Freelancer Case Files Case 1: Black Prince and Azure Empress

File 1-1: Amethyst Eyes

It started with shaking.

Deep in the British countryside, the ground beneath the old estate had begun shaking. The servants of the family were in a scramble to try and learn what the shaking meant, as there were no reports of an earthquake somehow reaching their end of the earth. The head of the estate was equally puzzled as the rumbling went on day after day. It wasn't much at first, but with each passing day it grew louder. Even odder was a strange increase in the number of wild pigs spotted roaming the forest that was part of the estate grounds.

And then one day, while in the yard the gardener had sworn he'd heard something.

"A beast, I swear it's a beast!" The aging man had told the staff in his sudden panic. "I didn't see the damned thing, but I heard it! That growl was like thunder, and… I swore I heard a voice too. Something saying "I have come to raze this land again! The Boar King has returned, citizens of Albion!" Is what I heard! I swear it!"

Most of the people of the estate had thought perhaps the man's age was getting to him. But, the head of the estate had to take note of this. For the man named Grisha could too hear that voice. And something about hearing it brought a quiet mood about the man. He dismissed the gardener to rest, while telling the other servants to expect a guest soon.

"There is a call I have to make. Someone will be coming to see what this is about. An… expert in the unusual, let's say. Someone who deals in odd happenings like this."

And of course, along with the servants, this also reached the ears of the manor's daughter.

The girl named Lucina had always known something about her family was different. The Adamas family, a surprisingly old one as far as Britain's former nobility was concerned. Yet with their estate so far away from most cities, and the things her father and mother always seemed to allude to when she asked them about the fairy tales that had occupied so much of her time as a child, she'd long since settled her family was perhaps not typical.

Her days though, were often mundane. Attending private school away from home, and an all girl's one at that. And she was something of its star. Well regarded among her peers for her striking looks, from the flowing curtain of deep blue hair she had and her deep emerald eyes, while perhaps unusual her friends considered it a charming difference. Though she could admit to feeling a mite of frustration at, despite being seventeen, having next to never met a boy her age outside of her very few trips to the city with her mother.

So when the young woman heard her father was calling someone, she couldn't help but let her mind wander and whirl with ideas of who this "expert in the unusual" would be. Will it be a man or a woman? Young or old? Will they be like those detectives from the novels I read? Or like some kind of knight or wizard? No no, calm down Lucina, that's ridiculous. It's probably just something beneath the estate that needs to be looked at. It's just an odd shaking… though… well maybe it could be…

And so, her mind continued to race for the few days her father was told to wait. Apparently, the person whoever he had called was busy with something else at the time of his call. She'd heard him say "the Freelancer." Lucina knew the term at its basic idea. "Someone who works freelance." Or in short, a handyman. Someone who worked for different people, perhaps different jobs as needed. In other words, someone specialized in taking odd jobs quickly and regularly. But then… why "the"? It was as if this person had that as some kind of title or nickname. Why would that be?

As she was pondering this while making her way down to the main hall, planning to exercise in the yard before the rain rolled in, Lucina saw her father and two of the servants heading for the door. Has this Freelancer arrived? The answer came when the echo of the grand door's knocker boomed through the hall. The servants were quick to swing the large doors open, her father straightening himself as the cool afternoon air blew in.

"You must be the agent from the Association," Grisha said, the servants shutting the doors behind whoever strode in. Lucina retreated up the stairs a bit, hoping to get a better angle. What she saw first was the white and grey coat, a raised hood obscuring the wearer's face and Lucina saw them move a muffler scarf down.

"I do apologize for the wait my good sir. Business has been on the up as of late. I just got back from helping some others in Wales," The new arrivals' voice was a surprisingly melodic tenor, that of a young man from what Lucina could guess. Arms drew up, slender, pale hands covered in fingerless gloves reaching to the hood and pulling it down in a swift motion. Freed from the hood, black as night hair drifted free in feathery layers, marked by streaks of bright blue in its lower portions, with a thin tail being freed and pulled over the shoulder. Were it not for the voice she'd heard, Lucina almost would have mistaken the new arrival for a woman with how slender and she'd dare say pretty his features were. But she still couldn't see his eyes yet.

"I do understand. After all, your people deal in… quite the business. If they sent someone like you, it really must be what I worry it is," Lucina was surprised to hear her father seem so tense. The "Freelancer" then chuckled, clapping his hands together.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sir Adamas. I know I'm young but I'm quite capable. I have my reputation for a reason. I'm sure you wish to discuss the details in private, yes?"

"Yes. Let's reconvene in my study. Jacque, get some refreshments ready. Our guest has likely been on the road for some time, so please treat him well."

"Of course, sir," The head butler bowed and headed off. Lucina retreated again as her father turned and led the young man up. And that was when she finally saw his eyes as they shifted right towards her. The same color as a pair of amethysts, shining under the hall's lighting. And as his gaze stopped at her, the young man flashed an amused smile, one that made her freeze up at realizing he must have known she'd been watching. What kind of person has Father hired to help him?

Lucina couldn't pry away that sense of curiosity. She had to know what was going on, and just why it was someone seemingly her age was the one sent to help.

The manor study was as lavish a room as could be expected. Centered by a large desk before large windows for plenty of natural light, the bordering walls covered end to end in bookshelves only stopped by the doors on each side leading to other rooms. The desktop was strewn with the paperwork Lucina often caught her father slaving over, a work computer off to the side of it all that was still humming from use. Before the desk were two large sofas and a coffee table, of which now occupied a tea set with steam billowing from the kettle's spout. With the servants gone for the time, Lucina had darted over to peer in as the Freelancer took a seat at one of the sofas and her father adjacent from him.

"As I said when I called the Association, this shaking started some days ago," Her father began. "The servants at first thought it to just be an earthquake, but when the news didn't have any reports, they became worried. And then… just the other day the gardener said he heard a voice. One that declared the return of the "Boar King." I heard it as well. And, well… you wouldn't be here now if I didn't think this had something to do with that."

"To be quite honest with you sir, that alone answers the question of who, to a degree at least," The Freelancer said, taking one of the teacups in hand, gently swirling it around. "But I do understand your concern. It does sound quite random if it truly is that one who's decided to make himself known. Especially at some manor so far out into the countryside as this one."

"Stop being so vague, will you?" Lucina silently grumbled. Or do they know someone is listening in? No, can't be. Yet for a second, she swore the Freelancer glanced at the crack in the door before sipping from his tea.

"So then, you'll investigate what's causing that shaking?"

"Sir Adamas, I must correct you: This is not a question of what," The statement brought a confused look from both father and daughter as the young man chuckled. "You see, when dealing with the supernatural in cases such as this, which by the way is in quite the defiance of Knox's Decalogue, common logic simply cannot be applied. Questions of who, what, and how are too broad and vague to be easily answered."

"What precisely do you mean by that?" the elder man asked, the Freelancer chuckling as he drank again.

"Who does not matter as the culprit could themselves be indirectly causing this phenomenon. What the cause is can be several things all meant to achieve the same result. How similarly doesn't matter for the same reasons," He set the cup down, tenting his hands as he leaned on his knees. "So instead, the question is why? Why this place? Why now of all times? And why that one of all individuals to call upon? By answering the whydunit, we'll also find the answers to the rest of your questions."

"I see…" Grisha hummed as he put a hand to his chin. "Then I'll leave the investigation to you. I'll tell the servants to allow you free reign in the house and the grounds. I would suggest you start looking in the woods, where this seemingly all began."

"Noted," The Freelancer stood, and Lucina retreated as he looked over to the door. "Now pray tell, I'd like to ask who it is who's been listening in on us this entire time. Surely your servants are not so rude as to ignore your order and leave us alone?"

"They would…" Lucina flinched back as her father gained a look of realization. "Lucina?" Caught red handed… Lucina sighed as she concluded there was no way out for this one. Slowly, she pushed the door open the rest of the way and entered, her eyes darting between her father and the Freelancer.

"My apologies, Father," Lucina bowed. "I was just… when I heard someone would be coming here, I couldn't help but be curious. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but…"

"I understand your curiosity Lucina, but this is a business matter."

"Now, now Sir Adamas, it's likely we would have encountered each other anyway," The Freelancer chuckled. Then he snapped the fingers of his right hand. "An idea just came to me. Would it be fine if your daughter were to show me to the forests? I'm sure her knowledge of the grounds would be second only to you, and I'd gladly answer any questions she seems so poised to ask. Am I wrong?"

"Th-that obvious, am I?"

"I just happen to be quite good at reading people," Lucina wasn't sure why, but there was a spark in the young man's eyes, like he'd spotted something. Something that caught his interest. "Sir?"

"Ugh… I don't see the harm in it," The older man sighed. "We would have to have told her eventually. This has made it unavoidable. Lucina."

"Yes!" Lucina shot to attention.

"Show our guest to the woods the boars were spotted in, and feel free to ask whatever questions you want… just don't talk his ear off."

"O-of course!" Lucina straightened herself out, gesturing to the door. "Th-Then, if you'll follow me, Mister…"

"Soren," He said, striding past and flashing a pleasant smile. "Soren Ragnvald. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Adamas."

Grisha sighed as Lucina's face flashed red. With the two hurried out, the man removed his glasses, looking towards the coat of arms hanging above his workstation. A coat of arms depicting a dragon coiled around a set of scales, its wings stretching over them while its maw flickered with fire. Perhaps that look in his eyes was because he noticed. The man thought. Those amethyst eyes… that young man possesses the eyes of a Fae. Just what did eyes like that show him that I have failed to see myself?

The brief rain that had come in left a light mist hanging about the grounds by the time Soren and Lucina had made their way out there. For a time, Lucina didn't say much as she led Soren along the well-worn cobblestone leading to the forests, but her curiosity was finally getting the better of her as the tree line came closer.

"So… just what did Father mean by… needing to explain things to me?" She said, Soren lifting a brow. "And… what you were talking about. You were talking as if…"

"As if the mythical were reality?" Soren said, putting his arms behind his head. "Well, the short answer is that, yes. All of those things spoken of in fairy tales and myths are in fact quite true. Though one wouldn't always know if they're accurate to the truth of the matter. But, true they are."

"Wait so… things like, magic?" Lucina got a nod and an amused chuckle. "Don't sound so amused."

"You're not the only person I've had to have this talk with," Soren stated. "In my line of work, you often end up having to inform people of the nature of the world they don't see. So… it would be far easier for me to just show you why I asked we head to the woods."

"This is all moving… very fast," Lucina sighed as she got another chuckle, Soren taking the lead as they finally made it to the tree line. Lucina wondered just what he could be getting onto. She had run through these trees so often as a child, and never found anything about them to be out of the ordinary. Yet today, as if helped by the thin mist of the day, the woods seemed almost… enchanted. As if something unnatural were hanging in the air that hadn't been there before.

Soren didn't stop until they'd reached a clearing, one strewn with a few moss-grown stones and piles of mushrooms at the tree trunks. The light filtering through the mist led there to be an almost ethereal aura to the calm meadow formed here.

"This is good. The mana here is quite strong right now," Soren moved a hand through the air as if he was moving it through water, a satisfied chuckle coming from him as he looked around. "You all have no reason to keep hiding. This one here has only just learned how things are. Wouldn't it be easier if you showed yourselves to her?"

Then to Lucina's wonder, all sorts of creatures began to shuffle out from hiding within the trees and shrubbery at Soren's call to them. Things she could have only read about in storybooks, in forms both familiar and new. Large and small, animalistic and humanoid. There was a chorus of sound that followed them, be it lyrical trilling or chirps, seemingly in a language she couldn't quite make out herself. But Soren clearly knew it, the dark-haired young man chuckling as a small, bipedal canine creature approached him.

"Seems word about me travels fast, doesn't it?" Soren mused, kneeling before the canine creature. "Yes, as you all seem to be wondering, I'm here to help put a stop to that bothersome beast who's been causing a ruckus around here. Would any of you mind helping me find where the source of this mess is?"

The canine let out a few trilling sounds as it nodded, pointing off to another path down on the other end of the clearing. Soren, to Lucina's surprise, replied in a similar series of trilling words, standing and looking at Lucina.

"This one says he'll guide us to where the mana is at its strongest. They've been avoiding it for some time due to what's been going on. Well then little one, lead the way," Soren got a nod from the creature, which set off down the path. Lucina glanced around the clearing as the creatures ducked away as they proceeded down the path… and she just felt her curiosity welling to bursting.

"What were all of those?!" Lucina burst out, Soren chuckling as he glanced back. "They looked like creatures out of storybooks! Fairies, gnomes… were those all Fae?!"

"Yes, in fact," Soren mused, looking to their small guide. "It may surprise you, but this little fellow is a kobold. Despite the stories or what games may tell you, kobolds aren't in fact draconic. At least, the ones native to these lands aren't. Fae take on many forms and many names, and their nature tends to match that of the land they live in."

"A kobold? I always thought they were lizards… but this little guy looks like a cute puppy," Lucina tilted her head at their guide, who looked back at her and trilled. "Is it uh… saying something?"

"Him. And yes. What you've been hearing is the Fae tongue," Soren said. "I can speak it myself, however due to my… nature, let's say, I can also easily understand any spoken language. Most of us who are part of the supernatural have such abilities. Also, he would like to be referred to properly. Small as this fellow is, he's one of the elder fae in these woods. Though he understands you haven't been aware of them, he feels a bit slighted that the daughter of the house is so off guard."

"He's an elder?" Lucina looked quite clearly caught off guard, the kobold turning to her and giving a curt nod.

The kobold led them deeper into the woods than Lucina had any memories of ever going herself. She stuck close to Soren as the trees thickened and even the mist seemed to grow heavier the further in they went. Eventually the trees gave way, revealing a cliffside that broke to a brief strip of grass before the trees. The kobold pointed off, though Lucina didn't see anything but the sheer cliff that felt more like a wall than anything.

"It's a dead end," Lucina said, raising a brow when Soren chuckled. "What's up?"

"Allow me to educate you about something," Soren strode towards the stone wall, drawing a hand from his pocket and resting his palm on the cool surface. "Not everything in this world is always as it seems. Sometimes things are hidden within plain sight… even if it's such amateur work as this," A silver magic circle appeared underneath Soren's hand, the air whipping around as sparks of light flashed across the stone. And with a sound almost like shattering glass, a layer of light broke away and revealed that there was a break in the cliff face, a clearly man made opening that led into the natural structure, the air within howling at suddenly being freed. "Way~ too obvious."

"That was obvious?!" Lucina looked around with shocked eyes. That cliff looked totally natural! How did he know something was there at all!

"It was my eyes," Soren answered her as if he knew exactly what she'd thought. He turned and pointed a finger to said eyes. "I have the same eyes as a Fae. To put it a certain way, we refer to them as Mystic Eyes. Fae Eyes such as mine can "see through all illusions." Lies, barriers, you name it. If it's a falsity of some kind, I can see right through it. But even then, the ward constructing that illusionary wall was poorly made. Whoever threw it up did so in a rush,"

Soren looked down at the kobold as he started trilling in a seeming panic, and the young man gave a cautionary move of his hand. "Don't worry, I won't leave it down. I need to investigate a few more things before I actually go in there, just to be sure. I'll put up my own to keep whatever is in there in place so you and yours aren't in danger."

With another wave of Soren's hand, the illusion that had been there before returned in a shimmer of light. Somehow, Lucina could feel that this time, something about that illusion was different, but she couldn't quite pin that feeling of it down.

"So… what now?" She asked, Soren glancing away from the Kobold as it chattered at him.

"For now, I need to do some extra research. Are there any records on the history of these grounds in the manor library?"

"I… think there are? Why would you want to look into that?"

"It could answer why this location seemed so prime to call on the particular cause of your issues so far," Soren stated, Lucina blinking a few times. "To put it simply, if one were to call on the spirit of someone or something, you would need to fulfil particular conditions. One of them is location. And considering we're in the British Isles, that first requirement is met… There's just some other things I want to look into before going further. I like to be sure of these things."

"Ah..." Lucina honestly felt lost from everything Soren had just rattled off, but she felt it best to just trust he knew what he was talking about for the time being.

"… ild of… heed… call… listen…"

Lucina flinched as she heard an echo in her mind as she followed Soren and the Kobold back the way they'd come. She looked around for a sign of anything but found nothing from her scanning. Was I just hearing things?

"Are you coming or not?" Soren called out, Lucina shaking her head. For now, she figured she could just put that thought aside.

Once back at the manor, Lucina showed Soren to the library as promptly as they'd arrived. And it barely took him all of five minutes to scan the ledger listing all of the books to find what he needed. By the time Lucina had found a seat by the fireplace with a novel to read, he'd gathered up almost a dozen awfully thick books she didn't even know they'd had. Some of them gave out quite hefty puffs of dust as Soren set them onto the coffee table. Lucina couldn't help but trail her eyes to him as the Freelancer removed his coat and set it on the arm of the chair nearest him. As she expected, he kept traveling attire underneath the coat too. A sturdy looking, pocketed vest over a sleeved black shirt that sat a bit loose on him. What did catch her eye was what she saw held on the belt skewed to his waist that had been hidden by the coat.

Another book, bound in blue leather and with silver metal worked into portions of the cover and the claps keeping it shut, the front of it (or what she assumed to be the front) bearing the same silver sigil that had appeared when Soren had removed the illusory wall. Even the pages were odd, looking to also be made of silver between the tightly bound leather.

"Uhm… do you mind me asking about that book?" Lucina asked, Soren glancing at her between his bangs as he started browsing one of the volumes he'd collected. Lucina shied back as things stayed quiet, but then the young man gave a light chuckle.

"Consider it a magical tool. A Grimoire, to be precise. It's not a book for reading… though it certainly contains stories within its pages," Lucina tilted her head as she felt confused yet again, and the slight chuckle Soren gave just made her feel patronized. "Don't worry, as you come to learn more, you'll understand things more readily. It's a bit jarring for everyone when they first learn of the inner workings of the World."

"If you say so," Should I tell him I heard something back there? By now Lucina wasn't even acting like she was reading her own book as she watched Soren flip through the tome in his hands, one marked in her family's coat of arms. I mean, maybe it was just a Fae playing some trick. It could be nothing at all for all I know. Best not to bring it up.

"So this is where you two ended up," The voice of her father drew Lucina's eyes away, Soren looking over his shoulder as Grisha approached. "Pray, what did your investigation into the forest yield?"

"As was my guess, the disturbances are being caused by the activity of a magus," Soren said, Lucina raising a brow at him. "There was an illusionary barrier guarding a passage deep within the woods. Thankfully the local Fae, as troubled by this as you have been, were able to guide us to its location. And as I already said, it's clear who has caused the trouble. Right now, I'm trying to find what reasons there could be that our mysterious magus friend would call that one out in a place such as this."

"Is it… alright if I ask who you're even talking about?" Lucina raised her hand as she spoke. "I'm afraid whatever you're referring to is something I'm… kinda lost on."

"I think a more thorough explanation would be helpful too," Grisha nodded. "I understand where you are leading with this, but it would be more reassuring if I knew precisely what you're planning."

"I don't see the harm in it," Soren slipped a bookmark to where he was, standing up. And with a few waves of his hands, he began crafting images out of light and spreading them into the air. The first of these sets took form into the familiar, if stylized, shapes of boars.

"To begin, let's start with who is even causing the disturbances. Your culprit in this case would be The Boar King of Arthurian Legend, Twrch Trwyth. As the legends go, he was a mad tyrant who stole, devoured, and killed as he pleased. In punishment he was turned into a monstrous boar to reflect his vile nature. Perhaps ironically our Boar King did not actually mind the change." Soren's projected images then began moving as he told the story, one taking the shape of a man who swung about as wildly as the beasts around him, before then turning into one himself. "He then razed his way across Britain alongside his seven piglets. Eventually, King Arthur and his knights took to hunting the mad boar with the aid of Arthur's dog Cavall. And after the hunt concluded, Twrch was banished from the lands, but swore one day to return and wreak vengeance on Arthur and his kingdom."

"So… are you saying the boars we've seen in the woods would be the Boar Kings followers?" Soren nodded to the question posed to him by Grisha. "And perhaps I can assume this may have to do with the items belonging to Twrch. Scissors, a comb, and a razor… would those be necessary items if one were to call on his spirit in some form?"

"Precisely," Soren said. "While the ideal method would be the exact items themselves, equivalents will suffice enough, if not as potently as the genuine relics, wherever they may be located. But those wouldn't be enough. The other requirement would be to have such items in a place befitting calling on his spirit, perhaps best with the aim to wreak havoc in an area, or as would be my assumption, take control of it."

"Which leads to you digging through the records on the estate," Grisha folded his arms, Soren nodding as he held up the book he'd been reading. "This does thankfully make me feel more settled. Lucina," The girl looked up as her father addressed her. "I'd like to talk to our guest privately, if you don't mind."

"Of course. I won't get in the way of business," Lucina bowed her head and left with her book in her arms. Once she seemed to be gone, Grisha looked off, only looking back to Soren when the Freelancer gave an amused snicker.

"Don't worry, she actually left. She won't be eavesdropping on us this time. What did you want to ask?"

"More precisely, I want to explain something you may need to know," Soren looked certainly interested as Grisha took a seat. The man gestured to the painting on the wall, one of the same coat of arms as was in the office. "It's about the Adamas family in general. Do you wonder why our coat of arms bears a dragon? Why we humans carry the mark of such a grand beast?"

"I must confess it intrigues me. Though such things were commonplace in the Middle Ages," Soren sat down again, folding his legs. "But please, do explain."

"It leads to why we are benefactors of the Association. I can assume you of course know of Sacred Gears."

"Of course. They are manifestations of power that only humans can possess. Shards of power, be it from entities or crafted by another, imbued into a human soul before it's birth while it remains in the Wheel of Samsara. It's said the Gears were created by God, gifted to humanity to give them a fighting edge against those which would threaten them," Soren was quiet for a moment, then he began to chuckle as Grisha's intent began to set in. "Ahh, I see now. Your bloodline can manifest a Gear! Or at least, you're aware your family holds the potential to express one at times. Those things are rare enough as is, much less ones that can appear in the same bloodline more than once."

"You possess the Eyes of the Fae, eyes that see through all falsehoods. Which means you can also see things that ordinarily can't be… such as something sleeping within a person's soul," Grisha got a nod from the boy. "Then tell me… what did you see in my daughter that piqued your interest before?"

"Quite the sharp eyes you have as well, Sir Adamas," The serious expression on Grisha's face made the jovial grin on Soren's fade. "It's only a spark for now, but Lucina does indeed have a power sleeping within her. I can readily assume this spark of power is this Gear you're aware of?"

"In the most likely case, yes. Whether or not it will awaken… is another question," Grisha let out a sigh. Soren could readily see that sigh came from the weight of a father worrying over the idea of his daughter being thrust into something she may not be prepared for all because of random happenstance. "If it does awaken within her then… I will leave it until that does happen though. But I would like to add on another thing to your job here while you're at it: If the Gear awakens within Lucina, then at the least, help her understand it as best you can. But before then, please remain focused on this main task of yours."

"It won't be hard to do such a thing… if there's records of that Gear you happen to hold at least. We wouldn't happen to be dealing with one of the Longinus Gears, would we?"

"Hardly… but it's not the usual kind either. It's a Dragon Gear, as you may be able to guess."

"I see." Soren looked at the painting of the coat of arms, chuckling as he folded his arms. "This job has certainly become much more interesting than I could have predicted. Alright then, Sir Adamas, I agree to this added task. Tomorrow I'll see to it this is dealt with. I'm going to spend the rest of the day studying what I can about the manor and what could have led our problematic magus to hatch such a wild plan."

"I thank you. I will have the servants prepare a guest room for you to sleep in. Dinner will also be soon, you're free to join us during the meal if you wish."

"Just have them bring some food to me here, I'd hate to intrude too much," Soren raised a hand. Grisha gave a nod and departed. Once he sensed the man was out, Soren reached to his belt and drew the book remaining in the holder attached to it. The latch came undone almost as soon as he held it up, though he didn't open the volume. "I don't think there will be a chance to fill a new page in this record, yet. Seems my hunt for answers of my own has a little bit more to go. Isn't that so… Mother?"

A/N

Ah man it has been AGES since I wrote anything for DxD and here I am yet again, redoing things. AGAIN. This one is gonna be fun though, because this new version of Freelancer isn't simply on its own. And oh will it be fun to show what it IS connected to once I publish that one as well.