Cinia Pacifica Posts

a little too obvious though, and kinda lazy naming. your mum just dont miraculously think you'll be seeing some "turns" ahead one day.

i think im just being lazy to open a link kek

kek, it is. a bad one. i mean her name is literally time after all

= 3= makes me lazier to know that somehow

well yeah, she is time

oh, sounds like a totally different game style altogether

After being dragged all the way to the dinner hall, Mary, Michael, and Aramus laid their eyes on the massive place where there were endless tables and chairs and a sea of people who were all there to dine.

“This is a little more than I imagined,” Mary said, taken aback. Having stayed in England for so many years, these kinds of scenes were rather foreign to her. She’d remind herself that she was in a foreign land at the moment, but her mind wasn’t quite responding. Even in the Magic Academy she saw nothing like this.

The buffet seemed to be progressing, rejecting Aramus’ fear, but the line of people for it was rather long.

“Plan what you want to eat. Don’t gorge right off the bat, try and savor whatever they have to offer. Get food that complements each other,” Aramus murmured to the both of them, his mouth practically watering as they got closer and closer to the spread. “Most importantly, enjoy yourself.”

“Y...Yeah, I’ll try…!” Mary nervously said, but somehow she was pumped up.

Michael munched on the bread he was holding. “I guess I’ll be reserving our seats.” He then walked towards the tables.

“As expected of a priest, he is hardly shaken from the calls of gluttony,” Mary commented as Michael walked off. Aramus merely gave Michael the thumbs up, approval from the glorious leader of their party.

The two finally joined the people in line, and after five minutes, they filled their plates before going up to Michael and their seats.

Of course, Aramus took much more than Mary. He plonked it down on the table, separating the food as he took stock of what he had taken.

Considering their accommodations were rated three stars, there wasn’t anything particularly fancy that they had to offer. Not that any of it mattered to Aramus. What laid before him was what one could call traditional American cuisine, littered with potatoes, bacon, sausages, ribs and many others. They even had a Philly cheese steak. He had looked forward to trying that one in particular.

Wiggling his fingers, he picked up a small slider. The tiny burger looked miniscule compared to everything else, barely the size of his palm, but the charm of it was that each slider was loaded with different condiments but still retained the same beef patty. However, this one was slightly different and contained pulled pork. He lifted the top bun off the miniscule burger, noting that the meat was drizzled in barbeque sauce. Glazed onions rounded it out and he quickly put the top back on, finishing the small morsel in two bites. This was only the beginning.

The next to go were the chili cheese fries. An all-american favorite, the fries were cut thickly, skin on and then deep fried to golden perfection. Placed in a large basket, they were then smothered by beef chili and cheese to the point that one could barely see what lied beneath the layer of absolute goodness. Aramus plunged his fork into the dish, breaking through the wholesome layer easily and a small mouthful of fries came away, the cheese still struggling to stay together as strands formed whenever he moved his fork.

“I have to hand it to the Americans. They definitely know how to indulge in sin,” Aramus said before munching on the chili cheese fries. The first flavor he tasted was the strong cheese, followed shortly by the beef chili. Even though it was named as such, it was not particularly spicy. A bit of a tang was all he felt before he finally swallowed. A sound of satisfaction left his mouth as he finished, cut short as another mouthful quickly took its place.

“...Are you really going to eat all that, Mister Valmark?” Mary asked, intimidated from all the food Aramus stacked up on his plate. Despite what she said, a side of her was dazzled by their looks, tempting her to go back and get some of them. Mary’s plate only really consisted of a strawberry crepe, while she also carried a separate plate with a hamburger.

“It would be disrespectful if I left anything behind after I had already taken it from the buffet. No, Mary. That would not do, absolutely won’t do,” Aramus replied, his eyes already glazing over. “I will definitely send the chef my regards after this meal. Oh yes I will.”

“I… I see. I-It’d be disrespectful if I don’t eat more, wouldn’t it? We’re paying quite the fee for it and all,” Mary said, somehow in-line with Aramus’ thoughts.

“What other purpose does food exist other than to be eaten? To be savored, enjoyed and ultimately providing us nourishment!” Aramus raved, though he made sure that his voice wouldn’t exactly carry too far. Well, he tried at least. “There can be no greater dream than this! A buffet, where one can eat and drink his fill. Now Mary, be part of the feast! ”

“And with that said, here,” Mary said, passing the separate plate of hamburger to Michael. “I took this out for you. Have something else for a change.”

“I’ll have to pass, I am already full,” Michael replied, waving his hands in front of him. “Please don’t mind me.”

“Shame,” Aramus said, pointing at the plate. “You sure you don’t want that? Maybe grab some cake or ice cream instead. I hear they have some pretty good pies too.”

“No, no, it really is okay. Thank you both for the offer, though.”

Aramus shrugged, looking at the abandoned hamburger with desire. Let it be known that he still had his own hamburger right in front of him. “I’ll… I’ll finish it for you later,” he said quickly before pausing to look at Mary with eyes full of hope. “Unless, you want it?”

“No, no, go right ahead. I’ll be getting other food after this,” Mary said, letting Aramus take the burger.

Aramus all but purred in delight, going back to his own food with renewed vigor. After a short period, he decided it would be prudent to take a short respite from all he had been consuming. The only one eating had been him for some time after all.

“So Mary, on the topic of Claudia, were you referring to Michael and Lily when you said other people were on the case as well?”

“Yes, indeed I was,” Mary answered, her crepe finished some time ago. It was now replaced with some other set of food she had picked up after hearing Aramus’ inspiring speech about food. Her plate now had some chinese food, among other things. Details aside, she continued, “They are members of the Church, and said Organization was originally responsible for taking out her family, and now they want her gone too.”

“I see. So even before she came to the orphanage, they were already after her?” Aramus asked. “She did not speak much of her past nor did I pry.”

“According to the reports, Claudia was simply missing. However, her blunder of casting a Supreme Spell in a practice match hosted at the Royal Academy roused the attention of the Church,” Mary explained. “The case was, of course, covered up to protect the reputation of the Academy. However, rumours had spread.”

Needless to say, England had been a treasure trove of rich and fluctuating rumors for decades now. In fact, Aramus wouldn’t have heard of Mary if not for said rumors.

“What was she thinking, even doing that…” Aramus said, popping a french fry into his mouth. “Her lack of common sense is astounding. Then again, she was never the most normal child during our time together anyway.”

“Indeed, she simply lashed out. I tried to lessen the burden of the situation from the Headmaster’s punishment. Taking back the sword The Society leased to her.” Mary shrugged. “However, my action proved fruitless, for she joined BLoodLuSt some days later.”

“Well, I didn’t mean it that way but she was indeed getting into scuffles a lot as a child,” Aramus said, starting up his food engine again and beginning to eat at an increasing pace. “Out of the pan and into the fire.”

“Michael and I both faced her the night of the Queen’s Meeting, but were not successful in bringing her down,” Mary further elaborated on the tale. “Michael fought her again recently, I believe.”

Aramus looked at Michael, halfway through a piece of chicken. The juices leaking from it almost distracted him from what he was going to say. Almost. “Does she still wear that tiara?”

“Yes, she does,” Michael replied. He had simply been observing the two until he was addressed by the man named Aramus. It seemed that this person was an acquaintance of Claudia from her childhood. “What is with that tiara, anyway?”

“Beats me. She had it when she came to the orphanage but whenever the other kids teased her about it, she’d get a little violent. It’s like, she was never without it. I don’t recall a time where she took it off,” Aramus muttered, figuratively scratching his head.

“I see. Well then, I guess that tiara doesn’t really matter much. I mean, as long as we try not to—or to move it, depending on how we want her to be.” Michael rested his cheek on his hand. “What we need to watch out for, aside from the Countess and Claudia, are her allies. I have fought at least one of them… the one who attacked the Queen.”

“Did you kill him?” Aramus said, his eyes narrowing to slits. Too bad the image was ruined as he was still holding a half eaten drumstick.

“No. The first time I encountered him, he ran away; the second was when he attacked the Queen. I only managed to find Claudia then. His name is Marco, also known as the Noble Diner. He was able to bite my partner in our first encounter, which he used to get within striking distance of the Queen without her noticing.” Anger was very noticeable from his voice when he described Marco.

“Yes, indeed,” Mary added after Michael. “He is Marco, the Diner of Noble Blood. He targets anyone he deems to have †˜rich’ blood. Basically, any aristocrats, wealthy individuals, and even people with noble hearts may be targeted. The first encounter Mister Kallweit described was when I was his target.”

“Hoh. So you both have a vendetta against him as well,” Aramus noted, setting the now clean drumstick on a plate. “Do you think either of them would pursue us here? After what happened with the Countess and Duchess Margaret…”

“It would be possible for them to move in pairs now, knowing that Claudia was at an disadvantage in her last two fights,” Michael said. “Regarding what you have said, I would like to say that to me, at least, it is us pursuing them. I will try tapping into the network of Executioners in America to see if we can track their movements here.”

“They seem extremely focused on the White Lotus here in America, but seeing as I’ve confirmed Claudia to be coming here, something may pop up,” Mary said. “On that note, I have heard rumors of Claudia fighting Aries in California already.”

“Alright. I’ve promised that I would leave her to you, as much as I’d love to join in her pacification. She seems to want to test her might against everything that moves. Perhaps you might catch her after one such instance,” Aramus said, already beginning to munch on something else.

“Promised?” Michael asked.

“Promised to leave Claudia to us,” Mary answered in Aramus’ stead.

“As long as she is stopped, it doesn’t matter who does it anymore,” Michael said, averting his gaze. He had wasted his opportunities to stop Claudia far too much at this point. “I was too sure of myself the last time we fought, and now that I have thought about it, I doubt it will be as easy next time.”

“The problem only gets worse with time. I’ll be counting on you both in more ways than one then,” Aramus muttered. He stood up to get more food, whatever he had had on his plate already demolished. “I’m going to grab some dessert, you two want anything?”

“Surprise me,” Mary said, smiling.

“Tea. Is that okay?” Michael asked.

Aramus nodded at both their requests and took off, glee on his face as he swiftly joined the queue for more food. Returning faster than both expected, he laid more plates on the table, passing a small cake to Mary. “I got you some buttermilk pancakes with blueberries. There’s maple syrup on the side if you want.”

“Thank you,” Mary replied. “Seems great; I love maple syrup.”

Handing Michael his desired beverage, Aramus placed a couple of sugar packets and a small pitcher of milk on the table. “Wasn’t sure how you liked your tea so…”

“Thanks,” Michael said, taking the tea, but leaving the sugar packets and milk.

“That said, you are after the hellfires, was it?” Mary asked Aramus.

“Yup,” Aramus answered, pouring a copious amount of maple syrup over his own buttermilk pancakes. “They’re somewhere here. I’ll just have to find one somehow.” He continued with a wave, looking a little displeased.

“Hellfire? What for?” Michael asked out of curiosity.

“Ah, I’m going demon hunting,” Aramus said after a mouthful of fluffy pancakes. “Just something I gotta do on the other side of the gate. Call it a request from someone important.”

“I see. Good luck with that, then.”

“Well, if you’re planning to open one yourself, or finding one, I’d think confronting the MVA directly would be a wise judgement,” Mary advised. “Since otherwise, you may get arrested.”

“The MVA huh. Good idea, perhaps they could even offer some advice on how to go back doing it.” Aramus smiled pleasantly. Things were looking better and it wasn’t just because of the pancakes he was eating.

“Currently, they’re responsible for all matters pertaining to Infernals in the country—especially because of how the Infernals are in excess around here—so you should seek them out. I hear the leader has been dealing with demons for about a decade now,” Mary added informatively.

“Busy man. Perhaps he might squeeze some time in his schedule to meet with me. I’ll bring some souvenirs,” Aramus added with a laugh.

“If you want to meet him you’d best go to California,” Mary suggested. “Since he is operating there at the moment, based on what I’ve heard from the Aries and Claudia incident.”

“California. I wonder if we could arrange a meeting on the beach… Anyway, thanks for the help, Mary.”

It had been two days since the group arrived to the United States of America—the New World—with Frederica’s aid. The Duchess paid for the trip for everyone who signed up for the operation to end Virgo once and for all. There were so many people that they simply booked the entire Magic Train for that trip. However, to reach New York, where most were supposed to rendezvous, they had to take a flight from Los Angeles on the same day they arrived in America.

Needless to say, most were too tired for anything the first day. Even if some had experienced the luxury of a flight, others were too tired to relish the experience.

Now, Aramus had finally decided that it was high time his group should meet up and discuss the particulars for the big upcoming battle. Of course, such a group needed a proper place to meet, and even though there were many options, Aramus couldn’t pick a public area. He wouldn’t want uninvolved people to hear a group of people talking about what would seem like occult topics.

In the end, Aramus simply reserved a lounge in their hotel. This was the only solution he could think of. He felt bad for his wallet. The group was too big for a gathering in one little hotel room.

There, on the couches, was Aramus with Elizabeth beside him. Opposite to him was Lily, Michael, and Svetlana. Mary sat on a single sofa. Takeru intruded the party blatantly, claiming that Aramus must let him in. With some feeling of camaraderie formed from the battle against Sagittarius, there was no reason to deny him. So he soon took a seat beside Aramus too.

“Good evening everyone, I’m sorry to call you all together after a long day so I’ll try and keep this short. For those unfamiliar, I’m the Magister, Aramus Valmark, a teacher at the Eastern Magic Academy. For the rest, it’s good to be working with you again.” He then gestured towards Takeru. “The man beside me is Takeru Mikaido, he’s my senior Magister and will be leading our team. I hope for your cooperation in this endeavour—”

“Now, now,” Takeru begun, completely composed as would befit a leader, except that the truth was something else entirely. “I would believe you have developed a case of amnesia,” he deduced. “For I do know for a fact that you are the real leader of this team.”

Aramus looked at him glumly, the expression speaking various amounts of †˜Why would you do this?’ evident from his sour visage. “Or so I had wished. Even though I personally believe the senior Magister should be the one leading, it has somehow fallen to me. Somehow.”

“Well, it started with only you and me, so you were originally deemed the only senior,” Mary gently informed as a reminder, but Aramus knew she was laughing at him on the inside. Her expression just gave it away somehow.

“Laugh at me all you want, Mary. I don’t exactly believe in decorum as it only bogs things down in missions like these so feel free to speak your mind.”

“Good luck,” Mary said, maintaining her bright smile. “That’s all I have to say.” She laughed triumphantly.

“...So, what exactly are we talking about?” The voice of the one who questioned belonged to Svetlana. The once cheerful prankster teacher was now one giving away a vibe full of depression and vengefulness.

“Basically, where everyone will fit into our little team. What are your strengths, schools of magic, anything related to how we can get all of us working together like a tight outfit. Virgo will have her own set of allies, it would be both disappointing and life threatening if we are unable to function properly as a team in battle against them.” Aramus eyed Svetlana as he said this, not entirely sure of what she brought to their team. Sure he had heard some… rumors from the other teaching staff, but nothing concrete.

Svetlana seemed to listen, but spoke nothing in return.

“Well, leader, it’s up to you with how you want us to start. I would suggest that we should all explain our skills and abilities for the group to hear, but in what order?” Takeru said.

Aramus looked at Takeru tiredly as he spoke his answer. “I’ll go first, then you and so forth in that sequence I suppose. My primary magic is Aurum, followed by Aquam and then a smattering of others. I specialize in duelling with other mages and unfortunately do not have much in the way of support spells.
That’s all from me.”

“Name is Mikaido Takeru. A Magister like our Aramus Valmark here. I use an original spell I invented to crush my opponents with my grip,” Takeru said, waving his right hand to add to his point. “Basically, I use martial arts and brute strength more often than magic. I suppose I’m meant for close combat against enemies. I use supportive Vim spells—among others—to keep an eye on my enemies. I’m a little slow, after all. So my enemies would hide at a distance.” The man laughed, reminding himself that of all the duels he had, most opponents had indeed hid away. “My primary Technique is Intellego, and I use some Vim on the side as I mentioned already. Naturally, I employ corpus considering my signature spell.”

“Good evening, my name is Elizabeth Cavendish Bentinck,” Elizabeth introduced with a natural perfect smile befitting her stature as a young noble lady. “Unfortunately, I am also one of those suited more for combat, close-range like Mikaido. I specialize in the usage of Ignem spells. I am also experienced in providing back-up, so I think I wouldn’t need to be necessarily on the frontlines.” Many wouldn’t think a noble would opt for such a thing, considering they loved glory, but Elizabeth knew that Aramus was going to be overprotective anyway.

The job of introduction was then passed on to the opposite couch where Lily, Michael, and Svetlana lied.

Lily started. “I am known more as the Knight of Lilies than my real name, so please refer to me as Lily. I am a Templar Knight of the Organization known as the Church like my partner, and I happen to specialize in melee-combat too. However, I have tricks to immobilize my opponents as well. I use mostly Herbam spells. It is fact that my spells are regardless tools meant to further support my use of broadsword in combat, much like Mister Magister Mikaido.” She then poked at Michael.

Michael was leaning to the side, softly snoring, while his cheek was resting on his hand. Lily’s poke brought him to consciousness, which also made him glance towards her. It was just then he noticed a new person sitting among them, or maybe he just hadn’t noticed him until now. He tilted his head as he smiled goofily towards them, unsure why they were all silent. Once again his gaze turned towards Lily, who raised her eyebrows as if to scold him. He took a shot in the dark and guessed it was time to introduce each other. I’ll ask Lily for the other two’s names later… I think. “Good day to all of you, I am Michael Kallweit, a Priest of the Church. An Exorcist, Executor, a hunting dog, if that’s what you prefer,” He was smiling all throughout, feeling completely relaxed.

“Svetlana Astakhov. I mostly use Ignem, Herbam, and pretty much most of the other Forms. I know Cre, Rego and Muto for Techniques. I used to work as a mercenary—a Rider in Russia—so I specialize in fighting all kinds of people. So, I can use all kinds of spells; be it offense or defense, I can do both.”

“And lastly, my name is Mary Shelley. Due to… various rumors, I seem to be known to many already. Anyway, please don’t believe them because I happen to be a normal scholar like any other you’d find in London.” Who was going to believe that? Anyway, Mary went on as if she had successfully dispelled all those suspicious thoughts circulating about her in the minds of her teammates. “I specialize in melee too but… well, let’s just say that I also happen to be a clairvoyant. So I hope I am able to lend my aid to this team in a supportive way.” One could easily note that she didn’t speak of her spells at all aside from clairvoyance.

Aurum, or Vim perhaps? Takeru guessed but didn’t voice it.

“Right, so we’ll have Takeru and Lily on the frontline,” Aramus said. “I’d imagine your forms of combat would complement each other very well. I will provide ranged magic support alongside… Michael. Are guns your weapon of choice in an engagement?” Aramus asked, turning to Michael.

“Most probably. If we had the opportunity to, I could also set up some traps beforehand,” he added. “That being said, I can also fight in close quarters if need be. You could say I could fill up the gaps in our formation as we go along.”

“Alright, then you’ll support the front or backline if they require it but otherwise, stick to ranged. Mary, you’ll be on a supportive role with your clairvoyance alongside Svetlana. I feel both of your expertise would be best utilized there. Elizabeth will also be together with you unless the situation requires another front liner. Does anyone have any objections to this arrangement?” Aramus said, sweeping an arm across all the members of the team.

“Works for me,” Michael replied.

“Got it,” Mary said, giving a nod. “Let’s work together well, Miss Astakhov.”

“...Yes, I look forward to working with you,” Svetlana said like any Japanese would phrase for formality. The translation of said Japanese to English via the spell from the magic accessory appeared to have voiced something strange to Mary, but she figured that it was an issue with the supernatural ability.

“Understood, teacher,” Elizabeth gave a terse response of understanding.

“So, are we going with the approach that Elizabeth will be protecting our back-ups—Miss Mary and Miss Astakhov?” Takeru inquired.

“That is the idea,” Aramus replied. “I think this should be alright.”

“I feel like we should make use of Miss Bentinck’s firepower more, though. Maybe some ranged spells are possible to be utilized?” Takeru suggested.

“It is indeed possible,” Elizabeth confirmed. “I would like to claim that I can handle both protection and provide ranged support; but I cannot make any such guarantees for completely flawless performance. However, I am fine trying either way, personally.”

“You should be fine. I still remember the holes and burnt portions of my cloak from when we spared. Would there be anything else? Otherwise, we can adjourn for the night to get some rest,” Aramus said with a quick nod.

“Yes, actually. About the second-in-command. That’s… not me, right?” Takeru asked with a quirked eyebrow, hoping that it was perhaps Mary or someone else.

“If no one wants the job, I’m afraid it’s going to be you, senpai,” Aramus responded with a knowing smile, suddenly all too cheerful.

Takeru looked over to Mary—who looked away, grinning—and everyone else pretending to not see him.

“Alright, alright, I got it. Jeez, don’t be so cold on the first day, guys,” Takeru accepted, putting his hands up in surrender.

“Ok then, it’s all settled here so I’ll see you all in the morning,” Aramus said as he got up, patting his pants to smooth out the wrinkles. “They better pray it’s a buffet breakfast.”

Everyone got up and the group started to disperse from the lounge. As Aramus was going, however, Mary showed a sign with her hand to indicate that they had to talk.

“What’s this Mary? A scholar asking for some after-school tuition? Or perhaps something else?” Aramus asked in an exaggerated tone, insinuating at something or the other. However, his next line was barely a whisper as he expected what she had to say. “That’s why I had Takeru play the part. We’d best keep it quiet.”

“Yes, I understand that much,” Mary said with a forced smile, motioning for Aramus to sit down for a while longer.

Elizabeth seemed to be waiting outside for Aramus, however. There was that look on her face that gave Aramus the chill. “We have more important business, remember? Stop wasting time with other young ladies,” it translated.

Aramus returned her look with one of apology and promised cupcakes, clapping his hands together in front of his face to tell her he was sorry. He would visit her later, suspicious as it was, but Mary had wanted some secrecy on this and he owed her that much. Otherwise, he’d still be eating flies somewhere.

Elizabeth seemed to have sighed and walked away.

“Oh, I do apologize if I caused a rift between the lady you were courting, Mister Valmark,” Mary said, sitting down on a couch.

“Does it look that way to you?” Aramus asked, somewhat perturbed. “She will understand though, she always does. I figured you wouldn’t want her here so… And just so you know, we aren’t going out. Really.”

“Then you needn’t sound so desperate.” Mary laughed. “Well this isn’t anything special but I figured that you’d want in-depth explanations about Svetlana Astakhov. She seems to have something exceptional in her.”

“We’ll have to keep her in check. Judging from the way she reacted to Duchess Margaret, she might become a liability if she is unable to keep her emotions in control during our battles. There is something more to her then?” Aramus said, hurrying to change the topic to anything but Ellie.

“There is some kind of an evil presence inside her. While I judge that it may be a power favorable to our side, it may be considered heretical if displayed before many magis,” Mary revealed, a little worried about Svetlana. “I honestly do not know where she came across such strength, may she became a diabolic. Whatever it is, it must have its reins in place.”

“In this case, I would think it is possible. The way she grieved was telling enough,” Aramus mused. “We will have to settle it before we return but for now, can you keep an eye on her? She’s even more of a threat if that power takes over during a crucial moment.”

“I do not think it will take over. The mage that is Svetlana is it a sufficient level—no, likely beyond average. As long as she doesn’t activate it herself we may not have any fears to deal with.”

“I’ll trust your judgement. You have the †˜all seeing eye’ after all,” Aramus said with a laugh. “Would there be anything else you’d like to add?”

“I’m not so stupid as to waltz out in the middle of the fight with my power,” Svetlana said from the door. Her glare gave chills down Aramus’ spine. It somehow felt demonic. “Quit analysing me, and don’t underestimate me.”

“That remains to be seen, Svetlana. I have insufficient experience from working with you to get a good handle on what you are capable of. If there is something in you that does endanger the team then it is better that I keep an eye on it. It’s nothing personal, I hope you understand,” Aramus said flatly.

“These small worries will endanger your team more. I am perfectly capable of handling my own poison,” Svetlana replied. “I’m surprised that everyone here thinks their weak magic can win this war over,” she commented with a lower tone of voice.

“It can. And we will win, Miss Svetlana. I sincerely believe this to be true,” Michael butted in, holding a piece of bread in his hand and hugging a few more in his arms. “Also considering what you were able to do against the Representative.”

“That’s right, I thwarted the Representative without even using what you’re all afraid of.” Svetlana folded her arms over her chest. “One small thing in me isn’t going to win me over.” She then walked away.

“...She already appears so mentally violent,” Mary stated, sighing with Svetlana’s departure.

“Well, I’ll leave her to you Mary. Knock yourself out,” Aramus said, not particularly bothered. Instead he was gazing intently at Michael, rather what the priest was holding in his hands.

“You’re so easy to read,” Mary commented. “Maybe we should have dinner…?”

“...I am having dinner,” Michael replied. He tossed one of the few loaves of bread he was holding towards Aramus. “That’s an apology for trying to shoot you, Mister...”

“Shoot?” Mary looked back and forth between the two. “Wait, I don’t get any?”

“I assumed you’d much prefer the buffet,” Michael replied. “I personally don’t have the money to partake in such feasts. The bread, however, was free.”

“I could always give you a treat. It’d be a waste to not have good food while you’re here. Besides, only bread for dinner can’t be good for you,” Mary suggested.

Aramus hurriedly caught the loaf, a look of happiness dawning on his face the more he stared at the bread. “Thank you Michael. This freshly baked loaf will not be forgotten!” He peeled a small portion off and popped it into his mouth, the light flavor filling his mouth. “W-We should eat. Who knows when our last meal will be!” he added, trying to salvage some of his dignity but failing miserably. Aramus shuffled off in the direction of the buffet. Breakfast be damned, he was going to have some now. “Eat, drink and be merry, at least for tonight.”

“Well someone is happy at my idea…” Mary shrugged. “Well, shall we?” she asked Michael.

“Well, I can come with, but as I’ve said I’ve been eating dinner. I doubt I can eat any more,” he replied.

“There’s always room for dessert. Quick, quick, before they stop serving the buffet!” Aramus cried out from in front of them, still peeling off pieces to feed his everlasting hunger.

“Calm down, we have at least two more hours,” Mary reminded as Aramus pulled them out of the lounge anyway.

In New York now, Weiss—accompanied by the Judgement Knight—exited the plane and crossed various streets on her way to the little Steel Union hideout. The Knight refused to walk, and simply called upon a taxi. She claimed to have some money for traveling expenses.

It was a free deal for Weiss, not knowing any better; she hopped on and now they were on their way to a particular apartment.

Of all places, the entire Judgement team was gathered in a rather small apartment in the middle of New York. Weiss expected a really comical scene with most members crammed in the living room, but unfortunately, it just so happened that most of them were out due to boredom.

On the other hand, Steel Princess seemed to be on the bed in another room just looking out past the window.

“Excuse me,” said Weiss after knocking on the Steel Princess’ room. “Weiss Accherman and Judgement Knight reporting for duty, ma’am.”

“Ah, welcome,” Steel Princess said. Welcome? Since when did Steel Princess ever say such a word? Regardless, she continued, “Is your ammo loaded?”

“Armed and ready. Along with full ammo clips and such,” Weiss said proudly.

“Then for now, you are free to rest your weary mind and body. There will be an operation soon so make sure your body is clean,” the Steel Princess answered without looking at either of the androids. “The same goes for you too.”

“Understood,” Judgement Knight answered, before turning back and leaving the room.

“I see, no wonder that the others aren’t around. I’ll just stay here and clean my weapon,” Weiss said while holding his weapon. And probably get a shower.

I suppose I have to give them one final modification… Steel Princess mused.

There would be a war, after all.

Weiss had some trouble setting up a trip to America for herself from Japan. Considering she never ever had to get a ticket for herself before and the Steel Princess would take care of everything, this was a new experience to her. Her employer simply bid her to travel to New York to meet up with her old android comrades, and there were hardly any given papers; no documents, tickets, money, information, or anything. She was all on her own with this. She even had to use her own money to get the ticket.

It was ironic. Her payments from work were used to pay for travels for work. Was the Steel Princess going to make compensation later? Regardless, the pay was worth the travels—she thought—as she’d be able to face the one she wanted to kill all along.

This feeling of sweet vengeance and the little bit of shaking stopped when Weiss learned that she’d have to step down from the Magic Train before even getting to the United States of America, however. When she examined where she’d be traveling to with the Magic Train, it just so turned out that she could go as far as the bordering State of America.

So after the trip… Weiss would end up at Los Angeles. While New York was on the other side of the entire country!

“. . .Well, this is pleasant.” She looked at the map in the station. “So, this is Los Angeles and there is New York.” She sighed and shook her head. This is going to be a long walk.

Indeed, but one would wonder how Weiss could considering walking of all things. The distance was incredibly long already. She only got off the Realm for the Magic Train station that was hidden in South Gate.

Weiss started to walk.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Thirty minutes.

She turned and finally faced the person who had been walking behind her all along.

“Stop following me!” She shouted at the person. “Why? I don’t have any money at all!”

All along her walk, there was always a shorter head of silver marching behind her. She didn’t feel any blood lust or her instincts telling her that she was in danger, but it had gone on long enough.

Some people turned to the pair as Weiss shouted, but the shorter girl who had been following the android was completely unfazed.

“You are the same as ever. You pretend to be a professional, but you’re so clumsy in reality. Did you forget who I am?” the girl questioned, after revealing her opinion of Weiss’ personality. This pursuing girl was wearing a white one-piece only, and heels. She could hardly be compared to a mercenary, much less another android.

“. . .” Weiss walked closer to the short girl and knelt down. “Oh, it’s you.” She patted the short girl. “Just don’t tell the others, okay?”

“Patting isn’t going to convince me,” she answered, still showing indifference. “So, do you truly intend to walk all the way to New York?”

“I know that you like the pat and yes, my vehicle is back at home base and the last time I rode a bus was ages ago.” She stood back up.

She’d want to use her vehicle…

Even though the fellow android’s expression didn’t change, why did Weiss feel as though she was being pitied?

“Based on calculations, I believe we should utilize our time properly. Walking is out of the question.”

“I know, it’s not like there’s an airport where we can go to and take a ride on.”

“Actually, there is one in the west.”

“Is it functional?”

“Why would it not be?”

“I thought airplanes were unable to go around countries because of the thick clouds and such.

“Look up above you.”

Weiss looked up as told and saw an airplane passing by. “. . .Alright let’s go to the airport then!”

“Would she be fine alone…?” The girl sighed as she murmured to herself a question. It was a good thing that she had followed her.

“Did you say something, Knight?”

“Of course not. Why’d you say that?

“I thought you said something rather unpleasant or maybe I was imagining things.”

“No, not at all,” the girl said with a big smile. “I’d never do that.”

“Somehow I sense that you are hiding something from me. Especially with that suspicious smile on your face.” She paused and continued, “Wait a minute, you never smiled before!”

“Oh, I am surprised that someone as aloof as you would notice such a thing.” The girl known as Judgement Knight smiled regardless.

“I still care about my comrades, you know. The only thing that I don’t know is the real names of each of the Judgement series. Anyway we should book a flight.”

“You? Caring? Color me surprised. Anyway, I got some pass, so I shall book the flight for us.”

“I am a nurse after all.” She chucked. “Alright, I’ll follow.”

Claudia was laid down on a bed when Rose started casting some healing magic back in the villa beside San Diego’s beach.

“With the way our group was spread out, I suppose it was impossible for us to join so fast,” Rose mentioned as she examined the state of her arms. “I cannot say if you have the devil’s luck or extreme misfortune.”

Marco sighed. “Definitely luck, she loves fighting crazy bastards, I tell you.”

The Countess and Ansel were missing. George wasn’t there as usual. It seemed like the fight was more or less over now, and it was already the next day when Claudia awoke. Last she remembered, she had fallen asleep on Marco’s arms.

Claudia sighed as she attempted to move her arms and legs; still nothing, as expected. “Call it an impulse, but maybe guys who are able to level cities get me excited.”

Rose ignored the remark and turned to Marco. “You know, it’s a perfect opportunity to peg her now.”

“Good idea,” Marco joked.

“Ooh, I might be into that. But would you want to do that with Rose here?” Claudia jested.

“You may not know, but she gets off to people being tortured more than you think,” Marco said with a laugh and Rose frowned.

“I’m not exactly as twisted as you two would think,” Rose said, rather displeased with the joke. “Well, you’d best do your part and rest. Excuse me,” she said as she left the room.

Marco could only shrug after seeing her go.

“Mnn. She didn’t like that joke, huh?” Claudia said, grunting in an attempt to adjust herself on her bed. She was starting to become accustomed to being bed-ridden at this point.

“Haha… well, she is a native English unlike us, so maybe that’s the reason. She’d lump us for weirdos but not herself, apparently. You think you’ll be fine soon?”

“Heh. Yeah, I’ll be fine. Bastard mostly did a number on my teeth. Hurts like a bitch.”

“That actually sucks, those will take a bit of time to grow back. Hope you don’t mind missing on gritting †˜em. You won’t be able to take a bite on a person with those things there.”

Claudia groaned and cursed under her breath in her native language. “Well that’s just great. I guess this is what they meant by eating your food through a straw… well I’d still be drinking it, but you know what I ebb to.”

“By the way, it seemed like Aries escaped just before Mi’lady finished him off. So we might stay here a while longer. Considering the situation, perhaps we’ll wait it out for Virgo to make an appearance too.”

“Greeaaaat,” Claudia said, feigning excitement. “Nine times out of ten, both Aries and Virgo will go for my arms again. I think I’m starting to develop a phobia of it. Maybe I won’t be so sure to jump in so quickly.” She could only let out a weak chuckle at that. She really was starting to become cautious of her arms.

“Arms aside, fair Lady, it’s quite common to lose parts of your body when you fight the larger anomalies of the Magic World such as the Descendants, or even the Representatives like Mary.”

Claudia snorted. “Don’t remind me.”

The operation started.

The objective of the terrorists was Aries’ head.

The only issue with the mission was that they’d have to find Aries before the MVA—the American police of mages. They were skilled individuals trained to track and take down mages, and they were mages themselves. They weren’t the best opponents of Descendants, but they had been dealing with this particular monster for years.

Narrowing down Aries’ location in California, and specifically in San Diego at that, had probably taken a lot of research and hacking of networks by Ansel. The group of terrorists split out in the Cedros Design District. It was formerly a place for designers, and their creativity thrived there. Aries, however, completely put most of it under the rubbles in five minutes some time ago, according to the information from the MVA.

“I’ll be acting as the operator tonight,” Ansel announced through the voice transmission device in Claudia’s ear. “The incident with Aries took place several days ago when he showed up and destroyed this area. It is now off-limits to the civilians. You should be very wary of the people you may find here. They may either be MVA members or the Descendant. Our target is a teenager, male, and he has black hair. He often laughs while speaking, similarly to Claudia perhaps.” To the additional comment everyone laughed. “There’s some information that Aries continues to hide here somewhere while the MVA are trying to find him and take him out.”

“Can they even take him out?” Marco questioned. Indeed, he was partaking in the operation this time.

“It’s a possibility. If information holds true, then the Archmage Christopher managed to deal good damage to the Descendant.”

“That said, comrades,” Countess Dracula spoke through the device. “Careful with the Archmage. He is no ordinary opponent; avoid confronting him in combat.”

“Understood, Countess,” Claudia said with a nod, puffing her cheeks with an afterthought. I don’t laugh when I speak… do I?

“That said, Christopher is basically a dandy man with a strong build of a body. I don’t think you’ll find more than one of his type,” Rose said, sounding a little dreamy at the image already. “Shouldn’t be hard to notice such a man.”

“Sounds simple enough; find Aries and avoid the well-built Archmage. No problem at all,” Claudia replied, listing off their objectives just to be sure.

Venturing about the largely broken area, Claudia hummed a small tune as she absently kicked around loose rocks with the toes of her boots. She noticed debris and nothing short that riddled the area, thrown carelessly about like it was nothing. “Sounds like our Descendant here is having a bit too much fun…” Claudia mumbled, inspecting the rubble closely. “If he could do this much damage…”

The thought of fighting the Descendant clouded the Vampire’s mind, as did the desire to see how far he could push Claudia. If he was so strong to level an entire district within five minutes, then Claudia saw every reason to be excited. After all, the strong ones always did interest her. A smirk formed along her face, a long and curved one, too, as she cracked her neck, sighing with ecstasy. “...That’s exactly what I want. I want to see his face when he unleashes his power...”

Abruptly, Claudia heard some noises. Noises of something grinding an object against the floor. Except it was particularly loud.

“Hehehe… ahahahaha!”

She heard a laughter, one that she could easily define as creepy. Taking a peek from behind a broken pillar, Claudia found a youth repeatedly stepping upon a corpse whose face was beyond recognition.

Unmoved and definitely unphased by the sight, Claudia could only let a shrill chuckle escape the back of her throat.

“Found him,” she mused casually into her earpiece, alerting her comrades. She placed her scythe along her shoulder and smiled as she walked a careful enough distance from the young man. “That’s quite the temper you have there.”

“Ahh… right, there was a pest around here for a while… hehehe. Don’t your ear feel a little lonely?” The young man turned to Claudia with a crazed smile as he stepped aside from the corpse.

Claudia snorted. “Hardly. You’d think with all this destruction, a person’s rage would be vented by now.” She didn’t appear so phased by the smile either. Rather, Claudia was intrigued by it, if anything. That’s the face I wanted to see… the face of a Descendant mad with power. God…

“Fool,” the Descendant called her. Aries showed his hand, putting up his palm, and what lied on it was Claudia’s voice transmission device. “You fucking fly. You can’t even tell when I take something from you. How fucking pathetic. Ahaha,” he said. The earpiece was already turned off. Long ago, at that. He crushed it after clenching his fist and it fell apart from it as little pieces.

“Oh, nooooo...” Claudia said, feigning distress. She waved her arms about nonchalantly and smiled the whole way. “The way you crushed it in between your fingers… how many heads have you squashed with just those fingers alone? Ngh… you’re perfect…” She was blushing, almost visibly spasming at the thought of those dead. “It’s not like I need it anyways. They’ll realize I’ve been away too long.”

“Countless heads. You wanna be next?”

“Mm, that’s if you can touch me…”

“Hmm, but then you said †˜they’ll realize I’ve been away long.’ Do tell, little lady, who do you work with?”

“Are you familiar with BLoodLuSt? But oh, what does it matter anyway? We’re just going to have the upper half of your head laid out along the sidewalk…”

“Ahhh! It’s been seventy-years. How fucking nostalgic. Guess I get to have some fun tonight. No wonder you’re a Representative. I heard all about the failures of your actions. This is a treat.”

“Failures on the behalves of those who meddle, and lucky for the both of us, there is no one to do as much.”

“Man, are you sure you aren’t a fly if you can’t even stand some meddling? You’re a fucking Rep for fuck’s sake.”

“Well I am only one person, after all. I’m not an army.”

“Huh? Reps are at least half an army. Alright, fine. Let’s say you’re right,” Aries said, shaking his head while grinding the back of his finger with his ear, “How strong would you be compared to say… oh ya, that wench called Mary. Yeah, how strong are you compared to her then?”

“What does it matter? She’s just going to be put down by me all the same… only unlike you, she has a cozy space in a dark room after the fact. You? Well, hell—maybe even worse than that—is the only place for you.”

“Bahahahah!! I sorta like that attitude of yours. Truly, hell is the only fitting place for me, and I’d wager it is perfect for you, too,” Aries claimed. “Are you sure you wanna fight me, and not hunt some scums with good †˜ol Aries?”

“Mm, tempting, but I’ll have to respectfully decline. Besides, I make sure that my kills are clean and not…” Claudia had to pause for a moment to impulsively shudder. “...A bloody mess. You have no restraint at all.”

“Ahahaha! Alright, alright. I am a bit of a gentleman even if I don’t seem like it. I’ll take the rejection with grace.” Aries then took off the fedora he was wearing. “As respect for a Rep I’ll tell you my name before we dance. My name is Blayze, Blayze Smith. What about you?”

“Claudia Virtusio De la Farris,” Claudia answered. “Such an interesting name you have. Very fitting for someone such as yourself.”

“I’d love to say the same to you but… your name fucking reeks of nobles. Ew.”


Claudia chuckled. “Nope. Just the name of some French girl.”

“What world you live in? No French fucks have long ass names like that unless they’re descendants of some fucking snobby noble trash. Are you just misinformed or some shit?”

“Well count me as a descendant of noble trash, then,” Claudia replied, shrugging.

(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L4aKVOmBrQ)

Blayze spread his arms, laughed, and flames arose in the surroundings.

Claudia turned and observed; wherever she looked there was a wall of fire. She was completely trapped in a circular boundary. She doubted that she could easily jump over those tongues of fire, either. They were extremely tall.

“What an impressive light show. No, Really,” Claudia said in an unimpressed tone, propped against her scythe. With a sigh, she kicked the ending pole of her weapon towards her other dominant hand and gripped it tightly. Smirking, she dashed at Blayze and swung in an arc, cutting into the man’s flesh as roughly as she could manage.

“Well, don’t be impressed just yet,” Blayze said, barely containing his laughter. His eyes turned red for a second only. He casually moved the scythe away from his wound like it was simply in his way, and quite literally jabbed Claudia’s face with enough force to send her flying at the pillar from which she came from.

Claudia could only hear Aries’ creepy maniacal giggles as she was played around with like the ball of a basketball match. Aries kicked her from one point to another without rest as he caught up to her before she’d land.

She managed to swing the scythe mid-air and graze his arm a little, but it wasn’t very effective. His eyes hardly even flickered red anymore.

After a full minute, the vampire finally landed with the concrete crumbling under her with a spiderweb-like pattern. She barely twitched, but his leg stomped over her cheek and she could feel her teeth crushed. She wasn’t even sure if her skull was intact or not.

“I hope you’re impressed now for real.”

To Claudia’s view he was an apparition of a demon with red leering eyes by now. Leering brighter than her own eyes, which were as real as crimson red shining brightly. She’d really love to drink some blood now, but she wasn’t sure if her fangs were up to the task anymore.

“As expected of a Rep, body’s tough even after all that. Perfect fucking ragdoll you are, Claudia.”

“Well, that was pathetic, Lachesis muttered in its user’s mind.

“Not yet,” Claudia mumbled from under the man’s boot.

A puddle of darkness formed under the fallen lady that was the proud vampire—a Representative—of the Blood Countess.

“Oops,” Blayze leapt back nonchalantly seeing the activation of her ability. “So that’s the Commandment you were granted by Countess Dracula.”

Black demonic beasts surfaced from under the disc of darkness.

“Go.”

Wrapped in a shadowy aura, hardly visible under the clear night sky even with the stars twinkling above, they charged forth. It looked like Blayze was having fun, as if playing tag with the demons Claudia summoned. The jumps were beyond supernatural as he pranced around the fallen buildings with a toothy grin before knocking out one of the demons with a seemingly gentle tap from his knuckles.

“Ahh, but maybe I should see just how good she is. This is a rare opportunity… but that kinda sounds retarded; like finding a stupid reason to be hit—” Aries turned down to his stomach to find a beast biting his flank. “Well fuck, too late.” Another struck with its claws at his back from behind. “Not bad.” He spread his arms and spiritual energy tinted the sky red momentarily, yet not for long.

The demons now fallen, Claudia pulled herself back up and observed with squinted eyes. From what looked like an intense solar flare just now, she had trouble surveying her surroundings, especially the sky where he was last.

“I’m heeeeere!” Blayze was on the worn-out asphalt, literally inches away from her.

How was he this fast?

Three simultaneous strikes were made with burning heat. One to her right arm, one to her left arm, and one to her chest. She parried at the same time as he attacked when she noticed him; otherwise he would’ve hit more than that. She just knew that he would if he could as she wailed from excruciating pain. It wasn’t exactly pain from the fiery strokes he gave, but the fact that he somehow managed to sever her very veins was beyond simply painful. She coughed up blood, but couldn’t cup them and could only watch them splatter the floor.

Her arms were completely immobilized. The scythe fell off her hand as she couldn’t manipulate her fingers to keep a proper grip anymore.

“Fucking hell, why is it that everyone aims for my arms? It hurts… fuck me, it hurts so bad!” Claudia groaned, chuckling a little at the sight of her own blood. “Well congratulations, you just managed to piss me off.”

“If it’s that easy I reckon anyone can.”

“Well you’re not wrong. I just don’t like people, is all.”

“That’s a shame,” Aries said, feigning disappointment. “After all, the world is fun only because it’s full of idiots. Idiots like you who thinks they can just approach me alone.”

“Maybe I thought it would be fun? I don’t know. So far, despite me being a little heated, I’m having the time of my life,” Claudia said, spitting a loogie of blood onto the concrete, smiling visibly at Blayze. Though despite her efforts to keep herself composed, Claudia truly was in sheer agony. Screw the time she was burned and exorcised in Japan. This was the worst pain she felt in a long time.

“Oh? Then let’s dance, baby.” He wore the fedora at last with a grin. “Come.”

She kicked at her scythe, making it spin mid-air before she curved her leg and tightened around it. With one leg she made a charge.

Aries was quite impressed from this desperate style of combat as he caught the blade with his bare hand.

“Now we’re talkin’.”

Claudia couldn’t simply fling around her scythe with a leg. It required her to make light jogs and jumps for her to arc them. Even then, they weren’t as good as her usual strikes. However, she was very-well trained with such weapons so she somehow managed.

Since Aries wasn’t using a weapon, he had nothing to defend with other than his very arms. He parried most attacks until some of them landed sharp cuts on his skin. The mind-controlling ability of Lachesis’ Fang was still shrugged off like it was a simple nuisance. The way Blayze shrugged the effect off was comparable to one simply deciding to look away from a television show they weren’t fond of. Hypnotism was far away when enticement was barely taking any effect. This was the iron-strong will of a Descendant.

“Ah, I’m not so good with such a weapon. Not many used them in my life before…” He widened his eyes and a supernatural force struck, pushing Claudia back.

However, her shoulders were caught by warm hands.

Claudia turned to find Marco, looking at Aries with a face riddled with rage and fear.

“Are you alright, fair Lady?” he asked with a shaking voice.

Spitting more blood onto the floor, Claudia looked up to Marco, grinning a dopey grin. “Oh, I’m peachy. My arms don’t work anymore and I have one hell of a headache, but I feel great!”

“What are you, a masochist?” Marco joked, though his smile was barely as happy as Claudia’s.

“Is that what they’re called? Huh. Maybe.” Claudia chuckled.

“Why didn’t you let us know that you found him? Hell, why’d you even take this bastard on alone?”

“He took my earpiece the second after I saw him. Son of a bitch is too fast for his own good, I’ll tell you.”

“Should’ve fled then,” Marco said before sighing. “I suppose we can’t change what’s done anymore…”

“Indeed. That said,” Claudia stood up straight and cracked her neck. “I’m still gonna kill †˜em.”

“While holding your weapon like that…?”

“Hey, I’ve smashed a kid’s head in with a rock. I’ve fought in weirder ways. Maybe you can see how flexible I am like this, if you know what I mean,” Claudia jested, balancing her scythe on her right knee.

“I don’t know what to say.” Marco shrugged. “That’s… unique?”

“Oi, oi, I think that’s enough for a chit chat, boy,” Aries spat. “Hehehe, but I remember you. You’re the kid whose liver I tore out like what, fifty years ago? Sixty years ago? Seventy? Fuck if I remember. You sure have some balls to come standing before me again.”

“That I do,” Marco replied with a wry smile. “And that was seventy years ago, you creepy bastard.”

“With your bare hands? Heh, that’s fuckin’ brutal,” Claudia mused. “Still, I’ve grown quite fond of Marco, and I’ll be damned to let you pull some shit like that again.”

“Aw, don’t be like that. Alright, alright,” Aries said, as if pardoning her. “I’ll pull out your intestines instead. Pretty slick, those things are.”

“Ooh. That’ll be a show to see,” Claudia beamed. “Tell me Blayze, are you familiar with the term, pegging? And if so, are you interested in it?”

“I know what the fuck it is, but not really. Different strokes for different folks though; I can picture you two doing it,” Blayze answered, cupping his chin, while Marco showed a rather disgusted expression.

“W...Well, i-if fair Lady takes a liking to it then…” Marco stammered. He wasn’t even sure what he was saying.

Claudia chuckled, to both Marco and Blayze’s words. “You’re tolerant of that kind of thing, at least. I like that. But no—I was only saying; whether you were interested in it or not, I was going to be sure to shove the end of my scythe right up your ass before I’m done with you. I am so serious.”

“Well, you’re kinda fucking crazy in a way, like me. So I figured it was the reason. I doubt you can do that with your hands that way, though.”

“You’d be surprised what I can do with my feet, too,” Claudia replied.

“You can forget about that; I’m taking out those feet as well, hehehe.” Aries cracked the bones of his hands as he stretched. “So, are you ready for round two?”

“By all means. Let’s go.” Claudia bounced the scythe along her knee, maneuvering it under the pit of her calf and held it there at the ready while balancing herself on the other leg, the same method she had used before.

She charged the man again with a single leap of her left leg.

Blayze effortlessly stepped out of the way, but a portion of his skin towards his stomach burst open at the same time and he smirked instead of cringing.

Claudia followed with a mad dash as she concentrated all her efforts on her feet. The scythe arced across the air, but Aries dodged nimbly. He ducked from her last attack, and his fists shone with a bright orange flash.

She was struck three times: on her right arm, left arm—again—and additionally on her right leg this time too. The dangerous prickling pain of the severing of her leg’s vein made her face contort noticeably, much to the glee of the Descendant. He then punched her a few times, especially on her face, before kicking her.

Falling back beside Marco, Claudia angrily cast her Commandment again as her shadow turned to a disk of darkness that summoned two demonic beasts.

Aries wasn’t very interested in her power anymore, and took stance to deal with them.

“Go.”

The demons charged forth yet again. Blayze leapt with inhuman speed and force as the forms of the demons enlarged continuously in pursuit. He crossed broken shops; pavements, ruined buildings; and clouds, but the demons still followed suit. This was after crossing at least five hundred meters.

“Oh? So they can follow ceaselessly like that, eh? Not bad.”

It was truly impressive, not because they could simply go on and on, but because they could go past the wall of flames he placed around the pair. That was something one couldn’t get out of normally. Claudia had been thrown around like a ragdoll for some time but she was always under the confines of the flames.

Aries turned abruptly and kicked one of the demons, crashing it to an abandoned house. The house was almost a hundred meters away. Before he could put the other out of its misery, he felt extreme coldness. Ice formed on his being, and he realized Marco had cast a spell. By the time he could concentrate his spiritual energy to melt it away, it was too late; the other demonic beast took a bite out of him.

“Tch, that bastard, finding a time to distract me.” Blayze then looked down on his thigh where the demon hurt him. “So that’s how it is. That bitch, this shit causes death itself.” He grit his teeth, feeling some rage.

Aries approached the two from behind. “That’s some nasty Commandment you got.”

“Agh, shit…” Claudia turned an eye to Blayze and glared. “How did you…?”

“There isn’t a thing I can’t accomplish with my speed,” Blayze said with a smirk.

“Well fuck me, that’s impressive. I can’t lie to you, there.”

“Hehehe…” Aries laughed lightly. “Aw. I haven’t shown you this, so hold your horses… HAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

Pillars of light broke out from under the streets before the entire layer of the road collapsed. It felt like the world itself was breaking apart and before the pair knew it, everything was enveloped in a light of fiery flames.

Claudia was sure that she was going to be die tonight.

Some minutes later, she woke up to an environment that was different. Marco held her on his arms and ran along the sewer pathlines.

“Wha…? Damn it, you just won’t let me die, will you?” Claudia mumbled, chuckling.

“You wanna die that fast?” Marco inquired, dashing, his feet glowing as he flashstepped. He was clearly hurt but was somehow well enough to carry his lover in his arms.

“Well it beats getting one of my arms taken out every fight I get into.”

Marco placed a hand on his ear and then looked back at her. “Your arms sure have some bad luck. It seems like Mi’lady finally met Aries.”

“Oh, good. I wonder how much more collateral damage those two can cause in the next five minutes,” Claudia said, chortling.

The two heard a loud noise of buildings falling and glass shattering.

“It hasn’t even been five minutes, you know…?” Marco sighed. “I don’t want to be in the middle of two Descendants fighting.”

“BAHAHA, that’s great! To think we could have had front row seats. Ah, well. You win some you lose some.”

“...What’s exciting about this? We didn’t even get to drink some blood!” Marco said, his face twisted with anger. “Well, whatever, at least you’re safe now.”

“Ah, right… that was also my intention after I would defeat Aries, y’know, aside from the pegging,” Claudia said as an afterthought. “I could tell that his blood would’ve been good, too…” She shrugged, or attempted to, at least. “Still, thank you for the save, again.”

“Well, you can count on me, fair Lady.”

The two then found a broken section of the road above them, and so Marco leapt up to the surface. From there they decided to simply head back home.

Yep.

Minefield mahjong? What's different about it?

Rose, Marco, and Claudia made their way to the beach outside the villa now and found many people occupying it. The fragrant scent of saltwater and human flesh was all over the air, and the vampires were all tempted to hunt for prey already… despite not telling each other that, they were thirsty for blood.

Claudia stepped forward, sporting her newest swimsuit; a purple string bikini that showcased her body lucidly. Being a girl that had never worn one, Claudia was embarrassed to be wearing so less in public. She was worried that the scars lying on her arms, inner thighs, and midriff were easily seen by peering eyes.

Needless to say, none of said scars were present considering the regenerative abilities of a Representative could heal traces of past injuries too.

“I-I have to say, this is rather breezy. And this is a normal article of clothing for people?” Claudia asked, sheepishly.

“Everyone on the beach wears these, dear,” Rose answered. She wore a bikini of black with a pattern of red decorating it, and thus she similarly wore hardly any articles of clothing. It could be said that these two wore particularly less than most women on the beach.

Marco simply wore a pair of black briefs as he looked at the two ladies with a funny look. “I… I have to say you both are very impressive with your choices, e-especially you, of course, Claudia.”

Claudia couldn’t help but shield herself from Marco and blush. Just take the compliment, Farris. “T-Thank you, Marco. You look rather handsome yourself.”

“Thank you, fair Lady.”

Meanwhile, Rose bit her finger looking at the crowd as the couple stared each other down.

“Really, to be honest, this is very embarrassing. Never before have I showed this much skin in broad daylight… then again, I never showed any skin in general,” Claudia said. “England and all.”

“That is fine. That’s just how it was,” Marco said, smiling. “England is a thing of the past, after all. Forget swimsuits, you’d be vilified for far less than that, but if it wasn’t for that, we wouldn’t have met.”

Claudia smiled. “Then… I’m glad that was so.”

“Shall we enjoy breakfast in the seaside restaurant?”

“Why not? I am feeling peckish, anyways.”

The two went to the restaurant, had their food—which was completely different than even the food of Japan, by the way—and came back. They then enjoyed just walking around, side by side with their hands and fingers intertwined while holding their sandals.

“I wish we had a private beach here like we do in Japan,” Marco abruptly stated. “We should’ve went there when we were there.”

“Indeed. I definitely would’ve experienced the joys that come with being at the beach much earlier than I wanted,” Claudia agreed, absently burying her toes underneath the sand, enjoying the sensation.

“The scent of humans here is so strong… it tempts me,” Marco said, looking at the people for a bit, as children ran along and a group played beach volleyball for fun.

The birds sung and flew across the clear blue skies. This place wasn’t anything like Japan or England. America had clear skies, it had fine weather and the birds were lively. This was the first time Claudia could live under such skies, gaze upon them, busk under the sunshine, and appreciate the gifts of nature. She saw a few birds in Japan, but they were sparse.

Claudia hummed with interest. “Are you planning to…”

“I am not. I am going to hold myself back to have more time with you.”

“Good. Though, I would have joined you regardless. Maybe we could have taken the edge off.”

“A...Are you sure? We’d be spending valuable time taking out a human or two and sucking their blood.”

“Well not now of course, silly. I’m actually feeling relaxed for once and I’d rather not ruin it with a little spilt blood.”

“Indeed… So, fair Lady, how do you feel? Wasn’t it great after all that you joined us? Or do you regret the repercussions you faced?”

Claudia hummed and pursed her lips. “Well, of course I don’t regret it. I don’t regret any of it, actually,” she answered. “Truly, I’ve actually had the time of my life since joining.”

“...If you say so.”

Marco then looked towards the waves and the blue sea. The water coming and going, washing the sandy beach repeatedly. Something that would keep on happening for what seemed like an eternity.

“You know, you aren’t the only one.”

Quirking a brow, Claudia turned back to Marco. “The only one? To do what?”

“To be a child of a Diabolic family, I mean.”

Claudia looked astounded, no—shocked. A gasp escaped the back of her throat before she stifled it with a palm. “You were what…?”

“My family sold their souls to the devils. Until one day when my father had his soul eaten by a devil. Then later… my mother went deeper into the act…”

“My God… I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright, I wanted to tell you who I was… we all seem to only speak of you,” Marco said.

In fact, the man known as Marco—as he stared into the blue skies and seas, after he turned away from Claudia—had no idea what kind of an expression he made as he spoke of his dark past.

“I guarantee you, you and our comrades—we all suffered terrible lives before the Countess saved us from our fates.”

Claudia hummed and turned towards the ground. How could she had been so self centered? She never thought once of the fates Rose, Marco, and her other comrades had been forced to live in before coming under Catherine’s wing. She felt bad thinking about it now after all this time. “It’s all terrible—the concept of fate, I mean. We have the potential to be better people, but we’re dropped into some life that throws nothing but pain at us.”

“I personally think I could run away to find a better life. I really think so, but now I don’t think I should turn back anymore… I suppose I was simply scared as a kid. I really wanted to stop my mom, I really did… I knew the villagers had a hint about our family’s deeds.”

“That’s awful. But, it is normal for only a boy to be scared. If it matters, I do not blame you for not stopping your mother. You were only a child,” Claudia comforted.

“I was only twelve.” Marco gazed downwards. “The Executioners from the Church arrived…”

The damned Church. As expected. Claudia placed a comforting hand on Marco’s back, somehow sensing a pattern. “Sounds familiar…” she could only say, feeling like anything else would be taboo.

“Of course, they killed my mom,” he continued, feeling the need to finish recounting the tale. “I ran. I ran without thinking. I ran… leaving my sister behind. I ran… and there she was waiting—the Crimson Rafflesia. From there I started anew as a vampire… According to the Countess, my sister is alive somewhere—wandering the world like me.”

“Wow…” Claudia said incredulously. “I… have you ever attempted to look for your sister since then?”

“For seventy years, fair Lady,” Marco said deeply, almost ready to cry, but he held the tears back. “I am now eighty-two… I hope I’m not too old for you.”

Claudia was stifled with shock. An arresting silence came over her as she eyed the man with disbelief. This man had it bad, that was for sure. Worse than Claudia, at that. Never before had she had the overwhelming urge to hug a person and never let go; that’s what she did too. She reached out and wordlessly grabbed the man in both arms.

“Thank you…” He hugged her back and of course, there was a public response as some stared at them. “Ahaha… I feel a little embarrassed now.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is for you right now,” Claudia said, keeping the hug firm.

“That said, fair Lady. I have a favor to ask. If… if something were to happen to me, and you come across my younger sister, bring her to the Countess… of course, with her given consent. I’d want nothing more for her as a brother.”

“Don’t speak like that. It is bad luck,” Claudia said. “But… regardless of that, I will. I swear it.”

“I am glad to know.” Marco then turned back to her and their embrace ended. “Enough with me and the gloominess for the day I suppose? Come, let us perhaps enjoy a more bloody meal or two for a change of pace.”

“What do you have in mind? Or should I ask whom do you have in mind?”

“Well, whom would you like? There are many beauties and hunks for us to choose from.”

Humming in thought once again, Claudia glanced about the beach, putting a hand over her forehead to shield her eyes from the sun. “It won’t be an obese one, that’s for sure. I hear they’re unhealthy with all the stuff they eat here,” Claudia mumbled. “Most likely someone that won’t give me diabetes.” She suddenly chuckled into her hand and kept her search strong.

“It’s just blood though…?” Then again, I’m not one for biology or the likes. Whatever, I’ll go with her picks.

Claudia found herself in America. There were no cars levitating or lights extremely pleasing to the eyes, and nor did she find tiles that would move one automatically upon standing on it. Being outside the futuristic Japan wasn’t so bad. This country seemed to be quite literally full of casual people and mixed races as she had heard. The cities, landmarks, and the areas were charming in their own way.

It was also Marco’s home country.

Here in California, though, it was quite hot and Claudia wasn’t sweating, but she felt effectively scorched by the sun.

After having left Japan through a trip of the Magic Train, it had taken a stop shortly after on an Island close outside said country. From which they got off, and entered a certain city. That city was supposedly a city made by the mages. Through it, they managed to book flight tickets on its airport and Claudia chanced to have the biggest surprise of her life where she got to ride an aeroplane for the first time.

The group of terrorists did not stay in a hotel this time. Instead, Claudia was surprised to know that they had a private villa close to the beach of San Diego there. It wasn’t particularly grand but certainly held the end of its bargain in terms of looks and luxury inside.

“Oh, we still had this place,” Marco said, a little surprised himself.

“Well, I never relinquished my ownership on it.”

The Countess was apparently in a good mood as they entered the villa and checked for any suspicious objects planted inside. After all, who knew when the American agents would set up hidden cameras to find out whether the owners of the villa were ordinary people or the extraordinary or even people that should be exiled from the world altogether. It had been in ownership of the same person for too long.

At this point, Claudia concluded that Catherine was even richer than her family could have ever hoped to be, owning multiple dwellings in different countries.

“I have to say, I’m impressed. The way this villa yields such a view of the beach is calming to say the least. I’ve never even been on a beach before.”

“Now that’s a shame, fair Lady!” Marco exclaimed. “I suppose you do not have swimsuits either…?”

“A swimsuit? Ahh…” Claudia scratched the back of her head and looked headlong back to the beach. “Never wore one in my life,” she responded earnestly. She almost felt bad that she was never exposed to such things living in England. A shame it was.

“Well, why don’t we—” Marco was about to make a proposal when Rose cut in, placing a hand on his mouth.

“Shall we get you one, then?” Rose suggested in Marco’s place. “It’s boring with men, I assure you.”

Astounded, Claudia couldn’t help but shrug in acceptance. “Sure, why not? I don’t mind with either one of you, actually.”

“No, it’d not be valid for a gent like me to accompany you. It is only suitable for a fellow Lady for shopping in this case,” Marco said, backing away.

Rose nodded, smiling. Her devilish nature showed. “Men should be gawking at the beach at our beauty, and be captivated. That is the only right they get.”

Claudia snorted, running a hand through her hair, already wondering what type of swimsuit would fit her. “Then so be it. I suppose I could use another woman’s mindset on a subject I know nothing about.”

“Good, good,” Rose said. “We shall be off to shopping after settling down our luggage.”

“Oh? So the morning of the morrow will be spent at the beach?” Catherine inquired to confirm, appearing very excited at the matter.

“Indeed, Mistress.”

“Very well. Frolic in the beach at day time if you may; we hunt for Aries at night. Keep it in mind.”

“Of course. Fun for the daytime, hunt for the night,” Claudia said with a bow.

“So, as worse as that sounds we don’t get to sleep in the day?” George questioned from behind Catherine.

“...Well,” Rose began, “If you aren’t comfortable being awake in the morning, you are free to sleep in.”

“Hehehe.”

“ …You really are insane.”

Two figures stood among the rubble that consisted of broken concrete, asphalt, and torn bodies.

He who was the object of legend, awe, and fear all in one—the lone warrior who was renowned to crush all under his feet—faced his nemesis once again. The Descendant who was supposedly able to manipulate time to an extent wore a crazed smile for an expression, and he was known to be completely fearless. However, he was also surprisingly chivalrous.

He was seemingly a proud teenger. A proud lunatic. A proud killer of many.

He was a superhuman.

He was commonly called Aries.

A monster.

A being who was so powerful that most Organizations would steer clear from his path, and the mage associations were always thinking of ways to tackle his iron grip across the States.

The teenage boy munched a burger thoughtlessly to sate his hunger. One could say that he wasn’t acting serious enough, despite the fact that he had destroyed a bus with a single kick while having his so-called snack.

On the other hand was a brown-skinned man with a grown beard and moustache—the same color as his hair tied in ponytail—dressed in a sleeveless suit, white shirt and black pants. A cigarette hung from his dry lips as a waft of smoke was adrift in the air. One could also call him out for not acting serious enough despite the situation, too.

“You know, kid,” the man begun with his baritone voice. “When I was a kid, I was a good one, havin’ some fun here and there, studyin’ when I needed to, and hangin’ out with girls other times…”

“What a coincidence! I used to do that too. The girls, I mean. Except that they were all corpses by the time I was done hanging around with them.” The Descendant grinned as he noted a time in his past too.

The Archmage who led the mage’s association of America sighed deeply. The Mage Vanguards Association—MVA in short—was responsible for catching criminals abusing their Gift of magic, playing around with spirits thinking it’s actually fun, beating up demons taking souls and killing civilians, and lastly, stopping Descendants from running rampant in the United States of America. Of course, the government of America funded them and their operations. They were quite effective against most opponents so far, except the Descendant who had been causing trouble left and right for them for the past few years.

The last of the burger was crunched, munched, and gulped down.

The last of the tobacco free cigarette burned out, and it was crushed under a boot.

“Done,” they both said in unison.

“That’s enough for your break, I guess, Blayze?”

The two met and fought so much that they were known to get along, strangely enough. Since the older man knew that the Descendant wasn’t one who’d run away, he’d gladly wait for him to finish his burger. What kind of a dandy man would attack a teenger who was eating, anyway?

“Tch, thought I was going to be faster,” the young man spat, and the aged man could only shrug with a smile. “Yeah, let’s get this over with, Christopher Bradley.”

“Alright, good.”

Christopher Bradley, one of the greatest mages in the world, took the stance of a warrior monk from the eastern countries, his hands and forearms donning a pair of silver gauntlets with a cross carved onto each of them.

The earth shook and the air vibrated tremendously. Nature itself was disturbed.

The Descendant gave a toothy grin as spiritual energy leaked from under the broken road. The lunatic’s laughter echoed.

“Hope you don’t die now, Christopher. The world would be boring without you.”

In a café in this strange place known as Akihabara, Aramus and Elizabeth were more than just lost. Elizabeth had been interested in this area for some time, and it just so happened that she wanted to come here of all places.

“This café certainly is unique,” Elizabeth commented, looking around. “They are all dressed as… western maids? But the waitresses’ dresses are more… bold than I had imagined.” So this is what Aozora-san was talking about.

Indeed, a maid café of all places was where they had ended up in. Despite it being somewhat late, the place was brimming with activity by the strange-looking people who were particularly chubby and wearing glasses. She wondered if this was some kind of a trend.

“It’s all about the image,” Aramus raved, pointing at the maids with the end of his fork. “They try and cater to the tastes of every male customer that walks through that door. They aren’t able to actually cook or clean like the ones we’re used to, but the other customers aren’t here for that anyway,” Aramus said after a mouthful of cake.

“But they’d call themselves maids despite being unable to fulfill the criteria?” Elizabeth asked with incredulity, cutting a portion of her omelette rice from her plate before eating it. It was delicious indeed. To think it wasn’t a cooking maid who prepared this dish… it felt rather odd to the English maiden.

“The Japanese have a different definition of the word †˜maid.’ Something regarding †˜moe’ though I’m not too sure what it entails. Take a look around at the way they treat their customers and how happy they are to be served that way,” Aramus said, setting aside an empty plate and beginning to eat from another. “Their job is just to keep the customer satisfied.”

“I do comprehend the concept of †˜moe’ to an extent, but not entirely. My friend had been… introducing me to this culture of niche products, and whatnot,” Elizabeth responded. “However, I do see what you mean, teacher. The †˜maids’ are doing what they are required to do… they just appear incomplete to me.”

“I suppose it’s true. I’m just here for the cake, I guess. This is a good spot for light conversation as well. I mean, even if we did speak about magic and what not, anyone who overhear it would just chalk it up to the latest anime craze.”

“Indeed, indeed, part of the reason I wanted to come here was for that reason,” Elizabeth agreed with a nod. “Now, shall we hear from you what the story is?”

“So this fiasco began way before you were born. No, seriously. It was from my time as an urchin,” Aramus said, explaining himself after Elizabeth gave him a strange look. “Suffice it to say, it involved the theft and eventual recovery of Paimon’s Fan. No, it is not rightfully mine,” he said sadly.

“So that magical weapon you have been wielding all along was actually gained from… larceny?” It almost felt like she heard it wrong from her teacher.

“Correct. I only met the rightful owner back in England during the Queen’s Meeting and it was more profound than I thought it would be.” Aramus poured a round of tea for both himself and Elizabeth, drinking some of the hot beverage to loosen his tongue. “Quite literally, larger than life.”

“Quite literally larger than life?” Elizabeth questioned. “I wonder how you’d get to meet such a being in all the fuss that the event was surrounded by.”

“Her Majesty herself arranged the meeting. There, a quest for penance was handed down to me for the crime of stealing the relic. To travel beyond the gates of the Infernal realm and retrieve another lost relic for him. Of course, Her Majesty was present when all this was being said and therefore, I cannot fail.”

“...I see, but this hardly makes sense. Teacher, it just doesn’t. That night I spoke with you, and Her Majesty was still injured. How’d any of that be possible in such a short span of time?”

“If happened after that mess and the Queen deigned herself to hear out my request to speak to Paimon’s original owner,” Aramus said, running a hand over the fan hidden in his suit. “King Solomon, lord of the Faerie realm.”

“...King Solomon?!” Elizabeth shouted, turning some heads to her. She felt rather embarrassed from raising her voice and toned down her excitement immediately. “S-Such a person still exists?”

“If you could call him as such, yes. He was, for the lack of a better word, huge,” Aramus said, thinking back on how he had to crane his neck up to look at Solomon, far enough to leave a crick.

“...I wonder how many know of this fact. Likely very few. King Solomon appears in our textbooks in the Academy but mostly because he was a famous and exemplary magician many centuries ago. I wouldn’t think he was in fact the Lord of Faeries. Reality sure differs from history quite often.”

“Indeed. Imagine my surprise when I found out who I was speaking to… Anyways, he tasked me with retrieving the sword, Laevateinn, from the Infernal realm. Up till now, I’ve been searching for a way to get there, from chatting up a demon to looking up on Will †˜o’ Wisps after information provided by old man Mikaido.” Another sip of tea followed, Aramus absently noting that even his tea back at the dormitory tasted better than this.

Elizabeth, too, sipped her tea as she listened. This was an interesting topic. “However intriguing I find it, this is still a dangerous journey. I will not ask what sin you might’ve had to commit to bring about a demon, but what are the leads so far? Hellfires?”

Aramus set his teacup with a soft clink, steepling his fingers. “Thus far, I have learned that there is an entrance to it in America but apart from that, the hellfires are apparently another entrance. I didn’t do anything wrong, just a victim of circumstance when I met with the demon. Becoming a toad was a… once in a lifetime experience.”

“Oh, you must’ve come across the rumored fog of change, or whatever that is going on in London. I had only heard of it at the Queen’s Meeting from a gentleman.” Elizabeth somehow regretted bringing up another gentleman in her conversation with Aramus. Clearing her throat, she continued, “Anyway, I suppose I may help you, teacher. With your quest, that is. However, I must warn that I am not in perfect control of my relic weapon.”

“That is fine, this is my selfish request for redemption after all. I’ve held onto the fan for far too long. To turn my back on this now would only mar me further. I appreciate your assistance nonetheless, Elizabeth,” Aramus said with a smile, waving away her inhibitions.

“We lack the time to do any of this here, however. Perhaps in the New World then?”

“Of course.” A smile appeared on his face at her easy acceptance of his tale, Aramus feeling nostalgic as he watched the student across from him. Reminding him that she wasn’t his favorite for nothing. “Since we’re here in Tokyo, do you want to find something else to do?”

“That, definitely—that,” Elizabeth looked towards the window as she spoke. Beyond said window of the café was a robot walking across the street.

This was known as the Sweet Bot. As the name implied, it carried sweets and desserts on its body, displaying them like any other vending machines in the world. It would patrol on a given time span in an area, and would happily accept money in exchange for giving away sweets of particular choices.

“I had always wanted to buy something from that,” she added.

“Good!” Aramus exclaimed as he eyed the Sweet Bot with predatory glee. “Some people are going to be so disappointed once I’m done with it.”

“...You should really manage your finances more,” Elizabeth advised, and with that, she was going to manage it anyway.

“Oh, it’s just a couple hundred or thousand yen. I need to get some for Almond to cheer him up as well,” Aramus said, silently thankful for her advice. “I’ll manage somehow.”

The two walked, paid their charges, and left the café while Elizabeth was still unconvinced by those irresponsible words—or what they appeared to be. “Doesn’t change that it’s precious money earned from hard work, esteemed Magister Aramus-sensei-sama,” she said with emphasis on his name. “Mayhap you forget—with our Headmistress gone—you currently lack an income hitherto the situation is resolved?”

Aramus gave her a look of abject horror, all the blood draining from his face. “Doesn’t the salary come from somewhere else. No wait, the money for Almond comes out from her own pocket, doesn’t it!?” he wailed. “Whoever’s taking over the finances won’t give me any extra!”

“I believe all of it was coming from her pockets to begin with,” Elizabeth answered, sighing. Pitying herself for having to explain common knowledge. “To begin with, Headmistress Lumiere made the Academy through her own money. This side of the world didn’t have any Magic Academy till then. I am not sure where her property will go from here. Perhaps maybe Almond…? He’d possibly be the one closest to Lumiere as far as I know. I have never ever heard of her family, even if she has one.”

Aramus, who had collapsed to his knees by then, gave a weak reply. “He was personally entrusted to me by the Headmistress. I don’t intend to relinquish that right. Though I might need to find another source of income on the side to make that happen…”

“Well, thankfully for now, the operation to kill Virgo should yield us some income, no?”

“I hope so,” Aramus said, the Sweet Bot by his side and †˜greedily’ accepting the notes he was stuffing into it. A stream of candy was flowing out from it, and they were disappearing into Aramus’ outfit, occasionally one or two finding its way into his mouth. Even though it was an endless stream, his shirt and pants somehow didn’t get any larger or bulkier. A unique kind of sorcery that any other mage would have found admirable but useless.

“Yes, we may only hope,” Elizabeth said, the bot’s other hand busy taking her notes and dishing out candy too. However, she stopped much earlier than Aramus. An exclusive DVD of that show… am I seeing this right? Needless to say, anime distracted her as she stared at a store’s poster.

“You want to get that?” Aramus mumbled as he looked up, cheeks full of candy. “We got time so…”

“N-No, it is alright. It wouldn’t do to waste my allowance,” Elizabeth vehemently declined, waving her hands. Although she seemed to really want it, whatever it was, she’d never spend her money wastefully.

“Then I’ll buy it for you.” Checking his own wallet, he found that it was painfully empty. Only a few notes were left inside after the candy buying spree, but it was enough for a simple DVD or so he hoped. “I’m always troubling you. This is the least I can do for your help so far.”

“No, no, please don’t. I will feel guilty about it.”

Aramus merely hummed, deciding that he would just get it for her.

Elizabeth frowned. “Why is it that people feel proud of forcing their kindness down the throat of others?” she questioned to no one in particular as she followed Aramus to the store.

Aramus snickered slightly as he parsed the wares of the store, an attendant greeting him with a “Welcome!” as he walked into the shop and asked whether anything caught his fancy. Explaining what Ellie wanted, the attendant handed him a small ticket and directed him to the cashier. Aramus glanced down at the small piece of paper, the information all written on it and he balked inwardly at the price.

Still, Ellie’s presence and the knowing look in the attendant’s eyes crushed all resistance in him. Judging from the way Ellie was gushing over some of the offerings, it was hard not for the attendant to discern who the DVD was actually for. Shortly after, the pair was outside the store and the attendant gave them a final “Thank you!” as the doors closed shut.

Aramus looked at the bag he was holding, stuffed full of flyers of the latest of whatever was popular. Again, filled to the brim with all that cute †˜moe’ stuff, Aramus sighed and passed the bag over to Elizabeth. “Well Ellie, here you go. I hope this will suffice for now. I can’t really do much more than this...”

“I would prefer you not doing anything at all…” Elizabeth reluctantly accepted the bag, but with a frown that was for her usual †˜caring’ side, if one would put it that way. “I am going to guess that your wallet is even more emptier than before now.”

Aramus remained silent, Ellie already knowing the answer to that question. Still, he felt obligated to return the favor even in the slightest. Something like this, letting her watch her favorite anime and enjoy her youth just that little bit more, it was enough.

Noting the silence, Elizabeth sighed.

“Shall we go back? I think the hell discussion is quite done.”

“Alright,” Aramus said with a bit more vigor, indeed noting that he had accomplished a little bit more today. “T’was a good day today. Well, apart from the mess and all that. I quite enjoyed myself having these shenanigans before the trip, you know?”

“I suppose I enjoyed it too.” Elizabeth beamed in return, secretly excited about the DVD she was gifted.

Inside the main building of the Academy now, he walked towards the vending machine Hare had taught him to use. Following her instructions, he ordered tea. He knelt to take the beverage he ordered when a voice interrupted him:

“Oh, I didn’t think anyone would be here now. Mind getting me a mango juice?”

He’d recognize that voice anywhere, and sure enough when he turned around, Mary Shelley was in front of him.

“Seems like my nap got cut short. Let me get your juice then, Miss Mary.”

“Thank you,” Mary curtly replied. She sat back on a chair in the cafeteria behind him.

The cafeteria wasn’t empty. There were some scholars who showed up for dinner, but for the most part it was quiet and somewhat deserted compared to the morning lunch hours. Student scholars had other ways to get dinner apparently.

“Here for dinner, Miss Mary?” he asked, giving her a can of juice. Michael opened his can and took a sip. He grimaced as he tasted iced coffee in his mouth. It seemed that it was the other button he should have pressed, after all.

“More or less.”

“Mind if I join you then? Your company would be much appreciated.” He smiled at her.

“Oh? Since when was my company was so popular?” Mary joked, but she gestured towards the seat opposite to her.

“Well, you’re an actress, and I am admittedly a fan,” he replied, taking his seat. “Have you any idea as to who would be joining us in America?”

Indeed, she was an actress, after coming to Japan now, Mary really thought that her name as an actress didn’t carried far at all. In all honesty, she was disappointed, seeing the way the modern world worked. One day, she’d want to be an actress in the New World or somewhere, but that was only a fleeting dream.

“Yes, our leader of course,” Mary responded.

“I thought the Duchess would be leading us?”

Mary laughed. “Of course not, silly. She is leading the entire group with a few others, and our party is a small part of it. We’d still need a leader of our own.”

“And that leader isn’t you? That makes me curious as to whom that person might be,” he remarked.

“No, no,” Mary answered the question while waving her hand dismissively. Leader? Her? How? “I am just an ordinary scholar from the Royal Academy, only eighteen years old, remember?” She reminded with a wink. “The one to lead our party will be the Magister Aramus Valmark. To begin with, the two of us decided to make the team. We simply had you and your partner join us,” Mary stated, before eating from her plate of curry.

“The name sounds familiar.” Michael took a piece of bread from his pocket and dusted it off before taking a bite. “Is he a dependable sort, then?”

She chewed her food and gulped before meeting Michael’s pupils with confidence. “Probably,” she answered. It sounded rather vague coming from her. “He is a Magister, so he has to be dependable, right?”

Michael raised his eyebrows at Mary’s response. “Well, I hope he is, either way.” He bit into his bread and sipped his coffee to soften it up and add some flavor to his mouth. “How many are we in the team?”

“That’s all so far. The four of us—no, five,” Mary said, reminding herself of something. “I almost forgot, but Svetlana Astakhov was with your partner when she said that she wanted to join us. After that incident, I guess I can’t blame her.” Her smile broke as she looked down to her food. However, there was no reason to let the tragedy stop her, so she continued to dine. She was used to it all.

“Miss Svetlana, I know. She was with me when we fought against Claudia and one of her allies. She is a truly formidable mage,” Michael said, trying to take his mind off the recent incident for at least this night. “However, I thought she was close with the late Miss Alicia’s daughter. I figured she’d be helping the girl now that she’s pretty much alone now.”

“That young girl is probably going to be under her maids’ care for some time,” Mary guessed, finishing her curry. “If you claim that Miss Astakhov is formidable then I suppose I was right to let her in.”

“Well, as it stands, I owe her my life so I think that’s a good measure,” he joked. “When I had arrived, she was holding Claudia back for a good while.”

“That does sound like an achievement, especially against a Representative. I suppose she has the qualifications to be a teacher here after all,” Mary said, picking up her can of drink. She saw some depictions of strawberry and milk. “This isn’t mango juice, is it?”

“What? I believed I pressed the right button this time. That machine must’ve been broken. It gave me coffee when I wanted tea,” he responded. “Apologies, Miss Mary. Let me get you your mango drink.”

“No, it is fine,” Mary said, halting the priest before he got off his chair. The young lady deftly opened the can and drank the contents. “...Oh my, I was really content with the mango flavored juices, but I think I can get addicted to this as well.”

“Seems like you really do enjoy sweet things,” he said, smiling at her. “That reminds me of that sweet biscuit they are selling here. It is quite good.”

“Ahaha… I suppose I do, but if I eat any more it’d probably not be good for me…” Mary laughed nervously. She couldn’t tell him that she had been eating more than she usually would. Any more weight and it’d be a problem in more than one way.

“Eh? You look the same as always, Miss Mary. Like the first time I saw you in the theatre.”

“You don’t have to put it that way…” Mary sighed. She drank her strawberry milk juice greedily as if to ignore him.

“Huh… Wha—? Did I say something wrong? I apologize if it is so!” He panicked, unsure whether he had hurt her feelings.

Meanwhile as he spoke, Mary drank more from the can and finally dropped it on the table. “Haaah, that felt great.” She then got off the chair. “Well,” she smiled like usual again. “Shall we go out and get some fresh air?”

“Erm… Uh… Y-Yea. That would be great,” Michael said, completely puzzle by Mary’s behavior.

The two strolled for some time as they passed by the long corridors of the Academy. There were the dark clouds covering the sky and its stars like usual outside. Even then, Mary was staring at it as a light breeze passed. She held her platinum blonde hair in place with one hand as she viewed and admired the quiet scenery. The lights placed around the area shone against her figure and she appeared dazzling, even more than usual, somehow.

“How are you holding up?” Mary finally spoke, only to make another question.

“I’m quite fine?” Michael was curious about her sudden question. “The hospital said I’m perfectly healthy now. It’s quite surprising, really.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Mary said. She only turned halfway to reveal her golden eye at the priest. “Ever since yesterday… how have you been holding up?” She repeated her question yet again, her tone solemn.

“I’m okay. Really,” Michael replied knowing he couldn’t lie to Mary’s golden eye. “It’s just part of the job. We’re trained to handle it, so don’t worry!” he said, smiling at her.

“Idiot, you don’t have to smile when you don’t want to. That’s what actresses do,” Mary said.

“That’s...” His gaze went down but his smile didn’t, “It’s okay… Miss Mary. It’s part of the job.”

“Everyone needs a break at least once.”

“Ah, well. I’m actually on a break right now. Besides, I’ve gotten plenty of rest at the hospital,” he replied. “I am genuinely thankful for your concern, Miss Mary, but don’t worry. I will be in tip top shape when we deploy in America, even if we do so now!”

“Then why were you crying?”

“I’m what?” Since when did I even cry? Maybe with mum’s funeral perhaps? But that’s way back in the past, isn’t it?

“Don’t you remember?” Mary asked as if the answer was the most obvious in the world. “When Mister Bram caught you?”

“Oh, that. Might’ve been just stress, Miss Mary. Happens sometimes. Admittedly, it seems to be more frequent as of late. I suppose I should take a detour to HQ before I go to America.” Michael was stroking his chin in contemplation.

“You don’t need to hold it all in,” Mary advised. “You don’t need to be burdened with his last words; I can take care of myself.”

Michael put his hand on Mary’s head. “Trust me on this, Miss Mary, this box is better off unopened. For my sake.”

Mary shook her head in disapproval.

“It’s fine, just this once.”

In the next moment he was reminded of his time alone with Laura back in Hyde Park in London as Mary embraced him.

“It’s fine,” she said again. “I’m sorry you had to go through some of those nightmares.”

“Thank you,” he whispered to Mary before pushing her away gently. He averted his gaze as he took off, running towards the building, intending to lose her somewhere there. He knew for a fact that this might’ve been a futile effort from him, but he’d be damned if he didn’t do something, anything. Never again. I won’t lose any of my friends again. Especially to them.

“Things won’t change if you run away.”

Michael heard and looked up, stopping in his tracks.

Like a ghost, Mary was before him and he felt a strong and short gale momentarily. Her speed was as impressive as ever.

“Isn’t this some sort of cheating?” he joked.

“Are you implying running away isn’t?”

“True,” he said, raising his arms. “I guess I can’t really run away, huh?” On his fingers, silver strings glittered in the light.

Mary noted the strings and sighed. “Do you wish to be away from me that badly?”

“If it were only up to me, I would wish the exact opposite of what you just said,” he admitted.

“Then why run?”

“Because it isn’t up to me. I have responsibilities to do, vows to uphold, Miss Mary, and as of this moment, I can barely do them.” He lowered his hands. “And as you’ve demonstrated, I am not strong enough. The Countess almost killed me as if she were just killing a fly, and Virgo managed to kill Mrs. Alicia in front of me with me being unable to do anything… and Claudia… she’s getting stronger as days pass. What would I do if I fail to keep up? I will not just yield, I will end the need for people like me.”

“But were you not on break?” Mary questioned but didn’t expect an answer. “Everyone has a role to play in life, Mister Kallweit. Not necessarily whatever they are told to do. You are not a puppet of the Church unless you truly choose to be—you’re a human being with your own mind and heart. It’s sad, however. Humans are only so strong; Descendants’ and Representatives’ superiority are too much for many of you.” The way Mary worded her last sentence made the priest realize that she didn’t count herself as human. “Of course Claudia is getting stronger; she is slowly realizing her true potential. Soon she will join among my ranks.”

“Even so...” He clenched his fists. Now that he fully realized the truthfulness of Mary’s statement, it was then that he had strengthened his resolve. Even more so than the first time they had a similar talk. “Even so... I will.”

“What will you do? Rather, what can you do?”

“My job. I will get it done at all costs.”

“I see. Good luck.”

Mary turned and walked away.

I wonder why he reminds me of myself sometimes…

It was already evening when Aramus was finally going back to his room at his dormitory, his hand linked with Almond’s as they walked side by side. Almond’s eyes were dry from crying excessively, and even he was starting to think all kinds of things regarding why Lumiere might’ve asked his teacher to take care of him in that solemn tone yesterday.

Regardless, Aramus looked up to find a familiar blonde figure beside his door.

It seemed like she was waiting for him.

The young lady he’d often address as his best student, Elizabeth Cavendish Bentinck.

Ever since Aramus found out about some of her secrets, things had changed a lot between them, and they had hardly conversed much since then. The distance had grown, after all. He’d see her in classes but they’d never find a reason to seek each other out for conversing.

Needless to say, the etiquette lessons was a memory of the distant past.

“Teacher…” Elizabeth started, her voice trailing away. “I was waiting for you.”

“Ellie… Give me a moment,” Aramus replied, ushering the whimpering Almond into the room. “I’ll be with you shortly.” With a cup of chocolate milk and whispers to comfort for the distraught boy while he was with Elizabeth, Aramus shut the door quietly, leaving the pair alone. “How have you been?” Aramus began. It had been some time and somehow, this wall that had never been there before made itself known. He found himself stumbling over words that were waiting to be said.

Elizabeth signalled him to follow her out of the dormitory. With the walls of the rooms surrounding them, it wasn’t exactly a nice place for a Duke’s daughter and the Academy’s teacher to be speaking.

After a short walk out the exit, and Elizabeth finally found herself answering. “I had been doing well, teacher,” she answered, feigning a smile, “My studies are progressing as usual, and I believe my grades will remain to be the top of the class.”

“As expected of my favorite,” Aramus said as he strolled alongside her. “Your parents? Are they well?”

“I do not know.” Elizabeth’s fake smile already fell. “I did not receive a letter, and they hadn’t recovered when I left.”

“Judging from the way your mother sounded yesterday, she seemed right as rain,” Aramus reassured her. “And of your †˜private business?’ No problems there as well?”

“...My mother, yesterday? Where?” the student scholar asked, ignoring the more personal question.

“Hah. Just happened to overhear something I wasn’t supposed to.” Aramus made a shushing motion with a finger, looking around to make sure no one would’ve heard it.

Elizabeth supposed that it was a matter she wasn’t going to learn more about and dropped. “So, what do you imply by †˜private business?’”

“Are they still contacting you?”

“They will not in Japan. Unless an emergency prevails.”

“Good for now then. So, what did you want to speak to me about?” Aramus said, a little bit more relieved by that piece of information.

Elizabeth swallowed her saliva and gulped before she opened her lips again. “...What did you see yesterday, teacher?”

Aramus arched an eyebrow, turning to look down at his student. “Was there anything I should have been taking note of?”

“Did… A-Alicia-sensei say anything about me… my family…?”

“No. By the time I arrived, she was already gone,” Aramus said in a slightly cold tone. “Is there something you are worried about?”

“...The truth is,” Elizabeth looked away. “My sword was apparently responsible for the demon that haunted her family.”

Aramus considered her for a moment, filing away that little tidbit for later. “How so? As far as I know, your relic weapon does not have that capability.”

“Well, my mother once explained that she never got to apologize to Duchess Margaret Alicia because her sword brought forth a rare kind of… fire, which could potentially summon entities from the Infernal Realm.”

“Hellfires?” Aramus exclaimed loudly, suddenly excited. “Will †˜o’ wisps!? The sword can summon that?”

“Hm? Hellfires? I am not sure about that… same for Will †˜o’ Wisps—where did you learn these, teacher? I was certain that those are not known to many except a few Infernal Lore teachers.”

“It was something requested of me when I returned to England. Suffice it to say, what you hold in your hands is probably the key to what I seek,” Aramus said with a grin. “I should’ve asked your mother while I was there.”

“Even if you ask me that… the risks are high, teacher. I do not know why my mother unleashed such power into the world when she did, but it brought about a tragedy that prevailed throughout Alicia-sensei’s life, and I do not even know where the source of that darkness lies today.”

“It is something I must do. You should ask your mother about it since you are now the wielder of the sword. At least, to prevent something like that from happening,” Aramus said, regaining ahold of himself. “It would do good to have that knowledge.”

“There is nothing to speak with my mother about.” Elizabeth shook her head, adamant as usual. “If it concerns powers regarding the sword I have not used before, that may only mean that I haven’t fully mastered it.”

“Have it your way. Knowing you, it’s only a matter of time before that happens. That said, mastering the sword does not necessarily mean mastering what comes through the flames,” Aramus said with a shrug, a slight †˜humph’ leaving his mouth.

“What comes through the flame is beyond control,” Elizabeth replied in a matter-of-factly manner, completely deporting Aramus’ all-knowing attitude. “Mastering it implies keeping said flame stable. Hence, there really isn’t much to talk about with my esteemed mother; I’d only be worrying her.”

Aramus grunted in response.

“Besides, what would you do with such dangerous flames, teacher?” Elizabeth now faced Aramus with her good old inquisitive tone and gaze that made the teacher cower further. “For an educator, such a request is rather ironic, considering the safety of the innocents.”

“We would have to localize it or something… I didn’t know that your sword is able to generate them but my original intention was to find them in the New World. It’s part of a quest, I suppose,” Aramus said sheepishly. “If push comes to shove, I might have to ask for your help.”

“If you wish for my cooperation,” Elizabeth began, feigning sternness, “Then you’d have to explain everything. It’s the least you may do for listening to the shame my family has committed. After all, what I spoke of wasn’t official. None of it.”

“Alright. Since you’re probably going to hound after it anyway, I’ll tell you in detail. We should find a place to have a drink as it’s going to take some time,” Aramus said. A small price to pay for her cooperation since he would’ve told her about the quest if she had followed anyway.

“It’s good to know that you’re easier to speak with like before,” Elizabeth said with a smile he hadn’t seen in a long time. “...Yet, do we have such a convenient private place in this location, teacher?”

“That makes two of us. How’s a café outside the Academy sound? It would be good to get away from the cloud hanging over the school, not something I’d like to face on my last day here anyway,” Aramus suggested.

Elizabeth shrugged. “It’s cloudy outside the Academy all the same. We can’t do anything about a country with an similar issue as England, but I suppose a mundane café would be far more suitable than here.”

Aramus pouted. “I just want to eat some cake on my last day, ok? I’ll get all those looks if I eat cake here. †˜How can he be so relaxed just before the mission?’ or †˜Eating casually after what happened.’ I could do without that, to spend the last day with good food and even better company.”

The young noble lady laughed. “You’re extremely self-conscious about your public image as usual, teacher. But you should’ve been more honest—with me at least—from the start. Excuses do not escape my attention.”

It seemed like Elizabeth pondered about something after placing a finger under her chin. “Perhaps I should try out some of their parfait due to this opportunity.”

“Oh! Oh! Great idea!” Aramus said, suddenly fired up. “I should stock up on candy as well for the trip and… Almond. Maybe some for Frederica.” He mumbled under his breath. “Then shall we go, missus?”

“Let us depart then.”

Elizabeth offered her hand and Aramus held it, a scene somewhat resembling an escort of a princess leading her for an outing. Except that the escort was a poor man in reality.

“What will you do now?”

“Who… are you?”

“I am the demon you humans fear so.”

“The… demon?!”

“That’s right…”

“I’ll definitely… definitely free Isabelle from you.”

“Bold words, child, but what can you do? If Margaret Alicia couldn’t—what would you do?”

“I… I… ”

“I entered Isabelle’s body through an accident. At least I believe it was. Then I happened to glance upon Margaret Alicia’s in time… how delicious it was.”

“D… Delicious?”

“That’s right, her soul seemed delicious to me.”

“That’s why you ruined Isabelle’s future.”

“Hah, whatever you say, it was Alicia’s fault for not accepting me.”

“Accepting you? What do you mean?”

“That’s right, I offered her a contract. However, she didn’t accept.”

“What kind of a contract…?”

“A pact of life and death—one that intertwines the fates of the involved—where I inhabit the contractor. That’s right… it is the only way to take me off of Isabelle’s body.”

“Why… why would Alicia not save Isabelle that way, then?”

“I wouldn’t know. You can ask her—well, I suppose you can’t anymore.

“Mrs. Alicia…”

“I have come to you with an intention tonight—why not make a contract with me?”

“A contract… with you?!”

“Don’t you want to save Isabelle from her fate? Don’t you want more power? Don’t you want to avenge Margaret Alicia’s death? I offer you unbound power, strength, and vitality!”

“But that’s—”

“Oh? Are you afraid? I thought you’d do anything to free her from this fate?”

“...Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll show you that I can do what it takes to save my little sister!”

[i]“Very well. May our destinies be bound. Your blood, your body, your soul—I shall have them in exchange for my strength.”

“Just you wait, Isabelle—you won’t have to think of revenge or fear anything… I will get rid of her for sure.”

In the next day, Isabelle wouldn’t feel the demon within her anymore, and Svetlana would reveal her plans to join the operation.

At the expense of one’s future, another’s future was saved.

Isabelle returned home.

All the maids looked at the deceased Alicia’s daughter with worry and fear. They cared about her wellbeing, but at the same time they feared the demon that inhabited within her. They also viewed her with some extent of pity.

The gazes were felt like daggers, and she looked away as soon as she entered. Before her awaited a familiar figure. Naturally, she huddled over to her after approaching her. She was the one and only person she could rely on for anything in this world now. However, she knew that she needed to stop being dependent.

It was Svetlana—the heiress of the name of Margaret.

Her so-called older sister who was not blood-related, but as the older recognized †˜sister’ by Alicia, she was now the legitimate successor of Margaret Alicia. Indeed, she had newfound pressures to battle against.

The sin she inherited from Margaret Alicia—she resolved herself to using it well in her life, and of course, mastering it.

Isabelle looked at her with a sad look for a moment. She wanted to smile—no, she tried to smile, but she couldn’t. How could she, especially so early after her mother had passed away?

Svetlana too, didn’t show her usual smile.

“I’m back… sister,” Isabelle said, addressing Svetlana as she deemed appropriate.

“Welcome home, Isabelle,” the older sister finally said, patting the head of young Isabelle. She gave a forced smile. It was one that was clearly riddled with grief and powerlessness, yet somehow she seemed hopeful of a brighter future. As one would expect of Svetlana, her optimism was one of her virtues.

Isabelle could only wonder how a person could give such a smile.

That night, they went to bed together after having a dinner where they hardly ate much.

With a lot of tears shed, and words hardly spoken, most of the day passed by. The two had things to tell each other but couldn’t bring up the courage to speak.

Svetlana wanted to tell Isabelle that she was going to partake in the operation to fight Virgo.

Isabelle wanted to discuss the future, and also wanted to ask how she would learn magic.

However, they fell asleep without uttering a single word to introduce such topics.

Till the end, the Duchess wore a smile as she passed on. How could she be happy while leaving her daughter all alone in this world? The reason was simple: she was happy from the bottom of her heart—knowing that her daughter promised to be a good girl. She knew that if it was Svetlana, she wouldn’t leave her daughter alone.

Svetlana would do something about her—is what she’d think. They had spent only around two months around each other, but Alicia had observed enough to place her trust in her.

Regardless, this was the end of one of the ten Archmages that the world had known for some time.

Lily could only stand there praying for the soul that had departed. Knowing that treatment after a lost heart was hardly going to make any difference, she could only let Isabelle and Svetlana speak to Alicia before she passed on. It was hard to admit, but the might of a Descendant was something else, especially one such as Virgo. She was completely powerless against the barrier. Were people really that weak? She questioned this internally despite being a faerie.

Michael kept silent in a corner for the whole ordeal. He knew from the start that Alicia would probably not survive from her wounds, but he didn’t dare to interfere. If anything, he was already used to seeing scenes like this from his job. He mentally cursed his powerlessness, but he knew that he should stay vigilant, so he endured. He shook these poisonous thoughts away from his head and decided to step forward. He knelt beside Alicia, crucifix in hand, and looked at Isabelle, as if asking for permission. When he saw that the girl was in no condition to do pretty much anything, he made a slight nod to his partner and then twisted the lower part of the crucifix, revealing inside a small jar of blessed oil.

“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself...” He chanted, opening the bottle. “...And I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” He anointed Alicia’s forehead with oil. “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and Mercy help you with the Grace of the Holy Spirit.” He anointed her hands, and finished the sacrament. “May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” As he finished, he pocketed the jar of oil and placed the crucifix on her chest. Afterwards, Michael stood up and backed away to give space for the ones grieving.

“Mrs. Alicia…” Svetlana started to wipe her tears before going over to Isabelle’s side, giving her an embrace, and letting her emotions flow out. I swear, I’ll definitely take care of her, Mrs. Alicia. I’ll definitely get Virgo for this…

“Alicia-sensei…” Natsu cried. As a Descendant, as one who was given Sagittarius’ powers, how could she be so powerless as to not be able to save a single soul? After her manager had died, now Margaret Alicia—someone who she truly respected—had also passed away just before her. That day, her manager’s head fell off before her. Today Alicia’s heart was ripped out before her. What was with all these incidents? When would the tragedies end? She looked down as she once again confirmed within her heart that she needed to work harder. She needed to get stronger. I need to master my powers, she resolved to herself. So that I’ll be able to protect the people around me… at least. For her to not even be able to save the one person who saved her from the Countess… one day, she’d have to pay her back. Indeed, just as Alicia was a heroine to Isabelle, she was also a heroine to the idol. From now on, Natsu would likely keep a silent and keen eye on the life of Isabelle as long as she stayed at the Academy.

Aramus stood by as he watched the others pay respects in their own ways. Although Margaret Alicia had refused to offer any aid to him in their conversation prior, it was she who had helped Aramus when he had first arrived at the Academy, showing him the ropes. Granted, it was out of obligation on her part, but that did not change the fact that he was indebted and also thankful for her aid. Although their methods might have differed, at least their desire to raise and protect the young had been the same. He offered up a silent prayer for her. Although he may not live up to her standards, Aramus would nonetheless try to protect the place which she had held dear.

“I see that I was too late,” a voice familiar to Aramus spoke.

It was only vaguely familiar, in fact, but as he looked on, he found a younger version of Her Majesty standing before Alicia’s corpse. Her form was ethereal. A blue glowing body appeared, which was comparable to an apparition. It was a thought projection. In this state, she appeared to be in her earlier teenage years from looks alone. “So you have fallen, Duchess Margaret Alicia.” She looked down on an old friend who was banished from England. Her blood painted the floor red and her life lost, her daughter and her peers mourning for her. “Sir Valmark,” she began, “I am in need of your immediate report.”

“My Queen!” Aramus exclaimed as he snapped to attention. “I am ashamed to say I do not have a full grasp of the situation. When I arrived, a blue barrier had already been erected and was summarily dealt with which leads to the scene before you. Before that, I was informed that Duchess Margaret had been injured by the Headmistress of the Academy.”

“...Headmistress?” The Queen repeated the one name that baffled her. “No, it was clearly…” Aramus, for the third time, saw an extreme fury in his liege’s expression. “Virgo.”

“Your orders, My Queen? It is unlikely that she still remains on the premises but if you so wish it, I will begin pursuit immediately,” Aramus said, scarcely believing that Lumiere would be behind this. Was this the reason she had entrusted Almond to him? That she would sever all human ties before attempting world genocide, starting with the Duchess? It raised more questions than it gave answers, something he absolutely loathed.

The Queen clenched her fists and looked down, as if a child who couldn’t do anything but back down from making requests. “She is gone; I do not sense her. Fetch Frederica and have Margaret Alicia’s funeral arranged,” was all the Queen could say. She then gave a bow towards Alicia’s corpse. Her tears fell as her faced downwards. “Farewell, friend. It saddens me that I couldn’t even apologize for my actions. I shall forever remember your noble deeds. I shall have Alexandrina sent to where she belongs, this time… for sure,” she whispered to the fallen.

Aramus nodded at her order but otherwise remained where he was.

Isabelle continued to mourn her mother’s loss as Svetlana held her still beside Alicia. Eventually, Natsu joined them and could only hug Isabelle from behind.


Meanwhile, Lily explained the situation. She knew etiquette, so she knelt down to the Queen and didn’t face Her Majesty as she spoke.

“I understand…” the Queen said with dismay. “The Headmistress was a clone, I suppose. The real form came to take back what was her’s, thus weakening the seal even further.”

Soon, Lily carried away the body of Margaret Alicia, and everyone followed along with her, except Natsu, Aramus, and the Queen.

“So… you are the Queen who ordered for my life to be taken…?” Natsu questioned. Despite the circumstances, this was her first time meeting the Queen. It’d be wrong to not exchange words with the one person who caused the first tragedy of her life.

“That is indeed correct,” Victoria replied coldly, now facing Natsu properly, and looking her straight in the eye. “It was upon my command that young scholars were recruited and a large-scale operation took place—all for the sake of taking down Sagittarius—namely, you.” She gave Aramus a glance, noting his participation in the event, and momentarily looked back to Natsu.

“Why…? So many lives were lost,” Natsu spoke grievously. “And in the end, it was useless. All in vain.” Natsu looked at the two with ire.

“Indeed.” The Queen agreed wholeheartedly. “However, not even I would be able to stop the foolishness of man with mere words. After all, the task to end the existence of Descendants was given to humankind by the Prophet.”

“A False Prophet!” Natsu spat, but she looked down, as if in resignation. “However… regardless of all that, Alicia-sensei was different. She cared about her students, her daughter, and everyone here. She didn’t really care whether I was a Descendant or not. In time, I want to do something for her. Injustice begets retribution. Please tell me—what can I do to aid in the battle against Virgo?” she declared, then questioned, displaying her determination. Her expression completely battle-ready.

“There is only one answer,” Victoria replied, accepting Natsu’s strong will and sense of justice. “If you seek to bring about justice to such a misdeed committed by Virgo, then I shall offer you a place among my force whom would rally against her.”

“...There are things I must do here, but with the government’s help, I will go there and join the battle against Virgo,” Natsu stated, before giving a bow a typical Japanese would before walking away.

“...She is so human—I find her too dazzling for mine old eyes,” the Queen commented.

“I could say the same of you, Your Majesty,” Aramus responded with a short chuckle. “She is still young and fiery. I saw that same fire in you when you spoke of Duchess Margaret. It’s not yet time for you to call yourself †˜old.’”

The Queen made a rare pout, the disagreement apparent on her face. “I believe you are seeing something else entirely, Sir Valmark,” she said. Despite her expression and her grief, she carried herself with her usual grace and elegance.

“Not at all, Your Majesty,” Aramus said, somehow quite pleased with her response. “I believe the people would be glad to see you vibrant and passionate. It would be a refreshing change but alas, it is only something that I have been privy to see this day. That too, is a good thing,” he said with another laugh.

“How could I possibly do such a thing, Sir Valmark? I’ve seen so many pass away, and so many were delivered from the world by me, too—it’d be selfish for me to live in a state of bliss while the souls of others mourn,” Victoria said, shaking her head, looking at the puddle of blood of Alicia’s that was left behind.

“Your Majesty, a Descendant you may be, but at your core, you too are human. A great many things have been accomplished with your best efforts throughout time. I think it is understandable for a short reprieve once in awhile. If not for rest then at least to soothe the frayed nerves,” Aramus said, shoving a thumb into his own heart. “I for one, would not fault you for that.”

“You are too relaxed for your own good,” the Queen commented as if scolding, but she smiled. Yet this smile was mixed with her melancholy. “Well, perhaps a respite is in order. However, that would not change anything. That said, it is not so true that I am human, Sir Valmark.”

“How so, My Queen?” Aramus said as he looked upon her ethereal visage. “Perhaps it is a crude evaluation on my part, but I do not see your heart as anything but.”

“You have judged a book by its cover then,” the Queen stated, closing her eyes. “All the Descendants who had taken lives were simply called monsters. I loathed said word in the past. However, it is the most clearest—yet poignant, perhaps?—term to describe beings such as us.”

“Even if you say as much, that will not change anything in my heart,” Aramus said with conviction. “A monster… cares not for the lives it takes, whatever havoc it may wreak. Anyone can become a monster, no matter who or what they may be. I have seen you agonizing over the decisions that would affect the people, the country. How it may change them for better or worse. I do not think those feelings are any less genuine.”

A monster cares not for the lives it takes, is it? “That is simply the absolute bare minimum for but any ruler, Sir Valmark,” the Queen replied eloquently, looking into the cloudy sky with a hint of sadness and perhaps regret. “While I have been keeping the throne to myself, I’d wager many humans would have wanted to take on the role themselves. In this age, the act of ruling should rightfully belong to the humans, yet I selfishly clung to this position… I have observed humans for millenniums; it is but a trifling matter to act like them now.”

“And yet not all of the Descendants are nearly as benevolent as you are,” Aramus said. “You have led us as best as you could up till now, and of course, there were stumbling blocks along the way, but it is an admirable job nonetheless. Many covet your position as monarch, to wield the power that you hold for their own. Maybe things might have been different had a human taken the throne. Lacking the insight that you possess would definitely have been a huge loss.”

The Queen chuckled, seeing Aramus argue so much for her own sake. She looked down at Aramus with disdain. “But would you find it acceptable as the natural course of history, Sir Valmark? I, a person who mysteriously usurped authority through various means by playing along with the nobles, have taken the position from where I can manipulate the United Kingdom to my will. In normal circumstances, I am but a ghost of the past who should’ve been behind the tombstone of a grave long ago. Wouldn’t one argue that the people of the current generation should shoulder the country’s weight? Am I not stealing the right from the people of this generation—no, every generation in which I governed these countries unified under Britain?”

Aramus pursed his lips, somehow feeling greatly exasperated. “If history had run its course, my life would have ended on the streets. Up until the meeting, I had thought of this life as natural. Never could I have imagined that My Queen, Your Excellency could have been a Descendant. Basically, all that I knew was turned upside down and yet, I did not find myself greatly bothered by the revelation because you toil tirelessly for the people.

“There can never be any man that can do what you have done for us. Absolute power can corrupt even the most honest of men, turning them into mere shadows of their former selves, destined to only dream of days long past. But not with you, My Queen. The people of this generation… would do well to learn a thing or two. A man like Powlett who seeks the crown, who would dare to turn a blade against you. Someone like that is NOT fit for the throne! I would not have the country you worked so hard for go up in flames, so long as I breathe,” Aramus said, all but hissing his anger at Powlett even as his knuckles turned white from clenching.

Ahh, but the mere fact that I am so different from the people sets me apart from them… The Queen decided to keep these words deep down within her heart. This was born from a feeling of loneliness. Who knew how long it had existed within her? To the crown, most often would one have to turn to the wistful calls of solitude.

In such a heated conversation, Alexandrina Victoria saw a young boy who was Aramus’ disciple, and gave him a brief smile before turning back to Aramus.

“Calm down, Sir Valmark,” the Queen spoke, showing concern due to his slight outrage. From the short time she had spent with him, this was the first time she saw Aramus lose his temper like this. Somewhere in her mind, though, she felt relief that someone cared this much about the crown. So much that they’d argue that it was better off for a ghost of the past to lord over people rather than the people of the current times—as was their very right. Or perhaps she was touched that someone raged about all this in place of her, out of sincere loyalty.

“People are meant to learn through experience. The only means to this is via achievement of the position. I suppose, however, you have a point regarding Duke William John Frederick Powlett, for he is a man working for The Society… and, in all earnesty I can see why he’d loathe my existence. To the mundanes, officially, the parliamentarians are responsible for the country, not I. Yet my influence would thwart their decisions regardless. They possess power simply in name and word, but not in reality. I suppose some extent of frustration and rage would naturally build up in any man.”

Almond could only think that perhaps this young lady was his teacher’s real girlfriend. Better leave them both alone and go back to the room… He noted the puddle of blood again, and it somewhat scared him. How could these two stay there and converse so casually? Neither of them were ordinary people. He shook his head and silently left for the dormitories.

“Only a lesser man would go so far as to strike down their liege in nothing but vindictive rage,” Aramus said, letting the matter of Powlett go. “I suppose you are right in that regard at least. One would need to test their own mettle to see if they are worthy of the job. I am not nearly fit to be considered for it, but what constitutes a ruler, a monarch? One who would make his name known throughout the world? To protect the people? You have led us from age to age, and we have done well thus far. I do not see how others could do better, no matter what they may say. Those who are dissatisfied do not know the value of what they already have.”

“Of course, humankind is prone to taking things for granted. Such is the effect of time upon creatures dwelling the world. It is indeed true that I have led my people for generations, but did many other countries seek a Descendant to lead them in this modern era? Monarchy is a concept now considered ancient and imperfect to most. It could always be better… so many people wouldn’t have to suffer from poverty… we’d prosper more economically if it was better.”

“Everything can go both ways, My Queen. It’s a matter of trying to make the best decision of how to go about it. I would be repeating myself about it if we went over it again. You chose to make it your duty to lead but what of the other Descendants? Virgo seeks to destroy countries, never mind leading them. Alice looks like a slave to hers. When we spoke, it felt like she had given up on life. I was one of them, those that you say suffer from poverty.” Aramus looked at her with sincere eyes, smiling as he thought back to the day when it had all changed. “I had nothing—and to me who had nothing—you gave me the world. I will not stop until I return the favor.”

“True. I suppose the function of the Descendants to live to lead people has long ceased—oh, I should not have let that cat escape the bag.” The Queen then laughed at her own apparent small mistake. It hardly felt like a laugh. It felt forced. How could a mourning person laugh? “Regardless, I must apologize, it seems that I have put you on the spot, Sir Magister. Such a debate for someone such as yourself may have been completely unjust.” But Alice—Pisces… I wonder if she will be fine with the way Japan intends to treat her. I suppose I do not possess the luxury to worry about her anymore.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. It is a rare occasion that I ever get the chance to speak so unabashed. Thank you for listening to what I had to say. It was a great pleasure,” Aramus answered in kind.

The Queen gave an abrupt yelp when Aramus heard a loud bang on a door. Of course, such a yelp was even more rare than Her Majesty pouting.

“Your Majesty! I heard voices. Did someone rude intrude upon your chamber?!”

Aramus heard what he realized was the voice of none other than the mother of his most excellent student, Caroline Cavendish Bentinck.

“N...No, I was simply speaking on my steam phone,” Her Majesty responded quickly, but she was nonetheless flustered from the sudden interruption. It seemed like she made a lie on the spot, or was it prepared beforehand? The Queen heaved a sigh as she allowed the tension to leave her body. Somehow, this made her appear as if she was communicating with some sort of secret liaison instead of visiting Margaret Alicia, and it brought about a bit of blood to her otherwise milky-white cheeks as she looked down. “I suppose this is where I shall bit you farewell, Sir Valmark.”

Aramus chuckled good naturedly as he watched the scene play out, fitting of the Duchess to act as such. He probably would never forget that sight of Her Majesty ever, not with that blush. “Of course Your Majesty, till we meet again.” Our little secret I guess, Aramus mused.

“Take care,” the Queen said, bidding farewell. Her form began to break apart as twinkling dust escaped from the apparition of a figure.

For me to feel happy so soon after passing away… perhaps I really am…

As the form vanished, Aramus noted the return of her look of depression. Was it due to Margaret Alicia passing away after all?

Aramus huffed as he left the scene. His work was cut out for him. No way he could back down now after saying as much to his monarch. For now though, he had a funeral to arrange.

(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uro5f970xQM

Ah… you two, Alicia wanted to speak, but couldn’t, she could hardly move anymore.

She had once heard somewhere that a dying person’s life would flash before their eyes. Past memories would be reviewed before passing on.

Margaret Alicia wasn’t big on superstitions and the many odd beliefs of people. She rationally considered: how could one remember so many things in such a short time?

Now her answer to her question was found.

In less than a minute her life flashed in her mind.

In the distant past, Alicia was a knight working for the medieval Organization that was the Church. She was a righteous person by heart. The life she so rigidly lived, however, was short. After all, in reality, Sir David Walter de Mauny was a man who sought the flames of righteous war and heroism.

That’s right, the person was a man. Not a woman. He sought to do so much more than what the Church would command him to do.

He—or would it be “she”—was unsatisfied. That was when the spirit of Capricorn visited his soul. Obviously, not being able to use magic, he was borderline useless to the Church. He was hated and exiled. Almost killed, even. Living as a Descendant in the society of humans proved to be futile. Despite all this, David went on to live in solitude, and hadn’t abandoned his sense of justice, ever. He was very optimistic, and he sought glory, but only from doing right. This glory, however, was but a form of self-satisfaction.

As a Dark Knight—a name he made for himself—he fought countless villains in the shadows in the medieval era, and was known to a certain Descendant as the one who stopped Cleopatra’s demonic army. The Descendant would later call him a †˜knight of eld’.

Now that I think about it… I honestly thought that the Blood Countess of Hungary would have my head over a pike… I was sure she’d send me to Hell a week ago that way. But it was Virgo… ahh, Virgo, huh? I stopped her armies from causing atrocities numerous times, didn’t I…? They even wanted me to fight her recently, but she came and ambushed me instead; how pathetic.

Later in his life, he settled in France as a noble. His title and property weren’t anything too commendable. He possessed reasonable respect and contacts in Paris. He thought he could simply lay down his sword and live on in peace. To begin with, no one knew his true identity from the very beginning after he had left the Church. Those people in the Church had not only forgotten him, but were also dead by then as centuries had passed.

After some time, he met Margaret. The Duchess of Norfolk. An Archmage who was born with many gifts from God, they claimed; apparently she was a very special being. So much had happened after he met her.

It was kind of stupid, now that I think about it. I, a †˜righteous’ Dark Knight helped a woman separate from her husband, and made her my wife… what a tale. I suppose I deserve this. This is my just desserts for stealing another man’s woman. They even called it a cursed union…

Indeed, many didn’t like how the two got together and married. Regardless, the Duchess was an important person in the Magic World. Therefore, he needed to tread carefully from there. However, little did David think that they’d meet Aries of all people. The man who wanted to do nothing but massacre all those around him for the sake of his own little fun.

The Duchess, a responsible person, would never allow Aries to do however he’d please, especially when he was wreaking havoc so close to them. That day, a great battle broke out. Many houses were broken down, and many people died.

Aries was eventually displeased, knowing that he was facing an Archmage and a Descendant, one who was older than him. Hence, the viciously destructive Descendant decided to travel across time itself. A unique ability only he seemed to possess.

Of course, Walter de Mauny’s wife, Margaret felt the need to pursue, adamant against letting him go. David, as a husband of such a daring woman, could obviously not let her go alone.

Thus their life in the future started. A nineteenth century England, and a modern world beyond it. They were utterly clueless, and couldn’t even find Aries anywhere. That was when the Queen came to them.

That’s right, Aramus Valmark the Magister came to me on Her Majesty’s behalf, was it? After banishing me from the court, why now…?

The Queen offered them a place in London. The two started anew their life. They even had children at last.

I wonder if Thomas is even alive somewhere…

Thomas de Mauny, their son, was kidnapped. It was akin to a child being spirited away. Many such tragedies surrounded the couple as their life in the future continued. Hardly having so much time to deal with the disappearance of their son, a demon had possessed their daughter soon enough. Who knew what occurred. Was his wife practicing some diabolical activities, or was it some vile creature someone unknown had summoned? The mystery was never solved. The devil took the daughter as hostage while David was away.

By the time he was back from work that day, his wife was presumably killed by their daughter—Isabelle—who was possessed by the monster. Fighting it off with the power of Capricorn, dealing with a devil wasn’t very hard, and he managed to put it to slumber without injuring Isabelle directly. However, his wife’s life was lost.

He then considered… who was more important to Isabelle? Her mother, or her father? Obviously, it would be the one who spent more time with the daughter—the mother. Bracing himself, David used a power of Capricorn he thought he’d never use. His soul subsequently occupied the body of his wife; Margaret, while his own body ceased to exist completely as price for such an outcome. The Zodiac’s Will of Capricorn ascended to the realm beyond the material world, and vanished, bidding farewell and wishing luck to him.

From there on, David was essentially Margaret herself. He was a she. She became a woman. Making a new name, she started calling herself Margaret Alicia instead. She hardly possessed the magical talents and knowledge that her wife previously did. Rather, she had the talents of Margaret, but needed to learn how to utilize them. Having to start over from scratch, Alicia dug deep into the world of magic, while further isolating the daughter at the same time.

A pathetic mistake for a parent, now that I think about it.

However, at the same time, she felt the need to get stronger. Who’d protect Isabelle now? Who’d put her to sleep when the devil emerged? Who’d take care of her? With Thomas having been kidnapped and gone forever, Isabelle was the only family left to him. So, Alicia could only devote herself to her daughter now.

I wonder if Thomas de Mauny—my son—even lives… I can only leave him to his fate now.

Alicia dug so deep into the field of magical knowledge, that her previously existing intellect as a Descendant helped her gleam into forbidden powers—Supreme Spells. Powers that Queen Victoria’s laws would forbid. Having gone on a pilgrimage, the results were indeed successful, but it had repercussions.

I remember when having to live as a woman proved to be a harsh challenge… haha, now it’d seem strange to live as a man.

Her peers couldn’t accept the fact that she possessed such rare and dangerous powers of Supreme Spells. Her past was questionable and her status was too great for someone such as her. Suspicions rose, the daughter was examined. William John Frederick Powlett attacked her one night, accusing her of being secretly funded and ordered by Her Majesty to learn Supreme Spells while keeping the rest of the Magic World in the dark. Such powers were deserved by everyone of her rank if allowed, not only her—was his argument. Of course, Powlett was defeated, but it made the circumstances worse.

All in all, it was a situation akin to a scandal in the Magic World. The only one who labeled her a †˜knight of eld’ or †˜a warrior worthy of respect’ could be the only one Alicia could depend on. After all, she offered wealth and status to her after coming to the current timeline. However, the Queen eventually dismissed Margaret Alicia, and instead she offered her to nurture young scholars in the Eastern Magic Academy in the faraway lands of Japan. Taking it as a hint, Margaret Alicia departed from England with a feeling of uneasiness, along with her daughter, Isabelle, and left.

There were all kinds of recounting to do for the rest of her life after coming to Japan. It took a lot of time for her to establish a small manor behind the Academy and get some maids. In fact, she was in debt for some time. As shameless as it would sound, she even had to resort to selling her body once to pay some of it. It was the most demoralizing event to her. At the same time, it cut away a lot of her stress.

To think I’d have to do that with a debt collector… what am I going to tell Margaret in my afterlife?

However, regardless of what she did, she always thought of her daughter’s well-being. That was the one thing Alicia was proud of. After having built up the foundation for living peacefully behind the Eastern Magic Academy, she noticed that her daughter had finally realized—they immigrated and hadn’t come for a vacation. She started to feel very homesick. Indeed, Isabelle cherished her homeland and London. A foreign land only made her feel uncomfortable even if there were more facilities available in Japan. She could no longer meet her peers anywhere.

Of course she wouldn’t like it, Margaret Alicia thought.

For the first time, she felt extreme rage towards the Queen and the nobles, and most of the magicians of the Magic World. In place of her daughter, she resented those who exiled them from their home and forced them to live out here beyond a Boundary hidden in Tokyo.

At least it’s cleaner here… and better medical service could also be asked for in times of emergency.

Resolving to do whatever she could for Isabelle and keep her safe from the demon, Alicia eventually started to seem as though she was obsessed. Perhaps she really was obsessed with her daughter. Literally all her focus was on Isabelle. She’d watch over her all the time through magic; through the transparent walls of her special room close to Isabelle’s room. When she’d leave for work, she’d order her maids to pay particular attention to her instead. One could easily describe her as a control freak.

Drinking with Headmistress Lumiere, huh?

Those were good times. Alcohol took away many of her worries, but to be frank, she was scared of them for that very reason of brief rests. She’d see dreams of being together with Margaret—the deceased wife. She was very scared of seeing her again. She wouldn’t know what to say to her. She feared of having to say she had left Isabelle alone in the world.

I am a failure of a mother, please forgive me, my dear wife… Ah, but there is one who may yet protect our child, Margaret.

The time of her reverie had finally expired.

“I...I’m sorry, Isabelle… I am a… failure. I failed… you,” Alicia barely managed to pronounce her words, not even being able to lift her hand to touch her daughter’s face. She felt truly powerless.

“It’s me who should be sorry! ...I always knew the truth, but I couldn’t… I couldn’t accept that the mother I knew was gone,” Isabelle replied, letting out the true feelings she had kept pent up within herself.

Alicia’s eyes turned to the crying Svetlana who didn’t want to interfere in the conversation. Perhaps it was because Isabelle would never ever be able to speak with Alicia again.

In truth, Svetlana had a lot of things she wanted to tell her, but nothing was escaping her lips except the noises produced from her sobs.

“Se...Sevvy-chan.” A small smile formed on Alicia’s face. “The sin you inherited… I trust you with it,” she said with a low voice. “As the big sister, you must take care of her.”

“I will,” Svetlana resolutely said with a face full of tears, giving a sharp nod. “Leave it to me. As you said, I can do it, right?”

“I’m sorry… you can have my property; I’ll leave it to you girls. Use them well,” Alicia declared with a very low tone.

“Please don’t talk like that,” Isabelle said, shaking her head. “You can’t just leave like this now! After all that you did to me, keeping me locked up in that stupid room. You can’t… ”


Alicia stared, not knowing what to say to all these words. She seemed surprised.

What would Margaret tell her if she were in my place?

“I’ll be a good girl. I’ll do as you say!” Isabelle wailed and begged. “I won’t listen to a devil. So please, mommy… don’t leave me.”

“Then… just be a good girl. I’m sure that… you’ll be fine without me. You have Sevvy-chan with you now.” Alicia looked at Svetlana one last time. “I apologize… but it’s up to you now.”

She saw a certain person forming at a distance. A blue image. Was it her imagination? Was she seeing things?

Ahh, I failed your expectations too—didn’t I—Your Majesty? Perhaps you had meant to save us by sending me here. I can only offer my heartfelt apologies now, but this is the end of the tale of your Knight of Eld, a Dark Knight, a Duchess, and an Archmage. I wish you the best of luck.

She then looked up to the cloudy skies, thinking about why the country’s skies were the way it appeared to be. How silly—she thought; she always knew the reason. She remembered the warmth of true sunlight as she searched her memories. Her brain wasn’t working anymore, she concluded; why was she thinking about all these random things?

In the end, when she passed on her responsibilities to Svetlana, and the shackles of pain and cruelties that life offered her had finally been released. Knowing Supreme Spells didn’t seem so… forbidden anymore.

She could forgive herself for what she considered her wrongdoings at last.

Finally, Alicia closed her eyes.

Blood stopped flowing to her brain when her heart was lost. No magic known so far could completely bring back said organ with success, especially if it was too late. It was impossible with late treatments. Isabelle and Svetlana’s wails intensified.