Ch 7: The Art of the Deal
Horatius
Without preamble I unlatch the door, swinging it wide as I stroll on out.
Two of what I'm pretty sure are Fallen Angels turn towards me, neutrally polite expressions on their faces as one of them states, "Do you need someth-"
WHAM!
Both of the door handlers crumple like puppets with their strings cut, courtesy of Altera smashing their heads together.
I step over their unconscious forms without breaking stride and silently approach the next entryway, smirking as I go.
I'm just glad it wasn't Mr. Ikuse on guard duty, I would have felt bad about having to knock out the perfectly polite and helpful gentleman. Never mind that I don't think it would have been quite as easy as it was to take out those two, he seems the type that has hidden depths.
I reach for the handle-
Click.
-And I'm left hanging there like an idiot, arm outstretched as the door swings away from me...revealing the entirety of the school children gang on the other side, blinking in surprise as they see me standing alone with a pair of knocked out forms in my wake.
…
Shit.
"Oh, good, I was just about to call for a doctor, these two collapsed all of the sudden. Isn't Miss Asia a healer?"
For a split-second I dare to hope that I fooled them and can just quietly sneak away, as they minutely relax at my words-
-and then rationality sinks in, the kids tensing as they come to the obvious conclusion that I'm just talking out of my ass here.
...Yeah, if it didn't work for Han Solo, it ain't gonna work for me.
The leader redhead takes a deep breath, no doubt about to call for help-
-and has the gathered breath in her lungs crushed out of them as I tackle her to the ground, one hand clasping over her mouth and the other jamming a Gradiationed pistol into her skull.
...Of course, that frees up the blond male to manifest a sword from seemingly no where and drive it towards my throat-
-until Scáthach drives the heel of her boot into the side of his head amidst a scattering of crimson light, slamming the swordsman through the opposite wall with a loud BANG!
Gracias, mi amor.
The brown-haired lust boy and black-haired girl with the big tits both charge forward right after blondy, the former manifesting some kind of crimson gauntlet along his arm while big boobs summons lighting to dance between her fingers-
-and both promptly eat spear, Scáthach twirling a Gáe Bolg in a blindingly fast defensive arc that knocks them clean into next week, professional blows to the head that'll ache something fierce when they wake up.
They'd been so focused on getting to the redhead that they'd ignored Scáthach. Big oopsie daisy right there.
"Thank you for not killing them."
"It took a great deal of willpower, I'll have you know."
I have no clever response to that admission and instead haul Red to her feet, gun screwed tightly into her temple and shout, "Ok, everyone just calm down!"
Thankfully they heed my instructions because sweet Aurelius they have a lot of mystic codes-or at least the equivalent,whatever-primed and at the ready.
Ok, deep breaths, Horatius, we can still get out of this with no one dead or dying…
"Alright, so we clearly got off on the wrong foot here, basically from the word go. But hear me out on this, me and my companions aren't looking for a fight."
Cold glares and chilly silence greet me.
Fuck, tough crowd…
"All we want to do is peacefully exit this building and be on our merry way, not get into-keep channeling mana into those eyes of yours, Mr. Gasper, and I'm going to assume you're being hostile-a fight to the death. Let us walk out of here and everyone lives happily ever after, ok?"
More death glares.
Oh c'mon, I'm trying to meet you all halfway here!
Thankfully they eventually respond, a girl with blue hair and a single green highlight warily asking, "And how do we know you're telling the truth?"
"You mean other than the fact that I haven't let Scáthach here run wild and kill you all? Hard to say."
"Technically you've never really let me do anything, Horatius."
"Shut up, I'm trying to avoid the scenario where we waste a bunch of children."
"Such a bleeding heart."
Finally the situation deescalates, the redhead in my grasp calmly stating, "Do as he says, everyone."
Weapons are finally lowered, prompting me to release a sigh of relief as I quietly whisper, "Thanks, I guess my negotiation skills aren't as good as I remember them being."
I only get a cold glare in response.
...Right, hostage taking and everything.
"Ok, everyone back up the hallway nice and slow, take your guys and gals with you. No funny business."
Grudgingly-and slowly, which is annoying-they gather up their comrades and do as I order, sidling down the corridor, their eyes watching mine even as Scáthach stalks a few paces in front of me, spear held steady and slight smile upon her lips.
Feeling kinda bad about the whole deal I again mutter, "Sorry about all this, I was hoping to get out of her before anyone noticed...but apparently my timing sucks."
Red's tone is frigid as she tightly replies, "Yes, how unfortunate. The Queen of Ulster seemed to take no small amount of pleasure in harming my precious servants."
"While I'll freely admit she can be kinda a Bitch sometimes-"
"Oh, flattery? You shouldn't have, Horatius."
"-in all fairness you did annoy her when you waltzed in, assuming you knew her life story from just a few online articles of dubious authenticity."
Conversation predictably dies from that point onwards.
...What a mess.
"Ok, I'm taking Red with me to the entrance, you all go into that room over yonder and stay put until she comes back. If I hear any alarms, I'm wasting her."
Yet another round of glares while the girl I'm using as a bargaining chip scowls, grumbling, "I have a name, you know..."
I ignore her complaints and wait as the rest of her 'Servants' enter the designated room, relieved that things will ideally go according to plan for once-
"Horatius, something just teleported in next to us!"
-and goddammit I just had to go and jinx us, didn't I?
I twist the redhead around so that she's facing towards the imminent threat Scáthach warned me about-
-and even my typically stunted ability to sense mana starts to go haywire.
There's nothing but trouble on the other side of where we're headed next.
...Universe, I get that I take a lot of liberties with the 'rules' you set down, but could you maybe cut me some slack once in a while?
The door clicks open, revealing four figures on the other side.
One that could be a relative of my impromptu hostage, all crimson hair, fair skin and sea-green eyes.
A woman with silver-steel hair done up in a braid, a maid uniform worn like a second skin.
One last unfamiliar face, ruggedly handsome with a goatee and black and gold hair, suit worn open like a playboy.
Lastly, Mr. Ikuse himself, blinking in evident surprise at the scene before him.
…
"Hi."
Apparently my attempt at levity is the trigger for utter chaos to commence as the maid and relative start pouring out raw mana, a deluge that has me inwardly cursing.
Does everything in this damn universe have absurd levels of power, or am I just unlucky?
Crimson-tinged spheres of blackness manifest around the redhead and I blanche as oh you have got to be fucking kidding me.
Molecular deconstruction?
Shit, more like molecular destruction.
Go figure I would take hostage a potential relative of someone with borderline True Magic shit like that.
...I've got an idea that just might work.
I spin the girl around so that she's facing her-brother, father?-and give a nice, hard shove.
That sends her directly on a collision course towards one of those nasty little orbs.
That's the thing about something as indiscriminate as molecular destruction, it tends to have friendly fire issues.
The man pales, dispelling the sphere she was on a collision course with, the maid cancelling whatever it was she was about to do as she yanks my former hostage out of the way-
-which affords me enough time to leap forward, reinforce my leg as far as it can go...and kick the redheaded man square in the nuts, propelling him back through the hallway with a manly squeak of agony.
I slam the door shut-fighting down the guilty feeling of having destroyed a fellow males testicles-and sidestep as Scáthach hurls a Gáe Bolg through the handle, an Anker rune adorning the length of the shaft.
A quick application of reinforcement to the thing has the wall light up with vein-like mana channels, a fortification that would stop a charging rhino with nary a scratch to show.
Which is why I practically jump halfway to the ceiling when there's a god-awful BANG that splinters the entryway.
"Scáthach, better find us another way out of here, me and Altera will hold."
She doesn't waste time replying, instead astralizing and no doubt going on a rapid search of potential exits, my first companion materializing alongside me, Photon Ray at the ready.
I brace myself for a fight-
-and blink as instead of another blow that'll kick down our impromptu barricade there's a polite knock.
"Hey, you still over there, Mr. Horatius?! Don't suppose you can undo this wild shield of yours, can you? We just wanna talk!"
Ikuse's voice-a far quieter and more sheepish one-adds, "We understand that sounds exactly like a trick, but...we're being honest? The guy who was just speaking was my boss, Azazel. We actually wanted to talk to you regarding the contents of your mission, since we also wish to see it completed."
...That gets my cautious attention.
"Is that so? Well you'll forgive me for being a little careful, since that guy basically tried to erase my entire existence."
The man that isn't Ikuse laughs uproariously.
"Yeah, you'll have to forgive Red over there, he's a total siscon~!"
...Well I suppose I should be flattered that this guy apparently has the same taste in nicknames that I do.
I glance at Altera, the Hunnic King mildly shrugging, obviously awaiting my decision.
"...You were saying something about making a deal?"
"That is correct, Horatius. I apologize that we have to meet again in such a manner, it seems I either forgo courtesy or am unable to properly give it..."
I raise an eyebrow as I recognize Michael's voice joining the conversation, relaxing a fraction more as I dare to hope this might resolve itself without anybody getting stabbed.
"Well what do you say we work on that, eh? One of you slowly walk through that door, hands first, and I'll accept that you're honest about this."
"Deal~!"
I raise an eyebrow at the swift response from who Tobio said is named Azazel, nonetheless removing Scáthach's spear from where it's embedded, removing the reinforcement from the handle-and only the handle-before stepping back, Altera taking up a vanguard position with mildly narrowed eyes.
We aren't kept waiting for more than a second before the knob rattles briefly and the door swings open, the relaxed looking man I first saw calmly strolling forward with his hands raised, lopsided grin adorning his features.
"See? Everybody is friends here...well, except for Red, maybe."
I glance behind him, taking stock of the remaining hallway crew-
-and can't decide whether to laugh or wince as I see the man's balls I squished curled in a fetal position, his now revealed sister and the maid hunched over him.
"D-don't worry, Onii-sama! Asia can fix this, j-just hold on!"
A low groan is his only reply and I figure wincing is a more appropriate action.
Shit, now I feel kinda bad…
Casting my attention towards less depressing subjects I notice Michael and Gabriel staring at the downed man with no small amount of bemusement, alongside a face I don't recognize.
Handsome, with a lackadaisical air that gives off the impression of someone you would have to go way out of your way to dislike. He seems to be on good terms with Ikuse, if the inaudible-yet friendly-conversation they're having seems any indicator.
I send a dull glare at the still smiling Azazel's face, resignedly asking, "Alright, so what's this deal you all seem so eager to get started on?"
"Horatius, this is the best present you could have ever gotten me~!"
"Drop it, since we're now apparently on the same 'side' I feel worse about this than I did before."
"Unless my understanding of modern nomenclature is woefully off the mark, typically it is a woman who is referred to as a ballbuster..."
"Please stop."
One last chuckle from the Queen of Ulster has me rolling my eyes in exasperation as I bear witness to a morbidly hilarious scene.
Namely, the Asia girl who healed me on her knees before the now named Sirzechs Lucifer...sporting an atomic blush has she repairs his groin with some sort of emerald light, the older man studiously looking anywhere else...especially away from his wife, Grayfia Lucifuge, the maid.
…
She seems like she's trying-and failing-not to smile.
Taking pleasure in your husband's maiming is rather rude, you know…
"So, Horatius!"
I meet Azazel's gaze, the man seemingly oblivious to his supposed allies discomfort...or deliberately trying to draw away attention from it.
"We heard about the Dhampire's vision from Rias and the rest, and how you three are actually here to kill it."
"Technically, we're here to stop it from crossing over from your universe to ours...but yeah, I guess the end result is the same."
He nods in acceptance of my ultimately pointless clarification.
Nice one, me. Way to waste a perfectly good breath of air on a distinction without difference.
"Well long story short, we'd love it if you actually succeeded, so we were gonna offer you some help along the way!"
I take a moment to gaze around the room.
Ikuse and the blonde man-Dulio Gesualdo-are standing guard at the room's entrance, both attentively listening to our discussion.
Michael, Gabriel and Azazel are all seated on a variety of upholstery, a trifecta of deal-pitching no doubt aimed at getting me to accept.
Sirzechs let's loose a sigh of relief as Asia finishes her work, the blonde girl offering a smile and bow to Michael and Gabriel, nod to Dulio-which he returns-before departing, allowing the head Devil and Grayfia to turn their full attention on me.
...Yeah.
And finally there's me, Heroic Spirits astralized and slumped in a chair, legitimately missing the giant spider-crab-bear things.
At least they had the decency to be upfront about the whole 'kill and eat you' thing and then stay dead once I stopped shitting myself and blew them back to the Stone Age.
Chitin age.
Whatever.
"It sounds like you all have some past experience with Trihexa, or at least have a good idea of what it was capable of. Care to fill me in?"
Glances are passed around before Gabriel gravely states, "Yahweh and a few others first battled Trihexa several years before the common era, only managing to seal it away rather than outright defeat it. Even the location of it's imprisonment was not revealed to us, such was father's desire for secrecy."
Azazel makes an airy gesture with his hand, lazily adding, "Which is actually kinda scary stuff, when you think about. Pops and his allies were-and in some cases still are-the strongest beings we know of. For all of them to take this thing on and only be able to halt it's rampage is no laughing matter. Shit, most of us 'in the know' agree that ol' 666 is equal in strength to both the Ouroboros and Dragon of Infinity."
I bite back on an aggrieved sigh at the confirmation of what I already expected.
"Well doesn't this sound like Mercury levels of shit? And let's not forget the midget Ouroboros we already fought is supposedly only a third as powerful as the original..."
"You worry too much, Horatius. We won't go in with half-baked plans again, now that we have an understanding of our foes. Just leave the kill to me and my dear sister!"
...I'm tempted to ask why she left Gilgamesh out of the equation before deciding this is neither the time nor the place to get into that particular discussion.
…
"Am I the only one freaked out by the fact that the Ouroboros has been staring at me-unblinking, mind you-for the past ten minutes? And for hours prior to that?"
Ophis makes no comment-or even reacts, for that matter-to my observation, the rest of the room shrugging.
"Better you than me."
I give Sirzechs a tired glare, the man obviously enjoying my discomfort.
...I'll let it slide, since I did pop his jingle balls earlier.
"Ok, I'll bite. What kind of aid do you want to offer?"
Dulio and Ikuse offer up a few waves from the entrance, prompting me to raise an eyebrow.
"Me, Gesualdo-san and another who hasn't arrived yet should be able to help you on your journey, Horatius-san. It's a long trek to this 'End of the World' and there are no nearby teleportation sites we can use. The Underworld can be a dangerous place if you're outside of the inhabited areas."
Dulio affably grins, his voice softly accented as he adds, "And while we may not look like much-"
Yeah right, those two couldn't be screaming 'more than meets the eyes' than if they were able to transform into cars.
…
Kischur better not fuck with my action figures while I'm gone.
"-Tobio, myself and our chronically willful associate are rather powerful. I'd like to think we won't hold you back too much."
I think about that for a moment...and shrug.
"No complaints here, if you and your mystery buddy are onboard with this I see no reason to object."
The room seems to relax a fraction at my words, prompting me to ruefully grin.
I guess they really thought we weren't gonna play ball…
"One thing does worry me, though."
"Really? Only one?"
Azazel ignores my comment, continuing with his train of thought.
"This is all assuming Trihexa is gonna be breaking out of it's cage, right? So who exactly is picking the lock?"
To my-and no doubt Scáthach's-surprise golden light coalesces in the room, moulding into the form of the Queen of Heroes, still stuck in her younger body.
"The answer to that, Fallen Angel, is quite simple. When we took the Vampire from her prison, we encountered a most unpleasant man, as well as two Dragons of less than desirable temperament."
While I'm happy that she's apparently back in action after her long silence…
"May I ask why you're sitting in my lap?"
"Is that a complaint, Gladiator? In my time men would fight to the death just for the mere opportunity of my thighs gracing their skin."
"Well that's great and all, but I prefer a lady with a bit more mature body. I just feel old when you do this."
"...I will overlook you insinuating that I appear as a child only as apology for my reclusiveness these past hours."
In the time our rapid-fire mental exchange was occurring the rest of the room gained looks of wary curiousness.
"And just who were these three? And how do they tie into what we were talking about?"
Gilgamesh smirks and crosses her legs, leaning back into me as she imperiously addresses the group.
...What am I, some kind of Mystic Armchair?
"They spoke of traveling to another world, of causing destruction there in unmitigated capacity. Seeing as how our quest involves this Trihexa encroaching upon our reality, they are obviously the likely culprits. The Dragons titled themselves Crom Cruach and Grendel-"
"Pardon me for interrupting...but you did say Crom Cruach and Grendel, correct?"
Gilgamesh merely smiles indulgently at Michael's gently asked question, replying, "I most certainly did, Angel. You sound perplexed."
Sirzechs cups his chain, a faint scowl on his face as he muses, "We call them and a few others Evil Dragons, although we had long assumed them either dead or in unbreakable stasis. This is troubling news indeed..."
"Perhaps for you."
I roll my eyes at the Queen's boast.
"Now, where was I? Ah, right. The Devil went by the name Rizevim-"
CRACK!
All heads turn towards the doors, where a young man with silver hair, angular features and striking blue eyes is standing completely still, snarl etched upon his face.
...And judging by the way the massive entryway has splintered and shattered, his grip has quite a bit of force behind it.
"You saw my most...esteemed Grandfather?"
His tone is a low growl, animalistic in nature and cadence.
Oh, swell. Familial troubles.
"But of course. And who might you be?"
I'm about to run damage control over the Queen of Hero's confrontational tone-
-when Ikuse steps in, setting a hand on the young man's shoulder, his tone resigned as he states, "Horatius-san, allow me to introduce my old friend Vali Lucifer. He can be...single-minded."
Vali dully glares at his 'old friend', dryly saying, "That is a rather reserved way of introducing your supposed old friend, Tobio."
Ikuse's smile turns slightly wicked, a bizarre look considering his normally polite and affable persona.
"Oh? And imagine my surprise when I heard that you betrayed Master Azazel, a rather odd action from my old friend."
I don't think anyone misses the minute twitch from Vali.
"...I'm on your side again?"
"Of that I have no doubt. After all, what did you use to call yourself when we first met? The White Dragon of Justice, or something along those lines? Wearing a ninja mask and-"
The twitch is very noticeable this time.
"That was a phase, Tobio."
Gilgamesh gives an irritated huff, sharply interrupting with, "This truly is a heartwarming reunion...but to what my point was originally going to be, it is rather presumptuousness of you all to assume that we need something as superfluous as guards."
...Well this is going to be awkward, considering I already agreed to this whole deal. And it's not like I can say otherwise. I mean, how the Hell am I supposed to properly argue when the way she's sitting make me look like her favorite Grandpa?
Thankfully someone steps up to bat as Azazel smiles, replying, "It's not meant as an insult to your skills, if that's what you're worried about. But considering how things went when you ended up here, don't you think it might be a good idea to have your boyfrien-"
Gilgamesh glares a glare that could incinerate a Dragon.
"-Uhh, you're compatriot guarded by some additional help?"
I can't help but dully stare at the miniature Ouroboros, remarking, "Well as long as Ophis doesn't send her little clone to fucking eat us...I think we'll be fine."
Onyx eyes meet my own as the little girl neutrally states, "Lilith scared of, you. Not going to, hurt."
...Right.
I turn back to give the three a look, mentally weighing how good of an idea this actually is.
Ikuse clears his throat, tactfully remarking, "I understand you may have reservations about working with us, Horatius-san, considering some of your...less than stellar treatment thus far."
Dulio gives the two Angels a meaningful look, gently adding, "Especially since some were uncharacteristically rude to a guest..."
Michael and Gabriel appear slightly ashamed of themselves and I fight back the urge to scratch the back of my head.
Seriously not used to being a point of contention in other people's lives. Normally I just eliminate trans-dimensional threats and be on my merry way, no muss no fuss.
Ikuse claps Vali on the back.
"But don't worry, even the White Dragon God of Righteousness and Justice will help us!"
The young man's fist tightens with an audible creak.
"A phase, Ikuse."
...Well, I'm not one to say no to a comedy routine, considering that's what my life sometimes feels like.
"Alright, I'm in. Again. Welcome to the team, you three."
I ignore Gilgamesh's pout.
No doubt she would deny that the Queen of the World does something as childish as pout.
"You'll be safe, right?"
"As safe as I can be in Vali-kun's company, Sae. Thankfully Dulio-san balances him out a bit, so that's something."
"I was talking about Horatius-san and those three he has with him, Tobio..."
I hide my smile behind a yawn, staring listlessly at the surrounding landscape, a fairly well maintained garden of trees and grasses surrounding the building I was briefly interned in.
Seems Ikuse's girlfriend has a good head on her shoulders. We are trouble.
"So no significant others for the two of you, huh?"
Vali scoffs.
"I have no interest in romance. Such relations would take up too much of my time."
...Alright then.
Dulio just genially smiles and explains, "I quite like the idea of meeting my significant other at some point in the future...although she would have to be something of a saint, to handle my eccentricities. Or so my friends tell me."
"That's a better answer than the Eunuch's over here."
The silver-haired man shoots an annoyed glare in my direction, scathingly retorting, "I am not sexless."
"Could have fooled me."
He rolls his eyes even as Dulio chuckles, in turn asking me, "And what about you, Horatius? I think that's only a fair question, seeing as how you broached it."
A sad, nostalgic smile pulls my lips upward.
"We're...separated."
"Oh. My apologies, then."
"Don't sweat it, it's an honest question."
The two of them curiously gaze at where Altera, Scáthach and Gilgamesh are lazing nearby...although I don't miss the occasional sidelong glances the Queen of Heroes and Queen of Ulster are giving each other.
...There's either going to some seriously hardcore make-up sex between them later...or a no-holds barred duel to work out their issues.
Flip of the coin which, Scáthach can be unpredictable at the best of times…
A passionate kiss between Ikuse and Sae signals the start of our departure, the young man joining us with a resolute look on his face as his girlfriend heads back inside the base.
"Are you ready, kiddo?"
Ikuse's lips twitch in a smile, his voice amused as he asks, "Kiddo? If you don't mind me asking, just how old are you, Horatius-san?"
I have to think about that for a moment.
"Err, gimme a moment here...uhh, I was around when the Punic Wars started...I think? Shit, been awhile since anyone asked me that. Let's just say I'm around 1800 years old. 2400 if you account for things like time-dilation, time spent in ageless states...weird stuff like that that doesn't really fit into my spreadsheet, if you know what I mean."
Three blinks from each of those present in turn.
"Oh...you are as old as some of the more ancient members of our species."
I dryly glance at Dulio.
"Way to make me feel like an old man, kid."
I'm about to tell Gilgamesh that we need a ride when four unexpected visitors show up, namely Sirzechs, Michael, Azazel and Ophis.
...I'll freely admit to being apprehensive about that last one.
"You seven weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you?"
Scáthach snorts, retorting, "That is actually precisely what we were planning on doing."
Strained smiles all around, prompting me to give the warrior Queen a tried look.
"We just managed to finally be on somewhat good terms with these people, can you please not try to antagonize them?"
"You have been rather forgiving of their transgressions, Horatius."
"If by that you mean I'm not being a hardass about everything, then sure."
Regardless, the three leaders of the Angels, Fallen and Devils rally themselves while Azazel explains, "So this is a bit last minute, but we have one last addition to your party here..."
"Last minute surprises are always me least favorite, you know. Who are we-"
A brief twisting of shadow next to the Ouroboros and once it coalesces into a proper shape I project my best attempt at a deadpan stare.
"No."
Ophis simply nods her head.
"Yes."
"I'm not doing this, stop."
"You will want, help..."
My acidic glare focuses on the gothic dress-wearing midget otherwise known as Lilith.
Who's hiding behind Vali, clutching his leg and warily staring at me with nervous eyes.
"I don't want this help."
Azazel boisterously laughs, cheekily saying, "Too bad, you're stuck with her."
A disgruntled huff leaves my lungs with all the grace of a fat hippo.
"I...I promise to be good..."
The midget force of conceptual nature sounds like she's trembling in her boots and oh for fuck's sake.
Why am I being made out as the villain here by being rude to a child?!
"Fine, whatever...let's go already."
A round of smirks follow me as I trudge away...although I don't miss Altera silently picking up the girl in her arms and carrying her with all the natural grace of a mother.
...What is it about her that the Ouroboros and her little clone find so calming?
"Gilgamesh, please get us out of here."
"With pleasure, Gladiator."
A Gate of Babylon disgorges another fully prepped Vimana, the ancient craft peacefully hovering a few meters above the ground as I gratefully leap atop the thing, the rest of my party following suit.
"We'll stay in touch, Master Azazel!"
"Ok, we'll be on the alert just in case we have to come running as backup. You kids have fun out there!"
I decide not to bother finding out if I'm the oldest one present, instead offering a silent prayer of thanks as Gilgamesh climbs into the pilot's throne of the craft, eager to be away from this nightmare of awkwardness, passive information gathering and crushing other men's balls.
…
I knew coming to this universe was a bad idea.
Ok, real talk, I'm gonna TRY to not have almost 2.5 months worth of downtime between chapter uploads...that's just the way the cookie crumbled this time.
Although since college starts up again in about a week's time...eh, stay tuned :D
Dxhologram: Sure, WE know Solomon was a thing (I mean, if you want to take it as gospel faith that everything Fate/Go does is real...although I have no idea how you want to explain freaking Passionlip), but why would Horatius? All he would know of Solomon is that he was some crazy powerful Magus that said he saw God in a dream...and then made fuckton of crazy ass demons. Sounds more like typical Magus behavior than it does the act of someone conversing with super benovelnt God, don't it?
And he sure as Hell isn't going to use the articles that already exist in that universe as a basis, since they've already been proven to be of dubious accuracy.
Primordial Serpent: Yah, I can see why you would get confused over that statement XD I meant it in the sense that black 'absorbs' light (hence the 'presence of every color')...but you're absolutely right that from a straightforward interpretation that line isn't really correct.
Sorry in advance that I'm skipping out on a TON of reviews, but I just went to the doctor for the first time in about 8 years yesterday and had my blood drawn, got a tetanus and HPV shot as well as a vision test all in one day.
Thankfully the blood results say I'm damn healthy but in between the shots and drawn blood I feel like someone whacked me upside the head with a hammer.
I'll try not to pussy out and answer stuff better next time XD