Several fire needles surrounded the grand duke.
He was calm. But instead of looking at the fire needles that appeared around him or at the caster he was looking at me with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"I won't repeat myself. Get. Out. Now"
His retainers, the guards and Claude went out after I gave him the green light.
Before the fire needles around the grand duke was dispelled, it was replaced by small fire balls that was created by Alex. In addition to that, a gust of wind kept on circling around me as if to protect me from some unknown projectile from any angle.
The grand duke sat down and look at me in the eyes and said, "How do you know about that word?"
As I write down my answer his gazed was fixed on me while Alex's was fixed on him.
"Do not underestimate the power that the guild master of the demon hound guild possesses"
This time I wrote my answer in the Bleorain language. A language that is used at the continent eastern, from the Bleorain continent.
Normally, only the heir apparent of the duke learns this language. As the connection of Temal to the Bleorain continent is quite erratic due to cultural differences not much are known. But I do.
"The Bleorain continent is a continent full of primitive kingdoms that values war and fighting more than anything else. This is one of the main reasons as to why you failed in your attempts to make trade with them, right?"
"....."
"What if I tell you that there is a way to make them do what you want. A way to make those guys do what you want for the sake of both parties. It will be hard but I assure you that the results will be worth it"
"And that would be?"
"Commerce. Both party needs something from each other. They do not care about jewelries and only care about bronze, silver and gold. Their land are rich so farming would be a good idea"
Although, currently the country closet to Temal is now called as Zoares. If I am correct the Hormanio empire should already be on their conquest to take over the entire Bleorain continent.
"Let's assume that what you say is true. What benefit will it bring you to help my country flourish?"
"I want you to be more strict at handling matters relating to the commoners. want you to give them the chance to live a more happy life by offering basic education for free"
"And what benefit will that give you?"
"Grand duke, what is my guild's doctrine?"
"To destroy all corrupt nobles?"
"Yes. And what I want is for people to live a comfortable life. Hardships are normal but being abused is not. That is all"
"Once you get better I shall talk things with you more about this matter"
"I take it that you agreed to my proposal"
"Yes. I do"
The grand duke went out with a happy smile on his face. We were conversing in bleorain so Alex didn't knew what we were talking about.
"I'm sorry if you felt uncomfortable not understanding what we were talking about just now"
"Why would I? What I do know is that you are planning something good. That is all I need to know"
Claude came back and dragged the four noble men to the basement.
…
Two days have passed, my throat is now good as new. Relying on ability users for healing internal wounds is not really good since it ages the body quicker.
"The reservation is done. We can go there anytime we want"
"That is good"
I left him with Claude as it was time for him to train on how to control his power. Two days ago, one wrong move and the grand duke would have died if any of the fireballs that Alex created exploded.
The four noble men were only charged a hefty fine for what they did. The money that I got from them was going to be used for my pups back at home so I took as much as I can get from the four nobles.
"Vassago, please stop moving too much. It kind of tickles"
Vassago, who is currently taking the form of a lizard is now hiding on my back for my safety.
I entered the room. The grand duke and the young master was inside.
It took August a moment to realize that something was wrong. I wasn't wearing the wig I use three days ago or the contacts as well.
"Are... Do you by any chance have any relative?"
"I do. I have a twin sister"
I sat down.
We began our talk regarding the matter about the other continent. The grand duke and I decided on an expedition a year from now at most and seven months at least with the objective of establishing diplomatic relations with the nearest kingdom.
Currently, the participants for this expedition would be August and three more nobles that will be picked by the grand duke. While I can bring a hundred men at most.
With the plan now drafted and summarize, our meeting for the past week has been very meaningful.
I have also verified that August is a rare case. He was immune to the perfume's ability to force someone into a state of 'heat' because he is constantly releasing pheromones unconsciously. As for Asmodeu's blood, he just have a high level of self control which is why he was able to maintain his sanity.
"This is the last time we will be seeing each other. I wish you good health"
"Don't say it like that. We will be seeing each other in the expedition"
Alex remove August's hand from my shoulder.
"Please refrained from physical contact unless necessary"
"Alright"
One more thing I found interesting about August is that I don't know whether he is brave or an idiot to so openly provoke Alex like this.
To think that he would get all touchy-feely whenever Alex is nearby. Does he really think he has nine live or what.
We left and headed towards the town that Alex is planning where our vacation will happen.
"I have things to take care of somewhere. I shall wait for the two of you in the count's manor"
"Sure"
Just like that, we parted ways.
Alex carried me all the way to Velluno. He covered the distance that would normally take ten days on horseback in just five hours. Our belongings were carried by Vassago who turned into a small monster with wings, similar to the mythical beast called wyvern.
The town was filled with street vendors and people who came from the capital.
"Why are there so many people in the countryside?"
"Because it's that time of the year. The same reason why we are here"
For it to be printed in the brochure, obviously it would mean that it is well known and that many people would come here.
I followed Alex to the inn that he reserved for the two of us. The inn itself was empty despite the crowded state the streets were in.
"How much did you pay them?"
"One thousand gold"
That's even more what a baron earns a year in a remote place. And where the hell did he even store his money anyway.
The inn keeper herself guided us to our room. The room was decorated as much as they can without over exaggerating with the ornaments.
"It's beautiful"
The theme of the room is closer to my style.
"Really~?"
"Yeah"
"I'll take a bath first then"
"Why go alone when we can go in together"
Before we know it the sun have already set. We quickly went to the shore wearing swimwear. It was the complete opposite of when we were in the volcano but at the same time it is the same.
There were dark, thick clouds covering the sky. Only the light produce by the bioluminescent planktons were the ones that were lighting the whole place.
It sure was an amazing sight. The planktons' were covering the entire shore with sparkling blue light.
"What's that sound?"
"Couples being lovey-dovey where no one can see them"
"Eureka!" That is the best word that would describe Alex's current expression after knowing the origin of the sound.
"Can we also do it here?"
"I only do it at places that are private because I want to enjoy it. A. L. O. N. E. With you"
He backed away. He felt mad at himself for being so inconsiderate and selfish.
He started feeling the presence of others that were nearby. He is most likely thinking now that many people would have saw my bare skin if I agreed to his 'offer'.
"Cheer up. This is supposed to be a vacation. So let's just enjoy the view for now, 'kay?"
"Okay"
We stared blankly on the twinkling shore. Vassago would occasionally go back to the inn and get freshly made food and drinks while Theo looks out for any suspicious individuals.
The sun slowly started to rise. The blue sparkling light started to fade as the golden rays of sunlight took over.
"Let's go back and sleep"
"Okay~"
We spent our remaining days here in Velluno leisurely wondering around as well as for the nearby towns.
We then met up with Claude when we got back to the count's manor.
...
"Hello!"
God's proxy?
Oh, I'm back here in the endless white space.
"Is time for me to regained my other memories?"
"Yes. As you know, half of the second part of the first volume was focused on the flashbacks of some characters while the other half was the destruction of the grand duchy"
A card appeared before me.
I took it.
"Why is my memory in the shape of a card?"
"For fun"
"For fun...?"
"Yes, for fun"
"Whose fun?"
"God's"
My respect towards God suddenly fell.
"God said that it is no fun if the future is already known, therefore God is paying close attention on what you do and how you utilize the memories you get"
I supposed it would be normal for a God to watch over someone who is changing the story.
"Wait, why do you refer to the people here as 'characters' when God itself says that the book I red was a form of sacred text"
"Oops! I need to go now"
"Hey!"
I was pulled back to reality. I feel dizzier than I'm supposed to be.
If she wanted to avoid the question, couldn't she chose a much better way to do so?
Part three of the first volume. The war between the kingdom of Sukel and the kingdom of Otvon. The war began under the pretext of the destruction of the grand duchy of Temal but it was actually cause by the death of second princess of Otvon.
The saintess. I'll have to get rid of that bitch before the war starts.
The heroine as well as the villainess of the story.
How the hell is that even possible?
Any mind related abilities or drugs are useless as she is the saintess. Charging her for her crimes would also be useless since the public greatly supports the saintess. Other than Alex, I doubt even the Eddie and Benedict duo would be able to kill the saintess by themselves.
Assassination?
As if that's possible with her
An automatic defense mechanism with her wide area lethal attacks. Isn't she a worse enemy than Alex, battle wise that is.
Alex can turn invisible but if the space is limited I think the saint would win.
Wait, the reason why they fought was because they liked the same guy. The saintess, out of spite, killed the second princess of Otvon to remove other potential threats. It was count Domini... It's Eddie, huh.
"What are you smiling for? Is there something good going on?"
"No. I just thought of something really good just now"