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Maria von Hohenzollern 
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Royal Capital Lugnica
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[@liferusher]

It was unexpected. Surprisingly, but not unwantedly so, Tani had arrived nearing the Iron Bell with a request. 

[color=gold] “D-Don’t worry,” Maria said, waving her hands frantically at the other’s apology. “It was my own weakness that I had let good men die. As a Commander, I was sworn to protecting these men, but I had simply let them fall victim to the will of a madman. We were bested by two people, but there was no way they were normal. That sword … you touched it too. When I touched it, I felt the sins of the world upon my back. I would have gone insane if the world had not blessed me so with my “skills”. If anything I should be apologizing to you. You got hurt from me not being able to protect you.” [/color] 

Tani’s appearance seemed a bit more … rugged … to say the least. Though Maria would definitely call her friend to be pretty, her current state definitely needed a bit more to be desired. Of course, Maia was lucky to only escape with her health and life. Though touching that monster’s .... sword. 

No.

That “thing” is too evil to be a sword. Maria had touched the weapon, and felt a trillion curses before her, begging her to commit atrocities. Without the effect of her blessings, surely the Knightess would have been consumed by the sword’s will. But strong did Maria stay in the face of adversity. Though did she fall, it was not of her own volition to do so. If it were up to her, she would have kept onto the weapon at the cost to herself. 

She knew why Tani had fallen victim to it’s seductive embrace and could not fault the young lady for anything that had occurred that night. It had been her own weakness that had led to the death good men and women alike. It was her own fault he had been killed by the sword and its twisted Master. Or perhaps the sword was the “master” and the person was a twisted thrall? 

[color=gold] “And about that beast … I cannot say I recognize it. A foul Demon Beast from the looks of it. What are the guards doing about it? If it is harming the citizens and caravaneers of this land, I would wish to see this beast stopped at once.” [/color] 

It was then that Shiina asked Maria a simple question, but one that confused her a tad bit that she seemed almost in disbelief that someone would ask such a simple sentence. 

[color=gold] “You know not about magic? I suppose my knowledge is only limited. I do know some famous sorceress, but I have to say her personality isn’t the most … inviting. D-Don’t get me wrong, I love her to death. She is like an older sister to me, but I guess to some she is more of a demon than a woman. That being said, I think I can borrow some texts from the library if you wish to learn more, but I am not sure how much you can truly learn through books alone.” [/color]