Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 138

“So, have you two thought about our offer?”

“Yes. We will assist you.”

“Haha, I knew you’d come around. Then let’s get started right away. The sooner the beast is slain, the better! Let’s cut its head from its shoulders!”

The message had been delivered quickly, just moments after the three had been back at Sato–San’s Palace. Or rather two of them had been back. Ole had been here the first time yet the way he moved his nose one could see that he would have perhaps preferred to stay back. Right away he had let out a loud meow and complained about the smell of the ruins. Not to mention the way his nose had been constantly moving, as if it was trying to not let the dust get in there and sneeze non stop. Or just in general not have that smell inside his nose. It was rather unbearable after all probably, at least to his sensitive nose. Though he also had made a weird face when looking and sniffing the two Shadows right with them. Yet he didn’t dare protest. All he said was: “If it’s the decision you two made, I won’t stop you.”

And that was how the group increased from three to five, the assistance of two Shadows. The plan was the following – They would all go back to the room where Crow and Swan had run out of yesterday, because that was where the beast would lie. While the Shadows would stay outside and guard for any possible threat which could enter, the other three were supposed to… How had it been put over and over again? ‘ Cut its head off ’. Yeah, it was almost like some record when hearing it yet it also fell on numb ears, in one way or another. But they decided to shrug it off for the time being.

It also meant however to first make their way over to the room again, apparently called a ‘dungeon’. It was hard to tell yet apparently there was a torch they could snatch and use to navigate the darkness easier. But first they had to get there. And as they were taking steps down the broken down corridors it allowed them to take in the view better. Or rather once again, have another look at everything which had been placed inside those ruins.

And as they did Swan had been following up on that. They were eyeing everything closer. Though at first glance there was nothing new to them, just the usual sight of the ruins. However, there also had been something on the ground, though dusty. Portraits of some kind. They didn’t pay them much attention at first yet when they eventually had taken a closer look—

Wait, there was some figure on them. A king–like figure, portrayed in a certain light. It wasn’t too flashy, though there was a certain pride in the poses. Standing or sitting, it didn’t matter. A proud man through and through. But not the pride which would make one look too self assured, too full of oneself. No, it had a balance – Proud yet also kind. The portraits spoke for themselves, they were all a portrayal of a respected and beloved king. One who doesn’t bow down to anyone yet also a kind man… Although, there is something about him, something else Swan did not notice right away. His face was familiar… The black hair. The pale skin. The dark green eyes. The life shining through his eyes. The seemingly stoic glance in some pictures. The tiny nose. The one side of the face covered by the hair. Wait, this man— 

 “Father?” Swan couldn’t hold it in. It slipped out of their mouth, the soft tone itself in some type of shock. They… Knew that Officer Sato had to know their father in some way. Given that the investigation had been under Sato–San’s supervision that was no surprise. But such a portrayal of their father… Were the two closer than they had ever known? They were a little curious but at the same time the answer was screaming right into their face. It was the equivalent of a symbolism after all. It was speaking for itself. There was more going on than they had ever been aware. That Sato–San was one of the several people their father had known… 

It was no secret that Swan’s father knew quite a few people. Even they weren’t surprised, given that he was an aspiring politician, active in the community and rallying support. He would of course have met several people. And he was always talking about them. Though so many names dropped it became impossible to keep up. So it was not unreasonable to imagine that Sato–San was one of them. The connections of their father reached far, many people knew him. So this was a safe assumption. But… If these pictures exist… Does it mean that Officer Sato had been impacted by their father? It was… A little unexpected. Yet at the same time it made Swan stare in utter disbelief, freeze up. Because… Wouldn’t that… Well… They had no words honestly. It was a lot to take in at once.

Though their sudden stand still had not gone unnoticed. They felt certain stares at them. One of them was O when they turned a little, this one holding his nose. The smell was really getting to him. Yet his expression was the opposite of annoyed, no. He stared back at Swan, as if saying ‘ You noticed it too, didn’t you? ’

Another turn would reveal that even Crow was eyeing them as well, though his expression was a little harder to read beneath the mask. Yet even if it was, they knew that he was looking right at them, wondering what was up. Or rather, maybe knowing what was up. Yet he didn’t face them directly, only giving them the side eye, tilting his head just enough to look at them from the corner of his eyes. They didn’t know what to make of his gaze and weren’t given a chance. Because one of the knights had also taken note, walking up right next to Swan. The one knight from some fairytale. 

“Oh, are you referring to the king?” Said knight in question asked, making Swan turn to them, nodding slightly. The knight had taken note of this, a sigh seeming to be uttered out before continuing. “A fine man yes. But… He’s gone now.”

A quick gasp escaped Swan’s lips. They didn’t know why, it shouldn’t have been surprising. After all, that was how it was. Then again, maybe this wasn’t so bad in the moment if one was to play along. “He died?” They asked, though forgetting to add ‘how’. But the knight seemed to be ready to answer regardless. 

“Yes. I didn’t stutter.” They said so calmly. Yet… It wasn’t the usual calmness, no. It was also… Cold, very much so. It wasn’t indifference however, no. It was hard to put into words but the distaste… They could almost feel it. The non stop shaking, they were holding back whatever emotions were brewing up at this point. Wait, could this knight be— 

“People claimed that he was a bloodthirsty tyrant and he ended up being slaughtered in his cell.” Said knight continued, making Swan’s eyes go wider. Yet they dared not to interfere, wanting to hear about it all. At least everything this knight had to say. And yet with every word the tone of the knight became bitterer… “They tried to rebel and succeeded… Yet, as you can see, the kingdom went into ruin because of it.”

“Y… Yeah…” Swan nodded, confirming the knight’s words. This was just stating the obvious yet they couldn’t make any other remark. It was terrifying to think about doing so.

And thus, the fairytale equivalent of a knight continued speaking. “But once it did, it was all too late. And the leader of this rebellion was the Knight Of Thorns. The one inside this dungeon.”

“W… Was he?”

“Yes. If it hadn’t been for this dastard of a knight, the king would still be alive. Nothing of that had to happen but he just had to push it. It’s all the fault of one knight and only one!” This knight became louder, the air colder from their words alone. It was something, enough for Swan to nearly back off themself. It sounded so… Terrifying. Oddly terrifying. The bitter tone, the growing temper… This knight was holding back from doing anything reckless here. Though the loudest was the final sentence… The one sticking in their mind for some time, even after this conversation.  “ So, The Knight Of Thorns only deserves to have the head cut off! ”

Out for blood… So much so that it was terrifying to think about.