693. The Red Baron and Beethoven

693. The Red Baron and Beethoven

The halls of the Red Baron’s estate were exactly like his banquette hall. Red carpets, curtains portraits of himself – it was a narcissist’ wonderland.

Beethoven followed closely as they passed through several sets of doors. They began from wood, to steel, adamantium, and eventually they reached a door sealed by a mass of flesh.

“Bzzt. The Crimson Hunger are serving you well. Bzzt.”

“Too well. They’re the ones who keep my Trophies fed. I hear what they feed is highly nutritious, though I wouldn’t dare to find out myself. So long as it keeps them alive, and their skin youthful, then I couldn’t ask for more. No filthy Demi-Humans to contaminate my collection either.”

He thrust a powerful fist into the flesh. Tendrils immediately coiled around his arm. He stirred it, resisting their grip before finally tugging out an eye. He did not use keys or magic to lock his secrets. Strength was all one needed, as well as the perquisite knowledge to know where the eye resided.

After an assault of wet squelches, the doors peeled open and revealed a treasury filled with piles of gold coins. Stolen possessions were also amassed here and left to rot, or to be toyed with by various tentacled creatures.

“To think all of this would have been lost to the Solemn Paw if I stuck my neck into the wrong place.” He laughed. “The Wise Black Wolf used to be a pain in the ass, but we’re thankfully on more neutral terms. Can you believe that I was nearly blamed for setting up the twins?”

They ventured deeper into the treasury. A red, salivating chandelier shaped like a uvula hung directly above a shimmering, blue crystal.

“I would have cradled them tenderly. Nurtured them better than those bastards on the Leviathan. I used to be jealous of them. I’ve never had a Healer for myself.”

He paused, waiting for Beethoven to ask him to continue.

He took the silence as a good sign, anyway.

“But it does make you wonder. No internal trauma from what I’ve heard. Just recent injuries, and they still had their clothes on their backs. The flesh within the train had not yet rotted.”

“Bzzt. Because they were careful not to damage the merchandise. Bzzt. It would have been a good bargaining chip, but we already have an excellent alternative. Bzzt.”

“Scandalous for a Star to have such strong feelings for Healers. Didn’t he also take a look into your kind as well?”

“Bzzt. Luckily, he did not find much. Bzzt. The Wise Black Wolf is dangerous. Bzzt. The Disciples of Nihilm would rather be pit against a Blue Moon or a Black Moon than with who they call Raoul. Bzzt.”

“So you do know who was behind it. Hahaha!”

“Bzzt. Don’t we all? It all fits together like a scripted play on this grand stage. Bzzt. We conduct on the forefront, so that the oboe that rises from beneath the stage does not know that the heaven we play on is but an extension of that same hell. Bzzt.”

“Good for you.” The Red Baron had no idea what Beethoven was even talking about.

“But with all the false Colors and their ‘teachings’ with zero substance, it can’t be helped that a hero must arrive. Hell will break loose. They’ll watch families and friends die before their eyes and call for help. And I will come save them.”

Finally, the the red light in his hands materialized into a full-metal helmet. At a distance it looked like an oversized crown fit for a king. His voice further deepened once he wore it, and his power to dominate the bodies of those who heard his voice was amplified.

“Now then. The potential sixteenth Trophy you spoke of. Do they fit my tastes?”

“Bzzt. Blue eyes. Bzzt. Short hair. Bzzt. Black hair. Bzzt. Boyish. Bzzt. A strong mage likely. Bzzt. Short. Bzzt. Skin in excellent condition. Bzzt. All according to the reports made to the Memory Bistros. Bzzt.”

“Location?”

“Bzzt. Ravia. Bzzt. But they are likely heading towards the Capital. Bzzt.”

“Perfect. My future wife will reside in the Capital. Perfect timing. I could be her knight in shining armor when all hell is let loose! Call it fate and watch her fall head over heels for me. I’m curious what kind of sounds she’ll make. If it’s anything like my first wife...”

With that said, he immediately strode towards from whence he came. A deranged smile formed behind his helmet; his intentions clear as day.

“... then I may not be able to help myself. A Healer can’t come any sooner.”

It bothered Beethoven that he was so eager when it came to women. Not that it mattered, since the Red Baron was also a follower of the Brightest Star – Iscario.

“Bzzt. Will you not head to Primus Ramus with us? Bzzt. Or are you afraid of meeting –?”

“Fear is not an emotion I’ve ever understood. People should just enjoy themselves. Otherwise, you end up like the Corpse Snatchers. There is no need for me to attend. If Iscario decides to show his face there, then tell our Brightest Star I have more important matters to attend to. Until then –

– My sixteenth Trophy is waiting for me to scoop her into my arms!”

Finally, both hands were encased by the same red light before they transformed into giant gauntlets. They resembled ruby coronets, and lining each knuckle like spikes were miniature crowns.

“Firstly, I must bring the Astral Blaze. Who would have thought that a Corrupted mantle brimming with flames would have taken a liking to me. I imagine it would fit the world-destroyer Amalgam better.”

“Bzzt. Pray that you don’t cross their path. Bzzt. I’ve never experienced it or seen it, but they say the Amalgam can absorb Corrupted. Bzzt. It’s prohibited to utilize Corrupted. Bzzt.”

The Red Baron ignored Beethoven.

“This boogeyman was first the destroyer of worlds, then the devourer of stars, and now they’re the absorber of Corrupted? Keep your falsehoods to yourself. Whether I come across the Amalgam or not matters little. In the first place, they do not know that I am working alongside Prince Iscario!”