14th Red Ash Moon, 908, Fort Lucus
"Alright, that concludes our session for the day." Percival floated out of his seat, shuffling through his notes. "Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
Joining him in his hut for a psychic therapy session was the Foresters' newest prisoner-turned-guest, Vanessa. She wore a basic blue dress loaned to her by Melissa, along with a number of other clothes during her stay. The Indeedee hesitantly shuffled in her seat, turning away from his gaze. "I…I think I'm good."
"Go by the medical hut and see if Shade can get you a sleeping potion. It should help with the nightmares."
She rubbed her eye. "I…thank you." She stood up and sighed. "I'm sorry I've been a burden on you all. I don't deserve your kindness."
He shook his head. "Don't say that. We're doing all we can to help you get back on your feet. Once we've cleared up the accusations, we should be able to clear your name of any wrongdoing."
She frowned. "Maybe, but it's not going to change how I feel." She closed her eyes, gripping into her arm tightly. "I can't believe I let that creep manipulate me the way he did. I'm ashamed how easily I fell into his trap."
Percival shook his head again. "You couldn't have known. Let's just be thankful he didn't do anything else to you."
"I suppose." Vanessa sighed and turned away from him. "I…owe you and the Foresters a lot. I just wished I could do more to help. Feels wrong staying here doing nothing."
"You don't owe us anything. We're just doing what we feel is right." He gestured to the door. "These things take time, and we're all working hard to clear our names. All we can ask of you is to take the time to recover from this ordeal, and we'll do our best to help you get your life back together."
"…" She sighed through her nose. "You make it sound so easy. Still, thank you. Really, thank you. I think I'm going to rest for a while."
"Alright. If you need to talk, I'm always available."
"Thank you." She curtsied to him and let herself out.
Once she closed the door behind, Percival could finally let go of the breath he was holding. "I really do hope she gets better. I'm not certified to be dealing with trauma. We got lucky helping Melissa through her trauma."
He set his notes down and uncapped his coffee canteen, guzzling the energizing beverage down. He sighed and turned to his wall, where notes were pinned on and connected by lines of string. With Fort Lucus and the Foresters barely clinging to a functional community, every higher up was doing their part to quell the damages. In Percival's case, he was keeping records of any scrap of news that could get their hands on.
Finding relevant news became slightly more difficult now that their informants cut ties, thus leaving the watchful eyes and ears of Petra to pick up any useful information. Still, for all the trouble the honeybee fairy had collecting information, it wasn't without some success.
He plucked off a memo Petra wrote up and glared at it. It read rumors of New Chariot army beyond territory.
"This is the new age for all of us, and we need to give it our all if we want to see a bright future." Percival slipped the memo away and floated toward his door. "Better report my findings to Eadwulf and Blitz."
Percival entered the meeting hut, where Eadwulf and Blitz were already in attendance. With both Jason and Jet away on their respective assignments, the duties of Fort Lucus fell upon them. They were skimming through reports, letters, and the like, or more so Eadwulf was skimming through them while Blitz listened.
Eadwulf sighed and crumbled up a letter. "Just great." He tossed it over his shoulder right next to the pile of paper balls scattered on the floor.
Percival floated over to them. "I take it that was a response letter from one of our former informants?"
Blitz straightened up. "Same ol' story as usual. They don't want to risk getting involved with potential murderers. Seems those rumors regarding Otis' disappearance aren't helping our case."
Percival sighed. "I can only imagine the backlash to come if they found out he really is dead."
"Doesn't compare to the allegations for attempting to assassinate the prince," Eadwulf said as he pulled out another letter. "Hopefully when House Freia comes up with antidote for the Wraith, we'll turn our luck around."
"Speaking of, have they updated us on their progress?" Percival asked.
Blitz leaned back in his seat. "It's only been a few weeks, so they're still working on it. Without any information on where the poison's ingredients originated from, it might take longer to synthesize a stable antidote."
"Still, not completely hopeless," Eadwulf said. "They said Shade's research on Wraith gave them a good starting ground on what to look for, and the samples we provided them should be enough for the time being."
"So, it's just a waiting game until then," Percival surmised. He sighed and pulled up his seat to sit down. "Call me impatient, but I'd feel better getting that antidote tomorrow."
"You aren't the only one," Blitz said. "Petra has been keeping regular updates on the prince's health. For the most part, he's not in any immediate danger, and security has been tripled to make sure no one gets near him. We just need to get him the antidote before the elementium fused it reaches its release date."
Percival groaned. "Another headache for us to deal with."
"Should we ask?"
He pulled out the memo he brought along and slid it across the table. "I've been having Petra do some investigating for me as well. Rumors from East Virdis have been popping up."
Eadwulf grabbed the memo and looked it over. "Rumors about the New Chariot army?"
He nodded. "Supposedly, there have been rumors of their armies breaching into the Wick Kingdom's borders, though nothing to raise immediate alarm."
Blitz smirked tiredly. "Would it be wrong of us to make bets on them razing the capital?"
"Considering it'll put innocents at risk, too, let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"True. Just a thought." The blind lizard glared. "Though, if those rumors are true, they may not be the Wick Kingdom's allies. By extension, not Last Autumn's."
Eadwulf shook his head. "The New Chariot Empire is built up on their pride and warfare. I doubt they'd want to ally themselves with Last Autumn. They are allied with the Great Gate Empire, though the relationship is strained due to the unpredictable nature of Emperor Nero. If he didn't have the former emperor keeping him in check, he would've razed their empire as well."
"So, why are they not launching an assault on the Wick Kingdom?" Blitz asked.
Percival glared. "If I had to guess, these rumors are actually referring to the New Chariot slave traders. They usually stick to the east, but they've been growing bolder these last few years. Hard to say how far out they're operating. With the edge of the ruins acting as sufficient cover, they could even sneak in through the Echo Bell Kingdom."
Eadwulf sighed. "A shame we don't have the appropriate resources to track them down. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to put an end to their operations."
Percival glared. "The New Chariot Empire isn't an enemy you want to make. We'd have to do something crazy to knock them down a peg." He shook his head. "Imagine that."
Eadwulf picked up another report. "Hopefully Jason and Luna's groups stay out of trouble. They should be arriving in the Echo Bell Kingdom sometime today."
"A part of me still thinks running Melissa's heist is a bad idea, but…" Percival sighed. "It might do some good to build her self-esteem back up. What I'm mostly concerned about is Luna."
Blitz tilted his head. "Because she used to be our enemy?"
"Sort of. She's going through a lot of effort to help us, so I can't say she's acting out of malicious intent. However, she has expressed her loyalty to the Verde Kingdom more than once. I have to wonder where her loyalties truly stand if the worst came to be." He glared off to the side. "For instance, would she be willing to turn her sword against the kingdom if Jason's suspicions of King Penworth turn out to be true?"
Eadwulf crossed his arms and leaned back. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. As it stands, we have a common enemy, and we have no intention of going to war with the Verde Kingdom especially if we do find evidence against King Penworth's shady activity. What I'm mostly concerned about is whether or not she'll find anything useful from this Sir Gerard."
"According to her, his last major mission ended in disaster," Percival said. "He and his team went into the ruins and encountered strange forces with the intention of driving them away. It's hard to imagine he has much information about that day, especially being a few decades ago."
Blitz shrugged. "Well, it doesn't hurt to try. We need all the information we can scrape up."
"True."
Eadwulf rubbed his forehead and groaned. "Still, am I the only one concerned about sending her with Jet?"
"They have Zephora with them."
"She's not exactly the breakup the confrontation sort of person. Honestly, I can see her munching on popcorn while those two get into another screaming match. Just last week, I heard them yelling at each other over rope or something. I don't even know what that was about."
Blitz waved it off. "Give Jet some credit. Once he sets his sights on a mission, he'll do his best to finish it."
"True, I guess. Yeah, maybe we have nothing to worry about."
Nalzona, Echo Bell Kingdom
"Are you sure you'll have everything covered?"
The two groups of Melissa and Luna made their first stop in the Echo Bell Kingdom, the town known as Nalzona. Much like most of the towns in the kingdom, the buildings were made of a pristine white stone with waterways running through narrow canals beside the sidewalks. Some Pokémon took to using the sidewalks while the fish Pokémon, a rare sight to see on a daily occurrence, used the provided canals to get by.
The two groups road in a wagon being pulled by Godfrey, who was bunded under a thin, yet large cloak to conceal his appearance. Luna, Jet, and Zephora stepped out of the wagon, all three dressed in cloaks and casual attire underneath. Zephora carried a collapsed version of her glaive beneath her cloak, the blade sheathed in a small scabbard.
Luna waved off the concerned question. "This isn't my first time doing investigative work. By the time you all get back from the festival, we'll already be done over here."
Jason, who leaned out of the back, glared at her. "And you're positive Sir Gerard has information that may be useful to us?"
"Since I don't have a detailed record of the team that was led into the ruins, he's my only lead. Plus, he was tasked to investigate the ruins. He should have substantial information for us to use."
Jason sighed. "If you say so."
Melissa poked her head out as well. "If you run into any trouble, Godfrey will remain stationed near the town."
Godfrey nodded. "{You can rely on me for assistance.}"
Luna saluted. "No sweat! This shouldn't take more than a couple hours."
Jet rolled his eyes. "Confident, are we?"
She shot him a quick glare before smiling at Jason. "I promise, whatever information he does have, it might give us better insight into the Crownless King and Last Autumn."
Jason nodded. "Alright, I'm holding you to that."
Lucient poked his head out of the wagon. "Not to cut in, but we should be getting to the capital if we want to set up our stand in time."
Wyatt popped out as well, clearly standing on Lucient's back with the way the Espeon strained. "Our pancake stand is going to be the hit of the carnival!"
Felix and Victoria popped out as well. "Woo, woo!"
"D-Dying…" Lucient groaned. He tumbled back inside the wagon, knocking the trio down with him.
Melissa and Jason flinched. "Oh no, are you okay?!" Melissa jumped back inside.
Jason groaned and pinched between his eyes. "Jet, Zephora, I'm counting on you two to help Luna while we're gone."
Jet saluted. "Aye, sir."
Zephora saluted more casually. "Loud and clear, boss man."
He nodded and slipped back inside the wagon. "Godfrey, let's move." The Mudsdale nodded and raced off away from the town entrance, his hoofsteps thundering against the ground.
Luna pouted. "Why did he say that like you two are supposed to be my babysitters?"
"Because you're a knight of our enemy," Jet spat. "Just a thought."
She glared at him. "You have a real attitude problem, you know that?"
"And yet, I've never been taken prisoner a day in my life." He turned and headed into the town.
Her eye twitched. "Okay, listen here, you little—"
Zephora stuck her hand out and silenced the Snivy. "Chill, Leaves. He's like this with everyone."
"I don't consider that helpful information."
She shrugged. "He'll tolerate you eventually…probably." She looked around at the town and smiled. "Got to say, this is a nice-looking area. I can see why my bro loves the scenery."
Luna tilted her head. "Oh, you have a brother?"
"Oh yeah, he's the capital's body collector. He gets paid to collect any criminals or victims found dead or alive on the street, given the capital's huge nightly crime rate. My parents and I are proud of him. He's living his best life there."
Luna's eyes widened. "Oh, uh…wonderful for him." She inched away from the Maractus. Oh goodie, I'm stuck with a short-tempered otter and the death-loving cactus. What a wonderful week for me.
Zephora stretched out her arms and sighed. "Better catch up with Jet before he gets himself lost. Which way is this Sir Gerard, anyway?"
Luna pulled out the scroll from her cloak and opened it. "I only have an address, but we could ask for directions. This shouldn't take too long regardless. We could even meet back up with the others for the carnival."
Zephora smiled. "That'd be nice. I could catch up with Zech while we're there." She bounced on ahead.
Luna sighed through her nose and tucked the scroll away as she followed. Easy peasy. Investigator Luna Freia is on the case!
Meanwhile…
"Ugh, Caz! I'm boooooored!"
Casimir looked up from the papers in his hand while sipping on some tea. His acquaintance, the young and frustratingly impatient Shale, shifted around in her seat while kicking her heels against the chair's legs. They sat outside a small café in Nalzona, one of the stops they were making on their current journey.
Casimir looked back at his papers. "I told you not to come with me."
"Yeeeeah, but how can I possibly deprive you of my charming personality?" The teenage Cinderace rested her elbows on the table and grinned cheekily. "You're such a stick-in-the-mud, Caz!"
"Uh huh." He sipped his tea again and set it down. "Like I just said, I'm not forcing you to stay here with me. You're a bounty hunter, too. This is my quarry, not yours."
She pouted. "That's just some lame excuse to get rid of me." She blinked, and her eyes turned red and orange. "Besides, we have an unbreakable bond, you and I! We can't end our amazing dynamic!"
"You just want to go to the carnival, don't you?"
She groaned and slammed her head down on the table. "Pleeeeeease!"
"Go by yourself."
"But it's no fun without a friend!"
"Not your friend."
"Not with that attitude!" She straightened up and pouted at him. "Come on, inject a little fun into your life! It's always fight, fight, business, fight for you."
He sighed. "Shale, I've told you a hundred times already that I don't have time for that kind of thing. Ever since the prison fiasco, I needed to focus my energy on something else. This feels like a good first start, if you ask me."
She pouted. "And you don't have any aspirations to relax?"
"Isn't this enough?"
"Having lunch isn't what I would call taking it easy, especially with your workaholic lifestyle!" She slammed her fist on the table. "We could've totally won TG's bet and got you some sweet landside property!"
"You don't want it?"
"I can't be trusted with my own property, are you mad?"
"…Fair point." He shook his head. "I've lost interest in hunting down the Foresters. I have my own objective now."
She groaned. "Can we at least go to the carnival sometime this week? You need to take a serious chill pill, man."
Casimir rolled his eyes. "If I finish up with my mission before the end of the week, I suppose we can take a look at the carnival."
"Woo!" Shale kicked her legs up, shaking the table and nearly spilling Casimir's tea over. "Time to kick some bad guy booty!"
"Good heavens! I recognize that obnoxious voice!"
Casimir and Shale paused before turning their heads. To their surprise, just across the street, was a couple of familiar faces from the Bitter Chalet: a Zangoose dressed in fancy clothes in a purple cloak and an Accelgor with a katana strapped to his back. The Zangoose looked horrified and irritated upon recognizing Shale.
Likewise, the Cinderace recognized her as well. A huge grin stretched over her face. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the old lady!"
Regina growled and stomped her foot down. "I'm in my thirties, you little twerp!"
Casimir turned himself around and glared at the duo. "Regina and Katsu, was it? Never though we'd see you so soon."
Katsu sighed. "It's been an interesting few months for us, if you can believe it."
"Hmm." The Hitmonchan gestured to their table. "Well, since you're here, want to pull up a couple chairs and talk?"
Regina crossed her arms and huffed. "Dine with you peasants? As if! I, Regina von Elmnou, have higher standards than associating with the riffraff of some lowly—" Her eyes widened as a piercing growl emanated from her stomach.
Shale tilted her head and smirked. "Has the rich old lady experienced the humility of hunger?"
"…" The egotistical Zangoose groaned and hung her head. "Katsu, grab some chairs, please."
"As you wish, Lady von Elmnou."
Luna's team wandered through the streets of Nalzona, stopping bystanders to ask about Sir Gerard's address. Almost everyone they talked to either didn't know him or couldn't be bothered to answer some strangers' questions, much to Luna's annoyance. Regardless, they pressed on with their search.
Zephora stopped by the canals and observed the local fish Pokémon swimming by. "I have to say, it's rare to come across aquatic-based Pokémon like this on a daily basis. They typically live on the region's edge. The many waterways of Echo Bell must be accommodating."
Luna skimmed through the scroll again. "Well, this is the kingdom that grants its people a lot of freedom. I'm not surprised they've offered ways for the fish life to live among surface folk."
Jet scoffed. "I thought we were looking for some old bastard, not talking about the architecture."
Luna rolled her eyes. "We can appreciate the scenery and work at the same time."
"We haven't gotten a single bit of useful information from anyone. It's going to take us hours to find his place, not that I expect this trip to be a good use of our valuable time."
She glared at him. "Hey, I already told your leader that Gerard may have information we could use."
"Keyword: may. You admitted yourself that he ran off like a coward after getting spooked off by ghosts or whatever."
"I never said he was a coward. He and his team stayed as long as they could performing research until they were forced to retreat. I'd like to see you try better."
Jet crossed his arms and huffed. "I would've just crushed anyone who stood in my way."
"Why must everything you say be unnecessarily violent?"
"Why should I be wasting my time babysitting you when we have an actual crisis to attend to?"
She growled and pointed the scroll at him. "You lousy, boorish, little—"
Zephora hopped in-between and pushed them apart. "Okay, both of you need to turn it down before you make a scene. Jet, there's no point arguing over this. Jason agreed we need to take advantage of every scrap of information we can get our hands on. If this leads to something, it's worth our time."
He rolled his eyes. "And if we find nothing, it'll just be a waste of time."
Luna scoffed. "Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I know for a fact Sir Gerard will be helpful. After all, he's the man who trained Sir Matthias, my mentor."
"And yet you were SO easy to kidnap."
"…" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Ignoring that. Sir Gerard was held up as a powerful member of the Verde Knights, heralded for his unyielding sense of justice and belief in the ways of chivalry. Though I haven't met him personally since he left the kingdom before I was born, I have heard stories of his deeds from Sir Matthias. He is an icon many knights strive to become, just like Sir Matthias—"
"A raging maniac with a bloodthirsty way of saying surrender?" Jet interrupted.
Luna glared at him. "I know my kingdom better than you do, and I know what I'm talking about."
"Your precious kingdom is led by a negligent king bleeding the poor dry of every coin they have on them."
Luna winced. "…Okay, so maybe there's room for improvement, but I still stand by the code of honor. A knight's duty is to protect the innocent and—"
"Gee, I wonder what the Wick Kingdom knights are up to right now?" Jet interrupted bitterly.
She growled at him. "Okay, they aren't even associated with me!"
Jet shook his head. "It doesn't matter how many times you fancy up your code of honor, facts are facts: this world is full of corrupted morons who will do anything to take advantage of others. Knights are no different. They have the highest authority over civilians and will use it to their advantage. There is no honor in that job. It's money and respect, not glory and goodwill."
Luna poked him in the chest. "I don't expect a dirty thief to understand the nuance of our work. I'm not taking morality advice from actual criminals!"
"We steal from the rich elite. They're not going to cry over a few hundred missing coins."
"It doesn't matter if they're rich or not. Stealing is stealing!"
"So, what do you call the high tax rates in Verde?"
"Do you even understand how taxes work?!"
"Enough to know they shouldn't be at the detriment of the people!"
Hearing enough of their bickering, Zephora grabbed the backs of their cloaks and separated them. "What did I just say about making a scene?" She sighed. "Look, any other day I would find this all amusing, but we have a job to do. Can you two keep the venom to yourselves for at least one day?"
"…" Jet and Luna glared at each other before turning away. "Hmph!"
Zephora groaned. "Close enough." She dropped them and dusted her hands off. "Back to the earlier discussion, you never did tell us why Sir Gerard left the kingdom in the first place."
Luna took a moment to calm herself down and sighed. "Honestly, I don't think anyone knows why. He just went into early retirement sometime after Lord Fletcher married into the Penworth family. No fanfare or anything from what my father told me."
Zephora scratched her chin. "Hmm, peculiar. Wonder why ol' Gerard decided to come here?"
"O-Oh! Excuse me!" The trio turned as an elderly Seadra popped out of the canal. "Terribly sorry to be interrupting you youngins, but did you say something about Gerard? Gerard Carpenter?"
Luna's eyes widened. "Y-Yes, yes! Him!" She knelt near the canal and smiled at the old seahorse. "You know him?"
The old man laughed. "Oh, he's a lovely fellow. We talk regularly, especially for our upcoming potluck this week. I was actually on my way to deliver a message to him, but…well, the canals don't quite stretch near his house and, well, no legs."
Zephora grinned. "Oh, we'd be happy to drop off the message for you."
"Oh, thank goodness, you've saved me an afternoon. Let me draw up a map for you." The Seadra ducked back inside the water.
Luna stood up, crossed her arms, and flashed Jet a smug grin. "See? Maybe if you were more open around strangers, no one would treat you like a little gremlin."
Jet rolled his eyes. "Good grief."
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You're serious?! That was you?!"
Regina flushed red, pulling her hood over her eyes and sinking back into her chair while Katsu sipped on his tea. Casimir turned away from his partner, who was banging her fists on the table and struggling to sit up straight amidst her laughter.
Shale raised her head and pointed at Regina, struggling to breathe through her laughter. Her eyes shined a vibrant yellow and green. "Oh, that is so absolutely pathetic! I can't believe you're the hotshot bounty hunter who got their butt kicked by King Penworth! Chivalry really is dead, but I approve!"
Regina growled and slammed her fists down. "Oh, laugh it up, you ignorant brat! I bet you wouldn't have lasted half as long as I did."
Shale waved it off. "Unlike you, old lady, I could escape that situation by just calling abuse. Wouldn't look good on the king to beat up a defenseless child." She pressed her cheeks together, her eyes shimmering with syrupy innocence. "No, Mr. King, sir! How could you? Beating up a poor orphan girl like me? Woe is me, boohoo, big sad…"
"You conniving devil!"
Shale dropped the face and snickered. "I can pull it off better than you can, what with all those wrinkles."
"I'm in my thirties! How old do you think that is?!"
"Sounds like youth envy to me."
"That's not even a thing, and I don't have youth envy!"
"Do, too."
"I'm gonna—"
Katsu raised his hand in front of the raging Zangoose. "Lady von Elmnou, perhaps you should quell your temper before she makes good on her…conniving scenario."
Regina gave the Cinderace the stink eye, who just leaned back in her seat feigning innocence again. "I hate children so much." She covered her face and took a deep breath. "Fine, yes, my plans to capture the Foresters didn't go so well. Can't say you two are any better. You literally let them get away."
Casimir shrugged. "Because they're not my enemy."
"Who cares if they're not your enemy? You're a bounty hunter. The money comes first."
Casimir glared. "See, it's reasoning like that makes you a target for her taunting."
Shale grinned. "It's true."
Regina crossed her arms and huffed. "You both simply lack class. I, Regina von Elmnou, grew up in high society under a certain expectation of wealth. I used to have a bedroom fit for a queen, a vast wardrobe, servants waiting on me hand and foot, and rights above the commonfolk." She deflated with a grumble. "Now I've been reduced to grunt work. If I didn't have Katsu with me, I probably would've met an ill fate from some dirty hobo…"
Katsu set his cup down. "Always happy to assist you, Lady von Elmnou."
Casimir shook his head. "You don't know the first thing about a hard day's work, do you?"
Regina glared at him. "Oh, and you would?"
"The scars on my body and the entirety of my teenage and young adult years are proof enough. As for your earlier complaints, I let the Foresters go because I'm more interested in solving a bigger problem than winning some stupid land."
"You are all delusional. Status is the only important thing in this world."
"Do you seriously view anyone with a lower status than you like garbage?"
She shrugged. "All I'm saying is that if people didn't want to be dirt poor, they should want their riches harder."
Shale deadpanned. "Okay, even for me, that's cold."
Casimir shook his head. "You really are spoiled. Tell me, if you saw a child being kidnapped right in front of you, what would be your reaction?"
Regina raised her brow. "Oddly specific question."
He sighed and straightened up. "I'll cut to the chase. We're here following a tip regarding New Chariot slave traders."
Katsu glared. "New Chariot slave traders? I've heard they've been stepping up their activity recently. People going missing from their homes or in the dead of night."
Regina narrowed her eyes. "Oh bother, are you trying to guilt trip me or something? Won't work." She leaned back and smirked. "Besides, the New Chariot Empire is full of dumbass, thickheaded savages. If you expect me to believe those brutes have the intellectual capability to kidnap anyone without being noticed in a town like this, I'm not falling for your traps."
Casimir glared. "This is serious. I'm here to make sure the rumors in this area are false." He looked aside. "I never wanted to go back to the empire. Too many bad memories being in their colosseum. But now, thanks to that kid Ragger, I think it's time I've renewed the fire in me to take revenge."
Regina groaned. "This is so stupid."
"You got a problem with it? If they ever saw you, they wouldn't hesitate to kidnap you."
Shale grinned. "Actually, I think she'll be fine. They only capture pretty women if I'm not mistaken."
Regina grinded her teeth together. "Watch it." She straightened up. "Besides, getting yourself involved with the empire's culture is a doomed mission. Who cares if you send a message or liberate some prisoners? What exactly are you going to accomplish aside from having yourselves labeled as terrorists?"
Casimir glowered. "Are you actually implying the slave trade is a good thing?"
She shook her head. "Katsu told me about his experience with it in the Great Gate Empire. He knows the horror stories since they and New Chariot are allies, thus I know them, too. As hard as this might be to believe, the slave trade is so deeply rooted into their cultures that it's seen as completely normal. If you go in there liberating slaves, all you'll end up doing is pissing an entire empire off."
Shale smirked. "When did you get so knowledgeable in foreign politics?"
"Mock me all you want, but I didn't just spend my luxurious lifestyle goofing off." She looked away. "Getting involved in the empire's business brings trouble. As harsh as it is, better to just leave it be."
Casimir glared. "You're unbelievable."
"It's the truth, deal with it. You won't see me sticking my neck out for someone else's sake." She leaned back and picked up her tea.
Katsu crossed his arms and thought it over for a moment. "…My lady, I wouldn't be opposed to sticking around for a while."
She spat back into her cup and gasped. "Excuse me?"
"As you've recounted, I know how harsh New Chariot can be with its slaves. I am no longer allied with my home empire, and West Virdis has taught me quite a bit about the people they prey on." He glared up at his charge. "For that reason, I wish to at least confirm these rumors are just rumors."
She whined. "Katsu, come on…"
"Though I am your bodyguard, you must learn there is more to being a member of the high elite than flaunting your wealth. Perhaps this will be a great exercise in humility."
She groaned. "You can't be serious…"
"If you have any reservations, you're free to leave without me."
"…" She glanced aside before groaning and sinking into her chair. "This better not be a waste of time."
Casimir crossed his arms. "Can't say I look forward to your accompaniment, but an extra set of eyes and ears may do us some good."
Shale smirked. "Plus, more time for me to insult the old lady. I see this as an absolute win."
Regina slapped herself in the face, dragging her hand down. This is going to be the worst week of my life.
"Here we are!"
After receiving directions from the elderly Seadra, Luna's team headed into the residential side of Nalzona, leading them directly to the white stone house matching the address on their scroll. The house matched that of the surrounding ones, but with its own personal touches such as a silver door knocker shaped like a shield and a small garden growing on both sides of the door.
Luna grinned. "This is it: the home of Sir Gerard. We finally found it."
Zephora smirked. "Taking the time to soak in your accomplishment?"
"Oh yes, I am." She breathed in and sighed contently. "The hard work of the Verde Kingdom's Number One Investigator!"
Jet rolled his eyes. "Good grief. And you're certain he'll bother to listen to you?"
She waved it off. "Not everyone acts boorish like you." She extended her Vine Whip and wrapped it around the knocker. "Let me handle the talking. This shouldn't take too long."
Zephora saluted. "Roger."
"Ugh," Jet grumbled.
Luna tucked her hands behind her back and looked confidently at the door as she gave the knocker a couple of swings. The loud thuds bounced sharply off the wood, enough to alert the occupant inside from a dead sleep. She retracted her vine and teetered on her heels patiently.
She didn't need to wait long as the sound of locks coming undone sounded from the other side. Once the final lock was removed, the door creaked open to a reveal a Sirfetch'd. He dressed in a blue tunic draped over his body, beige pants fitted around his legs, and black spats over his feet.
"Yes? May I help you?" the duck asked, his voice gravelly and aged.
Luna cleared her throat and curtsied to him. "Greetings. Would I happen to be standing before the man known as Gerard Carpenter?"
"You are, yes. Is there something you needed?"
She straightened up. "Yes, there is, though we come bringing a message from an associate of yours. An elderly Seadra that helped us find your home."
Gerard sighed and shook his head. "Winsor. Giving my address out to strangers. The old fool…"
Luna laughed awkwardly. "D-Don't hold it against him. We were already looking for you. Anyway, he wanted us to tell you that, for your potluck this week, to not add any nuts to the dish as one of the other attendees has a nut allergy."
Gerard closed his eyes. "I see. Thank you for informing me." He stepped back and moved to shut the door.
Luna stuck her foot between the door and stopped it. "W-Wait! That's not why we're here. We wanted to speak to you about something."
Gerard pulled the door open again and glared at her. "Step into another man's property, you better be ready to walk home with your kneecaps shattered."
She flinched and jumped away from the door. "S-Sorry."
Jet smirked. "Kind of like this guy already."
She shot him a glare, but sighed and smiled at the ex-knight. "The thing is, we're not actually from the Echo Bell Kingdom. We came here to look for you. You were a former member of the Verde Knights, correct?"
The Sirfetch'd narrowed his eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, you see, I'm something of an investigator from the Verde Kingdom and—"
"The Verde Kingdom?"
She smiled. "Yes, your old home. As I was saying, I—" Her eyes widened as he started shutting the door again. She shrieked and pushed on the door before he could close it. "W-Wait, aren't you going to hear me out first?"
"Kid, I have no interest in whatever the Verde Kingdom wants from me. Whoever sent you, tell them to stick a mace up their sunless canyon and never bother me again."
She winced. "Uh, right. The thing is, no one officially sent me. I'm here of my own accord. You see, my name is Luna Freia and—"
"Freia?" Gerard pulled the door open a bit, nearly causing her to fall over, and glared. "You're that female knight I've been hearing so much about?"
She straightened up and smiled. "Y-Yes sir, I am. I worked really hard to get into the Verde military, and it's been a real honor to—"
"Tch. An honor?" Gerard pulled the door all the way open and glared at her. "I don't know why you're here, kid, but do yourself a favor and go home."
She frowned. "But this is a matter of great importance. It won't take too much of your time."
"Associating with the Verde Kingdom is time wasted enough, and all you're serving to do is wearing down my patience." He jabbed her in the chest, pushing her away from the door. "Commit this to memory, for I want nothing to do with that kingdom. It's a shallow husk of what it once was, and I refuse to serve under it."
"But this is so much more than the Verde Kingdom—"
"I don't care. I'm retired, and I prefer to keep it that way."
Luna clasped her hands together. "Sir Gerard, please! You're the only one who can't help us. We need to know about your last mission into the Great Ruins. Isn't it a knight's duty to—"
"You spoke of a knight's position as honorable, right?" He turned away and scoffed. "You're too idealistic for your own good. I came here to get away from the Verde Kingdom, and I don't want the past being dragged up by some third-rate knight who doesn't know what she's talking about."
Her eyes widened. "Third-rate?"
"As for my final mission, I don't ever want to think about that blasted expedition ever again. It was a suicide mission that nearly got my team and me killed. There was nothing glorious about the mission, and I want nothing to do with it or the Penworth family ever again. End of story."
She winced. "But sir—"
"Now, get off my property, or I'm making good on my previous warning." Before Luna could offer another rebuttal, Gerard ended the conversation by slamming the door shut in her face. The numerous locks were reapplied from the other side.
Luna stared at the door in disbelief. "W…What just happened?"
Jet walked up behind her and smirked. "Hmm, and you thought I was insensitive around strangers. Even I could've told you that you were touching a nerve when he first opened the door."
"W-Why didn't you say anything then?"
"You said to let you handle the talking."
She growled at him. "You…!"
Zephora crossed her arms. "So, uh, what do we do now?"
Luna exhaled her anger and stared at the door sadly. "I…I'm not sure." I didn't realize there was so much bad blood between Sir Gerard and the Verde Kingdom. What the hell happened before he retired?
