Chapter 88: Strongest knight

Lucinda frowned deeply as she walked through the streets of Emberreach. By all accounts, the city should have been in ruins due to the constant battles that had taken place there. But buildings, churches, and cathedrals that should have been destroyed were miraculously intact, with sunlight peeking through the clouds highlighting this supposed miracle. Curiosity lingered in the back of her mind about who had restored most of the city, but she was more concerned about something else at the moment.

"Damn it, where is he?" she murmured to herself as she walked through the restored structures. The streets were desolate as civilians had been evacuated, and knights from the capital of Verdantis were ensuring there were no more surprise attacks. At least Emberreach would have some protection as she and the others would have to leave today. However, there was an issue. Mirabella, Agatha, Fiona, Victoria, and Professor Eugene were all accounted for. A sinking feeling gnawed at her gut. She had witnessed firsthand the kind of monster Selwyn was. Even if her magic were effective against him, she knew it would make little difference. Could Mikoto truly win against such an opponent?

"Your obligation is what you choose, honestly," he said blandly. "Your obligation is to be yourself or to be this wannabe hero. I don't really care; just stop being emo, dude. Focus all your attention on beating the shit out of that Selwyn guy." Mikoto smirked as he jabbed a thumb at himself. "Or actually, you're kinda weak, not gonna lie. I'll take care of him." His words were meant to be hurtful, a blow to her pride, but they were very foreign. Someone was offering to fight her battles for her?

She remembered his words of confidence, however degrading they might have sounded. They probably were, but to her, they had a different meaning, a different point. He told her that she was weak and to leave it all to him. That was so foreign, but the meaning was clear. He said he would fight her battle, an offer she had never received. For she was not Lucinda; no, she was the spawn of Octavia. Mikoto Yukio was a rarity, and during their time in Verdantis, she had not figured him out yet.

What drove him? What were his goals? Why was he the way he was? Who is Mikoto? There was so much she wanted to know. Though even so, not knowing him well did not change the churn in her stomach or the anxiety she was feeling. What happened to Mikoto? The thoughts lingered, but she quickly turned her attention back to reality as she heard rapidly approaching footsteps from behind her and someone huffing for air. Turning, she saw a slightly out-of-breath Mirabella stop in front of her.

"I-I got nothing," she breathed out as she took one last gulp of air. "It's just north from here. It looked like something out of a damn nightmare, craters and fissures everywhere."

"A battle took place there, then?" Lucinda knitted her brows as she pondered. "The one that caused all those tremors, no doubt."

"It's that damn monster prince, fuck!" Mirabella cursed once more, clearly frustrated. "Where the hell is that idiot!?" Mirabella seemed to want to utter more curses, but maybe it was better if she didn't. "I'm too weak. That fucking bastard cut me up like I was some fish on a platter."

"Mirabella, you can't blame yourself here," Lucinda stepped in before she could continue with her self-loathing. "I was powerless against that monster too. Even if I could have used magic, the result would have been the same. It would be the same for most everyone who fights that monster."

"Then Mikoto...." Mirabella snarled to herself, disgusted at her weakness. It had been hours since Mikoto had last been seen, and considering who he fought, the implications were pretty clear. "If I wasn't so weak, then that damn bastard...."

"Listen, Mirabella, I know you're anxious, angry, and disgusted with yourself, but it isn't your fault that Mikoto had to fight Selwyn," the princess said. Mirabella just looked down in anger, most likely directed at herself. "But at this point, we both know what kind of person Mikoto is. Brash, cocky, and prideful," she chuckled.

"And an idiot," Mirabella added with a mumble.

"Well, that's maybe a bit too harsh," Lucinda sheepishly stated.

"It's his own damn fault for being labeled one," Mirabella said, looking to the side with an unreadable gaze as she continued in a lower tone of voice. "I told him not to fight that monster."

"I am sure Mikoto is still alive. He has to be," Lucinda stated with surprising conviction. "I might not know him well, but I do not think he is the type to simply give up and die like this!" Mirabella looked at her, her eyes wide. Lucinda sounded so confident, so sure of her words. Her voice was steady, and her gaze steely. It was hard not to find comfort in her words.

"Whoa, this Mikoto guy sounds damn interesting!" The two girls looked up to the source of the voice and watched as two women approached them, both eye-catching.

The first woman had a head of silky gold-blond hair and dull red eyes that seemed to assess the two of them like they were prey. Her attire was rather unconventional. She wore a loose, wrinkled white shirt, the first few buttons were loose, showing off her cleavage, and both sleeves were rolled up, as well as the lower part of the shirt to show a hint of her toned stomach. She also wore baggy grey trousers with one ankle rolled up and heavy black boots that clashed with her outfit. Overall, she looked like a homeless person who had had too much to drink and was suffering from a hangover. Not to mention, she had a droopy and lazy look about her. The second woman was a lot more dignified in the appearance department. She had a serene and beautiful face like that of a doll, long, neat black hair that made her beautiful emerald green eyes stand out even more. She wore a heavy suit of finely crafted silver armor adorned in blue with a gem embedded into the chest.

"Soooo~ Who's this Mikoto guy, and why are we looking for him?" the blonde woman asked, a lopsided smile on her face.

"Who the hell are you?" Mirabella asked with narrowed eyes.

"Fufufu~ There's no shame in being oblivious," she said with an annoying smile. "I am Ysabel Lavinia, the strongest knight!" she proudly proclaimed.

"Who?/Who?" Lucinda and Mirabella asked in confusion.

"Gah!" Like an invisible arrow through the heart, Ysabel froze in shock. The other woman seemed to resist the urge to roll her eyes as she cleared her throat and spoke.

"Forgive her idiocy," the woman said with a dry gaze directed at Ysabel. "I am Ingrid Rosamund, second in command of the first platoon. This idiot is my captain, the self-proclaimed strongest knight."

"Hey! Not 'self-proclaimed,' I am the strongest knight!" Ysabel argued, but she only received an even duller gaze from her companion. "Come on, I am!"

"Sure, maybe if you were not such a bum, that might have been the case," Ingrid folded her arms. "And if you truly were the strongest knight, you would not lose as often against Lady Stark."

"Ugh!" Ysabel just pouted and looked away, having no response. "Stupid Ingrid," she mumbled afterward. Ingrid sighed as she turned to the other two, who genuinely did not know how to react to the situation.

"Apologies for this fool, but we are with the knights deployed from the capital," she started, a look of confusion spreading across Lucinda's face.

"They sent the captain and second in command of the first platoon here?" she questioned, finding it excessive.

"I, along with a few of our troops, were deployed here alone once we heard word of Vel'ryr and demons attacking," Ingrid stated as she jabbed a thumb at Ysabel. "However, this fool invited herself along despite having more important matters."

"Hey! They said that Prince Selwyn guy was here. I thought I should tag along for better strength," Ysabel defended, once more receiving a dry glare.

"Is that the reason? Or did you just see an easy escape from all the paperwork that you needed to do?" Ingrid questioned with a raised brow.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Ysabel stated with a sheepish gaze.

"Anyway, me and this fool here..."

"Hey!"

"...we are merely looking for any stragglers. However, this fool here..."

"Come on!"

"...was curious about the two of you and came to converse. Apologies, I could not stop her."

"Come on, you've got to be curious too, Ingrid!" Ysabel stated, looking for some shared interest. "I mean, it ain't every day you see the spawn of Octavia and a princess walking around together. And talking about a boy, no less! Come on, spill, who's the lucky guy?"

"It ain't like that," Mirabella huffed out, annoyed. "He's missing."

"For real?" Ysabel sounded disappointed for some reason. "That's one weird guy..." She suddenly stated as she gazed behind them. Her droopy and stupid façade disappeared as a cold glare took hold. As Mirabella and Lucinda looked back in curiosity, they saw their missing person just in time for Ysabel's form to blur as she sped past everyone.

She appeared before Mikoto in an instant, her leg poised high and ready to strike.