Chapter Text
“Hey Sis.”
A while ago, sis grabbed Iris' magic sword and annihilated her hand. Now she's in the nurses office and just woke up.
“CID!”
She is SUPPOSED to be in a gravely injured state with her arm in a splint but never stopped her.
She tackles me to the ground.
“I have waited an entire day for you. Where were you all yesterday? I was up all night waiting for you!!” she says very ‘calmly’.
The nurses start to panic.
“I was busy training.”
“You never train by yourself.”
“I have had a change of heart.”
“You have been lazing around.”
“I have had a change of heart.”
“You have been lazing around.”
There are now like 6 or 7 nurses surroundings us. It's hard to tell with Sis on me. They don't know what to do. Then again they are not trained for ‘Crazy injured patient who should be resting pins down her brother’.
“Why did you even injure yourself?”
She starts talking but I ignore her. I run a thin stream of magic through her to identify the damage.
It's pretty bad. Her hand would be permanently disfigured and lose function in some fingers if I let her heal normally. I subtly run some magic to heal her. Just enough so the nurses don't notice. They don’t exactly have an x-ray machine but they do have a basic understanding of the body. But I can just come back and heal her more later so it's less suspicious.
It would be lame if she got permanently injured from an accident. If you are going to get permanently injured at least be from a cool battle.
Imagine if some epic powerful knight stopped fighting because he injured his spine by falling down the stairs. Or randomly got a bad illness like a lung infection… oh wait that one sounds familiar… but I can't put my finger on it.
Eventually the crowd of nurses forces her off me and her back into bed.
—---------
Alexia was apprehensive about her upcoming lunch meet. She is supposed to have a nice chit chat with Natsume and Rose. But neither could be completely trusted.
She suspects something is up with Rose. Her sister said “No sane person would just jump into a suspicious magic gate for no reason.” Okay maybe that was also a jab at her but the point stands regardless. She can’t entirely be trusted.
If Rose is under suspicion then that means Natsume is back on the chopping block. And something is definitely off about her. No up and coming author can be that unphased when placed in between royalty. She appeared a few years ago in the public eye out of practically nowhere and quickly rose the ranks to arguably the most esteemed author. It takes years to learn etiquette and put on such a mask for the courts and nobles, yet she had the good mask that should take years to master. No way is she just some simple author.
Alexia enters Mitsugoshi. They decided to meet to have their lunch in the in house Tuna king in Mitsugoshi because… well simply put it there are less commoners around and the seating is nicer. Fortunately royalty doesn't need to wait in the massive queue to enter. Tho… Natsume is not royalty. She will probably have to wait to enter Mitsugoshi. Heh.
She walked up to Tuna king, and she was greeted by Natsume and Rose. They were already drawing onlookers. Better get inside easily.
One of the Tuna King employees greeted them and led them to their seats. They pre-booked a private room. Two princesses simply draw too much attention. It's hard to have a nice meal with dozens of eyes watching you.
They sit down and order. Rose almost immediately talked about one of Natsume's books. Initially Alexia was wondering why she hadn't heard of Natsume before the Goddesses trail well before looking into her. Alexia had heard quite a variety of books that were popular making their rounds in noble circles. Turns out they were ALL Natsume books. In fact Alexia struggled to find any book that the nobles were talking about that weren't Natsume books.
Just because Natsume is a once in a millennium literary genius doesn't mean Alexia has to like her.
There is a moment break in the conversation. Alexia takes her chance. “Oh, Natsume. I was wondering who taught you etiquette. For someone to rise to fame quite fast you seem to be quite… skilled in that area.” That last bit hurt a little to say but she had to if she wanted any information.
“Oh, I never thought of that. How did someone teach you so fast?” Rose echoed.
“Well… I… Oh look, the food is here.”
The waiter places food in front of Rose and Natsume, then walks off. Where's Alexia’s food?
Natsume smirks at Alexia for a fraction of a second.
That bitch.
Alexia jabs the tip of her shoe into Natsume shin. A smile crawls up Alexia’s face ever so slightly.
Natsume gives her an irritated glare.
“Alexia, look, your food is here.” And Rose seems completely oblivious.
—--------
“Cid. Hello. Are you busy?”
I was invited by Skel to do some background character activities. I was on my way there when I bumped into Sherry.
“I can afford to be a little late,” he replied.
A background character can afford to be late so we can chat for a bit.
“It's been a while since we talked… I read all the books you recommended to me before you went to Lindwurm.”
Oh yeah that was a thing I did before the terrorist attack.
“I did some work at Mitsugoshi. Luna, that Elf woman you introduced me to is really nice.” Sherry beamed.
Glad she is having fun, as long as she doesn't meet Eta everything should be fine.
“I also met the renowned scientist Eta Lloyd Wright.”
Oh no.
“She is a bit strange, ethically questionable and arguably nocturnal. But she's really smart. She is basically the designer of modern trains, coffee and even chocolate… like the ones you once gave me.”
“Wow, that's quite the list of achievements.”
“Shes really impressive. But I'm also doing some work that's going to help people. I was going to publish some papers with her. Even if Eta only wanted to do it for the tax benefits.”
Sherry's voice became quiet again. “It's just…”
“You don't want to publish with the name Barnett." Cid guessed correctly.
“Yes, s-so I was wondering if… since we are friends. You could… well…” her cheeks turn peachy.
Help her? I don't really think I can just come up with a new last name and give it to just like that. Still having the last name of someone who tried to kill you kinda sucks. He was her adoptive father.
“Yeah sure, I guess you could go back to your original last name just for now. What was it?”
“Crowley.”
“Well nice to meet you, Sherry Crowley. My name is Cid Kagenou.” Hopefully that solves her issue.
“Then thank you Cid Kagenou.” She smiles sweetly and scurries off.
Eh. All’s well that ends well.
—--------
“Rumor has it that Chancellor Perv Asshat has been weirdly close to King Raphael Geerk Oriana. That the King seems to be acting a bit vacant as of late.”
“Thinking about it, my father’s messages have become quite bland as of a few months ago.”
Where does this Natsume bitch get this information? She has been bouncing around Midgar doing book signings for the past few months, when did she hear that ‘rumor’. How is she in contact with someone who knows more about Orianan royalty than Rose? She could be pulling this out of thin air. Her body probably decided to forgo development in her brain to enhance her chest.
But if she is telling the truth. That brings more questions: how does she even get sensitive information? If she is truthful, Natsume could actually have a spy network. Surely that is too absurd, why would an author have a spy network. It would explain why she is so fake.
Alexia decides she should tell Iris about this. Iris can verify the validity of this information when the Orianan delegation arrives.
—---------
Cid approaches a small arena marked by a wooden fence that's drawing a sizable but not huge crowd. The preliminary rounds for the Bushin festival have already started. He signed up earlier. But it's not time to shine as a Mundane mann yet. He spots Skel watching the match scribbling on a notepad. He notices Cid.
“Cid there you are. What took you so long? Decided to take another dump outside?”
“No, what yah up to?”
“Collecting battle data for the fighters. So I know who to gamble on.”
He's going to lose all his money.
“If I collect battle data, I will use it to calculate the possibilities and place my bets.”
He's going to lose all his money.
“Cid lend me some money so we can both win big.”
He's going to lose all his money.
“Come on Cid!”
“I bet you 100,000 zeni you lose all your money.” Cid thought out loud.
“Sure, you better get my money ready when I win big.”
‘Easiest 100,000 zeni of my life.’ They both think simultaneously.
“Anyway where’s Po?”
“His dad called him home. Mitsugoshi is making a document to classify crops and Po’s dad into an argument over what should be the correct potato sizes with another Baron. They decided whichever domain produces more potatoes this harvest wins.”
“Huh.”
“Yeah, that poor fool is probably knee deep in dirt farming potatoes while I make my fortune. Don't worry, I will still remember you two once I become rich and get loads of girls.”
Skel would actually be a pretty decent information broker. Despite being a background character he is pretty up to date with everything. Heck, he could probably actually get a girl if he stopped gambling and actually put all his effort into being an info broker.
“Don’t grin like that, you will owe me 100,000 zeni by the end of the festival.”
Heh. We will see.
—-----
They watch the matches as Skel takes note. A while later a man covered in gold plate armour shows up. He has a red cape and a feather in his golden hair. If he wasn't as muscular he would appear lanky. His shiny attire reflected the early morning light.
“Cid look. It’s Goldy Gilded, the unbeaten legend.”
“HaHa, that name is quite embarrassing. I prefer the name Goldy Gilded, the ever victorious golden dragon.”
“Cool.” Cid said slowly, sliding away from him. Goldy just emits too much relevant character energy for him.
“I see you are taking notes. You see, gathering battle data is a routine I never miss.” The man in dazzling gold continues. “If you wish I could teach you my ‘Guaranteed victory theory’ I use so that victory will always be mine.” Goldy poses.
Skel is stunned by his coolness. “O-Of course please do, ever victorious golden dragon Goldy Gilded. Cid, you see I will win our little bet? Huh… He left… it seems the king of dung is at it again.”
“We will now begin the twelfth match of the third round.” The announcer takes a moment to catch his breath. “Gonzales VS Mundane Mann!”
“Okay so my theory goes, you can guess who wins by judging someone's battle power before the match.” Goldy gloates.
“Battle power?”
“It’s a numerical value of how strong a person is. Gonzales you can tell by the arrogant attitude and the buff body he is quite a veteran warrior. His slightly chipped blade and grip on it show he’s accustomed to it and uses it a lot. His battle power is approximately 1364.”
“and the other guy?”
“t-this can’t be.”
“What! Is he a dark horse?!” Skel guesses.
“No… He is unbelievably… inept. I’m surprised he even made it to the preliminaries. This will all be over in an instant.” Goldy chuckles.
The match begins. Gonzales rushes forward and trips? Knocking himself out?
“Wow it did end in an instant.” Skel's eyes gleamed with admiration. Unaware of the confused look on Goldy's face.
—----------
Annarose Nichtsehen watches from afar. What was that? She wasn't paying much attention as she expected the strange man she met in the queue to get beaten in that match. But no he did something that beat his opponent instantly.
His hand moved. She could barely see it but it did happen.
And yet she could not sense an iota of strength from him.
How is Mundane Mann that fast?
—----------
That was brilliant. Goldy's face was just pure shock as I dropped that buff guy.
Oh and that Annerose girl she is just perfect. I attuned my speed so she could just see me move but no one else could. She fits the ‘thinks theirs something up with this small fry’ archetype perfectly. Oh I can't wait for when I face her. And she goes either. “How did I lose to this small fry?” Or she is like “wow he's so strong, I can’t believe he hid his strength. Who is this guy?” Either one will work.
Cid walked off smiling to himself.
“My Lord.”
She passes him a Tuna king burger.
“Nu. Wassup.”
“We have intercepted a message from the Hel faction.”
Hel faction. Is that part of Shadow Garden?
No, I think I heard Sherry mention that name. Not really sure what to make of it. Hopefully Hel is a knight of the round I can fight. I should probably find out. If I'm caught not knowing, that would be embarrassing.
“We intercepted a letter regarding a meeting between some important cult figures. We could launch an attack but we are already spread too thin ensuring the supermarket plans.”
“I will handle it.”
It would be super cool if I can fight a proper knight of round.
“But Lord Shadow. A knights of round are not pressent… no you know this already don’t you. There is something important only you can do.”
“Yes, of course. I have a goal in mind.” He lies.
Change of plan. Think of something cool... Oh I know just the thing.
He explains his plan to Nu.
She nods and darts off.
I can sense Rose coming my way. She's looking at me. I pretend not to notice her. I tactically shoved a burger into my mouth to pretend I'm busy. Why is this background character not talking they say, obviously because he's eating.
She ‘sneaks’ up on me and jabs me with the hilt of her blade. Cid lets out a background character like sound.
“Thats quite a carefree look. You should remain vigilant at all times.”
“Yh-huh.” Cid replied with a mouth full of Tuna King.
“I see you have been to Tuna King. Their food is delicious. I went there with the girls earlier today. Myself, Natsume and Alexia.”
“You three are friends?”
“Yes, I have especially been getting off well with Miss Natsume lately! And Alexia is a very kind girl, so it's easy to get along with her.”
Are you talking about a different Alexia?
“Listen Cid, I will be meeting my father today. Unfortunately the Goddesses trail was interrupted by Shadow, so you couldn't prove yourself.”
Prove myself?
“But I will try to convince my father to hold off any other betrothal candidates until then.”
“wut?”
“I know our love will eventually overcome any obstacle.”
“wut?”
“Don’t worry about me, my Cid I will handle everything on my side. It will be a different path but I believe we can make it together.”
Abort. Abort. Abort.
When did I trigger the romance flag? How does a background character even handle this? A regular background character would say yes, but they stop being a background character when they do.
“Cid, you seem confused? Are you okay?”
“When did this happen?” Cid finally says.
“When did what happen?”
She connects the dots.
“Oh, when you showed your unbreakable spirit in the tournament? Or when you sacrificed your life to save mine?”
“You mean when you destroyed me in a tournament and saved a foreign princess because I noticed that magic wasn't working.”
“Your love–” Rose was stunned.
“If you died the alliance between Midgar and Oriana would shatter.”
“...”
—---------
Rose was broken. She pinched herself to make sure it was not a nightmare.
Was it all in my head? Was I just being overbearing on a low noble who doesn't try to suck up to me? No this can't be. My Cid. No.
A tear rolls down her cheek.
Rose pinches herself again. This time hard enough to draw blood.
I could not have made it all up.
“I-I thought we were in l-love?” The last word for her was near impossible to say.
“I don't think that happened.”
“c-could we s-stttart over. Then, we could m-maybe fall-l in l-l-love?” She was grasping at straws.
“I'm sorry I can't. If I walked the path of the hero, I would. But no, I have a dream. One that I would sacrifice anything to achieve.” He says staring off into the distance.
“Could you tell me, that dream?” Tears were running down her face like a waterfall.
“No, it's not yet time.”
“I understand.” Rose drooped.
She notices the tears falling down her face. She starts walking off.
“Try not to be so sad.” Cid states and throws her one of his Tuna King burgers.
“t-thaankyyoouuww”
Rose takes the burger and runs off crying. She tries to not cry and hide her tears but it doesn't work.
—---------
Everyone was present for the meeting, all but one.
The Silver Scar often referred to as Hel's favorite sat at the head of the meeting; it was he who declared the meeting after all. The dark spider and dark smile sat to one side both in their dark hooded cloaks. Gettan, a blind yet powerful therianthrope sat opposite them. Next to Gettan was an empty seat where Zenon used to sit. Various Named and first children were littered around the room as guards. All highly trustworthy. Many were remnants of the Nelson faction.
The silver scar was in an emissary of the Hel the forth seat of rounds. Dark spider and dark smile were both here to show Fenrir's support in the plan. Gettan was not affiliated with a knight of rounds but more so he held a sizable portion of their finances.
Finally the last man arrived. He, who is publicly known as Perv Asshat, the man Mordred wants to take the 12th seat. While Mordred usually works in Oriana. Mordred is on good terms with the 1st seat.
They begin their initial discussions. They consist of failed attempts to find Shadow Garden bases, losses from the recent attacks and a few Possessed they located. But it's a fraction of what they would find merely ten years ago.
Then.
A knock on the door.
Someone new enters.
—---------
The Silver Scar looks at the newcomer. He's a man in a long slick coat and mask, enters the room. The coat is fairly standard for named children. Not a uniform, having one would allow people to connect dots they aren't supposed to. More like a chosen style. Obscures the face, doesn't look too suspicious, just a little shady and common enough to blend into a crowd.
He wears a mask over his face, one that's recognisablely the false Shadow Garden masks that Sir Gaunt once used.
He strolls into the room as if 30 swords weren't pointed at him. He takes a casual seat at Zenon’s old seat.
Who the hell is this guy?
While everyone was confused by his causal attitude. The Silver Scar decides to end this madness. He draws his sword and plunges it into the intruder's chest.
The man doesn't even bother to block. The sword stabs him through the chest. Blood drips from the wound. He doesn't react at all to the attack. The blade twists, this should kill. Yet the intruder doesn't seem to care.
The man turns his head slowly as if the world would wait for him.
“You know it is quite impolite to stab guests.” He says with horrifying calmness.
Everyone who hasn't drawn their blades is prepared to draw at a moment's notice.
“But, I will forgive you, it was my mistake to not introduce myself sooner.”
He continues.
“My name is Panoptes. And I will be serving as the eyes of rounds.”
That name he had heard before. He was present at Sir Gaunt's attack and left before it failed. They tried to scrape together information about him but they couldn't find anything. A secret cult operative working under a knight of round. Perhaps a jude or even a spy sent to sabotage other factions within the cult.
“Who sent you? Why are you here?” Silver Scar demanded.
“I would have told you if you were supposed to know who sent me. And, why am I here? Well…”
Panoptes makes an expression of someone who is trying to come up with a lie on the spot. “To revive the Demon, just like the rest of you.”
Gettan glared at him. “Revive the demon? What are you on about?”
The Silver Scar interrupted him. “No, he's right. The plan Hel created, the first seat approved and Fenrir will aid us on is the unsealing of the right arm of Diabolos.”
“That would destroy Midgar.” Dark Spider complained.
“No, just the capital. Now let me explain the plan in full detail.”
The only people who should know of that plan were; the first seat, Hel, Fenrir and himself. Dark Spider and Dark Smile don't seem to recognise him. Meaning the first seat of rounds likely sent him to observe.
The Silver Scar decided it was for the best to allow him. No one wants the wrath of the first seat. Yet judging by Panoptes words, he doesn't want to be outed for serving under the first seat. The Silver Scar removed his blade from Panoptes, who still didn't seem to care about his injuries.
Hopefully I am not over thinking this. The Silver Scar thinks to himself.
Over the next few minutes they talked about the plan.
First, Gettan was to slowly pull out cult financial assets. Slow enough not to draw attention. Then once they have pulled out as many assets as they can without being suspicious. They make a new bank note and exchange as many notes for coins as possible. Then suddenly remove all the coins, cult assets and flood the market with notes. This would cripple the economy and hopefully Mitsugoshi too.
During the chaos it inflicted the Hel and Fenrir faction raids as much valuables as possible, including “human assets” especially possessed.
Then Fenrir would unseal the right arm under the school. This would lay waste to the Capital. Crushing the kingdom's head. Leaving midgar in ruin and uprooting Shadow Garden’s base. Then both the Demon and the cult will fight Shadow Garden. Crushed between a rock and a hard place. The Loki sect would get caught up in their plans. Though, Fenrir is probably happy about that.
After Shadow Garden is wiped out or cripped. Mordred, Hel and Fenrir will work together to reseal the demon within Hel. It would probably be weakened after Shadow Garden fights it. After all, only the cult has the relics to reseal it. And this newer seal will allow them to extract more cells from the arm.
Finally, the powerful dukes affiliated with the cult who will conveniently not get caught in the conflict will seize control over the kingdom.
Quite the brilliant plan. Even Panoptes seemed impressed. Hopefully the first seat would be impressed too.
The meeting ended as the sun set.
Gettan left without a word. He has the most work to do after all.
Perv got up. “I have to make my way back to meet my fiance.” He says with such spite even a deaf man would know he doesn't love her. “She should have met with the Orianan delegation, I had to skip meeting her to come here.”
Panoptes speaks for the first time in a while. “Be careful. Shadow Garden may try to interfere.”
“How do you know that?”
“It would be foolish not to interfere with a foreign princess. And if Shadow Garden were fools, Shadow's skull would already be mounted on a wooden plaque in someone's office.”
Perv silently agrees with Panoptes as they leave.
—--------
Man I'm beat from that. Joining an enemy's meeting as a mysterious ally who's secretly their arch enemy was so cool.
Also I now know all the cult plans. I need to be cautious with how I prevent them. If I instantly search for the arm they could realise Panoptes is a spy.
Oh and I need to save Rose at some point, I can do that later, the Bushin festival is more important right now.
He lies on his bed and falls asleep.
—--------
Cid is woken up from his sleep by someone banging on his door.
“CID!! CID! THERE HAS BEEN AN INCIDENT!”
He opens it to see Skel who almost falls into Cid’s room.
“Rose Oriana massacred the Orianan delegation and is on the run!” Skel shoves a freshly printed newspaper into Cid’s face. He reads it.
Rose Orianan attacked the Orianan delegation and is now on the run. Any information on her will be rewarded.
42 killed.
17 wounded.
Cid feels he is somehow partially responsible for this.