ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE x KING'S GAME - PART 1
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With bubbles popping in my glass of sparkling wine, and dazzling lights shining from the chandeliers overhead, I couldn’t help but feel as if we’d stepped into a scene straight out of a movie... YMIR : Emma, you don't need to be so nervous. EMMA : Easier said than done in atmosphere this overwhelming... VICTOR : It's not all that surprising, given that every other attendee is a well-dressed, handsome man. LEN : Hey, it's time to wrap up this boring meet and greet. Stop yapping you stupid host! HOST : As I’ve talked about in length already, when so many families come together like this, there is always something to take away from it. HOST : We are friends and foes each, and in the illustrious words of wisdom from our busy Mam whom is on her way over: "Enjoy today, for tomorrow." EVERYONE : Cheers!
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Tonight was the Bloody Lady's annual party, a get-together for the many families hailing from all over the Graveland area. VICTOR : Hmmm ♪ Not bad, this wine is indeed worthy of representing the Bloody Lady. They’re certainly not skimping on the money. YMIR : It's not just the drinks. It's the venue, the people, and the beauty of it all. VICTOR : Every family, large and small, with roots in the Graveland area are gathered here, so it is indeed quite crowded. Even if our more hostile families remain absent, there must be at least 500 people here.
EMMA : It seems most of families number a dozen or more. We're the only one with so few... LEN : You idiot. Who cares about that? Remember what Camus said?
*FLASHBACK*
CAMUS : We have to pay our respects to the Bloody Lady, but we simply can’t afford to send too many of our men. It will hurt the overall operation of our casino. *FLASHBACK END*
EMMA : It's honestly so amazing though. Imagine being able to just rent such a huge castle for a simple get-together... Indeed, we’d all traveled far from the casino district of Graveland to this glittering old castle. VICTOR : Did you know that this castle is actually property of the Graveland’s royal family. EMMA : Whoa, royalty!? Then how are they able to use a venue like this? YMIR : Haven't you heard? The royal family of Graveland and the Bloody Lady are good friends thanks to the casinos bringing in tourists and turning large amounts of profit for the country. LEN : Ha. They can do whatever the hell they want, including building an entire casino inside this ancient castle.
VICTOR : It's an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the Bloody Lady. I'm certainly going to make a big show of it! EMMA : But the scale of the event is still amazing... YMIR : Emma? Not to scare you, but it would be wise to exercise caution around these people... As the host said, there are many families from the underworld gathered here... They may look friendly at first glance, but don’t forget they still belong to dangerous organizations... VICTOR : Well, I doubt anything would happen out in the open, but it would still be foolish to let our guard down so easily.
?? : But if you're going to a party, you have to have fun. There is no point in pretty flowers like you staying on the wall! EMMA : Liebe? LIEBE : I'm sorry to bother you, but I'd hate to miss out on an opportunity to get to know you better. BURN : hahaha! Here comes Burn! Now that I'm here, you can rest easy, no matter what happens! EMMA : What, Burn and Sparrow are also here!? SPARROW : Hey, why did you have to pull me into this too, Burn!? BURN : To protect Emma of course!
SPARROW : That doesn’t answer my question! YMIR : Isn't it great? I think it's a good thing to have more people to protect Emma. She's going to stand out no matter what she does, and it’s only a matter of time before some shady guy tries to grab her. LIEBE : I can agree with that, because I would grab at her instantly~ LEN : Don't make the mistake of materializing guys, you're just gonna stir shit and cause a lot of fucking trouble. VICTOR : That much is true. The sudden appearance of three black fairies would undoubtedly startle people and cause a huge commotion. LIEBE : A commotion, huh? I don't want to cause trouble for Emma, so I'll just be quiet and stay by your side for now. Emma, you may miss my touch, but can you be patient for but a moment longer, for me?
EMMA : I see you’re the same as ever, Liebe. But it's a party and I'm glad we can all three spend time together like this!
BURN : Oh! I'll take good care of you and keep you safe, you can trust me! SPARROW : I'd go back into the key if I could. VICTOR : Sparrow, since you're here, why not enjoy the atmosphere? LIEBE : Yes, yes. And why don't you try to live a little and blend in while you’re at it? With a snap of his fingers, Liebe's and Sparrow's appearances warp, replaced with that of glamorous gentlemen.
EMMA : Wow, you two look great! BURN : Oh, a form change! I think you look very heroic, my friends.
Burn himself has no intention of changing his attire, and gives a thumbs-up to his fellow fairies.
EMMA : (I guess all that matters to Burn is whether he sees their attire as "heroic" or not...) SPARROW : I don't want a new outfit! I was fine! LEN : Oh, fucking shut the fuck up! All of a sudden, I could feel someone's eyes on me.
MALE GUEST 1 : How unexpected, what’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this. MALE GUEST 2 : Would you like to have a drink and chat with us? EMMA : What? No, I'm just一 YMIR : Hey, back off. This is my girl. What do you want? Before I can reply, I feel a weight against my shoulder pulling me back a step and guiding me to lean gently into Ymir. The men laughed and shrugged, walking away in the appearance of Ymir. EMMA : Thank you, Ymir.
YMIR : You're welcome ♪ I know it's strange, but don't get too far away from me, okay? LIEBE : Okay!! I think I'm gonna materialize now! BURN : I agree! VICTOR : You two, don't materialize. Ymir, don't flirt so much.
━ After chatting and laughing for a while, the host's voice echoed through the hall again.
HOST : As part of the entertainment here tonight, we will be playing a game... The King’s Game. It's quite simple. If you win, and become king, you will have the right to rule over everyone here tonight at your leisure. Whether that’s serving your meals, polishing your shoes, or making your wildest dreams come true.
HOST : There is but one rule: You are forbidden from taking each other’s lives. Beyond that, we will not condemn you for doing anything to anyone. MALE PARTICIPANT 1 : What the hell are you talking about? Why would we ever agree to that!? HOST : Ha ha, well, you do have the right to refuse, however, as you are in the belly of the Bloody Lady, that wouldn’t exactly be your wisest choice, now, would it?
The venue, which had been filled with jeers, fell to a sudden and deathly silence at the implications of the host’s words.
VICTOR : Hmm... And there’s me thinking tonight would just be fun. YMIR : Looks like they’re deadly serious about this. LEN : Hehe...The right to rule over all others... How interesting! And just like that, the glamorous atmosphere of the castle had shifted, and you could the tension with a knife. The night of whirling desires had began.
