11. Dialogue

"Grand Marshal! Nobutsuna Kamiizumi and Sir Therius have vanished from Eisen!"

"What?! What is the meaning of this, Alternis? Vanished?"

"Not just them, though. Edea—she's vanished, too."

"…How…?"

"I was informed that there was a circle of light that appeared before all three vanished, and that Asthar happened to come through it just earlier before their vanishing."

"…General Asthar had something to do with this? And it was a circle of light that brought him and Sir Therius to this world, in the first place."

"Do you think Asthar and Therius were secretly working with the Vestal? Why else would the Swordmaster vanish?"

"If that is the case, however, they wouldn't take Edea with them. There's a possibility it was accidental, just like how Sir Therius and General Asthar came to Eternia initially."

"I see. What should we do, Grand Marshal?"

"Keep an eye out in case any of them come back. But in the meantime, we must prepare—The Vestal and her allies are headed here, to Eternia."

"Understood, sir."

"Swordmaster, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Kamiizumi sighed from behind the changing screen. "I tried asking one of the servants about my own clothing, but they said they're still washing the blood out of it. I don't think I have much of a choice at this point."

"Oh." The Performer winced, watching the older man's silhouette move, presumably changing. "I get what you mean, but uh…maybe we should wait until we get fresh clothes for you other than what I found?"

"I know all the other men wear pants, Praline, and this attire is not exactly most appropriate. But it's better than going out naked, and at least I have underclothing on."

"Yeah…true. I don't know if deliberately having dress mistakes is the greatest thing ever, though. The Count might be horrified! I might be horrified!"

"I'm pretty sure I can pull this off, and you told me yourself it might look okay on me, so you being horrified should technically be out of the question!"

"We don't know until you actually put it on!" The Performer couldn't help but scoff. "Who's the fashion expert out of the two of us, Swordmaster?"

A groan tumbled out from behind the changing screen. "…You are."

"Thank you. Tell me when you're done changing, okay?"

"Alright." A pause. "Uh, Praline?"

Praline blinked. "Yeah?"

"…Do you mind helping me lace this gown up? Please?"

"They have to be Gurak spies, Count! I'm sure of it!"

The Count glared at Jirall, and Asthar swallowed at the sight. If looks could kill, the Count just killed Jirall Rambaldt. Even Jirall flinched at such a look, and the Count did not break his gaze on him as he spoke.

"I spoke with them both personally, Lord Jirall, and I find them to be trustworthy. General Asthar and Sir Therius both also gave their word about both of them as well."

Currently, Asthar, Therius, Jirall, Dagran, Zael and the Count remained in the room. The Count summoned the others just earlier to discuss the status of Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, Praline a la Mode, and Edea Lee, and how they planned to move forwards from this regarding their current war with the Gurak.

Needless to say, Jirall Rambaldt was not pleased at all.

"They could be lying, Count, for all we know." Jirall looked to Therius and Asthar, glowering. "They could have lied to you the whole time you were there! And you just went along with it!?"

Asthar frowned, remembering his past confrontation with Kamiizumi and Edea back in Eisen, before he'd dragged Therius back (with Kamiizumi and Edea tagging along that is). "Forgive me for interrupting, but obtaining information out of the Swordmaster wasn't easy, Lord Jirall. It took me and Therius a while to understand the entire situation back in Luxendarc. It was hard enough knowing that we were also in the middle of a civil war at the same time. Though Kamiizumi withheld information from us the whole time, he never straight-up lied to us."

Zael, savior of Lazulis Island, looked hopelessly lost and confused—his blue eyes gave that away too well. "How…how did this all happen again?"

Dagran's golden eyes gazed towards him. "I'll try to explain later." He looked to the Count. "How do we proceed with this, Count, now that we know that Nobutsuna Kamiizumi and Praline a la Mode agreed to help us?"

"Well—"

That was when a servant knocked on the door. "Count? Swordmaster Nobutsuna Kamiizumi and Performer Praline a la Mode wish to see you!"

Therius frowned. Already? Wasn't Kamiizumi supposed to be in the hospital wing? Everyone else shared Therius' confusion, but then the Count sighed.

"Let him and Praline in. If they are well enough to attend this, they might as well know of our plans now."

The door opened, everyone turned to see the two walk in, and…

Jirall's jaw dropped. Dagran looked stunned, and even Zael looked confused. Asthar and Therius couldn't help but exchange awkward looks, but it was the Count that held the most mixture of emotions—confusion, yes, but also intrigue and a bit of awe.

Praline a la Mode looked fine. She looked normal, in her poofy dress and bunny ears.

It was Nobutsuna Kamiizumi that looked, well, very different. He had no kimono on—instead, it was one of those ridiculously frilly nightgowns that one had to lace up from the back. Despite Praline's best efforts to help him dress earlier, Asthar noticed the cords of the gown threatening to completely loosen. It wasn't because the gown was too tight on the Swordmaster (if anything, it fit him quite nicely), it was just the fault of the gown not being well-constructed as is. The upper part of the gown more threatened to fall completely, and so the Swordmaster's collarbone and shoulders were exposed.

"My apologies for the indecent appearance," The Swordmaster stated, surprisingly quite calm despite this clear dress error as he looked to the Count, "But I was informed by the servants that my kimono wasn't completely free of blood yet, and I felt it was needed to speak with you immediately. I looked through all the reports you gave to me regarding this war with the Gurak so far, and I have some ideas as of how Praline and I can help."

"I see." The Count looked to Jirall, raising an eyebrow. "Jirall, leave us. Military expertise is not necessarily your strength, unlike the Swordmaster."

"But—!" A look from the Count silenced him, and Jirall growled, turning to leave the office. "Fine."

Praline stuck her tongue out at Jirall inaudibly when his back was turned, and Kamiizumi shot her a look. As the door closed behind Jirall, Praline gave the Swordmaster a quick look in return.

"I am sooo not apologizing for that. He's just a jerk!"

The Swordmaster sighed. "We've worked with less savoury people than that man, Praline. Let's try not to make more enemies, shall we?"

The Count cleared his throat to get their attention, and they both looked to him as he spoke. "Now, as for what these ideas of yours are…what is it?"

Asthar noticed Dagran's sudden frown as Kamiizumi began to speak.

"Let me summarize what I know. We have the savior of Lazulis Island, Zael, who wields the power of the Outsider. And then we also have a being who has this same power on the side of the Gurak—King Zangurak himself. We have the Lazulis Cannon, which clearly helps us fend them off if needed, but the Gurak also made technological advances since the last time Lazulis ever warred with them, according to the reports I just read."

Kamiizumi looked to Asthar and Therius at his next words. "Both armies have strength as well…but the question is of discipline. Determination. Doing our duty properly. I've read a few reports that the Lazulis knights are…not quite disciplined."

The Count frowned, but Asthar noted that he did not stop the Swordmaster from continuing. If there was something the ruler of Lazulis knew well, for most of the time, it was to listen carefully.

"They lack the morale. Training. This is war—they should be already prepared. I think I can help with that."

"You think you can train them?" The Count asked. Asthar saw the eyebrow raise and stayed perfectly silent. Was the Swordmaster treading dangerous water by implying that the Count's knights were not disciplined and trained enough?

"Sir," Kamiizumi stated, looking the Count in the eye, "I've led a civil war. I also led a revolution against the ruling church alongside my best friend about ten years before that and won. I've also trained numerous pupils, most notably my former pupil Edea but also others that are now Asterisk bearers in the Duchy like myself. If there is someone that can do the job and bring your men up to speed, I can."

"A revolution?" The Count echoed. "That's the first I've heard of this."

As the Count looked to Asthar, Therius spoke up. "General Asthar nor did I hear of such a thing either, Count, until now." It was clear that the white knight was just as surprised. Looking around, Asthar noted the surprise in Zael, Jirall, and Dagran's eyes. Only Praline looked unfazed, and that meant she already knew of this from the beginning.

The Swordmaster scanned everyone else in the room as he spoke, but trained his gaze on the Count the most. "That's a story for another time. What's important is…do you accept my suggestion? That I train these knights to lead us to victory against our shared foe, Count?"

It was a challenge more than a request. That was how Asthar saw it, and he wondered if anyone else felt the same. Surely the Count felt the same sort of vibe, for sure, but Zael was not necessarily as knowledgeable with this sort of talk.

Then again, Dagran might know one or two things about talking. How else could he be in the Count's favour in the first place?

"I see your point." The Count looked...intrigued, if anything. "It would be good for me to see you in action. And it would help you and the other knights cooperate. Very well—I hand that responsibility to you. Should you fail…"

He left it unfinished, but the Swordmaster simply nodded. "I understand."

The room went quiet. Everyone got shooed out of the Count's office except for the Swordmaster, Praline, Dagran and the Count.

"Nobutsuna Kamiizumi," The Count of Lazulis stated, "What the hell were you thinking when you waltzed into the room in," He gestured towards Kamiizumi's robes, "This!?"

"As I previously mentioned, my kimono is still getting its blood out." The Swordmaster stated, raising an eyebrow. His facial expression was otherwise mostly calm, save for maybe some clear agitation at the Count's outburst. "And I thought it best to consult with you my ideas as of how I can help you win this war. It's not my fault everyone else happened to just be in here at the time."

"What you did was very reckless. You come off as no better than a simple mercenary."

"I technically am one, Count."

"A stupid one. Reckless. I could have you thrown out for this."

Dagran barely hid a smirk. Kamiizumi did not care.

"However," The Count looked to Kamiizumi, taking a deep breath, "I understand that you just lost a war yourself, back where you came from. I understand the grief of a loss all too well, and I assume that partially explains your behaviour. I'll give you a second chance, but give me sooner notice than just before walking in, next time you meet with me. Also, wear more appropriate attire."

The Swordmaster's face returned to calmness, and he nodded once. "I understand, Count. It won't happen again."

"I have to admit, however…" The Count eyed the Swordmaster's gown, then looked up at his grey eyes with his working blue one, "Reckless is not too bad a look on you. Not that it's always suited for the battlefield."

Kamiizumi returned the eye contact. "That's rather bold, given how we've barely met. Surely you can be more subtle than that, Count?"

The Count chuckled faintly. "You seem to be the type to want to know everything from the get go. Subtle hints don't seem your style."

Praline's jaw dropped at the words spilling from the Count and the Swordmaster's lips. "Uh…um…"

Both men looked to her, blinking. "What?"

Praline offered them a sheepish grin. "Oh, never mind. Nothing!"

Dagran gave the Swordmaster a brief, but sharp look. The Swordmaster did not dignify him with a response of any kind.

"I'll have your clothes taken to your guest room." The Count managed, looking to Kamiizumi. "In the meantime, it's getting late. Both of you ought to get sleep, given all that's happened. Your work starts tomorrow, Swordmaster, and you better do a good job."

"Of course." The Swordmaster and Praline soon left, and Dagran sighed a moment after the door closed behind them.

"Do you actually trust him, Count?"

Arganan looked to Dagran quietly. "You don't? I don't blame you. That man we imprisoned a while back, Zoran…he was an old friend of yours, yes?"

"Let's not talk about that. The question is about the Swordmaster, not me." Dagran's gold eyes burned in the light of the room. "Do you actually trust him?"

The Count sharply sighed, running a metal hand through his own wavy hair. "I trust him enough to believe he'll go along with what I have planned for him, Dagran. He might've only arrived just yesterday, along with that Praline, but we need all the help we can get. He's led a civil war."

"He lost that civil war." Dagran raised an eyebrow.

"But he also held out for four years against an enemy side much larger than his own."

A little hum escaped the Count's throat as he watched Dagran's disbelieving face. "When someone loses the battle, Dagran, they crave something to fill that lack of victory they wanted. They want to feel fulfilled—they want to win so badly. Whoever gives them that chance of victory automatically makes them feel indebted to their giver. Nobutsuna Kamiizumi will be the man I need to help us achieve our victory because he'll feel it's his instead of ours. Having a man like him makes this island an even better sword of the Empire. Just because he's lost once doesn't mean he'll lose twice."

"Will he?" Dagran's frown still remained. "Have you forgotten what you have in place for Zael? For me?"

"I haven't forgotten. I intend to have a place for you both in knighthood, at least. As well as the rest of your companions, should they prove themselves in this war. Your friend Zael will be and is the savior of this island, and will perhaps have my niece's hand at the end of all of this." The Count locked his good eye with the mercenary's own. "I suggest you don't ask anymore questions, and leave all this to me. I know what I'm doing, darling."

Dagran couldn't help but laugh, sauntering over to him until they were completely face to face. "Control freak, aren't you?"

Arganan couldn't help but chuckle in return. "You have to be when you have power." He lifted his right, gloved hand to grab the younger man by the chin and pull him forwards for a brief kiss, only to pull back. "Speaking of Zael…check on him for me, will you? Surely he must be reeling from the turn of events. I want to make sure he and the Swordmaster get along."

Dagran couldn't help but smirk.

"I will."