Arc 1 - Ch 21: "A Promising Savior"

CHAPTER 21 - "A Promising Savior"

This web novel is a draft of the story. Please expect frequent changes and updates as I see fit. Enjoy! -Cloki

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~Siegfried saved the town of Oakheart from Rigel, the Shaman Void Star of Hasher's Cult. By doing this, he also managed to get his curse removed! However, people in the surrounding area have now become suspicious of Siegfried's true power, and are beginning to question who he really is. Jurgen seems to have an idea of who he could be, but Siegfried still has to explain his situation to Azure, who is now healing him in the Oakheart Inn~

Azure: "Siegfried....who are you, really?"

~With his head still on Azure's lap, Siegfried turned his head and looked up. He saw Azure's face above him. She had a look of suspicion, yet her aura was not emitting any negative energy.

Siegfried: "A..azure-san.."

Azure: "mm?"

~Siegfried could hear Camriel's voice faintly in the distance~

[Camriel]: "Siegfried, I've recovered enough to be able to talk to you again, however, my physical body up here is in pretty bad shape. You were really rough on me! Can you be a little more careful next time?"

Siegfried to Camriel: "I'm sorry, Camriel. The power got to my head a bit, and I used it all up. Next time I'll be more reserved."

[Camriel]: "Thanks a bunch!"

Siegfried to Camriel: "Camriel...?"

[Camriel]: "Yeah, Siegfried?"

Siegfried to Camriel: "I have a question, and it involves what just happened here..."

[Camriel]: "I know what you're about to ask, but ask it anyway..."

Siegfried to Camriel: "...can I tell Azure-san the truth? I don't know of any other way to put this..."

[Camriel]: "Well, Siegfried, the choice is yours... how much do you trust this girl? If you are willing to put your faith in her, completely, then go ahead and tell her. But be careful, if she doesn't believe you, she could leave your party on the spot..."

Siegfried to Camriel: "I know what I have to do... thank you, Camriel."

[Camriel]: "Any time, Siegfried, good luck!" *dissipates*

~Camriel's voice disappeared, and Siegfried looked to the ceiling. His eyes became empty, and his heart rate began to rise tremendously. This conversation could make or break his relationship with Azure~

Azure: "Siegfried, are you okay? You're just...staring off into the dista-"

~Siegfried interrupted Azure. His eyes looked soulless as he stared at the ceiling, then, he began to speak~

Siegfried: "Azure-san, whatever is about to come out of my mouth. Can I trust you to believe me?"

Azure: "-- I..it depends on how crazy you think I am, but if you really think it's going to rattle me that much, then I'll prepare myself for it. Yes, Seigi-kun, I'll trust you."

Siegfried: "-- --"

Siegfried: "Azure..."

Azure: "Yes..."

Siegfried: "...Remember our first encounter in Formai? At the guild house? You asked who I was, and I gave you an answer..."

Azure: "hmm, yes, I do remember..."

~~FLASHBACK~~

Siegfried: "My name is Siegfried... I was sent here by a goddess named Camriel to defeat Hasher and restore peace to the world."

Azure: "Eh? A goddess? Yeah, sure you were. Listen, if you wanna be honest with me, now's your chance."

Siegfried: "No really, I was sent by the goddess Ca-*ACK!*"

~~BACK AT THE OAKHEART INN~~

Siegfried: "...do you remember what I said to you, Azure-san?"

Azure: "...you told me you were sent by a goddess, and I disregarded it..."

Siegfried: "...and remember how I told you that I grew up in Meistead, learned sword fighting, and retreated to Formai, just like you did?"

Azure: "...yeah..."

Siegfried: "Well, Azure-san...I'm sorry...those were all lies...damned lies... I wanted to hide the truth from you to gain your trust because I knew that you'd never believe me if I told you what had really happened."

Azure: "-- --"

~Azure looked at Siegfried and closed her eyes. Her lips began to tremble, and she began to cry...~

Azure: "Siegfried.....you..you lied to me?"

Siegfried: "Yes. I'm going to come clean to you now, and tell you the full truth. If you choose not to believe it, then, by all means, you can throw me away. But please, give me a chance to explain myself..."

~Azure opened her eyes and looked at Siegfried, still crying. She looked scared, but nodded toward Siegfried as if she wanted him to go on with his explanation.~

Siegfried: "Azure...I'm not from this world. I was summoned here by a goddess named Camriel. She tasked me with defending Provincia from Hasher's Army... That is all I am aware of. I'm unsure of her motive for summoning me specifically, however."

Azure: "...summoned from a--another world?"

Siegfried: "Yes. Azure-san, My name is Siegfried Onishi, from Japan. My world is known as Earth. I've lived there for the previous 18 years, before I was killed, and summoned here to Provincia. That is the absolute truth..."

~Azure looked at Siegfried, and opened her mouth slightly. A tear fell from her cheek and landed on Siegfried's face. Siegfried smiled and looked back at Azure.~

Azure: "Siegfried Onishi...I can't believe you lied to me... you aren't from Meistead, you aren't even from this world... I should have known you were lying when I heard your voice and saw your clothes. You looked and sounded nothing like anyone in Provincia..."

~Azure's expression began to change. She began to look depressed.~

Azure: "Siegfried, I cannot believe this... I'm at a loss for words right now, I want to trust you, so bad, but I find it hard to believe that you're really from another world..."

Siegfried: "You don't have to trust me yet, you don't even have to trust me this YEAR. Just know that I want to protect you, and save Provincia, Azure-san... I'm asking for a chance..."

~Suddenly, Jurgen entered the room~

Jurgen: "What Siegfried-dono says is true, Azure-sama. I've met a few people like him before..."

Azure: "Jurgen? What are you talking about?"

Jurgen: "Azure-sama, Siegfried is telling the truth. I can prove it..."

Azure: "Go on then, Jurgen, prove it."

Jurgen: "Azure, do you remember the name...Hiroshi?"

~Suddenly, Azure's expression changed. Her heart rate began to rise, and she gazed at Jurgen~

Azure: "Yes, I do remember. He died a month ago while fighting against Hasher's army..."

Jurgen: "Did you ever encounter Hiroshi on your own?"

Azure: "...he came to Formai a few times to turn in quests.. each time he came back, he looked stronger than before, until he eventually became one of the strongest people in Provincia. I remember him and that red-haired knight being great friends, and dueling each other often..."

Jurgen: "Yes, and did anything about Hiroshi feel, off to you, Azure-sama?"

Azure: "...give me time to think...Jurgen."

Jurgen: "Take all the time you need, Azure-sama."

~~FLASHBACK, 2 YEARS AGO~~

~Hiroshi enters the guild house, accompanied by Klaus Lamberdt~

Daichi: "Ah, welcome back, Hiroshi and Klaus! How have you two been? Here to turn in some quests I'd assume?"

Klaus: "Fine as always, Daichi! Hiroshi and I had another duel outside, and I can definitely tell he's getting stronger! However, he isn't quite able to best me yet. Our score is now set at 0-132!"

Hiroshi: "Oh be quiet, Klaus! Some day, I'm going to bring you to your knees, just you wait!"

Klaus: "Hah, we'll see!"

Daichi: "Ho ho, Klaus, they don't call you the lord of the sword for nothing! Anyway, Hiroshi, have you completed your most recent quest?"

Hiroshi: "As per usual, Daichi-sama! I'm here to confirm that I have slain the 5 rampaging green-skinned giants near the city of Trost. Here are their hearts as evidence!" *Hiroshi presents the hearts to Daichi*

Daichi: "Thank you, Hiroshi! Congratulations on completing your quest! Here is your reward of 95,000 Provi!"

~Hiroshi slid the money over to Hiroshi, and as he accepted it, he glanced over to Azure, who was sitting next to her father.~

Hiroshi: "Hello, Azure-sama! How's your magic training been going?"

Azure: "Oh? It's been going fine, I suppose."

Hiroshi: "You know, if you ever wanna come study magic with me and Ivy, you know where to find us! With your father's permission of course."

Daichi: "That's right Azure, Hiroshi and Ivy are running a magic school together to teach new mages the basics of magic! I'm sure you'd fit in there nicely!"

Azure: "Well, if I ever find myself interested, I'll be in contact with you, Hiroshi..."

Hiroshi: "Please do check in with me, Azure-sama!"

Hiroshi: "Alright, Daichi, thanks for the Provi as always! I'm off to go complete my next quest. I think I'll go after that group of fire cultists that were hiding around the Steamjet River next. Wish me luck!"

Daichi: "Good luck on your next adventure, Hiroshi. Remember, if you need anything, I'm here!"

~Hiroshi exited the Guild House~

Azure: "Father, I've noticed that Hiroshi looks much different than the rest of the people in Provincia. Where did he come from?"

Daichi: "I'm not entirely sure, Azure. But, wherever he came from, he sure looks like a promising savior. I'm confident that with him on our side, Hasher's army will be brought to the ground."

Azure: "-- --whatever you say, father."

~~BACK IN THE OAKHEART INN~~

Azure: "...Hiroshi looked and sounded different from the rest, and he became exceptionally strong... he had the goal of defeating Hasher, and restoring peace to the world... all of his motives line up with Siegfried..."

Jurgen: "Yes, Azure-sama, and that is no coincidence."

Azure: "...do you believe that Siegfried and Hiroshi were both summoned to this world by this goddess that Siegfried told me about, Jurgen?"

Jurgen: "Yes, Azure-sama. I have reason to believe that a higher power is summoning people to Provincia to save it from Hasher's Cult. People who have the potential to become more powerful than anyone else in Provincia. I'm asking for you to trust Siegfried..."

Azure: "--wa..I.."

~Azure's lips trembled once more, as she let out a few quiet sobs. She looked down at Siegfried, and his eyes were closed. He was smiling. Then, he opened his eyes, and gazed at Azure."

Siegfried: "Azure-san, despite what you may be thinking right now. This is all, 100%, the truth. I was sent here, tasked with killing Hasher, and restoring balance to the world."

Azure: "...seigi-kun-"

Siegfried: "...and I want to do it with you, Azure-san. You're a very powerful mage, and I want to save the world with you by my side..."

Azure: "Seigi-kun. I believe you... I can't believe I'm saying this, but based on my experience with Hiroshi, and what you and Jurgen have both told me, I have no choice BUT to believe you..."

Siegfried: "I'm glad, Azure-san. Together, you and I can save the world. We bested Gurix and Rigel, and if we keep moving with this momentum, we can defeat anyone."

Azure: "You really are a promising savior, Seigi-kun... let's do it."

~The time was approaching 8:00 AM. Siegfried and Azure held their breath as the hour passed.~

Siegfried: "Look, Azure. The time. It's 8:00, and hey! I'm not dead! Would you look at that!"

Azure: "Indeed, Siegfried. You're still here, meaning the curse is officially broken!"

Siegfried: "Well, what do you want to do, Azure? I'm extremely tired, so I think it would be nice if I could like, you know, take a nap?"

Azure: "I'm tired too, Seigi-kun. As I'm sure you've noticed, I got a room with two beds this time. You deserve it."

Siegfried: "AH, SWEET! THANKS AZURE-SAN! Hey, after we rest up, how'd you like to head back to Formai, check in with your dad, and turn in our quest? I'm sure what we've done should count toward our "defeat the shaman" quest!"

Azure: "That sounds splendid, Seigi-kun... I'm sure my father would like to hear all about how we defeated Gurix and Rigel."

~Azure looked at Siegfried, and then to the bed which was next to her.~

Azure: "Let's get some rest, Siegfried. We've had a long few days. When we return to Formai, we'll talk to my father, and then our journey will officially begin. I still need to teach you magic, despite what you did here today."

Siegfried: "Ha ha, sounds good, Azure-san. Let's rest up."

Azure: "See you in a few hours, Seigi-kun, rest well!"

Siegfried: "You too, Azure-san."

~The two climbed into their beds, and Jurgen exited the room. The party then drifted off to sleep, resting themselves before they return to Formai to alert Daichi of the news. Meanwhile, at Hasher's castle, something entirely different is taking place...~

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~~IN HASHER'S CASTLE~~

Rigel: "...ouch...ouch...ouch...VEGA, BE GENTLE...ouch....ouuuuuch."

Vega: "Rigel, no matter what I do, this healing spell is going to hurt. Siegfried's light magic literally began to eat away at your skin, exposing your muscle tissue. If you wanna return to the battlefield, then you have to let me do my thing."

Rigel: "Yes, Vega-sama... do as you must."

Vega: "so, Rigel...please tell me exactly what transpired between you and Siegfried... just how powerful is he?"

. . . . . . . .

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