Dankern Village
Kanda woke up and saw that Gouz is no longer sleeping on the floor. He grabbed on his sword and wore his coat. The door of Eleanor's room is also wide open. He saw jelly beans scattered on the ground and followed it.
Old Hut in the Forest
Eleanor was able to follow the footsteps of Gouz as Sophia used her ability to enter his dreams. She removed her bandages hoping that her eyes are already healed. She slowly opened them and her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Before even reacting, Sophia already stabbed her with a knife. Eleanor looked down on the knife and saw some fluid dripping from it. "What did you put in the knife?", Eleanor grabbed on her shoulder. "It will paralyze you and I will order those level 1 to kill you here", Sophia said with a cold voice.
"How pitiful". Sophia felt something different from Eleanor and made a distance. The cloud finally allowed the moon to give its illumination. Sophia saw Eleanor's eyes turned into pitch black. "You are pitiful. You became a sacrifice for the village. Worry not. You became a hero", Eleanor's voice were a little deeper from her usual voice.
Eleanor slapped herself. "Shut up", her other eyes returned to its normal color. "Sophia. What are you planning to do with Gouz?", Eleanor fight off the innocence. "You're more of a witch than I am", Sophia felt disgust towards her. "You're right but I wasn't called by than name", Eleanor drew the scythe from a wound that opened in her arm. Sophia felt a sense of fear and put up her guard.
"They called me the grim reaper", Eleanor tried to slash her but group of men went in between. Eleanor knew that they were demons. Sophia escaped and went back to the village. Eleanor saw Kanda running after Sophia's father. She destroyed the weapons before running after Kanda.
Deep Forest
Kanda was late. Sophia's father is already stabbed by a demon. His face was filled with pentacles. Eleanor hid behind the tree. "Forgive me", he said before he turned into ashes.
Forgive me.
Eleanor felt a sharp pain in her head and tried to calm herself. If she won't suppress such emotions, her innocence will take over. She finally understood that her innocence feeds on her emotions. The more intense the emotion is, the more she synchronize with the innocence enough for them to become one.
Humans aren't just tools or weapons.
She refuses to become a tool. "Now that you're totally healed, its not time to daydream", Kanda found her. "You're right. I found Gouz in the old hut. I will be heading back at the village and warn the villages", Eleanor said before taking her leave.
Village
Eleanor covered her mouth to prevent herself from throwing up. The place looks awful. Everywhere is a sign of enslavement. She started destroying the villagers.
She made us into this.
If she could forgive us.
We were the once who made them suffer.
I hope we could reverse what we did to her.
"May your soul finds rest", Eleanor reverted her weapon when she saw Kanda facing Sophia. She decided not to interfere with their fight. She knew Kanda was strong enough. After defeating Sophia, Gouz went to her side. Eleanor was about to stop him but Kanda grabbed on her hair making the lady stop.
"Sorry, Sophia. Why should something terrible happen to you and your sister?", Gouz heard the story while they were having a fight. "You would cry for a demon like me?", Sophia was startled. "Of course. You were just both a victim but then its time for you to rest", Gouz pressed his lips together while tears are still escaping his eyes.
You would still love someone like me?
The sun started peeking and everything turned into ashes. "What do you plan on doing from now?", Kanda wiped his sword. "Marshal Squalo is strong and I believe in him. I don't have any golem with me so...", Eleanor looked at Kanda. "You're not coming with me", Kanda said right away. "I guessed so", Eleanor had a short laugh. "How about me?", Gouz raised his hand. "You will be meeting an exorcist soon, just wait in the entrance", Kanda instructed. "I will be going with Kanda despite his refusal. Gouz, you did well this time. I know Sophia is now free from all her anguish", Eleanor waved her hand. "I wish the same thing for you", Gouz had teary eyes. Eleanor remembered that Gouz stayed with her previous subordinate back in the ship. He must have heard from him. Eleanor had a weak smile and nodded.
Flashback
5 years ago- Training Ground- Wales
The training ground was situated near the palace. It was a wide grassy plains with some tents built for a resting place. Group of soldiers gathered in a circle watching a sparing. A young girl with white locks is having a duel with a tall man. "You will not be the squad leader!", he charged. The girl winked and jumped high locking the man's head with both of her legs. They both fell in the ground but she was able to knock off the tall man. "Frion, I told you that I will be taking care of the squad. It's fair, right. I didn't cheat or anything like that", Eleanor sighed. Frion, the 16 year old lad nodded and agreement.
They were asked to take a break. Bookman and Lavi just arrived from their expedition. The red head grew taller and his eyes turned duller. For just a year, the thirteen year old lad saw endless war and realized that humans are mindless creatures. As he looks at the soldiers resting on the grassy plains, he mentally cursed their foolishness of being a participant of tragedies. Both party claims to be on the right side and that's what makes war endless.
Tent
"Sir red-head", Eleanor appeared in front of him. "Young girl", Lavi stepped back looking at her wearing a uniform. "I'm Eleanor. How many times do I have to remind you?", the girl pouted and bowed at Bookman. "You've grown older, Bookman", she commented. "Your highness, shouldn't you be resting? You will be training again after a while", Bookman pointed Keanne standing on the platform.
"I know I'm young but did you know that I was asked to be the squad leader. Sir red-head's practices with me are not in vain", Eleanor headbutted Lavi then ran away. Lavi massaged his head. "You were training with her?", Bookman punched his head as well. "Why do I have to get two?", Lavi whined. "She just looked desperate. When I can't sleep at night, I look outside the library and watch her train alone. Being alone just looked... painful", Lavi clenched his fist.
Training Ground
"Be grateful. You are all handpicked by the King to be a special unit for a battle that will happen tomorrow night. You already have your squad leaders. March in front!", Keanne ordered. His heart broke upon seeing her daughter. Not just for his daughter, most of the soldiers gathered are youngsters with exceptional military abilities. "The only ones that will be joining the battle would be the squad leaders. The rest will be stationed around the capital to protect it", Keanne ordered. They all looked at each other feeling a little relieved.
"I thought you would be sheltered inside the palace", one squad leader mocked Eleanor. The girl just ignored it and looked the ones below the platform. She felt excitement. This time, she will be working hand in hand with her father. She looked behind and saw a disappointed look from Keanne. She couldn't understand why he wasn't proud that she was able to crawl her way to make it to the top.
End of Flashback
Vienna-Train Station
"Welcome!", Daisya welcomed them. "Oh. I didn't know that Kanda has company. Hello! My name is Daisya Barry", the man introduced in a cheerful way. "Pleased to meet you. I am Eleanor Victoria", the lady bowed her head. "Sounds like a noble name", Daisya commented. Eleanor just had a short laugh. "Wait? You're really a noble?", Daisya was startled. Kanda didn't mind but he has a hunch that the lady isn't a commoner.
"Kanda, the ride must have been exciting with a pretty lady beside you", Daisya teased. Eleanor sighed recalling how Kanda stayed as far as possible. Being close to the lady just made Kanda have flashes of memories. "Wait? Did something happen with you two?", Daisya flushed. Kanda kicked him but he was able to evade it.
Chapter end.
