Chapter 2

Ernesto and Laura had arrived at the Mexico City's branch of the Sixth Sun. They walked inside and after a few commands, were led to the rooms that housed the injured guards.

He entered the room with a steel determination. His scrunched eyebrows and narrowed eyes barely contained his anger.

The elderly Franciso looked up and spoke. "Praise be to the Sun King, who graces us with his presence. Though I am unworthy, I ask for your mercy."

Seeing Francisco receive the man in such a manner, Erica was thrown into a panic and frantically tried to bow despite being bedridden.

The Sun King raised his hand to stop them. "At ease. Do not exert yourselves. We will forego the usual honored greetings for we hold more pressing matters at hand." He replied.

"As you wish my lord." Francisco answered much to the relief of Erica who winced at her now hurt back.

"As I am sure you know by now, my visit is to inquire about the robbery that took place three days ago. But before we delve into such questioning, I wish to ask something more important. How do you both fare? Are you being well taken care of?"

"Yes my lord." Francisco said with a smile.

"And you?" the Sun King asked, turning to Erica.

She vigorously nodded her head.

"Good. I must express my sincerest apologies for your late rescue. It appears that a powerful magical gem, left behind at the crime scene, warded off potential inspection of the room."

His voice began to shake.

"The fact that for three days this act of thievery eluded my ears is reprehensible. But to have two of my own subjects attacked, left injured and obstructed from aid is unforgivable!" He roared.

Erica shrunk away in fear upon seeing the Sun King's outburst.

Laura touched his shoulder lightly with her hand. Reacting to it, he took a moment to calm himself.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke. "What I wish to ask both of you is if you saw the perpetrator."

Francisco responded, "Unfortunately, I did not. I believe it was only Erica who saw the ruffian."

The Sun King turned his gaze to Erica who quickly stuttered a response.

"N-n-n-noo I didn't see his face. I mean I did but it was um..uh..I-don't-know.."

"Erica, take a deep breath." The Sun King requested.

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. The Sun King knew her name!

She took his advice and after expelling the air, began to articulate more clearly.

"I did see the thief but he was shrouded in a murky darkness that blurred out his face. So I still didn't get a good look at him." She explained.

Laura's eyes shot up. "It seems to be the same person!" She said as she turned to face Ernesto.

Both Francisco and Erica look at her with confused faces. The Sun King clarified.

"Four days ago, the artifact was being transported from Tijuana to the capital. During transit, the caravan encountered an assailant very much like the one you described."

He continued. "Thanks to the foresight and joint efforts of our General and Penumbra, we were able to have contingency plans at our disposal that effectively dealt with safely transporting the artifact. During this assault, our General encountered either the same individual or a member of the group."

"A member? You mean that it was a group that attacked?" Francisco asked.

"Up until now, we are unsure as to the possible identities of the assailant. Yet rest assured…" The Sun King's eyes lit up. "…I will make sure justice is served."

At this declaration, everyone felt a ripple of magic shoot out from the Sun King which made Erica flinch.

"Now if you will excuse me, I must contact our Penumbra." The Sun King announced as he turned to exit the room.

Francisco called out. "Oh Great Sun King, can this servant of yours make a humble request?"

He turned to look back at him. "You may."

"Teach them a lesson they won't forget in place of these old bones."

Ernesto smiled. "It will be done. You have my word."

Laura was looking out the window of yet another airplane. After having talked to the Penumbra, Ernesto believed he knew who the culprit was. Or rather that the Penumbra knew. It was Alexander Gascoigne.

After having ordered Tijuana airport security footage of the last three days to be reviewed and the findings reported to him asap, he immediately booked a flight to England, giving Laura no choice but to come along.

Despite her arguments that more evidence was needed before they would readily assume the Black Prince responsible, her words fell on deaf ears. It also didn't help that neither she nor the General of Knights, Alonso, trusted the Penumbra, who was currently serving as the Director of Cover Operations and Intelligence. Furthermore, he was abroad on assignment. How could he possibly know anything about the robbery?

"What's bothering you Laura?" Ernesto asked.

She snapped back. "You know perfectly well what's on my mind. You're going to accuse a Campione of theft, something that, knowing the unpredictable nature of your kin, could easily escalate into a declaration of war!"

He attempted to assure her. "I trust the conclusion of our Penumbra and have my own suspicions that it truly was Alexander who committed the theft. It would definitely fit the behavior that Godou and Annie described."

Twisting away with a large huff, she retorted. "I can't believe you. We could stand on the eve of the very act that could start the war between Campiones and you actually take the words of that man to heart. Considering his deplorable history…"

"Laura" Ernesto interjected. "I've told you many time that while he indeed has a checkered past, his abilities match no other in his line of work. He has proven a valuable ally and…"

"You mean you'd take the side of a CRIMINAL and save his skin so long as you could USE him!" Laura accused.

Ernesto stared at her. *sigh* "Devils were once angels before they fell from grace. Our Penumbra was one of the few devils who yearned to reclaim his wings."

Turning away, he whispered. "Who am I to deny him that chance?"

For the remainder of the flight, both of them sat in silence. Laura saw that Ernesto did not mingle with the other passengers as he usually would. He didn't even attempt to order any alcohol. After a while, Laura couldn't take it anymore.

"Ernesto, I…" She started.

"No it is I who should apologize. I understand that you've never seen eye to eye with our Penumbra."

He gazed back at her. " I also recognize your valid concerns pertaining to accusing Alexander of the crime, which is why we are not heading straight to find the Royal Arsenal. Instead, I wish to meet a potential ally. Someone who I hear is an authority on matters concerning the Black Prince."

After their arrival and a quiet drive later, they stood in front of a four story Victorian building, constructed with red brick. Yet it appeared that they had recently planted gardens of pinks roses around the building that stood in contrast to the coming autumn.

Laura was wearing a blue coat and Ernesto was covered in a black hooded cloak.

As they approached, Laura suddenly stopped Ernesto with her outstretched arm.

"What's the matter?" Ernesto whispered.

"There's a barrier here." She replied.

He looked at her questioningly. "And?"

"It appears that someone inside wishes to try and keep us out." Laura explained.

Ernesto impatiently took a step forward.

"Wait!" Laura yelled out. "If you go waltzing in, you'll destroy the barrier."

Ernesto looked at her knowingly. "Yes, that's the point."

"Look, wouldn't it be best to at least approach this meeting with some proper respect? If we want this friend of yours to support us, we should try to make a good impression by standing out from the others. I have a feeling that all Campiones walked right in instead of simply ringing the doorbell."

Ernesto took a moment to ponder the thought. "Alright, we'll do it your way." He took a step back.

Laura step forward and finding an impression on one of the stones that lay outside the barrier, touched it and spoke out loud. "Oh Princess Alice! We have traveled far and wish to have an audience with you. We bear a message from the eighth Campione!"

For about a minute, they stood in waiting until the barrier finally opened up to let them through. Upon approaching, the door opened and a tall, thin lady stood in front of them. She looked around her thirties and wore her hair tied up along thin-framed glasses. She was known as Patricia Ericson, otherwise called Miss Ericson, show served as secretary and governess of the Witenagemot's spokesperson, Alice Louise of Navarre. She stood hands at the waist, defiantly looking at them.

"The 8th Campione? I had hoped they'd at least be courteous and come to speak with the Princess in person."

"Ask and you shall receive!" Ernesto announced as he pulled off the cloak revealing his shining white and purple attire.

Miss Ericson narrowed her eyes. "We have not yet met the 8th Campione. How do I know you're not an imposter?" She accused.

"You could test me." The Sun King suggested.

"Very well" She replied. Pointing to the ground, she chanted, "Spiciformis Insidias!" A complex magic circle that sprouted deadly black spikes sunk into the circle and disappeared right in front of Ernesto. He made a light step and the magical trap shattered.

"Very well, you have proven your title. So what business do you wish to speak to Princess Alice about?" She snapped.

"The matter concerns Alexander Gascoigne."

She stifled a snarl. "You come on his behalf? Then I'd think it better you leave." Despite being a Campione, Miss Ericson didn't seem to fear them as much as normal mages.

{Brave. But quite foolish.} Ernesto thought.

"Do not misunderstand me. I do not come in place of him. Rather, I come to see of his possible involvement in the orchestration of a theft and the punishment he would receive." The Sun King clarified.

Hearing this, her eyes lit up. "Really? Well, we don't want to keep you waiting. Right this way!" She declared with a newly found skip in her step.

She opened a door and there stood Princess Alice. But they both noticed something was off about her appearance.

"Ectoplasm" Laura figured.

"Indeed. My real body is very weak and unsightly" She pointed to a huge bed with lavish curtains that covered its occupant. "So I tend to receive visitors in this form."

"Ahh I have heard that those with high levels of spiritual ability tend to have weak physical constitutions." The Sun King mentioned.

"To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" Princess Alice asked.

"I am Ernesto Juarez, better known by my rightful title of the Sun King and the 8th Campione."

She bowed and replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Oh Great Sun King. May I be so polite as to ask for the purpose of your visit?"

"I will get right to the point. Three days ago, an ancient magical artifact was stolen from my organization. The very same artifact was targeted on its way to the capital city before the robbery. In both cases, magical electrical attacks were used and the assailant or assailants were able to cover great distances." Ernesto explained.

"Hmmm…what type of artifact was it?" The Princess asked.

"To be entirely honest, I'm not completely sure. It was recovered by John Pluto Smith for our alliance."

"Alliance?!" The Princess asked in surprise.

"Yes, John Pluto Smith, Kusanagi Godou and I formed an alliance in secret to combat any other encroaching Campione. Salvatore Doni just recently joined as well."

She stood in awe. "Wow! That is amazing! I hadn't been informed. To think you have united this many Campione!"

"Anyways, back to the main topic. Concerning the robbery, our intelligence holds that our prime suspect is Alexander Gasciogne. What do you think?"

"Well, while some of the details do sound like the work of Alexander, I don't see why he would take such an object unless it had some inherent value to him."

"Well, it is possible that the artifact can aid in the battle against the King of the End." The Sun King pointed out.

"Really? Then there lies the motive. Such a possibility could be true especially since he knows he will have to fight him in the future."

She began to pace around the room. "And from what I heard in rumors, you have quite the violent reputation….far from what you presently suggest." She added reassuringly.

She gazed out the window. "So he may have hidden his identity to escape the retribution of such a violent man….still. While you can name him a suspect at your leisure Your Majesty, unless you have solid proof that he stole it, I'm afraid conjecture is all you have. It would be unwise to try and accuse him when there are various other candidates that would fit your description of things."

"True. It would appear that I'd be making blind accusations if I could not pin him at the scene of the crime. On another note, I wanted to know more about you, Princess Alice."

"Me?" She replied with curiosity.

"Yes. See you have proven to be a most valuable ally for many of my compatriots in trying times. I'm curious as to why you chose to help monsters like us."

"I wouldn't call you a monster…" She replied.

"I'm sure many would beg to differ. There's no need to be modest. I am well aware of what the world thinks of us." He affirmed.

"Ah well you sand in stark contrast to a good number of your kin by holding that opinion."

Gesturing toward Laura, he explained. "I owe it all to my knight, Laura. It's hard to argue with her."

"Let's be honest, you were already a monster before. A monster of women." Laura commented.

Princess Alice raised her eyebrows. "Ooo so you're that type of man."

She turned to Laura. "Laura was it not? You will have to tell me about our Sun King's conquests."

Looking back at the Sun King's slight bewilderment, she added. "I am sure a man of his caliber would find it petty to worry about such trivial gossip."

{Wow, she's was good.} Ernesto thought.

"Ahem, perhaps another time…unless.." he slowly approached Princess Alice's bedside and gently pulled back the curtains, revealing the bedridden Alice.

"You would wish…" he took a hold of her hand and began to lightly caress it.

"…to join the ranks of such ladies who've had the privilege."

She felt her face reddened and she swallowed hard. Her breathing quickened as his face slowly inched closer, his gaze, intense and longing. Her lips looked so soft and waiting.

"Sun King, this isn't what…" She turned away offering excuses but he gently took hold of her chin, leaned into her ear and with his hot breath sliding in her ear, he whispered. "Close your eyes."

Princess Alice did as commanded. Her lips quivered in anticipation. She then felt a push against her lips. It was soft and warm as she relaxed her body.

"Well, does that momentarily tame the need for gossip?"

She opened her eyes and found his thumb pressed against her lips. She slowly nodded.

As he stepped away, she took a deep breath and attempted to regain her composure.

"W..w..well that was quite the demonstration S-S-Sun King."

He gave a warm smile. "Maybe one day we could explore the possibility." He gave a wink.

"Well now, would you be so kind as to answer my question." She gave a firm nod.

"I feel that Campiones are walking disasters but if set against each other, they can almost cancel out further possible disaster if given the proper direction. Sometimes our goals coincide and sometimes they are at odds with Campione."

"So it's like having a forest fire and ending it with a big explosion."

"More or less." She replied.

"Well then, can I count on your support in this war?" The Sun King asked.

"And what support would that be my esteemed Sun King?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Supporting my efforts to push back the end of the world and all who would stand in the way of such a goal."

"Well I would very much rather have the world keep existing than to have it end. It appears I have no choice." She smiled.

"Thank you Princess Alice." Laura interjected. "By the way, concerning the robbery, our members have identified the culprit."

She pulled out an iPad from her bag and handed it to Ernesto and Princess Alice. Looking at the evidence on-screen, they commented. "You would describe this man as quite intelligent and clever correct?"

*sigh* "Indeed but you must forgive him for he has quite a nasty habit of such blunders."

Minutes later, after they said their good-byes to Princess Alice, the Sun King and Laura were escorted to the outskirts of the mansion by Miss Ericson. As he walked out, he turned his head slightly.

"Oh, before I leave, I want to say that it is an impressive barrier that you've built. I could have dispelled it to prove myself a Campione but chose to leave such a great work intact."

Hearing this, she showed a smile of gratitude. "Fare thee well Sun King."