I ain't apologizing for shit. This chapter was supposed to release in July… then my asshole friend got me sucked into Baldur's Gate 3. Also got a full-time job! But it was mostly Baldur's Gate 3 that sucked every moment out of me.
Way too many ideas were centered on Baldur's Gate 3 fan fiction. Ain't no way I'm writing another story right now! I'm now on my fourth campaign for Baldur's Gate 3…I think I have a problem XD. This is a much shorter chapter than I wanted to release, but my thoughts have not been as…focused lately. Rather than release an utter shit show of a longer chapter, decided to keep it more condensed. Let me know about your thoughts regarding this chapter. This was written over the course of a few months, so while it feels smooth to me, it's also been worked on more sporadically than I usually do. As usual, any criticisms are always welcome.
Word of warning, a fight is glossed over here in this chapter, there is a reason for it, trust me.
Also, NO BETA-READER, we die like men.
Fate/Clover Chapter 7: Thorns lie within the Kingdom of Clovers.
It has been well over a day since Archer attended that odd ceremony. He didn't see much of a point in comparing the magic squads against each other. Not to mention the use of stars as a grading measurement seemed so juvenile. Like a classroom of kids being given a star for good behaviour. Thankfully the everyday maintenance of his current squad was none of his concern. No, Archer was here with Mereoleona for an entirely different reason.
It had been made clear that she needed his help and insight into the kingdom. There was a traitor somewhere within the ranks and thus far, Archer had to agree. As a lieutenant, he had been briefed on the nature of the Kingdom's defences. Some of them, were of course, ludicrous for his world. The absolute torrent of natural mana within this reality made specific defensive measures easy and natural to maintain. As such there was an abundance of defenses that would have been rare or even outright impossible in his previous reality. The key one is the massive barrier around the capital. It wasn't a visible thing, but Archer's Ki let him "see" the circumference of the sphere surrounding him. There were a few key aspects that this barrier filtered, a key one being foreign grimoires. Each kingdom had a tower that housed grimoires naturally attuned to the land and citizenry. As such they had slight differences in the texture of their use of mana, making it relatively easy to detect. Not every kingdom shared in this though. The heart kingdom had access to the tower but for whatever reason never bothered with the grimoires within.
The system wasn't perfect. The detection of foreign grimoires can be masked or even outright manipulated, but it was extremely helpful. It used countless other factors, each that was either bizarre and unnecessary or well thought out, even by Archer's standards. All in all, it was a great system. There was one glaring weakness though. The mages who maintained this incredible detection field and filtered its information were susceptible. Either through human error or bribery, one could use this weakness to bypass the biggest hurdle in attacking the Kingdom. There were, in Archer's opinion, three traitors, minimum.
The first was the person who organized the attack. Considering that none of the mages who participated in the attack on the Clover kingdom were foreign, it meant that this was a homegrown terrorist movement. None of the people within this Midnight Sun nonsense were foreign mages. Obviously, exceptions existed. After all, there was no such thing as a for-sure concept. Perhaps they had members who didn't participate in the attack or even worse were hidden from the system. In the end, the use of foreign mages mattered little. After all, they would end up the same way. Dead.
This leads somewhat to the second concern. Whoever orchestrated this attack either had sway or access to someone who was able to get close to those who maintained the detection field. Even the most unsavory and bribable mage within that collective group wouldn't do business with a stranger, not if they could get caught. As such there must have been a middleman, someone that could organize the means to get close to the mages protecting the kingdom without any suspicion at all.
Third was of course the mage responsible for ignoring the warning signs of the attack itself. In all honesty, Archer was rather impressed by the magic knights. Most of them were able to react quickly to the attack on their capital, not at all overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction. Though, the children in the squads were unusual. If Archer were to hazard a guess it was more a slow introduction to the process of knighthood, their variant of squires, or some such.
Sitting on top of a random building, far from prying eyes and high in the sky, Archer felt at peace. He was wearing his modified Crimson Lion attire. It was thinner and acted more like an overcoat than a cloak. His typical black armour was hidden beneath the cloth and his hood remained up. It did little to obscure him, but Archer kept the hood up for less than fashionable reasons. The hood was imbued with magic aimed at assisting with sight and temperature control. Honestly, it was rather depressing that most of the Magic Knights didn't bother learning the full scope of their cloak's capabilities. But than again, the mana control these knights used was sensitive overall.
It wouldn't surprise Archer if he learned that there were those who simply didn't bother with their cloaks enchantments, afraid that their control would falter if they used them too heavily. Than again who knows, maybe Archer was way off. Not like he cared enough to ask. Leona simply stated "assistance magic is for the weak" and went on a tangent from there. That was something Archer could honestly say he appreciated about the mages of this world. They were warriors, not scientists. Certainly not the Magi he was used to.
As such, their precautions regarding his spying were very little. Simply staying perched on this building and using reinforcement, Archer was able to spy and keep an eye on each of the magic squads surrounding the Crimson Lions. It was inconspicuous enough that none of the magic squads had any inkling as to his true intentions up here. The only squad that remained outside of the city limits was the Black Bulls, but Archer was able to rule them out as suspects quickly. That Yami fellow had no friends in the higher echelons of society, nor did he have the sway to enter the protective mages unit without some reason. Not to mention that Yami probably didn't even know they existed.
Still, there was only so much he could learn from a distance, even with Ki. Archer sighed. He turned his head right as a Crimson Lion cadet landed in front of him. He was a smaller boy, with striking blonde hair. Archer didn't recall his name.
"V-v-vice captain sir! Captain Mereoleona requests a squad meeting!"
Archer stood, towering over the small boy by a large two-and-a-half-foot difference. The boy shivered, feeling the full weight of Archer's presence. He stared at the boy.
"Well then, shall we?"
The boy shook his head quickly and started to fly on his broom. It was slow and Archer sighed.
"Honestly, I'm starting to see why Leona hates it here."
Rather than waste his magic Archer took to the rooftops at a blistering speed, greatly outstripping the flying mage in the distance, the poor boy's screams were a little amusing, Archer would admit. The headquarters of the Crimson Lions was surprisingly homey, not at all the grandiose barracks that he was expecting. It was a wooden barrack, with a crimson tile roof. Training grounds littered the entire place and various facilities were placed around the barrack grounds. It was practical and efficient, just as Archer preferred it. He landed in front of the doorway, ignoring the grumbling of the men. He didn't need their loyalty; it wasn't his fault that Mereoleona had no trust for Fuegoleon's current vice-captain.
Speaking of him, the man stood at the gate, his face calm and serene.
"Hello sir, Ms. Vermillion has called for a meeting, I trust Sebastian isn't too far behind."
"He's close."
"Excellent. Now for the meeting details. As you can no doubt see, the squad is…restless."
Randall Luftair, the previous vice-captain was someone Archer could respect. Rather than pout like a child, the man had shifted from his position with the ease and grace of a seasoned soldier. He was aware of the circumstances and subjected himself to all of Mereoleona's persistent questioning. He had been giving Archer every bit of knowledge he needed to smoothly transition as the vice-captain of the Crimson Lions. Even better, the man took care of all the standard duties, giving Archer the time and space needed for his investigations. He had a few suspicion…the key one being the leader of Purple Orca.
"I can see that," explained Archer, "but are they not aware that my position here is temporary?"
Randall shrugged.
"I've explained it time and time again. I think they are more disgruntled over the perceived slight at Captain Mereoleona's mistrust of them. After all, only her brother has been by her side. She growls at the rest of them."
Randall snickered.
"Even called them weaklings."
Archer smirked.
"You seem happy."
Randall laughed outright, wiping a tear. The two approached a large set of doors leading the Crimson Lions meeting grounds.
"Why wouldn't I be! I was declared the strongest weakling after all! Honestly, that wife of yours makes me laugh."
Ah, that. Archer felt himself sigh, deciding to not explain himself for the fifth time that day. Randall was a bit of a shit disturber it would seem. The two of them felt Mereoleona's mana surge for a brief second, having heard them through the door.
"Must you egg her on?" asked Archer.
Randall smirked.
"Only way I can fire barbs at her. She'd obliterate me in any meaningful sparring match. Honestly, if she wasn't on our side, I'd have soiled myself merely being near her."
Randall's eyes grew sharp though as he held the doorknob.
"She called for a full squad meeting. I know that the respect of our squad members means little for your investigation…but it can cause problems further down the road if it's not addressed. Especially if this ends up taking more time than either of you have anticipated."
Archer sighed.
"I know. I appreciate the help."
"I'll do anything to catch Fuegoleon's attacker. If that means being the vice-captain in all but name and appearance, then so be it."
This loyalty…Mereoleona could say what she wanted about her brother, but there was little doubt that Fugoleon had the charisma of a leader. Archer nodded, entering the area with him.
"Great, you're here! Listen up!"
The room was filled with some grumbling as everyone got situated.
"I SAID SHUT IT, SHIT HEADS!"
The room went deathly silent as Archer took his place standing beside his captain. His hood remained up as he crossed his arms. The entire squad was seated on long benches across the meeting room. A square platform was raised on the northern segment, its purpose obvious as the captain and vice-captain stood on it. Randall remained standing below the platform, keeping an eye on his squamates.
"Alright, finally," grumbled Mereoleona, "now. For those of you here, I've begun noticing that you're not exactly appreciating the pecking order! Enough with the bitching! Archer is vice-captain, if you got a problem then fight him for it!"
She grinned evilly as she looked at all of them.
"Just so you know, we're currently tied 25 to 25 in our sparring matches. So, I hope you think you're ready."
Randall turned to Archer with what had to be the most horrified expression Archer had ever seen. He guessed Mereoleona's reputation must have proceeded her for they went deathly silent…all save for one person.
"…bullshit," said a gruff older man, a strange scar on his bald scalp.
She just grinned at the man.
"Oh?"
"Aren't you just hyping up your man? You're strong enough to fight the whole squad on your own…but you expect me to believe your boy toy can do the same? You earned our respect years ago when you fought Fuegoleon, when you were in the war, but we haven't seen this man do shit whenever he was in town with you. This is just nepotism, and you know it! I've had enough of it and so have the rest of us!"
Her grin kept getting wider, showing a feral set of teeth, her eyes shining with a savage malice. Archer's smirked egged them on as well. It was hilarious to the counter guardian that these people were bitching about nepotism when their entire squad was filled to the brim with it.
"Nice! That's the kind of fire I expect from the Crimson Lions! Good, one of you that actually has a set of balls!"
The man grinned at the compliment.
"So, let's put it to the test then!"
He blinked. They all blinked.
"You're all weak! TOO WEAK! So, I decided to take you all to a certain mana zone for training, you and anyone else that I find interesting! But…if you can defeat Archer here, then I'll cancel the trip and reinstate Randolf."
"It's uh…Randall actually."
She merely gave him the stink eye.
"Why the fuck would I remember a shit disturber like you? Would you prefer I call you shit?"
The man wilted.
"Uh…no ma'am."
"No what."
"Uh no sir!"
"Good. Then shut up."
The random Crimson Lion knight stood, his arrogance on him like a coat.
"I accept this challenge."
Mereoleona blinked. Then laughed. It was a cruel and needless laugh.
"HA! You wouldn't last two seconds!"
She gestured to the whole room.
"All of you. Every single one of you whiny little cubs here and outside are to be involved! All of you versus him. If he wins…I own your fucking soul when we get to that mana zone! UNDERSTOOD!"
One random man stood up, his hand shaking a bit. He flinched as the raging lioness turned her attention to him. Her sharps eyes making him feel small and feeble.
"What!"
"Um…what if we don't…want to?"
"….If you decide not to fight Archer, then I'll fight YOU."
The room turned to Archer, the man's face stuck in a permanent scowl.
"Leona…what are you doing?"
She grinned at Archer giving him a thumbs up.
"I need these whiny brats to shut up and listen! You're the biggest stick I got aside from my own fist to beat them with! So, settle things and we can head out!"
….it was obvious that was such bullshit that Archer didn't even bother trying to decipher what she was after. She lost her grin.
"Don't even think about holding back. Beat every single one of them into the ground with everything you have."
Archer's eyes slowly widened. She had stated before that fighting Archer had elevated her to greater levels. It was not because Archer was a great teacher (though he was). Rather, it was because he always went for the kill. He had no mercy, no hesitation. Fighting Archer would be like fighting the incarnation of war itself. Something a good number of these…weaklings had never experienced. Mereoleona turned to Randall.
"They'll need your help."
He nodded and turned to Archer a bit of sweat on his brow.
"Please don't break me. I like having my limbs."
Archer shrugged. If this is what Leona wanted, then very well. Archer would instill in them the warrior's instinct by trial of combat. That or beat them to near death doing so. Archer turned to the entire squad and noticed Leopold standing amongst their number. He turned to Leona. To her credit, her grin lost some of it's bite, yet it remained.
"So even Leopold huh? Very well."
Archer turned to the squads and rolled his neck. This…might be difficult. The squad easily numbered in the hundreds at any given time. The bald man with the scar charged forward, lightning magic surrounding his body. He grinned savagely…but was knocked out. The entire room went quiet, their fear climbing as Archer stared at the unconscious form of the shit talker. To them, it looked as if Archer had knocked the man unconscious without doing a thing. Archer was skilled, but to knock a man unconscious doing nothing? Even for him that was impossible. But than again…they didn't need to know that now did they?
"He…he didn't even fucking move!"
"WHAT THE FUCK, WHAT THE FUCK, WHAT THE FUCK!"
"There wasn't any mana at all in that attack!?"
"WHAT ATTACK!? HE JUST FELL UNCONCIOUS!? WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT THE FUCK!"
"CALM DOWN MAN!"
Archer's dead eyes bore into the chunk of the squad that was in the room.
"Let the rest of the squad on the grounds know what's happening. You have three minutes to prepare."
The shock lasted for half a minute before everyone started running.
-Time Skip! Eight days later-
Suffice it to say, victory was achieved. Deep within the mana zone frequented by both Mereoleona and Archer a large group of people had gathered. The Crimson Lions were already hard at work on the lava bed in front of her, leaving only Mereoleona, Yami, Charlotte, Asta, Noelle, and Yuno. Archer was long gone, busy preparing for the evening.
"Welcome! Here's where we're going to train! Your goal is to get to the top of that mountain up there along with the rest of my squad!"
She grinned as she turned around, watching as her men savagely charged forward, their spirits emboldened by their outright defeat. Mereoleona knew she could get them to train. That was never the problem. But to make sure they invested every last drop of will into it? That was a different story. Thanks to Archer's beat down, they were all ready to throw themselves into her training. Now to get these mooks on board.
"Uh…how are we supposed to run on lava and not die?"
She turned to the magicless kid and shrugged.
"The others can use mana skin. You…well I heard you had anti-magic or whatever. Use that."
"HOW DOES THAT HELP!?"
She grinned at Asta.
"Relax kid. I'm not so uppity as to not recognize you might need some help. Not as good as Archer at this whole Ki thing but I know a thing or two. Just relax and use the power within your grimoire. Should come naturally to you."
Yami felt his cigarette fall from his mouth.
"you….you know Ki?"
Mereoleona shrugged.
"Not really. I get instinctive feelings mostly. Not like what you and Archer do."
"Where is this Archer you speak of?" asked Charlotte, "I know he is your vice-captain but the man does not reveal much of himself."
She turned to the blue rose to captain.
"Oh him? He's up on the top of the mountain there, getting everything ready. You're all in for a treat…if you can make it anyway. I wanted to hurl you three into the mana zone but Archer would gripe at me if I didn't at least try to teach you. His nagging is annoying once he gets started."
A sheathed hunter's knife, kept at her waist, glowed a strange bright red. She turned to it and smirked.
"Seems like he's all done. Perfect."
With a flash, Archer appeared beside her.
"Ah, teleportation magic," muttered Charlotte, "useful."
Neither of the two decided to correct her as Mereoleona turned to Archer.
"Finished up?"
"It's all ready. I see the children are still here."
"Well duh. I was waiting on you."
Archer stared at her. He noticed that Asta was glaring at him, his eyes nearly popping out of his skull.
"…Can I help you?"
Asta blinked at him, while Yami just smirked.
"I…can't feel you with my Ki…is that normal Captain Yami!"
Yami shrugged.
"Kind of. Masters of Ki can hide their presence from other Ki sensors. I don't bother because I really don't see the point. Didn't think there was anyone else on my level. Nice to see others that can use it."
Archer turned to Yami and was pleasantly surprised at the ki he sensed. The man before him was relaxed, but his ki was sharp and ready. A darkness that promised to blanket all those under his charge, ready to protect and destroy whatever he needed to.
This was a strong and good man.
"Likewise. There's much I'd like to ask you, if given the time."
"Oh, why's that?"
"All I know of Ki is self taught. It would be nice to have some actual information about it's uses."
Yami stared at Archer blankly. Then he turned to Asta, his feeling sinking in deeper. His utter contempt weighed on Asta.
"Great there's two of you freaks. Is there something about not having mana that makes you two great at Ki or something?"
Asta blinked. Then pointed at Archer.
"YOU DON'T HAVE MAGIC!?"
Archer rose an eyebrow. Mereoleona just shrugged and gestured for him to roll with it. It was too annoying to explain over and over.
"I have magic."
Asta blinked.
"Oh…sorry about that than."
"So, what are they here for?"
"Mana skin," supplied Mereoleona.
"Ah…and you're first idea for their first attempt is to shove them into boiling magma?"
"….not a good idea?"
"No, it is not. If they fail, they'll burn. Even their cloaks cannot protect them in this sort of environment. Not after what we did to it."
Mereoleona blushed and scratched her chin.
"Yea, we went pretty hard at it."
Charlette's face began to turn red at the implications. Archer stared at her blankly.
"It's not like that. We sparred around a year ago here. Our mana intertwined and made this entire area more unstable than it was previously. The heat doesn't burn consistently, fluctuating rapidly between temperatures. It makes it extremely difficult to gauge the proper amount of mana for mana skin. Not to mention the chaotic churning chews through the unprepared."
Archer held his hand out.
"Grab my hand. I can show you mana skin in a less…deadly environment."
Asta didn't hesitate whereas Yuno and Noelle at least had some trepidation. But even so, they relented. In a quiet pop, the four of them disappeared.
"You ready?" grinned Mereoleona, "Let's see how you've improved!"
Yami groaned but Charloette was ready…or at least she thought so. Mereoleona didn't fly so much as she blitzkrieg through the sky. She was a roaring comet that made the distance in less than a minute, leaving her fellow captains completely in the dust.
"Shit," grumbled Yami, "What a damn monster."
The captain of the blue rose was of an entirely different opinion.
"She's incredible," she grinned, "She used her mana…like this?"
Petals flowed from under her feet, they did little to propel her, but the heat was warded off. Soon she was using them as platforms to launch from, leaving Yami behind. The captain of the Black Bulls was no pushover though. His mana was situated for a more…condensed state of combat…but that doesn't mean he was without his own methods. The use of Ki allowed Yami to reinvigorate his body, enhancing it so that he may achieve similar results to Charlotte. It wasn't something he used, as the method drained him so quickly. As he soared through the air Yami's thoughts kept drifting back to the idea of Ki. How much of it has he honestly invested in? Perhaps it was time he went back to the basics, built up his skills.
-With Archer-
"An interesting use," muttered Archer, "I knew it was connected to my mana but I always thought it was an undercurrent…to think it was intertwined."
"…huh?"
"Don't worry about it."
Yuno and Noelle were both meditating, the aura of their mana covering them completely in a stable mana skin.
"You've only mastered this once you can use it subconsciously."
Noelle nearly choked. But Yuno remained his silent self.
"Where are we?" asked Asta.
"The top of the mountain."
Archer lifted his grimoire from his carrier on his side. He opened the pages and began to actually read through them, memorizing the pages within. Asta peeked, noticing that each of the pages had a weapon. They all looked as if they were painted with a brush and ink, with the strokes appearing more artistic in nature. Archer turned, watching as Mereoleona landed next to him.
"Where is everything?"
Archer silently turned his grimoire around, a number of items appearing through them, much like Asta's swords.
"You really love using it like that."
"It is not my problem the rest of your people don't bother using the dimensional space inside their grimoires. It is utterly ridiculous that something like this has remained so underutilized."
Archer knew of countless magus who would, quite literally, kill whatever they needed to for this. They'd sacrifice even children without a second thought.
"Wait so that isn't unique to me!?" yelled Asta.
Mereoleona chortled a bit.
"I love this kid! Such a fire to him! No brat, all of them can do that…though it does take some high-level manipulation to do it. How is this manaless brat doing it then?"
She trailed off as she stared at Archer, the look in his eyes telling her not to continue.
"Ah, screw it. The world's large. Perhaps you're just a freak that's really good at it!"
"HEY!"
Noelle laughed. Yuno was dreadfully stoic as usual, but the tilt of his lips told the story of his amusement.
"Now…it's about time the rest of them show up."
"WHAT ABOUT ME!?"
Archer turned to Asta.
"Can you call upon your power instinctively?"
"…well…no…"
"Then that is your goal. Commune with your grimoire. Only when you can use the power freely will you be able to make a facsimile of a mana skin."
Asta immediately sat down and began glaring holes into his Grimoire. Archer blinked, feeling the kids raw will power echo through his body. The kid's Ki was unreal…for his age. Archer sat near Asta and patted him on the shoulder.
"Breathe. This is not something you can force. Don't think of Ki as something you manipulate and connect with. Instead, imagine yourself connected to everything around you. The world breathes and through that breath, breathes through you. Sink yourself into that mindset…it should help."
To Archer's immense surprise…the kid got it. Yami was right. The kid was a freak. Than his head dropped down, Asta unconscious to the world. Archer placed his hand on Asta's grimoire. He could feel the turmoil within it…and an odd begrudging sense of duty to help. Asta awoke, a surge of anti-magic coiling around him.
"WOAH!"
Asta grinned, feeling the power spread across his body.
"This feels a bit better! Maybe I can do that mana skin now!"
Archer smirked and pointed up. The sky had darken, and the ground was shaking slightly.
"Welcome back to the land of the living kid. You were unconscious for about three hours."
"WHAT!?"
Noelle sighed, having moved a few items around for Archer. A strange canister made of silvery metal on one side, black on the other. The rough terrain of the mountain top and…somehow changed. It was now more circular, flat even.
"WHAT HAPPENED!?"
"The entire area has been changing. The mana…it's not like anything I've ever felt," supplied Yuno.
"That's a mana zone for you. It tends to go on it's own rules."
One could see the steam escaping Asta's skull. But a quick shake of his head cleared his troubled thoughts.
"Alright! What's next!"
"Now…we rest."
More people began to congregate around them. Before Asta could speak Archer stood, gesturing for Yuno and Noelle to come closer.
"Should start about…now."
The ground shuddered violently for a moment, the stone shimmering out as a steaming hot spring shuddered into existence. Archer smirked as the sounds of shock echoed across the now beautiful spring.
"Your reward!" declared Mereoleona, "enjoy these waters. Let them soothe your spirit and body! Cause we're doing this all again tomorrow!"
"Wait all of us!?"
Leona turned to the women. The lot of them shuddering in disgust.
"Ah, right. Wimps, the lot of you. Archer."
"I got this!"
The raging redhead blinked as a random blue-rose woman created a large stone wall. She whistled.
"Nice. Archer, fuck off don't need ya."
The man rolled his eyes. He snapped his fingers, allowing the strange metal containers to open. It turned out each was filled with all sorts of refreshments. Not enough for the long haul, but more than enough for the night. Archer's nose twitched/ He had built some sweat in the area. He could easily ignore the feeling…but to be fair there was no reason to do so. Without a thought, Archer willed his clothes to disperse, his cloak pooling around his waist as he conjured countless towels for everyone. Though, their attention was elsehwhere for the most part. Asta and Yami followed suit, stripping to hop into the water.
Sadly the men were a little comfortable stripping at the moment.
"DO THAT ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU PERVS!"
Asta blinked, decked in his long johns.
"….but I'm in trunks though?"
The poor girl who screamed was now blushing madly. Most mages were not exactly…well…
To put it bluntly Asta was built like a brick shit house. His muscles had muscles. If Asta was built than Yami was a tank, somehow even bulkier than the smaller boy by a landslide. Yami lit up another cigarette, uncaring that his junk was on full display.
"Not my problem your all weirdos. Who gets bothered in a bathhouse."
"THIS ISN'T A BATHHOUSE IDIOT! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!"
They all saw the unconscious form of one Charlotte.
"How's that my fault? If she wasn't feeling well, she should have stepped away from the spring."
Even Asta, the one man possibly more dense than Yami, stared at his master like he was an idiot.
"…."
Archer's shirt was lifted, showing a much slimmer build. If Asta and Yami were built, then Archer was tight and toned. His muscles were designed and formed directly for combat. Large enough to generate immense force, but lean enough to not impede his agility. In simpler terms, Archer was like a predator, beautiful to look at…but the sense of danger was all to present. Strange than, how something dangerous could oh so attractive.
The other man was a batch. Some, like Yami and Archer, were aware of the relationship between the body and mana. Their fitness was respectable, and it showed. Others were larger, the utter focus on mana leaving them little care about their physical forms. After all, what's the point of being fit if your magic could obliterate your opponent?
Archer settled into the water, the Crimson Lions keeping a wide berth from him. Even if their defeat emboldened their spirits…it did not mean it wasn't bitter.
"Man…a night like this…there's really only one thing men like us can do. CLIMB THE WALL!"
Yami was more of a perv than Archer expected, having tried to embolden others to climb over the wall. Though…if Archer was being honest it seemed more like Yami wanted to throw a grenade and watch the chaos. Mereoleona was of course little help, stating that their bravery would be rewarded before they died.
Looking at the men beginning their climb Archer felt…a sense of possession…strange. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, watching this grubby men try to break the women's privacy…but more intensely…it was the idea that these idiots would see Mereoleona. Without meaning to, a sliver of Archer's genuine killing intent leaked out. He stared mindlessly at the wall…but it didn't stop the men from falling like flies, their split second reaction to the sudden chill resulting in them falling.
"Enough."
Yami stared at Archer.
"Buzz kill."
Asta blinked.
"What was that?"
Yami took a drag from his cigarette.
"Basically, he exerted his will to the ki around him. It's a genuine pain in the ass to do, gives me a headache. But it's possible to make others feel what you're feeling…didn't think it was something that you could use to scare people though."
Asta gave Yami a blank look.
"…what?"
"Captain…you're full of crap."
Yami blinked. Than started laughing hard enough he almost chocked on his cigarette.
"HA! Almost believed it didn't you though. Felt it?"
"Kind of. Felt…like a hollow truth."
"It's a gimmick, a party trick. A way to felx and train your senses with Ki."
"…. Wait is Ki something you can manipulate?"
"…Kid…shit you're serious!?"
Asta tilted his head. Yami groaned as he rubbed his head.
"Damn it. I guess I must sit you down."
The rest of the night was filled with more hijinks. The rest of the group was having fun…but Archer was focused on something else. The Captain of the Purple Orcas…he was too suspicious to ignore. Telling Mereoleona before in the capital would have resulted in….an explosive outcome. But out here? The next moment he had, Archer was going to tell her everything he knew. After that…well…
The man was to die. Simple as that. The real question was…how to do it without Julius catching on. As the cool air mingled with the hot water, as the drinks flowed and people mingled, Archer was contemplating murder. It was funny…just how little things changed and how much they could be different.
In the distance far, far away the captain of the Orcas shuddered, feeling as if death tickled his spine.
-END-
Next chapter:
"I AM INNOCENT!"
A piece of paper was shoved into the man's face.
"…That isn't mine."
"…Seriously…that's your defense?
Thanks for reading folks! I'm happy to be back into the swing of things. The full-time job does kind of drill into my free time, but I'm hoping the fact I'm not addicted to Baldur's Gate 3 anymore and that I've settled into the job means I can focus more on my writing from now on! Thanks for all the support!