Chapter 209: The Direwolf
We did meet 500 power stones before the new week reset, so enjoy a bonus chapter! If this continues to happen I'll probably post a bonus chapter or two early in the week.
As always, Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500!
*
Meanwhile as the Albarea brothers proceeded inside Valflame Palace, only to join the rest of the nobles who were now meandering around in the large receptionist hall that had several waiters carrying trays around with several different types of beverages on top of them...
Back outside the palace, closer off to an obscure area off the large streets, two more figures could be seen, calmly observing Valflame Palace from afar.
"Are you sure you aren't going to bid that student of yours farewell?", Campanella's voice echoed in an obscure alley, not too far away from Valflame Palace. If one had a close look, a fiery green magic circle soon appeared beneath his feet after a snap of his fingers struck the second figure's ears. A moment or two after, Campanella's figure began to distort, as if it became illusory itself.
Hearing that question, the second figure beside Campanella remained silent for a moment. He turned around in the opposite direction, only to cross his arms and stared up into the sky to see the snow fall to the ground.
"Nah. Sherryl's already found her next path forward. My guidance ends here as my role of a Teacher. To be honest though, I'm more surprised by your actions tonight. Have you gone soft, Fool?", Zin said as he had his back turned against the illusory figure.
"Hahaha, I already declared my intentions at the start, did I not? My main purpose in coming here was to check up on what lies beneath this place. It is set to awaken soon after all.", Campanella responded.
"True. Will this land descend into chaos the moment that knight awakens, I wonder?", Zin replied, only to reveal a frown over his face.
"Who knows. But if you want a suggestion, I'd stay far away from this place. Considering your nature though, Immovable, you'd want to stick around to see what happens. Besides, His Highness invited you to partake in his party, did he not?", Campanella asked as a grin appeared over his lips.
"His Highness did indeed. As much as I want to check up on a certain bastard, I have to follow through with this. I can't back down half-way now. I guess I'll be sticking around in Erebonia longer than I had intended for.", Zin responded with a nod of his head.
"Fair enough. Though I will warn you, Immovable. Next time we meet, it may be as enemies. At that time, do best give me a show worthy of those martial art skills you possess.", Campanella retorted as his grin remained. In the next moment or two, Campanella's figure became much more illusion-like, only to have his reflection bend and phase out of existence.
Zin soon found himself alone as the snow continued to fall around him. Despite not wearing much outside of his martial arts gi, he did not find it terribly cold as he saw his own breath escape from his mouth. Seeing that he was alone now, his eyes began to wander a bit.
"Well, as much as what has happened, it was pretty anti-climactic. But overall good I'd say. Since I'm going to stick around Erebonia for a bit longer, I might as well hit up the other branches to see the progress of those others His Highness has invited. Kilika did express her interest in joining this party too...", Zin began to utter to himself, trying to figure out what to do next.
He was surprised to meet the Chancellor, even if it was for a brief time back inside the palace. Not only that, he extended the ball's invitation both Campanella and Zin.
Campanella was quick to turn the invitation down saying that he had a place that he needed to return to. And likewise, Zin also turned it down. Balls were not Zin's thing, so he figured he would be very out of place there. Still, the Chancellor respected the outcome and didn't persuade the two to stay, only to find themselves at this alley here.
"I should probably go contact Kilika. She recently got promoted in the Zeiss branch and that's set to take effect any day now...", Zin continued to utter softly. Yet his voice was loud enough as he suddenly heard a female's voice reach his ears, which immediately cocked his head to turn in a specific direction of the alley he was currently.
"Fufu, there's no need for that now is there, Zin?", A familiar yet bewitching sound of a female's voice reached Zin's ears. At the same time a shadow of a figure began to emerge from further inside the alley Zin still in. This figure didn't appear to be alone either. A rather beautiful and short black haired woman soon became visible as Zin squinted his eyes a bit. On top of a woman appearing before him, she also had a figure of a man and a rather cloaked figure both standing beside her.
Yet the moment Zin's eyes landed on the man while he proceeded to take a puff of smoke of the cigarette he was currently smoking, Zin's eyes became serious. Seeing the seriousness in Zin's eyes, the man grinned while his eyes curved a bit that were hidden away by the black spectacles he was currently wearing.
"Haha, didn't think we'd come across each other under these circumstances.", The man said with a playful grin. Yet the opposite could be said for Zin. Anger soon appeared in Zin's eyes the moment he heard that, only to proceed to walk up to the man and grab him by the collar, allowing his body to be easily lift the man up off the ground a few inches. Seeing Zin do this, the man looked down on him.
"You bastard, you dared to show yourself in front of me like this. ", Zin said as he roared in anger while the man was currently lifted in the air.
"Oioi, I didn't come here to make a fuss man. I know we still have a score to settle, but we can save that for later. Capiche?", The man said, only to puff out some smoke in front of Zin, obscuring his view a bit. To try and calm Zin down, the woman also nodded her head.
"It is true. At least be rational for a moment here, Zin. Walter isn't here to cause any trouble. He is only here as an observer.", The woman beside the man who was called Walter said. If one had a close look at the woman, Zin saw that she was definitely Kilika.
Hearing Kilika speak calmly like that, Zin's momentary burst of anger soon receded, only to in fact see Kilika currently standing beside Walter. Seeing the two together like this curiosity grew in Zin's eyes.
"I didn't think I'd catch you here in Erebonia out of all places, Kilika. You aren't one to show irrational behavior like this bastard here. Did this place happen to catch your eye?", Zin asked Kilika with interest as he let go of his grasp. As he did, Walter proceeded to pat his clothes down a bit to straighten them out.
"Right you are as ever, Zin. For now, I can only say pieces have begun to move. It seems you have interest in reaching out to the other party members, but His Highness Prince Olivert was one step ahead of you already and contacted us. I am sure like the others, he too has interest of what is bound to happen in this place.", Kilika said,
revealing a smile as she brought out her fan.
"The Crown Prince has already started to contact the members of His Highness's party?", Zin asked, raising his eyes with interest.
"So it would seem. It seems shit's gonna go down in this place soon, and I'm just here for the fun of it. On a break so I've got some spare time to burn.", Walter said.
"Is that so? I still don't agree with you being here of all people, but I supposed it can't be helped. Still, I didn't think you two would decide to bring a friend. Who is this beside you?", Zin asked with interest, recalling that a cloaked figure was still standing next to Kilika and Walter. This cloaked figure remained still and silent as they heard the short conversation between them.
"...Yin. That is all you need to know.", The cloaked figure said, introducing themselves. The voice appeared quite obscured, making it hard to tell if it was a man or a woman. Yet the moment the cloaked figure said that, Zin's eyes turned wide in surprise.
"Yin? You're not referring to THAT Yin, are you!?", Zin exclaimed as shock began to streak across his eyes...