"O-Oh…!" Surprised gasps were heard from the knights, no, paladins, carefully and calmly advancing through the peaceful and contented streets of the beautiful city made almost exclusively of marble…
Of course, such a simplicity of white would be quite boring and monotonous if it were so literal, but the structures denoted a liveliness born of painted murals, gold and silver decorations, plants, posters, and other decorations that made the streets much more colorful than they normally would be.
And returning to the gasps, they came from something quite simple and almost unheard of. Angels.
Not just any Angel. They weren't Archangels of Flames, the typical invocation that every priest could summon as a very good type of offensive Angel.
No, they were Principalities. And not the weak and common ones like a Principality of Observation or a Principality of Peace…
They were almost legendary Angels, whose use could only be summoned with complex rituals by several powerful priests…
If the Holy Queen had combined her divine power with the high priestess Kelart Custodio, and other powerful priests of the nation now in crisis, they could have summoned one or two of those Angels…
A Principality of the Nation. A massive, four-winged Angel of light, clad in thick white and gold armor, with a longsword in one hand and a large tower shield in the other.
While a Principality of Observation was certainly a defensive summon, able to increase the resistance and durability of its allies by standing still, and still possessing great physical power, or a Principality of Abundance could enhance the recovery of energy and vitality under the same condition, there were certain… 'Ranks' within the Angels of the same sphere.
And a Principality of the Nation was a divine being capable of augmenting almost all the physical and magical abilities of a large number of beings with its immobile presence alone, and according to legend, it was even capable of halting the full power of one of the Kings of Greed themselves.
Of course, the reality of this was quite deceptive. A Principality of the Nation, being a low-level Angel, but equivalent to beings like Hell Protectors or Death Knights, had a defensive capability superior to its level, though less offensive. Yes, it increased the power of its allies around it, but the improvement was so minimal that even at mid-level it was negligible. Not to mention its most useful ability, if not truly its only one: the ability to block any first attack regardless of its damage, element, or type.
It was quite op, certainly, but after one use, that ability couldn't do much more.
Regardless, accompanying the legendary Angel was another legendary being of the same type, a Principality of War. The pinnacle of the offensive Angels, at least according to the Paladins. It wasn't worth going into them.
But the important thing was that such legendary beings were acting as simple... Guards...
Advancing in squads of two each, surrounding four humanoid knights who appeared to be soldiers, not humans, clearly, given the insectoid wings resting on the backs of a pair...
And it wasn't the first group of guards they'd seen...
And while the paladins were impressed, Kelart Custodio, charged with leading this sort of diplomatic group, or rather, a desperate plea for help, could only grimace, unsure of how to feel when she saw that this nation had beings as powerful as simple guards, Angels that not even she could easily create alone in such great abundance.
It was almost as if everything she'd done in her life was worthless against a single shred of Deorum Regnum's power.
Just one of those Angels, and she could die, even if she gave it her all.
Though to be fair, if what they heard is correct, Deorum Regnum has been in conflict with the Komodo Demon for so long that, considering the power of the monsters under the infernal abomination's rule, it shouldn't surprise anyone that this nation has had to develop excessively to keep up with that abomination.
But if someone had to think of a culprit for these Angels… One could only think of Titania. The 'Paladin in White'. Deorum Regnum's trump card, who had fought Komodo more than once, and survived to fight on.
Not that that improved Kelart's mood…
After all, even if they had traveled all the way here… Nothing guaranteed that Deorum Regnum would actually lend Titania, or even its armies, to aid the nation that had never acknowledged it. It's not as if such a lack of response wasn't for a very serious reason, but that was politics.
And on the other hand, one of the group members, who could be considered the lowest in rank, Neia Baraja, a simple squire who was only able to come with the group at her own insistence when they asked for volunteers for the journey, admired the state of this nation in disbelief...
From what she understood from those they spoke to between cities, all the way to the capital of Deorum Regnum, they had just finished a war that ended in something catastrophic. Although they didn't go into much detail.
Therefore... Not only seeing the prosperity, power, and security, but the joy in every city they visited despite it... It was quite impressive to see...
Of course, she knew the war was won by Deorum Regnum. It was evident from the wall of fire that almost reached them as they passed by Re-Estize... And from the desolate view of scorched and burning land from the mountains toward what was once Re-Estize, but...
"We will rest in an inn while I request an audience with the queen." Kelart ordered, sighing as she looked to the side. "Ricardo, you're in charge in my absence." She said to a paladin at the side.
"Understood, Miss Kelart." He nodded, his helmet on his hip, revealing his square, bearded face, but giving him a somewhat gentle aura.
"According to what we were told at the entrance, there's an inn just up ahead." The priestess sighed. "So stop staring. It won't be long."
With that, and a small encouragement to her horse to move a little faster, the group looked at each other.
"You heard, let's go, boys." Ricardo murmured, before falling in step with Kelart.
Neia could only grimace. She still didn't feel the least bit comfortable with Kelart's unexpected attitude… However valid it may be…
…
The stay at the inn was... Pleasant, to say the least.
If Neia had to say something, it was perhaps more luxurious than her life in the Holy Kingdom.
Not that she was poor, after all, having two parents beings Colors didn't necessarily lead to such a humble upbringing.
But considering this place was luxuriously composed of chiseled and perfectly polished stone… It certainly looked more luxurious.
From the bed to the sofa, and even the carpet, it was perfectly maintained, fragrant, and extremely soft.
Paladin Ricardo even asked one of the employees what they were made of, mentioning that they were made from the fur of various magical creatures that Deorum Regnum bred.
And while Neia couldn't be considered especially ignorant in the realm of creatures, she certainly wasn't an expert, much less from a place as far away as Deorum Regnum... And well, considering it was once territory of the Baharuth Empire, it was quite strange and difficult to confirm.
But the most shocking thing was that most of the inn's employees were... some kind of Golem.
A mix of men and women with human appearance, but with faces that didn't change, made of porcelain and with a static smile, not saying a single word as they moved almost mechanically, pale as the marble that abounded in the city.
According to the employees who were actually living beings, these were 'Dolls,' a more fragile but agile type of Golem that Deorum Regnum used as servants in different areas due to a lack of staff.
And considering they were still a young nation... It was certainly impressive.
But most important of all... It was boredom.
Neia didn't consider herself a needy girl. She didn't require much social interaction, she grew up an outcast among other children because of her eyes, and she had no friends. She didn't have any particular hobbies either.
At most, she spent most of her time doing chores around the house or training to become a paladin. At least that was the case until the demonic invasion, which caused her to spend most of her time thinking about surviving and helping her mother and father.
And with the weeks-long journey from the Holy Kingdom to Deorum Regnum, passing through mountains and forests, she didn't have much to be bored with either.
But now... Doing absolutely nothing, not even able to chat with other paladins due to her poor social skills... She was bored.
Sure, it was good to be able to rest. And she had a much-needed nap as soon as she lay down on one of the beds. But she couldn't say she wasn't bored.
It's not as if she wasn't used to that state either, but... That didn't mean she didn't want to be able to do something.
And that brought her to now.
"Mm..." Ricardo stroked his chin thoughtfully, while Neia looked to the side somewhat nervously. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to explore a little, certainly..." The paladin murmured, thinking about the squire's proposal. "Still, Miss Kelart could return at any moment." She warned.
"I-I'll just step out for a moment…" She answered carefully. She felt almost like a teenager begging her father to go to a party, although that was far from the truth. "I'm so bored and… It's been a long time since I've had a moment just to walk around without worrying about a thousand things…"
The paladin in charge sighed and shrugged.
"Do whatever you want, but be back before sunset. While you're at it, find out how much the Holy Kingdom's currency is worth compared to this country's. We have a good amount, but if it's not worth much here, it won't be worth it." The bearded man said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small bag, handing it to Neia.
"Ah... Of course..." Neia murmured, taking the bag. It was certainly heavy, so instead of carrying it on her belt, she'd better carry it in her hand. The last thing she'd want is for that amount of money to be stolen from the entire group...
Of course, it wasn't that she had a bad idea about security in the capital of Deorum Regnum, in fact, it looked and felt very safe, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
So, with that mission as an excuse, and thankful that Ricardo wasn't so strict, she carefully left the enormous room they had been given.
Although on the way, Neia wondered how they paid for the room if they didn't yet know the value of the Holy Kingdom coins... But she preferred not to think about it...
Going down the stairs of the large, somewhat enormous, six-story building, she arrived at the reception, elegant, simple, and with a cafe and a bar on one side...
Although it was supposedly a slightly above-the-ordinary inn, it was more than equipped...
She shook off her thoughts and walked out the glass doors, having to squint slightly in the natural brightness of the white city.
She took a deep breath and exhaled, beginning her walk…
But it wasn't until a few meters ahead that she realized…
She had no idea where to go…
She didn't know the city, she didn't know what any exchange office looked like…
She could ask someone, but…
She glanced at a passerby, and he returned her gaze, only to quickly walk away, a little disturbed by Neia's eyes…
The squire lowered her gaze, continuing on her way somewhat unsure.
She continued like this for a few minutes, not knowing what to do. Not daring to bother any poor citizen who might be horrified by her gaze… Besides… There were too many businesses and busy places. She wanted to find a bank or exchange office to know the value of her money, but… She also didn't know if Deorum Regnum followed the same signage rules as the places she knew…
All she really had to do was simply walk and remember the paths… As well as, well, admire the great… Variety in the city.
Angels patrolled with knights, Lizardmen strolled here and there, Dwarves strolled leisurely, humans chatted in one place while Beastmen laughed in another…
Certainly, the introduction the group of Paladins had to this place was… Disturbing.
After all, even if the Beastmen who had tormented the Holy Kingdom for generations were not only clearly not the same as these, but were also victims of Komodo.
She wouldn't forget the nauseating smell of fields filled with inhuman corpses on the road away from the Holy Kingdom, a consequence of the impassive march of Demons…
But certainly, seeing the enemies of humanity walking calmly alongside humans and other races on the street was quite a strong impression.
Still, the main threat to the Holy Kingdom was Demons, beings who were a danger to all other races due to their cruelty and sadism. So she couldn't simply hold on to the old enmity with the Beastmen, especially those who had surely never even been near the Holy Kingdom in centuries.
She walked around simply, examining and admiring the different species and structural wonders she found. Even a simple shop selling bread seemed to be part of a luxury hotel for nobles in the capital of the Holy Kingdom...
However, something caught his attention.
With the buildings and shops coming to a standstill, a huge empty space appeared. She saw several soldiers simply standing guard, and a good number of people watching the soldiers train, although... They seemed quite excited to see such training...
It was about 40m x 40m of training ground, before there was a restricted access area, but in that same square was what was supposed to be entertaining for the people who passed by. Her height didn't give her much of an advantage in seeing what was there... But curiosity got the better of her, and she approached.
"Ah... Excuse me..." She muttered something under her breath as she squeezed past a couple of people, reaching the front row. There weren't many people standing behind each other, but rather two long rows, so it was easy to get to the front.
Then, she saw a man in full plate armor fall to the ground, thrown by a blow from a hammer.
Likewise, she looked at the other three fully armed soldiers still standing, one with a sword and shield, another with a two-handed sword, and another with a two-handed axe.
But... It wasn't long before she saw the three of them lying on the ground...
They literally approached, hit that woman, and received a blow in return that knocked them back... And yet, it was obvious that girl let herself be hit...
And even though she let herself be hit... She had absolutely no scratches... She was... Shiny and totally fine…
[New Skin BA PNG]
"Not bad~ If it were against someone vulnerable, those blows would have done a lot of damage, but they wouldn't have done anything to you if it were someone with armor like yours~" The white-haired woman explained. "Do you understand now~? The sword isn't a good weapon against someone with armor, which is why it's a secondary weapon in the Deorum Regnum army~ On the other hand, for you guys, who have weapons that could damage someone without anything, I was able to knock you out with this little hammer~" She explained, showing the small construction hammer she was holding…
"Well, I didn't expect them to be able to do anything to the Saint of this country either~" A couple of women whispered beside Neia.
At this, the blonde opened her eyes in astonishment. "The Saint… Titania…" She murmured, remembering the one who was known as the strongest Paladin…
Yes, even stronger than Remedios Custodio. Although it remained relatively up for debate which of the two was truly strong at the height of their powers, at least among several Paladins who were unable to see what happened in Kalinsha, including Neia, considering that the Holy Kingdom's White Color was now suffering from amnesia…
This… Was the Paladin in White, Titania, the main weapon against Komodo.
"The sword is one of the last resources you should use in a fight against someone equal to yourselves. You'll never see armor like mine pierced by a sword, buuuut~ Spears and similar weapons can do it, which is why spears and halberds are going to be your best friends from now on, especially the halberd. It's my favorite weapon, after all, and the official primary weapon of the army~" The supposed Titania explained quite happily… "If you want to pierce armor or very tough hide, and you don't have a spear or halberd, it's best to use a buckler dagger, which will be your second secondary weapon after the sword~ Although you can decide if you want to carry a dagger or a warhammer, which is also very effective against armor~ Unless you want to be an archer, which is the most effective weapon against armor without putting yourself in direct danger~" The woman finally explained, clapping. "Good~ Lesson over for today, you can go rest~" Thus, the lesson ended…
A bow…
Neia glanced down slightly, remembering her father… He wasn't exactly an archer, but he was a Ranger, and he used it a lot. He constantly reminded her that she was wasting her talent as an archer or ranger by wanting to be a Paladin…
It's not that her father is disappointed in her; he'd always supported her… While Neia was certainly put off by those comments, she could understand why her father wanted her to be like him.
She supposed it was every father's wish, after all. But Neia… She wanted to be a paladin.
Not for nothing. But it wasn't out of a reciprocal desire to help people or anything as admirable as that either… Although it wasn't that far off.
She wanted to be like her mother. Strong, confident, admired… A beacon of justice in everyone's eyes. For people to recognize her and look at her with bright, confident eyes, even if she had these eyes, just as she felt time and time again when she saw her mother. Except for the staring part, of course.
And seeing Titania, the Paladin who could give a tough fight to the Komodo Demon himself… Her heart fluttered.
Not with love or anything like that. But with admiration.
She observed the paladin's bright and lively presence, laughing softly and beautifully at the deep, adoring reverence of the soldiers she trained…
She… Wanted to be like Titania…
But…
She clenched her fists slightly… And she felt somewhat envious, though she pushed that feeling away, letting shame wash over her…
Neia, no matter how much she practiced and did her best to improve, was still no more than a squire…
It shouldn't have surprised her; she was still young, and her own mother had told her it would take her a few more years to reach the age where she could optimally become a paladin, not just through practice, but through merit and rank.
Having had enough, Neia turned and left the stands, but not before giving Titania one last glance, smiling slightly at her majestic figure…
Remedios Custodio… Her mother… Titania… She was going to be like them… Someday.
With that encouraging thought, she walked away, now having to leave those hopeful thoughts behind and replace them with thinking about how to find a currency exchange…
For minutes, she walked through the beautiful streets of the capital, and seeing a rather large building, it caught her attention…
"Maybe here…" She muttered, she had no idea about the signs here, so she would just try her luck.
However, all of that was interrupted out of nowhere. As she approached the place, she paused at the entrance for a moment, having a slight doubt… And then, she felt a hard blow to her head, although gentle for some reason… And instantly raising her hands up on pure instinct, she managed to grab what had fallen on her head.
Wanting to see what it was, she naturally placed it in front of her, staring at it intently… And blinked.
A pair of deep, abysmal eyes stared at her as she stared at the creature herself, in shock. A gaze that for some reason made her want to end everything in front of her…
Its perfectly soft black fur and small body, however, betrayed its species as…
"A… Rabbit…" She muttered, not quite sure what to think about such an animal falling on her head out of nowhere.
The squire looked away from the rabbit, somewhat uneasy at the way it was looking at her, as if it had cursed her in some way, looking up, seeing nothing but the top of the building and the sky...
Did... Did it jump?
However, her thoughts were interrupted by a strong wind that made her quickly look to the side.
"Black Flower!" The beautiful but worried voice sounded, with Neia now staring very closely at the white-haired Paladin, approaching her and carefully picking up the rabbit... Inspecting it from all sides, turning it around, and more. "[Greater Heal]..." She murmured, a light covering the bunny, which was biting the Paladin's finger in front of her...
The squire, on the other hand, froze, staring with wide eyes at the sight of Titania herself in front of her... And so worried about a rabbit that, coincidentally, was saved by falling on her head...
What...?
"Ha… Thank goodness…" Titania breathed a sigh of relief, hugging the bunny, then looking at Neia, who almost wanted to take several steps back. "You… What's your name…?" She asked, while petting the black rabbit that seemed to want to psychically finish Titania off with its gaze.
"A-Ah, uh… I'm… Neia Baraja…" She stammered, lowering her arms and looking to the side in nervousness and embarrassment, as well as fear that the Paladin would dislike her gaze.
"Thank you very much, Neia~" She heard the Paladin say, causing her to flinch. "Black Flower really doesn't seem to recognize dangerous things… Thank you for saving him~ He's my pet, so you're my hero too~" Titania said to her with a bright smile…
"Uh, I-I… A-Ahem. I-I was just passing by… It was nothing…" She answered uneasily, shyly. Not only were her social skills nonexistent… But… She was standing right in front of Titania herself! A former Adamantite-ranked adventurer and international hero! As well as her newly-made idol!
"It doesn't take away from the fact that you saved my rabbit~ Let me give you something in return~" Neia muttered, searching her pocket for something.
"N-No need! I-I could never charge you for anything!" Neia quickly blurted out, startled at even charging Titania herself anything.
"Uh, well, if you say it that way…" Titania blurted out with a drop of water on her forehead, before raising an eyebrow, staring at the emblem on the squire's clothes. "You're not from around here, are you, Neia~? Ah, if you don't mind me calling you by your name…"
"O-Of course not! C-Call me whatever… You wish…" She muttered, lowering her voice as she regretted yelling.
"Perfect~ So, you're from another realm, aren't you~? The Holy Kingdom~?" The Paladin asked, the rabbit biting her finger, as if it wanted to absorb her energy to become stronger than her. Or at least that's the idea… As absurd as it may be…
"U-Um… Yes… I am." She nodded, unsure of whether she could say it or not. Technically, they came in secret. I mean, they didn't specifically hide the fact that they were from the Holy Kingdom; they brought clothes and flags with the country's emblem, and paladins weren't especially common in other countries.
"I see. I'm sorry about what happened there. I wish I had been there for the moment." Titania blurted out, placing a hand on the squire's shoulder.
"U-Uh? You know what happened?" Neia blinked, surprised and confused.
"I felt something bad happened over there. I can imagine what happened… Komodo again…" The Paladin sighed, clenching her fist, but nothing more than that, as the rabbit was still in her arms.
"O-Oh, is that so…?" Neia murmured, pursing her lips, surprised by the paladin's intuitive ability... To know that something happened in the Holy Kingdom by Komodo, miles away from her country... Was that her talent?
"Well, once you've seen so many things, you learn to predict them. Unfortunately, I couldn't go, for various reasons... Mainly a war..." Neia murmured, patting her shoulder. "Did you come here alone?" Neia asked.
"Uh, no... I only came as a squire to help with the journey... Most of the delegation is at an inn not far away... And our leader went to... Request an audience with the Marble Queen..." She muttered under her breath, somewhat unsure of whether she could reveal that information... But to be fair, it was fucking Titania who was asking!
"Ah... Knowing the Queen, I doubt she'll grant her an audience..." The paladin muttered, making Neia widen her eyes in some concern.
"B-But then…" She muttered, stopping…
T-This… W-Was bad… Very bad… If they couldn't get help from Deorum Regnum…
"You say your leader already went to the Palace?" Titania's voice caught her attention again.
"Uh, yes." She nodded automatically. There was no point in trying to deny it anyway.
"... And did they send you to buy some furniture?" The Paladin asked, turning toward the building Neia was about to enter earlier… Although to be fair… She didn't know what that was…
"U-Uh…?" She blinked. "I-I went out to look for an exchange office…" She clarified.
"Ah, that's only done at the Palace; they have the only bank allowed in the country there~" She blurted out. "Actually, I was on my way back to the Palace when I realized Black Flower was lost. If you want, I can take you there~" The white-haired woman exclaimed. "Also, if your leader is still there when we go, I could help him get that audience~"
"H-Huh? R-Really…?" The blonde blinked, staring at the Paladin.
The latter seemed to sweat a drop at her gaze.
"Well…~ Yes~" She blurted out, turning and walking down the street. "Don't fall behind~" She said with a renewed smile, walking in the direction of the enormous marble palace visible in front of them, in the center of the city.
"Y-Yes!" She said with a bright smile and gaze, hurrying up and following the fat-assed Paladin in White.
…
Kelart Custodio, the high priestess, formerly a close friend of the Holy Queen, in the past tense due to the latter's condition… She entered the inn room, defeated and with gritted teeth.
"Miss Kelart." Paladin Ricardo called, somewhat relieved to see her, before becoming concerned about her appearance.
The priestess didn't dare look at him.
"... We were not granted an audience with Her Majesty, the Marble Queen..." She muttered under her breath, clenching her fists helplessly...
"B-But that's..." Ricardo stammered, clearly beginning to despair at the implications. "... What are we going to do now...?" He asked hesitantly... He hadn't expected that outcome...
"I... I don't know..." Kelart admitted softly, not wanting to worry the other paladins, not now at least...
Ricardo remained silent, his shoulders slumping...
"... It would be best to leave for the Theocracy and ask for help." The priestess murmured.
It was their only remaining option, and a good one at least. After all, the Holy Kingdom had a good relationship with the Theocracy as they were brotherly and religious human countries.
"We'll have to go around the mountain ranges... I don't know if we have the money to buy supplies for such a journey..." Ricardo mentioned, sighing.
"... What other option do we have?" The priestess murmured, pursing her lips.
"... I don't know..." The paladin replied. "Once Squire Baraja returns... Should I deliver the bad news?" He asked.
"..." Kelart didn't reply, focusing on something else, to at least take her mind off this… daunting situation. "Baraja…? Did she leave?"
"Ah, yes… I sent her to check if she could exchange Holy Kingdom coins for Deorum Regnum currency." Ricardo explained.
Sister Custodio remained silent before sighing.
"...Fine, let's wait for her." she grunted. "...I'll take a nap. Wake me up when she comes back."
"Of course, Miss Kelart." The paladin stood at attention and nodded.
And the priestess, defeated but quick, entered her private chamber, collapsing onto the soft bed, cursing Komodo with everything she had..
.
.
.