Novels2Search

The Opening Move, Part 1

[Notice: An Apostle has been Detected: The Target has been Recognized as a possible Threat: Suggestion: There is currently a Sixty percent chance...]

"... Quiet down," I remarked with some lingering humor at my Esoteric Restrictions who were already offering a solution to Antoris for simply being an Apostle. Still, my comment did fill the silence that followed Antoris's statement to the Member of Clan Mugen known as Ezra.

However, Antoris did cause Ezra to stop dead in his tracks and my growing habit of speaking aloud to my Esoteric Restrictions wasn't easy to stop but it felt as natural as breathing.

Ezra did look toward me like I was some sort of madman for talking to myself before he turned his attention to Antoris with a single amused scoff at his surrounding. "Antoris Vosse, it’s been a while... I was just following the orders of my Apostle, we can't have your 'Benefactor' just walking around like he isn't a suspect in all this, and My Apostle trusts you will detain him as promised until Clan Mugen's Monarch has made a decision on the matter," Ezra explained ignoring Antoris's Authority entirely, while his blue eyes remained upon him with a smile that made it look like he didn't even consider Antoris a threat. I could only assume it was because he was SS-ranked or perhaps the standing of Clan Mugen across Aterius. Regardless Antoris closed his eyes for a moment as a breath escaped from his lips.

"You can tell, your Apostle, Aksha the agreements will be upheld," Antoris stated from atop the grand stairs with an air of finality.

"That is good to hear... alright then, Bye-Bye!" Ezra replied without any hesitation or any further confirmation than what Antoris provided. Still, the sudden shift of Ezra's seriousness to something playful did cause me to tilt my head in a bit of confusion as he began to leave but didn't forget to stop right next to me before doing so. "We'll see each other soon." He remarked with amusement before he stepped away and left the Guildhall without any further comment.

Which left a silence between me and Antoris. It wasn't hard to tell he was displeased by what occurred within the labyrinth and he didn't hesitate to make that clear with his next words. "You failed?" He asked bluntly with a sharp glare upon me as he no doubt examined the faint Aura I now exuded, something he never saw before.

"No... I would say, I more than accomplished what was needed," I said as I began to reach his level. After all, Antoris didn't seem to have the intention on attacking me in anyway even if he did it wouldn't matter, my Esoteric Restrictions had my every part of my being on high alert.

Antoris didn't comment on my steps approaching him rather it seemed he was actually intrigued by what I had said. "It would seem that way..." he muttered almost low enough for me to hear it, but he did continue after his momentary pause. "... Did you know prior to the word the Expedition was at risk, fingers immediately pointed to you. Truthfully my Monarch needed the Expedition to go as planned, as one we were outraged and intended to do what was needed. However, upon returning to the Guildhall, well over half of my staff and numerous assets that the Guild possessed vanished at an oddly convenient time. How long have you been planning this and how did you accomplish it." Antoris questioned with a surfacing anger that I couldn't blame him for but that simply wasn't my doing even if I guessed what he was implying, and the culprits were someone I was familiar with.

"... Ah, that's why this place is so empty," I remarked as I reached his level with a newfound sense of ease and amusement at his speculations.

In other words, his loss put me in a position where I had an advantage over the Guild and somewhere out there was a massive red-headed man laughing at all this. After all the Redmanes did this for me, all I had to do is grabbed the thread and pull.

I certainly needed to give my thanks to them and Theitus.

"I'm waiting, Kazu." Antoris said with some impatience.

"...Huh... your questions aren't exactly relevant right now, Antoris. I can return those things for you and provide you with even more. The only question that matters is, what are you going to do now, Antoris." I remarked while we remained in some sort of standoff. "... Are you going to throw away your only chance for Vectus to come out on top in all this."

Antoris was fully aware of the implications behind my words, and he knew without those specific assets and numerous employees that vanished, there was a high chance that it would deal a blow to the guild and Vectus's Monarchs progress after years of hard work.

"On top? I'm afraid that will be impossible even if you restored the assets you stole, you still will be blamed for what happened within the Labyrinth and quite possibly completely ruin my Monarchs reputation for allowing a Xiao to become a benefactor of the guild in the first place." He said as his hands began to clench in a mixture of fury and disappointment.

However, I didn't hesitate to speak my mind with a flat gaze upon him. "... Are you sure about that..." I said as both me and Antoris felt a presence exuding from within the guildhall, one that Redmanes hid from the entire guild for years. "Why don't we have a seat in your office... I'm quite tired after all." I remarked as if I wasn't implying a single thing but in truth the source of the presence came from there and Antoris certainly didn't miss that.

It took him a moment to process my words and the presence that was unknown to him, but he did step forward looking every bit under stress before he led me to the double doors of his office while never taking an eye off of me.

"Who is behind these doors, Kazu." Antoris asked bluntly with a hand wrapped around the handle.

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I felt some sort of humor scratch my throat and I was a bit curious myself seeing as the handful of presences coming from his office weren't comparable to anyone like Theitus or Altear. "Probably those you thought were your employees," I said as the doors to his office opened to reveal three individuals whose hair shined like a fiery storm of red. I had to admit seeing such a familiar hair color that was only associated with Mythral, the place I knew I could completely rely on did resurface some pleasant memories.

However, Antoris did look like he was just informed of who exactly these individuals were, and it seemed like despite their change of hair color he knew who they were to him. "Kanmori...? The Golden Legion. that's absurd that one looks exactly like..."

"Reg? you knew me by that name Apostle of Vectus but today you see us as a relic of the past, The Warrior Gods legion has made a move. I suggest you and Your Monarch take a seat. The time until Clan Mugen decision won't be long now and Kazu will not suffer a single consequence for what you petty deities want to be true." The Redmane who went by Reg stated calmly while he stood in the middle of the two Redmanes with him.

Antoris's confusion didn't look to be ending any time soon, but he did comply with the request made, "Surely this will be explained. My Monarch demands to know why there is the Cursed Clan Kanmori within his domain and how long you have been here." he said as he settled within his seat and hands clasped together on his desk.

"I sometimes forget Monarchs like to observe the world through their Apostles, but to answer your question, far longer than you think and our numbers have only increased since the arrival of Kazu, at this point you won't be able to even understand our true numbers. Monarchs truly are ignorant after so many years." Reg said with a chuckle before he turned his attention to me. "You seem to be better than ever Kazu. I think it's time you share what occurred within the Labyrinth before our next course of action." He added with a smirk.

Reg certainly made things clear to Antoris and I did suppose it was about time I gave them all a report on the events that transpired, every exact detail start to finish like it was replaying the scene before me, and in a way it was provided to me by my Esoteric Restriction, Although anything revolving around my evolution was never said even if the faint Aura I now exuded had been observed by all.

I had to assume the Redmanes knew it was something along those lines by the intrigue they had eyeing me up. Regardless after all was said and done Antoris remained silent seemingly in thought, "... Interesting, how can my Monarch believe what you just said to be true?" He said looking toward a rather relaxed me from his spot behind his desk.

"I Don't know... I'm just surprised your Monarchs don't have some lie detector... So, far, I've heard of them reading minds... observing the world from their Apostle... What’s next." I mused mostly to myself before rolling my attention his way, "you still don't get it... I intend to help your little guild," I added with a slight annoyance at his questioning.

"To be honest with you Kazu, Monarchs do possess that ability, but it is limited to those under their Communion. I thought you would have known that after revealing how much you really know about Mana Essence and the pinnacle of power within Aterius. My Monarch has many questions regarding everything you’ve told us but that won't stop other Monarchs to use this chance to rid the world of you and any chance my Monarch had with raising his seat in the Sovereigns Council. After all I do believe, A few of the other Monarchs had begun to catch onto what the guild had planned and personally I simply do not think you or this Clan Kanmori can solve this issue." He replied seeming to be more relaxed after I explained everything but so far, I only told him what had happened and not what was going to happen.

"The other Monarchs knew you were going to form a Clan...? Good. It will make what I've planned much easier." I remarked before extending my arm out.

[Hidden Inventory]

"... If they don't believe me. I'll just show them the threat hiding in their backyard." I said as I gripped and pulled the revolting Progenitors Core out of my hidden inventory.

Antoris and the three Redmanes were left stunned at the very sight of the Progenitors core in my palm, I had a feeling they felt something was very wrong with the presence the Core faintly released. "I see, what a strange object... one My monarch has seen when he tended to Astrid upon bringing her into the guild, I will see to it she is monitored till we can confirm she is in her normal state. Regardless, I will admit something like the Kyogen could potentially cause the other Monarchs Authority to wane if made public. Are you hoping they decide to put you on Trial," Antoris said now aware that proof of the Progenitors core could very well prove to be an effective tool. Still, I was somewhat glad I took the core despite its revolting nature, and it seemed Antoris was beginning to slip back into old habits as he was practically talking like we would before all this happened.

"Yeah, we both know that's going to happen. it'll be me before the guild get their hand slapped or whatever, but my Trial will be the perfect time to show this thing off..." I explained some of my thoughts while the core laid in my palm like a trophy, "I can only assume that white haired kid's Clan is making the final decision on what happens by what the involved Clan’s bring to the Trial and if what you say is true about the other Monarchs wanting to use this to stop The Guild from forming a Clan, This Core isn't a bad idea." I said while placing it back in my hidden inventory.

"Possibly. Although, it seems you've caught the attention of My Monarch, would you be willing to speak privately with him? of course Reg and... I mean Clan Kanmori won't be going with you, but I can promise no Ill intentions are behind this request," Antoris said which did cause the three Redmanes to look toward me before back to Antoris.

"Absolutely not, Kazu is-" Reg began but before he could finish, I interrupted.

"... if that's how we'll get this all sorted out then sure." I remarked for myself, and it did seem like Reg was trying to look out for me but that simply wasn't needed. "... there is nothing to worry about, after all me and Antoris are great friends, right?" I added with a humor scratching my throat and causing a bit of a dry breath to leave my lips as I began to approach him.

Antoris certainly didn't miss the change in the weight of my words as he looked a bit uneasy with a short laugh and a forced smile to go with it. "Yes, I'm glad our trust goes both ways," He replied before he stood from his chair. "While you speak with my Monarch, I will begin tending to the other Benefactor's and getting their reports, Clan Kanmori can either help or wait for your return. Please be respectful, that is all I ask." He stated as one of his hands raised to open a Teleportation circle that he would use to transport me to wherever his Monarch was.

My silent acceptance to the teleportation circle was all Antoris needed before he activated it and sent me through the usual disorientating hues of colors rushing against my existence.

Regardless teleporting was definitely useful, and I couldn't deny I wanted to possess it myself. However, being thrown to one location to the next was getting a bit tiresome. Still, I didn't think I would be meeting face to face with a Monarch. I was even a bit intrigued, considering the current me had never seen one before but I certainly wasn't going to waste the opportunity.