Capítulo 549: Chapter 496
I was genuinely surprised; I didn't expect someone to try and kill me as soon as I appeared. I saw who it was, the nearly expressionless face of my 'Cousin', Arcueid Brunestud.
Of course, I slapped it away immediately, making her nearly halt in place, blinking for a confused moment.
She apparently didn't expect me to react so quickly.
She tried to grab at me again, and I slapped her hand away again. This continued two more times before she finally frowned and her hand clenched like a claw, and she swiped it at me instead.
I used a burst of Shunpo to dodge it, but she cleaved out the side of Zelretch's wall, opening it right up, tearing through the Bounded Fields he had around the place.
Now, anyone could just waltz right in if they wanted.
She looked back at me with eyes that held no hesitation in them.
Fuck me, she's really was going to try and kill me wasn't she?
I looked at Lucretia who just shrugged with a 'what do you want me to do?'.
Well, I couldn't fault her, there were probably a handful of people who could talk down Arcueid Brunestud from doing something and at this point in time, I was not one of them.
And honestly….I couldn't bring myself to hurt her. I wasn't Zelretch, I stopped thinking of myself that way a long time ago, but I still held many of the memories. And the fondness he felt for her was something I still recalled vividly.
Well, that was also under the assumption I could hurt her. Technically, I could do some damage, but I would not be able to kill her as I am now.
Not only would she regenerate and basically shrug off anything I used that did significant damage the second time, but she received reinforcement from the world. That was to say, if she fought a strong enough opponent, her status let her borrow power from the world to always be just strong enough to beat them.
Though this rarely happened because her 'minimum' threshold was usually at least Servant level if not approaching high tier Servant before that sort of thing kicked in.
I really didn't have time to contemplate it anymore because her hand stabbed at me and I was eerily reminded of what happened with the Heretic God I fought except her hand felt more sharp.
Thinking on my feet, I threw out a handful of Talismans. Each one of them carried a different binding spell that hit her as she wasn't one to dodge often.
They were basic spells, normally they would have just fizzled out on contact on a being of her level, but they caused her a momentary pause because she'd never experienced Eastern 'Magecraft' before. From my memories, I could vaguely recall that she rarely spent time in the East and hadn't run into anyone attacking her in this way.
I took that momentary respite to Shunpo behind her and I gave her a light but firm kick on the backside.
The first real display of emotion from her was accompanied by a small yelp as she fell over onto her face, sliding a few feet across the floor.
All the Talismans I threw at her disintegrated by the sheer amount of power she was releasing as she slowly turned her head to give me a death stare, positioning herself upright.
….welp, time to skedaddle.
I turned around towards the hole in the wall leading out of Zelretch's home and used it for my hasty escape with the fastest Shunpo possible without overtly displaying my other powers.
And holy shit she's fast because she caught up to me with pure speed!
I had to kick a random bystander to the side because she gouged out the cobblestone pathway with her hand where I was running by a second ago.
A friendly reminder that Arcueid didn't really care about bystanders at all, and it wasn't even a malevolent inclination, she was just purely apathetic towards them.
"Stop attacking me!" I finally shouted, ducking under another swipe as I rolled to the side from her fearsome claws. At this point, we had run through the hallways and were in the big open courtyard situation around the classrooms for some of the lower end subjects.
Thankfully, everyone who saw what was going on made themselves scarce very quickly.
"Stop running." She demanded even if her expression didn't show much prompt.
"Will you stop attacking me if I do?"
"No." She said with full truthfulness before she waved her hand through the air and all matter where I was just a moment prior was eviscerated. A massive hole in a circular shape appeared near where a small grass hill was previously.
Right, Marble Phantasm, can basically control natural phenomena.
She just created a Vacuum.
I panic casted a spell to shoot up pillars of Earth between her and myself to obstruct her vision.
She just bulldozed right through them without a single care and once more tried to decapitate me with her hands.
Though one thing I noticed, I'm fairly sure she's used to just straight overpowering her opponents in brute force and power.
I planted my foot and deflected her claw with the backside of my hand. She tried to rake her other hand down, but I stepped inside her wide motion and disrupted her center of balance. She wasn't completely oblivious how to fight, because she did the obvious move and tried to lash her leg out and kick me away.
I could feel her power magnify several folds in that instance as the air around her exploded from the force of her kick.
I hastily summoned the Boosted Gear and used it as a shield along with my Aura. I still felt my body shudder from the weight of it, but I held firm and grabbed hold of her leg because there was a brief moment of surprise from her again that I didn't go down or overtly react from her blow.
She furrowed her brow and tried to pull her leg free from my grasp. "Let me go."
"No."
"Let me go!" She growled.
"No!"
Her eyes glowed brightly and her power increased more in an ominous way. "Let me go!"
"Fine!" I threw her over my head.
The True Ancestor went sailing through the air, perhaps a bit comically as her body cartwheeled uncontrollably and she went face first into a small pond meant to enhance the aesthetic of this open courtyard.
It was deep enough for her to splash and disappear.
I pointed my finger at the pond and a chilling air burst out, freezing it completely.
[Got a question for you.] Ddraig commented.
"Is now really the best time?" I said under my breath.
[It might be important.] He responded.
Fine, what is it?
[So, she basically is the equivalent of 'No I'm stronger' in that she gets stronger than her opponent regardless? That is to say, the more power you reveal, the stronger she'll get in response.]
That's basically right.
[And you took me out, while trapped, I'm still a very powerful Dragon that was presented right in front of her eyes and most likely acknowledged as hostile.]
…..woops.
The ice exploded, as did the surroundings for dozens of feet as the amount of Magical Energy she was exuding was higher than even the Heretic God I fought not too long ago.
Every so briefly, a Red Moon overlapped across the sun and it turned to night, flickering slightly.
Arcueid stood up, the pond no longer existing and reeled her hand back with enough power that I'm sure the surroundings would be completely leveled so I resolved myself to remove her from the location.
However, my fighting spirit evaporated rather quickly as I relaxed as her hand stopped. Gramps stood there, grabbing her with a very displeased look on his face.
It wasn't just him either.
It hadn't been long since our little 'fight' started, and a few more faces I recognized appeared. One predominant being the Queen of the Clocktower with a scowl on her face, ready to fight.
And surprisingly enough, there was someone I didn't expect to see here. A priest of the Burial Agency, more specifically, one of their pet Dead Apostles.
Zelretch acknowledged them as if he knew, he looked at Arcueid who's overall presence simmered down under his intense gaze, then he looked at me.
"…she started it." I accused, pointing at Arcueid who's eyes briefly flashed in realization.
"He's a daemon." She pointed at me, looking at gramps, with a tinge of pleading in her eyes.
Gramps just slowly raised his hand to his face.
@***@
This was odd.
Zelretch sat with Arcueid at his side and Lucretia at the other.
I was across from him. And to my left was the Dead Apostle member of the Church. Well, them being a member of the Church was more from a technical standpoint, as he's a Dead Apostle and member of the Burial Agency. Merem Solomon, his name is rather ironic in hindsight. From what I recall, he was originally something close to an Elemental in life, but the village he was born into many centuries ago basically mutilated him and used him for their own benefit until the Crimson Moon happened upon him. Suffice to say, he views the Crimson Moon as his savior and idol, and his respect extends to Arcueid Brunestud who inherited his name and potential status as Archetype- Earth.
He took the appearance of a young man in perpetuity due to being turned into a Dead Apostle when he was young.
And to my right was the Queen of the Clock Tower herself – Lorelei Barthomeloi, and head of one of the most prestigious Magi families in the world. In fact, she was hailed as perhaps the most premiere genius of the generation. Her Magecraft was touted as being infinitely close to True Magic in application. Her title Queen of the Clock Tower came from the fact that she's the Vice Director and handles most day-to-day affairs in lieu of the Director.
And it's worth noting that the Barthomeloi family despises Dead Apostles. Perhaps that's even underselling it. Something in their blood called for them to hate Dead Apostles with every fiber of their being to an almost irrational degree.
She goes on Dead Apostles hunts for fun.
She had a tidy appearance, brown hair pulled back into a single ponytail. She wore a long white coat and brown pants with knee high boots. A particularly large red bow sat at the center of her chest, and the oddities of her attire included a Mithril Gauntlet on her right hand, and a riding crop in her left.
She was actually rather pretty.
And she was sitting across the table from not just a Dead Apostle, but a True Ancestor which can somewhat be categorized together with them in a vacuum.
The fact that she wasn't immediately going for heads only spoke well for her.
"I leave for two hours." Zelretch held up two fingers. "Two hours."
"Wasn't my fault." I immediately defended myself. "I just popped in and she immediately attacked me."
"He's a Daemon." Arcueid crossed her arms, as if to mimic me.
The two guests were silent as they watched the back and forth.
"Wizard Marshal." The Queen of the Clock Tower spoke her tone tense and stern. "Explain."
"He is not a Daemon." Gramps clarified. "Besides, is that really a point of contention considering." He gestured to Merem Solomon opposite her.
Merem Solomon who's four limbs are actual Daemons that he brought into the world. His power as a quasi Elemental and terminal for the planet let him imagine Beasts into existence.
"I would like to mention that my mom both gave birth to me and was human." I spoke in my defense which eased the tension slightly.
"I can verify that he's not a Daemon." The Dead Apostle next to me spoke with a polite smile. "I believe I can be considered an expert in the area."
She seemed to silently accept that for now, but we entered an awkward silence.
"Arcueid, did you attack him without warning?" Gramps finally asked?
"Yes." Arcueid nodded without a single care.
Zelretch sighed. "Apologize."
"Why?"
"Because you are at fault."
"I'm sorry." She said in the most monotone and least sincere tone possible.
Right, I shouldn't expect much. Despite Gramp's affection for her, and her status...she's an idiot.
She lacked common sense and was kind of air headed.
Honestly, it's the only time I can recall Zelretch taking the 'parenting' tone is when he's dealing with Arcueid.
"Perhaps we should start with introductions, Wizard Marshall." Merem Solomon politely spoke.
"Perhaps you are right. Wilhelm if you would please." Zelretch gestured to me.
"Wilhelm Henry Schweinorg, Grandson of Zelretch." I introduced myself to the table.
Arcueid for some reason blinked in confusion. "He's your grandson?" She pulled at Gramp's sleeve.
"Yes, Arcueid, he's the reason you're here in the first place." Gramps forced a smile.
"I've heard of your name, Grandson of the Kaleidoscope. Your presence was noted at the gathering of new blood as was your companion." Lorelei Barthomeloi spoke with an even tone. "For our second meeting being proper, I shall introduce myself per etiquette despite it being unnecessary. I am Barthomeloi Lorelei, Head of the Barthomeloi family and Vice Director of the Mages Association."
"Merem Solomon, Fifth member of the Burial Agency." The young man in the priest's clothing also spoke.
Lorelei seemed to grit her teeth every time he opened his mouth.
And for some reason, Arcueid was eyeing me quite differently now. I couldn't detect a hint of hostility like before.
"Let me make an educated guess." I held up my hand, then pointed at Arcueid. "Based on what I know now, she heard that you had a Grandson and wanted to meet me?" I looked at Gramps.
"That's correct." He nodded.
I looked at Merem Solomon. "You're probably the one who informed her. I suppose she woke up recently and you clued her in to what's happened recently."
"Yes." He answered.
"And this idiot probably just waltzed right in ignoring any semblance of common sense." I pointed at Arcueid. "Causing the three of you to try and run damage control as quickly as possible due to her volatile status."
Merem coughed lightly into his fist. "When the Princess awoke, I did not expect her to immediately set off to the Mages Association to seek you out. It was only days later that I realized my folly and attempted to mitigate the damage."
Right, so the situation can be summarized as, Arcueid wakes up, Merem tells her about me, she wants to meet the supposed Grandson of one of the few people she recognizes even through her odd interpretation as family. Thus, she ignores any decorum and waltzes right into the Clock Tower.
From what I gathered, he takes responsibility for making sure she's managed whenever she wakes up for random things. If she needs certain money, he gets it for her. If she needs to go somewhere, he gets her plane tickets.
Merem realized his fuck up and ran over to try and smooth things over, both as being responsible and for the fact that he treats her as a legitimate princess due to his devotion to the Crimson Moon.
Gramps got involved for obvious reasons. And the Queen also got involved for obvious reasons as representing the Clock Tower.
Thus, you have three people that really shouldn't be sitting down politely, doing so because none of them want to deal with an irate True Ancestor and they all hold rather formidable political positions.
"That's correct. And don't call your cousin an Idiot." Zelretch added.
I noticed how he didn't deny it, however.
"I expect proper compensation to fix the damage caused." Lorelei finally spoke. "We reached an agreement where I would turn a blind eye due to the peaceful nature of the True Ancestor's arrival. However, that does not extend to any damage it causes."
"Please send the bill to me personally." Merem Solomon answered.
The Queen frowned but didn't reject it.
She did however push up out of her seat, looking at the Dead Apostle again before snorting and turning away. "I expect you to be gone by the end of the day. This truce only extends until then, and if I find your presence here again, I will not tolerate it." She began to walk out, but paused, and glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. "Grandson of the Kaleidoscope."
"Yes?" I answered.
"The Rail Zeppelin sent out invitations for the Mystic Eye Auction next month." That was all she said before departing.
….alrighty then.
"What was that about?" I looked at Gramps as she left.
He seemed to ponder for a moment. "I often receive such invitations, this time is no exception. However, I don't know why she brought it up, I don't often pay attention to such things."
"If I may." Merem spoke up. "I have heard chatter around the Church that a particular set of Mystic Eyes was being Auctioned. The temporary designation was Mystic Eyes of Providence. The Burial Agency will be attending." He said with that same soft smile. "Perhaps she is skeptical with the claims of the Princess regarding your Grandson and wishes for him to run afoul my less than sympathetic comrades."
Ah, political nonsense, I should have known.
She wanted to use the Church people to probe me by getting me interested in the Mystic Eye Auction. She doesn't lose anything by bringing it up, but could gain information she wanted by doing so.
Well, I could understand her perspective as the Auction was something sought after by a great deal of Magi and not many people get invitations.
Though I am actually tempted to attend now.
"However, I should leave." Merem Solomon stood up. "I am grateful for your hospitality, Wizard Marshal. And Princess, I am here if you ever need assistance." He spoke to Arcueid before leaving.
Despite his nonchalance, he did move in a hurry as I believe he took Lorelei's threat quite seriously.
"Well that was certainly interesting…"
"Now imagine spending more than an hour between them." Gramps forced an annoyed smile.
"Are you done talking about the boring stuff?" Arcueid asked, clearly uncaring about everything else happening around her.
Gramps looked at her, sighed again and just relented. "Arcueid, meeting your cousin."
"Hi!" She smiled, waving at me.
"You tried to kill me."
"Yup!"
"….isn't it kinda hypocritical considering you often meet with a Dead Apostle who has Daemons for arms." I pointed out.
"Eh, I thought you were a Daemon getting close to becoming a True Daemon." She shrugged.
I swallowed at that because what she said sorta made sense. Alright, fair enough, I could see her perspective on things even if I was still annoyed.
If I knew that a True Daemon might be born in front of me, I would probably be asking far less questions just as well. That's getting into Eldritch territory right there.
"Where's that Dragon you had? Why do you have a Dragon? Are you human? You don't smell human. How come you feel like a Daemon?" She threw out a barrage of questions.
I pointedly ignored her.
"I didn't expect you to show up so suddenly." Gramps admitted.
"More like you were hoping I didn't?" I snorted. "By the way, the other you suggested I stop by and meet my cousin."
"Of course he did. He probably thought it would be funny to see." Gramps freely admitted.
I waved my hand, depositing all sorts of snacks onto the table in front of us and slowly picked at them because I was a little hungry. "By the way, it was the idiot over there that ripped a hole in your Workshop." I jabbed my thumb at Arcueid.
"I'm not an idiot!" She seemed much more open and casual now. "…and I didn't mean to."
"Did you accidently try to kill me then?" I said sarcastically.
"No, that was on purpose." She shook her head, the sarcasm completely flying past her.
She's the type of person who has high intelligence, but ignores her wisdom.
Though truthfully, it's not entirely her fault. She's something like 700 years old, but she sleeps for the majority of that, and her existence is that of a weapon meant to hunt down other True Ancestors and Dead Apostles.
"Let me see the dragon again!" She half flailed her arms.
I sighed, taking out the Boosted Gear.
"[Hello!]" Ddraig happily greeted.
"I haven't seen a Dragon in a long time!" Arcueid exclaimed. "How did you get inside that thing?"
"[The Biblical God put me here. At least in my world-line. The me of this world is actually below our feet right now!]" Ddraig chatted away.
Arcueid smacked her lips. "The guardian of the Horizon? You're that Albion?"
"[Not Albion, Ddraig, Y Ddraig Goch! In my world, there are two of us, here it seems we're combined. But my rival is Albion. Remember, I'm Ddraig, the better of the two!]"
Honestly, half of that probably just went in one ear and out the other for her.
Zelretch and Lucretia helped themselves to the food I prepared. Even Arcueid was grabbing things and pushing them into her mouth as she seemingly enjoyed it just as well. I eventually started taking things she reached for just before she could grab them.
It culminated into a little game between us where she was getting increasingly huffy that I kept stealing her food.
"I thought you would be too busy with the matters of the Fae Invasion. Not that I'm unhappy for my Grandson to come visit." Zelretch spoke, pushing his own plate in front of Arcueid after she started pouting.
"I'm running the basic calculations back home before I attempt to knock on the door to the Fae Realms. Quantifying the Space-Time coordinates is always a hassle when dealing with metaphysical realms." I said casually.
"Why would you want to go to that place? It's all weird and dull and just a reflection of the outside world." Arcueid randomly answered, stuffing her mouth.
I paused because something she said struck a chord with me. "Did you say reflection?"
"Hmm? Yeah." She grunted.
Reflection…
Holy shit, I didn't even think of that.
All my calculations were going to fail. The Fae Realms are a reflection, I need to invert my calculations!
I pushed up off the table. "I just realized something important, I should head back and deal with it." This right here made the trip worth it. How long would it have taken me trial and error to realize this?
"You're leaving?" Arcueid looked up at me with a strange expression.
It's hard to correlate this Arcueid and the expressionless killing machine that was trying to destroy me earlier.
She looked like she wanted to say something else but….Arcueid doesn't really know how to express herself properly.
She wasn't human, she wasn't raised human despite Gramp's efforts.
She was Arcueid Brunestud, the last True Ancestor, inheritor of the Crimson Moon, and the strongest creature born of the planet who can potentially become Type-Earth.
Yet, despite all that, the inherited softness I had in my heart never dissipated.
I don't make a habit of 'forgiving' people trying to kill me so blatantly but….this was one of the rare exceptions where I would brush it to the side without caring.
I took out a bracelet like the ones I gave to my girls and friends. "Here, a gift for our first meeting. You can put stuff inside it, it'll make things easier for you to move around."
She curiously accepted the trinket, smiling as she started playing with it.
"Be sure to come and visit again soon, I'm sure Arcueid would love to spend time with her cousin." Zelretch smiled.
Arcueid in return also looked up at me with a big smile.
When you look at me like that, how can I refuse.
"I'll make sure to come back and visit once things are settled at home." I said my goodbyes as I wanted to hurry up and finish the preparations on my end.
Hopefully, things won't be difficult around Arcueid like this in the future.
But for now, it was time to prepare for war.
@***@
A/N
First meeting with Arcueid, brief but far from the last one. Setting some things up for the future.
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