Scheming against Stalemate (Part 3)

"It's an honor to meet you again, Grand Commander Kapel. I am Captain Ryov of the Second Order of the Royal Knights. We've come here to escort you. Now, please follow after out lead, if you would."

The one who courteously greeted was, as he himself introduced Captain Ryov. He beckoned at Kapel, Proxer, and Jogrin and gestured them to enter the vehicle. Next to him were 3 other Knights who were fully geared, from head to toe, in silvery-gray armor. Same for the 6 stationed at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the flying vehicle of the same color, which was just some distance away. It appeared that only Ryov had his face exposed.

"The honor is mine, Captain Ryov, we shall be in your care." Kapel replied in kind.

Jogrin then noticed something odd about "emotional perception". It seemed it couldn't recognize any of the Knights other than Ryov. The way it worked was that it could immediately "remember" any presences Jogrin'd perceived...

No, he couldn't remember the presences of the doctors and nurses who were in the hospital. One thing they had in common was that Jogrin never saw them directly. It could recognize the soldiers because Jogrin'd seen all their faces during the besiege. If he didn't conclude this wrongly, it should be because "emotional perception" could only recognize presences that Jogrin had met face-to-face before.

In other words, currently, it couldn't "register" the Knights before their faces had been covered.

"Tch. He's acting all friendly, but I bet he's been talking bad about us behind out backs!"

One of the Knights next to the stairs whispered. Unfortunately for him, he was heard quite clearly, as he forgot to turn off his transmission device.

"Griston! Keep the complaints to yourself! Do you know your slip-up can impair the relation between the Second Order and the military?!"

"But there's... I mean, yes sir!!"

Despite still irked, Griston held back and shut his mouth. From Jogrin's point of view, the Knights all held a grudge against Kapel. It looked like the seed of grudge had been planted for a long time. And now, it budded into hatred.

As for Ryov, he seemed "troubled", but Jogrin could also sense a tinge of "hatred" within him.

Even though Griston listened and refrained from making any further comments, the other Knights seemed to grew slightly more aggressive and be roused to action.

The arc of soldiers broken down as they were be transported away in small groups. That side seemed to be going without a hitch, but it was a complete opposite. The tension between Kapel and the Knights climbed rapidly, while Proxer and Ryov were becoming nonplussed. The flying vehicle wouldn't be taking off any time soon, from the looks of it.

Abruptly, all the Knights, including those who were originally going to engage in a bickering, froze. Their face couldn't be seen, but one could tell that they were in a trance. Their eyes were fixated at one point. Having felt the sudden change in mood, Kapel's glare followed the "untraceable" gazes of the Knights and quickly found out what put them in a stupor.

What entered his sight, was a portentous looking tail that was above the head of its owner. It was twirling around slowly like a snake looking for its prey while refraining from making any noises so its target wouldn't be alerted.

There was no sign of a debate breaking out, it was instead replaced with an imminent hunting party. The Knights who were about to leave couldn't help but gaze in apprehension. As for the owner of that preying tail, he was just standing still, not showing any expression at all. All except Proxer and Kapel already had their hands ready to unsheathe their weapons.

'No not this again... No! I need to stop it!' Having met with a familiar scene, Proxer immediately went pale.

However, as he was about to take action to prevent the re-enacting of a recent traumatic event, the tail halted for a second, and then it retracted behind Jogrin's back. Retaining his expressionless face, Jogrin turned his gaze towards Kapel.

'What was he about to do... Is he looking at me? What does he want now...' Befuddled, Kapel became wary of Jogrin's unknown intentions, only to enlighten himself in a mere second. 'Hoh? I see what you were doing. A self-sacrificing attempt... Venerable as it may be, you still have yet to gain my trust, alien boy.'

It seemed Kapel had interpreted Jogrin's reason of stopping him and the Knights alike was to gain his trust, while the other party concerned... couldn't care less about that. He just wished to be expelled from Zuta, and go back to his home planet. He had to.

"Hmph." With a simple blow from his nose, Kapel managed to draw everyone's attention. "Allow me to apologize for any misunderstandings incurred by my attitude on out previous meetings. I believe you have grasped what situation we are currently in, and why I judged the First Order to be the better brigade for it, but it is pointless complaining or infighting. Then, without further delay, once again, we will be in your care, Captain Ryov."

"You are indeed correct, Grand Commander Kapel, please overlook the impertinence my subordinates displayed just now. Now, please follow closely behind us." Wryly, Captain Ryov led the Kapel's group into the vehicle.

It was only after everyone entered and be seated the vehicle did the Knights begin the preparations to take off.

"Boy, take this." Kapel approached Jogrin with something in his hand. "This is for you to put on. I cannot allow you to see His Majesty in your current state."

It seemed Kapel found some extra clothing on the vehicle and intended to give it to Jogrin, seeing as how ragged his purple robe had become.

"Hmm. Say, the kind clothing you have on seem really useful and practical, with all the pockets."

"And your point is?... You want to take it from me?"

Kapel was bewildered by Jogrin's statement. But after some pondering, he interpreted it as something perverted, so he scowled and glared at Jogrin.

"What are you getting mad for? Well, I suppose I should have been clearer. I'm going to fabricate my own clothing with reference to yours."

"What does that mean?"

"One of the capabilities of my powers - 'fabrication'."

"Wait. Don't use it, please." Proxer panicked and halted Jogrin as soon as he heard the mention of him using his powers.

"It's harmless and doesn't release that miasma-like aura like the one from before... but alright. I'll listen to you."

Kapel, as well as the Knights were are taken aback at how Jogrin complied so easily. They'd assumed he would be deviant and went through with it anyway. Could it be because Jogrin wasn't as dangerous as they'd initially thought? Or that he'd been tamed by Proxer.

Either way, they were relieved that they didn't have to witness or feel whatever this "miasma-like aura" was.

Only silence followed until they'd reached "Palaial", where the king resided. In the meantime, Jogrin prepared himself mentally before he met the king.

'From what I heard, this "king" guy seems to hold authority over the Royal Knights, whom Kapel sought aid from, as well as Kapel himself. I wouldn't be surprised if he possesses an even higher level of intellect than Kapel. The two of them don't seem to be on good terms... Perhaps smart people don't tend to get along.'

Sadly, the reality about the king wasn't how Jogrin imagined it.