With Nova away to see his friends, Mizuro stood up to go home.....
Mizuro sighs to himself ...."Well, that was… embarrassing... At least Nova was cute but he kinda still like messing with my guts... I need to get back, this place... isn't really helping"....Mizuro is walking along a bustling market street..
He continues walking, when he suddenly stops, noticing a richly decorated carriage pulled by magnificent horses, and a man in fine robes standing beside it, gesturing enthusiastically..
Mizuro, muttering): What a display… wait.
He moves closer, squinting. He recognizes the man's voice, the way he holds himself. His blood runs cold..
"No… it can't be"..Mizuro, under his breath..
The merchant, a stout man with gold rings on his fingers and arrogance practically radiating from him, throws back his head and laughs. He's addressing a figure inside the carriage, someone Mizuro can't see clearly..
Mizuro was able to recognise the merchant because of his personality and gold on his robes..
Back then he couldn't make much of his appearance but now that his having a clear look at the merchant, he could tell how prideful and arrogant he is...
The merchant seems to be on his 30s from Mizuro's perception, having a black short hair and brown piercing eyes...his physic structure was fat...
"Ah, my dear friend, you simply wouldn't believe the prices these elves are willing to pay for "authentic human artifacts!" It's almost criminal! Profits are exorbitant! Ha!"...the merchant said..
The man in the carriage chuckles, a low, rumbling sound.."hahahaha truly ridiculous indeed, Clifford...."..the man in the carriage said..
Mizuro clenches his fists, he remembers his village back in the Human Realm, struggling to make ends meet, falling further into debt thanks to inflated prices and rigged scales..
That… that's him...the merchant..The cheating bastard"...Mizuro to himself, barely audible...
He watches as Clifford (the merchant) turns and barks orders at one of his servants, a young elf with a downcast expression..
"See to it that those silks are displayed to their best advantage..Think of the sale! Now move!"
Mizuro takes a step forward, his hand instinctively tightens but stops after remembering the position he and his family are in the Human Realm..
"He's here? In the Elf Realm? What's he doing here?"...Mizuro, whispering fiercely...his grip remains tight as he stares at the merchant..
Mizuro hesitates, Clifford is surrounded by guards, imposing figures with stern faces... Confronting him here would be reckless. ..But the thought of him preying on the elves, just as he had preyed on his people, is infuriating..
Some elven guards approached the merchant and lead him to the castle..
"His a guest?...that changes things, then those elf servants where given to him by the king?"...
He sighs.."I can't stay here or I'll get noticed"..
"I wonder if Sakurai is back yet"
He turns and resumes walking towards the Human Realm, He glances back at the carriage one last time before resuming...
The elf guard, his movements precise and silent, halted before the enormous gilded doors of the throne room. ..He bowed his head towards Clifford, the merchant, and his companion.."Enter. His Majesty awaits"..
Inside, the sight was dazzling, sunlight poured through stained-glass windows, illuminating the polished marble floor...
At the far end, upon a raised dais, sat the King, his legs crossed and cheek rested on his right hand... His appearance impossibly young, with a cascade of white hair that flowed like liquid moonlight reaching his waist, his green eyes, sharp and intelligent, pierced through the room....Golden armor encased his hands, gleaming under the light. Flanking him stood two guards, impassive statues in full plate armor, golden spears held at attention...
On both side in the room with several golden pillars, where multiple guards, impassive statues in full plate armor, holding sliver spears, lined up from both edges in both sides..
Clifford, puffed with pride, strode forward... "Your Majesty," ..he boomed, his voice echoing in the vast space...
"Clifford Margrave, purveyor of the finest silks in the realm, as promised"..He gestured towards a richly embroidered bolt of silk held by one of the guards...
"Indeed, a fine offering...the silks are… acceptable"..The King inclined his head..
He turned his gaze towards Clifford's companion, a man cloaked in shadows despite the bright surroundings... "And you? You are known as…?"..
The man's voice was smooth, a silken whisper that belied a coldness within... "They call me Mataguchi, Your Majesty... I am merely an associate of Mr. Margrave, though I harbor aspirations for a more… diplomatic relationship between our frictions...a sharing of mutual wealth"..
"Indeed?".... The King's eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement playing on his lips...
"And what wealth do you bring to the table, Mataguchi?"
Mataguchi produced a small, unassuming stone from his pocket... It pulsed with a faint internal light...."A magic stone, Your Majesty.... Its power is simple, yet profound...It amplifies physical strength exponentially... Imagine the strength of your guards, magnified tenfold"..
The King observed the stone with a look of detached curiosity..... "Interesting. But ultimately…unsatisfactory, here in RAVA we have magic aplenty here. Physical strength is but one facet of power... I seek something…more worthwhile"..
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, these silks are unprecedented in quality! And the potential of Mataguchi's… trinket… should not be dismissed so lightly" ...Clifford, irritated by the King's dismissal of Mataguchi's offering, interjected..
The King raised a hand, silencing Clifford..
"I appreciate your… enthusiasm, Mr. Margrave, But I have seen silks before, and while yours are indeed fine, they are not invaluable....As for Mataguchi's…trinket… I believe I have made my position clear"..
" Bring me something truly exceptional, something that will benefit my kingdom beyond mere embellishment or brute force"
Mataguchi's lips tightened... "Very well, Your Majesty...It seems a… diplomatic relationship… is premature at this juncture"
" I shall put my proposal on hold until I can present something of greater....significance".... His hand tightened around the magic stone, the faint pulse within seeming to dim in disappointment..
The King rose from his throne, his white hair swirling around him like a cloud... "Then I bid you both farewell... Return when you have something of value to offer"... He turned his back on them, dismissing them with a regal wave of his hand..
".........."...they both went in slience..
As they stalked out of the throne room, escorted by the silent elf guard..
The merchant and his companion both came out of the castle with disappointment, their expression irritated...
"Insolence! Utter insolence! He deigns to reject silks of this caliber? He will regret this!"..Clifford, his face flushed with indignation as he sputtered..
"Control yourself, Clifford... Your pride will only hinder us...we will leave, but not empty-handed, we simply need… a different approach."...Mataguchi placed a hand on Clifford's arm, his voice surprisely calm...
"That… boy… thinks he is above us. He will learn that Clifford Margrave does not take such insults lightly"..Clifford muttered..
"Indeed, Kings can be… persuaded. And sometimes, their… desires… can be their undoing"...Mataguchi brown eyes gleamed with a predatory light..
He glanced back at the throne room, a chilling smile playing on his lips... "Let us find something he truly craves...Then we will see who holds the power"...
It was evening, the sun down in the night, chatter and sound of amusement coming from the people In the bar down street.....the bar having lights..
Customers ordering food and drinks..
Inside Mama Kurumi's tavern , the sounds of boisterous laughter and clinking glasses fill the air... Sylvie, a cat-girl in a maid outfit, balances a tray precariously...Aria, an elven maiden, stands nearby, her expression perpetually serious... Elizabeth, a fox-spirit with lifeless eyes, moves silently through the crowd...
"Over here Sylvie-chan!"
"I need more drinks over here!"
"You look sexy tonight Aria-san"
"Looking clueless as ever Eliza-chan"
"Lizzy, look at that guy over there purr-ctically drooling! You're such a knockout...Bet he's never seen a fox spirit as beautiful meow"....Sylvie, nudging Elizabeth with her elbow...
"Sylvie! Focus on your work! Flirting can wait..Table six needs another round of ale"...Aria, pinching Sylvie's ear..
Sylvie, wincing..."Ouch, Aria! Alright, alright! Just saying, though..." ...
She glances at Elizabeth, who shows no reaction ....."She could at least crack a smile, right?"..
"Like this afternoon expurr-ession or something, or was it because of Mizuro meow "
"You guys seem close and you only change your expurr-ession when his around meow "
"Serving is my purpose. Not smiling."...
Elizabeth, in a monotone voice..
Mama Kurumi, booming from behind the counter.... "Oi! Sylvie, Aria! Less chatter, more butter! Those stew pots aren't going to stir themselves!"..
Later, the merchant Clifford Margrave and Mataguchi enter, flanked by human guards, the bar quiets slightly..
"Kurumi, my dear! The usual for us.. And be quick about it..We haven't got all night"...Clifford, addressing Mama Kurumi with an air of condescension..
"Yes, the finest you have.."..said Mataguchi smirking..
"Clifford, Mataguchi, Always a pleasure. Lizzy, take their order.. They want the special and the dragonfruit wine."..Mama Kurumi, crossing her arms..
Elizabeth, wordlessly takes the order and returns to the kitchen for the wine, She soon returns picking up the food from mama Kumuri's tab..
Mataguchi, eyeing Elizabeth with blatant lust as she serves... "Such a shame to see such a beautiful creature wasting away in a tavern.. Perhaps I could offer her a more... suitable position?"..
Elizabeth, flinching slightly, ignores the comment and in attempt to pour the wine, her hand trembles, and she accidentally spills wine over Clifford and Mataguchi..
"I-im so-"..Elizabeth stammers, her head down pleading for forgiveness...
"You clumsy fool! Look what you've done! Do you know who I am?"...Clifford, roaring..
"I'm truly sorry"..tho she faces down to beg, her expression and eyes still remains the same...
Mataguchi, wiping wine from his face, his calm facade cracking.... "Incompetent wench! You'll pay for that!"..
"Please, sirs, furgive her! It was an accident! We'll clean it up right away meow!"..Sylvie, rushing forward..
Aria, bowing deeply.. "We offer our sincerest apologies.
"Seize her! This insolence will not go unpunished. She's coming with us."....Clifford, snapping his fingers at his guards..
Several patrons murmur in protest, looking uneasily at the guards..
"Get your hands off her! Now!"....
Mama Kurumi, stepping forward, her eyes blazing...
She punches Clifford square in the face, sending him sprawling.. A table crashes under his weight..
"Guards! Protect the merchant!"..Mataguchi, shouting..
A brawl erupts as the patrons of the bar, a mix of beast tribes and elves, defend Mama Kurumi and the waitresses.. Elizabeth, however, is overwhelmed and dragged out of the bar by the guards..
Sylvie, weeping.. "Elizabeth! No! What will they do to her?!"
Aria, putting a comforting arm around Sylvie.."Calm down, Sylvie. The King won't allow them to do anything permanent.. We'll go to the castle tomorrow and explain everything"..
Mama Kurumi, dusting off her hands.... "Aria's right.. Sylvie, you stay here and help clean up.. I'm going after them to make sure she's not hurt badly...You both come to the castle in the morning...The king knows me well enough, he'll listen to what happened..Now, get back to work!"
The guards took her to the castle to meet the king..
The dimly lit hallway of the castle, echoes of footsteps resound as Clifford Margrave and Mataguchi lead Elizabeth, her tails swaying gently behind her... Glenn Mistorgan stands at the entrance, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold, a knight dressed in black and golden robes, his hair red and blue eyes having full golden amor covering his both and legs....
With him where some guards holding golden spears and swords...
"I just came back from a meeting and I'm welcomed by trouble"....the knight said with a smirk on his face...
"Glenn...Glenn Mistorgan, one of the knight serving directly to the King, and the one representing the elven realm RAVA in the knight of Rounds...what's he doing here?"...Mataguchi thought to himself with fear of the knight's status...
Clifford steps back a little before gaining his composure..."I am to report this filthy creature's behavior towards a well extend merchant sure as myself and my friend"..
Glenn looks behind Elizabeth seeing Mama Kurumi .."sigh"..
"Well then come with me"..he turns back to lead them in through a hall, at the side they could see a grassfield with a water fountain at the middle....golden pillars separating them from it..
"What a ridiculous situation this is. Dragging us here at this hour for some… creature. What will the king do to this girl anyway for sure insolence?"...Clifford said arrogantly...
"Oh, I can think of a few things, but I doubt the king will let this slide. She's far too...she's not of the elven race".....Mataguchi grinning lecherously....
Elizabeth her expression blank, eyes devoid of life, speaks softly..."I'm sorry"..
"Save your apologies for when the King passes his judgment on you"...Clifford said looking irritated..
"Ah, but you must understand, Miss… uh, what's your name again? You're quite the odd one... a little fox girl, how charming!"..Glenn cutting in with a cheerful demeanor..
Elizabeth staring at Glenn, her crimson eyes still lifeless.... "Charming? I'm merely a prisoner"..
"A prisoner? Perhaps, but let's make this a bit more hospitable, shall we? After all, Mama Kurumi would have my head if anything happened to you."....said Glenn playfully..
"Is that how it works? A little hospitality for a little nuisance? Ridiculous! The king should be the one to pass judgment, not you playing house with this... this girl."...Clifford scoffing..
Glenn turning serious for a moment..."Enough, Margrave...The king will see her in due time..Until then, she stays safe and sound.. That's the only arrangement I'm interested in."
Elizabeth gaze unyielding, though she remained slient..
Glenn puts on a warm smile..."You're quite the puzzle, aren't you? Well, I assure you, it's not as bad as it seems. I'll have you set up in a nice room. You'll have food, comfort… and no one will harm you, I promise."
"Glenn, is she all right? You must ensure she is treated well!"...Mama Kurumi entering the scene, her presence commanding attention..
Glenn nodding respectfully...."Of course, Mama.. I'll make sure she's taken care of..I owe you that much."..
"And you two, I hope you remember this moment when you go whining to the king. You'll get no sympathy from me after how you treated me earlier!"....mama Kurumi said glaring at Clifford and Mataguchi..
"How dare you—"..Clifford bristling with indignation..
"Leave it, Margrave. Consider yourself lucky to leave this castle in one piece. Tomorrow morning, you'll have your audience..Until then, I suggest you keep your mouths shut."...Glenn interrupting, his tone icy...
"Fools"..Glenn watching them leave, shaking his head.."Now, let's get you settled, Elizabeth."..
"I'm sorry but this is just about what I can do...I won't be around tomorrow "..
"No problem, I'll talk it over with the king tomorrow"..mama Kurumi said with a smile..
Elizabeth still expressionless..."Why do you care?"..
Glenn smiling brightly as he gestures down the hallway.. "Cause I don't want to die...mama Kumuri followed you here, which must mean that she care deeply for you and I don't want to get between that.."
Mama Kurumi taps Glenn on the shoulder.."Hey now, don't go making me sound like a monster"...
"Elizabeth, follow him, he will keep care of you till morning when I'll come get you"..
Elizabeth pausing before following..""Yes.."..her voice calm and barely audible..
Glenn winking ...."Oh, and please keep taking care of Aria for me as always"..
"Yeah, just live it to me"...mama Kumuri said cheerfully as she walks alway...
As they walk deeper into the castle, the heavy air of tension begins to lift, even if just a little, as Glenn's cheerful demeanor shines through..
The next morning, The throne room shimmered with golden light..Clifford Margrave, chest puffed out, gestured dramatically towards the kneeling figure... "Your Majesty! This… creature! She deliberately soaked me and my associate with our drinks! A blatant act of disrespect, an affront to our standing!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty.. A most…unpleasant experience.."....Mataguchi, his eyes lingering on Elizabeth with a predatory gleam, added smoothly..
"And then, the barbarian, Kurumi, assaulted Master Margrave with a blow that could fell an ox!"..
The Elven King, still impossibly youthful, tilted his head slightly...
"Kurumi? Is this true?" ....He addressed the large woman with a familiar, almost gentle tone..
Mama Kurumi, arms crossed, snorted... "They were pawing at her, my Lord. What did you expect? Should I have just stood there and watched?"..
"Sure disrespect!"..Clifford sputtered. "Pawing? She's a servant! And a fox-eared freak at that!"
"A maid who can't serve drinks right. .and such rudness is not acceptable in our kingdom."...Mataguchi corrected him..
The King's green eyes hardened slightly..."I recall your last visit, Margrave..you offered silks that even my stable boys would scoff at..and Mataguchi, that… 'strength-enhancing' stone.. I trust this outburst is not born of discontent over my choices then?"..
"O-Of course not, Your Majesty! This has nothing to do with business!"..Clifford stammered..
Mataguchi simply smiled thinly..."Purely a matter of principle, Your Majesty.. Such disrespect cannot go unpunished.. The girl deserves to be punished."..
Clifford puffed out his chest again. "Indeed! The Kings of the human realm would not tolerate such abuse! We demand justice!"...
The King let out a short, sharp laugh, the sound echoing through the hall. "The human Kings? Mortal realm? I respect their authority, but fear them? I think not.. This is my kingdom, Margrave." ..
He raised a hand, and a faint golden light emanated from his palm. "I find your complaints… tiresome."..
Panic flashed in Clifford's eyes... "Your Majesty, please! We meant no disrespect!" Mataguchi's practiced composure cracked, replaced by a flicker of genuine fear..He knew what was coming...
But it was too late.. A small, intricate golden circle materialized on both their chests, before they could scream, two armored guards seized them, dragging them kicking and protesting towards the exit.
"Banishment!"... the King declared, his voice ringing with authority.. "Remove these… pests! And see they never set foot in my kingdom and the realm again!"..
The guards efficiently hustled the two merchants out of the throne room.. The King turned his attention to the kneeling girl. "Release her. And see that she is escorted safely to her residence."..
Shocked from the King's judgment, Elizabeth raises her head facing the king.."Eh?"..
Having a better look at the king, she could tell that his appearance is not compared with his age, his legs crossed and cheek resting on his hand with a grin on his face..giving off a rather immense pressure and aura..
"What are you not satisfied!"
"N-no I was just...she stammers
..thank you, my Lord"..she bows to him ..
Mama Kurumi stepped forward as the guards moved to obey the King's orders. "Thank you, my Lord." ..But, under her breath, barely audible, she muttered, "Crybaby…"
The King's expression tightened, but a smile played on his lips... "Kurumi, must you always? And you know why I did this.".. he said with a sigh...
Mama Kurumi chuckled ...."Because she was with me."..
The King smiled, leaning back on his throne..."Precisely, I would always help you in any way, Kurumi..You know that."
They chatted amiably for a few moments, catching up on news and sharing lighthearted banter. The King listened patiently, his green eyes softening as he spoke to his old friend.
Suddenly, the doors to the throne room swung open, and a woman entered, her presence immediately commanding attention...
"Lilly, I see you are still in good health!?..mama Kumuri said noticing the woman's presence..