Hello, my dear readers. Sorry for the long wait; this chapter which I thought would be much easier to write, turned out to be kind of a pain in the ass. (It seems like every chapter I thought was going to be easy to write became a right pain in the ass.) Anyway, like the previous chapter, this one is also a massive hybrid of all of the earlier prototype versions of this chapter.
The next chapter should, in theory, be easier to write, but I'm not going to hold my breath this time. I'm writing with caution as I start the Summit Arc. This should make the most essential part of Episode 4 much more exciting and impactful to the characters and the storyline going forward.
Now, like last time, I have to Guest reviews I would like to address. (The second was made just hours earlier, and the timing could not have been more perfect.) Also I can't tell if this is the same person or just these guest reviews just happen to think alike.
Review responses on FFN
Guest 1: When you do get around to introducing Yumina, I can't wait to read Alex's reaction to her announcement declaring him to be her husband. You mentioned that some of the characters will be aged up a bit so how old will she be?
So, I won't answer this question directly, because it will be answered in the text in the next chapter. But all of the girls will be at least to have no less than a 3-year gap with it comes to younger ages. As if older women might be involved in the harem, since I mentioned before that Leen will be excluded. For that question, we will take a look at the second review.
Guest 2: When we reach the Journey to Mismeade arc, instead of some random dragon fledgling attacking the town, let it be Tio from "Commonplace to Strongest". As harem tropes go, having a masochist pervert is hilarious and Tio is a dragon with personality worth adding to the group.
So...I'm not going to lie. I really like this idea, and I'm actually kind of mad at myself that I didn't think about this. Mind you that I do have plans for that dragon attack in Misemde that won't make it random. (This is something I considered when looking over the changes I am making to the storyline.)
And thankfully this idea doesn't change much when it comes to those plans, so it is possible. That being said, I won't spoil anything to come, but idea is being seriously considered. I just don't want to give a 100 percent yes, until I am sure about being able to implement it without interfering with the tone of story I plan to use during those events.
Now, for an extra special message for my readers.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I know this is a niche story in a niche series in a niche fandom, so it's unlike MHA. I never expected to get much of an audience or traction with this story regarding numbers. But boy, all of you have proven me wrong. I'm inching closer and closer to breaking the 100 favorites and follows mark on FFN. And only 2 more kudos way from the 50 Kudos mark.
Which again, for a niche series, I'm surprised that I somehow found an audience that seems to like what I have going on. So, again, thank you for taking the time to read this crazy ass story I had originally cooked up on a whim and a bet. Now, with all of that said, please enjoy the chapter.
In Another World With My Smartphone: The Lost Hero
Chapter Eighteen: Fortunes, Gangs, and Etiquette Training
"Sages told the king that prince Siddhartha would become a Sanyasi, To avoid it, king kept him within the luxuries of the palace for years. When prince went out, he suddenly saw sick, old, dead and suffering people. He became a Sanyasi. Had prince gone out and seen suffering from childhood, he would have become used to it like we have. He wouldn't have become a Sanyasi. Telling the destiny and avoiding the destiny are a part of destiny."
― Shunya
"Damn it..." The young man quietly cursed as he made his exit out of the now desolate warehouse. The bells rang out early that morning, letting the people know that the day had started. Businesses opened, streets quickly crowded, and life continued in the sleepy little town of Amanesque.
For Alexander Springfield, however, it marked a dead end in his impromptu investigation.
The American had finally returned to this town where he had first met Yae on a fact-finding operation before the Summit. Walking casually down the familiar street in unassuming clothes and a null magic spell to disguise his face. To anyone else, he was a simple laborer on his way toward the business district to earn his daily bread.
"Looks like they really are smarter than they looked, or at least the ones in charge are," Alex admitted under his breath. '
Just like before when the gang had managed to sabotage his party's rented cart under their nose. These criminals had again been one step ahead of him and had relocated their headquarters likely soon after the attempt on kidnapping Sushie had been thwarted. Where they could have relocated, Alex couldn't say, and it didn't help that he couldn't remember the names of the gangsters when he had first tailed his initial suspect, so he couldn't search for them on his phone. Too much time had passed, and so many things had happened, which left the American with no leads or answers that could lead him to administer justice to be served for not just the attempt on the Duke's daughter but for the seven guards who died in the line of duty. The only name he could remember was someone with the name Paro, but after a search on his phone turned up blank, Alex assumed it must have been a code name or pseudonym.
'It wouldn't help to get a lead if one of the noble houses attending the summit could have been behind the kidnapping,' Alex lamented as he entered the business district. He hoped to spot any of the many thugs that had tried to accost Yae weeks ago. Still, given his limited time before he had to start his etiquette training in the Duke's manor, it wasn't likely that he would actually find anyone before he had to leave. 'Welp looks like luck isn't on my side today.'
As Alex made one last turn in his little patrol, he casually passed townsfolk who were simply going about their business. The young man froze as he saw the familiar sign that had stirred his interest the last time he was here.
Madam Fortunata's insights into the future.
Love? Fortune? Status?
It could all be yours with the wisdom of lady luck.
'Huh...I forgot about this...' Alex realized as this was the original reason for his small tour of Amanesque after Yae had joined their quest. It had been too late to get his fortune checked last time, which led him to that suspicious person who turned out to be a gangster. 'Just trying to come here the first time led me to cash and status, now that I think about it.'
'Well, I guess I can actually give it a chance since I'm here now,' Alex figured with a shrug of his shoulders. He still had some time to kill and some coin in his pocket. He was curious enough to see whether this Madam Fortunata was legit or not. Crossing the street, the young gave the door a few firm knocks before trying the knob. It opened without any difficulty, but a previously unseen chime rang out that almost made Alex jump out of his skin.
"Welcome, welcome, friend." A soft, silky voice spoke up from the side of the small hallway, which seemed scarcely decorated, save for a simple blue rug on the floor and curtains instead of doors. "Please come to the room on the right if you wish to seek my services today."
"Um...thank you?" Alex answered as he gently closed the door behind him and followed where the voice directed him. Pulling back the curtains revealed a surprise for the American who had been expecting an almost stereotypical set-up of heavy incense, mist, or smoke and a dark, purposely lowly lit room. Instead, he found nothing more than an average sitting room, albeit with all the windows and blinds closed, but the room was still well-lit. In the center of the room was a modestly sized table with a hooded figure seated on the opposite end, wearing soft-looking, dark purple robes that sported a pattern of silver stars and moons.
"It's not often I have a client this early in the morning," the presumably Madam Fortunata said, rising from under her hood and motioning to the empty seat opposite her in the same silky voice. "Are you in a rush to find answers?"
'I'm guessing she's starting her cold reading or just a lucky guess?' Alex quickly concluded as he resisted to roll his eyes. Clearing his throat, the young man was quick to answer as he took a seat. "I'm not really in a rush; I was just hoping to get some advice."
"Advice is for the common man. It is wisdom that you shall receive here, my young friend," Fortunata corrected with a hint of a giggle. "But, first...if you wish for honest wisdom, you must also be honest with me."
"What do you mean?" Alex questioned, blinking in confusion. 'Can she see through my illusion spell?'
"I dabble in piercing the veil to see what could come," Fortunata explained coolly as she placed her fingers together. "So, I am not easily deceived, my young friend. So please, do not try to fool me. I do not take kindly to those who try and insult my intelligence."
"I see," Alex sighed as he released the illusion spell and revealed his actual appearance. "How did you know?"
"A million gold," Fortunata answered automatically with another girlish giggle as she folded her soft, young-looking pale hands in front of her. "I cannot reveal my secrets so easily."
'The hands look young, but she acts like a clever grandma,' Alex mentally noted as he made himself comfortable. The illusion spell was from Shera, who had a friend who had initially enchanted the Feyn Cloak for her before leaving Greenwood. 'Add that she's covering her whole head, and I'm willing to bet she's from Mismede. So this conversation just got a whole lot more interesting.'
"Very well, then, putting aside my first question," Alex continued, refusing to react to the outrageous price for the fortune teller's secrets. "How does this work? Do I just ask you a question or?"
"The real question is, how much value do you place on the questions you seek?" Fortunata answered with a slight tilt of her hooded head.
'Low cost, a cheap answer? High cost, a more thorough answer?' Alex pondered as he pulled out one copper coin, one silver coin, and one gold coin from his pocket and placed them in front of him in that order. 'I guess I can give it a try and see what results I get. Let's try something basic for the cheap answer.'
"Alright," Alex started as he slid the copper coin toward the woman. "Will I ever get married?"
"Yes," Fortunata answered without a moment's hesitation. The copper coin was whisked away before Alex could blink, only for both hands to return folded back into their original position.
'Heh, no real detail indeed,' Alex smirked, not realizing at the very moment Fortunata answered; several young ladies all across the land sneezed in unison. Most of them were conveniently back in Reflet. 'But it's also the most basic answer a hopeless idiot could get.'
"Next question," Alex continued as he slid the silver coin toward the woman. "My current job, how will it go?"
Instead of answering automatically like last time, the woman slowly extended her right hand.
"Place your hand on mine, but do not grab me, please."
'Palm reading?' Alex wondered as he did as he was asked. Gently, Alex placed his right hand on the woman's open palm, expecting her to flip it over and examine it. Instead, the young man felt something strange, as if a connection was being formed. Alex managed to resist the instinctive reflex to pull his hand back. Finally, whatever connection there was ended without any incident, and with a simple touch, the young man understood it was now time to pull his hand back.
"Interesting," Fortunata spoke as she pulled back her hand and grabbed the silver coin. "You are decisive with often sound judgments. Continue following these instincts, and do not falter even when if it seems like your fortunes will turn. They, along with those you trust, will steer you right."
'Just go with my gut and trust my friends? After that light show?' Alex wondered, openly showing his disappointment as he slumped into his seat. 'At this point, would spending a gold mark even be worth it?'
"You didn't place much value in your inquires," Fortunata spoke up as she shook herself with a soft click of her tongue. "If detailed answers to all of life's mysteries were given so cheaply, then what would be the point of living?"
'Your answers are basically fortune cookie bullshit,' Alex wanted to answer back. He looked down at the last coin that shone brightly with the light; the crowned lion minted on the coin, looking proud. 'Fuck it...let's humor her and see what this brings to the table.'
"Fine, last question," Alex spoke up as he slid the gold coin forward; it was time to ask perhaps the most damning question of them all. "Why am I really here?"
'Answer that with no context now,' Alex smirked confidently, expecting the woman to ask for more details. Instead, like before, she extended her right hand again. His smirk instantly dropped as he repeated his previous action and felt that strange connection again. Only this time, the connection was much more potent as he could feel their collective mana pool in the middle of their hands.
"Gently swipe the top of my palm three times," Fortunata ordered softly as she demonstrated how to do it with her free hand. "Allow the mana to pool and coalesce from there."
'Whoa...this is new...' Alex quickly thought in a brief moment of hesitation before doing as instructed. A pool of shared mana was gently placed on a table with a soft spin with every swipe.
"Allow the mana to stop on its own," Fortunata warned as she saw Alex motion to touch the substance before the spell was complete. The young man instantly retreated his hand and adjusted himself to sit forward. His curiosity now peaked. Three pools of raw mana spun in place on the table, slowing down to take a familiar shape.
'Cards? I like tarot cards?' Alex pondered as the cards finally stopped spinning.
"Flip this card first in whatever manner you wish while keeping your question in mind," Fortunata instructed as she motioned to the card on her right-hand side. Once revealed, we can piece together what the future may hold."
"Alright," said Alex as he flipped the first card while considering his burning question. The image on the card made him raise an eyebrow.
"The Stranger," Fortunata said upon seeing the card. It was a picture of a tall, featureless humanoid figure standing in a neutral fighting stance.
"What that does that mean?" Alex questioned, but Fortunata quickly shook her head.
"I cannot answer that until all the cards have been revealed. Please continue, and then we can see what the future could have in store for you."
Something about the woman's tone made Alex shudder. Where once the fortune teller's voice was haughty and playful, it now seemed more subdued, almost worrisome. The American wasn't sure if this was just a parlor trick to make him react emotionally or if she was being genuine.
Regardless, he wouldn't get anywhere by sitting there and doing nothing, so Alex flipped the next card.
"The wall," said Fortunata with a slight sway of her body as if she was trying to get a better look at the image on the card. Meanwhile, the card seemed blank to Alex, at least at first, but taking a closer look revealed tiny veins of a dark cement or some other kind of binding that held snow-white cobblestones together. "One last card."
Alex didn't even wait, flipping the final card with his question in mind. He ignored the growing anxiety he was starting to feel as the woman's voice turned into a whisper.
"The broken mirror," Fortunata declared, referring to the image on the card of a finely crafted mirror made of gold, silver, and other fine materials adorned with exquisite, finely cut gems. However, the mirror's surface was cracked like a spider's web and dull as a pewter spoon, making it useless for what it was meant for.
"Okay, all three cards are out," Alex took a deep breath as he settled back into his seat. "So, what does this mean for my question?"
Alex watched as the fortune teller grabbed each card and muttered something he couldn't comprehend under her breath. Finally, after a few tense seconds, Fortunata's shoulders slumped.
"The first card," The woman started as she placed the first card with the blank figure back on the table.
"When considering your question and how it will look upon your future. You have come to foreign shores, seeking a new chance at life. However, your past maintains a steady hand on your heart, if not your very soul. Whatever you have left behind remains unsettled, and that lays a thick fog in the future to come. You must unveil and unwound your past, which you still remain chained to if you wish to rid yourself of the fog and find your way forward."
Alex kept his face blank, but every ounce of his existence wanted to leave the room.
"The Wall. You have been seeking answers for quite some time, whether on purpose or stumbled by accident. You found some answers, but it has only led you to more questions. At the moment, you are at an impasse and unable to make further progress. However, based on the first card, you must take caution. There are many ways to get past the wall and towards the answers you seek, but each way has its own price to pay. Forcing your way can make you many enemies. While well-earned friends could allow you to pass freely and towards the answers you seek."
'Sounds like I need to earn my keep at the summit,' Alex quickly figured when considering that he was already friends with the having other friends in high places could lead him to find the answers he wanted.
"Finally, The Broken Mirror," Fortunata continued as she placed down the final card. "A fine prize, but what good is a broken mirror if it cannot do what it was meant for? In short, your path can lead to many wonderful treasures, but without anything of substance, you may end up broken beyond repair. When looking at all three cards, while your path will lead to plenty of riches and fame, it cannot replace the truest desires of your heart. A mirror you cannot use; shattered and dull, unable to see your true self, all you would see...is a Stranger staring back at you with your very own eyes. The reason why you are here? Only the gods can truly say, but if I may add my own opinion? I believe a wrong must be righted, and your link to the past is part of the solution."
'My dreams with the shadow that mocks me, I think he might be the stranger...a reflection of myself,' Alex realized as he subconsciously gripped the hand handles of his seat. 'The one that temps me with more power...One that could maybe let me go back home. But I haven't dreamt about him for weeks now. Instead, all of my weird dreams have been about that weird voice. No...I didn't have dreams about that until later...when I almost died the last time. I found the phone of another interloper, but I can't use it. Maybe...I'll find somewhere where I can fix it? Or maybe I have to find another phone of another interloper? The murals...the others who came before me? Does my link to the past just mean my old world, our old world? Goddamn it, so many what-ifs! '
Alex finally stood up from his seat and fished a few extra silver coins from his pocket.
"Thank you for your wisdom," Alex said softly as he placed the extra money on the table before turning heel and exiting without another word. He had a lot to think about for the rest of the day.
Madam Fortunata didn't speak another word as she collected the extra money from the table. Feeling incredibly tired after such an augury, the ancient woman decided to close shop early after draining more mana than she could have expected from such a strange young man. Yet, there was something of a pleasure in finding someone else who could change the world.
"Not since the day Jamukha sought my wisdom did I ever expect to find someone with such a powerful will," Fortunata chuckled to herself as she reminisced of days long past. As she changed the door sign to show that she was closed for the day. The woman allowed herself to remove her long, stuffy robes and let her long snow-white hair down and her translucent wings to breathe. "He used my wisdom to unify the Demi-human races and became High-King of Mismede. I wonder what you will become in due time, Alexander Johnathan Springfield."
"Now, in the year 725, Before the Great Merge, King Solomo ascended the throne after a tricky tribulation regarding succession between him and the former Crown Princess, Lyscya. Under the agreement made between King Emeritus Umberto and Queen Emeritus Meria, a compromise was reached between Solomo and Lyscya, known now as the Compromise of Regent Succession. Do you remember the terms of the compromise?"
"The first term was that they would get married, right?" Sushie answered after a moment of reviewing her notes.
"That is one of the terms," said Gerna, one of Sushie's many governesses, retorted with a slight shake of her head. "But not the first."
Sushie frowned as she looked over her notes again. It had been a while since they last covered this subject in between the refresher courses in Royal Court etiquette in preparation for the Summit. It also didn't help that the noble girl absolutely hated studying history as it was often long, tedious, and, worst of all, boring. Finally, after a bit more sorting, Sushie found her answer and relayed it.
"The first term was that Lyscya would acknowledge Solomo's succession despite being the original heir to the throne. Allowing him to become the full regent and not just a Queen's Consort."
"Yes," Gerna nodded approvingly. "The Kingdom was constantly in crisis until Solomo appeared with powers and knowledge that, when applied, began solving several of the country's ills and..."
'That sounds a little like Alex...' Sushie thought with a loving sigh as her thoughts wandered to the boy in question and drowned out Gerna's voice. 'I still gotta ask Papa if he can convince him to marry me.'
"Lady Sushie, are you paying attention?"
"Huh?" Sushie suddenly jerked her up as Gerna's snapping voice ruined her sudden daydream. "Y-yes?"
"Then what is the next term of the Compromise of Regent Succession?" Gerna continued with an unmistakable look of disbelief. "And no looking at your notes; I just went over the term not moments earlier."
Sushie wanted to curse the old woman for making her life so difficult. But after a moment, Sushie realized something: she knew the second term. The ironic thing was that her desire to marry Alex led to this term being enshrined in her mind not just for legal justification but one with a promising historical precedent.
"The term second was the Royal Court's acknowledgment of Divine Exceptionalism," Sushie stated more confidently as she thought about the boy to keep her going.
"Under the College of Pontiffs in the Temple of Stars. The then Chief Pontiff acknowledged Solomo as Divinely Blessed despite being a commoner and a foreigner, as well as his contributions to the realm and examples of repeatedly proven loyalty. This gave the royal family the divine mandate to adjust to the traditional succession originally enshrined by the Temple of the Stars. It also set forth the idea that this clause could be used in the future to permit traditionally unworthy marriage candidates into the Royal Family, provided they are acknowledged by at least two of four great estates to be Divinely Blessed. The first is the current ruling royal house, the second is the College of Pontiffs, the third is the nobility, and the fourth is the common people. This is how my mother got permission to marry my father, right?"
"Ah..." Gerna was surprised that not only was Sushie correct, but the answer was much more thorough than expected. "Y-yes. Your grandfather's null magic was considered a Divine Blessing. Despite his family's humble origins, the Royal House and the Nobility voted to permit your mother's marriage to the Cadet Branch of the Royal Family, The House of Ortlinde. So, I guess it should not surprise me that you would remember this clause, My Lady."
"Hohoho, I am afraid Sushie has her own reasons for remembering that particular cause in our marriage laws," a voice suddenly spoke up in amusement.
Gerna and Sushie turned their head to see Sushie's mother, Ellen, standing by the doorway with a smile.
"I see the lecture seems to be going well."
"Mother!" Sushie exclaimed happily, hoping that this meant her class was done for the day.
"Ah, yes, Your Grace," Gerna quickly responded with a polite and well-practiced courtesy. "Despite your daughter's usual distaste for history, she has been more attentive than usual."
"Excellent," Ellen responded, seeming pleased by the answer. "But forgive me, Gerna. We will have to cut class short today. We need Sushie to practice the procession ceremony in the great hall."
"Of course, Your Grace," said Gerna with another courtesy before returning her attention to Sushie. "My Lady, while class is dismissed early. You will still be expected to read through the history of the Compromise of Regent Succession and provide at least five examples of its use throughout available recorded history. You may include examples outside of your family's dynasty."
"Yes, Gerna," said Sushie with a polite bow of her head, knowing her mother was right there. Quickly collecting and organizing her notes, Sushie hopped off her seat and joined her mother at the doorway.
"Do you think you will be ready for the Summit?" Ellen commented after they were alone in the hallway, making their way to the manor's main hall. "We only have two more days to get ready."
"Yes, mother," Sushie answered with a slightly stiff face.
"Oh, sweetie, relax," Ellen said soothingly. "As long as we can get through the opening ceremony, you will find that the rest of the day should go by quite smoothly. Besides, we actually have several new activities that I think you'll enjoy."
"New activities?" Sushie questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, you'll see," Ellen answered with a vaguely tone and giggle as the two arrived at the great hall's entrance. They could hear a great flutter of various members of the manor's staff who were hard at work. Entering the hall, they found that the great hall had been temporarily modified to look more like the King's throne room so the family and guards could practice their routine for the procession ceremony.
"And one, two, three, four; one, two, three, four; excellent! Just like that," Leim could be heard saying approvingly as the Duo of Alex and Arne marched down the hall away with a pair of maids standing in place for Sushie and her mother, respectively. They both wore the more formal version of the Ortlinde House armored uniform. "Good, and pause! Now, draw your swords to salute the king seated on his throne."
Sushie and Ellen watched the two follow their given orders. Arne, an experienced guard with plenty of practice, followed the commands as smoothly and gracefully as a trained dancer. Alex, however, while able to follow the command, was much stiffer and hesitant with each movement, becoming painfully out of sync.
"No, no, Master Alex," Leim quickly chided the young man with a solemn shake of his head. "You have the march down, which is good. Now, you need to practice the ceremonial movement of the sword. Master Arne, please demonstrate the drills with the sword and..."
"Ah, there you are." Both mother and daughter turned to see the Duke of Ortlinde himself seated by the wall next to the door. Nearby was a large table that seemed to have what appeared to be several staff members playing different kinds of games Sushie had never seen before laid out. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun, from board to card games. "I would like for all of us to have a couple of practice runs of the procession ceremony before lunch."
"Should we not wait for Alex to get more practice with the sword drill first, my love?" Ellen questioned in a soft tone.
"Normally, I would agree," said Alfred with a nod. "But it is also important for Alex to know all of his parts in the ceremony besides the ceremony salute. The House Guard detail is a tradition that tends to be one of the most memorable parts of a noble procession. Considering the last time we had a summit, this large one was for my brother's coronation ceremony."
"I see," Ellen nodded.
"Father, what are all of those games?" Sushie suddenly asked as she motioned to the table.
"Ah, yes," said Alfred with a broad smile. "I thought your mother would have told you on the way here."
"I wanted to keep it a bit of a surprise, dear," Ellen interjected as she motioned to a card game that was set up with a trio of chairs. "Then again, just about everything Alex brings tends to be quite the surprise."
"So, Alex brought all of these?" Sushie wondered in amazement.
"Indeed! I asked him if he was familiar with any fun games we could introduce at court," Alfred answered with a proud grin, clearly pleased with the results of his request. "Needless to say, I have only expected one, maybe two games. Alex brought eight games, though some reused elements from the others. Such as this...Chess and Checkers games that use the same kind of board but different game pieces."
Alfred then motioned to the card game that was set up for them.
"This one here is a card game called...Uno, I believe? Young Alex told me that this is one of the most popular games in his homeland. It is a color and number collection game. I believe the goal is to be the first to play every card in your hand."
"Can we play?" Sushie asked excitedly with a hop.
"We can," said Alfred with a wink, knowing how to motivate his young daughter. "But only after lunch and only if we have good results. So if you do well, Sushie, you can play sooner."
"Okay! I can do that!" Sushie exclaimed with another hop. "Watch, you'll see I'll be the perfect lady!"
"Then you will remember that a proper lady does not use words like you'll or I'll when acting as a perfect young lady," Ellen promptly reminded her daughter with a playful giggle, making Sushie deflate with a pout.
"Ohoho, let the girl be, Ellen," said Alfred with a hearty chuckle as he rose from his seat. "Come now, we should begin practicing at once!"
There are many gangs that run the underworld in the Kingdom of Belfast and the rest of the world.
One such gang, The Black Claws, has slowly but surely risen in power and infamy since its establishment years ago. For Conor O'Donnell, also known as Wild Wolfman O'Donnell, The Wolf Lord, or Lord O'Donnell among the other underworld bosses, the big boss of the Black Claws loved nothing more than good food, drink, and women to bed. With his gang's rise from their humble beginnings in Amanesque to now being able to reach the borders of the neighboring lands. Conor knew that at this rate, his power grew; it wouldn't be long until he could surpass his rivals in the underworld and even rival the King's.
At least, that's until recent events that had forced the Wolfman's hand to leave their hometown and find a new home. A group of outsiders had entered his town and wronged his crew not once, not twice, but thrice! Thrice, this damned party of adventurers had not only costed Conor gold to free his crew from the stockade escape the town before they could get their revenge and but somehow discovered their plot to kidnap the Duke's daughter and managed to intervene right as the ambush was launched!
His reputation was quickly damaged as word quickly spread of his crew's shameful defeat by such a meager party of adventurers to his many enemies, with no clue as to how this party of adventurers found out about their plans. Conor was forced to leave his headquarters in their hometown and relocate further southward. That being said, with the recent movements of Count Balasa's army, they were able to take advantage of this unexpected but not unwelcome change, allowing his gang the biggest score.
A small out-of-the-way hamlet, a few days march out of Amanesque, quickly fell with a short-lived fight with the resident's meager defenses. With their new headquarters established, The Wolf Lord could once again begin to make new moves and answer the insults and injuries done to his pride and reputation. The boss of the Black Claws would have never been able to climb his way up the ranks without ways to get quick yet thorough revenge. He sat upon his favored chair, which was treated more like a throne, carved from a black ironwood tree with a wolf motif and decorated with pelts and horns of the same beasts. The Wolfman pondered his next move as the messenger he had been waiting for arrived with the information he needed to make his future plans work.
"What's the situation, Radig?" Conor's underboss, Adolf, questioned on his behalf.
"Plenty of new info," answered Radig as he closed the door behind him, instantly silencing the sounds of revelry. Conor leaned forward with interest as the tall man reached the center of the room to deliver his report. A silent signal to allow his trusted lieutenant and messenger to continue.
"Go on," said Adolf with a nod.
"First, except for the rats that left us," Radig started up after pulling out a long scroll that contained his report. "We finally have the rest of the crew back. We're back to full strength and ready to get back into the action."
"Excellent, what else?"
"The next bit is about that Eashen girl; Paro confirmed that she wasn't a part of their party until after we tried to extract her debt from us," Radig continued with a frown. The incident in Amanesque had happened in the part of town he had been in charge of and therefore had gotten the lion's share of the blame for things going to shit. Much like Conor, Radig was determined not only to make up for his blunders but also to have his status in the gang restored.
"So these shits just...jumped into something that didn't even concern them?" Adolf questioned in disbelief and annoyance that a group of complete strangers had stepped in on their business. It would have at least been more understandable if they had been part of the same party, but total strangers? That just didn't make sense to him.
"Fraid so, boss," Radig followed up with an equally annoyed expression before turning into a smirk. "But here is the good news: not only is the Eashen girl now a part of the party, which makes finding all of them much easier. But we also have their names and the town they came from, thanks to Paro's inside connections after making sure Corvus was taken care of."
Conor suppressed one of his trademarked wild grins. His agent in the capital, Paro, wasn't exactly a proper member of his crew. Yet, his connections had proven invaluable time and time again. He never questioned how this strange man could have such a vast network, but he could never argue with the results it produced.
"Their names are Alexander Springfield, Linze Silhoueska, Elze Silhoueska, and Yae Kokonoe," Radig listed off with the same smirk as he pictured all of the ways he could get his revenge. "The first three were apparently based in Reflet, and with the Eashen girl now a part of their team, she is likely still with them based on other updates."
"Are you sure they're based in Reflet?" Adolf followed up with his smirk, which quickly turned into a frown.
Again, it didn't add up in the man's head, this time from a logistical perspective, even if they were rushing it. On the shortest route, it would still take five days at the minimum between Reflet, Amanesque, and the Capital. But that didn't explain how they could have returned without passing through any other towns besides Amanesque without at least tipping off their agents in such a short amount of time. Then there was distance; the other towns would have extended their travel time to at least three days, even with the fastest horses. Finally, how did they still manage to get there after they had sabotaged the cart? Did one of them just so happen to be a carpenter?
"Yeah, Boss," Radig affirmed, as he did not want to get in trouble for someone else's possible mistake. I've got the report here from Rudin. It turns out that this Alex punk has been giving us trouble since way before the Eashen girl. He's the one who got Sigen and Godnear arrested after they tried to scam those same twins with that Crystal Antler racket we had set up to get ourselves established there."
"That little bastard, he's the one who screws us in Reflet?" Adolf cursed with a growl; the crystal antler racket had been good for short-term profits but was supposed to be a stepping stone to placing a flag in the country's west. "But again, are we sure it's the same group?"
"Yeah, boss!" Radig repeated, motioning to the scroll again. "Rudin confirmed it himself. He says that he spotted them in Reflet and matched the description. Especially the Eashen girl; she's hard not to miss. But the good news is that he tracked down to the inn where they're all staying. Again, this Alex kid has been making waves there, and he's basically the leader of the party."
"Well, good for him, being the king of bumpkins and hicks," Adolf said sarcastically with another growl. "But how do we know how they both managed to escape our ambush and find out about our attempts to kidnap the Duke's brat?"
"Paro has a theory on the escape but nothing on how the bastards learned about the kidnapping," Radig answered uncomfortably as he nervously licked his dirty lips.
"And that is?"
"Alex might have some kind of null magic that allows him to warp," Radig responded with a shudder. He wasn't a fan of magic and could not use any himself.
"Then why did they need a cart?" Adolf followed up with a confused look as he turned back to look at Conor.
The Wolf Lord, however, simply smiled as if he was unbothered by such a thing. His clever mind was already hard at work with these new pieces of information. Hell, his instinct to move his headquarters was already paying off in case Alex's party decided to come knocking with the King's men if he did have access to some kind of null magic like that. That being said, even if Alex did have a spell like that, Conor was willing to bet that there were limits to this ability. Of course, getting more information to confirm this detail wouldn't hurt in order to raise their defenses against such an intrusion.
"Anything else?" Adolf continued, seeing that there was one last message Radig needed to relay.
"Yeah, we're not sure if this is related," Radig started up as he opened up the bottom end of the scroll to look at the final details. "But several of our scouts have reported about a group of elves in disguise that were seen heading west and avoiding all of the towns along the way."
"A group of elves?" Adolf questioned with a raised eyebrow as he turned to look at Conor. "Possible Mismede agents here to sabotage the summit?"
"Can't be, Boss," Radig quickly shook his head. "All signs point to the group coming from the capital, not going to it."
"Then...why go west?" Adolf questioned. "Mismede is south."
"We can figure it out later," Conor interjected as he spoke up with a deep, raspy voice. "We have more important things to deal with than a group of elves trying to lay low. Hell, we might be able to make use of them if we play our cards right. Join the rest of the crew in the feasting, Radig. But tell the other captains to prepare for my orders. We'll be going on quite the hunt soon enough."
"Right, Chief!" Radig exclaimed with a vicious grin and made his exit.
"You got a plan, Chief?" Adolf asked as Conor rose from his seat.
"Aye, old friend," Conor answered, motioning his underboss to follow.
"That I do, but before we act, we need to regain our strength and strike when they least suspect it. First things first, we need more cash. Start with the usual deals in the towns where we still hold sway. Then, we'll have a good chunk of the crew split up to start hitting the heavy-traffic highways. Time to start charging tolls for the use of the roads. With the Summit in full swing, with most of the armies of the noble being focused on the borders or around the capital. We can have the full swing of things here. We're looking at plenty of plunder for days on end, my good friend."
"Right, Chief," Adolf nodded along as the two stepped out of the house that once belonged to the hamlet's elder and into the grounds of their new home. While Adolf went to start getting the gang's attention. The Wolf Lord had done everything he could to assure the lads that the gang would pull through despite the amount of coin he had lost. Things would improve for all of them, starting with this quaint little town.
The man watched as his boys ate, drank, and gambled while a pair of the lads were currently in a drunken brawl in the middle of Hamlet's meeting grounds, much to the cheers, jeers, and laughter of the rest of the gang. All of the older male residents of the once peaceful hamlet had been killed; their bodies were mounted at various points as gruesome trophies of their conquest. Meanwhile, the screams and moans of the woman who had survived their onslaught remained to warm their new beds and served as music to his ears. Finally, the children were a combination of hostages and serving their new masters as they saw fit.
Overall, it was a fitting upgrade from their old headquarters back in Amanesque.
"Alright, listen up, you drunken sods! The Chief has a few words to say!" Adolf called to the rest of the men, who all stopped what they were doing as their leader moved to the center of and towards the massive bonfire set up.
"Tonight," Conor began with a confident swagger as he grabbed and raised a large tankard high into the air with some ale that spilled out. "As of tonight, we have confirmed that the family has been made whole once again!"
The Black Claws answered their leader's words with cheers and toasts, wildly slamming the tables, and some even howling like their leader's namesake.
"While we've had some setbacks," Conor continued as the cheers died down. He walked around the dancing flames, ensuring all eyes were on him. "We will remind the kingdom and all of those who wronged us that the wolf will always get his prey! Even now! At this very moment! We have our contacts in the other towns searching for that stupid boy with his whores!"
The Black Claws began to boo at the mention of the interlopers who their Chief had named responsible for possibly the biggest payout in their lifetime.
"Aye! While they may have escaped our form of justice this time! There won't be an escape for them next time!" Conor declared with a mailed fist, slamming against the long tables. "We have already found them! And when the time is right! We will get them!"
Again, the bandits howled their cheers at the thought of getting their revenge.
"But remember, lads!" Conor exclaimed with a wild grin that revealed several of his pointed yellow teeth, which gave credence to the rumors of him being a bastard sired of a wolfman Beastman. "We will take them alive! I want that stupid boy to watch as we have our way with his girls right in front of him!"
Many of the vile criminals let out sinister laughs at the idea, each enjoying the thought of how they might partake with each of the girls as their revenge.
"No matter how much they beg!" roared Conor as he slammed his fist down with every word. "We will not stop until the debt is paid! Of course, the debt will only truly be paid when I have the fool's head on a pike while his girls beg us to keep warming our beds for years to come! Now, how does that sound, lads?!"
"CONOR, CONOR , CONOR, CONOR!"
'You hear that, Alex?' Conor mentally declared as he reveled in the cheers of his comrades. 'We're coming to get you soon enough!'
Author's Commentary
So, the first scene was arguably the one that changed the most since nothing from the previous versions survived to make it here. I had initially planned for the first screen to be a meeting between Shera, Alex, and the Misemde Envoys. But it ultimately didn't work, no matter how many angles I tried to work it in. So, I again decided to push the screen forward, and now I think I have a solid way to still have that meeting but make it work.
The new scene was inspired after re-reading the story and remembering that I did want to employ the fortune teller at some point and decided to have some fun.
Now, I originally planned to have a scene that featured all of the girls back in Reflet doing their thing, but that scene alone was over 3k words long and dragged this chapter down. So, that scene will be in the next chapter and should be pretty fun as we get some much-needed answers. Instead, I wanted to add a bit more world-building with the history lesson and ideas on what may or may not happen in the future of this story.
Now for the final scene. Yep, the gang is back, and they're on the warpath. I plan to do more with the criminal underground throughout the kingdoms to get a feel for how Alex will need to keep up with his ideas of justice in a new world once certain things get established later in the storyline. Like I said before, while we will touch on similar story beats, there will be several new changes, developments, and more challenges for our heroes to face.
I think that covers it for now.
Until next time!
-ZX
