CHAPTER 14
During Rainy Days, Drinking Tea With Some Snacks Are The Best!
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◆Mech-City◆
「...HQ of Mech-Country has changed again, huh- de gozaru...」
On cloudy day.
A woman was standing in front of HQ of Mech-Country with her arms crossed.
Woman had smooth sliver hair up to her waist and tip of her hair was dyed in light blue colour.
She had 'Venetian Maple Leaf Mask' on side of her face and she was looking at the old vintage hand clock which she took out from her pocket.
And she was wearing a beautiful blue kimono.
She was the Guardian of Kiran-land, who was also currently Sub's follower.
(...Master asked me to talk with President about Shigeo's group condition and wellbeing- de gozaru.) < Jyoti >
Jyoti tooks a short breathe and walked into HQ through front door.
Upon arriving, she saw many peoples were hustling and bustling around the hallway.
But she ignored the commotion and went to the reception desk.
「Hello~ My name is Jyoti and I've came here to meet with Mr.President, is he free?」< Jyoti >
「! M-Ms.Jyoti!? I-I-I'm very sorry but Mr.President currently is in meeting at the moment! Will you please come back later!!」
Young woman who was receptionist startled by sudden appearance of Jyoti.
In fact; Jyoti was SSS+ Adventurer and well-known woman who's beauty was on whole another level along with Kitsune's and Num's. Even the whole Mech-Country's civilians sees them with respect and honor.
As for Sub; everyone thinks him as an average Adventurer and nothing more.... And only very few started to change their view upon him 'cause of recent incident.
「..I see....」
Jyoti just nodded to her reply and turned around to leave, when--
「Oh? Hey there, Ms.Jyoti! I wasn't expecting to see ya here...」
Jyoti turned around to voice source, to see a middle-aged man who was wearing office outfit bowing to her....
「....」
「...Oh yes! This is our first time meeting, Ms.Jyoti. I'm the current President of Mech-Country. My name is Rhuko Lama and it's a pleasure meeting you!」< Rhuko >
「? I see. It's also my pleasure to meet you, President Rhuko.」< Jyoti >
「....Just Rhuko is fine, Ms.Jyoti!」< Rhuko >
After a quick chat, Rhuko guides her to his office.
Upon arriving at Rhuko office.
Both sat down at the sofa which was at the side of the room, facing each other.
And soon, Rhuko's PA(Personal Assistant) enters the room holding a tray. Rai(P.A) puts the tray and pours down milk tea on their cups and serve them with some biscuits.
After serving; Rai diligently bowes and leaves the room.
Rhuko took a sip from his cup and open his mouth.
「...So, how's children are doing...?」< Rhuko >
「Oh! I've also came here to talk on this matter- de gozaru~.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti talked in calm voice, what was going on with them.
And at the end of their chat, Jyoti assured Rhuko by telling him, 'Don't worry, by giving my Master to look over them was the right choice. They'll be more safe than any other place- de gozaru', and tooks a sip from her cup in diligent manner.
「...I see. I'm happy to hear that..!」< Rhuko >
Rhuko said with refreshing face, which indicates he was somewhat relief to let go his worry for the children.
(...And I think I should leave now- de gozaru.) < Jyoti >
As for Jyoti, she had strong urge to leave the building and be at Sub's side.
「...Umm.....」
「?」
But then, Rhuko seems to have something in his mind to ask her.
「...Ummm..... If Ms.Jyoti wouldn't mind, then..?」< Rhuko >
「Yes?」
「...What does Ms.Jyoti think of this war....? Can we win.....?」< Jyoti >
「Hmm.... I can't say for sure.... Ah yes! Master told me that Mech-City was destroyed by this guy name 'Tom'. Do you have his photo? I wanna see it- de gozaru?」< Jyoti >
「!? Y-Yes, of course!!」
Rhuko stood up from his sofa, and went to his desk, and open the drawer, and took out some pictures and came back to his sofa hurriedly.
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「....Here, Ms.Jyoti!」
Upon returning, Jyoti looked at Rhuko's face who was sweating and somewhat seems to be nervous around her. She couldn't help but to chuckle at site.
Rhuko felt embarrassed and sat down while looking down.
When Jyoti looked at the pictures, she raised her one eyebrow in surprise.
(..So my hunch was on the mark, huh.... After listening to Master's story I did had suspicion, though- de gozaru.) < Jyoti >
「...Kageyama Tomoki.....」
With warily voice Jyoti said.
「!? Y-Ya mean, Kageyama Tomoki!? Who was most closet with 10th Gaurdian, Maria Berlak!!?」< Rhuko >
Rhuko was totally flabbergast upon hearing that name....
And Jyoti also gave him a light nod as an answer.
「..B-But in the 'Records Files', there was different person...!」< Rhuko >
「So, Rhuko-san is telling me I'm wrong then- de gozaru?」< Jyoti >
「?! O-Of course not, Ms.Jyoti!!」< Rhuko >
「Good grief...」
Jyoti sighed, and took out a 'Rolling Paper' and lit it up.
「It is also possible to erase the data, without being notice- de gozaru, is it not?」< Jyoti >
「....」
「Hah....This is getting more troublesome than I thought....」< Jyoti >
Rhuko couldn't reply to her and continue to look down.
Jyoti tooks a long puff and continue to explain, of how she knows Tomoki.
Jyoti's first meeting with him happen, when he had visited the Kiran-Land with Maria Berlak.
And when Jyoti and Tomoki did a sparring match. Jyoti quickly understood that Tomoki was more powerful than current Guardian of Mech-Country.
After that, both Tomoki and Maria returned to their country.
Jyoti had another encounter with him again after few years in Kiran-Land.
But that time, Tomoki didn't came with Maria. Instead, there was two adults and one child besides him, one adult was female and other two were boys.
Tomoki introduced them: female name was Ino, other adult name was Kira, and child name was Mark.
And when Jyoti asked about Maria. Tomoki just said, '...She's fine....', but the atmosphere around him started to look gloomy, so she stop asking question any further.
And that way: for more than centuries, they all train under her.
Jyoti taught them about Magic, Techniques and many more.
But one day morning before dawn; Tomoki and his gang were at seashore getting ready to leave. But before leaving, Tomoki said, 'I'll never forget your kindness, Ms.Jyoti. And I'll make sure to repay you back'.
And after many centuires; Tomoki name pops up again.
(..Perhaps, its our fate to meet again- de gozaru.) < Jyoti >
Jyoti lightly giggled.
「Then, Ms.Jyoti might know about his followers too...?」< Rhuko >
While saying that, Rhuko puts more pictures front of her. Which were taken from the satellites during the invasion.
Jyoti looked at the pictures but only could identify three people. They were: Ino, Kira and Mark.
「As for other two; I think he met them after departing from Kiran-Land- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >
「...I see....」
Rhuko started to have some deep thoughts. But--
「Hm....As far as I know; Ruiyuko was loyal servant of Mammon. So I'm pretty sure, he's just like his Master, pursuing knowledge. He must've been curious about Espers, so he abducted the Guardian...」< Jyoti >
「....」
Rhuko was just speechless hearing her...
As for Jyoti; she took out 'Vintage Hand Clock' again and looked at it with narrowed eyes.
(..What were you even thinking, leaving this mess behind....Did you forgot the promise we made..?) < Jyoti >
While talking to herself, she took another long puff from 'Rolling Paper', while remembering certain someone.
「*Sigh* Guess I have no choice, then.」< Jyoti >
「...?」
Upon hearing her words, Rhuko slightly tilt his head in question.
「I'm heading to battlefield- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >
「!? B-But I thought S-Sub-kun was against it....?」< Rhuko >
「*Nod* Master is against it but I'm not- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >
「...」
Jyoti somewhat felt responsible for Tom's group, who were her disciples at one point.
(...And besides, I don't think Mech-Country can hold or defeat Tomoki without Guardian.... After all, he is strong as Jim, or maybe even more powerful than him.....) < Jyoti >
Jyoti felt a little concern for Mech-Country.
But this was only one half of her reasoning to go at battlefield.
Her another reason was--
「Well, I'm doing this because of Master wishes to live a peaceful life. So, as a faithful follower of his, I'll do best of my abilities to clear his path, without troubling him.」< Jyoti >
A dignified voice filled the whole room making everything silent and looks at Rhuko with passionate eyes.
Rhuko's inner parts were all shaken up by her voice to the point, where sweats were visible on his forehead.
「....I see..... So, is there something ya want me to do, Ms.Jyoti..?」< Rhuko >
Jyoti smirks at Rhuko's words.
「Yes. Master and Kitsune are at the Steam-Town doing shopping. So I want Rhuko-san to buy me much time as possible 'until I return from the battlefield- de gozaru. You can do it, right?」< Jyoti >
「..Leave it to me, Ms.Jyoti!」
Rhuko nods in response.
Jyoti stood up from her sofa with satisfy grin.
But when she was about to leave, she glanced at Rhuko and open her mouth again--
「Ah yes, I forgot to mention. Master is kinda straightforward guy, so it's not hard to make him to do your biting if you can give him a good reasoning. And if I were to found out then, I promise to tear the very soul out of every one of them for using him to achieve their goals- de gozaru.」< Jyoti >
Jyoti looked at Rhuko with her crimson red eyes, like; piercing through one's soul, while she puts her one hand to her Katana.
Rhuko's all hair stand up by sudden immediate danger, which was in front of him.
He couldn't help but to gulp his own saliva in fear, while looking at the beautiful face of Jyoti and yet dangerous at the same time.
Rhuko nodded several times as if not to offend her.
And so, Jyoti left the office, leaving totally panicked President(Rhuko) behind without even turning her gaze again.
◆Land Of Demons: Ruiyuko's Castle◆
On the Ruiyuko's castle.
There was a underground prison, about 10ft off the castle.
Some cell were painted in dry blood with silence voice. Or from some cell, a high-pitched scream came time to time with freshly blood on the wall.
And on the last cell of underground prison.
Inside the small confined dark room.
Everywhere; from to ceiling, to walls, to ground... Everything was covered in dry blood.
In the middle of the cell was, a blonde man who was in handcuffs by chains and dangling 2m above the ground.
His whole body was covered in dry blood, even his face was hard to recognise by sheer dry blood on his face.
*Click*
But then-- man heard the sound of cell door opening. When the man looked up, he saw a well built Demon front of him who had red cape on his back and curled horns portraying from his forehead.
「It's nice to see you again, Mr.Guardian~.」
「...Ruiyuko....Go to hell......」
The blonde man who was the current Guardian of Mech-Country and the Demon was, Demon Lord Ruiyuko.
They both were looking eye to eye, neither of them back down from looking.
「Well, it seem Guardian is alive and doing fine.」< Ruiyuko >
「....」
Jim continued to looked at him.
「You know~ you've been hostile since the day you arrive here. I promise, I won't do any harm to you, Guardian.」< Ruiyuko >
「...Heh.....After all that beating for weeks... You still can say this....Don't make me laugh...!」< Jim >
Jim gave Ruiyuko a disgust eyes, while spitting on the ground.
A month ago; when Jim arrived at the Fortress of west side borderline.
He was ambushed by only three individuals; one was the Demon Lord Ruiyuko himself. Another one was the chubby guy in butler uniform and the last one was, a young boy who had neon purple hair with jet-black eyes.
Both, chubby guy and the young boy were holding Soldiers as hostage. And Demon Lord Ruiyuko holds a negotiation with Jim saying, 'If you really care about their lives then come with me, Mr.Guardian'.
Without any choice he surrender himself. And soon disappear in thin air with Demon Lord Ruiyuko.
However, The chubby guy and young boy who were left behind gave each other a smirk and said--
'Let's see, who can kill the most, Gluttony-dono!'
'Of course, Vulpes-dono.'
With that: they both started to slaughtered every one who were at fortress. And after killing everyone, Vulpes blew the fortress with an explosion and left the sence with Gluttony.
Unbeknownst to Jim, the lives who he was trying to protect, were all now dead...
For weeks; Jim endured the hellish torture, which Ruiyuko's close aides had inflicted on him.
「....No matter, what you do to me I'll never become your puppets....」< Jim >
「Oh, believe me. I know that very well. So that's why....」< Ruiyuko >
Ruiyuko took out a crystal ball.
From that ball; a light illuminate and projected an video.
「As you can see, this is the live feed of the battlefield and the war is about to begin soon. The things you hold dear and the country you swore to protect will be destroyed as you'll see its demise from here.」< Ruiyuko >
Ruiyuko remarks in serious tone and gaze at him.
「..Heh...Hehe...You know, there's a saying in our country, 'We can do it, if we try'. And I know we'll win this war..!」< Jim >
Jim looked at Ruiyuko's eyes with no hesitation, and said with an grin.
「Ah yes, indeed. The first Guardian of Mech-Country or should I say 'Charlie Gaha' always used to say this whenever we fought.」< Ruiyuko >
「!?」
Jim got surprised to hear the name 'Charlie'...
After all, it was confidential information and only the generations of Guardians and President knows the name of first Guardian.
But Jim soon remember that the Demon Lord in front of him was the survivor of the first great war. So it wasn't impossible for him to know Guardian's name.
「...What a day it was.....Even back then, Charlie didn't took me seriously.... I wonder why..?」< Ruiyuko >
Ruiyuko mutters darkly while recollecting his memories.
But he turned his attention again towards Jim.
「...Guardian, I have a proposal for you.」< Ruiyuko >
「...'A proposal'...?」
「Yes. Or should I say, a bet. Where, if Mech-Country can win this war. Then, I'll back down my other armies from the war, but if I win then, you'll fully surrender yourself to me. What do you say, Guardian?」< Ruiyuko >
A silent went through the cell for a moment, before Jim finally opened his mouth.
「...Fine.... It's a bet, then!」< Jim >
「Hoh~! You seem rather confident. Very well, I'll also play along, after all, I also tend to end this cycle of nonsense battle.」< Ruiyuko >
「..Heh~ I wouldn't be so sure...After all, there's some wild cards out there...」< Jim >
「....I see.... Thanks for telling. Well then, if you excuse me.」< Ruiyuko >
Ruiyuko narrowed his eyes towards Jim but dismisses again.
And turns to leave the cell, when--
「...It's Jim.... Name is Jim.....」< Jim >
「Hm? Oh, I can only remember the names of strong ones... But sadly, you don't come any close but perhaps I'll try remembering your name if you surrender?」< Ruiyuko >
「Yeah....Go to hell....」< Jim >
Ruiyuko smirks and turns to leave the cell.
But before leaving, he left the crystal ball front of Jim, so he could watch live feed of the battlefield.
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So I Just wanna tell that, I've put my Twitter and Facebook Page links on my profile, so if you got free time in your hands, then, why not come visit them and waste time?
I usually don't use them either but if I posted it then, you might find something interesting, y'know!
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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.
I'm trying my best to improve in every chapters and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comments.
Peace:)