“It really is you.” Matthew said, shocked to see Isaac sitting on the couch with a cookie in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.
“Why? Missed me?” Isaac raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Isaac had returned from the confirmation process and went straight to Cecilia’s mansion to give the shared credit to them. It had only been a little over a week since their parting but Isaac was already back.
It took almost two weeks to come across the castle, so even if they already knew the location of the castle it was impossible to have returned this quickly.
Matthew shook his head. “No, why would I miss you? Just surprised.”
Isaac broke into a laugh. “Haha! Well, here’s the story. Apparently we got sent with Ryuka Harin. We got here with a teleportation scroll, Lawen out walking somewhere.” Isaac let out a smirk, as if proud of it.<
The street was bustling as usual. Everyone was carrying out their daily lives like normal. All the while Matthew only walked with his head down and hands in pocket. He still does wave and greet the owners that each other recognise, but his expression was not the same as usual.He went to Layla’s shop. He thought about checking out some items or weapons to get his mind off things for a while.The bell above the door rang as he swung it open. The shop only had a few customers today. The shop was still amazing to see. Everything was properly organised and sorted. The workers were all nice and committed. The assortment of items was also great.“Oh, Matthew!” Layla’s voice came from somewhere in the counter. Matthew caught sight of her and walked towards the counter. “Hey~ how’s it going? Were you looking for something?”Matthew rested his elbows on the counter. &
Matthew stood by Rose’s while leaning on a wall. He watched as Rika changed the wet cloth on her forehead again.Her breathing was better now than yesterday. Her fever still hasn’t gone down. Matthew was getting worried about her condition. After Rika was done, she brought out the basin and left through the door.Once she left, Matthew sat on a stool beside her bed. He held her hand, tightening and loosening his grip on it. It was his responsibility to keep her safe, it was his fault that she got brought to this world too.Sitting like this, it reminded him of the time when Rose was waiting for him in the hospital. How long had she waited until he woke up? How many hours had she waited?He let go of her hand and caressed her hair. He twirled the red strands in her hair. He was knocked out when it happened, but Cecilia described that her appearance changed that night. It explained to him R
The next day, Matthew began his preparation. He had decided to keep this a secret from Yuki and Cecilia. This was something that only he wanted to do, they didn’t have to join him. Someone needed to take care of Rose.He needed to get supplies and that ‘gear’ Yuki mentioned. The supplies were easy and he knew where to find them, but what about the special item? He didn’t know where, but he knew who might know.“An item that can protect you from concentrated mana?” Layla asked to make sure with Matthew. “If you’re asking that, are you really going to Blackwood Mountain?”“Yeah. I mean, I’m not going just yet. If Rose doesn’t wake up in two more days I will, that’s what I’m planning.”“Hmm okay. But sorry, I’m afraid I don’t have any such items.”“Oh.” Matth
“Hey, one cup of cappuccino here!”“Coming!”“Can I have another set of bagels?”“Sure!”“Here’s the pay.”“Thank you for coming!”“I want that cake for take out please.”“Right away sir.”Exchanges between customers and the waiters and other staff seemingly never stops. The sound of chatting amongst the customers and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and desserts filled the room.Matthew took a good look around the establishment. The amount of customers were amazing to look at.“You said this place is a cafe? Looks more than just a normal cafe to me. It’s packed with people.” Matthew said.“You never heard of this place?” Br
A gust of wind blew, swaying Ryuka’s mane while he stared off in the distance from the edge of a cliff. He licked his whiskers and wiped his mouth with his hand."Heyo!" A man's voice came from behind him.Without even looking, Ryuka knew who that voice belonged to. "What is it Ajax?"Ajax smirked wide. "Nothing really, I was just counting numbers?""Hmph." Ryuka scoffed."There's 24 Hunters already waiting, including you. I was trying to look for more of us. Rain was here a while ago.""Rain? I'm surprised he came. Probably for the money if anything." Ryuka now turned around to talk to Ajax."Yeah, he did say that. Anyway, have you seen Sara and Akame?" Ajax asked."I've seen neither of the girls. I know that Sara is busy with something else with the Association. Akame probably just refused to come."&nb
Matthew returned to the mansion with a plan in mind. He was welcomed inside the mansion by a pair of maids as usual. While he was making his way to his room, he rethought the plan he had.In two days, he was supposed to meet up with a few other people at the cafe before they all set out, so it was perfect with his original plan anyway. He must try to sneak out his needs for the quest. He didn’t want anyone to find out just yet.“Oh hi Matthew. You’re kinda late today.” Yuki greeted him at the stairs.“I was just hanging out at a cafe. I didn’t realise it was already late.” Matthew told the truth while also keeping it away.“I guess you did take your mind off things then. Hehe! Go wash up now, dinner’s ready soon.” Yuki walked past him and went downstairs.Matthew nodded and went the opposite way.He
In a room that was made out of black stones. Heat from the smelter and furnace filled the room. Smell of coal and burning iron pierced the noses of those who entered, yet it was nothing but normal air to the dwarves that work here.Sparks from hammer hitting blades. Metallic banging repeatedly came into their ears. Hissing sound from hot metal being dipped into water. It was an everyday process for them.A certain dwarf who placed himself in a separate workshop was examining the blade of his freshly sharpened sword. He checked the straightness, the blade, the guard and the handle. He grunted when he was unsatisfied with his work.Suddenly the door to his workshop was opened which made him angry.Without even letting the human speak, he spoke first. “What is it!”“Boss, there a guy who wants to-”“Can’t you handle him yourse
After a tiring day of preparing, Matthew finally headed back to the mansion.“Hah… Everything’s ready. I can get some rest now.” Matthew murmured to himself.Upon entering the mansion, he checked the time. It was about time for dinner already. He sniffed himself a few times.“Yeah, it should be fine to have dinner first.” He convinced himself as he headed for the dining hall.Matthew opened the door and saw the maids were just about done preparing the table for dinner. Cecilia was also there already, sitting on one of the chairs.“Oh Matthew, you’re back!” Cecilia greeted him when he entered the hall.“Hey. Is Yuki at the hospital?” Matthew asked as he took his seat.“Yes, she left a while ago already. Where have you been?”Matthew froze up
At the edge of the pit, it was them. A total of nine of the Scarlett family members.From the right, a woman with long red hair and black and white dress was casting a healing spell on Bilgrae. A male elf in full black armour with a star shaped bang of three red points and two white points and his black hair was split in the middle. A demon with dark violet hair and a pair of horns at the side of her head and wore a jet black skin tight suit which exposed certain parts, Crymillia. In the middle, it was a man with short bright red hair wearing a black and gold robe. Then, a man with black hair in a red and black suit. Another demon with about the same features as Crymillia except that his hair was short and he wore a black cloak over his suit. Then there was a man with spiky red hair in a red robe with a high collar, Crone, the one that Matthew and his friends fought at the Great Sandcastle. Finally, there was the black feathered avian human, Skystorm.Seeing Skystorm in good health, M
Confronting Bilgrae now was what he expected to see from a Dragon Emperor.Matthew was now at maximum output of his astra and all of it was condensed in his body. Bright red scales covered his entire body and he grew slightly in size. His muscles became more toned and also increased in size. A pair of horns of a darker tone of red grew out of his forehead that curved to the back of his head. Both of his eyes were glowing golden as his hair was.“Let’s finish this!” Matthew did not delay any further. He couldn’t maintain this form for long so he must finish the fight quickly.Matthew dashed toward Bilgrae who was ready for Matthew. Their fists clashed again and this time, not only was Bilgrae pushed back, he felt pain in his knuckles. Matthew was much stronger than before and far faster too. Utilising his speed, Matthew went for another punch to Bilgrae’s gut.“Oof!” Bilgrae got the air knocked out of him with the first hit.Matthew followed up with a barrage of punches. Bilgrae truly
After being blown away by Skystorm’s wind, Matthew regained his footing and was met with the big lizardman, Bilgrae Scarlett. Bilgrae had a smirk on his face. Matthew stood up and faced Bilgrae, but his eyes were not on him. Matthew’s eyes fell on Falynx in the far distance.“Are you still concerned about that monster?” Bilgrae asked with his deep voice.Matthew looked at Bilgrae now. “It’s hard to know which one is the monster here.”“Heh, you’re right. All of us are monsters deep inside. It just takes one misstep to turn a person into one. You’ve been there too.”“No I haven’t.”“Maybe not to you. But the whole world saw you as one. Now that monster suddenly turned into an emperor and they suddenly glorified you, while some still hate you of course.”“Hmph.” Matthew huffed.“You’re angry with me, I understand. I purposely did not kill that beast. Out of compassion.”“Don’t lie. You Scarletts don’t know what that means.”Bilgrae wasn’t smiling anymore. “You don’t know how merciful fa
Akame and Skystorm were separated from Matthew and Bilgrae. Akame stood up after being blown away by the powerful gust of wind created by Skystorm. Their eyes met. Both of their irises were bright red and gazed deeply.“I will be your foe, Red Cardinal.” Skystorm said.“What relic will you take? What will you use it for?” Akame asked.“Straight to the questions huh… That’s not any of your business. Why would you care what we take anyway if you’ll die?”“To evaluate whether it’s worth fighting for or not.”“Hmm, a smart choice. If you don't want to fight, then I shant confront you. Sadly, it seems that Lord Dragunov disagrees with you. If he is in the way, then we must remove him. I don’t think that leaves you an option now.”Backing out from this would mean that Matthew will be fighting two people. If they weren’t among the Scarlett Army’s strongest, it probably wouldn’t be hard for him to deal with alone. Both of their foes were really strong and Akame had no expectation of defeating
After their encounter with Falynx, they reached an agreement to conduct an investigation as they intended. Falynx had flown back to the surface on its own. Matthew and Akame headed to the temple and arrived at the front door.For some reason, even though they were underground, it was as clear as day down here. It was not dark and not too bright either, like a cloudy day.There were stairs that led to the door and the walls in the area were already partially destroyed. Some of the stairs were also gone. The giant door was made of stone and seemed to be intact with little cracks around the hinges.Matthew pushed one of the doors open. It was surprisingly heavy so Matthew had to lean into it to move it. Akame went inside first and inspected the place. There was a stage and a podium carved out of stone at the end of the great hall. A mural was carved out of the wall behind the stage depicting a supposed god holding the sun in his hands.Matthew left the door open and joined Akame to look
In the middle of the desert, there were two figures running across the sands. Clouds of sand were left behind in their quick steps. The cloak provided by the minister was really working. No sand was sticking onto them.“We’re getting close.” Matthew informed Akame.Almost two hours have passed since they left the city. Many monsters came their way but they were easily dealt with. It caused a little delay but not enough to affect their momentum. Falynx’s presence was still about 10 kilometres away.“Be ready for battle.” Akame said.“Remember though, don’t kill it.” Matthew reminded her.A few minutes later, a gigantic figure could be seen flying in the sky. The creature had the body of a snake, the head of a crocodile and six pairs of batwings. Its yellow eyes with black vertical slits looked down at the incoming people below.Falynx bowed its head and began descending. Matthew and Akame saw this as an engagement in battle. Matthew called out the Dragoknight to his arms and increased
The sun was already high up in the sky in the Capital City of Kubalt. The weather was hot and dry as usual in San Coro. The street around this particular area was not that busy since it was right in front of the Palace of Al-Jauhara. One would occasionally see knights patrolling the area. Akame was waiting under the intense heat of the sun. She had covered herself in a large black cloth to protect herself from the heat. The guards out here only wore light armour compared to the ones inside, probably because their armour would be too hot to wear outside. Not too long after, she finally saw the one she was waiting for. Matthew was jogging toward her. He wore his long sleeved red hooded jacket and an orange shirt under it and a pair of black pants. He also had his usual travelling backpack with him. “Phew, sorry, did you wait long?” “Not too long. Did you not use a teleportation scroll?” Akame asked. “I did, but the closest one was to Yanbue City. Neither Platinum nor Rose were famil
“What brings you here, Akame?” Matthew asked.Just a few moments ago, Akame had arrived in front of Platinum’s cave. Someone like who was a Coloured Hunter, passing through the Blackwood Forest and up the cold mountain was not a problem. Or not.Akame was hugging herself to keep warm but it was not helping at all. “Achoo! C-can we talk somewhere warmer?”“Oh, come on in.” Matthew invited her inside.Akame went in and they both made their way to the living room. Matthew didn't think that it was alright to bring her to the others directly. The living room had a fire to keep them warm, so here was enough.“Ah~” Akame warmed herself up by the fire and put her hands out.“So, what are you doing here without equipment to survive on a mountain? Certainly you didn’t come to interview us?” Matthew asked.“Queen Cleopatra sent me. We will investigate the ruin she mentioned together.” Akame said with the same emotionless voice as usual.“Cleopatra? Well, I was gonna head there in a few days anyw
Matthew and Rose arrived at the foot of the mountain just by the Blackwood Forest where they dropped off of the carriage while Guinevere headed back to her palace. It was already very late in the afternoon when they got to the forest. Matthew carried Rose's luggage in hands while he also wore his backpack."I can carry my own stuff." Rose said."No, I will carry them for you. Anyway, are you sure you'll be fine?""My magic resistance is quite high. I also know how to disperse mana if it does accumulate inside me. How long exactly is it going to take to get up there again?" Rose looked up at the ledge near the mountain peak where Platinum's abode was."Well, usually only a few hours if you're moving at my usual speed. If we're walking though, a few days at least." Matthew said."But we're not walking, right?" Rose asked."Nope." As Matthew replied, a shadow flew past over them.A jade green dragon circled them as she descended to the ground nearby. Upon landing, the dragon folded its w