Character Quest:Claude:VN:1

Location: Ikebukuro

---It is a story that happened in a country. In a church.
It was a marriage arranged by the parents.

The bride has kept her head under the veil, as she waiting for the farce named as wedding ceremony run smoothly.

However, here comes the destiny breaker who spoils everything,
taking the bride away.

And then, the story thereafter was not prepared.

How dreamy this story is.
How foolish this story is.

However, such act of foolishness had,
deeply caught "my" heart and couldn't go away.

Yes. From the day I was young,
until now, until this moment, always---

---

The morning rays shined in through the slits of the curtains.

Slowly waking up and sitting upright,
the room door was opened, together with the voice of the butler.

Good morning, young master.

In response to the voice, Claude showed an exhausted face to the direction of the voice.
The white lion butler slowly closes the door behind him.

Oh my, you have such a grim face. I see you have a severe headache as well today.

The place Claude woke up was, the sofa in his office.
It seems that he took a nap while reading a book.

It was a book with a worn cover being read too many times.
For how many years was this book been read through?

Scanning away from the drawing of a bride on the cover,
Claude turned his eyes to the butler beside him.

As usual, steaming hot breakfast was served on top of the table.

Snow poured milk into a white porcelain cup from the table and served to his master.
With his trembling hands, Claude reached for it.

Taking a sip of the honey like milk has made Claude relief slightly from his headache.

Claude signaled that he is okay,
and stopped Snow from rubbing his back gently.

---Today's schedule.

Claude stood up from from the sofa,
as if nothing had happened.

Snow began repeating the schedule he has organised for his master as usual.

Tight was a light wording, the schedule was organised in the unit of minutes.
However Claude's face didn't move an inch as he processed the words through his ears.

To him, it was merely a daily routine he got used to ever since he had conscious.

In order to continually maintain the system(foundation forces),
numerous adjustments, and numerous negotiations took part everyday.

Numerous kinships, numerous stakeholders.
The gains and losses that were born, and the machine that organises and optimises such profit.

That is the role played by Claude,
the routine to eliminate the threats by the "enemies" to ikebukuro.

There were no space to insert emotions,
there were merely nothing, no joy nor sorrow.

---And young master. There is one more event today.

Only to this point, through the words of Snow,
it was the first time where Claude's facial expression has softened down.

To the event scheduled, I have secured a 2 hour dinner, starting from 7pm tonight.

---The day has finally come. I am looking forward to this.

For Claude, it will take a lot of effort to,
empty 2 hours from his schedule.

---you have done great work, Snow.

Understanding that, Claude acknowledged the butler's effort,
also passing on the breakfast which was finished sometime during the conversation.

---

---and, half a day passed.

Welcome, [Player] To the dinner meeting by this Claude.

I show my gratitude deep as the ocean by your acceptance of the sudden invitation.

Claude carried himself with ease.
[Player], standing in front of him, spoke as he/she looked around.

---

3 options
A super expensive looking restaurant......!	Also there was a driver picking me up.	It seems like there's no other customers---

---

What are you talking about? This, of course is all reserved for the two of us.

---

2 options
All reserved?!?!?!	You are rich indeed......

---

There is no need to be surprised. This venue is own by my family.

Not only this venue. From the view you can see here, are all in possession of my family.

Please, have a look with your very own eyes. The lights shining below you.

Claude spoke as he points to the numerous lights outside the window.

---

3 options
---The scale is so wrong.	Hahaha......you must be kidding.	Are you a king?

---

We were the first generation to be born in this lockup-ed Tokyo.

Tokyo is equivalent to the world--- And the districts are equivalent to countries.

I, Claude, has received the country named "Ikebukuro" from my mother.

Bloodline, education, skills, they could not be achieved by myself alone.

They were all given, before you were born, before you have consciousness.

---

3 options
Eh, would you be surprisingly young?	So what brings me to here?	Thank you for your invitation today.
How old do you think I am. I don't think I'm older than you by that much? Inviting a valuable guest for an enjoyable dinner is not something out of the blue isn't it.

---

[Player]. You have shown your power at this "Ikebukuro".

If one wields "power" in Ikeburo", the "strong" holds the values nothing else could compare.

[Player]......you wield such value. I, as the ruler of Ikebukuro recognise it.

Please, for tonight--- I would like to hear a lot from you.

Speaking as he handed out a glass.
The grape coloured liquid sways slowly inside.

For our encounter, cheers.

---

It is my great pleasure to talk with you.

---

2 options
It is my turn now.	I want to hear from Claude as well.

---

Hmm......I see?

Having interest by someone with such value like you makes my heart tickle.

Fine, you have my permission to ask.

---

2 options
So, let's get this straight.	Claude, are you a student?

---

Ah, in terms of my identity, I can call myself a high schooler. I have reserved a spot in the school ran by my family.

However as I never attend classes, there maybe some slight differences than to the normal students that you imagine.

If I need to, professors and experts will be invited to my mansion. If it is academic recognition, I have obtained them when I was little.

Yes? Why, then is there a necessity for me to be registered in school? ---hmm.

There are a few reasons, however the most important one is that it is needed in order to "manage the guild".

As little as you may know, the "app" is created to be used by "students and pupils".

The are certain limitations and functions which you can't use if you're not a student or pupil.

That is why I had added the roles of students, pupils and teachers, staff to all the Ikebukuro guild members.

It is more convenient that way.

The underground fighting ground is also, in legal terms considered as the extra curricular activity organised by the school.

---

2 options
---Okay, next question.	Why do you set up an underground fighting ground?

---

......hmm, well?

Firstly, to recruit new forces. Next, as a method to train the existing forces.

Also, considering the characteristic of the gate appeared in Ikebukuro, it would act as a guild opposing tactic in the view of geopolitics .

However, I'm afraid that these boring answers are not what you want to hear.

......Indeed, I enjoy it. Seeing fighters fighting against each other is my favourite out of all things.

Other reasons were only made to justify. By other means, You Only Live Once, something like that right?

---

2 options
Last question. What is your favourite type?	I have no other questions.
......Destructive, powerful people. These are the only types this Claude will love. Also, you fit as one of them. "Severer of ties".

---

So......it's almost time. We shall get going, [Player].

Hm, where exactly are we going? You don't know what is an after dinner show?

After having the best bread(dinner), You will have to speculate the best circus (performance) obviously.

---

2 options
The best circus (performance)?	Do you mean the underground fighting ground?

---

Claude refused to give answers and stood up from his seat.
Then he took the elevator down with you.

It was just moments after stepping out of the building where the restaurant is located.
Different from how you arrive, Claude strolled along the Ikebukuro streets.

The were no guards, and he has no self awareness that he's a VIP.
[Player] followed nervously. Until---

At a place where it was not noticeable from passerby,
they were cornered by an armed gang, with a look of menace.

Hello, how can I help you? Did you make an appointment from my but---

The gang, faces slowly twisted with hatred, and then---they attacked.

FIRE Fencer: Eat this! Ikebukuro guild master! Taste the anger of the ones suffered because of you!

---!!

---

1 option
Look out---!

---

While the blade were just inches in front of Claude---

FIRE Fencer: Urgh!

Suddenly a circular blade was thrown,
blasting the attacker away.

And the wielder of the weapon,
swooping down from nowhere, landed next to his master.

Pardon me. Young master, were you in harm.

---I am fine. So, what is this pallor trick all about, Snow?

I am terribly sorry. I have seized the main groups......however I was shorthanded with the scattered ones.

Mister/Miss [Player], I am terribly sorry but please escape with young master to a safe spot.

As you can see, we are outnumbered. However please remain calm. I will stop them, even if it costs my life.

---

3 options
O-okay.	Let's run, Claude!	Hold Claude's hand and run

---

......Ahh.

Claude stared at the hand held by [Player].
Suddenly, he realised he had seen this scene somewhere else before.

---

Ha, ha, ha...... Can you wait for a second, [Player]......!

My breath......can't catch up......! Ha, ha......sprinting after meal is my weakness......!

---

2 options
Where's your stamina?	Aren't you the strongest guild master?

---

Unfortunately, this Claude! Almost perfect however, I have no stamina?

---

3 options
That's not something you can brag about!	Who are those people?	Do you have any idea why you're attacked?
I could not help it. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.	What? Any ideas? There's too many to be frank......ha, ha......

---

Ha, ha......Now. Things like this happen everyday, too often to the fact that I wouldn't remember.

Don't be mad, this is how you rule your country. If one start counting the hatred towards them, they can only live on with it.

The most common case are, the ones who lost in the underground fighting ground, and turned the anger against us.

Only by eliminating Claude, my life will be back on the right track, the world will be a better place, is what they purely believe.

How cute. Dreamers as you could call.

FIRE Fencer: FOUND HIM! Just as the other teams reported!

WOOD Fencer: Claude is with someone else! What are we going to do?

WOOD Fencer: I don't care! Take out both of them!

Oh well...... How boring are these people.

People immersed in the shallow fiction, taking fantasies as the reality.

If it's a story there will be only one great evil. There will be only one hand composing the story.

However, the reality is no story. The world is constructed through a system.

Even if I fall, there will a replacement. Nothing will change.

AETHER Fencer: Cry, guild master!

AETHER Fencer: Anyway, we won't finish without beating the crap out of you......!

Their intent to kill were real.
They stroked their weapons with a full swing---

......Beautiful.

[Player] blocked the attackers' forceful blow while still firmly holding onto Claude.

FIRE Fencer: You......are you trying to stop us? From killing that filthy shit?

FIRE Fencer: Then, you should die with him!

---

1 option
YAAAAA!

---

......Splendid.

As the Ikebukuro guild master
and the ruler of the city of violence, Claude started to think.

"Violence"---there is nothing prettier in the world than that.

Only the strong ones win, and the winners are strong.
Such simplicity makes it beautiful.

Throwing away calculations, plans and fate---
Only to be overran by pure power.

Claude speculated,
simply standing there, for the whole time.

(Battle)

FIRE Fencer: Gu......!

---You've done well, [Player]

As the final person fell down,
suddenly, he/she heard a familiar voice.

Turning around, Snow stood beside Claude
as he has caught up the pair.

Well well, you're back already. It's too soon to expose the trick, Snow.

---

2 options
I knew it......Just as I thought.	Are you telling me, it's just an act?!

---

The attackers were real. The menace was real as well. However, I was instructed "not to put a hand" in this situation.

There is no need to be mad at. Attackers like these are no match against you.

I wanted to see your powers in the front row seat. Simply just that. You've done well. [Player].

Claude:(joy2 face) You seem unsatisfied. Then I shall give you a reward. Say as you please.

---

2 options
Punch Claude	Slap Claude

---

Claude:(surprise face) ---

---

2 options
I'm really worried about you you know......	You idiot!	Leave without saying a word

---

......

Young master, should I trea---

---No need.

Besides, why didn't you block that? ......It really hurts.

I thought that was how the young master wish to experience. Apologies on being egoistic.

......

Having a butler that is too competent is also a problem. Fine. You may dismiss.

Understood. I will contact the driv---

No. I'll walk. I feel like it now.

I will prepare the bath and changing apparel when you arrive.

Please enjoy your walk. Young master.

......

He placed his hand on the cheek where he was hit.

After [Player] left,
Claude continued gazing at that direction.

He meant it. ......He really meant it.

Claude mumbled as he gazed into the sky.

---END---