Chapter 82
"A family is a heaven in this heartless world"
Christopher Lasch
First, I would like to apologize for the very late update. I got mid-test just now so please understand my circumstances.
I'm sorry for my mistakes in using Spanish language in this chapter; this is my first try on Spanish…
BTW, I own this story, but unfortunately not Ragnarok Online. If I own Ragnarok Online, then I would be stinking rich….
The aftermath of the battle that night is quite clear, victory for the right side but many casualties from Amatsu. True, the gunslingers helped Amatsu stopping the Pythons and Juperos, but it is also true that Pythons are gunslingers also. This occurrence fairly angered some parts of amatsu civillians; therefore, Hikari and her parents, representing the currently angered Amatsu civilians at the gunslingers, attempt to make things clear. And to avoid unnecessary colliding between the angry civilians and the innocent gunslingers, the talk is being held inside the royal house.
The one to represent the gunslingers is no other than Gen Ed (he is the smooth talker anyway) and Emilio.
"Beforehand, I would like to thank you and your gunslingers for helping us stop those attackers" Hikari opens with a serious tone, "But, the attackers were gunslingers also. Be it from Rekenber Corporation or not, they still related to The Military of Einbroch. Now, most of our people are grateful for your help, but the disappointment and anger from some other part of our people are reasonable. I ask your full explanation on this matter"
Gen Ed gives an understanding nod, "Since you mentioned something about Rekenber Corporation and The Military of Einbroch, I believe you have also realized the fact that The President of Rekenber Corporation, Jose Martinez, is also The President of Schwaltzvalt Republic"
"Unquestionably"
"Good. And this fact is really important. Until now, The Military of Einbroch are under my control, not him. And vice versa, The Rekenber Corporation and their affiliates are under his control, not me. Pythons belong to Rekenber, not The Military. I assure you we had nothing to do with the attack tonight"
"That's believable. But the attack by gunslingers tonight hurt your image pretty badly. Had the civilians of Amatsu not busy taking care of their losses and injuries, they would have been rampaging on you and your squad"
"That's why it's necessary to straighten things out"
But apparently, Hikari's father isn't keen on doing this peaceful and calm talk any longer. "Oh, damn it! Cut your crap already!" Tora cuts off, "Just admit it! You were planning to take Amatsu down from inside! The whole Pythons thing is just a made up story for you to make a good image on us! They were actually your sacrifices to smooth your plan!"
But fortunately, the gunslinger respond in a rather calm style, represented by Emilio, "Senor, your story would make a good suspense movie you know that? The storytelling, the idea, and the plot are all good. Just throw some actors and actresses in the movie; you will win The Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in Leading Role, Best Actress in Leading Role, and Best Writer at Original Screenplay for sure. Don't know about the other awards though"
"Watch your mouth, young man! This isn't a joke" Dora joins the debate, "He wasn't joking!"
Emilio chuckles, "So was I, senorita. Let me know if you want Warner Bros to hire you, OK?"
Clenching his fist, Tora shouts as he quickly approaches Emilio, "This mongrel needs to be taught a lesson!"
"One more step and I'm afraid violence would be necessary, Fujiwara-san" A charismatic voice from their behind catches everyone's attention.
"Adler?" Hikari wrinkles her forehead, "I hope you didn't mean what you just said"
"Quite the opposite, Hikari-san" Fio calmly makes her point clear, "The Military of Einbroch have been a great help and a trustful ally for me and Sagramore in the last eleven months. If any of you shall inflict harm on them, then I will have to take the necessary act to prevent unwanted scenario happening"
Tora takes offense on that, "Are you threatening us, Alexandria?! Or could it be that you're also involved on this?!"
"To be more precise, warning you. And no, neither I nor The Military of Einbroch are involved on the attack tonight, Fujiwara-san" A very mature way from the young girl to handle the problem, "True, just like you said, there's nothing we could do about the disappointment erupted from some part of Amatsu's people. But that doesn't mean the entire Amatsu despise Ropera Squad. And not to mention, while your accusation to them is reasonable, the theory has some flaws and you can't prove your words"
"What are you trying to say, Adler?"
"If they really intended to throw an attack to Amatsu, why they waited for thirty days? They could have sneaked here a month ago, and blow this city without anyone having the chance to realize, right? If they really wanted to take this city down, why wait a month? Can you explain that?" A very great argument to shut the Fujiwara family up, and that's just a start, "And why they bother helping the civilians tonight? Why wouldn't they just flatten this city along with The Pythons? Rune Midgard is on the state of war, it would be really stupid to waste more time helping enemies if they wanted glory for themselves, don't you think?"
Gen Ed and Emilio smile, thinking how lucky they are to have the former princess on their side. Now, we all know why Elraven always lost debating against Fio. The Fujiwara family…well, they are silenced.
"And the last but definitely not the least, they helped you save Amatsu. Without them, amatsu would have suffered more casualties than they already have. There are many civilians watching their actions while they were doing so. Miss Helen and her family from Terrace Inn would be a good one. She witnessed how The Vice Captain of Ropera Squad defended her and her family from one of The Pythons. Go ask them if you don't believe me" Fio rests her case.
"Well, that's…" Almost in lost words, Hikari takes the lead so that the least of all she and her family wouldn't lose their face tonight, "Do you have…any guarantee on their good faith? So that we can fully trust them, I mean"
"Hikari-san, trust isn't something you got by guarantying something so easily. Trust is something comes from our inner side. Therefore, I can't guarantee anything. It's up to you to decide whether you will choose to trust us or not" The finest answer someone could think of this situation, coming from the trustworthy lord knight.
"I alone am not suffice to give you the answer" Hikari looks at her parents, "Otou-sama and Oka-sama, what do you say?"
Tora and Dora looks at each other, trying to find the solution of this problem in more civilized way. And after they come up with a conclusion, Tora speaks, "Our answer wouldn't represent how Amatsu feel about you. Leaders we may be, but we don't have the rights to force our opinion on our people, therefore, let's let them judge you"
"How are they going to do that?" Gen Ed politely responds.
"Much like Alexandria stated, trust isn't something gained so easily by guarantying things. It is you who have to own Amatsu's people trust…again. I'm not trying to guarantee anything, but believe me, the people who are grateful for your help; they will help you convince the disappointed in return for your help. Sorry for what we said earlier, we lost our patience"
"Never mind" The Death Revolver smiles to his brother and sister in law, "But we would really appreciate it if you can help us find the easiest way to regain the people's trust"
"I think I know how" Hikari rolls her eyes before explaining with a little smile, "My third condition"
And Emilio catches her point, "The play? What's the big deal about the play?"
"Apparently, the play is an important part of Amatsu's tradition each year. Whenever the play is being held, the people from Amatsu come and have fun, forgetting the hardships of their lives and enjoying their time together. Usually the play is either musical or comedy styled broadways play. If you guys participate in the play and pull it out perfectly, then whole Amatsu is on your knees. You can bet your life on that"
"That sounds fun" The sphere of Deaths nods to each Hikari's point before asking for an agreement to his two 'bosses', "So, Princess Fiorentin, what do you say? If you agree to participate in the play then I'll order all my squad to participate also"
And needless to say, the lord knight cheerfully agrees, "Let's give it a shot. I'll ask Marcus if he wants to participate too"
With that, the hard night ends with a happy ending.
Meanwhile, somewhere outside the royalty house…
With their leaders busy taking care of their business inside, Elraven, Sasha, and Kenji are quietly waiting outside. "Hopefully things don't turn out worse that they already have" Sasha, gazing to the sky, voices her hope, "We got enough problems to handle"
"No worries, Sasha" El sincerely tries to calm his underling, "We know how much of a smooth talker Gen Ed is. Let's not forget that Emilio could be helpful sometimes. And the last but definitely not the least, Alexandria is one of the finest debaters I've ever seen. They can talk about this peacefully"
Unfortunately for the purple glassed gunslinger, Sasha takes a different meaning to what El just said, "Vice Captain…you seem to believe Princess Fiorentin that much do you?"
"Eh? I told you the truth. She's a good debater and she's fairly a good person. Don't see a reason on not believing her at all"
"Wow, she charmed you" Sasha evilly smirks, "Didn't she?"
"Charmed?" The insensitive gunslinger insensitively replies, "I think she charmed everybody, Sasha"
"No, no. Not charmed as in captivates everyone's attention. But charmed as in…" Sasha dares herself to speak what's inside her mind, "You like her"
"Everybody does"
"No, no! That's not what I meant, Vice Captain!" His insensitivity starts to annoy her, "I mean you're attracted to her, right?! You're having a crush on her"
"What?! No!" The 'accusations' startles Elraven, "I am not attracted to her! I just believe her, that's all!"
"You certainly believe her more than any of us do, Vice Captain. Admit it; you have a crush on her"
"For crying out loud, Sasha! I got a girlfriend! I cannot have a crush on other woman, let alone a little girl like her!"
"True, but you cannot hide your feelings either, right?"
"But, that's…"
"Vice captain, in love age is only a number. There's no need for you to hide your feelings, it's written all over your face"
"It's not!"
However, El and Fio share something in common; they aren't good at concealing their feelings. Since El answered with a red face, Sasha continues her rampage, "Then, there's no need to say it with a blush, right?"
"OK, that's it! That's it, soldier!" Elraven uses his rank to stop Sasha from gaining more info from him, "As the second in command of Ropera Squad, I hereby order you to stop pushing me!"
"…vice captain, that's unfair" Sasha looks disappointed, "But at least I know I was right"
"Quite, you" El reminds her.
Seeing the two Ropera Squad members, Kenji can only tell himself, "There is no freaking way these guys are criminal. They aren't evil at all"
Right at that moment, Fio comes out from inside the house with a happy face, indicating the problem is over for now, "Cheer up, guys. We have talked about this and we reached the proper solution for both of us"
"In form of…" El hints the idea for Fio to fill the blank.
"A play"
"You mean the play Tsukihime-san gave to us as the third condition?"
"Yes"
"That's a nice idea!" Kenji chimes in, "The play is always the center of the attention on Amatsu each year! It will be held in the royal hall in the uptown! If you participate on it and you pull it out successfully, then the whole Amatsu will respect you!"
"Sounds great!" Elraven glances at Sasha who evilly sneers, but he could careless about that for bow, "I'll go to Umbala tomorrow so the rest of us can join the play!"
"Nice, and I'll ask Marcus to join the play with us" Fio responds.
"Ask me to what?" Marcus, as usual with Gregory on his shoulder, suddenly appears from their behind with a stup…I mean curious face.
"Oh, Marcus! There you are! Listen" The former princess quickly explains the situation, "We will have to participate on a play in ten days, and we're low on people. Will you help us by participating on the play? You can ask your two underlings to join too"
"Play?" Marcus looks at Gregory and whispers, "Gregory, what does she want to play? Is this some kind of kindergarten thing where you use dolls to entertain the infants?"
"No, she means a drama. She wants us to participate on the drama which will be held in Amatsu" Gregory patiently answers, "I say, give it a shot"
"Alright, I'll give it a shot" Marcus replies and faces Fio, "Alright, Princess Fiorentin. I'm ready to play, anywhere…anytime. Just tell me where the kindergarten is and I'll do my best to entertain them"
"Well…" Not being an idiot doesn't help Fio understanding Marcus at all, "Not necessarily kindergarten, though. The play will be watched by all Amatsu, not just kids"
"Alright…" With the capacity of his brain, Marcus tries to understand, "And who would I play? Cinderella?"
And I don't think I need to tell you that Marcus successfully shuts the other four up in confusion.
"More like Dumberella" Gregory concludes.
The next morning…
Starting from today, the group will practice for the play. So, everyone's presence is important. With that in mind, El flies to Umbala using Pegasus (with Patricia piloting of course). Earlier this morning, Fio asked him to pick everyone in Gonryun also.
Having two grand schedules for today, El is rather impatient waiting with the stoic Patricia in the pilot room.
For those who don't know, Patricia Guiterez, the pilot of Pegasus, is a woman of few words and expressions. She is 32 years old and the mother of three daughters. Her husband works as the manager for one of Barragan family's casinos. Despite not being a combatant, Patricia was accepted for the job as the pilot simply because her outstanding skill on handling the giant airship in the first place.
And Elraven doesn't fancy her companion. Not that El hates her, but most Ropera Squad members find it hard to have even the slightest conversation with her. So, El chooses to stay quiet when Patricia quietly drives the airship.
"This is insane. I have not been saying any words for more than two hours. And it's all thanks to Miss Cool and Calm before me" Elraven sourly glances at the expressionless pilot, "Ow, if only I brought someone with me here. At least I'll have something to talk about"
The disappointed gunslinger looks at his talkie, intending to make a call to someone, "Now, if I use the talkie to play around, having little chat…whom should I called? Emilio? Nah, I bet he's busy making another bet with Gen Ed regarding the play. Sasha? No, she would burn me once she gets to say something about Alexandria. Marcus? Hell, he didn't even know how to turn on the talkie. Last night when he tried to use the talkie, he ended up receiving a call from somewhere called Death Star, telling him to shut his mouth or a guy named Darth Vader would come and shut him up. Who's Darth Vader anyway? He couldn't be a father who tried to rule the universe after falling in love with a princess from parts unknown and not knowing the existence of his long lost children, could he?"
"Are you bored, senor?" Elraven is startled by the sudden question from Patricia.
"Eh? Oh?" The gunslinger who has been wondering things opens his mouth, but doesn't find the right words to reply. Patricia opening a conversation is rarer than Ty not being a pervert.
"I ask of you, are you bored senor?" The pilot repeats.
"Well, not really" Elraven tries to compose his words carefully so he won't hurt the pilot's feelings.
"Is it because the princess isn't here?" The expressionless pilot continues without even bothering to look at The Angel of Darkness.
"Princess? You mean…Alexandria?"
"Yes"
"What does this have to do with her?"
"She is your girlfriend, right senor? It's only normal for a boyfriend to miss his girlfriend"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Elraven nearly drops his jaw to the ground if he didn't try his best to keep it up, "W,w,w,w,w…why did you say that?! What makes you think that she is my girlfriend?!"
Patricia boldly looks at him for a while before continue piloting, "She isn't, senor?"
"She isn't! We're just friends, that's all!" Elraven just can't keep his coolness down whenever the topic is about Fio, eh?
"Esta seguro, senor?"
"Si, Patricia! Lo diego en serio!" Elraven screeches.
"Lo siento, senor. But you and the princess really look like a couple" Patricia voices what's right on her mind.
Elraven sighs and speaks in a lower tone, "Yo comprendo, but we are not a couple, really"
"I'm not trying to defend myself, but the way you two interact and getting along, I believe most people would regard you as a couple right away, senor"
"I think I get along well with just about everybody, Patricia"
"You do, senor. It's just you and the princess have some kind of a matching aura and atmosphere when you are together"
"We do?" The gunslinger asks back, "That's a given. That doesn't necessarily mean we're a couple, right?"
"There is one other thing that makes you look like a couple, senor"
"What is that?"
"The way you look at each other"
For a moment, Patricia's answer successfully shuts Elraven up. No one says anything for around a minute, until Elraven opens his mouth and asks, that is, "Err…how do exactly I look at her?"
"Like you want to spend the eternity with her"
For the second time today, El is silenced, "I want to spend an eternity with her?! For real?!"
But the gunslinger quickly regains his composure so he won't be defeated like this, "Alright…and what about her? How does she look at me?"
"Like she is willing to jump to you"
"She whaaaaaaaaaat?!" El starts to act foolishly by repeatedly gasps, "For real?! Do you mean it, Patricia?!"
"I speak the truth, senor"
"Oh, my god…" Elraven feels like he just losing a soul. No one says anything anymore till they arrive at Umbala Jungle. But one thing for sure, El now knows Patricia is really not good to have a conversation with. She's scary.
When they arrive at Umbala, El quickly spots Ty and Felicia are already waiting outside the jungle, "Hey, guys! Great to see you again after a month!"
"Great to see you too, man! How are you doing?" Ty greets back.
"Not really well" El glances at Pegasus.
"It's Patricia, huh?" Ty whispers, "She likes to terrorize Ropera Squad members, bro. Don't know why, though"
"Tell me about it, Ty"
"What are you two talking about?" Felicia chimes in the conversation of the two.
"Uh, nothing important, really" El answer but he soon notices something different from Felicia…and also from Ty, "Hey, is it just me or you two look…kind of different?"
"What's so difference about us, El?" Felicia notices what El meant, but she wants to hear it from his mouth. Ty giggles seeing Fel's intention.
"I don't know, maybe it's your guys aura. It's as if…" El seriously answers, "You two improved a lot in the last month. So, the training went well?"
"Too well" Felicia cheerfully responds, "You'll see. Right now, I'm not a lesser fighter than you anymore. So is George"
"George?" El could hear someone calling his name out loud from his behind.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!" George emerges and strikes him from behind, cheerfully, "Long time no see, dude!"
"George?! George, is that really you?!" El ignores the punch earlier and goes on to extreme happiness seeing the champion again after eight long months, "G, you're back!"
"Hell yeah! And much like Felicia, I've also trained to improve much more! Now, I think I'm not a lesser fighter than you anymore!"
"Good for you. What happened to Fenrir?"
"I'm still here! Inside his freaking body!" Fenrir answers from inside George, it's as if there are two living men in one body, "This little dimwit doesn't want to release me anymore! How dare he say that?! I'm a god!"
"Shut up, Fenrir! I'm calling the shots right now!" George tells The Black Reaper with an irritated face, "I will only unleash you when things get too hot to handle! Other than that, please don't overstay your welcome inside me!"
"You think you're damn strong huh?! Do you want me to kick your freaking ass, George?!"
"Oh, you can do that?! Why don't you try it, moron?!"
"You got some balls to talk to me like that, fool!"
"Of course I got balls! Unlike you who're only hosting my body! You got no balls, right?!"
"That's it, George! I will really kill you if I can make it out from your body!"
"If you kill me, then you will also kill yourself, dimwit! Don't you have at least half a brain?!"
"I don't want to hear that from a brainless man!"
"This is the first time in the twenty one years of my life I see someone fighting himself" Elraven slowly shakes his head seeing the bizarre occurrence, "So, Ty. Where are the others?"
"Clyde, Martina, Hugo, and that Vanessa girl are helping Sarkhan with something he wants to show us later. Don't know what, though" Ty points to El's behind, "And that's your beloved girl"
"Frea?!" El smiles and quickly approaches the former goddess of beauty and prosperity who is seen approaching him slowly from behind, "Glad to see you're doing just fine! I miss you so much!"
"Yeah, right" Unfortunately for El, Frea responds in a stoic face and rather cynical tone, "Like I would buy that"
"Uh…honey?" Elraven is pretty much surprised by her act, "Is there any problem?"
"There is"
"What is it?"
She can't see him, but when Frea grabs his shoulder, El knows something is going wrong….and it is.
"YOU ARE A TWO TIMER! How dare you cheated on me all month long?!" Frea begins her rampage on El, while Ty, Felicia, and George (and Fenrir, literally) are quietly watching the two.
"Cheated on you all month long?! What are you talking about?!" Sometimes dealing with an insensitive prick takes a lot of heart you know…
"Don't play dumb with me! You've been sleeping with the princess for thirty days!" Frea shouts at the gunslinger.
"What?! Fio and El?! What has been happening when I was not around?!" George reacts.
"Cool!" Fenrir reacts.
"Way to go, man!" Ty reacts.
"Good God almighty…" Felicia reacts.
"That's not true! We were only sharing bed, that's all!" El starts the defensive mode, "By sleeping, I just meant sleep in term of taking a rest! Not in term of making out!"
"Liar! I cannot be deceived! What have you been doing with the princess?! You made out with her, right?! Just admit it!"
"I didn't do anything to her! We didn't make out!"
"Don't lie to me, Elraven!"
"I'm not lying to you or to anybody! Now, be quiet, okay? Sarkhan will be here any moment now!"
And exactly a moment later, Sarkhan and the others come out from the jungle, with Sarkhan bringing a compass on his right hand. He requests El to listen to him, whereas Randgris wants to talk to Frea.
"Thankfully, your friends helped me found this compass, I lost it somewhere in the woods around a hundred years ago. This compass points to the direction of Endless Tower" Sarkhan starts the explanation, "If Alexandria and your whole party decide to really go there, point this compass at the moon after dark, the needle will point which way is Endless Tower"
"Thank you, Sarkhan" El accepts the compass, "This way; Alexandria can settle her bout against Sieger"
"About that…she better be careful" Sarkhan gives a warning about the finest sword master from Endless Tower, "Naght Sieger isn't to be taken lightly. There's a reason why he could be the ruler of Endless Tower all these centuries"
"I knew, Alexandria has told me about him"
"But she only knows so little about his true power. Naght Sieger is far more dangerous than she could ever thought…maybe, especially now"
"Now? What are you talking about?"
"No, forget it. I talked too much" Sarkhan shakes his head and apologizes, "I'm sorry for telling you unnecessary information"
But, El is quick to notice that The Wise is hiding something, "Judging on how you react, I don't think it's unnecessary"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you more. I vowed not to stick into this world's business, I'm sorry. Good luck" Sarkhan says to Elraven. El understands and demands no more from him.
Meanwhile, Randgris is having a private talk with Frea.
"It's been a long time since the last time we talked, isn't it?" Despite the fact that Randgris was the one who requested to talk to Frea, the kind hearted soul linker opens the conversation cause she sees Randgris make no attempt on talking at all, "So, what do you want to say to me?"
"Beforehand, I would like you to note that this doesn't mean we're on a friendly term" Randgris, just as cold as ever, speaks, "I will never forgive you for what you had done to Lord Odin. Do I make myself clear?"
"…crystal clear" Frea sighs in defeat.
"Good. Then, let's get to the point" Randgris, as serious as ever, continues, "In case Alexandria really wins her battle against Naght Sieger, I want you to allow me to come to Odin's Temple with you and Elraven"
"It's not that I mind, but why?" Frea investigates a bit further, "You do have a reason, right?"
"Because Ifrit would be there also" An honest straight answer from the valkyrie, "I want to settle my score with him"
Now, Frea finally understands. The insult Ifrit has voiced about Odin wouldn't just be forgotten like the good old forgive and forget. It's unwise to mess with a valkyrie (but mind you, it's more unwise to mess with a fire god who is also a psychopath), "I understand your intention, Randgris. Fine, you can come with us"
"I have never thought I would say this to you, but…thank you" Randgris reluctantly says.
"You're welcome" Frea smiles before taking her leave, "Nice talking to you, by the way"
Seeing the former goddess of beauty and prosperity quietly leaves, Randgris can only wonder to herself, "Still with the kind heart of hers…if only she hadn't chosen to leave Lord Odin then maybe she would have had…"
And several minutes later, with everyone required on board, Pegasus sets sail to Amatsu once again.
Inside Pegasus, El tells the others about the play and its importance for their alliance. And of course the explanation triggers different reactions from his friends,
Fel: Hm, that sounds fun. The play will be good to have some refreshments.
Ty: I hope I don't get a sloppy role
Cly: I hope I got a supporting role only.
M: I second that, Clyde.
H: Count me in, friends.
V: …
Fr: Hmph!
"OK, that's all you need to know. Enjoy your time, guys" Elraven finishes his job, but his talkie soon receives an incoming call, and he answers it.
El: Hello?
Fio: El?
El: Alexandria? Wow, this is a nice surprise.
Unknown to El, Frea is angrily glaring at him.
Fio: Thanks. By the way, there's no need for you to go to Gonryun anymore. Anyone but Alphard is here.
El: What? How?
Fio: Actually…
Two hours ago, when Elraven was still on his journey to pick everyone in Umbala back…
Fio was sitting alongside Hikari in front of the royalty's house while reading the script for the play.
"Uh…this story is the combination of various famous tales, right?" The lord knight keens on knowing more about the play.
"Yes. Helen of Troy, Snow White, and many others" Hikari answered, "Do you have something to say, Adler?"
"No, I think the plot is funny and well written. Did you write this yourself, Hikari-san?"
"Yes, I wrote the script for the play for the last three years"
"Who's going to play who?"
"Undecided for now. We're going to find out today's afternoon after we draw it"
"You're going to take part on this?"
"Yes. Why, Adler? You want to be the female lead?" Hikari boldly questioned back.
"Eh? No, it's not like that" Fio explained, "I would be glad to participate as anyone in the play"
"You're not into acting, are you?"
"Frankly speaking, no. I'm into painting"
"That's a shame, you face is cute. A lot of people would want to see you on the big stage"
"Ow, you flatter me!" Fio down to earthly replied, but their conversation stops when they see a girl approaching them, a cute innocent looking young girl in a kafra uniform with long dark hair.
"Um, excuse me?" The kafra girl greeted the two, "Are you Princess Fiorentin Adler from Sagramore?"
"Yes" Fio responded, "Can I help you?"
"Actually, I heard you need to move some of your companions from Gonryun to here?"
"Yes"
"Um, I think I can help you using my warp portal" The kafra girl told Fio, but it was crystal clear that she was trying to indicate something.
And being a sensitive person, Fio catched her intention right away, "Oh, I see. You want to earn some money, right?"
"Uh…yes" The kafra girl embarrassingly admitted.
"There's no need to be so shy like that! It's 1500 zenny, right?" Fio takes out her purse, but Hikari stops her.
"Wait a minute, Adler. I need to talk to this kafra girl" Tsukihime quickly looked at the innocent yet nervous looking kafra girl, "What's your name, sister?"
"Eh? I'm called Iris…" The kafra girl named Iris innocently replies.
"OK, Iris. How old are you?"
"I'm…17"
"Say, you are beautiful and you look innocent. If I pay you 100,000 zenny, will you help Princess Adler over here and take a part in the play of Amatsu next week?"
"My goodness!" Iris couldn't contain her surprise, "Wow, that's a large amount of money and…"
"Yes or no?" Hikari grinned.
"Well, uh…alright" Iris accepted, "I'm in"
"Great!" Hikari clasped her hands, expressing the success of her lobbying. But, one thing made Fio curious.
"Hikari-san" She whispered to the Amatsu native's ear, "Do you want her to take part in the play just because she's beautiful?"
"What else?" Hikari quietly whispers back, "She's cute and innocent, just put some skimpy clothes on her and show her skin as much as possible, men will definitely come to see her! The profit would be enormous!"
Return to present time…
El: That Tsukihime-sama…she is evil.
Fio: (Chuckles) Right, I pity Iris.
El: But she kept her deal?
Fio: Yes, after Iris warped our party in Amatsu, Hikari-san gave her the money, but with reminding her that she got to stay until afternoon to take part in the drawing for the role.
El: Good for her. So, everyone is now present in Amatsu?
Fio: Yes, Gen. Hagi, Dorn, and aunt Talia. Minhe and her classmates will be there also.
El: Excellent. Today's morning Gen Ed told me that he would bring his whole family from Einbroch, the whole Barragan family.
Fio: The play sounds like fun, doesn't it?
El: It does.
Fio: Is Frea there?
El: Yes
Fio: Say hi to her from me, OK?
El: OK
Fio: Great. Bye, El!
Fio turns off the talkie, and leaves El to face the angered Frea alone.
El: Honey, Alexandria says hi to you.
Fr: Nothing else?
El: Yes…
Fr: Good, we need to talk.
El: Yes?
Fr: Are you going to participate in the play?
El: Yes!
Fr: Good, then listen to me.
El: Yes.
Fr: If by any chance you and the princess got the main role…
El: …yes?
Fr: WE BREAK UP IF YOU DARE TO SPOIL HER! YOU GOT ME?!
El: …yes
Fr: And one more thing!
El: (Sighs) …y…yes?
Fr: If I discover the princess is pregnant of your baby in Amatsu, Ifrit doesn't need to bother killing you because I will kill you before her eyes!
El: ...whatever.
Fr: Good! And the fact you are very, and I mean very, good at snuggling doesn't mean I'm not serious!
And after that, the Pegasus arrives in Amatsu. "They have arrived" Hikari murmurs, watching the Pegasus from her house with Kenji on her behind, "Kenji, get the list of role for the play now. I think we're going to have fun deciding who's going to play who today"
When the group arrives in town, George gets the biggest reaction from the welcoming committee.
Fio: Hey, glad to see you back!
Dorn: Is Fenrir still alive?
Talia: ….hi….
Hagi: Oh, son! I miss you so much! Come here, boy!
Hagi jumps and hugs his long lost son without giving anything else a crap. "Ow, dad! I miss you so much too!" George returns the hug.
"Sissy" Fenrir mocks George from inside, "Daddy's boy is having teary eyes!"
"Shut up, Fenrir! You're ruining the moment!" George protests the Black Reaper.
"Oh, we can hear him talk now?" Fio asks the champion.
"Unfortunately…yes" George answers with a sour face.
Ty, Hugo, Martina, & Clyde also got a warm welcome.
Em: Fellows, glad to have you in here!
S: Hi, Clyde! I miss you, Martina! Good to see you again, Hugo! And…damn, Ty is still alive.
GE: Welcome back, soldiers.
Vanessa prefers to stay in Pegasus with Patricia, so that leaves El getting a warm welcome from Minhe and her classmates.
"Hi, bro" Minhe innocently greets the gunslinger, "I heard you spent thirty wild nights with the princess? Did you get it on with her?"
"No!" Elraven slams the rumor, "That's not true!"
But he only got himself in more trouble because the entire class erupts,
"Ew, kinky!"
"You got it on with the princess?!"
"What's her favorite spot?!"
"Did that feel good?!"
"Did you impregnate her?!"
"Are you going to have a baby?!"
"Did you fondle her?!"
"Who was on top?!"
"Was she hard to be taken down?!"
"Are you two now married?!"
"You're going to take the responsibility if she gets pregnant, right?"
"Nooooooooo! That's just a rumor!" El glances at the angry Frea with fear on his eyes, "And how could you kids asked such things?! You're too young for that!"
And Fio is introducing Felicia to Hikari and Iris, "Felicia, this tough lady over here is Hikari-san. And the innocent one beside her is Iris"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Felicia. Fio told me a lot about you, Hikari-san. And you're just as cute as Fio told me, Iris" Felicia politely introduces herself.
From afar, Ty has already set his sight on a new target, "Wow, that Iris girl got a real knockout crack! Gotta check on her deeper after this!"
"Good to have you back in here, Miss Freyja" Gen Ed warmly welcomes Frea.
"Thank you, General" Frea politely replies, "It seems the play will bring a lot of fun"
"Yes, but elders like me won't participate. It's the younger generation turns to make a difference"
"Ow, you make me feel younger" Frea says and then both of them giggle.
Not far from there, Helen is silently watching the group, "Having a family sure is fun, hm? And…that white haired girl who is standing beside the general…why does she look familiar? Maybe it's just me"
"OK, everyone! We'll meet in fifteen minutes inside the house to draw the role, OK?" Hikari reminds the party upon seeing Kenji giving her a sign from inside, right when Marcus, Gregory, Thompson, and Thomson show up.
"Ow, what a lovely family reunion scene" Marcus joins the welcoming committee, "It reminds me of the good old days. Right, Gregory?"
"Well, if what you mean by the good old days of family reunion was when you got lost for a month in Payon forest before the grand meeting of Archer Guild then…I beg to differ" Gregory simply replies.
"Hey, Marcus!" El notices him, "You're going to participate in the play, right?"
"Yes!" Marcus proudly answers, "I even called my wife and kids along with the whole archer guild to come here! So, I'm gonna put one hell of a display!"
His last statement successfully shuts everyone up.
"Your…what?" El slowly asks in disbelieve, "Wife…and kids?"
"Hell yeah!" Marcus asks like nothing will happen because of the shocking truth, "I'm a loyal husband of my wife, Julia, and the father of a quintuplet, Mickey, Michael, Minnie, May, and Moe!"
"That's true, everyone. Right, Thomson?"
"Super right, Thompson"
And the next thing Amatsu heard is a very loud sound of,
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!
After some moment, Marcus innocently looks around the jaw dropped party, "Err…did I say something wrong?"
And the surprise of the daylight that day ends with the role selection….
0^^4I3
AOC: Hey, hey! See u again after a long time! Here, in this chapter edition's of omake, please welcome the newcomer with the highest popularity, Marcus Vidar!
M: Hi, everybody!
AOC: And please welcome his partner, Gregory!
G: Hi, fellas.
AOC: Marcus, ever since your first encounter with the third kind…I mean the main characters in chapter 74, your popularity has enormously gained. Second only to Fio! And that's simply because of your stupid nature!
M: Hm? What popularity? Are we talking in term of being an idol here?
AOC: No! I mean your popularity among the readers!
M: Readers? What readers? Readers' Digest?
G: AOC, just cut the crap! It will take years to make him understand!
AOC: OK, the first is a question from Mikamika. Marcus, what is the relationship between you and spongebob squarepants?
M: Well, Spongebob Squarepants is my cousin's nephew in law's far neighbor's fake brother's stepfather's great grandmother's sister's long lost twin.
AOC: …is that for real?
G: No, he doesn't even know who spongebob is.
M: I knew him! Spongebob Squarepants is my cousin's nephew in law's far neighbor's fake brother's stepfather's great grandmother's sister's long lost twin!
AOC: OK, OK! Whatever! The next question is from Samurai Cowgirl,.Gregory, have you ever wanted to kill Marcus?
G: I'm through with that.
AOC: So, basically there was a phase when you want to kill him?
G: Precisely.
AOC: Why do you want to kill him?
G: Reasons.
M: (humming) go, ninja go, ninja go! Go, ninja go, ninja go! Go, ninja go, ninja go!
G: See? This is one of those reasons…
AOC: OK, next is from Beautiful Zombie Slayer. Marcus, what's your IQ?
M: `181!
AOC: What?!
G: Actually, erase one of those numbers…preferably number 8.
AOC: His IQ is only 11?
G: Unfortunately…yes.
AOC: Poor guy…
M: Hey, I'm not that stupid!
AOC: Oh, sorry…
M: That Beautiful Zombie Slayer just asked my ID card number, right? I'm sorry, it's 18194749. Not 181.
AOC: No, she was asking your IQ.
M: IQ? Is that some kind of a phone number?
G: See? 11.
AOC: Damn…next is from Allen. Gregory, have you ever contacted a psychiatrist to help you keeping up with Marcus?
G: I went through that also.
AOC: Oh my god…what was the hardest part in the treatment?
M: (singing) don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?! Don't you wish your girlfriend was great like me?!
G: That part…
AOC: I second that. Next is a question from Doflamingo. Marcus, who is stupider, you or George?
M: …who's Borge?
AOC: No, it's George.
M: Morge?
AOC: George! G-E-O-R-G-E!
M:…whore?
AOC: Ow, heck! To hell with it!
M: You want a whore to go to hell?
G: Shut up, Marcus! This is getting nowhere!
M: Who's getting nowhere? The whore?
G: I said shut up!
M: Wait a second, first you want the whore to go to hell and now you want her to go nowhere?! Where is nowhere?
AOC & G: SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!
M: Ok…fine…I'll shut up…
AOC: God! Next is from Castle43. Marcus, how come Thompson and Thomson are your bodyguards?
M: …
AOC: Marcus?
M: …
AOC: Hello, earth to Marcus?
M: …
G: Marcus, he is asking you a question.
M: (Picks a paper and writes) didn't you two want me to shut up?
AOC: OK…you can talk now…
M: For real?
AOC: Yes, now answer the damn question.
M: Well, it was a beautiful Sunday morning when I picked two flowers from near the tree before I *blablabla* then *blablabla* come *blablabla*….
Two hours later…
M: And ta-da! I'm a happy man!
AOC: (Looks bored) Uh…so, when did you meet Thompson and Thomson during that day when you picked a flower?
M: Huh? You were asking me about Thompson and Thomson?
AOC: (Starts losing patience) Yes!
M: Sorry…I thought you want me to tell you my happy hour…
AOC: Gregory…why don't you tell me how this moron met those two morons before I kill him?
G: He just chose them out of nowhere when they showed up during his wedding ceremony.
AOC: Ain't that simple? Next is from Aya, what's your opinion on knowing Fenrir is your great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather?
M: …I'm happy….
AOC: Happy? That's it? No tit-bits?
M: That's it.
AOC: Fine, the next is from Tia. How old is Gregory?
G: The falcons serving for archer guild have a long lifespan. I'm 34 years old.
AOC: Cool. Next is from Kogane1089, did you get…laid?
M: What?
AOC: Did you get laid?
M: What's a get laid?
AOC: (Starts losing patience) did you ever have an intercourse with a woman?
M: A cooking course, yeah.
AOC: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! This guy drives me nuts!
M: (innocently) what's wrong? He asked me whether I got a course or not and now I'm driving him nuts. Weirdo…
G: (shakes his head) Marcus…you're hopeless, you know that? And AOC, please get a hold of yourself.
AOC: Fine! I'll finish this! Next is from Pupucachi. She asked five questions for each of you, and I'll start with Gregory,
1. How did you end up with Marcus?
2. Do you have family (falcon family) ?
3. What do you do when you're free?
4. Do you have any good memory with your master?
5. How did you learn to speak?
G: OK, here are the answers,
His father hatched my egg and put me with him. Unknown to both of us…it would be hell on earth…
Yes, I got a lovely wife, three sons, four daughters, and two grandsons.
Relaxing my mind from my owner. I need relaxation, really.
…I don't have the heart to tell…
Twenty five years ago, before Marcus was even born, a goddess named Freyja came to Payon from Rachel and blessed the land of Payon. Ever since that day, I could speak. Maybe her magic caused it.
AOC: Great! Next is for Marcus,
1. Are you married? (If not, ask him question 2,3)
2. Are you interested in love?
3. Have you ever done 'it' with a girl before?
4. What type of girl is your favorite?
5. Marcus, how did you become the leader of Arbalest (while you're so stup... oh, sorry sorry ^^)?
6. Do you think your characteristic caused you a lot of troubles? xD
M: OK, here are the answers,
As this chapter explained, I'm married with children. And, since you mentioned to skip the next two questions if my first answer is yes, then so be it.
4. Any girl who wants to spoil me.
5. I inherited the position from my father, Dominic Vidar. And what did you want to say? Stup? What's stup?
6. Troubles? What troubles?
AOC: Pu, I think his characteristic caused others lot of troubles, not himself.
G: I second that.
AOC: The last, as usual, is from my editor, Willy. Why did you get lost often although you're a sniper?
M: That's why I brought a world map, because this world is so damn big!
AOC: I don't see the difference.
M: So do I!
AOC: (looks at Gregory before shake their head together) Pitiful. OK, the omake ends here. Thx for your questions. The next chapter is about Olivia, c u next chappy!