"Oh come now, I'm sure it plays an important role, Emperor is a king, he strategizes well, plans for the future, and adapts to any enemy he comes across."
In the Main Lobby located on the North Continent, Christopher and Emerald were sitting together in a cafe, having drinks with one another.
"Certainly. My brother is a smart man, but sometimes his plans put me on edge—I understand that he is a tyrannical ruler, considering Emperor was created to be that way, but it still doesn't stop me from questioning his schemes." Emerald took a sip of her iced tea, crossing her leg over the other, "I'm sure you understand what I mean, do you not, Christopher?" Emerald glanced at Christopher who was staring outside the window.
"Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say? I was busy staring at this girl's ugly clothing. How can one simply walk outside dressed like a peasant, I don't understand these players. You can buy better clothing with Gold in the shopping district of the main lobby." He squawked, taking his orange juice, and sipping it by the straw.
"…Are clothes really important right now? Even with a questionable objective given to us, like destroying the Swindlers Guild, you proceed to not care and would rather talk bad about someone else's clothing."
Christopher snickered, "Why of course. The clothing that we Phantom Mutiny have are crafted from me and my trustworthy blacksmith. Anyone who dares calls it ugly, will most likely lose their tongue." He sat his orange juice down, resting his hand underneath his chin, "Minor jokes aside my dear friend, I understand your slight frustration. Emperor wishes to wreak havoc among the Swindlers Guild and ruin everything that they have, but doing that will leave them with nothing, and they'll most likely rebel against us and start problems with other players. It'll also create worse problems such as; an increase of thievery, increase of killing, and most likely rebellion against those of Ottenmore Kingdom."
"Fuuu…" Emerald released a slight sigh, "Precisely. If we destroy their Guild Base, an entire war can start. I understand that the Phantom Mutiny is powerful, but civilians of the Ottenmore kingdom cannot fend for themselves. If we continue with this objective given to us, I pray to Terra that he has a backup plan for their rebellion."
"I agree, but tell me…" Christopher leaned over the table, curious in his eyes, "You seemed quite excited when Emperor told us we'll be destroying the Swindlers Guild, so why are you suddenly questioning his intentions?"
Emerald giggled, "That was Emerald, my Game Avatar, talking, not my IRL (In real life) self known as Astral speaking."
"Ah, I see. So the one I'm speaking to now, is Astral, yes?"
"Indeed. You don't have to worry about any multiple personalities and moral changes, considering Christopher's personality is the same as yours in real life."
Christopher cackled, "And I was called boring for keeping the same personality that I have in real life when it comes to Christopher! Looks like it worked out in the end."
"Uhuh…" Emerald looked at Christopher with an irritated gaze.
"E-Excuse me…" A blonde girl approached their table, her posture was quite timid, along with her other friends behind her. One was a brunette with their hair tied into a ponytail, the other had short blue hair, and the last one appeared shorter, with long black hair hanging down to their waist, "We… noticed that you two are the Phantom Mutiny… r-right?"
Christopher widened his eyes, realizing they were exposed, "Ah, I figured someone would find out sooner or later."
Emerald closed her eyes, taking another sip of her tea, "Indeed. We did put on a big show in the Main Lobby after all."
"I-I was wondering if…" The blonde girl paused, seemingly hesitant to finish her sentence.
"Hm? What is it, don't waste our time." Emerald said.
"I was wondering if… you could let us be your disciples!!!" She shouted, changing her posture into a determined stance, "Please!"
"Oh?" Christopher leaned into his seat, crossing his leg over the other, laughing, "Hahaha! You wish to become our disciples!? Tell me, what is it that you have to offer."
"Fufufu~. You took the words right out of my mouth, Christopher."
"Ehhh? What do we have to offer…? Umm…" The blonde girl looked behind her at her timid friends, "Uhh…"
But one of them stepped up. It was the brunette, "W-We can give you our loyalty in exchange!"
"Loyalty?" Asked Emerald.
"Y-Yes, we will be loyal to you for the rest of our lives so can you train us to become just as strong!"
"Interesting… tell me your names." Emerald turned her attention towards them, resting her cheek upon the dorsal side of her hand.
"My name is… Dustina!" The brunette proclaimed.
"M-My name is Florian, it's a pleasure to meet you." The blue-haired girl bowed.
"I am Wolfgang!" Said the black-haired individual.
The blonde-haired girl stood in front of them, placing her hand on her chest, "My name goes by Lucia! It's an honor to be in your presence!"
"What a variety of people, but you all seem so shy and timid. Why is that?" Asked Christopher.
"W-Well we have every right to be… considering you guys fought the Holy Trinity." Proclaimed Lucia.
"Shoo—we have no time for cowards. If you're so afraid to approach players above your level, then you'll never become my disciples." Christopher responded, crossing his arms.
"Ara ~ Ara, Christopher seems reluctant to accept you girls, what should I ever do?" Said Emerald, teasingly, "Should I do the same?"
"Please… we will not fear anyone else! If we have to build our resilience, then we will graciously do so!" Proclaimed Wolfgang.
"Yes, what she said!" Shouted Dustina.
Emerald finished her glass of tea, using the straw to swirl around the ice cubes inside of it. She appeared to be thinking long and hard about this until a smirk crossed her face.
The four girls waited patiently, balling up their fists.
"…Very well, I'll accept you as my disciples… but…"
"Ahhh!" The girls widened their eyes, gasping in surprise. They couldn't believe their begging actually worked, but there had to be something bigger, that Emerald wanted… and they were prepared to give it away.
"Consider becoming my spouse's. All four of you."
"Ehh…?"
"W-What?!"
"Y-Your spouse?"
"Did I hear that right…?"
All of them were stunned. It felt like they were hit with a paralysis potion, being unable to move or muster any words other than "What?" at the moment.
"Umm… Ms…?"
"It is Emerald Lionheart."
"Ms. Emerald, I have a boyfriend…" Said Dustina.
"I-I do too…" Responded Wolfgang.
"Oh? Then why not have him join me as well? I see no problem with it; Man and woman are my types after all."
"Honestly…" Christopher rolled his eyes, sighing.
"Have our boyfriends join? I'm not sure they'll like that…" Said Wolfgang.
"It's not hard to try, no? Ask them, and if they say yes, then I see no problem with training you."
"V-Very well… I'll… ask!" Dustina proclaimed.
"Good. Once that is complete, return to Ottenmore Kingdom, and tell them that you have a visit with me. I'll be waiting for your arrival."
"But… what about me and Florian? We don't have any boyfriends." Said Lucia.
"Oh, of course, join me." Emerald would scoot to the side, leaving room for Lucia and Florian to sit down.
"I can't believe I get the chance to sit next to a member of the Phantom Mutiny…" Lucia looked happy as sparkles were in her eyes. She didn't waste any time and sat down next to Emerald, glancing across the table at Christopher who seemed bashful.
Florian hesitantly sat next to Lucia, looking at the table to avert eye contact. She even blushed…
Dustina and Wolfgang quickly made their way outside the cafe, in search of their boyfriends. They were nervous, but it was worth the try.
"Willingly accepting people as your disciples, Emerald, I shouldn't be surprised. Tell me, are you trying to grow a harem? You asked them to be your spouse, I'm disgusted."
"Disgusted? Fufufu~… If they were men, you wouldn't have hesitated to accept them as your disciples, wouldn't you, Christopher?"
Christopher frowned, "Alright, you got me. I suppose that is true for the most part."
"Ohh… Christopher is into guys?" Asked Lucia.
"Indeed, can't you tell?" Emerald responded teasingly.
"No… not at all, I don't follow stereotypes. His voice does sound feminine, and his looks are very girlish, but most straight men I know, also dress the same and act the same."
"You are quite the intriguing one, Lucia." Said Emerald.
"I-Intriguing? Thank you! That means a lot, Ms. Emerald!"
"Please do not call me 'Ms. Emerald'. Just the name Emerald works fine."
"Oh… right, I apologize."
"What do you plan to do with them when we proceed with our mission? Are they coming with us, or will they stay here for now?" Asked Christopher.
"They can come with us. They wish to be our disciples, so it's only fair that I show them the power of Emerald Lionheart."
"Fumu," Christopher tittered, "This should be entertaining."