Готовый перевод Комната Историй / The Room of the Stories: Глава 5

Act 1. Chapter Five.

Author's Note:

Hah? What is this? Am I imagining things or is this what I think it is? A new chapter? Seriously? After what... six months? God, is this not a prank? Maybe this is a dream after all? No... it can't be! It just can't be!

...

But on a more serious note, let me introduce the SEVENTH chapter of the Room of the Stories, as well as the FIFTH chapter of the Beacon Civil War. Hah... A year. It took a little over a year to release the fifth chapter of this masterpiece. Hmm, sec, I need to calculate how much time I need to complete this saga... and so... hmm... voila! It will take me a little over a year. And if you look at the fact that I wanted - and still want - to write a reaction to other creations of the Great Author, then I will need... hmm, probably even my descendants and heirs will need to take on this story. So what, if everything continues like this... one or two chapters a year? Seriously? There are more than a hundred chapters in the same Sheep! ONE HUNDRED, Karl!

...

Oh, sorry for all my pent-up anger at myself. Hell, it's justified, I tell you! Do you guys want to know how long it took me to write this chapter? Not the time spent at all, but the time spent WRITING. Do you want to? Even if you add it up, it's hardly a few days. Less than five days for sure... Six months. If only I spent my free time not on the TV-sho... ahem, I mean, on finding a muse, then I would definitely release a chapter at least once a month... or twice...

Okay. I won't keep you any longer. I'll just ask one thing.

Don't hit too hard, okay?
* * *

"And we are online!" Nora giggled, sitting in her seat, while puzzled glances followed all her actions. Throwing one leg over the other, the Valkyrie turned several pages, stopping at the necessary one, and then - already getting ready to start reading, the students and professors finally came to their senses.

"Wait!" Weiss jumped up from her seat, immediately drawing everyone's gaze. But not paying attention to them, the heiress frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Nora, I certainly understand your desire to end all of this as soon as possible, after all, we all want to get out of this trap, but don't we need to take a break?"

Almost all the students nodded as if on command. It wasn't that they needed anything, it was just that every time they finished another chapter they took a break, even if it was only for a few minutes, but still a rest and a release of thoughts loading up as they read.

But Nora, as if going against fate, almost immediately wanted to continue reading the book. Weiss simply could not help but think about the recklessness of the young girl. Even in the book, it was mentioned by Cardin, when the book Nora simply ran after Jaune, leaving the three girls against Team CRDL.

And as if confirming Weiss's thoughts, Nora blinked in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" The Valkyrie turned her gaze to her partner and then asked in the same tone: "Renny, do you need something?"

The boy sighed.

"No, Nora."

"That's great!" Switching her attention to another person, Nora asked the same question. "Pyrrha, and you?"

"Um," the champion looked thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. Her snacks were still next to her, in fact, she hadn't even touched them, she was too engrossed in reading her book, there was also a cup of tea on the table, which was filled almost to the brim. So, her answer was pretty obvious. "No, I don't think so."

"Oh," Nora nodded and then looked at Weiss, whose right eyebrow was twitching. But the girl, as if not noticing this, asked. "And you, Weiss, do you need to do something?"

"Nora, you just can't ask others in such a tone!"

"Yes?" Nora blinked again. "Then what tone should I use to ask?"

"What?!"

"Well, yes," the Valkyrie's gaze became thoughtful for a moment, and then, as if having understood the truth, the girl happily stood up from her seat. "Oh, I get it! You need to go to the toilet. That's why you're asking for time to rest, right?"

Almost everyone in the room immediately looked at Weiss, who choked on air at the girl's words. First blushing, then turning pale, then blushing again, the heiress still squeezed out a few words, although her lips were pressed to the limit.

"No, Nora... I don't need this."

After these words, Valkyrie's expression became puzzled again. Her gaze read, then why are you saying all these words. And as if wanting to reflect them in reality, she said in the same tone as she looked at the heiress.

"Then why are you trying to stop me from reading?"

"What do you mean why?!" Weiss almost exploded with anger. Couldn't that orange head understand that they all just needed a break?! "For the snacks!"

"Yeah?" Nora's gaze swept over the table filled with various snacks, from popcorn snacks to fruit and ice cream. Blue eyes blinked and then looked back at the white-haired girl. "Um, Weiss, do we really need more snacks?"

Weiss opened her mouth to respond… but no words came out, because they had indeed been on a break just ten minutes ago, during which many people had replaced empty packages with new ones, and filled empty cups or mugs with the next drink. Even Weiss in that short time had managed to pour herself some tea and get some candies.

Blushing slightly, the heiress tried to answer something, but apparently, an unintelligible whisper was not the best answer. Nora even looked at Weiss with some disappointment, which made her look at the others. In particular, her leader, expected at least some help.

Ruby blinked at her partner's gaze, then whistled and turned away. The young team leader clearly didn't want to get involved in a losing argument.

Weiss's beautiful face tightened. Clenching her jaw, she turned to the others and, to her shame, noticed that many - well, all the people in the room - did not even try to help her in any way. This made Weiss feel incredibly ashamed and embarrassed.

//"To embarrass like that in front of the professors... damn, Nora, it's all your fault!"

"So?" Nora continued to look at Weiss with some expectation as if waiting for her answer. Even Ren, sitting next to her, looked at the heiress with a sympathetic look. "Are you going to say something, or are we going to continue standing and remaining silent?"

"I," Weiss's lips twitched as her doomed gaze landed on Nora. Nora raised an eyebrow questioningly. "I... I admit that we don't need snacks right now. But!" She smirked as her gaze fell on Nora's hands. "Someone needs to wash their hands before reading, after all, this is a book, not some napkin!"

Blinking in surprise, Nora looked down, followed by many others, to notice the slightly sticky fingers from the honey.

"Oh?" Nora said, looking up. Almost everyone in the room was looking at her, some with raised eyebrows, some with frowns, and some with smirks. Of course, Nora didn't care, instead, she stared at the smirking Weiss and simply nodded. "Okay, whatever you say."

"Hah, no need for any…" Weiss blinked. "Wait, what?"

Nora, who had managed to reach the door in that short amount of time, stopped. Turning around, she raised her eyebrows again questioningly: "Well, you're right about my hands, so I went to wash them. What? Are you not happy with something?"

And such a suspicious look was thrown directly at the heiress.

"I," Weiss blushed as attention returned to her. She cleared her throat and folded her arms over her chest, saying, "No. It's okay."

"Yes? Are you sure?"

"O-of course! Why not?!"

"Well," Nora opened her mouth, but after a second of silence, shook her head, and said nothing. "It doesn't matter. Rennie," the Valkyrie glanced at the silent guy, who was staring questioningly straight at her. Smiling, Nora shouted, although it was not necessary. "Guard the book properly! Someone will definitely want to steal it and read it alone!"

At that moment, Blake looked away from the unprotected book in embarrassment, trying to hide her flushed cheeks from prying eyes.

"Okay, Nora," Ren smiled weakly as Nora waved before disappearing behind the door. A few more moments passed before a general sigh was heard, as well as giggles towards Weiss and her actions. All of this caused the heiress to blush, and then, with an embarrassed cough, she looked at the black-haired boy, who silently took the book into his hands. Noticing her gaze Ren raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"How do you get along with her?" Weiss asked, wanting to know his secret. At that moment, everyone's attention, as if on cue, was focused on the guy, waiting for his answer. Ren blinked as a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Well, I guess I just got used to her energy."

"You mean her recklessness?" Blake corrected. But Ren shook his head.

"And to this too," the guy smiled weakly at his friends. "I'm sure that with time you will also get used to her actions and words," almost everyone who knew Nora shuddered and was horrified by his words. This was especially true on the faces of Jaune and Pyrrha, who still remembered those moments that seemed impossible to them, well, at least before they met Nora. "In the end, you can't run away from Nora.

For some reason, the guy's last words made everyone horrified.

* * *

"And it's me again," Nora suddenly jumped out of the toilet, waving her hands. "But with clean hands! He-he."

The small talk and discussions of the previous chapter ceased as everyone's attention was once again focused on Valkyrie. She, in turn, had already managed to sit down in her seat and grab the book - Blake almost hissed as her still wet hands grabbed the book - and then Nora continued in her cheerful tone:

"So, are you ready, kids?!" Nora made a sound that sounded like a pirate, but noticing the puzzled looks, she coughed sheepishly. "Okay. Ahem, Renny!"

"Yes?"

"Are you ready to start?!"

"Of course."

"Pyrrha?"

"Um, yeah?"

"Your tone is uncertain, girl!" Nora frowned. "Louder! As the great Professor Port bequeathed to us!"

"Miss Valkyrie," Goodwitch's voice made Nora stop, and then stare at the teacher in surprise and a bit of fear. The green eyes behind the glasses narrowed, causing goosebumps to run all over Nora's body. "I understand that you are... an energetic person, but could you please start reading already?"

"Oh, of course!" Nora smiled, but her trembling hands showed their attitude towards Miss Goodwitch. "I'm starting!" The girl's head shook like a dummy's, then she repeated: "I'm starting, yes!"

Taking a deep breath, Nora grabbed the book and opened it to the right page. And without stopping, she suddenly jumped up from her seat, straightened up, and, putting one hand behind her back began to slowly read the contents. Of course, these actions did not go unnoticed, especially by Miss Goodwitch, but the words that appeared made everyone throw Nora's actions out of their minds.

<…> Chapter 5, - Nora, as if copying Ozpin from the first chapter, changed her voice, making it sound like Ren's. - <…> There were several aspects of the war which did not make sense to even me at the time, not least of which some of the decisions made by our female counterparts, which at the time seemed random or unexplained, but upon which later explanation by those involved shed new light. It is with that in mind that I include this next excerpt, which might help to explain not only why Jaune's almost insignificant run-in with Nora, - The girl's lips curved into a smile as she glanced at Ren. - <…> Lie Ren, - Oh, Rennie, you're so sweet! Ready to help us at any moment. I mean, you've always been ready to help not only me but Jaune too. Although, he's your friend, so of course you're ready to help him. Right! Team Cardin! You helped that bastard when his situation was...

"Nora!" Weiss's irritated cry brought Nora to her senses. Blue eyes met equally blue eyes. The heiress cleared her throat. "Um, could you continue reading? Please?"

"Of course,” Nora shrugged and continued telling the story in her announcer’s voice again. - <…> Excerpt: On Days of War, Chapter 4 Written by Octavia Ember... - Nora blinked, and then thoughtfully tilted her head to the left: “Who is this?”

"A student from Shade, part of the NDGO team," Weiss simply replied, not even bothering to explain why she knew this information. Nora, unlike the others who looked at Weiss with surprised looks, also didn't try to understand it. Instead, she simply nodded and then returned to her book.

<…> To assume that the male population of Beacon rolled over and died when we took over is perhaps too simple. Some chose to surrender, giving themselves over to the lavish prisons we ran, where their only sacrifice was to sit and read in confinement while we fed and cared for them, but there were yet more who continued to fight – and some who did so with great honour and ingenuity. - in the minds of many students there were guesses about who could remain “free” and who had already fallen into the clutches of girls.

//"I wonder if Sun was captured?" Blake tilted her head, and then, remembering the moment when the young faunus jumped out of the window without hesitation, she smiled slightly. Meanwhile, while the other people in the room were also thinking about this, Nora paused for a moment.

"It's weird, why does it feel like an eternity has passed?" Nora shook her head, tossing her hair, and then turning up the volume of her voice she continued reading, deciding to push this feeling to the back of her mind. "So, where was I?"

Valkyrie's voice caught everyone's attention, causing everyone to come back to reality.

"Here! I found it!" and smiling, Nora finally continued reading the long-awaited story about her great leader. - <…> Some sought to gather their forces and rally the men, and were routinely crushed. Others stalked and attacked our convoys, stealing food and inconveniencing us, and they too were hunted as best we were able. Yet more, however, simply waited in silence, remaining hidden away, and for the most part the decision was to leave those men be. So long as they did not make themselves a threat, there was no need to waste resources hunting them.

Ozpin nodded silently, taking another sip of coffee from his mug. Even though he was a man, he couldn't help but approve of the girls' tactics. His gaze automatically moved to several girls: Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and also - Miss Nikos. The headmaster's lips lifted slightly as he hid a weak smile behind his mug.

<…> But there was always a chance they might grow into something more, and it was warning of that which Nora Valkyrie, head of the Valkyrie Unit, brought to the high command one morn. - Nora smiled, not noticing how Teams RWBY and J_PR winced at the mention of the squad led by their friend. Even Glynda slightly pursed her lips, while Emerald shrank in her seat.

Anyway, Nora cleared her throat, assumed a heroic pose, and continued in her own voice: - <…>"There I was," she said, eyes shining. "Surrounded by men – at least thirty of them!"

For a moment, everyone froze. Weiss's right eye twitched.

<…> "Thirty?" High Queen Pyrrha Nikos asked, shocked. - Pyrrha blushed as everyone's attention was focused on her. Even Nora looked up from her reading for a moment and said, "Wow! Pyrrha, I didn't know you wanted to be Queen! Wait!" Her blue eyes flickered and then narrowed. "Are you trying to steal my title as Queen of the Castle?"

Pyrrha, blushing, could only shake her head weakly in denial. And only after a second of hesitation, the girl was finally able to come to her senses and regain her composure.

"Ahem, don't worry Nora, I... I'm not trying to steal your title or anything," Pyrrha tried to smile softly, but Nora only narrowed her eyes even more. A few beads of sweat trickled down her back. "Ahem, besides, I'm sure no one can steal your title of Queen of the Castle."

After her words, Jaune, sitting in his place, suddenly felt a flock of goosebumps run through his body. Trembling, he hugged himself and looked around looking for what made him react like that.

//"Oh, I don't feel so good," flashed through his mind, and then he looked doubtfully at the book in Nora's thoughtful hands. "Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much?.."

Meanwhile, Nora, after a few seconds of thought, nodded at Pyrrha's words. A quiet sigh of relief came from the champion.

"You're right, Pyrrha!" Nora smiled her signature smile that sent shivers down Emerald's spine. "After all, you're my friend, and friends don't steal their friends' titles and boyfriends. Especially boyfriends."

"Yeah," Pyrrha could only nod like a dummy at Nora's words. Although, she couldn't understand where the last words about boyfriends came from. "You're absolutely right, Nora!"

"Everyone!" Weiss's irritated voice finally rang out. "Of course, I understand that we're all tired and want to talk," her gaze swept over the students, and only stopped for a moment on the teachers. A dry cough was heard when the heiress returned to the orange's head. "But let's continue. We've barely read a few lines of the chapter."

Nora bowed her head and then nodded.

"Okay, I was going to keep reading anyway."

Weiss, Blake… literally everyone in the room stared at Valkyrie with blank stares. Even Cinder and her minions were looking at her with slightly raised eyebrows. Mercury had already been able to understand the girl's temperament through some conversations, while Emerald had to experience it in the literal sense, and even Neo - without ever approaching her, learned a lot about her from Jaune's words.

So, the general thoughts about Nora being able to continue her conversation forever were quite justified.

"What?" Nora could only blink in confusion at all these looks. "Well, okay, okay, I'll start reading."

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the book and returned to the lines of text.

"Ahem, ahem," Nora cleared her throat and began to read. - <…> "Thirty?" High Queen Pyrrha Nikos asked, shocked.

Pyrrha blushed slightly again at her title.

<…> "That's madness," Brigadier General Weiss Schnee agreed. - Weiss straightened up unconsciously and listened to Nora with much greater attention. Nora, in turn, tried to imitate her voice. To be honest, it didn't turn out very well. - <…> "We would have heard of a force that large gathering, and you're suggesting these were led by Jaune of all people?"

//"Well, I once led an entire army against Grimm in a game." Jaune's cheeks flushed slightly as he tried to console himself in his mind. Hm? Say it out loud? Do you want him to die of embarrassment?! No, no, and no!

<…> "Excuse me. Am I telling the story or are you? Right, thanks. So, there I was, surrounded by at least forty-five men, each of them driven mad from hunger, each of them driven even madder by my fierce and unrelenting beauty." - Nora smiled, returning to her normal voice. //"Forty-five men?" flashed through many people's minds, causing their expressions to change. For example, Weiss grimaced as if she had eaten a lemon, Blake frowned as if she had been told that someone had taken the latest "Ninja of Love" book, Yang raised her eyebrows, Ruby giggled... um, where were we? Oh, right - Nora. This time she tried to imitate the voice of a hot blonde. - <…> "Erm-" Yang, Captain of the Dragoons, tried to intervene but was silenced by HRH Nikos, who simply pushed her hands down and shook her head meaningfully.

<…> "The situation was bad," Nora continued. "I had no idea what to do, and worse, Jaune said how he was going to keep Ren to himself, preventing us from being together once more. Well, not together-together, but-" - Teams J_PR and RWBY were ready to hear Nora's long speech about together-not-together, but Nora managed to continue first before they could exhale in resignation. - <…> (This continues for a paragraph or three, of which I shall mercifully spare you – Lie Ren)

Ren felt his friends' gazes instantly turn to him, filled with gratitude and relief. The boy could only smile softly at this, while the CNEM team blinked in confusion.

Meanwhile, Nora already warmed up, began to furiously tell the story:

<…> "And Jaune stood before me, at least six foot-five." - Jaune coughed, and then - like many others - stared at Nora incredulously. Only Pyrrha blushed slightly as she pictured her partner's height in her mind. - <…> "Six-five?" Yang asked. "What?"

Yang's expression was almost identical to the mental image of every person in the room.

<…> "He's grown," Nora said. -\\ "Lies!" Weiss wanted to scream, but she managed to hold back. "It's just a book," she tried to calm herself down. "A pointless, utterly ridiculous, and incredibly terrible book!" - <…> "Even taller?" Pyrrha asked, eyes shining.

<…> "Yep. You'll love it, Pyrrha. Trust me." - a moment - her voice changed to Pyrrha's voice. - <…> "Oh, I think I will…"

Hearing this, Pyrrha could only cough in embarrassment as several glances were directed at her. Luckily, Jaune was busy thinking about his own thoughts. About himself, of course. An image of himself, standing six and a half feet tall and with forty-five male warriors, fighting Nora appeared in his mind.

//... Jaune didn't even know how to react to this.

<…> "Anyway," Nora continued. "He had fire in his eyes and wielded his mighty sword in one hand, his stalwart shield in the other. I was closed in on every side, left without any hope of retreat, and with his vast horde bearing down on me."- Nora began to get out of breath while reading these lines. The others just listened silently. - <…> Nora paused and swept an arm before her for dramatic effect. - Nora paused. - <…> "I was trapped!"

Weiss snorted.

<…> The Brigadier General sniffed. - Nora's words made Weiss choke on air while the others giggled at it. Pouting slightly, the heiress ignored the giggles from Ruby and Yang sitting next to her, instead listening to Nora. - <…> "I am not convinced Jaune Arc could trap a fly."

"Ahem," Jaune coughed.

No one reacted to him except Pyrrha. And even Pyrrha could only weakly pat him on the shoulder.

//"But I killed Grimm," Jaune wanted to say, but swallowed his words back. "Catching is not killing... eh..."

<…> "Yeah," Yang agreed. "And fire in his eyes? Are you sure you weren't fighting a Grimm or something?"

<…> "Look, I know my team leader, okay? It was Jauney, he was armed to the teeth, and he was at the head of at least sixty men." - Weiss's eyebrow shot up, breaking through the ceiling of the room and reaching the heavens itself... ahem... many reacted in much the same way when they heard the changed number of men. - <…> "How does the number keep growing!?"

"It's like it rolled off the tongue,” Weiss whispered, to which Yang nodded.

<…> "Because of his reputation," Nora explained, as if to a small child. "Duh. People are flocking to his banner, and the fact he managed to get past me and grab the supply drop is only going to help." - Nora licked her finger and turned the page. Her voice became like Weiss's again. - <…> "Wait, you didn't even explain `how` he got past you."

<…> "Oh, he jumped out the window," Nora said, waving a hand. - the real Nora also waving a hand. There were chuckles as many remembered the moment when Jaune Arc became the first person to fly with Nora's grenade launcher... sadly, he wouldn't be the last. Jaune also responded to his friend's words by lightly touching his stomach. //"Brrrrr... it hurts to even think about it..." - <…> The Brigadier General was left open-mouthed.

<…> "And the sixty or more men surrounding you?"

<…> "They ran away." - Another round of giggles and snickers came from the students. Even Neo, sitting silently to the side, covered her mouth with her hand and began to shake slightly. - <…> "Why on Remnant would they run away!? Your story makes absolutely no sense!"

Weiss rubbed her temples with her fingers.

//“Like this whole story, my dear me,” thought the heiress, without raising her eyes from the table.

<…> "It's not a story," Nora defended, sounding equally offended. "It's a battle report." - The real Valkyrie nodded seriously as well. "Hmm, not being able to distinguish reports from stories... nothing surprising..."

"What?!" Weiss looked up sharply and met blue eyes. "What do you mean I can't tell the difference?!"

Meanwhile, while Weiss was trying to win Nora's argument, Ozpin was thoughtfully twirling his coffee mug and nodding to himself. It was at that moment he remembered the report he had received a few weeks ago - after Team JNPR's first mission. Four reports - two normal and almost perfect, and two - ... less perfect. One had a lot of jumping from one topic to another, while the other had exaggerated the enemy's strength.

\\"Still, it was funny to see Glynda's reaction when she received Miss Valkyrie's report," Ozpin raised his mug, hiding his half-smile.

"Okay!" Weiss shouted as she finally sat down. Nora just smiled at her capitulating opponent. There was a crunch of teeth. "I can't tell the difference between reports and stories. Are you happy?"

"Yeah," Nora smiled, as did the other students - except Ruby, who was afraid that if she smiled or laughed, Weiss would strangle her in her sleep, and Jaune, who was simply afraid of being killed.

"Excellent!" the sarcasm in his voice only increased. "Go on!"

"Uh-huh," nod. - <…> "And we're expected to believe this," Weiss said. "We are expected to believe that Jaune Arc, weakest fighter in Beacon and all-around stalking leech, is somehow able to inspire the defeated men of Beacon into a tribe capable of threatening our rule? Jaune Arc," she repeated, as if that somehow was the main focus. "Jaune. Arc. Tall, blonde and scraggly."

Pyrrha frowned at Jaune's description.

<…> "It makes perfect sense to me," Pyrrha Nikos declared, standing. "Jaune has always been leader material." - Pyrrha's gloomy expression instantly turned into an embarrassing one. - <…> "No, he hasn't been!" Weiss howled.

The real Weiss just raised an eyebrow.

<…> "He's charismatic-"

The green-eyed girl's cheeks turned slightly red.

<…> "He absolutely isn't!"

Ruby giggled when she heard Nora imitate Weiss's voice.

<…> "Inspiring-"

Jaune sighed, remembering the exact same speech Pyrrha had given him a few chapters ago. If it hadn't been for that speech, the blond would have definitely been embarrassed to death.

<…> "You're not even listening, are you?"

Mercury chuckled, crossing his legs. Neo giggled at the boy.

<…> "And if there was anyone who could defeat me, it would be him."

Pyrrha hid behind her hands, trying to somehow hide her embarrassment. The professor could only smile softly.

//"Ah, youth," Ozpin thought, taking a sip from his mug.

<…> "Are we even talking about the same guy anymore?" Yang asked, sighing. Pyrrha smiled dreamily. "I always knew he'd be a leader of men one day…"

This time Jaune couldn't help but cough in embarrassment. But Pyrrha blushed even more as a few chuckles erupted.

//"Oh my God!" Her cheeks were burning, but she still kept an eye on Jaune's reaction.

<…> "Okay, never mind." Weiss threw her arms into the air. "I suppose it can't hurt to take this seriously on the off-chance – the very, very, slim chance – that it might be real. At the very least it's better to be safe than sorry."

Nora shifted her position slightly, leaning against her chair as they looked at her with interest.

<…> The Captain of the Dragoons shrugged. "We'll send a few units after him, drag him back and clap him in chains."

Hearing about the chains, Jaune suddenly turned pale.

<…> "We don't have chains. The prison is a hall filled with bedrooms."

The blond breathed a sigh of relief.

<…> "It's a metaphor. We'll put him in a room, close the window and tell him he isn't allowed to leave."

<…> "Alright, alright," Yang chuckled. "I get it. Still, don't you think we should ask Pyrrha if that's okay? She is technically the leader here."

<…> The two paused and turned to the High Queen, who was busy mumbling to herself with two fingers held against her lips. "-and he'll become a King, and I'll be the Queen, and we'll have to make a diplomatic agreement for peace. Oh no, what if he asks for me? W-Well, if it's for the good of the land…"

Pyrrha, who had just raised her gaze at the sound of her name, immediately hid behind her hands. And the giggles and snickers only made her blush even more. Probably even more than before.

<…> "Never mind," Yang said, sighing and raising to her feet. "I'll marshal the army. You tell the others." - Nora paused for a moment then continued in her own voice. - And then he grew great leathery wings and started to spit fire!" Nora crowed, going completely ignored as the meeting came to an end.

"There!" Nora said, sitting up abruptly in her seat. "Now we can finally get back to Jaunnie! I wonder how he's doing?"

Jaune sighed. He didn't even have the strength to respond to that. Instead, he grabbed his juice and took a sip. The liquid brought peace and calm.

//“Okay, in the end, nothing can be changed,” the guy’s posture became more relaxed, and peace appeared in his eyes.

And Nora, having drunk her juice in one gulp, continued reading the story.

<…> Chapter 5 – Centre of Attention - Nora said, grinning. "Finally, about Zhonny again!"

And without waiting for a second, she continued reading: - <…> "It was the first time we were called to action, but it would not be the last. It would, however, mark the true beginning of the Beacon Civil War." - Nora grinned even wider, and then winked at Blake. - <…> Blake Belladonna, Kunoichi of Love

"Huh?" Blake blinked when Nora said her name, and only then did her mind finally catch up with Valkyrie's last words. Kunoichi of Love? Could that be? The cat's golden eyes widened to their limit. "W-what did you say...?"

"Blake Belladonna, Kunoichi of Love," Nora repeated pleasantly, smiling. A chuckle came from a nearby blonde head of hair, but Blake decided not to repeat the mistakes of her comrades. As the saying goes, as long as you don't pay attention to something, it won't pay attention to you. Unfortunately, this proverb didn't work for one person.

"Wow, I think I know who chose the title for themselves," Yang said, grinning from ear to ear, glancing at her partner, who still had a slight blush. "I wonder what exactly you did to earn that title?"

"Nothing," Kuno, ahem, Blake Belladonna said sharply. Her eyes flashed furiously. "In case you didn't hear, Nora, please repeat the previous words up to my name."

"Huh? Oh, okay," Nora cleared her throat. - <…> "It was the first time we were called to action, but it would not be the last. It would, however, mark the true beginning of the Beacon Civil War."

"See!" Blake pointed. "For the first time!"

Yang smirked back.

"It just makes us wonder why you got that title before you even did anything, hm?" Blake froze, unsure of what to say. After another moment of eternity, she frowned and said, "You know what? It doesn't matter. Nora, go on!"

"What?" Yang screamed as Nora nodded like some little dog to its owner. "But I couldn't even enjoy this moment! Weiss, say something!"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, looking with some kind of disgust first at Yang, then at Blake. Shaking her head, she turned away like a sensible lady.

"Okay, that doesn't work," Yang admitted, turning to her sister. "Then at least you say something, Rubs!"

The team leader blinked in confusion. Tilting her head slightly to the left, she hesitantly suggested, "Um… congratulations?"

"… and that's all?"

“What should I say?” Ruby asked with interest.

"Well, I don't know, support my idea and chitchat about Blake's title, right?"

"Miss Xiao Long," Miss Goodwitch's voice suddenly rang out, causing her to flinch and turn around. Her purple eyes blinked innocently in response to the green ones. "Can you continue your discussions after this chapter? Since at this moment, the only thing preventing us from continuing to read is you."

Yang froze and then looked around. Indeed, except for her, everyone else was sitting silently, some snacking on all sorts of things, and some sipping their drinks, but they were all watching Yang and her actions.

"B-but... aren't... kunoichi of love..." Yang stammered as if trying to explain herself. Her green eyes over her glasses flashed with an unkind light. Yang finally fell silent. Sighing, she looked at Weiss with some kind of chagrin, as if she was somehow to blame for this.

Of course, Weiss, with her usual grace, ignored the blonde's gaze.

"Well, now that everyone has calmed down," Goodwitch said, turning to Nora, "Miss Valkyrie, you may continue reading the story."

"Okay!" said the orange head, while Blake, who had successfully dodged the embarrassing yellow projectile, smiled lightly. "Ahem, ahem..."

Having cleared her throat, Nora again changed her tone and manner of speech: - <…> In all honesty, I hadn't expected to see Yatsuhashi again, nor his tiled and lemon-scented domain, and judging from the look on his face, he hadn't expected to see me either, let alone with a trolley of various supplies behind us – Zwei perched on the top like a conquering hero born aloft by beleaguered retainers. - Ruby smiled unconsciously as she pictured the image in her head. Perhaps somewhere in the wild, Zwei was also sitting on something as a winner. Blake suddenly felt a bad feeling about her book collection. Frowning, she decided to push the feeling aside, at least until this chapter was over. - <…> I'd like to say I took a moment to gloat as his mouth fell open, but the reality is that I staggered over to a sink and dunked my head under the stream of cold water. After surviving a run-in with Nora, being launched out of a window, and then dragged across the gardens back into the school, I felt I deserved an impromptu shower – and by Yang's cleavage - Jaune paled as many female gazes were directed at him. Pyrrha also slightly narrowed her gaze, and then with some strange feeling, looked first at Yang, and then at herself. Some bitterness appeared in her gaze. Nora, who was about to say something, suddenly saw the following lines - in brackets, causing her smile to disappear in an instant. Such a drastic change surprised and frightened many: except for special people like Glynda, Ozpin, Neo, and Cinder. Even Mercury felt danger with his instincts at the sight of such a sight. Meanwhile, Ren, sitting next to her, could see those lines, causing him to pale slightly. Nora simply finished her sentence: - <…> (praise be) I was bloody well going to get it!

The voice changed at the exact moment Ren's words began and ended. So, everyone could understand why such a change in the girl's mood occurred. Well, except Ren and the new team of third years, of course.

"Yeah... Yang's boobs are really huge," Nora looked up and met Yang's gaze, who turned pale when she met her gaze. "It would be a shame to lose them... huh?"

"A-ah…" Yang swallowed her tongue, but her hands instinctively tried to hide her breasts from Nora's view.

"He-he..." Nora laughed, which made Yang shake even more. A moment later, a wide smile appeared on Nora's face, which scared everyone even more, however, Neo looked at Valkyrie with some kind of glint. "But I'm sure if I drink more milk, I can overtake your size."

Yang, like many others, didn't know what to say to that.

"Yes, Rennie? If I drink milk, will I have boobs like Yang's?"

"Yeah," Ren agreed, as he always did when Nora asked him about such things. He sighed and unconsciously continued, "And please, Nora, don't speak so vulgarly."

"Oky doky!"

"..." At this time, Jaune sighed in relief, as the attention was redirected towards Nora and Yang's boobs, causing the moment when he called out to them to be quickly forgotten. This couldn't help but relieve him. Only the red-haired warrior sitting next to him continued to look gloomily at her chest.

//"Maybe I should drink milk in the morning too?" Pyrrha thought, and then compared her and Yang's sizes again. A grim determination appeared in her eyes. "No, at least three times a day!"

"Ahem, well, since everything is settled, let's continue!" Nora said as if a few seconds ago, a dark and terrible aura of death did not emanate from her. - <…> "What… what is this?" Yatsuhashi asked, approaching haltingly, as though he were unsure what he would find.

As the story progressed, the atmosphere returned to normal, and only one blonde continued to hide her precies, as she still felt a scary look from someone.

<…> "Supplies," I answered, gargled. Whatever. <…> "It's what you asked us to fetch for you, right?"

<…> "Food or medicine, yes." The tall man rummaged through the stacked crates Team CRDL had managed to get from the drop, lifting out not only packets of fruit, nicely organised, but also rows and rows of candy, sandwiches and even some packaged meats with at least a week left before they went off. With loaves of bread stacked on the bottom, not to mention cordial and fizzy drinks, it was a bounty the man had clearly never expected to see, and his eyes watered. - Emerald, sitting in her place, couldn't help but lick her lips at the description of the abundance of food. Perhaps it was just her past talking to her, or perhaps it was the awakening of hunger. Either way, opening a new pack of snacks, she continued listening to Nora. - <…> "This is… I don't even…" He looked to us, to me. "How?"

<…> Luck, I wanted to say. Blind luck, along with a fair helping of bullshittery. - Weiss nodded, as everything that had happened earlier was truly pure luck. After all, if something had gone wrong, say, Nora had left her squad with Cardin's team and Ren while she chased after Arc, the outcome could have been completely different. Her brows furrowed slightly. //"Although, it's worth noting that Arc's decision at the end of the chapter was quite... decisive," Weiss grimaced slightly, driving the uninvited thoughts from her mind. Meanwhile, Nora this time imitated the Supreme's... ahem, Russell's voice: - <…> "Skill," Russel answered, long before I ever had the chance. "Skill, leadership, ability – whatever you want to call it. This is what our Lord offers. This is what he delivers!"

Jaune sighed. He would probably be extremely careful after they escaped the trap, to make sure he didn't somehow turn Russell into his believer. Although... Jaune looked at Pyrrha with some sadness, and then at Mercury.

After a short silence, he simply turned away from Nora, continuing to listen to the story. The dark thoughts could not shake his indifference that was beginning to emerge. Jaune sipped his juice, taking the glass while silently listening to Nora and her voice.

<…> "This is why we follow him," Sky echoed.

<…> "This is why you should follow him," Dove finished. Behind them all, Cardin nodded, looking like a proud parent who had just watched his three bizarre children cycle down the road. It might have been a more wholesome scene were it not for the dark glares I shot them. Thanks, guys. Just thanks. - Nora even managed to imitate an evil look, which caused many to have a picture of what was happening in the book in their minds. Of course, some thought otherwise, as the evil look continued to rest on them. Especially on the two precious fruits. Yang hunched over in her seat warily. - <…> "You did promise this would be enough to pass your test," Ren said, far more cautious than the others and watching the nearby boys with a keen eye. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he was worried they'd try and steal our food, our hard-earned bounty, and that he was prepared to fight to defend it. I always appreciated that about him; that even when my attention wavered, he would focus on the important things.

"Next comes Renny's note," Nora continued reading without slowing down, not even letting the others understand what she read. - <…> (I like to think my priorities were in order. I'm glad to see Jaune agreed.)

Ren just smiled slightly.

"That's it, the note is over!" Without stopping, Nora continued telling the Epic of the Great and Invincible Jaune from the Arc family! - <…> Yatsuhashi looked back to me, then to the food, and finally to his followers, gaunt and hungry, at least in the way young men can after a day or two of eating leftovers. Their eyes stared back longingly, but not at any human figure. Theirs were focused on the bounty before them. The older boy took a deep breath and swallowed.

Most held their breath, waiting for the Chieftain of the starving tribe to make a decision. Only Ozpin and Glynda exchanged knowing glances. Unlike the first years, as well as the team from the other Academy, they both knew what kind of big guy this was.

"I can't fault you this, my friend. I asked of you something all but impossible, and you have delivered." - Nora slowed her tone of voice, causing many to sigh in curiosity. This especially included one kitty, who was almost consumed with interest. - <…> "I did," I said, sighing in relief. More meat shields would be good, and this would make us – or more importantly, Ren and I – safer. "Are you going to go through with it? Are you going to stick to your promise?"

Nora stopped reading, then grabbed Ren's mug, who didn't react to it at all, and drank some tea from it. Everyone's curiosity, even Cinder's, became maximum.

<…> It took Yatsuhashi only a second to decide. He took a step slowly back, and I heard CRDL and Ren reach for their weapons, - Ruby gasped, Pyrrha, Weiss, and Yang frowned, Blake and Ren waited silently for him to continue, Neo chuckled excitedly, while the rest of them just remained silent. - <…> only to realise them as the giant fell to one knee, his head bowed towards the floor. What was he doing, I wondered?

Jaune's face went pale. All his indifference vanished as he remembered the same moment a few chapters earlier. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who remembered it, as everyone gasped in surprise. Even Ozpin and Glynda looked surprised. The former reacted with a smile, while the latter raised an eyebrow. Cinder also stared at the book in disbelief.

You could say everyone knew what would happen next. And it happened.

<…> "I, Yatsuhashi Daichi, do hereby swear my allegiance to Jaune Arc, my chief, my commander, and the man I shalt follow unto the ends of Beacon."

The sound of something hitting the table was heard, but many simply ignored it, continuing to listen to Valkyrie's voice. Only Pyrrha gently patted Jaune on the shoulder, to which he responded with an inarticulate grunt. With his forehead pressed against the table, Jaune began to understand what was coming in the next chapters. First Cardin and his team, now Yatsuhashi... who next? San? Neptune? Maybe the teachers themselves?!

//"..." Jaune shook his head, looking up and instinctively smiling at Pyrrha, letting her know everything was okay. Returning his gaze to Nora, thoughts began to spin in his head again. "Although no, the teachers just can't believe I'm some great commander and conqueror..."

Yes. This will never happen.

Somewhere beyond the walls of the rooms, Oobleck sneezed, and then, adjusting his glasses, thoughtfully scratched his chin. It seems that someone is remembering him...

So, let's go back to the room. Or rather, to Nora and the book in her hands. Valkyrie, now fully standing on the chair, continued to imitate her leader's voice, choking while reading the story:

<…> I stared at him with wide eyes. This wasn't what I'd had in mind – this was nothing like what I'd had in mind. I'd only meant that he agree to come with us and help us out, and a simple `sure, why not` would have sufficed in that regard. He didn't have to swear allegiance to me, and certainly not like I was some kind of terrifying warrior king.

<…> To my horror, his men fell to one knee as well, - Nora continued reading, ignoring several surprised and cheerful chuckles, as well as one sad and sorrowful howl... where were we? Oh, right, Nora continued reading: - <…> and the sonorous sounds of their chanting echoed off the blue and white tiled walls. As I stood before the sinks, the eight teenagers knelt in a semi-circle before me, CRDL and Ren by the entrance, I couldn't help but wonder what parallel dimension I'd entered and how the hell I was supposed to get out again.

<…> For crying out loud, I was being worshipped in a public restroom.

"It was here, on our enemy's territory, that our Great Leader began his campaign against the Tyrants! From that moment on, this place was called the Revolutionary Room," Mercury whispered to Neo, who sat next to him, and she giggled into her palm in response. Emerald also heard this, but instead of laughing, she looked at the guy with some pity. He was already doomed. Shaking her head, the Master of Illusions took a sip of juice and returned to listening and watching Nora's actions.

<…> And now they were staring at me, waiting for me to say or do something. I glanced to Ren for an answer, but he simply shrugged his shoulders and made the universal motion for `do something`. Realising he was probably right, I coughed into my fist and stepped forwards. - Nora, as if imitating Jaune's actions from the book, stepped forward onto the table, causing many to gasp. Glynda's eyebrow twitched, but she did nothing, only sighed and sipped her tea. Let her do what she wants, but after they get out, she will have to serve all her punishments received in this room. - <…> "I, uh, I accept your allegiance, Yatsuhashi Daichi. I accept it from all of you." I waved a hand over the others, vaguely realising I didn't know their names at all. - Nora giggled, as did several other people in the room. - <…> They seemed to all be waiting for something more, and since I had no idea what; I went for the predictably easy choice. "So, let us celebrate this occasion with a feast."

<…> "A feast!" Yatsuhashi agreed, his huge frame bulging with muscle as he stood once more. "Our Lord's suggestion is an excellent one, I feel. This is an occasion rarely seen nowadays, and we are all beleaguered and hungry. Let us tonight forget about such things and think of better times."

Blake remembered the beginning of this chapter, or rather, the decision the Girls Leaders had made. The lips of the black-haired girl curved into a smile. Apparently, someone's party was about to end. Besides her, two adults, Cindy and Weiss, also thought about it.

The rest were hypnotized by Nora's story and voice.

<…> "That's the spirit," I said, agreeing wholeheartedly. Feasting wasn't fighting, and I wasn't going to choke on a chocolate bar, which couldn't be said of trying to combat the female horde. I looked to CRDL to see what they thought, knowing they were the most gung-ho about the war.

<…> "It sounds like an awesome idea," Cardin said, already shrugging off his armour. "I could use a rest after all that action, and we need to learn names anyway."

<…> What action? I wanted to ask. You guys just stole a load of food while I had to face the terror that was Nora! - Nora blinked. She turned and glared down at her leader. "Jaunny, you're wrong! Rennie and his men were in a battle where Rennie had to use all of his leadership skills to help them win!"

Jaune opened his mouth to say that he knew it was his book counterpart who had said those words, but when he saw Ren's gaze, he suddenly realized what he was trying to do. Closing his mouth, still not saying anything, he sighed.

"You're right, Nora. I was wrong."

"Exactly!" Nora nodded several times. "So, where did I stop?"

"Um, Nora," Ren's voice rang out, causing her to immediately turn to Rennie. And before she could begin her speech, the boy finished: "Could you please get off the table?"

Nora froze. She looked around and coughed in embarrassment. "Oops. Hehe. Sorry."

Having jumped down, the girl quickly sat down on a chair and, having coughed several times, finally continued reading: - <…> Of course, the fact that I'd fully intended them to deal with her wasn't the point, nor that I'd tried to rat them out. Honest!

"By the way, here's a note from Rennie," and without giving him time to think again, she continued: - <…> (In my times with Jaune, I've noticed that he often contradicts himself like this. - Ren froze and then smiled weakly. Pyrrha, Ruby, and Co also listened with interest, since this time it was about their friend. Only Jaune himself looked at Nora in bewilderment. - <…> On the one hand, he tells himself he is selfish and that he does not care if others know it. Yet even in the musings of his journal, he continues to dredge up such times – a sign of guilt, perhaps? Or an attempt to convince himself his actions held no shred of bravery?)

Hearing the end, Jaune didn't know how to react. There was something about it... no stop, what courage? What suffering? From the very beginning until this point, Jaune had never noticed anything heroic or courageous in his actions! In the first chapter, he throws his brothers into the mouths of two monsters, in the second, he wants to eat Zwei's food and even betray Ren, in the third... what about the third? Okay, nothing was interesting there. In the fourth, Jaune once again wanted to send Nora to Cardin's group to save himself and only due to luck, Nora was unable to notice Ren.

So tell Jaune, where was there even a drop of courage or heroism in all of this?!

"Definitely the latter," Pyrrha said suddenly, causing Jaune to flinch, his eyes widening as he turned to face her.

"What?"

"Yeah, Jaune's always been like that!" Ruby nodded, getting Jaune's attention. \\"Always? When always?!"

"Agreed," the blond heard Mercury's voice. Another crunch of the neck was heard. Jaune wanted to shout that he was never given the right to open his mouth and interfere. "Our Leader always said - modesty is the path to victory!"

//"When did I say that?!" Jaune almost coughed up blood. But his thoughts were interrupted by the nods and words of agreement from his friends around him. Sitting in his seat, Jaune watched in shock as his friends nodded and smiled at him as if they wanted to show through their actions that they understood what he was trying to do.

"You all..." Jaune didn't know what to say. He just sighed silently. Everyone was looking at him, which made him feel like he was in a dream. Why? It seemed so. Being stuck in a room with teachers, friends, and a jerk who wanted to kill him with embarrassment - it all fits. And Pyrrha's quirks, and her constant support... well, that was there before, but still, not so obvious... Shaking his head, Jaune sighed again. "You know, let's just continue. Nora?"

"But," Pyrrha started, but Jaune held up a finger. He smiled at her.

"I know, Pyrrha. I'm smart, I'm good at leadership, I'm handsome, I'm a heroic prince from legend," Weiss let out a scornful snort, causing Jaune to look at her with warmth in his eyes. She flinched, but the blond didn't care. At least someone in this room was being strict with him... "I know, Pyrrha. Let's just keep reading. Okay?"

Pyrrha didn't answer, drowning in the angel's blue eyes.

"Okay... Nora?"

"Hm? What, Jaunny?" Valkyrie asked cheerfully. Emerald stared at her with an empty look, mentally asking herself: //"Seriously? You really have no idea what he wants to ask you?!" Meanwhile, the guy himself, already accustomed to his girlfriend, answered: "Let's continue reading."

"Oky doky," Nora smiled. "By the way, this is the end of the line."

"A break," Ren corrected her.

"Oh, right!" Nora nodded. "So, let's continue! Ahem, ahem, I'm starting!" After coughing a few times, Nora managed to tune in to imitate her leader's voice, while the rest of the people in the room prepared to continue. - <…> The Feast of Founding, as it would later come to be known, wasn't really a feast. - //"What?" - many thought when they heard about the holiday, only Mercury grinned, poked Neo with his elbow and mouthed: "I told you so." - <…> It was more of a sleepover. We sat in a wide circle on various mattresses and sleeping bags swapping names and stories, and sharing food between us. There was laughter and cheering, echoed by constant munching, slurping and the fizzle and hiss of bottles of pop being opened.

Ruby giggled as she pictured a group of guys having a slumber party in the girls' bathroom. Weiss sitting next to her, just rolled her eyes when she heard laughter nearby.

<…> To anyone reading this, it might seem a small thing, but to us it was so much more. I saw tears stain the cheeks of some as they tasted chocolate and gorged on sweet meat, and there was not a one of us who dared call out a fellow man for showing such weakness. - Nora spoke slowly so that everyone could hear her words while they ate their snacks. - <…> Not in times such as these. I can't remember what silly things we spoke of, but as an hour turned into two, and as even our appetites failed to keep up with what was on offer, I was left to lean back and belch contentedly, the satisfied war cry echoed by several others, who burst into laughter soon after. Even the fact we were huddled and hiding in a toilet went forgotten. It had ceased to matter, and at least we didn't have far to go to relieve ourselves.

At the mention of the latter, Weiss winced slightly, though the others seemed unmoved by the words. Nora's slight cough was heard. That was a harbinger of her changing her voice to someone else's. And so it happened. This time, Nora spoke with an intonation similar to Yatsuhashi's.

<…> "I have to admit," Yatsuhashi said, sprawled on the floor and taking up room for two, yet smiling like the jolly giant he was, "I did not expect you to complete my Quest, my Chief."

"Oh, someone got a title!" Yang said with a smirk and then winked at the blond, who looked slightly embarrassed. There were sighs and everyone simply decided to ignore one fighter. "Hey! What kind of attitude is this? Jhonny got his title! We should celebrate!"

"Yang, please just shut your mouth," Weiss took a sip of her tea, ignoring the dumbfounded look from the blonde, as well as a few others. "Go on, Nora."

"Right away, my Lady!" Nora saluted and returned to the book. - <…> "Thank you, Jaune." He nodded. "As for whom you are, well, I think it is only fair that you be the Chieftain of this tribe, for what is what we are."

<…> "I suppose." I didn't have the heart to argue with him, and if such a little thing would make them feel better, then why not.

<…> "I'm glad to hear it," he said, raising his voice. "A cheers to our new leader – Jaune Arc, Warchief!" - Nora grabbed Ren's mug, which was completely full again and then drained it in one gulp. The mug slammed loudly onto the table, and then Nora screamed in a voice that seemed not her own, causing many to wince and flinch. Glynda only narrowed her eyes, remembering all of Valkyrie's mistakes. - <…> "Warchief!" they chanted, plastic cups raised high. "Warchief! Warchief! Warchief!"

And as if wanting to anger Jaune even more, Mercury began to shout: "Chief! Chief! Chief!"

For a moment everyone froze, and then Yang, smiling slightly, also shouted after Mercury and Nora: "Chief! Chief! Chief!!!"

"For Jaune!" Nora screamed, followed by two more screams. Jaune stared blankly at the three people while his mind was completely blank. The rest of the normal people could only watch in shock at the three idiots: one who had hit her head, one who had no internal switch, and the third one who was just a little crazy.

Cinder touched her temple and sighed. Apparently, the longer they stayed in this room, the more one subordinate would forget who he worked for and what exactly he was supposed to do. A flame appeared in her eyes.

//"Either way, I'm sure he'll regret all of this after we get out," Cinder's lips curled into a wicked smile. As if by coincidence the other woman was also smiling, only instead of flames her eyes were green flashes of ice.

Only Ozpin, sitting between the two sinister women, smiled weakly sipping his coffee. Unlike the two, he felt amusement as he looked at the slightly excited students.

"That's it!" but even so, the fun had to end sometime, and in this case, two voices, as if one, screamed at two screamers. Emerald and Weiss screamed at Mercury and Yang, causing them to fall silent. Well, in Emerald's case, she used an illusion, while Weiss used her last bit of dust, freezing the blonde's mouth. Both sighed and then exchanged glances.

At that very moment, their connection was strengthened again.

Nodding to each other, they both turned to the silent Nora and said in one voice again: “Continue!”

Although Nora was smiling, a shiver ran down her spine when she noticed her two fellow sufferers sitting in their seats. And if in Yang's case, everything was clear, then in Mercury's case it was much more complicated. How could Emerald silence him so easily?

Either way, Nora wasn't stupid enough to test it on herself, and who knows how much of Weiss's dust were left.

"Ahem, let's continue!" the sheets fluttered again, and everyone's eyes returned to the narrator, even Mercury and Yang ignored their state, interested in the continuation. Jaune, in turn, only sighed heavily once again. "So... where did I stop?"

“For the Chief,” Ren quietly prompted her.

"Oh, right, heh... Ahem."

Glynda's cough was heard.

“Hic,” Nora hiccupped and quickly continued reading the chapter, wanting to hide behind the wall of words. - <…> As the noise died down and conversation started anew, Cardin and Ren made their way over to us, sitting down on either side of me and forming a small circle between the four of us, including Yatsuhashi since he was still more trusted by his people than I was.

\\"And rightly so," Jaune thought, taking another sip from his mug. His only comrade against baseless flattery. Weiss Schnee shifted her position and listened to the story with interest.

In fact, most of the people in the room were also listening to Nora with interest. Because everyone was wondering what might happen next.

"Do you think the Leader will try to overthrow the Empress next?" Mercury asked Emerald, who in turn did not even answer his stupid question, completely ignoring his existence near her. Rolling his eyes, the guy turned to another listener. "Neo, what do you think will happen next?"

Neo's eyes lit up. After a moment, she began to rapidly show various signs. And at the end, she smiled a wide grin, making a rather obvious gesture with her hands. Her hand cut the throat.

"I see," Mercury said, not understanding more than ninety percent of the gestures the girl had shown. However, he was able to clearly discern the last gesture. "That's a good suggestion... but I think we should get back to the story."

<…> "This is a good first step," Cardin began, indicating the men around us. "Our numbers have swelled from six to fourteen in a day."

<…> "According to the forums, that would make us one of the largest groups around," Ren added, looking at his scroll.

"The largest?" Ruby asked. "But how is that possible?"

"It's simple," Weiss said, realizing the reason. "Most of the men were captured on the first day, and the unlucky ones followed them in the days that followed."

"But still," Yang protested. "Why not just combine all the groups of men? I'm sure there are many more than a few dozen."

"It's easy to hide alone," Blake replied. Emerald nodded at her words.

"The more people, the higher the probability of being caught by a reconnaissance squad of girls," Weiss said thoughtfully. "And most likely, loners can sometimes simply be ignored. What can a few people do against an entire army?"

Ozpin took a sip of his coffee. Cinder began to examine her nails. They knew how much things could go wrong because of just one person.

"But we're talking about Jaune," Mercury butted in, forcing Jaune to simply hide silently behind the edge of the table. "He can handle it even if an army of robots, Grimm, and even Gods go against him."

After a moment of silence, Neo sighed and then patted her comrade on the shoulder. Sympathy was clearly visible in her eyes. It made Black choke for a moment. And then his mind began to wonder if he had gone too far with this. After all, a joke is a joke, it should be funny and rare, and not repeated over and over again... why then did he continue to praise Jaune when everyone had already begun to look at him with some kind of fear for his sanity? Could it be...

Mercury's eyes widened.

Could he really become a fanatic of Jaune? No way! Him? The Hero of the Novel... ahem, I mean the Villain?! Did everything that happened make him lose his edge? Was he really going to have to become a simple priest of the Church of Jaune instead of a world-famous troll?

He is Mercury Black!

He should make others feel embarrassed and ashamed, not be under the gaze of sympathetic glances! It is decided! Mercury gives up his role as High Priest!

His lips curved into a smile…

Meanwhile, while Mercury was in his secret consciousness, deciding whether it was better to continue his role as a Priest or to return to the cold and cool guy, everyone else continued to listen to the story from Nora's lips.

Mercury was forgotten… um, where were we? Oh, right. Nora continued reading the book, but this time, her voice began to sound like her partner's again.

<…> (In lieu of anything else to do, I made it a habit to seek information on the war and our circumstances. Information, after all, is power. Though it was no official designation, I found myself both amused and humbled by CRDL's not-so-secret nickname for me. When they thought me not listening, they would call me the Lord's Spymaster.) - Nora giggled. - Yay! Now we all have titles! Rennie, the Lord's Spymaster, hehe.

"Nora…" Weiss sighed. But her words were caught in her mouth as a rain cloud appeared next to her. Blinking, the heiress stared at Ruby. "Ruby?"

"I don't have a title," Weiss winced as the puppy eyes stared at her. "Weiss, why don't I have a title?"

Critical hit! Clutching her heart, the heiress began to cough. Shaking her head, she shuddered, and then, slightly turning away from her partner, she said quietly.

"No need to cry, Ruby, I'm sure your title will be introduced the moment the book version of you appears in the book..."

"Are you sure?" Ruby asked hopefully. Weiss felt the hit counter go crit again.

"Y-yes..."

"Hooray! What do you think it will be? Maybe "Lightning Rose"? Oh, no, "Fastest Girl on Remnant" would be better! No, that doesn't work... or maybe..."

Ruby's words sank into Weiss's mind. And Emerald, sitting next to her, thoughtfully drank lemonade from her mug. The little girl's words made her think about what kind of titles she would have. Or Cinder, for example? So far, in this story, their doubles have not appeared. Although, it was only the fifth chapter.

And it was somehow strange to want to appear in a strange little book. Even if it could bring joy and interest. After all, they were here for only one purpose. Lost in thought, Emerald bit her nail unconsciously.

Although it was worth noting that Cinder could have used a nickname like: "Queen"... thinking about it, Emerald blushed slightly.

"Ahem, ahem," Ozpin cleared his throat, causing all talk of titles and such to stop in an instant. Smiling slightly, he stared at Nora. "Miss Valkyrie, could you please continue reading? You can save the talk of titles for later. After all, time continues to pass even now."

"Okay!" Nora nodded.

“That’s good,” Ozpin said, bringing a mug of coffee to his mouth.

"Cough, cough," Nora said, causing some to blink in surprise. She smiled and said, "So, the story continues. Oh, by the way, Jaune you said!"

Jaune muttered something from under the table.

<…> "Fourteen is the biggest?" I asked, surprised.

"Huh? Why is that number considered a large group?" Jaune asked in surprise, finally standing up and sitting upright in his chair again. "I mean, there can't be so few guys left that that number is considered large, right?"

"Why not?" Blake shrugged, drawing attention to herself. "As we know, most of the guys were captured at the very beginning, and the rest began to be caught later. There are probably less than a hundred guys left."

"Oh. I see. But even so, shouldn't there be larger groups?"

"Didn't we talk about this?" Weiss interjected, tired of listening to Ark's stupid questions. "The larger the group, the more attention you'll attract. Remember the beginning? Even a simple rumor made us send a hundred people against you."

"H-hundred?!" Jaune grunted in surprise, finding himself below the table again. He blinked and quickly jumped up. "Wait, if I remember correctly, there was no talk of a hundred! Several squads!"

"Right!" Ruby agreed, staring at her partner in bewilderment.

"Actually," Weiss began irritably, "Nora told a story about six dozen men. And I, ahem, the other me, the bookish me, decided to send despite this obvious nonsense, several squads. And obviously, there should be more than sixty of them.

"But you insist this is nonsense," Jaune protested, turning pale. "Why send so many?"

"Obviously," Cinder shrugged. "To crush the threat. Even if it's illusory."

The third-year girl's words sent shivers down the boys' spines. Jaune suddenly felt that the girl sitting quietly until that moment had suddenly become much more terrifying, almost like Yang. The rest, who weren't male, only glanced at Cinder with interest.

"Cinder is right," Weiss nodded, smiling casually. At her words, Maiden only chuckled slightly. "And by the way, did you get an answer to your question, Arc?"

"Huh?" Jaune blinked in confusion, his gaze still focused on Cinder. He turned his gaze to the heiress and asked, "What question?"

Weiss raised an eyebrow in irritation.

“She’s about the largest detachment,” Pyrrha whispered quietly in his ear.

"Ah... I mean, yes, I received it, thank you!"

"That's great..." Weiss sighed. "Nora, you can continue."

<…> "That is the problem we faced," Yatsuhashi agreed with a solemn nod. "The larger your group, the further you must roam in search of food. - "Food? Oh, that's what I forgot to add!" - a thought flashed through Weiss' mind, as well as many others. Such a simple reason couldn't come to their minds either. Although it could have been guessed, since Jaune and Ren tried to steal food from Zwai in Chapter 2. - <…> We used to number ten but for two who failed to return from their scavenging hunt."

<…> He looked aside, eyes closed in memory of those lost. Perhaps he felt the blame for it lay with him. - Nora cleared her throat and again changed her tone to that of a storyteller. - <…> "I can only assume they ran afoul of patrols and were captured."

<…> "In which case they're probably living it better than us," I pointed out. "They'll be well fed and looked after, at any rate."

<…> "But they will not have their freedom. A man can survive without many things, but freedom is not one of them." - Nora said with a wise voice, raising her finger to the sky... that is, the ceiling of this room.

"Well, being free does feel more pleasant," Jaune said, looking at the four walls around them.

"Depends on what we're talking about," Blake chimed in. "Free from what? Rules? People? Life?"

"No philosophy, please," Yang said irritably, folding her arms across her chest. "Freedom is cool, that's the answer. And honestly, it's not forever, is it? Why suffer when in a few days they can be 'free' again?"

Blake shook her head, Weiss stared at the table as flashes of memories ran through her eyes, and even Mercury shifted his posture slightly as his eyes looked at Yang, his hand instinctively touching his prosthetics.

"Freedom... better freedom than a miserable stay in the hands of the enemy, receiving handouts."

"Miserable?" Weiss blinked in surprise. "Why pitiful right away? I'm sure the prisoners are in good condition."

"In the dining room?" Mercury raised an eyebrow.

"What? Can't you wait a week?" the heiress asked, narrowing her eyes. "Especially if you don't have to run after a puppy for dog food. Or are you ready to exchange normal food for dog food?"

Mercury chuckled.

"If Jaune and Ren were willing to eat the pet food, then yes, it was worth it."

"Hey, hey!" Ruby quickly waved her hands, slightly standing between them, while the others watched the situation with interest. Only Ozpin, during the pause, went to the kitchen for coffee. "Guys, let's not start another argument! I'm sure each of you wants to hear the rest. Right, Weiss?"

Weiss narrowed her eyes at that damn third-year smirk. He really was that annoying…

"Okay. Silence means yes. How about you, Mercury?"

"What about me? I'm all for it, it's just that some people disregard freedom."

"What?!" Weiss raised her voice. Ruby, meanwhile, sighed heavily, dropping her shoulders. Not again... "When did I ever neglect my freedom? I just said that it would be okay to wait a week! Especially when it's just an event!"

“Then give up,” the guy shrugged, abruptly causing almost everyone to choke on air.

"Are... are you out of your mind?" Weiss asked, tilting her head. Then, remembering what he'd been saying for the past few hours, she suddenly realized who she was talking to. "The High Priest," Church Leader Jaune, and also just a crazy guy. Did she really want to argue with a psycho again? "You know. You should go to the hospital for a checkup after you're released."

"Really? Are you afraid to give up?" Mercury chuckled again.

"Firstly, I'm not afraid of anything. Secondly, how can I give up if what happens in the book is not real?!"

"Who said anything about a book?" Black shrugged, earning everyone's attention. "As I understand it, it could still happen. And if it does, why don't you stay in the boys' captivity for a week, hmm?"

"You..." Weiss, like many others, didn't know what to say. Emerald just made an irritated facepalm. "The Combat Games may not take place yet," the heiress raised her finger. "And even if they do, why should I surrender to the losing side?"

"Why immediately loser? Who knows, maybe we will win."

"What if? Yeah, yeah," Weiss rolled her eyes. "In your dreams."

"Not just mine," Mercury grinned evilly, pointing his finger at the book. "I'm sure the story will end with the boys being able to win. After all, Jaune is with us."

"Ha!" Weiss couldn't help but chuckle. "Arc? And what will he do? Defeat our entire army? Defeat Pyrrha in a duel? Or capture all the points necessary for victory?"

"Who knows," Mercury shrugged, still grinning. "Maybe all this will really happen."

Weiss gritted her teeth.

"It. Doesn't. Happened."

"Are you sure?" the guy stood up and grinned.

“Absolutely,” the girl said, staring into his eyes.

"Then let's make a deal."

"And why the hell? Everything is clear anyway."

"To make it more fun. And when the time comes, you feel despair."

"Hah," the heiress chuckled. "The one who will feel despair is you. Okay, I agree to the deal."

"Weiss!" Ruby hissed, staring at her friend in surprise.

"Mercury," Cinder said quietly.

"Then what will be the reward?" Mercury ignored his boss. Now he was overcome with a feeling of excitement and fun. This is freedom. When you are your own boss, and no one has the right to order you what to do. Even if he regrets it later, he still feels incredibly cool.

"Money?" Weiss raised an eyebrow.

"It's banal," the guy dismissed the idea. "Maybe a wish?"

"Weiss! Stop," Ruby grabbed Weiss's sleeve and tried to bring her friend back to her senses. For a moment, the heiress wavered, but when she noticed the mocking and condescending grin of the third-year, Weiss simply could not hold back her voice.

"Okay. But once you hear the ending, just don't cry."

"Cry? Me?" Mercury laughed. "I'm sure you'll regret this decision."

Meanwhile, the others were in a bit of a stupor. More precisely, some were simply enjoying the spectacle. Like Ozpin, who returned about halfway through the argument, Blake, gnawing on a dried fish, Yang, mischievously sparkling her eyes and secretly filming it all on a scroll, and also…

Well, basically, almost everyone was just watching this scene. Jaune, for example, just confirmed once again that Mercury Black was just a complete psychopath. He was just… beyond the thoughts of a normal person. Shaking his head, Jaune simply took a sip from his mug, glad that after this room, they would not meet again.

At least something good...

Either way, Weiss and Mercury stopped talking to each other and sat back down in their seats, with Ruby the only one still telling Weiss that she had made a terrible mistake for agreeing to this stupid bet.

"Ruby, stop, this is useless."

"But Weiss, why did you agree?! You're going to lose!" Weiss gave her a withering look. With an oink, the leader of Team RWBY quickly corrected herself. "I mean, we don't know for sure that Jaune is going to lose!"

"Ruby," Weiss sighed again, "Obviously he won't lose.

"That's right... huh?" Ruby hesitated and then looked at her partner in bewilderment. After clearing her ears, the reaper asked again. "Repeat, please, because I think I misheard..."

"Oh, look," Weiss raised her hand. "First of all, whoever wrote this story knows our characters, habits, and actions very well."

"Well, that's definitely... a little scary, even," Ruby whispered.

"And until this very moment, he acted according to our logic," the heiress bent her finger. "As funny as it may sound, but every action was in the spirit of each of us."

Ruby blinked.

"What about Cardin and Co?" Yang asked, eavesdropping on Weiss's speech.

Weiss flinched.

"Humor. Just humor. Anyway, no matter how hard Jaune tries, he just can't beat us! Especially Pyrrha! Especially with fourteen people in his squad! And against several hundred girls, it's already a losing proposition."

"Well, technically that's true," Yang confirmed, then chuckled. "But in reality, there's no High Priest Russell, and Cardin is still the same jerk, even though it's different in the book. What if the Author lets Jaune win?"

A distinct snort was heard from the girl.

"This is impossible."

"What if?" Yang repeated, causing the girl not in white to frown.

"Let's say you're right, but even so, I can't understand how Arc will be able to defeat all the girls, capture and hold all the points with such a small squad. No, it's simply impossible."

"With a squad like that?" Ruby noted. "What if he got more guys? Then he'd have a chance?"

Weiss sighed again.

"Ruby, most of the guys are already under the girls' control. Yes, he might be able to take one point. But even so, an army of girls would destroy them just because of the difference in numbers."

Ruby shook her head and said bitterly, "You'll definitely regret this. In stories, the hero always wins."

"But that's not a story, Ruby."

She shrugged.

"Well, the author can do anything. It's his story."

After these words, Ruby turned away, while Weiss shuddered unconsciously. Yes, even if everything up until this point could be explained by Arc's luck and fortune, but even so, it wouldn't save him when Pyrrha and hundreds of women were in front of him. Right?

There were several claps. Stopping, Ozpin smiled as everyone's attention returned to him.

"Okay, since you've all rested," several people shrugged, "then let's continue listening to this story. Okay?" seeing the nods, he saluted Valkyrie with his mug. "Forward."

Nora cleared her throat and quickly wiped her fingers with a napkin, as she had just been eating candy while Weiss and Mercury were arguing. Once she was done, she grabbed the book and flipped to the next page. "Ahem, so… where is this? ah! Here!" - <…> I disagreed – but wasn't about to say that. In terms of surviving, I couldn't help but think it was a little backwards. You could survive without freedom. What you couldn't survive without was food and water, which just so happened to be exactly what the girls were offering. Yet again, if it weren't for the unknown and humiliating horrors that no doubt awaited Ren and I courtesy of our teammates, I'd have hog-tied and hand-delivered myself to them already.

Weiss chuckled loudly. Mercury just rolled his eyes at that. The others just decided to continue listening to Nora's voice. And it definitely had nothing to do with Miss Goodwitch's intimidating glare. Yes. Definitely.

Sadly, the Beacon Civil War was only going to last a week, whereas the consequences of failure – and the pictures taken after Nora had `prettied us up` with make-up and dresses – would last a lifetime. - Pyrrha blushed slightly and then tried to hide her blush with a cup of tea. She still hoped to see pictures of Jaune before he got to Beacon. - <…> That couldn't be allowed to happen. I still had dreams of getting a girlfriend at some point, and I didn't need that kind of incriminating weighing down on me.

At the mention of the girl, most of the Beacon students rolled their eyes, and only Pyrrha clutched her mug a little tighter... a few cracks running across it.

Of course, Jaune didn't notice any of this.

<…> "We should plan out our next steps," Cardin said. He was as gung-ho as ever, and the doubt he'd harboured for me before was gone, replaced instead with a confident smile he shot my way. "Thanks to Jaune's leadership, we have the tempo on our side, but it won't last. We need to strike now while we have the advantage."

Cardin's words caught everyone's attention. Well, almost everyone, Pyrrha was still thinking about Nora's previous words.

<…> While I appreciated his blind (and foolish) faith in me, I couldn't quite say the same about his enthusiasm and shook my head quickly.

"Are you nuts? We can't just attack the girls like that. We'll be annihilated." - Weiss smiled and cast a haughty glance at the third-year. He just rolled his eyes. - <…> "Oh, I didn't mean an attack. We need to consolidate our position as a tribe and recruiting more men to the cause."

"Good choice," Ren whispered under his breath. "But not in their situation."

Blake nodded at Ren's words.

<…> "We will need to find ways of sustaining them too," Yatsuhashi said. "It will not do to aim too large and find ourselves struggling for food. As it is the one commodity many of the free-men lack, if we can gather enough we can use that to attract new tribesmen."

"And partly drawing attention to them," Ren sighed. The situation that had developed for his other version was terrible. The best outcome was to return to the life of a nomad again, since it, although dangerous, was the least noticeable. Shaking his head, Ren sighed again. However, he was sure that with Jaune, he really had a chance not to be captured by the girls.

<…> Cardin regarded the larger man with interest.

<…> "That's not a bad idea. You've put some thought into this."

<…> "As a previous chieftain, such things were always at the fore of my mind," Yatsuhashi said, almost bashfully. "It is no great feat, not compared to what our Warchief has achieved. I am not at all upset to have given away my command. Mine was never to lead. I am a follower."

<…> "Good. We'll need to make sure everyone else understands that too." Cardin pulled out his scroll and opened up a map of Beacon. "I'll have Russel spread the news on the forums, - "Forum? Seriously?" - many sensible people thought. Who would arbitrarily show their location to other people? Especially considering that the forum is publicly accessible. Especially for girls. - <…> but there will still be other men who will be too arrogant to bend knee. We need to make it clear that Jaune is the only salvation for mankind. It's imperative we strike down these false prophets."

Almost no one else reacted to Nora's last words, since over these hours, with the help of Mercury and the last lines of the chapters, they had gained quite a good resistance to such words.

<…> The two went on like that for another minute or two, throwing plans back and forth that I could barely grasp, let alone understand. Was this what a leader really was? I'd never had to be one for JNPR, each member being more than capable of looking after themselves, and me being the one who usually needed help. With a sigh, I made to stand, quickly catching Cardin's attention.

<…> "You're leaving?" he asked.

<…> "Only to stretch my legs outside," I said. It wasn't like I was leaving all the food I'd risked my self-respect for.

<…> "What about the war session?" he asked, already having named their little chat. "How can we create an effective strategy without you here? It's only your cunning that has allowed us to get this far in the first place."

Jaune drank from his mug in silence. Hm? What? It was true. His intelligence had gotten him out of the Nora situation alive, and it had also gotten them away from the patrol. So, Cardin's words were true... it was weird to think about, wasn't it? Thinking about it, the blonde drifted off into his thoughts.

<…> I resisted the urge to sigh and instead tried to think of something they'd accept. I was useless in the little strategy meeting anyway since I didn't understand it. Staying would only make me look like an idiot, and those two seemed more than capable on their own.

Nora was silent for a second. And then - everyone saw her expression as if something had occurred to her. Her next words, in Jaune's voice, only made many feel strange.

<…> Wait a minute…

<…> "I think you give yourselves too little credit," I said, hand on one hip. "I have faith in you. Come up with some plans between yourselves and then tell them to me afterwards. I'll decide what I think of them and offer any ideas I have."

<…> Which would be none, of course. Whatever they came up with was bound to be better than anything I could. I felt inordinately pleased with my little ruse, but paused when I realised Cardin was staring up at me with watery eyes.

Those who knew Cardin, especially Jaune, looked at Nora in surprise. What did they just hear? Even Nora couldn't help but be surprised.

<…> "You…" He swallowed. "Do you… really mean that?"

//"What exactly?" Jaune couldn't figure out what his book version had said that could make Cardin cry. Although, in this story, his words and actions are often twisted so that even he is stunned by what happened.

Meanwhile, Nora continued.

<…> I blinked. "Mean what?"

<…> "That you have faith in me," Cardin whispered, as if he couldn't quite believe the concept. - After these words, almost everyone couldn't help but sigh and smile slightly. Although, the Beacon students found it strange to smile because of Cardin's actions. - <…> "After everything I've done, after all the mistakes I've made, how can you possibly think me capable of filling your shoes?"

Pyrrha smiled. The story of a rival who, having lost and seeing a helping hand, would never betray his master again, whom he would follow until the very end. Oh, how it was like one of those romantic stories…

<…> Honestly? I didn't have any faith in him at all.

Hearing these words, Pyrrha unconsciously choked on air, abruptly breaking her dreams. Her expression, and not only hers to be exact, suddenly changed to embarrassment. However, for some reason, after a moment it caused a smile. Out of the corner of her eye, Pyrrha saw the same smile on Ruby, and Yang, as well as on Ren and Nora.

Nora was silent for a moment. Grabbing the cup of water Ren had poured for her, she quickly drained it, and then began to speak rapidly:

<…> Well, that wasn't quite right. When it came to coming up with plans, Cardin was going to be better than me because anyone was better than me. I was good at coming up with ideas to keep myself out of trouble, and that wasn't going to change in the future. Whatever plan Cardin had, I'd be sure to put myself at the back of. In fact, if it were to be Cardin's plan, then I could even have a good excuse to put him in charge of it if a battle ever did happen. It would let me watch from the back, nice and safe while he led the charge. I liked the idea more than I cared to admit, and a wide smile spread across my face. First, however, I needed to make sure he liked the idea as well. - Nora suddenly fell silent and exhaled deeply. "Phew! That was a lot of words..."

Shaking her head and grabbing the refilled mug of water again, she continued to tell the epic tale of the legend.

<…> "It's because I see potential in you, Cardin," I lied, placing one hand on his shoulder. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here with you. I wouldn't be fighting by your side. Trust in yourself a little." - Jaune felt strange, hearing those familiar words. Believe in yourself. That's what his friends and the principal had said, and now it was he, or rather another version of him, who was saying those teeth-grindingly familiar words. It was... nice. Nice that they weren't directed at you now. - <…> "That goes for Yatsu, too. You've led your people until now, so when it comes to the little details, it would be great if you could keep watching over them."

<…> I didn't want to be saddled down with a heap of little things like making sure people were fed and such. I didn't know much about leadership, but I did know what delegating was. It was off-loading difficult or troubling problems onto other people.

Glinda took a sip from her cup without changing her expression. She was calm and even somewhat regal. Nothing could be read on her face.

But for some reason, Ozpin, who was sitting next to him, not only had his back wet, but also his palms. Hmm, strange...

"A quick note from Rennie,” Nora shouted without stopping. - <…> (That's not what delegation is, Jaune. Or rather it's not what it should be.)

Ozpin took another sip from his mug. Although, this time, his fingers trembled unconsciously as he raised the mug to his mouth. Glynda, meanwhile, only continued to listen to Miss Valkyrie.

<…> "You honour me, Warchief," Yatsuhashi said, bowing from the waist up. "In your name, I shall see it done."

<…> "Good. And you focus on the strategy, Cardin," I said, looking back to him. "You're in charge of planning."

<…> I nodded, pleased with myself for my clever get-out-of-work plan. I half-expected them to complain but was instead faced by Cardin's open mouth.

Nora exclaimed in surprise:

<…> "You're appointing me your General!?"

And then she shrugged her shoulders and continued in Jaune's voice:

<…> "Yeah, sure. Why not." - The students listening to her laughed slightly, even Jaune himself smiled unconsciously. Although for some reason a strange feeling awoke inside him that these words would make him regret everything... but how exactly? However, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that this book ends as quickly as possible.

<…> "I… I don't know what to say. Yes, of course." His smile was nothing short of rapturous, but he forced it down and adopted as calm as stern an expression as he could, slamming a fist into his chest in some kind of clumsy salute. "It is my honour to accept your decision, Warchief. I will not let you down."

"Here he is, Jaune’s first general,” Yang whispered into Weiss’s ear with a grin. Weiss just gave her a haughty look."

"Actually, this was mentioned in the last chapter."

"Yes?" the lilac eyes blinked in surprise. "When? I don't remember anything like that..."

"Of course, you don't remember," the heiress rolled her eyes. "The end, when Winchester was telling about himself."

"Oh!" Remembering the end of Chapter 4, Yang couldn't help but giggle. "Damn, that's right. Hehe."

"Yang!" Blake, sitting on the right, hissed. "Don't interrupt my listening!"

She blinked in surprise but still followed the request, or rather, the order, of the faun.

“Thank you,” Belladonna muttered, returning her attention to the events of the book.

<…> I returned the salute, just because it felt like it was expected, and then excused myself from the group, slipping out of the toilets and into the relative gloom of the late-night corridor. The insulated and tiled walls cut off the noise of chatter from within, proving another reason as to why Yatsuhashi had been successful in remaining hidden. He'd chosen his base well.

//"In the ladies' room... it was only luck that they weren't caught," thought all the cynics in the group. Let's just say there were two or three of them. But let's just say they were all different ages.

Nora continued reading, although her voice took on a strangely soothing tone… how? Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it.

<…> Still, it felt nice to be free of it. To be free of the cold tiles, the loud chatter, and also the adoring looks. To not feel eyes on you from behind and turn around to see someone you didn't recognise make a symbol of allegiance or worship, to look at you as if they expected you to fix all of their problems and right the wrongs they faced.

Pyrrha thoughtfully looked down at the tea, or rather, at her reflection. It was faint, but she could still see in it - the Champion. Strong. Invincible. Perfect.

"Pyrrha? Are you okay?"

Someone placed a hand on her shoulder and then squeezed it lightly. It was Jaune, her leader - not strong, not invincible, and certainly not perfect. And yet - despite all this - he remained sensitive and kind to his friends and comrades.

For some reason, her chest felt warm again, and quickly running her gaze over everyone in the room, Pyrrha suddenly realized that... everyone here, even the third-years and adults, didn't care who she was. To them, she was just another trapped girl and not some Champion who could solve all their problems.

Realizing this, Pyrrha couldn't help but smile. And then - she drank the remaining tea in one go. And only then - she smiled at her partner.

"I was just thinking. And you know?"

"What?" Jaune blinked in confusion, though his concern for her had diminished considerably.

"Thank you."

"Thank you for what?" the Knight of her dreams wondered. But instead of answering, Pyrrha only giggled mysteriously into her fist and turned away, continuing to listen to the story.

And only Jaune silently looked at her, while his mind tried to understand what had just happened. After thinking about it for a bit, he sighed. Apparently, no man could understand the way girls thought.

<…> I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't even capable of righting my own wrongs. Hell, I wouldn't be able to recognise them if I'd tried. A giant sigh escaped me and I placed both hands against a cool window pane, resting my forehead against it as breath misted the glass. - Nora changed her voice to her partner. - <…> "Lien for your thoughts?" a calm voice asked.

<…> "Nothing too much," I replied, leaning back with a sigh. Out of everyone here, Ren was the only one I felt I could really trust with my thoughts, but even then I wasn't sure. It wasn't that I doubted him, but rather that I doubted the wisdom of revealing them at all. "Do you think we're doing the right thing?" I asked instead.

Only Nora's voice could be heard in the quiet room:

<…> "Do you mean you taking leadership of them?" Ren asked. I nodded. "It's hard to say," he said. "On the one part, this whole plan appears foolhardy and dangerous. Even now, there are only fourteen of us and if that does make us the largest male group in Beacon, I fear for what this means. It is still not enough to pose a threat to our teammates. Between them, I expect Pyrrha, Nora and all of Team RWBY could take us out in one battle. This is a dangerous path."

The real Ren nodded at his double's words. There were probably many here who were thinking the same thing. Even now, especially now, they still have old problems to solve, and new ones to worry about.

<…> I thought the same, and still worried about something like that happening. As a group, I had the protection of everyone around me if something went wrong, but when it had been just Ren and I, we were far less noticeable. - There was a murmur of approval. They had already talked about this and the pros and cons it gave. - <…> We could creep about the hidden corners of the school and avoid danger. Now, the people around us had become a cage, and they were leading us directly to war. In the end, it all came down to a single point. I didn't want to win the Beacon Civil War. I didn't think we could whoever was in charge. I just wanted to survive it, to endure and outlast.

Jaune sighed. He sympathized with his double. The fate that awaited him if he lost was too unenviable. But unlike him, it was the real Jaune who would experience everything that his double would do.

<…> "But," Ren continued, "even though it's dangerous and even though it seems impossible, we find ourselves feasting and laughing this night."

Nora smiled as she continued reading in the narrator's voice.

<…>He turned to me, smiling a soft smile he normally reserved for Nora's antics.

<…>"When I think back on us skulking around looking for food, I remember the pangs of hunger and think that I'm grateful I don't have to feel that anymore. Time and time again I considered surrendering to Nora and going through whatever humiliation she had in stall for me. There were times I nearly gave up…"

Hearing this, Ren sitting to Nora's left, felt a bolt of lightning running through his entire body. If his double had really surrendered to Nora... The thought of it alone made him tremble in terror. Without a chance or opportunity to escape, he would be a mere doll in the clutches of his childhood friend.

The fact that Nora's eyes were slightly saddened at the words of his double only further strengthened his feeling of gratitude to Jaune, no matter the real one or the book one.

Well, and perhaps Zwei and his food. Without them, his double would definitely have surrendered to Nora.

<…> Ren had…? I couldn't believe it. He'd always seemed so indomitable, not in the way Yang or Pyrrha were, but like a silent tree bearing a storm, unyielding, calm.

Nora giggled at the comparison of Ren to a tree.

<…> "Given our circumstances, we should not be where we are now," he said. "We should not be free. We should not be well-fed. We should not be celebrating. Yatsuhashi and his small tribe should be huddled in a bathroom waiting for hunger to drive them into the clutches of the women. They should be considering defeat." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "But they are not. They are happy – and it's because of you."

<…> "It's because they have food," I said. "Not me."

Jaune nodded in agreement. Although inside he unconsciously remembered his heroic distraction move. After all, it was thanks to him that Nora took some of her powers with her. And Nora confirmed his thoughts with Ren's words.

<…> "And without you, they would not have that." Ren chuckled and walked up to stand beside me, looking out over the gardens and towards the edge of the trees that marked the Emerald Forest. "Whether you believe you deserve such praise is your own opinion, but to them you are the one they have chosen to put their trust into."

//"You can't argue with that...", thought Jaune, listening to Nora. "However, their faith in me, that is, in the other me, could be a little less overstated."

<…> "I don't feel like I deserve it, Ren."

<…> "Did you think you deserved Team JNPR's trust?"

<…> "No. I still don't."

Jaune Arc coughed into his fist in embarrassment as his friends stared at him. Luckily, Nora continued reading, distracting the others from him.

<…> "And yet we trust you, Jaune. And you have yet to steer us wrong."

Pyrrha smiled and nodded at the words of book Ren. Wherever Jaune was, in the book or in reality, his friends and comrades would always be there for him and believe in him. Even if he didn't believe in himself.

<…> The sound of wind whistling through leaves was all that answered him, even the cicadas that chirped in the forest going silent. Was he right? I didn't know. In the end, it didn't really matter, either. I was stuck in this situation whether I wanted it or not, and my feeling good about it wasn't going to make CRDL any less eager for war. Now, there were eight new people to deal with, each of which would expect me to move heaven and Remnant for them. With a sigh, I leaned against the glass once more, watching the long line of fireflies dancing below. It wasn't the season for them, nor was the right temperature… and come to think of it, they weren't dancing at all. They were moving in a straight line. It was more like a formation.

Everyone realized at once what this meant. And while everyone else approached Nora with interest for the sake of the book, Jaune only groaned quietly, sliding slightly in his chair.

<…> "No…" - Nora said in Jaune's frightened voice. And, by the way, this intonation did not coincide with reality at all.

<…> "What's wrong?" Ren asked, not having seen it. I didn't have the time to explain. I pushed past him, ignoring his startled cry and sprinting back towards the toilets. Had there been a door, it might have slammed open, but my palm striking the cold tiles sounded much the same. It was enough to stop everyone in their tracks and have them looking towards me. "Pack up," I rasped, eyes wide and afraid. "We're moving!"

<…> Yatsuhashi blinked. "Now…?" - Nora feigned surprise masterfully. - <…> "Now," I agreed, growling as I moved in and started to stuff food into my backpack. "And unless you want to explain to the army of girls on their way what we're doing here, you'll start packing! Get the food – don't leave anything behind. Where's Zwei?"

Ruby immediately perked up when the conversation turned to her cute dog.

<…> The corgi barked and rushed over to my heels. "Good boy. Don't stray far."

<…> "An army?" Russel asked, the Mohawk-wearing teen hesitating. "There are fourteen of us now. We could take them. This could be the start of our legend!"

Weiss snorted. Cinder followed suit, rolling her eyes slightly and smirking as well. A legend? Hah. Even Jaune, sitting, or rather almost reclining, in his chair, groaned slightly at Russell's self-assured words.

Nora continued in her ever-cheerful tone:

<…> I laughed bitterly. "Not likely."

And his double certainly understood this.

<…> "Jaune's right," Ren gasped, arriving less than a minute after me and now looking as nervous as I felt. Ah, he'd seen it then. - //"I wonder how many exactly?" thought those few who were interested in the details of the story and how many people it would take to make the eternally calm Ren scared. And a moment later, as if reading their thoughts, Nora continued: - <…> "There are at least a hundred of them! There's so many! And I saw faces… Yang, Weiss, Blake." He swallowed. "I even saw Coco."

Jaune and Ren both flinched at the same time. Even Mercury's eyes widened slightly at the amount.

And only Weiss, snorting and lifting her little nose, was satisfied with the number that was named. Even though it was approximate, the amount was the same as she had told others. And that couldn't help but please.

"Khmm," Yang rolled her eyes when she noticed her expression. Typical, proud Weiss. Whether she's trapped or not, she'll always be like that.

<…> The names were enough. Not a word was spoken as everyone leapt to their feet, disturbing and spilling cola across the tiles as they hurried to stock up on anything and everything they could. My bags were filled with food, albeit I'd spared a little space for Zwei's dog food. I pulled the straight tight and clipped it shut. - Ruby, Weiss, and Yang looked at Jaune approvingly. Only Blake couldn't hold back an angry sigh. - <…> Why were there so many, and why were they heading this way? I had no proof they were after us, but I couldn't think of anything else that might have drawn them to this area. According to the scrolls, the wing we were in was without an objective capture point. There was no reason to be here other than to root someone out.

"And it would have worked if you hadn't left the party," Pyrrha said thoughtfully. A smile blossomed on her face. "It seems you saved everyone this time, too."

Jaune blinked in confusion, "Huh? Wait, I just saw them!"

"And thus saved everyone," Ren refuted him.

"Anyone could do it!"

"To be honest, no," Ozpin said with a smile, catching his attention. "The others would have continued celebrating until they were surrounded."

"But Ren came out!" Jaune said in despair.

"After you," Cinder rolled her eyes. She was getting tired of this teenager. And it's only been a few hours! "And if you don't want to hear the praise you deserve, you can just say it. Or just keep quiet.

"But... I... no, I don't..." Jaune didn't know what to say.

"She's right, Arc," Weiss chimed in this time. Grimacing slightly, she continued, "Even though it was you who started all this, this whole operation and the rebellion of the group of survivors, even so, so far all your actions have helped the group."

Everyone stared at Weiss in silence.

She raised an eyebrow: “What?”

"Nothing," Ruby said quickly. "You just..."

"Just what?" the eyebrow continued its journey to the sky. "Mmm?"

"Well, you just..."

"What? What me?"

"Um, did you praise me?" Jaune chimed in, sitting up straight.

"Yeah, just like he said," Nora nodded several times.

"Hmm," Weiss sneered, crossing her arms over her chest, "If you didn't hear me, I said 'for now'. And to be more precise, it was only by luck that they were still free. They encountered Cardin and his team, and that was the only reason they were able to defeat that group of girls. The second time, they were able to do it only because… I'm sorry, Nora, but your stupid actions are to blame for all of this."

"Hey!" Nora frowned but then smiled. "Well, you're right, if I hadn't gone after Jaune, I would have had Renny in my hands by now.

The smile on her face made Ren, and surprisingly, Emerald, tremble slightly. And if Ren had known Nora for many years, then Emerald had only just become acquainted with the strong and rather deadly embrace of the eternally hungry girl.

"Yes. That's right," Weiss nodded, bringing her attention back to herself. "And in the end, it was only by luck that Arc was able to get out at the exact moment the group was moving towards them. And it was only because of that they were able to escape."

"Run away?" Ruby blinked. "But they haven't yet..."

"That's already clear," Blake said. "There are still many chapters, and further events are easy to predict."

"Exactly," Weiss smiled with satisfaction. "So, it certainly wasn't Arc's fault. It was only luck that he was able to be where he needed to be."

"But it was Jaune who did all of this," Pyrrha said smiling.

"Anyone could have done it," Weiss waved back.

"I don't think so," Ren shook his head. "Others might give up or do something wrong. Even if I ran into Nora, I wouldn't be able to escape from her. She knows all my weaknesses.

"Aha!" the nameless one nodded with satisfaction. "I know everything about Renny!"

And the last phrase certainly didn't sound scary.

Weiss just sighed.

"Just because I know when to keep quiet, I won't start arguing about Arc and his Luck. Nora. How much time is left until the end of the chapter?"

"Hm?" Nora was surprised, turning the page. "Oh! I was so fast!" Nora grimaced slightly. "It's strange, why do I have this feeling that I'm just judging someone right now?"

"Nora!" Weiss frowned.

"Oh. Right, sorry. A page, maybe a little more."

"Let's finish this chapter, and then..." Weiss looked into the champion's green eyes. "I'll prove that if it were anyone else in Jaune's place, nothing would have changed."

“Okay,” Pyrrha nodded.

Jaune was silent. He had made the same stupid mistake again. He sighed and shook his empty mug. He really should learn to keep quiet. Cinder was right. Sigh…

"Sooooo..." Nora said. "Should I continue?"

“Go on,” almost everyone answered in one voice.

"O.K." <…> "Where will we go?" Yatsuhashi asked, lumbering over to me with his pack already filled.

<…> "Anywhere," I said. "As long as it puts distance between us, I'm fine with it."

<…> Were they angry because I'd technically stolen the supply drop? It wasn't like they needed it, but maybe they were worried the sudden influx of food on our end would damage their propaganda push. Guys weren't going to be surrendering for food if they knew a bunch was out there for the taking.

"In fact, it could be a pretty effective way to make them fight each other, like what happened with Jaune, Ren, and Team Cardinal…" Weiss whispered, but stopped abruptly when her friends stared at her with fearful looks. Only Cinder looked at the girl with some new approval. "What? I'm just considering my options."

"Yeah..." Blake said, putting as much faith into the word as she could. And apparently, Weiss didn't think it was enough. "Let's continue! The end is near after all."

<…> Or maybe they just wanted revenge. This was Nora. - Nora choked on her own air. Her eyes widened, and she stared at her leader with deep sadness. "Jaunny?! Do you think I'm ready for revenge? You?!"

"Ahem... yes?"

"Oh, how it hurts! Although you're right, if you took Ren for yourself, I would definitely be angry and ready for revenge. But you won't do that, right?"

"A-aha..."

"Wrong, Jaunny~..."

"I won't take Ren away from you! - the blond screamed in fear.

"Well done. Let's continue," everyone else could only watch quietly... although Ozpin, Glynda, and Cinder could at least say something. But Ozpin was just interested in watching everyone. Partly, he already understood why they were locked here. The students' reactions were incredibly interesting. Glynda, meanwhile, was tired of trying to force the children to obey the rules. One way or another, they shut up and continue reading the story. And that tea that Ozpin brought her while Ms. Schnee and Mr. Black were arguing was delicious. And besides, to be fair, they weren't in Beacon, so she could take a break from all this... well, and Cinder just didn't want to draw any more attention to their company. Although looking at Mercury, it seemed like they had long been in a... bad place, let's say. So... where were we? Oh, right. Nora continued reading the story of Chief Jaune's heroic adventure: - <…> She wasn't normally the vengeful type, but only because no one was stupid enough to piss her off in the first place. I'd done more than just that; I'd outsmarted her. Would that have made her angry? Or worse, sparked her competitive spirit?

At the mention of the latter, many (minus adults, minus third years (except Emerald), and also Pyrrha) simultaneously shuddered. Although there were girls in Team RWBY who could defeat Nora in a duel, but still - it was still fraught with consequences. So, yes.

No one wanted to risk offending her.

<…> I didn't dare imagine it.

"Renny's Note" - <…> (Good choice.) - blue eyes stared at the quiet guy. "And although these words are true, it still hurts me to hear from..."

"I'll make pancakes for you when we're free."

Nora turned away and continued reading as if nothing had happened.

<…> "You realise that any other wing will put us into greater danger," Yatsuhashi said. "This is the only part of the academy with no objectives in the war. That is why I brought my people here. If we move to the other wings, we move closer to their seat of power."

//"Hm? No points? That's right... well, it doesn't matter," Weiss shook her head and pushed the thoughts away. The end was very close, and she didn't want to miss it.

<…> I knew that. Damn it, but I knew that. What other choice did we have, however? Well, there was one other choice. I had a feeling that if Ren and I gave ourselves up, these lot would be able to go free. Ha, as if I'd let that happen. I'd been through too much to get this far and I wasn't going to go and get myself captured so these guys could savour the fruit of our labour.

Everyone listened attentively.

<…> "We don't have a choice. They're coming for us and there are enough of them to sweep every room in the entire wing. I wouldn't be surprised if they lock the entire area down until they find us. We need to leave. Unless you want to tangle with your team leader?" I added.

<…> "I do not," Yatsuhashi replied. He raised his voice to the others. "Hurry now. We are to leave. Look on this not as flight for we are merely becoming something more – like a caterpillar who has yet to become the butterfly."

<…> And remember," Cardin echoed. "We will right these injustices heaped upon us. We will have our freedom." - Nora raised her fist and repeated the gesture. - <…> He held a fist high, and it was quickly echoed by the others. "For the Warchief!" he called.

Mercury chuckled, and then Yang followed suit. Though silently. Weiss and Emerald rolled their eyes at such actions, while the rest of them just listened to Nora with interest, while they watched two or three idiots out of the corner of their eyes.

<…> "Warchief Jaune! Warchief Jaune! Warchief Jaune! Yarghhh!"

Jaune took a sip from his empty mug, stone-faced. Or rather, pretended to take a sip. There was nothing there. Just like in his mind. Just like in his heart.

<…> I groaned and did my best not to pay any attention to them. I had the terrible feeling that if I did, I might contract the debilitating mental illness that must have been spreading around. It was the only explanation for this.

Many looked thoughtfully first at Yang, and then at Mercury. Nora was Nora, so everyone forgot about her. Yang was a fighter and loved to joke with terrible puns, so it was clear about her too. But as for Mercury... noticing these glances, the guy, without changing his face at all, tousled his hair.

"What?"

“Nothing,” the “reasonable” people in the room said almost in unison.

"Ahem, by the way!" Nora butted in. "There's another excerpt next, but this time from Yatsuhashi."

"Already?" Blake said in surprise. "Quickly..."

"I told you, one or two pages,” Valkyrie shrugged.

"Still, this chapter was shorter than the others."

"Well, there wasn't much action in it," Weiss said this time. "There was almost nothing worthwhile in this chapter."

"Well, compared to the last one," Ruby whispered, "this one really wasn't that interesting."

"Without a good fight,” Yang sighed.

“No adventure…” Nora muttered.

"And short in general,” Blake finished sullenly.

//"There should be more of these," flashed through Jaune's mind. He grimaced. "And it would be better if there were no chapters at all..."

"But one way or another, it gave us information,” Ren shrugged.

"We find out... um, our titles." Pyrrha tried to find at least something good in this chapter.

"I still don't have a title!" Ruby protested. Pyrrha gasped.

"Sorry... then what about the whole group? The biggest one is among the guys."

"And how is this information useful?" Emerald raised an eyebrow.

"Am... well..."

"Guys, let's just admit that this was... well, not a very interesting chapter. Okay?" Mercury raised his hands. "I'm sure the next chapter will be much more interesting. And if I remember correctly, someone has to finish this section first before the next one starts..."

"Ah! Yes, right now," Nora quickly cleared her throat, and then began to read the last lines of the chapter. <…> Excerpt: Tales of a Wanderer by Yatsuhashi Daichi

Stopping for a moment, Nora once again acquired the wise tones of an old person: - <…> And so it was that we bid goodbye to the home we had come to love, and set out for new horizons. Unlike the many times before, we were not filled with despair or defeat, but joy and hope – both that we might find a new place to call home, but also that when we did, it would be one we could hold onto.

Everyone listened silently. Even Ozpin put his mug down on the table and listened to Nora's voice.

<…> As we stepped out of the cold bathroom and into the colder air of Beacon's night time, we too saw the column that would have fallen upon us if not for the Warchief's premonition. So large a horde was enough to scare us deeply, but it also spoke of the Warchief's reputation – and his potential. If even the women feared him so, then who were we to hold a shred of doubt? And, as the sun rose on Beacon, we became nomads once more.

Hearing the words about fear, Weiss could hardly hold back her words. Afraid? Of whom? Ark? That idiot? Damn, whoever thought Arc was something to be afraid of! What could he possibly do to be afraid of him? Become a director? Become the head of the White Fang? Or what, some kind of secret agent? Haha. That could only happen in dreams. Arc's dreams.

<…> But it would not be for long, and we would not spend the rest of our time wandering the halls as directionless vagabonds. Our calling was greater, and I had the honour to be one of the few there to witness its outset.

Nora was silent for a moment, and then, frowning, she whispered, but her voice was like thunder.

<…> War was coming.

Everyone silently awaited the end.

<…> And we would be in the thick of it.

"Phew," Nora closed the book and took a deep breath. "That was a long time..."

"It's only been an hour," someone said.

"And it seemed like months to me..." Nora thought. "Are we getting old? What if we're trapped in time, and every hour we spend here takes a month off our lives? What if we've been stuck here for a year? What if it's been a decade? What if we're trapped and we keep repeating it over and over, over and over, until one day the one who trapped us here decides to destroy us? That's..."

"Nora. The book please."

"Oh, you're not funny, Blakey."

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http://notabenoid.org/book/87121/577036

Переводчики: Camrad_RIP