One of the downsides of being a noble?
One; too many free times!
Seriously, other than my personal lesson I barely have anything to do. In the past I have my books to accompany me but I already read all the books in possesion that aren't suckish which left my soul empty. So when I truly have nothing to do, I either tried to play, annoyed or talk with my brother but lately he's been busy about something, what's that about?
So anyway, with too many free times I decided to do something noblish. After a few geography lesson and the extent of my father's reign of his territory, I decided to make a kind of charity event to help the poorer villages around town. Father was eager at my idea as no one seemed to think of it before, causing headache how spoiled the nobility around are.
There was something along the way though that caught my notice.
Dark Guilds.
From what I know from the show, there are many dark guilds as they are stars (whoever said that, I forgot) that would imply they are hundreds of dark guild. Whether its within Fiore or in the entire continent, I don't know myself. Though the fact of the matter there are 53 known dark guild known to exist within Fiore and that's...believe me that is a lot. If one guild has even at least 20 people there would at least be a thousand people working illegal jobs.
And I'm only putting that number because according the Council Law, there needs to be at least 10 member at minimum to start a guild officially (Since ERA didn't exist when Fairy Tail started, they don't count) but it's common sense for there to be 20 member that a guild could effectively start working and from what I saw in the anime, the average amount of member in each guild would be more or less a hundred.
Yes, let that sink in everyone, there's that many that if all dark guild came together and fight they could make a regiment mage army.
When I realized this, my first thought was; ridiculous! That amount is nothing to scoffed at and that's only the known group, imagine if there were dark guild hidden from the public or backwater jobs within some of the independent guild!
Don't even get me started around the merchant guild because yes, there is...in fact...a dark merchant guild...I mean why not? There's a dark mage so why not a dark merchant, it's common sense they said. If i'm right then typically it's usually those dark merchants that hire dark mages in bodyguard or transporting jobs for them.
Learning all this...that the happy go lucky day to day life Fairy Tail had were so narrow minded around the lives of the people. How much the reality weighs now that I realize Dark Guild aren't just villains to make the heroes looked cool.
They're mages are real.
They're crimes are real.
They're death are real.
When I learned of this, I tried to learn as to why the council doesn't try to purge the many dark guilds and find the answer into thus;
1. Baram Alliance. Yes this fuck up alliance is the main reason the council can't move. Not only are they strong but there are barely any information to the public about its member and strength that people almost think of them as urban legend. The council would have believed so too if not for the destruction they made were equal to a destroyed village so they can't enact a mass purge of dark guild unless they want a war they may or may not win, not to mention the civilians caught in the crossfire.
2. Corrupt Official. There's no way the Baram Alliance could have made this much influence without backwater dealing. I don't remember who other than Ur and Jellal but I do know there's someone corrupt among the top and having a paranoid coward old geezer among them just put the icing on the cake. Because nothing is more easier to manipulate other than a paranoid old geezer. Don't even mention the spies because I'm pretty sure there are spies. How else would Jackal could attack the council when they were together at the same time?
3. This...is the most saddest thing I had to admit and had me cursed an hour or two is that the dark guild are doing the fucking council's job! Yes that's right people, the Dark Guilds does crappy at the job but they do it unlike the council. Here's the detail, apparently with the council managing the mage civilians of Fiore they don't waste their time trying to protect normal civilians because you know why?
They. Don't. Fucking. Care!
And the dark guild actually took advantage of it because to hid your guild from the council's eye there are three things you can do. Hid on a secluded or hidden place, place a barrier or a hidden magic around, or hid in a small village that's easy to bully or having protection problem to hide them. That's the thing there, there are many wild and dangerous monster usually surrounding small villages, causing them to have a hard time living in it. They can't go out without risking their life to request help and most ordinary civilians don't have the strength to do that so they ended up giving up. Small villages are also not shown on the map so it's hard to keep track on them. Part of the reason why not many has heard a village full of giants, no one tried to reach for them! Plus, the giants are capable to live by themself so they never tried to connect with the outside.
With no knights protecting them, no mages, no safe haven, no way out, what do you think the villagers feel when they were graced upon protection from the most despicable people?
Despair and Hope, that's what they feel.
I have to admit though I wasn't too concern on the subject of Dark Guild, not until that day.
--
When I suggested a charity event to father, he was intrigued and happily help me arrange them. He invited many nobles and his close associate, what I hadn't expected though was that the royalty came as well, and when I said royalty, I meant both the king and princess along with their guards.
Oh it took me by surprise when I saw them sauntered in the mansion, but kept both my poise straight and my gentleman smile from faltering. Father looked delighted that the royal family responded his invitation and the gawking look of the business people around were refreshing to see, I admit.
My thoughts were halted when a bundle of green hair crash on my side. The bundle looked up, revealing the childish smile and the big green round eyes that reflected her name. "Good evening Roy nii-chan" Hisui politely greeted me.
...oh god I'm not nose bleeding right?
The princess's cuteness is weapon of mass destruction!
No matter how many times I hear her calling me nii-chan, I can feel flower twirling around me. Jeez, first Lucy now her, I'm such a sucker to little girls.
I repeat, I'm not a pedophile! Call me having a SisCom if you must!
I switched my ...to the knight guarding just slightly behind her who I recognized as Arcadios with all the glory of his square like nose and wild spiky hair. "It's a pleasure meeting you once again Young Master Roy" he greeted accordingly as a knight would say which exactly why I held back the urge to roll my eyes.
"Spare me the courtly speech Arcadios-san, we've spent hours searching for the princess only to see you covered in pink Gum Magic, I think we've past acting courteous with each other"
"But..." I cut his protest that was about to form and make sure I insisted of having him talk informally at least in private setting which he finally compiled.
Ever since that day I helped saved her from kidnappers, me and by extension, my family are welcome to the palace for visit anytime I want. Princess Hisui has an attachment to me and I'm more than honored that The King let me treat her like a little sister. Said King gave a full support at my recommend Charity Auction to help the needs of small villages or orphan houses, not to mention the refugees from the dark guild's or a Zeref Cult's assault.
Toma E. Fiore obviously tried hard to contain their attack and help the victims but it was still not enough with the damage spread all over. That's why as a noble, I had father use his privilege to organize this event and the royal family helped sponsor the auctioning items. Off course other than the regular auction item such as antiques or artifact, I had hire a few Blue Pegasus's host so we could auction them as date partner.
I could have hired one from Lamia Scale, but I thought hiring professional host/mage would make things comfortable for both parties.
I was shook from my thoughts when Hisui tug on my sleeve and shot me a look of concern at my silence daze. I patted her on the head with a smile, reassuring her I was all right. My family and the royal family both watch from our exclusive table the auction underway and couldn't help the smile I had seeing so many people participate eagerly and the amount of antiques and artifact donated by some of them.
"I heard from your father that this event is all from your idea, is that right Roy-kun?" The king asked warmly.
I turned to him after a sip on my ginger ale and nodded, "Well I thought as member of Fiore Citizens and a noble at that I should support those of our people in various way especially from those from the upper high society"
"I see, I see, and do you have in mind how exactly you plan to use the money?"
"Yes actually, my plan is basically separate into three stages; One, to give not only monetary, but clothes, food and shelter for those who had lost their home from natural disaster or otherwise. Second, commissioning a Barrier Lacrima for villages that had to deal constant monster raid or the like. Finally, listing off villages that need a proper road to have easier access to resource you find in towns and cities, if possible I planned to hire an Earth Mage to do that but I'm sure can rely on Your Majesty to make sure your people get the proper road construct if needed be"
My father nodded with a hint of pride and the King looked downright amazed by my reasoning, if he wasn't supportive then he sure is now. I just hope my reputation as a prodigy is enough to not make things suspicious from me. I looked at the number of people currently bidding an old painting of a flying fish shape like clock.
"I think we should make this an annual thing don't you think so Your Majesty" I lightly commented but looking at the eager smile on his face, I say he was more than agreeing with me. I feel a lot more infuriate at the lack of action the nobles and rich people does for the people in need. Not that I'm indicating most were bad or greedy asshole, it was more of the fact most were ignorant at how widespread Zeref Cult and their destruction had caused.
I spare a glance at the young princess who was eating happily a strawberry shortcake and my mind was ringing and buzzing at a memory I wasn't sure I remembered. Something about Zeref and Eclipse that she was spouting, something important but for the life of me I can't remember.
Yeah...that Time Travelling shit show is better off not played. I wasn't sure at first if it was better leaving such a major arc alone but my mind then flashed an image of Lucy, losing her arm and barely had time to grief her friends before dying after protecting herself, her friend's future. Not a character, but the girl I had come in term to treat her as a friend dying and whether she's from another timeline or not doesn't matter. Not to mention that most likely a few nameless people had died because I refuse to see how 7 dragon came and raise hell without a single casualty.
Why oh why had you spare my memory God? Because this is so troublesome.
"Anyway, I also hope it helps spreading awareness of the current state of the country." I continued explained to the King, "I also planned to visit few of those villages and if I could find anything noteworthy or beneficial for the country, it could help the commercial state of the village"
"And I thought you couldn't impressed me more Roy-kun, you planned everything to the tiniest detail" King Toma complimented me.
"Thank you for your high praise Your Majesty, but I'm sure if anyone tries they could do better than me and I'm always open for suggestion"
And so admits all the joy and laughter, I failed to notice the ever growing darkness being fest just out of sight.
--
A few days passed until I could convinced my father into letting me visit one of the small vilages. He was worried for his little boy that he would be sending me off to an unknown part of a valley, south to the Mountain Village called Valley of Hope.
Very original name, I know.
After hiring a team of triplet mages from Lamia Scale named Jan, Jon, Jen (Did their parents even try naming them?) to guard me on our merry way alongside my trusted butler and we came planning to negotiate of arranging an easier access for the villagers of the valley to the big town or cities for better and reachable resources.
Note that I say negotiate since there's the possibility of a village intend to stay hidden or secluded
So back to the topic in hand, the Valley of Hope, where do I begin to describe it.
When I imagined small I imagined a peaceful quiet place, with small retro style houses place tightly together, a wide plane farm, coupled with calm and soothing air surrounding it.
The image was far from that.
To start with, there are towers.
And I meant HUGE stone towers, I felt my spine shuddered at the enormous tower spiking over the green plane and how fearless people must be living in it. To be more specific, there are five towers shaping a circle and connecting each tower with one another were long bridges where the people built houses and market. Like I originally thought there were farms that the tower surrounded and when you thought the bridges made you dizzy, imagined the numerous lines of ropes carrrying packages across the tower and houses.
The tower itself though, no words could perfectly capture the glorious wonder of it. The towers were all in different shapes that you wondered if they were design by the same person or not, one was made like stone stacked with one another that you could feel the fear if a wind strong enough could blow it over, another shaped like a tree with the branch-like structure intertwined wit one another, the third tower was like someone was stopped playing Jenga halfway through, the fourth was a swirling tower and the last was the most normal icy covered tower where you expect Rapunzel would get locked up.
The Triplet Mages who had been obnoxious on the way was made speechless by the sight they were seeing and I couldn't blame them because damn was it a sight I never want to forget. En route to the place wasn't easy as well, not just because of the rocky terrain but the local wild life were pretty territory around here, especially the Mountain Vulcan and after reaching our goal, it was worth it. Good thing Jan, Jon, Je-- ah screw it, the Trio were competent mages that they could handle them at ease.
A few words to what kind of magic they used. You see, those three used magic; Jan has Lightning Make Magic for offensive, creating many shocking-pun intended-attacks that could knock out half a dozen Vulcan at once. Jon has a variation of Mirror Magic that reflects any attack back to defend his two brothers. Then Jen as support has a Weather Magic that led him to control weather around him to make mirage, mist, and other natural phenomenon.
Watching their team work, to say the least, was gratifying.
Their smart mouth though was very less so.
Let me give you a sneak peak on our way here.
--
"Roy-sama what is this?" Asked Jon feeling all agog.
"It's an invisibility cloak I've been working on that I don't give you permission to touch"
"Roy-sama, what inspires you to make this hilarious Sneezing Flower" asked Jan eagerly.
"The reason is none of your business so I reiterate, put that down!" I groused lowly.
"Roy-sama, does this straw enable you to suck the blood of your enemy?" Asked Jen in his usual morbid curiosity.
"It's just a regular straw Jen and if I hear one more question from either of you I'll find a way to turn that Gengis Khan straw to shove it up your butt and make you sing soprano for three days!"
I thought they would listen and end things there, boy was I wrong.
"But Roy-sama, I'm not Jen, he is!"
"No I'm not, I'm Jon, he's Jen"
"Really, I thought I was Jan?"
--
And so on so forth, it was a festive face palm through out the journey.
Apparently these three are a fan of my magical inventions, the Howler being their favorite, since most help them in their way for pranks. They were like the triplet version of the Weasly Twin, it was funny reading about them but being on the other end of their annoying bouts was another thing coming even though I'm honestly flattered from their praise.
If they love jokes so much, they should consider opening their own Joke Shop.
We trek down to the valley and was met with a pair of guards. They were guards looking over us up at the wall surrounding the village, "Who goes there?!"
"We've come from Lamia Scale in request to Young Master Roy Jurenelle to visit this valley!" Jan...or whichever brother called out. The guards looked at one another, seemingly whispering to confirm our story before I saw one of them nodded.
"Show your guild mark and you may enter!" Once the three did exactly that, the gate was pulled open giving access to the village. If from afar I could appreciate the architecture, then up close I could appreciate the mechanism that screamed 'Steamed Punk' all over. Crates and metal boxes similar to an elevator were going up and down either diagonally or vertically with chains, if he looked carefully he could spot stairs that lead up or down the bridges floor.
Oh and the elevator isn't just ordinary metal box, it was wide enough to carry 20 people, really...how is this a village? This place could make any city in Fiore fuming in jealousy.
To quote Richard 'Dick' Grayson 'I'm officially whelmed'
Though I suspect, being cool doesn't mean it's practical.
One of the guard came down and we were motioned to one of the elevator that will took us to the 12th floor, or in their term; the 12th bridge.
I reiterate, how is this a secluded village? If they had tried they could have come up ways to go up and out the valley and reaching for the town, but didn't. None of them even tried, not the kingdom and not the village.
The small journey to the 12th bridge was interesting enough, brief but interesting. I had thought that we were going vertically but to my amazement, with the open view elevator, I saw the inner working of the valley as we went up in zig-zag, twirling and it even moved backward along the way.
I wasn't ashamed that I acted as my physical age. Even the Trio were silently (to my fortune) gasping at the view.
Let me remind you that these aren't ordinary bridge, these bridges could put Brooklyn Bridge to shame. If you don't really try looking at the edge then you won't even realize you're hundred feet away falling to your doom.
The builing we were guided to turned out to be the Village Leader's own house and I was astonished by it.
Oh the house was normal, what got me surprised that it was too normal.
You know that simple box house kindergartener would usually draw. Yeah the house is like a lifelike presentation of our childhood dream house with solid white walls, red roof and door and four square windows at the front .
It was then we were met with an old small man waiting for us at in the living room. He was probably the same height as Makarov but he was leaner and was on a wooden wheel chair with a black panther cub on his lap, purring in content under the old man's arm. He was bald, light skin with a few dark blotches, his ear lobe was longer than normal and his face was covered with wrinkles that made it hard to distinguish his face or his eyes properly.
Standing next to him was a woman wearing a long red one piece, she has white skin, shoulder length ebony hair, red luscious lips and I don't why I'm describing her like Snow White.
I sat on one of the only avaible coach, the Trio sat on the sofa while Torry stood silently a little bit behind me. "Welcome guest to our humble village." I snorted at the word 'humble' and choked on air at the word 'village' "It's been far too long since we had any outsider, I am this village's leader, Bawba Peru, and this is my grand daughter" He wheezed out, the woman beside him started to rubbed his back and shot him an understanding look. "I'm fine Rebecca" the elder said to to the woman now dub as Rebecca.
Rebecca whispered something about taking it easy and walked up on us with a professional outlook, "We've received your letter Roy-sama about your arrival, and I would say I'm deeply impressed and admire the work you set up to make sure all the secluded and small villages got the proper protection and resources they had a hard time getting until now"
I couldn't help the blush coming from the praise she gave me but the pit of my stomach seemed to whisper to me that things wouldn't end as well as I hoped, "I may be too early to judge but your 'village' seemed to hold out better than most on your own"
I almost missed it when the woman's eye twitched slightly and I patiently waited for her respond. "I'm glad you found that as well because you should know that we had survive for more than 300 years by ourselves so please understand that having the Royals 'meddling' in our affair would be frown upon"
That got me leaned forward from my seat as I met my eyes with her blue one, "I know the words from an 11 year old might not weight much but the Royalty are wise enough to not 'meddle' as you would call it but only giving support what we know you'll need, not taking over how you run things as I'm sure that could break some kind of traditional 'rule'" jeez, so many in-quote today. "However, I'll try to learn and in extension the kingdom will try to understand how you do things as long as it doesn't break any rules; legal or ethical"
I became more aware at the awe struck look people in the room was giving me except for Torry. He is well aware for my superior intelligence so I shot Rebecca a smug look to break her momentary stupor.
She cleared her throat and met the gaze of the Village Leader, the exchange they sent each other from their eyes seemed to be enough when only 5 seconds later she nodded at him and turned to me once more.
"We will consider your proposal but at the mean time you are welcome to stay here as guest" she said simply with detached tone.
I nodded with a grin and began to walked out, excited to tour on this peculiar village/city. However, right after I opened the door I was met with something wet hitting my head and slowly looked down to find myself dripping with pink paint.
I felt air around me stale in silent and astonishment as they tried to process the reality of the scene and was broke by two things.
One was the two exasperate sigh from behind me.
The other was an exaggerate laughter of a child, who I suspect was the main culprit of this prank.
I followed the foreign voice and looked up behind, standing on the roof was the sight of boy around my age. Spiky Black hair and sea green eeyes he wore a blue jacket around his green shirt that had a red silhouette picture of a dragon, regular pants, and wooden sandal.
That's when I first met the boy named, Nick Glade.
"NIIIIIIICK!"
"Crud, they're here!"
And so with wet paint all over me, I watched as the boy named Nick, jumped over roof to roof and finally pulled out a cloth from his back pocket then proceed to slide one of the chains that was carrying down an elevator.
He moved swiftly enough to know that he must have done it numerous times to even warrant a defeated sigh from the Peru Household.
"We...apologize for the rude behaviour one of the kids showed, not many know we would have guest here today" Rebecca shyly informed us with head tuck in, "we have spare cloth around though it may not be to your liking"
"I think anything is fine if I could get a nice shower and clean clothes" I answered stoicly.
She led me to one of the guest room so I could washed the paint and get a set of clean clothes. So I changed from the my white shirt with vest and tailored dark blue pants into brown khaki pants and checkered t-shirt.
Now I look like any other villager kid!
Come to think of it, when was the last time I wore loose form of clothing?
Because this feels liberating.
"If anyone needs me, I'll be going around the village so Torry, no need to follow me!"
Those who listen looked unsure of leaving a child going around the village and they all looked at each other with the nearest person.
"Are you sure..."
"...going around alone..."
"...would be a good idea Roy-sama?" Asked the Trio.
I waved my arm around in a reassurance way, "it's fine, it's easy for me to find myself around and I have a personal mission to do around here"
That got the rest to raise an eyebrow, for what does kind of mission a genius young boy would take personally, they might thought.
"What kind of mission may I ask, I might be able to help seeing as I am a local here?" Rebecca offered her service.
I waved my hand dismissively, "Nah, all I'm going to do is find the little brat who prank me and make sure he has twice the humiliation I feel" I stated as if I was pointing out the weather. I bid them farewell before they get to say or react anything and dashed outside.
Torry looked back at the gasping look they all had before sighing good naturedly at my antics, "Most people forgotten that despite his mature outlook, Young Master Roy is still just a child" then he slowly followed just a few distance behind me, enough to watched over me but not interfere.
The searched for the boy was both easy and hard.
Easy because just asking the nearest person could lead you to him.
Hard because the moment we arrived said place, he would have gone to the next place.
"I better up the stake because my revenge better be worth all this trouble" I grumbled lowly.
"Then wouldn't be wiser to just call it a night or leave him alone?" Torry voiced out his opinion, I pointed an incredulous look at my butler, promting him to resist slapping himself on the face, "Apologies Young Master, that was a stupid question to ask you of that."
Ha! He should know better I don't let go of grudge that easily.
However, my mind began reminiscing the few talks I had with the villager. Apparently Nick or Nicholas isn't very popular, whenever I asked about him they would supply one or two insult of their own like 'what did that menace do now?' Or 'that kid is nothing but trouble so it's best you don't get close to him' or their favorite that they mostly mumbled to themself, 'this village would be better off without him'
Okay, seriously...what the hell?
How in the world did a child get this much ire? It doesn't make sense!
"Are you looking for Nicholas?" I stopped my tack to look aside toward an old lady inside of what I suspect, a tobacco shop if the assortment I'm seeing is right. She looked like any other stereotypical old lady selling in an old shop so don't bother me for details. "If you're looking for him, go to the 4th Bridge, he's usually everywhere but he always go there by the end of the day it's where you get access to one of the Air Park."
"Thanks Nice Old Lady, since you know he's behaviour patter I can guess that you're quite close with him?"
The lady smiled in respond, "He's not as bad as most people make him out to be. He's just a child being a child, believing in fantasy and born different than others so he just takes out his frustration in his own way"
"Different? Different how?"
The Old Lady eyes scowled before turning away, "That is something you want to find on your own young man"
She didn't say anything more so I took that as my cue to leave and resume my searched for him, though my mind was still repeating her words and tried to understand her. For all I know he might have been a demon species like those from Galuna Island and got seperated somehow from his family.
"So Torry, what do you think?"
"The Air Park should be right around there, I must say it looked quite dangerous to be playing on a land suspended in mid air even with the safety precaution they made"
"Not that...I meant about Nick"
Torry looked down at me then to the front with a thoughtful expression, "I can only say I can't quite judge anything from secondhand information Young Master Roy, if you must know then perhaps getting to know him yourself before you could plot your revenge might help clear things up" he answered with his know it all tone I couldn't help but love.
"Yeah you're right, so have you seen him yet?"
"I'm terribly sorry, but I'm afraid..." the sound of our target's name was screamed not too far from us, followed by the echoed sound of laughter. "I found him"
We followed the pack of kids running after Nick. It was weird looking at the kid grinning gleefully from ear to ear while being chased by a mob of kids who looked like they want murder someone.
Though I couldn't find it in me to be concern when said kids all had a woman's underwear somehow tied on their head. I know it's inappropriate but I had to stifle a chuckle before turning into a full blown laughter. How Torry could keep his poker face anytime, anywhere is one of the world's greatest mystery to me.
"Come back here Nick!"
"So you could pummel me? No way!" And kept running off. I thought it's going to turn out with him getting away until the biggest kid in the group who spout a black lace panty on his head stopped short, followed by his three friends. The grin he had wasn't very reassuring but I stood and watched over them in silent.
"Give it a rest you guys, it's not like Freaky Nicky here isn't a chicken, he'll likely go home and munch some glittering stone like the freak he is" the boy mocked aloud.
I knew the moment that Nick stopped laughing and his paced slowed down to a stop that he had hit a soft nerve on that one. Nick didn't look back to face him but he did hissed out "I'm not a freak!"
Though what he meant by glittering stone was beyond me.
All the boys scoffed at that, "Yeah, and I don't lie that my parent is a dragon, sound like a freak to me"
I'm sorry...what?
WHAT?!