(Robin's POV):
After having lunch in the castle, we set off again as a group towards the crystal palace to reunite the group once again. Jay was filled to the brim with excitement while the others were feeling really calm despite having a second reunion which will be the official one.
"Jay, I know you're excited but please calm down."
"Ah, right." - Jay
We're currently in a carriage and are talking about various things involving the palace. I told them almost everything that I needed to tell them because Denzel's palace is pretty much a place where you could get lost easily.
"As for the rules, make sure to follow them since he's pretty merciless on it. I remember seeing the members getting punished around due to their noise in the library or when they damage the palace even by a little bit."
"Ehh?! Really?! Then it's best to be careful then." - Jay
"I remember him saying that the palace rules do not apply once outdoors so feel free to do whatever as long as it doesn't damage the palace."
"I see... Maybe I can lure him out..." - Jay
I pretty much know what Jay is thinking about. He's currently thinking about planning ways to get Lester to a spot where he could beat him down.
"Jay's quite excited isn't he? I too, am excited because Terrence is probably uncomfortable with just those two around." - Grace
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, I remember opening a drawer somewhere in his room. It's a diary of his life here..." - Grace
"Ooh?! What does it say!!?!?!?" - Jay
Jay seems to be eager to listen to someone's diary logs but I'm quite interested to hear these too.
"Let's see... I forgot to bring it but I remember some parts in the first few logs." - Grace
"Let's hear it." - Jay
When I looked to the front of the carriage, I can see Ridley's face peeking in to us while listening in. It seems he's also interested in teasing Terrence later.
"Ehem... My life as a third-wheel is becoming sadder and sadder by the moment... I wanna find them but I'm stuck with these two. I'll go cry like the loner I am." - Grace
"Pff- Ahahahaha!!!" - Jay
Jeebus, that actually made me laugh... I should ask about the second log if she remembers...
"What about the second log? You said you remember it right?!"
"Ooh!! Robin's interested!" - Jay
"Wait wait, let me recall..." - Grace
Grace starts thinking and she seems to have remembered it almost immediately.
"It goes like this... These two... Need to stop flirting in front of me. Like OH MY GOD, I AM! RIGHT! HERE! Honestly just wanna find Grace and be with her and... and you know?" - Grace
Me and Jay were having trouble with holding our laughter. Grace was grinning while Ridley was leaning in while peeking through the curtain of the carriage. It seems that he's really interested since he's showing a mischievous smile.
"The third log was like: 'Fuck these two. I don't wanna be around them anymore. Gayle tends to beat me up almost everytime and Lester just laughs! I hate it!!!' There was a crying face drawing at the end too." - Grace
The realm of possibility to hold back laughter slowly shrinks as Jay continues to laugh at Terrence's behavior with Gayle and Lester.
"The last one I remember was him searching for help." - Grace
"Jeebus, poor Terrence... You should stay with him for a long time Grace."
After some time of laughing we had arrived to the crystal palace once again. I sent a signal earlier but no one seems to come and welcome us. This could only mean one thing.
"Nobody to greet us?" - Jay
We were only walking since the carriage cannot go through the thick snowy taiga. I told Jay what it means when nobody is out to greet us the only reason.
"He's here."
Denzel, in his casual attire dropped down from the sky and landed on the snow perfectly. It released a minor shockwave which made the others flinch. Snow was blown everywhere which got everyone to jump a little bit.
"Yo Robin, seems like you got a team here?" - Denzel
He's equipped with Omnitelum while keeping his casual pressure.
"Yep, and I have a short discussion here."
"Alright then, let's bring them in." - Denzel
We were welcomed in by Denzel and immediately brought us to the meeting room. He didn't show any surprise when he saw the reunion of some other members and just decided to ask me.
"They know each other?" - Denzel
"Yeah, from childhood. I'll discuss that part later too so let's get everything set up."
"Aight." - Denzel
After the reunion, Denzel brought everyone including me towards the meeting room where he discusses everything needed to know.
"So, seems like you've went around on an adventure?" - Denzel
"Yep, I actually managed to collect three types of ore that you will need. I just have to wait for you to start making that weapon."
"Stardust Claymore?" - Denzel
"Yep, I want the weapon before we set off to the main dungeon as Seymour had mentioned."
"Alright then, I got the complete order and will finish it in a few days. Anything else you'd like to discuss? Since you brought your crew and all?" - Denzel
As usual, Denzel is pretty sharp in things like this. Gayle seems to have read his mind and looks down a little bit.
"Yep, I'd like to have my team lodge here."
"Sure, you trust them so I'll trust them here. I may have to run a few tests before that though. I'll save it for the time being and let everything happen once the schedule clears up alright?" - Denzel
"What do you mean?"
"They can lodge here starting tonight. I'll organize some rooms but I'll have to get a discussion between Gayle's twin, herself, and Lester." - Denzel
"Eh? Me?" - Jay
Jay was a little surprised with Denzel suddenly mentioning his name. Gayle for some reason smiled while Lester's face seems to be getting a little pissed.
"I detect behavior problems with you Lester. Got a problem?" - Denzel
Denzel's Omnitelum changed into a revolver and aimed it towards Lester. He seems to have become a little sharper or he's just making an impression.
"Clearly you're a resident here longer than them. I'll be lenient for the first few days about the rules but I will have eyes on you. You're making a lot of noise in the night lately." - Denzel
"T-That is..." - Lester
Lester gritted his teeth and just accepted the discussion for later. I then asked Denzel how he is right now and his atmosphere dropped immediately.
"I feel pretty good right now. There's still a miasma cloud inside my body but I can more or less handle it with my current state." - Denzel
"I see..."
"Sorry..." - Gayle
Everyone seems to be surprised with Gayle apologizing for some reason. Denzel closed his eyes and muttered in a low voice.
"It's alright, just don't mention it ever again..." - Denzel
"Alright..." - Gayle
"Kaede... What happened?" - Jay
"I'll... Tell you later..." - Gayle
"....Anyways, are there any more discussions?" - Denzel
"None."
"Alright then, the meeting is dismissed. I'll have a word with the three I mentioned after dinner understand?" - Denzel
"G-got it." - Jay
"Alright..." - Gayle
"Sure." - Lester
We all left the meeting room as everyone went back to their rooms. When I had noticed, Grace was unusually silent which made me curious. I checked in on her but it seems like she's having a nice talk with Terrence. I'll go check on Ridley then.
I went around the palace and immediately noticed a thick amount of energy coming from underground. He's starting immediately? He shouldn't push himself too hard.
I went down to the underground dungeon and noticed both Jay and another person who is at the same height as him. That person is William who is an Astrorift Assassin. He is one of Denzel's more powerful team members but I clearly remember him due to Seymour allowing him to the castle. The two seemed to be getting along very well so I didn't bother disturbing. I went out to check on the other junction where I saw multiple members simply chatting around.
At this point, I stopped bothering and took a walk outside where nobody will be disturbing me. I saw two houses in which I didn't bother having a look. After walking around for some time, I saw a place with a bunch of crystals that look like flowers and had a glowing texture. I can guess that this place is the crystal garden which Denzel changed from an aftermath of the trauma.
"So this is where it happened huh... I wonder if I could take on him when he's enraged..."
As my memories flash back a little, I recalled that Seymour said something about bleeding just from absorbing an attack. It took him quite a bit of effort just to shut Denzel down specially when he used a major amount of mana just to eventually kill off his miasma temporarily.
"Well, no use pondering about it. I will have to ask Seymour if we could use the angel feather on Denzel soon."
The only idea I had in mind is to let Denzel use the angel feather that Seymour had mentioned about turning into an angel type.
"Still though, Denzel as an angel is pretty cringe. I just hope he could make great use of it."
I went back to the palace since dinner is about to start.