Interlude: The Monarch 3

Interlude: The Monarch 3

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Commissioned by Arksoul 

Wordcount: 2500

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The speed with which humanity’s cities changed always surprised me. In a mere century, a village can become a city, going from hundreds to thousands of peoples from all over the world. Not only that, but they incessantly change, advance, and find different ways to do everything for reasons that range from the obvious to the nonsensical. 

I believe that after all my years away from my home that I have become somewhat used to the rapid changes in which civilization changed.

Now that belief is being shattered every morning as I step out onto Orario.

Following the death of Daphne Laulos, Hachiman unleashed himself upon Orario, and remade it to his liking. The speed and strength behind him were so incredible that even Loki-sama could only sit back and stare, while the humans amongst the Loki Familia looked upon what was happening with the same shock I had when I looked upon the speedy development of their cities.

In the first week, he strode in the criminal-infested nooks and crannies of Orario and scoured them not only of people, but of dens and hives in which pestilence skittered. Heralded by lightning, untouchable, and not causing a single mortal wound, even the Guild could only watch and wait as beneath azure, clear skies the sound of a thunderstorm resonated throughout the city.

Then, following that scouring, he entered the dungeon and left it with stockpiles and stockpiles of magics stones and reagents that the left behind and converted them into Valis. The immense funds he extracted from the Guild shut down it down for an entire day, and as all of Orario clamored and cried out, he returned to the ruins he created, declared himself its protector, and offered all who moved the chance the chance to conduct their businesses without fear.

Many stores closed, only to reopen weeks later, in shops that were steadily being rebuilt, upon newly paved roads, and unmatched security. Goods flowed into Orario, the Guild returned to full service, and some thought that Hachiman was finished as soon as the last scaffold left the district he recreated… and then he proceeded to walk into the next district.

To which he did the same.

Then, he walked into another.

To which he did the same.

Then, he walked into another.

To which he did the same.

He walked the length and breadth of Orario, unmaking those that stood against him no matter the time of day, until the sound of lightning caused criminals to flee from Orario and he entered districts filled only those without homes or work, begging for the chance to stay.

People who he promptly bound to his service, to work shops, schools, and other such things Orario did not have before, and earn not only homes, but have more to spend than they ever did before. He secured magic stones for use in lamps in every home, not only workshops. Ancient sewage systems were cleaned, and brought back to their full capacity, in order to ensure water for both drink and cleansing flowed through all the places under his command. 

Then, he went even farther, and sought out those with Alchemy from every Familia, and bid them to brew potions. 

That drew the attention of the Dian Cecht Familia, and they attempted to coerce those who went to him to stop, only for their enforcers to be broken. When they attempted to lure away his new recruits, his answer was to turn to the lesser Familias, broker deals with them, and provide the tools and resources necessary for them to build up against the established businesses with the Miach Familia at their head. 

Soon enough, despite all their power, they could not afford to do anything besides compete.

The Hephaestus Familia, already known for being in league with him, sent much of their newer craftsmen his way without even being visited, and soon enough those new Smiths received entire buildings and as much material as they could handle. They worked alongside normal craftsmen, and created vast stocks of weapons, which improved the quality of the common Adventurer within Orario. The other Smithing Familias took note, and soon enough their apprentices waded into Hachiman’s territories, gaining the same treatment, all at the simple cost of preparing weapons again and again which would only increase their ability.

Finally, after subsuming those two sectors, he began lending out money, offering insurance for lost weapons and equipment, and handily took control of Orario’s internal economy with such completeness that foreign powers looked upon his work with envy. He used his glut of funds, born of years and years of work, and consolidated into a foundation which brought him more money imaginable, which he returned to the people he controlled, and who returned it to him in greater sums for what he provided them.

In less than a year, no more than a season, Hachiman destroyed the Orario that I knew and utterly replaced it. 

Yet, I find myself with those who would risk Orario returning to what it once was… simply because we wanted the Hachiman we knew back, instead of the one wearing his face now. 

…

The Hostess of Fertility, typically rambunctious and filled with life, was quiet and still. While I usually ate at the Hostess with my Familia, seeing it nearly empty, and while surrounded by many who I did not know very well, made it feel as though it were a place I’d never been to before.

Much like the rest of Orario.

Lefiya led the way, approaching Hachiman’s student and speaking to them about any changes that occurred in the past week. He was exceptional while teaching them, and so they were able to use what he taught against him. While Orario knew of what he was doing, most did not know how, and I was one of the few who was closest to the truth.

That being, of course, the fact that Hachiman is planning on “winning the entire fight.”

His methods and philosophies remain the same, despite the changes in his mentality. All his actions are his simply what he has always done, but scaled up and implemented upon the entirety of the Orario. Much like most of his students, he removed the negativity in their lives, gave them purpose, and enriched them to the point where they saw no point in doing anything besides what he taught them. If his students have the willpower, they thrive, and in doing as they have been taught by him, his own plans are furthered. 

Orario is simply another one of his students, one that is having its problems removed, and is being provided all it needs to succeed.

Thus, it is very willing indeed to follow him. 

I cast my gaze upon the room, and the reason why I attended tonight’s meeting, when I was usually content to simply listen to my student tell me of what occurred. 

Orimoto Kaori, Hachiman’s Familia Member.

According to Hachiman.

I severely doubted such was the case, but there were certain similarities to the trained eye between the two. Both were taller than most humans, as well as without any signs of suffering from disease. Their features were somewhat alike, though not nearly enough to suggest they are cousins of any sort.

However, from looking at Orimoto alone, I could set that they were very similar. 

The brown-haired girl sat, read, and wrote much like Hachiman did, telling of similar schooling at a younger age. She held a quill the same unease that he did, and they both had the same mindset of dress, in that they were both wearing armor at all times. While Hachiman concealed the fact that his clothes are armor, Orimoto wore her reinforced leather plates for all to see, and she did not hide her weapons. 

Hachiman would do the same, if not for his desire to tempt others to attack him, so that they could be dealt with. 

After I finished observing Orimoto Kaori, I approached her, and found another similarity between the two. 

Both were protected by Ryuu Lyon.

The impudent rogue stood in my way, having changed from her appropriate uniform to the daring form of dress that she preferred. How she could traipse around with such flagrant clothes was beyond my ability to comprehend. She obviously wore nothing beneath her shirt, given how it was not only sleeveless, but bared all of her shoulders and even the sides of her chest. Not only that, but the “shorts” that she wore barely covered her rear. They are practically panties… and they also all but state that she chooses to wear no such thing!

“Princess. How nice of you to come. You’ve been busy, no?” Every word that left her lips was a series of attacks. I could feel every accusation she sent my way with her pointed, narrowed gaze and upturned lips. Despite uttering my title, she spoke to me without any hint of respect whatsoever, and so her mere presence chipped at my patience. Not only that, but as I strode forward, she stood her ground against me. Impertinent tavern wench! “Maybe, you’d like to tell us about your troubles, so we can help you with them first?”

Well, if she’s making this a matter of the body, then I shall make it apparent with just a slight push forward that while she needs such clothing I do not!

I luxuriated for a moment as her teeth grit and her eyes narrowed, but I knew that I could not allow her to have the last word.

I… I simply couldn’t!

“Assuaging Loki-sama’s concerns, as well as marshalling the Loki Familia to handle the waves created by Hachiman-kun has been difficult, but I assure you that you all have nothing to worry about in regards to the Loki Familia.” I offered her a smile, which she returned, but due to lack of practice I could easily see the strain in her own. My, oh my, why do you attempt to have a match such a this when you are so out of practice? Hmmm, or perhaps, this is some sort of ruse to lower my guard? No matter. I will simply hold fast and press my advantage safety and it matters not. “Tiona, Lefiya, Ais, and myself ought to be near our goddess at times such as this, but as you can see, I’ve been doing well enough that Loki-sama is content to let us be here instead.”

Ryu Lyon floundered for a moment, but it was so brief that I was unable to capitalize upon it, due to my own lack of practice in regards to verbal sparring. Hachiman’s absence was something that I felt keenly in times such as this. 

“I’m glad to see that your immense amounts of experience and wisdom is serving you well, Princess. It’s unfortunate that you cannot share it all with us.” The rogue barely clad in any clothes counterattacked with double-aged blades drenched in poison. To deny her words would mean feeling ashamed of my achievements and actions over centuries, yet simply allowing them would admitting my age. Normally, I felt nothing in regards to my numerous years, but when she spoke of such things it became all too clear that she was far closer in years to Hachiman than myself. I must find a counter. “Your sagacious advice will be appreciated in this matter immensely, Riveria Ljos Alf. I look forward to working with you.”

There were two possible paths I could take, one which changed the subject entirely and granted her a small victory in battle as I won the war, or to prolong the conflict, but chance her snatching victory from the jaws of defeat by accepting her words, conceding ground, and launching an assault of my own that endangered me, if it did not succeed. 

Being one who has taken many Steps of Divinity, and who has decided to tread into the Dungeon time and time again, my decision was clear from the start.

“Do not fret. I shall take the lead without hesitation, as it is my duty to thoroughly lay the foundation for all to follow. It is fine for you to remain inexperienced, until you can follow in the footsteps of another. Being first matters not at all, as many say.” My words disregarded all caution, and I uttered them with not only a smile, but while also placing a hand on Lyon’s head as one would when calming a child. The difference in our height was small, but I remained superior in that regard, so I leaned down and forward as much as my advantage would permit as well. There shall be no holding back. Victory will be mine. “As long as one finishes at the end, it matters not who is first, no?”

I awaited a fantastic, terrifying response, only to feel elation as Lyon stepped back and away from me with her mask utterly broken, a massive blush on her face, and a hiss on her lips. Beginning from the point of her nose, and stretching all the way to the tips of her ears, and traveling down her neck a scarlet tinge utterly ravaged her features completely while her eyes widened immensely. 

Though I had a formal, controlled smile on my face, I couldn’t help but allow myself to indulge in my feelings of elation and joy at Ryuu Lyon’s utter defeat. 

Did she truly expect me to be as prudish as Hachiman in regards to verbal jousts? He rarely brought such matters up, as he wished to remain a gentlemen.

Naturally, as he refrained from such things, I refrained as well.

However, I had no intention whatsoever of holding back against Ryuu Lyon.

“No! Absolutely not!” I didn’t need to speak another word, her defeat was clear, and I stood supreme not only in body but in mind. She attempted to regain control herself, but only shallowly succeeded, as she forced herself to stand still. Even then, her teeth remained gritted and her hands were curled into fists. Do you believe that you can best me in combat, rogue? Well, as most would say, I would like to see you try. “This… that… nothing has been decided, yet!”

With those final words, Ryuu Lyon stormed away from me, her coat billowing, and her legs and rear for all to see as she departed. 

Hmph, if only her personality wasn’t so terrible, then her form and confidence could easily win her the day.

But such isn’t the case, so I shook my head and headed over to Kaori Orimoto to speak with her. 

I had many questions in regards to Hachiman, and how she planned on using what she knew of him to return him to us.

And… perhaps a few in regards to his childhood…

Maybe, something that he might like to eat that can prepare?