E-Rantel woke with the clamor of steel, wood, and the ceaseless sound of shouts sprang as orders.
People moved from one place to the next with little to no care to either who their walking to, towards, or from.
But while the city is alive, the opposite could be said of the main castle of the city.
Albedo walked through the quiet corridors of the castle. Announced by the constant clank of her armor.
She arrived at Princess Sylvia's door. The guards who saw her immediately stood aside and without warning, she barges in.
She arrived just as the Princess' attendants were leaving. And as the doors closed, the two were left alone with the noise of the city as their company, constantly spilling from he wide balcony windows.
(AN: Image reference)
After a few seconds of silence, Sylvia asks.
"...do you think I'm ready?"
"No." Albedo replied in an instant. "But if it were up to me. That'd be hundreds of years from now."
Sylvia gave a weary smile at her instructor. "Then I'm glad it's not up to you."
"As you should." Albedo replies. "My training would be one with fire and steel my dear. One where every cut is a lesson. I highly doubt you'd survive that."
Sylvia laughs with a nod. "I thought as much. It seems I have to thank Momonga-san for his lenoency."
"See that you do."
Albedo's words sprung images of her Sworn Sword that she slowly shook away.
"So! You didn't come here for no reason. Why might I ask?"
Sylvia asks casually. Her tone forged from weeks worth of constant conversations and guidance. Stemming from a woman who held little to no care of her title as Princess.
"Guess." Albedo answers.
"No." Sylvia affirms with a smile.
"You are taking the joy out of this."
"Nor do I have the time. In case you haven't noticed, we are at the cusp of war." Sylvia replied in a teasing manner.
Albedo allowed a small smile grace her lips. "Very well. I will be honest with you Princess. This war, will be bloodier than you remember. Far more bloodier than any in recent history."
"Why is that?"
"Because we will be fighting in it." Sylvia tilted her head, wondering what she meant. But Albedo didn't care. "I will not be explaining myself for something so obvious. Figure it out on your own. What I need from you is to survive and make sure to make a mark of yourself in this coming conflict."
"Why is that important? I have nothing to gain from this war."
"On the contrary, you are the one who would benefit the most from this war." Albedo the elaborates while inspecting Sylvia's armor.
She first tugged at her greave straps. "Footing. Whether political and military. Should you succeed to make a name of yourself, you will be remembered and most of all, acknowledged. You can't have enemies without obtaining potential allies in a world of politics Princess. Those who were on the fence, or simply undecided, should see more value than just your legs or what's between them."
Albedo then tugged at her chestplate. "Protection. A must and surprisingly easy to obtain with allies. And the number you will be making will depend entirely on your success. And the number of your enemies, depends entirely on your failure."
She then pulled at her gauntlet's straps. "Support. Means you also be able to move with less hindrance and a bit of assurance. While also giving you a hit more... protection! ...for every swing."
Albedo then moved behind her, and tugged at the straps of her pauldrons. "It relieves the weight from your shoulders. Makes it easier to stand strong. Trains you to carry weight. Of course the more you grow, the tighter it gets but..."
With the click of her Cape's clasps, Albedo whispers. "With all of this wrapped around you, it should be easy to adjust. With but delicate movements of your fingers."
"...I see." Sylvia answers, now with a growing resolve in her yellow eyes.
"You just need to voice it in a language they can understand. Namely, making it seem selfish. Complain about the stupidity of your followers. And you could make some of them agree to build an exclusive school. Possibly with their own coins."
Albedo then spins the Princess to face her. "Enunciate! that it is All for their so called 'benefits'. A touch of the lips, can do... wonders in the field of persuasion."
All of a sudden, Albedo kissed her.
Sylvia's eyes widened, and in panic she struggled against her grip. Causing her lips to slid roughly against Albedo's.
The muffled sounds of struggle as steel clanked with steel, and saliva qulching in between lips. They separated with a loud smack of their lips, and deep breaths that followed.
"Hmm~ curious."
"What are you doing!?" Sylvia shoves the woman as she screeches only to force herself a step back.
Albedo answers coldly. "You think I didn't see your eyes on him? How you follow his movements. How you react to his words?"
"What does that has to do with–"
"Me!" Albedo shouts, making the Princess flinch. "These lesser women of your precious court are nothing! He barely pays attention to them! but you!? You're different! Your potential is different! I! Don't! Like It!"
Silence stretched between them, with Albedo calming herself while Sylvia looked to her with surprise etch on her face.
Then Albedo sneers. "I am finally making progress in placing myself where his heart is. And now I have to consider your place in it too. Believe me when I say I'm not exactly keen on sharing!"
"My...place? You think... I have a chance?" Sylvia blurts out with both surprise and hope that Albedo didn't answer, making the young Princess blush.
"You think I'm blind to your looks? How you would watch when he trains? How you'd constantly look back to make sure he was following you? Or how you look to him when you enter an establishment, as if asking for his approval? I've seen you look down at his crotch as if trying to determine the size of something you shouldn't see."
Sylvia's face turned redder with her last statement and stammered out. "Bu- Bu- But! But! That's your fault! Everyone heard you!? There were even witnesses!? You started that problem not me!"
"Pfft! Please! Look at me! Do you really think this body couldn't handle him?" Albedo asks with a gesture of her curves, while giving her an unimpressed look. "I highly doubt you'd still be capable of thinking if you'd been in my place. Let alone walking or talking."
Albedo rolled her eyes as the Sylvia curled down in embarrassment. "Uhk! I will make this clear now, if you intend to pursue him. I won't stop you–" Sylvia made to talk by Albedo stopped her. "But! You will prove yourself worth it. And that starts today, am I clear?"
Sylvia's mind was still reeling. Imagining her wedding, wrapped around a pair of strong arms, to the night where she was screaming as much as Albedo was.
It wasn't till said woman reached for the door that Sylvia mustered the courage to ask, "Wha– Why the ki-kiss then!?"
"I wanted to know for myself, and I admit..." Albedo's eyes turned to Sylvia's lips and back to her before smiling and said. "...It wasn't intolerable."
And with that, Albedo walked out. Leaving the Princess to her wandering thoughts.
She tried to distract herself, trying and failing to sheath her sword to the scabbard.
But her mind kept shifting from, policies, names of Lords and Ladies, to white gowns and muscles in top of her and between her legs–
"IT'SNOTLIKEITSGONNAFITANYWAY!?"
"Princess!?" screeched the newly arrived maids.
—.—.—.—.—
Momonga POV
'...the best chance to make something of myself huh... not the best advice but, it isn't vague either.'
My thoughts remained scattered and uncertain.
I wore my full set of black armor with my sword, hanging at my back. It wasn't exactly a heavy set but it's appearance did give me the excuse to use a Golem Horse, instead of an actual one.
I rode ahead, leading the left wing of the marching army.
Surrounded by nobles who kept muttering complaints about the wasteland and the heat. With a few sending me envious looks.
I'm well aware that I struck an imposing Black Knight look.
But what they don't know are the changes I made. Mainly due to the additional magic items I added for utility.
Aside from a few rings that gave me resistance, and additional inventory that doesn't rely on my innate capabilities. I also had both a necklace for Flight and also a different cape.
It looked the same as before. But the new one I have is the 'Mantle of Flames', an Epic Grade Item that holds two uses.
First is the Medium to High Fire Resistance when worn.
And second is the ability to turn into a Flaming Spear when used.
I vaguely remember Ainz having the same item... or was that something I read in a fanfic...
*sigh~
I don't know anymore.
I don't even know why this is happening now.
Everything I knew about this world, is now starting to vanish. And it all started the day we brought her back.
I couldn't help but look to the Princess riding just a head of me and wondered, how and why? Or, did she even cause this? The timing isn't exactly decrying it–
"Momonga-kun?"
I snapped back to reality, focusing on the Princess and saw the concern etched into her beautiful face. The best I could do was give her a reassuring nod. Hoping it would be enough. Cause frankly, I'm not in the right mind to remove my helmet and let anyone see my frantic face.
"Are you sure?" she probes.
But I remained steady, "I am Princess."
We are currently riding towards the Katse Planes. Surrounded by various nobles and unfortunately for me, her questions and concern is doing more harm than good.
"...you see that right?"
"I'm not deaf... I heard it. So what?"
"I don't know about you but that was disrespectful, the Princess was just concern for him after all."
"Tsk, shut up. If anything, he's pathetic enough to warrant concern.."
'Yeah... whispers like that are everywhere.'
Can't argue with it. Have to keep it in and toughen myself up against the whispers.
Besides... I like the way they shut up when I stand next to them.
...it makes me feel special.
I noticed in my peripheral how Princess Sylvia was looking at me with a bit more relieved smile on her face.
I admit, she is impressive.
'oh... she's blushing.'
Empathy.
Quite the boon or the bane depending on what you find yourself in. And to me, it could be my path or my undoing.
Shaking my stray thoughts aside, I rode closer to the Princess and asked.
"I would advice again Princess. It would be wise to move behind the spear lines."
"You mean those things you called 'a pile of wooden poles with the pointy ends'?" she says with a smile. '...good.'
"Well. I would call them that, but the King isn't here to hear me, is he."
She laughed. In a very melodious voice. "You are probably the only Knight who had the guts to question my father, Momonga-san."
"It's called sound advice Princess."
"'Sound advice'? you sure it wasn't insult? I seem to remember something about 'a feast to fatten them up but somehow no coin to arm the people' bid."
"It wouldn't be advice, if they aren't pointing out the wrong when there is one, Princess. Besides, it was a mistake to fatten them up. Makes for bigger targets"
"Wha-" she made a scandalized noise, but her smile remained on her face. "I highly doubt the Empire would kill them. Nobility has value in the Kingdom after all."
"Costly too. Chances are, Imperial Knights are gonna want compensation having to lift those people into prison."
Watching her biting down her lips, as she looked down with shaking shoulders lifted my terrible mood instantly.
After composing herself, she gave one soft whisper that tickled my ear.
"...umu."
Her posture softened, and her eyes twinkled beautifully as the purple –at the edge of her pupils– catches the light. While her lips turned glossy, curved into a soft smile.
Princess Sylvia was a woman of beauty they said. And in that moment, I had no voice to argue.
"Momonga-san?" started the Princess. "I know what my role is in this war. But I have a favor to ask of you. From a Princess to her Sworn Sword?"
"Speak freely, Princess."
"Let me fight." I was surprised at that. "I know you're duty is to prevent the fight from reaching me. To be witness to it all, but... if inadequacy is all that will fill me, will that not mean I would fall?"
"...you've thought of this. And only voiced it out now." I softly accused and seeing her nod shyly made me laugh.
"I fear you might be spending too much time with Albedo, Princess."
"Hahahaha! Well, doesn't that mean you'd just have to take responsibility?"
"...Fine by me."