Karsten IF

Chapter 1: Butterfly's Theory

Karsten IF

Chapter 1: Butterfly's Theory

The illumination of the moon had never gazed so bright over them before. The path to the vast grassy plains on which many a legend walked were barren to any soldier that would wish to look upon them.

The world darkened as night fell. The breeze soon intensified around the army as if signaling a storm despite the clear skies.

A mountainous trunk of darkened oak wood sprung from the ground in the middle of the grassy plains. The rustles of this colossal plant filled the world with its sounds, towering over the huddled group of men and adventurers and even reaching the clouds of the night sky.

The Great Tree of the Wanderer had its grand leaves rustling over the world beneath her, signaling a powerful whirlwind of air. A storm neared.

"It wouldn't be wrong to call what we shall be facing here a storm..." a person whispered to themselves, chuckling in amusement at the metaphor.

Not too far off from the Great Tree's trunk, groups of men and women were huddled around multiple campfires, the comforting heat of a single flame insufficient for such a large collection of people. They were all clad in armor, heavy on some and thinner on others. Every soldier in this army had their weapons sheathed to their sides, from energetic youths to grizzled elders.

Out of sight yet close enough to both, The Great Tree and the camping group beneath it, was a woman clad in metal armor. She seemed to be on her own; sitting on the grassy hill with her sword unlatched by her side.

She seemed to be in thought. Her eyes were staring upwards towards the moon above her, above the great leaves and the clouds that stuck below them.

"I see you're keeping a brave face as always, nyan!"

"Ah..." the woman was kicked out of their musing, turning slightly to meet the uniformed cat-boy with a warm smile present in her expression. "Ferris... You caught me at an opportune time. Come sit with me."

"It would be my honor, nyan!" The cat knight softly smiled and sat down on the spot his lady had patted beside her. He couldn't help but admire the amazing bravery she was showing at that moment, right before they faced a legendary calamity with naught but abysmal support from a makeshift barracks. To keep a confident grin on her face even while she was alone and away from the people she was leading was...

"You're amayzing, Crusch-sama!" the young demi-human cheered toward her with a bright smile, filled with adoration.

The beautiful battle-prepared woman only gave a graceful chuckle, finding it appropriate to reach her hand out and ruffle his hair between her gloved fingers.

"Honestly... Thank you, Ferris. I don't know how this will go for us, but I'm determined to see it through."

Looking at the green-haired beauty, Felix couldn't help but admire her once more; her words sounded like she was showing doubt and even fear, yet her expression seemed to be one of steeled resolve. He had known her long enough to be certain that this determination of hers was driven by a force a hundred times more powerful than any of their world's gods and monsters.

There was no stopping the duchess of house Karsten. She was noble, elegant, beautiful, kind, confident, and born to lead, to command.

Crusch Karsten would never be afraid or nervous. Doubtful, maybe. Confused at times, yes. But Felix understood her better than anyone in this world. And he knew fear was nothing more than a fly to swat away to his lady

"Honestly, this is why I don't get how those old men didn't drop this election nonsense and crown the rightful ruler of the kingdom as soon as they saw her. What a bunch of old fools~." Felix said, starting to teasingly move his hair against her gentle hand.