After our sparring match, the other Enforcers returned to their work.
We asked about Carlos and why he didn't participate, but he was apparently very busy working on the Abyss Engine issue.
He had almost reconstructed the one we broke three years ago.
Currently, it was being held in a separate facility than the one Kazuma destroyed. Carlos was a smart man, and predicted that very scenario as a possibility.
Iris led us out of the HQ and we took a limousine to a nearby liftoff area that housed a helicopter.
Considering the one on top of the HQ was currently unusable and it wasn't safe to be up there.
Although surprisingly, the HQ had already been made mostly stable thanks to Dante and Leiso's efforts to minimize damage. Currently they were assessing the extent of the damage and were about to start repairs.
We took the helicopter to the airport and made our way to Ulkanos.
* * *
We rode in a private jet instead of a regular plane because our faces were now plastered everywhere. We didn't want to be harasssd and the Attendants guarding us recommended it for security reasons.
Nexian spies and the like, of course...
Even if I had been a Prince on Avernia, I still wasn't used to getting so much attention.
It was a far cry from my early adventuring days in Lorelei where no one knew who I was.
Eventually, we arrived in Ulkanos late at night and got in another limousine.
Ulkanos was located in the northern region of Arcadia, so it was quite cold here.
After midnight, we pulled up to what I can only describe as an impenetrable fortress.
This place wasn't a house. It wasn't even a mansion. It was more like a castle or a huge military base.
There were massive walls all around a gigantic lake in the center of the city. On top of the walls were several guard towers and turret guns scanning the area for threats.
In the center of the lake was a large island that had the fortress itself on it.
We exited the car and approached the front gates.
Several elite soldiers eyed us and nodded, then they spoke into communications devices in their helmets and the massive gates opened.
We were taken to the island via a bridge that connected it to the city in another car. Once we got to the island, the soldier waved us off and we went on our way.
Finally, we approached the front door of the fortress and it opened for us. We stepped inside and found two Attendants waiting for us.
"Greetings, Enforcers Isabella and Mizik. Welcome to your new home. My name is Rune O'Brien and this is Earl Henderson. We will be your personal Attendants from now on. Please let us know if you need anything," Rune said.
"Pleasure to meet you, Rune," I said.
It was difficult to say, but Rune was actually quite beautiful. She had long silvery-white hair with soft blue eyes. She had a relatively small frame, but I could tell she was closer to twenty-five in her appearance.
Earl was an older man. He seemed to be at least sixty and his snowy white hair fit him very well.
Rune smiled sweetly at me and Earl gave a graceful bow.
He reminded me of Walter, to be honest. Isabella seemed to think so, too.
"It is a delight to have the two of you in our wonderful home. I pray that you both have very long lives and work diligently to protect our lovely world," Earl said.
"Of course, Earl. We will fight as hard as we can to ensure your safety," Isabella said.
"Would you both prefer I lead you to your room? You must be very tired from your trip. Please follow me," Rune said.
We followed her up a large flight of stairs and into a room directly near the foyer at the top.
Several places on the walls appeared to be missing pictures nearby. There were many empty spaces on small tables in the halls that may have held pictures.
"Please forgive us, we recently took down the pictures of Jallah. We have yet to put anything in their place..." Rune said sadly.
"There's no need to worry about such things, Rune," Isabella said.
"Yes, of course. Pardon me. Well, this is the master bedroom. Reserved for the current Enforcer residing in this city... And their...significant other, if applicable..." Rune said.
"Yes. Thank you, Rune. We will be relaxing here now," Isabella said.
Rune smiled and left the room.
I had a strange feeling from her already. Not malice, but something else...
I suppose I could have just assumed that immortality would inevitably drive some people crazy...
"Hey Mizik, I'm going to have a look around the mansion. Will you be okay here?" Isabella asked.
"I'll be fine. I think I'm just going to rest for a bit..." I said.
I was feeling quite tired after such a long trip, so I was just about ready for bed.
Isabella hugged and kissed me, then headed out of the room.
I decided to use the shower and changed my clothes before I laid down.
I didn't plan to sleep without Isabella here, so instead of sleeping, I tried to meditate...but before I could get started...
* * *
I couldn't figure out why, but I felt as though someone had sat down next to me.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw Rune sitting on the bed and looking at me curiously.
"Oh, you're awake! Sorry about that. Did I disturb you?" She asked.
"What are you doing here right now?" I asked.
She was wearing a loose-fitting nightgown with her shoulders and back exposed.
"I was just wondering if you needed anyone to help you get...settled in?"
"I'm doing pretty well by myself. What's the real reason you're here?" I asked.
It was a purely rhetorical question.
I knew exactly why she was here right now.
You didn't just approach a man wearing something like that while he's alone in his room.
Rune placed her hands on my chest and slowly leaned in towards my face.
I put my hand up and stopped her.
"No. That woman I arrived with is my wife. I won't betray her, Rune. Not for you or anyone else. Ever."
Rune looked dejected and sat up straight. I followed and sat up next to her.
"Sorry...maybe I was just a bit too forceful? You prefer to lead, right?" She said
"Weren't you listening? I have no intention of doing anything with you. Why are you bothering me!?" I said as I began to lose my temper.
"I...get lonely here...after Jallah left..." She said.
"You were close to him?" I asked.
"He was my husband. We were married for over three hundred years... And since he's gone, I don't know what to do with myself..."
"Wouldn't it be insulting to his memory to just up and give yourself to the first man who walks through that door?" I asked.
"That's not it! I wouldn't give myself to just any man... It's because you're an Enforcer."
"Michael is also an Enforcer. What about him?"
"He rejected me already. He said it would be messed up because Jallah was a dear friend of his... Also, Michael and I grew up together..." Rune said sadly.
What is it with you and Enforcers?
"Should I ask-"
"It just...feels like Jallah is still here. If I'm with an Enforcer, it reminds me of him..."
"I'm not Jallah and I never will be. I never knew him, so I can't know what he's like."
As I spoke, I felt Isabella's presence approaching.
Suddenly, I was very proud of myself for resisting Rune's seduction.
Although it was possible she could have been in danger now.
"You need to leave. Isabella will be back any moment," I said.
"Very well...I understand... Please don't mention this to her..." Rune said.
"She's not stupid, Rune. She's actually a genius. But if it makes you feel better, I won't tell her. However, I also won't lie to her if she asks." I said.
"Thank you. That's the least I could ask for."
Rune meekly got up and left the room.
A few seconds later, Isabella entered and locked the door tightly behind her.
"I have a fairly good idea of the layout of this place now. I'd like to show you around, if possible. But we can do that later... Now then...Rune tried to seduce you, yes? That was a very nice evening gown I saw her wearing from a distance. She thought I didn't see, but I did," Isabella said.
Damn, she's good.
"Tried and failed. I rejected her. I'm already married."
She smiled at me and came closer.
"Even so, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior. It is very disrespectful of her to do that," Isabella said.
"She was married to Jallah. It seems like she was looking for someone to fill the void," I said.
Isabella shook her head.
"My condolences to her....but still. She should keep her hands off of you," Isabella said quietly.
"How about you get cleaned up then? I'd like to get some sleep and I won't do it without you," I said, despite having just woken up from a nap.
"Yes...that sounds like a wonderful idea. Then...perhaps I should reward your loyalty to me?" Isabella said sweetly as she leaned close to me.
I smiled at her and held her close.
"I think I would like that very much," I said.
* * *
The next day, we got ready and heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Isabella said.
One of the doors slowly opened and Rune walked in.
She got to her knees and bowed her head to the floor as Isabella glared at her.
"What do you want, Rune? Have you come to seduce my husband again?"
"No...I'm very sorry about that... I just wanted to apologize..."
"Listen, Rune, Mizik is my husband. I understand if you're still grieving for Jallah, but that doesn't make it okay."
"Yes...I know...I'm so sorry... The past five years have just been very difficult, is all. From now on, I will strive to serve you two to the best of my abilities."
"Thank you, Rune. I am willing to forgive you, but...keep your hands to yourself, alright?" Isabella said as her expression softened.
Rune nodded and smiled at the two of us.
"Also, I should mention that Enforcer Michael is here to speak with the two of you. Earl is preparing breakfast as well," Rune said.
"Let's go see Michael then," I said.
We followed Rune downstairs and approached Michael.
"Hey, Rune. Thanks for grabbing them. I hope you're feeling better lately," he said.
"Of course, Michael. Will you be staying for breakfast?" Rune asked.
"Nope. Already ate. Thanks, though. Also, just remember that if it becomes too much to bear, you can always call. We'll hang out anytime you want, okay?"
"I appreciate it, Michael. You're a good friend..." Rune said.
"Nah, we were besties growing up. You'll always be my favorite. And don't worry, these two are gonna avenge Jallah. I swear it. They sure kicked my ass yesterday..."
Rune chuckled at this.
"That doesn't take much though, does it?"
"Hey! Come on, now! I'm an Enforcer! Cut me some slack, Rune..."
"Of course! Tell Dani I said hello as well. She's a lucky girl, Mike," Rune said.
"Will do. Have a good day, alright? We gotta go," Michael said.
Rune nodded and saluted Michael, then went on her way.
I didn't expect such a thing from her, but it made sense. All Attendants had extensive military service records and were highly skilled combatants. Rune was likely no different.
"Hey Mizik, Isabella! Great day, yeah?" Michael said with a smile.
"You remember my name now?" I asked.
"Of course I do. You're a fellow Enforcer. Also, you'll probably kick my ass if I call you Mack again. Right?"
"Without hesitation."
"Great! Glad to hear it... Anyways, you two know what you're doing now? As Enforcers, I mean."
During the time we trained under Leiso as well as our school life, we learned about the Enforcers and what they did.
In short, all Enforcers starting out were given the job title: Investigator.
It was their job to patrol their home city or other cities to ensure public safety.
Arcadia had many towns and six massive cities. All of which were home to Enforcers. These Enforcers were considered walking disasters on the field of battle and were rapidly deployed in case of any attack by Nexus or the appearence of otherworlders.
Leiso taught us extensively on the subject, but we had to admit we didn't know exactly what we would be doing.
"We have a fairly good idea of what we're doing, but we would prefer to learn more about it," Isabella said.
"Cool. Well usually, Enforcers are leaders and can handle their own work. You two are a special case though. Today we'll be doing a patrol. I have some things I want to talk to you about while we're out."
"Can we eat first?" I asked.
We had just woken up not too long ago and we were feeling hungry.
"Eh...sure. Why not? It might help. Basic needs and stuff..." Michael said.
After that, we went into the dining room and ate the food Earl had made.
Earl was apparently a highly skilled fighter and formerly a chef. However, since his body was old, he usually preferred to stay within the compound and support the soldiers or the current resident Enforcer.
He was almost as old as Dante, apparently. Things were different back then and he became an Attendant out of necessity after retiring as a soldier due to health concerns. He helped fight in the invasion back then.
The food was spectacular and after we finished, we followed Michael.
After we left the fortress, Michael began talking to us about several things.
"First of all, here's what you need to know: your bodies are still aging, but that'll stop in about a year or two. The aging process will slow down and you'll stay the same after that. Next, we have work for you," Michael said.
It was comforting to know that we wouldn't become old and decrepit before we could avenge Avernia, but...
Being Immortal was likely to cause us quite a few mental problems later down the line...
"What sort of work do you have for us," Michael?" I asked.
"Well...we need someone to infiltrate Nexus, and you two are our only options."
Great...