Chapter 25
Royal Scandal
"Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?" A distant voice was heard, almost muffled."Remember that once you go through with this, there will be no way back. And there is a chance that you will never be at peace."
"If it means I can save Amber and provide for my family...I'll gladly do it."
'That voice...is that me?' Raiden found himself floating in a void upside down.
"It seems that you have great perseverance, as expected. You'll do anything for those you love. You'll continue to strive forth and make way to change."
"I'll do anything."
Raiden then covered his eyes as an intense light suddenly lit up the void. He was outside of the now burning house Bloody Mary had been waiting for him. He saw the two corpses he saw in the closet on the floor, burnt beyond recognition.
"I'll do anything."
'No...I...'
"Isn't it obvious?" Mary peaked out the window in her monstrous form.."You are just like me. You'd do anything to get what you want. Even ruin other people's lives."
Raiden took a step back but felt something behind him. When he turned around, he was met with a horrible sight. Chris was standing in front of her, her hair covering her eyes as she pointed at him."My Mommy and Daddy...they're gone...why, sir? Why did you kill them?"
"I didn't!" Raiden grabbed his head."I didn't mean for this to happen! I just...I just needed to know more..."
Chris's body began disappearing, getting further and further from Raiden as he began trying to catch her."Chris!"
"You are just like me." He was suddenly being choked by Mary as she easily lifted him."Don't be shy. Take what you want from this world. Because that's what people with a reason do, isn't it?!"
Raiden screamed, his eyes jolting open as his body sat up on its own.
"KYAAA!"
It took him a few seconds to realize what was going on while trying to calm his breathing.'Another nightmare...I'm okay...I'm okay...'
"You asshole..."
Raiden examined the room he was in, realizing he was in a hospital."What happened?"
"That's quite the way to wake up."
Raiden finally turned to the side, meeting gaze with Caroline who was helping Karina up back on the chair she was sitting on moments prior."You guys..."
"You nearly gave Karina a heart attack just now!" Karina jabbed her thumb at him."I was watching over you and this is how you repay me?"
"Calm down, Karina." Caroline rubbed her shoulders in an attempt to calm her down."He just woke up from a bad nightmare. Give him so space."
Raiden breathed in relief, removing the sheets off his body and noticing his torso and arms had been covered in bandages."This-"
"Don't worry. I'm the one who removed your shirt and patched you up." Caroline cut him off."No one else came into the room while I did that. So there's no reason for you to be worried about it."
"I see..." Raiden sighed in relief for the second time, his arm covering his eyes."What happened? Where's everybody else? How did we get here?"
"You don't remember? What, did blood loss make you dumber or something, Big Bro Raiden?" Karina teased him, snickering"Well, you passed out after that freak nearly killed you and I had to take you and your friend here."
"He's okay. Minor injuries and a concussion but nothing I couldn't fix with my magic." Caroline assured him."You got lucky. Seems like that woman wasn't holding her punches against you. But she also didn't outright kill you."
"Yeah..."
"Which could have been prevented if-"
"Not here." Caroline shot Karina a glare."Besides, what's done is done. And in a situation like that, I think he didn't have many choices."
"Stop defending him, damn it." Karina stomped her feet."I had to risk my life to save him and I could have died too."
"And yet you listened to him." Caroline folded her arms under her chest."You maintained a clear mind and assessed the situation accordingly. For someone with an explosive temper like yours, you did well."
"Yeah, well I would have done better if I didn't have to worry about blowing these two dummies up along with the enemy." Karina pouted."This is why I can't function well in teams. My skillset doesn't put me at the liberty of holding back for the sake of the idiots teamed up with me. My art requires space and for me to go all out. If I have to worry about someone losing a limb, then my art will be half-assed!"
Caroline shook her head in exasperation."What's up with the youth nowadays? Why can't they be more honest? Anyway, Raiden?"
Hearing his name broke Raiden from his trance."What? Sorry, I spaced out for a second there."
"I was going to tell you that Chris is okay. Thanks to your quick thinking, not a lot of smoke was inhaled and she wasn't burnt. Her mental state, however, it's another story. She's sleeping right now, but when she was awake, she really wanted to see you."
Raiden clenched his fists at that, remembering his nightmare and Mary's words.
"Poor thing doesn't know what happened. Her mom suddenly barged into her room while she was sleeping and hid her under the bed while Mary killed her dad. I would ask you for your story, but your Captain will take care of that."
"Wait, what? Captain Yami is coming?"
"To pick up Abel. Apparently, there's a very important mission tod-"
Karina stifled a laugh covering her hands."Never mind me!"
"...as I was saying." Caroline rolled her eyes."You are not in any condition to go on a mission. At least for a day. Not to mention they'll want your testimony and to provide any useful information you may have on the Order of the First. That's why Karina stayed. Since Abel was with me from when we met up at his orphanage, the Garden of Eden, I'll be the one to tell the story from his side up to when we all met up. Captain Yami really needs him and he wasn't badly injured, so. At least take solace that you're taking the day off."
"Yeah...thanks, Caroline." Raiden trailed off, his head sinking into his pillow.
"No need. It's just my job." She waved it off before turning serious."But you need to be careful from now on. You can't just barge in headfirst into danger and expect things to go well."
"I know, I know-"
"I'm serious, Raiden." Caroline grabbed his hand, squeezing it and making him flinch."Your life is not just yours. If you die, I'm sure people would be distraught and sad. They wouldn't want to see you dead."
Raiden took a long, deep breath."I know...I know..."
"So he says, but look at the shit show he got himself into because he got impatient." Karina voiced her opinion."Why do people think he's reliable in any way? He's a narrow-minded buffoon that can only think of one thing at a time."
"I'm sure he wasn't thinking straight, but then again, who is?" Caroline tried to defuse the situation.
"Stop defending him. Geez, you're like his mom or something." The short girl huffed in annoyance."I don't know how you two seem so happy in your current positions. Like it's natural. It's not. And I'm fed up with this. I just want this to be over with. How long will this take..."
"Hey, listen." Raiden sat up, wincing as his wounds started acting up. Caroline tried to get up to lay back down again but he rose his hand."I know how you feel. Trust me, I do. But...it will take time for things to get better. But no matter how long it takes, we have to continue living our lives. Because if we don't...if we just keep worrying in the back of our minds, we will never be at peace."
"Ha. Are you hearing yourself?" Karina scoffed."I don't want to hear that from you. You are the one with the strongest conviction, no? And besides, you certainly can't be relaxing and pretending everything is good when you have a deadline."
"Yeah, I know. But worrying about that isn't going to make things better."
"And you pretend to just be nice and play fair? What if you forget your reason?"
"I will never." Raiden stated with resolution."I won't back down. After coming this far...I don't care what I have to do, I'll see this through the end."
Karina eyed him from top to bottom."Okay. I'll take your word for it now. But next time..."
"Yeah, I know." Raiden chuckled."You can go wild if that's what you want."
"But make sure you don't overdo it either." Caroline darted her eyes towards her."The last thing I need is for you to come here because you blew yourself up."
"I would never!" Karina gasped, looking quite offended before sticking her tongue out."Well, maybe I would do it. But only if it has meaning."
The trio changed a few chuckles at her comment before Raiden cleared his throat."I think...we should talk about what we saw before we are interrogated."
"Was that a demon?" Karina asked Raiden with Caroline looking bewildered."That psycho used some sort of magic to change her form. Her magic and powers changed, not just her appearance. It has to be some kind of devil magic."
"I'm not sure. It didn't feel quite like it." Raiden commented, not convinced."She said something about Alternate, as I said."
"I'm still confused." Caroline narrowed her eyes."What exactly happened after I left with Chris and Fragil?"
"Well...we kept fighting and got our butts handed to us. Karina figured out how Mary kept invoking clones. Turns out she can use any mirror around her to do so. Which is why she blew up the house and supposedly her as well. But she somehow survived and transformed into that thing. She looked like something straight out of a nightmare." Raiden shivered at the thought."Not only did her strength increase, but also her speed. But...it didn't feel like devil mana. It was close but...different, you know?"
Caroline nodded at his words."All things considered...I think we can't be too hasty and come to a conclusion until there's more information available to us. Information is key, after all."
"Agreed." Karina nodded, staring at the ceiling."Guess it's back to waiting. Oh, man. I really wish I could eat marshmallows right now. Maybe with some chocolate, heat them up, and boom. Can't wait t get out of here."
"Right." Raiden nodded absentmindedly.
"I should probably go to the lobby. I have to relay your condition to your Captain, Raiden, so he can excuse you from that mission today. Watch over him, Karina."
"Sure. As long as he doesn't start screaming randomly again." Karina sneered, watching as the young nurse exited the room."So...are you going to go see that kid we saved or what?"
"I...it's better if I don't." Raiden frowned, covering his body up to his mouth with his sheets.
"You sure? That kid was crying for you. You're her savior, after all." Karina stood up, sitting on the bed and crossing her legs."What, you feel responsible for what happened to her parents? Come on, you can't be that bothered by it."
"She's just an innocent kid. She had nothing to do with this and yet...because I fell into Mary's trap, I ruined her life."
"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that phrase." Karina yawned, seemingly bored."Not everyone can be happy. Sometimes someone's actions make others upset. But if you're doing it for a good reason, should you really be concerned?"
"I guess not." Raiden pinched the edge of his nose."For a good cause...it's fine to take as many prisoners as possible...But I don't like it."
"Yeah, I guess I don't either." Karina shrugged."But the world isn't fair and this is what everyone does. You can't expect to get what you want, that's why you have to go out there yourself and get your hands dirty."
"Yeah. You're right." Raiden hummed to himself."So, uh-"
"Stop talking. Karina wants to nap." The young explosive user laying on the bed and nearly kicked Raiden off it, much to his chagrin.
Meanwhile, Abel and Fragil were waiting in the lobby for any news.
"I hope they're okay." Fragil was deflated, concern all over her face.
"Don't worry about it. Raiden is too stubborn and resilient. I know he'll be fine." Abel smiled with confidence."As for your friend...well, she's even more stubborn than he is and prideful. We just have to be patient."
"You're right." Fragil nodded, her mind thinking of what Karina could be doing right now."What about you? Are you sure you're not injured?"
"I'm fit as a fiddle!" Abel flexed his bicep."Just a few bruises and a concussion but I'm all good now. I'm telling you that Ms. Valenstein is a miracle worker."
Fragil couldn't help but smile at his demeanor."You seem to be in good spirits despite everything that's happened."
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared back then." Abel leaned back on his chair."But everyone was in danger and I had to act. Besides, Karina and Raiden were fighting so fiercely...I think I was getting in their way most of the time."
"I'm not sure about this Raiden, but I know Karina can be a bit too overwhelming. Don't feel like you didn't do just as much as them. Look at me. I didn't fight, but I'm glad I could contribute by getting Caroline and the little girl to safety."
Abel seemed to relax with those words."So we all contribute but in our own ways, huh. Sounds about right."
"Yo, Abel."
Abel and Fragil turned to where the voice came from, and the young man was startled to see their Captain with a no so friendly scowl on his face."C-Captain Yami!"
Yami grabbed him by the skull and lifted him in the air."What the hell were you guys thinking causing this much trouble? Not only did you sneak out of the base and never came back but then I find out you and Raiden were mixed up in this?"
"I can explain!" Abel cried out, feeling his head being squeezed."I went to the orphanage to visit everyone and ask Sister Rika for advice! But Ms. Valenstein was there checking up on the kids and by the time she was finished, it was already dark so I offered to escort her back to her station. But then we saw smoke in the distance and we rushed in to help and well...everything went down."
"He's right, sir." Fragil stood up, sticking up for Abel."My squadmate and I also saw the smoke from a distance. We figured it would be a Magic Knight's job to make sure no one was hurt. We never imagined it would end up this way."
Yami pondered over their words before sighing."Yeah, I know. The nurse told me everything."
"Huh?" Abel was dropped on the floor abruptly, landing on his rear."Ouch...then what was that for?"
"Just for fun." Yami placed his hands on his hips."Well, you seem okay. Good. Meet Finral outside and get ready. Since Raiden won't be able to come, I'm appointing you and Asta for the very important mission I mentioned."
"Mission? Oh, right! You got it, sir." Abel saluted before rushing off."Give Raiden my regards!"
"That kid..." Yami groaned in exasperation, glancing over his shoulder."Rill should be here sometime soon. Once he's here he'll ask you to report everything that happened. In the meantime, I'll go talk to Raiden. Knowing him, he'll know the most."
"Are they back yet?" Magna asked as he was laying on the couch lazily.
"No, not yet." Vanessa sat on the edge, biting on her thumbnail."I just hope nothing bad happened to either of them. From what the Captain said, something big happened."
"I wonder what." Luck had a puzzled expression on his face."Maybe they both fought a really strong opponent and got injured!"
Gauche glared at him."Don't sound so excited. Also, that's not likely. Remember Abel went to visit his family and Raiden went to...where did he go again?"
"Who knows where he went, but why did he have to do it today?" Noelle huffed in annoyance."Seriously, he knew about the mission today, and yet he went to get himself in trouble."
"Come on, Noelle, maybe it was unavoidable." Asta shrugged nonchalantly.
"You only say that because you're going on the mission regardless, Dorksta." Noelle folded her arms under her chest."It's not like I want to go, but it must be such an experience to meet the prince of another kingdom."
"Hmmm...I wonder what the prince is like." Charmy wondered, closing her eyes."Maybe he's really handsome and charming. No wonder you want to meet him, Noelle."
"Or maybe he's a condescending jerk." Magna said, earning a few stares in return."What? Most nobles and royalty are big jerks anyway."
Noelle cleared her throat, not taking his remark kindly."How dare you speak of royalty like that? You should show some respect, you worm."
"Case in point."
"Regardless of how he is, the point of this mission is to extract information." Vanessa said, breaking up the fight."If he's really a jerk, all you have to do is feed into his ego."
"I know Raiden can do a few mind games, but I don't have high hopes on Asta," Gauche stated with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Hey! That's not fair! I won't do that, but I know I could probably get a conversation with him!" Asta shot back.
Before they could argue any further, a portal opened up with Finral and Abel coming out of it. Everyone rushed to their side, immediately bombarding Abel with questions.
"Guys, please, he just got out of the hospital." Finral got in front of Abel and the others."Give him some room. It's bad enough that Yami is sending him on the mission with Asta."
"Ah, come on!" Why can't they send me?!" Magna grabbed his hair, pulling it in frustration.
"Aw, man. I was hoping I could go." Luck deflated, but his smile didn't waver."I bet the prince of the Ace kingdom is really strong. I would have loved to fight him."
"Which is exactly why you can't go. You'd ruin the whole plan." Finral sweatdropped, but his comment didn't seem to bother him.
"Guys, I think you're missing what's really important right now." Noelle walked up to Abel, inspecting him."Well, you look okay to me. What happened?"
"And you said he's going instead of Raiden?" Vanessa frowned, worried about her friend."Did something happen to him?"
Abel proceeded to tell them everything that happened from his perspective. From going to visit his orphanage to accompanying Caroline to helping Raiden against Mary.
"Holy shit. You guys really fought one of the Order of the First!" Magna exclaimed, ecstatic."How the hell did you even survive?"
"That's the scary lady that was in that cave." Asta turned to Gauche, who was deep in thought."We couldn't put a scratch on her."
"Why the hell was Raiden even helping her in the first place?" Gauche furrowed his brow."How did he not realize it was a trap?"
"I mean, I'm sure the last thing on his mind was for that butcher lady to be one of the Children of Sceva." Vanessa pointed out."I just never thought those people were among regular citizens."
"So they go around doing their rituals and killing people and eating them..." Noelle covered her mouth."How horrible..."
"If she wasn't strong enough before, she can even transform." Gauche reminded them of what Abel had said."It's clear she's not human. Whatever she is, I wonder if her comrades are capable of transforming as well."
"Just thinking about how you describe her makes me not want to see the others." Charmy shivered at the thought."I can't imagine anyone just having glass sticking out of their bodies and using it as a weapon."
"So they're actually monsters. Great." Magna surmised, a hand on his hip.
"And by the looks of things that Mary lady took an interest in Raiden." Finral continued."I hope this doesn't mean we'll be targeted by them."
"We know the Eye of the Midnight sun is actively searching for the magic stones, but we don't know what the Order of the First want." Asta said, earning their attention."It would be easier to deal with them if we knew their objective, but they are so unpredictable, it's hard to keep up."
"They said they want to bring the world to its ultimate destruction or whatever." Gauche added on."But still, that doesn't give us much to go off on."
"Maybe Raiden has some info that can help us." Abel offered with a shrug."He stayed behind to talk with the Captain about it. And he was there longer than any of us, so if anyone is well informed, it's him."
"Wait, by "us", you mean you and that nurse?"
"And two girls from the Aqua Deer. Fragil and Karina."
Magna ran a hand through his hair, visibly cringing."Not that girl...I'm surprised you're not missing a limb. She's crazy about her explosions and her dumb art."
"Well, she did almost hurt us on some occasions..." Abel admitted."But I don't blame her. Someone that uses explosions would have a hard time fighting with a team. And it was a pretty close-up fight."
"You're too nice for your own good." Noelle shot him a disapproving glare."But I can't be mad at you for that. I'm just glad you're okay. But shouldn't you guys get going already?"
"Oh, right! We have to meet up with the guys from the Golden Dawn before we go pick up the prince!" Asta cried out in realization."Finral, if you would?"
"Got it ready right here." Finral stepped aside, beckoning them to approach the portal he created."We're counting on you guys. I know you'll do a great job."
"You got it." Abel nodded solemnly, turning to Asta."Let's do our best, Asta."
"You bet! Let's not keep them waiting!"
Both Black Bulls went through the portal, immediately being transported to the entrance of the Golden Dawn base.
"This place is huge..." Asta marbled, his eyes scanning the place.
"No kidding." Abel nodded in agreement.
"About time you showed up."
Yuno and Cain approached the duo, carrying their brooms in their hands. The older twin tensed upon seeing his brother, causing the younger one to lower his gaze."I thought Raiden Zareth was going to be coming with us."
"Uh...about that." Asta rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly."There was a bit of an accident. He and Abel ran into one of the Order of the First and he got wounded."
"Nothing too serious." Abel quickly elaborated."He just couldn't make it to the mission. So I was called in instead since I suffered minor injuries. I'm sorry...I should have been more sensitive. I can go ask someone else to see if they want to switch with me."
"That's fine." Cain closed his eyes."Don't worry about it. We're already here anyway."
"Whatever the case, you sure took your sweet time to get here." Yuno said, crossing his arms."Here we thought you chickened out. Good to see that wasn't the case."
"No way we're backing down from a mission like this." Asta shook his head."Besides, if I can become friends with the Ace Prince now, our relationship could be even better when I become the Wizard King."
"Yeah, no. I'm the one who will become his friend and become the Wizard King."
"Guys, we're wasting time." Cain cut them off, stopping them from continuing their banter."We should get going."
"And exactly where are we going?" Abel tilted his head as they boarded their brooms. Since Asta had no magic, Abel had to make some space for the Magicless mage and carry him.
"The borders of Raque. What separates the Ace Kingdom and our kingdom is the vast sea." Cain informed them, taking a look at the paper in his hand."There's a specific checkpoint in this map in which the Prince will land and wait for us, far from the tourists and citizens."
"Makes sense. We wouldn't want to attract unnecessary attention." Yuno nodded in earnest."Especially with the Order of the First and the Eye of the Midnight Sun lurking around."
"Oh yeah." Abel whispered to Asta."That's where we're going tomorrow right? For that mission the Captain mentioned."
"Yeah. Sounds about right." Asta responded before raising his voice."Still, I can't believe I will finally see the beach. I've only heard of it in books."
"Right? Kinda wish we could enjoy the beach for a minute."
"Just like children." Yuno deadpanned as he saw the two Black Bulls fantasize about the beach.
"But then again, it's a natural reaction." Cain could only shrug, uninterested."I've never been to a beach myself. Plus, it doesn't sound appealing to me to be surrounded by salt water. I heard it's nasty."
"I guess it does." Yuno scratched his chin."But it must be a great place to have fun. I know the kids back home would love it."
"Same here." Cain found himself smiling slightly."I guess we're not so different. We both come from orphanages. The difference is, you still keep them in your mind and love them. I, on the other hand, ran away from everything. Including Abel."
"I'm surprised you're telling me this."
"Hmm?"
Yuno gave him an incredulous look."I thought you didn't like me. Wasn't that the case?"
"I never said that." Cain narrowed his eyes at him."I just don't really talk much. Not even amongst our peers."
"True. You seem more like an outcast, like Yudachi."
"Don't even compare me to that guy."
Behind them, Asta and Abel were trailing behind, invested in their conversation.
"So she just kept moving from mirror to mirror. It was insane!" Abel rose his hands, emphasizing his point."That's like completely different from what Gauche could do"
"Woah...she sounds incredibly tough." Asta was perplexed after listening to Abel's story."No wonder we couldn't beat her before. And she can transform too? But despite all that, you stood strong and fought without fear. You are amazing, Abel."
"Ah...It's nothing like that. Not even Raiden stood a chance either."
"Really? That's great!"
"Huh?"
"I mean, it's not great he got wounded." Asta clarified with a sheepish smile."But this is the first time he's gotten beat, right? I mean, besides our battle in the cave. Yuno fought Raiden and was close, but he ended up losing too. But with this...it's clear that there is a way to beat Raiden. And all we have to do is get strong enough to do it."
"I think that was pretty obvious." Abel sweatdropped but was refueled with energy by his enthusiasm."But I see your point. We know he's not invincible. We'll have to find a way. But I saw him creating wings, so now that's another thing he's got over us."
"If only we could find a way to fly too." Asta rubbed his chin."Maybe if you're own your broom. But I don't have magic, so I can't fly. Maybe your brother could do it."
"I'm not sure. He's an archer, so he would be at a disadvantage if Raiden ever came close to him."
Asta hummed in thought before he realized something."Are you and your brother talking again?"
"Wha-"
"Yeah! He was talking to you and everything!" Asta said with a big smile."I think that means he's okay with being around you. It's a good start. Which means we can include him and Yuno in our conversations!"
"Asta, please do-"
"Oi, Yuno, Cain!" Asta hollered at them, causing them to slow down to fly with them."I wanted to know if you guys think Cain could beat Raiden."
Cain and Yuno exchanged glances before the older twin responded."Why do you want to know?"
"Come on, let's be real here." Asta gave them a serious look."We've all been defeated by Raiden, except Cain."
"Way to rub salt on the wound." Yuno sighed in exasperation."I came the closest to beating him."
"I can't believe I missed that fight," Abel muttered, astonished that Yuno gave Raiden a hard time.
"Don't sweat it. You had your own battle." Asta patted him on the back.
"But my fight was during nighttime." Abel pointed out."And it seems that their fight was in the afternoon. I missed it because I want to ask Sister Rika for advice."
"Advice?" Asta rose his brows before exclaiming."Oh, right! You said you wanted to get Mariella to like you, right?"
Abel yelped, covering Aasta's mouth with his hand."Why do you have to phrase it like that?! And so loud!"
"Seems like your brother found himself a crush." Yuno sideglanced, addressing Cain, who remained emotionless."Don't you have any advice for him?"
"I'm not an overprotective brother." Cain brushed him off."What he does is his business. Not mine."
"Yeah, you're right." Yuno nodded, a small smile forming on his lips."I wonder if he's overprotective, though. You do have a crush of your own as well."
A ticked mark appeared on Cain's forehead, glaring daggers at Yuno who whistled, feigning innocence.
"Huh? Really? So it was true, Cain?" Abel blinked in surprise."Is it that Luna girl? I met her a while back and she seemed worried about you. I'm glad. She seems like a nice girl for you."
"It's nothing like that. We're just friends if anything." Cain scoffed, crossing his arms. His features softened slowly, glancing over his shoulder."This girl...do you like her?"
"W-well..." Abel chuckled awkwardly, his cheeks taking a shade of red."I guess I am attracted to her..."
"So honest." Yuno praised him, surprised he outright said it."I'd figured he'd be like you and deny it."
"I'm not denying anything." Cain shot him down, still talking to his brother."Well, if you feel like she's right for you, then I guess that's fine. I'm in no position to tell you what to do."
"You are my brother, though." Abel gave him a warm smile."And it would make me happy if you could meet her one day...after I'm able to make an advancement. So far, I've only talked to her once."
"You want me to...meet her?"
"Yeah, I mean, you are the older brother. I feel it's only right for you to give your blessing. Considering we're the only family we have. Blood-related, that is."
"Why? I've been treating you like dirt this whole time." Cain scowled, not sure why Abel was being nice to him."You should just...not want to be close to me."
"Of course, I could never do that." Abel said without missing a beat."I was...sad whenever you would say you didn't want me around. ANd how you left the orphanage without saying a word, but...we're family. And besides, you're also making an effort, right? You're not just continuing the mission with me here because you have to. I can tell."
Cain was shocked to hear his brother say those words. He recalled his time with Yudachi's parents. He turned to face Yuno, recalling how strong his bond with Asta is, despite them not being real brothers. And there was also Raiden and Johan.
"Regardless of how Yudachi sees us, we love him dearly. Family is what brings us joy and gives us a reason to move forward. It's not something that can be severed." He remembered what Yudachi's dad said. Upon his reflection, he glanced back to his brother, allowing himself a hint of a smile.
"Yeah. I guess I am. If you're willing to give me another chance to be a brother..."
"Of course!" Abel beamed, hands in the air and nearly causing Asta to fall."S-sorry! I was just so happy to hear him say that! I really wanted Cain to acknowledge me. But one day, I'll stand equally by your side, brother. I'll keep getting stronger and make that happen!"
"You don't have to do that..." Cain muttered under his breath, his attention once again focusing ahead.
"Aw, I'm glad they made up." Asta sighed in relief."Brothers shouldn't fight like that. They should be united and love each other. Isn't that right, Yuno?"
"Sure." Yuno had to admit, he was happy to see Cain in better spirits. Now that he thought about it, he did consider Asta a brother. It was funny how they were all so similar in this little group. All of them are orphans who don't know their parents and had each other growing up. And now, they were getting to know each other better.
"As for your earlier question, though, if Yuno couldn't beat him. Neither can I." Cain suddenly said, surprising the group.
"Huh? Really?" Asta tilted his head.
"It's not like you to say things like that." Yuno was baffled at his statement, but his expression didn't show it.
"Honestly, you and I aren't that far apart. You have way more mobility than I do and your spells have a wider range. I'm an archer. That guy likes to bring things close and personal and I'm not skilled enough in close quarters to confidently take him on. Not to mention, even if I do gain some distance, he has long-distance spells that could give me trouble, like he did to you."
"That's a bummer." Asta gave him a sad smile, shoulders slumped."Well, I guess we just have to keep training and growing stronger. I'll find a way to fly, just wait and see. And when I do, I'll fight him again!"
"And how are you going to fly when you have no magic?" Yuno bluntly pointed out.
"Uh..."
"Maybe we could have someone fly him on their broom?" Abel offered, immediately regretting his idea."Nah, never mind. It's a dumb idea."
"It could be possible to beat him without flying." Cain claimed, earning their full attention."Remember when Johan got pissed at him and beat the crap out of him?"
"Oh, right! Johan made him seem like he wasn't a big deal!" Asta smashed his fist against his palm."It's some kind of fighting style, I think. Maybe I'll try asking him. He did say it could benefit me. And since Raiden prefers to fight me on the ground up close, I should be able to land a hit!"
"Sounds like a plan to me. He won't know what hit him!" Abel fist-bumped with Asta, sharing a laugh.
"I guess we can't fall behind, can we?"
"It wouldn't be ideal of the older siblings to let the younger ones get all the fun and credit." Yuno mused with a smirk."Besides, I'll be the Wizard King, so I have to overcome this challenge first."
"Huh?! No way! I'll be the Wizard King! And who said you were the older one?!"
"I am taller than you."
"That doesn't mean anything! So unfair!"
"Guys, look down there." Cain prompted the others to stop in their tracks, glancing down below. An elegant and luxurious carriage was being moved by what looked to be white horses with black stripes. The carriage looked like something out of someone's wildest dreams. Decorated with various gems, bright colors, and a great paint job. What was the weirdest thing was the black liquid the carriage was leaving behind as it moved.
"That..." Yuno couldn't finish his train of thought as Cain dived down, forcing them to follow along. Once they were close to the ground, the Magic Knights jumped off their brooms, landing in front of the carriage.
"Hold it right there." Cain ordered, loud enough to be heard by the people inside."Are you..."
"What's going on?" They heard a male voice from inside the carriage."Are we being mugged? How fun."
"I'll go solve this matter, my Liege. I won't take long."
"Sure. Just remember to be careful. The folk here are rather unpredictable from what I heard."
The door to the carriage opened as a young woman jumped out into the outside. Despite already being tall, approximately 6'2 feet, she wore high-heel red combat boots that reached up to her knees along with a checker-colored skirt with a pink belt around her waist. She had a white blouse under her black blazer and a black tie. She had a feminine yet fierce face decorated with amethyst orbs and choppy, uneven-cut onyx black hair. To top off her appearance, she had a white beret on her head with the symbol of a pencil on it.
"Do not make another move, scoundrels." She directed, narrowing her eyes."You have some nerve to dare and rob his highness! Your arrogance will be your doom, and it will be handled by me, Elsa Garrison, Royal Knight of the Prince and protector of the throne!" She reached for her satchel, taking out her Grimoire elegantly along with a black pen decorated with gold markings."On guard!"
"Wait, Royal Knight? Prince?" Abel repeated her words."Wait, so they must be the Prince and his loyal knight! We found them!"
"Hold your horses." Cain wasn't convinced and had his Grimoire out."We were ordered to meet up with them at the docks. And yet, we find this strange carriage here. We have to confirm first their identities."
"You fool. Do you truly wish to continue to insult the Young Master?" Elsa gritted her teeth."And how am I to be sure that you are indeed Magic Knights? Those are fancy robes that you wear and strong logos to bear, but for all I know, you could be impostors, ready to take advantage of us."
"I guess she makes a fair point." Asta scratched her cheek before shouting back."But we are Magic Knights! And we're not late! They didn't give us any set time!"
"Actually, they did." Yuno chimed in."Captain Vangeance told us to be here by noon sharp. But whatever happened with you guys made you late. We didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
"Shit." Abel cursed out aloud."This is because Raiden and I were in that battle yesterday. I'm sorry."
"That was out of anyone's control." Cain reassured his sibling, his eyes still locking with Elsa's."Show us your Grimoire. If I can see the Ace Kingdom symbol on it, I'll believe you."
"And how can I believe you, pray tell?" Elsa inquired, not trusting him in the slightest."The Magic Knights that were supposed to escort his Highness never showed up, so we decided to venture in on our own."
"In an unknown kingdom?" Asta rose a brow."Isn't that kind of dumb? What if you got lost?"
"You...you dare insult the Prince?!" Elsa cried out, her Grimoire flipping through its pages before stopping in one as she readied her pencil."That's a grave offense that must be punished by death. By my hand!"
"Here she comes, guys!" Everyone got in fighting positions.
"Ink Creation Magic: Ever-"
"That's enough."
A simple command was all it took for Elsa to stop dead in her tracks. She turned her head, noticing the second passenger climbing out of the carriage. She immediately dropped her Grimoire and took a knee, showing nothing but respect."Your majesty, there is no need for you to leave the carriage. I was going to dispose of these ingrates."
"I've been in that damn carriage for hours, even in the ship. I am not staying here another moment. Besides, we agreed that we were going to sightsee, no? Not to mention you're too violent. There is no need to show these knights any hostility. Let me take care of this."
The young man stepping on the ground made his presence known. The teen in question had an athletic build and was shorter than the woman, standing about 5'8 feet. He had moss-colored shaggy hair and eyes as blue as the sea. He was wearing a long white overcoat with belt-like attachments on the shoulders, a flared collar, and a loosely worn purple belt. He also wore a black zipped shirt over a white buttoned shirt, black trousers, and a small silver tiara on top of his head.
"You sure took your time to come to get us." The Prince said with a disapproving glare."Have you no shame in making someone as important as me wait?"
The Magic Knights stared at one another, none of them knowing what to do in this situation.
"Pfft." The Prince stifled a chuckle before it became full laughter."Should have seen your faces. Relax. I don't care about punctuality that much. Besides, it gave us plenty of time to explore the area a little bit. Don't worry."
"But your Highness! What if they are assassins?"
"You worry too much, Elsa. Loosen up a bit. And I told you before, there's no need to call me that all the time unless it's official business. Just call me Prince if you must. As for you guys, I don't think I've introduced myself yet." He gave a slight bow, his face full of confidence and his chin raised high."Greetings, citizens of the Clover Kingdom. My name is Damian Douma, of the royal Douma family, if that wasn't obvious enough. Nice to make your acquaintance."
