[One Week later]
"THE END IS NEAR!! THE END IS NEAR!! THE END IS NEAR!!"
An elderly man wearing priestly clothing roamed the streets of the capital Shouted at the top of his lungs about the possible end of the world, the Normal folk did their best to ignore him and going about their day, it has been over a week now since the man began shouting about this most citizens were sick of it.
"Isn't that the old priest from the church?"
"yes, it is, I heard he got kicked out of the Temple of the four great Gods for preaching things not on the scriptures"
"Can you blame him? That light turned night into day, and only gods are capable of such power"
Two street vendor women spoke to each other, gossiping about the latest news this week.
"I know, but to say that signals the end of the world is stupid, that golden light could have been a decree from the gods about something that isn't the end of the world"
The woman explained to her friend, Arthur's display of Excalibur's power was national news at this, of course they did not know that the light was generated by him, however everyone in the kingdom of Re-estize and beyond experience the phenomenon of night becoming as bright as day.
Some took it a light of the heavens punishing sinners that were so vile the Gods had to intervene, other thought it was a descent of the gods to live amongst and others believed it to be a light signifying the end of the world but regardless of what it truly was, it had folk talking about it. Those who were more magically inclined went to study the location, and to understand it and those who feared it fled to whatever place they thought would be safe from the coming apocalypse, those who were religious went to church, same with those who were never religious and those who didn't care, didn't care, they still had work to do.
....
"what do we do?"
Zweden asked his fellow department heads as they sat in the dimly lit it room, having an impromptu meeting, they suffered significant losses in the span of a week, their drug trade department was essentially crippled, as it would take months before they can fully grow back the plant to make black dust, plus transporting of Goods from different villages is takes a lot longer and clients aren't that patient, not only that but black dust was used to render the people they kidnapping catatonic and make them dependent on the drug, that has become quite significant and more than a few of their recent kidnapped have attempted to escape.
"for the most 3 out of 8 departments are affected by this, we dismantled The security department and took all their profit and divided amongst ourselves, most of that profit went in to Hilma'd pockets as extra fund to cover the cost of transport and the cost of security, since we dismantled six arms"
Christopher summarised, despite Dismantling Six arms, they still had the remaining members still in Eight fingers however with A lower status than before, Six arms was an invaluable department as it projected their merchandise, but everyone in this room agreed that Zero's price was far too high for a glorified bodyguard as such they tore the department down but at the same time they regretted that decision.
"Thanks to all that, we had to pull back on our efforts to take over E-Rantel, our main fighting force was Six arms, with Zero, Succulent and Davernoch assumed dead our Fighting power is cut in half, as an undead Davernoch would have provided us with an undead Army, and a person like zero would have been our answer for Gazeff Stronoff and the rest of six arms would handle blue rose."
He continued as he felt his portly stomach churn on the inside however not out of displeasure but out of disappointment that he was Unable to assimilate six arms to his department like Zweden had done with the information brokering department.
"Wouldn't that have been pointless since it's Blue Rose who killed Zero anyway?"
Coco doll pointed out, as far as they know Blue Rose is the one responsible for killing and destroying both bases.
"No point discussing that anymore, for now let's pull back a bit and patch ourselves up before coming back in full, we're currently a mess right now, we'll keep our presence known but we'll be less active, how does that sound?"
Hilma suggested, as she huffed smoke off her pipe and nobody seemed to disagree with her. It seemed they all recognized that they weren't in a position to continue business at this rate.
"What about the golden light? Are we going to search for such a person or weapon capable of that ? It would be significantly helpful to us right now"
"No need to worry, I already have my people Looking into that, the leader of Blue Rose is rumoured to Have a legendary sword so I'm certain she's the one responsible, If she own one legendary sword of darkness, it's possible she owns another sword of the opposite alignment"
Zweden explained his hypothesis, and everyone in the room gave their nods.
"Well now that's settled, I have an appointment with a certain handsome red-haired man."
Cocodoll said seductively, letting everyone know about what he plans to do before standing up and leaving, signaling everyone else to end the meeting and leave as well.
...….
[Somewhere close by]
The silence in the room was thick and overbearing. The remaining 3 members of six arms sat solemnly in a round table as they said nothing to each other. Within the span of a week, their entire department was dismantled and demonted to nothing more than a mere shadow of itself. The security department was now just the security
"maybe we should recruit new members to fill our numbers and work our way back to the top, I'm sure there's plenty who would want to work with us"
Malmvist of the thousand kills, he was a man with a handsome face and unusually blood red hair, usually his poise is brimming with confidence however not right now, he spoke to his remaining co-workers, his face showed a frantic expression of panic, as in the span of a week he had lost all his prestige and respect within Eight fingers, the sudden disappearance of Zero, Davernoch and Succulent gave opportunities to the other heads to get in and pick apart the security Department leaving nothing, forcing the other members of six arms to accept positions similar to bodyguards.
"oh shut up, you idiot, no one in this kingdom can replace the boss, and where else are we going to find an elder lich like Davernoch? Don't be stupid."
Edstrom, a chocolate skinned woman, with beautiful silver hair, her face was beautiful with nice red lipstick that conveyed a level of sexiness, she was slim and flexible, as a dancer it was only natural that she is, wearing alluring thin silk fabric with a myriad of golden bangles on her wrists. She responded to her comrades' statement as she rested her elbows on the table and began to contemplate a new career path.
Eight fingers was never a united organisation governed by Friends who respected each other but rather one run by greedy sins of bitches that would gladly backstab each other for the right price, so it's not unexpected that such an organisation would do exactly what is in its nature.
"Then what do we do? You can't tell me you're fine with our position right now? Even if you are fine with it, I personally don't want to be blackmailed by that ugly twink. You know what he's into!"
Malmvist uttered with more than a little disgust in his voice, Coco doll certainly had a taste in men, and he knew he was just the type that a person like Cocodoll would like.
"Well that's your problem pal, if he wants you he is going to get you, but me I'm done with eight fingers, the only person I respected was Zero with him gone, then I'm gone too"
She explained. she certainly had options in terms of career paths, both a dancer and an assassin, plus there aren't that many dancer assassins, so her skills are unique.
"Agree, however I suggest we first avenge our leader"
Pershurian uttered his first words, unlike the other two he was not much of a talker or, rather, beneath his full amour, the disgraced former knight was simmering in anger directed towards the people he believed were responsible.
"you saw that giant hole on the location where our Eight fingers base used to be. You think you can take on whoever made that?"
Malmvist asked.
"Blue rose, I am confident I can contend with Blue Rose. Whatever it is that they used was a legendary item that they could only use once. Otherwise, why would they eradicate one base and scorch the other?"
Pershurian reasoned, two bases of eight fingers near the capital were destroyed, the light that night I to day was probably an item that was used to destroy the base, why did they use such a powerful item? Pershuriam did not care; he was certain they wouldn't use it again, especially not in a populated area.
"That makes sense, but what if you're wrong? Whatever the item is, it obliterated a village's worth of land and turned the night into day, I'm not risking anything with that kind of power"
Edstrom explained. It didn't matter if they could only use it once, anything with that much fire power is dangerous, not to mention it was a week ago, meaning the items could be used again.
"I'm with her on this one. The peasants are even calling that whole thing a signal for the end of the world, and I'm inclined to agree"
"Hmph you would not avenge the very person that gave you the life you have been living? Is this what you are? Cowards?"
Hearing those words both Edstrom and Malmvist bit their tongues, their arrogance would not allow them to let being called cowards slide, however at the same time risking their lives for a dead man wasn't on the cards.
"Do not worry, Blue Rose would not use such a weapon in a populated area after they fancy themselves as heroes"
Pershurian added, it was true that such a weapon capable of destroying villages would not be used in areas with innocent people, after all, Blue Rose destroyed the base to protect innocent people.
"what's your plan?"
Edstrom asked, deciding that her boss was at least worth hearing Pershurian's plan out.
.....
[Castle training ground]
Members of Blue Rose watched as Arthur and Lakyus sparred against each other. Beside them was Gazeff and a few other knights as well.
"Sir Arthur's sword technique is quite interesting,isn' t it?"
Gazeff said, drawing the attention of the others from the somewhat intense and somewhat light hearted spar, or rather Lakyus looked to be trying very hard to land a hit on Arthur while he dodged and parried her attacks. He really wanted an opinion on Arthur's sword style as he saw some glaring flaws in it.
"I guess you could say that. He doesn't attack but instead seems more focused on tiring his opponent because attacking, but I can't say I like it."
"Is that so, why?"
"I guess you could say from what I know he can do, it's disappointing that he isn't more decisive"
"indeed, decisiveness is essential in achieving Victory In a duel, Arthur seems to Ignore obvious openings that would not doubt end The fight but he favours taking his time and turns all his battle into that of attrition, Gazeff found that to be an odd choice of fighting styles for someone who is a knight.
"I believe it suits Him well, people like you can't afford to waste time in battle but Arthur can, he's Trump Card is a one shot kill type Attack and covers a wide range as well so a battle of attrition is convenient for him."
Evileye commented, offering her two cents on the matter, she was a long distance fighter as such she can't really comment much on things but from her perspective Arthur's sword technique was logical, if his sword is the trump card then that means it's better to tire out your opponent than just obliterate everything on sight.
"yeah that is true but that doesn't mean he can't be more proactive with his style but it's a preference I guess, you'd think he was a cautious man with that kind of lighting"
Gagaran explained, and Gazeff couldn't help but feel that these two knew something about Arthur he didn't, but regardless, he still sided with Gagaran.
While the spectators that mattered spoke the ones that didn't cheered for the leader of Blue rose, for her to land a hit on the knight of the princess, their jealousy for Arthur was always present and they were always reminded they themselves could do nothing to him so cheering for someone else harm him was all they could do. Although Tina and Tia cheered for the Evi boss to win, not because of their jealousy towards Arthur.
"oh come on, holy Valkyrie, is that all you can do?"
Arthur jokingly asked as he slid his shoulder to the side, avoiding the cold steel of the blade from touching him, and his words only served to infuriate the blonde haired maiden all the more much to his own amusement.
"ughh stop saying that"
She complained to her opponent, with her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment and with a silent prayer in her head, hoping no one could hear what she and Arthur were saying.
She pulled her sword back and then did a thrust action aimed towards Arthur's stomach, which he parried to the side, causing her blade to swing sideways.
"then make make me stop, holy Valkyrie"
Using the momentum of her sword that was parried sideways. She then spun around, swinging the sword all the way around. Arthur put out his sword to block, but Lakyus quickly reversed her spin and spun again going g
For the side that was unguarded.
"I will!"
*Clank*
She expressed, responding to his prompt, but thanks to Arthur's reflexes, he was able to block her attack.
"DAMMIT!"
"Is a holy maiden supposed to swear?"
"Shut up!"
"if you can't make me, then why would I?"
With such a response, Lakyus could only simmer in her own frustration as she looked at Arthur's annoying smile. Seeing the amusement in his eyes.
"How are your reflexes so good?" I can't even land a hit on you"
"when you're just built differently, you're just built different"
Arthur playfully responded and received a deadpan look from the frustrated blonde adventurers.
"Come on. I'm being serious"
"you come on, I'm being serious"
"Whatever, keep your secrets. I don't need them"
She said as she pouted in frustration, and Arthur could not help but chuckle in amusement.
"fine, land a hit, and I'll tell you how I'm so good at dodging, we can even finish the story I was telling you last time"
"you're gonna regret those words, en guard"
She jumped into attack, and they resumed their spar. However, while the both of them were enjoying themselves on the balcony about the training, Grounds Princess Renner watched them with squinted eyes of suspicion. She wasn't certain she liked how close they were getting.
'This is fine, I know him better than she does, so this is fine"
She convinced herself that she knew who he was and where he came from as such, Lakyus could not compete with her. Arthur was…
"M'lady"
A maid interrupted her thoughts.
"yes"
"the Aindra Patriarch says he will be ready for your arrival tomorrow in the evening"
"thank you for letting me know. You are dismissed"
The maid took a bow and left, leaving Renner to think deeper about them.
'No doubt it will be a known that I'm meeting with the Aindra family tomorrow'
That was her goal to begin, it's a subtle announcement that she is starting to make her moves and with the meeting being so early no one can stop her now although she does wonder if Someone else will come to her about the marriage that her father brought up a while ago, it would be a good way for her to definitively state her intentions without actually saying the words
...
A/N: How do you like the interactions, I enjoy writing them, so I hope they're good enough. Tell me where I need to improve.