Mage Hunt AU Drabble #1

Mage Hunt AU Drabble #1

(Context for this AU: Hilmes has a dead younger brother, Gurgin has a dead older brother, and after finding out that Team Zahhak were responsible for this Gurgin switches sides and starts working with Hilmes to eliminate them.)

The enemy mage had died wearing someone else’s face.

Tall, dark-haired; handsome features made ugly by a cruel smile. The fake, though faintly familiar, was not someone who Zandeh recognised, but he had not been the target. Gurgin’s reaction had almost cost him his life. The transformation had occurred at close quarters, the enemy’s face distorting fast, yet it was slower to revert in death.

Gurgin was taking a long time to clean his dagger in the nearby stream. Zandeh glanced at his distant figure, uncertain, but then he looked back at the dead body, saw the resemblance, and understood.

Narsus is being Narsus you never can change him xD

I like his attitude in this little scene wirh Areyan (Arslan) so much. This was on the point

“It seems you don't recognize the significance of this.” Narsus looks amused, a curious glint in his eyes.

Areyan feels queasy about it.

“The significance of what? The whole prince thing?”

“Yes and no,” Narsus says. “You refuse to be prince, which is fine, but that still does not diminish your value.”

What value? Areyan wants to ask— whatever Narsus meant, Areyan is certain those words weren't as encouragement one would give a downtrodden fellow.

No, these mean something else. Something larger. Something that he's unable to see.

Narsus chuckles, deriving some kind of enjoyment from his confusion. “What you did in Ecbatana, my dear.”

“I'm assuming you're not speaking of my magic.”

“That's correct. It's also included, somewhat, but it's not the main point.”

“Then what is?” He narrows his eyes.

“You were a thorn in Lusitania's side for a considerable stretch of time,” he says as he paces. He brushes his fingers on one of the potted plants— the ones Areyan's in charge of in the apothecary. Medicinal herbs. He's looking at it with fondness, almost. “You gave them much trouble, and many still talk of it.”

“I did what anyone else would've done.”

“You spearheaded an organized resistance,” he says, “In such short notice. You did not hold any high office or commanding position, just a boy, a ward of a marzban who showed no sign of following in his father's steps. You were no heir, either.”

“People would've banded together nonetheless.” Wouldn't they? There were men more experienced than he, actual soldiers who could've organized the entire thing in his stead. “I just happened to be there.”

Things would have turned out that way even without him.

“No, little bird.” He turns to face Areyan again. “They wouldn't have.”

“What do you mean? The people of Ecbatana would've wanted to survive, surely, and to oust the Lusitanians from their city.”

“Maybe it could've, but what matters right here and now is that it was you who led the resistance, little bird, and no other,” he says. “Why would they follow a boy who holds no rank, if not for the fact that he is a leader of high caliber?”

Areyan controls himself from scowling. “Are you trying to make me take that position again, Sir Narsus?”

At that, he laughs. “No, no. I am not.” He steps forward, towards Areyan. “I'm trying to make you see.”

“What is it that I am not seeing, Sir Narsus?”

“Someone of that caliber... would make a valuable retainer, would he not? Even if you refuse to take the mantle of Crown Prince, the fact that you are valuable does not change. In fact, you might be one of the most valuable pieces on the board at present.”

“What?” Is it so special, what he did? People band together to complete tasks all the time, that's what community is. Surely it is not so novel a concept? “I'm not some hero or master strategist, you know. Why would I be particularly valued against more competent fellows? More experienced?”

“Mayhaps not, you certainly lack experience, but that's not the point. It's what you represent, above all else.” He points his finger at him. “You have to realize, little bird, that you are held in high regard by the people whether you like it or not. Having such a person in one's service would be a boon to their image, a legitimization of sorts. Pars is without a true leader at present, and whoever obtains you is going to gain a headstart none of their competitors will have.

“Besides which, you are the key to the north— the key to your father's support for their cause. They must obtain you and make you kneel, if they hope to win Gorgan's strength. You must realize this, little one. For all that you are capable you remain stubbornly blind to this! You must consider carefully who you reach your hand out to, for the future may hinge on it.”

Psycho-Pass 10th Anniversary

Can’t wait to see my baby wolf with your Design ideas.

Getting started on Isfan's sheet!

And that’s why we give them flowers 🌸🌻🌹 Have a nice and colorful Easter 😊 (But please don’t gift any live animals, thank you) WEBTOON ~ INSTAGRAM 

Hilmes what the FUCK, didn’t you promise that position to Zandeh?

(This is from Chapter 114; I didn’t catch on to exactly what was being said here at first, I think because the scanlation didn’t specifically use the word ‘Erān’ but that’s definitely what he’s talking about.)

I even looked at the raw because I couldn’t quite believe he was saying this, but it’s true; he uses ‘大将軍’ (commander-in-chief) which is accompanied by the furigana ‘エーラーン‘ (Erān).

From Chapter 27:

Oh man, I am really not happy about this. I mean, I never thought it was a great idea to give this position to Zandeh just because he’s his father’s son (he’s too young and inexperienced for such a role at this time) and Sam is clearly the better candidate, but… Hilmes basically promised this to him and now he’s going to appoint someone else.

I wonder what Zandeh thinks? I get the impression that, if Hilmes is just telling Sam now, he hasn’t spoken of it to Zandeh, but Zandeh’s not stupid. He knows that Sam has a wealth of valuable experience that he doesn’t, and he’s seen Sam’s strategies in action. His initial reaction to Sam joining Team Hilmes definitely reads as a legitimate worry that he’s no longer Hilmes’s most valued subordinate precisely because he recognises there are valid reasons why Hilmes might prioritise Sam over him.

So perhaps he’s already anticipating it and will understand, but at the same time surely it will hurt a bit and that’s what I don’t want to see I don’t want my puppy boy to be sad 😭😭😭