Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 29: x + y ≠ z, part 1
“I did not expect him to take advantage of the drastic measures that the Knights Templar took up like this,” said Kanna who was leaning beside the palace door when Xavier came out, “but the decision was quite right. This is different from before; there is no formal declaration of war here.”
Xavier stopped stepping and turned to look at the princess, his hand swiftly catching an earring that Kanna threw.
“About half an hour ago I received word from Commander Hekiel that the Knights Templar had mobilized 100 thousand of their soldiers. I have ordered Commander Dermyus and Commander Reinhart to join Commander Hekiel immediately. I myself will be with Commander Herena and Commander Darminic to see the army of the Knights Templar who have been based in the forbidden valley. Most likely they are the main team ‒ their characteristics are the same as the characteristics of Order 1 Knight Templar.”
“The time has come, huh? But maybe faster is better. And with you leading those two divisions overcoming Order 1, there's nothing to worry about.” Xavier paused for a moment looking at the bewildered earrings in his hands—anting who became the pair of earrings that Kanna was wearing. “Why did you throw this earring at me?”
“You will attack Axellibra, of course the earrings to tell me if Fie decides to intervene. Wear it. The sooner it is with you, the sooner it absorbs your aura.”
“Are you sure this will work? This earring can rival the anti-magic effect of Fie Axellibra?” Xavier carefully observed the gold-plated earrings.
“There's no need to worry about that. There was a reason why all this time no one had been able to forcibly enter the Forbidden Valley of Ed. Of all, maybe I'm the only one who can ignore the anti-magic Fie Axellibra. Never mind, just wear it. It can only work if you wear.”
“Alright if you say so.”
Xavier no longer asked and immediately brought the earring to the right ear. However, after trying to mount it, Xavier found no hooks on the earrings. “How can I wear it?” ask her with her eyebrows slightly raised.
“Ha…. What can I do.” Kanna approached Xavier. “Sini, let's peel.”
Xavier handed over the earrings without protest. “It's not my fault I can't wear this. Look at it yourself, where's the pointed hook?”
“Searching for reasons, eh?” Kanna smiled faintly, standing right in front of Xavier with both hands towards her left ear. “You should accept it if you can't do something this simple.”
Xavier did not respond to Kanna's comments. Responding to it would only make Kanna make another comment. But isn't Kanna too close? He even narrowed his left leg between Xavier's legs. And, this slightly intoxicating fragrance…. Does Kanna have a specific purpose, or is it just her feelings?
“Um, I admit, this is a little difficult.”
“Kan? What say? Did you put it up yourself?”
“Eh, Meyrin put it in both my ears. Oh, right!” Kanna suddenly moved and moved to the back of Xavier. “I'll install it from behind.”
Maybe it's just my feeling, Xavier's inner self as Kanna's two hands return to action in her ears. If Kanna wanted her to inhale the scent for longer, she would naturally reason for longer in front of him. Hm...maybe Kanna forgot what perfume she was using? Or, he was using the fragrance wrong this morning after taking a shower?
“Already? I don't feel anything at all. Is there really no pain when making a hole in the ear?” xavier asked while checking his left ear, and indeed an earring had been neatly attached there.
“It depends.” Kanna put her shoulders down. “Now you can go back to Verada. Good preparation is necessary because your journey will be long. You can mobilize all members of your division. I'll have Commander Gilbert send some troops in your division to guard Verada.”
“I had thought of leaving at least two battalions, but hearing you say so made me instantly change my mind. All right, then I'm back there now. See you later, Kanna.”
Xavier instantly turned around and stepped away after seeing Kanna nod ‒ he would be busy in Verada after this.
“Ah!” Xavier's steps suddenly stopped, his head slightly turned back. “That perfume. They can imagine the no-no. Oh, you better take another shower and change your perfume. It was like a perfume that a wife used to seduce her husband.”
Xavier immediately teleported after saying it was ‒ he didn't even wait to see the princess' reaction to her remark.
Kanna stood still spontaneously leaning her body towards the door as Xavier disappeared, her hands tightly closing her face. He knew there was something strange about the perfume his stepmother gave him. The smell is fragrant, but rather unusual. However, since that was all on his desk, he had no choice but to wear the perfume. Kanna really didn't think it was that kind of perfume!
It was so embarrassing, even more so he was so close to Xavier. Now Kanna regrets coming to her stepmother for perfume. He should have just come to Monica, or Meyrin. But now there was no need to complain; he had to remove this scent from his body right now.
Kanna rushed back to the room. He took another bath, used a lot of soap. Kanna came out of her room almost an hour later. This time she did not wear perfume. The perfume that his stepmother gave him had gone from his desk.
“Ah, Kanna, mom seems to be giving you the wrong perfume. That's the perfume I used to wear while your dad was staying. You're not wearing it, are you?”
...—Verada, Vermillion Empire—...
An hour had passed since Xavier had given the administration staff instructions to have all the soldiers gathered, now that the spacious courtyard of the 12th Division main headquarters had been filled with soldiers marching in full discipline. The battalion on duty outside was also present. Ten battalions of main soldiers and one battalion of medical soldiers, complete already members of the 12th Division troops. They all stand to form ten columns per battalion, which makes a total of 110 column ranks.
Xavier and Heisuke stood five meters in front of the front row, on a large bench that served as the footing of the— so that even the soldiers behind would be able to see it.
“We will leave this city tomorrow morning,” said Xavier starting the meeting. “Emperor Nueva has decided we are the most competent division. We are believed to have invaded Axellibra, the holy city of the Knights Templar. We will destroy the haughty soldiers who have claimed themselves to be the best. We will flatten their government buildings, plant the imperial flag on the highest peak of the Luciel Grand Church. Are any of you not brave enough to fulfill this great command?”
Xavier did not spend much time talking in front of his soldiers. He began by trying to raise the fire of spirit within them, further informing them of the route they were about to take, and then giving instructions to prepare everything today as well. He also demanded that they ensure informing family members. Xavier ends by promising a big bonus for them ‒ if they fall then the bonus will be handed over to their families.
After speaking before the soldiers, Xavier left them with Heisuke. He himself stepped straight into the mayor's building. He needs to make sure there are no constraints to logistical needs. Xavier had no idea how long they would be on their way. At the very least, he had to make sure they had stock for a week. They can get logistics at their stopping points during the trip.