"I trust things went well with Lumina in regards to that Annabelle woman? She was the ring leader in all this, correct?"
"
Indeed. Annabelle Orlov has been apprehended and her drug operation terminated. I do believe you have a reward waiting for you back at the Luminous Citadel." Vitalion replied.
The Head Captain then gazed at the road. "
That Keith fellow has been itching to leave Zauberheim ever since I saw him. He even sold out his boss, Annabelle, in exchange for the freedom to leave the capital. Without hesitation. I'm guessing that guy's long gone now though, I'm not sure why he had to put you to sleep. Maybe he doesn't want any loose ends?" He shrugged.
"
As for your Hisana..." Vitalion sighed. "
...I don't know much about her. But you do, though. Do you think she's also gone? Or do you think she's sticking around in Zauberheim?" asked the Head Captain. "
I admit, I don't think I'll like having her running around in Zauberheim and so, would prefer her actually leaving. No offense."
"
With those in mind, what are you gonna do next?"
"I imagine you're in the know on the current state of affairs in the capital's underworld? If so, you've already answered your own question. While I've been asked for my assistance once before, I suppose I'd be willing to lend a hand since I have nothing better to do.♠️ So tell me, is there a certain someone that you want dead, dearie?♣️
"
No, I don't know anything about Zauberheim's underworld. It is, literally and figuratively, beneath me." The maid, deeming you no threat, pulled back her blade and sheathed it.
"
I will not ask you to kill anyone, Miss Hisana." said the maid. "
I may ask you to kill everyone. Depending on my master's wishes." She continued, quite cryptically. A magical sound was then heard nearby and the maid quickly turned to it. "
That's... That's my master." She said as if she was a pet whose owner had returned.
The maid then swung her katana's hilt at your head, knocking you out again.
------
You awaken at a different location, a clearing with a bonfire this time, but apparently still in the same forest and with still the same sky. Also still bound but no longer to a tree but you were placed on a rock with a smooth surface. You were woken up due to some angry screaming.
"
...thinking?! You had it all planned out, didn't you?!" The screaming was made by a boy in knightly armor and a blue collared cape. He had short, gold hair with eyes as blue as his cape and had a fair complexion. Despite his regal appearance, he did not act very regally. "
What? Were you just gonna throw it all away? Leave us all hanging? You made a promise to us remember?!"
The person the screaming was aimed at was another, more timid-looking boy. He had brown hair of medium-length and light blue eyes. His choice of clothing was simple but the fabrics looked expensive. "I know. I've made a mistake. Never again." He tiredly replied, which only seemed to agitate the angry one further.
"
Orne, please restrain yourself. You are talking to Varjan Caldeyron." The maid attempted to control the angry one, apparently named Orne. "
Be glad that he lived to continue our plan... and your vengeance."
"
No! What if it happens again?! He has slipped once! What makes you think it won't happen again? What then, huh-- Argharg!" Orne was cut off when he suddenly put his hands on his neck as if he was being choked.
You saw Varjan's hand softly raised at Orne. Was the former choking the latter without physical contact? Varjan lowered his hand and Orne fell to the grassy ground out of breath and gasping of air. You realize Varjan had simply sucked out of the air from Orne and prevented him from getting any. "Like I said, I made a mistake. I won't be making any more. Never again."
He walked to the bonfire and all those present assembled. Besides the maid and the angry Orne, there was a beautiful girl with long, black hair and black eyes wearing a simple red dress and a bespectacled boy with scruffy black hair and a noticeable red-and-gold scarf around his neck. "We go forward with the plan. We'll begin the transfiguration later. The process will not be painless so prepare yourselves. Then we begin the preparations for... the reckoning."
After the small group dispersed, Varjan approached you with the maid. "And who might this be?"
"
Hisana, my lord. She is a dangerous criminal that had just gotten to Zauberheim recently. I believe she will be a useful asset to us." The maid answered.
"Thank you, Anesh." Varjan said to the maid. Turning to you, he continued. "A dangerous criminal huh? Say, Hisana, would you like to be even
more dangerous?"
"... Then we should discuss it in private. These matters may yet be sensitive. We can sit with that girl, if she's so interested. I didn't catch her name."
"
I... don't think that's a good idea." Mira responded. "
Ah, greetings Miss Lusteria. I am Mira Yasunori, a student from the Eastern Isles. Anyway, her name is Seleth Thenri and she is recovering so let's not bother her too much for the time being. As for you request for privacy..."
Mira produced a slip of paper with a foreign character written on it and threw it at the room's door. Somehow, it stuck to the door as if it was glued into it. "
That spell will keep any noise from this room inside. Doctor Elma, please direct any attention from this room. As long as the door is closed, the silencing spell will work."
"
Mira, will this work?" Alicia questioned.
"
Yes." Mira bluntly replied, a bit impatient even. "
While I would like for a more formal area for meeting, this will have to do. We need to act as soon as possible and so we need to know what Miss Lumina as soon as possible." The onmyoji declared. "
Doctor Elma, would you please?"
The Beastkin doctor nodded, agreeing to the plan and left the room. "
Now then, let us say what we know and see if we can perhaps formulate a plan of some sort."
------
Surprisingly, you were not disturbed in your meditation. After half an hour, Doctor Elma arrived to give you the incense. She did not stay long, the disappearance of Varjan caused a bit of a commotion so she was preoccupied.
You were left alone with your thoughts for quite a while. You watched the dusk light fade from the window and saw the darkness of the night appear. After what seemed to be hours of resting and meditating, your time alone ended when someone entered your room.
It was Feathered One, a bird Beastkin but she wore the clothes of an authority figure. Her hairs and feathers were white and her hand and feet resembled that of birds'. Typical for a Feathered One.
"
Greetings, you are Miss Seleth Thenri, correct?" She began. "
We understand that you are still recovering from injuries but we have reason to believe you are privy to important information regarding Varjan Caldeyron. Thus, we may require you to report to the Luminous Citadel for questioning. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
"
Oh and uhh, I was also told to tell you that your parents has sent a message that they will be visiting you. Would you like to send a message back? Confirmation to say you have received the message?"
