Chapter 39: Extra Chapter: The Princess of Asura and the Angel

Chapter 39: Extra Chapter: The Princess of Asura and the Angel

Ars, the capital of the Kingdom of Asura, was the largest and most populous city in the world. At its very center, there stood a whitewalled castle—naturally enough, one said to be the world's largest and most beautiful. It was known as the Silver Palace, and it was the residence of the royal family.

Within its walls, there raged a vicious, ugly, and perpetual struggle for power that belied its immaculate appearance. The kingdom's nobles never tired of plotting, deceiving, and betraying each other. They waged battle day and night.

The world of this palace was a small and hellish one—a place where it was said that absolutely no one could be trusted.

As it happens, the "Displacement Incident" that had taken place in the Fittoa region of the kingdom had a major impact on the course of the wars waged within this castle.

This is the story of how those events were set in motion...

Aside from the residences of the royal family, the Silver Palace contained a number of splendid gardens.

There was the Rose Garden, full of plants with red flowers; the Peony Garden, full of plants with black flowers; the Hydrangea Garden, full of plants with blue flowers; and finally, a place where only white flowers bloomed—the Lily Garden.

This last was the particular favorite of a certain personage.

Her name was Ariel Anemoi Asura, and she was the second princess of the Kingdom of Asura. From her mother, the queen consort, a famous beauty, she'd inherited lovely features and shining golden hair; from her father, the king, she'd inherited a peerlessly beautiful voice. And though she was not yet of age, her charisma was overpowering. The majority of the capital's residents already spoke of her as the most beautiful princess to have ever lived.

Once every three days, this young lady came to the Lily Garden. She would seat herself at a pure-white table, accompanied only by her guardian knight and her mage, and quietly take her tea.

In these moments, the sight of her was charming enough to make any woman sigh longingly, and so enthralling that no man could help but stare. Her beauty, like that of a fairy from some old folk tale, was such that it seemed uncouth even to approach her. Thus no one came up to speak with the princess when she visited the Lily Garden. Not a single soul dared to try and drink tea with her.

Sitting all alone at her table, she enjoyed her momentary respite alone, exchanging only a few brief words with her two guardians.

Her guardian knight was a boy of great beauty in his own right. He had lovely bright chestnut hair and strong facial features; his nose was shapely, his jawline well-defined.

His name was Luke Notos Greyrat. Second son of the Greyrat family, one of the kingdom's four great provincial houses, he was a talented young knight who had already reached the Intermediate rank in the Sword God style. There wasn't a single girl inside the castle who didn't know of him. Although still in his early teens, he already possessed a silver tongue, and never lost the interest of any lady he conversed with. With his dashing looks and clever mind, he was said to entrance every noble daughter who crossed his path. At the very least, no other man in the castle was nearly so admired by the girls his age.

The princess's guardian mage was somewhat older, perhaps sixteen or seventeen—a young man rather than a boy.

While not as remarkably good-looking as Luke, he was still handsome by any ordinary standards; his somewhat slender face possessed an amiable attractiveness. His presence added a dash of playful charm that nicely complemented the beauty of the other two, making it all the more difficult for anyone to imagine approaching them. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

His name was Derrick Redbat, third son of the well-known Redbat house, and he was a magician of Advanced rank who had graduated from the illustrious Asura Institute of Magic.

What did these three talk about when they were alone? It was a matter of the utmost interest to all the young people living in the Silver Palace, but none of them knew the answer. On this day, as on many others, they were conversing quietly in the Lily Garden.

"Well then, what color were they?"

Ariel's words echoed faintly through the quiet garden. Her voice truly was uncommonly beautiful; the sound of it brought to mind the tinkling of bells.

"A lovely shade of pink... Ah, but with a tinge of orange as well," replied the young knight Luke from across the table, where he stood in attendance. His own voice was somewhat high-pitched, as one might expect from a boy of his age, but had clarity and fullness.

Derrick, the princess's guardian mage, listened in silence. The somber expression on his face suggested he was ruminating on their words.

"Personally, I prefer pert cherry-blossom buds on a field of porcelain white..."

"With all due respect, Lady Ariel, I feel those that turn inward have a certain appeal as well."

"Goodness! You like the inverted ones?"

Ariel's tone was somewhat shocked, but Luke replied calmly. "Well, I will admit I'm not especially particular when it comes to such details. In the end, size is all that truly matters to me."

Ariel sighed and shook her head. "Honestly. You have no taste at all, Luke."

In reply, Luke simply shrugged his shoulders. What exactly were these two talking about, one might ask? "In any case, how did you enjoy this new maid? Sarisha, was it?"

"Her body was very sensitive, and her innocence was charming. It made for quite a pleasant evening."

The answer was quite simple: Luke had been describing the nipples of the girl he'd bedded just the other day.

"Is that so? Hmm. Now you've made me want to smuggle her into my bedchamber somehow."

"T would be perfectly happy to assist, milady."

"Oh? You're already prepared to toss her aside, after sleeping with her only once?"

"Tm afraid Sarisha's breasts weren't quite large enough for my liking."

Ariel and Luke, in stark contrast to their appearances, were in fact a pair of lecherous young philanderers. For some time now, they'd been preying indiscriminately on the palace maids and the daughters of midrank nobles.

"Nothing's more exciting than teasing cute girls like that, if you ask me. I imagine Sarisha would squeal quite nicely..."

Only a limited number of people in the palace were aware of this, but Princess Ariel was both bisexual and a sadist. Many among the Asuran nobility possessed extraordinary sexual proclivities, and she was certainly no exception. Luke wasn't quite as extreme a case, but his love of big-breasted women knew no bounds.

Hiding in the shadow of their outward appearance and reputation, the two of them lived carefree lives of pleasure—indifferent to the plotting and intrigue that defined the royal court of Asura.

In this, they were hardly unusual for those of their rank. The majority of the nobility indulged in behavior just as scandalous, or even more so. Asura was a kingdom with a 400-year history that had never known war or famine. For many of its upper class, a demonstrated taste for decadence was a sort of status symbol. Ariel and Luke were still young, but they were already immersed in the amusements of their kind.

However...

"Luke. Lady Ariel. I think it would be best for you to behave... somewhat more discreetly."

Derrick was a man with a more conventional mindset. In no small part, this was because the Redbats were merely mid-rank provincial nobility. They lived in an entirely different world from the decadence of the capital.

One might wonder why such a young man had been granted the prestigious role of guardian mage to the second princess, but the answer was quite simple: his results in the Institute had been superb. Advancedtier magicians of noble birth were a rare commodity.

"Oh, Derrick...you really ought to learn what it means to be an Asuran noble."

"Milady is quite right, Derrick. You're always like this. If you don't figure out how to read the room, you'll never be popular with the ladies."

As Ariel and Luke shrugged their shoulders, Derrick heaved a heavy sigh.

"That's not what I meant, Lady Ariel. You may very well rule this kingdom someday, so it seems unwise to expose yourself to gossip and jealousy. You risk making enemies."

This time, it was Princess Ariel's turn to let out a long sigh. "Look, Derrick. You're always saying things like that, but you do remember that I'm the second princess, correct?"

"Of course. Which means you're high in the line of succession, and a potential candidate to succeed the throne."

"T have two older brothers and one older sister. It does appear that they've found a husband for my sister, but my brothers are wrestling ruthlessly for the throne. With them around, there isn't the slightest chance IIl ever become queen."

"That isn't true. You're the daughter of the queen consort. That makes you the only fully legitimate heir to the throne, and—"

"Stop it, Derrick," Ariel interrupted sharply. "What if those words reached my brothers' ears? Do you want them to send assassins after me? It's bad enough that I've got all these nobles swearing fealty to me out of self-interest..."

"If you chose to fight, Lady Ariel, Pd happily lay down my life to protect you from anyone they may send."

"Would you please stop saying such alarming things? That's not too convincing anyway. I know what you really think of Luke and me...

You'd probably like to get me caught up in a power struggle just so you can abandon me when the fighting starts, wouldn't you?"

"Wha—." Derrick's eyes went wide with shock. After a moment, his body began quivering, his face grew fierce, and he clenched his hands into fists.

"Look here, Derrick. I don't care if I never take the throne. I can still drink tea in a lovely garden and live my life the way I please, and that's enough for me. I wouldn't stand a chance against my brothers anyway. The idea of throwing myself voluntarily into that mess is just absurd."

Ariel's pessimism was fully justifiable. No matter how high her place in the order of succession, she was younger than her rivals and had far fewer allies. Her chances of victory were slim to none. Surely, then, it was wiser not to strive for the throne at all and simply live a life of indulgent pleasure. She was still a princess of the largest country in the world, so that option was available to her.

"Never mind then..." Derrick's heart was clouded with frustration, but he could find no other words to say.

An enormous beast that stood on two legs had just trotted out from among the trees.

It was a Terminator Boar.

By itself, these were D-ranked monsters, but they were often accompanied by loyal packs of Assault Dogs which could raise their threat level to C- or even B-class. Normally, they were only found in the depths of forests, but their numbers were large, and sometimes one would emerge to attack a nearby town—typically seizing livestock or human children to consume.

Many years ago, a Terminator Boar accompanied by twenty Assault Dogs had killed every soul living in a small Asuran village. As a result, they were one of the most infamous monsters living within the Kingdom's borders. In settlements near forests, children were often told that a boar would carry them off and eat them unless they went to bed on time, as others might be threatened with stories of the Superd.

Derrick, like most of his countrymen, was familiar with the name and appearance of these monsters, and their reputation as a fearsome beast.

"How...?"

Why was there a Terminator Boar here? This was the royal palace, home to the ruling family of the world's largest nation. It wasn't a safe place by any means, but it was certainly the last location one would ever expect to find a wild monster. How could one possibly have appeared here?

Derrick's mind flashed to the conversation he'd just overheard. Had that noble somehow arranged this? That couldn't be right. No mere nobleman could possibly have smuggled such a wild, enormous beast into the heart of the palace. Even the kingdom's most powerful ministers wouldn't be capable of such a thing.

Although he had no way of knowing this, the Terminator Boar had in fact been teleported to this location only moments ago as a result of the Fittoa Displacement Incident.

As Derrick's mind struggled to process the situation, his gaze found Princess Ariel, and he let out an involuntary gasp.

She was still at her table, chattering happily away with Luke about some vulgar topic. The two of them hadn't noticed the Terminator Boar—even though it was staring right at them, its eyes glittering like a hunter sizing up its prey.

Derrick broke into a run. And as he ran, he began chanting a magic incantation.

However, the Terminator Boar was also on the move. Perhaps it had noticed Derrick, or sensed a threat; either way, it charged through the garden's vegetation, heading straight for Princess Ariel.

I won't make it in time!

Derrick abandoned his incantation halfway through and shouted, "Run, Lady Ariel!" at the top of his lungs.

With an exclamation of surprise, the princess rose to her feet—just in time to notice the huge brown blur rushing at her from the side. She jumped out of its path.

As Ariel hit the ground, the Terminator Boar smashed its way through a number of the garden's delicate trees, then turned back toward its target.

By this point, Derrick had placed himself between Ariel and the monster. The enormous boar loomed before the magician, drool dribbling from its mouth. Its glittering, bestial eyes were fixed on him.

What could a magician possibly do in this situation? At this close range, against this large a monster? There wasn't the slightest chance he could complete an incantation in time.

So Derrick didn't even bother. He simply spread his arms out wide, and shouted with all he had. "Luke! I leave the rest to you!"

A split-second later, the Terminator Boar's fist sent him flying.

The punch broke all his ribs and crushed several vital organs. Blood shot from his mouth as he hurtled through the air. When he finally smashed into a wall some five meters away, he felt his spine shatter as well.

"Ghaagh!"

He was only fortunate in that he didn't lose consciousness immediately. But perhaps that wasn't much of a blessing.

Oh... I'm dying.

Derrick's mind was oddly clear. He knew he was done for. He could smell his own death in the air. The wounds he'd suffered were fatal ones, without a doubt. I saw someone die from injuries much like these once, didn't I...?

He felt no fear. Perhaps it had all happened so suddenly that his brain hadn't quite caught up yet.

Staring across the garden, Derrick watched Luke draw his sword and charge straight at the Terminator Boar. Don't be a fool, Luke... You can't possibly beat that thing single-handedly... Oh, right. The door's on that side... So you can't just run away, can you...?

Derrick tried looking around by moving just his eyes. What about Lady Ariel? Is she safe?

He found her soon enough. She was rushing toward him—her face full of shock and confusion, but not terror.

"Derrick! Oh, this can't be happening... We've got to get a healer here at once!"

As the princess cried out in alarm, Derrick mustered what little strength remained to him to speak. "Ungh... Leave me... You have to... run away..." He coughed.

"Don't try to speak, Derrick! Someone, help! Is there no one here?!"

"Khh... This is...pointless, Lady Ariel... 'm well past saving..."

"No...no! Don't be ridiculous! You've got to hang in there, Derrick!"

Derrick looked at the princess, now clearly on the verge of tears, with some surprise. He'd been convinced Ariel and Luke hated having him around, but perhaps that wasn't entirely true. Despite everything, he felt a small roguish impulse rising inside him. "Well, Princess? I didn't...a-abandon you...now did I?"

Ariel jerked back, seemingly startled by his words. And after a moment, she began gazing at her deeply loyal guardian in a way she'd never looked at him before. "Derrick..."

"Lady Ariel, this is...my last request. Please, I beg you...take the throne...and make Asura into...a better country! Gggh!"

A broken rib pierced Derrick's lung, and he coughed up a large amount of blood.

Ariel watched in silence for a moment, then nodded and turned around.

An enormous boar stood in front of her.

Luke, knocked aside some time earlier, was looking over at Ariel from the ground with an expression of pure despair.

Ariel glared fiercely at the creature for a moment, then began shouting. "I don't know where you came from or why, but you stand before the future Queen of Asura! I'm not going to die today. Begone!"

Naturally enough, words meant nothing at all to a Terminator Boar. The beast only snuffled softly, its nostrils trembling in anticipation of a tasty meal.

It took one step forward, then another.

Watching helplessly from the ground, Derrick said a silent prayer. As a follower of the Millis Church, he turned to the heavens in search of aid.

Please, God...please help us. You can take my life, but help Princess Ariel. This world still has need of her...

He prayed in vain of course. Derrick knew that better than anyone. Saint Millis had been a truly great man, and the savior of humanity...but you couldn't expect him to grant you a convenient miracle every time you needed one. That was just the way things were. Even so, Derrick couldn't help beseeching him.

At last, the beast drew within striking distance of Princess Ariel. Its massive fist rose into the air.

But then—the prayer was answered.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

With an ear-splitting shriek, an angel tumbled from the heavens. It was a young, white-haired angel—wearing rather shoddy clothes.

"Aah! Aaaaaah!"

With a charming, half-crazed war cry, she stretched both hands toward the massive boar...and somehow, blew the upper half of its body apart.

Thank you, God... Thank you so much. Witnessing this, Derrick shed one final tear. Please... watch over Lady Ariel.

And with his heart full of peace, the guardian mage breathed his last...

The Fittoa Displacement Incident cost one young magician his life —and provided Ariel Anemoi Asura with a new and different purpose.

What path did she follow in the aftermath of these events? How did they change Luke Greyrat?

And what became of the angel that fell from the heavens? These are tales for another time...