Suikoden VII

Chapter Seven: Part Six

Note: After I finish Chapter Seven, there will be a short break before I start Chapter Eight. I've realized I've fallen behind on Investigations, Plays, and Bath Scenes and I want to get those sorted. Sorry for the inconvenience.

—

Chapter Seven: Part Six

Blutkrieger

"GRANDMA!"

Norma quickly looked up as Ragna burst into the room. Ernst, who had been seated beside her, abruptly stood up. Ragna's eyes were wide and his face white. "Grandma," the boy said, his chest heaving. "His Majesty! They said the King is gone!"

"Gone?!" Ernst demanded incredulously.

Norma's brow rose. "What do you mean "gone", Ragna?" she asked calmly.

"H-He's not in the city anymore," Ragna said, wringing his hands a little. "Guards at the castle said that the King took several Royal Army forces and marched west! He's not here! Prince Kion isn't here, either!"

Ernst quickly looked at Norma. "His Majesty called you to the Capital for an audience," he said slowly. "But instead of having an audience with you he leaves with soldiers? Without even alerting us?"

Norma swallowed hard, an unsettling feeling filling her body. She pressed down on the top of her thighs hard. It was a long moment before she spoke. "Well," she said quietly. "This can only mean one thing."

"Yeah," Ernst said grimly. "We're here...so we can't interfere while they seize Honigmilch."

"Why would they need to seize Honigmilch?!" Ragna demanded. Then boy gasped throatily. "Grandma—they won't attack Honigmilch, will they?! What about the Guild?!"

"This is no doubt an exercise of His Majesty's authority to ensure that the city doesn't ally with Astraea Reiser," Norma said, closing her eys. "And by us being here...the Guild will not interfere."

—

Honigmilch

Astraea expected Brendan to lower her off his shoulder, but her eldest brother held her firm. "Eartha," he said, his tone low. "It's been a long time."

Eartha's eyes shifted to Brendan, and her eyes sparkled. "Well, hello Prince," she said, her tone slightly breathy. "You came all the way here without your...paramour? Do you miss the old days that much?"

Brendan clenched his jaw. "We come here in peace. Just as Astraea said."

Eartha hummed and looked back at Astraea. "You seem like a rather magnetizing young woman, Princess," Eartha said. "You've attracted quite the following. And there are many things being said about you. Things our own King is saying. Your father, Princess—"

"Ah, Boss?" A nondescript mercenary behind her quipped. "S-She—Astraea Reiser was disowned by the King so we cannot call her—"

Eartha grabbed the mercenary by his collar and yanked him forward, their faces almost smashing against each other. "Don't interrupt me when I'm having a moment," she hissed into his face.

"I-I'm sorry, Boss!" the man squeaked.

Eartha smiled, and then gave him a quick peck on the mouth before pushing him away. "Where was I?" she wondered aloud. "Ah yes, His Majesty the King. King Franz has said that you've done many bad things, Princess—"

"He's lying!" Astraea interjected.

"He IS lying," Sigrun said, stepping forward. "We've seen it ourselves."

Eartha casually shrugged. "Nonetheless, the King has declared you a traitor and a kin-killer. And the King's word is law."

Earth suddenly armed herself, raising a zweihänder. She took the near ward position as the crowd jumped away from her. Others drew their weapons and flanked Eartha, signaling that they were part of her unit. "His Majesty will reward us handsomely if I turn you in," Eartha said with a grin. "Unit B will go down as the greatest Unit of the Couatl Mercenary Brigade. But I like a challenge. Indulge me a little, Astraea Reiser. Make me work for it."