“We’re here.” The wagon driver refused to glance back at us, “You two uhh… stay safe.”

“Yeah, it’s a dangerous place, I’m sure, but thanks for the heads up.” I hastily replied.

“That’s not what I… Eh, whatever.”

“Ah.” I realized, “There’s nothing to worry about! She’s already preg-!”

“Shut the hell up!” Cecily punched me straight out of the wagon, “Well sir here’s the payment thank you so much okay bye!”

“Ah, you forgot your change!” The driver noted.

“Consider it a tip, or hush money!” She yelled back as she raced as far away from the wagon as possible, “Just please ignore my husband’s words!”

“Heh, will do.” He started up his engine again, “Kid’s these days…”

And with that, the wagon driver had left. The two of us were now once again all alone, but that wasn’t supposed to last long, as the base could be seen just off into the distance. Even still, I do wish we’d packed more stuff, but since we left most of our luggage over on the island, that meant that poor Cecily didn’t even have a replacement shirt.

“Dammit, I told you to slow down, didn’t I?” She pouted at me, my oversized shirt just barely hiding her chest.

“I mean, you were the one who ripped it.” I said as I held up my pants, “Damn, but to think you’d even break my belt as well… Ugh, I hope these guys have some spare uniforms or something.”

In reality, I knew full well that I was the one who got too carried away, but let’s just not mention that for now, otherwise she’ll be satisfied and stop pouting. Hm, what’s that? Why would I not want my cute wife to stop pouting? Dumbass, what kind of question is that? I expected more of you.

“Halt!” The soldier dressed in the nostalgic green uniform forbid us from passing the gates, “Who are you? State your name and business!”

“Official business, I’m afraid!” I tried acting like I’m part of some secret organization as I handed the soldier Ed’s letter.

“This…!?” He raised his eyebrows before furrowing them back down, “The hell’s this?”

“Ugh, just ignore my husband’s behavior.” Cecily groaned, “Please, could you show us to your supervisor?”

“Lady, please put on some proper clothing.” The soldier looked away, “Seriously, is this what fashion has devolved into now?”

“How rude!” She blushed, “And besides, aren’t you in a war, you damned idiot soldier?! Where’s the sense of urgency?”

“Hm? Well, we don’t really have to worry about that for now.” He replied, “The Generals gave out a clear date on when the battle will begin, so until then we’re just kind of lazing about idly.”

“Is that so?” I tilted my head, “But ignore than, let us in, please!”

“Step back, fiends.” He pointed the spear at us, “Your weak lies won’t work on me, I’m afraid.”

Whoa, there! Careful where you’re pointing that thing, asshole! Just half a meter more and you’re gonna make me a widower for a second time! Really, if Ed’s in here, I’m surprised he hasn’t lost his mind by now. But wait…?

“Fiends? Weak lies?” I parroted his words, “What are you talking about?”

“Ah, so you’re playing ignorant I see!” He acted all high and mighty, as if he cracked the code, “You tried forging this letter to try to seek aid, but I’m onto you! First of all, the General isn’t such a weak person to seek help.”

“Eh?” Cecily sounded even more confused than me, “But this is Ed’s handwriting…?”

“Ed?” The guard seemed to have noticed something, but it was already too late, “H-Hey, get back here!”

“No can do!” I ran right past him whilst holding onto Cecily’s hand, “Sorry, I just need to find a friend and then we’ll be out of your hair!”

Making it inside the base, it seems we’ve caught a lot of people’s attention. Well, I say we, but it’s mostly Cecily and her very much oversized shirt. Yikes, I’m so gonna get an earful for this when everything is over.

“Lune, what do you think you’re doing?!” She yelled out.

“Looking for Ed!”

“But you don’t know where you’re going!?”

Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong! For you see, my dear wife, the soldier just now, and everyone else here are all clad in the Lis Army uniforms! This means that the General can be none other than Pierre. Now I had a hunch about this even as we were approaching the place, but if that’s the case, then that means the base is set up in the exact same way as it was in Sulfury! Which means if I knock on then open this door right here…!

“Oh, I guess this was the right room after all.” I turned to Cecily with a smug grin, “Heh, I told you I could hear them in here, Cily!”

“Geez, and what if you were wrong?” She followed after me as she sheepishly waved at everyone in the room, “Oh, hey guys, long time no see.”

“Y…!” Ed was at a loss for words, “You’re… G-G…!”

“Yep, it’s your old pal Grim!” I reintroduced myself, “Nice to see you all agai-! Hold on, what are all of you doing together?!”

***

I could understand Ed and Pierre, but what was Aaron doing all the way down here in Tertis? And then Meil of all people!? Geez, this whole situation really isn’t making any sense, and who even is this colorful looking girl at all?

“Ah, captivated by my beauty?” She giggled to herself, “Can’t be helped! I am the Goddess of Song, Vivia! Now rejoice, for I am currently blessing this war base with my presence under the care of Sir Edward!”

Recalling Anna’s words about who was accompanying him on his journey, I glanced back and forth between Ed and this girl before pointing at her and asking, “Ah, so are you the demoness?”

“Demoness?!” She jolted back, “How dare you?! Just for that, you will face divine punishment!”

“Ignore her, she’s a bit crazy.” Ed approached me, albeit a bit awkwardly, “You two, you actually came. Ah, sorry for calling you after, y’know…”

“Did you call me here just for that?” I started getting a bit peeved, “To apologize for killing my wife? Because I think you have more pressing matters to attend to – like telling me why the hell Meil and Aaron are here.”

“K-Killing his wife!? Sir Edward, what is the meaning of this?” Vivia jumped back in surprise, “Don’t tell me – Could it be that your charm was only but a guise to get me under your spell?”

“Who the hell phrases it like that?!” He yelled at her, “Just say you didn’t expect this of me, like a normal person would! Ugh, listen Grim, I don’t know what I can do to atone…”

“Did you not hear what he said?” Cecily backed me up, “We have more pressing matters to attend to, so tell us the whole story about this war.”

“Ah, right!” He nodded his head hastily as he had us all seated.

Explaining everything from his point of view was pretty interesting. He actually fondly recalled the moments right before the war as he explained in great detail how he was planning on proposing to Anna during a lovely candlelit dinner, when all of a sudden…

“Ka-boom!” He yelled out, “After that, it was loud marching all around. We ran and somehow made it to your island, where I left the others and then traveled back here.”

“Right, we heard from them when we stopped by just a week or so ago.” I replied, “But do tell me – was it because of Arthur that you went back?”

“Wrong.” Vivia stepped in, “You can believe whatever that jealous commoner girl wishes to say about me, but at least trust me when I say that he did it of his own accord.”

“Ed, is that true?” Cecily turned to him.

“Ah, yeah. Sort of…” He sounded awfully timid as he spoke, “But wait, if you two are together, then where is Nelly?”

“Nelly?” I started getting teary eyed, “She’s… no longer with us.”

“What?!” Everyone sat up from their chairs, but Cecily was having none of it.

“You damned fool! Stop scaring them!”

“Cecily, what’s going on, is Nelly alright?” Meil was worried out of his mind.

“Shut it, you!” She suddenly started chewing him out, “She’s safe alright! Safe enough to only ever wanna talk about you, goddammit! Listen, I’m not giving away my daughter so easily!”

“Giving away?” Pierre gasped, “Meil, to think you were… with the young Nelly of all people!”

“Everyone calm down!” Ed tried to keep the peace, but to no avail, “Hey, just shut up and listen!”

“Oh thank the Sun God!” Meil fell to the floor to start praying, “Oh, if anything were to happen to her…! Lune, that wasn’t a funny joke at all!”

“Hey, anyone else finding this situation extremely funny?” Aaron chimed in.

“ALRIGHT!” Vivia finally snapped, “I personally don’t give a crap about any of your guys’ internal disputes, but can anyone else PLEASE clue me in on who the hell this random guy and girl are, and why everyone’s treating them like they’re the heroes of legend?!”

“…” We all looked at her in silence.

“You…” Edward made a grimace, “You’re really on edge. I think we should sign you up for anger management.”

“Grrraaaah!” She flipped out.

After the glorious debacle that you just witnessed unfold, Ed simply stated to Vivia “That’s the guy you constantly badmouth in those made up songs of yours” and she appeared to have immediately gotten the hint. Now my question is – Why is she badmouthing someone she hasn’t even met yet?

”Eep!” She hid behind the as tall as ever Ed, “It’s him! The demon! We’re all gonna die!”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Meil turned to her, “You’re being even more rude than usual. Go on now, apologize to our guests.”

“Grr… I hate you, General!” She hissed at him, “Ugh, whatever – Look, I’m sorry, ‘kay? Ow!”

“Apologize properly!” Aaron struck her on the back of the head, “These two did some remarkable things to the world, so show some respect!”

“You don’t gotta tell me twice.” She rolled her eyes, “In any case, now that you’re here, what the hell do you want?”

“Well, we just wanted to make sure you’re alright after seeing your letter, Ed, but it seems like you guys have everything under control.” I started turning back only to get dragged back in.

“Hold on, now!” Meil called out to me, “Lune, I know what you’re thinking, but we really do need your help!”

Of course you do…