User:NeloAngelo/Redstuff/Side 6

&#10096;&#10096;Back

Side Chapter 5 - Bramdt (1) After putting on a little show for Freila's summoning demonstration match, Bariel prepared me a seat in VIP class spectator's room, and place available only to officials of the Sage's Pact. I've wondered if he's doing this out of gratitude, or simply as a sick joke to pit me, the "defeated general" among international officials. Knowing him, it's probably the latter. But I'm not angry. If Freila's idea of an army not fearing the corruption of the Red Plague came to fruition, then any sacrifice, no matter how trivial is worth it. Red Plague and Grotesques were always a threat too delicate to handle; even if you can kill Grotesque en-masse with large scale bombardment, the blast will simply scatter the Red Plague into all corners of the world. Drones cannot properly keep-track of Grotesques' regenerating pulse, so there's no saying if a Grotesque is "truly dead" when its deployed. In the end, the option left is for human-infantry, resources with the highest risk and heaviest lost. Whichever it is, I do not want the tragedy of Melius to reenact again.

Walking to towards the room, I can hear the sound of Bariel conversing.


 * Bariel: [...]when is Vantec Arms going to invest in Everia's market? You know I'm more than happy to help!
 * Grunbel: I'm sorry, but I'm no longer a representative of Vantec Arms. Besides, if my memory serves, Vantec Arms. did have a branch in New-Eve.
 * Bariel: Yeah, as a customer service post. What I'm looking for is an actual development ground! Imagine the combined talents of Vantec Arms. with Everia!
 * Grunbel: Well, I am sure Vantec. Arms will no doubt be very happy about your compliments, Bariel.
 * Bariel: Heh. Is that how it's going to be?
 * Grunbel: Please understand, my position as a Beovault official means I no longer have any influence in Vantec. Arms.
 * Bariel: Hahahaha! Very well, suit yourself, Grunbel. But I'm sure you come to see it my way one day.
 * Grunbel: Good day, Bariel. May the wisdom of the Sage guide you.

Before I knew it, Bariel has already exited the room and approached me in a swift motion. Bariel is not a small person by any means, quite the contrary, he has a tall and robust built you wouldn't imagine someone who spent most of his time in the office to have. Judging from his expression- a devious smile, he immediately caught on I was eavesdropping. Not that it changes anything. In Everia, Bariel has all the power of the world. ...That is not to say his position isn't earned. Compared to the previous administrator, who sells Everia tech as favors to chase clout or spread rumors to attract a human walking disaster, Bariel single handedly restored Everia's reputation as the top of technocrat world.


 * Bariel: Whoa, General, just because Everia's automated defense system has made your life easy, doesn't mean you should eavesdrop on your leisure time!
 * Bramdt: My apologies, Sir Bariel, I didn't mean to walk-in an important discussion.
 * Bariel: Hahaha! I'm just kidding, why so formal? Though you are Melius born, I've already considered you an Everian! Unless, you don't-
 * Bramdt: N-no, of course not! I am honored to be in your consideration.
 * Bariel: ...I trust you speak for the rest of Melius?
 * Bramdt: Y-yes....
 * Bariel: Good! I hope this relationship would last. Would be a shame to discard all of them away out of some foolish pride.

Bariel gave a jovial laugh as he left, but I can see his smile isn't meeting his eyes. I know Bariel is trying to remind me of my place, but what he said isn't completely wrong. Even after so long, there are Melius refugees who aren't able to fully integrate in Everia. As for me, I am someone stuck in-between; I am well aware the accussations of a traitor and many more towards me. But for the safety of what remains of Melius, it's a price I'm willing to pay. For this is my punishment- and my oath to protect Melius.

The following matches came and went, until of course, Liove's suprise appearance in the preliminaries. Lioves has played the role of an underdog going up against insurmountable odds, and today is no exception. Of course, what Lioves have today is completely different from when he was starting out. His story is well publicized- an orphan whose family was destroyed by the Plague, grew up to take up arms and earned the favor of the Sage after many successful campaigns. Eventually, he was even able to capture the heart of one of the two beauty of the Sage's Pact- Maiden Araya.

To be a hero, you will need more than strength. It's a fact everyone knows, but willingly chose to ignore. You may be skilled to kill Grotesques over and over again, but you can only do so much alone. Networking, charisma, resource gathering...these are crucial to sustain the reputation of a hero. Usually one can only achieve the skill part, and eventually die a forgotten warrior. The other may be a weak combatant but achieve the other parts, and ended up being a mere celebrity. But Lioves is different- he managed to achieve all categories and maintained consistent results for years. To call him a true hero wouldn't be out of the question.

The first opponent he faced was a swordsman called Solvei. Someone who flew under my radar in the pools. Trying to recall Solvei's previous match, he came across as a crafty fighter who exploited his opponent's inexperience. But looking at his performance with Lioves, I felt a sense of familiarity coming from him.

Ultimately, Solvei lost. Not really a surprise, for all the "underdog" impression Lioves likes to put up, his strength is not a lie. In contrast, Solvei gave me the impression of someone trying to run from something.

As Lioves exited the stage admist the cheering crowd, he went to the VIP spectator's room. "Good day, General Bramdt!" Lioves greeted me with an energetic tone. Heh, it's like the fight that occured minutes ago never existed.

"Glad you could join us, Lio." another youthful voice approached us- Grunbel. From what I heard, Lioves and Grunbel are close friends that grew up in the same orphanage. Circumstances caused them to be separated, but they would eventually reunite as Grunbel worked with Vantec Arms. to fund Lioves' anti-Grotesque campaigns. To this day, even if Grunbel is "no longer associated with Vantec. Arms", the support the company towards Lioves continued. After all, it's an open secret that Grunbel still holds significant influence in the company. Hell, I bet Liove's current weapon is developed by Grunbel.


 * Grunbel: So, how was that guy for a starter opponent?
 * Lioves: Heh, if I had to be honest... He's nothing special.
 * Grunbel: Hahaha-have a heart, Lio! He's not even using magic in the fight.
 * Lioves: Guess he's not formally educated? Relying on your inborn talent will only take you so far. In an actual fight, no one would spare any sort of mercy-
 * Bramdt: That is not talent.
 * Lioves: What?
 * Bramdt: On the contrary, his fighting style feels like a result of experiencing countless battlefield... Looking at the weight behind his actions... If I have to say, it felt more like an "experienced desperation".
 * Grunbel: I don't get it, you're saying that he's older than he looks?
 * Bramdt: I'm not sure either... But I can't deny what I truly felt. Something about him reminded me how complacent I've become under the care of Everia. Should I call it nostalgic? It's...frustrating.
 * Grunbel: But still, the fact that you are able to relax is a sign of peace. A peace that we rightfully earned.
 * Lioves: Shame really, if his opponents were only humans, then I he'll do fine. But comparing on my level...guess him making it this far is a lucky shot.
 * Bramdt: ....

There's another thing odd about him that I did not divulge that day. The way Solvei carries himself feels familiar -almost similar to the Sword Saint Mana.