Kojo walked out of the school. So much time had passed that it was sunset. Kojo was nervous. He promised the girls that he'd meet up with them, but he'd gotten so carried away with talking to Lloyd that he'd lost track of time. He stopped walking and turned to look at the tower.
He'd heard everything Lloyd had to say about the structure and order of things, and while Lloyd himself still thought it was just a theory, with the only proof of its legitimacy being Kojo's existence, he wanted Kojo to accompany him to the next meeting of the scientific council and use him to propound his theory. Kojo, however, didn't like that idea, as that would draw too much attention to him, and as it was tested and proven that there were powers who were interested in him, he didn't want to give them any leverage against him.
So, instead, he took out a book and gave some of the knowledge from his world to Lloyd. Not too much, but just enough to appease the mad scientist.
(So a legit mad scientist. Guess a mad man after knowledge is a given in every advanced society. Let's see if you can get him to make some of the machines we had back in our World.)
"Or..."
(You can't seriously be thinking about going back. Your body was destroyed in the explosion. Who knows what will happen if you attempt it. This body may come undone and then...)
"No. Okay, yes, it did cross my mind, but nah. It'd be too much of a hassle."
(Yeah, but did you have a family? You had parents and a little sister.)
"Yeah," Kojo said, passing by as three children, a girl and two boys, played.
"But it's already too late. There are too many things that are unknown. Besides, I've still got something to do here. I'll think about going back to see my family after I've stopped this demonic resurrection."
Ricci and his men were arming themselves to carry out the mission. Oslon wasn't present and had gone over to the Empire. The Goblins Of Decorum were called back by their commander, Krone, due to their main force being pushed back by the knights and raiders present, led by the two chief knights Mordekai and Malakai and the Raid Chief Jack. It didn't look like there would be any of them present anytime soon. Ricci took advantage of this and ransacked his lab and took everything of value, including the pod with the homunculus body. Ricci didn't know what it was, but he was sure that he'd by all means get some weirdo out there who was into this stuff and would pay a fortune to get it.
"Alright, move out," Ricci said. A spy hid himself and watched the group prepare for their operation before disappearing.
Sol was in a bath at his residence when the spy appeared to make his report. Sol nodded and dismissed him before getting out of the bath.
Kojo sat at the dining table with the royal family for a banquet. He'd arrived late, and just as he'd feared, he'd gotten scolded by Sharone for being late. As they dined, Billiam, as usual, was bragging, while the king and Sharone were discussing some matters. Lin and Sasha were having a talk while Koniko just concentrated on the food. Kojo sighed. He wondered where Klara and Adriana were. The two of them were supposed to have joined them about two hours ago but hadn't been seen. Kojo couldn't help but have a bad feeling.
Adriana and Klara walked toward the dining room. It took several minutes to wake Klara up and even more for her to take a bath and get dressed. Klara wore a sour expression as if she didn't want to go. They decided to pass by the gardens. It was a full moon and a beautiful night. Fireflies flew around, and the flowers appeared to glow in the moonlight. Adriana noticed a flower, a blue rose. She lowered herself in order to inhale its fragrance. She heard a sound behind her. A muscle-bound man had Klara in his arms. A cloud covered the moon. She squirmed but couldn't break free. Adriana quickly moved to defend her cousin but was caught by two men, one at each arm, and a third put a cloth infused with an anesthetic on her face, knocking her out.
"Bag 'em," Ricci said, taking the cloth off of Adriana's face. Klara was equally knocked out.
"This is a big catch, boss," one of Ricci's men said.
"I can't wait to..." another said, grabbing Adriana's breasts. No sooner had he done this than Ricci punched him.
"You fool. We came here for a purpose, not pleasure," Ricci said. Two more of his men appeared.
"We searched the palace treasury; we didn't find the Cube," they reported.
"Figures. But are you done with the world extraction?" Ricci asked.
"Yes. We've cleared the treasury and left only a handful of coins," they replied.
"Good. Well, ask for ransom, and since they won't be able to pay, they'll have no choice but to borrow. Then we'll frame that Bishop for these crimes and start a war between this Kingdom and the Holy Land of Ezkanur, then plunder both sides. That Cabolt thought he could use us, but he's the one who's being used," one man said.
"Yes, him and that loser of a prince," another said. Adriana's eye twitched. Ricci noticed the movement but brushed it off, then glanced at the man he'd just punched.
"When we're out of this place, you can do what you want with them," Ricci said, walking away.
"Alright, let's move out," he ordered, disappearing. His men took the girls and took one step, vanishing just as the cloud moved away from the moon and its light illuminated the empty garden.
"So, Kojo, have you thought about my proposal?" King Gorges asked.
"Yes, your Majesty. I thought it over and discussed it with my friends and... I'll have to decline," Kojo said.
"Hmm. You must have put a lot of thought into this, but are you sure?"
"Yes, your Majesty, I'm sure," Kojo replied.
"Well, that's a shame," the king replied. A maid brought a tray with red wine. The king nodded, and she served them.
Kojo took a sip of the wine.
(Poison has been nullified.)
"Poison?" Kojo looked confused.
Just then, the queen collapsed just as the king was about to take a sip himself.
The whole place became silent; everyone was stunned. The king quickly went to his wife's side, and with a signal from Cabolt, who was standing in a corner, guards came toward them and pointed their weapons at Kojo and his friends.
"Okay, what the F's going on?"
(You're being framed.)
Kojo looked at Cabolt. There was a faint smile on his face.
"Of course, it was you," Kojo said softly, with an expression that showed he was not surprised.
"Call the Physician. Hurry!" The king yelled to his servants. Blue veins began to spread over Queen Morgaine's body. Kojo stood up, and the guards came closer, blocking his way.
"What's the meaning of this?" Sasha demanded.
"I'm sorry, Lady Sasha, but you're all under arrest for the attempted murder of the queen," Cabolt said.
"But we didn't do anything," Lin said.
"You're right, you didn't, but he did," Cabolt pointed at Kojo. "Look at his face; he's not even trying to hide his guilty expression."
"Guilty expression? My face is like this 'cause this situation is so cliché. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. I must have overestimated your abilities," Kojo said.
Cabolt was furious but maintained his cool.
"Sure," a messenger burst into the room.
"Thieves have cleared the treasury!" he yelled.
"What?" Cabolt yelled in surprise.
"And we found this note. The thieves kidnapped the princess and her cousin and are demanding a ransom."
"This wasn't part of the plan. What the hell do those idiots think they're doing?" Cabolt thought to himself.
Sharone looked at Cabolt's confused face and saw that Billiam was equally panicked at the sight of his mother collapsing.
"So this wasn't part of their plan," she thought. She saw the king was obviously not thinking straight in this situation and could be influenced to make rash decisions. She stepped forward.
"Allow me to heal the queen," she offered.
"And why should we trust you?" Cabolt asked. The king looked at her.
"Please do whatever you can," he said.
"Tch," Frederick looked away with an angry expression.