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'''[[Navarre]]:''' What should we do?
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' What should we do what?
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Should we go rescue the Princess, or stay put?
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''They were sitting in a corner of the training ground at the Etten Headquarters. Navarre stopped drinking his soda and asked nonchalantly. Biyan didn't feel as relaxed as her companion might have been.''
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''She almost strained her neck, trying to make out if her superior was drunk or something from drinking too much soda. For a moment, she even wondered if she was talking to a different person.''
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''Navarre turned his eyes away from the flock of clouds in the sky and smiled at Biyan, whose face was closer now that before.''
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' You smell like you've been drenched in soda. You're Lieutenant Navarre, alright. How many cans have you had today?
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' No one gets drunk by drinking soda. By the way, can you really smell soda from me?
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Yes, because you drink it so much. Keep drinking like that, and you'll lose all your teeth before you're forty.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' ...Don't treat me like an old man. My teeth are fine.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' I was just saying because you asked a strange question. You've always been fighting for the Princess.
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''Biyan closed the book she was reading. The afternoon was quiet. No one had passed them by. In the official Army setting, they were superior and subordinate, but when they were alone, they talked like when they were just two mercenaries.''
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' That's because she symbolizes the resistance against the Kartels, but now... I'm tired.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' I don't mind fighting, but I don't want to fight forever. We just got out of a war with the Kartels, and then a revolt broke out in Ghent. Will there ever be peace?
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' The princess had nothing to do with the Kartels though.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' In a way, she does. The Kartels rose from the ashes after the priestess who preceded her died. Anton is as unstoppable as a natural disaster, but everything else happened after was because of our leaders.
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''Navarre started to ponder, and Biyan took the soda bottle out of his hand and took a long drink.''
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''The soda tasted warm and flat, rather than sweet and cool as she imagined. She grimaced, and Navarre gloated.''
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' This is why I can't emphasize the importance of prompt supplies enough. Whoever has better logistics wins the battle, always. And we're not them.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' You and your soda and your logistics. But why? What did the Commander say that got you in this weird mood?
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''Biyan was talking about the commander of the Etten Headquarters. Navarre furrowed his brow.''
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' She thinks maybe we should go independent this time.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Huh?
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' The electricity that feeds all of Empyrean is produced in this place. Its infrastructure is not completely restored, but now that the engineers are back, it's producing enough electricity for Etten. We don't need help from the Seven Shards anymore.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' The Coast Guard has gone to Ghent. The nobility will be too busy dealing with the situation in the capital city for a while. The same with the Imperial Army. She thinks we could use electricity as leverage to demand our rights.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' In other words, our lady commander wants to become the governor of Etten.
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''He said it so casually that it took a while for Biyan to feel the impact of his statement. Wide-eyed, she repeated the word governor for a while. Suddenly, she started hitting Navarre on his shoulder.''
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Are you crazy? Why didn't you say anything to stop her? This is why people call you the nepotism hire!
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''Navarre was quiet for a moment. She was telling the truth, and he had nothing to say to that.''
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' She's just daydreaming about it for now. I didn't want to goad her, so I just played along. Ouch--stop hitting me!
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Etten is at an important turning point. We have to decide if we look out for Number One, or stay loyal to the rest of the state.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Don't get any stupid ideas! This country is smaller than you think. If something goes wrong, we'll die--oh.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Yes, things have changed. We can always run to Underworld, and we don't have to go through Ghent to get there. Underworld is much bigger than Empyrean. It'll be harder to find us there.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' So what seems to be the biggest challenge to this country is the greatest opportunity to the ambitious.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' So I asked you, whether we should go rescue the Princess or stay put.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' We could choose the Princess and stay loyal to her, but we'd get stuck. The others might refuse to join us, and we could even get caught by the Commander before we leave Etten.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Or we could stay here and keep the aspiring governor in check. But that would leave the Princess helpless.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' We could stay here and still express our support for her, but then the Commander wouldn't leave us alone. We'd better keep our mouths shut, or she'll make us go to the end of the land and force us to dive into the ocean.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' She's a smart lady. She's plotting treason, and she's not leaving anything that could incriminate her. What I told you about her wanting to become governor didn't come out of her mouth. Say that to anyone else, and I'll be court-martialed for defaming my superior.
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''Navarre grumbled, but Biyan was relieved to know he was still the same man he was when they first met as mercenaries.''
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''But Navarre was just one man, and there is only so much one man can do.''
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Many Imperial soldiers remain in the Imperial Capital. Our soldiers there are inferior in number. Our weapons are old to begin with, but they're practically all worn out after fighting the Kartels. Cut off the electricity, and things will get worse. Restoring the Princess to the throne wouldn't be the biggest problem then.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' What about the Lawless District--I mean the Wespeace Headquarters? It hasn't moved either. What's their stand?
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' We should leave it out of the discussion. It has enough on its plate--Kartel remnants, the militia, anarchists, oh, and Neil. Thank the gods, I wasn't sent there.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' I wish Commander Eagle Eye were here... The nobility ruined his reputation, but he's the greatest man I know.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Those who believed the rumors that the nobility spread about him are also at fault, even if they didn't actively participate.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' I don't know how things went so wrong...
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''Navarre felt the sadness in her tone, but he didn't know what to say.''
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''How did things go so wrong? Some say things went downhill the moment Anton showed up. Some blame the reappearance of Underworld.''
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''Navarre agrees with neither. He patted Biyan's lowered head. The sun finally came out from behind the thick blanket of clouds, but it was about to disappear below the horizon.''
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' The Adventurer opened a path to Underworld. He came with the Imperial Army, and took care of the Kartels and Anton. And even Luke. Maybe all this is just part of the change that the Adventurer has set in motion.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' Whether it's a new change or simply a side effect is yet to be seen, but he didn't cause this conflict we're having. It's always been inside us.
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm glad I have choices.
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' What do you choose?
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'''[[Navarre]]:''' I'm staying. You?
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'''[[Biyan]]:''' Do you have to ask? You know I won't go anywhere without you.
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''Biyan smiled gently behind the curtain of black hair that fell to the side of her face.''
 
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Revision as of 17:03, 26 December 2017

Missing info.png Seria says: "Nothing should be as mysterious as I am!"

Missing the following Storybooks: Great Adventurer Karakas: Chapter 1, and Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapters 1. Feel free to add them below.


Storybooks are Use items that are acquired from dungeons that explain lore not shown in Epic Quests. Each Storybook contains 1 to 5 chapters. Upon using the item, the player receives a side quest, and at the end receives reward gold and experience at chapter completion. After completion, players can re-read the Storybook again on all account characters through the Storybook tab in the Use Item Inventory.

Storybook items can be found from every dungeon's boss, but there are some exceptions. They cannot be found in Mt. Kulun, Forgotten Land, Suju Arena, Special Quest Dungeons, Event Dungeons, and the Valley of Fallen Souls. However, in scenario and adventure mode dungeons, storybooks will not drop if the boss monster is a normal dungeon's named monster.

There are different grades of storybooks ranging from Rare and Unique to Legendary. Rare and Unique storybooks are Account Bound whereas Legendary storybooks are tradeable. Storybooks also have an 2 week expiration date after acquisition.

Note: Storybooks have a level requirement dictating their reward gold and experience. If the player uses a Storybook and is underleveled, it will stay in their Unfinished Quest tab.

Note: If you delete character which started a storybook quest but did not complete it, each chapter of the storybook that the character had in progress will be reset.

Storybooks

Blue Guardian

Cover Chapter(s)
Blue Guardian Cover.png
Blue Guardian

Wingless Angel

Cover Chapter(s)
Wingless Angel Cover 1.png
Wingless Angel: Chapter 1
Wingless Angel: Chapter 2

Way of the Priest

Cover Chapter(s)
Way of the Priest Cover.png
Way of the Priest

Great Adventurer Karakas

Cover Chapter(s)
Great Adventurer Karakas Cover.png
Great Adventurer Karakas: Chapter 1
Great Adventurer Karakas: Chapter 2
Great Adventurer Karakas: Chapter 3

Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians

Cover Chapter(s)
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians Cover.png
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 1
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 2
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 3
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 4
Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 5

Alchemist's Friend

Cover Chapter(s)
Alchemist's Friend Cover.png
Alchemist's Friend

Low Ranking Knight Training Journal

Cover Chapter(s)
Low Ranking Knight Training Journal Cover.png
Low Ranking Knight Training Journal: Chapter 1
Low Ranking Knight Training Journal: Chapter 2
Low Ranking Knight Training Journal: Chapter 3

The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean

Cover Chapter(s)
The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean Cover.png
The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean: Chapter 1
The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean: Chapter 2
The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean: Chapter 3
The Wind Blowing upon Empyrean: Chapter 4

Hidden Bomb: The Cyphers

Cover Chapter(s)
Hidden Bomb- The Cyphers Cover.png
Hidden Bomb: The Cyphers

Children of Chain Peace

Cover Chapter(s)
Children of Chain Peace Cover.png
Children of Chain Peace: Chapter 1
Children of Chain Peace: Chapter 2
Children of Chain Peace: Chapter 3
Children of Chain Peace: Chapter 4
Children of Chain Peace: Chapter 5

Happy Magic Classroom

Cover Chapter(s)
Happy Magic Classroom Cover.png
Happy Magic Classroom

Last Heir of the Ulus

Cover Chapter(s)
Last Heir of the Ulus Cover.png
Last Heir of the Ulus

Old Friend

Cover Chapter(s)
Old Friend Cover.png
Old Friend

Talking about Kartel

Cover Chapter(s)
Talking about Kartel Cover.png
Talking about Kartel: Chapter 1
Talking about Kartel: Chapter 2
Talking about Kartel: Chapter 3

Young Imperial Knight

Cover Chapter(s)
Young Imperial Knight Cover.png
Young Imperial Knight: Chapter 1
Young Imperial Knight: Chapter 2
Young Imperial Knight: Chapter 3
Young Imperial Knight: Chapter 4

Forest of No Return

Cover Chapter(s)
Forest of No Return Cover.png
Forest of No Return

Black Crusade Report

Cover Chapter(s)
Black Crusade Report Cover.png
Black Crusade Report

Taybers's Light

Cover Chapter(s)
Taybers's Light Cover.png
Taybers's Light

Unexpressed Sadness

Cover Chapter(s)
Unexpressed Sadness Cover.png
Unexpressed Sadness

New Genesis

Cover Chapter(s)
New Genesis Cover.png
New Genesis

Red Sin

Cover Chapter(s)
Red Sin Cover.png
Red Sin: Chapter 1
Red Sin: Chapter 2
Red Sin: Chapter 3

Mischievous Homunculus

Cover Chapter(s)
Mischievous Homunculus Cover.png
Mischievous Homunculus

Interlude: Noblesky

Cover Chapter(s)
Interlude Noblesky.png
Interlude: Noblesky 1

Erje: What was I supposed to do?

The bridge of Empyrean's warship Noblesky was no longer bustling with the soldiers who fought Anton. In the middle of the empty space stood Princess Erje, her eyes reflecting the blue ocean outside the ship.

Erje: What was I supposed to do? Should I have set the Lawless District ablaze like they insisted? Should I have let them accuse the Commander of something he didn't do? Should I have left Empyrean for Pandemonium, like the Imperial Princess? Should I have gone against what my heart was telling me?

Woon: ...

The Colonel, who had stood by the Commander all this time, was quiet. He'd been in and out of consciousness since he arrived, and everyone was worried about him. Looking at his pale face, Erje was worried and relieved at the same time. Having him there, she felt as if the Commander was with her. But Jackter was far away, locked up in Ghent. She should've let the old general retire like he wanted. He wouldn't have been disgraced like this, then.

Erje: What is it?

Woon: I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if I was expected to answer.

Erje: You are.

Suddenly, Woon knelt on the ground, supporting his body with his hands. Given his sickly condition, he shouldn't be standing, let alone kneeling on the cold floor, but he didn't care.

Woon: The nobles abandoned their duty to this country and ran from the war. They're not in a position to demand anything, and yet they act this way because you didn't punish them for their cowardice. Like criminals who have managed to evade prosecution, these nobles think that they're untouchable. And the people are angry with you because you gave them a free pass. That was what triggered all this.

Erje pursed her lips. She wanted comfort and got reprimanded instead. Most times she welcomed criticism, but not when she felt cornered and so desperate. Jackter once told her the same thing, that she must arrest all the runaway nobles. She refused. Then, she let herself be captured by the Kartels. She felt responsible for their abandonment... She regretted it now, and hearing her mistake through someone else's mouth brought tears to her eyes. When she spoke, she couldn't help but sound sullen.

Erje: They have so much influence on this country's economy. At that time, most of my soldiers were wounded and out of commission. I caused my country grief by letting myself be captured by the enemy. I felt that I must forgive their misjudgment and give them a chance to redeem themselves.

Woon: But what about Nevillo Jurgen? He couldn't fulfill his ambition because he was born a man, so he attacked the chink in your armor more persistently than the others. Why do you think he remained in Ghent when his peers ran? Why do you think he volunteered to lead the expedition of Zelba? One who has power never leaves his office for long, lest someone else might seize the opportunity to replace him. He wanted to set himself apart from you and the other nobles so badly. He would have risen against you if the nobility didn't beat him to it. And once this is over, the general populace will side with him, and that would further weaken your authority.

Erje: The nobility is trying to protect their own interests. Don't you think it won't be able to check Jurgen?

Woon: The people remember who fought for Ghent in your absence. They don't care about the rest of the nobility. The nobles abandoned them when they needed them the most.

Erje: Then they surely remember Commander Eagle Eye fought for their country. Why don't they accept him?

Woon: I can't tell you, but you know he and I are both from the Lawless District.

Erje closed her mouth. She already knew the answer before she asked the question. It was all but her fault that the citizens of the Imperial Capital and the nobility became so wary of Jackter. The old prejudices against the Lawless District still held strong, and her implicit trust in the most successful man out of the district was a threat to the rest of Empyrean. Woon just couldn't bring himself to point that out.

Erje: But what about the false accusation of the Commander? I spent a lot of time trying to stop the nobility from spreading rumors about him.

Woon: If I were you, I would've tried him in the court of law to openly discuss the possible transgressions that others say he has committed. The nobles blamed him for leaving Ghent, letting you be abducted by the enemy, and going on a wild goose chase after Anton. But Anton had to be stopped, and the commander succeeded. The way he went about doing it may have been flawed, but that wasn't serious enough to cost his life. I would have publicly forgiven him and emphasized how he defeated Anton and made it possible to defeat Luke. According to our Constitution, he can't be tried twice for the same crime. The trial would've permanently put the matter to rest. You succeeded in emphasizing his exploits, but you failed to use them to justify his mistakes. As a result, more people turned against him. And now he's in their hands, at their mercy.

Woon coughed frequently, but he didn't let that interfere with his speech. At the beginning of their conversation, Erje all but resented this young colonel, but now she couldn't help but admire him. He was still in his twenties, and he was already being mentioned as the next brigadier general, and that wasn't just because of his military exploits. But Erje felt resistance to his suggestion. His solution would have brought disgrace -- albeit temporarily -- to the great hero.

Erje: We're not the Kartels. We don't repay honor with disgrace. Our soldiers fight to protect their country and honor. Trying such a great general for something he didn't do is not what we stand for. You have a point, but I would never bring disgrace to the Commander's name.

The Princess's tone was not as harsh as it was before, but still, there was underlying resistance. If Jurgen was here, he would've called out on her ethical hypersensitivity.

Erje: But now I understand why the Commander thinks so highly of you. I considered appointing you an envoy purely based on others' opinions. I'm glad I didn't, and I wish we had this conversation a long time ago. Colonel, Jurgen wants to change Empyrean. But he's involved with the Empire. The moment Empyrean falls into his hands, our country will never be free from the Empire's influence. We must stop Jurgen. To do that, we must return to Ghent. What do you recommend for me to do.

Woon: I'd recommend that you call for reinforcements and leave the rest of the planning to others who are more experienced than I am. I'm not good enough to assist you in this matter.

Erje: Do you mean, call Wespeace and Etten for reinforcements? They've been ignoring this situation for so long. I doubt they'll respond to my summons.

Erje gripped her skirt, but she couldn't stop the tears from falling. The sense of betrayal and sadness that she tried so hard to bury had resurfaced. She would have broken down in tears if Woon tried to console her. But he didn't. He kept his head lowered and gave her time to regain composure.

Erje: ...We don't have time to wait for them. Jurgen isn't the only problem. The nobility will kill the Commander. The Adventurer risked his life to save me. I have people waiting for me in Ghent, and I can't disappoint them. We must move now.

Woon: I'm not equipped to make that happen. Order me to assassinate Jurgen instead. I can get it done, even if it kills me.

Erje: I can't lose you. And I'm not going to order you to assassinate anyone. We're different from the nobility. I won't do things that I'll later feel ashamed to admit to my people. They've been through enough as it is. I can bring him to justice without shedding blood. He's committed treason -- that's enough to keep him locked away for the rest of his life. There has to be another way. We're just unable to figure it out at this moment.

Erje was adamant. Prostrate, Woon looked up at the Princess, and let his head fall, feeling helpless.

Erje: I'm sorry if I'm being unreasonable, but we can't respond to violence with violence. That'll only further push the people away from us. I have a plan. I haven't had a chance to achieve it because of the nobility, but once we get over this, I'll see that it comes true. That plan will help me and the Commander make Empyrean the world that we've been dreaming of. In that world, the nobility won't be as unruly as they are now. The Commander thinks of you as his own. If anything, you should do this for him.

Woon: ...I will, Your Highness.

Woon answered after a moment of hesitation. Erje thanked him and left the bridge. The sudden wind from the sea startled her, but she quickly straightened her shoulders and opened her eyes wide. She wasn't the princess who shook and wept a moment ago. Her innate intelligence and will, which helped her endure when she was at the mercy of the Kartels, gave her new strength.

Erje: (...I may be cornered, but I'm not dead. So long as I'm alive, I must fulfill my obligations to my country and my people. I'm not going to fail the Commander and the Adventurer.)

Erje was no longer looking out at the sea. In the meantime, Woon was panicking. He was tormented by self-condemnation, a fear of failing again, and self-doubt that kept whispering to him that things would've been better if Jackter was there instead of him. Left alone on the bridge, Woon remained kneeling on the floor, unfeeling of the cold that slowly seeped from the floor into his body and unaware of time passing, until his men came to find him.

Interlude: Noblesky 2

The Princess was nowhere to be seen in the Palace of Ghent. Nevillo Jurgen walked into the old palace, barely suppressing his rage at having to see parts of it destroyed here and there and even burned to the ground in some places.

He dismissed all the others around him, entered the princess's study, and called for his daughter Marianne. It was a long while before his daughter showed up with Coast Guard Captain Hiram in tow, and Nevillo was so angry that it was all he could do not to strangle his daughter.

Nevillo Jurgen: How can you be so stupid? How could you do this to your own father?

Marianne: ...Father. You came earlier than I thought.

Nevillo Jurgen: Is that all you have to say?

Marianne: I don't understand why you're so upset. I've captured Jackter the Eagle Eye and banished the princess for you.

Sometimes you're so upset that you're at a loss for words. That was the case with Nevillo. He was next to none when it comes to speech and persuasion, but his daughter's cheeky remark left him feeling as if he was choking.

Hiram, who stood behind Marianne and had observed the father and daughter's conversation, broke into a grin.

Hiram Klauf: Don't be so upset. Your daughter led this operation with flying colors. She's no longer the child you have to take care of. That should make you happy.

Nevillo Jurgen: Captain Hiram, what are you up to? Why did you encourage her to do this? We're no better than the Kartels now.

Hiram Klauf: No, we're not. We can't be more alike. Besides, it was you who said we shouldn't wait for an opportunity to present itself--we should create it on our own. The Coast Guard has been waiting all this time.

Hiram sounded nonchalant, but he couldn't hide the scowl on his face. Fortunately, Jurgen was too angry to notice.

Nevillo Jurgen: But the timing was wrong! And the people saw you chase away the helpless princess! Now they think the nobility and the Empire are no better than the Kartels! Sympathy is a great weapon. Why do you think the people still love that incompetent princess? The time that the people bowed to their ruler out of fear has gone. They still love her because they're a sentimental lot. Public sentiment is what kept her in power so far. The princess hasn't done anything good for the country, but she didn't do anything wrong either. The people know that. They feel sorry that she became a leader so young. They already think of her like their own child, and we drove her away like the Kartels did!

Jurgen was now screaming, but that didn't faze Marianne. Her gaze on him remained cool and sarcastic.

Marianne: What do you mean, "we?" You never took part in this.

Nevillo Jurgen: What are you talking about?

Marianne: Where were you when we drove away the princess and captured the Eagle Eye? Oh, that's right. You were in Zelba. It was Sir Verta, The Coast Guard, and I who saw this through. You have no right to be angry with me.

Nevillo felt as if someone poured cold water on his head. This wasn't the obedient Marianne he knew. He felt as if he didn't know the woman who stood proudly in front of him.

Marianne ignored the pang of guilt she felt and lifted her chin defiantly. She still respected her father, but she was tired of being called a little girl who hid behind her father.

Marianne: We couldn't have done this if it weren't for you. I know that and I'll make it up to you, but I can't live in your shadow forever.

Nevillo Jurgen: ...Everything I did, I did it for you. You could've waited a little longer. You could've done all this without blood on your hands.

Marianne: You're only thinking I was impatient because you're a man. But I'm a woman, and in my opinion, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. The Eagle Eye will pay for costing this country so dearly, and the princess will soon follow suit.

Nevillo, who felt helpless until that moment, lifted his eyebrows and glared.

Nevillo Jurgen: This is why I kept you from the Council of the Nobility for as long as I did. You're going to punish the princess, but for what? Were you listening to me when I said the princess did nothing wrong? You could say anything you want, and the people will still think she's innocent. Incompetent, yes, but not guilty. Incompetence in a leader is a reason for impeachment. But everyone knows the princess was too young and unprepared when she ascended to the throne. Why do you think I attacked Eagle Eye? Insisted that soldiers like him are a threat? It's because I didn't have a choice. He was her wings and her shield. When you catch a bird, you break its wings first. I went for the Eagle Eye for that exact reason. I was going to separate him from her, so I could pressure her into handing the Imperial Seal over to me. I was going to send her away to a small temple in a remote village, so she would be a constant object of ridicule until she dies. Well, thanks to you, she's become the fragile little princess again.

Marianne: Are you saying we shouldn't kill her? But she won't stop fighting as long as she lives.

Marianne argued. Nevillo felt wearier talking to her than fighting his enemies.

Nevillo Jurgen: What you really have to worry about is Anton. Anton is strong enough to decimate our army and destroy the Power Station. All the princess has is sympathy from the people. If the Eagle Eye didn't go after Anton when he did...

Nevillo stopped himself from firing off. He remembered Hiram was still with them.

Hiram Klauf was the captain of the Coast Guard and Herman's student. Nevillo knew he wasn't the friendly man he wanted others to believe.

He needed him. He was the sharpest weapon he had in his arsenal. But he couldn't be trusted; having faith in a bomb's destructive power is one thing. Thinking it wouldn't kill you is another.

Nevillo breathed deeply. On the inside he was a whirlwind of emotions, but his face remained a mask of calmness, a self-defense mechanism he developed during his years at the Court.

Behind this mask he quickly calculated his odds, and then spoke in a brittle tone that worked like a charm on his daughter every time.

Nevillo Jurgen: Go. Give away food to people and make them happy. Convince Zeldine Schneider and Marlene Kitzka that you mean the princess no harm. Don't hurt either one of them. They're your ticket out of this.

His tone worked on his daughter just as he expected. His resignation unsettled her more than his anger ever could.

Marianne was already agitated by the Adventurer's intervention that ruined her complete victory. She couldn't leave the study faster to do what her father said.

Hiram Klauf: You should be proud of her. She could've made a great soldier if she had a mind.

Nevillo swore inside.

He cut down the military enlistment budget, claiming that they didn't need many soldiers, that soldiers were no better than the Kartels except that they had the license to kill, that civilians could help in states of emergency. It was clear what Hiram just said wasn't meant to be a compliment.

Nevillo Jurgen: You instigated my daughter and other impatient nobles into creating this mess. What the hell are you up to?

Hiram Klauf: I told you before. I hate the Eagle Eye. When we were dealing with Anton, he only pretended to trust me. He was ready to throw me out the first chance he got. I only beat him to it. I'm just trying to survive here, just like you. That's good enough reason, isn't it?

Nevillo Jurgen: You should've been more patient. I would've given you the chance.

Hiram Klauf: Please, I knew your plan. You were going to dispose me and the rest of the Coast Guard once our usefulness ran out. I couldn't let you do that.

Nevillo Jurgen: ...

Hiram Klauf: Anyway, I see that we've come to agree that the princess should live. At least for a while. The Adventurer, hero of Empyrean, is on her side. That's been disconcerting to both the nobility and the general populace. At least the Eagle Eye gets to die. You were thinking about sending him into exile instead, weren't you?

Hiram sounded cynical and frustrated at the same time. Jurgen hid the surprise in his eyes by pretending to adjust his glasses.

Nevillo Jurgen: ...We might need him in the future.

Hiram Klauf: Pick your side. You either get rid of him or keep him alive. But now that things have changed, trying to save the old eagle will only get you in trouble. I'd better leave now. We couldn't have done this if it weren't for you, true, but also there are things we have to clean up because of you. We'll settle our debts later.

Hiram left, leaving Nevillo alone in the princess's study. He stood up from the chair and paced about the room.

Nevillo Jurgen: (Hiram needs to die. I picked him because I thought he was useful, but who knew he was a loose cannon? He has to die. He has to. The princess is not a problem. Neither is the nobility, so long as it refuses to accept the fact that times have changed. The problem is that rabid dog.)

Nevillo was so angry that he was gritting his teeth, but he still took care not to speak his mind, lest someone might be hiding somewhere, spying on him.

But his head was filled with all kind of bloody images at that moment. For a while, he thought about possible solutions to his problem. Then, when he finally found just the right one, he smiled.

Interlude: Noblesky 3

Navarre: What should we do?

Biyan: What should we do what?


Navarre: Should we go rescue the Princess, or stay put?

They were sitting in a corner of the training ground at the Etten Headquarters. Navarre stopped drinking his soda and asked nonchalantly. Biyan didn't feel as relaxed as her companion might have been.

She almost strained her neck, trying to make out if her superior was drunk or something from drinking too much soda. For a moment, she even wondered if she was talking to a different person.

Navarre turned his eyes away from the flock of clouds in the sky and smiled at Biyan, whose face was closer now that before.

Biyan: You smell like you've been drenched in soda. You're Lieutenant Navarre, alright. How many cans have you had today?

Navarre: No one gets drunk by drinking soda. By the way, can you really smell soda from me?

Biyan: Yes, because you drink it so much. Keep drinking like that, and you'll lose all your teeth before you're forty.

Navarre: ...Don't treat me like an old man. My teeth are fine.

Biyan: I was just saying because you asked a strange question. You've always been fighting for the Princess.

Biyan closed the book she was reading. The afternoon was quiet. No one had passed them by. In the official Army setting, they were superior and subordinate, but when they were alone, they talked like when they were just two mercenaries.

Navarre: That's because she symbolizes the resistance against the Kartels, but now... I'm tired.

Navarre: I don't mind fighting, but I don't want to fight forever. We just got out of a war with the Kartels, and then a revolt broke out in Ghent. Will there ever be peace?

Biyan: The princess had nothing to do with the Kartels though.

Navarre: In a way, she does. The Kartels rose from the ashes after the priestess who preceded her died. Anton is as unstoppable as a natural disaster, but everything else happened after was because of our leaders.

Navarre started to ponder, and Biyan took the soda bottle out of his hand and took a long drink.

The soda tasted warm and flat, rather than sweet and cool as she imagined. She grimaced, and Navarre gloated.

Navarre: This is why I can't emphasize the importance of prompt supplies enough. Whoever has better logistics wins the battle, always. And we're not them.

Biyan: You and your soda and your logistics. But why? What did the Commander say that got you in this weird mood?

Biyan was talking about the commander of the Etten Headquarters. Navarre furrowed his brow.

Navarre: She thinks maybe we should go independent this time.

Biyan: Huh?

Navarre: The electricity that feeds all of Empyrean is produced in this place. Its infrastructure is not completely restored, but now that the engineers are back, it's producing enough electricity for Etten. We don't need help from the Seven Shards anymore.

Navarre: The Coast Guard has gone to Ghent. The nobility will be too busy dealing with the situation in the capital city for a while. The same with the Imperial Army. She thinks we could use electricity as leverage to demand our rights.

Navarre: In other words, our lady commander wants to become the governor of Etten.

He said it so casually that it took a while for Biyan to feel the impact of his statement. Wide-eyed, she repeated the word governor for a while. Suddenly, she started hitting Navarre on his shoulder.

Biyan: Are you crazy? Why didn't you say anything to stop her? This is why people call you the nepotism hire!

Navarre was quiet for a moment. She was telling the truth, and he had nothing to say to that.

Navarre: She's just daydreaming about it for now. I didn't want to goad her, so I just played along. Ouch--stop hitting me!

Navarre: Etten is at an important turning point. We have to decide if we look out for Number One, or stay loyal to the rest of the state.

Biyan: Don't get any stupid ideas! This country is smaller than you think. If something goes wrong, we'll die--oh.

Navarre: Yes, things have changed. We can always run to Underworld, and we don't have to go through Ghent to get there. Underworld is much bigger than Empyrean. It'll be harder to find us there.

Biyan: So what seems to be the biggest challenge to this country is the greatest opportunity to the ambitious.

Navarre: So I asked you, whether we should go rescue the Princess or stay put.

Navarre: We could choose the Princess and stay loyal to her, but we'd get stuck. The others might refuse to join us, and we could even get caught by the Commander before we leave Etten.

Navarre: Or we could stay here and keep the aspiring governor in check. But that would leave the Princess helpless.

Navarre: We could stay here and still express our support for her, but then the Commander wouldn't leave us alone. We'd better keep our mouths shut, or she'll make us go to the end of the land and force us to dive into the ocean.

Navarre: She's a smart lady. She's plotting treason, and she's not leaving anything that could incriminate her. What I told you about her wanting to become governor didn't come out of her mouth. Say that to anyone else, and I'll be court-martialed for defaming my superior.

Navarre grumbled, but Biyan was relieved to know he was still the same man he was when they first met as mercenaries.

But Navarre was just one man, and there is only so much one man can do.

Biyan: Many Imperial soldiers remain in the Imperial Capital. Our soldiers there are inferior in number. Our weapons are old to begin with, but they're practically all worn out after fighting the Kartels. Cut off the electricity, and things will get worse. Restoring the Princess to the throne wouldn't be the biggest problem then.

Biyan: What about the Lawless District--I mean the Wespeace Headquarters? It hasn't moved either. What's their stand?

Navarre: We should leave it out of the discussion. It has enough on its plate--Kartel remnants, the militia, anarchists, oh, and Neil. Thank the gods, I wasn't sent there.

Biyan: I wish Commander Eagle Eye were here... The nobility ruined his reputation, but he's the greatest man I know.

Navarre: Those who believed the rumors that the nobility spread about him are also at fault, even if they didn't actively participate.

Biyan: I don't know how things went so wrong...

Navarre felt the sadness in her tone, but he didn't know what to say.

How did things go so wrong? Some say things went downhill the moment Anton showed up. Some blame the reappearance of Underworld.

Navarre agrees with neither. He patted Biyan's lowered head. The sun finally came out from behind the thick blanket of clouds, but it was about to disappear below the horizon.

Navarre: The Adventurer opened a path to Underworld. He came with the Imperial Army, and took care of the Kartels and Anton. And even Luke. Maybe all this is just part of the change that the Adventurer has set in motion.

Navarre: Whether it's a new change or simply a side effect is yet to be seen, but he didn't cause this conflict we're having. It's always been inside us.

Navarre: I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm glad I have choices.

Biyan: What do you choose?

Navarre: I'm staying. You?

Biyan: Do you have to ask? You know I won't go anywhere without you.

Biyan smiled gently behind the curtain of black hair that fell to the side of her face.

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