He felt a hand grabbing his foot and looked down to see the man was holding on, despite being at death's door.
"What's this? A last attempt at defiance?" He scoffed, pulling his foot away and brought his foot down on the man's head, pressing against it lightly but chuckled when he heard the groaning. "You're weak, Ozpin. I can't believe you managed to keep Salem at bay for so long, even when you had Aqua's help. And you had not just her at this school, but almost a handful of Keyblade Wielders to help you but you kept them in the dark about your little ongoing divorce. And I thought Aqua's Master and the King were naïve morons."
He pressed his foot down even harder on Ozpin's head.
"Do you know why you failed not just now but all those other times you tried to bring Remnant together? It's because you're afraid to exploit everyone around you to their fullest potential. Why did you bring Team STRQ on and give the Branwen Twins their ability to turn into birds but keep Summer Rose close instead of sicing her on Salem when you had the chance? You played defense for so long, eventually that Rose decided to sneak off and play hero." He chuckled when he felt the man stiffen under his foot. "That's right, Ozzy. Summer Rose went off to play the hero on a quest to save the world and she died doing it, breaking apart an already broken family and that's not even close to what she caused in the wake of her decision. But that wasn't the end of it, was it? You allowed the tinman Ironwood to play the role of crusader, letting him build up his armies, letting him turn Atlas into a military state and did a lousy job of reining him in when he decided he was the smartest man on Remnant with both guns in his hands."
He snickered, placing a hand over his knee as he pressed down further on Ozpin's head.
"You like to believe you're giving everyone a choice because that's what matters to you the most: choice. Only you did a very lousy job with that Pyrrha girl, appealing to her kindness and knowing it was unlikely she would turn you down and you only resorted to that because you sat back and watched, even when DiZ stepped in started practically doing everything for you, right up to the point that asking the so-called Invincible Girl to take on the heavy burden of being vessel for a broken power was the last card you had to play. Funny, I recall Salem saying you showed more of a backbone in the Great War and that was only after your enemies forced you onto the battlefield, reminding you that you not only had teeth, but you knew how to use them." He leaned forward. "Of course, Aqua gave you that win when she presented herself to you in that final battle and was begging you to run her through with your sword, but you still couldn't go through with it. Why did you sit back and let that tinman badmouth you to the politicians rather than calling him out for his own incompetence? Why did you refuse to drag Raven Branwen back here kicking and screaming when she ran back to her tribe, betraying her team, her family and you to go around robbing and killing with the rest of her rag-tag thugs? And why is it you kept Aqua and the others at arms lengths when they could have been the literal key to stopping all of this?"
He removed his foot and stood over the downed Ozpin.
"It's because like I said, you can't bear the thought of exploiting those you recruit to fight against Salem. Knowing Raven and Hazel, they would say you treat your subordinates like pawns, but I can see it's much deeper…and even more pathetic than that. The real reason why you keep the secrets you keep, even from your closest allies is because you tried to bear the weight of the entire world on your shoulders, seeing it as your responsibility and yours alone to continue the fight against Salem. You asked for Ruby Rose to come here with the idea she would be an asset to you but also because you knew with her Silver Eyes, she would be a target to Salem sooner or later and thought you could protect her by having her here as a student." He snickered. "Only that worked as well as keeping the Fall Maiden safe under your precious school. Let's not forget how you were fine with letting them sneak around behind your back, doing their own investigations, causing mayhem on the streets, and literally letting them run off to play hero at Mount Glenn. Though they decided to keep the knowledge of the White Fang moving their operations south a secret until they could reveal it without getting into trouble so that one is on them, but you certainly encouraged their 'Let's Play Hero' game. You, who had all of Remnant trembling in the final moments of the Great War and here you lie in a pitiful heap, Ozma."
Ozpin managed to lift his head, one eye glaring up at him.
"Wow. Look at you, defiant to the end and not even a word to argue on your behalf." He chuckled and knelt down to better face the man, smiling under his mask. "To think, in the old tales you were a warrior of great renown, but you slipped. You hold back against your enemies out of meaningless fear of getting innocent people caught in the crossfire, even if it would have saved countless more lives down the line. This is why you fail, you shoulder everything, the truth of your fight with Salem and the truth of the Gods themselves, all that alone. You are soft, naïve, wanting to believe in the best of everyone no matter how many times they prove you wrong and at the end of the day, you're the one who is left to pick up the pieces."
He grabbed Ozpin by the head and lifted him until he was mere inches from the masked face.
"Do you know the difference between you and Aqua? How she, as Empress of Mistral was able to rebuild it from the ground up and into a shiny kingdom of hope, a brighter beacon than even your school? She was never focused on protecting the Relics or defeating Salem. It was never about winning or prolonging the fight." He explained slowly and condescendingly. "It was all about giving those around everything she could give to make their lives worth something, teaching them to be fighters, defenders and even the closest of friends. Her journeys through the worlds taught her so much and she used all of that knowledge as she could, even when the title of Empress was forced upon her by Salem in an ironic twist to punish her for that crystal she left your ex-wife in for over a century and for using the Sword of Destruction to destroy her memories of her…Just like she did with you that one time. I can't believe you never held that over her head but that just reinforces my point. She knew and understood that sometimes you would have to do very bad things to get very good results and she wasn't afraid to that, not when she marched to war with you and was willing to sacrifice herself to end it."
He dropped Ozpin's head and stood up, kicking the old headmaster in the face and watched as he slid back.
"She understood that in trying to defeat the darkness, it would only make the darkness stronger, so she focused on the light, giving it to those in need, even you. And this is how you repay her. Or was it because you felt guilty for what happened to her during the Great War or when you failed to protect her as a member of Team AEON that you pushed her away?" He summoned his Keyblade and pointed it at the downed Ozpin. "I wouldn't want you to die without knowing this so I will tell you here and now: Beacon will fall today but the Four Kingdoms you founded to protect the Relics have already fallen, destroyed by the very people you trusted to protect them!"
With that, he unleashed a blast of dark light that engulfed Ozpin, burning his body away and blasting through the walls of the dark underground chamber.
Atonement VIII Part 3
Long were the days of training the Happy Huntresses as their new form of training continued. Still there at least three more days left to replacing all of security for both Mantle and Atlas with the Schnee newest programming system and security.
Robyn Hill had been feeling different lately with the training that Ansem has been giving her along with her group. There has been slightly more progress lately. Her semblance allowed her to distinguish truth from lies but only from hand contact.
But recently she's trying to access a different route that the CEO had also theorized that her semblance may be connected to the five primary known senses.
"It is possible Miss Hill, that your Semblance's ability to detect lies from simply hand contact is just the beginning. In theory, if it evolves it could extent to all five of the senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight."
Even though the method of practicing by her first senses from her semblance by taking one's hand here and there their story is they're speaking the truth or lie. The Schnee staff would take her hand and tell either a lie or a simple but honest truth. The goal was the constant use of her Semblance would force a small but gradual evolution.
Rather simplistic, but Ansem admitted that his beginning tests were meant to start off as simple before submitting more complicated tests that would hopefully lead a Limit Break as he had called.
In theory, if Robyn's Semblance gained what he believed to be a Limit Break, it would allow her to use her Semblance without hand contact. She would be able to tell truth from lies simply through seeing, smelling and hearing her target speak. It sounded a bit unconventional, but Robyn had seen the results of the earlier volunteers of Ansem's research.
Her direct hand contact not only revealed the color of one's aura showing green for truth and red for lies. Hopefully, she could see their color of aura or even notice their true intentions without touching them. Especially here in the reaction of one's heart, even if they have a highly skilled facade their hearts can always reveal the reactions of their truths that they are lying as Ansem stated. Even her sight if she was able to see not the same way when she touched someone if they are telling the truth or lying but knowing there's true intentions if their ores are lighter if they speak the truth and if it's dark it reveals they have dark intentions.
It was something to be excited about but right now, Robyn Hill has been taking a little bit of a rest for now before resuming practicing her semblance again. Right now, she was taking a chance to explore more of the manner, running into Ansem who had walked down a flight of stairs into the main foyer.
"Ansem, sir." Robyn Hill spoke to the CEO. "Though I am thankful for the effort you have shown in helping me with my Semblance, it got me curious why you chose this idea in particular. You seem heavily invested in improving my Semblance which is more than I say for certain people I've known over the years."
"My wife told you about my mother-in-law long ago, correct?" Ansem asked rhetorically to Robyn who nodded. "She had a very special and unique ability with her Semblance, in particular a way that allowed her to know one's true intentions That's why she was always on guard with people just like Jacque Gele. It because she knew that he was not truly trustworthy."
That surprised Robyn. How the previous matriarch knew who were trustworthy and those were not.
"That is right, her Semblance in particular was not only connecting with other people's hearts but also sensing dark intentions. Especially from a man who wanted everything and what he was planning to do afterwards." Ansem said with a scowling tone in his voice, having known Jacque Gele was nothing more than a greedy slime ball long before his true intentions had been revealed. "The problem that is she could prove it without evidence to prove who was the guilty party and the innocent."
Robyn understood the situation like that. The problem was words go far but without evidence of the truth of their actions it'd be a heated debate argument of their word against the other.
"That led her to propose the test that Nicholas would propose to Jacques and me for the position of CEO of the Schnee Dust Company. She believed this test would properly show both our intentions, which it did. If not for outside assistance I likely would not be standing here, and Jacques would be the one married to Willow and running the company." Ansem continued. "It's a slippery slope but if you have the wisdom to properly hone this Semblance of yours, you can perhaps be a great inspiration to both Mantle and Atlas. It would never hurt to have someone like you helping to keep an eye on the so-called elites who keep wanting to partner with the SDC."
Robyn conceded that Ansem was right about that too. Even if they looked well-mannered and good looking deep down they could possess malicious intentions. Not only to the homes and families of Mantle or anyone else they deemed lower than themselves but to many others for within and outside this kingdom. That was why she wished to evolve her semblance like the rest of her team was doing. She also wanted to reach a better understanding with the CEO of Schnee Dust Company.
To see his perspective more often.
She felt she was getting a glance within the gallery of fine arts area that seemed to be all throughout the Schnee Mansion. Lining the walls were not just pictures and frames but also marbles statues of people positioning themselves, creatures of majestic forms, and many other showing constructive buildings that had been made into reality by the SDC. Robyn Hill never considered herself a connoisseur of culture of arts but being here in the Schnee manor she's pretty much wondering should this be a home of an successive billionaire or a grand museum of art and style.
She saw all the suits of armor that Nicholas Schnee himself used during his days before retirement and one of the few armor suits caught her eye. While these suits of armor were not so big like the other ones, these few were more style uniquely than any other, the shape indicating they were meant to woman's suit of armor with a cape that was colored ocean blue. Robyn then noticed that armor was completely silver.
She was about to go get a better look at it when concentration was broken by Ansem getting a notification noise on his Scroll. "It appears Genera Ironwood is coming over."
After the incident the general had been visiting Ansem more often. Though she was warming up to Ansem, she was still somewhat apprehensive about Ironwood, given his actions in drafting students from Atlas Academy into his Military Specialist Program, taking much needed Huntsmen from the frontlines and ensuring they answered only to him. Robyn had faced pressure herself during her time in Atlas Academy but chose to work down in Mantle with the rest of the Happy Huntresses.
Hence why she had been overhearing a not too secretive conversations between Ansem and Ironwood about how the general had been keeping secrets of what Arthur Watts been doing, that he should have informed Ansem that his friend was not truly who he thought he was and how she should have had that man barred from observing the Limit Break test for the General that had almost gotten him killed. Given the success of two applicants evolving their Semblances so fast and to a level that could be considered Limit Breaks, the general had seemed more to Ansem's opinions to work not just with the military side but the citizen side as well.
Some people will not learn their lesson the easy way unless they learn it the hard way.
After the notification Ansem typed on his scroll to send out the message for others to meet him where he would be meeting the general.
"Miss Hill," Ansem spoken to her. "Care to join me meeting with General Ironwood"
"Don't mind if I do." She responded. "I also want to know what exactly did general didn't tell the reporters of the news media about Arthur faking his death. Why wouldn't he withhold that information?"
"On the contrary Miss Hill, this will allow you to understand much more than you realize." Ansem answered her.
She looked at him quizzically while following him to the meeting room in the manor, walking down the halls admiring all the marvelous pieces of art and work, even the floral arrangements made it look lavish and homely that made it quite welcoming. After a minute they made it to their destination and the doors open to the room where their meeting at in the steady room, full of literature and knowledge and books even a fireplace away from a cozy seen to it. Waiting inside the room sitting down in one of the chairs nearby the fireplace was James Ironwood along with two members of the Ace Ops, Clover and Harriet waiting patiently and…
"Well, this is a surprise." Ansem noted with a small smile.
Robyn followed his gaze over towards a young girl with blond hair and blue eyes. Her hair draped her over her shoulder, and she had rosy cheeks and pale pink lips. She wore a white dress with short shoulder blue sleeves that ended at her thighs in an embroidered lace pattern with a navy-blue skirt. She wore white gloves on her hands that traveled up to her elbows and white stockings that stopped just below her knees with white high heeled shoes.
With her was an older a middle-aged woman that has very light-blonde hair tied back in a bun with a curl hanging down the right side of her face. Her eyes were bright green, and she wore thin ovular glasses over them. She had dangling teal earrings that match the hanging pendant on her collar. She wore a white long-sleeved, pleated blouse that has a wide keyhole neckline and gauntlet cuffs that flare in pleats at the wrist.
Her lower body was covered by a black high-waisted pencil skirt with bronze buttons and black fading into brown stockings. She wore black boots with bronze heels and a cape that was purple inside and black on the outside.
"Namine?"
Robyn turned her head to see Winter with a girl younger than her but a few years older than the blond one who smiled. "Weiss!"
Weiss smiled as she walked over, sharing a respectful look at the woman who nodded before giving the girl named Namine a hug. "I'm so glad to see you."
Namine hugged Weiss back. "Me too."
"Uh…" Robyn leaned in to whisper to Ansem. "I think some introductions are in order."
"Or course." Ansem nodded and gestured to the girl. "Robyn Hill, meet Namine Goodwitch. General Ironwood's daughter."
That threw Robyn for a loop.
Did he just say…daughter?
General Ironwood had a daughter.
"And this her mother, Glynda Goodwitch, Deputy Headmistress of Beacon Academy." Ansem then introduced the woman next to the girl as Weiss and Namine pulled away from their hug.
Glynda nodded to Robyn. "I have heard of you, Miss Hill. Though most of it comes from the General so you may feel free to interpret that however you like."
"I'm…surprised, honestly." Robyn admitted, glancing between Glynda, Namine and then Ironwood. "I never would have thought the General had a family."
"Our jobs make it difficult, but we look for times to be…together." Glynda threw a look at Ironwood who glanced away.
Robyn had a feeling there was more to it than that but decided this was something she was better off not looking into.
Lie-Detecting Semblance or not, there were some lines Robyn Hill would not cross.
"Wiess, how about you take Namine on a tour around the mansion or even go out and see some of the sights around Atlas?" Ansem asked his youngest daughter. "I know it's been some time since you two have seen each other."
Weiss had a feeling there was something important going on, but it wasn't her place to question and ask about since it was likely a military matter if it involved her sister, General Ironwood and the Ace-Ops. Her father was being considerate to her by allowing her to spend time with Namine, whom Weiss was a good friend with and giving a reasonable excuse for her not to be here.
So, she simply smiled and nodded. "I would be delighted to. Thank you, Father."
She turned to Namine, offering a hand and smile which Namine took after sharing a look with her mother who nodded back at her with a soft smile of her own. Weiss gently led Namine out of the room and was followed by Klein who quickly and quietly shut the doors.
With Weiss having left with Namine, Ansem turned to greet Glynda. "I must admit, I am surprised to see you would come all the way here from Vale, Professor Goodwitch."
"When Namine heard what happened to James, she was naturally worried." Glynda replied in a soft tone. "I thought a visit was in order and Professor Ozpin was more than happy to make arrangement."
"Well, it's a pleasure to have you here regardless." Ansem said before looking to Ironwood. "And how have you been?"
"Better. I am feeling quite well." Ironwood answered with a soft nod. "I see you brought Miss Hill with you. You know I requested to speak only with you."
"I offered Miss Hill the chance to join us. Whether she's formally part of your military or not, what happened in Mantle concerns her as much as all of us." Ansem spoke on Robyn's behalf. "Especially in wake of the proposal I plan to offer."
"Proposal?" Robyn asked.
"Yes." Ansem turned to face her. "Robyn Hill, though you are primarily focused on Mantle, what you think if I were to hire you and the Happy Huntresses for missions in and outside of Atlas?"
Robyn looked surprised. "Seriously?"
"Seriously." Ansem nodded. "You and your fellow Huntresses are a skilled team."
"And what would be we doing?" Robyn asked, putting a hand on a hip.
"Right now, there is some danger to members of the SDC, especially in Mistral due the fact of the Crimson Fang or the Red Fang or whatever they choose to call themselves." Ansem explained. "Too dangerous for simple security to risk their lives against."
"So, you want to send me and my team out instead." Robyn frowned. "We're now your glorified leg breakers?"
"With all due respect, Miss Hill I am treating you as a Huntress not a corporate thug." Ansem replied.
"And how are you doing that?"
"By giving you the choice to refuse. Before you say anything else, I want you to consider this offer carefully. As a Huntress you are skilled to fight against Grimm and other threat but since you primarily based in Mantle, I'm afraid that's not doing well for your plans to run as councilwoman." Ansem calmly replied.
Robyn raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"With Mantle's walls repaired and the city being upgraded to have a new and improved security system over the one left by Arthur Watts, the Happy Huntresses won't be able to do much what they were formed to do which was to protect and see to the health and safety of Mantle." Ansem explained. "At best, you'll be seen as a merry band of Huntresses who are making a loud noise to remind Atlas that Mantle still exists."
Robyn considered what she had been told and she had to admit that Ansem had a point. "Go on…"
"The best way to become councilwoman is by winning the hearts and trust of the people and you have a start on that but the new security and our own attempts to bring forth peace and content to Mantle will make it difficult for the people to vote for you if Mantle's needs are already handled and there is no worries for the people that would need assurances from someone will to stand for them." Ansem continued. "But you can still be seen as a hero by becoming a Huntress that answers the call for help from both and outside the kingdom you hail from."
"And…You are offering that?" Robyn asked skeptically. "How?"
"Well, I don't travel without some form of protection. You've met my bodyguards: Dilan and Aeleous." Ansem recalled. "And travel outside of the kingdom and taking on missions would help you build up the reputation not just in Atlas but in other kingdoms as well."
"I see what you're doing." Ironwood finally spoke up, having been watching the conversation with Glynda. "You want to turn her into a poster girl across Remnant."
Robyn scowled at Ironwood as Ansem answered. "In a way, that is true, but it would put her in a favorable position over other people who have their aspirations for a seat on the council."
That was true.
Robyn knew that Jacques Gele was an up-and-coming contender for that seat on the council she was planning on getting and it didn't help that he somehow got his hands on enough resources that it looked like he was about to launch his first campaign across Remnant. "You mean Jacques Gele, don't you? I read the papers too, Ansem and I know he's been making a lot of noise."
"It seems that Jacques Gele has come across some new friends. The Diamond Dust Company seems to be getting larger somehow and is no longer just a Dust trading company." Ansem admitted.
"So, you want to help Miss Hill get a seat on the council over him." Glynda stated. "Why not simply endorse her?"
"It would be one idea and the SDC could provide the money to allow Robyn to launch a full campaign in both cities, but it would make her look more like a political pawn of the company than someone standing on her two feet. It would also make her look like a hypocrite due to speaking out against certain Atlas policies in the past." Ansem remarked.
"So, you offer a way to make me look like a hero but what do you get out of it?" Robyn asked.
"A chance to help improve safety in not just Mantle but all across Remnant. You know I have considerable resources, including leads and sources regarding criminals and terrorists." Ansem explained. "I would not ask your Happy Huntresses to work for me alone and it would not necessarily be only with the Atlas Military if that's what worries you."
Ironwood frowned. "You would rely on Miss Hill over my Specialists? May I remind you; your own daughter is one of them."
Winter glanced between the general and her father and said nothing.
"I have not but I am aware that the Atlas military is barred from taking active roles in certain areas of other kingdoms. Simply sending in Specialists would be breaking international law." Ansem calmly replied. "I believe as Huntress, Miss Hill and her team could be invaluable in helping protect SDC personnel but also in tracking down Arthur Watts."
That caught Robyn by surprise as Ironwood stood up. "That is a military matter, Ansem. You can't bring her into this. Especially since to the public Watts is dead."
"With all due respect, James you cannot expect the military that Arthur himself practically built from the ground-up to be able to capture him." Ansem rebuked. "He knows your tactics, your recourses and knows where you are not allowed to set foot on. I believe Miss Hill and her team to be the ones who can help stop him before he becomes a threat again."
"He's a criminal on the run and we'll find him eventually." Ironwood stated.
"How?" This time it was Robyn who spoke up. "Everyone thinks he's dead, even you. The only reason you are listening to Ansem about Watts being alive is because he's been right about everything up to now."
"Miss Hill…" Ironwood sighed.
"If you are so worried, why did you even decide to label him dead to the public anyways. Post his face all over the kingdoms and eventually someone will see him." Robyn reasoned. "It's easier to catch someone when they are on the run with everyone on the lookout, not letting him hide away from a world that doesn't know he's out there. Or did you forget that keeping your little secret about him sneaking around behind your back was what nearly got you killed in the first place?"
"What do you mean?" Goodwitch finally asked, glancing between Ironwood and Robyn. "James hasn't kept any secrets regarding Watts."
"He did earlier." Robyn argued.
Ansem cleared his throat. "James neglected to inform me the reason why Arthur was moved to working with Dr. Polendina after his project was passed over. Because of that, I allowed Arthur his request to observe the Limit Break test for the general."
Glynda glanced at Ironwood, eyes narrowing. "You didn't mention that part in your report."
"I neglected to mention that part, I admit. I had just come back from trying to arrest Watts and my near-death experience." Ironwood reasoned, glancing away.
Glynda sighed. "So, Watts knows about Mr. Schnee's Limit Break test. Is there a chance he can replicate it somehow?"
"Not without considerable resources and close studies of people's Semblances." Ansem answered. "It's a very delicate study and truth be told; I'm still surprised how well the tests for General Ironwood and Miss Bree worked."
"No complaints here." Harriet muttered to herself.
"Then we should consider Mr. Schnee's idea." Glynda said, much to the surprise of Ironwood. "An extra team working in the criminal underground might make it easier to track Watts down."
Ironwood didn't look convinced, but Robyn spoke up. "Okay, sounds like this would boost my reputation but the whole point of me running for council was the same reason for forming the Happy Huntresses instead of joining the Specialist Program. The fact of the matter is, General is Mantle was left behind when Atlas rose up into the sky, no matter how much work was done for the people below and barely any resources we needed were funneled into your military and your projects. It was only after Ansem took over as CEO of the Schnee Dust Company did things really start to change. If I go ahead with this proposal, it will take me outside of Mantle which goes against the entire point of everything I've worked for."
"Not true, Miss Hill. At least not completely true." Ansem shook his head. "You know that as councilwoman you would have to consider the interests of both Atlas and Mantle, and you would have to work with General Ironwood."
Robyn looked to Ansem. "I'm aware. I fail to see how working outside my kingdom helps my chances."
"It will because you're the type of person who doesn't discriminate, no matter where you might be. Show the world the kind of person you are by not just being a Huntress but also as someone who would look for the interests of everyone from every kingdom. The four Kingdoms are in an alliance today but it's in the interests of its governments to keep this alliance alive."
Glynda raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you want to turn Miss Hill into a poster woman."
"I suppose that's one way to do but it would Miss Hill who does the work. Her deeds would spread far and wide and those ideals would take root in the hearts of the people she helps, both in Mantle and in the other kingdoms." Ansem explained, looking back at Robyn. "Simply put, you have the option to show the world you are not a simple politician or a glorified pencil pusher."
Robyn considered his proposal and the benefits he pointed out.
"You don't have to say yes, or even decide now. I just ask you to remember that trying to change things for the better does not mean it is only about Mantle. It is not even only about Atlas." Ansem held up a hand and placed it on Robyn's shoulder. "It's about trying to see if you can change things for the better everywhere. As a councilwoman or a speaker of the people, you would be both as a ruler and a servant to the kingdom you now govern. That means you have struggle to find not just the best options for the people but to constantly watch for ways to defend them and improve their lives up until the very moment your duty comes to an end. It's a daunting task, one that you will likely later consider to be the worst job you ever considered taking but with the right mindset and the right heart, it might just be worth it."
Robyn raised an eyebrow. "The way you talk sometimes…You almost sound like a king. I almost you should be head of the council."
Ansem chuckled as he withdrew his hand. "I'm afraid Her Majesty already has that job. Either way, I have said what I have needed to say."
Robyn had decided to excuse herself from the meeting following her discussion with Ansem and his offer. The paranoid pessimist part of her wondered if Ansem was simply wanting to use her and the Happy Huntresses to deal with problems that hindered the SDC but she knew from the way he spoke to her with such honesty that was he being honest, even how technically it was making her effectively a posterchild for the SDC and Atlas.
Still, there was merit to his words.
In the meantime, Robyn recalled that one armor she got interested in moments ago. She decided on going over to see that armor again wondering why it stood out from the others. When she made it to the room, she finally got a chance to see that silver armor with a blue cape that is ocean theme. The style of it drew her in and a sense of nostalgia coming over her from back when she was a little girl.
"I see you are interested in my wife's replica armor." An unknown elderly voice spoken to her.
Robyn turned her attention tore the unknown individual. It was an elder man wearing a suit of armor but when she got a better look at him her eyes went wide and she immediately froze. It had just dawned on her she had almost brought out her crossbow on the retired owner of the SDC himself.
"Y-You're Nicholas Schnee. The greatest man ever lived." She said to the elder in a voice of surprise and reverence.
The elder man chuckled. "Indeed, I am young lady. Although, I wouldn't say I am the truly the greatest man that ever lived. I'm not mistaken you must be Robyn Hill leader of the Happy Huntresses if I'm not mistaken."
She nodded to him, still too stunned to speak.
"You don't have to be so uptight or shocked in my presence. I'm just saying retired monarch of this company. Even though I'm still kicking to do many more under my retirement." He turned his detention to the suit of silver armor. "No matter how many times I look at this suit of armor I still remember the great things she had done for all of us, saving me from that dreadful Grimm: the Frost Fiend. After that she was quite skilled in many other things even in the helping the academies training those to become the next protectors. I was quite attracted to her as a young lad and persistent in trying to marry her. She didn't just change my life, she made it better for me and everyone else around her."
Robyn listened to the Schnee patriarch's story of his wife and his company until a certain rumor came to mind long ago.
"...Sir, there are some rumors I heard regarding your wife. Is it true she was one of the descendants of the legendary warrior herself 'The Ocean Knight'." She asked.
Nicholas turned his attention to and smiled. "Yes."
"No. It can't be true." She said disbelief, since it was a common belief the Ocean Knight was simply a legend or someone whose armor and weapon had been passed down again and again until they were lost.
"My son-in-law told me that your semblance is capable of revealing the truth and lies correct." She responded with a nod toward the elder. "Then let me lend you my hand to tell you again but what you will know the secret between the two of us. I will let you speak with my daughter if it's all right with you and your close friends that are here if they agree to keep this a secret. And that's a promise you have to keep."
She nodded compliant to his terms.
The elder man open his palm to the leader of the Happy Huntresses to reveal his truth. When she took his hand and activating her semblance.
"My wife is the Ocean Knight." He answered which turn green revealing that was the truth.
Robyn let go of Nicholas's hand completely shock of disbelief. That means Nicholas married one of the greatest people to walk the surface of Remnant. The Ocean Knight was known throughout history and stories. Lucky enough her jaw didn't drop completely off her because if it did it would have hit the ground and break like glass of the shocking reveal.
She always wanted to know the truth a lot of things and leave nothing hiding behind the shadows. Her Semblance was able to do that every time for her she always expects her powers to be useful at times and yet harmful. Although for this situation of knowing that Nicholas married the Ocean Knight. It took her completely off guard.
"Master Nicholas." Klein spoke out loud, searching for the elder. "Your family is waiting in the dining room along with his other guests. Do you still wish join them?"
"Yes, I would like to join." Nicholas responded. He turned his attention to the woman in shock. "Robyn, if you keep on standing like that even leaving your mouth open you may catch flies and the staff might mistake you as a statue. Although if you care to join us for dinner it's not a lot of times I rarely join the family with guest."
"Right behind you." Robyn snapped out of her shock following the elder and the butler to the dining room to join everyone for dinner.
She knew the rest of the members of her team wouldn't believe what she had discovered. Although first she needs to speak to Willow if she reaches a full agreement that her friends to keep this a secret too.
Everything was happening so fast and beyond amazing.
She didn't expect that Ansem was an orphan and part of the city of Mantle long ago. Even his children are descendant from Atlas and Mantle but finding out that the parents of Willow was not just St. Nicholas but that her mother was a legendary icon herself. If she ever had the chance her present self was pretty much going to ask her past self to kick herself so many times for her previous distrust. At least now she should be on good terms with them for here on in.
