"Alright enough Pothos" listening to the apathetic voice from the corner of the hall Kashgar had realized he was finished. His eyes widened in surprise he knew it deep down like a seasoned conspiracist in her majesty's court. Brilliant moves played by professionals in the blink of an eye were normally small questions answered ahead of time 'Why didn't I realize it?' He knew this rookie was not one to take a casual knockdown. He could have anticipated this, why didn't Asmodeus call in favors from the greek gods and lend a Belial Judge?
An hour before the Walpurgis night started;
"Are you prepared Kashgar?" On a mirror-like portal, a fair-skinned voluptuous lady was assuming a relaxed pose while getting her shoulders massaged.
"Your highness, It would do more good than harm to invite the counsel of-" Kashgar with his lanky frame noticed Asmodeus's brow furrowing. He knew she didn't show any tics you could read except she decided to. That was the reason he became a part of her entourage in the first place. "Understood your majesty" Kashgar got the hint and bowed like a gentleman while Asmodeus's gaze softened "Just follow the script Kashgar" with that the transmission came to an end while the mirror hologram stopped.
"Huh? you want to see her highness?" amidst the mockery and profanity spewing out of the mouth of the guards. Bradque was unwavering in spirit and calmly continued "It is urgent". With that one of the guards who were 'false' Tiro-ranked released his aura while Bradque was about to prove his worth an attendant then mitigated the dispute. "I apologize for the inconvenience" while it was a lie Bradque had to act with decorum and play along with him. "It was no problem" before he could tender his request the attendant then continued "I read somewhere that One minute of reconciliation-" "Umm what was it again?" shaking her head as if she had forgotten the quote Bradque was shocked and completed it "is worth more than a whole life of friendship!" stunned she smiled and walked away while speaking"I will inform her of your presence" Acedia was admiring the silence of the ballroom. It was unbecoming for the demon god of apathy to be an early comer but she preferred the silence over their ruckus. It was at this moment her attendant confronted her "My lady, there is a guest here to see you. He passed the test" She knew sooner or later this would happen he may just be the silver bullet that tips the entire castle. "It's like Lee said it's drinking poison to buy more time. That's why-" Bradque walked in with brisk footsteps without Veronica in attendance that was the 'demon conduct'. 'The timing is inappropriate, there is no immediate and concrete mutual benefit, even my alternative is reliant on the hope she will appreciate my audience. I can almost hear my Financial analysis professor rolling in the grave. Whatever-' Acedia's dry voice stopped his train of thought "Why should I listen to a mere Tiro-ranked demon?. The lord in your name merely signifies you are a champion among Tiro-ranked demons in your county, nothing more nothing less." Right of the bat, she was not giving room for him to sway her. "Your Highness, Isn't this world similar to Macondo?" Although it was a vague hint, the answer I got from her attendant before seeing her was a quote from 'One hundred years of Solitude' the guards were goading me to test my patience, and that last quote from the attendant "One minute of reconciliation is worth more than a whole life of friendship!" was the final nail in the coffin. I was not the first transmigrator. Acedia was still silent " Your highness my wish is to turn your grey world into a colorful and vibrant painting. The question is are you willing to leave Macondo?" In reply to his statement Acedia turned around and inspected him 'a gaze filled with a resolution to win, not too shabby in dressing and a confident pose but his clenched jaws give it all away' After a soft chuckle Acedia spoke "I dislike Pothos and I like watching plays although they are becoming cliche nowadays" 'What was with that statement? Did she accept my plea?'
Present Time
"Bradque is now a demon of my peerage. Are there any objections?" Acedia's bold claim shocked the crowd 'You committed to harboring a wild card. A blessing plus with your strength who can refuse?' Pothos snorted at Acedia before hollering "You will regret this you crazy bitch" and leaving the Ball in anger. Meanwhile, Kashgar had slipped away during the commotion and secretly contacted Asmodeus "My apologies your highness, I failed you even when you gave me ample-" while reciting his heartfelt apologies he heard her intoxicating laughter "We now have a reason to swallow that bitch whole." "Your highness, you don't mean" "Exactly Kashgar, contact our allies in all circles and relay to them my intention" smiling happily Kashgar replied, "Your will is my command." With the main dish served all other important parties left the ball satisfied. There was an interesting development and also lots of paperwork waiting for them back at home so they took their leave first. Horse carriages left one after another without salutations or greetings, they left as they came, unexpectedly. Watching the receding tide of his 'predators' Bradque heaved a sigh of relief and almost collapsed was it not for the public setting. Acedia merely nodded in his direction before her attendant gave Bradque a sort of medal. "You can contact me using this. Have a nice day". "That's finally resolved" Veronica approached him while somewhat frowning "You don't seem happy" sighing in exasperation she replied, "There is a problem with the Crown Family back at Nodnol." Bradque was fatigued in both body and mind so he replied "Can't it wait till tomorrow?" bobbing her head in disagreement he lamented internally.
Nodnol,
"What do you mean Father is under suspicion by the Church?" Anastasia was honestly puzzled. Who would dare side against them? Don't they know the Crown's family influence?. The mother dismissed her two retainers with a strict look with her eyes but they ignored her gesture. Anastasia saw this and chuckled before waving her hands, dismissing them. "Those damned cockroaches. Don't they-" "mother I would not tolerate you insulting my retainers. That is also trampling on my dignity." "What did you say?" pushing aside the elegant dish laid in front of her to the floor. "Looks like this few weeks in school has inflated your ego. Just like your father, You both are always pointing your spears against me". Anastasia calmly watched this selfish waste of a mother throw a tantrum. She always made every topic about her. After observing her conversations with her mother ricochet back to her "struggles" she only spoke to her mother only when necessary. When she was impatient with her whining she stood up sharply and hit the table. "bang" "Calm down mother. You haven't even told me why those hungry wolves have the audacity to kick dad out of the parliament." The knights heard the commotion and rushed to the gazebo but they were dismissed with a nod from the duchess. "The Novics surprisingly allied themselves with the elves huh?". The mother continued explaining the sticky situation. The elves were a reserved race but the heads on the pikes that decorated the boundary of the Elven kingdom said otherwise. Although, they were reserved they harbored a very important resource Ornament stones. They were crude mana stones but were more effective and had more shelf lives compared to potions refined by even the best grandmaster potioneers. The elves couldn't be defeated because the techniques to refine this resource were held by the humans but the radiation from these stones was so dangerous that only beastmen could transport them safely. It was a win-win situation for everyone. The Novics had the best relationships with the Elves as of recently due to a new mine they discovered. This mine had Ornament ores and could be refined to low-grade quality Ornament stones. They may be low grade but they were worth more than a hundred medium-grade potions. "They also have evidence that your father was contaminated from the demons." "WHAT?!!" exclaiming in surprise Anastasia was visibly shaken. The first person that came to mind was him. 'Did he purposely map this situation out?'. Watching her daughter's surprised expression Claudia thought her daughter believed the lies and quickly spoke up while patting her on the shoulder. "Your father is an upright believer of the god of light. The countless gold coins donated to the temple weekly should favor our situation. Also we can also admit we know nothing-" shaking her head sideways she cut off her inner monologue and looked at her mother while smiling and then replied in a cold tone "You would even abandon him when he needs you the most. I wonder what dad saw in you? Eh?" her mother's palm kept coming till it enlarged right in her face "SLAP" Claudia went another two rounds before having a bloodshot expression on her face. Her green eyes were more profound now and her hairpin came undone. Her blonde hair draped to her neck. In her hands were two red fireballs. Not minding her distraught daughter she calmly spoke "Don't disrespect him". Anastasia was still holding her face and bleeding lips from the barrage of slaps that impacted her seconds ago. She knew she went too far this time but still spoke up while chuckling "I am sorry mother. But you're escaping from dad again. What are you going to do? Burn my eyes just like you did to brother? " Hearing that Claudia's bloodlust calmed down and her face regained its proud expression.