Isabella

I’m going to be fully honest—I zoned out of that conversation for the most part. I tried to keep up with it, but it mostly involved Princess Nevada angrily accusing Carr of being Johan’s friend and him angrily denying such a thing. The two were yelling at each other while Celle was trying to keep Valle from bleeding out again and Gilder was standing in the corner trying to appear not guilty. Fedal was, bless his soul, trying to be useful and standing guard in case the Assassin was still around.

「SPOTLIGHT」

That princess is taking everyone’s attention right now. She’s more important than you. She’s prettier than you. She probably fights better than you too. She’s so much better than you that you might as well not be around if she’s gonna be here. Everyone is gonna replace you soon. Challenge her to a fight, show her the world is YOUR stage, not herds.

「MUSCLES」

You can probably suplex her.

“Your Highness? I have a proposal for you.” The words left my mouth before I willed them and this scared me; SPOTLIGHT had borrowed my lips and spoken for me. While the words felt mine, it was a strange feeling, like when you drunkenly say something without considering it—an idea forming and being spoken before you were ever fully conscious of it. Yet my sobriety made this eerie rather than merely regrettable. “Let us kill Johan.”

It wasn’t what SPOTLIGHT had asked me to say and I heard a distant voice complain in my head, which just made me more married to the idea. “You blame Carr for Johan being a candidate to the throne, don’t you? So let’s kill him. Problem solved.”

“You—you speak of treason!” Nevada was scandalized at the idea. “True, Lord Johan might have villainous intentions, but he is still of noble rank. He knelt on one knee, my father lowered his sword onto his shoulder and declared him such. Would you have us bring our blades down his shoulder in a different fashion and betray our honour?”

“You speak of your honour, Your Highness, so allow me to speak of pride. I am Isabella of Duartes, granddaughter of the legendary duellist. That my bloodline descends from the legendary duellist is my pride.” It was more than my pride, it was all I had. Truly, I had no achievements to speak of, but I was related to an important person and I was proud of that. “Johan spat on my pride and dared to paint a picture of his treachery. Godslayer was his brush and my grandfather’s blood was the ink. Faced with such eerie artwork, is a woman’s honourable course of action to bend her knees and bow to such a monster as her Emperor? I say nay! To honour my bloodline, I must murder, I say!”

「FLEXIBILITY」

You are surprised at your ability to stretch your politeness to this degree. You’ve never been fond of proper ‘noble’ talk but you have been trained from childhood to be good at it. You are shocked at your success, however. Normally you drop your speech and show the unrefined peasant you are at heart.

Princess Nevada appeared yet unconvinced. Her eyes diverted from mine, and her resolve weakened, yet she did not break. Occasionally, she glanced back at me, opening her mouth, making a sound as if beginning to speak, then stopping and looking away.

「REASON」

The princess is out of her depth. She speaks of honour but has no idea how to enact it. The late Emperor never had any use for her, she wasn’t trained how to properly deal with court politics. You can push through her outrage with your own. Be merciless. She just needs one more push.

“Your Highness?” I said, to get her attention. When she looked at me I realized I didn’t have anything to say so I turned to my voices for guidance.

「REASON」

That assassin guy probably wasn’t here to get you. He got here too quickly and he didn’t seem particularly well-suited for attacking a group of people. Maybe he was targeting this princess instead. It would make more sense. Even if not…well, that is still useful, no?

“Honourable as it is to live—Johan has tried to kill you before, has he not?”

“That is…well…”

“That assassin just now was aimed at yourself, not us, was he not?”

There was a general gasp in the room. It wasn’t quite a gasp of surprise, closer to a gasp of “Huh, that tracks.” Nonetheless, most people in the room appeared to take this information as new. Celle, I noted, didn’t appear surprised, but nodded along.

Carr leaned forward. “You see, I was just protecting you from that assassin just now, Your Highness. I am clearly willing to put my life on the line to protect you.”

「SPOTLIGHT」

Wow. Even we aren’t THAT shameless.

“Even if yourself are a victim of Lord Johan’s tricks, it changes not your actions, Lord Carr. Your championing of Gilder’s cause caused that false will to stand.”

There was a pause and if I didn’t know better I would have assumed Carr was regretful. He looked down, said nothing for a second, then nodded slowly. “I was wrong. When I came to this world I had just…things had happened. It’s no excuse, but I just ran from duel to duel trying not to think about what was going on. If I had known about Johan…” He paused. “And I didn’t, because I didn’t ask. It was irresponsible of me, and you have my deepest apologies.”

Princess Nevada appeared taken aback for a moment, and frankly so were all of us. Carr had been pushing back on the argument until now, so to see him admit fault felt…new. “Your apology is appreciated, Lord Carr,” she replied, in almost a whisper. “Your actions remain undone, however. Lord Johan might be on the throne soon, and my brother…” Here she stopped, less a trailing off and more a sudden break.

“If I may be so rude, Your Highness, please tell me about your brother,” Carr said. It was frankly odd to see him behave politely. “I must know what happened to him.”

“There…there was an internal struggle regarding Lord Johan’s ascent. Some sided with him, but the more traditionally minded nobles…none of us knew about the extent of Lord Johan’s treachery, of course. Their reasons for not wanting him to rule were questionable, but our goals lined up. Once we managed to obtain proof that his documents had been forged…”

Celle held up her hand. “Hold on. I must ask, how did you obtain proof that the will had been forged?”

Princess Nevada looked at Gilder hesitantly. “The man was caught drunk in a tavern talking about how he hadn’t meant to forge any imperial documents.”

We all turned to look at him.

He suddenly appeared very interested in counting the number of wooden planks along the ceiling.

“How the fuck are you alive?” Celle asked incredulously. Quickly after, she turned to the princess and added, “Apologies for my unrefined language.” Again she turned to Gilder and said, “No, seriously, I’m not even talking about assassins. How do you manage to put on a shirt every morning and not accidentally strangle yourself with your sleeves? What blessing has life bestowed upon you to justify taking away your reason?”

「WINNING」

It’s luck. You can feel it. The man’s luck is overflowing from his body.

“Sorry to divert the topic from Gilder, but…about Valder. Is he…is he okay?” Carr asked, and this time I detected a hint of fear in his voice. “Was he punished for losing his duel to me?”

“I…I have not heard from my brother since. He took off after the duel as soon as he had enough health to do so and went to his hometown, Velem. I…I believe he means to rebel against the Empire soon. Against Lord Johan.”

“His hometown? Not yours?” Fedal asked. I felt like this was definitely not the point of what she said we should be focusing on. “So he’s not a prince?”

“No. We…have different mothers. He left before he could be…punished. Soon after his duel, Lord Johan’s assassins began targeting me.”

「REASON」

He’s the Emperor’s bastard, her tone said. You heard rumours before, and this is as good confirmation as any. Lacking in rank but plentiful in [Swordsmanship] he likely gained favour as the crown’s champion, though he likely had no lands to his name.

“Your Highness…you don’t have to make a decision now. But please consider that we all share a common enemy and you can trust us.”

After some more empty words it was decided that we would talk more about this in the morning. The Princess was going to stay with Valle for the night, for he was the only one she really trusted, and because he frankly needed someone with decent [Restoration] to make sure he didn’t bleed out at night. As they left, I gave Valle a look that hopefully said convince her not to send Imperial knights after us, we have enough people wanting to kill us. I’m not sure if my creative use of my eyebrows conveyed the message, however. Celle and Carr retreated to their room, which was also good because he appeared to be having trouble walking after the duel. His knee is never going to be the same after the damage Johan did…he’s going to need constant treatment.

A few more words later, they left, and only Fedal and I remained. I went to the dining room and wasn’t surprised that he followed me there. “So, how are you feeling?” I asked.

“Huh?”

“How are you feeling?” I repeated. “Your day started as the top dog of the world, strongest swordsman with the ‘cheat’ skill. Then you lost to Carr, we all got destroyed by Johan and we’re basically all living on borrowed time while that madman sends assassins after us. How do you feel?”

Fedal blinked with sour pleasure. “Me? Surprisingly well. I’m gonna level with you, I never had much self confidence, so it’s not like there was much to break. It’s true that I thought I was stronger than I was but…” He sighed, then laughed. “Guess it’s just fitting for me to be like this, you know?”

What was the right thing to say to that? Don’t be too harsh on yourself?

“For now, anyhow,” Fedal said. He stretched a little, grabbed a banana from the counter and started walking past me. “I’m going to get some training in before bed. I should be able to get at least one extra point in [Swordsmanship].”

“What about fencing training?”

“I can’t get better without a teacher. Carr is gonna help me tomorrow with that. Just…I can’t sit still. I don’t think a single point is really going to do much but…I feel like it’s more than about the point. I have to prove to myself that I won’t just lay in my bed right now and wallow in self-pity.” He laughed again, but it was quieter, quicker, and he rubbed the back of his head before he spoke again. “Because honestly there’s nothing I want more right now than to go to bed and hate myself. So…I should go do something else instead.”

On that awkward note, he nodded at me and started toward the door. Before he had left, I said, “Fedal?” He turned around. “Good luck training.”

He smiled at me and left. I watched him go and felt a measure of jealousy; Fedal was far less talented at fencing than even myself, but his attitude told me that he badly wanted to become the best. There was something admirable there. I wish I loved fencing—hell, I wish I loved anything in life that much. I just didn’t have anything I loved enough to work hard for…killing Johan was the closest thing I had.

“Murder can be quite noble,” said the Old Gambler, as he stirred his tea. “But I think your true goal lies far beyond that.”

Here I should have been surprised, yet the man had appeared before me enough times that I had sort of trained myself to be ready to see him almost any time I was by myself. There was almost a set of requirements for his appearances, I knew, but I did not know what they were. He would not appear when I was showering or otherwise engaged in a private activity, but when I was fully presentable, alone in my room and lost in my thoughts he was likely to make an appearance.

So I wasn’t surprised when he showed up. What I was surprised was a the different reactions that flowed through my mind. He had tempted me into taking the spheres and he had brought much pain to grandfather, not to mention Johan’s existence was his fault.

「REASON」

You need to know more about us. Talk to him.

「WINNING」

He’s distracted, stab him in the face.

「FENCING」

I can tell. Just by looking at him, I know. This man is a master, as good as Carr or Johan. Perhaps stronger. Be careful.

「MUSCLES」

He appears weak and is busy drinking tea, suplex him.

REASON won out and this concerned me. It appeared like REASON had been the loudest of my voices for a while and there was something so dispassionate about that. Yet, I agreed with it, and let it borrow my lips. “I used your spheres. What happened to me?”

He leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell me? I’m most curious…most people wouldn’t have survived that ritual.”

“I hear voices in my head,” I said, slowly. “They…talk to me. Council me. Understand me. Ever since I cracked the sphere, I feel stronger. Much stronger. But I lost all my stats.”

He nodded. “That sounds about right.”

“Well?” I demanded. “Do you think I’m just going to let you keep up with his cryptic bullshit where you walk in, say something vaguely mysterious and leave? I’m sick and tired of this implied bullshit. You’re going to give me what I want.”

“And what do you want, Isabella?”

“I want to know what the fuck those voices are, where they come from, what the fuck those red spheres were and what’s happening to me. I don’t want to accept some vague bullshit about finding out later. I don’t want you to try to trick me and leave like you usually do. Tell me about my grandfather, if he’s alive. Tell me how to kill Johan. Tell me what the fuck I am. Give me everything. Now.” Without realizing it, I had drawn my sword and pointed it at the Old Gambler. “Give me my answers or your life, I care not which.”

“If you kill me, you will never have your answers.”

“But I will have my satisfaction, which is almost as good,” I said. Every voice in my head agreed and here I noticed something new—those voices disliked the Old Gambler, and their dislike was different than mine. They didn’t say anything, but I could sense their feelings inside of me. “We’re all in agreement.”

Here, the Old Gambler who had been humming along a tune while I spoke and appeared focused on his tea stopped and looked up at me quizzically. “You would be in agreement, wouldn’t you? I suppose it makes sense. Frankly, I am concerned you might not live long. Having all of that knowledge forced inside your head…you might break down before you achieve your true potential. Perhaps if you—”

My blade went cleanly through his shoulder and the Old Gambler tumbled backwards in surprise. His green eyes gawked at me in something between outrage and admiration. It was a deep wound, but not a lethal one. In a rather undignified gesture, he grabbed a tablecloth from the counter and brought it to his wound. “I did not expect you to attack me,” he said, surprise plain in his voice.

“I told you. Give me vague bullshit and I will kill you.” I took a step closer. “So tell me, you miserable shit, about everything you know. Teleport away mysteriously if you must be a coward, but if you stay here, tell me what I want or shut your mouth.”

He regarded me for a moment, his usual smirk gone. “If I tell you everything you might lose your hard earned powers. You might never want to wield a sword again…and you need this power to help Duartes.”

“Is he alive?” I pressed. “Is grandfather alive?”

“Your definition of alive is important to—”

I tossed a wine class at him. When he drew his sword to deflect it, I stabbed him through the other shoulder and dragged him to the wall, blade still through his body. FENCING said he was a master. So I won’t let him fence. “I told you, no bullshit. Is grandfather alive?”

“Like I said, you must regard my answers carefully,” he said, through a ghastly laugh. “For you see—”

「MUSCLES」

You know what to do.

I pulled his own sword from his waist and tossed it away so he couldn’t use it. Then, in a single motion, I wrapped my arms around his waist and lifted him up in the air, moving backwards until I slammed his head against the floor. “This isn’t a game.”

My sword, still stuck inside of his body, went further through his shoulder at this point. The Old Gambler did not scream, but his face contorted in horror. Are you surprised? Did I get stronger than you meant for me to? Can you no longer jerk me around? “Tell me. Is he alive?”

“He’s alive!” He cried out. “Stop, just—fine, you want answers?”

“Yes.”

“May I suggest a deal?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and applied some pressure to it. “Make it a good one.”

“Johan…Johan is sending assassins your way. His elite squad. Every single one of them possesses a Legendary Skill. They are much stronger than the one Carr just fought. That one was meant for the Princess, to kill her and steal her knowledge, you understand? But they don’t know where you are yet.”

“Get to the point,” I told him, as I strengthened my grip around his neck. “Or get dying.”

“If you kill me, you will never know what you are!” he exclaimed, his voice muffled in my grasp. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“I want to know what I am. I need to shut you up.”

“Let’s make a bet. I will inform one of Johan’s assassins of your location. The one I know to be your worst matchup. If you kill him…I will tell you everything. If you lose, you will not ask me so many questions anymore…and on top of that…” He trailed off and for a moment I thought I had suffocated him. “You will do me one favour.”

「REASON」

This could be dangerous. He wouldn’t make such an offer if he wasn’t expecting you to lose.

“Will you listen to me?” His voice was raspier now, angrier. I had never heard him show any emotions beyond smugness before. “It’s a good deal. Just remember…you have to prove your strength to me. That means no teamwork. You can’t even warn the others that the assassins will come your way.”

「REASON」

You’re going to put everyone in danger if you accept his deal. Not to mention how dangerous this is.

「WINNING」

Take the deal. You can’t back down from a challenge.

「MUSCLE」

MAKE HIM FEEL PAIN!

“I accept your deal,” I said. I sort of accepted his deal. He’d learn that soon enough. I let go of my grip around his neck, and when he stood up I pulled my sword from his shoulder and cut at his leg, making him take a step backwards. “And I won’t let anyone get hurt, no matter which one of Johan’s assassins come after us. And when I kill the assassin you’re sending to fight your battles for you…you WILL tell me everything.”

Despite his injuries, the Old Gambler managed a smirk. “And how do you know I won’t just disappear if I lose?”

“If I never see you and you cryptic bullshit again, I also consider that I win,” I told him.