Chapter 26 Prologue: A girl from nowhere

Date: 19th of May 1742| 8:30 AM

Location: Corway, Ybalish

*Kusanagi Ken's Perspective*

Morning came after the long night. After the meeting yesterday, Eris fell asleep before we were able to ask some questions to her.

"HAAA!!!" Haruka shouted swinging her sword.

"You are too noisy, Haruka"

Haruka and I woke up early, Haruka invited me to go out so she can practice while I was just taking some notes.

She stopped at my warning but was still keeping her stance.

"Sorry Ken, I was just too excited."

"It's fine to be excited" a voice appeared behind me

"WOAH!!" I shouted in shock and accidentaly dropped my notes and pen.

I turned around and saw Luna behind me.

"Mornin~" she greeted with a salute in her head

"Mornin" Haruka replied happily

I picked up my pen and notes "Morning" I replied after picking them

"So what's the news?" she asked looking around left and right

Right now we are in the plains. Haruka doesn't want to disturb the people sleeping with her shouting so she dragged me to this place.

"This place is really well preserved" Luna said while staring at the wide plains in front of us.

It is just a simple plain dyed in green with the grasses growing here and there. You can only see a few trees from here, and the town from our right.

"So? Why are you here?" I asked glaring at her

"Wha! I was the one who asked first!" She shouted back

"Haruka is just swinging her sword" I answered

"Yea… I can see that…." She replied in a disappointed tone

"Well, anyways, Karma is calling for you"

"Karma? It is still this early."

"Well, we need to make some countermeasures this time."

"Let's continue your practice later Haruka"

"Roger!" Haruka replied while saluting

We started walking towards the town.

"Karma was fortifying the defenses of the town" Luna said while eating a snack made by Lilly

"Defenses? Do we have permission to do that?" I asked

"The newly appointed mayor was found dead in his own house"

"Murder?" I asked

"Sure is, he was found stabbed multiple times"

I sighed and asked "The killer?"

"The suspect for now is the Priest we fought"

"Figures"

It looks like they are planning to take over the town but failed because of us...

"They are looking for something? Right?" I asked

Luna has a shocked look on her face and suddenly went silent…

"You're right maybe they are searching for something" she suddenly fasten her pacing

We followed her pace

"What's wrong?" I asked but she kept walking in silent until we arrived at the town.

"Rider" she called out and Rider appeared beside her

"What is it Milady?"

"Can you bring that here" she asked

"I can but it would take an hour to do so" Rider replied

"Then bring 'that' immediately!"

"Yes!" Rider left after replying

"Can you explain things now?"

"They might attack us again" Luna answered

"I see, so they might try to take the thing they are searching for again?"

She nodded. We arrived in the town hall and entered. We were in the large lobby and only a few people can be seen, but why does it feel like a little gloomy here? We found Karma at the center checking some papers in the table.

Luna approached him "Can you not use me as your errand girl"

"Luna? Well did you… I guess you are already here" he looked at us

"So what is it?"

Karma has a serious look in his face and gave me a piece of paper. I reached out and took the paper.

"WAH! Lemme read it too!!!" Haruka grabbed my shoulder and glared at the paper.

The following was written in printed letters. It was a message from the 'King'.

"Citizens of Lumeria, you are hereby sentenced to death. You are all guilty of using the forbidden magecraft of sacrifices and necromancy. I will give you all until night to surrender yourself and burn all of yourself in this accursed town"

"That's kind of him" I said returning the paper to Karma.

"How come you are calm" Luna replied

"It looks like Karma already has a plan for it" I asked looking at him

"True I have one, but can you call the 'Prophets'" he asked

"Haruka. The communicator" Haruka reached out in her pockets and took out the communicator.

"Here"

"Thanks" he nodded and started placing it on the table.

"So what are we gonna do?" Luna asked

"We will fortify our defenses first."

"How would we do that?" I asked

Karma brought out a map of Lumeria.

"Thankfully, we already have some walls thanks to the quick work of magicians" he said while marking some areas.

How did he get them to help us?

"I didn't use any brainwashing." He answered as if reading my mind "They are abandoned by their King so of course making them take our side is easy"

Uwa. That sounds like he gained new pawns to sacrifice.

"Anyways" he marked four corners of the map. It is the four corners of Lumeria. "Here and here" he pointed the top two corners "Caster already placed a barrier in there what's left is the bottom corners" he pointed at them "There is a slight problem in this part"

"A problem?" Haruka repeated the question

He nodded "There are already 2 bounded fields placed in there"

"What?!? But we already removed them yesterday?" Luna shouted

"It seems like there are some left"

"So you want us to clean it up?" I asked

"It's great that you are quick to realize that" he praised me and activated the communicator

There was a short buzz and a familar voice came "EMILIA HERE!!!!"

"Ara~ Ken and Haru-nee good morning" she greeted

"Good Morning, Emi"

"It looks like we have a new face here"

"I'll introduce them to you" Haruka pointed at Luna "This is Luna, Master of Rider"

"Nice to meet you I guess…"

"Nice to meet you!!!!" Emilia replied with energy

"Oh wait!!" Emilia suddenly shouted and suddenly a hologram came and we were able to see Emilia's face "There!!! Now you can also see me" Emilia has long wavy brown hair and bright green eyes, she is wearing a white long sleeve hoodie with a cute tiger print.

"Nice to meet you again everyone" she bowed

"YOU ARE REALLY CUTEEEEEE" Haruka bursted in excitement

"HEHE re-reeally"

I lightly tapped Haruka's head

"Ow!"

"Finish the introduction"

"Ah right! Sorry I was charmed by Emi"

"Hehe you are making me blush Haru-nee"

"Anyways this is Karma-san he is Caster's Master"

"Karma…." Emilia's face suddenly went serious and she was staring daggers at Karma.

"Emi?" Haruka asked and Emilia suddenly smiled.

"Nice to meet you Mister Karma"

"Karma is fine"

What was that look Emilia gave earlier? It was just like someone who held a grudge… Is it just my imagination?"

——————Chapter End——————

City of Lumeria the place where they are now. It was changed from Corway Village because of an Imperial Order.