Chapter 65 - The Ark Of New Area

"At last, we are alone," said Minwoo, smiling happily.

"You seemed pretty happy to get rid of them. Including Baldwin," said Mavislin, slowly keeping her hurt wing.

"I don't like interruptions. And I've no intention of training around Baldwin. That man, let's just say I'm glad to have met you instead," said Minwoo, ruffling the Valkyrie's hair.

"That's odd. The two of you used to work together?"

"Somewhat. But things got into the way. Complicated stuff."

A hint of anger and sadness was mixed with those words. But Minwoo's expression changed back, back to his usual, smiling self as he took Mavislin's hand.

"Enough with sad! Let's go train now!" exclaimed Minwoo, dragging the poor girl.

"Oi! Calm down!"

After much protests and squirming, the two of them finally managed to reach the Dalles' domain. Otherwise known as the underworld's home, Minwoo had a bunch of servants prepare a bedchamber and bath for the wounded Mavislin.

"You know you don't have to prepare all of these things, right?" asked Mavislin, shyly.

"I want to train you on proper terms, not half-assed."

"Language, Minwoo."

Mavislin squirmed as a handmaiden tried to dress the Valkyrie in finely made clothes. In the end, she was alright with a midnight blue casual dress. The few servants led the shy Valkyrie towards the Marquess' chambers, where he had just finished changing.

"You look wonderful, Lady Roydon," commented Minwoo.

"You don't look too shabby yourself, Marquess Dalles," replied Mavislin, scanning the man's outfit.

"Oh, darling. I've said so many times to call me Minwoo."

"And my name is Mavislin."

Minwoo, from his battle gear, had donned fully black trousers, a six-buttoned double-b.r.e.a.s.ted tailcoat, and a gray vest. He looked like a butler.

"Lord Dalles, these papers are in need your confirmation," said a young girl, shyly giving a stack of papers towards the Marquess.

Minwoo looked at the stack with disdain before giving a smile towards the young girl.

"Right away. You go on ahead now," said Minwoo, sending the girl away.

The young girl bowed shakily as she dropped the pile of papers on the desk.

"Are you going to send me away as well?" asked Mavislin, raising her eyebrows.

"Well, it is dangerous for a lady as beautiful as you to stick around a man's chambers alone. Darling," whispered Minwoo, with a playful smile.

"Please. Let's stay professional. Besides, you're only human," said Mavislin, turning her back against the Marquess.

"A mock Mage?"

"You've got impressive speed and reflexes but you are still human. On top of that, you possess no Magecraft at all," said Mavislin, taking a seat at the piano.

"I can learn if you'd like me to," replied Minwoo, sitting down at his desk.

He reluctantly started to dive straight to work, taking his wax stamp and looking through those pieces of hell.

"For a 35-year-old, you seem to be rocking that young body of yours, Marquess," said Mavislin.

"Checking me out, huh?" sighed Minwoo, looking at the fidgeting Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie shrugged her shoulders as she looked at the dusty piano. After a solid hour, Minwoo stamped the Crest Of Dalles on a victim's report and looked at Mavislin.

"Lady Roydon, please play me a song," he said, taking another paper.

"Excuse me, what?" asked Mavislin, shocked.

"Play me a tune. I'm bored. This silence is deafening," complained Marquess Dalles.

"I only know one song on the piano," whispered Mavislin, in reluctance.

"Then play me that one. Sing it if you can."

"For such a childish man, you sure know how to boss people around," murmured Mavislin.

"What's that, darling?" asked Minwoo.

"Nothing. I'll start playing, Marquess Dalles," replied Mavislin, stretching out her fingers.

With a deep breath, she began to play a simple tune. And the Valkyrie started to sing. It was a simple tune, yet the singing in every verse had various meanings.

"Oh, I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,

I'm goin' to Lousianna, for my true love to see.

Oh, Sus-anna! Now, don't you cry for me.

For I come from Alabama.

With a banjo on my knee," sang Mavislin as she continued playing.

The Marquess gave a smile as he read through more reports on the recent Umbra cases. The reports were mostly grotesque, descriptions of how the victims were terrorized by the rogue shadows. Reports of people's shadow 'bringing them to the dark side'.

"It rained all night, the day I left.

The weather, it was dry.

The sun so hot, I froze to death.

Susanna, don't you cry..."

Minwoo stifled a laugh as he stamped another approval.

"I had a dream, the other night.

Where everything was still.

I thought I saw, Susanna-dear,

a-coming down the hill.

A buckwheat cake was in her mouth,

a tear was in her eye.

I said 'I come from Pixieland',

Susanna, don't you cry."