Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 21: The Flow of Wind, Part 2
...—Imperial Palace, Nevada, Vermillion Empire—...
When Kanna arrived at the front room of the palace, Xavier and Monica were sitting next to each other at the guest table. Ah, less precise when called next to each other. The distance of one meter between them was completely unnoticeable. The truth of Meyrin's words is evident. If it wasn't for Monica Elsesky's name being enlisted in the Imperial Army, she wouldn't have accompanied the commander.
“Thank you for coming,” said Kanna told her presence to the two of them. “I hope I don't keep you guys waiting long.”
“We did not wait long,” response Xavier. “However, Division 12 in the next month will be busy. In order to welcome that massive training you submitted, I want to raise the quality of the soldiers to one level higher. Heisuke and I have the ambition to make the 12th Division the strongest vanguard division. I am the strongest commander, Division 12 should be the strongest division.”
Xavier did not say what he meant, but his lengthy explanation of the 12th Division's ambitions was enough for Kanna to conclude what the commander meant. However, Kanna did not comment on that. His gaze anchored on Monica who looked at him silently. “You must be questioning the reason I called you too, right, Monica?” tanyakanya.
“That's right,” nod Monica. “What do you need from me, the Mu-Kanna?”
“I'm glad you remember not to use honorifics on me when not in a formal situation.” Kanna responded while encouraging the two of them to follow her.
“To answer your question, Monica,” continued Kanna, “I need you to accompany me on an official visit to Avarecia. I've asked Jeff to forward my notice to King Krassia. We're going straight to Maltase, staying there three nights. Then from there we take the [Manatite Carriage] to Avarecia. As for Xavier, I want you to investigate the combat power of Kazarsia Kingdom, especially the truth about General Clown's exalted power.”
“Discovering their combat power.ideally that's a task you should hand over to Division 3. However, I assume you want me to test as hard as General Clown without giving him a chance to deduce that I am from the empire?”
Kanna nodded. “That's what I imply,” he said casually. “Please meet Commander Edelweiss to request information you may need regarding your duties, after which you can go directly to Kazarsia. Me and Monica will arrive in three or four days; make sure you're done with your duties before we get there. After that you go straight to the Warebeast Great Kingdom. There's information that says Alice was seen there. I want you to take him back to Nevada if the information is correct.”
“I understand why you chose me to do both tasks. However.no how I feel you're putting a little annoyance on me by giving duty after duty.” Xavier said with a slight twitch in the forehead.
“You have a problem with that, Twelfth Commaner Xavier von Hernandez?” Kanna turned her head a little backwards, looking intensely at Xavier with an expression that challenged the commander to violate his words.
“Of course not, Her Majesty Kanna el Vermillion. Then I beg you to resign.” And Xavier disappeared from his stand—he had a glance at Monica for a moment, but Monica did not care about the glance.
Kanna returned her gaze to the front, prompting Monica to walk parallel to him.
“Now we have all the time we need. As we walk out of the palace grounds, why don't you tell me why you're keeping such an upset, Monica?”
Xavier went to the 3rd Division headquarters as Kanna suggested to get the latest information about Kazarsia Kingdom, then he immediately teleported himself to Verada to change clothes. Spending a few minutes dressing himself in the clothes he was wearing while heading for Veria (but this time complete with a hood), Xavier teleported to Etharna.
He certainly did not stop at Etharna. After teleporting to the capital of the Favilifna Kingdom, he immediately shot north towards Kazarsia Kingdom. Xavier does not fly at full speed. His body only shot closer to the speed of sound in the air. However, less than an hour Xavier had already entered the territory of Kazarsia Kingdom.
Xavier did not continue his journey by flying. That'll attract attention. Although with [Reverse Law] he can hide himself, Xavier does not want to take the risk. General Clown's power is still a mystery. He had already seen how Shiva broke his magic of pride. He did not want to be surprised by General Clown before he finished his task.
Kazarsia Kingdom had a total of four cities. Two big cities, and two small towns. Of the two major cities, Avarecia which is the capital is the largest. Its location is percis north of Etharna, perfectly aligned. The other three cities are all located east of Avarecia. Xavier landed a dozen kilometers south of Avarecia, near a large village.
Xavier decided to enter the village not to gather information from there, but to make a trail. When he approached General Clown to test his abilities, people would be curious about his identity. This will make them seek out information about it. That brought them to this village. And it ends there. Xavier will make sure there is no more information they can get.
Hence, he needed to spend several hours in the village so that the majority of people would be aware of its existence. And, to make the situation even more interesting, he would make a trail that would lead the investigation to Emiliel Holy Kingdom.
...—Maltase, Hongariand— Province...
Monica and Kanna appear not far from the large building that used to be a symbol of the glory of Hongariand Kingdom. Then they walked together towards the building, a royal palace.
Kanna el Vermillion is a strong woman, impressing ‒ an ideal princess. That was Monica's honest assessment of a blonde-haired and blue-eyed girl like this. Kanna is her perfected self, if she can draw conclusions. Everything Monica could wish for, Kanna had fulfilled it. If he said he did not envy the princess' fate, Monica could make sure he was lying a little.
Compared to the seductress Artemys whose tongue was so dangerous it was, Kanna was far better. If he had to share Xavier with Kanna, Monica could say she wouldn't mind. He and Kanna are in the same wave. They are like a betel in two. He could imagine the extended family they would build would be harmonious, in contrast to Artemys.
“If you want to keep away from Xavier for a while, what if you become my personal bodyguard only?” kanna's suggestion interrupted their footsteps. “You can be my bodyguard until Xavier brings Alice home.”
Monica had told him about her conversation with Artemys to the princess. Her response was honestly what Monica needed right now. He felt he finally had someone who understood him other than Elena. Therefore, Monica did not hesitate to nod at the advice of the woman that even Xavier admitted was now stronger than him.
“I'm glad you agreed, Monica. Ah, how about we go around? Spending time shopping will make the mood happy, at least according to a survey of women in Nevada. Whaddya think? Oh, take it easy. For today I will pay everything.”