Chapter 89: Mardale Aranos
VRRROOOMM!
The convoy moved steadily through the heart of Kingsville.
The city was alive once more, but the scars of recent events remained impossible to ignore.
Military trucks rumbled through the crowded streets as emergency sirens echoed in the distance. Reconstruction crews worked tirelessly along shattered roads, replacing broken pavement while engineers inspected damaged buildings. Civilians cautiously returned to their routines, though many still glanced nervously toward the skyline whenever smoke rose in the distance.
Kingsville was recovering, but it had not healed.
Inside one of the armored vehicles, Daito sat silently with the rest of his team.
After everything that had happened with the Silver Moon....Words felt unnecessary.
The convoy passed bustling markets filled with merchants reopening their stalls. Children cautiously played between tents while soldiers stood watch on nearly every corner.
Then, the city began to change. The civilian districts gave way to military compounds.
Guard towers rose overhead. Steel barricades lined the roads. Rows of armoured vehicles stood ready for deployment.
Finally...The convoy came to a stop.
Before them stood the headquarters of the Kingsville Defence Force.
It towered over the surrounding district like an enormous fortress built from steel and glass.
Its reflective exterior shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, while countless soldiers entered and exited through multiple checkpoints.
The place never seemed to rest.
Captain Katas stepped out first.
"...We're here."
The team followed.
The moment their boots touched the ground...People noticed.
Whispers spread almost immediately.
"...Is that them?"
"...Those are the Outsiders..."
"...The group from Gregor Naught..."
"...The ones who fought the Silver Moon..."
Dozens of curious eyes followed them as they walked through the main entrance.
Champagne scratched the back of his head.
"...Well..."
He forced an awkward smile.
"...Looks like we're celebrities now."
Brandon laughed.
"...Didn't ask for that kind of fame."
Wei-Wan adjusted his hair, pretending not to notice the attention.
"...Ignore them."
Captain Katas didn't slow his pace.
"...Keep moving."
The massive lobby buzzed with controlled activity.
Soldiers hurried from one department to another, carrying stacks of documents.
Ping....
Ping....
Digital displays continuously updated tactical information across towering screens.
Commanders barked orders from elevated platforms.
"...Sector B needs reinforcements!"
"...Medical reports to Command immediately!"
"...Move those reconnaissance files now!"
Buzzz...
Printers hummed.
Computers beeped.
Boots echoed across polished floors.
The headquarters wasn't chaotic. Everything moved with purpose. Every person knew exactly where they needed to be.
It was organized intensity.
A machine functioning at full capacity.
Captain Katas guided them deeper into the complex.
Past the command center, tactical briefing halls, and intelligence divisions.
Eventually...They reached a heavily secured elevator.
The doors slid open.
DING.
No one spoke as they entered.
The elevator began its descent.
The higher they traveled downward...The quieter everything became.
The bustling sounds of headquarters slowly disappeared above them.
The atmosphere changed.
The silence below wasn't peaceful it was heavy, almost sacred.
As though whatever existed beneath headquarters demanded absolute respect.
The elevator finally stopped.
DING.
A narrow hallway stretched before them.
Its walls were reinforced with thick steel plating, interrupted only by dim overhead lighting. Captain Katas walked without hesitation until he stopped before an enormous reinforced door.
The metal alone looked thick enough to withstand artillery fire.
He turned toward Daito.
For the first time since leaving the convoy...His expression became serious.
"...Listen carefully."
Everyone's attention shifted toward him.
"...The man you're about to meet..."
A brief pause.
"...He's nothing like you."
His eyes remained locked on Daito.
"...He's not impulsive."
"...He's not emotional."
"...And he doesn't waste words."
Another pause.
"...Choose yours carefully."
Without waiting for a reply...Captain Katas pressed his hand against the access panel.
BEEP!
Heavy locking mechanisms disengaged one after another.
CLUNK!
CLANK!
THUNK!
Finally—
The massive door slowly swung inward.
CREEEEEEAK...
The room beyond surprised everyone.
It wasn't what they had expected.
There were no advanced computers, no elaborate decorations, no trophies and no signs of luxury.
Instead...the room was almost empty.
Minimalistic and elegant in its simplicity.
A single long wooden table occupied the center, as several chairs surrounded it.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the recovering city of Kingsville. Soft afternoon sunlight filtered inside, casting long golden orange shadows across the polished floor.
At the far end of the room...Someone sat quietly.
Motionless.
Half of his body rested within the sunlight and the other half disappeared into shadow.
For several moments...no one moved.
Captain Katas stepped aside.
"...Go ahead."
Daito nodded once before walking into the room alone.
The others remained near the entrance, watching, and waiting.
The seated man never looked up.
He simply remained still as though he'd already known they were coming.
Daito stopped several steps away.
"...Are you the Sphinter?"
Silence.
For a few seconds...nothing happened.
Then the man finally spoke.
"...Depends."
His voice was calm, deep, and completely unhurried.
"...On who's asking."
There wasn't even the slightest hint of hostility only curiosity.
Daito stepped fully into the sunlight.
"...Name's Daito."
He gestured toward the doorway without taking his eyes off the man.
"...The people behind me are my team."
A brief pause.
"...We're not here to fight."
This time...The man slowly lifted his head.
His eyes met Daito's.
Sharp, like unbelievably sharp.
They carried the strange feeling of seeing far beyond appearances. As though they could peel away every lie and every hidden intention without effort.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
"...Go on."
Daito inhaled once.
Then answered without hesitation.
"...We want you to join us."
No surprise crossed the man's face, no laughter, no disbelief, nothing.
He simply leaned back in his chair and continued studying every member of the group.
His gaze slowly passed over Wei-Wan.
Then Brandon.
Aerin.
Champagne.
Fah-jin.
Zachia.
Avenor.
Each received exactly the same careful scrutiny.
Only after observing every one of them did he finally rise.
Slowly and gracefully.
He stood a little taller than what Daito had expected.
Composed, every movement deliberate, measured, and confident.
The afternoon light finally revealed him completely.
Mardale Aranos.
The man known throughout Kingsville as...
*The Sphinter.*
"...Fascinating."
Step.....
Step....
His voice remained calm as he began walking around the room.
Not pacing but observing.
He circled the group slowly, saying nothing for several moments.
Finally...He stopped directly before Daito.
"...You already look like a complete unit."
His gaze remained unreadable.
"...So tell me..."
A quiet pause settled between them.
"...What role do you expect me to play?"
Before Daito could answer, another question followed.
This one carried noticeably more weight.
"... And more importantly..."
His eyes sharpened.
"...What exactly are you fighting for?"
The room fell completely silent.
Even the soldiers outside seemed impossibly distant. Everyone understood immediately.
This wasn't casual conversation.
It wasn't curiosity. Instead, it was a test.
The very first step toward earning the trust of one of Kingsville's most powerful Savages.
And Mardale Aranos...Had only just begun asking his questions.
Daito looked him straight into the eyes and told him everything.
To be continued.....