Battle War; Magic, Sword and Dragon

Name

Second day after boarding the airship. Ruko and the others arrive at Manika town. The city of Manika signifies they are close to their destination city, the city of Gehenna.

Laila and Charlmilia's group have breakfast together while looking after Riku and Lic. They dined at the ship's restaurant reserved for ordinary passengers. Of course they could use the canteen for VIP passengers, but they do not like it because it is not free.

They were the daughters of a general and were arguably high-level nobles, but they did not care much about status.

"I'm really sweet when I eat. Ah... I want to have children quickly. Of course with Ruko."

Charlmilia's enchanted words to Riku can be said to be a challenge as well, but Laila did not care at all and continued to feed Riku with toddler food that he prepared himself.

Laila did not care much about Charlmilia. And that's true. He told me that he would allow Ruko to remarry. In other words, if they want to do so they simply win Ruko's heart. That is if you can.

Challenges that sound easy, but this is quite difficult considering the character of Ruko. The thoughts of a human being cannot be simply changed.

"They certainly won't lose to Riku either. Of course you're also a Lic."

"Thank you Auntie. I'm sure it will happen if pa-mama really does. Honey, I think it'll take longer than Auntie thinks."

"Auntie?!"

Fila was shocked and shocked. This was the first time she had been called an Aunt. He's only 18. It was already in the marriageable age, but that didn't mean she was already an aunt.

The attitude shown by Lic is a sign that he is not too happy with Laila's decision.

"I can understand why Lic called you Auntie, Fila. You're the oldest of us."

"I'm not happy with that fact, Charl."

Technically the oldest age is Lic. To the mental, Laila is the oldest because she has Alice's memory coupled with her present life.

The breakfast atmosphere is so lively that it is the attention of other passengers. Other than such a warm scene, they were high-class beautiful girls who could rarely be seen in public places. Then even though Laila became a mother, there were still many who agreed that she was no less beautiful than the princess (she was indeed young, so that was the reality).

Groups with no men are also why they are the center of attention. High-class male passengers were thinking of approaching one of them, but only fools didn't know they weren't ordinary girls.

Finally breakfast passed without the slightest interruption.

"Manika City is famous for its milk products. How about we try shopping?"

"Wait Laila. I know you're enthusiastic about shopping, but you know we can't carry a lot of stuff. You must remember the time in the city of Auria, right?"

As they spend the goods for Ku-Ruko, they once again lose control. Ruko's face does look ordinary, but any clothes fit her as if the clothes adjust to Ruko.

The total money they spend can be used to eat 6 months. When they realized that, they regretted it. But Laila calmly paid for all that. With Ruko's money.

"Don't worry. I already knew that there might be a lot of shopping, so I brought a dimensional bag that could hold 100 tons of stuff."

".....Why aren't we surprised when you have something like that?"

"But somehow I feel like you're getting more and more similar to Ruko?" Added Fila.

The dimensional pouch is an artifact that can only be found in ancient ruins and mazes. Their number is limited and expensive depending on the amount and weight that can be put into the dimensional pouch.

So far many have tried to recreate or replicate the dimensional sac, but none have worked perfectly. Of course, the same pouch also exists (like the one Laila used against Alice in Dragonia). Unfortunately, such a bag could only carry a few kilos of goods.

For those who know Ruko, they can guess Ruko got a dimensional pouch from the moment she explored the ancient ruins or could also use her abundant money to buy it.

It's all not important. In essence Laila can have it because there is a shophouse.

"That's just your feelings. By the way, do you guys have that potion again?"

"..."

"..."

No need to think hard, both of them know Laila is planning to attack Ruko again. Laila is dangerous. In another sense.

✡️✡️✡️

"!?"

On the streets of Manika, a girl suddenly felt her hair standing up. The weather was indeed cold and could make people freeze, but he felt something even more frightening.

In order not to become a nightmare, he forgot what he had just felt. He continued his footsteps which could be said to be quite slow and small.

Many times people around him look at him with an attentive gaze. Maybe because he's weird? No. gabe. In reality, the girl's appearance could be said to be normal. Wearing a fur coat and a face cover that keeps his entire body warm.

Despite that, one could feel there was 'something' on the girl.

In this world magic or known as Magic Art is a common and become a part of everyday life. The girl may have magic so unique that it makes her the center of attention.

The girl then stopped at a closed bar. With a rhythmic knock of some kind of code, before long the door opened.

A middle-aged man opened it. And the man was surprised because he did not know who his guest was.

"Sorry, we're still closed. Please come tonight."

"I just want to meet an old friend here. I heard he works at this place."

"Then please."

The girl came in and the man closed the door. A magic and immediately active with the aim that no other guests come.

"Heri, can you make me some hot tea?"

"Miss, do I know you? It's weird, I'll remember knowing a lady as pretty as you."

The girl is getting angry.

"Really, I'll kill you if you don't stop. Quickly make some tea. Please take her to a normal place."

The girl ignored Heri's flirtation and stepped her foot against a wall. It's a dead end, or made to look like it.

He shifted the carving on the wooden wall. Then a door opened on the floor. Is correct. It was a secret door leading to an underground hideout.

Heri who saw that realized that the girl was a Shadow Knight. But no matter how many times she tried to remember the girl's identity, Heri couldn't remember it.

In the end, Heri decided not to care.

The Shadow Knight was an organization that investigated from behind the shadows, but at the same time they were an organization that had so many secrets. Hiding one of the members is so easy.

The girl went down and entered the basement. The room is not so spacious with some simple furniture such as old chairs and tables.

At that place a woman had sat down first accompanied by a bottle with a strong enough aroma of alcohol. The woman had a tall body with such a slim body. Her hair was black with the same eyes as her hair.

Although it was currently winter, the woman was only wearing enough leather clothing to expose the body parts. The clothes were already added with body-warming magic, so there was no need to worry in the weather like now.

"I was quite surprised when a girl came to see me. It's weird, when I invited a young man."

"Don't joke with me, Tomo. You must know what happened to my body. This isn't the first time I've been a girl."

Tomo gave a small laugh as he recalled the events that happened when Ruko was still a member of Shadow Knight.

Just like now, Kuro used a magic potion to change gender and eventually became Ruko. All of that was done just for the sake of the mission of infiltrating a place where only women were allowed to enter.

The mission was not so difficult, but it took caution.

The problem was that most of the Shadow Knight members were men. And when they saw Ruko's figure, they all became wild beasts. Ruko almost lost her chastity that day.

If Ruko was an ordinary member, she was already their meal.

"Forgot that problem, is there a result?"

"It's harder than we thought."

"That's what it looks like."

Ruko asked no further. He knows what really happened.

It was at that time that Heri came and prepared a drink for Ruko. Then he left because he did not want to disturb the conversation.

"Sorry, the idea of using you as the center of attention did work, but we were only able to find a few suspicious items. It's like we're facing someone who knows our every move."

"The one who's behind all this the type we hate the most."

"Regarding the matter, we still don't know where all the stuff came from. We have a lot of candidates, but it's all just a possibility."

"It means nothing."

The problem they discussed is an old problem that until now there has been no solution.

Anticrystal Issue.

Before meeting with Laila in the capital, Ruko and all the members of Shadow Knight were already dealing with the matter involving Anticrystal.

The existence of Anticrystal which was originally rare and became a forbidden item began to circulate widely in the dark world. And it was with Anticrystal that many organizations of witches opponents began to dare to use brute force to act.

One of the reasons why organizations like the Red Crow act is also because of the existence of objects that make them able to do so.

"Even so, our security has been tightened and most of our members are used to solve this problem. Thanks to that the problems caused by Anticrystal are slightly reduced."

"I hope so. Just please don't mention I'm still a member of yours. I'm just here to help. If I involve my family in this matter, I hope you prepare for the consequences."

Tomo laughed a little.

"of course. That's part of our deal. I've also sent my men to guard them from afar. But to be honest, we had trouble getting close. They're too strong."

"They have the equivalent power of Master, don't underestimate them. Forget about that matter, what about Sei's response in this matter?"

Calling the name of the emperor casually is a sass, but Ruko's relationship with Sei has been widespread. Tomo is also not a person who thinks too much about status. He knows when to be formal and when to be relaxed.

"Yes. This is not a new way, anyway."

In the history of the empire, wars have been fought repeatedly. To deal with the imperial military known as the strongest, many ways were done to weaken it even if only a little.

One of the most frequent ways is to use dangerous narcotic drugs. The most famous is the case of Milkyrose that occurred 120 years ago.

Using that history, the empire had very strict rules against incoming goods from other countries. Then to overcome the imperial area is not used as a place to make dangerous drugs, then supervision for remote areas is always done.

"The problem right now is that we lack people to oversee every region. The Empire has a vast territory and it takes time to see the entire border."

The problem is not just that. In addition to criminals, monsters also become quite a troublesome problem. Until now many regions of the empire had not been touched by humans. The most famous is the Rukia forest. Then many mountains were overrun by dragons and many more high-level monsters.

If the party deploying Anticrystal used one of such places to manufacture Anticrystal, then they would have trouble finding it.

"Then, how about we use a different point of view to solve this problem."

"As usual you always have an idea."

It's a reality, not just an empty compliment.

"We know the enemy side has enough resources to create a large number of Anticrystals. The question is, how do they do it?"

"You have points. I've heard that Anticrystal was made from the blood of a rare monster, Kribullus. That's why Anticrystal is a hard item to find. I wrong?"

Ruko nodded in confirming.

Before continuing, he sipped some tea. Cold, but sweet.

"Kribullus are fierce monsters and they are also loners. They were not as powerful as dragons, but posed a threat to lower rank Master magicians. Actually I know where 7 Kribullus live in the empire. I'll tell you the location. Can you investigate?"

"That's easy. Then should we catch him?"

Ruko shook her head.

"That's not a bad idea. With that we can indeed secure the source of Anticrystal from the enemy side. But I want you to see if they're in their place or not."

"I understand. By doing so we may find clues to who our enemy really is."

"Don't be happy just yet. You know this way a lot of loopholes. I'm just adding an idea to this."

"I knew. But this is better than nothing."

Then Ruko asked for a map and gave a mark on 7 points. All points were in dangerous territory, but for the Shadow Knight, the territory was no big deal.

"After seeing this, I just found out that Kribullus is really rare."

"They are ancient monsters. Their lifespan can even reach 5000 years. Their breeding season is 500 years. Don't expect such a monster to be much. Is this all we want to talk about? You're asking me to help you, surely that's not the only problem that's happening."

Tomo's face became clouded. This is a sign that a more dangerous problem is now occurring.

"I don't think this is something you need to think about. But you have every right to know that there is a possibility that one of the Battle War participants this year will get help from the enemy."

The shop was not too surprised. He thought if the enemy really wanted to act, then he would do just that.

"May I know who that person is?"

"I don't mind telling you, but this is only a possibility. Our side still has not found any hard evidence. Then there's the possibility that it's not just him who's getting help."

"Now I understand why Sei chose that place for the stage this year."

Later, Tomo mentioned the name of one of the Battle War participants.

Ruko's eyes immediately widened because she could not believe the name.

✡️✡️✡️

Ruko came out of the bar feeling unsettled. He thought back to what he was talking about with one of the people he trusted the most.

Anticrystal's problems have become more complicated since he was used to kidnap Charlmilia and use it to lure General Magil.

The incident itself was hidden from the public. For the government, the problem is bigger than a case of kidnapping a princess.

Anticrystal was already known as a weapon capable of getting Master rank magicians killed. The Charlmilia case is a clear example of that. Then the type of new Anticrystal weapon used is also a problem.

What happens when used in war?

In the war, the power of witches is the main factor that determines whether to win or lose. But the existence of Anticrystal is increasingly changing that general sense.

As the strongest country that relied on the power of magicians as the main army, the existence of Anticrystal was a great threat.

If it continues. There is no doubt that in the near future there will be war.

Knowing the bleak future, Ruko could not help but get angry. Not to the enemy, but to himself.

Why didn't he realize this earlier?

If he were to realize that, he would prioritize the Anticrystal matter over the school or Battle War issue.

But he's conscious. It's just for nothing to regret. He can't turn back the clock. She is very grateful for her life now. Blessed with a good wife and child.

Given that he smiled, but often he thought whether he had become a good parent for them?

He can't avoid 'this is the first time for me, so how else'. As a parent he is obligated to guide them in the right direction.

Imagining what happened in the future, he grew happier and his smile widened. But when she realized that such a beautiful future would be damaged by war and conflict, the smile disappeared into a sour face.

What happens if the enemy uses an Anticrystal weapon on Laila? Just imagining it already made Kuro's heart burn with anger.

"!?"

When he realized he was angry by something that had not happened, a pain reminded him that anger was not the right way.

As a time-limited King, anger will only make Authority rise and shorten its lifespan.

He doesn't know when he'll survive. Not now, not later, but soon.

He then sighed. Imagine what happened to them after he had nothing very difficult. If he can he wants to continue together and see how Riku and Lic grow

But it's too late.

Ever since he became King, fate had already been written on his path. He could not choose another path or make another path. Even with an Authority capable of killing destiny, that power cannot kill its own destiny.

The air suddenly turned cold at the thought of that. The snow came down slowly and slowly dripped on his gloves.

(Cold.).

The clothes that make him feel warm are now free. He felt cold as if he was in the middle of a blizzard.

But there are other things that make it feel cooler.

It was the name of the other participant that Tomo mentioned.

(Why did you just show up now?)

The one he loved has returned. He doesn't know how he survived all of those events, but when he survived, there's a chance he might have survived. Moreover, the strength he possessed was regeneration.

Of course Ruko must make sure in advance whether she is just a look-alike or someone who uses her name. If he's a fake, Ruko doesn't forgive him for whatever reason.

(If that's true of you. I want to hug you like before)

Feel the warmth of each other and share the affection. The longing that slowly disappeared was now back and stronger than before.

But at that time Ruko remembered with her family now.

Ruko's relationship with Arisa is a thing of the past. All of those are just sweet memories for Ruko.

Unfortunately, she can't lie that she still loves Arisa.

(It won't work.).

If asked to choose between Laila and Arisa, she would immediately answer Laila. But if asked who he loves the most, then the answer is...

"..."

In the end he knew what he felt about the two of them. Whatever happens later, he decides to face it with all the strength he has.

"The shop!!!"

While thinking about all those things, one called out his name.

Ruko turned to the source of the sound and found the girls were busy making snow dolls in a park.

City parks are intended for all ages, but the place they use is prioritized for children. Unfortunately, those who seem to enjoy this are adults who never feel like childhood.

"Laila, I'll be there."

There is still time before the airship leaves for the next town. Until that time comes, he will enjoy that happy moment with all his heart.

"Ruko, you'll be happy. We bought you some more funny clothes. You should try it later on the ship. The clothes in this city are so unique."

"How about putting on that outfit get to the city of Gehenna?" Charlmilia's advice is when the heart sets the snow doll's head. "In this way we know who is the best at choosing clothes."

"That's a good idea, Charl we should also do it on Lic and Riku. I'm sure they're getting sweet and funny."

Or maybe not.