File: Spoiler Image (150 KB, 990x1411)

150 KB JPG

Pastebin:http://pastebin.com/jCGAA6J2
Archive:http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=dog%20days%20quest
Twitter:https://twitter.com/Announcer_QM

Forty! Check the armory! Now!

Oh, OH!

You remember!

You went on a hunt for a spy, and got wrapped up in something stupid! Involving a psychic ring, some rich jerks who want to take over a neighboring kingdom, and-
Oh, you were so tired you forgot to take the ring off before you went to bed. You're naked right now specifically because you took your clothes off and flopped into bed earlier.

"Morning, Yuuki." A cheerful voice greets you.

You turn your head to be greeted by the head maid of Biscotti, Alicot. The afternoon sun glistens off her blonde hair.

Wait, afternoon?

"I came to bring you your clothes. Anna wanted them washed." She smiles, handing you your garmets from around the door.

"Alicot, quick, how long was I asleep?!" You start to unfold your clothes, and hastily put them on.
"According to Anna, about thirteen hours."

Thirteen WHAT?!

"She was so worried earlier." Alicot sighs, "She was worried you were coming down with a cold, but she had to attend a meeting about the battle we're having in a week. So she asked me to take care of you."

Oh shoot! You forgot all about that, too!

"So, how are you feeling, Yuuki?" Alicot peeks around the door with her patented smile. "You were just tired, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just tired. I'll be fine."

"Oh good. If you're okay, then I must go. Something is happening downstairs, and I'm worried the castle might be put on alert."

>I'll be out in a few minutes.
>Down..stairs?
>Shoot, run toward the armory.
>It's probably nothing, right?
>Focus on trying to wake up. Your normal routine, and then worry about tackling matters at hand.
>Other?

File: 1408793798236.jpg (96 KB, 1280x720)

96 KB JPG

Quick reminder to anyone joining us:

Petting and grabbing fluffy tails is always an option.

>>608160
>Shoot, run toward the armory.
aw shit, aw shit

>>608160
>Down..stairs?
>Shoot, run toward the armory.

>>608252
>>608177
Also, how are you doing tonight?

>Down..stairs?
>Shoot, run toward the armory.

Writing!

>>608306
I'm fine, but boy is it slow. Usually we average about four or five people. Maybe MGNQ sucked everyone up for the night.
Thankfully, this thread is almost guaranteed to last a week, so I can just pick up tomorrow if it doesn't work out tonight.

>>608315
I mean, it's apparently the last thread (on 4chan at least) so makes sense there'd be a lot of people there.

...Kind of makes me feel bad, because I want to help them make sure the thread is a good one, but I feel like there's not nearly enough time to figure out what's going on. I mean that quest is -daunting-

>>608324
See, I didn't know it was the last on 4chan.

I want to help too, but the last time I followed, chiaki molested one of her underlings because someone thought it would be funny it wasn't. I have no idea what its like now.

>>608334
But yeah it's a shame, I think the other guy isn't here anymore either.

I guess it's possible that tonight's just bad for a lot of people?

File: Kayda_sleepy.jpg (213 KB, 1500x1246)

213 KB JPG

"Down.. stairs?"

You vaguely remember something.
Some kind of, rude voice. Something familiar about it.

Downstairs..

Armory.

ARMORY!

Quickly, you tie your obi haphazardly around your waist. You don't even take the time to grab your naginata before dashing straight out the door.

The confused maid blinks, and coughs. She isn't even able to call out before you make your way down two flights of stairs.

--

Armory.. armory.. armory.. armor-

There's a mass of soldiers, knights, and maids standing around the iron-clad door. Fritelli is standing outside of it, giving the assembly orders and information.

You quietly tap someone on the back, and try to get their attention.
She spins around, letting her chestnut-brown hair lazily hang over her shoulder.

"(Yuuki?)" Pomelo seems confused, instead of worried.
"(Pomelo! Quick! What happened?)"

She suddenly seems nervous.

"(Uh, we're being put on high alert.)"
"What's in the armory?!" You immediately drop your quiet demeanor, and grab Pomelo by the shoulders.

"(I don't know! We're being told to patrol the town. That's all I know. All the heroes are going to get recalled within the hour.)"
"Wh-"

A thought hits you.
"What about Louise, or Kayda? Have you seen them?!"
"Um-"

Pomelo nervously glances around. That's when you notice that the entire mass of guards and Fritelli has set their gaze onto you.

"Where is Louise and Kayda?!" You turn the question to Fritelli.
"Yuuki, it's fine." Fritelli clearly tries to deflect. "Just stay on alert, and let us handle the sorting."

The armory.
The armory.
Fritelli seems to be standing in front of the armory door.

You push past the crowd, and make a beeline straight for Fritelli.
"Yuuki." She tries to confront you.
You don't even acknowledge her. Instead, you duck right past her and enter through the armory door.
"Yuuki, wait-" Is all you hear before you shut the iron barricade behind you.

Inside, Aligot and Dorje are standing inches away from the doorway. It seems like they were trying to listen in on Fritelli's speech.
"Yuuki?!"
"W-what's wrong?!"

"Okay. What happened. I demand the actual explanatio-"

You see her.
Laying on the workbench, covered in a blanket, with an ice-pack on her head.

Kayda.

Immediately, you brush past the two guarding the doorway and stop inches away from the unconscious hero.
She's asleep, and appears to be having some kind of fever.

>Hug her.
>Get mad.
>Explanations, now.
>Try to stay calm.
>This is a time for level-heads, not anger.
>Other?

>>608484

Okay, since I have not had the turnout I expected, I'm going to assume that I'm competing with the biggest quest on the board and maybe consider going to bed.

That will leave time for people to vote overnight, and give me something to write in the morning.

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll continue with hopefully renewed readership.
What do you think? I'm thinking that might be the best idea before I move on too far without the majority of the playerbase.

>>608527
>Try to stay calm.

>>608534
i just got a little distracted, that's all
but i'm fine whenever

>>608534
Yeah that's fair, I hope you get a good night's sleep then and don't worry about stuff!

>>608527
>This is a time for level-heads, not anger.
>Explanations, now.

>>608534
yeah, that sounds like a good plan actually

File: 78c209ceb84eac1c097c5bd7a(...).jpg (249 KB, 548x791)

249 KB JPG

I agree
I'm going to go to bed, and let this sit until the morning. I'll write up another update before work and then continue tomorrow.

See you then.

>>608527
>>Explanations, now.

File: Dorje_2.png (341 KB, 600x660)

341 KB PNG

Someone [u]hurt[/u] Kayda?

You're going to kill them. You'll wreck this entire continent before-

Wait-
Stop.

Now is the time for level heads, try to stay calm.
Besides, there really isn't anything tasteful to break in here.

"Kayda. Can you hear me?"
No response.

"We can't wake her up." Dorje says, quietly.
"Yuuki, please be calm."

"I demand an explanation. Right. Now."

They can tell that you mean business. Though, you mostly directed that at Aligot.

"It's not my fault!" Dorje whines, "She, Louise, and Keiko were out at the stores at about noon. They went into the dress shop, and Kayda didn't come out! When I went to have a look, and I think someone tried to kidnap her; I'm not really sure? Either ways, she was spouting fire, and saying nonsense. and- and-"

"She was hit with a charm." Aligot picks up where the teary-eyed kid left off. "Exactly like the one you had. It just seems like they swapped tactics, clothing shop instead of a beggar by the side of the road."

Last time you ever try to help a 'poor old woman'.

"Something is.. different about this one." Aligot sighs, but maintains his stone gaze. "She's having negative side effects. I've only heard of this happening when someone is put under the influence of two types of spells at once."

"What does that mean?! You're not making any sense at all!"

"It means." Aligot walks over to Kayda, checking the temperature of the ice on her head. "She was already under the effect of a magic spell before the charm was applied. I'm thinking some kind of mind-alteration or mind-control." Aligot grumbles. "Both applied at once resulted in the fever you see before you."

"How do we fix it?"

"Louise was here earlier, and mentioned something about an exorcism." Aligot sits down, and Dorje tries to compose himself. "Earlier, someone had mentioned Kayda hearing voices. If she's been possessed, that would do it. That's beyond my expertise, so Louise left a few minutes ago to go fetch someone who can perform an exorcism."

"Who?!"

Aligot's eyes turn from the floor, toward you.
"Atsuko Crostade."

>Do we have a backup plan?
>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>I'm skeptical.
>No, no. This is a good plan! Atsuko will fix this!
>I think I should go seek a second opinion just in case?
>Other?

Okay, NOW I'm off for the night. Just wanted to get that one update in since I had not gone to bed yet.

>>608783
>Do we have a backup plan?
>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>I'm skeptical.

>>608783
>Do we have a backup plan?
>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>I'm skeptical.

Wait, do we know about the ring or who was it again?

>>608783
>>Do we have a backup plan?
>>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>>I'm skeptical.

>>608783
>Do we have a backup plan?
>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>I'm skeptical.

Then, later, maybe, with forced hope, after running out of other options to consider:
>No, no. This is a good plan! Atsuko will fix this!

>Do we have a backup plan?
>Because, no offense to anyone but-
>I'm skeptical.

Writing!

Welcome back Announcer.

>>610824
Thank you, I need to mention on the twitter that thread is unpaused.

Hopefully, more find us this time!

File: Yuuki_worried.jpg (134 KB, 835x1181)

134 KB JPG

"Atsuko."
"Yes."

"Treating Kayda?"
"That's correct."

You're.. almost ashamed to ask this, but-
"I-is there a second opinion?"
"Another demon hunter who is skilled specifically in exorcism? Probably in Gallete. Camille and Akiko are mostly keen to the 'hunting' part."

"A-.. but-"
"There's also Keiko, if you want to teach her how to properly exorcise by having her do one. Kind of- teaching her how to swim by throwing her in water approach."

You don't like that either.
Well, maybe, maybe Keiko can maybe try.

"I'm.. a little-"

"Yuuki." Aligot seems scolding, now. "Atsuko will be fine. She seems bubbleheaded at times, but she really is a powerful priestess. She wouldn't have had her position as long as she has if she did not know what she was doing."
"I'm going to be honest." Your mouth feels almost sheepish asking this question; "I'm not entirely sure what it is Atsuko DOES at the shrine."

"Rituals, cleansing. I don't know how long its been since an exorcism, but I'm sure she's done at least one in the last five years."

Five years?!

"J-just." You want to slam Aligot's mouth shut and tell him to stop talking right now. "Atsuko will fix everything, right?"
"Well, I wouldn't say-"

"YES!" Dorje, jumping to attention and shoving Aligot. "Yes she will! Don't lose hope! Atsuko will fix everything!"

"When is she getting here?"
"Whenever Louise can get her here."

>That's not fast enough, I'm going out to help her get here.
>F-fine, I'll be.. outside.
>You probably should really do your morning activities.
>Or.. better yet. Go find a bath. You can feel last night's liquor clinging to your skin.
>Other?

hey cool, we're back

>>610835
>>That's not fast enough, I'm going out to help her get here.

>>610835
>That's not fast enough, I'm going out to help her get here.

>>610835
>Or.. better yet. Go find a bath. You can feel last night's liquor clinging to your skin.
Calm down and focus!

>>610835
>>Or.. better yet. Go find a bath. You can feel last night's liquor clinging to your skin.

>>610835
>Or.. better yet. Go find a bath. You can feel last night's liquor clinging to your skin.
In case we still need a tie breaker

Sorry, went to eat.

>Or.. better yet. Go find a bath. You can feel last night's liquor clinging to your skin.

Writing!

>>611116
Hope it was a good meal.

File: Yuuki_Considering_Charlotte.jpg (60 KB, 1280x720)

60 KB JPG

That's not fast enough! How long would it take for Atsuko to get here from the shrine?! An hour? Two hours?!

You're going to go get Atsuko and drag her here whether she wants it or-

..

Uh oh, Dorje is looking at you funny.
Then again, so is Aligot.

Are you panicking in front of them? Did they notice? Are they aware of your intentions?

"Yuuki, please wait for Atsuko." Dorje seems to be almost pleading. "Louise was feeling bad enough already, and she really wanted to help make it right. Just let her go get Atsuko this one time?"

Right, right. If you just went and solved every problem, no matter how minor, then you would be taking responsibility away from the other heroes. Anna warned you about doing this. She says that's why Jack is always busy with lots of things on his hands all the time.

It just.. feels so hard not to worry just a little!
Maybe you should go spy on her? No! No! That would just be doing the same thing, but not letting her know that you did it.

..
You know what you need to do?

"..I'm going back to my room. Let me know when Atsuko gets here."
"Okay." Dorje seems less worried, and more sad.

"If we need anything, we'll come get you." Aligot coldly remarks.

You just want to punch him, sometimes. He didn't do anything wrong, but it feels like the right thing to do.

--

The great thing about coming to the bath in a time of crisis?
No one is around to disturb you or your thoughts.

Your towel slides off your body, and you step into the warm water.
With a sigh, your troubles and aspirations seem to flutter off into the fog of the room.

It's difficult to admit right now, but you needed this. You needed just a few minutes alone.
Or, that's what you would say if you were planning on being alone.

You really needed a few minutes alone with this ring. You have some questions for it, or more importantly, whoever is on the other side of it?

Who is number sixteen?
Why are you obliged to help number sixteen?
And..

How did number sixteen know this morning that something bad was happening, and to check the armory?

>Put the ring on and try to contact number sixteen.
>Schedule a meeting with sixteen
>Complain, openly, to sixteen.
>Ignore it, you don't need this stress right now.
>Try to think of something more calming
>Other?

>>611473
Err, who was number 16 again?

>>611473
>Try to think of something more calming

>>611476
Sorry, I forgot that thread was back in July. I should have introduced it better.

>Sixteen is the voice that contacted Yuuki about obstructing its 'investigation' into the white tails, and for her to take over the investigation instead.

>>611510
k, thanks

>>611473
>>Put the ring on and try to contact number sixteen.

>>611473
>Put the ring on and try to contact number sixteen.

Sorry, had a brief outage.

>Put the ring on and try to contact number sixteen.


Writing!

>>611742
Ah, glad it wasn't anything more serious.

So what's our plan here, everyone?
What do we want to aim for?

File: Yuuki_8.png (511 KB, 600x960)

511 KB PNG

The water flows and ebbs over your body. Slowly, you start to feel yourself drift back to sleep.

Maybe that's all you need; you just need a nice nap.

..

No, that's not it at all. You're lying to yourself. You're nervous, and worried, and you want to just run outside and fix everything by yourself.
Anna was right; you're turning more into Jack every day. He would just go and beat up every person within arms reach until the problem was resolved. You can feel that urge, now. The urge to destroy until there are no problems remaining.

Except, that's not going to help anything right now. Right now, you need to play this with a level head. You need to have a level head, because if Jack finds out, he's not going to have one.

You take the small ring and slip it onto your finger.

Almost immediately- UGH.

..umber eight to twelve.
Four?
Two.
Twelve here.
Twenty, report in.
Six.
No contacts in sight.
Five to Six!
PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMOREEE!

There's a few minutes of silence after that last voice. Then the whispers pick back up in frequency.

Cautiously, you take this break in the tide of voices to try and find your contact.

"F-for."
No, you can't speak it. Try thinking it.

F-forty to sixteen?

..

Nothing.

Sixteen. Go ahead Forty.

Oh no! It responded! What do I say?!

>We need to chat, in person.
>I don't want to do this anymore.
>This morning, start talking, How did you know?
>No, I don't care if it's public.
>N-never mind.
>Other?

>>611915
>>We need to chat, in person.

>>611915
>We need to chat, in person.

Anyone got any other ideas?
Cause I think we need to talk.

>>611984
not really? we have to learn more on what's going on and how Kayda is linked to all that mess

>>612016
Well fair enough.
Just worried that we're driving into something without anyone commenting.
Might just be paranoia.

>>611915
>We need to chat, in person.

Better turnout than tonight, but sadly I didn't get as far as I wanted.

I might pause again after this next set of updates and pick up tomorrow. How does everyone feel about that?

>We need to chat, in person.
Writing!

>>612075
Eh it happens.
And, sure, I'd be ok with that.

>>612075
it's ok
and sure

>>612075
That sounds fine with me

File: Atsuko2.jpg (859 KB, 1125x1085)

859 KB JPG

We need to chat. In person.

Oh my. I wasn't expecting that so soon. Sure. When do you want to meet?

Cheeky bastard.

As soon as we can, okay? If you don't show up, I'm throwing this ring away and pretending this never happened.

Woh, okay! Chill, number 40

I won't be chilling as much as you will, in a giant brick of ice.

How about this, meet me tonight. At the clothing shop. Yes, that one. We can talk in private.

That one. Does it mean.. the one Kayda was ambushed in?

It's a deal.
See you soon.

Great, so you have a 'date' for tonight.
The very thought of dealing with all this while poor Kayda is battling for her life just makes you sick.

Are you an awful hero?

You sink further down into the bath.
Then, you hear footsteps.

"Hello?" You glance over your shoulder.
"Hey, Yuuki, it's me." Dorje cautiously peeks inside. "Atsuko is here. She's started the exorcism."

"Why didn't you come get me soooner-" You grumble, and then immediately pop out of the water. "Fine! fine! I'll be right out!"

"O-okay." Dorje slinks away a LITTLE TOO SLOWLY for your tastes, but you'll let it slide this one time.

Ergh.
You grab your towel and start dabbing your body off. With a flick, your regular clothes turn into your barrier jacket. You're ready to face the world.

--

"How is it going?!" You barge into the room, just to see Atsuko, Louise, and Dorje surrounding the bench.
Louise, well, she's hugging her friend tightly. Atsuko keeps trying to push her off, but Louise just grabs onto another part of Kayda when she gets shooed away.

"Hi Yuuki, not great." Atsuko admits, sadly. "I've tried this same ritual twice, now. No response. Demon didn't even show himself."

"So? Just blast the demon with your holy ritual stuff!" You admit, you don't know much about how this works, either.

"It's not like that. I have to identify what kind of demon it is." Atsuko growls, under her breath. "That's kind of hard when you can't see it. So I'm going to try something new."

"New?"

"I have another ritual, it lets me see inside of a person. If a demon is hiding, I'll-"
"Hold it, wait."

Something about that sounds.. wrong.
".Inside? That doesn't sound safe."
"It's- perfectly safe. I've done it many times before." Atsuko reassures you.

You're still not convinced.

"For it, I'll need the white cloth, and-" Her words fade out of your mind, as Louise and Dorje start collecting the components.

Looking inside a person? That sounds.. Bad. Really bad.
So bad that you're not sure you should allow her to do it.

You're so conflicted right now. What do you do?

>Nothing, step outside if it bothers you.
>Ask Atsuko if there's another way besides magic surgery or something?
>Ask more about this method. Why the white cloth? What is she doing?
>Monitor very, very closely, and if she hurts Kayda, stop her.
>Other?

File: 984322.jpg (62 KB, 600x534)

62 KB JPG

And with that, I'm off for the night.

Thanks for playing so far. I'll continue tomorrow when I get time. See you then.

>>612264
>>Monitor very, very closely, and if she hurts Kayda, stop her.

>>612270
Thanks for running, Announcer.

>>612264
>Ask more about this method. Why the white cloth? What is she doing?

>>612270
thanks for running

>>612264
>Ask more about this method. Why the white cloth? What is she doing?
Her concerns stem from not knowing what the heck she's on about, so let's try to fix that.

>>612264
>Ask more about this method. Why the white cloth? What is she doing?

Mm, changing vote.

>>612264
>Ask more about this method. Why the white cloth? What is she doing?

File: Spoiler Image (27 KB, 640x360)

27 KB JPG

No, if you're going to be here; then you're going to take the time to understand exactly what Atsuko is doing.

For instance,
"What are you doing with the white cloth?"

"This-"
Atsuko spreads some kind of water on the front of it, and then slowly turns Kayda onto her back.
"Is what is known as a 'relief'."

A relief.

"I'm not very good at the next part, but Dorje or Louise will catch Kayda if I happen to drop her."

Drop her?

Atsuko touches a gem against Kayda's forehead. Slowly, she starts to float off the workbench.

"SHE'S.. FLYING?!"
"Yuuki, calm down. It's hard enough to concentrate as it is."

You want to argue, but also realize that this probably isn't the time for it.

Kayda's body slowly starts to levitate off the workbench. It's almost like a magic trick. Is Atsuko going to saw her in half, next?
No, no, don't even joke about that.

Atsuko, wasting little time, takes the white cloth and drapes it over Kayda's body.
She then quickly crawls under Kayda's floating form, and holds the gem upwards.

There's a blinding flash, and a small squeak from Louise. Atsuko crawls out and immediately asks for Louise to catch Kayda. Almost instantly, Kayda falls from her levitation and into Louise and Dorje's arms.

"What was THAT?" You rightfully ask, with confusion.
"Old technique, very, very old." Atsuko grabs the white cloth, shaking it out.

You didn't notice it before, but there's a low-pitch, hissing sound.

She hangs the white cloth up, and the sound of the hiss grows with intensity.
You smell..
Smoke? Smells like burning incense.

This is all getting way too weird for you.

"Here it comes." Atsuko's eyes haven't left the white cloth hanging from the rack. "Cover your nose, this never smells good."
Smells?

The cloth CATCHES ON FIRE, and starts to burn.
"EEK!" Louise jumps, "It's catching on fire!"
"Louise, calm down."

The white, silken linen starts to burn away! Patches and splots are charred into the surface of the cloth. Smoke, ash, and vapors rise from its surface, and stain the once-clear surface.

"It's done." Atsuko blows away the remaining fumes, and admires her handiwork.
"What's done?" To be fair, you don't know exactly what it is you're looking at.

"This," She taps the surface to brush off some excess ash. "is what is currently inside Kayda's body."

"..Inside her body."
"Exactly!"

"I'm confused."
"Well, don't be. Just look for something that looks like it does not belong inside of a person. It might have a face, or something."

>I don't even know what that would be.
>I'm skeptical.
>What are these things?
>What is that?
>I think I'm the wrong person for this job.
>Try helping anyway! [1d100, best of three]
>Other?

Okay, that was just a quick pop-in, I'll see about trying to continue proper later.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>613749
>I think I'm the wrong person for this job.
>Try helping anyway! [1d100, best of three]

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>613749
oh neato
>I think I'm the wrong person for this job.
>Try helping anyway! [1d100, best of three]

File: Atsuko_no_no.jpg (33 KB, 602x775)

33 KB JPG

>>613845
There are analogs but none of them are as good

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>613749
>>I think I'm the wrong person for this job.
>>Try helping anyway! [1d100, best of three]

>>614742
Wow nice, got lucky there.

>88

Good job, rabbit.

>I think I'm the wrong person for this job
>Try helping anyway!

Writing!

>>615425
So pleased at it!

File: Spoiler Image (47 KB, 270x356)

47 KB JPG

Okay, search for things that aren't meant to be there.

Well, you see her ribcage, and then- veins. That's Kayda's heart, right? It's so hard to tell. Why would you make a painting of someone's insides? Who thought of this method? Why would you make it out of fire of all things.

"I- I think I'm the wrong person for this job."

"Just have a look, Yuuki. It won't look like anything else in the relief. Just.. picture something that doesn't belong in someone's body."

That's not very helpful.
You're not even sure what should belong.

Also, looking inside someone who is still alive feels... creepy. Almost wrong. If Kayda was naked; she would have an expectation of privacy to her skin. So what does that mean when you look under her skin, through to her bones? We didn't exactly ask her if this was okay beforehand.

Eugh, this is raising more questions than answers. Is it right to just look at everyone like they're a hunk of flesh? Is there no magic or something that can just look for you and say 'Sure, there's a problem'?

You are very confused, and disgusted even. Can people of this world do this all the time? Make paintings of your innards? You feel suddenly uncomfortable-

Your finger has traced along one of the veins leading from her heart, upwards to her neck.

Strange, one of the veins seems to be cut off with a strip of white. Yet, the vein continues just as if nothing happened.
why?

"Hey, Atsuko. Is it normal for veins to be cut?"
"I would hope not." Atsuko seems worried, "Why?"

"Well..-"

Your finger traces over the band depicted in the picture.

"What is that?"

Atsuko eyes it closely, and then spins around to grab a book from the workbench. She starts flipping through it furiously.
"That is... That... Is the... carotid artery. It's a vein that runs to the heart."
"But- That white streak. Is that supposed to be there?"

Atsuko blinks, and then approaches the workbench.
Carefully, her hands start feeling Kayda's neck. Her fingers mash, and prod the soft skin above her collarbone.
Suddenly, it stops, and starts gently pressing an indentation.

"What is it?!" You can feel the tension starting to mount.
"It's.. I don't know. Solid."

She starts pressing her fingers in FURTHER. They start mashing the flesh, and deepening the channel. You feel sick, and a little like grabbing Atsuko and asking what the hell is wrong with her.

"It's.. Oh my god." Atsuko takes her hand off, cupping her mouth. "It's a ring! She has a metal ring around her artery! What the hell?! How?!"

>Puke.
>Panic
>Calm?!
>Freeze in place
>S-surely, you're mistaken.
>Cold sweat.
>A-Aligot? Aligot! Need help! Go find him!
>Other?

>>615620
>HOW?!
>A-Aligot? Aligot! Need help! Go find him!

>>615620
>>A-Aligot? Aligot! Need help! Go find him!

How the fuck...

>>615620
So where did you find that pic?

>>615653
Cropped version of >>613749

Added ring using Paint.net

>>615647
quite probably magic

>>615661
Ah, ok.
Nicely done.

File: Yuuki_cry.jpg (976 KB, 1200x1600)

976 KB JPG

A ring..
Inside of.. Kayda.

A ring, why a ring? What can they do with a ring?
They could...

You glance down, and fumble through your pocket. Gently, you take out the orange ring which gives you a secret communication channel to an entire network of shadowy people.

You take the ring, and slowly press it against the imprint on the canvas.

The silhouette of the ring almost exactly matches yours.

Oh no.

"Aligot.." You stammer, "W-we need to find Aligot. I- I need to find Aligot!"

"U- U-" Atsuko's voice cracks. "I don't know! I've never seen this before! Is it a demon? Did a demon cause this?!"
You leave Atsuko to stammer about Demons as you storm out of the armory.

Unknowingly, you almost knock Fritelli right on her face as you do so.

"Ugh! Yuuki, what's wrong?!"
"R-ring." Is all you can manage to say. "R-ring, neck, Aligot. Need Aligot."

Normally, you're more composed than this.
You don't feel as if anyone would blame you for panicking right now.

You swoop down the hallway at speeds that would be impressive even if you were trying to move quickly. You're pretty sure you just puffballed an unknowing guard from behind, too.

The library door flings open, and your blazing speed sends papers flying. The mathematicians and the scholars scramble to gather their scattered and disorganized work.

Aligot looks up from his desk. Immediately he jumps to his feet. His usually kind-of-goofy expression replaced with a stern, hardworking demeanor.

"A-aligot- h- h-"
"No words, let's go." He springs into action, leaping over the desk and making a direct line for the Armory.

--

"It's definitely this." Aligot compares the orange ring of yours to the ring around Kayda's artery. "The magic type is the same, I can feel it through her skin. Something like this would have definitely caused side effects, especially if it can affect her behavior."

Her.. behavior?!

"How the hell did no one notice this sooner?!" Atsuko strikes the wall, furious.

"C- c- c- c- c-an you do anything?!"
"This is a tough one." Aligot hands the ring back. At this point, you don't even want it. "Let me think about it.

"Yuuki?" Louise seems confused more than worried. "Is Kayda going to be okay?"
"Y-y-y-y-"
"She'll be fine!" Atsuko snaps at her. "She's.. fine. okay? We just gotta work, can you leave and go somewhere for a while?"

>H-h-ere, I'll take them someplace.
>I think I need to get away for a while, too.
>Can you two go try to get Jack, this is important!
>You're right Atsuko, why didn't anyone notice this sooner?
>I think I need to go ask some questions. Tough questions. To her summoner, and that maid of hers.
>Other?

>>615764
>Can you two go try to get Jack, this is important!

>>615764
>>Can you two go try to get Jack, this is important!
>>You're right Atsuko, why didn't anyone notice this sooner?
>>I think I need to go ask some questions. Tough questions. To her summoner, and that maid of hers.

>>615764
>Can you two go try to get Jack, this is important!
>I think I need to go ask some questions. Tough questions. To her summoner, and that maid of hers.

>>615764
>You're right Atsuko, why didn't anyone notice this sooner?
>I think I need to go ask some questions. Tough questions. To her summoner, and that maid of hers.

File: greta_exposed.jpg (435 KB, 800x800)

435 KB JPG

You crouch down to Louise and Dorje's eye level.
"You two, go get Jack. This is important."
"But- we don't know where he's-"

"The bar, Louise." You say, almost knowingly. "That's the only place he would be at this time of day. Go find him. Dorje, make sure you keep an eye on her, too. This is what we call the 'buddy system'."

"R-right." Dorje seems equally confused.

"Where are you going?" Louise asks an important question.

"I think Atsuko is right, why DIDN'T someone know about this sooner?"

You're mad. That's what you are right now.

"I'm going to go ask the person who should have known about this sooner."
"The.. person who should have..-?" Atsuko seems confused.

"Her summoner."

--

Could they have put these two in a more creepy part of the castle?
You suppose this is probably the most well-protected part. After the castle was attacked the other day; the only reasonable target they would have in mind would be these two. They are fugitives from the bear land after all.

At the same time; you're starting to suspect something is up. It WAS plainly obvious that something was not all right with the two hermits who spent their time hiding from the rest of the castle.
Annetta would usually scold you when you said these things. Something about not respecting other people and their cultures.

Fortunately, she's not here right now. So you're free to act as disrespectful as you want.

You approach the door, hidden away from the majority of the hallway. Lightly, you knock on the door.

Knock, knock.

..

No answer.

Okay, this isn't the time for being sheepish.

POUND, POUND.
"Hey! Open the door, something has happened with Kayda!"

There's some rustling inside, and then some clicks and clacks.

Slowly, the door opens to reveal a... face that you're more than disturbed by.
She, you mean, him, the 'princess', stares at you with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry." He replies, you can tell his voice is actually pretty fake. "I- uh, can't see anyone right now. Not until Clair gets back."

"Yes you can, you're above her." You scold 'him' lightly.

>First off, confront him on the whole 'being a boy' thing. You know for a fact this 'princess' is faking being a girl.
>No, never mind that, your hero is in danger and you need as much info as possible. Start talking.
>Go find Clair. You think she needs to hear about this as well.
>Ask why you're not allowed to leave this room. What are you hiding? What are your secrets?
>Other?

>>616362
>No, never mind that, your hero is in danger and you need as much info as possible. Start talking.
yes, start talking before Yuuki tries shibari

>>616362
>>No, never mind that, your hero is in danger and you need as much info as possible. Start talking.

>>616362
>No, never mind that, your hero is in danger and you need as much info as possible. Start talking.
>Ask why you're not allowed to leave this room. What are you hiding? What are your secrets?
I wanna do this, but he'll just assume it's about his gender, which isn't even the issue right now.

>>616362
>No, never mind that, your hero is in danger and you need as much info as possible. Start talking.
>Other?
Clair is in line for questioning, but we aren't letting her get near Mr Princess until we've wrung him dry.

>>616405
I'm curious on the same, but I don't want us getting distracted on the main reason we're here. We should at leave that subject for later.

>>616421
Yeah focusing on one thing at a time is for the best, I think.

File: Greta.jpg (100 KB, 850x661)

100 KB JPG

"Well, uh, I guess I'm technically above, but-"
"No, never mind that." You sweep that thought from your mind. "Your hero is in danger, and we need as much info as possible."

The look of realization starts to spread across his face.
"Kayda?! Something's wrong with Kayda?"
"Yes. She's sick. I need you to give us everything that happened to her since she was summoned."

Just then, a look of fear spreads across his face.
"What? What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing, but- If Kayda's in trouble. What about Clair, does she know?"

"That's not important, you can help by talking. Tell us about your hero."

He frowns, but then slowly starts to give a very, very long story on Kayda and her history with Konditorei. You constantly have to keep reminding him to stay on topic as he swerves off on various tangents, and spends much of his time apologizing and trying to claim that there was nothing he could do.

Kayda was summoned sometime last year, around the same time as all of the other heroes. She was extremely disloyal, and untrusting of her summoners. This kid was here at the ritual, but was not sure what happened after that.

"What do you mean, you're 'not sure'?"
"I-I don't know what happened after we summoned her! G-greta and the others."
"Who are the 'others'?"
"My family, Okay?!" He seems stressed. "They took her away for like, five months. I only got to see her for like a couple weeks after that."

"Wait."
Already, his story has some glaring flaws.
"Five MONTHS? That can't be. Heroes can't live away from their summoners for that long. She almost died because that happened the last time."

"M-maybe it wasn't really hat long, but it's the truth! She was gone for a really long time, and I don't know what happened to her then. She only came back for a few weeks after that."

That's not helpful at all.

"What was she doing, what was her role in Konditorei?"

"I don't know, she was some kind of soldier. They would send her out to scout, and then she just wouldn't come back."

"Did you ever hear about her complaining about voices?"
"Voices?"

"Yes, Voices."

He stops, trying to think about what exactly you're saying.
"Never."

"Not once?"

"She.. complained about a lot of things, but not voices."

"Has she been away from you recently?"

"N-not recently. Well. Except when we came back from Konditorei, she was gone for a week."

A week?
"What was she doing?"
"I don't know, Clair had her-"

>Cont.

File: Konditorei.head.maid.png (398 KB, 800x800)

398 KB PNG

"That's enough, you two."
You spin to face the new voice who had just rudely interrupted your conversation.

It's the maid.
"Greta, what have I told you about talking to strangers?"

"No! Clair! You don't understand! She says Kayda is hurt!"

The maid blinks, pulling off her glasses and putting them in her pocket.
"Is this true?"
"It is. We need your help-"

"Unfortunate." Clair cuts you off. "This might put a damper on her studies. I'll give her three days to return to work. I assume you've fixed her already?"
"What?"
"Her injuries. I'm sure they aren't too bad. Tell her when you see her that I've been scouting out other potential bodyguards for Greta. Maybe ones that won't disappear for the whole day without a word spoken with me like she has done."

"..She's hurt, Greta. Her life is in danger and we need help. What was she doing for the past year before she came to Biscotti?"
"Nothing of importance, which is why I think it's probably best if we sought out professional bodyguards for Greta's safety."

>Am I hearing you correctly? You know this isn't a joke, right?
>Wow, you're a bitch.
>What happened during the five months after Kayda was summoned?
>Okay, spill the beans. Why does she have a ring inside of her neck?
>Reminder, I'm a hero and you aren't.
>Other?

>>616929
>Wow, you're a bitch.
>Reminder, I'm a hero and you aren't.
>Okay, spill the beans. Why does she have a ring inside of her neck?

>>616929
>Okay, spill the beans. Why does she have a ring inside of her neck?
>What happened during the five months after Kayda was summoned?
>Reminder, I'm a hero and you aren't.
Let's get to the point.

>>616929
>"Listen up, you insufferable bitch. Your people *did* something to her, you're going to help me get to the bottom of it, and it's going to be fixed. Then you're going to explain the deal with Mr Princess here, and I assume then you'll have even more to answer for."

That's... probably not exactly how she'd say it. But I'm recommending the spirit of it.

>>616990
Also, feel free to restrain her as necessary, as appropriate, and until satisfied.

File: 1413523458098.gif (2.26 MB, 400x250)

2.26 MB GIF

Everyone, I am very tired and very beat.

I know it hasn't been a very long, but it has been a long day for me. I could


-Try to reach a stopping point tomorrow

Or

-Save the conclusion to this for next thread on Tuesday.

Choose, because I'm too tired to

Anyway. I think I'm off to bed. Thanks for the thread everyone. Paused until a decision is made.

Next thread/post will start with the chosen option of this one.

Thanks.

>>617142
I think we can hold onto this thread for a little while longer to a nice satisfying end of thread update. We've managed it every other time, after all, and there's no need to break our streak.

>>617142
thanks for running
yeah, it'd be good if you could reach a stopping point tomorrow

>>616929
>Wow, you're a bitch
>Reminder, I'm a hero and you aren't.
>Okay, spill the beans. Why does she have a ring inside of her neck?

File: Yuuki_5.jpg (900 KB, 1880x1204)

900 KB JPG

"Okay, stop. Start talking about what happened in the last year."
"I'm afraid that's a state secret."

With that, she starts to enter her room. You immediately hold the door open with your hand.
"Spill the beans already." You glare at her with the feelings of absolute murder boiling in your stomach. "WHY does she have a ring inside of her NECK?!"

"A- a what?!" Greta jumps, but is held back by the maid.
"Maybe she swallowed it, maybe she was trying to steal it." Clair states, nonchalantly. "I would never put it past that one."

With that, she snatches the door away from your hand and tries to slam it shut.
Before she can shut the door on your face; you jam your foot inside the frame. The cracking sound of wood breaking against your foot very clearly cracks her usually calm demeanor.

You press the door back open, and you decide that enough is enough.
"Okay, listen up you harlot."

That gets her attention.

"Your people did something to her. You're going to help me get to the bottom of it, and it's going to be fixed."
Clair's face is unchanging, except for a tiny frown at the corner of her lip.

"THEN!" you continue, "Then, you're going to explain the deal with Mr. Princess here, and I assume then you'll have even more to answer for."

She continues to stare at you, gaze unchanging. Lightly, she sighs.
"Ms. Kuchinashi, these questions violate our diplomatic rights here in Biscotti. I'm sorry that the re-."
She stops.
"-that our HERO is in danger. Please work to treat her so she may return to duty."

"May I remind you." You can really feel your blood pressure rising, now. "-That I am a hero, and you are not?"

She blinks.
"The nerve." She puts her glasses back on. "I would expect such brutish behavior from that drunken slob, and not a refined lady such as yourself."

"I'm a quick learner." You smile. "Start talking about the last year."

She adjusts her voice. "Espionage, mostly. Her role in Konditorei was to act as a lone agent. Infiltration and sabotage."

"Great, when did she get the ring in her neck, and how do we get it out?"

"The ring is news to me." She maintains her glare. "I can't think of a time where she would have been in Konditorei long enough to have a surgical procedure such as that. Perhaps she just swallowed it?"

You're getting mad, now.

>I don't believe you.
>Try to trap her in her words.
>This is pointless, try pressing her about getting the ring removed.
>Who would know anything about removing it?
>Other?

>>619117
>I don't believe you.
>Try to trap her in her words.
>Think of what Jack would do.
>Besides drink

>>619117
>I don't believe you.
>Try to trap her in her words.
she was about to call Kayda something else, she know more

>>619182
drag her face against the ground outside of the barrier? make her pass under a ship?
i can dig that

>>619117
>Try to trap her in her words.
>Who would know anything about removing it?

>I don't believe you.
>Try to trap her in her words.
>Who would know anything about removing it?

Quick pause and then write.

File: Yuuki_6.jpg (2.28 MB, 2037x2336)

2.28 MB JPG

"If she had swallowed it, then it wouldn't be a problem to remove. The problem is that it's attached, to a vein, in her neck. That's not accidental. That's something that someone had to actively put on her."

"Oh, well that's too bad. I wish I could be of-"

You grab the door before she can slam it back in your face a second time.

"And I don't believe you, maid." You scowl.

What would Jack do if there was someone who was clearly hiding something, and wouldn't cough it up in due time?
Well, besides drink, of course.

Also, beating her into a pulp is probably right out the window as long as she's a guest at the castle.
So, you'll put that possibility to the back of your mind for the time being.

"I'm sorry you don't believe me, but it's the truth. If you want to interrogate me, you'll have to take it up with the guard captain."

"I just want to know why she has a ring in her neck! This is important! She could die!"

"And I'm saying I can't help you."

"Why would she even need a ring in her neck, huh? She was going out to sabotage the armies of other countries, that's fine. Why would she need constant supervision or communication?" You bait a very weak hook, but it might work this time.

"You don't run our military." Clair snaps at you, "She's was an unruly savage. She tried to run away, twice. Then she spent every moment of her time being as disobediant as possible. You weren't there, you weren't the one in charge of having to keep her under control. We did what we had to do."

"But why would you need to put a ring on her for that?" You scowl even harder.

"She's an uncooperative brat and always has been. She spent the first three months of her time trying to escape and trying to find ways to go home; so, they did what they had to in order to make sure she would always come back home. That's all I know." She coughs.

"Really? All you know?"
You smile, you didn't expect that to work so well.

"I don't remember telling you about the orange ring. Or what it did. I thought you didn't know that."
"I didn't say I did." Her face sags, slightly.
"But you just SAID you did. You do know that it was used to keep her in line. Want to tell me more about that?" You try to hide the grin that's forming between your lips.

She remains sour, and doesn't say anything else.

"I think we have nothing else left to say." She slinks further into her room. "What's done is done, and I wouldn't know what to tell you at this point about her anyway. Keep her for all I care."

"Tell us how to remove it." You cross your arms.

"I don't know how to remove it." She adjusts her glasses.

>You're lying
>I don't believe you
>Fine, I'll go ask the guy in the dungeon
>Then I'll send guards up for you when he squeals on you.
>Let's change topics.
>Other?

>>620027
>Fine, I'll go ask the guy in the dungeon
>Then I'll send guards up for you when he squeals on you.

>>620027
>Then tell me who knows how to do it.

>>620027
we need to make sure she can't escape if we decide to threaten her right now.

>>620027
Hey Announcer?
Could we, say, order some guards to be here that could handle her before we head anywhere else?

>>620027
Changing to
>Lift her up
>"Well then why don't we go see who does?"

Idea: could we fluffyball her and then take her with us?

>>620027
>Who does?
>Let's change topics.
Still evasive, but she's not exactly being a wall. Remember we still have gone other ring users to inquire on,who should know more. Maybe.

>>620620
Or, at the least, not let her escape or call for backup or anything of the sort?

Also, did anyone else suspect that she's got something on her throat as well?
We might want to check that.

>>620620
we totally should

So I am seeing either

-Make sure she can't escape if you go interrogate the guy
-Fluffball her?
-Call for some guards?

Or -Lift her up

Then ask who does know how to remove it

Is that agreed?

>>620697
how about first we lift her up, ask her who to go after, then fluffball her and go interrogate the guy?

>>620697
Hmm nah. For what its worth I don't think we should go to extreme lengths based on what we've got from her so far. She is leaking, keep at it without being obsessive about details she may not actually know. Keep those extreme measures in the back pocket if the next line of princess inquiry doesn't go anywhere.

Guard calling might be

As an addition, saying that everyone else , even the damn cats, managed just fine by actually befriending their Heroes rather than relying on coercion and manipulation and whatever the hell else lengths they've gone to. Maybe if they try that out for once, we and the other heroes/countries will be a bit more forgiving.

>>620782
Ah missed a part.

Guard calling might be a good idea if we're worried they'll leave or do something drastic. But it's probably unecessary.

Okay, I'm sorry. I had a power outage. Writing continues.

>Don't fluffball
>But do call guards

Writing!

>>621054
I think calling guards works best as we're leaving

>>621087
Sounds good.

File: Ms.Fritelli.jpg (495 KB, 800x1200)

495 KB JPG

"Then who does?!"

She blinks, not changing her expression.

"Look, Lady." You clench your fists, "I know you don't care much about Kayda, but I DO! If you don't care about helping her, then at least tell someone who does how to fix this mess you made."

"The only one who would know might have been the person who put her in the special espionage force to begin with." She presses her glasses against her face. "I believe you have him tied up in the dungeon."

"Konditorei's King."

"Former King, but yes." She sighs. "I suppose I do owe you for that, and for sheltering us for some time. So I'll at least give you that much. If you can make him talk, then you can get the ring off."

"Why can't you tell me?"
"Because I don't know. I don't know how he would have got a ring there in the first place."

"Surely you must know something about this. Methods? People? Spill it."
"The only other thing I can tell you, Ms. Kuchinashi, is that the man in the basement is a very strong magician." She huffs, "Don't let him trick you with his words. He would trade Kayda's life for a chance to escape his prison in an instant."

That sounds like a good of a lead as any. You'll have to be certain to keep an eye on her in the future.

"Thank you for your time."
"The feeling is not mutual." Clair gives a small bow. "Have a nice day."

The kid is pulled into the room, and the door shuts with a clank.

Bitch.

You could stand here fuming about your little encounter with her, but you have a hero to save.
With that, you storm back down the stairs.

-But not before you get in touch with someone about something important.

"Fritelli." You demand the auburn-haired captain.
"Yuuki, about earlier." She seems stern, "Don't barge in and demand things, it's tense enough in there as it is."

"Great, but right now you need to do something."
"What?"

"Guards, the best you have. Knights, even. Someone needs to watch the Konditorei room. The maid there is up to something."
"Up to something?"

"She knows more than she's letting, and it shows. I don't think she should be interrogated just yet, but she's slowly starting to leak her knowledge. I suspect the man in the dungeon will have the other part of her story. Just so she doesn't pack up and leave; you need to place someone up there."

"I'll do that."

"Right. I'm going to go have a chat."

With the man downstairs.

>Cont.

File: Konditorei.King.jpg (100 KB, 600x1000)

100 KB JPG

The dungeon is cramped, as usual. It really wasn't meant to keep this many people. Plus, you're not sure when it's going to be safe to let them go.
Almost all of them are here specifically for the attack on the castle. So, what do you do with them? Let them go so they can try again?

As much info that has been extracted, it's still uncertain who was being targeted or who ordered the whole thing. Except for some vague objective being 'kidnap and incapacitate heroes'. Of which you still don't know the end-goal.

The only man who may know anything about this plot besides the basics sits in an elaborate cell straight in front of you.

He leans back in his chair, and eyes you with caution.
"Good afternoon, Yuuki." Now, how does he know that it's afternoon down here? "I suppose you're not here to make smalltalk, but at least promise me that you won't deck me as your superior would have."

>I'll consider it.
>Important questions first.
>About the maid
>About the plot?
>About Kayda's role in all this
>WHY DID YOU TREAT HER SO BADLY? SHE WAS NOTHING BUT LOYAL
>Other?

>>621464
>How about I promise that HE doesn't come down here and get the information he wants his own way?

This guy was terrified of Jack, right?

>>621464
>Why did you put that ring in Kayda's neck?
>Remove it or me and Jack are going to give you more fun time

>>621464
>"I only promise that you'd have to earn it. "
>There seems to be a ring wrapped around an artery in a poor girls neck, that's doing things to the poor girls mind. If we can cut the interrogation down and just get to what that's about how we can fix it, it'll reflect well on you."

>>621633
*and how

>>621464
>Important questions first.
>WHY DID YOU TREAT HER SO BADLY? SHE WAS NOTHING BUT LOYAL
>>621514
If true then that works.

>>621660
He was.
When Jack threatened him when he couldn't hide behind his royal status, he shrieked in terror and tried his best to back away form us while in acell.

How the hell did it get so late? I was expecting at LEAST eight posts before the end of the day.

>I only promise that you have to earn it.
>Why did you put that ring in Kayda's neck?
>Remember that HE could come down here and get the information he wants in his own way. So remove it.
>WHY DID YOU TREAT HER SO BADLY?

I like all of these. Writing!

To tell you the truth everyone, I'm not sure this 'running every day when I have free time' has worked so well. I think running on a scheduled day, maybe having a little afterwards is the best approach. I thought I could maybe just run as long as the thread was up, but it's had problems like only getting four or five updates a day.

not sure what you guys think of it. Is it better having to constantly check the thread to see if I had updated within the last hour or not?

>>622048
it'd work a lot better on akun where you get a mail/ping noise when a chapter gets posted, but it's fine with me as it is

>>622077
Well my next quest will be there and will probably operate this way.

I was thinking of just designating Tuesday/Wednesday as run day, and anything else can wait until another thread.

I like that we got a big Yuuki thread instead of lots of small Yuuki threads, but I don't like jerking all my players around like that.

>>622112
I'm not really feeling jerked around though I do sometimes forget to check. Do whatever works best for you.

>>622112
So guessing we couldn't migrate Dog Days to Akun then?

>>622048
I have the thread up generally all day.
Might just be me, though...

>>622185
i'm the same, honestly

>>622048
As long as there are clear beginnings and endings to sessions any frequency or duration is fine.

File: Yuuki.jpg (647 KB, 941x1000)

647 KB JPG

You cross your arms, and glare.
"My only promise is that you have to earn that promise."

You're STILL mad at him from the comments he made the last time about making you his son's 'wife'.

Damn it, you want to pound him into litter already and you haven't even asked the question yet. This does not bode well.

"Why did you put that ring on Kayda's neck?"

He leans back, frowning.
"What ring?"

"May I remind you, that HE could come down here and get the answers that he truly wants?"

"I'm serious." The old man grimaces. "What ring? Is it like a.. collar? Or a necklace?"

"Don't play dumb with me." You cross your arms. "It's a tiny ring, one that could fit on my finger."

You point to right about where the vein is located on your neck.
"It's around this vein. Inside of her neck."

"Inside of her-" The man's mouth falls open. "Now, now- listen here. I admit I did many poor things to Redsk- Wikikayda, but that was certainly not my doing!"

"Really? I think you're a liar."

"I vow that I'm serious!" The man stands up, stomping his foot. "I would have no reason to sabotage her when she was in my army. Her success was extremely important. A metal ring near a vital artery could have slipped at any time and taken her off the battlefield."

"I know, that's why I want you to remove it."
"Beg pardon?"
"The ring. Take. it. out."

"With all my magic, and expertise. I'm afraid that I don't know a way to take it out. I'm not even aware of a way you could put it there!"

"Fine, looks like I'll have to go get HIM, then."

"Now, young lady, see here. The only way I can think of that this could have even happened is with teleportation magic. The same kind that made the wine." He seems to be frightened, at this point. "Perhaps a magician with better familiarity with teleportation can help? I- I don't know how, but someone must have teleported re-Wihikayda, and somehow placed a ring with such accuracy as to encapsulate the vein."

"I think you're hiding something."

"What I say is the truth!" The old man stamps his foot.

"Great, then answer this for me."

You inhale a gust of air; just to give emphasis to what you're about to say.
"WHY DID YOU TREAT HER SO BADLY?!"

The ring from the dungeon settles down. Prisoners who were taking naps all start chattering, and mumbling.

The 'King' seems unamused.
"I did not. I simply did what was had to be done in order to win the upcoming war."

"Mm, and that looks to have worked out so well for you." You sneer.

"I did what was best at the time!" He growls, "You think you've won just because I'm in prison? You can't beat him. You can't beat the one I found in the mountains. I couldn't, and it would have been futile for me to try. So I simply did what I thought was the best for my country."

'Him'.

The one he found in the mountains.

>Tell me more about this guy.
>I've heard enough.
>You never did answer my question.
>Where could I find someone that skilled?
>Punch him
>Other?

So, did I wait so long to post this update that most of you went to bed? I don't blame you for doing so. I had some things to take care of between the last update and this one.

>>622876
>Where could I find someone that skilled?
he must be talking about the old hero Jack met...

>>622997
sorry, i got distracted for a while

>>622876
>Other?
"If you're telling the truth, your maid has betrayed you. She already knew about the ring. Tell me her secrets."

>>622997
>>623472
My bad, I've been watching toonami and thought you stopped for the night.

>>623472
oh
OH
yes, totally supporting this

>"If you're telling the truth, your maid has betrayed you. She already knew about the ring. Tell me her secrets."
>Where could I find someone that skilled?

Writing last post of the night because I am damn tired.

File: Yuuki_9.jpg (341 KB, 850x951)

341 KB JPG

"Where would I find someone that skilled?"

"I wouldn't know where to even start looking." He is kneading his hands, now. "There are some who were researching this in Konditorei. I imagine one of them must have performed the operation to begin with. Barring that, you could look to neighboring Bruschetta. Even though that's a long ways away."

You happen to be the hero of Bruschetta. So you may be able to find someone quick if you ask Anna about this.

"Other than that, I just don't know." He cups his face in his hand.

"If you're telling the truth." You smile, "Then that means your maid has betrayed you."

"She betrayed me long ago." He grumbles, "Back when she tried to have the wedding for the Princess, she betrayed me."

"Well, maybe not in the way you are thinking." You put your finger to your chin, "She already knew about the ring."

He looks up at you, as if you have his undivided attention.

"She knew what it was for, and why it was there. Then she hinted that you might know more." You grin, "So, since she's sold you out, why not give me something about her that I don't know? Turnabout is fair play."

The old man sits up in his chair, and glares right in your eye.
"Clair is a third-generation relative to the former king. Which means she's somewhere in line with the throne. I don't entirely know where she sits, but as long as she has the princess; she can claim that she's her guardian."

"How does this relate to Kayda?"

"The one who wanted a hero, was not myself." He continues his gaze, "It was her. Before the wedding happened; I was unsure what her end-goal was."

"You think that was the only reason she wanted Kayda?"

"Couldn't be." He strokes his scraggly beard. "No, I think she has her own agenda with the princess, and the man from the mountains."

"Just to be clear, that's the hero that Jack found, right?"

"He's an unknown, a rogue. His goals aren't obtainable, and I fear the day that he comes to that realization."

"One more thing." You remember something important. "Clair isn't a master of magic, is she?"

"She very much is." He continues his glare. "She's third generation royalty, after all. Why, you have been keeping her under surveillence, right?"

Uh oh.

"The look on your face explains everything." He cups his hands, "If you've already confronted her on the matter, then I suggest returning to her quickly. I'm sure she's already started to act."

>Cont.

File: Bennet.png (221 KB, 670x800)

221 KB PNG

--

You rush back up to the third floor. While you're not keen on trusting the old man; you're now less keen than ever on trusting Clair.

The two knights assigned to her door stand within view. Bennet, and Pomelo.

"Bennet, Pomelo."
"Yuuki, glad to see you." Bennet stands at attention. "Any word from the old man?"
"None, any word from inside?"

Pomelo holds herself in a less-serious stance. "Nothing that I've heard."

Now you're more suspicious than ever.
"I'm going in."

You carefully position yourself outside of the door, and then quietly swing it open.
"Clair, we need to talk."

No response.

"Clair?"

You walk into the room cautiously. You're not sure why, maybe you expect an ambush?

The room seems quiet; almost unchanged. The only real difference you can notice is the absence of both the Princess and Clair.
Aside from two things.

One, the mirror on the dresser appears smashed. It's been caved in with what appears to be a fist-sized stone. Gently, the edges around the mirror are glowing in an eerie light.

Two, while all of their possessions are intact; there is one object in the room that's clearly out of placed.

Tipped over, as if consumed in a hurry, are two wine glasses. Drops of purple ichor still hang on the sides and in the center of the cup.

Clair, while you don't know where she is; she has made a very powerful enemy on this day.

>Thread End

File: 1410553588286.gif (385 KB, 848x480)

385 KB GIF

Everyone, sorry for this thread dragging on so long. It's been a rough day.

Anyway, I'm off to bed. And we will pick up with this Tuesday. Hope to see you soon. Maybe next time I can be a bit faster.

Let me know what you thought of this thread, and I'll see you next time.

>>624140
Clairs bullshittery is pissing me off. But that's good! I'm engaged with the characters and such.

By the way, I don't suppose theres leftover wine to follow her with?

>>624140
thanks for running
it was well led

>>624135
I don't mean to kick a dying thread, but does that mean Clair just took Kayda's summoner with her?

See, this is why I wanted to fluffball her.

>>627409
Hindsight..

>>627409
yeah, we should really have fluffballed her, put her in a bag and gave that to a guard while we were away

>>627453
I'm not sure fluffballing was the answer, people might have thought we were unstable if we just started fluffing people.

Maybe

Actually, i'm not sure.

>>627198
Yeah, that one's been kidnapped from what I can tell.