We all finally made it back from the dojo, and the very first thing we did was collapse into a deep, exhausted sleep. Me especially. I sank onto the big, plush bed in the Boreas estate, pulling the covers over me and letting out a long, relieved sigh. The weight of the day's fatigue suddenly pressed down on my body, and I welcomed the sensation. Instantly, all the stress, the strain, and the countless hours of training melted away as I let the fatigue spread through every limb. I allowed myself to drift into sleep, craving the sweet escape from reality.
In no time at all, I was lost in dreams, the darkness swallowing me whole. But even in my sleep, I felt that familiar tugging presence a sensation I'd grown tired of long ago[1]. 'Seriously, just let me sleep', I thought with a slight annoyance. It felt like someone was trying to contact me, but the connection was fuzzy, like static interfering with a fragile line. I ignored it, choosing instead to indulge in my fantasy of the future where I had defeated the water god. Peaceful dreams, really. I should dream about this more often.
Suddenly, I was woken up by a sharp headache pounding behind my eyes. A strange, inexplicable urge washed over me an overwhelming desire to go back to Fittoa. It was weird, I admit, but I brushed it aside, thinking it was just my mind playing tricks. I rolled out of bed, stretching my limbs before heading to the bathroom. I let the hot water cascade over me as I took a long bath, washing away the sweat and grime from yesterday's intense training. The warm water soothed my muscles, and I felt reborn, refreshed, almost like a new man.
"What a good way to start the day," I muttered softly, a contented smile creeping onto my face. If anyone had seen me, they wouldn't guess that just yesterday I had endured what could only be described as the most grueling training session of my life if you could even call it that.
Wearing a sense of calm and satisfaction, I strolled into the living room. Well, "living area" might be a more accurate description, considering its size. It wasn't merely a room; it was a hall opulent and grand, fit for nobility. Elegant tables and plush couches lined the space, ornate chairs sat atop exquisite rugs, and the entire decor spoke of wealth.
But my peaceful mood was shattered by an unexpected sight her. Sitting gracefully there, with a relaxed yet regal posture, was Ariel Anemoi Asura. She wore a stunning pink and gold dress adorned with delicate floral patterns that danced down the sides. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in perfect waves, framing her enchanting face. Her sky-blue pupils sparkled with a mix of innocence and mischief, and her expression held an adorable charm that could sway even the hardest of hearts.
Our eyes met, and her face instantly shifted. The gentle smile she had given me morphed into a wink, sending a chill down my spine. There was something unsettling about her gaze.
"Did you sleep well last night?" her voice was soft, yet undeniably sensual like silk sliding over skin. Her tone, sweet and inviting, made me feel both nervous and awkward. I knew from the novel how scheming she was; everything she did was for a reason. So why was she here now?
I took a cautious step forward. "What are you doing here, Ariel?"
Luke grit his teeth "How dare you call Princess Ariel by her name so casually. Does she even need a reason to grace someone like you with her presence?" his words dripped with anger and his eyes held a sharp edge.
Ariel simply shook her head at Luke, dismissing his outburst with a regal calm. "Now, Luke, is that how you treat someone who saved our lives? Remember your place." Her voice was gentle but firm, and Luke immediately shrank back, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment.
He started to stammer, unsure of how to respond. "Sorry, princess. I didn't mean—"
She raised a hand to silence him, her expression softening for a moment. "No need to apologize. But you should understand you're talking to someone who holds great power. Now, Rudeus, the first question on your mind is probably how I found you, yes?" She paused, her gaze shifting to me with a knowing look. "Well, that should be obvious from your last name. Not many people here bear the Greyrat name."
Luke's face lit up, and he looked at Rudeus with newfound suspicion. "Ah, so your family has ties to the Greyrats. That means—"
She cut him off with a subtle smile. "Indeed. The Greyrats are a large family, with many illegitimate children, but seeing how you're with Eris Boreas Greyrat, I assume you're not one of those. My knight, Luke, also wants to know are you part of the Boreas branch?"
Rudeus scratched the back of his neck, knowing exactly how this would go. If he told Luke the truth that I was from the Notos branch he'd start making assumptions about my ambitions. And I didn't want to get caught up in noble intrigues. I just wanted to kill the prime minister and leave.
I sighed inwardly, knowing how this conversation would unfold. "Well, I think my father is from the Notos branch. His name is Paul Greyrat."
Luke's eyes immediately widened, the suspicion in his gaze sharpening. His mind was racing he already suspected something, but this confirmed it. Was Rudeus here to overthrow the Notos? Was he aiming to be the head? All signs pointed to that possibility. Why else would he ask the princess for help? It sounded like a ploy to gain her support and position himself as a future leader. And that made me realize if he became the head of the Notos, he might abandon her as soon as it suited his plans. I had to warn the princess. I'd seen through him.
A whirlwind of thoughts stormed through Luke's mind. He was lost in a delusion, convinced that Rudeus's intentions might be more sinister than they appeared. And Rudeus, sensing his suspicion, grew more exasperated.
"Hmm, what a coincidence," Ariel mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You see, Luke here is also from the Notos branch. His father, Philemon, is the current head of the Notos family." She paused, letting it sink in. "With your strength and my influence, it wouldn't be difficult for you to aim for that position. Do you have ambitions of becoming the head of the Notos?"
She let the words hang in the air, confident most people would jump at the chance to seize such power. The opportunity to lead a noble clan was tempting for anyone.
I shook my head firmly. "Never even crossed my mind. I have no interest in noble titles or political power. My only goal is to kill the prime minister and get out of here." I made my intentions clear, emphasizing my disinterest in noble schemes. I didn't want any unnecessary conflicts, especially with Luke, who would be an obstacle in the future if I let this fester.
Ariel's expression flickered with a flicker of disappointment, but she quickly masked it with a smile. Her face grew serious, her tone shifting to match.
"Well, let's get to the point of why I came here so suddenly," she said, her voice now edged with urgency. "I've found a way to stall the Water God, but it's coming up very soon. You won't have much time to plan or scope things out."
I clenched my fists, contemplating her words. I wished Ghislaine was here she'd be the perfect person to consult. My original plan was to have me and Ghislaine go in, while Sylphie and Eris stayed out to warn or protect us. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Eris and Sylphie would be dead in an instant if they faced the Water God. She's not killing me probably because she wants me to become the next Water God. Otherwise, she'd have taken my head the moment she saw me.
"How are you going to do it?" I asked, already trying to figure out the details. My answer would depend on her plan and how much time I had to kill Darius and make my escape.
She looked at me with a knowing smile. "There's a parade every year to celebrate Peruguis, and the King holds a big ceremony during that time. The current Water God will be there to protect him. But that's not all you see, I also have important duties during the ceremony. I plan to ask the Water God for assistance, giving you more time to kill him and escape."
I absorbed her plan, considering the timeline. The ceremony probably lasted an hour or more, giving me a good window thirty minutes to an hour, at least. That might be enough to slip in, eliminate Darius, and get out. Though, of course, I'd need to do it on foot; a carriage wouldn't get us far enough in such a short time.
I nodded slowly, weighing the risks and opportunities. This was my best shot, and I had to make it count.
A/N: In my original plans before i dropped the stoory this arc was probably going to be longer maybe 25-30k words? But Ive decided to end it sooner Current like this arc is about 15k and Ive decided I should probaly get to ending it soon I dont want to drag it out plus I want to get to the part of the story I've personally wanted to write.
Can you duel wield with one hand?[2]
[1] People said that this made no sense but it does It makes a lot of sense if you really think about it
[2] This is not a throwaway line