Chapter 42 - What's In Your Mind

03.09.1642

The City of Above

17:31

For the past two days, the two young men only have tried to search further for the village that the boy says it is its home. Besides that, with all the new information that was told to the Great Leader, they have also started searching to see what this "other blessing" He has truly is. But that's it. Regarding the Underground City, nothing really has been interesting these days. Even now, they are out searching for the truth.

So, instead of focusing on what they are doing at the moment, we can go back to the M soldiers this time. After all, they've all been informed of a whole new enemy that is threatening the city. All this time, they've been investigating the areas of the City of Perfection in hopes that they will manage to at least understand what's happening. Many theorised that it was a demon who has killed the soldiers, others say that it was a descendant or a sibling of Seven Two, or even His creation. But nothing really was proven.

To our surprise though, we do not see at the moment any of the M soldiers as said. Instead, we focus on the General himself, who simply stands in a room alone and watches the view of his city from a huge window. Since it is early in the morning, the city is waking up at the moment, so nothing really surprises him. Not even the fact that one of his soldiers is entering the room in order to talk with him.

It seems to be DU5TIN, who probably started his routine hours ago giving that he seems a bit tired. Even so, he took from his time to see the General on his own.

[DU5TIN]-...Good day, Master C4E5AR.

[C4E5AR]-Oh? Morning, DU5TIN. You've been out with your work so much lately that it even takes me by surprise that you finally came to see me. But I knew you will come to your senses at some point and want to talk to me.

[DU5TIN]-Apologies, Master... We had a lot to do around the city ever since the new problem of an attacker. The other soldiers needed me to do the investigations, so I barely had any time to sleep myself...

[C4E5AR]-Right. The attacker. It sure surprises me that there is another person like Seven Two out there though... You made me pretty curious ever since you've informed me of this information and said that you are not going to see me for a few days. So do tell me, have you found who he is?

[DU5TIN]-*sigh* We wish... The new enemy seems to know exactly what he is doing since we did not find any kind of trace that could lead towards him. It even bothers me that the rumour of a demon wandering around has spread so quickly around the whole city, to be honest. Now all I hear from the citizens is that they wish to gain some protection around their houses in case the attacker comes to them.

[C4E5AR]-And have you found any kind of clues on who might be at fault?

[DU5TIN]-No. All the information are unclear to even make assumptions on who might be behind the whole attack. We had asked a lot of people around the area and nobody saw what happened at all. They simply noticed the dead bodies and reported them to other soldiers. Meanwhile, some soldiers say that they have encountered two R borns who have said that they are sons of a researcher from the north area and who took a slave for him. Yet when we've gone to ask the researcher himself about the situation in cause, he told us that he doesn't even know what we are talking about, that has no children and that he doesn't even wish to have any. Some of my people thought that he was lying, but no matter what we've tried, he denies being a part of the problem. Then, we went in search for the kids ourselves, asked several citizens around the area if they saw the described R borns and with no result. The only person that saw them was a soldier who caught them, knew that they were lying and got unconscious not long after he asked them for the ID cards. The whole situation is just a mess, Master. The only people that could've had the answer were the dead soldiers with their Officer.

[C4E5AR]-It sure looks like you had work to do these days... Oh, what a pity that this had to interrupt us now. When we thought that we got rid of a problem, here comes another one. Surely Seven Two hasn't returned yet, right?

[DU5TIN]-...No, Master. Nobody reported to have seen him anywhere. He has been gone ever since the whole chase. Some of the Officers even say that he might be already dead.

[C4E5AR]-Then I guess our only problem would be this new attacker. Since he is so powerful as everyone says and he had brought fear into the lands, we will have to delay our plans for the moment. Let us find what's happening soon and we will continue later. Tell the Officers to have teams ready to patrol over the whole city in hope that we might discover his hiding spot and also prepare themselves for the worst battles. If this enemy can kill ten of our soldiers at once, then he sure knows how to win a fight.

[DU5TIN]-I will do as you wish. Do not worry about that detail.

[C4E5AR]-Alright then. Oh, and since you've came to me now, I assume you have something to tell me as well?

[DU5TIN]-Well, besides the whole investigations that have been around the city, there is one thing I really wish to ask you. If you do not mind, of course...

[C4E5AR]-Don't be afraid to ask. Tell me, is it related to any puzzles you've been having these years? Or problems that you've encountered?

[DU5TIN]-W-Well, it's... nothing like that... I was rather thinking that... maybe...

The General sure was pretty curious of the boy's demand, since he looked pretty embarrassed to even ask his question. But he takes courage in his hands and begins to talk.

[DU5TIN]-...May I... have a break for today?

[C4E5AR]-...Oh? You sure took me off guard, DU5TIN. This is the first time I hear you asking such a question.

[DU5TIN]-I-I know, Master, but those past days have been exhausting for me. I was simply wondering if someone can take my place for today while I rest and get my powers back. J-Just today! After that, I will go back to my duty and continue the investigations!

And from the curiosity he had, now he stands pretty confused, with the same expression of a ruler that he always has, which probably gives DU5TIN the fear that appears in his words. Maybe it sure is the first time he asks for a break since he fears the General's words like nothing else. But it surprises his response too.

[C4E5AR]-...Alright then. Take your break.

[DU5TIN]-R-Really??

[C4E5AR]-But of course. Though I despise this request every time I hear it from your colleagues, sure you have your intentions now, right? And I'm expecting you to come back even more willing to do your work after your rest.

[DU5TIN]-Y-Yes, of course, Master! Thank you for your generosity!

[C4E5AR]-I will see who can take your place in the meantime. You can go without a bad thought.

[DU5TIN]-Yes, Master! I will see you tomorrow!

He doesn't say anything in response though, he simply nods at the Officer as he leaves the room. Or... tends to leave. It seems that DU5TIN has been stopped by a small thought before he could take his break, so he looks back at the General.

[DU5TIN]-...O-Oh. One last thing.

[C4E5AR]-Hm?

[DU5TIN]-If the person in cause will have to take my responsibilities in the meantime, I wish you to give him something from me. Maybe it will help him in with the investigations.

[C4E5AR]-And that might be?

Then, DU5TIN starts searching in his clothes for some notes that have been taken during these days by him or by the other people under his command. Simply some written things explaining what was found until now, like the problem about the two R borns who took a slave and disappeared, or the researcher suspected. Then, he gives it to the General.

[DU5TIN]-...Those are my notes from the whole problem, Master. Everything we've discovered so far is written there. If anything, maybe it will help the person that will take my place.

[C4E5AR]-Very well. I will make sure to give it further.

And then, DU5TIN leaves the room, only for the General to remain and think of a person that can take the role of the Officer for a day. But while he does so, curiosity kills as he takes the notes of his successor and looks through them. Nothing really seems interesting though. Everything was already said and there is no need to waste time on that.

But what takes him off guard in a small second as he flips the pages quickly is something he notices on one of the pages. So, he begins to look again and find the page that seemed interesting, only for him to get more confused, almost even shocked. Probably so shocked that it might be the first time we see the General of above in such state. The page itself isn't something special though, it simply shows the weird symbol that was carved on the Officer's body, as well as some notes below it. Who knows why he stopped at that page? Since the notes aren't even that interesting:

ARRIVING TIME OF THE INVESTIGATIONS TO BEGIN: 40:05

16 DEAD BODIES FOUND WITH NO SIGN OF THE YNASH'SAVEGHTAH GAS IN THE AIR REPORTED BY ANY OF THE SOLDIERS

STRANGE SYMBOL CARVED ON THE BODY OF THE OFFICER (GROUP 5 OF THE PATROLLING SCHEDULE - DATE: 16 / 08 - HOUR: 39:00)

FIND THE MEANING OF THE SYMBOL ONCE THE INVESTIGATIONS OF TODAY END

☆RESULT: NONE

(ASK OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THE SYMBOL WHILE THE INTERROGATION GOES ON)