It's been a few hours since Hinata left me. Now, I highly doubt it would take this long to get together the ten saints, even with some of the infighting they have. This means only one thing. Diablo did his part. Which means the sun luminary is… "swimming with the fishes".
What perfect timing. They can't blame me for this. There's no evidence against me and any witnesses are guaranteed to be dead. Diablo wouldn't leave any loose ends. We're off scot-free.
This is what is called plausible deniability and it's what lets the United States and the CIA abuse to do illegal missions and borderline war crimes with no meaningful punishments. Everyone knows they do it, but they don't have the "smoking gun" to prove it. It truly is the backbone for what governments can do.
That takes care of a lot of future problems and also makes things a lot easier later on. With nothing, but good news happening, I could not be in a better mood. Nothing could make me happier than I am now. Well, there is one thing that would give me the ultimate happiness, but that's for when I return home. I can already see the festivals and celebrations happening across the whole town.
I closed my eyes and imagined the scenario in my head with a smile on my face. The celebrations, feast, and then nighttime when things are winding down and it's just us two alone in our room. Soon, I just need to be patient.
While I was daydreaming, I sensed Hinata coming this way. I was leaning on a fence just watching Dun Stallion graze. It was close to sunset, so I assumed that nothing more would happen today.
"What are you here for, Hinata? Is there any news?"
"Do you know something?" She's probing to see if I know something.
"You need to be more specific. I know quite a few things.", I still didn't look over at her. I just kept gazing at the field.
"I want to know something. You said your name is Artoria Pendragon, was there a Pendragon family in the past that's not around today? I can't find anything like that in the history of this world."
This is an opportunity to mess with her. And every opportunity is a gift. "You see, Hinata, I'm also an otherworlder. I came here after I died."
"So is your current name a new name after you reincarnated?"
"No. You see, I am King Arthur."
I looked over and I could see the confusion on her face. She clearly didn't believe me, but I'm not wrong. I am her.
"King Arthur was a man, not a woman."
"And why do you think that? I hid it from everyone. I think you know that women weren't treated the best back then. How do you think others would react if they knew they were being ruled by a woman?"
"You're talking as if this is a historical fact. King Arthur is a legend, a myth."
"At the heart of every legend, there is truth. Remember that, Hinata."
I could see her start actually considering it. She should just accept it. It'll be easier if she just did.
"I need to tell you about the meeting. Something happened and you'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"That's fine. I can wait. Will that be all?"
She was quiet for a second, but she eventually responded back to me. "Yes, that'll be all. I'll send someone over tomorrow to guide you."
"Thank you kindly, Hinata. I'll head inside, I hope you have a good and stress-free night.", I knew exactly what I was saying and doing, but that was nothing worth looking into. It's just being polite. I'm totally not eluding to something that might've happened to the sun luminary.
/\\//\\//\
It was nighttime. I was trying to go to sleep, but no matter how much I tossed and turned or tried different sleeping positions to get comfortable, nothing worked. The bed was fine, there was nothing wrong with it. It was the same for the blankets and pillows. Nothing I did worked. I was just laying there, letting the time pass instead of actually doing something like resting or sleeping.
I knew exactly what I was missing. Well, more like who I was missing. Shuna. It seems I've reached the point where I need her presence and warmth to help me sleep. Is that normal? I don't know, but I do know I need her. I think I may be heading off into the deep end.
Well, if I couldn't sleep, then I might as well find something to do. I got up and looked around. There wasn't much around. There were some books, but nothing related to magic. I need to learn a certain kind of magic for the future if needed. I looked around some more and I saw something familiar that would help pass the night.
"Is that a fiddle?", I saw the instrument and went over to it. I picked it up and the bowstring was also there. I haven't played one of these since I was in school. I placed the fiddle on my shoulder and slid the bow string across it. The sound that was produced was very nice, despite the lack of maintenance and care that might've affected it.
"Yeah, this will help to pass the time.", I sat down and started re-learning some of the stuff I remember.
/\\//\\//\
The morning came by and I had quite a bit of fun playing some stuff on the fiddle, but that had to come to an end as the person Hinata was sending came over. It was one of their knights and when I saw him, there was a look of awe and admiration. If someone didn't know better, they would think I'm the one in charge here. Kind of makes wonder if I would be able to make some cracks in their ranks and make a faction supporting me. It would be easy with some of the skills I have. Especially my King of Knights skill. But that's more of a "what if" scenario. But I wouldn't do that…or would I?
Anyway, I let the knight do his thing. It wasn't much to talk about. He just guided me and we didn't even talk. Probably too awestruck to think straight. Anyway, I just kept walking while looking around the place. If this place wasn't so hostile to monsters, I would've loved to take Shuna here.
Eventually, we made it to our destination. It was the classic large double doors. The knight stepped aside to open up the doors and announce my arrival, but I just held up my hand to silence him. Normally, they wouldn't take orders from someone from any enemy state, but given that I am who I am, the knight shut up and just nodded his head. He went away from the door to let me open it.
I stepped closer and I could sense them all on the other side of the door. It was Hinata and her saints, and that one vampire guy posing as the holy emperor. I think his name was Louis. I could some tension between them as well as a bit of stress. A lot of stress and anxiety from Louis and some from Hinata. This really confirms that Diablo did his thing. Goodbye, Maribel and Granbell as well as the rest of the Rozzos. I wish the nations they had a hand in luck 'cause that is not my problem.
Anyway, it's time to introduce myself. I touched the door and opened it. They made a loud sound that spread through the room. I unleashed a tiny bit of my presence and aura to get rid of any dumb thoughts they had in their mind and to shut them up so they don't interrupt me.
As soon as I did, I could see them straighten themselves. The only one who wasn't really affected was Hinata, but she was different from the rest of them. With the doors fully opened, I walked in calmly, but with confidence. I had my lancer armor on, except the helmet. I had my crown in place of it, and I also had my cloak fluttering behind me. My footsteps echoed throughout the room. First impressions mattered.
Once I was a good distance from them, I looked across from them, taking them in. They were seated in a sort of semi-circle, with a small curtain behind them where Luouis was.
They didn't say anything. Which was good. It meant I would speak first. And while I have heard that those who speak first in a negotiation "lose", they clearly aren't me.
"Greetings. You may know already, but to make sure you don't forget, my name is Artoria Pendragon. Now before we continue, let's take a moment to break the ice, so my intentions are known."
~~~~~~~~~
(A/N: Is that new Rosé and Bruno Mars song stuck in anyone else's head or is it just me?)