Chapter 411:

Chapter 411:

Well, Rin just dropped that little bombshell and now they were all staring at me. Not that I was at all ashamed, but I generally didn't just blurt it out for some kind of clout.

"When you say Harem..."

"Yes, it is exactly what you are thinking." Artoria was the one who answered Roman. She didn't seem to mind answering the question or it being brought up, so I supposed it didn't matter.

"I kinda wanna call bullshit, and I definitely would if it was him, but you're here confirming it so I'm conflicted." Melanie commented, rather slowly.

"Holy crap, are you for real, kid?" Junior exclaimed. "I don't think I've ever offered this before, but that deserves a drink on the house."

"Wait, wait, how does this even work? Like I heard things like this back in the day or some secret Atlasian gossip or whatever with the really old families, but seriously." Miltia leaned forward, looking at us. "You can't just say something like that without giving any juicy details."

"I don't know what to tell you, it isn't some complicated or exciting story." I shrugged. "I told her beforehand and we had a talk about the future and here we are."

"That's bullshit." Miltia countered.

"He speaks the truth." Artoria smiled beautifully. "He was honest with his intentions and the state of his relationships before we decided to move further. I was hesitant at first, but I do not regret my decision."

"Ugh, that's so boring but at the same time, kinda fucking cute." Melanie scowled. "What about the others? How many you got, how old are they?"

"It...depends." I cleared my throat. "And, well..." I glanced at Artoria. "I'm actually the youngest out of everyone."

"Wait, what?" Miltia blinked. "You're the youngest." She looked at Artoria. "But I thought..."

"I am flattered, but I am older than Wilhelm by a fair amount." Artoria said with clear amusement.

That made them just stare, wide-eyed.

"What's your secret?" Melanie narrowed her eyes. "Virgin blood? How many do I need to kill?"

"Alright, that's enough." Junior stepped in. "Leave the poor girl – woman alone."

"Wait, does that mean he's into older women?" Miltia held her finger up.

"Well –"

"Oh yeah." Rin answered for me. "Schweinorg here prefers older women. You should see his others, they're not nearly as innocent as Saber here is. Most of them are bonafide MILFs."

"Thank you, Rin." I grumbled.

"Didn't he mention a daughter last time? With everything that happened, I kind of forgot. But it really makes sense now." Melanie muttered.

"That's hilarious." Miltia snorted, then looked at Rin. "I like you, we should hang out."

"Bwah?" Rin blurted out. "Um, sure?"

"Roman, you've been quiet." Junior glanced at the 'famous' Thief. "It's not like you to miss out on something like this."

"I'm confused, Junior." Roman sighed. "I'm feeling something and I don't know what it is."

"Did you finally realize how stupid your hat looks?" I offered.

"My hat is stylish, and I look immaculate in it." He shot back without a second thought. "But I have this feeling like....when I do something amazing, like a big heist that I pull off or a big score, you know? Something to be happy about, excited and feel good about."

"Yeah?" Junior ushered him on.

"But...I'm feeling it for someone else." Roman let out a dramatic sigh.

"Dammit Roman." I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

"For the first time in my life, I think I genuinely feel pride in someone else." He wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Is this what fatherhood feels like?"

"I am contemplating murder right now."

"And that's our cue to leave." Miltia slid off her stool and looked back towards Artoria and Rin. "Hey, wanna go shopping with us? You both are new to Vale, we can show you the good places and not the tourist traps."

Artoria and Rin shared a look.

"That sounds fun, actually." Rin cracked a smile. "I've been meaning to update my wardrobe. Spent way too long in the wilderness and I need some new stuff."

"A better use of my time." Melanie shrugged. "We're taking the day off, Junior." She said flippantly.

"Didn't even ask my permission." He said dryly.

"Stop crying, Junior." Miltia joined in. "Come on, let's beat the crowds."

"I'm in." Rin hopped off her seat. "Come on Saber, you need a bigger wardrobe too."

"I am content with what I have." Artoria said politely.

"She did not just say that." Miltia looked at Artoria in surprise.

"Right, we have some work to do then." Melanie and her sister glanced at once another.

"Tell me about it. It's like pulling teeth to get her to buy some more stuff." Rin joined in. "Well, you're not getting out of it this time, Saber." Rin grabbed her arm, practically pulling her out of her seat.

"I admit defeat." Saber sighed, perhaps a smidge of happiness contained within it before quickly giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Behave." She softly spoke.

"Whipped." Melanie and Miltia chuckled again.

"Have fun." I waved them off as they left the club.

"Well, that was interesting." Roman slid a couple seats closer. "Didn't expect you to go for the prim and proper sort. You sure she's going to be okay with the Twins?"

"It's good for her to go out and do more things like this." I smiled happily. "She hasn't had many chances before and still doesn't actively think about it."

"She did strike me as the 'high society' type that's basically forced into a gilded cage throughout their childhood." Roman hummed.

"Something like that." I wasn't going to just reveal all her secrets. "Anyways, did you ever do that I think I asked you about?"

"That old man who made your sheath? Yeah, I dropped off a chunk of money at his place a while ago." Roman lit a new cigar. "Think he closed shop and retired or something."

"That's good." I nodded in thanks.

Didn't want to make myself a liar. I lost a bet so I paid up, simple as that.

"And what do you wanna talk about, it's obvious you're tiptoeing around something."

Roman and Junior shared a look and Roman then tapped his cigar on the nearby ashtray. "So you remember the whole Grimm thing I asked you about last time?"

"Clearing up some mutated Grimm, yeah? Need me to do that? I have some time."

"Well.....it seems like it's a bit more than what any of us assumed."

"Alright? What's the big deal?" I asked.

"What Roman is trying to say is that he promised you for a job and the job turned out to be significantly more difficult than what he had assumed. You see, he didn't actually look into the details and just made a lot of guesses." Junior clarified.

"You are excused, child." Salem was...teasing her? "You're not the first to be swayed by any false words he might have. What was the name of the last one, Ozma? And I remember that blonde 'assistant' of yours when you paraded yourself around as the King of Vale."

"Let me see." Another voice shuffled over and a woman with reddish purple hair peeked over as well. A face I recognized from a while ago due to reports from James. "I can see the resemblance. You're right, he does seem to replace you."

"It doesn't matter, I don't care what harlot he pulls off the street to keep him company." Salem dismissed the statement and I found myself unable to understand what was going on.

"You say he often bothers you, yes? Perhaps he has not moved on?"

"How amusing, is that it, Ozma? Do you still miss me? Tell me, child, does he call my name out when you tend to his needs?"

Glynda's squawk of indignation brought me back to my senses. "Salem!"

"Yes, just like that."

"No, I – "

"The inability to let go is a very unattractive trait. I can see why you are no longer together." The woman next to Salem commented.

"One of his many flaws that I overlooked in the past."

"Does that only include his looks?"

"What does the way I look have to do with anything!" I found myself shouting. "Wait, that doesn't matter. Where's Qrow, how did you get his scroll!?" Why was she still able to get this kind of reaction out of me after all these years?

"No, he looked different before. However, he retains certain characteristics due to his magic once he subsumes the original host. But he's always been unkempt unless I forced him to tidy himself up. One of the many issues, as I said. Though there was one particular thing that most made me displeased."

"Was it a small pecker?"

Salem uncharacteristically laughed. "No, I was speaking of his tendency to believe himself 'holier than thou' but that is also something to consider. He was very adamant that he was 'average' and I never wished to hurt his feelings."

"Do you think it's still the same even now? Is that why he's ever so clingy?"

"Oh my, is that it, Ozma?" Salem held up her bent pinky. "I've heard things about men and self esteem issues....it does seem to make sense in hindsight."

I was having trouble even formulating a response. I didn't know what was going on, but I noticed something off about her. "A-are you drunk?"

"I've only had one drink in the past hour!"

"That was a barrel, not a glass."

"It was still one." Salem giggled.

"ufufu, let's order another."

"Salem!" I slammed my fists on the table. "Is Qrow alive?"

"Who's Qrow again?' Salem looked to her...companion.

"He was the one that gave us this device, I believe." The other woman clarified.

"Oh yes, him. Who knows?" Salem grinned. "Why don't we trade? I'll tell you if you tell me where the Relics are."

"I will never hand over the Relics to you!"

"You can ask Jinn." The other woman stated, making me stiffen.

"I refuse." Salem huffed. "That Spirit is too smug already, if I ask her she will never let me forget it!"

"How do you know that name?" I demanded. She shouldn't know Jinn's name! She should only know about the Relic of Knowledge having a spirit.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Salem laughed.

"Tell him where the Relic currently is."

"I-I refuse to mention that shameful Spirit's fetishes."

"It's in her ass." The woman stated. "She keeps the lamp up her ass."

"Don't just blurt it out."

"She would happily tell him on her own."

"That's not the point!"

"I believe that someone is jealous. Do you hope to also have the same treatment?"

"Absolutely not! Don't you dare insinuate otherwise." Salem looked...embarrassed. "How do I turn this device off!?"

"Press the button in the middle."

"I don't see it."

"Right there!"

"It's not working!"

There was a strange scream and the scroll's images became distorted as everything spun around and with an obvious collision of some kind, the call was turned off.

....she threw the scroll.

"....Ozpin, what was that?"

"I....don't know, Glynda." I answered honestly. "I genuinely have no clue as to what just happened."

Glynda and I would probably have sat there, silent for a while longer if something didn't slam into the window.

"Qrow is fine it seems." Glynda said quietly. "I'll open it for him."

I didn't respond as she opened the window, letting him fly in.

"Oz, big news! I ran into your ex-wife, who you didn't tell us was your ex-wife. But she was out there, and –"

"We know, Qrow." I cut him off, holding up my scroll, letting him fill in the blanks.

"Oh." He blinked.

"Qrow, do you happen to have your flask on you?"

"....yeah?"

"Can I please borrow it?"

"uh.....sure?" He casually handed it to me.

I flipped it open, holding it up to my nose to smell how strong the alcohol was. With a nod, I poured all of it into my coffee.

[***]

If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone