Approaching Storm

-----Kaede's POV

After I had finished with my detour to the guild, I make my way back to Neri and the others, avoiding all the stares from the Leris soldiers.

Neri: "Welcome back."

Kaede: "Hey."

Leris Commander: "..."

But of course, the soldier I humiliated before is with us as well. I don't even need to ask him for me to feel his immense hatred towards me, but as long as we've moved past fighting then I don't really mind.

Masked Captain: "Now that Kaede's now with us, I'll go over the plan once more."

I expected just a full frontal assault, but-

Masked Captain: "My team will infiltrate on our own, slipping in undetected. Kaede, you'll be hanging back with our soldiers along with your old supervisor."

Neri: "I'll be working with you, hehe."

Kaede: "Wait, so the other masked soldiers will be going in alone?"

Masked Captain: "Yes. As you already know, our mana presence is hidden. We've done this many times before, so don't worry. We'll slip in and locate any humans we find. I'll give the signal for phase two."

Kaede: "Wait, what signal?"

Neri: "These masks can also connect to other masks over a long distance with the use of magic. I'll be able to let you and everyone else know."

Wait. So their masks are pretty much like a phone? I joked around with Yui about the idea of Mai being our mobile phone, but to think that there's actually magic like that already. I have to learn it.

Masked Captain: "Correct. As for phase two, our soldiers and the Leris soldiers will then launch the assault. My team will use the chaos to free the humans we have."

Kaede: "What about Fabian? Isn't he at the castle?"

It was then that he looked over at Neri who was standing beside me.

Neri: "Kaede. Your job is to engage the demon king as soon as possible, distracting it from engaging with our forces. I'll then move in and grab Fabian."

Kaede: "What if the demon king kills Fabian before I engage with it?"

Neri: "I know you're capable of doing it. I'll give it my all to support you, so just try your best and keep the demon king's attention on you."

Kaede: "G-got it."

Wow. Talk about pressure. I was worrying about how the fight with the demon king would go, but now to hear that I need to keep it away from Neri on top of that? I can already feel my body begin to heat up from all the pressure building up.

Masked Captain: "My team will try and free the humans as fast as possible in order to assist everyone else. But I'm sorry Kaede. Only you can do this job."

Kaede: "U-understood."

Is this really the only way? I know I'm confident in my abilities, but to hear that the fate of this battle along with everyone's lives rests on my shoulders, it really makes me think whether there's another way to go about doing this.

Leris Commander: "So my men are to simply engage and kill as many monsters as we can?"

Masked Captain: "Correct."

Leris Commander: "Hmph. It shall be done."

He looks pleased with such a simple job. It does make Neri's description of them even more accurate.

Kaede: "What if I fail?"

Masked Captain: "You won't."

His response came as a surprise and I'm left speechless at how to reply to such a statement."

Masked Captain: "The queen trusts you enough for this to work. You failing here would mean the queen was wrong."

He sounds devoted to the queen with his words. But he's right. It's because I agreed to this that we're even here in the first place. The queen trusts me with this, so I need to let her know that her trust isn't misplaced. Plus, I need to make it back to Yui and Mell, and to also save my mom.

Kaede: "...Understood."

Masked Captain: "Good. Now are there any questions?"

No one voiced any complaints, and with that, our plan is now set in stone.

Kaede: "...Mai."

I go to communicate with Mai through my thoughts.

Mai: "Yes?"

Kaede: "Please go and tell Yui that the battle will be starting soon. Tell her that I'll see her soon."

Mai: "Got it."

-----Yui's POV

Luna: "Hah~ Your bed is far more comfy than mine."

Yui: "I don't know. I liked sleeping over at your place as well."

Mell: "Nope~ This bed is far better!"

Luna: "Hehe. See? Even Mell agrees."

Tonight would be the first time Luna would be staying over at my place, as well as Mell.

Our training today was far better than our previous sessions as I can now feel that Luna is now back in perfect form. She even sparred against her own brother and won, making for quite a humorous sight with Alice berating Nick. Some people would think that it's bullying, but both Nick and Alice were smiling with one another through it all. I did end up sparring with Alice again, but unlike last time where I finally won, she completely dominated me with her endurance once again. She tried to make it seem like I was tired from my previous spar with Luna, but I know that I didn't use up that much energy. I still need to work hard in order to properly catch up.

Luna: "So? Who'll be sleeping where?"

Mell: "I wanna be beside Yui."

Luna: "Hehe, So do I."

Yui: "...I guess that leaves me being in the middle again."

Not that I really mind. It's still quite cold, so being able to have both of them at my side does bring a significant amount of warmth. But it only makes me crave Kaede even more.

Mai: "Hey!~"

Suddenly, Mai appears before us, floating in the middle of the room, startling all three of us as Mell, to my surprise, takes a defensive stance for a moment before realizing who it was. It was cute seeing this new protective side of her.

Yui: "Mai? Is everything okay?"

Mai: "Sorry for disturbing you guys. Yes, everything's okay."

Her words brought relief to both Mell and I, as the two of us both sigh at the same time.

Mai: "I just came to give a little update."

Mell: "Couldn't mom have come instead?"

Mai: "Hehe. Well that's the thing. The battle will be taking place soon. So she won't be able to visit until after the battle."

It's finally time, huh. All of my past worries closely build back up after knowing that the battle will soon start. Will she be okay? What if she dies? When will she be back? Those thoughts circle through my mind once more.

Yui: "You better make sure she stays safe."

Mai: "I'll do my very best."

Luna: "So, how close are they?"

Mai: "They've reached Azalea and are now advancing towards the capital."

Wait, they're THAT close?! It feels not too long ago that we were both there together... I wonder what it's like over there now after everything that has happened?

Mai: "I wouldn't worry too much. Kaede's grown so much recently. Plus she's too determined to come back to you and Mell. I swear, you should see the look on her face before I left, haha."

Yui: "...But if you sense that Kaede's in danger, you will bring her back, right?"

Mai: "Yes, I'll try my best."

I would be a lot less nervous if I knew exactly how powerful her opponent is. But to hear her opponent being called a demon king, it really doesn't make it seem like an easy fight. A part of me still wishes that I was there beside her, fighting against this demon king with her.

Mai: "Okay. I need to return. Goodnight."

Luna: "Goodnight."

And with that, Mai disappears in the same manner as she appeared, leaving the room in silence.

.....

Well that kind of ruined the mood to sleep... I don't think Mell and I can sleep now after hearing about Kaede's approaching battle.

Luna: "Come, let's lie down."

It was then that Luna grabbed both mine and Mell's hands, gently pulling us over to the bed as the three of us sit down.

Luna: "Kaede will be fine. She's super strong, right?"

Mell: "...Yeah."

Yui: "It's just her opponent that I'm worried about."

My mind continues to think about all the "what if" scenarios. Even if I try, I still go back to thinking about all the negatives that I can't even bring myself to smile. It hurts... I agree with Mell from a bit earlier. I really do wish that Kaede was the one that came to us just now instead of Mai. That way I could give her a big hug, wishing her the best of luck... But I can't even do something simple like that.

Luna: "...Have a little faith in her. She said she'd be back, right?"

Yui: "Yes, but-"

Luna: "No buts."

It was then that Luna places one hand on top of both mine and Mell's head, almost like she's a mother comforting her kids.

Luna: "She promised, remember? So don't taint that promise and just believe in her. Mell, your mom's the strongest person I know. She completely dominated our school's tournament, making it look like a big joke to everyone."

Her words brought a slight smile to Mell's face as I could also feel the corners of my mouth begin to rise ever so slightly.

Luna: "And when she fought against Lucien, she came out of it without a single scratch. Lucien who was our headmaster, and a legend at that. To be honest, I think the person who should be the most anxious is the demon king, hehe."

Her words only continues to lighten up our mood as I now find myself grinning at Luna as she slowly ruffles our hair in her hands.

Luna: "So let's cheer her on in our hearts. She'll be back soon."

Yui: "Thanks, Luna."

She shoots a bright smile at me as it immediately infects me as my smile quickly grows. Her words were simple but they managed to get through to both Mell and I. Yeah... She'll be back.