Anagrams of An Old Woman, The Five’s Firearm, and The Gladiator

I smiled to repay Mrs. Rostand’s smile and said, “Odd and untouchable, just like the strange and impenetrable Quietus cloud, am I right?”

Mrs. Rosland chimed in, “Echelon knows. Maybe he’ll be the one to perforate the Quietus Cloud. Maybe he could figure out some fireworks that would melt those damn clouds. If that happens, then he will be the center of the center of the figure.”

I asked, “Echelon? It was a secret code name for some countries’ surveillance a few years ago. But my country—and my institution—is not part of Echelon.”

Mrs. Rosland explained, “Ahahaha… Echelon knows; it’s an anagram of your name, Mr. Schonewolken.”

Hearing that, I also laughed, “Hahaha….”

Then I quickly found an idea to pay off her anagram joke, “Who Knows? Maybe it's true. If it happens, I'm not surprised if you predict correctly.”

“Why?” Mrs. Rostand asked.

“A witch can know the future. Right, Mrs. Donna Strega?”

“Hahaha ...” Mrs. Rostand laughed as if she understood what I meant. Donna Strega is an anagram of Ange Rostand. In the language of the Republic of Aithalia, Donna Strega means "witch woman."

Then Mrs. Rostand moved her head in a strange way.

Of course, I quickly knew that she was not trying to bewitch me. I stated my guess, “A strange nod, right? Another anagram of Donna Strega.”

The old woman raised two thumbs. She commented, “Your guess is right.”

That’s what I like about talking to this woman. I think she’s good at talking and reading the situation. I think that’s her quality as a former diplomat.

(***)

The New Year's fireworks party that I enjoyed from the edge of a lake has finished. I walked to leave the event that ended in the early hours of January 1st with several people. Several people—indeed, that is the right word rather than me saying 'many people.'

A festive event like this fireworks show, when compared to similar events before the Quietus cloud appeared, seems quieter. You can see that by watching videos from hundreds of years ago. In that era, there seemed to be so many people enthusiastic about watching an event like this.

Now, I can say that people's interest has decreased drastically in witnessing an activity like this. Far more people think, How can you be happy watching a show that uses the Quietus cloud as its backdrop? How can you be happy with a momentary painting in the sky when there is a sky that imprisons you?

One of the people who thinks like that is Mrs. Ange Rostand. She stated that she is no longer interested in watching fireworks parties on New Year's. She prefers to watch comedy shows at the turn of the year.

I and the people who are currently still enjoying the fireworks certainly have their reasons. More or less, it's like people who like classic cars even though there are newer cars. For me, I can still feel the magic moment when I see the fireworks blast.

Now I am standing on the side of the road. I turn on the smart glasses that I am wearing. With the 'private hologram' that appears, I open the car shuttle application. While waiting for the car to pick me up, I play a video of the fireworks.

Seeing the rocket-like launches that challenge the sky, I remember Mrs. Rostand's words again. "Schonewolken knows. Maybe he can make fireworks that melt those damn clouds."

I thought, "Maybe. Maybe one day I will make a big contribution to overthrowing the Quietus cloud. Especially with my position as a member of The Five. I must make the most of this privilege."

As a member of The Five, I get a big salary. My income can allow me to pay for hotels and various high-class services. Other than that, in my country, I can buy a small house and a prestigious car without installments. I can get all of that with just a few two- to three-month salaries in that "odd and untouchable" institution—and I have been a member of The Five for almost three full years.

In addition to getting a very good salary, of course, there are other privileges that I get. There are many facilities that I can access for free. Furthermore, I also have the right to bring an item that I currently keep in a small bag that I attach to my right waist.

The item I mean is a gun, the type Anzura gun, or what we usually call the AZ gun. The weapon that is the standard for members of The Five can be said to be one of the most sophisticated weapons. Even for soldiers, only those who have high positions can have this weapon.

The AZ gun, like guns in general, can shoot "bullets." However, compared to other guns, the "bullets" that the AZ gun can shoot are more varied. You can choose to shoot bullets like ordinary bullets, shoot mini guided missiles, or what we usually call deflecting bullets, shoot smoke, fire, or heat that spreads to various sides, and so on.

In addition, this AZ gun can also issue a force shield as protection. The force shield that this weapon can display has a maximum size of about one ordinary car. The shape of the force shield can also be adjusted to form a protection that envelops the entire body of the wearer. The force shield can also be adjusted to display the effect of reflective film glass or one-way film glass.

Indeed, members of The Five have the right to carry firearms. That right applies not only in my country but also in other countries that have diplomatic relations with my country. Countries that accept members of The Five also cannot prohibit this and cannot confiscate our firearms.

My thoughts about The Five's weapon stopped when my ears heard the sound of raindrops dripping from the sky. Yes, rain could still appear on our Earth. That was because cumulonimbus and nimbostratus clouds, which could cause rain, were at a height below the Quietus cloud.

Right now, I could use the AZ gun's force shield as an umbrella. But of course, that would attract a lot of people's attention. I wouldn't brag that I was a member of The Five. I told Mrs. Ange Rostand about it after she told me her background and some interesting things.

Now I move my left hand, reaching for the drawstring bag that I slung on the left side of my body. From inside the bag, I take an umbrella. It is an umbrella shaped like a stick. With just one hand and one button, I open the umbrella canopy.

A few seconds after I opened the umbrella, the car I was waiting for finally arrived. Actually, I could have used the facilities provided by the high-class hotel where I was staying to use a luxury ride-hailing service. I had already chosen that option when I was picked up from the airport, when I visited several tourist attractions a few days ago, and when I came to this lake. This time I deliberately chose to try using a regular ride-hailing service.

After looking at my smart glass at a square object on the car window, a confirmation notification appeared. There was confirmation that I was the one who ordered the car and that I had completed the payment. I immediately opened the door of the two-seater mini car with an automatic driver.

After I entered, the car's system seemed to recognize that I was a passenger who was over twenty-one years old. Immediately, the small screen on the car's dashboard displayed an advertisement. The advertisement that I was currently watching was an advertisement for a grand gladiator match that would take place in this country on the evening of January 2nd.

"Brando Landall Rotschwert, BLR, the Berandal Ritter, the Gladiator with a zero-defeat record, will return to fight in the Quietus Tourney. Will he be able to extend his record?"

Gladiators compete in the Quietus Tourney, a match that will result in one of the participants meeting their death.