Chapter 691: True Demonlord [22]

'Jula Valentino and Odgar Codd,' legs crossed, elbow to the armrest, and a somewhat sympathetic frown. Prior decision to bravely stroll into the manor felt unnerving. The lady, bare acquaintances, took notice of the area and watched fondly. Midway along with the silence, the door opened to show a timid Vanesa and teddy in her little hands. Carefree to the visitors, a gesture invited the girl onto the two-seated sofa, the melancholically colored complexion slept on his legs as a pillow. The oiliness of her hair made it warm to the touch, father to the troublemaker, he sat and smiled. 

"I apologize for the lateness," intruded Éclair, "-I've brought a transcript of the interrogation. There's the video about the attack. I'll leave matters in the master's hand," and so, he left after a somewhat irritated expression from the guests. Midne, shy of the outwardly opened door, barely missed the edge. A glance snuck to be rudely blocked, "-no peeping," he reprimanded," a veil of mystery robed the study.

"Éclair, will the master be ok?"

"Good," he smiled, "-I see care and affection for the master. Very good, I say, the first challenge in being a maid is cleared. Please realize, our master isn't weak nor is he daft. Follow me, we'll get dinner ready; a lot has happened ever since he reawakened. Can't believe it's only been a day; goes to show, time is very subjective, to which I wonder if a person can completely halt the flow."

"The master can," returned Midne.

"Sorry?" he turned.

"N-no, nothing."

"Please," he pushed up her chin, "-stand straight, look at me, and drop the habit of staring at the floor. Confidence is mostly body posture and mannerism; we'll work on it slowly. Accept who you are, and be proud, tis the first step."

"T-thank you."

Vanesa's idyllic expression nearly dulled the room's feel. A slight shuffle of papers focused ire and distraught. "-this is…"

"Yes, Odgar, anything to say?" 

"-M-Master, I do beg your pardon; the interrogation went smoothly, I'm confused as to how…"

"Honesty my friend. The man was a pawn, and pawn needs not loyalty – survival is what brings home fame and fortune, not being loyal. Then again, I don't condone turn-coats, they deserve to be killed. How would you react before the slaughter of highly trained insurgence? If the attacker offers kindness, take it. Accept the terms and don't lose the self-respect one has, the moment the options cross the line, fight or die."

"A very ambiguous and vague answer," commented Jula.

"-Same could be said about the nature of the attack," he frowned, "-tell me, chief of police, how do you know Odgar, rather, how do you know where I live?"

"I don't appreciate the tone, lord viscount."

"Alas, my lady," it harshened, "-who in the right frame of mind would entertain the one who, knowing or not, played a part in one home's devastation. Kindness has its limits, and mine's about ran thin. I admit, I might have bit more than I can chew," he resettled and caressed Vanesa's hair, "-I bit, therefore, I'll swallow the remnants. What about you, why does the chief need be here?" 

"I-"

"No," said Odgar, "-allow me to explain," he softly turned, her eyes fluttered and stared away, "-my lord Igna, I've come to remedy the incident. Éclair was very vocal in the message. I never expected them to make a move, and here we are, I thought the manor be destroyed."

"Evidently, you thought wrong. There were casualties, and I'm happy to say, they all rot in a pit of hell."

"You killed the insurgence?"

"Yes," returned he vehemently, "-Lady Jula, tell me, what is law, what is righteous, where is the line to define good from evil. You represent what the people must aspire to, how lawful art thee?"

"I don't know really. Good and evil, the answers have been left in the god's laps ever since I was little. Law citizens must abide serve to benefit the minority of the rich and powerful; the commoners are somewhat protected in said circle. In fairness, things that make one's heart tremor in guilt is bad."

"What about an emotionless killer, the man feels no guilt in slaughter. The answer was very subjective and simple."

"And, what's your definition of it?"

"Good and evil in of itself are flawed, a misconception created for fear-mongering. Everyone who acts in their mind think it be the right choice. Therefore, the word good and evil isn't necessary. When a man donates to a starved man, he's hailed as a good person. In the same situation, change the words 'donates' to employs, and starved man to 'slave'. What then, is the employer evil? So you see, chief of Odgawoan, there is truth in thy words, God holds the answer. Enough of idealism, a practical answer would be to judge each and all equally, find the middle ground between the virtuous and lamented, then again, the powerful will always win the outcome. An equal society will never exist, those who are harmed will be harmed until they take up arms. I say, an eye for an eye until the world is blind; only then, with the ability to not see, will it be equal."

"Very morbid," her forehead crinkled, "-when all will be blind, you mean dead?"

"Yeah, equality already exists, and tis the nature. Consciousness is what brought about those words." 

"Not to interrupt the deep conversation, however, master, the speech felt more along the lines of what a villain would say."

"Who knows," he shrugged in jest, "-maybe I am the villain or simply another organism in the vastness of the world. Back to the question, lady Jula, the withheld anger won't help – speak thy mind, I'll allow it."

"Oh," her fist clenched, "-you'll allow it…"

"Calm down," whispered Odgar, "-don't blow your load." 

"Listen," he ignored her emotions, "-if it's about the massacre, then it couldn't have been avoided. I killed them mercilessly. I allowed a single person to escape, he should have fled the continent by now. Let's get to the heart of the matter," the inattentive air swallowed into an intense expression, "-how deep is the underworld in the matter of public safety."

"Huh?" her mouth opened in bafflement, "-how did."

"Oh, don't give me the innocent act. I know all about the black economy, the money granted by the state isn't sufficient to finance military affairs, nor is it for law and safety. Most of the budget goes to the former, and the latter is left with naught but trinkets. Alphia's seriousness on narcotics; more of the reason why the market is bountiful. I won't deny my ties to the underworld of Hidros. Alphia's judiciary system will be damned to lay a hand on me, or any of my comrades."

"Are you arrogant or confident, I don't get it."

"Whatever you think isn't the matter. Tell me, Chief Jula, were you involved in the attack?"

"No, I came here because of what Odgar relayed. As I see it, the operation was done independently," her gaze scattered into the distance, "-I won't be ignorant and say the police isn't corrupted. I personally am not afflicted to the underworld. There was another for the position, a man of great influence, I'm very shocked as to why I was promoted."

"Simple," said Odgar, "-look before you."

"There are many ways to sway judgment. To win against a greater power, one must accomplish deeds even greater and don't forget, you've accomplished tasks normal folks could only ever hope to dream about. In a way, I did play into the whole circus and made thee the focus of attention, the heroine of the dreaded terrorist attack."

"You give me far too much credit."

"And perhaps it's for the better," he paused, "-truth be told, my actions were in part for Odgar. Don't misunderstand," he slyly rose a brow, "-the exchange of glances was very affectionate. Companionship is nice, I wish thee well for the future." 

*Knock, knock,*

"-enter."

"Pardon me master, dinner's ready."

"Very well," he gently tapped Vanesa, "-wake up, food is ready," swift to the guests, "-join us as well, we have much to discuss." The lady asked for the washroom, Midne responded to the request, Éclair happily took Vanesa – Igna and Odgar were left alone.

"What's the end objective?" 

"Pardon me?" 

"Come on, Odgar, I know you're not the type of person to bring an important figure for pleasantries. Besides, what of the Kion and the rest, are they well?"

"Still thinking of the team…" he stopped to a lonesome window, "-they're well, the laxness of not paying rent is amazing. The job's less stressful; Inesa returned recently, Kion's been taking care of her, she's traumatized, the mental scar is far worse. I decided for all to have a break, a month to relax, Tensy, and the bunch flew home to spend the rare time. I heard Aki's wife expects a child, and Camilia, well, her family ran into some inheritance issues."

"Do you ever wonder about other people," he joined Odgar's simple outside glance, "-everyone has their dreams and aspiration. They're the main character of their story and not just the side characters of ours."

"I never saw it that way."

"About the attack, don't worry, we handled it."

"Honestly, I came here without a purpose. Jula proposed we spent time and share an apartment, figured why not, tis when Éclair sent the message. I was scared for the land; from what I've seen, if you're to let loose, the damages could never be fixed."

"I see," he chuckled, "-we may stand here and laugh, a real threat looms over the horizon. I checked the news earlier; the northern part of town has been strictly quarantine."

"The plague of monsters has badly affected the vigilantes. I heard the AHA don't want to risk any more of their heroes. Instead, they've hired mercenaries to guard the front."

"The AHA is still a shitshow, pardon the language."

"I agree, they're worthless and care for-profit and public image. Still think it's better than before, the old hierarchy was a mess."

"Yeah, I know," he smiled, "-Emi Muko and her sisters, I know the story all too well."

"The death of Luna and the Jester, the brother to Asuna Mold, the true heroine who died by the oppression from the AHA, or so I've heard. It happened close to a decade ago, time passes by quickly, back then, things were nice – ever since then, the emperor hasn't decreed anything close to what was said. The culling of the AHA, look now, the latter is baseless and fragile; the heroes are only chosen from the elite. Sorry, I went off on a tangent." 

"I'm surprised the story is still known."

"Are you serious, have you not seen the movie?"

"What movie?"

"Luna and the Jester? It's a fictional retelling of the events till the fall of the AHA. Tis one of the highest-grossing movies to be produced; I'm surprised thee haven't seen the legacy."

"Oh, a movie, bad reputation for the AHA."

"No, actually, it was financed by them in good faith. They wanted to do the hero and heroine justice and expose the real truth. An investigator came forward with insider information. You must watch it."

"I will. We should have dinner; time waits for none."

"I have to ask," they stood in the lift, "-what is the plan forward, what about Jula?"

"If the lady wishes to keep her standing as Chief, she'll need to ally to the underworld sooner or later. Tis a task for her lover, birth the idea; don't worry about lying, say the truth and take the attack as an example."

"Sure… I'll leave the rest…" 

'And if I've played my hands correctly; she should be confused – we started strong and were interrupted perfectly as I gave compliments. A single look speaks of her mental fatigue. Odgar, you're a great pawn; Luon will back the chief, an easy way to skyrocket for the top. Even if it fails, I'll make her see my way for they are in my castle. I do sound like a villain.'

"Master, why such an ominous grin?"

"Ignore it."