Distasteful. Both kept their readied hands on the table. Only slow movements were made, nothing to set either off. Lady Antiar slowly reached for the large glass of beer, raising it up and sipping down on it. Kazuki sat beside her, in a secluded bar in the corners of the Ball Palace..

“This place. It’s isolated, well out of the way of prying eyes,” Kazuki said, slowly scanning his eyes towards Lady Antiar.

Lady Antiar nodded, placing down the mug. “You presume I brought you here to die?”

“A year of having a ten billion standardi bounty does that to a man.” Kazuki’s eyes scanned across the bar. No one else, bar the serving drones, was present.

Who will know if one died?

“The Imperial Knights frequent this place during our off time, especially the squires. At a time like this, most of us are busy,” Lady Antiar said, slowly stretching her shoulders as Kazuki saw ornamental medals she wore.

“You wanted to… ‘talk’?” asked Kazuki. A drone hovered over. It refilled his cup with apple juice. “What is there to talk about?”

Lady Antiar sighed. “They call this a social networking event, Contract-Breaker, drink up, it will be on the house, it’s rare for any two of the Seven to meet under these pretences, we should make the most of it.”

Kazuki’s eyes thinned. “You’re not killing me. Nor do you have something to say…” He cracked his knuckles audibly. “You’re here to detain me, correct? Whilst the Marquis whispers poison into my friend’s ear?”

“Sorry?” Lady Antiar shook her head. “It would be wrong for me to deny you that answer… I am unaware of the Marquis’ actions, but I am to keep an eye over you, for now. Honour dictates me to follow orders, even if I see them as useless.”

“What?” Kazuki snapped, “Worried I’ll kill another corrupt politician?” Kazuki jested. If he wanted to, he could have killed so many more, bring justice to them all.

“Watch your tone, Contract-Breaker,” Lady Antiar said, placing her cup down, before standing up. "It was not I who decided upon this. But I elected to be honour bound to watch over you, so that you may not cause any harm to others.”

Kazuki slowly rose, to no opposition from her. They mimicked each other’s movements. Any spark of action could throw the Palace into chaos. As far as he was concerned, Lady Antiar was the only person here that could match him in combat prowess.

“You all act so high, but you’re just the same as me. Hired muscle,” snarled Kazuki. He bit the words off violently, slowly turning his side towards Lady Antiar.

“Only appreciated when the shooting starts…” Lady Antiar slowed. . Kazuki slowly nodded; the sentiment was shared between the two. “But you will watch your tone. You were lucky I was busy last Dassant… Otherwise, I’d bring justice to you.”

Kazuki sarcastically nodded consecutive times. “Yes. My merciful father and grandfather will watch as you imprison me with on Matt’s sycophant’s orders. Trust me, they’ll be merciful, the heads of ten senators for each day I’m kept in captivity. Your justice would only breed more injustice.”

“Justice is justice, no matter the topic. You broke your contract, do not talk so highly to me, Kazuki,” exclaimed Lady Antiar, frustrated. “Honour and justice keeps the galaxy steady.”

Kazuki looking at a slave to her own code. “And what if the Marquis asked to bring the heads of innocents to him?”

“That… Fer-Charelota would not do that, and there are rules! Without them, we’re nothing but alien slavers!” She walked around the bar tabe. “You broke the rules and you walked away alive.”

“There’s a line between following the rules and being a slave to it.”

She grabbed a bottle from behind the counter. Cracking it open, she drank from it directly.

“Do all Knights drink so heavily?” Kazuki asked.

“When you’re in the business for as long as I have, alcohol soothes the pain. Physical and mental,” she said.

He won’t contest that point.. His men do it all the time, Quinn and Amyé most notably.

“We don’t live long either way. I expect to die fighting for justice and honour. You… You’ll die alone,” Lady Antiar commented, placing the bottle down before walking back out.

Kazuki stayed motionless, simply watching her for any slight movement. Dying alone? After all his crimes and sins, he expected that. He stunk of death, it’s only a matter of time until death latches onto him. “If that’s all you have to say, I’m leaving.”

He slowly turned towards the exit, a closed door. It led to the quieter areas of the Ball Palace. He took a step in front of him. The sound of a hand grabbing a sheathe rattled his enhanced hearing.

“I don’t recommend you doing that.”

“Why? I’m going back to my friend,” Kazuki said. He took another step.

“Miss Celeste-Delmara will do just fine without you,” Lady Antiar said.

Kazuki turned his head. “You going to stop me?” He shook his head before she got a chance to answer. “No. You won’t.”

He continued to walk. The sound of a blade unsheathing itself caught Kazuki’s mind, as he readied for a fight. She was mid-draw as a light ignited onto both their uplinks.

Eliza needed him. Lady Antiar slowly slid the blade back into its scabbard.

“Exactly. Now, I have places to be, and you do too.” Kazuki turned and walked away. He looked at the signal Eliza sent. It only had one piece of information, a location.

Seemingly secluded, Kazuki thought, in the upper echelons of the suites. Backroom dealings, most likely. Fer-Charelota’s sly, he won’t waste Eliza’s potential as an asset. Judging by what Lady Antiar said, the Marquis wants to befriend Eliza, away from his eyes.

He entered out into the shopping complex. Lady Antiar was following him, he could hear her footsteps behind him. He’ll let her tail him, no harm in that. And she won’t cut him down here.

He knew that she must consider the civilian casualties present. Even if it wasn’t something he’d do, she’ll believe he’d throw all these civilians into their battle.

His mind thought for about what the Marquis might want, she’s just a university student with good connections. Is that all Fer-Charelota wants?

What would a politician want from her? Or him? The answer was becoming clearer to him. “Grandfather…” he muttered to himself. He wants to befriend Eliza to get his trust. Consequentially, the ear of the Governor of the Trasian Oversector. Sly.

He left the shopping complex, towards the upper-end housing suites. Lady Antiar kept trailing him.

“What do you want?” Kazuki asked loudly, without even looking back at her.

“I have received a signal to meet with an… individual,” she said with a snarl. He couldn’t tell if it was for him, or to this individual.

Kazuki gave a dismissive nod. Eventually, he started walking through an entire suite block dedicated to one individual.

He could smell the greed in the air. But he couldn’t deduce whose it was. The Ball Palace is large, and processing all occupied spaces without the Analyspec is impossible.

The block was empty, dead, desolate. Drones passed by here and there, but nothing else. These suite blocks were reserved for the greatest scum in the galaxy, though that didn’t narrow the list at all.

Lady Antiar’s footsteps accompanied him, as he continued to make his way through the block. Slowly, guards appeared, wearing black uniforms, private security. A guard spoke to both of them, “You two are expected in the main suite.”

Lady Antiar caught up in her pace, walking beside Kazuki. Neither responded to the guard.

Kazuki asked, “Who is this person you’ve been called to?”

“Someone powerful,” Lady Antiar answered reluctantly, as if the words themselves were with ilk.

This seemed sketchy, Kazuki thought.

Phasing open the final door, he heard talking deep within the room. A guard ushered the two in.

Kazuki complied. He had no reason to go against it. But he was prepared for a fight, he’d be stupid no to be. It was a suite, a large living room, with a flight of stairs leading down from the indoor balcony, into the living room proper. The upper section was enough to be considered a small restaurant.

He glanced down, seeing Eliza and another individual sitting opposing each other across a table, both on sofas, Cyrus was standing close by. The furniture was a dark, deep black, Kazuki hated it. Walking down the stairs, the two caught the attention of Liz and the man.

Brown hair. Slimy figure. Obadiah Cariana-Slynt. He stopped along the stairs, peering down over the railing. Lady Antiar continued walking.

“Kazuki, finally, you’re here,” said Eliza. She waved him over.

He glanced around the room. Guards were stationed around the room. Hmm. Kazuki approached, stopping still behind Eliza, glaring at Obadiah. Lady Antiar stood to his side, though made it clear that there was distance between the two.

“Fer-Charelota got us a meeting with Obadiah… We’ll just have to negotiate with him to give us the information,” Eliza said enthusiastically.

This was a bad idea. Naïve fool… Surrounded by potentially hostile guards, and opposing a member of the Seven Crims. No weapons, as well. He’s confident he and Cyrus can take them, but he’s not THIS suicidal.

“You do the talking,” Kazuki whispered to Eliza, his voice monotone and clear with its intention. “I’ll join in if I see an opportunity to.”

Eliza nodded. “Suit yourself, leaving the hard lifting to me, as always,” she jested. She turned back towards Obadiah, a calm Anagoran man with his hands placed together.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Alright then, now that our seconds are here, shall we begin?” Obadiah asked. Though his voice made it sound like a demand.

Eliza nodded, placing her hands on her lap. “Yes, well then…” She slowly glanced up to Kazuki, lowering her voice. “How do negotiations work?”

Did she not plan for this?! Was he even consulted before this? Kazuki shrugged slightly. “I left negotiations to Martinez and Sato… Just say what you want, and what you offer.”

‘Sir, will this go messy?’ Cyrus asked, his monotone structure speaking on uplink.

Hopefully not. ‘No. It won’t.’

She anxiously nodded, turning back and clearing her throat.

“Nervous?” Obadiah asked. “Worry not, we all had to start from somewhere. Even you lowly aristocrats must know that...”

Sweet words from a man like him were betrayed by that last remark. Kazuki could see the contempt in Obadiah’s eyes. Untrustworthy, Kazuki concluded to himself.

“Yes… Well, I’ve come here to talk to you about a possible trade of information? My parnter and I believe that you may be able to help us with an investigation of ours,” she proposed her thoughts, glancing up towards Kazuki as if seeking approval.

He gave a slight nod. She gave him a small smile. Don’t do that… Kazuki thought to himself.

“Information? That can be weighed with stars, Elizabeth. What is this information you seek?” Obadiah jested at an obvious flaw. “I’ve lived quite long, and made many friends… My loyalty to them is quite a high bargain…”

Kazuki kept his mouth shut, as he saw Obadiah give him a sly glance. He was treading a fine line here.

“The Ptolemy Incident,” Eliza blurted out loud. She caught back her composure, clearing her throat again. ”You have information we seek.”

“P-1?” Obadiah asked, inquisitively. “We all know that it was pirates…” He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head in frustration. Frustration turned into a sneer. “I should have known. You newly minted brooches think too highly of yourselves! This is a waste of my time…”

He stood up, just when Eliza slid over a data-pad, across the table. Kazuki glanced over at a few of the guards, guarding what seems to be a locked room on the far end of the living suite.

“What is this?” asked Obadiah, leaning over and activating the display.

Sprouting up, Kazuki caught a glimpse of the information, everything that they had gathered until then. Jessica’s involvement. Mischief Board affiliations. Links.

“Oh…”

Obadiah’s voice fell to a sinister whisper. Kazuki could feel the air tighten in the room. Gently, he placed his hands together, one over the other.

‘Stay on guard,’ Kazuki whispered to Eliza.

“It… It won’t come to that, trust me on this, alright?” Eliza reassured Kazuki. Obadiah sat back down, intrigued as he picked the data-pad up.

Kazuki looked at Lady Antiar. She was blank-faced… Obadiah might have connections to the Mischief Board, yes, but enough to requisition a Seven Crim? That takes influence… The possibility of Obadiah being Matt’s successor is evident.

If that is the case, then Kazuki would expect Obadiah to use the Dassant to sell slaves to the galaxy’s greatest scum.

“This is some interesting stuff, but I don’t think I can help you…” Obadiah scratched his head, sliding it back to Eliza.

Was Fer-Charelota is working with Obadiah? Or perhaps the two of them are vying to see who can gain Eliza’s favour… Maybe. If his hypothesis is correct, Obadiah will stay far from touching Eliza.

Matt made the wrong chose. His legacy of philanthropy has been tarnished.

“But…”

“But nothing, Elizabeth, I can’t help you with this. But if you’re looking for assistance with possible finan—”

“—You knew Matt,” Kazuki snapped without realising it. He tried to seal his lips shut. Still, the attempt at intrigue was too evident for him to let happen. “Don’t make the same mistake as that old man did.”

Eliza’s voice lowered as she pulled Kazuki down by the ear. “What are you… what do you think you’re doing?”

“Setting the holoboard straight,” replied Kazuki.

“I’m… look, please let me do the talking, you trust me with that, right?”

Kazuki slowly lifted his head up, as Eliza released her grip on his ear. He’ll give her this one chance.At least he got Obadiah to know he had gunpowder in his hands. Business was returned, with Obadiah giving the two a harsh stare.

The facade is perfect, Kazuki sarcastically remarked to himself.

“What you ask of me is something I cannot provide, Contract-Breaker,” he said, placing his hands back together. The air was thick, yet no threat was present, his face remained the same. “Matt’s murder has not been forgotten by many… Perhaps I am the only one willing to… rectify the injustice. If you were not a member of royalty, I doubt you’d be alive.”

Cyrus tightened his grip on his hands. Lady Antiar returned the favour with a slow hand movement up her waist. It got slightly closer to the Champion Blade’s pommel.

Injustice? Kazuki felt like letting of a hoarse chuckle. An omen of death. “Correct assessment. However, I am. Unfair galaxy, is it not? That every action has an equal opposite reaction.”

“Careful, boy, you an your mud brooch forget your place!” Mud brooch... Kazuki scoffed, glancing at Eliza, who meekly brunted the insult to her status.

So Obadiah was even worst than Matt. At least in the superiority complex view.

Eliza spoke up, “I apologise. Kazuki’s just concerned, that is all. I think we can offer you something for that information we’re looking for.”

“Once again, I cannot help you… but… what are you willing to offer, hypothetically?”

A simple bribe won’t work. Kazuki would have to pay an Empress’ ransom in standardis for anything of the sort to work.

Eliza paused, dumbstruck for a moment before starting, “Well—”

Obadiah placed a finger up. “—You have nothing to offer me… You come into my suite, demand a negotiation and your second threatens me… I’m already sitting on a throne of cash. What lofty thing do you think you have to offer?”

Kazuki looked down at Eliza, she was in a stunned silence, not able to respond.

He’ll respond in the way he best knows.

“Your life,” Kazuki snapped. “You don’t want history to rhythm, do you?”

Lady Antiar maintained her guard, her amber eyes glancing down at Obadiah, then over at Kazuki. Eliza shot a look back at him.

”I severed ties with Matt the moment I even caught a whiff of suspicion.”

Kazuki rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t put it past someone like you.”

Obadiah’s face contorted into anger as she stood up. “Snivelly! You insult me in my own abode!”

Kazuki saw Obadiah’s brooch light up with his anger and pride. The air continued to thicken with rage.

“Kaz…” Eliza bit her words off, frustratingly looking up at him.

He ignored her. “Yeah. I insulted your honour. Look around you. What has changed?”

No one uttered a word as he gestured around them.

The answer was clear.

“Nothing,” Kazuki snarled.

“Lady Antiar,” Obadiah said, twisting back towards Lady Antiar… She slowly nodded, her eyes thinning. “I demand that you protect my honour and take his head.”

A moment of silence ushered into the room, Just why would Lady Antiar follow those instructions? Unless… Obadiah was a a High Ranking member of the Mischief Board. Lady Antiar looked at Kazuki, as the two exchanged looks, they both knew it to be true.

“Don’t be a fool,” said Kazuki. “Take my head and my father will come down Liberator’s way. All will burn.”

The threat was quite accurate to what his father would probably do… if Yuki died. Him? Well… he had no idea. But given everything, it was his ace on the table.

Obadiah gritted his teeth. “Do you retract your statements?”

Kazuki felt a tug from Eliza. She wanted him to accept it. She gave him a frustrated glare… Keep glaring, it won’t change his answer, Kazuki thought.

“Hate being compared to that fake philanthropist?” Kazuki snarled, malice and spite within his monotone voice “People call me murderer, but at least I look them in the eyes as I kill them.”

“Bodies litter your footsteps.” Obadiah’s voice receded to a shallow hatred. “We aristocrats… gentlemen and businessmen: we save livelihoods, you take them.”

“With you in charge, the Sub-Levels would be a paradise world.” Kazuki rolled his eyes. “You're not fooling anyone in this room. There are some that bled properly to their position. But you and men akin to you? You’re simply meat on the chopping board. Dressed in nice suits and ties.”.”

Eliza interjected, “Kazuki, I feel like we should…” She stopped talking, the two exchanging looks. She was angry. That he could see. Kazuki pulled away from her.

Obadiah cannot be dealt with, Kazuki thought. Too volatile a reputation and power.

“Don’t forget, without me, the bodies and furnaces I filled would never hesitate to kill you,” he said. “You killed people before. Who cares if it was by another’s hand. They’re dead all the same.”

Obadiah spoke, defending himself, “I did what was needed to protect the Republic from sycophants.”

Kazuki shook his head. “And just like that, they were replaced by men like you.”

“Kazuki…” Eliza’s voice faded.

“YOU DARE TALK TO ME LIKE THIS, CHILD?!” Obadiah shouted, looking to his guards. “It is us who built this Republic, and you who’ll burn all we have created!”

Kazuki sneered, “It was my father who elevated your batch of pigs to the podium… First it was the Nasseri Government, not tyrannical very quickly. Next are the Ílizes… I wonder how long it’ll take for your brains to splatter the windows.”

“Snivelry,” remarked Obadiah. He pointed a vicious finger at Kazuki, speaking with a vile tone. “The Proscriptions were necessary… Nasseri was going to turn the Republic into his hall of sycophants. Your father understood that, that’s why he worked with us to remove him!”

“Make no mistake. He holds only contempt,” Kazuki said. “Between two poisons, he chose the one that hasn’t stabbed him… for now.”

The two traded death glares.

The guards made small movements, but Cyrus turned towards them. One hand on his great sword, sheathed in a large scabbard on his belt. They looked at Lady Antiar. She didn’t move.

No one moved.

Kazuki continued, “Live in the filth and you’ll quickly come to love it. I bled tankers full - whilst people like you sipped on your Kastí wine.”

“Slander…” Obadiah spat out. “I challenge you to a duel, the old way. The Imperial Way.”

That was enough consent to kill him right now. But not in front of Eliza.

Kazuki lingered in thought for a moment, glancing at Cyrus, then at Eliza. She was gripping the ends of her dress, grumbling audibly.

“Why?” Kazuki leaned down towards her. “Obadiah’s no fool. He cannot be trusted… Accepting any deal from him would lead to worse outcomes.”

“But… you said you’d trust me with—”

“—Accept this challenge, Contract-Breaker!” Obadiah pointed a finger at him. He patted Lady Antiar on the shoulder, as she side-stepped away from him - disgusted by his aura of wealth. “I, however, am old… I dub Lady Antiar the Champion against your wretched self.”

“Lady Antiar. You don’t have to do anything Obadiah says.” Kazuki looked directly at Lady Antiar.

Lady Antiar sighed, closing her eyes. “I am honour bound to fulfil this request. However, understand that if the Marquis refutes this, I am honour bound to fulfil his request over yours.”

Obadiah grunted in annoyance. “He will not object,” he said, with vicious eyes piercing Lady Antiar, though she remained still.

It must be quite hard. Being forced by honour to serve that slug. Quite unfortunate, Kazuki jeered within himself.

Eliza glanced up at Kaz, then Lady Antiar. She returned a strained glance, before setting her eyes on Kazuki, dead-set on victory. Whatever Lady Antiar was thinking, it seems her hatred of Contract-Breakers, the dishonoured, outweighed her disgust for Obadiah.

After all, Obadiah is still ‘honourable’. He’s completed his contracts… And in a galaxy so hell bent on oaths, contracts and promises, that was a given he’d skim around the edges.

Obadiah’s blue eyes glared at Kazuki. “I’ll finish what Clandestine started, bring you to justice.”

“Hey!” Eliza spoke up, frustrated. “We are... we don’t mean offence. We simply wish for your assistance.”

Obadiah snarled, “As long as the Contract-Breaker stands with you, I will never entertain the thought.” His lips formed up into a curl. “But I’m sure… that can change.”

So that’s how it’ll be. Lady Antiar… As the Champion of the Imperial Knights, she must specialise in close quarters fights with bolt and blade. His victory condition is simple: wear her down in range. Win the skirmish before the brawl.

“And you.” Kazuki’s response made best use of his emotionless demeanour. Venom prickled out from the verbal bomb. It was little more than an open declaration of hostilities between the two, only stopped by their adversion to spill blood… here.

Negotiations have been derailed. For the better, Kazuki assumed. He wasn’t worried however. Though Eliza was grumbling.

It doesn’t matter. He’ll pry the information from all their lips, until nothing of them remains.