"I greet you, my prince"
"Drop the formality will you ? in private, i expect no etiquette"
The answer comes quick, jab to the point. While halting Jonas who, for the thousand's time, tried to start the convo with a bow. Such as fate for the low, always bowing, always in fear.
"As you wish, my prince"
"Good, now... how about the thing that i ask ?"
"For the first task..."
He searched his coat. Feeling a rough, frail sensation of the letter. A few wrinkles can be found, sign of struggle the coat endure in Jonas journey to the house. With moderate, he present the paper to the front, right where the prince can reach without effort
"Is in this letter. The circumstances of our meeting makes it not available for other means"
"So he's expecting you"
Arthur say while his hand seize the letter in quick
"It seems so"
"And the second ?"
"It seems like Lady Fernicus is in Claremont custody"
Arthur eyes locked back to Jonas. Intrigued, more then the half way read letter in his hand.
"And how so ?"
"It seems the joker is more than the royal family think"
"It is... indeed a possibility"
Arthur eyes back to the letter. Reading a bit, before distracted again once more. Now, his sight lock to the table while mind wandering to unknown lands. His finger tap the armrest.
"And we got four months to investigate it. Can you do it Johan ?"
"You wish are command, my prince"
"Good, now, is there something you wanted to ask ?"
The question is not deliberate. Arthur know how Johan work. The guy is coward, he need information before his gear can churned. There was a reason he appointed him as one of his head. Like hydra, Seven head for each function and command.
"Is he still your target, my prince ?"
"The purge ?"
"Yes"
"Remind me - What do you promise him in exchange for the information ?"
"Your Favor, and your protection"
"Exactly"
Arthur point, his hand folding the letter. Then he gave it to the woman behind, who, after a bow, hide it in place i prefer not to tell.
"The purge will proceed, and the admirable Tiernan will help them escape the clutch. A fine scenario don't you agree ?"
"Brilliant my prince"
Johan said, holding the hat on his chest
"Cease your flattery, about you reward - remember this : I always pays my debt !"
"Very well, if you may excuse me...my prince"
After Arthur give his nod, the door once again opened to him. Johan, step outside, feeling the afternoon air with his breath. The sense of relieve, after completing a mission were always felt sweet.
With good mood, he step back to the street, walking, to his home for afternoon tea.
Yet, while Johan mood is good, Arthur mood are even higher still. The info he got while small, can ease his plan a little bit. He lean deeper into the sofa, enjoying the sight of breast from downside. His smile grew, from subtle to wide, almost reach ear to ear.
'i can control Tiernan with this'
He thought, remembering the stupid friend of his.
"Salas, can you call Tiernan for me, i want to tell the news to him. And also, care about the letter, i might do something with it"
"As you wish, my prince"
"And, after this ..."
A pause, before a line she heard many times already
"Amuse me"
A nod of confirmation, with redness filled her cheeks. This is her job now, after almost kicked out from the academy. Such is fate for the weak, always bowing, always in fear.
-----
The star, once again, unbored and unbothered, shining brightly in the middle expand of sky. This is the day, the climax, the time when the planning before - has reach it's core. Altaris, stand tall, in front of a majestic looking building. The tower still looming, it's size incomparable to the figure that dare to poise in front of it. An perfect opening of the day everyone waited for already.
Violet, still in his side - looking around like jackal try find any sign of carcass. Her attire are different, not the usual gown. She wrapped head to toe with a skin made coat, still stylish, but good for any kind of movement.
Today is the day, they will fight together once more
Five hundred student, that's the amount of people gathering in one place right now. All of them ready, a few even bring a huge weapon, just for the event they will join today.
A man in white... let's be trough... instructor ark, step slowly as usual in to the makeshift podium. His eyes was observing, like seeing a steak after seven day of fast. His sadistic tendency are unhidden and high, impatient - to send five hundred people to the place of slaughter
The feeling was ominous, yet excitement is also can't be hidden
"Students"
He called, taking the already taken attention to him self. Hundreds pair of eyes, straight and focused to one point in time. The rustling of iron and crowd, washing - like wave of unstoppable onslaught, into the place where the almost happy man stand his ground.
"Today...i will guide to the place of the test. Prepare ! And don't get left behind"
Ark said, perking the ears of many. His sentence short, might cause he's not in the mood for waiting
Then, just like command, the academy gate instinctively open with creak. It's loud noise, once again taken interest of the crowd in second. Instructor Ark walk, guiding them to cross the wall, into the embrace of jungle. Five hundred student, march - like soldier ready to battle. Well, it's true - they indeed ready for battle.
The mock battle, the event has officially happened
The walk was not long, at least a few hours tops. The path was also clear, full on flat and rarely enter the trees. A second dome can be seen, expanding to horizon, and hugging it with safety.
A silhouette of castle slowly appear, clearer the more they closing in. It size was gigantic, almost the big as castle for siege. A construct of titan, made of black stone and decorated with steal.