Chapter 18 - Darug Village (4)

"Ah, that was a good warm-up," Wortel cracked his neck. "Hmph," Rie harrumphed, putting her daggers away. "I got more kills than you," Rie snickered at Wortel. "Yeah, well, you get my leftover anyway," Wortel shrugged, "So it still counts as my kill." Rie pouted and pounced at Wortel, "You! Can't you be nice for once," she climbed on Wortel's back and bit him on the head. "S-stop it! You ill-behaved child. Get off of me!" Wortel twitched. "Haha, those two never change," Gilbert chuckled. Gilbert sheathed his rapier, and his previous dark demeanor was gone. Gilbert looked back toward the civilians, "Are you guys okay?" he asked concernedly. "Uh, we…. We are fine, thanks," replied one of the civilians. He was an elderly male and the only one brave enough to speak.

Gilbert looked at the rest of the civilians and was puzzled. Gilbert tilted his head slightly in confusion. The civilians' eyes when they were looking at him were strange. It was full of fear and trepidation. Gilbert did not know it, but Eliza, who was more sensitive than Gilbert, noticed it. "And that's that. Let's go back to the bus," Eliza pulled Gilbert's arms. "Eh, why so hurry? We still don't know if the people are alright or not," Gilbert said. Eliza shook her head, "Let the government do their job. We finish ours," Eliza tacitly said. "Fine," Gilbert pursed his lips. "That's my mand," Eliza smiled while still dragging Gilbert by his arm.

Stephanie looked proudly at her students from within the bus. "What do you think, Renata? Aren't they all awesome?" Stephanie asked. "Hmm," Renata rubbed her chin, "For their age, they're passable." Stephanie's eyes twitched, "Passable?" Renata nodded, "Yeah. Is there anything wrong with what I'm saying?" Renata looked at Stephanie. Stephanie sighed, "No," she pouted. 'I almost forgot she is an Arundel. Those guys are monsters,' Stephanie thoughts. "Though, that Gilbert kid seems interesting. That dark aura he gave earlier. I take it it's from using Arc-D?" Renata asked. "Yes. It's the latest products available from Cho Technology," Stephanie said. "Hmm…. A prototype unit, I assume?" Renata stared at Stephanie. The latter nodded, "Yes. It's part of a deal we made with Cho Technology," Stephanie replied.

"But don't worry. Every unit has been properly tested. There is no danger to the students," Stephanie added. "Is that so…." Renata squinted her eyes. She shifted her attention somewhere else. I suddenly felt someone's gaze cast upon me. "Who is—" I furrowed my eyebrows while seeking where the gaze came from. Once I realized that it was Renata, I sighed and shook my head. "What's wrong, Vaan?" Dorothy approached me. "No, it's nothing," I shot a glare toward the direction of the bus. Renata quietly chuckled before taking her gaze away. Then, I saw her and Stephanie stepped out of the bus. "Alright, gather up!" Stephanie shouted. My classmates and I did as she said, gathering near the bus. "Good job in dealing with those Armadillon," Stephanie said.