Chapter 2: True Aspect of a Monster
Heinkel immediately ran after the guy after figuring out the old man's identity. Despite his age, the old man seemed to be a quite competent runner, matching the speed of an exhausted Heinkel. Realizing chasing the guy would get him nowhere Heinkel unsheathed his sword, Holy Sword Astrea, to perform a dirty trick his father taught him after realizing Heinkel, while decently skilled, was not a prodigy like his parents. He flipped the sword to put his index finger over the guard, and let forte of the blade rest on his palm while taking aim, after a moment he threw the sword like a javelin aiming at the man's thigh. As Heinkel watched the sword fly to his target, he realized that the sword would hit it's mark. Heinkel quickly ran towards the fallen man who was shouting in pain holding his left thigh which got slashed by the sword that was lying on the ground beside him. Heinkel immediately took his sword lying on the ground and held it against the old man's chest, who was shouting in pain. He took a quick peek to check how far he managed to throw his sword accurately. Satisfied with the result he murmured to himself with a grin on his face;
[Heinkel: Still got it Heinkel … Still got it.]
Seeing the commotion, guards ran towards their location and waited for Heinkel's order. Not wanting to deal with this right now, Heinkel told guards to put the old man to jail. He could deal with him later. He needed his drink first. While making his way towards the shop he noticed there was a faint smell of alcohol in the air. When he arrived, finding nothing but the gold pouch he had left and the box full of broken bottles on the floor, Heinkel became suspicious. The floor of the shop was wet for some reason as if something had been deliberately spilled. Wanting to understand what was happening, Heinkel decided to question the absent shop owner.
"creaaaaak … thud"
Hearing the sound of a rusty door closing behind the back of the shop, Heinkel decided to check the back of the shop. Except for broken bottles and a nearly exhausted candle, there was not much behind. A candle with a flickering flame… a flame which was about to set ablaze all the alcohol spilled.
[Heinkel: SHIT SHIT SHIT!]
Turns out, his long-term booze merchant was in bed with the fucking slave traders. How amazing, he thought to himself while frantically searching for some clues around the shop before it all burned down. He continued to search for evidence, disregarding the heat from the fire that started in the back of the shop. There was nothing but the box with tons of paper and ledgers soaked in alcohol. The fire now slowly started to spread to the front of the shop threatening to block Heinkel's path towards the exit. Realizing that he had no time to waste, Heinkel grabbed the entire box and managed to run outside barely avoiding blue flames that were making their way towards him.
After breakfast, Reinhard decided to explain the situation to Subaru. His friend seemed calmer than the previous night. Although he seemed sad, he calmly managed to listen to him until the end. Subaru asked him about what the great cascade is which further proved to Reinhard that his friend was someone from above the great cascade. Wanting to explain the situation better to his friend, Reinhard decided to go to the library with Subaru. While he was looking for a world map Subaru started to inspect a book that captured his interest.
[Subaru: You didn't tell me you had manga's, Rein]
Subaru was looking at him with a pouting face. When he saw the book Subaru was trying to read, he felt frozen while staring at the book's cover with wide-open eyes.
Flower of Battle by Wilhelm van Astrea
[Subaru: Hmm, there is a pretty lady with a sword, she must be the main heroine.]
What semblance of hope remained within Reinhard to have a friend started to shatter. He knew, he was a monster, a murderer, someone who killed a hero for a childish desire of being the hero himself but he hoped that he would've had more time with his friend before Subaru figured out what kind of person he was.
[Subaru: Who even leaves a flower in a book these days, the poor thing is already dried up]
Watching a withered red marigold falling to the ground Reinhard made his mind. Subaru was too innocent to be his friend but he was a selfish person, he first wanted to have a memory with, soon be acquaintance, friend.
[Reinhard: Subaru before I keep yesterday's promise about showing my skills with the sword, I need to take care of the flower garden and plant new seeds for the next season. Would you like to come with me?]
Subaru seemed to be interested when he heard the word "sword" but seemed to be disappointed when he also heard they had to deal with flower planting first.
[Subaru: Can't you do it later?]
[Reinhard: I'm sorry but I have to finish my task first.]
[Subaru: Uhhh … okay okay let's go.]
With that, Subaru left the room, leaving the book in his hand on one of the tables in the library. Before following his friend Reinhard delicately picked up the dried flower to put back where it belonged. He already took his grandmother's life, at least he could respect her memory. With this in mind, he followed an impatient Subaru making his way towards the flower garden.
Heinkel was already angry because of being sober. But, after having to deal with today's events and realizing that all the clue he risked his life to get was worthless, it was fair to say he was pissed off. All of the writings on ledgers and papers became unreadable thanks to all the alcohol spilled all over them, ruining the paper and making the ink unreadable. He tried to calm himself remembering what the garrison's artisan said to him after inspecting the ruined ledgers Heinkel brought him. Some pages of the ledgers could be restored to some extent but they weren't even sure the ledgers were a clue in the first place. Fortunately, he had at least someone to question. When he reached the entrance to the dungeon, he noticed the healer who was about to enter the old man's cell.
[Heinkel: Hold on! I will question him first, you will wait until it's over.]
The healer looked at the commander with callous eyes. He slowly bowed to Heinkel then left the dungeon leaving Heinkel and the old man alone.
[Heinkel: Are you going to spit it out or do you need some foreplay to warm up?]
The old man looked up to him with begging eyes. Opening his and pleading mercy;
[Old Man: I,.. I can't … they will kill me if… if I say anything.]
[Heinkel: You're in a cell in the middle of the city garrison, you fool. It's safe enough to talk and let me remind you something.]
Heinkel leaned until there was a short distance from the old man's face. Started to calmly whisper to him;
[Heinkel: They are outside but I'm already here with you and nobody would question a commander from an interrogation go too … far.]
Heinkel actually had no intention to kill the guy since he was the only lead he had but sometimes a not so gentle approach was way better than a pleading one. The old man before him started to quiver in fear realizing that pleading or not talking would get him killed either way. Heinkel stood up from his bent position and began to step on the man's injured leg.
[Old Man: AAAArghhh .. urghhh]
[Heinkel: Do you need more motivation to talk because I would be glad to give some.]
[Old Man: Umnhhgrhh … ENOUGH … I WILL TALK]
That was rather easy, Heinkel thought to himself. He paused a moment letting the guy catch it's the breath before he could talk.
[Old Man: My employers' name is … Wazo. Sometimes he gets some rich snobs like you as a customer. Some people call him a florist. That's all I know.]
Hearing the old man's insult Heinkel delivered a kick to the old man's abdomen, sending him flying towards the back of the cell.
[Heinkel: You little … Is that all ?]
The old man was panting for air after Heinkel's kick send him flying. Heinkel concluded that the old man wouldn't be able to talk more, even if he wanted to. He decided to end the interrogation there and left the cell making his way towards the dungeon's door. When he opened the door he was surprised to see the healer waiting at the dungeon's gate. He walks past him after telling him that healer was allowed to go in.
He guessed that he accomplished enough to get Marcos off his back for a month or two if he pushes his luck. Well, there was nothing else to do in the first place. Artisan told him that it would take a while to salvage the restorable parts of the ledger and make sense out of what little remained. The guards he ordered to find the merchant came back empty-handed. Having nothing else left to do Heinkel decided to inform some of his officers about what to do when someone, probably a kararagian merchant lord, comes asking them about their missing kid with black hair. He told his officers that they should offer them one of the few suites at the garrison and immediately send a messenger to Astrea domain to inform Heinkel so he could bring their child to them. His officers seemed to taken aback by the fact that their drunk commander actually cared about something outside of an alcohol bottle. With nothing left to do Heinkel called his attendant to prepare the carriage.
Right now his friend was looking at him with an expression that looked like he was having to decide on one of the hardest dilemmas in his life.
[Reinhard: Which flower seed do you want me to plant Subaru? Gypsophila or Hyacinth?]
[Subaru: Gypo .. gypso … how do you even spell that? … Ugh can't we just plant both of them?]
[Reinhard: We can if you want to but I have to ask more questions?]
[Subaru: Sure, what is it?]
[Reinhard: Which color do you want your Hyacinth to be?]
[Subaru: How do you even choose which color of the flower … just plant a yellow one so we can play with swords.]
[Reinhard: Sure thing.]
After planting the seeds of Gypsophila (baby's breath) Reinhard put his hand in the sack of seeds and started the search, looking for a specific seed. After finding what he was looking for he planted the seeds of Hyacinth next to the other flower he slowly got up with a sour look on his face.
[Reinhard: It's done... I guess.]
[Subaru: Finally … Can you show me some of your cool sword moves now?]
[Reinhard: … Of course let me get the training sword first.]
If Subaru saw him destroy something big with a wooden sword surely he would be scared enough to get away from him. While telling that he killed his grandmother might have worked faster, Reinhard didn't want to burden his only friend with something so heavy. He decided that blowing the big boulder just outside of the mansion grounds would be enough. It was around six meters in height and Reinhard could feel that there were some iron ores within hardening the stone further. While Reinhard was looking around the bolder to find a proper angle to blow it properly without hurting his friend when he was sure he found the proper spot he unemotionally raised the sword preparing to strike. Subaru was watching him with an excited look and his friend decided to ask him a question before he struck.
[Subaru: Does your move have a name. I mean if you want your move to be cool it surely must have a cool name, right?]
Reinhard callously answered Subaru's question before striking the boulder.
[Reinhard: The Swordplay of the Astrea Family.]
With that he struck the boulder in front of him with a sword that was filled with worlds love for him.
After getting off the carriage Heinkel yawned with a tired look on his face. Today has been quite taxing on Heinkel's patience and not to mention his mind. This was the 6th consecutive day of his soberness and he was hating every single moment of it. His thought was more orderly and his memories were getting more vivid than what they used to be when he was drunk. While he was thinking to get a bath then relax, he noticed a blinding light shining just outside the mansion grounds behind a huge rock. It didn't take long before he realized what was the source of it.
[Heinkel: Can't you sit still for two fucking days without ruining something you waste of space!?]
Subaru couldn't be more amazed than he was right now especially after his friend raised the sword, delivered the coolest one-liner he ever heard with an impressed tone then blow to boulder in front of them like it was nothing. He probably felt insulted by Subaru's comment that his move required a name to be cool but after seeing this Subaru decided that a move could be awesome without having a name, not that Reinhard's cool move didn't have a name. Subaru noticed Reinhard's father coming towards them. He was probably going to praise his son for doing such a cool move. Not being able to contain his excitement Subaru felt like he had to shout.
[Heinkel: Do you have to blow everything on your sig…]
[Subaru: that was AWESOMEE!]
Both Heinkel and Reinhard turned towards Subaru who was jumping with excitement. Both father and son were looking at Subaru, with a different expression on their faces. Heinkel was looking towards Subaru with a face of worry, wondering if the poor kid lost his mind. While Reinhard was looking at him with an extremely confused look. Subaru on the other hand started to imitate the move Reinhard did while talking;
[Subaru: That was the coolest thing I have ever see. You just raised sword said…]
Subaru tried to change the tone of his voice to match Reinhard's.
[Subaru: The Swordplay of Astrea Family … then **swoosh** **boooooooooom**]
Subaru returned to his normal voice to continue
[Subaru: THAT WAS COOLEST MOVE WITH THE COOLEST NAME I HAVE EVER SEEN!]
Subaru started to jump around making weird noises while both Reinhard and Heinkel tried to process what the kid in front of them was babbling about. Heinkel was thinking if he should call a shrink to examine the weird kid while Reinhard was trying to understand what made his friend so excited rather than shocked. Did his friend had no survival instinct?
[Subaru: Do you have any other moves, like holding a sword forward while turning around yourself to create a tornado, I even got a name for it already.]
[Heinkel: Don't give him any ideas.]
Subaru couldn't hear the Heinkel while babbling so he continued while trying to change the tone of his voice to sound more manly. Well as manly as it could get for a ten-year-old;
[Subaru: The Winds Of Astrea Family … no this is too normal. How about The Vengeful Tornado of Astrea… no this is too long… okay we could handle the name part later.]
Subaru had stopped breathing because he had no more breath to speak properly.
Poor Reinhard was still trying to process what happened. All of his instincts told him that this would be enough to intimidate any normal person but Subaru seemed more excited to spend time with him. It was so obvious that even someone as socially oblivious as him could tell it by just looking at Subaru's face. His father seemed a bit more … composed than normal while walking towards him. His father then threw a ring of keys towards him while saying;
[Heinkel: You know where to find the training dummies. Set them up if you want to show him how to use a sword without blowing something up.]
His father then turned towards Subaru to say;
[Heinkel: Don't you feel intimidated ?]
Subaru only gave a confused look at his father. His father looked towards his friend for several seconds until walking away saying;
[Heinkel: Don't expect yourself to be able to do such monstrous moves, kid.]
With that said his father continued his walk towards the mansion. Reinhard couldn't help himself turn towards Subaru to ask a question of his own;
[Reinhard: Aren't you afraid of me?]
[Subaru: Why should I be scared of you? You are not a bad guy and you can do awesome moves like that. Can you teach me one pleaseeeeee.]
Reinhard was getting confused more by each passing second. Subaru just said that he saw no reason to be scared of him and even started to beg for Reinhard to teach him some "cool moves" as Subaru put it. Even his Divine Protections were telling that Subaru's only desire is to learn a … flashy move like his sword swing. He didn't even have an ounce of fear within him. Also, Subaru didn't seem to be disgusted by his power. He had to ask one more question to understand the Subaru properly;
[Reinhard: Do you want to be able to destroy boulders?]
[Subaru: I don't want to destroy stuff but I want to able to do such cool moves like swinging an op weapon to scare off bad guys or being able to stop time so I could eat as much mayonnaise as I like before someone warns me … oh It would be could if I was able to move stuff with my mind, you know when you sit somewhere and get comfortable and then you realize you forgot your chips on the table but you don't want to get up. Yeah, I want to do that kind of move. Could you teach any of them pleaseeee?]
Reinhard could only laugh while watching his friend's antics. Realizing that Subaru was waiting his answer he spoke;
[Reinhard: I don't know if I could teach any of them to you but I could show you how to handle a sword but let me warn you, it takes years of practice to master and most people end up being mediocre.]
[Subaru: There is no way I would end up being mediocre when I'm being trained by … what was it, oh right … saint of swords.]
[Reinhard: Sword Saint.]
[Subaru: Whatever it is … show me where those training dummies are so I could beat em up.]
After saying that, Subaru started hitting his fist in the palm of his other hand. Reinhard, who was expecting that this would be the last day they would spend time together started to feel excited to do more with his friend.
[Reinhard: Of course, follow me.]
A certain magi was looking at his teacher's gift resting on the table with a wide grin on his face. Although the cover was closed, the pages of a certain book were making noises as if they were putting themselves back in a new order. He decided to wait until the sorted itself out. It was his teacher's creation so there was no need to worry about its condition. He also witnessed the book doing this before and knew what it meant. It was adapting the new unseen circumstances to show the future to its master. While he was waiting patiently he heard his attendant calling for him.
[?: Your tea is ready Roswaal-sama.]
[Roswaal: You can cooome iiiiiin, Ram]
A young maid entered while holding a tray with a cup and kettle. After putting the tray on the table she slowly made her way towards the door only to turn for a moment to glare at her master and the book that was in from of him, with that being done she left the room to leave the madman to its own devices.
* thud *
He slowly opened the book to inspect what changed. Ever since her death as "J" he made a habit to memorize a year ahead while checking the next decade to see if there was anything that could help his goal. The old version told him of someone that would arrive with a power to … redo … things he wanted to. There was also the death of the Royal family but other than the bait, they were irrelevant to him. While reading the book's new contents the smirk on the magi's face started to widen even further.
[Roswaal: You arrived earlier than expected, how marvelous.]
He was too excited to bother with the accent.
Okay, this was my first 3k+ chapter and I'm feeling that quality started to improve a bit.
With that being said I don't think I managed to convey some conversations or moves as much as I wanted to do ... so if anyone has a clue how to improve that part of my writing. I would like to hear your thoughts about it.
The move Heinkel made at the beginning of the chapter is actually a real sword technique used by medieval swordsman as a high-risk high reward kind of move to win against more talented opponents. If you want to learn more about it my suggestion would be to search for a dude named Fiore dei Liberi.
Also here is a trivia for anyone wondering why I called the flames blue. If you burn high-proof alcohols (like vodka for example) they will burn with a clear blue color rather than a red one we used to see.
I also left some easter eggs in today's chapter. While telling about it goes against the whole purpose of easter eggs I want to know how many of you managed to find them.
I know chapters for my fic are rather short (2-3k) I plan to increase the length towards 6-10k after I get a hang of this writing in English thing.
Just correcting some grammatical mistakes
These chapters will be rewritten when I have extra free time