AN: Different fonts denote different languages.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER DEPICTS AN INSTANCE OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. SKIP IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ.
Normal font is English, Italics is Halkeginia's language, and underline is Japanese.
-o0o-
Small droplets of water fell back into a wooden tub. They rippled across the soapy surface, before a mass of fabric tore through. Guided by the hands of Saito, the young teen thoroughly washed the soaked maid uniform in the middle of the field, right beside Dante.
The two worked in tandem, not a word spoken to each other as they diligently removed the stains from the worker's clothing. The sloshing symphony was only broken by the sound of the wooden door opening behind them.
"Ah, you really don't have to wash them for us," Siesta spoke as she approached the duo, a damp towel wiping her hair.
"It's the smallest we can do," Dante replied, "It is a thank you for the food."
"But you needn't go so far. It was our mistake that caused him to be so cross with us."
Dante let the maid uniform he was washing fall back into the water.
"Nothing you did was wrong. You did your best to help, there's nothing bad in that."
"Yes but-"
Dante shook his head.
"No 'buts', Saito and I are doing this because we want to, not because we have to."
The raven haired maid relented with sigh, but the small smile on her face showed just how much she appreciated their gesture.
"In that case, allow me to make you both some refreshments. Think of it as MY thank you for your assistance. And I will not take no for an answer."
Dante opened his mouth to respond, but decided against arguing with the maid. He instead nodded and thanked her, and she happily returned to the kitchen.
"Ano, Dante-san. Can I ask what Siesta said?"
The old hunter turned to the teen, who diligently continued his washing.
"She said she wanted to make something for us, for helping them wash their uniforms while they work."
"Eh, they don't have to. It's the least we can do for them. Besides I have to wash my hair and clothes later too," the teen said as he paused for a moment to grab his stew stained jacket.
"Take it from me kid, never argue with a lady who has her mind set, especially if she's a really kind person."
Saito's lips formed a small goofy smile.
"She really is kind isn't she? When she stood up for her friend like that… I can't believe those students would do something so horrible to a kind girl like her."
Dante smiled back.
"Means you have a good heart. But let's finish up washing the clothes before we get sidetracked."
"Hai Dante-san!"
The two resumed their scrubbing, with Dante taking a moment to look towards the blue sky above him.
"Wonder what Vergil and Nero are up to now… heh, probably sneaking around rooftops after ticking someone off I bet. And probably still hungry."
—o0o—
"I can't believe all we've done so far is sneak around rooftops because we ticked someone off, and we're also still hungry," Nero said to his father as his stomach let out a small whine, "We seriously had to forget to eat while we were jumpin' around."
Vergil's stomach let out a similar growl.
"I will not make an excuse for my absentmindedness… perhaps my age is finally catching up to me."
Nero gave a sad look to his father, and put a hand on his shoulder. While the hunters normally joked about their ages, hearing Vergil admit it himself was another thing.
"Still got some years left. Pretty sure grandpa went for a full century before he went west."
Vergil gave a small smile.
"You're right. I shouldn't dwell on such trivial matters. The matter of food, on the other hand."
Both hunters heard their stomach growl at the mention of food.
Nero looked around the streets, hoping to find someone or some place that was willing to give food for free.
"Maybe we should try there?" Nero said, nodding to a nice stone building, a little ways down the street.
Vergil squinted at the distant establishment, noticing a sign with a drawing of a bowl and two spoons atop one for a bed.
"Looks like an inn. Excellent eye."
Nero smiled in recognition from his father, and the two jumped into a small alleyway and proceeded to head towards the nice looking establishment.
However, they quickly backpedaled when several men in armor turned the corner and began heading in their direction.
Glancing around, Nero dragged his father through a door into a somewhat worn down wooden building, shutting the door behind them just as the soldiers passed by the alleyway. Nero let out a small breath, as did his father. However it came right back into them when they turned around to see several men in armor adorning tables before them. Their suits were all of different sizes and adornments. Some only partially covered their torsos, while others left little to the imagination of what their wearers looked like without them.
Nero instinctively reached around his back with his left hand, and noticed his father do the same.
Tense silence passed through the room, the hunters' blue eyes glanced wearily across the folks seated before them.
A chair rumbled from one of the tables, and the twosome tensed themselves for battle.
"...Eh, just a couple of commoners," a voice spoke.
Soon the hall was filled with clamoring voices and indiscriminate chatter. Several resumed card games, holding their poker faces while others smiled, having taken a peek at the hidden cards during the silence. Others grabbed their spoons and mugs, stuffing their faces with various foods and drinks.
Nero turned towards Vergil, who gave the younger hunter a look of caution. Nero returned it with a nod and the two shuffled off to the side aiming for the nearby staircase. The two sought to use a window to peer down into the street. As they rose to the second floor, they were greeted with even more tables and people in strange armors. Several mimicked their counterparts below, playing cards or ordering drinks. Others polished one of many blades laid upon the table before them, or examined the gleam of colorful gems and minerals. A few shouted across the way, with one blonde woman lifting her wooded mug into the air and waving it around. Vergil and Nero paid them no mine as they tried to spot a window with a view of the street. Spotting one with an excellent angle to gauge the outer surroundings, they circled around, passing by several tables full of people as they did. A hand reached out from one to grab Nero's, pulling him aback with the tight grip.
"Hey sa**ole s'was callin' fer you."
Vergil quickly turned around when he noticed Nero was not keeping in step with him, and caught the words that came from a scantily clad blonde woman. Vergil could only describe what she was wearing as "bikini armor", with reinforced metal plates covering only the most immodest of parts, much like some of her other counterparts on the floor below her. She was somewhat busty and quite bottom heavy.
"Dja hear me? Gimme 'nother mug o' ale, now."
Nero glanced up at his father, his look one of help to translate what the woman was saying. Vergil swiftly answered his plea, moving forward to take the lady's hand off his son.
"We do not work for this place," he replied. He then took notice of the strong scent of alcohol on her breath, as well as the red blush that adorned her face.
"And it seems that you have more than enough to drink."
"Ah?! Da **ck yoos think you are?" she said as her glossy eyes caught the sight of his white hair and beard, "I ain't got business witchu ol' man so butt out of it. Sides, who're you to tell me what I can or can't drink, eh?"
Vergil frowned slightly at her slurred speech, and she shoved her empty wooden mug towards the younger of the duo.
"One moar round a' ale, handsome! And make it snappy!"
Vergil glared at her.
"I said, we will not be serving you."
"Da **ck!?" she said as she slammed her mug down onto the table. "Mot*****ker! Yoos gos any idea who 're messin' wif, huh?!"
"Unless my vision is poor, it seems I am dealing with a childish drunk who cannot even look at her surroundings properly."
The blonde's face contorted in anger.
"Says that agains! I'll sho-shows yoos h-who's canon can't see!"
Vergil then let out a sigh, calming himself down.
"I apologize. That was quite rude of me. What I mean to say is that we cannot serve you at the moment. Please ask someone else to assist you instead. Nero."
The young man nodded and the twosome headed back towards the windows. However, the woman's anger did not subside.
Grabbing a hold of her own chair, the woman arced the wooden piece of furniture over her head towards the two hunters. The hairs on their necks stood on edge, and instinctively, both turned to bat away whatever was coming for them.
"Cindy!" a voice called out from beside her.
The blonde stopped her attack in mid-air, a few inches from Vergil and Nero, both in a stance ready to fight.
The three glanced to see an auburn haired woman look up at the blonde. She was dressed in a black corset with white lace, and tied off with a long purple cloth that mimicked a dress. Her figure was the reverse of her friend's, with her largest endowments being blessed on her upper body. She had a tired look adorning her face as she stared at her companion.
"Whas you want Erin? Si'm ins the middle a' something 'ere."
The redhead sighed and placed a hand to her cheek. "More like starting something. But please don't break the furniture. We just finished paying off our debt for the last tavern you were in."
"Tch," she said as she set the wooden furniture down. "Whas an I'm s'posed t'do then? Hit 'em with mah fists?" she asked as she got into a shaky boxing stance.
"As long as you just bruise them," she replied as she took a swig of her drink, "I don't want us to be kicked out because we broke one of the rules."
"Fine by me. Less danss grampa."
Vergil grit his teeth as he turned to Nero. Vergil nodded to his son, signaling to Nero the impending fight. He nodded back, and the two lowered themselves into their stances, preparing for the worst the blonde could deliver. They watched with careful eyes as the woman stepped forward to punch them. Nero took a step forward to meet her, his hands out to grapple the woman and end the skirmish quickly. However, they were swiftly interrupted by a short, skinny figure.
"Wait!" Someone cried out in a meek voice.
The blonde barely had time to stop, her body mere inches away from colliding with a small hooded figure. Two mugs filled with alcohol shook nervously, spilling some of their contents onto the try beneath them.
"Uh… you wanted a mug of ale, correct? And here, an extra mug as an apology!" the short statured figure shut their eyes tightly, praying that this meager little offering would work.
The blonde stared down the short figure, eyeing the drinks as she wobbled on her feet.
"Some meat would've sss-ealed the deal…" the woman began.
The short figure flinched, with beads of sweat beginning to form.
The blonde then reached forward with a deft hand, startling the short figure. A mug grasped in her hand, she quickly brought it to her lips and down several gulps.
"S'but nonthin beats a good drink! I'll letsss you off fer now."
The blonde then sat back down, and her redhead friend let out a sigh as she watched what had transpired.
"Good grief… well I suppose it's better than paying for damages again."
The short figure let out a sigh of relief, and set down the tray at their table.
"Thank you for your patronage. If you need anything else, just shout!" the figure said in a strained but cheery voice.
"Sssshure thing, sweetheart!" the blonde said as she downed another gulp. The redhead merely sighed once more and waved them off.
Vergil straightened his posture after leaning over to translate for Nero. Seeing the danger had passed, the duo turned to leave, but their hands were swiftly grasped by the short figure.
"And as for you two, come with me!"
With a sudden burst of strength, the two hunters were pulled forward by the meek figure.
"Hold! I do now know what you are doing, but we do not work here-"
"I know that! Just shut up and follow me!"
Nero gave his father a quizzical look before being dragged into a small room. No windows adorned the walls, with just a few oil lamps lighting up the room. A few other figures dressed in ragged clothes looked up at them, their gazes turning to the small figure.
"Eden, who are these people?"
The young figure pulled back her hood, revealing shoulder length silver-blonde hair, and a white bandage that wrapped around her head and ears.
"A few lost sheep who nearly started a fight upstairs."
"What?!" One of the men shouted as he got to his feet. "You idiots, do you know what you've nearly done?!"
"We don't work here," Vergil replied.
"Obviously NOT!"
"Let it go. I've already dealt with it," Eden said as she grabbed a loaf of bread and a few perishables, placing them into a clean blanket. "Here," she said as she tossed over the food. "Take these and go. And don't even think of coming back."
Vergil stared at the girl, her attitude completely changed now that she was out of sight of the patrons. He shot a glance towards Nero, who nodded in response. While the young hunter could not understand the words, the young girl's hostile demeanor did most of the talking to him. The two took the gifts and headed for the door at the end of the room. The eyes of the occupants stared intensely at the duo as they left through the small door and into the street.
Those inside quickly resumed what they were doing before the hunters came, and Eden propped her hoodie back on and walked towards the main room. However, before the back door could close, Vergil and Nero re-entered the room, and quickly shut the door behind them.
"Thought we told you to leave," Eden spoke to the boys.
"Guards," Nero said as he pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
Vergil looked at him in surprise, amazed that he picked up the language.
"What, I've been paying attention. I can say a few words now," he replied to his father's unanswered question.
"So you're not mute," Eden said, "So? Couple a' guards out there, the hell do we care?"
"We may have ruffled their feathers a short while ago," Vergil replied.
"Hah?! You stupid- shoulda known you dimwits picked a fight with the city guard," Eden said as she placed a hand on her hips, "So what? Ain't our ***king problem. Get out and deal with them yourselves."
"Would it bother you any, if we remained in here?" Vergil asked.
"Yeah, actually it would. So beat it!"
Vergil grit his teeth.
"Very well…"
However an idea sparked in his mind.
"We will just leave and be spotted immediately. I am certain the guards would not want to have a chat with the people inside the building we left. Since we are wanted men after all, but I'm certain they will believe you were not… assisting our escape."
"Tch… cheek little…" Eden began, "fine. But you better leave within an hour or I'm kicking you out myself."
Vergil smiled.
"Of course. We'll keep our stay as a brief one."
He then explained to Nero their disgruntled deal, and the others in the room went back to their business. Eden stepped back into the main room, disappearing from their sight.
The two hunters walked to a small table, whereupon they opened their small blanket and began to eat the foods Eden had stuffed inside. This gained the ire of a few of the others, who looked upon them eating with disdain.
"Something the matter?"
"Jerks. Of all the places you could have mucked up, you had to pick ours?"
"I apologize for the situation I put Eden into. I admit it was my fault for the woman's behavior."
"'Admit it was my fault,' dam right," the man said as he went back to picking leaves off an herb, "nearly caused us to lose one of our heads. Do you know how much of a hair trigger those people are on out there? Dam lucky Eden is fast enough to help you."
Vergil gave them a sorry look, his mind remembering their previous encounter with the messenger.
"I apologize… What is this place, if I may ask? Some sort of drinking place?"
"Tch. You're a third right. This is the Adventurer's Guild. Or at least that's what they call it. Boiled down it's just a place for hired mercenaries to earn a keep, eat, **it, and sleep."
The man then nudged the side of his head towards one of the walls.
"We have a bunch of private rooms available for anyone who takes a job here. Food and booze are free as long as you keep working for the guild."
"I see… isn't such a thing a loss of profit, then?"
"Tch… you must be from outta town. Places like these work cuz the Adventurers aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. In exchange for a bit of coin and a roof, they'll take on any job a noble wouldn't dare dream to do. 'N short, just glorified mercenaries."
"I… see… wouldn't that make them the same as you then?"
"Hah! The same as us?!" The man said with a guffaw. He placed down the herb he was handpicking and leaned over to the hunter.
"Listen up, we commoners are worth less than the dirt we stand on. To the nobles we have little value other than being fodder for whatever they want to do with us."
"I fail to see the difference then. Those people outside do not seem like nobles, so why do they act as though you matter so little to them?"
"Because power rules everything here!" He said with arms stretched wide. "Listen, those guys outside only get their special treatment because they're good at fighting. Most of them are commoners, or disgraced nobles who lost their titles. They're addicted to that power trip. They know that without that one quality the nobles would treat them like they treat us. So they stick to that line of separation, because they know what happens if they were to fall beneath it."
Vergil listened with resentment boiling within him.
"And if we're gonna be completely honest," the man continued, "no other dam commoner out there ain't any different. Be it for whatever reason, we desperately want that power ourselves. The power to be free from fear that we might be the next body in the corpse wagon. And not a single one of us wouldn't dare stab another in the back if it meant we could get it."
Vergil grit his teeth.
"And what about friends," he said as he eyed the other occupants, "or family?"
"I said 'for whatever reason,' didn't I? Sure, you might do this for your family, but I'm positive the person who said that wouldn't mind stepping on the dead bodies of other families just to keep theirs safe. And as for friends-" he said as he glanced at the others in the room.
"Not a dam one of us here wouldn't kill another just for a shot at that power. And I'm no exception."
Vergil narrowed his eyes.
"Even Eden?"
"Hmph, maybe not Eden. Girl talks likes she's a hard case but she's all soft on the inside. The only reason she doesn't snap at the adventurers is because she knows better than to give them lip. Girls like her end up dead faster than any other."
"Then why were you so worried earlier when I had nearly started a fight?"
"Honestly, I don't give a s**** if your **s gets beat into the ground. But it's our establishment, so any problems you cause gets shared between all of us here."
"So you were only concerned with our own skins."
"That's how life works for us," the man said, spreading his arms wide, "cept, maybe Eden. Like I said, girl's too soft on the inside."
"It did not appear that way a moment ago."
"Hah! She puts on a hard face for the rest of us, but she would've let you stay if you begged. Like I said, that kinda attitude is what makes your back easy to stab."
The old hunter shook his head. He turned to Nero who looked for a translation, though he understood the severity of the conversation judging by his worrying glance. Vergil answered his question as best he could, with Nero drowning in disgust after.
Suddenly the door burst open. Two people, dressed in rags, held another bloody body in their arms. Eden quickly followed behind, shutting the door behind her.
"Clear the table!" she shouted.
"Tch, another one?" the man complained as he turned to Vergil and Nero.
"Oi, you two, move it."
The two hunters shared a glance before thanking the blanket of food off the wooden table. The bloody figure was hastily thrown on top of the table, coughing droplets of red fluid from his mouth.
Eden quickly manifested a roll of bandages and rages, and immediately began applying first aid.
"I thought you tried your best to avoid fights," Vergil said as he looked upon the wounded man.
Eden glared at him, but quickly shifted her focus to dressing the man's wounds.
"This isn't from a fight. He was picked to entertain," Eden replied.
"Entertain?"
"Yeah. Commoners here are good for three things. Serving food, serving booze, and being used."
"As long as you don't kill us," the other man said from his seat, "Nobles said it's too much work to replace and clean up after us. Other than that, you can do whatever you want inside the private rooms. Whipping, torture-"
"R**e," Eden finished.
Vergil scowled.
"And yet you still work in such an establishment?" he asked.
"Makes no difference if we work in here or out there. At least in here we have a bed to crawl into at night," Eden replied.
The old hunter shook his head.
"The more I hear about this place, the more sick I feel. And the nobles pay high prices for their services?"
"Che. Like they'll pay some random people who are just barely above commoners in social standing full price," the young girl replied.
"They get paid dirt cheap for whatever they do. Assassinations, enforcers, whatever the job. But nobles know better than piss off a bunch of people who can actually fight back, so they set up the 'Adventurer's Guild.' By sacrificing servants they don't want or need and a little bit here and there for food and booze, they can get some quality work done that their weak servants can't do themselves."
"And this turns a profit?"
"If it were just hiring thugs?" Eden asked, as she tied another bandage, "Then no. The real money is in stuff like that."
She pointed her chin towards the herbs that the others were picking at.
"Plants?"
"Not just any 'plants'. Rare plants and herbs. And other things too. You know those monsters mages summon as familiars?"
Vergil narrowed his eyes. "I am aware."
"Well those are the friendlier of the bunch. They got more nasty cousins that aren't afraid of humans roaming about out there."
"And?"
"And those cousins are where the money lies. See, monsters like that have really valuable assists. Some make excellent coats and wear, others have excellent meat, or hide and bones for armor and weapons. Others have excellent excrement that nourishes plants like those. Some even know how to garden and plant rare seeds. Extremely high quality herbs come from them, and the monsters guard them like treasure. Apothecaries are mad for that kinda stuff, and then you get some monsters that can grow minerals or gems. I don't think I have to explain how those are valuable."
Vergil nodded.
"Lastly there are some who are just straight up nuisances. They either terrorize towns by bulldozing through them, or monopolize a food or material source for themselves. They're not worth much, but to the nobles they're like rodents. So they hire exterminators to get rid of them. Can't be bothered to clean it up by themselves."
"I thought some nobles were mages or knights. Are they not able to battle such creatures?"
"Tch. 'A waste of valuable assets,' they say. In short they're either too lazy or too disgusted to place their hands in the mud, so they get their servants to fight them off or gather their materials for them. When they started to drop like flies, they figured to use people who can actually fight, but won't be missed if they screw up and become a monster's lunch. But, they still make sure to pay them less for their services, about 20 times less than market price for monster parts or rare items, and tens times less for clean ups. Then they sell their produced goods that WE have to clean and organize, and make a killing."
Eden paused for a moment to grab another set of bandages.
"When the nobles started seeing the gold pile up, they realized the same people can be used for… other tasks, so a place was created to organize and hire these people. Thus, the Adventurers Guild was born."
"I see… and all nobles do this?"
"If the task is too dangerous, yes. Otherwise they go back to breaking the backs of other commoners. Whatever is cheaper and more efficient. If they were able to get adventurers to sleep in the dirty alleyways like other city commoners, they would just save a few coins."
Eden finished tying the last bandage, and wiped the sweat from her head. She then turned her attention to the old hunter.
"But it ain't just nobles. Places like the official offices and Mage Academies use servants and this place too. That's how they can get the materials needed for their business and classes without having to spend too much of their budget."
Vergil widened his eyes at this revelation.
"Even Tristan Academy?"
Eden stifled a chuckle.
"Tristian's actually one of the good ones, ironically. They still use servants, but they don't send them on dangerous tasks, nor do they hire from the guild. Everything expensive they get by buying from the merchants, even if it's overpriced. The mechanics couldn't be happier about that. If it weren't for the reputation and the fact they pull in more donations from noble families like no other, they'd be dead broke by now."
"I see…"
"Didn't used to be that way though. Not until the current principal took the reins did they change. Only other place that treats commoners with any decency is in the capital. But most of them do so just to keep up appearances. Can't let the nations know how badly they treat their lower class."
The young girl looked up at Vergil with a sad smile. She pushed aside a lock of hair that fell into her eyes.
"What about you? Have you ever been treated badly?"
Her eyes lowered as she responded. "Of course."
"Is that why your head is bandaged?"
"What other reason would I have for putting it there? Lots of people like slamming my small head into things, so this at least catches some of the bleeding."
Vergil nodded slowly. He then turned to Nero, and translated their conversation. A few minutes later, Nero's face contorted in anger, and he nearly slammed his fist into the wooden table in fury, until he realized that it would just cause more work for Eden and the others.
"Y'know I didn't wanna do things your way, but maybe we should just grab Dante and cut these guys down. I'm sick of hearing how they treat people just because they're poor."
"As am I. But we'd be no different from the devils if we do."
"Yeah, I know… fudge, there has to be something we can do."
"Our options are unfortunately limited, and we are in no position in the school to assist in this matter either. Unless you can find a way to rob the nobles of their gold, then I fail to see how we can help."
Nero's eyes then lit up.
"Dad, you're a genius!" he said, much to the shock and appreciation of his father.
"Can you ask that girl something for me?"
"Hmm? Uh, of course. What is it?"
He then smiled and said, "ask her if she's willing to quit her job, cuz if what I have in mind works, then we're gonna need a lot more hands on deck."
—o0o—
Clipping the last wooden fastener to the line, Dante and Saito stepped back to admire their short work. The maids' clothing were hung neatly, with droplets of water gently hitting the grass beneath them.
"Ah, you've finished already!" Siesta said.
The two foreigners turned to see the raven haired maid exit the wooden entryway, a small tray in her hands.
"I hope you don't mind some warm honey water. I also added in some lemon juice for a little extra flavor."
"That sounds completely refreshing, thank you."
Dante took a glass, and Siesta moved to offer the other to Saito.
"Ah, is this tea?" he asked.
"No, she said it is honey water with lemon juice."
Saito gave a blank stare at Dante, who brought the cup to his lips and took a few sips. He then noticed Saito's stare and hit himself in the head.
"Sheesh. There I go speaking the wrong language to the wrong person again. I really am getting old."
The hunter coughed once into a fist and quickly said, "Sorry. She said it was water with honey and lemon juice, not tea."
"Oh! That sounds refreshing!" the young teen said as he took thirsty sips.
Siesta took the moment to speak her mind.
"I apologize. Did you and your friend wish to have something else to drink?"
Dante turned to the young girl, and flashed a bearded smile.
"No, not all. He just wondered if this was tea."
"Oh? He drinks tea?" the young maid asked.
Dante quirked a brow.
"Is it very strange?"
"It is. Tea is only served for nobles, not commoners."
"Does that mean none of you drink tea?"
"Yes. We have to make do with water, but other than tea leaves we can put in whatever we like."
Dante took another look at his drink now, seeing the yellow fluid in a new light.
"It's quite strange that your friend is able to drink tea. Are commoners allowed to do so where you come from?"
Dante nodded.
"It is actually extremely common where he is from. Everyone, from the commoners to the more wealthy can drink tea when they like."
"Really? That's incredible. How are they able to afford such a delicacy?"
"It is very cheap. About one silver I think?"
"One silver? What do you mean?"
"One silver coin. Per cup."
"Which one? We have two."
"Two?" Dante asked with a raised brow. "Do you not use a gold, silver, and bronze coins?"
"Bronze? I've never heard of such a coin. Our currency is measured in Écu, which is our gold coin. Then it's broken down into sol, and deniers, with twelve deniers equaling one sol."
The old hunter scratched his head.
"That sounds familiar… I may remember my brother telling me about this a long time ago. I must have forgotten. When I heard the selling man ask for a gold coin, I guessed you used a gold, silver, and bronze coin."
"I see…. Are those the coins you use back in your home country?" the maid asked with a tilt of her head.
"Uh… It is more different than yours. Yet still a tiny the same."
"Oh, may I ask how?" Siesta asked with a curious glint in her eye.
"Our… country is very different, so it is hard to compare. It is one of the reasons why tea is so common that even commoners can have some for themselves and guests."
"I see!" The maid said with a hand to her mouth. "Then it sounds like a very generous country to offer tea at such a low cost!"
Dante gave a small smile.
"It has good and bad things, just like every other country."
The young maid was taken aback slightly upon hearing those words. She looked away while she spoke, in barely a whisper.
"Some have more bad than good it seems…"
"Sorry, did you say something?" Dante asked.
Siesta put on a bright smile. "Nope! Nothing at all!" She replied.
"Please enjoy your drinks. I have to help prepare the kitchen for dinner," the maid said as she retreated into the building.
Dante raised his glass in return, and motioned to Saito to say his goodbyes to the young servant. Siesta returned both with a smile, and returned to the kitchen. She swiftly opened the doors and walked in, perfectly integrating herself into the cacophony of people preparing for the evening meal.
The only sounds that broke it were the rambunctious voices of a small gang of students who barged through the large cafeteria doors.
Their leader scanned around the large room, spotting his target among the shuffling bodies.
"You!" he yelled out.
His scream caught the attention of the entire staff, but it was the eyes of the raven haired maid that he stared back into.
"I should've known you were the type to snitch. You dirty filthy commoner… did you enjoy watching me suffer?! DID YOU?!"
Siesta glanced around in confusion, as did the other staff members.
"Do not start to act like your mental capacity! Your pea brains were already false in believing that I would not think to come and find you."
Once more the servants looked around in confusion. The entire kitchen staff however looked exceedingly nervous at the boy's rising aggregation.
"You should have run instead of laugh, commoner. Because now I will have my revenge in the humiliation you brought upon me. And this time, there is no Professor Colbert to defend you."
The staff all collectively gulped as they watched the young man and his cohorts approach them. In spite of this, however, the head chef boldly stepped forward to protect his staff.
"Listen. I don't know why you are angry at us, but any and all complaints are to be filed to- AHHH!"
A powerful blast of water sent the rotund man sailing over the kitchen counter, colliding with several large pots and utensils.
"Head Chef Blaise!" one of the maids called out.
Several staff members quickly rushed to his aid, but one by one they were all blasted away by the stream of water magic from the young mage. In the end only one figure was left standing among the ruined kitchen: Siesta.
The young mage stood before her, and the raven haired girl stood defiant in the face of their attacker.
"What do you want with me?"
"…what I want… is for you to suffer."
His two cohorts grabbed the maid by her arms, and forced her to her knees. The young mage then reeled back a kick to her face, making the maid yelp in pain.
"Did you think it was funny?! Did you enjoy my mockery!?" he said between kicks.
"I- AH! Have no idea- Gah! What you are talking about!"
"LIAR!" He said with a harsh kick to her stomach. The young maid had to fight to keep her lunch down in her now throbbing stomach.
"You know EXACTLY what I mean! My punishment! Colbert berating me in front of all my peers! Sitting out in the hallway with a "Dunce" cap on my head as I wrote "I will not harm the servants of Tristain Academy," a hundred times in a letter to send to my father! Did you not think that I would not know that you told the professor to elicit such a mockery of me for your own amusement?! Did you now think that I wouldn't see through your shallow attempt to hide your motives for revenge?! DO YOU THINK I. AM. A. DUNCE?!"
He once more kicked her abdomen, and the sharp pain made the girl spit. However, the boy was not satisfied just yet. He grabbed her chin, and forced the young girl to look up at him through half lid eyes.
"Look at me, you swine. I will make sure to pay you back tenfold for what you did to me. You will not walk out of this place in one piece, and neither will any of the other pigs here. I will make an example out of you, to show all commoners in this circus who is, and always will be in power here."
"B-but… the school rules… state that-"
He swiftly cut her off with a slap.
"Do you think I care about the school rules? My father is a wealthy donor to this academy. He will be more than willing to assist me to convince the fools who run this place to overlook this matter."
He stood up, and walked over to one of the stoves.
"I don't know why the headmaster even bothers to protect you people. You're worth less than the flies that feast on your worthless corpses and yet still he insists we 'treat you with respect.' Hah! What next? Shall we treat ants and cockroaches like kings and queens?"
His friends stifled a laugh as his crude humour, and the mage continued.
"Perhaps we should elect them to be our next monarch! No doubt you piles of dung would cheer to see your kind flourish so well!"
He then set a kettle on top of an open flame, having filled it to the brim with water. He then added a few tea leaves and watched as they sank to to bottom.
"Such a dangerous fantasy that would be. All of you commoners think too highly of yourselves these days. You believe that you are capable of something, that you can even be allowed to punish one of us! Well… it's time to remind you where your place is."
"P…please… we did nothing wrong. It was you who used magic on the pot-"
"SHUT YOUR FILTHY MOUTH! All I did was impart some well needed discipline, and you and your consorts think you can ridicule me to your heart's content!? I am merely trying to restore the natural order of this place! But you had to be villains and give in to your hateful temptations to finally pull one over on us, didn't you? Instead of staying quiet like the mutts you are, you dared to raise your voice against you masters, and now your own fangs will bite back at you, and I will take great enjoyment in doing so."
He grabbed the kettle which began to whistle with steam.
"Open her mouth," he ordered.
The two restraining her placed their grubby hands to her lips, but the young maid definitely tried to shake their hands off, keeping her mouth shut.
"I said 'OPEN,' YOU SLU*!"
He kicked her once more in the stomach, and this time she could not keep her lunch down. Vile spat onto the floor as the two other mages used their hands to pry her mouth open.
"Rejoice. You commoners do not usually get a chance to drink tea, so I hope you relish this occasion."
He raised the kettle over his head, aiming for the boiling hot fluid to pour down the young girl's mouth.
Siesta widened her eyes, and struggled to break free, but her strength was sapped and her movement proved fruitless. As she watched the mage begin to tip over the kettle, she did the only thing she could do in this situation. She screamed.
What followed after was the sickening crack of a fist meeting the young mage's face.
—End of Chapter 10—
AN: Hello hello! Happy Thanksgiving! I know I said this chapter would come out a few hours after the first, but time managed to get away from me. The next two chapters detailing this little arc's conclusion will come out soon, hopefully by the end of the week. Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays and wonderful Thanksgiving! Stay safe and have fun everyone! And keep maintaining that Smokin' Sexy Style, peace!
P.S. Can any of you guys guess where Cindy, Erin, and Eden come from? Here's a hint, they're all famous but nameless characters from a side-scroller. They are quite OOC in this fic compared to their origins, however. Comment if you think you know where they're from!
