As the arrow flew threw the air, Yuki became overwhelmed with emotion. Even more so, as the arrow hit the center if the target with perfect accuracy.
"Ah… I just peaked on so many levels… Master, how wonderful, how beautiful it is… To be with you. To produce a perfect score together, it feels as though we had a child together, don't you think? I'm so glad… So infinitely, incompressibly glad, to experience such feelings. I have never felt doubt in your ability to win, of course… However, it was not fair, yes? So if we would have missed that shot, I guess… I would have had to kill everyone here, which would have been a shame… But there is no way I could allow the flawed assumption of your imperfection to spread into anyones mind… Because I want everyone to see you just as flawless as I do. But they could never see that naturally… They are just not able to comprehend it… Which is why I will do anything in my power to elevate your image to absolute supremacy."
"Yay, we hit! Great job, Master!"
"I believe that was only thanks to you though."
"I merely pointed direction, so it was actually all your accomplishment!"
"Right…"
"Well, I guess with that this competition has mostly served its purpose… Now I'd really like to win for a different reason, but without cheating that won't happen…"
Yamato glanced over his shoulder at Jonathan, who surprisingly did not make a scene about what just happened. He just looked at the target with a blank expression. After a good 30 seconds of staring, he turned back to Yamato, who still had Yuki attached to him. Apparently she saw no problem in openly trying to kiss him while clinging to his side. If she did that to provoke Jonathan into making a mistake, or if she genuinely wanted to do that with no regard for their surroundings, even Yamato was not sure. Jonathan dropped his bow and calmly walked towards the two.
"I… Have a question for Yuki…"
Though Yuki was completely uninterested in his question, out of politeness she responded.
"And what's that?"
"Why do you love him so much, if he doesn't even love you back? From what I can tell… Your relationship is completely unequal, and he doesn't even love you a fraction of how much you love him… Why don't you redirect your love to someone who actually loves you back? Why can't you love me, I know I love you more…"
He took a deep breath as he waited expectantly for an answer, though his tone had remained calm, his frustration was apparent.
"Urgh… You're so simple minded. Why do you love me in the first place… But, "Why don't you love someone who loves you, at least they would love you back", is what you said? You're such a hypocrite. You see, you don't know me, nor Yamato. Yet you somehow think of yourself as capable of deciding what's best for me. It is quite repulsive. What would you say if I told you I was actually a really bad person? Don't answer that, it doesn't matter. Point is you wouldn't know if I were or not. Neither would I care for your opinion on it. And doesn't your logic apply for you too? If I don't love you, why do you love me? Since you say, I shouldn't love Yamato, as he doesn't love me. Though, I'm quite confident that he is in fact, in love with me."
"…I see… I have been quite ignorant… I apologize for my childish behavior… I hope you can forgive me… I forfeit…"
Yamato, like everyone else, was taken aback by the abrupt end of the competition. Especially since there was room to argue that he in fact cheated by receiving help from a third party. Whatever caused this change of heart seemed to work in Yamato's favor. However he still could not let it stand like that.
"You do know what that means?"
"Yes, I am fully aware that me forfeiting makes you the victor, and as such are entitled for what we previously agreed to be your prize in case of my loss. Do not worry, we can go right away. It won't be a problem."
"I see… Well, in that case I have no objections."
Yuki got curious at the mention of a prize. She had been under the impression that she was the prize. There was no mention to her of a second prize. However that was of course, because she had not been present at that time, when Jonathan challenged Yamato in the tavern. Which was where the agreement was made.
"Go right away? Go where? Do I get something too? I also kinda won a little, y'know…?"
"To the castle of the baron, Yuki. And yes, you also kind of won a little. Good job."
Though she expected a more exciting reward, she was also happy about the praise and acknowledgment. As for going to the castle, she thought it was like whatever, not thinking much of it.
Yamato and Yuki followed Jonathan through the city to the gates of the castle, in front of which Lucy stood waiting.
"Can I help you?"
Jonathan asked, not quite remembering her since she wore a hood now. However as she took it off, he remembered her as the second girl that traveled with Yamato.
"Ah, it's you… So you are coming too, I presume…"
"Yes, I will accompany you as well…"
"Whatever… First it was just Yamato, but I guess you just bring everyone with you, I don't care."
Lucy gave Yamato a nod, at which all four passed through the gate. They entered into a completely different atmosphere. If they would not have just passed through the poverty apparent on the outside, one would never even guess it even existed. The walls separated the dirty roads from a beautiful garden, housing a seemingly endless supply of flowers, with all sorts of colors and shapes, which in itself had more effort put into than the rest of town combined. On top of that was of course the blocky castle, which was surrounded by said garden. The only other place in town which could compare was the church, but even that was no match for the overall wealth portrayed here. Although, when talking about wealth, Elara's manor came to Yamato's mind. Which in comparison, was on another level still. This place was impressive nevertheless.
"So, as per our agreement, I will bring you to my father. Though I really can't tell what you could possibly want from him… If you plan to help this town by talking sense into him, I'm afraid that you will not succeed. There was a time where I too believed his wealth could be shared… A flawed assumption, as I had to learn the hard way."
"You wanted to make this town a better place? I find that hard to believe. You seemed rather enthusiastic about collecting taxes, when we first met."
"You don't know anything… But I have caused you two nothing but trouble since we met, so I wouldn't expect you to see the anything but the bad side of me…"
"…I've heard a lot about your father. What about your mother? Does she live here as well?"
"…No, she is somewhere else at the moment. I wouldn't count on meeting her. Since your stay here is temporary, and limited to the promised conversation with my father, you shouldn't talk to anyone but him."
"I see…"
They reached spiraling stairs that led up a tower at the center of the castle, it seemed to be positioned like a elevator would be in a modern skyscraper. Of course, there was nothing automatic about these stairs and the castle was nowhere near as tall as a skyscraper, but Yamato found the architectural similarities between the two worlds fascinating.
Yuki whispered to Yamato while they climbed up the stairs, not wanting to openly appear clueless.
"Master, what exactly are we doing here in the first place?"
"…Yuki, I have been wondering… Do you think we accomplished anything one could call "a good deed" so far?"
"Uh… Sure? I exterminated a cult from the church and freed it from corruption, hopefully. And you brought hope to the people by winning the competition, although only through his forfeit, but whatever. I'm sure people are more willing to believe that you can actually make a difference now that they saw you publicly stand your ground against the son of the baron which oppresses them so much."
"That makes sense, yes… So, would you say that accomplishment would excuse taking a bit more drastic route?"
"I support all your decisions!"
"I see… I'm gonna need something from you in few minutes…"
"Hm?"
As they reached the top of the staircase, they were stopped by two guards, who searched Yamato, Yuki and Lucy for weapons, though all were unarmed and could pass without any issues. Finally reaching the last hallway, they were greeted by an elder man in a red, expensive looking suit. He had short, gray hair, a curled mustache and a monocle on his right eye. He seemed quite annoyed, as he waited impatiently in front of a door. His mood brightened not a bit as he spotted Jonathan.
"Ah, Jona… Bringing friends, or what? I'm afraid whatever you have to discuss with your father has to wait. I've been informed of something by one of the maids that is of upmost importance."
"My name is Jonathan, Count Lintone. And I am his son, and as such should be allowed to visit him whenever he sees fit."
"You have changed by not much, I see. Well, if you insist. He does not respond to me anyway. Maybe you could be so kind to wake him up, so the adults can talk?"
"Of course… There is nothing I would love to do more…"
"I'm sure. Now hush, before I decide to leave and spend my time elsewhere."
As Jonathan walked past him and opened the door, they entered what appeared to be an anteroom. The walls door to the Baron was only a few meters away now.
"Say, Jonathan, who was that?"
"That's none of your concern… "
"I see… I won't pry into that then. Why wasn't he allowed to enter this soundproof room though? If he a actual has business with your father, I'm sure he would be more comfortable in here than outside in the hallway."
"How did you know it was soundproof?"
"Oh… That's just because I heard that from someone who was already here once."
"What are you talking abo—"
Suddenly, Yamato shoved a knife into his hands, making Jonathan grip onto its handle while cutting intentionally into his palm, before Lucy pulled the door open and Yamato shoved him inside the Baron's room before closing the door shut behind him.
Yamato took a deep breath before calmly walking towards the door they came from, before suddenly ripping it open and yelling while holding onto his cut hand.
"Count Lintone, quick, it's Jonathan, he has lost his mind!"
"What are you— Your hand!"
"He suddenly pulled out a knife and locked himself in the Baron's room!"
"What?! Guards!"
The Count rushed past Yamato and the guards around the hallway quickly followed. As they reached the door which was locked from the inside, Yamato walked up to the count.
"He must have barricaded it from the other side. We must break it open by force."
"It appears so… Guards, on my signal! And… Now!"
The two guards in heavy armor easily crushed the wodden door, revealing the scene was behind. Jonathan standing in front of his father, who was lying on the ground dead with his throat slit.