At Brutus’s mansion, Saten is running away with a young maid on her head, laughing.

“You can’t call me D! Seriously! D?!” Our main character formerly known as Ralphos yelled after her. Half fed up, half hopeless, he turned to Brutus. Brutus, with a smile, invited him with his hands to sit down and have some tea. Brutus summoned a teakettle that floated in the air and poured.

“Why a teakettle?” D said.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know about magic, D. You must be joking.”

“No, I know how magic works. Why tea?”

“Why not tea?” Brutus said.

D sighed. If he didn’t want to tell him about ‘that’ and all the complications, it’s fine. Rather personal question for D to ask anyways, he realized. If he wasn’t at the end of his rope with what Saten decided and what Juno said to him, he would have never have asked.

“I don’t understand women.” D said, more angry than anything else.

“Oh, to be young again. D, my eccentric genius lord, if you let women have their way, then they will always have their way.”

D looked to Brutus shocked. He had no idea that Brutus might give a serious answer. Was this like what Escribo said? ‘Be honest,’ got him far. But from Brutus?

“D, calling yourself D is a stroke of genius. That you have a woman like Saten around you, a Saint no less, to tell you to pursue a course of action you thought was mad and uttered in regret is superb. Just because you let her get her way this time is no reason to give up on the next. Do you understand the value of mystery, D?” Brutus said.

D sighed, gulping the tea he was served.

“No. The girls around me are mystery enough, give me less mystery!”

Brutus smirked.

“There are two types of mysteries, would you like to hear them? I assure you, worth your time. Could save your life. Politics, after all, is all about mysteries.”

D couldn’t put down the idea that something Juno said was wrong. Saten, that was her normal setting, he reasoned.  ‘I’ll make you a proper lord.’ The words she said the other day, before they arrived at Brutus’s mansion.

“Okay, okay.” D said. Brutus gave a eyebrow lift of approval and continued.

“Mysteries in two parts. Those you need to solve, and those you enjoy. Which one are those girls?”

“Solve? For one of them.”

“Ah. I didn’t know. It’s not Saten is it? That would be unfortunate.”

D pondered that idea and wished that he would never have an issue with Saten. She could be difficult enough as is, but she wasn’t bothering him thanks to his dragon powers.

“Juno. She’s-”

“Are you sure you want to tell me? You are quite unguarded. I can easily turn a knife on your back in the future, just as I left you in that alley.”

“I’ll rip you apart if you do! Don’t underestimate me, old man.”

Brutus chuckled and sipped more tea.

“Oh, I don’t miss Ros one bit. Fiery kid like you reminds me of my youth. Well, I’ll tread carefully then.”

“Don’t give me a smile like that! You’re making fun of me, aren’t you…” D said.

“Me? I’m giving you the best advice I know. You’d be wise if you chose those whom you can trust and not trust early on, I suggest.”

D knew that was bogus advice. He talked to Afgar about Cruci, Qurbur, and Brutus. One unfortunate night, full of dwiff tales. The serving girl was the only distraction he had back then, an oasis in a desert.  He couldn’t let his guard down, the three of them would support him going forward but that didn’t mean loyalty.

“How loyal are you? Just be honest. I plan to keep you around either way.” D said.

“Such a child, thinking someone trained in politics would tell the truth, especially behind a closed door. To think I complimented you the other day about your eccentricity. You are, I am not mistaken, a genius. But if you think genius is enough, you are wrong!” Brutus said, the smile on his face growing wider.

D was sure he was enjoying this. Maybe in another world, this guy could have been one of those hated teachers who always loved telling his students off. Such a bully. Brutus was right though, D didn’t like that one bit but let it drop. D knew that all of the people around him were talented and knowledgable. The only mistake here would be to ignore what they could teach him.

“Good point. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t value your experience. Cruci’s and Qurbur’s too. I have a lot to learn. So tell me, why is D such a good name?” D said.

“Mystery. It’s the type you enjoy. Everyone will think you are a fool. From your level of skill in politics, it’s the best strategy we have.”

“Wait, are you serious?” D didn’t see this coming.

“Your eccentricity and worth in battle is not in question, according to Saten. She said to me, ‘if you want him to put on a show, I think he can do a fantastic job, you know?’ There aren’t too many Saints like her, I assume she has some modicum of political skill to have attained such a title at a young age. D, the mysterious lord who rose to power with a country-class weapon. Where did he come from? Who is he, really? And he has dragon wings too! How strange. They will laugh. While they are laughing, they might just forget the pains of the war and underestimate you.”

D held his head. He had given up already, listening to him. Being a sideshow wasn’t something he considered. When he heard about the process in the royal capital, how the whole thing was set up, and that it was certain he would be attacked and he just expected a chance to show off. D was reading that dragon book Juno gave him. Letting loose would feel good. D was worried about killing the wrong army though, he’d have to keep it toned down.

“So how do I use this to my advantage?”

“The royal capital’s lord is the ‘lordmaster’. He’s the one who calls the lords together. You won’t have to worry until that meeting is over, when the lords meet you at the council and decide to accept you or not. They will fail in denying you because of the weapon alone. Then, they may attack and try to seize your weapon and claim Locos as their territory. Most of them would claim it to sell to the lords in the surroundings of Locos at the least, but that weapon is reason enough alone to target you. If you manage to escape the royal capital, the city who rules over other cities, then you’ll remain our lord!” Brutus explained. He took a sip of tea, looking at D who was composed. Brutus continued.

“Needless to say, I will be on your side in battle. I cannot say the same for Cruci. For Qurbur, it’s which route he thinks will give him the most money. If you have to face him in battle, then I doubt you can win. A country-class weapon would sell for a fortune. In the case that he does fight you, do not expect me to stay loyal. Do you understand?”

D was worried about Qurbur now. Cruci was a pushover, but Qurbur-

“Yes. And my new name? How do I use that?”

“Let them underestimate you.” Brutus laughed and offered D more tea.

D found Saten resting under a tree in the mansion garden, legs clad in thighhighs folded beneath her. D worried about grass stains. You can’t harm them! You can’t! He put that aside, for now.

“Are you sure about this? D? My new name, D?” D said.

Saten eased up, looking at him as D sat down against the tree trunk with her.

“This is the first time you’ve complained. You always go right along with me, you know? Is it really that bad?” Saten said.

D sat down next to her, taking in the air enjoying the smell and sunlight.  After taking with Brutus, he was glad to be outside in her company again. He still had that question bothering him from earlier.

“Whatever. Anyone who would tease me for a stupid name like that is in another world anyways. I didn’t want to ask you, but- the other day, Juno said she would make me a ‘proper lord’. Do you know what the means?”

“Oh. You don’t know that?”

“She doesn’t talk about her past much.”

“You two seem so close…” Saten said. She held her hands together.

“That’s why I’m asking.”

“Well, it’s strange to me. Sometimes it seems like you know, and sometimes you don’t. It’s cute.”

D grimaced but let her continue. It wasn’t the ‘cute’. That was appreciated.

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“If she said something like that, isn’t it because she’s a maid?” Saten said.

D’s mind turned to steel. His eyes narrowed, as everything focused inward while memories aligned in his head.

“Oh…” D said. There was a consensus reached. He was an idiot. D needed to ask Saten the final part to be sure.

“So maids, so as a maid in this world, what do they do?”

“Clean. But if Juno said ‘proper lord’ that would mean she’s taken up a certain duty. Did she say anything to you?” Saten said.

“It was just a love confession. I think…”

“If it was, think it over carefully.”

D tried to remember back then under the bridge. It was full of emotion, an impassioned speech about standing beside him.

“Something about how she wasn’t pretty like you, I’ve taken everything from her, she wants to be my servant…”

Saten didn’t believe him.

“Uh. Are you sure? How did she say it?”

“What do you mean ‘how’? She was just, uh, she was really devoted, and stuff.”

Saten crawled to D and stared at him with those blue eyes, her hair swinging out.

“Are you dense or not? Tell her to cut it out.”

Saten’s hair waved in D’s face.

“Cut what out?”

“The part bothering you, you know?” Saten said.

“I’m not sure if it bothers me…”

Saten eyed him again, then went in close. D gave up. Saten’s face was in front of D’s, waiting for something, looking into his eyes. She pulled back and stood up towering over him.

“Decide. I like you. A lot. But if you can’t handle something like this…”

D knew what she was going to say and he booked it.

“Cruci’s waiting!” D shouted Saten an excuse. Saten sighed, watching him go.

Saten laid down by herself on the grass, looking at the sun peeking through the leaves above her. The cool shade and the wind blew by her, and she wrapped her arms under her head to take a nap. That’s right, D was going to fight Cruci. He’d be fine, if he couldn’t beat Cruci alone then-

“Maybe I’ll go watch. I-”

Won’t leave this one behind. She almost said that out loud. Saten took a walk, following after the fleeing D. He’d better win, alone.

“Ah, do I have bad taste, or did I always like guys who need a helping hand? No wonder. Sometimes, he gets it right. That’s enough, right Dad? You’ll probably be happy whoever I bring to you anyways…” Saten’s reverie made her miss it.

A small plushie in the shape of a humanoid bear shot out of the tree as Saten walked away. It did various extreme jumps across the fountain and garden of the mansion, into a small dark room through an open window. A bunny girl was there, holding onto an anime pillow she greeted the plushie and held it as it whispered in her ear.

“You’re kidding me. D? D? He changed his name to-”

The bear continued to whisper in her ear.

“Oh. Huh. That’s not like the books I read. There are people like that too? That’s… not bad at all.”

Laplas laughed to herself, letting go of the anime pillow for once and pacing.

“And then? And what then? Repeat it.”

She held the humanoid bear to her ear. Shocked, her eyes narrowed before she melted onto the bed again.

“Royal capital, huh. Should I? But he’s- Not worth it. No, he didn’t mind the murder confession. He’s employing me at the least, I’ll- Yeah. Why not. I’m tired of waiting around, getting chased, staying holed up.”

Laplas grinned into her bed, her purple eyes bright as she moved her ears and hair out of her face.

“Go a little crazy? No, they’ll know- but will Ral-, uh D, care? I want to see if he’ll care, if I do ‘that’... If he doesn’t kick me out, then he’s telling the truth. And if he’s lying… Time to find a new home.”

She giggled to herself.

“Show me, D. Third girl? Third!” Laplas laughed to herself.

Juno stopped walking with a pile of clothing, hearing that laugh down the hallway. A old maid next to her gave the young maid a smile.

“Agatha, who’s that?”

“Quiet girl. I know her type, domestic, but really she just wants to run wild, don’t you think?”

“Does she have bunny ears?”

“Looks more like black flaps over her face to me.”

Juno had worked with Agatha for awhile, helping out and keeping busy while the final preparations were made. Agatha’s wisdom was far beyond her own, so she thought of asking her.

“How do I talk to someone like that?”

“Oh! Dear, you just be kind and wait. Breaking down a wall with someone like that, there’s two ways, force or force of kindness.”

Juno face went into a state of disgust at herself.

“I almost drilled her. She was an enemy then, that’s alright, isn’t it?”

Agatha put a hand on Juno’s shoulder.

“Only do what you can, honey. You’re still young.”

Juno smiled at her, sensing her intent. She continued walking.

The sun shined in through a window leading to outside. Over the trees, into a nearby forest where Cruci and D in the middle of a fight. It’s training.

Cruci was not having fun. He whirled his blades of light into D, shooting beams into him and tearing D’s clothes but not causing any significant damage at all. D could catch the oncoming blades and snap them no problem, then push Cruci away by palming the aegis Cruci summoned. D was making attempts to dodge the light beams, but it was useless for him. If I could get better at using those wings! D was glad he read that book.

“You! I wish I killed you the first time I saw you! What was with that pretending to be nobody! Do you think I could just let someone who trashed a mountain go!” Cruci said.

“Could have left me the money. That’s stealing.”

“And you call yourself ‘D’ now? What the hell are you doing! Why does Saten favor you!” Cruci yelled. He went in full force, dazzling D with the speed and accuracy of his attacks, but they went enough to cut through his dragon enhanced body.

“Were you always this strong? What kind of magic is this! Why didn’t you fight back, then, in that alley?!”

“Nope. Saten’s training and my own abilities are a good match. You could have killed me and Juno easily then. But now-”

D punched through Cruci’s aegis. He hadn’t touched his bulletblade once the entire fight. D’s arm made it through the magical shield, forming a perfect circle around his arm. He felt the intense energy pressing in and failing to cut his arm off as he grabbed Cruci’s shoulder and pushed him to the ground with a heavy tap. Cruci’s butt bounced against the ground his armor clattering as he skimmed a couple meters.

“I can win easily. Saten’s aegis isn’t as strong as yours. It’s impressive. Your attitude is poor though. We’re going to have a working relationship, you know? It’s a waste to let talent like yours rot in jail. Come on.” D walked over to the fallen Cruci. Cruci looked up at him.

“You’re just a kid. I’ve seen so many soldiers like you die. What makes you think you can handle lordship? What do you know? What can you possibly do!”

D shrugged.

“I’m going to do the best I can. Get all the advice I can, get the best I can to work under me. Saten told me you’re the best trainer in this region. If we want a decent general in our military, one we can trust, it has to be you. It’s either that or jail. The Sanctus Sancti won’t protect you, but I will. I already know I’m wrong, how about you show me where?”

Cruci sighed and adjusted his sitting to a more comfortable position, staring off into the distance. He saw Saten hiding in a tree, and admonished her in his mind. Don’t you know how to do a proper ambush!- he began like that.

“I don’t like you. Saten, I still have feelings for her.” Cruci said. He had given up already in jail. That dishonor was too much, if he was going to do anything else with his life it would be honorable.

“I don’t like you either. Saten’s mine.” D said. Cruci stared up at him puzzled.

“What?”

D suddenly realized what he did, and in despair he covered it up with a clever act.

“My Saint!”

“Oh! That was misleading. I thought it was a romantic relationship for a second there. I’d probably go mad with rage and stop at nothing until I killed you, if that was true!” Cruci laughed. D smiled to hide his shock. Cruci held up his hand and D took it helping Cruci up.

“Fine. You’re not Lord Ros though. If you mess up, I’m killing you.” Cruci slapped D on the back.

“If you can!” D said.

They got back to fighting until the sun set. Saten slipped away muttering to herself.

“I worry too much. Was he that strong before? That’s strange, when I first started training him it seemed like he would go down a whole lot easier…”

As the moon rose and most went to sleep, Qurbur was analyzing his account books and laughing to himself. To him, they read like the story of his past, reminding him of good deals and wondeful friends. Wonderful friends who gave him lots of money. He had a nice corner room setup thanks to Brutus. This was going to be a vacation for him, he was so glad he trained Chanterise to handle everything so well. His absence wouldn’t be of much concern to business. Above him, he heard a few knocks.

“Genje. Show yourself.” Qurbur said to the girl in the ceiling. A dark form flipped down in a revealing outfit that was unsuited for a stealthy profession. She was that good. A little skin would not stop her infiltration. Qurbur put down his beloved account book and gave Genje his full attention.

“Master. The bunny girl. From the lord’s castle, maids spoke of her as an unknown. Checked Sanctus Sancti, she is wanted by the Saints. Top level disturbance, not known to the paladins.” Genje reports.

Qurbur laughed. If he didn’t chance upon saving a girl like this when he was a pirate, she would have never delivered such fantastic information to him.

“Ros was stowing away a criminal like that. She do anything?”

“All reports indicate she’s a recluse. Actions unpredictable. Second level investigation ongoing.” Genje reports.

“Continue. If you find nothing, don’t hesitate to make contact with her directly. Value your life first. Don’t pull any heroics like last time!” Qurbur said. He was still mad about that time she took out an enemy ship without his okay. They were nice people, they were evil pirates, but they could be dealt with if you were careful. No need for mass murder there, Genje.

Genje looked down, lowering her head even more.

“Master. Assassins defeated.”

“Oh, not again.” Qurbur put his hand it his forehead and massaged it.

“Tell me everything, Genje. Listen to me next time, alright?”

“No. They were threats, Master. Made it to this mansion. Had to act!” Genje reports.

Qurbur nodded and urged her to continue. It was hopeless.

“From Zion to the north. Reputable. Had to use Full Release.”

“Not the full release! You swallowed all the corpses again!” Qurbur sighed.

“Master. Sword, here.” Genje shuffles close to Qurbur and offers him a blade, half of it chewed off. Qurbur knew the insignia on the hilt.

“Is this your way of saying that you killed them all right away without finding out more information again?” Qurbur took the sword, being careful not to touch Genje. She would get in a sour mood then, and he didn’t want to pay Brutus for his mansion. He examined the blade, looking for the slightest clue.

“They said, and I report: “The new lord is in there with the Saint. We kill them all, Locos is mine! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Qurbur was surprised at how good she was at imitating voices. If only she could loosen up, she might be fun to be around if she wasn’t so dangerous.

“I don’t know that voice. Genje, get back to work. Have some information about that bunny girl before morning.”

Qurbur grumbled turning away as Genje leaped into the ceiling. He didn’t like the fact that there was an unknown here. Genje told him that the dragon boy had talked to her with familiarity through a door, just who was she?

It was that curiosity and the order ‘make contact directly’ which destroyed a nearby forest that night. A friendship was made in the end, so it was worth it. Qurbur made sure to play it off like he knew nothing. He didn’t want to pay Brutus for damages.