The officer who stopped beating the young girl did not forget to spit on her face before leaving. The hatred and anger that could easily be seen in the girl's eyes caught Argus' attention. Those eyes could never belong to the Authority. When the officers left, Argus approached the girl.
-Hey, would you like to bestow your name upon me?
-What will you do with my name? What difference will it make for you to know my name after what has happened?
-I can help you.
-What kind of help can you offe-
She understood what Argus meant.
-My name is Lucía.
-I see… I'm Argus. Nice to meet you. I have a few questions for you. Let's go somewhere quieter.
Argus, followed by Lucía, went to the Merit Inn. Since there were Authority officers around, they decided to continue their conversation on the upper floor of the inn.
-So, Lucía. Why did you join the Authority?
-I… I joined The Authority for my siblings…
-Your siblings?
-It was two years ago, when my father killed my mother during an argument. He didn't want to face the consequences of his crime, so he left home never to return. I don't know where he is. All I know is that I need to avenge my mother. After these events, as the eldest child in the house, I had to find a job. As a woman, I had only two chances, working for authority or… You know… I could only earn the money needed to take care of my other three siblings by joining the Authority, despite my hatred for them. I have to endure them because of all these responsibilities.
-I understand, Lucía. What you've been through is truly painful. How about making a Vow of Allegiance with me? This way, we can help each other. Our goals are quite similar.
-A Vow of Allegiance, huh? I'm sorry, but I don't feel ready for that. However, as long as you stay here, I can help you. I know you don't belong here. Even the way you put on your armor is incorrect. We may not make a Vow of Allegiance, but I can give you some advice on how to behave here and some information I have about the Authority.
-Oh, you're quite observant, it seems. That suits me, but I am not planning to stay here for long. So, you'd better hurry up a bit.
-Well… You don't really have to be observant to notice that but, I will take that as a compliment.
-Oh is it that bad? Hahahahaha. I thought i was pretty good at hiding my
identity…
-Let me fix your helmet really quick.
Just as she reached out for Argus's helmet, Argus held her hand and
told her that he didn't want her to see his face.
-Why, why don't you want to show off your face? Are you scared of me snitching on you?
-No, no I didn't mean that. I'm just… Uh, just close your eyes while fixing it
please.
-Why do you say so? But I will do it as you wish, just because you insisted a lot…
After fixing Argus's helmet with her eyes closed. Argus started to ask her questions about Authority.
-So, who are the strongest ones in the Authority? I'm asking the ones that are closest to Drallis Ehr.
-Oh, there are 3 warmasters and 3 wardens I would say, but some of them are in different luminants, guarding other bases of The Authority.
-How many of them can fight if anything happens in Fort Merit?
-Well… I can't say a certain number but I can give you an example.
-Oh, what is it?
-So, I'm not sure if everything I say is true but something big happened in Fort Merit before I started serving the Authority. There was a blacksmith who was once used as a slave by the Authority. What I heard is that he forged a special kind of rapier for himself which he then used to slay the soldiers, officers, lieutenants and even some captains of The Authority. He killed so many people all by himself. He is also known as the "Merit Slayer". After he killed bunch of people,
the Authority sent only one of their wardens just to kill him.
I think after a tough battle between the two, Merit Slayer managed to kill the 4th Warden Kriel. Sending only one warden means they weren't taking it seriously or they just didn't have the chance to send more.
Also, after Merit Slayer escaped Fort Merit, Authority kept
sending his soldiers after him but I think still to this day he is alive.
-Merit Slayer, huh? Such a manly creature he is… What about Drallis Ehr,
how powerful is he?
-Drallish Ehr? Do you know the meaning behind the symbol of the Authority?
-No, what is it?
-The star-like shape it has symbolizes them being tied to Celestials.
It is known that Adrets are the ancestors of all other races and the only race that didn't make vow to animals but instead made a hereditary vow to Celestials. That is the reason for their marks on their faces.
But the Adrets we see these days are just carrying the marks but not the powers their ancestors gained by making a Vow with Celestials,
other than some Wardens and Warmasters and Sovereign Drallis Ehr I think. Some rumors say that he is being controlled by the Celestials with the objective to unite all Lumen under one banner, so that they may fight off the Drowned Gods like the Celestials did in the past. Also, Drallis Ehr is known for withstanding
something called Godstorm. I don't really know what power he holds
between his hands but he is too strong.
-I see…Celestials huh?
They continued their conversation for a while longer. They stopped talking just about the Authority and shared some of their life stories, empathizing with each other's pains.