At the Nearl house, the whole gang and the family were in front of the TV, watching the news.
"We bring this news live, two knights in the Adeptus have passed away due to heart complications. And several members on the board of KGCC have gone missing." A news anchor reported.
"Hmm, so they don't want to say they were assassinated. Wraith, bring one of the targets to the news station and kill them there live. Send a message." Ash ordered.
The Nearls gasped and even Lappland stared at him. "Baws... They say I'm crazy."
Ash smiled and looked at his watch. "What? You're from Siracusa. This should be pretty common there."
"I don't know what you think about Siracusa Ash... But even the most brutal of the mafioso familias there won't do that." Texas sighed and took a Pocky, holding it chocolate side first.
"Why do you eat your Pocky like that? You're weird." Sonus looked at Texas weirdly.
Lappland then bit on the other side and Texas clicked her tongue, pushing her away.
"Right about now..." Ash looked at the TV again after a good minute or two.
"Help! Help me! They got me! They'll kill me!" A man appeared at the news station and was screaming for his life.
A slit then appeared on his throat and blood started squirting on the ground. Making the news anchor scream.
"See no evil. The unjust will die." A voice was heard in the mic and it was chaos in the news station as thousands of people saw a board member of the KGCC die.
"Kyahahaha! Did you see the look on his face! He was wriggling like a worm that got salted!" Lappland laughed like a maniac.
"Ash... This can't continue." Mlynar looked at him with concern. Maria turned green at the sight and Zofia was clearly uncomfortable.
"Hmmm, if you knew his crimes you wouldn't say that. The treatment he received is only for special cases." Ash looked at Shining and she gave him some papers. He then gave it to Mlynar and Zofia.
"Ash, is this really necessary?" Maria looked at him and thought that he was too cruel.
"It's about sending a message. Let them stew in their own soup. Then we strike when their paranoia is too much." He stated calmly and patted her head.
"You should know Maria, that they have done misdeeds that are much worse than what I just did. And who will stop it if no one steps up to do the necessary evil?" He shrugged.
"The end doesn't justify the means, Ash." Mlynar furrowed his brows.
"Then how about you liberate Kazimierz? How are you gonna do it uncle?" Ash looked at him and he shut up.
He turned to a salaryman of the KGCC, he was a bystander in all of their wrongdoings. The majors of his country that is sacred, defiled. But he did nothing.
"That's what I thought. I'm a man of action uncle. I don't think much, I just do. And where did that lead me? Right at the very top where I can ruin countries with a snap of my fingers." He snapped his fingers and they went quiet.
"But..." Zofia frowned. "No buts big sister Zofia. This is the path he has chosen and I will support him to the fullest. As a knight of Kazimierz, you should already know. The victors are who write history and rule." Margaret sighed.
Just like how Kirill turned into such a respectable figure. Though his methodologies were quite dubious. But nothing a little propaganda and media manipulation can't fix.
"Liberty has to be paid with blood." Texas squinted her eyes and she knew it well.
"Freedom has a price uncle, Zofia, Maria." Ash smiled at them and they swallowed the unpleasantness down.
It was for Kazimierz they thought. And when they're done, it will be reborn from the ashes. With the corrupted blood that was spilled as their ticket to greatness once again.
"Good, you understand. Human lives are cheap, remember that always. And you will see how much so as they will be forgotten like grains of sand that gets washed to the ocean." Ash snorted and their next target would be the largest media company.
And at the KGCC, the spokesperson Czarny was already stewing in paranoia and anxiety.
"Fuck!" He threw a glass of whiskey at the wall and he paced around everywhere nervously.
"What the hell was that? What in the fuck is happening... Most of my contacts are missing." The man hyperventilated.
He immediately tried to dial the number of the Armorless Union for an investigation. But they did not answer his call.
"Shitty assassins! They have been in our payroll for years! But now they're suddenly gone!" He threw his phone and he breathed shallowly.
"This must be a nightmare, yes. I just have to contact Kain and announce that terrorists are attacking Kazimierz!" He went to the telephone nearby and was dialing a number.
He was jittery, wanting the campaigning knights to enter the capital so they could protect the board members.
But instead of the chairman of Rose Papers Union answering. It was a deep voice that he does not know at all.
"Hello, spokesperson of the KGCC. Trying to talk to your friend?" One of Ash's ghosts answered the phone call. They were tasked with always monitoring them.
"W-who are you? No... This is impossible." Czarny broke into a cold sweat.
"Wait for your turn patiently. Remember those little girls and boys you sold off to your so-called friends? They will be delighted to see you lose your head at the big stage even in death." The ghost ended the call and he lost strength in his legs.
He lost the strength in his legs and he collapsed on the floor. He was trembling, his eyes quivering as the pupils on the middle dilated.
Czarny then heard footsteps behind him and he froze, his breath hitching. As if to hide from the Boogeyman like a terrified child.
Something went close to his ears and he was already crying. Snot and mucus escaping from his nose as he put a hand on his mouth to prevent himself from breathing.
"Boo." A deep voice whispered to him and he screamed like a banshee.
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Ash was currently walking towards a stadium for the majors. They were starting and the people watched him, whispers floating around.
Because he was being followed obediently by the Nearl family and the black knight that people won't exactly forget that soon.
"Hmmm, it's hard being famous. Why would you put up with this for 9 years Degenbrecher?" Ash looked at her and she shrugged.
"You get used to it I guess? Well, it felt nice the first time I won. But now, it's just trouble. Paparazzi especially, those cunts should be in jail." Degenbrecher sighed.
"You sacrifice something for a decision as always. Especially if you shoulder duty such as being a grand knight." Margaret shrugged.
"That would be nice, if it isn't just a circus right now, Margaret." Mlynar squinted his eyes and his distaste for the current state of the majors is still strong.
They entered the stadium and went to the front seats. Ioleta has decided to continue the tourney and bullshitted that it was important to look strong against adversity.
"The majors still continue even though that guy got killed on live TV, I'm surprised that the KGCC didn't do anything to stop it and just funnel the participating knights for protection." Zofia was quite surprised.
"I like how Ioleta did things, it was sufficient. And about that, their spokesperson seemed to be... A bit rattled." Ash smirked and he began to laugh.
"W-what did you do to him?" Maria was still nervous around him and he patted her head, rubbing the base of her ears.
"One of my ghosts reminded him about something. Your crimes will haunt you after all, not unless you're the devil." He smiled and Maria relaxed due to the high of endorphins being released into her blood.
Ash noticed a long time ago that the ancients that has an animal ear that has fur functions just like dogs do. When you rub the base of their ears, they get a natural high.
"Stop abusing that tactic Ash. You know that Maria might get attached to you unhealthily if you keep doing that." Margaret huffed at him.
"It's fine from time to time. Besides, you and Degenbrecher love it." He chuckled and the two glared at him as Mlynar and Zofia was there.
"Come on, come on, let's watch the majors and see what's the hype about it shall we?" He smiled and they waited for the matches to start.
But Ash was sorely disappointed. Only Maria was watching the matches with stars in her eyes. A knightess in the truest sense, she doesn't want to be. But battles will still stir excitement to her inexperienced knowledge.
"I've got a real banger for you guys that's coming up." Ash smirked and he was sponsoring a never before seen participant of the majors.
"Does it include someone's throat getting slit in front of the crowd?" Zofia still wasn't happy with what he did.
"Hmmm, no. But there will be blood, that's for sure." Ash watched on as he got interested in the guy.
His arts weren't like Alastor's. The girl would beat his ass in arts due to their terrifying instincts and prowess at it. But he was still impressive nonetheless.
"Everybody! We will now be going into the main matches of the 23rd Kazimierz major!" The announcer hyped up the crowd and they cheered for their triennial major.
The fights from earlier were disappointing for combatants like Ash's group. But the civilians loved it.
"Hmm, here he comes. He's going to be compete already." Ash watched on with interest.
"At the left gate! We have Dikaipolis! The Blazingaxe knight!" The announcer introduced the competitor. (pic)
Who walked in was a Forte from Minos. A minotaur guy who was bulky.
Holding a blood red axe and wearing crimson full plate armor from head to toe.
"That's your ringer? I've heard of him, he was in an underground fighting ring before coming here to the capital." Mlynar raised a brow at Ash.
The guy was strong yeah, but he wasn't exactly grand knight material in Mlynar's opinion.
"Well, just watch for now uncle. He hasn't really shown his strengths yet. His arts are quite unique and strong." Ash explained to them.
"Hmm, he does look pretty strong. I think that guy will win. If his arts really is as good as you say, coupled with his Forte physique, that guy will be quite the knight." Degenbrecher observed.
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Earlier, Dikaipolis was trying to enter the major and was waiting for the KGCC to accept his application.
They brought him to the capital after his splendid performance in underground arenas. And what he wanted to achieve can only be done when he wins a major.
And seeing the opportunity, even if he knows that the KGCC has dubious interests. Dikaipolis went with them.
But there was of course a problem. Due to lacking a background, the KGCC didn't really want him to enter.
And with the current chaos in the capital due to the assassinations and sudden deaths. He thought that his application was not to be.
Especially because the one who was making backdoor deals with him to enter, Czarny. Was unable to be reached.
Though there was an unlikely person that came to him. "Hey, Dikaipolis yeah?" He saw a tall man smile at him. He was easily two feet taller than him.
"Yes, who are you?" He could feel that he was a fighter. Not really with Ill intentions as well.
"You're an infected huh? I saw your dealings with Czarny. I'm Ash by the way." He introduced himself with a smile and Dikaipolis went wide eyed.
Thinking that he must be with the KGCC and would definitely send him out of the capital.
"Woah, don't be too tense man. I'm actually here to accept your proposition." Ash took out a piece of paper and he saw that it was his application with a stamp of being accepted.
"What do you want in exchange?" He squinted his eyes and saw that Ash was just waving it around in front of him.
"Tell me what do you want for now. You're an infected, you heard of what happened to Margaret Nearl. And she was a part of one of the most noble clans in Kazimierz." Ash raised a brow at him.
Dikaipolis frowned at that. He knew that he would get in big trouble if they found out. And the best outcome of it would be exile like Margaret.
Worst case scenario, he would be executed or imprisoned for the rest of his life with a bullshit reason like he tainted the sacred majors or something.
"I need to... The infected, they all live under the plate of the mobile city. Ghettoes in which they live like trash of society. When all they want is a place to peacefully exist in." He balled his fists and Ash could see his knuckles turn white.
"If I turn into the grand knight. Kazimierz will be unable to ignore the infected that can participate in the majors. It will be a stepping stone for them to make a name for themselves and have a better life." Dikaipolis looked at him with determined eyes.
"I see. You know, I'm a bit of an altruistic man myself. Ever heard of Asmodeus Bio Gentech? Where thousands upon thousands of infected got treatment from?" He smiled and Dikaipolis gasped.
"That's right. But let's make a deal shall we? I can't keep you all to my city. That's just stupid, we have limits." Ash explained and he reluctantly nodded.
Paradiso wasn't that large, they were already pushing it to the limit with Ash's engineering and architecture.
"What do I need to do?" He understood the assignment and Ash smirked.
"Win the major. I'll fund a place where the infected can live, a district you can say. You can't expect them to integrate at the city, now can you?" Dikaipolis bowed to him.
"I will win, that's a promise as a knight..." He gritted his teeth and Ash knew he would.
"Winners will also be able to build a knight club. A group of infected knights that will be aligned to your cause, pretty good right?" Ash slapped him on the back.
Dikaipolis dreamt of that and he could see it. It was just right in front of him. Attainable, so close, the only thing in his way is his own strength.
Ash put his paper in a suitcase and cracked his neck. "Now, I know you'll win in the major. But how about the problems that might arise when I'm not here? I'm going to turn you into a knight of Kazimierz after all."
Dikaipolis nodded and he went into a stance, cutting his arm to let his blood flow. Sanguine blades floating in the air like Alastor's.
"Interesting arts you have there. Let us test your resolve." Ash did the same and Dikaipolis' eyes widened for a split second.
Ash's blade of blood was different though. It didn't look liquid at all, it looked like crimson metal that hardened.
"The infected will see you as their hero. So let's morph you into one shall we?" Ash lunged at him and he trained him to the maximum.
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Thanks for reading everyone, ciao.