#21 Arcadia Apple Headquarters

Two and a half hours later, we finally reach the capital and the military headquarter. But unlike the other military headquarter I know, the place here is more like an office building covered in glass, piercing the horizon. With its company name displayed on the entrance, that's written "Acapella Military Headquarter" painted in gold, and a statue of a lion roaring guarding the entrance.

Me and Herr Mann walking behind Cade's back, he said that something awesome going to be happen as long as we walk behind his back, confirmed by Nutcracker Soldier. I believe there has something to do with his position as the member of the special forces, the right hand of The Tiny Devil, The Princess Claw. With his unique uniform which has much difference than the one Herr Mann's wear, he may easily recognized by the other soldier here because of that uniform.

We walked through the entrance by foot into the building's first floor. There's nobody around the court making the entrance is like an empty ground without any vehicle or so.

Suddenly, just when we enter the building, a dozen of soldier already prepared and line up welcoming our arrival. And as we walked through the line of the soldiers, they who lined up put their right hand on left chest then bend their body, giving salute to us. While on the other end of the line, there's three people waiting for us right in front of the true entrance.

This atmosphere, this pressure, nothing I feel but excitement !!!

"Abraham Huraira, The Thirteen Princess Claw, what a pleasure having your here." said the man who stand in the very front from the three. He then sticking out his hand after we reach the other end of the line.

"Mr. John Fidelton, Head Defense of Arcadia Apple, it's also my pleasure for having such excitement welcome in the capital." Cade then shake his hand with honor.

John Fidelton, Head Defense of Arcadia Apple, summary, he is the one who take the responsibility of those military affair in this kingdom. A man with an approximate age of 45 years old and with 155 cm height. Has a small moustache like a cat fish and has a rather neat neat beard. Wearing all gold uniform of the ministries, he has a charm of nice and friendly leader.

But somehow, his moustache making me irritated. I can't hold my irritated face and keep staring and frowning at his moustache.

Realize my frowning face, Cade immediately scold me. "Nera, behave !"

I then closing my eyes then bow gracefully at him. But that doesn't change the fact that I still hate his moustache.

"This is the first time you visiting the headquarter I suppose ?"

"Yes, more or less."

"Then, let me show you around thus you may know better our headquarters."

"With all due my respect, Mr. John Fidelton, is it fine for me to bestow such knowledge ?"

The head defense then sharpen his eyes, frowning his face. But then, his eyes back to normal and he smiled again, "Don't get me wrong Abraham Huraira, it's just a short trip I offer to you walking around the headquarter. It is not like I'm going to show you how the foundation is built."

"My apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. John Fidelton."

"That's fine for me, seems that I've been used to approach many kind of you, The Princess Claw."

So that's how it is. According to her words, seems that every Tania's special forces have been here already and also the special forces is not always the same. There is always a change of The Princess Claw members. But that is seems impossible since the nutcracker soldier I know is a woman of giants heart.

"Then, over here."

A real great building tour ? I am so excited !!!

Then we walk around the building, started by entering the lobby section in the first floor. The head defense open the true door to access the the first section of the headquarters, the lobby. Soon as he open the door, a bright light from the lobby immediately illuminate the entrance hall. The lobby is so vast and bright like we've entered the different building.

"Please, this way."

The headquarters may looks boring on the outside but somehow it's pleasing for the eyes after seeing how much effort the kingdom invest to the headquarters lobby. The lobby is decorated as fresh as possible with enough natural lightings to create more refreshing atmosphere. Though, on the outside, the lobby doesn't look the same and we can't really see the lobby interior from the outside. There must be some mechanism that makes the lobby designed like that.

In the afternoon, the lobby is shining bright. In the night, I bet the lobby is going to look like the night with a starry sky. Why would I think about that ? It's because that I see a magic stone scattered around the lobby ceiling that may absorb the power of the light. The lightings here also be affected by the brightness on the outer side, makes the atmosphere feel so natural and refreshing.

"Here, Mr. Abraham Huraira. Your purpose for visiting the headquarters is to register your brand new subordinate, don't you." said Mr. Weird Moustache.

"Yes, Mr. John Fidelton. Then I'm going to leave the process directly to the new recruit himself." then, Cade turn his head then looking at Herr Mann, "Danjo, I'm highly expect from you."

"Understood, captain." answer Herr Mann.

Danjo then approach the lobby desk and begin his registration. I wonder if I should do the same since I've been working under his command for so long and never leaving his side. But when I think about it again, it's ridiculous for having a servant as me registering for military subordinate. It's not like that I'm picky for this kind of treatment but I'm not into complicated things like this.

Not long after, Danjo complete the first step of registration and back to us bringing some piece of paper.

"I'm done, captain. The administrator said the registration is in process and would take some time for it to be completed." report Herr Mann.

"Ah wonderful ! It is what it is Mr. Abraham Huraira and this is the moment we could explore the headquarters for the rest of the waiting togetha." Mr. Weird Moustache excited.

"I humbly accept your kindness Mr. John Fidelton."

"Now now since the new recruit has receive those papers, you may address me as John, Fidelton, or even nhoJ."

"Nhoj ?"

"John." Mr. Weird Moustache smiled.

"Ah ! Alright then, Mr. Fidelton. As exchange, you may address me as Abra, Abraham, Huraira, or even Maharba."

"Abraham ?"

"Exactly, as expected from The Head Defense."

"Ahahaha.... now you get it."

Ugh that is worst. Now Cade is looks like an old man wearing that same weird moustache. Can't believe that they laughed together like that even their ages separated like a moon against the saturn. Or perhaps, Cade doesn't really care about the joke and just tried to exploit The Head Defense for his benefit in the future. As expected from my master.

"Nera, what's wrong with you ?" Cade push me into the reality.

Suddenly I realize that I've shown a disrespectful face in front of everyone and giggle like crazy without my knowledge. This is embarrassing, I don't believe that I've shown my hideous personality in front of Cade's superior.

"My apologize for my inconvenient behavior. I just way too excited seeing the great decorated lobby of yours." I humbly apologizing, even though that I didn't want to.

"My my what an excellence daughter you have here." said Mr. Weird Moustache amazed by my attitude.

"Thank you very much for the compliment. But however, in order to avoid further misunderstanding, I must inform you that she is not my daughter." said Cade.

"Is she your niece, or your friend's...." Mr. Weird Moustache curious.

"It is complicated thus I may not sure how to describe her. But alas, I treat her as my own daughter."

"I see, then I won't ask you any further. But one thing that I'm sure."

"May I know what is it ?"

"Your daughter love this place and there's no time for wait. Come on let's go !"

Can't believe that he isn't going to interrogate him more. I wonder if he think about something when he first meet him. Or else, there someone already reveal our identity before we came here. I just hoping the one who leak our identity is didn't know about our contract.

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

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

We came out from the elevator and enter the second floor, the floor where the administrator, the soldiers, and even the superiors who visit take their rest. This floor seems like the cafeteria of the headquarters. Since break time yet to come, there's less people came to the cafeteria and took their break. The only people who attend to this floor is the chef, the cleaner, and sometime a soldier who passing by while bringing many document on his hand.

The soldier who bring the document is running to the elevator beside us and bow for a moment after seeing The Head Defense.

I'm impressed, he didn't fall them down after bowing that low.

We then walk around after that soldier take the elevator and continue his mission. The cafeteria is wide as the lobby is and in the center contain so many chair and table to sit and enjoy. But this amount of table and chair may not intended for large amount of army. Yet, there's a soldier who passing by bringing so much document in his hand indicate that some soldiers are working here like an office workers. Some ranks may works in the office and some are not.

I see... Now I understand how these militaries things works.

"This place is a place where we relax our body and mind after long time working. The cafeteria created this vast so we may held a ball whenever we need it. Thus, we may save some space and money for many people needs." explain Mr. Weird Moustache.

"May I ask some question, Mr. Fidelton ?" Cade ask for permission to ask.

"Anything for you, Mr. Abra."

"Are they some kind of nomad merchant or the fixed one ? And are they qualified to serve they food and beverages here ? And how to become one ?" Cade ask.

"Oho three at once. Very well Mr. Abra you have a curious soul residing inside you." Mr. Weird Moustache then fixing his hat. "One, they are nomad. Two, is qualified. Three, just provide some goodies." answer Mr. Weird Moustache confidently.

"Is that really that simple ?"

"Glad you asked. The answer is yes but also no. Only the selected one may enter and serve their goodies. Thus you may ask, how to become the selected one." Mr. Weird Moustache getting excited.

"Ah, thanks for your concern."

"It is simple. Just register whenever we set an open recruitment."

"If it as simple as that, then it may cause competition, am I right ?"

"Actually no. There's no such thing as competition. In fact, we may add some more food or beverages merchant but the problem is there are none."

"Why is that ? I see a great opportunities waiting here."

"Since the mist repellent lamp is a thing now, people are expand their reach to sell people item around the world. They are compete to explore and finding new achievement around the world so they could make their life better. Also, we have been trapped in the mist for three years actually. But probably, you may already know that don't you ?" said Mr. Weird Moustache turn down his tone.

"Ah yes ! My curiosity makes me can't think properly it seems."

"Now now you still a young man. Don't said like that, be vigorous."

"Thanks for your advice, Mr. Fidelton."

They talk to each other like this world is only filled by both of them. Seems that Cade is going to become older before he knew. But if I think rationally, Cade must be digging information from him and make a good relationship between them. And after they finally become friends, Cade may easily gather some information from him.

As expected from, Master. He is four time ahead from me.

To be continued.....