71st chapter : counting stars .

A Hellish night for the council passed with lots of events, having all the team of the fourth ranked descend to the grave peacefully wishing that their leader is alive. Despite the sad events, the elder of jesters couldn’t cancel the festival’s traditions and so he did order for more councilors to carry on the planning of the festival games.

The next day,

“Wake up already!”.

Marco said, trying to wake up Arthur who overslept. Since they’re sharing a room, Marco had been waking him up after he stays most of the night playing games or that’s what Selicia had told Marco who keeps spending his time inside the palace.

Arthur woke up with a mad look on him.

“You know that I will beat your ass if you look at me like that?” Marco said.

He looked at Arthur with the same cold look as Arthur heaved a sigh of exhaustion then he stood from his bed.

“You two really need to look at the way you talk with each other, normally, you can’t just say that to your little brother” Tanya said as she came checking on them.

After hearing her complaint, Marco and Arthur looked at her with a poker face.

“Huh?!” sighed the two of them.

A small reaction was needed indeed as Tanya wasn’t expecting that they’re fine fighting each other that way. They went down for breakfast after that and heard what Emilis had prepared for them.

“Are you really sure about this?” Alex asked as she was eating.

Everyone looked at her, having the same idea about what he had requested from them.

“Well it’s part of the festival after all. I was quick enough to book for us a whole building for the antique blue version. with Fabia ma in the game, we can get the old version of red mermaid’s restaurant. just like the old days, right?!” answered Emilis.

Emilis smiled calmly as he looked at Vanica, Rebecca and the rest of the girls having some nostalgic reactions to his words.

“Does that mean we need to work here too?!” Arthur asked suddenly, thinking that he’s obliged to work too.

“Now you mention it, we have two cute kids that would attract the families and with my portal witchcrafts and Marco’s chains we can even make it to the next level!!” Alex went on alone in her fantasies.

“Hold it for a moment, what are you talking about? Are you telling me to use my chains for something other than fighting or killing people?” asked Marco.

Marco spoke deliberately, thinking what he said was normal which led to everyone looking at him with a blank reaction until Vanica slapped him on the head, although the awkwardness stayed lingering around.

The misunderstanding didn’t go away as Marco understood what he said had affected their mood so he kept quiet about it after that aside from what Alex mentioned.

“It’s not like you’re going to work in the kitchen full time, since we are here!” Tanya said, trying to cheer Marco up.

“That’s true!! You guys are fighting and we are doing nothing but watching!! So I shall use my experience in the wine industry to help the guild prosper in my own way during this festival!!” Shoko added after Tanya with a cheerful smile.

Emilis and Marco glanced at each other for a moment as Emilis didn’t expect that suggestion from Shoko or the rest of the girls either, not out of bad thinking due to his earlier behavior though.

“One way or another I wanna try what Alex suggested so you gotta work as a waiter for now Marco” Fabia said, patting Sophie’s head with a big smile.

“I’m not liking the idea, y’know. Plus Alex senpai, we agreed on keeping the portal witchcrafts a secret from the rest of the guilds at least until we get to the second game”. Marco said with a stern look interjecting to what Fabia spoke just now.

“I get what you wanna say Marco, however it’s most likely not noticeable and Dalian agreed on letting the second release a secret until she uses it in the second game or the other games.” Emilis responded to Marco’s words as he got his attention, “As for the others, I hope you’ll understand that you’re no longer at the state you were in the past months, mostly all of you are past the Advanced A class. More or less I can compare you to a guild master now, so you shouldn’t get cocky. Understood!?” Emilis was serious for a second there.

Alice and the other members looked at him silently then sighed, scoffing a little at how serious he was although he knew that they’ve done their parts quite well.

“We understand that master, still Marco has a good point. I suggest that we go only with his chains so it would look like the hanging gardens. We put tables using master’s witchcrafts then we hang them midair with Marco’s chains, somehow it is acceptable, right Marco?!” Alice said, suggesting based on what Marco wanted to say.

Hearing her suggestion, Marco thought about it calmly then looked aside as Cedric waved to him. The serene smile that Cedric showed had a clear meaning as he was looking for his disciple in his own way too.

“You know that Alex is a capable holder and she’s far from being a childish girl so overlook these things this time and let it pass. You gotta look after a few other problems after all”.

Cedric said as he turned Marco’s attention from Alex’s responsibilities. After all, Marco is always feeling obliged to help her since he’s the one who allowed her to become a disciple of Cedric and so also acquiring the blood of the Deca family. On a different side, the red mermaid knew that well too which explains the reason why they didn’t argue that much against Marco’s words when he spoke.

“So the meeting is now done. It’s almost time to open the blue Antique so prepare yourselves to go. Marco and Carla stay on standby for now, I’m gonna have Sam and Hana work this time instead of you two” Emilis turned to look at the coughing Sam who was shocked by that order, the vigilant smile that followed had him silent about it so he just accepted the orders and went on to prepare himself.

Marco didn’t mind staying behind, however Carla felt like it wasn’t fair to leave her behind when she had nothing to do. Most of them left the house after half an hour, heading straight to the restaurant’s location, while leaving Marco, Sophie and Carla around the mansion. Minerva was inside the house too as she was late to wake up.

“Why has no one come to wake me up!?!” Minerva roared as she came, rushing downstairs.

“That’s because Nora said that you looked like a sleeping baby,” Marco answered.

“Also he said it was a payback for yesterday” Carla responded, adding after him as they were watching TV.

Minerva exhaled a pent up sigh as she looked at them calmly sitting on the couch. The silent atmosphere explained everything for her.

“Why are you two here then?” Minerva asked.

“Master said that there’s no need for our services for today because he’s teaching Hana and Sam the etiquette of work in the restaurant.” Carla said as she stood up to go get some snacks.

“He also said that he’s going to punish you for being late otherwise, if you don’t rush to the restaurant now you’re gonna get really scolded.” said Marco.

Marco’s words had Minerva petrified for a second as she went outside with full speed, not even caring about breakfast.

Carla looked at her rushing outside as she kept calm about what actually was that, she glanced at Marco who switched the channel then spoke again.

“Hopefully she won’t get mad because of that lie and so, wanna train a little?!”.

The two exchanged the balmy glares while Carla put down the plate of snacks on the table.

His question made Carla a little confused as she saw that he didn’t want to talk about what happened earlier, or to why did that happen in the first place. Both figured that Emilis left that room for them to discuss things, seeing that Carla is still Marco’s partner and a girl first and foremost.

The silence continued for a while as even the buzzing sounds of the fridge could be heard aside from the TV shows that passed one by one when Carla or Marco changed the channel.

“I’m ok with training a little” Carla finally replied.

She smiled then stood stretching her arms whereas Marco stood up.

“I’ll go get the wooden swords!!”.

Sophie said out of the blue as Marco and Carla turned swiftly to look at her after forgetting that she was still there. That made the atmosphere grow more awkward for the two.

Marco patted her head, nodding as a yes to her request then went to the backyard first. It didn’t take long for Sophie to return as the two of them took that time, warming up a little.

They stood in their stance after getting juice for Sophie who sat down in the chair to watch them.

“You know, she’s not totally hiding her presence. Doesn't she know that all of us can sense her presence? Also you're gonna help me in training for the rest of the day to perfect my style” Carla spoke suddenly due to the two waiting for the right moment to strike.

Marco sighed, standing out of his stance because of that then he held the wooden sword down. He took a glimpse over to where Layla was staying as she was still putting an eye on Marco.

Layla’s habit of spying on him started yesterday which made a panic inside the house but Emilis told them to keep it low to not hurt her pride or even worse than that, cause havoc in the council’s data records.

“By the way, aren’t you supposed to look after her? She’s still your girlfriend or something of that sort” Carla headed to swing first as she spoke.

Marco blocked the hit then sighed, responding with a swing alongside an answer.

“That’s also not my problem” answered Marco.

He pushed her to the back then held the sword straight to put some distance, stopping Carla from attacking.

“I’m a red mermaid member and she’s the fourth ranked councilor, in other way she’s called the angel of the council you know that. People seeing her with me will give her a bad reputation sooner or later. I know that losing most of her team is a hit but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a part of destiny”.

Marco’s reply made Carla heave a sigh of exasperation as she exchanged blows in a blink of an eye with him while he was answering, although she added a comment on that the moment he stopped talking.

“It’s not always about the status you know. I’m kinda jealous of you y’know! never expected you to be in a relationship in the first place!! but looking at how Hana always brags about having the keys I thought you just don’t care around girls” her words were sincere.

Marco stopped moving then looked at Carla as he realized that something was off since the beginning of this conversation. However, that didn’t stop him from answering her words.

“I’m-!”.

“I know about your past with her” Carla said, interrupting him before he speaks “I know she’s the one who taught you how to smile again, looking that she never cared about what you had before. So why not look after her for now? Look at it from the perspective of repaying a debt that you owe to her”.

Carla smiled at him as she landed three blows on his elbow, neck and stomach. Marco took the blows then balanced himself to land a fatal strike on her head with the wooden sword as a payback. Thus protecting herself, Marco’s hit was sure to land on her head. Carla yawned a lot after that as the two stopped the training for a small momentum.

“What you said is a valid point, still I’m sorry for what she did yesterday. I thought about it a lot given that I saw you seeing yourself as a nuisance around us and so I thought I forced you into staying without asking you for your true opinion about the situation either”.

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Marco reached his hand for Carla to help her stand, she looked at his hand then at him for a moment before grinning a smug face in response for his apology.

The two didn’t have many moments like these before but for what troubles they faced next to each other, both Marco and Carla had their fair share of knowing the other’s habits.

“Well don’t mention it!! you’ve helped in keeping things in touch with my mother and mostly helped in fixing the problems of the guild!! so imposing my idea here will just make me look like the bad guy!!”.

Carla smiled at Marco before trying to take him down with a swing, therefore Marco sighed and blocked the hit before pushing her away to put some distance between them again.

“I’ll go talk to her but…. In the first place, where’s Sophie?” Marco finally noticed that Sophie wasn’t there with them.

Ultimately, Sophie also was able to sense Layla from that far point however she was still a child and so her acts were unlike the red mermaid a bit childish yet matured in a sense of logic too.

“Now you mention it!! Even the cup of juice is still full….. huh ?! She went after her?!!” Carla said as she was looking for Sophie’s euro signals.

The two sensed that Sophie was already sitting behind Layla who didn’t pay attention to that at all.

“I’ll go get both of them but can you promise me something?!” Marco asked, letting out a sigh of tiredness.

“Not mentioning the memory loss or anything else that concerns your past that even I don’t know about?” Carla responded with a smug smile before Marco would vanish from the sight.

At that moment, Layla was still inspecting from far, so not noticing Sophie who weirdly ended up entering the place that Layla was staying in without making a sound was utterly revealing how depressive Layla had become.

Mostly worried that the kabuki guy would go after the ones whom she holds dear, Layla lost the sense of her own safety and knowing that her father is an elder, she wasn’t worried about him while she just thought about Marco after her father.

not knowing Marco’s real strength made her believe that the kabuki guy would go after him either ways and immersed in her long thinking, she suddenly heard a notice from her serment for Marco’s disappearance.

“Huh!? Where did he go?! I just moved my eyes for a second!!” said Layla.

She flustered, checking around with her serment before suddenly freaking out the moment that Marco appeared behind her.

“Sophie, what did I tell you about using the bunny ears to go play around?” Marco addressed Sophie who was calmly watching Layla’s acts.

He sighed then looked at Layla gulping her breaths, not expecting that he would appear in front of her out of the blue.

“You know, your cover isn’t even professional so work on it. Also Sophie was here from the very first moment that we went to the backyard.” Marco said as he held Sophie up in his arms.

“Layla neechan is really an airhead!” Sophie said out of the blue.

“ What did we also say about this kind of comment?” Marco answered as he pinched Sophie’s nose.

“Ack !! sorry!!” Sophie answered, apologizing on the spot.

“That’s a good girl” Marco patted her head after that.

Seeing them interact like that had Layla relieved a little, although the vexation was still lingering in her reactions.

“How did you find me? No in the first place how did you come here? I’m pretty far from the mansion?” Layla was puzzled.

“First, I told you that that data is wrong , I’m not like what the council has on me. Second, you’re too stressed to be looking after me. It’ll be better if you just come and sit in the backyard with us,” said Marco.

Marco tried to smile at Layla who felt a little disheartened, however she just smiled back, thinking that he’s trying to do his best while on the same side she felt like Marco had changed a lot, although he still cares for her she felt like he was a totally different person.

By the end she accepted his offer.

Accepting his offer was rushed. At least that’s what Layla thought after they arrived in the backyard and stood face to face with Carla, remembering what happened yesterday.

Marco looked at the two girls having an awkward moment.

“Normally I wouldn’t allow a councilor to get into our mansion without a proper reason but you’re an exception, Carla let us finish the training session”.

Marco said as he was looking aside at Sophie who just kept smiling the moment that Selicia appeared next to Marco. Layla picked on that as she saw him clicking his tongue on his own then picked up one of the wooden swords laying around.

The tension from that act just now had Layla almost fall into despair, overthinking the situation on her own.

“You know I guess I’ll be heading back to the office”.

Layla said out of the blue, therefore neither Marco nor Carla responded to her words, putting more strength into their slashes to hint that it was a no to moving from that chair.

Eventually, Layla tried to throw her hints on Carla too, waving her hand here and there for her whenever she was facing Marco’s back.

“I won’t be holding down until I get that move right”.

Carla ignored Layla’s waving and addressed Marco who just tilted his head with a sigh before blocking a strike from Carla.

Although she was starting to feel down for that kind of reaction that Carla gave her, Layla was surprised by how fast Carla was in that second as she saw that Marco blocked it easily too.

He pushed Carla back then switched to attacking by moving two steps ahead and positioning himself to pierce through Carla’s defenses with a thrust.

Carla’s movements were like a dance as she moved in a half circle while blocking the hit to deflect it to the air with her sword on her back. She bent herself a little and went through Marco’s range in order to have a clear strike via a downward slash, however Marco forgot himself in the moment and kicked her straight in the guts to gain enough time to grab the sword again and try to strike.

“Stop!! kicking was out of the list!!” Carla said, making him go back to reality.

“We didn’t agree on a handicap, plus, Yuna nee went and created this style based on your stats, you should learn how to use it properly already. I didn’t go on the pain of injecting the style inside the sword’s scriptures for nothing” Marco responded as he sighed after that.

In the middle of that talk, Layla stayed there speechless, watching the two argue over. Indeed, getting calmed down by that.

After some time of only watching, Layla realized how stressful it was and just thought it’s ok to stay like that for a while until she’s fully calmed and back to her own senses, eventually, picking up on their conversation to find it a bit joyful yet funny in a sense.

“I know that’s easy but learning it without a euro cloaking is hard you know!” Carla complained.

Carla was upside down because Marco had slammed her down with a hard strike.

Layla giggled a little remembering the old times with him, not noticing that Sophie was watching her again.

“Ah!! Lu neechan just laughed!!” Sophie said out of the blue as Layla was flustered by that.

“She sure does that. Sophie, don’t be pushy or else I won’t take you to the restaurant later” Marco responded, patting Sophie’s head.

Layla looked at him then released a heavy deep breath.

“By the way , you just said euro cloaking, right?” Layla asked so sudden.

Marco and Carla looked at her before turning to look at each other for a second.

“Hmm? Yeah, is there something wrong about it?” Carla asked as she was cleaning herself from the sweat.

“No, I mean you can do that?!” asked Layla in aww.

Layla was surprised, however she thought that getting information about the red mermaid would satisfy her stress, knowing that she doesn’t really believe in the idea of Emilis being the strongest guild holder in the whole world.

“If you’re asking questions to gather information about us then don’t do that Lu” Marco interjected.

“That’s uhm!! For a personal purpose you know!! Not like I’m looking at the whole guild but I want to protect… Sophie from the danger!! She’s adorable and fluffy!! It’ll be a problem if you can’t do a euro cloaking you know, you can’t protect Sophie…!!”.

Marco knew that she was talking nonsense and so he let her keep talking while telling Carla to continue training.

Layla took five minutes to realize that Marco didn’t pay her attention most of the time, she pouted therefore eventually he spoke while training with Carla, answering her first claims.

“I’m a bad match to any of the holders, so not even that kabuki guy would be a threat to me. One way or another, I’ll be the one to protect my family including you. Just take it slow and rest, I’m here”.

Marco’s words were kinda heartwarming, however he doesn’t know how to say them face to face. So Carla’s training was the best moment for him to speak those words.

Hearing his words that were dedicated to a different girl made Carla jealous and also furious which led to her perfecting the swift moves just to give Marco a beating. She was mad at him indeed.

“You idiot!!” Carla knocked him harshly “There’s a time for this kind of talk!! And not just like that. Next to being gloomy, you really know nothing besides cooking, cleaning the house, taking care of things on your own, working all kinds of work, fighting and euro scripting” Carla said as she realized a second later that Marco’s characteristics are bound to be well built at some point. “You’re just an airhead who doesn’t know how to speak romantically!!”.

Carla was blushing from her words as at the same time she was mad at him.

Marco listened to her complaints while being upside down from her last attack. He stood calmly then instantly vanished from the sight. Carla was on her guard for a payback. Although she sensed that he appeared behind her, his sword went through hers like a mirage before landing a strike from the left that blew her to the other side.

“First , I know that I don’t know about romance or stuff, second you succeeded in perfecting the swift moves without a euro cloaking, see it wasn’t that hard” Marco answered coldly.

Marco smiled at Layla for a second as she wasn’t expecting that kind of battle reaction.

“You’re thinking that it was close to your level, am I wrong?” Carla was wiping her sweat after standing clean from Marco’s strike.

“Uhm! Ah?! Yeah I guess, sorry for yesterday by the way” Layla answered while flustered.

Carla and Marco looked at her as Carla chuckled at how Layla talked. Before Layla would speak again Carla spoke first.

“You don’t need to bring that thing back so it’s ok!! Also since you’re considered Marco’s girlfriend, you’re also part of the family so if you’re in a pinch just scream this gloomy bastard’s name and you’ll find us coming to your help in no time”.

Carla’s words put Layla’s heart at ease once again, same as Marco’s did earlier. In a way or another, a sudden thought struck through her mind, if only she looked around the city more, if she looked at the red mermaid members more and with a different perspective, she would’ve just been there with them. Just a small daydreaming of being next to the one she loves most, spending her days peacefully and enjoying her life to the fullest.

Eventually, upon hearing Carla’s words Layla smiled her fullest, a bright smile that soothed the tensed atmosphere from a second ago.

“That makes us even I guess!” answered Layla.

Her smile showed that her heart was in a serene state and so Carla smiled back as they clenched fists at each other.

Lost within the moment, only Marco and Sophie noticed a different figure standing behind them.

“Since she’s now allowed to enter inside and go whenever she wants, can I say that I was annoyed by how she was spying on us from afar?”.

Arthur suddenly appeared behind Layla, making her faint for a second from fear. She saw that Marco, Carla and even Sophie weren’t flinched by that.

“You don’t have to point that out, and what brings you back? I thought Tanya san said she needs you for something?” Marco responded.

“Yeah, I came to take Sophie with me. If I’m going down the rabbit hole I’d rather go with the bunny herself, that would be easy for me” Arthur responded as he gave Sophie a jacket.

“Most likely, she’ll try to dress you like a girl so try to not kill her in the process, you’ll get paid if we get more customers you know that ” Carla said as she was drinking some refreshments.

Arthur looked at her with a cold scary look before answering.

“I’ll not guarantee that I won’t do that instinctually, let’s go Sophie”.

Arthur responded as Layla looked at him with a bit of a shock, not expecting that answer. Her mind strayed for a second but she realized the off about this moment.

“Wait?! Did you cross all that way on your own?! It’s dangerous outside right now!!” Layla was still worried.

Arthur and Sophie looked at her, tilting their heads to the side, the same way Marco does it.

“Huh, yeah I did. Is there a problem?” Arthur asked.

“Of course there is!! Maru!! Are you letting your siblings go outside while that kabuki man is still on the run?!” she added.

Carla grinned awkwardly, realizing how Marco feels when Layla reacts that way.

“Ahahaha, you got a point!! Let's all go to the restaurant!” Carla answered as she covered Arthur’s mouth before he could speak since he was holding Sophie on his back.

Fifteen minutes later, they closed the mansion’s doors and went outside heading straight for the restaurant. Arthur clicked his tongue as he saw that Layla was holding on Sophie and him in a protective way, more so than what Vanica usually does around the two of them.

“You should’ve just let me go on my way you know”.

Arthur was glaring daggers at Carla alongside Marco who was silent at that time. “You can at least let them walk on their own, Lu, Arthur’s like a wild cat” Marco finally spoke as Layla let him go.

Arthur eventually took Sophie from her arms after that.

“She’s also not a baby so please don’t look down on us”. Arthur was straight to the point as he knew that Layla was overreacting.

“Don’t just say that Arthur, she did not spend a lot of time with us and you know what I will do if you say something to her”.

Marco was threatening Arthur regarding talking about his strength, or showing it until the time comes. However, Layla felt the bloodlust as she was surprised, thinking that he was truly threatening him.

“Stop!!”.

Layla yelled at Marco to scold him but Arthur just replied with the same level of bloodlust as the two brushed her scolding away.

“What if I do?” responded Arthur.

Everyone stopped walking as Sophie was calmly smiling while holding Arthur’s hand, not minding the tension that was rising around her.

From a different side, Layla was just clueless at this point, shooting glances at Carla to help her with this problem, therefore Carla just took Sophie’s hand and let them go wild instead. Fortunately nothing serious happened.

“You really don’t know how to speak with your little brother do you? and not like he has any particular respect in talking either, Arthur.” Melu said as she met with them the moment that Arthur responded to Marco.

She instantly broke the mood and calmed everything down, leading the way after scolding them a little bit.

After meeting with Melu on the way, they arrived at the restaurant then explained some stuff to Emilis to get his agreement in letting Layla spend some time with the red mermaid whenever she wants, thus only Marco got a response from Yuna who told him that Dalian sent a message to Emilis, telling him that he’ll let his girl recover her spirits within red mermaid’s environment.

The five of them settled in the kitchen as Carla took Sophie and Arthur for the task they talked about. Leaving Marco to get ready on his own whilst Layla waited for him to return.

“What are you going to do now, Maru?” Layla asked.

“Hmm? I’m joining the waiters, although Zack senpai and Alex senpai are doing a good job in covering for Sam’s incompetence” Marco spoke while changing his upper shirt.

“Hein!! you want a piece of beating bastard!!” Sam heard him and he wasn’t happy by that.

“I’m pretty much sure that I’ll stand out victorious, so keep it down. Now I remember, you liked eating at Fabia ma’s restaurant in Mustfit,” Marco responded then turned to the sitting Layla.

She blushed for a second, “How did you?!”.

“Rebecca neesan told me,” Marco answered, “Master! Can we start doing what we talked about this morning?!”.

Marco said though it was a lie about Rebecca telling him, since he saw her dozens of times but she just didn’t realize that.

“If you’re going to do that!! means that we can finally start our plan too!!” Tanya said, responding to his call as she came with some plates.

Layla looked at her as once again she saw a new side of Marco’s entourage.

On the same hand, she’s still discovering a lot about him.

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