The two are limping getting up on the stairs as the Nightfall waits for their return. The teens see them coming, yet they doesn't waste any time. They have gone and meet them. Eclaire starts treating the two as Mayuri sits in a slab of rock where she wants to rest a bit.
"My mana disappear... You know what it is?" Mayuri ask Gina, who is being patch up by Boris as her arms sore a bit. "It looks like you discover your Finishing Move there. It usually starts with a flare of mana and giving you something that you image with. A power you desire manifesting." Gina explains as it makes Mayuri blush.
"So you are saying..." Mayuri is attempting to say what's on her mind yet the embarrassment stops her. "Hey thanks. I owe you my life back there." Gina says as she unintentionally interrupts Mayuri. As soon as they patch up and Mayuri tries to properly stand, they converse about what they need to do by now.
"Actually i want to train more! I shouldn't be caught lacking like that!" Boris says as Eugene nods with agreement. "You taught us something Ms. Mayuri. We need to be ready at all times inside the dungeon. I'll make sure to make more of my magic." Eugene adds as Eclaire is casting more healing spell to Mayuri, even though she manage to stop her bleeding and all.
"Yeah, thanks for you all I'm still here." Mayuri greets as she decide about one thing. Gina is just looking at them, thinking and waiting. As soon as the group stand and Mayuri gestures for her to come as well with them, she follows as they go back to the entrance of the dungeon.
"Well then, for now we dismiss." Mayuri declares as Nightfall happily leaves and she follows them out. Gina then walks beside the green haired Rogue and she says something. "I'd like to talk to you about something." Mayuri's eyes widen as she looks at her. She doesn't know what she meant on that as the day ends. The next day comes as Mayuri opens the door to the Adventurer's Guild.
"Hey!"
As soon as she enters, Gina calls her out sitting in a nearby table as she leans her head sideways to look at thr Rogue. She approach her as she wants to greet her, yet she doesn't know how to act even all of what happen yesterday. "Is it normal for you Rogues to be stiff? Hope I'll not catch any of that." Gina lightly mocks her demeanor, but Mayuri relax her shoulder a bit.
"Then, what do you want to discuss with?" Mayuri ask as Gina gets a cup near her and drink what's left of it. "I'd like to form a party with you." Gina says what she plans to say yesterday, a thing that make Mayuri sigh. "A party, what's in it for me? I'm not usually cheap to have mind you." Mayuri replies as she wants to consider joining her, as Gina wants to explain more.
"Well, since You and I are not so different, I want to make a formal party with you. When I join several parties before, there are too many nasty conditions and stuff... Mostly from guys that have no game. I'd like to make a party that I can proudly say that I made without any of that sleazy or underhanded stuff." Gina explains her reasoning why she wants to make a party with Mayuri. Inside the Rogue she knows already that she will join her side as she also likes to be with a people that understand her pain as well, yet she wants to learn more.
"Then, do you happen to pick a name for this party? I can't blame the kids when they call themselves Nightfall, but for me that sounds shameful as hell." Mayuri expresses while waving her hand and Gina shrugs off her comment. "Well I do have my own name. I'll call this party Valkyries." Gina declares as she holds a paper on her left hand as she raise it.
"Oh the form? I need to sign up?" Mayuri ask as Gina opens the paper and fill it up. She first sign the paper as she wants to be the leader of the Valkyries. "I'm glad that this woman is easy to talk to. You don't bond with somebody in a life or death situation in a whim, but she's basically taught me that you can still be optimistic even though you lost anything."
Back to the present day...
"Oh that's sweet, but that is the reason why you become loyal with her?" Princess Lucy ask as she covers half of her face with her fan while looking at the possible expression that she will flash before her. "Yes, and I will honor it for the rest of my days." Mayuri replies as she remains calm and looking to the royalty's eyes, meaning something more firm than what she says with her lips.
"Well then, I see your resolve. Once you accomplish your task I will call the man out so we can latch him out of your beloved Leader. Sounds about right?" Lucy ask as Mayuri's grip harder as she is really feeling guilty as she answers yes. She promptly turns around as she walks out of the room to leave, but she looks back the last time to the princess.
"Are you doing this for the people?" Mayuri ask as she remembers the time when she return after her Father died from the battle with Carmilla. King Roan coldly commands her to leave. She wants to see if the apple doesn't fall far from the tree or this princess is a cut above her expectation. "I am doing this for the sake of my ascension."
That answer of the princess belies her real intention as her words doesn't mean anything for the green haired Rogue turning back to be an Assassin once again. Mayuri continues to leave as she ascertain her true intention. Van, in all of that last bit of the conversation, is extremely confused. "Why the heck you answer her that?" He ask as the princess sigh.
"You know you're simpleton mind is what I admire from you the most." The princess replies as it angers Van. "What? You mocking me now?" Van agitatingly ask as she dismisses it when she goes and lean on him. Mayuri set foot outside the mansion itself as she is sharpening her daggers and she looks at her reflection through it. She thinks a little as she sighs.
"I'm really sorry..." Mayuri apologizes out loud as she is looking at her own reflection. She then grabs a coat as she departs to hunt down the nobles Lucy ask for her to. At the same time she departs, Gina and Gran are looking for her while Rinko and Veronica are asking around the neighborhood and through the Adventurer's Guild if they happen to see or find Mayuri.
"Why that girl... I thought she is gonna be here..." Gina expresses in such sorrowful look that Gran can't swallow to look at right now. He goes down from the viewpoint they are looking for as he doesn't like to admit with his partner that he can't see stuff clearly since he can't find anything in a sea of heads and people coming and going through the road.
"I'm sorry Gina. I'll go back to my place first. I'd like to take a little rest." Gran ask as he also meant for her to take a rest. They return two days ago and Gina and the rest of the Valkyries are looking non stop and asking where Mayuri might have been. Helios is a pretty considerable sized city that they might take a while to comb through, but Gran notice that it is somehow unbecoming of the party to look with only themselves.
"You're right, you can go now." Gina sternly replies as this turn Gran's expression into a defeated one. He chooses to go down the tower as he returns to Martha's inn, where he enters and the couple are waiting for him. "Hey Gran, thank the heavens you are here..." Arturo greets as Martha hands him an envelope. "Hey gramps, what's this? Why are you waiting here?"
Before Gran's question gets any answer, Martha interrupts as him as she explains what the envelope is. "A stamp of the Royal Kingdom, it means that you are most likely a summon. You need to dress properly for the occasion!" A happy Martha explains as Gran scratch his head as he wants to take a rest.
"No way I can attend to this! I am helping Gina looking for Mayuri. I can't let them down now?" Gran replies as he yawns, making it apparent that he is actually sleepy.
"Well, since you are here already doesn't that mean you basically surrender?" Arturo points out as Gran points in disbelief. "You got me there old man. Well, if you'd like, I'll go tomorrow then. Good eve..." Gran bid with a sleepy voice even though it is the middle of the morning. The couple can't force him as he is basically exhausted at this point.
"Hope he doesn't break." Martha worries as Arturo can only look at her.
The next day, Gran wakes up as he wears his hoodie and combs his hair to his liking. The morning hits his face as he hears some sort of commotion outside his room. As he yawns and stretch a little he remembers that he have to attend a royal summon, something he finds inconvenient but an opportunity in disguise as well. He check his shoes as he manage to warm his limbs up.
"Good morning y'all." Gran greets as he left his room at the worker's quarter. Gran then realize something. "Oh yeah, how come there is no other worker here? Well, can't expect that old couple to have some sort of help in this case." He thinks as he see that Gina is sitting in a table, sipping coffee while Martha is standing at the back of the counter and Arturo is preparing his crates full of fresh fruits. Gran quickly attend the old man's carrying duties while Gina is looking toward him.
"It seems that you receive something huh? Care to have me onboard?" Gina ask as she looks with her right eye close after sipping her cup of coffee. Gran then finishes loading the crates into the cart as he pops a candy into his mouth. "I just learn of it yesterday as Martha here receive the summon. I'll go to it and possibly ask the Princess if they can help her locate Mayuri." Gran tells her the plan, a thing that makes her eager to participate.
"You know it is more proper if I am the one who will speak instead of you." Gina says as this make Gran's eyebrow rise. "Oh, what makes you say that? Do you not have any trust in my ability to speak formally to Your Highness?" Gran ask while he is approaching his girl and look at her in the eye. Even Martha knows that there is already something between them.
"Oh, are you two are already..." Martha ask as the both of them look at her and points at each other. "Yeah, we are." Both answers but Gina blush as Gran lightly laugh and remark something. "And that's the reason my girl's bestfriend here left. Dunno if its jealousy or not but there is one thing I will not compromise." Gran says while he takes a sit beside Gina.
"I will not break with her." He drag her lightly on her side as he leans her head on his shoulder. This doubles Gina's blushing, to the point she pushes Gran back in embarrassment. "Hey, show some... Restraint. The day just started." Gina shyly state as she can't look at Gran straight to his eyes. "Yeah, but I can take this all day as well." Gran answers as Arturo breaks the atmosphere with him asking Gran to help him carry the cart himself. "Sorry to cut your whole lovet dovey short but I need assitance. You up young'un?"
Gran sighs as he stands and takes a leave as he straight kiss Gina in the lips as he goes to the cart to hold the handle. She sees his ears are beet red and she giggles on her own. "All of that daring act but he himself can't contain his embarrassment himself." Gina thinks aloud as the old man and the Exorcist leaves. Gina's assessment is correct as he is actually looking ridiculous right now as he is looking like he is holding his breath now.
"When did I became like that... It's so cringe..." Gran thinks to himself as he run and pulling the cart with the old man sitting there. "Ah, love strikes again..." Arturo remarks to himself as the two reach his stall several minutes later. While these events are happening Mayuri is in a carriage to head south. She is going to the city where her life starts, which she can't tell for herself if it is a spiral downward or an ascension.
"Maybe this is a kind of punishment..." Mayuri sighs in resignation as she looks outside as the sunny day and the clouds are moving while the green haired Rogue is lost in her own thoughts. Veronica and Rinko goes alongside Gina as a white carriage pull up in front of Martha's Inn, where a servant of the Princess is looking for Gran. "He is out for a moment. He helps my husband to set up his stall at the market for the moment." Martha explains as the male servant removes his hat as he takes a seat due to Martha's gesture for him to take a seat.
The servant then waits for Gran's arrival while Gina and the Valkyries are there as well waiting for Gran as well. "You think what's the reason why Mr. Gran is being called for?" Rinko ask as Veronica is cleaning her staff and answers. "I also want to know. Maybe if we beg hard enough they will help us look for Mayuri."
"That maybe the case, but the Princess want to speak directly to Gran about something." Gina says as the servant keep his lips shut. As soon as Martha serves a cup of her signature coffee to impress the Royal Family's servant, Gran lands into the front of the inn. "Hey! Are you being chased?" Gina ask her man as he shakes his head and enters the inn. "A little exercise is good for the body and mind." Gran answers as he sees that the Valkyries are now there and a man in a formal suit as well.
"So are you Mr. Gran?" The servant ask as he takes a sip of Martha's coffee. He soundly likes the taste as he remarks it to Martha. "You lady makes a great cup of coffee. This is impressive. If you like I can reccomend this blend to the Princess." The servant offers as Martha tries to play it off. "Oh thank you for that! You can tell the Princess to visit us if she likes." Martha answers as it is clear that the compliment makes her happy.
"Well somebody's day have been completed." Gran smirks as he leans into the doorframe. "But yes, I am Gran. Do we go with your fancy ride here?" Gran ask while he is pointing his thumb back to the white carriage on the front of the inn. "Yes... Let me finish this cup of coffee first." The servant answers as the Valkyries looks at him intensely.
"The Princess wishes to speak to Mr. Gran and Gina in particular, but it is only Mr. Gran that the Princees is asking presence for." The servant details as he finishes his cup of coffee as a courtesy to Martha. "Anybody that aren't asked to join will be turned back." The servant adds that the Valkyries get what he means, yet Gran thinks and speaks.
"Well if they can't be all be included over this summon then allow me to pick one to join me or tell your royal employer to forget it." Gran states his condition that makes the everyone at the inn look at him. He gaze with an unequal intensity to the servant as he knows soemthing. "I can't actually clean up this mess unless Gina or the others do so, but it is much better if Gina herself talks to the Princess as I am clueless about this... Please fall on my bluff..." Gran thinks as he wants the servant to agree on his condition.
A whole minute pass as the silence inside the inn grows. The activities outside are too loud that the servant have made up his mind. "Very well then. You can include one." The servant agrees with his condition, and Gran looks at Gina and nods. "You should say that you want me to go with you." Gina smirks as Gran exhales and when she stands to first leave, she flashes a thumbs up to Veronica and Rinko. "Don't worry, I'll see to it that Mayuri will be found." Gina parts with this words as he embark inside the carriage. The servant is asking if Gran will also go inside the carriage, but he scoffs him up and answer.
"Nah, I've consumed several candies yesterday. I'll go my own way." Gran states as he ask where is the Princess' location.
"Uh? You didn't know? How you didn't know about that?" The male servant flares up as he usually expect that everyone knows that the Apolonis is the home of the Royal Family. "Hey not all knows your place when your known right? Bet those street rats doesn't know where it is." Gran retorts as he points to a bunch of kids looking at the white carriage with admiration.
"Well, I'd rather not argue you simpleton... The direction is to the north eastern positiin here, there is some 20 or 23 kilometers from here." The servant explains that impress Gran and make him question something about this world. "You use Kilometers huh... Who taught you that?" Gran ask as the servant's nerves in their temple flares up. "You foing with us or what? You are stalling Your Highness' activities." The servant respond as Gran then drops it off.
"Well then, see you in the Capitol then." Gran bids farewell to Gina as she looks disappointed as she wants to have atleast a leisure ride with him before they talk to a royalty. "Hey, on second thought, do you want to join me here?" Gina ask as Gran look at the sky. "I'm sorry, I am not fit on waiting on a slow moving stuff. Don't worry I'll make sure to buy some souvenirs once you arrive you hear me?" Gran answers as he salutes to the servant, which is also the coachman.
"Wait what are you doing?" The servant really thought that Gran is joking when he days that he will go ahead of them. The Exorcist takes a runner stance and he counts to three. "One... Two... THREE!" And when he runs he leaves a trail of dust and somehow some plasma in the way. "The heck is that man?" The servant just mutters as he commands his horses to go as well.
Gran runs through the dirt road, pass some carriage and he jumps and leaps through several tall trees and lands to kill some slimes and orcs when he spots them on the way. He only uses his fist and his Barrier Technique to dispatch them all. An orc tries to bear hug him as another orc chargee at him while a slime is shooting corrosive acid to his direction. Gran grins as he shoulder toss the hugging orc on his back and he uses it as a shield to the corrosive acid.
"Don't think I encounter a species that does this, but whatever." Gran remarks as he unleashes a side kick to the charging orc's gut, stopping it dead on his tracks, and he give a good flurry of hook, uppercut and a straight punch to the monster's face. He looks at his right as he sees slime aiming at him again with its corrosive acid. He disappese from the watery monster's sight, and he smacks the monster so hard it plaster its body to the ground. Gran feels a powerful presence nearby. "I shouldn't be playing at a time like these, but whatever." Gran says as he looks up since a shadow covers him in this dense forest.
"Ah yes, Faffy... Didn't think those girls will be stubborn, well whatever. I am to blame as well." Gran thinks out loud as he sees a blue cute slime hopping and he sees it trying to absorb a fallen monster he slain earlier. He doesn't let it as he draws his dagger and shouts.
"Stillness of this World."
As soon he cast his powerful Anti Entropy, time stopping ability he dashes through and stabs the dagger to the head of this blue slime. "Oh I'm not gambling around. If you'll make some federation of monsters in the future, better accept your fate." Gran states as he remembers something that he watch before on Earth. He calls for Compression, and he takes some distance to cast his most powerful technique.
"Dimensional Boom."
The Compression and the Repel happens together and it blast the blue slime into nothingness. It dies as Gran retrieve his dagger. "And the world goes on." The time stop cease as time moves again. He then reorient himself as he continues to travel on foot.
In just a couple of hour Gran reach the entrance to the Capitol. Faffy and the other Valkyries manage to get there first as Gran does fight the monsters on the way. Gina's carriage arrive after another couple of hours as Gran hangs out with Veronica and Rinko in a bustling cafe. Gran is reading his book as Veronica ask what he is reading. "Oh, some collection of jokes and stories with hilarious stuff. Wanna give it a try?" Gran offers his book as he knows that it is boring to wait for Gina's arrival.
The three have a sweet chocolate ice cream glass with Gran asking for extra syrup goodness. Rinko, being modest, order only a normal vanilla cup of ice cream while Veronica orders with a side of cupcake and such. While Gran and Veronica are chatting, Rinko spots their Leader outside as she is looking for Gran.
"Geh, what the heck you all doing here? Where do you put Faffy then?" Gina ask while she takes a bite of Gran's ice cream, only to revolt over how sweet it is. "Well Faffy likes to take a nap near the bushes near the forest, so we manage to come here okay." Veronica answers as Gina ask Gran to go.
"Well I'll be right here. You girls?" Gran ask as he stands alongside Gina. They just inform the two of them that they will hang out a bit more in the cafe. As soon as they say their farewell, the couple walk together to the front of the Princess' Mansion, where the servant guides them and allow them to enter.
"Woah, how much money you spend to create such design for this mansion?" Gran looks around as he is amazed at how luxurious looking the place is. The servant is just silent as they stop in a door in the middle of that long hallway. "This is the room of the Princess. Please..." The servant bows as he gesture the two to enter the said room.
The couple steps inside the room as Princess Lucy is sorting through some paperwork. Her gaze shifts to the incoming Adventurer couple as she stands up.
"Welcome to my residence. I apologize for the sudden summon. I am Princess Lucy, the only heir to the throne and King Roan and Queen Victa's only daughter. Nice to meet you."