battle, as it seemed inevitable. If Jun wanted war so hard, they were willing to grant their wish.
After making eye contact with Bengal he quickly dismissed the officers so they were able to speak alone. As the halls weren’t a logical place to expect privacy, he guided the warrior to the same golden dinning room he had showed Misaki last time.
“… I assume you know of the recent activities in the dark zone.”
The knight nodded, head still feeling strangely light after the loss of his braid.
“I have heard from the reports that Misa- the Oracle has been kidnapped. It is quite a daring move for the Dark Zone, kidnapping two prominent figures in one fell swoop. I find it to be rather suspicious.”
It didn’t make sense to the knight to take both the Kagero Alchemist and the Oracle of the Neutral zone. To do so would be to draw fire from the two most powerful kingdoms on the continent, considering the connections of both Miwa and Misaki.
The red knight nodded with a sigh.
“I think the same. And the fact that all the kidnapping are being attributed to the dark irregulars just makes it more improbable.”
It seemed like a trick no matter from which point they looked at it.
“… however, it seems our only information about them, even if false.”
His tone invited Bengal to share his own findings, if he had any.
When the prince finally reached the main fortress of the Kagero, he wasn’t surprised of the alarmed welcome they gave him, full of bad news that arrived soon after his depart.
Prince! we are joyful to have you back, but…
Another, more courageous, unit decided to complete that sentence.
The Taishi alchemist was kidnapped!
Kai couldn’t help but be surprised at that, could the Dark irregulars be foolish enough to kidnap two important persons at the same time? how foolish was that?. His generals bringed Murakumo units to his presence, informing the royalty of the latest activities of their enemies and recollected info.
We have found the rests of a lizard soldier, Raigast, and the carriage around the borders with the Dark zone and there had been declarations of demons seeing the oracle in the fortress, prince.
“… so they are foolish enough.”
Misaki would probably wish for him to carry on with his journey to the Goddess’s land, that selfless soul, but there is no way he could leave her alone in enemies hands like that. She is a precious ally, a friend, and so is Miwa.
And what’s more, his own country was clamouring for battle. His sword is his people’s and their wishes his, too.
They shall march to battle.
Bengal was polishing his blades when he heard a commotion outside. It seemed as if the prince had returned. Slipping his various knives back into their sheaths, he stood up and went to seek the prince, all the while slipping his knives back into their various hiding places. Under the guise of Rance, he had managed to avoid being recognized as the dark knight of legend and serve under Kai for as long as he needed to.
Finding the prince, he waited until they made eye contact before bowing slightly, waiting for any instructions his temporary master may have of him.
Kai Toshiki ordered the generals to prepare the troops for battle, as it seemed inevitable. If Jun wanted war so hard, they were willing to grant their wish.
After making eye contact with Bengal he quickly dismissed the officers so they were able to speak alone. As the halls weren’t a logical place to expect privacy, he guided the warrior to the same golden dinning room he had showed Misaki last time.
“… I assume you know of the recent activities in the dark zone.”
When the prince finally reached the main fortress of the Kagero, he wasn’t surprised of the alarmed welcome they gave him, full of bad news that arrived soon after his depart.
Prince! we are joyful to have you back, but…
Another, more courageous, unit decided to complete that sentence.
The Taishi alchemist was kidnapped!
Kai couldn’t help but be surprised at that, could the Dark irregulars be foolish enough to kidnap two important persons at the same time? how foolish was that?. His generals bringed Murakumo units to his presence, informing the royalty of the latest activities of their enemies and recollected info.
We have found the rests of a lizard soldier, Raigast, and the carriage around the borders with the Dark zone and there had been declarations of demons seeing the oracle in the fortress, prince.
“… so they are foolish enough.”
Misaki would probably wish for him to carry on with his journey to the Goddess’s land, that selfless soul, but there is no way he could leave her alone in enemies hands like that. She is a precious ally, a friend, and so is Miwa.
And what’s more, his own country was clamouring for battle. His sword is his people’s and their wishes his, too.
They shall march to battle.
“You…” In a quick motion, Aichi made chase after him not willing to let this go. “TOSHIKI KAI!… You will explain to me of what the hell is going on!…”
The prince frowned at that, why couldn’t he just leave?! this had nothing to do with Aichi, that’s why Kai needs to keep it that way.
“I will not, it doesn’t concern you. Keep with your journey, Royal prince”
He wasn’t going to go away as he continued to follow Kai. Aichi’s short temper was snapped and the boy did something unspeakable. “Ah really?! Ah then I was a fool then to be DAMNED concerned about you, you insensitive jerk! Ah… why are you a complete IDIOT?! I hope… I hope you never save Ren, because I will.” And in a huff of anger, he went off with Starlight unicorn as tears ran down his cheeks.
“My Prince?.. is everything okay?..”
The boy sobbed, covering his face with his sleeve. “Just.. go on… I don’t care anymore…”
“…”
Kai actually stops completely after hearing Aichi’s words, feeling frozen himself. Why does his words still reach him like this? after that rejection, he should be stronger, Kai Toshiki should be able to accept that that was the closer they could get, that fleeting dream.
It was something he already knew, so why…?
The dragon growls again, this time in a worried tone, waking Kai out of that short realization. It didn’t matter, he can’t stop now.
With his stoic mask ready again, the red knight rides towards the Kagero fortress.
… Ah. his attitude is the same as before. His heart hurts, inside his chest, with the sad realization that it’s the same for him. All that happened… didn’t mean much. That only made him wish he was weak enough to run away even more.
“I’m planning to board a ship from the Dark zone.”
He declared his intentions in a cold tone.
Aichi felt his heart get stabbed listening to the cold tone of Kai. Ah… it was back to this?… He wanted for the two of them to be together again… but.. even in this world: it was too cruel for them.
“Huh? Don’t talk to me in such a manner… Hmp. A ship huh?…”
He looks away, and only brings up another question. “Ah yes… Have you heard something about Misaki-nee? I received a notice from Shin-san that… she isn’t at the neutral area. Do you know where is she?”
”’In such manner?´ how do you expect me to talk to you?…”
He is not talking about the ship, Misaki said that Aichi wasn’t going to help them and so he had no reason to speak more. And, in the worst case, he may want to come along… and Toshiki Kai wasn’t confident of resisting a full travel of intimacy, not after that rejection.
… the talk about Misaki surprised him, as she should be back already. An ominous feeling filled him.
“… When was the last time Shin saw Misaki?”
“…. hmp.”
He scoffs as Aichi looked away. “Two weeks ago. When she came back with us from the other world…” Aichi also glared at Kai. “…. Also… Misaki asked Soul Savior about…. Psyquilia. Exactly what are you up to?… The goddesses.. they won’t allow it, so I’m warning you… Don’t try to dig in further into it. Knowing Misaki-nee.. she asked because of you right?… You’re the only other person than me wanting to save Ren.”
“I have no obligation to answer you.”
But it seems Misaki didn’t trust him completely, as Aichi still didn’t know of Bengal (Rance) and his intention to help them. Right now, his only allies were those two and the prince in front of him didn’t need to know about this. This new information Aichi brings worries him, though.
The Oracle was supposed to return to the neutral zone immediately and the Dark irregulars had been unusually calm lately.
In a quick moment of decision he moves the reins of the dragon unit, making it turn back and the unit growled as a question.
“we are returning to the castle”
The prince told it and the reptile nodded.
“You…” In a quick motion, Aichi made chase after him not willing to let this go. “TOSHIKI KAI!… You will explain to me of what the hell is going on!…”
The prince frowned at that, why couldn’t he just leave?! this had nothing to do with Aichi, that’s why Kai needs to keep it that way.
“I will not, it doesn’t concern you. Keep with your journey, Royal prince”
… Ah. his attitude is the same as before. His heart hurts, inside his chest, with the sad realization that it’s the same for him. All that happened… didn’t mean much. That only made him wish he was weak enough to run away even more.
“I’m planning to board a ship from the Dark zone.”
He declared his intentions in a cold tone.
Aichi felt his heart get stabbed listening to the cold tone of Kai. Ah… it was back to this?… He wanted for the two of them to be together again… but.. even in this world: it was too cruel for them.
“Huh? Don’t talk to me in such a manner… Hmp. A ship huh?…”
He looks away, and only brings up another question. “Ah yes… Have you heard something about Misaki-nee? I received a notice from Shin-san that… she isn’t at the neutral area. Do you know where is she?”
”’In such manner?´ how do you expect me to talk to you?…”
He is not talking about the ship, Misaki said that Aichi wasn’t going to help them and so he had no reason to speak more. And, in the worst case, he may want to come along… and Toshiki Kai wasn’t confident of resisting a full travel of intimacy, not after that rejection.
… the talk about Misaki surprised him, as she should be back already. An ominous feeling filled him.
“… When was the last time Shin saw Misaki?”
“…. hmp.”
He scoffs as Aichi looked away. “Two weeks ago. When she came back with us from the other world…” Aichi also glared at Kai. “…. Also… Misaki asked Soul Savior about…. Psyquilia. Exactly what are you up to?… The goddesses.. they won’t allow it, so I’m warning you… Don’t try to dig in further into it. Knowing Misaki-nee.. she asked because of you right?… You’re the only other person than me wanting to save Ren.”
“I have no obligation to answer you.”
But it seems Misaki didn’t trust him completely, as Aichi still didn’t know of Bengal (Rance) and his intention to help them. Right now, his only allies were those two and the prince in front of him didn’t need to know about this. This new information Aichi brings worries him, though.
The Oracle was supposed to return to the neutral zone immediately and the Dark irregulars had been unusually calm lately.
In a quick moment of decision he moves the reins of the dragon unit, making it turn back and the unit growled as a question.
“we are returning to the castle”
The prince told it and the reptile nodded.
