130 Heroes (1/2)

Li narrowed his eyes as he watched Meld step to the front of the square. Sylvie was standing next to him with bated breath. She had come down from the barrels to rush to Jeanne when the hero had changed the speech, but Li had convinced Sylvie to stop. Sylvie would have never made it to the square in time anyway.

But what made Li wary was this new hero. He had only caught glimpses of her when the duchess had come to Riviera beforehand, so he had no clear idea of what she was like. She, however, manifested seemingly out of nowhere on the stage, escaping even Li's attention.

Granted, Li had not cranked up his senses as he did not think himself in a combat related situation, but even so, it was truly odd how Meld had simply just appeared like that. Sylvie had mentioned before that Meld could easily sneak up on her despite Sylvie herself being an accomplished assassin, so Li figured that Meld had a superpower related to stealth.

”Good Rivierans!” called out Meld.

In contrast to her rather sinister appearance, Meld's voice was surprisingly normal. Powerful and projective, much like Jeanne's, though a fair bit deeper. It was not the voice of someone that lurked in the shadows as her appearance would suggest.

”I am here to tell you to trust in Jeanne, the shining new sun of Riviera, for her words ring true, as true as the golden blood of heroes that flows within her.” Meld clapped her hands with superhuman force, ringing out a peal that echoed throughout the square.

A thunderbolt flashed from behind the square, landing in a secluded alleyway out of everyone's vision. From there, a man arose, his chiseled and musclebound figure soaring high into the air. A white bodysuit clung to his figure tightly, and golden thunderbolt designs were etched into the arms and legs. A cape of crackling electricity flowed from his back.

The flying hero came over to the square, landing beside Meld. His appearance drew forth more cheers and applause from the crowd.

Li could pick out some threads of conversation from the crowd.

”Oy, ain't that Thunderstrike?”

”Hells, you're right. What I'd give to have him sign me sword. Not every day you get to witness a dragonslayer in the flesh.”

”Seems pretty famous. Who is that?” said Li to Sylvie.

”Thunderstrike, a famed member of the Ascendant Order. One of the Ten Rays, the absolute elite of the order.” Sylvie cocked her head, confused. ”But why are two of the ten rays here? In this peaceful city? Most of them should be up north, near the border, or down in Duvin where beasts and faeries of the Wonderjungles still pose a threat to human settlement.”

”Guess we'll find out.” Li took a look at Thunderstrike, getting a general impression of him.

In contrast to Sunstar, Thunderstrike did not smile. Instead, he kept on a cool and composed expression. He crossed his arms, and in general, his posture seemed steely. There was a thunderbolt shaped scar that ran down the side of his face, and perhaps it was because of his serious expression, but he seemed rather old, nearing his late thirties.

”Thunderstrike and I have laid low in Riviera ever since the duchess graced her presence here,” said Meld. ”And it is because of what Jeanne has said. We were investigating hints of a foul trade, of slavery that the good duchess has made clear to ban.

But so far, such villainy has escaped our sharp sights, and we could not find a true culprit. But now, Jeanne, with the guidance of the Light and the might of heroes inherent within her, has found that which had eluded us so.”

Meld smiled and cast her hand out, addressing all the people. ”So, dear people of Riviera, let your belief in the duchess's justice burn, but do not fear. We shall tackle this villainy immediately. We shall face crime so that you, the good people, may rest.

Go to your homes, your hearths, your trades, and rest well knowing that we shall keep this city clean and safe.”

Li watched as the crowd cheered before beginning to disperse, happy and confident now that they knew the heroes and the duchess had sanctioned all of this. He knew the purpose of Meld's speech: it was to suppress the crowd from turning into a mob.

In fact, Meld had worded herself to maximally disperse the crowd, snuffing out any fire of action that Jeanne had stoked in them.

Li tapped Sylvie's shoulder. ”Let's go. I need to know what these heroes' intentions are.”

Sylvie nodded. ”And I do not wish to leave Jeanne alone with them. Let us hurry.”

Li and Sylvie saw them behind the square.

Initially, the crowd had tried to crowd around Thunderstrike, but he had told them sternly that he was on official business, and his words carried a certain weight to them that made the crowd fall back rather quickly.

As the crowd filed out, Li exerted some pressure, making sure that as he went forwards and the townspeople went back, that they subconsciously avoided him and did not block his way.

At the back of the square, standing in front of stone building of the Actor's guild, the very place that Li had almost had a scuffle with Sunstar with, were Jeanne, Meld, and Thunderstrike. Azhar had the two beastwomen behind him, wary as they were of the presence of heroes.

Aside from them, though, they were alone, and Li could not sense any other presences nearby.

When Jeanne saw Sylvie, she ran past the two heroes and gave her a hug.

”Oh, Sylv, I'm so sorry,” said Jeanne with a sigh.

Sylvie leaned into the hug and patted Jeanne's back. ”It's fine, Jeanne. You did well. I didn't think of what those words would mean to you. That they would make you be someone you weren't. If anyone has to apologize, it's me.”