Storyteller Of Zero

by Kremant

For the Isekai lovers who love seeing someone else being summoned than the other guy! Louise will perform the ritual to summon her Familiar. Only this time, the one she will summon will be someone who will cause quite the shock and surprise all around him. And the only thing he brings along... Is a Tome? Just what kind of stories are about to be unleashed upon Halkeginia?

11. SOZ-Ep 10-A Storyteller's Boundaries

[As always remember to point out in case anyone is out of character, or simply for the fixing of the story's orthography.]

[Also, this one has taken so long, because I refused to post it as two separate episodes. It just didn't feel right to me. So, enjoy this two-episode long chapter instead!]

[Surprise reveal at the end.]

"And that is pretty much who Kirby is." Aristidis tells at the end satisfied before taking a sip from his cup, having explained about the pink cute ball while off-screen, as the scene shows him, Louise, Charlotte, Kirche and Siesta seated by a table together, with Kirby in the background chasing playfully after Jerry the Mouse while giggling about, while the rest are quite shocked to learn about how powerful the said pink cute ball actually is.

Siesta in her surprise takes a look at Kirby. "And he looks so..."

"Looks can be quite deceiving some times at first glance, can they not?" The mouthless Storyteller rhetorically questions in slight amusement.

As everyone else speculates about it amazed, the pink-haired Noble while having her arms folded appears to be keeping her focus seemingly from the beginning at the pitch-black Storyteller in a frustrated manner for some reason.

The scene then cuts a few hours later during early in the afternoon at the Spa Zone, where we see Aristidis, Charlotte, Kirche and Siesta all together inside the pool of bubbling water, enjoying both it and each other's company.

"And those are my plans on how to find the one who has stolen the spirit's ring." The pitch-black Storyteller tells them after having explained about it while off-screen. "Under normal circumstances, I would ask her Highness Henrietta for a quick audience, to see if she knows any important information about the said individual, but why bother her? I myself have all I need to eventually find my target of interest, after all." Boasts proudly in the end with a hand to his chest.

The redhead moves closer to him, pressing her shoulder onto his while looking at him seductively. "Target of interest as much as we are to you?"

After saying that, the black-haired girl presses her own shoulder onto his other one in the same playful fashion as she blushes about, while the blue-haired girl moves right in front of him with her back and head onto his belly and chest as she looks upward at him with a blush of her own.

Aristidis moves his arms onto the shoulders of the two next to him happily. "If he was a girl as beautiful and with a proper personality like yours, most definitely."

At that the three girls laugh amused, with Charlotte as exception who simply shows a clumsy smile in an attempt to keep her chuckle in check, with the scene then moving to show Louise at the table nearby while looking at him in the same frustrated fashion like before, as she holds Kirby in her arms while rubbing his round pink head in an enjoyable/relaxing to him manner, with the brown mouse upon the table sweat dropping while looking at her frustrated face.

The scene then cuts once more hours later during the night inside Louise's room, where the pitch-black Storyteller and the pink-haired Noble are seen alone there, the former seated by the table with a cup of something in his hand, while the latter is walking in circles about, her expression as frustrated-looking as in the last two scenes.

"And that is why I believe the white chocolate to be superior of its other variations." Aristidis tells after having explained about it while off screen, again, before taking a sip from his white hot chocolate drink, and enjoying it quite a bit. "Simply enjoyable."

Louise keeps on circling around, obviously having ignored what he said as she keeps on being frustrated about. "I can't believe how you're so... With both at the same time... How indecent one being can even..." She keeps on ranting to herself while trying not to completely lose the little patience she still has.

The mouthless Storyteller raises an eyebrow as he turns with his chair toward her. "I mean, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Why are you acting as if it's a big issue?"

She stops and snaps her head at him that moment, showing her upset and in disbelief face in silence.

His expression turns slightly amused at that. "What? You think that after you are part of the harem like the rest, I will no longer treat you as anything special anymore? Now that is just a nonsensical thought."

Louise gets flustered upon hearing that. "Wha- No! That's not why... It's not that I even like you in such a..."

She trails off for a moment longer, and then groans in complete frustration at both her extremely confused feelings, and his completely wrong assumption. "Do you have a thing for every girl that appears relatively good-looking enough in your eyes or something?"

"Not really." Aristidis simply answers as he is about to give his detailed explanation. "Every girl has their good and their bad traits. Both in body and personality. When it comes to me, I always look out for the best examples in both. But obviously not searching for strong similarities and complete copies here. No, no, no. I want each of my girls to have their big differences from one another. The ones that make them stand out the most in a good way. The ones that make them FEEL special in the eyes of those looking straight at them. The ones that make you want to treat each of them differently."

After saying all that, he gets up, walks close to her, and takes her hand with both his to place it upon his chest, much to her confusion, as he looks at her with genuine adoration. "And you, Louise, are special in your very own attractive way."

Louise blushes softly at that, being emotionally moved for a moment at being considered as such, and the way he looks at her while telling as much, but then realizes herself, and turns her head to the side, thinking that he is just exaggerating as usual just to make her fall for him.

The very nerve! She bets he doesn't even have anything more than the usual to prove she is actually special to him. Not that she truly cares or anything, it's just that he might be saying the same to the rest as well. She will show him she is not as simple as he thinks.

While facing away from him, she moves her head slightly upward as her expression turns seemingly serious, but still blushing about while forcing her hand out of his hold, before folding her arms. "I-Is that so? Alright then, what is it that you l-like about me specifically, which makes me appear special in comparison to the rest? Let's hear it."

Aristidis just looks at her somewhat surprised for a moment at the sound of that, and then his expression turns to that of complete adoration.

He brings a hand toward her, puts it at her cheek, much to her confusion, and softly turns her head to face him, so he can look deep into her eyes. "I like your dynamic personality. The cute way you always express yourself. The determination you show whenever you really want to keep on pressing forward against any difficulty standing before you, no matter how great."

Louise's eyes widen as she utters in surprise while hearing his words.

He continues. "I adore the way you smile when happy. Your eyes that remain beautiful even when upset. The charm you reveal every time you laugh or giggle, which makes my heart be filled with the very warmth of it."

The pink-haired girl blushes softly as she begins to feel emotionally moved by his sweet, sincere, and deep of meaning words. So much that she can't take her eyes off his.

For once, she is completely entranced by him.

Aristidis puts his other hand at her other cheek, never ceasing looking at her with the adoration he shows. "And that, my dear Louise... Is only a small part of how much the very existence that is you... Makes me want you more... And more."

While saying the last bit, he moves his face close to hers as he keeps it still with his hands, with her not resisting as she keeps on being entranced by him.

But just when about to let her lips touch his mouthless part-

{(Storyteller, sir.)} A telepathic voice in his mind stops him right there, before the said voice continues. {(It's the guard from the gates. The princess has arrived with a small group of her Musketeers on horseback. Your orders?)}

The pitch-black Storyteller sighs slightly irritated as he unhands Louise while taking a step back to put two fingers at the side of his head to communicate, with the pink-haired girl just now snapping out of her trance, before realizing in her great embarrassment what she was about to allow as she screams about in forced silence. {(Allow her entry. Also-)}

The scene immediately moves outside at the academy's gate where the Oblivion Guard currently communicating with the Storyteller is receiving the last of the orders.

{(As you command, sir.)} He replies with a nod, before lowering his hand as he turns his attention at the princess standing before him, who wears a black cloak over her royal dress. "You may enter, your Highness. But, he also wants you to have in mind that you totally ruined his grand moment there."

"Eh?" Is all she can utter, confused as to what he means by that.

Not long after, the scene cuts inside the duo's room, where Aristidis and Louise witness Henrietta just entering through the door, before it is closed seemingly on its own again.

"Your Highn-" The pink-haired Noble begins as she attempts to kneel, only to be stopped halfway by the pitch-black Storyteller who grabs her by the shoulder, drawing her attention that way as he gives her a look that makes her realize she forgot about the no-kneeling-change, before straightening herself up in front of the princess. "Your Highness, your visit is a great honor as always, but why did you come all this way so unexpectedly, and in the middle of the night no less?"

Henrietta smiles a bit awkwardly as she sweat drops. "I will be honest, at first I was planning for a more discreet entry, but then remembered how capable Aristidis's guards are, and simply decided to approach the main entrance normally."

She then begins looking at the room around, being somewhat astonished upon noticing the obvious rich-looking changes. "By the way, I do like the changes you have done to your room since my last visit. Truly resembles a room made for royalty."

"Your good words are highly appreciated, your Majesty." Aristidis tells the princess as he turns his head pleased toward Louise to wink at her, causing the pink-haired Noble to sweat drop at him, remembering the reason for the excessive decoration being that one comment of hers from that one time.

The pitch-black Storyteller turns to Henrietta again. "So, back on topic. How may we assist you today?"

The princess expression turns serious. "I have an urgent request to make of you two in secret."

That catches immediately the interest of the two.

She walks past them and stops in front of the window as she looks through it at the dark of the night outside. "I'm sure you both have heard news about what is currently going on in Albion."

"About the overwhelmingly successful rebellion some Nobles started some time ago." Aristidis recalls the information he and Louise heard from somewhere, with the pink-haired Noble nodding along with him at that. "Of that, we are aware."

Henrietta moves her sight downward saddened before continuing. "Then you must understand how dangerous the situation there has become. As much as it pains me to say, there is no way I see this ending in anything but the worst outcome. And as things are, there is a high chance that they will turn their attention straight to Tristain next."

She turns around with her serious expression back. "For that very reason, I've come to the decision to marry into a family in Germania."

Louise is shocked to hear that. "What?! Of all things, the country of those savage upstart Nobles?"

"Louise!" The mouthless Storyteller yells at her, drawing both the girls' surprised attention, as he looks and points a reprimanding finger at the pink-haired Noble. "That is racism against your friend Kirche. Shame."

She sweat drops quite awkwardly at that, understanding he is right.

Louise turns once more to her childhood friend, still in disbelief of the whole marriage part. "Still, doing that is..."

Henrietta looks down to the side bitterly. "It cannot be helped. To protect our small country of Tristain, we need a strong alliance with Germania."

"Not that said decision doesn't make sense-" Aristidis begins, and then folds his arms while appearing somewhat offended. "But truthfully now, there was such a big issue and you didn't even consider to ask ME of all people for help?"

The princess looks at him a bit confused and troubled. "But, I mean, back at the academy's exhibition you said-"

"I know what I said, but you seriously thought I will not help a friend in need if absolutely necessary?" The pitch-black Storyteller interrupts her while asking seriously, and then begins shaking his head. "That is not how a friend works, no it is not, and on you shame for thinking of me that way, a lot."

Louise doesn't like the way he acts toward her Highness, but even she must agree with him in this. Even at his current state, he can still offer all the help needed to solve any problem that might come to the kingdom, especially considering the new power we learned nowadays that his rune gives him.

There is no need for her childhood friend to force herself into a marriage she doesn't want, with him here to help! No need at all!

Aristidis expression turns kind. "Simply name it. Extra soldiers capable and ready? Gold or different most needed resources in huge amounts? Assassins to take care the heads of the ones leading the rebellion in Albion before they even achieve their goal? I have the Vindicare Temple on speed dial." Says the last part as he brings up a black phone. "Just give me the ok, and problem solved. Simple as that."

The princess blinks a few times, unsure as to what the temple he refers to or that speed dial-thing is, and then more focused turns around toward the window again. "Aristidis. I commend your determination to help out in this. I really do. But even though I can barely understand the length of how much magic you have lost after coming here, it is still too much for you to be completely at ease, is it not?"

The Storyteller slightly narrows his eyes at that as he lowers the phone, not liking how much of a point she has, with the pink-haired girl beginning to understand better her childhood friend's thinking on this.

Henrietta turns around once more, looking at him with a somewhat concerned expression. "I would feel awful if you were to use your magic for me at its current state, resulting in you not being able to defend yourself or Louise when it matters most."

Louise pulls a bit the side of the Storyteller's cape, drawing his attention. "As much as I dislike the thought, she is right, Aristidis. After all, you said so yourself that it is too early to draw that kind of unwanted attention on you, even with the newly discovered power of your rune."

Aristidis turns to her with a raised eyebrow. "Indeed, but-"

"Then I will have none of it." The princess interrupts him while showing a serious face. "You are not to take such risk before you have at least most of your magic back, and that is final. Is that understood, Aristidis?"

He looks at her for a moment longer in disbelief, and then sighs defeated as he puts the phone magically within his Tome's pages, before turning to her to nod respectfully. "As you prefer, your Majesty."

She nods back at him in the same manner, thanking him for understanding.

(Just you wait till I think of a way eventually to properly convince you out of this. I will give you what you truly deserve, whether you like it or not.) The Storyteller tells in his mind, not really planning on letting this as it is.

Louise turns to Henrietta. "You have spoken of a request you want us to fulfill. You told us about Albion because it has to do with it, doesn't it?"

"Yes, that is right, Louise Francoise." The princess tells her. "Before I can proceed with forging this alliance between Tristain and Germania, there is one thing that needs to be done first. I need you two to go and retrieve a very important letter that I've sent to prince Wales of Albion."

"An important letter?" The pink-haired Noble questions as she repeats the words.

Henrietta continues. "If the contents of the said letter become known, then my planned engagement will be called off."

"Aah, so HE is the one your heart belongs to." Aristidis speculates with a hand on his chin as he now fully grasps the situation. "I see now- a type of love letter it is then! And if it becomes common knowledge that you, a princess and soon to be queen, sent out such a letter, to another ruling figure especially in this case, then no doubt it will ruin the whole alliance attempt indeed."

The princess nods at that, showing that to be the case like he guessed.

Louise looks at him with eyes wide open, shocked not only to learn who the princess's secret love was, but also that her Familiar was able to figure out the reason so easily.

"Still, way too much of a risk that decision, don't you think?" The pitch-black Storyteller asks as he folds his arms while raising an eyebrow. "Was there even any need for a letter to begin with, if both of you know that you feel the same way for one another?"

Henrietta closes her eyes, thinking about her love for Wales. "I was and still am a maiden in love. I might be a princess, but I could never just deny those feelings of mine. Even if that meant taking a risk like that simply to express them to the one I love."

She opens her eyes and looks at the Storyteller with a serious expression. "I expect one who has shown to be quite knowledgeable about something like this such as you to understand."

"Oh, definitely!" He says a bit delighted, before showing a greatly proud face while placing a hand upon his chest. "And I have three girls so far in total to prove as much."

"Oh... G-Good for you." The princess tells him with an awkward smile as she sweat drops at the fact, with Louise sweat dropping as well, while her eye twitches in irritation at him bringing that up before her Highness.

And in a serious conversation like this, no less!

A scream is heard just outside of the door that moment, drawing the attention of the three.

"What was that?!" The pink-haired Noble asks in her surprise.

"Our sire, the Storyteller!" A voice outside calls. "We have apprehended someone trying to listen to your conversation within!"

"Let me take a look." Aristidis tells him while wondering who might that be, and as he just stands there, while apparently looking through the eyes of his guard, he sighs. "Are you for real with-"

He stops himself as he approaches the door, much to the two girls' confusion, opens it, and grabs something with a hand before turning while closing the door again to reveal the blond Noble student Guiche, which he holds by the top back of his uniform off the floor.

"Guiche?!" Louise yells both surprised and upset at seeing him being the one snooping about.

"H-Hey..." The blond Noble trails of with an awkward smile and a raised hand to greet.

"Well, well, look what we have gotten our hands on here." The mouthless Storyteller cheekily says, before bringing him a bit closer while appearing more serious as he points a finger at the troubled Noble. "Much of nerve you have for trying to eavesdrop like that after the behavior you showed some time ago, Guiche De Gramont. Very much."

Guiche is stuttering as he tries to explain himself, but fails to form actual words due to being too nervous, both of the way Aristidis is presenting him, and the memory of what happened the last time he offended him.

Henrietta that moment appears to recall something. "Gramont? Then that would make you general Gramont's..."

The blond Noble snaps somewhat out of his nervousness at being recognized as he looks at her, which causes the other two's curiosity. "Y-Yes, I'm his son. A-A pleasure being in your presence, your Highness." Says as he somewhat bows to her, being difficult to do so with the way the Storyteller currently holds him.

The princess appears pleased with that as she smiles. "Ah, a good timing. Will you be of service to me as well in this?"

The two look at her surprised, as Guiche sweat drops confused, with Louise exclaiming that moment in the said surprise.

"You want him part of this, your Majesty?" Aristidis asks with a raised eyebrow, and then looks upward as he thinks about it. "I mean, yes, his ability to produce those Bronze Valkyries of his sure can prove useful if used the right way, but is he really needed in the end? To be honest, his involvement to me feels like when a writer is forcing a lame character unnecessarily into a plot."

Being called lame like that hurts the blond's ego in such a way that causes comical tears to run across his face.

Henrietta appears a bit confused. "I... Don't quite understand the term you just used, but the more capable hands are with you, the better I will feel about both your safety and success." Says at the end with a hopeful smile.

Guiche raises a hand confused. "Umm, sorry for my interruption-"

"Like you SHOULD be." The pitch-black Storyteller interrupts him with a serious expression.

The blond nervously recoils at that for a moment before continuing. "But, what is this about a mission?"

The pink-haired Noble raises an eyebrow. "Were you not eavesdropping at our conversation from outside just a moment ago?"

He sweat drops. "I-I was planning to, after noticing as I was passing by the hallway the princess herself entering your room and all, but for some time I couldn't quite hear anything through the door somehow as I was trying to find the best spot upon it to do so, till I eventually looked up to notice much to my shock a head in the shape of an upside-down heart looking at me, before I realize that it was actually a bunch of giant living cards stacked together in front of the actual door."

"Playing Card Soldiers." The Storyteller corrects him.

"And then I was caught in the act, and here I am." Guiche says as he finishes his little story.

Aristidis thinks about it for a moment, as Louise sweat drops at the blond's utter fail, and then places him down on his feet properly. "Very well, your presence is acceptable for the upcoming mission."

The blond Noble smiles.

"IF!" The mouthless Storyteller immediately after yells with a raised finger, much to Guiche's semi-startled confusion, before continuing normally. "You first do something as proof of your worthiness. Cinderella?"

"Present, Storyteller, sir." The maid Cinderella says with a smile while appearing to be standing right behind Guiche, greatly scaring him in the process as he jumps a bit to the side while turning toward her.

Aristidis with a palm indicates her, with the next line directed at the blond Noble. "Apologize to her."

"Eeh?! Guiche exclaims surprised at that.

"A proper one. Right here. Right now." The pitch-black Storyteller tells him in a semi-demanding manner. "Do as much, and there will be absolutely no complains from me about you coming along. If not, then I will have my guards kick you out of the room like the disgrace you are. Simple as that."

As Henrietta wonders about what could the son of someone as important as Gramont possibly do to be treated by Aristidis in such a way, the blond Noble himself was in quite the big dilemma, with Aristidis walking next to Louise as both look with interest at the scene.

On one hand, he really doesn't want to apologize to someone way lower in status than him, falling into her level as a result.

But at the same time, he doesn't want at all to be seen by her Highness in the way that pitch-black Noble described, resulting in his good name pretty much falling to the dirt.

He might as well do as he is told and be done with it at this point.

Plus, that mission they speak about will be a great way to both raise his good reputation quite a bit, since receiving a mission from the princess herself shows to all her great trustworthiness to you in order to bring the mission into completion, and also get the chance to meet more beautiful maidens on the way, of course.

Guiche takes a deep breath, and bows apologetically before Cinderella. "I apologize."

"Fo~r?" Aristidis asks while having his arms folded, obviously expecting him to speak the reason, pretty much telling him he is not letting him off the hook just like that.

The blond Noble sweat drops and stays as he is for a moment, before forcing himself more into this. "For attempting to put the blame on you for my own mistake."

"Becau~se?" The pitch-black Storyteller now asks him.

"Because I couldn't bring myself to admit it as my own." Guiche admits much to his irritation and shame.

"Becau~se?" Aristidis asks him again.

The blond looks at him nervously. "C-Come on now, do I really have to also-"

"BECAU~SE?" The Storyteller repeats the question once more while gazing upon him quite menacingly now.

Guiche finches at that scared for a moment, and then sighs as he turns defeated toward the orange-haired maid again. "Because I'm a two-timing fool who betrayed the trust of two fair ladies."

The princess smiles awkwardly with a sweat drop as she now understands the proof of worthiness part, with Louise smiling somewhat cheekily at watching the blond Noble being forced to apologize for his full of shame actions. It will be a lie for the pink-haired girl to say she doesn't take much of joy from the said display.

"Becau~se?" Aristidis repeats the same question again.

The blond Noble turns to him fast with a really incredulous face on. "There are more?!"

"Nah, just messing with you on this." He replies as he looks upward to the side amused.

Cinderella bows respectfully before Guiche, drawing attention on her. "Your apology is accepted, Noble Guiche."

"And with that, your official participation to the plan as well." The Storyteller tells him somewhat pleased, before proceeding to clap both ends of his fingers together in a fast manner. "Good for you."

"Th-Thank you..." The blond Noble trails off as he sweat drops, glad that the humiliation is over with, and that he will go along with them for the said mission.

Still doesn't know about it though. "S-So, the mission-"

"What you need to know for now-" Aristidis interrupts him with a raised palm forward. "Is that we are to retrieve an item from the prince of Albion... When do you need us to travel there exactly, your Majesty?" Asks in the end as he turns to Henrietta, realizing that she still didn't tell them.

"During the morning of the second day." She answers.

The pitch-black Storyteller raises an eyebrow while tilting a bit his head. "Really? Are you sure you don't want this finished as soon as possible?"

Louise nods in agreement with her Familiar as she looks at her childhood friend a bit confused. "Yes, why wait?"

The princess shakes her head. "As much as I would like for this to be over with quickly, I need to make sure first to find a trustworthy and capable someone from the guard to lead you on the way to Albion, so I will have you wait for at least that long."

"No real need for a guide, though." Aristidis tells her, before pulling with a hand from behind his back a map which he opens and proudly presents before her Majesty, which proves to be ridiculously big. "I have properly memorized Halkeginia's entire atlas, and already know the best route to reach our destination quickly and safely. Courtesy of my best cartographers who helped me to properly make it. Pair it with an appropriate guide of mine just for the fun of it, and what more to need?"

Henrietta, and the other two, looks at the map from a closer perspective, being quite impressed with the details, but then steps back again with a sweat drop and a smile. "A-Again, I will feel safer knowing you have more capable hands with you."

"Ow alright, but only so you may feel at ease and cease worrying as much." The mouthless Storyteller tells her with a roll of his eyes, and then begins folding the map carefully like before while showing a serious expression. "Just please make sure the one you choose is a capable one. I am still not entirely convinced about having Guiche being with us in this and all."

The blond Noble turns to him and about to say something to that-

Only for him to be interrupted by Aristidis the last moment. "And no, I said that your Bronze Golems might prove useful. Whether you yourself will too, is yet to be proven. And honestly, I believe it to be a tiresomely long way till that point."

Guiche bends down depressed at that comment, knowing that he can't really say anything to defend himself on that, especially when considering how easily he lost to him at that duel.

The pitch-black Storyteller puts the map away, and then places a hand onto the blond's back, making him straighten himself back up again in confusion, before making him move along with him at the door, which that moment is opened by Cinderella. "Now go to bed as we take care of the remaining details, and make sure to be ready at the second day's morning we are to leave. Be late, and we leave without you. Understood? Understood."

As Louise watches in the meantime the said scene, she sweat drops while looking at her Familiar, understanding his obvious irritation at pretty much being treated like a weakling by the princess despite his amazing power, while also having to bear with the disappointment that is Guiche.

She can't even be mad at him for the somewhat rude way he was speaking to her Highness just a moment ago with all that in mind.

Aristidis closes the door after getting the blond Noble out, and walks next to Louise.

The pink-haired girl brings her focus back, and smiles at her childhood friend. "Your Highness, be sure that we will be ready for that day, and bring back to you that letter. No matter the difficulties we may face on the way."

Henrietta is happy, but can't help but feel awful as she looks downward. "Louise Fransoise. You and Aristidis are the only ones I can trust you with this."

After saying that, she brings hand close to one of the eyes as she tries to hold her tears back. "I'm sorry for having you go through this for me."

Louise seeing how her childhood friend feels, moves her to approach and hug her, much to the princess surprise, before she shows a smile on her face. "Please, don't be like that, princess."

She then pulls herself back, while keeping her hands upon her Highness's shoulders. "To request from us such an important mission is an honor, and we are more than happy for it. Right, Aristidis?" She asks him while turning to the Storyteller as she unhands her friend.

"Utterly and without complains." Aristidis responds with a somewhat delighted expression, as the scene shows him now wearing a baseball cap with England's most known flag depicted at the front, which also writes Tourist in its middle. "We can always use a change in scenery, and why not, we may as well bring along Tabitha and Kirche in this mission. They are both capable magic users, and-"

"Tabitha?" The pink-haired girl interrupts him, confused about that part. "But wasn't her na-"

{(Her true identity a secret from everyone else till the time is right, remember?)} The pitch-black Storyteller quickly cuts her off using his telepathy.

"Oh-" Louise stops herself in realization, before quickly showing an awkward smile toward the princess. "A-Anyway, as I was saying, we are looking forward for this mission, so you have nothing to worry about, your Highness."

Henrietta is paused for a moment, and then clasps both her hands together as she smiles greatly thankful. "Thank you both. Louise. Aristidis."

As both of them look at her with pleased expressions, with the Storyteller throwing fast his cap to the side and away, the princess reaches with a hand in one of her cloak's pockets, before pulling out a letter with the royal stamp in its middle, which she moves close to the pink-haired Noble to present it to her. "This is an official missive. When you meet the prince, give it to him so he may know what is this about."

Louise takes the missive in her hand and bows before her Highness in appreciation.

"Also-" Henrietta adds as she removes with a hand from her finger the silver ring with a blue gem in its center she was wearing. "This is the Ruby Of Water that my mother has entrusted me with. Right now, this is the only reward that I can give you." Says as she slides the ring onto her childhood friend's finger.

"Princess..." The pink-haired girl trails off, surprised by the princess's gift, which she highly appreciates despite her Highness passing it as a meager reward.

The princess smiles at her, and then turns to take a few steps toward the door. "You will have to excuse me now, but I must return to the royal palace."

Aristidis moves suddenly in front of her, startling her for a moment as she stops. "You sure you don't want to stay for a while longer and enjoy a few relaxing hours with your good friends? We have delectable beverages, fun boardgames, fruit salad-" He says at the end as Cinderella move next to him while presenting each of the three before her confused Highness. "And let us not forget-"

"Wh-While I appreciate the thought, Aristidis-" Henrietta interrupts him while smiling awkwardly. "I unfortunately can't afford to stay longer than this. This is a secret meeting after all, and the longer I stay away from the palace, the bigger the risk of someone finding out about my sudden disappearance. You understand."

The pitch-black Storyteller puts a hand upon his chin in contemplation, as the orange-haired maid moves the stuff away. "Hm, I suppose that is true."

The princess walks up to the door, and opens it before turning to face the two one last time. "Goodbye. And may you be successful on your mission." Says at the end with a bow, before exiting the room.

"We will!" Aristidis yells at the end, wanting to make sure she can hear him say that as she walks away.

Louise smiles while looking at the exit, and then raises her hand to take a good look at the Ruby Of Water ring on her finger.

It's not the ring itself that makes her happy, of course. But the fact her childhood friend and princess once again depends on her to fulfilling another important mission for her.

The pink-haired girl can't help but let out a muffled continual exclamation from the excitement she feels and tries to keep in check because of it.

While at it, she hears a muffled continual exclamation similar to hers, and stops as she looks to notice Aristidis right in front of her with both hands raised before him into fists while doing as much as she did a moment ago, and appearing just as excited.

"Are you excited about the princess depending on you to fulfill yet another mission for her too?" He asks her in his excitement.

Louise looks at him for a moment, and then brings her own fists before her in the same fashion and excitement. "Yes, very!"

She is sure now.

The day of their mission is going to be simply amazing and successful like expected. She can hardly wait!

~Two Days Later~Early In The Morning~

After a day of preparation, it was finally time to begin.

Aristidis, Louise, Tabitha, Kirche, and Guiche were standing just outside of the academy's gate, waiting for the one supposed to meet them any moment now as told by the princess.

The day itself appears so far to be quite... Foggy. Which is quite unusual compared to the sunny scenery it usually shows around here at the academy of magic.

Not that the said fact stops the current enthusiasm, as Kirche steps close to Aristidis while wrapping her arms lovingly around one of his. "Aah, in a mission together with my darling once more. The feeling of being needed by him is always such a bliss."

"Most likely to do nothing more but watch me being greatly impressive as usual, though." The pitch-black Storyteller says with a proudly raised head.

"Greatly arrogant too." Tabitha simply says as she keeps her stoic attention forward.

Aristidis leans his head slightly toward her with a wink. "I dare you say that you hate it."

She remains paused for a moment there, and then moves next to him to lean her head at his shoulder with a soft blush. "I don't dislike."

The Storyteller chuckles amused at that as he moves both arms, and Tome, above the two girls' shoulders, with Louise's eye twitching in great irritation by what she considers as indecency happening behind her while keeping her attention forward, and with Guiche sweat dropping at him in disbelief and frustration of the fact that that being is allowed to have more than one girl so openly, when he himself is not.

The redhead thinks of something then. "You know, I feel kind of bad for Siesta for not coming with us in this."

"I want to ensure her safety since she is the most defenseless in comparison to you all, and so my focus will not be divided too much in case of emergency as my magical amount currently is." Aristidis tells her, and then winks. "Wouldn't just leave her without a goodbye kiss, though."

That reminds the pink-haired girl about that one night as she blushes.

She still cannot believe that she almost fell for his charming words and was that close to ki-ki-kiss him!

(If it was not for the princess...) She says in her thoughts as she imagines the moment, before blushing even more while covering with both hands her full of embarrassment face.

"Also, did you three know that Princess Henrietta and Prince Wales are cousins?" The pitch-black Storyteller asks them with much of surprise in his wide open eyes, and then puts a hand to the side of his head in further disbelief. "I learned about it from Louise just last night, and I just couldn't believe it!"

Kirche, and the other two, sweat drops at that. "Well, I mean, pretty much everyone in Halkeginia knows the two are related."

"But that they are also romantically interested to each other?" Aristidis questions as he brings the image into his mind, and can't help but slightly cringe as he facepalms himself. "What a scandalous taboo! I mean, sure, I have seen worse, like that one guy who married his little sister by the end of the story and all, but this is still not too far in the incest list."

While that conversation was taking place behind of Louise, with the three in great surprise at that brother and sister story bit, a sound in front of her draws her attention, and of the rest a second later, and sees the spot upon the ground there moving slowly upward as if something is making its way from below, till out of it comes the upper half of Guiche's giant mole Verdante, causing the pink-haired girl quite the surprise.

"Verdante!" The blond Noble speaks his Familiar's name in his own surprise, before moving fast toward the mole as he crouches down to hug it while rubbing his cheek upon its head affectionately. "Oh, my cute little Verdante! You feel sad for leaving you behind for this one? You touch my heart, but do not worry, daddy will be back before you know it, I promise."

The pink-haired Noble looks at him with a serious expression. "Just make sure it doesn't follow us. We have a serious mission to take care of, and we don't have the time to deal with a-"

She stops that moment as she notices the giant mole approaching her, making her wonder what it wants from her of all people suddenly, and then much to her shock, it appears about to leap at her.

But while halfway to touch her, the mole is suddenly stopped in mid-air, with it noticing so as well, before flailing about in place while Louise and Guiche watch confused.

Aristidis is then seen walking next to her with a raised palm aiming at the mole, showing to be the one to stop the animal through the use of his magic.

"I get that my sweet Louise is irresistible in the eye, but she is no Sephie Michaela for animals to think as much too." He says, with the pink-haired girl blushing at his words, while the rest look at each other confused as to who that Sephie person is, before he looks at the blond Noble. "Blonde-flea, explain."

"Blonde-fle-" Guiche begins with a sweat drop a bit offended, but stops as soon as he takes notice of Louise's ring with the precious blue ruby upon it. "Ah, the ring, I see now. Verdante loves gems, especially of the valuable kind. He sees it as a tasty delicacy."

At the sound of that, the pink-haired girl steps back while covering the ring troubled, not wanting to end up as a mole's meal.

"Oh, like Spike and the rest of the dragons from MLP." Aristidis says with quite the interest at the fact, much to everyone's surprise at learning of a species of dragons that eat precious gems as well, and then snaps his fingers to magically cause a small pile of different gemstones to appear to the side, before letting Verdante in front of it, causing the mole's eyes to shine from delight as it soon after begins its little feast. "Here you go, little one. Enjoy."

As the rest smile at the Storyteller's generosity, with Louise sighing in relief that the ring is safe, the blond Noble can't help but exclaim amazed. "Your magic that makes stuff appear out of thin air is incredible! And is it true that you-"

"Yes, gold, gems, and most of the things of incredible value, I can have them all in infinite amounts as if nothing special." The mouthless Storyteller cuts him off with an air of self-importance as he guesses his thought, and then his expression turns neutral again. "Which is not, really."

Guiche sweat drops as he just looks at him for a moment. "That is-"

"I know, my magic can be ridiculously cheaty." He cuts him off once more while folding his arms with an agreeing nod of his head as he guesses his thought again, before turning his attention upward at the sky, or at least the fog still covering the area. "And it looks like the one we have been waiting for has finally arrived."

"Hu- Where?" Louise asks as she takes a look to where he is looking at, but unable to see anything past the fog. "All I see is fog."

"I can see through anything if I wish to." Aristidis simply says, causing the rest to look at him surprised. "You think of it being beyond my capabilities?"

"N-No, of course not." The pink-haired Noble answers with a bored expression and a sweat drop, knowing better than to question the absurdity that is his magic.

The Storyteller keeps on looking upward at the approaching figure only he can see so far. "He appears to be a fairly tall, middle-aged man with gray long hair and a very well-trimmed goatee, and wearing a mostly dark-blue uniform, and a hat with a white feather to the side, that makes him look like one of those classic-styled musketeers, from the dashing side too, with a rapier sheathed at his side. He also rides a Griffin."

That causes the amazement of most of the group.

"He must be one of the princess's elites, of the famous Magic Guard." Guiche speculates.

"And he looks like your typical experienced veteran too." Aristidis adds, and then his expression turns satisfied. "Her Majesty sure knows how to pick them- quite promising to the eye." Says the last part with a double nod of his head.

While waiting for a few more seconds, the rest begin seeing as well the shadow of the figure coming closer and closer, with a sudden thought that moment coming to Louise, wondering by the description if it could possibly be the one she thinks about.

Finally, the large creature that shows to be a Griffin indeed, lands at an appropriate distance in front of them, with the man on its back jumping off it to the side, while holding his hat to not fall off his head in the meantime, before walking closer for them enough to be seen clearly, looking just like the Storyteller described, with Kirche commending on the inside about how handsome he is.

The man stops before them. "Apologies if I was late for this meeting. I am Wardes, leader of the Griffin Squad, ordered by lady Henrietta to accompany you on this trip. At your services." Says at the end with a polite bow.

The pink-haired girl gasps in surprise. "It's you!"

"Ah, so you know h-" Aristidis begins happily but pauses himself that moment, and then his expression turns to that of shock as he remembers hearing the name before, along with everything Louise told him in the past about the person, before he turns to her while moving close enough to whisper. "Wait... You mean to tell me, that the one you mentioned before, which you were supposedly engaged to, was actually a true fact all along?"

The other three hear that, causing them to look at each other in even more surprise than before at the very fact.

Louise looks at the Storyteller understandably annoyed. "I told you that I was being truthful about it, you idiot."

"Louise..." Wardes begins while approaching her, and taking both her hands with his own as he gives her a smile. "It has been a while since the time we've seen each other."

The pink-haired girl blushes softly, and then awkwardly turns her sight to the side. "I-It has indeed, Lord Wardes."

Aristidis looks at the whole thing as he comes in terms with his previous shock, and one thing is sure as his eyes narrow a tiny bit.

He likes none of it.

Just at the moment Wardes was about to make a move on her, the pitch-black Storyteller puts a quick arm between them, much to their confusion.

"I~-" He begins while pushing lightly the man back as he grabs his hand with his own to turn it into a handshake while looking at him with a seemingly/overly kind expression. "-don't think we have properly introduced ourselves yet, my good sir. My name is Aristidis Aristadis O Ellin Tis Ellas, one of the many important faces you are to probably help about during the mission, pleased to make you acquaintance."

"Oh, of course." Wardes begins while smiling as they both break the handshake. "The famous Storyteller. Lady Henrietta told me a lot of great things about you. I am the Viscount Jean-Jacques Francis de Wardes. Pleased to meet you as well." Says at the end with a respectful bow.

The man then straightens himself up as he proceed to give a quick and careful look at the Storyteller up and down. "You have quite the height."

"And you have quite the grey." Aristidis tells him.

"Hm?" Wardes utters in question with a raised eyebrow, as the rest gasp silently in reaction to what they understand as a subtle insult.

The mouthless Storyteller almost as soon puts a hand on his chin seemingly in interest. "Which is a good color on you and all. Totally not implying anything actually provoking about it like the age or anything."

The Viscount simply stands there for a moment, but quickly smiles again. "Oh, I see. Thank you for clarifying it."

"That is what I do." Aristidis tells him with a nod of his head.

Everyone else smiles awkwardly and relieved, understanding this as just one of the Storyteller's peculiar idiosyncrasies of the moment, with Tabitha not being quite sure about that.

Louise moves past Aristidis, moving in front of Wardes with a smile of her own as she draws attention on her. "What a surprise this is. When the princess said she would be sending someone to escord us in our mission, I would never expect you being the one."

"When I was asked by the princess if I could offer my help with making sure the letter reaches its proper destination, I could not just stay put after hearing that you will be part of it." He tells her as he looks into her eyes with a kind expression, and the takes one of her hands with his own while raising it slightly upward. "There was no way I would just leave my fiance to face a dangerous journey without me being there to ensure her safety."

"Lord Wardes..." The pink-haired girl trails off as she blushes softly by his kindhearted words, as Kirche "Aws" due to how romantic this is to her.

Wardes then brings both his arms behind her shoulders and legs as he crouches, but is suddenly stopped by a sudden pain to his lower back, causing him to utter in said pain as it almost makes him lose his balance forward while bringing a hand at the hurting area.

"Lord Wardes!" Louise yells concerned, with the rest looking surprised/confused by that, as she moves close to see how she can help. "What's wrong? A-Are you alright?"

Aristidis turns to him with a neutral expression while bringing both hands behind his back. "What's this now? Did old age hit you already or something, Viscount Wardes?"

The pink-haired Noble turns to her Familiar, in disbelief of his sudden lack of manners and concern. "Aristidis, what are you even- Lord Wardes is hurt, show some resp-"

Wardes raises a palm, which causes her to stops. "N-No, it's fine, Louise, I am alright."

As he straightens himself up normally again, he takes a look around, seeing how everyone was still where they stand, most of them being confused at whatever happened to him.

The pain at his lower back felt to him as if he received a direct punch from someone.

But if that was the case, it would be obvious if any of them did it, and imagining even someone with the Storyteller's peculiar magic casting something like a spell that punches in a literal sense, sounds beyond ridiculous to exist.

Strange...

In the meantime Aristidis with one of the hands behind his back, fist bumps multiple times and in different ways fast from behind with an invisible, to everyone else, female, thin figure with long hair reaching to her feet, with her also having two pointy teeth coming from the upper part of the closed, smiling mouth. [Colors can't be seen due to the invisible and simply outlined method that is used to be identified by you the WATCHERS, but still obvious enough to learn that is Marceline from Adventure Time!]

The mouthless Storyteller then folds his arms. "In any case, what was that you were planning to do exactly?"

"Well..." The Viscount trails off as he is still a bit confused by his sudden pain, before focusing on explaining simply. "I was going to carry Louise on top of my Griffin, so we can ride together as we travel toward our first destination."

"On the Griff-" Aristidis begins with a raised eyebrow, but stops halfway to show him a serious expression. "No offense toward your many years of experience, Viscount Wardes, but a Griffin is way too much of a risky decision as a ride to say the least for this secret mission of ours. It is bound to draw much more attention upon us than we want. No. We are using the carriage for this one." Says at the end as he points with a finger to the side, where everyone sees the large, and very well known black and silver carriage of the Storyteller, which was either there from the beginning but no one noticed, or simply appeared there while no one was looking like it usually happens in such cases.

He continues. "It is more common to see a carriage than a Griffin entering a city and the such, so that makes it the best option. Plus-"

The Storyteller that moment brings with a hand from behind his back a small control with a single button on it as he proceeds to press, and then everyone hears a sound coming from the carriage, drawing their full attention on it, before they see the top half opening from the middle in two, and slowly sliding the said parts down within the right and left sides of the carriage, till it stops to end up making it look like an open carriage.

Needless to say, everyone was quite impressed with it, with the Viscount being rather surprised since it's the first he sees a carriage doing that.

"I find it much more enjoyable upon a nice comfy seat, as one of my Tome Personnel serves to everyone a delightful cup of tea." Aristidis completes with a satisfied expression, as the butler Alfred Pennyworth is already seen in the carriage filling one of the cups upon the tray he holds with tea, and then looks at the rest. "Won't you agree?"

Kirche and Tabitha nod in agreement immediately as they walk toward the carriage, finding it as quite the pleasant choice, with Guiche following after them with a sweat drop, agreeing with the idea but being a bit unnerved by the stuff and butler that appear out of nowhere, and with Wardes being rather confused as he tries to make sense of all this in his mind, as Louise next to him has a hand upon her chin as she thinks about the carriage idea.

The Viscount finally finds his composure back, and turns to the Storyteller. "But-"

"Oh, I am sorry." Aristidis interrupts him with the satisfied expression still present on his face as he moves right in front of Wardes. "Your ears are probably not how they used to be after reaching that point in time, so let me repeat it for you one more time."

His expression then turns serious. "Get the way too obvious Griffin out of sight, and like your usual proper Noble, enter. Our. Carriage."

Both remain for a few more seconds as they are, with the Viscount unsure as to how to actually respond to the being's sudden command, and then the Storyteller with a quick movement of his hands grabs Louise, holding her now in a princess carry way, which Wardes intended to do so himself not long ago, with her looking around her confused as she realizes slowly how he holds her.

"Now excuse me as I give dear Louise here her proper seat upon the carriage." Aristidis tells him, before turning around as he begins carrying her there while giving her a happy face. "I made it extra soft and decorated JUST for you."

The pink-haired girl blushes as she appears upset. "A-Aristidis-"

"Come on, let us not let the rest wait, we have a long way to go!" The pitch-black Storyteller interrupts her as he now leaps step by step in excitement all the way to the open carriage, startling her with his sudden choice of movement.

As he watches the scene before him, and while he thinks about the Storyteller's character so far, Wardes can understand one thing.

That odd being is going to be quite the difficult individual.

~A Few Moments Later~

The scene shows the open carriage moving through a dirt road on the way toward the first destination, with the fog now cleared, but the entire sky is now filled with blackened clouds.

The camera moves to show at the driver's seat Alfred seated next to Kronk who holds the black horses' reins, before it moves to show at the passengers' seats Aristidis seated at the back seats next to Louise from her right, with Wardes sitting next to her from the left, while in the meantime the pink-haired girl feels rather nervous about sitting between her fiance and the one obsessed with her, with the rest sitting at the forward seats, looking at them with a sweat drop, and with each of them, the notable passengers, having a tea cup in their hands.

There is also a small table in the middle of the open carriage this time.

The redhead looks up to the sky worried. "Quite cloudy our day has turned out to be all of a sudden. Think it will rain?"

"Those clouds are not the kind that bring the rain, so you have nothing to worry about, trust me." The pitch-black Storyteller tells her as he brings his cup close to his face.

Kirche puts both hands together next to her head as she shows to be quite elated. "That's our knowledgeable and beautiful Aristidis!"

The Viscount at the moment looks at how the pitch-black being of a Nobleman takes a sip from his cup without the content spilling across the mouthless part and down, as one would normally expect, and even though he was already notified about him being able to eat, drink, and speak normally due to the unique magic his body is apparently made out of, he can't help but still be somewhat amazed of the fact.

Though, he still believes his lack of clothing as a rather unorthodox choice, even if the being in question shows nothing that could actually be considered obscene.

"You may look all you want if out of pure, understandable curiosity, Viscount Wardes, but give me an inappropriately suggestive look at any moment while at it, see what happens." Aristidis tells him while keeping his attention forward as he stirs with a spoon his tea.

"Eh-" Wardes begins confused, but then immediately understands in his mild shock the implication, with the rest appearing surprised with the very thought, before bringing most of his focus back to appear serious as he coughs once fakely. "I could never imagine myself doing such a thing." Says before taking a sip from his tea.

Louise looks at her Familiar upset. "Aristidis! How could you even imagine of Lord Wardes doing something like-"

"You must admit I am rather interesting to the eye." He interrupts her, and then leans closer as he gives her a mischievous look. "Let us not forget after all about the first time you met me. Those beautiful eyes of yours did not move away from me for quite some time back then."

"H-" The pink-haired girl utters while appearing flustered about, and then moves her head the other way. "How could I not, you were literally the most bizarre example of a Familiar anyone could summon!"

He straightens himself normally on his seat again as he winks at her. "Not hearing any denial about you still finding me interesting to look at, so thank you for admitting as much, you charming flatterer."

Louise bends slightly down while covering her face with her hands as she groans embarrassed at that, hating how he can easily turn a conversation against her like that, and in such a way no less.

Tabitha, Kirche and Guiche find her reaction cute as they chuckle a bit at that.

As for Wardes, he sees the closeness between her and Aristidis, and narrows his eyes a tiny bit, enough to show how problematic he finds that.

The Viscount then brings both hands between the pink-haired girl's ones, and softly push them to the side as she gets her attention, before moving a hand below the chin to move her head upward enough to meet his eyes and smiling face. "Louise always had a way with words, even at a small age. It was one of the many things I admired about her."

She blushes softly at that.

"I can imagine." The pitch-black Storyteller says as he brings the cup close to his mouthless part, and then giving a sideward look at him. "Complimenting the elders is proper manners for Noble children after all, and I must say you look like quite the father figure, Viscount Wardes." Says in a seemingly complimentary manner, before taking a sip.

Wardes turns his attention at him as he unhands Louise, with her turning to look at her Familiar, being confused as to what exactly he means by that now, and with the rest sweat dropping at yet another one of his subtle insult toward the Viscount.

He sees what the Storyteller is doing, but decides to ignore it as he remembers another fact while looking at the road ahead, and then turns to him once more. "You know, I was sent by lady Henrietta to escort you. Make sure you're led to the right way. Not that I'm judging your decision making of course, but do you-"

"Heh." Aristidis utters somewhat amused as he interrupts him, and then turns to the rest. "He believes we actually needed an escort."

The Viscount raises an eyebrow at that.

Louise looks at her Familiar a bit upset, not liking his disrespectful behavior toward her fiance. "Aristidis."

The mouthless Storyteller ignores her as he lets his tea cup at the table, and turns to Wardes. "Forgive the way I expressed it, but I already had everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, prepared for this little journey of ours from the very beginning."

His expression turns to that of pride as he puffs out his chest. "I studied the map thoroughly to its littlest details, and already marked the appropriate route we should follow to reach the port City La Rochelle in less than a day."

"I have the map!" Kronk yells from the front at them as he raises with a hand the said map.

The rest begin chattering with one another that moment, amazed at how much time is saved because of that, with Wardes appearing genuinely surprised about.

Aristidis then shrugs before continuing. "We could reach our destination faster using other transportational means, but I thought everyone will appreciate more a nice and calming ride."

The Viscount snaps out of his surprise, while Kirche speaks about how thoughtful their darling is, and smiles slightly boldly. "To use a map efficiently is quite an impressive skill to have indeed. And I will also guess the princess has already told you about where in Albion we are to find the-"

"She did not, but it matters not, for I already have knowledge of Prince Wales's whereabouts." The pitch-black Storyteller interrupts him in a laid-back manner as he leans back in his seat with both hands placed behind his head. "I've sent someone there to scout the country beforehand for me a few hours ago."

Before anyone can even react properly to that, a strong gust of the wind almost makes them lose balance where they sit, with it suddenly stopping as soon before they take notice much to their surprise that moment standing right next to the table and between the two sets of seats there a slim, bird-like person with big pinkish beak, a red, long feathery tail just above his backside, and a feathery plume at the top of his head, who wears a mostly black and red uniform, with an upside-down red triangle being at the said uniform's chest area. [Rev Runner from Loonatics, here to report at high speed.]

"Hey there." The bird-like person greets them with a raised hand, with them still being paused at the moment.

Aristidis turns his head at Rev. "Rev, my good friend, tell our company here how was your little marathon one more time."

The super fast anthropomorphic roadrunner opens his beak. "If by marathon you mean the country scouting you told me to do at that floating island country called Albion, which is definitely what you mean, funny way of putting it by the way, then here is my full report from it. Apparently most areas are filled with those rebel people, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here-" Says at the last parts after bringing out a map to point at the different locations fast, before stopping as he points at a specific part. "Except this place over here, which had a small number of guards, out of sight mostly, but different uniforms from the other ones as seen from a few of them briefly spotted beside the edges of a small chapel, which has quite the high ground, must offer a great view from up there. With all that in mind, if the one you search for is anywhere, that's the most likely place, Storyteller, friend. That, or underground, you never know." He explains all that in quite the fast manner, before quickly placing the map away.

Everybody else just looks at Rev with wide open eyes, as they could barely keep up with his fast-paced speech, catching mostly the last part with chapel.

The Storyteller nods at him pleased. "Great work once more, and much appreciated, friend. You may now go at the academy like we said."

"Aye-Aye, sir!" Rev says with a salute, before less than a second later runs at such high speed that it appears as if a trail of fire is following his extremely to everyone else blurry figure due to said speed.

Aristidis looks at the rest. "Fast, isn't he?"

None could believe the speed they have just witnessed. That Rev person vanished at the horizon in almost an instant.

Louise especially was utterly flabbergasted, understanding that he can outspeed even the car she saw in action as if nothing special. Just by himself! Seriously, if she finds out of any more beings, machines, or other crazy stuff that his Tome has that can prove faster than even that bird, then she going to completely lose her mind!

And as for Wardes, he was shocked.

Because the Viscount knows how impossible of a task finding the prince of Albion has been for those looking for him, and that pitch-black being was able to easily find the location through an anthropomorphic bird that runs faster than a musket's bullet.

It is simply as crazy as it sounds.

Aristidis gives him a slightly amused look. "As you can see for yourself, you are here more or less as a simple set of extra hands, that are most likely to not even be needed during the possible to-become-important parts of the mission."

"Aristidis!" Louise calls for him in an upsetting manner again, disliking how he keeps on disrespecting her fiance by making him appear as unimportant.

Wardes looks at him, and then turns his attention at the Tome currently placed upon the mouthless Storyteller's lap, remembering how everything and everyone he has and can summon, come from within.

From this carriage they sit upon that can open its roof and sides by itself, to that incredibly fast bird-humanoid.

Guiche that moment appears confused about something as he turns to the Storyteller. "Excuse me, but for what reason you sent him back at the academy? Wouldn't it be better if someone like that was with us-"

"Because as great as my Oblivion Guards are, along with the Headmaster and the Professor with the rest of the teachers, someone with actual power needs to stay back to ensure your girlfriend's safety, since that is apparently not even an existing priority inside that hollow head of yours." He interrupts him with slight annoyance, causing the blond Noble to recoil troubled, before bending down in depression due to not having any actual excuse for that.

Wardes finally snaps out of his shock as he brings his composure back, but keeps his eyes at the Tome. "This magic Tome of yours sure is an incredible object."

"Putting it lightly, it is." Aristidis says before proceeding to softly rub its cover with one of his hands fondly. "Made by my mentor for me, for when the fated day of my summoning in this world comes, so I may keep with my many stories the one responsible safe, and most of all happy." Says at the end while looking at Louise, causing her to softly blush at how sweet that sounded to her.

That mentor figure piques the interest of the Viscount quite a bit, but for now a more important question in his mind has to be answered. "Can it be used by anyone?"

"Tried." Tabitha says, gaining attention on her, and then shakes her head. "Not possible."

"And she is quite the bookworm, let me tell you." The mouthless Storyteller tells with glee.

She pouts as she turns to him. "So are you."

Aristidis winks playfully at her. "Obviously didn't mean it as an insult, my dear."

He then turns to Wardes with a neutral expression. "This item has been built specifically for me to use. In anyone else's hands, is nothing but a normal, empty-looking Tome."

"I see..." The Viscount trails off as he thinks about it with a hand on his chin, being secretly disappointed about the fact.

He then offers a bold smile at the Storyteller. "Still, that means you're pretty much defenseless without it, no? The moment you lose it, it's over."

Everyone else looks at Aristidis with some concern, understanding this as a true fact since he has told them before that he needs to be in direct contact with the Tome to use its magic.

"Firstly, losing my Tome at any given situation, is not an easy task." Aristidis tells him unconcerned, and then takes the cup of tea from the table into his hand. "Secondly, I would say the same about you and your rapier. Not so easy defending yourself in the middle of a battlefield without the one thing you are most proficient with, now is it? And thirdly, I will have you know that I am more capable on my own, than I appear in your eyes. Trust me on that." Says before taking a sip.

When he said that, as everyone else looks at him with interest at that, Louise remembers about how she has seen him using magic that he learned from the Tome, but also him saying how he can do most of the things the people within can, understanding that he is most likely referring to that.

She sweat drops as she can still imagine him being too powerful for Halkeginia's standards.

"But enough of that." Aristidis says with a dismissive hand as he places the cup down again, and then puts the fingers of both his hands together in front of him. "Tell us, Viscount Wardes, how you have come to be engaged to dear Louise here. All of us are rather curious about it, are we not, everyone?"

At that there is a small chatter between the three at the front seats as they agree about, with the pink-haired girl blushing as she looks downward out of awkwardness.

Wardes on the other hand is calm as he proceeds to answer their curiosity. "Now, the story behind that is not as exciting as you think, but remains special to me nevertheless. As it has already been mentioned, I have known Louise from when she was but a cute, young lady. When I was around and she happened to be sad for any reason, I always made sure to give her consolation, and lighten her mood. After a while, I was approached by her parents, who asked me if would be interested in taking her hand. And I of course accepted. For I always cared for her that much." Says at the while placing a hand above her own, making her look at him as she feels emotionally moved by the warmth of his words.

"How sweet." The pitch-black Storyteller says, getting attention on him, with the way he said that giving even in a way the sign of sarcasm. "Tell me if I am wrong though, but even if not really against the rules here, it still IS rather unethical to be engaged with one MUCH younger than you, is it not?"

The chatter between the three at the front begins once more, and needless to say agreeing with it, with Louise being caught off guard by what her Familiar asked, making her actually think for a moment whether this is indeed unethical or not.

Wardes narrows his eyes at him for a quick moment, but immediately gives him one of his bold smiles as he turns to him, while unhanding the pink-haired girl. "Well now. I didn't think of you as someone who puts something like age above the love two people have for one another. Especially considering the number of women I've heard of you currently share that love of yours with, if the rumors that speak about it are true."

Aristidis raises an eyebrow at that.

The Viscount continues. "Still, with the experience and power you possess, you must be quite old yourself, so-"

"Oh yeah, sure, use the great power and experience means thousands of years old archetype on me." The mouthless Storyteller interrupts with a roll of the eyes as he folds his arms. "Shows how much you can understand despite the time you've got to spend so far in this world."

Wardes raises an eyebrow at that, with the rest appearing rather confused since they actually thought as much about the age part.

Aristidis then moves a hand dismissively while showing a somewhat pompous expression. "But simply for your information, I am twenty years old."

"What?!" Almost everyone yell as they snap forward at him in surprise with what he said.

Even the Viscount himself was close to snapping forward upon learning the surprising fact. "You're telling me that you were able to master such a powerful magical object, in only twenty years?"

"Less, but yes." He responds simply with a gleeful nod of his head.

The group was in utter disbelief from that unexpected piece of information they just received, with him being younger than expected being the thing the people close to him were most surprised with.

(Taking into consideration my previous life and the books and comics I got to read through the few years there, I had a good enough headstart when my time in the Dimensional Library came, so it is true by technicality pretty much.) The Storyteller thinks that moment fast.

"Anyway, if we are quite finished with this-" He begins before snapping his fingers with a delighted expression, with the Tome opening as Brock, from Pokemon, magically comes out halfway of it with a filled plastic bag in one hand and a smile. "I do hope that everybody is ready to try a different kind of ice-cream."

Aristidis takes with a hand the bag, with Brock almost as soon retreating back into the Tome, and grabs with his other one four different-colored Ice-cream bars. "Ice-cream bars of hardened flavors for all, take them while still cold!" Says as he gives each to the girls and the blond, with Tabitha receiving an orange caramel-type, Kirche a brown chocolate-type, Guiche a white white chocolate-type, and Louise a pink strawberry-type.

All four of them were amazed by the new type of ice-cream they are treated with today, followed by their great delight the moment they taste them, which forces them to smile from it, even the blue-haired girl herself.

"My word, darling, this is as incredible as the other delights you have introduced us to!" The redhead commends.

The blue-haired girl nods twice in a dynamic manner to agree with the previous statement, before proceeding with biting and licking her ice-cream bar immediately after.

The blond himself can hardly contain his excitement about his own. "And I thought the other one was great. Simply amazing!"

The pink-haired girl turns to the gray-haired Viscount with a big smile. "Aristidis always makes sure we have the most delectable and unique delicacies we can try. There is such a variety within his Tome that is unbelievable, lord Wardes!" Says before proceeding to deal with her ice-cream bar once more.

Wardes sweat drops as he watches the four enjoying the unique and brand new to him delicacy, seeing how even that is not beyond the Storyteller's power, and imagining it at a greater extent, understanding that if he wanted to feed an army- No, an entire nation... He could do so without issue.

As he takes into consideration everything about Aristidis and his Tome, there is just one more thing he has to ask him. "In case anyone approaches you, wanting to acquire your services for their cause, what could they offer you that can be deemed as acceptable payment by you?"

Aristidis begins to laugh somewhat amused at that, but then stops as he notices the Viscount being confused with his reaction. "Oh wait, you are serious. Let me laugh even harder." Says at the end more amused than before as he proceeds to do just that.

Wardes becomes even more confused with the pitch-black being, with Guiche being on the same page with the Viscount, as the girls' attention simply turn at the two.

What is with that reaction, as if asked something utterly ridiculous?

The Storyteller suddenly that moment in the blink of an eye switches positions with the pink-haired girl through unknown means, much to her confusion some seconds later, before leaning toward the Viscount while pointing at his startled face.

"YOU-" Aristidis begins with complete seriousness, but then his expression turns seemingly kind as he moves his arm around his shoulders. "Friend... Seem to not understand a little something."

He retreats the arm, as Wardes brings his composure back, showing now a more neutral face. "I have everything. There is pretty much nothing the Tome cannot give me. From the smallest, to the most gargantuan. From the friendliest, to the most threatening."

The pitch-black Storyteller then brings an expecting hand before him as he leans back, with a round object which resembles a planet the size of his head popping into existence, levitating right above the said hand, and causing quite the impression to the all. "I have been given powers beyond your imagination, and absolute control over everything. If I wished to-"

He suddenly closes the palm strongly, resulting in the small planet slightly cracking open in an asymmetrical manner, as a red glow comes from the said crack, before only a few seconds after blows up into millions of pieces that are launched in all directions, only to turn into dust after traveling just a few centimeters from their original point, shocking everyone.

Aristidis face turns menacing. "I could destroy the very world you stand on right now, as if it was nothing, only to build a new one to take its place, and shaping it in whatever way I desire." He says that as the small world's destruction reverses, earning back what made it look like having life upon it, with the difference being that the entire thing now has the shape of a banana. "Not just metaphorically, of course."

A cold sweat runs across everyone's face, terrified of the very thought he can just end everything like that, and even give it such a ridiculous shape on top of it!

The mouthless Storyteller shrugs as his expression softens. "But I won't. Because I am a good person who simply wants to enjoy life with both friends and lovers, and do nothing more than that. Why even bother with your world's fights and politics, when the result is so obvious in case I were to intervene?"

He then leans toward Wardes again. "Hope I was understandable." Says before pulling with a hand a green peanut-type ice-cream bar right in front of the mature man's face. "Ice-cream bar?"

The Viscount remains as he is while being handed the ice-cream bar, and then looks at it as he contemplates about everything Aristidis said, showed, and how it is obvious he will not be convinced that easily.

Not sure if it is even possible at this point.

He needs to think about it some more.

But for now, he might as well enjoy the unique-looking treat everyone appears so positive about.

As he proceeds to take a bite, the ice-cream bar slips from his hand forward, before partially crumbling and splashing down upon the floor of the carriage before his feet.

The Viscount looks quite confused at it, with the rest being surprised at his sudden clumsiness.

As for the pitch-black Storyteller himself, he seemed rather annoyed by that, before reaching with a hand inside the bag he holds for another ice-cream bar which he hands one more time to Wardes. "You may take another, but you better not waste it upon my carriage's good floor again, else I will actually take to that offense."

Aristidis then folds his arms as he turns his head the other way. "I know your hands must be a bit shaky after so long, but you can at least TRY to be more careful."

As the rest sweat drop at him reprimanding the mature man like that, Wardes looks one more time in somewhat in disbelief at the ice-cream bar he somehow dropped, as Alfred appears to be coming through to clean the spot.

He is sure he was holding it just fine by the wooden stick, but then it just fell out of his holds.

It felt in a way as if it was pushed forward by something.

Maybe he is just overthinking this.

While still in his thoughts about it, the scene shows to the viewers the still invisible vampire Marceline floating above the Viscount, with both hands over her mouth as she chuckles about silently like a mischievous child, indicating that she was the one responsible for the ice-cream bar falling accident.

~Some Time Later~Late In The Afternoon At La Rochelle~

After hours of traveling, their carriage finally enters the first stop. The port city La Rochelle.

Aristidis is seen moving with a circling movement of the hand a glass of red liquid as he seems to be pleased about. "Aah, the famous city of La Rochelle. Known for its impressive buildings that were carved out expertly upon the mountain, using the talent and experience of the square-class earth mages responsible for their very construction. The book I've read about it was definitely not exaggerating with the details." Says before taking a sip.

"Exactly as you say." Guiche agrees while appearing happy with him for pointing that out. "You certainly have a good eye for such things."

"That, I do." The Storyteller responds proudly with a raised head.

His excessive arrogance causes the group to sweat drop as always.

The carriage eventually stops outside of an inn, obviously reserved for Nobles, with the group stepping off as they look at it.

Wardes turns toward the rest to say something, only to be interrupted by a big, filled sack brought suddenly right in front of his face by Aristidis who holds it with a hand there in a self-important manner.

"Yes, I am obviously paying for everything here, so everyone can get to enjoy only the best rooms and treatment this city's Noble inn has to offer till the next day we are to proceed with our flight at the floating island." He tells the Viscount, before the scene moves enough to reveal an Oblivion Guard standing suddenly next to him. "One of my guards is also coming with you to remind you as much in case you forget on the way inside- no offense, but not risking it after what my eyes have seen of you so far."

The mature man narrows his eyes at his obviously demeaning words toward him at the end as he just stands there for a moment longer, and then grabs the sack, almost losing his balance due to its unexpected weight, as he turns to walk toward the inn along with the guard to pay for everything like asked to.

Aristidis then with both hands upon his hips turns toward the open carriage behind the group, where it shows a few more of his personal guards being now there, and already carrying the few stuff everyone brought along from the academy as they walk past him with those. "Alright, men, make sure to carry everything properly inside the rooms that will be assigned to each of us, and also be ready for a good old night-watch outside of each. We deserve to sleep safely and peacefully wherever we are, and we will do so."

"Umm, Aristidis?" Louise calls a bit awkwardly for his attention as she moves close to him.

The pitch-black Storyteller turns to her with a kind face. "Yes, dear Louise?"

She begins with a sweat drop. "I couldn't help but notice a strong dislike coming from you toward Wardes while on our way here."

He appears surprised by that. "Wha~t? Whatever gave you that impression now?" Says the last part while looking upward to the side.

"Well for starters, you were mentioning his age a bit TOO much." Louise explains, with her expression then turning a bit serious. "And not in a very polite manner."

"I mean, it is true that he is quite the mature fellow." Aristidis tells her with a shrug, and then turns toward the inn, his face not viewed by her. "Now if I came on a bit too strong about the subject, I will make sure to be a bit more careful from here on, and give him the appropriate respect."

She is pleased to know he sees his mistake and plans to make up for it, but there is one last thing troubling her which he needs to explain about. "There is also the part you antagonized him quite a bit. I understand you wanting to give a few explanations/corrections, or even showing off like you're known to do pretty much all the time, but did you really have to treat him with such... Condescension?"

The mouthless Storyteller turns toward her again with a somewhat amused expression. "Oh-ho that? It is just how we, the big men, test one another. You may see it as a game adults like to play. Nothing to bother your thoughts with, really."

"O-Oh, I see." Louise says in realization, believing his words due to her Familiar's known strangeness, but then brings a somewhat reprimanding finger up. "J-Just make sure to not pressure lord Wardes too much, so you don't insult him by accident. Ok?"

"Like with the previous one, I will have it in mind." He tells her with a nod, before turning toward his men, with the last ones entering the building.

In the meantime, Guiche and Kirche appear contemplate about whether they have heard that kind of game or not, with Tabitha obviously not convinced by that.

After an hour or so, and with the blackness of the night now officially covering the land, the group of Nobles were sitting in the dining hall of the inn, enjoying the rich and different foods, the music that is playing by some of the best musicians the place has to offer, and of course Aristidis telling some of his most favorite moments in his stories.

"And she is all like, prepare to meet your maker, fish! as she raises the kitchen knife, only for the said fish to jump out of the way to the side the very last moment, much to the girls' surprise, before it jumps once more straight at the redhead, and deliver with its tail a powerful slap across her face, with her ending up upon the floor like the pitiful excuse of a supposed cook she was." He says before laughing amused, with the rest doing as much, and even with even the Viscount chuckling a bit at the slapstick-type of situation.

"That was so unexpected!" Kirche exclaims in the middle of her laughter.

As the laughs finally come to a stop, Wardes turns to Louise. "From unique individuals, special objects, intriguing delicacies, great amounts of gold and most likely more, to worlds never to be seen by Halkeginian eyes before... You sure have summoned an incredible individual of a Familiar, Louise. You exceeded expectations in a far greater degree than I could ever expect." Says at the end with a smile.

At that, she begins to awkwardly move her shoulders about as she smiles. "I-I was just attending the ritual like everybody else, I didn't do anything that special, really."

"Even with that being the case-" Aristidis begins as he draws attention on him, before putting a hand proudly upon his chest. "It still shows how special you yourself are to bring someone as unbelievably phenomenal as I am here."

The pink-haired Noble sweat drops at his known arrogance.

"You can't say he is not right in this case, you know." Kirche tells her as she draws her attention, and smiles while getting up and walking slowly around the table. "People might used to call you Zero and the such, but if you didn't have that something needed for the ritual, you would've never called someone powerful and handsome like darling Aristidis indeed." Says at the end with a soft blush as she wraps her arms around the Storyteller's neck, with her big chest doing the same as a result. "I know I'm probably exaggerating, but you're as incredible as he is, Louise."

He shakes his head a bit. "Not an exaggeration, she really is, I admit as much myself. Right, Tabitha?" Says as he looks at her, with the blue-haired girl nodding in response.

Louise gets emotionally moved by their words, really appreciating their thoughts for her.

Still feels annoyed about looking at his head between the redhead's breasts, of course. How indecent.

"See, your friends think so as well. You're great no matter how you see it, Louise." Wardes tells the pink-haired Noble, causing her to turn to him and smile once more in appreciation.

The Viscount then turns to Aristidis and Guiche, with the latter enjoying a bite from his plate. "By the way, I've heard about you two having a duel."

The blold Noble gets so surprised at the reminder, that he begins to choke due to the food, just before the pitch-black Storyteller snaps his fingers, making an Oblivion Guard to come fast, lift him off the chair with his arms, and as soon press his belly to immediately force the stucked bit out, before letting him upon the chair again as the said guard moves off screen again.

"Th-Thank you." He says a bit awkwardly at the mouthless man.

Aristidis nods, and then folds his arms as he looks at Wardes somewhat amused. "Wouldn't really call that a duel, though. More like, a literal one-sided beatdown."

Guiche at that remembers what the bull-creature did to him, and bends down depressed and shameful of how true that beatdown part is.

"It appears the report is correct." The Viscount says before continuing. "Quite the surprise for us in the palace to learn about the existence of something like a big bull with half the body of a man for sure. And let us not forget how you captured the infamous Fouquet. Uncovering her real identity like that is quite the achievement indeed."

The pitch-black Storyteller moves a dismissive hand forward. "Eh, it was mediocre at best."

"I will lie if I say you have not piqued much of my interest, especially after getting to know more about you on the way here." Wardes tells him, and then smiles boldly. "Would you like to have a little practice match with me, Aristidis?"

That causes the utter surprise of the rest, while Aristidis simply raises an eyebrow at the Viscount's out of nowhere request.

The mature man continues. "The ship leaves tomorrow during the night, and spending the time idly would be quite the boring activity, won't you agree?"

"You, challenge ME?" The mouthless Storyteller asks seemingly surprised, before letting out a few chuckles of amusement as he closes his eyes while facing downward. "Part of me feels amused at the thought, while the other is greatly offended with you calling the peace and quiet I provide to our little group boring."

He then opens his eyes while placing his jaw upon his fist, with the elbow placed onto the table for support, as he now looks at him with eyes and even aura that scream menacing, which makes the Viscount moves his head back a little with a cold sweat. "Would you like to rethink that choice of yours?"

Louise turns fast to Wardes and grabs his sleeve extremely worried, drawing his confused attention. "L-Lord Wardes, please rethink this!"

Guiche that moment moves fast next to him and grabs his other sleeve in the same extreme worry. "Yes! This will have no good end for you- He will make you feel like a complete joke, my good sir!"

The Viscount sweat drops with a somewhat nervous smile. "Now, now, calm down, you two. It's not like we will attempt to kill each other. I simply wish to see firsthand how someone of his unique caliber handles himself in a fight, nothing more." Says as they let his sleeves free.

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know, among other things." Aristidis tells him as he leans back on his seat and places both hands and fingers together while pointing both index fingers at him. "Not that I will not respect that curiosity of yours of course, but just so you know, I do not plan on going easy on you in this. Are you sure you don't want to think about it a bit more carefully, Viscount Wardes?"

Wardes nods. "I am."

The pitch-black Storyteller just looks at him for a moment longer, and then shrugs. "Not an issue from me. Leaving the time of our meeting and location to you?"

"Of course. No need to bother yourself with such things so early, after all." The Viscount tells him, before standing up. "Speaking about it, I believe it is time to for us to leave for our room."

After saying that, he takes Louise's hand with his own and makes her stand as well. "Come, Louise."

The pink-haired girl blushes a bit as she lowers her head nervously at what she imagines he means by that. "N-No, I can't. We are not married yet."

"It's alright, we are engaged." Wardes tells her calmly.

"But..." Louise trails off while still worried about as she looks for a moment at her Familiar, afraid in what way he will react in response to this, with the other two also worried girls looking at him for the same reason.

The Viscount moves his head close to ear, with the Storyteller narrowing slightly his eyes at the moment. "I have something important to tell you." The mature man whispers, causing her eyes to open wide in understanding.

Aristidis at the moment has a hand upon his chin in a contemplating manner.

Wardes smiles at her, and then turns to him. "I hope there is no issue with us leaving you like this."

"Not an issue at all." The mouthless Storyteller tells him unconcerned while letting the chin, surprising the pink-haired girl, before standing up as well. "Me and the rest were going to leave for our own rooms, anyway."

He then signs Tabitha and Kirche with a hand to get up and come along, which they do as they, along with Louise, appear confused with his whole decision, and the three together begin walking upstairs as he appears rather pompous with a slight excitement on his face. "If you have a need for us, you know what door to knock. We will be seeing you tomorrow, Louise. Viscount." Says at the while waving a hand at them, till they eventually move out of sight.

The Viscount smiles pleased, before heading along with Louise for their own room upstairs as well.

In the meantime, Guiche watches with a sweat drop how everyone left him all alone there, and wonders what he is supposed to do himself in such case, only for a random beautiful girl to pass by his eyesight to give him an idea as he decides to go after her with a bold smile.

As the Viscount and the pink-haired girl walk along, the latter appeared to be still quite confused about.

For her that was... Unexpected to say the least.

Frankly, Louise was afraid Aristidis was going to react in a bad way toward her Fiance, considering the time he spent at courting her and all. She feels lucky that he is logical and understanding about it in the end. Yet... She still can't help but feel that something is off.

After a few more steps, the two reach the room, and Wardes opens the door for her to step in first, in a display of his gentleman nature, with her doing so as he moves inside soon after while closing the said door behind him.

Louise then spots at a table nearby two glasses and two different bottles of wine.

The Viscount walks past her. "I had the inn's workers bring them here for us. Would you like me to serve you red or-"

Just before he completes, a sudden pain behind one of his knees causes him to lose his balance while moving forward, and end up pushing everything from the table down, with glasses and bottles shattering onto the floor as wine now moves freely upon it.

Both Wardes and Louise share an expression of shock as they gaze at the unexpected mess before them.

The Viscount looks behind and all around him, secretly upset, only to see nothing as the pink-haired girl looks at him and the places he is looking at, confused with what he is suddenly searching for.

The pain that forced him forward like that was like a kick.

It can't just be a coincidental reaction of the body this, and he is sure the same goes for the other times too.

Something is definitely off here.

As he keeps on checking the room with his eyes, the still invisible Marceline in the meantime is floating just above them with her arms folded and quite the cocky look on her face, before she puts two fingers at the side of her forehead, for the known telepathic communication.

"Great work, Marceline." Aristidis says as the scene cuts to him being in his room and lying onto the bed as he obviously communicates with the vampire queen after receiving the latest information from her, with Tabitha and Kirche standing next to him in the meantime. "Now remember, you are to watch them, tell me everything they talk about, no details needed, and in case he attempts to make more inappropriate moves on her, make sure to prevent him in any way it makes him look like the old fool he is."

})You got it.({ Marceline telepathically says, but with her voice being heard through the Storyteller for the people in the girls in the room. })Though, wouldn't it be simpler to just see through my eyes or hear through my ears?({

"Yes, but let's say I have to be economical just in case for now." He answers.

})Ok... Anyway, back to eavesdropping and ruining the old man's day.({ She says both confused at the economical part and later gleefully at her current job.

As the pitch-black Storyteller lowers his hand from the head, he notices how the two girls next to him look at him with a sweat drop.

"Aristidis, that's so..." Kirche trails off with some disbelief.

"Petty." Tabitha completes what they were both thinking after learning about him being the reason for the Viscount's morning misfortune.

"You believe of it as undeserving?" Aristidis asks them.

The redhead raises both hands and moves them dismissively while smiling somewhat awkwardly for a moment, with her close friend simply shaking her head. "No, no, we understand. Personally, as much as I like heartwarming stories like the one he told us, even I believe of this whole engagement as wrong since Louise was just a child at the time."

She then puts a hand to her chest, with a serious expression now on her face. "At least I myself was old enough to make my own decisions, to understand better and refuse what I knew I will not like. Not to mention how wrong it would be for you, darling, to lose her like that after the time you spent all this time to make her yours." Says the last part as her face softens while taking a seat next to him upon the bed.

The blue-haired girl moves and takes a seat next to him from the other side of the bed. "Your tactic is utterly dirty. But the Viscount's exploitation, is worse."

Aristidis chuckles a bit amused at that. "Funny how you make me appear as the better evil in this one, but thank you both for understanding."

})So, you will find this interesting.({ Marceline's voice is heard through the telepathy to everyone in the room, getting their attention. })The pink-hair used a spell from her small book to make the glass pieces and wine to be pulled up and straight into the nearby trash-can. She somehow pulled every little bit off the floor, wow!({ She ends up saying impressed.

"Ah, must have used a spell combination of gravity and telekinesis to achieve that." The pitch-black Storyteller says while appearing rather happy with it. "Quite the fast learner, isn't she?"

})She sure amazed me and the gray-hair.({ The vampire queen tells them, before continuing with what she sees. })Speaking about him, he asks about the book... She explains about it as she lets him check it out himself.({

"Mentioned anything about the Void Element?" Aristidis asks.

})Nope.({ She answers.

The Storyteller is really pleased with that. "Good girl."

})Now let's see... The Viscount seems really impressed with the book... He gives it back and asks her if she has full control over you, which she admits in an awkward manner that not to be the case...({ Marceline trails off as she listens to more.

The mouthless Storyteller puts a hand on his chin. "Might be my hyperbole of a thought, but that kind of question sounds like a rather odd thing to ask."

Kirche shrugs. "Maybe he is just curious."

"Maybe." Tabitha simply says while showing to think of this as odd as well.

})The gray-hair appears to have expected that answer, and then asks her if there is even a small chance for you to ally with Tristain, to which the girl answers positively with the fact you're friends with the princess, and will not say no if she asked you for help due to that, with the man smiling and being glad for her telling him that.({ The vampire queen says.

The redhead smiles at that. "Oh, makes sense now. Viscount Wardes was just concerned about the kingdom's safety and asked all that. No wonder he is considered one of the best of Tristain."

"Seems like it." Aristidis says as he somewhat relaxes while folding his arms, with Tabitha doing the same.

})He asks her to sit at the table along with him, which she does...({ Marceline trails off for a moment longer before continuing this time. })And tells her a story about how she pretty much used to get on a small boat every time she was upset over something like her being compared to her older sisters due to her lacking in magic, and how he used to comfort her- We know the last part already, and you can probably guess the embarrassment in her face at being reminded.({ Says at the end somewhat amused.

"Heh." Aristidis utters amused. "How cute."

})Gray-hair now tells her how he always felt a special aura from her, and how her little demonstration has proven just that, with her pausing for a sec confused before blushing while looking elsewhere and saying it is just your own magic that fixed hers and nothing more than that.({ The vampire queen says. })Agh, she is making this too obvious to handle.({

The pitch-black Storyteller puts a hand on his chin. "Hmm, by what we hear, there is a big chance the Viscount knows about her being of the Void from quite some time now. Not sure how good for us this is."

"You talk as if he will turn out to be an enemy or something, darling." Kirche tells him with a sweat drop.

})Oh boy, he plans on marrying her officially once this whole mission is over with.({ Marceline says, causing Aristidis's eyes to narrow for a moment. })Which catches the pink-hair off guard... And now gray-hair proceeds to speak about his big goal in life.({

"Let me guess, is it something like wanting to raise his position in power or something similar?" Aristidis asks.

})Pretty much.({ She answers.

He rolls his eyes. "Figures."

The redhead is impressed with his correct guessing. "You figured this out so easily! Such an insight."

"Nah, just a connection of a few dots." The mouthless Storyteller simply tells her.

Kirche is incredibly confused by that. "I'm sorry, what?"

})Aww.({ The vampire queen utters as if witnessing something cute, drawing her listener's attention again. })The pink-hair worries about what you'll think about this sudden decision and hesitates, how cute.({

Aristidis perks up at hearing that. "Ooh- Keep hearing, keep hearing."

Tabitha can't help but find his suddenly-childish-like reaction funny as a chuckle escapes her.

The redhead stays silent for a moment, till deciding to speak her mind. "Ok, just to make one thing clear here, we are gonna do it after finishing with this, right?"

"Totally." The pitch-black Storyteller simply tells her, with her hugging his arm happily in response.

~The Next Day~

The scene shows Louise into her room's bed as she has just started waking up.

She sits up as she lazily rubs one of her eyes with a hand, before placing it down again.

Her attention then turns at the empty table where she conversed with Wardes yesterday.

She places both hands upon her face as she groans in frustration. "What was I thinking by saying that!"

The pink-haired girl remembers about the last night. About how she got all concerned for Aristidis, and making it appear to the Viscount as a show of her feelings for her Noble of a Familiar, causing him to get up and politely leave to purchase another room, while proclaiming that by the end of their journey her heart will be his.

She lowers her hands and looks up at the ceiling. "Lord Wardes comes after so long and gives me his help in an important mission, promises me marriage afterward, and I just as soon speak about Aristidis courting me from the very moment I summoned him and cause a misunderstanding like an idiot. I don't even like him truly that way!" Whispers upset at the end while raising her hands up.

Memories of the Storyteller about all the wholesome and romantic moments come into Louise's mind that moment, making her blush, only to realize herself that moment, before slapping in a sense the images away angrily. "I said I don't, shut up!"

"Wakie-Wakie, Louise dearie!" Aristidis's excited voice can be heard from outside of her door along with a few knocks, drawing her attention. "We have breakfast awaiting downstairs served with good company! Also that duel during the afternoon before our flight. Better not miss any of the two!"

After hearing that, and with the Storyteller being heard walking away, the pink-haired girl lowers her head while growling tired at the mention of the duel, as if her previous frustration was not enough as it is.

~Hours Later~At A Random Alley During Late In The Afternoon~

The time has come and Aristidis with Wardes are now standing across each other at an appropriate distance within the mostly empty alley, while Louise, Kirche and Tabitha watch the from the side, and while the sky is covered by the same darkened clouds like the last day, oddly enough.

The Viscount has his rapier in one hand at the ready, while the pitch-black Storyteller has his Tome under one of his arms as he appears confident about, with the pink-haired girl looking at them worried as the other two girls simply watch with interest at the match that it's about to begin.

Aristidis looks around for a moment, seeing how a certain someone is missing, and then turns to the girls. "Kirche, Tabitha. Guiche is most likely being an idiot and chases after a girl or something again as we speak. Could you go find and remind him we should be in time for our flight, please?"

"Aaw, but I wanted to see you two in action!" The redhead exclaims disappointed.

The blue-haired girl with a hand pulls her by the arm that moment, drawing her attention, and points with a sideward movement of the head toward the alley's exit. "Let's go."

Kirche groans in further disappointment as she walks along with Tabitha out to find Guiche.

"So then-" Wardes begins as he draws attention on him. "Shall we begin this, Aristidis?"

Aristidis's expression turns seemingly happy. "As long as you are still absolutely sure about this."

Louise turns to The Viscount concerned. "Please, lord Wardes, you don't have to prove anything, this is foolish!"

The mature man decides to ignore her and keep focus at the being across him. "People, especially of position like us two, can be quite the troublesome folk. There are always moments that make one as such to want to prove themselves in the eyes of those around. A show of your worth if you prefer. It gets in your head after a while, and you can't help but move forward along with it. See where that want of yours leads you to."

The pitch-black Storyteller points an upside-down finger at him somewhat amused. "I can understand about you, but I believe you already have some appropriate knowledge of the immense power I hold, so... Not much of a need for me to prove anything about that aspect." He ends up saying while shrugging, making obvious how highly he thinks of his own power.

The pink-haired girl turns to her Familiar, hoping for at least him to show some proper reasoning in the situation. "Aristidis-"

"Not now, dear, the adults are talking." He interrupts her fast with a raised finger before turning back to the Viscount again, much to her frustration.

"Obviously." Wardes agrees with him about the fact from before, and then his smile turns bold. "But since we talk about such subject and all, how about a little bet between gentlemen to make this fight of ours more interesting?"

"I am all ears." Aristidis says somewhat interested while folding his arms, and soon after pitch-black ears pop out from everywhere around on his body, except his eyes.

That surprises the Viscount for a moment, but shakes the feeling off him as he finds his composure again. "I've heard last night about you courting Louise for some time now. It's understandable, she is a special girl, after all."

"Hmhm-Hmhm." The Storyteller nods twice in agreement to that, causing Louise to cover her blushing face out of embarrassment.

Wardes continues. "So how about this. If I'm able at any point during our duel to strike that Tome of yours off your hands, you will cease your insistent attempts on her, and give up on pursuing her love."

The pink-haired girl uncovers her face as she hears and understands what the Viscount is trying to do.

"I am sure someone of your great power will have no problem with such a thing." The gray-haired man says, his bold smile never leaving his face. "What do you say?"

"I... Refuse." Aristidis eventually says with a neutral expression.

His answer catches Wardes somewhat off guard, with Louise simply being confused with that choice.

The Viscount snaps out of it and smiles once more boldly. "Feeling unsure about your-"

"Not really, actually a simple task." The mouthless Storyteller interrupts. "It is simply because like I stated already, I don't need to prove anything to anyone when not absolutely necessary. Plus, treating my beloved's love as if it was some kind of simple trophy is not appropriate, no it is not." Says at the end with a shake of his head.

That makes the pink-haired girl to blush softly, being moved by how highly he thinks of her feelings, before shaking her head fast as she remembers herself.

Aristidis raises an eyebrow at the grey-haired man. "Now are we going to begin with this, or you plan on us simply chatting things about?"

Wardes narrows his eyes a bit.

He was counting on hitting the being straight into that excessive pride of his and have his way, but it appears it's not a simple matter to fool this one in the end.

The Viscount lifts his rapier forward and takes a stance, while the pitch-black Storyteller stays as he is with his Tome under the arm, being rather casual to say he actually takes this seriously.

Louise in the meantime looks back and forth at them, now really concerned about how things between them will go.

Aristidis's expression turns gleeful. "Let us see if you can move faster than I can summon."

After saying that, the mouthless Storyteller makes the first move by letting the Tome fall from his arm-hold and straight into the same arm's hand, and quickly raising it upward, with it opening at a random page due to the movement, which makes Wardes to react by taking a step forward while uttering an incantation as he thrust his rapier, causing a strong gust of wind to be unleashed forth, with the former uncaringly closing as soon with the same hand his Tome again, before the wind forces it off his hand and back, resulting in it falling upon the ground at a fair distance behind him, shocking Louise.

The Viscount takes the chance and rushes forward, with him as he does so seeing how Aristidis casually moves both hands behind his back, unbothered by the loss of his powerful magical object for some odd to him reason.

Wardes having closed the distance enough, stops and thrusts his rapier forward, before stopping the tip right in front of his neck, as the pitch-black Storyteller simply looks at him with that neutral expression of his, as the pink-haired girl still can't believe this fight's result.

The gray-haired man pulls the rapier back as he straightens himself normally, his expression both serious and confused. "What was that? You didn't even try to defend yourself. That was a fatal blow, if it was a real fight you would be dead now."

The Storyteller tilts a bit his head for a moment curiously, and then begins laughing in a quitened but apparent manner, greatly confusing both Wardes and Louise.

The Viscount then narrows his eyes a bit at him, unsure with his reaction. "What is so funny about it?"

Aristidis stops laughing, his expression amused. "It is funny how you think of the two of us like we are the same thing. The same type of existence." Says the last part a bit more gleefully.

The two just look at him, feeling even more confused as to what he means by that.

The pitch-black Storyteller crouches, takes the end of the rapier in his hand, while the Wardes still holds the weapon by the handle, and straightens up while aiming the tip at his own neck. "Because you see, Viscount Wardes... Unlike you-"

As soon as he says that, Aristidis strongly impales the neck, forcing the tip, and some inky blood, out of the other side as he appears now menacingly gleeful about. "I can take a stab to the neck."

That shocks both the Viscount and the pink-haired girl, having not expected that move.

Then all of a sudden, a tall, bulky figure tackles Wardes from above, resulting in him being thrown down to the side, losing the grip on his rapier along with the hat from his head at the same time due to the said surprise attack, with the figure right above immediately holding with a hand the Noble's arm behind the back, while with other brings and holds a big bowie knife close to the neck.

Both surprised and confused, Wardes takes a look with the side of his eye back at the one holding him down.

What he sees is a mean-looking man with blond, mullet-type hair, and who is wearing black shirt and light-blue pants with a belt to the waist. [Brock Samson from The Venture Bros, here to be a professional.]

"Make the wrong move, pal, and you will wish a cut of the throat to be all I'm gonna do to you." Samson tells him in a serious and really intimidating manner, troubling the Viscount quite a bit.

Aristidis pulls the rapier off his wounded neck, with it healing as fast as the pink-haired girl looks back and forth at the unexpected turn of event. "I suggest you listen to him. The guy broke a man's arm with his a*shole once." Says as he moves his free hand behind him to magically pull the Tome back to him.

"A-Aristidis!" Louise exclaims at him that moment, shocked and upset with the sudden use of foul language, mostly.

"No, I didn't say that to sound vulgar, he literally did that with his a*s." He explains to her, before turning the rapier upside down with the tip now upon the ground as he casually rests his elbow upon its handle. "And we all know there is no appropriate way of phrasing that one better, without using its funnier-sounding versions that is."

She tries in her bewilderment to think of how to properly respond to that, but fails due to her curiosity ending up getting the better of her. "With his a*s?"

"Yes, with his a*s." The Storyteller responds with a simple nod.

Brock Samson turns his head toward them with a sweat drop. "Can you people please stop talking about my a*s?"

Aristidis folds his arms and winks at his blond bodyguard. "It's a nice a*s."

Wardes attempts to break the hold, but the bulky man's grip is too strong for him, and the said attempt simply resulted to him turning his attention back to the aristocrat, along with the knife now dangerously touching his Noble neck.

The Viscount sees no other way out of this predicament, as awkward as this is to him. "I-I surrender."

Samson looks at the Storyteller, who nods at him, before unhanding the gray-haired Noble as he steps away from him while getting up, with the said Noble rubbing his neck to make sure he was not cutt by accident while getting up himself.

Aristidis moves close to the Wardes's fallen hat, picks it up with a hand, and begins approaching him while undusting it with the other, while placing the rapier under the arm together with the Tome.

Louise attempts to run toward the Viscount, out of concern after the earlier fall he was forced to endure, but the blond bodyguard puts a hand before her, stopping her that way, with her looking at him annoyed but mostly confused, before shaking his head at the pink-haired girl, making obvious that the Storyteller wants to speak with the Noble on his own for some reason.

"I sure didn't expect all that." Wardes tells to the approaching pitch-black being, after having just finished checking the neck, while smiling politely. "You're definitely quite the tricky opponent for anyone daring enough to face you in an actual fight, indeed."

Aristidis's expression turns seemingly kind. "And think of the fact I was not even trying."

Eventually the mouthless Storyteller stops in front of the Viscount, but instead of giving the hat at the Noble's expecting hand, he puts it upon his gray head himself along with the rapier expertly back to its sheath, much to the latter's confusion, before suddenly grabbing him with the same hand by the top of his shirt to pull the man closer to him, surprising the latter, and Louise, with that move as the former now shows a dead-serious face, and with the camera zooming closer to his face at almost each point he will speak about. "Now listen here, you, and better listen carefully because I will say the following only once. You are still present only out of courtesy toward the one I have feelings for, and for no other reason. Be it not for that fact, I would ensure for you to be dealt with in a matter of seconds the moment you went out of line at our very first meeting. And insistent attempts you say, as if I am bothering Louise in an inappropriate manner? Excuse my manners now, but last time I checked, you are allowed no say in the way I decide to show my feelings to the one I adore, especially when taking into consideration the fact you are nothing but a filthy pedophile. You took advantage of the fact the world of your aristocracy has no issue with engagements of great age difference, despite the obvious unethicality of it. Not to mention how you approached her at a small age as a kind and caring figure to lean upon, making her slowly think of this whole concept as normal. As appropriate."

As he says all that, both Wardes and Louise appear troubled and greatly unsure of how to properly respond during all that.

Aristidis pulls the man by the shirt a bit closer, the earlier seriousness never leaving his face. "I have met many shameless people who have committed far worse atrocities, but you are still not that far from their level. Like the Spy from TF2 would say-"

That instant the Viscount is turned around by an individual wearing a reddish sharp-suit and knit ski-mask, and who has already been mentioned above.

"You disgust me." The masked man says before slapping the gray-haired man across the face with the back of the hand, strongly enough to force him to the side and down on all four upon the ground.

"Lord Wardes!" The pink-haired girl yells out of concern as she runs past Brock Samson, who doesn't bother to stop her this time, before crouching next to Wardes to see if he is ok, as the latter rubs at the moment with a hand mostly his cheek from pain, as the Red Spy casually lights himself a cigarette.

The pitch-black Storyteller points at the gray-haired man in an accusing manner for a moment, as he turns to look at him together with Louise. "An utter disgrace, and shame for decent human standards. Also display. And like I told you before already, for this mission, you were absolutely nothing special, nor needed to begin with. Just another simplistic guard. To think the princess made us wait for your arrival..."

He shakes his head. "What a waste of precious time." Says before turning around with a forceful flip of his luxurious cape as he walks away and toward the alley's exit at a fast pace, with Brock Samson going after him while the Red Spy simply walks toward the opposite way, for reasons unknown.

"Aristidis!" Louise calls for him upset, only to be ignored as she watches him leaving from around the corner and out of sight, causing her to get up, and bow quickly and apologetically at Wardes. "Please wait here, lord Wardes." Tells him before running as soon after her Familiar.

After she too leaves the alley, Wardes gets up while looking at the exit.

He stays as he is for a moment longer, and then strikes the wall next to him with the side of his fist, the frustration obvious enough upon his face as the said fist trembles from the pressure of the feeling.

"Had a bad time?" A voice behind him says, and when he looks he sees Fouquet, with her darkened hood and cloak on, coming from above and landing before him with a cunning smile on her face.

He brings some of his composure back and turns fully toward her. "To say the least. But I also see now how much of a lost cause this is."

Wardes turns toward the alley's path Aristidis and later Louise, with the other two, exited from, and narrows his eyes. "Go after him. Once you find the chance, keep him preoccupied for as long as possible while I proceed with plan B. I don't know how you do it, just make sure it happens." Says the last part a somewhat more serious expression while turning to her.

"I'll see what I can do." The green-haired thief tells him with a sweat drop, somewhat unsure about it, before moving fast out of the alley, with the scene showing behind the corner of the said alley the invisible form of the Red Spy from before, smiling after hearing that interesting bit of information from them.

In the meantime, the scene moves to Louise, who is seen running about, till she stops to spot Aristidis and his blond bodyguard as the Storyteller rests his shoulders upon the iron fence at the edge while looking at the grand view the mountain has to offer, and while holding a glass of something in one hand.

The pink-haired Noble approaches upset and stops some meters behind him. "Aristidis! What in the Founder's name was that?! And don't say it was just a game of men too!"

Brock Samson sees the tension and rubs the back of his neck a bit awkwardly. "I... Will leave you two talk it out on your own." Says as he leaves them, not really wanting to be included in this.

Louise continues while facing her Familiar's back, with her expression somewhat softening from her upsetting feelings. "I thought you would be alright with it. Accepting of the fact I am indeed engaged to someone."

"And it would have been the case indeed upon discovering you were actually saying the truth about it, if it were for someone of both appropriate character and age." Aristidis tells her as he turns around to face her, and then his sight turns downward to the side, feeling offended. "That one is just..."

He then moves both hands upward in a shrugging motion, forcing some of the glass's content to be spilled out and away, with his eyes now looking upward to the side. "I mean sure, the world is in a medieval-type of state, such things are to be expected, but even to someone special like you?" Says at the end while pointing both hands, and glass, toward her shocked while showing to be shocked at the very thought he just spoke about.

That moment the now upset Storyteller throws down his glass, but instead of breaking, upon impact it reforms into a human-sized anthropomorphic yellow person with black clothes and lemon-like head. "UNACCEPTABLE~!" [Yes, Lemongrab from Adventure Time, here to express the feeling properly, and obvious meme.]

After the crazy-looking lemon-being screams that word, he immediately runs off to, well, somewhere while screaming about, much to the girl's shock upon witnessing this out of nowhere randomness that just occurred.

Aristidis points at her with a serious expression, as Louise turns to him once again her attention. "That old man manipulated you from the early years of your life into thinking of your whole engagement to him as acceptable. In reality he denied you all this time the chance to find someone at your own age to fill the part, due to how dependent on him he taught you to feel. He did not care about your future at all when taking that choice. Only his."

He then approaches her and puts a hand upon her shoulder while softening his face, showing a more concerned expression. "Inappropriate desires aside, if this is allowed, when you grow old, he will not even be there to hold your hand as you approach the end, for he will already have left this world before you even reach that point, forcing you to face and walk the rest of the way alone!" He ends up yelling the last part upset.

Louise is taken aback by his sudden shouting, and then puts a hand close to her chin as she actually considers his words while somewhat troubled about.

Aristidis unhands her and turns around while taking a step toward the iron fence and the grand mountainous view as he lifts his hands up to the air. "But I? I have given you friends. I have given you magic beyond everything anyone in this world can master, and the recognition from everyone in the academy of magic because of it, with it bound to increase in the future. I have given you knowledge, and stuff people would need many years of progress to reach them themselves."

He turns toward her again, and steps close with both arms extended to the side as if to hug her. "I have cared for you, and have given you my love from the very beginning. I was here for you then, and I am here for you now." Says kindly at the end as he lowers one hand while putting the other softly below her chin to make her look into his eyes, making her through his words and action to be moved emotionally.

"Simply accept me as the one your heart wants, and I will make sure that old pervert will never bother you again." The pitch-black Storyteller tells her.

"I..." Louise trails off as she takes in everything she was told till this point. How special she is to him, how much he care for her, how much he wants to ensure she is nothing but happy at every single moment of her life no matter what, and... Then a bitter feeling fills her face as she closes her eyes.

She lowers with a hand her Familiar's one from her chin, much to his confusion, before turning around to take a few steps the other way while facing downward at the ground in front of her saddened. "Look, Aristidis, I understand how you feel, but this is something that has been decided by my parents. There is no changing that at this point. Wardes even told me how he plans for us to marry once we complete our mission. I-I can't just-"

"Oh, is that all?" Aristidis interrupts her, causing her to turn to him confused, as he shows a happy expression. "Easy enough. We will simply visit your parents once the mission is completed."

"Eh?!" The pink-haired girl exclaims surprise in response.

The mouthless Storyteller turns once more toward the iron fence while having both hands behind his back. "A proper talk over tea, some needed demonstration of my magic, and they will pretty much beg for you to be in a harem-type relationship with me."

His face then turns to that of menacing glee. "And as for that Viscount, I will make sure to give him the punishment that he is owed for his unethicality. A stay within a specific world within my Tome for the rest of his days will suffice I believe. The Teletubbies are always happy to make new friends."

"No- Absolutely not!" Louise yells in refusal while incredibly troubled and upset, making him turn his head toward her with a raised eyebrow.

She might have no idea what those things he speaks about are, but she can guess it is definitely nothing pleasant if he is willing to throw lord Wardes there.

The pink-haired girl lowers her head, her eyes closed and trembling with the pressure of her intense feelings. "Listen... I... I just... Even if you're right, I can't betray Wardes's trust just like that after so long! Please understand!" Yells the last parts, before at the very end turns around and runs away, leaving Aristidis behind as a tear falls from one of her eyes, hating the thought of breaking his heart like this after everything he did for her.

She wishes she could master the courage to look him in the eyes and tell him how she truly feels for him. And how sorry for the choice she had to take in the end.

The pitch-black Storyteller watches Louise as she eventually runs out of sight, and he stays as he is for a moment longer.

He then turns his head back at the view past the iron fence, and rests his elbows upon it like before and sighs. "Naive and foolish girl."

After saying that, he moves a hand to the side, and a glass of wine, like the one earlier, materializes there for his hand to hold.

As he looks at the mountainous view in front of him, and taking a sip while at it, a giant shadow begins forming slowly behind him, alongside the sound of rocks and boulders moving and merging together.

The scene then reveals Fouquet at the top of her newly-made giant earth-golem not that far from Aristidis's location, looking at him from high above.

She sees how he has not turned around to face her yet.

(Didn't notice me yet, somehow.) The green-haired woman thinks with a raised eyebrow, and then smiles. (Well, I'll take it.)

The giant golem is directed and raises its rocky fist slowly up to the air, preparing to strike the part the pitch-black Storyteller stands on.

She smiles cunningly about, thinking of this as a surprising easy job in the end.

"You do know-" Aristidis begins as both his head and neck casually and fully turn on their own around for him to look at her. "-there is no way I would just miss a big landmass raising right behind me, do you?"

Fouquet recoils in shock with wide open eyes at the unnatural turn of the neck she just witnessed him perform as if it was the normal thing to happen.

He turns the rest of his body as well, before resting his elbows together with the back upon the iron fence now as he moves the glass in his hand in a slow circling manner. "You also know that I can finish this instantly like the last time if I wish to. So, how about you get off that chunk of earth, and instead have a civilized talk you and I?"

The green-haired woman narrows her eyes at him, feeling rather wary about his sudden invitation, but still curious. "I feel safer up here."

"Not really changing the fact I can finish this as fast if needed, but whatever you prefer, I don't judge." The pitch-black Storyteller says with a shrug of his shoulders, before taking a sip from his glass.

That causes her annoyance and frustration as she growls quietly, hating both his smart-a*s attitude, and the fact he is most likely right about the distance meaning nothing to him.

"So, how are things in your everyday life?" Aristidis asks.

(Idle chat?) Fouquet questions in her mind while raising an eyebrow.

She doesn't quite understand the reason he wants to have that with her of all people, but her orders are to slow him down, so she might as well take the opportunity, since knowing very well how much of a bad idea fighting HIM of all people is. "Not much. I got out of prison, and was thinking of how to properly thank you for it." Says sarcastically at the end while making obvious in her face how much she disliked that.

The mouthless Storyteller gives her a bored expression. "I did try to help you avoid all that, thought. But, you attempting to use magic on us and all, did not offer me many choices, all things considered."

Fouquet snorts in a mocking and derisive manner as she is about to get heavily sarcastic. "Well, THANK YOU so much for giving me the choices of spending my life in prison, or being tricked and used by the likes of you!"

"First, nobody is like me, for I am one of a kind in every way." Aristidis says proudly with a raised head and a hand to his chest. "Second, I am far too exceptional to treat you in such a way if I have taken an interest in you, which for you I still have by the way, and as shown by my choices in girls and obviously excellent treatment of them so far, I am not taking just anyone to be part of this little harem of mine, which shows my exceptionality even more." Says even more proudly with his index finger raised high, with the green-haired woman sweat dropping at his incredulously immense arrogance. "And third, it is far better than the plan you and that gray-haired snot are using to separate us all." He says while showing her a gleeful expression.

That last one catches her by complete surprise.

The pitch-black Storyteller relaxes his arms at the iron fence while keeping on moving his glass of wine in his hand in a circling manner. "Most likely he is going to say something like how I left the group, and in a way that will make me appear like a bad example in Louise's eyes too. I mean seriously, you people are so obvious, that you make a certain Team Rocket trio look like professional secret agents in comparison."

Fouquet has no idea what that Team-whatever he is talking about is, but she can understand when being insulted.

Not mentioning frustrated at learning he apparently knows about what they do here somehow. "How...?"

Aristidis brings the glass forward as it reshapes itself into a board with a paper listing a few things, which he is about to read out loud. "The question about buying my services, the part he knew about the duel, which you had knowledge of-"

He quickly stops himself for a moment to look at her. "Rumors from young ones, like Louise and the rest, are never truly being taken seriously, but from adults such as you, especially one who is more than a likely suspect to give information that could cause too much trouble to the academy for its Headmaster and personnel to do so themselves, now that is a different story."

The mouthless Storyteller proceeds to read the last bit, as the green-haired woman watches in her shock how easily he pieces everything together. "He even went to the trouble to give me a paper listing fake flight hours, thinking I am not smart enough to go check it out by myself or through my trusted people one day earlier just to be sure. The very nerve." Says as he tosses the board away, with it almost as soon burning quickly into dust by itself completely.

He then straightens himself up normally as he folds his arms. "As you can understand, it doesn't take much to connect the dots. And after my well-hidden-Spy told me about the plan of you keeping me preoccupied, and obvious overall connection between you and that man, I could already tell what Wardes was in reality."

Aristidis's expression turns heavily gleeful. "I knew he was a pest, but a traitor to his country too? What juicy coincidence! Not that the case is anything all that surprising really, but seeing it happen never ceases being an interesting part of a plot." Says at the end while clasping his hands together with a somewhat excited face.

Fouquet is a bit confused with how he finds the fact interesting like with reading a similar story from his Tome, but then something comes to her mind which she can't quite understand. "Wait, if you already knew about the plan of preventing you, and the other three, from taking the ship to Albion, then why are you still here talking to me instead of, you know, doing whatever it takes to stop us from doing just that?"

He folds his arms. "Because, dear Fouquet, that is precisely what I want to happen."

"Huh?!" The green-haired woman exclaims from utter surprise, not expecting that answer.

"Just as you have heard." The mouthless Storyteller says, and then winks as he lifts a finger, with his arms still folded. "Now as for the reason I allow my beloved to travel alone with him, it is quite simple. After that man tells her what is to tell her, convincing her that way he is the only support remaining for her, she will put her full trust on him for the remainder of the journey. Then at some point close to the end, he will reveal to her in one way or another the traitorous man he truly was all along, making her understand the trickery he pulled on her, and at the same time how right I was from the beginning."

Fouquet is in great disbelief after hearing that. "A-Are you seriously telling me right now that you would put someone you love in danger, just to make a bloody point?"

"Da-he-nger?" He questions with an amused chuckle. "Oh I can assure you, Louise is in no actual danger at all. As we speak, both she and he are being watched closely by my very well-hidden agents."

The scene that moment moves to Louise who is seen walking through the city on the for inn, with her face looking downward and saddened from earlier.

She then looks ahead and notices Wardes tying her stuff and his own upon his Griffin.

The pink-haired girl approaches the gray-haired Noble, with him stopping upon noticing her while turning to face the Noble girl.

"L-Lord Wardes, I am terribly sorry for the way my Familiar treated you." She says a bit awkwardly while bowing apologetically. "I-I don't know what got into him all of a sudden."

Wardes smiles at her, seemingly unbothered. "You don't have to worry about it, Louise. His reaction was rather understandable, really. He saw someone threatening his place in your heart, and had to somehow act. A bit too hyperbolic about it, though. Is he not?"

Louise sweat drops with an awkward smile. "Well, he is known of being like that about everything, pretty much."

She then takes a more careful look around, and notices how everyone else, the carriage and even Aristidis's guards are missing. "Where is..."

"After coming here, the guards told me that their master has ordered them to prepare and go find the rest of your friends, before they leave the city for good." The Viscount tells her as he turns to check one more time if their stuff are well-placed/tied upon the Griffin, with the pink-haired girl looking at him as she utters in surprise with what she heard him say. "They mentioned how he feels underappreciated or something, and that being the reason he leaves. I honestly didn't have him for such an overdramatic character."

A lot of emotions course through Louise.

Her Noble of a Familiar just... Left them.

He left her...

And all that because she rejected his feelings for her...

She can understand him feeling hurt and all... But to the point of abandoning her along with their mission?

Louise remembers his promises... How she can supposedly always depend on him for everything no matter what.

She turns around while looking down upset and disheartened. "So that's how far your love goes. What a liar..."

"It is too bad really, considering the benefits his magic could prove for our mission." Wardes tells her as he finally finishes his little check-up, and turns to her, with her turning to face him that moment as well. "But there is no reason to worry, Louise. We can finish this mission on our own. Now come on. The ship is about to depart and we better not miss it." Says at the end while extending an expecting hand toward her.

Louise looks at his hands for a moment as she contemplates.

Thinking how despite everything Aristidis said about him, Wardes, her fiance, is right now the only one who stands with her.

The only one who truly cared for her.

She takes the gray-haired man's hand without wasting any more time, seeing him now as the only one she can count on.

Wardes smiles at her, while a short flashback shows him how he convinced Aristidis's guards to leave with the carriage, lying to them about it being their master's order.

In reality, while he was telling them to do so, the captain of the Oblivion Guards communicated in secret through telepathy with the Storyteller to tell him about the fact, with him telling them to do as they are told anyway, which they did while pretending to do so as to avoid the further rumbling of the gray-haired Noble, which was more than enough to convince the traitorous man.

With that the flashback ends, and Louise together with Wardes upon the Griffin move fast for their ship, as the invisible Marceline flies after them, with the scene cutting to where the ship is as it fills with people, while the Red Spy is seen hidden under the shadow of a nearby building with his back against the wall as he smokes and checks his personal watch for the time of their planned arrival, to infiltrate the ship in secret as they go in.

After that, the scene immediately moves back to where Aristidis, and the still golem-mounting Fouquet are.

The pitch-black Storyteller folds his arms, the glee in his face obvious. "In any case, if things go as I imagine, and trust me they will, by the end of this, she will have absolute trust in me, and never doubt me at such level ever again."

"You... Manipulative bastard..." The green-haired woman trails off while tightening her fist upset and in great disbelief, having a hard time labeling him any better for his insidious trick.

That is too low even for her!

Aristidis with a kind expression claps both his hands together, and then points them together as they are at her. "But enough about that. Let us focus on you, my dear."

"Hm?" Fouquet utters with a raised eyebrow, wondering what is this about now.

The mouthless Storyteller moves his head a bit downward and his hands behind his back as he closes his eyes. "Look. I understand that I look like quite the questionable figure to you, and you probably went through who knows how much in your life till this point because of the different people of corruption existing in this world to this day. But I am truthful when I tell you that I mean well."

He opens his eyes and with a more serious expression looks upward at her, as she somewhat narrows her eyes at him for the previous part. "I meant everything back then, you know. I was not lying about me helping you. About listening to the problems of your life, your wishes, your story pretty much. I am still willing to listen if you-"

"Forget it!" The green-haired woman interrupts him with her arms folded and a serious expression of her own. "Like I'm going to fall for your honeyed words that easily. You're just like those excuses for Nobles that run everything through false promises and lies before everyone's face- You mean none of it!"

Aristidis just looks at her for a moment longer, and then his face turns kind. "I do, though. After all, how can you say I am not worth trusting if you don't first-"

"You just want to have your way with me like with those girls!" She interrupts again while pointing an accusing finger at him.

The pitch-black Storyteller shrugs. "Well, yes, that is part of it I admit, but still-"

"A lecherous, vile, dirtbag, that's what you're!" Fouquet interrupts him once more, her expression filled with aversion.

Aristidis places the fingers of both his hands together before him with a neutral expression on his face. "Ok now, you see, this is you just not letting me talk, AND being mean against me for no actual reason on top of it."

He then takes the Tome from under his arm with a hand and opens it at a specific page. "So, we will go straight to the part where I show you there is nothing to actually worry about when it comes to me. And the first step is getting you down from there, with a semi-economical-summon that will last for one action preferably. Falcon?" Says the very last bit as he turns his attention over the green-haired woman's shoulder.

Confused at the last one, she turns her head to where he is looking at, and sees a slightly transparent, muscular man, who is wearing a blue form-fitting uniform with a single pauldron on his right shoulder, and a red helmet with a golden falcon at the front as symbol, and a black visor covering the eyes which also has two white parts on it resembling as such, as he appears to have a fist pulled back to the side and ready, with said fist being infused with intense fire, just before he forces it forward as he yells "PUNCH", resulting in the golem's head and upper part of its rocky torso to explode into pieces, and Fouquet being launched away by the force as she screams and flails her arms about from the shock of it, with the man vanishing as soon as he performed the move. [Captain Falcon from F-Zero Series, and he has already fulfilled his part.]

As the green-haired woman keeps on with the screaming while falling downward and appearing to head for Aristidis, with the remaining of the earthen golem slowly crumbling to pieces where it stands, the pitch-black Storyteller in the meantime is seen waving his hands and Tome upward with a jolly expression. "Come here, you beautiful-"

The last moment a sudden wind catches him off guard as it pushes him a bit to the side, with a few pages being turned upon the Tome, with the screaming Fouquet ending up as a result falling straight and magically within the pages of the said Tome, her screams stopping as soon as that happens.

The mouthless Storyteller looks at it with wide open eyes, seeing how the page is a blank one, due to not really having in mind any of the stories when the pages turned unintentionally, and stays frozen like that for a moment in shock.

"O... Oh my this is not good." Aristidis ends up whispering with great concern as a sweat drop forms upon his head.

The camera moves slowly closer at the blank page of the Tome, and then the scene blackens before then showing from above Fouquet who is lying seemingly unconscious at a dirt road, till her head begins to move from side to side slowly as she begins waking up while groaning quietly from discomfort.

"Hi, you!" She hears as the head of a smiling pink horse-like creature suddenly comes out of nowhere right above her as she opens her eyes, causing her a moment later to move fast to the side while letting out a startled exclamation as she sits now upon the ground on her backside, and taking a more careful look at it.

The creature is a light-pink pony with even pinker cotton-candy-style mane and tail, way too big eyes, and a tattoo-looking image on its backside depicting three balloons, with it keeping on smiling in a strangely overexcited way at her. [Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, here to-]

"You're finally awake!" Pinkie Pie tells her as she jumps happily, while at the same time interrupting the usual reveal routine. "I found you just outside of the town early in the morning after deciding to go for a walk, and I thought: A tourist! But you were sleeping so peacefully that I then thought: She must be tired after traveling from who knows how far, and took a nap just outside in the middle of the road, which is weird, but it must be normal for her for whatever reason I thought once more. Anyway- WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!" Says as she gets up on her back hooves while extending her front hooves upward as she presents behind her enthusiastically, and revealing to the viewers, the colorful town and filled with ponies of the different variations, and also colors, that is Ponyville, which also reveals they were right outside of the said town all this time.

Fouquet from where she sits looks at everything, and everypony, at the background and around her, and then freezes from the absolute shock and confusion of it all, till she quickly turns her head upward, as the camera is now watching her from above as it moves up to the sky in response to the upcoming exclamation. "EEEHHHH?!"

The scene then cuts, possibly a few minutes later, back to where Aristidis was, where he is seen walking from side to side while checking and sorting in his hands multiple papers, as his open Tome appears to be placed upon a stone table, which is obviously made by the ground where it stands, with him being quite serious about. "Alright, you people, I need you to travel everywhere in the stories of the Tome and search for her. I might not think of her in a bad way for the Tome Residents to treat her with hostility, but considering a lot of the places she could end up to, I am understandably afraid of her physical and mental health- ESPESIALLY her mental health. So-"

He stops in middle as he turns to the side of the Tome, where he gazes upon a miniaturized, muscular man with short black hair, goatee and sideburns, wearing a lion's head-vest and uniform matching with it, giving him a semi-tribal appearance. [Kraven The Hunter from Marvel, present and ready.]

"Kraven, you are tasked with searching all the primeval, ancient, and fantasy worlds." The pitch-black Storyteller tells him while telekinetically handing him a paper, which shrinks appropriately as it reaches his hand. "And not gonna lie, you will be busy."

The man looks at the list, with it unfolding to show a tremendous amount of names belonging to each world he will have to visit, along with the universe each of the said world's belongs to, which causes him to nod in interest, before looking at Aristidis with a smile. "If she is in any of these worlds, Kraven The Hunter will find her!"

The mouthless Storyteller points at him with a finger. "I count on it- Also don't forget to ask the possible locals for assistance- The more, the better, and the faster we find her."

He then turns to the three miniaturized people next to the hunter.

The first two are wearing futuristic green, the first, and silver/blue armor, the second, with matching full-helmets, while the third with the thick spiky hair, who also stands right behind them in the middle, wears a simple orange Gi. [Boba and Jango Fett from Star Wars, along with Goku from Dragon Ball, present and ready.]

"Boba, Jango, and Goku, you three will search all the Sci-fi worlds." Aristidis tells them while handing a list in their hands, and then his expression turns incredibly serious at the former two. "Normally I would send you to, Mustafar, Hoth, or most likely Abafar first, since it's in your own universe and all, but we need the absolutely worst-to end-up-universe out of the way as a start. You will be send to the Warhammer 40k, and straight to Commorragh. No questions asked about the place."

The pitch-black Storyteller turns his attention at the next miniaturized person, while Boba and Jango look at each other supposedly out of confusion.

The one he is now looking at, is a slender, serious-looking man with pointy ears and two small fangs coming out of his closed mouth, with a small, white horn on his head where his short black-hair split, who is wearing a black yukata with red lining, and sandals. [Hoozuki from Hoozuki No Reitetsu, present and ready.]

"Hoozuki, you will visit all of the underworlds." Aristidis tells him while handing a list in his hands. "Most of them are heavy on bureaucracy, so your knowledge and patience when it comes to both cases is quite needed. Their paperwork will prove useful if she ended up in any of them."

Hoozuki simply nods at that. "Understood."

The mouthless Storyteller turns at the next one, who appears to be a muscular man with short, blond hair, who is wearing an orange scale-mail tunic and dark green leggings, with a golden belt around the waist with the letter A in the middle. [Aquaman from DC, present and ready.]

Aristidis looks for a second at the list he is to give him, and then again at the man. "Aquaman, you-"

"Now just a moment." Boba Fett interrupts him that moment with a raised hand, earning everyone's attention, with the scene also showing the last one in the line, who is a man with short black hair and thin mustache, who is wearing dark-blue tights, a bright blue tunic with a gold sash and a lighter blue trident symbol on the chest area, gold gloves, a red cape with a high-backed collar and golden trim on the edges, and a circular amulet with a gold-filigree fringe with a large golden eye in the middle upon the chest. [Doctor Strange from Marvel, present and ready like the rest.]

The bounty hunter continues as he points at the others separately. "I can understand the hunter, the fanged bureaucrat, somewhat the scaly guy, and the Jedi... Sith-looking man." He ends up correcting himself after taking a better look at Doctor Strange, who narrows his eyes as he turns his head a bit to the side out of confusion at the odd to him labeling and comparison.

Boba then points at Goku, who stands behind him and his father, confused as to why he is pointed at. "But what is his deal, and why is he in our team?"

"To put it simply-" The Storyteller begins while appearing to be a bit pressured about, obviously with the time. "He can teleport instantly, and can sense the energy of a living person, making him both the best transportation, and sensor for you to use at each of the tremendous number of planets you are to visit."

Jango Fett looks at the Saiyan, seemingly surprised. "Well, that's certainly useful."

Goku giggles in response to that with a hand behind his own head at being commented.

"Ok, no more precious time to waste." Aristidis tells them with a clap of his hands while impatient, and then lets the two remaining lists fly at Aquama's and Doctor Stranger's hands, before out of nowhere four pictures appear in front each of the searching team to also take a hold on, along with four golden bracelets around each of the members' left or right arms, that also have an emblem on top of them depicting the very well known Tome. "Aquaman will search every underwater-themed worlds, and Doctor Strange every magic-themed worlds. Here is a picture of Fouquet created and multiplied through my mind. Technologically advanced bracelets with my personal emblem on each, so the people will not think of you as trespassers, and have a straight-up understandable reason to assist you when asked. The bracelets themselves are crafted so they can store DNA in them, with an adequate piece of her hair which I found and picked from the area around already inserted in them for the purpose, emitting a beeping noise that becomes louder the closer you get to the one it belongs to. The signal big enough to be useful, but not too much as to cause disturbance to outside technology that could consider it troublesome in the locals' system, and the misunderstandings that come with it- we don't want things to go like with that test years ago." He explains fast the details about each, with all the members looking curiously at their bracelets mostly, while some wonder what was that test he is talking about.

"A~nd we are done!" He ends up saying sure and satisfied about telling everyone everything that was needed for them to know, and then with both hands picks up his Tome, with the stone table retreating inside the ground neatly and leaving no trace behind, as he looks at them from a closer perspective, his expression both calm and serious. "Remember, when done with searching every corner of the story you are in, knock three times the emblem like you would knock a door to give me a call, and I will move you to the next story so you can continue the mission. This will be a long and tiring mission for you, due to the massive number of stories existing within the Tome, so I will issue some more searching parties later to assist in sharing the burden. I wish you luck, and let us hope you find her safe and sound."

He closes the Tome immediately after, and sighs in slight frustration as he puts a hand above his eyes and forehead. "I can't believe you let something like this happen, Aristidis, you are supposed to be better than that, come on!" Says to himself while somewhat growling the last part.

The mouthless Storyteller lowers his hand, and brings his composure back as he inhales.

"Now-" He stops himself as his now serious attention is caught by the horn's booming sound coming from the port, which announces the flying ship is about to depart. "Back to the main plot."

Not long after, the little light through the cloudy sky retreats, with them clearing to reveal the stary sky and the two moons above, as the ship takes its eventual flight forth.

Louise was looking at the city they have just left from the side of the ship as she rests her arms folded upon the ship's wooden side, and her head onto them.

She sighs as she still tries to come to terms with the frustrating feeling of how her Familiar left like that.

"Still thinking about him?" A voice asks next to her as she turns see Wardes standing there.

The pink-haired girl turns her head toward the opposite side and upward, her face somewhat upset but with an awkward sweat drop. "N-No, I don't! As far as I care, that immature idiot can do whatever he wants."

She might say that, but the gray-haired man knows better.

He smiles at her. "It's alright, Louise, I understand how you feel. But I promise you that unlike him, I will be by your side till the very-." Says as he is about to put an arm above her shoulders, with the intention to pull her lovingly close to him, but a sudden pain to the shoulder immediately stops him as he recoils from it while grabbing it with a hand.

"Hu- Lord Wardes!" Louise ends up yelling out of concern as she turns to notice her in pain fiance, before going close to see if she can help.

"I-I'm fine, it's nothing, really." The gray-haired Noble reassures her with a somewhat awkward smile while he rubs the in pain shoulder, with her stepping back as she keeps on watching him all concerned.

Wardes looks around him without appearing suspicious, trying to spot anything out of place.

Another pain that felt like being stricken by a direct blow.

But again, nothing strange to be seen.

He looks downward as he thinks somewhat troubled that maybe he is indeed having those aging pains that Storyteller was rudely pointing out from before.

But wait, he is not that old to have such random pains, so it just makes no sense to him.

In the meantime, the invisible Marceline is standing next to him and the pink-haired girl, watching and ready to intervene whenever he makes a move on the Noble girl, like all the previous times.

Wardes shakes his head, deciding not to overthink about it.

For now he must focus on another matter. There is still the possibility that HE is after them, after all.

The gray-haired man straightens himself up while unhanding his shoulder, the pain on his shoulder somewhat gone now, and looks at Louise. "So tell me, Louise. Is your Familiar truly as powerful as he describes?"

The pink-haired Noble is surprised with the question, and then turns around a bit troubled as she contemplates about how to answer, unsure if she should tell Wardes or not the secret Aristidis has been trying to keep about the current state of his magic.

Then, her face becomes somewhat angry upon remembering what he did not long ago, and decides that if he is like that, then she can do whatever she wants as well.

And after all, it's her fiance that is asking, so why worry at all?

Louise nods to herself, before turning to face Wardes. "It's true that he is as powerful as he says, but because of the spell I used to bind him as my Familiar at the day of the summoning ritual, most of his magic was sealed as a result."

"Oh, really?" The gray-haired man questions with surprise and interest as he rubs with a hand his chin.

The pink-haired Noble continues. "And to have his magic back, he needs to use the small in comparison amount he has as much as possible, allowing himself to slowly increase it. Now I'm not sure how long it will take him to reach his full power, but despite the powerful people he can summon so far, he has made clear he still has a long way before him till that happens."

"Hmm..." Wardes utters slightly troubled.

Hearing that what he has witnessed the last two days is only but a meager part of that being's magic, is not exactly something to be happy about considering the situation.

Another thought comes to his mind as an idea forms. "Out of curiosity, does that apply for the spells you use from the book he has given you?"

"Well..." Louise trails off as she tries to remember how relevant that part is or not. "Actually no, I don't remember him saying anything about it, really. He was mostly warning me to never use the book's spells unless it was absolutely necessary and nothing more."

"I see..." Wardes smiles as a cunning idea has officially at the ready. "Speaking of, how about you show me some of those unique spells? I'm very interested in seeing what you can do nowadays."

That catches the pink-haired Noble somewhat off guard.

The thing is, she is more than happy to show lord Wardes how her magic has changed, but at the same time feels worried, because doing so would mean breaking Aristidis's rule.

Louise looks down and with her hands behind her back out of awkwardness. "I-I would like to, lord Wardes, truly, b-but I promised Aristidis that I'll-"

"Louise, that man abandoned us just because he felt like he was not being appreciated more than he already was." The gray-haired man interrupts her calmly but in a serious manner, getting her attention, and then raises an eyebrow. "Being forced to feel more overworked than usual is the least he deserves. Don't you think so too?"

The pink-haired Noble thinks about it as she is for a moment, and her eyes become serious. "I will need much of space."

Wardes smiles some more at that, pleased with how simple it was to convince her. "I will speak with the captain to provide allow us as much."

Louise nods in response, with him leaving to do like he said.

She then looks at the city, which is far enough now for only the lights being noticeable from the distance, and her eyes tremble a bit from her holding back her frustration. "Abandoning us and the princess's mission like that. I'll show you..."

Not too long after, the scene shows the frontal part of the ship's deck empty, with the many random passengers at an appropriate distance around it chattering among themselves as to what is supposed to happen there as they watch at the front curiously, with Wardes being at the frontal row of people awaiting with his arms folded.

Then, Louise walks there, stopping at the middle of the said deck, getting everyone's attention.

She inhales and exhales once, before bringing her small magic book out and in front of her as she opens it, passes and checks a few of the pages, and finally takes the wand in her hand as well, determined to begin.

The pink-haired Noble raises her wand up to the air. "Levitating Target!"

As soon as she yells that, out of thin air appears suddenly at a medium distance, and levitating appropriately in place above the deck, a wooden board with red and white circles painted on it, making it a typical target practice.

Everyone watching was uttering with amazement at it, a few comparing it to one of those street-tricks some ex-Nobles do to earn money.

Louise then aims her wand at the levitating target, and as she focuses, an image of Aristidis comes to her mind, provoking her ire.

"Rune Flare!" She yells and a large reddish-yellow ball of energy takes shape in front of the wand's tip, with a large barrage of flaming spears being shot out of it in quick succession, piercing and cutting the target, turning it to burning smithereens, earning the crowd's applause and further interest.

As Louise pulls her wand back, she makes three more levitating targets appear at the same distance, with one of them farther to the left, and the other farther to the right from the middle one.

"Aero Slash!" She now yells as her wand glows with green energy, and with a horizontal move unleashes a large, arc-shaped blade of pressurized air forward, wide enough to hit all three targets at once, and slicing them in half with ease, making the crowd to applaud even more at what they now see as a talented and strong young Noble.

"Shadow Clone Technique!" Louise yells immediately after while bringing the wand close to her and toward to the air, with a large smokey explosion occurring just as soon, before it dissipates a second later to reveal over twenty Louises where she was, which causes in the crowd a mixed reactions of confusion and shock at witnessing the sudden multiplication.

"Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike!" The pink-haired Nobles yell together, with strong, red, electrical energy gathering at their wands.

The scene cuts that moment at the part of the crowd where Wardes is positioned, utterly shocked along with the rest, as the sound of numerous lightning strikes is heard that moment to indicate Louise's use of the spell, before she continues using more incredible spells while off screen.

As the gray-haired man watches her performing more and more unique and powerful spells, one after another without the existence of fatigue being apparent in her face, he slowly comes to understand just how much that pitch-black being altered her element.

How much more dominant it has become before every other that exists in their world.

While continuing on thinking and watching Louise's overpowering magic in action, a smile forms onto Wardes face.

He would even start laughing if he had no self-control.

The grey-haired man can hardly believe how he was able to get away from that Storyteller being with such a powerful weapon like her so easily.

With her as she is now by his side, not only he will earn everything he was promised by the kingdom soon to be formed... But so much more out of right!

Nothing will be able to stand in their way with her! Not even the mighty elves themselves.

They will conquer everything.

After a few minutes pass, the scene shows Louise now simply standing there, somewhat gasping out of mild exhaustion because of all the spells she used, with the crowd being more than amazed after that display of power.

She then catches her breath and looks at her book, and at the now really small number that indicates Aristidis's remaining magic, before smiling somewhat cunningly. "That's what you get."

A very distinct clapping of the hands of a certain someone catches her attention that moment as she turns around to check, and sees Wardes approaching her, with a smile.

"That was beyond excellent, Louise." He tells her proudly as he stops and lowers his hands. "With such power and control, I can imagine no mage who could consider themselves your equal."

Louise blushes at the compliment, and then smiles awkwardly as she looks away. "Y-Your praise is far greater than I deserve, lord Wardes."

The gray-haired man chuckles a bit at her, modesty, but then takes notice of something in her magic book, and moves next to her to see the remaining number, which increases slowly. "I see you still have some amount left. Why don't you use it as well?"

"W-Well..." The pink-haired Noble trails off as she appears to be really troubled with this. "I-I can, but if the number reaches zero, there is a chance Aristidis might die."

"Die, you say?" Wardes questions as he looks at her while rather surprised with the revelation.

"Yes." She replies, and then begins rubbing one of her eyes with the back of her hand, which holds the wand, for a moment as she seems a bit weary. "A-Also, even if I could continue freely, I'm too tired to use another spell. A-Anyway, I will go to my room to take some sleep. Excuse me, lord Wardes." Says at the end as she walks away and to where her personal cabin is, as her fiance is seen with a hand to his chin, thinking carefully about the new info he just received.

The reason Louise acted like that before her fiance, is because she ended up revealing another one of Aristidis's secrets, and she could not just lie to lord Wardes about it like that and now she actually feels bad for that reason.

Why did he have to make that question- It's so frustrating!

As that is going on, the scene moves slowly toward the ships rear, and while the camera goes now lower, it shows Aristidis as his luxurious cape is blowing in the wind while on top of the very well-known Magic Carpet from Aladdin, carrying him right behind the said ship with the same flight speed and hidden from the eyes of those it transports.

"Truly cunning of you, old man." The pitch-black Storyteller begins cheekily as he talks to an imaginary Wardes, while obvious that he has heard everything that occurred so far. "Bringing my magic close to zero? Smart, but not an unexpected move. And as upset as Louise might be with me at the moment because of your little ploy, she is not so vengeful of a girl to risk, or even think of killing me like that- no, sir, she is not." Says at the end with a sideward wagging of his finger.

He then turns to the side with a hand to his chin, his expression unsure. "Not that I know if I will indeed die if the number reaches zero or not, though."

Aristidis unhands himself as he looks upward at the ship as he appears mildly annoyed. "In any case, I will still give her quite the earful about revealing my secrets after all this is over."

The Magic Carpet that moment turns its front a bit backward as it jerks it a few times, gaining his attention.

"What of the others you ask?" The mouthless Storyteller repeats the question the flying carpet apparently asked him in its own way. "I told my Tome Personnel present in the city to inform them of the situation, that the Viscount is pretty much a traitor who tricked Louise into going with him, and escort them back at the academy for their own safety as I chase after the two. I would take them along if the circumstances were different, but I don't want them to stay out here in the cold of the night for hours while I am too weakened to make the secret flight more pleasant. That would be inappropriate of me to allow." Says the last part while turning his head pompously to the side.

The Magic Carpet make a few more jerking movements with its front, asking him something the same way like before.

Aristidis turns his head to it once more. "Of course I could have save her from the beginning and be done with this faster, but this is the best way to earn her complete trust. A somewhat harsh way of me to do so, I know and I agree, but if she is to learn a valuable lesson, it has to be this way."

The flying carpet foldd its front sides together to indicate its great disapproval.

The pitch-black Storyteller folds his arms annoyed. "Oh, don't be like that with me now. You know very well that I mean well. Look, just trust me in this, alright? I have everything planned and under control. And speaking about control... " He trails off at the end as he places two fingers at the side of his head, for the known telepathic communication.

While that was taking place outside, the scene moves up back to the ship, showing Wardes walking at one of the many corridors inside, being on the way for his personal cabin.

His plan on getting that Storyteller being to his side might have ended up badly, but at least he got an equally valuable and powerful fiance with him.

Now he only needs to reach prince Wales, ask Louise to be married there at the said Chapel, take care of said prince to officially finish the Albion's unification, and convince her to join their cause and help them into unifying Halkeginia with the excuse of utterly ending all future wars for good.

Simple, no?

He smiles pleased as he thinks how despite the first part, everything else is going well thus far.

And what makes this even better, is that HE is nowhere to be found, and no odd or suspicious character has been spotted being aboard.

In the meantime, he walks past the kitchen, where one of the two people of the staff questions the other if he has seen two of their knifes, with the other having no clue, indicating that they are missing.

The gray-haired man eventually reaches the door to his cabin, and grabs the door's handle.

As he takes into consideration how he smartly weakened that Storyteller being thanks to Louise's performance, and thinking of how there is no possible way for HIM to ever reach them at such condition, before opening the door to be met with a sight that shocks and freezes him in place.

Upon the bed, on his second change of clothes, identical to what he is already wearing, two kitchen knifes were pinned onto it, and through the bed, at different locations.

The first into the chest area, indicating an obvious threat against his life, and the second into the crotch area, which needs no explanation as to what it means.

Wardes snaps out of it and quickly looks around the room, trying to see whether the one who did it is still here or not, only to understand he is all alone.

Then something odd catches his eye at a bowl of fruits upon a table nearby, before approaching it carefully.

He reaches the bowl, and picks up a strangely pale apple, which he inspects all around till he spots two small holes upon it, as if someone stabbed it with metallic nails or something.

The way they are positioned so close to each other though, immediately brings back in him a memory of a story about bloodsucking undead creatures of the night, with him not quite remembering what they were called, but being more than enough to shock him once more as he lets the pale apple fall back onto the bow as he steps back.

As little sense as the part with the apple makes, he realizes that Aristidis was somehow able to send one or maybe more of his servants from that Tome of his after them, and never really lost them.

And if that creature is like the one in that story he knows, then it can turn invisible, explaining his sudden pains throughout the journey.

But also... That the creature might still be inside this very room.

Waiting.

In the meantime, the invisible Marceline and the Red Spy are standing in front of the door, as they watch Wardes now looking around his room like a madman, before gleefully high-fiving each other silently for their good work.

~The Next Day~

The scene shows the flying island that is Albion, and the ship having already stopped by the dock to allow the people to disembark appropriately.

Through the people that moment, who step aside quickly/the last moment, rushes the Griffin carrying Wardes and Louise, with the latter confused as to why her fiance is in such an alarming hurry all of a sudden, while the former shows to be mildly tired from the lack of proper sleep, most likely due to the yesterday's incident, but still very determined to complete the mission he was given.

In the meantime, from the ship's tallest mast, at its tip stands with his arms folded Aristidis as he watches from above the two leaving the area fast.

"Looks like someone is not planning on taking any chances." He gleefully says, and then puts two fingers at the side of his head. {(Alright, Marceline, you are up.)}

The still invisible vampire queen brings a thumb up before about to fly through the open door to the deck, but stops as soon as she notices the in-sun surface of the ship, and then looks upward at the clear sky somewhat annoyed as she puts two fingers at the side of her head, to telepathically talk back. {(Umm, I'm gonna need some good shade out there if you want that, dude.)}

"Oh, the sun, right." The pitch-black Storyteller remembers about her weakness as he stands there with wide open eyes, feeling a bit dumb for forgeting something so basic when it comes to vampires, before opening his Tome to check the amount of his magic, which is not really considered low, but he still appears rather sceptical about it. {(Can't quite risk it with my current total so... Spy-)}

{(Already on it.)} The Red Spy interrupts him as the scene shows the masked man on top of the Magic Carpet, carrying him as they fly fast after them while keeping enough distance to not be spotted.

{(Great!)} Aristidis responds pleased. {(As always, make sure to keep me informed of the situation while I am away, and I shall meet you up there as soon as I can. Tell our friend, the Magic Carpet to come take me once the chapel is reached.)}

After saying that, he takes a step forward, resulting in falling down from the mast, and landing on his feet at the deck without effort, much to everyone currently at the ship who witnessed the surprising feat before their eyes, with him simply nodding at some and telling them "Good morning", before casually walking away, toward his destination.

Some time passes as he walks upward within a forest, not really following the main road, nor being really in a hurry, as he reads from the open Tome in his hands.

{(They have reached the chapel, and that flying carpet is on its way to get you, Storyteller.)} The Red Spy informs him through telepathy.

{(Good.)} Aristidis says as he keeps his attention at his Tome. {(Continue as we said.)}

{(Of course.)} The masked man replies, and proceeds to watch and inform him of everything worth mentioning. {(They both enter the small building... A group of armored people with helmets covering their heads and faces reveal themselves from the corners to stop them... The one in command asks the obvious question about their business here... The little pink-haired lady begins being demanding as she shows the princess's ring... The one in command removes one of his metal glove to reveal a different but just as valuable-looking ring...)}

{(Aah, ok, ok, I see. That is definitely the prince we were looking for, Wales, who is doing that trick with the water and wind rings I've read about, to see if the one she has is the real deal.)} The mouthless Storyteller explains, and then puts a hand on his chin. {(Smart of him blending with his guards like that, very. Let's see where this is going after he makes his face reveal, now shall we?)}

More time passes, as Aristidis is seen on top of the Magic Carpet now, before finally reaching the place as he steps off the flying carpet, and behind one of the surrounding trees to stay out of possible sight, with the Magic Carpet itself adopting a standing stance right behind him and following his example.

While on the way, he learned from the Red Spy, who was following Louise for the duration, through prince Wales about the existence of a group called Reconquista, being the ones pulling the strings of the rebellion behind the scenes, and the war that is bound to begin, along with the prince's unwillingness to give up his country without a fight, even if meaning dying for it.

The pitch-black Storyteller puts two fingers onto the side of his head. {(I have just arrived.)}

{(And I have just gotten out of the room along with the girl without causing any suspicions.)} The invisible Spy informs him. {(She received the letter successfully. Also, speaking of suspicions, I spot right now someone hidden behind a column, who is definitely not one of the prince's people. That ridiculous, possibly English, blond hair of his is making him obvious like a sore thumb. A pathetic excuse for a spy.)}

{(Most likely one of Wardes's buddies.)} Aristidis guesses, and then opens his Tome to read from it again as he sits down with his back upon the tree's trunk, while sighing at the Magic Carpet with a hand to move above the structure, with it doing so fast before landing and hiding upon it as it watches Louise from up there. {(It looks like the prince's guards are not that special themselves if they didn't notice someone like that entering the place. In any case, unless he tries to physically harm her, don't interfere with whatever he does.)}

{(If that's what you prefer.)} The Red Spy says, and then focuses at informing him about. {(I see that gray-haired man approaching her from behind... Asks if the letter in her hand is the one they needed, with her responding positively... He is telling her he will ask the prince to be responsible for their wedding that will take place in this very chapel, which causes her surprise and uncertainty, with him sighing the hidden man to approach quickly-)}

"I'll see/hear the rest myself." The pitch-black Storyteller tells him as he gets serious at the last bit of information, and looks through the invisible masked man's eyes the scene.

Wardes's expression turns grimly serious. "I was not asking, my Louise."

As Louise appears extremely confused at his sudden seriousness, he grabs her by the shoulders with his hands, and turns her toward the man behind her, the said man having his blond hair curled by the end and outward but still reaching to his shoulders, and who is wearing a green cloak with a matching cap.

"You are coming with us, descendant of the void." The man tells her with a neutral expression as he raises a fist with a ring that has a purple gem in its middle in front of her, with the said gem emitting that moment a purple light upon her, freezing her in place for a moment, before the light of her eyes vanishes, and her face becomes empty of emotion.

Aristidis's eyes widen both at what he just saw, and what he heard.

The blond man turns to Wardes. "She is under the ring's complete control. But why did you immediately asked for-"

"We need to move fast if Reconquista is to succeed in this." The gray-haired man interrupts him alarmed. "That Storyteller being's minion or minions followed us to Albion."

"Wha-" The man in the green cloak utters shocked at what he just heard, making obvious the fact he seemingly has full knowledge of Aristidis's power.

Wardes continues. "I believe I was able to outrun them with my Griffin, but I don't think it will take them long to reach this place. And HE is definitely on his way as well." Says at the end with some frustration.

He turns toward the door Louise exited from moments ago. "I will take care of the procedure as fast as possible, and leave immediately. You can swarm the place later with soldiers to take care things themselves, there are not many protectors inside. Keep her hidden till I return, and order her to use spells from the book in her possession. I will explain later."

After saying that, he walks through the door and closes it behind him, going to do like he said, and the blond man, somewhat confused with the last bit, orders the ring-controlled Louise to move at a location it will not draw attention, with her still having her consciousness despite the control, being in complete shock inside her mind after hearing all that.

As the still invisible Red Spy follows the two, the scene moves to Aristidis who appears to be in contemplation.

He just learned that not only the people the gray-haired man works for will soon know about his magic being sealed and him being weaker than he appears to be, not only they apparently know about Louise being of the Void element, but also the fact that the stolen Ring Of Andvari he promised on bringing back to the Water Spirit, is in that blond man's possession, which must mean HE is that Cromwell individual, which ALSO most likely means that he is the head of the rebellion due to the said ring's power giving him the needed authority to be as much.

The pitch-black Storyteller is concerned about the first two parts, due to their safety being even partially compromised, but very gleeful about the rest.

How things can be brought before someone at times.

{(So...)} The Red Spy interrupts his train of thought, and appears rather confused about his silence, taking into consideration the current situation, as he keeps on following the other two. {(Do you want me to-)}

{(As tempting as it is, all things considered, let us not be hasty here.)} Aristidis interrupts him, now unconcerned about it. {(For now simply make sure she stays unharmed. And as for me, I will prepare myself and a friend for our entrance.)} Says at the end with a slightly gleeful expression while the Alpha rune reveals itself upon his forehead.

After some minutes or so pasd, the scene cuts inside the main hall of the chapel, where prince Wales, a relatively young man with short blond hair, stands in front of Wardes and the hypnotized Louise, with her having a simple a semi-transparent white veil placed upon her head, and with her body barely illuminated by a spell she is commanded to use continuously for the purpose of draining the Storyteller's magic, as some of the prince's armored guards stay in a row to the side, and the same number at the other, numbering eight in total, with weapons raised upward in respect to the wedding ceremony about to take place, while at the moment behind of a column, Cromwell keeps himself hidden, at proper distance from the rest and close to the main entrance, as he aims the Ring Of Andvari's light at the pink-haired girl to ensure the control over her.

Louise herself on the inside, the only place she had any free will at all, was utterly devastated.

Her fiance betrayed both the country of Tristain and the pink-haired girl's trust with his actions, lied to her about her Familiar abandoning them, and now she is being forced through some magic to marry the very man who she once knew as a caring figure.

She was tricked in willingly lowering Aristidis's power, as a way to get back at him for something he never did, and is forced to do as much even now as we speak, so even if her Familiar comes, he will be too weak to do anything to help her.

Not to mention telling the secrets about his current state.

Louise would cry if she was not in the current state because of the ring's magic.

It's all her fault.

Her fault for even believing that Aristidis of all people would leave her like that.

Her fault for dooming herself and making him unable to rescue her at this point.

(Aristidis... I'm so sorry for not putting my trust in you more...!) She deeply apologetically says in her mind, being in great despair for both her situation, and her inability to properly apologize to her Familiar for everything.

The prince Wales appears ready to begin as he sees everything properly ready, and turns to Wardes. "The groom, Viscount Jean Jacques Francis De Ward-"

"Normally-" A very distinct voice across the room interrupts the prince, with everyone's attention but the hypnotized Louise's, who stops the illumination spell she was using in response as if a switch of hers has been pulled, being drawn to the closed entrance where the pitch-black Storyteller is seen with his arms folded, the Tome in one hand and his rune properly covered like before, and his back against the wooden surface of the chapel's gate. "-I would wait for when you say whether anyone has any objections about the wedding of the two, maybe even make an OBJECTION joke just before you complete that word yourself for a laugh, but the wedding is a joke by itself anyway, so I might as well put it to a stop right here."

Wardes is shocked for a moment at seeing Aristidis here so soon, before frustration shows in his face, while everyone else is mostly surprised at the pitch-black and mouthless parts of the being that made his appearance.

Wales snaps out of his surprise, and his expression turns serious upon remembering the intrusion. "Guards, capture that-"

The mouthless Storyteller pulls quickly with a hand out from behind him and uses modern air horn, which results in everyone, having their senses, to cover their ears from the continuous and painfully loud sound, before he stops using it, and them uncovering their ears as they realize the said sound stopped.

"I will politely ask his Majesty to not interfere in this." Aristidis tells him while placing the air horn magically inside the Tome as he closes its pages again and moves his back off the wall, straightening himself where he stands normally. "Be at ease for I am not here for you, but him." Says the last bit while pointing a finger at the gray-haired man, causing Wales and his guards to look for a moment at the one being pointed at.

He continues as he lowers the hand. "Did you really think you could simply take Louise from me, and expect me to not come after you? Now that is some outrageous thing to assume, don't you think so too?"

Wardes smiles boldly, feeling quite confident. "I commend you for actually being able to reach us here. But as you are now, you cannot stop this."

The pitch-black Storyteller's expression turns slightly gleeful. "You believe me weak right now, but you are more wrong than you should allow yourself to be, you foolish and shameful example for a human."

That catches the gray-haired man off guard for a moment, not expecting a reply like that, while wondering about the reason, since in his knowledge, the being should be too weakened at this point to act cockily.

Aristidis folds his arms once more as his face now shows much of pride. "I am not only magic, you know. I am smart and knowledgeable beyond comprehension. More than enough to know where I stand in any situation I am facing. I can form plans in seconds, that put me steps ahead of anyone I am to deal with."

He lifts before him a hand, and begins counting fingers. "You put Fouquet to slow me down so you can have enough time to escape to Albion with Louise, tell her lies about me abandoning her along with our mission to take back the princess's love letter, trick her into using her personal magic book to pretty much drain my magic due to the connection hers and mine share, and then use the Ring Of Andvari to force her into marrying you in an attempt to earn through that pitiful manipulation a powerful ally for you, and your true allies the Reconquista."

Everyone gets shocked upon hearing that last name, with Wardes and Cromwell being like that for the reason he actually knows that.

Wales decides to speak. "Wait, you say that-"

"Exactly as you hear." The mouthless Storyteller interrupts as he keeps his eyes at the gray-haired man. "That man is nothing but a traitor to his country and its future queen. And the point I have just proven, is that he was too much of an idiot to hide properly the littlest detail about this and everything else, and not mentioning too useless to think of a proper plan to actually stop me. OH, and just so I don't forget to mention it, yes, old man, I do gain more of my sealed magic back through the spells Louise uses from the book. So congratulations, you have unintentionally helped me earn back quite the magic amount, along with a somewhat faster recovery after usage. Your thoughtlessness sure shows how much of a failure a man can end up proving to be." Says the last part gleefully, and with much of sarcasm at the congratulations bit.

The pitch-black being's mannerism and insults almost break the usually calm demeanor Wardes shows, from the feeling of utter frustration burning inside him right now, and the backfiring of his plan to weaken him doesn't make that feeling any better.

"Viscount Wardes, is that true?" The prince asks with a serious expression the gray-haired man, about the Reconquista part.

Wardes turns to him calmly but serious. "Of course not! That thing speaks nothing but lies just to turn you against me so he can get his hands on my dear Louise."

The man has to lie his way out of this and hope for it to be enough.

The being might have learned about him being of Reconquista, through one of the the unseen minions that was sent to spy on them most definitely, but the gray-haired man will be damned if he just let him have his way.

"I believe we have conversed enough." Aristidis tells him with a somewhat bored expression as he raises a hand, showing to be ready to snap his fingers. "I will take Louise back now."

When saying that, he snaps his fingers, and after a delay of two seconds or so, great part of the stone wall right next to the gate violently breaks down as a big, close to 2.50 meters tall, green ogre-like creature with enormous muscles, black short hair, that is wearing only a pair of purple shorts enters through. [Hulk from Marvel, ready to punch someone really hard, preferably in the face.]

As everyone looks surprised at the sudden appearance of the angry-looking being, Hulk unleashes his powerful roar at them, shocking and almost making them fall down from its power alone, with Cromwell himself almost as soon leaving his hiding spot, bursting open the unlocked gate, and running away for his life as he screams about out of utter fright while at it, with the Storyteller paying him no mind as a very well known invisible form follows the blond, sprinting man.

The moment that happens, Louise is freed by the ring's control, due to the wielder being busy running away instead of using it, and her eyes widen in realization, before she takes the veil off her head as she turns around, while tossing it away, and rushes to Aristidis, and wraps her arms around his waist while placing the side of her now full of tears face upon his chest, much to everyone's surprise.

"Aristidis! I'm sorry! I'm so-ho~rry!" She tells him while sobbing, overwhelmed by emotion and unable to think of anything more to say.

The pitch-black Storyteller brings the arm with the Tome around her head, while with his free hand rubs her pink hair affectionately. "I know, I know, you have made some bad decisions, revealing secrets and such, but don't you worry, Aristidis is here now and will make things right just for you, Louise, my deare-"

A sound of stabbing and a pained exclamation interrupts the moment as both of them look to the prince's location, and with wide open eyes see how Wardes has impaled Wales with his rapier through the left side of the chest where the heart is, with the weapon's tip glowing to indicate spell usage, before he pulls it out as he steps to the side to let the prince fall forward on all three upon the floor as he tries to cover the bleeding wound while struggling with the great pain it brings.

As everyone else is shocked, Aristidis appears upset with Wales. "Seriously? You could not even last like, one minute or so? It was even made crystal clear how much of a traitor he is and all- you have no excuse for that. Also way to ruin the moment." Says the last one silently.

"Bastard!" One of the prince's guards yells as all eight of them encircle the gray-haired man to attack him, with him already in the middle of chanting a spell, before unleashing a ring of powerful wind that pushes all eight of them back and straight onto the walls and columns that were behind them, with the impact either knocking them unconscious or too hurt to get back up again.

Then before he even reacts, Wardes witnesses the Magic Carpet swooping in and taking the wounded prince with him, and letting him face-up next to Aristidis, Louise, and Hulk, with the former two checking carefully his situation, as the latter looks at the Reconquista Noble with much of anger.

The gray-haired man smiles boldly at the Storyteller as he decides to take his chances. "See, Aristidis? That's what royalty is like today. Just a weak, unprepared lot who have done nothing the last few hundred years but lazy around while those lower than them suffer. You can't say you didn't notice as much yourself. But we, the Reconquista plan to change that. Today Albion is free. And soon, the rest of Halkeginia as well. But if you offer us your help, you could-"

"Hulk." Aristidis interrupts Wardes as he looks at the green giant of a man, with him turning his head to the Storyteller. "Your catchphrase."

"Eh?" The gray-haired man utters, confused as to what that means.

Hulk snaps his head at him. "HULK SMASH!"

As soon as he roars that, the floor spots beneath his feet shatter in a second as he takes stance, before immediately after leaps forward with a continuous angry roar at Wardes, with the troubled Reconquista Noble attempting to raise his rapier, only to prove too slow as the green ogre-like man throws a powerful punch to the side of his face, sending him flying through the wall to the side, opening a human-sized hole upon it as a result, and after a few more meters tumbling upon the grassy surface of the ground outside as he rolls through, he eventually ends up falling down from a cliff.

The scene then cuts back at the chapel and the new hole that has been created, with the wall around it slowly crumbling, with the mouthless Storyteller moving in the middle to look through it.

With an annoyed "Tsk", he turns around as he opens his Tome to check a page, and after a moment closes it, with a big group of Uruk-Hai of different soldier classes from the Lord Of The Rings Series appear in front of him. "You! Go after him and bring him before me. I don't care if you have to cut off his legs and arms to keep him from getting away, bring him to me alive- You hear?"

The brutish group roar in response as they immediately rush outside through the wide open gate, going after Wardes like ordered.

After all of them left, Aristidis walks close to the kneeling Louise, who currently weeps above the deeply wounded and still struggling prince due to not being able to stop him from bleeding, while the Hulk angry but mostly sad stands there watching them along with the Magic Carpet, unable to do anything meaningful to help.

She turns quickly with a tearful but hopeful expression to her Familiar. "Aristidis, you MUST have something in your Tome that can heal this kind of wound. PLEASE, prince Wales can't die like this!"

"Worry not." The pitch-black Storyteller reassures her as he opens the Tome at a certain page. "I will simply call-"

He stops himself as he notices something slightly problematic. "Oh... Ok then, we still have SCP-"

Aristidis once more stops himself, now with wide open eyes as he understands that something being even more problematic than he thought. "Not even little Kairos?"

"Aristidis?" Louise calls his name, worried about what the meaning behind his sudden delay is.

He closes his eyes for a moment as he takes a sit next to them upon the floor, and lets out a near-unnoticeable sigh before opening them again to look at her. "My magic is too diminished to summon or perform anything with lasting results for the situation at hand as it is. And I am afraid I will not be able to recover the appropriate amount fast enough to save his life in time."

The pink-haired girl stays as she is in great disbelief, till a thought comes to her mind. "W-Wait, what about your Alpha-"

"Already used it to summon Hulk here in order to ensure your safety." The Storyteller answers the upcoming question before it is asked.

She looks back and forth at the still struggling prince and her Familiar as she desperately tries to think of a possible way the former can be saved, till she lays her eyes upon the Tome and smiles with hope. "Your Tome! We could move him inside and-"

"It will not work." Aristidis once more interrupts her while bitterly shaking his head, causing her great confusion, before looking at Wales. "When the Magic Carpet brought him close to us, I saw his exact condition, and used immediately a spells to telekinetically move the remaining blood in the shame way the heart itself would normally do on its own, blocking the holes, placing everything where it was even if still torn apart, but without stopping the blood from the more external wounds at the chest and back as to not risk losing even the slightest focus from the most vital organ that keeps him alive. If I attempt to move him inside the Tome, the spell I am using will be blocked due to him entering that moment a place not truly connected with this world, which is the equivalent of a wire placed upon a plastic surface, trying to pass electricity to another wire at the other side. There is just no connection."

He looks at her. "Even one moment to stop the procedure, and he will not be able to stand it. And that is a moment too small to be worth using."

Louise's eyes widen again as she comes to the realization the prince, the one and true love of princess Henrietta cannot be saved at this point, and her head moves downward as she trembles with tightening fists upon her thighs while trying to hold more of her tears from falling. "But... BUT...!"

Wales understanding the situation, and seeing her like that, attempts to lift a hand toward her, only to be stopped by the mouthless Storyteller, much to his surprise.

He looks the blond prince in the eyes as he lowers his hand down again. "There is only one appropriate thing remaining we can do as things are."

After saying that, drawing the pink-haired girl's attention with that, Aristidis changes page at his Tome, moves a hand magically inside it, and pulls it out to now show holding a black, medium-sized Professional Video Camera, causing mostly Wales awe, which he then places over his shoulder. "This is called, by simple terms, TV Camera. Through this, your image and words will be stored within, so they may be watched even when you are not really there yourself. If you have anything to say to Henrietta before you leave the world of the living, now is the time for you to do so." Says the last bit while aiming the said camera's lense at him, with it showing the reflection of his face upon it while he looks directly at it as his expression changes to that of sadness.

While that was going on, the scene moves down the cliff Wardes fell from, revealing it to have quite the height till its bottom, where it shows him at its bottom facedown upon the hard surface of the dirt, unconscious and roughed up by the fall, with his uniform somewhat torn to multiple places, and dirtied with grass, dirt, and rocks, with no wounds being apparent on him.

That moment, his eyes suddenly open wide, officially coming back to consciousness, before forcing/pushing fast his body off the ground using his hands hands upon the ground with a loud gasp of his out of shock, and lets out a few coughs while standing now on all four.

He strongly breathes in and out while trying to get over the said shock, and as he moves his head up to look at the cliff he fell from, he remembers what happened, and a sudden pain to most places makes him place his arm mostly around his chest, struggling with the feeling of his body being pummeled hard by the ground.

Wardes then lets the chest, and puts his hand slowly upon the side of his head, feeling how it's intact despite it hurting, and not swollen- No! He should have no head over his shoulders!

He remembers that punch. He felt the power and intent behind it.

That ogre... That thing... Struck him with enough force, that he even dares say it could shatter an entire mountain!

He feels... He understands that he shouldn't be alive right now after such strike, yet he still is.

Wardes begins standing up slowly, fighting with the pain around his body.

Him hitting himself upon the ground and falling from that cliff caused more damage than the punch of that green monstrosity, but still not as much as one would expect, almost as if even that was in a sense mitigated.

None of it makes any sense!

The gray-haired man grunts from pain as he decides to turn and slowly limp forward. "I'll think about it later. For now-"

"YOU, MAGGOT!" A loud voice calls from behind, making the Reconquista Noble to turn himself a bit to look and sees at the distance a big group of brutish bipedal creatures in crude-looking armor he doesn't recognize, with the one standing in front of them, being the one who called for him and apparently in charge, wearing mostly furs, skulls and bones on him, with the skull of some big fanged animal being his helmet, and holding in each hand a big axe of the same fashion.

Needless to say, he was surprised. "What the-"

"You think you can just run off like that, after messing with our Storyteller's mission so badly?" The orc grunt next to the Feral Tribe leader questions as he interrupts Wardes while pointing his crude sword at him.

Then another, skinnier orc grunt steps forward, smiling with gleeful excitement at the gray-haired man. "A lot of nerve he has for a manswine. I say we cut off his limbs whether he resists or not, and eat them on the spot! That will teach him."

The Feral Tribe orc leader points an axe at the the man. "Let our hunt begin!"

Understanding with wide open eyes the danger, with the hunting horn being sound by their leader while off-screen, he turns and limps at a fast rate toward to where he was heading before, as the orcs begin hunting him down, brandishing their weapons with malicious intent.

There is much distance between him and them, but even he knows it will not take long to be reached in his condition.

Luckily for him, after the next row of trees he reaches quickly a more clearer and open area, and while keeping on limping forward puts some of his fingers from a hand into his mouth, and in a loud and characteristic way whistles toward the sky, with his Griffin mount coming flying down, and landing right in front of him, as he immediately climbs on its back in spite of the pain he is causing himself by doing so.

Just as soon, sprinting through the trees with the speed of a beast comes the Feral Tribe orc leader, his axes put at the back, and having his gauntlets' like-claws-blades extended and at the ready, but as he pounces to get his target, the Griffin flies into the air the very last moment, dodging him as the orc falls to the ground with a forward roll, getting himself up on his feet again expertly while looking up at them.

While flying away with the Griffin, and as he looks back down at the clawed savage, Wardes then moves his head forward and relaxes his hurting body for a moment to rest now that he is out of danger, only for his mount to stop abruptly and clumsily in mid-air while letting out a cry of pain as the Reconquista Noble himself tries to hold his balance upon his Familiar's back.

When he looks back down to see what is wrong, while the Griffin flails about, and notices much to his further surprise two relatively large spears stuck on it, one having pierced through the Griffin's left leg, and the other through the middle of its backside, with the two being attached to a single thick chain each, which as the scene moves down, reveals they are connected to some sort of big metal tube contraption, making obvious the fact they were fired from those, while four of the orcs, two of them grunts with armor belonging to that of the Machine Tribe, pull down slowly but surely the chains with their own hands to bring the still flying Griffin to them, with it struggling desperately to free itself.

"Dibs on one of the man's legs!" One of the orc grunts yells overexcited.

"The beast's front bird-looking legs for me!" Another says in the same manner. "They look yummy!"

In the meantime, the rest of the orc group either cheer for their catch, or throw smaller axes, throwable blades, and rocks, to ensure the prey will fall faster or simply out of sadism, liking seeing a man's hope crushed, resulting in most of them narrowly missing, with the exception of a few rocks hitting Wardes on the back, and a thrown axe slicing lightly the side of his shoulder as he grabs the new wound in pain.

The gray-haired man not willing to go down like this, lets the wound and grabs his rapier, and with a whisper turns himself around while aiming to unleash from the tip a lightning, which strikes between the two pulling teams, pushing them back and onto the ground with the force of the said strike and causing their hold on the chains to break, letting the Griffin to escape as it quickly flies higher into the air and away, before the other orcs can get a hold on the chains again, with one of them being smacked hard across the face and pushed down by the one chain he attempted to grab.

Some of the orcs attempt to throw more stuff at the fleeing Reconquista Noble, but he was already too far to reach.

As Wardes watches at the distance behind him and below the orc group, who scream, roar, and wave their weapons in an angry manner at him as they understand they can't reach him at this point, he brings his attention forward right before the pain all over his body returns tenfold from the overexertion, reminding him of his condition, with him then using part of the cloak's cape to tie around his recently open wound on the shoulder.

He looks at his Familiar, who is still in much of pain due to the big spears stuck at the leg and backside, slowly bleeding from the wounds caused as a result, and with a hand rubs it in a reassuring manner at the side of the neck. "Just a little patience, my old friend. The next city is not far from here. We will treat our wounds before you know it."

After saying that, he looks ahead at the vast sky while thinking back an hour ago or so, when he took the important letter from Louise and gave it to Cromwell just in case, and smiles.

Lossing the enhanced user of the Void is quite the shame, but his other two missions, the letter, and killing the prince, were at least an equally important and complete success.

Wardes begins to feel rather weak that moment, and his front falls fully upon the Griffin's back, as he appear to now be in a semi-conscious state with half-closed eyes, having no strength to keep himself straight after the trial he went through.

The scene that moment cuts back in the chapel, where Aristidis closes and lowers the TV Camera's front downward, as he, Louise, the Magic Carpet and Hulk stand there, looking with sad expressions down at Wales who lies upon the floor before them with closed eyes, the life having left his body not too long ago.

"Come, Louise, everyone." The pitch-black Storyteller says as he turns toward the exit, drawing attention on him. "Let us move out and offer him a proper funeral."

Louise looks at him for a moment longer, while in the meantime the Magic Carpet flies next to him as he places the TV Camera onto it, and then move her head downward, bitterly agreeing with him as she looks at the prince's ring in her hands.

She still can't see all of this as anything else, but her fault.

Even if she is not directly responsible for prince Wales's death, she understands- No. She knows it would have been prevented, if she never allowed her trust in Aristidis to waver. She knows that very well.

And yet...

The scene moves on, showing everyone walking outside, with Hulk carrying the fallen prince appropriately in his large hands, till they stop in front of a cliff, where many logs of wood are appropriately placed close to the edge, by Aristidis pulling the usual off-screen magic trick.

After a few moments of proper preparation, the funeral pyre begins, with Wales's body in the middle of it, the fire slowly burning everything he once was.

No words were spoken by anyone while this was taking place before them.

Only silence.

In respect for the fallen prince, who even till the very end fought for his beliefs and principles, despite the treacherous opposition he was bound to face because of them.

Louise kept on thinking.

She has no excuse for allowing all this to happen...

And she will never truly forgive herself because of it...

How she will bring herself to tell the princess... Her dear childhood friend... That the one she loved so much and for so long... Is now dead...?

While that was going on, Aristidis receives a telepathic report from his orcs, learning of their failure to which he simply nods in understanding, before returning his attention back to the pyre.

Moments later, after the fire died out, completing finally its deed, the pitch-black Storyteller raises a hand upward, lifting with his magic the skeletal remains from the ashes, and with a quick forming of his hand to a fist, they are forced together into a singular point, grinding them instantly and with ease into a ball of bone powder, before moving them the same way both it and the ashes inside a big, well-decorated urn, before closing it with its cover as soon as every single bit enters within.

With all that over, the scene cuts to them flying on top of the Magic Carpet, with Hulk as exception who simply follows by jumping his way through, where silence between them is still present.

At one point Louise attempts to speak to Aristidis, but changes her mind, still feeling too guilty with herself to say anything to him after everything that happened.

And the fact he doesn't say anything himself all this time, is not really helping her any better with that.

Eventually they reach the palace, and the pitch-black Storyteller with the Noble girl alone go and meet with princess Henrietta at the throne room, where her childhood friend with a heavy heart takes the responsibility to tell her herself everything that happened.

Wardes's betrayal. Prince Wales's death. The letter being taken.

All that while Henrietta's hold on his ring, given to her by Louise at the start, was tightening more and more as she listens, with the sadness, the frustration, the grief obvious in her eyes as she tries to hold her tears in.

Aristidis steps forward with the Urn in his hands. "In order to ensure that his body will not be defiled, we gave him a funeral pyre with all the honors and respects a prince such as him deserved to receive."

He places the Urn down next to her feet, as she understands very well what is inside. "Treat his ashes with the respect you believe as most appropriate." Says before bowing, and moving back where he was, where the TV Camera is seen placed down at the floor as he moves next to it and Louise, with him then picking it up.

The pink-haired girl from the beginning of the report till now had her head low, not wanting to show the shame nor her own tears running across the face. "The responsibility for all of this is entirely mine and mine alone. I couldn't see through Wardes's lies, and because of that, I forced Aristidis to be unable to help when it was needed most..."

No more words were spoken, as sobbing was all that could be uttered from her here on, while she was trying hard to hold her feelings in check, with Aristidis himself staying stoically silent as he checks a few things on the TV Camera.

Henrietta approaches her, and places both hands upon her childhood friend's shoulders. "Raise your head, Louise Francoise."

Louise stays as she is for a moment longer, and then raises her filled with tears face to see the princess's own.

Filled with tears as well, yet smiling gratefully, much to her friend's confusion. "Thank you for his final memento and will."

She then puts her arms around the pink-haired girl's shoulders, hugging her. "Thank you... Both of you."

Louise can hardly believe, that even after something like was caused, Henrietta forgives her.

She hugs her back as more tears fall from her eyes. "Princess..."

As they stay like that for a moment, Aristidis approaches from the side with the TV Camera in his hands, drawing their attention on him. "There is one last thing you need to see."

The two break the embrace, with him turning the said camera around for the princess to look at properly, much to her confusion about what is the object he holds exactly.

"When you press this button over here, you will watch the last words of Wales." He tells her while pointing with a finger at the said button, with her looking at him with wide open eyes at what he just said, before then bringing a paper in front of her. "I have already written down the instructions on how it is used, so you may understand the device itself, and watch the... memory again when you think you should."

After telling her that, the mouthless Storyteller turns around and begins walking toward the exit, frustration slightly obvious n his face. "I will stay outside as you look at it. I still feel too emotional to watch it again after the first time not too long ago. I suggest you take a sit before you start it. Please excuse me."

As he gets out and closes the door behind him, the princess looks at the object as she moves to sit down on her throne, with Louise following and stopping in front of her.

Henrietta then presses the button as instructed, and the small screen to the side of the TV Camera activates, drawing her attention on it, just before it shows the dying Wales on it.

"Henrietta." He speaks her name through it.

"Wales...?" The princess trails off, being in surprise at the unexpected moving image of the deceased prince of Albion, with her hands feeling weak that moment and about to drop the TV Camera, just before her childhood friend steps in to quickly hold it with her hands in place for her.

Wales continues as he tries to resist the pain he feels. "Henrietta... I'm sorry for having you see me like this. Just imagining how you will feel, hurts me more than this grievous wound in my heart."

Both of Henrietta's hands cover her mouth as more tears of sorrow fall from her eyes, while Louise who now holds the said camera on her own, tries to adjust it appropriately for her to keep on watching.

"But, I will need you to stay strong. Not for me, but for yourself." The wounded prince through the camera tells her, his hope for her well-being obvious and unceasing.

"Listen to me carefully. There is something that I need you to promise me, before... As I leave this world." He corrects himself at the end upon understanding he will be dead before that happens.

"Anything. Anything you wish." The princess tells him as she immediately stands up, her willingness to do what she must for her love of her life showing in her face.

"Please... Forget me." Wales tells her in the end with a smile and no regrets.

"Eh...?" Is all she can utter, both greatly confused with what she heard him asking from her in the end.

He continues as a tear falls from one of his eyes. "Forget me, and love another man. That is the promise I want you to fulfill."

Henrietta is in disbelief, and now more than unwilling to fulfill such a thing as she slowly shakes her head in refusal. "I-I could never-"

"I know this must be too much to ask from you, but please understand." The dying prince in the video interrupts her as he continues, being obvious that he expected her to be in denial about the very idea. "There is no point your life being wasted on a man that will never be there for you himself. And I would never forgive myself if my memory ended up taking the future you deserve to build away. That's why I want you to forget me. So you may have that future for yourself."

The princess is emotionally moved by his words, understanding how much he cares for her to tell her all that, even though she still can't think of herself fulfilling such a promise as she looks down to the side conflicted, thinking of it as betrayal despite her love being the one to tell her do so.

"I could not say those words three years ago for you, for our fate was never bound to be, no matter how much I loved you myself." Wales says with a bitter smile, drawing once more her surprised attention, since that is the first time he actually told her that he loves her. "I'm glad that I have met you, Henrietta. Goodbye."

After saying that, the screen shows him slowly closing his eyes, and exhaling one last time, motionless where he lies.

With the video ending, and the TV Camera's screen turning black, Henrietta lets more tears fall from her face, sobbing as she hugs the front of it. "Wales..."

Louise could not do anything but stand there, watching her childhood mourning for her lost love, sad that she can do nothing more.

The scene then cuts outside of the closed door leading to the throne room, where Aristidis is seen standing with his back on the wall next to it, slightly upset and contemplating about, till his attention is drawn by the same door opening, with the pink-haired girl walking out, still saddened with everything that happened, looking at him for a moment, and then closing the door behind her, but staying one of her hands remaining upon its surface, not taking her attention off it as she appears lost in her thoughts, with her head kept low.

The pitch-black Storyteller turns to her. "I am sure there are all sorts of emotions you are going through right now. Believe me when I say that I am sorry for allowing all that to happen. I truly am." Says the last part while lowering his head in an apologetic manner.

Louise remains silent for a moment, still looking downward at the door.

"When you said... That even after I am part of your harem... That despite how many girl will be there... That I will be special to you nonetheless... You meant it?" She asks him while staying like that, unwilling to look him in the eyes yet.

Aristidis raises his head, his eyes somewhat more open as if in slight surprise, before a moment later his face turns kind. "Louise, I say a lot of things. Most of the time in a way probably too confusing to be understood."

He moves close to her, and with a hand placed softly upon her cheek, turns her slowly to face him, looking at her now with a more bright, heartwarming expression. "But trust me... When I say that I love you for who you are... And that I will always treat you with the respect and adoration you deserve to have."

After hearing that from him, the girl fills with emotion with a slight blush of her cheeks, and hugs him while holding her himself close, tears falling uncontrollably, as she begins crying, both for all the bad she allowed to happen, and for her true support of her life accepting her despite that.

Aristidis crouches down enough for the side of his chin to touch her head as he puts his arms carefully around her shoulders and back, caringly embracing her. (Worry about nothing from here on, my dearest Louise. For I, the one who has shown you many times before how much I love you, know best of what you need truly, and only I. And I promise you to only offer you as much, and nothing less. Trust me on that.) Says in his thoughts, as his eyes afterward show the eerie obsession he has for her within, made apparent for that moment due to finally accomplishing the one goal he was looking forward from the very beginning, as the scene slowly turns black.

Not long after, the scene moves to a completely different location, filled with nothing but blackness, till it shows the person in the black-cloaked/hooded Kremant, sitting on a similarly colored couch as he watches everything that occurred through his personal TV.

He smiles as he gets up, his characteristic shark-toothed grin on. "Well, looks like I will have to prepare for another one of my famous visits."

"Can I tag along?" A voice from behind him asks, which makes him turn around. "I got fed up with just watching from the literal dark. You feel me, dude?"

Kremant thinks for a moment with a hand to his chin. "Well, I suppose you deserve as much, all things considered. Sure things, you may come with me on my little visit the next day. Mr. Ex-Sword." He says at the end with a nod and with a now much bigger grin of glee, staying like that for the duration.

"I have a name and you bloody know it, you hood-head!" The voice tells him annoyed.

{To Be Continued}

[Yes, it is as you understand it. He is returning. The reason? Those two people who spoke up about it, the second one shamelessly rude, ended up making me put more thought into it, and an idea was formed on how to do so, both without forcing the character back into the story, but still giving him the chance to be back. A relatively minor role to be expected, but still better than staying out of the picture completely. I smile greatly at the newfound idea itself.]

[I'll be seeing you in the next episode. It will be awesome! Else shame on me.]