Wealth and extravagance flowed into Eliza’s nose. Expensive perfumes lingered around. The messenger was followed her and Cyrus, the guard maintaining a harsh silence.
Eliza knows Kazuki had her best interests in mind, but this was rather peculiar… The sight of the tall man, dressed in a bodyguard’s attire, attracted a few prying eyes.
“Hey… can you become more low profiled?” she whispered back to Cyrus. He didn’t reply whatsoever, merely grunting. She chuckled to herself, hiding the awkwardness. “Uh, nevermind…”
Cyrus replied immediately as she finished. “It would be counter intuitive, ward. Let any would be assassin know who stands between you and their bolts.”
“Oh…” That good logic, though they’re safe here, aren’t they? Having a strong, large bodyguard like him would deter would be assassins. Yet within the Ball Palace!? “Bugger… you really are attracting some attention. Is your... suit armoured?”
Cyrus spoke with a level of pride in his gear, “Against bullets, bolts and plasma. No energy shielding required, interwoven energy fibres.”
“Woah... Kaz did say that... wait, it’s resistant to all three?” Eliza inquired.
Nodding, Cyrus said, “Yes. Physical resistance against bullets. Energy resistance against plasma.”
“So is guarding people your speciality?” asked Eliza ,trying to get to know him a bit better. “I’ve noticed that a lot of the AGENTs have their own methodologies… Lilly has a disciplined advance, Quinn’s fast and heavy, Amyé’s a cracked shot and Claire is the greatest support-netic user one can ask for.”
“Hmm.” Cyrus looked up to the air. “I was trained under Hartius Juun, Freyja Beamont and Svenn Frio-Janstein. I specialise in everything.”
Eliza furrowed her brow. Two members of the Seven! With that knowledge, it made sense to how Kazuki was trained beyond even human feats. However, it was the last name that caught her attention. “Svenn? The one leading the Loyalists?”
Cyrus snarled back, “That was not Svenn. Svenn loved us all. He died for us, that man was not Svenn, he would never open fire on his students, let alone Kazuki himself.”
Oh… Seems like Eliza’s hit a nerve. She gave him a slight nod. “Sorry, I just thought that it was strange… Two members of the Seven on the coin flip of the Mercs?”
Cyrus grumbled, nodding. “We do our job well, that’s all you must know. Keep yourself safe and we’ll do the rest.”
“Ah!” A voice called out towards her, in a posh and delicate accent. “Elizabeth, great to see you.”
Eliza twisted back forward, as she sees Fer-Charelota, sitting beside several other attendants. They were by the side of a large dining hall, with hundreds of tables laid out, thousands of people dining together, fraternising..
“Marquis,” said Eliza, nodding towards him. “Greetings to you.”
She smiled, as Gilbera Fer-Charelota gently nodded in turn, pushing his sunglasses up to his nose, behind his Kastí auburn hair and hiding his rich pink eyes.
“Please, just call me Fer-Charelota or Gilbera, everyone does.” He handed her a glass of wine, as she carefully took it from him. Cyrus looked over her shoulder, at the drink.
“It’s fine,” she said. “Just wine.”
Cyrus nodded. “Alcohol dulls the mind. Drink moderately.”
Eliza nodded.
The Marquis glanced up at Cyrus, coughing for a quick moment before straightening himself out. “A… I don’t have the pleasure of knowing your name?” he asked the six-foot seven-inch guard behind Eliza.
“I am Eliza’s bodyguard. That is all you need to know,” Cyrus said. Whilst Eliza knew it was not hostility, his response must have stirred something within the Marquis, as she tugged on his collar, nodding.
Eliza said, “Sorry, he’s a bit rough, but he’s a good person.” He was tenacious and dedicated, Eliza thought, still she couldn’t see why anything would do something within these halls.
Glancing around, she could see a small escort of Imperial Knights, forming a perimeter around the Marquis, clad in white armour, suits and cloaks.
“I’ll trust your judgement, Miss Celeste-Delmara. Thank Iris it is not Kazuki, the Contract-Breaker.” He heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“I beg your pardon?” Eliza paused, her mind snapping to what he just called Kaz.
Fer-Charelota shook his head.
“My apologises, Elizabeth,” Fer-Charelota said, placing his hands up and lightly laughing. “But please, his presence has made my quite uncomfortable.”
Even though he wasn’t wrong, she had to defend Kazuki’s’ name. “He’s much nicer once you get to know him, I will vouch for that.”
“I could feel his golden gaze upon me when I was announcing the event,” he said. “Members of the Seven do seem to get on my nerves… On either side of the coin.”
Eliza realised that the Marquis was simply generalising all the Seven on either side to one basket. She shook her head, defending Kazuki in the process. “He’s not like the rest of them, I can assure you that.”
The Marquis smiled slowly, looking up at Eliza’s determined face. He then nodded. “You’re steadfast belief in your friend is commendable, I like that!” he remarked. “But if you ever encounter any other member of the Seven, I advise caution… Though you’d be safe with Lady Antiar.”
“Lady Antiar? Wait… the Imperial Knight?” Eliza asked, her eyes widening, thinking of the fabled legend of the Palace’s Knights.
“The one and only, Champion of the Knights,” Fer-Charelota said with a prideful grin. “She’s loyal and will uphold any and all oaths and agreements, she won’t let harm come to you, I assure you of that!”
“I never doubted it…” Eliza trailed off. Was the Imperial Knight a member of the Seven? The mercs are publicly known, Hartius, Emiya, Freyja, Kazuki, Felix, Cassia and Ohmicro. Therefore out of process of elimination, Lady Antiar must be a Seven Crim!
Fer-Charelota cleaned his mouth as he drank from a small cup of aged Kathniri wine. “My advice stays the same. Your mother was a genius, a scientist that created the best cybernetics, still couldn’t handle a member of the Seven.”
“Wait, what?!” Her voice rose,, sitting forward and awakened at the mention of her mother.
“It was Emiya,” remarked Gilbera Fer-Charelota. He shook his head. “High chances of you meeting him in your line of aspirations. He has a massive, invested interest in many things… A star investor.”
The Marquis’ eyes glanced to the side, and around, then back to Eliza.
“He leads the BCA…” Fer-Charelota started. “But there’s more to him than that. I can see it in him… Some twisted sun rays perhaps? He always feels in control, no matter what… if you ever see him, you’ll understand my fear of the Heptagia, on either sides of the coin…”
The utterance of the Seven’s formal name sent a chill down Eliza’s spine. She’s heard the stories so many times…
“I think we’re getting off topic,” admitted Eliza.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
He nodded. “We are. Best to get this warning to you now rather than later… All of the Seven are dangerous, even your friend, Prince Kazuki. Heed my word, Emiya is far more dangerous than any of the rest, even Hartius.”
“What do you mean?” Eliza was now interested in what the Marquis had to say.
“Chairman of the Bounty’s and Collection Administration, a position like that gives him much control over the private mercenary industry… He’s playing a game even I cannot comprehend, remember that if you wish to tread carefully.”
“I… will…”
”Remember this, Elizabeth, before you say anything else: the wise one knows what they know, and what they do not… And I know that overwhelming feeling from being in their presences alone… You might not experience it with Kazuki, but you will with others.”
Oh… that overbearing feeling that anything that they do within Kazuki’s presence is recorded and monitored? It felt more in line with his grandfather. “I think he’s just being cautious, that’s all, with everything’s that happened between him and I, I think his worry is warranted.”
Fer-Charelota nodded, as a drone hovered by, with a physical, ornate wooden chess board on top. “I apologise for my ramblings. Care for a game? Most people here think Chess is an art, not a game.”
Eliza nodded.
“First… cake?” Fer-Charelota asked.
A whole line of drones with plates on their heads came by, all carrying confectionary beyond perfection.
“Kastí cuisine, perhaps the Empire only wished to share its immaculate foods,” he jested. “A master baker I was close with suggested this one red haired baker to help… and I must say, the baked goods those two made are to DIE for.”
“Ah! No, I just had cake earlier, and dinner,” Eliza said.
Fer-Charelota said, “No matter, all the more for me, then.” He straightened his frock coat. “If you ever visit Kasté, do take some time to relish in the food my people have for offer.”
Eliza nodded, slowly approaching the board as she played the first move. “So, may I ask why you called me here? I was a bit busy before this.”
She played the classic Queenside Gambit.
“Before the Dassant, you asked me for assistance with a matter,” he said, making his move on the chess board. “I believe getting his out of the way first and foremost will be imperative to your agenda.”
“Agenda? Well, if we’re talking about that, then perhaps I should have brought Kazuki, he’s rather important for this,,” she said. “Because there’s this one person I need to make contact with.”
“Oh? For a university student, you seem quite the socialite. Of course I can introduce you to possible suppliers and investors. Many university startups fail, I have a grant foundation that I can use to assist your aims,” Fer-Charelota said as both he and Eliza several moves at chess. “No strings for my grant, though the private investors will want a cut, however.”
The game was even, but Eliza placed everything and beyond into not losing this one game.
She shook her head. “Not exactly… Though I’d love to talk to individuals of that accord,” she said. Fer-Charelota raised an eyebrow, surprised. “I’ll think about that near my graduation.”
“Fair enough,” remarked the Marquis “The Charelota Enterprise Grant has its doors opened to you and many others, just meet the requirements, however.”
Oh, requirements? Best to ask of it right now. “Such as?”
“An interview with myself, quite vigorous I must add - and sadly I cannot provide you with bias, barely a dozen get through each year, yet those twelve build magnates,” said Fer-Charelota. “Now, what else would have caught your attention if not that?”
She said it plain and simple, “I need to talk to an… Obadiah Cariana-Slynt.”
Fer-Charelota stopped in his tracks as he was just about make his move. He readjusted his sunglasses. “Are you sure you got the right name?”
“Yes? Is something wrong with this individual?” she asked. “Kazuki told me that he might have information linking to the P-1 incident.”
The Marquis chuckled before taking a step back. “Of course… I should have remembered that you told me about that before… If you don’t mind me asking, why? The pirates that dealt the blow to our Republic have been banished into the Eclipse, nd I don’t think the High Admiral will send another expedition into that… hellhole.”
He’s right, but he doesn’t have the full picture, Eliza knew. “Well, call me crazy, but I know that there’s more to the attack. You don’t just attack a Space Station without raising some eyebrows, right?”
“I know,” Fer-Charelota said, “But there’s no evidence. And it’s been nearly ten years, would it not be best to let the dead rest?”
“I…” Eliza paused, choking for words. “Sorry, would you let me have a moment?” She drank her glass of wine, clearing her throat.
“Take as long as you need,” he said, playing his move an binding Eliza into a check.
Eliza nodded, finally clearing her throat as she looked up, at the many floors up and above. A dozen stares came down with photographers, journalists and drones peering into any whispers of gossip. “The press… are they listening in?”
“Probably not. This room is filled with billionaires, mining kingpins and politicians, far more scrupulous than myself,” Fer-Charelota whispered over to her. “Rampant, undeterred self interest leads many would-be-award-winning journalists into the arms of Republic Intelligence’s award for excellence in journalism.”
The rose-red eyes of hers lifted up, staring at Fer-Charelota, the Marquis. The man wasn’t wrong, she understood the dark joke quite well. “Corruption… it can’t be as bad as some journalists say.”
Fer-Charelota clicked his tongue, glancing to the side then back. “You haven’t been around for long, please, quid pro quo is simply the way that things happen behind closed doors.”
“It simply the way?” Eliza asked, vigour entering her voice. She looked up to Cyrus. He shrugged, the nodded.
He said, “If it wasn’t that way, I’d probably be somewhere far away from here…” Cyrus turned his face away. The words somewhat resonated.
Eliza looked back at the Marquis, who gave her a simple nod. “Just because it is meant to be does not mean it is as it should be. But we make do with realities, not dreams, Elizabeth… Leave any worries be for now…”
Synthia projected herself onto the Chess Board, looking at the combination of moves whilst visibly thinking.
She projected herself onto Eliza’s shoulder. ‘I have calculated a possible checkmate in fifty one moves,’ she whispered.
Eliza shook her head. ‘No… I’d prefer to win without your help, but thank you.’
‘Suit yourself, I shall rest, I cannot bear to watch this unplayable game!’ remarked Synthia, shaking her head.
“It’s been many tens of thousands of years since man could beat machine in this game,” the Marquis commented. “Make do with reality, this reality, those pirates are reality. It might not be the reality, but it is a reality.”
Eliza cleared her throat.
“This happened on Kazuki’s birthday, where a large number of participants just so happened to be at one location, does that not arise any suspicions to you?” she asked. “I had a look at what my father had, and the location of the gathering was a closely kept secret…”
“It could have just been a coincidence, don’t you think?” he asked. “Many coincidences happen in life, this might just be another unfortunate one.”
“No. No, it’s just… too convenient.” She glared at him as her brooch felt heavy, its red-pink shine diminishing with her eyes.
Fer-Charelota and Eliza continued their game of chess, as Eliza was pushed back into a corner, literally: as her king was five steps away from a checkmate.
“Elizabeth, I know this incident means much to you, with your sister’s death… But would Victoria have wanted you so diligently looking to the past when you have your whole future ahead of you?”
No… She wouldn’t have, Eliza thought. Her sister was kind, courageous and greatest of all: compassionate. Dad was right, she’s just a mimic of a dead girl. Amongst the dead heap of rubble, Eliza found a combination to win, gambiting her knowledge.
“I have hard evidence, though, words and murmurs from someone with more than proprietary interest in our matter ,” she said.
The Marquis smirked. “Who may that be? But please… Let’s get this over with, we all lost friends and family when the station crashed.”
“Jessica Kiki-Louis, the General Director of Clandestine Defence PLC.”
“Yes… Jessica. Many rumours surround her, but none may come to light anymore, thanks to your friend,” the Marquis snarled in an intrigued but overall vicious tone.
“It’s… currently kept secret. But Kazuki has a copy of her archives, the General Director’s information storage,” she said.
Their game continued, with Eliza able to chain move after move, tempo after tempo - gaining momentum against the Marquis’s blunder.
“She had several correspondences before, during and after the incident: all alluding to several players that knew of its happening.”
He leaned backwards, then forward, smiling as he tilted his sunglasses. “Oho… this is news to me,” Fer-Charelota said. “You trust the words of the Contract-Breaker?”
“Kazuki,” she snapped, placing him in check. Her voice became slower. “His name is Kazuki Izumi Geminorum-Ryzaku.”
The Marquis nodded. “Kazuki, then.”
“Thank you… Oh, and don’t tell this to others… If we had to release it, I’d prefer Galatimes to do it.”
“Hmm, clever,” the Marquis said. “Contact?”
She slowly nodded. “One of my friends runs the Anagoran Office,” she said gleefully, feeling second hand pride. “I think I can trust him with the information… It’s just… I’d prefer not to share it too broadly.”
The Marquis agreed, nodding. “Hmm… Interesting. I believe meeting Kazuki should be in order, this knowledge can change the galaxy if released - and I will not sit here silently. A link to Obadiah will be established, do you concur?”
“I… concur,” Eliza said. And they finished their game, as Eliza placed him in a checkmate. Despite her victory, she felt as if he snuck in the final blow.