Disclaimer

The Drawings and Audio works from this chapter and hereafter are taken without permission. All credit for the drawings should go to their creators (eg; not me) who are... Mysterious Masked Interweb People! Or the MMIP for short! Actually I haven't the foggiest who they are but the MMIP are cool!

INTRO SONG: Kono Sekai e Moeru

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Gerhard flexed his fingers, marvelling at the realistic vitality and movement displayed before his eyes when he realised with a start that he had perfect vision, double checking to make sure he wasn't wearing the glasses his wife had bought for him years ago. All the aches and pains, the old wounds of his long life no longer existed and for the first time in many years Gerhard started laughing, his deep rich voice riding over the ambient noise of the market square and surprising passing onlookers and shop owners alike whether they were players or NPCs.

Finally noticing that he was making an embarrassing scene, Gerhard shut up immediately and began walking down the busy street promptly, blissfully ignoring his surroundings as the feeling of movement, of the impact being transferred from feet hitting pavement to the vibration his knees felt, brought such a wide happy grin on his face that if one were to look at him, the impression given off would have been that of a village idiot. However Gerhard didn't mind, it has been 40 years since he could move freely like this, perhaps 70 years to feel like his strides were once those of a conqueror. Gerhard von Natzmer's appearance was that of a man in his mid twenties, and you couldn’t tell from his crystal clear blue eyes or almost platinum blond hair, that he was actually a man in his late 90's, his real life emaciated body often confined him to a bed like a pseudo prisoner.

But for now, all such thoughts has fled his mind as he wandered aimlessly across the Citadel of Serabourg, humming an old tune his father use to sing drunkenly with his friends until such time had passed that the sun was starting to sit low on the horizon. Finally, Gerhard noted that the area he was in looked to be a bit run down, the transition of a rich vibrant city to something like darkish unwelcomed suburbs was so smooth that even he was taken by surprise at his lack of awareness. With reawakening instincts honed decades ago, Gerhard somehow felt that something was about to happen and his expectations were not disappointed as a scream pierced the now lonely streets, follow by the sound of sobbing as a girl child ran up to him.

Without even waiting for what she was about to say, Gerhard had already deduced what was happening and ran towards the direction she had came from, a condition reflex from all the decades he had served in the police force prompting him to act without thinking, 'to save what must be saved', a creed that is chiselled upon his old failing heart. Something akin to adrenaline flowed through his limbs, his mind becoming focused allowing him to almost view the whole world through tunnel vision except for the fact he was completely aware of every single movement, from the birds gazing down upon him without any interest to the scurrying of rats disappearing into dark alleys. Gerhard immediately came upon a scene almost classical in his old line of work, 3 thugs surrounding a poor young woman who lay on the floor in a comatose fashion which caused Gerhard's soul to ignite in fury.

"Du Hurensohn!", Gerhard roared as he charged forward armed with nothing but his fists and the clothes on his back, at what were obviously higher level mobs equipped with swords and leather armour.

His unforeseeable actions obviously startled the thugs who looked at him agape as Gerhard's fist lashed out at the first of his target, connecting squarely at the throat which caused the thug to fall heavily backward upon the stone street stunned, dropping his long sword in the process. The other two immediately woke from their stupor, and without a word spoken flanked both sides of him and began their rough swordplay. For a man who was unarmed, Gerhard moved fluidly and confidently although with 2 vs 1 and the fact that Gerhard was still unused to having such a young body again; wounds were beginning to flash across his body in multiple locations. Not caring that the bar indicating his HP was dropping steadily by the strikes, Gerhard ducked and weaved, using his hands to shift the edge of the blades away from his vital points, ignoring the pain as his hands bled profusely. Suddenly, Gerhard redirected the lunge of the bigger of the two thugs towards his compatriot however instead of pulling up short, the thug accelerated and pierced the heart of his 'friend'.

As the body slumped to the floor, Gerhard only looked on stunned as he whispered, "Why?"

The big man shrugged his huge shoulders and replied, "Less loot to share", he chuckled as his twisted smile seemed to cast his scarred face in an even uglier light.

Gerhard finally realised what was at stake and slowly bent over to pick up the sword of his first target, the thug taking this opportunity to do an overhead swing down on that blond exposed head. Without even looking, whilst bent over Gerhard tilted his head slightly to the side and avoided the fatal blow by a whisper, before stabbing into the side of the thug with his newly acquired sword. The movement was so precise and filled with such force that it seemed to knock the breath out of the large thug who grasped his side in pain as he retreated backwards promptly before realising that the action had only penetrated the armour and lightly nicked his skin. However the aura of his opponent had changed as Gerhard assumed a fencer's stance who only briefly saluted, almost kissing the blade with the guard below his chin before he began his attack.

At first, every strike and movement seemed experimental, like he was trying to remember and adjust his body to a rhythm set forth long ago, incurring almost no injuries upon his foe but as the fight dragged on the thug started to become desperate. The reason because, although Gerhard was limited in speed by his current level, the fact of the matter was that he had already recognised the few crude attack patterns of his enemy and was pre-emptively disrupting them at will whilst trying to master his body and remembering his sword forms. In a fight that seemed to have gone on for hours but was only minutes, Gerhard struck the killing blowing in an almost anti-climactic fashion, by nonchalantly tapping aside his opponent sword and lunge his blade immediately into the eye socket of the brute, killing it instantly.

The other thug had already long since ran away, but Gerhard maintained a vigilant attitude as he bent over to help the woman up.

"Fräulein" , Gerhard said gently, "Are you alright?"

The young woman nodded slowly, probably due to the blood lost for which Gerhard tore strips of his now ruined white shirt to bandage the poor woman. Raising her to her unsteady feet, he noticed that the little girl had come running back with a green giant in tow to which the young woman murmured, "Instructor".

The Orc's eyes blazed at the scene be held before him and readied his sword as if in preparation to strike down Gerhard.

"Nooo!", the little girl cried, "He went to help sister", as she tugged on the sleeve of the instructor to arrest his movement. The scene was so comical, that of such a giant of an orc being held in place by someone not even 7 years of age had both Gerhard and the woman bursting out in laughter.

The orc known as Instructor sheepishly lowered his sword and noted the state that Gerhard was in, as well as the captured sword in his hand. "I see you are no stranger to fighting".

"Yes, you could say I have had… some experience in it", Gerhard answered evasively.

"Well you are welcomed to my Training Hall to see your wounds tended to for helping my neighbours", the instructor grinned warmly, "And have a well deserved good meal. May I know your name?"

With only a slight moment of hesitation, he responded, "My name is Gerhard von Natzmer. Pleased to make your acquaintance".

As the sound effect for 'Quest Completed; Damsel in Distress', rang out in his ear, the small group made their way off, their walking figures being swallowed into the distance.

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Max looked at the serene face of his grandfather and inwardly his heart bled at the once strong hands that held him up high in the air was now lying frail and limp in Max's seemingly overly large own, his mother and father both outside of the room having a long discussion with the family's doctor. It was increasingly rare for his grandfather to wake up lucid and often times he would shout out in German, "Nein! Nein!" , or in calmer moments he would stop thrashing about and his eyes transformed into a sharp gaze as he stated calmly, "Vorwärts Kameraden" before roaring out unsuspectingly in a voice filled with strength, "Großdeutschland!"

If it wasn't for Royal Road currently engaging his grandfather's mind 24/7, they would have had to restrain him to prevent Gerhard from injuring himself or others. However, according to the doctor's report after reviewing footage of his grandfather in game, he seemed to have full control of his mental faculties. Until a few weeks ago, before his grandfather's condition worsened, Max had always thought that the old man had been a policeman in Austria all his career life. When Gerhard began shouting things that sounded alarmingly like military orders, Max then pressed his father for the truth.

Both of them had taken seats outside on the porch, the warm Vienna sun beating gently upon his father's brow as he began explaining.

"Where to begin…. The truth is that we are not true born Austrians, my son", and for a moment the eyes of his father seemed to travel to a different time before he returned his gaze back upon Max.

"My father… your grandfather was born in Tirschtiegel, in Germany"

"Where is that father? I don’t seem to have ever heard of such a place"

"Well to be precise it is now called Trzciel by the Polish…. from the dissolved Königreich Preußen. We are Prussians my boy, and aristocratic ones at that"

Max was stunned by the revelation. He had never given much thought on the history of his family, having taken it for granted that it was probably a normal mundane sort of Austrian thing. There was a further shattering of his mundane world as his father continued.

"And your grandfather… fought in the 2nd world war from its very beginning to the very end in the Heer"

Max rose sharply from his chair which tilted backwards and fell as he shouted, "GRANDFATHER WAS A NAZI!?"

The air became deathly stilled as his father whispered, "Don't you DARE call him THAT. Now sit down and calm your bloody head you stupid boy and let me finish."

"I said he was in the Heer, but he was never a part of that political horseshit. He was NEVER a Nazi. Your grandfather joined the army because that is what all Prussians of noble birth do, it's in our blood. And because all Prussians actively seek to join an elite guards regiment… the only one that came close to mind at the time was the newly formed Großdeutschland regiment."

Max drew in a stammering breath as he realised that his grandfather wasn't only part of history… he probably helped shape it. Even Max knew of Großdeutschland which eventually became a premier Panzer Grenadier Division from his history classes at school. Because it had earned an infamous title whilst fighting ferociously on the eastern front, 'Hitler's Fire Brigade'. A division that was often outnumbered and rushed to every Russian breakthrough to stem the tide and more often than not, succeeding.

"And the fits you are witnessing are probably… the final days of Prussia", his father looked up sadly into his son's eyes, "He watched his homeland's destruction, Max."

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25 December, 1937.

The von Natzmer estate

"…Like I was saying," his brother, Dieter, whispered into Gerhard's ear, "Benedikt has managed to make Father angry once again. This time, our little brother was caught with the minister's own daughter… in one of the confessional booths to boot!"

Gerhard sighed, "What is that idiot doing?", he lamented, forehead in his hand, "Why can't he be more like Albert and focus on his books instead of girls?"

Dieter shrugged, "It can't be helped. He’s missed you ever since you went to Berlin to continue your military studies in the Hauptkadettenanstalt . And besides," he grinned, "he has to learn about girls some times."

"….HE IS ONLY 13!" Gerhard yelled, drawing attention to himself as a crowd of well-dressed nobles and Noveau Riche turned to look at him aghast, affronted at his breach of social etiquette.

However, he was instantly forgiven by the women as he smiled apologetically, setting the hearts of many a young maiden aflutter… even by those who should know better, as irritated husbands pinch the hands of their wives to prevent them from staring love-struck at someone who was obviously decades their junior.

"…I don’t know how you do it, Bruder."

"Do what?" Gerhard asked in genuine puzzlement.

"… Nevermind…" Dieter grumbled.

"Anyway," Gerhard continued, "how are you finding your studies in the Königlich Preußischen Kadettenkorps ?"

"I am doing moderately well, although I can't ever compare to your former scores," he sighed. "The teachers still talk about you to this day. You really should have applied for the Olympic fencing team", Dieter admonished.

"Too much of a workload," Gerhard waved his hand at the idea, "I’d rather focus on my studies, so that I can advance my future career in the Heer."

"Still going to apply for Wachregiment Berlin?"

"Of course, although I hear through the grapevine that the Guard regiment might be renamed in the future by our EXALTED Führer."

"Shhhh," Deiter cautioned, "you never know who might be listening, especially when you use that tone in regards to HIM. But still, you don't think that he is a good leader?"

"…He would have been a great leader…if he didn’t blame all our problems on the poor Juden," Gerhard spat out bitterly. "You remember teacher Heinrich? The one who taught maths in the cadet corps before being promoted to the main academy? Well, he was removed from his posting two months ago because they found out his grandfather was a Jude!"

Dieter looked at him in astonishment, "Eh?! But old man Heinrich fought in the Great War! He even won the Iron Cross for bravery!"

"…They don't care about your achievements, it seems…", Gerhard shook his head sadly, "only about your bloodline."

Wrapping his arm around his elder brother’s shoulder, "Come Bruder," Dieter tried to cheer him up, "Let's not talk about depressing and gloomy things on our sister's birthday."

"Yeah," Gerhard nodded his head in agreement, "It's good to be back home, after all. A year is too long to be away."

Suddenly, music started playing as the star of the evening appeared, - a young girl dressed in beautiful, white lace glided down the stairs serenely… Until she saw Gerhard clapping along with everyone else in the corner with Dieter. The moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, she bolted towards Gerhard and leapt into his arms, squealing.

"Happy tenth birthday, my little Engel ", Gerhard laughed, as he spun his sister around unseemly.

"Geeez," she pouted, "You should have told me you were coming back today!"

"There, there, Anne," Dieter tried to appease her, "Big brother just got back an hour ago."

Anne looked up at Gerhard in worry, "Aren't you tired, Brother?"

Stroking her long hair affectionately, he just smiled brilliantly, "It was only a short boat ride, and," he kissed her cheek, "I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything."

Blushing, Anne went, "Hmph!", turning her head to the side, and whispered, "and that is why you are such a playboy."

"Hmm? Did you say something, Anne?" Gerhard asked.

The only reply he got was, "Bleeeh!", as she stuck her tongue out at him and ran towards the dining area, where food was being served to the guests.

"…That was very unladylike," he chuckled.

"Have you seen Mother and Father yet?" Dieter reminded him.

"Not yet- ..." Gerhard was about to reply, until he spied a very troublesome scene unfolding out of the corner of his eye.

A beautiful girl was being harassed by a group of men, one of whom was apparently the ringleader of the group. He was trying to coerce her to dance with him but obviously... failing. The brothers looked to one another, thinking, 'There are always louts at a party,' and with a heavy sigh, Gerhard, as the eldest son, went to carry out his duty and 'rescue' the poor girl. As he got closer though, the mood seemed to have gotten heavy, as the ringleader was no longer smiling.

"… What did you say?” The man, obviously drunk, demanded.

"That I would rather dance with a REAL boar than dance with you." She turned her nose up at him, "you do smell worse than them, after all."

'Oh my god,' Gerhard thought to himself, mentally despairing, 'What is this woman doing?'

"WHY YOU LITT-" the drunk lifted his fist... Only to have it caught in the vice-like grip of Gerhard's hand.

"I trust, SIR," Gerhard pointed out, "You were invited to celebrate MY sister's birthday due to some ties you have to my family".

To which the goons whispered in the ear of the ringleader, and he visibly paled as he straightened up and bowed awkwardly, "I am honoured to celebrate such a joyous occasion in your humble home."

Leaning in, Gerhard said quietly, "Make sure it STAYS joyous, or else I may have to speak to father… about this matter".

Nodding repeatedly, the men left with their drunken companion elsewhere, presumably to sober him up, as Gerhard turned to the woman beside him… only to receive an angry glare.

"I suppose you think I should thank you now, is it?” She said almost haughtily.

Sighing, "No, but I do suggest not escalating something that can easily be avoided with words." Gerhard eyed her critically.

"I was only speaking the truth!" She tilted her head to the side, "hmmm, you look familiar".

Remembering his manners, he bowed as he introduced himself, "Gerhard von Natzmer, at your service."

"Oooh, so, you're the playboy brother Anne always talks about."

"Eh? W- …what is this, my little sister is saying that about me?" He frowned in consternation.

"Oh, nothing, nothing. I am Hannah," she curtsied, "Your sister's tutor."

"No wait! What did Anne say about me... ?"

"Ah!" Hannah pointed behind him.

Spinning around, Gerhard was surprised to see that the man had returned… more drunk than ever. Sighing, Gerhard dodged the clumsy fist aimed at him… Only to hear the sound of it connecting unmistakably. Gulping, and feeling an intense pressure from behind him, he finally returned to face Hannah… only to see the middle of her forehead glowing red as she glared at the two men, one of which included Gerhard.

She promptly kicked the drunk's crotch, an audible gasp emitting from all the men watching at the direct hit to his 'manhood' as he crumbled like a broken doll, before she turned her fury at Gerhard.

Putting his hands up in the air, Gerhard stuttered ",N-now wait a second… Let's not be hasty… Surely, you can see it was an accident…"

"I will SHOW YOU an ACCIDENT!" as Hannah clenched her fist and swung.

An hour later, whilst... nursing his black eye with Dieter continuing to laugh uncontrollably, Gerhard leaned with his forearms against the stone balustrade and gazed out into the darkness of the garden.

"Dieter," he whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I think I am in love."

"Eh?"

"I am going to marry that girl," Gerhard announced solemnly.

"EHHH?!!"

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Ending Song: Gentle Light