Chapter 33: Imperial Party

“You get all that?” Janice asked.

“Uhh” Jerry then turned to look down an ally way to the wide headed brigand propped up against the wall. Alice and Kasune were hidden nearby with Kasune watching over Alice hidden from Janice.

“So, the people in the Palace want to drug Larmen, and implant him with fake memories. Correct?” Jerry asked.

“Yes”

“How is this my problem?”

“It’s not. I’m asking you for help, Larry. I know you’ve both have problems, but I’m asking you for help. Not Larmen” Janice said. Jerry sighed before giving a response.

“And what do you expect me to do?”

“Find what they’re going to drug Larmen with and take it then bring it to me”

“Right, and what do I get out of this?”

“My gratitude”

“What about some information?”

“What would you like to know?”

“I was almost assassinated recently. I think it’s one of the four kingdoms and I need you to look into it for me”

Janice thought about the proposition for a bit. It was a small price to pay for what she would gain. She would protect Larmen from being drugged, and it would be a powerful card against the Empire that could get Larmen to leave the Empire since the they’re is known for their kidnapping techniques that involve poisons and drugs. She would be able to keep the Empire to bend to her will and keep Larmen safe for the Empire has much to lose if news leaked about an attempted drugging of their own renowned Hero, turning their biggest asset into their biggest problem.

“Alright, you got yourself a deal” Janice said.

“Great. Now, aren’t you usually a bit more shy than you are now?”

“Yea, but when people piss me off or I get some drinks, I get like this”

“So, both are happening?”

“Yea”

“Do you ever regret it later when you’re sober?”

“A lot. I’m gonna be a tomato in the morning”

“I see. Well, whens it happening?”

“Soon. 3 hours at the very least”

“Well, I don’t got a dress or anything”

“Then I know a place to get you dressed. Let’s go. Also, for now, you’re not Larry but you are Jerry for now”

“Damn it”

Janice then grabbed Jerry’s hand and ran down the streets as the sun started to set.

Alice and Kasune watched as the two of them ran off down the street.

“Where are they going?” Alice asked as she exposed herself more attempting to catch a glimpse of where they were going.

“Hey! You’re gonna get us caught!” Kasune whispered.

“Come on! We gotta follow them” Alice said as she started to run down the street.

“Wait!” Kasune said as she soon followed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

“How much are we adding to his drink?” Elizabeth asked. She held a small paper packet, no larger than her hand that contained a powdery substance within it that was going to be used in the plan.

“Just add all of it. We gotta make sure that Larmen is effected or else it will be all for naught since we only have one shot at this” Jepal responded.

“Alright then” Elizabeth said before writing a note on a small slip of paper.

The party was starting soon, and Elizabeth and the others wanted to be prepared when it started.

“Where’s Larmen” Rose asked. She had a red dress, hair, and eyes as she stood by the door of the dressing room. Elizabeth cleared the room of any maids or butlers so the group could gather and prepare for the plan.

“Emile is fetching him now. He should be dressed by now and should be coming here. Now let’s go to the party room and wait for Larmen. The cover is that Larmen went to get some fresh air and won’t be coming back for a while” Jepal said.

The girls nodded as they all started to leave the dressing room to the large party room where the nobles, renowned adventures, and important figures were. Jepal had contacted some nobles that had originally been in the plot of slaying the Demon Lord in a major battle to make them famous and were able to obtain the powder and some favors for the plan. The people that Jepal were able to contact included many high power figures through out the land and some were able to keep some sections off to others and help transport items that would help them on their plan.

They entered the party room where everyone else were. A butler soon appeared before Elizabeth with a tray of blue drinks.

“Would you like a red rum, ma’am?” The butler asked. He wore a black suit with a white mask and gloves as he spoke a code word to ask if everything is ready for the plan to be executed that Jepal had set up. Elizabeth tried to recall the code word for a positive answer and tossed it out the window.

“Yea, it’s ready. Here’s the powder and here’s the instructions. Just pour it all into the drink” Elizabeth replied.

“As you wish” The butler said as he took the powder and note off Elizabeth, placing it into his pocket.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You know I fucking hate this type of clothing, Janice?” Jerry said.

Jerry kept his face hidden for the time being to enter the Imperial Palace without being harassed by nobles and others by wearing a porcelain mask that Janice forced him to buy at a random shop that they entered. It was a simple design with a solid white mask that covered the upper section of his face and was attached with some string.

His equipment was hidden outside the walls of the palace with a red cloth that Janice had.

“Sorry, but it’s apparently worse for the servants of the Palace, you know?” Janice said. The alcohol in Janice’s system seemed to be wearing off as she became more reserved as time passed. They were in the Imperial Palace and the party started soon.

“How so?” Jerry asked?

“It’s more tighter and you gotta wear these white gloves that are thick and tight and pockets are just enough to fit four fingers!” Janice exclaimed.

“Wow, so interesting” Jerry sarcastically said.

“Is that sarcasm?” Janice asked.

Jerry didn’t really feel like dealing with Janice a lot so he decided to take off now.

“Well, I’ll be off now. Looking for clues and stuff like that” Jerry said as he waved at Janice.

“Good luck!” Janice replied as Jerry slipped away to wander the palace. He wandered for a while, hearing the latest gossip about other nobles and the such. Apparently, a noble name James was accused of having an affair with his wife. Intriguing stuff Jerry thought.

Jerry saw an interesting door that drew his attention as two maids with white masks stood at guard outside it. As Jerry approached the door, a maid stepped forward.

“Excuse me, but this area is off limits, sir” the maid said.

“Why is that?” Jerry asked.

“I’m not allowed to say, sir”

Jerry looked at the door and then looked back at the maid.

“I understand. But, I’ve seemed to lost my way. Can you guide me to the party, please?” Jerry asked.

“Of course. Please follow me” The maid said before she walked in front of Jerry. Jerry soon found himself in a room filled with what seemed to be important people in one large room.

“Here we are, sir. Please enjoy the party” The maid said before leaving.

Jerry patted himself to double check what he had. He had his invitation in his right pocket. He also had concealed a knife in his pants on the left side and had his pistol on his right side. He kept two extra magazines in his left pockets, thus completing his quick pat down.

A butler with a solid white mask approached him with a tray in hand with blue drinks.

“Excuse me sir, would you like some Red Life?” the butler asked.

“I’m sorry?” Jerry responded.

“Ah, I’m sorry, sir. It’s a new drink that the Imperial Kingdom has created. Would you care to try?” He said as he held the tray in front of Jerry.

“Sure” Jerry said as he took a cup from the tray.

The butler than quickly walked away after that, leaving Jerry with his Red Life drink. Jerry took a sip of the drink and it tasted a bitter, leaving a bad taste in Jerry’s mouth. Jerry looked at the cup with a face of disgust and found a slip of paper on the ground where the butler once stood. Jerry looked around to confirm that no one was looking at him before bending over and picking it up and reading it.

Make sure that ALL of it is poured into the drink. We got one shot, so don’t screw it up.

Jerry thought about this before remembering something. Butlers were required to wear white gloves, but not a white mask. Butlers were likely allowed to wear masks, but most people would find something with designs rather than something plain and boring.

Jerry looked around to find a few servants wearing white masks while even fewer wore designed masks or none at all. Jerry then thought of something that would likely get him to be able to get some snippets of information that he could use. Jerry placed the note in his pocket and approached one of the servants.

“Excuse me, ma’am” Jerry said as he approached a servant that wore a white mask.

“Is there something you’d like, sir?” She replied.

“Would you like some Red Life?” Jerry asked. He was going off the hunch that the words he were speaking was a code word for signaling and showing that you’re in something.

“I would quite like Blue Ribbons instead” She responded. Jerry thought that was an affirmative and decided to continue bluffing his way.

“I forgot the plan” Jerry said.

“Really? It’s quite simple” She responded.

“And what was that?”

“Keep watch and make sure it happens and eliminate anything that could threaten the safety of the plan”

“What’s the goal”

At this point, the servant grew suspicious.

“Excuse me, but could you tell me who briefed us with the plan?”

Jerry let out a cold sweat as his head turned blank.

“Uhh”

“I knew it. Don’t move” The servant whispered as she drew a blade from her sleeves and pointed it at him.

“You got it, ma’am” Jerry said as he stood still. He could act, but it would draw attention to him and likely alert any others that they’ve been compromised.

“Move forward” She said as she poked Jerry in the back, prompting Jerry to walk where the servant wanted.

Jerry soon found himself to be led out of the party room, down the hall where Jerry came from, and in front of two maids with white masks guarding a door.

“Oh, it’s you again. Oh, you’re a threat” The maid said stoically.

“Is that room full of people?” Jerry asked as the servant behind him still held a knife at his back.

“You’ll find out when you get in” The maid said as she opened the door and the servant pressed the knife against Jerry’s back, forcing him forward into the room.

The servant kicked Jerry onto the ground and got atop Jerry, placing her knee on his chest and right shoulder while she held the knife against his throat.

“Who’d you learn the plan from?” She asked.

“Wait wait, can I ask some questions first?” Jerry asked back.

“Huh?”

“Could you kindly get off my chest? It feels like my ribs are getting crushed and it’s extremely uncomfortable” Jerry said with a smile.

The servant placed her hand on Jerry’s face and casted a magic before she got off Jerry’s chest. The magic made Jerry fall into a state of paralysis making it hard to move for Jerry. Jerry was able to look around, but wished he couldn’t as the room’s walls were lined with weapons and armor.

The servant went to a weapon rack and picked up a sword before moving back to Jerry and kicked him, snapping his state of paralysis and pointed the sword towards Jerry’s neck.

“Now answer my question” The servant said.

“Why are you such a bad hostage holder” Jerry said as he pushed the sword to the right by pushing the sword away with his left hand and keeping it there and quickly sat up. Jerry then struck her stomach with his right hand, giving him enough time to fully stand up as the servant was recovering from the strike.

Jerry then quickly went to a weapon rack and picked up a halberd. Jerry held the halberd with about a tight grip with some space at the butt of the halberd.

“My weapon’s bigger than yours!” Jerry taunted.

The servant then raised her right arm and muttered something. A flash of light appeared in Jerry’s eyes and a black silhouette to appear to be doing an upwards jumping strike. Jerry’s natural instinct kicked in and Jerry blinked forward. Problem was, Jerry wasn’t able to control how much he blinked and his face smacked the wall. On the upside, he could see again.

“Mother fucker!” Jerry shouted as he turned around and found the servant dashing towards him trying to stab him with the sword. Jerry quickly regained his senses and got into a quick stance. As the servant started to extend her arm for the stab, Jerry pushed the sword to the side and pinned her neck between the axe and spear head and violently slammed her against the wall with it, leaving a small space for her neck.

“Any magic, and I’ll stab your throat” Jerry said.

The door then opened and the two maids stepped in.

“What’s going on here!” One of them shouted.

“Don’t move or she dies!” Jerry shouted.

The maids then looked at what situation their comrades were in and stood still.

“Look, let her go” The maid said as she raised her hands.

“Answer my questions” Jerry responded.

“What is it you bastard”

“What’s the plan?”

“To poison Larmen. That’s all I know”

“I know that! How are you doing it is what I want!”

“Through a drink from a butler. Who it is, I don’t know”

“Great, now drop your weapons, and give me the keys to this room”

The maid then reached towards her waist and grabbed the keys and tossed it towards Jerry.

“Great. Now three of you face the wall, close your eyes, get on your knee, plug your ears, and count to 100 loudly when I tell you” Jerry said as he released the servant’s neck.

The three of them glared at Jerry and got to the wall. Jerry picked up the keys and went to the door.

“Start counting now!” Jerry sarcastically said as he let out a small laugh and locked the door.