Chapter I
1 Week later...
"You have got to be kidding me."
The Captain of the black bulls read an immediate Telegram sent for him directly by the Wizard-King himself.The reason for his sudden distress in the early morning at the black bull's base.
"Like i'm gonna let him do this to me. I've already hit my quota. I've got a lot of important business to do here."
Which only involved, alcohol, cards and a month worth of oversleeping
Muttering a curse, The dark haired captain let out a sigh and frowned. Clearly not impressed by the sudden news of a new mission.
"I swear, I'd definitely retire early if he keeps driving me off like this."
Frustrated, he dragged a hand along his face, took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. He shook his head, while roughly taking a stick out of his pouch before lighting it.
He desperately needed a vacation.
Walking downstairs, the daily commotion at the common room can be heared. But The smell of freshly cooked food wafting through the air caught his attention first.
A tiny voice cheerfully greeted him. It was the cook of their base Charmy.
"Good Morning Captain! let's have some breakfast! I prepared all of your favorites!" Charmy said as she devoured every food within hdt sight in one go. Her tiny little legs that swung with enthusiasm couldn't seem to reach the foot of the flooring.
Asta was seated beside the small chef. Chewing agressively on some meat he couldn't seem to rip out of it's bones.
He had such glutonnous members alright.
Yami, quite famished himself sat with the knights and helped himself as well.
After all, he might only get to enjoy warm food on the table again after this day ends. And besides, he wouldn't be able to eat with everyone else on the table in the base for a while again.
"Listen up kids." The Captain put up a fist on the wooden table to call out the whole crew's attention. It made a loud thud as the action disrupted the meals and plates in front of him. Water sloshing from their glass, and utensils moved from their proper placement.
The commotion at the dining table abruptly came to a stop as he stole their attention.
I might have to go off on another mission again." He stated in front of his members.
It was quiet for a while before someone intervened.
"So soon captain?" Asta said trying to reconfirm what he just heared.
The black bull's captain could only sigh itritatingly.
"Yea, Don't remind me. Obviously I'd have to bargain. I'm not just gonna let that old geezer have his way with me." Yami said irritatingly.
Although the wizard king was such a highly regarded person in the country.
Yami never made any effort to stick with such courtesies to call him the title.
"I'm still so stiff. And my body aches all over.." Yami craned his neck and rolled his shoulder in his grasp.
"Oh! I could give you a massage later!" Asta proposed.
A massage sounded nice. But a drinking session with cards was what he had in mind for now.
"Eh... I'll let you know when I change my mind."
"Oh, Alright captain. Just call.me when you need me." Asta beamed. The white haired boy gulped chunks of his orange juice and groaned in satisfaction. Slamming the wooden glass on the table.
" Charmy. Today's breakfast was a blast. You really put some extra effort in there." Asta complimented the chef with a two thumbs up as a sign of big approval.
"Hah! Of course I have to. The captain is here. He deserves a feast with real good food!"
As the chatter between the two began to continue.
Finral stole the captain's attention with his curiosity.
"Has the wizard king only ever assigned you with these confifential solo missions? I see the other captains here aside from captain William more often." Finral said.
"I can't say much. Because there's a lot of things i'm still not sure about." Yami shrugged.
Though he was sure that Julius both held him and William in a different light. He was also sure that the wizard king held the other captains differently depending on their individual strengths.
Either way, the workload was a bit unfair.
Their salary hadn't even increased not in a the slightest. And he made sure to finish up the job as quickly as he could. He didnt even get a bonus nor any incentives for the things that he does for being extra.
The Black bull captain yawned heartily.
He was definitely not gonna lose to that old man.
"What do you mean I can't decline? there are a lot of capable knights out there for an escorting mission. Why do you even have to send out a captain of all people?"
"They asked me that they wanted a captain to do it. It was that, or they won't get somebody at all. They want the best of the best Yami, and right now your reputation exceeds you."
"Then they don't hire someone. End of story. They're probably rich enough to have their own pack of knights. Why me?"
"Yami, just let me finish-"
" And what the hell? You expect me to stay there for over six months? I barely got through those three-month mission you assigned me."
"Now, now, The family is just very thorough and meticulous. You know how people of these bloodlines are. Besides, they're very prestigious. This family owns over 40% of Clover kingdom's estate and business. They're ownership and rights take up almost half of the Country's trade. They basically help run the country with their money.They're a huge deal. that's why I can't let them run off without a solid protector."
"You mean to tell me that I have to work for the big shots of the big shots? Hell no."
Yami didn't exactly have the best experience when handling self centered and ignorant novelties. They were mostly arrogant and vile as their riches had the power for them to get away with a lot of misdeeds.
"Assign that Bird head or Fuegoleon instead, they're far better off with handling these things."
"Well, I know you don't have a lot of good experiences with novelties, but I doubt you can't handle them. I'm quite aware of that fact. You don't let prejudices cloud your judgment over these things. Also, I assigned Nozel and Fuegoleon off on another mission. They're just as busy as you are. More even, they still have responsibilities as novelties towards the kingdom. They keep things sane around here."
Julius paced, his cape dragging on the floor. It was as heavy as the responsibility of the title that he led as the Wizard king of the clover kingdom. And it shows on his eyes no matter how good of an expert he was with emotions.
"After the war ended, The people are demanding for a democracy.
But he still pursued.
"Besides, you'll have someone in there that you're very familiar with anyway. And I think it'll be a worthwhile experience for you to bond with that person too."
The blonde man turned around and faced his subordinate.
"Oh! Wait." his index finger went up, as if he remembered something. " I feel like you're both in good terms. Friends even."
"I don't care about their responsibilities. Nor a fucking start of a democracy. The King should just give these people what they want anyway. That ugly parasite doesn't even do anything. he's just living off his ancestral inheritance while holding off the townspeople's money for his own gain. I've got my own shit to deal with. I'm not accepting it."
"Even if the mission will take place on a luxurious ship with good food and expensive alcohol?"
His throat almost dried at the thought of finally having a taste of good alcohol after a while, but no.
Although he didnt bother much with the prejudices that these people keep throwing at him. For once, He was tired of dealing with everybody's bullcrap. He just wanted to sleep.
"Not interested."
"It'll take on the safest route. Well you may acquire fights here and there. But you'll also finally get the chance to ride on a yacht.
" It's just like getting a vacation. that's why i'm assigning it to you. And I'm not too brutal to assign you field work again. They will provide you your own resting quarters. So yes, you're actually going to be sleeping in a bed for once."
Although, to experience riding a yact was tempting as it had been quite a while since he had a quiet time for himself while he fished.
He still thinks that he shouldn't bother through with it.. Also, he preferred the comfort of his own room better.
"I'm tired. I don't have any energy left in my body to deal with problematic novelties, let alone a mission. I'm leaving.
"They'll tip you exactly 150,000x the amount of your usual commission pay."
These very words made Yami stop on his tracks.
Originally, The brunette captain was abhorrently against accepting this mission. But he was also, quite frankly a simple-minded man.
That kind of money was enough for him to live off of it for like, 2 generations? He earned 500,000 yuls monthly from his usual duty as the Captain. It was more money that he could spend on his lifetime.
"Are you kidding me?" Yami said still quite processing what he just heared.
"So... you're accepting it?" The blonde man said as he looked at his subordinate smugly.
Quite stunned. The black bull's knees almost shook in his stance.
"How much would that be all in total?" Yami said in disbelief. He dragged a hand at his hair quite overwhelmed with what he was hearing.
"Hmm... I taught you arithmetics. So you do the counting." The winning man put a finger in his chin and smiled at him mischievously.
Quite losing it Yami berrated the Wizard king.
"Give me a break. And just tell me the overall total of this mission we're talking about." The Black bull captain said more aggressively.
"it's 75,000,000,000 Yuls." Julius said in a nonchalant face.
Yami was quite speechless for a moment. mouth hung agape, His forgotten lit cigarette fell on the floor. Form frozen from shock.
"Holy shit."
"I know." The wizard king chuckled in amusement and continued. He walked around. picked up Yami's cigarette and crushed it on a metal plate, diminishing its flames before throwing it out of the window.
"it's a one time big time mission Yami. Jack would probably kill you just to claim this mission as his. And you'll be earning more money than I could in my 10 years as the Wizard king."
To earn more money than the wizard king. God.
"Why would they invest so much money in one Captain? And an escorting and body guard mission of all places. That money's too ridiculously big just for one person. Isn't that a bit too shady?"
"Well, I actually... kind of did a white lie there. You see... The mission's rank is indefinite. And it includes a lot of diplomatic stuff so... yea. It's also actually quite problematic."
"So this includes politics then. Great" Yami said.
"Well... they're notoriously known globally."
Julius explained.
"In the people's eyes, they're like a pile of walking gold. And I told you, they wanted the best of the best. And knowing you're one of the huge reasons why we won the war. They blatantly put aside their prejudices and exclusively requested for you to be their guard for over 6 months."
"Originally, they wanted to recruit two captains. But since the mission already involves one of the captains in your Mission details. Despite the client having been against it. Your friend insisted that they didnt need anymore recuits since she was going to be there anyway. "
"Well, it'll be unecessary and unwise to take more solid protectors from the kingdom." Yami said as an afterthought. And brought a hand upon his chin.
"So... they agreed." Yami said just as Julius nodded as a response.
"I'm still not buying it. 75 billion?" Yami said incredulously.
Julius Chuckled. "Even I myself find the rewards quite fetching. The clients are known to pay quite handsomely you see. Although they're very particular and meticulous they certainly put their price into good words."
Yami scoffed. "Typical Privilidged behavior." Shaking his head.
Julius shrugged. "Well, that's novelty for you."
"Although i'd like to bear this responsibility myself. I dont really need the money. However, I'd definitely fancy taking this mission myself if I get to have a taste of fresh seafood with good alcohol on a yacht. But I've got a lot on my plate right now." Julius rounded his desk and sat along his chair. hands propped together on the table as if they were talking big business.
"So, are you in?" Julius smiled smugly.
"You're such a sly cretin you know." Yami said shaking his head and chuckling.
"Ohhh... and why is that?" Julius smirked.
"Don't be so cocky. You already knew it was an offer I couldn't refuse." Yami's smirk stretched into a grin.
'Like he could say no to this man.'
"A-a-ah I advice you not to celebrate it too early." The wizard king wagged his index finger in front of the bulky man.
"Overconfidence usually leads to ruined plans."
"Yea, yea yea. whatever you say old man." Yami scoffed.
"You start begging me to accept this mission and end up being so pessimistic about it. Make up your own mind Julius." The Tall Captain crossed his arms and took the available seat facing the wizard king.
He uncrossed his arms and put an elbow on the table. Getting right into business. His resolve about declining the mission was gone like the wind, and completely obsolete as if the thought never bear birth in the first place.
"So, when do I start?" Yami said as he thrumped his fingernails at the desk.
"Also, who's this friend of mine you keep mentioning?"
"Well, actually, this is where it takes an interesting turn." Julius smiled at Yami in excitement.
"Tomorrow. At 6AM sharp at the harbor. You are to escort and guard the newly engaged couple..." Julius reached the hand in mission notice, together with two perfumed letter. More like an invitation of the sorts. The dark haired captain lifted a brow.
"Luis Van Gregory Bellarose and...
Charlotte Roselei to their engagement party, until their wedding day."
Yami stopped the thrumping of his fingers and paused. He looked dubiously at the Wizard king for a while, quite perplexed by the sudden turn of events.
The bulky captain opened the two envelopes. And there, he could read the nuptial details and the engament party invitation.
"Don't lose those. They're very essential to the events."
Yami chuckled. "huh. So the rumors aren't wrong for once. She really is getting married." clicking his tongue he went about and put the invitation back to their respective envelopes and returned to reading the mission details afterwards.
Yami immediately saw the commission pay and whistled.
"Well, I just hope she becomes one of the most happiest bride there is. although it's what I would automatically wish for every girl out there wishing for love. I'm just glad she's out there trying to find her happiness." Julius smiled ruefully.
"She's quite the fierce woman too. That man she's marrying is very lucky indeed." The blonde wizard king continued.
Yami was silent for a moment before speaking his thoughts.
"I really don't get it. It's just not like her at all." Yami closed the mission detail and lit a cigarette.
"Oh, and why is that?" Julius propped an arm and put a palm on his cheek. A lifted brow in place. Very eager to hear his thoughts about Charlotte's marriage.
The dark haired man blew a smoke from his stick.
"I actually thought she didnt want to settle down. Saying that the only thing she'll marry is the battlefield." Yami chuckled, as he flipped a page.
"But here she is." The captain smirked. As he saw the individual picture of both her and the groom to be on the mission folder.
"Eh, well you can't really understand how the human mind works. Sometimes it just changes in a glimpse of time and goes back to how it was once before. But if there's a strong reason behind her change then it's evitable."
Julius shrugged then walked across the room. Spotting his beverage drawer, he opened it and took out a bottle of wine and two glasses each for both of them.
Yami of course would never object to alcohol offered to him.
"Heh, I know Charlotte.She's a strong woman, with a strong will. She doesn't easily waver especially when she's made up her mind. When she says she doesn't want to do it. She's not gonna do it."
"Well, you could always ask her why."
Julius said while uncapping the alcohol bottle. Once the glasses were filled, Yami took his and sipped on it occasionally.
"Such a shame tho, I actually thought you guys looked rather nice together."
Yami spat his drink. And gagged on the remaining alcohol on his throat. He coughed loudly trying to compose himself.
"What the hell old man, where did that come from?" Yami said as he took a napkin from his desk to wipe away the mess on his top.
"I don't know. You guys just really compliment each other. And I always got the inkling that she's been rather smitten with you for quite a long time now." Julius laughed, and rested his chin at the back of his hands finding Yami's reaction amusing.
"The hell made you say that?" Yami scoffed and put his glass on the desk. clicking hod tongue at the stain on his top.
"Oh, well she blushes quite a lot whenever she's around you." Julius took a sip of his wine and twirled it in his glass. Yami's brow furrowed at this.
"There was also this one time I caught her hiding a small gift behind her back trying to wait for someone outside the meeting hall."
"And guess what, you came outside of that meeting hall just as she hid behind a wall to observe you." It was quite hilarious the more Julius thought back on it. That despite her steely disposition. Charlotte wasn't any different than your average 16 year old girl head over heels in love.
"Ehh. You should stop it already. I get it, just give up on trying to get me to date again. I'm not interested." Yami deadpanned.
"b'sides, that was probably a misunderstanding." Yami took a drink again.
"She can't even face me in the eye."
"Whether you believe it or not, Is up to you." Julius finished his wine and stood up. "I'm just saying, that you might have been missing out on something that could have become wonderful."
But just as Julius was about to leave the door he said his last advice.
"Oh! And don't forget to pack up 10 suits!" Before clicking the door shut leaving Yami alone with his disgruntled thoughts.