#24 An Invitation To A Culture In The Past

*ting* the sound of an elevator has reached its destination.

Right after we talked about him, The Head Defense, that man is standing in front of our destination and waiting for us to come. Moreover, he's with a man I know from work and they seems familiar at each other. And before them, there are several man and woman using our uniform from The Tower special forces, the same as Herr Mann's.

Without any doubt, they are The Fifth Claw's subordinate.

The Fifth Claw, Alto Omega, a man with black long and smooth hair like his brother in the past. Has a sharp and green emerald eye color, a tall and slender man, he transform his uniform to a jacket with a feather around his shoulder. With a gloves on both of his hand, a rapier sword on the hips, he symbolize a great leader who own an absolute order before his men. A persuasive and smart tactician leader which make him beloved by many of his men.

Seems that I have taken his interest by my achievement so far.

"Mr. Abra, let me introduce you but you may have know him for long. In short, the man right here is our loyal customer who come the most often than the others." explain The Head Defense.

"In the other way, I just like this place the most. Good afternoon, Mr. Abra, hope you enjoy your visit too." The Fifth sticking out his hand.

I then shake his hand, "Good afternoon, I do really enjoy my visit."

"Then tell me, Mr. Abra. How was your subordinate result ?"

Somehow, I feel something put a weight on his question. He ask like he cautious about something that he doesn't want to lose. A despair aura surrounding him also seems appeared and threatening me.

"Ah it was satisfying." I answer.

Then, The Fifth frowned his eyebrows as I said the result I'm seeing.

"My subordinate almost survive the first round but then got hit and ended up losing." I continue.

Somehow, the despair aura which surround him and threaten me got lifted and he smiled back.

"I see, then congratulations. You got a worthy subordinate. Though, you've still yet surpass one of my subordinates."

So that is his intention for asking me how, I see where is the conversation going.

"I'm honored to hear such pleasant compliment from my senior. Even so, I believe that my subordinate may surpass today's limitation in the future." I replied.

As expected, he immediately show his frustration face after hearing the words. But somehow, he managed to keep his cool and continue the conversation normally without any worries.

"That's the spirit. Thus, I must acknowledge you as a good leader and good talent seeker in these caged days." he then handing over some kind of pamphlet behind his sleeves, "Let me straight to the point, Thou shalt take a visit. There are a lot learning materials if you go there."

Arcadian Crusader Battle Arena, a place where you show off your strength and develop your fighting abilities beyond limitless. A perfect place for training and measuring how strong are you among the people of the city. Here is written that the competition itself has been held for the second time and this is that second time.

Learning from the past, ever since I was born, the battle in the arena were just an history and the arena, which is the battle going to take place, is just an historical monument. The battle and the arena discontinued ever since people start to hate the witches and the battle inside is turned into a slaughter house where people love seeing their enemies painfully dies.

"Hey...! Earth to Abra !" The Fifth then snapping his finger.

"Oh ! Yes?!" I am surprised out of the blue.

"I can't believe you elected to the special forces. Listen, you should listening what the other says especially when it comes to your superior. And you..."

He then continue to scold me after five second being daydreaming. As expected from The Fifth Claw, his wise leader title among The Princess Claws is not just a words. He immediately prove it that he care his comrades and moreover to his own junior.

".... You may have talent but talent alone won't work well if you don't have a discipline consistency in your soul." then he sighs and take his leave, "Then, Mr. Abra. I hope you understand and please consider to visit the place. If you had interest why hesitate to join and go talk to Mrs. Colonel. It's been a roughly long talk and I'm taking my leave."

A group of The Fifth's subordinates then passes while giving salute to me whenever they pass on my side and I gave my honest regards back. The Fifth sure taught them a good lesson before they could enter the special forces or even a the military itself. And oh boy The Fifth sure know how to recruit as many as possible

Right after the last person giving his salute, the other Head Defense's attendant is approach us directly and Via is change her role to the one who's going to be with him.

"Mr. Abra it such a waste I can't accompany you through accessible floor in the headquarters and unfortunately I need something to be done today."

"Don't we all...." I smiling lightly.

"Ahahaha... you are right. Thus you understand what I want to say aight ? Then, I am going to leave the rest to my attendant right here. But if you want to change, then I'll grant it as you wish."

"No thanks, everything you offer just enough for us. Thank you very much for your concern."

"Oh well, then have fun, Mr. Abra. Hope you're having good day after this. Bye then."

Then, The Head Defense taking his leave. In exchange, his attendant came and briefly introduce herself in front of us. She stated that she has been given an order by The Head Defense to guide us completing the registration. She also stated that we have given a chance to leave early except the new recruit. Thus in short, we're free to choose whether accompanying Danjo completing the registration or explore the capital on our own early.

Obviously, I choose the second option.

"Danjo, I leave everything to you. Let's proceed as planned."

"Understood, captain. I'm going to finish as fast as possible so I may accompanying you."

Then, I and Nera immediately leaving the headquarters. It's so sad that we must leaving a good place like this. But, a time must've come to an end. Moreover, I've seen enough their scheme and plot behind this well prepared building. Soon, I'll uncover every single mystery inside this building and provide benefits for Mrs. Colonel.

+-----+-----+-----+-----+

"I deliberately telling you this out of the blue. Nera, here's the plan."

Cade whispers at Nera's ear. Both of them speak incredibly at low volume on the outside. Considering how loud it is on the outside, they still speaking about their plan around the loud noises of the city.

"So far, do you understand ?"

"Yes, I do. But !" Nera then clench her fist and stare at Cade's eyes firmly, "I refuse. I don't want to be separated from you. I don't want to leave your side. I do always want to be by your side. I know the time will always come but I am going to be by your side even after when the time comes. Cause I am your servant. Servant of Light."

Seeing how determined Nera is, Cade become limp and feel empathy for her. He then sit on his knee and hug Nera gently. But not long after, he release his arm and started to pat her head. Like a cat after getting clingy, Cade does the same to the cat he's facing now.

"I know it'll be hard but this is the way. We need to gather information as efficient as possible and proving our worth before Mrs. Colonel."

"Are you sure ? I could be the one who took that role."

"Because you are here that I could took the role. And I'm afraid, that I might be become a bad bad master for you."

"Wherever you go, whichever path you are going to take, I am always be with you even to the depth of The Infinite Abyss."

"Now that's my servant."

Nera nods. She then turn her back and immediately fleeing away from her master. She took the most shaded part of the capital and disappear like she was consumed by the darkness.

Cade Valentine accompanying her when she took her leave. Just after she disappeared inside the darkness, Cade turn his back and start to walk away going to his next destination. And just after he exit the entrance, his smartphone ringing thus he immediately answer the call.

"Mrs. Colonel.... Yes, everything run as planned.... Danjo is doing well.... Ah !..... Yes... Yes... I understand.... Yes.... understood.... I'll do it right away."

Between his call, an ominous and loud laughing voices could be heard and it makes shiver around his spine.

Cade frowned, he then bow after answering the call. The call disconnected, Cade continue his walk peevishly. The call he get earlier was from Mrs. Colonel herself and she told him exactly what he didn't want hear. He then put his smartphone back to his pocket.

"Mrs. Colonel, you are making me doing the hard part. That part of yours, never change."

Thus Cade biting his lip, feeling anger while nostalgic at the same time.

To be continued.....