168 Awakenings (1/2)
A snap of a cervical vertebrae cracked loudly in the sudden silence and a limp body with an expression of surprise still on his face slumped down onto the concrete floor. Hitsu patted his uniform, dusting it as he made sure his medals were not dirtied or damaged in any way.
Cesar and the remaining two men stood rooted on the spot as they recognized the person, and the voice that spoke walked into the line of sight. ”Remember I told you before that if you can't help, at least stay out of the way and not bring more troubles to everyone?”
Tyrier stood before the fear stricken men, ”I told you I will kill you if you become a burden to me. And it appears that my words did not get through into your thick skulls.”
”N-no, wait how did you know?” Cesar yelped in panic as his eyes widened in fear. ”W-we are doing nothing!”
”Nothing?” Tyrier raised a questioning eyebrow and using the tip of his shiny boots, he toed the daggers laying on the floor. ”While it might not be a crime to owe bladed weapons, but these surely are something you are planning on using on some stupid plan of yours.”
”No! wait!” Cesar looked around wildly, seeing all the exits out of the alley blocked the men in the same uniform and he recognized them all! They were all the fearsome mercenaries who fought against that crazy Hero to a standstill! ”I can explain!”
”It's too late for explanations,” Tyrier replied, ”In fact, letting you live for the past few seconds talking here is already good enough for you.” Tyrier gave a gesture and three shadows darted in.
”NOO!” The terrified men yelled out, only to have their mouths covered and strong arms gripping over their necks. A sudden twist and a crack, and all three died with terror frozen in their faces.
”Damn, this sucks,” Hitsu said as they laid the four bodies out in a row. ”I thought we were on vacation?”
”Stop grumbling,” Tyrier replied as he walked out of the alley and gestured to a black uniformed officer in the distance. ”You there, you know who Lt Joseph is? Good! Tell him it's done, that's all. Thank you.”
The officer nodded and tried to peek into the alley, but Altied blocked his view and smile, ”Somethings is best to be arrogant of.” He advised to the police officer, who gave a brief nod and left.
”Come on, let's clear the bodies and wrap it up.” Tyrier said, ”Tonight, Lt Joseph gonna treat us to a big meal for this shit he dropped on us!”
”HOORAAHH!” The men of Claymore One cheered as they melt into the shadows in the alley.
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Far Harbour, Civic Center
Lt Joseph nodded as the police officer whispered into his ear and he thanked him, thinking that he needed to treat those Claymore One guys to a beer or something later. He knocked on the double wooden doors and pushed it open and entered into the large reception room.
Princess Sherene gave a charming smile as she saw who has entered and waved for him to take up a seat in the informal setting.
Lt Joseph glanced around the room, noting that the Islanders were all watching him and gauging him. He walked over to the refreshments table and took a cup of tea, stirring some sugar and cream in before heading over to the group seated around in a loose circle.
”This is Lieutenant Joseph Tokin,” the Princess introduced them to the gathered Islanders. ”He was Lord General of the Army of Goldrose.”
”General,” Dijon rose up and gave an Islander salute, which Joseph waved it off.
”I am no longer a Lord General,” Joseph grinned, ”I'm just a humble soldier now.”
”I see...” Dijon nodded, ”We heard about your exploits with the Hero and also your efforts in saving the freed slaves. For that we thank you.”
”I'm curious, Fleet Master Dijon,” Joseph said as he sat down, ”Why would the Isles go into so much trouble just to save a few slaves?”
Dijon leaned back on his chair as he studied Joseph and the Princess. He steeped his fingers together, before giving a nod and bluntly said, ”For manpower.”
”Manpower?” Joseph looked at the Princess who also had a clueless expression on her face.
”Yes, manpower.” Dijon smiled, before explaining. ”Look, the Isles are just several large islands, my nation lacks the land to grow crops or even cities.”
”Look at how aggressive the Empire is going. The Two Nation Alliance is what is left on the mainland, not counting you and your merry band of rebels.” Dijon said, ”Sooner or later, the Two Nation Alliance will fall apart, and what is left is just remnants of royalty and rebels which frankly, the Empire can just sweep everyone away once they have control of the whole mainland.”
”Once they have the mainland, where do you think they will turn their eyes to next?” Dijon continued, ”They will surely turn their eye on the Isles, and while we have a mighty fleet, we can't fight with a population 10 times our size!”
”That's a reason why we need more people,” Dijon answered Joseph's question, ”We have unsettled islands ripe for starting new towns and ports, money and transports are all not an issue. Just we lack the people to settle down.”
”I see...” Joseph looked at the Princess who gave a slight nod, confirming their theory of why the Isles need the slaves.
”Well, why not we take a break for now?” Sherene stood up and smiled, ”Let me show you to your rooms and let you all settle in, we meet up for dinner later?”
Dijon nodded and as he stood up, the rest of his Captains followed him and Princess Sherene led them out of the reception hall, showing them the way to their rooms while Joseph remained behind, deep in his own thoughts.