A.N.: I don't get what is wrong with the cover image. It's all blurry. Sorry I'm new with this cover thing, could any of you guys and gals help me out with it? Send me a PM. Speaking of which, is there a way to prevent this AI bots user menaces from sending me PMs? I'm getting swarmed.
Tags: WBWL, isekai, Weasley bashing (most of them), Potter's bashing, manipulative Dumbledore, ministry bashing, eventual harem.
Normal people talking "Hello. How are you?"
People thinking 'Thinking on something good.'
Monster or demon talking "*Drool* Hmmm meat~"
Monster or demon thinking 'I want that shiny precious thing.'
Chapter 2: Hidden Daggers
It was late in the evening when Kaguya came home and she demanded to talk with him.
He agreed. He did not want to antagonize her any further, not after the display that he put on the temple four days ago.
Seeing her embarrassed before several monks and shrine maidens as he fed her. Totally worth it. The faces she made were so adorable compared to the aloof Kaguya everyone knew. Only him could bring out that kind of reactions from the shrine maiden. It made him feel special.
However, the aftermath was not that pleasant. She had been giving him the cold shoulder ever since.
She silently waited for him, staring at the empty plate set before her and her chopsticks.
Hadrian arrived not long after carrying a steaming pot. He placed the pot on the table and sat the cross-legged on his own cushion. "You wanted to talk to me about something?" Asked Hadrian picking her plate and serving the stew.
Accepting the plate, she sighed and looked at him. "Hadrian Blackwell, I have a request from the Seven Shields Alliance." She droned as she had practiced the line over a thousand times. "The Alliance is issuing a commission of five hundred of your finest healing elixirs. The Alliance is willing to pay eight hundred laurentians (gold coins), if you deliver them before a week."
Hadrian's elixirs were famous all over Eostia. Even long before he settled in Thorn there were talks of a travelling doctor with elixirs that could completely heal someone at death's doors.
There were several nobles that saw an opportunity in his services. Many were vying to have him under they patronage.
Some even sent letters and gifts back at his old temporary residence in Thorn, but then, that festival came, resulting in him marrying Kaguya, effectively aligning him with Thorn.
"That is a lot of coin." He whistled. "But why do you need that many elixirs?" said stabbing on the chunk of meat with a fork and blowing to cool it off.
Kaguya sighed. "The Alliance is preparing to send an expedition to reclaim a section of northern Feoh. We are planning on setting an outpost there."
Swallowing, Hadrian took on a thoughtful look. "I see... Well, that's a sound strategy. Logistically speaking Feoh and Ur are the most important fortress in Eostia. The fact that they are both so close to Garan is most concerning." Mussed Hadrian. "Any defense they can setup in the area will only benefit Eostia in this war."
Kaguya rose an eyebrow as she listened to Hadrian's words. "How so are Feoh and Ur the most important? I would suspect Ken to be the most important, being the seat of the church, the heart of Eostia's faith." Asked Kaguya, wanting to know his reasoning.
"They produce most of the food in Eostia. Should they be lost… I don't really want to think about it. A famine would be terrible. Olga Discordia would not need to even send her monsters to finish us off." Explained Hadrian.
"I see you have thought about it." Said Kaguya introducing a potato in her mouth.
Hadrian shook his head. "Nothing of the sort. It's just ruveroan history. Back when he was starting, the dark lord attacked farmlands and sent his monsters along the trading routes to attack any trading caravan. It was a simple tactic, to starve his enemies. After all, hunger is a terrible enemy." He said staring at his plate.
Kaguya nodded humming in thought. "That makes sense." She stared at him with a pensive look. "Perhaps I should bring you with me to the meetings, your input in these matters could benefit us."
"Me?" Hadrian laughed. "Please, I am no expert at warfare or anything. All I know is from reading books." He said waving his hand in a dismissing manner. "I am sure there are a lot of strategist and experts on these matters offering advice to you and the other leaders of the Alliance. Besides, I got my hands full with the hospice."
She stopped eating and frowned at this response. "Still, another person offering counsel could help us in the long run."
Hadrian set his now empty plate on the table and sighed. "Hm. I don't know about that. Too many voices and you won't get to hear those that offer good advice. You and the princess knights are in a hard position, everyone in Eostia depends on you to save them. I do not envy you."
"We must do what we must. Protecting and guiding the people of Eostia is our duty." Replied the shrine maiden with a solemn look. "I swore before my god to protect Thorn and our faith when I became the head shrine maiden."
Hadrian sighed. "Alright. I guess I could close the hospice for a few days to work on those elixirs."
"You agreed?" Asked Kaguya. Ever since she knew him, Hadrian had not shown any interest in gold. "I did not think you would agree, I mean, this is great but, why?"
He scratched his chin. "Well, normally I would decline this request. But…"
"But?" She asked tilting her head.
The doctor threw her an amused grin. "Well, my beloved wife asked for my help, and what kind of husband would I be if I did not assist her and her friends?"
Her eyebrow twitched. "Hadrian." She started.
"But, you know, eight hundred laurentians is not enough for me. I mean, five hundred vials of healing elixir are quite the tall order, this is a lot to ask." He continued.
"You want more coin?" asked Kaguya. Honestly, she could perhaps add a few hundred more coins from her temple's coffers if that's what he wanted. "If you don't believe the payment is sufficient, perhaps a few hundred more could-"
"Oh no, heavens no. The payment is more than enough, honestly, I would not know what to do with that much gold." Replied the black-haired doctor.
This confused the shrine priestess. "Then what do you-"
"I want a kiss from my lovely wife." Quickly replied Hadrian.
Kaguya stood still for a few seconds, before her brain registered what the black-haired doctor said. "W-what?" her cheeks reddened. Whatever it was in anger or embarrassment only she would know. "Hadrian." She hissed. "If this another one of your jests-"
"Oh, no. I am quite serious." Said Hadrian giving her a grin. "I want a kiss on the lips from my beloved wife."
"No." she replied.
"Then I'm not doing it." Refused Hadrian.
Her orange eyes widened. "What? Hadrian!"
Hadrian shook his head, his ponytail swishing behind him. "No."
"Stop being so childish." Said the shrine maiden in an exasperated tone.
"Not doing it." Replied Hadrian knowing he had the upper hand on this. It's not like they could just simply walk in his hospice and take the elixirs under an excuse of confiscating goods for the war effort. If they did, they would only get their hands on raw and on most times poisonous ingredients. No, He alone could process the ingredients and produce the elixirs.
"You are being unreasonable." Kaguya said knowing that Hadrian was the only one in Eostia able to make those elixirs. 'Why? Why did someone as talented as him had to be so childish?'
Hadrian stuck out his tongue. "Too bad. Guess they will have to wait for those elixirs."
"Wait!" she said raising her voice before she realized what he had done and lowered her tone. "… Just a kiss?" asked Kaguya.
"Yes. Just a kiss." Replied Hadrian with a nod.
(Warning: Lime)
Sighing, Kaguya stood up and walked around the table over to where Hadrian was sitting. "This is ridiculous." She said as she sat on Hadrian's lap and puckered her lips. "Why do you even bother with me? We will never ever have-mph!"
She moaned as Hadrian pulled her into his arms and kissed her. At first it was an innocent chaste kiss, she was sure that Hadrian would be put off by her inexperience in kissing, but she did not expect for him to take on the initiative deepening the kiss and introducing his tongue in her mouth. This was different. Since when was he so intense? It was as if he was another person.
She was shocked when she found herself answering the kiss, her tongue dancing with his.
'Just a natural response.' She excused herself as she shivered in pleasure. "Ah…" she moaned. Her heart was pounding on her chest, she was conflicted, this was a whole new experience for her, and Hadrian, he was devouring her. Yes, that was the best way to describe it, there was something wild and untamed in the way he kissed her. As if it was not enough her body was reacting to his kissing. She could feel the dampness of his moistening folds her nipples growing erect under her robes her body was accepting his touch as if it was natural, it felt right… The doctor removed his tongue from her mouth and descended down on her neck nibbling and sucking, bruising her slender neck with his teeth. "Please…" She pleaded. She was panting, her face flushed by arousal. "Don't…" 'I can't resist him. "Please Hadrian…" she begged, not wanting to give in. 'I'm not ready…please…' Then… the doctor's smacked her butt making her yelp. That snapped her back to her senses.
(Warning: Lime End)
She pulled away from him, still panting… she did not say anything, she just looked at him, her face all red, she regarded him as if he was a cockroach she was about to step on.
Hadrian chuckled nervously, he just could not help himself, shrinking under her glare he hurried to say. "Ok. Before you hit me. I was just-"
"You idiot!"
*Slap*
She slapped him hard enough to turn his face to the side and knocking off his glasses.
"Hey!" He crouched down trying to reach for his glasses that fell under the table. "You knocked off my glasses!"
She took the opportunity to get up and fix her clothes.
She glared at him, short for breath and with reddened cheeks. "Do not take so many liberties with me. I am not a whore you can have your way with." She said in shortened breaths not even glancing at him. "You got your kiss and more… You better have those elixirs ready in a few days." She said leaving for her room.
Hadrian picked up his glasses and chuckled. "I did not expect for her to answer the kiss." He muttered to himself tracing a finger across his lower lip.
He put on the glasses, smirking, ignoring the stinging of the reddening handprint on his cheek.
"Who would have thought my wife had a feisty side." He chuckled nursing his reddening cheek. "Ow. Still worth it."
The next morning
Kaguya arrived at the living room only to find it empty. 'Where is he?' "Hm?" she found a note on the table. "I'm at the hospice, if you need anything just send word ahead." She read out loud. She then noticed something else. Something was missing, that's when she saw the empty table, she realized what was missing. "… He did not make breakfast." She said as her stomach growled.
At the hospice
Hadrian was at his workshop in the hospice. His workshop a large squared room that was arranged with specialized instruments and devices, ranging from precise weighting instruments to a large bronze colored contraption with a mechanical arm that held a vial and sloshed it around in a slow manner, stirring it's contents, a large calcinator, several retorts strewn across a wooden table, and a large cauldron bubbling with a black gooey liquid.
Several water tanks containing small slime-like creatures, starfishes and even jellyfishes were arranged at the center of the room, forming a small wall separating the workshop in two sections.
The walls were lined with shelves and cabinets with ingredients and reagents on display, each one labeled properly.
This was his inner sanctum at the hospice, no one but him could access it. It was the place where he brewed his potions and elixirs.
Currently Hadrian was sitting on a comfy chair. "Hm" Hadrian stopped distilling a liquid in a flask that was changing from a dark red color to a lighter shade, he lifted his head and adopted a thoughtful look. "I think I forgot something." He muttered as he looked at his own reflection on the vial.
He had yet to finish brewing the first batch of elixirs. It was a long and complicated process, so he had to brew them one at a time. The result was worth it. A powerful elixir that could heal anyone at death's door, no matter how badly wounded they are. It could even regrow lost limbs. Of course this had it's own limitations. To start with, the ingredients took a lot of time to harvest. Being mostly rare plants that grew on certain seasons and the other was a small amount of condensed mana to act as a reagent. This of course made it almost impossible to brew for most potioners and alchemists. Mana, in a condensed state came into two forms, either as a glowing crystal formation or in a liquid form. The liquid form being the most volatile, and the one he used for his elixirs.
Mana in liquid form was highly volatile and required an understanding on magic beyond casting spells, it came down to manipulate raw mana, the very thing that made magic, magic.
Under normal circumstances a person would not be able to see mana, but it was always there, in another layer of reality, only becoming visible when there was a high concentration of environmental mana or when a spellcaster was casting powerful spells.
The people who saw raw mana claimed it to be a river of energy flowing everywhere, bringing life to everything it touched.
Regardless, liquid mana required absolute concentration to employ it. The brewer had to keep it stable until it blended perfectly with the concoction. Otherwise, the consequences could be catastrophic. From exploding to causing mana poisoning in those exposed to it, overloading their bodies and breaking them from the inside out, sometimes even melting into some gooey glowing substance.
Yes, working with such a substance was quite risky, and required a large amount of concentration.
Any mistake could be fatal.
That's why Hadrian had his workshop setup the way it was. With a heavily reinforced door and walls. He also had setup an array of runes to sprinkle water on the room, should the worst happen and a fire breaks out.
Hadrian glanced at the flask in his hand. It was almost ready. 'All that's left is to eliminate the impurities and it should be good to go.' "One down… four hundred ninety-nine to go."
Temple of the Odd Faced God
The monks and shrine maidens were sitting at the communal hall of the temple having their lunch. Their lunch consisting of boiled rice, sliced radish, and fried fish. It was what they called a humble meal, they did not need any more than that, preferring to rely on spiritual guidance rather than follow ephemeral earthly desires. They were above such basic desires.
Hadrian had a lot to say about that, though. He went on a tirade about proper nutrition and how it was detrimental for their health to change their eating habits.
It was a surprise when Kaguya arrived a bit early to join them for lunch for the first time in months.
"What do you think happened?" whispered a shrine maiden to the one next to her as they observed Kaguya.
"She seems to be in a foul mood." replied the other as they watched Kaguya silently eating a rice ball in a dignified manner.
"Did they have a have a fight?" hissed another
One leaned closer to her fellow shrine maiden and whispered in her ear. "Do you think he is starving her?"
Another shook her head in distaste. "I'm telling you, that man is the worst." Said while her friend silenced her making a shooshing sound.
She chose to ignore the comments as she kept eating. 'It's cold and have no flavor. I can't believe this was what I ate on a daily basis before starting to live with him.' Kaguya's eyebrow twitched. 'So bland. I want Hadrian's cooking.' Her stomach growled again. 'Unfair.' She imagined the grinning face of Hadrian and narrowed her eyes. 'He will be quite pleased about himself if I were to ask him to cook me something.'
The monks and shrine maidens shivered as Kaguya emitted a gloomy aura around her.
"She is angry."
"What is that deviant doing to Kaguya-sama?"
"Do you think he forces himself on her"
"What are you saying? She is protected by God."
"There are ways to please a man, without actually-"
"Don't start."
"Definitely that man is the worst."
Those were some of the whispers that reached Kaguya's ears. Regardless, she was not going to bother confirming or denying those rumors.
With her appetite ruined, Kaguya stood up and left to attend to her duties. 'They are right, though.' She thought recalling the kiss she shared with the black-haired doctor, feeling her cheeks heating up and her heartbeat increasing. 'That man is the worst.'
Hadrian's hospice.
Hadrian wiped the sweat from his forehead as he neatly placed the last vial of elixir in the crate. "And that makes twenty. Good, another crate ready to get shipped." He glanced to the remaining crates.
"Hadrian." Hadrian stopped when he heard that voice and turned around. There she stood, the pale lady with a smile. "It's been a while."
"Yes." He replied. "I would offer you tea but… this is not exactly the place to chat over some tea." He said glancing around the workshop.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I won't be here for long." She said walking to one of the open crates and picking a vial. "Hm… what a pretty color."
"So…" the doctor trailed off. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
She glanced back at the black-haired doctor her cold blue eyes focusing on his green eyes. "You are married." It was not a question, but a statement.
Hadrian chuckled and took off his glasses. "It's a long story."
The pale lady smiled. "Please, do tell. I am quite curious to know what kind of woman could have succeeded at tying down the Black Scholar."
Scene change
A tall robust blond man walked between the rows of tents of the kuroinu mercenary army.
He was a fair skinned handsome man with short platinum swept back hair, sky blue eyes and a scruffy chin. He was wearing a wine-red tunic with golden embroidering and a black high collared cape over his shoulders, further down, he wore a brown leather belt with a golden buckle and white pants while his footwear consisted of fine made brown leather riding boots.
Seeing two grunts on his way snoring loudly and stinking of cheap booze he scowled. 'Can't believe I will have to see these plebeians on a daily basis.' He hurried over to the biggest tent in the cap and walked inside.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Asked a tall tanned burly looking man with short black hair and a scar under his eye wearing black amour and a red cape. The man reached for his humungous bastard sword glaring at the newcomer.
"Vault, it's ok. He is an ally." Said a certain bespectacled man. "Hello master." Greeted Keane looking at the blond man. "An excellent use of illusion magic." He praised looking at the form of the blond man looking at every detail put in the illusion.
"Master?" Asked the leader of the kuroinu. "This is-"
Keane nodded with a smirk on his face. "Yes. This is him."
As on cue the blond man lifted his glamour, showing himself to be a walking skeleton.
"Cellestine's gigantic tits!" Hicks, another of Vault's inner circle shrieked. "It's a fricking undead!"
Keane sighed exasperatedly at his companion's outburst. "Calm down Hicks. He is with us."
"Like hell he is! I know the tales about these undead freaks. He is going to suck our souls. He will." hissed Hicks holding his shortswords on a reverse grip.
"You better sheathe those blades, if you don't want me to rip out your soul." Threatened the undead.
"Hicks." Called out Vault giving the mercenary a hard look.
Seeing his boss shaking his head he knew he would have to get used to have an undead around, even if he did not like it. Gulping he sheathed his blades. "There. I sheathed my blades. Better?"
The skeleton made a grunting sound and reapplied the glamour. "Better?" he hissed back, glaring at Hicks.
"Y-yeah." Replied Hicks.
"Glad you two are on the same page." Chuckled Keane adjusting his glasses before glancing at Vault who had not removed his gaze from the dark lord in disguise ever since he walked in the tent.
"You are the dark lord of Ruveroa." Stated Vault as a nasty grin appeared on his face.
"That I am." Replied the man. "And you must be Vault. Keane's boss and leader of this… mercenary army."
"Yeah. You know, I am a fan of your work." Began Vault. "Not many can claim to have ruled over a continent."
"That shows that not all men are made equal." Replied the blonde undead with an air of superiority. "There are some who are and will always be better than others."
Vault barked a laugh. "Good! I'm glad we are on the same page. As you probably heard I am Vault, leader of these crazy bastards." He said extending his hand to shake hands with the undead dark lord in disguise.
"I am Falz Avel. But you already knew that." He replied with a smug smile. "But while I am wearing this disguise, you may call me Arnell. Arnell Latrua Atmaris"
Both, dark lord and mercenary shook hands. Vault suppressed a shudder as he shook hands with the undead dark lord. 'Seems his glamour is simply an eye trick.' It creeped him out that the only thing he could feel were the bones on the undead's hand. Snapping out of his thoughts he forced himself to grin.
"Very well, Arnell. May our alliance be a fruitful one." Grinning, ignoring the real nature of the man before him and focusing only on his goal. On his dreams of conquest. His dreams of lust and debauchery. Yes… his nation of service would become a reality.
"Likewise." Said Arnell with a grin of his own. Yes. He would make use of the mercenaries and restore himself to flesh and bone, he would claim the powers of both Olga and Cellestine to become even greater than he was. And perhaps, once he regains his flesh he could have some fun with those two elves. It's been centuries since he had been with a woman.
Time skip
The days went by and Hadrian finished brewing and refining the elixirs. He was proud of himself for that one. What he was not happy about was…
"Remind me again." Said Hadrian sitting across Kaguya as they rode on a carriage enroute to Ken. "Why am I coming with you to this feast?" He asked a bit peeved that he had to accompany Kaguya just to deliver the elixirs.
"I know you don't like to go to these kinds of events. But Cellestine asked for you by name. You must attend." Replied Kaguya for the umpteenth time.
Hadrian cursed under his breath, he wanted to reply, to tell her that he wanted to go home. "I will never understand it. All this ceremony just to deliver some crates. Sending a caravan would have been more than enough. There was no need for a feast." Replied Hadrian.
Kaguya shook her head. "It's not just for you. It's more than just celebrating the arrival of your elixirs to the White Citadel. This feast, while tedious is necessary to give the leaders of the alliance and their close allies some semblance of normalcy." Explained Kaguya to the black-haired doctor. "If they can celebrate a feast, it means that things are going well."
"I hate it when you are right." He mumbled seeing her point.
Kaguya's lips twitched upwards but she quickly regained her composure and regained her cool visage. "We should be arriving soon to Ken."
"Let's get this over with." Hadrian said sighing in defeat.
The white citadel, Cellestine's palace
Hadrian suppressed a shudder as he felt the stares. He was at the feasting hall in the White Citadel's palace, surrounded by nobles and influential people, such as members of the cleric and other people with wealth and power.
"Relax." Said Kaguya trying to keep him calm. "All you have to do is present your elixirs to Cellestine and then you can do whatever you want." She paused before giving him a look. "Except for leaving. We are leaving together. Meaning you have to remain at the feast until the end." She said knowing the doctor would try to leave as soon as he could.
"Ok. I get it. No running away. This… this is something I could go without. I think this is one of the few things I dislike about being your husband." Said Hadrian as he saw a fat blond young man that eerily reminded him of his cousin, Dudley. For some reason he was glaring at him. He would ask him what his problem was, but his eating manners left too much to be desired. He saw him speak with an older man that resembled the Dudley lookalike, only older. When he saw how some food flew out of his mouth Hadrian decided he wanted nothing to do with the young blond man. "I would do anything to get out of this mess."
"Divor-"
"No." Hadrian put on a smile and sneaked his arm around hers. "Now put a smile on your lovely face and act as if we are the happiest married couple in the whole world."
She puffed out her cheeks before exhaling. "Fine. I guess I could do this to make this feast more bearable for you. Besides, acting as if we are fighting would draw more stares our way." She said discretely glancing around.
Hadrian just nodded. They decided to move to a more discrete area to avoid most of the people around when they bumped into someone. "Sorry. We did not mean to bump into you." He hurried to apologize.
"It's alright." Replied the blond man they bumped into. "I am Arnell Latrua." Said the undead in disguise. "And you must be Kaguya, right? The shrine maiden that leads Thorn? My, what a lovely woman you are…"
Kaguya stiffened, regarding the man with a stoic look. "I am indeed Kaguya." She said giving the blond man a curt nod.
Arnell glanced at the black-haired doctor and raised an eyebrow. "And your… companion? Who is this man you bring with you?"
"This is Hadrian Blackwell. My husband." Replied Kaguya.
Arnell stiffened, glancing at Hadrian, then back at Kaguya. "Your husband you say?" He asked allowing a nasty grin to appear on his face. "I see… Well. My congratulations… Blackwell. You are quite the lucky man. You have… a lovely wife."
"Thank you." Hadrian thanked the blond man.
"If it is not too much to ask. May I know what do you do for a living?" He asked solely focusing on the black-haired doctor.
"It's not much of a secret." Replied Hadrian before giving his answer. "I'm a doctor." Was Hadrian's short reply.
This time Arnell laughed loudly, drawing the stares of everyone at the feast. Arnell took a full minute to keep his laugh under control. "A doctor?" He wheezed "My… I would have never guessed. I would have thought you were a poison maker or something along those lines."
Kaguya could not believe what she heard, the audacity of that man...
Instead of being offended, Hadrian gave the blond man an amicable smile. "I do know how to elaborate poisons. Any respectable alchemist or potioner knows his fair deal of poisons… and antidotes." Replied Hadrian. "To claim otherwise would be foolish."
Arnell leaned closer. "Oh, I'm sure you would know all about alchemy, won't you?"
Hadrian's smile widened. "I would not exactly call myself an expert alchemist. Far from it, I always have new things to learn about this rarely practiced art. It's a shame there are so few places to learn the arcane arts nowadays."
Arnell scowled before quickly schooling his features and giving him a nasty grin. "Agreed. It is a shame Falz Avel destroyed Arcana. That prestigious college… that grand city… all lost."
"Yes… It is a shame." Replied Hadrian. "I read several books on the sacking of Arcana."
"Oh? Perhaps we can exchange some notes about the topic. I'm sure it will be quite… enlightening" Hissed Arnell.
"I believe that's enough." She said positioning herself between the two. She did not know what problem the blond man had with her husband. Hadrian had been nothing but polite to the man. This Arnell fellow had been hostile from the very beginning. She did not like him. "Everyone is looking." She said pointing out at how everyone present was trying to eavesdrop. "Latrua-san, this is unbecoming of a guest from the alliance." She said admonishing the blond man making the undead scowl. "Now if you excuse us, my husband and I have some things to talk about." She said guiding Hadrian to another place, away from the undead in disguise.
Arnell watched the two distancing themselves from him, his eyes never leaving Hadrian's back until they disappeared from his sight.
Scene change
Kaguya led Hadrian further into the palace, being a friend and ally of Cellestine had it's perks, such as knowing a secret passage to the palace's gardens. The two stood in front of a large fountain with a statue of an elven maiden with a buxom figure.
Kaguya glanced at Hadrian. "Mind explaining what happened back there?" asked Kaguya. "Who was that man? Do you know him?"
"No." Hadrian shook his head. "I have not seen that man in my entire life."
Kaguya remained silent staring at the water on the fountain. "Let's stay here for a while. I'd rather not encounter that man for a second time."
Time skip
After half an hour they returned to the feast.
"Yahoo! Kaguya!" A red headed approached them, excitedly waving her hand as she saw them approach. This was Maia. The Queen of Mercenaries and the princess knight representing the city fortress of Ansur. Maia was a female with bright red messy neck-long hair and red eyes. She was more buxom than Kaguya, perhaps with smaller hips, taller too, standing over 1.68m. tall. She had an athletic built with defined muscles, mostly focused on her arms and legs, denoting the kind of lifestyle she led as a hired sword.
She was a bit of a tomboy, with an exuberant and flirty nature. A carefree spirit that did as she wanted. Just as she was doing right now, as she was about to mess with Kaguya and her husband.
Maia barked a laugh, poking at Hadrian's side with her finger. "Wow, you are tall." She said before pushing him and making him stumble.
"Maia!" snapped Kaguya at her fellow shield princess. "What do you think you are doing?"
"Oops. Sorry bout' that." She laughed. "But really, I am surprised. Here I thought you would never get married, although…" she looked at Hadrian up and down. "You do have some poor taste in men. Here I thought if you married it would be with one of those handsome samurais or monks. Instead…" She covered her hand stifling a laugh. "You married a four-eyed jester."
"That's not nice." Said Hadrian, feigning to be wounded over her comments.
Maia snorted. "Relax, it's a joke! A joke!"
Kaguya shook her head. "Honestly. You never change Maia."
"What? Someone have to poke some fun at him to keep him grounded, lest he grow a fat head for being married to you." Said Maia poking at Hadrian's side.
"Ouch." Protested Hadrian. "Seriously what would it take for you to stop doing this, seriously stop." He said covering his side.
"Maia…" warned Kaguya.
The redhead sighed rising her hands in surrender. "Ok, ok. Seesh. And here I thought you hated this jester."
"He is annoying." Kaguya replied.
Maia barked a laugh. "Oh my, you really like him."
"Do you have to be so scandalous?" Asked Alicia standing next to Prim as they had just arrived.
'Alicia Arturus.' Hadrian looked at the new comer, taking in her features. A young woman with long blond hair that reached her lower back and purple yes. She was wearing her armor, if it could be called that. 'Is she even wearing armor, or just accessories?' She was wearing a blue… bra?, she was also wearing a short blue skirt with white frills, a pair of black stockings and steel boots, and a circlet on her forehead. 'It's not even covering the vital points. Does she really charge into the battlefield wearing that? Unless it is built for speed or flexibility, that is no armor. It does not even have a single enchantment.' These were the doctor's thoughts. It had been like that, back at Ruveroa, before the rise of Falz Avel, female warriors and knights used to wear that. He could not believe that in the old days… women wore that to fight. Of course, all that changed when the dark lord and his beasts appeared. Female warriors would find themselves bisected, crushed, decapitated, burned… They learned… in time, those that survived the dark lord's hordes sought to have better armor, better weapons. Soon enough, the manufacturing of those… 'armors' was outlawed in Ruveroa. 'Full plate armor, now that's some protection she should wear, not… that.'
He then glanced at the pinkette. 'Prim Fiore. She is no fighter, but she is experienced in the management of Ur. Although, she does seem to be too trustful. I worry someone may take advantage on her. It would be catastrophic.' Like the other princess knights, she was fairly beautiful, with long wavy pink hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white and pink frilly dress that left little to the imagination, showing off a lot of cleavage and exposing her tights and navel, white stockings, white gloves, red high heeled shoes and a golden tiara over her head.
"Hey you are all here! Luu-Luu knew!" shouted a voice.
'Huh oh…' Hadrian flinched when he saw the newcomer. He did not know how to feel about her. The fifth princess knight in charge of Rad, Luu-Luu the halfling. Contrary to the first edition of the Hobbit he read at Blackwell's orphanage. Halflings in that world were an all-female race of young women of short stature, sometimes possessing animal traits, such as tails or more pronounced fangs. He knew Luu-Luu, despite her child like appearance was actually an adult, or at least reaching adulthood. She may had been a midget but those hips were starting to widen. 'Could she wear some actual clothing, though?' While he understood that she did qualify as a berserk, her 'clothing' or lack of clothing, left too much to be desired. She was wearing only a green poncho that covered her small breasts, a panty-like armor piece, white stockings, brown leather shoes and a green beret resting over her shoulder length orange hair.
Luu-Luu stiffened and started to sniff the air around. Her red eyes glinted as she bared her fangs and tried to assault the doctor. "It's you. You are the one who kidnapped Kaguya! Luu-Luu heard it all! You are a deviant and a lecher! You-"
Kaguya placed a hand on the halfling's shoulder. "Luu-Luu. Please… Not now."
"But he-"
Sighing Kaguya defended the doctor. "Please. He is a good person. An idiot that gets on my nerves on a daily basis. Always the goofy insufferable tall and annoying eyesore of a-" She started to trail off.
"Hey!" Hadrian protested. "Weren't you going to defend me?"
"Shut up." Was the shrine maiden short reply.
Maia laughed patting the doctor's back. "You guys are a riot! You are like an old married couple!"
"We are not." hissed Kaguya.
"We are." Countered the doctor with a grin.
Scene change
A certain dark lord was silently staring at the doctor. Vault and the present core members of the kuroinu noticed this.
"Who is that man?" Asked Vault seeing Maia and the other princess knights talking with the doctor.
Keane looked at the doctor with a frown… that clothing… he recognized it immediately. How could he not? He had been keeping tabs on the doctor ever since he rose to prominence. He saw the doctor as a rival. Keane was supposed to be the best and brightest in the arcane arts of his generation, with the exception of the elves, he was even the apprentice of a dark lord. He could not bear the thought of anyone else being better than him. "He is the ruveroan travelling healer that had been the talk of some nobles for the past two years." He replied carefully, not wanting to show his jealously.
"The one that married Kaguya" stated Vault, he could only remember the doctor because he was married to one of his primary targets. "Yes, I remember. Shamuhaza was not exactly happy when he heard the news." He said thinking about his weird bandage covered ally obsessed with insect hybrids. That day, when he went to see Shamuhaza he found him trashing his lab. He was furious. He went on a tirade about how he needed Kaguya to remain pure… untainted until he was ready. Something that confused Vault. They were supposed to have some monsters and some other nasty stuff done to breach her protections. Shamuhaza replied that it was her spirit and heart what needed to remain pure. If Kaguya… by some miracle, were to fall for the doctor… his goal of creating the perfect chimeric insect, a perfect creature able to surpass even Kaguya's god, that… would disrupt his plan for several years, perhaps decades until he could find another shrine maiden with similar attributes, one whose body could nurture his creation with spiritual and divine energies. Snapping out of his thoughts he said. "So, this is him? Not exactly impressive."
The dark lord never took his eyes from the black-haired doctor, thousands of scenarios playing in his mind, all involving the doctor. Clenching his teeth he hissed to Vault "I want that man assassinated."
Back with Hadrian.
'Quite the gathering.' He though looking around him. First was Kaguya. That was to be expected as she was his wife. Then, there was Maia, followed by Alicia, Prim and Luu-Luu. And now the Levantine family joined them. Klaus and Claudia were a welcoming sight, not so with Graves, Klaus' father.
First was Graves, the father of Klaus a tall imposing man, even at his sixties, a renowned general who earned his reputation fighting for the alliance, as any other Levantine had done since the founding of the alliance. He was currently wearing his old heavy plated armor.
'Either overly cautious or he can't let go of his glory days.' Thought Hadrian studying the man.
Then came Klaus. Surprisingly he did not seem that much younger than graves. Hadrian concluded Graves must have fathered Klaus at an early age. 'Geez there must be a difference of what, fifteen years? Perhaps sixteen if I stretch it.' Contrary to Graves, Klaus was thin and even frail looking, wearing glasses. He, like Hadrian was a dedicated scholar, although more focused on history and commerce rather than the arcane.
Father and son could be no more different.
For some reason Graves seemed to glare at Hadrian. Why? He did not know.
His eyes landed on Claudia wearing a long conservative looking purple dress, she was the same twenty-eight years old lovely woman he met a few months ago. With her light brown hair done up in a bun, her blue eyes shined with happiness, she was the most buxom woman amongst the ones gathered. Strangely enough, she appeared to be glowing and oh… Did it work? He hoped so… They were quite desperate when they came asking him for his help.
"Doctor, it's a pleasure to see you." Said Klaus clasping the doctor's hands with a wide smile. "I can't begin to thank you for your assistance, if it weren't for you." Continued Klaus.
Unknown to the man and Claudia, Graves was grinding his teeth together. Graves scowled at the sight. It was a nightmare. His weak and frail son succeeded at impregnating Claudia. It was maddening. 'Curse that dammed doctor! Had I known… I would have stopped them from seeing him.' How he wished he had his sword at that moment. All he wanted right now was to take the doctor's head and mount it on a pike.
"Hadrian Blackwell." Said Claudia with a lovely smile. "I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me and Klaus." She said placing a hand over her belly that was beginning to swell. "Thank you. You have helped us fulfill our greatest dream. It is a shame I will not be able to fight in the coming months."
Klaus nodded, agreeing with his wife. "Your potioning skills are a gift, good sir. All the other people we had seen did not have a solution, but you did. Thank you."
Maia's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. "You are pregnant?" Asked Maia.
Prim looked at the expecting mother with wonder. It was great news. Something to celebrate. "Ah! Congratulations." 'I'm so happy for them. Claudia always had been taking care of us. She deserves to be happy.'
Alicia looked at the happy couple with a smile of her own. She even gave the doctor a look of appreciation. She knew how much it meant for Claudia to become a mother. "Congratulations." She said feeling a bit bashful.
Luu-Luu, ever the energetic one, jumped in to ask countless questions at the expecting mother. "When is it going to be born? Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Eh?! Who is going to be their godfather and godmother?"
Claudia laughed merrily. "I don't know. As for what will it be. I'd like a boy." She gave her husband a mischievous look making him blush. "Klaus hopes it is a girl."
Grumbling a curse under his breath Graves left.
Scene change
Graves walked next to the kuroinu members. He noticed Hicks holding a goblet of wine and snatched it from the mercenary's hand drinking the wine in one gulp.
"Hey, old man! That was mine! What the hell?!" protested Hicks after the old man stole his goblet.
"Fucking doctor!" hissed Graves slamming the goblet on the table. "I will have his head on a pike."
Groaning Vault held his head and asked. "What it is now?" He felt a migraine was coming.
Graves hissed a curse. All he wanted was to kill the doctor, how dare he. Claudia was his, not Klaus'. 'His'! "Claudia is pregnant with Klaus' child" He growled. "And it's that doctor's fault! Him and his dammed potions!"
"Lower your tone." Hissed Vault glancing around, watching out for eavesdroppers. "Do you want people to hear us?"
"Well shit." Said Hicks summarizing the ranging thoughts of the kuroinu members.
Graves filled his goblet and gulped down the wine. "Damn him. I'm going to shove those vials of his up his ass even if it is the last thing I do." He would make him pay, but not today, today, he was planning on getting drunk to forget the damn day.
"Well… You are not the only one who hate his guts." Said Vault glancing at the dark lord.
The dark lord glanced back. "I dislike anyone that bears the name Blackwell on principle alone." He hissed the name as if it was a curse.
Time skip
The doors leading to the inner sanctum of the white citadel opened there in walked Cellestine, the goddess incarnate. She was quite the sight. A tall elven woman of unearthly beauty with long silky platinum hair that went all the way down to her ankles and forest green eyes, and full pouty pink lips, and high cheekbones. Further down she had a rather huge gravity defying big breasts, large and firm, a flat stomach, wide child bearing hips, and a pair of luscious long legs that seemed to go on forever. What she was wearing, made Hadrian cringe. A short white dress that showed some cleavage, a loincloth hanging at the front, covering her crotch and a pair of sandals.
She was followed by a small entourage of priests and handmaidens.
She smiled seeing everyone gathered. "Greetings my friends, it is so nice to see you all safe and sound." She said, she sounded tired. It was then that they noticed something strange about the elven woman, she looked tired, with bags under her eyes, her smile forced. "I have grave news."
"Your holiness" Called out archbishop Renfield. "if you don't feel up for the task perhaps we can postpone-"
"I'm ok Renfield. I must do this." She said.
The archbishop nodded, inwardly, he was frowning, wondering what this could mean for the future he had envisioned for Eostia. "Understood." He replied somehow dreading what her vision could be… he had a very bad feeling about this vision of hers. The handmaidens did not say much, only that they found her crying and hyperventilating in her bedchambers.
"Everyone." She said raising her voice. "I'm afraid I'm the bearer of grave news. I had a vision last night. A terrible vision." She announced. "I have never experienced anything like it" Taking a deep breath she continued. "In my vision I saw a great darkness swallowing Selenus. I saw terrible beasts, the likes I have never seen before rampaging over Eostia, these beasts… are of a different kind, they are vicious and cunning, they do not rape, only devour..." She said, a cold chill going up the gathered nobles. They wondered what kind of beasts she could have seen in her vision. "I saw the dead preying on the living…" she continued while some cleric members hissed the word 'necromancy' as if it was a curse. "And I saw… I saw…" She was trembling, tears cascading down her face as she hiccupped. A terrible visage flashing in her mind, a tall sinister figure wearing a dark evil looking armor, reaching out to her with his clawed gauntlet. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head as she seemed to faint. One of her hand maidens hurried to catch her before her body could hit the floor.
Shocked gasps were heard as they saw the high elf collapse.
"C-calm down everyone. Her holiness is just tired that is all." Archbishop Renfield hurried to say, coming to the rescue, although he was just as spooked. His eyes glanced at Vault for an instant. This… This was not part of the plan. 'He would not employ a necromancer, would he? Does he not know of the horrors Falz Avel unleashed in Ruveroa?' He would have to talk seriously with Vault about employing one of those blasphemous heretics.
Cellestine regained consciousness and looked at the gathered nobles. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to stand and graced everyone with a gentle smile. "I am fine everyone, I am sorry if I worried you." She said, struggling to not fall. She could not faint now, her people depended on her. "The vision I had, kept me awake all night, I'm just a bit fatigued." She hurried to say. "I admit the vision I had are far from good, however… There is hope." She said pausing to gather her thoughts. "My visions are not always accurate. That's because the future is constantly changing. We make our own future. My vision… may not come to pass…"
Murmurs started as soon as she was done talking.
"While my visions are dire, there is hope." Declared the high elf. "Together we can fight the incoming darkness. This is a time when we must stand together against all that is evil. We must defend our lands, our people, and our way of living. For Selenus, for Eostia." She said the last part with conviction making others roar and cheer.
Kaguya clapped politely. That vision Cellestine had was… disheartening, but she hoped she was wrong about it. Nevertheless, she would be ready for it. "What do you think about this Hadrian?"
Hadrian blinked. "Huh? Ah, yes, she seemed to be quite… passionate about defeating this evil she saw in her visions. It is nice to see someone as dedicated as her watching over her people. Quite inspiring."
Time skip
For the next hours Cellestine greeted the nobles and listened to their problems, granting requests and making promises, finally, it was Hadrian's turn. Hadrian stepped closer to the throne like chair where the elven woman was sitting. As if on cue, several soldiers came in carrying the crates with his elixirs. He bent his knee, bowing his head to Cellestine.
The Lord Chamberlain was handed a scroll by one of the soldiers.
'Oh no.' Thought Hadrian as the chamberlain cleared his throat.
"Sir Hadrian Blackwell. Hadrian the Black, Blackwell of Ruveroa, The black doctor of Thorn, Sin-Eater, Touch-Blessed, master potioner, most exalted alchemist, the Black Scholar…"
'This is so embarrassing.' Thought the black-haired doctor as the lord chamberlain kept announcing titles. He sighed in relief when the lord chamberlain finished announcing his tittles. Who knew that travelling around Eostia as a doctor would earn him that many titles.
Cellestine was handed a vial of elixir. She inspected the red glowing liquid in wonder. "This is a fine elixir." She said loud enough so her voice would reach everyone present. "I have never seen anything like it in a long while. Not since I was but a child" She said praising the doctor's work.
Hadrian put on a goofy grin. "Thank you." Replied Hadrian, still kneeling. "I hope you find them useful in the coming days."
"We will. Your work is well appreciated. Now, I understand you have worked hard to get these many elixirs in such a short amount of time. I feel like the payment may not be enough, is there is anything I could do to reward you?" She asked glancing at the doctor.
Hadrian grinned. "Nothing comes to mind, your grace."
"Please, if you need any favor don't be afraid to ask. In the meantime," she had the lord chamberlain produce a box, she took it in her hand and opened it, revealing some kind of insignia inside. "Should you need anything, present this insignia to the guards. They will allow you back in my palace."
"I see. Thank you." The doctor said accepting the insignia. With that he stood up and left to Kaguya's side, leaving the high elf to her own thoughts.
Hadrian stood next to Kaguya for the rest of the feast. But he could not help but flinch as he noticed the stares. He could not wait to leave for Thorn. 'But, this is bad… Cellestine's visions… I hope they don't come to pass.'
Thorn
They arrived late into the night at their house.
"Hadrian, is something wrong?" she could not help but ask.
Hadrian stopped to look back at her. "Huh? Why do you ask?"
"You have been silent on our way back." She stated. "Did something happen? Was it because of Latrua-san?" She could not help but ask, recalling that rude man.
"Oh, that…" Hadrian chuckled scratching the back of his head. "I guess I was a bit off. I think Cellestine's visions got me pondering."
"I see. Hadrian if you-" She was confused when Hadrian just walked past her.
"I'm a bit tired, so I'm going ahead." He said retreating to his bedroom.
"Hadrian?" she asked, the only answer she got was the sound of the door closing with a loud bang.
Hadrian's bedroom
Once in his bedroom, the doctor took off his robe and walked next to a mirror. He glanced at the old scar on his chest, right below his heart. One that could have been fatal. 'If her visions are true…' he traced a finger over his scarred flesh. 'I'm sorry, sis. But I may have to break my promise.'
Time skip
Kaguya woke up early that day. She could have slept longer, but she was hungry, so she got out of her futon and headed to have some breakfast. 'Hm' She glanced around. 'Where is Hadrian?' This time there was no breakfast, no bento, not even a note. She went to his room but he was not there. Sighing she went to look for him at the garden, he went there to drink tea, sometimes.
What she found was not what she was expecting. There he was, with no glasses and wearing only baggy grey pants.
Hadrian grunted as he practiced with a halberd. Swinging the weapon around and changing positions, he was drenched in sweat, but he kept going. She noticed how he coordinated his swings with his footwork, her eyes widened as she saw the blade spark with electricity, sometimes even unleashing arcs of lightning. This was new. She was mesmerized. She had never seen anything like it.
Hadrian stopped. He had been training ever since he woke up. "I got rusty." 'I need to get back in shape. Guess I will have to train daily and to increase my consume of kilocalories.'
"That was amazing." Said Kaguya approaching the black-haired doctor. "You never told me you knew you could fight." It was right at that moment she noticed the scar. 'That's... that could have been fatal.'
"Kaguya…" He glanced at his halberd. "I guess I know a fair bit about fighting. I have not always been a doctor."
"You were an adventurer?" She asked tilting her head, regarding the doctor with curiosity.
Hadrian chuckled. "Amongst many other things, yes. But… *sigh* I guess it was not for me. I just don't like to hurt others." Replied Hadrian.
"So, why are you training now?" She asked, although she already got an idea.
"Well, with what Cellestine said about her visions. I thought that perhaps I could help the alliance. Perhaps those years I spent fighting may be good for something." He said chuckling.
Kaguya paused to look at the doctor's green eyes "You are serious? You will assist us in the war against Olga?"
"Is it that weird that I wish to fight at your side?" The doctor asked. "If things are as dire as Cellestine have seen, then I can not simply stand and do nothing." He sighed. "And here I thought the alliance only needed to deal with Olga. This talk about the undead, beasts and who knows what else… it reminds me of the stories I heard about Falz Avel."
"Fortunately, the dark lord is dead and gone." Said Kaguya.
"Yes. I mean…" Hadrian chuckled scratching the back of his head. "Let's hope he is. Or we are going to be in one a hell of a pickle."
"Not funny." She replied.
Hadrian chuckled. "Ok, ok. Sorry, how about some breakfast? I will whip us something good." Her stomach growled, agreeing with the doctor. Chuckling he went inside the house, leaving his halberd behind.
Kaguya soon followed after him, stopping only to give the halberd a brief glance before following after the black-haired doctor.
The white citadel, Rendield's manor
Renfield, the archbishop was waiting patiently for his guest. After talking with vault in private and finding out exactly who Arnell was, he needed someone knocking on the door to his office snapped him back to the present. "Hm?! Come on in."
"Excuse me." said an elderly man wearing fine red noble clothes, he closed the door as soon as he entered the archbishop's office and sat on the empty chair facing the archbishop's desk.
"Ah, Lord Mandeville." Greeted the archbishop.
"Archbishop Renfield." Greeted in kind. "I heard you are in need of my services, again. Strange, considering the last shipment was delivered to your manor a week ago. Did you get bored of them, already?"
"What? No, I was just-" The archbishop shook his head and hurried to silence the man. "I did not call you in here for the usual merchandise."
"Oh?" Mandeville rose an eyebrow. This was new.
"I need you to find me something specific. Certain documents from Ruveroa." Explained the archbishop.
Mandeville rubbed his temples. "We have been over this. There is no existing document that may grant us legit claim over ruveroan lands. If they existed, the dark lord made good work in destroying them."
"No. That's not it." Hurried to reply the bishop.
"Hm? Well, this I have to heard." Mandeville said getting comfy on his chair.
Taking a deep breath, the archbishop gathered his thoughts before he started to speak. "I need you to ask your contacts for any document or information regarding one Arnell Latrua Atmaris."
"Atmaris? As if in the noble house of Atmaris?" asked Mandeville. "Hm… I will have my contacts look into it. But it will cost you…" he paused for dramatic effect. "Forty thousand laurentians."
"Deal." Replied the archbishop. "No matter the cost. Just get me the information."
Mandeville grinned evilly. He could smell some good business and his nose was never wrong. "It will be done." Replied as he stood up and left.
"…" The archbishop was left alone. The meeting between Vault and him constantly replaying in his mind. 'Involving an undead. What in the world are you thinking Vault?!' He took a bottle from his desk and gulped some wine. 'This… this is too dangerous. Why? Just why would you involve something like that on this? I fear Cellestine's vision will come to pass.'
Chapter End
