5. An Attempted Accusation


Summary: Jirall tries to throw Zael and the party in prison after they and Calista come back safely, but Arganan won't let that happen.


Arganan freed every single person that Jirall wrongfully accused. He'd listened to every single one of them, and even spoke to others that were present during the fight against the Gurak earlier. Clearly, Jirall was lying – and Arganan knew Jirall had to be doing this to be a thorn in his side. He knew Jirall had a bad reputation for being so manipulative as he was, but this was worse than he hoped for.

Why can't he just move on? Things would be easier that way. Then again, Arganan supposed that if he were Jirall, he'd be mad about not being able to marry the Count of Lazulis' niece as well.

A servant informed him that Calista had returned, safe and sound, along with General Asthar, Sir Therius, Zael, Mirania, Yurick, Dagran. At least something went right- at least they're safe and not stuck in a dungeon yet.

Though as he approached the Great Hall to meet them, he saw none other than Jirall Rambaldt, clearly in tense conversation with the new arrivals, trying to call for arrests. Zael looked like he wasn't having any of it, though, trying to speak up in his and the others' defenses.

"We weren't trying to kidnap Calista!" Zael stated, his eyes glancing between Jirall, Arganan, Calista, and his own seized companions. "We were trying to save her, but after the Lazulis Cannon started firing, we realized that we had no choice but to get on one of the Gurak ships for our own personal safety, and then we took over it later."

"Then why didn't you just come straight back to Lazulis, then?" Jirall glowered. "If you took over the ship so quickly as you claimed, you could have redirected it back to Lazulis Island the moment you finished that task!"

"I…" Zael trailed off, eyes widening, before Calista spoke up.

"I told them to bring me there!" Her words came out in a near snap, and she glared at Jirall – rarely had Arganan ever seen her niece look at anyone so coldly, but she clearly wasn't going to let Jirall take advantage of the situation. "They told me that I should head straight back to Lazulis for my own safety. But it was my fault," She shook her head quickly, frowning. "It was my decision alone that we head to the Gurak Continent, not theirs. I'd stop your unnecessary accusations if I were you, Jirall."

"What?" Arganan's good eye widened as he looked towards her. She deliberately asked them to bring her to the Gurak Continent? Not only was that risky, considering that she was supposed to be captured by the Gurak to begin with, but going to the Continent itself was reckless, even for her as far as he knew! "Why would you do this, Calista?"

Calista's gaze snapped towards Arganan, but her eyes softened as she spoke, taking a deep breath to try to ground herself as she answered him. "Uncle, I wanted to see if there was any way we could…to save the other humans imprisoned at the Gurak military base. While we were on the ship, we found a room containing a map leading to their base, so…" Calista trailed off, but Arganan nodded.

"And so, you wanted to save them." He breathed. Of course she would do that, he realized. That's exactly like her to do so. Calista was always so kind and considerate towards others. If there was an opportunity to save more people, Arganan knew that she'd take it. It both worried him and made him proud of her in some way – a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

"If you don't mind me interrupting, Lady Calista, Count Arganan, their trail towards the Gurak base did lead to us finding them while also rescuing any other imprisoned humans." General Asthar managed, offering a light grin towards the Count. "Zangurak did escape along with most of his forces, but we at least freed the humans imprisoned there in the process and recovered Lady Calista and the others."

"I see." Arganan paused, before he looked towards Jirall, raising a brow. "Considering their testimonies, Lord Jirall, I don't see how Zael and the others could have been trying to kidnap Calista as you so claimed. And besides, I was with Zael and Dagran, and personally sent them to go retrieve Calista after Zangurak kidnapped her. Of course, I don't know the full details what happened afterward since I was not with them, but…we clearly have several witnesses that can help me piece together the clues." His eye shifted towards Mirania, Yurick, Syrenne, and Lowell, who all seemed a little confused. "General Asthar, Zael, and Lady Calista have given their thorough perspectives. Perhaps all of you lending your testimonies will additionally help clear things up as well, correct?"

"You actually want to listen to these folk!?" Jirall gasped. He seemed absolutely stunned, and Arganan loved seeing the baffled look on his face.

"And I can also ask Sir Therius and the rest of the knights that accompanied General Asthar to the Gurak Military base as well as the humans that were previously imprisoned, considering that they traveled with them all the way back here from the Gurak Military base." Arganan stated, doing his best to suppress a smile. He saw Jirall's eyes widen even more, almost impossibly so, as he kept talking. "And it would be a shame if we didn't have all the facts, did we? By the way, I also spoke with the many people that you, Jirall, had imprisoned for saying you ran away from the Gurak, while you claimed to kill a hundred Gurak at the time. They were all quite certain of what they saw, too."

He could see Jirall's face reddening, a near growl threatening to escape him, but he restrained himself from lashing out entirely as he finally spoke, after a moment.

"Perhaps I was mistaken," Jirall sniped, and Arganan knew that the man was trying to save face. "Maybe I miscounted a bit of how many I actually killed. The battle was a blur!"

"Oh, significantly." Arganan managed, and Jirall glowered at him with the nastiest glare he could give so far. "I hope you have a much clearer picture of the truth next time. I'm sure it must have been frightening, knowing that you could've died. And that would be a shame, wouldn't it?"

"Rrgh…you think you're so powerful, but you'll see reason." Jirall hissed, looking him in the eye as he kept his voice low. "Calista is better off with me, and you know it!"

"Maybe you should try proving yourself worthy instead of cutting innocent people down to do so. Next time you do, you won't be lucky enough to have just a warning." Arganan managed, glaring right back at him, and Jirall's eyes widened with complete horror as he literally backed off.

"Uncle…" Arganan heard Calista breathe, but Arganan looked towards the guards.

"You heard Jirall – he was mistaken. Release all the mercenaries at once!"

The guards quickly uncuffed Zael and his friends, and Calista smiled. Jirall slunk away, clearly too angry to speak any further, and Arganan knew that he'd have to keep an eye on that man. But…there was other business to attend to, first.

"Zael? Dagran? May I have a word with both of you in my office tomorrow morning, please? I'm sure you and the others would like some rest before then, so please do so." Arganan spoke, looking towards the two men. His good eye looked towards Calista – she had to know what was going on as well. "Calista, you should come along as well. It's very important."

He had to tell them about the Outsider. There's no doubt about it – Zael has the power of the Outsider and he needs to be made aware that he has that power…as well as exactly what it can do.

But he also knew that they all needed rest – surely the journey back here was taxing on them. And at least Arganan knew he could sleep well tonight, knowing that he wrangled Jirall enough for now and that the mercenaries were still fairly safe, as well as Calista.


Arganan checked his journal the next morning in his office.

He'd written down what he could remember from the visions he had, back when he hit his head, but he knew there was a lot more he had to do to ensure that he didn't die at the end.

Relationship with my niece is relatively fine…but I need to deal with Zael and his power of the Outsider. And I still need to figure out why Asthar stuck around here in Lazulis to begin with, other than the current war with the Gurak at stake. I've kept Jirall at bay for a while now, though I have a feeling I'll end up making a serious enemy out of him if I haven't already, so I need to keep an eye on him, and –

"Count?" A servant spoke. "Zael and Dagran have arrived as you requested, as well as your niece, Lady Calista.'

"Let them in." Arganan quickly put his journal away in his desk, locking the drawer. As he looked up from his desk, he watched Zael, Calista and Dagran enter, with Zael and Dagran both bowing in Arganan's presence.

"You wanted to see us, Count?" Zael asked, brows furrowing lightly.

"You have the power of the Outsider." Arganan stated, looking Zael in the eye. "I admit, I'm surprised to see you wielding it. But…how did you receive the mark in the first place? I would like to hear the details from you."

Zael swallowed, looking down at his hand, and then up at Arganan. "Let me explain…"


So it had been by chance, during the Reptid extermination assignment the Count sent the mercenaries on a while ago? Why did the Outsider give the mark to him, though? Well, Arganan supposed they would find out in time, right?

"It's been said, in legends passed down through the Arganan family, that a person with the Outsider's power will appear when Lazulis is in need. And Zael, that's you." Arganan looked Zael in the eye. "We are fortunate to have you and the rest of your companions here. And that glow on Zangurak's hand…I reckon it's his having the power of the Outsider, as well."

"Zangurak having the Outsider's power? How?" Zael's brows furrowed at that.

"The Outsider itself was split in half – I know that that my ancestor sent half of it the Gurak Continent years ago after using it to initially stop a war, but I never thought that the Gurak would be able to harness its power for themselves. Clearly, I was wrong." Arganan wondered if he was saying too much, but it felt best for Zael, Calista and Dagran to know the context behind this. "However, it is good that we have someone here that does also use the Outsider's power – and that's you, Zael. I don't know how exactly Zangurak received his own mark of the Outsider, and I doubt we'll ever know, but I'm sure there will be more encounters going up against him and the rest of the Gurak soon…"

His good eye shifted its gaze towards Calista, and then Zael. "By the way, Lady Calista was worried sick about you. Isn't that true?" Arganan knew that he had to see if Zael had any interest in Calista. Sure, he remembered seeing the younger man with her at the balcony, shortly before the first Gurak invasion, and then he and Dagran both went to rescue her and all, but…it would be nice to see more solid proof of that. And bringing up Calista's name would elicit some sort of reaction in Zael, for sure.

"My lord," Zael stiffened, and Calista visibly looked away as if trying not to show her blushing face, "I assure that I mean to bring Lady Calista no trouble."

A light chuckle left Arganan at that. "If I fretted every time she went on her own, I'd never have a moment's peace. In fact, I think it's fortuitous that you and she have bonded so closely. It's clear that she trusts you, and for good reason."

Zael blushed lightly, and Arganan knew it – he already has a crush on Calista! And now that he thought about it, Calista already was blushing when she first mentioned him, the night before the ball several days earlier. And she was blushing now, too, making her guilty as charged.

"I've come to trust you as well." Arganan continued. "I've seen you and Dagran work up-close with my own eyes, when the Gurak previously invaded. I was impressed by how well you fought and how quick you were to action." Arganan looked between both men. "We are now in a war with the Gurak – that is certain already, considering what's already happened. Depending on your answer and further progress from hereon, I could give opportunities for both of you to start pursuing knighthood. In training, of course."

"What?" Zael's eyes widened, and Arganan noticed Dagran raise a brow, his golden eyes darting towards Zael and then Arganan.

"If you swear fealty to me, to Lazulis, I can make you a knight in time." Arganan continued. He knew that it might be risky, offering something so generous to the mercenaries after only knowing them for such a short amount of time, but he also knew that getting rid of the Gurak needed all the help he could get. "Lazulis will need all the assistance it can get. Your power is one reason, Zael, but it's not the only one."

The way Zael and Calista glanced at each other was another reason, in Arganan's opinion, though he didn't dare say that part aloud.

"I-if it's alright, sir…" Zael swallowed, looking between Calista and Dagran before making eye contact with Arganan, "I would like some time to think it over. I won't be long, but I just need some time to clear my head."

"Of course." Arganan knew that it was best to let Zael have the time he needed before making such a decision. "Come back to me when you're ready."

"Understood, sir."

"Count?" Dagran asked. "Is it alright I speak a bit more with you privately?"

"Of course." Arganan looked towards Zael and Calista. "Both of you may go. And Zael, remember…"

"I will, sir." Zael bowed, before starting to leave. Calista quickly darted after him, the two of them engaging in soft whispers the moment they exited the room.

Arganan's gaze lingered on them briefly until the doors closed behind them. Calista seemed happy when she was with Zael – and he was happy for her. He just hoped things worked out between the two of them in the long run.

"So," Arganan breathed, looking towards Dagran, "What is it that you wanted to speak to me about, Dagran?"

"I just wanted to thank you for all the help you've given me and the others so far." A light smile appeared on Dagran's face. "I'm surprised that you're being so generous, offering me and Zael the opportunity to be knights."

"You've both proven themselves. You tried to rescue my niece, correct? As did the rest of your companions that were with you." Arganan looked Dagran in the eye. "Such loyalty should be rewarded."

"Is that so…?" Dagran's golden eyes bore into his working eye, and Arganan felt himself suck in a slow breath.

Such a smoldering gaze…wait, no, focus. Did something like this happen the last time he had a meeting with Zael and Dagran? Not that he could recall. And as far as future meetings…as nice as this was, whatever this was, he wasn't sure if this should continue – and in a way, it reminded him of Asthar.

"O-of course." He cleared his throat lightly. He's never said this before! What do I do? How do I react? "I can't imagine the life of a mercenary is easy. And I wouldn't get anywhere if any unnecessary cruelty towards those working for me, mercenary or not." A sigh left him as Jirall came to mind. "I truly do apologize for the trouble Jirall has caused you so far, and in such a short amount of time. He still harbors doubts about my refusing to let him have Calista's hand in marriage and they've clouded his judgement."

"Speaking of Jirall," Dagran managed, raising a brow, "Syrenne and Lowell told me that you prevented them from being wrongfully arrested while the rest of us were stuck on the Gurak ship, after Jirall accused them of working with the Gurak."

"Jirall has been a thorn in my side for quite some time because I refused to let him marry Calista." Arganan admitted, a sigh leaving him. "I wasn't about to let him get away with telling his lies and trying to get the people I employed in jail."

Damn Jirall. If it wasn't for the man having his connections to the Emperor, Arganan probably would have done something more drastic than keep rebutting his constant false accusations against the mercenaries that Arganan contracted himself. At the very least, Jirall still wasn't engaged to Calista, and there was no way Arganan was letting him change his stance on that.

And there was also no way he was going to let Jirall get anyone arrested for no good reason, especially if he was lying so much.

"I see." A light smile played on Dagran's lips. "It's not often I have an employer that's so considerate to keep us out of prison on false charges."

"I try to be." Arganan managed. "I can't expect respect from anyone if I was constantly rude to them. Loyalty is earned by how you treat them." He doubted that Dagran and the others had much respect from others as mercenaries – but that was going to change here. "I can't imagine how your past employers treated you, and I don't know the full extent of your experiences as a mercenary, but I do imagine it's not exactly easy. You're reliable. You get the work done. I hope you and your companions continue to live up to expectations."

"We won't disappoint you. I'll make sure of that." Dagran offered him a light bow, about to leave, before he paused. "And just to make it clear, Count – I intend on swearing fealty. I'm sure Zael will come around on that decision, too."

Arganan watched him go, before closing his good eye as the door shut.

Now that he thought about it, Dagran had been trying to seduce him. Those smoldering gazes and pretty smiles of his certainly showed it. Arganan knew the mercenary was attractive, even if he didn't say it aloud, and he was pretty sure Dagran was more than aware of how he looked.

…And hadn't Asthar flirted a bit with him earlier, too?

Wait.

Fuck.

Did I romance anyone before I died!?

Arganan desperately wracked his own brain for any memories of romance, or even a passing crush or admiration. And yet, there was nothing. He'd never gotten so close to Asthar previously as he did, and now Dagran was opening up to him?

Oh, no. Please don't tell me I just opened up a new opportunity for my own doom!

It could be disastrous with those two involved! What if either man found out they'd caught Arganan's attention and killed each other over it!? Or what if one of them betrayed Arganan and killed him?

The Count shook his head. They're not so reckless as to let their personal feelings get in the way of their duties! At least, I hope not! But I need to be careful…

Though it would be very, very hard to do so. It wasn't like he had no interest in Dagran or Asthar whatsoever – both men had their positive qualities. Asthar was naturally caring, and Dagran was charming…

He blinked several times, shaking his head again. No more of this for now! I need to focus! I have a literal war that we all need to survive right now…and many factors hinge on me surviving, let alone all of Lazulis. My love life is a minor issue compared to this.

He had other issues to focus on – such as whether Zael even accepted the offer to swear fealty to him in exchange for eventually becoming a knight. Would he accept the offer? What would Calista think of this? Arganan forced himself to take a deep breath as he sat down at his desk, mulling through the related visions he had to this.

He accepted it last time, or at least in the timeline before I died…I don't see why he wouldn't, at least.

But Zael also turned down the knighthood before your death, he reminded himself with a shake of his head. He said he wouldn't give his soul for a 'petty title' and literally stormed out of the ceremony.

But that was different. I kept secrets from him about the Outsider and its power, and…this time, I'm more open with it? Or at least trying to find more opportunities to do so and keep him less in the dark. Things might change that way.

Plus, he hasn't been imprisoned on false accusations yet, so I think that's helping.

Clearly, getting along with Zael would also be a key part of avoiding his doom, and this current period would be crucial. If he ever lost the younger man's trust, he was screwed – especially if Zael and Calista's romance was starting to blossom already.


Author note: Thank you so much to everyone following this story and leaving reviews so far! I really appreciate it. Fun fact – Count Arganan doesn't have a confirmed canon first name. I gave him the name 'Lucius' as a placeholder name in past fics. However, I'll be avoiding it for this one – mainly because this fic is both so canon-compliant and also so canon-divergent at the same time with following and/or changing the main game's various events. I hope you all enjoyed reading this fic so far!

I also want to mention that earlier this past weekend, it was the 11th anniversary of The Last Story being released, so HAPPY 11th ANNIVERSARY! XD I cannot stress enough how much The Last Story inspired me creatively as a writer, and I honestly don't know where I would be on a creative basis if I never played the game, to begin with. I'm happy to keep writing fics for this fandom, such as this current fic.