-Pruning the Roses, Part 4-

Renault's foul deeds were a gift that kept on giving.

It was much simpler when I only hated him as my life's antagonist. Killing my father and throwing Axio into chaos were already despicable enough.

Mass genocide of an entire peoples, when humanity was already pressed at the edge of collapse, all to feed mad delusions, was certainly a lower low.

The list had grown too long, and too terrible, to account for every sin.

Which is why I found it hard to believe Zieta when she told me there was a sick contingency plan Renault had set in motion before our encounter.

"There were more children born to the king, but after it was discovered that the experiments were resulting in failures, they stopped undergoing the same void-infusions as Hikita and Hakaze. Instead, they were used in rituals, sacrificial trades, to empower the king's subordinates."

According to her, the palace had a massive complex of sub-floors underneath it, spanning out into the Renaultian district.

"My mistress has already done what she could to slow them, but the loyalists had already taken control of the basement levels. But soon, they'll slaughter any remaining children in those rituals to gain power."

The Void differed from other schools of magick.

Rather than conflicting spells colliding or canceling each other out, the more dense mass of void would devour the lighter mass and continue on its original path.

No matter how powerful a sorceress Renaire may be, against a large group of Renault's already empowered lackeys, she could not win against them in a battle of magick.

The thought of potentially hundreds of void-addled psychos stealing away in the night and coming back to haunt us was unpleasant.

After hearing the whole story and working through my thoughts, I finally questioned Zieta.

"What I don't understand is why Renaire didn't just approach us for help? Why go through this complicated process of vetting and secret sharing?"

The maid's expression soured, only for a moment, "Because of the curse. While it has improved since the king disappeared, My mistress's struggles only grant her a brief reprieve."

"Haah. Dammit," I sighed, "Then what, the curse on you is different?"

"I am under no curse," Zieta admitted weakly, "Or, that is to say, my only curse is that I was powerless to help my mistress and these girls."

She patted Blondie on the head, who seemed confused.

"But the journal said…" Hikita's voice trailed off.

"Forgive an old servant for refusing to end the life of her beloved mistress."

Nanny-child bonding was well and good, but now that we knew about this sacrificial ritual that could occur at any time, we had more pressing matters.

"Fine," I said, half-committed to accepting whatever excuse Zieta would have so long as it got us moving forward, "So, how do we leave this place? Renaire gave a two-day delay, but it would be dumb to sit around and hope she follows through. Curse or no curse."

"No need to worry," Zieta replied, "I imagine your backup is already on the way. The doors are sealed less to keep you in but to keep the king's subordinates out."

Hikita trusted her nanny, so I tabled an escape plan for now and we refocused on what to do about the younger sister behind glass.

We had already found the directions to drain and release the girl from the enclosure; it was now just a question of what would happen once we did.

Zieta assured us that despite her aggressive features, Hakaze was a sweetheart.

I mentally chided myself for not thinking of it before, but after waking up from an induced sleep in a strange place I hadn't considered using OMNISIGHT to inspect Renaire's or Hakaze's status.

- - - - - -STATUS- - - - - -

[HAKAZE RENAIRE] <The Sable Rose> HEALTH: (80 / 80) STAMINA: (120 / 120) MAGICKA: (50 / 50)

» TARGET SUFFERS FROM A NEGATIVE EFFECT:

» SLEEP (MAGICKAL)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I was surprised.

"She wasn't cursed like the others?"

Zieta shook her head, "After Hikita was taken, my mistress arranged for more protective measures. The king's magick could influence thoughts, stifle certain behavior, or induce actions, but only some curses could give him total control."

With reassurance that I wouldn't have to beat up a little girl alongside her sister and nanny, we started the process to free her.

The liquid in the tank supposedly served as a source of air, food, and water that a person could absorb to keep them alive for a long time. I asked Zieta how long it had been since the girl was put in the tank, but all she gave me as a reply was an empty-eyed frown.

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Air hissed through the pipes as the tank was drained.

Hakaze's form slumped.

When the liquid had receded below the glass, the entire top half of the container contraption, glass walls and all, lifted into the ceiling.

Rias would have a field day here.

Hikita and I both reached out to catch her sister as her body fell, no longer supported by the tank.

BANG!

And as if we were extras on a stage, the sealed door in the adjacent room burst open with a burst of flair and needless shouting.

A gaggle of black and crimson armored knights flooded the empty room, swarming out in every direction.

Through the open door, I made eye contact with the commander of this unruly bunch. Both Hikita's blades and my sword were bundled under his left arm.

Julius's face, upon seeing me, lit up. Then, I assume, after taking in the scene, did a double take. Eyebrows up, then down, then a frown.

Ah, I missed those faces.

He quickly closed the distance but hesitated at the doorway. Eventually, he drew his sword with his free hand and leveled it at Zieta. I guess he recognized Hikita as an ally and the small, fur-covered, naked girl in our hands as a non-threat.

But why brandish a weapon at an elderly maid?

"What are you planning to do with that?" Zieta asked, somewhat jokingly.

"I haven't got a plan. I'm just here to take that woman back with me and crush anything that gets in the way. Either you step aside or I'll be forced to escalate things."

Zieta stepped aside, and teased, "Sorry, Your Majesty, I am but a powerless maid. I guess you'll have to go with this brigand."

"Julius, you dummy," I stood up, leaving Hakaze in the care of her sister, "Quit threatening old ladies. It's not a good look."

I went to step past him, but he shifted his weight and blocked me with his body. He studied my face.

"What're you doing?" I asked.

"You're still here, huh?" he said with a hint of derision.

"Haah," I sighed, "Not by choice."

I put my hand on his shoulder and pressed him toward the main room. He didn't budge at first, but then stepped back after a quick glimpse at the girls.

Hikita clothed her sister in her over-sized officer's coat and carried her with both arms. Her nanny started to fuss.

"I've got her, Zieta."

"Then I shall be right behind if you need me."

The sounds of soldiers still exploring the lab were interrupted by the occasional "Clear!" and "Nothing here either!"

As I reached the center of the room, I collapsed onto my butt. My knees had given out. It was like all the stress I had been suppressing disappeared in an instant.

"Anyway," I said, looking up at Julius, "I'm glad you're here. I'm so exhausted. I think I've worked and spoken more in the last four days than my entire existence."

"If it's so exhausting, go back and let Airis return."

Julius frowned at me.

"Hey, that's not fair. I worked my ass off keeping all of you alive. Airis chose to slack off, while I'm only met with suspicion and complaint."

I huffed, hugging my arms around my knees.

"It's not fair, Julius," I muttered, "You're supposed to be my friend too."

The clattering of soldiers grew louder as the search puttered out and the party returned to the entrance. Their voices changed from dour and upset to joyous as my presence was acknowledged.

I sensed Julius kneeling down next to me, and the room turned sideways.

"Hey, put me down!" I shouted, pounding my fist against his chest as he lifted me up over his shoulder, "What in the Aether do you think you're doing! I get no respect. Dammit!"

"You said you were exhausted."

"Yeah? Does that mean the same thing as 'Pick me up like a sack of potatoes?' to you?"

Julius ignored me and started walking.

My bid to guilt-trip Julius had backfired with unexpected consequences.

I gave up and went limp.

"Where'd you find my sword?" I muttered just loud enough for Julius to hear.

"At the door, before we entered."

"How'd you breach the seal?"

"Seal…?" He questioned, "It was unlocked."

He continued walking in silence.

Eventually, one of the knights following after us asked a great question. "Commander… isn't it sacrilegious to carry Her Majesty like some loose baggage?"

Julius was somewhat aware of the rituals being performed in the depths of the Renaultian palace already.

Two such undertakings had already been performed, but subsequently thwarted.

During their search for me, suspicious people had been spotted entering the lower palace, and the knights encountered many locked doors that hadn't been closed in the previous day's scouting.

In their panic to hide themselves away, the Renaultians had made it that much easier to locate them.

Assault teams had broken down the sealed doors and swept through the void-empowered fools, who hadn't adjusted to the magick yet and were no stronger than the average person.

They hadn't caught a glimpse of any children so far.

Whether it was because they'd been too late or if the rituals interrupted were on a smaller scale, no one knew.

I'd been given my communirune back, along with Airis' sword. It was a love-hate sorta thing for me.

Airis' feelings wavered when it was briefly a cursed blade. But she had forgotten about that ever since it was 'cleansed' and became <The Divine Blade>.

I still remember the good ole' days when it hungered for blood. The Crimson Blade, I miss that sword, not this new goody two-shoes sword.

"Seeker-Two to Assault-One."

On our way out of the palace, Julius received a call on the open channel from Luke.

"Go for Assault-One."

"I received an emergency signal from Assault-Ten. I'm unable to raise them over comms. Last known is a ping near your current location. No other teams are available immediately."

Julius looked at me, hesitating.

I shrugged, "Whatcha waiting for? Let's go."

"No," he shook his head, "You're going back to Command. I'll go with my team while the rest of the search party escort you."

"Not a chance."

"Hailey will actually kill me."

"Then die."

Wow, what a face. Airis is gonna be jealous.

I tapped the rune at my ear, "Regal-One to Seeker-Two, show us en route. Provide Assault-One with directions."

"…"

There was an unnerving silence over the staticky channel.

"C-Copy that, Regal-One."

"Well," I said to Julius, "Off we go."

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