| Ezura Mikazuki |
Surprisingly, Luca, who was usually quite lethargic and inattentive, displayed an unusual level of concern when he asked, "Y-You were summoned to the palace too?" His words carried an unsettling tone. "Trust me on this, don't go."
It was out of character for Luca to make such a reckless statement. Ezura wondered if perhaps he was joking, possibly under the influence of alcohol. This thought served as a warning sign, suggesting that it might be time to cut back on his own drinking. As if to reinforce this idea, he clumsily spilled the remnants of his drink onto his shirt. To his relief, Luca didn't comment on the mishap.
"I have to show up. You know what will happen if I don't follow orders, especially ones sent by her Majesty's right hand," Ezura responded, recognizing the gravity of ignoring such a summons. Though he lacked detailed knowledge about the man closest to the High Elf, his relatively low position in the hierarchy didn't change the influence he wielded over the kingdom's forces.
"Don't go there," Luca's voice barely made it through the clamor of their inebriated comrades. "I've had to process and send couriers to deliver several messages like that in the past few months."
Ezura glanced at Luca, pondering the significance of his words. What was so peculiar about his administrative duties? It sounded like the typical bureaucratic tasks he managed within the capital.
Luca continued, "They've all been for officers, specifically ones who have retained their magical abilities, usually due to their family backgrounds. Something doesn't sit right about that, don't you think?"
Ezura shook his head. "Nuh-uh. Magic users in Her Majesty's forces are rare. I'm sure they're closely monitored." He'd had his fair share of reprimands from superiors for anything they considered subpar performance, and each time he was summoned to the capital, it made him nervous. "Typical of you to use your day off to stress me out even more."
However, Luca persisted, "Their records indicate that they've all been discharged, and some families have filed complaints stating that they haven't heard from them in quite some time."
Ezura contemplated this new information. It did seem a bit unusual, but he was quick to dismiss it. Various factors could contribute to such circumstances, and a few isolated incidents didn't necessarily imply anything nefarious. "What are you trying to say?"
Before he could receive an answer, the mess hall's doors swung open with a forceful thud. Several individuals, their breathless appearance and navy blue uniforms indicating they belonged to the city's security forces, rushed into the room.
Ezura's attention waned as one of them mentioned a recent breakout at the detention facility. He desperately wished not to hear any more, as it felt like a punch to the stomach. A sense of nausea washed over him, and he couldn't be entirely sure if it was solely a result of his alcohol intake.
Turning his gaze back to Luca, he defended himself, "Don't look at me like that. You know I only fill in there occasionally, and I don't have any knowledge about what happened." Luca maintained his gaze, and added, "You're the one who keeps bringing in the most troublesome rebels." He wasn't wrong.
Despite Ezura's faint hope that the situation might not be as dire as he suspected, he knew he needed visual confirmation. Shido couldn't have been foolish enough to be involved in the breakout, but he needed to see for himself to be sure.
| Shishido Noboru |
Arlo caught Shido's attention, drawing him out of the shadows for a greeting. He had intended to offer congratulations on Arlo's success and jest about his taste in clothing, noting the mismatched outfit. However, Arlo seemed startled. Shido frowned in response to the others' suggestions. "I don't want us to split up. It's too risky. If one of us gets caught, the others won't know and won't be able to assist. Let's stick together," he urged, his sentence cut short as he spotted a guard approaching.
This must have been the guard who had been tailing Arlo. His quick draw of the sword made sense, given his earlier pursuit of Arlo into the alleyway and now another figure standing beside him. Shido couldn't determine if the guard knew they had escaped or if he found Arlo suspicious – with that outfit, who could blame him? Yet, with only one guard present and no reinforcements, Shido wasn't too concerned.
Shido removed his hood and positioned himself in front of Arlo, not as a guard but to ensure the knight's attention was solely on him. His icy blue eyes locked once more with the knight's. "Calm down. We're just meeting up," he reassured. As Shido approached, the guard seemed to lower his weapon. Shido leaned in, whispering into the knight's ear, "You never saw us," he commanded, delivering a precise strike to the pressure point on the guard's neck, rendering him unconscious. It was Shido's signature move – an ultimate necessity, given his lack of weaponry and the need for a swift, one-hit KO to ensure his survival.
Shido pivoted on his heels, directing his attention to Arlo who stared at him dumbfoundedly, "You're lucky there weren't more of them. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been as smooth," he remarked, feeling the drain on his energy with each use of his ability. He knew he couldn't push himself further; the aftermath of overexertion was far worse than any blows from guards. Replacing his hood to help blend into the surroundings, he added, "We should hurry."
"What do you mean? If you can stop these saps so easily then there's nothing stopping us." Grabbing the guard by the legs, Arlo dragged him away from the corner of the inn. Arlo wasted no time taking off the man's jacket.
"Think of all the possibilities If you can make people go all unresponsive like that. You look a little…tired, but that's no big deal, right?" Arlo asked glancing at Shido for a second before fixing the guards body to lean agaisnt the wall.
Taking a moment to rest his weary eyes, Shido glanced over at Arlo. Shido had often contemplated the many possibilities his abilities offered, like controlling the Queen herself. Yet, he knew such ambitions were futile; he'd sooner meet his demise than have such an opportunity. Still, that didn't stop him from using his abilities for more mundane purposes, such as pilfering from merchants for sustenance.
However, he never dared to employ his powers against the woman who had taken him in. She had been a beacon of kindness, a mother figure who had welcomed him into her home of her own volition. She was the reason Shido aspired to be a better person, despite his penchant for thievery. He had made her a promise—to be a force for good, not a murderer or a corrupt leader.
After Arlo got what he needed he guided Shido through the bustling streets, weaving through the crowds to avoid drawing attention. "There's a lotta shifty people here, so keep your head down." Arlo cautioned, his uncertainty evident in his tone. "I know the owner, so they won't mind us staying here until everything's clear. I think."
Shido hadn't quite grasped the true nature of Arlo's "secret base" until they reached the more perilous corners of the town. Living in one of the poorest villages had toughened him, but this was a whole new level of danger. Back home, people were desperate due to starvation, but they didn't resort to outright violence. Here, every face seemed to hide a potential threat, and Shido couldn't shake the feeling that even bumping into someone could seal his fate before he had a chance to employ his abilities.
Their journey ended in front of a tavern, where two men blocked the entrance, eyeing Shido warily. They parted only for Arlo, their suspicion palpable. "He's with me," Arlo improvised hastily. "He's a potential... recruit." The men exchanged doubtful glances before reluctantly allowing Shido to pass.
Once inside, the few people in the tavern sitting amongst the tables, glanced at Shido with similarly cold looks. Going by their clothes, the people ranged from wealthy nobles to rugged swindlers. Arlo glared at them until they looked away. Shido quickly made it to Arlo's side, whispering, "You said you 'think' that doesn't sound too promising. What are we going to do if they say no? Please tell me you have a plan B at least, right?" He asked.
In the midst of this perilous environment, Shido understood the importance of vigilance. Every face in the crowd, including Arlo's, held a potential threat. While their collaboration thus far had been successful in securing their freedom, Shido couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Arlo's familiarity with the dangerous elements of this world raised questions. What was Arlo's past like before his imprisonment?
"If he says no, then I hope you're okay with roughing it on the streets," Arlo remarked, hinting at the absence of a backup plan. "It'll be fine. Trust me. He's actually my... boss," he added, his voice trailing off before he cleared his throat. Shido furrowed his brows in confusion. "What was that?" he asked, struggling to catch Arlo's last words over the din of their surroundings. As Arlo pulled out a seat for him, Shido quietly took his place, surprised by the unexpected gesture. "I'll be right back. In the meantime, feel free to order a drink. I'll cover the tab, within reason," Arlo said with an uncharacteristic smile. It was a strange sight, seeing the man he often clashed with now offering to buy him a drink. Perhaps it was his way of expressing gratitude for dealing with the guard who had been tailing him.
"Could I have a glass of water, please?" Shido requested from the bartender, eliciting a puzzled glance from the patron next to him. Despite having the freedom to choose any beverage, water was the most sensible option for someone with low energy like him. Plus, he had no desire to risk getting drunk in such a questionable establishment. Without any knowledge of how alcohol might affect him, it was best to stick to what he knew was safe: water.
Shido observed as Arlo disappeared through a door near the tavern's bar counter. He chugged his water and moments later the sound of raised voices echoed through the door. Amidst the clamor, snippets of conversation about "showing up empty-handed" drifted to Shido's ears. However, the other patrons remained engrossed in their own affairs, paying little heed to the commotion as if this was normal. Eventually, the yelling subsided, only to be replaced by an eerie silence. Moments later, a berly man emerged and approached Shido. "The boss wants to see you."
"The boss?" Shido couldn't help but release a weary sigh, hoping that Arlo hadn't landed them both in hot water with this 'Boss' guy.
Standing, Shido adjusted his attire, mindful to keep his hood down. Wearing it indoors would only draw unwanted attention. It was a tool best reserved for blending into the shadows outside. Following the muscular man through the same doorway Arlo had disappeared into, Shido entered a room where his gaze immediately landed on Arlo and another figure seated behind a desk. Both of them ingaged in a conversation.
"If you're mistaken about who he is I'll turn you in myself for being useless." The man sitting at his desk ran a hand through his graying hair. "You're becoming more trouble than you're worth." he stated.
"I'm confident he's the real deal. I've already kinda explained my situation to him. I'm sure he'll help with our problem once he hears the full deal." Arlo urged.
The man at the desk exuded an air of authority, his sharp eyes betraying a keen discernment. It was clear that he was accustomed to command – a true boss in every sense. Shido's scrutiny extended to the man's attire, hair, and posture, a silent attempt to discern whether he was a noble or held a different position.
"I heard you wanted to speak with me?" Shido's gaze bore into the man behind the desk, a flicker of suspicion directed at Arlo, who gave him a forced smile filled with nerves. God he hoped Arlo didn't get them in any more trouble. He cleared his throat, focusing back on the man, "We've only come for shelter. Hope we didn't cause you any trouble" by 'we' he meant Arlo.
The room was silent as the older man looked over at Shido for a moment. Sighing, he pulled Arlo in by his sleeve to whisper to him. Or at least attempt to. "This is who you're trying to get to bail you out? You can't be serious. He looks like a kid."
"Maybe rebels start training young, I dunno. He said he was one." Shido didn't know if he should be offended or not. Looking young was good in the long term but in his current predicutment, it didn't seem as useful, "There may be a chance that... I was mistaken." Arlo whispered but not quiet enough because Shido still heard it. The man's face seemed to have turned red from Arlo's comment. Pinching the bridge of his nose, the boss took a deep breath before facing Shido again.
"It'd be cruel to turn you away. You can stay here for the night." Shido wasn't oblivious to how the man emphasized that last 'you.' "Unfortunately, due to my subordinate's failure, this may not be the safest place for either of you. My business has been under investigation by the head of the capital's security forces."
"I've overheard my patrons discussing a recent breakout at the detention facility, so I imagine the guards will be paying this place a visit sometime soon." Arlo kept his eyes on the ceiling when the old man scowled at him. "Neither of you would happen to know anything about that, would you?"
Shido shot a quick glance at Arlo, who skillfully dodged both the boss's gaze and the direct question. It seemed their host was oblivious to their recent escape. In a bid to secure shelter for the night, Shido feigned surprise. "A breakout? You're saying some prisoners managed to escape?" His eyes narrowed as he stroked his chin, pretending to think, then he ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "Guess that explains the swarm of guards today," he mused aloud, hoping his casual demeanor would sell his story. "Thanks for the hospitality. I won't overstay my welcome. I'll be out of here by tomorrow morning." Shido hoped his acting was good enough.
"If you don't mind my asking," Shido began, his curiosity piqued by the man's earlier comment, "what exactly is your business?" He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye. If this man knew about Arlo's abilities and his rebel status, then what kind of business could he be involved in? Was it related to criminal activities? Perhaps they were involved in hiring hitmen or assassins. Arlo did want his help to kill someone. But then again, maybe Shido was just overthinking things. He was exhausted from the escape, the running, and the use of his abilities, not to mention the complexity of the situation. Despite his lingering distrust of Arlo, he had followed him into this shady part of town, into a sketchy tavern with a boss who was under investigation for something. Perhaps he was just too naive for his own good.