Well, don't I have a colorful bunch here? Before me sat four girls, roughly around Zekka's age, based on appearances alone, all smaller girls. Each of them wore a white girl's sailor uniform, similar to the quick glimpse I got of Charla's before…yeah.
Though hers was blue, I'm pretty sure.
Regardless, I probably should have gotten the hint that Charla was the leader of a sort of antithesis to the Sword Club, and not just because she was part of the Hero Faction.
All of them being girls around, kind of, Zekka's age range should've hinted at that. The thought sort of makes me feel bad about the flying warship out of the sky…
For all of a few seconds, then I remember exactly what that cannon could do, and that the frigid bitch I'm holding like a suitcase under one arm right now tried to summon a Slavery Dragon in the middle of town to do something to a young girl.
Yeah, fuck them. If you want to work with a person like that, I'm not going to pity you.
The first girl in the line grunted, deep and guttural, despite her frankly ridiculously small size, drawing me from my thoughts, "Put a damn cloak on her already, you pagan brute…!" She leaned forward, voice light, yet thick with a foreign accent, a sneer on her face, the bangs of her frazzled white hair covering her black eyes messily,
I don't even consider it. "No."
Ivan VII, yeah, that's her name, growls at me like a deranged mutt. Honestly, I have no fucking clue who she is. I can't think of a single Russian important enough to be a hero, but then again, I'm pretty sure I was American the first time around, Japanese here.
Why the hell would I care about Russian folktales?
"I do not see what the problem is." The next girl in line, wearing a nun's habit over her uniform, with a tombstone chained to her back, speaks up. Her voice was soft, in a way that sort of reminded me of Asia, but there was an undertone of edge to it that the older blonde lacked. "So, Iva. Please. Be quiet."
Ivan, or I guess Iva, actually shuddered back a bit at that, before turning and leaning toward the nun, "Lucia! You - oh my goodness - take off your blindfold!" The Russian heroine cried out in frustration.
Oh yeah, she's also wearing a white blindfold.
Lucia pursed her lips, wiggled in place a bit, and found that she, like the rest of them, was currently bound up by rings of light around her body. Slowly, her head tilted toward Iva, her lips thinning.
Iva broke out into a cold sweat.
"Oh yeah. Eheh." She tentatively chuckled before perking up and going right back to being frustrated. "Hold on! Wait a minute! You could totally break yourself free! Use your gear! Your gear!" She shouted again, "Judge the pagan scum! Make him feel the true light of the Lord!"
"Hmm." Lucia hummed. "No."
"WHA!? WHY!?" Iva cried out.
"The Great Emperor commanded us to stand down." Lucia explained plainly.
"SINCE WHEN DO YOU CARE ABOUT THAT!? 'WILDCARD!?'" Iva flailed around in place, straining angrily against her bindings.
Lucia sighed, "Oh, Lord, why couldn't you command, 'Thou shalt not annoy your Saintess with thine brutish ugly voice on this day of defeat'? It would make this so much easier."
The small white-haired Russian looked downright scandalized. "Y-You, brutish!? UGL-"
"Hush." I slap a ring of light around her mouth.
"MMGH!? HMMNNGNNGGHHHH!" She tries to scream, but it fortunately doesn't work much.
"Hmm? Ah, blessed silence." Lucia smiles, yet it doesn't feel quite right. "I'd thank you, Pagan. But, as I'm sure you're aware, 'Thou shalt not have any other gods before Me.' So please…" I feel something loom above my head, like a sword. "Don't take it the wrong way, alright?" She asks, oh so sickly sweet.
I look up, yet there's nothing there. Slowly, I look back down at the Saintess. Nun? Former…? Uh, I don't recall the Church having anyone like this.
Also, the hell is her Sacred Gear? She's referencing the Ten Commandments, but surely not that, right? That'd have to be a pretty insane Sacred Gear.
I look toward Charla, but ever since I gathered them up and she ordered them to stand down, she hasn't spoken a word, just constantly looked off to the side, and stayed silent.
"...why can't I see him?" The third girl in line speaks out, quiet, soft, but not by nature it seems, by fear, or trepidation. She wore a cloak much like Charla's, where, with the hood up, it completely covered her face, yet hers didn't cover the rest of her body in the same way, and I could see her uniform.
She's just been sitting there, listlessly repeating that same phrase, over and over.
"Nostradamus." The fourth girl in line addressed sternly, looking over at the third, while leaning over to her slightly, a concerned frown across her face. She wore glasses, and honestly, her entire cadence somewhat reminded me of Sona, the 'smart girl' type.
Except this girl is likely a couple of years younger than her, yet has a far larger rack. Because of course she does.
Every single girl here does!
Well, besides Iva, but that's expected, really. The big man upstairs jammed all the fat into her vocal cords instead, it seems.
Fortunately, I already know the fourth. Michelangelo. She was one of those who Zekka and the shrimp encountered and told me about. The holder of the motherfucking Tower of Babel.
Safe to assume every single girl here has an Ancient Sacred Gear then, likely an incomplete one. Since Michelangelo is an executive, the other three likely are as well.
It'd make sense why they survived then, when the others didn't.
I promptly ignore the latter two, my gaze focusing back on Lucia, who is smiling contentedly. Iva tries to shout what I assume are expletives at me as soon as she sees my gaze, but fortunately, that fails as well.
If everyone here does have Ancient Sacred Gears, then her having something based on the Ten Commandments would make sense…
I click my tongue and push the thought away for now. If she does have something, she clearly isn't going to use it, seemingly listening to Charla's command for now. However, I'll have to warn Freya and company when they finally arrive to take everyone away, just to be on the safe side.
Who knows the full extent of what that thing could do, and as Lucia said, the first command and all that, literally might possess something that could specifically fuck up me, and by extension, Freya.
Hopefully, I won't have to sit out here for much longer. Not like it's been that long since I rounded these four up in the first place, but still. I think Freya and her Valkyries are trying to get the barrier down first before they head this way.
It makes sense. Be easier to teleport them straight to a place where they can be held, rather than try to physically transport them there. Way less risk of something happening during transit.
A shame there's nothing much to really do out here. I'd have gotten started sifting through everyone's head for the juicy info by now, but the only reason I haven't is that I don't want one of them trying something while I'm distracted.
I want them all locked up, nice and secure, before I start doing anything like that.
At the moment, though, it mostly feels like watching over my girls at the dojo. Kind of. Charla being here sort of ruins that vibe. Speaking of which, I'm somewhat surprised the others don't really have much to say about Charla being naked, besides Iva.
Do they just not care? I know Lucia literally can't see, but not even Michel there has made at least a comment, and the way she looks, I figured she would. Unless she's truly more concerned with Nostra at the moment.
Or, the rest of them are just used to Charla stripping during combat?
No, that couldn't make sense. The armor would go over her normal outfit, wouldn't it? Granted, I did blow off her clothes, but maybe the armor would have exploded them off itself, like how Tensei rips through Zekka's top when he appears?
I suppose it's a shame I'll never find out, as at last, I feel a muted background presence abruptly lift from the area, pulled like a blanket torn off the bed.
And almost as soon as it was gone?
Norse magic circles filled the air around us.
Iva perked up, as by the sky, they were all abruptly surrounded by Valkyries. Lucia didn't react at all, nor did Nostra, but Michel turned and clicked her tongue in distaste.
Charla sighed at my side, as another, far larger Norse magical circle appeared much closer. I recognized the aura lacing the magical power long before she even walked out, but I wasn't expecting the Goddess to come in wearing what she was wearing at all.
Freya appeared in full Valkyrie battle armor much like Rose's own, and I couldn't help but think two things, almost at the exact same time.
Damn.
And holy hell, what kind of enchantments are on that thing to support her chest like that!?
Charla utters something so quickly at my side that I couldn't hear, but it sounded like an insult of some kind. Meanwhile, Iva…barked at Freya as soon as she appeared.
A bold strategy, truly.
Freya walked right up to me, her smile sweet and casual, but there's an underlying tension to her movements now, as though she's ready to snap straight into battle at any moment, just in case. "Hmm, Noriaki~!" She practically purrs, looking at the other girls. "I see you've long since finished up here," she sighs, "I apologize for the wait. The barrier was shockingly tricky to bring down."
For whatever reason, out of the corner of my eye, Iva seems to look incredibly smug.
"But ultimately, it was a simple trick, using my own spell work to compensate for their clear lack of ability. Once we figured that out, it was easy to pull apart." She hums, seemingly pleased.
As Iva flips completely, she immediately looks pissed off once again.
"Anyhow~!" Freya leans in closer, with a tilt of her head, her bending slightly, doing simply gravity-defying things to her chest, "Shall I assist with the cleanup?"
Holy hell, woman, why can't I tell if that's an innuendo or not? In any event, I unfortunately resist my baser urges as I lean forward toward her as well, to her ear.
I quickly utter, in a low voice, everything that I've learned so far, and what I believe, about Charla and her little group here, specifically their Ancient Sacred Gears.
At that, Freya freezes stiff, her flirty and sweet smile dimming. "I see…" She utters back, before pulling away.
She waves her hand toward Lucia, and immediately, a series of magic circles spiral into existence around the girl.
Lucia tilts her head. "...my Lord?" The circles burst into strings - no, chains of colors - and seem to wrap around Lucia's body, although she physically doesn't even flinch, even as they appear to sink into her.
At last, as the light and magic fade, the Saintess shivers, and a dull smile spreads across her face. "Ah, of course, of course…" she breathes out, before turning and looking directly at Freya. "How lucky you are, Pagan Witch. Dull the Lord's judgement all you wish. It comes for all eventually."
Freya glares as her hand drops, and I simply blink.
Huh. So she did have the Ten Commandments then? Straight up? Holy fuck, bullet dodged!
Freya kept her gaze fixed on Lucia a few moments longer, as though waiting for something. When nothing came, she let out a sigh and turned back to me, her smile slightly returning. "And [Another Longinus] is dormant, you said?"
I nodded. "As per the deal, yes. Make sure no harm comes to them, and the Dying Wish won't act up, alright?" I hoist Charla up. "Also, make sure this one is ready for me later, as I need to visit her for something."
Iva and several of the other Valkyries look at me, although the former just looks outraged, while the latter warrior women look scandalized.
I give them all a blank stare. "Not for anything like that."
Seriously. I have Freya, and all my other girls, for that. Though of course I don't say that out loud.
Although judging by the way Freya puts her hands behind her back and smiles, it almost feels like she wants me too.
So I shoot her a blank look as well, just to be safe, causing the Goddess to pout before she reaches over and takes Charla, grabbing hold of one of the light rings binding the woman up.
"I'll make sure she's nice and ready for you~..." Freya breathlessly promises with a wink.
Charla glares, and a chorus of gasps rings out.
Iva has started gnawing at the light ring around her mouth.
I simply palm my face into my hands and let out a long, suffering groan, as Freya airily giggles my way.
I'll make sure to visit that damn Goddess after all this. Right now, I need to go check on the club girls. By then, Charla should be 'ready for me,' and I guess I'll finally get to see what the Dying Wish was talking about, huh?
~ A New Sun ~
I appear in a flash of light, back at Vanadis Academy.
Freya sent a message through Rose that Charla is ready for me now.
Zekka and the rest of the girls are okay. Zekka just needed a touch of healing from me to be back on her feet, but she would've recovered herself normally. Schwe got bruised up protecting Zekka when she was down, physically using her body as a shield while she used her magic to protect her childhood friend.
But otherwise, she had it better than Zekka. I still healed her up regardless, and now both girls are fine. Besides those two, everyone was mostly just worried about what was going on.
I sigh as I appear, looking up at the Academy. I don't really need to wonder why they'd be held here. Logic doesn't exist like that in animeland. Why have a dedicated prison when you can toss criminals and evildoers in the dungeons under the school, amirite?
I'm sure the logic here is that this is where all Freya's Valkyries, and the Goddess herself, are usually at or around, so in order to keep the best possible watch on them it just makes sense to put them here…
But bleh, at that point, you're just asking for a breakout to happen where potential young protagonists can be to assist in some way.
With a roll of my eyes, I discard those thoughts, as I walk straight on in.
Freya is off dealing with the cleanup elsewhere at the moment, but she gave me a room number. The frankly obscene number of Valkyries patrolling around let me through the halls with ease, and waved me into the room where she's being kept with similar ease.
The room itself is dark, as somehow, there doesn't appear to be any windows, and the entire room is bare save for a single chair and desk where Charla is magically chained up.
I couldn't help but snort, "Huh. They actually gave you clothes?"
Charla doesn't look up at me, doesn't even dignify me with a response. She's wearing a Vanadis Uniform now, and it's obviously a bit tight on her, but she doesn't seem to care in the slightest.
I can't say she's stopped caring. I think she's stopped trying to give me any sort of reaction, either to be petty or to deny me anything she can, at this point.
Either way, it won't change the inevitable.
I step up to her desk and kneel, so I'm about eye level with her. "You won't say anything, even if I ask, will you?"
Still, nothing.
I huff, not out of annoyance or irritation, as I actually respect the hustle. But still, I need to do what needs to be done.
I reach out my hand and grab her chin, making her look up.
Charla huffs, grunting with indignation, her teeth clenching momentarily. I can feel it, on the tip of her tongue, like she instinctively wants to disparage me.
Yet she holds her tongue and glares at me, with disgust and defiance both.
Respect, but also such a shame, too. Oh well.
My eyes spin up as my gaze at last meets hers.
I see a lifetime in a moment.
Slowly, I let go of her chin, reach up, and wipe away the blood oozing down my cheeks.
"...Hahaha…" Charla chuckles, almost giggling, what with how light her voice is all of a sudden. "So, then, pagan brute? How was it?" She asks, a glacial smile across her face, "Seeing the Face of the Lord?"
My vision is blurry. I can barely see. The damage is slowly being repaired, but it'll take a moment. Slowly, ever so slowly, I stand up.
"...What? Come on!" Charla calls out, "Don't tell me you have nothing to say! Truly? You must be the first of your kind to witness it, and not perish!"
I understand her zealotry now.
I blink out black spots and stars from my vision, and put my hand on the desk, leaning on it as my head feels light, as though I could float away at any moment.
Her plan. The entire reason she gathered all those Ancient Sacred Gears?
It was all to revive the big man Himself. But as it turns out?
He was already on His way back.
Her mission changed then. Gather the pieces of His Power, spread across the world, tied to His Mythology, His Miracles, His Will. The Ancient Sacred Gears each have a tie to something that happened in the Bible.
Lucia's [Judgement Ten, the Ten Commandments. Nostradamus' [Solomon's Ring, Michelangelo's [Babel Tower]. Ivan VII's [Sparkling Isacrifice]. Each one has a tie to the Bible. That warship? That was [Noah's Ark]. Schwe's friend, even, has [Violation Lot].
Every single one possesses just a tiny bit more of Him. And when enough awakens in an era, close enough together, then…
I slowly look toward Charla, and her smile is so wide, it looks like it's almost splitting her face.
And I can't help it.
"Heehee…Heeheehee…"
Charla blinks as I start to laugh.
"Hahaha, hahahah! Oh, MAN! HAH!"
She recoils as I almost double over, falling off the desk. I laugh, and I laugh, and I keep laughing, until slowly, I taper off into a whimsical sigh.
"...He was trying too hard, you know." I state, plainly.
Charla looked stunned. So stunned, she couldn't formulate a proper opinion.
I stand back up straight and promptly wave her off. "Now, excuse me. I need to prepare to put your god back in the dirt like he's the final boss of a JRPG."
I don't know what exactly she expected me to say, but it certainly wasn't that, since it appears I've stun-locked her.
"Seriously." I huff out as I walk toward the door. "He's back. That's what the Wish said I couldn't avoid? Who the hell cares? He died once before." I send a smirk back toward Charla. "This time, he won't have an excuse when a 'pagan' puts him down."
I walk out, and it's only when the door is just about to slam shut that she starts to call out. But the door closing completely cuts her off.
I run my hand through my hair and let out a deep breath, willing my hands to stay still.
I need to tell everyone.
Now.