I really enjoyed writing this Chapter, hope you will all like it too :P.
Final Chapter of the day!
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Chapter 36: Answers with Promises
It had been a good idea to not attack anyone inside the Magic Institute in hindsight.
They had no clue how strong the actual guards were, no idea if their Alignment would change if they attacked them, even just the knowledge of how well Rhobos Grandel was protected or if he even slept inside the Magic Institute was not something they had access to.
In the end they managed to slip away through the same window that Sharon had entered from, even if Makoto's 'leaving' was a lot closer to falling.
Holding one hand against his hurting backside from the fall, Makoto was dragged behind Saracesse in a zigzag pattern.
After nearly half an hour of aimless wandering he started to lead the way as the surrounding area seemed slightly familiar, even if it was nearly impossible to say that in a city this big.
Luckily enough, he actually found the Inn again where he was already a regular and booked a room for 2.
Saracesse had a very dirty smile on her face the entire time he was haggling about the price to stay for a few nights.
Right after closing the door behind her she practically threw him on the big double bed and mounted him but he pushed her away with all the self esteem and willpower that he could muster.
"Just wait a second here please.
Trust me I would love to just rip your clothes off right here and now but there is something I need to do first."
Catching her interest with his words, Saracesse stopped trying to undress him but she showed no notion of leaving the mounted position she was in right now.
Staring deeply into her eyes, Makoto continued.
"First of all I would like to thank you.
Freeing me from that cell is more than I could ever ask of you, really.
Next up I wanted to know just what exactly happened to your lower half?"
With a raised eyebrow she pointed at her feet and he nodded.
"We Lamia's have the Ability to take on a completely human form if we so desire."
Naturally that was a lie and the actual reason for her human form was a different one but Sharon had decided to keep her real identity hidden for now and kept to it.
It explained what happened to her body but not why she suddenly could leave her area and walk around in a town as a Hidden Boss like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Thinking along those lines another idea shot through his mind.
What if she was able to do all of this because of the 'Lovers' relationship that somehow changed her programming?
Naturally this was far fetched but it was the only thing that made remotely sense so he decided to stick with it and it was impossible to ask her why she left her area after all.
An NPC was not aware that it was an NPC, it did not know that it was an advanced program inside a game.
How would she be able to explain to him with what kind of reasoning she decided to leave her area when she was not even aware that she had been bound to it before by coding?
This was a tricky situation but he decided to drop the subject for now and concentrated on something else.
"Next up I wanted to apologize for what I did last night.
I think you deserve to know this and you would be the first person I tell this to so here goes...
The reason why I reacted the way I did, was because I felt... heartbroken and alone.
You could say someone that was dear to me played a terribly cruel joke on me and I... I just wanted to be with somebody at that point..."
Unable to look into her eyes anymore after admitting his weakness, he stared at the ceiling high above them and continued talking.
"She was the first one I ever loved and my feelings got toyed with, made fun of in a pretty cruel way, just for her own amusement, my feelings equaled a temporary entertainment in her eyes...
And after I saw you down in the Labyrinth, something inside of me just snapped and I stopped caring, the only thing that remained was the desire to not be alone during all of that."
Finally looking into her eyes again he could see that her gaze was gentle and a soft smile was visible on her face.
"I already imagined something along those lines so let me tell you that you have nothing to be ashamed of Makoto."
Her head inched closer ever so slowly, the eye contact between them unwavering as she was still mounted on top of him.
"I also was in a pretty nasty place and I found you in this darkness, do I look ashamed to you?
Don't be afraid my love, you are not alone anymore."
Showing him a deep smile, she pressed her own lips against Makoto's and he immediately wrapped his arms around her, thankful for this incredible moment he was able to share, happy to finally hear those words he had been longing for and grateful that this was indeed not a dream but real.
All he was able to do for quite some time was simply hold her in his arms as happiness flooded every corner of his being, filling him up completely.
Again he told himself that she was just an NPC and a loud voice inside of his mind objected.
"That only means she will never play with your feelings."
Convinced that this was indeed the case, his view for NPCs inside Azalon was beginning to undergo a drastic change.
"You know that was my first time right?"
He finally said with a crooked smile.
Saracesse looked at him from above with a clearly stunned expression until pure bliss finally flushed her face.
"That means I have something to look forward to, if that really was your fist time I can't wait to see you when you are experienced."
Giggling like a little girl she pushed him into the pillows while his hands found their natural way beneath her clothes.
Letting out a surprised laugh, Saracesse was now the one pinned against the bed as Makoto started to tear her clothes off, one by one.
Overwhelmed by desire, not caring anymore and no longer constrained by stupid morals he could feel something break inside of him again, one final time.
.....
Waking up inside the game again, Makoto still had fresh memories and an incredibly beautiful reminder lying naked next to him.
With an unusually honest smile plastered all over his face he looked at Saracesse sleeping soundly in her human form.
Her bright red hair had fallen into her face so with a tender motion he pushed the strands out of the way.
Letting his fingers flow through her long and soft hair was a truly interesting sensation but it was ultimately the thing that woke her up.
"I like it when you play with my hair like that."
She said after blinking a few times to get the last bits of sleep out of her eyes.
Showing her a gentle expression, Makoto continued to caress her hair and from time to time continued down her body, letting his fingers explore every nook and cranny.
With a smack on her soft behind he was able to let a moan escape from Saracesse's lips which in turn conjured a knowing smile on his face.
"Don't be so rough with me, I still can't feel my legs properly.
It's all your fault you know."
Sniggering about her own words she leaned forward and kissed him, first gentle and then longingly until it turned into a full on make out session where he pulled her into his embrace and cuddled her into oblivion.
Makoto was naturally very inexperienced in a lot of these things but his feelings alone made him do things he had before been way too shy to even think about.
As long as he could bring her joy he was more than satisfied.
After a few more minutes of rolling around beneath the sheets with the occasional giggle filling the room he put a little distance between them and concentrated on their current situation.
"You said something about a different way to handle things before? What exactly did you mean with that?"
"Well you were imprisoned by the Head of the Magic Institute for personal reasons right? As far as I know something like that is still illegal and he also gave you no chance of trial so the easiest way to handle this would be to go to the Council."
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Saracesse then started explained the overall politics in Asuria.
Naturally there was the King that ruled the lands but he only ever took actions during times of war or in emergency situations.
When there was peace, the Council was the actual power ruling over Asuria, it took care over the lands and it also was the best place to sue someone or prosecute a criminal as the Council was Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one.
"If you really want justice for what happened, go to the Council and ask for an audience with the Member that has jurisdiction over the Magic Council.
Tell that person what happened to you, together with the Blood Moon Cult, tell him everything."
She kissed him on his cheek after finishing and stood up to put on some clothes.
Thankful about the advice he did exactly that, put on his own clothes and promised her to be back soon enough.
.....
The Council, the name alone promised incredible power and wealth.
The actual place were most of the Council Members worked in was the Dome, a gigantic structure and the closest building to the enormous Palace of the King of Asuria.
Makoto was told to wait in a seat when he stated that he had business concerning the Magic Institute.
They made him wait for over an hour before a man in white robes asked for his name and told him to come with him.
He lead him through many white marble hallways with different paths branching off in every which direction, a complex structure that seemed to be completely out of place in a building with so much space available.
"Wait in here please"
Pointing to a room with only two stone chairs and a table between them, the man in robes left the somewhat confused Makoto to his own devices.
Unsure how long he would have to wait for again, Makoto sat down.
Luckily enough another man with a buzz cut entered the room, also wearing white robes.
"Thank you for your patience, I am a Servant to the Council Member that has power over the Magic institute, how may I be of assistance?"
"Wait a second, I asked to meet the Council Member himself and not a Servant."
Makoto said, clearly angered by this decision he had not been informed about.
"I am very sorry but you might understand that he is a busy man a-"
Feeling as if he had heard the same thing not long ago, he cut in-between.
"Tell him that I have business concerning the entire Magic Institute or do I personally have to go to the king to inform your dear Council Member that I was imprisoned against my will after finding out that the Head of the Magic Institute has ties with a Cult that slaughters the innocent citizens of this Kingdom?"
Clearly stunned and horrified by what Makoto had said, the man stood up and left the room in a hurry.
Unable to hide the smug smile that appeared on his face, he had to wait for another 5 minutes before someone else entered the room.
"I hear you bring very delicate news dear friend."
A middle aged man in a dark blue robe said, his face was full of wrinkles but his eyes displayed an agile mind together with an overall friendly demeanor emanating from him.
Sitting down before Makoto, he started to introduce himself while putting a strand of hair with a streak of white out of his face.
"My name is Narkas Forrowfell, Member of the Council and responsible for the Magic Institute and its relations.
Could you please sign this scroll here?
Alright, thank you very much, it is a 'truth' scroll just so I know for sure that what you are saying is not a lie.
Now, tell me in more detail as to what exactly happened."
Makoto repeated the same story that he had already told to Saracesse a second time while filling in some more gaps about the Bounty that had been placed on him and about his time in confinement.
The Member of the Council before him nodded during certain parts of his story multiple times as if to confirm that what he was saying was really the truth.
"I have to thank you Makoto, for ending that terrible Cult.
I was one of a few people in the Council that actually knew of its existence and it does not surprise me that the rumors about it were sparse with someone like Rhobos having deep ties to it.
He probably confined the information, making sure nothing reached the wrong ears ,it was pure luck that I was able to find out about it.
Even if Rhobos Grandel was not personally involved, the fact alone that he knew what his brother was doing and in turn doing nothing to stop it is already an act of treason.
Every accusation you just made naturally has to be investigated, I can tell you right now that the Grandel house has too much influence and power inside the Capital so there would never be any action against them if we brought this to the Council's attention."
Makoto immediately noticed a surge of anger flow through him and he was about to protest when Narkas interrupted him.
"But, there is one way.
I could personally pull some strings and get him into confinement because I believe you.
Stepping on toes of others like that will naturally cost me dearly in one way or another but I am willing to do that, if you agree to owing me a favor.
I expect you to pay me back someday naturally."
Makoto had a very bad feeling about this 'favor' but there was no real choice in the matter, Rhobos would find out sooner or later that he had lost a prisoner and if his house really had that much influence he would never again be safe inside the Capital.
Feeling as if he was signing a contract with the devil himself after putting his name on another Magic Scroll and agreeing to owing Narkas Forrowfell a favor, he could only let out a long sigh.
With a bright smile on the man's face he escorted him back to the entrance of the Dome, promising to contact Makoto again concerning this matter.
Soon enough a squadron of soldiers left the building with hurried steps and he had a hunch where they could be going so he decided to follow after them.
It brought a big smile to his face seeing that he was right and they indeed stormed the entire Magic Institute in broad daylight.
Many people around stopped dead in their tracks and watched the scene unfold as more and more people got dragged out of the building, escorted by at least 4 Soldiers each.
It was quite the spectacle seeing the guards that had before handled Makoto so roughly now receiving the same treatment.
After a few minutes the main culprit appeared, thrashing left and right and shouting things like "How dare you!" and "House Grandel will not forgive this!".
It brought Makoto so much delight seeing this piece of trash being escorted down the streets and back to the Dome that he actually maneuvered through the masses.
Arriving close enough to the struggling man so he would be able to hear him, Makoto decided to choose his words carefully.
"Your house will burn for what you did to me Rhobos."
He whispered, just loud enough so the man in question instantly paled and frantically looked to his right and left to maybe get a glimpse of Makoto and to confirm that it was really him.
With a truly evil smile on his face and his crimson eyes blazing, he decided to head back to Saracesse.
What Makoto had told the Head of the Magic Institute was true, it might not happen today or tomorrow but he would make sure to watch his precious house Grandel go up in flames, and he would be the one holding the torch...
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As you might have noticed this Volume will concentrate on intrigues, political influence while further expanding the world of Azalon.
There will be quite a few intresting things going on IRL too so stay tuned for that!
Hope you enjoyed this little twist of cruelty and see you all tomorrow for another Chapter! :D
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