“Make your next move, emperor.” the warrior with the looks of a dandy challenged the emperor—also known as, the guru of battle. His blond hair swaying with the wind and his blue eyes staring down his opponent with cheer confidence. “But someone as smart as you should know... this battle is over.”
The emperor pushed the bridge of his glasses, lighting up the lenses with a strong blinding light that joined the blazing sunlight behind him. “An admirable attempt, Golden Baron.” he responded with a smug expression of his own—his white tunic flowing with the aggressive gust as his dark brown eyes stared back at the baron. “But your reckless actions have led you straight into my trick card!” he claimed with a quick motion of his arm, summoning a giant explosion that shook the battlefield—eliminating all of his opponents’ warriors on the field.
“W-what, that’s impossible! That card... it was sealed in the dark catacombs of the three sages!” The baron quavered with disbelief and anger. “Who... who are you!” he demanded.
The emperor smirked and turned his back towards his opponent. “I am...” he began with a dramatic pause. “The guru of battle.” Rising his arm in the air, the emperor finally reveled his trump card to end his turn, the colossal beast known as, ‘Cyclops-executioner Z 2000 recharged—special edition.’
Summoning the beast on the field, the man known as the guru of battle commanded the monster to attack the baron directly—showing no mercy against his opponent. The creature pushed his gigantic arm forward toward his victim, shooting a large beam of energy that struck against the baron’s body.
“N-no way...” The baron tried to resist, but the attack proved too strong for him to even stand a chance. “No... no waaaaaaaaaay!” he screamed as the beam dissipated the last remains of his lifeforce.
“Ahahahahahahaha!” The emperor laughed maniacally at his victory.
“Aaaaaaaaaaagh!”
“Hahhahahaha!
“Shut up!” Claire snapped at the pair and slammed her hands on the table—causing some cards to fly off of it.
Voyin’s port, Blue Lobster’s Ship: 936, February 10th, Wednesday, 1:00 PM.
Scott and Eric immediately sat straight in their chairs with blank expressions on their faces—avoiding any perilous movements that could alarm the predator glaring straight at them. Attaining some silence at last, Claire huffed to release the remaining anger within her before heading back to a double couch at the end of the room—sitting beside Tori and continuing to read her book.
“Do you have to be so loud?” the lieutenant complained.
Scott rubbed his neck with a nervous smile. “I mean, it’s more fun when you really get into it...”
Tori laughed nervously. “I-I mean... I don’t mind if you are just a little bit loud.” She said with a gesture of her fingers—attempting to get a middle ground for everyone.
“What is that dumb game anyway...” Claire asked with a raised eyebrow.
Scott smiled and presented a small box with flashy colors and diverse looking monsters on it. “It’s called, Cards O’s!” he said enthusiastically.
“O’s...?” Tori tilted her head slightly to the side.
Claire frowned and crossed arms. “Why does it sound like cereal?”
“Oh!” Scott proceeded to pick another small box nearby and present it to the group. “You mean, Cards O’s-O’s!”
Eric nodded with a quick hum and a serious expression on his face—crossing his arms. “These are mostly manufactured in Voyin’s neighboring province,” he explained. “A true display of the might and acumen of the Gladean Empire.” the noble expressed with pride.
“It’s cereal!” Claire roared.
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The sudden creaking of the wooden door interrupted the groups bonding activities as Gaspard made his way inside the room. “Sorry to interrupt your lively conversation everyone, but the food is ready to be served.” the butler bowed. “Please head to the dining room when you are ready.”
After their successful operations in the empire, Bloodhound was called back to Hemel by their CEO to receive a short vacation while they await their new task. Having reported on the events that unfolded after destroying the belfry, the group was enforced to maintain the incident strictly confidential and avoid any conversation regarding the knight known as, Ninigi.
At the dinner table, Bloodhound as well as the blue lobsters enjoyed the exquisite sea food prepared by Gaspard—actively entertained by the ridiculous stories captain Jean had to offer. Their bellies filled, the group split up and returned to their usual activities.
Claire stood outside in the ship’s deck, looking at the peaceful waves of the ocean as her mind wondered about all the stories and legends she’s read ever since she was a little girl. A hobby that was introduced to her by her mother—who used to read her many heroic tales about the knights and the champion. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted however, as her phone suddenly began to vibrate with an incoming call.
“Yes, sir!” she greeted her boss—as if answering to a drill sergeant’s question during boot camp. However, she received no response from the other side. Claire groaned softly with a frown on her face, assuming the call was another mistake from the clumsy CEO. “Did you call by mistake again... sir?”
“No,” the voice of a young man came through the phone—taking the lieutenant by surprise.
Realizing the voice didn’t belong to Arwen, Claire skeptically continued to engage in a conversation with the mysterious man. “Who are you?” she asked with a threatening voice.
“You don’t need to be on guard with me, you know.” the man responded with irritating smugness. “How are you doing?”
“Where is Arwen?” Claire ignored the question and growled one of her own.
The man huffed a laugh before answering. “He is having lunch at the moment. I thought I could talk to you in the meantime.”
“What’s your name?” she asked sharply—continuing her interrogation.
“Hmm.” the man hummed for a second while thinking of an answer—Claire’s ear caught the sound of a creaking door leaking through the phone’s speakers. “Most call me, Sovereign.” the man claimed. “But I want you to ca—"
“What are you doing?” Yeon’s enraged voice came through the speakers from a not too far distance. “Who are you calling?”
“Uh oh.”
“Sovereign?” Jacob’s voice leaked through the speakers as well—surprising Claire who believed it to be Arwen’s.
“I told you to stay away from that phone, didn’t I.” Yeon’s voice became angrier as the sounds of her stomping footsteps grew louder.
“W-wait, I can expl—"
Claire flinched at the violent sound of a large wooden object snapping in half. She listened intently with a slightly open mouth and raised eyebrows— the sound of flying objects and breaking glass bombarded her ears through the phone.
“I’ll call you later!” Sovereign claimed enthusiastically.
“No, you won’t!” Yeon’s infuriating statement was quickly followed by the sound of a body forcefully hitting the floor.
“Ugh! Wait, Ki-Jo—"
The call suddenly dropped and Claire was left dumbfounded at the bizarre phone call she just heard. Receiving a quick message right after, Yeon confirmed Arwen’s well-being and explained—in scary detail—how the actions of her ‘rogue co-worker’ would be rightfully punished.
Finding it impossible to process the events that just unfolded, Claire sighed softly and accepted Yeon’s explanation as she felt a headache growing by the second—putting the phone back in her pocket. “Maybe the card game wasn’t too bad...” she said while rubbing her forehead.
Cerberus HQ, CEOs Office: 936, February 10th, Wednesday, 2:00 PM.
“And let that be a lesson for you,” Yeon expressed calmly while wiping her hands with a small handkerchief. “Sneaking in a call like that...”
“I just wanted to thank her...” Sovereign’s twisted body lied on top of the desk as steam vented out of it. “She confirmed Ninigi’s presence, you know...” he let out a painful groan.
Yeon exhaled loudly to calm her nerves—putting the handkerchief in her pocket. “Regardless, you should be more careful with your identity.” She warned her stubborn boss.
Jacob reluctantly approached the desk and presented a small letter for Sovereign to see—the note carrying a golden seal with the letter K at its center. “It’s a message from King, Sovereign.” He said, putting the letter on the desk.
“Hm?” with an instant recovery from his previous beating, Sovereign took the letter and sat back on his seat—proceeding to read its contents right after. The message expressed king Date’s wishes in further aiding Cerberus, suggesting a partnership between parties as well as a meeting in person with their ‘new owner’—avoiding Arwen’s name altogether.
Yeon crossed her arms as she waited to be informed about the letter’s contents. “What does it say?”
Sovereign grinned with his usual smugness, finding the message to be quite amusing. “Jacob,” he called to his assistant.
“Yes, Sovereign.”
“You are getting married.” Sovereign looked at him with raised eyebrows and a bright smile.
END OF CHAPTER