KINTSUkuroi
[Chapter XVI] - Unlikely Alliance

Twelve hours later...

"...and so that's what's happened, Dad." Ciel finished explaining the whole situation regarding Savan's death and Siule's plot to Salvius.

"I see, darling. I'm very relieved to know that you're safe and sound. You did well in bringing Nicolas with you. Leaving him with such a dangerous woman is something your Mother would have never even considered. I swear you're her living image." he said with a smile before turning to Nicolas.

"I imagine you understand that we're on the verge of war. I need to know what you plan to do. I know you're forced to make a painful decision, and I want you to rest assured that regardless of what you choose, so as long as you don't decide to directly oppose us, you're welcome to stay here as a refugee for as long as you need." the Deputy Regent offered.

"I sincerely appreciate your generosity, Mister Astregas, but I wish to fight alongside the Giants. Siule may be a very important part of my life, but what she did is unforgivable. Right now all I want to do is protect Ciel, and preserve the peaceful world Savan has created for us." the Human male declared without hesitation, speaking into a microphone so that he could be heard.

"Hah! That's funny! You little rejects are all the same! What makes you think we would trust you!?" Driode hissed, brushing her blonde hair to the side.

"I understand your suspicion. I cannot blame you for doubting my intentions. But Ciel means everything to me, and I'm greatly indebted to Savan for rescuing me from the brink of physical and emotional death. Feel free to keep me under strict surveillance if you so wish, but I beg you to let me protect the woman I love." he pleaded, earning a warm smile from Ciel who struggled to keep the tears of joy from falling.

"Tsk! Even if we were to believe you, how could you possibly help us? We could end your puny little life in so many ways without even realising that we did. No matter how you look at it, you'll never be our equal, you microscopic speck!" the blonde scoffed.

"I am aware of that, too. I don't intend to be your equal. I simply wish to lend the Giants my support, and that support can be manifested in the form of information and strategy planning. If you think that's not worth your time, then feel free to do with me as you see fit." he challenged.

Despite her hatred towards Humans, even Driode knew how relevant information was in any war, not to mention that with the death of Savan the Giants had lost one of their brightest minds. For what it was worth, it seemed like Nicolas' arrival was meant to cover an area that the bigger species now gravely lacked.

"I see. In that case, what can you tell us about our opponent? Any information that you may have on her, no matter how seemingly-irrelevant, will be a great help for us." Salvius told the black-haired man.

"Siule claims to want to avoid violence by all means. I do believe this to be true, but she's also shown that she will not allow her desire for a peaceful resolution to become a hindrance to her plans. She has a personal grudge against Ciel for what has happened twenty years ago, but at the same time she will do everything she can to avoid killing Ciel since she's aware that would hurt me greatly. I'm not saying Ciel's safety is guaranteed as far as Siule is concerned, but I do believe she will try to achieve her final goal in a more roundabout way." Nicolas explained.

"What about her becoming a Giant? Did she really survive the Macrosia transplantation?" Salvius inquired.

"Unbelievable though it may be, yes, she did. Not only that, but she also has the technological means to replicate the gene." the Human explained.

"Do you think she will try to give those replicas to other Humans to launch an invasion?" the Deputy Regent considered the possibility.

"Though we cannot discard that alternative, I don't think it's the most plausible scenario. No matter how I look at it, I cannot imagine a scenario in which there'll be enough Humans that can withstand a Macrosia allograft transplantation, and even if there were, the amount of time it would take to replicate the gene, replace suitable subjects, let them become used to their newfound power and organise the troops would be just ridiculously ineffective. In much less time than that, the Giants would be able to effortlessly lay waste to the entirety of the Human world. Unless..." Nicolas trailed off.

"Unless what?" Driode bluntly asked.

"Unless she's counting on the fact that the Giants will not cross the boundary to the Human world. Think about it: assuming Siule is still in Argentina, there would be no realistic way to attack her without killing innocent Humans in the process. Even if she was near the frontier, that much would still be true, even if the number of casualties would be drastically lower." the curly-haired male commented.

"What if we approached her going North from the ocean?" Ciel proposed.

"Unlikely —Nicolas shook his head—. Advancing through water would be much slower, far more predictable, and you'd have to endure extremely cold weather, perhaps even freezing to death. And in the meantime Siule would be able to establish some sort of scapegoat in an attempt to ensure her safety."

Ciel sighed, noticing how precarious the Giants' situation was if they wished to stop Siule without hurting (or worse) innocent people.

"And there's also a real possibility we need to consider..." the short male trailed off.

Siule tranquilly walked towards the Headmistress' Office at the Langton School of English, people around her running away in fear now that they knew of her new ability.

However, Headmistress Quaser Declein remained unfazed as the castleton-green-eyed lass approached her.

"Yes? How may I help you?" Quaser asked, her voice reflecting no nervousness whatsoever.

"Good day to you, Ma'am. I was hoping I could talk to Miss Setsuna Kuroyami?" Siule 'requested'.

"What for?" the Headmistress tried to replace out the reason for her request.

"That's for me to know and for you not to replace out, but you need not worry. I swear I don't intend to cause you or anyone in this building any damage. All I need is two minutes to speak to Miss Kuroyami privately." the brown-haired female retorted.

"Very well. You should be able to replace her in Classroom 4. That's down the hallway, second door to the right." Quaser instructed.

"Much obliged." she thanked the Headmistress before walking towards Classroom 4. Surely enough, Setsuna was there, alone.

"I was told you wish to talk to me." the black-haired female didn't waste any time in formalities.

"That I do. You see, I'm sure you remember Nicolas Mach, the guy you cheated on on Valentine's Day?" Siule kept her anger in check, though it took some effort on her part.

"...what about him?" Setsuna asked.

"He's been kidnapped, and you're going to help me rescue him." the tawny-haired woman declared.