Chapter 14: The Supreme King

'So this man is Lance's mentor? This man is said to be the strongest of the Seven Great Rulers. To think he was able to keep a man like the King of Heavens in check so easily..' Allen thinks to himself as he moves in to shake the Supreme King's hand.

"I-it's nice to meet you sir.. I'm Allen Kirkwood. L-Lance's friend from childhood." A nervous Allen mutters.

"HAHAHA! Why so shy Allen?! Master's not gonna fry you like Lord Jeremiah would've! Lighten up!" Lance laughs clearly amused by Allen's unusually timid behavior.

"Lance, you're so gonna get it later.." Allen quietly mutters to himself.

"Allen Kirkwood eh? You must be from the orphanage Lance spoke of. I apologize for Lord Jeremiah's behavior. He can be a handful sometimes, but he's a valuable ally to the Kingdom of Isonomia. I'm sure he won't be causing you any more trouble, so long as you stay on his good side."

The Supreme King then turns his gaze towards Carolyn.

"And this beautiful young lady. Lance is she a lover of some sorts?"

'LOVER?! It-It's far too soon! Does Lance even see me that way?' A crimson faced Carolyn thinks to herself as she looks towards Lance, anxiously waiting for a response.

"Oh Carol-" Lance gets interrupted by Allen who stares at Lance with an evil grin on his face.

"Oh yes, Lord Alaster. They're MAD in love! In fact every night all you can hear is-"

*POW*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Carolyn hits Allen with a powerful uppercut that sends him flying into the air until he lands head first into the courtyard with his head stuck into the ground.

"YOU CAN BE SO INFURIATING SOMETIMES!" She yells out 

A distraught Carolyn runs up to Lord Alaster and bows her head down.

"PLEASE PAY NO MIND TO THAT DEGENERATE! M-M-M-MY NAME IS CAROLYN ESTOC SIR! I-I MET LANCE NOT TOO LONG AT A BAR IN LYSSANDRIA. A LOT OF STUFF HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, AND, AND-"

Aria places her hand over Carolyn's mouth.

'This lady is my new big sister Carolyn. She had no place to go to, so big brother Lance decided to let her come with us!' Aria informs the Supreme King with a cheerful smile.

"I see.. Thank you Aria, I'm happy to see you've made new friends. And it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Estoc. Consider the Kingdom of Isonomia your new home!"

'I had no idea the Estocs had a daughter among them. Nobody has heard from the esteemed clan in years. It's said that they have gone into isolation after a certain incident. Could she have been the focal point of said incident?' Alaster begins thinking to himself.

Alaster then turns his attention to Fluffy.

"Count Vanderbilt Leone Von Strussen Ignacio the XVII! You've been awfully quiet over there."

Tears begin to build up in Fluffy's eyes upon hearing his name called out in its fullness.

"OH YOUR MAJESTY! YOU TRULY ARE THE KINDEST OF ALL KINGS AND QUEENS! YOU HAVE MY VASSALAGE FOR ALL ETERNITY!" He cries out bowing repeatedly at the Supreme King while his pent up spiritual energy is released causing the ground around him to crack whenever his head touches the ground.

Allen pulls his head out of the ground and quickly rushes towards Carolyn.

"Hey I was only kidding around! You could've knocked my head off! Why'd you have to hit me so hard?!" 

"Coz you're an idiot, and I didn't want any of your "idiot" to rub off on me." Carolyn says sticking her tongue out at him.

"You know for a 'noble' you're a real wild one. I don't think Lance has a thing for girls who act like gorillas!" 

"Oh a gorilla huh? Well I'd rather be a gorilla than a slimy slug like you!"

"Whatever! Why don't you go run along and eat a banana or something, gorilla."

"No, why don't you slither away into the hole you came from, slimy slug!"

"GRRRRR!!" They both angrily glare at each other as a couple of quarreling siblings would.

"Hahahaha! Lance, It seems La Familia is turning into a fine group indeed." Alaster says to his pupil with a warm smile.

 

"Wouldn't trade them for anything in the world!" Lance says smiling back at his mentor.

"Very Well. I'm sure you're all hungry. How about we all eat?" The Supreme King suggests to Lance and his companions

"Oh yeah! Lance you gotta treat us out! I did win after all!" Allen says as he begins to snicker.

"Yeah right! You crashed into Lord Jeremiah before you made it INSIDE the castle!" Lance complains refusing to acknowledge Allen's claim at victory.

"Hahaha. No Worries, let's just call that a draw. I shall prepare lunch here in the castle. Believe it or not, whenever Lord Jeremiah visits my Kingdom, he always brings with him the finest meats, vegetables, and other fine ingredients. He can actually be very generous when he chooses to be." Lord Alaster happily offers the group.

As they enter the dining hall, they are greeted by two chefs one a slim young lady with black hair tied into a ponytail, pale skin, and green eyes. The other a seemingly muscular man with a short black hair combed over to the side, and green eyes as well.

"Greetings, my name is Eclair, and I shall be preparing Lunch.

"And I am Sans Rival, Eclair's brother. I shall also be preparing Lunch for you today." The two say as they simultaneously bow to the group.

Fluffy's eyes light up with excitement.

"It's been quite a while since i last stepped foot in your marvelous kitchen your majesty! Please. Allow me to lend a helping hand." He offers the two Chefs.

"It would be an honor to work alongside the renowned Count Vanderblilt Leone Von-"

"No time for formalities children. We make haste for the kitchen!" Fluffy yells as he quickly flies away to prepare lunch leaving the two chefs baffled.

Two hours later.

"Voilà! Lunch is served." Fluffy announces as he bows to the group revealing the exquisite banquet he and the two chefs prepared for the group.

'Wowwwww! Everything looks so yummy!!' An excited Aria says her eyes lighting up like a star in the night sky.

The Supreme King stands up to make a toast to the Castle Residents.

"To commemorate the Safe return of La Familia. I would like everyone to eat to and drink to their hearts content!" He says raising a large glass of beer high in the air.

"CHEERS!" Everyone yells as they dig in to the feast laid out before them.

Several Hours Later The Supreme King summons La Familia into the Conference Room and they explained what had transpired in Lyssandria.

"The Twilight eh? I've heard of this group while on my journeys as well. They've caused quite a stir in the other Kingdoms as well. Though their motives are unclear, it's quite obvious that this group cannot be trusted." Sir William says 

This man is Sir William Freesia. He is Lord Alaster's right hand man and is one of the Supreme King's four generals. He wields a blade of holy light thus granting him the title of the Luminous,. 

"I can tell you first hand, they are not to be taken lightly. Me and Allen engaged two of their members in battle. One of the members who goes by the name of Hellhound was the mastermind behind all the abductions in Lyssandria. He was exceptionally powerful. Me and Allen were sitting ducks." Lance says putting his head down in shame.

"Raise your head Lance, there's no shame in admitting defeat.. To think they have someone as strong as him within their ranks, this could spell trouble." The Supreme King says to the group.

"He could've easily killed us both, yet he decided to spare our lives and set his captives free. Not only that, but he gave us a lead on another close friend of mine that I've been searching for. She's said to be affiliated with this group in some for and is working under a woman who goes by Succubus. They will be in Glacidia in roughly 3 weeks time," Lance adds.

"Is that so? As a matter of fact. I, no all of the Seven Rulers have been invited to Glacidia at about the same time. Lord Belethor wants to host a Tournament of Champions in which the best fighters from each of the kingdoms battle it out in friendly competition. I've already solidified an alliance with the kings of Vesuvius and Ouranos, so I would like to use this opportunity to try and unite the other Rulers as well." Lord Alaster explains to Lance and his friends.

"Lance I have no doubts of your willingness to join, but unfortunately Sir William and Lady Astrid will be off on some important business and will be unable to participate. So i'm in need of 2 more competitors." Lord Alaster voices out.

Lance's eyes light up. 

"Allen, Aria, Carol, Fluffy!" Lance says as he grins over at his friends

Allen's eyes light up with a similar fire to Lance's

"A fight?! You can count me in bud. I'm raring to go!" Allen says excitedly, giving Lance a thumbs up.

'If Big brother Lance wants me to join, then i'll be more than happy to!' Aria says to Lord Alaster giving him a smile of approval.

"Yes, I have no doubt those two would make fine candidates. I myself am a lover, not a fighter so I'll leave it to them." Fluffy says respectfully declining to participate.

"Yeah, those two are monsters compared to me, Allen even looks like one! I' know when I'm beat." Carolyn says respectfully declining as well.

'That little..' Allen angrily thinks to himself

"Very well, meeting is adjorned. Lets show them the power of Isonomia!" The Supreme King shouts out!

"YEAH!!!" 

"Good. Lance, Allen. Meet me in the courtyard. We must get you boys ready for the tournament."

"SIR YES SIR!" The two boys shout out

"Aria, Lady Astrid wishes to see you in the Library."

'Aye, Aye captain.

"Carolyn, you should pay her a visit as well, it may be worth your while." Lord Alaster says to Carolyn with a wink.

"If you insist Sir, i'll head over there at once."

'That young lady has exceptional latent talent, I've no doubt that Lady Astrid can help unlock those hidden gifts.' The Supreme King thinks to himself

'Finally, I can't wait to show master how strong i've gotten..' Lance thinks to himself as he and Allen make their way to the courtyard.

With newfound excitement, La Familia readies themselves for the journey that lies ahead.