We are teleported right into the throne room behind father's throne. Upon our arrival I notice father on his throne.
"Father? You sent for us?" (Dawson)
"Yes, I wanted to introduce another of this kingdom who lives and works behind the scenes." (Ernest)
And he says that, I glance at the butler, thinking to myself *Of course, he's the first one I've met*.
"Oh, okay." (Dawson)
"Hello young prince, it's a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance." (Man)
"Likewise..." (Dawson)
"Oh, where are my manners. My name is Luciferious Trixter." (Luciferious)
"Umm, do you have any sort of short name you'd be okay with me calling you?" (Dawson)
"Most simply call me Lu or Loopy." (Lu)
"If it's the same to you, I think I'll call you Lu, it's much easier to say, and does not sound like an insult." (Dawson)
"That's perfectly fine by me." (Lu)
"So, Lu? If you don't mind my asking, how'd Loopy come about?" (Dawson)
"Well, whenever I am lacking by even an hour of sleep, I act like I am on some sort of drugs, like there is no such thing as reality or fiction, or as most of my friends say, loopy. Though, honestly, I only need 8 hours of sleep a week." (Lu)
"Is that something obtained by having obtained a long life?" (Dawson)
"Precisely young prince." (Lu)
"If I may intrude on this conversation... It's a pleasure to meet you Lu, I..." (Carmen)
Cutting her off there, "The Prince's betrothed, and soon to be princess, Carmen Shawl. The pleasure is mine Miss Shawl." (Lu)
"If I were to guess your position, I'd guess a spy of sorts?" (Carmen)
"Quite right Carmen, He is the lead of my Knight Assassins, they do assassinations only in times of war, otherwise they're more like the Secret Service that the United States President from our old world has." (Ernest)
"Okay, I guess that'd make sense. So Lu, how do you feel about your line of work?" (Carmen)
"Well, all of us KA feel we owe a debt to the king, and on top of that, I have Dark Magic, which is perfect for such a task." (Lu)
After that, a somewhat awkward silence fills the room, so after a moment or two I ask father a question.
"So? Is that all you wanted us for? Because, I feel like you would not have likely called us back here just to meet one of your retainers... Not that I mind." (Dawson)
"You are definitely sharp. I also wanted to tell you that we have avoided the 'war' that was threatened upon us, as well as being able to allow Lu here to tell you something that has come to his attention." (Ernest)
"Oh? And what might that be?" (Dawson)
"I investigated the death of Honey Shew. And I believe I have located the ones responsible. They go by the name 'Kingdom of Darkness' with 'The Dark King' as their leader. They are the most notorious within the underground, but are never heard from else wise. I learned that this group believes that kingdoms should be based on magical ability, that there should be one kingdom per element, and your most prominent element should determine which kingdom you are a part of. They also believe that the king should be the one who is the most powerful with that element, and they will do anything within their power to make sure that such holds true." (Lu)
"I am curious how any of this pertains to why Honey was killed?" (Dawson)
"Well, that would be because 'The Dark King' made a decree that if you are not in a country built off their principles, than you can do whatever you want without the any punishment from the 'Kingdom of Darkness', and those in this organization always keep their word. And from the information I gathered, they threatened both the women they raped that if they fought back, they'd make their families pay, and so to keep their word, the spell was aimed at Harrold but Honey jumped in front of it to save him. Am I wrong Sir Harrold?" (Lu)
"No, you are correct." (Harrold)
I placed my hand on Harrold's shoulder, "I guess that makes their reasons clear, and I'm guessing that 'The Dark King' cares not if you get caught for breaking another country's rules unless that country adheres to his beliefs?" (Dawson)
"Precisely, so they will not act against us in any way for keeping that rapist prisoner." (Lu)
"Not to be rude, but how do we know that you are not one of them? You do have the dark attribute do you not?" (Ariko)
"I definitely can understand your concerns, which actually brings me to a proposal that I was thinking of bringing to the king anyway." (Lu)
"And that would be?" (Ernest)
"I join their ranks as a spy for your kingdom, but to do this I'd need to be in deep cover." (Lu)
"But this brings my question to another level now?" (Ariko)
"Do you trust my judgment Miss Ariko?" (Butler)
"With how much power you've shown me in mind magic, I would never doubt you." (Ariko)
"I have my doubts on whether he'll stay loyal, but as it stands right now, he serves our king above all else. I am right aren't I Luciferious?" (Butler)
"You are correct, man with no name." (Lu)
To this remark the butler glares at Luciferious.
"I just hope you don't ever use the tricks the Trixters are so well-known for against us." (Butler)
"Don't worry, I currently hold no intention of ever doing such." (Lu)
"I know." (Butler)
With this conversation, the air felt a bit tense. I look at Father with concern.
"Alright, calm down butler, I know his name sows seeds of distrust, but it is just that reason that I employed him. He can blend into the underworld with such a name easily. And only a select few even knows that he works for me," turning towards us, "So I expect that it will remain a secret?" (Ernest)
"Yes Sire." (Harrold)
"Understood." (Ariko)
"As you command." (Butler)
Both Carmen and I nod our heads.
"Good, now that's done, Luciferious, please go ahead with your plan. If you are able to find the one responsible, find a way to bring him to justice without giving your position. I want him brought to justice but I also want a spy firmly planted in their midst." (Ernest)
"Understood, as you command." (Lu)
"Then you are dismissed." (Ernest)
With that said, Luciferious disappears into the shadows.
"Now for us to continue. Could you two wait here Ariko and Harrold?" (Ernest)
Bowing, "Sure thing." (Harrold)
"Yes sire." (Ariko)
"Butler, you know your task." (Ernest)
"I'll get on it right away." (Butler)
"Dawson, Carmen, please follow me. We have a few things to discuss." (Ernest)
We follow behind father. None of us say a word while we are walking. We eventually arrive in the same room that we were in when we learned how Honey... died? Disintegrated? I'll just go with left this plain of existence.
"Please, sit." (Ernest)
We sit down opposite of Father but next to each other.
"So..." (Dawson)
"I'll get straight to the point. I don't like doing this, but I need to tell you two the truth. The only ones who know this at present are myself and the Butler." (Ernest)
"Know what?" (Carmen)
"I am one from this world who transmigrated twice, and am from a long line of people who have done just that. So the chances to be sent back to your own world are high, however, It would be your choice if you wish to or not." (Ernest)
"Well, if at that time Carmen is still alive, which I hope she is, If we can travel together, I'll leave it up to her. Otherwise, I will not do so, for my reason for traveling was to be with her. And though I miss my mom, dad, and sisters, I want to stay with Carmen, and should we ever have any, Our children." (Dawson)
"If that is what you wish, I'm sure you'll get it. I just know that me being home sick is what drove me to come back to this world, even though I had to leave you and your mother behind to do so." (Ernest)
"My love for Carmen well outshines any homesickness I may feel." (Dawson)
"Is that all you wanted to talk with us about? And if so, why include me?" (Carmen)
"No, but as to your ladder question, I want you and Dawson to have no secrets. So I wished to make it clear to him that anything I tell him is a secret is allowed to be divulged to you, but unless I say otherwise, it is not allowed to be divulged to anyone else." (Ernest)
With a slight blush and a small smile, "Oh... Okay..." (Carmen)
I grab Carmen's hand, then, "So, what else did you want to talk to us about?" (Dawson)
"Can't a father just chat with his children," he said with a mockingly sad tone. (Ernest)
"He can, but in the world and situation we currently live in, anything others may hear is none of their business, so we can openly discuss any private life stuff we want without worrying too much. We just wouldn't want to let secrets slip where others are listening." (Dawson)
"Well, you are definitely a lot like your father." (Ernest)
"I would only be able to compare to the three months we've been together, and with that limited information, I can see only a few similarities." (Dawson)
"True enough, well anyway, you are right. I did not call you here for an idle chat, I called you here to talk about one more thing. This nation's greatest secret, only the king himself and his first in command are supposed to know about it." (Ernest)
_
Chat with author
https://discord.gg/nFu7gHS