Finally, here it is. Sorry for the long wait. College work really picked up. Then I started suffering from burn out so I had to take a long break to do other stuff. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
The sun shines over the wooded area of the Roswaal domain. The simple beauty is accompanied by the sweet sound that is silence.
Kaoi: Minya!
[EXPLOSION!]
Well as silent as it can be.
We find Demon Slayer Kaoi laying on the ground as blonde spirit Beatrice assesses what just happened.
Kaoi: Uhhhhh…. Why does that keep happening?
Beatrice: I have no idea, I suppose. Despite doing everything I instructed, your gate should be able to withstand, yet your casting somehow backfired for the tenth time. This is proving to be quite the mystery to Betty.
Kaoi: I just don't get it! I can cast Shamak, Murak, and Vita fine but for some reason, I end up self-destructing on Minya of all spells.
Beatrice: Quite peculiar indeed. Anyhow, you ran out of mana so I suppose our lesson will end here. Now come, it's time for you to fulfill your part of our agreement.
Kaoi: Yeah, yeah…
True to his word after the Wolgarm incident, Kaoi had been telling Beatrice everything he knew about the Demon Slayer Corps. From Wisteria Houses to the Smithing Village.
Kaoi: So what do you want to hear about today?
Beatrice: Betty would like to hear about the Kakushi you mentioned from our last session.
Kaoi: The Kakushi? Ok, but I don't how much of an interesting topic they can be….Huh?!
Instantly catching his attention is an old man in a fancy uniform standing next to a carriage in front of the Mathers Mansion.
Kaoi: Actually, do you mind if we postponed our session for the time being? I promise we will have it later today.
The library caretaker looks at Kaoi before turning her head to the old man.
Beatrice: If you are going to be distracted then fine, I suppose.
Kaoi: Thanks, Beatrice.
Timeskip
Kaoi: An emissary from the capital?
Rem: I believe it concerns the Royal Selection. Lord Roswaal and Miss Emilia are with them right now.
Kaoi: Is that so?
Rem: Is something on your mind?
Kaoi: It's just that had this been two months ago I would be fine to leave at that and trust Emi's word on what happened later when I ask, but it just doesn't feel right.
Rem: I see. Very well then here.
Kaoi looks at Rem in surprise as she holds a tea set in her hands.
Kaoi: Huh?
Rem: Take this and go to the carriage driver to offer him a drink. Be sure to mention that the tea is our most expensive.
Kaoi: Most expensive?! Wouldn't Ram be upset at that?
The blue oni simply smiles.
Rem: I'm sure Sister wouldn't mind that we use the tea for this occasion.
Scene Change
In the Mansion's inventory room, a certain pink maid is seething in rage. She had originally come here to organize a tea set for her lord, lady, and the guest emissary. Ram had noticed that the can that holds the most expensive tea in the mansion had fewer tea leaves than it should the last time she checked.
Ram: Bakaoi….
Scene Change
Kaoi: Why do I feel like I am wrongly going to be put through the grinder tonight.
Rem: Now go and best of luck, Kaoi.
Kaoi: Thanks, Rem.
Rem: [Giggles]
Scene Change
The aging man in uniform was peacefully wiping the carriage as he notices a boy in a similar attire approaches him with a tea set.
Kaoi: Hello there, I hope I am not intruding. I just thought you could use some company.
?: [Sipping] It tastes lovely. Drinking it feels as though I'm indulging in a great luxury.
Kaoi: Well I'm glad you like it. God knows I'm going to pay for that tea. One way or another.
?: Now what is it that you hope to gain from this old man using such precious bait.
Kaoi: Nothing really, just the reason for this unexpected visit. That's all.
?: As I am unsure of your standing or status in this mansion. It's in my best interest to not carelessly say anything. Please understand.
Kaoi: Very well, then allow me to introduce myself.
Putting the tea set down, Kaoi then takes a formal pose.
Kaoi: My name is Kaoi and I am a butler of the Roswaal Mansion.
?: An acceptable introduction. I am Wilhelm Trias and I am a servant of House Karsten. I am very pleased to have met you, Kaoi.
After introductions were given, a new voice catches the attention of the two butlers.
?: I'm back. Old Man Wil.
The two turned to see a girl in blue attire and cat ears stepping closer
?: Sorry to make you wait outside. I bet you were bored, huh?
Wilhelm: Not at all, I was having a rather interesting conversation with this young man here.
?: [meows]
The catgirl's ears began to flap as she inspected Kaoi.
Kaoi: Right, there are demihumans in this world. Got to get used to seeing them, especially the ones that looked like a morphed demon. Sure Rem and Ram may be oni but they didn't look like any of the bizarre forms the demons would take.
?: Ah nyoh, I see. Of course, of course. You must be the boy Lady Emilia mentioned.
Kaoi: She mentioned me in that meeting of hers?
?: Well, you looked pretty clueless, let's go Old Man Wil.
Before she steps into the carriage, she turned to Kaoi and said
?: See you at the capital.
Kaoi: The capital?
Scene Change
Emilia: Listen we're not going there for fun, okay. I received an important summons and-
Kaoi: If it's that important, then it's all the more reason that I will be there to protect you.
Emilia: That won't be necessary-
Kaoi: Emi! From the moment I've met you, your insignia was stolen for an assassin and over a week later a pack of Wolgarm and their master somehow broke through the barrier to the domain of the man that sponsors you. While I have no proof these two events are connected, you can't simply call them concindences due to your status as a throne candidate and that's why as long as I'm here I need to make sure there is no attempt on your life.
Emilia: (whispers) as long as you're here…
[Clapping]
Roswaal: Couldn't have said it better myself, Young Kaoi.
(Yeah, I'm not doing Roswaal's accent anymore. I just can't)
The two turned to see the smiling clown lord as he approached them.
Emilia: Roswaal!
Roswaal: Miss Emilia, with how you last trip to the capitol went, I do believe it would be best for you to have a bodyguard and for the bodyguard to be Kaoi. Congratulations Young Kaoi on your promotion!
Kaoi: Thank you, Roswaal. See Emi, even Roswaal agrees with me.
Emilia just stood in silence for a moment before Roswaal spoke up.
Roswaal: It would also be the most convenient time for him to receive his inspection.
Kaoi: Inspection?
Roswaal: After all the abuse your gate has been through especially with the results of your recent magic lessons. It still continues to function normally. Thus the nature of your gate remains a mystery. I believe you met the emissary earlier.
Kaoi: The cat dressed in blue?
Roswaal: That is one of the capital's most brilliant users of water magic, as well as healing magic. Felix has inspected many gates and should be able to fully assess you gate. His cooperation was difficult to enlist even for Miss Emilia.
Emilia: Hold on!
Kaoi: You did that for me, Emi?
Emilia: It's just that it would be very bad if you were to suffer any backlash from protecting me so much that I want to make sure that your gate is fine. Think of it as equal compensation for what you gave up!
Kaoi: Emi….
Over the past two months of interacting with Emilia, Kaoi felt that she had been more and more closing herself off from him. Whenever he asked about her past or something personal, she would be quick to deflect or slightly lie. Kaoi kinda became familiar with the guilt that came off when she did this and just now he felt it once again.
Kaoi: Why do you try so hard to deny your good nature?
The Next Day
Roswaal: Is every set for the trip.
Ram: Yes, Lord Roswaal. Bakaoi and Lady Emilia are waiting in the carriage as we speak. Rem's morningstar has been repaired so she is all set for the time we are absent.
Roswaal: Good Ram and how have you progressed with your Total Concentration Breathing training.
Ram: Bakaoi has noted that I have been quite exceptional. True to his word, my mana consumption seemed to have slowed down and I am now able to carry out my tasks and more without hassle.
Roswaal: What wonderful news! Especially for what is to come in the coming days.
Ram: Yes it will be quite fortunate….
Roswaal notices how Ram seems to trail off in her last sentence.
Roswaal: Having second thoughts? My dear Ram.
Ram: No, of course not!
Roswaal: That is good. Remember my dear Ram, I have a great need for you and I trust you will fulfill those needs to your best ability.
Ram: Yes Lord Roswaal.
Roswaal: Now I will go prepare myself and I suggest you do the same.
After that Roswaal left Ram to her own thoughts. Thoughts of what to do when it comes to the man she loves.
Scene Change
On the sunny day of the Roswaal Mansion, we find our Demon Slayer setting up a carriage that would soon take him and his friends to the Royal Capital.
Emi: Kaoi…
Kaoi: Yes Emi.
Emilia: It just occurred to me that I never asked you what you plan to do for your future here in Lugnica.
Kaoi: What I plan to do…? I guess it would be a way to go back home.
Emilia: What?
Kaoi: Yeah, I still have my responsibilities as a Demon Slayer to protect humanity and I would like to not have my family and friends think I'm dead. Beatrice and I have been talking about the possibility of using that Al Shamak spell to send me back, but it would take some time to modify it to target a specific world.
Emilia: I see… Well, then I wish you the best of luck.
Kaoi can tell that she was saddened by his plan, but he couldn't help it. He needs to return to let at least Rozu and Hoshi know that their older brother is alive. The least he could do now was to make the best of the time he has with the mansion residents before he goes home.
Kaoi: Lighten up Emi! I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. So far it is only a theory that the modified spell would send me back.
Beatrice: A theory, yes, but Betty no doubt can make it work.
Kaoi and Emilia turn in surprise to not only see Beatrice but next her the rest of the mansion residents.
Kaoi: Hey Beatrice, what are you doing outside the library?
Beatrice: Isn't it obvious that a teacher would see her student off, I suppose.
Rem: I would also like to see you off along with Lady Emilia and my Sister.
Kaoi: Wow, thank you two then.
Ram: If you're done wasting time, Bakaoi. We must be off then.
Kaoi: Ok Ram. Bye, you two. I hope to see the two of you soon.
Beatrice: Hmph! Betty demands you come back to continue telling me more of your world.
Rem: Farewell, Kaoi! Please take care of Sister while in the capital.
Ram: Rem, please. I can take care of myself just fine! I don't need Bakaoi to do it for me.
Kaoi: I will, Rem. You can count on me! And Beatrice, don't worry! I am not that easy to get rid of.
After exchanges of good-byes among the residents of the Roswaal Mansion. The group sets off, with Roswaal and Emilia sitting in the carriage while Ram and Kaoi sit in the driver's seat.
Ram: Normally, I wouldn't have you sit next to me. I wouldn't want to force Lord Roswaal and Lady Emilia the displeasure of sitting in the same carriage as you.
Kaoi: Guess you are still mad about the tea thing.
Ram: Hah! I have no idea what you're talking about, Bakaoi.
Kaoi: Yeah, she is still mad about the tea, you would think she got over it with how hard she was last night in our language lesson.
Ram: Just stay quiet for the rest of the trip and I'll make sure we arrived there safely.
Kaoi: If you say so, I'm just gonna take a nap. There's no telling what we'll face once we arrive.
Like that Kaoi leans back and closes his eyes. Not knowing that this would be one of the few times he would get a restful sleep. Unaware of the dangers he would soon face.
There we go! Again sorry for the long wait but I promise you all that I plan to at least write up to the end of Arc 4. It's just that I got really busy and had little time to work on this fic. Expect the next chapter to come out at a similar time. Things will pick up once I'm done with the semester.