Chapter III Part ThreeI just finished my lesson with the High Healer when I wandered into Master Kieten's classroom. I stared at the map of North, South, and Central America. I hadn't had much time to study it, with my lessons and duties taking up a majority of my free time. In my first life, I had been an American, so it was close and dear to my heart in a way. What had become of my old homeland?Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia were colonized by Roslachny. The area was named New Siberia. Baja California, Baja California Sur, California, Oregon, and Washington State was colonized by the Oyashimese. They named their holdings Karafuto Prefecture. If I remember right, Karafuto had been a place in my world. I wondered how it came to be a name here.Mexico had completely become a Prussian colony. At the moment, it was administered by the Britannia, to be returned to Prussia once it stabilized. The thirteen original colonies, Florida, and Canada, minus Quebec, Yukon, and British Columb
Chapter IVI was ten years old and the world was changing. Given that it seemingly followed the fantasy troupe of staying at one technical level for hundreds of years, it was easy to forget that the world continued to spin. Things changed and moved forward.The Greater Prussian Reich declared that it would no longer abide by the Treaty of Marsailles and after years of a secret military build-up, it had the power to enforce that decision. King Richard VI of Britannia, after a session of parliament, announced that the commonwealth would be withdrawing from the treaty. Every other ally followed suit, in hopes of avoiding war.Only Aquitaine threatened war if reparations halted. In a surprising turn, Prussia agreed to continue paying Aquitaine its reparations, but ignored calls from other allies. As far as I could guess, only Aquitaine had the will to go to war and Prussia didn't want war.Not yet at least. If I was a betting man, I'd put all my chips on Prussia stopping those reparations
Chapter V Part OneI woke up to the sound of my chamber doors opening. Today was the day. Yesterday had been my thirteenth birthday, so this could only mean one thing; my official debut to the empire.Servants wearing the crest of the palace entered my room, over the protest of my servants. "Your Imperial Highness, we have come to convey you to the palace."Two maids grabbed my arms and hauled me out of bed in my underwear. A golden and purple carriage was waiting for me, pulled by two fine white horses. It was still dark and the streets around my manor were empty. Even the street lights had been turned off.A small breakfast had been prepared for me in the carriage and the three maids followed me in. Once the door was closed, we started to move. Carriages had long ceased to be the preferred mode of transportation for the aristocracy. Trains, cars, and planes were widely available. Now the fleet of carriages my family owned was reserved for ceremonies. Like the official debut of a pri
Chapter VI Part OneMorocco was hot. The part of the Dukedom I was in was mostly desert, so that was obvious. What wasn't obvious was how fucking hot it was. In my first life, I hadn't spent very much time in hotter climates. I avoided them as much as possible. Where I was born, it had been more temperament. Aquroya could get freezing in the winter, but it was never this hot. Neither of my lives had prepared me for Morocco.I missed Godfrey and Dahlia, but my mother was right; I couldn't have taken them with me. Henri would assign them to Euphy. They'd be more useful in her service than mine.Since coming to Morocco, my life has been shaped into three different parts; basic training. Officer training. And flight training.Basic training was the worst part. I got woken up every morning at 0600 for a mile run before the sun came up. Then it was off to shower and a breakfast of military rations. After which we trained all morning, everything from learning how to dig a trench to the prope
Interlude IV: A moment in the Great WarPart OneThe trenches stank. Loose damp soil mixed with the metallic smell of blood and the rot of death. The sound of shell bombardment was a companion, walking hand in hand with death. The Prussians had been bombing them for hours now, but thankfully those black flying machines were gone. Like an omen of death, the Prussia plane had singled were in the trenches to bombard and they had lost many men to those cursed planes.At least the emperor was kind enough to send their planes and at last shoot down the Prussian bastards. How many of his friends and comrades had been killed before their reinforcements arrived?He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to think about his best friend Thomas miles back where he'd left the boy, rotting in a puddle on the ground. He had left the first friend he'd made when he enlisted. He couldn't even give the boy a proper burial. If he stayed, those shells might have killed him too.Joseph collapsed agai
Chapter VII Part One"What? Did you get a real meal? Real food?" Rolo complained, jabbing his fork in my direction. "How is that fair? I'm eating mystery meat out of a can."I sighed. Why did I tell anyone about the general's invitation? Because they'd find out sooner or later, with the balding old man inviting me to eat with him every day. I still hadn't figured out a way to decline without offending him."Fair?" Alphonse said back. "You're supposed to be a knight. War is never fair.""You know what I mean.""I'm afraid I do not."Alphonse and Rolo had a history that I had been unaware of. Port Royale was the colonial capital of Acadia. House Chevalier and House Morel both lived there. Of course, they would know each other."Alright, that's enough," Bian interrupted. Both of them stopped. She pulled a chunk of meat out of her tin and shook her head. "It might not be fair, but that's the nature of Calixte's status. He can't help being born a prince anymore than any of us can help bein
Chapter VIII Part OneI had killed someone. At least one person was dead because of me. Maybe both pilots I shot down were dead. Until now, in either of my lives, I hadn't killed anyone. I had not taken someone's life.What did I think was going to happen when I joined the military? That I wasn't going to be asked to kill anyone? Did I think I could avoid killing my enemies? Looking back on it, the thought of murder hadn't crossed my mind.I hadn't been a soldier in my last life. My dad had been in the army and he had told me old war stories as a child. I had never wanted to join the service after those stories and I think that was the idea. How could I have forgotten everything he ranted about?War never changes. That was a meme in my last world. How many times have I read one and laughed? Staring at a pile of bodies, smelling urine mixed with burned flesh, it wasn't so funny anymore.War was hell. Even in this world, that simple law hadn't changed. How many times had my friends and
Louise Empress Louise was not a patient person by nature. The only person she had even been patient with was Francois, and that was not by choice. He was the only one with a higher station than her in the whole empire, so she couldn't command him to do anything.Everyone but Francois's children and that other bitch he took to bed was fair game though. Which was why the artist being late was unacceptable. Her time was more valuable than his, frankly, and the longer she was made to wait, the more irritable she became.As a Prussian artist in Aquroya, he should be down worshiping at her feet for the patronage she's shown him. The Great War was still fresh in the people's minds and the Aquitese hadn't forgiven Prussia for what they did. If it wasn't for her, he would have to go back to Vienna.Of course, being a Prussian in Vienna was hardly better than being a Prussian in Aquitaine. Prussia had led Vienna to defeat in the Great War, and the Austro-Hungarian-Reimanian empire had barely h
Calixte Arc: FinaleThe plan was simple: divide and conquer. Once we finished dealing with the Roslachnian soldiers, it was a simple matter of planning the attack. Because of the vision, she showed me, I knew where to find that room and we were going in guns blazing.Bian and Alphonse were in first, charging power to their shield gems. The hail of gunfire was deflected from the shields and all the focus was on them.Rolo and Sasha followed, making another loud entrance, to draw the rest of their attention.I was sneaking in last. As the room was filled with the sounds of bullets and magic, I sprinted in under the power of a cloaking spell. It should have been called a camouflage spell because that's what it did. In the chaos of the assault, no one was going to notice me sneaking in.The plan played out perfectly. As I slinked in pressing myself to the wall, I looked around for her. For my enemy. Emer Gallagher, the woman who's haunted my nightmares since she almost killed me in Morocc
We were supposed to board the plane at three, but we didn't get on the damn plane until five. Five o'clock, TWO HOURS after we were supposed to board. We should have been in the air by that point, but Charles de Gaulle airport was never the most efficiently run place.As we were at last allowed to board, I took one last look at the City of Lights. In terms of architecture, Paris was my favorite city in the world. I didn't get to visit often and I realized I was going to miss it. The three days of relaxation had gone by in a flash and I wished I could stay just a little bit longer. It was a very beautiful city and these days I never had many chances to relax.My life was my job. At least my sacrifice was about to pay off...***"Of course, sir. Please, enjoy the complimentary-"I waited for her to continue, but she didn't. My eyes were on the Paris skyline, but her silence drew me over. She was standing by my chair, holding the wine bottle. She was frozen. Not moving."Enjoy the compli
Calixte ArcAs the world swam around me, I was jolted back into a familiar scene. One that had happened less than an hour ago. This was the freshest memory I had ever gone back to.The dark figure formed a black ink sword out of its arm. It was large and bulky, and it pointed it at us. Before I could react, the creature leaped forward. Despite how bulky his sword was, it moved like a fucking ghost. Before I could defend myself, it was right in front of me. Its sword-arm gleamed in the light and he struck me in the chest full on.The question was, how did I get into this memory? The woman in that room must have been the one assailing me, but how did she do it? It had felt like she forced a spike of ice into my head and then I was here.That mental assault was more powerful than anything I have ever felt from her. I didn't know she had that amount of force. If she had... If she had... Why didn't use it before?I found out the creature was made of mana because my shield gem flickered to
Calixte ArcRUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! BANG! BOOM! RUMBLE!It was like loud crackling in my ear. It started the hell out of me. I was sure someone had snuck up on us, but when I looked around, it was only Alphonse and me. "Did you hear that?""No. Hear what?""It was loud and..." I trailed off. "If you heard it, you wouldn't have to ask
Master ShadowShe glared at the man in white, hunched over his crystal ball. She hated that she had to rely on him, but without his guidance, they'd be blind. Still, it didn't sit right with her."Where are they?" she demanded of him. Master Shadow had half a mind to run over and peer into the ball herself, but she didn't have the spells to work it. So she was left standing there, waiting."They just left the room," he said quickly. He didn't want to draw her anger, which proved he had a brain in his head."Where are the prince and the other one going?""They're heading towards the other intruders."Master Shadow rubbed her chin. They wanted to link up, did they? Her instinct wasn't to allow that, but it might be better. If she could cripple the prince in dreams and memories...But she had already tried that. He was resisting and the protection he put around his mind was strong. She could pierce him one more time, but after that, she wouldn't have enough power left. One last time and
The InspectorAs he was brought into the room, Inspector Calares watched him closely. The young man sat down with that calm demeanor of someone sure they weren't going to be executed. It wasn't an act and that surprised him more than anything else. If he was in that young man's position, he wouldn't have been able to remain so calm.If this interview went poorly, if the higher-ups decided he was guilty, Sanctus wouldn't just kill him. He'd be subjected to tortore as a tratior to the People's Union, a fate arguably as bad as hell. Of course, they would never send his soul to hell. The Party went to great lengths to ensure their people had a frame of reference to what happened to traitors.This man would be made an example of and Inspector Calares sure as he didn't want to be the one to send him there, but he had a job to do. If he failed, they'd turn their sight on him.The young man didn't say anything. He just grinned. Inspector Calares didn't meet his eyes at first. He picked up his
Calixte ArcThe enchanted bullet struck through the shadow, but I didn't have much time to admire my handy work. I thought I clamped down on my mind with iron, but the force drawing me back into my memories came back with a vengeance. The world swam again and drifted into the misty reality of my mind and my memories...Only it wasn't my memories. I could tell by the context of the misty world that there were memories. I was all too familiar with this state of mind now, but as the mist swirled around me and became solid form, I was in a room I recognized.Only because I was just there when I followed the source of these attacks back. This was the room of the woman who was orchestrating the memory attacks on me.She channeled her mana into the crest, watching as the Aquitaine team slowly surrounded the trap.As more plans landed and they were forced to retreat, the watcher brought her mirror up. She channeled her mana into it, creating a two-way reflection with her team."Commander.""W
Calixte ArcI couldn't do anything but watch as the shadow melted out of Alphonse's own shadow. At that moment, it truly looked like the grime reaper ready to begin its bloody work.The world turned to slow motion as the shadow swung its scythe. I aimed, looking down the sights at the monster about to reap my teammate.I channeled my mana into the bullet. I had to shoot now, or that thing would kill him- the world started to spin. No! Not now. I had to keep my eye on the prize and save Alphonse.I pulled the trigger before the memory could suck me in."You're probably right.""Calixte... Calixte and Tanya. Why are you so familiar?""Rolo, pin him down for me, will you? My arm's getting tired.""Roger."I took a deep breath and kept my arm in the same position. I closed my eyes and in an explosion of light, I was back in the real world.The monster cut through Alphonse's shoulder, but the wound didn't look deep. Or life-threatening. Alphonse fell to the ground, but that was just to rol
Shadow MasterShe watched as the prince blinked out of existence, not that he was truly there to start with. He had followed her mind back here, something she hadn't planned for. The boy was talented, but he was still new to the effects in the grand scheme of things. He shouldn't have been able to follow her."That boy." If she wasn't so furious, Shadow Master might have been impressed. As it stood, she was going to make him pay. He should have kept his guard up the whole time because she has a small point in his mind.With her shadow attaching him, the prince didn't have the time to stroll down memory lane. She'd throw him back into one of the memories he'd already experienced. Sure, he'd resist, but with that monster coming at him...She set the shadow to kill. She no longer cared what Emer Gallagher wanted. If the girl became a problem, Shadow Master would use the shadow to end her life as well. The Central Party couldn't fault her. Emer Gallagher was a hired assassin, nothing more