Chapter 171: The Last Push

- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City, Several Days Later – Undercover Spy's POV –

A lot had happened in succession in the last few weeks. First had been the introduction of a new weapon type from some kind of secretive Church research project. Almost like they suspected me of being a spy I hadn’t been informed of anything until their unveiling at the main battle in the outskirts of Labyrinth City. Even so the mere hours of prior notice I received as a so-called “advisor” had been enough for the Alliance to avoid losing too many to this new weapon that launched something called bullets.

Even more shocking had been the arrival of an even more powerful weapon called a cannon that, luckily, had only been transported to the front lines in small numbers. I wasn’t familiar with weapons outside of the bladed ones and some training in archery that I luckily hadn’t had much opportunity or need for with my status as a spy. Even so I understood how dangerous these metal balls launched from guns and cannons were. Luckily, in spite of the ease of using these metal rods, it seemed that their downsides would make them less dangerous than I’d initially been afraid of.

Guns, while more compact and easier to aim than cannons, didn’t pack enough of a punch to kill most professional soldiers and, while it might cause major injuries it was unlikely to change the tide of battle. More dangerous, however, were these cannons that shot large balls of metal. Easier to use than tactical level magic, they could be used with minimal training and, if the numbers had been larger, they would have had far more impact on the battlefield. I only thanked the Gods that their distribution center seemed to have been dealt with by a force led by the one these Church bastards called the Demon Lord. I didn’t believe a word of their nonsense but if she truly was what they called her then I wished her all the success in Miscalis. I’d gladly follow her if she truly had the power to take down these monsters.

In the time that I’d lived among them the Church had only done more to convince me that they were incapable of coexistence. The blatant racism, even from those that had their lives saved by my tactical expertise, told me more than any time spent with the civilians in Church territory. Somehow, I’d managed to hide my identity as a spy despite the numerous attempts by General Compassion to reminisce about the Holy City. My own cover story as an urchin in the city seemingly nostalgic for the intelligent military man. I knew, however, that there was more to that motive than he was letting on. The way his shrewd gaze followed my every movement set off alarm bells in my mind, every fiber of my being screaming, “he knows”. Despite this certainty he hadn’t directly opposed any of my plans and had never confronted me when they failed because of me secretly passing on information. In fact, he’d even given me some comforting words when I acted distraught at losing soldiers, all while examining me like a cat does with its prey. I wasn’t sure what his plan was but as long as he didn’t stop me from undermining the Church from within, I’d take any punishment if he had truly figured out my identity and was withholding it for some reason. Perhaps I could even turn him to my side?

[Ah, Beatrice, I see that you’re still studying that report about Fort Kalon. Don’t let such a thing worry you, our forces can manage even without these cannons that Dr. Muroski created. Why don’t you join me, and we can discuss the upcoming battle here?] - General Compassion

[As you wish, sire, I believe that we should...] - Beatrice

- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City – Rose's POV –

After my successful capture of Fort Kalon and the seizing of the cannons stored within the joint forces between myself and the prince cleaned up any stragglers in the area before being ordered to leave a defensive detail in the area and join the main force near Labyrinth City for what was assumed to be the beginning of a major offensive. With the Church losing several beachheads within Abelis they seemed to have decided to try and overwhelm our side with sheer numbers while making sure to stay far enough from the Gnomish homeland to force us to face them on an open field rather than from the notoriously unseigeable black stone walls of the Gnome’s city. In all of history no one had successfully taken the city except the Gnomes themselves when they’d won it from its previous inhabitants and, despite several attempts, they’d held it since.

More important than any upcoming battles, however, was that I finally got to see my family after missing them for so long!

[Momma! Papa! You’re safe! I was so worried when I heard about there being cannons here!] - Rose

[Oof! Wow! Look at how strong you’re getting baby girl!] - Lily

[As you can see, we’re perfectly safe, I’ve heard that you’re to thank for those cannons being less of an annoyance.] - Robert

Pulling my beloved parents into a tight hug, I flinched when papa mentioned the Fort Kalon incident, the glare on his face told me everything I needed to know about his thoughts about me putting myself in such a dangerous situation. Luckily, I had an ally in this battle, one that had a much better chance than I did at rescuing me from papa’s worry.

[It was entirely my fault Master, I failed to anticipate the Church’s actions leading to a situation that would have put led to the death of many of our force without the bravery of the Young Miss. I think it is no exaggeration to say that many of the soldiers under her command view her quick thinking and selfless actions as no less than those of a hero.] - Annabelle

[...hmm. Is that so?] - Robert

I flinched again. That word, hero, had been thrown about among the soldiers I’d led into battle and now nearly everyone in the army had heard of my “exploits”, even going so far as to call me some kind of chosen one of the Goddess. I’d heard many of their embellishments even before arriving in Labyrinth City and the story had grown so grand as to have me singlehandedly facing down thousands of Church soldiers and somehow coming out of it without a scratch. Annabelle bringing up such a ridiculous thing in front of my beloved family obviously would only have the opposite effect. Was this revenge for not listening to her and escaping?!?

Betrayed, I glowered at my personal maid only for her to smile gently, a glimmer in her eye as if telling me that I deserved it.

[Of course it is honey! Our baby girl is only being recognized for her efforts after all.] - Lily

[I understand but-] - Robert

[It’s fine. We can talk about that sort of thing later. For now, why don’t we welcome Rose and her friends back? Even if this is a battlefield the Gnomes are close enough that we aren’t exactly starved for resources. I’m sure our forces would appreciate a bit of booze to celebrate our baby girls return and we have so much to catch on too! Oh, you all are welcome to join us as well, we’d love to have you.] - Lily

[Woohoo! Booze and partying!] - Karen

[...party.] - Shade

[I-I'd be h-happy to join!] - Urz

[We should make it an orgy ins- Ow! Okay I get it Mal! I’ll be good!] - Veronica

[Ahem, her highness and I will join as well if we’re welcome.] - Malaise

[I’d rather serve Rose instead of joining the festivities, but I suppose I’ll join as well since everyone else is.] - Argent

[Serving the Young Miss is my responsibility.] - Annabelle

Laughing as I felt welcomed by both friends and family for the first time in a while, I tried to put my misgivings about my newfound “hero” status aside and enjoy my time with family.

- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City, The Next Day – Rose's POV –

Our welcome party went late into the night. It hadn’t been that long since I’d seen my momma and papa but the weeks on the battlefield made even that short time feel like an eternity. The arrival of grandma and grandpa later on made the party even more lively as our excitement infected even the personal soldiers of our family, spreading to become a full-on party that lasted late into the night, the designated guards looking on wistfully until they were replaced and allowed to join in. Even with the festive atmosphere our soldiers were too well trained to abandon their duties. Unfortunately, that also meant that many of them didn’t get the opportunity to drink their fill but in spite of that none of them seemed to hold any resentment. In fact, I only saw happy smiles from those who groggily set up fires around the makeshift camp, their beaming smiles growing even wider when they saw me passing by.

[So, this is where you’ve been, I’ve been looking for you for a while now. Are you free for a little while? I have something to talk with you about.] - Queen Laura

[A-Aunt Laura?!? What are you doing here?!?] - Rose

[Do I need a reason to see my beloved niece? Especially since I’ve been so busy recently?] - Queen Laura

[O-Of course not! But... Um...] - Rose

Someone I hadn’t expected called out to me. Flanked by several dozen Queensguard, including Miriam, was my aunt, the Queen. The shock on the surrounding soldiers faces turned into acceptance as aunt Laura told me she’d been looking for me. While most of the noble families would know how close I was to the Queen the commoners and non-nobles would have no idea that, not only did we have a somewhat close relationship, she treated me like close family. A fact that wasn’t too strange from my previous life experiences since I actually was closely related but by this world’s perspective it wasn’t all that strange for the different noble families to be antagonistic towards each other. Our close relationship would’ve been considered an outlier by most people's perspective.

That is, if I were a normal young noblewoman. I could already see the onlookers making connections between my recent success on the battlefield and the closeness between the Queen and I. Some of the surrounding soldiers were even nodding their heads as if to say, “as expected of our hero.” Damn. I’d never outrun this damned hero nonsense at this rate!

[Its fine, I was only joking. I was actually meaning to speak with you about something serious. If you could join me for lunch I would appreciate it.] - Queen Laura

[Of course, aunt Laura, could I invite Karen and the rest of my friends as well?] - Rose

[Hmm... I believe that it would be better if they weren’t present this time. Please come along.] - Queen Laura

She didn’t want me to bring anyone? Was what she wanted to say so important?

[O-Of course, aunt Laura, lead the way?] - Rose

Still being followed by the eyes of curious soldiers wondering what I could be meeting privately with the Queen for I could feel their gazes boring into my back as I meekly followed behind my aunt and one-time etiquette mentor.

- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City – Rose's POV –

Awkward. After following aunt Laura to the enormous command tent for the entire army I found it filled with several grim looking faces instead of empty like I’d expected. Momma and Papa as well as my grandparents and several faces I didn’t recognize filled the many chairs around a large round table.

Sitting quietly in a chair in between my parents and grandparents I meekly kept my gaze focused on the table in front of me, never daring to raise my eyes to the people I was realizing were the various rulers of the Alliance. I even spotted a woman in what looked to be her mid-30s that looked like Veronica that I assumed was her mother flanked by a fox woman with 6 tails that was probably Malaise’s mother.

Finally, though, the silence was broken by a mocking voice.

[Is this... child... seriously the one that damnable Church is so concerned about?!? I say we hand her over right now and be done with this costly conflict!] - Delegate of Ignavus, Viscount Nominare

[Over my dead body Nominare! Do you want me to show you why I’m called the Volcanic Calamity?!?] - Grandma Daisy

[I second that sentiment! I’d be perfectly happy to change the leadership of your little country if you want?] - Grandpa Richard

[That’s enough you two. I’m sure the... honorable delegate... was just expressing his frustration at the ongoing war. He certainly would never suggest that we just surrender to the Church. Right, Viscount Nominare?] - Queen Laura

[O-Of course not! I-I was just frustrated... yeah...] - Delegate of Ignavus, Viscount Nominare

And just like that the tension seemed to break. Glancing at the pitiful, shivering noble from Ignavus I silently thanked him in my mind. His empty hostility had broken the grim setting of the command tent and the sight of his terror when my grandparents had threatened him only made me feel sorry for him rather than blame him for trying to hand me over to the Church. It was like none of the other Alliance Councilmembers even took such a thing seriously as I noticed mirth in the eyes of many of those present.

[You’re Rose de la Amchier correct? I believe I have you to thank for aiding in the research of a family member of mine.] - Delegate of the Labyrinth City, Councilwoman Gorvi

[Family member?] - Rose

[Ah, she likely hasn’t told you? I’m the great-aunt of Ein. She was always a bit too focused on research. Even as a child she seemed to not care about anything other than whatever she found interesting. I bet she even forgot we were related to be honest. I wouldn’t put it past her.] - Delegate of the Labyrinth City, Councilwoman Gorvi

[Ah-Ah! R-Right! I’m sure she told me... at some point?] - Rose

To be honest, I hadn’t heard a thing about that in all the years that I’d been participating in tests with Ein. She’d talked about Gorvi a few times but none of those had any mention of them being related. The mischievous glint in the elderly gnome’s eyes told me that she didn’t buy it for a minute, but she left it at that as a pair of dwarves addressed me next followed by two familiar faces.

[I believe that a distant relative of mine is teaching your class, is that correct? Lolianne Sens I believe her name was? It was your efforts that led to an alliance with the Arachne, correct?] - Delegate of Kel, King Beta Kel

[Enough of that you old fool, we’re not here to talk to her about old news after all!] - Delegate of Jut, King Al Jut

[I believe we invited her to discuss the Summoned Hero, correct? Instead of wasting time on meaningless greeting perhaps we should move onto the actual subject.] - King Nero

[R-Right! I-I agree! I-I mean, the... umm... Let’s move on!] - Zhizhu

Seemingly overwhelmed by interacting with so many important people, the adorable spider girl spoke her mind rather than trying to hide behind her normally faked arrogance bringing a smile to many of those present while one in particular glowered and another seemed unfazed by any of the talking points.

[You’re the one that defeated the last Summoned Hero, right? Such an impressive achievement for one so young, even if he was weaker than the earlier Heroes. I’d love to have such an impressive female in my... pride. Ah, but I seem to have interrupted your discussion. Apologies.] - King Leo, Delegate of Fastus

[Ahem! Why don’t we move onto why we actually called my beloved niece here rather than wasting time chatting like old crones? Gorvi, if you would?] - Queen Laura

A massive lion demi, arrogance plastered over his face as he sized me up like a piece of meat, leaned forward menacingly as his eyes roamed over me greedily, only stopping when it seemed his forwardness was going to trigger another outburst from my grandparents. Luckily, a cough from my aunt seemed to draw the attention of those present back to business.

[I’d be happy to. In that case I’ll get right down to it. We’ve confirmed that the masked woman that Lady Daisy de la Amchier faced is the next Summoned Hero and, given the target of the Church it is highly likely that they’ll send her after Lady Rose personally. Because of this we’ll be placing Lady Rose at the center of our forces, we’ll draw in their most powerful force and eliminate everything all at once.] - Delegate of the Labyrinth City, Councilwoman Gorvi

The masked woman. The woman that had hurt my grandma! She was coming after me! Anger filling me at that realization I felt my fist close involuntarily as the table continued on the conversation, discussing in-depth the strategy for the coming battle. I didn’t listen to any of it however, as I swore that I’d get revenge for daring to hurt my beloved family.