It was late afternoon as Freyja sat in the war room with Martel and Duran. Sophie called them had found some vital information, but she had run late. Because of this, Freyja intended to share some sensitive information. Before she could, Duran began to speak. “Seeing as we are waiting anyway, I believe I should report I received information on the events regarding the day Shiro’s parents were killed.”

“Go ahead,” Martel replied, clearly not thrilled at what it would entail.

“It took some time to get. It was hushed, and our sources were heavily questioned for even knowing about it. However, the report is as follows.

“A forward scouting company on patrol on the edge of the forest encountered Demihumans waiting in ambush. The resulting engagement was twelve fell, presumed dead at the time. However, all of the soldiers were injured, resulting in no losses. Two enemies were defeated with a third escaping.”

“Enemies in ambush? They were a family getting food! This is a cover!” Freyja said in a huff.

“Don’t bother Freyja,” Martel replied with a cold voice and colder face. “I doubt it is a cover. Most likely, everyone in the scouting party honestly agreed that this happened. Remembering what Shiro told us, the first person who saw them yelled ‘DemiHuman attack.’ Everyone else viewed the concurrent events under that assumption. There is a saying that ‘fear is the mind-killer.’”

“But…”

“It seems that this fear is deeply rooted in both sides after having been at war for so long. Both sides are victims of each other and themselves. It seems I may be forced to play hero soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kings start wars and heroes win them. I plan to end them.”

‘How do you plan to do that?” Duran asked.

“I don’t know yet. I hope an opportunity arises soon.”

For a short time, silence filled the room.

“I have some information on another matter that I think should be stated. One of the princesses of Carlisle committed suicide recently.”

“While that is sad, what is the reason you feel this needs to be said?” Duran asked.

“... It seems she committed suicide after being imprisoned and… violated by Freed.”

Cold air filled the room instantly. Freyja could barely breathe under the immense pressure. For the first time, she felt Martel’s Killing Intent. However, his expression never left a dark frown.

After a couple of long seconds, he noticed their expressions. “Ah, sorry. It looks like I need to work on concealing my will.” He said as he relaxed. “Are there details of the circumstances?”

“It appears that he had been courting the princess for some time, but became impatient after he returned from Camelot. It appears that he wished to bed her, but she refused as she was unwilling to unless it was with her husband. It seems that the king agreed to their marriage earlier that day, and hadn’t announced their engagement yet. It appears as though he insisted and then decided to force her against her will. I believe she committed suicide out of heartbreak because she did like him from what the intelligence suggests.”

Martel weakly nodded. “I imagine he used that to justify his barbarity. How has Carsile replied?”

“They haven’t, or we haven’t received word they have.”

Martel nodded with a grim expression. “Even though it hadn’t been made public, I imagine it was an open secret at that point. Most likely they will announce she died because of an accident and bring up the engagement in an attempt to garner sympathy for Freed.”

Freyja sighed. “It’s truly a pity, but there is nothing we can do. Bring it up or try to prosecute him and they will deny it, claim we are slandering him, and that we don’t have the right to prosecute. He had an alibi as he was in public when it happened so it can’t be pinned on him.”

“Can we spread the truth?”

“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Duran replied. “Because this affects Freed’s image, they will try to control the information. We will lose most of our plants if that happens and we can’t afford that.”

“We also shouldn’t do that here either,” Freyja added. “They will claim we are spreading lies about him and use it as an opportunity to slander us.”

Martel sighed. “So there is nothing we can do, for now at least. Unless an opportunity presents itself, we may need to wait until this ‘darkness’ shows up and is defeated. Then, at least, I will have no reason not to tear face and stop playing hero.”

“What are you going to do?” Freyja asked with a hint of worry in her tone.

“Not kill him, if that’s what you are worried about. I’ll capture him and turn him over to someone else who has no qualms.”

For a bit, there was an awkward silence. Then, the door opened.

“I’m sorry that I’m late!” Stephanie said as she entered the room with some papers. “I had to find my notes. Uah, what’s with the oppressive atmosphere?”

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, what did you call us here about?”

“Ah, yes. I found some interesting information courtesy of Roxburghshire. I found evidence that Sigurd was the hero, Arthur. He was gifted with sword Gram by ‘The Ageless Being’ within the forest to our west.”

“Wow. That’s great news. Anything else about Gram specifically?”

“It was a weapon imbued with Creation, although I do not know what that means.”

“And this was the weapon Arthur used to slay the dragon during the First Darkness?”

“I believe so.”

“Anything else of note?”

“It is written to have been forged by five of the six kings. Although I can’t be sure what that refers to specifically.”

“Okay. Well, it looks like I’m going on a forest hike.”

“Why?” Freyja asked in her confusion.

“That isn’t possible. The spirits will turn you back.” Duran added.

“Then there isn’t any harm in trying. Besides, the Demihumans live in the forest without a problem, right?”

“They do.”

“Then I’ll bring Shiro.”

“Are you sure that is okay, given what has happened to her?” Freyja asked.

“She will be okay. Plus I also plan to bring along a golden-haired mage too.”

“You mean me?”

Martel shook his head. “Unfortunately no. While I will always readily enjoy your company and would prefer your healing Magic, I think it’s a bit much to ask for the next Queen to come with me for something like this. For Healing Magic, I can suffice for anything that isn’t a mortal wound. I think it is a good idea to have a dedicated mage in the group and I find anyone but a Le Fay to be quite lacking and ineffective in an actual fight.”

“I see. How do you intend to convince her to go?”

“I’m hoping to leave that to Shiro. Otherwise, I’ll make an official request of the Queen.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll take that well,” Freyja said as she rolled her eyes.

“And, of course, that is the other reason why I’m requesting her,” Martel replied with a teasing smile. “I’ll tell them tomorrow morning.”

End of Day -214

The subtle sound of tableware could be heard as Freyja, Martel, Morgan, and Shiro were together for breakfast. As usual, Shiro sat on his lap while she ate. She sat perpendicular to him to be capable of looking at his face. Usually, she seemed quite happy and energetic with the circumstances, but she wasn’t this time. She seemed rather shy as she poked her index fingers together.

“Hey, Martel…” She said after some time.

“What is it?” He asked back.

“Can… Can I have your baby?”

*cough cough*/*pssshhh*

Out of shock, Freyja coughed, and Morgan did a spit take.

“W-w-w-what are you talking about Shiro?” Morgan said with a hard stammer.

Freyja had a look of shock on her face and couldn’t speak.

“Why do you want to have a baby?” Martel asked with a little surprise.

“… I want to be a mama.”

“Oh? That’s very admirable, but I think your little bit too young. Why do you want to have my baby?”

“Because… I want my baby to be very strong, and Martel is very strong. Also… I want my baby to have a kind heart like Martel.”

“Well, I am flattered. However, I’m not sure that my strength can be inherited. As to my kind heart, I do not believe I am that kind.”

“What? You are really, really kind.”

“It makes me happy that you think so. Unfortunately, kindness isn’t inherited by blood.”

“But… But I want my child to have a kind heart.”

“Do you know the best way to give your child a kind heart?”

Shiro shook her head.

“It’s to surround them with people who love them. People with hearts full of love is a kind heart, just like you Shiro.” He continued with a smile. Shiro put on a happy expression, and her tail started to twitch.

“It makes me happy to be with people who love me.”

“And that is the secret to a kind heart.”

“I see,” Shiro said as she turned to look at Freyja. “Don’t worry Freyja; I won’t take him from you.”

“What?” Freyja replied startled.

Shiro tilted her head cutely. “Well, you two act a lot like my Mama and Papa did.”

“Now now Shiro, that’s not a very appropriate thing to say,” Martel said. “You shouldn’t just go and assume people’s feelings because you could end up hurting them.”

“I see. I’m sorry, Freyja.”

“Oh, it’s… Not a problem.” Freyja replied absentmindedly.

“Shiro, will talk about it later when you are an adult, okay? If you still want to, and circumstances permit, we shall see.”

“Okay,” Shiro replied cutely.

Martel was more humoring her than anything. He wasn’t considering or thinking of her in that regard. Perhaps, depending on if he was single or artificial options were available, he would consider it. Of course, that was if she still wanted it.

“At any rate, there is something I want to talk about.” Martel started to say. “I’m going to be making a little trek into the Western forest, and I want Shiro and Morgan to join me.”

“Sure I will,” Shiro said instantly.

“What? Who’s going where with who?” Morgan exclaimed.

“I’m asking you to go with me on an adventure to the forest,” Martel replied.

“Why me?”

“Because I want someone who is extremely competent in Magic, and none of the available ones from the Army are up to my standard.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Aww, that’s a shame,” Martel said with a sly smile as he slowly started to pet Shiro’s head. “I guess that means I’m going to be in a dark forest with her, alone; with the little girl who wants to have my baby.”

Morgan’s face started to turn red from both the inference and from anger.

Even Freyja revealed an embarrassed expression.

“Fine! There’s no way I could leave Shiro with a pervert like you anyway.”

Martel clapped and smiled. “Then it is decided, we will leave in two days. Prepare yourselves.”

End of Day -213

“Remind me, why I have to go with you again?” Morgan asked Martel, who had Shiro at his front as they rode together.

“Because you can’t bear the thought of separating from me,” Martel answered matter-a-factly.

“Like hell!”

Martel chuckled and shrugged. “I want someone who has intricate knowledge of Magic. Grandma’s too old to travel, and Freyja is too important. Hence, you get the short end of the stick. Don’t forget that I am praising you here.”

“Please, I bet you think that I’m just a spoiled princess.”

“That’s not true,” Shiro said. “Martel says that you really good with Magic and he really likes how honest you are.”

“Wa… What are you saying?”

“She’s saying that I think you are a spoiled princess, but I don’t hate that about you,” Martel said as he teased her,

“Fine, I don’t care anymore.”

“I’m surprised. I wasn’t expecting you to be able to ride horses. At the very least, not like an ordinary rider.”

“Don’t insult me. While it’s true it isn’t needed, I learned how to ride horses when I was younger.”

“You like horses then?”

“Of course. A good horse will treat you like family. This is my horse, Llamrei. We’ve known each other for years.”

“Well, that is convenient.”

“So what is it we’re exactly looking for anyway?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I only know the general direction where we are going. As to what we will find, if we find anything, an Ageless Being?”

“That sounds ominous.”

“Which is why I’m bringing some backup.”

“If it gets dangerous, I’m taking Shiro and leaving you behind.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

...

They spent their first night in a village just outside the forest and entered it the next morning. A few minutes after they entered the woods, they ran into the spirits. Lights of different colors danced around them like fairies. The trio tied the horses together to ensure that they wouldn’t get separated as we slowly they made their way through. Some places were too thick with trees and roots to go through with horses, so they made their way around. However, they had yet to run into any problems with the spirits. They seemed only to observe them and had no intent to drive them away.

“Shiro, Did you have to deal with the spirits were you used to live?” Martel asked after some time.

“No. They always existed floated around, but they never did anything to bother us. They act just like they’re doing now.”

“This is strange,” Morgan said.

“But very welcome,” Martel added.

They continued their way through the forest as they marked their way as they made cuts in the trees. The setting sun illuminated the forest as they stopped and made camp. Martel gathered wood for a fire as Shiro and Morgan built the tent.

“Why is there only one tent?” Morgan asked, unhappy.

“I sleep easier within a confined space,” Martel replied.

“I’m not asking why we have a tent. I’m asking why there is only one. And by that comment, do you mean to share this tent with us?”

Martel nodded his head. “Of course.”

“How is that any different from sharing a bed with you?”

“Oh? Is that still a problem? We already shared a bed, remember?”

At his words, Morgan got a flashback to the flash in her room that one night. Blood began to rush to her face. “D-d-don’t remind me! Some things are better off forgotten!”

“Yes, yes. At any rate, it won’t be very long. I intend to sit out here and keep watch for most of the night. Shiro will switch with me in the early morning, so you can continue to get good sleep.”

“Well, that’s better.”

After the night had come, they ate a simple meal before Shiro and Morgan retreated into the tent while Martel continued to maintain the fire.

In the early morning, Morgan awoke and blinked a couple of times as she took a second to remember where she was. As she looked to the side, she saw Martel, who slept dangerously close to her peacefully. In her embarrassment, she made little attempt to move so she wouldn’t wake him. That’s when she noticed it. He did not have his shirt on.

[Was his chest always this thick?] She wondered, still slightly tired. Her mind wandered to when he carried her after the game of hide-and-seek. She shook her head to banish both the thoughts and the blood that rushed to it. Because of her movement, Martel began to stir.

Morgan froze. He seemed to reposition himself in his sleep, but then his arm moved over her as he pressed her into his chest.

“Hey wait, what are you-?” Morgan began in an angry whisper. He stayed still for a moment, then pulled her even closer. She barely got her hands up in time as she found her face right up against his chest. Blood rushed to her face.

“Oh? What’s this?” Martel said with a chuckle. Morgan looked up at him just in time to see his face as it moved down towards hers before he lightly kissed her forehead. “Good morning, Goldie.”

“W-w-what do you think you are doing?” Morgan said in a panic as she finally pushed herself away from him and sat up.

“Giving a good morning forehead kiss to the young lady who kept me warm tonight.” He teased.

“Wha? Don’t say such things! What if my innocence comes into question and I can’t get married?”

Martel sat up and looked her straight in the eye with a serious look on his face. “I will take full responsibility.”

“Like hell!” She yelled as she gave him a good punch to the face.

“Why is it so noisy in here?” Shiro cutely asked as she entered the tent.

“No reason,” Morgan replied, clearly annoyed and embarrassed.

“At any rate, it is about time for us to leave so let’s pack up camp,” Martel said with a smile.

The next couple of days had similar events. On the third day, they heard wolves in the distance. That night, Morgan awoke as the horses stirred.

Shiro was already on high alert next to her inside the tent. “Wolves. Why did it have to be wolves?”

The two of them put their heads outside the tent. Martel sat cross-legged as he poked at the fire as some discernible movement appeared straight ahead. They had camped next to a large rock where the horses were. The entrance only had about 160° where wolves could come from, which is why they had camped here.

Martel looked at the girls and gave a small smile. “Don’t worry; I got this.” He released Ki that was stronger than usual and carried no pressure. The wolves started to approach as they tried to get around them slowly, but couldn’t. Martel carefully monitored the wolves for a short time. Suddenly, he got up and dashed into the forest. He passed a couple of the wolves who couldn’t respond fast enough, which allowed him to pass by. In an instant, he reached the one in the back. Martel quickly dodged its jaws and grabbed its neck and side before he pushed it against the ground. The wolf started to struggle and call out violently. Martel then released far more Ki than usual. It contained no killing intent but was substantial enough for the girls to feel it. The wolf he held ceased its struggle as if it completely froze. The other wolves slowly started to back off but stayed around. After a minute, he let the wolf go, who then bid a hasty retreat and the rest of the pack followed suit.

“Well… That was something.” Martel said as he approached the girls.

“Why did you do that?” Shiro asked.

“I figured it was the best way. I wasn’t sure that a considerable amount of Ki would keep them at bay and I didn’t want to have to do that all night. So, I opted to draw them close then show them who the pack leader is. They may keep an eye on us, but I highly doubt that they will be as brazen as that for a while.”

“Wow. I wish I could do that.” Shiro said.

“What are you talking about? You could knock them out.”

“It would be hard with that many. I don’t have the Ki to threaten them with.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Martel replied with a chuckle as he recalled the first time they had sparred. “At any rate, you two get back to bed. I will wake you when your turn comes, Shiro.”

“Understood.”

The following morning, Morgan once again found Martel dangerously close to her. She began to get up, but he kept her down. Then he kissed her on the forehead as he has done for the last few nights.

“Oh? No resisting? Should I kiss you somewhere else?” Martel teased.

“The foreheads fine,” Morgan replied in a subdued huff and pout instead of her normal response as she knew he was only doing it to see her reaction.

Her expression and rosy cheeks were found a little unexpectedly cute by Martel. “Got it,” He said with a nod and a smile.

“Hey Martel, Morgan, the spirits are acting funny,” Shiro said from outside the tent.

Martel turned towards her and exited the tent. “What do you mean?”

“Look,” She said as she pointed towards the horses. “The spirits are much thicker than usual, and they are surrounding the horses.”

“Oh? That is interesting. Quick, pack up camp. Let’s see if they take us somewhere.”

The three of them followed the spirits as they make their way through the forest. After about half a day, they arrived at a large lake with a single dirt path and what appeared to be stone ruins in the center.

“This is probably it,” Martel said.

They tied up our horses on the landmass in the center of the lake. From within they heard a great voice echo out.

“Who is it that has come seeking me?”