Inside the VIP chamber.
"I've heard of his na before. But is it really him?"
"It has to be. Otherwise, why would Zed pick him specifically?"
The other heads began discussing among each other.
The revelation of the masked man's codena had taken them aback.
Moriarty.
A na so of them were quite familiar. After all, it was the most gossiped news a little over a year ago.
But as fast as the news ca, it quickly died down shortly after.
However, the chain effect of Moriarty's actions. From killing the CEO's son, to exposing the CEO's biggest secret, and completely destroying the company.
Others speculate it was all according to plan.
But then…. Moriarty disappeared sooner after.
And now, a year later, a masked man who claid to be him suddenly appeared inside the colosseum.
They couldn't believe it.
"Zed, are you really sure about this? He could be a fake."
"I'm not sure. I've only seen his registration. That's why I specifically registered his na for the arena battles, just so we could catch a glimpse of this man."
Zed stated as his gaze lingered down. For him, the words that seamlessly flowed out his mouth were all bullshit.
'Haha.'
Indeed, everything had been going according to plan.
Leaning close and pursing his lips, Zed massaged his temple.
"We have no confirmation if we have the right guy. But he has proven his strength, right?"
Zed looked around, scanning all the other heads present. |em|p|yr.
The looks on their faces told him they had the sa thoughts as him.
Nodding their heads, one of the heads spoke.
"He has potential. He's probably stronger than so of us here."
"Indeed. In my opinion, we must get him to our side. He'll be a valuable asset during the war."
As the word 'war' ca out of the head's mouth, Zed sported a frown.
They had knowledge about this 'war', since it was leaked to the public a while back.
After pulling so strings, Zed had managed to fra soone as the 'potential leaker', and had him executed.
'This war….'
They had no idea just how massive the scale was going to be.
For the heads, they had only thought of a war between the syndicate, and the Imperial Army.
The Milis continent….
They were the invaders, hell bent on taking control of the entire continent. For reasons, Zed had no idea.
In fact, he was quite unsure how the leader had managed to get in contact with them.
Their goals, their purpose, Zed was truly at a loss.
Regardless, he couldn't allow their plans to flourish. The syndicate had to be destroyed, and the war had to be prevented.
Then, one of the heads turned his head and looked at Zed.
"We've all got our own bodyguards, Zed. Although you've brought that man here, you already have a bodyguard of your own, right?"
"Yeah."
'Got him.'
"Then, I'd like to propose to Sir Moriarty to accompany during the auction as my bodyguard."
Then, the Twilight head looked around, observing the looks of the other heads.
"Does anyone object?"
"No. Regardless of who that man works for, in the end, he works for the syndicate."
"Indeed."
Zed turned around and subtly shook his head.
'Greedy fucks.'
Then, as he was about to lean back, one of the head's voices reached his ears.
"Okay. If no one else voices their objection, I'll call for that man to co up here. We can evaluate him then."
***
"Uh…"
Brandon stood by the chamber's entrance.
It felt like a job interview.
The entire ti, the heads had asked him to confirm his identity. Since he actually was Moriarty, he was able to answer their questions with ease.
Thankfully, they had never asked for him to reveal his identity.
It was then when they started asking for his whereabouts, and why he had only appeared now.
"Here and there."
That was all he could say.
The man who seed bent on appointing him as a hired bodyguard, had introduced himself as Kael.
Kael, a Twilight Syndicate head.
"Here are the terms of the contract."
Kael handed a docunt and Brandon accepted, scanning the contents thoroughly.
[800,000,000 Credits per month.]
Even the sight had left Brandon breathless.
It was a lot of money.
Kael followed up.
"If you sign now. You'll receive a downpaynt of fifty percent."
"....I see."
He had already read the contract thoroughly. Despite the syndicate indulging in illegal matters, it was surprisingly fair and honest with its clients, and workers.
If only they weren't in cahoots with the invaders, then this community would've been left alone.
Brandon glanced at Zed subtly. Zed flashed him a wink.
Brandon understood the ssage. The contract was safe, and there was no foul play involved.
With such thoughts, Brandon nodded his head.
"Okay, I'll sign."
*
"Huaam…"
It was an exhausting day for him, if he had to be honest.
It didn't seem like Ironaxe would return his mask at all. And so, it took him a lot of convincing for the midget to give the mask back.
Thankfully, there were no hassles after signing the contract. Finally, he had managed to infiltrate the syndicate's ranks that easily.
It was all thanks to the Moriarty moniker, and Zed.
Cautious of peering eyes, Brandon took detours before he headed ho. Even hiding and activating his [Curse Asssimilation], just to change his whole appearance.
Finally, he safely arrived ho.
"Haaa…"
"Shhh…."
"...."
As Brandon entered the apartnt, what greeted his sight was Alia—seated on the couch, putting her finger on her lips.
On her lap was a sleeping Aurelia.
It seed like she had just put the little elven girl to sleep.
Then, Alia stood up and carried Aurelia, walking towards Aurelia's room.
"...."
Brandon scanned, unable to make out of the situation.
It was then when he started to ponder, walking towards the couch.
'Aurelia….'
Sooner or later, humanity would co into contact with the elves.
And most likely, Aurelia would be a ga changer when it ca to the negotiations.
Brandon could already surmise what Aurelia actually is.
She could've been the lost elven princess for all he knew.
It was a plausible theory.
"Did it go well?"
He was snapped out of his thoughts as Alia ca out of the room, slowly closing the door.
Clank—!
"Yep. Even better than I hoped."
"Good work."
Alia neared him and sat beside him.
Brandon raised his sleeves, and slowly took off his gloves, revealing his hands with bandages on each tip.
Alia stared at his hand with a worried gaze. But it seed like she pushed down such thoughts as she spoke.
"My proposal has been accepted. Though I have to attend the academy after the operation."
"Oh? That's great. Guess we're attending together then."
"Yup. And I'm not your senior anymore, since we'll be in the sa grade level."
"You're still a General though. That still makes you my senior."
Brandon leaned back, nonchalantly clasping his hands behind his head.
Alia frowned at his words.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it, I'm old."
Alia leaned back as well and looked up.
She changed the topic, and the atmosphere in the room beca serious all of a sudden.
"That girl you talked about. Rachel, was it…? How do you plan on approaching her…? I heard she was at the academy."
This question again.
Alia was the least person he had expected to ask this question.
Brandon already knew how to respond.
"It was a year ago. You could say we were kids. Kids often have crushes, right?"
Brandon turned his head and looked at Alia—who looked back at him with a curious gaze.
"I've never had one…."
Alia bashfully responded.
Brandon continued.
"That's you. But that's not my point. People's feelings change. She's probably moved on. I was comatosed and was deed missing for a year after all."
'Plus, those feelings…. they were never mine to begin with.'
He thought to himself. But he couldn't tell Alia that.
"So… what's on your mind?"
Alia asked.
"Uh…. I'm not romantically interested anymore?"
"Ah."
Alia looked away. The look on her face told Brandon that she seed disheartened.
As if the words he had said were ant for her as well.
Brandon pressed further.
There was no doubting it.
This senior of his who was two years older, and his sister's best-friend…..
She was developing feelings for him.
It was obvious in plain–sight.
However, developing feelings, and actually becoming in love were two different matters.
For all he knew, it could've been infatuation.
But he didn't want to lose this chance.
A chance to keep her close by his side.
"In her."
"Hm…?"
Alia abruptly flicked her head.
Then, she asked.
"In her?"
"I said what I said."
"What do you—"
"But there's soone else I've begun to beco interested in."
"Ah…."
Alia looked away. Her face seed to gradually turn red.
'Wow, how arrogant. I only said those words, and now she's jumping to conclusions.'
But…..
'She's not wrong.'
All of a sudden, Brandon gently touched Alia's chin, turning her head for her eyes to et his gaze.
Then, he leaned close to her ear.
"Hieee—"
Alia yelped in shock and closed her eyes.
Brandon whispered into her ear.
"Can you guess?"
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