(A/N: We got to chapter 100! It's all thanks to you. Don't really know what to do to celebrate, but it's cool. Looking back, I don't think this fan-fic is good, but it's also not bad. I'd say it's mediocre, but considering it's my first try, I think it's good. We all start somewhere. I've had fun writing this. After finishing this fan-fic, I'm thinking of writing another one. If you have a favorite moment so far, feel free to comment on it here.
Sorry for any mistakes. I tried to catch as many as I could, but a few always somehow get through.
Song of the day: "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson.)
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Before Luminous and Hinata could ask Artoria questions, more food and drinks arrived. Luminous and Hinata ordered some more food, but when they saw how many plates arrived from Artoria, they were left stunned and speechless. It looked almost comical how many plates of food surrounded Artoria, but she looked as if it was the most normal thing ever. They looked around the restaurant, and nobody batted an eye at this.
"Now that our food is here, we can talk. I hope you enjoy your drinks." Artoria said as she immediately got to eating. She ate fast to the point that it would be better to say she is devouring her food, but she looked elegant while eating it, leaving no mess whatsoever.
"Well, after you gave me your warning, I gathered the other knights and set a trap. I didn't let them know about the Ark, so I came up with an excuse. The idea was simple: we'd lure him in, but not so much that he would suspect a trap. Once he was where we wanted him, we'd cast a pre-loaded barrier spell and then we'd launch an all-out assault, aiming to kill him as fast as possible before he could do anything and to reduce any damage he would do to one of us. No nonsense or talking."
"Since you're saying all this, I assume he actually arrived and tried to sneak around? And if that was the idea, I'm guessing it didn't exactly work out so well, did it? Or at least, it didn't go exactly like you thought it would."
"Yeah. I underestimated how cautious and skeptical he would be about certain things. I should've put more resistance instead of letting him roam a bit too freely. When he arrived where we were hidden, he stayed still and looked around. I could immediately tell that he knew something was wrong."
"Hmm. You attacked right at that moment, right? That's what I would do. The more you let him be wary, the more prepared he will be, and the effect of your element of surprise will be reduced."
"Yes, that's what I did. He may not have been in our primary zone, but I made back-up plans for moments like this."
"Is that how you two actually fight? I know planning is important, but I thought you would directly confront the danger. Not very 'knight-like'. Also, this drink is very good. I thought it would be a lot stronger after hearing the description. And this is with resistance turned as low as it can," Lumionus chimed in after hearing me and Hianta talk. Wait until she starts drinking more of those. They sneak up on you very fast. She might actually get drunk for once instead of instantly blacking out like she did that one time when she drank a glass of pure corn liquor as if it were a shot.
"Maybe not, but it's a life-or-death battle. If you're not 'fighting dirty', then you're doing it wrong. You think the soldiers that are fighting on the frontlines care about those things? No, they care about winning and making sure they live, no matter what they have to do. They'll do whatever to give them an advantage." I would try to use an example from history, but Luminous wouldn't get it. But Hinata would. Should I tell her about Canada and what the Canadians would do during both world wars? Nah.
"Well, when you put it like that, it makes sense." Luminous said as she took another big sip of her Grateful Dead. "I'm going to order more of this. It's really good." Should I warn her? Nah. She's an adult and can make her own decisions.
"So, Hinata, to spare all the details, just tell me what happened. Did you and your saints manage to kill Laplace?" I wanted to get to the root of this. It matters not to me how she achieves my orders, just as long as she does them and accomplishes them.
Hinata looked me in the eyes after hearing my question. Luminous was also curious. "Yes."
One simple word, but with it, carried a lot of weight and implications. She said it before taking a sip of her own drink. It seems it was…easy, or perhaps even trivial for her. Makes sense since Laplace tucked tail and ran immediately after seeing Hinata and was scared of fighting her, from what I remember from the anime. Now, imagine him fighting not only Hinata, but also all of the saints in a surprise attack. Don't feel bad for him.
"Good job, Hinata. Now, I guess it's time to focus on the one who sent him there. This concerns you too, Luminous. They tried to take the Ark and the spirit that's inside of there." This might be a bombshell to Hinata.
"You even know about the spirit inside of there? Does that mean you know about the…" She was going to say something, but when she glanced at Hinata, she stopped. I know why.
"Listen, I'll get to the point. The one who sent Laplace was Yuuki. Yes, the guy who's the leader of the Free Guild and an underground criminal organization." I said what I said. I'm not going to go through a bunch of loops. I really want to get rid of as many dangers as possible, so Shuna and I can, uh, you know, do stuff. Not like, in bed, but like, things that result from doing stuff in bed. Wow, and I just said I say stuff like it is without beating around the bush.
"Hold on. Yuuki? You're being serious? You're not lying are you?"
"Nope, I'm not lying. I'm talking about Yuuki. The same Yuuki who was a student of Shizue along with you before you left. And I don't mean that in a bad way about you leaving."
"This. Give me a moment to think." She didn't look like I just gave her some kind of revelation. She really just seemed to be thinking and going through some rational thought. I will need to provide some kind of evidence, though.
"So is the Free Guild just a front for Yuuki? Are they all involved?"
"No. It's just him. The Free Guild is good, it's mostly just him using the resources it gives him to do his more shady things. Well, it's him as well as Kazalim, Footman, and Tear. They're all that's left. The main parts, at least. There are others, but they have more connection with the Eastern Empire than Yuuki. Connected, but different goals."
"Kazalim? You said Kazalim? How is he still alive?" Luminous said, in slight surprise, but with more curiosity.
"'He' is now a 'she'. To make it short, astral body and homunculus. She's allied with Yuuki right now."
"Leon didn't finish the job then." I swear I could've heard a chuckle of sorts. Are those Grateful Dead's getting to her?
"Yeah, you have to make sure to destroy the physical, spiritual, and astral body all at once to make sure someone stays dead. It's what I did with Clayman." This should be common sense. You need to kill all the parts of a person to make sure they stay dead.
"Anyway, I'm telling you all this because I want you to take care of Yuuki and his group."
"Why us? Do you have something else to be busy with?"
"Yeah, actually. The Eastern Empire."
"Oh….I see. You can leave it to us, but I want a favor from you."
"Sure. Done." This is worth it. I can have her and Hinata deal with one thing, so I can put my focus on something else. A favor might as well be a cheap price to pay.
Wait. Oh no. I spoke too soon. I could see Luminous get a mischievous smile on her face. I need to do something fast.
"Well, I want to-" I cut her off before she could say anything.
"Here, Luminous, drink from my Long Island Iced Tea. In fact, order as much as you want, it's on me. You too, Hinata." Oh no, the way Luminous is looking at the straw of my drink is weird.
"Huh?" Hinata, whom I knocked out of her thinking, was confused.
I made a hand sign to a waiter to bring us more drinks, a special hand sign to let them know to make it fast.. Since they both already have their residences down, I need to make them drink as much as possible. Enough to the point that they're sober enough to talk, but drunk enough that they don't think to turn their resistances back on.
Immediately, I could see the waiter coming with another set of drinks. A Grateful Dead for Lumimous and a Tokyo Iced Tea for Hinata. Before the waiter left, I told him to keep them coming until I stopped him.
"Well, if you're going to pay for all of this, then I'll gladly drink more." Looks like she doesn't know I own this place. She was drinking fast. Good. I looked at Hinata, and she was also drinking it, but not as fast as Luminous. Alright, everything was going to plan.
/\\//\\//\
(3 hours later.)
I was guiding Luminous and Hinata through the street. It was like every step they took, they were on the verge of falling. They tripped constantly and had a hard time moving in a straight line. It worked. They're so drunk, they're not thinking of just turning their resistances back on, but not drunk enough that their bodies would automatically do it for them.
"Come on, you two. Where are you two staying?" I asked, and in response, Luminous just lifted her hand and pointed in a direction.
"Uh, like, over there or something. I think. Don't ask me." How helpful.
Eventually, through trial and error, but mostly luck, I arrived at the hotel they were staying at. It was the most luxurious one. I entered and asked for a spare key to where they were staying, which was all the way on the top floor in the most luxurious suite. I walked up all the stairs and opened the door. I guided them inside, left them alone, and left. They'll probably just fall asleep immediately.
"Hinata, you look so wonderful today, even better than I can remember." It was Lumionus' voice I heard through the door.
Ok, yeah, I'm leaving now.
/\\//\\//\
(Next day)
"Consider the favor you owe me paid, Artoria," Luminous spoke to me in a radiant smile. You could see her with a shining glow around her, literally and figuratively. I looked at Hinata behind her, who was holding some fingers to her head while she looked down, but I could see a faint blush on her face.
This has to be the fastest favor repaid ever. I have to thank Hinata for taking one for the team.
"Yeah, no problem, Luminous." What do I even say?
"We'll be leaving now."
"Wait, hold on. Hinata, come here." I stopped them. I think I can help out Hinata. Give her a boost to help her fight.
"Uh, what is it?" A faint smile made its way to my face at her question. I'm a divine spirit. I definitely count as a light spirit and have abilities that are inherent to spirits. That is to say, I can do something special for humans. This is something that should be very easy for me.
I held Hinata's shoulders as I looked her in the eyes. She also looked back at me. "Do you want to be a hero?"