Part 18

After arriving to their old landing location, the landing party made few last arrangements with the crew and then went on their way. While they had travelled the road to Onrac before and could have shaven off few days of travel in normal circumstances, the added weight and people slowed down their travel. It took them again one week to reach the city. No disturbances during the travel made the journey smooth. Warriors of Light took this in stride as chances were that threats ahead might have been as strongest they would encounter so far.

Once back in the city, they went straight for the warehouse where the submarine was being held. Belinda was glad to see them again. She was also glad to hear that the journey was success when Noelle showed to her the magic bracelets she made. The oxyale was crystalized and attached to small armbands that anyone could use. Everyone was curious on how exactly they worked so Lianna volunteered to show everyone. She put on one of them and went outside to test it out. While she and Noelle were in the water, Belinda explained to others what the process was. The bracelet created a small bubble of air to surround the user while they were underwater. As long as the bracelet was active, it would allow them to breathe and act underwater as they would on land. After experiencing it for themselves, they were glad that their effort weren't for naught. And so they were set for tomorrow's expedition. Belinda told them that she tried to get more support for this expedition, but as expected of her reputation, everyone had called her crazy and ignored her. They didn't mind no support. They needed to prove themselves to the city anyway. Other than Lianna sneaking away, everyone had spent their evening in the inn.

Everything was ready next day. While others were loading supplies into the submarine, Noelle, Lianna and Belinda were conversing among each other.

Noelle: "I wonder what my sisters will think when they see me. Much older than they remember me."

Lianna: "I am sure they will treat you the same as before."

Noelle: "Hah, I can just picture it. Kanone telling me off for taking so long to save them. Don't you agree, Mom?"

Belinda: ...

Noelle: "Mom? What is it?"

Lianna: "Have you been feeling sick, Belinda? You have been that look since yesterday."

Belinda: "I am alright. It's just..."

Noelle: "It's finally time. We get to see everyone again. Isn't that exciting?"

Belinda: "... Yes."

Lianna: "Then turn that frown upside down. Be happy."

Belinda: "I am. Trust me. I don't want to give bad impressions to my future daughter-in-law."

Lianna: "Then what's wrong?"

Belinda: "I am afraid my mission is over. I finally managed to finish this. And now I entrust this to you all. Please take care of my daughter, Lianna."

Lianna: "I will."

Noelle: "Wait, what's with this talk all of a sudden? It seems as if you will never see us again."

Belinda: "I am sorry."

Noelle: "Sorry? Sorry for what? Wait, what's happening to you? Hey!"

While they were in the middle of the conversation, Belinda started glowing and going translucent.

Noelle: "Nonononono, not yet! I still need you! Please, STOP!"

Belinda: "I am sorry, but my time on this world is over."

Noelle: "No, it's not! Kanone and Kithra aren't here! They haven't said goodbye!"

Belinda: "I am sorry for doing this, but I have no choice. He is finally calling me on the other side."

"What's going on?" Others have appeared to see what the ruckus was all about.

Belinda: "Ah, the Warriors of Light. I am sorry that our meeting is already cutting short. Could you do me one last favour? Please save everyone."

While the Warriors were too stunned to speak at the sight of this, Noelle was crying at her mother's feet.

Noelle: "I beg of you. I need more time. Please."

Belinda: "I am sorry I wasn't a better towards you or your sisters. I can promise you this though. I will be always be there... for... you..."

With those words that sounded like whisper, the life of the last queen of Granbelos ended, leaving behind her grieving daughter who couldn't stop crying. While Lianna and Rosch tried to comfort, others could only watch in silence. Once she finally stopped crying, Noelle looked up to Rosch.

Noelle: "Promise me something."

Rosch: "What?"

Noelle: "Promise me that you will save everyone. Promise me that you will slay that monster. Promise me that this suffering will end today."

Rosch: "I will. As Warrior of Light chosen by Goddess herself, I swear your mother's effort won't be in vain."

Noelle: "You better."

Lianna: "I will be waiting for you all here. I will accept nothing else than victory."

With the determination in their hearts, Warriors of Light boarded the submarine and together with Noelle, who was escorting them outside the vessel, departed for the sunken shrine.

As they started to descend, they could clearly see through the submarine's window their target, the remains of the shrine. They could clearly see that there was unusual due to the glow that it was giving. With the help of Noelle who was guiding them from outside, they started approaching. However, an unexpected hit shook the entire submarine and causes it to crash at the third floor of the shrine. As water started rushing into the submarine, everyone's bracelet activated. With that they went outside to inspect what happened where they saw Noelle in rough shape. Mari immediately swam to her to heal.

Kelin: "What happened?"

Noelle: "I am sorry. I thought we made submarine tough enough to handle it."

Rosch: "Handle what?"

Noelle: "There is a magic barrier guarding the shrine from outside world. That's why you needed the submarine and couldn't just swim to here."

Mari: "Then why are you here too?"

Noelle: "I didn't realize it would pull me in with you. Anyway, I should make myself useful now that I am here."

Mari: "No, stay here."

Noelle: "But-"

Rosch: "No buts. We did this 3 times already. We can handle on our own. Besides, our fiancée would be angry at us if more happened to you."

Noelle: "Fine. But you better come and pick me up to see your battle."

Rosch: "You have yourself a deal."

And with that, the Warriors of Light went exploring. Due to the unusual nature of place they were exploring, it meant that they had to adjust to combat in new conditions quickly. For Kelin and Rosch, it meant that they couldn't use their magical blades to their full extent as ice and flames couldn't be formed under current conditions. For Lewyn, it meant that his fists were slowed down and that he needed to compensate for that. For Mari, it meant that she was practically useless in combat as her hammer swings were barely effective in the current conditions. As such, she stood in the back to avoid attacks. After their first taste of combat with a sea troll and some snakes, they started looking around for a stairwell. It was made clear that they were is still in water as two sharks lunged at them from the upper floor. Thankfully, the swords weren't dulled by water and everyone pressed onto the fourth floor.

There they discovered the true state of the ruin. Destroyed rooms, collapsed pillars, piles of stone that were turned into monster dens. All of that made for confusing maze that now they had to navigate through. Even if Noelle was with them, she might have had hard time helping them with their bearings. The monsters didn't help this at all. More sea snakes appeared from every corner which drew the attention of group of sahagin who wanted to ambush the party. They didn't expect that Rosch would be crazy enough to use Firaga underwater. Even if its power was much weaker than on surface, it still boiled most of them to death, leaving the few that survived for others to kill. Few dead ends that they have encountered had some treasure waiting for them which they chose to skip. Already they weren't carrying their bags to avoid being weighted down. They couldn't pick up anything they found at all. Thankfully, another group of sahagin distracted thrm pointed them in right direction.

On the top floor a big surprise awaited for them. In every room they opened they found imprisoned mermaids being chained to the wall. Needless to say, the mermaids were shocked to see humans and very grateful once they were let go. Once they freed everyone, Warriors asked the mermaids to follow them to third floor as there was someone who could explain better than they could. Mermaids, not wishing to impose on their liberators, followed their lead and made a column following Warriors behind Mari. While they were really weak, with so many of them being capable mages, nothing could stand in column's path and so they quickly descended from the highest floor back to the third. Noelle was shocked to see so many of her fellow mermaids following in Warriors' footsteps. Leaving them in her care, Warriors pressed on. Water Naga helped them pointing in the right direction as it guarded the stairwell to the lower floor.

On the second floor, they disturbed sahagin's nest which forced a number of sahagin groups to hunt them down. While Rosch switching to Blizzara spell worked better as crowd control, they still decided to go into nearby room and hide until the situation calmed down and they had small rest. Once the air was clear, they continued to explore the floor. While sahagins left them alone, there was a large number seas scorpions that kept poisoning Lewyn as well as ghosts who wandered in the hallways. This didn't deter the party and they eventually descended down to the bottom floor. While they were searching down to see where the Water Crystal was being kept, they heard sounds of combat coming from behind them. As it turned out, while they were resting, Noelle decided to follow them. While they wanted her to return and guard the mermaids, they couldn't convince her and so she ended up following them and helped them deal with mobs of enemies. At the end of a long hallway awaited a room for them. Knowing full well what waited for them there, they cracked open their limited supplies and rested up before the final fight. Noelle wanted to fight with everyone, but she was ordered to stay put and observe the battle. It was Warriors' duty to finish this.

Once fully healed and rested, they entered the room which had a familiar layout. The Water Crystal was waiting for them at the end of the room with the blue sphere between it and Warriors. Having nothing else to do, they approached it as the sphere started to transform. During this, a voice was heard. "Hmph. You humans impressed me... I would not have thought to see you here." The sphere transformed into a big octopus creature. "But do you really think you can defeat the Fiend of Water here in my own domain? Fools! These dark depths shall be your tomb!" With that he struck first with ink, blinding Lewyn. Rosch casted Slowra to slow it down while Mari casted Protera to increase party's defence. Kelin casted Blink on himself using his spare sword Defender. While Kelin drew attention away from others, Mari removed Lewyn's blindess and Rosch casted Haste on him. Now able to see, Lewyn joined with Kelin and started attacking Kraken while Mari and Rosch were supporting with their spells. Kraken turned his attention to Rosch and slammed him into a pillar with its tentacle. Rosch returned the favour by casting Thundara and making it recoil in pain. Lewyn and Kelin pressed on advantage and caused it to bleed ink. Mari finally managed to cast off Invisra making everyone almost invisible. Kraken flailed its tentacles trying to hit the Warriors but failed to find the mark. Lewyn punished this by making powerful punch on its hand, leaving Lewyn to cut it off and finish the fight. Once everything was done, Kraken disappeared into the mist, leaving no traces behind other than its ink. Once everyone had calmed down, they approached the Water Crystal with Mari in lead. As soon as she approached the Crystal, it started shining and restoring itself back to normal. As this was happening, however, the entire shrine started shaking. It was finally time to restore the glory of the past.

For the crew of Sky Empress, while they knew what Warriors' mission was, they had no clue how it would shape out. Finally, after 10 days, they had set off for Onrac. Expecting the city to look the same like the first time they flew over it, they were in for quite a shock when they saw an island with ruins on it that wasn't previously there. Knowing that this was most likely the Warriors' doing, they hoped that a landing zone was secured for them to land and so they scoured the area around the city for the agreed signal. Thankfully, they found one next to the city and, after a few tries, successfully landed it. Lianna and Rosch were awaiting for them. After greetings were made, they assembled the crew to tell them what happened.

Once Water Crystal was restored, the magic that Kraken made to keep the shrine underwater was gone, forcing it to resurface again and cause chaos in the city. It took a day until peace was regained and a meet-up between the city authorities and the mermaids was made. Crown Princess Kanone was the one representing the mermaids. While that was underway, Warriors, Lianna and Noelle scoured the shrine to find as many survivors as they could. Unfortunately, a terrible truth was waiting for them. The barrier that was surrounding the city, keeping everyone from entering it, was made with mermaids as the source of power. By the time the liberation happened, most of the population was dead after exhausting their power, leaving only around 100 mermaids alive in total. This truth was found out after they discovered Noelle's sister Kithra in the shrine's basement together with the last known survivors in horrible shape and nearly starved to death. This dampened the mood. However there was one silver lining. Judging from the discovery made a day prior to airships arrival, the sealed powers of descendants that avoided the shrine's fall were unlocked, allowing for a potentially bright future for the city. While negotiations were still held to see how to address the current situation, a celebratory dinner was being held up the next evening and the crew was invited to join. About half of the crew ended up joining the Warriors there. During the festivities, Mari and Rosch had a conversation about one notable presence that was missing there.

Mari: "What do you about Lianna skipping on this dinner? I am not sure that's usual behaviour."

Rosch: "I don't know. It's not up to me to answer for her. Wherever she has been sneaking off to recently, I am sure she has a good reason to do so. But let's not ruin our celebration with someone who isn't even here."

Mari: "Are you sure? She is your fiancée if that ring is anything to go by."

Rosch: "Noelle is also her fiancée and I don't see you pestering her."

Mari: "Fine, fine. I won't bother you with that. Instead I will bother you with something else, now that you have reminded me."

Rosch: "Reminded you of what?"

Mari: "What do you think it will happen once we leave? Any expectations from either side?

Rosch: "You mean in political sense?"

Mari: "Yes."

Rosch: "That's hard to say. Any kingdom revival would be dubious at best. Even with the return of the royal family and the mermaids, the fact is that they are too few to influence anything outside the city right now. They can't even usurp the power on their own. Noelle's- Sorry, Tilly's sister, I keep forgetting that. Anyway, as I was saying, Tilly's sister Kanone has a long way to go if she has any ambition for the kingdom's restoration."

Mari: "And what do you think about her main opposition?"

Rosch: "The one with the merchant Blackwell at its head? While I did hear he is not particularly liked among the people due to his ruthless ambition, the city officials that support him do have some influence. I am sure they will be thorn in Kanone's side. I don't think he is even here tonight. At least, I don't see him."

Mari: "Is that a bad thing?"

Rosch: "Might be, depending on what transpires in days to come. Does that satisfy as an answer?"

Mari: "Yes, thank you."

Rosch: "Good. Now answer mine then. Why asking me this? I am sure there are better people than me to explain this to you."

Mari: "Yes. The thing is, Lianna isn't here, Noelle-

Rosch: "Tilly."

Mari: "Right, right. Tilly hasn't left her sister's side in the past 4 days, I don't know if I can rely on Lewyn to inform me above all of this and those two lovebirds are in the world in their own. So you are my next best choice."

Rosch: "So I am your fifth choice, is that it?"

Mari: "Not really. For instance, I would count Lewyn out of that list."

Rosch: "Glad to see where your priorities lie."

Mari: "Hey, I-"

While they were conversing, an explosion was heard, attracting everyone's attention. Everyone went outside trying to see where did this came from with some of them even preparing for a fight. Mari and Rosch were with everyone, seeing the smoke coming from the east.

Mari: "You thinking what I am thinking?"

Rosch: "I think so. Someone might be being attacked right now. Hey, guard. Do you have any idea where that smoke is coming?"

Guard: "I think it's coming from lord Blackwell's estate."

Rosch: "Seriously?"

Mari: "You don't think this is a coincidence, right?"

Rosch: "No. Let's gather everyone. We need to see what's going on."

Mari: "Right. I will help out the wounded."

Chaos ensued on Blackwell's estate as sudden explosion came from the kitchen. While his servants were hurriedly trying to put the flames out, Blackwell was nervously pacing around in his office when one of his guards came in.

Blackwell: "What's going on?"

Guard: "I don't know. There was no one supposed to be in kitchen at this hour."

Blackwell: "Any intruder sighting?"

Guard: "None, Sir."

Blackwell: "What about Blue Star mercs? Any news from them?"

Guard: "None, Sir."

Blackwell: "Dammit, what's going on? They should have completed their mission by now. This can't be a coincidence."

Guard: "Sir, Chief Arno has requested that you be evacuated from the estate until they can put down the flames. He has already secured the escape route."

Blackwell: "I hate when he acts without my orders. But I have no choice this time. You, send the news about those mercs as soon as possible."

Guard: "Yes, sir."

The guard escorted him to the basement where his chief bodyguard Arno as well as several of his subordinates were waiting for them.

Blackwell: "Now's the time you justify your pays."

Arno: "Yes, Sir."

Blackwell: "Right now you are ahead of those mercs that I have hired. Seriously, how hard it is to sneak on that airship?"

Arno: "I still say we should have sent one of ours for that task."

Blackwell: "As I told you before, I'd rather waste a random mercenary that I have hired anonymously than one of my usual ones. The risk is too much right now for the potential prize."

Arno: "And if they betray us?"

Blackwell: "Then they are even more dumber than I thought."

Arno: "Or they found the treasures stored onboard."

Blackwell: "I hope not. I would like the first pick at them. Even if it turns out that information that I paid from Melmond turns out to be exaggerated. Can you imagine what potential treasures the Warriors have collected during their travels? The airship blueprints, that explosive that opened up a new canal down south. Even rare magical books and artifacts collected from ruins that they visited. Those things are far more valuable than the gold or silver stored onboard."

?: "Shame you won't get to see them."

Blackwell: "What?"

Arno: "Get away!"

Arno pushed Blackwell just as smoke grenade, enveloping Arno's men in a blanket of smoke. They could only look in horror at smoke as sounds of fighting and men screaming came out of the smoke. By the time it cleared, only a lone figure stood shrouded in darkness. Arno unsheathed his sword.

Arno: "Get out of here. I'll hold him off."

Blackwell: "R-right." He started running away in panic.

?: "Stay away. You don't need to die because of him."

Arno: "Shut up. I won't let anywhere near him."

?: "Fine. Then I will make it quick."

Arno: "Like hell you will- AHHH!"

While Arno was trying to threaten to the mysterious person, he felt a sudden pain in his right arm and screamed loudly. He failed to notice the thrown kunai until it was too late and lodged into his arm. Trying to put up to a defensive stance, he could only watch in horror as his opponent quickly shorten the distance between them and cut his hands like it was butter. Barely able to process what was going on, he only realized his opponent was a woman as she made quick slash through his neck, causing the blood to gush everywhere. As his conscience was dying, the last words he heard was: "Shame you didn't adhere to my warning."

In the meantime, Blackwell was running away from there like Death was chasing him, ignoring everyone and everything. Few servants that did saw him couldn't stop him and had to focus on putting down the fire as it was threatening the rest of the estate. No one had the time to check around and so the bloodied assassin got out of there unnoticed and followed Blackwell from the rooftops as he ran through the streets in shock, ignoring the crowd that was gathering around. Finally, after what must have been like the longest run that he ever made, his stamina ran out and he tripped in one of the side alleys. He crawled away behind some barrels while trying to catch his breath and hoping that whoever attacked him didn't follow, blissfully unaware of the threat that was waiting from him above. Finally, when he had enough strength to stand, he checked around and, seeing that no one was around, he tried to walk away. Noise behind him startled him. "W-who's there?!" No one answered. He pulled a dagger out of his pocket. "Answer me, NOW!" Again, no one answered. Finally the source of the noise revealed itself as a cat walked nearby. "Stupid cat." he mumbled to himself. As he turned away and started walking, another noise came from behind him. Without turning he yelled: "Shut up, you stupid cat!" "Wow, animal cruelty much?" came the response. "Huh?" As he finally turned around, a sharp pain came from his knee, causing him to scream in pain as he fell down. "You are a real bad man, you know that?" While clutching at his leg, he yelled: "Who-who are you?!" The person responded with clear disappointment in her tone: "Really? You can't tell even now? Especially since we aren't underground? Fine, I guess I will help you there then." A small ember suddenly appeared, showing a beautiful dark-skinned woman wearing a purple and bloodied robe.

Blackwell: "Y-you-you are that captain."

Lianna: "Finally. It took you long enough. I thought it would be obvious after sending those men to the Sky Empress."

Blackwell: "What do you mean? I don't-"

Lianna: "Save it. I took care of them before I got to you. You are the only one."

Blackwell: "W-what?"

Lianna: "You think I haven't noticed your men spying on the Ascarte warehouse, did you? Or those spying our airship? You seriously overestimated the capabilities of your men. Especially when they can't even guard your home properly."

Blackwell: "What do you mean?"

Lianna: "Imagine what others will think when I show people these interesting documents I found about stealing and selling our airship."

Blackwell: "You broke into my office? Just who are you exactly?"

Lianna: "The silent death to any person who would threaten my men or my family."

Blackwell: "Y-you can't do this to me! I am this city's official!"

Lianna: "And I am the official representative of Her Majesty herself. So what are our titles have to do with your death now?"

Blackwell: "No! NOOOOO!"

He tried to stood up and hop away from Lianna, but he only got few meters before he was stabbed in the back. "Don't worry, I will send you on your way shortly." Those were the last words that he heard. The guards that he saw coming to see what was going on were too late as world around him started spinning before it faded to black. Meanwhile, Lianna dropped her sword on Blackwell's decapitated head as the guards ordered her to drop her weapon.

Lianna was sitting comfortably in her cell as she waited patiently for her sentence. She knew she would be in massive trouble after her actions last night. Attacking a city official for his attempted incursions onto her ship wasn't the best idea. However, she did take enough evidence of actions and leave it in her room so any trial she would be subjected to would be muddled by Blackwell's own actions. She just hoped that the explosion didn't kill anyone at it was only meant to be a kitchen fire. Even she was surprised by that explosion, whatever it triggered it.

Finally, in the afternoon, her fate was decided and it was up to Rosch and Noelle to deliver the news to Lianna in the prison. They took it gladly as they were angry at Lianna's actions and they made it clear when they arrived at her cell.

Rosch: "So, why did you think this whole mess was such a good idea? I really want to know."

Noelle: "Me too. We just had one of longest meetings with the city council trying to unravel this mess."

Lianna: "And what's the call?"

Rosch: "Oh, no. You are not getting off that easily. Why didn't you inform anyone about this? We could have helped you."

Lianna: "It was easier to handle it on my own than get you involved. Compared to the Warrior of Light and the member of the former royal family, someone like me is less conspicuous."

Rosch: "Oh, really? And how exactly would you explain to Queen Iroha about why her official representative went and killed a noble in another city and got caught? What excuse would you try to sell to her, huh?"

Lianna: "None. I would tell her the truth and anticipate her judgement. That's all."

Noelle: "So you won't even bother to excuse yourself?"

Lianna: "Why would I? I did it in order to protect my men and my family. I will let no danger approach them if I could help it."

Noelle: "So you are also selfish then? Or do you not treat us equal?"

Lianna: "Huh? Is that why you two are mad about me?"

Rosch: "Of course. Risking your life while we are out there drinking and partying. It almost makes us look like we don't care about you."

Lianna: "So you would have followed my plan?"

Noelle: "No. At least not as something as direct as you pulled. Also, apparently you were trained as some sort of special thief class from Hoshido."

Lianna: "A ninja."

Noelle: "Yeah, that. How did you get yourself caught so easily?"

Lianna: "I thought leaving those documents in my room would indicate why I did this."

Rosch: "Oh, so you DID plan to get caught?"

Noelle: "Let's not get off the subject. Next time include us into your planning. After all, we are supposed to be a family, aren't we?"

Lianna: "Really?"

Rosch: "Yes. We know we are getting ourselves in chaos by marrying you. At least bother with inform us first."

Lianna: "Fine. So what's the punishment?"

Rosch: "Guard over there will let you, you will go clean yourself and change clothes and then you will come with us. Apparently there are some gifts from the shrine we are supposed to get later this evening."

Lianna: "Wait, what? What about my punishment?"

Noelle: "None, you are free to go."

Lianna: "Huh? Why?"

Noelle: "As much as your actions are quite problematic..."

Rosch: "... Onrac would have been in even worse troubles had Blackwell's plans come to fruition. Stealing a vessel belonging to another kingdom and potentially risking lives of not one, but two ambassadors. That would leave the city in huge diplomatic situation. Simply put, in exchange for your freedom, no nation will pursue repercussions for  this incident. You got lucky there."

Lianna: "I expected at least permanent exile, but I will take it."

Rosch: "Just don't tell anyone that. Guard!"

Once she was let out, Rosch and Noelle escorted Lianna out of prison back to the airship. Once Lianna cleaned herself and got some proper clothes, they went to the shrine to see what were these promised gifts. After Crown Princess Kanone's speech, the Warriors of Light received a large monetary reward as well as plethora of magical items to serve the Warriors in fights to come. For Kelin, he received a full armour set of chest plate, helm and shield made out of magical diamond, surprising everyone. According to the last surviving court mage, a rare technique made it possible to create large objects out of artificial diamonds. Kelin gladly accepted the gift. Other than that, they also received 2 axes that were able to cast Diara as their magical attack, a diamond armlet, diamond gloves, another set of gloves called Giant's gloves that could cast a rare spell called Saber and a magical ribbon that can ward off special attacks. The most important gift, however, turned out to be a special stone from the treasury called a Rosetta stone. Named after the queen at the time, it inscribed a trade agreement between kingdoms of Granbelos and Lufenia in Lufenian language. Since no survivor knew the language, if the Warriors could find someone that could speak it, it might help out greatly with the airship's systems and maybe even somehow point in the direction of more Lufenian ruins. Warriors accepted these gifts gladly and returned back to the airship. Several days later they were finallyback in the air. According to some rumours, a man named Unne in Melmond might have been their best chance right now, so that's where they decided to go.