Chapter 2: West Britannia

E-Ethan...!

I know, I saw. That one's gotta be the group's boss.

Do you mean the Orc Lord? So incredibly intimidating...

Unlike other orcs, his armor is lustrous, and that fabric that looks like women's undergarments...

... Huh? Is that armor...?!

Sheesh, he sure likes showing off his weird wardrobe.

E-Ethan...!

What, Elizabeth? What's wrong? Is he that scary?

That... That orc... It's wearing the armor...!

Aaaa...

Y-Your Highness?! Your Highness!!!

What's the big deal?

Ethan, that's the Princess's armor. The royal treasure! The Absolute Armor!

Huh? Then all that talk of underwear was actually accurate?

Intruders! Kill them!

We finally got it back! The underwear armor!

C-Congratulations, Your Highness! Ahaha...

.......

Now you can quit your job and find the Holy Sword, Elizabeth!

.......

Y-Your Highness? Don't worry if the armor's been sullied. I will give it a thorough scrubbing and have the blacksmith clean the rest!

Why, Bedi, does the sky look particularly blue today...?

Waaah! Ethan! The Princess is broken!

I know this is a lot to take in all at once, but get it together, Elizabeth. Bedivere said she's gonna wash it for you.

It's no use, Ethan.

She wouldn't even be happy with wearing something a male human wore. This is an orc we're talking here.

I'd bite my tongue till I died, if I were her.

What are you doing?! Stop fanning air at a burning house!

If I do it hard enough, it'll put the fire out, won't it?

Ugh, why do I even bother with you? Don't punch the fairy, come on, don't punch the fairy...

Ethan?

Ah! Elizabeth! What? Need something? Just say the word!

Both the royal treasure and my soul... are defiled... Hic, hic!

Well, uh, this may not be what you wanna hear... but calling that a treasure is a bit...

Haa, so be it... I shall have to replace the lower cloth.

Huh? You can do that?

Yes. It is the same color as what I'm wearing. It will have to do.

...

We should hurry. Orcs are catching on and starting to swarm.

Ethan?

Huh? Oh, right! No need to keep fighting here, is there?

I see a path that way. Let's run over there!

Phew, I believe we beat them back somehow.

Everyone's okay, right?

I'm not okay, Ethan. I'm hungry.

I am as well, but more so, the pain in my soul is still fresh...

So you're all okay, good.

Once we escape this forest, Pennsylvania will be within sight.

Finally something worth hearing. My blade's gotten a bit dull from all this fighting.

Ah...! Someone approaches!

Man, Imperial Army again?

No. The footfall sounds completely different. It sounds like... Oh no...!

Y-Your Highness! They're from the Church of Tiamat!

That's as far as you can go.

These people are nothing like the soldiers we've fought. And she... She gives off a great power...

We are Vortigern's legion. Come quietly. We won't kill you.

Listen, heretics. Just move along while I have the patience to tell you nicely.

Hehe... Perhaps I can offer my master your head then.

Mmm...! You are talented with a sword.

No matter how many people you send after her, we will never give up Elizabeth.

Ethan...

Interesting. Who are you, anyway?

I...

I'm nobody of note.

You're the more interesting one.

Pfft, are you coming on to me?

Ethan! This way!

All right, let's go!

Heh heh... Running away? Adorable.

An enemy within... This is beyond what I expected.

If the Church of Tiamat is after you as well, someone leaked word of the meeting at Avalon.

What must we do? The Church of Tiamat already knows exactly where we are...

I suggest you board your ship elsewhere.

Not the Southern Pennsylvanian Port?

No. They followed you here. They will have followers waiting at the port.

But then where?

The Cave of Trials. There you can evade their pursuit.

Are you being serious, Merlin? The Cave of Trials is an underground pathway in the Black Forest.

The B-Black Forest...

People say once you enter, you can never leave...

Due to the great deal of monsters. If you go in there, they will not follow.

But then we'll have to fight the monsters instead.

You are surrounded. Is that not the better option? Pass through the cave, and you'll reach the western shore without their knowing.

Hmm... Well...

To the Cave of Trials it is then.

Yes?

There's no other way. It beats getting captured and killed, doesn't it?

And if we can't go this time, the ship will have sailed on the meeting.

The monsters in the Black Forest make orcs look like bunny rabbits. Can you handle it?

I believe Ethan can handle anything.

We would not have made it this far without him.

Hoho... Seems they put quite the trust in you, Ethan.

Harhar, Merlin, very funny... Only Bedivere talks like that about me.

Hehe, only because I truly believe in you.

Only Bedivere...?! That is not true! I-I also...!

Huh?

W-Well...

I simply wished to say I can rely on someone Bedi deems worthy of trust.

You... Well, you are the Swordbringer...

Ah, right, right.

Hoho, that will do for the friendly chatter. Now that we have a general plan, we should discuss preparations!

You will enter the Black Forest after passing Bristol. I shall get the ship ready in the meanwhile.

Right, then it's time to break through the encirclement!