Lorenzo Cain

Wally and his group headed back on foot to the Association. It took about 3 full days to get back with much trekking through different lands and camping at night. Wally had not slept at all, yet seemed as energetic as an otter.

Naoki and Souta watched as people admired their simple chaplets. Nothing was worth noting except for the chaplet that the young boy and girl found in the water to begin with, however they both knew that if anyone found something rare or legendary, then they would be a fool to show it in front of all these people. Although, Naoki still wondered why a fake chaplet was put down there.

When they made it back to the doors of the large castle, Wally gave a big speech thanking them for coming along before heading inside. They entered and headed to a large room that housed everyone from all the different groups.

Wally’s group was the last one there by half a day. Most had been waiting for a long time. Some complained, but others did not care.

Iki walked out from the railing above them and spoke down upon the 300 people that hovered inside.

Iki: “Congratulations! Congratulations! I am sure that these journeys for you all were tough and for some it may have been easy, but we all made it back in one piece.”

Some men and women from Wally’s group yelled out at him saying that 2 people had died and everyone became frustrated. Many people gasped, not knowing of this, which started to cause some turmoil and distrust towards Wally. People wanted to know who died and how it happened.

Iki: “Please allow me to explain. Please quiet down…Yes, for those of you that doubt those in the room yelling this statement, it is true. 2 people have died of the 300 here. An unknown entity attacked them when they wandered off to a dangerous place. My subordinate Wally could not get to them quick enough. I am truly sorry. Forgive us if you can find it in your hearts. However! Know this…I personally went and killed this creature. I tracked him down and made him suffer before cutting off his head!”

The crowd cheered along with the members of the Association wearing all white that clapped. Natsuki, Yahiko, and Wally leaned against the back wall away from everyone as Iki continued to motivate these people.

Natsuki: “What really happened over there, Wally? None of what the young master just said was true.”

Wally: “Two of the men died. That’s it. I wasn’t strong enough and they died in front of my eyes. The young master doesn’t want everyone panicking that a Great Swordsman couldn’t kill a stupid monster.”

Yahiko: “There wasn’t supposed to be much danger in any of these places. Zara’s Valley has basically been turned into a place for gambling and old men drinking booze. Although, some people found some decent chaplets. Of course, I took the only legendary one there. So, what’s the deal? How could you not kill a simple monster?”

Wally: “It wasn’t just a monster. I don’t know what it was. It had the face of a skeleton and was covered in tree roots and bones that it could easily control. It even mimicked my ability once.”

Yahiko: “Mimicking abilities? So it had the legendary Nightshape Chaplet?”

Wally: “No, it didn’t. That’s the problem. The thing didn’t carry any chaplets. He didn’t break any chaplets in front of me. It was simply his strength and will. We’ll discuss it later. The young master already has told me that he wants a meeting with all of us about it.”

Natsuki: “Maybe he had not been given any love. What a shame.”

Sophia: “You boys doing your jobs correctly? Me and Peony would hate to show you all up in front of Iki.”

Yahiko: “Hehehe. Sophia Rina. I didn’t have much time to say hello to you earlier when you showed up late and then just dashed off with your group.”

Sophia: “I wasn’t late. I just can hide my presence better than any of you fools.”

Peony: “I agree. Sophia is the best!”

Sophia: “What’s with this stupid event anyways? Why did Iki call me and Peony this year? Why didn’t you just do it Natsuki?”

Natsuki: “I did not want to do it.”

Sophia: “Huh? You stupid bastard, always preaching about loving others. You didn’t do it because you didn’t want to? How ridiculous.”

Natsuki: “In order to love others, you must love yourself.”

Sophia: “You make no sense. Good to see you all though. I heard this wasn’t the most eventful hunt this year, but some of my people made out like bandits. One person found 4 rare chaplets all by herself in my group. I didn’t care about all of your stupid political stunts. I didn’t pull any chaplets that I found. Those are for the people, not for you all to hog every single chaplet in the world. There is already a rumor going around that the Association has 58 of the 59 Wight Chaplets.”

Yahiko: “That chaplet is for weak people. Turning yourself into a ghost for a minute just to escape fights or dangerous situations. It shouldn’t exist. It’s basically cheating being invincible for a minute straight, but not being able to fight either.”

Sophia: “So you admit to holding all but 1 of these?”

Yahiko: “And what if we do? Would it make a difference? It’s good to see you, Sophia Rina and Peony Star, but we have a methodical way of doing things around here in order to protect people. Just because it doesn’t seem justified, doesn’t mean that it isn’t. But if you really want to know, that rumor is false.”

Before Sophia could argue further, Iki had finished with his speech and everyone began to party with as much food and drinks laid out for five times the amount of people there. People sang and danced to their heart’s content.

While the members of the Association watched over them, Iki stared down at the 5 of them as if telling them to meet with him this instant.

Sophia: “Well shit, looks like someone is mad.”

They all headed off upstairs to the conference room where Iki was sitting in a chair with his fingers pressed against each other in front of his face. He looked like he had calmed down, but when they sat down, he screamed specifically at Wally.

Iki: “What the hell is wrong with you?! How do I put one of my best swordsmen on this mission and 2 people still end up dead?! Do you know who those men are tied to? No, I bet you don’t. They are Lorenzo Cain’s sons. When he finds out about this, there is going to be some blood splattered! What the hell actually happened?! I don’t want to hear some bullshit!”

Wally: “Yes, young master. I apologize for my actions, but what I told you before was the truth. Allow me to explain it to you further though.”

Wally explained what had happened in specific details to everyone. Iki’s anger calmed down knowing the truth, but still did not know how to handle Lorenzo Cain. He was a money man, a big boss, a leader. He controlled half the world’s financial industry and left the Association alone because of their work to help others.

On the other side of the world, swordsmanship was not as prevalent, but it still existed. And for those that did practice, Lorenzo controlled all of them and created a world of his own through fear and merit. People respected and feared him, which was the best of both worlds for him. His men numbered in the thousands, but many rumors stirred throughout the years of secret powers that he contained.

Iki: “Although Lorezno Cain likes to help people and appreciates the work we do, he is a money man at heart. He likes that life of solitude, but steps up to the plate to do his job. Think of this world as three different sections like a circle. Lorenzo Cain controls the top half of the circle, while we take care of a small fraction of towns and cities in our 40% even though we don’t control all of that. We probably have about 20% responsibility. The Lands of Toff, the Infinite Library, and Deceased Paradise along with some other small factions that are beyond us. The other 20% is the Dark Mold.”

Yahiko: “Young master, if I may intervene. There are no records of anyone entering or coming out of the Dark Mold. It is simply an empty space of mana where nothing exists. What does that have to do with anything?”

Iki: “I’m just explaining to everyone here how much land we control. Be quiet for one second and let me finish speaking…We trade a lot with Lorzeno Cain so that he doesn’t come over here and try to start a war. I don’t know what type of strength he has, but let’s say did win, we still wouldn’t have enough manpower to overrun that city. We would be killing innocent people for no reason and he knows this. He doesn’t care about the 20% that we have anymore because his only children just died in our presence. Do you understand now?!”

Yahiko: “Hmm, I do think some of that conversation got diverted, but I understand.”

Wally: “I apologize once again young master. Not only did I not protect them, but I did not know who they were.”

Natsuki: “No, no. Sit down Wally. It is not your fault. I know you try to love everyone as much as I do. You were beaten by someone stronger. That is all it sounds like to me.”

Sophia: “Hang out now Iki. I’ve known you since you were small and even helped raise you. I know you like to throw your little temper tantrums, and I understand that 2 men just died in our care, but don’t go treating this like those two were above anyone else in this world. Everyone is equal. I don’t care if the man carrying the legendary sword Alcion came waltzing right on through here. I taught you to treat everyone equally and so did Masaru.”

Iki: “Don’t you dare mention his name! If all you’re going to do is pester me about treating someone equally, then you can leave now. I’ll pay you for helping out with the hunt, but I really don’t need you in my head about this when half the country is about to wage war on us when he finds out his sons died! I didn’t ask to be in this position, but I am, so forgive me for doing the best I can and failing! I’m going to do what a leader should do and tell him myself. I will die in place of his sons, but if that is not enough for the fool, then I will have to take on thousands of troops by myself and murder innocent people to protect this place. That is my job.”

Yahiko: “Young master, if I may inquire again, what if we make a trade with Kastor for something he wants. I hear he can raise the dead.”

Iki: “Not happening. He’ll take what he wants and just control their souls however he wishes. Think Yahiko. Think for a second before you speak.”

Yahiko: “Yes sir. It was just an option.”

Iki: “Who else has a brilliant plan?”

Natsuki: “Mhm…There is the Exemplet Chaplet. It brings someone back to life, but it cuts their lifespan in half when you revive them.”

Iki: “Where the hell are we going to find that? It’s a legendary chaplet and is only 1 of them in the world. It will take us years to find it and then more years to find it again once we use it. And that’s if we get lucky. That’s not an option.”

Sophia: “Why don’t you sit down and have a proper discussion instead of yelling at every one of your loyal subordinates. Understand the position you’re in and think. Everyone here is trying to help you.”

Iki: “You’re pissing me off, but you’re lucky I respect you and you’re one of the only family I have left.”

Peony: “Oh, he’s gotten scarier since last time Sophia.”

Sophia: “Let me deal with Lorenzo Cain. You have your own duties to attend to here, correct? You also have 3 extremely powerful men right here that are willing to help. He’s going to figure out one way or another that his sons are dead, so I will go over there and tell him. Peony will stay here and also help out with whatever is needed while I make this trip. Yahiko, how long is this going to take me to get there?”

Yahiko: “Approximately 9 days. You have to cross over a lot of wet marshlands to get there, but there should be nothing overwhelmingly powerful out there. It is just a very long journey. I do not believe any of us have been there, otherwise we would’ve saved you the time and used a Yellow Egress Chaplet. Lorenzo insists on meeting halfway always, so we don’t actually know how big the area he controls, but it is estimated pretty high.”

Sophia: “Okay, I’ll be back you dimwits. Save me a spot at this table in 9 days. I’ll use a chaplet to get back here.”