Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 71: Regalia III (Part 05)

ↈↈↈ

The sun has passed its highest peak and is slowly descending to the western horizon. Although the light was still bright, the clouds that began to gather made the afternoon gray. The blowing sea breeze followed the dark sky along with the cold, as if to be a harbinger of something.

All the guests' means of transportation have been parked neatly in the front yard for departure. The horses and Drake who would pull the carts and carts looked so vibrant and fresh, ready to make their long journey.

But inversely proportional to them, people who ride cars and carts even look tired. Especially the conglomerates and nobles who did not have much stamina and stayed up overnight, even after the event was over.

The upper-class guards were seated in coachmen's couriers, on separate carts and horses with carts and chariots. Ready to go at any time when you get an order. The bodyguards mostly wear halkah clothes, leather vests and some wear armor.

Not far from those who had prepared, Mavis Luke walked towards the Royal Family's carriage pulled by a Drake. As the Lady of the House, she must formally take their journey home with respect. Along with the two Chief Servants, Fiola and Julia, the Marchioness approached her husband who would also join the entourage as their special bodyguard.

“Honey, are all the preparations done?”

Dart who was busy directing some matters to the Elite Soldiers immediately turned his head, staring slightly in surprise at his wife for wearing a thin-looking outfit and slightly exposed. The halter neck dresses are long to dark blue eyes, as well as high heels on both feet, which is what the blonde woman wears.

“Hmm ..., we are ready to go. In about ten minutes, we waited only for His Majesty and Lord Midir. Said they were talking to our son.”

Dart for a moment stared silently at Mavis, feeling unsettled to let his frail wife out of the room in such thin clothes. Walking in front of him, he removed the scarf he was wearing and dressed it to Mavis.

Mavis was a little surprised by the attitude of attention, while staring a little surprised he asked, “But instead of being cold? You're going on a night trip at night, ‘kan? Now also it looks like it will rain ..”

“Not a problem, I won't die just from rain. Anyway ...”

Dart wants to say that Mavis' condition is more of a priority. However it was unspoken, the old man turned his gaze away and fell silent. Although Dart had intertwined the household ark for quite a long time with Mavis, the awkward feeling of saying such a thing still often surfaced in his mind.

Mavis gave a small smile at the reaction of her teenage husband in front of her. Turning his eyeballs to the side and giving a slightly seductive glance, the Light Witch said, “In fact, you won't die just from the cold. However, still I also do not want to be too troublesome you ..”.

Mavis took off the scarf that had been attached to her neck, began to circle it back to Dart and delivered, “Don't worry, here are Fiola, Julia and the others. Even Odo, our son grew up to be a reliable and strong child. You've seen his abilities firsthand, haven't you? When you are not here, we will be fine ...”

“It was true, but ...”

Dart wants to tell Mavis, even more likely to be back next year or even longer. After arriving at the Capital, as the Royal Sword and Royal General of Felixia he had to prepare many things in the military domain in preparation for the war.

Seeing his wife look happy, Dart could not convey that his departure this time was to welcome the battlefield. A voice seemed unable to come out from the man, making him just open his mouth without being able to convey the contents of his mind.

Mavis immediately embraced Dart and hugged him tightly, full of warmth and gently whispered, “What right, my dear. Herself understand …. No need to put on a face like that. This ... is heavy, both for me and you. But this is the reality of our lives. I will not force you to promise. But ..., this is a plea from me, your wife.”

Mavis stopped hugging, holding both sides of Dart's cheeks and hopefully said, “My husband, you can come back at any time …. Whenever you want. We're here to take care of our house, until you get home later.”

Dart grabbed Mavis' right hand gently. The tense face full of anxiety attached to the old man slowly faded, changing with a sense of relief. Closing his eyes and feeling the warmth of his wife's hand, the old man said, “Thank you, Mavis. I'm so glad you're always there for me. I'm ... so grateful to be able to get you by my side.”

At a place not too far from the two of them, precisely before descending the steps from the front porch of the Mansion, King Gaiel's footsteps stopped. On his right side stood the Archduke, while on the right was Odo Luke.

Seeing the sight of a husband and wife who is still so friendly despite the age is not young anymore, the three people feel unable to immediately approach and damage the atmosphere between them.

King Gaiel glanced at Odo, then with a faint smile said, “It feels good to see my best friend get a very happy family. I think they can continue to be friendly like that thanks to you, their only son.”

Odo did not turn back to glance at the King, only staring at his parents with flat eyes. Breathing heavily for a moment, the young man replied, “They always do that every father will go …. I think, yes …. Enough relief their relationship continues tight like that.”

The speech was delivered not in a happy tone, felt an unease in it. King Gaiel was astonished and in his mind wondered why Odo did not seem happy to see the closeness of his parents. Wanting to ask this, the King understood there were some things that he should not interfere with. One of them is the Dart family.

King Gaiel slightly put on a grim face, feeling himself unworthy of comment. “Well, I basically failed to make her happy. Although I managed to keep my promise, Dahlia was never able to be free until the end of her life,” muttered the old Sovereign.

Both Odo and Archduke Midir, both of them clearly heard the heart of the King. Midir did not dare to give any comments or suggestions to his distant relatives. But in contrast to Odo, the young man turned his head towards the King and looked at him sharply.

“If Your Majesty is sorry, why not try it once this time …. Freeing the daughter born of the woman you love from her destiny.”

King Gaiel smiled faintly upon hearing this, feeling a little comforted to receive the words from the young man next to him who was still naive. Looking over at Odo, he with a slight sad smile said, “Means ... Do I need to try to end the history of this Kingdom? It's not funny at all, you should know.”

“Huh!” Odo looked away and looked annoyed, then in a harshly insinuating tone, “His Majesty's gaze was also too narrow. Why do people like you always make things difficult for yourself ..”

“You alone have too broad a view, Odo Luke.”

King Gaiel stared at the cloudy cloud that was slowly gathering in the sky, then as if he had just remembered something he put on a look of a lost face. Odo knew what the old man had just thought, feeling such responsibility might fall upon him if he did not take the right steps in the future.

“Talking about the point of view, I did not expect His Majesty to have a rather similar perspective to me about the nobles of the Luke Region.”

Hearing what Odo said, the King could not be complacent in his feelings and his face immediately looked serious again. So did Midir Martanka, he turned his head with a little anxiety The Only Son of the Luke Family had realized something.

“What do you mean, Odo Luke?” ask the King.

Odo turned his gaze, looking back at Dart and Mavis who were visited by Princess Arteria and Prince Ryan. They seemed to be talking about something, making the young man with black hair smile.

The smile that was on Odo's face slowly turned into a thin grin, then without hesitation convey, “Lain times, if you want to do a skit you should choose someone who can do it well. Do not invite people who can only follow the written script.”

Odo took one step down the steps of the terrace. Then while looking at the Archduke, he also with a pressing tone said, “Areally so, Mr Midir?”

Midir immediately paled, really showing that he had followed the charade as it was said. King Gaiel understood that his distant brother was not good at lying. But seeing Odo dismantle the charade easily, the King felt the young man did have a slightly distorted mindset.

“When did you realize it?”

“From start ...” Odo descended from the terrace, turned towards the King and stood facing him. While putting his index finger in the middle of the forehead, the young man with black hair said, “But, I can confirm it when Mr. Midir comes forward and refuses the title. Honestly it is very unnatural for him to do that.” Odo lowered his hand again, glancing at Midir to suppress the old man.

“I agree ...” King Gaiel did not quibble, feeling free to do so when Odo knew it now.

Midir slightly flinched as the King admitted it easily. Sighing a small breath and looking back at Odo, the old man reasoned, “You know how else, I'm not good at doing that kind of thing …. After all, I did not think His Majesty could miscalculate and there were nobles who immediately protested.”

Odo looked straight at King Gaiel, waiting for the Sovereign to say something after his little charade was revealed. In King Gaiel's actual plan, the old man wanted to trigger a rejection by the nobles using the awarding of the title of Viscount to Odo.

Since the beginning of the event, the King did not clearly tell if the title was the direction of power sourced from Rein. It made Luke's nobles panic and fear their wealth would be taken for the new nobles.

With a clear rejection, King Gaiel could easily generalize the nobles in the Kingdom of Felixia, among who were still completely loyal and only undermined the wealth of the country. Similar to Odo's intention to separate nobles who are hostile to him and who are not.

“You want to prepare Felixia for battle, right? It's not funny that you will be attacked from behind when the frontline conditions are not favorable,” said Odo to encourage the King to speak.

King Gaiel gave a faint grin as he said, “I am relieved that you quickly understood his point. That is true, not funny later when we fight on the front line suddenly there is a rebellion or something like that.”

“Yeah, it's creepy indeed. Like the Empire's current state. There's a civil war, uh it's got to be a feud with Moloia. Stripped from front and back.” Odo smiled faintly again, then pointed at the King and said, “Kira, if plus one more how is their fate? What is the thousand-year history of the Empire going to end?”

Odo asked this question with the intention of finding out King Gaiel's target later, whether only increasing the defenses or pounding other countries to get the front lines of the war away from the Capital.

The answer was enough for Odo, making him understand the flow of the war that Felixia will take later. Lowering his hands and stopping pointing, Odo momentarily fell silent and thought.

In a general strategy, securing zones and terrain is an important component after resources. Rather than using the area itself as a battlefield, it was more profitable to do so in enemy territory.

That way, Felixia's forces need not think about protecting civilians or environmental conditions. Destroyer magic in a wide range, draining resources, or even burning rice barns the enemy farmers can do freely.

The disadvantage of fighting in enemy territory is only a matter of geographical understanding, climate, and the possibility of war developing towards the guerrilla. But because the Empire's territory was not as foreign as it once was and now many soldiers and merchants were used to freely enter and exit, the possibility of adverse guerrilla attacks could be reduced. This is thanks to the Fourth Treaty of the Country which is still in force today.

“Honestly I'm a little surprised.” Odo slightly turned his gaze, then in a slightly haughty tone again asked, “While His Majesty should have already made the decision, but why did you even put me away from Luke? Isn't it that His Majesty should still put me in this Region to resolve and clear the internal conflicts before they arise?”

King Gaiel smiled broadly at that. As he went down the stairs, he began to laugh and said, “There may be me handing such a vital thing over to you. Even though Mr. Thomas calls you a genius at such things, I trust him more.”

The words also tell Odo about who will take care of the corrupt nobles in Luke County. When the King stepped next to Odo and held his shoulder, the young man with black hair could only put on a wry smile.

Odo slowly turned his head, then with a gaze both eyebrows raised said, “You are too rude to hire Uncle Thomas, I feel sorry for his family. He did not even have time to educate his son and daughter loh.”

“I cannot comment that you are carrying a family,” said King Gaiel as he lowered his hand from Odo's right shoulder. Facing towards him, the old man conveyed, “You know, Odo …. I also feel bad about relying too much. Unfortunately, he was the only one who was truly loyal and capable of performing such a task in the Kingdom of Felixia. At the very least, that's what I feel right now.”

Odo understood a little what the King felt. While together with Arca, for some time Odo also felt similar. The people from the Rein Family did have the same inclination, loyal to the leader and people they respected.

Putting a hand to the chin and slightly turning his face to the side, the young man in black hair muttered, “Yeah, that doesn't mean distance is a problem for me when I'm in Pien’ta City later.”

“Distance is not a problem?” king Gaiel asked after hearing the murmur.

Odo looked back at his interlocutor, putting on a thin smile as if he was deliberately muttering like that in front of him. Without answering King Gaiel's question, Odo smiled faintly and said, “Try Your Majesty guess what it means. Please just think of this little puzzle as a gift for me for successfully dismantling your charade.”

“Hmm, does it have anything to do with magic? Some kind of flying magic or something?”

“Entahlah .., Your Majesty will I tell you the answer if we meet again later.”

Odo turned his gaze in satisfaction, then walked towards his parents who were chatting with Princess Arteria and Prince Ryan. The king could only let out a small sigh, feeling a little played with. However, he did not feel bad or humiliated.

Following Odo and walking next to him, King Gaiel was relieved to say, “I thank you. I didn't think anyone could remind me of the passion of leading, it felt like going back to those days. Fight for glory and can fight with pride.”

“Hmm, thank goodness then.”

Although Odo understood what his King said, he could not feel one or even share empathy. In the eyes of the young man with black hair, the war that would hit the Michigan Mainland was just a detrimental joke. So silly and useless.

At first glance put a mimic Odo's face turned grim mixed with anger. It was hatred, then in Odo's mind said, “ Ignorance is indeed a terrible thing. They fought each other and spoke of honor and pride for not knowing the true meaning of terror. If the Goddess saw something like this, surely she would laugh out loud and instantly flatten everything.”

“Layaknya when he leveled all my hard work and dedication first,” muttered the young man in a very slow voice. But a few seconds later, Odo seemed at a glance dumbfounded and felt a little wonder why he could think like that.

Not thinking much more deeply, the young man continued his footsteps and walked up to his parents. He entered into a conversation, began to talk to them and also with Princess Arteria and Prince Ryan.

Farewell is a bit sad, some people who have met and been together for the last few days feel that way. However, they kept smiling and said goodbye to each other with smiles. I don't want to close time together with crying.

This is the beginning of a new responsibility that Odo carries, becoming a noble and having to behave like the upper class. Although it was not something he hoped for, but the title of nobility was what he needed.

Odo did hate such a thing, a hierarchy that was so clear and made a strict strata. But in his mind he tried to convince himself, that indeed it could not be separated from his life now.

Because he was born among the nobility.

Because he was born in a kingdom.

Because he lives in that society.

Where the earth is cast, the sky must be tipped.

If he wants to change an existing order, Odo feels he must follow it first. Understand, deepen, then when he feels he does not fit then must be changed gradually.

He wants to try with a different approach, not forcibly as he used to destroy what he does not need.

\====================

Note :

Finally arrived at the last CH of Arc 02!!

Next is the Epilogue, then of course it will continue with the Prologue!

In short, thank you for reading this story until the end of chapter Arc 02!

Please continue to support with your votes, shares and comments.

Btw, there are still many mysteries in this story? Like Odo's past and stuff.

I love the little leaks, Odo's past is actually explained in parts like a dream in the story of this series. Then, the greatest is in every prologue and epilogue.

Actually I want to make a special series on the Previous World and the reason why the Apocalypse can happen. But, yeah …. It feels less surprising later. So just discuss it in the main story bit by bit.

Let the reader imagine.

See You Next Time!!

For Arc 03 or Re/Start; If Phase II later, it is likely that Author will take the contract and be exclusive only in Noveltoon. So, please help with your votes and comments.

So that it can be accepted and smoothly on the air!

\=================

Keep supporting this story with your votes, comments, and shares.

But!

Promo is prohibited in this story!