《[REPUBLISHED AS COURTS DIVIDED] The Kingdom through the Swamp》


 A World Close Together

    We look down on a far off war camp in the north, a raging blizzard blowing through the encampment with merciless vigor.


    A soldier bursts into a warm tent, and our story begins:


    "Ma¡¯am, the Eastern Force is making an advance!" He shouts to the lady in the tent as he works his gauntlets over his cold, numb hands.


    One of the leaders of the Northern front assault, Lord Knight General Order, rises up from her chair to a lean.


    "You mean to say they''re coming here?" she says, massaging her temples as she takes one last glance at her glass of blackwater forty.


    "Yes, ma¡¯am! Please do something!"


    She rubs the wear from her eyes. "What about the other mages?"


    "They''re either out of mana or reassigned to the counter-espionage operation. Besides, we''d need fifty of them to do what you could alone!"


    "It has to be me, then?"


    "Yes, ma¡¯am. Don''t you remember when you gave your orders?" Order looks to the side, immersed in thought for a moment.


    "Can''t say I remember," she says. The officer pauses in front of his official and looks over her reddened face and short figure, carelessly slouched at her feet.


    "...You''re drunk, General?"


    "I wouldn''t say ''drunk'' so much as ''under the effects of a¡¯¡­ Yeah I¡¯m drunk,¡± she says with a snide grin.


    "Ma¡¯am, this is serious, they''ll be here in minutes. They''ve already crossed the valley and they''re on their way up!"


    Order''s quiet a moment and then sighs.


    "Alright. I''ll take care of this," she says before passing the guard and exiting the tent. Immediately she is bitten by the star-white winds of the North, chilling her, but ineffective in causing her to shiver. The white-haired and young-looking lady with millennia of age under her belt strides across the camp, sparing quick glances to the masses of terrified soldiers and magicians rushing about and forming ranks. She moves past all of them to the rim of the camp and looks down the steep, snow-clad hill towards the enemy camp.


    Down about a hundred meters and climbing up quickly are about four hundred Easterners, cozy in their long wool uniforms and confident with those strange, metallic "fire-arms" slung over their shoulders. The front rank of men spots Order, clothed in but a simple set of winter wear, and call for the others to prepare the rifles in that peculiar military code that she¡¯s memorized by this point. The Lord Knight General stares at the battalion of men struggling up the mountain for only a moment more, and then moves in to thwart them.


    With the fluttering grace of a butterfly, she raises her hand, speaks a few words, and then moves her finger across her vision of the men.


    Suddenly, a squad of snowballs forms on the edge of the hill and begins rolling down towards the enemy force. The orbs of white fluff gain size and weight as they tumble towards their targets, becoming formidable boulders of ice in seconds. Order watches with an amused look as the small dots of brown down the hill scatter and retreat as the massive snow-boulders smash through their ranks. She then begins moving her hands as if shaping clay, all while speaking in a second arcane language. Just as the exhausted group of riflemen restart their assault, the boulders of snow form arms and legs and begin ramming into and toppling the soldiers as if they were blades of grass. The soldiers open fire on the titans of snow, each bullet hitting their mark, but not a single one slowing their targets. A single soldier aims high and shoots for her. To the soldier¡¯s horror, the bullet stops mid-flight just a meter from her and drops innocently on the ground; such is expected of The White Witch Queen of the West, Knight Order.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    She smacks her lips tiredly as she watches the men below, blasted away from the strength of the golems that she had created. She really wishes she¡¯d brought her glass of blackwater with her.


    Only a minute passes of the Easterners battling the golems, and then the tide turns for good. The soldiers, some with broken limbs and concussions, run, limp, or are carried away back to their camp. Order nods, playing a victorious tune in her head as she severs the magical link between herself and the golems, reducing them to innocent piles of snow once more. Behind her, several soldiers and camp-folk cheer at the might of the second-in-command of the Royal Knights, an archmage hero worthy of her bestowed knightly title: Order.


    She rises to her feet and starts back to camp to finish her beloved libation and almost gets there when her path is intercepted by a frazzled looking messenger.


    "Ma¡¯am! Lord Knight Captain Redemption''s over the com-stone!" the boy says, presenting Order with the large red crystal. Order nods, says "thanks," and then raises the gem to her lips.


    "Daniel?" Order says into the rock, causing it to glow in response to her voice.


    "Ranalie, good to hear you," comes a voice from the magic stone, belonging to none other than the Lord Knight Captain himself.


    "What do you need?" Order asks.


    "I have an urgent assignment that needs taking care of."


    "I thought I was supposed to keep the Easterners from adva-"


    "Yes, and now you will be letting Generosity handle that."


    She raises a slim, snow-white brow. "Alright¡­ guess this has gotta be pretty damn important for you to be calling me up," Order says, her slurred speech ringing through the stone. Redemption is quiet a moment before responding.


    "... Have you been drinking again?" Redemption asks.


    Order pauses as she thinks of her response.


    "Maybe."


    "Dear, think of your image." His tone is concerned, but firm.


    "What image?" she says with a laugh.


    "You and I are considered legendary heroes, obviously, and people get weirded out when they see a seven-thousand year old archmage drinking for kicks."


    "And what''s the problem with drinking for kicks?"


    "You... nevermind. Get back to HQ for your new assignment. It''s something only you can do."


    "If you say so."


    "I do. Now come quickly, please!"


    "Got it," she says before the glow of the stone dies out, signifying the person on the other line has severed his mana-link to his shard of the gem.


    Order returns the stone to the messenger and returns to the commander¡¯s tent to find her dog, Parvo, has licked clean her glass of blackwater. She gathers her armor, a shining white mithril plate-suit enchanted to resist anything from a mere eastern bullet to a tower falling on her. A few minutes later, she¡¯s suited up and ready for whatever catastrophe Knight Redemption can throw at her. Finally she grasps the dimensional sheath of her legendary sword, called Monument by most who know it.


    Prepared, her mind begins simmering on what possible mission Redemption could have for her as she pats Parvo goodbye, exits her tent, and makes her way to the summoning tent across camp.


    Could it be Chaos? Maybe he''s attacking a capital city... or maybe The Trench has burst open to declare war on the above-ground peoples. Have the old dragons returned, or the titans? she wonders, eager to know what cataclysm she''ll face this time. Whatever it is, it must be a major threat to the Western Kingdoms if she was asked for personally.


    She gets to the summoning tent, tells the magicians her destination, and waits a few minutes for them to compose the summoning circle leading to the Royal Knights Headquarters. Following is a complex ordeal involving chanting, arcane scripting, and lots and lots of nice-smelling candles. A portal tears right through the fabric of reality, and Order steps in to traverse thousands of miles in a matter of seconds.

 From the Front to the Back

    Lord Knight General Order steps from New Reinen''s space gate, a large rune-engraved portal that serves as either a beginning or an end for magic travels like this. She steps down from the gate into New Reinen''s center square, glances over three young recruits, two of which who promptly salute and one that just stumbles in shock and confusion, and then she passes the training grounds into the executive office of the Royal Knights of The Old Kingdom of Reinen.


    Sorry if this gets long-winded, Reader; there''s quite a lot to cover when presenting an entire dimension to someone. Anyway, New Reinen is sort of a headquarters and town for the Royal Knights. It¡¯s convenient to have most of them living in the same place in case a giant skeleton appears and starts running toward one of the capital cities- stuff like that.


    Order stands in the entryway a moment, takes a breath, and waves a hand along her cheek as she speaks words from one of the many magic languages she knows. Suddenly, her flushed face returns to its former, pale state and her dilated pupils sharpen in focus. She finds magic that quickly neutralizes alcoholic influences to be among her favorites.


    The now sober Order passes through the golden halls, each window ridged with flower planters and moves across the regal burgundy carpets up to Redemption''s office. Sitting in one of the chairs to the side is a hulking, broad Knight, a Dragon-Kin: the crossbreed of human and dragon that once threatened the entirety of human civilization. To his side is a mace and shield, both the size of a person and hewn from the solid rock of the southern canyons.


    "Knight Law," Order greets him, bowing her head as she passes. The hulking mass of scales, teeth and muscles nods back.


    "Sir... By the way, Lord Knight Captain Redemption told me to wait for you and some third knight," he says, eying the chair next to him. Order stops at the door to Redemption''s office.


    "So, you and I and someone else will be going on an assignment?"


    "S''what I''ve been told," he mutters through his bulwark of white teeth.


    "Very well," Order says, taking a seat next to Law in the rose-scented hall, laying her eyes on the rays of sun gleaming from the stained-glass windows. Order¡¯s quiet a moment and looks at the sunlight as Law inspects his boots, both of the knights silent.


    "S''what have you been up to during the war?" Law asks.


    "I''ve been with the Blue Company up north," Order responds.


    "Leading, sir?"


    "Yes."


    "Ahh- I hear it''s been fairly easy for you."


    "It has. No matter how advanced the East''s technology becomes, magic is realms above it."


    "Agreed."


    "And yourself?"


    "I''ve been in the Yellow Company," Law says, his words skewed with a sigh. Order raises a brow.


    "The front lines? How is it?"


    "I have no idea why the ministry of war didn''t put you there. This war would be over. Your magic can resist any of their monstrosities of science--you could just walk into camp and kill them all."


    "I think you overestimate my ability," Order says, as she stares ahead of her smirking on the side of her facing away from Law.


    "I''m certain you''re just being humble, sir."


    "Perhaps... but a Dragon-Kin like you wouldn''t have a problem with being on the front lines, would you?"


    "Not really, my armor s''thick it deflects bullets; only thing I need to look for are the cannon shots."


    "Cannon?" Order asks, turning her head to the word. Law shakes his head, his long mail clinking with each change of direction.


    "Really big firearms- saw one shoot a Ragnivanian boy''s head right off."


    "Like magic bolts?"


    "Yes."


    Order draws back into her seat and raises a brow in intrigue. "Interesting... but to be honest I don''t think I would be of as much help there with you."


    "Why''s that?"


    She raises her brows frankly. "I don''t kill people if I can prevent it."


    He squints an eye. "What do you mean?"


    "I''ve been around way too long, Law. I lost my taste for killing people quite a while ago- especially innocents who are forced to fight by their rulers," Order says calmly. Law snorts out a breath of hot air, staring at the wall alongside her.


    "You mur--¡­ defeated many dragons in the Extermination Wars. They feel as much pain as a human would; what makes them so different?" Law asks, turning his gaze directly on her. Order pauses in thought. If she answered honestly and said "it''s because they''re not human," it would imply that a Dragon-Kin like Law would only be half human and thus only half important.


    "I didn''t hate the dragons, Rayull," Order says, calling Law by his true name, "but they threatened humanity, the fairies, the orcs, and everyone else," she adds. Law scrapes his boot against the marble floor with an easy motion as he lets out a quick, gentle scoff.


    "Call me Law. And then after you removed the dragons, you removed the orcs. Only the fairies still have their own land outside of humanity''s grasp."


    "That''s not my responsibility, and it''s not my fault. They waged war, and you need to remember I''m a soldier, not a ruler. I don¡¯t make the decisions."


    "S''why do you suddenly turn away from killing humans?


    "I follow my orders. If I''m placed on the front line, I''ll do it and I''ll take care of it- that''s it. I won¡¯t enjoy it, but I¡¯ll do it if I have to," Order says, straightening her gaze forward. Law stares at Order for a few seconds and then turns back to inspect his weapon.


    "I suppose that''s sensible, sir. I just think you could be of more help elsewhere. If you cared s''much about human lives, why don''t you just march into the Eastern Capital and threaten to kill him if he doesn''t stop the war?"


    "You know my real job, Law."Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "The ¡®Chaos Slayer?¡¯"


    "It''s the popular title, but I hate it personally."


    "Why''s that?"


    "It implies that I ever killed him."


    "You''re right, sir; I''m sorry. It must be hard, not being able to leave the Western Kingdoms in the case that he should attack," Law says, stealthily eying the lady next to him for any facial movement.


    "It''s been a long life to live in one place. I''ve seen much of the world, almost every corner and nook, but sometimes I wonder how much more I would have seen if I weren''t waiting for Chaos."


    "I suppose it''s a job someone needs t''do. Thank you for your service," Law says, now looking at her from the side more blatantly. Order sees a spark of real respect in his eyes.


    "And yours," She says with a nod.


    "But unlike you, I''m allowed to go on leave. You sacrifice much more than any of us."


    "You''re wrong there, I''m still here after almost seven thousand years, in this waiting room we call life. There are people who have given much more than I and have moved on."


    Law squints at Order. ¡°Do you seek death?"


    "No, I¡¯m happy, but I think anyone would get a little bitter about millennia passing once you start forgetting people. You meet someone, shake their hand, fall in love with them, and then the next thing you recall is the sight of their headstone. It was so strange, being young; it''s like a dream now."


    "You are considered a savant when it comes to longevity magic, and even with all the close calls you''ve had, you¡¯ve survived. I''m sorry if I came off as disrespectful, I didn¡¯t mean to make you sound less than you are." Law says. Order shakes her head.


    Not a word is spoken for half a minute, as both struggle to find something to talk about that the other would appreciate.


    "You''re in your eighties now, right?" Order asks turning again to Law.


    "Yes. The challenges of being a Dragon-Kin in a society of humans is... unique."


    "I''d imagine. How''s Meeo been?"


    "We haven''t talked," Law says. Order hums.


    "For how long?"


    "A few months. I have no idea what she''s doing; probably something petty and childish as usual."


    "I understand you find her a bit flippant, but that''s no reason to say such things about the person who raised you."


    "Don''t remind me. Her love was smothering. I''m not a human, I can take care of myself."


    "I don''t doubt you can, but I''d say she did a fairly good job raising you those fifty years."


    "Thank you, sir."


    "My pleasure, Law."


    "Yes, I suppose it''s just irritating being around her. S''still treats me like I''m a hatchling, and a Dragon-Kin finishes adolescence at around sixty. I just hate it that s''still gets on my case about things like finding a girlfriend or studying for my knight exams. We''ve sort of drifted apart."


    Order nods in thought just before she feels a very unique presence approaching them. Being magically attuned, Order can easily pick out specific people within a kilometer radius just based on their personal magic signatures. She smirks.


    "So, what would you say to her if she were here now?" Order asks, looking down the hall intently.


    "I''d tell her to grow up. Adults, let alone adults thousands of years old, should act as if they grew out of being a child. I''d tell her that coloring books are for children, that people grow out of lullabies and bedtime stories, and that people who refuse to become adults refuse to improve themse--"


    "Oh, Hosy, Ran! Hello!" coos a friendly, almost motherly voice from behind Law. Law cringes, and slowly turns his head.


    The two spot the colorful, dyed hair and dreamy, cloud-set eyes of an old acquaintance. As usual she has a whimsical, aloof smile across her face and carries the overpowering smell of incense. Order smiles and Law promptly scowls.


    ¡°You¡¯re kiddi--¡±Order cuts off Law by shoving him lightly. Law sighs.


    ¡°Meeo, hello!¡± Order greets Love with a bow.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Knight Love,¡± Law grumbles. Meeo Letlind, titled ¡°Love¡± by The Royal Knights of The Old Kingdom of Reinen Titles Committee, steps up to them, looks about a moment as if there is a ghost flying around in the room, and then focuses in on her two fellow Knights.


    ¡°Hiyo! Are you both good this peculiar day?¡± Love asks. Law pushes out a breath of hot air as if he were about to cook Love alive.


    ¡°Have some respect, Knight Love. Call us by our titles unless you intend to discredit yourself,¡± Law warns with a scowl, showing off his sharp teeth. Love looks at Law with her usual, unchanging smile.


    ¡°Oh?¡± she coos, ¡°Okay then, Mister Lord Sergeant Knight Commander of the Royal Knights of the Old Kingdom of Reinen, I.D. number 3,982, Fourth-in-Command in the Yellow Company of the Eastern wars held upon the Gaingr--¡±


    ¡°Funny, just my title,¡± Law interrupts.


    ¡°You mean Mister Lord Ser-¡±


    ¡°Love, come on,¡± Order cuts in with a smirk, hearing another distressed huff from Law. Love hums, moves her head about in thought, and nods.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Love says as she takes a seat next to Law, who groans. Love then turns to Law and smiles.


    ¡°So, you didn¡¯t answer my question,¡± she reminds while delivering a kindly poke.


    ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°How are you, Law?¡± she says.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Love grins and hugs Law. The dragon-kin shudders on contact.


    ¡°Ohhh! I¡¯m so happy to hear that! You know I¡¯ve been worried about you, all of the other Knights seem so happy to talk, but you never seem to have the time!¡± Love says as she rubs her soft cheek on Law¡¯s shoulder pauldron. Order grins crassly.


    ¡°Let me be, Knight Love. I don¡¯t have time for your childish shenanigans.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what? You were always so playful when you were just a little hatchli-¡±


    ¡°I see you haven¡¯t changed in the past year at all, Knight Love,¡± Law says, doing his best to defend his image in front of Order before Meeo tarnishes it with an embarrassing story about his childhood. Law pushes Love from him and crosses his arms as he turns away.


    ¡°Mmm? Fine. Whatever you say, Hosy-Po-¡°


    ¡°Order, please make her stop! She¡¯s disrespecting the honor of her fellow Knight, yet again,¡± Law pleads, interrupting Love the moment before she could utter his childhood nickname.


    ¡°Hmm, Love,¡± Order begins. Love laughs and nods to Order, well aware of what she is going to say.


    ¡°Alright, Order. I¡¯m done,¡± she says with a long, knowing smile as she sits properly with her feet to the ground.


    ¡°Thank you, Meeo,¡± Order says. Love giggles lightly.


    ¡°Of course- of course. So how have you been, Order?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been very well, thank you. You?¡± Order says.


    ¡°Oh, oh I guess I¡¯m okay, just been reading, various things about various things,¡± Love says, shuffling about one of her many pockets and in armor compartments to locate a piece of paper, crumpled up and stained with a liquid smelling of chamomile.


    ¡°Reading what, might I ask?¡± Love restores the note to readability by unfolding it and holds it up to Order with both hands.


    ¡°This, along with a novel series I¡¯ve been checking out recently using temporal-anomaly object collection. I was only able to find the second book in the series so far, but I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll find the others soon enough. Really do want to find out what happens to that poor ring bearer,¡± Love says.


    ¡°Just like you to use realmancy to find books that haven¡¯t been written yet,¡± Order says with a smirk as she looks at the piece of paper.


    Just so you know, dear Reader, realmancy is an incredibly specialized type of magic that only a small handful of people in the Omniverse can use with any degree of success; it deals with the collecting and interaction of objects that do not (or should not) exist. Its quite the complex ordeal and is considered a craft of the insane. Now let¡¯s get back to it:


    Order nods, says ¡°interesting¡± to be polite, and reads the note. It¡¯s also a summons by the leader of the Knights, Lord Captain Redemption.


    ¡°A summons, same as mine,¡± Order says, returning the letter. Love raises a brow in interest.


    ¡°Oh? I wonder why. Might he have something for the three of us?¡± Love guesses, tilting her head just a bit to the side.


    ¡°That¡¯s what Law heard. We were both called from the war too. What were you doing?¡± Order asks, leaning forward to look across Law to Love. Love hums and lightly pokes her cheek in thought.


    ¡°I was spending time with the nice people in the black company, actually,¡± Love says, receiving looks of surprise from Order and Law, sitting at her left.


    ¡°No way,¡± Law says, looking aside.


    ¡°Really now? Didn¡¯t think you would be... you know...¡± Order pauses, trying to come up with the correct words for someone who¡¯s been placed in the most brutal, murderous company, tasked with high-class assassination and espionage missions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been getting that a lot, actually. I don¡¯t find much of a problem with it,¡± Love says as she scratches the side of her cheek.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. What did they have you do, read the operators bedtime stories?¡± Law asks with a wry scowl.


    ¡°Hmm, I did a thing or two. Nothing very special,¡± Love says with a smile, ¡°I presume you were read to in your company? Was anyone there to tuck you i-¡± Love halts her question the moment the doors open to the office. Knight Sensitivity steps out, his raven black hair, smooth Spirakandrin skin, and armor looking as well-groomed as usual.


    ¡°Order, Law, Love,¡± he greets with a smile and a nod as he passes them.


    The other three greet him back. Sensitivity disappears into his office with his new assignment. The three pause expectantly. They can hear the sound of papers, rustling.


    ¡°Alright; thank you all for waiting. Get in here,¡± a kind, controlling voice instructs from inside the office. The three knights rise from their seats and enter the office of their leader, Lord Captain Redemption, the man most responsible for the safety of the millions who live in the Western Kingdoms.

 New and Old

    The three knights step into the clean office laden with shelves of neatly organized books and ledgers. Sitting behind the desk is Redemption, dressed not in armor but in clothing of nobility.


    ¡°Afternoon,¡± Redemption says. Order and Law promptly salute, while Love just sort of pleasantly bows her head.


    ¡°Everything going well, Daniel?¡± Love asks out of turn, quickly receiving a death gaze from Law for using Redemption¡¯s actual name. Redemption, a muscular, elegantly-built Ragnivanian smiles back with the utmost courtesy. His black hair is tied up into a ponytail as usual, Order sees, but Law thought he would look different. This is the first time he¡¯s seen Redemption in person, but amidst all of his nervousness, the first thing he notices is how much Redemption¡¯s office smells like cinnamon.


    ¡°Well enough to keep our countries from exploding, sure,¡± he says with a grin. Love nods as if she understands. ¡°So I understand you¡¯re the newly titled Law, yes? Hos¡¯Rayull?¡± Redemption asks while looking the scaled titan up and down.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Law says, still in salute.


    ¡°Very good, nice to have you with us. I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about you from Meeo... you can stop saluting now.¡± Law¡¯s arm causes a slight breeze in the room with the speed at which he lowers it to his side.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, where were we... yes, business. I¡¯ve been incredibly busy, Ranalie, with the war to the East, the unrest in the Fairy Kingdom, and the possibility Chaos might suddenly pop up to say ¡®Hi¡¯ I sup-¡±


    ¡°Wait, pardon me, unrest? I haven¡¯t heard anything about this,¡± Order says to her old friend. Redemption raises a brow in surprise. Love nods her head to the side.


    ¡°Apparently the Fairy Kingdom thinks we¡¯ve sent spies to kill their royal family,¡± Love says gently, winning a shocked look from Redemption.


    ¡°No one was supposed to know outside of the messenger corps; how did you know?¡± Redemption asks. Love¡¯s smile stretches warmly as she hums in thought.


    ¡°Oh, I found a history book that hasn¡¯t been written yet and flipped through it a little. Couldn¡¯t get too far into it before it disintegrated due to inconsistency, though,¡± Love says with a hint of humor. The other Knights look at Love with a mix of fascination, confusion, and just a hint of terror. Law had always thought Love just lied about reading books before they are written, but how else would she know?


    ¡°Interesting. So, tell me, what happens with the war? Do we win?¡± Redemption asks, leaning into his desk. Love shrugs.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get that far ahead; I just read we had a conflict with the Fairy Kingdom around this time,¡± Love says with a smile, as calm as ever.


    Redemption nods.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been a... specialized Knight, Meeo. Let me know if you find out anything we could use.¡±


    ¡°Gladly.¡±


    ¡°That aside, I¡¯ve brought you three in here for a specialized assignment of a highly political nature. It turns out that there have been several deaths in Liefland as of late, and they¡¯re pointing fingers at the Western Kingdoms. There were two incidents: one with a Knight dressed in Ragnivanian arms claiming the lives of twelve fairy-folk, and another with an unknown assailant claiming seven victims. The wounds were said to be caused by assault magic- which would suggest Kanvane. Lord Pitch, the fairy king, has contacted us to investigate the matter and prove the innocence of Ragnivan and Kanvane. I¡¯m certain the three of you can understand how serious this is, considering a conflict for either of those kingdoms is a conflict for the Western Kingdoms. I feel it goes without saying a war for the Western Kingdoms is a war for us.¡±


    ¡°If I could speak, just for a moment, sir,¡± Law interrupts.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Redemption says with a nod.


    ¡°Thank you, sir. I would like to know why you have chosen us in particular for this mission. It seems apparent, if not obvious to me that some of us you have selected might not be very competent in-¡±


    ¡°Knight Law,¡± Redemption interrupts.


    ¡°Sir!¡±


    ¡°I selected each of you three specifically for this task, and I know you six will do fine together.¡±


    ¡°Sir! If I m--six?¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s right, you three will be accompanied by three other Knights. They will present a writ from me identifying them to you once you find them. You six will take the space gate to Kanvane and enter Fairy Kingdom territory through the sunken forest, and there you will meet the envoy sent for you. You will give him this writ to identify yourselves. He will then lead you into their kingdom without conflict. You will meet with Pitch, inspect the crimes, resolve the situation, and return. Do you understand?¡± he says with a glare as he pushes forward a letter that Order promptly takes. Law, the tallest in the room by far, straightens his stature and salutes.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Sir, yes sir,¡± the half-dragon says with a slight grumble.


    ¡°Very good. The three of them have already been briefed and will meet you at our space gate once you¡¯re ready. Lord General Order will be considered the leader of this mission, so if there are any more questions, you both are to defer to her. You will be cut off from contacting us as the Liefland border-control does not allow the use of chat-stones, so you will have to leave them here. Are you all ready to depart? The sooner, the better, I¡¯d say.¡±


    ¡°Of course, sir.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I think so.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Order, Love, and Law reply as they relinquish their glimmering gems, most of them connected to small chains or bands for safe keeping.


    ¡°Very good. Then you will depart immediately. May the Omniverse watch you,¡± Redemption says with a bow of the head.


    ¡°And you,¡± Order says with a smile, quickly picked up and returned by Redemption.


    The three step out of the office, and walk back down the hall to the space gate.


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± the dragon-Knight grunts with a scowl the moment they are out of ear-shot from the office. Love gently pats him on the arm but is promptly shoved off.


    ¡°Oh, Law, it¡¯ll be okay. I¡¯m sure the people we¡¯ve been matched with are perfectly phantasmal,¡± Love says with a smile, well aware of what Law¡¯s displeased about, but doing her best to be a good, positive example. Law sighs, says ¡®right,¡±¡¯ and follows Order down the hall.


    Outside by the space gate, a very excitable young lady has almost finished recovering from the sight of her lifelong idol and object of fascination walking right past her.


    ¡°I... I can¡¯t believe Order just walked out of the space gate, that gate right here next to us, and totally looking in this direction!¡± the fit, rather tall girl with hair as white as Order¡¯s says, slightly out of breath. The youngest-looking of the three, a black and wavy-haired young lad, sighs as he massages his temples- his diminutive stature leaning over himself.


    ¡°Yes, Aoline. You can stop saying that. We know!¡±


    ¡°And to think, just imagine; the three of us will be talking to her any minute now!¡± Aoline exclaims again, waving one hand out in enunciation with the other placed firmly on her hip. The young, handsome boy groans.


    ¡°Please, Aoline, relax. You¡¯re going to make a bad impression if you act like some rabid fan.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem with being a rabid fan? The ¡®Royal Knight¡¯s Quest¡¯ series is the best novels a person can read!¡±


    ¡°Eh, no. They¡¯re kinda dumb. They weren¡¯t even written by a real Knight.¡±


    ¡°Have you read them?¡±


    ¡°Well, no, but--¡±


    ¡°Then how would you know?¡±


    ¡°Come on, that¡¯s not fa¡ªGame faces, you two,¡± the boy says to the girl and the other Knight with them, who is concealed in a cloak. Order, Love, and Law are stepping down from the headquarter¡¯s entryway and right toward them. The Masterful Knightess Order raises a brow in interest, spotting a writ in the cloaked boy¡¯s hand; this is the same group of kids she passed earlier.


    Having approached, Order waits for the young lady to stop hyperventilating to hear what she has to say because she is obviously very excited about something.


    ¡°Hello! Eh, Hello! Order! Hi!¡± the girl greets with a childlike giddiness. Order smiles the best she can; she quickly guesses this is one of those kids raised on those horrible ¡°Royal Knight¡¯s Quest¡± adventure novels.-


    ¡°Well, hello. Who mi-¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t... I don¡¯t... It¡¯s you!¡± the girl erupts with excitement and adoration, interrupting Order. The other two youths come forward. The cloaked one salutes and holds while the pale boy just smiles. Law immediately looks over the cloaked one, somehow he looks familiar.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s me,¡± Order says, ¡°Who might you be?¡± The girl quickly steps back and salutes with a smile only paling in greatness to the grin of Chaos himself.


    ¡°My name is Aoline Rayworth, low Knight from the Knight academy in Ragnivan! I¡¯ve heard so much about you! Thank you so much for this opportunity!¡± Aoline presents with eager stars in her eyes. Order nods.


    ¡°Alright, and you other two?¡± Order asks, looking at the two boys.


    ¡°Lain Gainswold, top-of-class-¡± he coughs a moment, skewing his speech. ¡°Knight from the Knight academy of Kanvane, a specialist in fire, lightning, and alteration magic. A pleasure to make your acquaintance,¡± Lain greets, coughing to remove emphasis on the fact that he too is the lowest ranking of Knight alongside Aoline. The cloaked one, still in his salute, looks to Law.


    ¡°Dresmond Ulveroth, Knight Vanguard, yellow company, at your service,¡± the cloaked one introduces. Law nods in recognition to the only of the three young Knights that properly introduced himself. What¡¯s more, this kid is from Law¡¯s company in the war, so he¡¯s undoubtedly seen a few fights.


    ¡°At ease, Vanguard Ulveroth. While it is fine to make your acquaintance, we are actually looking for a group of three office-¡± Law stops speaking as he finally notices the letter in the left hand of Dresmond.


    ¡°About that, sir,¡± Dresmond says with an uncertain tone. Law stares at the cloaked boy, and sighs.


    ¡°Give it here,¡± the tall dragon-kin asks the boy, no older than twenty. Dresmond hands him the letter and Law begins reading.


    Order and Love watch closely as Law¡¯s relaxed, bored expression suddenly turns to anguish. He lets out a sigh and hands the letter to Order. Love shares a quick, humored glance with Order, who can both guess the news.


    ¡°These are the Knights we¡¯re going with. Two of them just finished their training and this one here¡¯s been at the front for about three weeks,¡± Law explains with a scowl. Order nods and places the letter in one of her in armor compartments.


    ¡°A pleasure to have you three aboard. I¡¯m Lord Knight General Order, this is Lord Knight Officer Love, and this is Knight Captain Law. Have you been briefed on the situation?¡±


    ¡®Oh ye-¡¯


    ¡®We have, sir,¡± Lain says with a bow of the head, cutting off Aoline so as not to embarrass himself by proxy. Aoline puffs her cheeks peevishly and waits her turn.


    ¡°Very good. So are you all ready to depart?¡± Order asks again as she steps up to the space gate to input the coordinates to Kanvane¡¯s own gate; sort of like dialing a telephone number to transport to a location.


    ¡°We are, sir,¡± Lain again answers, placing himself as the official speaker for the other two slightly older Knights. He finds it only natural that it should be him, as Aoline seems to have trouble finishing a sentence normally around Order and Dresmond seems more like the quiet type.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll leave immediately,¡± Order says as she inputs the code for their desired destination.


    Order finishes inputting the gate code and suddenly the empty doorway of the gate flashes with a brilliant array of colors, many of which are not visible to human eyes without the aid of some magic. The other side is revealed, Kanvane¡¯s center square market.


    ¡°Double file, Knights,¡± Law commands with a stern growl. Dresmond quickly enters rank with Love, who is obeying her inferior officer¡¯s command just for fun, while Lain and Aoline take a moment to remember exactly what they¡¯re supposed to do. With a sigh, Law motions the Knights in and places his helmet on before he enters. Order is the last one standing there to make sure they¡¯re all inside. She takes a deep breath, says a quiet prayer, places her own helmet on and walks in with the rest of them.

 Into the Forest

    The six Knights exit the space gate into Kanvane¡¯s center square market, a bustling community of magicians, wizards, witches, and other magically-inclined folk. The dark, spiraling towers and buildings, tightly woven together to create a sort of maze, shimmer dreamily after a recent rain.


    Upon stepping out, the current space gate control officer approaches the group of six. He halts his approach, however, after realizing that all of them are Royal Knights, and thus held outside of their jurisdiction. If it¡¯s business, a Royal Knight could bring or take most anything into Kanvane. The officer just bows.


    ¡°Thank you for your service,¡± he says to the side.


    ¡°And yours,¡± Order responds as they descend the steps leading up to the space gate and enter the commons. With Order taking the front and Law right behind her, the six move through the crowds, who instinctively make way for the Knights, the most honored vocation of the Western Kingdoms- those who commit one¡¯s life to servicing the masses without pay. It is thanks to them that the Western Kingdoms have held together for all of these years after the reign of their first and only true king, rather than dissolving into war.


    The Knights move through the crowd without a problem, given the occasional bow or wave from civilians and shop-owners as they travel to the western gate of the city. Every moment she gets, Aoline takes one extra step closer to Order to the point that she¡¯s hanging right behind her shoulder.


    ¡°Eh, Lord Knight General Order?¡± she begins with a peep as they exit the gate out into Kanvane¡¯s rural western road.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Order answers.


    ¡°It¡¯s a gigantic pleasu- um, honor to help you on this mission! Thank you so much for letting me come along!¡±


    ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t actually up to me, but I¡¯m glad to have you,¡± Order says, scanning over some of the window-wares in some of the alchemical shops they pass.


    ¡°Th- thank you, and you!¡±


    ¡°Nice of you to say,¡± Order replies. Aoline takes a moment to regain herself. Law calmly looks over to Lain, who shrugs. Aoline takes a deep breath and continues.


    ¡°Okay, phew okay. I-I¡¯ve thought so long about what I would say to you when I¡¯d meet you, but I can¡¯t remember! I¡¯m so sorry!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Order answers with a smile, finding Aoline an acceptable diversion to get her mind off of the war.


    ¡°Oh, good! I was worried you¡¯d think I was, hehe, crazy or something. To be honest, I think you¡¯re the coolest person ever! I want to be just like you when I grow up!¡± Aoline says with a wide smile. Order raises a white brow in interest.


    ¡°Yeah? Why¡¯s that?¡± she answers, having had quite a few admirers before, but never quite certain why. Aoline scoffs in the friendliest way she can.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?! You¡¯re Chaos¡¯ nemesis! The wielder of Monument, The Legendary Masteress of Light, She Who Looks Down at Evil and Laughs, Who wouldn¡¯t want to be you? You¡¯re perfect!¡± Aoline says with a volume the rest of the group finds less than comforting.


    ¡°I can think of a few folks I¡¯d rather be, to be honest. I¡¯m not really all that impressive,¡± Order responds.


    ¡°Really? Because I think you¡¯re the greatest. I¡¯m training in alteration magic just like you, so I, too can wield a sword as heavy as Monument! I¡¯m practicing with this one, here. It¡¯s only forty kilos, but I¡¯m sure before long I¡¯ll be lifting one hundred, then two hundred kilo weapons! I also paid a cosmetic mage to change my hair color to white; th-thought it would help.¡±


    Law barely keeps himself from groaning in disgust.


    ¡°That would explain the white hair.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s super cool!¡±


    ¡°I guess. I¡¯ve had white hair for as long as I could remember. I think I was born with it.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?! Like, you might have amnesia or something? That¡¯s so coooool! Can I... eh, do you think I could touch you?... Your hair, I mean?!¡± Aoline exclaims with a gasp, pressing her hands into her cheeks like an embarrassed schoolgirl. At this point, Aoline¡¯s obsession with Order has crossed the ¡°enjoyably eccentric¡± threshold straight into ¡°Get It off Me!¡± threshold, which is where most obsessive fandom rests. Order is quite prepared to handle this; she¡¯s met a few others this excitable.


    ¡°Aoline,¡± Order begins.


    ¡°Yes?¡± she says, her eyes widening with fanatic glee.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind us being friendly as long as you do not overstep your boundaries. I will not take off my helmet, and you may not touch my hair,¡± Order says with a straight tone, the typical one she uses when correcting subordinates. Aoline takes a breath, raises a finger, and lowers it back to her side.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°R-right! Okay! Sorry! I- I really don¡¯t know what I was thinking! Right, right! Sorry!¡± Aoline apologizes. She pauses for a moment with her eyes to the ground and turns back to Order. ¡°But, I mean, if you¡¯d ever like to touch my hair I wouldn¡¯t mind that at all! Just thought I wou-¡± Aoline continues her peculiar hair-related invitation, of which Order tries her best to listen and care about, but were the Reader to ask her how much she remembers of that conversation, would have very little to say.


    Law for one finds it absolutely unacceptable that a low Knight would dare talk to Order on such a strange and casual basis, but he figures that Order, as the second in command in the Royal Knights, would have no problem handling her if she needs to. He shrugs and relaxes. Besides, it¡¯s been awhile since he¡¯s just been a normal mission knight; perhaps this will be a nice change of pace.


    Law stretches his neck about, freeing himself up from his straightened gait, and allows his eyes to wander. He stretches his gaze to the one just behind him, the cloaked Dresmond.


    His cloak is of the standard issue for anyone involved in night operations and is concealing most of his body. Law¡¯s dragon-like eye can, however, spot the glints of what looks like knives across a network of straps inside his cloak, along with a pair of dismal, shaded eyes peering out the hood. Law spends the rest of the walk wondering what sorts of nightmares the boy¡¯s seen in the war thus far, and why Redemption decided to pull this kid and the other two recruits along with them.


    The group travels for about thirty minutes across the far west planes, into the wide, often-clouded fields of the Kanvanian countryside. By this point there is not a sign of civilization to be found, with the exception of the road, lazily waving between small groups of trees as it gradually leads into the looming forest of the fairies, like a wall of leaves and vines protecting a kingdom of its own.


    Order spots, at the edge of the forest, a man well-dressed in white, lacy, clothing of forest nobility, sitting and drinking tea in an equally effeminate chair, facing straight in their direction.


    ¡°That must be the envoy,¡± Order says to the others.


    ¡°Ahh, excellent!¡± Lain states, quickly pulling his bored, tired expression into a collected and charismatic smile.


    ¡°Heh, looks about like how a fairy would dress,¡± Law says with a tone of humor in his voice. Lain scoffs quietly, and then quickly averts his gaze from Law. The Dragon-kin chuckles under his breath, and shrugs. He feels it¡¯s a well-known fact that most if not all fairies are weak, pompous sissies who are too busy drinking tea and writing poetry to do anything practical.


    I would like to defend fairy-folk here, Reader, and say that it¡¯s not true... but then I would be lying. The many fairy races rarely leave their kingdom, because when they¡¯re not busy drinking tea, painting, and being vegetarians, they¡¯re being xenophobic and horrified of most outsiders; sometimes both. Have you ever seen someone drink tea in a paranoid way, lovely Reader? It¡¯s quite a sight.


    Moving on then:


    ¡°Hmm, oh, I suppose so. They are quite the whimsical bunch, after all. I think it¡¯s simply lovely,¡± Love answers with a light smile. Order turns to the others.


    ¡°Knights, I¡¯m certain most of you know, but it still needs stating. You must be on your best behavior. This is an investigation, but it¡¯s also a diplomatic mission,¡± Order says, her helmet glinting in the light escaping the clouded sky above. She is met with nods, a casual thumbs up from Lain, and an ¡®absolutely¡¯ from Aoline. They step forward and meet with the man with a cup of tea.


    He is a fairly tall gentleman with light blue hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. As his hair is short, it is easy to spot his strangely shaped ears, signifying that he is a fairy-type of some sort; though of which kind remains to be revealed. With a concerned, rather uncomfortable expression he gets up from his chair and bows, keeping a close eye on Law in particular.


    It is worth stating for the nice Reader at this point that the Fairies have always had a pretty heavy dislike for dragons and their kind. They¡¯ve always been uneasy, but as a result of the extermination wars, in which countless innocents died on both sides, they are considered the two most polarized factions in the world. If there weren''t any humans around them at this moment, chances are this fairy would flee.


    Right, pardon the interruption again. You¡¯re doing a great job.


    ¡°Good day and good morrow, good Knights. Pray thee, relinquish my woes: be you the destined errants of the ghastly accord between our two lands?¡± The handsome fairy says with a smile. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s a bit nervous. Order nods and speaks while Aoline holds down a snicker; she had no idea fairies talked like that.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re the Knights sent to resolve the situation. Are you the Liefland envoy?¡± Order asks as she hands the writ to the fairy. He looks over the letter a moment and relaxes as he looks up.


    ¡°Verily, I am he. I was sent to thee by his good high majesty to retrieve thee to the fair gardens of Liefland. The way is slim, but know it well I do, for guiding persons from place to place is my office of sort. What names were you given if we may be of such sweet acquaintance?¡± The fairy asks as he takes Order¡¯s gauntleted hand and kisses it, a common practice to do for someone attempting to help another in fairy culture.


    Aoline¡¯s eyes spark with shock.


    ¡°My Knight title is Order though you¡¯re free to call me Ranalie,¡± Order begins, quickly placing a look of surprise and admiration in the fairy¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Knight-Captain Law.¡±


    ¡°Meeo, or Love, either one, really. It¡¯s so nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Aoline Rayworth,¡± she says with a mutter.


    ¡°Lain Gainswold; nice to meet a fellow of the finer things.¡±


    ¡°Knight Vanguard Dresmond Ulveroth,¡± the six of them say, each introducing him or herself. The fairy nods and gestures them along as they step off the road onto the wild grass and pass through the gate of bark into the forest of the fairies.


    ¡°Order? Lest my ears play tricks, could it be that you are the defiant to the High Overlord he?¡± the fairy asks.


    ¡°Yes, the one and the same,¡± Order says with a smirk under her helmet.


    ¡°Hark, such sweetness fills me to know you will be placing your watchful eye over our affairs, my lady. You are in tales most flattering though I expect them to be true by most accounts. It is with honor I say, my identity be humble Matimay. At your service I be, to please you in any good thing you do desire.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll be sure to let you know.¡±


    ¡°And, truly I must ask of me, the savior of the Extermination Wars was thee?¡± Order glances over to Law, who huffs and looks away.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Order answers without pride.


    ¡°Oh, great murderer of dragons and slayer of their children, I knew well that the stories were of accord most true. This way, this way!¡± the fairy says, happy that most of the knights have come to help; he could have spared Law the trouble.


    Matimay leads the six Knights into grounds increasingly moist, into the sunken forest that surrounds and defends the hidden kingdom of the fairies.

 Unexpected Inhabitants of the Golden Swamp

    With Matimay at the front, the party has traveled about an hour through the lush, green forest. Lain has been incredibly uncomfortable and tired for half of this time from too much walking and is now seriously considering complaining to Law and asking for a piggyback ride or something. He is met with the ultimatum of preserving his image to the others, or resting his poor magician feet. They press on into a large clearing of what seems to be small golden shrubs, stretching for what seems to be well over two kilometers. Matimay takes one more step and turns about, saving Lain¡¯s image and feet in one fell swoop of grace.


    ¡°I ask for thine ears and minds if you will permit,¡± the high-voiced Matimay requests as he places his hands together. All eyes focus on him.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Order says. Matimay curtsies.


    ¡°Verily. I beseech thee to inspect the scape of nature beyond. This gold land, crowned with leaves, is none other than the sunken forest by the name you know well.¡±


    ¡°This is the sunken forest? I expected something more. I dunno, underwatery,¡± Aoline states, crossing her arms in thought. Law scoffs lightly at Aoline¡¯s statement.


    ¡°Hmm, to thine eyes, it may verily appear just a plain, but would one traverse this abyssal forest, this metaphorical traveler might find the ground to let way most easy, as not soil this be, but water,¡± Matimay says, submerging his foot through the leaves, and into the water. Aoline lets loose a quick ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s water?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, dear Knightess. Should one lack the proper knowledge, this forest¡¯s traversal would be a dangerous submersion, risking one¡¯s life under the gaze of the family of belfarrows that lurk below. Take heart, however, as our fairyful folk of old have made a safe way of wooden walk, to pass through the golden ruins of aquatic nature. Be you ready to cross, I shall acquaint you with the way,¡± the fairy instructs, using the fairish word for a common breed of great water serpent. Order looks over the Knights, the only one looking particularly tired being Lain.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep going,¡± Order commands. Order then speaks under her breath and then snaps her fingers. Suddenly Lain feels perfectly fine, ready to walk thirty more miles. He was just about to fall to his knees and beg, but all of his pain has subsided in the same instant Order snapped her fingers. He realizes that Order¡¯s as capable a magician as he¡¯s heard: a master of over a thousand magics.


    A chipper Lain follows in the group as Matimay leads them along the side of the golden, tree-filled lake and finally to a group of large planks marked and held together by a swarm of vines. The gentleman fairy leads the six onto the overgrown boardwalk, submerged just an inch under the water. The group sets onto the bridge and begins their crossing.


    During the crossing, Law, in particular, is surprised that the bridge can hold their weight to allow them all crossing at once, especially considering the weight of some of their equipment. Should Aoline fall in, she would sink like a rock, and if Order were to pull her legendary weapon, Monument, out of its dimensional sheath, the bridge would collapse in a moment¡¯s notice. The dragon-kin nods, impressed with the probably-enchanted fairy infrastructure, and continues along with the others. He admires the forest lake a good while more as the leaves rise in the deep center of the sunken forest, where the tallest trees are. He notes the water has a warm, clear, almost spring-like aspect to it, figuring that it¡¯d be quite good for a swim so long as one could fight off the large aquatic predators.


    They continue to cross, just now hitting the halfway point, when Law¡¯s ears pick something up. It sounds like singing--very horrible singing.


    ¡°Halt,¡± Law says, shifting his eyes over to the right. ¡°It sounds like it¡¯s coming from behind that group of trees over there.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Lain asks, stopping with the rest. Order offhandedly grasps the hilt of Monument, its blade securely pressed into its dimensional sheath; she can already feel the nature of what¡¯s behind the tree. Law and Love look over to Order, who nods.


    Law quickly draws his towering mace out and enters a guarding stance. Love laxly pulls from her shoulder her bow, Worldloss and caresses the string with a sleepy expression. Order just stands there, holding her grip securely on Monument¡¯s handle.


    ¡°What is it?!¡± Lain says again, quickly getting behind an equally afraid Matimay. Aoline gets to Order¡¯s side and grasps the hilt of her sword the same way Order is with her own. Dresmond reaches into his cloak.


    Lain quivers behind the others as they all listen to the singing, getting closer and closer. By this point, everyone can hear the source of the music bending around the group of trees separating them:


    ¡°-as we please. It¡¯s a fine day, anyway! Chaos can go, and stroll in the. the... I dunno, as we, his Minions free, travel to his tower as a fine party of threeee. Take it away, Combat Minion!¡± the voice rings with a peppy, childish humor.


    ¡°No,¡± another, much deeper voice says with a tone of absolute loathing.


    ¡°Oh, come on!¡±


    ¡°Hell no. Cooking Minion, your songs are stupid. You should let the Choir Minions have the job of serenading during trips, and really, you should have shut up an hour ago, who knows what sort of unOverlordly creatures you¡¯ll attract- they''ll think it¡¯s a mating call or something. Do you want to be assaulted by Royal Knights? I hear stupidity is something they find highly attractive!¡¯


    The group stays quiet, certain the owners of the voices will be visible in just moments more.


    ¡°Aww, come on, Combat Minion! You¡¯re sort of a butthole when I sing--you know that? You¡¯re always like ¡®Ooga booga, you sing like weakling¡¯. It¡¯s just rude!¡±


    ¡°Rude? Ha! Coming from the one who baked bananas into my bread!¡± The Knights hear a sharp, obliterated gasp come from the squeakier voice.


    ¡°BANANA BREAD IS REAL! PEOPLE EAT IT IN OTHER DIMENSIONS ALL THE TIME! WE¡¯VE BEEN OVER THI-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re being loud again!¡±


    ¡°YES I AM, COMBAT MINION. I REFUSE TO BE PUSHED AROUND BY YOUR MEAN-ASS UNFAIRNESS ANY LONGER! I¡¯M GOING TO TAKE A STAND FOR MYSELF AND... AND... I¡¯LL TELL CHAOS THAT YOU¡¯VE BEEN UNPLEASANT!¡±


    ¡°Big deal, as if he¡¯d even ca--¡±


    ¡°AND TELL HIM YOU CALLED HIM A BLACK BUNNY!¡±


    The Knights can hear a giggle from a third voice.


    ¡°...You wouldn¡¯t,¡± the deep voice says.


    ¡°Try me!¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°YEAH, YOU DORK, YEAH!¡±


    ¡°You piece of... well what if... what if I told him first?¡± the deep voice threatens as they come out from behind the tree.


    It¡¯s a group of three of Overlord Chaos¡¯ Minions, clearly identifiable having been infested with The Overlord¡¯s black and white essence. Their blacker-than-pitch light-absorbing bodies, glowing round eyes and large, teeth filled jaws come into view. The three of them are riding a raft, the large, gruff one oaring them along.


    ¡°Well, eh, that-¡±


    ¡°Guys,¡± the third Minion, unspoken until now, interrupts between the banter.


    ¡°Little busy right now, Magic Minion,¡± the scrawny, small dog-sized one says, probably the one referred to as Cooking Minion. The third one, originally relaxing to the side of the raft, stands up with her staff.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to be busy being dead if you don¡¯t look right now,¡± Magic Minion calmly states as she analyses the situation. The Knights watch the other two minions look their way, both groups not even 10 meters from one another. The three instantly break into commotion.


    ¡°OH, Shhhiiiiiiiiiiii-¡±


    ¡°Aw hell no, Magic, do you have anything for this?¡± Combat Minion says as he starts rowing faster, talking over Cooking Minion¡¯s screech of fear.


    ¡°I think so,¡± Magic Minion says the moment she notices the entire enemy group is partially submerged. Magic Minion pulls from her person a magic slip that the Overlord himself had prepared for her use in case she should run into trouble. She then attaches the slip to her staff and begins casting a spell under her breath as she dips the tip of her staff into the water. There is a sharp humming noise coming from the staff.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Order lowers her head and looks forward, a normal response she makes when thinking.


    ¡°Love, fire,¡± Order says as she watches the Minion¡¯s actions closely. Love promptly does as she¡¯s told and draws back her bowstring, quickly manifesting an arrow out of pure magic energy. Love fires bolt after bolt of magic into the air, not at the Minions, but straight into the air. Lain and Aoline quickly exchange confused glances, same as the Minions.


    ¡°I see,¡± Love says with a smile, quickly getting a hold of the Minion¡¯s strategy and Order¡¯s countermeasure. Order quickly steps over and picks up Law, weighing at least 200 kilos with all of his equipment.


    ¡®Wh- Uh, m¡¯lady?¡¯ the large Law spouts in confusion.


    ¡°Everyone, on top of Law!¡± Order commands as she kneels down for everyone else to jump up. In the span of five seconds, everyone in the group climbs on top of Law, held by Order, who stands up the moment Magic Minion finishes her spell. The fit is tight, but everyone can just barely make it on top of Law¡¯s wide torso.


    ¡°Drotmayhain!¡± Magic Minion casts, the root word quickly identifying it to Order and Love as a lightning spell. The magic slip¡¯s purpose revealed, it pushes the spell''s power to multitudes of over what Magic Minion could normally do; Order was right in guessing that Chaos had sealed a spell of his own into the slip so his Minions could use a spell near his level. This immense discharge instantly exhausts Magic Minion, sending her to the floor of the raft.


    In the blink on an eye, electricity arcs from the staff, into the water, and then all about the Minion¡¯s raft in a two hundred meter radius, almost reaching to the edge of the lake on one end. In the same instant, the Knights are surrounded by the vile voltage, easily enough to shock an unprepared warrior to death. The electricity surges through Order but reaches no higher than her waist, effectively saving those without a suit of armor bearing as many enchantments as hers.


    The shock subsides, and on Love¡¯s cue, the group hops off Law¡¯s bulwark-like chest back into the water. Order places an embarrassed Law back on his own two feet.


    ¡°Eh, good job, sir,¡± Law says to Order, who only flinched as the lethal shock traveled through her.


    ¡°Yeah, now draw your weapons, the fight hasn¡¯t even started yet,¡± Order says as she replaces her grip upon Monument¡¯s hilt. Law pauses a moment and then draws out his mace.


    The tall, well-built Combat Minion peers at the Knights with disgust.


    ¡°The hell, Magic Minion? You that useless? You didn¡¯t even get one of them!¡± Combat Minion yells over Cooking Minion, who has again resorted to mindless, terrified screeching. Magic Minion turns upside to speak.


    ¡°Watch,¡± she says with the phantom of a smile as Combat Minion rows them off.


    Order looks over to Love.


    ¡°Do you think you shot enough?¡± Order asks as she crouches down and begins making magical hand-gestures.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m pretty sure, I¡¯d say it¡¯s safe for you to go ahead,¡± Love says with a relaxed smile as she looks up to the arrows, still suspended in the air awaiting her directions. In the next instant Order casts a spell, propelling her far above into the air, soaring right to the Minion¡¯s raft.


    ¡°Shit!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯M NOT READY TO DIII--¡±


    ¡°Dammit,¡± the Combat, Cooking, and Magic Minions say respectively as Order draws Monument out with a flash of light and smashes down into them with catastrophic force. The raft is instantly destroyed and the Minions, now entirely unconscious, are sent flying. Order quickly casts another spell as she uses alteration magic (a wide school of magic that can change the way elements of nature react to forces, among other things,) to stand on the surface of the water.


    ¡®Gravholn!¡¯ she casts, being a skilled enough magician to skip the majority of the incantation and go right to the finishing phrase. The water below begins unsettling as the soaring Minions are caught by an unseen force and brought back to Order, who easily recovers their unconscious bodies with her magically-augmented strength. Minions in tow, Order turns to the others as the trees below sway with the shadows of unknown beasts.


    ¡°P-perhaps the good, kindly dragoneer would take harmony with my near proximity!¡± Matimay says, forgoing his hatred of dragons and their kind to pile behind Law with an equally-terrified Lain. Law sighs and focuses himself.


    Order casts a similar spell to her first and launches herself back to the way of the group, just as the first of the angry belfarrows rise from the deep, disturbed by the shock of electricity. The large water beast, an amphibious, wide-gaped serpent with teeth as large as a person¡¯s arm, emerges from the sunken forest and swims straight for the group. It rears its awakened, white head and opens its mouth, displaying the armies of teeth for all to see.


    Love gestures at the belfarrow¡¯s current location and activates her spell. Suddenly one of the arrows she had shot into the air embeds itself directly into the belfarrow¡¯s neck, sending it squirming back into the depths. It was only the first of the swarm, and its swelling in the water is accompanied now by dozens more. Order, landing to the others, drops the Minions and redraws Monument, still using her alteration magic to use the water as a ground in and of itself.


    The belfarrows are upon the group with only a moment before their conjoined strike.


    ¡°Love, left. Law, right. Recruits, the back,¡± Order commands the Knights, who quickly follow the orders of Order and enter a circular rank.


    The belfarrows ram into the group and are quickly met with the ethereal edge of Monument, a barrage of the shot arrows from Love, the immense, crushing weight of Law¡¯s mace, and the conjoined strike of Aoline and Dresmond--Lain still quite paralyzed. Out of the mania a belfarrow comes from beneath and smashes through the walkway, separating the recruits, Matimay, and Law, with Love and Order.


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Law shouts as he grasps the young Knights and fairy, and grips the walkway as it rattles from the released pressure. As the walkway was connected via vines, the resistance is now cut and the two pathways are separated. A single belfarrow perceives their vulnerability and smashes into the walkway again. Aoline, the one at the edge of Law¡¯s grip, is shaken off the platform and loses balance. Lain stares as the white-haired girl topples into the water with an unshaken expression of elation.


    ¡°Ancestors!¡± Law shouts as Aoline descends into the clear depths, some of the belfarrows taking notice and diving down. With as much speed as he can in the five seconds it takes him, Law orders Dresmond to keep the other two safe, strips off as much of his armor as he can, and leaps into the steaming abyss.


    Love and Order continue shooting and cutting through waves of the beasts until they unanimously descend and disappear from sight. There is a ruckus throughout the sunken forest as the serpents brush against the trees below.


    There is a short, calm pause; Lain can hear the sound of bird chirping above as he looks down to see a violent, sporadic shape thrashing about in the depths. It¡¯s getting closer. Lain focuses his gaze and then realizes it¡¯s coming right for them. Smashing out of the water is Law, gripping a belfarrow by the neck with Aoline pierced in its jaws. Dresmond throws a few careful knives into the animal as it crashes into the walkway. Law yells a very rude word in a draconic dialect the second the creature¡¯s neck is finally snapped from his grip. Aoline, her armor only dented by the jaws of the belfarrow, is released and stands up as fast as she can. Law dons his armor with a humorless expression--all part of the job.


    ¡°Thanks! D-did we get them all?¡± an un-phased Aoline asks over the horrified whimpers of Matimay and Lain. Order gives Love another signal, gesturing toward the very large swell of water approaching them.


    ¡°Not quite, what a bother,¡± Love says with as relaxed an expression as ever as she raises her hand.


    Forcing itself out of the waves and glistening in the sunlight is the mother of the swarm, ten times bigger than the rest. The great queen of the lake looms over the group with a fire of rage in its gaze. Order, were her helmet off, would gladly return the creature¡¯s iron stare but decides instead to cut this short.


    ¡°Now,¡± Order says as she again launches herself with the same spell, this time at the ruler of the sunken forest. In the blink of an eye, Love orchestrates a complex gesture, sending her two final arrows in the sky right into the queen dragon¡¯s eyes. In the fraction of a moment she can, Order raises Monument in flight and smashes her blade into the face of the queen, letting forth a torrent of serpentine blood into the air.


    Law cringes.


    The queen gives a great roar, blinded and with an epic gash across her face, and begins snapping wildly into the air to catch the Masteress Knight of Light. Order redirects her path mid-flight with another spell and hurdles down to the belfarrow¡¯s neck. She incises her sword into the queen¡¯s side and falls back to the water, cutting more than half the creature¡¯s length. The belfarrow queen gives one last great howl and then submerges into the depths as her blood wells up and mixes with the water.


    ¡°Is everyone alright?¡± Law asks the four less-powerful members of the party. Everyone signals that they¡¯re fine with a nod, a ¡°yeah,¡± and for Matimay, a ¡°verily.¡± Order sheathes her sword and regroups with the others, just a short water¡¯s walk away. Love hops into the water to meet up with the group at the same time.


    ¡°Hmm, good job, Ranalie,¡± Love says with a smile, pulling herself out at the other side of the walkway.


    ¡°Only thanks to your arrows,¡± Order says with a stretch.


    ¡°Oh, you do me too much credit! You know I¡¯m terrible at suspending bolts of magic!¡± Love says while she waves her hand in a shooing motion. Law stares coldly, still coming to grips with the fact that he was used as a board for people to stand on and only got a small taste of the fight because of Aoline¡¯s accident. Order and Love complement each other back and forth like the two long friends that they are, and then Matimay decides to speak up after clearing his throat.


    ¡°G-good ladies?¡± he begins, still a little shook up.


    ¡®Oh, yes, Matimay?¡¯ Order asks as Love begins casting a spell to hold onto their new captives.


    ¡°I eh... he... eh. We cou-should¡­¡± Matimay takes a moment to catch himself after all the trauma. ¡°Indeed! Righto! My good warrior of legend, might we be, how shall I say, be off? It weighs upon my bravery to waste more of our sun¡¯s graces here,¡± Matimay says with a quivering smile. Order looks over to Love, and Love to Order.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Order agrees calmly. Law takes a breath.


    ¡°Knights, back in rank,¡¯ he says with drastically-less volume than last time. The group gets in rank just as Love finishes her spell. She speaks the final few words and from her hands comes shackles made of mana, the rawest form of magic. Glowing, deep chains of blue and white pulse out from Love¡¯s hand with every crafting motion. Love straps the three larger sets of clamps around the necks of the Minions and secures the last one down around her own wrist. With her magically-augmented strength, she picks up all the unconscious Minions and enters rank. Aoline smiles radiantly, impressed with her superiors, though not especially surprised, and looks over to Lain.


    ¡°I told you they were awesome, Order especially,¡± Aoline says to the wide-eyed Lain, who has easily never seen anything this incredible in all of his eighteen years of life.


    ¡°Yeah... um, yeah,¡± he says blankly as Matimay leads the Knights through the rest of the sunken forest and onto much-missed solid ground.

 Settling into Liefland

    The group passes through wood after wood, diverse in color, scents and wildlife, for two more hours. They break for lunch, biscuits, tea, and standard issue Royal Knight mystery meat, Law eating more than half of the ration, though no one minds as there is still plenty to go around. The rest of the trip has been filled with bantering back and forth between Lain and Aoline--who seem to be becoming fast friends thanks to their common interests in magic, the Royal Knights, and food--along with the occasional attempt on Aoline¡¯s part to talk to Order, but often too excited at the thought of doing so and giving up until next time she can speak to her calmly. Finally, they near their destination.


    The wood is sparse and hilly now and covered in a cool mist that wraps around the trees and passes their scents to travelers. As the group overcomes their final hill, Matimay, who¡¯s been lively for a little while now that he recognizes how close they are, turns to the group again and points to a small object in the mist.


    ¡°Pray thee, Knights. See ye yonder statue, fashioned in gleeful array?¡± Matimay says with a proud smile. Lain¡¯s eyes instantly widen in realization of what the statue¡¯s significance is. Order removes her helmet, and Love¡¯s smile curves up wryly, as if she knows something the majority of the Knights do not. Order and Love exchange quick smirks, and then listen to Aoline.


    ¡°Hmm, yeah I do,¡± she says, it being the only thing jutting out of the whiteness in front of them.


    ¡°Come with me, and see, the fair Liefland, revealed to thee,¡± Matimay invites as he steps down the hill and over to the statue, the others following close behind.


    The statue is upon a wide pedestal and is of a shimmering white, looking to have been fashioned by some radiant, unearthly material. It is of a tall woman with three pairs of wings--those of a butterfly¡¯s, a dragonfly¡¯s, and a dove¡¯s, all encompassing out from her back. She is standing over a group of frightened children, who surround her as if to find safety under her shadow. What¡¯s more, the woman¡¯s eyes are locked to the sky, as if she were staring down the end of the world. While all of the figures in the statue are splendidly realistic, the woman in particular is almost eerily real, as if she could look over to the group at any moment.


    ¡°Upon the standing stone, if you will. I¡¯m certain you will find it a thrill,¡± Matimay requests as he stands upon the pedestal, shadowed by the statue of the great fairy. Aoline has a look of surprise on her face, figuring it¡¯s sort of a strange request, but decides to go along when she sees her idol, Order, doing just as he asked. The group stands upon the pedestal, and Matimay giggles in a way Law finds all too concerning in regards to the legitimacy of his masculinity.


    ¡°Okay, what now?¡¯ Aoline questions, finding an acceptable position to the left of the tall fairy statue.


    ¡°But, by light, we are here, under the watchful gaze of the first-most queen of the fairies, Ywlvare, for wherever she looks, so do her kind tread,¡± Matimay says as he strokes his light stubble a moment.


    ¡°So, this is it? This statue is Liefland?¡±


    ¡°Not just, dear human. The fairest sight made by fair hands is all about us, entangled in realms unseen lest you look with caution most great,¡¯ Matimay says with a spark of wonder in his eyes. Aoline gently looks over to Order, and makes an ¡®I have no idea what he¡¯s talking about¡¯ face. There is an awkward silence, and then Aoline decides to ask.


    ¡°Um, could you say that in more ... easy terms?¡± she questions, feeling embarrassed for not quite getting all he¡¯s saying.


    ¡°In the, mind me, plebeian words of the human tongue, it would likely go as: ¡®We¡¯re here, Liefland is all around us if you look hard enough,¡¯¡± he says in plainer terms. Aoline ¡®oohs¡¯ in realization, and suddenly, just the moment the thought enters her head, she begins to see lights from the mist and hear jovial, colorful voices. It¡¯s like, atop the pedestal, the entire landscape around them is changing. Aoline focuses in on the lights and the voices, and gradually, the kingdom of the fairies is revealed.


    Incoherent mumblings become distinct voices in conversations.


    Lights and vague figures are filled with color and depth.


    The scent of the forest is replaced with foods, spices, and mystic perfumes.


    The mist is no more, only a excited, bustling square market filled with dwarves, elves, gnomes, spirits, fairies, spooks, and plenteous other fine creatures of mysterious or unknown regards.


    The group is now in Liefland.


    ¡°Whoa... eh, awsome!¡± Aoline exclaims as the group steps off the pedestal.


    ¡°Verily. This figure, our great ancient queen, is the very same who ferried us from the land of the titans to this new stand. Under her gaze may we always thrive. This is the path all fairies are free to take to be with their own kindred,¡± Matimay says with a whimsical smile curling across his face. He gestures the others to follow and then leads off to the white, spiraling towers of Liefland¡¯s capital castle, Liefholn. Law lowers his head amidst short gasps from onlookers at the sight of a dragon-kin walking on the sacred ground of the fairies. As they step along through the crowds, Order speaks back to the others.


    ¡°Once we meet with Pitch, chances are we¡¯ll be split up and delegated to different parts of the investigation. I have no real preference on how we should be split up, do you two have any preferences?¡± Order asks, referring to the two higher-ranking Knights. Law grunts.


    ¡°Knight Dresmond,¡± he says promptly, disliking the other two teenagers a good deal. Love hums.


    ¡°Well, seeing as Aoline would be thrilled to be with you, I¡¯m sure, I suppose I¡¯ll take Lain along,¡± Love says with nod. Order smirks, finding Love¡¯s subtle humor as pleasant as always.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s how we¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll give Aoline watch over the captured Minions. Would you two feel confident about looking over the crime scenes for the murders if I¡¯ll be discussing our case with Pitch?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Mhmm,¡± Law and Love respond in their own ways.


    ¡°Good- let¡¯s do it then,¡± Order says, completing their exchange.


    The envoy of the fairies leads the six Knights past the group of unsurprisingly foppish-looking guards in through the gates Liefholn. He leads them through the main foyer right into the throne room.


    The large, glistening white throne room is made of what seems to be wood, with the outgrowths of trees ascending over the room and meeting in the center, creating a sort of half-roof, obscuring in part the swirl of stars above. Hovering over his throne is Pitch, the king of the fairies. He is dressed in a flowing white robe, embroidered in many a stanza and soliloquy. Long, graceful dragonfly wings span out at his sides, the light of the room shining through them with many colors. His curly black hair cascades gently over his brow, giving him a look of grace, poise, and intelligence.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Really, were the Writer to compare him to anyone is particular, it would likely be that one guy who wrote all those books about a ¡®sand man¡¯ or something dream-related like that. Pardon, Reader, you may not know who he is, but in my dimension he is one of the greatest writers, and is worthy of high honors.


    Pitch looks down at the group, with stern eyes alight. Order and Law kneel, quickly followed by the others. Order removes her helmet and rests it at her side.


    "Soft, of what manner be these intruders through the veil of our ancient queen?¡± Pitch says, his voice ringing like a choir of bells.


    ¡°Surely, good king, you recognize the very same swordsman who has aided us through the ages with her brilliant blade, Masteress Order? About her company are her two trusted inferiors, of the titles Love and Law. With one trainee Knight to match each noble soul, they have come to alleviate our woes and suspicions of late regarding a certain pair of predicaments most foul,¡¯ Matimay explains to Pitch as he makes an eloquent bow.


    Pitch squints his eyes, marred just a bit by age, to the white-haired swordsman at the front of the other Knights. It is certainly Order--he hadn¡¯t recognized her without her blade drawn.


    ¡°Light! Oh glorious! Tis¡¯ none other than our steadfast and ancient friend. Order. Good Order, I beseech thee, come, and let us speak upon better things before you and I make our cases,¡± Pitch says with a wide, kingly smile, descending to stand on the same floor as his old friend. Order stands up, leading the others to match her movement.


    ¡°Sounds good, but I¡¯d like to go ahead and get the others to work, if you don¡¯t mind,¡± Order says, motioning her head over to the others. Pitch steps up to Order, embraces her, kisses her on both cheeks, and nods. Law scoffs under his breath as he rolls his eyes.


    ¡°More than permissible, dear savioress,¡± he says as he turns to the other Knights. He motions over a couple of dwarves with excessively silly hats. ¡°There are two cases to be beheld by your talents, good Knights. One of a fighter gone mad, wearing the regalia of your brutish Ragnivan, slain and in our dead rooms, and another of an unknown assailant, using magics of assault and destruction, who escaped before he was brought to his new life. You will let either serveling take you to either sight and know for yourself the great depravity waged against our friends. Make haste, for the fair folk of our kind have become restless,¡± Pitch says.


    ¡°Then we will take our leave,¡± Law says with a bow, Dresmond copying Law in close unison.


    ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll be on our way as well,¡± Love coos with a slight nod herself, placing the still-unconscious Minions over by the side of the room, disconnecting herself from the chains, clamping the free set on a nearby piece of the architecture, and then gently tugging Lain¡¯s hand to come along with her to follow the nearby dwarf.


    ¡°Fare thee well, my king! May your days ever be long!¡± Lain says, waiting for a chance to speak but rushed away by Love. Pitch laughs as the four Knights disappear, following the dwarves with really quite unbelievably silly hats.


    Pitch raises a brow at Lain¡¯s peculiar enthusiasm, and then turns to Order.


    ¡°Peculiar life, that one.¡±


    ¡°I suppose so, though I¡¯ve met weirder people in the Knights.¡±


    ¡°Oh ho, you speak of Ju-¡±


    ¡°Among others, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Ahh, aye, verily.¡±


    ¡°One moment, please,¡± Order asks as she turns to Aoline.


    ¡°Can you watch the Minions, Aoline?¡± she asks. Aoline eagerly nods.


    ¡°Yes! I can totally do that for you! Just... eh--¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°When¡¯s dinner?¡±


    ¡°Well, we ate lunch about an hour ago. You¡¯ll have to wait.¡±


    ¡°Ahh. It¡¯s okay, you go on ahead. I¡¯ll just be here, foodless,¡± Aoline says pitifully, as if that were supposed to make Order want to plop her down in a chair for a feast that instant. Order nods.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯m sure you can ask one of the servants for a book or something. See you soon,¡± Order says with a nod as she steps off with Pitch.


    ¡°Yeah, definitely! See ya! Good luck!¡± Aoline says with a half-smile as she waves off Order.


    The moment she¡¯s gone, Aoline curls up with a pouty frown, and mutters, ¡°Just awesome.¡± She¡¯s disappointed herself big time today. If she¡¯s going to become Order¡¯s apprentice, she¡¯s going to have to act much more on-task and much less on stomach. Aoline puffs out hot air, determined to overcome her love of food. She¡¯s certain she can do it if she tries hard enough- She¡¯s certain she can turn this around. Aoline¡¯s gaze sharpens to a combative level of focus. She¡¯s decided, these three prisoners will be the best-looked after prisoners, ever!


    ¡°She gone?¡± A deep voice in the pile of unconscious Minions asks. Aoline realizes that she¡¯s been incredibly quiet and that the Minions, faking unconsciousness, have been waiting for a good escape opportunity. Aoline smiles, conjecturing that she can now thwart an escape attempt, become a hero in Order¡¯s eyes, and rise through the ranks as her apprentice. She waits quietly, ushering in an atmosphere of safety for the Minions.


    ¡°Pretty sure, now get off my back!¡± the squeaky one says, on the verge of yelling. The chained Minions begin shuffling out of their pile and back to their feet, just as Aoline assumes the most heroic, mighty stance she can think of.


    ¡°Evening, Minions of Chaos,¡± Aoline says, her chosen pose being a copy of the stance Order was most commonly drawn in inside the ancient texts, her right hand around her back to draw her blade, and her left hand jutting out open and forward, as if asking evil to come forward and die by her hand. This, of course, is a pose Order has never made in her life, but that the ancient scribes thought would look ¡®hella¡¯ cool¡±.


    The Minions quickly leap up to their feet.


    ¡°Oh, eh, hi!¡± Cooking Minion says, raising a paw-sized hand and ensuing an awkward silence. Aoline clears her throat, and speaks up.


    ¡°Going somewhere to cause some chaos, are we?¡± she says, copying the stupidly-punnish question Order always asks in every book of ¡®Royal Knights Quest¡¯ whenever she gets the jump on the stupid, incompetent, very fictional version of Overlord Chaos.


    For the Reader¡¯s information, in all her thousands of years Order has never, ever punned on Overlord Chaos¡¯ title, nor has she ever gotten the jump on him; it¡¯s usually the other way around, really, Chaos has a soft spot for puns when he¡¯s in the mood, too. If the Writer can be quite frank, the books starring Knight Redemption are far more realistic to his character, as he really does make cool poses before fights, unlike Order, who finds them gaudy and impractical. Now then:


    The Minions share some glances, not quite sure whether to be afraid or laughing.


    ¡°Eh, no, no not really. Actually we were ...¡± Cooking Minion thinks a moment. ¡°We were just busy delivering this life saving medicine to the poor innocent forest animals that need our help! But you Knights came along and took us away. How could you do something so-¡± Cooking Minion stops delivering his lie as Aoline laughs over his squeak of a voice.


    ¡°Yeah, obviously, because you love taking care of little forest animals rather than eating them,¡± Aoline says as she stretches out her stance a bit more, making herself feel cooler and more imposing, but instead just making her look really uncomfortable.


    ¡°She¡¯s got a point, they do taste pretty go-¡± Combat Minion is quickly elbowed by Magic Minion.


    ¡°Well ... Well about that, actually we totally were, because Chaos loves keeping animals well fed ... so he can eat them!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what he said.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go with that,¡± Cooking, Combat, and Magic Minion respond accordingly.


    ¡°Right, and that¡¯s why he sent out myself, his finest cook, along with these two dopes for protection,¡± Cooking Minion says, getting some nasty looks from the two other Minions that are both at least four times his size. ¡°My food is so delicious that it can cure any ailment through sheer joy alone!¡±


    ¡°Pffft. Yeah nice try, idiot, but as a Royal Knight of the Old Kingdom of Reinen I am unmoved by your li- ...¡± Aoline stops a moment in thought as she feels a rumble in her stomach.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Cooking Minion asks, half-expecting that he¡¯s about to get a face full of giant sword.


    ¡°You¡¯re a cook?¡± Aoline asks. Cooking Minion gives the best smile he can, his row of Chaos-like teeth showing clearly.


    ¡°Why yes.¡±


    ¡°How good are you?¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m the reason these two fatties next to me are the way they- Ow!¡±


    ¡°SHUT YOUR MOUTH, COOKLING!¡± Combat Minion says, stepping promptly on Cooking Minion¡¯s tiny foot.


    ¡°Grah! You! What good is a Combat Minion that can¡¯t even protect other Minions! Fatty!¡±


    ¡°It was Order, you cur! She wrecks dragons like reeds!¡±


    ¡°Fatty!¡±


    ¡°Knave!¡±


    ¡°Fatty!¡±


    ¡°Slovenly cur!¡±


    ¡°Mega fat fatty!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯M NOT EVEN FAT YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SHI-¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Aoline says, interrupting Cooking Minion¡¯s and Combat Minion¡¯s civil conversation.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Cooking Minion replies with a wide smile.


    ¡°So you¡¯re a good cook, then?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! Good enough to make Combat Minion here a useless cow ¡®cough¡¯ which he is ¡®cough¡¯,¡± he answers, confidently placing his hands on his hips.


    Slowly, a smile forms across Aoline¡¯s face before she walks towards the Minion¡¯s chains.

 Initial Relaxiations (This being a play on the words "relaxation" and "negotiations", you see)

    We join Order and Pitch, along with his wife, Tylvania, as they receive massages in Liefholn¡¯s royal five star spa.


    ¡°-and latter to that he uttered, ¡®of what drink do you speak of, chap?¡¯ Pitch says, finishing his joke. Order guffaws ungraciously, a side of her only seen were one her good friend.


    ¡°Oh! Oh that¡¯s a good one! That actually happened?¡± Order asks, lying on her stomach as an elf relieves her stress.


    ¡°Most verily so. Is it not so, my Sun?¡± Pitch asks, looking over to his left to meet his wife to the eyes. Tylvania hums positively, too distracted with the feeling of the masseuse¡¯s hands to pay that much attention to the conversation.


    ¡°That¡¯s hilarious, never thought pubs were that lively,¡± Order says, it being a many year since she¡¯s spent any period of time in one. She usually drinks at home.


    ¡°Most true, most true. Hmm,¡± Pitch pauses a moment in thought, sobering up his expression. ¡°Would you like to, perhaps, initiate our talks. While jovial things are fast more fair, tis these weighty matters we must soon discuss for the good of those we watch over,¡± Pitch says, raising himself to lean on his forearms. Order takes a gulp from the bottle of wine provided for her and then does the same.


    ¡°Alright. Speak your mind, what¡¯re your thoughts on this?¡±


    ¡°Lo, I shall discuss frankly. I hold no animosity to your order, dear Order. The Knights have ever been a trusted friend to our people, from the first day the name of Chaos was written in the blackest parts of our souls, to all the days the dragons attempted to devour what we loved, you were steadfast, and held all of our oppositions under the same blade; a lover of the common cause. While our friendship is good, I worry of the nations you look after. As you have lived longer than any of their kings or lords, so is your wisdom greater. I feel that, perhaps their people have grown tireless, and seek the thrill of blood and conquest. While I would fast dismiss these blood sheddings as those of simple criminal mad-men, the thought that they would come here to do it, and showing such alliance to these nations in question on their person, drives suspicion into my heart. Even should I be certain they were clean of this blood, my people would think differently. You know well how easily the hearts of us longevai creatures are swayed; I feel they would ask for death just the same. If war is to be prevented between the kingdom of the forest and the kingdoms of the plains, the swamps, the snow, and the sand, you and your men must find the identities of our secret foes who have likely planned these grim palings. Understand my words, do you?¡± Pitch explains, locking his eyes, alight with the glow of fireflies, to Order¡¯s own, shining a duteous golden-yellow. Order nods.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°Mhmm; we¡¯ll do all we can to prevent the war.¡±


    ¡°Very good. I am curious: would there be any reason you can muster in your mind as to why your dear Western Kingdoms would send killers in such a delicate time?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m almost certain this is a conspiracy to frame them. It would be ridiculous for them to send people covered in their insignia to commit crimes; whoever did this must take us for fools ... And Pitch, why do you say this is a delicate time? Is something happening?¡± Order asks. Pitch sighs and waves away the servants. The fairy folk quietly file out of the room, leaving Order, Pitch, and Tylvania.


    ¡°The High Tea is on the night of tomorrow¡¯s breath. Should there be any assailant, or one to interrupt, we will have missed the grandest opportunity we¡¯ve been offered in centuries,¡± Pitch says with a solemn look, staring out the window. Order¡¯s gaze intensifies.


    ¡°The High Tea; I¡¯ve read of it: an event that happens every few thousands of years in which a creature from an unreachable dimension comes and answers the questions of the first person to meet with it?¡± Order explains, making sure she has the right event in mind; after all, it¡¯s not often she interacts with fairies, so she might have forgotten. Pitch nods.


    ¡°Your mind is as sharp as the chill of Winter, dear Knightess. A first-realmer will descend to our heavenly cube and teach one blessed individual its great knowledge. Should the events and greatness of our planet be gold, this is an event greater than diamonds, of value untellable. You, given such a noble heart, must understand that we can risk no evil entrance into our kingdom, for this meeting especially. Should the wrong life take seat at the first-realmer¡¯s table, no mind could guess the evil that would be caused.¡±


    ¡°So you think someone has found out about The High Tea, and are trying to be the ones to get the knowledge?¡±


    ¡°Verily. My heart is blown on by the winds of uncertainty and truly, I feel a fear only the most deprived and unlucky would know. I pray to the powers of the first realm that my hopes are placed well, for the day next to ours is one to surely be written of, be it in poetry of joy, or of lamentation,¡± Pitch explains. Order takes a breath in thought.


    ¡°I see. I promise we¡¯ll do our best, but at this time that¡¯s all I can say. We don¡¯t know who¡¯s behind this, as most anyone would want the kind of knowledge that¡¯s being offered at The High Tea; I¡¯d guess,¡± Order says, thinking of at least ten incredibly powerful figures right off the top of her head that would jump at the chance to have any question answered; she being among the ones on the list.


    ¡°Thank ye, good soul. Every visit, you renew my hope for your kind. Humans are a strange breed, capable of great good or great evil. Now let us await your Knight¡¯s return, so that we may, too, find what they have,¡± Pitch says, ringing a bell to recall the servants. Order nods and replaces herself upon her bed. The three of them while away the time, relaxing, telling jokes, and drinking, though they likely wouldn¡¯t admit to it.