Chapter 02 Part 4
Shop ‘Grimoire Atelier’, Albion 9th January 2013 – 13:16
Ace gave off a tired sigh, for two whole days now he was forced to stay awake on patrol duties, with the declaration of open war from the kingdoms, battles over the city of Cebu was flowering seeds of anxiety. Because of that the Ace was up all night preparing for an assault from the Jade Kingdom, since his two subordinates, Kia and Gerard were still students he had ordered them to turn in early. He gave them the assurance that the JUUSANKA, the kings personal knights (who for some reason were all beautiful ladies wearing maid uniforms) and him would be able to fend off any attack from the Jade Empire.
The presence of the JUUSANKA might have prompted the other side to think twice before going on an offensive. Ace was glad in a way, but he could not let his guard down just because he was with the strongest of knights. In the end, even if the enemies did not turn in, Ace had forced himself to stay awake.
*yawn
“Those girls are really something…” He was referring to the JUUSANKA who were not moving a single inch from where they were stationed waiting for the enemies in that cold wet night.
Ace was currently in his shop named ‘Grimoire Atelier’, a shop that creates almost anything, from shoes to dresses, and even accessories women would fancy… and in the Midnight Congregation, more specifically, Albion, his shop is most popular for creating BLANK SLATES with the potential to become HEIRLOOMs.
With the war looming Ace’s shop has been busy, just that morning two of the SWORD houses together with their subordinates had visited his shop and place order for SLATES.
“Are you sure you are not tired?”
Ace gave a worried look at his newly hired assistant, who after helping him tend to the needs of the guests was now cleaning the beakers and tools inside the Atelier. Her name is Eliza Flemings, a girl who got involved with the affairs of the Midnight Congregation by coincidence. The meek girl just gave an enthusiastic smile.
“Since the King was kind enough to give me the CREST of Albion and its protection, I have to work for its worth.” Eliza who has nowhere to go was bestowed a blessing directly by the king of Albion. During the ceremony, Ace was there as her guardian and the one person who recommended her a place to live at, in a space above his atelier and work as his assistant.
“Both the king and the queen were kind; they reminded me of my father and mother…”
“You may not believe it, but, those two sitting at the throne of Albion are young enough to be your siblings… so calling them mother and father would be...”
It was about three seconds before Eliza could sink in Ace’s words… “Eh!”
Of all the kingdoms, the identity of the king of Albion is not known by the other kingdoms. Even among their own ranks, only the heirs of the 13 SWORD Houses knew his real identity. He was shrouded by mystery, he seemed flamboyant but his maneuvers with politics were excellent. But right now that same king has ordered to open their war council and move to defend their territory.
The night after Kia and Gerard rescued Kyle and Eliza from the Babylonia soldiers, Ace immediately informed the king personally on the situation, his kindness brought on the strategy to bestow the CREST of Albion to the girl and another crest to the boy who will most likely have the most trouble. His ballroom-mask gave him a cool form of elegance and mystery.
“I really thought he was old… I’m sorry…”
“Don’t worry about it…”
“Are you going to have another battle tonight?” Eliza changed the subject to one that is more gruesome.
“Yes, are you scared?”
“I always thought that the Midnight Congregation was a place with good ideals.” Eliza wanted to join the ranks of the Midnight Congregation because she was alone in a country she was not originally born. And she wanted to create a place for herself, even now she thinks that joining will serve her best, but war was something she could not in the slightest be fond of…
Indeed all the kingdoms have good ideals; you can even say that because they all think that their ideals are good that they want to fully realize it as the country’s sole goal. But, by waging war the probability of letting the government get w whiff of the Midnight Congregation’s existence would be high, the probability of another ‘IUDICIUM Rebellion’ would become inevitable… it was something Ace or the King of Albion could not bear to see happen. That was the reason why up until now they have allowed encroachments from the kingdom of Jade and continuously dismissed its act of aggression.
But now that it has been made official, the choices that are in their tables have become short. The only thing they could do is protect the things they want to protect.
❀❀❀❀❀
Border overlaying Albion and the Jade Empire 9th January 2013 – 22:16
The cool wind and the moist of the evening rain has lifted as the blue moon once again reigned the night. The Sampaguitas were also at full bloom; tonight was a mark of the first major wars between two kingdoms, the meeting of two armies. Albion that centers its Border Patrol Knight with Ace’s leadership together with his only members Kia and Gerard and the king’s personal knights, the JUUSANKA (numbering only 13) which sum up with a total of 16 people versus the Jade Empire’s Frontline Advance Troops (F.A.T.) numbering a hundred.
“Are they underestimating us, sending only 16 people against our numbers!?” One of the proud soldiers of the Jade Empire voiced out.
“Don’t let your guard down… or have you forgotten that 20 people sent on the last encroachment failed against only the three.” The general of the Jade Empire’s F.A.T. clearly did not underestimate the forces of Albion as he ordered the troops to prepare for battle.
“…Such a large force. Aren’t, they overdoing it a little…?” Gerard could not hide his fear as he watched the sheer number of their opponents, Kia who is usually with high enthusiasm shared Gerard’s fear.
“Expect the numbers to increase…” Although Ace did not want to increase the already high anxiety of his subordinates, he needed them to be ready for what’s about to come… in this battle, apart from a few combating soldiers that would go in the frontline were a sheer number of SUMMONERs, individuals who can call forth a number of SERVANTs to fight in their stead. With that the one hundred on their face was surely going to increase by another fold.
Kia and Gerard both swallowed some of their saliva as they heard the General of the Jade Empire order the attack.
“Gōngjí!”
9th of January 2013. Time 22:25 the campaign that would last for 4 days the ‘BATTLE OF SRP’ begins.
