178 Explosition

"Mich-Familiar... Did you have anything to do with the disaster in Antomiers?" Louise finally asks, sounding as if this question had been weighing heavily on her shoulders.

Michael shakes his head, "That's a stupid question... Of course not, why would I do something like that?" he scoffs.

"Perhaps you wished to assist the Reconquista against us as we were hunting you?" Henrietta asks.

Michael crooks a brow at this, "If you think that I might've been with the Reconquista, why did you come here with little to no protection?

The princess straightens her posture and lays a hand over Louise's, "I trust Louise' judgement concerning you. But despite what you think, we are far from powerless here. So I would ask you to not try anything untoward."

Louise smiles at her words but firms her expression as she turns towards Michael, "What did you want to talk about, Familiar?"

"I need to borrow something of yours. It's important, very important. Brimir's Prayer Book." he states, causing both girls to tense up.

"What would you need that for?" Henrietta asks with a frown, her hand lowering from the table and onto her lap, so that she could reach for her wand faster.

...

"Don't worry what I need it for, just know that I need it... I've helped Tristania out by dealing with some psycho's, so I think I'm at least due a favour..." he looks to Henrietta, "I helped rescue your boyfriend Prince Wales, if he wasn't such a douche bag I might still be over in Albion helping them... So help me here."

Henrietta shakes her head, "You won't see the book unless you tell us what you need it for. The founder's prayer book isn't just something we can hand out. It's a national treasure, enough to give Romalia reason to denounce us if we lose it. And I have heard nothing of you helping my kingdom, perhaps to you murdering Nobles is something to boast about, but for me, it is a loss of yet more resources we could use."

Michael taps the armrest of his chair in irritation, glancing over at Louise who just nods in affirmation with Henrietta. "Nicholas Grimpt wasn't a Noble."

Derflinger chuckles from the corner of the room where Michael had left him, "That guy was one sick puppy, partner!"

"Just stay out of this, Derflinger." Michael says while palming his face, looking at his guests, "Ignore the talking sword, he was cursed by an elf or something... As for Nicholas Grimpt, I don't know if he was around while you ruled the city, but he was a freak who tortured people on a whim. So, if you care at all about favours or paying someone who deserves it, you'll let me borrow that book!"

"No. Even if we gave it to you, there would be no point! Only a Void Mage can make use of it!" Louise proclaims, looking slightly smug.

"What if a Void Mage's familiar has a use for it?" Michael asks, causing Louise to go silent in thought. "Besides, you owe me for summoning me here! Can't you just let me borrow the book?"

Louise's face reddens, "I helped you escape the academy! You're the one who should owe me, Familiar!!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!" Michael continues to retort hotly, only for Henrietta to interject herself into the incredibly intelligent discussion.

"Enough! Both of you!" she looks to Michael, "We will not be handing the book over based on some perceived amount of favours, it is simply far too valuable to consider! So, unless you have something worth trading for it, this will be the end of the discussion!"

Michael scowls, "Alright, I've asked you nicely, but since you're going to be a bitch about it..." he stands, "Give me the fucking book or I'll knock your pretty fucking teeth out!"

His abrupt change to violence has both girls rapidly get to their feet, Louise looking suitably offended and angry at the disrespect to her friend and rightful ruler. "Familiar! You take that back right now, or I swear I will punish you!" she exclaims while pointing her wand at him, her hand actually trembling slightly as she does so.

"You can try, Louise, but I promise you'll not like the results." he retorts, preparing a Blink Strike.

*Crash!*

The door to the room slams open as Agnes charges in and points her musket straight at Michael's face, "I knew you couldn't be trusted, False-Familiar!"

"Pick me up, partner, I'll handle them!" Derflinger shouts from the side of the room, causing Agnes to turn her attention towards it, allowing him to Blink Strike behind her. He vanishes and appears behind her and grabs her musket, pulling it back and pulling it over her neck to hold her hostage.

"Give me the book and no one will get hurt!"

"You stupid, disloyal familiar! The prayer book is mine! I won't let you have it! Implode!" she exclaims, causing a wisp of smoke to shoot from her wand and begin crawling towards him as he holds Agnes hostage. He tries to step around it, but finds the smoke crawling over Agnes and onto him.

"What the fuck is this!?" he mutters, trying to shake it off, but by the look on Henrietta's face, something really bad was about to happen. He casts Counter Spell, but the magical barrier appears and disappears without any effect at all.

"Let go of her, Familiar, or I'll blow you up!" Louise threatens as she inches towards Henrietta who'd fallen over when Agnes had burst into the room.

Michael scowls at her, "Blow me up then, and take this bitch with me." he says, pulling Agnes closer to him.

Unfortunately, he wasn't aware of the complexity of the 'Implode spell', so, when the smoke crawls onto his arm and detonates. Michael is incredibly confused to find his entire arm disintegrating into itself and disappearing, exploding outwards a second later in a spray of gore that covers everyone in the room.

Indeed, had he not invested in Anti-Mage's magical immunity, his entire body would've gone the way of his left arm... A bloody smear on the floor, walls, and ceiling.

"Arrgh!" he groans as Agnes shakes herself free from his now single-handed grip, smashing the butt of her musket into his face as she turns around.