4 Chapter 4: The Queen of Golden eyes and a Butler of blood
The entire crowd went to sleep. The guards, the executioner, the people flocking to see the execution. Ecstase descended from the sky.
The only ones awake were They and... Fern.
Fern: What is the meaning of this?
Ecstase: You have sinned. Gravely. We are here to deliver justice I suppose.
Fern: Y-you won't get away with this. I AM THE PRINCE OF THIS LAND. YOU ALL WILL BE EXECUTED.
Ecstase: I thought we had already demonstrated the flawed execution system of your country. You cannot kill us not harm us. Now tell us about Crow
Fern: Youre after the Crow? I don't know anything about him. Let me go.
Toru: You claim you do not know the Crow yet you wear this.
[He puts a dagger in Fern's shirt and pulls out a pendent. It is a shiny mirror. And around the Edge is written 「Magpie」]
Fern: That- That... no don't...
Toru: This will hurt... a lot!
Fern: No... please don-
[The dagger plunges into Fern's throat. Blood spurts out all over the podium.]
Ecstase: My my. What brutality. You would make a fine Cherub.
Shirou: Excuse me but we just killed a PRINCE! won't the entire country be after us now?
Ecstase: ah yes it would suppose we might have to seek refuge somewhere m
Shirou: And who would give refuge to the killers of the crown prince?
Ecstase: There is someone...
[Two days later, they arrive in Rees. ]
[They make their way to the castle, a large castle with polished blackstone and tall towers. ]
Guard: The Queen is not seeing visitors today. Come back later.
Ecstase: Heavens demand and audience with, Her Majesty. And The Earth grants it. (His eyes glow a bright shade of blue)
Guard: Right! Right this way sir. I apologise for my rudeness.
[When they are out of earshot, Shirou asks]
Shirou: What was that?
Ecstase: It a simple spell. It's called Heaven's tongue. If you are a religious person, it compels you to follow whatever the caster says.
Shirou: and what if the person doesn't believe in God?
Ecstase: I'm that case I will kill them.
Shirou: weren't we here to make friends?
[They enter the castle like they owned it. Ecstase leads them straight to the Queen's private chambers.]
Toru: Can we just walk in?
Ecstase: Yes. but before that there are a few things I must tell you about The Queen.
[Ecstase knocks twice, sometime later the door opens]
Butler: Ah! What a pleasant surprise. Please come right in.
[Ecstase and Shirou enter and bow]
[Toru picks up a fruit knife, and bows]
[Then he cuts his hand opens and let's his blood flow into a glass the Butler is holding]
The Queen: I see, this one is a well mannered one. I must say Ecstase, I am curious as to why you are here.
[Toru raised his head and the first thing he notices is the large breasts of the woman. H-cup? He wondered]
[The Queen was dressed in a black dress. Shoes neatly tucked away in a corner, she sat on the bed as if just awoken from a nap.]
[The Butler was a devilishly handsome man. With small framed glasses and dressed in a three piece suit.]
[Both of them had sharp canines. Long enough to be visible when they smiled. One thing that caught Toru's eyes were the Queen's Golden eyes. It looked as if it was made up of solid gold, peeking out of her half closed eyes.
[The Butler hands the glass of blood to the queen]
[She takes a sip]
The Queen: Hmmmm. Toru Kurobe huh. And I suppose you brought me this offering while desiring something.
Toru: Yes my Queen.
Queen: Address me as Vial. With blood so sweet I'll be disappointed if we were to just stay as merely acquaintances.
Toru: Yes, Queen Vial.
Vial: So what is it you seek?
Toru: Permission to stay here my lady.
[Suddenly Toru is lifted by the back of his collar ]
Butler:(holding his hand against his neck like a blade) Hmm. Heaven's heal huh. Even if I slit your throat it'll just close back up.
[Toru thought he imagined it but the Butler's eyes glowed a bright shade of red. And strangely enough, through it only took about three seconds, he felt he had been lifted up for far longer]
Vial: Put him down Nero. I don't sense any hostility from him.
Nero: Yes my Queen.
[He lowers Toru down and straightens his collar for him.]
Toru: well thank you.
Nero: please don't mention it.
Toru: I was being sarcastic.
Nero: oh is that so. I humbly apologize.
Vial: Please excuse him. Since he is a snake he is very cautious. But I assure you he is a good person.
Nero: You flatter me, my love.
Vial: The praise is not undeserved, dear.
Shirou: ahhh... they're awfully close for master and servant.
Toru: what do you mean that he's a snake?
Nero: It would seen our guest lacks basic natural knowledge. A snake is a reptile...
Toru: I KNOW WHAT A SNAKE IS! IM ASKING HOW ARE YOU A SNAKE?
Vial: Nero is a Gorgon, however since he saved my life, I gifted him my blood. Due to this is he half vampire and half snake.
Toru: You're a vampire?
Vial: It would seem so. Yes. You might be wondering how a vampire is a queen to a nation full of churches and holy places. Well it is simple. I am a child of chaos and peace.
Ecstase: When an angel and a demon have a child. The child is human. However in Vial's case her mother was already half demon and half angel. Therefore she is three fourths blood demon.
Toru: I see.
Vial: Well going back to our original topic. You said you require refuge. Does this have something to do with the Magpie's death I wonder?
Toru: Yes. I killed him.
[Vial's eyes widen. Nero steps in between Vial and Toru]
Vial: Kill? But how?!
Nero: The Magpie was blessed with Osiris's favor. You couldn't have just killed him.
Toru: I stabbed him with this.
[Toru shows them his dagger, It is a silver blade. nothing special about it.]
[Nero suddenly bites Toru's neck.
Toru winces with pain.]
Toru: What are you doing.?
Nero: I see your mana is the refecting type.
Toru: Reflection Mana? You mean I can learn duplication magic?
Nero: I am rather surprise as to why you haven't learned it yet. but this explains how you could kill The Magpie. The Osiris's favor only grants protection from pure things. A duplicated Mana blade is not genuine therefore it couldn't stop it.
Toru: So this blade isn't real?
Nero removes his gloves and touches it. The blade shatters.
Nero: A hybrid like me cannot touch this blade nor be harmed by it's. It's the problem with weak heavens magic. It seeks purity.
Vial: Very well Toru. Ecstase, Toru and ...
Shirou: Seishirou. Seishirou Kori. Pleased to meet you.
Vial: The pleasure is all mine. Please make yourself at home. If anything is needed feel free to call on the servants.
Ecstase: I am afraid we won't be having the luxury to do that. The peacock has arrived.
Vial: I thought it was just me but I see. Nero! Prepare for battle.
Toru looks out the window.
from the tower he could barely make out. But it was unmistakably it. A fleet of mounted knights were on their way. and they were heading straight for the castle.
