Ivy

Ivy was travelling on foot through the burnt undergrowth, the black cloud of smoke still covered the sky preventing the light of the sun from dawning the land. She was on her way to Giboa, the city nearest to the Forest and the crusade's base of operations. She was to meet with Councilwoman Anna for her mission.

She received her summons a few days before the declaration of the crusade, she watched from the makeshift clinic she was in as men and women armed themselves to participate in the crusade, it was an unusual sight, the people were united under one goal but she could not tell if it was genuine or they were forced.

Their smiles seemed forced. She also watched as children were forcefully separated from their parents in what would soon be called the 'The Child's Despair' she also heard rumours of minor uprisings that were immediately quelled, it seems like the crusade was something not everyone supported.

She arrived at Giboa just in time to witness the wyvern flocks fly off towards the area of battle. The outskirts of the city were packed with tents and thousands of soldiers and mages, none of them recognized her even though she bore the crest of the late archbishop Frederick on her right chest. The only instance they gave a damn was when she presented herself to the guards in the gates.

"Ivy of the Red Scripture, the bodyguard of the late Frederick, state your business in Giboa" The man in armour questioned.

She then grabbed the letter from councilwoman Anna and presented it to the guard.

"I-I see, you're now allowed entry, Councilwoman Anna is with the local lord in his abode,"

Ivy nodded at the guard before walking through the gate. The city streets were packed, commoners and soldiers filled the streets, she walked pass empty stalls and sleeping knights, it felt anarchic, she also came across a street fight between a disgruntled shop owner and a few drunkards, she watched as the nearby patrol quelled the dissent, by quell, they slew the drunkards when they tried to fight back.

The scene was similar the entire way, there were order and chaos. A strange atmosphere held the city, somehow, she felt an ethereal presence swaying any form of widespread dissent. She arrived at the Lord's Castle, it was a medium-sized mansion. After asking the guards at the front of the gate, she was escorted to the Lord's room where the local lord and councilman Anna were conducting their private meeting.

Since it was a private meeting, not even visitors could interrupt but since in the letter, Anna states that she be brought immediately regardless of any rules, she was allowed passage. The knights led her to the room, upon opening the door, the local lord was nowhere to be found and only Anna was present; sitting on a velvet couch and sipping tea.

"Madame, Ivy of the Red Scripture has arrived.." The guard announced.

"Bring her in, and leave" Anna answered back, she continued sipping her tea without looking at the people under the doorway.

Ivy stepped into the room and the guards closed the door behind her, the room was cold, the fireplace was out and Ivy's Ice magic wasn't helping.

"Come sit, Ivy" Anna commanded.

'Yes, madame,"

Ivy proceeded to sit on the couch adjacent to Anna's and she waited for her to speak once more. She sipped on her tea for another minute before finally lowering it and placing the cup onto the table in front of them.

"How are you doing, Ivy?" Anna asked as she removed her coat.

"I am well, madame," Lily replied slowly.

"As you must have heard, the council has decided to launch a crusade into the Western Forest to vanquish these metal demons who have so far killed thousands and slew the pope and your archbishop,"

"Yes, Madame, I am very aware,"

"Good, I know you crave to seek revenge after your comrade's death, not so sure about your feelings for Frederick though," Anna teased.

Ivy then smiled and looked at Anna with a warm expression.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Madame, I grieve over the death of my beloved Archbishop." She retorted, feigning her feelings.

"My, My, please don't lie to me, you know my abilities, dear Ivy," Anna laid her back onto the couch and grabbed one of the small pillows to her side. Anna was well aware of Ivy's resentment against the late archbishop, it was a thing she wanted to exploit.

There has been a disturbance to the north of the Theocracy, it seemed like several beastmen tribes have taken up arms against the Theocracy and have attacked the northern border which connects the Theocracy to an isthmus.

The isthmus connected the theocracy directly to the main continent of Fiorg but the Theocracy is yet to secure it. Beyond the Isthmus is another state ruled and populated by beastmen, a beastmen country. Within the Fax Religion, Beastmen were considered impure beings created by the demon lord who goes against heaven. This is part of the reason why the two states refuse to engage in any sort of diplomatic relations.

With the news of the Theocracy's sudden crusade into the forest, the beastmen state must be taking advantage of the weaken northern border. If the beastmen were able to control the entirety of the Isthmus, the Theocracy would become vulnerable to a beastmen invasion.

"Ivy, I hereby order you to gather two of your allies in the Red Scripture and venture north towards the Northern Border," Anna was very frank.

"So the rumours about a potential beastman invasion were true huh?"

"Oh? Such rumours have reached this far? Well, they are not far from the truth. Several neutral beastmen villages have suddenly taken up arms and launched attacks on our Northern Border, I have also just received word that several villages and towns have already fallen to their devilish sway,"

"So, my mission is to repel them, correct?"

"Yeah, that sums it up,"

"Madame, may I be blunt?" Ivy leaned forward.

"You may," Anna smiled as she leaned to pick her teacup.

"You're just splitting the Red Scripture, aren't you?" Ivy frowned.

Anna then sipped her tea and gave out a breath.

"This tea is very nice, relaxes my soul,"

"Madame-"

Ivy is disturbed by a groan, it was a groan of a man. She immediately stood and scanned the room searching for the source.

Anna sighed.

"The local lord was pretty demanding,"

Ivy turned her attention to Anna, her face showing her confusion.

"The Goddess ordered us to dedicate ourselves to this crusade of hers, her followers must always grant her wishes and not fall to the wants of our flesh but pay heed to the gods,"

"What… are you.. talking about?"

"My? Well, the local lord was being greedy and refused to surrender his rule to the Goddess, and so he was taken care off,"

"That does not explain the gro-"

Another, more powerful groan echoed in the room. The sound was creepy, sending chills down Ivy's spine.

"Tat tat! Ivy you should go now, the Northern Border is at risk, protect our country!" Anna hastily stood and pushed Ivy out from the room, slamming the door shut. It felt unnatural to Ivy. The councilwoman was acting strange, and that groan did not help her doubts.

She made her way out of the lord's abode, the scene was still the same. And then she realized, she also felt weird. Something tingly crawling through her body.

"Hush, I have to find John," Before she could step out and disappear into the crowd in the street, a guard called for her.

"Ivy of the Red Scripture!" The guard yelled. Ivy turned to look and saw one of the Knights waving at her, in his hands were sealed letters with the crest of the church.

She turned around and ran to the guard who greeted her another time.

"The councilwoman wishes to give you these, she says that these are your instructions once you arrive at the northern border," The guard handed the letters to Ivy who took them rather lazily.

Ivy then inspected the letters, the letters were normal, she was just being sure. But, she was acting paranoid, she thought.

"Thank you, kind sir," Ivy bid the guard farewell and turned her back. She then spent the rest of the afternoon looking for an Inn to stay, it was getting late and the next army was supposed to embark tomorrow at the break of dawn, she decided it would be best if she just stayed here for a while, she just had that feeling that something was not right.

She then found the Inn she was looking for, the sign was torn but at the other half was intact 'iNN' It was written.

She entered through the wooden door, went to the cashier and paid for one night. She went up to her room and laid on the bed.

"So tired!"

She placed her small backpack onto the floor beside her bed and blew off the candles on the table next to the door.

"This day has been gruelling, I hope tomorrow will be different," She thought as she tucked in and made herself comfortable.

"Tomorrow is another day,"