Upon leaving the room and taking my first step into the hall, I didn't have to go far to find someone waiting for me, A Redmane in fact but I did come to realize that ever since my Evolution, I could easily tell them apart from the rabble of the mainland, they all carried a distinct aura that was now much more noticeable to me and somewhat felt like Mythral itself.
Still, the Redmane in front of me was leaned against the wall opposite of the doorway with his arms crossed in a relaxed manner and certainly looked like he was guarding something or in this case, someone. "Kazu, your awake. I hope you enjoyed your rest. The guildhall is once again fully staffed and daily operations are back up. I don't recommend letting anyone see you freely walking around right now, you are technically under custody of the Guild till your Trial" he said with a certain degree of respect in his voice.
"... I already knew all of that, next you’re going to tell me the message from Theitus is a few hours away," I remarked with some humor, but he gave my words a look of confusion.
"I didn't know that. If that is correct then you and Theitus can begin the next step of your plan sooner than some of us thought," he said with a bit of surprise. "I would never doubt your words but if I may ask, how did you know this?" He asked to which I simply shrugged off.
"... Birds told me," I remarked getting a look of bewilderment, but that was expected from anyone who would have heard what I just said. "Never mind... Just tell me where I can go, I just need to stretch for a few hours..." I added to which he rubbed at his neck in some thought.
"Stretch? the Guild ranking grounds are unoccupied but if I may Kazu, you have yet to fully rejuvenate yourself from the Labyrinth..." he stated looking every bit concerned. "You kind of stink..." he added with a nervous laugh which did cause me to realize just how right he was.
In my defense ever since I returned from the Labyrinth everything was too chaotic that I simply overlooked it, but he was right despite a clean face, I could still smell the lingering odor. "... Right... I'm assuming the guildhall has baths or something I can use," I asked, and he nodded to the question.
"Unfortunately, not but, as per our orders the Redmanes can provide you and your companions with all the baths you'd like and also fresh clothes to wear, I can have this prepared right away for you," he stated seeming eager to help.
"Sounds good," I mused just before he waved me along and through the upper halls of the guild. I followed behind him in a rather comfortable silence with our footsteps being the only thing heard until the muffled rabble of the main hall could be heard.
"... Oh yeah, the guild was completely shut down yesterday, that cursed clan apparently sabotaged the Labyrinth Expedition... Its a shame, I was starting to think that Xiao guy wasn't all that bad," A voice from the main hall remarked which I didn't want to hear but it seemed many were saying the same thing.
"What?! Its not like we expected anything else, it was a mistake to even let that cursed trash become a benefactor, now the guild found itself in a mess that Clan Mugen will end up cleaning up." A different voice replied among the many others.
Still, it was clear just how quickly rumors and lies could spread in such a short time even if I couldn't say I enjoyed how they were portraying me.
"Its pathetic, I know. The look on everyone's faces when you turn this all around will be well worth the insults..." The Redmane I followed stated out of the blue, almost like in some way he thought the overheard words were offending me and sure maybe they did remind me of another time before I ended up in Mythral, perhaps my time with the bonds I made changed how I wanted to be seen by even those who chose to despise me.
"... They will look pretty stupid then, won't they," I remarked to myself before I was led to a vacant room that looked like it was just for storage, but it had a large empty box crafted out of wood that collected dust in its depths.
"This is the best I can do with what is currently available. I hope it will suffice, Kazu. I will bring fresh clothes and set them on the table." My Redmane guide stated to me as he motioned to the empty wooden crate.
"Its good enough... you can go, I'll be fine," I said before he bowed and left the room.
I stood in front of the empty crate that was only big enough to fit one person comfortably and extended my arm over top the edge, it wasn't even a second after when water could be heard splashing into its depths and steam began to rise. of course, a spell like this was nothing special, in fact a low level technique that utilizes physical energy is a spell most could master in A-rank, if they could even use flame and water simultaneously that is.
Still, regardless of the unimpressive talents of the mainland compared to Mythral’s standards, my bath was prepared within seconds, and I stripped the dirty rags off myself that still smelled of grime and sweat. I climbed into the warm water and let my head rest back against the interior as I relaxed in the warmth.
Eventually after all was said and done, the fresh pair of clothes waited for me on the table just as the Redmane said he would. The simple clothing many wore on the mainland wasn't worth mentioning but at least it was clean. I threw them on and walked out of the storage room to see my escort from earlier.
"Kazu, you all done? good timing, it seems Antoris has some new information about your trial. You should head for his office," he stated and motioned me in the direction of Antoris's office. "I need to head back to my position, I'll be sure to take care of your companions when they wake up," he said before he bowed and walked down the hall.
"... Alright. sounds good," I said while I followed his instructions and made my way to Antoris's office.
The short trip didn't take long and once I reached the door, I pushed it open to see the usual sight of Antoris seated behind his desk as he flipped through some documents.
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"I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you walking around the guildhall without supervision, if anyone who isn't part of our alliance seen you walking around freely, we might find ourselves more problems than we already have," Antoris stated in a rather caring manner which seemed to be a bit out of character for him, but it was clear he was being genuine.
"... I know how to lay low. The Redmanes are more than persistent when it comes to that... I heard you wanted me anyways, here I am." I remarked as I took a seat opposite of Antoris and his desk.
He set the few papers he held onto his desk and cuffed his hands together. "I'm not saying you don't know how to. I'm saying we need to be sure to be careful, a small mistake may be the difference between victory and defeat Kazu... but yes, I wanted to speak with you." Antoris stated seeming to be trying to teach me a lesson in a way.
I did agree with where he was coming from, but his caution was overreacting in my eyes, Afterall the Redmanes wouldn't have let me do as I pleased if it would compromise the plan. "... From what it looked like the Redmanes weren't letting anyone on the upper floors, and if there was someone worth noting I would have noticed their presence before they noticed me... So, I doubt there is a reason to worry." I remarked to which Antoris sighed.
"That is true, but even so, Graced Clans are watching everything and reporting back to their Apostles at every moment... If I've made my point, I will return to the matter at hand. The Trial, your Trial has been announced by Clan Mugen." Antoris stated as he leaned forward. "Three days is all the time given to you, Clan Mugen has accepted the terms my Monarch laid out, A Trial here in Vectus and open to the public to humiliate and judge Kazu Xiao, the charges are as follows, Fraudulent Concealment of Rank, Aggravated Assault Against members of Graced Clans, Intentional Sabotage of Graced Clan resources and lastly Complicity with Malevolent Forces. These charges were determined by all the reports given after the Labyrinth incident. They certainly are trying to get rid of you, they know if you were found guilty, the guild will follow shortly after, an outcome they are hoping for."
It was interesting to hear everything that was being blamed on me, but I expected to be outright blamed for everything. "... That’s not going to happen," I remarked with a low hum to myself before the door to Antoris's office opened after a few well placed knocks and a familiar face entered.
"Reg...?" Antoris said as he saw the man step inside his office.
Reg was quick to give a bow specifically to me. "Kazu, Theitus sends his greetings and assures you that everything is being taken care of. Here is all the information, Theitus has provided on this matter." Reg said as he passed a single paper among the stack he was given to me.
The paper was a letter written by Theitus himself and to be honest I didn't hesitate to read it, in a way I felt excited perhaps even happy to read something from someone I haven't seen in a while.
Kazu,
I hope you are managing well. I am glad to see and hear of all the progress you've made since our you left Mythral. I'm aware of your changes as well and I'm quite sure you’re beginning to understand and question things you've may not have before, one being the work I have been doing to bring Mythral back into relevancy with you leading us all.
I have begun taking your plan into account, the object you called a Progenitor’s core may have just been the catalyst you needed. With this, we can prove you are not the enemy of this age. There will be no need to have an expert to observe the core, you've felt the presence it released already. The Apostles of the Clans that were involved will be present at your Trial, once you present the core, they will all know.
The group you encountered within the Labyrinth have been constantly provoking the Graced Clans for quite some time now, of course these incidents they caused were brushed under a table to never see light, but the Redmanes have already organized a few of the bystanders who've witnessed these attacks to cause a commotion, should the core not turn heads. The following papers Reg has brought contain these individuals’ information as well as all known some rather disturbing mistakes of Clan Aerith, Kemonozu and Naria. If anything, we want to bring forth some doubt of the safety Monarchs Graced Clans provide, many would flock to our side if we proposed to tend to the Kyogen.
The other issue that was brought up was, the Graced Clans that would be present at your trial may have an ulterior motive, to bring the guild down with you because of the guilds plan to raise their standing in the sovereign council. I will be tending to this personally your attention should be focused on your Trial, even if you have proof that you are innocent. The Trial could go many ways. Monarchs are beings who would not let an insult go unpunished and revealing things they’ve been hiding may cause them to think of you as even more of a threat than you already are to them but that just give you more power over them, their secrets might ruin their reputations.
I believe you know how to handle this side all on your own, your Esoteric Restrictions will aid you in this, like they have been. We have Vectus under our control, and we will make good use of what it has to offer among what was provided, including the Monarch supporting you for his own greed and ambitions.
It is time for you to take your first steps to what you want. I do believe you already know what that is and exactly how you are going to announce it.
Theitus
After reading the letter, I felt a bit of relief knowing Theitus was already on top of things, in a way it was like he was also using this to teach me how things here worked. My still thoughts didn't miss the meaning behind the last part, I knew exactly what he was referring to and I was a bit excited for that moment.
Still, my thoughts were interrupted by Antoris who waited for me to finish reading. "... So, what did this... Theitus have to say, Kazu?" Antoris asked as I motioned Reg to place the rest of the papers onto his desk and Antoris got the hint to begin sorting through them only to look quite surprised by the few documents he looked through. "... eyewitnesses to these incidents the Kyogen have caused..." he said before stumbling upon the next piece of paper and immediately looked even more shocked. "... Clan Aerith's personal records... Enough to blackmail them..." he continued as he flipped through them quickly to find more. "How? some of this information shouldn't ever be shared let alone known... Clan Kanmori is truly a frightening force," He remarked to himself before he set down the documents looking a bit disturbed.
"We will do everything and anything to succeed, Kazu will shift the balance of the world once again. Our work is his strength, he'll show these arrogant Monarchs the difference between us and them." Reg said with a certain amount of conviction and yet I found myself a bit amused by his statement.
"... Yeah, that's right Reg." I mused before Antoris felt the need to add something.
"What do you intend to do Kazu?" He asked looking between me and reg with a noticeable look of concern.
"... It's not complicated really... I will be announcing my Clan's return during this ridiculous Trial, the guild will accept it and support it. As you can see that is the only right choice, there is only one outcome to all this. The question is what will happen to those who choose to defy it, I suppose they will find out if they want to try." I remarked with some lingering humor.
I had no reason to play around with Monarchs, they were in my way. even if all of the secrets were about Aerith, Kemonozu and Naria the only Clan that had nothing on them was Clan Mugen. Still, everything Theitus provided was enough and gave me an idea of the direction I would take to get what I wanted at the end of this all, I was ready to begin, with the help of allies.