Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 108 - Future Sight

"To be completely honest, I didn't think we'd meet again."

Medrauta raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Trianna with a measure of curiosity. The silver-haired knight had arrived around an hour ago, catching Trianna and the soldiers she'd been training in the middle of a break. Unfortunately for them, Medrauta didn't think they were sweating hard enough at the time.

"No? Why not?" Medrauta asked. "Did you think you were too late, or was Krista treating you poorly?"

Trianna shook her head as she mopped the sweat off her brow using a towel, recovering from the grueling training session that Medrauta just put her through. "No, nothing of the sort. The journey to Vargos was mostly silent, but she was actually quite helpful when we reached the cathedral. It's just... I didn't think Aluvsha would actually answer my prayers."

Medrauta nodded, understanding what the violet-haired knight was trying to imply. It wasn't that Trianna's faith was lacking. As a knight, Trianna seldom had time to participate in religious ceremonies or perform acts of piety, meaning she rarely felt a connection to Aluvsha, if ever. The god's prompt response and intervention was surprising, even to Medrauta.

"Y'know, I can't really blame you for that. Honestly, I thought it'd take days of praying."

Trianna grinned. "Apparently not. I... When I first swore that pact with Amelia, I thought that was the only way I could become strong. Her words pulled me in, but they played on desires that already existed. But thanks to you, I've come to realize that there's other ways to achieve strength. I never really got the chance to properly thank you for this second opportunity at life, so... Thank you, Medrauta."

"Don't thank me. Thank Viviane. She's the one who handled all the negotiations with Krista. I kinda just... stood by," Medrauta said awkwardly.

"Of course I'll have to thank her as well, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to thank you while I've the time. We're attacking the capital in two days, and anything could happen during that time."

Medrauta made a dismissive gesture. "We'll be fine. None of the knights in the duchy capital can hold a candle to Dame Marilyn."

Despite Medrauta's casual dismissal of the enemy's elite forces, Trianna couldn't help but think otherwise. It was obvious that Dame Marilyn was individually stronger than all the knights in the duchy capital with her former rank being proof of that, but even she wouldn't be able to hold her own against multiple senior knights. In fact, the only knight she'd seen capable of such a feat was the silver-haired knight standing in front of her.

And even then, I doubt Medrauta could take on so many... There must be at least twenty knights in Revelo fief alone... Trianna pursed her lips worriedly. If any of them were as strong as Dame Eirlys—No. Even if they were as strong as Sir Bradley, even Medrauta wouldn't be able to defeat all of them at once...

Seeing Trianna's concerned expression, Medrauta clapped the knight on the shoulder, offering her an easygoing smile. "Just relax, alright? And besides, you're not too bad yourself. I reckon you'd be able to hold off a senior knight for a couple minutes just by yourself, but the beauty of this whole operation is that it won't be a duel or even a match. You'll have soldiers by your side, and knights too."

"R-Right!" Trianna nodded emphatically as if trying to force herself to believe in Medrauta's words. It was the only way she could increase her confidence about this siege. After all, victory meant more than just survival. While Trianna's sins had been forgiven by Aluvsha, the fact that she broke one of the empire's most sacrosanct laws still remained.

If she wanted any chance at obtaining the emperor's pardon, she would have to win this battle and free the duchy from Bastiche's machinations. There was also the small problem of proving that he was the one behind his own father's assassination as well as his intent to attack the capital during wartime, but Trianna decided to leave that up to the others.