Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 144: Arc 3, - 54: Hopes and Dreams
The purple skies turned darker till it was black or blue. Many stars had gathered overhead to spectate the incoming battle; perhaps a battle they have seen countless times before, much like a certain blonde.
The cold desert night blew a light breeze against the back of their necks as they kept warm by a light under a tent. Jotou sat next to Hotaru, and past her Fumeko.
Asobi had gone on to entertain the masses as she was one to do. Hotaru glanced at the blonde’s nails, about to say something. Though, her ears spiked to another figure approaching.
"Thundering Blade, we finally get a chance to talk again," Major Schroeder walked up to the tent the three resided in. A concerned look over his face.
Jotou peered to him, "What’s the matter?"
"A slight mistake on your intel; or possibly not. You did say that Trailon would change their tactics to win every time, so I assume this to be one of the changes.
You mentioned four hundred rogue troops, but upon another inspection, we can confirm that Lieutenant Frye has brought with him two hundred fifty-seven soldiers."
"Huh... So, it’s less?" Jotou knitted her brows.
"Apparently so from the messenger from Trailon."
"The messenger from Trailon?" Fumeko blinked next to Jotou.
"Well, yes, I thought you’d be aware," the major looked to the blonde.
’A messenger?’ "Uh, no, this is new information."
"Oh, my apologies then. Yesterday we got a messenger who arrived from the western invasion party. He came with a message from Trailon, stating that there is a rogue battalion that isn’t associated to them.
This is just wartime law. They would have to warn us about something like this; any attack that may arrive to townships and cities where there are innocent civilians.
This allows for civilians to be evacuated. They reported on the troops among them; nothing on weaponry or equipment, that’s what our scouts are for."
"Well, that makes sense why you would even know they’re here. If an evacuation is the proper procedure then why a travel ban instead? Or is this the doing of the corrupt minister?" Jotou sighed.
"Precisely. Also, this battalion is not attacking Hartamat yet, just posing a threat. If it does go further, then the minister will have no choice but to evacuate."
"If they continue feigning ignorance for this experiment, I can’t imagine it’s going to end up well for Trailon," Hotaru added.
"They’re betting on Frye winning and no one finding out," Fumeko glared to the rogue battalion in the distance.
"This does not really impede any of our strategies. We will execute the plans we discussed and when we give you the signal, you move. We’ll leave the matters of justice to the council."
"Understood." ’If a messenger from the western coast of Galuvit goes all the way to Hartamat every morning on the 19th, then people can move in and out of the radius of the time device... I’d still rather not risk it though.’
The major saluted, marching away to the right side of the base. "We need a handbook on all these wartime laws," Jotou sighed again.
Hotaru chuckled, "The issue is, these laws are made up, changed and abolished during the entire war itself. So it’s hard to keep up for someone not in that line of work."
"Hm, to think if you had still been a lawyer," Fumeko mocked, taking a seat next to her.
"I would still be dealing with fairly normal cases in court, not global politics," Hotaru rolled her eyes.
"Different outcomes from different decisions," Jotou shrugged, "Been dealing with them for a while now; this is the sixth time, so, twelve days have actually passed..."
"What happens when we win all of this and destroy that device? If it just turns off, does everything go back to normal? I wonder," Fumeko held a hand to her chin.
"Hopefully we’ll find out in the next couple of hours detective. We’re so close again," Jotou took a deep breath, "Maybe I should test if Asobi could do those different spells."
"I thought you said it was something spontaneous?" Hotaru’s ears bristled.
"I did. I still don’t know how it works, but it couldn’t hurt to try and bring it out of her at some point. What do you think based on the descriptions I gave? Illusions that burned through people?"
"Affinity-wise? Her affinity’s still aligned with light..." Hotaru pondered.
"Moren did say elves are more potent and..." Fumeko squinted to the ground, "that Asobi definitely has something more than an illusion affinity..."
Jotou glanced to her, "That’s more new information this time loop..."
"I was alone with him while he threatened me with fire, so sorry if I can’t recall everything!"
"That could be the answer," Hotaru mused, "Though, I’d have to see it myself to judge. It could be manipulation, summoning, manifestation or even offensive; probably a slight affinity considering the fact she casts illusions much easier."
"Wait a minute, her blinding light spell hurts people’s eyes; I should know, I’ve been a victim of it," Fumeko rubbed her eyes instinctively.
"Whatever it is, unless she’s had practice to cast it, it would most likely show up in dire need. So, maybe once this is all over, we can help train her on it; try focusing on the emotion she relies on too," Hotaru suggested.
"Hm," Jotou nodded. "Speaking of which, I should probably go get her. We’re gonna attack earlier, best if we all stick together."
"And I’m going to grab some food; want some wolfy?"
"Sure, just bring it back here."
Fumeko blinked away. Jotou turned around. "Hey," Hotaru halted the blonde’s steps, causing her to turn back.
"What?"
"Get back quickly; we have something to do you know," Hotaru smirked.
Jotou knitted her brows, "And, what’s that?"
"About your nails of course. Were you thinking of something else?" a little fanged grin.
"Uh, no, I... I’m gonna go get Asobi," Jotou walked off blushing.
_
’She’s messing with me so much! The only thing she has over me is that ’working theory’... I could retaliate so much better if not for that.
Just confront her about it already.
Or, you could just keep your distance and do nothing.
Till it all comes crashing down and we don’t know what to think anymore. That’s her whole strategy. You need to be confident, grab her by the back of the head and just-
But what if you’re wrong and it all just becomes awkward?
But what if you’re not?
Why am I against myself...?’ Jotou sighed internally. "Shut up voices in my head," Jotou walked faster, finally getting a glimpse of the magician and her illusions.
The small group of soldiers watched dozens of multicoloured rabbits jump out of her hat which she had tipped down. They disappeared into puffs of glitter as Asobi took a little bow.
The soldiers gave little claps amused by her show. "Asobi," Jotou called over from behind her.
Asobi twisted her head, "Jotou!" She placed the hat back on her head and bade her audience goodbye and good luck. She skipped up to the blonde, her raven black locks fluttering behind her.
Jotou scanned her over, the attire she wore—her actual magician’s attire including her hat to stave off the cold desert night.
"Do you need something? Perhaps, a show!?" Asobi wagged her wand, butterflies popping out by the dozen. A small bouquet of flowers appeared at the tip, "For you," she brought the wand to Jotou.
The flowers were a mix of thundering blitzes, ranging from yellows to blacks and to whites. Jotou gave a soft smile, miming picking it up by the end of her wand.
To Jotou’s surprise, the stems followed her hands and Jotou held together an illusory bouquet. It was illusory, but nevertheless pretty, "Thanks."
As Jotou moved it, the illusion followed; Asobi kept her eyes on Jotou’s hand. Jotou pursed her lips, eyeing Asobi before throwing the illusory flowers into the elf’s face.
The bouquet flew to Asobi’s face and burst into petals that fluttered down as Asobi put her tongue out and closed her eyes as if hit by the bouquet.
Jotou chuckled, causing Asobi to break the act and giggle along. "Maybe a little too much acting?"
"Silly Jotou, there can never be too much acting!"
"There can be too much of anything; though, more Asobi-s in the world couldn’t hurt," Jotou looked up to the stars.
"More of me? That would be amazing! We could be our own troupe!"
"An army of Asobi-s... I’m not sure if that’s terrifying or adorable."
"Army? I mean a circus troupe silly!"
"Oh," a restrained smile glanced back to the elf, "That makes more sense. Anyway, I just came to get you. We should be attacking soon, better be together."
"Yup! Yup!" Asobi then looked up to where Jotou looked to, "The stars are really pretty tonight."
Jotou once again stared up, "They are. The full Moon’s been waning. Today’s actually August 31st and we’re going into the first of September."
"Woah, Jotou you can read the Moon!?" Asobi gazed back down.
Jotou chuckled back and peered to her, "I used to keep track of lunar phases; not anymore though. I just checked the Moon last time and now it has less.
And it’s been twelve days since we got here in Hartamat, going to be thirteen. It only further proves that the time resets have a radius."
"Why did you used to keep track of the moonlight?" Asobi tilted her head.
"I was just enthralled by the stars and space. Gave me good ideas to draw too.
It used to be my dream to one day become an astronaut or an astronomer; someone who travels through space or gets to study the beautiful void. Reality hit me like a truck and made me realize how ridiculous it was.
And that hopes and dreams alone can’t carry you all the way. You need to put in the effort or nothing matters. And I didn’t like doing so much math," Jotou shrugged.
"Aww, we can still try travelling through space! All we need is a REALLY big canon, we cover you in full armour and BOOM!"
"I’d be dead..." Jotou giggled, "It’s fine; I’m perfectly happy to just enjoy the stars from here. Besides, when I’m with you in this world, everything already seems like a dream.
My hopes and dreams are now here, with all of you. And I’m more than willing to put in the effort. I have things to do and see after all."
Asobi’s jade eyes glimmered like the stars above, gawking at the blonde, "That’s so spectacular Jotou!"
"Hm; maybe," Jotou bobbed her head. "You know, I never asked. I know Hotaru’s and I know Fumeko’s, but... What are your aspirations Sobi? You know, like a goal, a purpose."
"Me?" Asobi poked a wand under her chin, "I just want to make people happy. It makes me really, really happy when other people are. And when I do my tricks people love them and cheer.
I can play with children and bring joy to anyone. I love making a show and entertaining people, seeing the little sparkle in their eyes when they see magic; like Fumeko!
Their attention makes me want to do more and bring them comfort and delight. When I beat up all the bad guys, I just think of all the people cheering, everyone’s who’s safe because of us—and happy.
And I’m always making myself happy with my tricks, so anybody can enjoy them! Nobody should be sad and everyone needs a friend.
Hm... I guess that’s my goal Jotou; that’s what I wanna do for the rest of my life. And if I can do that with the bestest of the bestest friends while we explore the beautiful world, I’d just be even happier!"
Jotou gazed at the elf, blinking before she smiled. "That’s, quite the goal to have... Not everything can just be happy, but I’ll be happy to be by your side throughout it Asobi," she giggled with all her teeth.
Asobi pouted slightly, "I know there are sad moments... Maybe I shouldn’t ignore them like you said. Maybe I’ll get used to being sad, angry and feel pain. As long as you can teach me how to confront them Jotou!"
"Of course I will. Hotaru might too. I can’t speak for Meko..."
Asobi tittered, Jotou following her lead to laugh alongside. Their laughter filled the air- "BOOM!"
The two shuddered, looking to where Jotou had come from. A dissipating orange blaze, alongside sand and grey smoke as a small shockwave breeze past them...
