Fire Emblem Protagonist 25

Crusch actually owned a mansion in the capital.

It came off as a surprise to Heitor, but it probably shouldn't have. Crusch Karsten was a Duchess after all, one of the kingdom's most important nobles. It was only natural she would own such crazy things.

The carriage that had taken them there finally stopped. Al had been the one driving it, but the one to open its door was another face. Even if that was face was also familiar.

"Hello, nyah!" Felix, Crusch's chosen knight.

He was accompanied by an old man, Wilhelm Astrea. Heitor had occasionally heard of the man, but seeing a living legend was another thing entirely. Especially since his ability immediately told him the Sword Demon was one of the best swordsmen he had ever seen.

The only person who surpassed him was Reinhard, but Reinhard surpassed everybody.

Priscilla grinned. "If it isn't the Valkyrie's healer, have you come here with the intention of receiving a treat and a toy from you master later?"

"..." Felix could only show a smile to her comment, but Heitor imagined he would like to punch Priscilla if possible.

Heitor didn't blame him, that was just the way Priscilla was though. "Hey Ferris, nice to see you again. Has everything been going well?" He left the carriage first.

If a threat came towards the door it would be his responsibility to protect Priscilla and the others. Although he doubted such a thing would happen in Crusch's house of course.

Still, his comment gave Felix an opportunity to escape Priscilla. "Yes, everything is going just fine. Lady Crusch is actually quite a bit excited lately, even." An excited Crusch... a cute sight to be sure.

And one Heitor shouldn't think about. Thinking of Crusch as cute always brought... embarrassing memories of their supports together.

As more people left the carriage, Felix raised an eyebrow. "I see that you have brought quite a few guests with you, Lady Priscilla." He was talking about Felt and Emilia.

Al was Priscilla's knight, so it was only natural she came along, but it was another matter entirely for the other candidates.

Priscilla hid her face with her fan. Heitor imagined she must have been hiding a frown. "The Sword Saint had asked that I give mine protection to his pet rat." It was more like Reinhard was Felt's rat.

She continued. "As for the half-fool... She has come along solely to annoy me. Feel free to throw her into the streets." Funnily enough, she wasn't exactly lying.

Emilia was following Priscilla around and subtlety trying to change her mind about kicking her out to the Astreas. Though Emilia's idea of subtle wasn't subtle at all, of course.

Emilia pouted. "You know I'm not here to annoy you, I just want to discuss a important subject!" A subject that was annoying to Priscilla. "Though I will not interfere with the meeting between Lady Priscilla and Lady Crusch, of course."

Felt raised a hand. "Me neither. Just ignore me, I'll go around snacking up on whatever food I can find, I guess."

Felix narrowed his eyes. "No candidate will be ignored. I will ask some servants to look after you two."

Priscilla interjected. "I have no objections, but..." She looked towards Al. "Guard them with your very life, Al. It would be embarrassing if mine charge died to an assassin's blade."

The gladiator nodded. "Sure, but who's gonna guard you."

Priscilla grinned. "I have a perfectly capable husband by my side." She grabbed him by the arm. "One so capable that the Valkyrie wishes to steal him."

Heitor blushed. "Let's not throw words like that around so caressly..." He stole a glance at the Sword Demon.

The poor old man hadn't yet even been given the opportunity to introduce himself. That's how overwhelming this whole thing had been so far. So Heitor definitely didn't want to make things even more overwhelming with talk about Crusch stealing people or whatever.

Priscilla glared at Heitor. "Do not try this act right now. You are the pervert who I have to leash, least you attack the duchess. Or have you forgotten." She brought their argument up now!? In public!?

How merciless...!

She was kind of right though, he couldn't exactly play coy when he had been talking about marrying multiple women the other day... Damn his cheat! Making Priscilla of all people seem in the right.

Felix raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" Things were definitely getting dangerous.

Heitor cleared his throat. "Just a... husband and wife inside joke, don't worry about it. Instead..." He turned towards the Sword Demon. "Allow me to say it's an honor to meet you, sir."

"You recognize me?"

"Due to my ability, I do." Heitor bowed. "And I must say, as a swordsmen, I strive to reach your level one day." He didn't actually care that much.

That's not to say he didn't respect the old man of course, but the truth is that just wanted to close the can of worms Priscilla had opened. He would be willing to do anything right now as long as it distracted everyone.

The old man hummed. "I wish you success in that. For now however, let us go and meet Lady Crusch." Without saying another word, he began walking out.

Heitor tilted his head. "How very... to the point." There was something wrong. The Sword Demon was trembling.

Felix suddenly pat Heitor's back. "That's just the way he is. I wouldn't worry though, he really likes you."

"Truly?" Well, Heitor supposed he hadn't done anything to piss of the man. "Why though?" But he hadn't done anything good for the man either. Did he just appreciate compliments?

"Because right now, you're really useful, nyah." Oh.



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"It's a pleasure to see you once again, Lady Priscilla." She greeted Priscilla with a warm smile.

"Indeed." Priscilla however, greeted her with a cold one.

It was the face of a predator eyeing up their enemy. A expression that Priscilla didn't usually show, since she saw most people as too pathway to qualify as her enemy. Could it be that she was still on high alert because of their previous conversation...? That was probably too arrogant of him to think.

The reason for it didn't matter in the end, what mattered is that Crusch wasn't stupid, she could see when someone was hostile, and she seemed quite confused by it.

That all disappeared when she saw Heitor however. Her previous normal smile disappeared and was replaced by one filled with warmth. One that someone would show upon seeing an old friend after a long time.

"And it's a pleasure to see you once again as well, Heitor. I have been waiting anxiously to talk with you again." Her comment was innocent, probably.

But it did make Priscilla grit her teeth.

Heitor chose to ignore that. "I've missed you too, Lady Crusch." Though they hadn't been separated for long.

Still, nowadays he saw her as a friend. It was hard not to do so when they fought side-by-side against a madman.

Both Priscilla and Heitor sat down, now facing Crusch. Behind the duchess, stood Wilhelm and Felix, the world's scariest bodyguards. One who could cut any man down, and another who could heal any cut.

Crusch hummed. "So, before we start, I have been informed that Lady Emilia and Lady Felt also came along...?"

Priscilla crossed her arms. "Leeches are hard to discard." Ouch.

Crusch was used to Priscilla though, so she took that in stride. "It's no issue, and I wouldn't exactly mind involving them with this matter, although... well..." A small blush covered her face. "I do want most of the credit to go towards me, so involving other camps is complicated."

Priscilla chuckled. "It is no issue, in the end we are all rivals competing for the throne. Worry not however, the half-wit does have half of a wit, so she made herself scarce with no issue. While the rat cares only for whatever cheese she can find." Was she calling Felt a glutton?

"Right..." Crusch cleared her throat. "Then allow me to get right to the point. Are you still willing to cooperate in that operation we previously discussed, Lady Priscilla?"

"Naturally. You have kept your side of the deal, I shall keep mine." She motioned towards Heitor. "You shall have mine husband for a while, treat him well—"

She suddenly stopped herself, frowning. "And remember that I am only lending him to you as a warrior! Nothing more!" Hah, this new jealous side of her was almost cute.

Maybe telling their wives about harem plans was something every husband in the world should do.

"Um...? Yes? Of course." Poor Crusch looked completely confused. "Then let us start the hunt. I know this is very soon, but we have confirmed it's location and I would like to pursue it as soon as possible. By tomorrow, my army will begin its march."

Heitor raised a hand. "Sorry, the pursuit of what? This is embarrassing to admit, but I'm completely lost here." Not a good state to be in when armies were apparently involved.

Crusch frowned. "Has Lady Priscilla not told you what she has... lent you for?"

"Nope. I could have asked of course, but I figured you would explain better." She was talking about a hunt, so clearly they needed to kill some sort of beast.

Hopefully not a dragon. This was Fire Emblem, so Heitor wouldn't be surprised, but... he definitely wasn't ready for something like that.

"I see... It is quite the dangerous mission, so I'm surprised Lady Priscilla did not consult you about this." More dangerous than the Archbishop?

What was he thinking? Of course it would be more dangerous than the Archbishop. In a game... in things like Fire Emblem, enemies only got stronger and stronger as the chapters went on. It would be foolish to expect anything else.

Still... "It's fine. I married danger, after all." Even if he had only done so after quite a bit of arguing.

Priscilla actually had the gall to giggle at his snark. "Yes. No beast can compare to me." That wasn't something to be proud of.

Their display seemingly made Crusch happy. "It gladdens my heart to see you two are getting along so well." Were they? "And it also gladdens me to see you have not backed off, Heitor. Though I would not blame you for doing so after I tell you of our prey."

She continued. "I seek to hunt the White Whale. One of the great Mabeasts. Are you familiar with it?"

He nodded. "Kind of." He definitely didn't know as much about it as he should. "It's a big floating whale that attacks with a mist that erases things, right?"

The White Whale. The Great Rabbit. The Black Serpent. Three monsters who went around causing problems to everyone. Heitor had been briefed about them by Priscilla before.

Due to his position in this world, he had expected to fight them eventually. A Fire Emblem character didn't get the luxury of avoiding a big destructive monster.

Still, he had assumed big operations like this one would be left for the future. The Fire Emblem wanted to pressure the council after all, so one of the members taking their army away, even if momentarily, was a... bold move.

Though he supposed the fact that Priscilla's army was now in the capital would be enough to kind of fill that void.

Crusch sighed. "That is... correct in a way. But please keep in mind that that erasure should not be taken lightly. Being hit by it would mean nobody even remembering you ever existed."

She continued. "Furthermore, we also have certain reports that say the whale is capable of sending out a mist that affects the sanity of certain individuals. Essentially, it is a tricky enemy that may possess abilities unknown to us."

Ah, he could see where this was going. "Abilities you are hoping I will reveal."

"Exactly, though that isn't all." He didn't like the sound of that. "One of the biggest problems in facing the whale and its mists is the confusion it generates on the battlefield. Sometimes which I hope your your ability will put an end to."

She bit the tip of her thumb, frustrated. "To be honest, I would rather do this with as little allies as possible, but when I found out about your ability, I just knew I had to have it. It is a shame the baroness took you before I did."

Ah, Priscilla just let out a silent growl. Crusch's life was in danger... ignoring the actual most dangerous creature in Lugunica though...

Crusch's attitude made sense. It almost made Heitor feel bad for her... She was playing a dangerous game, one where she needed to bring enough tools to win, but at the same time bring a amount small enough to where the credit would go mostly to her.

Basically, by calling him she was surrending a good portion of the credit from killing the whale to Priscilla. And if she called someone like Reinhard? Then with him being as well known as he was, he would most likely be given all the credit. In the end she had to make some careful compromises.

But there was still one problem. "I understand your position, but to be honest... I don't think I will be able to help you much."

She raised an eyebrow. "Have you lost your nerve?" Surprisingly, she didn't sound judgemental.

That wasn't it though. "No, I'm fine with fighting the whale, but..."

He raised one finger. "First of all, you are planning to bring a decently sized army for this. Am I correct in assuming that?"

She nodded. "Yes, of course. There's no need to hunt the whale with a small group. This is not like with the Archbishop of Sloth, we are doing the attack, so we can pick our battlefield conditions."

He sighed. "And there's the first problem. I don't know if my ability will work at full strenght on a full army." Even if Fire Emblem games were games about war, one typically controlled a fairly small group for every mission.

There were... exceptions to that, occasionally. The first that came to mind was the Battalion mechanic in Fire Emblem Three Houses, but Heitor wasn't sure if his system would have that.

And the second was... "And second of all, I'm not a commander, not a general. I helped back in the village, but I don't think I could confidently lead a truly high number of men into battle."

It was a completely different experience from leading a small squad where he could give everyone different orders. Even with his ability, he would not be able to command the battlefield, not with his inexperience and lack of actual, real army tacticts.

With that said... "However, if you are willing to accept all that, and plan around it... My aid is yours. Especially since I actually think I know of something that might counter the whale." He stole a glance at Priscilla while talking.

Her song... if the problem was mist, Priscilla could easily handle it. Assuming the song would be available in this type of battlefield, of course.

Crusch smiled. "I understand your concerns, and don't worry, as you said, I'm willing to plan around it." Well, that was good to hear.

Almost as if to directly counter him, she raised a finger. "About your first point, that is fine. I would prefer if all your abilities worked, but failing that, having your skill by my side would do wonders for the battlefield." Heh, he was kind of strong, wasn't he?

What? Even a married man can feel good after being praised by a beauty.

A small blush covered her face. "And that aside, just your presence in general will light my heart with courage." Okay, maybe that was too much.

Priscilla's eye twitched. "[I]Mine[/I] husband does have a inspiring presence, yes."

Crusch innocently agreeded. "No doubt all my men will have their confidence bolstered by the slayer of Sloth." Geez, he was becoming a celebrity?

Good. That would help his scheme with Anastasia sell. Probably. Branding was important no matter the era.

Crusch raised a second finger. "Continuing on... if your ability does work, my plan isn't letting you control my army. Instead I want to keep you my by my side, so you can constantly keep me updated on what I can see."

She grinned. "I also want to give orders through you. Bragging is not befitting for someone of my station, but I have gotten quite a bit of praise for my abilities as a commander."

That all sounded fine to Heitor. He could follow orders just fine. And while he would still be taking a important position in her army, as long as she had other plans and he wasn't the most crucial one, he was willing to do it.

Which meant one thing. "Okay then, I'm going to aid you as best I can, Lady Crusch." And if her army was leaving tomorrow...

Well, that would put Emilia and Felt in a complicated spot. Emilia could go to the Astreas, but Felt... Eh, he would figure something out. Worst case scenario Al was always around.

Now though, now it was time to blow her mind. "And part of that help is... well, remember when I said I had something that could counter the whale?"

"Yes. Is it a new facet of your ability?"

"Yep. And I think it needs my ability to work fully for it, but assuming it does..." Heitor smiled towards Priscilla. "And as long as my wife here is willing to come with us and sing in public..."

Priscilla smirked. "I am always willing to let others bask in my splendor. The question is if the Valkyrie is willing to accept any help of mine beyond lending you." Right.

Crusch's face became completely serious. "Tell me of the ability, and I'll consider if the benefits outweigh the risks." The risk being a loss of glory.

Heitor shrugged. "Nothing much. It's just an ability that lets everyone see past the fog, heals every single soldier, and gives them all a copy of Priscilla's weapon. Small stuff."

Crusch began choking on air. Just the reaction he wanted to see!l



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AN: I Forgot to post this here too. Oopsie.