Chapter 119: Hostage Situation
Alexia did better than I expected. Even if he's barely at their level, Willow is still a First Child, you know? Especially with the Artifact that he wields, which is designed to restore his arms temporarily so he can fight at full capacity like before he got his arms cut off by Fenrir. Alexia has improved since her kidnapping and may continue to improve. How interesting.
In any case, I collected his corpse and stored it in the main body's pocket dimension before tailing the pair once again. They eventually arrived at Count Oyano Bou's mansion and immediately sneaked into the basement. I silently lent them a hand by silently killing the guards, allowing them to sneak into the secret passage to Count Oyano Bou's secret lair… where they'll witness Count Oyano Bou's cruelty firsthand, which reminds me of the Chinese Communist Party and what they've done to their own people, mainly the Falun Gong practicioners.
"Wh-Who are… Claude Normann!?" And of course I had to be discovered by someone. By Count Oyano Bou's son and Eliza's favourite minion, Dekuno Bou, no less. Me and the main body have the worst luck when sneaking sometimes. Maybe we're just not good at it or we're easily distracted by our thoughts. The latter is more likely because he had no problem sneaking around when he's doing his serial killer things.
"I-I don't know how you got here but I'll—Uaghh!" I sliced his throat before he can finish his sentence, causing him to drop to the floor while clutching his throat and bleed to death before he can make any more noise.
"Now then. I shall see what fate has in store for the young princess. Heh heh heh." I said, imitating the main body's behaviour as best as I can.
"Urghh… This… I never thought the rumors are true." Alexia remarked as she saw the metal boxes, which is enchanted with cooling magic to serve as refrigerators for food preservation, containing organs… human organs to be precise, in one of the rooms within the underground lair.
"Well... This is just another proof I can use to destroy their family." Alexia remarked whilst feeling a bit disturbed. A rustling sound eventually interrupts her from her thoughts.
Count Oyano Bou is rumoured to possess a secret police force he used to eliminate people he didn't like and would efficiently leave no trace of them existing by harvesting and selling their organs, mince their flesh to bits and melt their bones in slimes. Sometimes he fed the minced flesh to his slaves or to his monster pets… the very pets that Alexia and Claire are currently facing.
"That's a big doggy. But unfortunately I prefer smaller and cuter doggies." Alexia remarked as she fearlessly sliced a giant wolf-like monster and Claire kills another.
"My brother is not your pet!"
"Is that so? He barked happily whenever we are together though."
"Don't give me that! I bet you paid him money!"
"H-How did you know-"
"I'm his sister. I know how he thinks!"
"…" Alexia was unable to reply, slightly envious of how much Claire knows her brother.
I wish I could know Iris as good as that. Alexia thought.
"Anyway, I hope you'll stop bothering him from now on!"
"I know. This whole thing is my fault! They kidnapped him because they want to get me."
"What did you say?" Claire said with an ominous glare that intimidates even Alexia.
"T-They kidnapped him because of me…"
"Charlotte is right! You princesses are nothing but trouble to our brothers! When this is over, I also will help Claude get out of his engagement with that Iris!"
"Please don't. You'll ruin the delicate political situation even more than it already is."
"Tsk. I'll… think of that later. For now, Cid takes priority! Now tell me everything about this whole mess… about our current enemy." She demanded while they are walking through the dimly lit corridor, searching for the person they want to rescue.
"A-Alright. When my father died, the secret society known as the Thirteen Night Blades began trying to usurp control of the throne by blaming my sister for murders she didn't commit and even tried to install their leader, Marquis Brad Dakuaikan, as the new king. You know of them, don't you?"
"Yes I've heard of them, though they weren't relevant to my interests until now so you may continue."
"Ahem! Recently members of the Thirteen Night Blades are being killed by a killer clown using playing cards as weapons, which sends them to panic. They are currently blaming Claude for the murders but as you've probably heard, Claude has thwarted that scheme by revealing their crimes and imprisoning them. But then they escaped and they've kidnapped Poo—your brother because they want to blackmail me."
"Why?"
"B-Because… I…" Alexia struggles to answer while blushing.
"I see. While I don't approve, I'll at least appreciate that you cared about him enough to come here alone. But that doesn't mean I'll let you go for bringing him into this mess! You're the one who brought him to investigate that killer clown, right? That means you're the one who involved him into this mess!"
"I know. When this is over, I will not bother him again." Alexia remarked with heavy heart.
"Good. Now please continue with the story."
"Hm? I've told you everythi-"
"You didn't even mention the Cult of Diablos even though we just finished fighting them though."
"Y-You-! Claire… You know about the Cult of Diablos!?"
"Of course I do. I've encountered them in the past… first was when I was kidnapped two years ago and… the second was recently when one of them tried to capture me. I killed him easily enough but… on a whim I decided to investigate his lair where he intended to bring me to and… the journals and books he left there has been… very informative. They even answer so many questions I have about why I was kidnapped 2 years ago and about a… mysterious companion I've acquired some time ago." Claire clarified as she clutched her left hand, which is covered in bandages.
"Companion?"
"It's irrelevant. I doubt you'll know anything about Aurora anyway."
"That's where you're wrong, Claire. I know about the Witch of Calamity. In fact, I saw her fighting Shadow and Necromancer back in the Goddess' Trial in Lindwurm."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And if she's your companion, where is she?"
"She's here. You just can't see her because… she's kind of a ghost that only I can see right now."
To that answer, Aleia began looking around curiously.
"You won't be able to see her. Only I can see her. She's right here." Claire said as she pointed at her side.
"I-I know. I was just… curious if I can see her or not."
"So you believe all that?"
"I've seen stranger things than a ghost. Your story won't faze me at this point."
"I see. I'm glad I'm able to get this out of my chest. It's been… lonely." Claire remarked with a slightly sad smile.
"Claire. I want you to cooperate with me. To fight against the Cult… and Necromancer."
"Why would I do that?"
"To protect your brother from the evil that is currently threatening our kingdom. I'll also tell you everything I know about the Cult of Diablos that you're so interested about." Alexia offered her hand for a shake.
Claire thought for a few seconds before agreeing. "Very well." Claire said as she received Alexia's hand.
Both of them shook their hands but Claire eventually tightens her grip over Alexia's hand. "But know that if you endanger Cid's life again, I'll kill you, alright?"
"Y-Yes." Alexia agreed immediately, intimidated by Claire's overprotective aura and slightly envious of how much love Claire has for her brother.
Iris has been all over Claude recently so I've been ignored by her sometimes. Haah… And I thought I've fixed my relationship with her after that Zenon incident. Alexia thought.
"Now tell me about the Cult of Diablos." Claire demanded.
"I'll tell you later. Looks like we've reached the end of the line." Alexia remarked as the hallway in front of them becomes brighter as they arrived at a great hall.
There they saw the trio of Viscount Shinobi, Marquis Jet and Count Oyano Bou holding Cid Kagenou hostage. Cid looked like he has been beaten up. He's currently tied in a chair on a raised platform accompanied by the three nobles who looked down on the two girls from above. The two girls are also surrounded by a bunch of black robed men who closed the door behind them, cutting off their escape.
"Cid!" Claire shouted when she saw her brother.
"S-Sis!?" Cid exclaimed, more surprised than scared.
"YOU BASTARDS! I"LL MAKE YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO MY BROTHER!" Claire shoutred angrily while giving the three of them a middle finger.
"Who is she?" Viscount Shinobi asked.
"She's Claire Kagenou, the older sister of this scum." Marquis Jet answered.
"It's fine. I heard the Cult is interested in her too. We should be able to claim a good reward for turning her in." Count Oyano Bou remarked. The other two agreed.
"Now then. I bid you welcome, Princess Alexia! Although I see you've rudely defied us by refusing our escort. I welcome you too, Claire Kagenou." Count Oyano Bou, the owner of the place, greeted them.
"I'm so sorry. It's just that your escort isn't very keen on escorting me." Alexia answered.
"Hmph. No matter. We've got your precious lover and you know what happens if you don't comply!" Count Oyano Bou said as he placed a knife on Cid's throat.
"Hiii! Please don't kill meeee~!" Cid cried out in fear.
"CID!" Claire shouted, totally buying Cid's act.
Alexia however….
"I've seen him behave that pathetically once before… when he confessed to me. But is what he's doing now an act like back then or…?" Alexia muttered whilst being suspicious of Cid's behaviour before dismissing that thought because there's no way a weak and selfish person like Cid wouldn't be scared in this situation.
"Do you understand now? Now both of you drop your swords and behave while my assistants… make you comfortable." Count Oyano Bou demanded whilst pointing at his minions surrounding them both with magic suppressing cuffs in their hands.
"I'm the one you want! You will let Cid and his sister go!" Alexia tried to bargain with them but Count Oyano Bou merely grinned.
"We may do that. But who knows both of them could prove bothersome so we'll keep them around until we can be sure you behave, alright?"
"Don't give me that! I want the released here and now!"
"We're the ones making demands here, princess! Your status as a princess means nothing in this place! This is the kingdom of shadows! Our kingdom!" Count Oyano Bou remarked. His remark made Cid frown a bit, though no one noticed due to not paying attention to him.
Fuck. These guys are claiming to be shadow rulers right in front of me and I can't do anything about it because my hands are tied, both figuratively and literally! Come on, Alpha! Do your thing! Cid thought.
"Fine." Alexia said.
"Princess Alexia!?" Claire exclaimed.
"They hold all the cards now. There's no choice but to comply." Alexia said as she dropped her sword.
"Tch. Fine." Claire said while also dropping her sword, fully knowing she's not out of options without her sword.
"Good girls! Now, my servants? If you please." Count Oyano Bou ordered and his minions complied, approaching the two girls with the magic sealing cuffs.
Hmm… A bit disappointing that Alexia and Claire decided to give up that easily. Is that how much she loved Cid Kagenou? And the killer clown didn't show up as well. At this rate I need to interfere because I still need Alexia's political expertise as per the main body's plan. I can't allow the Thirteen Night Blades to have her. I suppose I have to rescue that mob Cid Kagenou too. But Cid and the trio are too far up there and jumping would be too slow so… I can only reach them with ranged attack. I know what to do.
*BOOM*
I destroyed the door to the great hall, causing all attention to be on me. From the dust, I emerged while walking slowly towards the two girls.
"Claude!? What are you doing here!?" Alexia asked, totally not expecting me to be here.
"Saving my reckless future sister in law of course." I replied with a smile.
"So you're the one who followed me since I left the castle!" Alexia said while pointing at me.
"Claude is a stalker…?" Claire said with a slightly disgusted face.
"A-Ahem! I did follow you because I'm worried about you, especially when you're doing something so reckless. If something happens to you, Iris will not let me hear the end of it."
"Shut up! This is MY problem! You have your own burdens!"
"I seem to recall you begging for my help few days ago."
"I did! But now-"
"I bid you welcome too, Lord Claude! To think that you would visit my humble abode unannounced like this! But no matter! Lady Eliza is waiting for you down below and you'd better s-comply…" Count Oyano Bou interrupted Alexia's words nervously as he didn't expect me, who single-handedly massacred a group of Diablos Children, to be here.
"Or what?" I said with a grin, which made them realize they have no hostage to use against me.
"O-Or I'll kill this brat!" Count Oyano Bou put his knife on Cid's throat again but I was unfazed.
"Ha ha ha. But I am not Alexia though. I thought you'd prepare something specifically for me. I'm disappointed." I countered.
"Claude! Please don't!" Alexia pleaded.
"Is the life of a single boy worth more than your kingdom, Alexia?" I replied. That made her shut up and unable to answer. Claire however.
"I won't let you harm my brother, Claude!" Claire said as she vengefully attacked me with blood tentacles. The main body did warn me that she has this ability now but it is still surprising. I blocked her blood tentacles with my sword and jumped a step back. Everyone's attention is now on her.
"C-Count Oyano! What's that!?" Viscount Shinobi asked with a hint of panic in his voice.
"Impossible! She's… a vampire!?" Marquis Jet said.
"So that's why the Cult is interested in her!" Count Oyano Bou said.
"What should we do!?" Viscount Shinobi asked again.
"Let's just watch as they fight each other." Count Oyano Bou answered with a grin. As he watched Claire launching more blood tentacles at me.
"Hmph. Not bad, Claire Kagenou. But not enough." I said before knocking all her blood tentacles away and moving at high speed, I punched her in the gut.
"Aghh…!" Claire grunted as she fell to the floor, her blood tentacles dissipating.
"I won't… forgive you… if something happens to Cid, Claude!" She remarked while struggling to stand back up with a hateful glare sent at me.
"Don't worry. I understand your feelings perfectly. Remember that I'm an older sibling as well." I said as I turned to face the three nobles who are standing on the raised platform nervously.
"Y-You wouldn't dare! I'll really kill him of you dare take a step forward!" Count Oyano Bou said while panicking, his knife still on Cid's throat, though due to how much he's panicking, the blade sliced his neck slightly, causing him to bleed. "CID!" Seeing the blood, Claire exclaimed again.
"I don't have to take a step forward." I said whilst dropping my sword.
"So you're saying you'll give up as well?" Count Oyano Bou regains his grin as he relaxed the knife on Cid's neck.
"Claude! Don't do this! Just leave me! This is my problem and I'll take responsibility for it! You still have to rebuild the kingdom with my sister!" Alexia shouted but I ignored her.
"No. What I'm saying is that I don't have to get close to you to kill you." I said while taking out a deck of cards out of my pocket, which made Alexia's jaw drop.
Author's Note:
IT'S TIME TO D-D-D-D-D-DUEL!
This chapter also went longer than I thought but I had to include Alexia's conversation with Claire to build up their friendship similar to canon. I also almost didn't involve Claire at all in this incident but it'll be strange for her not to act when Cid is kidnapped so I brought her into this arc.
Also, another cliffhanger. Hang in there, guys.
TheVirtualPug: Wow this literally updated right as I opened the website
Answer: Youarespeed!
A-Yellow-Lizard: Waow, is claude getting discovered now? That would be pretty fun to see.
Answer: It's going to be indeed.
borregodillon9: Good chapter Can't wait for the next part
Answer: Glad you liked it.
