51 – Following legends
Last night was great. Naturally the Queen made sure that nobody knew the little fun we had. She was such a lewd person, but today she returned to her formal and airhead attitude.
Since we planned not to stay any longer, a large carriage was prepared for us. Traveling on a Galleon was fun, but apparently if I want to increase my party members, a carriage is necessary. Besides, according to the Queen a Magitech Doll, although it looks like a regular human, can weigh as much as one ton. Thankfully the elves had a custom carriage in stock and because it was the Queen who ordered it, they happily gave it to us.
And a pair of bicorns to be able to pull it. Bicorns are equine monsters closely related to unicorns. They possess a coat and mane colored like silver armor. Except they are black. Though smaller than horses, they are lean and strong with an energetic aura about them. One characteristic that physically differentiates them from unicorns is that they have two horns instead of one. And they're stronger.
"Edelweiss-sama, thank you once again. I wish you could have stayed longer with us." (Harmonia)
"Whatever."
"Aww, don't be like that. Anyway, you're always welcomed here." (Harmonia)
"Shishou is just being tsundere." (Sasha)
"Agreed. We'll probably drop by here again some day." (Stella)
"You two get in the cart right now before I slap you. We're leaving since we have a long way ahead of us."
"Ok. I'm driving." (Stella)
"Sis, you can't see. I'll drive." (Sasha)
Ugh. Dealing with these hyperactive kids ain't easy. Obviously I'm not going to let either of them drive. I had enough adventures in the elven lands for a while. So we packed a lot of food and with that being said… we hit the road.
.
.
.
"Mom, I couldn't help noticing, but why are you rubbing your belly?" (Harmonia)
"It's nothing. Mommy just has a stomach ache. Anyway, now with our guests gone, weren't you supposed to go coordinate the clean-up?"
"Right! Leave it to me."
After Harmonia left and the Queen was alone…
"This is just a troubling situation. How am I supposed to tell my daughter that she might have a baby brother or sister?
Thankfully for us elves our belly's don't show until we're 6 months in. And pregnancy lasts 15 months. I have enough time to think of something I guess."
And so, Edelweiss' adventures in the elven lands have ended and a new chapter was about to begin. Once again, following her stomach and her desires.
------
"Hmm!?"
After finishing her business in the Eglantine kingdom, Shamoa was strolling around the forest. She stopped for a few moments to groom herself. And in the middle of grooming, she sensed killing intent directed at her.
Shamoa hurriedly jumped up from the spot. Then something sharp passed through the place where she had been standing just now at a tremendous speed. Using the air as a foothold, Shamoa prepared her stance and landed safely, and while she was wary of his surroundings, she shouted.
"You have guts to pick a fight with me. Show yourself."
“…..”
A girl appeared in obedience to Shamoa’s words. Her skin was white and smooth, and her hair was as white as snow. Dressed in a gothic lolita dress.
Her red eyes were staring coldly at Shamoa.
"Who are you… why did you attack me out of the blue…?"
However, the girl did not answer Shamoa’s question. Nevertheless, the hostility radiating from the girl didn’t change.
“…..”
"…It seems you don’t want to talk. Then I’ll have you tell me the reason even if I have to force you to speak up…!"
When she said that, Shamoa accelerated at once and instantly thinned the distance with the girl.
"Haaaahh!"
Shamoa unleashed a punch with her right paw at the girl’s head with minimal movement. That punch was indeed a full-bodied blow with no holding back. But…
“…Too slow.”
"Huh?"
The girl effortlessly avoided Shamoa’s punch. Then the trees around the position the girl had been standing in just now disappeared. Shamoa’s punch had contained that much power.
"You were able to follow my moves…?"
“…..”
Once Shamoa’s question was asked, the girl just kept a blank expression on her face.
"Refusing to speak, huh… Then? Are you part of Legion? How dare you attack me?"
“Nay. I’m here to invite you.”
"Invite me…?"
"Sorry. I'm bad with words."
The unexpected words made Shamoa tilt her head more and more. It’s because the girl’s purpose is completely unknown.
“I will destroy everything in this world. This world, which has no salvation, is not worth defending."
"What?"
"Shamoa-sama. You yourself must realize this already. Why did you train useless heroes? The humans want war. The Mazoku are twisted. The other races aren't any better. And Legion just wants to corrupt the world. Given all this, doesn't it make sense to destroy the world, cleanse all corruption and start over?”
"You… those eyes. You are… how can this... No. More than that. You are the Fallen Hero."
"I have shed that name long ago. It matters not. Which is why I want you to cooperate. To destroy this world. If you cooperate I am sure removing your curse is also possible.”
"What do you mean by that…? No salvation? Don’t decide that on your own. Don’t drag me into your selfish agenda. Aren't you being arrogant, deciding the fate of the world yourself?"
“Silence. If you refuse it, then I’ll just have to kill you. All that is useless will be eliminated.”
Shamoa once again felt a chill ran through her.
“It’s over.”
After the girl’s words, Shamoa looked up in the sky.
"This sound is──."
“[Bloody Thorns].”
Like raindrops, a hail of crimson red thorns fell from the sky. Each of the thorns had the power to kill, and given their speed, even Shamoa shouldn't be able to dodge them all.
But Shamoa puffed her cheeks and a small blue orb formed at the tip of her lips.
"Haaah! [Winter Winds]!"
“Huh? Ice Magic?”
Shamoa created a mass of wind that propelled her out of harm's way, freezing the surrounding ground in the process. The thorns missed.
"Strange. You shouldn't possess ice attribute magic."
"Well, I guess I picked up a thing or two myself from Edelweiss."
"Edelweiss?... Uncertain element introduced. I need to change my target. Temporary retreat."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Enough. I won't kill you until I kill this Edelweiss person."
Then, a black mist suddenly erupted from the girl’s body.
"That power is… darn it. There’s not even a sign of her anymore."
After Shamoa calmed down she started to organize her thoughts.
"I never thought that the Fallen Hero is still alive. Why is she making a move now? Her mind… did someone mess with her thought process?
She's dangerous. I need to find Edelweiss before she does and teach her more of my techniques. Edel's ice… will be ineffective against her."