Chapter 10: Marie's Turn

Chapter 10:
Marie’s Turn

 

THE ALZER REPUBLIC’S ARENA was a circular stadium with towering walls and raised seats for the spectators. The only real difference between now and when I’d fought at the Holfort Academy was the crowd. There, they had rained insults down on me. Here, they just chatted amongst themselves and regarded me with pity.

“I can’t believe it. He really showed up unarmed.”

“He’s dead meat.”

“That’s what he gets for messing with the nobility.”

The only ones laughing were Pierre’s minions, jeering from the safety of their seats.

“What’s wrong, ‘hero’?”

“Yeah, couldn’t get you an Armor in time?”

“Least you have some balls, coming here unarmed!”

What a bunch of goons.

A black machine—Arroganz—descended from the sky and landed with a flourish. It had far more spiky decorations than I remembered.

“Ugh, he has awful taste.”

A skull had been painted on it, which I could only assume was also Pierre’s doing. The whole suit looked horribly sinister.

Pierre laughed at me from the pilot seat. “What was all that about fighting me in an Armor, huh?”

Yeah, I’d said that before he pressured every merchant in the republic not to sell to me. And now he was mocking me for it. He had some nerve.

“Don’t play games,” I said. “You wanted this from the start.”

“It’s your own fault. You played right into my hands!”

Pierre was right. If you were gullible enough to let someone fool you, then you deserved everything you got.

Arroganz pointed at me, looking every bit the villain now. “It’s too late to apologize. You won’t get my forgiveness!”

I took the black glove out of my pocket and pulled it on.

“What?” Pierre cackled. “You plan to fight me like that?”

I put my hand on my hip and stared at him. “Enough, let’s do this.”

“Yeah, okay. What a shame. Guess I didn’t need insurance after all.”

I quirked a brow at him. “Huh?”

Pierre snickered to himself. “Carla, wasn’t it? And there was a dog with her too.”

He didn’t need to explain any further.

“You slime,” I hissed.

“Now why don’t we get this match started?”

You really are every bit the scumbag I thought you were.

 

***

 

Marie listened from the stands. The moment she heard Carla’s name, her eyes widened. Pierre didn’t say what he’d done, but Marie needed no help imagining.

Greg punched his palm. “Sneaky bastard! Wasn’t he the one who agreed not to use underhanded tactics? Isn’t this duel supposed to be sacred or some crap?!”

Julius’s nostrils flared. “Not only did he steal that Armor, now he’s taken a hostage.”

Narcisse and Louise weren’t about to let this “duel” go any further.

“This is a breach of our terms. We cannot allow this match to proceed.”

“Yes. We should cancel it immediately.”

While they consulted with one another, Marie realized Leon was mouthing something. He slipped the portable terminal out from his pocket and tossed it to her. She caught it and peered at him. The meaning of his expression was clear: Go save Carla and the dog.

Marie glanced down at the tablet. It was similar enough to a smartphone that she could navigate its interface with ease. It contained a map, showing the location where Pierre’s minions were keeping Carla.

Noelle glanced over. “What is it?”

Marie lifted her chin, eyes narrowed. “This is our chance to redeem ourselves,” she muttered, her voice ice cold.

“Huh?”

Marie turned to the boys. “Aren’t you all tired of whining like a bunch of babies?!”

“B-but, Marie,” Julius stammered. “We’re just worried about Carla—”

“If you’re so worried, let’s go rescue her.”

“Please calm down, Miss Marie,” Jilk said placatingly. “We don’t even know where they are. And Pierre could be bluffing. We need to relax and gather more information.”

“What cowardly nonsense is that?!” she spat back. “Where have your spines gone? Leon’s about to pummel this rat. Meanwhile, we’re going to save Carla and Elle!”

Chris hesitated, glancing at the arena. “B-but Pierre has an Armor—”

“And Leon beat all of you, remember? Do you seriously think he’d show up for this unprepared? Have some faith. He wouldn’t waltz into this duel unless he had something up his sleeve. He’s thorough and relentless. He drives his opponents into the pits of despair!”

Everyone fell silent.

Kyle scratched his cheek. “Without Miss Carla’s help, my work will increase tenfold. We need to save her. Now. I’m sure the earl has this situation under control.”

“Stop standing around and twiddling your thumbs!” Marie bellowed. “They kicked our butts, now it’s time for us to kick theirs!”

“You have a point.” Julius grinned. “Yeah! I guess I was feeling intimidated.”

Jilk nodded. “I didn’t realize it, but she’s right.”

“Then let’s go! We’ll head back to the estate and work out the details there.” Marie stood and led the boys out of the arena.

Narcisse was stunned by the display, but he soon returned to his senses. “W-wait just a moment! We’re canceling this match!”

Marie glanced back at him. “That’s obviously not an option!” she snarled. “I don’t care what you do, but you need to buy us time. We’re going to go save Carla. Don’t you dare get in our way!”

Narcisse shot a pleading look at Louise, hoping for her assistance. “Uh…”

Louise glanced down at the duelists. Leon was gesturing at her to continue the match. She sighed and put a hand on her hip. “It appears he wants to continue.”

Noelle hugged the sapling to her chest. “Leon…”

It seemed like the duel would go ahead as planned.

 

***

 

Marie returned to the mansion to find Brad covered in fresh injuries.

“Brad!” She raced to his side and cradled him in her arms, using healing magic to mend what she could.

His eyes fluttered open. “I’m sorry, Marie. I wasn’t able to protect Miss Carla and Elle.”

“Don’t talk right now.”

Marie finished performing first aid and had Greg and Chris carry Brad back to bed.

Meanwhile, Julius surveyed the garden. The thugs who’d taken Carla had left it in disarray. They’d raided the mansion as well. “I can’t believe they would go so far.”

“So this is the kind of underhanded stunt they’d pull during a ‘sacred duel,’ huh?” Kyle scoffed, disgusted. “These Alzerians must have a very different understanding of the word ‘sacred.’”

Marie glanced down at her tablet. An exclamation mark popped up on the screen and an alarm blared. “What? Something above me? Ack!”

There was a brief warning of something coming from above, then some kind of box slammed into the ground with an earsplitting crash, sending up plumes of dirt.

Kyle eyed the box. “Wh-what is this? Another attack?”

Marie clutched the tablet, edging closer. She pulled the lid off the box and peered inside.

“Miss Marie!” Jilk cried. “Stop! That’s dangerous!”

He tried to stop her, but she ignored him. Marie stuck her hand inside and pulled out a gun. One that she recognized. “He’s telling us to use this, huh?”

It was a submachine gun. The same kind she’d seen in old mafia films, complete with drum-shaped magazine.

Julius peeked into the box and pulled out some ammunition. “Rubber bullets? Why does he have something like this?”

Marie propped the gun against her shoulder as she examined the rest of the contents. There were all different kinds of firearms and other such weapons, including pistols and shotguns.

“It doesn’t matter. We’re going to make good use of these. Boys, get yourselves ready. We’re going to get Carla.”

 

***

 

Inside one of the many buildings in the warehouse district was Pierre’s merchant friend. He was wearing a gaudy suit and had a cigar protruding from his mouth. Wisps of smoke spilled over his lips as he stared down at Carla, who was anxiously clinging to Elle. The dog licked at her cheek, trying to calm her.

“Bad luck, little girl. You guys made enemies with the wrong people. If you had played your cards better, maybe you could have returned to your kingdom.”

Carla tried to put on a brave front, although her whole body was trembling. “I-I could say the same to you. Don’t you think you’re underestimating Earl Bartfort? H-he’s the Hero of Holfort, you know. He defeated some powerful people and saved the whole country. He’s a legend!”

The merchant stifled a laugh, and his subordinates snickered along.

“Little girl, he may be amazing where you come from, but this is the center of the world. Your backwater hero holds no power here. He’s probably being beaten to a pulp as we speak.”

Carla dropped her gaze and hugged Elle more tightly.

The merchant grinned. “If you keep quiet and do as you’re told, Mr. Pierre might be willing to show you some mercy, and—”

Before he could finish, the warehouse door blew open. His subordinates immediately readied their weapons as light spilled into the darkness. Dust danced in the air around a hazy silhouette.

“Shoot!” the merchant barked, terrified. “Shoot them right now!”

For a while, all that could be heard was the echo of gunfire. Once his minions had emptied their guns, the warehouse fell silent. The merchant and his men could only gape as the silhouette stood there unharmed, protected by a magic shield. Deformed bullets were scattered across the ground around them.

The magic dissipated, and a petite blonde girl stepped forward, holding an unusually enormous weapon.

Tears streamed down Carla’s cheeks. “Lady Maaaarie!”

“Give Carla baaaaack!” Marie fired off a barrage of nonlethal rounds, spraying the merchant’s subordinates and leaving him gawking.

Wh-what is that weapon?! the merchant wondered. He’d never seen anything like it. It fired so fast that it made his jaw drop, but it soon ran out of ammunition.

“Now’s our chance! Pin that girl down! And whatever you do, make sure you get that weapon!”

He wanted this rare gun and was convinced that it couldn’t be lethal. Not one of his subordinates had died after its ammunition hit them.

As the lackeys encroached, a boy suddenly appeared behind Marie and blasted them back. He advanced until he was standing at her side. Marie passed the submachine gun over and took out a pistol.

“Don’t move! There’s nowhere for you to run!”

The merchant glanced over his shoulder as someone crashed in through the back door.

Greg strode in with a shotgun in his hand. “We already took down your toadies outside.”

The escape route was gone, along with any backup the merchant might have summoned. Desperate, he whipped out a pistol and turned it on Carla.

“Screw you brats! I’ll blow your little friend’s head off—eek!”

Jilk fired a round at the merchant’s arm. “A gentleman never turns his weapon on a lady.”

He kept his gun trained on the merchant and smiled.

Chris set about tying up the flunkies, while Marie raced over to Carla and threw her arms around her.

“I am so glad you’re okay!”

Carla burst into tears. “Waaaah!”

The merchant’s expression soured as he cradled his injured arm. “Y-you brats won’t get away with this.”

Julius approached, the barrel of his gun pointed at the man. “We’re sick of hearing that. Right now, you should be concerned with your own future. Marie, we need to let Bartfort know that Carla’s safe.”

Julius glanced over at her, but Marie was frowning down at her tablet.

“The duel has already begun.”

 

***

 

Back in the arena, Pierre’s patience was reaching its limit. “How long do you intend to keep me waiting?! You’re violating the sanctity of this duel!”

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes as I set about some elaborate pre-workout stretches.

“It is long past when we agreed to begin the duel!” Pierre howled at Professor Narcisse. “Keep dragging it out like this, and you’re ignoring your oath to the Sacred Tree.”

The audience was beginning to fuss too. Pierre had forced most of them to attend, and they were griping about how long it was taking. Personally, I couldn’t fathom why he’d dragged them here to witness his supposed victory in the first place. Even if he did manage to beat me, the scale was completely tipped in his favor. He would come out of this duel looking more like a bully than a valiant champion.

“Professor Narcisse,” I called out. “Please begin the match.”

Narcisse closed his eyes in contemplation, while Noelle and Miss Louise watched with concern. After a few moments, Narcisse raised his right hand.

“Sacred Tree, please watch over this duel and grant victory to the righteous! Let the match begin!”

Pierre moved first, drawing two battleaxes from the container on Arroganz’s back and brandishing them at me. “I’ve been waiting for this! Now I’ll show you all how powerful I am!”

His voice was as menacing as Arroganz’s new makeover.

“It does look pretty intimidating from this perspective,” I mumbled, staring up at the robot.

Real talk, it was even more terrifying than facing down a high-speed truck barreling right toward me—but I raced forward all the same.

“What?!” Pierre was dumbfounded. He tried to swing his battleaxe, but by the time it came down, I had slipped between Arroganz’s feet.

“It’s actually pretty difficult to aim at a human, isn’t it?” I taunted, skidding to a halt behind him.

As Pierre spun Arroganz around, it was hard to reconcile his shriek with the ominous appearance of the suit. “Don’t get carried away just because you managed to dodge me once. This is a show! If you can’t put up a fight, the audience will soon tire of you.”

“I applaud your ability to whip up excuses.”

“You can beg for your life all you like, I won’t show you any mercy!”

“Good,” I said. “You’d better not forget those words.”

Arroganz came swinging with both axes raised high.

 

***

 

Marie stared down at her tablet, watching the match between Pierre and Leon. When she glanced up, she noticed an airbike inside the warehouse. It must have belonged to one of the merchant’s lackeys. It resembled a water ski and had enough room for several people.

“Jilk! Take that thing and get Carla back to the arena!”

Jilk stowed his pistol and mounted the bike. “Well, I suppose I am the best suited for the job.” He revved the engine and checked the machine over. “Good to go!”

Carla cradled Elle in her arms as Marie helped her onto the bike.

“Carla,” said Marie, “Leon will be able to really let go once he sees you’re safe.”

“A-all right. But, um, what will you do, Lady Marie?”

Marie glanced over at the merchant, who still had a sour look on his face. Julius, Greg, and Kyle were gathered around him. “We still have some things to take care of here,” she said. “Don’t worry. I am positive Leon will win. Jilk, go quickly!”

“You can count on me. I will make haste!”

The airbike floated up into the air and sped off.

Once they were gone, Marie turned her attention to the merchant. “Looks like it’s interrogation time.”

The man wore a brave face. “I won’t forget this. You’ll all pay for—”

Marie pointed her pistol at him and pulled the trigger. Loud pops echoed through the room, followed by the echo of empty shell casings.

“Yooowch!” howled the merchant.

The bullets were nonlethal, but they still hurt when they hit their mark. Marie fired until her gun was empty, and the merchant’s defiance crumbled into fear. Marie handed her gun to Kyle, who quickly reloaded it.

“Here you are, Master.”

“Thank you, Kyle.” She moved to stand directly in front of the merchant. “You had some nerve kidnapping my Carla. And even worse, you injured Brad!”

“N-no! I-I mean, I was ordered to do it! Mr. Pierre—I mean, that bastard, Pierre, he told me to do it! It’s not my fau—auuugh!”

Marie emptied another magazine into him. This time, when she handed her pistol back to Kyle, he passed her the submachine gun.

The merchant was beaten black and blue, but Marie reached toward him and clapped her hands to his cheeks. Her fingers glowed with light, and his injuries immediately healed.

Relief washed through the man, and he smiled at her, entreating her to mercy. “Young lady, if you help me, I will assist you in escaping from that rat, Pierre.”

She tsked and once more pulled the trigger.

The merchant writhed in pain. “Whyyy!”

Marie smiled sweetly at him. “That’s not the information I’m looking for.”

“I-I’ll do whatever you ask. I’ll tell you anything!”

“Oh, really?” Marie glanced at Chris. “Chris, do you have that thing?”

Chris gaped at her. “Huh? Uh, yeah. But what are you going to do with it? This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone purposefully seek out a defective knife.”

They’d stopped on the way here to buy it, and it was every bit as poorly made as Chris implied. Marie took the knife and walked over to a row of metal shelving, against which she slammed the blade until the metal edge chipped.

Greg furrowed his brow. “Uh, Marie?”

Marie examined the jagged knife and nodded. “This should do.”

She turned back toward the merchant, gripping the weapon tightly.

“W-wait! What are you planning to do with that?” the merchant demanded, his voice shaking.

“I read about this in one of your books,” she answered innocently. “This is how the republic conducts interrogations, no?”

His entire body shook violently.

“Don’t worry,” said Marie. “I’m skilled at healing magic. No matter how bad your injuries are, I can fix you up!”

“I’ll talk! I’ll spill everything!” the man sobbed. “Please, spare me!”

Marie smiled. “Oh, I’m going to keep going, but you can talk as much as you want. If you give me something interesting, maybe I’ll stop then.”

Kyle glanced at the quivering merchant and leaned in to whisper to her. “Master, you aren’t really going to torture him, are you?”

“What? Of course not.”

“But then why…”

Marie had no interest in something as gruesome as torture. “Idiot. I’m doing this to extract information. If we tell him what we want, he’ll spew a bunch of lies and wiggle out of it. That’s why I’m going to make him spill without asking any questions. If he doesn’t know what we want, he’ll say anything and everything to cover his butt.”

She really had learned the technique in one of the republic’s books. She was simply testing it out.

“You’d really go that far?” Kyle asked. “I am genuinely horrified.”

“Oh, shut it. I need to win back Leon’s trust! You do not want to know what it’s like to be on his bad side. It’s dangerous! If this wins me his favor, I’ll do it!”

Kyle shook his head. “The earl wasn’t even that angry. I’m sure he’ll let you slide.”

“Trust me, you don’t know him like I do. Now shut up and let’s get some intel out of this jerk. I need to earn some brownie points, or I’m next on Leon’s hit list.” Just thinking about it made Marie shudder. All the bravado she had shown just moments before was long gone.

 

***

 

Pierre finally got sick of me running around his feet and threw his axes aside.

“These weapons are useless!” He sounded like a child, blaming his weapons instead of himself.

“You lack basic skill,” I said. “Blame Arroganz all you want. The truth is you have no talent as a pilot. You’d be better off without the Armor.”

But Pierre had no interest in heeding my advice. This time, he whipped out a rifle. “Playtime is over,” he hissed.

Gasps rang out in the stands.

Pierre took aim. “I’ll blow you to pieces!”

A grin stretched across my face. “I’d like to see you try, you measly worm.”

“Eat this!”

Pierre pulled the trigger, and I ducked and rolled—scrambling back to my feet so I could run along the arena wall. A thin glowing membrane stretched out in front of the stands. That magic theoretically protected the audience from crossfire. Sadly, one of Pierre’s bullets went clean through it and left a hole in the wall.

“What’s wrong?” I taunted. “I thought you said playtime was over.”

A hail of bullets followed, and I darted away.

“You’re a coward! All you do is flee!” Pierre kept firing, but none of his rounds hit their mark. “Why can’t I hit him? This thing is a piece of junk!”

“Maybe you should accept your ineptitude,” I teased. “Arroganz is a powerful Armor, but you can’t even hit me.”

I could just picture him in the cockpit, his face red with fury.

“You’re a piece of garbage from a third-rate country!” Pierre shouted, chucking the rifle at me.

I ducked to avoid it, and he came charging. I slipped between his feet as one of his giant hands came crashing down.

“Haven’t you realized yet?” I asked. “Arroganz is my Armor. Of course I know its weaknesses.”

I’d known he would use Arroganz in this duel. A certain someone had doubtless encouraged him to do just that.

“You’re the loser here,” spat Pierre. “All you do is run like a cowardly dog. I’m sick of your boasting!”

“That’s rich coming from garbage like you,” I snapped back. “You can’t even win when you have the advantage. You’re the real dog here. Maybe you should start howling instead of whining like a baby!”

“Graaaaaaaaaah!”

This time, he whipped out an enormous black scythe. It almost made him look like a reaper, swinging it through the air as he chased after me. Its range was so vast that it was difficult to dodge.

“I sure am tired of running around a lot,” I snorted. I was completely soaked with sweat. It was dripping down my chin. I wiped some of it away and peered up into the stands.

 

***

 

This battle could hardly be called a real fight—not when one of its participants was completely unarmed while the other piloted an enormous Armor. Leon was putting on a good show, using his knowledge of Arroganz’s flaws to dodge each attack, but he was running out of stamina.

Noelle was on the edge of her seat, clutching the sapling to her chest. How long would it be before Arroganz caught up with him? “This is no duel…” she murmured.

Cries of dismay echoed from the stands. Pierre might have forced the crowd to be here, but some of them were having trouble stomaching the display.

“Someone, please, stop this madness,” Noelle mumbled, dropping her gaze.

A voice called out through the cacophony of the crowd. “Want me to stop them?”

Was that…Loic? Noelle lifted her head to see him grinning down at her.

“I’ll stop them for you,” he said. “But you will become mine in exchange.”

“Loic, I can’t believe you! Even at a time like this…” She wrinkled her nose at him, disgusted to see him trying to take advantage of the situation.

“Going to blow me off again, huh? If you do, that boy will die.” Loic jabbed a finger at Leon, who was scrambling to escape Pierre’s attacks.

Leon leaped up into the air to avoid Arroganz’s scythe, then hurried to put distance between himself and the towering machine. He was covered in dirt. One hit from Arroganz would mean death. It was a miracle he had survived this long.

Noelle covered her face. “No! I hate you!”

Loic stared down at her. “If he agrees to surrender the sapling, I’ll work things out for him. If he refuses, House Barielle will blame Holfort, and the exchange students will pay the price in your stead. Their families will too.”

Seeing the look on Loic’s face and knowing the state of the republic’s nobility, Noelle could believe it.

This nation is rotten to its core. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she peeled her hands away from her face. She peered up at Loic. If she accepted his proposal, Leon would be saved. If she refused, Loic would just keep pulling stunts like his until she caved.

I guess it’s impossible to oppose the nobility. No, that’s not it. It’s the Sacred Tree that we can’t oppose.

Its power was absolute. Noelle resigned herself to it.

But as one of the last members of House Lespinasse, I’ll never let go of my grudge.

It was like the tree itself had refused to ever release her.

Noelle steeled herself to accept Loic’s proposal—but before she could, Louise strode in and slapped him across the face.

“Louise, what are you—augh!”

She smacked him again. “Quit with your conniving already,” she spat. “You really are a lowlife, trying to manipulate a duel to get your hands on her. Is this really how you think the next head of House Barielle ought to conduct himself?”

“Louise, you should know better than to interfere in things that don’t concern you.”

“I’m merely telling you not to disrupt the duel. Are you under some sort of illusion that Pierre would stop if you told him to? Or are you actually his accomplice? If that’s the case, I really will crush you.”

The rest of the crowd were starting to stare. Since Narcisse was there too, and was Louise’s ally at present, Loic was at a disadvantage. With that in mind, he took the safer course of action and retreated.

“Th-thank you,” said Noelle.

“I didn’t do it for you,” said Louise. “I just didn’t want him getting in the way of this duel. Leon seems to have some kind of plan.”

There was a clear power differential at play, but Leon hadn’t given up hope.

Noelle eyed Louise suspiciously. “Why are you so hung up on Leon?”

Louise didn’t answer.

“It’s odd enough that the princess of House Rault would stick up for an exchange student,” said Noelle. “But it’s even stranger that you saved me from Loic. You hate me, and it wouldn’t have affected Leon’s fight if I’d agreed to go with Loic. The nobility would still have gotten their hands on the sapling.”

Louise crossed her arms and dug her nails into her skin. “I don’t owe you an answer.”

Did Louise have some kind of scheme in mind? No, from the look of things, she was genuinely concerned for Leon’s well-being. The only problem was that Noelle couldn’t figure out why.

As the battle wore on, an airbike zoomed into the stands and touched down. Jilk was at the controls, with Carla and Elle behind him. The audience erupted into shouting. Jilk had to yell to make himself heard.

“Earl Bartfort! Miss Marie saved Miss Carla and the dog!”

“Please kick that man’s butt!” Carla added.

“Woof!” Elle barked in agreement.

Down in the arena, Leon raised a fist in acknowledgment.

“Now I have no reason to hold back,” he snarled at Pierre, despite his clear disadvantage. “Are you ready?”

“Losing a few hostages makes no difference!” Pierre snapped back. “Are you too stupid to realize you’re outmatched?!”

“Pierre, you truly have underestimated him,” Louise scoffed.

“Let me tell you something for free,” Leon said, his voice reverberating through the arena. “I’m actually a coward.”