Within the reception hall of Viluysias palace, the silver-haired aristocrat was talking to her personal spy, Harukras.
"So, she started with the construction?"
Harukras nodded. "Yes, on a massive construction site just outside town. She made extra sure that this time, the ground would be stable. And she hired a big amount of workers to do the job. Within my little pillar costume, I even had to climb a steep hill."
"Very good," Viluysia chuckled. "She will in for a surprise if she realizes just WHAT she has paid for. Poor Amisia... I really don't want to be in her place when she finds out."
"But what if she sees the truth before the building is complete?" Harukras asked. "I mean, while it has its similarities, it's final appearance is really not quite like a tower..."
"Don't worry about that!" Viluysia smirked. "When she started it, she will finish it. Or do you think she would spend so much money for nothing?"
----
A few days later, Reil and Misako were sitting next to a sullen-looking Unagi.
"She said she didn't even want me to take a look at the building," the gullible architect griped. "I mean, she could at least give me a chance to redeem myself, don't you think?"
Reil sighed. "Oh Unagi, I hate to say it, but... She really gave you more than enough chances. Giving you the chance of building that tower was almost obliging by her."
"To say it shortly, girl: You. Blew. It." Misako finished.
Unagi looked down. "I guess you're right..." She sighed. "Still, I really wonder how long it will take until this new tower is finished."
"Yeah, that Mausolos guy really is supposed the best of the best," Misako nodded. "If that isn't enough to put Viluysia in place, I really don't know what else will."
All of a sudden, Makrotos stormed into the room. "Guys! Quick, it's Amisia!"
"What?" Unagi asked in surprise. "What happened?"
Makrotos shrugged. "I'm not really sure, but Mixiru sounded as if something has gone horribly wrong. Hurry up!"
----
Shortly after, they were all standing within Amisias private chambers. And, surprisingly, Viluysia was present as well.
The girl took a close look at their rich friend. Amisia really looked devastated.
"I can't believe it..." the blue-haired noblewoman whispered. "After all those preparations... And now I find out that everything was nothing but a hoax... by her!" And she gestured at Viluysia.
Her rival grinned. "Well, I couldn't resist but to tell you about my brilliant plan in person. My performance as an old woman was really something, don't you agree?"
"What did you do?" Makrotos growled. "Is it because Mausolos? Is he a botcher?"
Viluysia just grinned, while Amisia shook her head. "Oh no, he's a brilliant architect, but I didn't really know that the only buildings he can construct are... mausoleums, a certain kind of tombs." She shook her head. "Had I only read the contract more closely."
Reil gasped. "You wanna tell us... that tower that is constructed outside of town is actually... a tomb?"
Amisia nodded.
Viluysia laughed. "And that's not all, dears! Rumour has it that anyone who builds a tomb without planning to bury a certain person in it... will be fated with misfortune, until the very end of his life."
"I can't believe that," Misako exclaimed.
"I don't know how I could have made such a mistake..." Amisia sighed.
"Can't you just stop building and tearing down what has been constructed until now?" Reil asked.
Amisia shook her head. "Impossible, even the rubble would bring me bad luck."
Viluysia winked. "Well, I hope you are satisfied with yourself. See you later, unfortunate soul!"
And with an evil laugh, she left the room.
A few moments later, Mixiru looked into the room with a smile. "She is gone, Lady Amisia!"
Amisia sighed. "Phew, I thought she'd never leave! Then I can stop this charade, finally!"
Unagi blinked in confusion. "Um... did we miss anything?"
Amisia smirked at her friends. "You didn't really expect me to believe anything an old beggar woman would tell me on the streets, do you?"
Her friends looked at each other, shrugging, and decided to let Amisia explain before trying to understand it.
"Well, just after I heard Mausolos' name, I got an idea. I acquired all information about him that I could find. And when I heard about the so-called 'curse of misfortune' that all those superstitious people are talking about, I decided to play a little prank on Viluysia. I contacted Mausolos and asked him to build me a mausoleum, but to the public, I said that I was going to let him construct a tower."
"So you knew from the beginning what that building was supposed to be?" Reil asked in awe. "But, uh... what do you intend on doing with it?"
"That's quite easy," Amisia smirked. "On the one hand, I can use this mausoleum as a resting place for my dead ancestors... you all knew that the catacombs below my palace aren't really big enough and that we even had to staple the coffins."
Makrotos whistled. "Nice idea!"
Amisia nodded and grinned. "But the best about all this: Viluysia will finally leave me alone! For now, I will let her believe she has won. And I will finish constructing the mausoleum in peace. And when it's ready, I will announce my TRUE plans to the public..."
Her friends laughed. "Man," Reil snickered. "That will be a serious blow to her ego, I can imagine. I mean, from what I saw, Mausolos' work is a true masterpiece."
Amisia nodded. "Yes, it is... and thus, the Mausoleum of Mausolos will be the true landmark of Halicarnassus, not all those towers!"
"Wow!" Unagi giggled. "Way to go, Amisia! And how about I'll help Mausolos with the finishing touches on his project?"
Amisia frowned. "I think not."
"Awww, bummer..."
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:56)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.