43. Last Hope

Around that time, France:

The sun lost its shine since, the last few days. The roads muddy portraying the mindset of the populace after hearing the news. War was brewing among the major three nations. At least, before, it was in a stalemate, giving hope to people of a resolution, towards a future. But now, this cheery atmosphere deluding the people of good fortunes, in the future was building a noose, around Cherise's neck.

Once, a renowned hero of the nation. Recognized for his merit, Cherise was loved by the previous Emperor but alas the king was corrupt and so Cherise himself from the shadows, started to revolt against him. To overthrow his might and finally, he gained the crown on his head.

The crown on top of his head was nothing but the start of problems. An exorbitant amount of wealth stolen by not only by the royal family but their officers as well. He had to give hundreds of execution orders.

"Your majesty, please have mercy!!" They begged, licked his shoes but he showed no mercy in the end. With cold, ruthless eyes, he watched every single, corrupt nobility hung in front of him. Later it created a large void of competent individual and so he put in those he felt competent enough but years of outsourcing the kingdom revenue, cannot be fixed by mere execution and revamping the power structure.

So, he sent out pirate ships, they were criminals but if they benefit the nation then why not?

King Cherise was an idealist, thinking of his people's benefit. The nation of France was not at all strong and on top of that, he declared war on the small nation of Britain along with his two benefactors. The people cheering for the king's insight, drinking and feasting, unknown towards the dragon looming over their head.

But again, it was him that brought this situation over them and those families might have spread news towards the world, of the upcoming battle. So, that none could go back against their words.

House Margeret, feeble but strong. It's known to not seek the strength of the strong but listen on the plight of weak and so they grew their small kingdom just like king Arthur with Britain. Support from that house was practically impossible after the debacle in the banquet.

The house of Habsburg, a long-standing lineage believing their blood to be the strongest, made sure to only commit to incest. Still, house Habsburg was simply just a name with large capital however, it still had a small army making them redundant to this battle.

Now, there is house Hephaestus named after a greek goddess, located somewhere near Rome. They were his last hope. Out of all the houses, this is was the largest and boasted of the strongest army. In the past, the strength of this house, amounted to nothing but after the coming of age of their heir whose name regaled all around the north made them the black horse of this war.

Reynold Asteia Haphestus. Blond hair, green eyes and charming smile over his face. He was said to be incarnate of the child of Hera, Ares. His expression, bringing smiles over the most expressionless of women. A gifted tactician in the art of the battle, none who crossed him lived to tell the tale.

Now, in front of their prodigy, Cherise stood.

"You wish for me to aid you in this battle, Am I right, Your Highness?" Reynold spoke calmly while sipping tea in his room, which has more extravagance than most kings bed-chambers. Wearing a black coat with an undershirt inside and with matching black pants. Cherise wished to strangle him, inside he was still cowered for what king Arthur might do to his nation.

When he asked, Sherre, his close confidant and also a child blessed by God that if she could take down Arthur's pet dragon?

"Impossible...even god's miracle has its limits." She said in a voice which expressed complete belief in it.

"The moment that dragon opened its eyes it felt as if a revelation went over the world. The fate of the world itself started to converge around him...when I tried to look inside to see of any weakness with my blessing...nothing happened" that was shocking.

The moment she picked up her sword, god's blessing went all over her body. Her existence itself onwards became a symbol of god's hope towards the world.

The sword marking her divinity as well as proclaiming god's love towards them. Seeing it fail was shocking in itself.

"What do you mean, nothing?"

"By nothing? I mean absolutely nothing?!! Either that monster had no weakness or I was simply too weak to even see it but don't worry Cherise if your rule fails, I will go down with you" These words from her strongest warrior who is said to on par with King Arthur boasted no confidence in him.

Asking for help now would do no good but he had to try and so with a carriage, he came to his last beacon of hope. Alexandria was done for, it was now time to save himself.

Again, he watched Reynold thinking about what he would ask in return for his aid. Cherise was willing to give almost anything to get out of this situation.

"After seeing the grand spectacle-driven from Arthur and that dragon. Its sheer body that almost overshadowed the moon and the madness in his eyes only says to me one thing and one thing only. I see, no hope in your victory." Reynold spoke those words as it was a matter of fact.

"You will lose, if King Arthur is kind enough then he would not annex your nation except for that your head would still fall" Each and every brought in more and more fear inside of Cherise.

"...Isn't there anything I could do? Anything at all?!! You were said to be the greatest genius born of this house, can't you do anything?!!" Seeing the king rave as a madman got on his nerves but still, the king did not care, his people's lives were at stake.

"I am just a genius, not a miracle maker but still there is one thing that could save you and France, in its whole."

"What is it?" As if listening to the whispers of a devil, Cherise went onwards little by little swayed by honeyed words.

"Have you heard of the Holy Grail?"