Humanity's Hero Of Despair

"Here!"

I say as I toss the crystal to Zephyr.

A few of Lancaster's troops broke through Neve's squad and they were closing in on us. Zephyr can use his wind magic to find Grand Duke Lancaster faster than if I use my dark magic.

I whip out my wand again and turn around to face the incoming troops.

I will hold them off until Zephyr can find the Grand Duke and finally call this stupid game off. The sun is getting lower in the sky and we have little time. I have to do what I can; I think to myself as I tighten my grip on the cool silver hilt of my wand.

"AHHHH!!"

Several of the troops whip out their wands and cast various magical spells at me. Before I knew it, I had blocks of ice, fire, and earth being targeted at me. It took all my concentration to use defensive dark and light magic spells to ward them off. Then I saw an opportunity.

"Flarizo!"

Intensely bright fire magic bursted forth from the tip of my wand, cascading my enemies in flames. Flarizo is a new spell that is slightly more advanced than the Flaro spell. Flarizo just makes the strength and the amount of fire more. It makes the flames spread out like an area of effect damage.

A few of my attackers fell because of that one spell as it caught them off guard. Since before, I wasn't fighting offensively. Now. I am.

"Blackthorn! Flarizo! Blackthorn!"

My wand is a force of destruction as I hit countless troops with rays of dark magic and fire magic. I even throw in a few fire flashbangs with a super easy flick of the wrist. Brings back memories of Ignis. Oh, how I miss him. A few minutes go by and just as I am about to run out of mana, a gigantic horn could be heard, followed by an announcement.

"Attention! The game is now over. The players have successfully returned the crystal. Attendants, please lead everyone back to the great hall. That is all."

The fighting ceases immediately. We all take some time to make it back to the grand hall, but luckily everyone made it out fine without being injured too much. Grand Duke Lancaster at least had many mages adept at healing nearby in case anything happened.

"I have to say Viscount. I am impressed with how fast your party could accomplish my little game, as well as the smart strategies you all came up with. In recognition of that, let's talk business now then."

He says to me as I brush off my clothes from the battle.

He has the documents in his hands regarding our past travels and encounters with Veltharia and the letter from King Grey.

"Thank you for being impressed. We are much more capable than you think, Grand Duke. Regarding business, I would like Quillen to speak on my behalf."

The Grand Duke nodded, satisfied with that answer. Quillen, using that cue, says to him,

"Your imperial grace, the Kingdom of Tarondar and the House of Martin, would like you to side with the Emperor in the ongoing conflicts within the Empire."

"If you support the Emperor, the two Grand Dukedoms could make the rebellious Grand Dukedom stand down and restore peace in the Empire again. If the rebels win against the Emperor, do you think you are going to still be in power?

""We know they want freedom and the rebel alliance wants Oriventh to be a Republic like Veltharia."

The Grand Duke looks over the documents more carefully this time. His eyebrows furrowing together. Quillen notices this and adds one more point.

"If you support the Emperor, you will have the full backing of the Kingdom of Tarondar. If the rebel alliance manages to win, it would make Tarondar the last feudalistic society which would threaten our currently government.

"If you aren't convinced, take us to the Emperor himself and speak with him as well as us."

The Grand Duke puts down his documents and is visibly impressed at Quillen's confidence. He moves until he is standing in front of Quillen, and sticks out his hand.

"Very well said, first son of the House of Martin. I will take you up on that offer and escort you personally to the Emperor's Palace."

He turns to his attendants and tells them to make preparations quickly for us to leave in the morning. It is quite the distance to the Emperor's Palace, so there is a lot to get done, especially with this many people.

I return my focus to Quillen. If he is the first son of the House of Martin. That means he has siblings I didn't know about.

"You have any siblings, Quillen? I didn't know that."

"Yeah, I do. I have two younger brothers and a sister. My first younger brother is on a mission right now and my other younger siblings are going through diplomacy training, etc."

"Oh, that's nice! I hope I get to meet them someday."

"For sure, Nico! Maybe once this is all over."

Quillen gives a slight smile.

The Grand Duke approaches us to say one more thing before we head to our rooms to prepare for the long journey ahead of us.

"We got word that the leader of the Rebel Alliance is heading over to the Emperor's Palace for a ceasefire talk and negotiation. All of us leave first thing in the morning. We have a lot to prepare and discuss before we arrive there."

"Interesting. Thanks for letting us know."

Quillen says while straightening his glasses with an expressionless face.

"We appreciate the information."

I tell the Grand Duke while doing my best to not show my hesitation in the information. The Grand Duke nods to us and leaves, waving goodnight to us as he rounds the corner. Zephyr walks up to us as he notices the Grand Duke leave.

"I overheard that. That isn't good news. The only way I see it working out is if the Grand Duke sides with the Emperor and makes the Rebel Alliance Leader surrender or come up with a compromise."

Zephyr says, while looking at both of us.

Quillen speaks up again. Saying what was all on our minds.

"Worse case scenario, the Grand Duke sides with the Rebel Alliance Leader and our plan falls through. We must prepare for the worst outcome."

Quillen was right to say that.

Who knows what is going to happen when we get there?