Yawning, I followed a trembling maid through a suffocatingly extravagant corridor. Oil paintings depicting old fossils and flowers lined the walls, with golden lamps between them. The windows on the other side were taller than I, and shut tight, though they did tremble under the hammering winds of the storm brewing aside.
"How long?"
Thunder cracked across dark skies outside. The maid let out a startled yelp, and glanced back. Her lips quivered when her gray eyes met mine, "N-Not far, sir."
"I feel like you lot are way too into showy stuff," I remarked, studying a crystal chandelier hung over head, "I mean, not that I mind. I love showing off too. But, owning a castle in the middle of London seems like a bit much."
No, actually, that sounded really cool. I was just jealous I didn't have one of my own. My castle was tucked away in some boonies, and probably falling apart for a lack of staff. I wondered if the owner was open to... donating this place to my cause.
"As you say, sir." The maid answered politely.
Sighing, I fell in behind her quietly, and watched her ponytail sway from side to side like a small animal's tail until we came upon some grand doors engraved with flowers and vines of gold. Two men in suits stood by it. They bowed as the maid stepped aside, but they did not open the doors.
I tilted my head, smiling briefly, "What's this about?"
The one on the right bowed again before pointing to a door on the side.
"Do you want me to go there?"
He shook his head. The maid spoke for him, "The Lord Animusphere's-"
Her words became unnecessary when the door suddenly opened on its own and Olga stepped out with Trisha behind her. The fair-haired attendant gave a polite bow.
"Greetings, sir."
"You and I go way back, no? Sir is a bit too stuffy." I waved a hand, laughing as I rummaged through my pocket, "Heya Olga, been a bit."
The young princess of the Animusphere family opened her little mouth but said nothing at all. She clenched her tiny fists, seemingly unsure of what she was to do. Then, only after a good moment of awkward silence, did she grip the edges of her skirt to give a courteous bow, bending her left foot behind the right.
"The... Animusphere greet-"
Unable to restrain myself, I threw my head back and laughed aloud. Olga Marie winced when my hand was suddenly in front of her face, balled up in a fist. Laughing louder, I opened it to reveal a few candies.
"What?" She murmured, staring up at me.
I emptied my hand in hers before putting it on her head, ruffling her well-combed white hair.
"A kid shouldn't be making that kind of face."
"I-"
"Don't worry, you can still treat me the same way." I flashed her a toothy grin.
She pushed my hand away, "Stop treating me like a kid! I'm the representative of the Animusphere!"
"I'm gonna treat you like what you are, you brat."
"Mm, everyone's watching."
I ruffled her hair again, glancing back at the servants, "Nah, I'm sure no one saw anything. Right?"
The three nodded their heads furiously, in complete sync.
"Well, be that as it may, Henry." Olga Marie broke out of her stupour and faced me with the same unapologetic confidence from the Rail Zeppelin. I saw Trisha mouth a quiet thank you behind her. "The Lords waiting for you inside are... You have to be careful. They have ruled the Clock Tower since its inception."
I raised both my hands in mock surrender, "Oh I'm so scared of what a bunch of fossils will threaten me with~ Maybe they'll try to banish me."
"I see-" She sighed, "-that trying to explain will be useless. Just be careful, alright?"
I nodded faintly.
To begin with, I had no intention of lowering my guard even slightly during a meeting with several of the Twelve Lords. They could not defeat me. I was just too powerful. But, they were monsters of a different nature than the ones I had faced thus far.
Old nobles, people who schemed as easily as they breathed.
I needed to make them understand that the consequences were not worth it. That was why I had made sure they saw my battle with Gilgamesh, beyond my own desire to have an audience for the spectacle.
Thunder roared outside. A strong wind made the windows tremble and shake.
Breathing deeply, I clapped my hands together.
The servants took my meaning and pushed open the great doors into a banquet hall. A great fireplace burned at one end, and maroon curtains embroidered with gold were draped over the windows. A grand chandelier burning with a thousand candles hung from the ceiling over a long table set with all sorts of dishes I could not even begin to name.
Freshly cut fruits, exotic roasted birds and lamb and even lobsters a bit to the side. The towering cake and the bubble bowls filled with gelatin desserts. Near the end of the table closest the doors, I even spotted fast food and judging by the tastes of my hosts, they'd definitely brought those in specifically for me.
I only needed the one look around the hall to realise that they had even graciously divided themselves into their respective factions. Inorai, dressed in a green gown, stood next to a hulk of a man in a burgundy suit that seemed like it was going to burst at the seams from his muscles. His golden-blonde hair was cut short and shaggy, shaved at the sides. I admired his goatee for a decent bit.
He was the very picture of a European noble, used to high-society... though, I felt he looked more like a 'King' than just some noble.
Olga Marie left my side to join a frail skeleton of a man standing with a help of a wooden cane. His skin had sunken in and clung to his bones, marked by spots and wrinkled. His white hair went down to his back but had receded to reveal much of his dark scalp. His suit was covered by his dark mantle, but he still had to hold his cane, and so I was able to see the numerous rings laid with precious stones he wore on each and every finger.
Among these unfamiliar and monstrous people, I did spot a familiar face. Reines, of all people, was tucked away in a corner of the hall. She was twirling a glass of red wine with an uneasy smile on her face.
The final Lord sat by herself, at the very head of the table. An admittedly, plain woman, with her brown hair tied in a simple ponytail. Her dark eyes studied me only in passing and apparently, she had not even deigned it fit to remove her long coat before coming in.
That gaze of hers was so terribly familiar, even though I tried and failed to place it. The rest of the Lords gave her a wide berth.
Even I, who was not yet accustomed to the games the Lords played, felt like they were the kind of people who absolutely should not have been in the same room. The tension in the room was suffocating. Though they did not say it and did not show it, they hated each other immensely.
Oh well.
Shrugging, I started towards Reines.
"Hello, young man! I must admit what you pulled was highly amusing." Inorai's companion stepped in my way, a hand held out in greeting. He had the polished smile of a politician, "I had a good laugh. That kind of thinking is what we need around here. It's no fun if things grow too stale, wouldn't you agree?"
I took his hand. "Yeah, I agree."
"McDonell Trambelio Elrod. The Lord of Mystile." His blue eyes shimmered as he shook my head. "Say, won't you become part of my family? I can't help but want to support young talents like you."
What?
This person was the head one of the Three Great Families of the Clock Tower, the head of the Democratic Faction. His attitude came as a surprise compared to his peers.
I heard the crack of a cane.
"Don't you... think you're... getting too ahead... of yourself?" The bejewelled half-dead old head wheezed out, sitting down on a cushioned chair.
Much to my pleasure, McDonell ignored him entirely.
"If you want, I'll adopt you."
"I love my mother very much so no thanks." I rejected the offer neutrally.
"Ah yes, I admire someone so hard-working. If you want-"
Suddenly, Inorai's eyes widened, "Son, don't complete that sentence-"
"-I can take her as one of my wives."
The world around me came to a grinding halt as I pulled back my hand and raised two fingers. The air bent and howled as what was not real spilled into reality.
McDonell backed away quickly, hands raised, "Wait, it was just a joke. I apologise if it was in bad taste."
I pursed my lips.
In truth, my intentions in humoring the invitation had been to have fun, and actually listen to what each of them had to say. That was no longer going to happen. My mood was soured.
With a wave of my hand, I dismissed the Blue.
"What do you geezers want from me?" I asked bluntly, "Out with it."
No one answered my simple query. Silence reigned, with only the shaking of the windows to interrupt its course. Then, the lone woman let out a faint hum.
"I just wanted to get a better look. Very well. You may have your way, within reason." She placed one hand over the other, "I will refrain from interfering. In return, you can adhere to the principles."
I scrunched up my face and leaned forward, "Huh? Do you think you have any place to tell me what I should do at this point? Shouldn't you be more-... I don't know... like 'please sir'."
At that, the very air seemed to freeze, even the shaking of the windows paused. I saw cold sweat form on the brows of everyone, with the sole exception of myself.
She steepled her fingers, and met me head on. "I would rather be destroyed with my pride than be reduced to such before an upstart."
"Is that so?"
I pointed two fingers her way.
"Henry, what do you think you're doing?"
"Whatever I want. Stop me if you can."
The old woman's face hardened. "You've grown out of control."
"I was never in your control to begin with. That's what you were delusionally thinking up till now." I chuckled, "But I don't hold that against you. You're getting up there in the years, growing senile is only natural~"
The unfamiliar woman did not even budge under my threat... So, I lowered my hand with a laugh.
"I like that. You're alright in my books." Inorai's shoulders slumped at my words. "Oh come on, surely you didn't think I'd start attacking people unprovoked. I'm not you. Right, I'll do that. I'll follow your rules, long as you don't mess with me."
"You have no choice but to-"
The old man tried to speak but he was cut off.
"Silence. You were not asked to speak."
Contrary to my expectations, he did shut up immediately. I noticed then that Olga Marie wasn't even daring to raise her head in that woman's presence.
"We have an accord," She turned to me again, nodding, "The Mage's Association will no longer act against you. Everything you have done, and will do, we will overlook, so long as the First Principle is observed in exchange."
"We have an accord." I repeated back. "In exchange, I won't destroy the Mage's Association."
McDonell sighed loudly, shoulders drooped, "I suppose that's the best we can hope for at this point. It isn't like we can do anything anymore. Ah ah, this is going to be like walking on eggshells."
His words were amiable and calm, and yet I didn't need to be a genius to figure out that he was deeply upset with the arrangement... only, his words were true. They really couldn't do anything to me anymore.
"If someone becomes a problem, for me and mine," I fixed my aviators, "I'm going to crush them into the ground. The rest of you will watch, and be able to do nothing."
I did not wait for her answer and turned to leave.
Behind me, the fossil started speaking again, "Lord Barthomeloi was that-"
"And another thing, the Holy Grail in Fuyuki was a path to the Third. I've taken it for myself."
I heard glasses clatter to the floor. Ah, now that I thought about it, what a shame to not even take a bit of food. Shrugging, I went back up to at least pick up some fries.
The Lords; Monarch seemed to be having a decent bit of trouble processing my words, even Inorai's eyes were wide. I merely took a handful of fries... before my eyes caught a bowl of jelly in the corner... and even burgers.
Oh, were those ribs?
That weird looking bird roast smelled really good too-
Thinking for a moment, I shrugged again and plopped down one of the cushioned chairs.
"Damn, that's soft. I'm gonna eat now, so the rest of you can... whatever. I don't care. Do whatever it is you do."
"When you finish," Lord Barthomeloi spoke calmly, "There is someone who wants to meet you."
"They can wait." I waved a chicken leg.
She had no choice but to relent.
-
Hope you enjoyed.
Thus, Henry becomes something like what Gojo was to the Jujutsu Higher-ups. They hate him and want him gone, but they can't stop him from doing whatever he wants or act against him in any capacity. He's gained full immunity, because they simply can't do shit to him after what they saw him do to Gilgamesh. But of course, since he's not pushing it too much, they're maintaining their dignity.
He knows, and they know, that he's become untouchable.
One more chapter to go.