"…and then, I walked. All the way to Buranikka, where… We’ve met."
And so, Eve Reese finished her story. Her tears had long since stopped, but the sclera turned into something quite alike to the maiden’s crimson eyelids. Keyaruga, Freia, and Setsuna carefully listened, not daring to interrupt the teary tale of betrayal, bloody persecution, and the fatal conclusion to the lives of all of her friends, family, and retainers. And while doing so, she ate three bowls of the healer’s soup. Other girls ate only two, and the man himself barely finished his own.
"I see." Keyaruga nodded, leaning on the back of a repaired chair. "All you can remember is how you ended up in a pile of bodies you apparently killed, even though you were pretty exhausted at the time. Something doesn’t add up."
"Keyaruga… Don’t…" The princess tried to dissuade him from saying the unnecessary, but the lad only raised his hand to stop the pink-haired caster.
"I don’t know! I said I don’t know, how!.. I… You tell me, you know it all, bastard!!!" The black-haired lady snarled, pointing her finger at the smug hero.
All right, that was useless. When I healed her, I saw a hole in her memories. Maybe we weren’t destined to meet after all? Maybe someone instigated this turn of events. Hey, spirit, can you hear me?..
…
No response, heh?
"Haa… All right, all right, calm down, Eve." Keyaruga exhaled, reaching for one of his many bags on his waist to reveal a small leather pouch. "Dried cranberries. Here. Freia… Setsuna… And now you, Eve. Go on, take it."
"Are you… bribing me?" The kokuyoku scion asked doubtfully. And yet, despite everything, she did take a grain of berries from the sac. A few moments later, she took the first cautious bite. Then, the maiden not only munched everything she grabbed, but also snatched some more.
No more pride, I see?
"Don’t rush. Bad for your health." Setsuna pointed out. The huntress couldn’t help but pity the poor child.
"Nobody will hurt you. We’re here for you." And so did Freia.
"M-m… Aymas tati (so sweet)!"
I know. Girls like sweets, don’t they? Now, let’s wait a bit… A bit… A little more. Damn, my queen, is your stomach bottomless or something?
"Well then, Eve. It’s time for you to decide." Keyaruga spoke, hiding an already empty pouch back where he took it from. "I want you to join us. The terms are simple; me, Freia and Setsuna will protect you. We’re strong and can guarantee your safety until you take Kyuntarnur Gyukanze (the Obsidian Throne). Of course, we will help you replace the current me-ua for good. You must win, so that you can protect the remains of your tribe."
"It’s… a nice offer. Too good to be true, actually. If you’re so strong, why don’t you capture Kinacrith all on your own? You’re just mad enough to become the first human me-ua."
"Ha-ha-hah… No, it’s not that simple. First, I do intend to become a king. For Jioral, though."
"That’s why you need an army…" The maiden admonished, looking right into the man’s crimson eyes, which matched her own.
"Eventually, yes. Until then, you can fight for us and yourself. You don’t seem so battle-hardened at the moment, but we’ll change that." The red-haired lad spoke dismissively.
"That’s it?" But even so, Eve wasn’t yet convinced.
"No. We’ll be dealing with whatever goons or assassins Hakuo would send after you. For that, I wish you to help me in establishing peace between our countries right after you take the throne."
"First you want our army, now you want peace? Aren’t you a little bit… reckless for that? And where’s your coalition? Do you wish to rule all by yourself?"
That was actually a sharp point. So much so that the healer stumbled for a bit. With a light shade of grinning on his lips, he contemplated his options.
"For now, I have Cryleths’ family in my pocket. And then…" But barely did the lad start speaking about recruiting the most prominent general in Jioral’s court when the Hero of Magic rose from her creaky chair.
"I am Flare Arlgrande Jioral, the First Princess of the Jioral Kingdom and the Hero of Magic. I will get my people to follow Keyaruga’s lead no matter what, Eve Reese of kokuyoku people!" The sorceress majestically declared, making the queen-to-be even more uneasy.
"All right, I get it! I GET IT!!!" The maiden broke out, turning her back toward the trio. "So I have to marry you now? You really do aim for my body, you brute."
"Wait, what? Eve, are you so arrogant as to assume I’ll need to take you just to have this ten-year bloodbath over? You think I’d put my lovely Freia and Setsuna in danger just to have my way with you? Heh! No way!" Keyaruga chuckled, half-hugging both his sorceress and huntress. Surprisingly enough, he did like the maiden ever since he wanted to steal her heart. But what meaning does that have now?
"Fine, damn it! I’ll join you! I’ll… try to be useful, okay? I’m strong, really strong! Unless I have to deal with dirty tricks, none can defeat me!" Eve exclaimed, extending her shining wings. Regardless of how well she tried to sell herself to the trio, none of them found it appealing in any way.
"Fool." Setsuna sniveled at such arrogance.
"Evy, dearie, that’s not how it works." And Freia became concerned about their new comrade.
"That’s right. What kind of arrogance makes you think murderers have to play fair? Curses. The more I know you, the more I’m afraid for you, little dolly. You’re just like that fish, washed up on the shore. Think you’re the strongest here? Remember yesterday!"
"S-SHUT UP!!!" The kokuyoku scion snarled, comically wriggling her hands. "Stop bullying me, won’t you? I’m your ally! And don’t call me `little`! I’m an independent adult woman!"
"Yeah… Adult and independent. Yeah… Yes, you are. Satisfied?" Keyaruga dismissively replied, wishing to end the conversation, but it was too late.
"No, I’m not! I can do everything! Including what… Well, that… You know, if I want."
"Ri-i-i-ight…" The hero mumbled, looking at the fidgeting girl. Obviously, she got red and flustered, so the topic was pretty obvious.
"What, do you think I'm not an adult!" The maiden screamed, before walking toward the man with a pout on her cheeks. For better or worse, the girl hated losing.
All right, that’s it! The last thing we need is a foolish child to get us into trouble. Time to teach you a lesson, my queen.
"Well then, `adult and independent woman"… Keyaruga grabbed the girl by the hand. Before she could even scream, he tossed her into the nearest pile of hay.
"W-w-wha-?.."
"Go on." As the red-eyed lad unfastened his belt, a large monster erupted from his trousers. A mountain peak, casting its ominous shadow upon the little girl. "Do your thing, du-na me-ua (o, demon king)!"
"W… W… Ugh… Ma… MOMMY-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y!!!"
…
"Ehm… Evy…"
…
"Uh-hu-u-u-uh…"
…
"Haa…"
…
"I don’t think your mother is proud of you." Finally, the Hero of Healing broke the long and excruciating silence. Obviously, he addressed Eve Reese, who sat in the corner of the room, nervously holding the hem of her tattered dress. "Next time, think twice before trying to seduce a man." The red-eyed lad made a painful remark, reinforced by a couple of nods made by two of his companions.
"Master’s right."
"Yes. It was pretty rude to give him hope just to faint that miserably. Do you even know how much Keyaruga is worried about you?"
While Setsuna remained loyal to her laconic way of speaking, Freia attempted to slightly reprimand the girl for her deed. The healer was many things, but he would never rape an unconscious girl. Practically a child too.
"SEISHUK! SEI-!.. (silence, sil-) S… S-SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!!! It’s all your fault!" The black-winged maiden snarled, pointing her finger at the man. The latter just sat staring at the broken ceiling. "You started harassing me, you brute!"
"And what else did you want me to do?" Keyaruga wondered, not even caring to meet the kokuyoku scion’s intense gaze. "Aren’t you an adult and independent woman?"
"You… I… Whatever, I don’t know! Just… get lost." The queen-to-be mumbled, covering her crimson face with both palms.
"I will not. But I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Eve." The man deadpanned, finally looking into Eve’s crimson eyes. At least, parts of them are visible beyond the thin fingers. "Now, let me ask you one thing…"
"What, you want me in your orgies, you pervert?"
"Gh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h…" Keyaruga made a long exhale of irritation. Setsuna and Freia got so fed up, the princess just waved her hand and started combing her whizzy hair, while the ice hunter unironically read the sorceress’ spellbook. "Ma-muana. I know your kind can tame some of them. So which ones can you provide us with?"
"Of course you… wait, what? Ma-muana? I… We have one… But she’s… Ehm… She’s tough and demands a trial."
"She… Hmm, so it’s some powerful individual, huh?"
"Shangama, a… god, as you call them."
"Curious. And she’s called Caladrius, right?"
"You really do know everything… Well, yes. Yes, it is her." The maiden reluctantly admitted. Ultimately, relying on someone who knew you better than anyone else made the kokuyoku heir nervous. At least she stopped blushing.
"Good. I’ll help you with your trial. We’ll need any power we can get."
"It’s not some trivial task, Keyaruga! She’s the emissary of plague and death; nobody can succeed in what you…"
"I will!" The lad abruptly interrupted Eve. "Whatever diseases this thing would unleash upon us, I can heal it with a single touch, so you have nothing to fear."
"Yeah, sure…" The kokuyoku scion waved her head in response. "Look, have you ever heard the legend about the warlord Tryme and his retinue of a thousand men?"
"I… don’t think so." Keyaruga concluded. After all, Tryme, whoever he was, came from the depths of Taretanbi. And he wasn’t a human.
"Exactly! He wanted to kill Caladrius and feast upon her meat to become immortal…"
"I’m already pretty immortal." The Hero of Healing spoke, looking at his bluish brand. Panakea blessed him with the power over life itself, after all. Eve, though, barely sniveled, taking the rude comment as another sign of arrogance.
"Now, he brought his men to her valley. And you know what? They never returned. And to make things even worse, Caladrius flew across his domains and plagued them for three days and three nights! Up until nothing remained! Even the plague itself! Do you still believe you’ve got a chance?"
"Nothing remained? Not even the name of Tryme’s country? Either it’s a pretty fairy tale or a deterrent spread by your tribe. All in all, I want it. It will bow to me or die." The ambitious lad declared, trying to find something about this entity in the extensive archive of his memories. And he did. Twenty-two years ago the southern Jioral suffered from the devastating plague. There were thousands of victims, but barely anyone died. Many saw a giant white bird circling around the quarantined cities. Surprisingly enough, after it was gone, so did the illness.
"First, she would never bow to you, jerk! You’re not even one of us!"
"Sad…" Keyaruga spoke without meaning it. "And second?"
"Her valley… It opens only during a specific time. Like… Wait… Was it?.. Muntagur tsukan…"
"You mean a waxing crescent? Hmm, means we have around three weeks left. What if we can’t reach it in time? Can we try either way?"
"Yes. But you’ll die. Anyone can enter Caladrius’ valley, but you can’t leave without her permission. Can you survive the entire month in the barren wasteland, immortal?"
"Depends on the wasteland." The lad replied with a merry shrug. "Let me guess, she gives audiences only during that single moon period?" The man wondered, receiving only an insecure nod from Eve. "Bold one. Well, we’ll do it anyway. If that deity of yours can wipe out entire countries, we’ll put it in good use.
"Right… Maybe."
What’s with that sour face, my queen? Am I not giving you enough optimism? Who am I kidding? Of course I’m not…
"Well then, after we’re done in Buranikka, we’ll head right to wherever your Caladrius is hiding and pay her a visit. Then I’ll have you take your rightful place on the throne. Any questions?"
"No…" Eve Reese briefly responded before lowering her head. "Danya sunnaru… (you’ll die either way)" And those words were not meant for anyone but herself. Even if Keyaruga did hear just enough of her whispering to interpret the whole meaning. The maiden was just… scared. Afraid to be left all alone once again. But the hero still filled her with that unease.
"All right. Freia, Setsuna!" The man turned to his companions. The latter tried desperately not to give the impression that they were indulging in the conversation, but the she-wolf’s twitching ears spoke otherwise.
"Yes, Keyaruga?"
"Master?"
"Keep an eye for our new friend. I’ll make a short outing to the city." The healer declared, moving toward the door outside, near which Kelly slept tightly.
"Uh-huh." The ice warrior came to the lad just to hold his left hand for a few short moments.
"You can count on us." And the magician graced Keyaruga with her sunny smile.
"Wait! At least cover your face, those bulls might have remembered you!" Only Eve, albeit still not trusting the lad, couldn’t let him go without a fair warning. After all, in her eyes, the reckless fool could be caught and battered into submission.
"You’re right." Keyaruga exposed his vanity before covering his eyes with the palm of his hand. A single green spark, masquerading the grotesque transformation of the entire skeletal and muscular structure, transformed the hero into a black-haired youngster, so reminiscent of Varrie. "Is that better? I could alter your visage as well, but let’s be honest, I like you the way you are, Eve."
"Hold on! What are you? Can you change your entire body? Is that why you said you were immortal? Was your previous face fake as well?"
"Human. Yes, yes, and yes. I’m yet to show you my true face."
"I bet you’re just as ugly as your disrespectful soul."
"Is that how you speak to your benefactor, lady?"
I hate Keyaru, but hey, he’s not that revolting.
"Setsuna saw it. Master’s true face is kind. And beautiful." The gray-haired girl gently put her palm on her spouse’s cheek.
"I too would like to see the real you more often." The sorceress added with a mirth on her face. The princess knew more than anyone else why Keyaruga changed his form. Both inside and outside. She was the entire reason for that. Even if Keyaru would forever be remembered as the symbol of all Flare's cruel failures, she would relish the moments of her new life. The chance of being better. Even if all she could do was hug him tight when the lad bellowed in his sleep from time to time.
"Now that’s the kind words. Now, I’m off. I’ll be back with gifts, so wait for me, okay?" The man softly spoke, kissing first Freia and then Setsuna. He felt himself becoming meek at times. Too meek for his upcoming row of vengeance. But even so, there were just some things he would never compromise on.
"Be careful."
"Yes. Please, take care of yourself."
"I will, Freia. Thanks, Setsuna. Goodbye, Eve."
And… the man was gone. He stepped through the snoring raptor and went outside the dilapidated house with his trusty saber on the belt. The three girls remained alone. Without the only authority to hold onto, Eve Reese quickly fell into her usual cold distrust. So much so, that…
"You! If you even think of hurting me because of your bandit, trust me, I will make you regret that you two were born!" The future queen had little faith in the unconditional good.So she definitely expected her new `companions` to go ahead and bully her just to punish her for Keyaruga’s signs of attention. "I promise you!"
"Evy, you… Don’t be scared, please. Oh, I know. Let me comb your hair! But first, we have to wash you! I think I saw a tube here, just enough…"
"NO!!! No, I…"
"It has holes. But Setsuna can fix them."
"Thanks, Setty."
"Wait, what are you-?.."
"Look, Evy. You’re one of us now, so be still and let me…" Freia closed the distance between her and Eve. Then… "Ugh, how can you walk with your hair so greasy? Now, now, relax. We’ll get you nice and clean. Then, I would like to make you some makeup. Do you like makeup?"
"Y-yeah! Yes, please!"
"He-heh, I knew we’d get along. You know, Setty never allows me to use anything on her skin. She says…"
"IT STINKS!"
"…this. Now, get comfy, Evy. We have a lot to do."
"…and then, I walked. All the way to Buranikka, where… We’ve met."
And so, Eve Reese finished her story. Her tears had long since stopped, but the sclera turned into something quite alike to the maiden’s crimson eyelids. Keyaruga, Freia, and Setsuna carefully listened, not daring to interrupt the teary tale of betrayal, bloody persecution, and the fatal conclusion to the lives of all of her friends, family, and retainers. And while doing so, she ate three bowls of the healer’s soup. Other girls ate only two, and the man himself barely finished his own.
"I see." Keyaruga nodded, leaning on the back of a repaired chair. "All you can remember is how you ended up in a pile of bodies you apparently killed, even though you were pretty exhausted at the time. Something doesn’t add up."
"Keyaruga… Don’t…" The princess tried to dissuade him from saying the unnecessary, but the lad only raised his hand to stop the pink-haired caster.
"I don’t know! I said I don’t know, how!.. I… You tell me, you know it all, bastard!!!" The black-haired lady snarled, pointing her finger at the smug hero.
All right, that was useless. When I healed her, I saw a hole in her memories. Maybe we weren’t destined to meet after all? Maybe someone instigated this turn of events. Hey, spirit, can you hear me?..
…
No response, heh?
"Haa… All right, all right, calm down, Eve." Keyaruga exhaled, reaching for one of his many bags on his waist to reveal a small leather pouch. "Dried cranberries. Here. Freia… Setsuna… And now you, Eve. Go on, take it."
"Are you… bribing me?" The kokuyoku scion asked doubtfully. And yet, despite everything, she did take a grain of berries from the sac. A few moments later, she took the first cautious bite. Then, the maiden not only munched everything she grabbed, but also snatched some more.
No more pride, I see?
"Don’t rush. Bad for your health." Setsuna pointed out. The huntress couldn’t help but pity the poor child.
"Nobody will hurt you. We’re here for you." And so did Freia.
"M-m… Aymas tati (so sweet)!"
I know. Girls like sweets, don’t they? Now, let’s wait a bit… A bit… A little more. Damn, my queen, is your stomach bottomless or something?
"Well then, Eve. It’s time for you to decide." Keyaruga spoke, hiding an already empty pouch back where he took it from. "I want you to join us. The terms are simple; me, Freia and Setsuna will protect you. We’re strong and can guarantee your safety until you take Kyuntarnur Gyukanze (the Obsidian Throne). Of course, we will help you replace the current me-ua for good. You must win, so that you can protect the remains of your tribe."
"It’s… a nice offer. Too good to be true, actually. If you’re so strong, why don’t you capture Kinacrith all on your own? You’re just mad enough to become the first human me-ua."
"Ha-ha-hah… No, it’s not that simple. First, I do intend to become a king. For Jioral, though."
"That’s why you need an army…" The maiden admonished, looking right into the man’s crimson eyes, which matched her own.
"Eventually, yes. Until then, you can fight for us and yourself. You don’t seem so battle-hardened at the moment, but we’ll change that." The red-haired lad spoke dismissively.
"That’s it?" But even so, Eve wasn’t yet convinced.
"No. We’ll be dealing with whatever goons or assassins Hakuo would send after you. For that, I wish you to help me in establishing peace between our countries right after you take the throne."
"First you want our army, now you want peace? Aren’t you a little bit… reckless for that? And where’s your coalition? Do you wish to rule all by yourself?"
That was actually a sharp point. So much so that the healer stumbled for a bit. With a light shade of grinning on his lips, he contemplated his options.
"For now, I have Cryleths’ family in my pocket. And then…" But barely did the lad start speaking about recruiting the most prominent general in Jioral’s court when the Hero of Magic rose from her creaky chair.
"I am Flare Arlgrande Jioral, the First Princess of the Jioral Kingdom and the Hero of Magic. I will get my people to follow Keyaruga’s lead no matter what, Eve Reese of kokuyoku people!" The sorceress majestically declared, making the queen-to-be even more uneasy.
"All right, I get it! I GET IT!!!" The maiden broke out, turning her back toward the trio. "So I have to marry you now? You really do aim for my body, you brute."
"Wait, what? Eve, are you so arrogant as to assume I’ll need to take you just to have this ten-year bloodbath over? You think I’d put my lovely Freia and Setsuna in danger just to have my way with you? Heh! No way!" Keyaruga chuckled, half-hugging both his sorceress and huntress. Surprisingly enough, he did like the maiden ever since he wanted to steal her heart. But what meaning does that have now?
"Fine, damn it! I’ll join you! I’ll… try to be useful, okay? I’m strong, really strong! Unless I have to deal with dirty tricks, none can defeat me!" Eve exclaimed, extending her shining wings. Regardless of how well she tried to sell herself to the trio, none of them found it appealing in any way.
"Fool." Setsuna sniveled at such arrogance.
"Evy, dearie, that’s not how it works." And Freia became concerned about their new comrade.
"That’s right. What kind of arrogance makes you think murderers have to play fair? Curses. The more I know you, the more I’m afraid for you, little dolly. You’re just like that fish, washed up on the shore. Think you’re the strongest here? Remember yesterday!"
"S-SHUT UP!!!" The kokuyoku scion snarled, comically wriggling her hands. "Stop bullying me, won’t you? I’m your ally! And don’t call me `little`! I’m an independent adult woman!"
"Yeah… Adult and independent. Yeah… Yes, you are. Satisfied?" Keyaruga dismissively replied, wishing to end the conversation, but it was too late.
"No, I’m not! I can do everything! Including what… Well, that… You know, if I want."
"Ri-i-i-ight…" The hero mumbled, looking at the fidgeting girl. Obviously, she got red and flustered, so the topic was pretty obvious.
"What, do you think I'm not an adult!" The maiden screamed, before walking toward the man with a pout on her cheeks. For better or worse, the girl hated losing.
All right, that’s it! The last thing we need is a foolish child to get us into trouble. Time to teach you a lesson, my queen.
"Well then, `adult and independent woman"… Keyaruga grabbed the girl by the hand. Before she could even scream, he tossed her into the nearest pile of hay.
"W-w-wha-?.."
"Go on." As the red-eyed lad unfastened his belt, a large monster erupted from his trousers. A mountain peak, casting its ominous shadow upon the little girl. "Do your thing, du-na me-ua (o, demon king)!"
"W… W… Ugh… Ma… MOMMY-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y!!!"
…
"Ehm… Evy…"
…
"Uh-hu-u-u-uh…"
…
"Haa…"
…
"I don’t think your mother is proud of you." Finally, the Hero of Healing broke the long and excruciating silence. Obviously, he addressed Eve Reese, who sat in the corner of the room, nervously holding the hem of her tattered dress. "Next time, think twice before trying to seduce a man." The red-eyed lad made a painful remark, reinforced by a couple of nods made by two of his companions.
"Master’s right."
"Yes. It was pretty rude to give him hope just to faint that miserably. Do you even know how much Keyaruga is worried about you?"
While Setsuna remained loyal to her laconic way of speaking, Freia attempted to slightly reprimand the girl for her deed. The healer was many things, but he would never rape an unconscious girl. Practically a child too.
"SEISHUK! SEI-!.. (silence, sil-) S… S-SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!!! It’s all your fault!" The black-winged maiden snarled, pointing her finger at the man. The latter just sat staring at the broken ceiling. "You started harassing me, you brute!"
"And what else did you want me to do?" Keyaruga wondered, not even caring to meet the kokuyoku scion’s intense gaze. "Aren’t you an adult and independent woman?"
"You… I… Whatever, I don’t know! Just… get lost." The queen-to-be mumbled, covering her crimson face with both palms.
"I will not. But I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Eve." The man deadpanned, finally looking into Eve’s crimson eyes. At least, parts of them are visible beyond the thin fingers. "Now, let me ask you one thing…"
"What, you want me in your orgies, you pervert?"
"Gh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h…" Keyaruga made a long exhale of irritation. Setsuna and Freia got so fed up, the princess just waved her hand and started combing her whizzy hair, while the ice hunter unironically read the sorceress’ spellbook. "Ma-muana. I know your kind can tame some of them. So which ones can you provide us with?"
"Of course you… wait, what? Ma-muana? I… We have one… But she’s… Ehm… She’s tough and demands a trial."
"She… Hmm, so it’s some powerful individual, huh?"
"Shangama, a… god, as you call them."
"Curious. And she’s called Caladrius, right?"
"You really do know everything… Well, yes. Yes, it is her." The maiden reluctantly admitted. Ultimately, relying on someone who knew you better than anyone else made the kokuyoku heir nervous. At least she stopped blushing.
"Good. I’ll help you with your trial. We’ll need any power we can get."
"It’s not some trivial task, Keyaruga! She’s the emissary of plague and death; nobody can succeed in what you…"
"I will!" The lad abruptly interrupted Eve. "Whatever diseases this thing would unleash upon us, I can heal it with a single touch, so you have nothing to fear."
"Yeah, sure…" The kokuyoku scion waved her head in response. "Look, have you ever heard the legend about the warlord Tryme and his retinue of a thousand men?"
"I… don’t think so." Keyaruga concluded. After all, Tryme, whoever he was, came from the depths of Taretanbi. And he wasn’t a human.
"Exactly! He wanted to kill Caladrius and feast upon her meat to become immortal…"
"I’m already pretty immortal." The Hero of Healing spoke, looking at his bluish brand. Panakea blessed him with the power over life itself, after all. Eve, though, barely sniveled, taking the rude comment as another sign of arrogance.
"Now, he brought his men to her valley. And you know what? They never returned. And to make things even worse, Caladrius flew across his domains and plagued them for three days and three nights! Up until nothing remained! Even the plague itself! Do you still believe you’ve got a chance?"
"Nothing remained? Not even the name of Tryme’s country? Either it’s a pretty fairy tale or a deterrent spread by your tribe. All in all, I want it. It will bow to me or die." The ambitious lad declared, trying to find something about this entity in the extensive archive of his memories. And he did. Twenty-two years ago the southern Jioral suffered from the devastating plague. There were thousands of victims, but barely anyone died. Many saw a giant white bird circling around the quarantined cities. Surprisingly enough, after it was gone, so did the illness.
"First, she would never bow to you, jerk! You’re not even one of us!"
"Sad…" Keyaruga spoke without meaning it. "And second?"
"Her valley… It opens only during a specific time. Like… Wait… Was it?.. Muntagur tsukan…"
"You mean a waxing crescent? Hmm, means we have around three weeks left. What if we can’t reach it in time? Can we try either way?"
"Yes. But you’ll die. Anyone can enter Caladrius’ valley, but you can’t leave without her permission. Can you survive the entire month in the barren wasteland, immortal?"
"Depends on the wasteland." The lad replied with a merry shrug. "Let me guess, she gives audiences only during that single moon period?" The man wondered, receiving only an insecure nod from Eve. "Bold one. Well, we’ll do it anyway. If that deity of yours can wipe out entire countries, we’ll put it in good use.
"Right… Maybe."
What’s with that sour face, my queen? Am I not giving you enough optimism? Who am I kidding? Of course I’m not…
"Well then, after we’re done in Buranikka, we’ll head right to wherever your Caladrius is hiding and pay her a visit. Then I’ll have you take your rightful place on the throne. Any questions?"
"No…" Eve Reese briefly responded before lowering her head. "Danya sunnaru… (you’ll die either way)" And those words were not meant for anyone but herself. Even if Keyaruga did hear just enough of her whispering to interpret the whole meaning. The maiden was just… scared. Afraid to be left all alone once again. But the hero still filled her with that unease.
"All right. Freia, Setsuna!" The man turned to his companions. The latter tried desperately not to give the impression that they were indulging in the conversation, but the she-wolf’s twitching ears spoke otherwise.
"Yes, Keyaruga?"
"Master?"
"Keep an eye for our new friend. I’ll make a short outing to the city." The healer declared, moving toward the door outside, near which Kelly slept tightly.
"Uh-huh." The ice warrior came to the lad just to hold his left hand for a few short moments.
"You can count on us." And the magician graced Keyaruga with her sunny smile.
"Wait! At least cover your face, those bulls might have remembered you!" Only Eve, albeit still not trusting the lad, couldn’t let him go without a fair warning. After all, in her eyes, the reckless fool could be caught and battered into submission.
"You’re right." Keyaruga exposed his vanity before covering his eyes with the palm of his hand. A single green spark, masquerading the grotesque transformation of the entire skeletal and muscular structure, transformed the hero into a black-haired youngster, so reminiscent of Varrie. "Is that better? I could alter your visage as well, but let’s be honest, I like you the way you are, Eve."
"Hold on! What are you? Can you change your entire body? Is that why you said you were immortal? Was your previous face fake as well?"
"Human. Yes, yes, and yes. I’m yet to show you my true face."
"I bet you’re just as ugly as your disrespectful soul."
"Is that how you speak to your benefactor, lady?"
I hate Keyaru, but hey, he’s not that revolting.
"Setsuna saw it. Master’s true face is kind. And beautiful." The gray-haired girl gently put her palm on her spouse’s cheek.
"I too would like to see the real you more often." The sorceress added with a mirth on her face. The princess knew more than anyone else why Keyaruga changed his form. Both inside and outside. She was the entire reason for that. Even if Keyaru would forever be remembered as the symbol of all Flare's cruel failures, she would relish the moments of her new life. The chance of being better. Even if all she could do was hug him tight when the lad bellowed in his sleep from time to time.
"Now that’s the kind words. Now, I’m off. I’ll be back with gifts, so wait for me, okay?" The man softly spoke, kissing first Freia and then Setsuna. He felt himself becoming meek at times. Too meek for his upcoming row of vengeance. But even so, there were just some things he would never compromise on.
"Be careful."
"Yes. Please, take care of yourself."
"I will, Freia. Thanks, Setsuna. Goodbye, Eve."
And… the man was gone. He stepped through the snoring raptor and went outside the dilapidated house with his trusty saber on the belt. The three girls remained alone. Without the only authority to hold onto, Eve Reese quickly fell into her usual cold distrust. So much so, that…
"You! If you even think of hurting me because of your bandit, trust me, I will make you regret that you two were born!" The future queen had little faith in the unconditional good.So she definitely expected her new `companions` to go ahead and bully her just to punish her for Keyaruga’s signs of attention. "I promise you!"
"Evy, you… Don’t be scared, please. Oh, I know. Let me comb your hair! But first, we have to wash you! I think I saw a tube here, just enough…"
"NO!!! No, I…"
"It has holes. But Setsuna can fix them."
"Thanks, Setty."
"Wait, what are you-?.."
"Look, Evy. You’re one of us now, so be still and let me…" Freia closed the distance between her and Eve. Then… "Ugh, how can you walk with your hair so greasy? Now, now, relax. We’ll get you nice and clean. Then, I would like to make you some makeup. Do you like makeup?"
"Y-yeah! Yes, please!"
"He-heh, I knew we’d get along. You know, Setty never allows me to use anything on her skin. She says…"
"IT STINKS!"
"…this. Now, get comfy, Evy. We have a lot to do."
