"Hurryup with those papers." Rin demands as she sits at her desk, watching me stamp a mountain of papers on the coffee table. Not bothering to help because don't ask me. I'll never know,
At least this cushion is soft.
I ended up having to show up extra early to the academy thanks to my position as student council vice president.
A role I never asked for or even thought about at all. I miss going outside and catching ladybugs.
That last part is a lie.
The thing I miss most is slicing and dicing anything that so much as breathes within my presence. But I might just be exaggerating a tad bit.
As soon as I showed up to the academy gates, Rin was pretty much already waiting for me there as if she was a tiger ready to pounce on a rabbit from the bushes.
"Sigh I got it already." I stamp a piece of paper before flipping through the never-ending pile.
"And can you.. kindly stop doing that.." I look off to my right and onto the person sitting next to me who currently has their finger poked on my cheek.
"Heeheehee~" Yukki giggles, just rubbing her index finger on my skin over and over.
"Stop that." Rin calls out from across the room, focused on her daily task of observing me like a cold-blooded hawk.
Yukki does the opposite of Rin's demand, doing what she's been doing for the past I don't know.
Don't ask me any questions right now. "Oh relax prez, we're just having fun!" *Poke*
"There is no such thing as 'Fun' within the student council. Only results and progress."
She stands from her seat and plants her palms on her desk with enough force to be considered a punch to the gut. "And who said it was alright for you to intrude? You are not a member and heaven forbid you are. Quit bugging our work and go find a harpy nest to get stranded in. Runt."
"But prez, have you forgotten so easily? We're setting out to Azula and working together now! So I have to be around Alek now~" *Poke* "..And you too I guess."
*Poke*
*Poke*
TCK-*
A quill just got thrown from across the room, stuck clean to the wall just behind Yukki like a dart on a dart target thing, whatever it's called.
Had Yukki not ducked last second, her forehead would have a nice little companion in the form of a quill skewered onto her forehead.
"I said. Stop." Rin raises her voice loud, yet quiet and firm, already reaching for another quill from her desk.
How much force did she use in that throw to make a quill stick to the wall...?
This girl is dangerous.
Just what kind of bloodline is she from?
"Wha-.. Don't ya know that's a dangerous thing to do prez!!" Yukki plops down and crosses her arms and legs, pouting. "Learn to live a little, yknow?" She reaches for the slip of paper I just got done stamping and begins folding it into what I presume to be a paper airplane. "Hmpf.. why did you even join the student council anyway.. Alek you dumdum.."
DING
.
!
.
DONG
.
!
.
DING
.
!
.
The large bell from the academy tolls, signaling lunchtime.
"Allriiight" I stand up in an instant and stretch my arms. And it's a blissful sensation I haven't felt for the past 4 hours. "I'll be heading out now." I drop the paper I was holding and toss the stamp behind me, then I quickly make my way towards the door.
I try doing this in a way that won't make it obvious I don't want to be here anymore, because if the truth does get out, I will get yelled at.
"Hold it."
"Ah-ah-ahh!"
Not quick enough, it seems.
I'm now looking over my shoulder, looking at both of them gripping onto me.
Rin turns her gaze to Yukki, a look of disbelief in her red eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Whaat? I'm just going to have lunch with Alek~" She replies, tugging on my uniform jacket.
"Did I not just get done telling you that you are not a member of the student council?" Rin grips onto my right hand, hard. "Let go. We will be spending our lunch time elsewhere. Away from all the cockroaches." She says cruelly as she glares her red gaze into Yukki's eyes.
"Now you're just being unfair prez~ We're a team now remember?" Yukki buries her long nails onto my shoulder, dooming the surrounding skin with a slight burning sensation.
"That does not apply now. Do you see us anywhere near Azula? There will be no such thing as hesitation when a quill jabs onto your irritating hand."
Rin holds another quill she pulled out from hell knows where, aimed right where you think it wants to go on Yukki's hand.
Once again, I slip out of my uniform jacket and sneak away down the hall, leaving the two arguing and still grabbing onto the empty jacket, stuck in their never-ending conflict.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Joining the student council has to be one of the worst things that has ever happened to me."
I've been plotting on ways to convince Rin to let me go.
And I've gotten nowhere. "How do you even argue with someone like her? And how do you even do it without receiving her wrath...?"
<["Have you tried being less of a little sissy and just voice your complaints~?"]>
("You will never grow as a person if you keep letting everyone walk over you, master.")
"Can you two like.. shut up?"
"Hello." A gentle voice calls out to me from within the hall to my right.
I stop my walk down the hallway and see that Emilia girl I'm surprised I even remembered.
"Yo."
"FuFu~" She covers her mouth and giggles. "You really do have the strangest greetings..." She looks at the small lunch bag I'm carrying, tilting her head slightly. "Oh, could it be you're on your way to have your lunch?"
"Something like that."
"Ah! Then, why don't we share our time together in the library?"
She smiles with her usual warmth. ^ ^
That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea.
I was planning on just having my lunch in a bathroom stall just like in high school.
I just hope it isn't crowded. "Sure."
"Oh yay!" She eagerly grabs onto my right hand, raising an eyebrow slightly as she notices the tiny crescent shapes engraved on my skin before just brushing it off. "..Then, right this way! The academy library is just over he-"
Plop
My vision is blinded briefly, and I have to take off whatever was thrown at me in order to see again.
It looks like my uniform jacket I slipped out of earlier, which could only mean one thing.
"Just what is going on here?" Rin calls out as Yukki and her find their way back to me.
"Oh! Good day to you, president." Emila says as she gives a polite bow.
"Emilia." Rin greets sternly, crossing her arms.
"Hiii!" Yukki waves her hand up and down.
"Fufu~ Good day to you as well, Yukki."
"And where do you think you're going?" Rin grabbed onto my shoulder, stopping my quiet attempt at getting away.
"Uh.. the.. library?"
"Ah, why don't you join us as well, president, Yukki?"
Emilia smiles with more of her usual warmth. ^ ^
"I see. Then we will take you up on your offer." Rin says in her expressionless tone as she drags me along towards the library.
"W-wait up! Geez!!" Yukki catches up with Emilia behind her, her warm smile still on her pale face. ^ ^
.
.
.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"So you really became a paladin on your first day? Woow.." Emilia says in awe, leaning close next to me.
"Sadly."
She gives me a confused look. "Hm? 'Sadly'?" .
"He is just being a lazy twit." Rin takes a sip of her coffee across from me, sitting next to Yukki.
She has her chair scooted about 5 steps away from her. "Although he is planning on having his status revoked, isn't that right, Alek?" Rin looks at me with her crimson eyes, expecting me to agree.
"Ye."
"But why would you ever decide to do that?" Emilia asks, her finger on her chin.
"I just feel like placing such a giant responsibility onto someone like me isn't the right way to go. I just don't really see myself as a true Paladin. I look at myself as more of a...what's the word I'm looking for... Oh, an outsider. Granting me that kind of role so early just felt so rushed, you know? I feel like I would have been better off getting the role of dust wiper. If you think my paper stamping skills were lacking, let me tell you about dust wiping. When it comes to making something clean, my skills are second to none. There was a time where the dust under my bed got so bad, I couldn't catch a glimpse of the questionable books I stashed under there. It was like looking into a blizzard. By the time I finished slicing and wiping, I've witnessed wonderland. I never knew I had the power to leave something so squeaky spotless clean. Also giving me that role is just adding to the huuge amount of burdens I've got packed."
No seriously, that stack of papers waiting for me is way too big.
"..." Rin just looks at me like she's witnessed the birth of chtulhu.
"U-uhm.." Emilia just looks at me with a confused smile. ^ ^;
"Pfft..pffteeheeheehee~!" And Yukki just breaks into a giggle.
"And there you have it." Rin composes herself, sipping her coffee, back to her usual firm tone.
"I see.. FuFuFu~ And welcome to the student council!" Emilia leans closer.
I had a feeling she was also a part of this circle of buffoons.
I would have known sooner if she had the red tag around her arm.
I don't even have mine.
"Ahem.. So, Emilia." Rin sets her cup down with a soft clank. "Have you finished stamping the other half of the papers?"
"Hmm~? Oh! Yes, president, apologies for the delay. I will place them in your office by sundown."
"I see." She sips her coffee, setting it down again as she gives a single approving nod.
"Good work. You are very efficient with your time stamping papers."
She says that last part with a glare on her face, which is aimed right at me.
"Wait, there was more than the mountain of papers I didn't even finish stamping earlier..?"
"So, Alek." Rin gives me her sharp gaze. "What is your relationship with Emilia?"
"I'm curious too!!" Says Yukki as she attempts to scoot her chair around the table.
"Nothing really." I take a bite out of my sandwich.
Could've used more ham and less lettuce.
"Oh...I had the impression we were friends.." Emilia says next to me, her pointy ears dropping as if she were some sad puppy.
"Oh, yeah. My bad, I forgot you unironically don't mind being around me." I say in an insecure tone I hope they didn't notice.
"Oh!Hehe.. Of course I don't mind being around you!" She leans closer as her pointy elf ears perk up. "I wouldn't mind finding more ways we could spend more time together..." She smiles. ^ ^
"Same here!" Says Yukki who just suddenly appeared right next to me. "I'll even teach you how to swing a hammer... made of ice!!"
"Hmph. Alek, let us return back to our work." Rin stood up in a sudden instant.
"Huuuh? But I haven't finished my san-" She shoots me an intense cold glare.
It was so hazardous, I felt a wave of cold air get blasted my direction.
"Sigh.." I stand up, wrapping my half-eaten sandwich and putting it in my jacket's pocket. "Coming."
"Ah!" Yukki grabs my wrist. "I think you mean.. Alek, Emilia AND me, riight prez?"
"No." Rin crosses her arms. "Alek still needs to finish stamping the rest of the paperwork. You will not pester his progress." She walks around the table then grabs onto my other wrist, tugging me like rope. "Let go."
"Oh! I would be more than delighted to assist him, president." Emilia says as she also stands from her seat, smiling. ^ ^
"Seee? We're all just soo eager to help~" Yukki winks.
"I think not." Rin grips my wrist. "I will be teaching Alek how to manage his time stamping papers more efficiently. Emilia, you go ahead and sort through the bookshelves here. And you." She glances at Yukki. "Go play dead in a goblin pit."
"Oh Rin-Rin.." Yukki shakes her head. "That's just not fair y'know? We're all a team here... Why not go ahead and allow all of us to contribute, y'know.. the way good students should~" She smirks.
"Uhm... the headmaster requested for you, president, Yukki.." Says Akane who just strolled in here in the midst of all this chaos. "You too Alek.." She gives a nervous smile after witnessing me in the heart of all of this madness.
"WELL if it isn't my old friend Akane!" I wiggle myself free and approach her near the doorway. "That's some real shit you just said there, Akane." I nod. "Now let's see ourselves out ASAP!" I say as I look behind me and see Emilia waving and smiling. ^ ^
Yukki has a pout on her face. Nothing else to add here.
Also Rin looks like she wants to rip me in half with the way she's glaring daggers at me.
"Oh, uhm.. o-ok..!" Akane says as she's pushed out into the hall as I follow behind her.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"And that's pretty much what's happening." I sigh. "Sending me allll the way to Azula or whatever just to solve a bug problem, imagine that." I say as I just got done explaining to Akane about my upcoming journey.
"I can't help but feel we haven't been seeing each other much as of late..." She replies, her eyes on the floor as we walk through the long hallways that suddenly got crowded.
"You know what? I had that same exact thought." I scratch the back of my head. "A lot's been getting thrown at me left and right.... even above and below... I thought my school life was gonna be more laidback and lowkey, you know?"
It's pretty much true.
I never would have anticipated I'd get thrown around and ordered to travel across the world this much.
I kind of thought I would be spending my entire new life in this Kingdom.
And not get sent to a gothic Kingdom where strangers on the streets offer you alchemy.Or a Kingdom of nerds that will eventually give me hypothermia.
"Low...key?" She asks with a puzzled look. "Hehehe~ You've always been the only one to use words I've never heard before.." She giggles to herself quietly. "But still, you becoming a Paladin was something that didn't surprise me the least bit, you know? Honestly.. I was worried you'd have trouble fitting in... you're unlike anyone I've ever met.. But at the same time, I've always known how amazing and capable you are.."
"It's nothing like that at all. It all just comes down to dumb luck, that's pretty much it." It's true, again.
"Hmmmph!" She gives an angry pout. "I've never liked how lowly you see yourself Alek.." She looks at me. "You've done a lot of things only the capable can do, do you not see that? You need to start looking into yourself and see the talented person you are."
If I looked inside myself, I would see the actual Devil, just sitting on her throne and smiling at me.
And just what does she mean by 'Talented'? She's way off the mark.
There's nothing 'Talented' about me.
Only a lazy twit as Rin said.
"I'll keep that in mind if it'll get you off my back MOM."
"Haah.." She sighs. "By the way.. you know about the ball that's happening within the coming days, right?"
"Ball? What ball? This Kingdom celebrates?"
"Well, yes... the day of the sword is when the Kingdom celebrates and honors the fallen knights and those that tirelessly work for the Kingdom's wellness. Without the knights and the Order of the King's Will, there would be not Luthran Kingdom, silly."
That's shocking. I didn't know a Kingdom had a day where they just relax and look past all of the messed up vulgarity that exists just outside its walls.
But then again, they're only able to have such a day because of the knights and the Order of the King's twats, so I guess there's that.
"Well that's.. heartwarming."
"Mhm." She nods, brushing her long silky blonde hair behind her ear. "So.. I was wondering if maybe you would.. want to come with me..?" She fidgets with the hem of her black pleated skirt.
"Huh?"
Wait what?
"U-uhm I sai-"
"No I heard what you said clear as glass but.. why tho?"
No seriously, why?
I don't even know how to dance.
And I'm not sure how I'd do in a room packed with so many people just bumping into each other.
The very thought is enough to give me the cold sweats.
"W-well because.. we haven't been seeing each other and I thought m-maybe this would be a good chance to.. catch up? I thought maybe you would want to tell me about your.. adventures.."
She starts to twirl her finger around her blonde hair, looking down at her other hand that is still fidgeting with her pleated skirt.
"Well I can see why you'd want to but.."
Oh what the hell, I'll grow a pair and see what a social gathering is all about.
There's just one crucial problem though. "Akane."
"Eek! Uhm.. what is it?"
"I don't know how to dance."
"Haah.." She sighs in relief. "That's it? Hehe~ You startled me.."
"I'm serious."
"W-well.. I can show you?"
"Really?"
"Of course!" She offers a timid smile.
That's actually pretty sick. I didn't know she knew the art of dancing.
There's another problem though.
"Akane."
"Eek!"
"I suck at following directions." I hope you didn't forget about my non-existent attention span.
You've been paying attention, right?
"Oh don't be silly! I'll make sure you're keeping up" She gives a reassuring smile. "It'll be fun, I promise."
"Well alright then." I'll even bring Himari along too. I'm sure she'd like to try some cake.
Who doesn't like cake.
"R-really? You really want to?" She has a hopeful look.
I don't see what the big deal is.
It's just an invitation to not be an awkward loner during a day of festivity and cake.
I like cake.
"Yeah why not, I like cake."
"T-then it's settled!" She smiles. "We'll get to eat cake together, I promise!" She entwines her hands behind her, widening her little smile.
"Sure."
"Well I've got to get going, I have a test to retake. I'll see you when you get back, okay?"
"Yeah.." If I can manage to not freeze into a block of ice.
We wave to each other as she disappears down a separate hall.
<["Alek, I can feel your distress. You don't have to be so dramatic, relax a little~! Azula isn't THAT cold.."]>
("Uh.. Does the snow melting and burning into your skin without proper boots count as not cold..?")
"Both of you. Shh."
"You." Says the familiar cold tone behind me.
I've got bigger problems.
"I'm sorry." I say as I turn around to see Rin closing in on my location.|
I figured apologizing beforehand would minimize the damage.
"...Hmph." She crosses her arms as she stands right in front of me. "You dare not wait for me? Are you really so in a rush that you don't bother to wait for me? Answer me."
The various students along the hall shoot us their nosey gazes.
"I'll see to it that I don't make the same blunder I pulled today, president."
I give a salute gesture with my hand. The same way a soldier does to their president.
"You dare make light of the situation?" Rin looks like she wants to pin me against the wall. "Is this mock? Well? Is it? Answer me. Answer me right now. NOW."
"Hiii." Yukki catches up, waving her hand up and down wildly.
"Oh hey Yukki."
"You dare ignore me?" Rin now looks like she wants to sentence me to death.
"I would never. Also you've got something on your face."
"What?" She wipes her lips and looks at her finger to find nothing, then returns her glare to me in irritated confusion.
"A nice happy smile." I say in hopes she drops her ill intent towards me and shifts her mood to a happy one full of rainbows and peaches.
"Is this a joke to you?" She grabs onto my collar, shifting the entire attention in the hallway full of students right at us.
See, my first mistake was thinking I could somehow metamorphose her mood a bit.
My second one was attempting to, despite what I said about not changing my wording with her.
<["Refer to Volume 2 Chapter 5~!"]>
"Who said that?" Rin looks over her shoulder as if she heard a ghost or something.
I've concluded she's immune to any sort of status effects.
"Aaaanyways.. headmaster is still waiting for us y'know?" Says Yukki, who walks next to me, winking.
Rin releases me, which is something she needs to do more often. "I'll forgive you just this once."
"Cool beans, okay lets go!" I say as I turn away and resume my lovely little walk down the crowded hall.
I hate it here.
"Did I not tell you to wait for me?" Says Rin who catches up and walks besides me.
"Tee-hee-hee~" Yukki giggles as she does the same.
We are now walking down the hallway dramatically, every other student looking at me next to these two people of high status like I'm some nameless unknown student with no background who somehow, astonishingly managed to get into an important role in the span of one day.
And they would be wrong.
Because I was FORCED into this position against my own will.
Wait.. is that why they call it.. Order of the King's Will?
Mother of god..
Nah I'm being an idiot.
Unless?
---------------------------------------
"Ah, glad you made it, please, do come in." Says the headmaster as he just got done talking to the weird looking person in front of his desk.
It's some chubby dude with long blonde hair and barely growing beard, wearing an unbuttoned brown trench coat, glasses and a fedora.
And a Katana holstered on his back.
"Headmaster.. is this the one I've heard so much about? Is this.. the one.." He says dramatically like he was in some anime.
"Ah yes, Maxwell, this is Alek." Says the headmaster as he walks around his desk.
"Alek.." He approaches me. "You.. have brought great honor to this Kingdom. And to me." He gives some kind of gesture of honor and bows his head.
"Totally."
"Maxwell here is a Paladin just as you, Alek. And he will join you all on your trip to Azula."
The headmaster declares, his hand on Maxwell's shoulder.
"Haah.." Rin sighs as she looks down and palms her face.
"What is it, prez? Surely this isn't the result of you not wanting to just hitch a ride on my cute summon, riiight?" Yukki says, bumping her shoulder.
"Wait yeah? why can't we just fly there on Yukki's big ass blue dragon?"
It's legitimately the smartest thing to do, it's not even funny.
"I refuse." Rin says in the most intense tone I've ever heard.
The headmaster clears his throat, followed by about 2 seconds of silence, eventually resuming. "And.. as such, Maxwell will also be the one to take you all by carriage."
"I have faith.. and pride.. in my arts of horse steering." Maxwell states triumphally, tugging on his fedora to cover his eyes mysteriously.
"Haah.." Rin sighs and palms her face again.
"Yeah yeah fantastic. So we're leaving now then orr.."
"Indeed. Let us all head outside."
The headmaster begins to lead the way out of his office.
.
.
.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
NeEeEeighhh
"That is correct.. Zerkery.. we will traverse the cursed lands yet again. For it is my duty as a Swordsworn to see my never-ending quest to the very end.." Says Maxwell as he pats the black horse.
NEEEEIGH
CHOMP--*
"Hey hey HEY! S-stop it Ron! How dare you defile your master so!?" He yells as the other white horse takes a bite out of his fedora.
CHOMP "Quit it! S-stop I'm being serious!" *Smack*
*Smack*
"Haah.." Rin sighs as she puts her bag inside the carriage.
"Now then, since you are all traveling by carriage, you are expected to arrive there within.." The headmaster looks down at his pocket watch, clicking his tongue in thought.
"A week or so. Perhaps less depending on your speed, yes.."
"Haah.." Another sigh echoes from Rin.
"Oh lighten up prez! It's gonna be soo fun~ When's the last time we travelled together like this?" Yukki says as she stands next to me by the headmaster, looking back at Rin boarding the carriage.
"Indeed.. as a Swordsworn.. I will do everything in my power to guarantee our journey reaches its end..." Maxwell says, tugging on his horse drool-soaked fedora to cover his eyes in a mysterious way again. "I meant in like.. in like a good way. I didn't mean in a bad way, heh."
*CHOMP* "Stop it Ron!" *SMACK* *SMACK*
*SMACK*
"And.. do give the Supreme Sorceress my greetings." Headmaster puts his pocket watch away, scooting away from the scary and violent white horse. "Have a safe journey. I'm sure you all will return just in time for the day of the sword."
"Yes.. the day of the sword.. I shall live to see another day of honor.." *CHOMP*
"RON!"
SMACK!
.
.
.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Tack Tack Tack
The sound of horse hooves making contact onto the soil echoes throughout the grass fields on this foggy afternoon.
The world seems so shallow and empty when you're outside any kind of civilization.
At least build a shack or something.
But we all know what happened the last time a shack was involved out in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe it's for the best.
"Soo.. just what does it mean to be a 'Swordsworn'?"
I eventually speak up, sitting next to Maxwell as he holds onto the lead.
Of course, asking for the answer to something I can't be bothered to remember is something I'll only do if I want to kill time. It's simple that way.
"To be Swordsworn.. is to be someone that exists only to follow the way of the sword." He says, tugging onto the lead. "And.. to hone one's skills as a true swordsman in pursuit of.. becoming the true master of bladework."
"Sounds wondrous." I look off at the distant fog covered grass fields.
I haven't seen a single slime in a while, which is odd. They'd be bouncing through the bushes at this time of day.
"But that is only scratching the surface." He readjusts his fedora, like a silly fella. "I have learned a great many things from my master.. And as a Swordsworn, I can proudly say that I have reached the point of carving my own path, blade in hand. For that is what it means to be one that pursuits the way.. of the sword.. heheyeah.." He nods to himself.
"His master is actually a nameless Swordmaster that took him under her wing when he was small! And now.. we don't know where she is!" Yukki says as she peaks her head from inside the carriage behind me, kind of like a baby alien bursting out of someone's chest, which of course startles me, but I don't let it show because I am destined for a life of bravery.
"Ooooh oh wow really?"
"Yeah she's actually traveling the central continent in search of a worthy opponent to fight or something, I really don't know." Maxwell says casually.
"That is not what Phardwin told me." Rin peaks her head from inside the carriage as well. "I was told that the nameless Swordmaster went missing after the events of the Second Calamity. Could it be your thick-skulled head misinterpreted the information given to you?" She narrows her eyes. "And who gave you such information anyway? A drunk dwarf?"
"Huh! I don't know?! And I uh-... wait there's something ahead.." Maxwell tugs on the lead, stopping the horses.
We all look at the foggy grass field ahead and see what looks like a group of bandits inspecting cargo. The cargo in question being a bunch of coffins.
They're all wearing what resembles black military uniforms and a long hood, concealing their faces as if they're in some secret society.
There's about four of them.
"Ooo my~! What is a group of people doing this far out in the central plains~?" Yukki asks, her finger on her chin.
"Obviously a group of suspiciously dressed individuals holding cargo away from any eyes are criminals in the middle of committing unlawful crimes." Rin adds, tapping her finger against the wood impatiently.
"Unlawful crimes? This.. dishonors me." Maxwell stands and dismounts from the front of the carriage, then steps onto the grass. "I will make quick work of these ruffians..." He claims, taking a step forward.
The group of bandits notice us then take a defensive stance as two of them draw their swords while the other two pull out their books.
"What? Halt." Rin steps out of the carriage. "Do not be stupid, Maxwell. These people clearly reek of danger. Be a good idiot and remain seated. I will be the one to deliver judgment". She reaches for her rapier.
"Nonsense, president. As a Swordsworn, it is in my blood.. as well as my fate.. to bring these thugs to their knees." He takes a step forward. "Oi! What is it you believe you're doing, ah?" He shouts as he reaches for the Katana holstered on his back. "You think you can stand between us and our quest to Azula?"
One of the bandits opens their book and summons a skeletal horse before one of the sword wielding bandit mounts it.
"I see you are eager in this confrontation." He reaches for the pocket on his brown trench coat. "Then, allow me to indulge you..." He pulls out what looks like a rag. "It pains me to say this... but I will be the one to rid this world of your criminal lives." He takes off his glasses and tosses them to Rin, to which she catches them with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't want to do such a cruel thing, but you have forced me to show you the full extent of..." He ties the rag around his head, revealing that it is actually a blindfold, surprise surprise. "My Swordsworn prowess." He draws his Katana, vision completely obscured.
The bandit riding the skeletal horse then charges.
"HAVE AT ME!" Maxwell charges ahead as well, blade in hand. "AAAAHH!"
"...."
He runs right past the bandit on the skeletal horse, swinging his blade around the air.
"Haah..." Rin palms her face.
"Pffteeheehee~!" Yukki breaks into a loud giggle, tapping her hand against the carriage hysterically.
"Huh?" The bandit just looks behind him and watches as Maxwell runs along the grass field, swinging at the tall strands of grass.
SHHIIING SHIING
"RAAAHH!" SHIING "WELL? HOW DOES ONE'S CONCEPT OF PURE BLADEWORK TASTE?" SHIING "Pft pt pt pt.. what the.." Maxwell is now covered in grass from top to bottom as the scattered grass fragments in the air get into his mouth. "Kinda tastes like... is that salad?" He stops, taking a moment to smell the air around him.
"AAAAHH!" The bandit on the skeletal horse charges at him with his sword raised.
FSSHLLL
"AAGH!" The bandit gets staggered off his mount as the ground below him exploded in a purple light from the magic arrow Rin fired.
"I SEE! You're over here! RAAAHH!" Maxwell turns around and charges at the source of the explosion, swinging his Katana like a madman on steroids. Maybe even some DMT thrown in.
The two bandits open their books, summoning a orange glowing golem and a large furry beast spawn.
One of the summoner bandit mounts the golem and spawns a pack of large monster bats.
The other bandit pulls out a syringe and injects it onto his hand, causing it to glow red.
FWooOoo
He coats his sword in fire, then starts charging right at us along with the two summoned monsters and mob of large bats.
"Sic em', Stickers~!" Says Yukki as she stands on top of her giant ass blue dragon.
ROOOOOOOAAAAAAARGHHH
FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMSHHH
The entire area in front of us gets covered in a pool of blue flames, vaporizing the bandits along with the cargo.
wOoOo...
The blue flames clear, yet miraculously leaving the grassland unharmed and in its original green color.
The last remaining summoner bandit opens his book and summons an amphithere before mounting it and escaping in a panic.
"Did'ya see that, Alek~? Me and Stickers put in allll the work~~" She places her hand onto her giant glowing blue dragon's snoot, patting it.
"Yukki." Rin calls out.
"It's not easy being such a gifted person, y'know?" Yukki continues patting her bigass blue dragon.
"Yukki." Rin repeats.
"I mean... I didn't ask to receive my mighty Stickers, ya know? It's as if he chose me~!" Yukki pats her bigass blue dragon.
"Yukki." Rin repeats loudly.
"Yeah what!? Can't you see I'm in the middle of talking with Ale-"
"He's getting away." Rin points to the bandit in the distance disappearing into the darkening clouds.
"Wha-... DANGIT!" Yukki stomps her foot, pouting, whining. "Stickers! Let's go!!"
"Do not." Rin shakes her head. "Nightfall is soon approaching. We need to secure a secluded spot for the night." Rin puts away her rapier.
"Hmmmph!!" Yukki crosses her arms and pouts as her summon disappears.
I swear that thing is the size of a three-story house.
I get off the carriage and approach Maxwell who is currently slumped on the ground facing down.
"Haah.. Haah.." He pants as he looks up at me and Rin standing next to me, her arms crossed, along with an expressionless pitiful look. "I.. I did it..Haah.. I took care of our.." He rises on his feet and removes his blindfold. "Our adversaries.." He holsters his Katana on his back. "And let it be known that I.. Maxwell.. Swordsworn..of Luthran...Haah..Is not someone to be taken light of in the face of evil doers.. doing their evil do's... and stuff." He wipes off the sweaty grass stains on his face and picks up his fedora on the ground then puts it on.
"You've done well." I say with a thumbs up.
"You honor me." He gives a warrior's salute.
"Guysssss!! Get your butts over here!!" Yukki yells out from the carriage, waving her arms repeatedly.
"Hmph." Rin uncrosses her arms and drops Maxwell's glasses on his face then follows behind me as I make my way back to the carriage, leaving Maxwell still catching his breath.
"Is this guy really a Paladin?"
"Unfortunately." Rin replies coldly.
I know I haven't really done anything on this encounter.
But that was pretty exhausting.
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"Hahah.. what do you mean you failed to distribute the samples? Hm~?" A man in a peaked cap asks in a calm tone, wearing a uniform and a black tag around his right arm.
"I.. my squad was wiped by..." A hooded man attempts to keep his composure as he is being questioned by his superior.
"Yees~?"
"We were interrupted by.. what looked like students from the Luthran Kingdom..." He shakes out, looking down at the hard bricked floor within a faintly dimmed chamber deep underground.
"Oh~?" The man in the peaked cap walks around the table, and places his right hand on his shoulder, then leaning in to whisper in his ear. "You.. mean to tell me, that my plans have been intercepted by a group of peasants from the Luthran Kingdom? Hm~? Did I get that right?"
"Y-y-..ye-"
SLAM!
The hooded man's head gets brutally slammed against the hard wood table, his blood spilling across the surface and drooping onto the floor.
"PATHETIC!" SLAM "PATHETIC! PATHETIC!" SLAM SLAM SLAM
The man's brain and skull fragments scatter across the table, staining his cheek in small, red droplets.
PLOP
He tosses the body against the ground dismissively. "Everwhere I go it's nothing but halfwits.." He palms his face in frustration. "Hah..hahahaha.. everywhere.. everywhere I go...EVERYWHERE!" THUNK He kicks the body on the floor. "EVERYWHERE IT'S JUST SIMPLETONS!" THUNK "SIMPLETONS." THUNK THUNK "SIMPLETONS SIMPLETONS SIMPLETONS SIMPLETONS. SIMPLETONS!"
"Haaaghhh.." A young girl sighs in a groan as she sits at the opposite end of the table, her elbow on the wooden surface as she rests her head on her palm. "Why are you always so louddd.."
The man in the peaked cap looks up at her as he wipes the blood from his cheek, then speaking in a calm and gentle voice. "Because..." He smiles. "I just can't seem to avoid all the simpleminded fools that continue to disrupt me and my plans." He looks at her and onto her long void black hair in twin tails tied up in pink bows. "I simply wish to carry on with The Order's will and prepare for world control and domination, my dear." He pulls and adjusts his gloved hands, stretching the leathery material over his skin. "Am I so wrong to express my anger when things don't go my way? I am only human, after all." He smiles gently.
"You don't have to be so loud though." She rolls her empty, dark violet eyes. "You can do all that without being the one that gives me a headache."
She stands from her seat, her short, pleated red skirt swaying against her thighs.
"I do apologize." He pulls out a sphere with gold engravings and four glowing blue emblems on each of its sides. "And, allow me to apologize to our fallen friend here~" The sphere glows, enveloping the dead hooded man on the ground in a yellow light as the pool of blood around him as well as his scattered head fragments reverse and retract onto his head.
"Guuhg! Hahg.. Hah.." The resurrected man regains consciousness and pants in a panic as the realization of what just occurred hits his repaired brain.
"Hallo." The man in the peaked cap greets in a sweet voice.
The man looks up at him and onto the girl who is smirking.
"Forgive me but.. I do not think you've told me where you believe these.. lovely students of Luthran are going. Care to share your thoughts, hm~?" He says in his calm tone.
"I.." The man regains a slight amount of composure, enough to think, then contemplates briefly. "I-I-.. one of the rounded students mentioned.. A-Azula.."
"Ahh is that right?" The man in the peaked cap starts slowly circling him as he remains against the ground. "And.. do share to me their.. appearances." He demands gently.
The man thinks to himself, trying to dig into the memories that are within the brain that was bashed in moments ago, then speaking. "T-there were four.." He looks up at the man in the peaked cap, his eyes following him as he continues to circle around him, waiting patiently for his answer. "Two girls and.. two boys.. A round boy in a brown trenchcoat..blonde.. glasses.. holding a thin blade.. A tall girl.. black hair.. red eyes..a mole under her left eye.. a young girl.. black hair.. twin tails.."
The girl with twin tails tied up in pink ribbons suddenly jolts up, shifting her attention from the small black dragon wrapped around her finger to the man on the floor.
"And..." The man on the floor continues, in a shaky voice. "A.. a boy.. black hair.. gray eyes.. a-and.."
"Yees~?" The man in the peaked cap waits.
"He.. he had.. he had a.. it was if he had multiple.. as.. as if he h-he had m-more than one presence.."
The man in the peaked cap stops circling around him, then kneels in front of him in intrigue. "Ahh.. is that right? And.. how can you describe this.. presence to me?" He grabs his shoulder and stares into his eyes.
"I..I.. I don't know.. it was if the air around him w-was.. heavy.."
"Hmm.. is that all you can give me?" He grips his shoulder in disappointment.
The man remains silent.
"Ah." He lets go of the man and stands up. "Akki, do reward our fellow here for his.. contribution. And..." He turns away and walks towards the doorway out of the chamber. "As well as the disappointment he's brought me. Hah..hahahahahahaha..!" He laughs to himself wickedly as he steps out of the chamber, his laughter slowly fading as well as his presence.
The man looks at the young girl with pink bows in horror as she kneels in front of him.
"Don't hate me, kay~?" She says blankly as the head of a black dragon materializes next to her, before it lunges for his head.
SHCKKL
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[________________________________________________________________________]
Dr. Riffelton Samfotsen's Log 147
Executing Protocol 66 felt just delightful!
After his demise came to light, the plan to begin distributing Element 665 across the central continent was swiftly carried out, and now we are at the mercy of time, awaiting results.
While it is regretful our dearest founder has met his end at the hands of this 'Mr Denmark', I have taken the liberty of looking through his personal belongings in order to better understand what the Requiem Rune is capable of.
Perhaps he won't mind meinself learning of his background?
Perhaps he is yelling at meinself from beyond the grave right this moment? But, I digress.
From what I am able to understand thus far, the power Ragnav used in order to give form to Element 665 was none other than from the likes of but a fragment of the Requiem Rune, how delightfully delicious!
I still do not trust my unconventional allies I find myself working with, but I do have to admit they are quite useful to me.
I had sent Jokran to act as the new King of Ragnav in order to fill in the unwanted gap. This will prove to make further events from getting too complex, as well as give him the opportunity to further learn of this pesky 'Denmark' that threatens to bring me more inconveniences.
The whereabouts of Ragnav's Requiem Fragment remain unknown, but it cannot hide from me. Nothing escapes The Doctor.
Once I re-claim the Requiem Fragment, I will advance my grand scheme. It will be quite the sight for the outer heavens to witness.
Who would have thought a mere Fragment of the Requiem Rune would be the key to the creation of the Spores that will allow me to control humans and have them do my bidding? How many more properties does the Requiem Rune have... where did that little Fragment disappear to?
Only time will tell what new questions await us in 'Azula' where I will further spread Element 665 in order to control the Kingdom of Azula and acquire the Rune of Arcane.
And then The Doctor will truly be unstoppable.
Joy!
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[______________________________________________]