As the party began to die down, most of the guests had left for the garden and to roam around the Castle. The Duke of Janishaire stands up from his seat and looks to Jackson. With a wet towel over his eyes, the woman in black eating her unknown number of Buknade and the Countess, busy writing things down on a notepad. “My dear wife, keep watch of our children.” He stands up, opening his arms and the servants give him his fur greatcoat.
The air got heavy, even the Cardinal who was at the throne and the Financier went silent at the sight of the man walking down the room. He carried himself in a way that was not only great, but also historic. Every step he took, as if the very foundations of the City Fortress sang along to the tune of it. Tud, tud, tud. An Elf then proceeded to give him his Scepter as he approached the table with a peculiar group of people.
With the foreign sun bowing down on the horizon, his shadow casts a heavy black over the notepad of Alana. She clicks her pen and turns to her right. “M’L- My husband.” as she shook him, the groans of the man aired out. Like a stuffed toy that’s been blown too much and unable to make noise anymore. The tired Knight unravels the section of the towel that covered his right eye. “Arrrr… what is it?” looking at the Vampire’s well rounded chest, her lanky hands then hovers infront of it, pointing to her right where the shadow was coming from.
Lifting his head, he sees the purple fur greatcoat and Golden Scepter of the Duke.
“S-SIR!” He stands up, saluting like a soldier just to suddenly shake his head and bow. “Knight General Paul Jackson Minuit of the Knights of Eldwood!” peeking behind from his seat was a small blonde girl. She merely gushes a glance at the Duke and proceeds to hide back. As if she lived under the shadow he casts. “H-How may I help you Duke Spitze?”
Breathing in and out, the Duke’s presentation was immaculate. Even at his advance age, he had himself a tone that was nearly akin to the Vampire’s yet still Human. With a big well combed beard, and elegantly clean cut hair, he lifts his hand and lowers it. Making the two stand down.
“Tell me, Lord Jackson. What does that medal mean?” confused, he looks at the medals strewn on his uniform. “Errrr…” he then looks at Alana who just widens her gold eyes at him multiple times. Unraveling her intentions, he nods. “Th-this one that looks like a Cross, Lord Spitze?” he nods. “I have been to war before. A true war, unlike the younguns’ that spout these metal upon their chest.” He unravels his fur coat, revealing numerous medal buttons on his uniform. “Each and every one of these for the King’s greatness, I’ve earned. Have you?”
He then gestures to Alana, prompting the Vampire to sit down whilst he continues standing. After a while, he nods. “I have. Duke Spitze. This particular one is a rendition of an actual Medal I earned.” The great man then taps his scepter, one of the Servants immediately running with an elegant chair as he sits down. “Every soldier has a story for every scar that’s on his body. Tell me a story, Lord Jackson.”
“I uhhhh…” Alana then bows. “Duke Spitze.” he lifts his hand. “Call me Spitze, Vampire.” she quickly nods. “Spitze, my husband suffers from an illness. He has a hard time recalling his time in a war he participated in. Please do not let him go through the pain.” the Spitze then looked at Jackson, his hands weren’t clenched. He merely leaned down to pick up the wine glass and downed all the wine in it. “M-My husband, you do not need to do this.”
“No. I can do it.”
Opening his eyes, he was back inside the cramped interior of their T-100K. His body, cooled by the exoskeleton undersuit inside his fatigues. The red blinking on the Commander Panel in front of him notifying its crew of something. “30MM AMMO DEPLETED!” and suddenly, alarms blare as the Active Protection System of their Main Battle Tank detects an oncoming projectile. The labeling on it widens his eyes. “AGM-114K HELLFIRE - 4.8KM” and with just a blink of his eye, it was “AGM-114K HELLFIRE - 4.5KM”.
“RAAAJESSSH! RAAJESSH! REVERSE!!! REVERSE!!!’ He shouts at the top of his voice, his boots aggressively tapping the flooring as the diesel engine whirls to life like a monster awakened from the depths of its sleep, the noise it made enough to overwhelm him even in his crew helmet. “I’M TRYING! I’M TRYING!” On his panel, the speed indicated -25Km/h and was only going further up as the APS system fired a burst of IR smoke as the Hellfire missile entered the 2 kilometer range and to his shock, five more were following behind it.
“SIR! SIR! WE SHOULD BAIL!” he then looks at the outside camera, the open desert sand was a scrapyard of equipment. Burning husks of armor from East and West both sitting just mere meters from one another.
The smoke trails from the burning wrecks made it seem as if some areas were at night as the ground was full of burnt corpses. Even though these were supposed to be soldiers of opposing armies, their bodies didn’t look apart from each other. Just black smoking barbecue in the shape of a person as shadows of suicide drones with the tip that’s akin to the beak of a Vulture was hovering amongst the dark clouds that had formed from the dead.
“No! We-we-we have to continue reversing! The outside is death!” as he stutters, the APS once again fires another burst of smoke. Hatches in front of their ammo bustle rapidly open, but there was no charge inside.
On his commander tab, the indication he forgot to check in the heat of panic made him sweat a tidal wave of stress. “Monolith APS Charges: 0/50” all he could do was look down on his hands as an explosion came from the outside, rocking their tank as if it was being kicked by a Giant.
Waking up, his eyes were balling at the smoke as rays of the Sun from the outside hit his chest. Looking at his feet, they were still there but the trousers of his fatigues were burnt. The exoskeleton suit under it protects him from the burning shrapnel. “FELIPE! RAJESH! STATUS!” with no reply to his words, he clicks a button, opening the Commander hatch.
Looking outside, the following Hellfires had all but disappeared except from one. Its white trail made him visibly shiver as he turned in and on his broken commander tab, pressed the emergency bailout. Though an error popped out that it was unable to forcefully move the turret to the right, the hatches were opened.
Their tank, that’s the cost of almost a mansion, with its cutting edge communications technology was left a husk. The add-on armor to its sides were completely blown off and smoke was coming out of the barrel and the hatches of the Commander, Gunner, and Drive.
The tracks were left in bits and the road wheels had depressed as hydraulic fluid was seeping out of its torsion bars but a lone man popped out of the Commander’s hatch on the right, pushing the .50 machine gun on top it away as he ran to the left, pulling out his gunner. “COME ON FELIPE!” He looked to his right as the Hellfire was so close, he could see the shimmer of its warhead as the Sun’s ray bounced off the glass of its laser seeker.
A burst then comes and a flurry of 30mm self destroying bullets intercepts the rocket. Blowing it up mid flight. Though it was so close, it sent him flying from the roof of their tank. Its former half moon shaped external composite armoring on the front of its turret had turned into a flat Vee. Exposing the main composite armor inside and the housing of the breech.
“KNIGHT ONE! KNIGHT ONE! WE ARE REPORTING ON A MASSIVE COMBINED ARMS OFFENSIVE AT YOUR LOCATION!” he clicks the speak button on his helmet, though his mouth is moving. No words were coming out. “If you can still hear this as we can still detect the Uplink of your MBT, retreat! Retreat! Enemy aircraft are approaching the frontlines!”
Punching his thighs, he stands up and runs back to his burning tank as sounds of jet engines start to fill the air.
Once again, he reaches his hands into the Gunner hatch. This time reaching for the seatbelt and unlocking it where he was finally able to pull out the short man out of his place. But the fire had started to spread, their tank becoming an oven more and more as the flames that had crawled from the sides and into the back added fuel to the dark cloud above them whose source was the corpses and carcasses of people thousands of miles from their home countries.
Dragging the man, he then proceeds to carry him on his back. Running as fast as he could to a hundred meters away. His adrenaline was all that was fueling him, his face absolutely covered in black smoke, his brown eyes all red from the smoke.
Even though he felt like the bones inside his legs were about to crack and turn to powder, he ran back to the tank, this time approaching the front as rockets whizz past from above, flying towards the oncoming jets whilst more rockets were flying into their backlines.
Breathing in with all his might, he slips into the extremely tight Driver hatch where his tall driver was at. With the gun unable to swivel away, he was squishing himself into the place. But his hands, being trained at all the positions of the tank, was able to properly find the unbuckle for the seatbelt where he was able to pull out his driver but was thrown to the ground where he coughed out smoke. “Knight One! If you are still alive! Retreat now! We are detecting numer-” he pulls the cord from his helmet to radio as he takes slow breaths.
His driver, the Indian man who was resting right next to him, was able to raise a thumbs up “Sir… hahahaha, you should tell my wife and children how I was a Hero.” At the third breath one, he stands up once again. Screaming from the top of his voice, he was able to lift up the man and start running as a missile that’s the size of a telephone pole flew straight into their tank.
It threw the two of them on the ground, his driver who was already smoking hot only got more injured but he didn’t let it stop him from standing up once again and put the man onto his back and go back into running as jets flew past above him in such low altitudes it seemed as if they were planning on landing.
But what caught his eyes was the fact that their pylons were empty except for Air to Air and Radiation Missiles for Radars. “FAH!-FAH!-FAH!” he puts his Driver onto his back and starts running as a trail of explosions starts to engulf the entire frontline.
His gunner who had awakened was hiding below an already burnt out Main Battle Tank with its suspension still intact. Gesturing for him. “YOU CAN DO IT SIR! YOU CAN DO IT!” and within the final moment, he slides into the bottom of the tank with his driver as they bury their heads into the sand.
“After that, I was awarded multiple medals after that ordeal. Was called a Hero and this medal was like the Silver Cross given to me. It's a Heroic Service medal given to people who have saved their brothers even though their life is in danger. Th-that’s the story, Spitze.”
"World war huh... not the first too but the third... If I may ask. How many died?"
"Even after 5 years from the war... the consensus is still debated but many agree it's around a hundred to a hundred fifty million. Most from Famines and Diseases."
"How... monstrous. Such numbers cannot even be fathomed by me. To think such horrifying events could happen in a world where there's only Man."
"Man is drawn to war. We hate it but at the same time, prepare and arm for it. But atleast you, of Threa seems to be calm even with the End Times."
"General, do you know why we call it a Calamity here?"
"No, Spitze."
"That is because if we accept your term, the End Times as you call it, then we might as well be accepting the Foreign Gods and their devious tendrils as it reaches for the planet that has blossomed life in its every corner. Nay, to us. This is merely a typhoon or a passing strife. We will survive and make it to the other side."
"Wow... I apologize. It's just that... after witnessing some things your eyes wouldn't believe. I just accepted the narrative of the UN. That this is an End of the World scenario."
"And they are not wrong." He chuckles. "But we are also not wrong in defying it." He then became silent for a few moments, occasionally looking at the Foreigner and then to the table as the Goddess kept eating to her own leisure. Not caring for anything unless it involves the Buknade on her plate.
“Hmph.” The Duke nods as his grip on his Scepter loosens. “It’s good to know even in another world, Humanity has never left its curse of wanting to save others before it.” a lone tear falls from his eye as he nods once again. “I myself was saved by a Peasant soldier when my poor horse was slain by an Ogre Warlord. Even through all that, he chose to save me and then those wounded. Though I never saw him again, I hope the Kingdom had properly paid him and given him some land to farm.”
He stands up and reaches his arm out. “I believe this is an expression in your world, correct?” He smiles and accepts the handshake. “Of course! Of course! Thank you!”
“Ahahaha, here in Gareth. We prefer nods and pats on the shoulder. But this is also a good expression of camaraderie.” Spitze then gestures for him to sit down and the two were opposite of each other. “So… what would you like to ask about Spitze?”
“Nothing. The air finally died down and I was able to quench my curiosity of you foreign people and I am relieved to know, you are no different from us truly.”
“Thank you.”
“And you? What would you like to know about us?” he then turns to Alana who nods to him. “How… How close is Gareth to the Elves?”
“Hmmmm…” he lifts his hand up to his chin, stroking it. “Though the terms are not yet like friends. The Emperor in recent years has been opening up to us. Before I was born, he started to open up programs to work with us. The University, the Trade Routes, Sciences, and many more. We work with the Elves in some capacity. Sharing and notifying each other of discoveries.”
This widens Jackson’s eyes. “I-Is that so?” he looks at Alana and shrugs. Elizabeth who was behind his seat, within his shadow speaks in a small and low tone. “I knew it, My Lord. We aren’t being told the full truth. It seems that we’ve been only given a portion of it.”
“Spitze, terms of Sciences… Does this include the End Times?” he nods. “The oncoming Calamity is being worked on by Humanity, the Dragons and the Elves. We now have the Magic and Technology to predict it accurately. I have personally funded the section of the University that now conducts research on it.”
His eyes open wide. “A-Ah! This is the one where the Elves are, correct?” the Duke nods. “Correct. The Holy See is also involved, they are also contributing there with their own Scientist Mages.”
“My Lord, I suggest you continue your plan tomorrow by visiting the University. It might bear some information we could carry onto the future.” he nods and leans more forward. “Spitze, you are aware of the threat on Seiness’ life, right?”
“I do. It is unfortunate, but in terms of information on who could be involved.”
He leans forward even more.
“I cannot give you a proper answer.” This made Jackson turn his head down in defeat. “As those involved are not only selected to the Church. Whatever your people had told you, this is not as simple as they made it out to be.” he then lifts his head up once again, and this time, titled on an angle. “I’m sure you or your lovers have seen it. What you are doing, unraveling everything one by one by one. This is a waste of time that should have been done by your espionage services.”
He then stands his back straight up, looking the Duke right into his orange eyes. “Those involved in this, they are far more powerful than you can imagine. Unless you could move mountains, I think it is better for you to focus on finding evidence.”
“I am already onto that. But after that, there’s a change of plans.” Seeing the eyes of the foreign man, the Duke smiles. “Ahahahahaha! I love those eyes! Those are the eyes of a man who is willing to do what is necessary. Whatever you are thinking of now, do it and don’t look back, Lord Jackson.”
Opening his hand, one of the servants hands him a wooden mug, the same one you’d find in a Tavern and downs the beer inside it. “Hmph. It's even rumored that the Emperor no longer wears their traditional Toga but a uniform like the Nobles from the North of the country.” as silence befalls, his fingers scratched the iron handle of the mug and smiled. Stroking his bushy beard. “I’d like to thank the UN for sending soldiers to talk to me. Though I prefer Officers than Grunts as they are usually of low birth. I’ll forgive you, Foreigners. Now that I’ve learned about a Planet where only Humans exist… I can forgive your mistakes. Surviving a tragic war just to die in a world not your own is not something anyone wants.”
The man then starts to whistle a lullaby, his wife even taking note of it from their seats beside the throne.
He then stands up, still whistling perfectly to a tune akin to the one the military band was playing as they entered and turned around. “It takes for men to move mountains. Not a man. But men. Be sure to keep those you trust with you and do it fast and violently. Good luck, Lord Jackson. Bishop Archhein truly has a gift in finding those who hold talent." The servants with him then remove the chair as Jackson and Alana exchange stares.
Bahamut on the other hand merely lifts her plate as another portion was given to her. “Let’s head home and tomorrow, I’ll go to the University as planned but let’s talk more later outside.”
Standing up and walking outside to the front door. The Vampire Knights who were posted around the Minuit carriage have a lot of secret admirers from the outside. The Noble women, those not invited, young and old were smitten by the handsomely beautiful fair skinned bloodsuckers in heavy plate armor and adoring capes.
On the front door, the party started to check their surroundings and many of the Nobles had mostly left to their own places. No longer interacting with one another as if they had already accomplished a set amount of goals in the party and were now solidifying it.
“So, what do you think?”
“M’Lord, I suggest we quickly expedite our plans. Lord Spitze is correct.”
“My Lord! I second the Countess’ words!” he then looks down to his left to see Elizabeth still in her younger form. “If we have gathered the needed evidence. I best believe it's good for us to visit the Outpost once again and secure an interview with the Colonel!” he lifts his hands, squinting as the ideas flowed left and right inside his head.
Coming out of the Duke’s Castle. Bishop Blast with a bunch of Priests notices Jackson and his party, all cuddled up at a nearby pillar. He proceeds to say his goodbyes to the other Holy Men and approaches the strange and alluring bunch. “Lord Jackson, Lady Minuit, Goddess, and…?” The little blonde girl then raised her fists. “It’s Carmilla! Carmilla!” but rather than a proper acknowledgement, Blast instead pats her head lightly. “Of course, of course.” He then looks at the Knight. “Lord Jackson, will you accompany me back to the Church Offices?”
This request made him squint even further. “Hm? Why?” The Bishop then walked to him and stood at his left. “I believe I still have your Adventurer Cards. I’ve stamped them already when I got back home last night and I believe it's best for you to have it now, knowing your plans." The Knight steps aside and the Bishop starts walking to the main gate where the Vampire Knights were tagging along silently, watching over Alana.
Upon exiting the premises of the castle. The Vampires all took to the other side of the street whilst marching next to Jackson’s party where the Knights of the Holy See in their White armor. Though some were still wearing the more known Blue ones.
Those who were standing from afar couldn’t believe their eyes. The Holy See and the Knights of the Vampire Kingdom were walking at pace with one another. None of their hands were at their swords and kept a cool tact as they walked from one block to another.
“I hope the Duke has answered some of your questions, Lord Jackson. Even I can only know so much.”
“Of course. But hearing the things that came out of his mouth. I can see why he became a Duke. It's just on a whole other level.”
“Yes, and he is a rough one too. His time doing Knightly work for the Kingdom had dulled his sensibility as a Noble. Yet, you can still see it in him though.”
“Yeah… it was honestly pretty cool to see.”
“And, what have you learned? This might also help me in the future.”
“That the Emperor of the Elves is surely not the one behind the attempts on Seiness.”
“Ah, well, if he was the one targeting her. She wouldn’t even have lived long enough to learn how to cook. So I already had a hunch it was not him.”
“And what caught me most off guard is the fact that it looks like everyone, from all echelons of Government and Religion has two sides to this. So what I am basically doing is unraveling a knot that zigzags into an unbearable ball.”
Far behind them, one of the Nobles had his servants to bring to him a stand and an empty canvas. Quick with his brush, he paints the outline in front of him, having his grunts to guard the street and closing it off for everyone. He takes a clear picture of what is happening in front of him and starts drawing a rough sketch.
On it, was the wide cobblestone street and sidewalk of Voreios that’s now only lit up by the falling star behind him giving him a perfect view of the commotion. Knights from two sides that had been opposing one another even before his lineage was born were now side by side in front. Though still parted by a long way, they were walking the same path and though their armors are different.
The Vampires wielding ones that are more for show, having protruding extensions and lavish capes whilst those of the Holy See had more practicality and angling to deflect upcoming projects and blades, those in white had angelic metal horns to them and none of their arms were clenched nor in tense. Though there was some malice and anger in the air, at face value. It was calm.
Before long, the group reached the Holy See Offices which was on the border between the North affluent side of the city and the central one where the shops and busy streets were. Greeting them at the bottom of the steps was Seiness, wearing a woolen blouse and skirt, she wasn’t in her Priestess outfit as the common folk were drinking and partying on the street.
“I apologize, as we enter the area for the Commoners. Their more rough style of partying will become more apparent.” Jackson just shrugs, just happy to see the tense people of Janishaire all having fun. “This is a tradition or something here?” the Bishop nods. “Yes, if the Nobles were to hold a party, so did the Commoners. Those wines they drink come from the Kingdom and are given to them as a form of thanks.”
Finally reaching Seiness, the little girl hops and jumps as she sees the Bishop once again and the two hug it out. “Ahahaha, it's good to see you lively, Seiness. But can you go to my office and give back the cards of our friends here?”
“Of course, Bishop! Sir Jackson! Lady Minuit! Goddess! And…?” Although Elizabeth was just a bit smaller than Seiness, she lifts her thumbs and points it at herself. Her expression, that of someone who is far over it. “CARMILLA.” but this doesn’t stop the Priestess from approaching her and holding her hand. “Ah! I can’t believe you were this cute when you were young!” This only made the Queen vivid as she crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
“Hmph! Of course! Do you not know who I was when I was still this young? An entire continent was fawning over me and my beauty!” Seiness smiles and turns around. Going back inside the Office just for her to return after a few minutes, giving back the Adventurer IDs of Deadhand.
“Lord Jackson, with that stamp, you will be able to access all of the Church premises. No one can stop you. Including are the Empty Gun Platforms that have been turned into landing areas for the Elven Empire Rocs and Big Birds of the Holy See.” looking at the front of the card, there was a small stamp on its upper right.
It had the symbol of the Holy Cross and together with it, was the wings of a Dragon in gold with a text around it. “M’Lord, it says The Domain of the Blue Robed Bishops. Eucharist Council of Gareldia.'' This made him woah as he put the ID right in front of his eyes. “Woah… so this means we got permission not just from the Gareth Holy See, but its entire Geraldian branch?”
The Bishop nods as he puts his hands together. “This is the best reward I could give to you.” He then rests his hand over the head of Seiness. Resting it over her jet black hair. “Thank you again for taking care of her. Have a safe trip home, and if you need me, I’ll be here or at the Cathedral.”
Jackson reaches out his hand and the Bishop humors him immediately. The two exchange handshakes. “Thank you. I’ll remember this and if we meet again, I’ll be sure to buy you a cold one.” the two then parts. With Jackson having his party behind him and the Bishop with Seiness waving their hands goodbye with the Holy Knights stopping right at their tracks.
The Vampire Knights on the other hand follow them all the way back home to their hotel where Alana had to give them a debrief. Making Jackson, Elizabeth, and Bahamut to go on ahead as she had them in formation outside of the Cathedral.
Just finished bathing himself, the Knight looks outside of their living room window to see Alana was still outside in her extravagant gown. She was going through every one of them, answering and giving feedback to the Knights extensively whilst her Butler was close behind.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth had already gotten herself in a nice place at the table. Lazily reading a book while Bahamut was already far into her sleep inside their bedroom. With nothing else to do, Jackson joins the Queen who puts down her book upon his seating.
“My Lord.”
“Elizabeth.”
She then properly closes the book and being back in her normal adult form, Jackson was enjoying her mature air return.
“Tomorrow, as you head to the University. I think it's best for Bahamut to return to the Fortress and continue to map it out.”
“Hm. We also now learned that there is indeed a failure in intelligence as you suggested early, Elizabeth.”
“Nay, I believe there’s more to this than a simple failure.”
“Hm?”
“Remember, My Lord?” she knocks on the table and his eyes widen. “Ah! Yeah, I get it.”
“But the best piece of news is that Emperor of the Elves. He isn’t as extreme as those below him. This means we have a lot of area to move in, My Lord. We just have to choose the next spot to attack.”
“Hence why I’ll be going to the University tomorrow. I also want to know what their predictions are.”
“Very well. But this conflict is reminiscent of every Human conflict ever. There are those for, and those not for. Pfft. My Lord, we’ve been led astray thinking this is only between a certain group. That is the farthest from the truth.”
“I know…” He then lifts his hands and rests his chin on top of it. Yawning loudly, he starts tapping the side of his head with his fingers. “Maltese… when I get my hands on that son of a bitch. He’ll have to answer a lot.”
As the front door opens, Alana walks to the living room. Her hands to the side of her body, lifelessly dangling as she had a slouch. She only made some groans where she briefly collapsed into the pillows on the couch. Jackosn and Elizabeth both went to her and she was already out cold. “Haaah… I’ll get the blanket.” the Queen then looks around. “I’ll get her pajamas then, My Lord.”
As the night fully comes, Jackson sleeps so soundly, that when the next day comes. The man didn’t even want to do anything, having to talk himself up in waking up. “Haaaaah… How can people live like this?” He looks to his left and Alana was already done, but to his right. The Queen was still sleeping like an innocent angel while Bahamut wasn’t on top of his chest anymore. Standing up, he dons his commoner outfit and proceeds out to the living room where the Countess has already prepared their breakfast.
“Is her Majesty still sleeping?”
“Haaaaa… yeh.”
“M’Lord, your hair is all crooked!”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Oh? Ah, later. I’ll fix it. Still tired from yesterday… haaaaah…” Bahamut then lands on top of his head and starts licking the protruding hair. The Countess meanwhile walks up to him and proceeds to check his outfit. “Ahhh M’Lord, you are going to train a Noble. Are you sure this is the right thing to wear?”
“The kid is fast. I need to be just as fast. You and Elizabeth have been training me, so I wanna use that training.” He then proceeds to lazily walk to the table and drink an entire mug of water. “We’ve also been training in just using my speed. Knowing how strong the people are in this place, this could be a better litmus test than Goblins and Snow aligned animals.”
Alana then hands him a plate with a gammon of bacon, fried eggs, sausages, and a bowl of milk porridge with bread and butter on a smaller plate. “Oops, I nearly forgot about this M’Lord.” She then adds in the spoon and the man smiles seeing the neatly presented and prepared breakfast he’s been given. “Later, if I have time. I’ll go and get you that friend rice.”
He smiles at her and proudly expresses a tinge of excitement to him. “Can’t wait.”
After finishing his breakfast, the man then goes to his rack and gets his longsword. “Oh, don’t forget M’Lord.” she quickly walked up to him still wearing her apron and pressed her right cheek into his. “Mwah. Do good, M’Lord.” with a bigger smile and a more confident appearance, he exits out the room and into the outside.
With the snow gone, alongside it the pale white atmosphere that dulls the entire city. The plentiful colors of each building stood out more. The architecture overall with its already pleasing aesthetic now seems more appealing to one's eyes and senses. Even the Knight himself gets comfortable almost instantly. Without the floating lamps, he could now properly see the blue skies above and the rising star far away. Illuminating the greenery that surrounds them.
Strings of flags were still left on some of the streets, the festive energy still lingering about the streets with the prominent blue and gold here and there alongside the occasional flag of the Noble Families.
He first heads to the Cathedral and is surprised to see Seiness helping in the opening of its Holy Doors. She first had to take a gaze at him before recognizing it was the man himself. The aged Nun with her remembers the man's muscular jawline and build and is shocked to see him in such ragged attire.
“Lord Jackson!”
“Seiness! Good to see you up and good.”
“Hm!”
He then pats her head, stroking it slowly. A grin enters his face as he notices her wolf ears go down and her tail popping out of her Holy robes.
“I’m heading to the University. I just wanted to ask you some questions since the Bishop seems to be not here right now.”
“Of course! How can I help you, Lord Jackosn? Bishop Blast is currently busy in some personal affairs in seeing the Nobles and the Cardinals’ proper exit out of the city.”
“Do you know if High Elves also work there? Like, with the students? Or are they exclusive to just the research?”
“Mm. That's actually why the Holy See keeps a bunch of soldiers there, Lord Jackson. Before I was sent here. The Church allowed the Elves to teach in some sort of intellectual exchange program as Human Professors were also sent to Elvennur to teach.”
“I see…”
The Nun on the other hand tilts her head upon hearing his question. But she kept quiet, just watching the girl entertain the tall man.
“And how many are they?”
“Only a handful, Lord Jackson. They mostly keep to themselves. I’ve seen them myself and they are very mysterious but the students seem to be very content with them.”
“As expected. They still hold a grudge but the students aren’t complaining huh? Strange but I guess the Elves, when told to do so, will give their all to it. Alright alright, and how have you been?”
“Good, Lord Jackson! I’ve been working hard on my magic lessons recently and in sword fighting! Captain Julianne has been teaching me.”
Hearing the name, an image of Bahamut telling her story of when she first met the woman popped on his head.
“Oh! Her! I think she has to stamp my card now since the Bishop had-”
“What about me and stamping something?”
The man then turns to his left and sees the wonderful Captain in her curvy plate armor, her ponytailed hair swayed wildly as she entered his view. Her voice, commanding and authoritative.
“Ah! Lord Jackson! I wouldn’t never have guessed it was you.”
“Heh. Uh thanks. Nice to see you again.”
Taking a gander at the alluring figure of the Captain, Jackson notes that her waist cape has changed its lining colors. From bronze to gold. As she stood with one heel forward, he couldn’t help but click his tongue at her hip’s fine shape that’s shown as her fist rested on its sides.
“May I ask why you're wearing Peasants clothing, Lord Jackson?”
“I am heading to the University to train Bannir on some sword moves. I wanted to get used to fighting with my sword without having to rely as much on my heavy armor.”
“Ah, Sir Bannir of the Vitavill family?”
“Yup. He has some skills so I don’t think our time will be long.”
“Hmmmm… knowing how much Bahamut respects you. I doubt that.”
“Ehhhhh we’ll see when we get there.”
“Do you know the way, Lord Jackson?”
“Uhhhh, I am planning on just asking people.”
“That won’t do. This city is a maze if you are not fully acquainted with it. I’ll lead you there. I have some affairs to deal with at the University anyways.”
“Really? Alright! Seiness, take care. If you need us, you know where we are.”
The Wolfgirl just smiles with a pretty blush on her face. Jackson on the other hand had a stupid grin as the radiant and lively aura of the girl hit him like a train. Her innocence overwhelmed his more oppressive flavor.
Without even his knowledge, the Captain has already started walking the other way. The old Nun with the girl just pointed her hand at the woman and the man turned around to see her already way in the crowd. “Oh shi-” he then jogs to her and catches up to the woman.
The Knight Lady had her hand on top of her swords pommel, with a confident stride. She walked onto the busy street of people. Carriages were more numerous as the cargo that was unable to move yesterday were all now piling. “Oh wow! It’s more lively today, huh?”
“With the temperatures dropping, more people tend to go outside now, Lord Jackson. The city is also preparing, the Duke has been buying everything in excess as he also plans on giving an excess number of troops and resources when the King calls for the region of Hohe Spitze.”
“I see… even at such a time. The Nobles are still rushing in getting the King’s favor.”
Walking to the sidewalk as they entered the main streets of the city, the man observed the pretty paintings on the buildings. In some places, the home owners were out of their house. Plugging holes to prevent the fur or leather that’s layered in between their walls to poke out.
And with so many people now out of their fur coats, they were dressed in all manners of dyes. Yellow, green, red, blue, and the likes. It soon reminded him of the Kingdom of James and its equally vibrant nature. Not a lick of thing was left unpainted or without decoration and in front of him.
The buxom figure of Julianne swayed his attention from the more colorful sight around him, as if to mind control him. He then looks down, following her long thin armored legs and notices that her Sabatons have heels on it. He then recalls Bahamut’s explanation as he walked behind her.
“How long have you been here, Lord Jackson?”
“... Hm? Ah, only a week or two now.”
“And yet you still seem to be a tourist. Ahahaha, the city can be scary in winter. But when the Summers enter, it's just as vibrant as James. You came at the right time, Lord Jackson.”
“You’ve been to James? And no need to call me Lord or address me every after sentence. I’ve heard Bahamut’s story about you, and thank you for keeping her in check.” She nods whilst still keeping her head forward. “Thank you, I hope the Goddess wasn’t offended by me.” He then catches up to her and starts walking side by side to one another. “So, before joining the Church, you were in the Kingdom of James?”
“Mhm. Before I joined the Church, I was a Wandering Swordswoman and Mercenary for hire. It was like that for a decade till I matured and outgrown it I guess.” He then looks at her, the woman’s face was finely carved, her body, curvy and hourglass as she carried with her an aura of richness. Even her words and tone was worthy enough to make him constantly listen to her when she speaks. “Wow. You must’ve had one heck of a life then huh? Why settle down and be restricted by this job?”
She didn’t reply and it immediately caught him. “I mean, if you are comfortable answering that… I mean.” She then puts her armored hands up on her exposed face and rubs her sharp chin. “No, no. I just have to find a way to condense it enough.”
“Ahhh… wow. Must’ve been one hell of an adventure huh?”
As the day continued to roll in, carriages started to fill the streets even more. Now rather than hairy Oxens, it was your usual cow and some, using horses and their crates were sometimes dangling from the top of their wagons. The only thing preventing it from falling onto the road were the ropes that’s been haphazardly strung around it.
“I guess I just thought living a free life was worthless without aim and reason.”
“Oh yeah, I get that alot. Lots of teenagers never grow out of that in my era.”
“I find it funny, Jackson. Even though you don’t look old yourself, you seem to speak with much wisdom.”
A click then comes to Jackson’s head and he turns this right to see from a window of a shop owned by an Elf that he is not in his Earthly form. But instead his handsome Avatar with a face that could rival even the heroes of stories.
Though with plain black hair and brown eyes, his jawline and burly build was that of a fearsome yet good looking warrior who had been building his body since birth to perfect speed, endurance, and agility. “O-Oh! Well, I also had my own experiences in life.” looking at his hands, he closes it into a fist and turns to her. “And so, yeah… One day I woke up knowing my time on this planet is better spent in fighting for something worthwhile than my endless duels and quests.”
“But why the Church? Why not join a Military of sorts? Or even a Noble family?”
“Hmmmm… because I feel like I need to repent for my sins. I was born in a family that followed the Words of Deus Vrax. Reading many stories of his exploits as a child and how he banded his party of equally righteous people together amazes me to this day.”
“Reading…? In your youth?” Jackson then looks around and then back at her. “Were you born in a Noble family?”
Her eyes perked up immediately and then she looked at him straight in the eyes. Her rosy blue eyes pierced his pupils. “I guess the “reading a book” part gave it away… Oops.”
“I-Its fine. I won’t tell anyone. It's not like I’ll be here for long anyways.”
“Ah! Yes, you all plan to go home. To this planet called Earth, correct?’
“Yup. So don’t worry, no one here will know.”
Seeing his earnest smile and even though her height only reached his ears, the woman turned to him and was steadily looking up at his face. Ignoring the people in front of her as she seamlessly moved her armored shoulders from hurting anyone.
“I was… let’s just say I was born in a Kingdom that’s still alive today. I was bored of my life as a young Lady. The thought of marriage crossed my mind many times and I didn’t want to do it. I wanted to adventure and see the world like in the stories of Deus Vrax.”
“That’s pretty normal… well I guess in my world it is. Nothing bad there.”
“I kinda… escaped when I was about to get sent off to marry a Duke’s son…”
Hearing this, Jackson’s eyes just blinked a few times and kept silenced. He just turned his face to look at the path head and then at her again.
“And then… I started using my sword training to ask strangers for duels.”
“Ahhh… to get good, right?’
“That and I wanted to feel what it's like to be defeated for once. Being in a Manor my entire life, everyone always bowed to my wishes. I was never challenged. I wanted to feel how it was to be defeated, undone, and proven wrong.”
“I see. It’s good that you wanted to see your views challenged and even changed. You smelled that the world outside is far different from your Manor life. But fun fact about me, to a degree. I’m a sore loser you see, ahahahah.” the man slouches as he laughs and smiles. “Really? I never noticed that with you, Sir Jackson. You seem too kind even.”
“You're too nice. I am merely trying to make sure everyone has a good time when I am around yet you seem like the type of man to thank everyone even when they’ve done nothing to you.”
“Ah, that’s just part of my culture. Everyone is working hard for a dream, to reach something. The least you can do is be kind to them. Though, were you trained to use the sword to defend your Region or something?”
“Hm. I guess the Vampire’s had told you why they train everyone with the sword and bow. The same goes to the Kingdom of James, but we’re more attuned to Longswords than Rapiers or Greatswords.” She taps her hand on her pommel. The elegant blue pearl on it shining brightly as the rays of light hit it. “Deus Vrax himself started with a Longsword. Hence this sword has a bright connection to my home country and the Church.”
Julianne then tilts her head as she then turns to the left without looking at the direction. It caught him off guard and he had to catch up to her as they crossed the street. She didn’t even have to check for any passing carriages. Her timing was just perfect as she slowed her walking just enough to not get run over while letting the drivers notice her by waving her cape or lifting her hand.
“But Sir Jackson, I can’t help but feel that you were used to being someone else. Like, something happened to you that made you like this. Those eyes of yours have that of a warrior yet, one that has been dulled to the point of kindness without sake.”
“Ehhh… the girls noticed that too. I know they're just trying not to open old wounds but I don’t really care if they ask me. I used to be a Colonel in the world's largest Allied Army. War… it uhh… changed me. To the point that even when I personally killed my Captain, I didn’t feel anything. His death was just another drop in the bucket from the thousands that died under my command.”
“I knew it! And yet you returned back to your old self. Wow, you must have such a pure heart to not even let the horrors of war taint you. I can only imagine how horrific it must’ve been as I witness your technology day by day.”
The crowd soon got more and more thick as they entered the markets. Though they were only passing the most northern section of it, so many Elves and Humans were there. Each minding their own business as some rowdy people were screaming to one another. “LEAVE! LEAVE THE PREMISES OF MY SHOP!”
“But what about you? You seem to have been through alot yourself.”
“Wait, Sir Jackson.” she then lightly placed her small hand at his chest. Though his Peasants tunic hid his muscular stature, she noticed how hard it was and then ran off to the other side of the street where an Elf with a broom is shooing away some Humans.
“I SAID GET OUT! LEAVE!”
“Haaaaah? You think we’d leave after you sold us a defective potion?! Our friend here would’ve died!”
“No! Our products aren’t like the flimsy ones you Humans make! You only didn’t use it properly! Read the instructions! If you can’t read, why be an Adventurer?!”
Before the Human in his leather armor could punch the Elven man wearing only his apron as a means of protection. He was stopped by Julianne.
“Huh? Who the heck-” He then takes a gander at the woman and sees her plate armor’s bluish hue and the engravings right above her breast armor, the two finely shaped metallic mounds lead to a sigil of the Holy See. On it the Unit she serves. “Tsk, a Crusader. Can’t you do something to this stupid blunt eared Elf?” She then opens her hand and the Adventurer gives her his Guild Card.
“Blunt? Excuse me, unlike you Mong’krels, my ears are finer and long-”
“Shush. Both of you.” Jackson’s voice stood out of the crowd as he took the small vial. His translation skill didn’t work but he instead drops a pint of the purple liquid onto his finger and tastes it. His eyes lit up and he could feel his reflexes edge out even more.
“It works. What are you complaining about?”
“SEE!”
“Sir Jackson, may I ask. Have you been training with magic since you were a child?” She then reaches her hand out and Jackson gladly hands her the vial and she reads the instructions behind it. “I have…?” her expression then changes as her face lit up. “Ah! It seems that you were indeed scammed.”
“HAH! BLUNT EARED MORON!”
“But at the same time, why didn’t you read the instructions? It's even written in Common for you to understand.”
“Huh?”
“It says. This is only for Rank C adventurers. In your card, it says your only Rank D. No wonder your friend almost died. You do not have the Mana or the body that’s able to take this potion.”
“Wait Captain, how are you sure his friend also has the same rank?”
“I’ve been in Parties before. It isn’t uncommon that everyone in it would share the same rank. It's better to grow together than be dysfunctional with one being too strong for the rest.”
“Tsk.” The Adventurer then swiftly takes his card and grabs his robed friend with a large stick that’s wrapped with cloth to the front. He then lifts his sleeves to show the stitches he got. “Then who's going to pay for this then?! He was hit with a Cursing Shot. Not even the Healers in this city could do it.”
“Haaaa… step aside.” She then goes to her sword and pulls it out. With pinpoint accuracy, the tip of the blade cut through the sewn, opening the wound. “AHHH!” The man cried out as she reached her hand out and placed it on the slice. “Oh Holy Deus Vrax, May you guide my hand and heal this man from the perils he’d been through.” a beam of light emits from it and his wound closes up on itself. “There, next time. If it's something with curses, go to the Church. We’ll do it for free. Don’t complain to vendors and make a commotion. Report it and we’ll sort it out.”
With a pretty smile as she closed her knees together and bent forward, the Elf and the Party of Adventurers all nodded. “L-Let’s go guys. Thank you Miss." With the problem gone, they all head off to their own destinations. With the Elf just scoffing and going back to cleaning the sidewalk in front of his shop.
A bit far away, Jackson could see the more affluent side of the city, with the tall towers of some of the Manors peeking out of the two and three storey buildings as Griffins would take off and land in some of them.
“Now, back to your question, Sir Jackson. Yes, I have been through a lot. Even though I may still be very young, I’ve garnered more than enough experience for someone of my age.”
“Yeah, I get that alot.”
“Soooo… it's been bugging me a bit… but when I first met her Goddess. She smelled me and she uhhh…”
“Don’t worry. It's a secret kept fine by me.”
“Ah no, it's not like I am hiding it. I’ve already been recognized a few times so it worries me not if the Church finds out.”
“You are something, Captain.”
“Please, do call me Julieanne.”
“Then you better call me Jackson. No Sirs.”
“Ah! To call a Noble without a prefix is such a demeaning thing.”
“Then I won’t call you by your first name.”
The woman giggles and smiles as she takes one step closer to his shoulder.
“Alright. Jackson.”
“Ohhh, a fine move I must say, Julieanne. You are indeed experienced.”
“Ahahahahaha, I see why you managed to snare two Vampire Ladies and a Goddess. You seem to have more in you when it comes to women than I expected.”
“As if. That’s only because of what those two had been teaching me. Vampires are the perfect instructors when it comes to manipulating people. They have a natural thing to it. Like they can smell your emotions… and they can.”
“I get it. Someone of your name and reputation must’ve slept with more women than an entire village's worth.”
“No. Not at all.” she then turns to him with her thin left eyebrow raised. Jackson then looked up to the skies as if to recall something long ago. “I’ve only been with three women in my entire life. Three.”
“E-EH?! R-really?!”
“Yup. Cross my heart and hope to die. Three women. Two from Threa, One from Tur. None of them are Humans too so does it count?”
He then gets his face grabbed and turned to look straight at hers. “Impossible. With a face like this, and your skills as a warrior? Am I missing something? Could you secretly be a Goblin using Illusion Magic?” Jackson just smiles and breathes out slowly. “Nope. Just not really used to getting it on with females. Well, Human females so it seems as Non Human ones. I can seemingly bag without even knowing it.”
“But of all the people I’ve been with. Women are the easiest. I still remember when I was at a party in Dragovh. I just met eyes with the busty Witch of the group and spent nights together. Sometimes the Party leader would join us and his accompaniment is a good dish too.”
“Do you… still get around?”
“Ah no. I’ve been celibate for five years now. I intend to keep it that way till I meet a good man.”
“You… want a good man?”
“Hm. Maybe a farmer? Or just someone simple. Just a man I know who understands me and I could live the rest of my life with.”
“I… see…” Jackson then turns his head straight forward, his eyes dimming a bit as he thinks. “And… Bahamut you see…”
“It's the Nonhumans, isn’t it, Jackson? Well… I was sleeping in the forest once and I let Goblins capture me. I just wanted to experience what it's like.”
“Like? To be kidnapped and… stuff done to you?”
“Yes. Though their genitalia were pretty small and the girth and the width wasn’t like the others. They do make it up with their energy and in mastery in how to use it.”
“How… how have you not fathered any kids by now?”
“Ahahahah, I have learned many magics about that. I also use healing magic on myself after each intercourse, be it Man, Woman, or Nonhuman.” Jackson just shrugs and looks at her once again, her pale skin was immaculately well taken care of. She doesn’t even seem to be the type as she carried herself with such pride. “Man… Medieval views on sex are insane to me… and I thought it was crazy enough back on modern Earth.”
With his hands up his chin. He then looks back at her and then up to the street as they walk into the far more maintained and well paved part of the Northern section of the city. He then looks back at her, even though she looks fragile and innocent, the one he’d usually see masquerading as the pinnacle of good behavior, the man had to do it multiple times before sighing. “I… can’t believe it.”
“I am pretty filthy am I?” She said this so nonchalantly it made him jump back a bit.
“No, no. I am from a… society that often has a lot of things like that. To the point that it's common. So I’m not really saying anything. I’m really shocked. The modern world is very open about all these but doing it with something not human is only accepted in some very small niche circles.”
“Heh. You are pretty nice, you know that?”
“Thank you. I try my best to not judge a person, but man is it hard sometimes. I don’t want to judge Alana or Bahamut… but their behavior is just so alien to me at times that I just can’t help but wonder what type of people they are… but that’s the thing…” She leans forward and looks at his lips. “They're not human.” both of them say it at the same time, making him widen his eyes. Opening and closing it multiple times as he had a light blush on his face.
The pretty blonde Knight just smiled and giggled. “Those Vampires must have a fun time teasing you, Jackson. I truly believe you now when you’ve told me you have only bedded three women.” he just facepalms and shrugs his head. “You women scare me sometimes… like terrify”
As they walked into the richer part of the city, the crowd was less and less to the point that in some streets, it was only them and a handful of people wearing luxurious tunics of silk or wool and gowns full of laces.
“I actually… I actually slept with the first man that defeated me. He was a retired Knight from the Kingdom of James. Before that, I’ve bested ten men and none of them ever conquered me with the blade. Till he did. His family from what I remember have disowned him for pulling his sword on a higher ranking Noble who was later found to be corrupt.”
“You bested ten people in your first try? Yeah.. that’s pretty good in my book. When I first battled someone in Threa, in Beginner Continent… I got my ass beat and handed to me.” She giggles once again. “Jackson, are you self trained?” He nods. “Fuck yeah I am. Through some videos here and there and online PDFs of Historical European HEMA. I slowly got good till I was swinging Greatswords. It was just a matter of integrating magic into it.” he stretches his arms forward, yawning a bit and cracking his fingers. “So, after being defeated by this Knight. What happened?”
“We went to an Inn where he removed his armor and the linen suit. Underneath it, he was full of scratches and scars left from the battles he went through. I guess he recognized me as he did not go easy on me. I was a bit famous for my prettiness before becoming a wandering soul. The moment I showed him who I was, I felt as if he understood me fully without having to disclose my origins.”
“Dang. Why didn’t he get it healed?” She shrugs her head while lifting her shoulders. “He just wanted people to know he is a man who wants to remember his past. Even his arms, with the muscles that’re thrice of my lanky arms were full of large scars.” he shivers hearing this, shaking his head. “I am actually pretty lucky I never got any permanent scars from my time in the war. Though some of us came back home missing entire limbs or broken bones. The oversuit we wore protected our bodies from shrapnel perfectly.”
“But here Jackson, we could easily heal those by just getting a potion or going to a Healer. Though, lost limbs would cost the better potions and those are mostly rare and most have one or two for an entire town.” Jackson nods as they turn left, this time having a perfect view of a quaint and empty road full of manors that’re mostly empty except for the occasional servant doing their duties. “After we slept together he told me he specifically didn’t want them healed as it reminded him of his failures and victories. But before that, when we faced one another, he was so tough and strong. Steadfast in his feet and ruthless even.”
She looked up at the skies, lifting her small hand with long fingers as the light pierced through the area between her gauntlets. “I never knew a man could be so vulnerable… so… weak. We in the Nobility have always been trained to keep face. We cannot show weakness as your subjects would lose their trust in your power and strength.” lowering her hands, she then rests it on top of her pommel once again.
“After our intimate time, he just hugged me. This man whose body was muscle on muscle, full of his mistakes and wrong moves that had carved his limbs as payment was nothing else but a man… a normal man.” All the while, Jackson looks back to his time with the girls. Though his first time with Elizabeth, he was too drunk to coherently remember anything, the next time when it was with Alana and Bahamut, all he felt afterwards was a disabling tiredness.
He shrugs his head and turns back to her. “He was soft and respectful wasn’t he? Like, he was now an open book that you can read and you were also an open book who he can read.” She makes a small jump and lifts her hands up. “Yes! After that, I just connected through those who defeated me by sleeping with them. I guess you have met someone like that too?”
He then makes a stoic expression and in his head, he sees Elizabeth and her usual demeanor when talking to other Vampires or those that’s not in their party. Her dominating expression and actions but he was then shot back to their time together in a Motel in Neo Tokyo and how slow she was, teaching him how to do it and letting him take his time.
“I have… but… she can also be a beast sometimes… they can be a beast sometimes…” He then is reminded of their time inside the bathroom of the Minuit Manor and then inside the Officer’s Quarters in Iron Mountain. Shudders come to his neck from the bottom of his feet. Though it made him hard, it also made him shiver from the deathly exhaustion he felt afterwards.
“Ahahaha, I do get that. I’ve been with a Vampire myself. They seem to have this pent up Evil inside them that they keep under not so tight lids.”
“Oh yeah, you don’t have to say more. Even Alana has that. Dancing and frolicking like it's a ballet recital as she goes through bodies left and right with her sword. It's scary for me, but I just remind myself that they're my companions and I have to accept them for who they are.”
“Hmmm… Jackson, after this what do you plan to do?”
“Get to the bottom of this. Maybe even help you a bit in your investigation. You seem to have a lot on your plate yourself. So we’ll do this instead. Help me and I will help you.”
After zigzagging through some streets, a large intimidating building with a huge frontgate enters their view, with young teenagers outside it wearing matching clothes.
“Pfft… Not that! I mean after going to University. The Bishop has seemingly left it under your hands anyways. Rival isn’t bugging my ears about doing something to protect his precious adoptive daughter.”
“After this…? Maybe go back home and eat dinner?”
“PFFT… AHAHAHAHA! I see, I see. You truly have a kind heart, Jackson.” She then laughs her heart out as they reach the gate of the University. The students there turn to look at the laughing Knight with a Peasant that has a sword strapped to his belt right by their gate. The guards of the Institution curiously peeked from their frozen poses.
“Well… haaaa… I haven’t had a good laugh like that for a while.”
“OH! I just got it now.” His eyes then go blank as it clicks in his head.
“Too late. I’m no longer in the mood.”
“I mean, it's not like I was gonna accept it. I don’t know how the Vampires would react. At times, they're more conservative than the Buddhist Temples I’ve been to while at others, they're as open as teenagers in a University. I seriously don’t get how Vampires work.”
“It's not the Vampires I worry about. It's the Goddess. She can easily place a curse on me that will turn me into a frog permanently. I’d rather not speak ribbit ribbit and move with rubbery hands. How will I be able to wield a sword?”
“Pfft. Bahamut wouldn’t do something like that… I think? Dragons are pretty easy to read. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, you can basically know what they want just by asking them straight.”
“Is that so? You seem to be very well versed in Dragons.” the man nods as students walk past them. “You have to be careful when taking care of one. When Bahamut was a small Dragon, I had to keep watch of her at all times. A single stick felt like it could kill her when I first got her.”
She then crosses her arms, resting her index finger on her chin. “Vampires live a long life. A small affair won’t rustle them at all. I believe they wouldn’t even care about how much time they have to waste.” a devilish smile then comes to her. “Heh. I believe they’d even join in the fun.” Jackson smiles and nods. “You hit it right in the head.”
With her hands now together and behind her back she enters the gate and into the school premises. Just as he was about to go in, one of the Guards with an engraved Pike drops its long pole down and prevents him from entering.
“Halt. Only those with passes from the HeadMaster may enter. Be on your way, Peasant.”
Julieanne then intervenes. Grabbing the pole and pulling it away from him. “He is here to train Sir Vitavill. I believe it's best not to anger him?”
“I see…” he then turns his head to the man. “Knight, Adventurer, Mercenary, I request to see proof of this.”
Running from the large and wide stairs that goes into the open court of the school was Bannir in his uniform. The young man immediately heads to the Guard and bows to him and apologizes. “I am sorry! He is with me! I called him to train me!”
“Honourable Bannir Vitavill, please be reminded of the rules of this school. You wouldn’t want Professor Yue’thel to catch you breaking it.”
“Of course! I apologize! Lord Jackson is here to train me.”
“Very well. I welcome you to Saint Berthal University, Knight. Mind your ethics and be chivalrous as one expects from a Lord.”
Raising his weapon, the Outworlder walks into the premises. He immediately notices that the path to the Court was made out of gravel with colorful trees guarding and shading the students from the foreign star.
“Woah, Miss Ammor. I am pleased to see you here. I didn’t know you and Lord Jackson were close.”
Julieanne quickly took a kneel and bowed her head. “Thank you Honorable Bannir Vitavill. Please do not take offense of my sudden and unannounced presence.”
“It’s fine. Please get up. Uhm, Lord Jackson, would you be perhaps happy to be my Watcher for the day?”
“Watcher?”
“Yes, it's a role Trainers of Nobles take. It's simple really! You just have to watch me and make sure I do not break the code of the Nobility.”
“Erm… and the training?”
“That comes later! After… uhhh…” he then goes into his luggage and checks a piece of paper. “Uhhhh…” Jackson and Julieanne then both walked to him and checked it together. He notices some scribbles of English letters on the edges and corners of it. “Honorable Bannir, that would be here, at four in the Yellow Sky.” the man blushes seeing her long slender finger point at the schedule for his training and it gets even more red as her face sat close next to his.
The man noticed her supple red lips, squishy cheeks and thin eyebrows with light makeup on. Her glowy blue eyes and the triangular shape of her face. Jackson on the other hand just nodded, unbeknownst to him that it goes from 4 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening.
“Jackson, would you be fine staying here from Four to Seven till Stardown?”
“You mean… Evening?! But Julieanne, I haven’t told… aw man…”
“Yes. Honorable Bannir’s schedule marks that as your time frame.”
“Lord Jackson, since when were you that close to Miss Ammor?”
“What do you mean?”
“You just called her by her first name. That is very disrespectful to a Holy Knight such as her.”
The Captain quickly got in front of him and smiled. “Ah, it's no worry. I told him to call me that. He has my full permission.”
“Eh? Is that so? I never heard anyone call you by your first name except Professor Hemstteiter. I still remember you beating up Senior Brickett when-”
“No no no. It’s fine. Jackson is a close confidant of mine. We are working together for something that involves the Church.”
“Ehhhh? Lord Jackson, you are hired by the Church?”
“I kinda am…? But it's not to any official degree. I’m just here to help nudge things a bit as I am also working for my own people and side.”
A noisy bell then rang and Bannir jumped a bit as he turned around to the courtyard of the school. “Ah! It’s already time! Lord Jackson, please stay underneath the terrace with the other Watchers. Thank you.” he then scrams for the yard as doors opened and Professors entered the premises.
Some were wearing Holy Robes, others, specifically those with long sharp ears that’s taller than most of the Humans there wore colorful Togas, in the dye of Purple and Violet and the rest were in black togas with cone shaped hats that had gold linings to it.
They also lined up as one old human man with bald hair with ten rings on his fingers and a crimson cape over his chest walked to the podium.
“School starts this late? Really?”
“Ahhh, youth. This would’ve been my life if I didn’t leave.”
“I mean, if school starts this late in the morning. Sign me up. Wow.”
“Jackson, what do you plan to do here? I was so caught up with you that I forgot you have a reason to be here.”
“We have reasons to believe the Demented Crusaders are involved here somehow. As the tunnels the assassins took lead to the same place they popped up from. They were also something that involved letters. I just wanna know what’s being transported here.”
She then starts walking forward, with Jackson tailing her.
“That’s a big claim. Not many even know the existence of the Demented Crusaders. To make a claim that they're involved in such a scandal could result in many heads rolling. I believe they are just doing their duty as a part of the espionage section of the Church, as the Cardinal and the Bishops would not just use normal methods to receive crucial information.”
“What else could it be then? The fact that those robed Elven assassins had keys to everything, they knew the layout of the ancient Elven fortress under the city. It’s just too-”
“Coincidental?”
“Exactly. You could make the counterclaim that this is just due to the Elves knowing their old layout of the Fortress. But the fact that they knew the layout of the Church Office is an entirely different thing” Julieanne stayed silent, calmly listening to Jackson whose expression has completely changed. As if he was an entirely different man from before. Gone was the giddy and innocent child-like smiles and aura he had, but instead she saw a cold hearted man, logical, brutal, and realistic. “Look, if we find out anything, you can take credit. Me, I wanna know the deepest part this goes to and I need one proof to shove it up someone’s face.”
His eyes have foregone its beauty and are replaced with that of a machine or even something that’s not even truly alive. “This is merely a cover up they could use I feel like. Then again, we have no true proof yet. But one thing is for sure, whatever is happening, it must’ve originated from here. This is the only place where High Elves and the Holy See are both operating in and on equal grounds.”
“Can you say that again but without reminding me of my Father?”
“What?’
“Nothing. Let’s go.”