PLOT
"So, where is this Academy?" Kojo asked as he and the girls and Rey walked through town.
"And how is the Capitol like, anyway?"
"You've never been there?" Lin asked.
"Nope," Kojo replied.
"Me and my brother schooled there for five years. Aside from that, since we are part of the royal house of Listowell, we go there frequently for banquets and other gatherings," Adriana said.
"It's a real pain. To just stand all evening and smile around people who are only interested in what they can profit off you," Reynolds said with a sigh.
"Lin and I have been there many times, and Sasha was living there. What about you, Sharone?" Koniko asked.
"Well, I've been there on a number of occasions with my father. But that was a long time ago, so....." She said, squeezing her arm.
"That was 250 years ago."
"250 years ago?" Rey asked in shock.
"I thought you were 16."
He looked at Lin.
"I'm guessing you're not 16 either."
"None of us are teenagers. We're all way older than we look," Lin said.
"It's rude to talk about a woman's age, brother," Adriana said sternly.
(So you're basically the youngest one here.)
"I'm older than Rey and Adriana. And besides, I'm sure time runs differently from the way it does back on Earth," he thought.
(Uh, no)
"What do you mean, no?"
(I ran the variables while comparing them with the knowledge of Oracle and -)
"You know what, forget it."
Kojo noticed that the topic was making her uncomfortable, so he quickly brought something up.
"Well, I doubt much has changed since then. So hey, do you think there are any good restaurants in the Capitol?" he asked.
"It's the Capitol, the heart of the kingdom. Of course, there'd be good restaurants, though they'd be expensive. Koniko and I had to live on leftovers," Lin said, remembering the past.
"Not that it matters since we're rich now," Koniko said, putting an arm over her shoulder.
"Well, if their food isn't up to standard, then I'll have no choice but to cook for you guys myself. Especially you, Sharone. I'll make sure you have your favorite ice cream, so don't fret, okay?" he asked.
Sharone looked at him and nodded.
"You have nothing to worry about, darling. I'll make sure your first time is worthwhile," Sasha said. Kojo coughed and glanced at her.
(Pervert)
"We'll go see all the parts of the city that are worthwhile and do lots of shopping. After all, I know the city like the back of my hand," she said.
"More like the straps of your bra," Adriana said.
"Hey, I heard that."
(It just occurred to me that I didn't see the Queen during the tournament)
"Hey Rey"
"Hm?"
"I didn't see the Queen during the tournament."
"Our Aunt opted to stay back to take care of,..... something," Adriana said.
"Hm. But don't you have like cousins?"
"We do. But they're polar opposites. We have the lovely princess, Claire Listowell. She's the embodiment of dignity and elegance. Then there's him. Billiam, her elder brother," Reynolds said with dislike.
Kojo bit his lower lip to prevent himself from laughing at the way Rey mentioned the name.
(Stop fooling around)
"Any reason why you don't like this Billiam?"
"You'll find out when we get to Dia' Mon," Adriana said.
"Ok, so getting back to the topic, the trip to the Capitol's gonna take about three days," Adriana said.
"But shouldn't it take longer than that?" Kojo asked.
"It should, but there's a gate at the border," Sharone said. "See, mages invented a means of creating gateways between two points using runes to replicate Spatial magic. There's a Mystium crystal engraved into the gate to power the spell."
"Woah, that's so cool. Thank you, Sharone," Kojo said.
Sharone blushed. "Oh, it's nothing," she said softly.
"I wonder if I'll find ingredients that I can use to replicate some recipes like pasta," Kojo wondered out loud.
"What's pasta?" Lin asked.
"It's..... You know what, I think it's better if I just make it," Kojo said.
"Don't worry. I'll talk to my father; he'll ensure that once you get to the city, you'll get all the ingredients you need," Reynolds said with passion.
"There's no need to be-" Kojo began but was cut short.
"No matter what, I must try this delicacy you speak of," Reynolds said, coming way too close for comfort. He looked around to find the others with the same determined look on their faces.
"Um, guys, you're scaring me," Kojo said nervously.
(You're lucky it's only them.)
"The king and the other royals will be moving through this route to the gate at the border," Oslon explained, pointing at a map on the table. Across from him sat Kron as well as dozens of goblins fully armed and ready.
"I hear he has about twenty men with him. The rest of the force that came with him is going along with the two captains of the guard and the raid chief to look for us. This should be easy, then I'll send about two hundred of my men out," Kron said in a deep voice.
"I wouldn't be too overconfident. The last time he was accompanied by the previous champion Sasha. Now he has the added advantage of being accompanied by both Sasha and Kojo Atari, the current champion, as well as Kojo's harem, who are all capable raiders," Oslon said.
"And I wouldn't underestimate the power of us goblins. These raiders are just little girls. They'll do no more than act as stress relief for my men."
The goblins murmured and giggled.
"The only real problem are the two saints accompanying them," Kron said, downing a huge mug of beer in one gulp.
"You don't understand. Of all of them, Atari is the most powerful and dangerous. He has quite the unique set of abilities and absolutely despises evil. Based on his behavioral tendencies and what he's been told about your little club, show even your shadows, and you'll be incinerated," Oslon said. The place went silent.
"In that case, I'll send out my elites," Kron said as fog suddenly filled the room. A group of goblins clad in black and wearing skeleton masks stepped out of the shadows. These assassins made no sound as they gathered behind Kron.
"Since you say he's strong, I'd like to see him escape my Nightshades," Kron said with pride.
"If you say so. But don't say I didn't warn you," Oslon said with a sigh.