Chapter 9
Heartbreaker
The chimera fixed the mazoku with an accusing glare.
"Are you sure about that?"
Xelloss nodded.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Only if you want Philionel and Amelia overthrown."
Zel paused. Mere minutes ago, he had reached the conclusion that someone in Saillune wanted them dead. But there was also the matter of who this person was. Or what he, or she, wanted.
Considering the odd politics of Saillune, it was easy to determine that some wnated to get rid of Philionel. Indeed, Phil's position was one which attracted it's fair share of usurpers. Henceforth there was a considerable number of factions who wanted to get rid of the Champion of Justice. Thus, what the Trickster Priest told him was reason enough to keep on one's guard. But what the mazoku didn't tell him who was behind this operation.
But with no concept of the intentions of this mystery someone, there was no telling if it was Philionel's postion that was sought after here.
Thus, Zel had reason enough to maintain his suspicions.
Besides, since when has anything reliable emerged from Xelloss' mouth?!
"Your story is interesting" he said slowly. "But I see, as yet, no reason as to why I should believe it. Firstly, I need some concrete evidence....."
"Evidence!?" Xelloss retorted, opening his eyes. "What evidence do you need?! Do you honestly think that assassin that visited you last night was coincidental?!"
The chimera raised an eyebrow.
"And even if your story had a grain of truth in it," he argued, "it doesn't explain how you managed to know about it."
"That's a secret!" Xelloss grinned, closing one of his eyes in a wink.
"As always" Zel shot back.
"And what's more," he continued, "your story is made even more ambiguous in the fact that you just told me what's going to happen. You haven't given any names or motivations."
"So?"
"How would I know I'm not being led into a blind alley? For all I know, I could end up attacking, and ruining, something beneficial!"
"Has that ever happened before?" Xelloss said, in a playful tone.
"Yes" Zel replied bluntly.
"Do you consider explosions and the destruction of several buildings beneficial?" the mazoku said, his tone of voice now in an accusing format.
"Only to the advancement of science"
The mazoku sighed.
"Do you honestly think that that visitation from that assassin last night was coincidental?"
"Weirder things have happened." The chimera retorted.
The mazoku sighed again.
"Believe what you want"
And with that he vanished, leaving Zel standing alone in the ruined room.
Elsewhere in the palace, Sylphiel resided in her room, her mind wrapped up in a spellbound nature.
She lay on her bed, in her distinctive clothes with her arms outstretched and her eyes staring at the ceiling.
Since arriving at Saillune, things had certainly been progressing at an astonishing rate. It was mind-boggling in the fact that her life had changed so much in such a small space of time. The events that she had been pulled into were certainly a far cry from the life she had known. But then again, this life was one she was dragged into and forced into adapting to. Indeed, what else can one do when one's home city and one's father is taken away?
But still, this change of lifestyle also triggered changes to Sylphiel's character. Why, who would've thought that the Shrine Maiden would end up defeating the greater mazoku Damenamecus?
However for such a change, Lina would, naturally, have a lot to do with it.
Ironically, when they first met, Sylphiel, having never set foot outside of her home city, originally detested the ideal of adventuring. But these changes seem to be pushing her in such a direction. Indeed, with her childhood home gone forever, Sylphiel was now left with nothing. This, in turn left her searching for an empty destiny.
The Shrine maiden's gaze then travelled from the ceiling before settling on the other occupant in the room.
Aldebrand.
He sat on the foot of the bed, still in his distinctive mercenary clothes, and with his back to Sylphiel. His contemplation betrayed by his facial expression.
The Shrine maiden blinked. What was he thinking?
While we're at it, who was this man called Aldebrand?
They had first met when he saved her from a tavern brawl. Why? Was he really what he told her: 'a sucker for a pretty face'? Or was there some other purpose?
Of course, having her life saved like that was certainly a noble act and worthy of her adoration - But then again, she also used the same excuse in her pursuit of Gourry.
And look where that got her.
Henceforth, how could she be so sure that this hero-worship behaviour was heading her in the right direction? Was it safe to play by such an ideal that she had relied on previously? Or was she dooming herself?
Regardless, he seemed a nice guy from the outset. He certainly exhibited some generous and noble behaviour. And he seemed quite interested in her.
Was this the path of true love?
Has her luck finally taken a turn for the better?
Meanwhile, Aldebrand's mind was also pondering on the events that had occurred since he'd saved the Shrine Maiden from that tavern brawl.
Why did he have to go and do a thing like that? Of course, it seemed the natural thing to do. Besides, if he hadn't intervened, Sylphiel would've been brutally bashed by those thugs.
But such intervention only came from his mercenary instincts: Having spent so long drinking and womanising in countless taverns, it was therefore unsurprising that he should become 'a sucker for a pretty face.' And he must admit, the more time he spent with the Syl, the greater his feelings had grown for her. Being of such a warrior nature, there was something in her gentle spirit that he found contrasting.
And interesting.
But, by falling for Sylphiel, Aldebrand was only setting himself up for trouble. Her presence was clouding his priorities as a mercenary. Consequently, he was spending more time with her when he should be obtaining information for his employer:
The warlord Thyruss.
What made the situation even more dangerous was that Sylphiel was in league with Lina Inverse. Although lacking in his spying mission, Aldebrand still managed to keep abreast with the developments from Thyruss' citadel through secret meetings with carrier pigeons and informants. And recently, the warlord had been frustrated with someone called Lina Inverse. Someone who had quite a reputation behind her. Someone who was powerful enough to kill the ruthless assassin Innotenti.
Someone who fitted the exact description of Sylphiel's red-headed friend.
Matter's were not helped that Lina and Sylphiel were friends of one Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune: A member of the exact Saillune ruling house that Thyruss sought to bring down.
Of course, this placed Aldebrand in a position of indecision. It's only a matter of time before his dealings with Thyruss are exposed. This, in turn, will bring an abrupt end to his relationship with Sylphiel and no doubt Lina will extract vengeance in her own way - indeed, anyone who can defeat Innotenti isn't someone whom Aldebrand would want to get on their bad side.
On the other hand, it was only a matter of time before Lina and her friends catch wind of Thyruss' plot and move to stop him. This, in turn, presents the mercenary with the option of turning his back on Thyruss and joining Sylphiel's cause. But, being of such mercenary nature, why should he care who, or what, he should fight for? If he turns his back on Thyruss, then he misses out on an enormous, and indeed worthwhile, pay chest.
Suddenly, Aldebrand's thoughts were brought back to earth with the sound of Syl's voice:
"What's on your mind?"
The mercenary slowly turned his head around to see the Shrine Maiden staring back at him from her prostrate position.
"Hrmmm?"
"You look like you were a million miles away." Sylphiel said gently.
"Oh......It was nothing"
The Syl's brow furrowed.
"Oh really?"
"I mean it" the mercenary replied.
"No, something is on your mind." Sylphiel said. She rose up off the bed and came down to rest on her knees alongside the mercenary. She then placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"....I.....I....." Aldebrand hesitated.
The shrine maiden blinked.
"I'm worried about your friend Lina" he blurted out.
"Ah, is that what's bothering you?" Syl said. "I can understand your concern."
To this, Aldebrand raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Don't worry about it." she went on. "I know Lina and she is a good judge of character. Sure she is well known as a bandit killer and her destructive capabilities, but she can be a real nice person.
"Just give it time, okay?"
Aldebrand opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Who's there?" the mercenary inquired.
A reply coming from the mouth of a servant, rang out from the other side of the door.
"I have a message here for someone called Aldebrand....."
"Now this looks interesting"
Amelia picked up a small puppet that was fashioned into the likeness of a werewolf. The puppet was carved into a crouching position, but it's legs and arms looked considerably strong. It's mouth was open, revealing rows and rows of sharp teeth and it's eyes blazed with ferocity. The puppet was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand but the amount of intricate detail that had gone into it's construction was astonishing.
"Impressed are you?" Konstantin inquired.
"As ever"
Suddenly, the puppet started to move. It got up off it's knees and began prowling around on Amelia's palm. Then it raised it's head and began emitting a soft howl.
This, in turn, made the Champion of Justice chuckle in amusement.
"Ah" Konstantin beamed. "I made that this morning."
"This morning?" the princess echoed, her eyes wide in surprise. "Wow!"
"Why thank you....Amelia" the craftsman said.
"Ah!" she smiled.
"Say" the puppet-maker said. "What on earth happened to your chimera friend?"
Amelia fell silent and her grin slowly evaporated. She could still remember the time when she had managed to persuade Zel to come and visit this puppet store. But such a venture proved to be an unwise move.
"....He.....He refused to come here" she said slowly.
"Shame" Konstantin mused. "I thought he was an interesting character.
"Even if he seemed somewhat crabby....."
"I'm afraid he is a lot like that." Amelia sighed. "You may think his chimera form is fascinating but he hates it. A lot."
Amelia paused. She was thankful that Zel wasn't here. He wouldn't appreciate such talk about his curse - whether it be idle or not. But Amelia had known Konstantin for a long time - long enough to know that he was a good man and one of the trustworthy type.
"You know," Konstantin said, "I can tell that he certainly means a lot to you."
Amelia sighed happily.
"And isn't that the truth."
"Have you been together for a long time, eh?"
"Oh, but of course." Amelia smiled sweetly. "We met some years ago. We've remained close friends ever since. Believe you me, he is a nice guy and certainly has a noble and kind heart"
"Really?" Konstantin chuckled. "He seems like a morose bastard to me!"
She blinked, taken aback by the craftsman's comment.
That is until he began chuckling. Amelia sighed, when she realised he'd really been joking.
"I know he can be miserable" the princess declared firmly. "But I have tried excessively to cheer him up and to see things from a more positive light."
"And I'm glad he has someone like you to do it for him." the puppet-maker beamed.
"Did tell you" she said, changing the subject. "My long lost sister, Gracia, has finally returned to Saillune?"
"Ah yes" Konstantin grinned. "I've already heard. It's the talk of the town!
"I bet your father was delighted."
"You don't know the half of it!" the princess laughed.
"So, has Gracia managed to settle in well?"
To this, Amelia bit her lip. This was one question she wasn't too keen on answering......
Eventually she relented:
"Let's just say, she's having a bit of trouble adjusting back to the life of royalty....."
Konstantin shrugged.
"Mind you" the princess went on, "I'm concerned for my friend Sylphiel."
"Oh yeah? Why?"
"She's been seeing this guy. She certainly attached to him and they've been a doing a lot of stuff together.
"Is that a problem?" the craftsman said. "That sounds like a close romance to me."
"Yeah I know that. And I think it's a good thing that Sylphiel has found someone.
"But he seems .....somewhat....creepy. Henceforth, everyone is suspicious of him.
"I think his name is..... Aldebrand."
At the mention of this name, the craftsman's eyes hardened.
Just then, Amelia's eyes caught sight of the clock on the wall and she let out a cry of alarm.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed. "I gotta go meet up with Lina! Sorry Konstantin, but I have to go."
"That's all right" the puppet maker nodded. "Thanks for passing by. Come back soon!"
"Goodbye!" Amelia grinned.
And with that, she turned and headed out the door, leaving the door chimes dancing in her wake.
Minutes later, the chime on the door rang again. The craftsman raised an eyebrow. Could this be another visitor?
The visitor wasn't someone whom Konstantin was expecting. It was a man of tall stature who sported a black goatee and a battle hardened appearance. It was a man who fixed the puppet-maker with a devilish grin and an accusing gaze.
Worse still, it was a man whom Konstantin recognised.
And it was someone whom he had hoped never to hear from again.
"Aldebrand."
"Hello Konstantin" the mercenary grinned, as he strode across to the counter. "I'm so glad to see you're still here."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, I figured you would've picked up on Valentina's message by now."
"What are you talking about?" Konstantin asked, already feeling his skin grow cold.
"Oh come now" Aldebrand said. "You can't hide from the truth forever you know......"
And with that he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper - to which he began to read aloud:
"Gentlemen. Due to Innotenti's untimely departure, we are now advancing the schedule further than anticipated. We are now in a position where we will instigate phase two. Konstantin will strike at the University tonight while Aldebrand will make immediate reports on any developments to the Saillune populace."
The craftsman paused, his expression solemn.
Aldebrand grinned.
"We're moving ahead with the plan. Thyruss' revolution is going to be taking place much sooner than expected. In other words, I certainly would hate to be you."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb with me." the mercenary growled. "I know who your last customer was. I saw her race out the door on my way here. And even an idiot knows who she is: She's Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune!"
"So?" the craftsman said.
"So?!?" the mercenary exploded. "It seems a fairly ridiculous idea that you should be friends with the enemy!"
"You can talk!" Konstantin shot back. "You're seeing one of Lina Inverse's friends!"
Aldebrand blinked.
"Yeah that's right. I know all about you and Sylphiel."
The mercenary stopped, all too aware that his secret wasn't a secret any more. Quickly, he brought up one desperate excuse:
"Yeah.... well .......what Thyruss doesn't know can't hurt him!"
Konstantin didn't pay any attention. Instead he shook his head.
"It would seem, that we are both in the same boat." Konstantin said slowly. "We are now both in friendly ties with the enemy. And considering the tasks, we've been assigned to, we're now in a position where whatever we do, we will ultimately wind up betraying one or the other. Our friends or our employer."
Aldebrand remained silent as the puppet maker continued:
"Knowing you, I guess you won't betray Thyruss. You'll just rely on your mercenary ways and go where the pay chest is at it's largest."
"True" Aldebrand said softly and headed for the door.
But before he disappeared into the street, he turned and grinned at the craftsman.
"And knowing you, you'll probably keep following Thyruss as well. After all, friendship holds a lesser priority than revenge....."
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