Chapter 138: Against Zigmund Troutman

The Tricloud group was ready for their mission. They moved from this office towards the not-so-bustling streets at the moment. They moved hidden, afraid to make their appearances stand out, but not like they needed to worry about that. This place was full of adventurers, hunters, and people were well-armed in general. No one would find them strange.

In the front of this group was Dias with a pair of long swords around his back. One particular shiny sword was around his waist. This was his personal one, which was previously hidden behind his clothes.

Suddenly, beside him appeared Roseanne who held a single weapon in her hand. It was a spear, which she used to bump into his shoulder by the shaft.

“Dias, what did you think of that particular letter below the mission? This feels more strange with it as there is nothing in the report about it, nor do orders state something more. The only thing it tells us to do is to handle that to him. You think he will listen to us?” she asked in curiosity.

“I will simply ask our mysterious Troutman about it. What else do we have?” He responded with not many thoughts put behind it.

“Hmmm. Since you insist on not talking, so be it.” Roseanne hummed and remained silent for the rest of their journey to the back of the Griontesse city. They left the city according to the causal direction pointed by Rengiward who was doing the bare minimum to save his own skin. That was, to lead them to their destination, and that was all he will do.

Although what he was doing was for his own good will, there was still a speck of conscience, still residing within him. It was a dusty kind that was almost forgotten by him. It was here… long gone and left behind by his merchant work where he watched slaves being beaten to death and deals which involved them as well. People without conscience were much better merchants in this messed-up world, and Rengiward wasn't some saint. He was well aware of it, and that was the reason he had to work hard to not end up at the bottom of this world. That would be troublesome and not something that he wanted.

It all started to go in the wrong direction in Shady Restaurant. His mind went downhill when he noticed Sarey who beamed with happiness earlier. He also noticed the presence of Allan who he also recognized. He has a memory for memorable people and all of them were the kind he took into consideration. All of this led to many thoughts put into his mind, but Rengiward knew he wasn't here to act righteous, as the path of the Alliance was not calling itself that either.

It was normal to consider one's well-being and every government, nation, and kingdom was no different. They had their hands in something shady in one way or another and there was nothing one could do about it. No one could be blamed for the messed-up things that the people in power did or do on regular basis.

Blame could be just an excuse for the punishments and redistribution of political powers. That, or also a powerful tool to silence people and make them afraid. All of this stemmed from long history of the political world, where people in power always stayed afloat, until the new ones would rise above the former, making a loop of agony and poor decisions.

It was almost natural that humans grew into power, with history which moved into the future. It was about repeating the things that happened and will happen with no distinctions to the present or the past. It was as if there were some rules to the heart of Men, making the life of certain planets unchanging without any effort. They may as well be big sponges of life in the forms of planets.

Regardless of the morality of life and death, life will always find its way with no interference from the heavens, or the universe that was indifferent to everything.

Currently, the unlikely life was walking within the streets of Griontesse city, holding hands with some other being. Time of importance will await the closure, or it may as well be a new beginning.

Outside of the city, the Tricloud group with the small emblems of the Tricloud Alliance, walked through the roads in the directions that only Rengiward knew. He still remembered the rough location of the cottage in the woods that he visited once. No one unfamiliar with the roads or the ending destination would be able to lead this group there. It was hidden and outside of the ordinary city. The paths which led there were kind of obscure, and without knowing the directions, one could end up lost in the woods or walk towards distant roads towards other cities.

Rengiward wasn't sure about the fastest road, so he rather went out of his way and decided on furthering the journey. It was the prime pavement road with was the kind he used with his caravan. In about 30 minutes, he finally found a road that led to the open distances with which he was familiar. It was out of view from any road, hidden by the sights and even rows of trees and bushes. It was rather unkempt, but it was enough for a caravan, let alone a group of people.

A cottage was there on the side of a forest. A river was also nearby, making this place serene and calming. Group found this place surprisingly impressive, considering the lush forest and nature. It seemed rather well-kept, and open, unlike the forest. The main building of the cottage was any kind that one could find in the woods. It was made with regular-looking materials, as well as wood which could be always around the forest.

Dias looked around in much more seriousness than before. Rengiward confirmed that nothing changed, and even the gate, courtyard, and everything in this place was the same. This place didn't look like anything Dias had expected but at the same time somewhat how he expected. “Weird, truly weird. This man… What sort of person he is for the Tricloud Alliance to consider him in their internal or external affairs? Meeting him like this in the middle of the war, and even retrieving him with a such strange mission… It's strange.” Dias thought to himself since he deducted some things from his own knowledge and the scroll in his pocket.

One particular one was the statement about the current danger written on the scroll. It said that his power was currently unknown which indicated that there was something else that was known in the past. The mission deemed it unworthy to state more, so the Alliance didn't include more information for some reason. Dias also knew the document talked about the retrieval of this man, which also included the section about him, being part of the past Tricloud Alliance. What exactly it meant wasn't something Dias knew, or even what old meant. He may be an ally but why the danger or Grade 4 failure?

“Here we are.” Rengiward pointed to the cottage, and right towards the main entrance that is before them. Beside this cottage was a gate that led into the backyard.

“Are you sure it is this?” Roseanne asked, quite baffled by how peaceful this place looked. The chirps of the birds, the gushing sound of the river, and the smell of the forest made this place like paradise for a military girl like herself.

“Of course it is. Nothing much changed at all since the last time.” Rengiward said once more.

“Well then. I guess it had time to discover what is behind this mess that is called our mission.” Dias said, firmly resting his hands on his personal blade and walked to the main door.

Knocking on it a few times, he awaits some response, but nothing happened even after 2 minutes of waiting.

So, he tried it a couple more times with more power, but before doing something regretful, the door opened in a wild fashion inwards. Dias almost punched the pain in his face, but he stopped in time. That would be a horrible first impression and Dias would surely regret it.

Zigmund appear at the door, noticing the fist that almost shamed his face. However, he didn't pay it any attention, and rather looked at the group before him. He wore the same appearance that he usually had at this time. It was a uniform that he was all so familiar with.

“Who the hell are you people?” He asked with a stern expression that was a step away from being pissed off.

“Zigmund Troutman?” Dias asked straight to the point.

“Troutman?” Zigmund said and raised his brows. “I haven't heard that name in a long time. Who are you?” he said, and opened the door, and crossed his arms around his chest, showing dominance. It looked more strange than anything else in the eyes of Dias who was used to something different than this.

“I take it as you are the one I seek?” Dias gulps down, stating the question he was curious about.

“I have no idea what, or who you seek. Who are you? That is the third time I asked and I won't be the one asking it for the 4th time.” Zigmund firmly said with a small dose of hostility, which amounted to a small radiance of killing intent that he knew at some point in his life.

“Uhm…” Dias was momentarily stunned by his words and intent. Right, he felt that momentary jolt of fear. Forgetting himself and his manners, he introduced himself for the sake of the Tricloud Alliance.

“My name is Reez Dias. I am a member of the Tricloud Alliance and direct subordinate of the general Embody.”

“Wow. How nice. A direct subordinate of the General? That is quite impressive for a bunch of youngsters.” Zigmund says in a helplessly carefree manner, but it was changed by his follow-up questions. “Then what is it? How come the Tricloud Alliance is banging on my door at this time and age?” Zigmund asked with seemingly overbearing words.

Dias looked at his man, not knowing what to do or even what to tell. This was a first for him to meet such a situation, apart from meeting the General of course.

In fact, the Tricloud group as a whole was stunned as well, each for different reasons.

“Oh, Rengiward?! Heheheheh. What is this about!? Tell me, man. I haven't seen you in a while and you come back with Tricloud Alliance? That is rather strange, don't you think?” Zigmund noticed a familiar figure who was trying to hide around a big burly man. Unfortunately, he wasn't that slim looking either, so he didn't pass this hiding spot.

“Oh, Good day to you, mister Zigmund. I must apologize as this is a deal of my own and a thing that must be dealt with. ” Rengiward cursed inside and found a quick course of explanation.

“Deal? Does the Tricloud have something to do with me now?” Zigmund stated his curiosity, scratching his head in return.

Dias finally got some sense of self and pulled a scroll from his pocket. Unfolding it, he shoved it right across Zigmund. Dias shouldn't do this kind of thing before the target, but he wasn't sure what he was even doing. Any sort of self-doubt and questing himself was well founded.

This scroll stated a seeking of this person before him and that was true, but what afterward? This left him a sour taste in his mouth, and before he had a chance to move or notice, the scroll was flung out of his grip, appearing in Zigmund's instead.

“Huh? Seeking? You… this thing. What!” Zigmund was similarly stunned as Dias, or he may be a really great actor since he knew about this Tricloud group for some time. Question of what would be it like? What reason they would have and so on? Reading this scroll, Zigmund didn't know what to take this for. He had his own reason to be questioning himself, like the Dias and his group

“Ehmm…” Zigmund scratched his chin, and in a quick motion, patted Dias's shoulder. “Come inside, for some talk,” he said and pulled Dias inside, and closed the door before giving him a choice to say anything.

“Huh? What is this about!?” Dias shouted as he pushed himself out of his grip with some strength. It was humiliating, and he couldn't even defend himself from being pulled inside. He was even outside of his own colleagues, making him that much angrier.

“Private conversation is better than causing troubles for your man, isn't it like that in the Tricloud Alliance or has something changed?” Zigmund said again as he walked with an open scroll to his office. He also indicated Dias to follow him inside.

“I don't know much about the course of this scroll. I was simply following orders to get to you. I have no idea who you are or why the Alliance is seeking you.” Dias confessed for no obvious reason.

“I didn't ask that. Come inside so we can have a small talk. Also, forget to even think about opening that door. I will gut you.” Zigmund says with indifference, pointing to his office where he walked and took a seat at the desk.

Dias had no choice and went as well, shimmers of cold sweat were on his back. Sitting on the other side of the table, Dias glared at the surroundings which left some impression on him, but most of it was upon Zigmund, who he wanted to know the most.

“This piece of paper, Can I take it as everything is forgotten and the past is obsolete?” Zigmund asked.

“I have no idea,” Dias answered, putting his hand up to indicate his cluelessness.

“So you are not a messenger? Huh… I guess I will see this letter then.” Zigmund unwrapped the letter from the lower section of the scroll and folded it open.

His indifferent expression while reading it left not much of its content out and Dias had no doubt there was something important in there. He was expectant to know that, but his remaining vigilance was with the hand around his blade.

“Hmm. What! That is probably the word I would say now, but this is an outrageous request. I won't budge in the hands of the Tricloud Alliance because of our history.” Zigmund said as he looked at Dias.

“T-this seeking? What is in that letter?”

“I am not sure at all. In fact, I haven't read it at all,” Zigmund said, folding the paper back and placing it above a piece of a lit candle, illuminating the whole room.

Before Dias knew it, the letter was scorched to dust.

“OH! How poor of me. This is unfortunate, I don't know much more about what was inside, so maybe I am getting old. This can also happen…” Zigmund said in a mocking tone and a smirk appeared on his face.

“This…” Dias looked at the remaining dust, helpless and surprised.

“It is a seeking boy. What do you even think that is? What sort of things did you even experience in the Tricloud Alliance? I wonder about that myself.”

“Seeking is many things… Like, capturing the target?” Dias said, looking at Zigmund in uncertainty but he noticed his clear open mockery.

“Yes, capturing, killing, processing of the target's information or the causes that may or may not be that important. Who knew? It's probably not important to even your superiors or so-called Generals. Since the mission was so weakly worded, you should be left out with two choices. Capture or leave with the stage 4 failure.”

Dias heard him right, getting a hint of what he should do next.

Meanwhile, outside the main door's entrance. Roseanne, a pair of brothers, and Rengiward were still hesitant to move. It was because of Rengiward's stubborn words to not get involved, but surprisingly enough, Roseanne didn't do that much, making even the brothers hesitate. Brothers had very little to do since the orders were so unclear, while Roseanne was lost in some thoughts, wondering about something that was on her mind since she laid her eyes on Zigmund for the first time.

“Uhm… The Boss is gone inside!? We should get him back, shouldn't we?” Pier asked aloud.

“Nonono…” Roseanne slapped his shoulder. “That uniform! I swear I've seen it before. Screw this situation. Let's barge in.” Roseanne decided after confirming her own guesses. Crossing the stages of orders was one thing, but actual situations of life and death could change so fast in the conflicts that could happen at any moment.

This was one of them.

After all, it was almost 10 minutes since their boss disappeared inside, and most of them held no regard to barging into the dangers. Roseanne clutched her spear with a tight grip and swayed her body into two incredibly fast slashes, piercing into the door's corners.

Kicking the door open, the door crumbled to the floor inside. Then she pointed to the pair of brothers to come with her and cover her back. It almost looked natural, and their teamwork was quick and excellent, unlike so far.

Inside was empty of any soul and resembled a high-end kitchen and hallways which instead, looked more ordinary than anything else.

“Where are they?” She asked herself. “Let's check the doors.”

Upon their successful breaching of this home, there was pair of eyes outside. They were in any unspecified bush and looked at the sudden intruders that marched inside. In fact, they observed this situation for some time, and it was their home so it was no surprise there was some anger and shock in them.