AN : Hey, thanks for all of the support guys ! All review were either nice comment and one with construictive critiscism, so I'm pretty happy with the way things are going : All in all, the rest of the first part of the first Arc is going to be in Lungmen, after wards, the first real timeskip will happen, with a lot of things moving.
Knightly123 : If you have any idea about what's going to happen, I'm sure your smile would widden to a bigger degree, hope you enjoy this one !
Anyway, thank you guys for supporting this small story, and hope you continue reading it, if you think you can add something to this story, or that it lacks something, don't be afraid of writing a review or PMing me, I'll respond in AN once I'm done writing the chapters.
Let us start then !
Well, I was both right and wrong.
"As envoy, you should already know that we arrive when it is needed of us, your request for escort in foreign territory was sudden, without prior warning and seemed to be mostly fueled by personal interest, therefor you should understand that all of this is exceptional, and will not be done again. This has been your first and only warning, Duke Kashey of Ursus."
"Oh ? How bold of you, but I presumed you would at least come with a decent team, instead it would seem to be the rejects that were selected."
All of my collegues seems to be fuming, but they know talking back at him is going to be detrimental to them.
As for me ?
Not only do I have 0 self control, I also have 0 shame.
"Reject is better suited to a Duke who need to use Laterano envoy to enter a foreing city, it would seem like you're not liked outside of those border of yours ? Isn't that weird ? I mean, it's almost like you're planning something that would bring harm to other, wouldn't you agree ?"
"..! You... I see, so not only was I given the reject, a Fallen is also following our escort, no worries, my men are well versed in exterminating pests."
With a wave of his hand, 4 people arrive, 3 of them looks pretty average, should be your run of the mill soldier, as for the last one...
Isn't that just straight up one of the Emperor's Blade ?
Wait, does that mean the Emperor was behind the attack on Lungmen ? I though he wouldn't want to start a war ? The hell is he thinking, right after both the Gaul incident and the civil war ?
"Excuse him, he is new in the Pontifica Cohors, but he raise intersting points, such as, why ask the neutral party to escort you to another contry's city ?"
"Humpf, I have no need to justify my action, you should do your job."
"Very well then, let us go. Another vehicule has been prepared for you and your men ?"
"Indeed, I have no desire to ride along you people."
"Then, if no more question are needed, let us depart."
And with that, it's back on the road time !
Yaaaaaay...
...
"Should we kill that man ?"
"No, leave him be. His temper is perfect for what we are about to do, he will spring our trap even if him or the other found out about it, simply to save others, his personality seems to indicate it."
"Very well. But beware, the Emperor may have allowed you to do such a thing, but only if you give us results. If not, your head may be the next thing my blade shall cut, Black Snake."
"How bold, as you are one of them, I thought you would know."
.
"There is no way for you to kill me. For it is written, as long as the proud bear draw breath, it will never be possible to kill the snake that lives inside of it."
.
"... Suit yourself, Deathless."
"That I shall, my dear."
"Regardless, who are we targetting first ?"
"The sewer rat. If it's not possible, his spawn, if it's not possible, the false dragon's spawn. A single one should suffice. Finnaly, if all other option are impossible, make it seem like Laterano purpusly attacked the Gate." (TL : Lungmen means 'Dragon Gate' for those who are wondering. It's fitting for the border city of Yen.)
"Shall we not attack him directly ?"
"Useless, his shadows are too deep, we won't get far with only one of you againts all of them, other than you, the guards are just fodder."
"And you belive the Emperor's might isn't sufficent ?"
"If it was one on one ? Of course you would defeat them, even if there were a 100 of them. All at once ? You should know your limits."
"I see. I shall act acordingly."
"Good, you doing your job is the only reason you are needed."
"..."
It seems like the Blade wants to state something, but he refrains.
All of this for the glory of Ursus, and of the Emperor.
Long may He reign.
All of this car riding is making me dizy, while getting to Lungmen isn't going to take much longer, it still is annoying as hell.
Yeah, a week already happen, with nothing intersting happening.
Well some things did happen, but for one of them, I'll refrain from talking about it, it'll be like a surprise.
As for the other ? Well, I found out my team mates aren't pushovers.
A couple of Originum beast attacked us 2 days ago, and they took care of them no problem.
While they were slugs, the number of them was ludicrius, which confort me that they won't kick the bucket without fighting, at least.
As for Lungmen ? We're waiting to get in.
The lign is pretty long, but considering a festival is happening tommorow, it's normal.
"Shouldn't we just use the excuse of us being diplomats to enter now ?"
"We could do that, but that would mean openly stating that we're here for official Laterano buisness, which we are and aren't."
"But, it would be faster !"
"Yeah it would be Cassius, don't be a spoilsports !"
Yes, I got Faustina to help me ! Now if only Nica and Andoain would follow ..!
"Alright, I am for it, leader."
"You too Andoain ? Well, it'll be a hastle to both you and me, so I guess we'll go."
Hell yes, thanks Andoain !
"Nice, let's just signal the border then."
5 minutes of our life wasted.
Well it didn't take long for border control to find us.
"Can I help you ..?"
"We are diplomats from Laterano, more spetificly we're the Pontifica Cohors, we are escorting a VIP right now, can we pass ?"
After showing him the documents, the clerk like dude just calls his superior to check them.
"It seems like everything is in order, we'll let you in without a fuss. Have a nice Sauin !"
"Thank you, it saves us the trouble. Oh, the vehicule behind us is our VIP, so he's with us."
"Very well, come to the side we'll let you take the employee way."
And that conclude the border control ! Way easier than I thougt...
Well, what do I know, right ?!
Buisness as usual !
...
"Did you see that car ?"
"Yes."
"Tell this to lady Fumizuki, and ask her if she could send some of her 'shadows' with them."
"'Shadows', sir ? Is this a code name or- ?"
"Don't ask question higher than your pay grade, in this context, ingorance is bliss."
"... Very well sir."
"God damn it, what is Laterano thinking ..? Parading around with a man like this..."
"My lady ?"
"Yes ?"
"It seems like the border had a surprised aperance."
"Mhm ? A famous person entering during Sauin ? That isn't that much a surprise."
"No, Envoy from Laterano, entering with... Well..."
"Spit it out, we won't get anywhere as long as you stall."
"Ursus, it would seem..."
"Ursus, you say ? What is that Emperor of them thinking..."
"The head of the border asked for a 'Raincoat' to follow them, we are waiting for your command."
"Mhm, a wise man, it was a good idea to set him here, do exactly that, it need further investigation."
After her words, her shadow seemed to move, only for it to reveal someone, a very tall man wearing what seems to be a long gray straw hat with a black raincoat. Only one light come from his visior, as for the rest, it's difficult to describe, as if he was fused with the shadow.
"Did you get that ?"
"... Of course, my Lady. Shall we have some one inform sir Wei ?"
"Don't bother him with this unless it's needed, for now, Sauin is what we shall focus on."
"... Very well."
And with that, faster than most eye could catch, the man left, a window seemingly opening out of nowhere and a simple small gust of wind through it is the only thing that can attest to it's presence.
.
All in all, this trip wasn't waste.
Why ? Cause I can enjoy Sauin !
Yeah, it's just a festival, and honnestly, the kind of crazyness from it will only be the same as an average busy day in Laterano, but seeing people that doesn't hurt my eyes because of the sheer amount of glorified flashlights is a god send.
I don't even need to cover my horns, I spotted some sarkaz and Lung and Draco also have horns, if push come to shove I'll just pretend to be one of the two.
Which mean, a pretty good trip.
... Okay the main reason is because Cassius and Andoain are doing paperwork right now, since they entered the city under as diplomats.
Technicly, just like the others, I should be there, but I sneaked out.
Sue me.
Well, I guess it's time to explore a little ~.
If I were a little older I would bar hop, but well, they don't sell alchool to minors.
No fun allowed it would seem.
Well, there still way to entertain myself !
"Hey, what kind of freak are you ?"
"What ? Taking to me ? Is it about my firearm again ?"
"No, the hell is your halo black, yet you also have horns ? How the hell did an abomination like you were born ?"
"Well you see, when a mommy and a daddy love each other verrrrry much ~!"
"That's not what I was talking about, freak."
"*murmur* Is he what I think he is ?"
"*murmur* You know something ?"
"*murmur* I heard black halo meant that a Sankta commited a sin worse than death, a crime so vile his halo would dim and horns would grow, never I have heard of a pitch black halo ..!"
"*murmur* Is it safe to be near him ?"
"*murmur* What are the city defense doing ? Letting such danger free !"
"Hey, I can hear all of you guys, if you wanna insult me, do it in your inner voice."
Well that shut up people.
"Hear me guys, I'm just your run of the mill Sankta, the horns are just here cause I did an opsiee a couple year back, don't worry about it ~."
Far from the truth, but let's hope it at least let me leave this place without commiting hurting anyone.
"I think nobody want's you here freak of nature, so just leave."
"Wow, such arguments, with skills like this you can convince the Pope that god doesn't exist."
"What the hell ?! Are you even a Sankta ?"
"Yeah, a cool one."
"You-..."
"Well, I need to dip, I'm needed somewhere, see you guys, never."
Akward as fuck, well could have been worse, they could have launched stone at me.
I'll just need to see what this city has to offer, maybe at night my halo won't be seen as much.
Didn't help that much.
Yeah, it's been 4 hours, and its near midnight.
Currently walking in the alleyways.
Why you ask ? Because it's easier for me without jerks telling me I'm a freak.
I'm not a freak, guys, I'm just built different.
All of that is just annoying so I just need to let it be, I know the current Pope is currently making more knowledge about fallen come to other contry which will make sure that other know we're not just criminal that like crimes or something.
...
I would normally follow a new train of thought that would spiral into another, and another, ecetera, but, I have a bigger fish to fry.
Or in this case, a Lung, Draco, Zalak and Feline.
All 4.
In a alleyway.
In the middle of the night.
During a festival night, yes, but when someone who is out to kill them is here.
Oh boy it's going to be on me if those guys get's hurt...
Well, that and they are future waifus.
That currently are 9 years old, so let's hold my horses.
Or Kuranta, I guess.
"Hey, what are you 4 doing in the middle of the night, in a dark alleyway ..? This totally makes me suspicous doesn't it ?! Wait, I'm friendly, I'm genuinly wandering what the hell you guy- girls are doing here ?"
"What are you doing here ? A guard from my uncle ? He doesn't know when to give up !"
Wow, Ch'en is cute.
And also out of character, but well, we don't know much about those girls past.
"I'm not a guard, but you 4 needs to go back to your home, it's not safe out there. And I know I'm not the most qualified to say this, but you really shouldn't walk in the middle of the night in dark alleyway near the slums, you don't know who could have bad intention."
"Hmpf, I'll have you know we risk nothing in downtown, grand father had his men around here, nobody would dare attack us there."
And here come Ojou-sama Number 1.
One of the NPC that people wants to be playable.
Well, I can understand it.
"Doesn't matter, it's not the slum inhabitants that I'm worried about here."
"Then who ?"
"Well you se-"
!
Those are footsteps.
2 of them at the same time.
Damn it, did they follow me here ?
I thought lowly of the fodder ..! Rookie mistake !
"Us. He's worried we would be here."
I act quickly, getting in the way.
The street is narrow, but it allows us to be able to fight decently.
We're too far from the main street, a shot from my gun won't be enough to get them to decide to get away.
...
I see, they waited for that.
Damn it.
This is going to be tight as hell.
"Guess we're doing it the hard way, nothing personal, kid."
"You four stay behind. Don't run away right now, they have friends. Stay vigilent and if you feel like someone is behind you, run and don't look back."
"Hold on- ! What's happening ?"
"No time to explain, stay close."
"This is going to be a fun night, don't you agree kid ?"
"Fuck off."
Damn it all to hell.