Chapter 17: The Arrival
On the day when the Count of Monte Cristo was due to meet Mokuba, the Kaiba mansion was under preparations to honor the young man's savior. Although he has a penthouse located near Kaiba Corporation Tower, the younger Kaiba decided that it would be more convenient to greet his honored guest at the mansion, as his brother and sister-in-law wish to see the Count.
That same morning, some of Mokuba's friends have come over, as they too, are anxious and curious to meet the man who saved their friend's life.
They comprise of German DM Champion, Leon von Schroeder, journalist Kazuki Takahashi (A/N: A younger and fictionalized version), Yasuhisa Shiozaki III (A/N: Couldn't find out much information about Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary's family), diplomat Seta Suzuki, and DDM Champion/Creator, Duke Devlin (whom Suzuki brought as another guest).
"Duke? Is that you, and why are you here?" asked Mokuba.
Devlin answered, "Well... Seta Suzuki happens to be an acquaintance of mine. You see, I once saved him from losing his match in a DM tournament by lending him my deck. Since then, we've known each other for the past year."
"Oh, I see."
Shortly after, Devlin begins to converse with Leon and Seta, while the others grow hungry for breakfast.
Yasuhisa Shiozaki III, being a person who works in politics, grew a bit impatient, as he has to go another meeting around 11:30 in the morning. Meanwhile, the tabloid journalist, Takahashi is wondering if Mokuba's honored guest is really all he seems to be.
Hungry, Shiozaki asks, "So, when's breakfast going be served, Mokuba?"
"As soon as the Count arrives."
"Which will be at what time in the morning, again?"
"At 10:30."
"Sorry to say this, but in 10 minutes from now, it will be 10:30. Is this 'count' of yours known for being punctual?"
"I think so."
"But, still... this Count of Monte Cristo... does he really exist?"
"Yeah, Mokuba. How come we've never heard of that name since you've returned to Japan, huh?" asked Takahashi.
"Besides, I did a little digging, and I couldn't find anything about your count, Mokuba. It's like he doesn't exist at all. Hell, the very name is probably an alias or something."
Takahashi inquired, "Where and when did you say you met this man, again?"
"In Hong Kong, during the Chinese New Year festival(s)."
"And you were kidnapped by Chinese Triads? What did you do, try to get one of their women into your pants or something?" asked Shiozaki.
"Well, we all know how Mokuba is. Ever since he had his 'first' in college... well, he's always craved for more."
"Ha, ha..." said Mokuba in a mocking tone, "Okay, guys... I think that's enough!"
"So... is your count fabulously wealthy as you say he is?" asked the Cabinet Secretary.
"I think so."
"Then, in what form did it show up as?"
"Well, that's kinda hard to explain... he is very eccentric, and seems to live in an unorthodox life. For instance, the foods that the Count is served, he hardly eats anything. And... he seems to be quite fond of seeing justice being played out."
"But, how did this 'count' of yours rescue you from the Triads? Surely, he must've been some kind of Superman. Or did he use his deadly ninja skills to free you from your captors?"
"He is neither a superhuman, nor a deadly ninja. My honored guest and I are about the same height: 5 feet, 8 inches."
"So, I assume that he paid the ransom money for your freedom?"
"No. Upon my release, all the Triads told me is that the Count is a very good friend of their leader."
"And, their boss even apologized to me." added Leon.
"You know what I think?" asked the journalist, "I bet that the count made some sort of negotiation with the Triad Boss."
"Think what you want, Takahashi. But believe me, the Count of Monte Cristo does exist, and he's not a fraud!"
"Fine, then. But, by your earlier description of this man, I'd say that he's some kind of a vampire. You did mention that he eats very little, didn't you?"
"And... at night, he searches for lovely young women to suck their blood, right?" questioned Shiozaki mockingly.
"Go ahead and mock all you want, my friends."
Looking at his watch, the politician becomes even more irritated. "See, Mokuba? It's now 10:30 in the morning..."
While the nearby grandfather clock was still striking, the entrance door had opened. One of the Kaiba mansion servants announced: "His Excellency, the Count of Monte Cristo!"
For some strange reason, everyone became a bit startled by this. Seta looked through a nearby window, and saw a black limousine that has just left the mansion's estate. The door leading to the parlor room suddenly opened, albeit quietly. And entering the room, was none other than the count himself.
This same man was dressed in very plain, yet tasteful attire. His dark clothing, everything from his hat to his shoes, was all in perfect taste, as it came from the best money could buy. In terms of age, the shadowy figure appeared to be between 30 to 32 years; a little younger than Duke whose age is the latter.
When the mysterious person advanced toward Mokuba, the others felt slightly petrified. Besides Mokuba and Leon, the others immediately believed that the count was truly some sort of demon.
Seeing that the people in the parlor room are terribly frightened, the count said, "I believe that Punctuality is the politeness of kings, or so it is said. Despite the intentions of travellers, I do hope that you, Mokuba Kaiba, would be so kind to forgive my late arrival of some 3 seconds...?"
"Monte Cristo Hakushaku, my friends and I were just talking about you. I'd like to introduce to you some good friends of mine. They are Leon von Schroeder, German DM Champion; Seta Suzuki, a Japanese diplomat; Yasuhisa Shiozaki, the Chief Cabinet Secretary; Kazuki Takahashi, an infamous journalist; and Duke Devlin, the Dungeon Dice Monsters Creator & Champion."
The count bowed politely to all but Devlin. For him, the count gave him a slightly more favorable bow of respect.
"I assume that you've met him from somewhere, Count?" asked Mokuba.
"No."
A few minutes later, the Mokuba and his guests entered the dining room for breakfast. Because he and Leon knew that the Count ate very little to nothing, they feared that it would distract the others.
"Your Excellency... I've noticed this, but when we were at the hotel, you ate a bit more back then... is the food here not to your liking? If you'd like, I could ask the cook to prepare some Chinese cuisine for you."
"Please, my young friend... you needn't be concerned with my eating habits again. Because of the various countries I've traveled in, there is no quintessential cuisine for a man like myself. More so, I had not eaten since yesterday."
"My God! You didn't eat anything for 24 hours?!" cried some of the guests.
"Yes, that is correct."
The guests continued their breakfast, despite the abstemious count's odd behavior. After breakfast, Takahashi, the journalist, took some pictures of Monte Cristo, and had a brief interview. At about 11 o'clock, everyone, but the mysterious aristocrat had left the mansion.
"If your Excellency permits it, let me act as a guide for you. If you follow me, the gallery is just a few rooms down the parlor room."
"I accept your proposal, my young friend."
The two then walked together to the gallery. Once there, Monte Cristo saw various objects that included Japanese vases, Chinese silk cloths, oriental tapestry, and some Korean masks. Others included several ancient weapons.
Mokuba originally planned to act as a tour guide to his honored guest, but to his surprise, it was the Count who took the role. The older man's vast knowledge simply astonished the young man. A little while later, Mokuba noticed that the count had firmly fixed his eyes on a certain painting.
"What a lovely young woman. Is that your fiancée, my dear Mokuba?"
"I'm afraid not, your Excellency. You see, that's my sister-in-law, Téa. She's become quite famous in America for her dancing talents."
"And when was this portrait of hers taken?" asked Monte Cristo.
"I think about six or seven years ago. It was taken a little after her and my brother's honeymoon."
"I see. Interesting background... I believe that those two silhouettes are the Duel Monsters: Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl?"
"Yes, that's right. Those monsters were the signature cards of her good friend, Yugi Mutou. The same one who disappeared some fourteen years ago. There were rumors that he died somewhere in prison after his sudden arrest for some political crime. Quite tragic, really."
"Yes, indeed it is. But, why is this in your room, instead of the master bedroom, or perhaps the gallery?" inquired the count.
"Well... my brother, Seto Kaiba, doesn't like it, as he and Yugi were rivals. I guess that he doesn't want to remember the past... again."
Mokuba then recalls when his older brother was defeated by Yugi in Battle City. The elder Kaiba's plan was to beat Yugi, so that he could be crowned the best on top of the Duel Tower. 'Shortly after, Seto would then finally put his miserable past behind him and move on.'
"Is something wrong, Count? You look as if you were reminiscing about something. Perhaps about that love of yours?"
"No, my young friend. But, I'm afraid that I must take my leave."
"Oh, please don't leave just yet, Count. My older brother and his wife are anxious to see you."
Monte Cristo sighed, and said, "Very well, then." The two gentlemen left the room, but...
"Mokuba, is this your guest, the Count of Monte Cristo?" asked a familiar voice.
As he heard those words, the count snapped out of his 'trance' and regained his usual posture. He turned to where the person was.
'Now... it's time... to make our acquaintance... Seto Kaiba.'