0.26: The Blue Ronins

"Young Seto, what is it?" Skiros asked as everyone turned to him.

"My power can alter someone's future, yes. But…if I don't know the person's appearance, it won't do anything."

GASP!!

"Wait, what if you get our features described to you?"

"That would work, but I can only alter those in the painting. Not to mention, I have never drawn a future of people more than 5 at max."

"So…only five of us would survive if you relied on your power?"

"We're not sure yet; all that I'm worried about is the accuracy of the drawing. You can tell me what you look like, but you'll die if it isn't 100 percent like you."

They all were demoralized.

"W-we're gonna die!"

"THIS CAN'T BE!"

"WHY ME?!?!"

"I DON'T WANT TO END LIKE THIS!!"

"EVERYONE, CALM DOWN!!" Eunice commanded. "Is this the Black Bullets?! All I see right now are a bunch of cowards! How can you be so afraid of war? This is exactly what we are gathered here for! Not to drink all day and celebrate, but to fight!"

"Oof, I'm feeling inspired right now…" Ariel whispered sarcastically.

"We are Quarts, and we fight the villains until the end! They are nothing against us, so we can change the future if we win!"

"...vice-captain is right…"

"I…I can do this!"

"I AM A WARRIOR TOO!

"WE CAN WIN THIS!!"

YEAH!!!

They all encouraged each other up and held onto their weapons.

"That was a beautiful speech, Eunice. But you'll have to demonstrate for us…" Skiros said.

"…huh?"

"You had so much courage to cheer everyone up, so you should lead a team to infiltrate one side of the region."

For the past 3 years that Eunice was the vice, he never set foot on the battlefield. He and Skiros always led their guild from within the safety vehicles, so any contact with the region was a first for either of them.

"S-Sir, you never made me go out on the field…what changed now?" He asked frightenly.

"An order came from the head office; they want the vices to get a 10-man team to scout the areas before the evening. So you're the vice…do your job."

Eunice turned to everyone in the room and had to be cautious about who he picked.

"O-okay, I'll take Sayori and Noriko-"

"Sorry, I already picked them." Skiros interrupted.

("He just wants me dead) Then…Ariel and Haruro?"

"OOF, sorry, I took them as well." Skiros's smile kept getting bigger.

He began silently panicking. "At least Seto-"

"Got him too, sorry Eunice…"

Seto heard the frustration in his voice and felt terrible. After the 10 were selected, he heard them step out of the room to their vehicles.

"Don't do something I wouldn't, hahaha!" Skiros shouted as the door closed.

Ariel and everyone else had their heads down and walked off to prepare themselves.

"Ariel, what's going to happen to them?" Seto asked.

"Seto, I don't think he's coming back…"

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***

Azahii was walking around the central region with a new guild outfit this time. 

"I need you to eliminate Eunice of the Black Bullets and any other members that tag along." Those were the words of Sir Williams; they were informed that he had figured out the secret of the contracts. So, he was officially considered a hazard to his alliance.

"What an idiot; all he had to do was keep his eyes closed. Now I have to do this crap again…"

"Azahii!" someone called out to him.

"What the hell do you want, Mercedes?"

The leader of the Anti-Ronins showed up from within one of the buildings. "It's boss to you, and I'm glad they gave us such a talented asset like you."

"I'm only following orders, boss."

"I understand; I just have one problem…why did you decline the offer to join the Lieutenants? You're already stronger than Melvis and our recruit Kagutsuchi."

"That is exactly the reason. I would rather be beside you as your advisor than under weaklings like them."

"Come on, the family should always stick together." Mercedes tried to approach him, but Azahii held his sword up.

"We are not family, Mercedes…"

"You're not seriously gonna pick a fight with me, right? I've already dealt with our kind a long time ago…"

Azahii lowered his guard and walked away. "Don't forget to wear a mask to conceal your spiritas; make sure this a quick and silent job," Mercedes said, giving him a mask of scoria.

"Give me five minutes…that's all I need."

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