Night 35- The Culprit is Sinbad?!
Magi © Shinobu Ohtaka
Shahra © Me
Alozza and Alath © Darkdarling98
The sun rises, bringing a new morning to the Kingdom of Sindria. Everyone in the palace is already awake and starting to prepare for the day…except for a certain young Magi, who lies on his bed, sound asleep, wearing nothing but a pair of undies and his hair unbraided, . He was so tuckered out from last night's festivities, he just wanted to sleep all morning long.
Unfortunately, his teacher wasn't going to have that.
Yamraiha opened the door and entered the room, approaching the slumbering Aladdin, who hugged a long pillow in his sleep. The water mage placed her hand upon his shoulder and began to gently shake him.
"Aladdin," she called, softly. "Come on, Aladdin. Wake up."
"Mm…" Aladdin moaned in his sleep. "N…no thanks…I can't eat anymore…"
"Aladdin, come on," Yamraiha called, again, her voice a bit louder this time. "Get up, go get dressed, eat breakfast, and get ready for your training."
Aladdin opened one eye, glaring at his mentor, before pulling the covers over his head, to Yamraiha's irritation.
"Aladdin, I'm serious!" she exclaimed as she grabbed at the covers and forcibly yanked them off the young Magi's body. "Get out of bed, now!"
Aladdin groaned before he grabbed his pillow and covered his head.
"Go away…" he muttered.
Yamraiha only sighed in exasperation, but then Alozza entered the room.
"What's going on?" the shape-shifting woman asked.
"Oh, hey, Alozza," Yamraiha said. "I can't get him out of bed."
"Oh, really?" asked Alozza before she approached Aladdin. "Did you try this?" She then leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Hey…you got 10 seconds to get outta bed or I'm getting the water bucket."
Aladdin's eyes shot wide open before he sat up, looking at Alozza nervously.
"You're bluffing…right?" he asked.
"Ask Alibaba," Alozza smirked as she and Aladdin both glanced at the door…only to see Alibaba, shivering and soaking wet.
"Little buddy…I assure you, she is NOT joking!" he cried.
Aladdin let out a nervous yelp before hurriedly getting out of bed, grabbing his clothes, which had been scattered haphazardly on the floor, and hurried to the restroom to change. His King's Candidate followed not long after.
"Works every time," Alozza grinned.
"Thanks," Yamraiha said. "I'll have to remember that whenever I get Sharrkan out of bed."
On that, both women laughed.
XXX
In the days that followed, Aladdin, Alibaba, Morgiana, and Alozza continued their training.
With Alibaba, he is currently out in one of the training grounds with his swordplay instructor, Sharrkan. However, the blonde prince was covered in various scratches as he tried to hold his own against him using the relic blade that was once owned by his father. As the spar continued, there was a flash of light, and the eight-pointed star seal upon the jewel embedded in the blade appeared.
"Look!" Alibaba exclaimed, happily. "Amon entered the relic blade!"
"About time!" Sharrkan said. "Looks like my intense training has paid off!"
'It was a little too intense, if you ask me,' Alibaba thought. 'He was so laid-back during the festival, but during training, he's so damn strict! Even Balkirk wasn't this hard on me!'
"Now then," said Sharrkan, "show me what you got!"
"What?" Alibaba asked.
"You know what I'm talking about! Use the Sword of Amon on me! Didn't you say it could cut through anything?"
"But…you have a Household Vessel!"
"I didn't say I'd use it. I'll only use my natural skills."
Alibaba sneered before he held up the relic blade.
'He's mocking me,' h thought. 'So far, I haven't stood a chance against him…but I'll turn the tables with the Sword of Amon!'
He then held the blade against his chest and started the Djinn Summoning Incantation.
"O Great Spirit of Decorum and Austerity! I beseech thee and thy kin! Feed upon my magoi and grant me great power! COME FORTH, AMON!"
With that, the relic blade transformed into the Sword of Amon!
Sharrkan whistled, impressed.
"Not too shabby, there!" he said. "Now…come at me!"
'I better be careful,' Alibaba thought. 'If I'm not careful, the Sword of Amon could cut him in half…so I better aim for his sword!'
"HAAAAAAAA!" he roared as he charged at Sharrkan and leapt into the air, preparing to strike, but as he brought the Sword of Amon down, Sharrkan held up his blade, blocking it until it began to slide off the edge!
"Huh!?" Alibaba questioned in shock.
'He deflected it with the flat of his blade?!' he thought before he nearly stumbled to the ground behind Sharrkan.
"Come on!" Sharrkan said. "What the hell was that?! Attack like you mean it, man!"
"I am!" Alibaba shouted as he ran back at him, but Sharrkan either dodged him or blocked his sword with his Household Vessel every time!
'Dammit!' thought Alibaba. 'Why can't I beat this guy?!'
After a while, Alibaba was completely exhausted, and he had not landed a single hit on Sharrkan.
"Man, that was awful," Sharrkan said.
"Do you have to rub it in?" Alibaba asked.
"Sorry. No disrespect, but it's just that that sword isn't a really good match for your swordplay, whatsoever."
"Well…I've never really used a sword like this. I'm more used to handling a shorter blade, like a knife, for my swordplay."
"Well, I'll give you this much. You've got potential and instinct, and your Balbadd Royal Swordplay isn't too shabby, either! That's why your Djinn Weapon Equip pretty much throws me off. Is that broadsword really good enough for you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Oh…so you don't know, huh? There's actually a better way to do to a Djinn Weapon Equip!"
"Wait, really?! W-what is it?! Tell me!"
"Well-"
DING-DONG-DING! The chiming of bells could be heard in the distance.
"Oh," Sharrkan said. "Looks like training's over for today. Time for a break!"
"B-but wait!" Alibaba cried. "You were gonna tell me something!"
"My work hours are over," said Sharrkan. "It can wait until tomorrow. Come on! Let's hit the tavern!"
"But…but I…!" Alibaba stammered before he sighed in defeat. "I give up…"
XXX
Meanwhile, Aladdin is still training on his magic with Yamraiha and Shahra watching him nearby. He had read scrolls and books, and even tested out magic potions that Yamraiha made, and now, he was focusing on improving his spells.
"HALHARL INFIGAR!"
BOOM! He unleashed a blast of fire into the sky before looking at Yamraiha, who sat nearby with water balls floating around her.
"How'd I do, Yam?" Aladdin asked.
"Well, Aladdin, I'll give it to you straight," Yamraiha said. "You're not really improving, at all."
SLUMP! Aladdin flopped down on the ground, comically depressed.
"Why you gotta say it so bluntly~?" he whined.
"Oh! Sorry!" Yamraiha apologized. "Let me rephrase that. Your magic is a little…rough around the edges. Granted, it does have an amazing output, but the only attack you do is Halharl Infigar, and that's not really suitable for a magician, especially a Magi like you."
"It's not?" Aladdin asked.
"Nope," Yamraiha answered. "As a Magi, you may be special, but in offensive capability, magicians are unequal to Metal Vessel users. Metal Vessels function as amplifiers that absorb natural phenomena to release attacks of incredible force. Us magicians can't really do that, you see."
"Oh," Aladdin realized.
"However," Yamraiha started, "we can use a variety of magical effects. Depending on the geography and circumstances, we can assist the more limited range of attacks employed by users of Metal and Household Vessels. Ergo, instead of attack, we support others! That's the duty of a magician!"
"Wow…!" Aladdin whispered in awe.
"Now then, let's continue," Yamraiha said.
"Uh, wait! Yam!" Aladdin called. "Those balls of water around you…that's magic, too, right? Do you think I could do that?"
"Oh, this?" Yamraiha asked, pointing to the water balls. "This is Sharrar Rasas. It's Water Magic, but yours is-"
"Heat Magic, I know," Aladdin said, "but I wanna try it, too, just with Heat Magic, though!"
Yamraiha blinked for a moment…but then she smiled.
"I see," she said. "Very well."
"Yo!"
The two turned to see Alozza approaching.
"Just thought I'd come to tell you," she began, "that everyone's gathering at the port. That Kou Prince is finally here."
"Oh!" Yamraiha exclaimed. "Well, we better go greet him, then. Sorry, Aladdin. Looks like lessons are on hold."
"I understand," Aladdin said. "Besides, I wanna meet the Kou Prince, too! Come on, Shahra! Let's go!"
Shahra soon stood up and followed after the others.
XXX
At the port, Sinbad, Alibaba, Alath, Morgiana, and the rest have gathered there, watching as a small fleet of ships with the Kou Empire insignia drifted towards the shore.
"Hey, guys!"
Alibaba turned to see Aladdin, Yamraiha, Alozza, and Shahra approach.
"There you are," Alibaba said. "Looks like you guys got here just in time."
As soon as the ships made port, several soldiers disembarked from one…and one of them was Ren Hakuryuu.
"Is that the prince?" Alath asked.
"Must be," Alozza mused. "He's got that golden headpiece on him."
Sinbad glanced at Alibaba worriedly.
'I know you want to avenge Balbadd,' he thought, 'but please, Alibaba…don't raise a scene.'
Nearby, Alibaba stood watching as Hakuryuu approached.
'So that's the Kou Prince, huh?' he thought as he passed by.
'I wondered he would be like,' thought Aladdin. 'He looks a bit like Princess Hakuei. He even has that little mole, like her…I wonder.'
Soon, Hakuryuu stood before Sinbad.
"I am Ren Hakuryuu, the 4th Prince of the Kou Empire," he said, putting his right fist in his left palm and bowing.
"His Majesty told me you would be coming," said Sinbad. "I welcome you, Prince Hakuryuu."
"I wanted to meet you, regardless of my stepfather's wishes," said Hakuryuu.
"I'm honored," Sinbad said. "You can tell me about it, later." That's when he noticed someone standing behind him. "Oh! And who's this with you?"
Everyone looked, but then Ja'Far gasped in horror upon seeing Princess Ren Kougyoku…with a sweet…yet somehow ominous smile on her face.
"Hey, isn't that the princess you told me about?" Alath asked. "The one who's got a crush on Sin?"
"Aww, she must've come here for him!" Pisti exclaimed. "That's so sweet!"
"I dunno," Alozza murmured, uneasy. "That smile of hers gives me the creeps."
"I knew it! I just knew it!" Ja'Far whispered. "Sin must've done something foolish with her! It's the Tavern Incident, all over again!"
"What's the Tavern Incident?" asked Aladdin.
"You don't wanna know," Yamraiha muttered, dreadfully.
After what felt like an eternity, Kougyoku finally approached Sinbad and spoke.
"Well, well!" she said. "Thank you for visiting, Lord Sinbad! It's a pleasure to see you, again!"
"And you," Sinbad concurred.
"That's weird," Pisti said. "They're acting all casual."
"Oh, good," Ja'Far said, relieved. "That means nothing happened."
"Then why do I still have a bad feeling?" asked Alozza.
"I haven't really seen you since Balbadd, Princess," said Sinbad. "Come to think of it, I haven't even seen you once, during my visit! It's good to see you!"
"…We didn't…meet…once…?!" Kougyoku asked, trembling. Then, all of a sudden, ZWISH! She attempted to cut Sinbad with a broadsword, but only slashed off a lock from his ponytail.
"WHAT IN THE WORLD?!" Alath questioned in shock.
"Err…Princess?" Sinbad asked, nervously. "Is there something wrong?"
"'Something wrong'?" Kougyoku repeated, trembling with anger. "'Something wrong'?! OF COURSE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG, YOU ARROGANT PIG!"
"Huh?!" Sinbad muttered in shock.
"Curse you…!" Kougyoku hissed as she grabbed her hairpin and pulled it out. "If you had just apologized, I would've gladly swallowed my tears for my country's sake, but now…I'll never forgive you!"
FWASH! Her hairpin turned into the Sword of Vinea!
"I WANT A DUEL, SINBAD!" she barked. "FOR VIOLATING THE BODY OF A MAIDEN, I WILL KILL YOU!"
"YOU DID WHAT?!" everyone questioned.
"I KNEW IT!" Ja'Far cried.
"Sinbad, you've got some explaining to do!" Alath glared.
"N-n-now wait a minute!" Sinbad argued. "I didn't do anything to her, I swear!"
"Yeah, right," Alath grumbled before she turned to Kougyoku in concern. "Uh…Your Highness? I'm Alath, Sinbad's younger sister…can you tell me what happened between you and my brother?"
Kougyoku gasped…before she started whimpering as a blush of embarrassment formed on her face and tears flooded her eyes.
"BWAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" she sobbed before she embraced Alath, who was taken aback by the sudden action. "It's so horrible~! I can't even say it!"
Alath, although surprised, gasped silently before hugging the crying princess.
"Sinbad, what did you to the poor girl?!" Alath questioned. "She's traumatized!"
"I told you, I didn't do anything!" Sinbad argued. "I didn't even see her!"
"Typical lies. Then, again, you do have a reputation of being called 'Lady Killer of the Seven Seas', am I wrong, King Sinbad?!"
Everyone looked up to see Ka Koubun approached.
"Who are you?" Alath asked.
"I am Ka Koubun," said Ka Koubun. "I am Princess Kougyoku most trusted vassal, and forgive me for interrupting, but making Her Highness reveal her shame would be far too cruel. She attests to it herself, though there were other witnesses. As hard as it is to believe, it's the truth."
"And just what happened?" Alozza asked.
"I will tell you the whole story," said Ka Koubun. "On the final night of King Sinbad's visit, the emperor held a farewell banquet…and as morning dawned…"
Flashback
Kougyoku yawned and stretched as she sat up in bed. She sleepily rubbed her eyes and glanced to her left before looking out the window…but then she gasped as her eyes widened before doing a double-take…and seeing Sinbad, lying beside her…completely in the nude!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Kougyoku shrieked before she leapt out of bed and ran out of the room!
Flashback end
Everyone gaped in absolute shock and horror.
"And yet, the king claims nothing happened!" Ka Koubun shouted. "So explain yourself, now, King Sinbad!"
Sinbad just stood there, utterly flabbergasted.
"Oh…dear…Solomon…!" Alath whispered. "Sinbad, how could you do this?!"
"I DIDN'T DO IT!" Sinbad shouted.
"LIES!" Kougyoku shouted as she stood up, holding a sword to her chest. "If you don't duel me, I'll die!"
"Wait!" Alath cried. "Let's not be rash! Can't we talk this over like reasonable human beings?!"
"Talking's over!" Kougyoku shouted as tears fell from her eyes. "Either Sinbad fights me…or I'll spill my blood, here and now!"
"Princess!" cried a Kou Soldier.
"No, what are you doing?!" asked another.
"Sinbad, did you really sleep with her?!" Alath asked.
"I told you, no!" Sinbad answered. "At least…I don't think I did! I don't remember! I'd never do something like that!"
'Actually, it has happened before,' he thought. 'Alath just doesn't know it…but I swear, this time, I didn't do it! She's a Kou Princess. Without a commitment to marry, I would never touch her! And I have no intention of ever taking up a wife.'
"If Sindria's king went and misbehaved and caused Princess Kougyoku's suicide," Alozza started, "what do you think might happen?"
"The Kou Empire continues to threaten and invade other nations," Ja'Far said. "So it would…"
"You would be enemies of the Kou Empire, of course!" Ka Koubun finished. "In other words, doing something like this would instigate war!"
Everyone gasped in horror at this.
'I would never do that to my people…!' Kougyoku thought.
'How in Lord Solomon's name did I get myself into such a mess?!' Sinbad thought. 'No…calm down, Sinbad, old boy…just keep your head together and remember what happened. I was in the Kou Empire…that banker came as if nothing went wrong. I'm sure he wasn't the same man…but then again, the darkness of Al-Tharmen is immeasurable. Then I saw…but he didn't say a word to me? Maybe he had a change of heart? No, that doesn't matter now. The problem is the princess. I never saw her, once, during my visit, and I drank a little during the farewell banquet…maybe I got a little tipsy?'
"You know, come to think of it," Sharrkan said, "King Sinbad was completely sober."
"He's right," Spartos agreed. "Sharrkan and I escorted him to his room with no trouble at all."
"And then I feel asleep," Sinbad said. "Therefore, nothing happened."
"Sounds logical," Alath said. "If Sharrkan and Spartos said you weren't drunk, then maybe nothing happened, after all."
"SILENCE!" Kougyoku shouted. "If that's true, why was in your room, the following morning?!"
"I don't remember you being in my room," Sinbad said.
"And why were you naked?!" Kougyoku questioned. "Do you undress in your sleep?!"
"Uh…actually, yes," Alath said, embarrassed. "He always slept in the nude…even when we were kids."
"ALATH!" Sinbad barked. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
"ENOUGH!" Kougyoku shouted. "Now you're going to hear MY side of the story!"
Flashback
During the farewell banquet, Sinbad was seen, drinking with the emperor. Nearby, Kougyoku watched, shyly.
"On the last night of your visit, I watched the banquet from a distance. You had not come to see me, so I wanted to see your visit. I was hoping that maybe, I would go and talk to you before you left…but alas, I was so embarrassed by own shyness and naivety, I was afraid you'd laugh at me!"
After a while, the banquet was over, but Kougyoku refused to come out of hiding.
"Even after the banquet ended, I was still too embarrassed to show my face to you…so I headed to my room, instead."
Kougyoku is walking down the dark hallways, heading to her chamber…unaware that a shadowy figure was watching her. Out of nowhere, the figure grabbed her, slapping a hand over her mouth.
"As I headed to my room…someone jumped out and grabbed me, and before I could make a sound…"
THOK! The figure chopped its hand against Kougyoku's trachea, knocking her out cold!
The following morning, Kougyoku came racing out of Sinbad's room, screaming her head off!
"The next morning, I awoke in Sinbad's room. I ran out and found a court lady!"
Flashback end
"Wait…she was knocked out," Ja'Far surmised, "so that means…"
"That's exactly what it means!" Ka Koubun exclaimed, glaring at Sinbad hatefully. "King Sinbad noticed the princess's interest and wanted to fool around, but he did not want her to remember, so he knocked her unconscious and went about committing the deed!"
"GREAT SOLOMON, THAT'S AWFUL!" everyone cried.
"Sin…you raped her in her sleep?!" Ja'Far questioned in horror.
"Oh, my god…I can't even look at you!" Alath cried.
"I DIDN'T DO IT, I TELL YOU!" Sinbad shouted. "For goodness sake…whatever the princess says, do you honestly believe I'd get myself drunk and pass out on a diplomatic visit?!"
Everyone just gave Sinbad an incredulous look.
"…Sinbad, with all due respect," Alath said, "you're a terrible drunk."
"She's right," Ja'Far agreed. "It's happened more than once, Sin, and you know it. There was that one time in a jungle village and you took several women as wives."
"And there was that time in Balbadd," Alozza added. "Those bandit brothers stole all your Metal Vessels."
"She's right," Alibaba added while Aladdin, Morgiana, and Shahra all nodded.
"You guys, too?!" Sinbad questioned. "Look, I get what you're saying, but I swear, this time is different! Please, you have to believe me!"
"Sorry, Sin…but I don't," Ja'Far said.
"I wanna believe you," Alath began, "but…let's face it. When it comes to women, you're a little shady. Hell, you even hit on me once because you were so drunk and you didn't recognize me!"
"It's happened more often than not," Masrur added.
"Women always come to us with complaints," Spartos noted.
"Yesterday, I saw you hitting on an old lady!" Pisti exclaimed.
"I didn't wanna bring this up," Yamraiha said, "but…he actually did hit on me, once."
"Say what?!" Sharrkan questioned in shock, blushing.
"…This can't be…" Sinbad whispered in horror.
'All of you are my vassals,' he thought. 'We met while traveling, adventured together and established bonds…but now…Masrur is looking at me with those disappointed, hopeless eyes, like back when he was a gladiator…and Ja'Far…he's looking at me with the killer eyes of an assassin!'
"We just can't trust you…can't trust…can't trust!"
Soon, Sinbad fell down to his knees, comically depressed.
"Was it all…just a lie?!" he asked.
"W won't trust the word of a drunken king!" the Eight Generals shouted, pointing accusing fingers at him.
"You are a good king," Pisti said, "but you've done some pretty shady things."
Alath, despite what she had said earlier, couldn't help but feel sorry her older brother. Feeling a sense of guilty and pity, she sighed before she walked over to his side.
"…I believe him," she spoke.
"What?!" Ja'Far questioned. "Alath, I thought that you-"
"Look, he may be a big pain in the ass," Alath said, "but he's still my brother. As his sister, I should stand up for him."
"Alath…!" Sinbad whispered with comical tears of joy, grabbing his sister's hand and sobbing. "Solomon's will has truly blessed me by giving me a sister like you~!"
"Well, you've always stood up for me," Alath said, smiling. "It's only natural I do the same, no matter how much you irritate me."
"Are you done with your theatrics?!" Ka Koubun questioned. "You violated the princess, King Sinbad! Therefore, the only honorable thing to do is to take responsibility by marrying her!"
"MARRIAGE?!" everyone questioned.
"That's right," Ka Koubun answered. "The conjugal act has tarnished the princess's honor! Since King Sinbad leads the Seven Seas Alliance, the emperor will offer him his daughter!"
"Now wait just a damn minute!" Sinbad shouted. "Don't you think you're getting a little carried away?!"
"I have to agree with him," said Alath. "This sounds a bit farfetched. What do you think guys?"
No answer.
"Uh…guys?" asked Alath before she and Sinbad turned and saw Ja'Far and the rest of the Eight Generals huddled together.
"It cannot be helped," Ja'Far whispered.
"A strategic marriage, maybe?" asked Yamraiha.
"Perhaps," Ja'Far concurred. "We cannot trust the Kou Empire, but it is either war or a provisional alliance. We have no choice. As his vassals, we must also suffer the king's mistakes and the fate they incur."
"…Really?" Alath asked while Sinbad looked absolutely horrified.
"King Sinbad!" the Eight Generals shouted. "We are unanimous!"
"GRAAAAAAHH!" Sinbad cried out in frustration. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE! I SHOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED YOU TO BELIEVE ME!"
"Well…there is only one way to prove your innocence, once and for all," Alath said before she glanced at Yamraiha, who gasped quietly.
"Me?" she asked.
"Of course!" Sinbad exclaimed. "Yamraiha! Use your powers to prove my innocence!"
"…So you really didn't do it?" Yamraiha asked.
"No, I didn't," Sinbad answered.
"Are you sure? You know I can only show the truth."
"Yes, I know! Now get on with it! I'm having a very bad headache!"
"What's she talking about?" Alibaba asked.
"Dunno," Alozza shrugged.
"Come here, my king," Yamraiha gestured. "And you, as well, Your Highness."
"Me?" Kougyoku asked.
"Trust her," said Alath. "If anyone will show the truth, it's Yamraiha."
"Well…all right," Kougyoku said. "I'll do it!"
"N-no!" Ka Koubun cried. "Don't do it, Your Highness! Don't fall under the spell of foreign magic!"
"Princess Kougyoku!" cried one of the soldiers while Hakuryuu stood idly by.
"…I must do this," said Kougyoku. "I wish to know what really happened!"
"Right then," Yamraiha said as she held up two balls of water in her hands. "Your rukh will show us the truth! Now…both of you, slit your fingers and put just a drop of blood in the water."
Sinbad took a knife and slit open his index finger, letting his blood drip into one the balls of water. Kougyoku soon did the same.
"And now…SHARRAR RAQESA!" Yamraiha shouted as the balls of water dropped into a dollhouse that looked the Imperial Kou Palace. Then, the balls took shape, forming into smaller versions of Sinbad and Kougyoku!
"What is that?!" Alibaba asked.
"The drops of blood they added contained their rukh," Yamraiha said. "This is called Clairvoyance Magic. The rukh are showing us exactly what happened during that night, and this magic doesn't lie.
Soon, everyone saw the water puppets, playing out the events that happened exactly. The Sinbad Puppet was drinking at the banquet while the Kougyoku watched shyly from afar.
"Well, I see the princess watching Sinbad," Alozza said.
Soon, they saw the Sinbad Puppet, sleeping in his room.
"I see Sinbad sleeping," Alath said, "but where's Kougyoku?"
"Look! There she is!" Pisti said, pointing to the Kougyoku Puppet, walking down a corridor.
"It looks like she's going to her room," Yamraiha said.
All of a sudden, the Kougyoku Puppet was struck in the neck and knocked out cold! Then, she was lifted up into the air!
"There!" Kougyoku exclaimed. "Somebody knocked me out!"
"But why are you floating?" Aladdin asked.
"She's not floating Aladdin," Yamraiha said. "Someone's picking her up and carrying her…"
Then, thee Kougyoku Puppet was placed next to Sinbad.
"Looks like somebody put her next to Sinbad while he was sleeping," Alozza noted.
"So does that mean he didn't do it?" asked Aladdin.
"No!" Yamraiha answered, blushing. "It's not over yet!"
"Yeah! Somebody carried her!" Sharrkan added.
"Children shouldn't be watching something like this!" Ja'Far cried.
"You heard him!" Alozza said as Shahra covered Aladdin's eyes and Masrur covered Morgiana's eyes. "No peeking!" She then covered Alibaba's eyes.
"Hey!" Alibaba cried. "What are you doing?! You don't need to cover MY eyes!"
"I'm not taking chances," said Alozza.
"Still…we have a duty to see this through to the end," Spartos spoke, covering his mouth in disgust, while Hinahoho, Drakon, and Pisti looked on with blushing faces.
After a while, everybody kept watching the puppets for some sort of movement…but nothing happened.
"It's morning now," Yamraiha said.
"Aww, they're just sleeping!" Pisti said, disappointed.
"You see?!" Sinbad questioned. "I told you I was innocent! Do you guys have any idea how much grief you all caused me?!"
"We're sorry!" the Eight Generals exclaimed.
"You should be!" Sinbad said.
Meanwhile, Kougyoku stood nearby, her blush turning at least ten shades redder.
"Your Highness!" Sinbad called, startling her. "As you can see, nothing happened. Neither your body nor your honor has been defiled."
"Y…you're right," Kougyoku said.
"Don't let them deceive you!" Ka Koubun shouted. "Suspicious and foreign magic proves nothing! She is King Sinbad's vassal! She may be covering for him!"
"Will you cut it out, already?!" Alath asked. "Sinbad didn't do it!"
"Lies! All lies!" Ka Koubun barked. "You must take responsibility and admit your guilt, King Sinbad-"
"That's enough, Ka Koubun!" Kougyoku ordered.
"Eh?" Ka Koubun muttered in surprise.
"Even I thought it was more than a little strange," Kougyoku admitted. "Neither my hair nor my clothes were out of places…but I was so embarrassed by it, that I didn't even mention it!" She then turned and bowed to Sinbad and the rest. "Forgive me!"
Two of the Kou Soldiers looked on, sadly.
"Your Highness…" one muttered.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" another asked.
"Hey, what matters is that you're okay, now," Alath reassured. "You are okay, right?"
"I am a little ashamed that I raised a fuss over nothing," Kougyoku answered, tearfully. "Again, I'm so sorry I accused your brother. Honest!"
"I know," Alath reassured. "Don't worry about it."
"The poor thing," Yamraiha said. "I can't help but feel sorry for her."
"Me, too," Pisti added.
"Same here," Alozza chimed in.
"But now, it also means someone else could've carried her to King Sinbad's room!" Sharrkan pointed out.
"You're right," Alibaba agreed. "I wonder who did it, though."
Ka Koubun looked on in concern as Kougyoku kept crying.
"My name is Ka Koubun…I am Princess Ren Kougyoku's vassal. I was born in a northern province of the Kou Empire. I passed a test to be a government official with flying colors. I have served thee princess ever since she was a child. We have even captured a dungeon together…and I am a part of this incident. My princess…my poor princess whom I have served for many years is in tears…and I, myself, am the culprit."
A brief flashback shows Ka Koubun knocking Kougyoku from the shadows of the corridor.
"On the final night of King Sinbad's visit, I had two servants escort Princess Kougyoku to her room. I seized my chance, knocking her out cold before we delivered her to King Sinbad's room, and as we hoped, suspicion fell on him. There is a reason for what did. I had a plan to marry the princess off to the King of Balbadd, and then she would bare a child. I would be the child's guard and eventually seize state power. Unfortunately, that plan fell apart, and I was at a loss for what to do."
Then, another flashback showed Sinbad appearing at the Kou Empire with Sharrkan and Spartos.
"Then, King Sinbad came to the empire with his two Household members…and I had an idea. This time, I would use him. I would marry off the princess and assume control, only in Sindria instead of Balbadd. I t may be hard for her now, but at least she can marry the man she loves. Two birds with one stone. My greatest ability is reading others' emotions and using them, manipulating the human heart. Thus, I have gained many allies. My servants move according to my will. Two of these soldiers are completely loyal to me. We did this together. Magic almost revealed it, but it looks like we can see it through."
"Your Highness, please, don't fret!" Ka Koubun said. "I'll see to it that King Sinbad marries you!"
"This time…this time, I will make it happen!"
"We're sorry!"
Ka Koubun gasped before he looked to the two soldiers that happened to be kneeling before Sinbad.
"It was all Ka Koubun's idea!" exclaimed one.
"Yeah!" said the other. "He intended to frame King Sinbad!"
"WHAT?!" Ka Koubun questioned in shock. "YOU IDIOTS! DON'T YOU WANT A PROMOTION?!"
"Not anymore," said the soldier. "We only serve the princess. Not you."
"We've had enough of this," said the other.
"Arrest the man who framed King Sinbad!" Ja'Far ordered, and soon, some Sindrian soldiers came charging at Ka Koubun with their spears.
"No!" Ka Koubun shouted as he brandished a sword. "I refuse to let myself be caught now!"
"Oh, crap," Alozza cursed. "This doesn't look good."
Just when it seemed there was going to be conflict…THWAK! Hakuryuu smacked Ka Koubun's sword out of his hands, to everyone's surprise.
"I think we've had just about enough of this foolishness," Hakuryuu said before turning to Sinbad. "King Sinbad…my country is to blame for this disturbance." He then kneeled before the King of Sindria, his right fist in his left palm. "We also have Clairvoyance Magic, and it confirmed your findings were correct…am I wrong, Ka Koubun?"
"Err…no," Ka Koubun said, finally admitting defeat.
"I apologize for the immorality of my countrymen," Hakuryuu continued. "However, I still intend to stay here in Sindria and study…so please, allow me to stay."
"Of course," Sinbad said.
"Prince Hakuryuu…kneeling over such a trivial matter," said one of Ka Koubun's servants.
"IT'S NOT TRIVIAL!" Ka Koubun shouted before he fell to his knees, pounding a fist against the ground. "I had no other choice! For a dirty piece of trash like me to harbor any dreams of success, this was the only way to go~!"
"Don't say that!" Kougyoku said. "You're an upstanding person, Ka Koubun! At least in my eyes…isn't that enough for you?"
"Haa…Your Highness…!" Ka Koubun whimpered before he hugged Kougyoku, sobbing like a newborn baby.
'Again, my plans have been foiled,' he thought. 'However, I'm sure to gain forgiveness if I apologize, so I'm going to do so with all my strength, right now…!'
But just when he was about to do just that, he glanced up and saw Ja'Far sneering at him. Then…P'TOO! The former assassin spit in his face while no one was looking, even though Alath tried to stifle her snickering.
A bit later, Hakuryuu is being escorted to the city.
"Are you sure it's all right to forgive Lord Ka Koubun?" asked Ja'Far.
"Yeah, Sin," Alath said. "What if he tries something like that, again?"
"Prince Hakuryuu intends to stay," said Sinbad. "At least until he achieves his purpose."
"If you say so," said Alath. "I just wonder what he's up to."
As Hakuryuu walked away, Aladdin, Alibaba, Shahra, Morgiana, and Alozza watched him…as the rukh fluttered by.
XXX
Later that day, Hakuryuu is sitting in his guest room, looking outside the window, watching the sunset, thoughtfully.
'…There's no time to waste,' he thought before he stood up and headed to the door. 'I must speak with King Sinbad at once!'
Just as he was about to put his hand on the knob, there was a knock on the door.
"Hello~! Can we come in, please?"
Hakuryuu blinked in confusion before he opened the door, revealing it to be Aladdin, Alibaba, and Shahra.
"Good evening!" Aladdin greeted. "I'm Aladdin Jehoahaz Abraham! It's nice to meet you, Prince Hakuryuu! Alibaba, Shahra, and I came because we wanted to chat with you! Do you happen to know someone named Hakuei, by any chance?"
"M…my sister?" Hakuryuu asked in surprise.
Until Next Night…
Yeah...sorry I took so long updating, but at least I got this outta the way.
Now, I can finally work on the One Piece X Soul Eater one-shot where Aika meets the DWMA Gang.
Review, please!