Chapter 53 – The Princess Retrieval Team

DUE TO THE INCREASING AMBUSHES by the Rogue Archers recently inside Shiromori, or so Prince Rafflesia made the king believe, the open field that served as the border between the Emergent Kingdom and Shiromori became heavily guarded with soldiers. Mobile towers stood tall where dozens of archers were stationed. Infantry soldiers have their shields ready. Cavalries were patrolling the area back and forth, repeatedly.

All of these preparations were made under the impression that the foreign visitor who was attending the auction must be protected at all costs.

The wagon that contained the princess managed to enter the kingdom without a hitch through all those securities. It continued to the Sandersonia Arc, passed through Cannoppia Arc, then settled somewhere inside Emergania Arc.

It entered the Office of Public Service and Infrastructure where Prince Rafflesia, Minister Edmund, and Sir Garanin were all waiting for its arrival.

Rafflesia opened the wagon and saw the tied-up Cattleya. The princess was taken inside the manor and through a secret entrance. Soon, they reached an underground facility where the sound of metal clanking, people crying in pain, and soldiers shouting echoed. The place was far beneath the kingdom, and inside a certain room, they settled the princess.

Rafflesia took off the cover over the princess's head, much to the princess's confusion as she saw her eldest brother, the minister, and the royal knight.

Mmmmmmrrrmmm!!! The princess mumbled with her mouth covered.

“You did your best, dear sister. Now, let us take it from here,” Rafflesia replied.

Mmmmmmrrrmmm!!! Cattleya continued.

Rafflesia rolled his eyes as he sighed and took off the gag in her mouth.

“This…This is the sootinite mine, isn’t it?” Cattleya asked.

Rafflesia laughed. “Took you long enough, dear sister!”

“How? How did you all learn about the sootinites?”

“Honestly, we didn’t learn it all by ourselves. In fact, we just got lucky,” Rafflesia revealed. “Certain outsiders wanted the ores. They knew that the ores were used a long time ago to pass down Karma that can be found beneath the kingdom and the forest. They needed it, we have it. But our parents insisted that the ores are far too dangerous, so they decided to keep it a secret from everyone.

“You will not believe how surprised I was when I found out that our beloved parents had all these documents about that ore that were entrusted to you. You knew about all of the riches beneath the kingdom, yet you told no one.

“Our kingdom could have made a fortune, yet you all decided to keep it to yourselves. So, we reached out to the people who needed it and we delivered, decided to make a profit out of it, all going to our own pockets.”

“Brother, the sootinites are dangerous! It’s highly unstable! And it could be fatal!”

“Of course, it is! I know the risks! But I don’t care. We only care about the money.”

“LET ME GO!!” Cattleya shouted angrily.

Rafflesia then returned the gag to her mouth.

“What do we do with her now?” asked Edmund.

“Listen up!” Rafflesia said loudly to the soldiers. “She’s still my sister. Make sure she receives food and water. And do not harm her. Understood?”

The soldiers saluted.

“We got to go. They’re already waiting for us for the ores,” Rafflesia said as he left the room with Edmund and Garanin. They went through a different path and soon reached the castle directly where the auction was being held.

* * * * *

The Zentolian Accords Auction, which was being conducted in different nations every year, was held once again in the Emergent Kingdom, one of the favorite locations by most attendees. Hundreds, if not thousands, of foreigners, including a handful of nobles and some royalties, attended the auction in hopes to get their hands on a valuable treasure or two.

The auction is known for selling high-quality treasures from various uncharted locations all over Laniagaea unearthed by explorers. Other items include treasures from prominent noble houses that wishes to earn a large sum that they could use in their respective nations.

But not all items in the auction that are being sold are legal, so to speak. Some treasures are brought by treasure hunters and even pirates, hoping to receive a large sum that would change their lives.

The auction, by extension, became a place where nobles and even royalties can make connections, to hire explorers and treasure hunters to do their bidding.

And with the auction being held in the Emergent Kingdom, another kind of transaction will be conducted in secret.

While the auction at the castle’s hall was ongoing, Rafflesia and Edmund excused the king, who was socializing with potential suitors from different nations who were eagerly waiting for Cattleya to arrive, and an emergency meeting was held at the king’s throne room.

After Rourke returned and told the king about being ambushed by the Rogue Archers, the king asked for the presence of the Minister of Defense, the princes, Captain Nat of United Alliance, and the other remaining knights of Emergent Table— Sir Garanin, Sir Ronin, and Sir Percethal.

“My sincerest apology, Your Majesty! We have no word of whether the princess or her personal aide Kiana was still alive. It seemed that Sir Thoras, Sir Lancea, and Sir Drancei, have sided with the Rogue Archers. They even shot us with dozens of arrows!” Rourke claimed.

“Those foolish cowards!” Prince Dionaea slammed his fist on the table. “Father, we have to retaliate as soon as possible!” he insisted.

“Your Majesty, I agree. We have already ordered the soldiers to standby at the border. More of our men were already armed. We await only your command,” said Minister Bentley

“As of this moment, dear Father, the Rogue Archers might be already near the border, lurking and waiting for the perfect opportunity to infiltrate our kingdom,” said Rafflesia. “If diplomacy didn’t work, perhaps bloodshed will. It would be a disgrace if any Rogue Archers managed to enter our kingdom while there are foreigners present.”

Captain Nat spoke. “I...strongly disagree.”

Everyone looked at him, some with curiosity, and others with disdain.

“And I believe the United Alliance has no say with this issue, isn’t that right, dear Father?” said Rafflesia.

“I asked Captain Nat to be here because regardless of his jurisdiction, we are a member of the United Alliance. His opinions matter, are welcome and can weigh in. Captain, as you were saying.”

Captain Nat continued. “Shiromori is neutral ground. We cannot simply go in with hundreds, thousands of soldiers. That will make other kingdoms around the forest suspicious.”

“So, what do you suggest, Captain Nat?” asked Rafflesia condescendingly.

“First, I see no reason for them to attack when they already have the princess as a hostage. But there will be surely Rogue Archers that will come to declare their demands.”

“And what? Negotiate with them?” Prince Dionaea scoffed.

“No. Since they have a royal family member as a captive, I say we catch the negotiators that will arrive, squeeze them for information, and use that to our advantage in rescuing the princess with a small team that can get in and out.”

“Or, we send our army inside the forest, go to their hidden village, and retrieve the princess!” Rafflesia insisted.

Nat breathes deeply. “Do I really have to invoke the Zentolian Accords, First Prince? No nation may annex the forest, no blancipresses may be cut down, and no army may enter for whatever reason. It is already a violation that a hundred heads escort the princess during diplomatic visits, but the signatories of the accord just let it slide because of the "ambushes" by the Rogue Archers. If you can gain fifty percent plus one favor out of twenty-three signatory nations, then that's the only time you can send an army to actually deal with the Rogue Archers. Surprisingly, a sufficient number of signatories are here tonight, if I’m not mistaken. As if everything’s going in your favor.”

In fact, Captain Nat’s insight was spot on. The Emergent Kingdom will receive massive sanctions if they broke the accord. However, everything was already planned out by Rafflesia, Edmund, and their conspirators. With a sufficient number of signatories present in the auction, they could attempt to gain favor, thus giving them a reason to enter the forest with their military.

The signatories of the accord still don’t count the Rogue Archers as terrorists. It will be difficult to gain favor. But with many nations favoring Cattleya as she was Emergent Kingdom’s envoy during diplomatic visits, Rafflesia was hoping that they would agree to let them enter the forest for her sake.

“You know what? Maybe you’re right. We shouldn’t sour the mood of the auction. Many nobles and royalties are enjoying their selves tonight. But if the Rogue Archers attack the soldiers on the border, let it be known that it is they who attacked first and we will ask the signatories for their support, and we will enter the forest and finish this once and for all,” Rafflesia replied.

* * * * *

Robin and the Rogue Archers silently traversed the forest. The knights removed their heavy armor and joined them, wielding bows and arrows as well. Thoras wanted to join, but Robin scolded him and told him to stay put. Jack, Riku, Siegfried, and Mirana decided to go with them while Raijin and Brunnhilde stayed behind to keep an eye on Daisuke. Kiana was left as well in Shiropolis for her own safety and to take care of Thoras.

“Robin, we’re very sorry about what happened. We were also sabotaged,” said Lancea.

“Anyway, what are you elves doing here?” asked Drancei.

“We can talk about that later. Saving the princess is our priority,” Jack answered.

“Say, Robin. Why are you so eager to save the princess?” asked Riku.

“The princess and I…we are…well...we have been a very close friend. She, Lancea, Drancei, and I, we’re of the same age, so we’ve always been together. Also, we've been seeing each other in secret recently since we've been trying to solve this issue for a long time. She also...kind of...tips us whenever a significant carriage, wagon, or caravan is arriving.”

“You mean she was your "reliable source"?” asked Raghnall.

“The princess is doing that?” Lancea asked in disbelief. “So that’s what she meant when she said she was using her position.”

“You're kidding, right?” asked Drancei.

“I wish I am. But that's one reason we only attack when we needed. When we retaliate, we go after the biggest haul. In hindsight, maybe I should have really trusted her and just told her the truth…”

Soon, the Princess Retrieval Team reached the outer region of Shiromori. The sky was clear and full of stars, and the moon was illuminating the open field. From the treetops, they could see a multitude of soldiers guarding the border that separated the Emergent Kingdom and Shiromori. Torches were everywhere, keeping the whole place lit, not leaving any blind spots.

Farther away, the group could see that castle, all lit up due to the auction being held.

“That’s a lot of soldiers,” commented Raghnall.

“Crap. The Zentolian Accords Auction is being held tonight. The security will be maximized all over the kingdom,” said Lancea.

“They even mobilized the wheeled towers for the archers. What’s your plan, Robin?” asked Drancei.

Robin scanned the area. Undeniably, the whole area was covered with Emergent soldiers. With the area that open and almost no cover, there was zero chance for them to sneak past the soldiers.

“Come on. Let's just talk to them and tell them what really happened,” said Drancei.

“Again, we can’t,” Robin insisted. “Those soldiers are not for the auction. It’s for us. They’re anticipating us. We need a diversion. If we could lure enough soldiers and clear a path, maybe some of us could enter without them noticing.”

“We’ll do it,” Mirana volunteered as she looked at Siegfried.

“We’ll do it?” Siegfried raised a brow.

“With my ice magic and that large lake ahead, I could easily freeze those soldiers. Siegfried could easily defeat hundreds of soldiers on his own and deflect any arrows on his way. We’re the perfect decoy.”

“Great. Now we need to know how to sneak past the battle,” said Thoras.

“Leave that to me as well,” Mirana offered.