[] "I trust her to do what she wants. Right now it's to amuse herself and find whatever reminds her of that king she talked about, no matter the consequences. I'm not blind to how easily that can change, Manaka makes it pretty clear that she cares about her goals above all else. The question is if what she wants to do matches up with what I can accept. If not, I'll do what needs to be done."
You didn't agree with the two ways you were presented with. The first one was optimistic, a little bit too optimistic for your tastes but you could see yourself going down that path if need be. But it was too naive even for you.
Then came the other choice, being you not trusting her. You didn't have an plan or an idea on how to bring her down. Manaka was a threat and that didn't incline you to trust her given her abilities could cause an upheaval that could make the last War look like a joke. Pissing her off with a botched assassination attempt was going to be the death of you.
Which led you to your answer.
"I trust her to do what she wants," you replied as you met Beowulf's gaze, "Right now it's to amuse herself and find whatever reminds her of that king she talked about, no matter the consequences."
"Ho? Well isn't that one way to look at it," Berserker said as he took a chunk of his steak.
"I'm not blind to how easily that can change, Manaka makes it pretty clear that she cares about her goals above all else," you continued as you took a piece of your own meal and ate. Chewing, you swallowed before adding, "The question is if she what wants to do matches up with what I can accept. If not, I'll do what needs to be done."
To Manaka, you were but an actor in her play. A character in a story she's already weaving. But you had no intention of letting her run wild. After all, characters in a story... Could take a life of their own beyond her control.
There may just be a way for you to checkmate her on the event she did anything funny.
"You're certain that you'll be able to do it?" Beowulf asked with a raised eyebrow, "Or is that just hot air?"
"Well, I need to have some secrets, don't I? Even if you are a King, I won't spoil it all to you," you said as you set down your knife and fork.
Berserker chuckled at that, "Bastard. You remind me of my advisors."
"Must have been some pretty smart men if you kept them around," you noted as you glanced at him.
"Nah, they nagged a lot. But still, it's good that you recognize how that little Goddess works. If anything, you have the biggest chance of doing something about her," Beowulf said as he chugged down his beer and sighed, "If she's impressed enough, she might just let you beat her."
"Everything is just entertainment for her. I guess people who reach the Root are just crazy like that," you said as you shook your head.
"Hmph, still. As long as you keep a cool head and judge the situation, you should be able to do something. This may end of in you killing her or truly befriending her, as alien as her way of thinking could be," Beowulf said as he glanced your way.
You chuckled at that and sipped your own drink. You then raised your glass, "Weren't we friends already?"
"Don't get smart, boy. You know what I meant," Berserker said as he shook his head.
The two of you turned to see a woman step into the diner you were in. Hiyoko Sakatsuki truly looked out of place in this diner at the edge of the city. She walked in with her elegant kimono and smiled your way.
"Good evening, I hope I'm not disturbing you," Hiyoko said as she held her hands behind her back.
"I was just finishing up here," you said as you placed some bills on the table, "Hey, King. I'm going out first."
"Running off as soon as a woman fetches you. What's your Assassin gonna say about that?" Berserker chuckled as he glanced at you.
"Oh sir! It's not like that all!" Hiyoko laughed while blushing brightly.
You sighed as you shook your head, "I'm going now."
"Ah! Wait for me!" Hiyoko said as the two of you left Berserker. You exited the diner with the woman in tow as she caught up with you, "For a man with a bum leg, you sure can move."
"It takes practice, Lady," you nodded as you turned to her. She giggled at that and smiled your way. You leaned on your cane and asked, "Did you eat dinner yet?"
"Oh I have. Miyu and I had one before I left," Hiyoko said as she nodded.
"I see," you began walking towards the motel, "How is she by the way? She's been quite worried since we hatched this plan."
"Miyu is resting now. You've certainly done well keeping us comfortable. Magi are usually stuffy and stiff," Hiyoko said as she walked by your side, "They wouldn't treat us as much as you do."
"I'm not the usual Magus. But I'm glad that the girl's well," you said as you sighed, "Your presence should help her relax."
Hiyoko stared at you with a smile before walking ahead, "Well, I was quite suspicious of you first, Mr. Derrinsmith. But I think you're not too bad."
"Do I look suspicious?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well Miss Minerva always spoke about you," Hiyoko said as she faced you, barring your path. She looked you in the eye and spoke, "A madman she called you. A man who killed and killed to acquire the tools he needed... And for what? A futile wish. Bringing back the dead, was it?"
"In a fashion," you admitted as you shook your head, "Does it make you wary, to know your daughter is under the custody of such a monstrous man?"
"I see no monstrous man. Simply a lost one," Hiyoko said as she gave you a sad smile, "You've been hurt gravely. Lesser people would have broken down in despair. But you're strong enough to not lose sight of yourself."
"What are you talking about?" You asked with a frown.
Hiyoko placed a finger before her lips, "Karma. Through the path you've walked, you've gathered quite the heavy negativity on you. Such negativity, it's potent enough to be called a curse, Mr. Derrinsmith."
You let your cane stand as you raised your hand to touch your shoulder. You felt the weight... Certainly. Much like how Assassin was being dragged down by her curse, you too have gained much of this negative karma, especially with your magecraft.
You smiled, "I'm not unaware of this weight, Lady."
Hiyoko pouted and stepped towards you, tapping your nose and making you flinch. She huffed and said, "You don't have to carry it all the way, you know? Here, give me your hand."
Hiyoko took your hand and held it, uttering what seemed like a quiet prayer. You blinked as you felt warmth spread through your skin as you felt your lungs exhale.
What in the world?
The woman held your hand as the warmth turned into a dim glow. The weight on your shoulders lessened as she held your hand.
"I don't know why you choose to carry all that burden... But sometimes it's okay to take the load off. We're only human after all," Hiyoko said as she gave you a serene smile beneath the Moonlight.
You were entranced for a moment.
And then you looked up at the motel window to see Miyu glaring at you. You watched her slid her thumb across her throat while maintaining eye contact with you.
Ah...
"I... I'll keep that in mind," you said as you pulled away awkwardly, "Thank you, Mrs. Sakatsuki."
"Oh please, call me Hiyoko," Hiyoko said as she waved her hand.
You glanced at the window to see Miyu press a piece of paper on the window, legible enough for you to read it.
"Well, I'll see you around, Mr. Derrinsmith. I hope you have a good night," Hiyoko said as she turned to the motel to enter it.
Once she was gone, Miyu glared at you one last time before vanishing into her room. Once you were left by yourself, Assassin appeared by your side.
She gave you pretty much the same look Miyu gave you.
"So... What was that about?" Assassin asked you before adding with a hint of irritation,
"My Lord?"
Before the 9th Day
[] "I... I don't know. Wait, are you mad at me? Why are you mad at me?"
[] "Something we shouldn't think about. Not unless the Grail turns into a monkey's paw somehow... Or Miyu breaks in and stabs me."
[] "What was that about? Well, I think Mrs. Sakatsuki just helped me relieve my pain. I feel lighter now, better than before at least. Do you think we should give her something as thanks?"
[] "I'm... Do you want to get drunk and maybe forget about this in the morning? I have some strong stuff that could wipe this event from my mind."
[] Write in...
