They didn’t waste any more time and open the door with no such formalities. Seeing the director using his free time to do his leisure doesn’t take much a credit for. On the other side near the table of the director, the girl sat down on her own part of the office and started to arrange the documents. Her face was dread as a zombie, hard and stiff and can barely make any expression at all.

The director, on the other hand, is busy reading a book, but his hearing is not dull as it may seemed. In fact, he may be stronger than what others think as he is.

They all observed the room, it was clean and neat, which is clearly not his doing. Alastor would like to imagine that Rod was dropped when he was a child and did grow up misbehaving through some deceitful and devious way that even the parents would be unimagine he had done of, but clearly what he has grown up to now would do contradict most of his thoughts, mostly.

Rod was never the man they thought him to be, strict, cunning and straightforward. All they see him now is the carefree old man, relaxing while his assistant is busy doing his job, but before they can put a laugh on that thought Rod made up his mind and put down the book carefully on the table. Rod removes his glasses and clean his eyes before facing them with hard and stiff look.

“What’s with the call?” Linda queried. “You have a job for us?”

“Yes.” Rod nodded. He stands up and stepped closed to the window and peered to the cloudy sky. It wasn’t hurting his eyes until the clouds lifted up and divided allowing the ray pierce through. He looked down quickly and vehemently said, “As we all we know, the Glade operation span over the continents and received contracts from various clients from the underground world and including to the surface, but recently our supposed to be comrades betrayed us and because of that it causes a heavy toll to us. Which is another reason why we can’t be picky about the next job I’m going to give to you guys.”

“Spare us and get to the point.” Alastor replied.

“With the loss of the King of the Ylfon kingdom, princess Mola Teralhan took over the place and became the queen, but her candidacy comes with a price. There is a faction among the nobles attempting to overthrow the monarchy and turn the tide to their favor, there were several attempts to the Queen but the 2 great generals protected her in several occasions. And now, a new problem has arisen…”

Rod showed a map and pointed out some route that followed up the path some rivers and mountains from Indigium Region and to the Leafol Region.

He continued, “An assassination attempt to a political envoy of Ylfon kingdom recently happened within this part of between the regions.”

Alastor observed the points of assassination attempts and raised a question, “How sly, they managed to evade the assassins many times. I wonder what kind of political envoy they’re protecting.”

“That is out of the line of your question.” Rod said firmly.

“Look.” Ken started. “If they manage to evade the enemy this many times, why are they having the trouble to take them down or even so go back to the kingdom and issue a protection for the time being?”

“If they’re strong as you think they are, they wouldn’t have to put an effort to cover their tracks. Obviously, the enemies are more resourceful than they are. Not to mention, the enemies may have more magicians than the other party which put them on edge.” Alastor replied.

“Fair enough.” Ken replied.

“You are right, Alastor. The enemies did have many resources to continuously pursue them in terms financially and manpower.”

“Which is why we’re here to escort them and make sure they will pass the border and make home safely. Isn’t that right, mister Rod?” Linda asked.

“Perceptive, but not quite. I do not know the nature of their politics but this person you’re going to guard must be remained off the grid.”

“Off the grid?” Alastor asked. “What do you mean?”

“You will know the answer once you get in touch of them.”

“And where might them be?”

“A small town in Indigium Region, Iyueghed.”

“Seriously? We’re wanted men and women in that region.”

“I know, that is why you’ll dressed up to avoid unwanted attention from any authorities you’ll meet in there. Don’t worry, Cid will give you a heads up on what’s happening once you entered the kingdom’s domain.”

“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen the guy these days.” Linda said.

“I ordered him to go first.”

“When will we head out?”

“Tomorrow.”

He felt their sharp gazes but it was nothing like hostile intention rather a disappointment coming from a spoiled child.

“I know that you have been hell but most of our best men are out there, you’re all the last line that we can send.”

“Do not patronize us, Rod.” Alastor coldly said. “I am sure that this is more than protecting a political envoy. You might as well tell us what it is so we can prepare for the worst.”

Rod sighed and quiet for a moment, then a long tire exhale of breath. Rod directly look him in the eyes, “I had the same feeling as you are, but truly, I don’t know. That information was disclosed even me. I don’t have any slightest idea what importance could that political envoy be.”

They were silent for 5 seconds. Alastor closed his eyes and decided to believe him.

“Fine. Sooner or later, we will find out whatever this charade you’re putting up.”

“You should flush your opinion, Alastor. That same goes on all of you. You might get the wrong impression and could interrupt the mission.” What matters is to complete the mission.”

“The last time we shut up nearly causes our lives.” His tone assertive but receded quickly over his tense breath, “But if you say so, then we have no choice.”

“Very well, dismissed.”

As they left, Alastor trudged his way back to his room, wondering what secret does the employer holds. Retracing his thoughts, he decided to take time and sat down near the window. Alastor couldn’t shrugged off the unease feeling that something is gone amiss. Nonsensible to think, but he’s been acting completely vigilant ever since the incident in Kayon City. He’s prepared to die, but after what happened his own guts betrayed him.

He wished he could retract his thoughts, but the fang got deeper and planted a seed that pestering him ever since. His thoughts began to float away as he gazes up to the sky, he lifted his feet and rested it on the window with his arms crossing on one another. He could hardly believe his luck had kept him alive all this time. A complacent smile came to his face. His weary eyes finally fell and slept, forgetting the problems under the shade of the clouds.

He woke up early in the morning. He already packed up his clothes in his bag. Alastor felt chilly as he stepped outside. Wearing white sando and short pant is not appropriate for his outlook. His outfit became his bugle call.

Alastor carefully walked down the stairs and came to cross on the fountain. He pauses and observed the flowers through the long windows and continued with slow pace of strolling before turning right to the main hallway and at the end of strip he saw Sherry, hunching her shoulder and leaning on the wall.

“You gonna leave me without telling me?” She asked.

“Damn,” He swore under his breath and murmured to himself, “I was about to tell you, but I guess someone already filled you in.”

There was a paused. The truth is he has words for her. He was never the kind of guy who would give a damn over small thing.

“I’m not mad if that’s what you’re worried about.” She finally breaks the silence and spoke with warm in her voice, “Much less you have the responsibility to tell me.”

“Well, honestly, I don’t have the intention of telling you that I’m going to a mission.”

Her smile wiped off. Her expression spoke ‘Are you serious?’, but then again, she said that he is not obliged to tell her everything. Although, it stings a bit when he said that straight to her face.

“Anyway, good luck. You’ve been a real help to me.”

“You should tell them that too. They helped you too getting out in that hellhole.”

Sherry nodded, “I already did.”

“Good.” He waves his hand and got through her, “Don’t worry about your training, Nat will take care of you. You better be strong when I got back.”

Sherry warmly smiled, “I promise.”

Some trainees recognize what’s the meaning behind his visage and gave him a wide berth for him to easily get through. Their behavior is a sign of respect and wish of good luck for their mission.

Alastor reached the entrance and went outside to see Linda and Ken ahead preparing the carriage with Liber’s strapped to it. A cheerful screech pierced the deafening silence, by that, their ears ringed in pain. Alastor halted and briefly waited for him to continue. Clearly, the cheerful cry was meant for him. Liber broke off quickly rushing to Alastor. Liber’s head purposely rub against Alastor’s face. He’s uncomfortable but let him continue.