[Communications Tent, Dread Wolves Tribe, 24th of After Witching, Year 427: 4:50 PM] 

Ruslan and Obsidian monitored for any transmissions and waited for the tea which Chirox was preparing. He was whistling and singing in Franken with his husky baritone voice which they could pause and let the headsets placed on your shoulders, listening to his song. 

Monsieur le Président
Je vous fais une lettre
Que vous lirez peut-être
Si vous avez le temps
Je viens de recevoir
Mes papiers militaires
Pour partir à la guerre
Avant mercredi soir

Monsieur le Président
Je ne veux pas la faire
Je ne suis pas sur terre
Pour tuer des pauvres gens
C'est pas pour vous fâcher
Il faut que je vous dise
Ma décision est prise
Je m'en vais déserter

Depuis que je suis né
J'ai vu mourir mon père
J'ai vu partir mes frères
Et pleurer mes enfants
Ma mère a tant souffert
Qu'elle est dedans sa tombe
Et se moque des bombes
Et se moque des vers

Quand j'étais prisonnier
On m'a volé ma femme
On m'a volé mon âme
Et tout mon cher passé
Demain de bon matin
Je fermerai ma porte
Au nez des années mortes
J'irai sur les chemins

Je mendierai ma vie
Sur les routes de Foranea
De Aveline en Montnau
Et je dirai aux gens
Refusez d'obéir
Refusez de la faire
N'allez pas à la guerre
Refusez de partir

S'il faut donner son sang
Allez donner le vôtre
Vous êtes bon apôtre
Monsieur le Président
Si vous me poursuivez
Prévenez vos gendarmes
Que je n'aurai pas d'armes
Et qu'ils pourront tirer…

Ruslan adjusted the frequency and continued to listen carefully for anyone conversing. Suddenly, Obsidian gestured Chirox to come over when he quickly paused singing and picked up his headset. The former Chergarian Army Hauptmann focused along with his two colleagues when they listened to President Neforie and Vice President Pasteur having a cabinet meeting along with the Chergarian Army forces.

“ We may have something here.” Ruslan said as he adjusted the volume for everyone to hear the conversation better.

Chirox nodded, smirked intently and pressed the record button on the device. Obsidian grinned and gave the two men a thumbs-up. 

VP Pasteur: " As we have adjourned, the rest of the towns in Foranea will be under the Chergarian Army control. We will just observe and supervise them. " 

General Taktik Höllegard: " In your case, your country will be under our joint dictatorship. "

VP Pasteur: " Very well, General. So, your requisition activities of public and private properties are still ongoing. "

Cabinet Secretary Allard: " Messieurs, you have taken away University of Foranea, Monoceros Keep General Hospital, and every public institution on our end, but what about our welfare, safety, and survival as ordinary citizens? Have you at least considered them? " 

President Neforie: (scoffed and laughed) " Why did you care about our people, Allard? Tell me. Have you become like my rival, the late Senator Montmartre? "

CS Allard: " With all due respect, Monsieur le Prèsident, your administration is so unreasonably ridiculous! Your recent implementation of sending our people to Chergaria is unreasonable! What else, you have increased our taxes and approved the rate increase on all necessities! You are planning to give our people 'food stamps' and ration them?! How about you and your colleagues? You're just living in luxury! What else?! You have brushed off some health care, education, security, social welfare, economic, agriculture, and other sectors for reforms?! Why?! Because you have allied with those damned Sovereigns?! Tell me, what do you benefit from this chaotic disorder, Monsieur le Prèsident?! " 

Chirox, Obsidian, and Ruslan exchanged glances as they heard the cabinet secretary's rant. Suddenly, there was an eerie silence among the people from the meeting. The communications trio became intrigued and anticipated for the following discourse. 

Then, it was followed by a loud laughter from the officials and the other attendees and tauntingly murmured in both Franken and Chergari. Allard became dead silent as he was both frustrated and disappointed. 

President Neforie: " Why are you such a 'brick wall', Allard?! Do you even realise I am initiating all those changes in our beloved futile country?! I never wanted a damned independent homeland without any alliances or influences! I want something more! You have never seen my vision! " 

CS Allard: (retorted) " You're the brick wall, Monsieur le Prèsident! All you just see is power and influence for your personal gain! You have involved so many innocent lives and ruined them for your benefit! You let those damned foreigners from the north run our country against our will! I have never voted for you in the first place, because you are committing an extreme war crime! I am quitting for good! " 

Just then, there was a loud and excruciating screaming from the cabinet secretary as the communications trio widened their eyes in shock. The man's echo instantly faded as the transmission and recording ended while Chirox took a deep exhale and sadly looked at his colleagues. 

“ By the heavens! ” Ruslan said in shock as heard the scream slowly fade away.

" Mister Allard must be dead by unknown means, " Obsidian gloomily spoke and bowed his head.

" It's Umbral magic, meine freunde, " Chirox seriously spoke and crossed his arms. " Neforie is one of those cultists. " 

“ But what kind of Umbral magic? ” Ruslan asked with concern.

" I have never seen what kind of Umbral magic he has. I had never faced him when I was in the cult, " the former Hauptmann admitted and stood up, bringing the three cups of tea on the wooden tray. " Only Teridax Moreau and some higher members of the cult can deal with him. Ivo used to meet him before, but he was also deceived by that madman. " 

" Oh, Bloody Hell..." the Aldernian snake spy exasperatedly sighed. " We are facing the invulnerables. " 

" Ja. I had experienced hell with them. Just like, we are hearing and seeing it now. " 

“ Let’s listen to the meeting again. We need to find out their next set of plans, ” Ruslan suggested.

Chirox nodded and finished serving the tea to his two colleagues. Then, he turned on the frequency, increased the volume, and pressed the record button. He placed his headset on his ears again and took a sip of his tea. Ruslan and Obsidian continued listening and sipped the tea.

General Taktik Höllegard: (laughed) " You killed a nutloz detractor, ja?! On behalf of the Immortal Emperor, I commended you for such instantaneous murder of your useless official! " 

Neforie: (proudly scoffed) " That is nothing, monsieur. I have a lot of death spells to those who defy me. Besides, I should have eliminated the Jørgensens, the Montmartres, and some people with political ties with the Foranean government. I am the only one who can rule by Milo's sakes! My allies and supporters are the worthy ones to survive! Why would I care about those damned people?! They all need to experience hardships from the time of the Divine War! More scars and bloodshed can only help them grow to their better selves! I can prove that to you! It will be worthy if they die and the Umbral gods can gather their poor and wretched souls! "

Höllegard: " Heh, I agree with you, Herr Präsident! " 

“ They’re harvesting souls?! ” Ruslan said in disbelief. “ For what awful purpose?! “

" If I can remember correctly, this is considered as Necromancy, " Obsidian explained. " It's one of those Forbidden Magic which the mages understand about a grave offense. " 

" You can't tamper souls who have passed away, " Chirox stressedly remarked and heavily sighed. " I'm not a mage, but it's offensively ridiculous! " 

" Exactly, chap. This is absolutely beyond the bounds of normal magic. "

“ Necromancy is also one of the worst crimes for a Mage to commit. The other is mutation.” Ruslan replied.

" Ja wohl. I'm worried that Herr Doktor Montmartre and his family will be at stake for Neforie's evil child's play. "

" And everyone as well, " the Aldernian Royal Intelligence officer interjected.

“ What else is Nerforie planning? We need to figure out what it is, ” Ruslan said.

Obsidian finished his tea and took out his pen and paper. Then, he turned on the volume and listened further along with his colleagues. He wrote down what he could hear.

VP Pasteur: " So, messieurs, what's the next step? "

Höllegard: " My subordinates have occupied the city and taken everything including the hospital in Monoceros Keep. They believed they had come to release the Blasse Mutter. "

Neforie: " So, the La Mère Palè will be unleashed! C'est magnificent! That hidden creature has been there for centuries! The former site of that hospital happened to be a graveyard before Foranea was established. Monoceros Keep General Hospital was formed in the Year 300. I have intended to shut it down for good and made the condemned hospital area as the church compound of all Umbral Cultists aside from another Chergarian military installation! " 

Höllegard: " Wunderbar! That's favorable for all of us! We have been waiting for that creature to rise! It's Herr Doktor Günther's responsibility. She could be a great weapon against those damned insolents! " 

The rest of the attendees grew intrigued and murmured upon hearing the Pale Mother. Ruslan, Chirox, and Obsidian shared glances.

“ They want to use the Pale Mother for future attacks and want to turn Monoceros Keep General Hospital into an Umbral Church. That can’t be all their planning, ” Ruslan said to Chirox and Obsidian.

" It can happen, chap, " Obsidian replied. " I have heard rumors about that Pale Mother. "

" I heard of those mysterious echoes of the Pale Mother when I was confined in the hospital, " Chirox recalled. " Even when I talked to those people, they knew it was haunting them every evening. Also, Moreau had done his dastardly things to his victims and even offered them to that creature as sacrifices. " 

" Heavens! Gods blind me! That must be a horrible thing I have heard there! " 

" Ja. It is horrifying, " he nodded.

" I believe the Blue Knight can't even destroy that creature alone..." Chirox answered and held the translated files of the Pale Mother. 

Ruslan heavily sighed. “It’ll take a whole army to destroy that monster.”

" Or a dragon can fight that size, " Obsidian surmised.

“ Where will we even be able to get a dragon? ” Ruslan asked with doubt. 

" My colleagues encountered this strange dragon two weeks ago back in Martinnois, " Obsidian recalled. " It had fought along with Chergarian geomancer, two detectives, and the Blue Knight against the Leanan sidhe and a flying tiefling who almost hindered their work. "

“ Do you think we’ll be able to domesticate and use it against the Chergarian Army and the Pale Mother? ” Ruslan curiously asked.

" I'm afraid that dragon roams freely and comes unexpectedly, " the mutated Aldernian Intelligence officer replied. " No one knows how to domesticate it. "

Chirox listened intently and crossed his arms, nodding at Obsidian.

“ Merde (Damn it).” Ruslan said with frustration. “That dragon would’ve aided us greatly.” 

" Well, my apologies. I hope that dragon can show up soon, " Obsidian sighed.

" Meine Herren, you might consider reading the document about the Pale Mother, " the former Hauptmann suggested and held the files.

Ruslan nodded at Chirox before grabbing the files. “I’ll take a look at them.”

" Right, thanks, chap, " Obsidian also nodded and read along with Ruslan.

" Dè rien. "

La mère pâle 

Personne ne connaît les origines de cette créature. De nombreuses théories circulaient parmi les citadins foranéens. Certains pensaient qu'elle était une sorcière. D'autres ont émis l'hypothèse qu'elle était une nécromancienne. Ensuite, quelques-uns ont pensé à une femme elfe maudite par la magie d’Umbral. La créature se nourrit des cadavres des personnes décédées provenant d'un cimetière du donjon de Monoceros, où se trouve actuellement l'hôpital.

La créature est manipulée par le docteur Teridax Albert Moreau, un médecin non agréé qui prend ses victimes en sacrifice à l'être vil. Il pense que Pale Mother résonne tous les soirs à l'hôpital général de Monoceros Keep.

The Pale Mother

No one knows the origins of that creature. There were many theories circulating from Foranean townsfolk.  Some believed she was a witch. Others theorised she was a necromancer. Then, a few thought of an elven woman being cursed by Umbral magic. 

The creature feeds from corpses of the deceased people from a graveyard in Monoceros Keep where the hospital is currently standing. 

The creature is being handled by Doctor Teridax Albert Moreau, an unlicensed physician who takes his victims as his sacrifices to the vile being. He believes that Pale Mother echoes every evening at Monoceros Keep General Hospital.

“ Monoceros General Hospital was built on a very old graveyard and the Pale Mother is feeding on the bodies there. Dr. Teridax Albert Moreau was also the caretaker of this creature,” Ruslan revealed after reading the file.

" Ja, " Chirox nodded. " Moreau is already dead, but there is one who has taken over the Pale Mother's custody. "

" Who? " Obsidian asked.

" Dr. Mutran Pankraz Günther. "

“ Do you have any more files? ” Ruslan asked Chirox. 

" There you go..." he handed his two colleagues the file about Günther as they read the file.

Savant fou à moitié tiefling : Docteur Mutran Pankraz Günther 

Né en l'an 320, Harhaan, Chergaria. Günther est né et a grandi au sein d’un syndicat criminel bien connu. Intelligent, rusé et sinistre, il avait un QI de 230 et a appris le secret de la famille grâce à la magie ombrale. A partir de là, il a commencé à faire ses propres expériences et a fait sa mutation vers ses sujets. 

Günther a étudié la biologie et bientôt la médecine à l'Université de Chergaria. Après avoir réussi l'examen d'autorisation et obtenu sa licence médicale, il a travaillé dans l'armée chergarienne en tant que médecin de combat et médecin. 

Secrètement, Günther a poursuivi ses exploits auprès de ses patients en les transformant en êtres anthropomorphes. Un officier de haut rang l'avait découvert et l'avait totalement licencié et avait perdu sa licence médicale. En colère, il chercha à se venger et invoqua le dieu Damoclès pour lui demander aide et conseils. Il a muté l'officier et l'a fait mourir des suites d'une maladie en phase terminale. 

Après avoir quitté l'Armée, il est recruté par Ehlek Sorge et Valfor Neforie à Ordrè de Damocles.

Half Tiefling Mad Scientist: Doctor Mutran Pankraz Günther

Born in Year 320, Harhaan, Chergaria. Günther was born and raised by a well-known criminal syndicate. Intelligent, cunning, and sinister, he had an IQ of 230 and learned the family's secret, using the Umbral Magic. From there, he started to make his own experiments and had done his mutation to his subjects. 

Günther studied in the University of Chergaria for biology and soon medicine. Passing the licensure exam and obtaining his medical license, he worked in the Chergarian Army as a combat medic and physician. 

Secretly, Günther continued his exploits from his patients by mutating them into anthropomorphic beings. A high ranking officer had discovered this and totally dismissed him in duty and lost his medical license.

Out of anger, he sought revenge and summoned the god Damocles for help and guidance. He mutated the officer and caused him to die of a terminal illness.

After leaving the Army, he was recruited by Ehlek Sorge and Valfor Neforie in Ordrè de Damocles.

“ Dr. Günther killed his own commanding officer in the Chergarian Army. This man is a cold-hearted monster, ” Ruslan commented and heavily sighed.

" I have known that Günther has been a ruthless man. He used to work with the Elandric alchemist and mage, Kasius Tucker. Vater Areti knows how to bring justice to those condemned.”

“ This Vater Areti, does he know the location of Günther as well? ” Ruslan asked.

" He happened to be an Ouranist God of Justice, " Obsidian replied. " Everyone prays to him at times like this. "

“ Ah right. Let’s pray to Father Areti will guide us to Günther and put a stop to him, ” Ruslan replied.

" Ja. " Chirox sincerely smiled. " There will come a time this nation will be freed from them. " Then, he pointed his index upwards. " Who knows, the Great Mother Photis always listens to our prayers. "

" I agree with you, chap. "

“ Da. The Heavenly Mother will always keep us safe, ” Ruslan said in agreement.

[Ècole Montnau, Montnau, Foranea, 25th of After Witching, Year 427: 8:45 AM] 

Bruno Pierre Gerhardt was writing on the board and discussing the hydrological cycle to his young students. They were listening attentively and taking down your notes. Despite the chaos, he continued working.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door which he paused and reminded his students for a while. It turned out to be a man in his early sixties wearing a suit and a principal of this school. 

" Bruno, can I talk to you in private? " the school principal calmly asked, inhibiting his anxiousness. " This is very important. We might have an emergency faculty and staff meeting after your first class. " 

“ Of course.” Bruno said before moving his attention to the students.  “ Please read more on hydrological cycle. I’ll be back in a few.” He then went to follow Principal Aubert.

" I understand you are aware of the Chergarian occupation in Monoceros Keep around six days ago. Is that correct? " Aubert asked.

“ Oui. Why? What’s going on? ” Bruno asked.

" I'm afraid they are taking advances in different towns. "

The two headed to the faculty room when the teachers and other school staff converged. Principal Louis Albert cleared his throat audibly before he could speak up.

" Bonjour, tout le monde, " he calmly broke his silence. " I have already spoken to Mayor Guibert along with the other officials. The Chergarian soldiers have advanced their way to the other towns. For the safety and security of our students, I have decided to close the school down until further notice. The invasion has already begun. " 

The rest of the teachers murmured anxiously as well as the school staff. The unexpected news had trembled them. Some had thought of asking him some questions.

“ What?! But some of the students are eager to learn. How can we tell the parents that their children’s education will be discontinued due to the ongoing war? ” Bruno said in shock as he asked his question.

" As much as I want to continue the school, it's the mayor's orders. I have to follow the decision of our local authorities here. There are towns which are highly affected. I don't want to risk our safety. " 

" Monsieur Principal, perhaps, we can visit the children through their homes and continue teaching them, " a female teacher suggested. " We don't want to let our students suffer from the war. " 

" That could be a good suggestion. I'll be taking note of that. "

" How about if we have a tent and place to continue the school," the other male teacher added.

" Oui. That could be another plan. "

In the midst of the meeting, there was a loud explosion three blocks away from the school as everyone heard. Bruno closely looked from the window that Chergarian soldiers were attacking the Foranean Army officers. Then, suddenly, a Chergarian officer entered the school compound. 

“ By Photis! ” Bruno said in shock, “ Chergarian soldiers are attacking the school! We need to evacuate the students and faculty!”

" You know what to do everyone, " Aubert reminded, inhibiting his anxiety. " Our meeting is adjourned. " 

Bruno headed to his classroom and saw some of his students who were terrified from what they were seeing. A young brunette girl in a magenta dress approached him.

" M-Monsieur G-Gerhardt...What's going on?! " she tremblingly asked. " Those soldiers...they are coming! " 

“ We’re being attacked by the Chergarian Army. Don’t worry, I’m going to get you all out of here.” Bruno said to the students as he tried to reassure them that everything will be alright.

From the window, they all saw Principal Aubert reasoning with the high ranking officer. He seemed to be pleading to him and the other soldiers. Suddenly, a fifth grade male student and a third female grader appeared in the doorway. They happened to be his son and daughter: Julien and Chloe. 

" Papa! " they rushed to him and exclaimed. 

“Julien! Chloè! Thank Photis! You’re both okay! ” Bruno said with relief and hugged his children.

" Papa, we need to get out of here, " Julien reminded. " Madame Allard just told us to leave the school if something bad happens.  "

" Papa, I'm so scared..." Chloe hugged back her father.

From the window, the Chergarian officer ordered his men to shoot the principal. The rest of the people in the school widened their eyes in shock. Bruno looked at his children, the students, and the principal at risk. He thought of doing something.

" S'il vous plaît messieurs, n'osez pas transformer cette école en abattoir comme vous l'avez fait hier à l'hôpital! (Please messieurs, don't you dare to turn this school into a slaughterhouse just like you did at the hospital yesterday!) " Aubert cried.

The high ranking Chergarian soldier readied himself to shoot the principal. Bruno was also an Odyssea Academy alumnus and a mage. He had decided to initiate himself in protecting everyone from the intruders. Then, he casted a spell to shoot a high voltage of bio-electricity at the Chergarian soldiers to stun and put them in an unconscious state. 

The Chergarian soldiers were zapped instantly at 50 kilowatts as they fell down. Then, Principal Aubert immediately stepped back and ran away while he entered the school building. He gestured and ushered everyone to evacuate. 

" Dépêchez-vous tout le monde! Veuillez évacuer maintenant comme vous le pouvez! (Hurry everyone! Please evacuate now as you can!) " he warned.

 “ We’re going to get out of here and head back home. Stay close to me, ” Bruno said to Julien and Chloè.

The two children nodded at their father which they immediately rushed away from the school along with the other students and the people.The three of you noticed some Chergarian soldiers who were roaming around in tanks and some were on the trucks.

Some Foranean Army soldiers were arrested and injured. Some had passed away on the streets. Bruno, you quickly diverted your children away from the deceased by walking away on a different street. The other Foranean soldiers surrendered and threw their weapons down. 

“ Don’t look. Just focus on following me. We’re almost out of here, ” Bruno said to his children as he continued to quietly sneak away from the Chergarian soldiers.

Julien and Chloe followed their father while walking. Suddenly, they all reached home as a dark haired lady in her thirties also rushed towards and hugged him. 

“ Gisèle! ”  Bruno frantically greeted his wife.

" Bruno, Julien, Chloe! Thank Heavens, you're all safe! " she raised her voice and sighed in relief, " I'm so worried for all of you! Tell me, they have arrived?! "

" Mama, they almost killed Monsieur Aubert, but Papa just zapped the soldiers, " Julien answered. " Then, everyone in school got out. "

" What happened at home, mama? " Chloe asked with concern. 

" Our elderly neighbors, Monsieur and Madame Bonneheure were killed by those monsters! " she bitterly wept. " Their house got burned! " 

Bruno went to comfort his wife and said, “Those cold-hearted soldiers will face justice for what they’ve done here. We might need to leave home and stay until all of this blows over.”

" Papa, where are we going? " Julien asked.

“ Dread Wolves Tribe Village, ” Bruno answered his son.

" An elven village? " Gisèle curiously asked. " Are you sure they will accept us? "

“ I know some people there. They’ll help and keep us safe from the Chergarian Army, ” Bruno said to his wife.

" Papa, do you think we can find...." Chloe paused when someone was knocking on the door.

Bruno readied his spell before replying,  “ Who’s there?”

" Bonjour. We are requisitioning your house! " a male voice with a heavy Chergari accent replied. 

Bruno anxiously walked up to his wife after hearing the Chergarian soldier, “ Gisèle, they’re here for us. Pack any belongings. We’re leaving for the village.”

Gisèle nodded at her husband and gestured to her children to pack up their things. Julien and Chloe followed their mother.

" Well, if you don't respond we will count one upto ten in Chergari, we will definitely burn your house down immediately! " the Chergarian soldier sternly added and loudly counted. " eins...zwei...drei...vier....fünf.....sechs...Sieben...acht...neun...zehn! " 

“ You killed countless people near the school including my elderly neighbors. You’ll probably do the same to my family! ” Bruno angrily said.

The door was strongly pushed by a kick. The Chergarian soldiers were both dressed in black and some in grey. The silver-grey haired man dressed in black with red irises in both of his eyes stepped inside.He was evilly grinning at Bruno and his family. He was having a cigarette in his mouth and smoking like a dragon. 

" Very lovely indeed, mein Herr. Very lovely...." he grinned and spoke in a sadistic tone. " Definitely, I am doing my job for the Ordre de Damocles and Dunkel Jäger. This is an ultimate order by the blessings of the Umbral Gods! " 

“ You’re killing innocent people. My family won’t be your next victims.” Bruno sternly said.

" Wirklich?! Du bist so ein mutiger Mann! (Really?! Such a brave man you are! ) " the Dunkel Jäger official loudly laughed at Bruno and egotistically replied. " I have fought tougher mages and soldiers than you before. And as I stepped over their bodies, I will step over yours and your family, ja oder nein?! " 

" Who on Iliad are you?! " Gisèle angrily asked, defending her two children. " What do you really want?! "

“ Answer the question! What do you want?!” Bruno angrily asked.

" My name's Oberführer Icarax Lothar Gerlach. I am here to destroy everyone including this house as I have mentioned, " he calmly introduced himself and then retortedly asked. " Besides, Herr Gerhardt, we have been looking for exiled Robanians who know and acquire the Zenigen crystals. Now, have you been hiding them, ja oder nein?! " 

“ I don’t have any Zenigen Crystals. You’ve mined all of it back in my homeland, ” Bruno sternly said.

" Wirklich?! Was ist das? (Really? What is this?) " Icarax picked up a notebook from the bookshelf and flipped the pages. " It contains your research about the Zenigen Crystals! " He angrily retorted. " Are you hiding something, Herr Gerhardt?! If you're hiding them, where are they?! " 

“ I don’t have any. I’m a chemist and alchemist. Researching minerals is part of being that profession. I wish I had some of those Zenigen Crystals.” Bruno said, trying to reinforce his lies. 

" Nein! I have enough of your excuses, Robanian! " Icarax loudly yelled and turned to his subordinates. " Erschieße sie und brenne ihr Haus nieder! (Shoot them and burn their house!) "

" Ja wohl! "

The Chergarian soldiers took out their sniper rifles and readied to shoot the Gerhardt family. Bruno quickly casted another spell to shoot a high voltage of bio-electricity at Icarax’s soldiers to stun and put them unconscious. The soldiers were stunned as Icarax angrily gritted his teeth. 

" Scheiße! " he growled and gestured to the other soldiers to shoot them.

Bruno again casted a spell to create chain bio-electricity before firing it at the remaining soldiers. The other soldiers were stunned by Bruno's volatile activity around 20 kilowatts. Then, they fell down. Becoming contemplated to use his ability, Icarax gestured to a mutated reptilian Chergarian soldier to attack Bruno's family. Gisèle, Julien, and Chloe were terrified to confront the attack.

Suddenly, a bluish-white bioelectric light came out of nowhere which the Gerhardt family was surprised to see who did it.

“ A bio-electric spell similar to mine. But who could have cast that? ” Bruno curiously asked as saw the bluish-white bioelectric light.

An armored man stepped in front of the house as Icarax angrily mumbled in Chergari.

“ Who are you?! ” Bruno asked the armored man to his surprise.

" A friend..." the knight answered. " I need you all to get out of here..."

" You are not going anywhere, Blue Knight! " Icarax sternly spoke.

“ Take your belongings and wait for me in the backyard, ” Bruno said to his wife and children.

Gisèle and her children followed as they headed to the mentioned place. The Blue Knight confronted the Dunkle Jäger officer.

" So, the mysterious hero of Foranea has come to this town. Do you even think you can save this family? " Icarax asked.

" I have my chances to defeat you, cultist. Just leave this town and scatter elsewhere. Do you understand? " the Blue Knight replied sternly.

" You may try, Blue Knight, but I want to beat you and reveal yourself behind the mask! "

Icarax casted a spell of shadows that surround the armored knight. Then, he manipulated them, making the Blue Knight subdue with his attacks. The armored warrior casted Volatile to stun the shadows.

Bruno casted a spell to create a bio-electric shield around the Blue Knight. He then cast a spell to fire a high voltage of bio-electricity at Icarax. Icarax got stunned, but he stood up and managed to step away from the two volatile mages. He angrily muttered in Chergari and sternly spoke to them, " I will get even with you soon, Blue Knight! This is not over yet! "

“ You’ll face justice soon for what you’ve done here,” Bruno sternly said.

" Why did you even show up? " the Blue Knight asked. " I'm supposed to defeat that man, myself. You should be joining your family and going away from this town. " 

“ I wanted to assist you in protecting my family and stopping those Chergarians soldiers from harming anyone else.” Bruno answered. 

The Blue Knight relented, " I guess you have a point. Is everyone hurt? "

“ A lot of people were sadly killed.” Bruno sadly said. “Including my elderly neighbors.” 

" Doctor Montmartre would be urgently coming if he hears this. " 

“ The Chergarians soldiers also came here looking for Zenigen Crystals, ” Bruno added.

" Then, you have kept them. I presume. "

Bruno nodded at the Blue Knight, “ Oui. The crystals are in a safe built into the structure.” 

" Great Mother Photis Herself guided you. You need to get out of here if they arrive here, " the Blue Knight replied and moved his head to and fro. 

“ What about the Zenigen Crystals? ” Bruno asked with concern.

" You need to bring them. Doctor Montmartre has to see them. " 

“ Very well. Let’s go get them now.” Bruno said in agreement.

The two headed inside the house as Bruno knew where it was placed.He went to the kitchen and knelt down on the floor before pressing a button to open the floor revealing a safe.The safe was opened as there were five remaining crystals. The Blue Knight looked and deeply thought.

“ Here they are, ” Bruno said to the Blue Knight before putting the Zenigen Crystals in his bag. “These are one of the most fascinating minerals in Iliad.” 

" Do you think it can cure people? "

“ Of what? ” Bruno curiously asked. 

" Mutation..."

“ It’s quite possible. Zenigen Crystals have a lot of medicinal properties. What kind of mutation needs to be cured? ” Bruno asked the Blue Knight. 

" DNA alteration due to Umbral magic and branding. Is that even possible? "

“ It’s tricky. Without another powerful healing item to stabilize the Zenigen Crystals it could kill the person influenced by the Umbral magic or branding instead of curing them. The minerals are extremely fatal to anyone who is a victim of Umbral influence. Hence, why we need another healing agent to make it non-lethal, ” Bruno explained. 

" Perhaps, the doctor has to make an experiment as he will conduct some clinical trials "

“ Clinical trials? If you use the Zenigen Crystals without a stabilizing agent to cure Umbral influence, it’ll be fatal,” Bruno warned. 

" He has a stabilising agent. " 

“ Thank goodness, ” Bruno said in relief. “I’ll take a look at the stabilizing agent that my old friend has and see if I can combine it with the Zenigen Crystals.”

" He would be pleased to see the development and create a cure. "

Bruno nodded at Blue Knight, “ Oui. Now, we must leave before more of those soldiers show up to cause even more trouble.”

The armored man looked at the mirror, pointed, and instructed, " You and your family will need to cross that Eluvian. You will be coming into the village in a matter of seconds. "

“ Merci for saving my family, ” Bruno said to the Blue Knight before walking up to the Eluvian and calling for his wife and children to join him. “Gisèle! Julien! Chloè! It’s time to leave.”

" Papa, you met the mysterious hero, Blue Knight! " Chloe happily exclaimed upon entering the house with her brother and  mother.

" Mes Dieux! "  Gisèle exclaimed in shock in seeing the armored man. 

“ Oui. He saved us all! Now I owe it to him by aiding in curing some people with the minerals I obtained.” Bruno sincerely said to his family. 

" I wonder who's behind the helmet? " Julien intrigued upon looking at the knight.

" Julien..." his mother heatedly glared at him.

" Jè suis dèsole! "

" Children..." the armored man muttered and sighed in his helmet.

“ If anyone knew who the Blue Knight’s real identity was, it could put him or anyone in danger, ” Bruno said to his son. 

" Oh...." Julien heavily sighed. " Jè suis dèsole. "

" Excuses acceptées, jeune homme. (Apology accepted, young man.) " he answered and turned to Bruno. " You need to go, now. "

Bruno nodded at the Blue Knight before gesturing to his family to enter the Eluvian alongside him.

" I will catch up. "

Gisèle and her two children joined with the head of the family as they crossed into the Eluvian.

[Three Hours Later: Dread Wolves Tribe]

Bruno and Mack studied the properties of the Robanian Zenigen Crystal which they spent within the tent. He was waiting for Doctor Amnon Montmartre to arrive, yet he didn't see where the Blue Knight had gone. Somehow, that puzzled him.

“ Where is the Blue Knight? He should be here as well, ” Bruno asked with concern.

Suddenly, a tall blonde and moustached man with glasses on his face arrived in a thick winter coat. He had casual clothes underneath. Mack noticed him and smiled.

" Doctor Montmartre, it's good to see you again. I'm sorry about what happened to the hospital..." he said.

Amnon let out a sigh and sadly smiled, " Oui, merci...Mack. I guess I can be an on-call and a freelance physician for the time being. Who knows Mama Photis and Her Hosts will provide. " 

“ It’s good to see you again, old friend.” Bruno happily greeted Amnon. “ How’s your family?” 

" They're getting well, Bruno. I heard from the Blue Knight about what happened. I'm sorry for that incident. "

Bruno heavily sighed and nodded with sadness. “ It was a massacre. The Chergarian Army attacked a school and all the students and faculty would’ve been killed if I didn’t intervene. They’re committing countless unspeakable war crimes. It’ll only get worse.”

" It reminded me of that first frontline mission in Robania, " Amnon sadly sighed. " I have seen a lot from there. " 

“ It’s Robania all over again, but far worse. ” Bruno added.

" I know, the Umbral Cultists are also responsible for this. The hospital, the university campus, the city hall, Radio Foranea Building, the public library, and then what's next? "

" I'm very worried that my brother, sister-in-law and I will be stranded here and unable to return to Alderny, " Mack sighed.

“ The Blue Knight also said that you need people cured of a mutation caused by Umbral magic and branding? ” Bruno asked.

" Da. He mentioned that to me before getting here, " the Akrovian-Foranean doctor nodded and replied, placing his bag and removing his coat. Then, he opened the bag and took out his gloves, holding the bottle of Ouranist Holy Water. " Perhaps, this can help. " 

" Ah, one of the main active ingredients from our previous formulation; Photis's Blessing! " Mack happily exclaimed. " Brilliant! "

" We just need to take a sample if this is soaked or whisked by the Holy Water, tovarishch, " Amnon added. " This is kept around 29° to 33°C. " 

“ Photis’ Blessing? ” Bruno curiously asked.

" It's a formulation for Anti-Umbral serum inside the body, " Mack replied. " Doctor Montmartre and I made this along with Lady Catherine Knightfall a month ago. "

“ Is it a candidate to be used as a stabilizing agent for the Zenigen Crystal? ” Bruno asked Mack. 

" We might give it a try as another neutraliser from the Holy Water, " the Aldernian alchemist remarked and turned to Amnon. " Shall we do it, Amnon? " 

" Oui, Da. " he affirmed and picked up the other bottle of Photis's Blessing which he created yesterday. 

“ Let’s begin stabilizing the Zenigen Crystals, ” Bruno said to Amnon and Mack.

The three began to take drops of the Ouranist Holy Water and the Photis's Blessing. They waited and observed for the five transparent crystals. A couple of minutes later, they started to spark with a white electric light.

“ Fascinating. It’s creating some kind of electricity, ” Bruno said as he took notes.

" Do you think it will work? " Mack asked. 

" It will be, " Amnon replied affirmingly.

“ Should we test it to make sure the lethality is gone? ” Bruno asked with concern.

" I have a blood sample from Dr. Victor Messier, "  Amnon held a small test tube containing his mutated friend's blood and gave it to Mack. " You can try this. " 

Mack received the test tube and placed the dark blood on it. Then, he turned to Bruno and said, " Ready, Mr. Gerhardt? "

Bruno nodded at Mack, “ Oui.”

The Robanian-Foranean alchemist and science teacher placed the crystal into the blood sample and noticed that it was detoxifying and cleansing the thick scarlet plasma within seconds. Amnon and Mack carefully observed the Robanian Zenigen crystal's detoxifying properties which they found remarkably outstanding. 

“ Splendid! I think it’s working! ” Bruno happily exclaimed.

" C'est incroyablement efficace! (This is incredibly effective!) " Amnon cheerfully remarked.

" I know! We are making another successful test! " Mack joyfully commented.

“ The stabilization process is working perfectly! We’ll be able to safely cure mutations caused by Umbral magic or branding! ” Bruno joyfully said.

" But is it possible to cure some mutated people, there are only five crystals? " Mack asked and looked at Amnon and Bruno. " Knowing that Doctor Messier will be the first recipient, how about the others? "

“ Damn it! ” Bruno said with frustration. “ This is a difficult decision to make. We could only cure four more people. The rest will wonder why we couldn’t cure them as well.”

" Blin..." Amnon lowly mutterred in Luski and heavily sighed. " Victor may be the first one, but we have mutant residents hiding in this village. Five crystals are not enough. " 

" I understand, but we have to make it more once we get to Robania, " the Aldernian alchemist reminded them.

" Chergaria took over that country, Mack. I wished I could do even more when I was your age. "

Bruno heavily sighed and asked, “ Who do you think should get the last four cures? ”

" Janusz Kowalski, Obsidian Gladescale, Gabriela Herrera, Aurelio Alghieri..."

Bruno sadly nodded at Amnon with agreement. “ We should tell the rest of the bad news.” 

" J'aurais aimé pouvoir faire quelque chose de plus....(I wish I could have done something more....) " the doctor sadly spoke and sighed, bowing his head. " Eto napominayet mne ob etom... Nevazhno! (This reminds me of that...Nevermind!) " 

Mack felt sorry for his alumni upperclassman and heard him speaking Franken and Luski in disappointment. He completely understood the Akrovian-Foranean general practitioner's feeling. 

“ No, it’s my fault. I should’ve gathered more Zenigen Crystals.” Bruno sadly said.

" Everyone, I understand your frustration, but perhaps this is not the right time to sulk, regret, or blame yourselves, " Mack called their attention. " I know we're in the middle of an intense crisis right now, but perhaps the five people for these five crystals can be our first group. We still need to find our way for the others. " Then, he looked at Bruno and said, " Mr. Gerhardt, you and your family got here three hours ago and spared these five crystals. Without the Blue Knight saving, all of you could have been dead. Then, Doctor Montmartre and I will have a hard time to find out the cure for the first five. " Then, he turned to Amnon, " I understood you were disappointed about what happened yesterday and wanted to spare more people for this cure. You can still do that and the Blue Knight has your back, Amnon. Then, all of us are. This is just the beginning. That doesn't end there gentlemen. " 

Bruno and Amnon understood what the Aldernian alchemist-mage had said. Yet, the Robanian-Foranean science teacher and alchemist was still puzzled about what he mentioned about the Blue Knight.

“ Wait? What did you mean yesterday? Amnon wasn’t at my house.” Bruno asked with confusion.

" Bruno, have you heard what happened to the hospital yesterday? " Amnon replied. 

“ Oui. ” Bruno heavily sighed. “It was horrible what happened at the hospital.”

" The Blue Knight was there fighting those Chergarian intruders, " he nodded. " Then, last night, he saw the Pale Mother being brought from the underground and was defeated by a dragon from Darsan. Bruno, I know this has been a long kept secret...I went to your house as the Blue Knight just this morning..." 

“ You’re the Blue Knight?! ” Bruno said in shock. “ Why didn’t you tell me once I arrived at the Dread Wolves Tribe Village?! ”

" It's a secret. No one should know that he and I are the same person, " Amnon relentedly sighed. " I don't want anyone or even myself to get into trouble. "

“ Your secret will be protected. Don’t worry, ” Bruno said to his friend.

" I think our doctor friend has to reveal his alter-ego, Mr. Gerhardt. It would be better if you see transforming as the Blue Knight, " Mack suggested. 

" Kakye?! Quoi?! " Amnon gasped in shock. " Are you all serious?! The Blue Knight just got himself by horse! Look, I don't this is a..." 

“ I understand. You’re exhausted after your last transformation.” Bruno said to Amnon and slightly smiled.

" Right, perhaps, some other time. For now, we reserve these five crystals for those five. "

Bruno nodded at Amnon, “ Let’s cure those five people you mentioned.”

"  Oui, Da. "

(RP with BjornGamR27)

(Obsidian Gladescale belongs to Knightfall077)

(Ruslan Malinski, Bruno Gerhardt, and Mack Hunter belong to BjornGamR27)

(Valfor Neforie and Taktik Höllegard belong to BrandonToy)