Chapter 5: Oath to the Sacred Tree

Chapter 5:
Oath to the Sacred Tree

 

AN OPPRESSIVE AIR hung over the classroom the next morning. All the students were talking about the severity of Jean’s injuries.

“Did you hear? He got hung from a tree out back.”

“The minute you piss off the nobles, you’re done.”

“Poor guy. There’s nothing we can do. Those guys are all blessed with divine protection.”

As far as the Alzerians were concerned, that protection meant everything. Anyone lucky enough to receive it was considered nobility. Aristocracy in Alzer had nothing to do with hereditary bloodlines, like in Holfort. You got your status from the Sacred Tree’s recognition. Without that, you were nothing. Meanwhile, anyone who had divine protection could treat you however they liked.

“What an awful country,” I muttered.

Noelle stared down at the floor. After everything that had happened to Jean, she was doubtless depressed.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Her face was white as a sheet, but she nodded. “I’m fine. I’m just worried about Jean. I doubt he can afford the medical fees, and who will look after his dog?”

Noelle couldn’t look after Elle because there was a rule against keeping animals at her apartment complex.

“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I’m looking after the old girl.”

“You are?” Her eyes widened in surprise, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad to hear it. Jean absolutely adores her. I’m sure he’ll feel better knowing that she’s being taken care of.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

“I thought about hiding her at my place,” Noelle admitted. “But this works out well. Oh, um, would you mind if I came over to check in on her?”

“Of course, you’re more than welcome,” I said tightly. I smiled just as tightly, and I really felt the strain of trying to get the expression up to my eyes.

“Something tells me that I’m not actually welcome…”

It was technically a good opportunity to get closer to Noelle, but I felt so guilty about Jean that I couldn’t think straight.

Just as Noelle’s mood was beginning to brighten anyway, Professor Clement waltzed into the room.

“Quiet, everyone. I am sure you have all heard what happened yesterday, but it’s time to begin homeroom now.” His expression was more severe than usual, but he kept sneaking glances at Noelle. I could tell he was worried about her.

 

***

 

Since Noelle and I were going home together, I waited for her after school.

“She sure is taking forever.”

“She did mention that she had to explain the situation to Lelia,” Luxion reminded me.

The two of them lived together, and Noelle didn’t want her twin worrying when she came home late today. It made sense that being an older sister came with its own hardships. It reminded me of my own jerkbot of a sister back home. How wonderful it would have been to have a sibling like Noelle. Mine did all she could to work me to the bone. Maybe it’s not too late to trade her in?

“Master, we have a slight problem.”

“What is it this time?”

“Loic, one of the love interests, is closing in on Noelle. I am classifying this as a dangerous situation.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, give me a break.”

“I will show you the way.”

I hurried after him as he led me through the school. What could be so threatening about a love interest?

As I turned the corner, I ran past Miss Louise. She glanced up at me as I dashed breathlessly through the halls, her interest piqued.

“What’s all the hurry for?” she asked.

“Uh, sorry, but I don’t have time right now. You’ll have to excuse me!”

“Wait. Tell me what’s going on!”

“Can’t! It’s a Noelle thing—”

The moment I said that, her face hardened.

Yikes! Does she really hate Noelle that much?

 

***

 

Noelle stumbled back into the wall of a deserted hallway. “What are you doing?!” she yelped.

“That’s what I want to know.” Loic slammed his hand against the wall by her head and glared, not even flinching as the noise echoed through the halls. He pressed his face intimidatingly close to hers. “What’s this I hear about you going to some guy’s house?”

Why does he have to act this way? It’s gross. A chill ran down Noelle’s spine. As beautiful as Loic was, he made her stomach churn. “Don’t touch me!”

Noelle cursed silently and shoved at him, trying to fight him off. Unfortunately, Loic was taller and more powerful. She only managed to force him back a few inches.

“I don’t need your permission to do anything,” she went on. “And stop going around telling everyone I’m your girlfriend! I have enough problems as it is.”

Clearly someone in class had ratted her out, but Noelle was having none of it. Did Loic have someone spying on her? Everything about him was repulsive.

She’d thought rejecting him outright would only make him angrier, but to Noelle’s surprise, Loic was grinning. A maniacal grin. A terrifying one. Noelle tried to retreat, but her back was already against the wall. There was nowhere to go.

“You’re at the end of your rope, Noelle.”

“Y-your threats won’t work on me,” she warned. “I’m not going to let you control me, no matter what you say.”

“You misunderstand,” said Loic. “Pierre has his eyes on you.”

“Huh?” Noelle gaped. She hadn’t expected that.

Loic just smiled. “He wants to get to those exchange students. That’s why he’s targeting the people looking after them.”

“No way… So he was responsible for stringing Jean up like that?”

“Exactly. And you’ll be next. But if you become my woman, he won’t be able to lay a hand on you. What’ll it be, Noelle?”

Loic knew all about Pierre’s schemes, but his only interest was in taking advantage of them to serve his own ends.

Noelle launched a kick right between his legs. “To hell with that!”

“Urgh!” Loic cradled his man bits, face contorted in agony.

Noelle glared down at him coldly. “Using others to get leverage over me? Don’t you feel ashamed of yourself? I hate men like you!”

Loic curled forward, cold beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. He was still grinning. “A-as strong-willed as ever, I see. But you’re being naive. Emile can’t save you. Don’t even think of relying on him. I’m the only one who can help.”

Emile was also from one of the Six Great Houses, and he was Lelia’s boyfriend. Noelle had always figured that if she needed his help, he would gladly offer it. But Loic didn’t seem to think so.

“Even if he does try to help, I’ll just join forces with Pierre,” Loic threatened. As the heir of House Barielle, Emile couldn’t openly oppose Loic if he backed Pierre.

But that just pissed off Noelle even more. I can’t believe him! Why does Lelia always defend this guy?!

“You’d stoop to aligning yourself with someone like Pierre?” Noelle clenched her fists in frustration. There was nothing she could do. He really is the scum of the earth.

Loic fought through the pain and managed to pull himself up. He gave her a strained, wry smile and clapped her on the shoulder. “If you were mine, you would never know hardship. You know your little sister wants this for you. But if you refuse? If you run into the arms of another guy, then I would just as soon…”

The crest on the back of his hand glowed red.

“No one would ever willingly choose to be with you!” Noelle spat.

“We’re not going to make it!” a distant voice called from down the hall. “Screw it, I’ve got no choice.”

“Master, what are you planning to do? Master! D-don’t you dare—”

Noelle turned, surprised by the commotion. Loic did the same—just as a white metal sphere slammed into his face.

“Augh!”

Blood sprayed from Loic’s nose, and he collapsed to the floor. The strange white ball clattered down beside him, but it soon lifted back into the air, turning the red circle on its surface back toward Leon.

“Strike!” Leon pumped his fist. “Just kidding, heh.”

“You only hit him because I changed my trajectory midway,” scoffed the ball. “You would have missed him by a mile had I not, what with your lack of control. More importantly, don’t you have something to say to me?”

“Yeah, I guess I do.” Leon snorted with laughter. “You’re much easier to throw than I expected.”

“It seems I was right to despise you, Master.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, that makes two of us, Destructo-maniac.”

“I demand you take that back. My name is Luxion, not ‘Destructo-maniac.’”

“Ah, but what a magnificent name it is. You should be thanking me for bestowing it upon you.”

“Master, don’t you think you should show a little more appreciation?”

“I do. In my own way.”

Were these two friends or what?

“Um, what’s going on?” Noelle asked, thoroughly confused.

Loic slowly peeled himself off the floor, pinching his nose as blood continued to gush out. “You bastard. You’re one of the exchange students, aren’t you?”

He was absolutely livid. The mark on his hand glowed a fierce red. He was going to use the seal’s power.

“Leon, run!” Noelle cried.

But Loic shoved her out of the way as she tried to put herself between them. He raised his hand toward Leon. “It’s too late!”

Before he could act, someone else stepped in. Louise. Like Loic, the crest on the back of her right hand was glowing. “Are you so eager to make an enemy of me, Loic?”

He dropped his arm. “Louise? Why are you covering for this guy?! This scumbag put his hands on my woman!”

Louise chuckled airily, crossing her arms. “Oh, really? I didn’t know she was involved with you. Perhaps you should work on distinguishing reality from your own delusions.”

“Do you truly intend to oppose me?”

They were both descendants of great houses—standing against each other like this was no small matter.

“Oh? You want to make even bigger problems for yourself?” Louise asked. “You’re the one at a disadvantage here, Loic. Not me.”

“Ugh…”

The strength of their crests was equal, but the power their families wielded was not. The head of House Rault was the current chairman of the assembly. As such, Louise held more authority.

Loic turned his back on the group, glancing briefly at Noelle. “Don’t forget what I said. I’m your only choice!”

And with that, he left.

Noelle turned to Leon and Louise. What a strange pair they made.

“Louise? Why are you helping me?” Noelle couldn’t fathom why she’d stick her neck out like that.

“Help you?” Louise scoffed. “Please, don’t get the wrong idea. Leon made a request, and I obliged.”

Leon chuckled. The white sphere bobbed beside him, its single eye gleaming red. It pressed as close to Leon as it could, almost as though it was trying to intimidate him.

“It’s true,” said Leon. “I asked her to help.”

“Oh, okay then…” Noelle couldn’t think of anything else to say. Her feelings were a giant mess of confusion. She at least owed them a few words of gratitude. “Well, whatever the case, you saved me. And I appreciate it. Thank you both.”

Louise spun around, turning her back on Noelle. “Don’t thank me.” She looped her arm through Leon’s. “Why don’t you come with me now?”

Noelle quickly grabbed for his other arm. “No way. We already have plans.”

Leon’s expression grew disconcerted as the two girls pulled him in opposite directions. “Uh? What’s going on here? Hey, Luxion, help me out.”

The robot looked away. “This is what they call two-timing,” he mumbled.

“You jerk! You’re really going to abandon your master? What are you muttering to yourself?!”

“I merely want you to reflect on your actions. And I demand you apologize for throwing me. If you refuse, I will report the current situation to those waiting back home.”

“You really are a total douche!”

Louise tugged at Leon’s arm. “Come, come. You need only give me a little time. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Leon tilted his head. “Who?”

“My parents,” Louise murmured shyly.

“Huh?!”

Noelle’s jaw dropped, but she recovered before Leon could.

“A-are you crazy? You’re the princess of House Rault!” What was Louise thinking?! Don’t tell me she’s seriously fallen for him?

“D-dummy!” Louise scolded, sounding flustered. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I have my reasons!”

The two girls kept pulling Leon’s arms, jerking him from side to side.

Suddenly, Luxion’s voice cut through the banter. “Master, we have another situation.”

 

***

 

While Leon was dealing with that mess, Brad was called to the back of the school. There, he found himself surrounded by a group of boys.

Brad twisted a lock of his hair between his fingers. “I came here at your request. What exactly is this about?”

Of course, the person who’d sent for him was none other than Pierre.

“For a bunch of nobles from a third-rate country, you guys sure have been acting pretentious.” Pierre made a gagging face. “You’re an eyesore.”

Brad sighed. “Seems you Alzerian nobles are even more belligerent than the rumors led me to believe. I am of the aristocracy as well, you understand. You may hail from one of the Six Great Houses, but don’t dare start something with me. You’ll bring an international scandal down on your heads.”

Pierre’s lackeys cackled, fully aware of what they were getting into.

For himself, Pierre quirked a brow, his right eye bulging with manic intensity. “How entertaining. You should be honored, then. I’ll be dealing with you myself.”

“You sure are confident.”

“Do it, boys!”

Brad glanced from one side to the other. Pierre’s flunkies charged, swinging wooden swords.

“Take this!”

Brad sidestepped and smoothly shoved his opponents, sending them stumbling.

“You bastard!” one of them spat, scrambling back to his feet.

Brad sighed inwardly. Are these guys serious? They’re not playing around, are they?

The nobles of Holfort were descended from adventurers, and it was customary for students at the academy to dive into the capital’s dungeon to beef up their skills. Brad wasn’t the type to duke it out on the front lines, but he was still far stronger than anyone in Pierre’s gang.

“Try this on for size!”

Another boy came charging from behind, and Brad slammed his knee into the boy’s stomach—swiping the wooden sword out of his hands. As the fight continued, Brad continued to beat off anyone who came for him.

Looks like all that training is paying off. In fact, he was quite pleased with himself, although he kept it hidden behind a cool mask as he studied Pierre. “Are we done here?”

Pierre growled at his minions. “Tsk, you puny excuses for men!”

But as far as Brad could see, Pierre was the puniest of them all. “I would prefer to avoid further violence. Shall we withdraw for now?” he asked, hoping he wouldn’t need to embarrass them further.

Then Pierre threw up his right hand. “Moron! Bladework isn’t everything!”

His minions followed his example, flinging their hands toward Brad.

“Fireball!”

“Ice Needle!”

“Energy Bolt!”

Each of them fired off their most powerful spell.

Are these guys insane?! Brad was surprised, but he kept his head and responded in kind. The thing was, he was far more talented at magic than he was with a sword.

“Earth Wall.” Brad stabbed his sword into the ground, erecting a shell around himself and effortlessly blocking their attacks.

Pierre’s goons soon realized they were outmatched and turned to Pierre, practically begging him to step in.

“You all really are worthless!” Pierre snapped.

“Let’s just call it quits here,” Brad said soothingly. “You’re obviously outmatched.”

He thought it best to take the diplomatic route, even if he really was faring quite well against them.

All the same, Pierre just grinned maniacally.

What’s with him? Brad braced himself.

Pierre lifted his hand, and the crest on his hand began to glow. “Now you’ve really pissed me off, you no-name third-rate noble!”

A magic circle lit up beneath Brad’s feet, and the wall he’d conjured crumbled into dust.

“What?!” He brandished his wooden sword in a panicked attempt to defend himself, but tree roots suddenly shot out of the ground and attacked him. Brad tried to parry the tree’s blows, but his weapon splintered. Even worse, when he tried to use his magic, something strange happened.

“Tsk, Fire Lance!” At first, he thought the roots had deflected his flames, but that wasn’t it—his spell never even materialized. “Wh-what’s going on?!”

Brad’s magic hadn’t failed him. It was more like something had stopped the spell entirely.

The roots wrapped around his feet, lifting him up into the air and holding him upside down. Brad struggled to free himself, but the tree just squeezed his ankles even tighter.

“Dammit!”

Pierre’s flunkies circled around him while Pierre kept his hand up, his crest glowing. They all sneered menacingly. With no other way to defend himself, Brad braced his arms over his head.

Pierre raised his hand to his forehead, still pointing at Brad with the other. He cackled. “Where did all that bravado go, huh? Now we’ll punish you for your insolence. Once we’re done with you, you won’t have such a pretty face anymore!”

As frustrated as Brad was, he didn’t let it show. What a fine mess I’ve gotten myself into. Marie, Julius…everyone. I hope you forgive me for the trouble this will cause.

For a split second, Brad found himself wondering what Leon would do. That single thought replaced his anxiety with something quite different. He grinned.

“Now!” Pierre howled. “Punish him!”

 

***

 

The mansion that the republic had prepared for Marie and her entourage was spacious and extravagant. It even had its own gardens. Unfortunately, she and the boys were still on probation after the fiasco in the kingdom. As such, they had only been assigned a few servants to help maintain the place, and those servants didn’t even live on the premises—they merely came by to attend to their duties. That left Marie, her boys, and her followers in charge of their own dinner.

Kyle was preparing plates in the dining hall while Greg sat with his face on the table, waiting to be served. “Is it still not ready yet? I’m starvin’.”

Greg had been whining for several minutes, and Kyle was sick of it.

“If you’re that impatient, you could always lend us a hand.”

“Impossible. I’m so hungry I can’t even move.”

Kyle wanted to punch him in the head, but he restrained himself. Instead, he turned toward the sound of Marie and Carla’s voices echoing from the kitchen.

“Boil more pasta!”

“Yes, my lady!”

“Ugh! Why do they have such huge appetites?!”

All eight of them were still growing, and that made meal preparations quite intense. Worse yet, aside from Kyle, none of the boys would lift a finger to help.

Kyle sighed and glanced at Greg. “Where are the others?” He hadn’t seen them in the dining hall yet.

“Julius and Jilk are in their rooms, getting ready for tomorrow. They take this stuff way too seriously. And I think Chris said he’d be in the garden swinging his sword, since he has nothing else to do.”

Oh, yeah? What about helping out for once? But Kyle thought better of saying that out loud. Well, they are all rich kids. I guess that to them, it’s only natural that servants should do all the menial labor.

It was futile to hope for anything more. As he reflected on that, there was a clamor at the door. It flew open, and Chris’s voice echoed through the halls.

“Everyone? There’s trouble!” His voice was strained with tension.

Alarmed, Marie poked her head out of the kitchen to see what was happening.

 

***

 

Marie came scurrying to the front entrance. She was still wearing an apron, and her hair was pulled back for cooking. As soon as she saw Brad, her eyes went wide.

“What happened?!”

He was tied up and lying on the ground. Sitting on top of him was a student from the academy.

“Heya, third-rate nobles. Hope you’re having a good evening. The name is Lord Pierre of House Feivel.”

Marie stared at Brad’s swollen face. She tried to scramble over to him, but Julius caught her by the shoulder. “What are you doing, Julius? Let me go!”

“Calm down, Marie. Brad’s alive. For now, the more pressing issue is that man on top of him…and the minions he’s brought.”

Pierre was surrounded by his lackeys, and there were several cars parked in the street. They were all luxury models and appeared to have been modded.

Pierre locked eyes with Julius, grinning from ear to ear. “So you’re the former crown prince of the Holfort Kingdom. The one that fell from grace. You know you look really pathetic right now, right?”

Marie’s temper flared. Why is this jerk here?! And how dare he talk to Julius like that. He’s the ugly one!

“Are you the ones who hurt Brad?” Julius asked calmly. His voice was cold as ice.

Pierre smirked. “That’s right. He was pathetic. Didn’t even put up a fight. You’re all weaklings. Why don’t you go back home?”

Jilk hung back behind Julius and Marie, flexing his hand and ready to reach for his weapon. A vein bulged on Greg’s forehead as he restrained himself from charging in, while Chris still held a sword in his hand from practicing moments before. Kyle and Carla hid behind them all, but Julius remained at the front, speaking for their group.

“I ask that you hand Brad over.”

“Sure. That’s why I dragged him all the way here, after all. Oh, by the way, I’ve got a little bone to pick with you lot. Why don’t you play with me?”

Marie had a bad feeling about this. Uh-oh. I feel like I’m forgetting something important. What was it?

Pierre lifted himself up off of Brad. “I challenge you to a match. You can have your little friend back whether you win or lose. But if I win, you give me your ship. I’ll even swear on the Sacred Tree, if it makes you feel better. If you refuse, you’re not getting him back.”

Their ship? Was he talking about the Einhorn?

But…that belongs to my brother. We can’t bet with that! Also, wasn’t there something about swearing on the Sacred Tree?

“We can’t accept,” Julius said—to Marie’s relief. “Bartfort owns that ship. I have no right to it.”

“Oh, yeah? Then I guess I’ll just have to kill your buddy here.” Pierre grabbed a fistful of Brad’s hair, pulling his head off the ground.

“Wait!” Julius blurted. “I’ll accept, but I can’t bet the ship—”

Pierre just cracked a maniacal grin. The crest on the back of his hand lit up. “You said you accept! You swore on the Sacred Tree!”

Pierre threw his hands to the sky and cackled wildly, as if he’d already won.

“Wh-what are you talking about?” Julius asked, unnerved.

Suddenly, Marie remembered the problem. “N-no! You can’t accept this match!”

But a magic circle had already appeared beneath Pierre, and it expanded until it enveloped them all. Marie stared down at it, the color draining from her face.

I just remembered. In the game, this jerk invents a wild excuse to go after the protagonist, and then…

“The moment you agreed, you made a pact with the Sacred Tree,” Pierre leered. “Now you can’t back out! Any oath made on the tree is unbreakable. If you don’t stay true to your word, you’ll die!” He howled like a lunatic, jabbing a finger at Julius. “The rules of this match are simple: you and your friends will kill each other until only one is left standing.”

That was the last straw.

“That’s enough of your nonsense!” Jilk tried to whip out his handgun, but thin roots and ivy shot out of the circle, trapping them all.

Marie tried to free herself from the tendrils wrapped around her neck, but she was no match for them.

Pierre shoved his hands in his pockets and snickered. “You’re the ones who’re full of it. You swore to the Sacred Tree that you’d accept my match. Now hurry up and start killing each other or you’ve already lost!”

Marie gritted her teeth. What is wrong with this guy? He was petty and underhanded in the game, but this goes way beyond that! Besides, this bet he forced us into…

The Einhorn belonged to Leon. If it got stolen, Marie would be in big trouble.

Forget wearing out my brother’s patience, we’d be tearing it to shreds!

Julius glared at Pierre. “We can’t kill each other. Besides, these irrational terms can’t be legitimate!”

“This isn’t a third-world country like Holfort. Alzer is undefeated. If you honestly thought you would be treated fairly here, you were naive.”

Pierre was right about Alzer’s track record. As Julius and the others simmered with resentment, pain shot through their necks.

“Wh-what is this?!” Greg gasped, ripping the vines away from his neck. They left an inky mark on his skin that looked like a collar.

“Greg, there’s something on your neck,” Chris said.

“You too!”

They had all been marked with these strange collar-like tattoos.

Once the magic circle disappeared, the roots and ivy stopped moving.

“Like I said, an oath made on the tree is unbreakable,” Pierre explained. “The tree doles out its own punishment to the cretins who dare defy it. If you don’t keep your promises, you’re gonna lose your heads.”

Julius’s eyes widened. The boys whipped around to look at Marie. Just like them, she had a mark engraved on her skin. It enraged the boys to see, but they could do nothing about it.

Pierre strolled over to one of the waiting vehicles. “Guess it’s time to go see what a ship from a third-world country looks like—seeing as it belongs to me now.”

As he and his henchmen left, Julius raced toward Marie, his voice trembling with concern. “Are you all right?!”

“Tell…”

“What?”

“Tell Leon what happened. Now! And whatever you do, don’t piss him off, okay? You just make sure he understands. If…if we don’t bring him up to speed immediately, it’s going to be a disaster!”

“Y-yes, all right! I will inform him at once.”

To a one, Marie’s boys were startled by how visibly shaken she was. Chris immediately ran off to update Leon on the situation.

 

***

 

As troublesome as the Noelle vs. Louise predicament was, I managed to extricate myself and return home.

For crying out loud, why am I so popular all of a sudden? I was already lucky enough to be engaged to two amazing women in Holfort. Who could have predicted I would come here only to be fussed over by two more?

“What do you think, old girl? Pretty incredible, huh?” I was doting on Elle the second I came through the door.

I’d wound up refusing Miss Louise’s invitation, and Noelle and I had decided she would come visit another day.

The dinner Luxion had prepared for Elle looked like slop to me, but she gobbled it down. Then she curled up on a blanket I’d laid out for her, looked up at me, and panted happily.

We’d prepared a baby bed for her to sleep in, mostly so she wouldn’t put too much strain on her hips by jumping around. It had turned out to be even more effective than I’d imagined.

“Huh, you ate all your dinner.”

She seemed to be in pretty good health today. As I watched her, Luxion floated up to me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I calculated the precise ratio of nutrients she required, as well as the proper quantity. It’s no surprise she consumed it all. I planned it exactly.”

Was he still sour about me chucking him at Loic? What an annoying AI.

“You got some kinda problem?” I asked.

“I should think the answer would be obvious, but if I must spell it out for you, then yes. I do.”

“Is that any way to treat your master?”

“As a matter of fact, I regret recognizing you as my master in the first place.”

“That so? Well, that sure sucks for you.”

As I bantered with my sulky partner, Elle suddenly lifted her head. Her ears twitched as if she could hear something going on outside. A few seconds later, someone banged violently on my door.

“Who could it be at this hour?” I muttered.

“Master, I am not finished. We need to have a serious discussion about our future.”

“Yeah, yeah, we can do that later.”

I moseyed out of the room and made my way to the front entrance. When I opened the door, I found Chris banging on it like a wild animal. He was panting hard. Had he run all the way here from their mansion?

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Bartfort, my apologies!”

“For what?” I opened the door the rest of the way and invited him in. I definitely needed to know what the hell was going on.