Here we are at Chapter 18. Let's see how Fuyumi and Anelia finish things up in Ustia city after the previous night's fiasco. I do not own Code Vein or Skeleton knight. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 18. Enjoy.
Chapter 18: More Questions
"I thought I told you not to make a mess while in my city," Marques Victor von Shikoya says while holding his head like he has a headache.
After the culprits they captured were arrested by the proper authorities, the elves left with their kin, with Elane bidding goodbye to Fuyumi and Anelia, the girls returned to the city to inform the marques of the situation. Suffice to say, there was a lot of cleanup to take care of. The marques did not get much sleep last night. Luckily, being a former soldier, that doesn't affect him much. Currently, Fuyumi and Anelia are in Victor's office to further discuss the situation.
"Hey, that mess was outside the city. We kept things clean," Fuyumi jokingly retorts.
"Miss Lumare getting kidnapped, knowingly walking into a trap, working with the elves, which I will let that one slide, getting into a battle, and arresting the son of an earl... I hardly call all that 'clean'," Victor argues.
"Would you rather we let that brat go?" Fuyumi asks.
"No, it's good that you caught him. Given that his son was at the site of a slave trafficking ring, and was actively working with them, is more than enough evidence to arrest his father. Given Allan Beauford's obvious lack of maturity, it's obvious that his father was the one in charge. However, what about the people in the cloaks?" Victor asks.
"Well, most of them were either dead or got away. The few we did capture didn't last long. They all killed themselves before we could stop them. However, I'm more concerned about their leader. That woman was skilled with a scythe, and she was able to cast dark magic, but I didn't hear any chanting from her. I know casting magic without chants is practically nonexistent in your kingdom, but could there have been someone who slipped through the cracks?" Fuyumi asks.
"Possibly. But, I think it's more likely that this scythe wielder may have been from another country. Harder to keep track of things outside the border than inside. Or, whoever this person is, they only recently learned to cast such magic. That would explain why we never heard of them before," Victor thinks it over.
"That reminds me..." Anelia speaks up. "One time when Allan grabbed her shoulder, he was suddenly shocked so painfully that he fell to his knees. But, I didn't see her move or say any chants. I feel like that was magic, but I'm not familiar with such magic like that. Some kind of defense magic maybe?" Anelia wonders.
"The woman said that no one can touch her. Wonder if she meant that literally?" Fuyumi mutters.
"Well, I'll have to inform his majesty of these events. With things as they are, we must remain vigilant. Who knows what can happen next?" Victor says.
Just then, a servant enters the room, "Pardon the intrusion, my lord, but one of the guard captains at the gate has an urgent message for you,"
"What is it now?" Victor groans.
"There appear to be three elves at the gate that wish to speak with you and Miss Kusanagi here. They say they are from the Glendas clan," the servant says.
This gets their attention, "The elves are here? Hmmm... very well, see to it that they are escorted here and kept out of the public eye. I can't have someone in my city try something stupid that will only antagonize them," Victor commands.
"As you wish, my lord," the servant bows and leaves the room.
"Why would the elves be here?" Anelia asks.
"Most likely, it relates to these recent events. We'll find out when we speak to them," Victor says.
A while later, the three elves reach his manor and are escorted to his office. Fuyumi is pleasantly surprised to see that Elane is one of them. The second is the elf she met in the forest, Orion. The last, though, is someone she has not seen before. This elf looks older, and since elves have long life spans, that means this one has lived for a long time. His hair is still blonde, but there's some gray in it. He carries a wooden staff as tall as he is, and wears intricate robes like a clan leader would wear.
"Welcome to my manor. I was told you wished to speak with me. I am Marques Victor von Skikoya," Victor greets them.
"I am the elder of the Glendas clan. Makutei Mistral Glendas. This is my daughter, Elane Mistral Glendas, and this is one of my subordinates, Orion Alna Glendas," Makutei introduces them.
"Glendas? Are they related then? But, he didn't say Orion was his son?" Fuyumi whispers to Anelia.
"For elves, we have our given name, our name from our parents, and then our clan name, and put them together. That's why our names are similar," Elane explains.
"Anyway, why did you wish to speak with me? And with Miss Fuyumi?" Victor asks.
The elves take a seat on the other couch, "First, I wish to express my thanks to Lady Fuyumi and Lady Anelia. Twice now, you help my daughter in liberating our kin who were kidnapped. Elane has told me of your exploits. For your aid, you have my gratitude. I also came to ask the Marques about the people they arrested for kidnapping our kin. What is to be done with them?" Makutei asks.
"Those that weren't killed in the battle later killed themselves before we could interrogate them. We have the son of Earl Beauford in custody, and I already sent my men to arrest his father. When he's brought here, we'll continue our interrogation to uncover more information. From what we have gathered, the earl was working with the slavers for profit, but I can't say that he was the mastermind. Lady Anelia can testify to that,"
"I would appreciate it if you would allow us to listen in on your interrogation. These are our people they kidnapped and harmed. We must know the extent of this operation," Makutei requests.
"You can listen in, but I will be handling the interrogation. This is my city, and they have broken Anatolian law with their slave trafficking. This doesn't just affect you," Victor adds.
The two men have a stare-down before Makutei nods and agrees, "That's fine. Now, I have one last request... for Lady Fuyumi Kusanagi," he turns to her.
"Me?" Fuyumi points at herself.
"Yes. At our village, we received a special visitor... the Hydras Helioptas that you met back when you first met my daughter. The Hydras are very intelligent, and very attuned to nature. They are also very cautious of humans, yet this one immediately took to you. What's more, when Elane spoke about you in our village in regards to our search for our missing kin, that same Hydras made another appearance. I believe it was trying to tell us something. This is more of a personal hunch, but I believe that with your aid, we may find out what happened to the rest of our missing kin, and why they were being kidnapped. That is why I tasked my daughter with accompanying you for the time being," Makutei explains.
"Wait, what?" Fuyumi and Anelia ask together.
"I do not believe in coincidence, Fuyumi. Twice now, you were there in situations where our people were kidnapped, and twice you aided us in freeing them. I believe that if I stick with you, I could learn the truth of these kidnappings," Elane explains.
"But, are you sure you'll be alright with that? I mean, I live with a human family, and I travel amongst humans. I know your kind is distrustful of them," Fuyumi notes.
"It is true. I am not particularly trusting of humans. But, I believe I can trust you. You once told me that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. I did not feel any deception from you when you said that. I believe you will be a great help in this endeavor," Elane remains undeterred.
"Well, if you feel that strongly about it. Anelia, how do you feel about this?" Fuyumi asks her companion.
"I don't mind, really. I like to think we can become friends," Anelia agrees.
With that, Fuyumi walks over to Elane and offers a hand, "Well, if you're really alright with it, then I'd be glad to have you along, Elane Mistral Glendas,"
Elane politely accepts it, "Happy to join you, Fuyumi Kusanagi,"
Just then, a servant comes in, "Apologies for intruding, my lord, but Earl Beauford has been brought to the estate by the soldiers,"
"I see, then we'd best get moving then. Elder, you wish to listen in on the interrogation. Please, join us," Victor stands and leads the way to another room.
They head to a lower floor beneath the manor. Given the marques' prior experience in the military, he created a separate wing of the manor with several rooms that can operate like a small jail. Inside one cell, Allan Beauford and his father, Claveman Beauford, kneel with their arms tied behind their backs. While Claveman looks calmer, his son is practically pissing himself.
"Now then, Earl Claveman, care to explain your reasoning for getting involved with the illegal slave trade. You are well aware that slavery and human trafficking are forbidden in Anatolia. Decreed by his majesty himself," Victor begins the interrogation.
"You must be confused, Lord Victor. My family have been loyal servants to the crown, and to this country, for generations. Why would I go against his majesty's will?" Claveman retorts. "What's more, how could you? Conspiring with the elves that are enemies to our great nation. Have you forgotten that they are the ones who have no love for humans. Bringing them into the city will only endanger the populous. Have you forgotten how our ancestors once fought their kind long ago? Besides, they're not even native to this land, and therefore, you are not duty bound to protect them,"
"It is true: they are not citizens of this land, and I am not bound by Anatolian law to protect them. However, I was a soldier before I became a noble. A soldier's duty is to protect the people, and that includes the elves. The conflicts between our ancestors and theirs do not concern me. I focus on the present and the future. What's more, the elves you helped kidnap were innocent. They never harmed our people, but you did," Victor then turns to Allan. "As for you, Allan Beauford, you hired assassins to kill Anelia Lumare and tried to kill her yourself on more than one occasion, including on royal magi academy grounds. Do you dispute the charges?"
"I... I have nothing to say to you. That girl is just a commoner. I'm the son of an earl. It's obvious whose side you'd take, right Marques Shikoya?" Allan almost sounds like he's in another world with his delusions.
"It is quite obvious whose side I'd take, Lord Allan. Miss Anelia's. Just because she is a commoner, you thought you could do whatever you wanted to her and not worry about any consequences. Conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder are serious crimes in Anatolia, young man. Your father can't help you here. What's more, she is engaged to Lady Fuyumi Kusanagi, a knight of Anatolia who is also engaged to Lady Emilia von Crystalglove, daughter of Duke Joseph von Crystalglove. That makes her related to a duke's family, so she is technically a soon-to-be noble, and one with a higher level of status than you. Attacking a member of a duke's family heightens the severity of the charges. To add insult to injury, you were caught directly working with the kidnappers when you had Lady Anelia kidnapped. We also found documentation that links the financial transactions and orders for the slaves to your family. More than enough for a conviction, and execution if his majesty decides it," Victor explains.
"W-W-What?! She's nobility?! How's that possible? A duke's family?! There's no way she is a higher rank than me! I am true nobility. You can't possibly take her side over mine. I'm telling you the truth. I had nothing to do with that slave trafficking ring! Or with trying to kill her!" Allan weakly defends himself.
"Allan! Shut your mouth this instant!" Claveman berates his son.
"No amount of screaming will save you. If you wish to earn any form of mercy from his, or his majesty, then I suggest you start talking. Who were you working for? Tell us your accomplices, and there may be some mercy for you," Victor offers.
"You would offer mercy to these two after everything they did to our people?!" Orion exclaims.
"These two aiding those in charge of the trafficking operation. They helped kidnapped your people for profit, but the one's responsible were the ones taking the elves to who-knows-where. We need to know where this leads. Now, tell us the truth," Victor demands.
Earl Beauford hangs his head in resignation, "Recently, my family came into some financial trouble. I had to fix the problem, and quickly, before the other nobles learned about it. Soon, someone came to me with an offer. If I helped them with kidnapping elves to turn into slaves, they'd pay me a good price for each one, regardless of age or gender," Claveman explains, earning death glares from the elves in the room.
"Who are they?" Victor demands again.
"They were from-," the second Clavemen is about to answer, his body suddenly convulses and he starts coughing up blood.
"Father! What-," a second later, Allan has the same reaction.
"What's happening to them?" Elane asks.
"Damn it, must be some kind of curse!" Victor curses.
"Let me try," Fuyumi casts Panacea's Essence on them, but for some reason, it doesn't work. "My spell didn't work?!"
"The curse is either very powerful, or too far along now," Victor says.
The two men scream and wail in agony when not coughing up more blood. A moment later, their bodies fall to the floor, never to move again.
"What... What was that?" Anelia asks, terrified as her body shakes.
"Some kind of curse that was set to activate under the right conditions. These two must have been unaware of them until it was too late. A death curse. A spell unique to dark magic, but only a select few can perform such advanced magic. It must've been the slavers that did it in order to keep them quiet," Elder Makutei explains.
"Death curses are forbidden in Anatolia, due to their nature. Dark magic is perfectly legal, but that not kind of magic. Assassinations would be all over the place if it was," Victor adds.
"Why would they go along with such a thing?" Anelia asks.
"They didn't. The one's responsible must've done so without them knowing, or forced them into it. These people certainly are a cautious sort," Fuyumi figures it out.
"That only makes things more complicated for us. We're back to square one for now. This doesn't feel like just some slave ring for extra cash. They took great pains to conceal their operations. There must be some greater game at work here," Victor notes before turning back to the others. "I must inform his majesty of this, as well continue my investigation for this section of the country. I cannot extend my reach too far. In the meantime, what will the rest of you be doing?"
"We've managed to rescue some of our kin, but there are still others that remain missing. If they are not here, then they must've been moved somewhere else. We must track down their path and find out where. Of course, we do not intend to wait for his majesty's permission to continue our investigation. But we would like your aid in this endeavor," Elder Makutei says.
Victor nods, "Agreed. His majesty has always strived to improve relations with your people. Perhaps this will be the first step to achieve this goal. What about you, young ladies?" Victor asks Fuyumi and Anelia.
"Our main reason for coming here was to find the ones trying to kill Anelia. Now with that mission complete, I'm not really sure. I suppose for now, we'll return to Crystalglove city. I'm sure Emilia misses me greatly. What about you, Anelia? Will you return to the academy now that you are no longer in any danger?" Fuyumi asks her fiance.
"I... I don't think so. I want to stay with you, Fuyumi. Headmistress said there wasn't much left I could learn at the academy. But, I'd still like to talk to her one more time before I go," Anelia decides.
"Then I will be accompanying you. We already decided on that, remember," Elane reminds them.
"As long as you don't mind going to a human city. We'd best get going to the academy then. Thank you for your aid in our mission, Lord Victor. We owe you one," Fuyumi says.
"Next time you visit my city, don't bring trouble with you," Victor replies.
"Well, we'd better get going. Let's head back to the academy and finish up things there," Fuyumi says.
…
Later that day, Fuyumi and Anelia, along with Elane, return to the royal magi academy to speak with Headmistress Gloria. When they explained the situation, to say that she was relieved was an understatement.
"It is finally over. After all that turmoil, finally it is over. I am so sorry, Anelia. I should've known it was him all along. But, I did not act. I am happy that no one is after your life now, but at the same time, I can't help but feel like I've failed as a teacher," Gloria slouches in her chair.
"Headmistress, it wasn't your fault. You were protecting me all this time. I could never fault you for that," Anelia says.
"Be that as it may, I still did so little to aid you. In the end, you did it all on your own," Gloria replies.
"I didn't do it alone, Headmistress. I had Fuyumi to help me," Anelia smiles, which Fuyumi returns. "Headmistress, I am grateful for everything you've done for me, but... I don't think I'll be returning to the academy."
Gloria sighs, "Yes, I had a feeling you'd say that. After everything you've learned and been through, I can't say I'd be thrilled to go back if I were in your position. However..." Gloria opens a drawer and pulls something out. "I simply can't let you leave without giving you this," she walks over to Anelia and hands her a golden medallion with the image of a mage and the elemental affinities engraved on it.
"What is this?" Anelia asks.
"That is a medallion that every student who graduates from the royal magi academy receives. I did tell you once before that there is little left I can teach you at this school. I also plan on informing the student body of your early graduation and of Allan Beauford's expulsion from the academy due to his family's crimes. I refuse to let the students think you were expelled simply because you were born a commoner. Though... there is still the high possibility that you are a descendant of the great archmage," Gloria says.
"Whether I am or I am not, it does not matter. I am Anelia Lumare, a mage of Anatolia. Betrothed to Fuyumi Kusanagi. That is who I am," Anelia says, but accepts the medallion anyway.
Gloria smiles, "You've certainly grown much since I sent you on that special assignment a while back. I know you'll be a great mage, Anelia. Congratulations on your graduation, mage Anelia,"
"Thank you, Headmistress. I'll never forget everything you've taught me," Anelia tears up a bit.
Fuyumi and Elane smile, "Nice job, Anelia. I'd expect nothing less," Fuyumi notes.
Anelia's smile gets bigger, "Yes!"
…
Meanwhile, the cloaked woman meets with the man who once spoke with Earl Beauford.
"So, we were unable to acquire either of them," the man notes.
"I'm sorry, my lord. The intervention of the elves was a surprise to us all," the woman kneels before him.
"No matter. I believe there will be other opportunities. I trust that our loose ends have been dealt with?" he glances back at her.
"Yes, I felt it when the curses activated. Our secret remains secure," the woman nods.
"Good. We weren't able to get as much as we hoped for, but we still collected a sufficient sum of cargo for our efforts. For now, we should return home while things quiet down a bit. No doubt, Anatolia will investigate things. We may need to move up the timeline. His grace will be expecting us as well. Let us focus on other avenues," the man turns and walks by the woman, with the latter moving to follow. "However, should another opportunity present itself, I want you nearby to deal with this Fuyumi Kusanagi. We have other skilled warriors at our disposal, but I'd rather save them for the main event. That leaves you as our best chance of taking her. Alive,"
"It will be done, my lord," the woman replies.
The man smirks, "Either way. It will be quite a show..."
And that's the chapter. Fuyumi and Anelia finally settle things from the magi academy, and now the elf Elane joins their party. However, it seems the enemies in the shadows are not done with them just yet. What other challenges will Fuyumi face in the near future? Until then, please Read and Review.