As Garfield approached the entrance to the Bretten Sunset Inn, a man called out to him from a nearby alley.
“Sir Garfield, I’ve been waiting here to tell you something.”
“You are… Oh, that retiring rogue who’s apparently never heard of providing 14 days’ notice to your employer?”
“I can guess how things went between you and Boss… I don’t think I made the wrong decision.”
“Well, don’t let me get in the way of your former employer’s personnel practices. What did you want to tell me?”
“A few hours ago,” the rogue said, “I witnessed something that I thought you’d want to know about. Are you aware that a large contingent set out west from the city?”
“Yes, they were heading to Foamy Port to deal with a reported water dragon attack.”
“Indeed. In the confusion, a group of undercover agents grabbed that fox-girl I’ve seen you spending time with.”
“Yttria?” Garfield asked.
“I believe so. They got the jump on her, bound her with some type of enchanted restraints, and carted her away. I’ve had dealings with their type before… They are most likely in service to the Emperor.”
“The Empire’s north of this kingdom, right? Why would the Empire kidnap Ms. Yttria?”
“That, I do not know,” the rogue admitted. “After just happening to be in a spot where I could witness the kidnapping, seeing how I was uniquely qualified to identify the kidnappers, and considering how you scared Boss so much he’s reportedly religious now, I felt it was a good idea to share this information with you.”
“Come over here.”
The pair slipped into the alley. Garfield checked carefully to ensure nobody was watching. He then took out a small gold coin.
“?Duplicate Item, x20?.” Garfield handed a fist full of gold coins to the rogue.
“Woah! Wait, you’ll reward me without even confirming the information?”
“Betrayal seems unlikely, and if you are lying to me, I’ll find out soon enough. Use this to fund whatever post-retirement gig you fancy.”
“Very well. Good luck.”
At a manor in the northern district, a man approached the gate which was manned by a single guard.
“Yes?”
“I’m here to see Baron Briarwood. My name’s Garfield. He told me to stop by any time.”
“Oh, Sir Garfield? He did inform me… Do you have a guild badge or something else you could display?”
“Ah, here.”
The guard nodded and led Garfield into the manor. A few minutes later, the Baron and Baroness joined Garfield in the parlor.
“Sir Garfield, are you here to discuss the King’s offer?” the Baron asked.
“Actually no. I need your help with another matter. I apologize for calling on you at this late hour, but the situation is urgent.”
“It is no bother at all.” Brianne assured Garfield. “In fact, we are somewhat bored with Brooke away on that major guild request. Please, how can Bart help you?”
“I need information about Yttria.”
“Ms. Yttria?” the Baron said. “Should you not ask her directly for this information?”
“Normally I would, but I’ve heard that she’s been kidnapped. I was able to confirm with magic she is not inside Bretten, but I can’t track her right now.”
“Good heavens! Who could have kidnapped her… is what I want to say, but I have my suspicions…”
“Oh?”
Bartholomew looked at his wife, and they both nodded to each other.
“Are you aware of the family Ms. Yttria is from and the hard times that they have fallen on?”
“No.” said Garfield. “Yttria did mention something about it, but I don’t know any details.”
“Her father,” the Baron continued, “Count Polonio, was a leader in the kingdom’s military. The Count was training his son to eventually take over the house, and his daughter to become a knight. Count Polonio is a bit unusual in that he excels in administration, combat, and military leadership. His family line would famously split those duties in prior generations, but I digress.”
Garfield suspected Yttria was of a noteworthy noble background, given her mannerisms, so none of this was surprising.
“One day, the Count disowned his daughter and sent her away from Bretten. It caused a bit of a buzz, but nobody thought much of it at the time. Perhaps the Count didn’t want her becoming a senior leader in the military, some of us thought. I can understand the desire to prevent your daughter from venturing into danger…”
“So far, this tracks with what little I had heard,” Garfield acknowledged. “However, I need to know, and quickly, why the Empire would be after Yttria.”
“The Empire, indeed. Not long after, there were rumors that Count Polonio and his family were in bed with the Empire, who are openly hostile towards the kingdom. More and more evidence began surfacing showing that the Count had various secret dealings and was enriching himself and the Empire off of the kingdom’s misfortune.”
The Baron took a sip of tea and closed his eyes for a moment. He seemed to be reliving this recent history in his mind.
“Eventually, the Count was stripped of his title and his entire family, save for the disowned Ms. Yttria, was imprisoned. As far as I know, investigations still continue on that matter. Personally, I believe the Empire was secretly behind all of this, and likely intended to weaken the military. However, without proof I’ve been hesitant to speak out.”
“I feel like we’re getting warmer but… Wait, at the banquet, I saw you whisper something to Yttria… What was that about?”
“I simply reminded her that many of us have not given up on proving her family’s innocence. She always had a reputation of being honorable like her father, so I want to provide her what little support I can…”
“I see. And why do you think she would get kidnapped?” Garfield asked.
“There is a rumor that Emperor Foucault has it out for fox-people, who are quite rare to begin with. In addition to weakening our military, that rumor could explain both the interference of the Empire in Polonio family business and the abduction of Ms. Yttria.”
“What do you think he will do with Yttria when she arrives?”
“He is a cruel Emperor… Nothing good, I’m sure. We must inform the royal palace right away, although I fear there’s not much we can do if she’s already crossing the border.”
“Do you have a detailed map of the Empire?” Garfield asked the Baron.
Bartholomew looked at his wife who shook her head. “I’m sorry, but such a map is extremely difficult to come by in the Kingdom. Do you actually intend to take these matters into your own hands?”
“Yes.”
“Excuse me for being rude, but that’s insane! I know you are an incredible adventurer, but taking out a Goblin King is very different than challenging an Emperor.”
“I’m sure. The Goblin King was actually pretty humble and well grounded. I imagine the Emperor has a much more inflated ego. He probably has so many weaknesses I could fly a wyvern through, it’s not even funny.”
“B-But, even if you manage to break into his castle and reach Ms. Yttria, whatever happens after that could have tremendous blowback on the kingdom!”
“I won’t be there representing the kingdom… I’m just some adventurer chasing after his friend. It’s not like I’ve accepted a noble title or anything.” Garfield winked at the Baron.
“In that case, there must at least be something else I can do to help… or that the kingdom can do for you.”
“It’s too bad we don’t know the exact reason why Yttria was kidnapped, but I’ll have to figure that out after I get there. I don’t have any more time to seek out help. I’ll depart immediately.” Garfield stood up and made to leave. The Baron also stood and called out to Garfield.
“Sir Garfield, wait, could you tell me why you would go so far for her? Is she perhaps special to you…?”
“Who said anything about going so far? I’m just going to invade a castle to rescue a single prisoner from an evil Emperor. I just wish I had time to sleep first…”
Bartholomew collapsed back into his chair, mentally defeated. “V-very well. Good luck Sir Garfield. We will be praying for your safe return. May I report your mission to the royal family?”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. I’ll leave it to you to decide.”
Garfield exited the manor. Once outside, he moved to the largest open area nearby and summoned a Riding Wyvern.
Around the same time, in a field several hours west of Bretten…
“A message!”
Several adventurers pointed the rider towards a certain tent. She dismounted and entered.
“I bear a message from the palace. Who should accept it?”
“I’m the Deputy Guild Master leading the adventurers of this convoy. Please, bring it here.”
The rider handed over the written message.
“I am to wait and carry a reply back,” the rider reported.
Deputy Guild Master Joker nodded and read the message. Their new instructions were to send all but a small number of adventurers, soldiers, and Fighter’s Guild members back to Bretten. The supply wagons were to continue on to Foamy Port under a moderate guard. More supply wagons would set out in the morning. The mission had changed from combat to simply cleanup and rebuilding.
“This is great news. I can’t imagine we’d send most of our combatants back if the sea dragon was expected to return to Foamy Port. Still though… what could have happened to convince the leadership that this subjugation force isn’t necessary anymore? Did someone defeat the sea dragon somehow…?”
Joker wrote an acknowledgement of the order and sent it back with the rider. He began disseminating the news to the other leaders of the convoy. At one campfire, several adventurers discussed their change in fortune.
“I can’t believe it. We won’t need to fight the sea dragon?”
“It must have been defeated, but who could have done it?”
“Didn’t you hear Bearclaw telling the Guild Master that he would travel ahead? Could he have dealt with the sea dragon somehow?”
“There’s no way. First of all, it’s too soon. And secondly, that bear of his can hardly defeat a sea dragon.”
“…My money’s on Bearclaw.”
A day later, in Rainbow Palace, pride of the Empire, the Emperor began his workday.
“Well?” he prompted.
“Nothing to report this morning… Oh, I did receive word that the fox-girl from the kingdom will be arriving soon,” the Emperor’s Advisor stated.
“Oh?” The emperor smirked. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Yes…”
For the next several hours, the emperor discussed various matters with his other advisors including the latest reports on the large hydra creature, the status of prisoners in the bastille below the palace, and several domestic political issues. A guard interrupted with a bit of news.
“The new prisoner has entered the palace grounds. Shall we bring her here or secure her below?
“…Bring her here,” the advisor instructed. “The Emperor has been waiting for her.”
“Understood.”
A few minutes later, the guard dragged in a fox-girl in leather armor, bound at the wrists and knees. She looked uninjured but clearly exhausted from the rough trip to the Empire. In addition to her, the guard pulling her along, the Emperor, and his advisor, there were half a dozen well-equipped swordsmen, each with a unique feature. For example, one hid his face behind a close helm, one carried two broadswords crossed on his back, and yet another leaned on a large shield.
“Very nice! I haven’t received a new fox-girl in a while! Keep her bound but cut off her armor. Then, drag her over here and everybody get out.”
The guard turned around to obey the Emperor’s instructions.
“Nooo!” Yttria shouted.
“I can’t say I approve of your new friends, Yttria.”
“S-Sir Garfield!?”
“Hm, I guess I can’t pretend to be somebody else now. You really are honest to a fault, Yttria.”
“…I’m sorry!”
Garfield laughed loudly, as though he wasn’t at all bothered by the circumstances.
“What are you all standing around for!? Protect the Emperor!” the advisor bellowed.
The six unique guardsmen repositioned themselves into a defensive bulwark in front of Emperor Foucault. The guard who had dragged Yttria into the throne room grabbed her wrist bindings. Garfield continued to stand in the corner, back leaning against a wall.
“Garfield, is it? How did you get in here?” the Emperor asked.
“Magic.”
“…Are you speaking literally or figuratively?”
“Yes.”
After a pause, the Emperor decided to change tactics.
“Am I to understand you are here to rescue the fox-girl?”
“Rescue? I just came to pick her up. Why would I need to rescue her?”
“You can’t have her. I’ve waited too long to find another fox-girl. I hope you aren’t too dear to her because she’s going to have to watch you die now.”
“Another fox-girl?” Garfield asked. “How many have there been? Should I be jealous?”
“You can’t appraise a collection simply by looking at the quantity. It’s the quality that is worth anything. Perhaps I’ll let you tour the underground prison so you can see for yourself. I won’t lock you up in the same section though… you’d ruin the ambiance.”
“I have no problem looking at fox-girls, but are you going to kill me in front of my friend Yttria right here, or are you going to lock me up downstairs? I’m not entirely opposed to surprises, but I’d prefer if you let me know which, right now, for planning purposes.”
“Planning purposes? You have a way with words, but without the power to back up your bold behavior, you will suffer for your insolence.”
Garfield shook his head left and right. “It’s like you all follow a script… and yet I never get tired of these moments… It’s a guilty pleasure, I suppose.”
“Hoh, you have intruded into throne rooms before, insulted the absolute ruler, and lived to tell the tale?”
“On occasion.”
“I’ll admit I’m impressed you snuck in here somehow, but my guards are not to be taken lightly. Adán!”
The man with two broadswords drew them from his back and then stepped forward.
“If you are friends with this fox-girl, then you are from the Kingdom. You nobles of Fenwick are all about your honor. Duel my warrior, sword against sword. Win, and I’ll listen to more of your snark.”
“I’m no noble, but fine, whatever,” Garfield agreed.
“Someone toss a spare sword over to the intruder,” the Emperor declared.
“No need.” Garfield stepped away from the wall and walked to a point opposite this Adán fellow.
“Sir Garfield, don’t!” Yttria advised. “You are a summoner… Against a highly trained swordsman like that man you won’t survive!”
“Haha! As I thought,” said the Emperor. “Wait… a summoner?”
While the Emperor tried to make sense of how the man that snuck into his palace was a summoner, Garfield raised up his right hand in front of his face, a bit to the right.
“?Summon Item of Legend: Swordbreaker Sword?. ?Fortify Swordsmanship 200?. ?Fortify Physical Attributes 5,000?. ?Healing Balm?.”
A dark portal appeared above Garfield’s hand. The hilt of a sword slowly lowered itself from within the portal. As Garfield gripped the hilt and pulled the sword out of the portal, it made a high-pitched keening sound. Adán took a few steps backwards.
“A-Adán! Rejoice! You have the opportunity to strike down a capable summoner! There is only victory or death. Do not fail me.”
Adán quickly shook his head side to side to clear his mind and then rushed forward at Garfield, swords raised. Garfield held his generic-looking one-handed sword in front of him and took a stance with the right foot in front of the left.
“Yttria, I’m sorry you have to see this.”
The first broadsword was swung down at an angle towards Garfield’s neck. Garfield lifted his sword to meet the strike. Just as the swords were about to connect, Adán began bringing down his other broadsword from the opposite direction in an impressive display of strength and balance. The first sword made contact with the Swordbreaker Sword and instantly turned to dust. Garfield immediately redirected his sword to the other side and caught the second incoming attack. That sword too turned to dust.
These developments threw Adán horribly off-balance. While Adán struggled to right his posture, Garfield stepped past Adán and slammed the pommel of his sword into the back of Adán’s neck. Adán was unconscious before he reached the ground.
“What!?”
“By the Gods!” the advisor shouted. “You must flee!”
Garfield continued his conversation with Yttria. “After all, it’s horribly unfair for me to use a sword this way when you’ve worked so hard to develop your swordsmanship the traditional way.”
“So…” the Emperor began. “You are the type who attempts to have a long-winded, witty conversation with the enemy leader, implying you are untouchable through your nonchalance, only to overpower them when the enemy loses patience?”
“…It’s kind of my thing.”
“I see where this is going, and I won’t let you have your way,” the Emperor promised. “It is a shame but, KILL THE GIRL!”
The guard closest to Yttria recovered from his surprise, drew his sword, and lifted it over his head. Garfield did not expect this and was too far away to directly intervene.
“Shit!” Garfield called out in a rare moment of panic. He quickly extended his left hand towards the guard. “?Cosmic Slash?!”
Everyone stared at the location where a guard used to be standing. Garfield sighed. “You asshole.”
Garfield slowly walked over to Yttria while everyone else remained in shock. He used the Swordbreaker Sword to turn her restraints to dust while she stared at the nearby wall, or more specifically at the puddle dripping from it.
“W-W-What happened to him!?” the Emperor struggled to ask.
“Him?” Garfield pointed to the wall-puddle. “I’m no healer, but that man is suffering from an acute case of deadness.”
“How could that have happened!?”
“This is what happens when you don’t give me a chance to think of a nonlethal way to deal with your threats. Are you willing to answer my questions, or do I now need to think of some technically-nonlethal methods and continue?”
“I absolutely will not bow my head to some idiot from the kingdom in my own throne room. Take the stupid fox-girl and leave!”
“So you can just go after her or someone else tomorrow?” Garfield asked. “No, that won’t work for me. ?Nitrogen Blanket?.”
The Emperor, his advisor, and the five remaining guards all started gasping for air. After a few seconds, they were on their knees and grasping at their throats. The guy in the close helm even pulled it off.
“What’s wrong with them!?” Yttria asked Garfield.
“They’re suffocating. It would be difficult to explain, but I imagine it’s rather unpleasant. If I don’t release it soon they really will die.”
The victims of Garfield’s spell were nearing their limit. Just as the frailest of them, the Emperor’s advisor, was about to collapse…
“?Oxygen Purge?.”
Seven sets of lungs began working again. After a few moments, they recovered to the point that they could pay attention to their surroundings once more. Garfield took a step forward, and the five guards each rose and took a step back.
“Let’s try again. How willing are you to answer my questions?”
“…Get on with it,” said the Emperor
“I was hiding in the back there listening all morning so I more or less know what’s going on in the Empire. You're a real piece of work, you know.”
The Emperor widened his eyes at the realization but did not say anything.
“How many people are locked in the dungeon below the castle right now?”
The Emperor turned to look at his advisor.
“
“How many of those thirty-three are fox-people?”
“…All but one of them,” the Emperor answered plainly.
“I figured as much. Hey, you.” Garfield pointed to the advisor. “Why does the Emperor have such a thing for fox-people?”
The advisor hesitated, and then turned towards the Emperor. “I am sorry.” The advisor turned back to Garfield.
“Emperor Foucault was born from the previous emperor as well as his concubine: a fox-girl. He did not take on the features of the fox-people, but he’s always held a complex about the truth of his parentage. I believe his poor treatment of the fox-people is displaced hatred he truly feels towards himself. He beats the males to death, does various things to the females, and even meddles in the affairs of fox-people abroad, out of spite.”
“Ah. Was the recent interference in the Polonio family’s affairs to make a distinguished fox-person family suffer, to get his hands on Yttria over there, or perhaps both?”
“Sir Garfield…” Yttria muttered.
“Both!” the Emperor declared proudly. “Tearing down a fox-person Count’s house and obtaining the daughter at the same time is what I live for! Nothing brings me greater pleasure than that.”
“Emperor Foucault, please don’t make me kill you.”
“I cannot change what I am! I will rule this land and the fox-people alike!”
Garfield turned to the advisor. “Would you be willing to explain all of these circumstances involving the Polonio family to the authorities of the Kingdom?”
“…Yes. I’ve always felt rather guilty about this, myself…”
Garfield sauntered over to the Emperor. The guards scampered out of the way, and one even dropped his sword. The Emperor looked at Garfield with a defiant expression and did not attempt to back away. Garfield leaned over to the Emperor’s side so he could whisper in his ear.
“You are going to release the fox-people. And you will never mess with the fox-people again. Because, if you do, I will send my hydra to torment and then kill you.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened at the realization that he was speaking with the master of that enormous creature stalking the border with his Empire. Garfield continued.
“If for any reason I decide to get rid of you, I will install a puppet government to rule over your Empire in a way that pleases me. Perhaps a parliament full of fox-people would be appropriate recompense for what you have done.”
Garfield stepped back. “You five. Make sure all the fox-people are safely released… that is, if you value your lives. Oh, who’s that one prisoner that’s not a fox-person?”
“…A vampire,” the advisor reluctantly stated.
“What!? Wait… is it a loli vampire princess?” Garfield asked.
“Huh? How could you possibly have known—“
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”