The Cursed Swordsman

Chapter 12: Family Tension

Claus had been noticing a sudden drop in temperature in the recent days. He had known the winter was going to be cold, but he didn't expect it to drop so soon. "The gods are sabotaging us..." He immediately puts the pieces together, and heads over to the garden area around the Temple of Storms, checking on the soldiers who were tasked with providing fruits and vegetables for the army. "How are things?" He asked.

"No good, sir. Nothing will grow, no matter how well we care for the crops. It was producing yesterday." One of the men says.

Claus puts his hand over his chin. "I see... I thought this might happen..." He mutters and turns his back. "Please continue your hard work. I'm sure we can produce some results." He smiles and heads back into the temple. He turns on the TV inside the meeting room, and tried to connect to Ava, but got no response back from her. "Tsk... Guess they also got Ava..." He sighs. "Dammit...! We got overconfident, and look at how that turned out...!" Claus punches the wall, causing a picture frame to fall next to him. He turns his head, curious as to what a Goddess could possibly want to have as decoration. He picks it up, and gazes upon on a portrait photo of Tine, and an older woman with hair styled in a long ponytail, wearing a beautiful black and purple dress. There was even a signed noted in the bottom corner.

"My beloved sister. How I miss you.
-Tine"

Claus stared at the portrait for a few more moments, before carefully fixing the frame and hanging it back up on the wall.

As he did this, the door opened, Jeanne entering the room. "Didn't think I'd see you sympathize for the enemy." She comments.

"She may be the enemy, but I'm not a savage." Claus says. "Did you need something, Jeanne?" He asked.

"Malix has gone missing. I was wondering if he was with you, but that's doesn't seem to be the case." She said.

"That so...? I figured it would come to that..." Claus said.

"Do you think he deserted?"

"It's possible... Despite his opposition toward his Father the other day, he was terrified... I could tell from his tail." Claus says. "Why are you suddenly interested in him?" He asked.

"A woman came to the camp earlier today asking for him. I told her I didn't know where he was, and she left." Jeanne explained.

"A woman? Was it Chimera woman? With...uh...bouncing asset?" Claus asked, censoring himself as to not sound like a creep.

"If you mean her butt, yes, that describes her correctly. Why?"

"That was...Malix's twin sister." Claus sighed. "How long ago did she arrive?"

"About three hours ago." She replied.

"I see... She's probably long gone by now."

"Do you think she's going to be an issue?"

"No. She may be the Goddess of War's daughter, but they're aren't exactly on the best terms. So we don't have to worry about her getting in our way. But...if she's asking for Malix, she could be trying to convince him to come home..." Realizing that could be a problem, Claus puts a coat on over his armor and grabs his sword. "I'm going out to look for him. You're in charge until I come back, Jeanne." He says.

"Okay then." The woman nods, and looks at the photo Claus put back onto the wall. "Hmm..."

———

While Claus was having his talk with Jeanne, Malix had actually been out on an evening walk, as per usual, but he had wandered farther than he had anticipated he would. As he was preparing to return to camp, he heard the faintest sound of a twig snapping behind him. Then the sound of fast rustling, as if something or someone was rushing to his location. As soon as he sensed the tiniest bit of bloodlust, he materialized his scythe and pivoted, clashing blades with a woman with lavender hair and a ronin's wide brimmed hat. Once the two locked eyes, Malix grits his teeth and pushes the attacker away, twirling his scythe around and taking a defensive posture. "How unexpected of you to come at me so suddenly. And with your sword drawn at that. Have you missed sparring with me that much, Rosie?" He asked.