Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Belca runs off to investigate what he saw in the reflection, only to come upon a guard (in fact, one of Kiliko's men) killing an Amontel. The guard tells him to sneak back to his seat without being noticed but Belca demands an explanation which the guard says he's too busy to give. When Belca presses, the guard sternly tells him to behave and remember what Kiliko warned him about. Belca and Linna slink back to find guards discussing the situation, wondering how the Amontel even got past the guards. Linna suggests informing them about the plans for the concentration camp but, before Belca can respond, the Amontel strike, going right for Orcelito. Belca jumps in to save him, pushing him into Linna's arms and saying to keep him safe. The Amontel slash at Linna and kick Belca aside before the guards surround them from above. Orcelito is taken away (despite calling for Belca) and the Amontel are more than prepared to die on their feet. However, one of them suggests taking Belca as a hostage. The other Amontel protests because he's ready to die (not because they've literally done this before...?) but the main Amontel just grabs and heads out. The guards are ready to fire (it's not like Belca will be dead from a scratch, right) but they're shouted down, forced to lower their weapons rather than harm someone with royal blood.

So...back to Musca and Seamrog. They're stuck in a room for the ceremony. Musca expresses concern for the "maid" and Seamrog reminds her that she doesn't like Belca. Musca says she still doesn't...but she doesn't want him to die either. Then a guard comes in to inform Seamrog on the Amontel situation. Hearing about how they infiltrated, Seamrog immediately suspects Eco of being involved...

Meanwhile, Linna is being treated for his injuries...and he's a bad patient, wanting to leave immediately to get back to Belca. A guard comes in to tell him to settle down...after all, the guard is Eco.

He tells Linna that he's gonna cause a commotion. Meanwhile, he needs a favor from the former captain...

Outside, one of the guards explains that they closed down the gates to trap the Amontel inside but the guards should still be alert because the Amontel were able to break through the skylight to get in; they're not normal humans. Some black op guards get ready to go hunting while the Amontel are still arguing about why they had to take a prince. The guards end up surrounding them and they say that if the Amontel hand over Belca, they will be granted Amnesty and what they did today will be overlooked. Despite that, they are clearly prepared to pump the guys full of arrows, poisoned ones at that, at any moment. Then every one hears a sound, something that sounds like a landslide.

It's one of the worms from the waterway!

The Amontel use the confusion as a chance to escape.

Meanwhile, Sir Kiliko is off to see Prince Orcelito to tell him about how his brother was kidnapped yet again. Then he sees a guard in a restricted area, grabbing his shoulder only to find out it's Eco, who ends the chapter by calling him Nathanael only to correct himself to Kiliko.

They know each other.

Chapter 18

Belca bemoans that he should have sent Linna and Eco away first thing in the morning...then more people wouldn't have had to get hurt on his account.

He blames himself for depending too much on Linna. The guards are keeping an eye on his door and the irregular from the last chapter asks the sniper why he didn't shoot the coachman, saying it's not like him. The sniper answers that he doesn't know that.

With Orcelito and Kiliko, Lord Taine thanks them for a wonderful time. Orcelito waves him off and, when he leaves, tells Kiliko it's time to write that letter to Lobnec. Kiliko tells Orcelito that he needs to go over the Amontel concentration camp finances, as you do...before he asks if he's worried about Belca. He answers "No duh" and asks Kiliko about the "poison master" who infiltrated the castle. Kiliko explains that Linna is a former guard captain who Belca rescued from the Amontel back at Dietrich's place. Linna feels indebted to him so he was trying to protect him. Orcelito asks him if he thinks Linna is telling the truth and Kiliko says they haven't confirmed it yet so they sent a message to Dietrich's place but it'll take some time with the birds and all that. But here's the sticky-wicky of it all: Kiliko wants to use Linna as Belca's "shackles". Orcelito doesn't want Linna causing trouble in the palace but Kiliko says that during his interrogation, Linna kept calling for Belca to be protected. The poor boy is down bad. And considering how Linna acts towards him, Belca is warm towards him, almost as if he sees him as an older brother, like how he saw Hector. Then Orcelito says he's concerned about the coachman (Eco), the "crows" (sniper guards) having overheard him talking about a "she" he was supposed to be delivering a message to. Kiliko advises him to focus on the coachman, not Sir Linna or this "she". Orcelito asks why and Kiliko answers by revealing that the "she" is most likely none other than Musca.

Belca, waking up in his tower room, remembers he still has his Cordiola Crystal from the Fox's Cave on him. He uses it to read a random book in the room with him and finds a certain page...

The next morning, Seamrog is awoken by someone banging loudly on the door, asking frantically for a companion they were separated from. He's looking for a man with curly blonde hair...which causes Seamrog to dash off in a panic, recognizing that while the man is dressed as a merchant, he has a knight's stance. He's not looking for a man...he's looking for the princess! He goes to her room and finds her missing.

Anyway, our crossdressing hero Eco is out and complaining about how screwed he and his friends are...but hey! Tragedies make great songs, right? He wonders out loud if he should use Princess Musca...and Musca asks him what he's talking about.

She asks the "random lady" to fix her hair while denying unprompted that she is the missing princess Musca. But she does have something to do at the castle. And she needs her hair fixed because she's going to the castle. Totally not the princess though. Eco, already feeling bad for her, reveals himself to her, blowing her mind.

She freaks out about the "meanie bard" doing that until he tells her that Belca and Linna are in trouble. After hearing the story, she points pretty much the whole thing is his fault but Eco defends that he has his weaknesses and one of them happen to be dancers. Anyway, Musca is all set to rescue them and Eco is coming along. But first! He has to fix her hair...

Linna is being interrogated by a guard, being asked the questions we already got the answers to earlier. Then Kiliko comes in, bringing Belca with him. Belca hugs him, asking if he's hurt and demands him to be released from his chains. Kiliko says he wants to do that but first, he needs to get Princess Musca because she's supposed to be in recovery. Shocked that Kiliko even knows that they're in contact with her, they are promptly released back to the castle so that they can get ready for Investiture Ceremony. Linna and Belca discuss how Eco hasn't been found yet but Belca leaves ahead, despondently telling Linna to forget about it...

In the forest, Izayoi and Shingetsu find tracks leading to the kingdom, knowing Belca and the others are at the castle. They decide it's time to help them because Belca is prone to arrow death and all.

Meanwhile, at Neue Favrille's First Level Cathedral, the elders are all the time is nigh...except that Kiliko has the prince in his pocket so he's widened his power considerably. One of the elders want to eliminate him but another wants him to kneel, saying he should be easier to control than his father...

End of chapter.

Chapter 10

So Ossan's on his way off and is about to sell some stuff so he can eat before he leaves...then he finds himself a Musca in his bag.

Ossan asks where's his armor; Musca says it was in the way so she took it out. Anyway, at a dining establishment, Musca says she needs to get back to the palace to help Orcelito. Ossan cheerfully tells her that no, he is not taking her there and getting his fucking head chopped off; after they finish eating, he's taking her back to the inn. Musca takes some medicine with her food (she stole it from her wet nurse) and Ossan wonders when she got sick all of a sudden. Then he sees her "pills"...

But back to Belca who's still reeling from his dressing down by Tenrou. He mentally concedes that yeah, the Amontel have been treated badly but...they're different! It's not other people's fault for treating them like shit when they're clearly so...not like others. The Captain comes over to ask him if he's able to sleep...and Belca freaks out, pointing out that he's been up the whole time and he needs to rest if he wants to heal. Belca then says that he feels guilty for the Captain getting hurt on his account but The Captain counters that it's an honor to sacrifice his body for the sake of someone baring the spirit of the Hero King. Belca tries to argue that he should be saying that stuff to Orcelito and not him but Tenrou interrupts them, saying the jury's still out on what to do with them. He says they still get to live for now so it's feeding time. Belca accuses him of poisoning the food and Tenrou fires back with "You a weak bitch; you die fast..."...before he says that Hector used to talk about him. Belca flips out (surprise surprise) and demands Tenrou tell him about his connection with his brother, wanting to know why he wanted to help the Amontel. Tenrou responds he doesn't have to tell him shit and Belca continues to holler and shout at him...before remembering that he's doing the same thing as yesterday. And he's heading to the same ending. He politely asks for Tenrou to stop and talk...

And we're back to Ossan and Musca, the former having snatched the latter's medicine. Ossan tells her to stop taking it, saying there's poison mixed in with the sugar. Musca says that he's lying but Ossan says the reason she's sick is probably because of the pills. Musca begins to cry, wondering if the maid hates her enough to kill her...and, to make a bad situation worse, the guys in the restaurant start talking about how Prince Hector was killed by Lord Orbus, right within earshot of the two. Ossan tries to take her out so she won't hear but then he overhears that Prince Belca was taken out for learning about it only for another guy to argue that he was just seen in Sana. Ossan remembers the information from the pigeon and thinks that maybe that rumor was true after all...he was right to get out of there while he was able to because that shit is way above his paygrade and none of his damn business. Then Musca stops him, saying she knows Hector was killed by Lord Orbus and that she thought Belca was killed too and that's why he's not at the castle anymore. She wonders if she's next but she's only worried about what will happen to her big brother Orcelito.

She asks if Ossan is a knight of the royal family and, if he is, to please take her to the palace to help Orcelito. Ossan apologizes, saying he doesn't work for the royal family anymore and he's not a knight, he's an Astelion mercenary who works for jewels and money. She offers to pay him with a hyper-fancy jewel, saying that from now on, he's her personal knight.

Back at the cave, the Amontels are arguing over whether or not they can actually use Belca. He's royalty but the castle doesn't want him. He's Prince Hector's brother but he's "Stone Capital made" so he's a whiny cunt. Tenrou brings Belca in to show him how well things are going and Tenrou says there's no use in talking to a trashy brat who constantly looks at you like he's about to bite you. Tenrou keeps roasting Belca as Belca holds the Ku Klux feelings at bay, battling against his preconceived notions for the greater good. Tenrou is pleasantly surprised that Belca can finally keep his mouth shut and points his blade at his throat, daring him to open dialogue again. Belca asks for a favor, namely that the Amontel help him save Eco from Dietrich's clutches. Tenrou ain't buying it, demanding to know why they would imprison a guy who saved the Prince's life and, if he's a Prince, why doesn't he have enough pull with a rich guy to do it himself? Belca says he has no value as a prince so he'll be their hostage, their scapegoat or spy in order to save Eco with any means he has. Also, the Captain is not his servant; when they're done, let him go. The Amontels tell Tenrou not to trust Belca, saying he's just trying to lead them into a trap and Tenrou smugly shares their feelings with the Prince he now has by the collar. Belca then asks what he must do to gain their trust. Shingetsu joins the conversation by saying they'll take his life in exchange for their trust. The Amontels tell him to chill, saying they still need him as a hostage but Shingetsu everything he can do alive he can do as a corpse. Shingetsu asks Belca if that's okay with him and Belca shakily agrees, saying he talked the talk so he'll walk the walk. Shingetsu draws her (she's a woman, apparently; I've always been bad at this) blade, saying on her word she will rescue Eco and release the Captain. She then lifts the blade above his head...and bursts out laughing.

She says that she's never seen someone so stupid before; at the mansion, he had ample opportunity to escape but stayed to protect the Captain and now he's offering his life for him. He's really stupid...but because he's stupid, he's too stupid to lie and therefore, they can trust him. Then an Amontel runs into the cave, yelling that they have company: Dietrich has followed the Amontel scent to the cave and, led by his slave boy, is ready to "rescue" Belca...

Meanwhile, Ossan has Musca dressed up like a commoner to sneak her around. She asks him what his name is ("Ossan" is Japanese slang for "old man"...not sure why they left that untranslated as his actual name or something) and he says he lost his original name a long time ago. Musca says he needs a real one, giving him the name "Seamrog" after the white clovers she gave him. She asks if he doesn't like it but Seamrog says it's the opposite, saying he didn't expect to be given such a beautiful name in his lifetime...

Sup.

There's this manga called +C: Sword and Cornett, also known as Plus-Si. All I know about it is that it's a Josei and it's about regal politics. I'm gonna review blind and in real time. Anyone who cares, welcome to hell.

Chapter 8

At the Neue-Favrille Palace Gates Square, Musca is being wished good luck on her trip. Where is she going? To a convent near the Schez Villa, where she can make some friends! Musca protests that she's not sick and that she wants to see Orcelito but her wet nurse drags her off into the carriage, saying the Schez air will be good for her health. In the palace, Lord Lagen asks if she's gone; he needs her later as an important diplomatic tool, after all. It turns out Musca is sick: Kiliko had her poisoned with diluted snaked venom which gave her a slight fever. Then Orcelito runs in, straight into Kiliko's arms.

Lord Lagen says "control your ho, man" and Kiliko says in time, Orcelito will be fully under control. Lord Lagen then leaves back to his colony, saying being away for too long makes him uneasy. He also says that while he'll leave Kiliko in charge for now, he better not be disappointed when he comes back.

Sighing, Kiliko tells Orcelito not to surprise him like that next time. He then invites the prince back to his own room so that they can read a book together.

But what of Belca and Eco? Well, Dietrich wakes Eco up while the latter is napping at the desk in the former's office. Dietrich asks Eco to go on a ride with him and Eco calls him crazy, reminding him that his fiancee is supposed to be visiting soon. Then, he asks if he hates the prospect of marriage so much, why doesn't he just leave? Dietrich answers that he knows he has to take over as head of the family but he wants to enjoy the single life just a bit longer.

You're probably wondering "what the fuck does this have to do with the last chapter's cliffhanger?". Well, that moment was a flashback. In the present, Belca is still exploring the grounds and comes out to find a part of the mansion that bridges to a locked small tower thingy. You figure it out.

He wonders if it's a cabin or a storeroom and walks in, bitching about how cold it is. He mentally compares it to the killing room in the royal tomb...but nah, The Earl of Arlon would never do a thing like that! Then he finds a cage with Eco locked up in chains inside.

Dietrich is there too, putting on his best "whoopsie! I've been caught!" face. Belca demands to know what he's doing, saying him and Eco are supposed to be friends. Dietrich just tells him to watch where he's walking; it's cold in there so some areas are iced over. When Belca asks him why is he talking so formally, Dietrich says it makes sense that he's speaking so politely to a prince, after all. He then apologizes to a shocked Belca for making him wear servant clothes (I thought they were his...) and reveals he found out who he was when he had his clothes inspected last night, realizing the materials needed to thread them could only be purchased by royalty. He then says his suspicions were confirmed when he sparred with the prince this morning, saying his stance is that of a knight's but his style is explicitly that of Astelion. The smoking gun is when he reaches over and pulls out Belca's pendant, saying his Primseed is proof and advises that Belca wear it with pride.

He says that Lord Lagen wants him returned safely and Belca will be sent back to Neue-Favrille. Prince Orcelito will definitely be happy (cluing in Belca to the fact that his brother is still alive). Belca then says if he truly thinks he's a prince then let Eco go; he saved his life. Dietrich says he can't do that since he doesn't know what Eco is up to. Belca says there is no proof of him doing something but Dietrich tells him that he sent someone to Sana to investigate and they found out that there is a rumor that someone, a bard in particular, who caused a ruckus there died...yet, a man with a golden ponytail who plays an eleven-stringed koto (a Japanese harp...in a European setting) is right in front of him. Eco says he played a song to escape with the prince but Dietrich counters if he what he told him earlier about Orbus killing Hector is true, why didn't he contact help from the nobles and merchants he's worked for in the past? By not asking for help and making the decision to travel dangerously on foot, Eco looks suspiciously like he's trying to use the prince for his own ends.

Belca tries to tell him the real reason why Eco took him but they are interrupted by a messenger (The Squadron Captain from the last chapter finally reaching them.). Dietrich points out since a messenger and not a carrier pigeon came, it must be important and drags Belca off with him. When Belca asks about Eco, Dietrich tells him not to worry about him: he'll have him sent back to Neue Favrille too. The council of elders will decide what to do with him...

Eco tells Belca to go ahead with Dietrich, reminding him that no matter how powerful people are, it doesn't mean that whatever they are saying is true. People will use their words to influence the thoughts and actions of others.

The important thing is what Belca thinks and not what those people say; he tells him not to forget that even if he's not around.

Outside, the Shingetsu and the Amontels (Album dropping on the 30th) notice the lights out in the mansion but the perimeter is well-guarded: they're being expected. Tenrou (the Amontel with Shingetsu) jokes that Shingetsu's curse didn't work. Shingetsu tells him to drop it and come with him.

Inside, Dietrich thanks the Squadron Captain for warning him about the attack, saying they were able to buffer their defenses because of the information. The Squadron Captain brushes off the praise, saying he was doing what was expected of any person in his position but Dietrich cuts him off by revealing that his horse has been fed and cared for and offers the Captain a room for the night. The Captain offers to assist but Dietrich tells him not to worry about it and leaves.

Belca marches up to Dietrich in the hallway and demands to know what's going on...and the Captain sees him.

Dietrich tells him it's not a big deal, just some wild Amontel wandering outside so the guards are about to hunt them. He tells him not to stress and that he sent a blanket and a heater for Eco so Belca can rest easy.

Inside the room, turns out the guard didn't recognize Belca as the prince. However, he turns out to be the creep captain from a couple of chapters ago and does recognize Belca as "Mariebelle", the courtesan he saw at the brothel who is actually a boy!

Outside, the guards bait and capture one of the Amontels, saying the rest won't abandon a comrade so they can get them too. Inside Belca stews in his room, listening to the hunt. He says if he stays, he'll be sent back to Neue Favrille. This mansion has become a further extension of the castle; he might be more comfortable here but it's still the same as being caged. Going outside his room, he discovers everyone is outside, giving him a rare opportunity to get Eco out of the jail. He thinks about the fact that Dietrich has a point but he can never forgive him for what he did. On the bridge to the jail, however, he catches an Amontel with a sword to a maid's throat, making Belca dash forward to save her...only for the chapter to end with Shingetsu firing an arrow at Belca, deriding him as a fool for falling for their trap.

Chapter 9:

Just a reminder:

Because I am NOT typing it out again.

Anyway, Eco says that even if Dietrich put weird ideas in his head, he hopes his words would keep Belca safe for a while. He knows that Belca might be happier as Dietrich's puppet but...that'll be no fun for a little stinker like Eco. Then he hears a bunch of noise from outside...

But the Captain first! He can't relax in the mansion while the Amontel are attacking so he walks outside the room. Then he sees Belca confront the Amontels outside. When Belca is shot at, he manages to dash down and take the arrow for him, protecting his precious Mariebelle.

Then the captain sees his pendant, finally (actually) recognizing him. Tenrou thinks that, with Belca's fancy clothes, he's the young master of this place so he wants him to take him to where the slaves are. But Shingetsu tells him to wait, saying there's a signal from the bank of the lake and that means Dietrich's men already knows they're there. They do a Pincer attack on them, they're screwed. Tenrou says oh well, they got all the information they need from the maid. They can just take Belca as a hostage instead and get out of Dodge. The Captain tries to protect him but ends up with an arrow through his ankle, courtesy of Shingetsu. Belca tries to protect him but he's outmanned; they give him a choice: come with them or the captain and the maid dies. Despite that throwing a wrench in his "return to Orcelito" plans, Belca agrees, becoming a hostage.

Captain is thrown into the waters and the Amontels board a boat with their new hostage. They tell the maid to send a message: they're return with Belca later, offering his life for their comrades.

Later on, Dietrich gets word that Belca was kidnapped, the Amontels cleverly outmanuevering them by going someplace where they weren't expected to show up and thus taking advantage of the lack of guards there. Dietrich's attendant guy says that it's kind of a good thing that this happened before word was sent back that they have the prince in their custody. Dietrich says the prince must be rescued; he can't miss this chance to get a connection with Lord Lagen!

Shingetsu and Tenrou are greeted back at their meet-up spot by another Amontel, Belca in tow. Then the Captain walks up, having swam after them to save Belca. Then he passes out.

Back at the jail, a maid comes with Eco's blanket and heater (Oh, he was serious about that...). Eco recognizes her as Annette, a maid who's been working in the mansion for years. She's happy to be recognized and gives him his blanket...and his missing poem book, knowing how much he missed it. Eco is so happy...which is a feeling he'll want to hold onto as much as possible because Annette then tells him Belca was kidnapped.

Eco demands to be let out to rescue him but Annette says that's impossible. Dietrich has the keys and if she steals them, she won't just be flogged...she'll be subject to the experiments, just like the Amontel!

Wait, what?

Yeah, that's what Dietrich has been using the Amontels for, shooting them up with drugs and stuff like that. Eco asks if he's working with Lagen on that and Annette confirms it, asking how he knows about that. Instead of answering, he asks Annette to do him another favor...

Meanwhile, Hostage!Belca wakes up against a giant fox in a cave somewhere. Shingetsu greets him, currently dressing the Captain's wounds. Belca tries to push him away, thinking he's attacking him, only for Shingetsu to take out a knife and throw it at him...hitting the rat about to pounce on him. Apparently the rats in this setting are venomous...he then tells Belca that because he's their hostage, they're not gonna hurt him because they need him for the exchange. Until then, he should get some rest. His giant fox doesn't bite. Also, the captain's wound is (somehow) shallow and the shot was just meant to scare Belca. Some herbs have been applied on the wounds so he should be fine in 2 to 3 days. Belca is awed that these monsters are behaving in such a surprisingly rational manner. He still wants to leave...but the Captain has a fever so it's impossible to move him. He sighs and calls the Captain an idiot, asking why he had to pull such a dumb stunt for him...

Outside the cave, an Amontel named Izayoi comes in and is briefed on the situation. Then he finds the pendant the Amontel swiped from Belca, horrified that they KIDNAPPED THE FUCKING PRINCE.

Now, at the Royal Prefecture in Neue Favrille, Kiliko and Lagen's men are trying to locate pages from the Rovisco Documents as well as decipher them. Turns out Lagen's family are called the Guardians of History and this is their main duty. Then they find some controversial literature, including some text explicitly speaking out against the royal family. The missing pages were most likely taken out by someone who is against the crown which also means someone else knows about the secret backroom...

Tenrou stomps back into the cave when we cut back to Belca, demanding to know if the latter is actually the Prince. He then comments if he's Hector's brother, he's his exact opposite. That pisses Belca off and he charges him, screaming that it's the Amontel's fault that Hector is dead because he wanted to treat them as human beings and the elders killed him for it. The other Amontels are shocked to hear this...and so is the Captain who just woke up. Tenrou recovers quickly, glad that they can now do a hostage exchange with the Stone Capital's King. Belca laughs at him, saying there's no way that the kingdom will bargain for a troublemaker like him. Sure, the elders want him but that's only because he knows they killed Hector. The Captain tries to get Belca to stop talking but Belca goes on, saying they wasted their time and that the kingdom wouldn't want to negotiate with a bunch of evil disgusting creatures like them anyway.

The Amontel are about to fuck him up but Shingetsu stops them, wanting to ask Belca a question: did he see it? You know, when the Evil Deity that created the Amontel...did it? They were just minding their own business in the mountains and then the Stone Capital guys came in and started colonizing. Being hunted, treated as slaves, eaten like food...they keep calling the Amontel evil but the way the Amontel are treated is evil in of itself!

So...on the Western Trail at the Florel Town Outpost, Musca is being prepared for her stay. While there, she overhears rumors that Orcelito is indeed acting strangely and some think he has been replaced with someone else. Musca thinks to herself: her mom's dead, her dad's sick, Hector's "gone away" and Belca is missing...she's the only one who can save her older brother. But how is she going to get back to the palace?

Enter Ossan.

It's his last day in Florel and he's about to head to Lobnec Peninsula, having already submitted his resignation. The chapter ends with Musca seeing him...