Laziness Results In A Price

Raven: “The stupid boy is wrapped right around my finger. Did you get to his father, Nyxara?”

Nyxara: “No. I couldn’t even get close to the castle even though they know me. Although I heard a bit of what he was discussing through the eyes of my owl perched at his window. According to what Seraphelle told us, he has 3 people that are similar to the Great Swordsmen in strength, but they are supposedly always out on missions.”

Raven: “No, I doubt that. He’s not going to leave himself defenseless. I don’t think he’s that strong even with the chaplets that he has so far.”

Nyxara was a smaller girl with orange eyes that was familiar with Jotaro as she was the servant that was tasked with finding a witch to help with this mission. She was dressed in a maid outfit as per Jotaro’s commands, but she was highly trusted even amongst the rest of the servants. Although she looked like a child, she was more cunning than an adult. What Jotaro did not know was that she was a witch of a high level and had been plotting against him and the entire kingdom for years. Once she heard about the plan to get all 70 chaplets, then she knew she had to make a move.

Raven: That’s fine. We need to keep an eye on who’s doing what.”

Nyxara: “We need to keep an eye on Henry. He’s stronger than everyone in this city, but I know that his father sent him away to gather chaplets. I only caught the end of the conversation, but I think I know where he is hiding the rest. For now, I’ll keep an eye out and keep Jotaro company.”

Raven: “I have to leave the city. If he sees me here, then he will question why I’m not out getting chaplets. Or worse, he’ll try to get me in bed. That filthy freak. I’ll contact you in a couple weeks. Take this Tone Chaplet. It’s one of the few chaplets that you don’t have to break to use. Just tap on it to activate it and it will ring me if there is an emergency. Take this Rose Chaplet too. Throw it on the ground and a cage will protect you in case that freak does anything. See ya soon cutie. Stay out of trouble.”

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???: “Sir! Excuse my rudeness, but there is something urgent to report.”

Iki: “What is it, Ruka? I was discussing something important with my subordinates here.”

Ruka: “Over 300 people were killed at the town of Crown Red. People are blaming the Association for allowing this to happen.”

Iki: “Crown Red? Yahiko, we don’t control that area, do we? And where the hell is Johan who is supposed to be telling me this information?”

Yahiko: “We do sir. We had just signed the agreement a couple weeks before you were put in as the leader. You may have not seen it in the records. Shall I inform you on what that town entails?”

Iki: “Crap. Screw off, Ruka. I’ll take care of it. Leave my sight.”

Ruka: “Yes, sir.”

Iki: “Alright, we’ll talk about this animal problem later and then someone remind me that the scavenger starts tomorrow. This job is such a pain. I wasn’t chosen for my strength nor my intelligence, so why the hell was I picked?”

Wally: “I humbly disagree, young master. You are both strong and smart. Do not underestimate yourself.”

Iki: “Alright, umm…Yahiko, you’ve been there. Come with me. Wally, can you double check the amount of people at each location tomorrow for this chaplet hunt, and Natsuki, can you go check on Treetops Hillside. There were a lot of people there these past couple days and there were complaints of a mysterious power. I’m gonna guess it’s because of those stupid brothers. They are Great Swordsmen after all, but I want to freaking kill Yasuhiro. They can handle things themselves I’m sure, but they don’t like to cooperate or tell anyone what’s going on, so go check that out please. Let’s go, Yahiko.”

All: “Yes, young master.”

Iki raised a Yellow Egress Chaplet in the air and brought Yahiko with to the small town of Crown Red. They arrived at the entrance to see many people in clown makeup crying their eyes out and digging graves for the dead. Most people’s makeup started to come off from the tears of water, but others did not care and just went on about their day.

Yahiko and Iki entered the arena-like stadium where the many people were killed. More people were crying in the stands and a majority of dead bodies still lay everywhere.

Yahiko: “Wow, quite a site, huh?”

Iki: “What can you make of this? See anything that would explain who and why they did this?”

Yahiko: “Let me see…”

Yahiko walked to the middle and stuck his sword in the ground before he spoke again. His sword was a black and red jagged edged piece of hardened steel. Low red mana glowed around the outside of the entire object.

Yahiko: “Paralysis Analysis.”

Red lines extended everywhere on the ground all the way throughout the stands to each and every body until the entire stadium was glowing red. He closed his eyes for a good minute while the others in the stands ran, afraid of what these people might do next, and Iki just sat there and watched.

Iki: “Well? What happened?”

Yahiko: “I got lucky. Their memories were almost completely gone. If we had waited another 10 minutes, then I would have had nothing. You should thank Ruka when we get back, young master.”

Iki: “Yeah, I will. This job is going to be the death of me and it’s not even going to be from a stronger enemy. The stress of everyone is already enough to put me in my grave at such a young age.”

Yahiko: “Comes with being a valued leader and a mature child, young master. Anyways, there were two things that were notable. First is that there were three different groups that came in here all within a day of each other. An infamous brother and sister is one of them that you probably know of. A young girl, boy, and two older men in their 20’s. However, neither of them were in this stadium when this happened. A man with a scar over his eye, a black cape, and a scythe on his back. He was accompanying a young child and a red floating orb hovered next to them.”

Iki: “Great. Agatha and Akari, a random group, and then that stupid man that was defending that boy. What is he doing all the way out here? Helping another child? What is he, The Protector of Children? He did this, didn't he? Maybe I’ll kill him next.”

Yahiko: “Please allow me to finish, young master. It seemed as if he was not the individual that did this. In fact, he escaped from the person that created this obscene occurrence. A gloomy man with dark blonde hair created this mess. I am not sure who he is, but the sword that he was holding looked extremely dangerous. I have never seen it before.”

Iki: “There are a lot of swords that we have not seen. Are you sure you haven’t seen it in any books? Nothing from the Infinite Library that you asked for?”

Yahiko: “No, young master. I did not ask about that either. I am positive that I have never seen this sword. I have a very good memory if I may boast for a moment. I remember every sword that I have seen, but I have never seen this sword or this man. It seems that the vision blanks out after this, hence the dead surrounding us.”

Iki: “You have the image of the man with the cape? Hold on. I remember his name. It’s…A-Astro. Take the Yellow Egress Chaplet and take us to him.”

Yahiko took the Chaplet from Iki and teleported them away. Besides his strength, he was also extremely smart and his powers proved that as a Great Swordsman. They quickly appeared with their swords aimed at Astro’s throat in the middle of a stone road. Astro’s intuition had kicked in as well and his scythe was aimed in front of both of them.

Welpen: “Hey! Who are you?! Leave him alone!”

Welpen pulled his sword with two hands on the handle, not really in a threatening way. He knew this, but felt like he needed to back up Astro the best he could even though his relationship with Astro was rocky as of late.

Astro: “The hell do you people want? You have 5 seconds to get out of my face before I slice you both in two.”

Astro had already switched into his powerful form. He was ready at any moment to fight with a half skeletal face.

Iki: “Nice to meet you again. If I recall, you didn’t think highly of me last time. Did I hurt your feelings trying to kill your buddy? Did he die? I see a new child here.”

Astro: “Yeah? How did it feel getting bullied by stronger foes? If I recall, you were the weakest out of everyone there.”

Iki: “Ha. What a weak insult. You’re no challenge at all, but even if you think you were, I’m sure you have heard of the man with the other sword aimed right at your throat right now. Now, you’re going to answer a few questions for us.”

Iki’s gold mana lines lit up bright alongside Yahiko’s red mana lines. The mana was pouring out of their bodies and glowing 5 times as bright as Astro’s dark purple mana lines. Welpen’s were barely covering half his face. He was exhausted on this trip and still didn’t have full control of his mana or his sword that Lihard had gratefully gifted him.

Iki: “I doubt you’re strong enough to kill all those people at Crown Red, but you’re going to look me in the eyes and tell me that you didn’t do it.”

Astro: “And if I don’t answer?”

Iki: “Then you can say goodbye to the pitiful life you and this young lad here have had.”

Astro: “Not very leader like of you.”

The three of their facial expressions became more serious than ever. Astro peeked out of the corner of eyes at Welpen and decided to answer Iki’s question knowing what would happen to this boy. Astro never liked the Association. He always thought it was full of people who tried to control things they couldn’t and right now was a perfect example of this.

Yahiko’s chaplet confirmed that he was telling the truth. Iki once again asked if he knew anything else about what happened, as Astro explained what they saw and nothing more.

Yahiko: “Young master. He is telling the truth, but it is nothing more than what I saw as well.”

Iki: “No. That’s fine. This is perfect. Whoever this is, he’s related to the animals that have been traveling west.”

Yahiko: “Are you sure, sir?”

Iki: “Yeah. I’m positive. The good thing is I already have men tracking this situation. When this scavenger hunt is done, then we’ll continue that conversation…Astro, you may continue on your journey to wherever you are headed.”

Astro: “Screw off. You owe me for this and you owe me for last time.”

Iki: “No, I don’t owe you a thing, although my reputation of my generosity precedes me. Ask one thing of me and that is it. If I can do it, then I will. I will honor the truth that you gave us, but let me tell you this. This is a one time thing and will never happen again. I just want you out of my sight. That’s fair, isn’t it? I think I’m being pretty nice right now.”

Astro: “Fine with me. If you were able to get to us, then you will be able to get to the girl we need to find. Her name is Isara. She should’ve passed by that town.”

Yahiko: “Ah yes. The young girl with the group that I saw in the vision. That was her name.”

Welpen: “Yes! That’s her! Where is she?!”

Iki: “Yell at him again and I won’t help you at all. Do spread the good word of the Association's generosity, will you?”

Yahiko: “It’s okay, young master. I can take them to the girl and I will be right back. Everyone hold on to my arm…Oh? Ezra, the Spirit Realm Ruler. A pleasure to meet you.”

Ezra: “Likewise.”

Yahiko used the Yellow Egress Chaplet to bring the 3 of them to the Isara and her group who were fighting in the middle of nowhere against a group of bandits that wore bandanas and neck gaiters. There were about 25 of them that circled around them. Yahiko left them to deal with the situation, and Astro immediately knocked them all unconscious in a few seconds while Welpen spotted the very person that he had been searching for this entire time. His goal finally came true.