Chapter 4: Interrogation

"And when will they be ready?" Asked a tall man in an expensive outfit with a white beard.

"I believe they will be ready in a month or two your highness," Frinz replied while bowing his head.

The white bearded man was the king of Cheusta, King Fasonru Mutemai.

"Good," said the King. "Finally, after your many years of work you will have something to show."

"Thank you, your highness," Frinz said. "But we have not retrieved the lost specimen."

"That is fine, I'm sure your creations will eat her alive along with all those other peasants."

"I believe so too, but it would be helpful if she were with us."

"Oh well, nothing to fret over. Have you got a name for your creations?"

"Yes sir, I call them… Horroshi"

Kurono was sitting at a wooden desk in the middle of a large room with books and papers spread all over the ground. He was looking at a bunch of maps of Pilbate and studying certain areas.

"May I come in master?" Fujika asked as she slowly opened the door.

"Of course, pick up that scroll on the ground on your way in," Kurono replied.

Fujika looked at the pile of scrolls at her feet trying to decide which one to pick up.

"Umm… Which one master?" she asked

"Oh, um… all of them," Kurono answered. Fujika picked up all the scrolls and took them to her master.

"Is Seili asleep?" Kurono asked.

"Yes master," Fujika replied.

"That's good," Kurono stated. "You know, you don't have to call me master, you didn't when we were kids."

"That was a long time ago master," Fujika recalled.

"I guess you're right. Do you remember when we saved the white rabbit?"

"Yeah, and we called it Lavender."

"I don't know why we called it that, lavenders are purple."

"I guess we were so young we just didn't care."

"Yeah, I guess so. I always cherished those memories; they were some of the only good ones I had growing up."

"I'm sure that's an exaggeration master."

"It isn't, growing up not being allowed outside the mansion walls was harsh, so having you was great, that's why you're my best friend."

"Thank you master."

Kurono continued researching maps of Pilbate with Fujika accompanying him.

"Hey Fujika, I have another request," said Kurono.

"Yes master?" Fujika replied.

"Take off your clothes," Kurono demanded.

Fujika stood there for a second, shocked.

"…EH!?" she exclaimed.

"Sorry, could you please take off your clothes?" Kurono corrected himself.

"Uh… um… okay," Fujika started taking off her clothes like she had been asked.

"Just down to your underwear is enough," Kurono said.

Once Fujika had stripped down to her underwear Kurono got up and inspected her closely. Fujika had her eyes shut tight bracing herself for what might happen next. When he looked at her back, he noticed multiple deep cuts and bruises on it. Kurono then sat back down in his chair.

"You can put your clothes back on now," Kurono said.

"Oh, okay," Fujika stuttered as she quickly gathered her clothes off the floor and got dressed.

"Where did you get the bruises on you back from?" Kurono asked once Fujika had gotten dressed.

"Oh… um, I got those because something fell on my back," Fujika answered.

"I see," said Kurono. "So, you had multiple things fall on your back?"

"Y-yes."

"I see. Fujika?"

"Yes master?"

"Do you really think I'm that naïve?"

"Sorry, master," Fujika looked at the ground, ashamed.

"it's okay, just tell me what really happened."

"I was hit."

"by whom?"

"Your father, master Rovul."

"That bastard," Kurono said under his breath.

"He hits us maids if we are not doing well," Fujika explained.

"Of course, he does," Kurono replied.

"He also has what he calls 'the room'," Fujika mentioned.

"What's that?" Kurono asked.

"If he is very displeased with us, he sends us down there for a week with barely enough food for us to survive. Sometimes he tortures us."

"Have you ever been sent there?"

"Yes, I wasn't tortured though."

"Okay, can you show me the room?"

"Yes master."

"They're not as perfected as I would've liked but if we are to let them out now, they will be a major threat," Frinz said.

"Are you letting them out?" Yami asked.

"Oh no, not at all, I still have experiments I wish to run," Frinz replied.

"Of course, sir."

"Yami tell me this."

"Yes sir?"

"Have you spotted the enemy camp?"

"Yes sir, they have set up on the cliff near the capital, but they have not hidden themselves very well at all."

"Well from what I know we are the only ones who have noticed, or at least the only ones alive to do so."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I have done some research into them and now have information on some of their soldiers, it might come to prove useful." Frinz pointed to a pile of papers on the table. Yami picked up one of the papers and inspected it.

"Sir?"

"Yes Yami?"

"Why does this one mention, under other comments 'unawakened abilities'?"

"Ah yes, because Yami my dear, that particular person is capable of so much more than they know."

"How do you know?"

"I told you, I did my research."

Fujika led Kurono through the halls leading to an old door with a lock on it.

"Is there a hammer or something useful around?" Kurono asked.

"Yes master," Fujika said as she went to retrieve a sledgehammer.

"And a torch, I'm assuming it'll be dark," Kurono requested.

"Yes master," Fujika repeated.

"What's going on?" said a small voice next to Kurono. Kurono looked to see Seili next to him wearing her hood and sucking on the same lollipop as always.

"What are you doing up so late?" Kurono asked.

"You guys were being loud," Seili replied.

"Well, you shouldn't be awake," Kurono said.

"But you're awake," Seili said.

"But I'm older than you."

"Not by much, I am seventeen… I think."

"You think?"

"I can't remember my actual age, remember I said I don't remember anything."

"Then why did you guess you were seventeen?"

"Because someone said I look like I'm seventeen."

"Who have you talked to other than me?"

"People that get kicked out of shops for stealing stuff."

"Oh... Is it just me or are you more talkative than usual?"

"Well, if I talk more, there's a less chance of falling asleep."

"If you're tired go to sleep."

Seili shook her head sassily while licking her lollipop.

"Why not?"

Seili pointed at the door in front of them.

"I'm intrigued," she said.

"Oh, fair enough."

Fujika then came rushing back with a torch and the sledgehammer.

"Here you go master," she said as handed Kurono the heavy sledgehammer. "Hello miss Seili." Fujika bowed towards Seili.

Kurono broke the lock of the door with the sledgehammer then opened the door. Inside was a steep staircase leading into darkness.

"Torch," Kurono demanded as he held out his hand. Fujika hurriedly handed him the burning torch.

The three made their way down the long and dark staircase. Dust covered the steps in front of them. Once they reached the bottom, Kurono looked around the room using the torch in his hand. He noticed that it was an old wine cellar, but there was no wine to be seen. He then looked to the centre of the room and saw a lone chair with a woman in it. The woman would have been a few years older than Kurono, with short brown hair and dressed in a ripped maid's outfit. Kurono strode toward the maid tied tightly in the chair.

"Morning," Kurono said to the maid, Fujika and Seili stayed behind Kurono.

"M-master?" The maid said slowly opening her eyes. "Wait, you're not master."

"No, I'm not," Kurono replied. "I'm his son, what's your name?"

"Kagrimal, what do you want?" the maid asked.

"Information, I crave it."

"Why would I give what you want?"

"Because I'm your master's son which, if you ask me, means I'm superior to you."

"Being his son doesn't mean shit! In fact, master specifically told us not to answer to you or his wife."

"Of course."

Kagrimal looked at Fujika standing behind Kurono, she leaned over to see her properly.

"I see you disobeyed master's orders, YOU BITCH!" Kagrimal then spat at Fujika, landing at her feet.

"Hey!" Kurono grabbed Kagrimal's face and made her look at him eye to eye. "This is between me and you, no one else. Now tell me why you're down here."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because that would be disobeying master's orders."

"You're going to tell me."

"I would never."

"What are the bottles in the kitchen for?"

"Which bottles, there are a lot in there?"

"The ones from Dr. Frinz!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"No matter how much you interrogate me I won't say anything."

"I can wait here all day and interrogate you."

"No, you can't, master will be back in the morning. When he finds you, he will kill you without hesitation."

An idea then sprang into Kurono's head, an idea on how to get information.

"Are you sure, I would be able to beat father in a duel," Kurono claimed.

"No, you couldn't," Kagrimal replied.

"Oh yeah? What have you got to prove that he would beat me?"

"Master is the commander of his own faction for the northern army, you're probably just some lowly runt."

"How am I to know it's even a good quality faction? Their all probably just a bunch of shitty half assed pussies."

"They're not, he leads the elimination faction, they eliminate other factions in the southern army."

"I still don't believe they're good."

"He is coming back from a battle with the naval faction of the southern army, I am positive that they have won."

"What makes you think that?"

"His weapon."

"I bet it's nothing."

"It's not!"

"What is it then?"

"An axe that can split in two and swing from a chain."

"Doesn't sound impressive."

"It is!"

"Ha… ha ha ha! You're so gullible!"

"Eh?" Kagrimal exclaimed.

"All I had to do was attack your master and you would give me information by desperately trying to protect his pride," Kurono explained. "I best be off before father gets home, goodbye." Kurono and the others walked out of the room, leaving the maid who was swearing and thrashing violently in her chair.

"Alright Seili, grab your things, we have to get going," Kurono said, Seili nodded and walked directly towards the kitchen. "You grab your things as well, Fujika, but pack light."

"What?" Fujika questioned.

"You're coming with us," Kurono explained. "So, grab your things and let's get going."

"I'm sorry, I can't master," Fujika answered.

"Why not?" Kurono asked.

"If I did that, I would be betraying my duties, and I would be punished," Fujika answered. Kurono put his hands on Fujika's shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Fujika come with us. I will protect you, also, you have already betrayed your duties by helping me and by the time they find out you will be punished anyway. So come with me, you'll be better off that way."

Tears began rolling down Fujika's cheek, maddening her every second that they flowed uncontrollably, hoping Kurono would not take it the wrong way.

"Okay," she replied with great effort trying to compose herself as best as possible.

Seili walked back into the room holding a paper bag full of lollipops she got from the kitchen.

"I said grab your things, not the kitchen's," Kurono said looking at Seili.

"I didn't bring anything," Seili replied.

Kurono then walked to the kitchen and grabbed one of the bottles he had found before and made his way back out to the front door.

"Alright, let's go," he said.

"I say the three of us split up and look for him," Takoda suggested as he and his two search party members walked through the streets of Pilbate in the dead of the night. "It'll be quicker."

"Okay," the other two soldiers agreed. The three soldiers went their separate ways.

As Takoda began searching the southern parts of Pilbate he began thinking. Kurono, please come back to us soon, we need you to win this war, I need you.

"Do you think he could be staying at an inn?" Kadri asked.

"It's possible," Nozomi answered. "Or, knowing the way he is, at a tavern."

"Does he drink a lot?" Kadri asked.

"No, it was just a joke, sorry, I don't have a great sense of humour," said Nozomi.

"Oh," Kadri replied.

"But it will still be worth searching the local inn's and taverns," Nozomi said.

Kurono, Fujika and Seili had made it to Pilbate by sunrise and began walking through the streets, Kurono pulled out a map he had brought along.

"What's that for master?" Fujika asked.

"I marked all the places I believe could be a possible entrance to a lab on this map," Kurono explained.

"Is that what we're looking for master? A lab?" Fujika asked.

"Indeed," Kurono replied.

"Fujika, why do you keep calling Kurono your master?" Seili asked.

"Because he's my master and I'm his maid," Fujika replied.

"No, we're not," Kurono butted in. "We are equals; we are best friends."

"Sorry master," Fujika apologised.

"Can you please stop calling me master?" Kurono requested.

"Of course, master," Fujika replied with a big smile on her face. Kurono slapped his forehead in disappointment.

Kurono, Fujika and Seili walked through multiple buildings, inns and taverns looking for a secret entrance or something that could lead to a laboratory until eventually they reached a tavern that seemed a little more than promising to the eye.

"We aren't open yet," said a large bald bartender as Kurono and the others walked into the bar.

"Why was the door open then?" Kurono asked.

"Because it was," replied the bartender. Kurono walked up to the bar and instantly spotted a hatch.

"What's in the hatch?" Kurono asked.

"Nunnya business," The bartender replied.

"Oh, very funny!"

"Don't like my humour boy?"

"Tell me what's down there!"

"Where ya from?"

"The Southern army."

"The Southern army, eh?" The bartender walked over to the front door of the tavern and locked the door, then he grabbed a spikey mace that was resting next to the door and charged at Kurono, swinging madly as he went.

"I'M GOING TO HAVE TO KILL YOU THEN!" the bartender screamed as he sprinted towards Kurono. Kurono quickly dodged the spikey mace and let it slam into the bar behind him smashing the wood. Kurono the unsheathed his sword and sliced the bartenders back, enough to send a squirt of blood flying in the air. The bartender swung his mace at Kurono's ankles, but Kurono simply jumped out of the way. The bartender kicked Kurono to the ground and swung the mace at Kurono's head, but the bartender lost his balance on the uneven stone floor and the mace and tore off a small chunky piece of flesh from Kurono's earlobe. Kurono screamed out in pain. The bartender then regained his balance and took the opportunity to punch Kurono in the jaw and swing the mace at him once again. Kurono was able to quickly recover from the punch and duck out of the way of the mace. Kurono then swept the bartender's legs causing to fall to the ground. Kurono was about to stab the bartender but was hit in the leg by the mace. Kurono screamed in pain again and had a broken left leg. The bartender got back up off the ground and was regaining his balance and preparing for another hit when a dagger was sent flying through the air, cutting off a singular strand of Kurono's hair and it slammed into the bartender's centre of mass. Fujika threw that dagger with all her precision she could muster, taking it from a strap she had on her thigh.

"Don't worry master, I will hold him off," she said as she pulled a second dagger from the strap on her thigh. She ducked the incoming mace then quickly got back up and sliced the bartender's arm. Blood spurted out of the arm; Fujika then stabbed the bartender in the stomach causing him to stumble backwards. Kurono then took the opening and stumbled over to the bartender, he swung Mazqatal and sliced the bartenders scalp, slicing through a thick 5 inches of his brain, pressing the button on the handle's side to retract the blade from the position that it was lodged in. Kurono then cleaned the blade of the mans blood, using the bartenders tee-shirt, and pressed the button on the side of the handle once again.

"Are you okay master?" Fujika asked as she ran towards Kurono.

"Yeah, just a bit of ear missing, a broken leg and I do believe I got a fresh haircut as well," Kurono reported.

A green light then filled the room, the light was coming from Seili's hands. She healed Kurono with healing magic. Although the spot where Kurono received the blow to his left earlobe, it was slightly misshapen when it was healed.

"I didn't know you could do healing magic Seili," Kurono said.

"I am self-taught," Seili explained.

"How?" Kurono asked.

"I stole a book from a library," Seili said.

"Of course, you did," Kurono replied. "Oh well, let's go down." Kurono, Fujika and Seili went down the hatch they had found.