Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 468: Arc 6, - 84: Alderman

Rain pitter-pattered on the bricks; each drop splattered on the hundreds of umbrellas that poked into one another in the swarm of them.

Dreary skies bore an ill reminder to the anarchy that occurred only two days ago. Many wondered with each bastion of Burnetrout being knocked down one by one, will this too fall?

Wrought iron fences walled the public and made up the balustrades; three stories tall and steeples stretching even taller. Gargoyles sat perched atop the black roof, looming along the massive perimeter of city hall.

Immaculately kept grass, flowers and shrubbery drowned in the morning downpour; the dirt they resided in were in circular patches across the ’yard’ of black bricks ranging in various hues in a patterned manner.

This front yard of course, nearly a kilometre from every direction from the centre. Large clock hands rotated smoothly despite the weather at the top centre tower of the building.

Black, oil-like gears shifted—one would think they were overly exposed to the elements and yet, as rain befell into the mechanism, it bounced off an invisible surface and continued its prior trajectory to the ground below.

No flags flew in the rain and each window was pitch-black to an outsider’s view. Stallions clopped past the gates that were just now opened by the security.

The thousands of umbrellas began moving to get a view from beyond the fence as three carriages entered the perimeter from the south.

With north being the back of the building and a misstep on the east leading into an unfortunate dip into the speeding Dolpool River, reporters elbowed other spectators to get up against the western fence.

The carriages rode across the grounds and slowed down around the GAS agents who carried umbrellas for their arrival. They stopped and the GAS opened the carriage door to give a hand to the one who took it like a princess.

Jotou climbed down with the help and gave a polite smile as her boots hit the ground. Her other hand held onto Kineko who stepped out right behind her and stood by the blonde’s side under the umbrella.

"There’s no need, I can just spark myself up and not be wet," Jotou stated to the GAS agent; she let Kineko stand under the umbrella presented more.

"No unauthorized magic is allowed within the premises ma’am."

"Figured as much," Jotou replied and stood under the umbrella while the others of her party descended one by one. Asobi pulled the brim of her hat to widen it into an umbrella, in front of a slightly confused GAS agent.

Tiffany got down like a royal herself, a pleasant smile for the courteous treatment. She had worn the most, eccentric gothic black dress that had accents of red all over.

She had to lift the hem of the dress to walk, so that the ruffles upon ruffles that made her look like a pumpkin from the waist down did not get wet. Her makeup was immaculate—her hair finally in her usual drill curls.

"Is the rest of your gown in another carriage?" Fumeko leered at the pale blonde.

"Nay adventuring detective," Tiffany sassed, her expressions only accencuated by the sharp, glamorous makeup. "Naivety be thy woe. Tis a momentous occasion and one may not exhibit themselves garbed in plebian attire," she proudly flaunted.

Fumeko looked past her at the second carriage as her father stepped out wearing a white shirt with the sleeves probably rolled up under the black trench coat, which she had seen him wear since she was maybe four years old—the only drastic difference was that his collar was buttoned up so as to wear a black tie.

"Uh huh, sure," Fumeko lamented on the fact that Tiffany took possibly the longest time anyone had in entering a carriage.

In the distance, the noise of shouting was almost drowned out by the rain as Jotou turned to look. She could not tell what the general emotions were, but she took it as cheers while lights from cameras flashed.

Jotou gave a smile and waved politely at the audience. ’Won’t the rain ruin any chance of a picture...? Ah, the rain’s nice though. Oh no, it might screw up my hair if I can’t spark the humidity out- What was that?’

A spark went down her hair and her brows knitted as she looked up, to the source of her affinity’s warning. Her eyes trailed along the rooftop and stopped to stare at a gargoyle... She squinted. Why did it feel like the eyes of the gargoyle were peering into her...?

She was broken out of thought by the sound of water droplets hitting metal. The blonde looked to her left to see a red-armoured figure flexing and posing towards the audience while rain poured down his helmet.

Ben took notice, "Waterproof," he alluded to his armour.

"When d’you have time to fix the helmet?" Jotou asked.

"Oh I banged it out in my hotel room."

"I... Good for you buddy."

Ben’s visor looked further down to the hand Jotou was holding; he stopped flexing, "Dude, when d’you get knocked up?" he pointed.

"Ai, ai, ai..." It was hard to tell he was joking when under the helmet; that was a joke, right?

Away from the public and into city hall they walked. The GAS agents escorted them in a line of umbrellas till they were in the temperature-controlled interior—not too cold, not too warm, but just right.

While Morgana, dressed a little more formal, Rose, dressed classily, and Kazuo walked ahead with no mind of the GAS or the other diplomats, officers and secretaries, the rest of them gawked like tourists in a new land.

Dark red marble that click-clacked with footsteps; the same marble made large columns that loomed over them throughout the hall. The silence was a product of the public being kept at bay for just today.

Stairs and hallways were nothing new, but the six-and-a-half-metre-tall-statue made of a shining grey metal in the middle of the foyer was certainly of interest.

It depicted a man wielding a sword that pointed to the sky, that at the pommel was a musical note swirling around his grip and a small lyre in place of a cross-guard. Short spiky hair and a spiky beard to match—the lean face gave an expression of determination.

"The wilds once conquered the lands we now call Burnetrout. Amidst the magical pestilence sat a king who could not harmonize the lands he ruled. He who saw fit to feed the greed he sat in council amongst while his people starved, died and mutated to the whims of magic.

Beheaded were all those who opposed. However, hell hath no fury like a bard scorned," flanked by GAS agents, Lady Pinberry approached them from the staircase whilst she spoke. "He who called the king a tyrant and sundered his throne.

Allies he found across the lands and led a party in the name of rebellion. He who set free a drake once chained and made it relinquish the shores it once ruled. A new world order would form; one where no king nor queen would dictate the actions of all.

And so to this day Burnetrout stands as such, with a legend far gone from recollection," her heels stopped to greet her visitors with a polite smile. She gave a brief glance to the statue and then back.

Her auburn hair was worn in a pull through braid and she herself wore a red suit tailored to fit perfectly to her lissom figure. "Erdegrass Burke, the Rebellion Bard, in pure platinum—perhaps a tad too much if you ask myself, but I did not construct it.

And when one bard’s tale ends, another shall take its place. So now she writes hers across the lands in the wake of thunderstrikes," Lady Pinberry gave out her hand. "Welcome to Palais Front-de-Mer."

Jotou curtsied and shook her hand while Kineko stayed close up against Jotou’s dress. "I can’t play a single instrument other than the triangle and maybe a few keys on a piano," she jested.

Lady Pinberry retracted her hand and tilted her head, "A bard is a lot more than song. And who might you be little one?" her orangish-crimson eyes glanced at the child behind the blonde.

Kineko held onto the fabric of the blonde’s clothing while she revealed herself more, "Kineko Namow- Namowr- Namora," she pronounced slowly and with confidence.

The grand alderman leaned down with her hands on her lap while she fished something out of her pocket. She offered Kineko a few pieces of peppermint candy twisted in plastic wrapping.

Kineko took the candy out of her hand and crinkled the plastic to open them without hesitation. Her shier than usual eyes brightened up, "Thank you Lady Pinbewwy," she ate one immediately.

While Kazuo approached, Lady Pinberry patted Kineko on the head as she stood back up, "Are you certain you are not making an army of future detectives?"

"Positive ma’am," Kazuo replied and shook her hand.

"May you one day find love dear detective."

"I’m not so sure about that, but thank you," he said, deadpan.

One by one Lady Pinberry greeted them all formally while the GAS watched each interaction and each guest with trepidation as per their job description.

"Ahem, Scorching Inferno ma’am," Ben greeted with his posture uptight as if he was meeting with the school principal.

Lady Pinberry shook his armoured hand with a firm grip all the same, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Your actions and your flamboyance has not gone unseen. Please do continue your efforts dear knight."

Ben gulped under the helmet and gave nod. He saluted abruptly, "Will do my lady."

Finally, the pale blonde in the gothic gown approached with poise. Lady Pinberry cocked her head to the side and gave for the first time, a large smile, "How delightfully charming. You look absolutely beautiful young lady."

Tiffany gave a perfect curtsy, "Thy praise hath been harked by the void, for I am indeed Stella Vespertillio, the Child of Void within the Sea of Stars, dear Grand Alderman of Burnetrout. Tis mine vast honour to chance an encounter with thee."

The amused Lady Pinberry gave a deep bow out of respect towards the blonde with an eyepatch. "Greeting as well. However, I only know of Ms Tiffany Wells who was to attend at my behest.

If you are she and wish to be referred to as such Ms Vespertillio, then I shall honour thy request and do my best to refer to thy as such in future dealings," she eloquently replied.

Tiffany blushed and took a step back while curtsying still, "T-thank you my lady."

Fumeko stared into the back of Tiffany’s skull as the grand alderman so easily entertained her persona.

With greetings complete, Lady Pinberry took a step back from them all, "Welcome to you all once more. I thank you all for your service to this country and to its people. You have honoured my direct wishes well.

No publication agents, whether it be paper or sound, are present this day; as such you are free to speak your mind. I wish not to make a ceremony while many of my people lie dead due to tragedies," she frowned a little. "However, my appreciation must be shown, no matter how small.

The crew of the SS Narwhal have already cheerfully dug into the food prepared in the cafeteria. I shall be knighting them in private later this afternoon for their service."

"No knighthood for us?" Jotou slightly jeered.

Lady Pinberry pondered on what to reply, "It would be a position of service for this country. I am more than happy to if you wish, however if I am not mistaken, you said, and I quote, ’I am the Thundering Blade of Kria and Cravolta.

I do not care for your permission’, and ’Continuing to advance under your jurisdiction is clearly stupid’, unquote. So, if you have changed your sentiment," she paused for a response.

Jotou pouted her lips to the side and rolled her eyes.

Lady Pinberry took no offence, "I believe you work best when you are unaffiliated to organizations Ms Howllett," she smiled. "In any case, the threat of the Deuctus Cult is still at large. Much work needs continuing.

Feel free to feast as much as you desire and continue what work you have here throughout the day. While I cannot guarantee complete safety in these times, you will be as safe as you will ever be within the enchanted confines of Palais Front-de-Mer.

Please refrain from magical usage outside of designated areas for they will raise alarm, both mentally for the G.A.S. and physically for the building. With that in mind, you are free to explore city hall. Thundering Blade; may I request a private audience with you?"

"Of course," Jotou replied and looked back.

"Wonderful. Dear detectives, I believe you have made an appointment with Sir Vogel. You may see to that, he is currently preoccupied with Detective Rose’s equipment in his laboratory."

"Thank you ma’am," Rose gave a nod and took a turn to leave.

"If I may," Jotou uttered. "Can I request that the Azure Firefly come along with me?"

Lady Pinberry turned her head to the golden blonde and then to the wolf-girl who gave a curtsy from behind. The grand alderman replied, "If she is your council and your heart, then by all means."

"Meko, wanna go eat something? My bread got snatched this morning," Asobi bobbed from side to side.

"Uh actually, where are you going dad?" Fumeko turned to her father.

"The lab; to make sure this-"

"Sir, please put the weapon down," one of the GAS agents trailing them immediately stated as Kazuo reached for his holster.

Kazuo’s eyes glazed over and he sighed, "Making sure equipment works well."

"I’ll go with you if it’s all the same."

"Oooo, me too! Me too!" Kineko bounced beside her sister.

Kazuo’s face scrunched at Kineko, "Kid... not the best idea."

"Come on Kineko, we can go eat more," Asobi took the little girl’s hand.

"Aww... okay," Kineko agreed.

"Tiffy?" the brunette turned.

"Ill-suited be mine attire for a laboratory. I wish to peruse the times gone by veiled amidst this sanctum’s sacred halls. Perchance a repast as well, for I savoured not the feast that breaks the dawn," Tiffany placed a hand above her waist.

"Don’t skip meals kid," Kazuo told to the pale blonde and turned. "Kineko, be a good girl and stay close to Aunty Asobi, got it?"

"Hmhm!"

With that, everyone split off from the foyer of city hall.