Chapter 33 - 『Your Majesty』

His eyes rested on the front doors of a massive building. Carriages lined the streets. The sound of baroque string music rushed from the open air windows and into their ears. Semi-transparent curtains fluttered in the wind.

The angel's head seemed to sway side to side slightly before he looked down to the two young girls at either side of their elder sister. Holding both of Arche's hands hostage from him.

The twins were looking right back up at him. One of them having a thumb in their mouth, the other their index finger.

Arche just smiled listening to the music, her eyes closed as she was imagining a ballroom dance. How the baroque orchestra played their complex and harmonious musical notes on their instruments.

Jack appeared to grin slightly as he ushered them along, leading the three up to the front of the building. It was surrounded by carious columns. There were some guards stationed outside to keep the riffraff off the property and out of the building.

As they closed in to the steps leading to the archway that presented an open lobby.

Other than wanting to take Arche out for dinner, along with her little sisters, he wanted to figure out what their cuisine was like here in the Capital. At least their most exquisite that is.

Often a nation's food would reflect on their prosperity and economic stability. If a country was going through a famine, had horrible soil or was going through a depression. The culinary world would suffer, no one would have the money to experiment or spare the expense to buy the simplest of seasons or ingredients.

"Do you have a letter of introduction?" Suddenly there was a guard standing in their way, midway up the steps. He was dressed in brass colored armor, a lightly tanned skin tone and a plumed helmet.

He kind of reminded Jack of a Roman soldier. Except his weapon was still holstered.

"Letter of Introduction?" Jack inquired as he swiftly maneuvered himself between him and the girls.

The Guard simply frowned at Jack as he made himself closer, and if his eyes betrayed him, the man had gotten taller all of a sudden? A massive wave of intimidation hit the Guard, but he was hardly moved.

"This establishment doesn't serve the likes of common adventurers or their worker cousins," The Guard informed as his fingers hesitantly scratched at the hilt of his sword.

"Oh?" Jack looked at him dully, his eyes glancing over the Guard's shoulder as he narrowed his sights on a familiar mage coming walking out from the archway.

Fluder who was talking with a member of the research faculty from the Imperial Academy about a rare magical item that could possibly allow the control of high-tier undead, would have glanced up from his conversation to notice Jack.

Confused, he found that the man was standing there with his favored former student. Along with two adorable children in tow who seemed confused about what was going on. "So he had really gone and gotten them..."

The woman beside him, the Researcher, raised a brow at the fact that something other than magic had taken her superior's attention. Confident, young, she had one blood red eye to the left and one pink to the right.

She even wore a monocle over her left eye, covering a scar. Her attire mainly consisted of a white jacket with a grey hood over top, with an open chest top. Around her waist was a belt rigged with various assorted scientific tools such as test tubes and miscellaneous instruments.

Her name was Sophie Noia. "Oooooh?" Running a hand through her dark purple hair, she centered her gaze on the man. Though she was quickly excited by the sight of Jack, she quickly cooled down in disappointment when she noticed he was with company.

Yet she still gave the impression of a perverted gaze, half crazed, she leaned towards Fluder. "Who might he be?" The woman tucked one arm over her bosom, her cleavage already having been boasted by her tight top.

When Jack and Fluder locked eyes though, he could tell immediately what was going on.

"Excuse me a moment," Fluder quickly pulled himself away from his colleague's side.

Watching as the old ma rushed off over to the guard, she raised a brow. "That young man must be important..." She caressed her chin slightly, sensually biting into her lower lip.

As the old man approached the guard and walked up beside them. "What seems to be the problem here?" Fluder had his strong objective voice in gear. His eyes searched the guard before nodding in acknowledgement to Jack.

"This man was trying to enter..."

"I know this man, he is an honorary 'member' of the Imperial Magic Academy." Fluder had no problem lying through his teeth. He could make it official later, as he was the Head Master after all.

Jack's brow immediately raised at this. If he was an honorary member, that would allow him access to people with superior magical talent and skill. Similar to that of Arche and Jet accordingly. He was definitely sure that collecting the Talents of this nation would be of great necessity of bringing Nazarick to far surpass its current level of greatness.

The question was however, how would he get the people find serving Nazarick appealing? It was ruled by a member of the undead… There were various quirks and questions he had to work out for himself, but he was sure he could work something out. Right?

"Oh?" The Guard looked over towards Jack, narrowing his gaze through him. "Should've said so to begin with," the man idly complained before stepping aside.

"Allow me to show you four in," Fluder offered as he gestured with both of his arms for them to follow him through the archway towards the lobby of the culinary establishment.

Jack and Arche glanced at one another before nodding to her former teacher and the four of them would follow Fluder in. The researcher would follow on behind them, curiously.

The man behind the podium glanced up from the parchment before him, and raised a brow. The Head Master who had just been heading out has returned? "Welcome back to the l'Arlequin. How can I help you, Paradyne-dono?"

"I'd like a table of six, on the double, if you were." Fluder glanced back towards the Researcher which was following them and nodded to her.

Nodding back, Sophia walked up beside the group and followed the receptionist to a freshly made tabletop.

Jack's eyes just rested on Fluder as he was asking for a table, but he didn't object and just followed on over to the table. While it wasn't going to be an ideal date to begin with, having this fanboy here could make things rather problematic.

Jack watched as the wait staff came over and pulled out all of the seats. The children were the first to leave their sister's sides and choose two of the end seats. Each patting the cushioned chair beside them.

"Sister! Sister! Sit here! Sit here!" They chanted, smiling widely, excited as they were now in an open environment with plenty of beautiful people.

Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix, who was seated in the private elevated private section of the restaurant, glanced up from his meal. Running a hand through his blonde hair, he unenthusiastically stood up from the table and made his way over to the rail which kept people from falling and injuring themselves below.

Resting his forearms on the partition, he gazed down towards where the sounds of childish voices were coming from. His eyes finally locating Fluder along with five other individuals, including a researcher, whom he had been talking to earlier about Fluder's project of using the undead for labor.

That's when his eyes centered on Jack and Arche, who were moving to sit across from one another beside the children before the Head Master, Court Wizard, Fluder sat across from Sophia.

"Hmm? Who is this..." His clear purple eyes that shined like enigmatic amethysts traced over Jack's face. He recognized the Furt, the fallen noble, from the family he had stripped of power, but not this unknown.

Jack on the other hand was completely focused on Arche, smiling at her from across the table.

Kuuderika, the twin in the blue dress, was drumming on Jack's thigh plate with her itty-bitty fists. He didn't seem to mind at all, lightly patting her on the head absently.

The other twin, Ureirika, was leaning against her older sister, holding onto her gloved hand. Giggling lightly at the hard feeling of the leather material it was made out of.

"So… would you think about coming back to the Imperial Magic Academy?" Fluder asked as he looked over his former student curiously. "I have the utmost belief that you will be able to reach your potential faster than working as a Worker."

Arche looked to him and shook her head slightly, closing her eyes for the short duration of the action. "I still need to make money for myself to raise my sisters." She lightly squeezed Ureirika's hand affectionately before wrapping the arm around her dainty form.

Fluder slowly nodded before looking to Jack. In this society it wasn't abnormal for couples to marry young, many people still did arranged marriages. "Would you be interested in going on a tour of the Imperial Academy?"

Jack nodded without looking to Fluder directly, from the corner of his eye he could see a young charismatic fellow gazing at them from above. "Who's the figure in the fanciful robes?"

Fluder paused for a moment before turning his head to look to the Emperor, who gave a polite wave and warm smile towards his Court Wizard. "Oh!" The Old man seemed surprised, "That is the Emperor. I was just dining with him..."

Arche immediately looked over towards where Fluder's gaze had been and blinked a few times towards the Emperor. She bowed her head with her hand across her chest, respectfully as she still had her head on her shoulders.

"The Emperor… Interesting." Jack would brought a glass of water to his lips, taking a sip. "I've been wanting to invite him to a… Party."

"Party?" Fluder turned to him with a brow raised.

"The residence that I purchased has a ballroom, I will jump to the point. I want to utilize it."

Fluder slowly nodded, then turned his attention back towards the elevated section the Emperor was watching from. The Blonde was gone and he raised his brows, before turning his head to see the country's leader making his way down the steps with his armed escort of four imperial knights.

Jack's and Arche's eyes flickered on over towards the five people proceeding closer to the table.

Sophia lowered her head slightly, fiddling with some items under the table.

Jack took in the armor which the four knights were wearing. It looked different than most which made them stand out rather well. They looked like an elite unit. There was an old grey haired man with a serious expression. And then there was three blondes. He was pretty sure he could make a joke out of that combination, but Jack refrained from doing so for now.

As Jircniv, the Bloody Emperor, now stood at the end of the table closest to Fluder and the Researcher, Jack and the others stood up. Bowing to the man respectfully, though it was clear Jack wasn't going to bend a knee to the man even as he raised his head.

The children seemed to imitate the gesture by standing on their chairs and bowing to the man as well.

"I see my Court Wizard has found a new friend…?" Jircniv knew of Furt's potential through his one and only teacher who practically raised him, Fluder. However he didn't seem to know anything about this Jack who was looking through him as if he were just another common being. Not that he minded, not yet at least. "Would you introduce yourself?"

"Your Majesty," Jack addressed the Emperor with a polite tone, "My name is Jack Graham. It is beyond an honor to meet a man who has brought smiles upon the people of his Empire. A feat which the Re-Estize Kingdom could ever realize themselves."

"Oh?" The Bloody Emperor smiled hearing praise from this man in armor, who wreaked of power in his appearance and even his eyes. "May I ask where you hail from?"

"A Kingdom to the Far East, on the other-side of the continent, an Island Nation an Empire. It was… Overrun by hordes of Beastmen," when he spoke of this his eyes seemed hollow as if the event was so traumatizing that it muted his emotions.

"You… Must've been strong to get this far," Jircniv was surprised to hear this. Though he had no knowledge of any humanoid nations on the other side of the Beast nations which bordered the Dragon Kingdom.

The corner of Jack's lip tugged slightly to the side, boasting a single dimple which appeared as modest contempt. "A Teleportation incident dropped us in the middle of a skirmish between Slane Theocracy special forces and a human village they were slaughtering."

Jack's eyes then rested on one of the Emperor's Bodyguards, the female cursed Knight. Her hair was covering one side of her face, but he could see the resemblance of her job class.

"Teleportation…?" His eyes wandered over towards his Court Wizard. The Emperor was aware of the tier system so he already knew teleportation itself was fifth tier.

When everyone has sat down, Fluder would gesture for the Emperor to lean in.

Jircniv would bend forward slightly, allowing the old man to speak into his ear. Though it was inaudible to those around them, the Emperor's eyes almost lit up. His eyes finally resting on Jack.

"My old man tells me you're extremely talented in the use of magic?" Suddenly the Emperor had become even more friendly. Something that would definitely leave an impression towards Jack, as he referred to Fluder as his old man.

"Would you like a demonstration?" Jack's eyes flickered towards Leinas Rockbruise, the long blonde haired member of the Four Imperial Knights.

"Oh?" The Emperor looked towards Leinas who was startled by the gaze and attention all of a sudden.

"Your Majesty, if you would let him remove this curse, I would be eternally grateful!" Leinas announced, a hand over her chest as she gave this intense one eyed stare towards Jack.

The Angel would tilt his head to the side like a curious pigeon before standing up from his seat and taking a step away from the table. As she stepped over to him, the Emperor followed in order to witness closely first hand what Jack was going to do.

Jack reached forward and pushed the woman's hair blocking the side of her face aside. Revealing her disfigured face. "That's definitely the mark of a Cursed Knight," he uttered as he was generally familiar with it.

From his knowledge of YGGDRASIL, an individual had to be at least level sixty in order to become a Cursed Knight. Though it was clear that this might not be the same in this world. He was rather curious of this female, at least how she gained such a class.

Was she at that prerequisite level? For some reason he highly doubted this, she hardly looked stronger than Gazef. Even though he hadn't seen the Head Warrior in battle, which he somewhat regrets.

"『Greater Cure』," this particular spell was used to lift the curse of those who didn't want the Cursed Knight Job Class since it wasn't at all that popular. It was also a eighth tier, making it so that incurable curse was most definitely incurable by mortal standards.

So when he recited this spell, many little orbs of white light would rise from disfigured face the form of tiny sparkles that popped like miniature bubbles. Her skin would slowly regain its form, so within seconds, she no longer held the appearance which disgraced her family and caused them to cut ties with her, and even her fiancee to leave her.

Slowly she lifted her armored hand to touch her face, smiling as tears began to breach her eyes.

The Emperor who knew of this condition, was wide eyed seeing the power of the man who had cast this magic. While he couldn't necessarily discern the tier of the spell, it was likely above that of any normal human being could cast, including his very own Court Wizard.

"What tier was that, Graham?"

"Eighth," Jack spoke matter-a-factly, leaving no other interpretation of what he had said to bring doubt.

In this moment, the Emperor had no choice but to believe this man had far surpassed his elder, and had stepped into the realm of Mythology.

"Now that you are here, Your Majesty," Jack would pull an invitation from his 'sleeve,' and hold it out for him to accept. "I have recently purchased land in your domain. I wish to host a ball, if you'd so kindly attend."

The Emperor looked at the folded parchment with the blue seal that depicted that of an angel wing.

"The ball may be at a date of your choosing, this piece of parchment lists the food and beverage selection and probable themes."

"Themes..." The young ruler would break the seal and gaze over the items here. Many of which were unfamiliar, such as a burger, taco or other modern foods which haven't found their way into the this world's culinary practice as of yet. Luckily everything had a refined description.

"By the way..." The Emperor looked up at Jack slightly, "Have you heard about what happened with the Slane Theocracy's capital? Their residential ambassador says a ritual gone wrong wiped out Kami Miyako… Their government is in shambles and they're having a hard time holding off invasions from the Beastmen Exclave."

"Oh? Is that so?" Jack gave a mild tone as he smiled blankly, not very sympathetic towards the xenophobic nation which chose to manipulate the politics of other nations to suite themselves. "Are they going to ask you for military aid?"

"With their Supreme Council and their governmental leader gone, the power vacuum won't permit it."

"Sounds like a dire situation," Jack humbly gave a fake frown, "Though it's likely you'll send aid as a necessity and as an ally?"

Arche seemed to notice that there was a lack of sympathy in Jack's eyes. Though she probably wasn't the only one. The Emperor could see it, Fluder as well, and it seemed Jack didn't at all care at this point.

"What are allies for?" The Emperor said as he clasped his hands together. The last thing he needs is monsters at his borders. Let alone beastmen multiplying and serving as a true threat to the human nations on this side of the continent.

"Well..." His eyes turned towards the waiter who has been standing at the opposite end of the table, patiently waiting for the conversation to come to a close. "I will leave your company to it, and return to mine." The Emperor gestured for his Guards to follow him back to the VIP area...