Chapter 42

Chapter 42

While riding on a horse, Belca begins to wonder if he can trust Kiliko's right-hand man, that Crow guy whose name I can't remember. He killed a bunch of Hokulea and he put Belca's life in mortal danger more than once. But he wants to see his brother...and Linna has his back. And so do the Hokulea. So it's over the bridge. The bridge that breaks, leaving the group sitting ducks for the defending army. They look screwed until the King's Sword shows up as back up, attacking the guards to let them pass. Eco watches from afar, guessing they lost...but stating he kept an eye on Tenko the whole time.

At Neue Favrille's Intermediate Servants' Dormitory, the guard from the last two chapters is spooked by a guy putting his hand on him, thinking one of Lagen's men is about to jump him...only to see a priest behind him. The priest (Peter) calms the guard (Hans) and says he and his men are only there to confirm information. They say there was something strange in the results of the medical examination while introducing himself. Apparently, Orcelito's condition is worsening so Hans holds off on going to see him. Then Peter has something to tell Hans...

But fuck that, Orcelito is coughing up blood!

He's disturbingly chill about it though, cleaning himself up and saying he still has time. Kiliko walks in to tell him that Duke Mefuraru has a funeral coming up and his son will inherit the position. Ain't gonna be that big of a ceremony, what with The Plague and all. Back to Mefuraru, the report says he died in an accident...caused by his weakness because of The Plague. That's a dead Elder...which means he needs to be replaced with a successor. This whole Plague problem has made the citizens lose faith in the Elders since they couldn't take care of it. Orcelito makes a note to rebuild the citizens' trust when he revamps the system...but everyone's dying too soon. If the succession happens, he'll have to start from square one again. He'll send a representative to the funeral...and leave the picking of the successor to Kiliko. He then asks him if he gave the maids who cleaned the room a day off. Kiliko says he gave them a vacation...

Kiliko leaves, ignoring Orcelito's cry to stay...but he does tell him that he sent someone to welcome Belca. He'll leave that matter to Orcelito to clean up.

Musca wakes up and is greeted by her lady-in-waiting. She was going to read the maid's letter...and passed out from exertion. But she couldn't have read it anyway because the lady-in-waiting identified it as being in a different language. Specifically, a code designed between two people for only them to understand. The lady-in-waiting doesn't understand it and Musca wants Orcelito to get better. The lady-in-waiting comforts her while wondering why the maids are being given so many vacations...before a knock on the door interrupts her train of thought. The maid gives her a letter from Duchess Rushutaru...

The chapter ends with Hans leading the guards down to apprehend the old man who was deciphering Rovisco's records.

Chapter 39

A few days ago in Vieze Kamino, Tenko straight up jumped Linna.

Meanwhile, everyone is listening to Eco play the medieval equivalent of "WAP" at the banquet. Belca wonders if it's alright to take the Hokulea back with him to the Stone Capital; sure, they're accepted in Kamino but they're called Amontel back home. The Hokulea are the only ones who can administer the cure properly; if it was a matter of following a treatment plan, this wouldn't be a problem. He tries to ask Tenko for advice...but Tenko isn't there. Discovering Linna isn't there either, he runs out to find them.

Linna is fighting off Tenko to the best of his ability but he's quickly disarmed. Tenko says it's a shame he's not at full health or they might have had a better fight. Belca sees them and freaks out while Tenko asks Linna why he doesn't stay in Kamino to heal himself. He can't protect Belca like that. Linna says he swore he would always be by Belca's side but Tenko says in Linna's current state, he's a liability. Belca's gonna care about him even if he's not with him; he's soft like that. Tenko then makes Linna Belca's First Squire; not a fancy position but should give Linna what he wants. Tenko himself is content being a specter of Hector's will. He warns Linna not to become like him. Belca sneaks off after hearing all that.

At the Tein Dukedom Lobnec in the Eastern Highlands City Wilhem, the couriers are delivering medicine! At the Southwest, at the Lobnec Taine Villa, a lord says he hasn't given permission for that. At the Ruebelli Dukedom, territory of the Theon Government, the lady there is mad too. She explains how royalty works, from earls to dukes to viceroys (Cheat Sheet: Kings-Presidents, Viceroys-Senators, Earls-Mayors).

At the Orbus Dukedom Rondalea, in Duke Orbus' Villa, Orbus thinks that Kiliko is behind the medicine thing and he's panicking because he might lost control of Orcelito. Now Orbus definitely needs Belca on his side. Good news for him: his niece is coming over. Better news: a spy in the castle says that Orcelito and Kiliko (The Girls) are fighting...

Meanwhile, Musca is eating while worrying about her mercenary career. The head maid arrives to take her away and tell her that Musca will go to Shez Villa. Musca asks if Orcelito will go with her but the head maid tells her that he will be heading there for one day only the day before. Musca says she doesn't want to go and the head maid coldly tells her that it's already been decided. Musca throws a tantrum and the head maid reminds her that she promised she would behave if she taught her how to read. Musca ignores her and the head maid says if she keeps disobeying her, her promises will mean nothing. Musca tells her to fuck off and she'll do what she wants. The head maid snaps and says she's been getting in trouble for Musca screwing up and that she'll be executed if Musca keeps it up. Musca finally calms down, saying she doesn't like the maid but that doesn't mean she deserves to die on her account. She'll protest within reason...like a lady.

In Orcelito's room, Kiliko is gloating over his plan working and leaves telling Orcelito the books he's trying to research are being recovered and saved.

Musca and her lady-in-waiting (Head Maid) bribe another maid so that they can scheme. While out, the lady-in-waiting is confused when they bump into another maid who has jewelry...and can read...

On horseback, Belca catches up to Eco and the old man, everybody riding to the Stone Capital to take on the army. They leave Rondelea to approach the border.

Lord Orbus is about to set sail on his boat only for him to stopped by one of his messengers. Duke Melfar has been caught in a landslide and is missing! End chapter!

Chapter 29

At Lord Ruebelli's territory named Seon, he receives news from a "comrade" who tells him that Lord Taine has joined up with the Lagens and that considering that he's already been interrogated, he should be more careful around Lord Lagen. And it's the fifth letter he's got. His nephew tells him not to be bothered by these rumors, reminding him he went to school with Lord Altol. Lord Rebelli says he has to go back to the castle...

Back at the sacred land, Belca looks over the wounded Eco, ruefully noting he couldn't do anything. Then he hears a voice that sounds like Hector from outside and rushes out to the doorway...only to be met by Hector's former attendant, Yan Yashuka Koal. In these lands, he's known as Tenko. Acting according to Prince Hector's final wish, he did not attend his funeral and instead went directly to the Hokulea to protect them. He thought the whole situation was fishy but he couldn't disobey his orders. Thankfully, things have been going good since Lord Taine is the only acting officer for defense and his power cannot reach the sacred lands. Belca thanks him, for honoring his brother and protecting the Hokulea. Tenko notes that Belca sure has changed since he last saw him and that he's sorry for what happened in the spire, having already entrusted that territory to a trustworthy person. He himself came here to protect the High Priestess. He also apologizes for what happened to Eco but Belca stops him, saying that it happened because he wasn't stronger. Tenko tries to assure him that there was nothing he could do but Belca says he still has a bunch of questions for him so he needs to talk to him for a while. Tenko agrees.

Once upon a time, when the heavenly spire was built, there was said to be five High Priestesses but it's just Master Renju (The Gatekeeper) and Master Subaru (The Shaman). Master Subaru serves as the eyes and ears of Master Renju, still being in training but possessing immense power as well as the ability to sing. The latter point is important because there are no history books recording the history of the Hokulea. Their history is kept through oral tradition in the form of singing and folk songs. If that's the case, should there be a song about the incidents regarding Reitz the First? Wondering that out loud is how Tenko finds out he read "that book" (hidden in that porn). Turns out singing the song of history is a difficult task, so difficult that Renjou's body is too weak to sing it and Tenko has never heard it before. When Eco recovers, both priestesses might sing it for both him and Belca. Tenko asks if he can listen to it with them. Belca says it's fine...then he hears shouting from the underground prison.

Shingetsu is seriously about to fuck up Izayoi, saying he betrayed them for the people of the Stone Capitol. Izayoi says that there are people like Prince Hector, Prince Belca and even Prince Orcelito promised that a law would be passed to keep the Hokulea from being hunted. He believes that they can fully put their differences behind them one day. That's why he can't work with Shingetsu because she only thinks about fighting. War begets more war...everyone's just gonna end up being killed just like Taihaku and his group. Shingetsu says that she might not be right but what he did was stupid, Belca rushing down to stop her before Renjou beats him to it. Izayoi begs Belca to tell Shingetsu that Prince Orcelito has already agreed to help the Hokulea and Belca...doesn't? He just recognizes him.

Renjou, walking off with Shingetsu, says Izayoi isn't alone in his feelings; everyone's tired of this. Of course, there are still those who want to go to war. Renjou then mentions that they were saved by a virus, causing Belca to ask Tenko what became of the soldiers. Tenko says they fear it's The Plague.

Going to visit them as they're being treated (the Hokulea are more resistant to The Plague than the Azelprade people), Tenko explains The Plague is the result of the squirrel mouse contracting the disease and spreading it to humans. The climb through the mountains probably lowered the guards' strength to combat the disease. Belca asks if they're going to die. Tenko says he doesn't know.

Meanwhile, Orcelito is lying in bed, angsting. He thinks he's no different than the elders now, having strayed from his path. Kiliko comes in with tea and tells him not to feel bad about Kamino, given it's forbidden to wander around during The Plague. Orcelito says he keeps acting really familiar with him considering he killed his brother and Kiliko basically responds, "Old news.". Orcelito says he was just feeling nostalgic so Kiliko moves in on him, saying it's time for a little chat...

So on the roads on the West Raka Street, Lord Ruebelli arrives at a VIP hotel. He wants the special room but it's already been taken by a guest. He demands to know who...and of course, it's Lord Lagen. Lord Ruebelli goes in to confront him and asks if it's because of The Plague that everyone in his territories have left to go to the kingdom. Lagen coldly excuses himself and Ruebelli notes that he always acts like he's so much better than him...he goes to his room, drinks and burns it down with him inside it. Meanwhile, Kiliko tells Orcelito his family's secret close enough that the private guards don't hear...

So Belca tells Eco about the priestesses' situation and he then says he has no choice to press forward, using everything from others to his own body as chess pieces to achieve his goals. Belca says he chooses to believe him.

The two go to see the siblings and it's time for the performance. They'll be using the flow of music a.k.a. the words passed down from different generations and weaving them into the music, making the lyrics sing of prophecy and time. The chapter ends with everyone waiting...

Chapter 32

A guard is talking with Belca, convinced that he's deluded or brainwashed into supporting the Hokulea, saying he can get him out of there lickeity-split. He reaches for Belca, Belca calls for Tenko and Tenk engages the guard in "banter".

He demands to know what he wants with Belca and the guard says "Geez...chill" and apologizes to Belca before jumping out a window to escape. Tenko says that was definitely one of Kiliko's men and that he made it deliberately easy to follow him. almost as a "come and get me", indicating his skill.

Meanwhile, at Neue Favrille, Linna is walking down a tunnel with guards. It's called the Gardener's Escape Route and it used to be connected to the Royal Palace but now it's used as an onsen (Hot Spring) for noblemen. They have a whole-ass glass ceiling in the place too. Anyway, a carriage arrives for Linna, having received permission to enter the castle gates. Somebody set it up to make meeting with Orcelito a lot easier...

Well, Orcelito gets word that Linna was kidnapped from Kiliko and it was likely the church that did it. The carriage is already gone so it'll be a lot harder to follow but then, to add to the fun, a guard runs in screaming that several of his fellow guards are infected with The Plague, indicating the disease has made it inside the castle.

So on the main road to Kuckland and the outskirts of Kamino, the guards have gathered the refugees to send them back to their own cities. Shit gets stirred up real fast with the refugees screaming for Belca to come and save them before the refugees catch onto a horrifying fact: the guards aren't just getting rid of the dead, they're taking away the sick to kill them before they infect the others, condemning them before they can even die.

At the palace, a nervous Kiliko rides in a carriage while remembering how when he last talked to Linna, he broached the topic of teaming up with Prince Belca which he can only do if Linna talks to him about it first. He then tells him to focus on resting up and healing before saying that he totally thinks that this country should be taken back from the Elder Council and given to the Royal Family again. Linna knows he's bullshitting but if there's the faintest hope of seeing Belca again...

Back at Kamino, Tenko follows Belca outside, saying he should stay because the guard is still at large. Belca snaps back that he's being an annoying puss-puss before calming down and saying they can't accomplish anything if they're on edge so they should do what they can. They have more guards on watch and the palace guards are not allowed to go out alone. The rate of victims to The Plague have decreased so a lot more Hokulea are free to join the search. Also, he's getting the Bad Thoughts being cooped all the time so he needs some air to clear his head. Bad Thoughts include: how the people of Kamino are very much still dying from starvation and sickness and how Linna was killed because of him...

Then Shingetsu drops down to tell Belca that things are going well when it comes to reconstruction efforts, which she's backed up on by Tenko. The priests are waking up so Belca wants to use the opportunity to talk to somebody. Shingetsu offers to help him but Belca says there are things he has to do alone.

Belca talks to the priests, who introduce themselves as Carrel Dio and Luis Dio, advisors to the high priest. They thank Seamrog (who is also there) for saving them from their injuries (nearly exposing Musca's spy activities in the process). It's revealed that Prince Belca and Orcelito were marked to be killed by the high priest so the advisors came to Kamino to protect him. They were planning to hide Orcelito in the neighboring city of Tida but...that guard? Freaking jerk. He's gonna save the day, no matter what.

At the castle district (the 12th district specifically) near the Stone Capital's Chapel, Kiliko is informing the High Priest on quarantine procedures. He leaves coolly, ending the chapter with a veiled threat to the church.

Chapter 24

So to sum up, Reitz the First killed Captain Rovisco, claimed the Hokulea were monsters from a fairy tale to justify killing and enslaving them and the entire history taught to the kingdom has all been a lie.

Eco postulates the theory the whole story could have been made up by the author to discredit King Reitz but if that's true, why would Prince Hector go through all the trouble of hiding the pages and entrusting them to Prince Belca? Belca remembers Kiliko telling him that Hector wasn't stopped, the kingdom would have been ruined so he was probably referring to the records they have in their possession. Eco suggests they might just laugh and call it a good story...that is, if it were released under normal circumstances. If Prince Hector released it, however, then people would be more liable to believe it. I mean, they had him offed for a reason. Belca says Eco doesn't look too surprised and Eco is about to explain why before Shingetsu walks in, saying the Hokulea elder and priestess wants to hear their story.

Meanwhile, Musca is on her own and hearing some nobles talking shit about her older brother, is about to fuck them up before a guard catches her, mistaking her for a noble due to the emblem on the hat she swiped. They even think she's a little boy. She sneaks off only for a piece of a windmill to fall on top of her...only for Seamrog to show up out of nowhere and rescue her.

He says he was planning on escaping but the payment she gave him was too much. So he'll stick around for a while longer...

Back at the village, Belca tells them they need to escape from the mountains before the Stone Capital try to take it from them. The head of the Hokulea says they have based their entire lives around the mountain and they can't just leave; in fact, Belca needs to go so that he won't get hurt. However, they are grateful for his information and invites to spend the night, have a banquet and then he can go home. Belca then asks if Rovisco and Tri Cantina ring a bell. The leader answers in the negative.

Eco and Belca sulk outside, saying that's all they can do. Eco says Belca can come with him on his bard adventures. After all, Linna would want him to be happy like that. Then Belca gets jumped by a friendly male villager...then Shingetsu tells Belca that even though the head of the Hokulea says they can't leave, he will tell the villagers the situation. The siblings are going to talk to the priestess tomorrow so there's nothing to worry about! Belca goes to his quarters to eat and think of Linna...but wait, he remembers what Shingetsu said about an ancient bloodline...looks like some more reading needs to be done.

Leaving early in the morning, Belca stops Shingetsu and Tenrou to ask if he can see the priestess too. Shingetsu says the sacred lands is off-limits to outsiders; if he goes with them, he can't come back alive. Belca says he understands but he won't just stand there and let himself get killed. Funnily enough, that response was the exact same thing Hector said when he was in the same situation. The chapter ends with Shingetsu letting him come, saying if his determination is half-baked, the journey itself should kill him.

Chapter 41

We open on Captain Rovisco about to set sail despite his bosses' misgivings, his lover coming with him. Turns out there's a mysterious disease going around on his home island that affects the genomes and reduced the life expectancy by 60%. The birth rates have also declined due to the genes responsible for reproduction going with the corpses. People have been developing artificial limbs and organs to increase their life expectancy, though something called the acceleration furnace cannot be invented because...reasons. The reasons being it was caught in a literal goddamn tornado and disappeared. A conversation between Rovisco and Reitz reveals that Rovisco is shocked that Reitz is completely flesh and blood, no machines needed to keep him alive. When they get to the Hokulea's place, they feel like they've found the Promised Land.

Then Reitz kills him. End of (incredibly short) chapter.