Chapter 32: Distractions from the mind

Waving his hand across the door, Goetia finished muttering the incantation under his breath before he took a step backwards. The symbols glowed across the door frame for scant few seconds before they faded away into the wood work.

Nodding to himself, Goetia turned away from the entrance to the Goddess Tower and back to Seteth, the man stood cross armed behind him.

"So soon?" He asked in surprise, quickly glancing over the tower and towards the door. A minor look of intrigue was present on his face as he advanced on the entrance. Goetia took a step to the side and allowed Seteth to pass him and inspect the entrance to the tower, the man extended his hand and ran it along the door frame where the inscribed words had been "Impressive...I cannot even tell they exist there at all." he looked back to Goetia "And you completed it so swiftly."

"It is only a minor bounded field." The man dismissed "The warding you have within the Tower itself is far more powerful...I admit I was surprised to the extent to which the tower was protected. It is...modest."

Seteth raised an eyebrow at him. Modest. Those had been there since the construction of the Monastery itself and were the most advanced warding spells that he had ever seen and Goetia's only response was to call them modest. Seteth was quickly coming to the conclusion that impressing someone like Goetia was going to be a significant challenge.

It also made him morbidly curious – and perhaps a little afraid – as to what an individual who Goetia referred to as 'impressive' in the magical arts would be like.

"I see." Seteth instead nodded his head in answer before taking a step away from the door and bringing his attention back to Goetia "And it will work?"

"Should someone attempt to enter the bounded field with murderous thoughts towards either yourself or the Archbishop the letters will manifest themselves on the nearest surface and release a significant electric shock." Goetia explained blankly "It is not lethal, as I assume you would like to question such an individual?"

"Indeed." Seteth nodded in affirmation "I suppose there is more?"

"Yes." Goetia nodded his head "It will release a loud noise."

"A...noise?"

"A loud noise." He emphasised "It would be best to alert the guards, it will sound much like the continuous scream of a Monstrous Beast, that is the signal that someone has attempted to breath the tower...in the unlikely event they do."

Seteth gave a grim look "Perhaps it is unlikely...but recent events have made it clear that there are those who stand against the Church with more skill than we can afford to underestimate." he rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a tired sigh "But I am grateful for your efforts, Goetia. I will be sure to inform the knights that if such a noise does sound out during the Goddesses Rite of Rebirth that they should converge on the tower and apprehend the individual or group responsible."

Goetia nodded his head and turned to leave "If that is all-"

"There is one further thing I wished to discuss quickly." Seteth halted him "I understand you have continued your study on the Demonic Beasts, yes?"

"I have completed preliminary studies, yes." The man nodded his head "Have your knights encountered other Monstrous Beasts or Phantasmals of the similar nature?"

"As of yet, no." Was the reply he received "Not like the one you spoke of at least, the signs of the wolves and birds remain within their usual frequency. Although I will admit some small curiosity. You make a distinction between the two Demonic Beasts, do you now?"

"I do, yes."

"Would they not both be 'Phantasmals' I believe is the word you use?"

"No. The wolves are still only Monstrous Beasts, the lizard I encountered was at the low end of Phantasmal. The distinction is made by the weight of mystery that fuels their existence...what you would refer to as magic." Goetia added on at Seteth's look of confusion "Only the beings of greater magical nature truly ascend to Phantasmal status."

"I see." Seteth nodded his head "And those would be?"

Goetia's eye narrowed slightly at the question "...Frequently on levels equal too or far above the lizard type I encountered. Although they are not limited towards simply being reptilian in nature. There have been numerous instances of other animal types holding Phantasmal status."

Seteth hummed in response "Is that right? What would you say is the highest Phantasmal? in case the Knights should encounter something of its like."

"...Why the sudden interest?" Goetia quizzed, head tilting slightly and eyes holding a suspicious edge to them "It has been well over a month since I submitted my report."

"The paperwork I sort through is often quite large." Seteth replied without missing a beat "I am afraid I only recently had time to read your complete report on the encounter with the Demonic Beasts and I noticed Professor Manuela's was not as well detailed as your own."

Goetia gave a dismissive huff when Seteth mentioned the state of Manuela's report, the green haired man could understand the feeling. While Manuela was indeed a valued member of the Academy and a surprisingly skilled Teacher the woman still had her proclivities which were...trying.

"I see." Goetia had an irritated look in his eyes as his hand came up to rub his forehead in exasperation "Given the situation that followed it is understandable that the report would have become lower on the list of priorities. Regardless, in answer to your question to be classed as one of the highest existence of Phantasmal is no small feat and is not something that would go undetected for very long."

"How so?"

"There was a Phantasmal existence known as Fafnir which was rated among the upper echelons of Phantasmals." Goetia explained, avoiding to mention the type of beast that it was. He wasn't truly in the mood to be dealing with the Church officials being paranoid that he knew what they were. "While not being anywhere near the top, the existence of any Fafnir Type is one that cannot be ignored for long. Considering the weight of its mystery it was – in effect – a walking disaster. The beast would actively breath magical energy and could absorb it from its surroundings much like the phantasmal lizard I encountered but on a much more potent scale."

Seteth's expression darkened "And this beast is where?"

"Dead." Goetia replied instantly "Killed by a wandering Knight."

"They must have been quite the warrior then, to kill something which you have described as quite the fearsome creature."

"Even the highest of phantasmals are not invincible." The man dismissed and turned away "If there is nothing else."

"Of course not, you may go."

Goetia did just that, Seteth's line of questioning was peculiar but he thought nothing more of it. Perhaps the man was curious as to other beings who would fit into the same category of life forms as him. Either that or he was using it as an opportunity to properly categorise Fodlan's Mystic beings beyond labelling them simplistic terms.

Either way, in the end he didn't see how it really mattered to him. There was little that Seteth could do with the trickle of information that he gave him and if they hadn't done anything to better their understanding of Monstrous Beasts and Phantasmals in the last eight hundred years – the first sighting of a 'Demonic Beast' being recorded in Imperial Year 305 – then he didn't see the need to rush them.

He paused, an ugly frown worked its way onto his face.

Did he truly not see a need to rush them? It was mildly irritating to him that they had made such little advancements in magical theory.

No, it wasn't mildly irritating. It was down right vexing. In a world filled with so many mysteries they had done absolutely nothing with their scholarly research beyond make mild examinations into Crests.

And they couldn't even do that correctly. Most of the papers he had read so far had been on 'Theories' about how the Goddess bestowed such blessings upon them in tandem with the Heroes Relics. There wasn't anything of genuine intellect on display in propagating Religious dogma. He couldn't be sure whether the Church had been actively stifling attempts at research or if no one felt the need to better explore Crests.

From the looks of things, Professor Hanneman was not only the foremost Crest Scholar who was actually paying closer attention to the properties that their blood granted them. He was one of the few who was making an active attempt to publish any works of interest.

He had – during his initial readings – examined some of Hannemans works. It wasn't in depth or completely conclusive. However Goetia could attribute that to Hanneman working with limited resources considering the man appeared to be making his own equipment from scratch as no one else appeared interested.

It was…

Shockingly lazy.

Lazy.

Yes. That was it. That was the word he was looking for. Progress in anything in Fodlan was slow and tedious.

And he could change that. He truly could. His own capabilities were as far apart from the 'magi' of Fodlan as this world was to their sun. He could revolutionise the entire system of magecraft if he truly wanted to, unravel the mystery of Crests and advance their understanding of their own world considerably.

Yet…

When he thought about it, he found himself constricted. Like something was crushing his intentions. Any notion he had of attempting to better the people of Fodlan was crushed because it would go against his role as an observer.

However he had already done that when he saved Lysithea. Worse was that he didn't regret it in the least. If he did, then he could have justified himself in never stepping in to aid them ever again. It would have been easier if he regretted saving her life. It would have been so much easier.

But he didn't. That was the crux of the matter. He stepped beyond his own boundaries and acted to spare her life. Not only hers, but the lives of everyone else present that day.

And he didn't regret doing so. No matter how much he wanted to.

It hadn't been the emotion of pure anger flooding him which was intoxicating, it was the act itself. He didn't really have to go. Despite whatever he claimed there was nothing which forced him to go. Acting as an antithesis of Him was part of the reason but it wasn't all of it. He chose to do something. It was an act of free will.

It wasn't like his salvation through the Incineration of Humanity. That wasn't a choice for him either. It was compulsion which forced his hand. An ugliness which he should not – and could not – tolerate any longer. It wasn't as though he chose to enact his great plan. It was that he had no other option but to.

He had a choice with saving Lysithea and the others. And he chose to save her, or at the very least he saved her potential.

That...that was an easier justification.

Yes. She was a rarity. Two crests were not common and the loss of Lysithea would mean he would be losing out on a valuable specimen. He didn't have the same availability with Edelgards time was he did with her. It was more logical to prevent her death.

It was easy to manufacture those reasons.

He felt something crack inside him.

It was so easy to manufacture those reasons to save her life.

So why couldn't any of them feel genuine?

"Welcome back to the land of education." Lysithea's face flattened as she heard the amused voice of Claude ring out through the classroom as she stepped through the doors, despite the light hearted tone of his voice there was a slight undercurrent of relief which was barely audible to her. "I'm sure you've missed it."

"Yes, because unlike some of us." She narrowed her eyes at the tanned boy, leaning back into his chair with his arms lazily resting on the table in front of him "I actually find value in bettering my own mind."

"Hey, hey." Claude raised his hands in surrender and shot her a disarming smile "I read books as well. There's actually this really interesting one I've picked up recently. It's called 'Tale of the Lone Swordsman' its about a travelling man on a journey to avenge his father…" he trailed off as Lysithea shot him the most deadpan expression he had ever seen in his life.

"Is that the one with the guy who slew birds?" Hilda asked, causing Claude's smile to widen as he turned to her.

"Yes it is!"

"I think my brother read that to me once years ago." She rolled her eyes "He and father love that sort of stuff. I once caught him chasing sparrows up and down the garden with a stick trying to hit one."

"That isn't very nice." Marianne's voice carried over from her corner, the girl looking up with a noticeable frown of disapproval before she realised she had spoken aloud and looked away from everyone else.

"That's what I said!" Hilda pointed at the blue haired girl "I mean...he was so loud and he never got close to one but it was still the thought that counts."

"R-right." She muttered to herself.

"Claude." Lorenz voice instantly called over to them with a resigned tone of voice, however resigned it might have sounded it didn't conceal that irritation "Are you truly spending your time reading fantasy novels when you should be using your time to better grasp the responsibilities you will one day inherit." his lip curled "Although given how you usually act I find myself increasingly puzzled as to why I should even offer my opinion-"

"You and me both." Leonie muttered under her breath, Lysithea released a small snort of amusement as she walked past the girl and towards her own seat. It was clear there was no love lost between Leonie and Lorenz and for how often the boy went on about a Nobles responsibility and the importance of 'good breeding' Lysithea was beginning to see it.

Although she had been raised by Nobles so she had a much higher tolerance for such things. Lorenz manner of speech was nothing new to her, even if it was becoming tedious.

"-if you will not even attempt to heed it." The boy finished, completely ignorant to the snide comments being spoken about him.

"We're still young, Lorenz." Claude leaned his head back and turned to the boy "What's wrong with indulging in a little world of imagination."

"'Imagination' does not help one run the Alliance." Lorenz scoffed "And I would have thought that the most recent events would have better educated you on why it is so important to be aware of a Nobles responsibility."

"...You mean about Lord Lonato."

"Exactly." Lorenz nodded his head "He had a duty to see to the well-being of his subjects and now not only is he dead but so are a vast majority of the able-bodied men and women of his territory." the boy crossed his arms in front of himself and took on an unusually serious tone of voice "He ignored his own duties and allowed his emotions to guide his decision making and that has now led the entire Gaspard region into chaos."

"He thought he was getting justice for his son." Claude countered with a small frown "I might not have agreed with the way he went about it at all, but he was still a grieving father."

"And how many grieving families have his actions now left behind?"

"...You're actually a lot more perceptive than I give you credit for."

Lorenz snubbed his nose "That is because I spend my time working to better understanding a Noble's duty. Like you should be doing rather than gallivanting off on whatever flight of fancy next takes you."

"So…" Hilda slammed her hands on the table and leaned forwards, eyes focused on Lysithea "I heard you had a visitor in the infirmary."

The girl blinked at being addressed before she raised an eyebrow in response "Yes, Teacher felt it best to ensure I was recovering." she paused and narrowed her eyes suspiciously "How did you know that he visited me?"

"I have my sources." Hilda deflected easily before a smile slowly worked its way onto her face "I also heard that you two then went to eat together."

"We did, what of it?"

"Ooooh." Claude's smile took on a cat like trait "Is Sparkles melting the Golden Deer's Ice Cream Mage?"

Lysithea widened her eyes in shock before she narrowed them "What did you call me?"

"Everyone calls you that." Claude replied with a blank face "Also your sweet tooth doesn't help matters. It was actually one of the easiest nicknames I came up with."

"I refuse to answer to such a childish nickname."

"Whatever you say Sprinkles."

"What?"

"Sprinkles and Sparkles." Claude joked "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"You-!"

"Claude." Hilda chided him with a flat look "We both know that Goetia is interested in Professor Eisner."

Lysithea did a double take. He was what?

"W-where did you get that ridiculous notion?" She sputtered before a look of incredulity came to her face "We are both students of his, to cross such boundaries would be unprofessional for someone of his caliber."

"...So why did me and Dimitri see them sneaking off into Teach's room together?" Claude tilted his head and asked in an innocent tone of voice. The room seemed to quieten down instantly as the boy found himself the centre of attention.

"Why would they need to be in her room?" Raphael asked with a confused frown as he looked around the room "Maybe he was helping her with something?"

Several heads slowly turned towards the boy. The blonde giant's look of confusion only seemed to grow in intensity "What? Why is everyone staring at me like that?"

Claude looked at the man, his own eyebrows reaching his hairline they had climbed so high, before his focus slowly trailed down to Ignatz who was sitting next to him with a cringing expression on his face and a look that told everyone not to push the subject.

"Hey...Raph." Hilda squinted her eyes at him "Where do babies come from?"

Raphael looked as though she had said something dumb "You don't know? I thought everyone knew?"

"Just humour me for a moment, will you?"

"The stork brings them, duh." He crossed his arms across his chest and answered with an expression of absolute confidence on his face.

"Yes Raphael." Claude nodded with a look of utter seriousness "That is exactly right. Hilda is silly for not knowing such basic information." the girl sent him a pointed look and swatted him on the arm in a playful manner. He chuckled at the reaction and turned his attention back to the still dumbfounded Lysithea. Even she knew where children came from. "So anyway...Teach and Sparkles?"

"It was probably a private meeting to discuss further teaching plans." Lysithea explained away "I will not have you slandering Spa...Teachers reputation with such baseless gossip."

"I wouldn't call it baseless." Hilda shrugged "I heard from Dorothea that those tow have been frequently speaking to eachother in private."

"What did I say, Sprinkles?" Claude smirked "Teacher-in-law."

"I hope he isn't giving her preferential treatment." Leonie frowned as she spoke up, resting her hands on the table "It wouldn't do my competition with her if we were competing from an unfair standpoint."

"She's been a mercenary for years." Claude pointed out with a raised eyebrow "She's already at an unfair standpoint."

"Well...she probably doesn't need anymore." She crossed her arms "Although I suppose it would be expected that someone who was raised by Captain Jeralt would be naturally skilled. That is just how he is."

"Riiiight." Claude slowly nodded his head in response, giving a not entirely convincing smile. "I don't think that you have much to worry on that account. Sparkles doesn't seem the guy to give anyone special treatment."

"That is what makes Teacher so good." Lysithea boasted with a raised chin and a proud smile "He is completely impartial when it comes to teaching. No such nonsense as passing over a potential student because they do not have a crest."

"It is more likely that he does not understand the significance of Crests because of his foreign status." Lorenz dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Claude's smile cracked for the briefest of moments before it returned to its original self and the boy looked at his peer "What's wrong with that? I think that a little fresh perspective is needed around here."

"There is nothing wrong with a fresh perspective." Lorenz countered "However, Goetia has not lived in Fodlan for very long. As such he does not understand the intricacies of Fodlan's social structure. Any perspective he offered – while it might come from a genuine desire to help – would not be entirely well thought through. It is not through any fault of his own." he raised a single hand to stop the boy's question "But he cannot fully understand the ramifications of whatever he proposes. You cannot say that he obviously does not feel the same way, given how he has never made a public comment about anything relating to Fodlan's society."

"So you're saying that because he's a foreigner...his point of view in ignorant form the get go."

"It comes from a place of ignorance and that is through no fault of Library Assistant Goetia." Lorenz replied "It is simply that because he was not raised in Fodlan, he cannot make an educated statement on political matters, so he does not."

Claude stared at him in silence with a look that betrayed nothing before he gave a small shrug "Yeah...I guess not being from here means that he won't know everything about Fodlan."

"Exactly." Lorenz nodded, pleased that his point had been well articulated before he frowned "Where is Professor Manuela anyway? The lesson was supposed to begin fifteen minutes ago."

"Probably a Tavern." Leonie pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Or right behind you, Miss Pinelli." The ginger girl jumped at the voice and span around with wide eyes to see Manuela stood at the entrance to the classroom with a flat expression aimed at her, Leonie grimaced and looked away "And if you must know. I was away collecting the materials for this months mission." she strode into the room and towards the desk as the students all took their seats.

"Sorry, Professor Manuela." Leonie apologised, not looking at the woman so as to hide her awkward expression.

"Hm." Manuela grunted in response "Now then. I assume you are all aware of the sudden increase in activity from the Knights around Hillfar at the base of the Monastery." the students all nodded their head in understanding "There will also be an increase in patrols around here for the next few weeks leading up to the Goddesses Rite of Rebirth, of which all three Classes will take part in."

Claude raised his hand, the woman looked to him and gave a small nod "So...why all the patrols? I know that the Monastery opens up to the public during the Rite but it isn't normally that heavily guarded, is it?"

"Normally, no." Manuela agreed "However there are circumstances which had brought about this change. As the other Professors are no doubt informing their respective classes, after recovering letters from the deceased Lord Lonato's, camp there is reason to believe that there might be a possible threat to the life of the Archbishop during the Rite." she explained, causing eyes to go wide "Yes, I know. Very shocking and disturbing. So we are all going to be taking part in ensuring the safety of the Archbishop."

"Trying to Assassinate the Archbishop in the middle of the Monastery during a public festival seems a little too risky, doesn't it?" Claude pondered aloud, Manuela let out a sigh in response.

"The legitimacy of the threat aside, it cannot be ignored Claude." She replied "Now I have the early details of who will be where during the Rite of Rebirth."

Manuela began to list of names and locations while Claude held a sceptical frown on his face. This felt way too convenient for them. Also it didn't make much sense for him for Lonato to keep assassination plans on him when he was already marching to kill the Archbishop directly.

It was fishy.

"You suspect misdirection?" Goetia surmised as he turned to face the boy.

"That's a nice word." Claude snapped his fingers "Better than distraction." he chuckled to himself "But yes, that's why I think. I don't know...feels way to easy to just find Assassination plans lying around."

"That is usually because assassins do not leave them 'lying about' as you say." Goetia replied with a touch of exasperation "However I fail to see as to why you have brought this to me rather than your own teacher."

"Well, its less embarrassing if I'm wrong and confided my suspicions with you in private first rather than announce them to the entire class." Claude pointed out as if it were obvious with a carefree smile on his face.

Goetia continued to give him a flat look "You are aware I will still be aware of your mistaken hypothesis if you are proven wrong, are you not?"

"Yes, but lets be honest here." Claude smirked "Would your opinion of me really change all that much?"

"No." Goetia answered instantly "However your assumption that the plot to assassinate the Archbishop is misdirection is more likely than it being a genuine assassination attempt."

"Ah! So you do believe me!"

"I said that it was more likely, not that I believe you." He replied in a curt tone "Do you have any suggestions as to what the true aim is of this mysterious group on the Rite of Rebirth?"

"...Not...right now." Claude answered slowly "But I'm sure I'll think of something."

"I'm sure." Goetia answered in a dry tone of voice "However, I am compelled to ask as to whether you expect me to do anything?"

Claude blinked at him before he titled his head "Right now? No." that earned him a blank look from Goetia which seemed to encourage him to continue "I can't exactly ask you to do anything if I'm not sure myself, that would just be embarrassing for both of us. So I'll do some digging...then I'll come back and see if you want to help."

"Hmph." Goetia grunted in response "At the very least you are aware of the possibility that I would say no. Young Pinelli seemed to be aggrieved that I was hesitant to act against Lonato."

"I mean, not everyone does things out of the goodness of their heart." Claude shrugged "People are selfish like that. Although I am grateful you helped, a couple minutes earlier wouldn't have hurt." he joked.

"I will tell you what I told her. I had no true investment in Lonato's conflict until certain...circumstances occurred."

"And that's fair." Claude nodded his head "But if everybody never lifted a finger to help someone they never knew, then the world would be a very dull place." Goetia's eyes flicked to him "Its how people meet. Face it, you didn't know who I was back in Remire and yet you acted to save my life. If you hadn't done that, we'd never have been the close friends we are now."

"We are not close friends." Goetia scoffed before he fell silent for a moment "However...your point is not inaccurate." he muttered, his eyes clouding over and seemingly staring at something else as his lips thinned.

Claude stared at the expression with a small frown before he spoke up "Hey, Sparkles...you alright?"

"...I am not experiencing any physical ailments." Goetia replied in a monotone like voice "If you are so curious."

"Hm...not what I meant but I think I got my answer." Claude affirmed to himself as he nodded his head and turned away "I'll tell Sprinkles and Teach to send you a 'Get well soon' card." he joked as he made for the door.

Goetia furrowed his brow in confusion "Sprinkles?"

"Lysithea." Claude replied with a beaming smile "Sparkles and Sprinkles. I think its amazing, don't you?"

"It's inane and childish."

"I'm not hearing a rejection of the name~." The boy sang as he disappeared out of the library and closed the door behind him.

Staring at the doors, Goetia felt the troubled frown return. He had forgotten. Von Riegan was correct, he had no personal investment in him when they first met and yet he still saved his life. It wasn't as though the boy was anything special, not like Lysithea or Edelgard. There was really no reason for him to get involved at all.

Yet he did.

His excuse of wanting to know why Von Riegan had been there risking his life was flimsy at best. He didn't really find that the answer he received surprised him all that much. It was easier to state that he had saved Von Riegan's life on a whim.

Was that what he had been reduced to? Acting on nothing more than a flight of fancy as a direction for his actions?

Regardless, at least the boy had also provided him with something that he could distract himself with so as to avoid thinking about the topic entirely. He was steadily growing to dislike the manner that it was affecting him. It was an uncertainty that repulsed him greatly and it invaded his mind like a parasite every time he was unable to find something to occupy his time with.

Dismissing those poisonous thoughts, Goetia dwelled on Von Riegans suspicions as he continued to work through his daily routine in the library. He had already set up the bounded field so it wasn't as though he could be accused of being complacent in the face of a threat to the Archbishop.

However it was a novel concept, what manner of alternative goal would one have for entering the Church? Sabotage and theft were the most likely answers. If it was theft, then what would it be a theft of?

If he were to hazard a guess, he would say that the Church did indeed keep something of value inside its walls. It was inevitable and the likes of another of the 'Heroes Relics' would be useful to someone. Phantasmal bones often were. The power they held could not be understated, as most weapons crafted from the bones of phantasmals was often considerable.

It begged the question as to why he should care to begin with. He hadn't immediately dismissed Von Riegan's request but he didn't really have any intention of accepting it right now.

Right now…

It would likely depend on whatever information the boy was able to unravel about where he suspected the actual target was located. At any rate, he doubted that Von Riegan was the only one to doubt the veracity of the claims.

"Professor." Byleth looked up from her desk as Dimitri approached her with a small frown on his face "I have something I wished to discuss with you, it relates to your announcement earlier regarding the plot to assassinate the Archbishop."

Byleth raised an eyebrow and nodded for him to continue.

"With the report of the patrols, it seems as though the Knights will have their hands full in protecting Lady Rhea." His face turned grim "I cannot help but wonder if our enemy is counting on that."

"Misdirection." Byleth surmised "Possible. More than likely as well."

"I fear so as well…" Dimitri nodded his head "I wanted to run the idea by you first, I cannot abide my suspicions that perhaps we might play into the hands of our enemies."

"I'll look into it." She nodded her head before pursing her lips "Good work. Keep looking."

"Of course, Professor." Dimitri gave a faint smile "Although if I have thought of something like this, I have no doubt Claude will as well."

AN: Assassination Station. Yippee.

Also the Ashen Wolves DLC canonical takes place after the whole plot because Alois mentions during the DLC that the knights are away dealing with the Western Church.

So we'll be moving into that after this.

Goetia is – once again – being harassed by Holy Grails.

Because lets face it, the Chalice of Beginnings is a Holy Grail. Sacrificing souls to a cup so that it can resurrect someone? Yeah…

Omake: Meeting the family.

A knock on his door had the man look up from his desk with a tired expression "Enter." Seteth's voice left his throat as a sigh.

The Gatekeepers head poked through the door with what could only be described as a pensive expression and Seteth could already feel the headache coming on. "Um...Sir? There's an incident that we-"

"If it in any way relates to Goetia or some bizarre experiment that he spawned...I want no part of it." Seteth replied immediately with a flat look "Just send the knights and then have them prepare a report...and the cost of the damages."

"It's...um...not actually related to Goetia." The man replied with a slightly more hopeful look "It's about a traveller that came to the Monastery this morning...we're having a disagreement about what constitutes modesty."

Seteth squinted at the man "What is there to disagree about?"

He would unfortunately discover that there was apparently a lot to disagree about.

"Still hiding Claude?" Dimitri joked as he caught sight of the boy at the back of the stables, the boy poked his head up with a slightly strained smile.

"Hiding? Me? Who's hiding?" He chuckled as he stepped out "Not me, that's for sure. Just...um...checking up on Dorte. Marianne speaks so highly of him that I just had to meet him." he rested his hand on the mane of the horse, which let out a loud snort in response.

"I see." Dimitri gave a wry smile "It cannot in anyway relate to the unfortunate incident regarding Goetia last week, can it?"

"Teach will agree with me that he rocked that Maid outfit." Claude countered immediately "...Also I could swear Lysithea looked a little hot under the collar."

"That might have been rage directed at you for embarrassing her teacher." Was the reply he received "But you cannot hide forever Claude."

"I know." He admitted with a nod before he gave a confident smile "But damned if I'm not going to try!"

Dimitri rolled his eyes in amusement "That aside, I was going to make my way to the market today, I had hoped to buy a replacement spear and considering that I have run into you I was curious if you would join me." he placed his hands on his hips and gave a faint smile "I noticed that your bow was looking a little run down...and given your current situation, it cannot hurt to have extra protection right now, can it?"

"No...no it cannot." Claude nodded after a few moments "Also I fear as though I have remained in this spot for too long. I don't know if Sparkles can use something weird like tracking magic."

"If he can, then perhaps he has merely been allowing you to hide for so long." Dimitri pointed out, which earned a blanche from Claude along with a nervous chuckle.

"Y-yeah...think I will join you for that shopping trip." He hurriedly answered as he darted out of the stables and towards the Blue Lion leader.

"Harry."

"Harold, Sir." The man corrected with a polite tone.

"Harold then...what am I looking at here?"

"That is why I called you, Sir." Harold replied with a slightly confused tone of voice "I...I do not know what to make of it."

Seteth squinted his eyes "Are those ears...real?"

"I do not know." Harold replied "I asked but she said I would need to pay to feel them...and I don't think I had the correct amount." he shivered "Although from the looks of things she has begun working with Anna."

"I imagine that is bad?"

"It's bad if you want something of good quality at a reasonable price, Sir." Harold replied with a small nod "Not that her wares are of poor quality, mind you. But...they do take quite a bit out of your coffers when you make a purchase."

"I see." Seteth nodded. Actually, he didn't see. He hoped that without it being related to Goetia, it wouldn't be anything too bizarre. He really should have known better at this point that he couldn't escape from whatever madness was plaguing the world. "And her lack of clothing?"

"She wouldn't say." He shrugged "She just replied with 'It attracts customers'."

"It also attracts lechers." Seteth remarked with a flat expression "This cannot go on."

"What cannot go on?" He turned around towards the voice to see Claude and Dimitri arrive with similar looks of confusion "What's up with this crowd Big S?" Claude asked as he gestured to the large gathering in the market.

"First of all, never call me that again." Seteth responded with a frown "As for your second point...it appears as though we have a visiting merchant in the monastery."

The crowd parted slightly and allowed the two younger men a view of the centre of whatever was happening. Dimitri and Claude both slowly widened their eyes with the former cocking their head slightly to the side.

"W-well…" The prince coughed into his hand, a faint dusting of red on his cheeks "She is certainly...resilient to the elements."

"Merchant." Claude repeated in a disbelieving tone of voice "...Is that what you call them? Well...I suppose she's probably selling something while dressed like that-"

"Claude!" Dimitri hissed and elbowed him in the ribs "Do not be rude…" he turned back and furrowed his brows "Are those...animal ears?"

"We think so." Harold replied with a small frown "Although I didn't have enough money to verify the claim."

"Regardless." Seteth raised his hands and interrupted the group "She cannot continue to stomp around a sacred monastery dressed...like this!"

"Really?" Dimitri asked before he coughed and nodded his head "I-I mean of course." his expression turned stony "Completely unacceptable…"

"Yeah…" Claude gave him a dry look "I can see you are on top of examining the offender."

"I am making sure I am a witness to her offence."

"Hmmmm." Claude chuckled, shaking his head as he stared at Dimitri "Surprised that there's madness going on here and Sparkles isn't involved."

"Claude." Dimitri turned to him "Goetia is not involved in everything that goes wrong in the Monastery."

"Did you say Goetia?" The group let out a very manly cry as the female voice sounded out just in front of them, Dimitri span around to find himself staring into the brilliant blue eyes of the tanned woman with animal ears sticking out from the top of her head, a flowing river of deep indigo hair and a rather skimpy outfit which had more in common with underwear.

What was worse was that he never even heard her move.

"W-what?" He stumbled back in surprise as the eyes of everyone now rested on the pair "How did you-?"

"Goetia." She asked again with a particular intensity "That was the name you said. Wasn't it?"

"Y-yes?"

"...And where is Goetia?" She asked with narrowed eyes.

"...Why?"

She gave a smile in response which looked rather sharp "Can't a mother visit her son?"

"...I give up." Seteth threw up his hands "Its the entire family, I tell you. I can't get away from them." spinning around, he marched towards the stairs "He's in the library." he called back as he disappeared.

"H-hey...Sparkles?" Claude's nervous voice broke out across the library as Goetia finished sorting through another book "Ho-how are you doing?"

"Do you mean after I made a fool of myself on your instruction?" He didn't need to turn around to feel the tremendous wince that earned from the boy "If you are here to throw yourself upon my mercy, you will find yourself disappointed."

"Thats a really mean thing to say." A female voice called out in response.

A familiar female voice.

A very familiar female voice.

The book slipped from Goetia's fingers as he felt a lump building in his throat. The desire to turn around and confirm it was who he thought it was, was only overrided by his fear that it actually was who he thought it was.

"So...funny story." Claude chuckled "Turns out your mother came to visit."

"S-she isn't my mother." Goetia replied back in a quiet and slightly timid voice.

"Really?" The Caster of Sheba replied in a faux tone of hurt "After all the work me and Solomon put into you?"

"Ah…" He slowly turned around to face her, she was still smiling at him although he could recognise the glint in her eyes "...Are you still mad about Solomon?"

"Oh, I'm not mad." She replied and for a moment he allowed a fleeting hope to burrow its way into his heart "I'm just very, very disappointed." and like that, it vanished as if it had deployed its own version of Ars Nova.

Claude would admit, the way in which Goetia's face went from impassive to one filled with a deep horror was something that he would treasure for the rest of his life.

"So…" Sheba took a single step forwards "Lets catch up...Yes? It's been quite a long time, hasn't it?"

"I'll see you later Sparkles." Claude waved to him as he backed away to the door "Maybe." the doors closed with the sound of a gunshot. At least to Goetia, that was how they sounded.