"What is taking Heinrich so long?"
The man, clad in gold-colored armor, the Lion's emblem was clear to see, as well as his irritation. Repeatingly tapping a piece of his armor as he crossed his arms.
His silver gray hair, which reached his shoulders, blew softly in the wind. The man's eyes, matching the color of amethyst, looked stern. Staring at the huge wall in front of him as if to suppose that it was looking down on him.
This man was the Commander of the 11th Army, General Roshach Mill.
Behind the General was a huge army of soldiers, numbering in the thousands. Each armed with armor and weapons befitting a professional army that any kingdom would hope to have. And they were waiting.
"He should've been here five minutes ago. How long does he think that he could make me wait when we're behind schedule?"
In front of this army was a wall. Behind that wall was a city. And that city's name was the Fortress City, Marul.
The walls themselves have a height of 30 meters and a thickness of four meters, encompassing the city with meticulous construction. The materials used to create such a wall were pure granite, and the way they designed it was enough to impede any invading army. To make matters more interesting, the city walls were durable because of the seals that were placed to enhance its already impressive defenses. Thus making it an impenetrable fortress.
This was the wall that the Fortress City, Marul, was known for.
Although he could've launched the attack when he wanted to and made plans to create a brutal siege to capture the city. However, part of the plan was to display their overwhelming strength to destroy Marul's walls. Thus, when they were to utterly destroy Marul's main defense, it would allow them to create an intimidation factor strong enough to bring the citizens within Marul's walls to submission.
Part of said plan involved Heinrich. And he was late.
"Any minute now, Heinrich. You're giving them time to prepare and plan to counter us."
Roshach was uttering to himself. His tone showed that he was getting impatient with the Captain of the Abednego Company's absence in this important part of the strategic plan they prepared for a long time.
He was aware Heinrich was reassigned to attack the Eisen Margrave Lands when the sensors detected the Shar in that location. It was sudden information and could've made some changes to the plan for another time to counter whatever comes out of it. They would've done so if it weren't for the fact that the Shar, the Empty-type Shar, was such a concern that, apparently, they decided to send the trump card of the entire 11th Army. No, the trump card of the entire invading force to that place.
"Stupid Shar. Why did it have to appear in a time like this?"
Roshach knew the Shar was a phenomenon that occurred at random times and in random places, dragging people and objects from seemingly far-flung places.
As for how they were able to detect this random anomaly was because the Scholars were good enough people to create devices that only very specific individuals could use. As such, through the Scholars' efforts, they were able to study the Shar phenomenon on a regular basis.
There were several types of the Shar phenomenon that they were able to study in the past. Roshach Mill was familiar with the Empty-type Shar because it is the most common type. This type of Shar only transports individuals and objects to another location and not from the other side. This is what they refer to as an Empty-type because of how empty it was inside and allowing anything to be sucked into it.
This type was nothing dangerous, not even worthwhile to warrant this level of attention towards it. He doubted that it wasn't even worth sending someone like Heinrich to deal with it.
However, he was also aware that the Van Eisen family lived in those lands by the Star Mountains. Their reputation of being a family of swordsmen throughout the centuries was well known in the surrounding countries. Including their feats and exploits that hailed them as heroes and legends in the continent.
He suspected that the Supreme Commander, General Louis Aguinaldo, of this operation had thought of the possibilities of the Van Eisen family's reputable strength and their likely intervention in the invasion. As such, Roshach can assume that it was likely that General Aguinaldo wanted to erase the Van Eisen threat as soon as possible. It might be the reason why he sent that monster of a man, Heinrich Abednego, to that place.
Roshach Mill let out an exasperated sigh. Noticing movements on top of the walls. Bells were ringing, torches began to light up throughout the upper portion of the walls, and soldiers assigned to protect Marul began moving equipment as quickly and efficiently as they could. All Roshach and his current band of soldiers could do was only watch them from afar.
"Ah, they're preparing..."
The General of the 11th Army made a blank statement. Showing how little he cared about how the plan is going to play out and more on how late Heinrich is.
This wouldn't have happened if he wasn't late.
It looked like he needed to start the attack without the captain of the Abednego Company. If they don't act now, the likelihood of having severe casualties would be increased.
As he was about to order the men behind him, he saw a figure appear right in front of him. His familiar appearance gave the General a sense of hope.
"You're finally here, Heinrich. What took you so long?"
Roshach's tone was neither angry nor was it joyful. It was more of a mix of disappointment and ready to chastise someone for disobedience.
"I apologize, General Roshach. I was only doing some finishing touches and performing evaluations on the first part of the operation. As well as bringing this wonderful woman here to witness the destruction of Marul."
"What?"
General Roshach furrowed his brow. Wondering what he meant by that as he tried to search for evidence of the truthfulness of his words.
There, he saw a blue-haired woman tied up in shackles on the ground. Her appearance was modest and simple, but he knew instantly who this woman was.
"You brought Juvia Van Eisen?!"
He didn't know how to react. On one hand, he was disappointed at Heinrich for being so late, while on the other hand, he was seeing the most infamous woman in the Kingdom on the ground tied up in shackles.
The way the Captain said it so casually was more ridiculous than it is a feat to capture the enigmatic woman of the Van Eisen household.
"That's right, Commander Roshach. Bet that surprised you."
The Commander of the 11th Army could only gawk at the Captain's action. He had mixed feelings on why he brought the infamous Juvia Van Eisen, one of the few nobles in the Kingdom who doesn't act like a pompous fool, and the smartest woman by far to this place.
"Y-You…"
"Yes, Commander. I know as well. I was surprised she willingly allowed herself to surrender to us without any further explanation after she threw this one red-haired kid and shut her away after she formed a wall of dirt. Like, literal dirt, in fact."
"D-Don't you dare look and grin at me like that's the best thing you've ever seen in your life! You're supposed to be a grown man, not a child!"
"Hahaha! I apologize, Commander. But, seeing that I'm late for the party, I suppose I should start it with a bang immediately."
Without giving Roshach time to say another word, the Captain of the Abednego Company formed something in his hand, a ball of light, the size of a lettuce; instantly. Then, Heinrich threw it at the city wall in the next moment without any word nor warning from him. Surprising those around him.
As the ball of light made contact with the wall a second later, it suddenly exploded. Shaking the 30-meter wall, as well as having the soldiers on the walls who were near the explosion, fell from their places. Some who were shaken fell to their death as it had happened.
With the level of explosion strong enough to shatter large boulders, many would assume that the city wall would receive significant damage to its structure.
However, much to Heinrich's slight dismay and the disappointment from Roshach, when the smoke cleared, there was no damage towards the walls. Making it clear that the sudden attack the Captain made was not enough to damage the walls as he hoped to.
"Well, I suppose the walls are far more durable than what I imagined them to be." was the snark remark from Heinrich as he saw his attack made no effect.
Then, came the rebuke from the General afterward.
"What are you doing, Heinrich?! Is that how a Captain of the Abednego Company is supposed to be, throwing an energy attack without notice and no damage?! What kind of idiot are you?!"
"Eh, it isn't much, Commander. Besides, I'm restricted. Therefore, this is the best I can do while I'm in this state. Also, because of what I did just now, I was able to evaluate that the level of power I put into my Rebellion Orb was the limit the seals enhanced the wall's defenses were capable of."
The way he replied so casually meant that he didn't fear the General. Paying no heed to the things that might happen to him when a higher authority decides to do something in response to this apparent offense.
While all this was happening, Juvia laid on the ground, shell shocked by what she was seeing.
"You…" the Eisen Matriarch began to say.
"Yes? What is it?"
Juvia couldn't tell if the man was oblivious or not, but what he had done was something that she thought was impossible.
"How are you able to use magic when you're not a Magic Arts user? You're supposed to be a Weapon Arts user!"
There was a rule between the Magic Arts users and the Weapon Arts users.
Those who use magic do not have the same physical capabilities of their weapon-wielding counterparts because of their focus on intelligence and spell-casting aptitude. Whereas those who use weapons do not have the aptitude to use magic because their minds were not trained on the same level as their magic-using counterparts for the same reason that their priorities were different.
This rule was a rule that set apart the Magic Arts users and the Weapon Arts users. Thus allowing the differences between both sides of the system to cooperate on levels needed to compensate for whatever goals they wanted to achieve.
Seeing that the man, Heinrich Abednego, be able to be a warrior and a Magic Arts user at the same time was something she considered as an impossibility. It was unheard of, and she was a noble who had access to the latest gossip and rumors throughout the Kingdom and the surrounding nations. She should've known such a feat before all of this had happened.
To be able to have an ability to use vastly different systems was out of the ordinary. An anomaly if you will.
Then, Heinrich began to chuckle as if amused by the reaction made by the blue-haired woman. Earning the ire of the Eisen Matriarch who had thought what he had done was unique to himself.
"That's kinda funny hearing that from you, a Magic Arts user, to say that to me. I suppose that's how ignorant you are of the outside world."
Juvia narrowed her view on the man. Not knowing what he meant by "how ignorant" despite her access to so much information about the Kingdom and the surrounding countries. There was nothing that could call her "ignorant".
As she was about to ask more questions about it, she was cut off by Roshach getting impatient with all the interactions the two were having.
"That's enough, Heinrich! Seeing that your latest actions have alarmed the enemy, and we're behind schedule, you are hereby authorized to be released from your restraints! Immediately!"
Juvia looked at the man as if he had said something that caught her attention.
"Now, now, Commander." She heard Heinrich say, "We can't be too hasty. I mean, I could jump over the walls and kill the soldiers there and open the gates for you. There's no need to do something so drastic as to release me from my—"
"This is a direct order, Captain!" Roshach cuts the man off, "Now, if you don't obey a direct command, I will sue you to the High Council for treason! Even if you kill me here now, the notice would be given to them the instant I die! Do it now, or face the consequences."
"—...Very well. As you wish, General Roshach Mill."
As he said those words, Juvia noticed him moving his hands in rapid succession. As if he was going mad and doing what she could only describe that only a madman can do.
Then, after he had done those hand movements, she felt the air around the man begin to be heavy.
Not metaphorically, but literally, the air was getting heavier. As if he had released something.
A sudden realization came to Juvia as she remembered what Roshach had mentioned earlier.
Is this what he meant about his restraints?
The Eisen Matriarch could scarcely believe that the man was able to have this much power. She could sense the Reshut in him leaking out of his body to the air. The vapors of energy began to take form, like a white flame dancing around him. His aura changed so drastically that she couldn't believe he was the same man as before.
"Who are you…?"
Her tone was filled with emotion she had not felt before. Juvia's reaction was expressed well enough that it matched her tone.
Then, as Heinrich lifted up his right arm and made a sweeping move towards his side, the aura suddenly disappeared. Like water dousing a flame.
Yet, despite the sudden silence, there was still a sense of heaviness in the air. As if there was still more to come.
All of a sudden, a ball of light appeared.
It looked like the same ball of light Heinrich made earlier, but it was bigger, about 900 times bigger than it was before. It was so large that the ball of light, or his Rebellion Orb that he called it, was floating where Heinrich's right arm was at.
The scene itself was mesmerizing, yet it created a feeling of despair to those who had seen that light earlier.
Then, the light began to compress itself.
With each second passed, the ball of light began to be smaller and smaller until it was the same size when Heinrich created it.
Juvia could feel the level of power stored in that compressed ball of light. The sphere contains enough power to destroy entire buildings within its range.
As for how she knew, it was because, as a Magic Arts user, she learned how to gauge an individual's Reshut level through her senses. It was a common skill for Magic Arts users to have, and it was needed for avoiding duels from superior Magic Arts users who can perform devastating destruction compared to the weaker and less experienced Magic Arts users.
Could he actually be a scholar?
Juvia knew it was a possibility. She was aware of the power and strength the Scholars hold and how much influence they made to the world through their honest efforts throughout the years. They were also known for their mastery of so many skills and talents that it's difficult to enumerate them all.
One thing that stands out that differentiates the Scholars from other organizations, such as the Adventurers, was that they emphasized quality more than the quantity of those who joined them.
After all, they were an organization that was at the frontlines of technological, both in magic and in scientific, breakthroughs that surpassed all other things. Most importantly, they were monsters on the battlefield. Possessing the intelligence of an expert academic and the brute strength of a warrior.
All that he has shown so far, It was clear to Juvia that Heinrich has the quality of a scholar.
Juvia's thoughts were cut off as she heard the man begin to make a maniacal laugh. She had just noticed that Heinrich was looking at her.
"Suprised to see my Energy Art on display, Juvia Van Eisen? I know you do. I also know that you think of me as the monster that I am that you are seeing, right?"
The Eisen Matriarch did not reply. Even if she did, she could only cut off as Heinrich continued on.
"I've evaluated your thoughts, Miss Eisen. You know that, as a Magic Arts user, those who use magic can use Arts. When a Magic Arts user learns more Arts, the stronger they get, is that right?"
Juvia widened her eyes in response to what the madman had said. Not knowing what to say about it. But what he said is also true.
When a Magic Arts user is strong enough, they will have the capability to learn another art, which is to refer to a different magic attribute, which they can use. It also meant the level of Reshut they can handle in their bodies.
She herself was a prodigy back in her younger years. She was the first to learn three arts where it took Magic Arts users of that level twelve or more years than her. And she was nine years old when it happened.
That was before she decided to be married to the Van Eisen family when her potential as a strong Magic Arts user was still growing.
However, it was in the past. And she had no intention of going back to it. She made a name for herself with her current position. There was no need for her to go on being a Magic Arts user for the sole purpose of being famous.
Then, Heinrich continued, cutting Juvia's reminiscence of her past off.
"To make it short and simple for you, I can use four Arts. Which isn't impressive for a pure Magic Arts user like you, but it is what it is."
"Four Arts…"
As she uttered those words, the Captain of the Abednego Company threw the ball of light, which is called Rebellion Orb, at the wall. There, everyone can see the difference between the first and the one that he just threw.
As Rebellion Orb made contact with the wall, and just like the first, it exploded.
Not in the sense of what had happened earlier. It was in the sense that it was engulfed and expanded. Turning it into a fireball that exploded.
The soldiers who were watching it unfold before their eyes felt the shockwaves of the explosion. Displaying the destructive power where the previous Rebellion Orb did not have.
As the lights cleared, there was smoke.
From the smoke, they saw what remained of the wall that held the main gates of Marul. As well as the soldiers that were assigned to protect the city.
It was all gone. There was no longer a trace of the wall where Rebellion Orb was thrown at.
With this, General Roshach Mill shouted from the bottom of his heart:
"CHARGE!!!"
With roars loud enough to echo through the night sky, soldiers of the invading force began flooding into the opening Heinrich had made. Thus allowing them to fight through without having to make a siege.
Juvia laid on the ground, feeling unbelievably unsure what the future holds for her now. Having felt the power Heinrich had released, Juvia knew he was not someone to be underestimated. Especially when he single-handedly showed himself as a monster that could not be easily defeated.
"What kind of nation has allowed a man like him to exist?"
The Eisen Matriarch does not know, but she was sure of the bleak future that was ahead of the Kingdom.
Wherever you are now, Rosetta. Please, be safe.
That was the only thing the blue-haired woman hoped for as an orange hue began to light the city. Showing the horrors of war is beginning to unfold.
Thus, the night of the invasion was bringing in full swing.
XXX
Oh? Scared, are we? Hahaha, this should be fun.
She remembered the words the monster had said to her brother. His menacing cackle echoed in her mind as she drifted in this world of darkness.
The dance of swords, sparks flying with each strike, showing the strength and skill those two combatants possessed. In a realm far above what she was able to do in her current state.
Her brother, valiant and benevolent, future heir of the Eisen family name, a hero in every sense of the word that can be found in every story, has fallen. Who was defeated by the foe who was supposed to be the one to fall.
The man, the enemy commander, monstrous in strength and aura, a villain that the hero always conquers, has emerged victorious. Overwhelming the hero with unbelievable ease, almost at ridiculous speeds too fast to register.
She was there when it happened. The supposed sidekick that could've helped the hero in times of need, the one who was there to assist, but ran away in cowardice. A pitiful and shameful display for a young woman of noble birth who bore the Van Eisen name to act in response to the scene before her.
If her ancestors had heard of this act, they would have rolled in their graves in disappointment. Embarrassed at the shameful display that this young woman had done. Sullying the name that has been known throughout the kingdom for many generations.
After all of that, she was now branded as a coward. Who fled instead of standing her ground to fight.
This was the shame she faced after being stranded in the snow-filled wilderness. It was as though the location was suited for her to see her failure as a type of the bleak future that awaits her.
I'm sorry.
That she wanted to say. To cry out from the depths of her heart.
I'm sorry, Zed. I couldn't help you.
She cried, sobbing as she did. Though she may not see in the darkness of her mind, she could still feel that her tears flow through her face amidst the blackness of her sight.
I'm sorry, mom. I couldn't help you either. I couldn't help anyone. Please forgive me.
The young Eisen wanted to change. To change all that has happened.
The emotions that this child, Rosetta Van Eisen, had experienced was heartbreaking for her. Now, knowing that one night, the night where it all happened, had changed her life forever. The second night she had just experienced had also changed her life forever as well.
Though she may not know why it had happened, neither did she know the answer to all of it. It was something that was outside of her control and her influence. There was nothing that she could ever do about it other than weep over the loss that she has.
Now, as she was about to sink into the depths of her despair in this ever-darkening world she is in. She felt a hand reach out to her.
She did not know what it was nor what it could be. But she felt its hand, comforting her of her current sorrows.
Her despair fled almost in an instant. Her darkening world seemed to be lighter; more bearable than it was before. It was as if it was casting out the shadows that were about to consume her.
What is this…?
Rosetta Van Eisen felt she was being comforted. To ease her current strife and sorrow of her heart.
Then, as soon as it did so, the hand left. Leaving her in this world of darkness that was lightened by its presence.
Wait, don't leave! Please, don't leave me here!
She reached out where she last felt the hand was, and there was light.
XXX
"Don't go!"
The young girl shot out of the bed she was on. Reaching out to the open space, as if to grab what was not there.
Rosetta breathed heavily as she began to realize what had just happened.
"It was… only a dream…"
The young red-haired woman uttered, almost a whisper. Noticing that she had broken into a cold sweat. Drenching herself from the experience that took place in her mind.
Rosetta looked at the blankets and mattress that she was on, and then, to the room around her. Finding herself in a strange and unfamiliar place.
The room itself was fairly spacious. Just enough to move around and place just the right amount for any personal objects or furniture according to the occupant's liking.
For Rosetta, the room itself seemed like it was made befitting of nobility of a higher rank.
"Where am I?"
She whispered to herself as she scanned the room once more. Taking it all in on what she could comprehend.
The young girl remembered that she was walking through the snow storm that same night where she lost her home. A surge of memories burst through her mind, causing her head to ache as the events that happened had accumulated. Leading to where she is now.
"That's right. I saw a man before I passed out. Was he the one who brought me here? …it seemed like it."
She also remembered that it was nighttime when it happened. As she looked out of her window, she saw the rays of sunshine slowly illuminating the room that she was in. Signaling that it was sunrise when she woke up.
I must've been asleep for the entire night.
That was the conclusion Rosetta made in her mind as she registered the memories that flowed in her consciousness. Reminding her of the things that had happened thus far.
In any case, I need to go out. I need to find out where I am right now.
The red-haired girl threw away the blankets she was covered with. Revealing the same dress that she wore before the sudden attack had occurred. Realizing that the man hasn't done anything to her when she was asleep.
As she got out of bed, like she always did every morning, she felt that her legs were abnormally shaky as she attempted to stand.
"What's happening to my body?"
She didn't know what had happened that night after she lost consciousness, but she felt her body was weak. Weaker than it has ever been before.
Soon enough, she collapsed to the floor, hitting a face plant and letting out an "ow" as she felt the pain.
"I don't know what's going on right now, but I need to know where I am now and who that person that saved me is."
Normally, most people would wonder what could've caused and stop doing what they do until they recover. However, Rosetta, being the stubborn girl that she is, began crawling on the floor with her arms.
Although her body was weak, she wasn't willing to let the weakness take over her as she made it her conviction to at least reach the door at the end of the room. To use what little strength that she has in her power to go out.
Seconds began to be minutes as the young Eisen struggled to get to the door. Her exhaustion began to creep in as inch by inch as she finally reached her current goal for the door.
Yes!
The girl exclaimed in her mind. She felt a sense of accomplishment as she finally reached that one part of the room that she needed to go out of the bedroom.
Now, for the hard part.
She grabbed a rather convenient chair that was near the door, pulling herself up as she used what little of her current state was able to.
She didn't like the way she was now. But she thought of her current state, how it felt that something was stopping her from doing what she wanted to do.
Regardless of whatever feeling she may be experiencing, she wanted to be out as soon as possible and to know who the person was who might have helped her that night before.
Now, I just need to turn the knob and I'll be out.
Just as she was about to touch the door knob, the door was suddenly being opened.
Surprised by the fact, the girl fell down on her back on the floor. Not expecting the door to be opened by someone else who might've been another occupant other than the man who helped her.
However, as she was about to touch the floor, the girl didn't feel any pain as she suddenly found herself back on her bed.
What in the world…
Rosetta could not hide her surprise, even when the person behind the door had shown himself. Revealing his full appearance to the young girl.
The young Eisen could see he was a man about a foot taller than her. His black hair and eyes seemed to absorb the light that shone on him. It doesn't help when his clothing seems to match the color of his hair with white outlines that spread throughout his clothing. Giving him a rather unique look with his young appearance, who seems to be around her age.
Even though his appearance might attract several girls in an instant. However, there was an odd feeling. Like, she felt there was something about him that stopped whatever emotions that arose in her heart.
The red-haired young girl could've sworn that she was about to fall on her back before the man showed himself. It was as though it all had happened in an instant. It felt like time itself stopped at that moment, and she found herself back on her bed.
As she was about to continue to contemplate the matter. The man spoke, his voice was soft and gentle, his voice penetrating through her thoughts. Her attention was now towards the man in front of her. Who stood with overwhelming calmness in him.
"I see that you are finally awake. I was worried that you wouldn't be able to because of how long you have slept."
The black-haired man spoke in a way he meant no harm, as well as showing how respectful he was based on how he worded his words.
However, it did not stop the feeling that there was something off about him.
"...Who are you?"
The illegitimate daughter of the Eisen Family queried, and her thoughts are beginning to question the intentions of the man. Even though there were no signs of malice in his tone nor the way he stood so calmly, even his body language does not suggest anything evil, and he seems to be a decent person. However, her skepticism began to creep in as a result of her noble training and the experience from that night.
Nonetheless, there was nothing wrong with being skeptical. Especially when there was no one else in this place other than the black-haired man around here.
She saw him slightly raise both of his eyes, as if he was a bit surprised by her question. Which made Rosetta think that this person thought she knew him, but she never saw anyone like him.
"...You don't know?"
She heard him say those words, and now it raised a question that would naturally come in a conversation such as this.
"Of course I don't know. This is the first time we've met, right? I haven't heard anything about you, and I know that you haven't heard anything about me. So, let's skip the pleasantries and go straight to the point. Who are you and where am I? What is this place anyway?"
Rosetta may have been trained in the ways and culture of the Amriel Kingdom's nobility, but she, being someone who wanted to be herself, does not shy away from anything that was in her mind.
Rosetta Van Eisen is, in a sense, a direct type of person. Who hated things that are vague and hard to understand. She was the type of person who would like simple and quick answers.
There was a reason why she didn't like the nobility in the first place. Much like her stepmother, there were things she didn't like about the culture the nobility had. However, unlike her stepmother, who prefers the simple style of living, she has gotten used to the privileges and responsibilities of a noble individual. Therefore, she is still a noble in action, but her mind was that of a common free person.
The young Eisen noticed the man break a small smile at her response. Which caused her to think that the man might have been amused by what she said.
Is he making fun of me?
That was what she thought. But, she still doesn't feel anything wrong about the man.
It is an odd feeling, and she doesn't know what it is that's causing it in the first place.
"I suppose you are correct, I apologize. My name is Samuel. As for where you are, you are in the Frozen North. Part of the northern territories of the Amriel Kingdom, inhabited by the Northern Tribes, who are independent of political control from the Amriel Nobility and even from the Monarchy itself. As for this place, well, you are at my home."
"Your home?"
"Yes. This is my home. I built it myself. Though it took me some time and effort in building this place, it is all I have. It may not look much, but it is how it is."
"...You have got to be kidding me."
Rosetta looked around the room.
The place itself looked way too nice to have been built by a single man. The way the place was built, from the furniture and wooden materials used, seemed to be more refined than what most mansions used by the nobility could ever have. In fact, this place looks a lot better than anything she has seen so far.
Even the bed is better than the bed that I have.
As she was about to say more about the place, memories began to flood into her mind as she began to remember the events that happened that night.
The soldiers, her brother, that monster; all of those she remembered all. Even the moment when that man shattered the wall that Juvia made.
Clutching her head, as though she was in pain, those bad memories were something she wanted to go away.
What happened to them after all of that? What did it even cause to happen?
"Are you alright?"
The man, Samuel, asked in concern. Seeing the young woman who was in some sort of pain.
"..."
Rosetta did not reply, still reeling from the surge of memories that came from that night. The events that occurred there were still fresh from her mind.
I couldn't do anything. I wasn't able to help them…
Guilt began to rise from her heart. So much so that it hurts. Not knowing how to deal with it since there was nothing she could do about it.
"Is there anything that I can help you with? I see that you are struggling with something."
The girl shook her head.
"No. There's nothing you can do. But, please, can you tell me what happened that night? I want to know what happened."
Samuel nodded, apparently ready to answer her questions.
"Of course, but first, I need to know where you were when it first happened. If possible, please tell me everything that you know and then I will tell you what happened."
"Thank you… Samuel, right?"
"Yes, and you're welcome. I believe you haven't told me your name yet."
"Oh, of course. I forgot. My name is Rosetta. Rosetta Van Eisen."
"Van Eisen? That's a noble's name. You're nobility then, is that right?"
The girl nodded. Knowing there was nothing to hide.
If she wanted to place her trust in that man, she wanted to be honest with him. This means she has to open up to a stranger like him.
After all, there was nothing she sensed that made him a threat. Samuel seems to be a trustworthy man to share her experiences with.
"I see. Can I call you Rosetta, then? I can tell you're not a fan of formalities, correct?"
"Yes. Yes, you may."
"That's good. Then, please tell me what you know."
Samuel grabbed a chair, the one that Rosetta used earlier, and placed it near the bed. Ready to listen to her part of the story as he sat.
Rosetta inhaled deeply. Having a feeling this might be a long story to tell to that man.
Then, she spoke and let everything be revealed to the man, Samuel, in front of her.
XXX
Meanwhile…
"How could this have happened?!"
The wrath-filled voice reverberated the entire room. Shaking those who were with him, the people themselves had ragged clothes, and torn visages of what was once a way that displayed their status in the past was now a reminder of their fall.
The man who made that voice was a man who once prided himself as the greatest of all the land. A man, born of noble birth, who thought was destined to rule, was now gone hiding. His pride as one who hailed as the highest among high-class people was forced to live as the dirt of the common people.
His black hair, once combed in the neatest of fashion, befitting of a man of high birth, was now like a madman. A stark contrast of the person he was once before. His brown eyes were enveloped by madness at the state he was in.
This was Marcus Memora Amriel, the new king of the Amriel Kingdom. Who was supposed to be destined to rule the nation as its king to greatness and glory.
At least he once was before the invasion came on the night of his coronation.
"Your Majesty, please, calm down."
"How am I supposed to calm down when the enemy has beaten us?! Driven us away as if we were nothing to them!"
The man that spoke to the supposed king, who was once a noble, shrank at his response. Displaying his cowardly nature alongside those who were with him. Knowing full well what their king had meant.
Their enemies arrived so suddenly that they had no way that they could have possibly done anything to create a force strong enough to fight them.
Even when they did, an army of a hundred thousand strong men they had once gathered, facing an army of equal numbers, had fallen. Not even a day had passed when both armies had engaged in combat.
No, even if they did fight with superior numbers, they would still be defeated. Especially considering their attempts to retake Marul and the regional capital, Romel, were foiled.
It wasn't that they were incompetent fools who used their noble lineage to be part of the Kingdom's Generals. They were, in reality, decent commanders. Enough to satisfy the needs of an army that required good leadership and coordination to allow an army function on a standard level.
There was one reason why they failed.
"If it weren't for that monster, we would've succeeded! How could someone like him destroy our armies by himself?!"
Indeed, it was so.
He had seen him on the battlefield. He had seen him stand in the middle of his camp, standing menacingly with his silver-colored armor that had the face of a lion painted across his breastplate. He had seen him talk about how he "evaluated" his and the kingdom's progress.
It was that same man who had slaughtered the vast majority of his army and the people who were under their control.
"If only we had known someone like him, we would've prepared countermeasures against a monster like that man!"
The current state they were in, the ragged clothes which are remnants of their noble prestige, was a result of their recent battle with the man.
King Marcus had thought if they had gathered the most powerful nobles, in terms of individual combat capabilities, he would be able to defeat the man who had gone his way to become an infamous figure in the eyes of the Kingdom.
However, things did not go as planned. Which led to the current state they were in.
"If only we had the Van Eisen family be with us, we could've won that battle. Curses! Where are those fools that have the bloodline of the legendary Sword Saint?!"
"Your Majesty, calm down! Please!"
"There's no way I'm going to calm down until the enemy is driven away!"
With King Marcus Memora Amriel in this current state, the nobles in the room knew he was driven to madness beyond their comprehension.
But what he said had some truths in it. Especially concerning the Van Eisen family.
If only they were there.
Those were their collective thoughts as they watched their new king sink deeper and deeper into madness.
XXX
Frozen North
"I see. Please tell me if I got it right. There were soldiers, and they came out of nowhere at dusk. Your brother fought them and was defeated, and you ran away. Rather… your stepmother threw you away, literally I suppose, and you somehow found yourself here in the Frozen North, not knowing how you got here in the first place. Did I get it right?"
"Yes, you did."
Rosetta nodded. Knowing what had happened that night was all true.
"Thank you for telling me that, Rosetta. I understand it may have been a difficult thing to say for you, but I can tell by your effort that you had truly gone through all of that. Therefore, I truly appreciate that you opened up such an experience."
Samuel, the man who had saved the girl, said. Now, knowing what had happened based on what the red-haired girl was able to remember.
The young Eisen was impressed that the black-haired man was able to take it in than what she thought he would. Especially when it comes to her describing what had happened.
She was keenly aware of her own poor story-telling skill, not being able to give a comprehensive report or accurate representation of what had happened. It was one of her weak points that stood out to her, and even her family and their closest associates knew about it.
If one could describe it, it would be similar to a young child telling their parents something that is out of this world when, in reality, it is a lot different. And that's how it is with Rosetta's inability to create a comprehensive report.
Despite years trying to resolve that problem, it seemed like she hadn't improved anything, not even one bit. Even with support from Zedekiah and Saffron did nothing to help lessen that weakness.
Therefore, she was deeply impressed with Samuel's capability to understand all of that. After all of those childish descriptions of the events that had happened, it was a feat that she thought no one could do except for her stepmother, Juvia Van Eisen, of all people, who can do it. Even her brother had some form of difficulty in understanding her poor story-telling skill.
"I want to thank you as well, Samuel. For listening to all of that."
"There is no need for that, Rosetta. I understand after all the chaos that had happened that night would be hard for someone else to recall what exactly had happened. I'm sure you have done a good job remembering."
The black-haired man gave a soft smile as he said those words. This resulted in the young Eisen's face flushed in embarrassment at the compliment.
"You don't have to say that. I know I don't have a way with words when I try to tell something that happened without butchering what I say. But, is it alright if I ask you something?"
"Yes, of course. I am happy to."
"Okay. But I want to be blunt with you, can you tell me how long I've slept? Because, when I stood up earlier, my body felt kind of weak. So, I want to know how long I've been sleeping."
Samuel seemed to stare at her for a moment and scratched the back of his head. As if he was trying to find the words for him to respond while maintaining that straight look.
"Oh that? Well, you've been sleeping for a very long time, actually."
"Really? How long?"
"...About forty days and forty-one nights."
"That long?!"
The man nodded, affirming the things he had said.
Rosetta couldn't believe what she heard.
"So, you're telling me I've been asleep for more than a month, and you didn't tell me sooner!"
"I was about to, but I then saw you recalling the things that had happened. Therefore, I find it necessary to know your part because it might be related to the rumors that have been circulating around the nearby village about the Amriel Kingdom and the war itself."
"What war? What happened to the Kingdom? Why did it happen?'
"I do not know. The invasion happened so suddenly that the Kingdom could not respond effectively to it. Even if they were aware of it, there was so much confusion and chaos within the nation that they could not have possibly prepared for it. Much less how disunited the population was if you also included the gap between the common people and the upper class as a whole."
"How could you know these things? I haven't heard anything about it, not even a tiny bit of it."
"The reason I know is because news spreads like wildfire, and partly because of the recent advances in communication technology made by the Scholars that far-flung places, such as here, the Frozen North, can receive such information within an hour of said event occurring. Even then, perhaps what I should have said was that it all had happened the night when I first found you. And as I told you before, you have been asleep for forty-one nights. Therefore, it would have been impossible for you to know these things because of how long you have slept. Which none of it is your fault, Rosetta. That I can assure you."
"..."
Rosetta went silent. After all the things she had heard from the man, she couldn't believe it. After all, she didn't know it was that long when she had slept.
She was aware of the shift in adjustment from the summer season in her land to the sudden cold of the Frozen North. Even the name sounded like it snowed all year long.
Not even that. There were still questions as to how she had slept so long. Considering there were factors at play, she doesn't know.
Yet, she clenched the sheets of her bed. Her uselessness had given the enemy the chance to invade her homeland. Despite the best efforts of her brother, who had fought the enemy commander, it wasn't enough, and she ran away as a coward.
"You say it isn't my fault," her voice began to tremble, showcasing her struggle to keep her emotions, "Even though I tried my best to help them, I couldn't do anything to stop those soldiers! I wasn't able to help my brother, and neither was I able to help mom! How could you say it wasn't my fault when I couldn't do anything?!"
Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. The myriad of emotions she has inside of her were becoming unbearable for her to handle. The memories of the night of the invasion and the feelings she had felt were still palpable. There was nothing she could have done to at least deny the enemy of their achievements.
"Mom wanted me to train me to fight as a warrior, and I rejected that by saying that I am strong and my strength was enough, but I was wrong! I thought that Zed would be enough and be the hero he was supposed to be; that he could handle anything, but I was wrong again! That monster, that man who fought my brother, was proof that I was weak! I'm not like what I thought myself to be!"
Samuel simply sat where he was, listening intently to the girl who was about to break down into tears. Witnessing the sight of one who lost everything. His calm demeanor was still apparent in his expression.
Even though, from an outside perspective, it might've seemed like the girl was breaking out of her shell and the man was taking it in; it was far from that.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Zed! I'm sorry, Mom!"
Seeing the girl that he saved that night breaking down into her current state was nothing more than heartbreaking.
A flash of memory began to enter into Samuel's mind, a reminiscence of a red-haired woman matching the current struggle of the girl. The memory of his boyhood days matched the scene he was seeing.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to help your father, Samuel! I'm sorry I wasn't able to help your uncle! I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough!
Samuel exhaled softly, making sure Rosetta didn't notice. The memories of his past match the present time.
Though his calm demeanor still remained, his inner self was witnessing.
In the midst of Rosetta's tears, Samuel spoke. Penetrating her thoughts as he said in words that caught her attention.
"I see that thou hast seen thine own weakness."
The red-haired girl turned her eyes to the man. The words he had said had stopped her.
"What did you say?"
She was confused. What did the man say to her that had caused to stop in her tears? To stop herself from her own wrath.
"Have you not heard what I have said that 'I see that thou hast seen thine own weakness'? Hast thou seen thine self as though thou art weak? Verily, I say unto thee; nay, thou art not. Not one whit have I seen thee as weak that thou claimest to be."
Rosetta furrowed her eyes at the man. Yet, she allowed him to continue as she stared at him in awe in her heart.
"Has it not been written; 'because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong'? Surely because thou hast seen thine follies, wouldst thou not think of repenting the evil thou claimest thou hath done? Verily, verily, I say unto thee; for a man stumbleth time and time again, yet rises in strength with eyes to behold the future with hope in the midst of struggles; shouldst thou be the same? Repenting and laboring with your might that thou mayest conquer over those who conquereth over thee, that thou shalt surely say I have done to repent the evil that I have done."
"I…"
The young girl was speechless.
Even though she wanted to refute it and say that she couldn't do it. Yet, she found his words reassuring, hopeful even. She couldn't find the words to say anything against it.
Memories began flashing in her mind, memories of how she boasted her own strength and the events that happened to question her own worth.
Clenching her aching heart, his words bore deeply into her soul. Her mind pondered on the things he had said.
Is it true that I can still get stronger?
His words, though archaic, were powerful. Enough to reflect on the things she said before.
Rosetta looked back on her past, the things she had done, and the things she heard. How she came to be the person that she is.
She had never done anything to train the strength that she had. She never considered improving what she already knew beyond her poor storytelling skills. She never even thought about becoming a warrior before Juvia announced that Zedekiah was going to train her.
If it is possible, then…—
Memories of her brother and stepmother began to flash in her mind. The time she had with them began to be precious in her heart.
Zedekiah's kindness and heroism had given her a sense of assurance that gave her hope despite what had happened in the past. How he moved forward to become the warrior who overwhelmed her in combat.
Juvia, despite her nonchalant and sometimes cold attitude, was the woman who took her in. Although she doesn't show it, the young girl felt her love in her own unique way.
Rosetta was now in a foreign land with a stranger who saved and took care of her. She was far away from the comfortable life that she knew as a noble. Away from the safety of her brother and her stepmother. Rather, it was taken away from her.
Even though her relationship with Juvia wasn't exactly the best they had, her stepmother was kind enough to teach her how to study and to be a noble. To teach her the necessities of life. She was the mother she knew she had.
—I can save Zed and mom!
With it came the hope that she could still do something about her situation. She can still change and overcome whatever comes ahead of her.
However, she knew her current strength was not enough. As seen with her experiences on the night of the invasion. How her strength and skills were not enough to even defeat at least one of the soldiers.
She needed help. Help to get her strong enough to fight that monster of a man who defeated her brother. Help to redeem her from her uselessness.
What can I do? In my current state, I can't do anything. I can't even walk properly.
She knew she needed time to recover. Especially when her current physical condition isn't ideal for her to go out. As seen from earlier.
Her attention then turned to Samuel. His enigmatic presence was something she needed to understand for her to fully trust him. Even though she felt he was trustworthy.
Swallowing whatever awkwardness she might've felt in her throat, especially what he has said could be abrupt to him, Rosetta began to speak. Struggling to find the right words to say.
"T-Thank you, Samuel. I… needed that."
Samuel smiled at the young girl in response to what said. It was the first time she saw him do that. She could see something in his eyes that seemed to flow with compassion and empathy. As if he was looking at someone who he truly loved.
It was then those eyes and his smile that caught her heart.
It hasn't been a long time since we started to know each other. Why is my heart pounding right now?
She knew not why, but it won over her. Her grief, though it remained, yet she found hope through the man that saved her.
"Can I ask you something, Samuel?"
"Yes. Yes, you may, Rosetta."
Rosetta exhaled, getting ready for the thing she wanted to say to him. A stranger who she knew so little, and yet, the time she has been with him, it gave her an assurance that he is someone reliable.
"I don't know if you could do this, but will you train me? I'm not sure if you're a warrior or anything, but, please; can you help me get stronger?"
She didn't know if he had any experience in fighting with a weapon or using magic or both of those things. If he has anything, then that's what she'll take to get herself stronger. Even if it meant becoming something other than a swordswoman, then she'll do it. Whatever it takes.
"In what way, Rosetta?" the man asked, seeking clarification on what she meant.
"Anything. I don't know if you use magic or a sword; anything you can think of that would help me get stronger to save Zed and mom."
"I see. …Very well. I can help you with that. But first, you need to recover. I don't think you are able to train in the current state that you are in."
What he said had caught her attention. Especially the mention of her current physical condition, considering that she hadn't told him of it.
"How did you know?"
"It's because, here, in the Frozen North, there are winds that are called Ruakh Lenakaz; winds that saps or drains the strength of a person foolish enough to travel here in this region without any sufficient protection. It would kill any normal person within an hour of exposure. You were fortunate enough that you were stronger than the normal person. Otherwise, it would've killed you before I found and saved you."
Rosetta could only gawk at that information. She wasn't aware there were winds like that in this part of the world.
She heard stories of places where it is dangerous for a young girl such as her to go alone. Her brother would often tell stories of heroes crossing the unknown to seek whatever they were searching for to help those in need.
Then, a thought came to her.
"You've mentioned that the winds drain a person of their strength, right?"
"Yes. That is true."
"Then, is it partly the reason why I slept so long? Is it also why I feel so weak right now?"
"That's correct. In fact, you woke up far earlier than anyone who has experienced the effects of the Ruakh Lenakaz as you do."
"Really?"
The man nodded. Confirming what Rosetta asked him. Her thoughts then turned to another question.
"How long do people wake up from the effects of those winds? It can't be that long."
"I apologize if it seems ridiculous for you, but people under the effects of the Ruakh Lenakaz usually slept for one year and a half."
"That long?!"
"Yes. The fact that you have enough energy to speak as you have now is proof that you are stronger than you think you are. As well as how unbelievably fast your recovery is. By the inhabitants of this land, it can be considered as a miracle, to say the least."
Rosetta couldn't believe what she was hearing. It took people a year and a half to sleep from the effects of those winds while it took her a little more than 40 days.
How is it possible?
She knew she had an abnormal recovery rate, like when she was quickly healed from the scratches by the tiger she killed in less than a day. But, to have it on a scale like what Samuel mentioned, it is indeed ridiculous.
Am I really different from everyone else?
She looked at her hand. Closing and opening it, then clenching said hand.
She knew she wasn't normal the day she killed that tiger. Especially with her strength that goes beyond any person of her age to possess without formal training. After all, it took her brother two years to fully exceed her strength and completely overpower her.
It is that abnormal strength that she had decided not to use in the open public. Not after what had happened two years ago.
With all the things Samuel said, if she really did seriously try to improve. Then, it was likely that she could surpass her brother, and possibly that man who beat him, in little time compared to years' worth of training by other people.
Since I have this kind of body, I think it's worth the shot for me to get stronger in less time than it took Zed to beat me. I think I'm ready for whatever training Samuel holds.
With the desire to get stronger intensified, from the words of Samuel, she believed she could do it.
"How much time do I need to fully recover from the effects of Ru-ah…—"
"It's pronounced roo-ach leh-nah-khaz."
"—Ruakh Lenakaz, yes. How long do you think, Samuel?"
"Hmm. …scaling your recovery rate to those who had experienced the Ruakh Lenakaz, I suppose it shouldn't take more than 24 hours of your awakening. After all, those who awake from the effects would take weeks, months even, to fully recover. Not only that, they had to undergo several rehabilitation sessions, unique only to the Northern Tribes in practice, to regain the strength they have. I can assume you don't need it considering how fast you have recovered thus far."
"I see…"
Rosetta understands that, as well as knowing that her training is going to start in earnest tomorrow. So, she should still have enough time to recuperate, ponder, and plan for the future.
Since part of her training as a noble, which is planning ahead of time and using whatever means necessary, which she learned from Juvia, she has to think and act on what she has. Considering she didn't train on the level of diligence and consistency her brother underwent these past two years, which she didn't know at the time, it might be possible for her to reach the heights her brother had reached.
After all, as the saying goes in the Amriel Kingdom, "those who don't try are not worth the time to entertain". This means those who don't take risks are cowards.
"Alright, let's do this, Samuel. I know we just met, but I want to make the best use of our time together. I want to get stronger, and I need your help. I want to erase my mistakes. Please, I need you for this."
Rosetta was aware that asking help from a stranger she just met was just as crazy as accepting a product with dubious sources. But, there is no one else but him who is here who could help her. Therefore, she had no choice but to ask for his help.
With his knowledge and insights, especially about the Frozen North, where she had no idea about the region itself, she needs it for her to survive and learn more about the place. Considering what he said about this region being part of the Amriel Kingdom.
Then, she saw Samuel nod as he smiled, showcasing his willingness to help her. As well as giving Rosetta the reassurance that he's a man who can be trusted.
"Of course, Rosetta. But, for now, I'll have you recover. Tomorrow, by sunrise, we'll start our training. Therefore, use the time to rest. If you feel you're strong enough, you can explore my home if you want to."
"Really?"
"Yes. After all, since you're my guest and I am the owner of this home, I'm going to give you the privilege to explore wherever you want. Just to see what I have."
"Um, thank you?" She really doesn't know how to respond to that.
"You're welcome. In the meantime, I'll cook you a meal. I'm sure after all of that time of sleeping, you must be hungry. Right?"
As if on cue, Rosetta's stomach began to growl. Loud enough for both of them to hear.
Rosetta's face began to match the color of her hair, not expecting her stomach to make the loud noise all of a sudden.
"U-Um, y-y-yes! Y-Yes I am!"
"..."
Samuel nodded in agreement as well as in silence. Leaving the room without another word.
This left the young girl alone in the room with her thoughts screaming in her head.
AHHH!!! Why did my stomach make that loud sound?! It's embarrassing!
This is the start of a new page in her life with the black-haired man. In a place she doesn't know, nor was she familiar with.
Thus begins her journey.