The Moonfire Knights all stood there in shock upon hearing the declaration for the winner, spoken by Tythus, herself.
Aeon turned around and raised her fist, which was covered in blood, in the air,
“All hail the empress!” She said aloud before her allies suddenly released roars of cheers and joy. They could hear their own hearts palpitating loudly that they could feel it wanting to jump out of their chests.
“ALL HAIL THE EMPRESS!!!” The knights repeated in a thunderous uproar.
“HELL YEAH!!” Helfor shouted with Draco, grinning widely.
Their dead enemies and allies were briefly engulfed with greenish aura. Their eyes slowly fluttered open as they rose up to their feet.
“What happened..?” A female knight and an ally of the Moonfire Knights asked.
“We won!! That’s what happened!! We totally got the Empress of War!!” Halber answered.
“W-What? The Empress of War!?” The knight snapped her head towards Aeon’s direction and her eyes glimmered, “W-Whoa.. We..”
“We won! Get to the center of the battlefield! ONWARD!” Estin commanded joyously as she sprinted towards the said space with the rest of the knights following, whistling and howling out of sheer euphoria as if they had survived a hundred-year battle.
Eleftheria just chuckled as she shook her head in amusement before following them, “These goons..”
I had misjudged you, Aeon. For years of being a knight, never once had I understood how it feels to have won a losing fight. So this is the feeling. Estin thought and felt like she’s in slow motion as she ran, with her eyes focusing on Aeon, who was walking towards them.
My pride is still hurting since you sent the last blow, guess I do have much of an ego problem but you’re that person who I will spend the rest of my life with. The way you stand with your back firmed and head held high.. Estin stopped her train of thoughts when she remembered those moments couple of hours ago–moments where in, Aeon looked directly in those tanks’ eyes, against Cynane, against the surprise attack of the Mineria Knights.
.. is more than enough for me to be ashamed of myself. You never looked down and you never allowed anyone to step on your pride. I know that I am exaggerating the way I am praising you now and I know that there is more of you, in which, we have yet to find out. But after being in this war game, I realized that I want to see you fight more.
I may have said before that no matter who you are or what you are, I would have you marry me. But don’t think I’ll be that easy! Prepare yourself, Aeon Gertrude Reigns!
The scarlet-haired lightheartedly chuckled and as she finally got close to the empress, she swung her arms around her and leaned in to lock her lips with hers, which totally made Aeon freeze on the spot with her eyes widened.
“EHHHHH?!?!?!?” The whole Moonfire Knights shouted in shock.
“What the—?!” Eleftheria commented in surprise.
“W-Whoa! Look what we have here! I didn’t know that the general of the Moonfire Kingdom and the Empress of War are lovers!” Gidas followed as their platform finally landed on the ground.
“Huh, I have heard from Queen Helda that she had assigned General Estin to rule over the kingdom after she and the Empress of War get to know each other a bit.” Elvira added as she walked out of the platform and headed towards them.
“You rulers sure have their own meeting, huh? I guess me and Gidas are the only ones here who doesn’t have knowledge regarding this.” Tythus said as she walked out from the platform.
Estin sooner retreated and grinned at Aeon, “Think of it as me saying sorry and a victory kiss!”
Aeon blinked.
“Victory kiss my ass! You were just guilty!” Helfor shouted.
“Hey! Shut it!” Estin looked back at their tank.
That was so sudden! They just met like.. two days ago! Eleftheria thought as she watches in disbelief with her jaw dropped slightly and her eyes became lifeless and surprised.
“General Estin..” The maroon-haired called out.
The general snapped her head towards Aeon, “Hm?”
“I proved my own worth.” Aeon smiled.
Estin smiled back warmly at the other before nodding, “You sure did.”
“Well then, I would like to congratulate you and your kingdom about your victory against one of the most difficult to beat kingdoms. You will rise up the ranks in the tournament and won’t need to fight for five rounds. Use this time to improvise your skills and perhaps.. train monsters.” Tythus advised as the Moonfire Knights looked at her.
Elvira laughed heartily, “Oh, I see you are going that way, now, Tythus?”
“Well, thought you’d be more thrilled to see this kingdom fight against yours.”
“I’d love to have a bit of a challenge.” Elvira winked at Aeon, who nodded.
“Well, I can’t wait for them to fight mine!” Gidas grinned in anticipation as he stared at Eleftheria, “You have a wild blood! Let’s see if you can match up against my own! She is as ferocious as you!”
Eleftheria grinned, “I can’t wait for that, gangster.”
“What about you, Tythus? Don’t you have a kingdom as well?” Elvira asked as she looked over at the shorter girl, who shook her head,
“No, if I had one then they would be in Deluxia by now, participating in the Glaxial Warzone Game.”
“Hoooh, you are too confident.” Elvira chuckled.
“I also need to speak to Eleftheria and Aeon, alone.” Tythus sooner turned her heels and walked off from the group.
The said duo exchanged glances before they looked at Estin.
The redhead blinked, “What are you waiting for? The official wants to talk to you. No need to ask for my permission on this one.”
“Thank you, General Estin.” Aeon replied before she went to follow Tythus.
“Thanks, bitch.” Eleftheria said as she followed as well.
“Hey!” Estin growled at the honey-haired.
“We will be going to the Mineria Kingdom, then. All of you can go back to your kingdom and please prepare to take your rewards within two days.” Elvira said.
“Wait, we get rewards in Mock Warzones?” Halber asked as she blinked.
“That is new.” Draco blinked along.
“It is a new system implemented by the High Council. Both sides will receive rewards, although the winners will get larger ones, it is still better rather than having nothing, right? Now, we will be on our way.” Elvira smiled softly before she and Gidas walked towards the other side of the battlefield.
“Haaay, well, that was a great battle! Why don’t we go home and plan out the celebration?! Drinks are on me!” Helfor grinned as he swung his arm around Draco’s shoulder and suddenly pulled him closer that caused the other male to yelp.
“Better bring in the food later, too! Let’s buy goodies in Britney’s!” Halber suggested.
“That will be a great idea!” Helfor laughed.
“These siblings..” Draco chuckled as he shook his head.
“I will wait for those two, they might get lost on the way back.” Estin said with a light laughter.
“You just want to walk with Aeon.” Halber rolled her eyes, unimpressed of the general’s display of light exterior.
“Shut up! I will stomp you when we get back!” Estin retorted.
“Well, don’t make Eleftheria become a third wheel too much!” Helfor said as he turned his heels to leave the battlefield, together with the rest, who waved at Estin.
“Jeez! You guys sure love to tease me now!” The scarlet-haired grinned sheepishly.
Meanwhile…
“Again, congratulations on your win in this Mock Warzone.” Tythus said with a soft smile, looking up at the two people in front of her.
The duo nodded,
“It was a difficult battle since I had the tactician role.” Aeon replied.
“Indeed, you aren’t used to it yet. But someday, you will.”
“But what’s the matter? You don’t usually talk to us.” Eleftheria followed.
“Ahh, I just came here to check on you and to also deliver reminders.” Tythus answered.
Eleftheria and Aeon’s eyes narrowed and nodded.
Tythus sooner looked at the Mineria’s side in the field, “You saw everything, right? I believe that is more than enough for you to actually get ahold of what is going on.”
“Indeed. Do not worry, we will not fail.” The maroon-haired reassured.
“I know you won’t. However, never forget what you both are here for. I understand your current situation as the future spouse of that general but never forget what your mission is. Same goes to you, Eleftheria, even though nobody actually wants to date you.”
“Are you really giving me a direct and hard slap in the face right now?” The honey-haired gave the white-haired a deadpan.
Tythus chuckled, “I’m just kidding. Now go. The consort is waiting.” She teased Aeon, who blushed and nodded.
“We will meet again, soon.” The white-haired added.
The duo nodded once again and they gently bowed their heads down as a display of respect towards the official.
Estin watched them from afar and blinked with her mouth slightly opening. I wonder what they were talking about.
The scarlet-haired then looked up at the clouds, which had covered the orange skies. Wind began to gently play with her hair and pieces of her clothes that brushes against her armors.
Things are starting for this kingdom. I wonder what awaits us in the future.
