The yellowish light from the bedroom lamp began to bother the owner of the green eyes. Her head ached, her vision was blurred, and for a brief moment she forgot where she was. Looking to the side, Sophie regained consciousness, remembering the reason she woke up in that room, but her vision was still blurred, taking time to find the man her father "adopted".
Sophie would find him. Von was sitting on the other side of the bed, leaning against the wood of the headboard, his eyes closed, the girl assumed that the young assassin was asleep. She got out of bed, adjusted her clothes, and walked over to Von, watching him, intent on finding something suspicious coming from him. She threatened to wake him, but the assassin's brown eyes opened to the young Chasseur's surprise.
- How long did I sleep?- She asked, looking away.
-I guess about an hour, maybe.- he answered as he stretched.
- But you should, dog. Your tamer awaits you.- Sophie assumed her arrogant posture again.
-Well... I'm not the one who slept on the job.- Von stood up and walked to the door, opened it, and waited for the red-haired girl who was arranging the blades hanging from her belt. He watched her pass in front of him with an air of superiority, but with a flushed face. He followed her until they stopped in front of a large wooden door. She opened the door for Von to enter first. As he entered, Von noticed Norgard's impatient gaze, dull, with nothing to say, just cold, like a frozen lake.
-Sophie, you can take it back...-The young woman opened her mouth in protest, but her indignation died in her throat as she saw her father's reserved gaze. She left the office boiling with rage, closing the door tightly.
- Sorry I'm late, Chasseur,.- Von sat down in a brown armchair. The place was decorated with revolvers, paintings and swords, including the golden sword.
- I watched you two resting,- The general remarked, turning to the bookshelf behind him and looking at the books. - You will serve Cermina indirectly, but you will serve. -
-If this is the price of my defeat, I will pay it without protest, General Chasseur. -
- You can call me Nor, I don't want a boss and employee relationship with you. I didn't save your life for that. -
-Why did you save my life? -
- I've been watching you for a long time, Von. It may sound sick and quite confusing, but I've been waiting for your ascension.- The general turned to face his subordinate.
- She who will be my supervisor?- Von asked, pointing to the door, and then, seeking the General's gaze.
-Apparently I couldn't keep the information about your investigation secret. Sophie is very efficient when she is curious or with her pride hurt, hahaha. Well, it will be good for her learning, to witness your skills up close.- The young BloodHound looked away, clearly not happy to hear that. He had become submissive to the General, and would still have that girl as an escort. We have an internal conflict.
- I'll try. -
- The men you killed You have the right to possess everything you've earned from them. The weapons, the money, even their clothes, if you prefer. When we return, everything will be in your room. -
-Where are we going? -He watched Norgard walk to the door. He stood up quickly and followed him.
- To the dome of the High Command, to meet an old friend.- Having said this, Norgard left his writing with Von, who left soon after, leaving Sophie behind, furious, as she was waiting for the meeting outside the office.
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.
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Not a word was spoken during the entire journey. Von had never entered the Cermina High Command facility. It was built on mountains of black colors and reddish tones. On top of this mountain was a black and red tower, its appearance was purposefully intimidating. At its ends were hanging weapons, weapons that had once been the possession of the nation's greatest enemies, killed in war and displayed as trophies. Although it was uninviting, this was where the two men were headed. It was not far from the Chasseur Mansion, as the Cerminian Elite lived at a higher level than the mass of Cermina's people. As he walked, Von noticed that the streets were dark everywhere in that city, rich or poor, darkness accompanied everyone in that nation.
Von felt emasculated. Could he never again do his own thing of his own free will, or could he? He became a bird in a cage, or rather a hound on a leash, in a world he was not a part of. Norgard Chasseur was a rich man, influential, had everything he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted, including the assassin. The General's planning skills were something Von would never have.
Von needed to scream, to drain someone's blood through his blades, he needed to drink, he needed his cigarette. He wanted the comfort of his solitude, his freedom. But this was lost the moment he momentarily succumbed to his emotions, a simple moment of sadism and pride in impaling a Cermina soldier was all it took to change his entire future. He had done so many stupid things in the past years, almost got killed several times, so that in the end, he had a collar around his neck, guiding him where to go. Guiding him to a future for the Cermina nation.
- Perhaps tomorrow you can come here and look for some land to buy.- Norgard said, drawing Von out of his own thoughts.
-How do you know that? -
- I know everything, boy. Even about Coel and his daughter.-
- Did you turn him against me?
- I didn't turn anyone against you. He decided that himself, when he began to owe money to the High Command. -
When Norgard said this, they arrived at the entrance gate to the tower. The general introduced himself and the gate was opened so they could proceed. There was a long decline up to the tower, but you couldn't tell. The surrounding landscape camouflaged the decline with its exuberance. You could see all of Cermina from that place. They entered through the door of the tower and the General guided him through the place, passing through gigantic and luxurious corridors, full of soldiers guarding the place. After some more walking, they both entered a room. The room was as large as the corridors of the tower, but unlike them, it did not have much lighting. Darkness predominated in that room. A perfect reflection of Cermina.
- So cozy.- Von's ironic words echoed briefly through the place. Then footsteps were heard.
-Let Cermina's fire surround you, and you will never feel cold again.-The boy spotted a tall man with a firm stance and dazzling robes walking toward him.
Norgard walked up to the man, greeting him. - I want you to meet Von.-
- Is this the boy you were talking about, Nor?- Krauser motioned for them to follow him.
- Yes. Von, this is Krauser, the highest authority in Cermina. From what you can tell, he's just an old fashionist.- Nor said as he laughed, and the man laughed along with him. Von just ignored him, he was distracted admiring that hall. They entered what seemed to be a hidden room in the hall. A sort of office within a gigantic office. The room was very comfortable, filled with books from various cultures and nations. There was a black sofa and an armchair of the same color. Von and Norgard sat on the sofa, while Krauser sat in the armchair.
- Do you like whiskey, Von?- Krauser asked the young man as he filled the glasses with the drink. The man handed the glasses to the assassin and the General. Von drank it all in one gulp.
Quick as a blink of an eye, Von heard the sound of Blades being thrown. The dagger was aimed at General Norgard's back. In one swift movement, Von reached out and closed his fist on the blade, stopping its path.
- And again Krauser tried to kill me.- General Nor said in an amused tone while sipping his glass of whiskey.
- Very good. But in this room, you can let your guard dowm.- The blond man smiled, his eyes were blue, whiter than blue, so clear it seemed there was no soul in that body, it was really intimidating. Von looked at his own hand and noticed the blood dripping, the blade was really sharp.
- I chose well, didn't I, Krauser? -
- The boy is good. He passed the test. -
Krauser and Norgard continued talking while Von had quiet reflections. Thoughts about this moment, this new life, about the books in that room, about the impending war that he now knew he would sooner or later be a part of. He drank what he could to keep those thoughts away. After a while, his vision was blurred, but he could still reason. The general said goodbye, and BloodHound did the same.
They walked to the mansion, but unlike the last walk, the two talked about the most efficient weapons for short and long distance combat. When they arrived at the mansion, the general informed them that he would take a shower and then go down to dinner. Von was walking to his room when Sophie blocked his passage.
- You're back...- The redhead affirmed as she circled around Von. - What did General Krauser say? -
- Why are you so interested in me, girl? - He closed his eyes and scratched them. He could see two Sophie's. She pulled him by the shirt, and he almost fell to the floor. It took him a while to realize that his surroundings had changed, he was now in his room. Everything he looked at was duplicated. One thing was a fact, he was drunk. - I will be watched... forever.
- Did he tell you that?- She let go of him before she spoke, turned around and looked at her own reflection in the mirror and saw Von's naked back. - Why are you taking your shirt off, you idiot? -
-I got warm.- The assassin looked at her, and threw her shirt on a black sofa near the door.
- And that's why you want to take your clothes off? -
- I guess. Whatever. - Von opened the backpack that was on his bed, as promised by the general, all his coins were there. He rummaged through the bag looking for something specific. -Did you know that blush on your cheek looks good on you.
- Bastard! - She tried to ignore it. - Did he say he'd watch you?
-It's no fun calling someone without parents a bastard.- Von rummaged through his backpack again until he found a bottle of rum. He was drunk, but he wanted to drink. Without the redhead noticing, he took one of the daggers from her belt, opened the bottle, and offered the girl a sip. - I implied on my own, he will watch me.-
She ignored the drink, hot it must not be tasty. Von poured the liquid from the bottle down her throat. He thought he would never get his freedom back, better death than living in that prison. In the office, while Krauser and Norgard talked, he planned his suicide.
Von picked up the dagger lying on the bed, and surrounded Sophie against the wall. He put the blade against the girl's white neck. His mistake at that moment was to look at the green immensity. Her bare skin touched him, and he felt a calm breath coming from her. Her blood color hair was a bit messy. He couldn't take his brown eyes away from her green eyes. He couldn't kill her. There was some greater force that prevented him from doing so, it seemed like magic. The white face without a scratch, the fleshy lips half-open, showing some of the white teeth. Von really couldn't. Her gaze was not one of arrogance, competition or pretense, it was just a look that reflected loneliness.
Von felt a strong shiver, his vision darkened, and after a few steps back, he fell on the bed fainting.