Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

18. Act I-Ch XIII: It's Always The Butl-Ur

[ - Author's Note - ]

Sooooo... How about that poll, eh?

Well, let's look at the results.

Those who really wanted to see rape added? Four votes (5.33%) total.

Those that kinda wanted to see rape added? Eight votes (10.67%) total.

Those neutral on the matter? Also eight votes (10.67%) total.

Those that kinda did not want it added? Also eight votes (10.67%) total. None of them broke into double digits.

Those that really did not want to see it added?

Forty seven votes (62.67%) total!

To put it in perspective the strong no votes outnumbered the total yes votes by almost four to one. Hell, add the weak nos to it and it does cleanly go over four to one.

Soooooo yeah. Opinion heard, duly noted and taken in to account for later on down the line. I wasn't surprised by the strong no votes taking the lead, but I didn't expect such a crazy lead, nor the passion put into the replies on that chapter. But again, I have heard you all.

Anyway, with that out of the way, onward to this chapter.

Halbert is making his escape as he kidnaps Prim, the alarm is about to be raised and the conflict will come to ahead.

[ - Act I - Chapter XIII: It's Always The Butl-Ur - ]

Benterra let off a sigh as he watched the butler (Well, former butler), Halbert Oxford sneak around a pair of passing guards with his unconscious cargo vie the well's projection. He hid behind one of a pair of pillars set in one of the main halls waiting for them to pass; the pillars were placed as such as to give defending archers a place to safely hide behind while firing and crossbowmen to reload without being exposed should invaders reach that point. Sadly it also gave someone a place to hide behind when attempting to sneak about.

He huffed a bit as he took a moment to think. Of the over eight thousand worlds in the Kuroinu cluster Halbert Oxford only existed in forty seven of them; he wasn't a critical player in the cluster and as such his appearances were not guaranteed. Hell, there were worlds in which the very namesake of the cluster was not present, as rare as it was to happen. In twenty one of the worlds Halbert appeared in he died at a young age; in the same attack that ended his parents. In another twelve he would become a rather unimportant administrator in Ur, doing nothing of note. In nine of them his family survived and Halbert succeeded his father; with six of them being the cause of the uprising and the other three becoming a better ruler then his father.

That left five in which he ended up as a butler in Fortress Ur. One where he served as a good, honest butler until the 'Black Storm' (As this world was calling it, anyway) and he died (Failing at) protecting Prim. In another two he allied with those who offered him the chance and he would rise to rule Ur in the Cuntry. In one he would join to usher in the Black Storm only to betray his new allies to rule over all of Eostia. In that world Halbert half succeeded; managing to rule as a usurper but unable to fully rally the land conqueror's under him and making them fragment into factions. In the end that Eostia would suffer a decade's long civil war that would gut the realm and leave it weakened and conquered by neighboring states.

This Halbert, whatever fate he'd once have before, was now unwritten with James being dropped into the world. And now it was being rewritten to a new end that none of the gods knew themselves. After all they were taking a calculated risk by adding a Gamer into the world, but while the die was cast how it would roll was still up in the air.

"If your Avatar challenges him now in single combat, what are his odds?" Benterra looked back to the seats behind the well as they watched the events in Fortress Ur. Carlongera had returned and watched with them sitting in a seat as he asked the question. Beside him sat Debcorra who chewed on a thumbnail as she watched on nervously. Anncastel stood beside Benterra as she crossed her arms under her bust, one hand clenching the opposite arm's elbow and squeezing hard.

"Honestly if I were to guess? One in five or so." Benterra said, sighing. He turned to face the two seated gods as he rubbed the back of his head. "To be fair having magic and a variety of spells is an advantage he has against Halbert, and he's proven to be clever in fights before... But Halbert is nine levels higher, to a point of almost double James' level. There is a significant difference in stats and experience here. Going one on one is the worst thing he can do."

"Thankfully he has allies, but we've no idea how this can play out." Anncastel said before biting her lip as she squirmed in place. "This could be disastrous. If a duel were to break out our goals could be compro-"

Before she could finish speaking the whole temple shook roughly as an explosion sounded from a wall, a pillar knocking over to the floor. All four of the gods turned and to face the dust cloud left by whatever had happened, Carlongera as the most capable fighter of the four moving between the point of detonation and the other gods.

"Ka-Fucking-Boom!" A voice let out as another figure came out of the settling dust cloud with a laugh, grinning as she stepped in, arms out stretched. The woman wore a camouflage patterned sarong and bikini top... And a matching witch's hat with an upturned brim. In one hand she held an olive green staff that looked more akin to a tank's main barrel with a golden shaped bomb at the top with a red gem as the warhead. Heavy brown combat boots were on both feet with black laces, yet it boasted thick, four inch heels. She planted the butt of her staff on the floor as she grinned to them.

Her body was softly tanned with very wide hips and large breasts that hit J-Cup proportions. Her hair was red with orange tips, making it look not unlike flames, flowing to her waist in untamed, messy locks with one bang hanging over her left eye. Her right eye was covered by a blue eyepiece with a HUD flashing on it, held up by a black headset with a cup only over the right ear.

"Us Dammit!" Anncastel let off, growling as she glared at the newcomer. "Erin! Stop blowing holes into walls!" She let off as the newly arrived goddess laughed out at the other four.

"Ahhhh, it's not like it's hard to fix, we're gods!" The woman let off. Her name was Erinseala, the Goddess of Boobs, Butts and Booms.

She was mostly fond of the last one, to the annoyance of most of her divine peers.

"That's no excuse to blow things up, Erinseala." Carlongera let off as he huffed. They had to put up with her now?

"Yeah, well I heard from the pipeline that y'all were were doing a different sorta gamer thing, so I, uhhh, why is that butler kidnapping a princess?" She let off pointing to the well and the image over it.

"It's a bit of a story..." Debcorra said, sighing as she covered her face with a hand. She would get Erinseala up to speed while they watched on the potential train wreck that could come.

[-]

Inside one of his offices Samuel slumped into his seat. The good doctor Raphael Richardson had brought a maid before him with the sort of testimony that had confirmed his honest fears; Halbert had betrayed them, betrayed him. He tried to assassinate a young man who had saved and befriended his daughter, a young man he had come to see potential in. More over Halbert had tried to assassinate a guest of his, someone in his home, under his protection and within his care. That was a slight against him personally and not one Samuel took lightly.

He had brought Halbert under his care, tried to mentor the boy as Arburn had once mentioned him. He had tried to raise him as best as he could, teach him as best as he could but Halbert still nurtured a seed of hate within him. Still, he never gave up on the man, even eventually bringing him to work in the fortress to try and have more of an effect on him. For better or worse (For worse, by the looks of it) he never gave up on Halbert, never gave up hope that Halbert could be saved from his own hate, from himself.

He felt a hand fall onto his shoulder and turned his head to look up to his wife who gave him a sad look. Rose shook her head once as he gave a soft, sad huff. "I failed him. I... don't know what I could have done, but I failed him."

"No." Rose said, shaking her head once. "He failed you." Samuel knew his wife was just offering him her comfort as he sighed.

"No, I should have... done something..." He said, setting his hands to the desk as they began to clench. "We knew how he was. We knew he was hurting and needing help, hurting others with his attitude, we should have-"

"Sam." She said firmly as he paused in his words. "My love. You gave him all the help he needed. You reached out further then anyone else would have. But giving help means nothing if it not taken." She said, sighing as she leaned in, hugging his shoulder to her chest. "An outstretched hand will pull no one up if they do not take it."

He sighed as a hand moved to rub his back, a smile coming to his lips despite the situation. "I... I know that. In my head. But in my heart less so. I suppose with how much I wanted to do right by Arburn that I didn't want to fail Halbert, how much I wanted to make him into a good man. Something in him broke that day as his life was shattered before his eyes but I thought I could... I could fix his soul. I imagine I never could in the end; the hurt ran too deep. Or, rather, he embraced it where others would try and heal from it. ... Still..."

His wife tilted her head and leaned back to look him in the eye. She said nothing but he could tell what she said by her eyes alone. She was asking the question of what thought was lodged in his head now.

"Still, I wonder... Why did Halbert hate James so? He'd always been respectful to Barons and their sons before; even from Baronies struggling more then Mungale. I don't understand. The only thing different is how much Prim adores him."

Rose tapped her chin in thought for a moment, offering a soft hum before looking back in his eyes and giving a soft nod.

"Yes, you're right. Our daughter is the key to his actions, even if I don't understand why... Well, we can ask him in his cell later-"

His words were cut off as the door burst open, his Guard Captain Miles storming into the office. "A thousand pardons, M'Lord, M'Lady, but Halbert has murdered the men at his door and is loose in the keep!" The knight reported before the Grand Duke could utter a sound.

"Gods damn it. Halbert is just making a pain of himself this week, isn't he?" Samuel said as he stood up. "Where is he now?"

"I'm not sure. We've raised the alarm and I've sent our men searching for him." Miles replied as he gave a huff. "The walls are locked down, so we know he can't escape."

Samuel frowned deeper as he turned his head, sharing a look with Rose. He then looked back to the armored man. "No. He knows of a way out." He said as Miles stiffened in surprise.

[-]

To Halbert's relief Prim was still out cold. Any sounds or movements she made would have made his job all the harder. He had checked that he had all of his weapons stashed on his person before moving. Escaping his room at the start was easy; he kept the hinges to his door well oiled and the guards outside never heard him as he opened it. He killed the first guard before he could even move. The second had enough time to drop his visor into place and put up some resistance but he still ended him quickly.

As expected of low born filth.

Moving through the halls was tricky but possible; he knew the patrols and patterns of the guards like the back of his hand. It was simply a case of knowing what pillars he could wait behind, what side rooms he could go in and how long he had to wait. In a stroke of luck the maids would be working in other places within the keep; the keep had been divided into seven major sections for the maids to clean, cycling between each in a rotation with one day for each one. There were exceptions to the rule; the kitchen was cleaned once a day and the bathrooms as well. To avoid the maids all he had to do was avoid the one area they were working in and keep an ear out for any of them running a different errand, and Halbert had rather good hearing.

Of course guests and a few other members of the staff could come by, reasserting that he needed to be alert. Worse he overheard a pair of soldiers as they rushed past a room he hid in that they had to 'find the bastard', meaning that his disappearance had been noticed. He had expected he'd have another hour before the alert went up, but he was closing in on his destination; floor by floor, hall by hall.

Really, if there was one security fault he was glad for now it was that the security inside the keep was a bit more lax then one might expect. It came part and parcel with Fortress Ur being the most powerful and secure of all the fortresses. And being in the fortress tended to instill a level of confidence and ease in those meant to actually keep it secure which in turn made them lax and sloppy in their duties which in turn compromised the security of the fortress in question.

He hoped the Grand Duke would fix that after he had escaped.

Finally he peeked into a new hall. He was on the third floor of the keep and closer to his goal. He looked out to the back of the keep and grinned before moving to dash down the hall, footsteps loudly clacking on the floor. With the guards now alert and actively searching for him it was only a matter of time; more and more guards would be dragged into the search. Time was a commodity that he was running out of.

And then from around a corner came two maids, jogging. All three paused and for a moment there was brief moment of shared surprise. It took a moment to realize his own, loud, dashing steps masked the maids jog as their feet was on plush carpet before the turn, both situations masking their approach.

For the maids Alice (A petite, freckled, green eyed redhead with a long braid of hair) and Carol (A curvy, blue eyed brunette with short hair) they had been in a bit of a rush; they had woken up late for work that morning and it was only now near the end of their shift that they realized that they had forgotten the supplies for their last cleaning duties in another part of the keep the day before and were rushing to get them, otherwise they would end up getting a talking too. They expected to maybe suffer a punishment or be docked pay for their tardiness and sloppiness.

What they hadn't expect was to almost run into the Bastard Butler in the middle of kidnapping one of the members of the House he was sworn to serve. Both maids had an understandable reaction.

They screamed.

Both moved to run as Halbert drew a dagger from under his jacket, letting Prim's body go and just rest on his shoulder as he threw it at the now fleeing girls. Carol was struck in the back by the weapon hitting her point first and fell to the ground in a slump but before he could draw his second Alice had turned the corner, still screaming. "Guards! Guards! The Princess is being KIDNAPPED! HEEEEEEEELP!"

"Tsk." Halbert let off before dashing down the hall; not caring if the downed maid was dead or clung to life. He had to escape and take Prim away from the gathering turbulence...

[-]

A Few Moments Earlier
Second Floor of Fortress Ur's Keep

I came out of the library as we moved towards the stairs to head down to the dining room. I was curious about what books was about and while I didn't stop to really read anything I was amazed at how many old tomes and texts were about. There was also some interesting spell books and scrolls but I hadn't really looked at them yet. I'd save them for when I had some more time. While there we stumbled over Tiffany and Miria talking over books (A spell book for Tiffany, fiction for Miria. I didn't know what kind, she didn't let me see the title) and talked briefly. Cress was also on hand, sitting at another table with a book on the history of musical plays; even if half of it was spend shyly looking over the top of the book to watch Miria.

When I left the library they all decided to come with me to the dining room, the seven of us walking down the hall. Yes, seven of us. Tiffany, Miria and Cress of course, but also Makoto who was staying by my side as my bodyguard as well as the two fully armed and armored guards that were still assigned to me. After all until this situation passed I was still considered a target for assassination.

As we went along we saw Alicia and Carmen walking over to us. I offered a wave and both waved back and both had a grin of their face; as if two cats had gotten their canaries. "I'm guessing with those smiles there's good news to be had?" I asked as Alicia nodded with a smile.

"We found a maid who saw Halbert with the Spellbinder Flowers. Miles is off to take him to the dungeons now." Carmen said as she pumped an arm. "We got him."

"To be fair, we got a bit lucky." Alicia said, sighing. "Until it came up we couldn't find anything solid. None of my schooling helped in solving mysteries like this; I thought I would do well but I feel as if I needed the clues spoon fed to me in the end. Makes me feel a bit silly in retrospect." She said as her shoulders slumped softly.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Alicia." I told her, smiling as I reached out and set a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure you did as well as you could; you're a smart enough girl." She chuckled slightly and gave a soft smile back to me.

"Thanks. I don't think the praise is so warranted, but thanks." The blonde replied, shaking her head just before Carmen pressed into her back, looking over Alicia's shoulder to me.

"What, no praise for me?" The bodyguard let off as she grinned to me. I rolled my eyes and poked her on the nose.

"I'm sure you took notes for Alicia very well." I said to tease her.

"Hey!"

"Well the important thing..." Miria said as she moved to stand next to me, smiling softly. "Is that you proved Halbert is as guilty as sin. He'll get what he's got coming to him, and I for one couldn't be happier."

"Feeling's mutual here." Carmen said, smiling back to her, moving to stand next to Alicia, arm resting on the knight's shoulder and leaning on her softly. "He's been a pain in my ass for years. Hell, since the moment I set foot here. I'm going to enjoy watching him squirm."

"While I don't have the history with him as you do, I admit I will enjoy his squirming as well." Makoto said softly as she nodded once. "Attempting this sort of murder has no excuses. And now we can take our ease with this event done and over wi-"

"Guards! Guards! The Princess is being KIDNAPPED! HEEEEEEEELP!" A female voice screamed loudly making us stiffen. The voice could be heard from the stairwell. The voice was a bit distant, and while clear enough to hear it was only just audible with our conversation. And once I made out what was said my heart sank. And I had a good view of Alicia and Carmen's faces; their faces had the same expression as mine; shock, worry and dread.

Before we could even move a loud bang followed by a series of thuds sounded as a knight fell out of the stairwell and landing on the floor with a grunt. Dashing from it with Prim over his shoulder was...

"Halbert!" Myself, Miria, Alicia and Carmen all let off as we, along with Tiffany, Cress, Makoto and the two knights made to dash for him. He seemed to ignore us, rather jumping to the window, the butt of his cane glowing with some sort of technique as he slammed it into the windows at the lock, breaking it and sending them swinging outwards with almost enough force to break them off their hinges.

(Side note: The windows were magically reinforced so even if they hit the ground they wouldn't break; they opened to allow archers to fire outside and could be pulled inwards for cover when fighting in the halls.)

Windows broken open he leaped out of the second story of the keep and upon landing with a grunt dashed towards the garden. I was the first to the window and jumped out, using Levitation to fly down to give chase, Carmen and Tiffany doing likewise. Alicia, Cress, Makoto and Miria all followed Halbert's example and jumped out, but not as far forwards as the butler did. The two knights followed last, stopped at the window and took a moment to figure out that jumping out the window in heavy, steel plate armor was not a good idea and turned to head into the keep; to get to the stairs and give chase or report what was going on, I didn't know.

Halbert had a bit of a head start on us but as soon as my feet hit the ground I gave chase, the others following as he went, oddly enough, for the hedge maze of all things. "Is he an idiot? He's not escaping by going in there; we can surround it and chase him in!" I grinned seeing him turn inside the hedge maze. Trapped like a rat in a maze, literally.

"No, no he's not." Carmen said as she grit her teeth. What did she mean? "There's a portal gate at the end of the maze as a final means of escape if Ur was ever breached! It's a secret known only to the royal family and a few, choice aides like myself... And Halbert!"

"A portal gate!? Shit!" I let off. Okay, now devoting so much room to a hedge maze made more sense. A portal gate was a rare sight; difficult to make and and took a large, high quality, expensive spell stone to make. As in buying the stone likely cost the same as the keep. I suppose you could use a spell orb to make a gate, but it would have to be an ungodly large one. As one might guess by the description once the gate is turned on you go though it and you're transported somewhere else. Where? Who knows!

It depended on the gate but there were two options; a fixed location and a choice of locations. In the fixed case you would always go where ever it led. In the other case you could choose to go anywhere you wanted within a certain limit of distance. In the first case if Halbert made it there we could still pick up the trail. If it was the second...

"The Gate has a range of seven miles." Carmen let off panting as we slowed down, letting the non-mages catch up. "If he gets to the end of it, he can pop in anywhere within that range." Crap. If he got to the gate he was as good as gone.

"We can't let him get there then!" I said, gritting my teeth. "Let's fly over the walls and-"

"Can't; there's an anti-flight spell over it!" Carmen quickly replied. "It also acts to blow missiles away." I groaned in annoyance.

"Shit. Tiffany, can you use a summons to track Halbert's position over the maze?" I said as the blonde nodded, pulling her spell book out. She quick casted a creature from it; a ladybug creature with a sword and shield and directed it to fly up and over the hedges as I lead everyone into the maze, making the same first turn as Halbert did as I watched for any sign of- Wait, we had a way to track him!

"Miria, can you sniff him out?" I asked my sister as she nodded, moving to the lead, sniffing and making a turn.

"Prim but on some vanilla perfume; it stands out like a sore thumb here!" She said, grinning.

"The maze's hedges are magical as well. They shift each night." Carmen said as we followed Miria. "It's impossible to know the maze's pattern." We made another turn. The path was five feet wide; a little restrictive but once we caught up to Halbert that would work to our favor; we could have Alicia take the point and fight Halbert head on as our tank and have Tiffany summon a new creature to back her up in melee. Myself and Carmen would be the second line; backing them with spells and if Halbert did get past them we could fight in melee. Cress had his sword with him, so he'd be with us. Miria didn't have her bow but did have a short sword on her, she'd be behind him. Tiffany herself would be at the rear, acting as healer and directing her summons. "And worse... There is a way to change it while inside of the maze..." Camren added as I worked out the battle plan.

"Wait, what do you mean there's a way to-"

"Heeeeelp! Help! I can't cast I, ahhh! Halbert! Put me down this instant!"

"Prim! We're coming! Hang on!" I called back as I hear Prim crying out to us as Miria led us through the maze.

[-]

Hedge Maze of Fortress Ur
Moments Earlier

When Prim awoke it was to spots in her eyes and pain in her stomach, the ground moving before her eyes and something pressing into her at the hips. She groaned and looked about as it took her a moment to realize what was happening. "Halbert! What do you think you're doing!?" She let off, squirming about on his shoulder as he jogged briskly, his arm holding onto her around the thighs to pin her to him. She struggled, her abs still sore from the strike and arms bound, but she had to... do something!

She was then shocked as the shaft of his cane struck her ass firmly making her cry out as she flushed in humiliation from the strike on her backside. "Halbert!?" She let off as the cane struck her a second time.

"Silence, Princess. Your new education will start now; by knowing when not to be heard." He snarled out to her. "I'm not sure how or why your father felt that letting you treat the peasant savages as anything more then ants to work, but I do know it shall be corrected."

"H-how can you say such a thing!?" She let off, only squirming harder, even as his cane smacked her backside once more making her yelp out. "T-t-this isn't right and you kno-ahhhhh!"

"I said quiet." Halbert hissed out, snorting. "Gods, you really do need your education adjusted..."

It was a chilling moment; she had always known he was a bit rude but she'd never seen this side of him, a side that was truly twisted. He was finally letting his mask slip off and what she saw was horrible. And she didn't know what to do beyond one thing she could do.

"Heeeeelp! Help! I can't cast I, ahhh!" She let off another cry as her rump was smacked once more. Despite it she kept calling out. "Halbert! Put me down this instant!"

"Prim! We're coming! Hang on!" She gasped, blushing softly as Halbert snarled. James was once more coming to her rescue! She couldn't help but be happy about it!

"Damned Scoundrel. I thought I heard his voice." Halbert let off as he turned to look down the end of the path. Then he saw him and the mongrel turn to the hall in the maze as they ran to them. Prim turned her body as best as she was able and gasped as she saw them come along as well; Alicia hot on his heels as well as James' friends.

Halbert snarled a bit. As much as he wanted to stop and deal with them that was a bad idea. He was sure he could take the Scoundrel and the Mongrel at the same time. Hell, he could take most of them two or three at a time. However he didn't think he could take all of them and that wasn't taking Alicia into account. In single combat he was sure that the Princess Knight of Feoh would defeat him. Fighting her was not in the cards for a winning hand. As such he used his cane to channel a technique, the tip of it glowing as he smirked.

"Shit! Look out!" Carmen let off as Halbert swung at the maze's walls with his cane.

[-]

Halbert attacking the maze was a surprise and I quickly guessed that he knew something I didn't. I was quickly proven right as the entire hedge maze started to shake and shudder. I was wondering what it was doing before the walls of the maze just moved. We were instantly cut off from Halbert and Prim as a wall of hedges moved right in front of Miria and she ran right into it. Another wall moved down the middle of the path we were on, cutting me off from my sister. Yelping behind me clued me in that I wasn't the only one cut off.

"Is everyone okay!?" I called out as I looked about. The walls had moved and shifted about us and I was cut off from everyone else; there was a path behind me turning to one side, and a path to either side of me now. The path leading to Halbert and Prim was gone.

"I am."

"Same!" Tiffany then Makoto let off. "Tiffany is with me as well." The latter added.

"I'm fine!" Cress called out next.

"Still here!" Miria added next.

"I'm by myself." Alicia called out, irritation in her voice. "What happened?"

"It's a spell on the hedge maze; attacking it can make it shift into a new pattern. It was done to cut off any pursuers." Carmen explained, anger tinting her tone. "Damn it, we have to catch up with him!"

"Ugh..." I let off as I bit my lip. The reality was the only one here who could take Halbert head on was Alicia. I think I was the next highest level, as I recalled, and I wasn't sure I could take him on alone.

I was afraid that I'd have to try in this case, given the situation. I was equally worried about how that could end.

"We have to keep going!" Cress called out to us. "If we don't he'll get away!"

"I'll keep my summons over him; we can give chase with it." Tiffany added.

"Everyone, move out! Do what you can to save Prim!" Alicia bellowed out as I could hear running footsteps. I took a moment to look at the new paths around me then looked up. I could just make out the ladybug knight over the maze and it's direction. I realized I could use the summons to orient myself to the right direction and moved to head down the left path, turning right.

Best case scenario; Alicia got to him first. Worse case scenario; he got away.

I hoped that Alicia got to him first but I didn't think we'd be that lucky. So I just had to hope we could keep him from getting away as we raced down the sharp turns.

[-]

"Damn it... Damn it..." Samuel let off as he grit his teeth, looking to the hedge maze outside of it's entrance. One of the guards had seen Halbert carry Prim into the maze with Alicia, James and his group of friends giving chase. He already knew what had happened as the walls of the maze shuddered then shifted about, rearranging themselves to a new pattern. "Damn it..."

Rose stood next to him, looking to the maze and quivering softly as her husband drew a sword, his plate armor now on; red colored plates with gold colored trim, the Fiorire House Seal over his chest while on his left arm he held a shield that matched the House Seal in appearance. Miles had stomped in already, several guards and healers following him in and filling the maze.

"Do what you can..." Rose said sorrowfully as her husband nodded and moved into the maze himself. In truth Rose knew that Alicia and the group with her were the best if not only chance at stopping Halbert; he had too much of a head start on everyone else for them to catch up without the old butler being delayed. She felt her heart sink more and more for each minute that passed.

In truth she had given up on Halbert years before her husband had; she had never felt good about that surrender either. She knew how much Arburn meant to Samuel and why he refused to give up on his nephew. She remembered the child that Halbert used to be, what he was once like; filled with pain and sorrow, hope burned from his soul by the fires of loss and hate. She thought with time and care he could be healed and made whole once more with eased pains and new purpose. But year by year it seemed to become harder and harder for one simple reason; he refused to understand.

He refused to understand why people would hate his father so; what he had done to others to make them rise up as they had. He refused to understand the plight of those people; beaten down by a lord who indulged in greed and lust for no reason other then he could and it was power to lord over others under him. He refused to see that while the destruction of his home wasn't right that the people responsible had not burned it down without good reason; they felt it was all they could do to end his father's tyranny.

He refused to understand why the people were worth protecting and providing for, what needs the weakest members who were their nation's foundations needed. He refused to see the capacity and ingenuity of those who could and would rise above their starting station and why they were worth celebrating. He refused to understand why some nobility could be stripped of land and title, cast down for actions of inhumanity, greed and thoughtlessness.

To him the lower classes were the lower classes because they were lesser, and they were to be reminded of it time and again. To try and climb above your station was arrogance and to be put down immediately. The death of a thousand commoners was a non-issue; they were expendable and could be culled for any reason at any time.

The upper classes were the upper classes because they were better; coming from better stock and allowed to lord it over the commoners as they wished. To be removed from their station gained from the luck of birthright was unthinkable. The murder of one was unforgivable; no matter what said person did to bring that fate upon themselves.

It was a nearly black and white world view. The only time he ever changed it was for a handful of nobility; mostly Prim's suitors like James.

She frowned for a moment. She realized that he had also looked down on those who would try and court her, bully her or compete with her. That he had kidnapped her daughter made more sense to her now...

"Prim, be safe." She said as she clasped her hands before her chest as she moved to pray. "Halbert... When you die at last I hope you are shown your mistakes before you're allowed to rest."

[-]

Servant's Quarters
Halbert Oxford's Room

It's owner long since gone the well up-kept room sat empty ever since said owner moved off to enact his plan. It was several minutes after the alarm was raised the door was opened as two figures stepped in as quietly as their portly bodies could manage. The door was shut silently as they looked about.

"That damned fool. How much did he lose with this stunt?" Ponti snorted out as Conti chuckled softly.

"Not everyone can see the bigger picture, Brother. And some just want everything to themselves. Hoo, what's this?" Both saw the black letter Ponti had delivered the last night on the desk, but another joined it, a wax seal keeping it closed. Conti picked it up and slipping a small knife from his pocket broke the seal and opened it to read. "Hmm. Smart bastard. Figured out who the boss is."

"Huh?" Ponti let off taking the letter from his brother. Reaching out and moving a candle on the desk closer Conti took a match from his pocket and struck it on his tusk, lighting the wick. "Clever. Would have made for a great contact, if he could just keep his temper under wraps."

"Really, I think we shouldn't have delivered the letter. We should have seen this shit coming." Conti let off as Ponti moved the paper of the letter over the flame. "I mean we knew the idiot fucked it all up. And he looks down on us." Of course in the end it wasn't their choice to have the letter delivered, just their job.

"Ha! He only wishes he was as smart and handsome as us!" Ponti snorted out as the flames licked over the paper. The pair watched as the flames crawled up the page as Conti looked about. Finding a copper tray he moved to set it by the candle. As the flames fully consumed the paper and left naught but ash Ponti laid it onto the tray, smirking. "For starters we swine are cleaner then a butler!"

"He he he snort, indeed. Indeed." Conti said as he took the black letter now, holding the lower right corner to the flames. After a moment the flames caught the sheet and started to rise up the paper. "We'll have this done and the missive gone before anyone knows what happened." He let off the two snorting in laughter as the sheet burned more and more. Ponti moved to speak but paused as a new voice spoke up.

"W-wait! Isn't this Captain Miles' job! Or someone like Carmen's?" A female voice let off as the two pig-men stiffened and looked to the door.

"They're busy! Someone has to search his room and find evidence of his dirty dealings!' Ponti dropped the burning sheet to the tray as both moved to the bed, dropping to the floor as they moved to squeeze under it. Despite the bed being large they had to suck in their guts to fit and the bed lifted up twice slightly as they wedged under the frame, the bed settling down as the door opened. A shared look of relief passed over both.

'Close...' Both thought, sighing softly under the bed.

"Something was burning in here..." The first voice said as two sets of legs walked into their view; maid's legs from what they could tell. Both sets boasted pale skin but one was paler by two shades and the other boasted freckles up and down the calves. She also had a slight scar over the side of the left ankle.

'Oh hey, I remember that maid.' Conti thought. 'She'd look good in a leather corset... Put a whip in her hand... Some heels...' He bit back a snort of perverted laughter as he looked to his brother, his face saying it all; he thought the same as he. 'Ah, few understand our tastes of women...'

"He burned letters... Maybe an accomplice?" The second let off before sighing. "Geeze... There's not much left..."

"Yeah, but thankfully it didn't all burn." The first said as the two beast-men stiffened. The bed nearly shifted from their reactions.

"There's a quarter of the sheet left, it looks like. Let me turn it over and... Oh!"

"Br-br-breach the fortresses! Someone was hiring Halbert to commit treason against us! He was going to betray us!?"

"He kidnapped the princess, he already did!" The second voice said in shock. "Maybe there was a change in plans? Or... I dunno!"

"We have to get this to someone! The Captain! The Grand Duke! Someone! Now!" The first voice let off as the brothers started to sweat under the bed.

"Quickly! Let's go!" Quicker then they arrived two sets of legs fled the room, and turned down the hall.

Under the bed the Porker Brothers were three shades paler and shared a look before saying the same thing at the same time.

"We fucked it up!"

[-]

Seeing the walls of the maze shift on them Prim had to resist the urge to cry. Even so she still gave a choked sob as she squirmed on Halbert's shoulder as he walked forwards briskly to his goal. "Halbert, you're horrible!" She let off, squirming, even as his cane smacked her backside once more, making her yelp out.

"It's the commoners who are horrible. Bah, trying to bubble over their stations, toppling their betters..." He snarled out as he grinned. "No, no, they must be dealt with."

Prim squirmed more even as her ass was smacked by the cane once more. 'Huwwwohhhh, what do I do? I can't use my magic, I have those magical restraints on my wrists! I can't cast spells... Wait, don't those come in twos usually? ... For the feet! You can cast with your feet!" She gasped at the though and looked down to her shoes. Biting her lip she then tried to channel her mana to her feet to cast the preferred attack spell of most mages; Magic Missile. Maybe if she could hit his leg she could get away?

She quickly realized, however, that the restraints on her wrists still limited her ability to channel her magic; she couldn't even cast the basic attack spell. Not without some time to collect her restrained mana, maybe more time then she had.

'Uhhhhoooooo... I can't even cast that... I feel so useless right now... I can't channel enough magic for any of my attack spells... I'd only be able to use... Wait!'

She stuck her tongue out slightly as she focused. Her limited ability to channel mana was directed to her feet and after a moment a spark of mana fell from her soles to the ground. The shining mana, giving off a prism of light was bright under the now retreating sun's sky. Soon another spark followed, trailed by another one and another. Prim's Sparkling Trail was leaving a path of shining mana behind them as Halbert marched on, unknowing of what he was leaving behind him. As she focused on keeping the trail of mana falling she collected mana into her other foot as best as she was able.

Ignorant of what was being laid behind him Halbert focused on his thoughts. While the amount of time he had to plan was limited he had planned. How he'd sneak to Prim's room, how he'd sneak to the maze, how he'd run if caught, where he would transport them, where he'd go once he got there. In short; Zenith. He had made contacts there and they would be more then happy with him and his guest. Getting there would be difficult, and it wouldn't be long before every patrol in Ur and Feoh was searching for them. He'd have to stay off the main roads, travel within the woods as often as possible and keep an ear out twenty four seven.

Escaping Fortress Ur was not the only challenge he had, just the first. Finding a boat to smuggle the down the river to the Plutocracy was something he wasn't sure on how he'd do; he only had so much time to plan, but he was sure he could figure it out. Or steal a small boat and paddle; that would work too.

And so Halbert marched towards the end of the maze, unaware of the trail of sparkling mana being left behind him...

[-]

A Few Minutes Later
End of the Hedge Maze of Fortress Ur

"Finally." Halbert let off, grinning as he found the maze's end, giving a glance up at the summoned creature overhead; it couldn't do anything but watch because of the magic around the maze so he didn't care about it. The end of the maze was a large section near the back of it. One section would part once approached to allow the person out with ease, marked with a gate of roses. A large, marble fountain was filled from a spout set into the hand of a statue of Ur's founder, Annabelle of the Runes. She held a rapier in her right hand, it's point set to the floor, her other hand held up, palm up from which the water spilled. He grinned as he looked to the decorations along the edge of the fountain; a collection of spell stones. The most important one was over the plaque in the front; A thick brass one with an inscription on it.

Let us all understand this. The greatest Rulers
are those who can find Strength in Kindness.
And it is only through Kindness can Strength
truly prevail and uplift us all to a new dawn.

Annabelle of the Runes
Founder of Ur

'A foolish woman... But one, I admit, accomplished a fair bit.' Halbert thought to himself as he sighed. He looked up over the plaque. There, resting on the edge was the spell stone that controlled the gate, slightly larger then the others in the fountain and of a much higher quality; you could buy a small castle with it's sale. It was the one that controlled the portal; anyone could use it as long as it was touched by the user and spoke where he or she wanted to go. 'Well whatever. Soon I shall make my own accomplishments.' He grinned, starting to reach out, moments away from his goal...

Only for one of Prim's knees pressed to his chest, her other leg extending out as she lifted her torso up with a grunt, toe pointed to the stone on the fountain. "Prim, what do you think you are-" His words died in his mouth as he saw mana channel at the tip of her shoe's tip; eyes widening. He wasn't even aware until now that spells could be channeled through a foot!

For her part Prim had a thought that maybe, just maybe, she could channel more mana from her foot if it was just a little further from the mage restraints, just a little further from the point of casting... So she straightened her body out as much as could, pulled her wrists up her back as best as she could and channeled out the end of her big toe. And she could feel it; a little more mana to work with combined with what mana she had gathered during the walk; just enough to cast one spell. Ironically, the level of power she had trouble fully controlling was now much easier to control thanks to her restraints, and her normally difficult to control power let her channel more then enough magic to cast in this (Admittedly uncomfortable) position.

Halbert watched as from the toe a blue ball shot out and hit the spell stone; but rather then do damage, bounce off or dissipate it stuck in place and expanded to cover the stone. Eye wide from what happened Halbert reached out to touch to stone, only to be foiled by the small shield now over it; now fully learning why two sets of restraints were set to a mage. "Prim! What did you just do!?" He cried out as she sighed in relief.

"I'm not going to be a helpless victim anymore, Halbert." Prim said sternly; more sternly then he could recall her ever speaking to him before. "Maybe I am in no position to fight you, but I am in a position to stop you." She said as the (former) butler trembled under her in anger as he lifted his cane up and brought the tip down onto the sphere with as much force as he could muster. He slammed the tip into it once, then twice. Neither time did the mana break under his strikes, or even flex. He channeled a technique into it slamming it down a third time with more force. The impact echoed around the small area for a moment.

The spell didn't so much as budge or flex under the strike; Prim's spell repelling him with ease.

"Prim! Cancel the spell now!" He roared out as he pulled her from his shoulder, setting her on her feet and gripping her by her shoulders, rage in his eyes as he glared down to her, his cane clattering to the ground as he let it go. "Now!"

"No." Although she flinched at his tone and words, body pulling into itself to reflexively shrink herself before him she kept her tone even if a waver was within it. "I am not allowing you to escape, Halbert." He growled back and turned her about before shoving her down onto the grass. She grunted with the impact and felt tears well in her eyes, gasping as the skirt of her dress was thrown over her back before a hand cracked down onto her backside.

"Undo it now!" He let off as she yelped with each smack. "Disrespectful girl!" He let off, his hand cracking her ass as she screamed out. "I will teach you to be a proper, silent, submissive girl for me. You will obey me!" He let off, the color of Prim's ass turning from pale to pink to cherry red as she yelped and cried with each hit. "Undo the spell, now! Now! NOW!" He bellowed just as he saw a new spell channel at her foot. Grabbing her by the restraints he yanked her back, her voice crying out as her ass moved over her calves, the mana fizzling out before he moved to take his red tie off, using it to bind her ankles with one end then tied the other to her wrists, hogtying her. Moving back to the fountain he lifted his cane back up and held it in both hands, ignoring Prim's sobbing as he slammed the butt of it to the shield over and over.

For Halbert the situation shifted from near victory to finding himself within the jaws of defeat and in need to escape them before the closed. He was now desperate to break the shield. He knew his time was limited; with his head start he might have had a half hour or so on the guards and less on the Scoundrel and his group... A group that included Alicia Arcturus. While Halbert thought that the princess was overrated the fact was she earned her place as leader of the Knights of Iris. She earned her place among the Shield Princesses. He could win that fight, but if he were to be fully honest he did not like his chances at all.

He paused his attacks on the shield as he heard something rushing down the maze nearby. He snarled as he turned, planting the butt of his cane to the ground and folding his hands over the top of it glaring at the figure jogging over them. "Filthy peasant." He growled out Only now he could see a trail of sparkling mana leading to them. From where it came from and how it got there he didn't know, but he had other worries right now.

"Carmen!" Prim let off as her bodyguard stopped in her tracks, drawing her blade out.

"Prim! Are you okay?" Carmen called out, eyes never leaving Halbert for an instant. She pointed her rapier at him with her right hand, channeling mana into her left. She took a combat stance as she readied to attack.

"I'm-I'm okay... I m-managed to get a shield over the stone." Prim replied as Carmen smirked softly. He was trapped then? To Carmen that was good news.

"Surrender Halbert. There are guards pouring into the maze like water." She told him as she glared to him. "You can't escape; if you resist you'll be drowned under a torrent of forged steel."

"Bah." He let off, snorting. "It's not over yet. But I will admit... I've long since wanted to end you and your influence on my Prim."

"Your Prim?" Carmen let off, eyes narrowing as Halbert took the handle of his cane and held it before him horizontally to the ground. He pushed a hidden button in his cane and from it two plates snapped out over his hand from the shaft. Grabbing the cane in the middle he pulled, separating the handle from the rest as a well polished blade emerged from the wood. He tossed the sheathe of the cane aside lightly to the grass and took his own combat stance, head tilting back to look over his nose at her.

"Low born child, do you honestly trust in your delusions so much to think you'll match me?" He taunted her as Carmen snarled softly, frowning as he took in a breath and calmed his focus. The two stared at each other across some twelve feet from one another, weapons pointed to the foe of the other. Carmen slid her right foot forwards slightly, starting to inch herself forwards slightly. Halbert spread his feet slightly and turned his torso, presenting more of his shoulder and side to him, thinning his profile to her. Soon Carmen closed in to ten feet, then eight. Halbert didn't move further.

It was then Carmen cast her spell; a Scatter Bolt at close range. Halbert spun his weapon in one hand, deflecting most of the bolts and leaning away from the rest before holding his weapon properly before thrusting forwards as Carmen channeled magic once more. To her credit she still channeled her spell as she moved to parry his thrust. Halbert gave a few, lazy, testing jabs with his weapon as Carmen retreated slightly before aiming a Magic Missile to the ground as she jumped back slightly. Halbert turned his head as the impact to the soil sent dirt and pebbles upwards as he shut his eyes to block out the debris.

He still had a means to keep track of her as she rushed to slash at his thigh to hamper him as he turned his weapon to block, a twist of the wrist pushing her blade from position before swinging his weapon before turning his head back to look as Carmen yelped. She staggered back, her leotard catching the blade under the right breast, the cup falling down as the one boob bounced free. A small line of blood could be seen near the end of the cut he had made. "First blood is mine." He said calmly.

"That's fine. I'll be happy with last blood." Carmen snipped back as she ignored her exposure and jabbed her weapon back in turn, attempting to aggressively force him back... Only to find him not moving back, just blocking with his weapon, knocking her blade aside as she failed to break into his defense.

"As if I'd let the dirty, uncleaned weapon of a lowly whore touch me." He taunted as he deflected yet another blow. A faint was able to make him move to block an attack that didn't come until half a second later as he took a half step back and leaned to let her sword graze his suit before swinging his weapon at her as she stepped back from his range.

She jumped back snapping her left hand out, a burst of wind hitting him head on, forcing Halbert to slide back several feet before casing a Magic Missile, weak from the quick casting, at his chest. He simply deflected it with his blade before rushing in to close the distance with her.

As the fight wore on Prim watched on with a worried look. She knew Halbert was a trained fencer but hadn't realized he was so talented; Carmen was a fine combatant but even an amateur could see she was faltering. Soon Halbert began a relentless assault; stabbing and slashing with his weapon. At first Prim thought Carmen had been defending herself well until she saw blood ooze from a series of shallow cuts on her arms and legs. She gasped, worry filling her heart.

Carmen managed to deflect the worst strikes but Halbert was able to turn the blocked, sure kill strikes to quick cuts and slashes on her limbs. An attempt to thrust at him was blocked and deflected only for him to slash at her once more. The other cup of her leotard fell to the side, both breasts on display as she panted. "Ah, displayed like what you are. A common whore." Halbert let off as he smirked.

Carmen snarled as she looked back at him but did her best to calm herself down. She had yet to land a telling blow and couldn't tell if Halbert was holding back to torture her or she was able to prevent his kill strikes. The moment he moved his front foot she lunged, aiming to control of the fight once more. He stepped back, giving ground as he parried and deflected her blows. He seemed to focus a bit more as she kept up her attack before snapping her other hand out with another Magic Missile. His sword deflected it; as she planned.

This time she was close enough to lock blades and turn her wrist with her arm moving in an attempt to force his blade from his grip. There was one problem she was unaware of...

Halbert predicted this.

His own left hand snapped softly and from inside his sleeve fell a brass knuckle which he swiftly and smoothly took into his grip before giving a sudden left, straight punch to the center of her chest. Carmen coughed in pain from the impact as she staggered back. Halbert slashed twice at her as she leaned back with the staggering to dodge the blade, only to find she hadn't fully dodged them; an upside down y slashed into her leotard; front down to the leg holes and letting the whole thing fall off. Despite this she parried the next thrust as he then locked blades. Before she could fully regain her balance his left hand came up in an arc, striking the side of her jaw in a mighty haymaker that connected with a sickening crack.

Carmen's blade flew from her hand, landing point down into the grass, sticking up like a plant. Carmen's body spun with the impact, slamming into the ground face first, her body lifted into the air for a moment before her knees landed under her, her ass presented up in the air.

"Carmen!" Prim cried out loudly at her unmoving friend and bodyguard. Her face was turned towards Prim; Carmen's eyes were open but her gaze was empty and her jaw looked wrong, as if the side had been bent in just slightly. It made her sick. Her chest was moving so Prim knew she was still alive, but she was clearly unconscious and helpless at Halbert's feet.

Halbert snorted, doing his best to hide his panting. While he didn't want to show it Carmen had proved to be... more capable then he had expected. She was not in his league, of course, nor the league under his, but she was closer then he had expected. 'Hmm. Acceptable for a common rat, I suppose.' He thought as he moved over, setting a boot on the side of her hip, shoving her to her back and watching as her limp form rolled over with the push. Her exposed body was on full display as he moved to stand over her, her ribs between his feet as he smirked down at her.

In truth a small part was a little tempted to rape her, but he dismissed it as soon as it came. Aside from the fact that he would never put it into a surly disease ridden common slut he was losing what time he had left In addition the act would mean nothing while she was knocked out, the point would be to put her in her place and he couldn't do that while she was knocked out. And besides, why would he fuck a common whore when he would teach a living goddess the carnal desires? He inverted the grip on his blade and held the point over Carmen's heart.

"Halbert! Don't you dare!" Prim let off as she struggled to free... something. "Don't do it! Don't make it worse then it is!"

"Princess..." Halbert said as he spared her a glance, his other hand moving onto the pommel. "You'll understand what a favor I'm doing for you later." He said, ignoring her pleas as he lifted his blade... Then she saw his eyes go wide as he jumped back as a glow came from down the maze. A collection of magical bolts streamed out, forcing Halbert to back away, swiping at some bolts, dodging others before a figure leapt in, over Carmen's body and thrust a palm out as a burst of wind pushed Halbert back, sliding on his feet as he crossed his arms before him.

"James!" Prim said, smiling in relief upon seeing the figure in full.

Her hero was here to save her once more.

[-]

That was a bit too close for my liking. I stepped back and knelt down to extend my left hand to Carmen's mostly nude body as I cast Minor Heal on her while noting that I really, really, really needed a more potent healing spell. At least it would close her wounds and keep her from infection. She didn't stir however; she was out like a light. Once done I stood up, walking forwards five steps before drawing my weapon, pointing it to Halbert. He snorted as he pointed what seemed to be a cane sword back at me. Seeing the lion-headed carving I was sure it was pulled from his cane.

I glanced to Prim who, despite being hogtied, was smiling to me. It must have been a relief to her, given the situation she was in. I gave her a big smile in return for a moment to help ease her before looking back to Halbert as I turned it to a smirk, forcing it a bit. "Let me guess; asking you to surrender isn't going to work?"

"Scoundrel." He said snorting to me. "You bloody Scoundrel."

"Tell me how you really feel." I shot back. I was acting cocky but let's be honest here; I was in a bad spot. If I had arrived earlier I could have double teamed him with Carmen, but I only stumbled over the Sparkling Trail not too long ago. Back up was coming, but who knows how long it could take anyone to get through that maze? I was out of my weight class by nine levels. I had overcome bad odds before, but these were pretty bad.

I had three things going for me; first I knew I was outclassed. Others in my situation could think they were ready for this fight but I was aware of the difference in power, at least to a point. That meant I could, somewhat, account for it.

Second; I was a magic user on top of being a fencer. As a Performer, Halbert's class was best used when giving other support in combat. Ironic, that a man who offered those around him no support and was now alone was using a support class. That said, I also knew he was more or less dual classing with pugilist; the brass knuckles in his hand shone in the falling sun's light after all.

Third; ultimately I didn't need to win. If I could force a stalemate that would work in my favor; every minute that this fight lasted was a minute closer to having backup arrive. By contrast, Halbert did need to win. And I'm sure he knew it, and if I was lucky desperation could make him sloppy. Could.

If I fought smart I could either drag the fight out or even win. But either way, this was gonna suuuuuuuuuuck...

"You are undeserving of her. You are but a son of a lowly, unworthy baron." He spat out to me, glaring as he snarled. "For daring to steal her heart from me I will end you."

"Oh, and you're a better choice?" I spat back at him. "By that logic you're a far worse one; the son of a failed and corrupt rule who was only a minor lord. Yeah, you're a real catch."

He stiffened at my comeback. Then his eyes filled with hate as he snarled, teeth grinding together. "You... You have no idea what sort of man he was... Nor what I lost. But you will... After I take your life!"

A quick flash as serious sounding boss music hit as he swung his blade twice as my view moved close in to his hate filled glare as he held his blade up vertically, as if saluting before aiming the blade to me as the view panned back to a full body shot, the golden text rising up as the music picked up in intensity.

_Butler of Lustful Obsession_
Halbert Oxford

Yeah. Fitting title. And another that would have been a tip off to bad things... More so then just Halbert being, well, Halbert.

Fuck me, I wish I'd seen it earlier. Things would make a lot more sense a lot earlier.

A flash and my vision was normal once more.

I channeled mana into my free hand and braced as he charged, thrusting at me. I held my left hand out and cast Arcane Shield and blocked the sword strike. I pushed back with the shield and jabbed my own weapon back as I dropped the shield as I attempted to get the fight started on the right foot. He parried and jabbed his own blade back.

If I were to describe the fight at the start it was like battling my old, high school fencing teacher. That old bastard was quick and almost untouchable; I was one of the few to ever get points on him. And I had to get creative to do it. Even then I never won a match with him.

Bodes well...

Blade met blade as we parried, stabbed and slashed at one another, aiming to get a hit in. First blood, sadly, was his as he cut my arm near the shoulder. Worse, I didn't have my armor on me, so that was another problem I had; no protection. Maybe I should have left it in my inventory rather then my room... A couple more cuts followed along my thigh before I gathered mana. We locked blades for a moment but I jumped back, even before he pulled his left arm back. Said left arm pulling back was noted but I thrust my own left hand forwards. I shut my eyes and cast Illusion. What illusion did I cast?

An illusion of several bright, flashing, multicolored lights in my hand. I heard Halbert cry out in surprise, blinded by my spell as I moved to thrust my sword at him...

Only to have my attack deflected and my instinct telling me to retreat, barley stepping back as my shirt was cut by a swipe of his blade, my skin nearly cut with it. "What the!?"

"Clever Scoundrel..." He growled out, shaking his head as he stepped back, his weapon pointed to me. He looked to me, blinking the lights from his eyes as he snarled. "But you should know I trained in hand to hand combat under a blind master. I don't need to see you in order to fight you." He boasted, smirking with his glare.

"Yay for you." I let off in a deadpan voice. Internally I was cursing; for a moment when the idea came to me I thought it would be way to end the fight quickly, or at least get in a good hit but it failed. He snarled once more and charged. I parried his first hit but took a cut on the second, fourth and seventh of his next strikes as I was backing up and circling a bit to lead him away from Carmen. No need to trip over her mid fight, or worse after all.

I snapped a Magic Missile at him from near point blank range, only to have him lean his head to the side away from it. I still managed to hop back, but he stepped in once more to attack; getting a shallow stab in on my thigh as I backed up once more before he could drive it deeper and do real damage. This time I used Gale Burst and caught him head on, but he crossed his arms to brace as he skidded back rather then get toppled over. I cast Minor Heal once more to close the wounds I took, the one on my thigh in particular, but I was quickly defending myself once more as he attacked aggressively.

Yeah, letting the fight go on like this won't work out for me. I needed to shift this fight, and quick. Our blades had locked once more, pushing into one another. I had a feeling on what was coming and prepared. Sure enough, I saw his left arm flexing as it cocked back... In response I leaned back and let him push me over towards my back. His eyes widened in surprise as I brought one foot up, aiming the heel to his face...

A heel in which I was channeling mana, in a manner not unlike my fight way back with Blood Maker. I saw a moment of understanding in his eyes as the Magic Missile sailed out from the bottom of my foot at the center of his face. He leaned his head away from the attack at the last moment but wasn't quick enough to fully dodge it; the bolt catching him at the left eye. He howled out in pain as a splatter of blood and bits of flesh flew away from him as I landed on my back, rolling to my feet over my shoulder and moved in to strike at him only to pause before I finished the first step of my charge.

He was glaring at me through his right eye, hunched over in pain as he kept his weapon aimed to me. The look in his eye, while filled with rage, was more then enough to let me know he was still prepared and able to fight despite the damage he'd just taken. His left hand was over the left side of his face, blood leaking out as he grit his teeth. He hissed in a mix of pain and anger as he finally pulled his hand away, looking down to the blood spilled on his hand and-

Jesus Legally Changed His Middle Name To Fucking Christ!

From the point the nose and left eye met to the start of his ear all of the skin was gone. Just gone. From the top of the cheek bone to the temple the skin was gone. More to the point there was an inch and a half long strip of missing muscle and flesh of any kind, leaving bloodied skull bone visible. Needless to say his left eye was utterly destroyed; there was just a void in the orbital socket left.

My first real hit was a crippling one, but as he moved back to a combat stance it was clear that he was still ready to fight. Most men would be unable to defend themselves after a hit like that, but he managed it. Despite being the one to deliver a horrific blow I felt like the one who had to be afraid in that moment.

He howled out and charged, forcing me to defend myself once more as I gave ground. His one remaining eye burned with fury as he stabbed and swung at me. Despite my best efforts I was taking a few, shallow hits, but each one oozed blood. I side stepped to my right (His left) and moved to slash at him but he blocked it with ease and retaliated; earning me a cut over the chest as I hopped back. I started to cast Minor Heal once more, but he was on me before I could do much of anything; I instead used another Gale Burst as I lifted my feet up and aimed over his head, the vacuum of the wind attack lifting me up as I flipped over him landing on my feet and hopping back. Only then could I cast Minor Heal without interruption.

As it turns out the answer is yes, rage is one hell of anesthetic.

"You evil little bastard!" Halbert bellowed out, turning to me as blood dripped from his face. Prim seemed quite horrified by the sight of his face (I think most people would be, to be frank) but I had bigger worries right now. He started to move towards me as I started to circle to the right, towards his brand new blind spot. "You're more effort then you're worth, you Scoundrel. If you had never come into my Prim's life then I'd never be darkened by your presence."

"Your Prim? What is she to you?" I asked as he snarled. "No, seriously. What is she to you? A doll to cuddle with? A ball to play with? Because she's not a thing you can lay claim to. Oh wait, your father didn't understand the concept of consent either; makes perfect sense." Was taunting him a great idea? Maybe not, but I was doing it anyway. "Really, it makes sense now. I mean you're both failures."

"Don't you dare boy..." He hissed to me as he moved closer, inching towards me.

"I mean, a failure as a ruler, a failure as a father... A failure as a butler, a failure as a confidant, a failure as an assassin, a failure as a kidnapper... Really, you both know a lot of failure." I let off, smirking to him as I could almost see the steam pouring out of his ears. "Like father like son, eh?"

"Be silent, knave!" He screamed out as he charged, swinging and jabbing his weapon at me in his rage. I blocked and parried as best I could, and after a half step back I thrust my own weapon at him only to have it deflected and need to dodge a swipe. It was the same story as before; although I was able to better defend myself thanks to his blind rage but he was also swinging a lot harder and each hit he did land was a bit deeper and each seeped more blood. I needed to get a breather and so I did something stupid.

Well, it seemed clever at the time anyway...

As I locked blades with him I saw his off hand cocking back into a punch but I was already responding before he could throw it, throwing my head forwards as hard as I could, slamming it into the left side of his skull. He howled out in pain with the impact, which had me seeing a couple stars from the impact myself. His left hand then gave a short uppercut, hitting my flush on the jaw and knocked me backwards, stumbling and falling to my back; instinct letting me adjust and roll over my shoulder back to my feet as I shook out my head as I cast Minor Heal once more. Wounds closed and the pain in my jaw softened as he snarled, hand clutching his face once more as he glared to me. I barley finished my spell when he charged me once more.

I defended once more, giving ground and circling about a bit, trying to find an opening or a way to make one but I was coming up with a blank. I was able to protect my vitals, but I was still taking nicks and cuts... in fact I noticed something as I backed up a little faster as I frowned in thought. Really, it seemed like he gave up on a quick end, so why...

I jumped back and sent a Magic Missile into the ground, sending debris at his face as I started to cast Minor Heal once more, panting as a soft wave of dizziness hit me. Realization also hit me. I had managed to defend myself well enough at the start, but I guessed he wasn't too worried about about his ability to get in a telling blow decently quickly.

Then I blew off a chunk of his face.

He was still winning the fight but that missing part of his face had to hamper him quite a bit, even it didn't seem like it. On top of the now slowing bleeding there was the pain he had to be suffering, the loss of half of his vision but also the mental pain of the fact that I, the so called Scoundrel had landed such a blow on him. My guess is he wasn't confident of a quick and easy win now and was going to try and bleed me out as quick as he could until I was too weak to fight back or stumbled mid-clash.

Or he was now too pissed off to think straight and just wanted me to suffer a death of a thousand cuts; that was also an option.

I hated to say it, but it wasn't a bad idea; Minor Heal patched up my wounds and stopped the bleeding, but it didn't put the blood back in me. Translation; I could heal every wound I took and still pass out from lack of blood. The one thing going for me was Halbert was also bleeding quite a bit; it had slowed now but blood was still oozing out. He knew he was on the clock; both in terms of the wound and people rushing through the maze. Bleeding me out was a calculated risk, he could run out of time, but I bet he was banking on being able to finish me off just fast enough.

The fight had turned from 'try and hold out' to 'get an advantage' to 'just survive'. He roared out loud, as if roaring like a damned lion and I felt my body stiffen in reflex. I was swallowing it as best as I could, but I was more scared fighting a bleeding, wounded Halbert then I was fighting a berserk, juggernaut Wesland. At least with Wesland I had back up. Halbert dashed in and his blade lit up with a technique. Rather then defend with my sword I cast Arcane Shield as he stabbed into the blue mana as I held it before me. The shield flexed as he pushed in, my teeth gritting as I poured mana into the spell to hold him off. I could hear Prim crying out at me but I had to ignore it as I held my spell.

Despite everything the shield started to crack and before it gave out with the sound of breaking glass I dove to the side and rolled over my shoulder and back to my feet. His technique ended as I was forced to defend once more with my blade. He swung and stabbed like a mad man (Not that far off), caught me across the thigh and abs as I backed up, gritting my teeth before I jumped back. I felt a bit of liquid trickle down my leg; he nicked something but good I think. I ignored the pain best as I could and as he moved to attack once more I used Gale Burst once more. He leaned into it and tried to run through the wind spell to reach me, but as the spell started to end he finally staggered back and was left panting giving me a moment to cast Minor Heal and fix my wounds once more as another, sudden, heavier wave of lightheadedness came over me for a moment.

I was panting as well, gulping for air. He snarled softly but I saw the rage fade from his eyes somewhat; I guess he realized he was wasting his energy in his anger and was forcing himself to calm down. In short; he wasn't going to let himself fight dumb anymore. Once he composed himself he moved forwards in a more measured speed and only when I gave ground did he charge, starting to poke and jab at me with his blade. I deflected as I gave ground, circling once more as I felt him nick at my limbs and side with the blade. I grit my teeth and waited; if I was right he'd try and box me with his left again. I didn't know when he'd do it, but he'd likely try and make an opening for it.

I had an idea right as I realized this and waited for the right moment. He then made a short, quick swipe that caught me on the thigh but my response here was to step in, my left hand grabbing his weapon arm's wrist, pushing it away as I stepped in, head leaned back. He turned his head to bare the right side of his face towards me to protect the large wound on the left side of his face, left hand moving to try and use his brass knuckles to deflect my blade... And missed it.

As I stepped in and dropped my head to his chest after I inverted the grip on my rapier and jabbed the pommel to his ribs, gathering mana to the jewel of the Unicorn's Horn and blasted him point blank with a Magic Missile to the side of his torso. It wasn't a powerful one; I didn't want to risk the glow to tip him off, but the howl he gave from the impact told me I got him good with it as he started to double over. However his left fist struck me in the chest with the brass knuckled and knocked me back as he slashed out with his blade, cutting me down the chest and gave me a bleeding wound before kicking me in the chest with his boot. I landed hard on my back, unable to roll with the impact. I gasped for a moment before slowly rising to my feet.

Halbert was doubled over now in pain, gasping. He gave a pained off and bit of blood spat out from his mouth. Amazingly despite the blow he just took he managed to hit me (Twice!) before the pain forced him to pause and recover. He forced himself to stand up fully with his weapon ready as I got to my own feet, casting Minor Heal once more as another wave of dizziness hit me, making me sway on my feet for a moment as I shook my head out. Shit.

If this fight went on much longer I wasn't coming out of it on the right side of the ground, I was sure of it. The next dizzy spell could be my last at this rate. I needed to end this and I needed to end this now. I had backed up near where Carmen, still out cold, was laying and saw her rapier stuck in the ground, next to me about a foot and a half away. A glance to Prim showed how frightened she was as she squirmed, trying to get something free. I grinned to reassure her as I glanced back to Halbert, lifting up my hand...

I cast Illusion again; the bright multicolored lights flashing to blind him once more. Now I had a plan...

[-]

In Halbert's opinion the fight with the Scoundrel was... he hated to use such a commoner phrase, but it was a shit show.

A complete, utter, total and unfiltered shit show.

Perhaps toying with him at the start was a bad idea, but making him suffer, making him feel helpless, making him understand how much of an inferior the Scoundrel was compared to himself was too good to pass up for Halbert. A couple minutes of toying around, a good haymaker and a push into his heart with his blade and he would have vengeance for all the Scoundrel had done to steal away his Prim's heart. Yes, his time was limited but but could spend just a couple of those minutes on a such a simple pleasure...

He didn't expect that the Scoundrel would let himself be pushed back when the blades locked, and if he hadn't seen Prim cast with her foot earlier he would have taken that Magic Missile from the Scoundrel's foot through the center of the head. It was fully possible that his life could have ended then and there. He barley dodged the attack, or rather, barley dodged it enough to avoid a fatal strike. He still took a devastating, painful blow from the magical attack; in truth he didn't know exactly how bad the attack had been but it was very bad. That much was obvious and his eye was clearly destroyed from the loss of vision on his left side, and it felt like that side of his face was on fire. Had he been any lesser of a man that still would have been the end of him.

But he was not a lesser man.

However he knew he was disfigured and without proper care he risked infection, blood loss and maybe worse.

Between that and the Scoundrel's taunting he had let his temper get out of control. The headbutt hurt, but it wasn't much damage (Compared to what he had already taken, anyway) but the hit to his ribs was another story. It was hard to breathe and he knew blood was in his lungs. How bad it was he didn't know; several had to be cracked at at least one was broken. A piece of bone hit his lungs; nicked or punctured he didn't know. If he were any lesser of man would be unable to fight at anywhere near his full power now.

But he was not a lesser man. But he was still a man. He was feeling those injuries.

Still, it was not as if the Scoundrel had gotten away without injury. Yes, he was healing the wounds but he wasn't replacing the blood. He couldn't. He could tell the boy was feeling dizzy. By his estimation he'd be on his feet for two more minutes. Three at best. Halbert knew he himself had also lost blood, but he could last longer. Long enough to escape if he could deal with the shield. Sad as it was to admit it he might have to... spare the Scoundrel in order to make his Prim despell her shield so he could escape. Killing him after that shield was down was an option of course, but kidnapping Prim was not; he'd be unable to take care of her and keep her under control; not in his current condition anyway. It was better, then, to live and fight another day. He could return and reclaim his Princess at a more opportune time when he had recovered.

The Scoundrel was now standing before the slut in his blood soaked clothing, maybe close to half a gallon of the red liquid now outside of the Noxdecus Heir's body. It was hard to tell; maybe more, maybe less. He looked about, as if seeking a way out; to run. And then...

He used the light spell once more on him. Foolish.

Halbert smirked as he shut his one good eye. He still winced from the brightness and knew he'd see stars for a bit, but it didn't matter to him. He lost an eye but he still had both of his ears and it was all he would needed to beat him.

Screaming magic in the air followed; several magical projectiles. Scatter Bolt. He stepped back, batting bolts with deft ease with his sword, grinning smugly as he used the sound to tell where each bolt was. Along with the screaming missiles were rapid footsteps; a charge. The sound of metal singing through air came next; Halbert able to tell by the sound how the Scoundrel's blade moved by the pitch and tone of that deadly music.

Thrust. It was parried.

Thrust, Thrust, Swipe. The first was parried, second was parried and the swipe blocked with ease.

Thrust. Another parry turned into a blade lock, followed by an attempt by the Scoundrel to twist his blade out of his hand.

Halbert's smirk grew further; the peasant had tried that, and it didn't end well for her. He countered, twisting his blade to disarm the Scoundrel and...

There... The victorious feel of his foe's blade slipping and twisting from his grip as Halbert swung his blade to the side to send his foe's rapier away, cocking his left hand back, grip firm over the brass knuckles in his hand. He smirked viciously as he knew the fight was over and in his favor. His vision was even starting to return and as he was about to throw his punch, a haymaker that would demolish the face of his foe. He knew he would enjoy seeing the look on that Scoundrel's face befo-

Thrust.

He stiffened in shock; the sound of a blade in his foe's hand singing after he was disarmed. Halbert had a brief moment of confusion of hearing the impossibility of a blade singing in the air coming from his disarmed foe.

That confusion stalled Halbert's reaction for only a brief moment of a brief second but it was still enough for him to feel cold steel enter his chest and drive through his heart. The sudden pain and shock to his system sent his own blade slipping from his grasp, clattering to the ground but it also forced his vision to clear enough to see what had just happened to him as he looked down.

In the Scoundrel's left hand was a second sword; the peasant's blade. The filthy, unwashed blade of a filthy unwashed woman had pierced his noble heart.. and worse, it was held by the Scoundrel's own hand.

It took a moment to realize what happened in that last, final exchange of lesser and better. The Scatter Bolt wasn't meant as an attack; it was a mask of sound to muffle pulling the other sword from the ground. The damned Scoundrel had remembered his ability to fight without vision and used it against him! He let himself be disarmed as he had a second sword, one Halbert couldn't see from the flashing lights blinding him!

A small part of him wanted to say 'touche' but the rest drowned it out in rage; he had been bested! By the Scoundrel! And as salt in the wound it was with the blade of the lowly street whore that this damned Scoundrel would end his life! He would no longer be able to correct those around him, unable to see Prim's smiles or hear her voice! Never more smell her scent, sniff her panties before he washed them or hear her laugh! He could no longer save her from the coming...

His eyes widened in sudden realization. No... No! He couldn't die until-

The rapier in his chest was deftly twisted clockwise to worsen the wound his chest.

"When you get to hell, Halbert, you can smile when you see all the devils." The Scoundrel's cold voice spoke to him, eyes locking with his one remaining one as the younger male glared to him. "You'll finally be with your own kind."

"N-no... I have to... save... her from it... The black storm... comes..." Halbert spoke out. As much as he hated to trust the Scoundrel with anything, he was the only one he could speak to right now in the moment; he had no choice! "Black... Storm... Eostia will be... washed away..." Blood came out as he coughed, more leaking from his heart and out of his chest. He was all but dead and had only moments to speak his last words, the truth of what was to come! "The storm... V-hack! V-hukkk, gahh..."

One word! He had to say the name! Just say the name! He had to say the name of the man who would bring the black storm!

The Scoundrel let the blade go, letting Halbert fall over onto his back. He wanted to turn his head, to see his Prim one last time; let her fill his vision before he went to see his father; surely where the angels were.

But he couldn't move his head. Instead one of the last things his eyes would see was the sword stuck in his chest, the sword of the hated bodyguard named Carmen Shard; a commoner who dared to think she could rise to be a friend and bodyguard to his Prim.

Past the sword stood one James Noxdecus; son of a lowly baron, his single most hated enemy in the war of love, the man who had just bested him in single combat, the thief of his Prim's heart and love.

To have these two things be the last things on this Earth he'd see...

It was an indignity to him. A wound as bad as the one in his heart.

As the life left his eyes he had one last, final thought.

'Was I... Was I the one... Who failed to understand the way of things..? My Duke... Please... Forgive me...'

[-]

My legs were shaking under me. I was panting like a dog as I looked down to Halbert's dead body.

I won.

I won.

Despite horrible odds, despite no help, despite fighting a wave of dizziness unmatched since that time with the two tequila bottles at my friend's twenty first birthday party, despite having every reason to die a second time here and now... I had won.

Holy shit...

My mind moved a mile a minute though. What was this... Black Storm he talked about in the end? Was it why he tried to kill me? Or was he going to go that anyway? Is it why he kidnapped Prim? He did say she had to be saved from it...

It was unfortunate that he wouldn't be able to tell us now but it was clearly me or him.

I choose me. Fuck Halbert.

Defeated List

Halbert Oxford=1400xp x 1.25 Kill Bonus=1750XP
+20% Dark Horse of Eostia Bonus
Gain 2100XP Total

Achievement Unlocked: The Butler Did It
Killed Halbert Oxford

Achievement Unlocked: I Ain't Got Time To Bleed
Won a fight while suffering heavy blood loss

Achievement Unlocked: Punching Over Your Weight Class
Defeated an opponent seven levels or higher then you alone

Achievement Unlocked: Saved the Princess
You saved an actual Princess! Mario and Link would be proud of you

Achievement Unlocked: An Award for Awards
Unlocked twenty Achievements! Here's another!

Ohhhh, numbers and things... Oh fuck me, everything was getting fuzzy... And I felt really unsteady... And kinda tired...

How much blood did I lose again?

[-]

As Prim saw Halbert hit the ground she knew what had happened. He was dead. The now Former Butler to House Fiorire was dead.

Her heart was filled with a cocktail of emotions; many conflicted and even contradictory with each other.

Hurt; her heart was left wounded from Halbert's betrayal as despite everything she had known he had done she had thought he wouldn't betray her trust in such a manner.

Resignation; she had to accept he tried to assassinate and poison her friend and crush, that his rude nature was hiding an even worse nature.

Remorse; that she had not done enough to help heal whatever hurts Halbert had and failed to curb his behavior further, or stop him sooner.

Sadness; despite the betrayal she had known him for over half her life and he'd been a teacher and protector to her for that time; someone she felt she could trust.

Shame; she had been so naive to think he would be a good man after all he'd said and done and that she had done nothing to remove him from her family's service.

Anger; he had harmed those she cared about right before her and nearly killed them both.

Grief; she had no idea what damage he had done before now, how many he wounded or even killed to escape with her in tow.

Joy; her friends and her crush had come to save her and knowing they would risk so much for her had made her happy.

Calmness; despite all of his pains, Halbert was able to rest now and maybe go to a happier place even if she was sure he wouldn't reach there.

Love; her crush had come once more and in such a dashing and heroic manner had saved her once more, like in the fairy tales.

Giddiness; there was a strange pleasure in being saved in such a manner, by a man willing to fight and die for her.

Guilt; for being able to feel joy after all that happened and feeling giddiness after the risks taken and how hurt Carmen and James were for her sake and for wanting Halbert to find peace after all he had done.

But over all the one thing she felt the most at that moment was Relief; it was over. No one else would be hurt. No one else would die. She was safe. Her friends were safe. All would be all right now.

She blushed as James finally turned to face her, his face a bit pale but held high in victory as he smiled to her; befitting of a hero.

Her hero.

"Prim... You okay?" He panted out. She smiled back, unable to help but feel a flutter in her heart from his worry for her. She nodded as best as her position and binds allowed.

"I'm... I'm okay now. I knew you'd come for me... I was so scared." She said, squirming. Now she just needed him to untie her and maybe she could reward him like... Like in those books she hid from mother. "But you're here now... There's nothing to fear now."

He smiled once more, nodding to her. "Oh. That's good." He said swaying on his feet for a moment. And then...

And then he fell forwards, his body hitting the ground in an undignified plop in a matter very unbecoming of a victorious hero.

All of the emotions she felt moments ago vanished as he face planted. One new emotion came to her.

Dread; as she screamed his name just as Makoto and Tiffany finally reached them...

[-]

Anncastel let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She could see through the well's projections the blonde girl, Tiffany, tending to her champion and she could tell that he would survive the battle. He would need rest, but he would live.

"That was closer then I'd like." Benterra let off, sighing as he slumped down onto the bench, groaning. "I knew he could win, but I didn't think he would. For the love of Tetris I was scared."

"Indeed." Carlongera sighed. "Even after giving Halbert such egregious wounds, I thought he'd fall."

"Pfffffffffft!" Erinseala let off, rolling her eyes. "Ohh, please, after that first big hit he was gonna win, it was just a matter of time." She let off, leaning back on a bench, hands moving to the back of her head.

"I dunno... But it did make me think he really could do it..." Debcorra said blinking as she sighed. "But it looked bad for a moment, huh?"

A sigh came from Anncastel's mouth as she looked back to Benterra. "We need to help him more. Point him to loopholes. Point him to exploits. Something." She told him a s he shrugged.

"It's not like there isn't any, it's just... Well, you know how the boss is. I have a lot of restrictions to work under, I can only leave him so much in that regard." He let off biting his lip. "...But I'll do what I can."

"Thank you." Anncastel said smiling to him before looking back to the image. Alicia had caught up to the group, someone having freed Prim while she wasn't looking. Miria and Cress was close behind. Minutes later the first of the guards and fortress healers arrived.

Whatever the future would hold for now it would continue. Her plans to save the cluster survived another day, her chosen champion would fight another day and those around him would support him another day.

She could ask for little else.

[ - Author's Note - ]

Whew. A fairly longer then average chapter (At seventeen and a half thousand words!), but I got all I wanted into it. Well, almost all; in truth there was another scene I had in mind, but I'll add it at the start of the next one. This one is long enough as it is.

Whew.

So, Halbert is dead, Prim is saved and our hero... Will live, although his victory was a bit... Short lived, in a sense.

As for the next one? Well for starters the rest of the Seven Shield Princesses arrive, the fallout of the kidnapping takes place and then it's time for someone's eighteenth birthday party!

Tell me what you thought about the chapter in the comments. Like it? Didn't? Thought the fight was awesome? Thought it sucked? Let me know, please. A little criticism is always welcome.

Until then!

~~Eostian Scribe