Fabio: "..."
'- Technically, there's nothing wrong... but something just doesn't add up.'
Fabio looked at me as if looking for answers.
I simply raised my shoulders, indicating that I had been working hard on this day and that I needed a massage for that reason. But my gesture can also be interpreted as saying that I don't know anything about what's going on… I prefer the first interpretation.
"Let your words not affect you. We will fight, as we always have! Now raise your weapons; it's time to fight!"
"Yes, guild master!"
Just like everyone else, I raised my sword and chanted the phrase, but then...
"Agh" the sword falls out of my hands.
"What's wrong, Emir?"
"Guild master, I think my wounds have reopened. I need to go to the priests!"
'- What a wound! Wasn't it a sprain?!' Fabio wanted to throw the complaint, but he has a guild master's face to look after, so he restrained himself.'
'Hmm… I feel like I can read his look, but to stay in character, I won't say anything.'
"Don't worry, guild master. I caused all this, so I'll stay and watch you until the end... With your permission." Saying this, I backed up a few meters and sat on a nearby rock. I was just missing the popcorn. With that, everything would have been perfect.
"We'll be 10 against 10, so I don't see a problem with Emir backing up, right?"
"Yes, let him rest; he's already done his part."
"You're right."
His teammates agreed with my retreat.
Fabio: "..."
Of course, if Fabio could eject laser beams out of his eyes, he would have long ago murdered me with his gaze.
In the time our talk lasted, the enemy made a military formation, and they approached Fabio's group with fierce and intimidating shouts.
Then both groups clashed, giving birth to the bloody battle. In attacking, they paid no attention to their wounds. They charged ever forward, as if they knew no restraint. Because of this, their wounds were worse than those of Fabio's group. But in return, Fabio's companions also began to be seriously wounded.
Hatred and bloodlust could be seen in the eyes of the enemy, indicating that they will not stop until only one side can still stand.
"This is for Dayana!"
"This is for Catalina!"
"This is for my family!"
'These guys must be experts. The attacks with names on them are the most powerful after all.'
"Guild master! These guys don't even care about their injuries! They're... they're in a berserker state!!!"
At the shouts of his companions, Fabio seemed to think of something and glared at me with deep hatred.
"Emir!!! Did you do something to them?!!"
"Eh?!! Me?!"
With a professional performance, I feigned ignorance.
But then, as if a luminous stone were lit above my head, I said...
"Guild master, I don't know if this will be of any help, but when I went to talk to them..."
"Speak up!!"
Making my resolution, I look at him seriously and say...
"I saw them smoking magic herbs."
Fabio: "..."
For a moment, he almost dropped the sword from his hand.
"Die!"
But when an enemy attacked him, he came to his senses.
'- These damned drug addicts! They defile my name!'
Despite everything, it would have been fine if the battle continued as it had been. Even when the enemy seeks mutual death, as long as there is no death, they won't be breaking any rules.
But then there was a change.
Someone from the enemy fired a magic flare into the air.
"They're calling for reinforcements! What do we do, guild master?!"
Having aged a few years in a few seconds, Fabio sighed.
"Let's also call for reinforcements."
"Right away!"
With magic flares fired by both sides, it wasn't long before reinforcements arrived.
"It's time to repay the favors. Help me to kill him, brother!" shouted one of the Red Flag guild men.
And, at the same time, the Golden Lion Guild reinforcements arrived.
"At your orders, guild master!" Shouted the reinforcements of the Golden Lion guild.
And so, the full-scale war began... Again.
Thanks to this being a space with obstacles, the war couldn't be brought to its fullest, but both sides fought as if the enemy of their whole lives was in front of them.
'Hey, does Fabio have a short-term memory? What did he tell us earlier? His words can no longer be trusted!'
"Not again... Stop it!!! Stop it!!! Do you have a short-term memory? I told you not so long ago!"
'Ah, Leandro's real personality came out…'
After the appearance of the Red Flag guild's guild master, even those men in the berserker state had to stop their revolutions and obey his orders. At this point, Fabio also gave the order for his guild to stop the attack.
"...We need to talk." Leandro could barely contain his tone as he spoke to Fabio.
"...You're right" Something similar happened with Fabio.
Although this whole situation generates a great sense of deja vu, the masters of both guilds repeated their previous conversation. But, this time, their talk managed to be heard from all corners.
"My men told me you threatened them with their families."
"What?! I would never use such a dishonorable tactic! Just look at them! Those bloodshot eyes are due to the consumption of magic herbs!"
'Was my performance that good?'
"What are you talking about? My men would never do that!"
"This is very easy to verify; just send a carrier pigeon and have a traveler check on the state of their families. I won't stand another word about the veracity of my words!"
Fabio's argument left Leandro speechless. Only after thinking silently for a few seconds did he nod.
"I will do that. Until then... our guilds will remain in place."
"Well… if it is what is needed to clear my name and that of my guild, we will do as you said." Fabio nodded.
Finished with their conversation, Fabio approaches the guild and makes a simple gesture with his hand. We all understood immediately, and taking our weapons, we followed him.
Unlike last time, this march was in complete silence. No one dared to speak. Only when we reached the free ground did Fabio speak.
"For now, rest here. In a few more hours, we will know who is telling the truth and who is not. The members of my guild know me and know that I wouldn't be capable of committing such an abominable act."
The hired staff remained silent, while I and the members of Fabio's guild nodded at his words.
***
"I apologize for what happened, but in our defense, I must say that my men swear by the God Solus that one of your men threatened them with their familiars."
"I do not want this to be a stain on our guilds; let us simply put the past behind us and move on."
Fabio stretched out his hand, waiting for a handshake.
Leandro: "!!!!"
'- I was wrong about Fabio. Even though his name was about to be tarnished by me, unexpectedly, he can forget the misunderstandings and continue to maintain a friendly relationship with my guild.'
In the distance, I can see Leandro's shocked expression, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Then, with a smile on his face, he stretches out his hand and returns Fabio's gesture.
"You're right, now we should talk about the main event..." Leandro smiled.
'- Hmph, this fucker was about to stain my name, and yet he's able to forget the past... Tsk, I'll turn misfortune into a blessing. Everything is for the future of my Golden Lion guild!'
'From the way they are chatting with a smile on their faces, the misunderstanding should have been cleared up. I just hope they don't tarnish my name. After all, people are very gossipy lately. And, since I seem so kind and trustworthy, they tend to abuse my nobility.'
Once their conversation was over, Fabio spoke in front of everyone.
"Coincidences happen for a reason. And, since our guild is so eager for full-scale war, as master of this guild, I will listen to your requests. That's why you should sharpen your weapons, sharpen your senses, and prepare your shields! The full-scale war will begin tomorrow!!! I want you all to fight alongside me and prove once and for all that our weapons aren't merely decorations!!!"
"Ooooh!!!!"
"Yes, guild master!!!!"
They all shouted different phrases in agreement with his words. This series of tragic events has united them more than ever. And they just want to make it known that they're not vegetarians!
But still, I can't help but think...
'Who was the one who performed the previous battles? Ah right… I was the one who was eager for full-scale war! It seems that I am the one with short-term memory!'