A/N: Yaaaaaay, big chapter 9. I just want to say, I know some of collectors of the book cane from my not so subtle threats 😗, from my HxH fanfic. I just want to point out that I was joking, you don't need to force yourself to read the novel if you don't enjoy it.
For those who do enjoy it, welcome :), this is where I put 100% of my effort.
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Fenn and Bernardo arrived at the inn as fast as they could. They didn't know which room Dante and Yamato were in, so Bernardo led Fenn to Roy's room. When they reached the door, Bernardo raised his fist and knocked forcefully, over and over.
Inside, Roy was startled. It was early in the morning, and the sudden knocking made him instinctively reach for his pistol. He opened the door and immediately understood that something was wrong. Bernardo, usually calm and composed, looked frantic, and Fenn was battered and bloodied.
"Bernardo… Fenn? What happened?" Roy asked, quickly assessing the situation.
Bernardo's words came out in a rush. "Domiré… he kidnapped Anitta!"
Fenn added, his voice urgent, "Mr. Roy, which room did Dante and Yamato check into? We need them right now!"
Roy's expression changed. He immediately understood what they intended. Without hesitation, he told them to follow him. Together, they went up the stairs until they reached the room marked B7. Roy knocked and called out, "Yamato! Dante! Wake up!"
Yamato's eyes snapped open. He looked over at Dante, who was still sleeping in a strange, uncomfortable position, drooling slightly, muttering something about meat.
Yamato's instincts immediately detected three presences outside the room. He immediately went and opened the door, there he sawBernardo, Fenn, and Roy. He knew something was wrong.
Fenn spoke up "Yamato, we need you and Dante's help, An..." but before he could finish Yamato cut him off, saying "I got it".
He then walked over to a certain corner, grabbed his sword, and walked over to Dante. Without warning, he struck Dante sharply in the chest with his fist. Why he did this, it's because Dante never woke up when woken up normally, once he was asleep, that was it. Only force could wake him up.
Roy, Fenn, and Bernardo all winced. Not from the force, but from the sheer impact. Yet Dante simply got up as if nothing had happened, blinking at them with confusion. "What happened?" he asked casually.
Bernardo's stomach twisted. What kind of body does this boy have? What kind of friends has Anitta made?
He turned to Yamato, voice tight. "You haven't even heard what happened, or who the enemy is. Isn't this a little impulsive? Let us explain."
Yamato shook his head, expression cold. "If Anitta is in trouble, as long as they are mortal, they can die." He didn't say this out of care for her, he said it because Dante had spoken of her, and Dante sucked at remembering people unless they left a lasting impression on him, let alone casually speak about them.
That alone made him take the situation seriously.
How he knew Anitta was the one in trouble, Fenn and Roy were here and Fenn was a bloodied mess, anyone but Dante could guess what happened.
He then yanked Dante by the collar and proceeded to drag him out of the Inn.
While getting dragged out of the inn, Dante muttered, "I'm just being bullied… and I don't even know where we're going."
Bernardo exchanged a glance with Roy, Roy nodded and ran towards his room, returning moments later with a pristine white katana. "It's time the duo got back together," Roy said.
Bernardo nodded. "You got that right." as he caught the Katana that had been thrown at him.
Dante's eyes lit up. "So cool! You old dudes can fight too!"
Bernardo chuckled. "We are past our prime. We'll handle the small fry. The res, Burly, Joone, Sano. We will trouble you three take care of."
Yamato and Fenn nodded. Dante didn't know the details, but that didn't matter. All he knew was they were probably going fighting and he was ready.
They walked for some distance until a massive mansion appeared before them. Bright lights shone through the windows, and the massive gates read Vellacroix Estate.
Yamato turned to Fenn. "I already have a rough idea of what happened, but can you confirm it?"
Fenn nodded. "The man from the club before… Domiré. He kidnapped Anitta. She's being held captive..."
Before he could finish, a suffocating aura pressed down on them. Everyone turned to its source and saw Dante. His expression was furious, a dangerous look in his eyes, the kind that made it clear he wouldn't hesitate to act.
He said in a low voice, "Fat Round Man, I'm going to punch you slim this time."
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Domiré sat on an expensive couch, the room dimly lit by a chandelier above. A communication crystal rested on the table before him. His tone was unnaturally polite as he spoke into it.
"That's right, Sergeant Beard," Domiré said smoothly. "I have the talent with me. She might be a little stubborn at first, but I'm sure with Sword's training, she'll go into submission sooner or later."
His voice carried a level of humility and respect that didn't suit him. Inside, however, his thoughts were seething. Just wait, Beard… once I become a high-ranking noble, I'll make sure your life is hell.
From the other side of the line, Beard's deep voice came through. "Good job, Domiré. After this, I'll make sure you get awarded. This is good for both of us. You'll become a high-ranking noble, and I'll make it to Lieutenant." He chuckled to himself.
Domiré replied in that same false tone, "That's true, Sergeant Beard. We have to look out for one another."
"Well, if that's it, Mr. Domiré," Beard said, "I'll hang up and see you in the morning."
"I'll see you, Sergeant," Domiré said, lowering his head respectfully before ending the call.
The moment the crystal dimmed, his face twisted with disgust. "That smug bastard," he hissed under his breath, unleashing a string of curses at Beard's name.
Across the room, Anitta sat in a chair, her wrists bound by glowing Mana Restriction Cuffs. Her body was weak because of her mana being forcibly sealed, but her spirit remained unbroken. She smirked at Domiré's outburst.
"What a good boy," she mocked, her voice light but sharp. "You must be that Sergeant's most loyal dog."
Domiré glared at her but didn't rise to the bait. "Tease me all you like," he said flatly. "It won't change the fact that once I hand you over, my life will change forever—and you'll become a slave of the Four Nations Alliance."
Anitta tried to fire back, but before she could speak, a loud crash echoed in the distance. The sound of clashing steel and panicked shouting erupted outside, cutting through the room like a blade.
Burly, standing guard beside the doorway, tensed immediately. "Domiré-sama," he said firmly, hand already on his metal baton, "it seems some trouble has come our way. I'll go check it out. It might be some minor enemies, but just to be safe, please take the back route to the panic room in the basement."
Domiré's eyes narrowed. "Got it. Kill them all, don't leave a single survivor."
He grabbed Anitta roughly by the arm and dragged her to her feet. She struggled weakly, but with her mana sealed, she had no strength left to resist. Domiré yanked her along the corridor as Burly turned and strode toward the source of the noise.
Moments before, Dante, Yamato, Fenn, Roy, and Bernardo had launched a sudden assault on the guards outside. Their coordinated strike left most of the men unconscious or sprawled across the courtyard before anyone could sound an alarm.
When they reached the front of the mansion, Yamato stopped. His eyes sharpened as he sensed something deeper within. "I sense two strong presences at the back, and one inside the mansion" he said quietly. "I'll guess Sora and Joone are at the back, which means Burly is probably in the mansion"
He glanced at Dante. "Dante, me and Fenn will handle the two at the back. We will leave kicking Burly's ass and saving Anitta to you."
Dante's cheerful face was gone. His expression was dark, his presence heavy and sharp. "That's what I was planning to do anyway."
Roy and Bernardo drew their weapons. Roy's pistol was refilled with bullets. "Don't worry about the small fry," Roy said. "That's our job. Just make sure of yall's victory."
Bernardo nodded, and with that, everyone split toward their assigned targets.
Dante charged through the main doors of the mansion. After only a few steps, a tall figure came into view, Burly. The two stopped, locking eyes in silence.
Burly was the first to speak. "You seem quite angry," he said calmly. "What a terrifying aura."
Dante ignored the remark. His voice was cold. "Old man, where is Anitta?"
Burly's lips curved into a smirk. "I have no idea where she is."
In the next instant, Dante vanished. The floor cracked where he'd stood, and Burly barely raised his palm in time to catch a punch that landed with a deafening thud. The impact sent a shockwave through the hall. Burly winced from the impact.
Dante glared at him. "If you don't want to speak willingly," he said, tightening his fist, "then I'll beat it out of you."
Burly's grin widened. "Interesting."
At the same time, on the opposite end of the mansion, Yamato and Fenn landed atop the roof overlooking the backyard. A massive pool party was underway, loud music, flashing lights, and dancing girls.
At the center of it all, surrounded by women and laughter, sat Sano. He looked up the moment he sensed Yamato and Fenn's presence. His smile faded, and he let out a long, weary sigh.
"Why today of all days…" he muttered.