The Deathslingers had sat down in their seats on the train. Train staff had been handing out food, drinks, and newspaper.
"Imaez! Look at this! Don't you think they made your sketch a little too over the top?" Lloyd nudged him.
"What can I say? They like what they see." Imaez said emotionless.
Lloyd and Marie had laughed, not because it was funny.
"Man it's so weird hearing you say that..!" Marie had laughed holding her stomach.
It was unusual for Imaez to say such a comment.
Horse treks were heard.
cdunk, cdunk, cdunk.
Aurelian looked up at a grand white building, its exterior covered in marble while the framework beneath was reinforced with sturdy stone and Soul Pact amplified materials.
The flag of Laveton flew high at its uppermost point. Aurelian had gotten out of the carriage and walked inside the building, showing the security his medal as a means of identification.
His footsteps echoed throughout the building.
*Weird… it's never this quiet.* He walked into the auditorium, to see everyone seated.
The auditorium was laid out with rows of seats to the right and left upon entry, two staircases leading up through the seating, and a central aisle dividing the room. On the right side of the auditorium, there was a door headed with "HIGH COMMAND OR PERMITTED GUESTS ONLY."
Aurelian had opened the door and thought—
*So this is the backstage of the auditorium, quite nice and cool.*
He had looked towards the 3 Generals of Laveton.
General Yumin, General Romulus, and General Remus.
"Is it just us 4 in here?" Aurelian asked.
Remus nodded and moved the curtains out of his way, going onto the stage.
"All 20,000 presented. I am General Remus of Laveton. Today, we are here to select the strongest of you all. Lord Emperor is choosing 15 of you to be apart of a task force his Majesty has decided to make. In an organized order, single file line, go to the receptionist in the front and write your name and medal. And finally, Lord Emperor will give a speech, announcing something. When he is done with his speech you will go the receptionist. Thank you."
Remus walked off the stage.
Romulus looked at Aurelian— "Hey A, let's get a move on. Don't wanna miss his Excellency's speech."
Crowds were formed, everyone chattering amongst themselves, voices upon voices piled.
The wooden floor was hit by noble footwear. A man, tall figure was on a stage infront of a crowd of immeasurable size. He wore all black, with the top half of his body covered by the shade, his face was could not be seen.
The sun was about to set, you could only see his bottom half.
He cleared his throat.
"Salutations, people of my Empire."
His voice, comforting and calm. As if he was on top of the world— no worries at all.
"I am titled Lord Emperor of Laveton."
The crowd had cheered. The Emperor had stuck his hand out to stop the cheers.
"Today, I assemble you all to hear me. This announcement is a great one. Under my approval. A task force, the Royal Attack Squadron will be formed. Under the authority of my right hand, Major General, the three Generals of Laveton, and specially chosen— Aurelian. They will command this task force. With the sole purpose of…"
He said in a terrifying tone—
"Eliminating the Reaper."
A silence occurred.
"… The Reaper's really gonna be gone..?"
"YEAAAAHHH!"
"GLORY TO LORD EMPEROR!"
The crowd cheered, the ecstasy was felt even in the heavens.
"Death to the Reaper!"
"Death to the Reaper!"
A crowd chant had started.
Imaez had continued looking through a window overviewing a farmland, he thought to himself—
*Deathslingers… our first mark on the world is killing a strong army official. A Major Lieutenant at that. I'll make sure, through hell and back, I'll survive."
(End of Volume 1)