Chapter Text
Beautiful.
That was the word that Emilia would use to describe her life now. Very beautiful.
The young queen had woken up that morning beside her husband who was always awake before her.
‘One day I’ll rub it into his face that I was up earlier than him!’ Emilia thought childishly, even becoming a mother hadn’t stopped that drive to one-up her husband, Julius, in a lot of regards.
“Good morning,” Julius smiled at her as he got dressed, neatly arranging everything to look very nice and perfect.
“Mwah!” Emilia snuck behind Julius and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Sleep well?”
“With you?” Julius looked coyly, smiling softly, “Of course, I slept well.”
The morning sun shined down on them through the large opulent window. Their bedroom, the master bedroom, was indeed befitting of royalty. Both Emilia and Julius weren’t ones to indulge in spectacle and unnecessary things so it looked rather standard. There were paintings of Julius and Emilia’s kids nearby on the dresser.
“Well that’s gooood to hear, mister,” Emilia bopped his nose, though after she heard some noise nearby she sighed in exasperation, “There goes what I wanted to do before we had to work,”
“And that might be?”
“Oh you know what it is,” Emilia gave a wave of her hand, “Maybe we can still have some time for---”
“No, sadly,” Julius responded rather harshly, though it was clear that he didn’t mean to come across that way, “I have to manage some of the royal guards and you have your duties. Remember the trading taxes from Gusteko?”
“Oh how could I ever forget about the taxes, the darn taxes,” Emilia frowned, even being in her thirties didn’t seem to change he cute appearance and habits, “Sure sure... wait a minute..?”
“Mhm?”
“That noise... it stopped earlier? Might we be up earlier than one of the kids?”
“Emilia, sometimes they jump out to scare us. I think they’re just waiting,” Julius deadpanned.
Emilia got dressed, she was still fond of her old white and purple color scheme but it had to be slightly updated to fit her status as queen. Her clothes were still mostly the same but had become much more elegant.
Though Emilia would call it needlessly expensive she had at least made it look fitting with her usual tastes. Her husband was the same and only wore the essential things.
It was nice to share those tastes.
“Mooooom?! Are you up?!”
Emilia pinched the bridge of her nose, “Why is it always me? Mghm, I’m up now, yes!”
“Sorry! But she won’t get off the phone!”
Emilia turned to her husband, “Honestly, as good as an inventor that Beako is I wish she wouldn’t have made it!”
Beatrice had, around ten years ago, come up with some inventions that seemed to take most people’s breath away. The spirit had initially desired to keep those inventions for herself but luckily Petra had managed to convince her to share.
Provided that Beatrice’s demands were to be met.
It was sad, really, but Beatrice didn’t seem to get along with most people now. It was unlike how she remembered the girl after she came out of her shell.
‘It’s not going to stop me from liking her.’
Those were Emilia’s thoughts.
“No one gets the phone this early in the morning!” Emilia proclaimed as she opened the door, “And don’t yell!”
“Hah!” One of the kids yelled in victory.
“Shut up, you pasty-faced momma’s boy!” Her daughter insulted her brother.
“Choco, Ken, stop arguing right now!” Emilia raised her voice at her two kids, remaining stern but not cold nor heartless. She walked over to both kids and frowned at them. Her oldest daughter was a quarter-elf just like her brother. Though only her daughter had purple hair and her features while maintaining Julius hair and eyes. Her son was just a child-like mini version of her who had yellow eyes.
“But mooooooom,” Ken whined, “I wanna call my--”
“Neither of you are calling anyone!” Emilia interjected, “Now, I would rather have you two run around in actual clothes beside your pyjamas.”
“Dad, I’m sorry!” Choco whined, “Pretty please can I get the phone? He started it! I didn’t even do anything and he tried to kick me!”
“No!” Ken shrieked, “She’s lying! She hung me up by my shirt before I got out--”
“Neither of you are getting the phone no matter how much you two plead,” Julius said, their pleading faces didn’t move his heart.
It did move Emilia’s though.
‘C’mon, Emilia, don’t fall for it! You’re a queen! A ruler! Your kid's faces won’t change anything!’ Emilia thought, pleading to herself to stay strong as she maintained a stoic face, “Neither of you get it! Now, up up and get dressed.”
“...Fine!” Choco whined sadly.
Emilia almost went back on her word.
“Sure, mom.”
“Good going, both of you.” Emilia stuck her thumbs up and her son beamed.
“Momma’s boy.”
“Shut up!”
Both went off to their rooms to get dressed leaving just Emilia and Julius there. Julius looked at his wife with a humorous expression.
“You know,” Julius put a finger on his lip, smirking annoyingly at her, “I never get that. It’s always ‘Mom this,’ or ‘Mom that.’ Never ‘Dad come help me!’”
“Oh shut up,” Emilia smacked him lightheartedly to which Julius just chuckled, “We had big daddy’s girl for the first few years! She didn’t wanna do anything with me! I had to fight for time!”
“But now she doesn’t wanna do anything with me,” Julius sighed in faux-sadness, “Truly, how tragic.”
“Ah, maybe early puberty or whatever. I heard that it’s going to come hard.” Emilia laughed as they went out of the hallway, “Time for you to be mister-dad and get our kids really going for the day.”
“Of course my, lady,”
“You know I don’t like that prim-proper attitude!” Emilia frowned while joking, honestly, she didn’t remember him being that “Honestly, if we’re alone I’d prefer you stop being so formal, sheesh.”
“Hehaha,” Julius liked to tease her sometimes.
While it was somewhat endearing she did prefer the way he used to talk before. Back during the watchtower days and what happened after.
Still, though, she loved him. No doubt about that. Regardless of what happened, that would’ve changed him a bit.
So they kissed and went on their way.
<.>
Garfiel Tinsel stood watch for his friend, Otto Suwen, at a nearby town close to the border of Lugunica.
It’s been years since the Royal Selection had ended and Garfiel hadn’t stayed around. No. He had gone and become a partner for his friend, Otto, and went through the world.
“Gggrhh,” Garfiel silently groaned at the fact that it took Otto a bit too long for his liking to get this deal finished up and sell those onions, ‘Bro sells everything he can when he can. Admirable. But c’mon, can’t he just finish it quicker? I ain’t even been ‘round this place, man.’
Cling Clang.
The sound of money being exchanged was heard and Otto smiled politely to his customer. Then, both left the back of the store.
“We made good money today, Garf,” Otto smiled at his friend, “Look at this!”
“Great going, Otto! Onions are great for business,” Like usual Garfiel feigned excitement, but of course, he was happy that his buddy had a good thing going on.
He just didn’t care about the business itself.
“You ever been here, Otto?” Garfiel asked, gesturing around the town the had once more entered.
Otto shrugged, “Not that I remember. Still, considering it’s at the border some people still want some homegrown Lugunican food.”
“But you got that from another country?”
“Well, they don’t need to do that.” Otto said sheepishly, ‘It’s not like I said it came from here. I just didn’t tell the whole truth. I mean I kind of hinted at it. It’s called being a good merchant.’ If those people did ask to confirm that it came from Lugunica Otto would’ve just told the truth.
“Look, Otto,” Garfiel pointed to the sky, “It looks like it’s going to rain soon.”
Otto shrugged, “Well, at least we can camp near the village if we need to,”
“You got something to do, Otto?” Garfiel questioned as he checked the carriage to be sure of all their goods.
“Not much, really. I already went around to ask for trade while you were asleep,” Otto replied.
“Ehehe,” Garfiel sheepishly laughed, “My bad, bro. I’m gonna make sure to wake up earlier, I swear it.”
“It’s no problem, Garf,” Otto smiled at him, “You’re still up when I need you, so it’s okay,” Both got onto their carriage and went looking around the village for a place to set up their camp for the night. The village was rather plain-looking. Decently isolated but open enough for trade. Otto had easily figured out that they were rather self-sustaining but still open to merchants.
Otto took a small sip of alcohol right now, during the morning, to get ‘a steady mind’ which did help--
“You drink too much and it’s gonna kill ya, ya know,” Garfiel once more pointed out with a frown as they looked for a spot.
“A sip isn’t gonna kill me,” Otto rebuked.
“It most definitely is,” Garfiel replied, “I’m already surprised that your liver ain’t shutting down yet.”
“I’m not going to kill over and die when I have my best healer pal with me.”
Garfiel just shook his head, “I know ya gettin’ tired of me buggin’ ya, but you’re sharp enough as it is. Still, I’m proud of ya for barely drinking these days,”
Otto smiled with a small blush, “T-Thanks, man. You don’t have to highlight it, though.”
“But I do.” Garfiel grinned with pride as he patted his friend's back.
It took a moment but they found a nice camping spot on a small hill nearby with a few trees there. But it wasn’t enough to cover them completely so they decided to set camp nearby. Otto wasn’t worried about getting hurt with Garfiel there to protect him from anything major. It was also very close to town so it wasn’t that big of a trip back in case he wanted to make sure that---
“Hey, Otto, smell that?” Garfiel suddenly stopped and looked around in worry.
“You know I can’t... Whatever, what do you smell, Garf?” Otto looked at him in worry.
“Blood!” Garfiel proclaimed, slightly smelling until he noticed it, then he pointed his finger, “See that?” He got out of the carriage and went to a nearby bush, upon which he noticed a small piece of cloth with some blood.
“Looks like blood? But it’s very few. I can’t see a trace of a struggle. Also, the piece of cloth looks like the same material as some of the villagers here,” Otto noticed and remarked outwardly.
“Was one of ‘em kil--” Garfiel was quickly interrupted as the rain started to slightly pour on them. Not only that there was someone calling them
“Hey!” One of the villagers, a blond woman with thickly braided hair approached them, “Are you guys going to camp far?”
“Depends,” Otto replied softly, not eager to quickly remark anything about the blood--
“You seein’ this blood?” Garfiel quickly and directly gestured to it, “It looks like some of the material is actually from this village. You murderers or what?”
‘Goddamnit, Garf.’
Luckily enough for Otto she didn’t seem to be offended, instead confused and clearly worried, “Not again,” She said in slight fear.
“Again?”
The girl clicked her tongue---
“You can tell me, ya know?” Garfiel reassured, “If it isn’t your fault I’ll help catch any bad guys here, alright? I mean, look at me and Otto, don’t we look strong?”
Only Garfiel looked really strong.
“There... there have been a few moments like this,” The girl confessed in worry, “Only one time we found someone that was dead, an actual corpse, but she was dressed like one of the people of the village. We looked around but we couldn’t find anyone that would know of her or at least remember her.”
“You seem pretty open with that stuff?” Otto quickly pointed out, “Doesn’t it look bad for your village if you can’t solve something like that yourself discreetly?”
“Well, we don’t really get a lot of help here and most of our protectors come from the village, ya know?” She replied, “Besides, I know you’re that bigshot hero Garfiel Tinsel, right?”
Garfiel seemed happy at the recognition, “Well, look, I’ll gladly help you figure this out---”
As Garfiel started to talk Otto started to theorize. While it was advantageous to help the village he didn’t want people to needlessly suffer.
‘Clothes from the village? Were they villagers here? It could be some sick game someone is playing or... they said no one recognized them,’ Otto theorized, ‘It could be someone like... gluttony? No... that’s the absolute worst-case scenario and the most unlikely.’
<.>
Tiring.
With Emilia being the main and silently being considered the sole ruler of the country most of her days counted towards bettering the country she found most of her days tiring. It wasn’t as if she was unhappy, no, she loved her family and friends and found joy in trying to better the lives of everyone.
‘It's still so damn tiring! Ughh...’ Emilia pouted as she had her moment alone, she wanted to spend time with her kids.
Well... at least she had a friend coming over today.
Emilia didn’t really find a need for a bodyguard herself. She had faith in herself and her own capabilities. So, she walked down the room herself in the palace and went for her small break, she had about half an hour to forty-five minutes of free time that she had all for herself.
The door opened and she saw Annerose coming in with a gentle smile.
“Emily!” Annerose smiled at her, the edges of her lips turning up, “I miiii-- missed you!”
“You have something in your throat, Annerose?” Emilia remarked cheekily before embracing the girl tightly to which Annerose reciprocated. Hugging her just as affectionately.
“I missed you, Annerose,” Emilia remarked, frowning sadly, “We haven’t talked the last few weeks, are you doing alright?”
Annerose smiled sadly, “I’m doing fine, Emily, since Uncle died I just inherited all responsibilities which made quite busy for some time. Honestly, I wanted to talk to you earlier but I didn’t wish to intrude.”
“Oh hush now, Annerose, you know I would always make time for you!” Emilia let go and patted the seat next to her, which Annerose took.
“You want some tea?”
“Are you going to get a butler to make it, Emily?”
“Of course not, I don’t need servants for everything. Actually, I can brew some nice tea now, thanks to Ram.” Emilia informed her honestly, “So, you want some?”
Annerose smiled, “I would be very pleased with that, Emily.”
Both took a seat and started to drink some tea while making some idle small talk as they had the room to themselves for now. Of course, there were some guards stationed nearby the palace but Emilia didn’t pay them all that much mind.
“So, since you’re the new head what’s going to happen to all of the former employees?” Emilia asked.
“Hm, well, I already offered Ram a job which she accepted. Though Rem has left and become a school teacher.” Annerose informed her while sipping the tea, “The tea is good, by the way.”
“Thank you!” Emilia smiled, “It’s a bit daring but I made my own brew. Choco seems to really like it, though she won’t admit it,”
“So, how are the kids doing, in any case? Are they still running around and trying to become grand magicians?” Annerose asked innocently, “Being a queen can make someone very busy. I know how hard things can get for rulers. I hope they haven’t taken it harshly.”
Annerose knew the family but she was mainly close to Emilia.
“Well, I always make sure to make time for them, of course,” Emilia smiled happily, “They seem to be happy with it, but they’re trying to seem tough and like they’re not happy. But I saw them smiling a lot!”
“Hmh, well that’s very good then, Emily,” Annerose smiled soflty at that, “I was under the impression that they weren’t happy with their parents being so busy.”
“Maybe a bit,” Emilia sighed, before crossing her arms, “Being a mother is great, honestly, but it’s very challenging. Just this morning they were yelling everyone in the palace to death with their screaming.”
“Why?” Annerose tilted her head in confusion.
“The phone.”
“Oh,” Annerose smiled cheekily, “With what our little Beatrice has made I see that it’s become slightly addicting.”
“I don’t have a problem with them talking to their friends,” Emilia replied earnestly, “But we have multiple in the palace and they keep complaining about using the same one. It doesn’t make sense!”
“I guess that’s how siblings can be,” Annerose shrugged while finishing her tea, “The tea was very good, Emily. You used a little herb as a secret ingredient, right?”
Emilia shot up, “How did you know that?! It’s an old one, you know?”
“My taste buds are excellent,” Annerose winked coyly.
<.>
“Beako! Beako!” Petra Leyte cried out as she entered Beatrice’s private workshop in the shared estate they both had. It was a bit too big for Petra’s taste but she didn’t mind it because she got to live in the same room as one of her closest, perhaps the closest, friend.
“What is it, I wonder?” Beatrice turned around and she stopped messing around with her large workshop, clearly tinkering with something as she glanced in the notebook where she kept her most recent inventions.
Petra knew there were a lot of things there and she only managed to convince Beatrice to share quite a few things in them. However, Beatrice declined Petra’s pleas to release and create more inventions.
That notebook was the most private thing that Beatrice had and she held it very dear. Though Beatrice didn’t seem to really have a reason for it. Petra peeked over and saw that it contained some old unfinished schematics.
“Beako,” Petra smiled, “You can’t be stuffed all crummy in this workshop of yours all day, don’t you want to go out and do something?”
“We spent two weeks on vacation together just a month ago, in fact,” Beatrice deadpanned. While the young spirit had maintained the same appearance she usually had the same did not apply to Petra. Petra had grown into a formidable young woman. The young girl had followed her desires and actually made very good money as a seamstress.
“Well.... I just want to do stuff with you, is that so bad?” Petra remarked with a shrug, wearing some casual clothes, “I mean what’s the point of you to make stuff if you don’t want to share it anyway?”
Beatrice frowned at that, “I shared enough, I suppose. I shared the ‘camera’ and ‘phone’. I even shared ‘washing machines’ and ‘dryers’, in fact. What more do people want, I wonder?”
“So you’re just doing it for yourself?” Petra pointed out as she went to the oak bench that was finely made, “I mean... I respect the passion.”
Beatrice rolled her eyes, “Petra,” She patted the seamstress’ head with a small smile, “Betty wants to explore what she is capable of, in fact. Creating such difficult things is a fun challenge, I suppose.”
“I’m curious, though,” Petra put her index finger on her chin as Beatrice let her look without care to her sketches, “When did you get the idea for all of this? I know you’re a super-genius, Beako, but stuff like this is revolutionary!”
Beatrice had the same answer as usual, ‘It came from a notebook in my handwriting with sketches I made, so it must have been my idea,’ this was the logical conclusion she had come to. Her memory was very well done but she didn’t really remember the specifics of this notebook and it wasn’t like she knew of it having any connection to anyone else.
No, Beatrice was certain that they were her ideas.
“Time leads to creativity, I suppose,” Beatrice responded half-heartedly, “Now, did you really want me to stop working, I wonder?”
“Well, I was just spending some time with my friends and I wanted to come with you later and--- ooh, I forgot to say!” Petra reached into her pocket and grabbed a letter out of it.
Beatrice immediately noticed the insignia and frowned, “It’s them, I suppose. How annoying!” She accepted the letter and reached into it.
“What did it say?” Petra leaned in due to curiosity but made sure to not glance at the letter.
Beatrice grabbed the letter and scrunched it up, tossing it into a nearby bin, “It’s that wretched ‘king and queen’ again.”
“Oh,” Petra frowned.
“Wanting to talk to me privately and such things, I suppose” Beatrice held a lot more dislike than Petra was to expect for the king and queen. While it didn’t seem to be hatred it was more of a vehement dislike.
Petra didn’t even know why she Beatrice disliked them so much. It wasn’t usually that way. They were even amicable and could somewhat get along but nowadays Beatrice just threw insults their way.
“I don’t think Emilia just wants to take advantage of you, Beako,” Petra took a nearby seat and watched Beatrice go to work, “It’s your choice what to do with your creations there,” She raised her arms in surrender. Honestly, Beatrice did make it rather cheap and accessible for most people. The young spirit even said to make public phones which could be accessible to the public. You would only need to toss in a coin.
“I just do not like those two, I suppose,” Beatrice explained, “I do not hate them, in fact. They are just so bothersome and... distasteful. Nonetheless, they should be happy I even helped them at all, in fact.”
Petra just chuckled, ‘Beako does like to help people. Still, you’d much sooner catch her jumping off a bridge than convey that truthfully.’
“But, uh... Beako,” Petra raised a finger, “You still wanna go out and have some fun?”
“...” Beatrice sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, hiding the small smile, “Why not, I suppose,”
<.>
“So, Garfiel,” Otto asked, “You, uh, promised to help... you figure out any clues yet?” The merchant himself had actually asked around the village for those dissapearences. Normally, he wouldn’t do such a thing but Garfiel had convinced him to help.
Especially if the worst-case scenario were to be true. But Otto didn’t understand something...
Most of the time a gluttony victim made it out, just without a name. Well, Otto could be wrong about that, he wasn’t an expert on the Gluttony of the Witch Cult.
Garfiel nodded slightly, his hair getting wetter and wetter due to the increasing rain. Still, the sun shined on them, “Totally, a bunch!” He somewhat told the truth, “I’m pretty sure it was an attack, probably a quick one too. Ya see, when I got shown the body they seemed pretty similar, right? They also used a, uh, picture-taking thing to use it. And I can recognize that they looked like one of the village families.”
“So...we come to the same conclusion?” Otto asked softly.
Garfiel sighed tiredly, “Yup, I’m thinkin’ it might be a gluttony. A shame, really. I mean one is already dead, the other one was taken care of that only leaves one out there.”
“Yeah, I remember that. It was, what, around a bit more than a decade when the attack on the party occurred, remember?” Otto reminisced, “That one guy that got arrested was talking about there being a gluttony that escaped if I remember correctly. Still, no one saw a gluttony there.”
Garfiel remembered that occurrence, “Oh, ya mean when those fake gluttony victims attacked everyone?”
Otto nodded, “While this doesn’t confirm that, it might hint at the fact that one is still genuinely out there. Strange, because I haven’t heard anything about gluttony out there.”
“Well, ya wouldn’t ‘cause,--”
“Yeah, yeah, the eat names and memories, I know,” Otto waved off, “Still, if it’s as recent as you say there might still be Gluttony left.”
“Gluttony... ‘round here?” Garfiel’s voice took on a hostile tone, the sheer amount of disgust and intent to kill was palpable, “What the fuck are we waitin’ for, then? Let’s catch that bitch!”
Otto raised up his arms, placating the demi-human, “Gluttony is strong, very strong, remember?”
“So? I’m strong too!” Garfiel interjected in defiance.
“I know that! But, imagine if all goes wrong and Gluttony is around here then, huh. What if the worst comes to worst and we get our names eaten? Our memories taken? Or worse, both.” Otto pleaded, “C’mon, I agree that we can’t let Gluttony go but we have to think this through,”
“I’m already thinkin’ things through!” Garfiel retorted, “That bastard likes to take names and memories, so I just use myself as bait!”
“Garfiel.. You’re a bit famous, remember?” Otto reminded, almost wagging his finger like a teacher.
“Not that famous, bro,” Garfiel waved off.
“Okay, sure, if Gluttony is still around, and that is a big IF, we’re gonna go kill him,” Otto conveyed, “Well, you’re gonna go fight him.”
“And you make a strategy!” Garfiel beamed, “I have full faith in ya, buddy. Don’t think I don’t remember your big shot tactics, huh!”
“Well it wasn’t only me, Emilia is also a good strategist, remember?” Otto reminded his friend that he wasn’t the sole capable strategist,
“Yeah, but you’re my favourite,” Garfiel replied cheekily.
“You.. ugh,” Otto scratched the back of his head as he started to set up camp, “Look, let’s just set up camp here and we’ll see what’ll happen, okay.”
“You gonna go to sleep already?” Garfiel questioned.
“Yup,” Otto replied, “My sleep schedule is already a mess on the road and I already had an all-nighter. A little nap will catch me up just right, You gonna go nap too? Wait, don’t answer that. You wanna keep up in case of--”
“Sure!” Garfiel replied without hesitation, “I can wake up instantly nowadays, nothin’ is gonna catch me by surprise.”
Bzrrrt.
The sound of their tent came out of their small caravan as both decided to eat some dinner and then go to sleep.
After, they set up this camp.
Then, when they had gone to sleep in their ten
<.>
Julius had a busy day, as usual. Today his wife was busy handling most of the matters of the country which led him to have a bit more time than usual with his kids. So, right now he was busily finishing up some short time he had left before he had to go to a knight’s station. They were currently in their own garden as of this time.
“You know some more magic, Dad?” Choco asked.
‘It’s saddening that neither seems to want to take up the sword, honestly,’ Julius wasn’t so happy about that, but he wasn’t the type to force his kids down a specific path, regardless of what others wanted.
Well. he did make them learn some swordplay. Sadly, neither of them seemed particularly talented or driven with the sword. Both had a good knack for magic and spirits.
Which did make Julius happy that they found their talents. Even thinking about it made him smile.
“I’m not that much of a magician, Choco,” Julius replied as he patted her, which made the girl quickly swat his arm away, “You should ask your mother about those kinds of things,” He informed her like he usually did.
Choco pouted a bit, “I’ll ask her when I have time. I don’t really like those teachers we get, honesty.”
“You prefer dwaddy, ooh, witwle bwaby!” Ken taunted his older sister to which she almost smacked the back of her brother’s head in reply.
Julius quickly intercepted her, then levelled a stern look, “Stop taunting her, got it? Honestly, you’re both family so get along a bit more.”
“I get along with him as long as he isn’t being a buffoon,” Choco replied while flipping her head back.
‘She talks like an old lady sometimes, like her mother,’ Julius couldn’t help but inwardly smile at that, ‘It’s pretty cute for such a young lady to talk that way.’
The purple-haired husband of the queen did find it very endearing. It was one of the qualities he liked about his wife. That, and the fact that Emilia had a good mind, she was always able to find her way to the top even with all the disadvantages thrown at her.
For a split second, he remembered when he first found out about those feelings he had for her. She was kind. Very kind to him when he lost his name initially. Something that he was thankful for turned into fascination some years ago. Especially when he and Emilia spent more time together.
But Julius had made some mistakes, then. Nothing regarding Emilia, but he did do some wrong that he wanted to right. It was sad but the woman he wanted to talk to wasn’t even easy to reach, sadly. Especially regarding him.
Julius wasn’t the most romantic but he remembered the sudden fascination and admiration he held for her during that time. Seeing her during the party while fending off those attackers, using her quick-wittedness, was very appealing.
“In any case,” Julius looked up at the rain, the sun was still there, “It’s time for me to go, you two too, alright?”
“Sure, Dad,” Ken replied as he rushed inside suddenly.
“Bye!” Choco nodded as she looked strangely at her little brother, “Why did he suddenly run? It’s not raining that bad and he could slip! Maybe even hit his head, pfft, what a nincompoop.”
Julius nodded in agreement as he patted his daughter’s head, which made her smile awkwardly. Choco ran out to the palace as the knight-turned-father went to the guard station.
It wasn’t that far off of a trip. Honestly, the guard station he was going to was connected to their holding cell. Julius had some dealings to take care off regarding some scheduling and restructuring.
Julius wasn’t the type to be hands-off with those things nowadays. So, he was intent on seeing the people there for himself and reaffirming what needed to be restructured for the knights and what not. What needed to be taken care of was the hierarchy and who was in charge. There were some people that Julius was suspicious of for not conducting themselves faithfully.
Normally, the man would never really doubt his fellow knights as they had all sworn an oath. But he just needed to make sure that all was up-held. Just in case.
Julius reminisced about those things as he went there on foot. It wasn’t that far away and he was confident enough in protecting himself that he knew he didn’t need bodyguards. Besides, wasn’t it good for the king to talk with the people?
‘I mean Lady Felt had always talked about how no nobility cared about their people. I’m trying to make an effort,’ It wasn’t a good enough effort, though, as how he walked and talked with the people did make him seem somewhat alien. His status of ‘king’ was probably driving a wedge and most people already knew that Emilia did most of the ruling.
Well, they didn’t know but they thought so.
Some minor small talk here and there and he quickly went on his way. People didn’t seem to want to talk much during the rain so it is what it is.
Then, he arrived at the station.
“My lord!” One of them bowed deferentially to him as all others followed.
Julius just nodded with a fake smile on his face, “At ease, all of you,” He waved at them, “I need to talk with the director of this garrison, alright?”
“Of course, my lord,”
<.>
“Hey, hey,” Garfiel swatted Otto repeatedly as they both woke up from their nap, “You hear that?”
Rustle rustle
“Wha..--”
“Shush!” Garfiel shushed Otto, “I smell something!” As both pretended to still be asleep, “Don’t move that much,” He whispered very softly. It was almost inaudible for Otto.
“Is it some animal?”
“Doesn’t smell that way to me,” Garfiel replied hastily, “I’m not gonna leave ya alone, got it? Worst comes to worst I’ll lift you up and run outta here with you, okay?”
“Oh, man,” Otto seemed crushed and inwardly very terrified.
Like hell, Garfiel was going to let something horrible happen to one of his buddies. Never gonna happen.
Garfiel slowly got up, ‘I’m hoping it’s just a rat or something,’ Were his earnest thoughts, ‘As much as I wanna kill Gluttony I would rather Otto not be in any danger.’
As Garfiel slowly made his wave to the shape behind the tree he.. Didn’t notice anything?
“Wha---”
“AGGGGH!” Otto shrieked in horror as he saw a small figure rush at him.
Garfiel turned around and in less than a second already tackled the thing.
“YOU!”
“Oh.... well hello there,” Was a cheeky reply given to him, “I see you! Yes, you!” Sharp teeth glinted in the sun’s reflection, “I didn’t expect to see you again!”
“Ghagjh!” Garfiel grunted in pain as he was harshly thrown against a tree.
“I just couldn’t pass it up, tsu! Couldn’t and wouldn’t! I already got him but taking you two? Delectable! Happy! I’m so satisfied with this, tsu! Fine dining is really the best,”
Garfiel quickly recovered from the blow, and got up to rush at Gluttony. The attack was with difficulty dodged.
“You’re a lot better than I remember!” Garfiel was promptly kicked in his liver, it didn’t stop the young man in the slightest though, “Yes, I remember you killing those brainwashed knights. Very funny, tsu!”
The tone seemed somewhat malicious, but not as much as Garfiel or Otto would’ve expected.
“To think that victory is so close for us and I get two more fine dining experiences,”
“Ogh just shut up and die!” Garfiel snarled as he lashed out, clawing at Gluttony.
“Not gonna happen, Garf,” Another duck and another hit.
It seemed like Garfiel couldn’t even touch this person. This Archbishop. yes, it seemed like all of his years of training seemed to be for nought. Even with Garfiel attacking with all of his hones skills and abilities didn’t seem to do much.
Well, that would’ve been the case if Garfiel didn’t deliver a nasty cut to Gluttony’s side.
“Agh!” Gluttony noticed the pain but just smiled oddly at Garfiel, “Sheesh, a lot of hatred, huh?”
“That’s what you get for trying to eat my friend, you fucking monster!” Garfiel snarled and gave more unrelenting pressure.
“Your friend, huh?” Gluttony smiled, “Funny, I remember something you don’t. It’s nice, isn’t it? Discarding lives so easily and rushing forward. No care. No feelings were given. Tsu, that mind of yours will be a delectable meal. I’m very delighted I came across you. Very delighted,” The voice never changed from that mocking tone. Like a child enjoying the slow destruction of an ant-hill.
In this slight rain, the attacks continued.
But Gluttony didn’t seem to be able to keep it up forever.
SLAM
Gluttony was slammed against a tree which made some blood come from the lips.
“Argh!” Garfiel was poked in the eye, kicked in the crotch and delivered a very harsh kick to his side.
A left hook. A right kick. Broken leg. Broken finger. Hair pulled out. Not a fight. Just brutality that came from Garfiel against this little monster he despised.
“Finally fuckin’ showing yourself, huh,” Garfiel snarled as he ducked under another attack, having sent Otto away to safety near the village. The demi-human didn’t want any distractions nor did he want Otto to be used against him.
“It’s actually a coincidence, I suppose. I didn’t even plan on coming across you all today. It’s mostly for our final victory that I wanted to save the best for last.”
“Oh shut the fuck up,” Garfiel hit Gluttony so hard that you could see a good chunk of skin flying off, revealing some muscle tissue underneath.
“That didn’t hurt so much! Well, it isn’t hurting as much as what he went through, going through. That bigshot delusional hero finally is outta here, a couple of years for all of us, huh?” Gluttony dodged and used a knife to cut into Garfiel’s thigh deeply.
“The fuck are ya talkin’ about!?” Garfiel demanded to know as blood came from his lips, “You.. .You talkin’ about the princess, huh?! You leave them alone, got it?!”
“Tsu... tut tut,” Gluttony smiled softly, almost cutelly with blood-stained teeth, “I like this. So eager to take it all for yourselves. Very nice, tsu. He was definitely a good meal. Oh, wait, you wouldn’t remember! Or did you not feel anything when looking at him? Well, I guess that’s what’s leading him to those rantings, hah.”
“Shut the fuck up with your damn mind games and just fucking DIE!” Garfiel couldn’t contain the sheer hatred he had for these people and just tackled Gluttony to the ground in a sudden burst of speed.
The speed was so fast that it tore a lot of muscles in Garfiel’s leg right open and made him bleed a lot.
‘Whatever. This is fine. It’s worth it as long as I can kill this bitch,’ These were the thoughts Garfiel had.
“Hehaha,” Gluttony just chuckled softly, “Was that supposed to hurt?”
“This is gonna hurt!” Garfiel snarled in retort as he tore off a large chunk of skin, “That hurt?”
“Kind of, I guess.” Gluttony just shrugged it off, “Hurts when I move, though. I wonder, is this the fate you let him suffer through? Didn’t your heart move a bit, even the slightest, when you saw his face? I know it seemed suspicious but I’m curious, tsu,”
“Like I said I don’t know what the fuck you’re on about!”
“Hehaha! It’s like he ranted about! Amazing!” Gluttony just laughed it off and kicked Garfiel away again.
<.>
Julius Juukulius had identified the problem and would give his wife the information and his own thoughts. He had never considered himself as king and well, one thing leads to another, and you’re married to the queen.
Still, Emilia seemed to be fine and more than ready to do most of it as long as Julius was to support her. Well, Emilia did want him to be around a lot. He was fine with it but Julius also needed to fulfill his obligations to the country and to his family.
So, as Julius left the office and walked down the grey garrison halls he heard a voice talking.
“So he’s back in there again, huh?”
A guard?
“Of course, I don’t understand how he can keep this up. He looks like some adorable little kid but honestly... well... I don’t understand how anybody can really enjoy it, you know?”
Julius was getting curious, he knew that it wasn’t right to listen in on people but this seemed important. Perhaps even relevant to his current problem?
“I’m saying I get it. Sure, make them suffer. I can kind of get the enjoyment out of making people like him suffer in relation. But he seems so creepy while he does it.”
‘Are they talking about torturing someone?’ Julius questioned.
“Who can keep it up so long for more than a decade?”
“Easy, I asked him once and he said something weird like ‘peer into meat’s emotion.’”
“I thought he just enjoyed doing it? Kind of sick, isn’t it.”
“Well, he most certainly seems to enjoy it. I’ve been here for years but I don’t get it. That guy clearly isn’t saying anything and doesn’t even seem to be fazed by it all anymore. Kind of creepy.”
“So why not kill him?”
“The queen was worried that his death might cause some sort of catastrophe because he has an authority. You’re young so you don’t remember but the Archbishop of Wrath had something simular with her authority.”
“But why torture him? I mean I get that he’s a threat but if that’s the case why not just leave the guy in that cell?”
Yes. Julius did remember that day. That day when Emilia had asked him to come along to confront that individual in his cell.
Julius also remembered that Emilia ordered the interrogation to stop and just to leave him in there. Emilia wanted to go there for some strange reason even though she didn’t know.
Julius scowled at that. How unsightly. To think that his fellow knights and people who were supposed to do their duty were defying it.
‘Abhorrent.’ Was the thought Julius had.
“Shouldn’t we just stop him, then? Or I mean tell someone about it?” The youngest knights proclaimed to the other one.
“Hey, man, that guy isn’t a good person. He’s pretty much a confirmed cultist. They deserve everything they get. My cousin died during that party attack.”
“Wait... so you?”
“We don’t tell, alright? We’re a group. Even if we don’t like each other we help each other out when we can, got it? I hit that guy a couple of times too as payback but that was that.”
This was out of line. But still, Julius decided to just wait to get more information.
“But still, isn’t it wrong?”
The older man leaned into the younger man’s face.
“Are you going to try and report us?”
“....No. But this is sick. You both need to get checked by someone.” The younger knight scowled, then muttered under his breath, “Honestly... I can’t believe this--”
Julius stepped in, “Neither can I.”
The presence of the king made all of their hearts drop. They took a knee straight away
“Oh! My king!”
“My king.”
“I see you’re both denying orders.”
“You heard--”
Julius raised a finger and sharply interjected, “Insubordination. How awful. To think that you would all act so wrongly even when getting direct orders from your queen. And to cover it up?”
“I..I’m sorry, my king!”
“I too, am sorry!” The younger one’s voice shook.
Julius frowned, “You and everyone here will be questioned and punished accordingly. Regardless of your background. Disobeying orders from your queen for this long will not be overlooked. All of you will be watched and those I find out will be directly de-ranked for the foreseeable future.”
“I... I understand, my king.”
“You too,” Julius pointed to the younger man, “While it was right for you to go against them, covering for them is wrong. Your position and worthiness of being a knight will be questioned. Also, get that tortured out of that cell as of this moment!”
Julius didn’t have a lot of time here. But these people needed to be disciplined. Harshly, too. He needed to go back to the palace quickly for other business.
“He will be fired and will be personally dealt with by me.” Julius’s voice was cold and piercing, his subjects seemed to have a hard time dealing with the fear he injected in them.
“I... I understand.”
“Now, from this moment forward all those interrogations will be stopped, understood?” Julius frowned inwardly, how did he overlook something like this? It had to have been shown straight to his face to understand this. Even know it was hard for him to go against the knights he would rather call comrades, regardless of station.
“Now go! All of you will do this. I will return at a later time to fully make sure you all understand to never go against the order of the Royal Family. Understood?”
“I... Understood!”
“Of course, I will get that man right now if you so wish.”
“Do that.”
With that, Julius left the room and went back to the palace.
<.>
Emilia had waved goodbye to Annerose as the young girl left in her carriage with Ram nearby.
‘I offered Ram a job working here but she declined. Well, it’s sad, really. But I do miss her a lot.’ Emilia thought sadly as she went back to the palace. It was late in the afternoon, though.
‘The rain should clear up soon, and I’m almost done for today.’ Emilia thought happily, ‘Agghh! I finally get to spend some time with my family! Yes!’ She almost pumped a fist in excitement.
She walked past the guards and luxurious hallways, going past the portraits of the previous Royal Family as she reminisced about her first years of being queen. Those days were hard and filled with strife. But luckily she had grown a lot with her friends and now her family to support her. It was wonderful. She loved her life. It was hard for a lot of the people to accept her but being the head of her own camp, crippling the witch cult, and doing a great many things had inspired good faith in the Lugunican people.
As Julius entered the room Emilia smiled straight away. It was one of their private rooms that didn’t have any guards in there. The half-elf queen smiled at him.
“Emilia--” Julius was interrupted by getting a kiss from her, which he reciprocated, “It’s good to see you to. How was talking with Annerose? The meetings?”
Emilia laughed lightheartedly, “I was on the phone for a bit and had a few meetings to get to. But it was all handles. Luckily nothing is going to become worse for anyone. They’re such a hard bunch to talk to, though.”
Julius nodded at that, “Well, most business dealings are like that, sadly. They want profit, mostly.”
“I know, I know.” Emilia waved off, “Well, talking with Annerose made my day.”
“Did I make your day?”
“You always make my day, buffoon,” Emilia replied cheekily as she giggled, “Annerose seems to be taking it all well, including being the new head of the Mathers Estate as well. She even talked about learning more about magic and martial arts! Can you believe that?”
Well, Julius wasn’t that well acquainted with Annerose, even after all of these years, “Well, I hope she becomes excellent at it.”
“I do too. But anyway... do you have a moment free?” Emilia smiled at him, “The kids are being a bit busy now.”
Julius blushed, “Sadly, no. But I do have to inform you of something. The people at the garrison, where the cultist from the party attack was held, were defying your direct orders?”
Emilia scowled at that, “Seriously? What did they do?”
“Torture, for an unneeded extended period. Years, in fact. I already disciplined them but since they defied you directly I was wondering if you would punish them yourself.” Julius informed her as they kept hugging.
“Ugh... I don’t like punishing anyone but I do have to make them realise that they can’t defy me like that. Criticism is one thing but something like that is just awful,” Emilia remembered the man she visited years ago.
“So, do you want me to investigate it for you?”
“The king, investigating?”
“Well, we don’t want them to cover up for each other, right?”
“Ooooh, so they’re doing that too, huh,” Emilia scowled at that, “Please do that, I dislike cruelty like that.”
“Then it will be done, Your Majesty,” Julius gave Emilia a peck on the lips, her pale cheeks blushed.
“So...” Emilia suddenly smacked Julius on the butt, “See you later then?”
“Sadly, yes,” Julius blushed and stuttered, “And was the butt-smack necessary?”
“Of course it was! Sadly, you don’t have that cute and firm butt of yours. Sadly.” Emilia smirked flirtatiously.
Julius raised an eyebrow, “Of all the things I have ever heard anyone say about me it was never about my bottom.”
“I mean it,” Emilia giggled melodiously, “I remember you having such a cute and firm butt! I liked that. I’m sad that you lost it though.”
Julius just laughed along in confusion, “I don’t remember my butt changing shape like that, Emilia, but I’ll believe you.”
<.>
Garfiel fought Gluttony with relentless aggression. Every hit was meant to make Gluttony suffer and to put a permanent end to it.
An IT.
For Garfiel would never consider an archbishop a true person.
Flflll
Garfiel dodged another blow as the archbishop cast magic at him. It didn’t work. Now that the warrior was in his element he dodged under a sneak attack with the knife, kicked the archbishop down and relentlessly assaulted it.
“Pfehaha,” Gluttony just laughed it off as blood leaked from their face like a fountain, “This... this is how I die?”
“You’re damn right!” Garfiel grabbed Gluttony and slammed it against the ground with such force it would’ve made anyone else a blood splatter.
“It doesn’t matter, anyway, if I die.” Gluttony just seemed nostalgic, “I’ve won, in my own way.”
Crack
Gluttony didn’t even seem fazed anymore, the injuries didn’t bother nor hurt the archbishop, “I’ve been so hungry. I wanted to eat the good food. So I ate him. Even after all this time I wanted him. It worked out for us all, though. We won. We’re going to win anyway. Even with us being crippled, tsu!”
“What are you talking about?” Garfiel himself was also incredibly injured. Brutally so, even. The sheer hatred and will to protect was one of the fuels that drove him forward.
“You’ll see,” Gluttony smiled somewhat sadly, it seemed strange and disgusting for such a being to look so sad, “I’m no longer what I once thought. Names don’t matter. I’m just Gluttony now. Hahaha...”
“I don’t need your life story!” Gluttony dodged Garfiel’s blow and shakily stepped back, “I just need you to die and give everyone their names and memories back!”
“... Alright then...” Gluttony smiled, most of their face were bloodstained, “Tsu... how sad that I came here alone. And even worse I’m going to have to spit out his name. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway... I think it’s already happened. Yes, he’s gone away, maybe. She said that today might be today..? I don’t really remember, tsu... how funny, I think it was today, But she could be wrong. She was wrong.”
Garfiel forced Gluttony down.
“What happened!?”
“You’ll see... and remember soon enough,” Strangely, only a single tear was shed from Gluttony’s eyes, “Tsu... how very sad. Well, at least I did my part. And I got a decent meal.”
Garfiel looked on in anger as he stuck his arm through Gluttony, nearing some vital spots. Gluttony tried to escape but it was quickly shot down by Garfiel bruttaly tossing the archbishop back onto the wet grass.
“There you go... tsu. It was wonderful while it lasted,” Gluttony smiled nostalgically.
The sun shone, the rain stopped now and all that was left was Gluttony and Garfiel staring at each other with differing emotions.
Then, the name of Subaru Natsuki was returned to the world.
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