Chapter 12: The Master of Irrevocable (Part 1)

"So how was life with your old family? I can't imagine it was very fun or engaging, if you decided sticking around with us was a more worthwhile allocation of your time, frolicking across the land and exposing yourself to the sun."

Tugging on the brim of his hood the Vampire youth - disguised as a young, eastern trader with simple textiles adorning his body - wryly commented, "When you put it like that it does sound rather foolish...but my old home life?"

The boy frowned, voice contemplative as he further added, "It was cold, would perhaps be the best way to put it. You remember how I was when we first met?"

Harris nodded, commenting, "Naked, shivering and tiny?"

Two years had done a lot to toughen up the youth both mentally and - albeit to a lesser extent - physically, his disguised features boring into Harris' own as the male simply smiled in response, Merlin and Robin chuckling as they observed the interaction like it was prime time viewing.

"Yes, aside from the time I was captured and tortured, thank you for reminding me of that."

"You got over it a year ago, can't pull that one on me anymore, kiddo."

The brief smirk of amusement on the Vampire's altered features was clue enough as to his real thoughts on the matter, the bloodsucker continuing with, "But I was weak. Weak and cowardly. Too weak to aid my guards in my defense and too cowardly to do anything more than simply accept my circumstances. That's how it always was, even before all of that. And my people do not appreciate weakness, whether it's real or imaginary."

A huff left the Vampire, tone bitter as he concluded, "It was all the worse since I was the heir to a fairly high placed bit of nobility...bad enough that any Vampire was as timid as I. But a high-placed member of society?"

A snort left Charles, voice nostalgic as he murmured, "No...now that just wouldn't do. I'm honestly at a loss as to how my family will have reacted to my assumed death. Shame at how their spawn was felled so easily or joy that the leech is well and gone."

Merlin unleashed a gentle sigh, stroking the male's head through his hood - didn't want to inadvertently expose him to sunlight, after all - while musing, "Tis quite the tragedy that a child like yourself wasn't ever afforded the chance to shine. No matter, sometimes an adverse youth is precisely what makes for a great and powerful individual later in life."

She abandoned stroking Charles' head in favor of pulling Robin into an affectionate hug, a strange sight considering they were both illusioned to resemble simple Chinese farmers.

"After all, look no further than the two of us~!"

"Overly affectionate gestures aside-"

Robin slapped Merlin's hands off of where they had steadily been approaching her disguised chest.

"-I would like to think Merlin has a point. Besides, the bonds people make as they venture through life tend to have a greater impact upon them than the events of the past ultimately do."

Charles merely nodded in acceptance, not particularly adverse to their words of wisdom or what they were trying to impart.

"Maybe in the future I'll return home, if I have some kind of accomplishments to call my own, something I can show to display that I'm no longer who I was."

A humorless snort left the Vampire.

"Or maybe they'll just stake me when I show up. No way to tell for certain. But the idea of running forever doesn't seem...appealing."

Harris hid a smirk as he casually remarked, "Well if you do decide to go down that route feel free to ask for a helping hand, we'd be more than happy to chip in and make something interesting happen."

Nodding in thanks, Charles nonetheless firmly replied, "I appreciate it, I really do...but outside help would defeat the purpose of my return, now wouldn't it?"

"Ahh, they grow up so fast…"

Merlin's breathy sigh caused Charles to grumble and complain, the male chuckling before simply returning his attention to their surroundings, eyes scanning the horizon as he hauled a wagon containing a fairly sized haul of barley to their ultimate destination.

The past two years as they had slowly made their way across the mainland towards Japan had been interesting for Harris, as they passed through countless areas straight out of history and eventually arrived at the Silk Road, more or less during the year of 784 AD.

As a man who'd been born in the latter half of the 20th century and survived almost until 2030 he'd been raised more or less on the advent of technology and basically continuous advancements or innovations of aforementioned technology, never mind the sweeping vistas of concrete, metal and glass that were cities. To walk the planet when it's most advanced tools were the first beginnings of gunpowder research and the initial forays into a pinhole camera was quite the bit of exciting culture shock.

True, the lack of electricity, internet and other such creature comforts - as well as gps wayfinding - was a bit of a kick to the teeth but he'd adjusted quickly enough. After all, both Merlin and Robin had an insane repertoire of stories, tales and misadventures to talk about that he wasn't aware of, seeing as how their respective franchises didn't even begin to scratch at the various day-to-day interactions or quests they would have embarked on.

The nightly sex was also something that heldped while away the hours, naturally. Although he was exceedingly thankful for magic being able to create and heat water wherever and whenever they wanted because if there was a specific aspect of the modern world he missed without caveat it was the ease of access to hygienic doodads. Warm, comforting showers were a vice he'd had a bit too much affection for to do entirely away with.

...The less said about not having toilet paper to wipe with the better, the shapeshifter thanking his sponsor that his ability also included having a means to convert waste in a way that didn't produce shit.

"You always talk about Ylisse and how incredible it was, Robin. Can't you tell me more about what it was you did while living there? Your stories about being in charge of the military and other affairs could prove to be very useful if I ever decide to return to my people."

The trio hid their smiles, knowing that the Vampire was merely using a sound argument as a means to hear more stories he found highly intriguing and entertaining...naturally, Merlin wasn't about to let that go so easily.

"Hmph, to think that my companion's tales are so much more interesting and instructive than my own. Little Robin over here was alive for a much shorter time than my illustrious self, you know."

A year back such a statement would have left the Vampire quivering and falling over himself as he tried to avoid the entirely false wrath of the Magus of Flowers. Now he merely gave the disguised woman a dull stare, commenting, "Everytime you tell me about one of your stories it turns into this self-aggrandizing epic. Robin tells me about all of the things she did right as well as all of the things she did wrong."

Harris snorted as Merlin squawked in mock indignation, Robin merely smiling as she replied, "I'd be honored to. On the condition that you stay up to date with your magic studies, even if you have trouble making use of my techniques. How has the reading of the tome I gifted you been going?"

"Slow but steady. Not much else to do on the road."

Pulling out a simple wind tome Harris watched the interaction with a keen eye, the Vampire concentrating for a moment before unleashing a powerful gust of verdant-tinged force from his hand, the book's pages ruffling for a bit before calming down once more, the bloodsucker sighing, "I can get the simple ones to work but those 'El' books are tough. Everytime I manage to build up enough magic I lose control over it and the spell fizzles out."

Robin merely nodded, accepting the proffered tome and tucked it away into the interior of her coat, alongside the vast collection of other reading material carefully attached through means Harris was reasonably sure were magical in nature, considering the amount of books his companion carried..

"Understandable. My world's variation of magic is quite a bit different than this one according to your testimony. It's actually quite impressive that you're able to do so much as is. Very well, you've more than earned this particular tale."

Harris reflected upon his companion's statement even as she took a moment to compose herself, considering all that he knew of their circumstances.

While Fire Emblem had always played it fairly fast and loose with how magic and other techniques worked Robin had explained that their tomes functioned as a sort of catalyst for the energy that flowed through all living things, that with proper education and practice one could more efficiently manifest the elemental powers carried within each tome.

While Charles had definitely proven that people in the DxD world could make use of her tools of the trade the fact that he was still stuck on E-ranked tomes after almost two years of constant practice and tutelage suggested there was a steep learning curve or a limit. The Vampire was definitely no dummy either, so incompetence was out of the question.

Left to his musings Robin began with, "One of the more innocuous but true to life tales of running the affairs of a kingdom and it's premier military force relate to administrative work and the nightmares that can arise from it. One time Chrom asked that I order entirely new uniforms and other such articles of clothing for the Shepherds since our usual attire was becoming quite ragged and threadbare."

She lightly flapped one edge of her grandmaster's cloak, winking at the attentive Vampire as she espoused its merits with, "As much as I may love and adore my cloak for all its purposes - ornamentation, conveyor of status, makeshift tent, makeshift bedroll and impromptu soup catcher - even it had its limits."

Harris chuckled at the editorial, knowing full well the tactician's affection for her main adornment.

Letting the fabric fall limply the horned woman commented, "And, as was the case when dealing with my lovable band of misfits, chaos and misconduct arose from what should have been a fairly simple task of supply and requisition."

A small smile played at the edges of the woman's lips, tone fond as she continued with, "At the end of the day the Shepherds truly were a mismatched group of conflicting personalities comprised of peasants, soldiers, commoners and nobles that had a widely varying set of needs and wants. So imagine what happens when one of the early birds that comes to pick up their equipment from the pile turns out to be none other than Vaike himself? You remember Vaike, Charles?"

"Yeah. Big, dumb, more dependable than anyone else could ever be?"

"That's the one. Anyway he comes waltzing in, grabs his things and then leaves without a backwards glance. Not more than a few hours later Maribelle also shows up-"

"The noble lady, right?"

Smiling at the Vampire's enthusiasm as he got into the story without hesitation Robin nodded, responding, "The one and only. Regardless, she tracks me down and asks why I seem to have misplaced a few of her choice articles, they aren't among the ones put in the storehouse for distribution."

"Vaike took it?"

Merlin playfully flicked the younger man on the nose, teasing, "Now now, allow dear Robin to finish her story properly and don't spoil the ending."

Poking Merlin in the cheek with a admonishing click of her tongue Robin resumed the tale with, "The punchline isn't actually who took it so much as what came after. Just as Maribelle and I are turning the whole place upside down trying to find her replacement clothes Vaike comes strolling back in, wiping down his body with a strangely ornate piece of cloth that he says was a really soft but not very absorbent towel."

The Vampire grinned, already seeing where this was going.

"It was her new corset that he was making use of. And, as Vaike usually would, he came in and announced it as such. Whoo, Teach sure is enjoying these new towels you got us! Not all that great at wiping down sweat but soft as hell!"

Harris was sure her draconic tail would be lashing lashing behind her in merriment were it not for the illusion, the story continuing with, "There was a pause of a few seconds as I debated whether to break down laughing or run away in terror...and before you knew it Vaike was sent crashing out the room courtesy of a rather beautiful display of brute force on Maribelle's part, the loud and degrading lecture that ensured leaving Vaike with something of an aversion to anything that wasn't his beyond a shadow of a doubt."

There was the briefest moments of melancholy on Robin's features before being swiftly replaced by fond reminiscence, Charles chuckling at the story before asking, "Do you miss them? I mean, obviously you do, but do you ever wish you could go back?"

The Vampire had more or less been informed that Harris was able to manifest personalities and souls from other planes of existence, a subject of fascination to him as he was constantly asking about their worlds and all that occurred within them.

"Go back? No, I find myself quite content with this new life."

Harris briefly lamented the need for them to walk around with illusions upon their bodies as the fake image concealing Robin's true features from sight made for a poor substitute, her words certain as she finished with, "I will treasure my time spent among the Shepherds for now and all of eternity...but there now exists a brand new adventure for me to embark upon, one that I wouldn't miss for the world."

"Oh dear, you're going to bring me to tears with statements like that~!"

"Certain overly dramatic company aside, of course."

Merlin and Robin fell into their usual banter, Charles refereeing the verbal contest as Harris kept his eyes on the road, letting the lull of the background noise serenade him into a state of calm and contemplation. The Silk Road had a decent amount of traffic - thus necessitating their disguises and wagon of barley - and none of them were in any great hurry to have pointed questions directed their way by opportunistic road raiders, medieval customs officials or nosy passerby looking to alleviate the tedium of the journey.

But their trek was quickly nearing its conclusion as they drew close to their next stopover, a coastal town of the Lam Ap kingdom that had a fairly thriving fishing and transportation business, one that could provide them a means of reaching Japan.

Sure, he could shapeshift into some kind of fish or something and drag everyone across the waters that way, or Merlin could fashion a self-rowing boat or Robin could manifest some of Grima's inherited powers that she now carried with her and simply fly them to the place...but they had needed to kill a few years and while those methods were perfectly capable of working he wasn't entirely sure if they would be the most enjoyable. He doubted any of his companions would appreciate making the journey stuck in the mouth of a shapeshifted whale, that was for sure.

"Something on your mind, master?"

"Nothing too serious, just considering how we're going to make the trip over. We could always just hypnotize some poor sap into letting us on board but that's a trick you might need to keep applying for the whole trip."

Merlin dramatically sighed, replying, "A most inelegant and brute use of my abilities but I suppose I can make do. For your sake, naturally."

"That last bit sounds suspiciously like it leads into a 'but on one condition' sort of scenario."

Eyes twinkling with a mirth that was unmistakable even through orbs that weren't her own the Magus of Flowers made her intentions clear, Robin chuckling as she warned, "Be careful, Harris. She might just decide that now is the time to make her displeasure over our disguises known."

"Dear Robin is quite right! Honestly, are these meant to be rags or suitable replacements for my usual attire?"

Flapping the simple and mildly coarse fabric like a petulant child the illusioned woman complained, "And just how are these meant to grandly illustrate my most esteemed and elegant figure? I shall spare you the difficulty of such an inquiry and tell you that they are not. Goodness, are you attempting to make of me a lesser woman?"

"A less indignant one, maybe. You don't hear Charles complaining all that much, now do you?"

"Leave me out of this?"

The Vampire's quiet plea for mercy caused the older trio to smirk, Harris turning his gaze towards the fast approaching sight of the modestly sized shipping port as they drew within a few minute's trek.

While it was by no means some sprawling, vast expanse of ships and harbors it nonetheless held a healthy amount of freight, sails either furled tight or billowing outwards in the wind as a few birds flew overhead, no doubt searching out scraps of fish or other morsels they could pilfer. And through it all swarmed people, living as they did more than a millennia ago, skin tanned by the sun and wearing simple hemp tunics while a few wealthier types strutted around wearing silk garments, the division between wealth and more rustic living clear as day.

But it was Robin's quiet nudge and Merlin's sudden distraction elsewhere that got his attention, staring off into the distance as a group of six or so individuals approached the small cities perimeter, all of them wearing simple but very well maintained clothing that was more than slightly reminiscent of a Chivara, what with its layered robes.

Letting his eyes drift half closed as he attempted to sense the presence of the group that had caught his companion's eyes - two years had been plenty of time for them to instruct him in various arts and disciplines that had been completely irrelevant in his previous life - he unleashed a low whistle at what he found. A veritable fountain of pure energy that dwarfed their own, even with the relatively recent influx of strength from his benefactor.

"Well well well...who do we have here? Looks like I was right on schedule with my little appointment to this corner of the world."

"You've been keeping precisely why we're visiting Akito's homeland secret, always leaving me in the dark and pretending it's going to be some grand surprise...care to finally fill me in?"

Smirking at Charle's annoyed words Harris unleashed a dramatic sigh, languidly stating, "Oh very well, I suppose you've been a good boy for long enough. C'mon, let's find someplace to rest and find a boat headed for Japan, we can come up with a more concrete plan then."

Seeming enthusiastic at finally being able to get some answers to questions he'd been holding on to for a long, long time the Vampire moved towards their destination with a considerable amount of enthusiasm, Harris grinning at the sight as he let his gaze once more wander towards the Bhuddist party off in the distance...mainly, at the deity among them that was no doubt headed off towards Japan, same as they were.

"Oh this is going to be fun."

"So what is the point of us coming here at this specific time? Aside from visiting Akito?"

Reclining on the simple and not particularly comfortable bed provided by the inn they'd chosen Harris easily responded, "Not too long ago - just a couple of years, really - Japan tried to officially split itself from the authority of China, moving its capital and enacting some quiet reforms and such that would see the reduction of its influence. Unsurprisingly, China no likey so lo and behold, a Bhuddist god is here in this little port town about to embark on a journey to the place of power where we also just so happen to be going."

The Vampire frowned, it being just he and the male as Robin and Merlin were out and about, seeing if they could get any concrete details on who their mystery deity was or when they might be departing.

"Couldn't they just teleport directly to the capital? Wouldn't the Yokai and Shinto be perfectly fine with that?"

"Ahh, and there's the telling bit right there. This delegation either doesn't want to do so or is being barred from making the jump, a subtle play of power that could be coming from either side. China making the Japanese wait or the Japanese making China go through an inconvenient set of hurdles. Won't know for certain until we know more about the whole situation."

Charles raised an eyebrow, remarking, "And you want to get right into the middle of this?"

A prompt sigh followed, the youth grumbling, "Oh who am I attempting to fool, of course you do."

"Precisely, why would I ever miss out on something this exciting and potentially chaotic?"

Before the bloodsucker could inquire further into Harris' latest scheme their other two companions rejoined them, Robin stating, "Unfortunately there's only one vessel departing for the Japanese mainland anytime soon, the same one as our Bhuddist targets of interest. I don't think we want to get too close to them quite yet."

"About that you would be right. Any other ships that are getting reasonably close to where we want to go? We can just stowaway and then jump ship at the closest possible distance to a coastline or something."

Merlin raised one elegant finger upwards - their disguises dropped in the relative safety of their room - as she informed him with, "There just so happens to be such a thing, a fishing vessel with enough room for us to hide away in a decently obscure corner until we may make for greener pastures. As long as one doesn't mind the stench of wet wood and fishy aromas."

Charles made a face but didn't complain, Robin more contemplatively musing, "Most interesting of all is that we discovered the identity of the god headed to Japan. One Amoghasiddhi."

Harris stilled, mind racing as he pulled at knowledge mostly forgotten over the years...and grinned as he saw the irony of the situation.

"The god celebrating the release of envy and pride is going to negotiate with Japan over denying them? Oh this should be very interesting indeed…"

Charles dropped his head into his hands, groaning softly as he had a fair suspicion of what was coming next.

A nightmare for anyone that got on the receiving end of the man's curiosity and ambition.