That nameless princess stepped forward.
An aura of strength radiating off her body as she lugged that massive hammer around on her shoulder like it weighed nothing.
The ground crunching under every step she took.
Her movement being just the wake up call required for breaking Reolf out of his fear filled bewilderment as reality came crashing down. He needed to move or be at her mercy which, with how much he had looked into the yakuza, he knew he couldn't possibly survive. Nobody had watched more crime fiction movies than he had in the seven years they had existed!
Stepping back as the pressure was almost like a physical wall that pushed him backwards. All his friends around him suddenly seemed a whole lot sure - though at least those that didn't run away seemed more than ready to jump her. Not that he would ever order them to do something so stupid.
"W-Wait this is all a misunderstanding miss."
Bringing his hands up as if that would somehow stop her from walking toward him.
Strangely enough… It seemed to work.
Suddenly she stopped just as he had requested her to do - tilting her head as she looked at him with eyes that had faded from the green they once were. Red seeping in has caused them to become something closer to a regal gold. Fitting surprisingly refined silver hair that was of far better quality than 7 years ago.
No longer was she the malnourished girl who practically puppeteered herself around via her truly massive mana pool due to her blessed bloodlines and descent control for said reserves. Now she was truly a young woman with a body to match. Even if she was most definitely on the smaller size at about 5 foot 2.
Though, once again, nobody present was going to look down on her with that menacing ( now infamous across the nation) hammer of hers that was just resting upon her shoulder.
She wasn't even using two hands to balance it there.
"It would be unfair to only listen to one side?" < >
What should have been a statement clearly came out as a question however that was too unusual as this particular trait of hers was essentially common knowledge to everyone on these streets. It was strange but she almost always had a question. Always questioning both her own and everyone else's actions.
Though that also made her one of the second best executives to run into; the best obviously being the glasses wearing dapper person who nobody knew the sex of. By far the worst was the necromancer who often just rushed to get things done. Believing in efficiency rather than the cost of life.
Then there was the boss herself… Nobody was quite sure what to expect from her as her thoughts felt so alien to everyone.
The glasses wearing person, however, were honestly often more of a benefit to run into. Often they would simply sit down and speak to the person they had accosted (if it could even be called that) in a fashion that somehow caused them to spill their deepest personal secrets. By the end of it they came out of the whole encounter with a new perspective on life along with a far healthier mindset.
As a result many people still referred to her into the nameless princess of questions as she had grown to be called.
"Yes i-it would be wrong to not hear me out!"
Of course Reolf lept on the life line he was given even as some in the crowd that had long built up began to boo him for "tricking" the usually benevolent princess.
Even if there were some who still supported his anti-human rhetoric.
"Hmmm, in that case, do you claim to have not attacked a business under our protection?" < >
For some reason his mouth suddenly became unbelievably dry - forcing him to swallow what little salvia was still present in his mouth. His mind raced as he tried to come up with an appropriate answer. At least she was a very patient person so wasn't particularly rushing him along.
It was obvious that the crowd didn't share the same patience as her. She simply had her head tilted to one side as she silently stared at him with seemingly no urgency in hearing his delayed answer. Though an audible rumble slowly formed from the on-lookers while his own people seemed noticeably on edge.
At least those that hadn't already bolted.
Realising that time was running out to answer if he didn't want to lose the loyalty of those who had remained due to their trust in him.
"Yes, I alone did indeed attack the store, but only because I didn't think you'd be protecting human trash when considering what atrocities they've committed against this nation and its people!"
He was quite pleased with his response (quite clear if the big smirk reappearing on his face was anything to go by) as the crowd of watchers murmurs grew confused. Clearly his words struck a chord with quite a few of those. Not to mention the heckling towards the human from his still loyal friends.
Plus that terrifying princess hadn't squished him with her massive hammer yet.
Possibly his favourite bonus.
"So… He comes from Gravenstein?" < >
Tilting her head as a pressure began to wash over them all as she turned to look at the man with her golden eyes now narrowed. The world around them darkened as the terrifying energy that fueled her leaked out. Revealing her eyes actually glowed and actually had slit pupils unlike that of a humans.
Sadly for Reolf that gruff old man refused to just sit down and take his just deserts; deciding to pipe up just as things were going his way.
"I certainly ain't, never even left this city let alone travelled borders, got this shop from my pappy who got it from his mothers side who've always been members of this' er' community."
In no way did he sound upset or particularly riled up at the accusation thrown at him abruptly. Just calmly replying with the honesty he was well known for on those streets - as such the crowd only became even more conflicted over the scene. What were once discussions having turned into arguments.
In the center of it all was the nameless princess who was currently looking between the two while tapping her chin in a clearly pondering manner.
Seeing that she hadn't made up her mind, Rolf didn't waste his chance, jumping in immediately.
"T-That is exactly what a Gravenstein spy would do to ingrain themselves!"
"If that ain't the darndest little tall tale from a diddy."
Beck obviously still didn't rise to the provocation making Reolf seem more and more guilty.
"Humans just can't be trusted; especially one from Gravenstein!"
Suddenly everything went silent which surprised Reolf… Only for him to realise what he just said.
"Hm… So I can't be trusted?" < >
An innocent yet terrifying question slipped from her lips.
Reolf couldn't help but shiver in terror at what that meant - not because she may retaliate but because none of them could answer a question like that. It was also a situation that happened quite a few times in the past. And when she can't find the answer to her question… She asks the only people she could trust.
"N-No, I mean yes, but we-"
"Hmm but am I really a human now… No matter; I'll just ask her absoluteness with you." < >
Nodding her head as if that was a good idea however Reolf had to disagree; the last thing he wanted was to be brought in front of the head of the underworld. Especially after having attacked someone apparently under her scariness' protection. As such he absolutely couldn't be captured by her!
The instant she approached he instantly decided to cut his losses by launching a clawed strike towards that approaching human woman. Undeniably he couldn't actually do any meaningful harm. Not against someone trusted by the legendary Victory "Dojin" Indigo to enforce her will.
What he could do was use the distraction she'd take in dodging the attack; as soon as she moves out the way he'll have to turn tail and gun it.
However what he didn't expect was for her free hand to reach out just as he clawed towards her - slipping her fingers between his own outstretched ones. His eyes widening in shock and fear as he tried to pull his hand back. Yet such a pitiful attempt could hardly work as her hand closed around his own.
"That's convenient." < >
Immediately cold filled every bone in his body as he realised… He was a head man walking.
Still he had one last thing to do before his eventual death overcame him with despair - turning his head to look towards his people.
"Run away!"
His people looked on with unwillingness, tears in their eyes, as they screamed their lungs out.
"Reolf!"
"Don't say that boss!"
"We can't just leave you!"
Seeing that a smile graced his lips as death suddenly didn't-
"Away we go." < >
"WAAAAAAAH!"