XII - The Story of Faith: The Mission
"W-What do you mean I'll go with them? I know I'm beautiful with a great body, but I am not a mermaid!"
"Quit over-reacting, you, wet tramp."
After settling the unrest, Julius asked Yami and Asta to follow him to his office.
It turned out that their captives knew more of what they wanted to hear. Following Fuegoleon's assault, Julius interrogated about the strange stone monument he encountered on the same day of the terrorist attack in the capital.
The Eye of the Midnight Sun was on a search for magic stones, stones that, once gathered, they could use to reborn themselves into their true forms.
Fantasy or not, Julius decided to come between the organisation and their goal. For the sake of the kingdom. And since there was still a possibility of more vipers in the capital, the Magic Emperor decided to send out Yami and his Black Bull squad to retrieve one of the uncollected magic stones.
And it was decided as well that Alvieha would be coming along with them.
"I don't know what mirror you use, but you are not there to swim and bathe in the sunlight. It's work."
It was already suppertime and the three of them – Julius, Alvieha, and Cirxen, gathered in the grand dining hall for their meal. Julius sat on his usual chair, the head seat closest to the massive painting hanging on the room wall, with Cirxen one chair away on his left and Alvieha one chair away on his right.
"Julius-san, care to share your opinion on this one?"
The fairly amused man placed his utensils down before responding. "I have trust in Yami and his squad. However, I would also need an account from someone who won't be fighting to oversee the entire mission."
"Heard that, Alvieha? Oversee," Cirxen snickered as he cut his steak. "Use your eyes in this mission, not your mouth or whatever lump of flesh you have underneath that uniform."
The woman across him mentally gasped, mocked hurt. "Just because you don't have this delectable body that I have, it doesn't mean you can vent your pent-up sexual energy on me."
"Please. Your body's delectable and I wear a bra," retorted Cirxen as he slid meat down his throat. "Just do your obligation without being thirsty for anything but water."
Not so far from them, Julius ceased to bother masking his amusement and let out a hearty laugh.
"Your combination is just too entertaining for me. What great friends, you two are."
On his right, Alvieha took it as a compliment and smiled. "If you're this impressed, wait till you meet Brexton."
"He wouldn't," Cirxen interrupted. "He wouldn't be able to. We all know how that would be the case."
And the three continued to enjoy their meal.
The next day, Alvieha left the castle earlier than usual. Using Cirxen's magic, she was sent immediately to the Black Bulls base.
Cirxen then found himself on his way to the kitchen to get himself something to drink. On his hand, he held a small case, rectangular in shape and black in colour, something his friend left behind. As he turned to a corner, he found the blue-haired adviser of the Magic Emperor starting his day.
"Good morning, Marx-san." His voice was fairly devoid of any grogginess at that point.
The male adviser gave his pleasantries. "You're awfully earlier than the usual."
"I had to send Alvieha off."
"Ah. The Magic Emperor asked her to observe the Black Bulls in action."
"Most likely." With Marx right beside him, the white-haired male approached the counter instantly after reaching the kitchen. "She was refusing at first, but, it was clear as water that Alvieha wouldn't really say no to Julius-san."
"Can I ask something?"
Cirxen gave permission while pouring himself a glass of water.
"You and Alvieha-san have been working here for quite some time, but, I haven't heard either of you calling Mahoutei-sama by his title." Water halted flowing down the jug. "May I ask why?"
"Mahoutei-sama is Mahoutei-sama. Julius-san is Julius-san. What's there to be hung up about?"
"S-Should you guys call Mahoutei-sama with the proper title he actually has, especially in front of the people? As a sign of respect."
For Cirxen, there was no harm in what Marx was suggesting.
Julius Novachrono is the current Magic Emperor. At the very least, that should be arranged. Addressing the man appropriately, especially while in public, would send the message of reverence.
Yet...
"It just doesn't roll naturally off my tongue, Marx-san. And Julius-san doesn't seem to mind," Cirxen took a sip. "Besides. Respect is relative. You don't need fancy titles nor distinction to be respected. Those who think otherwise are scum."
And I can't really say that it was Julius-san himself who asked that. I can't be bothered with interrogations.
The male then cleaned after himself before leaving Marx in the kitchen.
"But if you really feel that way, I'll try to keep it in mind."
Then again, I may end up barking up the wrong tree. Like a certain airhead who should really show her face sometime.
Later that day, the white mage was summoned by the Magic Emperor to his chambers.
"I'm certain that you have as much authority as Alvieha when it comes to the matter I'd ask you–"
"Hold it right there, Julius-san." Cirxen was composed, even after interrupting the blonde male. "I may have the same level of authority as Vie [vee ye] regarding what I'm expecting you'd ask, but you won't get anything from me."
"We are not here to disrupt the flow of events. It would be a domino effect and we'd rather want to find no new pieces of the puzzle at the end of the game. It'll be a pain if they won't fit in the current hole."
Behind the window, adorned shoulders slumped. "I just would want to know if I'd spend time properly..."
"Focus on the matters at hand. Leave everything else to fate... that's one of Vie's friends would say. But if it were me, just spend what you have with the best of what you want. Carpe Diem."
Cirxen wasn't a dull knife to figure out what was ruffling the Magic Emperor. However, as he did say, it's under his field, but rather slip nothing in it. For all he knows, it's for the best.
His chest may had been aching, but, he had to control it. At least, not let Julius catch his discomfort. He had to bear a nonchalant face.
With a heavy sigh, Julius tried to cheer himself up while his personal bodyguard stood across him.
"Now that that's done, there's something I'd like you to do."