The Star Spangled Man With A Plan

by Who Let This Guy On

"I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from." -Steve Rogers. A man out of time, thrown into a strange new world does what he does best. Stands up to bullies and protect those who can't protect themselves. Or how a single man at the right place and the right time can save an entire nation.

12. Chapter 11

THE FOLLOWING IS A FAN-BASED PARODY.

I OWN NOTHING ABOUT EITHER OF THESE PROPERTIES.

THEY ARE BOTH OWNED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE.

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-Steve POV-

When he first arrived in the capital city of the strange and frankly bizarre world he found himself in, Steve expected a few things to happen. So, naturally, discussing war strategies were on the top of the list. But fielding questions on who he was and where he came from was a close second.

Alicia had insisted he tell her everything about him, Where he came from, and why he chose to fight against her enemies.

"A man like you doesn't fall out of the sky!" she had told him once, accidentally hitting the nail on the head regarding his origins. While the questions stopped as she grew to trust him more and more, the notion of Steve needing to be honest with his new allies stayed with him.

He had spent hours wrestling with the notion of different dimensions and different worlds to himself. Yet, even with all he had seen in his life, he could barely string a sentence around the subject without confusing himself.

They'd think he was insane.

Alien warlords ripping holes into the fabric of reality with the help of stones that have existed since before existence itself? He was getting a headache just thinking about it.

He wished Bruce or Tony was here. Hell, even Thor would be better at explaining this than him. The big guy was someone who had lived his entire life around concepts like this. It would have been a much better choice than him. But, like most things in his life, Steve had needed to get over whatever anxiety he felt over doing what he thought needed to be done.

So he was a bit shocked when instead of spending the night in a dusty and secluded chamber trying to describe metaphysics to the best of his limited ability, he was getting ready to attend a royal ball instead.

Not something he could have guessed when he woke up that morning. But something he quickly got used to.

Steve felt the need to do a double-take when he saw his reflection. Yep, he was going to stop thinking about this world's sense of fashion right now.

He wore plain, dull clothing, at least compared to what he had seen some of the locals wear. First, the simple leather jerkin, one he was assured was "all the rage" in the Queen's court, not that he put much stock in what Maia said when she had that particular glint in her eyes when she said it. Next, a white tunic with trousers dyed a dark blue and a couple of sturdy olive-colored boots. He would have enjoyed nothing more than to simply wear his standard costume, washed and trimmed, of course, but he had made a promise to Prim to wear the outfit she had picked out for him to wear.

He was starting to think it was impossible to ever say no to the girl whenever she asked him for anything.

Steve sighed to himself as he moved away from the polished piece of what he assumed was silver, flexing his fingers in agitation as he did so. He was alone in the private room given to him by the Queen, feeling as uncomfortable as he could ever remember being. Although granted, it felt good to get out of his suit after so long; He couldn't break the feelings of apprehension that clouded his thoughts. After all, he was never comfortable when it came to parties, despite the efforts of both Tony and Thor to get him out of his shell.

"My word Rogers," Maia said as she strolled into the room. "You better bring your shield to protect you from all the wondering hands readying to assault you!"

At least someone liked it.

Steve turned to look at his companion, her change in appearance surprising him slightly. She wore a dark blue dress, forgoing the usual warm shades of red and oranges he had grown accustomed to seeing her in. The change almost made her blazing and vibrant red hair stand out that much more than usual. The dress was simple, lacking the frills he expected to see on someone like Prim, but Steve thought the style suited the self-proclaimed "mercenary queen" rather well.

It certainly was less revealing than her everyday outfit. Still, if the dress's plunging neckline was any indication, it was only just barely so.

"And here I thought my escort would stick out like a sore thumb!" the redhead said, getting close and leaning into Steve's far larger frame as she slid her arm into his own. "I must thank Prim for her fantastic taste!"

"So ah, are my clothes on correctly? I can't tell if this is the back or the front." He asked and shifted uncomfortably in the clothing gifted to him as he looked towards the redheaded mercenary. "I can barely move my arms without feeling like I'm going to rip something."

"A bit small?" the redhead said, looking him up and down to find areas of his complaints and continuing to look him up and down despite Steve Telling her where they were.

"Upper arms are a bit tight." Steve said, raising his arm in a mid flex and seeing the tread almost give around him." The neckline could use some readjusting as well."

"Is it tight in the crotch?" Maia asked, her tone light even though she was earnest about her question.

"Uh….yeah, a lot actually, why?" Steve asked and tried to adjust the dark blue and grey-colored garments so that he could breathe.

"Then it's on the right way." the redhead said as she turned away from Steve to hide a look on her face and release a breath." But you might want to take the belt off. You may not need it."

He did as instructed, feeling a tad relieved as he removed the leather belt holding his pants? Tights? He didn't know the official name for what he wore. He just knew this would be the last time he ever wore it.

"Any word on the troops?" Steve asked, hoping the discussion of organizing soldiers for battle would distract him from the tightness of his clothing.

"Always thinking about business." the woman laughed as she walked closer to him. "Any other woman would be offended if they hard that, but luckily for you, the minutiae of organizing an army always got my motor running."

Steve shook his head but had a smile was on his lips as he did so, making Maia laugh harder than before. Steve had learned quite quickly that the mercenary before him was quite a provocateur when it came to her choice of words.

Alicia had once said Maia would be insufferable if the redhead wasn't as charismatic and entertaining as she was.

Steve had to admit, the mercenary's easy laugh and good nature made him feel slightly better at his current situation. At least he'd suffer alongside friends.

The door to his chamber opened, allowing Prim to enter the room, the normally quiet and timid young woman almost bristling with energy as she walked towards the two of them.

"By the gods!" her voice wobbled like a songbird and shone like a sapphire." I just knew you would look dashing in that clothing. Like a prince out of a storybook!"

He certainly didn't feel like a prince, but he took the compliment where he saw it. He learned to trust the pinkettes words in matters like this. Her flair for fashion and her knowledge of "Royal decorum" had been a lifesaver these few days.

She, too, had decided to forgo her typical pastel pinks and bright colors for a dress a similar shade of blue to Maias but in a similar style to her usual type of dress. A shade of blue Steve noticed looked a match to the shade of blue he wore.

Mmm, we all match.

"Maia..."Prim said as she watched the redhead shrink where she stood." You really should have let me done something to your hair!"

"Oh, don't worry yourself, girlie!" the redhead looked embarrassed when she spoke, almost shrinking under the gaze of the more petite woman." My hair is so short you couldn't have done a thing to save it."

"Not at all!" the Feoh noblewoman said, equally as energetic as Steve could remember seeing her." Short hair is becoming all the rage in certain Feoh circles! I have dozens of hairstyles I could have tried for you!"

"I'm good!" the red almost squeaked out from the accusation, as she used Steve virtually as a human shield from the frustrated look prim was giving her at the moment. "If you wish to have short hair, I recommend you practice on Luu-Luu first."

"You know she won't' be coming to the feast." the girl pouted, looking downcast at not being able to spend the evening with one of her friends." She has locked herself in her lab ever since Sir Steven allowed her to study his shield."

Steve noticed the hint of heat on the small girl's voice as if she was blaming him over her friend's absence for the evening, but Steve knew well enough not to bring it up. Everyone in the room knew more than he did that once that small woman got her hands on something she found interesting, nothing could stop her from getting to the bottom of how it worked.

It was something that the halfling reminded him of Tony in an almost immature and childlike way. So, more Tony-like than Tony would admit himself.

"Sorry about that, Prim." Steve apologetically said, "She was a bit insistent on seeing my shield. I didn't know she would react like that, though."

"A learning experience." Maia responded, "The first thing you should know about Luu-Luu is to expect the unexpected when there's a shiny weapon or artifact dangled in front of her."

Noted, Steve thought to himself as the memory of the small woman running down the castle's halls towards her workshop filled his head. If this was how the tiny woman acted as a full-grown woman of her species, how did she act when she was an actual child?

Questions for later.

"Enough about that!" Maia said as she trapped one of his arms close to her body, a devilish smile crossing her face when she noticed Steve stiffen slightly." The night is still young! And I, for one, cannot stand to suffer this night any longer without being properly drunk."

"Not a fan of these types of parties?" Steve asked.

"The opposite. I love these types of parties." The redhead said with a crooked smile on her lips." Nothing quite like having my fill of food and wine on someone else's coin."

"Until you get hit on by a drunk nobleman..." Prim added as she placed her small hand into Steve's larger one.

"...until I get hit on by a drunk nobleman..." Maia added, looking towards the younger woman with a disappointed look on her face." So you are related to Alicia! Only someone related to an Arcturus can get me paranoid about a party."

---

-Celestine POV-

The palatial estate of the Pantielle family of Ken was one often spoken about in reverence by the citizens of the city. The towering walls and beautiful architecture stood out, even against the splendor and luxury of the surrounding castles and mansions of the rest of Kens' noble class.

Home to some of the finest vineyards the south had to offer. The lands were as breathtaking as they were guarded. None more illustrated this fact than the castle that had stood for the better part of two centuries. Enclosed in a wooded hill just outside the city gates, the grand Pantielle estates arose like a tiered pink wedding cake from the grove of olive and cypress trees that surrounded it.

The monolith on top of the hill held thick walls that had been died a muted pink to mirror the color of their vineyard's most prolific vintages. It was as subtle a message as one could get when the message was given by those who spent the better part of their days drinking their own product.

But as a guest of this feast, Celestine could not vocally announce such thoughts.

The feast was in full swing. Servants carried trays overflowing with food to and from the kitchens and kept the goblets flowing with wine. The finest musicians the city had to offer played joyful songs in the corner of the ballroom, their sweet songs of legendary feats and tales of love echoing across the high stoned walls and ceiling. But despite the joyous mood of celebration that filled the halls, Celestine could not help but feel the experience around her was nothing more than a waste.

Everything and everyone conveyed a look of polished ease. As an army of servants clad in the emblem of the Pantielle family swarmed around the richly dressed guests like a band of worker bees would an orchid of flowers.

"We are at war." the Queen thought to herself." There are people in the countryside forced to ration their supplies out of fear of the unknown. Yet so many wish to show their wealth at the drop of a hat."

The city was in high spirits, and while that was something that pleased Celestine to no end, she knew not to let herself be trapped by complacency. Fear of death could turn into anger all too quickly, but resentment could grow far quicker after all.

She could appreciate the need to be festive and even approved of the several small festivals and district-wide parties that had erupted throughout the city since this morning. However, she could not help but feel her current surroundings were just a bit too "luxurious" for the current situation.

Lord Pantielle hadn't taken long to order his household servants to send invitations to the Ken elite for this "little" impromptu celebration. But Celestine theorized this particular feast had been in the planning stages for some time now if the elaborate dishes of spiced venison and roasted boar were any indication.

But while Celestine would much rather spend the evening planning for her next moves for the war, as Queen, she had her obligations. Which meant she needed to make an appearance.

Celestine sipped at her goblet, the sweet taste of the wine doing little to soothe her annoyance at the pomp and circumstance her subjects in the noble class partook in.

As the "guest of honor" for this particular event, she was forced to suffer through the pageantry of noble families trying to outdo one another over her favor.

While that might sound nice in concept, Celestine couldn't help herself but feel bored after a while. She couldn't remember how many gifts she received, but she knew it was a lot, too many.

These were people who rarely, if any, ever donated to charity or put time or effort into helping those less fortunate than themselves.

Why spend money on a trinket for a woman who had everything she could need when that same trinket could a family for an entire year.

There was one silver lining, however. The following morning all of her household staff would find themselves in possession of one of the many gifts Celestine had been given this night.

At least someone will get something out of the pageantry of the evening.

She looked towards her dark elf counterpart, finding Olga isolated from the humans in attendance. The woman was currently amongst members of her own entourage, Members of the dark elf aristocracy who joined their Queen in exile out of loyalty or prejudice from the dark elves who followed the Kuroinu.

It must have been strange for many in attendance to see Olga amongst the crowd. A queen rarely was allowed the chance to enjoy a party without someone trying to steal their ear for one reason or another, in Celestine's experience at least.

But it was Dark elven custom for the Queen to mingle amongst the party-goers, something about Needing to assert dominance through sharp wit at every possibility. Celestine couldn't help but laugh at the sight and bristle in slight jealousy at her counterpart's relative freedom from court opinion.

"The south could learn a lot from this custom," Celestine sighed to herself.

Celestine could hear the chorus of laughter over the sound of music. Despite her being on the opposite end of the room from Olga. It seemed yet another unfortunate man had made the mistake of flirting with the exiled Queen.

The poor man must have been dealt a wound last would take longer to heal than any physical injury.

But despite the less than ideal circumstances, Celestine couldn't help but marvel at the scene before her. For the first time in hundreds of years, humans and elves broke bread with one another. While she was stuck on the same lonely pedestal, she always found herself on. It felt good to see the races interact with less hostility than before the war.

The sound of wood scraping against stone broke the high Queen out of her thoughts. She turned to see the veteran knight commander, Lord Grave Levantine, leave his seat at the high table. Rather abruptly actually, Celestine thought to herself as she watched the man enter the crowd of party-goers. But, unfortunately, he was leaving his daughter-in-law's rather annoyed and aggravated form, Claudia, in his wake.

Already Celestine could notice the hushed whispers around her. Already the unwilling audience had taken their chance to speak ill of the scene that unfolded between two of the highest-ranked military leaders in the country.

Grave Levantine was a man as feared as he was respected, whose long years of service to the crown had already made him a bit of a living legend to many in her city.

Suffice to say, he gained much attention when he showed anything beyond the military stoicism he had made famous for decades. The attention that was known unfortunately entirely on Claudias shoulders to bear alone.

Celestine glared at a guest who had already begun to whisper of the altercation, silencing the man and sending him away without a word. Many followed quickly after, leaving Celestine alone at the high table with her friend.

"Copper for your thoughts?" Celestine said quietly, trying her best not to be heard by any unwanted listeners." Are you quite alright, Claudia?"

The knight commander steeled her features. Her command over her own emotions was always something Celestine respected about her friend. But it was also something that drove Celestine to madness more than once in her long relationship with the human.

"Quiet alright, my lady." the human said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes," Just some family drama, I'm afraid."

"Would you like to speak of it?" Celestine said as she looked towards her friend. She feared disputes towards one's family were not something she could say she held expertise in. It had been centuries since her mother had passed, after all. "I always have an ear to listen if you require it."

"Perhaps when we are not surrounded by so many," Claudia said, raising her wine to her lips before deciding against it."It would do us no good if rumors reached the ears of some in court."

Celestine paused for a moment as she looked at her friend and compatriot. Claudia was a strong woman, both physically and emotionally, but even that seemed to have its limits. Whatever discussion she had with her father-in-law had deeply affected her in ways Celestine herself couldn't even imagine.

To be raised and trained by such a legendary figure like Sir Grave was enough weight placed on Claudias shoulders to break a lesser person. But the stress of continuing a family line? During times of war like this?

It was too much for one person to handle, even someone as capable as Claudia.

Claudia picked at her food, clearly not as well mentally as she made it out to her, but Celestine had to force herself not to comfort her friend at the moment. While in public, Claudia remained distant from her emotions, her military upbringing making it almost second nature for her.

But there was always one person Claudia allowed herself to show at least a smidge of emotion towards when in public.

"Where is that husband of yours?" Celestine said, hoping the change of subject was enough to shake her friend out of whatever dark thought held her." I feel I haven't seen much of him this night."

Claudia brightened, much like anytime her husband was mentioned. The two had been childhood friends despite their differences, and even though those differences did nothing but mount as they grew older, they remained devoted to one another.

The scholar and the knight. It sounded like one of the Bards tales Prim was often a fan of.

"I fear my husband was dragged away by one of his associates at the university." Claudia said with a smile." It's so rare for him to be anywhere besides our home and his work willingly. I fear his ear and opinion will be taken advantage of ten times over by the end of the night."

Celestine wouldn't admit it, but she found herself jealous of her friends' marriage. The two loved one another to the point where it showcased the common marriage dysfunctions of the couples surrounding them by contrast. It was easy to tell whose marriage had been arranged and who held a lover outside the marriage bed whenever Klaus and Claudia spoke of one another.

Celestine wished she could have something like that. A marriage built on the same foundations her friend had been blessed to have. But alas, she knew that it would be impossible for her.

As Queen, she knew a marriage of love was off the table for her. If not for political reasons, then for pragmatic reasons.

"Perhaps you should go become a shining knight for Klaus then."Celestine said, her smile genuine." Go rescue your man before some evil befalls him."

" Would you care to accompany me?" As she stood up from her seat, Claudia said, ignoring her plate of spice meat and roasted vegetables. "I fear tearing him away from whatever intellectual curiosity he has found himself in is a two-woman job."

Celestine looked to her right and found no face of an impatient lord waiting to speak to her for once this evening. While she truly loved her subjects, she couldn't help but feel the desire to simply enjoy the festivities. Mainly because all she seemed to speak to were the same members of the aristocracy over the same mind-numbing topics.

As the saying goes, she was not in the habit of looking such a gift horse in the mouth. So instead, she smiled as she joined her friend standing.

"It would certainly do me some good to be allowed to stretch my legs." She said, nodding her head as she let her friend escort her through the crowd of onlookers." Lead the way!"

---

-Claudia POV-

The crowd seemed to part against her Queen's presence, several lords and ladies bowing their heads as Celestine walked briskly next to her.

Claudia could only smile as she watched the scene of Celestine bowing to her knees to speak to a small girl, the daughter of a minor lord of Feoh. He had traveled to Ken to represent one of the newer merchants' guilds that had sprung with the help of Alicia's family. The young girl seemed to be in awe of seeing the Queen. Whether because she was the first elf, the girl had ever seen in her life or more likely taken in by the utter majesty of Celestine's presence.

Her Queen had that effect on people after all.

But despite herself, Claudia felt a pang of emotion strike at her heart at the scene. It was an emotion she wasn't entirely comfortable admitting to even herself. But one that had unfortunately been thrown in her face this very night.

She would have nothing in life it wasn't for her family. The Levantine family had taken a poor child, one without a family of her own or a copper to her name, off the streets and given her an education few could ever dream of having. The Levantine family had given her a purpose in life and a companion she could trust her very life to. She owed every she had to the Levantine family. Grandchildren should be the least she could offer in return.

But yet again, she found herself without a child. Yet again, she found herself feeling the ever-present feeling of shame overwhelm her.

No, Claudia found herself thinking, shaking her head at the thought. A woman does not need to be a mother to be worthy.

But does Klaus feel the same way?

"Aw yes, I see that now." The excited voice of her husband was easy to hear over the voices that surrounded her. His voice always held that special glint of boyish enthusiasm whenever he spoke of something that held his interest. "The contrast of colors forces the eye of the viewer to the center of the portrait!"

Claudia shoved the thought to the back of her mind as she moved towards the voice of her beloved. Those were worries for another day.

Klaus was not what you could call a social butterfly. He shunned the trappings of court life even more so than she did, something she appreciated about him. While others in his position as the sole heir to a prominent family enjoyed showing off their wealth to their neighbors. Buying expensive things they did not need or throwing outrageous parties, Klaus enjoyed the simple things in life. Finding equal enjoyment with a glass of fine wine and an academic paper on the world traveling around the sun or some such other theory.

He shared Claudias opinion on the never-ending one-upmanship of the trappings of wealth, seeing it as a waste of time to be enjoyed sparingly, if at all. That same mentality allowed him to become the youngest headmaster in the history of the Royal institution of Ken, the finest academic institution in all the continent. Something Klaus himself referred to as his second-highest achievement in life.

Second only to his marriage to her.

The thought of her intellectual husband seemed to drive away from the dark thoughts that plagued her. Still, as Claudia led Celestine towards her husband, she found that he was not alone.

Standing off away from the crowd stood her husband surrounded by familiar faces, his face a mask of concentration as he stared intently at a particular portrait.

She saw both Maia and Prim standing off next to him, listening intently to whatever was said with interest and curiosity. Art had always been something Prim had taken a great interest in, be it sculpture or painting. What was a surprise, however, was seeing the same look of curiosity on Maia's face. The mercenary rarely, if anytime, ever showed appreciation for artistic expression, often calling it too "high brow" for her taste.

Kaguya, too stared at the painting, a portrait of an elf against a sea of golden flowers, one she couldn't quite place. Her face was shrouded with a look of deep concentration. One Claudia had only ever seen on the Miko's face when she was in a deep study over her faiths religious texts. As if she was trying to see what she was told was there.

But it was the last figure that interested Claudia the most.

Her sweet and gentle husband had somehow become acquainted with the most dangerous man in the entire room, Sir Steven rogers, if the rumors were true anyway. He towered over her husband, not a great accomplishment, she would admit. Still, He carried himself less like a warrior on the battlefield and more like one of the learned scholars that fritted to and fro on the campus of her husband's university.

In fact, the stranger from a strange land had seemingly enthralled her husband and those around him with a seemingly expert opinion on what looked to be late third-century elfish art. Something Claudia only assumed perhaps a few dozen people in the whole of Ken outside of her husband knew enough on the subject to maintain a conversation over.

Claudia was impressed, but she could see a spark of interest flash in her Queen's eye. The second of the evening, if she was not mistaken.

"It's an old artist trick from where I come from." Sir Steven said, pointing at a particular part of the portrait's subjects' hands." The shadows underling the fingers are slightly darker than the light source would indicate. The Color contrast is primarily due to either a last-minute mistake or more likely a last-minute change to the composition."

"I see you're an artist then," Celestine said, her interest piqued with a level of interest Claudia had rarely seen in her Queen. But, of course, it wasn't every day Celestine could speak freely about art after all." I fear there are too few humans alive today that can appreciate the subtleties of elven art."

Claudia sat back with her husband as she watched her Queen regale the small group with a brief history of the painting in front of them. Her eyes brightened as she spoke of the painter's other work in something she called "watercolor," she assumed another elven specialty.

Klaus seemed to know what she was talking about, but she had learned long ago to assume her dear husband knew at least a little of every academic subject under the sun.

But it was Sir Rogers that surprised her.

"Watercolor was never my strong suit." he said bashfully, almost sounding embarrassed at the declaration." I always took too long, and the paint would dry on me too quickly."

"A problem I find myself facing whenever I would paint." Celestine added, smiling at the man as she sipped a glass of what Claudia assumed was golden arbor wine the servent had served them." How a long-lived race like elves managed to invent an artistic style that like that is beyond my understanding."

"Maybe it was a practical joke?" From her position next to Prim, Maia said," You elves take yourselves too seriously to see when someone is laughing at your expense most of the time."

The Queen laughed while she shot the redhead glare that held no malice. She was honestly enjoying herself, and for that, Claudia thanked whatever God was watching over them at that moment to allow her friend and Queen a respite from the drudgery and stress of ruling.

Claudia, too, became more relaxed as she let herself melt against her husband's shoulder. Whatever dark thoughts that plagued her mind were now leagues away as she felt Klaus's hand wrapped around her own. She sighed with content. Perhaps this night would not be such a mistake after all.

"And what do we have here?"

Claudia almost cringed when she heard the voice as if the world had chosen this exact moment to spite her.

A figure strolled up to them, the swagger of his walk parting the surrounding crowds as he moved his girth. His stomach arrived first, the silk tunic barely holding his corpulence at bay as he swayed back and forth from his movements. He looked like an over-stuffed sausage that had started to spill its contents.

The smell of perfume that clung to his body hit her like a punch to the face, a reaction Claudia could see mirrored on several of her companions' faces. Some floral blend gave off an unnatural sweetness that didn't fully cover the smell of the man's natural body odor. It almost made Claudia want to throw up, something Latrine duty never once did in her younger years.

His face was like his body, round but with a youthful disposition that gave him an appearance of a young boy instead of the grown man he was. This, combined with his below-average height, made him look like an oversized child if one didn't see the malicious and spiteful gaze emitted from his small eyes.

"Lord Michelle Pantielle," Celestine said, her voice neutral as she put her queenly mask back on. "Such a pleasure to see you again after so long."

"Ah, your Majesty!" the man said, his voice somewhat deeper than one would imagine from his appearance." The pleasure is all mine, I assure you!"

The man bowed, the bottom of his tunic riding up slightly as he did so. Celestine gracefully inclining her head, either trying to remain polite and gracious or more inclined to avoid seeing the man's prominent gut, Claudia couldn't be sure.

"Aw, Lady Maia!" The man said, not taking the hint as he directed his attention towards Maia. She had incidentally finished her glass of wine since Michelle had arrived and had started drinking from Prim's untouched goblet. "How lovely it is to see you."

Claudia felt a chill run up her spine when she heard the man say Maia's name, more so when he saw the rotund figure leer at the redhead's figure under the guise of a greeting.

"Oh, Michelle..." Maia said, her voice dripping with barely held content." And here I thought I was going to have a fun evening with friends."

"Oh, you are such a kidder!" his voice dipped as he licked his lips. "Why don't you join me on the dance floor, Maia. It's always a treat to see you in my home after all."

She had heard rumors about the youngest son of Micilie Pantielle, and none of what she heard was good. The recent Graduate of the Ken royal academy was in all likely hood a terrible scholar. One who only graduated due to his familial ties. Klaus had once told her over dinner that Michelle had made it a habit to forgo studies in an attempt to woe whatever passing female caught his attention.

Not something out of the ordinary for many aspiring scholars, but Michelle was particularly aggressive in his search for a suitable suitor. Instances of him following and stalking fellow students and faculty throughout their classes and duties were not unknown. He had even ordered several of his family guards to intimidate potential rivals or any man who had gotten close to a woman he grew to fancy.

He had gone as far as to get his father, an influential member of the board of governors, to use his influence to strip a young professor of mathematics of her position.

Thankfully the poor girl found employment in one of the many guildhalls Ken was home to, but others were less fortunate. Even more, those who desperately needed to protect their jobs couldn't risk the chance of upsetting the son of such a powerful family.

Which was where many of the more unsavory rumors started popping up.

"I would rather kiss a boar." the mercenary responded, finishing her drink." At least a boar cleans himself."

Claudia chocked back a laugh, hiding her enjoyment by taking a small sip of her wine. Despite his less than favorable reputation, Michelle's father was a man of considerable influence. A man like that didn't take insults against his family well, especially in his own home.

"..and who are you?" the young Lord said. There was something in his voice Claudia didn't particularly like. Like the growl or whine of a threatened animal trying to scare off a larger and more powerful predator.

"Steve Rogers." The man said simply, raising and extending his right arm in a friendly if stiff manner. "I don't think we were properly introduced."

"No, we weren't," the Lord said, staring at the taller man's hand like it was some sort of disease-ridden rat from the sewer, before choosing to ignore the offered hand to stare at the man. "I would assume a man who had been moving so far in society would have learned how one speaks to their betters by now."

And here we go, Claudia said under her breath. She knew this would have happened eventually. The noble class of Ken was rather well known for the aristocratic snobbery that defined it, after all. She had expected at least someone to try and speak ill of Sir Steven, but why did it have to be Michelle Pantielle?

"Betters?" Sir Steven said, his voice hard as steel but not from anger or even annoyance. "And here I thought only Queen Celestine could make a call like that."

"Well..." the young man stammered. Whatever bravado he held evaporated as he realized the man before him would not cower from his family name."...I mean no disrespect to the Queen, of course."

"Of course you didn't." Rogers said as he nodded his head low to Celestine's direction." It was because of her graciousness I was even invited to this lovely party in the first place."

Claudia moved her glass of wine to her lips to hide the smile gracing her face. Watching Michelle Pantielle made to look a fool was more enjoyable than she would admit.

"I-I see..."

The look of joy on Celestine's face was straining even Claudia's iron-like constitution to keep a straight face at. She looked so pleased right now.

"I can't say I'm as well-read as I should be, especially in situations like this." Rogers took a step forward, inadvertently showcasing the height difference between the two men." But insulting the guest of the Queen while in the Queen's presence is considered rather impolite correct?"

*snort*

Claudia almost gave herself whiplash as she turned her head to glare at Maia. The redhead, who by this point looked as if she sucked on a lemon, had tried desperately to hold in a bark of laughter. But had seemingly lost the battle when the look of horror flashed on Michelle's face.

"I certainly hope Michelle here isn't embarrassing himself." A voice broke through Claudias thoughts as a new figure moved towards them. He was a great bear of a man in polished and guided silver armor. One that had been dyed the wine red color his family had spent the better part of the last century trying to become identified with.

Michael Pantielle.

Tall and muscular the eldest son of Lord Pantielle looked to be the exact opposite of his younger brother in ways. Tall when one was short, Broad, and athletic When one was fat and soft, Bearded with sharp features, while the other was clean-shaven and round.

It certainly made Claudia question more than once if the two men shared the same mother. Still, all it took was a few moments to see the two men had more in common than their appearance indicated.

"Oh, brother," Michelle spoke, his voice lighter as the sight of his elder brother came into view. The sickening smirk had returned and have even looked more sleazy than it did before." It's so good to see you've arrived! I was worried you'd missed the party."

"I wouldn't miss being able to speak with our beautiful Queen in person." The giant knight bowed his head slightly, his bushy red beard brushing against the polished armor he wore. "My lady, may I say you look radiant this evening."

"How kind." Celestine said, somehow sounding even more uncomfortable as she allowed her unwanted suiter to kiss her hand." I noticed you were not there during your fathers' introductions."

"Oh, you must understand your grace." The man smiled, almost looking more like a hungry mountain lion than a person." In times of war, a knight must take every chance he can to train."

Train, Claudia thought to herself bitterly, Is that what he calls it? The last time Claudia heard of Michael's infamous training sessions, a squire barely into his teen years had almost lost a hand.

The man always made Claudia feel uneasy. His pattern of "accidentally" going too hard in sparing with his squires being the least of Claudia worries. She could handle men who went hard on sparring partners easy enough. What she couldn't manage as easily was when a man had the influence not to face the consequences of those same "Accidents."

But as her father-in-law always said, "Men learn faster when the blood is their own." Because of that, Sir Pantielle had always been a favorite of the legendary knight commander.

"And you must be the man my father hasn't stopped speaking about." The man said, barely disguised contempt masquerading as interest.

Steven seemed to notice as well.

"It seems I'm more famous than I'm comfortable with these days." the man said, turning to the armored knight." I just hope whatever you've heard wasn't bad."

The two men stared at one another, like two wolves sizing one another up before the start of a fight. It was something Claudia was more than accustomed to seeing after her years in the army.

"Your reputation is known, Sir Steven." The young Lord spoke, saying Steve's name in a mocking tone that actually got a few chuckles out of the crowd of onlookers, much to Claudia's shame. "In any case, let me welcome you personally to the noble house of Pantielle."

"Happy to be here," Rogers said simply. If he knew just what he was getting himself into, he didn't show it. Claudia could sense something was about to happen. She just didn't know if she would like it.

"Yes, yes. I am sure you are." the man said, a sneer forming in his voice despite the smile on his face. "Your reputation precedes you."

"Does it?"

"Of course!" the armored man said, gesturing his arms to the people surrounding them now. "The man who saved Feoh. It must make you feel important, having your name on so many lips."

Claudia could hear the whispers begin again.

"Not really."Steve said simply, taking the wind out of the knight's speech if the look of confusion plastered on his face meant anything " It doesn't matter much to me how many people know my face or know my name. In fact, just between you and me, It's more trouble than it's worth."

That was interesting, Claudia thought to herself, very interesting.

The man didn't seem to seek out honors and accolades, something she had assumed as much when she read Alicia's letter regarding Steven's reluctance at a knighthood. But hearing the man say it out loud was something else entirely.

There were not many men in the world who simply didn't want recognition for their deeds. On the contrary, men wished to be remembered for good or for ill.

"And while I hate to contradict you as a guest in your house." Rogers added, the easy smile on his face disarming many who looked down on him." I was not the man who saved Feoh. It was the men and women of Feoh who saved themselves. I just did my part to help."

Claudia smiled to herself as she noticed the tone of the room shift once again, this time in Roger's favor. It had been subtle at first, but as Rogers spoke, he seemed to be able to turn the tide of negativity directed at him with the skill of an expert duelist.

"So humble!" the Lord said, his fake friendliness almost nauseating to hear." Perhaps you would like to show these fine people your prowess."

Claudia stiffened at the challenege. A challenge of a duel like this was something that was taken seriously in Ken. Duels between knights and lords were governed by an ancient set of rules and customs. Many of which predate even the foundation of the kingdoms and most forms of governing of the continent.

Seen by some to be barbaric, the custom was still highly esteemed by many traditionalists who littered every governance level. It was often viewed as one of the few things even Celestine herself could not order against or outlaw.

To invoke one in such a way...

"What do you recommend?" Rogers said, his voice still and hard as he stared at the would-be challenger in front of him. For a moment, Sir Pantielle looked hesitant as if he regretted his words, but it was only for a moment.

The younger Pantielle smirked, knowing full well what his older brother was planning on doing. For a moment, Claudia was afraid he'd actually draw his sword, but before anything else could happen, Celestine stepped forward.

"I will not allow blood to be shed in my presence," Celestine spoke, the Queenly voice she rarely enjoyed using, thundering through the great hall. "Whatever issue you find yourself having with an honored guest of the crown, I expect you to deal with it with your sword sheathed."

The room stilled. Even though Celestine could not stop a duel once it had been officially challenged, her word was Law up until that moment. To openly disobey and disregard the Queen's words so publicly would have been a scandal. One that even someone like Lord Pantielle could hardly hope to sweep under the rug.

Many political aspirations have been left gutted and destroyed for far less, after all.

"Oh, but of your majesty." The elder Pantielle bowed, his tone lacking the edge it did when speaking to Sir Steven." This is just a friendly contest between two knights of the realm! Nothing more serious than simple entertainment for my father's honored guests!"

The crowd of onlookers became denser, as all background noise became as silent as a church during morning mass. Even the bards and musicians had seemingly put their instruments away to see the event unfold.

For a moment, the older knight merely grinned before he called for the servants to clear away his table. Then, when it was done, he wordlessly put up his arm on it. "I hope you're ready to show the good people of Ken just how you managed to beat back the kuroinu at feoh!"

So it would be an arm-wrestling contest, Claudia thought, a sense of relief filling her as Steven wordlessly stepped across the hall.

Claudia noticed a sigh of relief leave Celestine's mouth as she watched the motion. Thankfully an honor duel had been avoided, and Celestine could allow herself to relax slightly. While whatever foolery that been started was far from ideal, At the very least, no one would be seriously maimed with a weapon tonight.

Two squires Claudia had seen training under her father-in-law brought two identical chairs on either side of the table. Steven actually surprising the squire who brought his chair with a polite thank you.

Even when the center of attention, the man never forgot his manners.

Sir Steven and Sir Pantielle clasped their hands together. The sound of each of their hands clasping together sounded like the rumble of faraway thunder. Pantielle's eyes widened slightly, something akin to fear overtaking his vision for but a moment. All eyes within the great hall now on them.

The bearded Lord groaned as he began trying to push Sir Steven's arm down with his gigantic arms and meaty hands. His teeth were tightly clenched as he strained to make the soldier budge.

Evidently, Sir Steven hadn't noticed.

To the shock and awe of those in attendance, of those who hadn't seen hints or seen the evidence of the monstrous strength Sir steven held, Steven Rogers looked calm and serene. As if he was still describing the artistic techniques of long-dead artists.

It was almost frightening.

Lord Pantielle was a knight of the realm, one who had cultivated a reputation as a man who was as dangerous with his bare hands as he was with a sword. Yet, that same man, who many in her father's army called the fiercest man in Ken, was being treated like a child by a frankly bored-looking Rogers.

In fact, he didn't even seem to be exerting any kind of force on his own. If Claudia was anyone else, she would assume the man had not even begun yet. The thought caused yet another shiver to run up Claudia's spine.

"My word," Klaus said with shock. His aptitude for a long and complicated word that Claudia needed a thesaurus to understand, momentarily lost as the one-sided battle of strength continued.

Pantielle tried again to push Steven's arm down to no avail with another push of his arm. His groaning was now a full, ferocious growl that threatened to shatter the stained glass windows of the great hall. His eyes were blazing with a passionate determination, his whole face becoming pink from the sheer amount of strain he was exerting into his arm.

"Oh, goddess! I knew this was going to be worth whatever bullshit I was going to go through!" Maia said, her eyes a blaze of amazement and mirth. "Michael looks like he's about to soil his breeches!"

Prim, one of the most accustomed to the inhuman show of force on display, gently slapped the redhead against her shoulder as a slight reprimand for her crassness. The knowing smile on her face graced the rest of the nobles and citizens of Feoh.

The same people who had seen the man's strength before.

He said nothing still. As if analyzing every tiny detail he could, reminding Claudia of her Klaus whenever he had his nose stuck in a new book in his hours of study.

Michelle Pantielles' eyes were wide, almost like he had seen a ghost, as he watched his larger then life brother be utterly dominated before his eyes.

Kaguya stared open-mouthed at the scene. Her perfect mask of detachment was broken so that Claudia would have laughed if she did not have a similar look etched on her own face.

Celestine was smiling again, and for the life of her, Claudia couldn't help but think that everything leading up to this moment was worth it if Celestine was allowed to smile like that.

"I'm just getting warmed up, you cheeky fuck!" Michael seethed, his face now utterly red. With something nearing an outright roar, he made the third push, his whole body trembling as he put every fiber of his being to make his opponent give-

And then, in one simple, sudden, terrible movement, it was over. As quick as lightning and as loud as thunder, Sir Steven outright slammed his opponent's arm down without the barest hint of resistance. The moment it did, the whole table broke in two, collapsing under the sheer force of the movement.

If the room was quiet before, as each party-goer had taken to stare at the maddening scene before them, it was deadly silent now. It felt oppressive in a way as if it weighed heavily on those who continued to watch on in fascination.

Claudia wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She had seen the man close up and had heard stories of his inhuman strength from people she trusted, but to see it so close was another thing entirely.

Perhaps stories of him ripping orcs limbs off were not as fool-hardy as she initially thought.

She looked around the room, silently gauging the faces of stunned confusion and awe. Gone were the looks of contempt and arrogance replaced with the eyes of awe and fear of one who didn't know if they were next to suffer the humiliation they had witnessed. Claudia could swear she had seen more than a few assembled lords take a step back. Instantly trying to get more distance between themselves and Sir Steven.

A noblewoman Claudia knew was deeply religious made the Sign of the Cross as she closed her eyes in silent prayer.

Rogers stood up from his chair, brushing off splintered pieces of wood and dust off his lap as he did so. The casual nature of his movement shocked Claudia more than the inhuman display moments before.

Seeing a man perform something she thought impossible was one thing. But, on the other hand, it was frightening to see a man perform something she thought was impossible like it was as simple as taking a breath.

"Wow..." Maia had said, almost dropping her wine glass to the polished floor. She knew the man was strong, seeing how she was there when he had opened the giant doors of Celestine's throne room. But seeing it in comparison to another person must have been something else entirely.

He moved to the broken table, his powerful arm reaching down and clasping the still raised hand of his fallen rival. He hoisted the knight up, a grown man in full plate, like a child. Honestly, Claudia should not be surprised anymore, but even so, she couldn't help herself.

"You should go for a walk," Steven said as he brushed splintered wood off his opponent's shoulder, "Get some fresh air and cool off."

He said simply and calmly like he was speaking of the weather during a stroll in the marketplace. The expression of calm acceptance he wore hadn't changed since meeting the two Pantielle brothers, as if he knew, in the end, this was how it would end.

"Hol... hold up!" So came the bellowing of the knight, his once pristine armor now dirtied and scratched. His face was a blaze of orange from anger and embarrassment, a dangerous combination for a man with a sword to close at hand " You think you can walk away from me?"

"I just did." Steven said over his shoulder, not even bothering to look at the disheveled man behind him as he returned to Celestine's side." This little show is over."

Clearly not accustomed to being dismissed in such a way, the man stood still for a moment, his mind racing to find a response to the injustice given to him.

The sound of the unsheathed sword was deafening in the quiet of the hall. For a moment, Claudia's eyes raced to Celestine, pleading for her to step in before something regrettable would happen.

"Lord Pantielle," Celestine spoke the name like a mother would talk to a disobeying child. Utter disappointment and displeasure dripped off her voice. It looked for a moment as if it working, as Michael's face lost most of its anger and redness.

But to Claudia's shock and utter disappointment, another voice spoke next.

"It seems a duel has been issued." The voice of Grave Levantine broke over the crowd like a tidal wave against the rocks of a cliffside." As Lord Commander of the grand armies of the south, I declare this duel to be honorable and sound."

The stunned silence broke into a rush of noise. Hushed whispers of hundreds conjoined into sympathy of inaudible noise. Michael, for his part, looked upset as if he only now fully understood the magnitude of his actions.

Claudia looked to her father-in-law with stunned disbelief. She knew he was a man who took tradition seriously, especially with practices regarding martial combat. Even so, to directly act against the Queen's wishes and against the royal guest of the Queen was something else entirely.

Michelle's face cracked open with a smile, the thought of his brother regaining his lost honor giving him perverse happiness. But did he think his brother stood a better chance with a sword? Claudia didn't believe even Michael believed he stood much of a chance now.

Steven looked towards Celestine, his face a mask of stoicism as he read her features. Celestine stared back, for once allowing her uneasiness of the night to overwhelm her.

But Celestine could do nothing now.

And because of her own Father-in-law, Claudia could do nothing more than to watch what would happen next.

---

Omake #3 NNN: Giving the devil his due.

How could this have happened?

Gozoboro Kurihara, the patriarch of the Kurihara family, barreled out of the courthouse doors like a man possessed. He pushed and shoved his way past the onslaught of parasitic reporters waiting for him, primed to try and pick his corpse clean in an attempt to get their next exclusive story.

"Kurihara-san! Would you like to make a statement on today's ruling!?" a young man in a cheap suit said as he shoved a microphone into his face. The flashing of a camera sparked another fresh wave of aggression to overcome him.

He pushed past the man, the flash of the camera indicating his action had been captured by one of the overzealous cameramen. But Kurihara couldn't find it in him to care all too much. But, of course, he didn't want to talk about what had happened today! To think the courts had fallen to such a degree to commit an atrocity in the guess of justice!

"Kurihara-San, anything to say about the recent loss of stock value your company faced since the start of the trial?" The uppity reporter said, her eyes conveying the joy she felt over his recent misfortune.

The bitch

Billions of yen had already been lost, and by God, billions of more yen may still be lost if these vultures had any say in the matter.

He raised his hand to block a picture from being taken of his face as he ignored the pointed question. He needed a drink, and he needed it fast.

"Any words you would like to say to the opposing counsel?" An older man said. Kurihara was fully aware that he had written hit piece after hit piece against his company as soon as this trial started.

He had a lot to say about the man who had seemingly come out of nowhere just a few months ago. A man who had apparently made it his mission in life to not just tarnish the reputation of the Kurihara family but harm him in the most embarrassing ways possible.

"Kurihara-san, anything you would like to say regarding your son's impending criminal trial?"

That was yet another black eye on his family reputation, he thought bitterly to himself. His son, his only son, had been sacrificed on the altar to satisfy these jackals. A boy with his whole life ahead of him forever labeled a "rapist" for simply scratching an itch like every boy his age tries to do!

He blamed Jirou and Saburou for all this. He paid them to clean up his sons' mess, and look where they all were!

Before he had the chance to ignore the question, the mob had taken it amongst themselves to leave his presence. However, before a smile could cross his features, Kurihara could only feel more anger and resentment bubble to the surface.

How did the saying go? Speak the devils' name, and he will appear?

"My clients are just happy that they can finally close this horrible chapter of their lives." The man answered the question without looking at the reporter as he searched for the handrails of the steps."The settlement cannot erase what these women went through but will undoubtedly help allow them to try and return to some level of normalcy."

Oh yes, those whores who had hired the man.

Seno Mizugi, a girl his son had been after for quite some time, class rep or something of the like. He had seen the videos his son had taken, but the memory now left a sour taste in his mouth when he thought of it.

Kamiya Mako, the girl who had been Saburous favorite, not like it would do him any good now. With his prior rap sheet Gozoboro had kept under the rug for his school employment, he'd be lucky to get out of prison this century.

Haikawa Tomoka, the one Jirou just had to parade all around town with, trying to recapture his lost youth or some such nonsense like that. Now, look at him! Going to prison for the rest of his life! Gozoborro actually wished his brother never woke up from his coma.

Those girls were the ones he should be angry about. They should have known their place and excepted their lot in life. That's what he got for letting his son do his dirty work. It was a mistake he wouldn't make in the future.

"Are you disappointed Kurihara-san will not face criminal charges?"

"Of course I am. But, unfortunately, the prosecution and I have differing opinions on the strength of the evidence and the horror of my client's stories." He readjusted the red-tinted sunglasses on his face, as to took a gingerly step onto the pavement from the last step."His knowledge of his sons' actions is as clear as day. The fact that could use his influence to shield his son and his accomplices is an outrage that is shared by every citizen in this city ."

For not the first time that day, Gozoboro Kurihara found himself cursing his son, the real reason why Gozoboro found himself in the situation he found himself in.

He had told him a dozen times to play it carefully, but did the spoiled brat listen? No, he had to go and start a high school prostitution ring by blackmailing and threatening his classmates! And just like always, he was the one who had to clean it all up in the end.

"A statement on Jirou-san absence in the courtroom today?"

"I've been told he is is still in his coma. While it is unfortunate for Tomoka here," the man said as he placed his hand on the long-haired young women's shoulder," To have to wait longer to confront her attacker. She takes great comfort in knowing he cannot harm anyone else the way he has done to her."

"Any word on the origins of Saburou-Sans injuries?"

"Unfortunately, no. The man has made no statement as to who or what was the cause of his broken legs and extensive facial injuries." The lawyer spoke, gripping the hand of the short-haired athlete as he did so. "All I can say is that the man is an admitted rapist and sexual predator. One can only imagine the type of people he runs into at night."

The bastard smiled as the camera once again flashed. As the lawyer spoke, a black car had driven up to him, a young man who Gozoboro could swear he recognized somewhere got out of it, motioning for the girls to get in.

Shit, was that the teacher his son was talking about? The one who was getting too close to finding out what was happening at the school? Was he the one who hired the blind man?

The lawyer motioned for his clients towards the waiting car. The former teacher almost fell over himself as he shook the blind man's hand, tears in his eyes as he made yet another scene. Each girl gave the man a tearful hug, each of them looking hesitant to break the hold on the man. The one girl, the one his son had blackmailed, even going so far as to kiss the man on the cheek before they entered the vehicle. The vultures filming the scene loveed every second of it. Another planned photo-op, obviously, as the car drove off soon after.

"Those whores" Gozoboro Kurihara said to himself, his pulse rising the more he thought about those women who were arrogant enough to try and fight back against him.

"Sir?" one of his lawyers spoke, the small man's voice wavering slightly as he waited for Gozoboro to enter the open door of the limo.

"I want a new girl brought to my office tonight."Gozoboro said to his lawyer, using the fact that the cameras were no longer on him at the moment." No more excuses. I need to work through this stress before I can think straight enough to fix this mess."

He had been on his best behavior since the court case had started. His team of lawyers was adamant on that much. He couldn't have another potential allegation to turn his fortunes around, not that it amounted to much anyway.

"Sir, are you out of your mind!?" the little man said, whipping the sweat off his brow with a handkerchief." You're lucky enough not to be facing criminal charges, and you want..."

"I don't believe I asked for your opinion." Gozoboro whispered, turning away from the crowd as he did so." I want it done, and I want it done quietly. Do you understand me?"

Movement caught his eye, and before Gozoboro could do anything, the blind lawyer had started to make his way towards him. The gaggle of journalists and reporters following closely behind him like lost puppies.

The man was tall and had an athletic build. It was one of the first things Gozoboro noticed about him the first time he met the man. The man looked as built as any one of Gozoboro bodyguards, a far cry from his own legal team members.

A voice in the back of his head told him to watch his words to a man like that. But he chose to ignore it. What could a blind man do to him anyway?

"Come to gloat about your victory, gaijin?" Gozoboro said distastefully, taking a step forward to get closer to the man's face. "I'll have you know my lawyers plan on appealing the court's decision as soon as possible. This isn't over, I promise you that!"

"Gaijin?" The man said simply, playing up to the cameras he must know had followed him. "No need to throw insults, . But then again, that is the least of what you and your family have been accused of."

Gozoboro greeted his teeth, wanting nothing more than to strike the man for that. But, of course, no one spoke to him like that and got away with it.

"But I'd assume nothing less than an appeal. "The man smiled, leaning slightly forward against the stick in his hands." I guess I'll have a busy night ahead of me then."

Gozoboro stared hard at the younger man. Of course, if he had his way, the gaijin would find his way into having an "accident" by the end of the night. But he forced himself to breathe, stopping himself from committing to such action so quickly after his public loss.

He'd be the prime suspect of anything were to happen to the foreigner or the women he represented, so they were safe for now at least. There was no room for mistakes when dealing with the man before him when the time came.

"If you excuse me, Murdock–san," The older man spat out the name as he turned to enter into his limo." But I must be off. I have much to do before the night ends."

"I hope you have a good night." The blind man said, that smug smile he wore when the judge announced the verdict plastered on his face." It would be a shame if something happened to you to affect your appeal negatively."

Gozoboro paused as he stared at the man with what he hoped was an unreadable expression. What was he implying? Did he hear what he had said earlier? No, that was impossible. Was this a tactic in hopes to get him to say something incriminating?

That must be it.

The bastard was wearing a wire, trying to get him angry enough to say something that he could use to fight against the appeal. There was no other explanation.

"I'll have you know, I resent whatever implication you're trying to make. I've fought against this attack on my character long enough, and I will not stand for it any longer." The businessman said, ignoring the pointed looks from his own legal team and the wall of cameras filming the altercation." I have done nothing I have been accused of! My son is innocent of these crimes! And has been mistreated by this court on the lies of his classmates! I will not stand by and let my family name be dragged through the mud by baseless lies!"

The blind lawyer did nothing but smile, and for some odd reason, Gozoboro couldn't help but feel a chill run up his spine. For a split moment in time, Gozoboro could almost swear the man before was looking straight through him.

"You have yourself a good night," the blind man said evenly, but something seemed to click in the man's features. Like a switch had been flipped. "I expect to see you again in the future."

---

-Later that night-

Matthew Murdock felt he was preoccupied as of late.

Thoughts of right and wrong, of good and evil, swirled through his mind like a raging storm. Yet, he knew deep down what he was doing was right.

The letter of the Law disagreed with him. But he had learned a long time ago that there was a part of him that just didn't care. It was that part of him that was the one in control at the moment.

Ever since he was brought to this city, this strange world like his own, he could feel his anger steadily increase.

He wasn't an angry person. On the contrary, he liked to think that whatever anger he felt doing what he did was justified.

But this city felt different. This world felt different.

The night was cold and dark. It was the type of night that kept most people indoors. The city streets below him were bare and empty. Whatever late-night crowd that existed in the city was as far away from the Kurihara family compound as they could be.

Like prey instinctively avoiding the den of a predator.

Matthew knew that this was where Kurihara felt the most comfortable, where he held the most power. This was where he always took his victims first, where he was in complete control.

He was where his son learned all his tricks, after all.

Matt stilled his heartbeat as he took a deep breath of the cold winter air into his lungs as he waited for Kurihara and his men to arrive.

He cracked his knuckles against the reinforced gauntlets, the sound echoing and sending vibrations all around the room. He had been here before, many times, in fact, but he still couldn't get the heavy feeling off his chest.

He could smell the evil that lingered on these walls.

Kurihara had raped dozens of young women over the years and had used not only his personal fortune and influence but the influence of his company to either threaten his victims into silence. Or, worse still, keep them as literal slaves to use whenever the mood struck him.

The girls Matt had been hired to represent were just the tip of the iceberg.

Matt Murdock, the lawyer, had played his part in the Kurihara family's downfall. The legal defeat had already rocked the foundations of whatever influence Kurihara had over the city and the women he terrorized. So now it was time for the devil to get his pound of flesh.

The sound of footsteps filled the hallway leading to the patriarchs' private office.

There were six of them in total. Kurihara with his heavy breathing from years of heavy smoking. Four younger and more fit bodyguards to do most of the heavy lifting for their boss, and one terrified young woman straining against whatever was holding her down.

The sound of high heels scratching against the floor in struggle, The smell of blood and sake filling his nostrils. Kurihara had decided to drink away the humiliation he suffered in court and found a new victim in the waitress that served him.

Like every other time, Kurihara simply took what he wanted whenever the moment arose.

The door slammed open. One of the four bodyguards, the one who was breathing the heaviest of the four, threw the tied and gaged woman to the floor. The other men circled around her like salivating dogs as Kurihara took his place at the head of the group.

He took a puff from his cigar, the smell of Cuban smoke assaulting Matt's nose as he took position behind the group.

Matt gripped the baton in his hand and took aim. He knew from his position he would have to throw at the right angle to hit the target where he wanted. Thankfully the woman was still on the ground.

"I want to hear you beg for it." the man said, flicking the ash of his cigar into the frightened girl's hair, her jolt of fear enough to distract the men just a bit longer." You say it convincingly, and I might let you go home."

Matt moved before anyone could do anything else. He needed to ensure the boss couldn't run away before anything else.

The baton thrown at the man's face was enough to accomplice that, the blow shattering his nose and dropping him hard to the ground. But, of course, people reacted to pain differently. Still, if Matt knew one thing, it was that men like Kurihara often froze in situations like this. Bullies and those who hurt those who couldn't protect themselves didn't know how to react when someone Faught back.

The largest of the bodyguards had to be next. Matt moved closer to the group ducking a left hook and sidestepping a tackle attempt as he did so. The man was large, four inches taller than he was, and had 50 pounds of weight on him. But the man was slow and had the misfortune of having a recently broken hand that just didn't heal correctly.

Matt changed levels, connecting a solid elbow to the side of the man's head while he did so. The man who had tried tackling him was back on his feet now, as he tried again only to be met with the fist of the giant man whose blow Matt had deflected. Matt grabbed the man's overextended arm, contorting it and throwing the man off his feet with a hip toss.

*Crack*

The man's scream was enough for Matt to know the man was momentarily out of it. A simple stomp with a person's full weight to another person's hand was not something most martial arts taught, but Matt had learned it was effective in its own simple way.

Matt swept another man's leg, dropping him to the ground with a thud before he grabbed the first limb he could reach. The recently healed hairline fracture from a motorcycle accident shattered into a full-blown break as Matt jerked and bent the leg in ways God didn't design humans to bend.

The scream was enough of a clue to allow Matt to dodge a wild haymaker from his right. Muscle memory forced his body to lower his stance and deliver a right cross to the man's exposed ribs. The first blow stunned the assailant. The second blow was enough to make the man try to escape. The last impact, a vicious hook, was enough to snap the rib entirely.

He snaked his arm around the wailing man's neck, lifting the man slightly off his feet into a guillotine choke. Then, he repositioned the man's body to block an upcoming front kick thrown at him from his right. Unfortunately for the man in Matt's grip, his newest attacker only succeeding at hitting the kidneys of his already wounded compatriot and breaking his ribs even further than they were already.

The split second of confusion was all Matt needed to take advantage of. First, a right cross into a hook, ducking behind a desperate uppercut, before securing a Maui Thai plum around the man's neck. Matt thought of himself as a good person, at least some of the time. But as he pulled the man's head down onto his rising knee strike, he could feel the vibrations of a newly broken jaw and shattered teeth filing his ear. The smile on his face was almost enough to make him rethink that thought.

*Click*

The smile left his face when he heard it.

A gun chamber, a small nine-millimeter handgun with a full clip, was cocked to his left. It was held by the big man he had thought he had taken care of, a rookie mistake, but one easily remedied.

The uneasy aim of the firearm meant the bodyguard was concussed, or at the very least, his vision was blurred, which meant Matt had just enough time to finish what he had started.

Matt dropped his hand to the floor, picking up the baton he had thrown to break open Kurihara's face a moment ago. Let's see if he could still throw faster than a gun.

Matt heard the baton whizz through the air and smiled as he listened to the sound of a grunt of pain and metal skidding against the floor. He'd make sure this one wouldn't get back up.

Matt blocked the man's jab, countering with a cross to his left cheek, staggering the larger man backward. Matt blocked the wild haymaker with an elbow, rolling his shoulders just like his father taught him all those years ago in his old boxing gym. Then, he delivered a vicious body shot to the man's liver in the same motion. In a last-ditch effort, the man threw a wild left, one that Matt was pretty sure even an ordinary blind man could dodge. The already beaten man only received another cross to his jaw for his trouble, fully dislocating the jaw from the rest of his skull.

He finished with a powerful kick to the man's solar plexus. The blow was enough to finish whatever fight was left in the large man as he was left sprawled onto the floor. Four bones in his left hand were broken. Jaw fractured, three ribs cracked, two broken. Concussion. Diaphram seizing up.

He'd recover in a couple of months, physically anyway.

Matt stretched his neck as he turned to the panicked and frightened breathing of the man he had come to pay a visit to. He had warned the man to not try anything tonight, but men like Kurihara simply did what they wanted to do.

Not anymore, Matt thought to himself, not while he was around.

"Please! Oh god, Please!" the man said, his panic almost making Matt's ear hurt as he spoke." I'll do anything you want, just please don't hurt me."

"I wanna hear you beg," Matt said, reusing the words the man used before Matt had made his presence known.

"W-what?" the older man stuttered, his eyes wide in fear and shock as Matt came closer to him." I-I don't..."

"That's what you said to the girl, right?" Matt said, leering over the downed man as he crawled against the wall, the blood from his broken nose dripping onto his once pristine suit." You asked her to beg for you, and you'd let her go, right?"

Matt could tell the young woman had left her hiding spot to stare at him now, but he didn't take his eyes off of the man who had made the lives of countless women across this city a living hell.

"You were going to let her go, right?" Matt asked, already knowing the answer as the cornered rapist stared up at him." Tell me the truth, and I'll let you go."

"I was..."

"Wrong answer." The devil of Hells Kitchen answered back, his hands balling into fists as he turned to look at the frightened woman as she moved her head out of her hiding spot." Close your eyes."

When the first blow landed, Matt could feel a release overcome him. Like an itch, he had let fester under his skin since he arrived at this strange city, finally being scratched.

The dull thud of his punch breaking the orbital bone made him think of Mizugi, the poor girl who let herself be violated to save her friends from this piece of garbages spawn. He wrapped his hand around the rapist's neck to get better leverage as he drove an elbow into the side of his head. That was for Mako, the athlete who could now follow her Olympic dreams without having to look over her shoulder.

Gozoboros pleas of mercy turned into screams of pain as each blow was rained down on him.

A hook to the temple was enough to throw the man to the ground, his face making a wet thud. Matt pictured the face of Tomoka, the timid girl who had broken into tears the first time he met her. The girl was finally able to sleep at night, knowing those who harmed her were punished.

He thought of the countless others who were too afraid to come forward because of who their attacker was. Or those who were too embarrassed or ashamed to admit what happened to them.

Matt gripped the man's neck, holding the now unconscious man upright as he clocked back his fist before pausing. He left the last blow linger in the air as he listened to the man's heartbeat and ragged breathing. The man would live, but the man would have trouble eating anything solid for the next couple of months. The thought of snuffing the piece of garbage out had crossed his mind more than once as he rained down blow after blow, but he knew there were victims out there that deserved his life more than whatever anger Matt held did.

He let him go, the pile of meat that once looked like a man sliding down to the floor into a puddle of his own blood.

Matt took a deep breath, letting the winter air cool the fire in his lungs, as he turned to where the man's would-be victim had run and hidden after he had arrived. Of course, he didn't need to turn his head to see her, but he knew from experience that people reacted better when they thought he was just an ordinary man.

"You okay?" his voice came out in a growl despite his best efforts to sound somewhat normal. There must have been more adrenaline in his system than he thought." I'm not gonna hurt you."

The girl moved out from under the overturned table, her heartbeat bouncing off the walls giving Matt a clear image of her tear-stained face. Her breath was more controlled now but still not enough for Matt to feel comfortable leaving.

"Thank you, but..." the young woman said, the sound of her high heels telling matt she was walking towards him." Who are you?"

Matt didn't answer, already taking a step away to ensure the girl didn't get a good look at him. He would need to remain anonymous for later that night.

"Call the police." Matt said gently, at least more gently than he did before." Tell them what happened."

"But.."

"Call them right now, "Matt said as he bent down to rifle through the pocket of one of the unconscious men. Then, grabbing his phone and tossing it to the confused girl. "Tell them you want to speak with your lawyer before you give a statement."

"But I don't have a lawyer..."

"Just do it, okay?" Matt said, feeling the confusion in her voice overcome the fear she spoke with a moment before." Trust me."

He turned to leave before she nodded her head, but he could hear the sound of the operator asking for her location before he got to the door. He could hear the sirens of the approaching police and ambulances as soon as he got outside.

Matt surveyed the scene of chaos for a brief moment, smiling to himself as he heard the groaning of the beaten men fill his ears once again. He warned Kurihara to keep his nose out of trouble. Now his sons' appeal would likely be discarded simply out of principle. But Matt figured the businessman would have more important things to worry about now.

Kidnapping AND attempted assault? With the victim found in his own office in his own home at such a late hour? There would be no time to cover their tracks. For all intents and purposes, the man was dead to rights.

Throw in conspiracy charges, and the man would be behind bars for a long time, regardless of how much money he had. He and his son might even be cellmates in prison.

Speaking of which.

Matt followed the sound of the ambulance that he heard the girl get in, picking up the duffle bag his suit and walking stick was in while he did so. He would have to look his best to meet his newest client, after all.

She was going to file a substantial civil case tomorrow morning.

---

The Law offices of Murdock and associates

*Are you a victim intimidated by their assailant? Are you afraid the justice system can't help you get the justice you deserve? Are you afraid you have no one to turn to in your darkest hour? I'm Matthew Murdock, Attorney at Law, and I'm here to get you justice. One way or another.*

---

So funny story, I was set to post this on Saturday but I got distracted overplaying Psychonauts 2 and completely forgot to do it. Whoops.

the hentai I used for the Omake is a series of doujin by Carn called NNN. I kind of want to do another Daredevil Omake where Matt Murdock just demolishes someone in court but I down know enough legal jargon to make that interesting enough to read, so I'll come back to that at a later date.

Follow me on my Twitter at WhoLetThisGuyOn? ( dinthemorning) / Twitter. I don't tweet much but I'm more likely to see a DM there than I am on this site, so if you want to talk to me about something, there's that. If you like this, leave a review, favorite, and follow. Check out my other stories if you're new. Your attention is the only thing that gets me up in the morning besides the need to feed myself through the meat grinder that is our capitalist society

Breakthrough our chains comrades and take control of the means for production. or whatever you crazy kids are saying nowadays.