Several weeks ago.
"Have you found who's the one behind the ambush?" Ruffen asked to the investigator infront of him.
"We're still working on it sir. The information we've got from those bandits were that someone's paying them to do it. We're still looking for the names." The investigator said.
It was two days after Nein saved Cloe from the bandit. Ruffen had the idea of who is it, but he doesn't want to jump into conclusion before having enough evidence.
"And how about the man I saw? Have you found something about him?"
"We did. He's a mercenary from Patio, Nein winter." The investigator said before handing Nein's file to Ruffen.
"I suppose this person had nothing to do with the kidnapping?"
"I believe so. We've tried to searching more about him, but the information were highly secured by the baroness."
"Baroness of Patio herself keeping it?"
"Correct."
Ruffen give the file a quick read before doubting what he sees. The file content seem like it being exaggerated.
"That's all for the reports today. I shall take my leave now, sir." The investigator said before getting up from his chair.
A nod is all he need to permit it. His attention completely fixed on the paper in his hand. He's doubtful of what the paper provided and called for his secretary.
"Nathan. Could you go to Patio for a moment? I want you to talk to the baroness in my stead." He said to the empty spot on his side.
He stood up and walked to the window, watching the dark street of Tarawa. A small land owned by him. Located not so far from Fanis border.
"And then you bribe boss to make a new contract even after she explain that's not how it works?" Nein said after listening through the story.
"Correct. It's not entirely my fault since the baroness herself agreed to it."
The earlier tension settled down slightly, his reports probably arrived at the day Ruffen's men talked to her.
"I'll let it slide for now since boss probably believes that I'll be fine. But still, you haven't explain about the drugs."
Ruffen turn and walked to the couch, gesturing Nein to follow.
"After I received more details about you, one idea immediately crossed my mind. You're wasting your talents by working as a mercenary." Ruffen started after they both seated, his word caries a hint of mocking pity.
"A man of your caliber could working in the palace as a royal guard, yet you chose to be a shadow. Why?" He added with another question.
Nein ponder for a moment, Ruffen's reaction was normal. He knows his ability were too much for this world to know. A magic that requires no mana to cast will create a chaos among them.
"I have my own reasons. Something that money couldn't buy. Now stop beating around the bush and tell me why do you need to go that far." Nein lean forward, pushed his question and giving no room for another bullshit.
Ruffen snap his finger, summoning the presence hiding in the shadow.
"I introduced you to, Lyca. The guardian who responsible for protecting my daughter." Ruffen said with a smile, as she walks past Nein and standing between them.
A lupo woman, dressing like assassin rather than a knight. It his first time ever seeing the subraces of this world and he can't help but to stare at the fluffy ears and tail before turning to Ruffen again.
"So? What she had to do with this?"
Ruffen take his time to breath before adjust himself more on the couch.
"You see, seeing how you wasting that talent, I want to take you in. I could give you everything, even better than what the baroness could offer." He said with suggestive tone.
"So you're planning on using her, to take action on drugged state of me. So you could use that as a reason to force me to working with you?"
"Haha, I'm not that desperate, Nein. But you're half correct."
With Ruffen confirming his suspicion, Nein take a look at the woman in front of him. And he saw no reaction, just that flat and empty eyes that tell she could die if being told to. A look he familiar with himself.
"And what made you think everything will go according to your plan? If you read my file thoroughly, you'll aware I won't comply so easily."
"Heh, I told you that you're only half correct. The drugs were meant to make you violent, I intended to let you causing havoc in my land until the effects runs out and take you down, framing you for the damage."
The explanation made even more sense. The implications sink in, and he can't help but to ask.
"And what made you so confident that you could take me down in that state? Do you have enough force to pull that?"
"The answer standing right between us." He said while pointing at Lyca.
The confident way Ruffen boast about her made him laugh. Not to mock but relieved that Elias really keep his secret so good to set his standard not too high.
"What's so funny? She could take entire armies of trained knight by herself. Don't you dare mocking me." Ruffen seems displeased by the reaction Nein's giving.
"Hehe, sorry. I'm not laughing at the statement. I'm laughing at something else. And yeah, I trust you. But against me, I doubt it." He countered with a confident smile.
"What make you think you're better than me?." She finally speak, her voice low and steady. Her blue eyes glaring at him with challenge.
Both of them staring at each other with intensity, his statement clearly hurt her pride, but the reason why Nein decided to taunt her is because what Fiend just said to him a moment ago.
"Stop it, both of you! I won't tolerate any conflict. You're dismissed, Lyca." Ruffen snapped, stopping the fight before it even begin.
Lyca stay for a moment longer before turning sharply to the door and exit the room.
"Have you out your mind? It's my first time ever seeing her making such expression. You should thank me she doesn't kill you." Ruffen said with sharp stare.
"Then why don't we make a bet?" Nein suggest suddenly.
"A bet? What do mean with that?"
"Arrange a sparing session for us. A friendly match to see which one is stronger."
Ruffen clearly not buying his idea, but he stopped himself to protest as he think about the possibility.
"Elaborate."
"Nothing fancy. An open space where people can watch from the side. And if I win, I'd like to rewrite the contract and if you win... I'll agreed to work with you." He stated, his voice devoid of any tricks and pretention.
"I assume you know with what you just said?"
"I am."
Hearing that, Ruffen take his time thinking. Trying to find any hidden tricks in this offer.
"I'll think about it." He said eventually, refraining to be impulsive.
"Very well. I'll be waiting for your answer. For now, I'd like take some rest. Please excuse me." Nein said as he walked to the door.
Ruffen remain seated on the couch. He never felt so under pressure before.
"Nathan."
"Yes, sir."
"Look for more info about him. I smell something off with his confidence."
"Right away, sir."
Meanwhile, as he walking through the street of Fanis. He take a sharp turn around the empty Alley and stopped.
"Do you want to talk?" He said to the shadow.
As he expected, Lyca's been following him the moment he left the manor.
"How did you know?" She said, coming out from the shadows to confront him.
"I have my own way. Say, how long has you been working for Winterbell?" He start conversationally.
She doesn't answer right away, her eyes never leaving him, watching every movement he made.
"It's none of your business. Now tell me, what makes you so confident that you're stronger than me." She demands, her eyes fierce and unkind.
A long silence stretches between them. The cold air does nothing to settle the intensity around them.
"Because that's the fact."
Seeing his smirk, she snapped and reaching for her blade at her side. Ready for battle.
Yet nothing happened. Her body went rigid, her eyes widen in shock and fear at what unfold before her.
"Trust me. Nothing good will happen if you pull that blade." His voice so close to her side.
In a blink of her eyes, he appear right by her side. His hand pushing the blade into the scabbard, preventing her to pull it out. She turn her eyes to look at him and saw the way his red eyes glows under the shadow of his frame.
She doesn't even saw him moved, but her nose can smell a faint burning scent radiating from him as he looming over her. Her instinct screaming to her to run, yet her body remain motionless.
"There's a difference between taking a hundred men and a duel. And clearly, you don't have what it takes for the latter."
He let go of her blade and simply walk away. Leaving her frozen on her spot before she slumped to the ground.
"Illa mihi te in memoriam revocat." Fiend remarked lightly.
"Yeah, she does. It brings back memories." He replied with a low sigh.
The memories of the past where he's still a tools for the Mafia slowly coming back to him. The sight of her, willing to do anything to prove herself that she capable, remind him of the good old days where he's nothing but a weapon.
And now, he want to replicate what his sister do to him. To make her realize how vast the world really is and that she's not a weapon but a person.
"Man... I'm in a good mood tonight. Should we eat something expensive?" He mumble to himself as he stretch.
Just remembering about the past made him skipping toward the restaurant. Waiting for tomorrow to come.