After defeating the evil Elisabeth, the citizens of Glabaskhan threw a huge banquet to celebrate their freedom and their saviours. Unfortunately, we, the guests of honour, could not attend the banquet. We had to disembark to the Sakura Kingdom and discuss future plans for Grand Order. "Hey, Haruki..." And we also need to appoint a new cross to take Louisa's place. "Hey, Haruki..." There is also the issue of... "HEY, HARUKI!!!" "Are you crazy!!!" I say covering my ears. "I can't help it, I'm bored." Elisabeth has been bored since we boarded the train. Unfortunately for her, we still have another two days until we reach the Sakura Kingdom. "Hey, why don't I just ride you?" she asks. "Ride… me? What do you mean?" I ask, flustered. "I mean hitch a ride in your dragon form," she says tilting her head in confusion. After thinking for a few seconds, she smirks and says cunningly, "What do you think I meant?" "N-nothing," I say, embarrassed. I’ve become overly self-conscious of El
"Welcome to my Kingdom," says the princess as she appears from behind the large castle doors. The blue lightning streak highlight in her midnight hair catches my attention. I feel like I've seen her before."I see we have more guests. Do not fret, we have enough room in the castle to house more partners. However, as the princess of the Sakura Kingdom, I have the duty to know who I am letting into the castle," she says as she stares into my eyes. Everyone, aside from me and Elisabeth, shudder. She has the presence of a monarch as she stands towered above us. This commanding presence reminds me of someone.Elisabeth steps forward. The princess loosens her sight on the others, easing their tenseness. "My name is Elisabeth Faith. Leader of the Illuminati.""What!? The Illuminati!?" asks Erika as she places her hand on her sword.Unlike Erika, the princess does not look fazed by Elisabeth's sudden revelation. Erika unsheathes her sword and attacks Elisabeth, but the princess calmly says, "E
"Elisabeth, how powerful is Leviathan exactly?"Elisabeth looks up as if she’s trying to remember her interactions with the creature. As everyone waits in anticipation, her head falls to the glass of tea in her hand. "I fought against a demon who held a 'Sin' once before," she says. “It was a close fight; however, the battle ended in my victory.”“Sin? What do you mean?""The demon realm is divided into the North, South, East and West regions. Each region is ruled by a Cardinal King.""Cardinal King? Like Abaddon?""Yes, Abaddon is the King of the East." She pauses for a while and asks, "Have you met him before?""Yes, after I was summoned here. Why do you ask?""Abaddon," she says, tightening her grip on the cup’s ear, "is not a demon you should fight. Neither are the other kings. Do you understand?"I've never seen Elisabeth this worried. “Understood.”“Good,” she says, relaxing her grip. “Then let’s continue. As I was saying, there are Four Cardinal Kings of Netherworld. Cardinal Ki
After entering the castle, we walk until we reach the room with a menacing aura inside. Rai stands in front of the door, her heart pounding. She takes a few deep breaths and raises her trembling hand. She knocks on the door thrice, saying, "Father, it's Rai." "Enter," says an old man's voice from inside the room. We enter, and I see the man seated in his bed. This is Rai's father? The King of the Sakura Kingdom. The last time I saw a King was when I was summoned here ten months ago. However, despite being past his prime, this man has a presence greater than Rai's. Similar to Raizo's. "Father, we have formed teams to search for and convince Leviathan to join our side." "Good,” he says with heavy breaths. “If we gain Leviathan's power, that man will not be much of a threat to us." "I will be joining the search party," demands Rai. "Are you still...?" "However," she interrupts, "before that, I have a friend who wants answers. He is a dragon named Haruki." "Haruki?" asks the old ma
“Is the King… dead?” I can’t hear his heartbeat. No, it’s not that I can’t hear it. It’s faint. Almost gone.“Lady Rai,” says one of the doctors, wiping away his tears. “The King… We did all we could.”"No… This can’t… This can’t… be. Father… he—”"Get up Rai!!" I scream. "It's not over yet!!""What? Who do you think you are? Can’t you see Lady Rai is in—""Don't touch me!!" I roar, as a doctor attempts to stop me. I glare into his eyes, and he hesitantly moves back. I pick Rai up. Did she not hear me? No, it’s her mind. Due to the shock, her mind is close to breaking. I put my hand to her head and say, "Healing Magic: Mental Heal."She regains consciousness and looks at me confused. "Haruki, what...?""No time to explain. Use your Lightning Magic on the King.""What!? What are you—”"Ok," interjects Rai. "I trust you, Haruki."“Good. I will teach you a spell. Just repeat after me. O neftrhud gdo, ighir mavyeditnennnhtd iatin. Bekul ble, aret dcna, mrrcm. Tl aeottortd eya oueorhn gpd m
After saving the King, we get ready to depart in search of Leviathan. "So, where exactly are we going to?" "There is a town in the west called Serpent’s Nest. It is a town filled with outlaws. One of those outlaws, in particular, is who we want to capture." "And he is?" "She is a former Valkyrie Knight. Elsie Bloom. She is quite dangerous, even more so than Erika here." I look at Erika and say, "Not to be disrespectful, but how powerful is Erika?" She clutches her sword and says, irritated, "How about we find out?" "Erika. Put your blade away, we do not have time for..." I raise my hand and say, "Wait. I want to play this out." "What?" Rai stares at me and says, "Fine. I will allow it; however, only for a minute. Elsie will not remain in Serpent’s Nest forever." "A minute is all I need," I say, smiling. We stand opposite each other. "Are you okay with this?" I ask her. "If you continue your conceited way, then this will be a short battle," she says, irritated. "Conceited? T
After three weeks of travelling, we finally reach Serpent’s Nest. "The town looks..." "Disgusting," says Rai. The look in her eyes is that of hate. Is it the town, or is it...? “Let us go and find Elsie Bloom. Knowing her, she likely knows of our arrival and is planning her escape from this town. Time is of the essence—” "Get out of this town, you damn swindler!!" A woman, pink-haired and rose-eyed, runs with a bag of money. The outlaws occupying this town are chasing her. The woman laughs and screams, "Good luck catching me, you half-baked crooks." The woman looks at us as she is running. Her grin widens as she screams, "Oh no!! It's the Commander of the Valkyrie Knights, Erika Blade, and Her Highness, the princess of the Sakura Kingdom, Rai Sakura. They have come to raid Serpent's Nest. It's finally happening!!" "Wha...?" "Erika Blade?" "And the Princess?" "I'm not getting captured today. Let's go!!" All the crooks that ran after the woman run in all directions until the to
"Healing Magic: Grand Heal." The wounds I inflicted on Elsie fade. "Elsie!!" sobs Rai, running to her aide. She turns to me and asks, "Will she be okay?" "Yes, the wounds have all been healed; however, I think we should restrain her." "Why?" asks Rai, concerned. "The chances of her running away are low, now that she knows I can defeat her; however, those chances are not zero. I'd like to avoid a fight with her again. If it comes down to it, I won't have the power to hold her back." "Haruki, the way you speak about her, it does not sound like you're talking about—" "Princess," interrupts Erika. "I agree with Master. I think we should restrain her. Elsie - despite being a former Valkyrie Knight Commander - is a criminal now. This was her choice, so we should respect it and treat her like one." "But..." "Rai, you are the future Queen of the Sakura Kingdom. You have a duty to protect your people. Do you understand what that means?" She quietly moves away from Elsie. We take her bo