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[Misaki left United Sanctuary. There was nothing she could learn there.

She truly felt useless.

…But that’s just part of being the Oracle, isn’t it. You’re a watcher, not a player. Do not get involved; you’ll only hurt yourself.

But she’s already this far. To simply back out and go back to her neutrality… She cares too much for that.

Caring. For Aichi, for Kai, for Ren… even Bengal, she supposes.

Failure of an Oracle, and failure at anything else. But… there has to be something she can do beyond simply watching…

If nothing else, she should at least inform Kai of her failure. Misaki sighs, and decides to head for the Dragon Empire.]

/Meanwhile, inside the castle, the Knight readies himself for a long journey. 

Many units whisper in every corner, wondering about his recent behaviour, wondering if maybe, just maybe, it’s a sign of breaking? (“so young, what a pity…”) or maybe his interest now lies on something bigger than them? (“Bigger battles, endless battlefields! we should get ready too, Aermo!”). They can’t do more than gossip, after all, since he stubbornly refuses to tell anyone his destination.

Kai was getting ready to choose which other weapons he should take with him, carefully examining the castle’s royal armory, when Neharem approached him, talking about the visit of the Oracle. He nodded, letting the commander know he will meet her./

[It’s been some time since she last visited this country. They do not request her advice very often, and so her arrival was both unexpected and unusual. Still, they have no reason to turn her away, so she was allowed entry. Once she entered the castle, she became uncertain. Is Kai even here yet? She couldn’t be sure.

Before she could become more nervous, a servant approached her, letting her know that the Prince requested her presence. She felt relieved. Misaki nods, letting them lead the way.]

/Kai guessed than any place too related to the art of war would make the neutral maiden nervous, logically. Thinking of that, he choose the main dining hall for their meeting, an elegant room bathed in a gold glow. It seemed so sumptuous that it didn’t seem like part of the palace, that crimson fortress./

Oracle.

/He greeted her with a polite bow and, for once, he wasn’t wearing his armor./ 

[Indeed, Misaki felt less threatened in the dining hall. Not that she actually thought someone would attack her, but she is unused to places where the citizens are so… battle-ready?

In any case, she knew Kai wasn’t someone for her to feel threatened by. She returns his polite bow with one of her own.]

Prince Kai. [In this place, it’s better for her to be formal, of course.]

I… I regret to inform you, that I failed in what I had told you I would do. United Sanctuary keeps information regarding that a tightly held secret. Even as Oracle, or a friend of their Prince, was not enough for their goddess to share anything with me.

[She bows her head, feeling useless again. It’s frustrating.]

…

/The prince closes his eyes, not letting his disappointment  show on his expressions. It wasn’t all lost, not even remotely.  

He could still find all the information they need in his journey, maybe even more than what Soul Saver Dragon knows, and if they didn’t tell anything to Misaki… that meant asking the Royal prince would be useless, so they didn’t have to meet again.

“You can keep running away, isn’t it great?”/

… I thank you for your help, I know you did as much as you could. Now we know we can’t count on the United Sanctuary.

/He opens his eyes again, beautiful green gems devoid of anything but the  determination of a knight./

I shall travel to the Goddesses land as planned and ask them myself.

Aichi… Aichi wants to save him just like we do. He just… can’t tell me anything.

[Is this all I can do? Pass minor bits of information on?]

…I wish you well on your journey, however. But I think, I’ve done as much as I can. I am not able to help with battles, as I’m sure you know. [Useless, as usual.] I will return to my country, and pray for our success.

What we need the most is information

If the Royal prince (“Aichi”) is not willing to share it with us, I’d rather disregard his help. 

/He listens carefully to Misaki’s words and finally nods. There is an idea in his mind but… it may be asking too much of her. She is also a precious person that he wish to be safe./

 I see, please tell us if your visions say anything about our mission. 

[Misaki frowns slightly. What Kai says regarding Aichi is logical, perhaps, but… No, it probably doesn’t matter. This country is incredibly strong, she knows, and the aid of a small country like the United Sanctuary may not make much of a difference, after all.]

Yes, I will send word if I am given any useful visions.

Thank you. 

When do you plan to leave for the Neutral zone?

[She considers. Honestly, she wouldn’t like staying here too long. It’s just… not somewhere she can feel peaceful in.]

I would prefer to return home as soon as possible. I’ve been away longer than I should have.

[That’s true. She did leave extremely abruptly, abandoning scheduled meetings and appointments, and she also feels the need to meditate and try to distance from her emotions again.]

I see…

/Kai thinks a bit and finally answers./

… I can get a unit to escort you home in an hour, if you are in such a hurry to return.

An escort…? I appreciate it, Prince, but I’d rather not trouble you so.

I insist, the zone surrounding this land is not peaceful at all

I’d rather not… fear of you not returning home. 

[Well, Kai has a point.]

Very well. I thank you for the help.

It is nothing, please make yourself comfortable until then.

[She just nods.]

Is B—…Rance here, too?

[Kai may think the question odd, but… well, he’s an ally in this, too.]

/Well, it didn’t feel so weird to him, but he still smiled a bit at her mistake with the knight’s name. It’s both cute and human./

He arrived yesterday and is… trying out a new armor made of dragon scales.