Not long after the gathering of soldiers in Takkot's town hall ended, a knight pushed the door open in the mayor's office.
"Alkalde–!"
The knight looks straight in the middle of the room, expecting to see the mayor sitting on his chair. However, the one on the seat is none other than the high commander. On the other hand, the mayor of Takkot is making a warm drink using a magic tool that looks quite similar to a kettle or takore in the Philippines.
"What is it?" The mayor asked, stopping himself from pouring the tea into the cup halfway.
"Uh..."
Right then, a book came flying across the mayor's office and hits the back of the alkalde's head hard, almost spilling the tea from the kettle in his hands.
"Hey, you idiot! What's taking you so long? Where's my tea?"
The high commander angrily inquired the mayor before shifting his attention to the knight standing in the middle of the room.
"It's coming."
The mayor responded as he gets back into pouring the cup of tea.
"So, you got news for me?"
The knight flinches in fright after hearing the high commander asking for his sudden visit to the office.
The knight reluctantly approaches the desk, facing the high commander who's sitting on the alkalde's seat.
Due to his nervousness, the knight is having trouble getting the words out of his mouth. Right then...
Slam!!
"Ahh!"
The high commander slams the desk so hard, sending a powerful shock that electrocuted the knight's body from head to toe. It was such a loud bang that even the alkalde felt like it was him that got hit by the high commander's strike.
"Are you going to speak or not?" The high commander asked with his eyes glowering at the knight. "If you don't want to speak for the rest of your life, I'll be glad to help you."
"Huh?"
The knight who is lost for words watches the high commander stand from the mayor's seat as he pulls out his long sword.
"You know, I'm quite the generous guy." Said the high commander as he points the tip of the blade towards the knight's mouth. "I am nice to those who obey my orders. Isn't that right, Agno?"
"Yes, high commander."
The alkalde obediently replied as he puts the cup of tea on top of the mayor's desk.
"Now then, stick out your tongue."
The high commander ordered in which the frightened knight takes a step back with his shaking legs. In fear of having his tongue being cut, the knight finally speaks in a shaky voice.
"A-All the k-kalesas have been d-d-destroyed and burned to ashes! T-The horses have a-also gone missing!"
Right after that, the fierce expression on the high commander's face disappeared.
"So you can speak, after all."
While watching from the sidelines, the alkalde of Takkot—Agno, wonders what will happen next. Agno watches in silence as the high commander retracts his sword and puts it back on its sheath hanging on his left waist.
Doing so, the high commander walks around the alkalde's desk and takes the cup of tea with his right hand.
The knight who stood in wonder sees the high commander approaching him. Right then, as they come face-to-face with one another, the high commander throws the boiling hot tea along with the glass cup right towards the knight's face. The poor knight screams in agony as the tea burns his face.
Following what he just did, the high commander violently kicks the knight and sends him flying towards the door, breaking it into pieces.
"When I tell you to do something, do it!"
The high commander shouted, startling everyone who heard his voice from outside the mayor's office. While some mustered the courage to grab the knight right where the high commander can see them, Agno could not do anything but watch in silence.
But deep inside, Agno is in pain to see his people get hurt. If only he has the strength to fight... No, if only he's brave enough to stand up against the high commander, he wouldn't allow for such a thing to happen. However, Agno knows that bravery is not enough. After all, the high commander isn't their only enemy.
'I'm sorry everyone, just hang in there.' Agno mumbled to himself. 'I'm sure that one day, everything will be over.'
"So we've been sabotaged, huh?"
The high commander gazed at the people trying to clean up the scattered pieces of the broken door.
"You."
The high commander spoke, taking the attention of one of the knights trying to clean up everything.
"Y-Yes!"
The knight replied as quickly as he stood up in an upright posture.
"Bring a new kalesa and a horse from the capital."
"M-Masusunod!"
The knight dashes away from the alkalde's office soon after receiving his order.
"What are you all idling for?! Clean it up and get a new door!"
"Masusunod!"
"Masusunod!"
Soon after that, the high commander went to one of the glass windows as he gazes over the scenery of Takkot.
"So this is how you want to play, huh."
***
Meanwhile, on the same day, somewhere in a quiet alleyway in Takkot are the commander—Agario together with his squad—Marlo, Cardo, and Roberto.
Moments after the gathering of soldiers in the town hall has ended, the group has decided to meet up in a quiet place and discuss what transpired during the gathering.
"I wasn't expecting to learn the truth this early." Said Marlo. "Who would have thought that the rumors are actually true?"
"Well, thanks to the Malayas who managed to get away from us, we have a reason to question whether they are real or not," Roberto uttered. "He knows it's only a matter of time until we find out ourselves."
"So he went ahead and told us." Cardo followed. "But does he have the authority to say it though? He's only a high commander, he can't just decide to do things on a whim."
"Well, even if we know that they are real, it's not like they can do anything if they are being held captive," Agario interjected while letting out a short sigh. "They should be the ones saving us, not the other way around."
Thud... Thud! Thud!
Right then, the silhouette of a man in armor can be seen from the end of the alleyway running towards them. And as the person gets closer, the light reveals his face.
"Oh, Magdalo, did you do it?"
"It's done. It should buy us more than enough time." Said magdalo in response to Agario's question. "So, what now?"
The knights quietly look at their commander as if waiting for his orders.
Agario looks back at everyone with a serious gaze.
"We proceed with the plan."