Chapter 6 — The hometown’s memento

With the sun rising above Ranalitta, Keyaruga found himself in bed. Once again, he woke up with a sweaty spine and trembling arms, but with no memories of the dream.

"Freia? Kureha?" With these girls nowhere to be found, he started calling upon them.

"No here. Outside, training." That was the voice from inside the blanket.

"M-m… Good morning, Setsuna." The healer said, closing his eyes. With nothing to distract him, the red-haired lad could just focus on the sensations his willful slave brought him almost every morning, in exchange for power.

Yet, he couldn't. The man was troubled. The reason was Freia. She was becoming too independent, even though the ex-princess was good at hiding it. The man was sharp enough to notice her mindful face each time she returned from her shopping walks, but when the man was too busy raising Setsuna's level cap, the caster sometimes refrained from making it a threesome. Before and after the raid on Taretanbi.

I can only hope they're safe on their journey.

Either way, this was at least getting interesting. If Freia betrayed him, that would be a great excuse to ruin her entirely, to stop believing anyone and just turn into a merciless fiend with nothing but vengeance on his mind. But if not… Maybe I'm a fool, but I just want her to... No, that's too hopeful, especially for me.

…

In the backyard of the inn, with no one around at all, Kureha and Freia indulged in physical exercises. The former, with her hair being tied into a massive bun, was doing push-ups, standing vertically on her mere fingers to not dirty her outfit. The latter, with her face being turned back to that of a blue-eyed beauty, had to settle on an alteration of push-ups and jumping. She wore comfortable casual clothes, so the magician would not feel sorry to get dirty.

"Ninety-eight… Ninety-nine… Hundred… Ha-a, finally!" With her struggles done, the Swordmaster got back on her feet. The Hero of Magic, in turn, wouldn't even count her times. Although she almost reached the number of seventy, it took a whole twenty seconds for the magician to do a push-up, stand, and jump even for a dozen centimeters.

"Haa… Haa… Haa… I… I think I'm done…" The ex-princess spoke, almost hunched to the ground. "Kureha, when you're finished, I want… Haa… I want to talk to you." Although serene, the voice of the sorceress left no doubt that their conversation would be tough, so she mentally prepared herself for the worst. And for a good reason.

…

The man could finally start his day after bursting out of his semen. The Hero of Healing trained in martial arts with his ice wolf companion. After all, even if her moves were polished to perfection, the warrior's range of styles was really scarce. She has mastered only one, after all.

The man, wearing only a pair of trousers and the azure amulet, deflected the rapid series of kicks and nail thrusts. Even without the frozen gauntlets, Setsuna could easily poke him in the eyes, but knowing all too well the sheer strength of her master, the girl wouldn't even think about holding back. The man was yet to retaliate. The only thing he did was spectate and block. After all, their room, even with the table and beds shifted near the walls, was too small to dodge effectively. A violent round kick to the neck, though, was avoided by crouching, but the following claw slash failed when the lad grabbed the upcoming arm and seized it behind the huntress' back in a swift pirouette.

"Ugh… Setsuna lost." With her right arm captured and her legs blocked by Keyaruga's shin, the girl would never make it out of his grasp.

"There is no defeat in training." The healer said, releasing his companion. "Although your strikes are perfect, you lack any expertise in grappling. With your claws, you don't need to utilize all of grabs; some won't even let you slash your enemy, but the more you master these techniques, the less the risk of you failing to respond to them, like you did now."

"Uh-huh. Understand, master Keyaruga." The warrior slightly nodded. "Continue?"

"Hm, I think we should take a break." Keyaruga spoke up and moved two chairs to the center of the room."Sit down. You seem troubled."

"Yes. That woman, Kureha, be wary of her." The girl said, while her aquamarine eyes turned to where the swordswoman should have been.

…

At the same time, in the backyard, Freia finally had Kureha sit at her side on a bench with a bag of spare clothes. Her usually kind blue eyes were now filled with nothing but resolve to finish what she started.

"Cunabula venti!" With the sorceress extending her hands, a barely visible bubble of air appeared around the two girls.

"What is it, Your Highness?" Although Silver Death recognized the spell, she was yet to grasp the reason, which was simple, honestly. The sorceress made it so that nobody could hear them talk.

"Listen, Kureha Cryleth. What I have to say must not be heard by Keyaru, nor spoken to Setsuna." The princess spoke with a royal tone, but her gaze was full of spite.

"I swear to not reveal a word." Silver Death replied with an arm placed on her chest. But what followed made her shudder.

"Ha-ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha! Oh, Kureha! This is exactly why I hate you!" If anything, this was the real Flare. Her cold eyes now radiated disdain.

"W-what? How can you?.." The fencer trembled, like a child awaiting parental nagging.

"Rethink your justice? For whom do you raise your sword? I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I don't see a change of heart in you. You may have fucked with Keyaru, but the only thing that changed for you was the master you bow to!"

"I don't think I like this conversation, my princess." The fencer spoke with nothing but confusion... and fear.

"I do. Think for yourself, you barge into our lives, berate my beloved man, reduce Setsuna to just a slave with your words, mock my attempt to help the poor, and nearly kill Keyaru."

"I jus…"

"SILENCE!!!" Freia loudly interrupted Kureha, knowing her yell would not leave the bubble. This was the first time she got truly enraged in her "new" life. "Why would you refuse to listen to Keyaru, even when he revealed his face, but never truly question what I told you?"

"Because I believed in him killing you. A crime, no…" And once again, the silver-haired fencer wouldn't be allowed to finish.

"Crime? Tell me, what if I actually deserved to get murdered by his hand? What if I myself kicked him to the dungeon, just to get results? What if I had him raped for the sheer amusement of it?" Freia snarled, revealing that she knew all too well why she had awakened in that inn with no memories.

"Even if that's just an example, this sounds too brutal for you, Your Highness. What are you implying?"

"Example… Yes, right." The sorceress shook her head, deciding to later encounter Keyaru with that topic. Him and him alone. "This was actually my father's volition. The very same you kneeled to." The witch, poisonously hissing, was now standing above the sitting swordswoman. "I don't want to hear your excuses or your pledges. The only thing I want to know is whether or not you are loyal to my Keyaru."

"If needed, I will throw my life away for his sake!" Another pledge that Freia hated to hear.

"Even if he has my kingdom as an enemy? Sorry, but if you truly want an example of loyalty, look no further. Setsuna promised to reveal her true name if Keyaru saved her village. Which he did. I… wasn't there, but I know one thing — I don't feel that slave bond like all the other demi-humans here emanate. Yet, she's still keen on calling herself a slave."

"I… didn't even know." Kureha wilted, realizing now just how unsightly her accusations were. Would that pacify the venomous princess? Oh no, she has barely even started.

"And what did you know? Do you know how Keyaru is tormented by nightmares every single night? How deeply traumatized is he? He's just a small boy, seeking love and care, even if he can't profoundly say so. And I will give him plenty. Despite him sleeping with Setsuna and you now, I will care for her and... for you, if required. I don't even think you're the last one that will be in his bed." Freia spoke with uncovered pain in her blue eyes. "Whatever I do, I do for his sake. I will remove every impediment to his happiness, even if it means sacrificing myself and my kingdom in the process. Can you say the same? Or will you switch sides again after my father, a higher authority, orders you to do so?"

…

"Hm, are you jealous?" While Freia poured all her worries and aspirations onto Kureha, Setsuna decided to warn her master about the latter. But it seemed the man just wouldn't take the matter seriously.

"Uh-huh, jealous. But Setsuna is Keyaruga's slave. Can't have master all for Setsuna." If this girl could hear the sorceress' question, she would undoubtedly say "yes".

"You clearly have taken your role seriously." The healer said this with admiration for his toy. Although, he was clearly interested in what she had to say about Silver Death.

"Master Keyaruga, that Kureha woman, she… She's hard. She pledges herself fully…"

…

"Your Highness… Khem, Freia! I may not know much, but I love Keyaru! That's for sure!"

"Do you? Or is it merely a fling, caused by a single night together?"

…

"…but Setsuna knows, she want to know all about you…"

…

"I promise, my feelings are real! Please, Freia! Tell me his true goal, so that I will know how to assist him!"

"I may. But you won't like it."

"Please. I beg you…"

…

"…and she take your time and strength, just to shiura nanuko yafiuh (prove the man's feelings)…"

…

"All I want is to be with him! If he's truly that vulnerable as you speak, then I shall have to ward off his dread!"

"You may love Keyaru, but I will not let your egoistic obsession stain all over him. As much as he craves love, if given unchecked, it might break him just as well. If you think you're worthy enough to take Keyaru from me and Setsuna, then I'm afraid you have nothing to do here."

…

"…she's just like that, master." With Setsuna finishing her summary, the man followed her example and gazed upon his toys with a jade eye. Freia seemed to reprimand the other for something, and it would be better to ask Kureha later what the fuss was all about. But now…

"How can you tell? It's not like you knew her for a very long time, or anything."

"Setsuna knows. Yarana is just like her." The ice warrior explained, making a gesture of her cutting off her left arm, for which the lad nodded in understanding. "She kind, loyal, but takulu (possessive). When Kadiu came to trade, we welcome him. Yarana even more." Yeah, I know, I saw her belly. "When Kadiu go, Yarana go for him, losing hand. Setsuna and Kadiu save her from chiralla (a monster cat). But Yarana love Taretanbi, never go away. Kadiu stayed. He happy. Master wants to break Jioral, but Kureha loves it. What you do?"

…

In the backyard, the Swordmaster finally raised her head. Finally, the pair of blue eyes became determined.

"If I ask you for a humble part in Keyaru's harem, would you accept me? If I renounce my connection to Jioral forever? Would you tell me the truth?"

"Truth? Haa… Do you want the truth that much? Fine!" The heroine snarled, looking upward. "We never lied about saving the world, but if my Keyaru should want the throne, I will gladly help him conquer it. If not… Then I will use my power to burn the Capital to the ground, for I have no sympathy for it anymore."

"I… will not allow it. Forgive me, princess, but Jioral is not just some corrupt nobles and degraded soldiers…

…

"I know what you're talking about, Setsuna. While rotten to shit, Jioral is full of good people. Like my village, for example. Or uncle Craw, who taught me how to bake pies. I may hate it…"

…

"…as much as I might love Keyaru…"

…

"…but I don't wish to ruin so many lives over a few overpowered thugs."

…

"…I will not let either of you leave my motherland in rubble. Please, Your Highness, don't make me remain the last guardian of my beloved kingdom!"

…

"When it all ends, I want a place where I can live happily. This is why I will conquer Jioral and make it my domain. I'm sure Kureha will understand."

"Uh-huh, Setsuna do everything for this."

…

"Rather than destroyed, Jioral can be reformed, reborn! As long as we fight for good, my sword will always be at your side. Please, don't make me do this!"

"Then I will try to convince Keyaru of your cause." The more time passed, the more gruesome Freia appeared. The cradle of wind drained her mana dry, but even if her cheeks were pale she was smiling.

"And for that I can only thank you." Kureha voiced her gratitude with a long exhale. While being the healer's companion proved more difficult than expected, with all the sacrifices to make, the silver-haired girl at least got brighter. However, she still had more questions. "I'm sorry, Your Highness…"

"Freia. Freia would be enough." The caster replied imperatively. Not on purpose, but her spell had taken a toll.

"Why are you not asking about your sister, Freia?" Still, the genius of Cryleths tried. Even if that got Freia… not even angry, but tired?

"And what can you tell me...?" The sorceress's hand got inside her bag to take a pack of wrapped paper and a mask. The same Keyaruga used to repel the slave raid. "That Norn is back to Capital? That she's plotting against my Keyaru, and had my executioner Leonard after us? I'm not stupid! With so much money that we made here, Keyaru wouldn't even notice a few gilded coins missing!" With that said, the pink-haired beauty hid her face behind the mask. And as she did, her exotic curls turned pitch-black. "What? Did you think that pretty face was all the cover I had? "Cosmetics", I may tell him that this is what I want. But what I am truly interested in is information! Norn will find us, and when it happens, I will beg him to spare my sister! I will kneel and pray to Keyaru, like to a God, if needed!" For only I'm to blame for her current misery. "Now, is there something you can tell me that I don't already know?"

"Before sending the troops here, she called upon Bloodbringer." Kureha mentioned it grimly.

"And… Why should it concern me?" Freia asked, swiftly hiding her mask. She played it risky. Even with her memories returning and knowledge she bought, even with all her attempts to recover the missing pieces, the magician's mind was still too fractured to remember that silent maniac.

"First, he is one of the Three Champions!" Now it was the swordswoman who yelled under pressure. "So yes, you should care if you are so overprotective about Keyaru! Second, he is said to be able to open the magic doors to... Haa, as if I know!"

"When have you heard it?!" Freia asked, rashly grabbing the fencer's shoulders.

"Three days ago. Before heading to Ranalitta. Why?"

"Jioral forces are not here yet. It shouldn't have taken them so long to get here. That can only mean… Oh no, they've taken a detour to somewhere else! We have to tell Keyaru!"

…

When the girls returned, the Hero of Healing greeted them with oatmeal and nettle soup, with eggs and bread. While not even nearly as good as the local delicacies, they were at least cheap and nutritious. While Setsuna ate properly, even a little too much, Freia, Kureha, and Keyaruga had… difficulties. The heroine was too nervous and tired to start another difficult conversation. Just like Swordmaster, sitting right next to the red-haired lad, although that one was making the breakfast difficult for her savior.

"Kureha, I know you have fallen in love, but could you please release my hand? I'm not that good with my left arm." In that moment, the girl yanked her fingers away from him, with her cheeks getting all red. Kureha's eyes got all despondent, and the man felt something more behind them. An unspoken desire…

"Master, can you come?" The she-wolf asked the healer to get closer. After all, even if the huntress faced him, the table was too long for comfort. And so he did. And she gently licked the man's cheek.

"Ready. Now clean. Sit, master." Whatever it was, a piece of bread or a barely visible stain from soup, this wasn't about food at all. Kureha silently puffed her cheeks with jealousy. Now the warriors were staring at each other with murderous intentions.

"Haa…" Freia shook her head. She knew talking to the swordswoman was more useless than not. So, to break the atmosphere of animosity… "Sir Keyaru, we would like…" But barely did the caster start…

"Girls, I have news! I want to usurp the throne of Jioral!"

"PFFF!!!" Upon hearing that, Kureha spit her soup back into the bowl. Now, shocked, stumbling, and even a bit excited... "What did you say?!"

"I thought about it yesterday. If we want to help people…"

"…then we must improve their living conditions. And we can't, until we are influential enough." Freia finished on behalf of her prince. "Is that right?"

"Pretty much." Keyaru shrugged, feeling his shoulder grabbed with two hands. "What's wrong, Kureha? Are you... crying?"

"I… I… THANK YOU, KEYARU!!!" He expected many things, but Silver Death shedding tears into his sleeve? That's a new one.

Setsuna approached herself, tapping his right shoulder, nodding with a friendly smile. Freia did the same, although…

"Our reign may start with a bloody purge."

…

After Kureha finally calmed down and everyone finally ate their breakfast, the next few hours were devoted to discussing the plan of ultimate usurpation of Jioral's throne. Truth be told, for the healer, that option looked like the most relevant, and Kureha wouldn't mind. Setsuna and Freia barely spoke, since the former barely comprehended politics and the latter just listened, squirming every time her master mentioned Norn. Keyaruga never hated her much; he even made a promise to her prior to the first world's demise. Right now, she was nothing but a hindrance, the hero never said anything about assassinating her, much to the swordswoman's relief and sorceress'… something. Her emotions now were too hard to read.

"Abolishing slaves, punishing the guilty, and restoring justice may sound fine, girls, but now we're just trading the claws of a beast which we've yet to kill." The man said, approaching the window. There, marching down the street, he saw Jioral's soldiers, riding horses and raptors alike.

"I know, but there must be something we can do now, Keyaru! Otherwise…" Kureha offered a glimpse toward the princess. "Otherwise, my penance will mean nothing!"

"If you want to help, Kureha, tell me, why is that filth, wearing your uniform, roaming Ranalitta?" The red-eyed lad inquired, inviting Silver Death to his side. And after she saw them herself…

"We've taken different paths, but as far as I know, they have two reasons to be here. First, there were rumors about a famous alchemist who brought the cure for the local plague. Someone, similar to the Hero of Healing."

"Oh really? I thought my cover was perfect." Although Kureha was anxious, Keyaru's answer was filled with poisonous sarcasm, which none of the girls actually liked. "And the second?"

"Raid on the ice wolves' tribe village. You… You know how it goes." The girl explained evasively. After all, if Setsuna really followed him voluntarily, that left no doubt about Keyaru's righteousness. At least in that regard. "Also, this city… It is filled with wanted men you could blend in with easily."

"That makes sense. Thanks for telling me that." In the end, I dug my own grave. And Quinta's rat has nothing to do with it, they were already on their way here. "And? They should be aware that I have the ability to reshape my face at will. How do they plan to capture me?" After all, I did make Leonard look like me.

"Appraisal scrolls. Many, many of them. I heard they identified the captain that you set up with one of them." Kureha answered, still looking through the window.

"Well-well, now that things are pricey." Although, to be honest, effective.

"With that, I will not argue. But to capture Flare's murderer, the court will throw whatever amount of money they can. Or rather, to silence the opposition in your face." Even though the fencer's words matched their fairy tale, they held the truth. "Just don't let them know that you are after the crown now."

"Heh, they will know after I have seized it already." The man bragged, setting his mind to another madness. "Hey, girls! Before we leave, how about a raid or two on a slave mar…"

"KEYARU THE BETRAYER! WE KNOW YOU ARE HERE! SURRENDER, IF YOU WANT THESE PEOPLE ALIVE!" The healer wasn't destined to finish his offer. A knight, leading a column, loudly called for the rogue hero to give up. In other circumstances, the lad would only laugh at his yelling. But with the soldiers forming a procession of martyrs, some chained, some dragged, and some even bonded to crosses on massive carts, this was everything but a laughing matter.

"Fucking no… No…" The healer recognized the ordeal as Faran's way of dealing with heretics. This sect never spared the innocent. "I'll have their church burned to the ground…"

"So this... is what that detour was all about…" Freia voiced her distress, covering her mouth. What she feared most happened before her eyes — their escape was put at risk

"Who are they? What did they do?" Kureha wondered, her fingers trembling on the window sill.

"No Eniuas-ali (demi-humans). Humans!"

"These... are people from my village." Shit! There goes my hunt for Bullet and Blade! "Shield of humanity, my ass!" They were not supposed to be here. Alban belongs to Jioral Kingdom. They should never have done such a thing. But then again… They do whatever they want! I'll never leave it like that. I'll have my vengeance!

"Master Keyaruga, you smile?" Setsuna asked cautiously.

"Oh no. If anything, I'm fucking furious!