"So, where to now?" asked Kadaski.
"Retromalus - the Town of Hazbins." answered Drago Arcedes.
3rd Person's POV
It was subtle, but as soon as Virdjana heard the name Retromalus, her pupils dilated. 'What in the hell?' thought the Silent Thief, her hands turning into fists for a few seconds. It was a good thing that none of the three noticed her reactions, so they quietly continued their mission.
"I have a question for Senior Assassin." began Ryoline in order to break the defeaning silence around them.
Kadaski and Drago both felt curious and waited for the walking icicle of a woman to respond.
"What could that be?." asked Virdjana, sounding expectant.
"How were you able to sneak up on me earlier? As a Beast Tamer I share the keen senses of Naga, but I just couldn't understand." said the youngest of the four with a small quiver in her voice.
"I'm also curious Virdjana. You suddenly disappeared for more than uhh... 25 minutes, and we were left there fighting Ryoline." stated Drago.
"True, then suddenly she stole the spotlight. The next thing we knew, she already got a hold of Ryoline." seconded Kadaski.
'That's because I have other priorities.' thought Virdjana.
Virdjana does not feel like explaining how she do things, but those three eager eyes in front of her forced the teenager to do it. "I covered my scent using the blood of a dying Starblaze wolf. There were many of them who are dead and wounded so I was sure that you won't be able to sense me on time."
Once again, Kadaski could not feel more repulsed at the idea of showering one's self with blood just so one could escape the sharp senses of their enemy. He immediately passed Ryoline to Drago before barfing behind a tree.
"Careful, I'm wounded." pouted Ryoline.
'You're not the only one...' thought Drago Arcedes before saying, "I see, but that does not explain how you still remained undetected when you were already close to her." commented Drago as he analyzes the situation.
'She has beaten my reaction time.' thought Ryoline, "confirm this Senior Assassin..."
"Confirm what?" asked Virdjana.
"If you were any more serious than before, I would not be here with you in the first place, wouldn't I?" said Nanami Ryoline with a nervous expression on her face.
'Uhh, how could you even dare ask this weirdo that?' thought Kadaski after finishing his matters behind the tree. 'and it's obvious what Phantom's answer will be.'
"Let's get moving, it's getting boring." said Virdjana before hopping on top of a tree branch and getting a few meters ahead of the others.
Drago, Kadaski and Ryoline fell silent.
'She dodged the question!' they all thought.
Ang bayan ng mga Hazbin ay kilala bilang isang tapunan ng mga laos ng personalidad sa siyudad ng Arcacia. Mayroon din ritong mga tulisan, mamamatay-tao at mga taong nagpapatakbo ng mga ilegal na negosyo.
"Pumunta ka sa lugar na iyon at ibinenta mo roon ang Chronicle Book?" pag-u-ulit ni Drago sa kaniyang nakaraang tanong kay Ryoline.
Tahimik lamang na tumango ang nakababatang Enchanted Elite.
Hindi pa lubusang nakapapasok sa teritoryo ng mga Hazbin ang apat na teenager at nananatiling nakatago sa taas ng mga puno ilang metro mula sa abalang bayan.
Si Kadaski naman ulit ang sumusuporta kay Ryoline, habang si Drago ay nasa unahan upang mag-analisa ng mga ginagawa sa likod ng makalawang na gate ng bayan.
Samantala, kararating pa lamang ni Virdjana mula sa Cleopardia dahil kailangan nitong siguraduhin na walang sumusunod sa kanila.
"Yo." biglang bati ni Virdjana sa likuran ni Drago.
"Virdjana, shush. Muntik pa akong sumigaw dahil hindi ko naramdaman ang presensiya mo." sabi ni Drago sabay hawak sa kaniyang dibdib.
"So? What did our Junior say about this place?" Virdjana asked ignoring Drago's statement, then giving Kadaski and Ryoline a quick glance from where they are.
"Ibinenta niya raw doon ang Chronicle Book." sagot ni Drago.
Virdjana did not buy Ryoline's supposed answer as she secretly purses her lips to suppress a smile. Who would have known that they would be playing the lying game up until now? "By the way, I brought the snake here." she adds with nonchalance.
Drago and Kadaski flinched at the news, while Ryoline's face brightened up. Just as Virdjana stated, the Mythical Beast appeared behind them, only that it was finally back to its original size with noticeable wounds on its skin, and a few missing scales even.
"W-what are you thinking Phantom?" asked Kadaski out of exasperation, his sweat running down his cheeks.
"Yeah Virdjana, why did you do that?" a nervous Drago added.
Virdjana was expecting to Drago to understand the gist as to why she woke the snake up and brought it along with her, but she supposed that the red-haired Enchant might have probably be too tired to analyze the reason.
She looked back to the memory of the enormous summoning both Fire Enchants performed in order to minimize the damage at the forest of Cleopardia, and she can conclude that it probably took a huge toll on both of the boys' body.
'They're probably worried that we won't be able to survive a plausible round two.' mused the Eumythymn Hunter.
"If another battle breaks, we don't want a burden in the group. She needs to be able to fight too." Virdjana explained.
"And from what I've seen from her stubbornness, she won't cooperate immediately." remarked Kadaski.
"Y-yes, do you really think I'd help find that book just because you brought the snake with you. Ha! Big deal, lame tactic." rattled Ryoline with a smug expression.
Kadaski felt annoyed as he raises his hand to give Ryoline a look, "see? I thought right."
"It's too early to assume." said Virdjana as she gives the Beast Tamer a studying glance.
An hour and a half later, they finally arrived at the said town, however they remained a few meters away to avoid getting seen by anyone.
"Anyone hungry?" asked Kadaski, "because I am." he says as his stomach grumbles.
"I'm also hungry." said Ryoline.
Virdjana paused from walking, looking behind her and giving Drago an asking glance.
"I guess we could rest for a few minutes, five at most. The more time wasted, means we are doomed to fail if the one possessing that Artifact makes it far." stated Drago. "Here have some croissant. There's mango, strawberry and chocolate flavors."
Virdjana's eyes twinkled at the mention of strawberry. "I'll take this." and she grabs it like a quiet cat, before retreating two trees away to eat the bread in peace.
"What speed...even when it comes to food." sighed Drago.
'What the heck is she? At first she moves like a snake, the second a cat.' Kadaski commented internally.
When all of them finished eating Virdjana walked back to the group stating, "I would like to test the three of you before we enter this town," her serious tone, caused the others to give their attention to the Wind Enchant.
"A test? At this time? Para saan naman Virdjana?" tanong ni Drago.
Virdjana sat on a log with one leg bent, while another leg was touching the ground. She raised a finger like a teacher lecturing her students, "I've been in this town once, and from what I learned none of you would even pass as a Hazbin." she told the others who were down below.
Nagkatinginan ang tatlo, at halata sa kanilang mga reaksiyon na hindi nila naiintindihan ang ibigsabihin ni Virdjana Phantom Assassin.
"Even Kadaski's bad temper won't be enough?" kaswal na tanong ni Drago sabay turo sa kaniyang kaibigan.
"Hey!" reklamo naman ni Kadaski.
"Let me point the following out, in this town you obviously can't enter while wearing the uniform of the academy. That should be obvious enough. Arcacia is known to be a prestigious magic school, so even the layout of the clothes are popular. All of you would be easy target." continued Virdjana.
"An easy target, I get what you mean. It would be obvious that we are new to the place." concluded Drago Arcedes.
Virdjana nodded, "however, it also means that they won't immediately prey on us since they have no information about the three of you."
Drago agreed by cupping his chin, while Kadaski felt embarrassed for not realizing it sooner. Ryoline on the other hand did not react at all, of course, she knows about that since Bullshark Schnider had already informed her about it.
"Teka, the three of us, except you? Virdjana, you're fishy." asked Drago, but he was ignored.
"The second thing is, you have to know the code of the town. It means one thing but comes in many forms." said the Eumythymn Hunter.
"So what you're saying is not only do we need to wear disguises, but have to also also act like we are familiar of the town?" mumbled Drago under his breath. "and what are these codes?"
"Do I have to tell you?" asked Virdjana as she shifts her head to the right in order to meet Ryoline's eyes.
There was a moment of silence first.
"What are you looking at me for? I won't give you the code." remarked Ryoline before sticking her tongue out in a mocking manner.
All Senior Enchanted Elites went speechless with the sudden childish manner Ryoline portrayed in front of them.
"What a pain..." said Virdjana lastly before deciding to drop the subject about the code. "It's something like that."
Drago and Kadaski blinked out of confusion.
"Wait, you didn't tell us the code." complained Kadaski Nueva.
On the other hand, Drago only needed five seconds to understand what happened, "Kadaski, /that's/ the code. However, Virdjana said that it comes in many forms- meaning one could paraphrase that conversation easily and the pretend Hazbins will get snuff out quickly." explained Drago.
"What the... what kind of genius made that up?" exclaimed Kadaski.
"And get this, Ryoline is starting to cooperate. I wonder why?" smirked Virdjana that immediately creeped their Junior Nanami out.
"Less eerie aura, more explanations." said Kadaski Nueva.
"What about our ages?" asked Drago Arcedes.
"It won't matter. They don't care about ages, as long as you know your way around you won't have any problems. Not to mention that you always have to be on guard." answered Virdjana.
"Sabihin mo na lahat, lalo lang akong kinakabahan rito eh." reklamo ni Kadaski.
"Admitting that you're a scaredy-cat?" grinned Virdjana.
"Wala akong sinasabing ganyan. Ibigsabihin ko lang, bilisan na natin ito para makabalik na tayo bago sumapit ang hatinggabi." paliwanag ng Orange Flame of Madoka.
"That's about it. The rest would depend on instincts, and luck." answered Virdjana.
'How unusual, Virdjana's became talkative and more cooperative than what I was expecting.' thought Drago Arcedes.
--[Retromalus]--
The four Enchanted Elites split into pairs, Drago and Ryoline are together entering the gates first. and after a while Virdjana and Kadaski followed.
"Bakit ba hindi puwedeng si Ryoline na lang o Drago ang sumama sa iyo?" pagrereklamo ni Kadaski habang inaayos ang kahel na scarf sa kaniyang leeg. Nakasuot ito ng kupas na pulang cloak sa ibabaw ng kaniyang uniporme bilang disguise.
"We already talked about this. Kung maghihiwalay tayo kailangan ay may kasama ang isa na may impormasyon sa bayan na ito." nababagot namang sagot ni Virdjana habang tinitirintas ang mahaba nitong buhok. Ang bihis nito ay ang dati niyang kasuotan bilang Silent Thief.
'Not to mention that Drago seems to have already proven his authority over Ryoline.' Virdjana added in her head.
"I also dislike your presence as much as you dislike mine." said Virdjana before finishing her look with a white cat mask.
Mayamaya ay may biglang nagsigawan sa likod ng isang tavern, kung saan sumunod ang pag-angat ng makapal na itim na usok.
"May sunog ba?" tanong ng isang lalake na naka-upo sa isang barrel at nagsisigarilyo. "Walang araw na walang nangyayaring kagaguhan."
"Phantom, we should check it out. Baka may napahamak na." saad ni Kadaski sa seryosong tono.
Agad na nagtinginan ang mga Hazbin na inaatupag lang sana ang kaniya-kaniya nilang ginagawa dahil lalo pang lumaki ang usok sa likod ng gusali. Dalawa sa mga Hazbin ang nagsimulang humugot ng kanilang mga patalim, at tatlo ang naghanda na upang umatake.
"Teka, may nasabi ba akong mali?" kinabahang bulong ni Kadaski kay Virdjana.
"Not really. Come here." kalmadong sabi ng Wind Enchant bago nito kaswal na hatakin patungo sa isang fruit stand si Kadaski. "Mukhang isang kilalang tao ang dumating."
Samantala...
Sa kabilang bahagi ng bayan ay kasalukuyang hinahanap nina Drago at Ryoline ang taong pinagbentahan ng Beast Tamer ng Chronicle Book. Nag-usap ang apat na maghihiwalay sila upang mabawasan ang atensiyon na maaari nilang makuha, at nagpasiyang magkikita-kita sa partikular na landmark sa Retromalus.
Drago started asking Ryoline direct questions regarding the town of Hazbins. Questions about tradings in the place, prominent characters and their abilities, and even famous stores in the town. Whenever Ryoline would refuse to answer his question, things started to go off.
"It's a guy named Intruder." answered Ryoline, "a shady individual, but don't ask me about appearances, I'm nothing but an errand runner for Leader."
"This Intruder, what can he do? How strong is he?" asked Drago.
"I don't know..." answered Ryoline who almost choke on her own saliva. "But he could be pretty strong since he rules a territory in this town."
Tumigil sa paglalakad si Drago at hinarap ang nakababatang Enchanted Elite. "Territories? Hindi nabanggit ni Virdjana ang tungkol sa mga teritoryo kanina ah."
"Well, she won't know every single thing about the town right?" sabi ni Ryoline na dahilan upang mag-taas ng kilay si Drago Arcedes.
"You have a point. Then tell me about these territorie-" hindi natapos ni Drago ang kaniyang sinasabi ng biglang may umusbong na kaguluhan sa gitna ng kalsada. Napilitan tuloy ang dalawa na magtago sa isang kanto, habang nagkakaroon ng power at elemental brawl sa harapan nila.
"What was that about?" wondered Ryoline, as she pats her Mythical Beast which she shrunk using her abilities with a touch of dark magic. Of course, Drago would have no idea that dark magic was involved and thought that it was simply one of his underclassman's skill.
"That's normal here." komento ng boses mula sa kanilang likuran.
Agad na na-alerto ang dalawang Enchanted Elite, umapak papunta sa unahan ni Ryoline si Drago na animong pinoprotektahan nito ang kaniyang Junior. "What do you need?"
"Woah, kalma lang. Name's Ivanescent, Ivan for short. Hirable mercenary for a small amount of 200 Psyver Bills." pagpapakilala nito.
'Anong ibig sabihin mong small amount? Alam kong masyado ng malaking pera ang 200 Psyver Bills. Maaari ka nang makabili ng sariling lupa gamit ang ganoong pera. Malamang ay sinusubukan niyang malaman kung baguhan kami sa Retromalus.' sa isip-isip lamang ni Drago.
"Is he one of the big heads here?" pabulong na tanong ni Drago kay Ryoline.
"I'm not sure. I haven't heard his name before, so he's possibly a small rat in this place." sagot ni Ryoline na umaakto bilang mahiyaing dalaga sa harap ng estranghero.
"Teka, teka, teka. Small rat? Grabe ka naman, miss. Isa lamang akong mapagkumbabang binatang taga-buhat ng mga gulayin sa lugar nito." nakangiting pahayag ng lalake.
"But you said you're a mercenary earlier." said Drago and Ryoline in chorus.
"Ah, sinabi ko ba iyon? Baka mali lang ang narinig mo kaibigan." pahayag ni Ivan bago mahinang humalakhak at kamot ng likuran ng kaniyang batok.
"Suspicious. Ryoline make your Naga big again. he could be preparing an ambush and simply distracting us." Drago seriously stated, before summoning one of his Fire Whips.
Pasikretong namang namangha ang binatang mercernaryo sa ipinakitang paghahanda ng dalawang tao sa kaniyang harapan. Nabawasan ang kaniyang pagsususpetyang baguhan ang mga ito sa bayan ng Retromalus. Hindi na rin nitong sinubukang gawin ang code-testing dahil wala ito sa mood.
"Pangatlong beses ko nang sinasabi na wala akong planong saktan kayo," nakangiting sabi ni Ivanescent, "lalo na at kung iyon ang pakay ko... Hindi na sana tayo nag-u-usap ng matino sa madilim na kantong ito..."
'That was hot-' thought Ryoline, before shaking her head to brush it away.
"Mabuti naman. Dahil siguradong hindi ka na maka-aalis ng walang seryosong sugat kapag kinalaban mo kami." pahayag ni Drago.
"Huh?" Ivanescent raised a brow out of amusement, but soon felt precipitation when a green smoking fluid began dripping in front of his face. "Oh shit." he cursed, stepping to the right as the Mythical Beast was revealed to have been able to sneak behind the guy in its real size.
Ivan laughed and ruffled his hair. "I'm quite convinced now. So, acquaintances?" he asked Drago and Ryoline while offering a handshake.
Sa isang banda, patuloy ang pag-o-obserba nina Virdjana at Kadaski sa nagaganap na transaction sa harapan nila. Hindi naman sila kalayuan sa kumpol ng mga Hazbin sa lugar kaya naririnig nila ang pinag-uusapan ng mga ito.
"B.S. Bakit wala ka man lang pasabing bibisita ka sa araw na ito?" tanong ng Hazbin na naka-upo sa barrel.
Hindi umimik ang lalakeng mukhang nasa 40's, at pasimple lamang na inayos ang hinihithit nitong tabako. Ibinuga nito ang usok sa mukha ng Hazbin na nagtanong bago ngumisi.
"Lumayo kayo kay Boss. Nagmamadali siyang makarating sa Cauldron Auction." paliwanag ng katabi ng malaking lalake.
At nang sabihin ito ng alalay ng tinaguriang si B.S, nagsitabihan na ang mga Hazbin at pinadaan ang lalake nang walang nagaganap na argumento.
"The fuck? Kapag mga big time talaga, kung ano-ano na lang ang kayang mabili. Suwerte talaga." natatawang komento ng isang babaeng may hawak-hawak na patalim.
"Magba-banda-banda na lang tayo para diyan. Entrance fee pa lang sa lugar na iyon, kailangan na nang isang libong Psyver Bill. Tch." suhestiyon ng ikatlo.
"Heh. Gusto ko iyan. Tipunin natin ang lahat na maaaring makapag-ambag." nakangising komento ni barrel boy.
Karaniwan na ang ganitong pagtutulong-tulungan sa Retromalus, mga tambalang nauuwi sa pagta-traydoran sa huli. Ngunit habang napakikinabangan ng bawat isa at ang plano ay may pagkakataong maging matagumpay, seniseryoso ng mga Hazbin ang napag-usapan.
"Kayong dalawa!" baling ng babaeng Hazbin kina Virdjana at Kadaski, "sasama ba kayo?"
Muntik nang mapalundag sa kinatatayuan niya si Kadaski nang sila na ang tunay na pinagbalingan ng pansin ng mga nakatatandang Hazbin sa kanilang paligid.
"No need to panic, Nueva." reassures Virdjana.
Ang Eumythymn Hunter ang humakbang paabante upang sagutin ang babaeng Hazbin, dahan-dahan ay nailantad ang maskara nito sa mga tao sa paligid.
"You want me to join your flock?" asked Virdjana in Arcane.
"...?!"
"Paanong?!"
"Albus Feles!" bulalas ng isa.
The silence that followed was more out of surprise and less than awkwardness.
"Albus ano?" naguguluhang tanong ni Kadaski kay Virdjana. "Teka nga, hindi ba ang plano ay huwag tayong aakit ng atensiyon ng mga tao?"
"Nueva, it would be more suspicious if we turned our backs around. That's a sign of weakness in this town." explained Virdjana Phantom Assassin.
"It's not too late to ignore them. Do your Air Barrier and make it explode like you did the last time." Aski whisper-shouted towards his classmate.
Virdjana raised a brow under her mask, surprised that Kadaski remembered how she did things during their short combat in the past. She would not deny that it was a good idea, but like she said, escaping is a sign of weakness and it's not going to do them good in the Town of Hazbins.
"Oh perhaps, the great Albus Feles finally found a romantic partner?" teased the female Hazbin with a smirk on her lips.
Kadaski was immediately irritated at the comment, thus summoning orange flames around the woman. His eyebrows furrowed, gazes so sharp that brought intimidation as a change to the ambiance. "I'll burn you to crisps right now!"
A drop of sweat appeared on the Hazbins' faces, and behind Virdjana's mask is an expression of annoyance. 'So much for not wanting to grab any attention.' thought the Eumythymn Hunter.
"Albus Canis. Calm down. I'm sure she was just teasing, right?" asked Virdjana as she gives off a certain aura hinting Kadaski to stop. At the same time, she cringed at herself for easily naming Kadaski an Albus related nickname.
Upon realization, Kadaski quickly turned off his fire and crossed his arms in front of his body. "Shitty romance." he stated, as he actually goes with the roleplaying flow Virdjana started.
"Lumalayo na tayo sa usapan. You were just inviting us to join earlier?" tanong ni Virdjana.
Napalunok ang mga Hazbin, habang ang iba naman ay nag-iwas tingin. "Kalimutan niyo na. Malamang ay tatangayin niyo lang lahat ng mapapanalunan namin. Maaari ngang mga Hazbin rin kami, pero hindi kami tanga para makipagtulungan sa hindi mapagkakatiwalaang katulad ninyo." mahabang litanya ng babae.
"Doon na tayo magpulong sa malayo. Huwag niyong ibababa ang guard niyo, maaari pa rin silang umatake." paalala ng barrel boy.
Nang makalayo na ang grupo ng mga Hazbin ay saka lang napasandal sa malapit na dingding si Kadaski, nagpunas ng pawis at hinimas ang kaniyang noo dala ng stress. "Albus, Albus, Albus..." pag-u-ulit nito sa isang kilalang pangalan ni Virdjana.
"What?" tanong naman ni Virdjana, na inakalang tinatawag ito ni Kadaski.
"You... You mentioned that you've been in this town before, but you didn't tell me or even Drago that you have a name in this place?" Kadaski states in frustration.
"I didn't think that this mask would still ring a bell." revealed Virdjana.
"Wh-... it's because of that cat mask? Isn't that the mask you bought during our free time at the event?" Kadaski asked in confusion, "I saw you throwing that on the garbage bin. Yuck."
The last comment caused Virdjana to feel irritation, "it's a similar mask. This is the mask I've been keeping for years."
"If you say so. That aside, I don't think I would allow us to keep on going without an explanation of every single detail you know about Retromalus or what you've done to gain such notoriousity. Let's kill your mysteriousness, shall we?" remarked Nueva as he balls his right hand into fist and pointing it towards the sky.
Kadaski was slowly getting driven crazy, but he had to admit that he should no longer be surprised of what Virdjana had store in her box of secrets.
Virdjana removed the mask and allowed it to hang in her belt. She studied Kadaski's expression, and reminisced the last time she met someone that got so annoyed of her existence that they chose to break ties with her. The opposite thing was what Kadaski is doing, he was also annoyed of her, but he wanted to know more instead.
"Let's begin with this Albus stuff." said Kadaski with a serious expression.