The Hunter

A moment later, Raizel finished preparing the tea. He pushed one of the cups across the table, and placed it in front of Claudia. At the same time, Tao returned with a plate of cookies. He placed it between the two, and left immediately, excusing himself.

"What brought you here?" Raizel asked Claudia.

Claudia slowly picked up the cup and drank a little.

"I am here to deliver a word." Said she, putting the cup back. "Noblesse-nim, you see, I was out doing something in the Lord's orders when I received a small errand. It was a request by Gejutel-nim, approved by the Lord, of course."

"Request?" Raizel asked.

"Yes." She replied. "It is addressed to Mr. Frankenstein. May I ask where he might be?"

Raizel paused for a moment.

"He's currently not here. However, as I am his master. Feel free to tell me whatever it is that you wished to tell him."

"Uh, of course. The story goes like this; A month or so ago, someone attacked the central order posted on the borders. Investigation shows that the assailant is extremely superior to these knights. The attacks happened so many times that a concentrated effort was made to capture the culprit. When Gejutel-nim checks the battlefield himself, he seems to have sensed something. Or so the report goes. I wasn't there to see it. Anyway, the message goes like this, "Frankenstein, someone has copied you, and did the exact same thing you did a while ago. I can also feel the faint aura similar to your dark spear. Has anyone managed to imitate you once again? Best be here and see for yourself." " Claudia ended.

Cadiz Etrama di Raizel, however, said nothing in return. He continued drinking his tea in silence, seemingly brooding over what he just heard. Claudia, seeing his non-responsive reaction, bowed her head, as though she's avoiding eye contact in the midst of this silence. She took a cookie from the plate and ate.

"Has there been any reports lately?" Raizel asked at last.

"Yes," she replied. "The courier who relayed the message to me said that Gejutel-nim noticed something about 2 or more weeks ago. However, ever since then, no such attacks happened. That is, till Yesterday that this continued."

Thinking to himself, Raizel was silent right after once more.

***

"So that was the newest Clan Leader, eh?" Said Tao, leaning against the wall.

"I guess. I wonder why she's here." Replied Takeo.

"Surely, it's serious noble stuff."

"I bet."

The two were right outside the living room Raizel and Claudia were talking at. Tao was standing, leaning against the wall while Takeo kept an alerted pose.

"Do you think it may be something that requires Rai-nim to use his powers?"

"I hope not. Raizel-nim has not fully recovered yet. To use his powers right now would be detrimental to his recovery."

"Of course, but there's little to nothing that we can do. Damnit, Frankenstein should have been here."

Suddenly, as they were talking, the door opened and Claudia came out. She stepped outside, but turned around right after. She bent her knees and kneeled before Raizel.

"Claudia, you have your orders, relay it to them." Raizel uttered authoritatively, in a manner befitting a Noble such as him.

"As you wish, sir." Said Claudia. "I will get back to you as soon as I can."

Raizel nodded in response.

With those words, Claudia vanished in thin air.