Stawford Village
Claudia stood near the entrance of the gate with dozens of Dawn Templars and Iris Knights in tow. The female knights are busy gathering supplies and readying their horses in preparations for the meeting with the other kingdoms. Jack's victory over the Savage Dracon piqued the interest of others and they wanted to see the Monster Shifter firsthand.
Of course, the other kingdoms would squabble over who can get their hands first and it was only by Celestine's suggest for a coalition in an expedition to eliminate the remaining monsters would the arguments quell. She also made the notion to meet in Stawford Village where Jack usually stops by to show him that they were not seeking to exploit him or collar him for his powers.
Claudia was reading the latest reports given to her. She couldn't help but be impressed by what Jack had accomplished. Looking around she saw how much the village had changed. Back when the noble in charge, he was not doing his job properly and spending his wealth over possession over the defense of the village, making it vulnerable to raids and the guards station there were under his hand, thus only leaving a few knights and several adventurers to protect it.
Now? It had transformed something like a city comparable to the kingdoms but still maintaining their status as a village. In addition it now houses over a hundred adventurers and even had a guild established dubbed "Monster Hunters" with the flag being Jack's MonTrix symbol surrounded by a red and black wyvern (Rathalos), apparently named to honor Jack as many of them have been saved by the Monster Shifter be it from monsters or even their own allied trusted (Oddly though, 80% of them are female but Claudia guessed they were fangirls).
Which, of course, made it bittersweet for the Seven Shield Alliance that an outsider was doing far more help to the denizens than the very people who swore to protect them. Many wondered if Jack's interference was a sign that Alliance was no longer able to do its job of being able to protect the people especially since they're more reliant on recruiting mercenaries like the Black Dogs who abused their powers to get what they want.
Last week there was a mass protest in Ansur and Feoh about this and the nobles were about to sic their hired guards and mercenaries to silence them. Surprisingly yet thankfully, Jack personally came and resolved the conflict before it escalated, though he warned the arrogant nobles should they try to use force on the people, he would not hesitate to use Gaismagorm on them. The thought of the very transformation that overpowered the Savage Dracon turning on them was enough to make them silent. While a bit excessive, Claudia felt it was appropriate.
That brings the next issue with the dark elves. While most people would view them as evil, especially since they were the same species as Olga who started the war, Claudia and a few others did not. In fact, just an hour ago, Claudia and Maia had witnessed a dark elf mother and her child being harassed by several men, tearing their clothes off saying it was retribution for the their dead loved ones. But once again, Jack intervened on their behalf. This time though, he was not subtle and transformed into Tigrex to intimidate them into backing off.
The men demanded why Jack would protect the dark elves since they were associated with Olga. Jack, albeit aggressive given he was Tigrex at the time, answered that he doesn't not hold the other dark elves in the same position as Olga. If anything, Jack believes that it was that kind of prejudice was what led to Olga starting the war if the dark elves are being treated as second class and turned into slaves. Jack was even starting to doubt if he was fighting for the correct side if this harassment was going to escalate to the point of no return and that if he made the mistake of not choosing Olga's side.
Knowing this would cause further tensions and damage the stability of the Alliance, Claudia stepped in to arrest the men and formally apologized to the mother and daughter, promising that they would make sure that none of the dark elves in Stawford would go through this again.
"Miss Claudia." Claudia broke out of her thoughts when a Dawn Templar appeared in front of her and saluted. "We've just received word that Princess Farasha Awar Crusch, Princess Iris Arcadia and Princess Janne Grenoble have met up with our scouts and will be escorting them here."
"Good. Make preparations for their arrival. Once they're here and well rested, we'll start the expedition." Claudia ordered as she saluted again and headed off. She sighed and simply watched them prepared for the alliance meeting. Of course, not every person in Stawford is happy with them. Claudia could see some people throwing glares at the Dawn Templars and Iris Knights and murmuring amongst each other, some even believe that the only reason the Seven Shields wanted this alliance was because they didn't want to admit that Jack Andros was doing a better job than they are and merely using him as propaganda.
She sighed at this but could do nothing to stop the rumors unless she makes a bad situation even worse. The sounds of children laughing caught her attention and she glanced at the side to see the children playing around with a massive fox monster with gray fish-like scales and purple fur covering the chest, underbelly, legs and tail with fin-like appendages that are pink with yellow markings on its face, back and tail.
Claudia would've been alarmed and rushed in, had she not seen the familiar black and blue hourglass symbol located on the right thigh and relaxed as she figured who it was.
"Try not to slip and fall kids, this form is slippery with all the bubbles." Mizutsune, the Bubble Fox Wyvern, said as he slides around in a circle with several children riding on his back laughing as they cling to his fur. Meanwhile the other kids are in the middle having fun as they too slide around on their backs or stomachs from the soaps and bubbles Mizutsune had created. There are a few close calls, but thankfully the Leviathan would catch them every now and then.
Eventually their parents had to call them back for lunch, much to their disappointment as they whined about wanting to play with the Monster Shifter a bit more. However, Mizutsune promised to play with them again when he returns which brightens their face before reuniting with their parents and waving goodbye to him.
As he turns, he sees Claudia looking at him and tilts his head. "Oh, sorry. I got hold up with the children wanting to touch my fur in this form and try to slide in the bubbles. Do you need something Ms. Claudia?"
"Oh nothing, Jack. I was just admiring how gentle you were with the kids despite how many they are." Claudia admitted as Mizutsune slides next to her.
"Eh, it's not my first rodeo." The Leviathan shrugs his shoulders. "I usually had to babysit my younger sister when my mom is out hunting." His face fell at the mention of his family, but didn't show it to Claudia. "And to be frank, to say she was a troublemaker is putting it lightly. I took my eyes off her for one minute to to fetch some groceries next door she nearly burned the house down. It was only because we lived in a snowy village that the fire did not spread."
The normally stoic Shield Princess let out a smile as the mental picture of that. Though the smile was quickly wiped off when she recalls her own family's dynamics, specifically her father-in-law Grave's harsh treatment of his son and her husband Klaus who could not make her pregnant no matter how many times they've tried. And that seems to be pushing Grave to his limits as he wanted an heir.
Mizutsune saw Claudia's face and grimaced, knowing it must've made her recall something unpleasant. The two stood there in awkward silence before Claudia broke it with a cough. "So uhm, Jack, I notice that you've gained popularity amongst women here." She started, hoping to lift the cumbersome atmosphere up, which it did at his expense.
"Please don't remind me." Mizutsune groaned, scratching his head. "I don't wanna create a cult here. I already had to convince the headmaster of the guild to change the the name from "Andros Supremacy Guild". I don't even wanna think what else they named after me." He groaned as Claudia cracked a smile.
It's not to say Jack isn't used to being popular back in his Hunter days. After all, he had a total record of slaying 69 Alatreons which made him famous and wanted by every one else to be on their team during hunters.
What sets this one apart, however, is that pretty much all of the women in Stawford, probably most in Eostia, are really stacked and trying to flirt with him, which of course meant Jack had the full view of their breasts swaying when they flock to him and giving him praises or food baskets whenever he goes or returns from a quest. By the Sapphire Star, there were even women old enough to be his mother trying to court him! And he was not gonna become one of "those" types of guys he's seen in Japan. (Jack still cursed the day he accidentally found a NSFW doujinshi)
Mizutsune was about to open his mouth to try and divert into a different topic when the sound of hooves is heard followed by shouting. Mizutsune and Claudia turn to face the the gate's entrance where they saw two Dawn Templars riding on a horse with one of them clutching her bleeding shoulder. "What happened, Diana?!" Claudia demanded, running up to them as the other Templars carried the wounded one off.
"An ambush!" The silver-haired Dawn Templar winced as a mage began to use healing magic. "We were nearly halfway to meet with Princess Janne and escort them when we were attacked by the Blood Crows!" The name made Claudia and the rest of the Dawn Templars tense and for good reason. The Blood Crows are a notorious group of bandits use blood magic to enslave those that were pricked or cut. Anyone infected were either immobilized to be killed or raped, or even fight their own allies.
Not even the Iris Knights, Dawn Templars or Black Dogs have been able to completely win a fight without being forced to attack their own. Even the best mages were unable to find a cure and so the usual solution to have Celestine remove the curse with her divine powers.
"Vice Commander Rose and Lily are doing the best they can to fend them off while we get help. But they're severely outnumbered and by the time we mounted a rescue operation....." The blue-haired Dawn Templar Beth said grimly, leaving the rest unsaid but the others already knew what happens to any female that get captured.
Claudia made her clench her fist in anger and her frustration is shared by the others. They won't abandon their sister-in-arms but there was just no way they can reach them in time if they tried to prepare and making a hasty rescue would more likely result in their capture. Thankfully a certain Monster Shifter won't stand idle.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Mizustune. declared, catching their attention. Without hesitation, Mizutsune twists the MonTrix symbol vertically and slaps it to undergo a new form. The dark blue light subsiding reveals a giant theropod monster resembling a T-Rex but with some major changes. It had a grey body with the head being orange with stripes all over it and a nasal crest that glows blue combined with white cover that goes down from its upper back to the tail. It has blue and white eyes with black irises and large fangs protrude from the lower jaw and the tail had quills.
It had two massive sails beneath the pelt which has electricity-like designs which fits its ability to use lightning. Though it has short arms, it has thick legs to compensate to being able to travel at long distances and leap at great heights. The MonTrix symbol located on the left thigh.
"FULGUR ANJANATH!" The Thunder Jaw Wyvern bellows, his nasal crest showing and sails flailing as they crackle with electricity. Once again, everyone is in awe at his appearance. Without needing any words, the Brute Wyvern bends to one knee and tilts his body, giving the impression to hop on him.
Claudia sees this and took command. "I need ten Dawn Templars and four mages to ride on Andros. Beth, I'll take charge of the horse." They did as they were told with the bluenette tossing the reins to the leader who hops on. "There's no time to lose!" She said to Fulgur Anjnath who nodded as they began running towards where the two female knights were, hoping it's not too late.