conversations
listlengths 2
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|---|
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " Thus, she faced an even greater disadvantage than Al with his one arm, yet she was the flower that had bloomed against this adversity. Spectators didn’t shout and jeer at her from the front row; instead, she enraptured all of them. She herself was the main event here on the sword-slave island of Ginonhive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “I’m grateful to ya, Hornet, I really am, but let’s think about our respective positions here. If a little ant like me stood next to you, I’d get blown away.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Oh, please don’t say things like that. You’ll make me sad. You’re my very, veeery best friend, after all.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Veeery best, huh? I guess that means all the others are dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Tee-hee-hee!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " With turnover as high as it was on this island, one could rise through the ranks of sword-slave life with startling alacrity. The fact that the Hornet didn’t contradict Al was somehow endearing. Between her unforgettable appearance, the way she talked, and the way she behaved, the Hornet had a way of grabbing people’s attention and never letting go. She was indeed like her namesake; two or three stings of her venom and your life might be over. Compared with a toxin like that, the Poison Hand that Al had fought a few minutes earlier was like child’s play."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " “Mistress Hornet, it’s almost time…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh, I know. If you please?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " It was, believe it or not, one of the guards addressing her in this deferential tone. Orlan’s colleague knelt in front of her and removed the foot shackles she wore in lieu of handcuffs. But the gesture was that of a man bowing before his queen. This innate capacity to make others grovel before her was where she had earned her nickname, the Empress of the Sword Slaves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Well, I hope you have another of your lovely, elegant fights, eh?” Al ribbed her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " The guard glared at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ooh, scary.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The guard had become the Hornet’s man down to the bone—he probably wouldn’t have hesitated to attack Al if she’d told him to. However, she stopped him instead. “Don’t be silly. Come, dear, my arms.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " “Yes, ma’am.” Still kneeling, the guard gave a nod."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " From down the hallway appeared a low-ranking jailer, his face covered with a scarf, pulling a cart that bore two massive swords. Each was nearly as long as a grown adult was tall, but the hilts were very strangely shaped. That was only natural, as these weapons were exclusively for the Hornet’s use."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Aaaand here we go!” the Hornet said languorously, turning her foreshortened arms toward the swords. The stumps fit neatly into the empty hilts, settling in with an audible click. Then the woman’s muscles tautened, and she hefted the huge blades easily, even though each appeared to weigh more than two hundred pounds. An ordinary person wouldn’t even have been able to lift one, let alone handle two of them at the same time."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Won’t you at least watch me fight before you go, Al, sweetie? Pretty please? You’re already here. I want to dedicate my victory today to you and you alone.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Thanks but no thanks!” He couldn’t resist another snipe despite the continued glaring of the Hornet’s guard. Even at that, though, the Hornet smiled again and walked past him into the arena."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"A’right. I’m going to head back underground and get some sleep.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " “Wha…?! How dare you, ignoring Mistress Hornet like that!” the guard snapped."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “The hell are you talking about? I told her to her face I wasn’t going to watch. She smiled about it. That’s a good enough answer for me. Am I wrong?” Al gave the angry guard a good, hard glare of his own and watched as the man flinched back, overawed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Holy hell, does she know how to keep you on your toes! She hardly acts like a sword slave, does she?” Al said as he walked past the Hornet’s silenced attendant, away from the arena."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orlan:",
"value": " Orlan fell in beside him. “Hey, at least she seems to like you all right, Aldeberan,” Orlan said without malice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Give me a break, Orlan. And I thought I told you…” The one-armed man, Aldeberan, winked at the guard. “Call me Al. You know I hate my full name.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I’ve been thinking, Al. You really think we can go on like this?” Underground beneath the island were living quarters where the sword slaves boarded. “Living” was a relative term, however; there were no conveniences or considerate touches that might make the place more welcoming. It was just a space in which the slaves could exist. Each of them claimed a place to camp out down there, then passed the idle hours until they were led away to fight again. Al was no exception. He had just been lying in his bed, grateful to have made it there another day…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey, Al? Are you listening? Helloooo, Al!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " He frowned at the man’s syrupy sweet voice and rolled over on the hard floor. Putting his back to the other person was supposed to signal that he wasn’t interested in talking, but the man didn’t seem to take the hint."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey, come on,” he said, shaking Al’s shoulder. “I’m telling you, you have to listen. I’m talking about something really important!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I’m not listening, and would it kill ya to sympathize with a guy? I just wrapped up a job, and I’m tired. I want to go to sleep. It’s my only damn pleasure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “This again? You know there are things to enjoy on this island besides sleeping. After all, you’re very popular, Al.” The man grinned and gestured with his chin at some figures who could just be seen in the distance. They were women in provocative clothing, and though they were officially sword slaves themselves, they served as the island’s prostitutes. They were never—well, almost never—summoned to fight in the arena, but instead, they were expected to make themselves available as an outlet for the other sword slaves. The idea of being “popular” with them was more credit than Al would ever give himself…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ugh,” was all he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Wah! Al, you can’t— That’s just too rude! These are beautiful women we’re talking about! Neither of you has a better job than the other!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I’m not discriminating because of what they do."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"It’s…like, a feelings sorta thing.” Al scowled, fighting down the nauseous feeling that accompanied this flurry of criticism. He could grab the women and play games with them, sure. They would wave to him, smile, each of them looking for her next trick. Some of them were broken by the tricks they found. These were women who were given no kindness. But even in this place, they were trying to live as best they could. Who was he to treat them as less than him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"You’re not very comfortable around women, yet you’re always respectful toward them. No wonder they like you, Al.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “They just don’t have a lot of choices. If they had more options, they wouldn’t give a second look at a run-down old fart like me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Hoh-hoh, ain’t mincing words! But that’s one of the things I like about you, Al.” The outrageously gorgeous man smiled at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al sighed, not sure what to do with the man’s ingratiating attitude. The pretty boy with the long gray hair—Ubirk was his name—had been brought to Ginonhive as a sword slave five years before. He was slim and pretty—but not exceptionally talented. In fact, he was about as unsuitable for fighting as they came; it was obvious that he would be trampled into the dust after no more than a few minutes in the arena. So how had he survived five years here? The same way as those women. The Hornet might have been the most noted of the female sword slaves, but no small number of women proved capable fighters in the ring. Ubirk’s job was to keep a number of them fulfilled, just as the female prostitutes did for many of the male sword slaves. His abilities in that regard were what had kept him alive this long. “So, Al, to get back to what I was saying…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Didn’t you hear me? I’m not in the mood for a chat.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Oh, don’t be like that. I have a special invitation direct from the Empress herself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Then I’m even less interested.” Al gave an exaggerated frown; that was a face he didn’t want to see and a name he didn’t want to hear for a while."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " Ubirk grinned at that. “Wow, you’re talking about the Hornet like that! Nothing scares you, does it, Al?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Don’t be ridiculous. You saw me a few minutes ago. I’m terrified of women. Which obviously includes the Hornet. QED.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Kyooo eee… What? Another of those funny words from your homeland, Al? I never do understand what they mean!” Ubirk tilted his head, trying to grasp Al’s unusual vocabulary. Al had no intention of going out of his way to explain. Ubirk, perfectly accustomed to this behavior, didn’t press the matter. Unfortunately for Al, that didn’t mean he was done talking. “Come on, just listen. Otherwise, the Hornet might crush me the next time she makes love to me."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"And wouldn’t you feel really guilty about that?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Oh, for the love of… If I listen to you, do you promise not to bother me during my sleeping time? If you can manage that, I’ll give you a few minutes to talk.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ha-ha! You’re such a nice guy, Al. It’s such a shame you can’t handle women.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Shaddap,” Al growled, dismissing Ubirk’s teasing and demanding he hurry up and talk in the same breath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Rumor has it there’s going to be a major event happening here at the arena very soon. Bigwigs from all over the empire are going to be there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Really? They haven’t done that in years. Why now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “It’s ’cause… You know. The Volakian emperor died, and we’ve got a new one now. In other words, all the imperial candidates are dead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “They’re all dead, so we’ve got a new emperor? Oh, you mean the last surviving candidate becomes emperor. Yeah, I guess that would mean the others are gone.” Ubirk’s explanation left something to be desired, but Al was wise enough to figure out what he meant. He winked silently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “None of ’em probably like each other very much, but I guess even they throw a party at times like this. I’m betting it’s not very good news for the likes of us, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “A ten-year sword slave just has a different level of experience, doesn’t he? You have my respect!” Ubirk said, half earnestly and half sarcastically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al gave a click of his tongue. “Stop it. Thinking about all my ‘experience’ is only gonna make me depressed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “The fight against that mountain of a magic beast four years ago… That was the hardest. Without the Hornet, we would all have bought it right then and there. The horns from that thing are still decorating the hall.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Truly, a battle to inspire legends. Too bad you and the Hornet were the only ones to survive it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Yeah, and it’s what made the Hornet start paying attention to me.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " And yet it wasn’t as if he owed her nothing—she was the reason he had survived that brutal battle four years earlier. “But sometimes, when ya can’t cope, ya can’t cope. So what is it? What does the Hornet want?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Nothing complicated, I promise. This is going to be a big, special event, so lots of people who don’t normally come will be here. And that means…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al didn’t say anything."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " Ubirk dropped his voice to a whisper. “We might just be able to take someone important hostage, maybe even a high count or better. Then we can demand our freedom!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al winced again. Audacious as that might sound, it was old hat to him. “You guys really don’t know when to give up, do you? How many times have you kicked that idea around?” This wasn’t the first time Ubirk had brought this extraordinarily unlikely fantasy to him, and Al was starting to get tired of it. Ubirk wasn’t alone; many of the sword slaves on this island were secretly plotting their bids for freedom. As long as they were here, no sword slave was assured that the next day would come. It was the most natural thing in the world to wish for freedom. And yet… “I guarantee you that hundreds, maybe thousands of people have dreamed that dream before you. And you know how many have escaped? Not a single one. It’s a ridiculous, impossible idea, getting away from here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Believe me, I know. But that’s because they didn’t plan well enough, or they didn’t pull it off right. Those plans were always going to fail, and they failed.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” Al didn’t disagree with Ubirk, but everyone thought in terms of ideals when they were planning. Ubirk’s argument wasn’t enough to overcome Al’s inertia on the subject. “Anyway, I can’t see the Hornet ever actually agreeing to that sort of bullshit. The Empress likes it here. She’s a berserker. Lives for the fight.” The Hornet lived without impediment and wanted for nothing; she had found a place where she could fulfill her every whim. Al couldn’t see why she would relinquish such exceptional treatment. Which, in turn, made the whole idea that this invitation came from the Hornet deeply suspicious. “I’m on to you. You apologize right now, I might just forgive you,”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Ha-ha-ha-ha! No good, huh? The Hornet seems to like you, Al, so I thought maybe if you could talk her around… Ouch!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I only said I might forgive ya.” Al rapped the guileless-looking Ubirk on the head with a knuckle, causing his eyes to brim with tears, then swept him out of the way. Al was substantially worse off now than he had been before indulging Ubirk’s little chat. Nonetheless, it was probably worth paying attention to the fact that there would be a major event here on the island, and soon."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Butler:",
"value": " Age gaps were hardly unusual in marriages among nobles, and loveless unions were practically de rigueur as a way of solidifying connections between houses. But for a man of more than fifty to welcome a bride of twelve—even this long-serving butler found himself taken aback. Not least because this particular wife seemed to offer no advantages at all. At the same time, Jorah’s basic decency was beyond doubt. He possessed that rarest of things among the empire’s elite—kindness—and it was more than enough to inspire unflinching loyalty in the butler. That loyalty moved him to try to help the young woman in every way he could, knowing she would be quite overwhelmed by her new environment. Yes, the butler welcomed his master’s young spouse with his own firm resolve. That resolve had quickly crumbled in the face of the woman herself. Yes, the girl was twelve years old. Yes, she’d come to Jorah’s mansion young and with no household of her own. But she was arrestingly beautiful, and her soul burned more intensely than any fire. Priscilla. That was the name of the forceful young woman who had appeared in this home like a conqueror. Priscilla Pendleton."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Not bad.\" The girl said, her voice emanating from her pale throat in a way that seemed to penetrate deep into the listener’s brain. It took the butler a moment to realize this was her appraisal of the tea. The reason for his belated understanding was simple: the girl’s face. Nothing in particular had happened or changed—she was simply so beautiful that he had been captivated; it had felt as if time had stopped. And when time resumed flowing, and the butler realized she had spoken words of praise, he shivered. This girl, whose age didn’t amount to one half of one half of his own years, made his blood seem to run faster with her compliment; a feeling of paralysis gripped his very soul. Being a butler at all was like a gift from the heavens to these old bones. It was only natural, perhaps, that such a person should bow before a girl like this, someone who was obviously a born ruler. For to serve someone meant to be dominated by someone."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Withdraw. I wish to speak with my husband.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Butler:",
"value": " \"Yes, ma’am.\" Without a second thought, the butler bowed and backed out of the room. He wondered if she might not take just one more sip of the tea as he was leaving. He wondered if the youthful conqueror wouldn’t mind putting that seal of approval on his work. The hope almost physically burned in the old butler as he silently left the room."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah looked listless, and his hair was beginning to go white, Jorah’s awkward gaze rested on Priscilla."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla responded to her husband’s hesitant approach with a “Bah” and a loud sniff. \"Don’t speak to me in that cringing, raspy way. I can barely tell the difference between your voice and a faint breeze. Or wait—was that a breeze I heard just now?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"N-no, no, it wasn’t. It was me talking… I simply meant that you seem to be getting along well with the servants.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Hmph. If that’s what you think, it only proves how blind you really are.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “What?” Jorah said, his eyes widening."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla met her husband’s ridiculous reaction with a look of exasperation. “Listen. The relationship between me and them is not one of getting along. They simply obey me. They know of no other way to live except to bow and scrape and serve. All I need to do is give them some instructions, and they wag their tails happily.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “I—I see…I think…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “If anything, I’m surprised you managed to hold on to such passable help for so long.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Hold on to…? I’m sorry. I’m afraid I don’t quite follow…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla’s one open eye grew even sharper at Jorah’s continued gibbering. \"—You are ever more inscrutable. What I’m saying is that you seem to lack the desires and the motivations that almost every person naturally has. I’m not saying I’ve never encountered such people before. But…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Y-yes?” Jorah stammered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “…that being the case, I continue to fail to understand why you took me as your wife.” Priscilla also continued to stare at him, hard."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " I’m Prisca Benedict, a young woman who was supposed to have died during the Rite of Imperial Selection."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " She uttered the name of a member of the royal family who had been defeated in the bloody contest to determine the next emperor of Volakia and had supposedly died as a result. But Prisca had not died. After feigning her death, she still lived. Not under her real name, but with an assumed identity as a young woman named Priscilla Pendleton who was still learning how to navigate polite society. Many people had given everything to ensure that the girl survived—but when Priscilla wedded Jorah, she hadn’t hidden any of this from him. Of course, if he had refused her, knowing what he knew, it was highly unlikely Priscilla would have let him live. So in a way, her telling him the truth was an unspeakable disaster for Jorah. But that didn’t change the fact that, despite knowing the circumstances, he had still agreed to marry Priscilla. Why was that? Even Priscilla, who’d had the old butler bowing and indulging her every whim practically within moments, couldn’t seem to solve the riddle of Jorah’s true motives."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Jorah looked moderately surprised, but then his lips softened into a slight smile, a gentle expression such as one might give to a small child who couldn’t figure out the answer to a question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"You may be my husband, but that does not give you the right to humiliate me with a look like that.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"P-pardon me. I just… Until now, you’ve carried yourself like a young sage, always seeing through everything. It surprised me to realize…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Realize what?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"…that sometimes you do act your age.\" From Jorah’s perspective, the remark was a substantial gamble in and of itself. He seemed to be privately considering the possibility that he would get his head knocked clean off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"You n-needn’t worry. I don’t intend to use you or expose you or any such thing. On that point, I am absolutely sincere.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Very well.\" Priscilla said after a moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"It wouldn’t have mattered what you were planning anyway. For this world bends itself to suit me.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah didn’t answer. One might characterize Priscilla’s philosophy as a belief in fate or perhaps destiny. As soon as the words had left her mouth, Jorah’s expression softened once more. Before Priscilla could remark on it, however—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Butler:",
"value": " \"Forgive me, Master.\" said the butler, reentering the room with a knock at the door. It was wrong of him to interrupt the master and mistress of the house when they were having a private conversation, and a man of such long service ought to have known better. The reason for his indiscretion was explained by the report he gave them:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Butler:",
"value": " \"We have visitors from High Countess Delacroix.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"The high countess? I haven’t heard anything about that.\" but then he exclaimed,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Priscilla?!\" For his wife was already up and striding out of the room."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " She didn’t slow down despite her husband’s shout, instead making straight for the mansion’s entry hall. When she appeared in the hallway..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Well, now. That’s one cute young lady who’s found us.\" The words came from a slim young man Priscilla didn’t recognize; Priscilla arched an eyebrow in response. The young man waved at Priscilla with a friendly smile on his face. \"You Count Pendleton’s little girl? Is your daddy home toda—?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Bal, ya blathering idiot! Count Pendleton doesn’t have a daughter! Don’t get ahead of yourself!\" A smaller man standing beside the chatty newcomer gave him a sound smack on the back of the head."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Yowch!\" the young man yelped, the strike producing an audible whack. \"Miles, Brother, what’d ya do that for?! I know my head’s empty, but it’d still be bad news if you cracked it open!\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Pipe down! If your head’s empty, then go fill it up before you show your face around here again! And don’t go dragging me into your stupid screwups!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Screwups?! Just what exactly are you referring to? What do you think I did wrong?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Count Pendleton only just married a young wife! So use that empty head of yours and try to think! We come to the manor of Count Pendleton, who doesn’t have a daughter, and a young lady appears…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Oh! I get it.\" Finally connecting the dots, the young man nodded and ran a hand through his auburn hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Took ya long enough,\" the little man grumbled, shrugging as if he was exhausted. \"Two things you always were—slow, and a handful. If I hadn’t been stuck with you since you were a tot, Bal, I swear I’d have cut you loose ages ago…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Believe me, Brother, I owe you lots. But haven’t you made a little mistake yourself?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Eh? What did I—? Oh!\" At this moment in the conversation, the little man noticed the person who had inspired the entire argument and stiffened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla—the topic at hand—had been listening to the exchange without a word. As the two visitors turned toward her, she shrugged with her slim shoulders and said, \"What’s the matter? Go on. Don’t mind me. Watching two clowns argue is proving quite an amusing spectacle. Go on, go ahead.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Grrr… Played like a goddamn instrument by a little girl…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Bal:",
"value": " \"Careful, Brother, your language is getting worse. How about we start by apologizing?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Grrr…\" The pair started shaking at Priscilla’s words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " She hadn’t specifically been seeking to ridicule them, but she was disappointed to have to relinquish these entertaining jesters, who seemed likely to jump and squirm at anything she said. \"P-Priscilla, these are my guests. Please don’t have too much fun at their expense…\" Priscilla said, interrupted in the act of deciding what to say next by Jorah’s arrival."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Hrmph. Finally caught up, did you?\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Count:",
"value": " \"Ah.\" The count said, raising an eyebrow slightly at the pair facing his wife. \"I was told messengers from High Countess Delacroix were here. I didn’t realize that meant you, Miles.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Count Pendleton! It’s been too long, much too long.\" Said the small man whose name was Miles, evidently an acquaintance of Priscilla’s husband. He knelt before Jorah, and the young man beside him hurriedly followed suit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Who’s this?\" Jorah asked, observing the noticeably less experienced of the two messengers. \"I don’t recognize him. A newcomer?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Yes indeed. A friend of mine from way back. High Countess Delacroix was kind enough to give him a job to do. You see, he has an all too rare ability as a sky-dragon tamer.\" He nudged the young man. \"Introduce yourself!\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Sure thing, Brother. Introducing myself!” The young man looked at Jorah."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla observed that her husband was nearly overwhelmed by the directness of his gaze. She smiled to see such forcefulness in a look. The young man might hide it behind his easygoing manner, but he might just be something special."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Completely unaware of Priscilla’s evaluation of him, the young man placed a hand on his chest and said, “A pleasure to meet ya. My name is Balleroy Temeglyph. My big bro Miles here has been taking care of me since I was a kid—and he still does, as you can see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “I do. Miles always was good at looking out for others. And this sky-dragon tamer business, you…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Yessir. I have a real spirited one entrusted to my care.” Balleroy’s broad smile seemed to suggest he knew no fear—but with this final remark, the character of his expression changed. Inappropriate though it might have been, the smile became one of self-confidence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “As I recall, the ability to tame sky dragons is a secret art passed down among certain families. A way of gaining the services of a sky dragon, creatures not otherwise known for being very fond of people.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “That’s right, miss. You really know your stuff. You may be little, but you must have studied hard— Owowow!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “You’re the one who needs to study! About how to have some damn manners!” Incensed by how quickly Balleroy let any semblance of propriety fall away, Miles gave the tall man a solid pinch on the behind, his own language taking a step down the politeness scale in the process."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Please, please. You needn’t let such minor matters upset you so. I should have introduced her sooner. This is Priscilla Pendleton… That is, ahem, my wife.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla snorted at the idea that this was the best Jorah could do by way of introduction. \"Imagine, a man in his fifties getting tongue-tied introducing his wife. Stand up straight and speak with confidence! You’re the luckiest man in the world. For you are blessed with me for your spouse!\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah could only smile awkwardly, while Balleroy and Miles looked on, their eyes slightly wide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Goodness gracious! Ya know, this struck me when we were chatting earlier, but that’s a feisty wife you’ve got there, Count Pendleton.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Yes, I’m afraid I’m quite at her mercy…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Fool. All the more reason to consider yourself honored, then. And you, you common cur, I won’t be described with such trivial words as feisty.” She paused. “Hmm. No, perhaps the word common doesn’t quite fit you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Er, should I take that as a compliment?” Balleroy said, looking at Jorah questioningly, but the count only smiled fondly but awkwardly; he certainly didn’t have the reins of his new wife."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " It was Miles, having been silent for some time, who finally broke the impasse. “Right."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Ahem, Count Pendleton, we come with a message from our mistress. May we deliver it to you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Oh, of course, sorry to keep you waiting. Word from Serena? What does she say?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “I think it’s about the sword-slave island.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “The sword-slave island… Yes, I suppose that did come up,” Jorah said, taking the sealed letter and scanning the contents. He let out a breath. He didn’t seem very happy about the idea of the island."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “The sword-slave island…Ginonhive. You know, I don’t believe I’ve ever been there.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Hoh! Interested, missus?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Aw, y’know, I’ve always wanted to see the place myself, so this is great news!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Hmm. Am I to gather that your mistress intends to invite my no-account husband to the sword-slave island?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Mm-hmm, I’d say that’s about the size of it,” Balleroy confirmed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " Miles, though, looked annoyed by the exchange between his “younger brother” and Priscilla."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Say, Miles, what’s the matter?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “I’m wondering why we even bothered bringing a letter…” He certainly seemed to have his hands full with this so-called younger brother. But maybe that was just the way it was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “If you pour in more water than your vessel can handle, of course it’s going to overflow.\" Priscilla observed. \"If you wish for it not to spill, you must constantly sip from it. And even then, it may run over.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “I’ll remember that.” He seemed quick-witted enough. The fact that he didn’t dismiss Priscilla’s words as the jabbering of a little girl showed well why he had Balleroy’s respect. All that remained was the response to the message."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “I’m very pleased to receive High Countess Delacroix’s invitation.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “However, I’m afraid things are quite busy here, so I’m going to have to—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Just ignore him. We accept the invitation to the sword-slave island.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “P-Priscilla? !” Jorah had folded the invitation and had been just about to politely turn it down when Priscilla interrupted him. His face betrayed an uncharacteristic intensity of emotion as he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Priscilla, the sword-slave island receives many visitors. What if someone were to recognize you?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Is that your reason for refusing the invitation? Then allow me to give you my reason for accepting it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Y-your reason? Whatever could possibly move you to…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “It’s quite simple. I am interested in this island.” Jorah looked at her in pure astonishment. This was how Priscilla lived her life; it was almost the equivalent of a wife sweetly begging her husband for a favor. Even if the situation made it a little difficult to call the moment sweet. Regardless… “”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah could hardly speak."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Count Pendleton, what would you like to do? Our master is in no hurry for a response, so if you’d like to take some time to consider…,”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “No, thank you,” and a shake of his head. Jorah, however, declined this kind offer with a"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"There’s no need for you to wait for my answer. Please tell High Countess Delacroix that we…we accept her invitation.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Aw, that’s great to hear. I’m sure the mistress’ll be glad.\" Balleroy said, seeming as pleased by the answer as he was oblivious to how hard it had been for Jorah to give it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " Miles was giving Jorah a rather more conflicted look, but he didn’t dare question the man’s judgment. \"Very well, sir. You’ll find the details of the date and time in the letter. If you’d like us to carry a response back for you, we’ll gladly do so.\" He bowed deeply."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"That won’t be necessary. I doubt even your heads are empty enough to forget a one-word answer on the way home. So take it back to your mistress and deliver that.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Ha-ha-ha! She’s got us there, Brother. Right on the money!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Pipe down!\" Miles shouted, his voice ringing throughout the whole mansion. In the end, they had let their demeanor as formal messengers slip one last time."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " With a great flapping of wings, two sky dragons soared away. Even by dragon standards, sky dragons were particularly temperamental, a tempestuous race that were sometimes reputed to be almost as volatile as demon beasts. Unlike land dragons, which enjoyed human company, or water dragons, which were fearsome but manageable, sky dragons were inherently difficult to interact with. Those who had the knack for it were called sky-dragon tamers, and the secrets of this art had long belonged solely to Volakia, never revealed outside its borders. And it appeared that Balleroy and Miles were both among the vaunted ranks of sky-dragon tamers, of which there were said to be fewer than a hundred in the entire empire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"You know, I don’t seem to recall ever having ridden a winged dragon myself…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Priscilla, d-don’t tell me you wish to ride a sky dragon…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Ha. You needn’t fret so much. Even I recognize that it is something not easily done. I know that even refinement as cultivated as mine is lost on beasts that merely obey their natural instincts.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I see. Yes… Yes, that is reassuring.\" Jorah put a hand to his chest with relief."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla turned from watching the messengers go, glancing at her husband instead. As ever, he gave the impression of a timid coward dressed in a grown man’s clothing. However, he had committed to a dangerous decision: to go to the sword-slave island, with Priscilla at his side."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Hmm? Is something the matter?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"—Your motivations continue to baffle me. Hmm. Or perhaps that’s precisely the quality that allowed you to fulfill the minimum requirements to be my spouse.\" Priscilla murmured, contemplating the unfathomable nature of Jorah’s inner life. Had he been consumed with Priscilla’s beauty, seeking to use her only to fulfill his own animalistic desires, he wouldn’t have lasted beyond the first night of their marriage."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I’m willing to set it aside for now. At the moment, I’m far less interested in my rather unremarkable husband than I am in this sword-slave island.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “U-unremarkable? That hurts…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “If you do not wish to be hurt, then make yourself something of interest to me. At least as of this moment, you are certainly not more intriguing than an entertainment I’ve never witnessed before.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah’s shoulders slumped under his wife’s merciless assault. \"Just to be clear…you weren’t simply taken by the moment? You really intend to go to Ginonhive?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Of course I do. This is Delacroix—ahem, High Countess Delacroix we’re talking about. To accept her invitation and then later renege would be such an affront that she might very well go to war against us. Even I do not wish to lose the house I’ve only just married into. It would be a bitter pill to swallow.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Her crimson eyes were looking to the sky, over the horizon where the sky dragons had disappeared—her thoughts on the sword-slave island that must be out there. The thought of it brought a swell to her still-flat chest. \"It matters not. For the world bends itself to suit me.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ahh!” Al sat bolt upright in bed as a shock of something akin to fear ran through him. He looked quickly this way and that, but there was no one and nothing there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Sword slaves:",
"value": " “Al! Hey, man! What was that all about? You playin’ around?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Sword slaves:",
"value": " “Gah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ain’t it enough for you to be on display up top?” The other sword slaves, enjoying some drinks nearby, were more than happy to give him a hard time about it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al glared at his soused companions, running a hand through his black hair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Sword slave:",
"value": " “Hellooo, Al? Allll! Don’t tell me you’re all upseeet,”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Spare me your Hornet impressions. It’s like a waking nightmare,” Al spat. Then he slowly got to his feet. His mood was never going to recover if he sat there arguing with drunks. He shuffled off, hoping to find somewhere he could be alone. He had to be careful, though—he wouldn’t want to accidentally stumble across the Hornet or Ubirk."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " The thought made him realize that the only person on this island he could really relax around was Orlan, and that thought made him unbearably depressed. Al wandered along until he found himself emerging from the suffocating underground, out in the night breeze."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Directly connected to the underground space dedicated for the use of the sword slaves was a small staging area for the patrols that policed the island’s outer walls. Since the drawbridge was the only way on or off the island, security was somewhat lax about making sure people on the inside stayed indoors. Of course, that led a few morons to try swimming across the massive lake…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"But that’s not much of a plan when the lake is crawling with demon beasts that live in the water. Only thing you get that way is killed.\" Al said to himself. Thus, despite the laissez-faire approach to security, not a single person had ever yet succeeded in escaping from the sword-slave island. In a place like this, to even dream of freedom was the height of foolishness. The thought reminded Al of Ubirk’s ridiculous chatter from earlier in the day, and he clicked his tongue angrily. It was just babble, and usually, he would have been able to let it roll right off his back, but today, it nagged at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Dreams are for when you’re sleeping, not when you’re awake. Damned idiot.\" He grumbled. He looked up at the sky to see a half-full moon. It looked awfully large, yet what drew his attention wasn’t the moon itself, but the stars that stippled the night sky around it. Pinpricks of light beyond counting. Al stared at them for a long moment, then bit his lip."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Bad stars. That’s what’s behind it all.\" The “celebration” to be held on the island was getting very, very close."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Fierceness personified—that was Priscilla’s first impression of High Countess Serena Delacroix. She was an incredibly tall woman, her slim arms and legs obviously toned. And yet it didn’t look unrefined; she still had a feminine shapeliness, which alleviated any impression that she was simply a woman who had given herself to soldiering. One might even characterize her as a beautiful but wild beast. Waves of rusty-red hair cascaded down her back, and she wore not a dress, but a cloak like a captain of a merchant vessel might have. Some said she didn’t look much like a noble—but only behind her back, because in the Volakian Empire, the powerful and the capable could comport themselves however they wished. Who, then, could possibly criticize any action of Serena Delacroix, who was sometimes even known as the Scorching Lady?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"It’s been too long, Count Pendleton. Have you been well?\" Serena said as she smiled—but it was impossible not to notice the old scar that ran down the left side of her otherwise impeccable face."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " It was a sword wound, large and white, given to her by her father when she had taken the reins of the family for herself. Her nickname, the Scorching Lady, had come about because at the conclusion of that family power struggle, she supposedly burned her father alive. \"Serena! I’m grateful to say I have. And you seem in good health. That’s wonderful.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah’s simpering smile contrasted sharply with Serena’s easy, confident greeting."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla was used to her “beloved” husband’s meekness by now; it was just how he always was and not a sign that he was intimidated by Serena’s rank."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " Still, confronted with a fifty-something-year-old man and his twelve-year-old spouse, even Serena couldn’t help being a bit surprised. \"You must be the new wife I’ve heard so much about.\" She said, allowing her gaze to settle on Priscilla. \"I’d been told you were quite young, and I wondered if maybe that was why he’d been single for so long…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " While her husband doubled over, Priscilla stood beside him looking entirely in her element."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"But I’m reminded that rumors can’t always be trusted. I see Miles and Balleroy gave me an accurate report.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Hoh, they reported on me, did they? And what fine phrases did they use to flatter me?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"They said you possess a gravitas beyond your years, as I recall. And if I recall correctly, you were ‘sassy,’ and they wished they could ‘teach you some manners.’\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Hoh…\" Priscilla had taken the liberty of speaking to Serena without so much as properly introducing herself, but the high countess seemed willing to shrug it off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla narrowed her crimson eyes and looked at the two men standing behind Serena—Balleroy and Miles, the high countess’s sometime messengers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " Miles ducked away from her glare"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy grinned stupidly and waved at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I suppose it goes without saying which of them is the senior.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"I wouldn’t be so sure. Miles may not look like much, but he’s very perceptive. Both of them are important pawns to me. I’m sorry to say you can’t have them, even if you have taken a liking to them.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Nor do I need them. The only ones who may stand by myself are those who excel me in beauty, or at least some clown entertaining enough not to bore me. Frankly, even my husband doesn’t meet either of those standards.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Wha?! Wh-what do I have to do with any of this?\" Jorah exclaimed, his voice even thinner than usual."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Oh, stop sniveling.\" Priscilla sniffed, linking her thin arm with his. At the moment, Priscilla and Jorah had left the mansion where they had grown accustomed to living as husband and wife in order to accept the invitation of High Countess Serena Delacroix. It brought them far into the western reaches of the empire. Namely, to the sword-slave island of Ginonhive, where there was to be a great celebration marking the accession of the new emperor."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Strictly speaking, there’s no necessary connection between the Rite of Imperial Selection and the sword-slave island.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"It’s simply a convenient excuse for them to draw a large crowd.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"Sharp tongue you have, young mistress. You don’t like these sorts of shows?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Hmm? They’re fine. I’m simply saying it has no specific relevance as a demonstration of loyalty to the emperor. But I’m not so narrow-minded that I would censure the common people for losing themselves in such entertainments. Besides…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"Yes?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"…watching others fight for their lives, and evaluating their performance, is something I particularly enjoy.\" Priscilla produced a folding fan from her dress, using it to cover her mouth as she spoke."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " Serena’s eyes widened slightly. \"Ha,\" she laughed. \"I like her! A fine catch you’ve made, Count Pendleton! I think I could really talk with this young lady. It’s only a shame she’s too young to share a drink of wine.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Please, you’ll make my head hurt… And, Priscilla, you mustn’t speak so frivolously…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Fool. Of course I’m acquainted with the taste of wine.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Who do you take me for?” Jorah almost choked. “Priscilla? !”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " But Serena only looked more and more amused. The high countess smiled, distorting the white scar on her face. “Oops. As much fun as this conversation could prove to be, I think we had best get moving while we enjoy it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “It will be a pleasure, I’m sure,” Priscilla said. “Now, as I recall, Ginonhive is accessible by a drawbridge, yes? I suppose it will be quite crowded in light of the festivities.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " “Don’t worry. As your host, I’ll certainly see to it that you don’t get bored,” Serena said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah cocked his head in confusion"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " Serena snapped her fingers, and at the signal, Miles and Balleroy jumped into action. Each of them put his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly, summoning…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “My goodness!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Ah, sky dragons.” Jorah stared in amazement; Priscilla merely fixed her eyes upon the shapes that came floating down out of the heavens. Two sky dragons, flaring their wings and kicking up a gale as they landed. If they had merely been a couple of sky dragons, they would have been no different from what Priscilla and Jorah had seen Miles and Balleroy ride off on recently. What warranted surprise was that these pulled a ship behind them. The so-called sky-dragon ships, secured to the creatures by chains, were an unusual sight even in the Empire of Volakia, where sky-dragon tamers existed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " “I doubt even you have much experience with something like this. I know it’s a little late, but please consider this my wedding present to you,” Serena said, grinning proudly as the ship floated in the air behind her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla smirked \"Very good. Well chosen. I think I like you, High Countess Delacroix.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " “—” For a second, Serena didn’t say anything to the fearless Priscilla but only scratched her cheek in some embarrassment. Then she could be heard to mutter, “Yes, Count Pendleton… A very fine catch indeed.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Did you hear, Al? They say a sky-dragon ship is here! A sky-dragon ship!” Ubirk exclaimed, distinctly excited, just as Al was placing a hand on the wall and trying to stretch the ligaments in his leg. Another day’s work, another day risking his life—that was how it was for the sword slave Al here in this awful place. The entire country might be celebrating the coronation of a new emperor, but Al still had his job to do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “In fact, that celebration means the spectacle’s gonna be bigger than ever around here,” Al muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “I can’t believe I missed the sky-dragon ship!” Ubirk said. “You’re lucky to see one of those once in a lifetime! I must be the unluckiest person in the whole world! Al! Are you listening, Al?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Shut up already! Can’t you see I’m tryin’ to stretch?"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al was busy making circles with his hips as Ubirk flitted around him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " He felt bad for Ubirk, he really did, but in Al’s opinion, Ubirk was at least lucky enough avoid ending up in death match after death match. Al was constantly in danger and fighting for his life, put on display until his luck finally ran out. That was how a sword slave lived and, ultimately, how he died. Ubirk might have wound up on this island, but he hadn’t been sucked into that murderous system, and that seemed good fortune enough to Al."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " The ingratiating smile disappeared from Ubirk’s face, and he said quietly, “That doesn’t change the fact that I’m forever getting either tortured or ignored. From where I’m standing, I don’t think I’m luckier than you at all, Al.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al likewise dropped his voice. “A male prostitute, acting like he’s the same as one of us sword slaves! Hell!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " It was the kind of brutal remark that could have kept two people from ever speaking on civil terms again, but Ubirk only grinned. “You’re ruthless.” He said, scratching his head. “I guess as long as I don’t know how to use a sword, I’ll never be able to be your friend, huh, Al? Guess we’ll be just acquaintances our whole lives.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Don’t assume you’ll never swing a sword in your lifetime. You might get by on being all cute and personable right now, but you never know if it’ll last. Think about where you’ll be ten, twenty years down the road.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “What about you, Al? You plan to be here another ten years? There’s perseverance, and then there’s playing real hardball.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " It rankled to hear it, but Ubirk was right. The idea of surviving ten or twenty years on this island was outright ridiculous. Al was likely to fall long before he reached those milestones. Maybe next year, maybe next week. Or maybe his time would come today."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “So why not, Al? Before you end up like…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al didn’t answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “If the best you can do is sit here and wait to die, why not take up arms against your destiny? If you joined us, Al, you would be worth a hundred men!” Ubirk must have noticed something in Al’s narrowed obsidian eyes, because he spoke with fresh fervor. He was rambling about his baseless, senseless revolution again. Don’t just stand there! Arm yourself! Fight oppression! It probably felt good to him, whipping people into a frenzy with that kind of talk. But as for Al…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Thanks but no thanks, kid. I’ve got nothing to do here but fight like hell and survive.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Al…” Unusually—indeed, perhaps for the first time—Ubirk began really, truly arguing with him. “Okay, but then why do you fight? If you win, that means someone else loses—and dies doing it. I don’t think that makes any sense!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al’s voice was cold. “It makes perfect sense. I just ain’t got any reason to die.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " Ubirk looked like he wanted to say more, but they could see someone coming from the direction of the lobby to collect Al for the fight. It was Al’s guard, Orlan. If he was here, that meant it was time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I’ll be back. Or maybe I won’t. Just in case, you go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “You’ll be back, Al. I know it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “You sound like the perfect heroine. ’Course, if a girl said anything like that to me, I wouldn’t know what to do…” Al was careful to act nonchalant, lest he wind up on the Ubirk dating-sim route. Orlan chaperoned Al to the arena, Ubirk and the various sword slaves he knew watching him go. He wore the handcuffs on the way—he had to—but as soon as his beloved sword was in his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orlan:",
"value": " “Stay alive out there, Aldeberan. Like you always do.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “You know the one problem with you? Your memory sucks,” Al said, smiling grimly as he stepped out into the arena. He’d told Orlan not to call him that. The moment he entered the arena, he was showered with shouts and cheers from the spectators enjoying their dark little hobby. Al gave a deeply sardonic bow, but he wasn’t above playing to the audience. He would never be their friend, but having them on his side couldn’t be a bad thing. Just one of the survival strategies Al had learned during his ten years as a sword slave. “Gotta say, this place is pretty lively today… Might be just another death match, but maybe there’s something to this new-emperor stuff after all.” The entertainment offered by the sword slaves on Ginonhive was exactly the same as it always was, but it was clear the audience was significantly larger than usual. All the more reason to stir them up, get them to give him whatever help they could in his bid to survive. “Ladies and gentlemen in the house seats, all our dear guests in the VIP rooms, and everyone watching from the roof, please make sure you’ve got your biggest handkerchiefs ready…yeah?” Al smirked, then calmly brought his liuyedao sword into a fighting stance. From the tunnel directly across from him, his opponent emerged—a large, bald man clasping a broadsword in each hand. His body was covered in visible sword scars, showing that he, too, was an experienced sword slave. You never knew who you were going to fight until the day came. Honestly, Al had always wondered when he would be pitted against the Empress of the sword slaves, the Hornet. He was just as glad that death sentence hadn’t been handed down today."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Eh, neither of us is lucky. Nobody’s fault. Blame the fuckin’ stars.” 9 The bald head went flying through the air, a spray of blood arcing behind it."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " The watching crowd gave its greatest shout of the day, applauding the battle—no, mocking the loser and, for that matter, the winner as well, even as they cheered for him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Gosh, that’s quite something. I’d heard they put on death matches here, but I didn’t know they were real, all-out killing. Wonder why.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"It shows off the worst in people. I don’t understand the people who like watching this stuff.\" Serena’s subordinates, Balleroy and Miles, shared a moment of appreciation—or perhaps lack thereof—for the spectacle they were witnessing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"What about you, Priscilla? Are you enjoying yourself?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"I see your dear husband is white as a sheet.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"It’s not bad. The idea of those who have nothing risking all in the fight is an intriguing one.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Although, the way that clumsy brute fought just now was not particularly amusing.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"Clumsy? Ah, you mean the one-armed man.\" Serena brushed the scar on her face and flashed a smile that reeked of blood."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I didn’t even detect any attachment to his own life. What in the world is he fighting for?\" Priscilla crossed her arms as she rendered her verdict on the ugly man with his ugly style."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Uncouth.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah gave a nauseous gurgle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla glanced over to see the pale-faced count looking studiously away from the arena, his neck and forehead drenched with sweat."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"You are a man most unfit for the Volakian nobility.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"I… I’m sorry… Even I thought I would be able to endure a little more than this, but— Hrk!\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Your timing is perfect. I was just thinking I’d like to get some air. Come with me.\" Priscilla said, and then she took her blanching husband by the arm and got to her feet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " \"Use the outer passageway. Balleroy, stay with them.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"What? Why me? I have so much to learn from these death matches— Ouch!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"Don’t talk back to the high countess! Get out of here, before you embarrass me any worse! And mind your manners around Count Pendleton and his wife!\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Yessir.\" Balleroy replied, resigning himself to the task. Then he followed Priscilla and Jorah away from their seats, carrying a long object wrapped in a cloth."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Sigh… Thank you for your consideration, Priscilla. I’m sorry again. And young Balleroy, I apologize for obliging you to accompany us. You seemed to be enjoying the fights very much.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Aw, don’t mention it. No worries at all. I wouldn’t say I was enjoyin’ the fights, not really. Just learnin’ a lot.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Is that so?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Sure. Anyway, sure not enough reason to stick around there if it would only upset you, Count Pendleton.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla spared a glance at her husband, who was as reluctant as ever to exercise the privileges of his nobility, then stared out at the lake."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"In fact, it might be the only thing that gets my blood rushing.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Say, Ms. Wife, you’ve got a lot of guts for someone so young.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Even my brother Miles was wincing a little, but you didn’t so much as blink even when that head came flying off.\" Balleroy glanced over at Priscilla where she stood at the railing looking down at the lake. He leaned against the railing and kicked his legs in the air—hardly the behavior of a servant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"What are you trying to say? That I would be cuter or more lovable if I squealed and shrieked like a common village girl and wailed each time a loser died?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Naw, naw, nothin’ like that. Hey, anyone who came out to this island just to burst into tears every time someone kicked the bucket, I think they’d be in real trouble. Besides…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Yes?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"…I’ve got a thing for strong women. Like High Countess Delacroix.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"That’s odd.\" She said, arching a shapely eyebrow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"What’s odd?\" Balleroy asked with a wink."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla spoke again, she sounded less like she was answering him and more like she was continuing to talk to herself."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “When did they raise the drawbridge?” Al calmly accepted his circumstances even as he heard the shouting bouncing off the walls of the passageway behind him, guessing he was a little too optimistic about things."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Until a moment ago, literally minutes before, he’d been in a fight for his life. The big man with the two broadswords had been a pretty good fighter; for the first time in a long while, Al had needed a double-digit number of attempts before he was able to wrest victory from his opponent. Securing his survival had worn him down dramatically, and although it would be wrong to say he was triumphant, the tension certainly drained from his shoulders as he returned to the living quarters—only to find himself asking… “Is this your idea of a joke, Ubirk?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Joke? You should know I’ve never made a joke once in my life, Al. Haven’t I been saying? Didn’t I tell you this place needed a revolution?” The pretty boy grinned at him, showing that he was still the same old Ubirk. Except that at his feet lay the guard Orlan in a spreading pool of gore, his lifeblood having spilled out from a deep gash on his neck. It was obvious at a glance what had happened: Ubirk had killed Orlan. A sword slave had killed a guard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Killing a guard is the ultimate taboo. This won’t get chalked up as some passing problem. We’ve got a disaster on our hands.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Yes, if you look only at what’s happening here, you’re right. I’m not just a sword slave; now I’m a criminal facing serious consequences. If things don’t go my way, I might even be forced to fight a death match as punishment…pitted against the Hornet or something. Ha-ha. Guess I’m as good as dead.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “And you’re laughing about it? !” Al exploded with indignation at Ubirk’s failure to understand his situation. He stood with his liuyedao at the ready, facing down Ubirk, who held only a crude dagger dripping with Orlan’s blood. He must have been hiding it on his person. It was dwarfed by Al’s thick blade. If it came to a fight, it was obvious it would be no contest. They both knew…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “You can’t beat me, kid. Even you ought to be smart enough to see that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Yes, I know. I know all too well. I’m not under any illusions that I can fight you, Al. After all, even this man here— I had to really get his guard down first, if you know what I mean.” Even as he spoke, Ubirk tossed the dagger on the ground and raised his bloodstained hands. He appeared to be surrendering, but Al frowned, still not sure what he was really up to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Al, no matter how many times you turn me down, I’ll keep asking: Won’t you help us? With your strength on our side, I’m sure the revolution would succeed.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “It won’t."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"We can’t just sit here on this waterlogged rock and dream stupid dreams. The fact is, nobody gives a shit what the likes of you and me have to say.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “No, that’s not true! If you were with us, Al—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Don’t you ever shut up?” Ubirk was clearly out of ideas, but he refused to stop trying to bring Al into his fold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al was hell-bent on getting him to be quiet. Sorry, Ubirk, but a revolution is a dream. It’s beyond a dream. Al had no intention of joining Ubirk on his sinking ship just because of a little blathering. Instead, he took a step forward, swinging his liuyedao at Ubirk with all his strength. \"I don’t wanna kill ya.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I’m just gonna chop off an arm, and then when you and I have that in common, I’ll find the other guards and—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Throw me to them? I’m afraid I’d really rather not.” Ubirk’s expression drooped; he looked at Al with genuine sympathy. “It’s such a shame, Al, it really is.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al tried to bring the blade directly across at him, as if to slice the look off his face, but then he stopped. Well, really, his blade stopped. Technically speaking, his blade was stopped. “Wha—?” His diagonal stroke was interrupted when his weapon bounced off a massive sword. He could have given himself a pat on the back for managing to hold on to the hilt, but the sight that greeted his eyes left him no chance for such self-congratulation. “What the hell is this? Another one of your awful little jokes?” Al swallowed hard, his hand buzzing as he tried to adjust his grip on his sword. A tall figure had moved to protect Ubirk—a terrible, overwhelming figure. The most beautiful and vicious of all the sword slaves on the island with her cruel weapons…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hornet? !”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh my goodness, what a scary look. You’re supposed to be my sweet little Al. How can you be so cold?” The Hornet laughed cheerfully. The black-haired woman looked down at Al; with her long legs, she stood so tall that he practically had to crane his neck look up at her. Her weapons, those gigantic blades, were already secured to the stumps of her arms; she was truly the definition of a human weapon. The Hornet was the famed Empress of the sword slaves, a woman whose wiles and fighting spirit had enraptured many, even though she was enslaved on this island. If she was protecting Ubirk, the implications were staggering."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “So you’re on his side? You’re on board with Ubirk’s little rebellion? You’re just full of surprises.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh gosh, you think so? Did you think I was one of those boring, conservative ladies? That makes me so saaaad.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I know better than to call you boring if I want to keep living. But it’s a good point. I’m still surprised."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"It seemed like you had everything you could want on this island.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Every other sword slave respected her, and even the guards had bowed to her—the Hornet practically ruled Ginonhive.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"She loved to fight, and she was undefeated in the arena.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"She was all but a monarch here.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Life on this island had been good to her, and she seemed more suited to it than anyone.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"So what was she doing supporting Ubirk’s ridiculous fantasy of a revolution?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"You wanna talk about conservatives, I’m practically the poster boy.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Why would you throw away a stable livelihood for some wannabe revolutionary? Have you actually lost your mind?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Oh, come now. That’s just rude.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"But that’s one of the things I find charming about you, my sweet little Al.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"And you’re being so mean… You’ve finally done what I always wanted you to.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “What could you want from me?” Al winked at the Hornet, even as he felt the battle lust rising, like a burning point between his eyebrows. He couldn’t imagine what she might have been expecting of him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Ha-ha-ha!” The Hornet chuckled. “What I wanted most wasn’t for you to join us, Al. I think it’s much more interesting to have you as an enemy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “!” An instant later, two massive blades that couldn’t have weighed less than two hundred pounds each came slicing through the air at him. The Hornet was a force to be reckoned with; Al couldn’t have lifted one of those swords even if his life depended on it, yet she wielded them both as easily as if she was swinging a couple of twigs. The passageway was something less than spacious; there was hardly anywhere to dodge her attacks. Al crouched down to avoid the first stroke, then leaped backward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Ohhh, we can’t have that,” the Hornet said, following him and delivering a brutal thrust to his chest. It flung him farther back, his heart and stomach and other internal organs veritably rearranged by the blow. The second blade bit into his body, battering him from side to side before he could catch his breath, cutting him cleanly—or rather, gorily—in two. Death was hard to avoid, and it was coming for Al…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Ohhh, we can’t have that,” the Hornet said, stepping forward and thrusting with one giant blade. Al dodged it by the skin of his teeth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh,” the Hornet said, surprised; Al tried to use his liuyedao to hit back, striking out on pure instinct since his opponent was behind him now that he had spun away from her strike. The Hornet ducked his counter with astonishing speed for someone so tall, allowing Al’s attack to pass over her head. The next instant, he took a kick from below, his feet leaving the ground. He could no longer avoid what was coming; the massive blade slammed down from above, cleaving him in two…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Ohhh, we can’t have that,” the Hornet said, stepping forward and thrusting with one giant blade. Al met it with his liuyedao at an angle, forcibly blocking its path."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh,” the Hornet said, surprised; Al was already shouting, lashing out at his opponent’s weighted leg with a sweeping cut. The Hornet leaped gracefully over his move. But having his opponent in the air was the perfect chance for Al—he instantly turned and started running down the hallway."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Yaaaahhh!” This was the first time he’d ever fought the Hornet, but they didn’t call her the Empress of the sword slaves for nothing. Al knew all too well that in a hundred rounds with her, he would die a hundred times. As much as it pained him, he knew he had to escape the battlefield entirely."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"If I can get out into the arena…get the audience on my side…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Al! Please don’t make me give up faith in you! Just think about it for a minute—you know this is right!\" Ubirk called to Al’s retreating back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"The moment I got our friend the Hornet on my side, I knew I had everyone I needed. I just really, really hoped you would join us…\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"A sword-slave rebellion, eh?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"What?\" Jorah gasped."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " An enraged voice shouts, \"Where is High Countess Serena Delacroix? !\" A group of obviously brutal men were working their way through the seats, acting very much in charge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " She doubts they were that short-tempered, but they were more short-tempered than she had imagined."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Stop hiding and come out here! Otherwise, we’ll kill everyone in this damn stadium!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla smiled, thinking about how this would go."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Priscilla, g-get behind me.\" Jorah said, mustering what little fortitude he possessed when he stepped in front of the young girl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy, despite the clear and present threat to his mistress, had time for an impressed “Huh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I myself am the woman you seek—Serena Delacroix.\" Priscilla announced, causing her companions to look at her with considerable shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Hngh? !\" Jorah choked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Well, now!\" Balleroy observed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla’s voice echoed through the tense arena, naturally drawing the attention of both the ruffians and the captive spectators—among them, the real Serena Delacroix. Her eyes widened slightly, but she seemed to grasp Priscilla’s intention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"She still doesn’t approach my abilities, of course.\" Priscilla muttered to herself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " \"You, kid? You’re High Countess Delacroix?\" a man in a black outfit asked, sidling up to her. His hair was done in a strange fashion, long on the right side of his head and totally shaved on the left. At his hip, he carried a sword with a curved blade, and it was obvious that he knew what to do with it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " The man looked Priscilla up and down, unmistakably skeptical. \"What I heard was that High Countess Delacroix was a real piece of work of a woman, so bad they call her the Scorching Lady. Little girl like you, you look like you could barely warm a cold room, let alone scorch anybo—\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"That nickname was most likely invented by commoners who witnessed my fiery-red hair. In any case, I care not what the chattering masses call me. You may observe me with your own eyes.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " The man didn’t respond. \"What do you think? Do I look like some young fool playing at being a high countess?\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Or like someone who needs the validation of some common nickname when I am already a member of the nobility of the Volakian Empire?” Priscilla held her head high and looked him square in the eye as she spoke, though the man loomed over her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " The man stiffened. “I’m sorry, High Countess. You’re going to have to come with us. Our leader wants to meet you.” The man was trying to be polite—at least, as best as a commoner like him could manage. He glanced at his companions and prepared to lead her off."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “H-hold, you! If you’re going to take her, then take me as well!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " The man in black looked like he was noticing Jorah for the first time. “Didn’t hear anything about you being here with your dad…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “I am not her father. I am her husband!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “Her husband?” The man looked more skeptical than ever, glancing back and forth between Priscilla and Jorah."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “It is true—that man there is my husband. He cannot be my father, for my father was burned to death before my very eyes. More than reason enough to call me the Scorching Lady, I should think, quite apart from my hair.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “Point taken. But if that story’s true, then your husband—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Bring him. Otherwise, he’ll simply shout and struggle and make life difficult for you. He’ll be much more pliant if he’s with me. And if you strike him down now— Well, you wouldn’t want me coming after you later, would you?”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Piercing the uneasy silence that had fallen over the arena when Priscilla had drawn the men’s attention."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ruffian:",
"value": " \"Hey! Is that the Hornet?\" Looks down into the coliseum and exclaims."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Though with a skill difference like that, it’s more like an execution.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "One-armed Swordsman:",
"value": " Grunts and goes flying with a spray of blood. His body struck the ground and rolled along, winding up by a ditch at one edge of the stadium that was used for disposing of blood and bodies after a fight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet strode up to him and kicked him with her long legs, sending him, still alive, down into the pit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " Man with the curved saber: \"Guess he turned down the Hornet’s invitation. What an idiot.\" The man with the curved saber sighed as he witnessed the spectacle of the woman’s overwhelming strength."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"To assert one’s will requires a certain degree of power. From that perspective, perhaps it was only natural that man should have died. You there, did you come here just to stand around looking stupid?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ruffian:",
"value": " \"Awfully chatty, aren’t ya, High Countess? Think we won’t lay a hand on you? That why your mouth’s so big?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Do you truly believe that, you cur?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ruffian:",
"value": " “…Ahem…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Am I understanding it correctly that you think my high-and-mighty attitude springs from the conviction that you won’t lay a hand on me?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ruffian:",
"value": " The man saw something in Priscilla’s gaze that caused him to swallow whatever he had been about to say. He jerked his chin at his companions, and they led her and Jorah away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"What about me, Ms. Wife?\" Asks, making to follow them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Surely, you don’t expect me to claim that you’re my husband, too. There would be no job for you to do even if you did follow us.\" Stops him with a word."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “That’s easy for you to say, Ms. Wife, but I’ve got my pride to— Hngh? !” Balleroy was just taking the wrapping off his spear."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " Miles struck Balleroy in the back of the head with a bottle. \"Cram it, dumbass!” Miles gave him a kick. “They’re going to start thinking we’re all morons like you! And what good will that do us, huh? !”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “Who’re you?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Nobody, nobody. I’m not interested in fighting with you,” Miles said, tossing the bottle aside and showing every sign of compliance. “You said you’ve got the high countess? Fine, take the girl and her husband and get going. We’re not here to cause any trouble.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Serena:",
"value": " Serena's lips moved, silently saying, _Sorry. And thanks._"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah whispered. “Pri—ahem, Serena, what are you planning?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “So you’re at least smart enough to realize I had a plan. If I hadn’t identified myself as I did, we would likely have spent this entire rebellion without ever seeing the face of their leader. And that would be no fun.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “N-no fun?” Jorah was all but struck dumb."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “And that is the last thing I want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah met this with a tense silence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Relax. It doesn’t matter what position we find ourselves in—for this world bends itself to suit me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " Jorah's only response to his wife’s rather bold philosophy was to stare in wonderment, although his shoulders slumped a little."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “We’re here.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " After a few minutes of walking, they had arrived at a room with a remarkably heavy door, through which they were now led. Priscilla, who had been making a mental map of the island as they went, estimated that this room must be at the highest point on the sword slaves’ island—in other words, it probably belonged to whoever ran the place. That would explain the lavish furnishings and expensive carpet, which otherwise would have seemed out of place on an island of captive gladiators. It might also explain the blood on the carpet, and the corpse of a portly man who lay there like a gutted pig."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"I-is that…?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"The master of the island, I presume… The one formerly in charge of entertainments here. The slaves he was putting on display rose up in revolt. It shouldn’t take more than half a brain to figure out who they would slaughter first.\" The man had brought it on himself by failing to sufficiently gauge the danger despite the hatred he had earned. Then again, perhaps the sword slaves had proven even smarter than the man’s sense of danger… Priscilla’s thoughts were interrupted by a man who came trotting up with an ingratiating grin on his face, stepping over the corpse of the former master of the island."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " \"Well! A pleasure to finally lay eyes on you, High Countess. I’m sorry to greet you like…well, like this. I would have liked to meet you in a cleaner room.\" The overall impression he gave was one of slimness; he was something of a pretty boy. Unlike the unmistakably rough and ready ruffians, this young man didn’t look like he belonged on the sword-slave island—but Priscilla knew at a glance that he must be the leader of the rebellion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"It’s you, isn’t it? The host of this banquet.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " \"Banquet? Ooh, I like that word. I love lively get-togethers—that’s why I didn’t hate life on this island, you know. Even if some parts of it were difficult to endure.\" The pretty boy smiled but cast a contemptuous glance down at the corpse on the floor. It was enough to tell Priscilla how he had survived on the island: not by wielding a weapon, but by wielding his body. Of course the master of the island had died. That was a foregone conclusion. \"And what is it you lot want, then? You decided to kidnap me—ahem, the high countess. I assume you saw that leading somewhere.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Ah, they don’t call you the victor of a hundred battles for nothing… Although I must say, you seem a little young to have been in so many fights. Oh well, it makes things easy. High Countess Serena Delacroix, the famed Scorching Lady… You are one of the most prominent nobles in the empire.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"One of? Don’t be a fool. There is no replacement for me."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"To even compare me with those other villains is a mark of disrespect.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Sere—!” Jorah almost choked on the name, but he managed to shake his head vigorously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla furrowed her brow at him but only leaned into her performance as Serena. \"And you hope to negotiate with the empire for something. What?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “It’s very simple. The sword-slave island is to be given independence, and all the slaves are to be freed. I want to get out of this puddle, High Countess Delacroix.” The pretty boy chuckled darkly, even as his proclamation made the entire empire his enemy."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Old_Man:",
"value": " “Still, it’d only make more headaches to abandon Delacroix.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Young_Man:",
"value": " “Then His Majesty lied…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Old_Man:",
"value": " “Don’t say that, kiddo! Not if you value your life. It wasn’t a lie. It was just…expedient. That’s a better way to put it. A way to clean things up with no mistakes. That’s the truth of it,” said an old white-haired man who was scratching his neck and not bothering to hide his annoyance."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " Securing a place among the Nine Generals could only be done by demonstrating supreme martial prowess. Yet this white-haired old man—Orbart Dankelken—was one of them. Orbart smiled at her from under his ample eyebrows. “Your name. Remind me, it was…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Speaking with him was a young woman with brown skin, much of it exposed, and an eye patch over one eye. \"Arakiya. I believe I have told you several times.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " “Ah, yes, of course. Arakiya, that’s right, Arakiya. This time, I’m going to remember!” Orbart snapped his fingers and gave a wheezing laugh that made him sound rather ill."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya merely sighed at him and gazed with heavy-lidded eyes across at the distant island."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " At the moment, Orbart and Arakiya were stationed with the handful of imperial troops dispatched to the Ginonhive region, taking stock of the island. “Quickest thing would be to pile on in there, but the drawbridge would have to be down for that.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Can we not use boats?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " “Boats, boats! Yeah, we thought about it, but—you know. That lake is swimming with aquatic demon beasts. They were released into the water to keep the sword slaves from escaping way back when, but now they own the place. So with no drawbridge, we can’t get in, and the rebels can’t get out. Tough nut, no?” Orbart laughed his wheezing laugh again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya turned her attention to the lake and found that in the dark night waters, she could see shapes drifting, floating, and swimming like fish. Except they weren’t fish. They were aquatic demon beasts. Many land-bound creatures found it difficult to fight underwater, so it wasn’t uncommon for many to consider these beasts even more dangerous than some of their land-dwelling counterparts. It wasn’t surprising that Orbart might laugh off the idea of boats as impractical. And so…“I will go.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " “Hey now, this is more than just a little swim we’re talking about. You’d be down a monster’s gullet before you got anywhere near that island, eh? I’m old and haven’t much time left, but to watch a young girl with her whole future ahead of her throw her life away—it’s too much!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “It’s…all right. I will simply become the water.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " “Hoh!” Orbart’s eyebrows shifted in what was definitely surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " As he watched, Arakiya stripped off her already minimal clothing until she was completely naked. Then she crouched by the water, extended a hand to the lake surface, and went “Nom!” She scooped up a water spirit, a little lesser spirit, and popped it into her mouth. As a spirit eater, Arakiya could ingest the spirits in the atmosphere around her and make their power her own. She could only use that power until the spirit was fully consumed, but because spirits were everywhere if you looked, she never lacked for fuel. This was the ability that enabled her to ingest the water spirit, making its qualities her own."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " She glanced toward Orbart and said, “The drawbridge—it just needs to come down, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Orbart:",
"value": " “Yes, that’d do it. Anyway, if I went back to His Majesty and said that a little girl like you had given her all while my old bones had sat and done nothing, he’d kill me on the spot. Go about your task, my dear!” He gave her a perfunctory wave good-bye."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " It didn’t bother Arakiya, who simply nodded and dived into the water. She set out with a speed that rivaled any aquatic demon beast. The actual aquatic creatures didn’t notice Arakiya, who had practically become water thanks to the power of the spirit. No beast would deliberately snap at empty water. Thus, Arakiya managed to do what no one had done since the foundation of the sword-slave island—cross the lake alone, and easily at that. It had taken her less than ten minutes. “—?” Suddenly, she noticed something that caused her to drop her otherwise steady pace. She had spotted a small island between the shore and the main island. In fact, it was really too small to be called an island; it was more a collection of rocks. She’d noticed it because partaking of the water spirit made her more sensitive to slight changes in the current and flow of the lake water. She also registered blood in the water. She changed direction and headed for the spit of rocks, following the smell of blood until she made landfall. Now she could see traces of gore, leading into a little crevice among the boulders. And when she followed it…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “Hell, I don’t even know what’s goin’ on anymore. I must have lost so much blood that I’m seein’ things.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya squinted to see better. “One thing’s for sure. I know a naked, silver-haired girl didn’t just drop in and find me on these rocks… Not with my karma…” In the crevice, she found a man who was missing one arm. His black hair was soaked, and across his chest was a wound that was obviously serious. It was his blood she had been following, and it was clear that if the man—presumably someone somehow connected to the island—didn’t get help soon, death would not be long in coming. Arakiya thought for a moment. Her orders were to retrieve the imperial nobility on the island. To do that, she had to lower the drawbridge so that Orbart could get across. And to do that, it would be helpful to have some knowledge of the island’s inner workings. “You don’t…want to die?” she asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “” The man didn’t respond."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “If you don’t want to die… Mmm. I will help you. In exchange, you will talk to me.” Arakiya modeled the terms of her negotiation based on the way her former mistress— No, in Arakiya’s heart, she still served the young woman."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " But this was the first time Arakiya had ever tried to negotiate for anything in her life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “You think I’m afraid of dying, after all this? Shoulda tried that…before I’d died a million times…” Blood flecked the man’s lips as he spoke, sounding like he was pronouncing a curse."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " The sword slaves of Ginonhive had rebelled and were demanding to be freed from the island. All the spectators who had come to Ginonhive to celebrate the enthronement of the new emperor had been taken as hostages. That was the plan anyway, explained the pretty boy who appeared to be the leader of this armed rebellion. Priscilla Pendleton, posing as Serena Delacroix, narrowed her crimson eyes. She was a girl of just twelve years old, but the glint in her stare, the hard edge of knowledge and cruelty, was enough to convince everyone that she was the esteemed high countess. No one in the room dared to doubt her claim. Of course, if they ever figured out the truth, Priscilla’s life would be forfeit, along with that of her husband Jorah, who had accompanied her…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Independence for the sword-slave island? Exactly the sort of myopic dream I would expect of people who live tiny lives on a cramped rock in a lake. Not surprising. Not interesting. A true waste of time.” Priscilla sniffed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Oh—,” Jorah interjected, pale."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Pretty Boy:",
"value": " “Heh-heh!” He laughed as if the entire thing was very funny to him. “You do have a way with words. A ruthless way. I’m not upset… Although, I’m not sure I can speak for everyone here.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “As if I care what mindless incompetents make of my words. Clearly, you gave them a pretty speech or two, and it was enough to have them eating out of your hand.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Pretty Boy:",
"value": " \"Well! Did I say something strange?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “I should say so. You seem like one of the less stupid people here, which means you ought to appreciate that the chances of achieving independence for this island and freedom for the sword slaves are exactly zero.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Pretty Boy:",
"value": " The boy shrugged, but he didn’t so much as flinch at Priscilla’s pronouncement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ruffian:",
"value": " “Hey, what’s this about?” one of them demanded. “You said that if we took the high countess here hostage, those bastards in the capital would—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Listen to you? You live in Volakia. Surely, you know that ridiculous saying: Citizens of the empire, be strong. Would a high countess who got back to the capital by fearing for her life be strong? And what about you, who have taken hostages in hopes of gaining an edge in negotiations? Are you strong?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “I can tell you what the capital’s response will be."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " When he hears that you’re demanding to speak with him about your freedom, the emperor will act quickly to destroy his enemies. I expect it will involve the Nine Divine Generals, who serve His Excellency directly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Action/Narration:",
"value": " That name, the Nine Divine Generals, sent a shiver through all the ruffians and Jorah as well. They were Volakia’s nine strongest warriors who served directly under the emperor. The sword slaves on this island had some justifiable confidence in their abilities after surviving so many fights, but the Nine were on a different level. In this world, some were blessed with specific talents, natural abilities; and some were not. The gulf in power between the two was despair-inducing—and the Nine Divine Generals demonstrated this. It was not a title one could gain by virtue of status or pedigree, but only through the glory of triumphant violence. A lively confusion broke out among the sword slaves when they were told that the Nine might be coming for them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “This is no laughing matter, Ubirk! Is that true, what she said?! We didn’t hear anything about this!” The man who had led Priscilla here laid into the pretty boy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “Please, please calm down, Gajeet. Just imagine how frightened I would be if the likes of them showed up! I hardly know how to hold a sword!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “This is no time for games, you little…” The man called Gajeet, the one with the saber, grabbed the pretty boy—Ubirk—by the collar."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “It’s obvious what the high countess wants. She’s hoping to rattle us, just like this, so that we’ll fold and surrender to her. But I… No, no, we won’t be taken in by her little plan. Persistence and even greed are our bread and butter. Am I wrong?” Ubirk continued trying to calm him down."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Action/Narration:",
"value": " At that, the other man clicked his tongue—“Pfah!”—and released his grip on Ubirk. The other sword slaves likewise looked pained but no longer angry. Priscilla found the entire thing idiotic, to put it in a word, but she knew they could hardly stop now. They had already done the deed. They couldn’t surrender at this point, apologizing and saying that their assumptions had been wrong. It was impossible. They were already beyond the point of no return. That was why they couldn’t back down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Pri—Serena, what is he planning?” Jorah whispered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Huh. So my husband has actually found use for his head besides quaking in fear. Color me surprised.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Pl-please don’t mock me, this is an important matter.” Jorah’s voice shook, but he took a breath and said, “I agree with you about the emperor’s judgment. We can’t expect him to recognize Ginonhive’s independence. We can’t expect help.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Action/Narration:",
"value": " As she listened to her husband quietly poke holes in the sword slaves’ plan, Priscilla narrowed her crimson eyes, encouraging him with her silence to continue. \"I am a count of this empire myself, even if not much of one. I know how this nation operates."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"The traditional ways of our empire would never allow him to show anything even resembling weakness. The only end this armed rebellion can have is destruction.\" Priscilla concluded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"I can’t imagine he doesn’t know that.\" Jorah said, his gaze turning slowly toward Ubirk, who was still trying to fire up his ruffians."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla quite agreed with Jorah’s assessment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Independence for this island is just a cover. He has some other goal.\" Priscilla said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla looked around, quietly waiting for her moment."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"The world bends itself to suit me.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"That will help. You won’t die now. Probably.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Yeah, than— Hngh!\" He was trying to thank her when he was hit in his freshly cloth-wrapped wound and cried out in pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al finally looked at his nurse and said, \"Maybe it’s a little late to be sayin’ this, but you don’t embarrass easily, do you? Gotta admit, I never thought I’d ever be lucky enough to see a gorgeous gal like you just show up in front of me in her birthday suit.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"—? Did I do something strange?\" asked the brown-skinned girl scratching her cheek and cocking her head at Al."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al guessed the girl was about twelve or thirteen years old."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Guess it all depends on where you were born and how you were raised. Me, I like a dynamite body—you know, babababoom! Lucky thing, too. Looks like both our lives were saved today.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"It’s you whose life was saved. Me…just normal. I think?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Hey, you’re the one askin’ the question. But anyway, here I am seein’ a silver-haired girl when I’m about to die… Any chance I’m in hell?\" Al suddenly shivered, and not because it was cold. He smiled pathetically."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya touched her sopping wet hair, water dripping. She narrowed her crimson eyes and said, “My silver hair… Is it strange? It’s pretty. That’s what the princess always said.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Aw, no, no. Just talking to myself. It’s my own problem. Nothing to do with you, kid—I’ve just got some bad memories about silver hair. It reminds me that I’m a useless piece of trash.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “—?” Arakiya simply cocked her head again at Al’s self-directed tirade; she didn’t understand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al’s smile only grew more bitter; he couldn’t believe he was unloading on this young lady right after she’d saved his life. He heaved a very long sigh, as if he might be able to breathe out the knot in his chest. But of course he couldn’t. “It’s…Ya know. There was someone important to me, and I wasn’t able to help them when it mattered most.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Oh… I understand that. I’m the same. I couldn’t help the princess.” Arakiya’s head drooped, and her fingers brushed her left eye. She’d fretted at the bandage on it while she was tending to Al. Her right eye appeared to be a bright red, but he suspected that under that covering, her left eye had lost its light. That one blind eye seemed to be the key to the memory of her regrets."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Yeesh. Guess I can’t say anything right,” Al said. He felt bad for the girl; he shouldn’t have brought up what he had. It was sick, a middle-aged guy getting a youngster with her whole life ahead of her wrapped up in his own feeling of powerlessness. He’d spent enough worthless, empty time on that island to think this sort of self-reproach was appropriate. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m just talking funny talk now. Guess it wouldn’t be very nice to ask you to forget I said anything, but maybe you could ignore it. There must be something you’re here to do, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be out in a dangerous lake like this.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Mm-hmm. The island… It’s been taken over, right?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Seems like. I didn’t really see what happened myself.” Al felt bad not being able to speak with more authority, but he hadn’t exactly been able to slow down and take it all in. All he knew was he’d suddenly found himself in a fight to the death with the most powerful woman on the sword-slave island. The truth of it was, he considered it nothing short of a miracle that he hadn’t sustained a fatal injury—and even that had been a near thing. He’d come within an inch of his life for that miracle. “And while I was busy finding out if I was gonna buy the farm, Ubirk and the Hornet took over the place with everyone who bought into their spiel, huh? …And what’s your part in all this, young lady?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “The drawbridge. I will lower it."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Because without that, the soldiers cannot get to the island.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “That ain’t gonna be easy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Hmm,” Arakiya said, annoyed at how quickly Al poked a hole in her plan when he heard what she was after. It was an adorable reaction, very much expected of a girl her age, but unfortunately for her, what Al said was true. She would not find it easy to do. As long as the drawbridge between the island and the mainland was up, the troops from the capital wouldn’t be able to assault Ginonhive. In other words, that drawbridge was the lifeline of the sword slaves currently occupying the island, and they would know it. Which meant only one thing:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “The strongest card they have in their hand is going to be played there. And the strongest card on this island is a monster named the Hornet. We call her the Empress of the sword slaves.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “The Empress…of the sword slaves? Is she strong?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Remember how you found me mostly dead? She did that to me,” Al said, pointing to himself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “—? Does that mean she’s strong?” Arakiya’s question was not really answered. Al’s prowess was likely a matter of debate in her eyes. He only had one arm, he’d been clinging to life when she found him, and Arakiya herself was probably no slouch in a fight. He couldn’t blame her if she didn’t think much of him. But there was no question about the Hornet’s strength. There was no one on the island who could stand against her, and even the strongest warriors in the empire might have their hands full in a straight fight. Even Arakiya, who appeared to be stronger than Al, was likely no exception."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Might be a different story if you put it off a while, grow up strong and healthy first. You got a few years to kill before you need that drawbridge down?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “No… I have things I must do.” Arakiya shook her head and gave the obvious answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Figures.” Al smiled ruefully but got to his feet, supporting himself against the wall. He still felt a little light-headed from blood loss, but he thought he could move if he focused on it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya watched him stand, then blinked her large eyes. \"What are you going to do?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “What’ve I got to do? You need to get to that island, right, young lady? You’ll need someone who knows their way around the place if you want to get that drawbridge down. That’s why you helped me—right?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “…Oh!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Don’t tell me you forgot! …Ooh. Yelling makes a guy’s head spin…” Al smiled at Arakiya, realizing she was the type to get lost in whatever she was doing at that moment. Here was the reality: Going back to an island bristling with enemies was suicidal no matter how many lives he had. But going with Arakiya? That was another story. His life might hardly be worth a grain of sand, but he owed it to her."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “And ain’t no one gonna accuse me of being ungrateful. I’ll guide you around that island. But…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Mn. That will help. Fighting… That is my job.” He stopped short of saying that when the enemy showed up, he was going to run away with his tail between his legs. If Arakiya, who actually had a tail, was so determined, Al could hardly go around whining. With their minds made up, Al squeezed out of the crevice among the rocks and looked at the accursed island, the home of the sword slaves, where a bunch of spectators were being held hostage, and a bunch of people who were either very brave or very stupid had declared war against the empire… Al tilted his head from side to side to get the water out of his ears. “All right, so we know we’re going. But how do we get there?” he said, frowning. He was confronted with the same thing that made it necessary to lower the drawbridge in the first place: the lake that surrounded the island, chock-full of demon beasts. The lake they had to cross if they wanted to make it to land. That was the first hurdle. The first thing between him and repaying his savior."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla pensively closed an eye as she looked at Gajeet from her place in a luxurious chair, where she was waiting for time to pass, bored."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “Hey, how much of what you said was true?” The speaker was a man with a strange haircut—he’d shaved off his hair, but only half of it. He was the saber user, the one Ubirk had called Gajeet. She assumed he had a certain authority, here where proven ability was valued above all. She suspected he could handle himself in a fight. The fact that he seemed to be acting as spokesman for the others made that clear. Although, the fact that he only acted when the true leader, Ubirk, wasn’t present showed that Gajeet’s bravery was something of a sham. “Don’t be coy with me, noblewoman. Do ya understand the position you’re in? Eh?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Spare me your yammering. I think you fail to understand the position you’re in. The very ground beneath your feet is unstable.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “What was that?” Gajeet demanded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You’ve let that rabble-rouser dictate every little thing. You’re unwilling or unable to use your own head. And if you can’t use your head, that means you can’t use the eyes, ears, or nose that go with it. The lot of you got here by covering your eyes, blocking your ears, and plugging your noses, simply letting yourselves be led along by the hand. Am I wrong?” Priscilla’s attitude never changed despite Gajeet’s attempt to intimidate her. Beside her, Jorah was looking distinctly nervous. As for the thoroughly berated Gajeet, he couldn’t hide his displeasure, but he didn’t look like he was going to do anything rash."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"The capital will do exactly as I said. The Nine Divine Generals will come—precisely how many fingers of the emperor’s hand fall upon you is up to him, but when the generals arrive, this little uprising will be quashed in a matter of moments.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " :Listen to you talk. How many people do you think we have here?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “It doesn’t matter. And you know it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": ":",
"value": " “!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “And yet you did this… Why?” Jorah asked, looking at the blanching sword slaves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " Gajeet gave a listless sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You curs may take one of two paths. You may continue to let that agitator lead you around by the nose and allow your lives to be snuffed out trying and failing to challenge the Nine Divine Generals. Or…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": ":",
"value": " “Yes? Or what?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Or you may struggle against your destiny and win back your lives with your own hands.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Try using those heads of yours, which have gone untested until now. Your destiny is your own,” Priscilla said, watching the men try to quicken wits they didn’t have, she could only shrug."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": ":",
"value": " “High Countess Delacroix. Won’t you join me on the balcony?"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"You can see the shore quite clearly.\" Ubirk had come back into the room. \"A mundane invitation. But better than being here, I suppose.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla rose to accept the pretty boy’s offer, but as she did so, she turned to her husband and said, \"You stay here. I need no strange suspicions arising.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Wha? !\" Jorah goggled, but Priscilla ignored him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " With Jorah’s anxious eyes on her, she followed Ubirk out onto the balcony, where the night breeze brushed past them."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " The drawbridge remained up, as it had since several hours before, cutting Ginonhive off from the outside world. But there was something that was different from how she remembered it, too. Namely…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"It looks like the emperor’s troops have camped out on the far shore. You can see little lights over there.\" Ubirk said, shading his eyes with his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " And indeed, fires could be seen twinkling on the distant mainland. The breeze carried a sense of almost palpable anticipation as the soldiers prepared for battle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"I saw you talking to Gajeet and the others. Not very quick to act, are they? I know how you must feel, I really do. I spent five years convincing them to stop dragging their feet.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Don’t venture to compare your sophistry with my grandeur, commoner. It’s disrespectful.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Sophistry? You wound me.\" But then he chuckled. \"So I’m a disrespectful commoner, am I?\" He leaned against the balcony railing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Plucking the pretty boy’s life away from him would have been simple for Priscilla. But then…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"It wouldn’t mean anything, would it? We’ve come this far. Taking my head now wouldn’t stop it. I just gave things a little push.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Hmph. A push. And whom, exactly, did you give this push to?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Oh, whoever happened to be around. Anyone who didn’t seem to have much on their minds.\" Ubirk laughed aloud. Then he took the hem of his own shirt and began to raise it up. It was the simple, rough-hewn outfit of every captive on the island, and as he pulled it upward, it revealed his thin, bony body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla frowned, but she soon realized that he wasn’t stripping simply for the sake of it. He was showing her something. Something that explained how he’d managed to fan the flames of this rebellion."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"The Demon Eye Clan.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Precisely. A rare sight, right? There aren’t many of us left."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"I’m one of just a few survivors.\" Ubirk let his shirt drop back down and raised his hands in a teasing I’m gonna get you posture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla didn’t react at all, but she crossed her arms, resting her elbows in her hands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Now the Demon Eye Clan is supposed to be all but extinct. They’re considered almost as rare as Demons.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"You’re well-informed. Yes, I’"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Instead, you owned right up to it…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " As far as it went, it made no real difference to Priscilla that Ubirk had seen through her lie. She hadn’t expected the cover to last very long."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " For his part, Ubirk, who was being careful to keep this conversation out of earshot of the guards, didn’t seem to plan on telling the other sword slaves who Priscilla really was. It was, in a sense, a negotiating strategy on his part. He knew she wasn’t who she claimed to be, but he wouldn’t tell anyone. And in exchange…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “I need you to stay out of my way for a little while, miss.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You benighted little boy. Even you must be able to see that your trivial rebellion will be crushed in short order. Drawbridge or no, those forces you see assembled on the far shore will figure out a way to cross the lake sooner or later. It’s only a matter of time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " Ubirk smiled and said softly, “Yes. And time is exactly what I want.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " At that moment, from the swirl of Priscilla’s questions emerged an answer that made sense to her. “So that’s what you’re after.” She saw now why Ubirk had instigated this uprising, knowing perfectly well that it would be quashed. She knew why he wanted to buy this time so desperately."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " He looked at her in surprise. Her murmured words had given away that his plan was now known to her. “Well, well. Is that all it took for you to figure out what I was after? And—and! The strange thing is, I don’t doubt that you’re telling the truth. You’re weirdly persuasive that way.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “—I don’t much care whether or not you find me persuasive. The question is, what are you going to do? Now that I’ve figured out your plan, what comes next?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “This is a pickle. Here I thought I had the upper hand,” Ubirk said, scratching his head and smiling with a touch of bitterness. Under his shirt, the Demon Eye in his chest was fixed on Priscilla. If it was the Demon Eye that had allowed him to cause this rebellion, then its power must be related to sensing the emotions of others—a dangerous ability. Ubirk, though, shook his head and said, “No. My Demon Eye doesn’t do anything so convenient. And I doubt it would work on you. So I suppose the wisest course of action would be to silence you…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla didn’t speak."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " “…but one nagging doubt won’t let me do that. And so.” Ubirk summoned the guards with a snap of his fingers. Two men appeared, a large one in full body armor and another, smaller, with his torso exposed. “Please escort the lady to a separate room from her husband. And try to be courteous about it.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Guard:",
"value": " “Courteous. That’s a good one,” the smaller man said, a grating laugh that sounded like a buzzing insect issuing from his mouth. “That’s all we ever are around here."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Well, she is our trump card.\" Ubirk turned and looked at Priscilla. His eyes were so deep. It was impossible to tell what emotion they held."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"I’m going to have to ask you to stay with us for a while. Although, I admit that might seem like hubris when I consider that the Nine Divine Generals are going to reduce this place to dust.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Hoh. So you have a plan? Something that will foil the emperor’s own generals?\" Priscilla raised an eyebrow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Ubirk:",
"value": " \"Let’s just say that you have your emperor…and we have our Empress.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " The word empress caught Priscilla’s attention. \"…someone strong enough to challenge for the imperial throne.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " Glub glub, glub glub—the scenery went shooting past them at incredible speed. Well, that wasn’t entirely accurate. Really, there was nothing striking enough to be called “scenery” anywhere nearby, and it wasn’t what was around them that was moving, but they themselves. Just a one-armed, middle-aged man named Al being dragged through the water of the lake at a fantastic rate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Blrgh? !\" he exclaimed as the swim came to an abrupt halt. Unable to completely kill his momentum, Al came flying out of the water and rolled across a hard surface. He came to a halt lying on his back on the cold ground, where he greedily filled his lungs with as much oxygen as he could get."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Hoo…hoo… I thought I was a goner!\" Al panted, reflecting that he had been scared to death as well as almost just plain dead. One reason for that was, of course, that he couldn’t breathe underwater—but the second was that he’d found himself locking eyes with more than one demon beast swimming through the lake. It was literally a different world down there, and it belonged to those guys, who called the water home. The very fact that Al had survived to be washed up on the tiny rock where Arakiya had found him was itself only thanks to a small series of miracles. It’s ridiculous, thinkin’ how many times I should’ve been torn to pieces by those creatures."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " There was a splash as Arakiya followed him out of the water."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"We’ve arrived.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Thanks, I can see that. And here…put this on.\" He scowled at the still-naked (and still-not-embarrassed) young woman and tossed her his own ratty shirt. It was soaked with water, covered in blood, and boasted plenty of holes, but it would sure beat walking around with a naked girl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " Arakiya, in deference to Al’s feelings, tore the shirt in two, wrapping one piece around her chest and the other around her waist, thereby eliminating the most problematic things about her lack of dress."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Having solved the logical problem, Al then cocked his head and said softly, “Back home, and it’s only been a few hours… Place feels eerie, though.” He gazed up at the sword-slave island, over which a shroud of silence had fallen. He and Arakiya had made landfall at the waste-disposal site on the lower part of the island—a simple landing from which trash, garbage, and anything else unnecessary that was generated on the island was thrown into the lake to feed the demon beasts. Despite its direct access to the lake, there were no guards here on the lookout for any imperial soldiers trying to sneak in this way. The aquatic demon beasts were guards enough—usually. \"They gotta figure no one’d be crazy enough to try to come up this way.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “This place. What is it for?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “It’s where they pitch the island’s trash. Rotten food, human shit—and any person who’s become waste themselves.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “A person who’s become waste?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I mean corpses. The demon beasts take ’em away. It’s real…eco-friendly, ya know?” Al said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya looked deeply disturbed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al felt it was an eminently sensible way of handling things. After all, as long as sword slaves had to fight one another for the entertainment of spectators, the island would continue to generate bodies. The whole island was dedicated to the fights—they couldn’t set aside land to bury anyone. Besides, who would go visit the graves even if they had them? Hence, it was the most efficient way to take care of the dead. “‘Course, you get the occasional spectator with, uh, funny tastes who’ll buy one of the corpses.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “The corpses? What do they do with them?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey, not every sword slave is a big, ugly brute like me. Sometimes, you get handsome guys, even the occasional attractive woman passing through here. But everyone dies when it’s their time. If they die pretty, there are people who’ll pay for ’em.” He’d even heard of people who purchased the bodies of rare demi-humans in order to have them stuffed—more than a few people from unusual tribes came through the sword-slave island. In any event, excepting those few poor souls who continued to find themselves debased even after death, most corpses were flung into the lake, where they became nutrients for the demon beasts and entered the food chain. \"Not sure if one’s any better than the other after you’re dead,” Al said. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t think it would make much difference to him after he was gone whether his body was turned into a plaything or fed to the beasts. Dead was dead; there was nothing left after that. There was nothing left—but there was a proper cycle of nature. “Hmm? What’s up, young lady?"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"You keep starin’ at me.\" Arakiya, quite ignorant of Al’s thoughts and feelings at that moment, did indeed have him pinned with her gaze, with one eye in which a spark burned and one in which the light had gone out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Not bad…I think.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Hmm? What’s not bad?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Your face? Your face. I do not think you’re an ugly brute.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al found himself lost for words—of everything he’d thought she might say, that wasn’t it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"—The drawbridge. The thing that makes it move—where is it?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " While Al was still trying to figure out whether to say thank you, Arakiya was already on to the next subject. That made the decision for Al: He stopped worrying about words of gratitude and jerked his chin upward. \"That’s it. You see the big tower right by the drawbridge? That’s the control tower for the bridge mechanism. If you can get in there, it shouldn’t be hard at all to let the bridge down.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya looked where Al had indicated, squinting to get a better view of the tower."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"And that means everyone I know’s likely to disappear all at once…just like they did four years ago.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Hey, hold on. Are they gonna blame me for this, too? Wipe me right out?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"It’s all right… I will talk to them. I will probably not forget. Certainly.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"That’s a little vague for comfort! Anyway—” But then Al stopped talking, for Arakiya was giving him a strange look despite his grimace."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"I really don’t think you can beat the Hornet, little girl.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Arakiya was stronger than Al, or so he suspected. But the Hornet was stronger than a hundred Als. There was no way Arakiya could overcome that monster. He thought they should beat a retreat, go get those Nine Divine Generals, who were supposedly waiting back on the far shore."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Arakiya could drag them over here through the water, the same way she’d done with Al. \"I think…swimming would be hard. Over a short distance, it might be all right, but…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Guess it’s not really realistic to tell them to hold their breath for ten or fifteen minutes, huh? But I’m not sure it’s any better to think you can beat the Hornet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “I’m thinking. If I can’t win…then I won’t fight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “What?” Al looked shocked, but Arakiya grabbed something out of the air—a lesser spirit, glowing dimly. Without a moment’s hesitation, she stuffed it into her mouth, chewing the incorporeal being. “” She’d told Al she was a “spirit eater.” She could consume the countless beings known as spirits that floated through the air, taking them into her body and acquiring their characteristics. That was how she had become like a lesser water spirit in order to safely cross the lake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she had become water itself, swimming at a speed that far outstripped any normal person. How could Al not buy her explanation? She’d dragged him through the lake at a tremendous speed. So in order to cross the lake, Arakiya had consumed a water spirit. In that case, in order to reach the control tower and lower the drawbridge, she would consume…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “A wind spirit.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey, hold on, you can’t be serious…” As Al watched, Arakiya’s body began to transform into wind. Meaning she gradually turned invisible. If he squinted, Al could just see Arakiya’s silhouette, but only because he knew what to look for. “Wow, you can do anything with those things. Convenient stuff. I think I’ll start living on spirits from now on.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “I don’t really recommend it… You can end up disappearing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ahh, it’s that sort of thing, huh? You can’t maintain your identity, and then—poof!” It sounded to him like in order to merge with the spirits as a spirit eater, an absolutely unshakable sense of self was required. And if sense of self was the key, well, she was right: He wasn’t cut out for it. Al was practically the poster boy for not knowing who he really was."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “It’s gonna be a riot if you get up there and find out the Hornet isn’t even inside.” After all his warnings about how powerful she was, if the Hornet herself wasn’t in that control tower, it would really be anticlimactic. Even if it would also make it a lot easier for Arakiya to accomplish her goal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya, though, didn’t so much as smile at Al’s little joke as she looked up at the tower. “No. She’s there.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al and Arakiya, full of doubt and vigilance, arrived back on the island in short order. They were headed for the control tower—although it was purely circumstance that made Al stick with Arakiya. He wanted to pay her back for saving his life, but once he felt he’d fulfilled his debt, he planned to part ways with Arakiya, to live a different life. By this point, he’d already told her how to lower the drawbridge, helped her get around the island, and given her enough clothing that people wouldn’t just dismiss her as a pervert. He thought that all amounted to quite a bit of help and that he didn’t have much debt left to pay off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hrgh!” As Al watched, the short-haired man before him crumpled, blood gushing from his head. Another man who had been talking to him reacted with shock at the sudden and violent death of his conversation partner. But it wasn’t Al’s job to tell him what had happened—or to soothe his wounded heart. Instead, he snatched the knife the startled man had at his waist, grabbed it in a reverse grip, and stabbed the man in the heart with it. Then he twisted hard. The two guards died without a sound, within five seconds of each other. Maybe they could continue their conversation in the next life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al made an impressed sound as he wiped the blood off the knife on his shirt. “Phew. Turning invisible. Now that’s an unfair advantage.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “And you… You’re stronger than I thought. Even though you have only one arm.” The barely visible Arakiya responded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " He thought maybe her assessment was a little too honest, but he chose to take it as a compliment. Whatever the case, the guards’ outfits were too bloodstained to be wearable, so it looked like Old Man Al was going to have to continue this stealth mission in his half-dressed state. “Man, they really did take over this island, didn’t they?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “You thought I was lying?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Let’s say I hoped I was…dreaming.” Al hadn’t loved anyone on the island—he hadn’t even had any friends. No, that wasn’t true. The guard Orlan had been his friend. Al mourned his death from the bottom of his heart. But that was it. After ten years as a sword slave, Orlan was about the only person Al felt any affection toward. Otherwise, there really wasn’t anything here for him."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Orlan:",
"value": " \"Wonder what I’ll do next…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Orlan:",
"value": " He’d spent his days like grass blowing in the wind, like a leaf scudding across a pond at the behest of the breeze."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"There.\" Arakiya suddenly spoke as Al stood by the guards he’d taken out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al held his breath and looked in the direction she was pointing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"!\" Al almost choked, seized by a feeling like his heart was caught in a vise. He hurried to hide in the shadows by the wall."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Huff…huff…\" Al became aware of his own ragged breath as he put a hand to his chest, which suddenly hurt again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “…Ha!” With that thought, Al laughed mockingly, getting his frozen thoughts back into motion."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Hey… Young lady… I’m real sorry, but this is as far as I go.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya didn’t say anything."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"She’s already almost killed me once… Hell, more like a hundred times. I can’t find it in me to do anything about her.\" Al told Arakiya that he was leaving the battlefield, fully expecting her to berate him as an ingrate."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Mmm. Understood. Thank you.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Listen, kid, give it up. No one’ll blame you. ’Least, I won’t. You hear me, right?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"She is probably strong.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"No probably about it. She’s the real deal. She’s at least the third or fourth strongest living creature I’ve come across in my lifetime.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"What are the first and second?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Don’t wanna think about ’em.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Listen, kid—,\" Al began, but his middle-aged-man sermon couldn’t stop the rash young woman with a future."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"Bye,\" Arakiya said, and then her almost-invisible body merged with the wind as she made for the control tower, literally as quick as the breeze."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Weeell, now. What an odd breeze.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " Hornet turned and brought her blades—her very arms—straight through the breeze. The swipe looked broad, undirected, but it struck Arakiya square in the chest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya detected the aura of oncoming death and floated into the air, dodging the blow."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Well, well, weeeell!” The Hornet almost seemed to be singing as she continued her danse macabre, the evil rolling off her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “—!” Arakiya, one with the wind, could move better and faster than could possibly be expected, but the Hornet pressed her with merciless strokes of the swords that were her arms until Arakiya was nearly cornered. She tried desperately to evade the spiral of death—she was obviously fighting a monumental battle, but the Hornet was still only playing. Which was not to say she wasn’t enjoying the fight. Murder was her hobby, torment one of her favorite pastimes. Thus, the exchange of attack and defense that enabled her to corner Arakiya was all part of a ritual for her pleasure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I…,” Al started, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. I told you so. She’d been rash, yes; it had been obvious that this was what was going to happen. But it had been Al’s choice not to stop the young woman by force. Of course, there was a distinct possibility he wouldn’t have been able to stop her even if he’d tried—but that was how people who only had one chance at life thought about things. It didn’t apply to Al. If he’d wanted to, he could have stopped her. And yet he hadn’t. Al had no desire any longer to spend himself trying to bend the wills of others. That was why he’d watched the girl go to a battle in which he knew she would die, why he only observed the fight knowingly, and why he would watch as the girl met her blood-soaked end. “” Something deep within him ached; it was like a tremendous weight was going to crush his heart. If this was a symptom of the stress of facing something deeply difficult to bear, then why was he standing here, watching something he didn’t want to see? Not for any heroic reason like wanting to see out the consequences of his choices. He wasn’t a big enough person to have important reasons like that. He was just a middle-aged man with a pitiful excuse for a weapon and a lifetime of somehow avoiding any mortal wounds—though he still bore the scars of so many others. His spirit was broken. He couldn’t even dream. He had no reason to fight and nothing that would drive him to win. No motivation at all to struggle against anything. And yet Al—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Oh.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Well!\" The great blade came down in a strike that was impossible to avoid. Blood danced into the night sky. The half naked girl’s bond with the wind was broken; she stumbled backward and collapsed on the flagstones. The Empress of the island of the sword slaves looked down at the blood-spattered girl and gave her a sweet smile."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"You are just the cutest little thing, aren’t you?\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"I don’t recognize you… I wonder how you got here.\" The Hornet cocked her head in curiosity, but the girl said nothing, only fixing her with a single scarlet eye blazing with hostility."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet smiled even wider. Dripping blood turned the girl’s lovely silver hair red and stippled her brown skin, which seemed to pulse with the fight. The Hornet raised her blades, savoring what she was going to do next…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Someone:",
"value": " \"All right, that’s enough.\" Someone said just before she could bring the weapons down."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " Her annoyance vanished. \"Well, well, well!\" Her eyes widened as she registered the moonlit figure with pleasure. Like her, he lacked his full complement of limbs; like her, he had that unusual black hair; and like her, he had managed to survive in this place of death…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Aldeberan!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Aldeberan:",
"value": " \"Don’t call me that.\" He spat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Bah, who cares? I’ve got a feeling like I want to die.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Aldeberan:",
"value": " He leveled his dagger at the Hornet. A short, crude weapon, its reach much shorter than the huge sword he usually used. And thus, the man who had fled from her in the arena, the man who had only just avoided being critically injured, came at her again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Well! This is unexpected. I didn’t know my sweet little Al was such a hot-blooded man!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Aldeberan:",
"value": " \"I’m not a hot-blooded anything. The girl’s just too pretty to let her die so young…and the sight of her blood on that silver hair made me sicker than I expected. And…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Yeeees?\" The Hornet said, drawing out the question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Aldeberan:",
"value": " Al scowled, but then he chuckled darkly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet smiled back, a pleasant thrill running down her spine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Aldeberan:",
"value": " As they stood there grinning at each other, Al said, \"The stars were… Naw. It’s my temper that’s bad today.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"The poison should be taking effect by now.\" Priscilla murmured from her chair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " \"Whazzat?\" said the small, half-dressed man, his eyes widening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " She held up a finger with a flourish so that they could see. \"It’s not difficult. Let me explain it so that even you dim-witted fools can understand: The poison is figurative. There is no actual poison coursing anywhere. Although, there is something that eats away at the life, stealing vitality even as we speak.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " \"The more you talk, the less sense you make. But I know when I’m bein’ mocked!\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Small Man:",
"value": " The small man, having drawn a boring guard duty, now grabbed a dagger in each hand and glared at Priscilla. His anger with her words was written on his ugly face, as was the fact that he wanted to take that anger out on her. However…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Small Man:",
"value": " “If you’re hoping to threaten me, you’re much too late.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Small Man:",
"value": " “Yeah? Let’s see how long you can keep up that talk, ya little—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Someone:",
"value": " “Nah, I think she’ll be talkin’ like that until the day she dies.” Someone said, interrupting the howling little man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " He jumped back, ready to fight, but he was caught by a spear blow, a single strike that stabbed him through the face and took his life. He fell on the spot. At the exact same moment, the big man sank to the red carpet with an earsplitting clatter of armor. That was thanks to the man with the saber and the strange haircut—Gajeet, who had killed another sword slave. Accompanying him into the room was…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You do know how to keep a woman waiting.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Aw, I hurried, y’know, I really did. But first, Miles needed to give me a good thrashing, then the high countess told me to bide my time…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Enough excuses. You at least have my praise for arriving before the poison finished its work.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " That was the most appreciation Priscilla would offer the slump-shouldered Balleroy. Then she turned and looked at Gajeet. He was one of the drops of poison Priscilla had sown. Now he flicked his companions’ blood off his saber, giving a click of his tongue when he saw her looking at him. Presumably, it all showed that he had chosen to fight against his circumstances in order to take control of his own destiny. If Gajeet was on the move, it most likely meant that the sword slaves in the room with Jorah had made up their minds as well."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Although, there’s a possibility they’re all dead—along with my beloved husband.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Aw, don’t say that, you’re scarin’ me. The high countess told me to protect Count Pendleton too, see.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Then we had better get about it.” Priscilla said with consummate detachment. She stood up, straightening her dress as she rose. She had already tired of the transient amusements of this upheaval, and she had a fair idea of what its leader, Ubirk, was up to. All of which meant she couldn’t expect the situation to save her from boredom any longer. Thus, Priscilla Pendleton had but one thing to do—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “For its final act, I must grace this boorish performance with the flower that is myself.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " With the pale moonlight at his back and the drawbridge control tower ahead, he faced off with his most potent enemy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " It was pretty dramatic, if he did say so himself, Al thought ruefully. A one-armed swordsman with a blood-soaked young girl beside him. It was like something out of a heroic legend or a saga—if they both got out alive, that was."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Heh, I guess this moment could be a picture, too. One of those pictures of Hell,” Al said bitterly. He fought off a pang of remorse as he pointed his dagger forward. In a situation where even his beloved liuyedao would have put him at a disadvantage, being reduced to relying on this sorry excuse for a weapon was even more depressing. Al was quickly beginning to have second thoughts about his decision."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet flashed him one of those brilliant smiles. “A bad temper, eh?” The Empress of the sword slaves offered him a mocking chuckle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al found himself thinking once again what an extraordinary figure she cut."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Hee! Hee-hee! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” The Hornet laughed, seeming to hug her arms with their great blades tightly, quite uninterested in Al’s appraisal of the situation. She seemed downright delighted, notwithstanding the fact that she was turning her weapons against a longtime companion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “The hell’s so funny?” Al said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Oh, my dear, sweet Al, you ought to know. I’ve always wanted to try a fight to the death with you.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Not a fact I ever wanted to know, but yeah, I got an inkling. We had a fight to the death, and I lost like an asshole. You kicked me into the corpse gutter, remember?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “I dooo. And yet here you are. Which can only mean one thing.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Yeah? What’s that?” Sadly for Al, he couldn’t fathom the thoughts of a battle-crazed fighter like her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “…I’ll never understand you in a million years, Hornet.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “We don’t have to understand each other, Al, sweetie. If I can have a little fun, that’s all I want.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Ugly…brute,” Arakiya mumbled."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Oh, pipe down and watch me work, young lady. I really took it to heart when you told me I wasn’t an ugly brute.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya looked back at him, unable to hide the sting of his riposte. She didn’t show much emotion in her one eye, but it was clear as a burning flame that she knew Al was at a disadvantage here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"An overwhelming disadvantage. Believe me, I know it better than anybody.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"All right then, sweetie, here we go! Don’t die too easily, all right?\" The Hornet’s voice was veritably sugary—then she let loose with her blades, and a storm enveloped the bridge."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al immediately crouched down, raising his knife in hopes of enduring it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “—!” But he found his weapon swept away—along with his torso—and Al died. Very easily, as it turned out."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I believe the real aim of this disturbance is the emperor’s head.\" Priscilla said, picking up the hem of her dress as she stepped over the body of the sword slave who had been standing sentry in the hallway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Damn, that’s some guess.\" Balleroy replied, eyes wide. Just a second ago, he had been thrusting his spear through the sword slave’s heart. The young man had to rush to clear a path for Priscilla, who proceeded ever more fearlessly, but he never voiced a word of complaint. With the tip of his spear dripping blood, he looked around."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"It’s one thing to start a rebellion on the sword-slave island and demand their freedom in the face of the empire. They’ve actually done it, so I guess you can trust them on that. But how does he go after the emperor himself? You don’t think he’d demand the emperor’s head in exchange for releasing the hostages, do you?\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"No, I most assuredly don’t. Nor do I believe the emperor would make any decision that would put his own life in danger, unless perhaps it was the only way to take his opponent’s head…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Gosh, I dunno. I think maybe even that’s going a little far.\" Balleroy said, scratching his cheek and smiling a little at Priscilla’s pronouncement. The bold girl’s words had force in them; if one listened to her without thinking very hard, it would have been all too easy to just start nodding along, to find oneself helplessly agreeing with her. Still, the way she talked as if she knew the emperor personally really seemed like a bridge too far."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Don’t you think that’s a bit of a leap of logic, Ms. Wife? The best they can hope for is to draw out the Nine Divine Generals—military representatives of the empire. I guess to be fair, it sounds like they may really be over there on that shore…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I see you’re at least able to put what semblance of intelligence you do have to work."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"If the Divine Generals do show up, what happens to the island?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Well…I guess the rebellion fails, and the sword slaves are beaten into submission.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " Balleroy’s companion, the sword slave Gajeet, looked pained by how readily he said this—but it was a fact."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Yes, that’s a foregone conclusion.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Why, then, did their leader plan a rebellion he knew would be crushed?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Well, uh…he knew the Divine Generals would come out, and they would definitely destroy him…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Most definitely. However, that means that at that same moment, the generals will not be by the emperor’s side.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy’s eyes widened again at what Priscilla was saying. He swallowed in spite of himself, chewed over the meaning of her words."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Naw, naw. I mean, I follow the logic, but one or two generals stepping out for a few minutes wouldn’t be enough to compromise the emperor’s safety. There’s nine of them—that’s why they call them the Nine Divine Generals! So why…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Very well. Then suppose an upheaval were to occur that required the dispatch of all nine. Suppose something were to happen beyond what’s occurring on the sword-slave island.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “You’re not sayin’…?” Was this a joint operation, meticulously planned in conjunction with something or someone else?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “But that’s ridiculous,” Balleroy said, but once the possibility had been shown to him, he couldn’t get it out of his head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “The emperor is not a careless man, nor are his bodyguards. I doubt he would send all nine generals away at once. But nonetheless, they would be fewer in number than usual, and thereby, an opportunity might arise.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “So all the sword slaves on this island are just a big sacrifice play?” Balleroy asked, licking his dry lips with a shudder."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " \"Hey! This is no freakin’ joke!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " His lips trembled, and his eyes blazed with anger. “The emperor’s head?! Who gives a shit about that? We just want—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “To escape from the dead end you find yourselves in? Your prosaic motivations made it a simple matter to manipulate you. You should have tried using your heads first.\" Priscilla said mercilessly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “Hrn! Why, you little…!” Gajeet turned his unsheathed saber on Priscilla’s neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"C’mon, now, that’s enough, Brother. Ms. Wife isn’t the one you should be angry at. Won’t get you nothing doing that.” Balleroy shrugged."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “Shaddap! So it won’t get me anything, will it? If you’re right about all this, then nothing will get me anything! Trying to free the island, that was one thing, but kill the emperor? We’re accomplices to that? !”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Naw, the lady’s just guessin’. She doesn’t know for sure.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “I told you to shut up, spearman. I know you’re just trying to talk me down. But I…I believed the runt earlier!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy closed an eye as he sank into thought. As much as he sympathized with Gajeet’s position, though, Balleroy closed an eye as he sank into thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “What are you dawdling about for? What are you mulling over, Balleroy Temeglyph?” Priscilla spoke his name. She showed nothing less than total composure despite the blade at her neck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “This world bends itself to suit me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “As such, your own choices cannot harm me."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"I urge you to remember that.” She was saying she was the very center of the world—and she said it so easily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy swallowed, struck by the pronouncement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " Gajeet swallowed, struck by the pronouncement."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “Hrrrahhh!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Gajeet:",
"value": " “Gagh!” —there was a husky shout, and a piece of rubble came flying in, striking Gajeet in the side of the head. He exclaimed with the impact, which was swiftly followed by a leaping figure holding another chunk of debris that slammed mercilessly into the sword slave’s head. Gajeet went down hard, his saber clattering as it skipped across the floor of the passageway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Huh! Turning a weapon on the high countess. I’ve never heard of such insolence!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “M-Miles? Brother?” Balleroy said in shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Fine work you did, standing around like an idiot! What if Count Pendleton’s wife had been hurt while you were dithering? What then, ya great bozo?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “I’m not an idiot or a bozo, Brother…,” Balleroy said, his shoulders slumping. His older brother might have been shouting so angrily that spit was flying from his mouth, but at the same time, his presence started to relieve the sense of isolation that had been gripping Balleroy. The thought banished the clouds that had made it so hard to decide how to deal with Gajeet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “They say even the biggest containers have lids that will close them. Although I must say, your lid is a rather unpleasant-looking one.” There was a smile on her lips as she spoke."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Never been much of a thinker. I’ve always let Miles be the brains.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Hmm? What are you talking about? Bah, who cares! Young mistress, are you all right? The high countess has been worried!” Miles, mostly ignoring Balleroy, hefted Gajeet up off the ground and tried to see if Priscilla was unhurt. Gajeet was evidently still alive, for he groaned quietly, but his conviction had fled him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “She sure is. Not a scratch on her. Just like the high countess wanted!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Shut yer hole! I wasn’t asking you! Why should I trust you anyway? You were just standing there watching the enemy! The one who saved the young mistress from danger was me! Miles!”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You are as bad as he is. This is no time to be squalling like a cat in heat. I am not hurt. Now let’s go.” She promptly turned around."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " Miles and Balleroy were about to follow her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Er, Ms. Wife? You won’t find Count Pendleton over there…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Don’t be ridiculous. My beloved husband can wait. Our enemies’ true aim might be the death of the emperor, but our most salient crisis is here on this very island. First, we must end this rebellion.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"What’s that? They want to kill the emperor? W-wait— They want to what?! What are you talking about? !\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " Balleroy ignored him. \"All right, so what, then?\" he asked Priscilla."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"That sword slave earlier gave us a fine demonstration. All we need to do is alert them to their situation.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narrator:",
"value": " The island of Ginonhive offered a variety of entertainments featuring its sword slaves. The simplest was a straightforward one-on-one death match. Sometimes, there might be team battles, three-on-three or five-on-five. Sometimes, a massive demon beast might be brought in, and the sword slaves would be forced to fight it in a “raid”-style battle. Anything to sate the spectators’ lust for blood and gore. On the sword-slave island, any battle could be permitted if it would slake the audience’s thirst for violence. But even in that context, it was hard to call what was happening now a battle. After all…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Spectator:",
"value": " \"Don’t die too easily.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Dooonaaa!” Around scenario twenty by his count, he tried a desperate burst of magic. No aim, just an incantation, the spell sending the flagstones atop the bridge flying. Specifically, flying toward the Hornet, giving her something to swing her swords at other than Al. Al seized the instantaneous opening, taking his life in his hands as he rushed in, just barely dodging the first riposte. Then he had some distance, and knowing he had cleared the first deadly hurdle, he—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hrgh!” —was about to let out a sigh of relief when a blow from above crushed his head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Don’t die too easily.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Dooonaaa!” Starting from the moment he’d intoned his magic, he jumped backward, coordinating his movements with those of the stone debris. Then without so much as taking a breath, he leaped to the side. A howling blow slammed into the floor, making it seem as if the whole bridge was shaking violently. The Hornet, with one great blade lodged in the ground, twisted, closing in on Al with a strike that smashed through the hallway. Al jumped over the crushing blow, and then his thrust reached the Hornet. Unfortunately, she batted away his most powerful attack like he were a biting insect."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “That’s what I wanted! Oh, my sweet Al, I knew you could do it!”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “You think? I’ve been fightin’ this whole time with my life flashing before my eyes. I think I’m out of my league!” With apologies to the suitably pleased Hornet, she and Al were all but living in different worlds. She might see him as someone who dug deep and found the ability to rise to an occasion when there was a real crisis—but in Al’s opinion, the longer the fight went on, the more worn down he got; that was how it always went. Whenever he found himself confronted with the truly strong like this, he had the same thought: I could never be like them. It wasn’t because of his one arm, and it wasn’t because of his age. It was more fundamental, something to do with his basic makeup as a living being. There was a famous proverb that went Why is the tiger strong? Because she’s a tiger. It was just like that. The strong were strong because they were born strong. The weak were weak because they were born weak. Nothing more, nothing less. And so…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “I’m not done yet! Let’s have a little more fun!” said the strong one, the Hornet, gleefully bringing her blades to bear. And Al, the weakling, would most likely be crushed, trampled underfoot many more times—tens, hundreds, thousands."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " The one trading blows with the user of the huge swords, the Hornet, was the man who had brought her this far. Apparently, his name was Al, given that the Hornet kept referring to him as “my sweet little Al.” The fact that Al somehow continued to survive against the Hornet looked to Arakiya like nothing short of a whole series of miracles."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Sad to say, in her eyes, Al’s abilities were no more than second-rate—if she was being generous. Having spent his life on the sword-slave island, he must have survived many battles for his very life. But he couldn’t hope to improve his abilities further, even with more of these mortal contests."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " The man named Al had reached the limits of his natural abilities, and it left him with a gulf to the Empress of the sword slaves, a chasm of power, talent, and skill, that would be difficult to bridge. Arakiya judged that if she’d felt like it, even she could have taken Al out in a matter of seconds. And yet she was confronted with the reality she saw before her. “Amazing…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " It wasn’t that her estimation of Al’s skill had improved, but rather Al’s fighting style—the way he would parry or dodge the Hornet’s attacks by a hairbreadth, then attempt a pitiful counterattack—that gradually turned Arakiya’s opinion. He should have been dead by now. With those skills, he shouldn’t have lasted two seconds against the Hornet. And yet here he was, still alive and even trying to fight back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Unlike Arakiya, who had hoped to slip past unseen—an underhanded tactic—Al faced the Hornet head-on, and he kept fighting. And he did all this—taking on the Hornet—to protect Arakiya. “—!” She gritted her teeth and forced strength into her arms and legs."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " She hadn’t exactly been cut by the blow from the giant sword; it was more the impact itself that had threatened to crush the young woman. She suspected she had a number of broken bones, not to mention a range of internal injuries."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " She was using the power of the water spirit she’d ingested to speed up her recovery, but she wouldn’t heal quickly. What was more…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Ding.” The Hornet said warningly, turning toward Arakiya."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Even as she’d been fighting with Al, she’d been keeping track of what Arakiya was doing. If Arakiya had tried to make a break for the control tower, the Hornet would no doubt have broken off her fight to stop her. And as much as she hated to admit it, unlike Al, Arakiya couldn’t fathom any way to dodge such an attack. She would be buried by the blow, and there would have been no point to Al’s jumping out to help her. So what was there that Arakiya could do?"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Arakiya, who hadn’t been able to repay the most important person in her life even the slightest bit… “Princess…” She murmured, casting her eyes to the ground at the thought of the one who had been like a second self to her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " Someone who had been by her side since birth but who could be by her side no longer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " The imperious young woman who had looked as if she ruled the entire world and who had certainly ruled Arakiya."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Voice:",
"value": " \"Hear me, you sword-slave rabble!\" A voice dripping arrogance echoed around the island, startling Arakiya and stopping Al and the Hornet in the middle of their battle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Voice:",
"value": " \"There is no future for your uprising. Your leader seeks the emperor’s head; this talk of freedom for the sword slaves is nothing but a diversion. You’ve been had. You are nothing but pitiful headless soldiers.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Voice:",
"value": " \"Only death awaits you fools. However, your new emperor is not without mercy. If you show the proper attitude, he may reconsider your fate. I advise you to use the wits in those missing heads and determine how you will act.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Voice:",
"value": " \"Now, O headless soldiers! If you want any hope of getting your heads back, this is your last opportunity!\" With that, before Arakiya could even overcome her stupefaction, the condescending voice cut off, having said what it wished to say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " It had been broadcast through communications devices peppered around the area—metal tubes that carried the voice—and Arakiya, Al, and the Hornet were not the only ones who had heard it. It had reached every corner of the island. Arakiya was so shocked that she barely had space left in her brain to consider what the voice had actually said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Dunno who that was, but I guess they’re lookin’ to turn the tide on you.” Al said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Yes, I guess so. And I’m sure the cowards among us will turn traitor. Even if we might have pulled it off, depending how things went.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Heh, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t believe it was ever going to work.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Tee-hee-hee!” The Hornet hugged her swords to herself and laughed, her body producing a creaking sound as it spasmed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey,” Al said, looking at her with genuine distaste."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I know it’s crazy to talk about having a stable life in this place, but did you really take Ubirk so seriously that you were willing to ditch what you had? Tell me you’re not really trying to kill the emperor.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Ohh, of course not. The emperor lives above the clouds, and I couldn’t care less about him. If he was a great warrior, I might be interested in having a fight with him, but it doesn’t sound like it.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Yeah, that’s what I hear, too. So what you were after was a test of your strength. You take over the island, then try your hand against whichever of the Nine Divine Generals they send after you. You’re nuts, lady.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet never stopped smiling. She didn’t deny it—which meant he was right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Why not let us put the drawbridge down, then?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Good question. Oh, but the sweet temptation of fighting my dear Al called to me. Not to mention all the other sweet little sword slaves I’ve never got to battle. I just thought—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Okay, hold on, time-out. I don’t think I want to hear the rest of this…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “I thought first I would kill everyone on the island, and when I was out of people to fight, then I would lower the bridge.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I just said I didn’t want to hear it.” Al scowled, disgusted by the Hornet’s blasphemous notion. She planned to kill everyone on the island—the sword slaves, everyone connected with the sword slaves, all the spectators who had come to watch the sword slaves—and then when she’d had her fill of their blood, she would throw herself into battle with the Nine Divine Generals. A sort of grand take on suicide."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “You don’t really believe you’re the strongest in the whole world, do you? The strongest person I know about in this world is walkin’ around Lugunica with an elementary schooler’s backpack right about now.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “I’m not under any illusions that I’m the strongest. No, no, not at all. I’ll run out of strength sometime during the fighting and die.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"\" Al said nothing to that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “But that’s all right by me, you see? Falling gloriously in battle is what I want. By my family name, I swear I’m going to put on a show for them before I go.” The Hornet licked her lips in anticipation of the battle as she described the manner of her death. She was showing that her mind was made up, that she had no intention of retreating."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al screwed up his black eyes as he watched this warrior make her mad pronouncement, then took the feeble dagger in his hand and scratched his own neck with the blade. Then he said, “Everyone reads too much into dying. It’s ridiculous.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"\" This time, it was the Hornet’s turn to say nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Death isn’t salvation, and it’s not a treasure. It’s just painful and sad. Why don’t you understand that?” He looked at her coldly, with disgust."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " He felt nothing but contempt for her. The depth of feeling in Al’s dark eyes was cruel enough to freeze the heart of any who saw him. There was an abyss within them, a place tenebrous and deep into which none had ever gazed. It was such that even the Hornet, who had never looked other than in control, found herself lost for words, stymied by his assertion that the thing she had lived and would die for was trivial, ridiculous."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"I will…fight, too.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hey, young lady, I don’t think you should push yourself too hard. Just stay there and rest.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"No… I can’t do that.\" Arakiya crawled forward on all fours before rising to her feet. Her mauled shoulder had re-formed itself, and her bones had begun to knit, so that at least she no longer looked like she might fall apart every time she moved. She was still far from fully healed, but she couldn’t let Al fight this battle completely on his own. How could she ever face the princess again if she allowed someone to die after he was drawn into a fight because of her own incompetence? “The princess…” The voice she had heard during the announcement belonged to the most important girl in Arakiya’s life. It proved that she had not changed at all. She was still arrogant, still firmly convinced that she held the world in the palm of her hand. That had been the voice of this world’s ruler. Hearing that voice, Arakiya’s soul had burned within her. She was still under that girl’s control. “I still…belong…to the princess!” Knowing that, feeling it in her bones, made Arakiya happier than anything else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " When Al saw the flare of her crimson eye, he seemed to decide it would be no more use arguing. Instead, he got a fresh grip on his weapon and faced forward again, he and Arakiya pincering the Hornet, with him in front of her and Arakiya behind. “All right, Hornet. We’ll grant your wish and finish you. Because there ain’t anyone who can beat me.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Holding the communications device with one hand, Priscilla leaned back away from the broadcasting unit. She could tell that her announcement—that the armed rebellion on Ginonhive was really just a prelude to the attempted assassination of the emperor—had inspired a fresh hubbub around the island. Just as she’d hoped, infighting had begun among the sword slaves. “Those who believe in the success of this rebellion and those who have the slightest bit of sense in their heads have begun to embrace different objectives. Thus, we have two groups with opposing goals—and both of them are armed. They’re also both accustomed to brutal fights to the death, so it goes without saying that whoever attacks first will have the advantage.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Sure looks that way.” He’d been listening very carefully and probably had an even better grasp of the situation on the island than Priscilla."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " He was putting all five of his well-honed senses to work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Mm.” He nodded. “It looks just like you said, Ms. Wife—lots of arguing and fighting starting here, there, everywhere. If we leave ’em to their own devices, they’ll probably tear each other apart.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “You really think it’ll go that well? These people aren’t bugs or fish. They’ll realize they’re in trouble as soon as their numbers start to noticeably drop. Though, I agree we can probably just keep our heads down until then.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “No, we cannot.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Once they’re reduced to chiefly those who can use their heads to some extent, it will be time to implement the next phase of our plan. The initiation of new negotiations, with the powerful people as hostages without relying on their ringleader.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Ah!” Miles saw what she was getting at; Balleroy, meanwhile, continued to look perplexed. Priscilla saw that Serena had been quite right: The two of them complemented each other nicely, Balleroy with his slightly lacking wits and Miles making up in intelligence what he lacked in fighting strength. Miles fell somewhat short of Priscilla’s standards, which prized physical beauty as well—but taking Balleroy by himself wouldn’t be worthwhile, either. For her beloved husband’s sake, she would consider this a victory if she could maintain relations with the high countess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " “Miles, Brother, do you get the weird feeling that we’re bein’…evaluated?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Well, you don’t have to say it out loud, moron. Still…for a kid so young, she’s sure got some presence. Noble and imposing. You just wanna discipline her.” The brothers leaned toward each other for a whispered conversation, but Priscilla’s special ears easily picked up their secrets. Miles’s sadistic remark was technically disrespectful, but so long as he didn’t act on it, Priscilla didn’t feel compelled to consider it an offense. A man with a desire for her was a man who would put himself in her service. “” Feeling their eyes on her, Priscilla continued down the hallway at a brisk pace. If anyone attempted to bar her way, Balleroy quickly dispatched them. Even the experienced warriors of the sword-slave island were no match for his spear skills. Finally, Priscilla arrived untouched at the room she had been looking for."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “I advise you to move aside, peasants. I am here to retrieve my husband.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Man:",
"value": " “Wha? !” The men in the room were amazed to find Priscilla kicking down the door and making demands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " “Priscilla? !” he exclaimed at the appearance of his wife."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Priscilla clicked her tongue at the way Jorah forgot that she was going by an assumed name. \"That’s the trouble with my dear husband—losing his mind just because he turned fifty,” Priscilla muttered as she grabbed a vase of flowers by the door and flung it into the room."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " Her aim was true; the vase struck the back of the chair Jorah was sitting in, knocking it over along with its occupant. It meant that just for an instant, the men in the room didn’t know where Jorah had gone. And in that instant…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " “Go, Balleroy.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Yep. As you wish, m’lady.” Commanded by name, Balleroy was off like a shot, piercing to the center of the room like a beam of light. The men had been slow to react to Priscilla, but they responded to this new intruder by drawing their weapons. The six of them all moved at once to meet Balleroy. They were too slow. In the space of a second, his spear described a great half circle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Ya think a spear’s just for stabbing? Think again. It’s good for sweeping, too.” Balleroy winked one eye—and then the three men whose stomachs he’d slit open spilled their innards all over the floor. The trio pitched forward, adding themselves to the piles of their own guts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Men:",
"value": " “Yaaaah!” Two of the surviving sword slaves leaped over the corpses of their three companions, trying to make a move against Balleroy. One was a hand-to-hand fighter with hobnails pounded into his fists, and the other, a beast person with a hand ax in each hand. Neither had the reach of a spear, but if they could get in close enough, they would have a distinct advantage. Indeed, they did manage to get close and were trying to press their gains when—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “Spear users can only use spears. Is that what you’re thinking? Another lil’ misconception there.” Balleroy’s left fist came down at the face of the fighter, costing the man his consciousness as well as his front teeth. Balleroy had tossed his spear to his right hand, leaving his left free to strike. The unconscious man fell backward—directly into the line of the beast person’s ax attack. There was a dull thump of the ax connecting with the back of the man’s head, depriving his absent consciousness of anywhere to return to. The beast person, unfazed, attempted to push clear through his companion’s head to smash Balleroy’s slim frame. The sheer physical strength this demi-human wielded was something to behold, but—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " “I’m still faster.” Balleroy let go of the spear with his right hand, lashing out with a spear-hand strike. His two extended fingers caught the beast person in the face, jabbing into his eyeballs and blinding him. The beast person gave a howl of pain and stumbled backward. That he exposed his neck while doing so was the ultimate mistake. Balleroy stepped on the man’s windpipe with one foot, caught his spear up in his left hand, and rammed the butt into the man’s throat. The beast person fell back, choking on his own blood, twitching, unable even to utter a death rattle. With that, five of the six men in the room were dead."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "The Man:",
"value": " \"Don’t move! If you take one step, I’ll—\" He struggles to hold his dagger to Jorah’s neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Miles:",
"value": " \"—Hkk!\" Miles shouts from the doorway, and the ceiling collapses."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " A winged dragon sticks its head through the hole and latches on to the man’s head, who was threatening Jorah. The man is dragged upward and out, his scream echoing behind him. Blood pours through the eviscerated ceiling, drenching Jorah."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Gah?! Blood? This is blood! Priscilla, I’m done for…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Fool. It’s not your blood. It belongs to a commoner.\" Priscilla sniffs, looking at Jorah. She glances up at the sky dragon peering down through the ceiling. It was one of the winged dragons that had brought them to the island. She presumes it was Miles’ pet. \"A fine performance. However…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"That’s everyone in here, ain’t it? What about that, uh, ringleader?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " Priscilla glances around. Ubirk is not among the dead. Priscilla narrows her crimson eyes as she looks at the corpses. Balleroy rests his spear on his shoulder, looking for the same thing. Ubirk was nowhere to be seen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Perhaps he’s fled the entire island.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"But the drawbridge’s still up. Ain’t no way out of here.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"No easy way. But it might still be possible to get around. Even the emperor in his capital has access to hidden devices akin to magic that allow one to move instantaneously to a distant location.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Balleroy:",
"value": " \"Yikes! I feel like I could be killed just for knowin’ that.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " Priscilla reevaluates her opinion of Balleroy and Miles. She goes to the balcony, listening to the battle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Jorah:",
"value": " \"Priscilla? Ahem, I think it may be dangerous to stay here for very long…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Priscilla:",
"value": " \"Things are already settled for the most part. All that remains is for the sword slaves to decide where they stand. As for the drawbridge, there are any number of ways to bring it down.\" She closes her eyes. \"For the moment, I’m enjoying listening to the breeze.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Narration:",
"value": " The clash of swords could be heard, the sound of everything being shattered, destroyed."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " The most noticeable crash of all came from the direction of the still-raised drawbridge. Along with the great gusts of wind and the clamor of fighting, she heard a small sound, something like a rat struggling desperately for its life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “They say a cornered rat knows how to bite. I wonder who will be consumed in the end.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Arakiya’s participation changed the face of the battle against the Hornet. Now worrying not only about his own death, but also Arakiya’s, Al felt like his head was going to explode from the massive surge of thoughts rising from within. “I don’t know your quirks, I don’t know anything about you—how are we supposed to fight together? !”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " “Just move in tandem…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “You think I’m quick-witted enough for that? !” Arakiya was a spirit eater; she could consume spirits and use them to manifest special powers. She was too special, in fact; Al had never done any “simulations” about how to work with someone like her. The way she fought on all fours, even using her teeth, made him think of some wild animal, but seeing a beautiful but underdeveloped girl like Arakiya do it had something sordid and erotic about it. The impression was only reinforced by the fact that their opponent was another beautiful woman, this one without arms. “Would’ve liked to record this match, if I could’ve been a spectator watching from a safe distance.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Well! It’s an honor to get a compliment from you.” There was a broad smile on her face as she lashed out with her swords, the start of a combo move that saw Al avoid death by a hair; he’d seen the attack enough times over their dozens of rematches to have discovered a way to survive it. He felt the impact through his entire arm, clutching his dagger as hard as he could to keep it from being wrenched out of his hand. It might not be much, but a weapon was a weapon. If he lost this thing, he could expect to lose his other arm shortly thereafter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Hrn! Dooona!” he cried as he stumbled backward under the blow; his incantation lofted several chunks of rock from the ground."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet calmly guarded against any attacks from the dead angles created by the stone, but she seemed annoyed by the little twig who’d stuck her nose into their battle. “You are troublesome,” she said with a snorting laugh, and then she jammed both of her blades into the flagstones. From there, she deftly dodged Arakiya’s flame-clad charge, and then the Empress poured her strength into her arms and began to spin—tearing up the floor. With the ground beneath their feet suddenly giving way, Al and Arakiya were sucked into the storm of destruction. They each gave a short shout as they dropped from just in front of the drawbridge toward the lowest levels of the island."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al fell helplessly, but Arakiya kicked off a passing wall and grabbed him, stabilizing them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Gah! Th-thanks, kid. Ya saved me…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Arakiya:",
"value": " \"It is all right. But I haven’t saved you. That is yet to come.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al and Arakiya squinted, trying to see beyond the dust cloud they’d kicked up."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet was easily slicing through the eruption of dust. She rubbed her blades together, creating an earsplitting shriek of metal, and laughed. \"Now we have a little more space for our fight. Oh, my sweet Al, I hope you’ll show me a good time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “…If I hit at your feet with a twig, there’s about a sixty percent chance that you’ll destroy the bridge.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"? What did you say?” the Hornet asked, perplexed by Al’s words. The smile froze on her face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"When the bridge comes down, the girl saves me a hundred percent of the time. She’s a loyal one. When I charge in the moment you start your little sword dance, my head gets crushed. If I just watch you, I get sliced up, and even if I try to run away, a little over seventy percent of the time, the girl and I turn out not to be on the same page.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"It’s all trial and error, seven hundred thirteen times. You’ve killed me seven hundred thirteen times tonight.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Huh. Actually, if we count that first battle in the arena, I guess it’s seven hundred ninety-two times.” The Hornet, struck dumb, could only listen to Al calmly explaining…something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al was honestly impressed that she didn’t interrupt him or burst out laughing about how ridiculous he sounded. It suggested the Hornet understood that he wasn’t trying to threaten her and wasn’t out of his mind. That must mean…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"You can see it, too, can’t you? The god of death I’m stuck with.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “…I can’t see anything at all, including what any of this babble means. I haven’t managed to kill you even once, Al, sweetie. But…” She paused, her eyes filling with bloodlust and desire. \"Getting to kill you eight hundred times sounds like a dream come true to me.” The Hornet leaned forward easily, her face flushing with excitement. It was the first phase of her deadliest sword dance. It could lead to any of several patterns, but all of them ended in death. The only thing that could be done was not let her start in the first place. In order to protect himself, he had to…"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"All right, sweetie, we’re done with all this worthless chitchat. Get ready.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"It wasn’t worthless.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " \"Everything I’ve done was to buy time.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet frowned at that—but then Al saw the effect of his work. “Wha…?” the Hornet rasped and fell to her knees. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her breathing grew noticeably quicker."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " Al stood over her, and as he looked down, he understood that he found no pleasure in making another person kneel before him. Thinking of what he owed her for that battle against the demon beast four years before, he decided to fill her in. “It’s poison.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " \"Ah… —ison…” The Hornet looked at him, her face a mask of disbelief and pain."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Got the idea from an old movie. They say poison’s killed more people than any other weapon.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “Poi…son…? When did I…take…?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “I mixed it up right here. Here where they put the bodies.” Shaking his head, Al explained to the Hornet that here in the deepest reaches of the island was where they kept the corpses. He’d mentioned this to Arakiya—the idea that certain spectators with particularly twisted tastes liked to buy the bodies of those who had lost their lives in especially spectacular fashion. They each had their reasons, whether it was because the fighter came from somewhere special or was uniquely beautiful, or so that the buyer could dissect a person’s most unusual skills. Any number of things. Among the corpses collected for this purpose was the one Al wanted. Specifically… “A bit back, I fought a guy, a shinobi, who had the Poison Hand. He must have been soaked in the stuff to the bitter end. I asked the young lady to burn him up for me.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “H—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “The poison carries on the wind. And you breathed it in.”"
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " The Hornet pitched forward on the floor, her eyes bloodshot and wide. The way her body shivered and twitched made it look almost like the Empress of the sword slaves was begging forgiveness from Al and Arakiya. The Empress of the sword slaves, who had made so many kneel before her, now found herself in the reverse position."
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Sure glad that poison gas worked. And it took a lot of trial and error to get you right over this spot when the floor smashed in. Glad it went off without a hitch.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"prefix": "Hornet:",
"value": " “N-no… Wait. P-poison? You used…poison? On me? It’s not…fair…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"prefix": "Al:",
"value": " “Fair? You’re freakin’ joking, right? There’s no right or wrong when it comes to surviving on the sword-slave island. Or did you not even know that, rookie?” The Hornet could call him whatever she wanted as she wept tears of blood, but Al was merciless. Though the Hornet had dominated the island with her prowess, bending it to her will, she had misunderstood something: It was not the strong who were the victors here. It was whoever won. Inundate the opponent with poison gas, use a second fighter to corner them—it didn’t matter. If you won, you won. “If the gas hadn’t worked, it would’ve been pretty tricky."
}
] |
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