Black String of Fate

Back in the plaza, where the poor knight was lying unconscious on the bench. Some children had already stolen his wallet, and a child even doodled some inappropriate semi-circles on his chest plate. Luckily, the child must've had some post-doodle clarity to cover him up with a rag he found somewhere lying around.

Seraphina walked back to the bench where she had left Joseph. Seeing his pathetic state, she felt guilty, but she felt embarrassed too. His motives for acting that way were painfully obvious to the point even the demon king pointed it out. She sighed helplessly and snapped her fingers to undo the sleep magic.

*snap*

"...Mmm. Where am I...princess...Oh, PRINCESS!"

With a hurry, Joseph suddenly sat up straight, his rag almost slipping, but not completely off.

"I'm here, my knight. Calm down."

Seraphina ordered Joseph in a strict tone that made him subconsciously silent. He looked over at her with a face that demanded an explanation.

"...Why are you looking at me like I'm the one who needs to explain herself? I put my secret drug in the meals of anyone who is close enough to potentially harm me. I am a member of a royal family, and betrayals and assassinations are one of the most common things we should be aware of.

Speaking of betrayals, what you did came dangerously close to being one." Seraphina spoke with a cold gaze that made Joseph look down and not make eye contact. Her momentum right now was totally different than when she faced the demon king.

'Am I someone who acts weak against the strong and strong against the weak?... Let's not think about that right now...'

"Despite ordering you to cease hostilities, you continued to antagonize the demon ki- I mean, a very valuable potential ally, claiming it was for my security. You even put me at risk, declaring that I was carrying no means of protection. First of all, do you think that you would even be aware of all the measures of protection royal family members carry?

Our ways have always remained a secret, and for good reason too.

Second, your words and behavior disappointed me to no end! I never expected you as the sort of person to pull out the noble card when you can't have a good argument. Come on, you're a Zener, you're better than that.

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Also, you nearly lost your life trying your heroic antics! I certainly did not expect an Advanced Expert like you would be so poor in judging the level of your opponent. Were his words about your ability true?"

"Certainly not, Your Highness! Even if he was a really talented person, he couldn't have possibly beat my Aura which I have cultivated with years of hard work."

"Oh really?" Seraphina continued to look upon Joseph with a disapproving gaze, which made him feel even worse.

'What even is years of hard work over the demon king's decades of experience? He really is a typical noble kid cultivated from family's resources.'

"Then I suppose you need more years under your belt since he was stronger than you. I cannot believe a Novice Initiate like me is telling you this, but his skills and techniques far surpassed yours. As for Aura, he was capable of using it in ways even my father could never imagine."

Such a statement hit him out of nowhere, especially the last line.

"Excuse me? I mean no disrespect, but His Majesty the Emperor is a Rank 6 Grandmaster. He is unmatched in the Empire, with only the General coming to a close second. Are you suggesting he can use Aura better than a Grandmaster?"

"...Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying. He is not someone any of us can comprehend."

'If it wasn't for his rank, I doubt he would be even Aura in the first place. He would probably use something higher, like that.'

Seraphina had chills remembering the horrifying power she faced during that grand battle. She had to take a deep breath to collect herself.

Joseph, on the other hand, was having a hard time believing any of her words. Sure, there was a slim chance that that boy was slightly more powerful than he was, but to say that in comparison to the emperor?

'I don't think she knows exactly what kind of realm the king is in, being a Grandmaster. I can't even say anything because she's a princess. I should just let it slide on account of her ignorance due to being just a Novice Initiate...'

Seraphina could see that Joseph did not believe her, but she left it there. It wasn't worth the hassle to convince a loyal knight of such a world-shattering reality. She turned around and started walking back to the entrance of the plaza, ordering the knight in a gentle tone.

"Now, let's go back to our quarters. Escort me, my knight."

'Sticks and carrots...'

Hearing that rather soft tone reignited the soul of the down-in-the-dumps knight, and he stood up in a salute, declaring his loyalty.

"As you wish, Your Highness!"

Unfortunately, the rag slipped out, and Seraphina, that too unfortunately for Joseph, chose this very moment to turn around. The chest plate, which he did not know he would rather never let see the light of the day, was on full display with all its artistic glory.

"Pft, hahahaha! J-Joseph, cover your... hahaha... cover your chest!"

Joseph, while being utterly dumbstruck seeing the princess laugh like this, looked down on his chest plate...

"FUCK! WHAT THE-"

And lost almost all semblance of grace as he desperately unclipped the humiliating piece of equipment.

"I-It's so detailed, hahahaha!"

"YOUR MAJESTY, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T LOOK!"

Unexpectedly, this somehow improved the down and tense mood Seraphina had throughout the entire day. She would never say it out loud, but she internally thanked the one who did this.

**********

Later that day, when Xavier returned home, he noticed something odd.

"Luke, why are your hands stained?"

Luke flinched. "Oh, this? I went out with my buddies, and they dared me to draw something."

"Oh? I forgot you made friends recently. What did you draw, little artist?"

"...Nothing special. Nothing worth mentioning."