Duel A Way Forward

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The Roswell. It was an empire that was situated in the northwestern area of the North-blue. Its lands experience wet winters and dry summers due to its oceanic climate. It was the first day of November. Kyouko and Nero were present in the library. It was that time after in autumn when idleness flows around when one does not give a thought about the dangerous, disturbing occurrences in the world like pirate attacks, fights, and assassinations. Nero was leaning back on a chair by the window, reading a book he wasn't interested in while Kyouko sat at the front of the room reading a thick book. One would say this was a sluggish afternoon. Nero placed his book in the table and got off from the chair while shifting his field of vision from the table to the bookshelves of the library.

And his eyes fell upon a strange sight. He walked towards the bookshelf. In the corner of that bookshelf, it was one of the books Miyagi was reading while ago. As it was full of strange books, Nero was surprised he was able to notice this book.

The title of the book was "The Mystery of Tarots".

"I had no idea Kyouko was interested in these kinds of books." He opened the book in amusement. The page he was turning to was of course the chapter covering "The Empress", of which the contents filled up ten pages. he read the first line of it:

III. The Empress
Motherly. Fertility. Sensuality.
"Hmm" reading these alone, Nero sure doesn't know anyone with these attributes. Come to think of it, he wanted to see what Tarot Card matches Kyouko's personality.

"So, Nero like these kinds of books?" Standing beside him Miyagi Kyouko said. She's with her long, dark hair and frail-looking figure, she gave the look of an elegant lady. She turned to look at him, and upon meeting his gaze, turned back towards the book he was reading. "Did you somehow awaken interest in Tarot Cards?"

"Hmm... Oh well, Not really."

As Nero looked at her smiling face she replied to him. "Since we're talking about Tarot cards, how about we assign a symbol for ourselves as well?"

"A symbol?"

For a short while, Nero was led on by Kyouko. Before long, he continued, "First, Ian(Nero NPC) would be 'Justice'."

While Nero had absolutely no idea what meaning the card 'Justice' holds, her face was close enough that he could hear each breath she took. Somehow, her breathing felt rougher than usual. He examined her expression. Her eyes settling to look the book Nero was holding. Then she slowly and reservedly raised the corners of her lips and looked at him. And then, all of a sudden, she let it out.

"I am sure there is no tarot card that matches with Nero's personality," Said the girl, now with a full-faced smile. While Nero continued to not utter a single word, her face that was rich with expressions, her face that she wore on her body for a life of socialising with others, began to change, she let out a soft smile. "Ehehe, did you get bored with my joke?"

While laughing, Nero said, "Yeah"

"Ah, I see, okay okay. You're being rude as usual" While she said that, the two of them begin laughing.
 
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I'll post stats when the time comes

General Narration
"Speech"
"Thinking"
It was in the early hours of the day, after embarking on a 3 day long journey a young looking man with blonde hair, donnic a light blue tunic with beige trousers and brown boots. He was sat on his bed at an inn they just about got into after a tiring journey. He was sat on the bed quietly with his arms behind his head used as cushions he just stared at the ceiling. "I hope they moved the ship, as i don't want us to catch attention" he thought. He then stretched his arms and legs without at least suffering a cramp in his left leg which had him jump in discomfort. He looked as if he was jumping for joy or trampling around he grabbed the wall and stood on the leg with the cramp. "Dammnit ... i hate getting these cramps." he said in frustration staring at the wall. "I am sure i read in one Eve's books saying if you do this, the cramp goes away but this is surely painful" referring to standing on the leg with the cramp.

Meanwhile a chuckle could be heard in another room, "Link you sound funny whenever you get these cramps ... guehahahahaha" he laughed further. "Oh man" he said as he wiped his eyes then sighing. Wearing a blue jacket that would be long enough to his ribs, underneath a full black top and bottom with multiple grey pockets full with lead bullets, also with grey knee caps. With black curly hair though kept as a man bun though it did give the cascading effect of being kept like dreadlocks, with one of them hanging from the front of his face up to his eyebrow and another to the side.

"Urgghh i hate you kid" Link replied then chuckled before a Den Den Mushi began to call and vibrate. It was on the bed placed when they arrived to their room. "I'll save you some tea downstairs" the comrade said and stood up heading to the door and out. Link then picked up nonchalantly "Hello / Moshi Moshi" as the caller then though silently replied with "I think you need to come and see this".



With the title ending To be continued ....


@Oreki
 
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Narration
"Talking"
Thinking
Action

At the end of the fifth hour, Nero had it enough. Even though he didn't have anything to do, he wanted to quickly leave this library. His expression could be likened to that of a saint that had journeyed the world and found enlightenment. Contrary to his expression however, he was leaning forward on the desk in front of him, and lazily resting his head on the table looking at the side view, not making any eye contact with the young lady sitting across from him.

"Nero cheer up! It's not like you were going to do anything anyway, right?" The lady sitting across Nero gracefully said, and turn the page of the book she was reading. He thought that was rude of her, but she was right, but still, he wasn't happy being here for five hours.

There wasn’t any work to be done beside Kyouko's curiosity about the secrets of this town; Despite Nero's immediate attempts to return to the hotel, Miyagi didn't let him go. Out of consideration for the bet he lost against her early in the day, he decides to not argue about it.

"There’s no way I can cheer up after spending five hours in the library. I thought we're off from here after Tarot Card discussion."

"Eh, is that so? I didn't know. By the way, Nero you hungry?"

"Did you even gave me the time to able to eat. I did get dragged away by you out of the blue." To the best of his ability, he tried to make his annoyance apparent through his voice.

"Uhm… If you don't have anything to do right now, then let's go eat together."

"Where are we going?" So Nero asked, and she, looking at outside from the library window with narrowed eyes.

"No clue."

Nero looked up at her face, and told her, "This girl...." She returned his efforts with her facial expressions. First, she pursed her lips, showing her embarrassment and apprehension, then she peeked at his expression, and finally as if she was casting them all away she broke into a broad grin.

"Hey, don't be mad, we can look for a good place to eat"

There's wasn't a single sensible thing he could say in response to her smile.

"Yeah, guess that works too."
 
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Link kissed his teeth, "What happened now?" he would say in a frustrated manner with a puffed out chest followed with a exhale. "Sorry boss, that was just to get your attention. By the way thats 1 to me and 0 to you." Link hearing this face palmed himself "Fuck sake have i put myself into"

"You really keeping score on this arent you?" "Aye Aye Sir" was replied to links question. Link sighed "I'll be down in 5, so scram boy". Link put the Den Den down exhaling in frustration. Though that was not all as a bulging of vein with a short burst of tantrum "Theres not 1 but 2 of these assholes i have to deal with, dammmmnit"

Link would freshen himself up not paying much attention to anything else and exited his room, proceeding to head down the hall and down to the stair exits. It didn't take long for him to go down after all it was only the 3rd floor. But as he was going down his mind began to tick, ticking to the question of what was missing and not lighting the bulb. "Roswell ... what is this empire renown for? ... I am sure i heard it somewhere in the past."

Link was greeted at the bottom of the stair case by his comrade from earlier "Law, what is it?". "Sir we need to head to the Library, now." This alerted Links thought process like a cog in the machine began to accelerate with every tick a tock followed. "The Library it is ... " as the duo would fist bump heading out to the main reception of the inn.

Prior the duo heading out Law would raise his voice asking the receptionist "Hey you, Library which way?" which the receptionist raised his arm to the right.

The duo stood outside the inn "So which way was it Law?". "He said to the right as we are in the left side of the port. Looks like we head into the main centre of the empire."

Link smirked and then said "Right it is"


@Oreki
 
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Having reached this stage, Nero asked for the first time what was her other reason to come here beside her curiosity about this town. Nero was sure she must have had a good reason.

"Nothing special really. I just like reading books, y'know?" After replying she energetically stood up, walked over to her sky blue bag, and placed the notes she was taking inside it. Suddenly Kyouko stood up and walked over the reception. When Nero followed in wonder, she was giving the staff a natural smile like a blooming flower.

"Where I can buy these books?" It was obvious at a glance that her rosy smile got the staff flustered. Apparently all of them were quite excited about her. it wasn't surprising to the least, her face was really pretty.

"Err, actually, there is a new books order. And since that is the case, we would gladly welcome you to have these books from here." The other staff members nodded their heads in agreement, too.

"Thank you very much!" The staff blushed, moved by her radiant smile.

Nero smiled wryly at her star-like attitude. He knew better. He knew that a bold and determined character lurked beneath her surface, which showed only a beautiful girl of excellent character who was thus loved by everyone. To make things worse, bright Kyouko was well aware of her own attractiveness. And just now Nero had learned that she also knew how to use it correctly.

Unable to hide his irritation over the situation, he walked slowly and deliberately with each step. He approached her, then he edged his hand toward hers ever so slightly, until she felt his fingertips brush her hand. She unfurled her fingers and let his slip around hers until she could feel the heat of his palm pressed against her own.

"Let's go."

"Eh... Alright," said Kyouko gloomily and starting walking towards the exit with Nero while the palm of their hands still pressed against each other as they left the library.
 
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The rain began to hammer down, the floor began to aesthetically shine and glimmer underneath the sun. "Its really pissing down" Law would exclaim to which Link would reply "It really is" ..."but then again this is a kingdom that is known for its monsoon type weather."

"Hey Law, speed up would you" Link would yell as the raining even slowly but surely made walking difficult with every drop making his clothes feel heavier than normal. As the heavier the clothes the more strength would be needed to walk. "Boss hey look, its library or a church lets head in there" as Law would point directly in front picking up pace without rain peltering off the duo.

The duo would speed up constantly finding a place to rest under shelter from the torrential rain, though in the end it would just get them to where they wanted the Library. Link would be panting "Hey, let's call it a break. We need to rest up so make sure when we get in, we get our breath back alright?" "You got it" Law would reply.

Link would dust himself off as would Law as the duo would even drench the carpet upon entering. "Lets call this a rendezvous point for now got it" with Law nodding in agreement shaking himself like a dog, with water splashing everywhere.

"Arrgghh damnit, i just brought this jacket and the fur looks like a cat that got put down." Law would say annoyed at the fact his jacket got slightly ruined due to the rain

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Nero and Kyouko hid from the rain under some bookstore overhang. The thin raindrops blurred the lights of lanterns and stands, dying the plaza a dark red. Girls running with carpets held above their heads, old people walking pitifully with umbrellas up, children running around without regard for the rain, merchants hastily putting away their stands - as Nero watched it absentmindedly, a voice suddenly hit his ears.

"The rain doesn't seem like it'll stop soon," she said, to which Nero nodded gently.

The rain continued to pour, and Nero could feel the breeze of the wind mixed with rain. He moved his eyes away from splashing water and looked at some symbol at the wall of the shop. The symbol had two dragons, one white and one black, facing each other and sword in the middle.

"I saw that symbol in the library too, huh." Said Nero.

Surprise flickered across Kyouko's face when she looked that symbol too. She grabs Nero's shoulder. "I'm really curious about it." She said as she advanced forward to have a good look of the symbol

At first, Nero thought Kyouko to be a sort of graceful lady, but that was merely his first impression based on her appearance. As he starts spending time with her, he realized that she wasn't even close to being grateful to him at least. Especially her large energetic looking eyes, which are in contrast to her overall appearance. Those eyes reflected her true nature.

She again looked at Nero and said "S-Sorry, but that symbol got me curious... I saw the same symbol in every book I was reading"

"Forget about 'sorry', I am hungry. Is it fine if we get something right now in this rain?"

With a distinct movement, she nodded. "Yeah I am hungry too"
 
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Link nodded to Law's remark on his jacket being soggy, smirking then heading inside. "Hey maybe as we are here, we could do some research here as we let our clothes dry a little"

"Yeah sure" Law would reply followed with him making a sound of water drops subliminal messaging Link. "I hate you Law" he would reply to his subliminal messages.

"I wonder how long before i make you piss yourself ... waterfalls, leaking tap, raining" with a soft chuckle which was annoying Link. A vein bulged pumping blood would be easily seen to his left temple as he grunted.

"Can you just do that elsewhere as i rather waste some time doing some research. Plus right now if i need a piss imma end up pissing on that jacket of yours" which would shock Law. "Hey man, straight to the ears. My beautiful jacket has feelings, how dare you sir. Guehahaha!" Link nodded his head side to side scoffing "At least that will shut him up for now .... But yeah i think i'll head to the history section"

Law would hum "la-la-la-la" as he would walk headed to the fiction section ... "Hey here's some books, time i get my fix reading some novels here. By the way wheres the Comic section heard the new One Piece volume is out" he would fanboy.


Link would look at the books until he would see a book that was recently put back but not properly, link would squint with suspicion but then grab the book next to it about a certain empire. "This book maybe it"


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When Kyouko and Nero went into the restaurant they were unsure to find a table in the crowded restaurant straight away but they did. "It's all thanks to me," so Kyouko bragged, but it was her fault for almost not to able to find a free table in a rain like that, so it absolutely wasn't thanks to her. For the most part, they didn't talk about anything of substance during their meal. She heaped praises onto the hotpot from start to finish as Nero quietly relished the food.

Nero managed to enjoy the hotpot without saying anything pointless. When faced with delicious food, it wouldn't do to act otherwise. The next time Kyouko opened the mouth of hers was when the store attendant added noodles to the soup. "With this, the two of us are hotpot buddies too."

While did not say anything in return, what Kyouko replied at that was not, "You're rude." Instead, she said, "Nero, about that symbol earlier. Did you notice anything?"

"Not at all," was what Nero would like to say. But he actually did notice something. Normally, he wouldn't spare a thought about some random symbol, but today, in view of the special incident, he thought that Kyouko would be interested. Therefore, Nero did read about things when he was in the library.

"I can tell what you're thinking just from your reaction. Anyway, I too think that the symbol was a little weird considering it's not the symbol that represents Roswell. Think of it as something of a secret alliance between two kingdoms?"

Kyouko gasped and smiled. "Yes, that's what I thought of as well."

She said while looking straight at Nero.

"Upon realizing that, I began to wonder in earnest just what this alliance could be. So I began to take things into action, first by attempting to bring all points together I know. That it's definitely not a symbol for just showcase but actually an emblem that represents entirely different empire."

She's definitely the sort that would go to all lengths in order to get things done.Thought Nero

"You know my interest in mythology?"

In place of an answer, she took out a notebook from her bag and after flipping some pages she pointed her notebook towards Nero "Niflheim (From Old Norse Niflheim, "World of Fog") " was written on it.

"So, why are you showing me this?"

"That's because..." As Kyouko stopped her sentence midway, she flipped another page of her notebook to show Nero again this time It was a quite detailed drawing of two dragons facing each other and artistically speaking it was rather bewitching. "The emblem of Niflheim is pretty similar to this symbol we saw earlier"
 
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Link would grab the book opening though the book was covered in dust. This was unusual for a library to have its book covered in dust. "That's strange, dont these librarians clean these books? Or maybe they do but this book was either hidden here or someone moved it." Link would then spot a chair and desk a perfect place to look through the book, with the wooden floor's creaking under he made his way to take a seat and see. He'd dust the book off, blowing wind at it in the process carefully eying its binding to see if there's something unusual before setting it down slowly opening it.

As he would be doing this Law would stop his search with his arm extended out in the process of grabbing a comic book, he would retract his arm raising himself up. He'd then walk over as the wooden floor would creak again, he made his way back to the reception "Excuse me, madam. Say that emblem looks mighty familiar." This is what caught his attention, as a sniper it caught his eye from afar. After all he joined the Silver Hair Pirates due to the treaty and living under the banner, though Law himself hailed from the Kingdom of Alabasta. He was one of those children that was not like the others, he was more laid back and not as physically strong as the others for their age. But he held a mighty talent due to his keen eyesight. The receptionist was flustered though before she could speak another voice was heard ending anything before it all would begin, though it was a familiar voice to Law. Law would nervously chuckle scratching the back of his head ....

Going back to Link, he would turn page by page. The book was unusual it seemed like a mix of various books but little did he know the book was providing clues and hints, though he wasn't the smartest to catch the blurred lines.
"This book ...." he would sigh resting his forehead into his hand. Link would stand up shutting the book, holding it within his hand he would then place it back on the bookshelf not before memorising the name of the book. He would then make his way to the reception noting Law had already left leaving a note "Gone to eat, though look at the receptionist's emblem on her shoulder on the uniform"

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It did start to bug Nero though. Niflheim? And to top it off, Hidden Kingdom? Is that even possible? A tiny fraction of an idea started to form as Nero racked his mind for an explanation. It wasn't a very cheerful one.

"I'm leaving now. I'm going to drop by the bookstore, wanna come?" As Nero said this to Kyouko, he returned a distrusting expression.

"What's going on? It almost looks like you're starting to get motivated."

Was he getting motivated? He doesn't think he'd call it that. It was really tugging at his mind, so he couldn't really help feeling... "I'm curious"

The second he muttered that it almost felt as if the atmosphere around him changed. No, it definitely did. Kyouko covered her mouth with her hands, then she started to gesture wildly and said, "Nero? It is you, right? You haven't been taken over by aliens, right? Or were you possessed by me?"

Was it really that strange for me to do something spontaneous like this? he'd say it was as spontaneous as spontaneous breathing, honestly. He had no idea when the bookstore closes, but he doubts it was open 24/7. It'd be a pain if it was closed by the time he got there.

As he got up to do just that, Kyouko stood up from her chair at the exact same time. "Nero, are you going to try and find out the answer?"

"There's a chance nothing will come up, but it's probably the best chance I have."

"I'm curious about that too."

Kyouko quickly made her way over to where Nero was, pushing her way past the chairs as she did so. She finally stopped about one meter away, and her blue eyes fixed on Nero. "To think there was something that could possibly capture your interest, Nero... I want to know about this too."
 
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Font Key for Vanya:
"Vanya Speech"
"Vanya Thinking"

- The intermission of what went down and why Law vanished -​

The person Law saw was a beautiful, blond elf with blue eyes and pointed ears. Wearing a emerald green and black tunic with a leaf like design at the front, with black leather gloves reaching down to her elbows, a grey sash around her waist with a few feathers which holds her quiver of arrows which is to her back and long black leather heels boots going up to her thighs.

"Hey long time no see sweetie?" as Law was flabbergasted too and hesitated in responding. "So how about it some lunch and tell me everything" Vanya would say seductively teasing Law as he turned red and replied "Sss-ure"


- Intermission /END -​

"Dont tell me she's here" Link would gasp before sighing. "I guess i might make my way too but its still raining outside" as he would head over the nearest sofa and look outside as a few raindrops would trickle down the window.

Just a few minutes later as Link who would be staring out the window day dreaming, a sudden thought of the name of the book hit him alerting and waking him from his day dreaming. "Oh yeah that book" he would rise and head over to the receptionist carefully eying up her insignia on her shoulder.

"Interesting" as he would ask if there's any bookshops nearby which she responded there's not that one far away as Link would reply "Thank you" before turning around as he headed outside.

As he stood outside he began to think of the name of the book and the insignia before they both pointed to one thing "Niflheim" alerting Link.

"Shit, if this is what i think then this can be worrysome if true" "I need to locate Vanya and Law now"

Link worried took out his Den Den with an answer not that long after hearing some crunching "Law is that you?" as Law would reply "Yeah why what's up?" as Vanya would also speak from behind gleefully "Hey Link i've missed you babe" this irked Link though not like normal.

"You two meet me now outside that library, this is a direct order" as Link grabbed his Den Den tightly before ending the call as Vanya and Law took a moment staring and slowly gulping as they rushed their way out and proceed to head to Link's direction.

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After a long time of flipping through the pages and reading every single word, Kyouko and Nero would feel extremely frustrated for some reason. Their heart would scream loudly as it beat, their palms would be moist, and in the end, their mood would go bad. Noticing as Nero took out another book from the shelves, Kyouko approached him with soft steps and handed over a printed-out sheet of paper.

"I found some information on that symbol."

What Kyouko found was an article. "The two dragons facing each other represent an empire which is associated with the colors red, gold and white, with the emperor dressing in white robes and their military emblems and flag being in these colors. Technology only their empire uses." was written on it.

Nero expression darkened a little as Kyouko peered at him before saying. "Umm... is something wrong?"

"Not really. Did you search for all the old books?"

"For articles, I couldn't look at anything older than five years, but you can request that at the counter over there." As she said this, she started to look a little more uncertain about Nero's attitude. Hearing that empire that no one heard about got Nero wondering... Was it even possible for something like that to exist?

Guess it was for Nero. He has heard stories of people from all over the world mentioning ancient myths and hidden kingdoms. He pursued a different line of thought, however, and it looks like he was right. As this thought went through his mind, he approached the counter.

"Excuse me, we're looking for something related to this article," He asked the young woman with silver-rimmed glasses sitting there.

"Okay. What are you searching for?" Both of them requested every book related to that symbol.
 
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It didn't take long for Link to meet up with Vanya and Law. As they met up they would then proceed to head over to the bookstore just trying to find where it is as they continued on. Though as the trio continued searching they would be peltered by the pacing of the rain every now and then due to the gust of wind.

Just a few minutes on as Law being Law trying to get under Link's skin would wonder ahead. As he did so his Observation Haki would kick in sensing someone and just a someone but another too. "What's this? ... why am i getting strange tingling sensation nearby" he would think as he paused standing outside under the trickling rain. "Hey Link how about after this we go on a date?" Vanya would ask Link as he wouldn't even think about a reply and replied "Not interested" which comically Vanya would grab her chest. "But Link you make my heart flutter" as she would lick her lips and wink hoping Link would catch her in the act. "Where did Law go off too?" link would change nature of the conversation which Vanya would notice before her Observation Haki would activate causing her to be on high alert.

"What is it?" Link would ask her, "It's coming from ahead of us" as the duo would spot Law ahead "You guys felt it too right?" Law would say upone seeing the duo



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There were more people in the bookstore than Nero expected there would be this late. He saw children and elderly people, and even what looked to be students. I guess we should be quiet here. He lowered his voice a little. And now, they have the article from the past here in front of them...an article about Niflheim itself.

It was impossible to understand anything from just seeing an article that shows some information on Niflheim. Kyouko's voice was also in a whisper, although Nero got the feeling it wasn't only because they were in a bookstore. She spoke in a swift manner, "Hmm, never thought that Niflheim would be an actual kingdom. But it feel like its a taboo term here, right?"

Nero did not get what she meant by that.

"What do you mean?"

"That's a tragedy. I don't like that."

Taboo? Tragedy? Don't like that? What's she talking about? What's she trying to say? "Hang on a moment, we're talking about Niflheim, right?"

"Of course. You get it, don't you? It's a kingdom that wants to achieve world domination according to the books I have read before." It was a pointless conversation for Nero. Even though they were talking about the same subject, they can't seem to connect.

She turned to face Nero. Her head seemed to hang almost imperceptibly. "Well, I guess let's call it day for today. It's getting late!"
 
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The trio looked at each other with Link staring at the duo nodding at the duo. That instant Vanya and Law knew what the nod meant "We have to provide support. After all he nodded twice meaning he's going ahead".

Link opened the door followed with Vanya and Law, the instant the duo entered they noticed something odd though they was on high alert and really cautious. Link simply wiggled his fingers that were at his sides though he kept a pretty blank face. Doing so Law headed to the right side of Link as Vanya on the left.

"Hey have you read the latest Shounen Jump?" to Links and Vanya's bewilderment breaking protocol, but that wasn't all as the true reason was what they sensed kept them on edge and needed a way to calm down. "What ... we didn't come to a bookstore to read comics you dimwit" Link grabbed Law by the collar of his top in comical fashion as Vanya giggled. "Link why dont i get that same treatment?" she would say seductively before turning her attention head on, raising her hand pointing her fingers ahead "Thats where i am getting a strange feeling"

Link moved on ahead with Law and Vanya trailing, though he spotted a young looking man, just the presence of the man had two of Link's underlings wary which made Link forget the purpose of why they headed to bookstore.

"Hmmm Sorry excuse me i overhead, did you just say Niflheim?" asking the man. "Just who is he and he looks pretty" Vanya would stare thinking as she stared the man but also spotted the woman he was standing beside.

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"Hmmm Sorry excuse me i overhead, did you just say Niflheim?" asking the man. "Just who is he and he looks pretty" Vanya would stare thinking as she stared the man but also spotted the woman he was standing beside.
Nero merely looked puzzled. Standing there was a male wearing a light blue tunic with beige trousers and brown boots. He had long blonde hair that he kept hanging wild in the front, with its lengths bound and tied within a ponytail. He was quite tall and slender. Though from Nero's perspective he looked more like the intelligentsia type than the athletic type of person.

Nero exchanged a glance with the blonde male and decided it his best to speak. "Yeah, but you don't sound too reliable. It's supposed to be a secret that Niflheim is a kingdom. It such a strange name for kingdom though and a hard to understand one as well."

Nero sighed and noticed he was getting thirsty. He felt like getting a cup of barley tea... but before that, he asked, "Why you're curious about Niflheim?"

Quietly listening to their conversation, Kyouko turned and looked at Nero, to which he nodded gently. Anyone with an intuition would realize that the blonde hair guy question was strangely straightforward.

The Bookstore was quite crowded at this time. There were probably people who were indeed reading for leisure, though Nero also understands if there were people killing time while waiting for the rain to stop. Exposed to the bookstore lights, Nero's facial features were already fully developed, despite him still being so juvenile. Water droplets had splattered on his white cheeks, as he then noticed two people behind the blonde male.

One was a beautiful woman, her appearance was akin to that of a pixie from some fairytale. Her blue eyes simply watched them. With fluttering blonde hair while her slim body was wrapped in emerald green and black tunic with a leaf-like design at the front, with black leather gloves reaching down to her elbows and long black leather heels boots going up to her thighs.

Another was a man who appeared to be a little older than Nero. He was a man with a blue bomber jacket, underneath a full blacktop, also with grey knee caps. With black curly hair.

Glancing alternately between them, Nero silently thought, It seems these intelligentsia have some secrets to share.
 
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After asking the question Link would ponder but ponder on who was standing before him. The man was slightly shorter than himself just marginally. However he had spiky black hair with a black unzipped jacket, with a grey shirt and black trousers with some boots. "He's a swordsman" he would think staring at the man spotting his sword though that wasn't what gave it away. It was the smell that surrounded the man, the smell of steel and even the hand of his looked like it went through many battles.
"Yeah, but you don't sound too reliable. It's supposed to be a secret that Niflheim is a kingdom. It such a strange name for kingdom though and a hard to understand one as well."
"Why you're curious about Niflheim?"
Link shared glances at the man, then realised the packed bookstore shoppers clogged and moved in slow motion. He could feel their could be someone from the very kingdom hiding between them. Link simply smiled and spoke "I heard fairy tale's about that place, so wondered if you know where i could get the children book version"

Just that alone would alert Vanya and Law as what did he just say, as they would be dumfounded they spotted Link using his fingers to head outside. Seeing this Vanya would speak there after "Excuse me, you young man. Care for a coffee?" as she would do so looking gleefully.

Link, Law and Vanya would spot the woman beside the man, a young woman that would glow with a ribbon ponytail, with a blue jacket, a white shirt with a tie and blue skirt and long leather boots. Though what caught the attention of Law was the sword but this would soon be caught on by Link and Vanya.

Law would raise his hand and stick his thumb out and symbolise how about they exit here. Link noticing this "How about we get out of here?"

"To say the name of the kingdom so flamboyantly out in public. They must know something."


@Oreki
 
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Link shared glances at the man, then realised the packed bookstore shoppers clogged and moved in slow motion. He could feel their could be someone from the very kingdom hiding between them. Link simply smiled and spoke "I heard fairy tale's about that place, so wondered if you know where i could get the children book version"
If Nero had to choose between believing and not believing in this guy, he would have to say that "I don't believe in you". But it would be a lie to say that he had never been drawn into believing in certain things, thanks to some rare cases. As he was thinking deeply about this, Kyouko's suddenly looked at Nero, as if telling him it's better to go along with this blonde guy excuses.

"I am sorry." He couldn't think of any words to say regarding that statement. "I don't have the idea where you can find them."

As Link was busy giving signal to his two friends. Nero made the most unpleasant expression he could make while looking at Miyagi and said, "Hey, I think bookstores are not for me."

"This is a sacred ground for cultivation, it's not made for the likes of you to visit." Kyouko gradually withdrew her delighted expression as she said that. Nero was wondering why she was so happy just now when he realized it was she who had brought that idea of Niflheim here.

Law would raise his hand and stick his thumb out and symbolise how about they exit here. Link noticing this "How about we get out of here?"
Nero gave it some thought, regardless of whether they're detective-wannabes or just curious onlookers, Nero couldn't help but agree with the blonde for the time being as he gave his answer with a nod. Kyouko raised her eyebrows, indicating that Nero did something strange again. Nero smiled and said in a really low voice to just for Kyouko to able to read his lips, "He uses the word 'Niflheim' a bit too lightly to be not suspicious."

"...... What's wrong with that? It's not like it's a taboo word,"

Nero finds it troubling to be not able to answer her question, so he smiled bitterly and said, "Uh uh, Nothing... let just go outside"

Nero and Kyouko went outside of the bookstore. The rain was still pouring, they couldn't say that the rain was as violent as before. At most, it was a light shower; but even then, all of the surrounding scenery had been made hazy.
 
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