"So?" Claysen smirked as he stop on his track. He shifted his weight to his right leg habang nakasabit ang kaniyang maliit na bagahe sa kaniyang kaliwang balikat. He amusedly smirked at the man sitting in front of a café with a cup of coffee in hand, "When did you cut your hair, pops?" he then chuckled as he put his bag on the floor and drop his butt on the chair in front of the general. He grinned, "No wonder all the ladies are looking at your direction, you sly old man."

Yan gently laughed at the vague compliment. "Still the same boy you are. You should just say directly that it looks good on me," his natural kind smile showed itself. "But still, thank you for being honest."

Claysen leaned back, "I'm more handsome though and that's undeniable." Yan chuckled as he bring the cup near his lips. Claysen's gaze went down to the man's neck and noticed something missing. He tilted his head. "You don't have the necklace with you?"

Ngumiti rito ang heneral at tinapik-tapik ang dibdib na natatakpan ng suot na suit at coat. "It's in my inside pocket," ibinaba nito ang kamay sa lamesa. "Wouldn't want to lose it in our way because of my recklessness. The road ahead might be bumpy."

By 'bumpy', the boy already knew what the general meant. Claysen sat properly and put his elbows on top of the round table. Pinagsiklop niya ang kaniyang mga kamay. Bumalik sa pagiging pormal ang ekspresyon ng binata at kaniyang binabaan ang lakas ng kaniyang boses. "Would you mind sharing the mission's details, general?" his eyes sharpened. "As brief as possible if you please."

Yan opened his momentarily closed eyes as he gently put the cup down on the saucer with a small clink. Clay's eyes glanced at the empty teacup. He shortly closed his eyes as he casually grab his bag and stood. By putting down an empty cup, Claysen already knew that it's about time to leave. It is one of the small yet meaningful gestures of the general that they became aware of for the past years. Tumayo na rin ang heneral. He tugged his coat to straighten it before he waved goodbye at the old store manager.

Naglakad na sila palayo habang dala-dala ang sari-sariling maliliit na bagahe. Claysen swung his bag over his shoulder as he tuck his left hand in his pocket. "Quite unusual for you to be suddenly assigned in a mission. I suppose that--"

Naputol ang salita ng binata noong bahagyang bumunggo ang kaniyang balikat sa pasalubong na estranghero. With the crowd, it's not surprising to bump into someone. Bumaba ang kaniyang mga mata sa sahig noong maramdaman ang pagkahulog ng isang bagay mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang nakabunggo. Yumuko siya at pinulot ang pocketbook. Pinagpagan niya ito bago niya ito inilahad sa estranghero. He gave the man a bored gaze, "Sorry about that."

Saglit na tumahimik lamang ang lalaking natatakpan ng suot nitong cloak habang ito'y nakatalikod pa rin sa kaniya. The man decided to turn his face to Claysen and their eyes met. Both intimidating eyes met and a mysterious tension slightly emerged. Claysen scanned the suspicious traveler. He's wearing a mask on the lower part of his face and he's heavily dressed. Who would wear such clothing in this weather?

Claysen was about to speak but the stranger's deep and low voice cut him off. "Ayos lang." saad nito at muling tumalikod pagkatapos kunin ang inaabot niyang pocketbook. Naglakad na ito palayo; blending with the flock of people. Tinitigan lamang ni Claysen ang likod nito hanggang sa nawala na ito sa kaniyang paningin.

Yan looked back when he realized that the boy is no longer walking beside him. "Clay?" he stopped on his track and stared at the boy's back. "Is there any problem? Perhaps you forgot something?"

"It's nothing." saad ng binata at humarap na sa kaniyang direksyon. Ngunit ang mukha nito ay nakalingon pa rin sa direksyon na pinuntahan ng estrangherong kaniyang nakabunggo. His eyes sharpened before he completely faced forward and walked.

--

The hallway was silent and only the thumps of her boots are filling the absence of sounds in it. She looked around. It was suspicious. Not a single soldier is in sight. Asta rubbed her index finger against her thumb as her senses heighten, alerting herself for any signs of movements or noise.

She stopped on her track all of a sudden when some distant voices became audible to her ears. Tumalas ang kaniyang mga mata at humakbang ng isang beses paatras. She hid behind the corner of the hallway that she just passed by and listened well to the voices that are coming from the nearby door. A meeting?

She leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. Her sharp eyes gazed at the slightly opened door. How bold of them to discuss confidential matters without verifying the perimeter. How much more of an idiot can they be?

Considering the spy incident that just happened about two months ago, discussion of serious matters should be strictly private and secured. She sneered as she momentarily close her eyes. She raised her gaze as a mocking smirk display itself. "Who's cocking around now? Arrogant bastards."

"The Notebook?" nakataas ang kilay na ulit ng isang matanda sa narinig na report ng isang sundalo. Sumandal ito sa sandalan ng kaniyang silya at ipinatong ang isang kamay sa malaking round table na gawa sa oak. "Isn't that just some nonsense rumor from two years ago?"

Ibinalik ng sundalo ang kaniyang mga mata sa hawak na mga papel. "Apparently not, Sir. The rumor of an unnamed hunter who was known for attacking well-known and notorious officials was not a simple hearsay," inihiwalay nito ang papel na nasa likod at ipinatong sa pinakaharap. "According to witnesses, the man is approximately 5 feet tall, nearing 6 feet. He also carries a pocketbook in hand and his whole body is covered with fabrics. Only leaving his eyes in view."

A seated woman clicked her tongue, "So we have no way of identifying him unless he reveals himself? We can't just rely on the simple definition of him having a pocketbook in his belongings." she sighed and eventually gazed back at the soldier. "Any status of his location?"

Mabilis naman itong binigyan ng sagot ng opisyal. "We've received some reports that he was seen in the western provinces two weeks ago. However, a report just came in that a second lieutenant was found gravely injured near the capital borders with the same damages as the other hunter's victims."

"So you're saying there's a high possibility that this Notebook person is now within the capital's area?" nanatiling stoic ang sundalo at tumango lamang sa kaniyang katanungan.

One man — who is one of the seated executives from different headquarters — spoke. "Then we must constitute an effective strategy immediately." tumalim ang mga mata nito habang kaniyang pinagsisiklop ang kaniyang mga kamay. "There's no certainty that this criminal will only target the officials of the Defense Department."

"You're overthinking!" dumako ang kanilang mga mata sa isa nilang kasama. Sandaling ipinikit ng matanda ang kaniyang mga mata habang isang carefree na ngisi ang pumorma sa labi nito. He laxly swayed his hand back and forth. "Just send a major or a colonel to hunt this bastard down. They can handle this case on their own. One man can't possibly win against our skilled higher officials."

Isa naman ang tumatawang sumang-ayon rito. "Right, right! No need in troubling ourselves for such simple matter. There're still other cases that we must focus our attention to," lumingon ito sa sundalo. "I believe that we still have some other issues we need to discuss?"

Isang buntong-hininga ang tumakas mula sa lalaking nagsalita kanina lamang. The soldier nodded at the old man and proceeded with his report. Noong tiningnan nito ang isang papel ay bahagyang nanlaki ang seryosong mga mata nito. His eyes were fixed on the familiar symbols that was stamped on the paper. How come such an important document with the royal seals of two nations be here? Without noticing, his thoughts slip out of his lips through a whisper. "Perhaps this has this been misplaced..?"

Noong tumagal-tagal ang katahimikan nito ay nagtaka na ang mga taong nasa loob ng maluwang na silid. One man questioned him in curiosity, "What's the problem? Is the topic that grave?"

"U-Uh no, Sir.. I think this paper has been mistakenly organized with today's reports," lalong nagtaka ang mga executives dito. The soldier pulled the paper from the grasp of his one hand and hesitantly faced the letters to their direction. He confusedly stated what it is, "It's a private national negotiation between his highness and Southernia's new chief."

"What?!" mabilis na napatayo ang ibang mga executives dahil sa narinig. Lahat ay nanlalaki ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa naguguluhan ring opisyal.

An old man put his hand on the table and questioned him, "What does it say?!"

Isang executive ang mabilis na lumingon sa direksyon ng matanda. "Oi! It's not a matter we should concern ourselves without permission from his highness. Restrain yourself--"

"It's a national negotiation! It concerns our country and yet the king is intending to hide it from the public that might be affected of this secrecy? We have the rights to be knowledgeable of this subject!" sigaw rito ng matanda habang mahigpit na nakasara ang kamay nito. He clenched his teeth. "The king is having a secret negotiation with an unfamiliar ruler from a foreign nation, don't you think it's quite alarming?! We should be aware of its contents!"

Natahimik naman ang iba dahil may punto naman ang matanda. Rightfully, nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng isang conference na kasama ang hari, mga councilmen, mga representative ng academy, at mga executives na mula sa iba't ibang headquarters bago magkaroon ng anumang negosasyon sa pagitan ng ibang bansa. If the negotiation concerns the country, it's only fair to inform the government about the contents of the discussion. This is not a simple matter they can ignore.

Ibinalik ng matanda ang tingin sa sundalong may hawak ng naligaw na papel noong wala ng nagsalita upang tutulan siya. He demanded, "State it."

The soldier was hesitant at first but with the curious and intense gazes of all executives and soldiers in the room he did what he was ordered to. He first nodded, "Alright, Sir." Ibinalik niya ang kaniyang tingin sa papel at sinaad ang nilalaman nito.

"It states here that the shipment of newly produced weaponry will proceed as planned by the end of the month," nanatiling tahimik ang mga taong nasa loob ng silid. Ang ibang mga executives ay pinatong ang kanilang mga siko sa lamesa, indicating that they're interested with what they heard. Muling nagpatuloy ang opisyal habang kaniyang binabasa pababa ang listahang naroon. "The types of firearms included are those of his majesty's requests. A few more explosives will also be conveyed in the said ship along with some personnels who will be in charge of handling the lethal materials until they are safely secured within the Centrio's chamber of firearms," bahagyang ibinaba ng opisyal ang papel at siya'y lumingon sa mga nakaupong higher-ups. "It seems to be a trade in weapon stocks, Sir."

Nanatiling tahimik ang silid habang kanilang pinag-iisipan ang narinig. One man raised his gaze as he gesture his hand, "I see no issues regarding the shipment of weaponry," he flicked his hand back and loosely clasp it together with the other. "We are indeed having concerns regarding the depleting numbers of our materials in the weapon department."

Some hummed and nodded in agreement. Isang babae ang sumunod na nagsalita. "Because of the newly enacted bill which is internationalized, the people cannot use their magical attributions without permit from the authorities. Thus, weapons are highly demanded nowadays and we are also in need of it due to our decreasing stock," tiningnan nito ang papel na nasa kaniyang harapan. "Crime rates have also escalated this year. Officers need to be armed in a mission. The cadets as well who're still training in EA."

Tumango ang isang lalaki habang hawak nito ang isang profile ng isang kriminal. "We also have to be alert and prepared for any possible assault. Levine Cross is still an unknown enemy. His objectives are still unidentified," his eyes squinted at the man's picture. "Not to mention, he and his accomplice has stolen the profiles of our officers and cadets. With those informations, they'll put us in a disadvantageous situation."

Isang buntong hininga ang lumabas sa mga labi ng isang matanda habang kaniyang pinipisil ang bridge ng kaniyang ilong. "He has also laid his hand on a sacred book. A complete one at that, how worse could it possibly go?" ibinaba nito ang kamay sa lamesa at muling tumingin sa sundalong nagsasaad ng mga reports. "It seems like we didn't have to worry about the negotiation after all."

"Wait," lahat sila ay lumingon sa kanilang kasama na naroon. Ito ang matandang tumayo kanina upang alamin ang nakasulat sa pribadong negosasyon. The old man's formal eyes sharpened. "Southernia's advance technology is not something we can acquire with just mere coins or food aid," his gaze went back to the soldier and he stared at the paper with an intense glare. "What did his highness trade for it?"

The soldier slowly looked down at the paper to see what their king traded for a large amount of weaponries. His eyes trailed every letter on the paper to search for the questioned content. Lahat ay napapalunok habang hinihintay ang kaniyang susunod na salita.

The soldier's eyes were slowly following every word and his heart began to thump even louder and he pursed his lips when he realized that he's nearing the said content. Lahat ay nakatitig lamang sa sundalo at mabilis nilang napansin ang biglang panlalaki ng mga mata nito.

His eyes became unfocused and his grip on the paper tightened; crumpling the side of the paper with his trembling hand. His breathing began to shake as his terrified eyes stare at the bold letters. T-This is a joke, right...? Maybe a typographical error.. yeah, that must be it.. there's no way that this could--

"Oi!" the soldier flinched when someone yelled to call his attention. Iniangat niya ang kaniyang tingin sa matandang sumigaw sa kaniya. The old man leaned forward as he glare at the soldier. A cold sweat trickling down from the side of his forehead. He nervously gestured his hand, "What did Ezio give away?"

Napapansin ng lahat ang panginginig ng opisyal na may hawak ng papel. Because of the terrified emotions in the officers eyes, they can't help but to clench their cold hands as well. Ezio Icarus is not a simple man they can read and that's why they're scared of whatever decisions he makes behind their backs. Just by the memory of his dark red eyes looking down at them from above makes them tremble in fear.

The soldier clenched his teeth and that's when he felt that he was shaking too much. Gamit ang nanginginig na kamay ay hinarap niya ang dokumento sa kanilang lahat. He feels like his heart is going to jump out of his throat with every beat. Lumunok siya ng isang beses bago niya ibinuka ang kaniyang bibig upang ipagpatuloy ang report na ni-assign sa kaniya. "In exchange for all the weapon provisions arriving at the end of the month, King Ezio has traded..." lahat ay nanlalamig habang nakatitig sa nanginginig na opisyal. The soldier tightly shut his eyes in confusion that came along with his heightened fear of a certain memory. "King Ezio has traded his ownership of the slumbering body of the most wanted criminal in Centrio's entire history! ZAIVRIN HEVRION!"

Asta's eyes widen with what she just heard. She immediately gazed at the door with shocked eyes. She saw how the executives froze at their spot. The executives who were also deprived of the confidential information along with the public.

Asta clenched her teeth as her brows meet. She clenched her trembling hand and immediately pushed herself off the wall. Mabilis siyang naglakad pabalik sa hallway na kaniyang dinaanan kanina lamang. Her eyes are being filled with intense anger as her teeth clench tightly. Lalong kumunot ang kaniyang noo habang ang kaniyang kuko ay dumidiin sa kaniyang palad. That damn Ezio..!

"What!?" pagkalipas ng ilang segundong katahimikan ay mabilis na napuno ng naguguluhang mga boses ang silid. Napuno ng sigawan ang buong silid at mga katanungan sa kanilang narinig. "Slumbering, you say!?"

"Don't lie to me, you damn soldier! Zaivrin Hevrion has died in the previous war! Don't talk nonsense!"

"But that is what's written here, Sir!"

"Zaivrin Hevrion is alive!"