Meeting of Collaborators

The room couldn't be called an office in good faith. The books had been haphazardly left around the room, and a desk and chairs were set in the middle. The room itself was ancient, its architecture was falling apart, seemingly very primitive to begin with. The pillars that stood in the four corners had several holes and cracks spread from them through the walls.

Absalon had returned to this makeshift office after talking to the prisoners. Shaw had complained about the lack of women among those they captured and then ran off somewhere. However, he didn't have a chance to goof off; after all, soon they would set their plans in motion, and then he could relax.

Absalon sat down at the makeshift desk, looking to the book lying atop it. Its bare cover gave no indication of its contents.

“You stare at the journal a lot, Ab’s.” A voice rang out beside his ear, yet was the perfect volume.

“Heh… I suppose.” The book lay still on the desk, unmoving from its spot. “Soon, I won't be looking at this book, but rather the adorable face of my little sister.”

His gaze moved to the wooden structure on the other side of the room. The purpose of the structure was clear to anyone who saw it: a coffin.

Soon, the makeshift curtain door was jostled, followed by knocks on the stone walls beside it.

“Come in!” Absalon called.

A gruff-looking man entered the room. He wore a brown hood; his face was that of a wolf. He wore loose clothes characteristic of adventurers. The smell of animals emanated from him, though Absalon was used to that by now.

“How are you, Absalon?”

“Just the same as last time we talked, Bernard.”

The wolf man was quite famous, known as Lyscynal’s top adventurer, Anzo Bernard. He was said to have the unique ability to control monsters.

“I guess so,” Bernard said as he sat down. “I've come to report that the dungeon core is stable and is ready at any time. The dragon has returned and is recovering inside.”

“Thank you. You're a big help.” Absalon expressed.

“No need for thanks, I couldn't sit back and watch those assholes go through with what they were planning, and you guys gave me a way to stop them.” Anzo Bernard was so reliable that the adventurers' guild let him in on their plans. A Monster tamer is a rare and valuable skill after all. After that, he left, and we found him, good thing too, because without him, this dungeon wouldn't be our base.

“Where's Ms.Wróbel?” Absalon asked.

“She’s by the test site.” Absalon continued, guessing Bernard's next question. “Sir. Walters is guarding the cargo. It’s best to leave it to him; it's quite a dangerous task.”

“If the dragon gets too close to that thing, it will definitely cause a ruckus to get it.” Bernard agreed.

“That cargo is the most important thing right now, while the demon and the monster-fication ritual will keep us safe, if we really want to stop those fools, then we must have that crystal at our disposal. “ Absalon explained.

“I understand.” Bernard looked awkwardly at Absalon. “Do you think it will work? I know you had the plan before separating from the deviants, but even with ‘Her’ chasing you, you think you can do it?”

“I must, I'll revive her, I will. I promised with all my heart.”

“Then I'll get going,” Bernard said as he stood up from his chair.

“I see, Good job.”

Just as Bernard reached the door, Absalon called out to him.

“You’ve betrayed your city, many died, are you truly fine with that?”

“... It’s a better fate than what is to come.”

Bernard raised his hand and waved it as a reply as he walked out.

Absalon left alone for a few moments before another man entered the room.

“Hey there, Absalon! You look tired as ever!”

“Calm down, Sir. Walter. You look as excitable as ever.” The image of a crestfallen and distraught Walters shot through his head as he smiled wryly.

“Hey, what shall I say, hahahaha.” Sir. Walter Hoshea sat down in the same seat as Bernard had.

“What is the matter? You look like something is bothering you.”

“It's nothing… no, actually, does a little girl with blond hair with brown roots, Sanpaku eyes, and decently tall come to mind?” Absalon asked. “Heterochomia as well.”

Gerard gave him a strange look after pondering it for a moment, then said-

“Don't tell me you like that sorta stuff…”

“Don't imply me a nonce!” Absalon slammed his hands on the table. “The girl was simply a kid that seemed familiar, I thought perhaps you could’ve remembered her from somewhere, too.”

“Ah! Gotcha hahaha.” Walter thought for a few moments. “I believe I met her this morning… I was asking a passerby about something, and she appeared…”

“What were you asking about?”

“I’ve forgotten.”

“Haah, you seriously are a handful.”

Was it simply a mistake, or have I met her before…

“I was about to say… You have a hot secretary going after you, why’d you need a kid…”

“Our relationship isn't like that…”

“Bullshit. You may be too dense to tell, but to the rest of us, it’s way too obvious. We're all jealous!”

“You know, Shaw was complaining about that too…”

“You and Wróbel should just get together already, man.” Sir. Walter laughed heartily.

“Sir. Walter…” Absalon looked to his friend with worry. “I've been struggling to bring this up, but… I've noticed that you've been acting strangely sometimes…”

“You think?” Sir. Walter looked over to Absalon like he was crazy.

“Ever since the day of your inauguration… What did they tell you? You’ve told me many things, but have hidden many too.”

“It’s nothing, you're thinking too much.”

“I saw you reading a book the other day…”

“So I took an interest in reading. Is that a bad thing?”

“No, it's just not something I’d expect from you, is all.”

“I see… Guess I'll stop reading then.”

“That's not what I meant.” Absalon placed his hands on his head and shook them. “Ah! I'd like you to return to watching over the Cargo if you could.”

“Ugh, do I have to?”

“Please, you're the most reliable here. You're also the strongest we have.”

“I don't know…”

He's always been weak against praise. When did that change?...

“Alright, I'll head there now.”

“Thank you.”

Sir. Walter stood up and walked towards the door, just before exiting, under his breath, he mumbled-

“I've got high hopes for you, Absalon Ramorski.”

“What was that?” Absalon asked, uncertain of what he had said.

“I'm just happy to help out, is all,” with that, Sir. Walter Hoshea left the fake office.

“The stress must be getting to him.” After all, we have enemies on all sides.

Once again, the office was left lonely.