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Chapter 43:
Chapter 43:
Chapter 43:
Towa - I'm sorry, the children kept wanting to talk.
Once she finally got the children to leave, Towa bowed apologetically to Issei and his wives.
Issei - Don't worry about it. Besides, now I know this country a lot better, and I had a lot of fun too.
Towa - I-Is that so? Thank you.
Ramius - The children learn history this way, do they? If we had his back when I was young, maybe things would be different...
Riche - Oh, there were... You just weren't interested.
Towa - Oh! It's this late already?!
Issei - What's wrong?
Towa - I was planning to leave the country by cow carriage, but it's already time for the carriage to leave.
Riche - Oh, so you've gotta go? You better hurry then, you don't want to be late. And thanks for the story. Hopefully, we see each other again.
Towa - I hope so too. Farewell, everyone.
Towa held down her hat to make sure it didn't fall off as she bowed, then ran over to the cow carriages.
Gurigura - I gotta go too... Thanks for the bread, it was good!
Issei - Oh? You've finished them all already?
Gurigura - Ehehe~ It was so tasty that I ate it all real fast.
Issei - Well, as long as you like it. Here, have the rest as well.
Gurigura - You sure?!
Issei - Ah. Have some to eat for dinner. But don't eat too much, or you'll get a stomachache.
Gurigura - Eheh~ Thanks, Issei-nii. Bye-Bye!
Gurigura stuffed the bread in her pockets and dashed off into the crowd.
Issei chuckled seeing her reaction. Being so happy over some bread, quite innocent and cute.
Riche - What a cute girl, right?
Issei - Ah. Indeed...
Issei can smell a scent of blood on her... But her aura remains pure, which bugs him a little...
Ramius also thinking the same thing as Issei, 'That Gurigura girl had the scent of blood on her... But maybe I imagined it.'
Issei - Well, anyway. What shall we do next?
Ramius - Trying to chase down <Snake Crest> at random probably won't be easy. Have any ideas, Riche?
Riche - It's simple, we just go ask the president.
Issei - Hmm, Indeed. The President should have some info about them.
Riche - Mhm. He should be.
Issei - Then, let's go.
The party visited the president's office, where he normally does business, but a government official informed them that he wasn't present.
Riche - What? He isn't here?!
Man - Of course he isn't here. We're in the middle of the presidential election.
Riche - Huh?! The presidential election? I thought the president held office for four years. Wasn't there just an election a year ago?
Man - The opposing party submitted a vote of no confidence and got it passed. The president won't be here until the election is over.
Ramius - What should we do? Wait for the election to end?
Riche - We don't have time for that. Besides, the president will probably be busy right after then too.
Ramius - Then we'll have to go meet with him personally.
Man - If you're looking for President Bors, he's out giving stump speeches. It's a close fight this time, so he's really working on it. right now, he's most likely in either <Safere>, <Lionel>, or <Hector>.
The man in a suit handed Issei a tourist map and returned to work.
Riche - We're currently in Lancelot, so... Geez, these towns are pretty spread out.
Ramius - Hector's across the bridge to the west, Lionel's in the east, and Safere's past the ridge to the south.
Riche - Well, they're all about the same distance. We'll just pick whichever I guess.
Issei - Sure.
The party left to find the president in one of the three towns.
On the way to Hector town, Issei's party saw a big building near the lake. Apparently, it's a special water purification plant. They are not allowed to enter the building because it's so important and not for a public visit.
The building sucks up water from Lake Guinevere, turns it into drinking water, and sends it to all the towns.
When the party arrived at Hector town, there was a signboard on the edge of town featuring rows of dignified posters with the names and faces of candidates.
Riche informs Issei that there are 8 candidates but only 2 have any real influence. The others are all nobodies, so it's effectively a 1v1 competition.
The current president is a middle-aged man in his fifties that goes by name Bors.
While the other competitor is a woman from the biggest opposition party. It's a beautiful woman that clearly stands out from the rest, her name is Tio. She's a woman that seems in her twenties, she has a dark brown hair tied in a ponytail, she has purple eyes and wearing a dark brown suit for a businesswoman, a dark brown skirt that matches with her suit, she also wears a black stocking and brown leather high-heels. (AN: /wiki/Tio?file=Tio-full.png here's her picture)
The people in the town is discussing who are they gonna pick, some wanted to pick Bors and some wanted to pick Tio. Their chance is 50:50 by the looks of it.
Some people will vote for anyone as long they can do something about the poison gas.
Man 1 - This election's being held because there were deaths from the gas under the current president in the first place.
Man 2 - He says he'll make up for his failures by doing something about it. Keeps saying the cause is something in the Kingdom of Arthur's ruins. I wonder if all these Outlaws are popping up because we've left those ruins untouched too.
Man 3 - Whereas Tio says the purification plant is the cause.
Man 4 - So she's saying she wants to build a replacement plant, but that'll take some serious tax. Tio's cute, so I want to support her, but... Not if it makes my life harder.
Riche - Well, didn't take long to get info. Everyone's talking about the election.
Issei's party can hear the discussion clearly.
Man 5 - President Bors says if we demolish the ruins of Arthur, the poison gas will disappear.
Man 6 - The ruins of Arthur... Just leaving it there untouched does seem like a problem.
Man 7 - That's the Kingdom where the Witches of the Round Table lived. I'm sure they could've easily made a poisonous gas.
Old Man - The country may have been destroyed, but the royal palace still stands, and I'd prefer to leave it be.
Man 8 - Yeah, and it is the remains of a hero's city. Maybe we can make it into a tourist attraction.
Woman - Monsters are living there now, but we could have them exterminated.
Riche - Sounds like this all started with the poison gas at Lake Guinevere resulting in casualties.
Riche seems to be good at politics. Apparently, King Louin quickly gave up on marrying off Riche and tried putting her on track to be a politician, among other things.
Ramius - It seems Outlaws are increasing in number in every country.
Riche - Yeah, but I don't think the president is here. Let's check out another town.
Then they head towards <Safere> town.
In the second city, <Safere>. The party found someone who appeared to be the president giving a speech.
Bors is telling the citizens that the Arthur's ruin is the cause of the poison gas and some inspiring speech to get the citizens riled up. He's saying that they must demolish the ruins and build a city in its place. He even accuses the Witches of the Round Table is the one behind this, and they are also the cause why there's so many Outlaws popping up nowadays.
People cheer loudly hearing his speech, but Issei and Riche know there's some hired actor in the crowd to act really enthusiastic. To push everyone else into feeling the same way.
It's not very respectable, but people who let the mood dictate how they feel are just as much to blame.
Ramius - The speech seems to be over, so this is a good time to try and talk to him.
But suddenly there's an announcement that there will be a guest of honor that's gonna give another speech.
Host Man - From the Kingdom of Eden, diplomat and special ambassador, Prime Minister Rochefort, has come to offer his support.
Issei and his wives were startled a little bit hearing that. Rochefort appeared on stage and began to address the crowd.
Rochefort is totally supporting Bors election, he keeps comparing the system on Lancelot and Eden.
He said he admires the Lancelot system more rather than Eden, he continued to criticize Eden's government for its old traditions while complimenting the Republic of Lancelot.
His praise for their country gave the crowd a positive impression of Rochefort, and so everyone who listened to the speech naturally felt drawn towards Bors.
After Rochefort finishes giving his speech, Riche heads towards him right away.
Riche - Hey, Rochefort! What's this about supporting the president?! This is clearly intervening in foreign affairs!
Rochefort - If it isn't Princess Riche. I'm personally showing my support. I'm not speaking on Eden's behalf.
Riche - How would anyone listening know that?!
Rochefort - Oh, did I forgot to mention? I was so nervous up on stage that it must have slipped my mind.
Issei narrowed his eyes while looking at Rochefort.
Rochefort shivered feeling Issei's gaze on him. He knows that from his intel that Issei is even more powerful than Acheval, so he's quite wary against him. His intel keeps telling him to be very cautious with Issei because he's basically a wild card.
They told him to avoid contact with Issei if he could, but because Rochefort is very prideful he ignored their warning. Which is gonna be the biggest and last mistake he ever made...
Riche - Grrr...
The president's guard was giving them threatening looks but one glare from Issei made them freeze on their spot. It feels like they are being stared by death itself.
They sweated profusely and doesn't dare to take another step towards Riche.
Riche and Ramius don't feel anything wrong because they were never aimed with Issei bloodlust in the first place.
Riche - Anyway, you think I can just let you criticize Eden's government?! Do you have a problem with Father?!
Rochefort tries to ignore his nervousness and replied back.
Rochefort - N-Now when did I say such a thing? Are you perhaps angry because you've had such prob-
Issei - Say another word and you're dead.
Rochefort - ?!
Rochefort felt like he just heard Issei's word but it seems to appear only inside his head because no one but him reacts to his voice. 'W-What was that?! H-His voice appeared inside my head!'
Rochefort looks towards Issei and he shivered fiercely when he met Issei's gaze because it's glowing and that gaze is looking at him as if he's a dead person.
Bors - What is it, Rochefort? Who are these people?
Rochefort is saved by Bors sudden intervention or he might have a mental breakdown from Issei's gaze on him alone.
Roche - I-It's nothing Mr.President, this here is Princess of Eden along with his husband.
Bors - I see. I'm busy with an election at the moment. If you need something from me, save it for another day.
Riche - Oh, wait... We do want to ask you something!
Bodyguard - I'm sorry, but the president is fatigued. Please leave.
Riche - Ugh...
Riche wanted to keep arguing, but the president's guards blocked her way. He just came here with Bors so he's the only one who's not affected by Issei's bloodlust. The ones who have been affected already went away with Bors and Rochefort.
Riche - I'm sorry, I was just so mad. There were a million better ways to approach that.
Issei - It's fine. That Bors is also the same as Rochefort, they both are suspicious.
Ramius - What makes you say that?
Issei - I can sense people aura, like yours and Riche it's pure. While Rochefort and Bors reek with Evil intent.
Riche - ...But Rochefort has been supporting my Father ever since the Arthur Tragedy.
Ramius - Um, even though he's a jerk but he helps His Majesty a lot in the past.
Issei - Well, you can just call it my guts feeling. We will find out the truth soon enough.
Then they decided to drop the talk about Rochefort there.
Ramius - But if we can't expect help from the president, what should we do now?
Riche - We just need to gather info on <Snake Crest> ourselves. Let's check the town we haven't been to yet and ask around about them there.
Issei - Sure, why not.
Ramius - By the way, Ise. What about your secret mission?
Issei - I'm supposed to meet with someone, but all I can do is wait until they contact me. So there's no need to think about that right now.
Riche - Oh, really? Then let's go gather info first.
Then they headed towards the last town they haven't visited yet, <Lionel>.
Lionel was just as hot as the other cities.
They saw a crowd gathering on a plaza and saw somebody's giving a speech.
Ramius - Hm, somebody's giving a speech. Judging by the size of her chest, it's presidential candidate Tio.
Riche - You're a woman, so why are you identifying people by their chests? ...I'd love an answer to that, but we have a good opportunity here, so let's go listen to the opposing candidate.
The party approached the crowd and listened to Tio's speech.
Tio's speech is the total opposite of Bors, she wanted to preserve the Arthur's ruin and said the poison gas came from the lake so the water plant needed a check and repairing. She said that the ruins were the home of their hero King Arthur so it has immeasurable historical value.
To demolish their benefactor home is an unforgivable thing to do. And Bors wants to push this agenda without providing the public any proof of his claims.
Man - So young, but so educated! Good luck to ya!
Girl - Tio, I'm rooting for you!
Riche - I see, so Tio's goal seems to be to preserve the ruins.
Ramius - Really? Rather than leaving them be, fixing them up like the president says seems like a better idea to me.
Riche - Remember Towa's story? The Kingdom of Arthur has a special place for the people of Lancelot too.
Issei - Well, looks like the speech is over. Might as well see if we can ask her some questions.
Issei and his wives walked up to Tio while she was tidying up after her speech.
Bodyguard - Halt! Who are you, people?!
But the guards around Tio yelled at them to stop.
Riche - Umm. We'd like to speak to Tio if that's okay.
??? - Reporters? I don't remember hearing about any appointments.
An old man stepped in front of the party and raised his hand. The guards uniformly took a step back and waited on standby.
??? - I'm Palomides, Tio's supporter and campaign manager. Sorry that my subordinates were so rude.
Riche - Oh, that's okay... We don't mind.
Palomides - But considering the incident during the last election, I hope you understand why we need such high security.
Ramius - What incident?
Palomides - You don't know? A presidential candidate was attacked.
Riche - I've heard about that. President Bors's biggest competitor was assaulted by someone and suffered serious injuries.
Ramius - Something like that really happened?
Palomides - Yes, it was a very cowardly way to prevent a fair election.
Riche - But when the scene of the crime was investigated, it was found that the candidate was receiving bribes. So some people call the attacker a vigilante hero of sorts. They call the attacker the <Dark Night Kitty> I believe.
Issei - Kitty...?
Issei remembered Gurigura for some reason.
Riche - According to witnesses, their silhouette resembled a big cat.
Palomides - Whether he was involved in wrongdoing or not, the president is supposed to be decided by vote, not violent action.
Riche - Of course, I'm not saying I think the attacker was in the right.
Palomides - Is that so? By the way, what did you want to speak about?
Riche - Oh right, we're from the Kingdom of Eden-
Tio - Eden?! You're with Rochefort, aren't you?!
Issei - Hm?
The moment she heard Eden mentioned, Tio suddenly ran up in front of the party.
Palomides - Miss Tio... Please remain calm. The voters are watching...
Tio - This is our country and we'll decide what to do with it! Stay out of it, outsiders!
Riche - Wait, we're just-
Tio - What? Are you going to claim you're on my side? Sounds like a trick Bors would play. Remember this. No matter how much you try to get in my way, I'll protect Arthur's ruins with everything I have!
Palomides - Uh oh. Don't just stand there! Get Miss Tio out of here.
Bodyguard - Right. This way, Miss Tio...
Palomides - I'm sorry. She's so busy with the election that she's worked up at the moment. Farewell.
The men led by Palomides tried to soothe Tio's rage as they parted from Issei and his wives.
Riche - What the... That got pretty nasty.
Issei - Indeed.
Ramius - But really... Poison gas, Outlaws, a presidential election, <Dark Night Kitty>... Lancelot has many complicated problems of its own.
Riche - We should go back to the capital and get this all sorted out.
Now that they had finished gathering info in the Republic of Lancelot, the party decided to return to the capital.
-The Republic of Lancelot-
In an office in a mansion so extravagant it stood out even in the capital, Rochefort and Bors were discussing the election.
Bors - According to recent polling data, Tio's support is rising. The number of fools among the masses is sickening.
Rochefort - Our numbers are still higher. This is nothing to panic about.
Bors - She has Palomides on her side! He managed my campaign last year, that traitor.
Rochefort - 'As the one who drove him out when you finished using him, I don't know if you have the right to talk...'
And Bors keep spat nonsense how stupid all of them are. Then he said
Bors - Rochefort, use your pawn. You must still have her around
Rochefort - Kitty? She's being fed as little as possible, but I do still own her, yes. That politician she attacked was involved in criminal wrongdoings was purely coincidence. I wonder how things would have played out otherwise.
Bors - As if Tio is a saint. Every politician has a skeleton or two in their closet. So just do what I say. If I lose this election, you'll be forced to return to Eden with nothing to show for it.
Rochefort - ...
Bors - I'm not blind to what's happening. You're claiming you want to save Eden from a crisis as an excuse to get my support, aren't you? The public will likely see the king as weak if he requires the help of another state. Then if you manipulate the discourse into establishing democracy in Eden, you're the one most likely to become president.
As though to say he saw through everything, Bors looked confidently down on Rochefort and urged him to make a decision.
Rochefort - ...Understood, I'll give her my orders.
Rochefort took a metallic, tube-like object out of his pocket. This magic transmitter was a highly expensive item that allowed for long-distance conversation.
Rochefort - It's me... Respond.
??? - Y-Yes, I'm here! Is there a mission, Master?! I'll do my best.
Rochefort - Have presidential candidate Tio removed from the picture. Don't just injure her as you have before. Personally see to it that she's killed.
??? - Huh? But...
Rochefort - Remember last year. You were hesitant when I ordered you to attack someone, but it turned out to be the right thing to do in the end, don't you think?
??? - ...Yes.
Rochefort - I'll leave the timing to you. Ask the messenger for more details.
??? - Understood.
Seeing no need to waste more words, Rochefort turned off the magic transmitter and put it back in his pocket.
Then both Rochefort and Bors continued their conversation with each other.
-Back at Issei's party-
They are staying at the Inn at the moment.
Riche - Now, we have a general idea about what's going on, so let's discuss what to do next.
Ramius - Pursuing <Snake Crest> is going to require some kind of lead, but...
Issei - Hm?
When Issei entered the room, he noticed a letter sitting on the floor next to the entrance.
He thought it was from the middleman, so he picked it up and gave it a look. On it was written the names of the twins Issei knew well.
Issei - Oh. It's from Kyou and Kinou.
Riche - You mean those twins who helped you?
Ramius - How'd they know we're staying at this inn? I mean, we only just got this room.
Issei - Well, they have some tricks up their sleeves.
Then Issei read the letter.
Riche - ...
Ramius - ...
They both feel speechless seeing his lack of respond on that.
Kyou - Dear Issei, How are things going? We heard you got married~ Congratz! But we're very worried about you too you know? Even though we know you're stronger than us but we still couldn't help become worried. So with that said we're telling you a place to meet with someone. Who knows, maybe you can get even stronger there... It's Camelot, the place where King Arthur rests, is located near the capital of Lancelot. Good luck~
Issei - I see... Guess we'll head there later, you girls are okay with that?
Riche - I am a little intrigued. We don't know what else to do, so we might as well.
Ramius - Well, I'm sure the twins wouldn't mislead you.
Then they head outside Lancelot and searched around the area a little.
Issei saw a giant Japanese styled castle.
Issei - ...Hmm, what's this castle? I never saw it here before...
Ramius - What are you talking about? I don't see any castle.
Issei - Huh? But it's right here.
Riche - We don't see anything though?
Issei realized that probably only he can see it. So he checked if it was real by walking to the entrance.
Issei - ?!
Riche - Wha-?!
Ramius - Guh?!
The party was sucked into the mysterious, invisible castle.
Riche - Wait, where are we?!
??? - Huhahahaha! Well met, my elite warriors!
They were flung to an unknown location, where they heard some sort of voice.
Ramius - Who's there?! Show yourself!
??? - This is Camelot. As long as you're here, why don't you take the chance to power up?
Riche - Camelot?! This is Camelot?!
??? - If you were able to see the entrance, you must have the required strength. Enjoy yourselves to your heart's content! Well, that's what I want to say but... You there, the lone boy.
Issei - Hm?
??? - Yeah, you. Come up and see me.
Then there's a portal in front of Issei.
??? - Enter that portal.
Issei at first was hesitant but decided to go in anyway, his wives follow right after him.
When Issei went through the portal he saw a girl and a man.
The girl has a cute face, red eyes, light silver hair tied in a twin-tail with a black ribbon and gold beads, she wears what appear to be a white kimono with a red obi. (AN: /wiki/QD?file=QD-Manual.png here's her image)
While the man is quite handsome as well, he has a golden crown on his head. He has short black hair, light brown eyes, and wears a white customized armor and green shirt. He carries a white and green colored greatsword at his back and a white-green shield on his hand. (AN: /wiki/Arthur_(Evenicle)?file=Arthur-portrait.png I honestly don't know what the heck is he wearing...)
Riche and Ramius is surprised seeing them, while Issei felt something familiar with this girl.
Girl - Hahaha! We meet at last, boy!
The girl said that to Issei.
Issei - Hm? You know me?
Girl - Of course, the twins told you about me... And LD told me to watch over you as well... She's sure a worrywart.
Issei - LD?
Issei felt a sting on his head after hearing that word.
Girl - Hm? You don't know her? Lady Death? Oh, she goes by the name Semiramis now. She said you give her that name so yeah.
Issei - ?!
Issei head hurting so bad he kneeled on the ground while holding his head.
Riche and Ramius who saw him suddenly acting like that hastily hold onto him.
Riche - Ise! What's wrong?!
Ramius - What did you do to him?!
Girl - Hm? I didn't do anything other than telling him the name of someone that he should remember by now. Isn't that right, boy?
Issei remembered all of his lost memories the moment he heard the name LD and Semiramis, he remembered everything...
The world where he came from, his past, about Rias, etc. Until Semiramis, Scathach, Jeanne, Jalter, Yunyun, Wiz...
And he remembers the fight he has against Nyarlathotep... The reason why he lost his memories...
Girl - Heh. It seems you remembered now... But it does makes me wonder how you lose your memories in the first place... Care to tell me, boy?
Issei told Ramius and Riche he's fine, both girls are surprised hearing him regained his memories.
Issei - ...*Sigh* Thank you for that...
Girl - Don't mind it. After all, we could be called a family.
Riche & Ramius - Family?
Man - She meant he's also the same as her. A Dragon... Well for Issei-sama he can be called Half-Dragon I suppose...
Riche & Ramius - A Dragon?!
Man - Hm? You don't know?
Riche and Ramius shake their head in confusion.
Issei - Ah. I haven't told you guys yet... I'm indeed can be called a Dragonkin. I was human before but after some incident, I became a Dragonkin you see... It's a long story.
Riche - I-I see...
Ramius - ...
Issei - Well, I apologize for not telling you that... If you're afraid I can understand-
Riche & Ramius - No!
Issei - ?!
Issei got surprised because both of them suddenly yell that loudly.
Riche - Well, to be honest, I think it's kinda cool having a Dragon as a husband, hehehe~
Ramius - Um. Agreed, no wonder you're so strong. I'm proud of having a Dragon as my husband.
Issei - ...You girls.
Issei smiled gently towards both of his wives. They also smiled at him back.
Girl - Geez... Stop flirting in front of me dammit!
Man - Well, let them be. Qu...
Issei and his wives finally remembered they are in front of another person. Riche and Ramius blushed while Issei just ignores it.
Issei - Sorry about that. So can you tell me who are you two? And thank you once more for helping me restore my memories.
Girl - Fumu! Now that's more like it. Well, you can call me Qu Dragon, QD for short and this guy here-
Man - Nice to meet you, Issei-sama. My name is Arthur.
Riche - QD and Arthur?! As in that QD and King Arthur?!
Arthur - Indeed. That one.
Riche becomes slackjawed meeting the heroes from the legend.
Riche - B-But you're supposed to be dead already?!
Arthur - Yes, I am indeed already died. What you see here is only my spirit you see. A soul you might call it.
Ramius - G-G-Ghost?!
Ramius shivered hearing that Arthur is a ghost and hide behind Issei right away.
Arthur - ...Well, you could say that...
QD - Hahahaha! You're 2 reactions sure are funny!
Arthur - Qu. It's rude to laugh.
QD - Cheh! You're no fun. So, boy. How did you lose your memory again?
Issei - Well, I met Nyarlathotep at the rift before.
QD & Arthur - ?!
QD and Arthur become alarmed hearing his words.
QD - Nyarlathotep?! Do you mean the God of Chaos? That Nyarlathotep?!
Issei - Indeed.
Riche - What's Nyarlathotep?
Arthur - ...One of the most dangerous beings ever existed... Legend says that any world that it descends to will be in chaos and got destroyed in a short amount of time... It's called God of Chaos because of that...
Riche - ?! You mean It's even stronger than Mother Eve?!
Arthur - ...I hate to say this but indeed. It's even stronger than Eve or even Qu for that matter...
Riche and Ramius who heard that become totally at loss for words. They never know any of this before... They though the most powerful in this world is Mother Eve, but apparently not...
Then they suddenly look towards Issei, if he fought that thing then... How can he's still alive after fighting it?
Both woman hastily grabbed onto Issei.
QD - ...How come you're still alive after fighting it. Boy?
Her question is also what everyone in this room wanted to know the most...
Issei - ...I lost against it.
Riche and Ramius tighten their hold on Issei after hearing that. Even though they know he's fine now but they are still worried for him regardless.
QD - ...Then how are you still alive right now?
Issei - To be honest I don't know... After I injured it, I lost my consciousness. And by the time I woke up I'm already at the <Fresh Fish Island>.
QD - You Injured it you say?!
The rest also becomes surprised hearing him able to injure that godly being.
Issei - Ah... I used my strongest attack at that time and managed to injure it.
QD becomes speechless hearing that... There was never a record of anyone being able to injure Nyarlathotep before... She wanted to deny it but he's still alive is a fact. Then he remembered something and hastily went towards Issei.
Issei got surprised that she suddenly went towards him.
QD put her hands on Issei chest. Then she can feel it... The mark of Nyarlathotep residing inside Issei.
QD - ...Damn, you've been marked by it...
Issei got confused by her sudden words.
Issei - What mark?
QD - Nyarlathotep mark... I can feel its mark inside your body.
Everyone in the room got startled hearing that.
Issei - What do you mean?
QD - There was a record before saying that Nyarlathotep might put a mark inside something that interests it. But they all died in the end...
Everyone - ?!
Riche and Ramius teared up hearing that and hastily asked if there's a way to remove it but sadly QD said no.
Issei also got a bit taken aback hearing that but he calms himself right after.
QD - ...You seem pretty calm, boy?
Issei - Ah.
QD - Aren't you afraid of dying?
Issei - I am afraid. I'm afraid that if I were to die then I will never see my loved ones again, and who will protect them. But if you think I'm just gonna watch myself be killed by Nyarlathotep then you're dead wrong.
Issei said all that with determination. And QD who saw that smirked then she laughed out loud.
QD - HAHAHAHA! What a fine lad! LD and Scathach sure have found a good man that even I got a little bit jealous! What do you say, Arthur?
Arthur - Indeed. Issei-sama is a fine man. There's not many who can stay calm hearing his death is coming much less face it with determination...
QD - Heh! Don't worry boy. You still have a chance.
Riche and Ramius eyes lit up hearing that.
Issei just calmly looks at QD.
QD - Even though Nyarlathotep marked you, but I can feel something along with that mark. That mark contains it's dreaded <Chaos> element. (AN: I decided to call Nyarlathotep element 'Chaos' instead of 'Destruction' because it will be much easier and not get mixed up with Gremory skill)
Issei realizes what she meant right away. Because he remembered while fighting Nyarlathotep he comprehends some of it's <Chaos> element, and he can still feel a tiny amount of that element residing inside him.
QD - Looks like you realized it too... Yes, if you can master Nyarlathotep <Chaos> element then you can defeat it. But there was no one ever succeeded mastering its <Chaos> element, so it all depends on you.
Issei - Ah... I believe I can master it soon enough.
QD - ...Is that so? Heh, indeed a fine man. Too bad I'm already married or I would have made you my husband as well... What do you say, Arthur? Want me to make you a woman again and make this boy as our husband?
Arthur - ...No thank you.
QD - HAHAHA! Too bad.
QD is one of the oldest living entities in the World of Eve. "QD" stands for her personal name, Qu Dragon, though most residents of the world mistakenly believe it stands for "Queen Dragon." She serves as the leader of the dragons, of the Witches of the Round Table, and as custodian of Camelot, where she monitors the progress of souls through the process of reincarnation. She arguably served as the first queen of the Kingdom of Arthur, through her marriage to its founder, King Arthur, though her level of personal involvement is unknown
In the deep past, QD was a close friend to Mother Eve. She wrote Eve's history in the book known as the Evenicle and was present when the Archfiend Adan exploded, causing both the World of Eve and QD herself to split into pieces. The QD who remained in the same world as the Archfiend's Right Arm served as leader of the dragons for many years. One day, she was confronted by King Arthur and the exodus of humans coming from the north. They met and negotiated (an event that historians mischaracterized as a great battle), and agreed that humanity should inherit the planet from the dragons. The two were eventually married, and QD formed the Witches of the Round Table.
Some centuries later, QD has retreated from the material world and now holds stewardship over the castle of Camelot. There, she secretly continues a grand plot against the Creator God, believing him responsible for the suffering of her late friend, Eve.
Riche and Ramius are still worried about Issei. But he told them it's gonna be okay and give them both a tight hug to calm themselves.
QD - By the way, boy. LD told you congrats on losing your virginity and getting wives. But she also said, "You better not make any girls pregnant before me and Scathach". Heh, to think you can score both LD and that Scathach as your fiance. Sure makes me jealous.
Issei felt embarrassed hearing QD words and especially the words Semiramis left behind for him.
Riche and Ramius are wondering just who is LD and Scathach is. Then Arthur informs them both about it.
After knowing their background both girls become even more awed and amazed at their husband for being able to become engaged with those legendary beings. He basically becomes engaged to a Goddess.
Riche's eyes sparkled hearing there's more world out there while Ramius is just happy knowing Issei still has a chance to beat Nyarlathotep and survive.
QD - Well, there's really nothing I can teach you here. LD said you're supposed to be relaxing here in this world, but from what it seems you're involved in something troublesome. <Snake Crest> Huh.
Riche - Oh right?! QD-sama can you help us deal with them?!
Riche remembered about <Snake Crest> and asked QD to help them solve this problem.
QD - No, I can't. I'm not allowed to be involved with you humans affair that much you see. But Issei here should be more than enough to handle that problem for you.
QD rejected Riche's request but after hearing the rest of her words she realized that Issei is helping them then she cheered right after.
QD - Well, while you're at it do me a favor would ya?
Issei - What?
QD - You will meet a naughty dragon on your journey but don't kill her okay? You can discipline her or whatever as long as you don't kill her.
Issei - As long she doesn't touch my bottom line sure.
QD - Heh. Thanks for that, I would handle her myself but I'm just too busy you see.
Arthur - You're just lazy, Qu...
QD - Shut it! I need to catch up with my emptistories! That's important!
Arthur - Hai, Hai...
Issei and his wives become speechless hearing her reasoning...
QD is a slovenly, frivolous, easily distracted and selfish person, not at all becoming of a mythic figure. This may be disguise against her true, deicidal purposes, but the layers are so thick that it becomes impossible to separate her true personality from any fake, and it may be that both are true. QD likes to sleep in, play video games, and to collect mountains of cruft entirely unrelated to her actual responsibilities. She has all the time in the world and seems to be on a one-woman mission to fill every second of it with garbage.
One of QD's most recent hobbies is the collection of "emptistories," or "empty stories." These are essentially stock plots, removed from their characters and particulars. She secretly believes these emptistories will somehow give her an edge over the Creator God, though even she isn't sure of how exactly that might play out. This hobby is, in part, the primary reason that so many places and people have names from real-world fiction and myth, as she suggested them from material acquired from other dimensions.
Despite her generally aloof personality, QD takes her pact with humanity very seriously and expects the same seriousness from her subordinate dragons. So finding out that "Dragon" broke her commands she feels angry and told Issei to handle her however he wants as long he doesn't kill her.
QD is supposedly one of the most powerful creatures in the entire World of Eve, but as her pact with humanity prevents her direct interference, and as QD is prone to boasting and lying, it is hard to tell the exact extent of these powers. Like most full-blooded dragons, she is effectively immortal and can teleport from place to place. She has demonstrated the power to control gravity, to such an extent that she can even move the fragments of the World of Eve at her leisure, allowing travel between them. She can also hear at ridiculous distances, speak telepathically, and reach through her descendants' shadows as though they were a portal. She claims her powers go even further than that, to such a degree that she could wipe out civilization in a single blow.
QD - By the way, did you know that you can turn your wives into Dragonkin as well, boy?
Riche & Ramius - Eh?
Issei - ...Well, I don't know that.
Riche & Ramius - How?!
Riche and Ramius jump at QD words right away wanting to know how. They both felt they are too weak to stand with Issei so they will jump at any chance given to become stronger so they can assist him even if its just a little. Especially so they won't become a burden to Issei.
QD - Hmm... I'll tell you when you successfully master the <Chaos> element I guess. And take good care of the twins for me will ya?
Riche and Ramius become a little disappointed hearing that. They wanted to be of help for Issei after all.
Issei - I will. Don't worry.
QD - Heh! Good to know, well you can go now. There's really nothing to do here except helping you regain your memories.
Issei - Ah. Thank you once again.
QD - You're welcome.
Issei - But if you meet Semiramis again please tell them about something...
Then he told QD to give his message to Semiramis about Yunyun and Wiz. And that he also loves them all.
When Semiramis and the rest hear his message they become so happy and become giddy all day. They can't wait to reunite with him later on...
Then Issei and his wives leave Camelot.
Riche - That was mindblowing...
Ramius - Indeed...
Issei - Well, I can't deny that.
Riche - So, you're from another world. Ise?
Issei - Ah, I came from a country called Japan...
Then he proceeded to tell them about his world, Riche's eyes sparkled so much hearing about his world while Ramius just nodded to herself because for her as long she's near Issei then she's content already.
Issei - Then shall we continue our quests?
Riche - Oh right! Yup, let's go!
The party return to Lancelot got their info in order and resumed asking around about <Snake Crest>, but didn't obtain any results.
Riche - The poison gas seems like it could be related to <Snake Crest>, but we don't know a thing about the cause for sure. Neither Arthur's ruins nor the purification plant have a proven connection to the poison gas either.
Ramius - The ruins are on the other side of the desert and the plant's off limits...
Riche - Dark Night Kitty is pretty popular for a vigilante, huh?
Ramius - Even moreso because the Knights around here aren't very reliable, I would guess. But none of this gives us any clue about <Snake Crest>. Hmmm, what to do?
Unable to obtain any clues regarding <Snake Crest> Riche started thinking about some other things, whereas Ramius gave up on thinking and began to shift her interest toward the nearby food stands.
Man - Hey, pal. I'm trying to get to city hall. Can you tell me how to get there?
Issei - Hm?
Issei turned and saw a man anxiously looking around.
Issei - Sorry, I don't live around here, so I'm not sure myself.
Man - Yeah? Sorry to bother you.
The man apologetically lowered his head as he discreetly held out a letter.
Issei who saw that become a bit taken aback but took the letter anyway. He realize this must be the middleman.
The content told him too meet up somewhere at night.
Issei told his wives that he got some business later to take care of and both Riche and Ramius knows it must've been about the secret mission so they don't pry into it that much.
Then they explore the city for a while more.
Riche - Hey, that's a Heidi bakery. Looks like their bread just finished baking.
Issei - Let's get in line if you want it.
Ramius - No need. I sensed they had fresh baked bread and made sure I was first in line.
Issei - ...
Issei sweated seeing Ramius already had it.
Ramius apparently had some kind of animal instinct for detecting the activity of bakeries, because she was already carrying an armful of bread.
Ramius - Have some, Ise. Riche.
Issei - ...Okay.
Riche - Thanks...
Then they eat the bread together but Issei saw someone familiar.
Issei - Oh. Gurigura.
Gurigura - Oh, it's Issei-nii! The nice guy who gave me bread.
Issei - What are you doing here?
Gurigura - Eheh, I've got a job to do tonight, so I was just heading out.
Gurigura somehow used her giant glove with enough precision to scratch her cheek.
Those are battle gloves. They can make up for the user's short reach or enhance their striking power. That's why she's always wearing them.
*Growl*
Gurigura stomach growled once more.
Issei chuckled hearing that but Gurigura just looking at him with sparkling eyes, so he patted her head and was about to told Ramius to give her some bread.
Ramius - Here, eat as much as you want. You have to eat if you want to grow.
Before Issei even needed to ask, Ramius took some bread out of the paper bag and held it out to Gurigura.
Gurigura - Are you sure? Thanks! You guys must really like bread.
Riche - Lancelot's known around the world for its bread you see.
Gurigura - Mm, mm... Mmm, eheheheh, tasty~
Ramius - If you like it, you can have more. Would you like to take some home with you?
Riche - Hey, there's no need to eat so quickly. You're getting bread crumbs all over your face.
Enchanted by the innocent way Gurigura ate, both Riche and Ramius began to look after her. And Issei who saw that just smiled gently thinking they both are gonna be a great mother one day.
After a while they decided to go on their way.
Ramius - As you heard, we have somewhere to go now. Would you like the rest of the bread?
Gurigura - Wow, thanks! See you later, you guys.
Issei patted her head once more and she smiled joyfully feeling his pat.
Gurigura then happily waved her huge glove and ran off. Then Issei party also departed.