His steps were measured, focused. Things that Bernard only wished he could copy. He could hardly believe how someone like Jesse could be so serious…
It was like watching a perfect soldier, which in turn highlighted how much of a newbie he was. Gazing to his right, he looked at Oliver, who also appeared to be determined, but he could still see the circles under his eyes.
The mission left a toll on all of them, but he chose to use that as a way to better himself.
His brother was strong, so Bernard knew that Oliver would bounce back from this, eventually.
Sighing, his eyes searched for the spot Lady Lenna was a few minutes ago. After they first exited the carriage and entered through the gate, she was brought to answer some questions.
She was taken to another room, where she would have to answer to a higher authority.
Snapping his focus back to the present, he leveled his gaze towards the Major, who was waiting for them to speak. He suddenly saw that their eyes were on him.
With a startle, he remembered that he was the one supposed to talk.
He was the leader of their ESP team now, after all.
"So, Bernard, care to answer what I asked of you?"
He searched in his memory for what that was, but was drawing a blank, which made the Major growl.
"I see… I asked what happened for you to gain this position." He asked once more, blatantly displaying the animosity towards him. Gulping, Bernard reminded himself that the Major and Vincent were almost friends.
"The former team leader, V1NC-T3, died in combat, sir." He kept his gaze on the ground, unable to hide his shame. The Major radiated anger, and he knew for a fact that he was the right. "If I was stronger… If I was a better soldier, I would've help, but…"
"With all due respect, sir," Jesse began, his gaze penetrating the older man. "Squad leader V1NC-T3 gave us clear orders. We were to leave that place… If we didn't…"
"If you didn't, then we could've lost the entire squadron." He sighed, his voice carrying a hint of anger, but also a profound sadness. He wasn't just a friend to Vincent… He saw my brother like the child he never had. "Even in the face of death, the runt was still a genius."
Snapping back his focus to Bernard, his eyes softened.
"At ease, soldiers. While it saddens me to lose a friend, being angry at the ones he tried to protect would just be rubbing salt on an already exposed wound" he said, his hand touching the young homunculus shoulder, and, in a rare display of affection, he embraced him.
Bernard tried to control himself, to keep his emotions grounded, but just couldn't.
Tears were running freely from his eyes, staining his face and shirt, his sadness, anguish, and grief were displayed there.
In a small part of his mind, he noticed how the Major called them for an isolated space and was immediately thankful for it.
He managed to get some respect from the others here before he headed out, it wouldn't do for them to see him in such a sorry state.
"Thank you, Sir…" He spoke, letting go of the Major while also trying to find the right words.
He missed his brother… Vincent so much, it was like someone tore away a part of his being. But he chose not to dwell on that, instead focusing on the Major's expression.
While he was saddened, it was clear that something was also weighing in his mind.
"J355-55, 0L1V-3R, leave us. There is something I need to discuss with your brother.
"Sir, yes sir!"
After that, they left, leaving only two in the room. Bernard's concern grew as he noticed how quiet the Major was.
"Tell me, Bernard… have you ever heard of the Dark Monarch?"
...
At that moment, I narrowed my eyes at Drott's face, my confusion evident to anyone with working eyes. Taking another sip of the jasmine-like tea, questions began to pop out in my mind.
"That's it? You want me to kill a nobleman?" I asked, trying to rationalize his thought process. Why go through all the trouble of kidnapping me if Arthur was strong enough to level a building? "That sounds almost too easy."
"Almost?"
"Aye. You see, thinking you would give me an easy assignment after forcing me into this position is just naivety. Now, what's the catch?"
He began to drink some tea, but I could almost envision the arrogant smirk on his face. After a while, he stopped and then pointed at the drink in my side of the table. "The catch is that you have three days to complete this assignment. If you don't, well…"
My eyes narrowed as I began to understand exactly what he was going for. "If I don't, I won't get the bloody antidote, right?" Honestly, I should expect that much.
If they were going to such lengths, it's clear he still saw me as expendable, unlike the other two. They couldn't be risked at such types of missions, so, he just sent the new guy to do it. Filtering through my emotions, I sighed.
That's not the first time I'm in such predicament. Honestly, when you're a mercenary, it is expected that you take a dose of poison so to complete the task without any blood staining what it shouldn't. So, naturally, I decided to approach this with such mentality.
"Does my target have a name? And a reason for why our sect want him gone?"
"Charlie von Kriemar, a baron, like myself. Unlike me, however, he is the heir of his line. The Kriemars first acquire baronship a little over a decade ago, so, their family is new. He is currently trying to move up in the world and achieve the rank of viscount, and, for that, he chose our sect as his stepping stone."
As if to answer to his words, the cup he was holding shattered, spilling the tea on the ground. That confirms it. He's definitely a zealot.
However, I need to make sure to not screw this up. If I do, it might spell my death. These people are my first clue to get back home, so I better focus.
Can't have a repeat of the last mission.
Collecting himself, Drott eyed me evenly, his anger hiding behind a cool and detached exterior, almost as a glacier that is just waiting to sink a ship.
"You must gather all evidence he collected and bring it to me… Also, do make sure to not bring attention to us. It must look like a suicide or an accident, are we clear?"
"Aye."
"Good, now, be a good sport and go do the dishes, will you?"
...
So, I took off.
It'll take me too long to get to the Baron's territory if I go the normal route, so I chose to take a horse, instead of a carriage. It'll be easier if I'm not in the main roads, going through the wild instead.
Furthermore, it was a good thing as well, since it also gave me a nice sigh.
The surroundings were covered in lush green jungle, a faint trail leading to the next settlement. I still have two days before the Drott's poison kills me, so I also made sure to use my ESP.
It aided the horse, making him sprint faster than normal. The beast was clearly enjoying itself, feeling the wind on its hide. After a few hours, I finally arrived at the baron Kriemar's settlement.
Placing the horse in a dark alley and tieing it to a small bench, I quickly used the shadows to my advantage, approaching the mansion like the killer I was.
This brought back memories. Memories of some of my most recent works, and I discovered that, compared to my old world's security, this place's doesn't hold a candle to it.
Not only were the patrols especially lax, there were a lot of hiding spots that allowed me to prowl freely, without any chance they could find me. Soon enough, I passed through their security and was almost inside the mansion.
Directing my gaze upwards, I caught an open window. It would be next to impossible for any human to do that jump, but, by lowering the gravity influence in my body, I managed to enter the mansion with no one noticing me.
Looking around, I noticed I was inside a child's room. There were a bunch of toys on the floor, the very walls carrying a whimsical, innocent color. Going towards the door, I hid myself behind it after hearing footsteps.
Hiding my presence, I held my breath as the door opened, the darkness being cut out by the light in the exterior, with a little girl, who looked no older than eight, entering and closing the door.
She went to her bed, ready to end her day, but, before she could even notice, I struck her nape, taking out any strength she might have. Holding her with care, I placed her small frame on the bed and quickly went to the door.
Now, we wait.