Chapter 11

The Interlude

Russell Fellow was a realist; the treasurer of The Six Tongues, often he'd been characterized to be obsessed with money. Nonetheless he was commercially successful, highly elevated to the status of the of the head to the Kingdom's commercial Union. He wore a fair suit and stood at the height of 5'11", with blonde hair and tanned skin.

Too read this letter, marked in red, with the crescent of the Astrea's, it spawned upon him a distant memory backed by fourteen years of time. Wearily, Russell distrusted Heinkel Astea, the current head of the family household, on the accord that he manipulated his young son into using the terrible [Devine Protection of Mind control] many years ago in order to aid his own personal gain. However, upon reading the letter. It was not an Astrea that requested his presence but rather that of a boy; who so happened to be the talk of the capital. "..Natsuki Subaru?" another pause, "At least he writes well." He shifted the letter into the envelope, bringing out a blank piece of paper and ink, he would write his reply.

A meeting at the Astrea domain. No later than 4:00pm on the second of the week of the month. So, naturally the aristocratic capitalist come the right day and made his way over. A sunny sky to aid the change into a cooler season, currently there was no better weather than this. His dragon carriage arrived, and he met the door. Knock, knock. No response, "A maid or servant? This is, lackluster."

Another knock, "He knows of today, that boy replied to my message." Another pause before a noise. The door croacked and before him stood a beautifull women. Long black hair, black eyes, and a smile.

"Oh- er, so sorry it took this long, we're jus super busy today!" innocently she smiled while nodding her head, "once again I have to apologize."

Wearily Russell squinted his eyes, "If you don't mind me asking, judging by your demeanor you don't seem to be a maid." It was true, if anything the girl looked like a noble, "Who might you be?"

"Oh! I-" a trail off in her tone looking to the side and back, "I'm er- Natsumi" She threw out her right hand in the offer of a shake, "Natsumi Shwartz! I know that your- Russell Fellow."

He accepted the offer, "I see, and what of Natsuki Subaru?"

"Oh!" the girl back off onto the house while widening the entrance with the door, "Come inside, he'll be here in a second."

Moments passed, Rusell Fellow sat at a sofa, he was offered Tea by the girl, he accepted. The girl left the room and coming back, Natsuki Subaru walked on in who sat across from the businessman. Instantly, his description was true, black hair, nasty eyes, and upright posture, he held his arms crossed but once walking in, the raven-youth widened his demeanor.

"You must be Russell Fellow." The boy smiled, "It's nice to meet you! I'm Natsuki Subaru." He waved his hand forward; Fellow rose in reply.

"The pleasures all mine, although I do recommend your timing be a bit better." The man teased.

"Ah- sorry bout that- we just had some last touches on our most recent projects." The boy announced as the two men went to sit on the sofas across from each other.

"So." Russell spoke first, "Mind me, but the reason I've decided to accept your request, is do in-fact to your reputation. Its- quite the handful at times, no?"

"Oh no- totally." Subaru replied earnestly, "Yah, publicity is a big thing, but these past months I've been keeping to myself I supp-" a pause, but quickly, "Yeah"

The blonde man raised an eye but moved past the boys odd wording, "I see." Russell put his tea too his cup after a sip, appearing beside the raven boy was the same girl who welcomed Russell into the mansion. "And this girl, Natsumi?" He looked to the black-haired girl. "May I ask if you too are related? The resemblance is almost uncanny."

"Oh!" the girl began to laugh, almost nervous at first, "No- well we both own some origin to Vollachia I guess."

"You're Vollachain Mr. Natsuki?" then, the businessman looked back to the raven boy, who, smiled.

"No- you could say that I've had some Vollachain influence, but in honesty, I don't have any real traceable heritage to that country, in fact."

"I see." Once more, "Now, in your letter? You were talking business? About projects?" the man went too put his tea down, "May I see these items you've spoken of?"

The evening was followed by Natsumi displaying various items, food, in a sauce called mayo, on eggs, and on bread, even Russell was astounded by the flavour. Followed by countless objects with varying contraptions; a fridge as he put it, although being an ice box it seemed to be permanent in its low temperature, relying on an energy source from rare stones. "And these little glass circles; they are light bulbs." Connecting his finger, the object, it lit the room instantly, "While its not perfect, both mana and the previously mentioned magic stones can keep this item lit."

"I see," Russell would be stunned that if it wouldn't be Natsuki Subaru who could store mana in a physical form. "Is this yang magic Mr. Natsuki?"

"No- its science." He put the bulb down, on the oak table in front of him. "Its very common where I come from."

"Sci…ence?" The Fellow was confused with this new word, "Is it, not to sound dim- a form of magic?"

"Well- no? It looks like it though," Subaru chuckled, "If anything its more along the lines of alchemy, with trial and era, mixing different substances or in this case, items, to get an intended result."

That made sense to the tan man. Logically, the display of crafts and well designed pieces led the treasurer to the basis of his conclusion, the deduction that anyone at his financial position would make, "You'd like to sell these? Correct? Natsuki Subaru."

The raven boy clapped and led out a cheerful smile, "Well of course. I'm glad were on the same page in fact."

Russell had no reason to use his divine protection at the time, examining each object for items not yet worth anything initially would be useless. As for quality? These were prototypes. Surely any inventor would improve on his creation. "You need funding, you believe these items are worthy of being sold to the populous?"

"I know they are, each from that automatic door," the boy pointed to a page with the contraption, "To this little bulb." Picking up the glass object again, continuing, "Has the ability to ease the life of the masses on a societal scale."

A smile from Russell, "If that's what you believe." He looked down to a paper from his own notebook, "Your items are impressive in themselves, however, have you even thought of pricing?"

"Well- er."

"How about where you'll begin to sell? Which demographic will benefit from the sauce?" he pointed to the white jar, "And which well benefit more from the door?" he then pointed to the drawing. "You're ambitious Natsuki Subaru, no doubt about it. But the extent of your financial knowledge is limited." He continued, "Your accomplishments are notable, and your reputation precedes you- to an extent that name of yours will benefit you. But before you can enter this tricky world, you must be prepared to think ahead. You weren't just shooting into the abyss, were you?"

"Well- er. No?" the boy put his hands to his lap, "What I seek is to form a company- I need experience to do so, which is why I am asking for your help Mr. Fellow."

"Its natural to do that." The treasurer admitted, "So you want to have an active involvement in the selling and distribution of each product?"

"Yes." the raven-youth declared.

Russell Fellow paused, he raised his hand to cusp his chin, then calmly he placed it back down to his lap. "Currently, at no point will I sell any of your products."

"…"

"Wait. What?" The boy blinked, astonished.

"It is what I said." Rusell smiled.

"But- even after all that? Why not?" the boy perked up, not aggressively but confused.

"You're an infant still, you barely know how to walk, yet you expect to run with the wolves?" The man sighed, "You've barely been alive!"

"Alive- what do you know about being alive?" the boy was upset, "Whatever, if you want you can leave now." He crossed his arms.

Mr. Fellow could only smile calmly, "Subaru, if you truly wish to do something great in the financial realm. You'll come and work for me first."

The boy gaped. "Are you serious?" he squinted, "You insult me, then want to hire me?"

"It is your choice." Russell collected himself and rose, "If you desire, find me, at my institute at the beginning of next week. I've had an opening at noon." Calmly and collectedly, not in ego or anger, Fellow left, and Subaru was left baffled and feeling alike to a buffoon.

Casually the sage council sit around a red robed table, laid with tea and pastries, Miklatov McMahon to the far right, Bordeaux at the far left, other varying members sitting around, shuffling papers, and having independent conversations. "Gentlemen," Miklatov spoke first, the crowd of elders all turning their attention to the Prime minister, "Firstly, I apologize for this late meeting." Keeping a warm face too acknowledge this, "However it is of great importance we settle this matter."

Bordeaux spoke first in reply, "Which shall we discuss first?" jokingly, "The gapping tree on the Laifus highway? Or the seventeenth civil war in Vollachia this decade?" A few council members laughed.

"No, amusing but, no." Miklatov replied earnestly, shifting his hands to a great rock, staring at it, the stone which held golden text embezzled by divine flame. "However, the tree does have some correlation in this matter."

Promptly, Bordeaux frowned.

"Today we discuss the trial of Natsuki Subaru." Miklatov announced, "How shall we proceed?"

"On court!" one man announced, "How about we juristic him only to walk around the capital?" another spoke. "Is he even Lugnican?" one inquired.

"Order gentlemen!" Bordeaux took charge of the scene with his loud voice, "Firstly, we've established his history, current connections, where he is. That is with, the Astrea's correct?" Looking to Miklatov who nodded in a solid, "Right". Then Bordeaux continued, "While, he is disgraceful and personally I do not like him, we can't ignore the contributions the boy provided to the nation, among so his defeat of the witch cult and whale simultaneously."

"Right." Miklatov had already consulted Bordeaux on the matter just days before the current assembly. "Which is why, in do part to his popularity among the people." Miklatov spoke, "We will not be placing him in the court of justice."

"What?" one man spoke, "That's outrageous, he's dangerous!"

The man with long hair and a long beard, Miklatov continued, "He has done no crime, if so, would it not be better to be on good terms with such a powerful individual?"

"You can't be serious!" another spoke, then the man looked to Bordeaux who held his arms crossed. "And you're agreeing to this Zellgef?"

"I do not like the idea, but Miklatov is right." The bald man admitted, "We shall, as a nation wait to test the boy's character even further."

Miklatov spoke next, "Which is why it is better we follow him closely than pose a threat."

"Threat?" another council member further to the back, "He's the threat."

"Than." McMahon lectured, "We shall have our sword saint deal with it."

"…" the room was silent.

"Do we see this all fi-" but before Bordeaux could get the chance to speak, the Dragon tablet; the gold stone shun like the stars. Crackling and forging together words on the tablet out of royal flame, upon it came another declaration.

{ Natsuki Subaru Has Contracted The Great Spirit Of Yin }

"Oh?" subtly the members of the sage council watched Miklatov has announced this, casually he took a sip of his tea. "It makes sense that he would do that."

Rem and Ram sat idle beside the gates to the trial. It had been several hours since Emilia had entered the ancient chamber. The two maids were quiet, Ram had come back from checking on Roswall, Rem had been doing stationary duty for the past hour. Finally, the blue haired maid spoke. "What of Subaru?" a worried tone in her voice, "He left the camp? Why?"

Ram looked mystified for a moment; the two maid sisters had not talked of that Nasty-eyed boy since they had first arrived too the sanctuary. "Barasu? That idiot ran off to follow a dream." Her tone grew quieter while finishing her observation.

"A dream?" Rem replied quietly, her hands fiddled with each other, her composure uneasy. "Rem's Subaru couldn't have just run away like that. It's not in him too.."

"Sister." Ram stood strong, "It is not right to worry over that boy." She scoffed, "While his accomplishments are incredible, it does not change that fact he betrayed us."

"Betrayed.." The blue haired Oni tilted her head, "You don't happen to be mistaken dear sister..?"

"In reply, Ram looked off, to stare at the trial chambers than back to Rem, frustration in her eyes. The moon lit the two, but yet the calm weather failed to represent Rams mood. "Barasu is lost, he doesn't know what he's doing. Entitled and like a brat, when things didn't go his way, he lashed out at the world, only in luck was that idiot successful. Was it not he who fought Roswall just weeks before? Was It not Barasu who put out Lord in this state?" Ram scoffed.

"Well-" weary, Rem was not sure. Why did Subaru and Roswall fight, while she had not gotten the chance to check on Subaru due to her priority to the Matthers, both men had been beaten badly by one another. She recalled backing away from the fight. Clearly not being able to pick a side out of conflict and her own confusion.

"Almost I-" Ram with a timber voice, she moved her hands back and forth, intensely staring at them. "Barasu- I almost killed him."

"What?!" Rem perked up instantly, shocked by her sisters revelation. Rem had left the field only moments before returning to her Lord, this was to ensure the other camps were on their way. But kill Subaru? "Sister, how could you do such a thing-"

"Barasu.. that fool. He was going to kill the only man I had ever loved." Ram spoke, a mix of hatred and longing in her eyes.

"No-" the blue Oni in disbelief, "Subaru would never do such a thing, he's a hero."

"No." Ram with a sinister look, "that man is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing, lying and deceiving. That idiot tricked us, we were foolish to believe in him." Ram would continue to her sisters disarray, "Barasus true colours were revealed on that day? What more could convince you dear sister?"

"…" Rem shook her had, "There has to be more." Still believing in her raven-haired hero, "Sister, maybe you are right about him being lost." She continued after a breath, "But surely Subaru couldn't just forget about us? His anger was justified, but the way he took it at first wasn't. You just have to be-"

Ram stopped her sister from speaking anymore, "I'm not going too, Barasu has made his decision, it is merely our responsibility to respond to it."

"…" another pause, but Rem continued softly, "I'll write him a letter."

"Where will you find him?" the pink haired Oni being logical in her response. It was true, the whereabouts of the nasty-eyed boy were as good as guessed.

The last pause, the longest, it was quiet enough to hear the rustle of trees and chirping of insects. The world stood still, but Rem finally broke that stalemate, with her entire soul she spoke one last time, "I'm sure, that Rem's hero wouldn't abandon her."

Authors Note:

So, a short little interlude between the arcs I'm setting up there. Any questions for this chapter will gradually be answered during the following phase of this story. So, I wanted to just mention a few things in preparation for the next arc.

Unlike the cannon timeline, the next two "arc's" will be during that one-year dead period that happened between the cannons arc 4 & 5. Too continue, I noticed that I leave these cliffhangers after significant moments in the story. (Mostly just do it for added affect.) yet I plan to give reflections and meaningful development revolving the characters surrounding these set moments.

Too also look back at it further, my bad for any spelling mistakes, I like to write in the evening so usually I'm pretty tired and don't bother to reread the chapters until I post them, but going forward, I am going to correct previous grammar, and review future chapters in full before I post them.

If you have any ideas or need to contact me, just PM me; other than that, take care.