Hiruko and Ismael: 'And what are you supposed to be doing in a hole like this, risking your life when you've got all the privileges you need,' they replied with a look of astonishment.
- Frederico: 'But I feel comfortable with you guys.
- Hey Uli, why are the others surprised at him after hearing his name?' Is he an enemy? Goki asked him.
- No, you've never heard of the noble Grimaldi family? The first, New Dawn, is used for medical research and the second, F-Arms, was set up three years ago.
- Habon? You've just told me all about it, I didn't know anything about it,' says Goki, touching his chin.
- It was popularised by her call for new entrepreneurs to come and invest shares in the development of modern medicine.
- Hiruko: So it was your father who started this whole chain?
-Frederico: Well, my father has had an impact on this success story, as I asked him for funding after achieving my highest distinction at the Academy of Mages 10 years ago.
- Hiruko: So you're saying that...
- Exactly, my good man. I'm in charge of these two great enterprises, and it's all for the betterment and evolution of humanity. He says this with a smile on his face, arms raised like a magician finishing his show.
Ismaël: You must be incredible then.
- Goki: I haven't yet been told what these two companies you told me about are for.
- Uli: By the way, these two companies are used first and foremost by New Dawn, for research and improvements in medicine aimed at super and rapid regeneration...
Frederico: and that's just what I had to produce with my gadgets on Selene.
-Stop interrupting me, you idiot! I'm the one speaking, while punching Frederico right in the middle of the head.
- Ouch, go slow with me, brother.
- Now, here's what I was saying about the other company, F-Arms. It specialises in the creation and sale of weapons and equipment to fight the Draugr, as well as the study of these creatures. Its first loyal customer was the kingdom of Inun.
Goki: I see. Just ten minutes ago, we were nearly all killed. Surely that's not why you chose to risk everyone's lives to come and live through this hell in the army? Why, from the start, do I get the impression that you've been holding out on us?
-Frederico: Far from it, first of all. I chose not to follow tradition, like all the other noble families, and like my own family forced me to be and remain in my noble comfort zone. I'm fascinated by the mysteries of this world, like the existence of dungeons and the creators and treasures they contain, magic and science. All because there's so much to learn and these elements would be linked to the mysteries of this world.
-Ismaël: That's all very well, my friend. I'm not interrupting, but what did your family think of your decision?
- I don't give a damn what my family thinks. I invested and set up two companies so that I wouldn't be judged by my father. He wanted me to go into politics, and I opposed him for a long time, but I found an opportunity in creating two companies while pursuing my dream. I've already fulfilled his dream by becoming a respected man and I'm fulfilling mine by pursuing my ideals in my research with my company. Otherwise, they would have put obstacles in my way. The words he had just spoken made Hiruko smile, although he didn't know why he had smiled after hearing them.
-Uli: So, with your military technology company, you've developed this stick?
- No, dear Friends, this stick is just an emergency prototype in case of exploration. On the other hand, the military revolution I'm testing with the organisers is this little device. Frederico showed them the little device.
Hiruko: What is it? It looks tiny, about the size of a mouse.
- Frederico: I called it the micro video broadcaster.
-Goki: What's it for? Given its size, is it a spy device?
- It does more or less the same job, but not spying. This device can use magic to transmit everything it sees to a specific base.
- Is that possible?' asked Uli.
- Yes, but as it's being tested, it can only show video and images, not sound. This could help the army to advance in regions like the kingdom of Inun, or to explore dungeons.
- And who are you video broadcasting our conversation to?' asked Goki.
- The organisers of this event,' replied Frederico.
- And since when?
Frederico: I presented this project to Sir Kleon right from the start, so that we could follow the progress of the candidates and help them in case of danger. And when he spoke to the lady Dorothy about it, she wasn't against it.
Hiruko: For once she supported something good.
- Frederico: She let us know that she wouldn't budge if the danger came from the difficulties of the trials, so we'll have to manage on our own.
-Hiruko: Hmmm, I knew that lady was just unbearable.
-Goki: And that's until you see the remains at the entrance and the whole field area.
Tell me, Frederico, how do these micro-diffusers work?
-Frederico: Don't worry, it's still reasonable. Neither I nor the organisers can see what's going on in the whole dungeon, because this device only broadcasts what's in this part of the dungeon.
-Uli: And you don't have several with you?
- Frederico: No, I only brought two with me, so this is the one I'm showing you and the other, look, above us.
- OK, that's handy, but if you said it diffuses magic, that means it can be spotted thanks to the magic it emits.
Frederico: Unfortunately, everything has a weakness. But I could leave two of them here to keep an eye on us and warn us in case of an attack or the arrival of the draugr. While we find somewhere safe and rest to regain our strength, this space at the back will do. I'll take care of the cooking.
*At the royal palace, having seen the battle and the evolution of Uli's team*.
-Sir Kleon: It was a close call, otherwise I could have gone there to intervene. These kids are incredible and to think they've just taken on a jengu!
-Gabi: I told you this group was safe. 'Even though I was a bit scared for them when I found out that this Big Draugr was in fact a JENGU, I thought they were going to discover Hiruko's weakness. Fortunately, having Goki, Uli and Frederico in the group gave them a huge advantage.
-Reine: I also think this team has more than proved itself. Can't we just call it a day and declare them the winners?
- No way,' says Dorothy as she lies back in her chair and watches the pretty butterflies fly around her. Suddenly.
-Guards: I apologise for the disturbance, respected Daimyo. There's someone here to see you', said a palace guard, bowing to Dorothy.
- Dorothy: Who could be interrupting my moment of relaxation? Is it the King?
- Guard: No, madam, it's Colonel Klaus.
Dorothy: Klaus? Is that the colonel who was in General Jones' unit?
- Guard : Yes Ma'am!
- Dorothy : Shouldn't General Jones be back in four days? Well, never mind, tell him I'm not prepared to receive a colonel and that I'm busy.
- Guard: We told him, but he said he had to see you and, even if he had to insist, he's been doing it for a few minutes.
- Dorothy: Bah! Kill him! Where does he think he is? This is the royal palace.
-Guard: Madam, Colonel Kaus is the most strategic man this kingdom has ever known before the Great Nakimi. Even His Majesty respects him. We cannot harm someone so important to the kingdom of PHEORIS.
-Queen Adeline: I think you should listen to what he has to say, it's not like intelligent men to want to talk too much, is it, dearest Dorothy?
- Dorothy saw the butterflies move away from her, she gave a sigh to show that she didn't agree, then told the guard to invite him in.
As Klaus ushered the colonel in, he found himself in the midst of such dignitaries as Sir Kleon, Prince Gabriel, Queen Adeline and Daimio Dorothy. He then bowed to the Queen and said:
-Greetings, Majesty, and to all those present.
-Queen Adeline: Greetings, Colonel. May I ask what brings you here? Is there something on your mind, why you insist on entering my palace?
-Of course, Majesty, I've come to beg you to interrupt this ordeal and bring reinforcements to rescue the survivors of these massacres.
- You're right to be concerned, but have you asked the organisers what they think?
Klaus: Without wishing to oppose the orders, I've just returned from an expedition outside the capital and I know this dungeon well. It's known as one of the deadliest, and that goes for the sergeants too. So what about the young recruits? I think it was a mistake to choose this dungeon as the testing ground.
Queen Adeline: But there were over a hundred of them in there, isn't that a lot for ordinary, over-trained, mutated soldiers?
Klaus: No, Majesty, even for a sergeant this dungeon is a tomb and Dorothy should know that.
-Dorothy: We don't need your opinion here. Unlike you, I know the capabilities of all the candidates who have entered this dungeon. They've had a choice and many have given up. And those who stayed have my utmost respect. It's soldiers like that that humanity needs to defeat the threat posed by the draugrs. Don't worry, GRIMALDI is with them. He's even offered me some brand new technology.
-KLAUS: What? What new technology?
-It allows us to monitor the progress of our recruits from a distance. Don't worry if it's the number of deaths you're worried about, I'm not going to tell you that there have always been deaths at every event. And this year, there were even fewer. I wanted to favour their unity and team spirit by breaking down their cultural, national and racial barriers. And if you're so worried about them, don't let me stop you from joining them. You can also find KAGE by the way.
These words had angered Klaus, who had held his breath, and when he had a chance to speak, it was to say to Dorothy: 'You know, beautiful lady, I've always liked the way you deal with men. It inspires me to find you a crown that you deserve and, of course, I'm going to conquer every dungeon to find the right metal. But don't worry, I'll be back by your side.'
- Sorry Majesty, I think I'll leave and thank you for your time.
- Queen Adeline: Are you really going into that dungeon? Jones won't be happy to see his best soldier run out and risk his life without warning him first.
-On the contrary, he often says that you don't need justification to save a life in danger.
Klaus then left the royal palace without saying another word.
-Sir Kléon: He's going to go for sure, Dorothy, we're not prepared to risk the life of the brain of this kingdom, you're going to have to pay attention to this situation.
-DOROTHY: Because of him, my pretty little butterflies have fled. I'm already thinking about the punishment I'm going to give him for that.