"Haa... If your going to give me a job, at least let me have some fun." Lips pouted as he squat on the ground. Rumerepleksyon sa mga gintong mata nito ang malaking apoy ilang metro lamang ang layo sa kaniyang pwesto. After a while, he sighed and stood. Pinagsiklop nito ang mga kamay at nag-unat. "He said the others will clean it up. Time to go back then."

Natigilan ito noong makarinig ng mahinang kaluskos sa kaniyang likod. Ibinaba niya ang kaniyang mga braso at kaniyang ipinihit ang katawan paharap sa direksyon na iyon. A man covered in worn-out fabrics stepped out the bushes. Heavily panting, eyes twitching, and a hand placed on his likely aching side. His hair has the same red color as his orbs.

Noong inangat nito ang tingin sa tahimik na lalaki. His brows furrowed. "Frēo... Lodrian." he growls.

Nanatiling tahimik si Frēo habang nakatitig dito. After a short while, he then pinched his chin and wore a troubled expression. "Did he say no witnesses?" he mumbles.

Nabalik lamang ang atensyon niya sa binata noong mahina itong tumawa. His pale complexion remains yet he seems motivated as he pull a dagger from his cloak. "Don't know what the fuck's happening with that sudden explosion but it's good I ran into you," pirmi nitong hinawakan ang punyal at ngumisi. "I'll take this opportunity to scratch your name off the list."

Akmang aatake na ito ngunit nagdoble ang kaniyang mga malabong paningin at nagsimulang manghina ang kaniyang mga tuhod. He staggered a few times, holding onto his balance. Yet his eyelids eventually gave up as his strength withdraw.

Frēo remained on his spot when the boy fell flop on his own face. Tinitigan niya ito ng ilang segundo bago niya ito nilapitan at pinulot ang nahulog na satchel bag. Noong makuha niya ang isang maliit na pocketbook ay tinapon niya ang lagayan sa kung saan at binuklat ang nasabing kwaderno.

Names of many prominent nobles and soldiers are written with pasted illustration of their faces. They are arranged in a numerical order on an unknown basis. Ang ibang mga pangalan ay may mga linya na ngunit hindi ito magkakasunud-sunod. They were randomly lined. Frēo's golden orbs stared at his own name bago niya tiningnan ang pangalan na nasa taas nito. After reading it, sinara niya ito at tinapon sa apoy.

He grabbed the boy's cloak and hoisted him up his shoulder.

"Your Majesty, was it really a great idea to dispose of the facility in such vulgar manner?" nag-aalalang tingin ang ibinigay ni Heister sa kaharap niyang hari. "I'm afraid this incident won't completely cover your tracks and prevent you from tarnishing your title. Many citizens must have seen it despite how vast and far your land is from the local streets." His hands clenched on top of his knees. "They'll believe you are merely trying to cover yourself up desperately, Sire."

Napuno ng halkhak ang karwahe. Ezio who's staring at the black smoke from afar didn't seem concerned as he is. "Hindi gano'n kakomplikado ang korte. If they cannot bring any evidence to see on court, then it'll all be a meaningless gathering. This accussation is merely based on the rumor of Zai being seen in my lawn, they cannot verify if I truly kept her there or she just happened to pass by if they have no witnesses."

"Then what about the explosion, Your Majesty?"

Inayos ni Ezio ang kaniyang upo at bahagyang niluwagan ang itim na necktie. "I asked an acquaintance in need."

"Do you mean Sir Frēo?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ng binata noong mapagtanto nito ang sinabi ng hari. Filled with concern and astonishment he asked. "You intend to put the blame on the former chief!? Sire! Isn't that a bit--"

"Of course, I consulted with Frēo on the matter and earned his approval. He wants my help in taking back his seat, it's a given that he should give me something in return." Akmang magsasalita si Heister ngunit tinikom na lamang niya ang kaniyang bibig.

Ezio's eyes sharpened. "You know how the system works, Heister. No matter how much dirt you accumulate in your bag, the nobility faction nor the council can't do much but to blab if they have insufficient support and proof. That's how it works for everyone." I'll use what I have in my disposal in any way possible.

Bumuntong-hininga si Heister at umayos ng upo. "I understand, Sire. My apologies." Muling namayani ang katahimikan sa kanilang pagitan. Heister glanced at the king's face as he look outside the window. His Highness gained most of the people's favor so I don't think the nobility would act rashly. Though I'm sure they won't easily back down as well.

Isang timid na ngiti ang kumurba sa mga labi ni Heister habang kaniyang tinitingnan ang mga nalalagpasan na establisyemento. "But I'm glad that the rumor will remain as it is for now." His gaze softened at the sight of the laughing children. The citizens don't have to worry for the mean time in terms of sudden turmoil in political positions.

Inangat ni Heister ang kaniyang tingin noong maalala ang isang bagay. "Oh right. Sir, what about the letters--!"

Both their eyes widened by the sudden stop of the moving carriage. Bahagya pang napaabante ang hari mula sa kinauupuan nito but he managed to hold on to the handle of the door. Ezio exhaled a troubled sigh. "And here I was thinking I won't run into her."

Heister turned his head to the window furiously but he flinched when the door flung open. A hand gripped the door frame and an angered expression greeted the king. With an alarming low tone, Asta spoke. "It's a pleasure to run into you, Your Majesty." Heister looked away from the dark gaze of the tall woman. "Please excuse my impertinent actions of stopping your ride. Would you mind letting me join you? I doubt my injuries could take me to my destination by merely walking."

Inayos ng hari ang kaniyang postura at binigyan ng isang tingin ang nakabendaheng braso nito. Of course, he's well-aware that the woman is using her injury which she initially got from one of his servant. "Your injuries look serious, Miss Cortman. Of course, I wouldn't mind. Where would you like us to drop you off?"

"At the palace." Kaswal na saad ng babae at umupo sa tabi ni Heister. Asta gazed at the king austerely, void of any emotions. "I really do apologize for my actions, Sir. But if I won't do so, who knows when you'll accept my request for an audience. Unlike the other requests I have sent so far, I simply can't wait around so I sincerely ask for forgiveness."

Asta pursed her lips unnoticeably when the king chuckled in a sinister amusement. "'Who knows when you'll accept my request for an audience', you state." Heister looked away. "Do you see yourself as someone I should give audience to?" Ikinuyom ni Asta ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang gilid noong tumalim ang nakangiting tingin ng hari. "Quite presuming of you, I must say."

Nanatiling tahimik at walang kibo si Heister sa loob ng tahimik na karwahe. The dignified king of Centrio just threw an insult at her face with a smile. No one could possibly intervene in the icy mood.

Nabasag lamang ang katahimikan noong isang boses ang tumawag mula sa labas. "Y-Your Majesty?" Nag-aalanganing pagtawag ng kutsero.

Inalis ni Ezio ang kaniyang tingin mula kay Asta at saglit na ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata. "To the palace." After receiving his reply, the carriage proceeded on its path at nakahinga na rin ng maluwag ang kasama nila sa karwahe. Ezio glanced at the woman's direction. "I'll let this pass for now, soldier. Next time, I expect you to be mindful of your actions."

Mabilis na yumuko si Asta rito. "Yes, Your Majesty. I've overstepped. I'm grateful for your kindness." Her eyes squinched at the carpeted flooring as sweat trickle down her forehead. I should've been mindful of my words, fuck.

Napuno ng katahimikan ang karwahe hanggang sa makarating ito sa tapat ng palasyo. Kaagad na lumabas ang hari at walang lingon na dumiretso sa pinto. When Asta stepped out of the carriage, her eyes immediately met with familiar brown ones from a few meters away. Patuloy ang paglalakad ng hari hanggang sa makalagpas ito sa malalaking pintuan ng palasyo. Unbothered nor surprised by the doctor's presence at the front door.

Ero walked beside Asta, trailing behind the king. He whispered, "So worsening your condition is a hobby now? What an odd one."

"Yeah thanks, recently discovered it." sarkastikong balik ng dalaga rito.

"You two." Nanatiling istrikto ang ekspresyon ng dalawa habang kanilang tinititigan ang likod ng haring tumawag ng kanilang atensyon. Ezio removed his gloves. "I've attended a congress earlier regarding Zaivrin Hevrion's death sentence. I guess it's only right to inform you two about its nullification this early."

Tumalim ang mga mata ng doktor sa narinig. "I'm certain you know what're the side effects of your decision, Your Majesty." Ero stated straightforwardly. Nanatiling tahimik ang hari at diretso lamang ang tingin. Ero continued. "This one decision is bound to create chains of negative reactions similar to tumbling dominos. Political disagreements would lead to series of betrayals to power inbalance and so on. Is Zai worthy of this risk?"

"She is." Walang hesitasyon na sagot ng hari. Ezio smiled as he remove his coat. "I'm well-aware of your curiosity behind our words— mine and that girl's since almost a decade ago. So I am not in the position to be annoyed by your persistence to know the truth. Don't worry, you'll know soon enough. But before that I have a question to ask of you two," tumigil si Ezio sa kaniyang paglalakad at nilingon ang dalawa. "Do you happen to know where Shane Wault is?"

Napuno ng kuryosidad ang mga mata ng dalawa. Ero's eyes reverted back to its sharp gaze. "Why do you ask the location of a harmless boy, Your Majesty?"

"So it's a 'no' then." saad ni Ezio at muling pinagpatuloy ang kaniyang paglalakad. Asta pursed her lips and was about to talk but Ezio cut her off. "Don't worry. It's just suspicious how that flimsy kid escaped my ears and eyes after leaving the academy. Don't you think so?"

It's true. Just like Trois Oxen, Shane suddenly disappeared from the eyes of many after graduating from the academy as a top student of the medical department. Wala itong sinabi sa kanila, which is quite odd. Normally, he would first brag about how he managed to be one of the top students of the most prestigious school in Archodonia pero hindi nila ito nakita. Wala rin silang narinig tungkol dito, he suddenly left after getting his diploma.

However they did hear from Clay that from time to time, they meet. But of course, if Shane doesn't want to unveil his whereabouts to even them, the king absolutely cannot know. Maski si Clay ay limitado sa mga salitang "He's well." ang sinasabi sa kanila.

Akmang magsasalita muli si Ezio but the others' eyes sharpened at the large window when they sensed a blasting presence. Mabilis na tinulak ni Heister si Ezio mula sa tapat ng bintana, causing for them to both fall on the floor as the window shatter at the same time and a loud bang against the opposite wall resound in the hallway.

Tumalim ang mga mata ni Asta sa binatang bumulusok mula sa labas ng palasyo. "And here I was wondering where you run off to, brat." Kumpara kahapon ay mukhang mas lumala ang mga pinsala sa katawan nito. Even his head is bleeding, covering his face in its red color. His back slid off the wall and dropped unconscious on his side.

"Ah damn it. Why do you have to struggle after waking up?" A man with tanned-color skin walked in and glanced at the sitting Ezio. "Can't pay you."

Bumuntong-hininga si Ezio bago siya tumayo at pinagpagan ang pormal na kasuotan. Binigyan niya muna ang dating hepe ng masamang tingin bago niya nilingon ang sugatang binata at itinaas ang isang kilay. "Who is it?"

"A criminal, Sire." sagot dito ni Asta. Ero glanced at the boy's face as Heister check its pulse. His brow raised upon recognizing the guy's features. Hm?

Ezio pulled on his sleeve. "Is that so?" Tumalikod na ito at nagsimulang maglakad palayo. "Drag him to the dungeon and lock him up. I'll deal with it later."

Tumango si Heister at ibinalik ang atensyon sa walang malay na kriminal. Ero stared at the boy's face a bit longer before he shifted his gaze. Tumingin si Ero sa likod ng naglalakad na hari at tinawag ang atensyon nito. "Your Majesty, could I ask for permission to give this boy medical treatment?"

"Do what you want."

"Thank you." Ero bowed. Nagtungo siya sa pwesto ng binata at binuhat ito sa kaniyang balikat. Heister was about to reprimand him for the harsh lift of the boy's body but he only exhaled a sigh noong magsimula ng maglakad papalayo ang doktor bago pa siya makapagsalita.

--

"So the king did threw away her death sentence?" These words came out from a student's voice like a sharp blade. He clicked his tongue. "What is he planning?"

Binigyan lamang ng isang tingin ni Rui ang nagbubulungang grupo ng mga ito at sila'y nilagpasan. Strange enough, the academy is silent. There were no visible reactions which includes violence. Noong umabot sa kanila ang balita, it was only a momentary shock before it turned into fuming anger that they expressed in a frightening silence.

"Did you also hear?" Rui's silver eyes glanced at girls on the side when their conversation caught his interest. "Captain Claysen arrived in a pretty bad shape yesterday. There's also a rumor that Trois Oxen was the one who escorted him back."

"Does that mean he's here?"

"Most likely."

Pagkalipas ng ilang minutong paglalakad ay narating rin ng binata ang pinto ng headmaster's office. Saglit siyang tumayo sa harap nito bago niya sinimulang kumatok. His eyes squinched in suspicion when there was no reply. "Mr. Riece, I've brought the documents."

Hindi nagtagal ay narinig niya ang boses nito. "I'm busy at the moment. Deliver it later."

After hearing those words, Rui turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. His eyes first landed at the green-haired headmaster who's busy doing his paperworks behind his desk. The door clicked behind Rui as he watch the educator's sharp gaze lift to meet his. "I told you to come back later, you never listen."

"Right~" hindi nagbago ang malamig na ekspresyon ng binata noong marinig niya ang mapaglarong tono ng isang lalaki sa kaniyang gilid. The click of the revolver is very audible beside his ear. Trois' eyes smiled as he giggles. "You tend to do the opposite sometimes. Wein hates those kinds, y'know."

"What are you doing here, Trois?" Tanong ni Rui na hindi ito binibigyan ng isang tingin. Ibinalik ni Wein ang kaniyang atensyon sa mga papeles at hinayaan ang mga ito. "Surely, you're not here to reminisce with your former dormmate whom you turned your back on eight years ago?"

Trois giggled. "Of course not. Wein and I barely got along even before the war. It just happened that his office is the most quiet one."

"Then what do you want?" Rui glanced at the sparks of electricity surrounding the seated headmaster. Alam niyang wala ng interes ang punong-guro sa pakikipaglaban pagkatapos ng insidente noon but he could've at least tried to get himself out of the situation to lighten his burden. He seem to be quite determined to just sit there and continue on his paperwork.

Rui remained stern kahit na naramdaman niya ang pagdikit ng muzzle sa gilid ng kaniyang ulo.

"You're a hindrance, Rui." Trois grinned. "You've always been."

Wein paid no attention on Rui's sneer. The boy's silver eyes glanced at Trois as he lift the side of his lips in scorn. "Are you displeased by the fact that Zai favored me more than you? You were overly obsessed in her existence after all." Rui's eyes squinched up. "How disgusting."

A loud bang blasted in the room. Wein slowly lifted his gaze and was not shocked to see the dark expression on Trois' face. The bullet clicked on the wooden floor as the threads on the side of Rui's head disassemble.

Muling ngumiti si Rui. "I touched a sore part, my apologies." Hindi ito sinagot ng lalaki. Wein glanced at the bottom of the door and saw moving shadows from the other side of it, sunod niyang tiningnan ay ang nag-iisang estudyante sa silid. How naïve, Captain. You should've known. Wein's eyes squinted. Trois smiles when he's angry.

The side of Rui's lips lifted kindly. "You should've escaped the moment you delivered Clay."

Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan sa kwarto bago ngumisi ang binatang may dilaw na buhok. His grin escalates into a chuckle, the chuckle to a chortle. Wein sighed as Trois' face is becoming filled with humor. Tiningnan ito ni Rui noong inalis ni Trois' ang baril mula sa gilid ng kaniyang ulo.

Trois laughed. "You think highly of yourself too much, kid!" Bahagyang natatakpan ng kamay nito ang tumatawang bibig as he widen his eye to mock the silver-haired boy. "Rui, did you really assumed Zai wouldn't entirely expect this behavior of yours? After all these years?" Nanatiling nakatitig dito ang binata. Trois' laughter startled the ones on standby outside. "Among all of us, ZAI TRUSTED YOU THE LEAST!"