Chapter 90: Show of Good Faith

"I still can't figure it out...unlike the previous times I tranformed, except for the very first time, I don't remember anything from this time, so I don't even know where to start. I pretty much have to figure it out entirely from scratch" Sighed Raven, as he tried to form a nozzle from his elbow, the scales around that spot shifting slightly, but not much else.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually. Nothing to do but keep working at it," Replied Ravella with a shrug.

A week had passed since Raven regained consciousness following the battle against the Undead King and his forces, and The Irregulars hadn't really been doing much of anything since then, deciding to take a break and mentally recover before considering their next move.

Because of that, they were quite unaware of the changes taking place in the nation, led by the new Queen and those who supported her. But, naturally, it would only be a matter of time before they found out.

It was currently the middle of the day, and the twins were hanging out in the hideout's living room, lounging about with some snacks to munch on.

"I guess you're right. Those new abilities sound really useful...extending my arms out, manifesting new eyes, growing tentacles...yeah, if I can figure out how to use those abilities, I'll be able to fight a lot more effectively," Remarked Raven, looking encouraged as he lifted up a cup of fruit juice and took a dip.

"I mean, you're already pretty powerful, so I don't think there's any reason to rush. But then, if I were in your shoes, I'd probably feel impatient and want to figure it out as quickly as possible. On another note...did something happen between you and Celia?" She inquired curiously, before staring in bemusement as Raven choked on his drink, sputtering and coughing sharply.

"H-huh? What...what do you mean?" He stuttered in response, his face turning red.

"Wow, could he be any more obvious?" Ravella thought to herself in amusement, before adding, "Well, you two have been super awkward around each other this whole week, I've noticed that you're avoiding each other, which is strange, considering how close you usually are."

"I-I, uh...I have no idea what you're talking about," Shrugged Raven as he tried to play it cool, before averting his gaze as his sister narrowed her eyes at him.

Of course, he knew exactly what she was talking about. After Celia kissed him, he couldn't even bring himself to meet her gaze for more than a second or two, let alone properly talk to her.

But that went both ways, she couldn't maintain her composure around him either, she'd get all flustered and fidgety whenever their eyes met. In other words, neither of them could muster up the courage and take the initiative, leaving things stuck in a stalemate.

"Come on, I'm not stupid, bro...it's super obvious that you're playing dumb. I figured I'd have a better shot at getting answers out of Celia, but she turned into a blubbering, blushing mess when I asked her about it, so yeah, here I am. Just tell me what happened...you never know, I might be able to help," She pointed out, though her main reason for asking was to sate her own curiosity.

"I-...okay, fine. After I woke up a week ago, she, um...she kissed me," He admitted quietly, his face turning red as he recalled the memory.

"Huh? Hey, that's great! I'm happy for you, bro!" She grinned as she ruffled his hair, before adding, "Alright, not to worry, I'll give you some advice!"

"Huh? How are you going to do that? You have zero romantic experience, and even worse, you're currently in the middle of a one-sided, unrequited love with Aster," He pointed out.

"Wh-wha...!? H-hey, you don't know that for sure!" She shot back with an indignant pout, before huffing and adding saltily, "Hmph, since Celia kissed you right after you woke up following a three day snooze, your breath was probably ass! Yeah, I bet that's why she's avoiding you!"

"O-oh, shit...I-I didn't even think of that, you might be right...," Muttered Raven, his face turning pale.

"N-no, wait, I really don't think that's the case, I was just trying to get back at you, that's all!" She quickly backtracked, feeling bad, before sighing and adding as he calmed down, "Here's my advice, for real...just talk to her. It's been a week since she kissed you and you two have barely spoken a word to each other, she might be feeling like she was too bold and freaked you out or something, and the longer you go without talking to each other, the more she's going to overthink it. So, just have an honest conversation with her and say everything that's on your mind, that's the best way to resolve this. Hm...or maybe give her a taste of her own medicine, take her by surprise and kiss her."

"Huh...yeah, that could work. It's kinda embarrassing to think about, but it might be easier than talking, that feels like it'd be more embarrassing somehow. Alright, then...thanks for the advice, sis, I'll give her a taste of her own medicine and kiss her!" Declared Raven with a determined look on his face.

"Uh...I was kinda half-joking about that," Responded Ravella in bemusement, looking taken-aback.

Meanwhile, a short distance away from the hideout...

"I think that should be enough," Remarked Lexia with a sigh, stretching her arms up as Colt put a pair of birds they'd shot down into his Storage Ring.

"Yeah, there wouldn't be much point in hunting for any more food, we don't have enough space to store more than this. Alright, let's head back and-...," Began Colt, before trailing off as a rustling echoed out from the bushes.

The pair put their guards up and turned in the direction the sound came from, right as several figures emerged from the shrubbery, their eyes widening in alarm.

"Shit, the Inquisitors! And the Knights too!" Exclaimed Lexia, extending out a pair of bone daggers.

"I don't know how you found us, but get ready to be torn apart and-...," Colt started to say as he extended out several blood tendrils.

"W-wait! We're not h-here to fight!" One of the Knights spoke up as she stepped forward.

"Hm? I know you, you're Kia Werfer, of the Second Squad, aren't you?" Responded Lexia warily.

"Y-yeah, I am...w-we're just here to talk, that's all. J-just wait a sec," She stuttered, before glancing at one of the other Knights, who nodded before disappearing.

"A Teleporter? The hell are you upto?" Frowned Colt, as he manifested his dagger out of his Storage Ring.

"I-I'm not upto a-anything, I swear!" Kia shook her head frantically.

"How the fuck did you find us, anyway?" Inquired Lexia, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"W-we've been combing through every p-possible location, searching for you...e-everyone here is a Detection Mage, e-except for the Teleporter," She answered, right as the Teleporter returned, along with Jules.

"I have to admit, I thought it'd take a lot longer to find you, what a stroke of good luck," Remarked Jules, stepping forward and adding, "You two seem on edge, understandably so...but we aren't here to fight, all I ask is that you here me out."

"Yeah, like we'd believe that...we're the most wanted criminals in the nation, we aren't stupid enough to take you at your word," Scoffed Lexia, as she subtly turned the dial on her Storage Ring, getting ready to take out a Teleport Spell.

"If we wanted to eliminate or apprehend you, do you really think that we'd only employ such a small force? Of the Knights here, besides me, there's no one above the rank of Second-Class. I've seen firsthand how powerful you and your comrades are, it would be foolish to come here without any other high ranked Knights. I have something critically important to discuss, you're going to want to hear this. The others should be here too...we'll wait here, while you head back to your hideout and bring the other members of your group here," Remarked Jules, holding her arms up to indicate that she had no hostility.

"We still don't know for sure that this isn't some elaborate trap, so I'm afraid we're going to have to decl-...," Began Lexia suspiciously.

"Alright, then. Here's a show of good faith," Replied Jules, bringing out her sword from her Storage Ring and tossing it towards them.

Colt caught the blade in surprise, before exchanging a glance with Lexia.

"Okay, maybe she is being honest...handing us her Relic Armament as a show of good faith is no small gesture," He pointed out.

"I suppose so...alright, then, let's head back and run it by the others," Replied Lexia hesitantly, before adding as she glanced at Jules, "Fair warning, there's a chance you don't get this back."

"If it comes to that, I'll spare no effort in fighting to get it back," She responded with a smile, before the pair vanished from sight as Lexia linked up with Colt and activated the Teleport Spell...