It was past 11 o'clock in the night and I am currently headed to our meeting place that happened to be outside the Garrison gates. I don’t know what they were planning to do, this late at night.

I really wanted a good night sleep but I guess I had to make an exception just for tonight. I had put Armin and Rose to sleep before leaving.

Even though it was a late night, the town was lively as ever. Because of the blockade to the capital, most of the merchant started selling within the exterior towns itself. It’s been whole 2 days and not a soul was let out or inside the capital except the army.

The street was filled with army soldiers patrolling throughout the street as they kept a watchful eye. I walked in my casual demeanor. I didn't want the army to suspect me or something, even though I wasn't the culprit. It’s just bothersome to deal with all their interrogation and stuff.

The most surprising thing was the new category of the enchanted weapons that had been surfaced.

What was this new type of equipment?

The military was desperate to forge a gold class weapon. The gold class weapons were extremely powerful equipment. But all they could forge was a couple of dozens of silver class weapons at most.

Hence they tried to find another method but instead, they created a new category. It was unstable and dangerous, hence they didn't make a public announcement. How did they come up with another way to create a whole new category?

The kingdom of Rublor was once a small town country which revolted and declared itself as a free kingdom. Later with the leadership of the late king and the general, the country expanded and progressed in leaps and bounds. In 500 years the small town country town was now the 8th biggest kingdom in the continent.

Many countries loathed our country because of its accelerated growth. The most hostile and the archenemy of the Rublor nation was none other than the Stezar empire, the 6th largest nation. Rublor was once a part of the Stezar empire but hence its segregation they were in bad terms.

But since Rublor entered as the 8th largest kingdom. We joined the peace treaty between the 8 major kingdoms. Since the peace treaty, the war between Stezar and Rublor had come to a halt. Although, there was still cold war ongoing between us.

Despite the peace treaty, all the countries had dedicatedly been researching and producing weapons in large scale in the name of peace. The peace treaty was the only thing that had kept all the 8 nations together but I wonder for how long.

Just then, I reached the garrison place and stood beside the gate. I was wearing my casual clothes so I won’t stand out. I also bought a scarf and wore it on my neck to cover my face. I didn’t cover entirely, just hid my jaw. If I had covered my whole face that would make me look even more suspicious.

Suddenly a small pebble hit me on the head. I looked around to see the culprit but then I saw a strange figure waving at me from the alleyway. It was dark and I wasn't able to see the face but at least I could see it was wearing rectangular glasses which had a tinge of shine. I recognized the familiar looking spectacles, it was none other than William.

I followed William and he led me to an alleyway. I really felt a bit uncomfortable around the alley because of the recent events. It’s not like I am scared, it’s just I get a bit agitated. After walking for a couple of minutes, we met a dead end.

“Where are we going?”, I asked William.

“Just follow me quietly.”, he replied.

What an arse!

The first he talks just to be an asshole.

He then opened the door beside and led me inside the building.

We climbed the stairs and went to the upper floor. But throughout our journey, he didn't utter a single word. I also had no intention of having a conversation with an arrogant ass wipe. I had brought along a kitchen knife, just in case. I still didn't know William very well of yet, if he were to try to pull something or lure me to some ambush. I wouldn’t hesitate to stab him in the heart. It was an ordinary kitchen knife but it was more than enough to send them to the afterlife.

I wasn’t ready to throw away my life so easily. I won’t go down without putting a fight.

After reaching the top floor we entered a room that had dim light.

“Here we are.”, he finally spoke.

We entered the room and there were Thalia and Bruno who seemed to be discussing something. But as soon as we entered the room, they cut off their discussion.

“Oh welcome back, Desmond.”

“Welcome.”

Greeted Bruno and Thalia simultaneously.

Our meeting place was this old dusty room which was a complete mess. It had almost nothing in the room except for the round table as well as three chairs. The chairs and table seemed to be new, I guess they had purchased beforehand. The old room was lit by a couple of candles placed on the center of the table.

I guess this was a perfect place for a secret hideout.

William than proceded towards a chair and took a seat with everyone.

He let out a sigh,

“I still don’t understand why was I chosen to escort him?”, he said with a pissed off tone.

It’s not like he was doing a big ass favor for me!

You guys were the one who called me here and not the other way around. You should be grateful that I was sacrificing my sleep and was making the effort to help you in your skirmish. I am here because I wanted to find that old man of mine. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even a lifted a finger for you, noble shits.

Thalia got up from her seat,

“It’s because we thought if we give you both sometime alone, you would become friends.”, she said with an innocent smile.

“Please, you jest me! Who would wanna befriend such ill-mannered son of that traitor-”

But before William could complete his sentence.

I quickly unsheathed my knife and went straight for his throat. I swung my knife with the utmost precision and agility. But soon as I did, he reflexively dodged it by flexibly ducking his head. Now my guard was wide open for him to attack. He threw a jab punch at me aimed at the face. I was in a close range so it was impossible to dodge it. As expected of a former soldier. He even managed to dodge and counter attack even though he was sitting on the chair where his movements were limited.

I wouldn't be able to dodge his punch hence I twisted my body a bit and grabbed his punch between my underarm of the left arm. His punch had less power as he was seated in the chair and wasn't able to throw all his power. William was surprised after I caught his punch within my underarm. I seized this movement and placed my knife on top of his throat.

“Wait a sec-”, shrieked out Bruno.

“Listen up!”, I said out loud as I fiercely stared at William in the eye, “Don’t ever dare to associate me with that traitorous bastard. I am here to help and to not here to listen to your trash talk about me or how great you folks are.”

I had enough of this crap. Traitorous, filthy, son of a bitch, etc. I had enough of people dissing me around for no reason. I am here as an ally and not some audience to listen to you trash talk about myself.

The tip of the knife was touching William’s throat, all I need was to add a bit more pressure and it would slide right inside.

William wasn’t able to move as I had placed one of my foot on his thigh to restrict him from getting up from his seat. With his restricted movement, his dominant arm which I had caught underneath my other arm and the knife on his throat, all he could do was sit and watch.

William noticed he wasn’t able to get out of this situation without being severely wounded. He stared back angrily and gritted his teeth.

He didn't say anything instead he stared back angrily. He had a load of mighty pride, so he won’t straightaway say it but I would take his silence as a yes.

I unsheathed my knife back to my pocket and backed away.

I didn't want to create an unnecessary commotion, I just want to make my stand.

To my surprise, Thalia was standing right behind me armed with a short sword.

“Glad you backed down. Otherwise, there would have been a bloody mess.”, she snickered.

If I really did had attacked William, she wouldn’t hesitate to cut me down. I didn’t even notice when she moved from the front of my eyes to my back. She was not just your ordinary beautiful girl but a skilled veteran soldier.

“Calm down, guys!”, said Bruno, “William you should henceforth refrain from insulting Desmond. Thalia, please lower your weapon! Desmond we are your allies and I apologize for the rudeness of my companion William and Thalia. So please calm down.”

Well, it was rather explosive but I really wanted to make my statement clear. I wanted to clear that I wasn’t their puppet and they cannot manipulate on their whims or gonna stand as they belittle me with their trash talk.