>>39598270
>What on earth was he doing when he looked at me?
>What is it he wants from me?
>I wonder if Noel really does go commando.

>>39598270
>What on earth was he doing when he looked at me?
>What is it he wants from me?
And the most important question
>I wonder if Noel really does go commando.

>>39598270

>What on earth was he doing when he looked at me?
>What is it he wants from me?
>I wonder if Noel really does go commando.
dammit me stop that
> I wonder if I can get Jin or Tsubaki to run to Mutsuki while I play the good little puppet under his thumb.

>>39598479
>>39598511
>>39598526
>What on earth was he doing when he looked at me?
He was looking at you, through your soul, almost.
As if he was analyzing your memories or reading your history off of you like a book.
You recall a conversation with Rachel.
>>38098003
>"Yes. Noel has Observed you."
>"Observed?"
>"As a magical construct, you normally do not exist. Someone with a power like hers can recognize 'people'. You were iconic enough to her that she believed that you exist. You became important enough to garner sentience and sapience."
Does this mean he was Observing you?
If that's true, he might be able to do all sorts of crazy stuff to you now.
You try not to think about it, and move on to your next question.
>What is it he wants from me?
Your hand almost instinctively touches your chest, the location where the 'mechanism' that supposedly negates the Azure Grimoire is.
He could gain a lot from killing Ragna for good.
Ragna... Is he on the right side here?
Most of your friends are in the NOL, but... the commanders are corrupt.
You hope Kagura is an exception.
>I wonder if Noel really does go commando.
You imagine Noel leading you into her bedroom, sitting down on the bed, smiling seductively as she lets down her hair, lifting her skirt, and...
No.
Stop that.
You blink and recover from your fantasy.

You should probably get some more to eat, to pretend like you're actually enjoying the scene.
Standing up, a thought occurs to you.
> I wonder if I can get Jin or Tsubaki to run to Mutsuki while I play the good little puppet under Relius' thumb.
That could be risky. Jin lies somewhere between grudging respect and hatred of you, while Tsubaki seems to consider you an equal, if inferior to Jin.
You look around. Tsubaki is here.
She's chatting with an older man, who seems to be her father.
Noel is happily eating.
Relius is smarming it up with other military officials.

>Find an excuse to leave
>Talk to Tsubaki
>Talk to Tsubaki's father
>Talk to Noel
>Write-In

>>39598910
>Talk to Noel
Give her the scoop, she if she has any ideas.

>>39598910
>Talk to Noel

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>>39598936
>>39598947
>Talk to Noel
Trying to clear the fact that you were mentally undressing her a second ago out of your mind, you walk over to Noel, who is happily nibbling on crackers, cheese, and fruit.
Her mouth is full of Parmesan and strawberry as she turns to you, motioning that her mouth is full before chewing and swallowing.
After she clears her throat, her voice is concerned, and she speaks in a whisper.
“What happened there? You froze up all of a sudden when he was looking at you. I mean, he's a little scary, but... are you okay?”
>”Yeah, I'm fine.”
>”He's got some sort of weird gaze.”
>”Do you know anything about Observation?”
>”Is the food any good?”
>Write-In

>>39599105
>”Yeah, I'm fine.”
>”He's got some sort of weird gaze.”
"Either he was mentally undressing me or he saw something"
>”Do you know anything about Observation?”
>”Is the food any good?”

>>39599105
>>”Yeah, I'm fine.”
>”He's got some sort of weird gaze.”
Make sure no one is looking at us
>”Do you know anything about Observation?”
if anyone comes by
>”Is the food any good?”

>>39599136
>>39599152
”Yeah, I'm fine.”
You shake it off as best you can. “He's got some sort of weird gaze.”
You look at Relius from across the room and see him still talking, still smiling.
"Either he was mentally undressing me or he saw something."
Noel shudders slightly at that. “Ew. But... saw something?”
You wait for the crowd to clear a little bit before speaking.
”Do you know anything about Observation?”
Noel perks up. “'Observation'? I don't think so. Is that some secret society?”
You lean on a table slightly. “To be honest, I don't know what it is. But I don't want Relius to know more about me than he has to. He... just creeps me out a little.”
As a soldier passes by, you quickly switch the subject.
>”Is the food any good?”
“Oh, well, yes. I really like the crackers, especially the browned ones with the holes in them. I don't know what they're called, though.”
Tsubaki's father is walking in your direction.
His eyes are even harsher than his daughter's.
Do you want to have this conversation or not?
>Let's tough this one out.
>Meet him halfway.
>”Wow, I completely forgot about those preparations for travel I have to make.”
>Find something more robust to eat- he won't interrupt a meal, will he?
>Slink away quietly.
>Write-In

>>39599404
>Meet him halfway.
Give him the appropriate bow he is the head of the duodecim after all.

>>39599404
>Write-In
"Well, Tsubaki's father is coming. I can see where she gets her fierce gaze from"
>Let's tough this one out.
>Meet him halfway.

>>39599472
Backing this. Can't run away from everything.

>>39599455
>>39599472
>>39599831

"Well, Tsubaki's father is coming. I can see where she gets her fierce gaze from."
You sigh to yourself.
>Let's tough this one out.
You meet him halfway from where he comes to meet you, and bow to him, as one of the heads of the Duodecim.
“Major Ben Herald, my name is Byakuya Yayoi, representative of the Yayoi family in the Duodecim. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
He seems to say that in only the metaphorical sense, because his face has not changed in the slightest from the stone-cold exterior he gives off. It's almost like if Jin stopped caring what little he did, and just decided to disdain everyone.
His eyes sweep around, silently judging everyone, including his daughter- especially his daughter.
She is tenatively standing nearby, before Head Yayoi turns back to you.
“It's interesting to hear about you. Colonel Clover told me you hail from no particular noble bloodline, but your achievements so far have been extraordinary. Perhaps the Kissragis would consider taking you under their wing.”
After a second, you realize his sardonic statement was at least partially serious.
“They do tend to recruit... Interesting people. I wonder, though, if you don't secretly have some sort of history in your family, and only through extreme circumstances you cane to your current position?”
He waits for your reply.
>”I was under the impression the Kisaragis had already adopted Jin as their future representative.”
>”I'm not sure exactly what you're implying, sir.”
>”I'm afraid my bloodline isn't as gloried as yours.”
>Write-In

>>39599835
>”I was under the impression the Kisaragis had already adopted Jin as their future representative.”
>”I'm afraid my bloodline isn't as gloried as yours.”

>>39599835
>”I'm not sure exactly what you're implying, sir.”
As far as I know I have no noble blood. Anyways
>”I was under the impression the Kisaragis had already adopted Jin as their future representative.”
You do honor me my lord but
>”I'm afraid my bloodline isn't as gloried as yours.”

>>39599858
>>39599873

You swallow and cough slightly.
”I'm sorry, I'm not sure exactly what you're implying, sir. As far as I know I have no noble blood."
he raises an eyebrow, and you continue.
”In fact, I was under the impression the Kisaragis had already adopted Jin as their future representative.”
“Well, yes, but they have a tendency to...adopt” He says this with the very slightest tinge of disgust, “...persons of high caliber, no matter of their origin. Such as you.”
With a calculated gaze that you follow, he looks at Tsubaki, Noel, and then moves back to you.
Man, this political bullshit is really getting on your nerves.
You manage to hold it together. ”You do honor me, but I'm afraid my bloodline isn't as gloried as yours.”
He smirks, slightly. “That is only to be expected, but I appreciate the compliment nonetheless.”
You have to mentally restrain yourself from punching his superior, assured smile.
He moves back to serious mode. “Were you going to take up Colonel Relius' offer? I'm sure there would be many leaders who would appreciate your aid and counsel.”
It's obvious he means himself. You don't like where this setup is going.

>”Well, I might take it up later, but like I said, I'd like to have some time to think about what I'm doing next.”
>”Is that an offer?”
>”Well, I actually was planning on talking it over with Relius once I had a few days to think.”
>”Why ask me?”
>Write-In

>>39600140
>”Well, I might take it up later, but like I said, I'd like to have some time to think about what I'm doing next.”
>”Why ask me?”

>>39600140
>”Well, I actually was planning on talking it over with Relius once I had a few days to think.”
>”Why ask me?”

>>39600178
>>39600213

”Well, I actually was planning on talking it over with Relius, but like I said, I'd like to have some time to think about what I'm doing next.”
“Indeed. Just know that the door is always open to you.” Byakuga nods.
You ask him your question, suspecting his motives. ”Why ask me?”
“The better question is, why not? You seem perfectly capable of serving in the Duodecim well. Besides, there's always the chance that you're related.”
With the tail end of that last sentence, you notice Tsubaki's pupils flare for a second in alarm, before returning to normal.
Okay, something really weird is going on here.
“Any more questions? It's a bit colder, where we are, but most of the time the weather-control systems keep us in perfectly temperate conditions.”

>”So you recruit based on bloodline?”
>”Not really. I'll talk to you later.”
>”Have you talked to Jin Kiseragi recently?”
>Write-In

>>39600393
>”Not really. I'll talk to you later.”

>>39600393
>”Not really. I'll talk to you later.”
>Write-In
Go back to Noel

>>39600427
>>39600432

”Not really. I'll talk to you later.”
He nods. “Good luck in your future endeavors. I hope to see you with us soon.”
As he walks away, it's all you can do to not grimace in anger. What is this, Harass Ben Herald Day?
You walk back to Noel, who is even more concerned at this point.
“You seem like you're under a lot of pressure.”
You get some cookies from a nearby table in a slight huff. “Yeah, I guess. I just hope everything ends well.”
The reception is slowing down some. A lot of the goers have left, including Tsubaki and her father.
Noel is looking a bit sleepy- it's approaching late evening, and she's eaten a decent amount.
Almost like a child, you think.
Almost.
But Relius is still here, along with about ten other people, not including yourself and Noel.
As a few more minutes pass, Noel taps you on the shoulder.
“I'm going to go back to my room- I have some things to do before tomorrow.”
You look up and catch Relius's eye.
There aren't many people left- If he's going to do something, he'll probably do it soon.
Decision time.
>”Yeah. I'll just help clean up.”
>”I'm going back to my room, too.”
>”Actually, Noel, mind staying a bit longer?”
>”Noel, I'm going to confront Relius.”
>Write-In

>>39600581
>”I'm going back to my room, too.”
We can't rush into things with no knowledge of his goal, other than him wanting our ass as much as noel.
>Write-In
Walk her to her room

>>39600581
>>”I'm going back to my room, too.”
Make sure no one follow you or her. Relius will use her against us if he can.

>>39600581
>”I'm going back to my room, too.”
Make sure to keep your guard up at all times

>>39600659
>>39600854
>>39600871

”I'm going back to my room, too. I'll walk you.”
When he sees you two walking past, he looks like he's holding back a laugh for some reason.
Seriously, at least Hazama was upfront about the fact that he wanted you dead, at least after a little probing.
You walk Noel to her room, without being followed, and get back to yours without any issue.
Your hand grips the doorknob with a paranoid tension.
It's dark enough at night that someone could have gotten into your room unnoticed.
Man, if it's Relius, you're probably going to flip out.
You take a deep breath and then decide...
>I didn't need sleep anyways. Not risking opening that door to find out whatever abomination is behind it.
>Maybe Noel wants some company.
>Maybe I can camp over with Newton.
>Maybe Tsubaki wants some company.
>Open the damn door, you big baby.
>Write-In

>>39600875
>>Open the damn door, you big baby.
sound ars at the ready.

>>39600875
>>Open the damn door, you big baby
No one will expect the Ben Herald Inquisition! maybe...

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>>39600913
>>39601053
Even with sound ars at your command, you're still nervous.
Holding onto the doorknob tightly, you hope to whatever gods there are that there is nothing in your room.
With a turn, you...
realize that the door was locked.
Some awkward fumbling later, the door is unlocked.
You count to five and throw the door open to find...
Nothing.
Everything's in order, everything's in place.
You close the door, and nothing jumps at or on you.
It seems all is well.
>Go to sleep
>Review/develop plan to get Relius off your fine ass
>Ponder Byakuya's offer.
>Ponder Noel
>Write-In

>>39601207
Sorry not sorry

>>39601207
In order
Scoff and byakuga's offer.
Think of a way to get out Relius' thumb. Newton can you help a bro out maybe? Mutsuki has rank on Clover and is a duodecim, If we can get some documentation from tsubaki, jin and noel he could use it to help us.
Ponder Noel.
Sleep

>>39601276
and by that I mean Newton runs it to Mutsuki for us while we keep up the façade here.

>>39601276
I'm down with this order

>>39601276
>>39601348
>>39601372

Yeah, that was low. My bad.

Scoffing to yourself, you shake your head for being idiotic enough to fear the bogeyman suddenly appearing in your room.
Then again, based on what you've seen so far, that might not be much of a stretch.

Sitting down, you consider Byakuya's offer.
Of especial note was that reaction Tsubaki had.
>>39600393
>“The better question is, why not? You seem perfectly capable of serving in the Duodecim well. Besides, there's always the chance that you're related.”
>With the tail end of that last sentence, you notice Tsubaki's pupils flare for a second in alarm, before returning to normal.
Why would us being related be threatening to Tsubaki?
It's obvious Byakuya's not telling you everything. Maybe you can wheedle it out of his daughter later.

Think of a way to get out Relius' thumb.
Newton knows more about this area than either of you. Perhaps he could provide tips on where to go in case you have to flee.
Mutsuki has rank on Clover and is the head of the Duodecim, You think that if you can get some documentation from Tsubaki, Jin and Noel he could use it to help you.
You could offer your aid as assistance, and Mutsuki would have priority. Relius wouldn't be able to grab you without defying rank.

>Ponder Noel.
What part of Noel do you wish to ponder?
>Personality
>History
>Relationships
>Body (Perv.)
>Write-In

>>39601574
>Personality
>History
>Relationships

>>39601605
>Personality
She's cheerful, happy, and likes cute things.
She can't cook, but she is a good poet, and has a good relationship with her friends.
She's very upbeat, but prone to taking orders from other people, and pretty naive for a young adult.
Her affection for you seems to stem from the fact that you treat her as an equal.
Does this mean that she hasn't had very many relationships in her life?
Either way, her romantic feelings for you do seem genuine, if sometimes a bit childish.
Speaking of childish, she does tend to act that way sometimes.
>History
She doesn't have much of it.
As far as you can tell, she was adopted by her foster parents, got Bolverk, shipped off due to pressure from Hazama to Military Academy, and became the secretary of Jin within a few years.
You don't know where she was born or who her true parents are.
>Relationships
She has her parents, her friendship with Tsubaki, her friendship with Makoto, and her... coexistence with Jin, as well as a mutual affection with you.
Wow, that's not many people. Maybe you should ask her about her friends from Military Academy.
Or try to remember your own from-
[NULL]
Maybe you should ask her about her friends from Military Academy.
Anything else?
>Write-In
>No

>>39601840
>Write-In
Her weapons

>>39601864
Arcus Diabolus: Bolverk, translating to Demon Bow, is a set of two pistols originally wielded by Three of the Ten Sages.
Type XI: Optic Barrel is an ability that produces an Armagus explosion where the target is, even able to pass through shields or walls due to the dimension-bending nature of the attack.
Anything else?
>Write-In
>No

>>39602026
If we can't think of her three sizes then
>no

>>39602057
Height:
1.57 m
Weight:
48 kg
What third measurement?
>Warning: Synchronization rate is reaching dangerous levels.
>Write-In

>>39602131
>Write-In
Stop

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>>39602189
>...
>Synchronization level dropping.
>Recommending subject forget last five minutes.

You come out of a daze, clutching your chest, which is suddenly burning up all of a second.
With a few seconds of concentration, it cools down to an ordinary intensity.
You're exhausted, and slump into bed nearly fully-uniformed.
>>>>>>>
This is where it ends tonight.
If this thread is still up in the morning I'll answer questions.
Hang strong, Heralds!
Did I really just say that?

>>39602265
And let's get the obvious one out of the way.
No, you're not a Murakumo Unit.
You're closer to Hazama than anyone else.

>>39602298
How close?

>>39602334
Here's an epic sort of spoiler.
Grimoires can have personalities.

>>39602389
Does that mean we get a cool outfit like Hazama's someday?

>>39602532
Like a hat?

>>39602645
He's got good shoes too

>>39602645
I guess? I just dig Hazama's outfit is all

>>39602389
Interesting spoiler dead spike, even though I passed out half way through. Thanks for running!

>>39602532
>>39602645
>>39602680
>>39602683
Rather not look like the evil troll hipster.

>>39602645
>>39602680
>>39602683
Nah.
>>39606283
It's actually part of the lore.

The question is whether you're a Grimoire or not, which I won't be spoiling.

>>39606404
I figured. Just thought the spoiler was interesting. As for us? I figure we're an artificial human like Hazama is, we just had someone nice(and inexperienced) take charge of our headspace instead of Terumi the insane troll.

>>39606474
Well, you're not quite right, but you're not quite wrong.
Archived!
I'll answer any more questions in a bit.

>>39606499
Damn, really?
Excuse me, I seem to have dropped my trip.
How embarrassing.
>>39606283
Besides we already have a cool hat.

>>39606511
Exactly if we already have a cool hat, no need to look like that asshole. Comparatively how strong are we? How much have we improved since we started?

>>39606539
Your power has increased significantly, to the point where you could outfight Carl easily, but still several levels lower than Ragna or Terumi.