A/N: I would first say an Sorry for ghosting the platform for about 2 weeks. However, in those 2 weeks I've been ridden with health problems. Insuferable Jaw pain that made my whole face burn (unable to concentrate so I could write something) and an eye allergy (swollen up like someone punched me hard in the eye).
I feel better with the jaw, even thought it still bothers me at times (not the insuportable burning sensations, gladly), while my eye also recovered.
So, now that I am not hindered by my shitty health problems, we should be resuming to normality with regard to updates.
Thank you for your patience in those two weeks. I'll let you guys enjoy the chapter. Bye.
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Chapter 109: Prince Alos
***
The guards who arrived at the sealed door after experiencing the baffling phenomenon that scared some of them shitless, and like a chicken without its head, they began panicking, running out of the cave entrance and giving the reports to a man who was inside the Fort in a tense manner.
"Commander, the Alarm … Most of us believe it was fake."
"Doesn't matter, we still have to report it back to the Royal Palace and have a member of the Royal House investigate… This is the conduct, so have the boys begin to clean around, not giving the impression we lazed out."
"Yes, sir!"
If the night sky was serene, without any blemishes in the stars, that it made you believe the world was in a stale process of transitions, and yet, it was far from it especially for the Briss Royal House who had to deal with the new strings of reports coming from the Duskwall Mountain weren't appeasing to the ears of the one picking up the dial snail call.
It was a young man in his early 20s that had a decently handsome appearance while wearing his Princely Attire for a particular request that only pleased his Royal Ego, having his pictures taken by one of the be biggest photographers of this Era, Knut Beepeck, while his assistant, Estrid was there throwing him inviting looks that would turn the blood of many youngsters boiling.
The news about what happened in the Tomb of Kings reached his attention just when he finished the pictorial and was about to invite Estrid to a night dinner, and maybe even take her to bed in his oldest brother's Hotel.
"Your Highness, news from Duskwall Fortress! The alarm was set-off by someone or something!" called out a servant to the Prince who was in the same room with Knut and Estrid, readying their equipment for departure.
"Now!? Can't you read the mood in the room?"
"But … Your Highness, the King has passed you the Watch over the T … Fortress." remarked the servant who had a moment of stopping when he was about to mention a word starting with T, which he ended by saying "Fortress".
Not that it mattered for Knut who wasn't a political person to get himself dragged in the murky waters of the Royals, what he desired the most was taking pictures of Handsome Men to satisfy his deranged wishes. While, Estrid knew already everything that was needed to be known about Briss Kingdom and the Briss Royal House.
"Your Highness, we'll excuse ourselves. There's no need to postpone important matters to entertain us." commented Estrid with her mellow and gentle tone, while passing her hand around her golden hair that she grew longer since her stay in Sorbet Kingdom.
The Prince looked at the gorgeous woman, and then at his servant with an angry look, but seeing his night-stand ready to withdraw he sighed loudly, agreeing with her while acting professional too, with all the Royal Etiquette instilled in him since a baby.
However, when the guests walked out of the large luxurious room of the Palace, the young adult looked with a murderous expression at the servant, and told him.
"If you can find me a woman as beautiful as that blonde slut, I will not punish you for interrupting my business. Besides, what's to be panicked with regard to the Tomb? That thing is protected by the monster inside, no person would even be capable of entering inside without the key that is in our hands."
"Your Highness, the Commander mentioned that there was a large earthquake that happened unnaturally! This isn't something that monsters would do without a reason … Someone must have tried to get inside and steal the Ancient Weapon."
"Now if you mention it this way, It does sound strange. My ancestors have contracted that monster to work for us, on the condition we protect the Temple. When we will be in need, that monster will land us the Ancient Weapon."
The Prince lowered his murderous stare that he was giving the servant, and looking at a portrait of a man with a trimmed brown beard, with short styled golden-gray-hair with a large scar on his face, while wearing proudly the royal regalia, making this young adult grit his teeth.
"Let's wait for a bit before departing to Duskfall Mountain. I'll have to check with that monster to see if he is asleep or awake."
"I should prepare the carriage, your Highness."
"Whatever, just leave me alone. Tch, I lost such a great chance at banging that blonde slut that was giving me tempting looks the entire time the photographer was taking pictures of me. Hmm, maybe I should have the Royal Guards coerce her a bit, and act as the Hero, just so I maximize my chances at breeding her."
"Of course, your Highness. Do you wish to communicate your wishes to Royal Captain Loopnom?"
"Man, can you leave me alone for a minute? I am trying to think here, you do whatever."
"Understood, your Highness. After I settle the Carriage and we return, I will visit the Royal Captain."
The young man waved his hand dismissing the servant, clearly not in the mood for his bullshit, and soon enough with a luxurious carriage manned by four large horses, his journey toward the Duskfall Mountains started, a 30 minutes of travel at high speed where immediately as he placed his feet on the interior of the Fortress, the Royal Guards received him with the standard procedures for the Royalty visiting them.
"We greet you, your Highness! Hopefully, we didn't bring too much trouble to you." said the Commander of the Fortress, while bowing at the Prince as the youngster watched him with a cold expression.
"Whatever, clear out the way, and have no one follow me."
"What if the enemy still lurks around?"
"No need to worry about me, servant."
With an arrogant and prideful tone, he took the same path Vlad had to reach the dark-brown Sealed Door which got repaired, but the damage caused to the part of the buildings his family constructed to deflect the attention from the Cave was deep.
Cracks and boulders of stone covered the pathway, but his expression remained unchanged.
Standing before the colossal door, he took a knife slashing at his palm to create a considerable wound, and with the blood gushing out, he inserted his hand in one of the seals, which started being painted in the blood, dragging along to the centrepiece of the mechanism.
Doing the same process for the remaining seals, immediately the creaking of the mechanism could be heard and the shaking of the ground around the Prince didn't move him at all.
What moved him was when he entered the Temple and noticed the small being having his eyes closed, settled on a stand-by position while the five giant beings that stood tall like pillars around him were in an inactive stance.
'It seems the monster didn't wake up … And the alarm was just another layer of protection to scare off fools brave enough to try stealing the treasure of the Briss Family.'
'Hahh, stupid people bothering me with their nonsense. As long as the monster doesn't wake up, and starts using the giant beings, an alarm is nothing. Even if a rival family might reach to the news of our power like the Lithén's who were about to propose that we make the power available to the entire Kingdom.'
'Well, maybe father went overboard with the whole annihilation of that family since it was among the founder families of Briss Kingdom. None of my business for now, even when I become King, I would probably pick the same action, with the exception of sparing the Duchess so I could make her my sex slave.'
'Ahh, the portraits of that whore are something delightful to look at when I feel like shit.'
Failing to see any changes in the Temple, he did another turn around to check the Dark Macabre interior of the Temple that was built with such advanced technology that the engineers and architects of the kingdom still couldn't understand and figure out.
A shame to any kingdom that was in a race for power, and to have advantages over the rivals in South Blue.
Withdrawing himself from the Temple, he wasn't required to turn off the door, because it had a mysterious mechanism that would close itself when the source of blood distanced 100 meters away from the entrance.
"How was it, your Highness?" asked the Commander of the Fortress, observing the young man who was decently tall, with a height of 194 centimetres, who was wearing an expensive aristocratic outfit while at his waist were two Sabers.
His build and frame was lean, but the muscles on his arms and chest were visible for the soldiers, clearly not your average spoiled Prince who knew nothing about how the world spinned around.
The Prince stared back at the Commander, and with a swift action he grabbed the man by his collar and with a cold warning he followed along toward his carriage.
"If you ever bother me with the alarm, I will have you dismissed from the Castelan of Duskfall. Are we clear?"
"... Yes, sir."
"Good, now I wish all of you a pleasant night."
"Likewise, your Highness."
A loud scoff resounded in the courtyard of the Fortress, and the Royal Guards soon breathed out in relief when they had the carriage depart from their "Home".
"Prince Alos is such a prick. We are just doing our job." commented one of the Royal Guards who stood beside the Commander, who shook his head, signaling the men to not speak yet.
Whereas the Prince was returning to Arcadia, a man with long black-hair wearing aristocratic attire was walking on the streets of the Capital City with a frowned expression that could tell this man was contemplating something and he shouldn't be bothered by anyone.
Once he returned at Briss Royal, the girls noticed his angry look and could assume directly that he had failed in his reconnaissance mission.
Taking off his black coat, and opening his white shirt, he went to the kitchen to pick up a bottle of wine that he opened, beginning to drink while walking toward his private room.
"Don't be angry. We'll think of something else to get to the Cave." called out Titania who flew to catch him as he entered his private room, settling on a comfortable chair.
"Huh? Where did that come from? Everything is fine." replied Vlad while looking at Titania with a casual look, void of the angry emotions he appeared with at his return.
"But I could swear, you were angry about something."
"I wasn't angry that I failed in what I intended to check, in fact, it was a success. What makes me ponder is the enemy that I will have to face which is wrapped in mystery just like Nihiloor."
"..."
Titania looked at Vlad, and when he mentioned about the abomination from Yehimal Mountain, she had a blank look on her golden eyes, as if she was affected by that image of the disgusting blood abomination.
"Tell me more about what you have seen."
"It's still vague, but I can paint you the image I got from that darkness."
She was all ears after snapping back, and yet it didn't take long for the picture Vlad was creating for her to resonate with something deep inside of her, closing her eyes and remembering something akin to a human boy mannequin standing without a sign of life on a dark table, that was closely resembling the picture painted.
Following that shocking memory fragment, she started trembling a bit but immediately hid this from Vlad, but that fragment she kept it fresh in an attempt to find out more about "herself"
… Why was she getting such strange memories? ….
Even macabre memories that conflicted with her warm, lovable nature that would make any individual interacting with her to lower their guard.
"Don't worry, his power isn't something that I felt would overwhelm me. However, what intrigues me are those five Giants watching over that thing."
"I'll follow you next time you go to this Cave."
"... As you wish, but if the situation turns dangerous, you'll have to withdraw." remarked Vlad, who was drinking his wine slowly, beginning to enjoy himself with this night that brought him many surprises.
The night entered its midnight hour, dragging most people to their beds, and the same situation was for Vlad's companions, whereas he remained awake, unlike the habit he formed of sleeping early for 8 hours to treat his eyes. This wasn't the time for him to sleep, so he maximized each second of his time.
He was talking with Anathema, as he morphed the sword into a mirror reflecting his image back, discussing what plans he should approach in order to have an easy way inside the Temple.
'Using the Maggris Worms, I feel it would be wasteful because once I remove them from their ice bath, they will begin dying.'
{That is one of their weaknesses. Warm temperature.}
'I am aware of it, and I wouldn't wish to waste them. Thus, I need another option. Maybe Kidnapping one of the Royals … but this requires me insights into them, which I am underhanded. Maybe I will use that man again to my advantage?'
{Indeed, I would do the same, using the connection with the photographer. Disregarding the fact I have landed an initial deal with his leader. If you play your cards right, you could land yourself a better deal, squeezing them out of their spirit.}
'I would do something similar. Aren't we alike in scheming against people?"
{A point I can agree with you.}
"Pretty much, I need extra privileges that wouldn't make me suspicious when I interact with the Royals."
Settling down on his plan, he went to take a nap of 4 hours, making up with the call of his dial snail, and when he answered the call, he was greeted by the voice of a woman he found familiar.
"Good morning, Mister Dracul. Am I bothering you at this hour?"
"... Who is calling this number?"
"My, this hurts my feelings, mister Dracul. Forgetting about little Estrid after sharing such a special moment."
"... Ahh, my apologies. I am just waking up and my memory plays jests with me at times. How may I help you?"
"Ahh, could it be, I woke you? I will make up for this mistake of mine, I am sure you'll like it. Still, to not derail from what I wanted to tell you, I've received confirmation from Mistress Stussy with regard to Mister Dracul's acceptance for a new photoshoot."
His eyes were red, slightly tired as he was holding the handset in his right hand, while he went to pick up his pocket watch with his left arm.
[7:35 AM]
"Sure, tell me a time when you and sir Knut want to meet."
"Briss Royal Hotel, at 10 AM in the reception room." remarked Estrid with her mellow and soft voice, which turned Vlad's wheels around, resulting in him asking a curiosity of his.
"Instead of waiting for me in the reception room, why don't you tell me your room number, and I'll go there myself."
"Ahh, so direct. You still remember that I like it directly, that's nice. Room 205."
"That would be the second floor. Noted down. Anything else, my lady?"
"No, not really. I'll be waiting for you."
Estrid was short of words, only telling Vlad what he should hear, and right on the second floor of the Exclusivist hotel, a blonde-haired woman wearing a sexy nightgown with no make-up on her face, but still, a beauty was holding the handset of the dial snail on her coffee table, smiling with slight satisfaction.
"So direct, he even assumed correctly that I am in this hotel. Miss Stussy told me to be careful around this "Doctor" for good reasons. Let's prepare my dress, and also get some touch-up, as for Knut … let him sleep until 9 AM."
Five minutes before the time arrived for the meeting to commence, Estrid heard the door of her hotel room being knocked, and with Knut wanting to open the door, she pushed the slim man to the side, even slapping his hand as he extended it to stop her.
"It's Mister Dracul, right? You told me last night that we would meet him. Come on, Estri, let me have the honor of receiving him. Afterall, it's because of him that I managed to get in Lady Stussy graces."
"..."
Estrid rolled her green eyes and continued to slap Knut's hand, who didn't give up until the man gave up looking sad at the blonde woman who … was more of his Supervisor instead of an assistant.
Still, the expecting guest was "warmly" welcomed by Estrid who was all prepared to meet this man that unseemingly took down three of the notorious pirates of the South Blue.
"We were expecting you, mister Dracul." called Estrid who took Vlad's hand and took him to the large main room the Briss Royal was offering.
"You sound far more collected at distance, than face to face. Ohh, sir Knut, is nice to see you again in this new location."
"I share the same feeling, sir Dracul. How was your journey to Briss? I heard you defeated many pirates on your way here.
Never expected that a scholarly doctor like you would also be a Bounty Hunter." responded Knut who was holding the right hand that was slapped by Estrid but still giving a bashful expression to Vlad, who had such a weird sensation when around this feminine man.
"As any man trying to protect himself on a shark infested sea. All I can do is defend myself, and turn on their bodies for the bounties. A lucrative way of making money."
"I can tell. You didn't suffer from shortage of food at all on your way, great. Please, have a seat. Estrid, some coffee for me and mister Dracul, okay?"
"... Of course, sir."
She let go of Vlad's hand, and it was Knut who took over the job of handling the guest, and he didn't outperform, placing his hand on Vlad's side, that almost resulted in the black-haired tall man pushing the photographer, but he remained collected for his own interest.
He understood that Knut was a deviant person who might be attracted to the same gender … a homosexual individual which deep down brought him a lot of dark memories that disgusted him to his core.
Yet, his interest lurked in this man, and to get his way, he wouldn't mind some "personal" and "friendly" touches, however, he couldn't stand for too long for a person the same gender as him to touch him for too long and he reacted by pushing Knut's hand calmly.
"I'll be fine, we are not on the Sea that I need balancing support."
"Ahh pardon me. But of course." mentioned Knut who had his hand touched by Vlad, resulting in the photographer gazing at the hand, opening and closing his hand.
'Those gay people are always strange … Hateful people with a sick deviancy to the natural course of nature.'
The meeting began with Estrid bringing two cups of coffee, and also taking a seat beside Vlad, starting the settling of what the procedures would be for this photoshoot, and just like in the past, Knut had everything sorted out, and the outfit of the "Dark Hero" as Knut like to refer to Vlad, also fitted his criteria.
"Mister Dracul, all that remains is to find a suitable spot for the photos, and we'll be done in no time."
"Sure, I also have a suggestion that might be to the delight of the Celestial Ladies."
"Go ahead, any creative suggestions are warmly welcomed."
"I was thinking about the Royal Palace. Do you by chance think it would be possible to get access to a room in the Palace? It would fit with the theme. Maybe also do it at dusk or night for extra effects if I am not mistaken the device used by sir Knut would handle such conditions."
Both Knut and Estrid looked at one another after this unique proposal, which clashed with their idea of doing it in Briss Royal since it had this allure of Wealth and Royalty, but Vlad's proposal went to the extremes, taking the eyes of the two seated opposite to him.
"An excellent idea, however, we will need to check with the Royal Family and request an access. Yet, I am pretty sure it will be achievable, right, Estrid?"
"Without a fragment of a doubt."
Meanwhile, as Vlad was having his own negotiations, arranging his own schemes for easy access to the Royal Family.
The City of Arcadia was experiencing an event that would garner the attention of citizens that was centered on a group of 3 girls that were beauties of their own separate league that only a certain percentage could be pry to enter, and a handsome blonde-gray-haired man in his 20s wearing aristocratic attire with some Royal Symbols of Briss Family triggering the whispering of the people.
It happened in the center part of Arcadia where the luxurious shops were located that this two groups encountered one another, crossing paths with Eleine, Bonney and Titania whereas Prince Alos, who went to relax a bit after his night excursion to Duskfall Mountains, accompanied by an entourage, resulting in the Prince to stop, and glance stunned at the black-haired woman who outshined most women he encountered.
"Who is that commoner woman? Have any of you guys seen her around Arcadia? It's been weeks since I last left the Palace."
"Doesn't look familiar, your Highness … but she truly has it all. Figure, tits, ass, mouth, even a confident gait. She probably is great in bed."
"Let's see if she is easy to catch."
Prince Alos shifted around his initial path and instead began walking with his entourage closer to Eleine until they managed to stop the girls, giving him free rein to court the stunning black-haired woman whose black eyes instantly got colder when being surrounded by so many men, reminding her of the dark memories of her childhood and adolescence.
"How may we help you, gentlemen?" asked Eleine, clearly not stressed by the arrival of those men, knowing she could kill all of them if they ever dared to touch her.
*Ahem* "My lady, I couldn't help but stop from my path to tell you, that you lightened up my day just a bit. You are just like a Black Rose to my eyes, standing out from the rest of flowers."
"Mmmm, thank you for the compliment."
"Trully, the pleasure is mine, my lady." responded Prince Alos, who entered quickly into Casanova Mode, the Lady Killer, trying to smooth out his way to Eleine, who deep down wasn't that impressed, but she remained into a passive stance so far, listening intently to what this man had to say.
And to her surprise, she heard the man order something to a guy in his entourage, who responded respectfully, and even addressed him by his title.
"Corl, rush to the Flower Shop and buy a large bouquet of roses."
"Immediately, your Highness."
Seeing the servant withdraw from the group, rushing at fast speed toward another part of the Arcadia, Eleine couldn't help herself and as with a shy, timid using the most mellow tone she had access to, instantly melting the young adult.
"Sorry to sound rude, to the gentlemen, but are you by chance … A Prince? If so, I am terribly sorry for not figuring out that quickly."
From behind Prince Alos some of the guys, who from their attire looked to be nobles, released some gasps of "Wows", affected by the ravishing black-haired beauty.
"Don't stress yourself, my lady. You should be new to Arcadia, if you are unfamiliar with me. I am Alos von Bris."
When Eleine initially intended on declining, destroying any of the man's attempts at courting her, since after all, she had eyes only on Vlad, until Prince Alos introduced himself, making her cogwheels to turn at high speed, similarly for Titania and later on Bonney, who remembered one of the plans if his "reconnaissance" failed.
Titania, who was supporting herself on Eleine's shoulder, gripped tighter without telegraphing her movements to the men that might watch her.
'I know, I know, Titania. This is a great chance at making it easier for Vlad by catching this fool into my grip.'