Chapter 4 - Wanted.
Somewhere in Loregard a group of imperial soldiers is being scolded by a high rank officer.
“You had him right under your noses... and you let him go.”
He wears a full-body silver armor, without a helmet, letting his long hair loose.
“W-we are so sorry Captain. He was so easy to capture we didn't suspect it was him.”
The one who spoke is hit by the Captain with his sheathed sword.
“Shut your disgustingly pathetic mouth! How dare you to speak without your superior's permission.”
The others shake while looking at his companion as the Captain steps over him, literally.
“Lieutenant, would you be kind enough to tell me exactly what happened?”
A braided-hair knight steps up. One who doesn't look nervous at all, looking at the superior right in the eyes.
“The criminal held a human hostage. My men just acted accordingly to the code.”
The inferior rank knight's words are filled with defiance, which enrages the boss.
“The code? The code orders us to punish the evildoers! Sacrificing a civilian's life in order to capture someone who has done such evil as him is nothing but a cheap transaction.”
They begin a staring contest. I'm getting the impression they do not get along. Finally the Captain forfeits and walks away.
“Spread the word across your men, Lieutenant, I don't care how many worthless lives it takes, not even yours.”
The man mounts his white horse.
“Find the demon hero and take his head!”
He gallops away, the soldiers sigh of relief. The Lieutenant looks up to the dawning sky.
“How far will it take you, Captain?... That obsession of yours.”
…
That was pretty dramatic wasn't it? Anyway, I'm a little concerned about the “Yu” pair. Last time I saw them they were taking a nap so let's see how are they doing.
“The quickest way to reach Algalord is through there, little girl.”
They watch a city's door from afar.
“At last...”
Right in the frontier between the kingdoms of Loregard and Algalord, the City of Great Walls: Orin. As its name suggests, it is a place surrounded by enormous concrete barriers, made to stand wars and invasions. This city is the home of the great and renowned academy of Algalord, famous and respected for training the best knights in the continent. The aforementioned great protective wall that surround this city has only two openings to allow communication with the outer world, one on each kingdom, both being heavily guarded.
“It's like a dream!”
One cannot possibly ignore the huge smile on the girl's face.
“Why are you so excited?”
Not even Yume.
“I... I've never been to Algalord before and...”
Yuki realizes she got carried away and she blushes. Just how cute is that girl.
“When I was a child it was my desire to be one of its knights.”
“Is that so, huh...”
Their eyes meet, the girl giggles.
“Then it might be better for you to go on your own. I'll see you on the other side!”
“What are you...”
An air current interrupts the girl and makes her close her eyes. She opens them again just to see the guy is not around anymore. At first it surprises the girl, but then she remembers he's a demon who can use magic.
“Fine! Guess I better go on.”
And there she goes. To be honest I want to tag along with that guy. Then again, this tale is about Yuki.
“Thankfully I was able to recover my money, but my sword was nowhere to be seen.”
… What, did I forget to mention that?
“I better buy a new one.”
Anyway. The heroine nervously walks through the entrance guarded by imperial soldiers. Now she's inside the great walls. The Loregard side of the city looks just like any regular town. Happy people passing by, salesmen yelling on the streets, kids playing with their friends. Our lady does her shopping quickly, she buys a regular sword, not so different from the one she had. To be honest with you nothing amazing happens there. But everything is different on the other side of the city, and Yuki notices that as soon as she arrives to the frontier door. It is not protected by imperial soldiers but by the knights themselves.
“That's...”
Beyond the door lies the holy land of Algalord, the kingdom of kingdoms
Beyond the door lies the holy land of Algalord, the kingdom of kingdoms
“Just a little more.”
As she attempts to step inside, the guard's lances cross in front of her.
“Hold right there lady. State your name, and your purpose to leave the kingdom of Loregard, or else you shall not pass.”
Yuki gets nervous. The poor girl gets so stoned she can't articulate any word.
“I-I-I...”
“Nothing to say girl? It's getting suspicious.”
Come on girl!, say something!
“I am sorry for this, gentlemen. She is an acquaintance of mine.”
The knights gaze up.
“You are...!”
A big man stands next to our heroine. His body is cloaked up.
“I did not mean to cause any trouble. I told the lady to go ahead and wait for me, but now I am here as well. Now, could we please walk inside?”
Yuki's face is all kinds of red now. The man standing beside her not only behaves like a true gentleman, but he also seems to be, like some would say, handsome.
“All right, you may pass. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
“None required.”
They both finally get inside. This is Yuki's first step on the great kingdom of Algalord. One more step in his search for... well, a library. Once they are far enough from the guards to listen, the girl proceeds to show his gratitude towards the cloaked man.
“Um, thank you so much for what you did back there, mister.”
“Like I said to the guards, none required.”
Yuki finds it a little difficult to stare at the man's eyes.
“I just saw a mistress in disgrace and I did what man of honour should have.”
“Oh...”
Way to kill the mood, but whatever. The Algalord side of Orin is like a military city. Almost everyone there wears an armor and carries a weapon. Some restaurants that provide basic meals, blacksmiths and carpenters workshops appear to be the only business there.
“Please forgive my rudeness, milady. I did not mean to do you wrong.”
I bet every girl surrenders to his smile.
“The truth is you reminded me of an old friend, whom I deeply cared of.”
Somehow the man's true reasons are enough for our heroine to feel relieved. They keep walking through the city for a little while, until they find themselves on the town square.
“My name is Gladio, prideful son of the Magna family from Algalord. Now that I gave you my name, perhaps you could honour me by giving me yours.
“O...of course! My name is...”
Something else captures the girl's attention. Another guarded door, protecting a long-reach stairway. At the end of it, a huge elegant building stands. The renowned knight academy: Aurea Aurora.
“No way.”
She runs towards the closed door to take a closer look. A colorful smile shows again on her face. Our heroine certainly looks like a “little girl” right now.
“I am getting the impression that you feel admiration for the Algalord knights.”
“ I'm sorry, it's just that I got excited because...”
And yet again the girl stops her speech. Her sight is lured by a wall standing close to the door to the academy's territory. Five “wanted” posters are displayed on it. Yuki reads carefully all the names.
“Nightmare Wolfhart... Vankar Dargor... Erick Nekron... Arganthiel Raurich.”
The young woman gets startled when she reads the fifth poster, one with Yume's face printed on it.
“Demon... Hero?”
