The next morning Lucilla, Judieth, Yuki, and Maisy went to check the teleportation circle hidden in the ground. It was located in a spot that they predicted would see the least amount of combat. A place to lead the Hero and make him less cautious because he no longer has to worry about hurting those around him.
"So, this'll activate with a smash of this shard, right?" Lucilla said holding up a clear blue tetrahedron shaped crystal.
"That's right, the spell shouldn't activate otherwise" Answered Judieth.
"We couldn't do this with the one in the Corrupt Lands?"
"No, I mean you could've tried, but you would need someone like Maisy with you or a specialized device."
"I see."
Once they made sure everything was fine, they made their way back to the rest of their militarized force. Yuki continues to hang off Lucilla's arm, upset that she couldn't sleep in the same tent as her sister. She was starting to resent Anastasia a little for takin gup Lucilla's free time. As if sensing her shift in mood Lucilla placed a hand on the young-looking girl's head.
"Come, let's hangout today." Lucilla said looking at her sister. "We haven't spent any time together in a few days."
"Yes, lets!" Yuki shouted with joy as she hummed a merry tune.
Lucilla just smiled at her sister antics as she was half dragged by Yuki.
-- -- --
"You have to draw four~" Yuki said triumphant.
Back at the camp, Lucilla, Yuki, Sara, and Judieth played a card game. Yuki was currently winning while Judieth was losing. Sara and Lucilla watched as the distraught Doctor grabbed another four cards from the stack as Yuki rubbed it in her face. The red-haired woman was surprisingly bad at games, and Yuki enjoyed every second of it.
Lucilla didn't know if it was just luck or if Judieth just forgot how to strategize when playing, but whatever the reason she has yet to win. This was the fifth round they were playing, and Judieth looked miserable to the point even Lucilla felt a little bad. Once this game finished, they'll do something else.
"Lucy about you and the spider." Yuki started suddenly. "What's going on there?"
"Anna? Nothing much, we get along well enough." Lucilla answered passively.
"You like her."
"...."
Not expecting Yuki to say such a thing Lucilla froze. "I, wha?
"You like her, don't you?" Yuki repeated.
"I uh, why would you say that?" Lucilla asked flustered and confused. "We get along, but what makes you think I like her?"
"... Are you not aware?" Yuki asked tilting her head to the side.
"Aware of what? I'm confused."
Yuki looked at Lucilla, studying her expression as if to catch her in a lie. Her sister did appear fluster, even if the only thing different was she wasn't glaring anymore and there was a slightly pink tinge coloring her cheek. Yet she also doesn't seem to be lying.
"Sigh, never mind then." Yuki said feeling defeated.
"... Okay?"
They continued with their game as if nothing happened, except Lucilla's thoughts were completely occupied now. Did she like Anna? She wasn't sure. As she contemplated Yuki's words the game ended before she realized. She had lost. She looked over at Judieth who appeared to be relived beyond measure.
"I didn't lose completely this time!" She yelled.
Looking down at her hand, Lucilla realized she was the only one with cards left. A sizable stack too.
"Should we play a different game?" She suggested.
______________________
"There's movement in the horizon!" A human male scout yelled bursting into the main tent where Lucilla, Anastasia and the rest of the officials were strategizing, going over the plan one last time.
"Gather your troops and get into position." Lucilla ordered the others without hesitation. "I'll lead from the front to draw out the Hero."
Stepping out of the tent, followed by, Christina, Eleanore, Lidia, Azalea, and Judieth, the five generals for their army. They quickly split apart heading in different directions, except for Christina and Lucilla. Christina was standing in the light of the rising sun, having drank Lucilla's blood the day before. The Vampire and her team were there to help relay information to all fronts of the battlefield. For now, she would stick with Lucilla, being one of the few individuals that could handle standing near her and the Hero in the fight.
Lucilla and Christina arrived at the very forefront; they cast their gaze to the large mass slowly approaching them. The flag of the Theocracy flying high, its symbol, an eight-pointed white star inside a golden ring. The early morning sun making them just visible enough to tell they're only a few hours away.
"Do you see the Hero?" Asked the Vampire.
"No, not yet." Answered Lucilla squinter he eyes.
They watched the approaching army march towards their location for a while, after a couple of hours Lucilla saw him. Straddled across a white horse surrounded by four paladins of the church. His Golden armor reflecting the rays of the morning sun, dark blue cape billowing in the wind behind him. Lucilla could tell he saw her too.
"I see him now; he's right in the center surrounded by paladins." She said, her eyes narrowing. "Is Azalea and the others ready? They're going have to keep the paladins occupied as I deal with the Hero."
"They finished preparations an hour ago. We should be good to go whenever you're ready."
Lucilla nodded in understanding. Azalea and everyone from the Enchanted Forest needed to keep the paladins off her so she could focus on the Hero, they also needed to help lead him towards their trap. She wouldn't be here for most of battle either and she hoped everyone would be okay without her. They also did have two young Dragons with them, so she figured there wouldn't be too many problems.
Eventually the army of the Theocracy was standing just before them. Several meters away their opposition stood, ready to invade at a moment's notice. Further away far behind the back lines they could see them setting their command center. Evidently, they weren't expecting to finish anytime soon, they were prepared for a drawn-out fight.
Lucilla however didn't pay attention to any of them. Stepping away from her front lines, she stood by her lonesome, eyes on the Hero. Jason seeing her, dismounted his white stallion and walked out from his own forces to stand opposite of Lucilla. He eyed her suspiciously.
Something about her felt different, and he wasn't sure why. She looked the same, with a small update to her outfit, with her now wearing a button-down shirt and a ribbon tie around her neck. She still wore a long black coat that reach down to her caves, with black boots. She did wield a scythe now for some reason, the size of the modified farm tool being larger than the woman herself.
Grabbing the hilt of his sword, he slowly unsheathed the royal blue blade with a silver edge. Lucilla watched him carefully, her hand tightening around the metal handle of the twins. Breathing in she let Chi run through her entire body all at once. She needed to be at top form when fighting the Hero. No holding back. Not fully anyway, she still needed to pace herself until they can lure him into their trap.
Without warning the Hero was already on Lucilla his sword already swinging down. Almost no one excluding a select few from both sides witnessed his action. The only thing that was truly visible was Lucilla taking the Hero's attack head on, using the pole part of her scythe to stop his sword. Shortly thereafter a loud boom resounded through the empty field, along with a cloud of dust.
Jason looked at Lucilla with wide eyes, before they narrowed in scrutiny. The Pope's suspicions were right. Lucilla herself felt the corner of her mouth turn upwards, turning into a half smirk half smile, making her look wild.
"Chaaaarge!" Someone yelled from the Hero's side.
"Hold your line!" Lucilla yelled back towards her forces before pushing the Hero back to create some distance. "You and I however are going to have out fun elsewhere."