Katze Plains.
A desolate land of cracked soil, boundless deserts, searing winds, and a scorching sun.
Forget about the Undead that had sprung since the conflict between the Kingdom and the Empire that started who knows when.
The land itself is murderous already and far more unforgiving.
But to Momonga, it wasn't just a desert.
'...something big happened here...'
He could feel various foreign powers flowing in the wind. Some had intertwined so badly that they had led to the formation of Negative Energy. But the source was buried deep...
'As if this desert didn't exist before.'
There were only two spells that could cause it. [•All of Creation•] and [•The Goal of All Life is Death•]
"You! Knight!"
Momonga's thoughts turned to the one shouting, but before he could even move his neck, another voice cut through them.
"Watch your tone, Knight. You speak of my sword." Sylvia rebuked, making the arrogant man flinch at her tone.
"Fo-forgive me, Princess. But the King demands his presence."
"Then he shall do so with my say-so."
"Uh-ah! I'm sorry, Princess, but-but, the King commands that Momonga—"
"Ser Momonga."
"Ye-yes... Ser Momonga alone ride forth to the King's side."
Sylvia maintained her glare a few seconds longer before sighing and turning to Momonga.
"...be careful," she whispers.
Momonga, while surprised, just let out a soft chuckle and said, "I think you mistake me for someone else, Princess," before riding off.
And while the Princess watched Momonga ride to her father's side, everyone else watched their interaction. Taking note and whispering in condemnation of their apparent closeness.
It is, after all, unbecoming of a Noble Woman –a Princess at that– to be affiliated with a commoner in their eyes.
—.—.—.—.—
Momonga dismounted without fanfare and walked towards the King.
Said King was sitting on a throne-like chair, surrounded by various Nobility, sending harsh whispers. Ranging from who would lead the infantry, the cavalry, the pikemen, and even the archers.
Along with a few surprising idiots already congratulating him for something.
While said King sat with a half-full glass of wine, constantly filled by a cup-bearer, frowning and glaring as he listened to the people around him.
Momonga saw this and believed it improper to intervene. So he approached Albedo instead, who jumped into his arms with a soft laugh.
He felt her love before they even touched. Grazing his skin with warmth and caressing his stray thoughts away. With a sigh of relief, and a woman in his embrace, he gave her a kiss. Chaste, soft, and gentle.
Enough to make her beam into a dazzling smile and shift into a shy one.
Letting Albedo relish in his acceptance, he turned to Gazef, who just glared at them as if at a pair of unruly couples making out in public.
'...but then again.'
Momonga just shrugged at the man. "Gazef. The King has need of me?"
*sigh~ "He does, Momonga-dono. We ought to be present when the King meets with the Emperor."
"Would it not be wiser to bring the Princess? She is his daughter, after all."
Gazef grimaced. "I would advise against it. The Crown Prince is... does not have a good relationship with the Princess."
"Very well, then." Momonga nodded, aware of the glare the pompous son of the King had sent him various times.
The three of them stood side by side. Creating an impressive line-up that made them look like Knights among Legends.
On the far left was Gazef, armed in crimson armor, with a bastard sword sheathed at his waist.
On the far right was Albedo, armored like a paladin with a holy longsword at her waist.
And in the middle stood Momonga. Arms crossed over a full plate of black armor, wide and half a head taller than Gazef, with a greatsword at his back.
All three were edged in gold, with weapons that looked like they were plucked from fairy tales.
It was obvious, they will be a force to contend with.
One such person was looking at them from afar, using a variety of spells that rendered distance mute and observation plausible and efficient.
—.—.—.—.—
"Tsk! The rumors were true, it seems," said a young man, whose voice flowed to everyone present.
Inside a makeshift fortress, just a hill away from the armies of Re-Estize, lay the Army of the Baharuth Empire.
Where inside a large tent sat a gathering of nobility and their Emperor, Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix.
The young man had amethyst eyes that shone like bright jewels beneath his sun-kissed blonde hair. Fair skin matched his handsome face, dressed in both elegance and comfort, as he sat surrounded by his Generals.
"A Hero, huh... What do you think, Gramps? Think you can take him?"
"Hmm~" said Gramps, rubbing his long white beard, matching in color and length to his hair. Wearing a long and thick robe, hands adorned with various magical rings, and a necklace with large beads around his neck.
Fluder Paradyne's wrinkles remained undisturbed, despite everyone believing they saw a frown from the man.
"I believe I can, but I will caution you, Jir. I will be taking this man seriously from the very beginning."
"Ho~ why is that? It's just a Hero."
"Because I can't seem to determine his Magical Presence." Jircniv sent a questioning look, prompted by the silent and full attention of the Generals around them. "My eyes have never deceived me. I can see Magic. From the mightiest of Dragons to the smallest of herbs. But this man... I cannot see him."
"I see. So he could be equipped. Well equipped. You are wise to be cautious." Jircniv said to everyone, not just to one man. "Our reports are solid. Additional rings aside from the plain silver ones, a silver feather-shaped necklace that was noticed by the maids, and a slight discoloration to his cloak, more vivid beneath the light. Not as plain as before. Along with the fact that his sword, the one he used against Stronoff, was not in his room when he left."
"Umu. A well-armed man like that either has an expanded pouch or a storage ring."
"Both of which you cannot buy without going through the Kingdom they stand on. And seeing as he had just been knighted, it was obvious that he was a foreigner."
"Was that not a given, Jir?" asks Fluder with a raised brow.
Jircniv shook his head. "Far south beyond the forest is a giant plain of sand. With swirling storms, giant worms, and countless basilisks... Until such a time as we find a Kingdom down there, we will act as if there is none. Makes it easier for bureaucracy."
Fluder nodded in approval. "So, an unknown power. Very well, then. I will take him on if needed. But... I don't think you want me to."
"Princess Sylvia lived and, unfortunately, she changed for the worst. Determined, guarded, competent, and surprisingly approachable."
"Ah! For the worst for the Empire, then."
"What else is there, Old Man?"
"Then remove the variable. Speak of marriage with the Princess and secure her as our own."
"And bind my Empire to her line."
"Pah! Just kill her once she's proven her use. That's what you're already thinking of anyway."
Jircniv laughed jovially at Fluder's words. "True, Old Man. Too true. Haha. But alas, that's not gonna happen. For some reason, the King is overprotective of her as of late."
"She had just been resurrected by a Priestess of the Water Temple," reasoned Fluder.
But Jircniv shook his head and said, "He had been burning scrolls. All of which had something to do with her hand in marriage."
Fluder's eyes widened in realization as Jircniv continued. "The man who allowed the lowly House of Montserrat to accompany his Daughter in an attempt to get them acquainted has now made a pivot. If nothing else, her return should have been celebrated... but I guess I do not yet know what it feels like to be a father, so... We'll take it as is."
"You aren't wrong, Jir. It is unusual... I see. A guarded King is indeed troublesome. Shall we misdirect? Make them overuse their supplies and force them into a standstill, till they are forced to retreat?"
Jircniv considered it. "We have achieved our goal. Reports of poor harvest should be waiting at the King's table in three days. But I can't just waste time. We need info on this so-called Hero. And what would it take to take him down."
"Hmn... Which leaves you in a conundrum. We can't just risk it, not knowing the full extent of his prowess, nor can we let it slide and let the Kingdom gain morale and possible momentum. I see... I will advise a smart confrontation."
"That's what I was going for, Old Man. Tell me instead... What would be my standing after?"
"Depending on the loss? Hmm... We can't risk the Army. You will have to send your Imperial Knights if it becomes needed."
"You're saying the death of great potential outweighs the lives of loyal soldiers."
"I'm saying that an Emperor must make a choice. Between the safety of his own walls or the security of his people."
"Umu. Very well." Jircniv then turned to his generals. "You heard him. Plan accordingly."
"""""Yes, your Imperial Majesty!"""""
The Generals then bowed in unison and left, leaving only Jircniv and Fluder.
Jircniv looked to the glass of wine and frowned before flipping it upside down and turning back to Fluder.
"The aftermath."
"The loyalty of the Army will remain resolute. With this, you secure your power."
"My executions are finished. There should be no more threats from within," Jircniv challenged.
But Fluder answered with a weary smile. "Jir, the Temples."
"Tsk!" Jircniv clicked his tongue and started biting down on his thumb. "The Theocracy. How long before this is circumvented?"
"If all goes as they are? Five years."
"Tell me that's your worst timeline, Old Man. I'm not exactly keen on letting these people grab more and more of my people and turning them to their side."
"Do not worry, Jir. We have already slowed down their influence to a crawl. With the last execution done, we can begin reversing it."
Jircniv smiled at the good news. "So just the Kingdom, then."
"Indeed, my boy. From here on in, stability will come for the Empire. All we need to do is bleed the Kingdom's army dry."
*phew~ "Thanks, Old Man."
Jircniv then turned to the entrance of the tent and signaled to someone outside. Seconds later, four black-armored knights entered.
Each with their distinct weapon at hand. One held a greatsword at his waist. Another held a rapier. One held a war-axe. And the only woman held a lance.
"Your oath stands. It's time you earn it."
""""As you command, your Imperial Majesty!""""