• Date: September 29, 1173


  
• Time: 9:05 AM


  
• Location: Valak Forest


  

  In Valak's deep forestry, a carriage and its accompanying security force, composed of guards, were headed to the famed city of Elvania, Ivershine City. Inside were the nobles who hailed from the Desert Kingdom of Xarnoth. A mother and her two children currently were enjoying the pleasures of their high status as they traveled.

  ''Mother! What's Ivershine City like?''

  ''Yeah! What's it like?''

  They marveled at the experience, as it was their first time traveling beyond their kingdom. Their mother smiled at them in return. After all, Elvania was the most prominent kingdom in the world, a good reason for her children to be curious.

  ''Well, children, Ivershine is the capital of the Elvanians.''

  She answered, and it immediately garnered the attention of her children. Seeing the expression of her little ones, she merely placed a hand on their heads and patted them. Which they accepted without hesitation.

  ''Will we meet the Queen of Elvania?''

  Asked one of her children, and she pondered about it. Her cousin Sebastian, King of Xarnoth, and the Queen of Elvania had a good relationship. However, her friendship with the current Queen overshadows her cousin's relationship with her. Perhaps, if Her Majesty weren't busy, although that remained uncertain.

  ''I don't know, Rapha?l, as I have not received any letters from Her Majesty. Perhaps she's busy, but I don't know.''

  ''Awww!''

  Whined the little boy as he placed his head on his mother's lap. Meanwhile, his sister watched in jealousy. Then, simultaneously with her brother, she rested her head on their mother's lap. Noticing her children's rivalry, she quickly ended it by pulling their cheeks.

  ''What did I tell you two? No fighting...''

  ''...It wouldn't do both of you well if you keep fighting due to concerns such as my lap.''

  After their mother scolded them, the brother and sister nodded in agreement. After all, they didn't want their mother's wrath over them, especially on their first visit to a foreign kingdom. Looking outside through the window, they saw the beautiful greenery of the forest they traveled through. However, unbeknownst to them, a large group of bandits had laid a trap for them.

  ''Soon, we'll arrive in Ivershine City. Thus, you two should-''

  Cutting the noblewoman off was a sudden whinnying of the horses outside as wires had broken their legs. Meanwhile, the guards fell to the ground as the bandits emerged from their hiding spots, discarding their makeshift camouflage of leaves and sticks. Armed with swords, axes, and spears, they charged at the defenseless carriage and its security detail.

  ''We're surrounded!''

  ''Protect the carriage!''

  ''For Xarnoth!''

  Shouted the guards as they recovered and created a perimeter around the carriage where the noblewoman and her children were present. Immediately, the mother embraced her children and held them close as a fight broke out around their carriage. The guards fought valiantly, but despite their superior training and equipment, they were overwhelmed by the bandits' sheer numbers, which gradually decimated their small number.

  ''Mother, what's going on?''

  ''I don't know, Rapha?lle.''

  Without any idea of what was going on outside besides a commotion, the mother took down the window shades and immediately saw a bloodied guard. She and her children were shocked as they witnessed the aftermath of the battle outside their carriage.

  ''My- My Lady Josephine! You- You must flee- Ack!''

  Before the guard could finish his sentence, his neck was immediately slit by a bandit who used a sword to finish the last standing obstacle to their prize. The mother, now known as Josephine, embraced her children as they saw the bandits who were after them.

  ''Hehehe! Looks like we got ourselves a noblewoman!''

  Said the bandit as he and a comrade of his opened the carriage and forced the mother and her children outside. Immediately, the nobles were subjected to horrendous acts as their jewelry, items, and clothing were taken from them.

  ''No! Let go!''

  ''Rapha?lle! Let go of her- Ugh!''

  Try as he might, the little boy Rapha?l couldn't resist the bandits as he was subjected to a mean punch to the stomach. Meanwhile, his sister and mother were separated from him as the bandits had other plans for them. Within seconds, it was clear that resistance was futile as their captors stripped them of their clothes.

  ''Mother!''

  ''Please! Not my daughter!''

  

  
• Date: September 29, 2173


  
• Time: 9:10 AM


  
• Location: Valak Forest


  

  In the confines of Valak Forest was a contingent force of bandits that had recently attacked an unknown carriage. Slaughtering the guards that served as its escort before proceeding with taking the nobles on board as hostages. However, unbeknownst to them, it would be a matter of time before they met their end.

  ''Vee, give me a head count.''

  [Tango count. Twenty bandits. Armaments, swords, axes, and spears. Threat level low.]

  Answered the A.I. as the silhouette of the Hero of Eldrant was now visible in the foliage. Two hours had passed since losing the Kaynian Device, and the operative and his companions were heading east toward Ivershine City to deliver the news. However, the sudden commotion and screams of dying guards had gained his attention, causing him to witness the bandit's assault on the carriage.

  {Master Tale, I must inform you that those nobles are from Xarnoth. Perhaps if we rescue them, we can gain their favor and ask for aid from their kingdom.}

  Sarroth suggested to her master, and the Ghost agreed with her, deciding that if these nobles were to be rescued, it would give them allies that would help them against the Kaynian Lord and his plans.

  ''Understood.''

  {You have my thanks, my master.}

  After nodding to his servant, he immediately heard another scream from the nobles as the bandits terrorized them. However, unbeknownst to them. Ghost Operative Tale began to creep out of the shadow, silently gliding his armored foot on the grass. Then, when he saw the helpless mother about to be raped, he dashed out of cover and approached an unsuspecting bandit, and grabbed him by the head before hoisting him off the ground.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  ''What the! Guys help! Someone's got me!''

  Screamed the struggling high elve as he attempted to free himself from the operative's grasp. Which halted his comrades from violating the noblewoman and her children. Immediately, they noticed the black power armor of the Ghost and his towering stature. After successfully gaining their attention, it was time for him to face them in battle, but not before crushing the skull of the bandit he was holding. Letting brain matter, blood, and gore splatter on his armored hand as he killed the squirming elve.

  ''Get him!''

  ''Charge!''

  ''Kill the bastard!''

  The bandits shouted in unison as they charged straight at their adversary. Immediately, Tale summoned Sarroth on his hand and advanced toward them. The first bandit to fall was bashed by the pauldron of the operative's armor. Colliding headfirst with the pauldron at full speed resulted in a skull-shattering impact, killing the charging elve instantly.

  ''Take this!''

  Shouted another bandit as he tried to thrust his spear at the Ghost's power armor, which ricocheted. Then, a powerful swing decapitated the elve's head off his body. Afterward, the operative swung again, this time slicing another bandit's torso before raising his sword high and cutting down another in half.

  ''AHHHH- Ack!''

  With a powerful punch, another bandit was brutally killed as the sheer force of the operative's armored fist shattered the elve's ribs and ruptured his organs. Then came another whose body was sliced in two as gore erupted before being brushed aside. But more was to come as Tale forcefully grabbed another elve, raising him up before crushing his skull, letting brain matter and skull fragments burst. Afterward, with a heavy swing, another bandit met his end as his entire torso was flung to the sidelines at high speed.

  ''By the pantheons!''

  ''Don't let down!''

  ''There's one of him against all of us!''

  More joined the slaughter as the Ghost Operative continued his advance. Swinging again, he decapitated the heads of two bandits in unison because of Sarroth's long blade. Moving forward, he bashed another elve using his pauldron. Colliding headfirst at full speed resulted in another skull-shattering impact, killing the charging elve instantly. Then he grabbed another bandit by the neck before crushing his windpipe and tossing him to the side.

  ''Die!''

  Another spear-wielding elve cried out as he attacked with a powerful thrust. However, in one clean motion, Tale dodged the attack before punching the bandit in the face, which exploded his skull. Then another came at him, but with his sword raised high, he sliced the arm of the elve, disarming him before delivering a decapitating swing. Afterward, he would thrust his sword forward, impaling a bandit in the chest before raising him up and eyeing him with his helmet's blank expression.

  'D- Demon.'

  Whispered the dying elve as he was tossed aside by the operative who now came face to face with the bandits' leader. Meanwhile, in the elves' eyes, what came out of the forest to face them was nothing short of a demon. How they saw their fellow kin killed off with ease by the Ghost Operative was a horrifying sight for them to witness.

  ''This is as far as you go!''

  The bandit leader shouted as his men cowered behind him, forcing the operative to halt his advance. This shift caught the bandits' attention as they turned to their leader with renewed vigor. At that moment, they realized the one responsible for most of their casualties had stopped.

  [Tale, I'm reading magic signatures on that elve.]

  ''Is it potent?''

  [Negative. It's not comparable to Adelard, but it is a danger nonetheless.]

  ''Copy, will proceed with caution.''

  Hedding his partner's warning, he waited for the elve's response as he halted his advance. Still with his bloodied armor, fear was all over this elve's face as he tried to look at him without flinching.

  ''Alright, listen here you; golem-looking, bastard! I am Kruk! Leader of the Valak Banditry Party! I'll forget everything you did here in exchange for you leaving!''

  Kruk, the now-known leader of the bandits, proposed. However, this was all a ruse to buy time for him to charge up his magic. Still, something unexpected would happen as the Ghost unsummoned his sword before taking out his battle machine rifle on his back and pointing it at them. To the bandits, whatever their adversary had just taken out and pointed at them must be a weapon, but what kind?

  ''Oh, I thought you'd be intelligent about your choice...''

  ''...This is why people like you get what they deserve!''

  The bandit leader declared as he summoned a fireball in his palm, roughly the size of a soccer ball, showcasing his talent in fire magic. However, instead of intimidating the operative, it had no effect, as he found it unimpressive compared to what he had faced before.

  ''Have a taste of my fireball!''

  Not even attempting to dodge, Tale allowed the fireball to hit, engulfing him in flames. The sight of the burning "demon," as the bandits had dubbed him, brought joy to the bandits' minds. Laughter and curses were hurled at his burning body.

  ''That dumb golem didn't even dodge!''

  ''Ha! Serves that demon right!''

  ''Burn in flames, freak!''

  The bandits' laughter drowned out the crackling of the fire. Believing they had defeated the Ghost, they rejoiced. But their triumph quickly turned to disbelief when they saw him still standing.

  ''Impossible!''

  Kruk shouted, seeing the operative still alive with its weapon aimed at them with deadly precision. Meanwhile, his men were on the verge of fainting as they stared awestruck. Tale's power armor was intact and undamaged from the recent attack.

  [Okay, now we know this guy's magic is pathetic...]

  [...Do you mind killing them now?]

  Letting out a groan, Vee made a suggestion to her partner as she saw these elves as nothing more than a nuance. Then, what came next was a mighty roar of thunder and fire as the operative fired his weapon at the remaining bandits. The fifty caliber rounds fired would land dead center in their heads before they dropped to the ground dead. Within a few seconds, the Valak Banditry Party, which terrorized merchants, traders, and nobles, was no more.

  TALE: Hero of Eldrant

  The first thing the noblewoman saw as the battle concluded was the silhouette of an armored figure headed her way. To think that bandits would ambush her guards, killing them before taking her and her children captive. Yet, this figure before her saved them. Emerging from the shadows and brutally killing the bandits that laid their hands on her.

  ''Who- Who are you?''

  ''I'm here for your immediate rescue.''

  Breaking into tears, the mother embraced her children as they hugged her tightly. Then, the operative would kneel before giving her a hand, which she took as her children aided her to stand up.

  ''I- I did not suspect this would happen to us.''

  ''No, need to worry, ma'am. I'm getting you out of here.''

  As she stood up, the first scene the noblewoman saw was the carnage and death that surrounded them. Her shock was accompanied by a gasp as she witnessed the varying degrees of brutality her rescuer had inflicted on the bandits. Missing torsos, decapitated heads, and broken bodies littered the ground as the aftermath of the Ghost's slaughter.

  ''You- You kill a- all of them?''

  ''Affirmative, they were a threat, so I eliminated them...''

  ''...Sarroth, could you please heal their bodies?''

  The mother and her children were bewildered when the operative called out the name of the Former Queen of Elvania. To their astonishment, the former ruler of the high elven kingdom appeared before them, radiant and majestic in all her glory.

  {Of course, master. Allow me to perform my duty.}

  The blade spirit then applied healing magic over the noblewoman and her children, instantly mending their bruises, scratches, and injuries. Though deeply grateful to the stranger who had saved them, the mother harbored doubts about his identity. Could this be the famed champion appointed by Her Majesty?

  {Hmm? It seems that you are perplexed? Is something the matter?}

  ''May I know your name, lady spirit?''

  {I am Sarroth.}

  ''Your- Your, the Former Queen of Elvania!''

  {Why yes, I am.}

  Awestruck by the spirit's confirmed identity, the noblewoman stared at her in disbelief before regaining her composure. Her awe at the Former Queen quickly drew her savior's blank gaze as he observed her interaction with the blade spirit. Rather than the Ghost addressing her, his A.I. partner materialized before the mother and her children.

  [Hello, I am Vee!]

  Vee introduced herself with a smile on her avatar as she addressed the noble. Securing allies in the desert kingdom should fall to her, as her partner's inept social skills and lack of emotional experience made him unsuited for the task.

  ''Another spirit?''

  [Um, no. I am not a spirit like Sarroth...]

  [...You see, while we did plan to rescue you and send you to your destination. We had another idea in mind.]

  ''And what is that idea?''

  [Does your kingdom know there's an invader here in your world?]

  ''What! An invader on Eldrant? I have not heard any mention from my homeland about any accursed invader here...''

  ''...But even if that's the case, what proof do you have?''

  This was precisely the reaction Vee and her partner wanted from the unknown noble. Shock and confusion meant that news had not spread far to the other kingdoms about the Kaynian Lord's presence here and what he was about to do.

  [I'm glad you asked...]

  [...Accessing video archive. Presenting video.]

  Suddenly, a white screen appeared before the noblewoman. In place of the A.I. was a video showing the confrontation between the operative and the alien lord. The noblewoman watched in awe as the armored figure fought the Kaynian with ferocity in melee combat. However, the video also revealed her rescuer's novice swordsmanship as he was on the back foot most of the time.

  ''When and where did this occur?''

  [Two hours ago here in Valak Forest.]

  ''Did you slay the invader?''

  [No, he escaped.]

  The video then showed the Kaynian Lord activating the device and uttering his final words to the Ghost Operative: ''We shall meet again, demon. Next time, I will be the last thing you'll ever see.'' The alien then activated the device and vanished. Thus, the video ended before the A.I. returned to face the noblewoman and her children.

  [So you know. This wasn't our first encounter with that Kaynian Lord. Technically, it's our third time facing him...]

  [...Now that you know our situation. Do you believe us now, miss?]

  ''Josephine, of House Bonaparte.''

  [Oh, nice name. Wait, Bonaparte, like Napoleon?]

  The now-known noblewoman, Josephine, was confused about who Vee was referring to. Meanwhile, Sarroth's eyes widened as she heard their rescuee's connection to House Bonaparte, the house of King Trong. Was she perhaps referring to him?

  {Are you perhaps Trong's child?}

  ''No, I am his niece. His son Sebastien is currently the King of Xarnoth.''

  Jackpot. Not only had they rescued a noble, but they had also saved the niece of King Trong. Convincing the desert kingdom would be a piece of cake now.

  ''Lady Sarroth, is it true?''

  {Yes, Josephine. My master indeed fought an invader here on Eldrant. Let me introduce you to him...}

  {...Meet my master, Tale, Hero of Eldrant.}

  The noblewoman gasped in surprise. Looking at the Ghost's stature, she quickly made a connection between the hero of the prophecy and him. If the Former Queen of Elvania claimed that the individual before her was her master, there was no denying that this person was, in fact, the hero. Josephine would be taken aback by the information given to her by Sarroth as she basked in his glory.

  ''It is an honor to meet you personally, hero. I apologize for being doubtful of your companion's word...''

  ''...While informing me of the invader threat is something I appreciate. What shall we do now?''

  She asked as her children stared, stunned at the Hero of Eldrant and his companions. With how close they were to death, it was easy to forget that when they were rescued by the prophesied hero destined to save their world from the invaders.

  [Well, for starters, we are headed toward Ivershine City to reconnect with the Marshal of Fae, inform her about the loss of the device, and begin our search for both it and the Kaynian Lord...]

  [...But with you around, I think Sarroth has an idea of her own to present.]

  Sarroth smiled, and stepping forward, she presented the World Alliances logo. It was then that Josephine understood what it meant. If they were to have a chance at stopping the invader, then the world must unite once, just like during the Great War.

  {Josephine, you might not be aware, but Elvania needs help. We need assistance from Xarnoth, and the only way to achieve this is for you to convince the current King...}

  {...We can't do this alone. Eldrant must unite under one banner once more to survive the oncoming onslaught of the invader threat.}

  This was outside of Josephine's expertise. Convincing her cousin to cooperate with Elvania would be challenging, especially since he's likely too busy with his vigilante work. However, hearing that an invader was present put the entire world at stake. If she had to drag that workaholic vigilante out of his hideout, she would do it—for the sake of Eldrant.

  ''Lady Sarroth, I cannot guarantee that I can convince my cousin, but I will try.''

  {That's the only thing I'd love to hear from you, niece of Trong.}

  To Be Continued.