Lycan's POV
Living the life of a butler is tiresome yet rewarding.
My job is to take care of the palace by directing groups of servants to make sure that the inhabitants don't ruin its glory. A job that I wound myself upon because of an irresponsible master.
We make sure to keep the halls squeaky clean, the kitchen spotless and stocked, the dining table ready for feasts, the Pegasi stables clean of manure, the king's chambers free of stains, the portraits are always in the RIGHT ANGLE and do many more, all in a single day's work. It's surprising how virile the king is every night, and that leads to a VERY messy bedroom.
Except for a few figures, which are the current king, his family and the ancestral couple behind him, the rest of the stuck-up nobles cause various troubles within the palace. These entitled phoneys with spears stuck up in their asses ladies and gentlemen of a higher societal position fight each other behind the scenes in the most infuriating ways. The conflict was large enough to affect even their own families.
This is why when every other knight were busy preparing for the peace treaty, I, as a Companion of the missing irresponsible dickhead fuckup bastard king, have to head out of my stomping grounds working area to find 3 children who "ran away" for reasons I fully understand.
A pair of twins from the Head Royal Knight's family and the son of the Krutia family's patriarch.
The Krutia clan of reputable Gnomes that specialize in creating Magic Weaponry, even better than most Dwarven Workshops. The king was negotiating a trade partnership with the Krutia patriarch when they received the news of his sudden disappearance.
While the current king is "just and kind", he also has a rather devious side of him whenever it comes to serious matters. And so, in exchange for helping in this matter, the Gnomes are to provide the weapons at a discount. It worked too since the father was in a panicked state.
From my investigations, I've found out that the children have somehow got into a freak teleportation accident and ended up on the realm of humans, Remnant. I have a sneaking suspicion that they had contact with an individual who has enough power to do something like this, but not only do I not have evidence, the motive for doing so is also questionable.
Now, it would have been easy to locate where they've ended up using a device for discovering spatial activity, but for some gods damn reason, multiple spatial fractures have surfaced. With the constitution of spirits being weak in this Realm, I couldn't pinpoint their exact locations and had to visit each fracture since my senses towards Mana became weak.
It turns out, that it was Open Season. That time of the decade where the dumbass Imps simultaneously teleport to this realm to cause trouble for its inhabitants.
The journey from place to place was tiresome and maddening. Especially so when the "Faunus" try to lynch me for trespassing in their so-called "sanctuary". No wonder it's called Menagerie.
Not only do I have to deal with the locals of each place, but I also had to take care of the troubles made by the Imps. The silver lining is that I was sometimes aided by the Hunters who participated in an extermination request directly issued by the Kingdom.
From the little interactions I had with the few teams, they have told me that the Hunters Association pay a rather hefty change for the pest control, a fact loved by the Low to Mid-class parties who have the necessary money to buy Realm Stones for the teleportation between Realms. It's not every day that the Kingdom allows the usage of Gates since it will only be allowed for investigations, a benefit that I should've received if not for the di*kbag numero dos king's stinginess.
Eventually, I narrowed down my search area to an island called Patch.
Teleporting by the coastline, I traversed through the outer layer of the island until I arrived at a grave situated in a cliff at night, where I could finally sense the exact location of the fracture which is just near there.
When I inspected the area of the fracture, I was relieved to feel that the mana signature wasn't one of an Imp's, but still somewhat disappointed that it wasn't my mark. What's peculiar though is that I found faint traces of a Beastman and a Spirit, and judging from how weak and youthful it felt, they were children.
Did this mean that the mysterious individual also made contact with other children?
I couldn't dwell on it no longer as I was distracted by the small amount of light mana that erupted from a distance. The Realm's mana levels are abysmally low; so low that you can feel the activation of a simple spell from a few kilometers away, a feat that only the most sensitive of Mages could do that is now easily achievable by a common Mage in this Realm.
From what I have gathered from the Hunters, there weren't any requests for deployment here on Patch. I don't know if that individual either has connections on the higher echelons of the Association, or they are powerful enough to be free from the restrictions placed on this Realm by the Elder Gods. Even so, both scenarios are worth the king's attention. I should discuss this matter with him later.
???: "-The befouled, [ Proluo ] !"
Just in time I see.
I saw a pair of adults and children. Each either had blonde or raven hair, a slightly amusing sight if I do say so myself.
As all alcoholics who've been recipients of the Purification spell, the blonde adult began to vomit out the harmful residue that was not filtered by the kidney.
I can't say that I don't understand the feeling. I am, Afterall, a connoisseur of Dwarven Alcohol.
After that, I was forced to wait for their family drama to be finished before being invited by the dark-haired adult to come out of hiding.
Lycan: "My apologies for eavesdropping. I couldn't help but do so by accident as I was waiting for a moment to insert myself into the situation."
Oops, I forgot to introduce myself.
Lycan: "Ah, where are my manners? I am Lycan Silver. I was sent to investigate a recent case of teleportation that took place nearby."
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Third Person POV
Qrow felt something off about the man known as Lycan. Especially so when he couldn't see any kind of color as he did in the office.
His years of experience as a professional huntsman and as a former bandit gave him enough opportunity to develop a sixth sense for danger.
And now, his intuition is telling him that Lycan isn't an ordinary man. If he was even a human was a question in of itself. Hell, Qrow would even give the man some lien just to say that he was a monkey faunus with his tail hidden and not what he thinks he is.
Qrow didn't disclose about how Ariene magically arrived where Aurum was about to be killed to anyone but those in the Aurum Protection Program (APP for short), which are Ozpin, Ariene herself, Cyrus, Samson, and Glynda. It was discussed right after Aurum and Samson left.
Which is why he is vigilant and slightly fearful.
Fearful that this unknown individual would take Aurum away under the pretense that he was a missing prince. No matter what, he wouldn't give up the kid, regardless of the consequence of such a decision.
Aurum was his son, and he was abandoned to a family that caused him to suffer by irresponsible pricks that left him without protection.
Qrow did not want to be an irresponsible prick. He may be a drunkard with a knack for chasing skirts, but he values his family and friends more than his alcohol and being a pervert. Even if he must stay away from them to keep them from harm's way via his semblance.
Aurum already bears a dark childhood that burdens his psyche, because no matter how much a person has moved on from such a heavy past, they would always follow a person, and it only takes one trigger to bring back the pain. He doesn't want to cause the trigger. But because of his love for him, Qrow wants to at least support Aurum even from far away. That doesn't mean he should slack the parenting though. He will still visit at least for a day or two every week even if it will hinder his new work.
That is why, even if this man might bring a whole new level of burden, Qrow will do his all to be the best parent and guardian that he could be to the child.
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While he is doing his inner monologue, Lycan observed is Aura for any kind of trace that he may use to find the children. Luckily, the charm he used carried the mana signatures of a Blast. Thinking that a sufficient amount of awkward air has passed, Lycan started his inquiry.
Lycan: "If you would be so kind, will you be willing to answer a few of my questions?"
Qrow: "…"
Lycan thought that seeing Qrow's poker face all but confirmed that he was somehow involved in the incident.
Lycan: "I'm searching for 3 children who were involved in this phenomenon."
Still no answer.
But, Lycan could tell through the aura surrounding the man that he might know these children. Lycan decided to throw some theatrics to see if it may work.
Lycan: "A pair of twins…"
And he was right.
Qrow's eyes dilated, but Lycan was only able to discern this because he was keenly observing for any 'tells' he might exhibit.
Lycan: "…Both with red hair, one with gold eyes, and the other red…"
This time, Qrow could be seen with his brows scrunched up barely into a glare.
Lycan: "…And another child with brown hair…"
If his previous glare was an unconscious action, it was now deliberate, to the point that Qrow had a firm grip on the hilt of Harbinger, ready to defend himself in the off chance that Lycan would use force.
He will not abandon his son.
Lycan: "…With yellow eyes."
But the tension he released eased slightly shortly.
Now, it was Lycan's turn to change his expression, as he raised a brow in intrigue since Qrow's grip slackened.
It seems he only needs to go to the spatial fractures in Vale to look for the last child.
Lycan: "So? Are you willing to cooperate with me? I'm not going to lie. The people who have tasked me with finding their children can be quite…shall we say, overbearing."
Why wouldn't they be?
They might be strict when it comes to the hierarchy in their household, but the Blast family tends to become belligerent once their family is involved. As for the Krutia, even if the father thinks that his son is a disappointment for focusing on creating clothing instead of their prided Magic Swords, he nevertheless can't let him come into danger since out of all of the other candidates for his replacement as the Clan Head, his son is still the most talented of them all in their crafts.
Now imagine the combined might of these well-known families against a single unknown human.
Lycan: "Don't worry, I will not harm the children. I will only report their location. Nothing more, nothing less. But, it's up to them whether they want to return home or not. Once I ascertain their reasons and judge them accordingly, I will help them stay here on the surface."
While it may not be a good idea in politics to do just that, he is a Companion of one of the nation's most powerful and adored king, even if he is missing. He can at the very least throw his weight around because of his power both as Companion and as one of the strongest in the nation.
Qrow: "And? Even if I supposedly know where those kids are, what makes you think I'll believe you?"
'True.' Lycan thought in silence. There is a way to enforce an agreement through a Geass Contract, but it isn't worth spending money on such a thing. 'Well, time to hoodwink then.'
Lycan: "Did you know Spirits are capable of initiating a Vow of Truth using a spell?"
Qrow was a bit surprised at the random statement, but considering his ignorance towards the supernatural, there might be some truth to that statement. He did notice something though.
Qrow: "It's only a Vow of Truth. It doesn't mean that you'll be able to actually help them in their situation."
Lycan allowed himself to curl his lips slightly since this confirmed that the children are in his custody. Or at least, knows where they are currently held. Now, he only needs him to lead the way willingly.
So, he had to convince him with a lie that isn't a lie.
Lycan manipulated the Mana within his body to invoke a spell.
Slowly, particles of light flowed out of his body, allowing Qrow to glimpse at a hazy white and purple energy before it vanished.
The mana Lycan released was then diffused in the open space, allowing him to communicate with the elementals for cooperation. While similar to a Companion Contract, the elementals wouldn't actively transform to witness the Vow. They would only confirm its validity, oddly enough, by emitting a green light around the user.
Lycan: "Elementals of this forsaken Realm, heed my request!"
As if a response, Qrow could feel colorless wisps gather and bounce around Lycan like water.
Lycan: "Let your eyes see the truth, that I, Lycan Silver, vow that what I may state is true."
The wisps flickered in color, interchanging between green and red like Christmas lights. Lycan then looks at Qrow with a stern expression.
Lycan: "I have the ability and influence to allow the children of the Blast family to stay in Remnant."
The elements judged him accordingly, glowing green for a few seconds before slowly vanishing as if the situation didn't happen.
Lycan: "If you know context clues, then you should know green is good and red is bad."
Qrow was annoyed at the statement, evident by his scowl.
Qrow: "You're rude, you do know that, right?"
The only response he got was a shrug, to which he sighed after.
Qrow: "…Well, I feel like it's been a long night. I don't know if it's the stress, but I'm willing to take the plunge. Come back here in a few days since I still have to do some stuff here in Patch."
Lycan smiled at the positive outcome. There might still be some drama left if he comes early, so he'll take his time exploring the city here. A butler does need his own vacation, so he could use this as a reason to get one.
Lycan: "Well then, I suppose I'll have to take my leave. I'm assuming that you still have some issues to address, so I will only come back after a week or so. Goodbye and have a good night."
After his farewell, he vanished instantly to Qrow's horror.
He was a trained huntsman that fought against individuals with speed-type Semblances on his hunts for rogue Huntsmen. He knew how fast those individuals could be, but this reminded him of the time he sparred with someone from Vacuo who can teleport in short distances. It was an annoying ability to fight against in the Vytal Festival.
But even if someone has that kind of rare ability, it wasn't as if that guy could do so in long distances.
Instinctively, he knew that this wasn't any kind of semblance. That was pure physique.
Qrow: "Gods damn it. I need to drink myself to sleep. I wonder if Tai has some spare beer in the fridge."
Grumbling, he trudged along into the house in annoyance at the situation. Why the hell did this kind of stuff pop up just recently?