Chapter 201: Does Fate Hate Me - Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit - NovelsTime

Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit

Chapter 201: Does Fate Hate Me

Author: Aimdaqs
updatedAt: 2025-07-22

CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: DOES FATE HATE ME

"It’s all but confirmed, we’ll set out to Anima in two days time. Had you decided on which of the Knights you intend to have accompany us?" Inquired Lyra.

"Yes, I have. One thing I learned from our last trip, to Sylph, was that taking too many people with us is actually counter-productive, it’s hard for too many people to work together without inadvertently getting in each other’s way. Therefore, this time, I decided to focus on quality over quantity.

From my squad, it’ll be me, Akila and Kia. We’ll also be taking Captain Aster and Captain Raven with us. And lastly, I thought this would be a good opportunity to provide valuable experience for one of our less-experienced Knights, and after considering a few options, I settled on one of the First-Class Knights of the First Squad, Lloyd Howlite. So, that’s six in total, plus of course, your attendants," Jules informed her.

It was June 5th, 1920, a little over two weeks had passed since the training exercise. The talks with the nation of Anima had continued to progress steadily, and now, a conference had been officially scheduled.

It was set to take place in Anima, the group from Persona would be making the journey in two days’ time, on the 7th of June.

"Sounds good. Between you, Captain Aster and Raven, I think I’ve got more than enough protection. And I hear that Akila has been progressing well too. I hope we don’t have any incidents like we did in Sylph, it’d be great if this went nice and uneventfully. I mean, if things stay peaceful during our visit to Anima, you might be able to find an opportunity to get some alone time with Captain Aster," Smirked Lyra teasingly.

"Wha-...?! I-I wouldn’t do that in a situation like this, I have no intention of neglecting my duties in that way," Protested Jules defensively.

"I see...so, what you’re saying is, you would do that in a different situation?" Surmised Lyra with a smug look on her face.

"N-No, that’s not what I-...c-can we please just drop it?"

"Oh, alright, fine. Anyway, it won’t be just us going to Anima, we’ll be accompanied by three representatives from Sylph to help support our case, the Elder and Grand Warrior Wistari, the Grand Warrior Nero, and a First Stage Warrior Feno."

"That’s encouraging to hear, I-...hm? Wait, Feno, that name sounds familiar...hold on, isn’t he the one who got into an altercation with Colt Lekta when we visited Sylph?" Recalled Jules with a wary frown.

"Yes, I think so. But I doubt he’ll cause any trouble and risk an international incident, because it’s highly unlikely that he’d have been selected if the Elders thought he wasn’t capable of behaving himself," Reasoned Lyra objectively.

"Well, let’s hope you’re right about that. Having Sylph on our side is bound to make the discussions go more smoothly, since they’ve maintained a friendly relationship with Anima for quite some time."

"Mhm, exactly. And with positive our most recent discussions have gone with Anima, I have high hopes for this conference," Smiles Lyra optimistically.

"I see, that’s good to hear. Now, then, I should go contact the Knights I’ve chosen for this mission. Kia and Akila already know, but I haven’t yet informed the Knights from the other squads."

A short while later, in Amethyst City...

"Yes. Yes, I understand. I’ll start getting ready right away," Remarked Raven, before setting the phone down with a sigh.

"Everything okay, Raven? What was that about?" Celia asked him, patting his shoulder.

"That was the Commander, I’ve been chosen as a member of the Queen’s bodyguards when she goes to Anima in two days. Which means, until I’m back, you’ll be in charge of our squad," Raven informed her.

"I see...I’m not sure how to feel about this. I know things have been nice and peaceful for a while lately, but I can’t help but feel worried. I mean, the last time you went to another nation, well...you know, we almost died," Frowned Celia with a look on concern on her face.

"Yeah, I remember. But it’ll be fine, there’s no reason to worry...I can control my Dark Form and unleash it at will now, and I seriously doubt we’ll run into any threats on the level where they can put up a fight against me in that state," Pointed out Raven, taking hold of her hand and giving it a soft, reassuring squeeze.

"Well, that’s true...still though, we’ve had the Undead King, Leptar and then that Aeroraptor Queen. And only one of those three is actually dead, the other two are still alive," Sighed Celia worriedly.

"I mean, the Undead King technically isn’t alive, so-..."

"You know what I mean, he’s still around. He’s only sealed away."

"Yeah, but-..."

"And Leptar was simply imprisoned. Sure, he’s been kept in a weakened state, but you never know, he might find a way to break free and wreak havoc again, he might want revenge against you if they happens. And we have no way of knowing that a threat on that level isn’t lurking somewhere in Anima too.

I mean, the previous King soured our nation’s relationship with Anima, didn’t he? There could be plenty of citizens in Anima who aren’t going to take kindly to an alliance with Persona, and they might try something," Pointed out Celia.

"Hey, come on, you’re worrying too much. I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll be back before you know it," Raven assured her, before planting a kiss on the side of her head.

Meanwhile, in Garnet City...

"Um, hey, Tacitus...is Aster in?" Inquired Ravella, as she stepped into the city’s Knight outpost and approached Tacitus.

He was lazing about, sprawled on a couch while formulating a Spell Card, before glancing up at Ravella.

"Huh, you’re all dolled-up, here to ask him out?"

"Y-Yeah...uh, do you think this is too much? I tried not to go too overboard and come off as desperate, but did I overdo it, after all?" She frowned, as she stared down at her outfit.

She was wearing a sleeveless blue dress with a black sash tied around her waist, she’d let her hair down and had subtle makeup on, accentuating her features without being too noticeable.

"No, you look fine...and knowing Aster, he won’t think too much about it. Anyway, he’s in his office. He just finished his patrol shift for the day about twenty minutes ago, and he doesn’t have a whole lot of paperwork right now, so your timing is good," Replied Tacitus encouragingly, while thinking to himself, "I’m really starting to feel bad for her, she’s been pursuing him for ages now, with little to no progress made. She should just confess...but I do get why she doesn’t. With how oblivious that idiot is to this stuff, I can understand why she wants to build on their relationship more before making a move. Unfortunately for her, she has horrible luck with romance, something always ends up getting in her way."

"Uh...what’s that look for? You look kinda sad," Remarked Ravella in bemusement.

"It’s nothing, I was just thinking about this book I read with a tragic ending," Shrugged Tacitus, his expression going back to its usual blank state, as he added, "Anyway, you should go talk to Aster now."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it," She smiled gratefully, before heading further into the building.

As she got to the back of the space, coming to a stop in front of Aster’s office, she took a deep breath and let out a slow exhale to compose herself, a look of determination in her eyes as she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Came Aster’s voice, before Ravella opened the door and stepped in.

"Um, hey, Aster...how’s it going?" She greeted him with a nervous smile.

"Hm? Oh, hey, Ravella. You took a day off today, right? Got a day out planned or something? That outfit looks good on you," Replied Aster as he glanced up from his desk.

"H-Huh? Oh, um...thanks, that’s nice of you to say. Anyway, um...I was wondering if you had any free time to spare tod-...?" She began as she mustered up her courage, before she was interrupted as the phone on Aster’s desk began ringing.

"Sorry about that, I’ll try to wrap this up as quickly as possible," He remarked with an apologetic smile, before adding as he picked up the phone and put it up to his ear, "Yes, hello? Oh, Commander, it’s you. Yes. Yeah, alright. Sure, no objections here. Okay, then, got it. Mhm, bye, take care."

"Um...is everything okay?" Inquired Ravella nervously, a sense of dread welling up inside her.

"Yeah, nothing to be concerned about. The Commander wants me to accompany her and a few others as bodyguards for the Queen, we’re heading to Anima for a conference. I’ll need to head home and prepare, and then we’ll hold meetings in the Capital to discuss the details, it’s going to be a busy couple of days leading up to the departure. Sorry, what were you about to say earlier?"

"Come on, this is just cruel at this point...does fate hate me or something?" Ravella thought to herself with a sense of incredulous frustration, before responding, "Oh, nothing in particular, I just figured I’d come say hi since I was around, that’s all."

"I see, how thoughtful of you. Sorry to rush out like this, but I do need to get going. See you later, Ravella," He smiled, as he stood up and headed for the door.

"Mhm, see you later...," She muttered as she did her best to keep herself together, before thinking to herself as she clenched her fists, "Okay, that’s it. Once he’s back from this trip, I’ll finally confess and ask him out. Forget about setting the mood or whatever, I don’t care what the situation is, I’m going to go for it as soon as he gets back!"

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