Interlude: The Monarch 2

Interlude: The Monarch 2

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Commissioned by Arksoul 

Wordcount: 2500

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Loss is common to those who live in Orario. I would go as far as to say that it is a part of living in Orario.

The Dungeon does not only draw those with aspirations towards heroism, but also those who simply wish for power, and even then, not all people are created equal. Willpower, drive, and dreams mean nothing, if you are not blessed with the talent to survive the predations of not only monsters, but those who would prey upon the weak. Even those blessed by the gods perish before they accomplish their dreams, dreams fade away, and new individuals come forth from all over the world to pursue their desires. 

Thus, many perish, and leave behind those who care for them.

And, in the wake of their passing, many choose to shoulder the burden differently.

I choose to work more diligently, and devote myself towards progressing the Loki Familia’s legend, for as long as time would ally. For the comrades I’ve lost, the newcomers who perished too young, and for all those who I know who pass on, I dedicate my actions and find reprieve. The steps I take, the monsters I slay, and the achievements I accomplish are not only mine, but those who I know. 

Whether they have passed or not. 

Thus, when I heard that Hikigaya’s group was destroyed, I watched and waited.

A part of me wished to confront him myself, to hear the lies and rumors about him dissuaded by his own words, but as he dissolved his ties to his students, the Hecate Familia, and began seeking solitude I stayed my hand. 

Extrication from the world would be suicide for anyone else, but for him, I felt that it was his own way of finding redemption. When around others, he felt that he needed to be caustic, to push them away, and to be wary of them. I could only assume that the opposite is true when he is alone. I believed that, in his solitude, he grieved for those he lost, mourned for them while he fought diligently every day in the Dungeon, and moved forward. 

Was it strange to not find him arguing with Leona every time I visited the Witch of Orario’s store?

Yes.

Did it feel odd to be contacted by Hecate in regards to his presence?

Truly. 

However, if he sought out solitude as an answer for his loss, why would I trouble him with such petty things? His students gave him distance, as did many others who understood him, and though he did not frequent the same places any longer, her remained in Orario, did not seek out self-destruction, and worked heavily towards gaining strength. 

His answer to the loss he experienced was to grit his teeth, reevaluate himself, and work all the more to increase his strength.

Through his actions, he declared that he was unbroken by what occurred, and would rise stronger from his defeat. 

So, I stayed my hand and awaited the next time we would meet again. 

Only for him to shame me upon our next meeting, before getting kidnapped, and returning mere moments after the map which contained his location was retrieved from trained Minotaur by his newest student.

Covered in his own blood.

Carrying a massive monster crystal.

Considering none of us, nor any of our worries, before locking in his room to sleep. 

My decision to leave him alone was a foolish one, because he did not use his months of solitude to make himself better. 

He used them to make himself worse!

…

There are those amongst all Familias who struggle to gain power, let alone take more Steps. 

Usually, they are those those on the frontline, and those performing reconnaissance, who both could rarely afford risking their lives for the acknowledgement of the divine. Their roles made it so that they needed to value others more than themselves. If a scout tried for glory, their return would mean vital information would be missing from the main force. If a warrior on the frontline sought glory, that would endanger those dealing damage from the back, and force the vanguard to return instead of deal with greater threats. 

Therefore, when Loki-sama could take advantage of Hikgaya’s “first” Skill “Mentor,” she assigned to him five of the Familia from those two particular groups. Oswald, Baade, Wifra, Arior, and Glim all stood before me, ready to partake in the “training camp” which would take place in an ancient fortress outside of Orario. 

While Loki-sama was more than happy to simply hand them off to him, I decided to speak to them, in order to ensure that Hikigaya would not make fools of them. 

And, so, as they stood ready at the gate, with their bags packed, and supplies at the ready, I lectured them in regards to the insufferable man. 

“Firstly, you must all understand that if you treat him with respect, he will do the same to you… unless he deigns to test you. If he does, continue to treat him with respect, until he stops.” Much of my knowledge was common in Elven courts. In response to both foul moods and foul individuals, acting properly and above reproach before all to see is the finest form of defense. For those without the knowledge of how to fight with words, it is the singular, easiest strategy to commit to. “Show no weakness. He will capitalize on any lapse of judgement that you have. If you make a mistake, admit to it no matter how much he demeans you, because it shall make him feel very terrible and be nicer to you as a result.”

There was confusion in their eyes, but they all heeded my words nonetheless, and I nodded Oswald when she raised her hand to question to me.

“Uh, Riveria-sama… how do you know so much about Hikigaya-san?” Her question elicited a group of nods from the rest of her peers.  “I mean… you sound as though you’ve known him for a very long time.”

I considered the question for a moment.

“I’ve only known him for several months.” I admitted, even though it dashed my credibility a fair amount. It was hardly any time at all. “However, rest assured that the information I am providing is worthwhile. It’s not a very long time at all, but I am sure you can make use of it.”

A sigh left Oswald’s lips, and I worried about telling the truth, until she spoke again.

“Riveria-sama, that’s a lot of time for humans and mortals. There’s plenty of experience behind your words, and we’ll be more than happy to listen.” Oswald looked to her fellows, until Glim pulled forth her journal. “Please, tell us all we need to know, so that we can get stronger under Hikigaya-san’s care. We truly want to be better Adventurers for the Loki Familia.”

Though I was taken aback by Oswald’s words for a moment, they emboldened me a moment later, and I felt myself standing straighter. They are indeed very correct. While I cannot impudently state that I reside in the same place as he does, or serve him food every day, in human terms I’ve spent plenty of time with him from our constant interactions in Leona’s shop, and our arguments in regards to how a Mage should act. I most certainly do know him better than that dastardly woman traipsing around in that lurid garb!

“Well, then, I’ll be more than happy to share with you what I know and answer what questions I can.” I looked over the five who would be training under Hikigaya with a keen eye. Whatever concerns I had about this latest generation of the Loki Familia have been thoroughly dashed with the perceptiveness and willingness to learn these five have showcased. They will most certainly be future stars in the Familia. “Settle down, and get ready to listen, for I will convey to you all the best way to handle the man known as Hikigaya Hachiman!”

…

Hikigaya looked thoroughly disgruntled, as he returned the five to us, with Loki sequestering them off swiftly to ascertain their increase in Divinity. I couldn’t help but smile at the success of my Familia, so he naturally noticed my pride, and levelled a glare at me.

“I was wondering why five, new Adventurers acted like cardboarm, instead of having personalities. Figures you had something to do with it.” I did not know what “cardboard” was, but Hikigaya’s frustrated tone told me that he found himself confronted with impeccable obedience and respect, therefore he was unable to get up to his typical trickery. “Feh. Did you seriously think that I was going to sabotage your Familia, when I’ve got a target painted on my back? Do you think I’m that much of an idiot?”

“An idiot? No. A man who seeks out every possible advantage? Yes.” I answered his caustic accusations and attempt to put words in my mouth with a smile. Though his face was covered, I could see the inklings of amusement in his eyes. “I respect your privacy, Hikigaya, but there’s a line that I shall not allow you to cross. I may have kept silent on your first Skill, but after you offered your second Skill to Loki-sama, I will do my utmost to ensure that it benefits my Familia, as we are now protecting you.”

Preparing Oswald and the others for Hikigaya’s tutelage isn’t a matter of being mages, but of me ensuring that my Familia’s ally upholds their end of the bargain. While I would like to see Hikigaya succeed, grow in strength, and show me that fighting on the frontline is the best place for a Mage, I could not allow him to undermine my entire Familia. While I had my pride as a competitor, and my wish to see magic furthered, I still have my duties as a member of the Loki Familia, and I shall not falter in those responsibilities even if he detests me for them—

“I guess that I can respect that. You take care of your family no matter what, right?” Hikigaya grumbled and groaned out the words, but they nonetheless halted my thoughts, as I rewound them again and again to ensure that they were truly what I heard. My surprise must have shown on my face, as Hikigaya suddenly became affronted after glancing at me. “Oi, I might be a piece of shit that takes advantage of other people, but I still get taking care of your own, y’know!?”

I nearly utterly an apology, before I realized there wasn’t at all an ounce of anger in his voice. 

It was difficult to hold back the smile on my lips, as he spoke to me with the sharp humor he had before his allies fell. 

His new student, Bell Cranel, is helping him quite a bit. 

“Forgive me, but it’s rather difficult to trust a man who gallivants around in a mask, propositions young boys with dubious prospects, and returns in the dead of night covered in blood.” I tested the waters with a tentative step, but as Hikigaya bristled, I couldn’t help but chuckle while gesturing for him to follow me. Soon enough, the two of us were walking the familiar path to Leona’s shop. “In all honesty, I cannot believe that Loki-sama would entrust our precious, new generation to you, as they shall be the future strength of our Familia.”

“I sure feel “trusted” with a Level 5 Amazon breathing down my neck, and eating all my food, while I get worked like a horse.” Hikigaya, despite his caustic words, led the way properly. He took to my left, staying on the side of the street, while keeping me secure with the buildings to my right. His gaze scanned the area of threats, and he even took a step or two forward when an alley neared to check them, so I could enjoy the stroll. “I’m practically just using your name and nothing else, y’know? Can’t you all give me a break? Or, why don’t you all do some community service, and make Orario a better place by taking care of murderous psychos instead of letting them run around?”

“Community service?”

“You do things for free for the place you live in, because the government wants stuff done for free.”

“Ah. Well, then, Hikigaya-kun… the Loki Familia has not grown to its size and strength by giving everything and getting nothing in return.” I offered him the most winning smile, and it got the reaction I desired, as he rolled his eyes at my answer. A miscreant attempted to reach for my purse, noticing my distracted nature, only for Hikigaya’s deftness with a knife to pin his sleeve to the building. “Perhaps, then, you should lead by example and perform some of this “community service” yourself, and show how it would benefit us, but reaping the benefits of it for yourself first.”

“Tch, just you wait, princess, you’re regret telling me to fix this shithole up. I’d kick out at least half of the people here just for being assholes.” Hikigaya levelled a glare at the cutpurse, as we began traveling through the winding streets to Leona’s shop. The surroundings steadily grew better the nearer we were to the vaunted Adventurer, but there were still a few opportunistic gazes here and there, searching for lesser established Mages who sought out Leona. She regarded them as a test, and I understood her logic, but Hikigaya scared them severely whenever he was able. He cared, no matter how much he wished for everyone else to know otherwise. “And, just so you know, I have a very high tolerance for people being terrible. I don’t do anything if they’re not worse than me, y’know?”

“If we did not live in Orario, I’d reprimand you for saying you’re nicer than half the people who reside here.” Hikigaya smirked at my words, while he opened the door to Leona’s shop for me. I entered and he cast one last glance at the streets, before following me into our familiar territory. Leona’s pot was stirring itself, while she was nowhere to be seen, but I knew that she would be along soon enough. It’s entirely possible that she was giving us a measure of privacy, in her own way. “But I must admit, despite being a callous, reprehensible, and arrogant human being, you are indeed amongst those with good morals in this city. If you act in favor of bettering it, I’m sure that Orario will truly become better.”

Hikigaya gave a gruff laugh at my words, and shook his head.

“Man, I have a lot to learn. I can’t even tell, if you’re being sarcastic or telling the truth.”

I offered him a smile, one more earnest than the last one I gave him, as we awaited Leona.

“Why can’t it be both?”

“Oi, Elves aren’t supposed to learn new tricks. That’s illegal and overpowered. I’m going to lodge a complaint.”