We were allowed to leave the cell and passed by several groups of officers on the way out. We followed Michael outside and got into one of the wheeled machines.
They were called 'cars', apparently.
This one was longer than most of them and we sat in the back. It was actually quite luxurious.
"Where are you taking us?" Isabella asked.
"I already told you, didn't I? We're going to see Iris. We'll be going to the central building here I'm Florence. That's currently where the rest of us are."
"Do they know about us?" I asked.
"Uhh...yeah? That's why they came here...? Gavin and Leiso were pissed, but I told them you two were alright. Dante is looking forward to meeting you as well."
"Are Gavin and Leiso going to attack us on sight?" I asked.
Seemed like a reasonable question...
"I dunno. They could if you catch them in a bad mood. But more than likely, they won't if they were told not to. Still, your girlfriend should keep her shield at the ready. That thing is HARD!"
"Excuse me, Mizik and I are married. I am his wife," Isabella said.
"We can't formally recognize marriage between minors. Mack is fifteen and-"
"MIZIK!" I shouted angrily.
It's not THAT hard, is it!?
"Right. Mizik is only fifteen and you're seventeen. Even if you're old enough to marry with parental consent, Mack is still below the age of consent. Also, you don't have parents here, do you?" Michael said.
This piece of shit!
"My parents allowed the marriage on Avernia despite Mizik not being of noble upbringing. Although his father was a Duke in another country. Mizik is the Prince of Albatross, as far as I'm concerned."
"The heir to a country that no longer exists? That's just depressing. I'm sorry for your loss. But regardless, we can't recognize your marriage. We won't harass you about it, but until you're both eighteen, you can't get married."
"Did your brain fall out? We don't need to get married because we ARE married!" I said angrily.
"Don't care. Once again, I don't make laws. It isn't up to me. You two might as well just be a very happy young couple."
"Look, I went through a lot of crap to marry Isabella. She's my wife whether you people recognize it or not!"
I will not budge on this.
"Awww...Mizik you're so sweet!" Isabella said as he hugged my arm.
"Get a damn room, you two. Seriously. You're making me jealous...or I would be if she was legal."
"We still don't understand the problem." Isabella said with a slight frown.
"Uh...you know what a pedophile is? Someone that likes kids a little too much? That's the problem. And the bigger issue, is that Mack will be considered a minor even after you turn eighteen. That can cause legal issues!" Michael said.
I just rolled my eyes.
"I literally couldn't care less. I have the documents and we both have the rings to prove it! Also, my name is Mizik!" I said defiantly.
"Ugh...fine. Whatever. It doesn't really bother me anyway. I'm not getting involved. Regardless, just be ready for when you talk to the other Enforcers. They're kind of a handful."
"You already told us about Leiso and Gavin, but what about...that other one you mentioned?" I asked.
"Yeah, Carlos is alright. He's kind of quiet mostly. Very dependable though. You'll probably like him a lot as long as he doesn't put you under the microscope!" Michael said cheerfully.
The...what...? I'm not even going to ask...
"I think I'll like him as long as he doesn't talk as much as you do," Isabella said with a straight face.
Dammit Bravery...
"I...oww.... That kinda hurts..." Michael said dejectedly.
"Perhaps you should be nicer to my husband if you want me to like you. Otherwise you're just another random pervert as far as I'm concerned. And don't think I haven't seen you staring at me!" Isabella said angrily.
"Oh come on! Help me out here, Mack! Am I really that bad?" Michael said.
I felt my eye twitch.
"You're insufferable. How many times do I have to tell you that my name is Mizik?"
"Well...damn... You two are pretty harsh..."
I rolled my eyes again and Isabella let out a sigh.
This is going to be one hell of a day...
* * *
After an hour of riding in the car, we pulled up to a building that stood straight and reached into the sky.
"Welcome to Florence's Enforcer HQ. We will be going to the top floor. Follow me!" Michael said as he motioned for us to walk after him.
As we followed him, several white-haired people stopped to salute and also stared strangely at Isabella's hair. As if hers was the only one that was strange...
"Mizik...these people keep looking at me weird... Do you think my hair is that strange? Should I change it?" She asked.
"Isabella, your hair is one of the most beautiful things about you. The color suits you and it always puts me at ease. Who cares what they think?" I said.
She blushed and clung onto my arm.
"Ah...I love you so much, Mizik!"
"I love you too, Isabella," I said.
"Ugh, I feel like I'm gonna puke," Michael said as he stopped near a wall.
After that, he pressed a switch and the walls parted to reveal a small square room with no other exits.
"Hop in the elevator, we're going up."
"The...what? Aren't we going to take the stairs?" I said.
"What the hell...? NO! We're going to the top floor. The TOP FLOOR! This building has like sixty floors and that'll take too long. Other than being exhausting... Besides, I have other things I wanna do today. Get in the elevator!" Michael said angrily.
"Am I supposed to believe this box will magically carry us to this top floor?" Isabella said.
"Yes. That's exactly what you're supposed to believe. Because you just rode in a box with wheels and flew to the city in a box. Lots of magical things happen in boxes on Ignitus. NOW GET IN THE DAMN ELEVATOR!"
Both of us decided not to argue any further and stepped into the 'elevator'. As soon as we were all in, Michael pushed a button.
At once, the doors closed and we felt the elevator moving straight up.
"This is amazing! I wish they had this kind of technology in Avernia!" Isabella said.
"Dude, technology is awesome. I don't think I could live without it," Michael said.
We rode the elevator straight up until it stopped. I heard the sound of a bell, and the doors opened. The floor was completely different.
"Follow me," Michael said.
We went after him and soon came to a large set of double doors.
"Okay, game plan. Leiso and Gavin are probably already here. Leiso is the cute girl with short-ish black and silver hair, and Gavin is the tanned guy with brown hair. Don't talk to them unless they talk to you. Dante is the black guy with the goatee, he's awesome. You'll love him. And Carlos is the other tanned guy with black hair and the lab coat. He probably won't say much. Now then, I'll take the lead. Just act natural."
"Let's just act as if we're visiting royalty in Avernia, Mizik."
"Agreed."
Michael opened the double doors and confidently strode inside.
The room was mostly barren except for a large and immaculate seating area towards the back. There were six thrones with numbers on them and up a set of marble stairs in the back, sat another more extravagant throne. A set of scales was engraved on it in gold.
A woman with teal-colored hair was sitting upon the throne in the back. Her eyes glowed with the same color and she examined us with an amused expression.
In the center seat, sat a muscular man with very dark skin. He was bald atop his head and had a goatee. He looked to be in his mid thirties and also wore a sleeveless shirt with a light jacket over it.
Beside him, was a black haired woman wearing a strange uniform. She had a deadly serious expression on her face and looked to be about twenty-five. Her eyes were as gray as iron and I could see a small bit of the same color at the ends of her hair.
On the other side, was a tan-skinned man with short brown hair and dark green eyes. He looked to be around the same age as the woman. He also seemed angry about something.
Next to the woman was an empty seat and another man in his early forties sat next to another empty throne with the number 4 on it. That man wore a white coat. His skin was also somewhat tanned and his hair was black. His eyes were dark brown.
"Heya, everyone! I brought the two 'non-natives'. Or as we like to say, otherworlders! Can we talk now?" Michael said.
"Michael, every time you speak, you remind me of how far our standards have fallen," said the black-haired woman, presumably Leiso.
"And every time I look at you, I am appalled that such a cute girl can be so damn evil!" Michael said happily.
"Michael, can you just shut the hell up? Leiso isn't in the mood for it today. Also, try to keep an eye on those damn otherworlders instead of walking so casually with them at your back, you idiot," Gavin said.
"You wanna go, buddy? We can go right now! I'll kick your ass!" Michael said angrily to Gavin.
"Stop it... No fighting," Carlos said.
"If you could all be quiet, we can get this moving forward. Now then, these two are...Mack and Isabella, yes?" Dante said simply.
"Yeah, they-"
"Hold on! This idiot keeps getting my name wrong! My name is Mizik! Sorry, your Majesty," I said and gave a swift bow.
"Why are you speaking? You dare interrupt an Enforcer?" Gavin growled.
"Gavin. Stop it. These two have come a long way. They don't need anymore headaches than what they already have. Besides, I would like to speak to them myself," Dante said.
"You heard him. Step up, you two. Also, I am not an idiot!" Michael said.
Leiso slammed her first on the arm of her throne.
"Liar!" She shouted.
Michael glared at her and then his expression softened.
"Aww, I can't stay mad at that cute face. I love you, Leiso!" Michael said.
"Just die already, you maggot!" Leiso hissed.
"Hah...sorry..." Michael said.
"Michael, take your seat," Dante said.
Michael walked over and sat on one of the thrones.
"You two, introduce yourselves. Please do so using your names, any titles you may possess and the country or world of your origin. You may speak," Dante said kindly.
I motioned towards Isabella and she stepped forward.
"I am First Princess Isabella Victoria Albatross, of the country and city of Albatross. I am also the wielder of the legendary sword 'Bravery'. I hail from Avernia, your Majesties. Although, I have since changed my name to simply Isabella Iratus."
"I am Prince Mizik Iratus, head of the Iratus family household and heir to the throne of Albatross. Husband of First Princess Isabella. I was born in Lorelei within the country of Albatross in the world of Avernia. I am the wielder of the legendary sword 'Vengeance', your Majesties."
"You two really don't have to call us that. We're not Kings or royalty. We're Enforcers. Speaking of which...ENFORCERS! INTRODUCTION!" Dante said.
"SIR!" They all said in unison as they stood up.
"5th seat Enforcer, Head of Research and Development Carlos Ortega. User of the Elemental Aspect of Fire and Advanced Aspect of Blood. Designation: Bloody Inferno."
"4th seat Enforcer, Investigator Michael Harris. User of the Elemental Aspects of Light and Dark. Designation: The Eclipse!"
"3rd seat Enforcer, Head Investigator Gavin Ulric. User of the Advanced Aspect of Explosions and Elemental Aspect of Wind. Designation: Blast Tornado."
"2nd seat Enforcer, Alpha General of the Ignitian Military Leiso Akali. User of the Elemental Aspect of Water and Advanced Aspect of Metal. Designation: Iron Tsunami."
"And I am the 1st seat Enforcer. Leader of the Enforcers. My name is Dante Cooper. User of the Elemental Aspect of Ice and the Ultra Aspect of The Reaper. Designation: The Frost Reaper."
I wasn't sure what to say. Each of these people wielded immense power comparable to a level 150 legendary weapon user or even greater.
This is terrifying...
"Enforcers. Seats," Dante said.
At once, everyone sat down.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's talk about why you're here," Dante said.
"Is it because we killed someone?" I asked.
"No. Iris has already forgiven you. Leiso and Gavin might not like you, but the decision on what to do is ultimately up to me and Iris. You are otherworlders, correct?
"Yes. We can no longer return to our world," Isabella said.
"Because of a Demon King?" Dante said.
"Yes sir. We were overwhelmed by his power as well as his army. We entered a sort of...portal by accident during the final siege and fell into a lake here. That was two months ago," Isabella said.
"Yes, then you saw an airplane and headed in the direction it flew in, got picked up by a helicopter, and now you're here in Florence," Dante said.
"I do not know what either of those things are, but yes. That's correct," Isabella said.
"Well then, you two seem very reasonable. Pretty strong too, if Michael is to be believed..." Dante said, not sounding so sure.
"I promise that they are. Isabella blocked all of my attacks without taking any damage, and the green-eyed guy nearly took my head off with one of his swords," Michael said.
"Right...it's good that he didn't kill you. Killing an Enforcer is an unforgivable, capital offense," Dante said as he eyed the two of us.
"We apologize for the misunderstanding, Dante," Isabella said.
"I don't think I would have disliked it if they had managed to kill him..." Leiso mumbled.
Michael shot her a hurt look and Dante raised his hand to stop them.
"Well, since you two seem to be so strong, how about we make a deal?" Dante said.
We nodded and waited for him to continue.
"We are all mourning the loss of Jallah, our former third seat. Some of us believe he might not truly be dead, but we can't be sure. However, his loss puts us in a bad position for dealing with the Overlords."
"Do you need our help?" I asked.
"We would like that, yes. They'll be expecting to deal with Enforcers. Not whatever you two are."
"We're...adventurers...and construction workers..." I said meekly.
"This is ridiculous. Can we not just execute these fools where they stand?" Leiso said angrily.
"Be quiet, Leiso. If these two are cooperative, they might be of use," Dante said.
"Yes sir," Leiso said simply.
"Now then, you two. Where does your power come from? Explain yourselves."
"Well..." I said.
I spent the next few minutes explaining status magic to the Enforcers and the basics of how it worked.
I also explained the situation with our swords and how they were sources of great power.
The Enforcers were genuinely surprised at how it all sounded.
"Wait, isn't that like a video game?" Michael said aloud.
"A...video game...?" I said.
"Ignore him. It's not important. Anyway, it looks like you two might be just what we wanted," Dante said.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"You might not realize it, but our world is in danger. The Overlords want to take over the world and rule it with an iron fist. We seek to live peacefully and protect the people. Are you seeing the problem?" Dante continued.
"You want us to kill the Overlords?" I asked.
"That would be preferable, but we mainly need support until we can find a replacement for Jallah. If you can hold your own against Michael, you might able to even kill an Overlord."
"Are you sure we're even capable of that?" I asked.
"No, and that is why all of us have gathered here today. We're going to test you," Dante said.