"Before we begin, let me thank all of you for coming," Remarked Jules, as she looked around.
"Don't mention it, this isn't something we can ignore, after all. Considering the current situation, we definitely need to address this as quickly as possible," Responded Aster with a grimace, as he leaned back in his seat.
It was the 22nd of March, 1919, a couple of days after the attacks by the hooded figures. Following the reports from the outposts, Jules sent requests to those locations to each send one Knight from among those who had been attacked, for an important meeting to discuss the matter.
In response, Aster, Colt and Ravella had come to the Capital, Rione and Fyre were also in attendance, so that the First and Second Squads could be made aware of what was going on.
"They were really weak though, so maybe they're not much of a threat," Pointed out Colt with a shrug.
"We can't just assume that, that'd be way too careless," Responded Ravella objectively, while thinking to herself, "This sucks, I finally get to see Aster after what feels like ages, but the mood is so grim and serious that I don't think I can make a move or even engage in any small talk."
"Yes, I agree wholeheartedly, we cannot afford to be complacent. Now, then, to start with...I really wish we'd managed to capture more than just one of the attackers, but that said, I can't blame any of you for failing to do so. After all, I myself failed to capture any of those who attacked me, I killed one and was unable to prevent the other two from escaping. Not to mention, with how sudden and unexpected these attacks were, survival would have been the prime focus in our minds. With all that said, I must commend you, Ravella, for apprehending the one who attacked you," Remarked Jules with a nod of approval.
"Cool, thanks, sis," Grinned Ravella as she flashed Jules a thumbs up.
"Er, please call me Commander while on duty, Ravella. Also, I thought you and your brother rejected the offer to have you publicly declared and acknowledged as part of the Royal family?" Responded Jules in bemusement.
"Well, yeah, but that's different...we just didn't want to be associated with the former King, plus we didn't want any of the attention it would draw to us," She replied with a shrug.
"To get back on track, have we managed to get any information from the captive?" Chimed in Rione.
"Unfortunately, no, not yet. He's been quite tight-lipped, we even put an Enslavement Collar on him to try and force him to obey us, but he's resisted it, choosing the bear the pain it inflicts upon disobedience," Jules shook her head with a sigh.
"I see. Sounds like he's quite dedicated to his cause...still, this does make it likely that we're dealing with a large, organized group. If this was just a random one-off attack, he wouldn't have any real reason to refuse to speak," Surmised Rione thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I think it's pretty clear that the Nobles who were opposed to the new Queen's policies and changes have banded together, and they're likely plotting to overthrow her in an attempt to restore Persona to the way it used to be," Remarked Aster with a grimace.
"Another thing, we found Teleport Spells on the individuals who were killed, as well as the one we captured, but unfortunately, we can't use them," Sighed Jules.
"Right, Tacitus analyzed those Spells, and they can each only be used by a single, specific individual...whoever made the Spells tailored them to detect the Mana signature of the person activating them, and the Spells will only activate if the specified Mana signature is detected," Added Aster.
"Seems this group has a talented Spell formulator in their ranks, that could pose a problem for us," Said Rione warily.
"What about the Royals? Do you know if any members of the Royal family have gone missing recently?" Inquired Colt curiously.
"Yes, I was planning to bring that up...there are a few who've disappeared, and all of them were individuals who supported and agreed with the former King's way of doing things, so I'd say it's likely that they've joined this group of rebels," Answered Jules with a frown.
"We also need to consider the possibility that there are members among the Nobility and Royalty serving as spies for this group while pretending to be on our side," Chimed in Ravella cautiously.
"That's a good point, I didn't even consider that. But yes, now that I think about it, that's a strong possibility," Nodded Rione grimly.
"We've also received reports from a few other Nobles that they've been approached and attempted to be persuaded to betray the Kingdom by figures who were hiding their identities. And based on our investigations with the Inquisition Squad, it seems likely that this rebel group includes the former Countess Vivian Aldi and former Duke Gogol Chrome in their ranks. Both of them are noncombatants and no real threat in battle, but their influence among the Nobility runs vast. If they're involved, it would explain why so many Nobles have disappeared and likely joined this group," Remarked Jules, clenching her fists slightly.
"There's one thing I don't get though...why'd they only target us Irregulars and you? Well, they did also attack Nile Voner, but it's likely that targeting him was more a detour, their real targets were probably Aster and Tacitus. Back to my point, why target us instead of going straight for the Queen? If their goal really is to overthrow her rule, then wasn't this their best chance to eliminate her? Because now that they've failed, we're only going to bolster security, making it that much harder for them to get to her," Pointed out Colt.
"Yes, I've been wondering about that as well...the most likely explanation is that they wanted to get rid of the biggest threats to their goal first. If they had succeeded in assassinating us, they would have had a much easier time of things thereafter," Replied Jules uncertainly.
"Well, if they were powerful enough to kill us that easily, then we'd be in a losing battle, anyway," Said Aster with a wry smile.
"Considering how weak the ones who attacked us were, I think there's a possibility that they were just disposable pawns. It wouldn't have been difficult to trick them into throwing their lives away like they did...they're so blinded by pride and arrogant, they could never bring themselves to accept the fact that they could be killed by Commoners, I can't think of any other reason for their baseless confidence in attacking us," Reasoned Ravella thoughtfully.
"Right, in which case, their real goal in this attack was freeing their allies from the Capital's prison...in other words, the attacks on The Irregulars and the Commander were just a distraction. And they wouldn't have wanted to risk any of their more competent fighters as decoys, so they utilized their members who wouldn't be of any use in battle," Nodded Rione in response.
"Er, you shouldn't refer to them as The Irregulars anymore, Captain Rione, that term was used to ostracize them, after all," Replied Jules sternly.
"Oh, don't worry about that...we still call ourselves The Irregulars, so we have absolutely no problem with being referred to as such. Back to the topic, like Ravella said, it wouldn't be difficult to convince those idiots that they actually stood a chance against us...I bet the fact that Commoners like us hold all the top ranked spots in the squad that was once under the control of these very Nobles really made their blood boil," Aster pointed out.
"You have a lot of experience living in hiding...I don't suppose you have any insight into where they might be hiding, do you?" Jules asked him hopefully.
"Hm, let me think...well, there are a lot of places that could work as a good hiding spot, but that said, I seriously doubt that people who are used to living in lavish, extravagant luxury would be able to handle hiding out in a cave or something for an extended period of time. Of course, there may be some among them who are determined and driven enough to put up with it, but I highly doubt that every single one of them would be okay with that. Still, you never know, if whoever's leading them is inspirational enough, they might put up with it. All that said, it's hard to narrow down the possible areas they're hiding out in with no real leads to go off of."
"Yes, I suppose we're just too lacking in information right now," Sighed Jules, slumping slightly in her seat, before adding as she glanced at Fyre, "What about you, Captain Fyre, do have any insights to share?"
"Hm? What? Sorry, what were we talking about?" He responded with a slightly startled look on his face, having been spacing out this whole time.
"...never mind."
"Oh, okay."
"Uh...what's with him?" Inquired Colt in bemusement.
"This is what he's usually like...thanks to his grudge against your group, your sister in particular, we haven't seen this side of him in a while. But it seems he's gotten over it now, and has gone back to the way he usually is, unfortunately. I mean, just look, he isn't paying the slightest attention, he's off in his own world," Replied Jules with an exasperated look on his face, as Fyre rocked his chair back and forth while absent-mindedly staring up at the ceiling.
"Heh, maybe we should kill another of his squad members to get him focused up for a while again," Smirked Colt in response.
"Please don't joke about things like that," Sighed Jules wearily.
"Don't fall for it, sis, berating him will only play right into his hands, that's exactly what he wants," Remarked Rione with a shake of his head.
"Come on, man, don't ruin my fun..."
"Anyway...as for what we should do next, for now, I'll be issuing a command to the Knight Order to be more vigilant. Always work in groups, at least in pairs for those ranked at First-Class or above, and at least groups of three for those of lower ranks. Meanwhile, I'll send a request to the church, to have the Inquisitors search for this new enemy. Wherever they're hiding, we'll find them...no, we have to find them."
Meanwhile, in an unknown location...
"How could this have happened? How could our comrades have lost to those lowly Commoners!?"
"They must have used some cheap tricks, there's no other explanation."
"Yes, that must be it! Those lowborn scum could never beat those of our standing in a fair fight!"
"Ugh, these blind idiots...are they really so incapable of thinking logically? How the hell has our nation survived this long? Still, I need their support, so I'll just have to play along," The leader of the group thought to himself, before stepping forward and addressing the others, "Calm yourselves, my loyal followers. While we have suffered a great loss with the demise of eight of our dear comrades, their sacrifices were not in vain...we were able to liberate many of our brethren who were unjustly imprisoned, and once our preparations are complete, those damned Commoners will be made to pay for what they've done."
"Yes, of course, Lord Reiss!"
"Our fallen comrades will be regarded as heroes once we've restored our great nation to its former glory!"
"Indeed...it's clear that my nieces and nephews have lost their minds, their actions have sullied the name of my older brother, our tragically departed King Ares Diamond. It truly breaks my heart...that Lyra, she was such a sweet, intelligent girl. I never imagined she would lose her mind in this manner, her actions upon assuming the throne as the new Queen have been nothing short of deplorable," Stated the leader, the younger brother of the former King, Reiss Diamond.
He was in his mid-fifties, with medium-length golden blonde hair neatly slicked back, dark blue eyes, a short mustache, a fair complexion, and he was on the taller side, with an average build.
"I bet I know what happened...one of those damned Irregulars must have a form of Magic that robs people of their sanity! That's the only explanation!"
"Yes, of course! That must be what it is!"
"Huh...well, that's quite the convenient conclusion for them to arrive at. I'll roll with it," Reiss thought to himself, before speaking, "Actually, I've been considering that very possibility, it's the only logical explanation I could come up with. I mean, how else would she have changed so drastically? Unfortunately, we've been left with no choice...we must relieve her of the throne! And although it is a heavy burden to bear, I shall assume the responsibility of sitting upon the throne myself...and then, I shall dedicate the entirety of my being to restoring our Kingdom to its former glory! I shall undo all the disgraceful changes she's made and fix this nation, I swear this on my life. And I hope to rely on all of your support to achieve that...for we are Exalt, and we have assumed the glorious task of liberating our great Kingdom of Persona!"