Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Welcome back to this fan made fiction and I hope you all enjoy tonight's entertainment.
But first a message to my friends.
To XaiGRS: I am honored and humbled simultaneously at your words. It brings me allot of joy when others admire the work and dedication I put into something. Also yes, I will greatly enjoy a jealous Eris when she sees how much Sylphy loves Rudeus.
To guest: Thank you so much! Can't wait till you drop by again.
To 321jaz: Hope you like the demonstration of gravity magic in this chapter, your idea made this quick upcoming fight allot more gruesome and juicy. Also in response to your concern OC will be OP as hell but choose to take an equal footing in things like politics, this will allow Rudeus to stay out of politics while he is simultaneously helped by the OC from a distance. OC will reason that Rudeus has this, after all this is his third shot, interference will only be necessary at certain times.
To Uqihana: I'm blushing like Sylphy right now at your words.
To icecreampapa: This chapter shall set up a major political plot as a failsafe. Large things will transpire from this.
To Rollingfire: So glad you like my explanations of power. Oftentimes I hate it when a magical power or scifi tech is not explained, I will call these things magic bullshit shenanigans or scifi bullshit shenanigans, it prevents multiple dimensions of possibility within a story when there is no foundation to a power. And yes Rudeus will go to other worlds but I will not spoil how he achieves it.
And finally to Shadow Joestar: Holy shit it is an honor to gain attention from a longtime fanfiction writer such as yourself. I will try to get more Ghislaine scenes in, she truly is one of the best girls who can kill us with her abs if she wanted to.
And now without further ado, enjoy the chapter.
"Eris it's time to wake up." Rudeus said stroking her hair.
She stirred a little bit but didn't wake up. The boy sighed as he grabbed the eggs, bacon, and biscuits he had bought from a local diner and held it next to her nose. She smelled it as she breathed it in and she sat up slowly. Stretching like a cat after waking up from a long nap she rubbed her eyes. She had gotten a good night sleep after all.
"What time is it?" After another yawn she opened her eyes and saw the food in front of her, starting to drool a little bit she reached out quickly for a biscuit but Rudeus slapped her hand.
"It's early morning, we have about two hours before the carriage leaves for Roa. And I would ask that even though you may be hungry you demonstrate table manners." The boy said chastising her but in a playful way.
Rudeus sat down at the stone table pulling out a chair for her to sit in and placing her breakfast down along with a fork and knife.
She put on her pouting face but didn't protest as she responded by sitting down to the offered chair and picked up the nearby utensils, stabbing some of the scrambled eggs and chewing slowly before swallowing. She had been chastised for her ill behavior at the dinner table before and taught to do etiquette by both the maids of the castle and her father.
"Why does everyone boss me around?"
"Because you lack the temperament to control yourself and people will try to control you for that."
"No need to be so mean about it."
"Truth can hurt but it is better in some circumstances than beating around the bush. If you have a question ask, and I will answer without delay if I know the answer, however in return for this information I may have you make a promise beforehand." Rudeus said taking another bite of his bacon.
She thought for a bit in silence and then gave her first question.
"Why were we kidnapped in the first place?"
"A good question but before I answer that question my request is that you never reveal the truth of this kidnapping to anyone else."
"Why?"
"Because if the truth was to get out your family would lose allot of its reputation, your grandfather and father might even lose control of the city or Roa or be executed for this information that I share with you."
If information got out that Philip had organized the kidnapping of his own daughter than the people in the city of Roa would start misbehaving left and right. The people would think 'If that's the way he treats his own daughter how poorly will he treat us?' Thinking along those lines would just gain momentum. The only way to counteract this secret was to use a bigger scandal as cover.
Eris stiffened at Rudeus's reason. She loved her family and looked up to her Grandfather most of all.
"I would rather not know the answer then."
"Innocence is bliss in some circumstances I guess." Rudeus shrugged as he continued to eat. "But what do you think the answer is?"
She put her hands on her chin for a few seconds as she thought hard.
"A fat old noble saw me one time and seemed to take a liking to me when he came to visit Roa from the capital of Asura. He gave me the creeps and I honestly wanted to punch him. But for most of the time he was talking to Grandfather, whatever the reason grandfather seemed pretty pissed off at this guy because I could hear his angry voices throughout the halls."
Rudeus nodded thinking about prime minister Darius. "Do you think this is why we are kidnapped?"
"It's possible but I don't think it's the whole story. My other question is. Why are you doing all this for me? I beat you, disrespected you, and in return you are being nice to me. Why?" Eris was beginning to ask some personal questions but Rudeus had no issue answering her.
"I asked my father for a job, the most high paying one he could find. I have an aptitude for knowledge and magic so he asked a few favors and had me shipped off to Roa to teach you. Since it was my request to get this job I will not back down so easily and go back to my dad with my tail between my legs."
"So that's all I am to you? A job?" Eris was feeling like an object and not a person right now.
"No. I wouldn't try to comfort you so much if you were just a job. You are a unique person Eris and I value your friendship."
She folded her arms at that. Her face contorting into a frown.
"What makes you think we are fiends?"
"Trust. You trust me and I trust you, we are two people together in a very stressful situation but yet we are being productive about it. Friendship starts with trust and can grow or dwindle based on the similarities in personality from that point on."
Rudeus looked out the window and saw that the sun had risen a bit more since he entered the room with breakfast, they would need to leave soon if they wanted to make the carriage.
"You seem to be calm in stressful situations, you can make us fly, make walls disappear. Why are you so strong?"
That question stopped Rudeus from getting up. He sat back down and held Eris's hands in his own. That question was the very reason why she left him in his previous life, it was the biggest misunderstanding and personal mistake that Rudeus had made. He had made her feel worthless by being so unperceptive to her feelings.
"Eris, strength isn't everything. But if you must know I am strong and will become stronger to protect those around me, if you want to, I can help you become stronger. But please understand you are not weak."
"I am weak, I couldn't fight against that man who beat me."
"Start with him, you will work to become stronger than him, after that point look to the next strongest person you know like Ghislaine, you will practice to become stronger than her. Don't compare yourself to them instead see them as steps in a ladder to make yourself better. Through them and their teachings you will grow stronger."
Eris nodded but Rudeus wasn't satisfied.
"Whenever you want to talk to me about your personal feelings, no matter how insecure you are about them, talk to me. I am your tutor, and your friend now, and I will listen to you."
"Will you tell me what to do?"
"Depends on what it is. You need to think for yourself too and be able to tell yourself what to do and do what is best, I can give my advice though if you value it."
She smiled at that point knowing she would have someone reliable to lean on and more so someone who wouldn't boss her around. A little dent in her armor of insecurity was made that day as Rudeus and her cleaned off the table, they then went outside.
Rudeus was still cautious looking around the area and Eris was copying his guard as she looked around the area as well. Soon they reached the carriage they needed and were on the way toward Roa, they were the only two passengers this time on the carriage. They would reach Roa by sunset though so they would still have a long way to go.
Rudeus attempted most of the time to try and rest since he was awake all night taking care of Eris. It was difficult to sleep on the wooden surface as he attempted to lay down on the bench multiple times but didn't find a comfortable position.
After a few hours of restless sleep he heard something strange.
Pat, pat, pat. Rudeus opened his eyes to what sounded like slapping. He looked in the direction of the noise and saw Eris had her head turned away from him but saw her hand on her lap. Pat, pat, pat. Her hand slapped her lap again like she was trying to convince a cat to come closer to her.
'Is she really inviting me to use her lap as a pillow?' Rudeus thought. Her head was still turned away from him.
'I did let her use me as a lap pillow so maybe this is her way of trying be useful to me and feel less indebted. Still she might try to hit me like she would usually do if I surprise her, I will take it slow.'
Rudeus moved his body side to side on the bench, inching his head closer like a caterpillar to Eris as his eyes paid attention to her body language while her face gradually came into his line of sight. She wasn't looking down at him but was frowning in her traditional Tsundere fashion.
'She is like a lioness offering to groom me, but a lion is still a lion and may very well kill me if I surprise her.'
Rudeus gently place his head on top of her lap and she moved her hand, softly rubbing his hair and combing him, trying to comfort him. He smiled up at her but when he tried to caress her arm to thank her she tightened her grip on his hair controlling his actions through pain. This was the most kindness that he would get from her right now, a lap pillow, but it was enough.
Rudeus closed his eyes, a carriage ride wasn't the most pleasant of rest but it was rest nonetheless. Soon he would fall into deep sleep.
"Hey Rudeus." Eris whispered.
"Yes Eris." Rudeus said opening his eyes and looking up at her.
"Thank you."
He assumed that she meant for staying with her throughout the trip but he would add a reminder to her as well.
"You are welcome Eris. But thank me when we have reached your home, if anything happens please wake me."
She nodded and he closed his eyes once more before sleep embraced him.
It felt like a brief moment of sleep however. A hand clasped over his mouth and Eris whispered in his ear.
"Rudeus, there are people on horses coming."
Rudeus sat up and looked ahead. About ten minutes from intercept directly ahead of them there were twenty men on horseback approaching them from the direction of Roa, they wore dark robes and none of them had any flag or colored armor of the Boreas Greyrat family, these were people Rudeus didn't recognize.
'Better get Hollow just in case.' Rudeus thought. He looked into the distance and saw Roa on the horizon. He expanded his aura while still staying connected to his human body and gained control of the creature beneath the sewers.
Hollow shot out of the tunnel system and began to head straight for the riders but at an altitude that the creature would not be noticed. Rudeus was still looking at the Riders as they approached the carriage.
Rudeus stretched his hands up into the sky.
"Rudeus what are you doing?"
"I'm going to make it rain so they don't notice us getting off of the carriage."
"You can do that?"
"Yeah."
Dense clouds quickly formed behind the riders. If clouds appeared out of thin air then the men would most likely suspect magic was at play but if a surprise storm came up from behind them then they would be less likely to think something was awry.
Within minutes a huge shower of rain pelted the twenty men approaching, the storm quickly caught up to the carriage as well.
"Now Eris."
They both leapt off of the carriage and headed for the hillside near the road where they laid down and looked at the carriage. It was hard to tell and barely visible in the rain but they could still see the outline of the carriage.
Soon the men on horseback approached.
"Were you transporting a boy with blond hair and a girl with red hair recently?" The one in the lead spoke.
"Yes sir. They were…" The carriage driver turned around and noticed no one was in the carriage. "They were just here a moment ago."
Before the man could utter another word the lead rider pulled out his sword and stabbed it thought the mans neck.
The man fell off of his carriage and grasped at his throat in desperation to stop the bleeding as he gurgled for air.
"Search the area they can't have gone far."
Rudeus recognized the voice now, it was one of the butlers of the castle, his name was Narum Pincer. The one who planned the real kidnapping in the first place and the one who took advantage of both Philip and Rudeus's original plan to teach Eris a lesson.
Rudeus reached out his hand again and materialized a ball of fire above the wagon.
"What are you doing now? They will see us with the light from the fire you are making." Eris whispered concerned.
"I'm calling for help."
He released the fireball up into the air. A few seconds later the fireball exploded into a giant stream of fireworks that crackled throughout the storm and for a brief moment it overtook the sound of the rain. Eris looked up into the sky as her eyes dazzled, reflecting in wonder at the spectacle she was witnessing.
"What the hell was that?" One of the men on horseback shouted.
"Tch I didn't hire an extra seventeen mercenaries to ask questions, scatter and find the children before it gets dark!" The butler shouted.
And all of a sudden the rain stopped moving. Pellets of water froze as if time stopped.
"What the fuck is going on?" Another man asked quietly touching one of the droplets of water.
All of a sudden the men and Eris heard a little girls voice.
"Hey mister want to play hide and seek?" A voice echoed. It was an unnatural voice. The voice of a playful innocent girl.
"Where are you? Show yourself!" the Narum shouted. All the men in the party drew their swords and looked around wildly.
"Rudeus what is going on?" Eris asked quietly grabbing his arm.
"I called Hollow."
Eris remained silent at that point as she looked down upon the party. Some of the men had taken off their cloaks and she saw the man that had beaten her, she flinched at the sight of the ugly bastard.
"Well that was kind of what the last group of people said when I asked if they wanted to play hide and seek, oh well it can't be helped I guess."
Then a tall, large creature fell from above.
"I will make this quick to save that carriage driver so please forgive me I will treat this seriously for a brief moment."
To Eris the men suddenly became burst grapes of blood. More specifically the droplets of water quickly collected and slammed into all but two of the group, the spheres of water condensed as gravity magic crushed the men like a hydraulic press as the pressure was so great their pores started to bleed, then their bones broke, soon all that remained were bubbles of crimson hovering above the horses, when the spell was released it showered the animals in a thick, warm, red paste including organs and bone. The two people that were spared from this gruesome fate was the man that had beaten Eris and the other was the butler Narum himself, they were just knocked off of their horses with a large chunk of hail the size of a baseball. The remaining set of people looked like they had gone through a blender.
The horses didn't panic as their pelts were drenched in the thick hot liquid of their owners blood. The thing they panicked about was the sight of Hollow as the animals galloped away in any direction they could. Before the carriage horses could flee Hollow turned the ground beneath them into a thick mud, then it solidified the mud capturing the horses.
The storm cleared and Rudeus hurried down from the hillside that was their hiding spot. Eris was timid at first but tried to stay close to Rudeus.
Before either Narum or the one remaining mercenary could flee Rudeus sealed them in a prison of stone that encased their bodies and stopped at their neck effectively trapping them or keeping either one from moving.
"Fuck you, you stupid bitch!" The thug shouted clearly talking to Eris.
She didn't say anything, instead she had a stone cold expression on her as she approached the man, picking up one of the swords from the ground that lay next to a dead mercenary.
"Hey, hey I was just kidding alright! I'm sor…." The mans voice was cut off as Eris hefted the sword on her shoulder and then using the full weight of her body she smashed the sword down on top of the mans skull splitting his head in two.
'If this was in my previous life, there would be so many red flags coming from this right now, red flags for days.' Rudeus thought. 'Hell even in this life there are still some red flags. First thing to note, I am so glad I am on Eris's good side.'
She stood up after the deed was done. A brief moment of silence pasted and she walked over to Hollow as it was placing both hands on the carriage driver who was near the brink of death. The puddle of blood coming out of the neck reversed itself and began to flow back into the mans severed jugular, then the wound closed.
The body of the carriage driver floated up and turned itself around so that way it was facing upwards. Hollow used electric and wind magic to preform CPR on the man. After a few more moments the man started to cough up the blood that was still caught in his windpipe. Hollow set the man back down and quickly put on one of the black cloaks from the dead mercenaries to cover the creatures body so that it wouldn't scare the man. The man however was only checking himself as he grasped his neck with terror in his eyes to see if his vitals truly were intact.
"I'm…..I'm alive?"
"Yes mister you are alive. Now please take this man to the city of Roa. He is the man that just attempted to kill you. Turn him over to Mayor Philip Greyrat, he will place him into custody from there." Hollow said pointing at the butler who looked like he just shit himself.
"Rudeus please free him for a moment while I bind him to be transported." Hollow stated.
Rudeus nodded and turned the rock prison into dust. Hollow outstretched its hand and the man screamed as his limbs suddenly fused together, his flesh stitching itself along both his arms and legs, his fingers combining together into what looked like a singular stump of flesh, composed of fingers and nails. It was a mortifying sight.
Rudeus looked at the horror he had just committed, he didn't think the action would be so grewsome and he felt it in his stomach, maybe he went a little overboard.
'Oh shit.' Rudeus thought as he hacked up the contents of his stomach onto the ground.
"Hey!" Eris said punching Hollow in the leg.
"You made Rudeus sick by doing that. Apologize to him!" She said folding her arms. She truly had no fear at the being that towered before her.
"My apologies miss. Rudeus, I am sorry for my behavior, I suppose I could have done a more humane method of capture however I wanted to make an example out of him when someone dares mess with the Greyrat family." Hollow said bowing down to the two young children.
It then walked over to the carriage driver. "Lastly please take the children to Roa as well." Hollow reached into it's pocket and pulled out a chunk of solid gold the size of a fist. "For your trouble."
Hollow stood up and flew away into the air. Going back in the direction of Rudeus's hometown. Eris looked in awe to see such a being fly, it was quite the spectacle to witness.
"Hey Rudeus why was Hollows voice a little girl?" Eris said looking back at the young boy.
"Hollow can change it's voice to sound like anyone, normally it chooses to have a voice of a girl when it wants to sound creepy and it's pretty off putting in a fight….. Eris are you alright?" Rudeus said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah…. Yeah I'm good. Let's go home." They got back on the cart with the butler on the other side facing them. At first he tried to reason or bargain with them, offering them coin, protection, anything to keep him alive but was shut up when Rudeus stuffed his sock into the mans mouth which he then tied with his belt silencing the fool. In the meantime the carriage driver was contemplating what just happened as he looked up into the sky pondering his life and the fact that he was saved.
After they made it back to Roa they got off of the carriage by the front gate. Nightfall was fast approaching as the two walked together toward the castle. In the meantime the butler would be turned over to the guards of the city where he would await judgement by the mayor Philip, most likely his life would lead to a swift execution after the demanded information was drawn out from him through some means of torture. This was a mid-evil world after all.
Ghislaine was the first to see them as she quickly sprinted at Eris and inspected her for injuries. Philip was the second person to approach, he was littered with bandages and bruises most likely given as a gift from his father for letting his grand daughter be kidnapped. Still Rudeus felt bad for the man.
When Philip tried to reach for his daughter to put a hand on her shoulder she slapped it away.
"I'm going to bed." She whispered as she walked towards the castle rooms. It was going to be a time of recovery for Paul. Before she left though she turned around and shouted, "RUDEUS! Thank you for bringing me home safely!" And with that she left.
"I hope our goal was at least successful Rudeus. And I can see part of this as an advantage where we learn about who is disloyal in this home of ours." Philip said looking sadly at where Eris had just disappeared off too.
"Yes, she respects me, and I would even go as far to say admires me. Still the cost of this was gruesome to go through."
"Explain everything that happened." Philip said coldly.
"I think the words would come out faster with a glass of wine if you don't mind. I would also enjoy a meal, it has been quite a few stressful days." Rudeus said looking up at the mayor.
Philip nodded agreeing with him and so they broke bread and drank wine as Rudeus explained the events that transpired. After he was done giving his report Philip looked at him with stoic eyes.
"What do you think should happen to my servant, I still need to get information from him."
"Eris helped out in that regard, she said she was suspicious of a fat noble who had an eye for her when he visited Roa. Does that ring any bells?"
Philip gripped the armrest of his chair so hard his knuckles began to turn white.
"The prime minister of the Asura Kingdom, Darius Silva Ganius. A sick bastard who is as corrupt as they come. He visited awhile ago but I wanted to poison his cup of wine any chance I got, still I held myself back since there was no opportune moment or alibi for me. I would be accused instantly. I will interrogate my butler with this information to see if he comes clean."
"That is a good idea. And if he confesses that Darius was behind this what will you do?"
"For now nothing, the man is untouchable, all I can do is build up defenses here in Roa while gaining allies in the capital."
"I may have a way to dissuade Darius from pursuing any further action against the Greyrat family for the time being but it is brutal."
"You seem to be full of plans, and I would love to give Darius a quick reminder to no trifle with my family. Please do tell."
"A number of years ago there was a mercenary group hired by Darius to assassinate me and my family. The reason of which I suspect was to gain something with the head of the Noto's branch of the Greyrat family." Rudeus said, spinning the cup of wine in his hands as he staired at the ripples of the dark red liquid, contemplating his next set of words.
"That doesn't make sense, Paul gave up his title and rights to become an adventurer. The Notos branch has nothing to gain from such a cowardly move."
"It can be seen as a reminder that even though Paul may be a fierce warrior someone like the head of the Notos branch is fragile and easily disposable, to gain an alliance through fear. To break this I can deliver the head of the leader who tried to kill my family into Darius's possession."
"A terrifying message to be sure, and it would demonstrate our strength while at the same time indicating that Darius himself is not untouchable if he is surprised with such a gift. And what of my servant, should his head be taken as well."
Rudeus shook his head.
"No, I believe that we can use him as an example through testimony. If word gets out that Darius attempted to kidnap and rape your underage daughter then many nobles would begin to despise him. Getting your butler as a witness in exchange to ensure his life is stable would be sufficient. As for punishment, banishment from the Asura kingdom would seem fair to me for the attempted kidnapping."
"Do you really think that traitor of a man would go along with such a deal." Philip said. He was beginning to enjoy this little scheme Rudeus was starting to formulate.
"Possibly, your man knew the stakes and took them anyway believing he could kill two birds with one stone. Getting rid of Eris who, no offense, tried the mans patience many times with her abusive behavior, and secondly secured a promise for a large sum of money from Darius in exchange for a captured Eris. Because of this move he would be set for life, now his life is in the palm of our hands it is up to us to give him a glimmer of hope where he will once again change loyalties to ensure his head remains on his body."
Philip began to grin from ear to ear at this.
"We will not only deal with traitors, we will turn the tables back at our enemies with a swift countermove using the traitor themselves."
"Under normal circumstances when it comes to politics I would like to stay out of this and just stick to tutoring Eris. However this is personal and must be dealt with swiftly. I will arrange for the head to be delivered, in the meantime set up a trail to be held in place for your formerly employed to testify in front of a court in the capital."
"A trail would normally take place in the city where the crime was committed, in this case it would never make it outside of Roa."
"Not if you forsake this position and declare it to be too personal of a matter, that you were positively livid that your own employee could commit an act so heinous, but that you were calmed by your wife to pass the trial onto a higher authority, someone with a more just opinion. In order for a fair trial to be achieved it must move up the ladder of court if deemed necessary by the prosecutor which almost never happens, this way you can get an audience with the Asuran nobles to witness the trail."
"It will come to light that you and I arranged to have Eris kidnapped in the first place, sure it was a scare tactic but we must prepare for backlash if we do this. Not only that if we make this a spectacle an assassination attempt is likely to happen before the accused can take the stand and testify against Darius." Philip said tapping the armrest repeatedly as he was consumed by thought.
"The plot we have made will be overshadowed by Darius's crimes to such a degree it will be a forethought. In terms of assassination you have Ghislaine as a bodyguard and there are two other people who are a witness to the crime that happened. Me and a being named Hollow. Hollow killed 18 members of the mercenary group who were hired by your butler to retake Eris. The creature can testify, and so will I. Not only that Hollow can be a bodyguard against an assassination attempt as well." Rudeus explained.
"You really have thought of everything haven't you?" Philip said. "I was intending on giving you a salary of 2 Asuran silver coins a month but I think I will raise it to 1 gold coin if you would be willing to accept."
"I appreciate the offer but my payment is for teaching Eris nothing more, 2 coins of silver will suffice. Besides I will develop other sources of income while I am in this city."
Philip sighed. "You truly are something else Rudeus Greyrat, you have given me allot to think and talk to you about in the future however you have had a long day, please get some rest and we will talk in regards to your education plan for my daughter tomorrow."
"Thank you sir." Rudeus stood up and did the traditional nobles bow.
"No, other people can do that with me but when it is us, a handshake is fine. And Mayor Philip will be alright with me." Philip extended his hand and Rudeus took it, firmly shaking it.
When Rudeus left closing the door behind him Philip laid back in one of his chairs. "I need to write Paul a letter thanking him for bringing such a monstrous being into this world." He mumbled.
Meanwhile Rudeus sighed with a breath of exhaustion looking up at his bedroom ceiling. This was the first failsafe he created if the teleportation calamity couldn't be stopped. Darius would lose allot of his influence through a trail like this, he wouldn't lose his position but many of his allies at court would turn a blind eye to him when he needed help. The whole purpose of this was that if Darius attempted to condemn the head of the Boreas branch, Eris's grandfather Sauros Boreas Greyrat to death for the displacement of the Fetoa region then the prime minister would experience a significantly harder time for such an action. This could result in either a fair trial or a complete mistrial leading in Sauros remaining alive who would be allowed to rebuild Roa followed by the rest of the Fetoa region.
This was the biggest failsafe that would save tens of thousands from starvation and poverty if executed successfully. The next few steps would be icing on the cake to ensure all of Eris's family would live. However Rudeus would maintain focus on stopping the calamity to begin with. Tomorrow he would begin his construction. His magnum opus.
Fun fact: The name for the butler Narum Pincer if reversed and put together (pincernarum) means Butler in Latin. I wanted to come up with a name that was clever instead of just naming someone randomly.
Post comments in the reviews and I will respond in the next chapter. As always post ideas to make the story better. You help shape this story and I give allot of thanks to all of you who help in making this a product of our imagination.