"It's hard to proceed from here on out Sylve." Vander said to Sylve after they were interrogated by the guards.
Sylve reached a bottle of water to Vander, "Do you have something in mind?" She replied as she sat next to him.
"Unfortunately, none." He answered. "However, I have a couple of things to ask you."
"What is it?"
"This one is completely unrelated to my plans but I'm just curious because somehow it is unexpectedly quiet here even though we're actually somewhere near in the midst of a battlefield. Why is that?"
Sylve clutched her lips, "Well, it is the research guild that proposed a place like this."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know what is the most protected place here in Lumiere City aside from the City Palace?"
Vander nodded his head and furrowed his eyebrows, "I see where this is going, if I were to connect everything I think it is the Infirmary."
Sylve flicked her fingers, "Bingo!" She smiled proudly. "One of the members realized that in war, aside from the commander, the most important person on the battlefield are the nurses and doctors. They are the armies' lifeline."
"That makes sense."
"Look there." Sylve pointed her fingers towards the people who are currently being cured. "Notice their reactions and how they act despite their injuries."
"They are surprisingly calm."
"Exactly, as much as prisons should not be just a place to punish the criminals but also rehabilitation. Infirmaries should also be designed not just to cure their wounds during the battle but also a place for them to heal." Sylve pointed her fingers up, "You know a cure is different from healing."
"True enough"
"So, this place was built with sound and vibration-proof structures both externally and internally. Even if a nuclear were to drop, no one will know what happened."
"And this place?"
"It will not get destroyed."
"W-what?" Vander shouted in shock.
"Yes, this place is an impregnable fortress. It is built with rare ashes dropped only by rare kuishinbos."
"Rare kuishinbos you say? Does that include the tall one that stomped on our base?"
"Oh, The Slender." She tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows. "Wwwwellll, I'm not quite sure. Given that it's rare, but when I said rare, there are kuishinbos rarer than that."
"Those are?"
"Over the course of history, there are only seven known rare kuishinbos: Rotmouth, Bladevine, Howler, Shadeling, Atlas, Dreadcat, and the Lynx. The officials are still concerned about other unknown kuishinbos like the giant who is with the Atlas right now."
"I see so that another giant is something you've never seen before huh?" Vander rubbed his chin as if he's thinking something deeply.
"Yeah."
A sudden silence emerged between the two. Vander then broke the silence and turned his head towards Sylve, "Sylve, what do you think is happening?"
"Why did you ask?"
"Well, I just want to know."
"If I were to base your deductions, I'm thinking that this shit didn't naturally happen. Especially the appearance of the Atlas. I'm thinking that there's someone behind it or in particular, a city was behind it."
"I'm thinking the same, continue."
"The Atlas was already anomalous at extreme level, but the appearance of another giant beside it was way beyond that. I presume there's a deeper reason behind this attack that can't be seen if you just look from the surface, basing their attack patterns."
"And what do you think is that reason?"
"I can't figure that out yet," She paused for a moment, "How about you? Do you have an idea?"
"Just like what the both of us figured together, the appearance of other districts' army is peculiar, with that it is safe to say that the attack is obviously focused in this district, but why? With that, I'm thinking that maybe the two giants are just diversions. The enemy already predicted our next move and trapped us with the available limited choices they think we have."
"Hmm, good point." Sylve nods her head as she agrees with what Vander said.
"The only reason I could come up with what happened is that they are trying to bait the other districts to help Fulgoant from the attack of the two giants. Well, whether the other districts like it or not they are obliged to partake in the fight. Do you know why?" He asked with a mysterious tone to catch Sylve's attention.
"The two giants might come for their district next if they let it rampage."
"Bravo!" Vander replied with applause. "What do you think will happen next?"
Sylve shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."
"The forces of other districts will weaken leaving them vulnerable both from the attack of kuishinbos and human soldiers deployed by other cities." He stopped for a moment, "With that, we have no choice right?"
"Right."
"Wrong, you're wrong."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sylve was confused.
"They think that we have no choice but that isn't the case." Vander pointed his finger up, "We have a choice."
"Pardon, I can't quite catch your point," Sylve replied as she heaved a deep sigh.
"What if we kill the giant faster than what they expected?"
"Is that even possible?"
Vander smiled proudly, "With Leon, it could be."
"Huh?"
"It's just a hunch but I think Leon knows something to kill or at least to apprehend the giants."
"That makes a lot of sense, he's still a member of research guild after all." Sylbe rubbed her chin, "Do you have some sort of a plan?"
"Hmm, let me think of something first."
"Should I leave you for now?" Sylve then gestured her hand before leaving.
"Yeah."
*General Wilkins POV*
Hmmm, what should I do? I'm in a deep trance, thinking of my next move. Urghhh, I don't really want to bother him, but...
I reached out my the telephone in front of me and dial 'his' number, "Riiiing... Ringg....."
"Hello, General Wilkins? Is that you?" He replied with a cheerful tone.
"A-ah y-yes sir." I'm pretty hesitant to reply. To be honest, I didn't really want to bother him. It's just that we don't really have a choice.
"Is this about the Atlas and the other unnamed giant?"
"Yes sir."
"Don't worry, I'll be sending three SS rank and one SSS rank charlanders in your district, it will be dangerous if we were to keep those things alive for long. What do you think?"
Hearing that made me clenched my fist in disappointment to myself. The City Lord shouldn't be putting his life on the line because of our negligence. He's nowhere near his former self. His strength had gradually depleted all throughout the years. But even with that, his strength and experience are still what keeping Lumiere City together.
"That one triple SSS rank you're saying is you." I paused for a moment, "Is that right my lord?"
I heard him giggle over the phone, "Yeah, but do we have a choice?"
"There's no need to sir, I can go there and fight myself, it's completely beyond your responsibilities."
"You might die you know."
"I'm fine with that sir. From the moment I became the general of this district, I already dedicated my life to ensure the safety of everyone, and that includes you, my lord." Yes, that's right, it is my responsibility; what the hell am I thinking of asking his help?
"I acknowledge your convictions Wilkins, in that case, I will only be sending SS rank charlanders in your district, I hope you put them to good use." He paused for a moment. "However, I wouldn't allow your death nor my charlanders, if needed be, I will not hesitate to put my life on the line to assist you all."
I heaved a deep sigh; just how useless I am? X informed me about the dangers of every district, and here I am, cowardly hiding under his grace. "Yes, my lord."
"Stay alive, Wilkins." He soberly replied as he hung up the call.
"Knock!! Knock!!"
I was about to lay my back to the chair and make some good stretch while in a trance, a loud knock jarred the hell out of me.
"Who's that!!" I shouted furiously.
One of my guards entered and looks quite hesitant, but he then bowed his head. "Pardon for the intrusion, but there are two people insisting to converse with you."
"Two people from the research guild, Sylve Pardax and Vander."
"Sylve, eh? I know that person, but Vander..." I rubbed my chin, trying to remember, but I don't think I know someone of that name. But, since they are from the research guild, I suppose they have some valuable information. "Let them in."
The guard left the room, and after a few seconds, a tall, beautiful woman went in, and next to her is also a tall, good-looking young man with a nice build.
Research guild, eh? Are good looks also a part of their requirements?
"Sylve..."
She bowed her head as she replied, "General Wilkins," She said serenely.
"And you?" I pointed the young man beside her.
"The name is Vander, sir." He also bowed and replied in an orderly manner.
I raised my hand and smiled, "What brings you here?" I asked.
"We have a news and a proposition to you."