Chapter XXII
"How long must we wait?" growled a voice, emanating from a room, deep underground. The voice belonged to a pale-skinned man in his twenties, wearing punk clothing.
"Have some patience, Edgar," spoke another. Like the first speaker, this one was male and was also pale-skinned. Though his clothing was more refined and were obviously brand-name clothes. "If you had some, you might've actually successfully taken Linnet Ashford in Romania nine months ago. Or perhaps, you would've leashed those pets of yours who clearly didn't have any patience at all!"
"Don't you dare talk down to me like that, Victor!" snapped Edgar.
"Or what?" sniffed Victor snidely. "You'll transform and cause another bout of modern human folklore? What do Americans call you again? Bigfoot?"
Edgar released a loud monstrous roar, ready to leap onto the other man in a rage. His adversary raised his hand, that hand losing its form and transforming into a large blade.
"Enough!" hissed another voice.
Cowed, Edgar immediately relaxed as he slinked off to the wall.
"Ah, Thomas, glad to see an even-tempered individual," the refined man acknowledged with a nod, allowing his arm to transform back to its natural state. "How was Sri Lanka?"
"Warm," Thomas shrugged as he stepped into the light, revealing himself to his associates. Like them, he was near-unnaturally pale-skinned, but he wore an expensive suit. "I wouldn't recommend going there."
"No shit," scoffed Edgar.
"How are our operations going?" Thomas asked, ignoring Edgar's quip.
"As best as they can, given recent events," Victor shrugged. "Our plans didn't account for the Crimson Wolf to continue living and disrupting our work as soon as the Greater Grail War in Romania concluded."
"Yes, well, we never thought that the Crimson Wolf would become a participant of said Grail War," sighed Thomas, rubbing his temples. "And to think, we thought the perfect opportunity landed in our lap when our spies found him in Bucharest. At least Edgar has a good explanation as to why his forces failed to get Linnet Ashford."
Edgar smirked.
"That doesn't excuse your failure, however," Thomas narrowed his eyes at the man. "Your familiars did manage to retrieve Linnet Ashford, but their egos got the better of them and they screwed up when they confronted Crimson Wolf and his Servant again."
The punk-clothes wearing man grimaced as he leaned back against the wall.
"Has there been any progress in our main objective?" Victor asked.
Thomas sighed, "Capturing Linnet Ashford still remains our top priority, but unfortunately, the word is that her parents have begun teaching her the family magecraft. A detriment to our plan given we intended to have one of our own teach her magecraft."
"Yeah, well, that ship has sailed," scoffed Edgar.
"Obviously," Victor rolled his eyes.
"As such," Thomas continued, nonplussed by the comments of his colleagues, "we have been ordered to stand down in that regard until we gain more intelligence on the matter. Continue pursuing your current objectives until told otherwise."
"We came all the way here for that?" Edgar raised a brow.
"No," Thomas crossed his arms as he turned to look over at him. "Distrugator has been awakened."
A beat of silence passed.
"They woke that bitch up?!" Edgar exclaimed incredulously.
"Edgar's crass diction aside, he does have a point," spoke Victor, a frown on his face. "Distrugator is not a stable element. I thought she was supposed to remain slumbering until the later phases of our plan."
"Well, given the events of Romania and Yggdmillennia's botched Grail War, things have changed," said Thomas. "Including Distrugator's target location. Which will now be…"
…
A Dead Apostle fell down dead at my feet, the wounds it had suffered from before its death came from multiple stab wounds, lacerations, and a few gunshot wounds. All courtesy of Mugetsu and my 5.7 Custom. The Dead Apostle in question was another former magus who thought vampirism was the best way to immortality in order to perfect his magecraft and reach the Root. Honestly, the least guys like him could do was at least have an original thought. Flicking the blood off of Mugetsu's blade, I returned it to its sheath on my back. Bringing out a body bag from the Gate of Babylon, I stored the dead body and its Crest for confirmation.
"Finished?"
Sensing Atalanta materializing behind me as I zipped the body bag up, I looked over my shoulder to see her standing there with her arms crossed.
"Yup," I nodded before reaching down and hefting the body bag onto my shoulder. "His coven dealt with?"
"Need you really ask?" she smirked.
"Knowing you?" I returned her smirk. "No."
Chuckling, she shook her head, "Come then, I think a hot bath is a just reward for the fight we had to face tonight."
"At the least, definitely," I couldn't help but agree.
It has been nine months since the end of the Great Holy Grail War that was conducted by the Yggdmillennia clan. Caules had enrolled into the Clocktower a month after the War ended with Professor El-Melloi overseeing his education on my recommendation. Fiore, as someone who abandoned the life of a magus, was in physical therapy back in Romania to regain the use of her legs, and the last I spoke with her, her recovery was going well. Astolfo had taken to exploring the world and all it had to offer in this modern time, though the last time I heard from him, he was partying somewhere in the Caribbean. Laeticia had gone back to her normal life and back to college in order to become a nurse, or at least that's what Atalanta has told me. Laeticia seemed to have taken well to the Huntress of Artemis and it was sometimes funny to see Atalanta struggle to keep up with the blonde when they were on a video call. And said blonde apparently was rather excitable when she brought herself out of her shell.
Making a stop to store the Dead Apostle's corpse where no one could find it for the night, Atalanta and I then proceeded to our hotel. And once in our hotel room, I unlaced my shoes and sighed in relief as I fell back against the bed, exhausted.
"Nine months of back-to-back hunts, even for a guy like me, that's pushing it," I groaned.
Ever since the end of the Grail War in Romania, Barthomeloi was quite intent on testing her toys that came in the form of Atalanta and I. Not that I blamed her much. A Servant and a human with a magical reactor core at her beck and call. I may not be around the Clocktower much, but I could tell many nobles there were becoming even more terrified of the Vice-Director.
"Indeed," Atalanta sighed, her lion features appearing, as she lay on the bed next to me before she leaned over, placing her head on my chest, over my heart, as she curled up against me. "Perhaps this would be a good time to ask the Vice-Director for a break. Your magical reactor aside, you are still human."
"Tell the boss lady that," I grumbled, my arm slipping around her waist. "This is probably payback for not regularly checking in at the beginning of the Grail War back in Romania."
Atalanta chuckled, "Now that would definitely be your fault, Faelan."
"Yeah, yeah," I sighed. A moment passed before I spoke up again. "Wanna just get room service for the night?"
"Hmm, that sounds reasonable," she sat up and reached over to the nightstand for the room service menu.
…
"Good morning, Lord Faelan, Lady Atalanta, I see your hunt went well," one of the homunculi bowed as Atalanta and I walked to the jet.
Three homunculi dressed in suits were waiting beside the steps up to the private jet I had bought for work a month ago. The other two more were probably already inside as they were the pilots and were no doubt finishing all the flight checks. The homunculi were gifts from Yggdmillennia as a sign of good faith to commemorate our alliance.
While the homunculi weren't on the same level as the homunculi from the Einzbern family, they made for more than competent attendants, and these homunculi differed from the ones I saw back in the Grail War as their cores would allow them to live longer lives. There were five of them, three maids and two butlers, and like the other homunculi of the Yggdmillennia clan, they all looked alike. Their names were Albine, Ela, Ljubica, Blaine, and Colby. With Blaine and Colby currently in the cockpit of the plane.
"Indeed we did," I nodded before looking over to Atalanta, who was wearing modern clothes and had her lion features hidden. "Why don't you head inside," I said to her. "I'll get Rosenthawe into the cargo compartment."
"All right then," she nodded before she climbed up the steps into the plane.
One of the homunculi, Ela, helped me put the body of the Dead Apostle turned Sealing Designate into the plane's cargo compartment while the other two followed after Atalanta.
"Anything happen while we were gone?" I asked Ela.
"Nothing of note," she shook her head.
Once the body was secured and the cargo bay door closed and locked, Ela and I walked over and headed into the plane. Atalanta was already sitting in her seat and was helping herself to a few snacks.
"Can I interest you in a snack or a beverage? Champagne perhaps?" offered Albine as I got into my seat. "We stocked the galley while you two were away on business."
"No thank you," I shook my head.
I turned to my own thoughts as I waited for us to get into the air. Before Atalanta and I left the hotel, I had called Barthomeloi to inform her that the job was done. After the Grail War, the Queen of the Clocktower had insisted that I contact her directly whenever I needed to report in. The matter over my fake letter of authorization for my vacation to Romania and someone impersonating personnel from Barthomeloi's office has so far been unique to the Great Holy Grail War so far, as no one has tried to do it again since then.
Though, it was because of these two events that Barthomeloi had been keeping a closer eye on me. It wasn't that Barthomeloi didn't trust me, it's just that she became paranoid that someone wanted to get me killed for whatever reason. And the Vice-Director of the Clocktower did not appreciate anyone else breaking her own toys without her permission. Yes, I know I just compared myself to a toy, more like a tool really. But given how she dealt with some of the upstart nobles who managed to get under her skin, I was fine with being called such.
It sure beats being used as a living dartboard…
Eventually, we touched down at the Heathrow airport in London and got into the cars that we had left behind before we made the trip to Germany after storing the jet in the hangar I had rented out for it. And before I knew it, I was sitting in front of my boss, who was reading reports in her hand as I gave my own verbal report of the hunt for Rosenthawe with Atalanta standing behind me patiently. She never complained about it, she said something about hunting game requiring patience that could withstand all whenever I brought it up.
"... and after which I contacted Fallis' team for clean up," I concluded.
"I see," Barthomeloi replied, her eyes still trained on the report in her hand. "And Rosenthawe's corpse?"
"I left it with the Arcane Corpse Autopsy Division," I replied.
"Good," she nodded.
A silence fell between us and I kept my mouth shut. As she hadn't dismissed me, I knew that she wanted me for something else.
"I have thought about your request for a leave of absence, Wolf," she continued, turning the page in the report.
On an interesting note, she began calling me "Wolf" instead of using my name ever since I got back from Romania. I never asked, but I was assuming it was because of the wolves in me. I should be insulted that she saw me for the wolves inhabiting my soul, but for some reason, I wasn't. Maybe it was because I was synergizing with the Amaroq and Lobo, causing me to have similar thought processes as them. Therefore the "I" that I recognized as myself was synonymous with the identity of a wolf.
"After your nine months of nonstop service," she continued, "I believe that you have earned a moment of respite. Therefore, I will approve your request for a month's vacation to go to North America. Before you leave, I require a copy of your itinerary as per usual."
"Thank you," I nodded, waiting to be dismissed so I could go home and pack.
But she didn't give the word.
"Is there anything else?" I asked unsurely.
"There is," she replied, setting aside the report in her hand before steepling her fingers together in front of her as she placed her elbows atop her desk. "Regarding Archer's Noble Phantasm within you, have there been any effects that you have noted since Faust implanted it within you, adverse or beneficial?"
"None," I shook my head. "My enhanced senses seem to be connected rather to the Amaroq and Lobo. Additionally, my speed has also been enhanced, also as a result of the wolves rather than the Calydonian Pelt."
Which turns out, my speed prior to Faust awakening the wolves was abnormal. Though I still don't get why my parents and Barthomeloi would not only keep a lid on it but did not inform me that said speed wasn't the norm even to mages who used Reinforcement to enhance their limbs. And after Faust implanted the Calydonian Boar pelt Noble Phantasm within me, my speed was on par with Atalanta's if I so wished to. Though when we tested it, I wasn't sure if she was surprised, confused, elated, or jealous by the end of our little race.
Barthomeloi narrowed her eyes at me, considering me for a moment before turning to Atalanta. "Archer, have you noticed anything?" she asked.
"I have not," she shook her head. "If there is a change in Faelan due to the Calydonian Pelt, then it would have to be internal. Perhaps due to the fact that Agrius Metamorphosis was meant only for me, its ability to transform the user lies dormant in Faelan."
"A reasonable theory," Barthomeloi nodded. "Continue keeping an eye on your Master."
I noticed Atalanta frown, no doubt it was because she was getting ordered around by someone who wasn't her Master. But nonetheless, she gave a nod.
"Very well, the two of you are dismissed," Barthomeloi picked up the report she had discarded and continued reading it.
Rising to my feet, I turned on my heel to leave the office, Atalanta following close behind me. Once the door closed behind us, I released a large sigh as we walked further away. "I am so glad she approved my request," I shook my head. "Part of me doubted that she would, given what happened the last time I went on vacation."
"Regardless, she cannot admit that she did not get anything out of it," Atalanta smirked.
"Yeah, well, neither can I," I glanced at her in amusement.
"You better," she grinned before one of her lion ears twitched. "Someone approaches." And with that, she dematerialized. The only ones in the entirety of the Clocktower who were aware that Atalanta still remained after the Holy Grail War in Romania were Barthomeloi and Caules.
I continued walking, but turning around the corner was one Luviagelita Edelfelt. Hailing from Finland, the Edelfelt family was known to the Moonlit World as meddlers of the world at large, intervening in conflicts that gained their interest to gain their pick of the litter of treasures. Mom once told me that my grandparents once considered creating a marriage contract for me to one of the Edelfelt heirs, however, that plan was thrown out the window when I joined Barthomeloi. Not that the two families were particularly at odds, but given that the Edelfelt family was allied with the Trambellio family, who led the democratic faction here at the Clocktower, was at odds with Barthomeloi, who led the aristocratic faction, such a marriage would've stepped on too many toes.
"Ah, Lord Ashford, it's good to see you," Luvia nodded.
Not that it stopped us from being friends.
"Lady Edelfelt," I nodded in turn. A jest between the two of us, calling each other by our noble titles.
"Rare is it to see you here at the Clocktower," she observed with a brow raised, though there was a smile on her face. "Back from yet another hunt, I assume?"
"Indeed," I nodded. "What of you? You're in your last year of classes here, are you not? I may not be around the Clocktower much, but isn't it rare for you to be around the Policy Department? I thought you were part of the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory?"
"Ah, indeed I am," she averted her gaze for a moment, her cheeks turning red. "However, I heard from a little bird that you were around."
"Little bird?" I tilted my head, a brow raised inquisitively.
"Ah, forgive me," she smiled, "I meant the Yggdmillennia clan head."
Ah, Caules.
"So what can I help you with since you sought me out?" I asked curiously.
"I, uh, I wanted to ask you about your experience in the Holy Grail War that occurred in Romania," Luvia replied, clearing her throat. "I was curious since my grandmothers participated in the Third of the Fuyuki Grail Wars."
I raised a brow, "Forgive me, but didn't your grandmothers not cooperate well during that war?"
"Which is why I could never get a straight story out from either of them," she deadpanned.
"Yeah, I can see that. Sibling squabbles and whatnot." I laughed, though I gave her a regretful smile. "I'm sorry, but can you wait a month? I'm actually on vacation, or rather I will be."
"Oh? Vacation?" she blinked, the interest clear in her eyes. "I see, I see. If you don't mind me asking, where are you thinking of going?"
"A roadtrip in a few states in America," I shrugged. Out of everyone in the Clocktower, she was one of the few people I actually trusted to some degree. "Someplace warm."
"Is that so? If I may, I suggest California or Nevada," she replied. "They are quite nice this time of year, so close to the summer yet still in the cool air of spring."
I looked up in thought, "I'll take that under advisement." Though, it was a bit uncanny how she hit the head on the nail there as one of my family's destinations was California. Before either of us could get another word in, I felt my phone vibrate. Pulling it out of my pocket I saw that I received a text from Dad.
Did Barthomeloi approve your request?
"I almost forgot you used the technology used by the mundane," Luvia frowned at the device in my hand.
"Says the mercenary," I shook my head at her with a chuckle, typing a quick reply and hitting send before pocketing my phone. "I hate to cut this meeting short, Luvia, but I do have to get going."
"Of course," she nodded, giving a curtsy. "And please, do give my best to your parents and dearest Linnet."
"Tell Sakura I said hello," I replied with a smile, bowing back to her. Another one of our games.
…
"What was that?" asked Atalanta.
"What was what?" I replied, turning from looking out the car window.
"You… talking to that girl in the Clocktower," she frowned. "I thought that you did not know many people at the Clocktower."
"I still know a few, Atalanta," I shrugged. "I didn't create a network of friends and acquaintances, but there were people I talked to more than others on the occasional moment the boss lady wasn't quizzing me or something. I wasn't that much of a loner."
"I see," she narrowed her eyes. "And that girl you met on the way out, she was one of those people you talked to?"
"Luvia? Whenever I had the time, yes," I nodded.
"I see," she frowned but said no more on the subject.
I stared at her for a long moment. She was acting like she did back when Ruler- oh. She was… jealous? Why? "Atalanta, are you okay?" I asked with uncertainty.
She didn't say a word as she averted her gaze out the car window.
I tried to talk to her more, but the more I prodded, the more she ignored me. Shortly, I got the message as I sighed, leaning back against the car seat. It was going to be a long drive back home.
When we finally did get back to the Ashford manor, the homunculi parked the cars near the garage built in the back of the property. Walking towards the manor itself, I looked around the gardens that led to the back of the manor in nostalgia. This is where I grew up, here I'd amuse myself as a child with make-believe adventures using my environment to create extravagant tales. It's where Lin's growing up.
"Lord Ashford, Lady Archer, would either of you like for something to eat?" asked Albine as her siblings filed into the manor with our belongings from the cars. "I can make something in half an hour at the earliest."
"Sure, I'd like that, Albine," I nodded. "Thanks."
"But of course," she bowed her head. "And you, Lady Atalanta?"
"Set aside a plate for me in the kitchen," Atalanta shook her head before walking into the manor, calling over her shoulder, "I will go check in on Lin."
"As you wish," Albine nodded and then turned to me. "By your leave, Lord Ashford."
I merely nodded in reply before I gave one last look around at the backyard. I wonder if Mom would be open to rearranging the gardens again. It made one hell of an obstacle course back then.
"Ah, you're back."
Turning, I smiled when I saw Dad coming from the hall.
"Hey, Dad," I nodded to him.
"Welcome home. How was Hamburg?" he asked.
I shrugged, "Didn't change much from what little I saw."
"Well, you'll see more of America than you did Germany," Dad promised. "A road trip through three states, you'd have to be in a coma to see nothing there."
I couldn't help but chuckle at my father's humor. Though he was right, starting from California and going to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon for a few days before heading North West to Nevada to go back to California, I would really have to be on heavy medication to miss out on everything. We initially wanted to make the road trip go into more states, but given that one of the next states over was New Mexico, everyone agreed it was probably for the best if we avoided that state. It's not that I hated the state, it's just that I didn't want to remember bad memories.
"Yeah," I nodded in amusement. "And hey, if you and Mom want to go to Las Vegas for some fun, Atalanta and I can take Lin somewhere to keep her entertained. I think I saw that there was an aquarium in the city while I was checking stuff to do online."
Dad gave me a mischievous grin, "Thanks, son, but are you really offering, or do you and Atalanta want to go to Vegas for some fun?"
"No, Dad," I rolled my eyes. "Vegas doesn't really seem Atalanta's speed and we both know she'd take a day of letting Linnet drag her around some kid-friendly place over a place of drinking and gambling any day."
"Eh, true enough, I guess," he shrugged easily. "Well, your mother's upstairs getting some things ready."
"Redoing Lin's packing, you mean?" I raised a brow.
"Yeah," he laughed.
I couldn't help the smirk forming on my face. For an almost five-year-old, Lin was starting to declare her independence by doing things on her own and denying help from anyone else. In other aspects, Lin did a decent enough job, but when it came to packing, Lin packed like maybe a few sets of clothing, often they were jammed into her small luggage bag, and whatever else she wanted to take with her. We learned quickly to do a check on Lin's luggage when she tried to jam several of her larger stuffed animals in the luggage bag on a previous trip to Michigan.
"You'd better get packing soon too," Dad nodded. "I've already got us plane tickets for us to leave Monday."
"Got it," I nodded. "I'll see you at dinner."
"Yes, yes," he replied, waving me off. "Make sure to see Lin, she was excited to see you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to convince Albine to allow me a little snack before dinner." He then grumbled, "I swear, she's worse than your mother…"
Shaking my head, I couldn't help but chuckle as I headed deeper into Ashford manor.
…
"... and there are a few parks in Hamburg that I'm sure you'd enjoy, little one."
"Can we go there now!?"
As I ascended the stairs to the second floor of the manor and walked over to the right side of the second story to the rooms, I heard Atalanta's and Lin's voices coming from Linnet's room through the door that was left ajar. Peeking in, I saw my girlfriend sitting at the head of Lin's bed with the little girl sitting on her lap, paying rapt attention to Atalanta.
"Come now, little one, I'm sure you remember that we're all going to America in a few days," Atalanta chuckled, adjusting her hold on Lin.
"Oh, yeah," Lin pouted.
"Don't be like that, Lin," I spoke up as I entered the room. "I'm sure you'll love the Grand Canyon when we get into Nevada."
"Fae!" Lin's eyes lit up when they settled on me.
The little girl bounced from Atalanta's lap and bounded over to me. She leaped into the air and laughed as I caught her.
"How's my favorite sister?" I smiled at her.
"Fae, I'm your only sister," she giggled.
"And therefore my favorite," I returned with a grin. "Did you pack all your stuff for this year's vacation?"
"Mmhmm!" Lin nodded enthusiastically. "Mommy took my bag already."
Which meant that Mom really did repack Lin's things.
"Mommy and Daddy said you and Atalanta fought a... Deed Apostrophe?" Lin frowned unsurely, her bottom lip upturned in thought.
Glancing over Atalanta, I saw that she was biting her lip to stave off her amusement. "Dead Apostle, Lin," I corrected her, unable to stop the chuckle that escaped me. Walking over to Lin's bed, I sat next to Atalanta and plopped Lin between us. "We fought a Dead Apostle. And do you know what a Dead Apostle is, right?"
Lin frowned, "Um. They're like vampires, right?"
"Go on, little one," Atalanta urged, a small smile on her lips. "How are they different from regular vampires?"
"And um," Lin continued unsurely, "they're not based on legend and are turned only by another Dead Apostle."
"Good answer, Lin," I commended. "Have your studies been going well?"
"Mmhmm!" she nodded enthusiastically. "Mommy and Daddy have been teaching me all of the basics. How to use my magic circuits and we even got to meta-metal… metallargus echoing…? Um..."
I blinked. "Metallurgy enhancement," I surmised.
"Yeah, that!" she beamed up at me before she frowned. "But Mommy and Daddy only had me do it on a paperclip. They said the other stuff wasn't safe for me yet."
Yeah. I remember when Dad had me practice on a paper clip so long ago. Before the Cult of Marduk kidnapped me and that bitch Faust screwed around with the innards of my body.
…
Practicing on that stupid paper clip seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Faelan?"
I broke out of my reverie when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking at the hand for a moment, I turned to see it was Atalanta's and she was looking at me in concern, Lin too. "I'm…" I took in a deep breath and gave them what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm alright."
"Lord Faelan?" someone knocked on the door.
Looking over, I saw that it was Ljubica standing in the doorway.
"Lady Lin, Lady Atalanta," Ljubica acknowledged courteously with a nod. "Dinner is ready and Lord Galen and Lady Aella also await in the dining room."
"Thank you, Ljubica," Atalanta replied. "Please tell Galen and Aella that we'll be right down."
Ljubica gave a nod and left.
"Fae?"
Looking down at my sister's worried face, I ruffled her hair as I gave her a weary smile. "C'mon, Lin. Dinner's waiting and I think Albine might be making your favorite."
With an excited gasp, Lin bounced off her bed and bounded out of the room. An action of which Atalanta watched with a fond smile. But that didn't last long.
"Faelan, are you sure you're alright?" Atalanta turned her attention to me, a frown marring her features.
"Just remembering unpleasant memories," I sighed.
A beat passed. "Faust?" she asked softly.
"And what she did to me in New Mexico," I lifted a hand to rub my temples. "Feels like I was a different person before then. Though, sometimes I can't tell if that's because of what was done to me or it's because of the wolves."
"If the latter was truly the case, then I think you would've been more wolf-like," she smirked at me teasingly. "Perhaps a tail or a snout?"
"As much as I love the lion features on you," I shook my head at her before lifting our joined hands so I could kiss hers, "I don't think wolf features would suit me well."
"Hmm," she looked at me appraisingly.
"Please don't picture me with them," I rolled my eyes before I stood up. "C'mon, we're missing dinner."
"Fine," she sighed, though I detected a hint of a smirk. "Ruin my fun."
I shook my head, but I gently squeezed her hand. After all, she did succeed in what she wanted to do, lift my spirits.
…
"Come in," spoke Lord El-Melloi II when he heard a knock on his door, his attention turning from the manga book he was reading in his rare moment of spare time.
When the young woman, Luviagelita Edelfelt, entered the office, she gave a small nod, "Good evening, Lord El-Melloi."
"I am the second!" the young lord whose official name was Waver Velvet snapped reflexively.
Luvia blinked before a beat of silence passed.
"My apologies," Waver cleared his throat, setting his manga book aside. "Please, sit," he gestured to the chair in front of him.
"You called for me?" Luvia walked over to sit in the designated chair.
"Ah, yes," Waver leaned forward on his desk and steepled his fingers in front of himself. "I have an assignment for you if you're willing to accept it."
Luvia raised a brow, "'If I'm willing to accept it'? I think I heard one of the younger students mentioning a deviation of that quote coming from a film."
Waver stifled the urge to say the movie that the quote came from, Mission Impossible. "Yes, well, this assignment is… irregular, compared to the contracts that you may have been given, Edelfelt," he admitted.
"Who is the client?" Luvia frowned.
Waver hesitated, "Barthomeloi."
Luvia's eyes widened. "Am… Am I in trouble?" she asked, definitely worried. One doesn't get a job from the Vice-Director out of nowhere unless you royally screwed up and she "offered" someone a mission to sweep them under the rug. Or that's what went on in the rumor mill.
"Not that I am aware of, no," Waver shook his head. "However, the Vice-Director ordered me to give this assignment to someone competent."
"And I am that someone competent," Luvia nodded, frowning in contemplation. "What are the details?"
Waver leaned down to pull open a drawer in his desk and pulled out a file, placing it in front of him on the desk. "Priority task, we need you to shadow this target that's going abroad. Follow and observe only, but the Vice-Director wants frequent and regular updates on the target."
"Is this target being considered for elimination?" Luvia frowned, taking the file and opening it.
Waver sighed, "At the moment, no. But all our options are being considered."
"Who will I be shadowing?" asked Luvia.
"Page five," he answered.
Turning to the right page, Luvia's eyes widened at the picture she saw. "This is…"
Omake: Wedding Bell Pt. 2
I tried to quell my headache as best as I could, I really did. Well, short of taking an entire bottle of aspirin in one go, because that's what it probably was going to take to alleviate this headache. But I had more self-control than that. Or at least, I like to think I did.
The source of my headache sat before me on the other side of the table chatting with my baby sister. Who was trying to convince said sister that she was her new sister-in-law and should address her as such. The night after I summoned Berserker, and apparently got married, I immediately went back to the hotel because this whole thing was an issue for the future-me.
Damn you, past-me for dumping this on my lap!
"My husband, are you alright? You haven't touched your food in a while."
Breaking out of my reverie, I looked up from my cup of tea and saw both Berserker and Lin looking at me in concern.
I took a deep breath. "Uh, yeah, just lost in thought," I gave a sheepish smile before glancing at my watch. "We should finish up soon though if we're going to be on time for the tour later."
"Of course, my husband," Berserker nodded.
I couldn't help it when my eye twitched. Now if only I could get her to call me by my actual name at the very least. Then again, it would've been worse if she called me "Master" out loud in public. That was something I never wanted to deal with in a million years. Feeling my phone buzz, I fished it out of my pocket and froze at the caller I.D.
Mom.
Oh, well… shit.
"Fae, who is it?" Lin asked curiously with a rather cute tilt of her head.
"It's… it's Mom," I managed to say, clearing my throat a little.
"Oh, oh! Can I talk to her?" asked Lin as she reached out towards my smartphone.
What was said next, caused me to damn near have a heart attack.
"Ah, yes," Berserker spoke up. "I would like to speak with your mother as well, my husband. After all, it is common courtesy that I should at least give my mother-in-law a proper greeting at least once."
…
Mom is gonna kill me…
Or worse...
AN:
Whelp, a new start in Faelan's story with some plot and a little fluff. You can never go wrong with that. And I was going to release this tomorrow, but I was invited to play the Halo Infinite beta this weekend via Halo Waypoint which starts tomorrow. So I'll be having fun there all weekend and if any of you Halo fans are also playing, I'll see you there. Fair warning, if you tee-bag me, I will hunt you down...
Anywho, I'm taking a break from the current event in FGO and ignoring Oniland, because the summer events wiped me out mentally and instead I'm just taking it easy by farming QP and Ember nodes. Though I am really tempted to try to roll for Mordred given the Knights of Camelot banner and finish my Servants of Red collection. But I really want Castoria when she finally arrives on NA next year, although if any of you are rolling for Lartoria or any of the other Camelot Servants, I wish you the best of luck. Also, I've already got about 80% of a draft of chapter 23, so give it maybe four to five weeks for me to release it after giving a finished draft a review for errors and such since I had a long moment of inspiration and managed to get the plot figured out for the next few chapters.
As always, stay safe, stay healthy, and you all have a nice day!