(A/N: More questions from anons asking what happened to Cornelia of the Defection.
…So funny story about this one. You'll notice the very last update to this story was November 12th, 2015. That was right around the time I got my first real job after I quit retail. From 2015 onward, my life has been a tornado of chaos without a job that I felt was stable and loved. Usually it was one or the other. Combine that with the passage of time, additional writing capabilities, and shifting focus to other projects—Dueling Trigger Finger anybody—combined with misplacing my notes—I had hand-written battle maps. And I kind of just…forgot about it. I do plan to go back to it, but I either need a stable, lovable job, my first ever novel—now taking aim for a Summer 2025 release—needs to take off like a rocket, or my Patr-eon (Fanfiction will not let me put that word in the text of a fic for some reason. Go figure [rolls eyes]) needs to become my job. Consider subscribing to it.
As for Lelouch coming clean to the Ashen Wolves…I decline to comment. Gone are the days when I would post spoiler heavy tongue in cheek comments in the author's notes. Now I just let the narrative speak for itself and that's what I plan to do!
And with that out of the way, let the saga continue! NOTE: Can't believe this Count Gloucester business is turning into its own mini arc lmao)
11th Day of the Wyvern Moon
"Ha!" Ayano shouted, swinging a practice sword in the training yard. "HA!" she swung again, sweat flying off her brow from the healthy workout. "HA!"
As she stood in a training plot, practicing her technique, she was noticed by Felix. "I see. There you area. I finally found you."
Ayano turned towards Felix, panting as she lowered her arms. She was panting to hard to let out a confused, "huh?" so she settled for just keeping eye contact.
"A female swordswoman bearing the unique uniform of the Ashen Wolves," Felix commented. "You're the pilot of that hard light frame I faced back during Lonato's rebellion, aren't you?"
Ayano wiped her brow and turned off her practice sword. She gathered her composure and stared straight at Felix.
"You don't have to be coy about it. Not like the church is interested in prosecuting Zero for his so-called crimes," Felix remarked. "But when I met a swordswoman at Magdred Way, she spoke highly of Zero, which led me to believe she was working for him. I switched houses from the Blue Lions to the Green Pheasants to learn more about my mother's culture. And, along the way, the archbishop pardons Zero. And that led me to asking around for the best swordswoman in the Ashen Wolves. People tell me it's you, Ayano Kosaka."
"People say a lot of things, but in this case, they're right. However," she turned her sword back on and took a ready stance, "That's a low bar to climb over."
"Aha," Felix smirked, "Looking for a fight?" he turned on his own practice sword.
"Is that not why you came here?" Ayano asked.
"I have other reasons, but I am curious to cross swords with you. Let's go!" Felix rushed in and took several strong, swift strikes close into Ayano's personal space. Ayano parried them with equal amounts of swiftness and skill.
Felix rubbed his energy weapon against Ayano's choking up on the clash between them. "I see the rumors are far from talk." He grunted, feeling pushback from Ayano. "Not a lot of people can keep up with me."
"I'm not 'a lot of people'," Ayano remarked. With a loud war cry, she pulled back and thrust forward, nearly getting Felix in the torso, but he jumped back, flipping backwards. He used the palm of his hand to smack the floor so he could get further distance. Sliding back, he noticed Ayano rushing in. Rather than take her head on, he attempted to flank her. However, he'd flanked a bit too early, giving Ayano plenty of time to react. She stopped, spun on her heel and swung out wide. Most would attempt only to catch their opponent, but Ayano kept going, forcing Felix to abandon his flank altogether, jumping backwards.
Ayano pursued, this time, crouching low. She showed off some ambidexterity, taking several swings at Felix where she could only get grazing strikes. However, she knew that even a glancing blow to draw first blood would be a huge boon down the line in a real fight.
On Felix's part, he was being pressured to stay on the defensive, unable to take a moment to catch his breath. Ayano's offensive pressure was making him sweat and he only had so much room to dodge her attacks within the training plot. He had to find a way to counterattack, or keep dodging until she tired out, or overcommitted to a strike. Without knowing the full scope of her fighting style, the former was safer and more Felix's style to start with.
He watched her movements carefully, noting the time between strikes. Then, as she came in. He leaned forward as he put pressure on his forward foot and met her horizontal slash with a two-handed overhead strike. Ayano, fearing the blow, abandoned her attack and rolled out of the way. She got to her feet, quickly readying a defensive stance. She saw neither hide nor hair of Felix. But she heard him approaching from behind. Pivoting, she caught his sword with her own, sparks flying as the practice energy weapons burned against each other.
What followed was a beautiful display of perfectly timed parries. Felix and Ayano clashed against each other blade to blade above the head, at abdomen height, and below the waist. Neither one appeared to have an advantage over the other. Ayano's finely honed street experience clashed in sync with Felix's skills taught to him by his older brother and father. Of course, he'd mixed his style with various others he'd come to respect, such as the fighting style of the one and only Ashen Demon, and Shez of the Violet Tigers.
"You fight well," Felix remarked, smiling as he and Ayano clashed, hunched over, swords crossed and locked. "Not like a knight or even a mercenary, but as someone who did this for survival. I must admit, I find your skill fascinating."
Ayano wasn't interested in compliments though. Felix could see it in her eyes. To her, this was no practice fight, this was a real battle.
"Heh, guess banter's not your strong suit. All right. Mine neither." Felix then broke through, pushing Ayano back. Ayano, having not expected Felix to suddenly gain the upper hand, waited defensively for Felix's attack.
Felix, for his part, put his blade away, but stood with his hand on the handle, ready to draw at a moment's notice. This was the stance a practitioner of Iaijutsu would use, but this wasn't what Felix was planning. No, this was a skill he'd begun to learn but had yet to master, the pinnacle of sword fighting in the modern day.
He took a slow, deep breath and counted half-seconds in his head, watching Ayano's irises and the slight movements of her hands, eyes slightly closed, body limber, waiting for the right moment to propel himself to victory.
Now!
Like a bolt of lightning, Felix blazed forward with the power of his crest. His first swing came from below, swinging upward and knocked Ayano completely off-balance. The second strike came down, the practice weapon smashing against her shoulder and down to her abdomen. The third strike was a thrust, sending her back from the force of the blow. Felix then darted past her, scoring another hit on her abdomen. The final blow was a two-handed strike down the target's back. Ayano collapsed, woozy and bruised, but never letting go of her weapon.
Felix stood up, out of breath. He flexed his left hand. A bit of wasted movement, he thought as he gazed at his fallen sparring partner. But it got the job done.
"Nngh," Ayano grunted from the ground.
Felix got in front of her and offered her a hand. "Need help?"
Ayano took his hand as Felix pulled her to her feet.
"Guess you win," she said, avoiding eye contact.
"The only thing separating us is experience and technique. You can teach that. You have raw, innate talent that can't be taught though. And, I only managed to pull that technique off with the use of my crest. If I didn't have that, you may have actually one. Don't count yourself out," he told her.
Ayano blinked, "…You speak as if you'd have wanted to lose."
"Losing in a practice match means you have a lot to learn," Felix responded. "Because if it had been a real fight, you'd be dead."
Ayano blinked more. "…I'm sorry, I believe we may have gotten off on the wrong foot and I don't believe I caught your name."
"It's Felix, Felix Hugo Fraldarius, of House Fraldarius, not that I care much for legacy at this point," Felix remarked.
"You're a very different type of noble than I'm used to, Felix. Most berate me simply for being a Goddessesless Monkey," Ayano responded.
"And I imagine those people were shut up with a sword to the face," Felix commented.
Ayano stifled back laughter with an amused grunt. Yeah, they definitely got off on the wrong foot this morning. She threw her memory back to when they clashed at Magdred Way. "As I recall, I propositioned for you to join Zero, but back then you said it was not the time. Is…now the time?"
Felix thought about it, staring up at the sky above. "Zero, hmm? A man who gets things done by ignoring the teachings of the church, who makes miracles such as what happened with Viscount Kleiman, and rescuing the hostages at Lake Kawaguchi. A man claiming to stand up for the weak, and oppose the strong." Felix craned his head down and rubbed the back of his head. "Not sure if I fit in with that message and ideology."
Ayano look confused.
"I seek to become the strongest. I'm not interested in reigns or kings or revolutions or even revolutionaries. When I said it wasn't the time, it was because I didn't know what you or Zero stood for, or why you were helping Lonato. Now I know."
"I see," Ayano said. "Then I should be going." She began to walk off.
"Wait," Felix said.
"What?" The girl asked, flipping around, hating being held up.
"…Turning against Rome and tearing it down won't solve anything. Even knowing that, you'd still fight for Zero?"
"It's not just about Rome, it's about hope. It's about the dawn of a new world beyond Rome's grip. All of us in the Ashen Wolves have been burned by the world in some capacity or another. We want to see tyranny punished," Ayano told him.
"And what happens if Zero suddenly dies, what happens to your revolution?" Felix asked. "Fighting under the banner of a charismatic individual is a recipe for failure, because as soon as that leader dies or isn't who you think he was, the whole thing falls apart."
Ayano stared at Felix. She'd come from the gutter, fought just to survive and made her way with her friends to Abyss. And yet, Felix was far more cynical than anyone she'd ever encountered. Even Hapi on her worst days had something resembling hope.
"Do you dislike hope and a brighter tomorrow, Felix?" Ayano asked.
"I used to believe in a brighter tomorrow. I used to believe in chivalry, and the glory of war and revolutions and stories about legendary knights. And then my brother died and I got my first real taste of not only reality, but the bloodshed that followed," Felix answered coldly. "The only thing you can trust these days is the hum of an energy weapon and credits in your pocket. Warfare and leadership are just conducted by the people that have the luxury of being born in the right places. I'd sooner throw it all away for a life of travel, of taking contract after contract to do what's wanted by people I would want to care less about only to find that impossible."
"It sounds to me like you're afraid to believe again," Ayano responded. "Because before I met Zero, I used to think the same. I thought hope was dead and I was doomed to a life squandering in Abyss. But Zero lifted me up, he gave me purpose."
"You sound like a cult member right now," Felix stated before Ayano could continue. "Next you'll be pitching me to buy something."
Ayano growled. "Felix, if you want to go through life having an eternal and private pity party, that's on you! I'm going to fight for what I believe in because I'm sick and tired of waking up to the scent of three day old water mixed with I don't even want to know what? And I wouldn't want a better tomorrow if Zero didn't make me think I could win a better tomorrow! At least you have the luxury to choose your destiny! Maybe I was wrong about you, maybe you don't get it!"
"Now hold on just a moment, I do get it! I know what it's like to watch others suffer!" Felix shouted, feeling slighted.
"Well, your attitude says you're just going to stand by and watch it happen!" Ayano shouted.
"Because no amount of revolution will change that! No matter who's in charge, or what the laws are, people are going to suffer!" Felix exclaimed. "It's just a matter of which people and whether or not those people deserve it!" He mellowed out a bit in tone as he continued to speak. "That's why mercenary work calls to me. I don't have to worry about what comes next."
"So, in the end, you only want to fight for your own self-interests, isn't that just selfish?" Ayano asked.
Felix didn't answer. He had sworn to fight for Japan, but that was out of pride. But…he trusted the pride of General Katase. Zero was another matter. He exhaled, scratching his head. "Tell Zero if he ever feels like showing his face and stop hiding behind platitudes and theatrics, I may be open to joining him. Until then, I'll stick with what I know. But, if he finds he's in need of an extra sword hand for anything the church wouldn't disapprove of in the near future, I'll at least consider joining forces."
Ayano smiled. For now, that was the best she could hope for. "Thank you, Felix. Maybe you're less cynical than you act after all."
Felix got annoyed in a manner similar to an angry cat. "D-Don't make judgment calls you have no business making!"
Ayano, once again, stifled another laugh. "Well, after a sparring match like that, I could use something to eat. Wanna join me?" She asked, stretching.
"Sure," Felix responded. "I think I'd like that. But nothing sweet."
"Don't worry, I'm really in the mood for pizza. Could really go for some teriyaki chicken."
"Teriyaki chicken? On pizza?" Felix asked. "Okay, now this I have to see."
"Follow me," Ayano stated and ran off.
"Hey! Hold up! If you run too fast, I can't follow you!"
The two burst out of the training hall and to the staircase that led down to Abyss. Neither one noticed Sylvain on the opposite side of the brick pathway leaned up against the wall.
"Felix? Following a chick? And a cute one at that? Heh, now I've seen everything."
12th Day of the Wyvern Moon
"And that should do it for our patrol report," Oldrin said, speaking to Suzaku. The Violet Tigers had taken a job on behalf of the church to do some routine patrolling at Rome's edges and had just returned. She gave a verbal summary of the virtual report Mary had submitted to him not that long ago. Suzaku was the middle man for looking over the report before it went up the chain of command.
"Good to hear everything was successful. Although, we may need to get Shez remedial sense of direction training from the sound of it," Suzaku remarked.
Oldrin laughed.
The two were standing just outside the cathedral where Oldrin had caught Suzaku after morning prayers. She was about to leave when another student approached the pair.
"Pardon the intrusion, but I'm afraid this simply cannot wait."
The two looked to see Lorenz Hellman Gloucester approaching.
"Oh, hello Lorenz," Suzaku stated. "Something I can help you with?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Lorenz responded with a nod. "Ah, but first, where are my manners? Good day, Lady Zevon. A fine morning to you."
Oldrin smiled. "Polite as always, Lorenz. But that doesn't get you dinner for two."
Lorenz laughed nervously and then cleared his throat. "I was hoping to speak with Alice on this matter, but she has a scheduling conflict and this couldn't wait. She told me you were a free agent at the moment. Up for a promotion, as I hear it, Sir Suzaku."
"Ah, yeah, Lady Rhea and Catherine have been impressed with my actions up until now so they're looking to promote me to squad captain," Suzaku said, running his hands sheepishly through his hair.
"Ah, then I have the right man for the job. An easy dispute to settle along with yours truly, plus my good word, should easily see you to that promotion, Sir Suzaku," Lorenz beamed.
"Well, I'd like to know the details, obviously," Suzaku remarked, putting a contemplative fist under his chin.
"I should go then," Oldrin stated. "Wouldn't want to listen in on briefings I have no bearing listening to."
"Actually, Lady Zevon, I implore you to stay. This job may be beneficial to the Glinda Knights. Under the church's authority, performing counterterrorism in other nations should be a boon to your squad's comprehensive team building," Lorenz requested.
"Hmm, well all right, if you're comfortable with it," Oldrin said, staying puut.
"Right then, as I was saying, in the midst of my father's mess with the mercenary group from this past weekend, a less pressing, but no less irritating matter has cropped up amidst the chaos. Are either of you familiar with Acheron of House Phlegethon?"
"Never heard of him," Oldrin stated.
Suzaku merely shook his head.
"For once I don't blame either of you. House Phlegethon is the smallest of all of the noble held territories within the Alliance. So small, in fact, I do believe even the smallest carved territory in Britannia is larger," Lorenz speculated.
"Even—"
"Yes, even whichever one you're thinking of. I have shortcomings in many things, but geography is not one of them," Lorenz remarked.
"Okay, so what's this guy's problem?" Oldrin asked.
"He is bringing up an old border dispute between himself and my father that was settled some time ago. He has even begun to dispatch a military force," Lorenz remarked.
"Dispatching private militia against a noble lord's territory? Yeah, that does sound like terrorism," Suzaku remarked.
"So, what's the big deal? Why doesn't Count Gloucester just flatten the guy? If his territory is so small and the dispute long since dealt with…" Oldrin began, trailing off in expectation of an answer.
"Sadly, with everything else going on, my father simply cannot spend time worrying about insignificant pests. Additionally, Acheron would be a blip on the radar as it were, given his small share of territory, alas, he holds one of the most crucial territories in all of the Alliance. Please tell me at least the two of you are familiar with the Great Bridge of Myrrdin," Lorenz stated.
"More than familiar. My mother took me there once. We went fishing off it," Oldrin explained.
"I know where it is, but I've never been there," Suzaku said. "Just to be clear though, that's that huge bridge on the northwestern tip of the Alliance that connects to Southwestern Adrestia, right?"
"That's it exactly," Lorenz said. "A massive stone bridge that functions as its own community as it sits over the Strait of Gibraltar, even paying its own zoned taxes. Acheron is the lord in charge of all of it and the surrounding territory to the south. No member of the Empire may enter the bridge, nor Alliance exit out into the Empire through it without him knowing about it."
"Hefty responsibility for someone with such small territory," Oldrin pointed out.
"Indeed," Lorenz agreed. "Which is why simply rolling over Acheron would cause chaos. The last thing my father needs is the Empire securing control of the bridge in all of the confusion."
"Wouldn't that be seen as an invasion by the Empire though?" Suzaku asked.
"Not necessarily," Oldrin stated. "While the bridge of Myrridin is Alliance controlled and pays a zone of taxes to it, the area is technically right on the border of the Alliance and the Empire. If the Alliance's lord was suddenly out of action and the Empire occupied it peacefully by simply sending a representative of their own to claim it—only in such cases where the noble house of Phlegethon could no longer perform its duties—then the Empire would lay claim to the bridge. And that's the last thing the Alliance needs against what is currently believed to be an ambitious Empire."
"Quite so," Lorenz agreed again, though far less cheerfully. "Therefore, we must approach this situation with the utmost tact, and hence why I am asking the church for assistance. If the Knights of Seiros and those acting on its behalf were to tell Acheron "No," then he is beholden to their decision and not my father's. Acheron is a well-known coward and shrewd opportunist, earning him the nickname The Weathervane. Hence why, Lady Zevon, should the Glinda Knights provide their support as well, he wouldn't dare hold it against Britannia, but rather be far too frightened to speak up in his own defense, believing my father to have cut a deal with Britannia and wishing not to anger either one."
"Well, I can't say I'm not intrigued by the prospect," Oldrin stated. "But, Mary has to approve it. The Glinda Knights can't mobilize without her."
"And I'll have to get the request approved. Don't worry," Suzaku said, fiddling with the app. "I'll expedite it, since this is so urgent."
"I appreciate the aid in this matter from both of you," Lorenz responded.
Hours later, Lorenz found himself in the company of the Violet Tigers, Suzaku, and the Golden Deer. While it had been so soon since her last mission, Lelouch was a lot more willing to let Nunnally go out and deal with border dispute than he was a sea monster on the high seas. He was especially more emotionally accommodating upon learning that the mission would be headed up by Suzaku. His childhood friend knew the score and would sooner let himself be obliterated than let Nunnally come to harm.
Due to time variance, it would still be the middle of the day when the group would touch down at the border of Gloucester and Phlegethon territory. So, the two houses had plenty of daylight to mingle for those that weren't getting their rest ahead of time in preparation for the mission. On that note, one person that definitely couldn't sleep was Shez. She stood staring out the window in one of the hallways, her mind preoccupied by only she knew what.
"Credit for your thoughts?"
Shez turned to see Oldrin's approach. "Oh. Hey, Oz. And, well, it's nothing too serious. It's just, well, I was raised in the Alliance."
"Oh! Really? I don't think you ever told me that," Oldrin said.
"Eh, not exactly something I just bring up, you know?" she asked. "But yeah, I don't know if I was born there, but it's where my adoptive mother raised me. Of course, I grew up a lost closer to the eastern Alliance and Empire border than the western one, right smack in the middle of Ordelia territory, as it were."
"Oh, wow! So we're not too far from your home village, eh?" Oldrin asked.
Shez laughed. "Yeah, but today's not a time for sightseeing. Besides, if we did, I'd probably just get lost."
Oldrin laughed now. "Hey, Shez, have you put any more thought into becoming a member of the Glinda Knights. You know, when graduation comes and all that? I know last time we spoke you said you weren't sure, talking about how you wouldn't want to be consumed by revenge. But, you know, plenty's happened since the Horsebow Moon, so…"
"Mhm," Shez muttered, agreeing with Oldrin's statement. It had been a few weeks, and she knew that by 'plenty's happened' she meant Zero's pardon. "You may not want to hear this, Oz, but…I've actually been seriously considering joining the Black Knights and the Ashen Wolves by extension."
"…I thought you might say that, or at least be thinking it," Oldrin said. "Why, Shez? What has the world done to you that you'd consider terrorism?"
"It's not purely about terrorism," Shez stated. "I want to get stronger. Zero feels like a key in that."
"I know you want to become the strongest, but is that really worth falling in with shady folk in it only for themselves?! We're talking about someone that has it out for Lady Rhea, Shez! I…I thought I knew you better than that. I thought you were my friend," Oldrin stated, looking heartbroken.
"Oz…"
"I get it, okay? More than Mary does, I get it," Oldrin said, balling her fists, staring at the floor. "When life kicks you down, it's easy to turn around and say 'I'm in it for myself, the world can bite me.'" Oldrin looked Shez dead in the eye and pounded a fist against her own chest. "I became a knight not out of any social obligation but because I wanted to be better than that. I wanted to uproot evil at its core, to hurt the bad guys, whomever they may be, the people that made Mary cry!" Oldrin closed her eyes, placed her hands gently on her chest and spoke from a place of the heart. "Mary hasn't done anything wrong to those around her. So many people paint all of nobility with the same brush, that they're all out to hurt people that are less fortunate. Mary's not like that though. She just wants to help. I'm sure of it."
"And I think Zero wants to help too," Shez stated, not really arguing, but still speaking in objection to Oldrin's point. "So many people say 'he wears a mask, how can you trust him?' But as I see it, the way he talks and the things he believes in, perhaps he believes people will judge the man behind the mask. Sure, any street smart person will tell you not to believe every snake oil salesman you meet or see on TV, but I don't get that vibe from Zero. He has intent to match his convictions. Anything he says he'll do, he works towards doing."
"And how many innocent people get hurt along the way?" Oldrin asked.
"Oz, I'm a merc. Innocent kind of really isn't in my dictionary if it costs you coin. Sure, maybe it's not great to see a starving mother and child get caught in the crossfire, but at some point you have to decide what your own lot in life is and who you can save." Shez stared at the floor. "I'm not nearly idealistic enough to think I can save every person suffering in the world. And I don't think Zero is either. But…" she picked her head up, "I see Britannia for what it is. And while you and Mary are fighting to protect its citizenry from hostile people with guns and other weapons, you're also defending the integrity of an Empire a lot of people, including my own brother, take issue with. I just…I don't want to be standing up for that type of nation, Oz."
It was the first time someone Oldrin spoke with on an informal level had ever criticized Britannia to her face. Every single person in the knights would follow her unquestionably, and Marrybell was a noble of the highest tier, a princess.
"But…you worked for Prince Clovis," Oldrin stated.
"Yeah, it was a job," Shez answered with brutal honesty. "Clovis chose to end up liking me all on his own accord. And also, back then, Britannia's problems weren't as apparent to me. But…I get to watch a lot more news at the monastery Shez. A merc has to keep up with current events and the shifting political climates to know where the good money is going to come from. And while the Glinda Knights are probably a safe organization to work for, even for the rest of my life, what happens when I need a job when I'm too old or injured to serve in the military? I'm not exactly the type of person that would be caught in a group of knights out of any country pride or anything. Even now, I only made it to the Violet Tigers because that's where I was needed. And sure, Princess Cornelia's a great teacher, like I've said before, but that doesn't make me loyal to Britannia. Heck, I'm not really loyal to anything, apart from my family, that is, what little of it I have."
Oldrin stared at Shez for a good long while. She wasn't sure if Shez knew the whole story as she and Marrybell knew it, that Lelouch Eisner was Lelouch vi Britannia and masquerading as a rich commoner. Bringing it up was pointless as Shez didn't see status. She saw people. And as far as she was concerned, the Lelouch she knew disliked Britannia and everything it stood for.
"So…if Lelouch stopped hating Britannia, would you change your mind?"
Shez chuckled. "Oz, you're starting to make me think you won't take no for an answer."
"Well, I mean…you're really talented, Shez. I'd…I'd hate to see that talent misused or, worse, have to fight it myself," Oldrin told her.
"Oz…"
"Sure, maybe loyalty isn't your thing, but…but that's all the more reason I want to instill it, all the more reason I want my friend to find a place she can belong. You said you were only loyal to your family, Shez. Well, be loyal to your friends too. I don't want to see someone as nice and well-meaning as you out there taking jobs and the next thing I know I have to cut you down!" Oldrin suddenly shouted.
Shez wasn't sure what to say here. "That's life."? "That's all part of being a merc."? Neither of those statements would help Oldrin feel better and if anything might drive a wedge between them.
Fortunately, Oldrin kept talking. "I just…I want to save you from yourself, Shez! I…I see you teetering on the edge of loyalty and I just keep thinking, 'if only I could help her see my side of things. If only she'd see that being a knight comes with its own reward.'"
"We may be of two different worlds and minds, Oldrin, but that doesn't keep us from being friends. Maybe not being able to share your loyalty is every bit of reason for us to cherish what we do have. Instead of worrying about the future, focus on what we have in the here and now. We're comrades fighting under the same banner of the Violet Tigers. And, until that year is up, nothing will change that," Shez told her seriously. She then added more cordially. "And hey, not being part of the knights means I can always be paid off if I'm not on the job to stay out of your area of operation or even tag along."
Oldrin smiled. It was strained and there was a tear in her eye, but it was still a smile. "Yes. Thank you, Shez."
Shez laughed. "What are friends for?"
On board the transport ship, there were no less than three conference rooms. One of them presently had all its windows covered, all of its lights out, and a single occupant. That occupant was Nina Einstein. Sitting on the conference table was her tablet, and glowing on the tablet was a picture of Archbishop Rhea screenshot from a news article.
The room was quiet for the most part…sans the sound of ruffling clothing and Nina's increasingly ragged breath. She stood at the edge of the table, her skirt line propped up against it. Her hands were venturing to places too sacrilegious to be done anywhere on the Goddess's hollowed ground at Garreg Mach. Her glasses fogged up as Nina continued to stare at Archbishop Rhea's radiance. Fantasies swirled about her head, ones wholesome in nature, but slowly leading down a path of privacy and lewdness.
And all of it was rudely interrupted as the automatic door sprang open, letting in light on the other side of the room. "Hello? Is anyone in here?"
Nina yelped and immediately locked her tablet and fanned out her skirt. "S-sorry, n-no one was in here, so I thought I could be alone and…"
The new occupant flicked on a light, revealing Ignatz Victor. He blushed at the sight of Nina. He hadn't really interacted with her since coming to Garreg Mach, but…well she was far from unattractive in his mind.
"S-sorry, I didn't think anyone was in here."
As Nina tried her best to hide her embarrassment…and the puddle on the floor, she made eye contact with Ignatz, swiping her tablet off the table. "I-It's fine. I…I just wanted to be alone."
"Oh, pardon me, I didn't mean to disturb you. Oh! That's a Garreg Mach uniform. Are you a Violet Tiger as well. I don't think we've formally met. I'm Ignatz Victor, the young man getting credited with bring Count Gloucester's scandals to light," Ignatz said, rubbing the back of his head. "You know, because it was my brother's request to the church that's at the heart of all of this."
"Oh, u-um, nice to meet you," Nina said, reaching out for a hand shake, only to yelp and switch hands. She cleared her throat. "N-Nina Einstein."
"Oh! Like the famous physicist," Ignatz remarked.
"Y-Yes, he was my great-great-grandfather," Nina exposited.
"Oh, wow! History in the making," Ignatz chuckled, trying to seem cordial as he shook Nina's hand.
"That's what my father always says," Nina responded, trying to further hide her sin. "I'm the family's little genius. Eheh."
"Genius, hmm? In what?" Everyone had their specialties. Ignatz was hardly one to judge.
"Um, well…" Nina began only to mutter.
"Sorry? I didn't quite catch that."
"Theoretical physics," Nina said.
"Oh wow! Really taking after your ancestor, huh?" Ignatz questioned.
Nina nodded. "It's embarrassing, and what I'm studying right now makes most people think I'm weird."
"What are you studying?" Ignatz asked.
"The division of the atom, the smallest known particle in science," Nina explained.
"That's possible?" Ignatz questioned.
"I think so. …Go on, laugh. Tell me I'm dumb just like everyone else that's not a member of my family," Nina sighed.
"No! I think it's admirable! New discoveries are only made when we question the unknown," Ignatz stated. "That's how people get famous regardless of discipline: scientists, artists, doctors, and even archeologists."
Nina smiled. She then happened to notice Ignatz was carrying a tablet of his own. However, his had a protective case with a stylus attached to it. That only suggested one thing. "You draw?" she asked.
"Huh?!" Ignatz then noticed how conspicuously he was carrying his tablet. "Oh! No. This is for…um…equations. You know…for business. I know my father wants me to become a knight, but I'm still going to help however I can in finances."
"I won't judge you for artistry if you won't judge me for sub-atomic research," Nina stated.
"The big difference is at least you're doing what your dad wants you to do," Ignatz said.
"Not at all. My dad originally wanted me to become an archeologist, something to help the family financially and he thought I had the skills for it. Then I just started breaking down math equations one day and started digging deeper and deeper into the unknown. When I showed him my passion, he encouraged me every step of the way."
"So if you're passionate about physics, why the Officer's Academy?" Ignatz asked.
Nina took a seat at the conference table. "Because I'm weak," she explained.
"What do you mean?" Ignatz inquired further.
"I…I was kidnapped when I was younger, held in a van for several hours until my family paid my ransom. It was right after the church took over Neo-Japan. I was already living there at the time," Nina explained.
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, I must have drudged up some painful memories," Ignatz said to her.
"Yeah," Nina said, hugging herself. "They…still haunt me. It…it was while I was growing up that I read all sorts of inspirational stories, like an article about the Black Eagle's Dorothea Arnault breaking the arm of a guy that tried to kidnap her at gunpoint right out of her dressing room."
"Whoa! I always knew she had backbone given how Lorenz speaks of her, but I didn't quite know she was that skilled at self-defense," Ignatz remarked, sweating.
"It's not just her. Lots of girls that do inspirational things aren't weak."
"Nina, you were a little girl when you were kidnapped. What could you have done?" Ignatz asked her.
"But I don't want to be that way again! I can't!" She started scratching her shoulder. "It was horrifying!"
"Okay, I'm sorry," Ignatz gasped, realizing he'd stepped somewhere he shouldn't have. "S-so you came to Garreg Mach so you could learn to get stronger?"
Nina nodded. "I always had a talent for white magic. My mother's side of the family brought that gene, I think. It's unfortunate her crest skipped my generation. My parents were so disappointed."
"Oh…that's…sorry to hear that."
"But…I'm glad I came to Garreg Mach," Nina said. She smiled brightly. "Because I got to meet Archbishop Rhea."
Ignatz smiled. "The Archbishop certainly is something else."
"Something else is understating it. She's the most brilliant, most wonderful lady I've ever laid eyes on," Nina said, holding her hands up in prayer, eyes sparkling. "Haaaaaaa, what I wouldn't give to have a private chat with her."
"A woman whose radiance is matched only by the Goddess herself, I think," Ignatz pondered.
Nina continued to swoon. "I bet Lady Rhea is ever as radiant as the Goddess herself."
"Isn't that a bit blasphemous?" he asked, concerned.
Nina yelped. "Ah! Yes. How silly of me. It's wrong to compare a perfect woman to a Goddess, no matter how splendid and perfect and pretty she is."
Ignatz laughed. "You really like the archbishop, huh?"
Nina ran her hands through one of her braids over and over as if trying to shake loose an imaginary crumb from it. "I…I would give anything to be a Knight of Seiros. I want to continue my research under its banner. That's what I've decided to do."
"That's incredible, Nina," Ignatz said and took a seat next to her. "Compared to me, you have your whole life figured out."
"Do you think your dad would disapprove of your artistry if you showed him how passionate you are?" Nina asked.
"I already tried. And he said…" Ignatz made his voice sound as gruff as possible, "No son of mine is going to waste his days being a foppish painter. We need to toughen you up, boy. Be more like your brother."
"Oh…I'm so sorry, I didn't…"
"No, compared to what you've been through, Nina, my problems are hardly an issue, I'll manage," Ignatz responded.
"Lesser problems compared to the issues of someone else doesn't make those problems go away. If you're suffering, Ignatz…I think it's okay to say so," Nina told him.
"That's kind of you to say, but…" Ignatz trailed off as Nina began fiddling with her tablet, "What are you doing?"
His own tablet suddenly pinged.
A message read: Nina Einstein has made a request. 500 Britannian credits for a self-sketch.
"No…Nina, I couldn't take your money," Ignatz told her.
"It's not about the money, it's about following your dreams, Ignatz. I'm going to become a knight that studies sub-atomic particles. You should become a knight that paints," she encouraged.
"A knight that…" Ignatz trailed off, only to smile. "All right. I'll do it. Sit right there, Nina. I'll do my best to paint you."
While Ignatz spent the next hour or so painting his new friend, Milly was wandering the halls of the transport ship looking for Nina.
"Ugh, where could she have gone? I don't like the idea of her all by herself," she grumbled out loud.
"Not like you to be all concerned about something, Milly? Usually, you're the carefree and mischievous type. Much like yours truly."
Milly looked to one side to see Claude hanging upside down from an open non-automatic doorway.
"Do I even want to know?" she asked.
"What? Hanging upside down is fun," Claude answered. "You should try it sometime, gives life new perspective. …Also, Lysithea kind of launched me up here and now my pants are stuck on the coat hook on the back of the door. Could you help me down? My hands can't reach."
Without even hesitating, Milly got behind the door to unhook Claude's pants tag from what it was caught on. The head of the Golden Deer then tumbled backwards off the door and landed safely on solid ground.
"Phew, for a second there, I thought all the blood was going to rush to my head," Claude stated. "Thanks for the save, Milly."
"No problem. Of course, you owe me one now," Milly said, with a mischievous look in her eye.
"Uh oh, and I presume if I don't, you're going to tell everyone you saw I wear tighty-whities," Claude joked. He was, in fact, wearing boxers, but that was hardly the point.
"Oh you know it. Especially when I tell everyone the leader of the Alliance isn't even half the man everyone thinks he is," Milly teased.
"There is no way you saw that from that angle," Claude argued, only to realize how that sounded. "Er, I mean…"
Milly laughed.
"Okay, fine, I owe you one. But strategy tips for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion are off-limits, as are non-aggression requests. Every house for itself," Claude stated.
"Oh, pffft. Please. If Mary wanted that information she'd have it already," Milly dismissed. "No, I'd like something far more…personal."
…Lelouch, I'm sorry I did not take your warning about this woman, Claude thought, suddenly having a bad feeling about this.
"Youuuuu…" Milly said, rotating her extended index finger in a circle, as if she was coping up with the repayment on the spot, "Have to butler for me for a day."
"…What? That's it?" Claude asked.
"…Come again?" Milly asked.
"I mean, if you're gonna hold blackmail over me at least get creative. Have it be something like…" Claude then did his best impression of Milly, "Claude, you handsome rogue. I need you to give my feet a tongue bath as you whistle my favorite song in only a bathing suit." His voice returned to normal. "Or something like that."
Milly blushed, but the look on her face did not suggest she was beaten at her own game. If anything, she looked positively delighted…in a mischievously horny and perverse sort of way. "Now, Claude, don't be modest. I'd ask you to do it in a speedo."
"Ah, should I bring whipped cream as well. You can lick it off my hairless back as you gag me right before you turn on reruns of Small Wonder."
Milly gasped. "Claude! Don't be ridiculous!" she then added after a slight pause, "I'll make you watch it while having to listen to every Barry Manilow song in existence on loop."
Claude sounded horrified. "You monster! I suppose you're also going to feed me nothing but peanut butter and pickle sandwiches with the crusts still on?"
Milly laughed hard. She realized the escalation of the punishment could go on forever and so decided to stop doing so. "Nothing really fazes you, does it, Claude?"
"Nah, not really, at least when it comes to punishments." He arched his back, putting his hands on it. "When I was a kid, my dad used to tie me to a horse and have it drag me around."
"He what?!" Milly shouted, sounding horrified.
"Nah, no need to fret. There's a trick to it," Claude remarked. "Besides, I kind of deserved it. I was quite the little brat when I was a kid."
"Well, I can see where all the screws to your head went then, right into the ground. Would explain a lot, really," Milly quipped.
Claude guffawed. "Oh! Oh…that's cutting, Mills. You really know how to stab a guy with words." He composed himself, gestured to her with his whole hand and then proclaimed, "It's too bad you've got a boyfriend already. I'd totally take you out for a nice evening. You're my kind of woman."
"Boyfriend?!" Milly exclaimed, shocked.
"Yeeeaaaaaah?" Claude responded, now not so sure. "You and Sylvain Gautier are together, right? I mean…that's what people I know seem to think, Hilda especially."
"Ha…oh my…ahaha…" Milly laughed nervously, bright red. "N-No. Sylvain is um…Sylvain is just a…we're just a fling…it's not…I mean we're not…"
"Oh! Really? My honest mistake. Well, lucky for us as teenagers we have that luxury to just hunker down in a stranger's bed, am I right? Offer's good on the table then about the feet sweeping. I'd love to take you out to dinner," Claude offered genuinely enough.
Milly laughed nervously some more, redder than a ripe strawberry. "Ahahaha…haaaaa…I mean…s-sure, Claude, that sounds nice."
"Cool, my treat. I take you out to dinner. You forget that you found me with my underwear tag on a coat hook. Everyone's happy. Catch you later!" Claude then spun on his heel and walked away. Huh, she's easier to wrangle in than I thought. Maybe I should this to make Lelouch owe me.
Milly clutched her chest, staring at the ground as Claude rounded the corner. "Yeah…Sylvain and I are…just a thing…right?"
Yet, despite saying this, her heart contracted pretty tightly.
Touching down at the point of interest was simple enough. And just the sight of a Knight of Seiros transport ship gave Acheron pause.
Oldrin took one look at the force around them all. "No, come on. This can't be it. This is pathetic."
"What's his house's bird? A peacock?" Marrybell asked, cuttingly.
Many in the group laughed.
"Feels like we may have brought too many people for this," Leonie commented.
"Yeah, probably," Oldrin stated, stretching. "Mary, you have your megaphone?"
Marybell nodded.
"Oldrin, what are you doing?" Suzaku asked.
"Oh, ending this quickly? Lorenz, you said this guy's a coward, right?" Oldrin asked in order to clarify.
"Acheron? Yes. One-hundred percent," Lorenz responded.
"Then everyone stand back," Oldrin said as she finished fiddling with the megaphone. "I'll end this battle before it gets started."
She spoke through the megaphone as Tink hunched over to use him instead of a crate so Oldrin could be seen by the militia right up to the line of his territory. "Acheron Phlegethon. This is Oldrin Zevon of the Violet Tigers speaking on behalf of the Church of Seiros. Come forward with your hands up."
Acheron did step forward to the front of his army, dressed in his finest sorcery robes. "Ah, the Knights of Seiros," he said. "Come to negotiate, have you? I do so appreciate it."
"This isn't a negotiation," Suzaku said. "You're in violation of international law if you take your militia home."
"Absolutely not!" Acheron exclaimed. "This is an outrage! I would speak with Director Seteth this instant! The nerve of youth these days! While I—"
Before he could continue his speech, Oldrin and Suzaku nodded to each other, releasing the Lancelot Shogun and the Lancelot Avalon simultaneously and holding their energy swords so close to Acheron, they could shave his mustache.
"You should go home now," Marrybell told Acheron.
The grown, mustachioed noble merely let out a frightened squeak that would've been more befitting of a noblewoman. Faced with impossible odds he, wisely, chose to call it quits. A victory before the battle had even begun for all involved that weren't him.
With the incident past them and still some time on the clock to kill before the return trip, Lorenz made a trip to see his father alongside Marrybell, Oldrin, Claude and Suzaku. The four met the Count in his private study.
"It is good to see you in good health, father," Lorenz commented.
"Indeed. Thank you for stopping by. I was hoping to speak with you before you left. How went everything with Acheron. You arrived far sooner than I expected," Erwin remarked.
"He folded as soon as Oldrin and I released our Hard Light Knightmares," Suzaku stated. "He must have realized the folly of it all going up against superior might."
"Yes, that's definitely Acheron for you," Erwin remarked. "Bothersome idiot that one. Thank you all again for your assistance."
"Hey, don't look at me when you say that, Count. I was just there for vibes," Claude quipped.
Erwin paid Claude no mind and went for a bony object hanging over the fireplace. He took it off the hooks. "Lorenz, when you go back, take this with you."
Lorenz was stunned. "Father…this is Thyrsus. This is our family's relic."
"Yes. And?"
Lorenz was at a complete loss for words, simply staring at the Hero's Relic in the vague shape of a magic wand. A crest stone bearing the Crest of Gloucester's emblem was embedded firmly in the knot of the staff.
"Dark times are ahead, my boy. And we must be prepared for them. That staff is sure to suit you and your house far better than it does collecting dust over our family's fire place. The Hero's Relics were designed to protect people, not to be made into glorified trophies," he spoke in justification.
"Count, much as I am a man who loves vague riddles, I'm also a guy that knows when people have things to say that they'd rather not," Claude said, frowning for once. "You found out more about that whole leviathan business, didn't you? Something that could shake the Alliance's faith in you, yeah? That's why you're leaning hard on Lorenz, thinking you're gonna get eaten alive at the next round table. Well, am I close?"
Erwin sighed. "Claude, you are twice the perceptive man your uncle could have ever hoped to be. You are correct. Everyone, have a seat and I will pour tea. This story might take a bit."
Erwin's guests sat on the comfy chairs around the study as Erwin prepared piping hot bergamot tea for each of them. He then stood near his reading chair. "This goes back about two years ago. For company present that isn't aware, being a Count is tough work, especially over lands as large as my own. Managing it all isn't something I can do alone. So, I hire men and women across lesser noble families, and their family members in branch families, to assist me in ways I couldn't normally. Among those roles, are a cabinet of advisors, each charged with specific tasks that require my attention, but are just as easily handled by other members of the nobility working together as a well-oiled machine. This leaves me time to do things like plan ahead for the future, attend round table meetings, and hear out far more personal requests of the common folk. It also makes my key supporters happy and feel autonomous. I rarely check in on them, finding that whoever I select for a given role has my near absolute trust."
"Okay, following you so far," Claude said with a nod and a sip of tea.
"Among my cabinet, is a man handpicked to oversea domestic trade. Up until recently as three years ago, that array of tasks was left up to a man named Joseph Grayden, a high priest in the eastern church within my territory," Erwin explained.
"Putting the cloth with the finances? Isn't that a bit conflict of interest?" Claude questioned.
"Quite the opposite, actually," Erwin said, shaking his head. "The church is of non-profit and greed is one of man's greatest sins. Therefore, a man of the cloth would have little reason to maximize profit in unscrupulous ways. At least…on paper."
"So something went wrong?" Oldrin asked.
"Indeed. You see, Mr. Grayden left the Eastern Church for other territories and now resides in Goneril territory, working in another branch. Given he did such a fantastic job, I passed the task to the new high priest, man by the name of Donnegan Prunt. At first, he did great. Profits were up, costs were even coming down. But, as I dug into the details, I found out all of the horrible things he did within my lack of scrutinized oversight. Experiments that go beyond human understanding as we know them. He was growing chimera in a lab. Apparently, one of the local village women's daughters went missing. One of the experiments I was…forced to lay to rest in mercy bore her eyes. She'd been fused with the family dog."
"Monster," Marrybell growled.
"That leviathan you defeated was grown inside the Gloucester pipeline for months before being let loose into the ocean, trained to attack only ships headed for Riegan territory. Imported goods would come in and be bought, meanwhile exported goods would be lost and could be written off as a massive tax gain, plus my small share of the collection of life insurances. The profits of insurance claims outweighed the loss of exported goods."
"Of all the barbarity!" Lorenz snapped.
"It gets worse," Erwin stated. "Prunt kept a detailed record of his victims. The name Kirsten came up in one of his journal entries, with the late Duke Riegan written off as collateral damage."
"So it was this Prunt's guy's doing all along. So where's the mercenary gang come into this?" Claude asked.
"They were working for Prunt. He hired them and told them to offer merchants going to Riegan territory a fee. If they were hired, they'd play a special note on a special whistle to keep the monster at bay. But if they weren't hired, well…it was up to fate if the boat sank or not. More money going into my coffers without knowing where exactly it came from," Erwin remarked, cursing at himself under his breath.
"And where is Prunt now?" Marrybell asked.
"I wish I knew. I've put out a manhunt across Leicester, but so far no one has found anything. What's worse, the people I spoke to about him claim him to be not the same man they remember, as if his personality did a complete flip. I have reports from people who knew him in Edmund territory that claim he'd never do this kind of thing. Even Margrave Edmund stakes his reputation on it. Yet now he's nowhere to be found, coffers empty and I'm left with more questions than answers. But, I did find that he had connection to those same shady mage folk that attacked the Mausoleum during the Rite of Rebirth. I think it's safe to say that dark forces are at play here," Erwin explained.
"And how does that translate to giving me Thyrsus?" Lorenz asked.
"Lorenz, anything could happen to me in the near future over this. I could be assassinated, for one. I could be forced to step down from my position, for two. Even if Prunt was ultimately responsible, my own shortcomings in overseeing him led to this and the deaths of thousands. Merchandise lost at sea measurable in the tons. But, for three, I don't like the talk of how the Prunt that Edmund's citizenry spoke of, and the Prunt writing journal entries for my territory act as if they are completely different people, almost as if the Prunt Edmund's people knew was being impersonated. Should I be impersonated, Lorenz, I would hate to leave Thyrsus where my imposter could reach it. Should a time ever come when you can't trust me anymore…I leave what happens next to your discretion."
"Father…" Lorenz stated, the weight of Thyrsus now feeling heavier than ever.
"Count Gloucester, how much of this do you want kept private?" Oldrin asked.
"Explain your intentions, Lady Zevon," Erwin requested.
"I could draft a report that puts the Glinda Knights' seal on all of this," Oldrin stated. "We could put a manhunt out for Prunt in case he has escaped to Britannia, or whatever has become of him. It could strengthen relations between the Alliance and Britannia as well. Don't you think so, Mary?"
"Oldrin, I was just about to suggest that very thing. Yes, I agree. Well, Count Gloucester? Would that be something you would like? I no longer have claim to the throne, but the weight of the Mel Britannia name still holds sway amidst the royal court. Wrongs could be righted," she stated. "And it could help salvage what damage has already befallen your reputation."
"You are very kind, young princess," Erwin said. "And who am I to turn down foreign aid when I need it most. I accept. I am trusting you both to help House Gloucester in its time of need."
"I second that," Lorenz said. "Lady Zevon, Princess Marrybell, spoken gratitude will never be enough for this."
"It's just called doing the right thing," Oldrin told him.
"And your humility in it all is ever more inspiring," Lorenz responded with a sincere smile. "I still have a lot to learn about my own role in the nobility."
Erwin laughed heartily. "You'll get it one day, Lorenz, but no one's perfect. Just look at me, I'm a living example."
Claude laughed as well. "Yeah, you're about as perfect as a Picasso painting, that's for sure."
Erwin laughed more. "Riegan territory is in good hands with you behind the wheel, Claude. I look forward to the day you inherit the title of duke. And Lorenz?"
"Yes, father?"
"Try not to give Claude such a hard time. He's going to be your most crucial ally at the round table one day. It would be great if you could get along now," Erwin told him.
"Believe me, father," Lorenz said with a frown, "I am trying my best, but Claude wins an award for greatest tester of patience."
"Awwwww, come on, tell me how you really feel," Claude quipped sarcastically.
Lorenz sighed in dismay.
"Seriously though, all of you be careful. I don't like what's in our future. It feels like the whole world is sitting on a powder keg, but nobody can find the fuse," Erwin stated.
"We'll be careful. Count. But that goes for you too," Claude told him. "Who would bug my grandfather at the round table if you suddenly get found bleeding in a ditch somewhere?"
Erwin laughed. "Oh don't worry, Claude," he said before scowling, "If death wants me, it'll have to be while I slumber, because if I'm waking, it'll be a fight. But let's not dwell on that. The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is this moon and I, for one, plan to spectate, if not in person, than through the Church's live feed."
"Ah! In all the excitement, I had almost forgotten," Lorenz responded, flat footed and wide-eyed. "Claude, we must return to Garreg Mach posthaste! This moon is soon to be halfway past us and we've yet to have even one strategy meet."
"Yeah, probably best to get on that. Thanks for the reminder, Count. We'll be seeing ourselves out now."
"Good luck. Glory to the Golden Deer!"
"The Golden Deer shall be eaten alive by the Violet Tigers!" Marrybell declared.
Erwin laughed more heartily than before. "Hear that, boy? Stiff competition this year."
"Eh, we'll manage," Claude responded. "Besides, we've got a secret weapon this year."
"We do?" Lorenz asked.
"Ah, Lorenz, playing dumb to confuse the enemy," Claude stated, rolling with it. "Now then, we really should be going before I die of cringe."
"Before you what now?" Lorenz asked, only to yelp as Claude dragged him out of the room.
"…That man is going to be the future leader of an entire nation one day, and that greatly upsets me," Marrybell fumed.
"Mary…" Oldrin responded, smiling nervously.
13th Day of the Wyvern Moon
After the conclusion of his evening lectures, before turning in for the night, Zero shadowed, isolated and then went up to Kronya when she stepped out into the valley below the Monastery bridge for fresh air.
"We need to talk," he told her.
"Gah! Zero, you scared the hell out of me! How did you track me that quietly, even? I'm an assassin!" Kronya exclaimed.
"Why tell you? Not letting you know lets me keep doing it," he stated.
Kronya fumed, but knew there was little reason in arguing the point. "What do you want?"
"The death of the late Duke Riegan, and the deaths of the merchants he was with, the Kirstens. The Glinda Knights's co-signed report with Count Gloucester was released today. Many don't know about the shady folk they're referring to, or where they originate from, but I know exactly who they're talking about," Zero told her.
"S-So, okay. You know. You want a medal?" She asked crabbily.
"Kronya, you and I both know that Agartha was behind all of this. For what purpose, is what I want to know. Where is Donnegan Prunt? He is hiding from the authorities, and I would see him extinguished before any other organization, in order to elevate the strength of my reputation."
"Zero, no! If you do that, Thales won't just kill you, he'll reanimate your corpse just so he can kill you again!" Kronya exclaimed.
"Kronya, do I look like that frail of a person?" Zero asked her.
"You…you don't know what Thales is like when he's enraged. You don't know just how powerful he is, or what he could do to you. Or…"
"Or what he could ask you to do to me, is that it?" Zero asked.
"…"
Kronya didn't need to say it. Zero knew.
"You would mourn my death, wouldn't you?"
"…"
Once again, words needn't be said. Zero knew.
"You…treat me better. I…matter to you," Kronya stated. "It's…it's a weird feeling, one I've never felt before."
"That's called human nature," Zero told her. "We all crave companionship, and reject isolation. You needn't fear these feelings, Kronya. You're allowed to embrace them."
"I'm scared though," Kronya admitted. "Zero…being with you means betraying everyone I've ever known. I can't just…" She turned her head away.
"What happened to Agartha is a place where it's everyone out for themselves? I didn't realize assassins could form attachments," Zero stated.
"Hey! What do you think I am? Just a heartless killer? Yeah! I kill people! It's who I am and I'm proud of it! It's my special skill! I could kill a person in sixteen different ways in a split second, and I'm proud to be a master class assassin! But…at the same time…mortality comes for us all. None of us crave death, Zero. My home isn't some cult that believes that death has a greater sacrifice. If you die, you were weak. You were worthless trash meant to be discarded. …I don't want to be worthless trash. I want to be useful."
"You're useful to me. …No, you are a part of this team, Kronya. And, in part, you've already come to accept that. I'm proud to call you my ally. That pride is something you won't ever receive from Thales, no matter how much you crave otherwise. If you can kill in cold blood, then put everything else aside, and do as you're asked. If you crave my approval, more than Thales, then do as I request," Zero told her. "Besides, Prunt, at this point, is a liability to Agartha. And no one has to know that you were involved in any capacity. If you simply do as I ask, find him for me, and report back, I have a plan to give us a proper scapegoat."
"Really? Who?" Kronya asked.
14th Day of the Wyvern Moon
Classes had been cancelled for the Ashen Wolves for the evening. Instead, Zero was using the classroom—now blocked off and guarded by Balthus for a sum the man could not refuse—to discuss business with a man he knew was more than willing to listen to his request. Presently, they were also playing chess. Zero was winning.
"Not every day Yuri tells me you want to talk in private, Zero," Claude stated, playing white to Zero's black. He moved a pawn. "And you even cancelled your evening lecture for this."
"Rest assured that unless you run your mouth, no one will know you were the reason why I cancelled classes. However, guaranteeing you to stay after lecture would have come with its own challenges. Besides, I figured you'd want a one on one discussion with me."
"Well, you're right about that, but that's mostly so I can criticize you to your hidden face," Claude responded. "So, what? Is there like a massive zit under there, or…?"
Zero clacked his queen on the table, having no intention of entertaining Claude's head games.
"All right, so what's this about?" Claude asked, moving his bishop to g3.
"What else could a fellow genius want to discuss with you aside from the burning topical news," Zero responded as he tented his fingers. "The ongoing scandal of Count Gloucester."
Zero could see the gears turning in Claude's head. Much like in chess, Claude could predict Zero's move three steps ahead. "Oh, I think I see what's going on. You're looking into this and you want me to work with you so I can get some of the credit. Play nice with Leicester, have me in your pocket, either as a scapegoat, or a get out of jail free card. Never thought you'd try to curry favor with me. Figured you would've wanted to fly whatever you're plotting solo. Of course, if it's assassination of the Count you're after, much as I'd love to see old Erwin have a bad afternoon of falling down some stairs, he's important to the Alliance as a whole." Claude winked. "If that's what you're after, I'll have to turn you over to the knights."
"The Count is of interest to me, but he's a man of good quality. I'd prefer him alive. No, I'm after someone far more dangerous," Zero responded. "I'm after Prunt. And by this time next week, I plan for the man to be prematurely deceased."
That caught Claude's ear and he looked a bit shocked before composing himself. "Well, go on then, I'm all ears. I'm just itching to see how deep this rabbit hole goes."
"You're a sensible man, Claude von Riegan," Zero stated. "I look forward to working with you." And also, Zero thought as he picked up his queen and slammed it onto the E4 square,
Checkmate.
(A/N: So, I had this big fight scene ready to go with Acheron readying his Hard Light Frame, ready to rekindle the feeling of beating him and his dumb militia down and then I went "No. This is Acheron. He's a pathetic little, mustache twirling loser. Let's intimidate the hell out of him and call it a day. It's funnier that way." I mean, really, Acheron is not a threat. So, sorry for anyone that was looking forward to a joint mission between the Tigers and the Deer XD. Honestly, that paralogue's only real value is Thyrsus. And, with everything else going on in the plot, the real value just kinda meshed its way into what's happening. But hey, some good supports came out of it, at least : D.
Special thanks to ShawnH for his continued support of my Pa treon. If you'd like to become a supporter, just look up Draconic Hero Studios. If you see artwork gifted to me for Dueling Trigger Finger—shameless plug—you have the right page. Also, I post links to the chapters there because what else am I gonna post there right now?
Next time, y'all might be expecting us to track down Prunt and his evil schemes, but first, a diversion! What is that diversion? You'll just have to wait for the next exciting chapter. And, until then, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)