„I believe that Niam has worked with Piranha School, but I don't know the details."
„Anything else? You don't seem like that's everything you know about him." Declan said.
„Yes. Furthermore, he and Tana Zaman, the Arabic Empire's Princess, seem to know each other as well. And he was somewhere in old China few weeks ago. Seer Aurora used her Salan ability to locate Niam and Tsuki. Their destination is most likely old Japan for obvious reasons."
‚He made me lie once more… I will punish you for that, Niam!'
„So, what we know is that Niam is an interesting fellow. Not only has he worked with Mul-Soo's people, but he also knows Tana for some reason." Declan paused. „What did Seer actually see? I only know what she was able to see before, and what she saw wasn't really detailed. Did her ability get stronger?"
„On our way to Central Superio, when we were in one of the travel villages, she said she felt ready to use her ability again. We have a description of him now. Long, black hair, light-brown eyes, and a bit darker skin. He uses Katanas with a great skill also." I explained.
After Seer had developed a second Core, my fit of rage led to us being incapacitated by Azlin. I woke up, tied to a bed. But after I was released, I went to the still sleeping Seer and asked her to not fully disclose the information she had on Arata's appearance. That helped me when it came to revealing all the information I needed to give without arousing Declan's suspicion.
„He had brownish skin, but wields a Katana. He is also going to old Japan. Is he, or is he not Japanese? What do you think about that, Michael?"
„I can't say for sure, but from what I've heard, I believe he is someone that has ties in both Lands. He must've been someone that was trusted by both Lands. Even the Princess knows him. Maybe he was a political figure before the impact." Grimm theorized.
„If we only still had the internet. We could've just searched for his name. What a shame. But good job, Haru. You and your team did good. But there is something that is still missing. What exactly happened that put you into this state? Your temples have even more scars now, and you aren't wearing what you usually wear. The Union's Light wearing a normal soldier's outfit? Something is weird here. Will you tell me, or should I ask Briony or Silva?"
‚Damn you, Johan Kaiser! Because of your royal pride, I must lie to Declan.'
„I may or may not have insulted Tana."
„What does that have to do with anything. But thinking about it, how did you find out that Arata, I mean Niam, knows the Princess?"
„She mentioned his name when I asked her about someone that fit his description. And also, Tana is Piranha School's second leader. For some reason, she has left her Empire."
„Haru… Did you really withhold that information. That changes some things. I said it, Declan. This boy is not that smart."
„You…" I was interrupted.
„Don't insult him like that. Maybe he thought that it was insignificant information." Declan defended and winked.
„So, no luck with negotiating?"
„No luck. Just a fight that we lost, but I made into a draw."
„They were that strong?"
„Not they, but she. Her Salan ability and her core skill were outstanding. Johan was injured by her badly. He was even defeated while his second Core formed. But it didn't have any consequences for him."
„You are still the strongest, right?" Declan asked to be sure.
„I am. The others aren't. They were in the way. This time, the chemistry we had was simply useless. There was a huge gap between our skills. We, as a Land, need to get stronger."
***
Back at my quarters, I changed into my usual clothes. In addition to that, I needed to get a new pair of arm-guards. The ones I had previously were destroyed in the battle.
As soon as I was finished changing, light knocks informed me of a presence outside the door. There were only a few people that were allowed to come as far as the person behind the door did.
„Open it, or I will break your door down." Azlin said.
I opened the door.
„Look. I didn't have the time-" I was interrupted.
„What did you get me? Something nice, I hope."
Azlin's brows were furrowed and her sadistic smile already told me that she wouldn't leave the matter be.
Azlin always wore a long dress. Including in combat. But the dresses were mostly red. ‚She doesn't want the blood of her enemies ruin her dress' color scheme…' He throwing knifes were placed in and on her dress like accessories.
„What'd you get me? Give it!" She demanded.
„I didn't get you anything! I was busy keeping the others alive. Unlike you, I can be with a team. My Salan ability won't affect my comrades." I countered.
„Damn… You're hurtful, you know? Now you owe me one though, okay?"
„Whatever… You should leave. I don't want rumours about us appear."
„Why? Are you worried that Briony will get jealous and lose interest in you?"
„Hell no!"
„Oh my god! It's Seer then, isn't it? But isn't she a bit too young?!"
„Shut up and go!"
„All right. All right. I ask the Union's Light for permission to leave." She mocked one last time before she finally decided to leave.
After it got quiet, my time to make a plan started.
‚Now that I know that Niam is going to old Japan, I must theorize how and from where he goes there. The Asian Empire's bridge is collapsed, he couldn't have gone straight to the Empire from there. Even if he tried to swim or sail across the lake around Central Superio, the water's unique and unexplainable condition would've put him under and drowned him. Either the Nordic Alliance or the Arabic Empire. The Alliance is improbable. He must've gone to the Arabic Empire then. There, he must've met Sidika of Siran bridge and maybe even Tana. We had Arabic citizenship there too…' My train of thought was interrupted by the same knock from before.
„Haru, I got 2 live ones saying that they know Arata. They're new recruits that were in Central Superio for awhile after the impact."
‚From Piranha School!' I made out.
„Bring them to my office, I will be there in a couple."
‚What a surprise… Traitors! I was sure there would be some that would leave. Mul-Soo is a fool after all.'
***
The 2 live ones sat in the chairs in front of my desk. After seeing me enter, they sprang up to salute.
„General!" They saluted.
A boy and a girl. Their faces showed no fear, nor distain. Whatever made them come here wasn't because of Mul-Soo.
„My name is…"
„Shut up. Let me sit down first." I interrupted the boy.
After I sat down, I signalled them to begin their introduction.
„My name is Lorenzo."
„I'm Maria."
„I was hoping that you would introduce yourselves properly. I don't see your files on my desk. Do you see them? Azlin must've not given them to me on purpose." My words didn't cause a reaction. „Do you even know what is written about you in those files?"
„No." Lorenzo answered.
„Pretty simple. Information about your entire being. Height, weight, hair color. Whatever it is, it is written on there. But the most important thing, you have decided to hide from your General."
„I'm sorry, General. We…"
„Salan ability. What kind of power do you two have to be here instead of Central Superio?"