This chapter takes place around Chapter 46 of The Soul Touch
"Sairaag really is quite the beautiful city considering how many times it's been reduced to ruin." Inspector Wizer noted as he was currently sitting at the breakfast table, watching Naga devour ten times the amount of food he ordered for himself. He merely was sipping some coffee after finishing his eggs, chuckling at the sorceress's appetite. "I must say is it normal for sorceresses to have such need for this amount of food? I recall watching Lina Inverse taking in the same amount."
Naga merely stopped for a moment to chew the meat in her mouth, pointing her fork at him. "Magic takes a lot of energy out of us, my little sister takes in quite a bit as well, but I must admit Lina's been the only one I've known to keep up with me." She chuckled.
"You've known each other a long time, hmm?" the inspector asked.
"Oh I'd say a good 6-7 years, give or take." Naga shrugged her shoulders. "She's been my most formidable rival."
"So why does a princess such as yourself travel the life of a peasant sorceress?" Wizer asked, arching his eyebrow. "I myself had no idea you were actually Miss Gracia Ul Naga Seyruun herself."
Naga took a big gulp out of her ale, sighing. "The royal life never suited me much, I was always wanting to explore the world and its riches I can get for myself, rather than rely on the family fortune." She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair as she had finished eating. "… But the main reason is I watched my own mother be slain before my eyes…" her head lowered. "I was targeted by an assassin as the family is always trying to murder each other to take over the throne… But my mother was killed instead, I destroyed that… That monster of a human being, but it wasn't enough. I found this outfit in my mother's closet after the funeral, then found my calling." She waved a hand carelessly. "So by punishing bandits and other assassins in the name of justice, Naga the Great White Serpent earned her reputation!"
Wizer sweatdropped at that. "But why do you want to be in the likes of Lina Inverse, the bandit killer? I would think a princess would rather be more proper." He then raised his hand before she could yell. "Don't get me wrong, as an inspector I'm merely curious. I can understand some of the events around your actions, but I must say most people in your situation wouldn't have reacted as such."
Naga let out a sigh, taking another drink. "… I'm searching for whom it was that hired the assassin that took my mother's life. The assassin's name was Booley."
"The famous one?" Wizer blinked a few times. "I had heard before he met his end in Seyruun, but I had no idea he was the one responsible for the princess's death."
"I will eventually track down that person, until then I'll hunt down every assassin in this world and make them pay." Naga had a rather icy tone in her voice as she said this.
"Perhaps I can assist you." Wizer spoke up. "I remember looking into one of his cases in Ruvinagald, I think even Gioconda had hired him at one point, that name came up along with the whole list of assassins besides Zuuma she had hired in the past."
Naga perked up at that. "And here Lina tried to tell me you're completely useless." She chuckled. "I knew there was a reason I let you tag along with me in our last little adventure."
Wizer opened a single eye at her. "It was quite one at that, I must say."
Naga stood up as she bellowed a laugh. "Ho ho ho ho ho! Well you better not slow me down this time because I might not be as generous. But, if you're willing to help me by all means sir."
"So where shall we investigate today then?" Wizer asked, crossing his arms. "So far any leads in the records haven't gotten us far, and the rest of the city is still being rebuilt."
"Well I did find one useful book I think Lina could look over." Naga said, holding the said book in her hand. It looked rather old, with several odd markings on it.
"Oh, isn't that the record of the history of Cepheid?" Wizer asked. "You think something in there might be of use?"
Naga just shrugged her shoulders. "Well, she said anything involving that guy since he's the cause of her sister's trouble."
"Hey you guys!" Pokota suddenly came flying into the room.
"Oh, it's you the ventriloquist dummy! I didn't know you could do that Naga!" Wizer cried, clapping his hands together. "You and Lina Inverse truly are rivals in all things!"
Naga sweatdropped. "Umm… Didn't you meet Pokota before too?" she then rubbed her temple. "What is it?"
"We've got a problem, I just got word that Deep Sea Dolphin is attacking Seyruun!" Pokota cried, turning to the green beastman standing behind him. "This guy called Dilgear was sent by Luna."
"According to Pokota, Lina already left?" Dilgear asked. "We stopped here on the way to Seyruun to see if she had come this way."
"Well, we left when she was still in Taforashia." Wizer brought up. "Odds are she's back in Seyruun by now."
"Fine then, we might as well head there!" Naga cried. "Besides, my little sister will be looking for me soon enough, all the excitement nearly made me forget why I had returned home!"
"Oh? And just what might that be?" Wizer asked.
"Oh just Amelia's Coming of Age Ceremony." Naga chuckled. "I'm sure father has a whole party planned and everything."
"Amelia's birthday is coming up?" Pokota blinked, being a royal himself he knew what she was talking about. "But if she's reaching that age that means…"
"Oh! So they'll be prepping the young princess to take her place on the throne then?" Wizer smacked his hand into his fist. "That's right Naga you said you renounced your claim, so she's next in line right?"
The sorceress nodded. "Correct."
"We can all catch up with the small talk on the way, if I don't get you guys back there fast Luna's gonna to punish me…" Dilgear whimpered.
"Oh dear, I've seen what Lina does when angry, I'd hate to think what her sister does…" Pokota shivered.
"Same here." Wizer groaned.
"Double on that…" Naga muttered.
The group all nodded once, rushing out the door and onward to Seyruun…
"…. Interesting report, pup." Zelas Metallium drummed her long fingers on her throne on Wolfpack Island, currently taking the form of a tanned skin slender woman with silver hair. "It makes me curious why Deep Sea Dolphin is going through so much trouble to provoke the Knight of Cepheid."
"That is why I came to report right away." Xelloss said with a bow, he was down on his knee. "If I may, I need to return to the library quickly to see about something I had Vandal looking up."
"He mentioned about that human you came across." Zelas sighed, shaking her head. "Cepheid is going to be enough of a trouble, dealing with Lord Ruby Eye will cause more… Do you think that human will heed your warning?"
"He seemed like a stubborn one, I doubt it will keep him away for long." Xelloss replied.
"Very well then, attend to that." Zelas waved him off. "I'll summon you back later for a few tasks I need you to take care of." She smirked slightly. "Your chores are piling up with all this attention given to Lina Inverse."
"I will attend to everything once I check this out and return to the castle to survey the area in case Dolphin attacks again." Xelloss stated with a quick bow, taking her hand into his and pressing his lips against the back of her hand. "I will return the moment you summon me though, Lord Beast Master."
Zelas smirked at that, glad to see his loyalties were still in the right place. "Don't worry pup, I'll be sure to summon you when she'll most likely be asleep so you can prepare her. After all we don't want her to go without a nightly recharge now, do we?" she grinned devilishly, pulling her hand back.
"Of course." Xelloss nodded, rising slowly. "If you'll excuse me now." He vanished, traveling through the Astral Plane to the library. He looked around noticing it was rather empty and Vandal's desk was cleared out. "Vandal?" he called out.
"Master Xelloss?" Bulzome poked his head out from one of the many shelving units. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Where's Vandal?" the Beast Priest asked.
"He stepped out with Basanda, I'm not quite sure where." Bulzome shrugged. "As you know neither of them think of me as more than the mere cleaning Underling here." He chuckled.
"That is because they were not created by Lord Beast Master, they think they have special status for joining here on their own." Xelloss shook his head, patting the masked monk demon on the head. "I know the Underlings are usually cruel to you thinking because they were created by the Mistress that makes them special."
"I am your only creation Master Xelloss, I will always serve no matter what happens. Lord Beast Master always will have my service as long as you serve." Bulzome bowed.
Xelloss smiled at that. "Yes, that is true. I originally created you to help me organize the library but you've before more than that over the years. I never understood why Lord Beast Master had Vandal take over in the past year, but no matter."
"What is it you wanted from Vandal anyway, Master Xelloss?" Bulzome asked.
The purple haired priest ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, I had asked him to look a few documents up for me, but I see his desk is empty. Did he put anything to the side?"
"Not that I'm aware of sir." Bulzome shrugged.
"Hmmm…" Xelloss cupped his chin in thought. "One more question, what has he been researching so much here lately?"
"I'm afraid he would not let me know sir." Bulzome sighed. "Anytime I asked he or Basanda grew extremely angry, saying they were following Lord Beast Master's orders and to not question them."
A thought recalled into Xelloss's mind of the last time he caught a look at what Vandal was researching. "… I see, very well then. Perhaps you can assist my research instead then?"
"What did you require sir?" the low ranking Mazoku asked.
"I need some more research on the Shinma War." Xelloss said, tapping his chin with his finger. "And anything you can find about the Astral Plane and transferring souls."
"I'll gather those right now Master Xelloss." Bulzome said, heading for the bookshelf.
"I'll return for them later, Lord Beast Master wishes for me to return in a few hours anyhow." Xelloss smiled, tapping his staff onto Bulzome's head. "One more thing, you probably already know this, but after this situation is over Lina Inverse…"
"Will be possibly returning here?" Bulzome asked, turning to face him. "Forgive me sir, I overheard your conversation in the kitchen while passing."
"Oh I see." Xelloss rubbed his head. "Then you'd know as my Soul Touch she'll need an escort around here from time to time, and of course the few times she doesn't go with me on a mission. Also, I'd expect you to follow her orders only under my own and Lord Beast Master."
"Of course Master Xelloss." Bulzome bowed once more. "It will please me to be able to serve you well in assisting your mate."
Xelloss smiled at that. "Very well then, I shall be on my way." He teleported out.
Bulzome tilted his head to the side. "… I just wonder what could have been so important Vandal would push aside Master Xelloss's request like that…?"