Protecting Morals [Job-Pivoine]

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Pivione hid behind a stack of cargo boxes at the docks. Her Dies Irae uniform would stand out too much, and while she doubted the slavers would change their location because of a single mage, she couldn’t be too cautious in this situation. At this point, Pivoine was store from hiding behind boxes, cold from the damp at the docks, and impatient to get started on this job. From what she understood, there should be another mage from the Rune Knights there as well. She supposed that neither guild could really let this go unchecked. As far as evil went, slaving and kidnapping were both pretty high up on the list.

Spotting Aiden, Pivione coughed once into her hand and tried to beckon the other mage over to her location with a subtle wave of her hand from behind the boxes. Hopefully he would see and head on over, because Pivoine wasn’t about to abandon such a choice hiding place! A lady, out on her own at night in this part of town and in Fiore would turn a few heads. Add a Dies Irae uniform to that, and it would paint a giant target on Pivoine’s back.

Of course she was also petite. And her doll-like eyes might make her seem a choice kidnapping target as well. Although, that would probably go poorly in the long run. Everyone at the guild knew Pivoine was on this specific job, and a few of the more gung-ho members of Dies Irae were probably hoping Pivione DID get kidnapped—just so they would have an excuse to run in with their giant axes, kick down a few doors, and go straight to administering the Pain Train.

Ugh.

Some people just didn’t understand the meaning of ‘subtlety.’ If Pivoine went in, metaphorical guns blazing, they might miss out on the chance to really track this slavery thing to its source. And a lady couldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

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Pivoine nodded as Aiden joined her in the hiding place.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Pivoine Corbeau. I’m also a new recruit, so we can do our best together,” Pivoine smiled as she shook Aiden’s hand.

Aiden’s shyness was oddly nostalgic for Pivoine. This was the way she was used to boys and men acting, especially around a woman they didn’t know. Honestly, Pivoine thought it was cute, and it made her feel slightly more confident. This was a kind of person that she knew how to interact with. Don’t worry, Aiden! Pivoine was there to help out. So there was much less to worry about!

“That ship does seem pretty suspicious. They probably are waiting until no one else is around before they do anything. Do you know if they saw you? I’m not sure of any particular plan, and was just going to wait until they disembarked. What about you?” Pivoine asked.

Maybe she sounded like she was grilling Aiden. The lady did her best to keep her voice quiet and friendly, so she didn’t spook the other mage. They essentially had two options: either get onto the boat in some way and then wrest control of it from the slavers, or wait until the slavers went to land in order to go through with their deal. Truth be told, the former didn’t sound like a good option to Pivoine. With no other boats in the harbor, there wasn’t any good place for them to hide at all. Likely, they’d be spotted long before they got to their destination. Then the slavers would all have time to prepare. Not a good idea at all. Unless Aiden could fly. Then they might be able to use the clouds as cover. But, that was a pretty big ‘if.’

In truth, Pivoine was also relieved to be working with another mage again. Her magic was best used to bolster others, so she liked working in a team.

Pivoine nodded in agreement. Yes, it seemed prudent to thin the ranks a bit before anyone else got out. Also, if they cleared the area, it might draw enough attention for the higher-ranked slavers to come out.

“That’s a good idea. Let’s take care of them quickly,” Pivoine said.

Pivione used the shadows to mask her approach to the area, dashing between hiding places here and there on the docks. Unfortunately, there were fewer and fewer places to hide as the lady continued on. She assumed Aiden would follow. After all, it was either follow Pivoine or be left at the hiding place. The later wasn’t such a great option.

The lady arrived on the scene, red uniform skirt whirling from her movement. One of the slaver initiates opened their mouths and shouted, “It’s Dies Irae!” Another shouted back “It’s just one person! Get her!”

A bullet grazed Pivoine’s shoulder in a burning blaze. She winced, but snapped open her fan and targeted the gunner. They had to go, and fast. Another bullet grazed Pivione’s ankle. Another warning shot. They could no doubt aim better, but were giving Pivoine a reason to lay down her arms with their show of power.

“Surrender, lass. We’ll let you live because your pretty face will fetch a fine price,” the red-head said.

Pivoine’s mouth pinched into a fine line. Not a chance. Another fan snap and Pivoine pivoted into one of her attack stances with a series of jabbing movements with the fan.

The Greedy Egret
She may strike at many frogs
And still, eat nothing

A spearlike font of white and black light raced towards the gun and sword using slavers, stabbing at them with birdlike movements and then sending them into the water with twin splashes.

A series of gulps and backsteps rippled across the initiates like a stone thrown into a pond. They hadn’t exactly been expecting a B-Rank spell from someone Pivione’s size. Or from her appearance. Many of them had figured Pivione to be a complete newbie, even if she was from Dies Irae. This might be a bit above their pay grade…

“Tell me, young man. Has my price gone up or down?” Pivoine asked.

Pivione smiled, covering her mouth with her fan as the slaver initiates began sulking around the dock. At this point, it would just make it harder for them if they ran. No doubt, the mages would probably take out their frustration on the initiates if they had to track them down all over again.

“I’ll be fine. I was just referring to what they said earlier. You need not worry about it, Aiden,” She said.

“Who dares to screw around with our business?!” A voice yelled from the ship. With a loud ‘thunk’ a large man with a shaved head and several facial scars landed on the docks.

Pivoine narrowed her eyes at the veteran slaver. Of course he didn’t care about his comrades. All he cared about was the transaction being interrupted. Really, these people were the lowest scum. The lady paused. This guy was definitely stronger than the last bunch. It would be inadvisable to extend the fight for too long. No. Neither she or Aiden were good at hand to hand combat and it wouldn’t really do to play around when there was a cutlass to deal with. She snapped her fan and shifted into a different stance. Then, she whirled the fan in controlled circles, casting a luminous jade-green aura around both Aiden and herself.

Oh, my stern tutor,
Your words may sting like brambles,
Always, for my sake.

That should help move things along. It would increase both of their attack powers, and would definitely help deal with the veteran quicker.

The large man charged forward at both mages. The way he saw it, neither the Dies Irae or Rune Knight member looked like they had much stamina. Even if they got the drop on the earlier crew members, they likely wouldn’t be able to handle someone with actual combat experience. He’d make short work of them before the top boss got too impatient.

Pivoine winced as saltwater blades sliced at her, taking a step backward. Not a real issue, even though it stung horribly.

Pivoine ran across the docks, so she’d divide attention between Aiden and herself. The veteran slaver might have been much larger than the two mages, but he’d have a more difficult time paying attention to both of them if one of them went to his back. Pivoine slid to a stop on the docks as Aiden attacked. She had also gotten injured from the sword swing. It just didn’t pay to be small and slow in close quarters combat.

A fan snap. Pivoine opened her fan and spun around, making abrupt jerking motions with the unfolded fan as she did so. The Thorny Stem spell did an additional rank of C damage to the Veteran Slaver—who only then seemed to get the idea that he might be outmatched. The dark green aura from the magical thorns faded into the early morning air. All that was left behind from them was a few drops of blood from their sharp barbs and magical bruises and burns from the other attacks. It was outrageous. He was a much stronger, much larger individual than these two mages. He had numerous years under his belt enslaving others. So it was unthinkable that they could actually get the better of him. Just who were these damn kids anyway?

The combined attacks with Pivoine’s damage increase spell were enough to lay the slaver low. He knelt down onto the dock and then passed out from exertion. Pivoine frowned, walking over to Aiden.

“I’ll heal us both. We should be at a good strength before we face anyone else,” she said.



It was true that the Veteran had been able to damage them both. As a B Rank spell, Pivoine’s healing magic should be just enough to cover the damage both of them had taken in the last skirmish.