"Well, at least Baldwin is putting the rumors about Vincent being alive to rest..." said Raiyen, staring at the opened doorway.
"By putting Vincent to rest?! I don't think so... If you know, Vincent is the main arms dealer of the Mafia Force, so if Baldwin is going to kill him, the Mafia Force will suffer a loss of weaponry," said Ashley at the doorway.
"Wait... So all this time... You knew about Vincent being in the Mafia?! Why didn't you tell us during our discussions?" asked Z, shocked at the Marksman's remark.
"Because I would be breaching my oath with the Mafia if I were to disclose the services of my ex-teammates. When I left the Mafia, we are sworn by blood not to tell about the workings of the Mafia and the various jobs in the group."
"Never disclose about the private affairs of our ex-peers was the promise. Since Vincent was never part of the Mafia Force in the records, his weapon dealing with us is considered a private affair. That man was our arms dealer for a few years before I left."
"I haven't the faintest clue how Vincent got all those weapons on such short notice. Oddly, the man marched up to us to offer us weaponry in exchange for dead bodies. We didn't care much about it until now," explained Ashley, walking into the room.
The Marksman Pillar walked up to the Valkyrie in awe and wonder as he kneeled to pay his respects to the Princess of Valokia, Flame Empress of Helios. Ashley bowed his head as he stretched his arm to the shocked Valkyrie.
Mavislin seemed to catch on to what Ashley was doing and extended her right hand to him. The Marksman gently kissed Mavislin's hand and drew up to full height.
"Sorry... I can't help but do such a greeting since you've dressed as the Empress... You look amazing. A maiden ready for war in the sea of flames," commented Ashley, smiling.
"No need to apologize; I understand and appreciate your words and actions. But, by the way, why are you telling us about Vincent's true position now?" asked Mavislin, confused.
"Because of this message I've gotten from VK. I don't know how he managed to send me this message when he doesn't have powers, but here it is... Good old paper mail. And whoever helped deliver the message should be awarded a medal or two Gold coins because..."
"There is no way that the messenger could've reached this area when I haven't stepped out of it yet. From the time of my announcement until now, I have been in the confines of this area, constantly moving throughout the forest," Ashley replied, taking out a letter.
"That would mean it's someone that knows about the true form of the Old Chapel, or it could be Baldwin helping to send the message," said Z, going up to Ashley to take the message away from him.
But the Valkyrie quickly snatched the letter back from Z and held it to her face. The letter stated that Vincent had been found guilty of selling out a few members of the Mafia, which led to the abolishment of the deal between Vincent and the Mafia Force.
"I would assume that selling out the Mafia's members resulted in Vincent not being protected by the Mafia anymore but won't the organization be vulnerable since they've got no arms dealer now?" asked Z, peeking over Mavislin's shoulders.
The Headmaster and High Queen were silent as they glared daggers at the Time Mage. Raiyen turned his head slowly as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't look at me! I have no clue about the Mafia Force, so I won't be talking to them anytime soon," defended Raiyen, surrendering.
"The Mafia Force is bigger than you think. If it were like years ago when I first enlisted, losing an arms dealer would be detrimental to the overall strength. But the Mafia has grown just like how the Arks are the leading group of Mages of the Five Domains."
"So losing Vincent would still affect the Mafia over time but only in small amounts of damage," explained Ashley.
The Valkyrie was still frozen solid as she stared at the message. Mavislin inhaled the scent of the letter and closed her eyes to concentrate on who the deliverer was. Then, finally, the Valkyrie slowly turned to look at Raiyen with big eyes.
"See?! I told you it would be your doing again!" scolded Ysabeau.
"What?! How should I know what my future self is doing?! I wield the Elements of Time, Electric and Nature, not of Clairvoyance!" protested Raiyen.
"No... There's no way it can be him... Why would he be around? Ash... You wouldn't lie to me, right?" asked the Valkyrie with fear.