Chapter 8: The Pirate Flag

Chapter 8:
The Pirate Flag

 

WHEN LOUISE boarded the enormous airship, Serge was there to greet her. He stared, studying her. “Those’re some fancy clothes for someone about to go to their death.”

A white dress had been prepared for the occasion, since she was to be an offering to their divine Sacred Tree. In a way, it looked like a wedding dress.

“And why are you here?” Louise asked, shocked. It wasn’t seeing Serge that bothered her so much as his presence on the ship. If things went south, he might lose his life. He was the Rault’s heir; it was strange for him to even be allowed on such a potentially dangerous mission.

Serge carried a spear and was dressed like he was ready to go into battle. “I’m just here to keep an eye out. To make sure you don’t run.”

“You really are despicable,” she spat. “You really think I would come this far only to escape?”

“That anxious to see your little brother, huh?”

Serge’s mockery was getting on her last nerve. Louise raised a hand to slap him, but Fernand caught her by the wrist.

“That’s enough, you two. Serge, you’re out of line.”

Louise freed her hand before marching off, ignoring Serge completely. A few bodyguards followed after her.

Fernand sighed with relief. “I’ll watch from the rear. If anything happens, I’ll charge right in to help.”

As he walked off, Serge called after him, “Better get ready for a fight, Fernand. The kingdom’s definitely gonna show up.”

Fernand paused and glanced over his shoulder. “So you think he’ll show up too, hm?”

“I do. No doubt in my mind.” After saying his piece, Serge left, mumbling to himself, “Now go ahead and show yourself. I know exactly what your weakness is.”

 

***

 

As the large airship took off, it was followed by a number of military battleships acting as escorts. Fernand, leading the fleet, took the rear. They were headed to the very top of the Sacred Tree.

The representatives of the Six Great Houses, Serge included, stayed in a room close to Louise’s. Serge was parked in a chair, looking over the weapons Ideal had provided him.

Hughes peered over, curious. “Those are some unusual armaments you’ve got there. Did you find them on an adventure?”

Everyone knew of Serge’s penchant for adventuring. Naturally, they assumed these weapons were Lost Items he’d found along the way.

Narcisse stepped closer. After receiving Serge’s permission, he picked up a spear in his hands to examine. “Amazing, it’s so light! How can something this large weigh so little?”

“It’s light, but it’s also durable.”

The spear was equipped with a blade that allowed its wielder to slice as well as stab. Ideal had also furnished Serge with a gun of unusual shape.

“I’ve got enough for you guys too,” said Serge. “Feel free to use ’em.”

Hughes retrieved a gun for himself, but his fear of Leon and his crew hadn’t completely faded. “You really think we can take him down with these? Dammit! Anyone with common sense would keep their distance. Why won’t he?!” As a noble, he struggled to comprehend why Leon would go to such lengths to save Louise.

Narcisse refused to keep any of the weapons on his person. “I’ve gone into a dungeon with those boys, and I know the depths of their insanity. It was terrifying not knowing what they might do next. They truly are barbarians.” As the memories of his time adventuring with Leon and the other Holfort students flooded into his mind, Narcisse shuddered. He was reluctant to face them. “They’re highly skilled. Both as adventurers and as warriors.”

Hughes trembled even as he huffed. “Yeah, but in the face of the Sacred Tree’s divine protection, they’re powerless. The only one we need to be wary of is Earl Bartfort. I’m sure you can agree with that, Loic? You know the danger he presents better than anyone here.” As Hughes mocked his former friend, he holstered his gun.

Loic already had a weapon he’d brought from home and didn’t bother taking any of the ones Serge provided. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

“Don’t forget, Earl Bartfort carries the Guardian’s Crest,” Emile warned them. “It would be unwise to underestimate him or any of his companions, for that matter. We need to be on guard against any opponent.”

“You have a point,” Narcisse said, nodding. “Regardless, I doubt he or his fellows will bother coming. There’s nothing to be gained by saving Louise.”

The boys stared at him.

Serge, who was leaning back in his chair, sniffed. “He’ll definitely come. And when he does, I’ll be there to greet him.” He spoke with such confidence about Leon’s interference that Hughes’s anxiety continued to mount.

“I’d just as soon he didn’t come. Why does he have to go and stick his neck out, anyway? Louise has no ties to him.”

“You don’t gotta act so terrified, you know. He’s only strong ’cause he’s got that ship and Armor. Catch him unarmed and he’s no more of a threat than any normal person. Plus, I’m tougher than anybody else. You guys know that. Right, Loic?”

Loic had lost to Leon, but Serge was confident he wouldn’t meet the same fate. His daily training contributed to some of his self-assurance, but Serge also had a great deal of pride to begin with. He’d hated being compared to the dead Leon so much in the past that he’d pushed himself to excel wherever he could. No one had given him proper recognition for his successes, which was why he’d stubbornly insisted on adventuring despite all opposition. He’d practiced and practiced until he was coughing up blood, and he never stopped a dungeon crawl, even when he was on the brink of death. As far as he was concerned, it didn’t matter that Holfort was the supposed birthplace of adventurers; he wasn’t about to lose to anyone.

There’s no window in Louise’s room. If he can’t find a way to locate her from a distance, he’ll have to board the ship and search for her personally, won’t he? Perfect. I’m ready for you, Bartfort.

Ideal had also prepared defensive measures to counter Luxion, creating interference so he couldn’t scan for Louise to locate her. That meant the only way for Leon and his companions to get her off the ship would be to infiltrate it themselves. In these closed quarters, they wouldn’t be able to use Armors. They would have to fight with their own fists.

Same name and same face, which means this Leon and the dead one are practically one and the same. That’ll make it all the more satisfying to kill him.

Serge flashed a sinister smile, prompting Hughes to regard him fearfully.

“You seem to think you’ll be able to defeat him if he’s not in an Armor or a ship, but I think you’re underestimating him,” Emile said.

“What’d you say?”

“I am saying that Pierre and Loic both made the mistake of taking him too lightly. Can you really be so sure you’re the exception?”

“Don’t act smart with me, you useless weakling!” Serge jumped up from his chair, slamming a fist into Emile, who went tumbling to the ground.

Narcisse put himself between the two. “Serge, cut it out!”

“Looking at your face pisses me off,” Serge snapped at Emile, ignoring Narcisse. “You’re so scrawny and pathetic. You could never make Lelia happy. You’d be doing her a big favor by breaking up with her.”

Emile clenched his teeth and kept his eyes glued to the floor. Serge opened his mouth to egg him on further, but a blaring siren interrupted them.

“E-enemy attack! There’s an enemy attack! A pirate ship is descending from above! Everyone, get to your stations!” A panicked voice boomed over the intercoms, but no sooner had it finished speaking than their own ship began to shudder.

Narcisse and Hughes took a fall, while Serge crouched to keep himself upright. Loic managed to stumble over to a window.

“What’s going on?” Loic muttered. “Air pirates, really? Why would air pirates come so close to the Sacred Tree?”

Normally, military ships were stationed so close to the tree that air pirates couldn’t approach. It was strange to see them here.

“Hey there, Alzerians. I’ve come to play!” Leon’s voice echoed around them, starting off light and chipper before abruptly dropping into a menacing tone.

Hughes’s lips trembled. “H-he’s here! Bartfort’s heeeere!”

He wasn’t the only one shaken by Leon’s abrupt appearance. The knights and soldiers on board also wore terrified looks.

“I bet you’re wondering what we’re doing here,” Leon continued. “I bet you think all this has absolutely nothing to do with us, right? Well, let me tell you why you’re wrong. For starters, Serge punched me that one time. I wasn’t able to get my revenge because of the whole nonsense with Miss Louise being a sacrifice, but it just keeps weighing on my mind. As such, I’ve decided to come and collect my due.”

Cold beads of sweat poured down Narcisse’s face. “That’s insane. That’s why you came?!”

As if he could hear those words, Leon went on, “I’m sure you must be wondering, ‘Did he really come here for something so petty?’ Yep, I’m sure a ton of people will belittle me for it. But see, I won’t be able to sleep at night until I give that bastard a good pounding. Now it’s time to have some fun!”

With that, the enemy broadcast ended.

 

***

 

It all started a few days ago. As I was racking my brain over how to save Miss Louise, the person who’d been sent to oversee negotiations with the republic came by. I met them in Marie’s foyer, and my voice broke with emotion as I shouted, “M-Maaaaaster!”

“It certainly has been a while, Mr. Leon. I hear you’ve been working hard.”

“Wh-wh-why are you here?! Oh, never mind that! Come inside. Please, I insist!”

My master was clad in a dapper suit, as befit a gentleman of his caliber. I anxiously ushered him into a room, where I carefully prepared tea.

Master was presently the headmaster of Holfort Kingdom’s academy. He wasn’t the type to pay the republic a visit for vacation. He was only here because the kingdom had sent him as a diplomat.

“M-Master, so…why have you come to Marie’s place?” I asked.

“I wanted to see you before I returned.”

I couldn’t believe it. He had gone out of his way to see me when, by all rights, I should have been the one to pay my respects to him.

Master glanced at the other faces in the room and smiled. “It’s a relief to see you’re all in good spirits.”

“Good spirits and then some,” I said with a shrug as I looked at the idiot brigade. “In fact, I’d appreciate it if they’d be a little more well behaved.”

They glowered at me, but I ignored them.

“I heard you managed to wrap up negotiations with the republic, Master. I would expect no less from someone as capable as you.”

“Yes, it was a relief that I was able to settle things the way His Majesty desired.”

Angie sighed. “It’s rather odd that they appointed our headmaster as a negotiator in the first place, though.”

“I am sure the officials at the palace have their hands full with other obligations. Under ordinary circumstances, they would have sent someone else,” Master said.

He had done quite the service for the kingdom, which made me feel all the more terrible for what I was planning to do.

“Master, about those negotiations…I’m afraid my actions may cause you some—no, quite a bit of trouble.”

“Oh? Is there some issue I am yet unaware of?”

Angie opened her mouth to spill the beans, but I jumped in to explain before she could. “Well, you see…”

When I told my master about how I wanted to save Miss Louise, his expression turned grim. “Mr. Leon, do you fully comprehend the ramifications of what you’re trying to do?”

I knew that saving Miss Louise would create issues. There was also the problem that she didn’t want my help, and she would likely resent me for it. On the other hand, if Mr. Albergue were to lose her, there was no telling the depths to which he’d fall. Keeping her alive would effectively prevent him from becoming the final boss. More importantly, however, was the simple fact that I wanted to do this.

“I do,” I said. “Though I’m sure it will cause problems for you and many others.”

Master nodded. “I already know nothing I say will dissuade you. When you say you’re going to do something, you keep your word.”

“Headmaster, pardon me, if you will…” Julius interjected.

Excuse you? What the hell do you think you’re doing, butting into my conversation with Master?

“If Bartfort does this, all the terms you’ve hammered out will be for naught. Worst-case scenario, this could start a war.”

Master sat up straighter. “I wouldn’t mind. This is something Mr. Leon has decided for himself. I cannot stop him. I lack the power to do so.”

“Master…”

It crushed me to think of how I would be inconveniencing him. If it were only Roland, I wouldn’t give a crap. I even welcomed the chance to give him hell.

“You say you’re going to save a woman from becoming a human sacrifice? That sounds like a knight’s dream,” my master said.

Angie crossed her arms, and her face puckered. “I admit, it does sound like something out of a fairy tale, but reality is always crueler than any storybook. The bigger issue is what comes next. Even knowing the repercussions, will you still not stop Leon, Headmaster?”

“I was sent to clean up after him to begin with. Besides, it’s a master’s duty to help his apprentice in their time of need.”

Damn, that was suave. My master is badass!

While I gushed over him, Master turned to me. “Could you at least try to minimize the damage?”

“I will try my best.”

“Splendid. Well, once you’re finished, I will do what I can to renegotiate.”

“Th-thank you!”

With this, I could cast off any of my lingering misgivings.

Noelle, who had been listening the whole time, suddenly lifted her hand in the air. She waited until everyone’s attention turned to her before she said, “I-I wanna go too.”

“Noelle? No, you can’t—”

“I want to give Louise an earful!”

Everyone was shocked to hear this. Everyone except Master, who was stroking his chin.

“Hm. Seems there’s some bad blood between you.”

“It goes well beyond bad blood,” Noelle said. “She caused all kinds of issues for me. But still, I owe her. That’s why I need to be there when we save her, so I can tell her what’s what.”

If Noelle wanted to aid in the rescue, she could have just said as much.

“Aw, come on, Noelle. You don’t have to hide how you really feel,” I teased.

Luxion stared at me in shock. “You’re the last person with any right to say something like that.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

When I glanced around the room, I noticed everyone giving me the same look. It was as if they were all saying “You’re the worst when it comes to hiding your feelings.”

Really? I thought. I’m pretty sure I’m the most upfront person in the world.

 

***

 

That conversation was what allowed us to bring the fight to the republic, worry free. For the occasion, the Einhorn flew a pirate flag.

Meaning that right now, we’re just a bunch of unaffiliated pirates.

The Einhorn bore down on the enormous enemy ship. I was strapped into Arroganz, dishing out orders.

“Get your game faces on!”

A number of other Armors hovered in the air around the Einhorn. Luxion had put them together for me in a hurry. The idiot brigade was piloting them, and each one had its own unique features.

Julius flew a white suit. “I never thought I’d become an air pirate and save a princess.”

Jilk’s green Armor hefted a huge rifle in its hands. “Well, I happen to think being an air pirate suits Earl Bartfort perfectly.”

He really is a snide little jerk.

Brad was piloting a purple Armor with a cone-shaped head. “Are you sure this Armor was built on the fly? It’s way more powerful than ones I’ve been in before. No ordinary Armor could ever beat this thing. If Arroganz is anything like this, it must be practically invincible.”

Inside the cockpit with me, Luxion shook his eye from side to side, exasperated. “Arroganz is an Armor I built specifically with Master in mind,” he explained. “Its performance is on an entirely different level than these, which I built on short notice. That said, while they may not be my most painstaking creations, I expect you to be cautious with them. If you destroy them, I’ll make you regret it.”

All the Armors he’d made for this venture were larger than your average suit, although they were still smaller than Arroganz.

Greg, who was piloting the red Armor, prepared for battle as we approached the hulking enemy ship. “It’s almost time!”

Chris was in a blue Armor wielding a claymore, and as enemy suits came flying toward him, he immediately cut them down. “Let’s make short work of them!”

While the latter two sounded perfectly normal over comms, they were practically naked in their respective cockpits. One was in shorts with no top, and the other was still in that loincloth.

I wish they’d consider my feelings. I have to look at their naked upper bodies on the video feed.

“Master, I’m unable to confirm Louise’s precise location. Ideal is jamming my scanning.”

“No sweat. We’ll break in and get her out ourselves. I’m still counting on you to do your part.”

“Understood. I’ll fly us in.”

“Okay, boys, it’s time to fight!”

The Einhorn slammed into the enemy ship, careful not to apply too much pressure lest it sink. A jarring, metal scrape echoed as they collided. Sparks flew from the site of impact, and the enemy ship finally halted.

“You’re not getting any farther!” I shouted as I jumped out of Arroganz’s cockpit, machine gun in hand. As soon as I landed on the other ship’s deck, I searched for an entrance inside. “Is it over there?”

It had originally been a luxury ship with a sizable deck. While it had been outfitted for battle, those last-minute alterations had done little to cover its weak points.

As I headed for the door leading in, two armed soldiers came rushing out.

“H-he’s here!”

“Kill him!”

They started shooting at me, so I returned fire. My rubber bullets were non-lethal, but they stung like hell. When they found their mark, the men writhed in agony. I ignored them and proceeded forward.

“Master, I have done as you asked.”

“Then get going,” I said.

Luxion flew off as I found the door I was looking for and ducked inside.

 

***

 

Fernand watched from afar as the Einhorn bulldozed into the enormous ship carrying Louise. As he stood on the battleship’s bridge, he stared at the scene, gobsmacked.

“Y-you have to be kidding me! Why is he even here? Why is he getting involved?!” Fernand’s noble sensibilities left him completely bewildered. His subordinates called to him for further orders, but it was clear by his expression that he was in shock and unable to properly issue any. Leon had instilled terror in the republic and her people countless times now, and knowing he was who they faced terrified Fernand.

“Lord Fernand! What shall we do?!”

“Wh-what a ridiculous question,” he stuttered. “We’re going to protect the sacrifice, of course!” He ordered his men to go on the offensive to defend Louise.

Alas, his men were similarly stricken with fear and unable to move.

“B-but our enemy is the Scumbag Knight. We don’t stand a chance against him. Moreover, he bears the Guardian’s Crest!”

It didn’t take a genius to see that morale was at an all-time low, and Fernand could do little to rouse his men.

Leon’s voice suddenly resounded through the intercom. “Do my eyes deceive me? Are you guys really not gonna come fight back? You can see the pirate flag I’m flying, right? You’re still going to ignore me? Don’t tell me you’re too scared.”

Fernand bellowed, “Cut the audio feed!”

“He’s hacked our systems. We can’t stop him!”

“So he plans to antagonize us, huh?” Fernand’s handsome face contorted, which only made Leon laugh.

“What’s wrong? I thought you guys would give me at least some trouble, but this is a piece of cake. Not that I expected much from you schmucks. After all, you’re a country willing to sacrifice a young girl to save your own sorry hides.”

Rounds of gunfire echoed periodically in the background. Leon had already boarded the ship and was fighting those inside.

“Fool,” Fernand hissed. “Do you understand what you’re doing?! If you interfere, you won’t get away with—”

“My lord, I don’t believe he can hear you.”

“Dammit!”

Leon had manipulated the feed so he could talk to them, but they couldn’t talk back. Even if Fernand wanted to order the other ships to move, it would be difficult to do so without comms.

Leon’s tone suddenly shifted, turning serious. “There’s one thing I’d like to say to you guys. If you’ve got a problem with what I’m doing, come get some. If it really eats you up that much, put me out of my misery. That is, if you think you’re capable.”

Fernand slammed his fists on the desk before him. “Do you honestly think we’re sacrificing her because we want to?! If you hadn’t pushed us to the edge to begin with, none of this would have happened!”

The lords would have shown more prudence in their debate under normal circumstances, but with the threat of a foreign power in the form of Leon looming over them, they had been burdened by the concern that the Sacred Tree might abandon them and leave the republic to crumble. This was the reason they had so easily thrown up their hands and given in to human sacrifice. The catalyst had been Leon.

 

***

 

While Leon and his companions fought above, Ideal reported the situation to Lelia on the ground. She was in the middle of lunch when the news came in, and the spoon she’d been holding fell from her fingers.

“Th-they really charged in? To save Louise?”

“Indeed. Your older sister appears to be with them,” said Ideal.

“Th-they even took Noelle?! Oh my god. What are those guys thinking?!”

Not good! I don’t give a crap about Louise, but if anything were to happen to my sister… Wait, hold on a second. I guess she doesn’t matter either. There’s no need for me to fuss over the Sacred Tree at this point.

Lelia stared at Ideal.

With him in my possession, my safety is guaranteed. If I wanted, I could even use him to rebuild the republic entirely. No…I could make a whole new country!

Luxion aside, Lelia was quite confident that no one else possessed the power required to beat Ideal. She could establish an alliance with Leon and the others, agreeing not to interfere with one another’s plans. The more thought she gave the idea, the calmer she became. She picked her spoon back up and resumed eating.

“Oh? You sure cooled off quickly,” Ideal observed.

“That’s because I realized there’s no reason to fuss over the Sacred Tree anymore.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As long as I have you, I don’t need the tree. I mean, right?”

Lelia expected Ideal to agree with her and the conversation to end there, but his reaction caught her off guard.

“I have to disagree. The Sacred Tree must be defended at all costs. It will be absolutely essential to the republic’s future.”

“What? But—”

“Besides, this nation only exists because of the tree. Take that away, and everything is likely to fall apart.”

Flustered, Lelia stuttered, “A-as long as I have you—”

“I will not deny my own value, but losing the Sacred Tree would be an enormous blow. I would appreciate it if you didn’t treat it so flippantly.”

Ideal was being harsher than usual, which made it impossible for Lelia to argue the point.

“F-fine, I get it.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.”

Lelia continued eating as she contemplated the future.

I guess that means my sister will continue to be the center of the universe going forward. Not all that surprising; she is a protagonist in this world. I’m more worried about whether Serge will be all right. He tends to overdo things.

“Ideal, if things get dangerous for Serge, will you step in to save him?”

“Why, of course,” he said. “But are you sure he’s the only one you want to save?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, I simply wondered why you didn’t mention Lord Emile.”

Lelia realized at that moment just how much more she valued Serge over Emile. Nonetheless, after a short pause, she said, “Make sure to save him too.”

“As you wish.”

Lelia gazed up at the ceiling.

When everyone gets back, I really am going to have to consider my future. I guess I’ll start by annulling my engagement.

 

***

 

Three people had been left behind at Marie’s estate during the mission: the headmaster, Cordelia, and Yumeria. The first was enjoying some tea when Cordelia asked out of nowhere, “Headmaster, are you sure about this?”

“Sure about what?” he asked.

“You must have realized by now. If Lord Leon causes another stir in the republic, it will have enormous repercussions. They may even have him executed, if worse comes to worst.”

Furthermore, picking a fight with a foreign country and damaging international relations would only make Leon’s standing back home suffer.

The headmaster glanced out the window. “That boy is a bit of a mystery.”

“Pardon?” Cordelia furrowed her brows. “Um, to be clear, I’m trying to say—”

“That you’re worried about him, no? Mr. Leon certainly is loved.”

“Th-that’s not it at all! He’s even dragged Lady Angelica onto the battlefield. I-If anything, I find him infuriating! Obviously, I would prefer him to be more discreet, especially since Lady Angelica chose him as her partner.”

“Yes, I am sure that would be for the best. At the same time, it might also be a mistake.”

Again, Cordelia was baffled. “What do you mean?”

The headmaster was trying to say that saving Louise was the moral thing to do but a poor choice for an aristocrat. Leon had no right to butt his head into another country’s domestic interests. Ordinarily, someone like him would only be able to watch helplessly as events played out.

“His actions are the pinnacle of chivalry. Do not mistake that as a compliment. I merely mean that, at times, Mr. Leon doesn’t view things in the same way we do.”

“Can you explain?”

“Mr. Leon sees the world through a very different perspective. I cannot say it’s the correct perspective, but he has managed to sort out a number of international issues that have compounded over time.”

Cordelia nodded. “You must be referring to the former Principality of Fanoss. Even I think his actions back then were heroic, but he’s far too slovenly and undisciplined on a daily basis.”

“No, no. That’s not all he’s done. He has saved the kingdom time and again. Lending him aid in this matter is my way of compensating him. Or I suppose it might be more accurate to say, it’s my way of returning the favor.”

Cordelia snapped her mouth shut, and the headmaster smiled.

“I have made all sorts of excuses, but I suppose in the end, maybe what I really want is to be able to see how Mr. Leon grows from here.”

Cordelia’s stomach knotted with anxiety. “I wish you’d take this issue more seriously.”