Story/Chapter 46: Difference between revisions

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''Wait, I have a message from Asella. She said the White-Ghost Army is already patrolling the area we're headed towards. It seems they've arrived just as we were leaving Aurora. According to the one on watch, there's not that many of them. Plus, they haven't attempted to take the soul fragment yet.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ciel2}} '''Ciel:''' ''They may be guarding, until Berthe comes to retrieve it personally.''

*{{StoryIcon|Raven2}} '''Raven:''' ''It will alert Berthe that we're back in the Demon Realm.''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''Thankfully, we're still at an advantage. Berthe's soldiers won't expect an ambush right now.''

*{{StoryIcon|Lu2}} '''Lu:''' ''I had no idea those of mixed-blood were treated so poorly, even though I knew Aegirp for so long...''

*{{StoryIcon|Ain4}} '''Ain:''' ''She must have presented herself as a Garen, hiding her true form.''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''Didn't you say something along that vein, Nichel? That you think Winster knows why Berthe attacked the White-Ghost King?''

*{{StoryIcon|AS}} '''Aisha:''' ''If that's true, that's really tragic. For her heritage to work against her like that... even though she was one of the four Demon Lords...''

*''CLANG!''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''Everything under control here. What's your status, everyone?''

*{{StoryIcon|Laby2}} '''Laby:''' ''Laby in Nisha are done too!''

*{{StoryIcon|Ciel2}} '''Ciel:''' ''5, 10, 15, 20... Yup, that's all of them. No runaways. Good work everyone.''

*{{StoryIcon|Eve2}} '''Eve:''' ''Is that so? I didn't think they were easy opponents...''

*{{StoryIcon|Rose2}} '''Rose:''' ''They didn't seem like they were trained in battle tactics as soldier despite being strong warriors.''

*''Ring''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''We've finished retrieving the soul fragment. Here, your highness.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ciel2}} '''Ciel:''' ''(He must be talking about Haivan. Looks like Haivan is actively getting involved.)''

*{{StoryIcon|AS}} '''Aisha:''' ''(Assuming that he's speaking the truth, that is.)''

*{{StoryIcon|Add2}} '''Add:''' ''Hey, you're not just making stuff up to get out of this situation, are you?''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''No way! If you want, you can ask anything until you believe me.''

*{{StoryIcon|Raven2}} '''Raven:''' ''Hm... Alright........ Berthe must have found many of the soul fragments. How many of the '8 pieces' did he find?''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''Eh...?''

*{{StoryIcon|AS}} '''Aisha:''' ''(Elsword! Laby! Watch your expression! They're going to catch onto us if you stare at Raven like that!)''

*{{StoryIcon|Rose2}} '''Rose:''' ''(... You both have a terrible poker face. You don't have to frown.)''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''(Oh... Um... Good job...?)''

*{{StoryIcon|Eve2}} '''Eve:''' ''(Sometimes, it's hard to tell who the true villain is...)''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''We haven't got specifics order yet, just that we're going to do it. Though, I think he's real serious about it this time 'round. Last time, there weren't enough Garen support, so he had to enlist the Glitter guards.''

*{{StoryIcon|Chung2}} '''Chung:''' ''Does that mean there are more Garens that are taking a more active role this time?''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''So? Do you think he's telling the truth?''

*{{StoryIcon|Raven2}} '''Raven:''' ''His answers were swift and consistent. There were no signs of deception, like fidgeting or avoiding eye contact.''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''If we assume he speaks the truth, the consequence of our failure would be an all-out demon invasion even bigger than the one before.''

*{{StoryIcon|Eve2}} '''Eve:''' ''Elesis, didn't you already warn the Velder Kingdom of the possibility of an invasion? Elrios should be prepared this time.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ain4}} '''Ain:''' ''What did he say? 'All goners if we fail'?''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''When discipline is too rigid with severe consequences, it weakens solidarity and morale. In other words, people are more likely to desert. If Berthe doesn't show mercy to those who fail like he says, it's understandable why they have little to no loyalty, and would rather surrender.''

*{{StoryIcon|Chung2}} '''Chung:''' ''What do you think, Nichel? I don't think this is something we should decide on our own. If we accept their surrender, we'll need a place and those who would keep an eye on them. That's not something we can offer as outsiders.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ara2}} '''Ara:''' ''Plus, it might put Aurora in danger. I also believe this should be up to your decision.''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''... Huh? Did you say Nero?''

*{{StoryIcon|Asella}} '''Asella:''' ''You! Where did you get that! You better speak the truth!''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''I didn't do anything, I swear! I just saw it drop, so I picked it up.''

*{{StoryIcon|Asella}} '''Asella:''' ''If you just picked it up, why is it broken? You knew this was our communication device, didn't you? You broke it on purpose!''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''Winster...''

*{{StoryIcon|Ciel2}} '''Ciel:''' ''The soul fragment is being tracked... Then Berthe may already be aware of our course.''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''... What?! I thought you said this place is safe!''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''Ah... This is not good. We should leave as soon as possible.''

*{{StoryIcon|Eve2}} '''Eve:''' ''In normal circumstances, that could work, but we shouldn't risk it since they have the portal. With the portal, they are essentially holding Elrios hostage, which is non-negotiable for us.''

*{{StoryIcon|Raven2}} '''Raven:''' ''I agree. If Berthe realizes we're trying to lure him out, he could turn his focus to invading Elrios immediately. Then it will be us that end up being lured in.''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''... Hey, are you guys good with machines?''

*{{StoryIcon|Add2}} '''Add:''' ''Why do you ask?''

*{{StoryIcon|Baryon}} '''Baryon:''' ''I know because I'd pass by whenever I had business around there. It's a good place to chill. Also it's a nice hiding place. If you can activate it, it should be able to take you to the capital in a jiffy.''

*{{StoryIcon|Raven2}} '''Raven:''' ''If it was used to transport goods, it should definitely be connected to the capital.''

*{{StoryIcon|Add2}} '''Add:''' ''We'll stick out like a sore thumb. But who's going to be stupid enough to step in front of a train running in full-speed?''

*{{StoryIcon|Elesis2}} '''Elesis:''' ''I like that we can enter the capital without having to battle anyone, as long as we get the train to move. We can't avoid fighting after we enter the capital anyway. Best we make the most out of it.''

*{{StoryIcon|Add2}} '''Add:''' ''Why couldn't he tell us the right one in the first place...''

----

*{{StoryIcon|Add2}} '''Add:''' ''I can't say for sure before checking the engine room... But it looks good considering how long it was abandoned.''

*{{StoryIcon|Eve2}} '''Eve:''' ''It's strange. It's too well-kept despite being out of order for a long time.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ara2}} '''Ara:''' ''Perhaps the soldier tidied up the place after their use? They did say the soldier sometimes rest here.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ciel2}} '''Ciel:''' ''That could be possible. Anyway, we should head to the cockpit. That should be up ahead.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ain4}} '''Ain:''' ''It was abandoned for a long time. There could be wild animals that settled in.''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''Is this the door to the next compartment? It's kind of stuck... Maybe it's rusted? Oof!''

*{{StoryIcon|AS}} '''Aisha:''' ''Yikes! There's someone else in the tunnel other than us...?''

*{{StoryIcon|Zero}} '''Zero:''' ''... Is it Haivan? He could have pretended that he was leaving, only to hide himself so he could watch what we're doing?''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''... It's you.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ain4}} '''Ain:''' ''Oh, so Mr. Kid's surprise was Mr. Dog!''

*{{StoryIcon|Chung2}} '''Chung:''' ''I understand your guilt, but this really isn't your fault at all.''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''... I'm not sure if I can escape the blame. It is clear that the path he has chosen will be laden with many sacrifices. And in part, it started with my own judgment that we need some kind of force to combat the Garen on land. The sense of betrayal, rage, and hatred that I felt... I see it reflected in Haivan's own actions. And I cannot just standby and watch him walk down that path. If it's too late to stop him, then I...''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''But we still don't know why he's doing all this. Not even you, Winster. When we see him... We should listen to what he's got to say. That has to come first.''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''......''