The Informan

Riev and Vabica just finished briefing the troops who will join forces with them to guard the Left Head airspace. Even though the briefing has ended and everyone has leave, they were still on the B2 floor, the place that served as Cerberus' briefing room.

Vabica was still busy tidying up the files and inputting the data reports of the Cerberus troops into the hologram. Meanwhile, Riev just whistled around while observing her. Following her move from behind, to the left, then the right, and walk erratically around her.

Of course, this made Vabica nervous and annoyed. "If you have free time, it's better for you to go check on the Trava's condition, which we will use tonight!" said Vabica angrily while still busy with the report that she had to finish immediately. Despite her annoyance, Vabica did not lose her respect for Riev, who was indeed older than her. That's why she sometimes still call him as 'big brother'.

Riev took a few quick steps back, then allowed himself to slide across the floor like he was invisibly skateboarding from where he was, drawing closer to her. "Ouh ~ Come on ~ It's just you and me, what do you say if we're going on a date, okay?" Riev winked flirtatiously as soon as he stopped sliding stop right in front of her.

Vabica was so annoyed by his behavior, she punch him in the stomach lightly.

"Ouch!" Riev reflexes when his stomach hit Vabica's hand. It was slow, but it surprised him because it happened so spontaneously.

"I'm going to the B4 floor to confirm Trava's condition," Vabica immediately turned around and took a quick step. The reason Vabica immediately looked away was not because she hated Riev, but she wanted to hide her blushing face by Riev's flirtatious behaviour.

"I take this loving punch as a 'yes' answer, right?" said Riev again while observing Vabica's ponytail which moved slowly as the girl walked away.

Vabica didn't say a word, she just shook her head slowly and smile. Beyond that, Vabica felt a strange feeling. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, she felt happy. Her ignorant and outspoken manner, usualy make people keep their distance. And what made her happy this time was because, there were someone who act like they are a pair of close friends.

Although that's not the first time Riev teased her. When he was a trainee, the flirtatious young man often teased Vabica, who happened to be in charge of teaching Cerberus academics in Riev's class.

Without realizing it, he caught the eyes of a young man several years older than him were watching from outside the room. With a proud and arrogant face, the young man, Marlat, approached Riev. "You should have maintained your attitude towards Senior! Rank C," said Marlat with a sarcastic look.

"Wow, wow, wow. Look who's here. Senior Rank freak ~ Forgive me my noble servant ~" Riev who was not caring about Rank.

Marlat was irritated by Riev's attitude. "You're looking for a fight huh ?!" Marlat half screamed.

Instead of changing his attitude, Riev made fun of him even more. "Fighting with the noble, Mar ?? Oruuut ~" he mocked while demonstrating the movements of a person who was scared.

"Agh !! Don't blame me if you get hurt!" Marlat swiftly took out his weapon in the form of a spear, with a tip made of Plasma.

In truth Riev didn't think Marlat would go that far. Riev also pulled out his scythe just in case. They forgot, there was a rule that prohibited them from taking out weapons within the academy grounds unless it was in a precarious condition.

Marlat had always disliked Riev. He who was born in a 'noble' family from the east felt he had never been appreciated by Riev from when the two of them were still training at the Cerberus Academy.

Piip piiip piiip piiip! A sound that resembled an alarm was heard in the room, followed by the appearance of several drones from the corner of the room. A recording sound from one of the drones was heard giving a stern warning to both of them. In addition, at that instant his second Rank dropped by 1 level.

"Huahahahahaha!" Riev even laughed out loud as he returned to inserting his weapon into the ring.

Meanwhile, Marlat's face looks red with anger. "I'm down in Rank because of your behavior! You better look out!" Unable to hold back his emotions, Marlat chose to leave immediately. He was sick of seeing Riev's face. Even in his heart, Marlat hoped that Riev would be shot by the enemy while on duty tonight.

At first Riev wanted to irritate Marlat even more, but he thought he had enough. For Riev who doesn't care about Rank, what happened to them just now is just a short comedy story.

Actually, Marlat has always tried to get close to Vabica. However, Vabica never paid attention to him. Maybe that is the reason why Marlat feels annoyed seeing Riev who looks closer to Vabica.

Riev laughed again as he remembered what had happened. Riev felt a little guilty for Marlat. On the other hand, he was satisfied with his attitude. He felt that Marlat really needed to be taught a little lesson because of the arrogant attitude of the 'aristocracy' that was still attached even though Marlat had become a member of the Cerberus army.

---||---

Ain and Agna had just set foot on Refario. The city is not very big, but it is quite crowded with visitors. Located near a lake which is a tourist spot, it's no wonder that this small town is always full of tourists who want to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Refario.

Ain had just realized why Grief had chosen Refario as his hiding place. Who would be suspicious of Grief and his group coming to Refario? People would have thought that Grief and his group were just another tourists. Knowing this fact alone makes Ain desire stronger to meet and fight with Grief. Even though Grief is his enemy, there was still a sense of admiration from within Ain's heart.

Agna immediately did her job as soon as the two of them entered the city gates, she watched everyone passing by in the city.

Several times the innocent Agna mentioned in detail a person's data, such as during their first meeting. Of course it is not necessary. If Ain had the character of Riev, Ain would have pinched Agna's cheek with glee.

However, thanks to Agna's abilities, it didn't take long for them to find the informant they were looking for in the city.

Ain approached a woman who was busy offering various souvenirs to tourists. Seeing Ain's arrival in a special Cerberus coat, the woman smiled to greet Ain.

"Please sir, be chosen!" the woman acted like a trader in general. "It's very busy here, sir? Well, 'dogs will always bark'," the woman's gaze turned serious when she uttered the phrase that became the keyword for them. Half a whisper, Ain replied, "But the gates of hell are always closed."

The woman stood up from the chair in her gift shop.

"Ah… Is that so? I'll take you, young couple! I know a good hotel, close to the lake! You can enjoy the beautiful view from there!" said the woman cheerfully.

Of course Ain knew that it was just a play so that people wouldn't suspect them. But not for Agna who has innocence above the natural word.

"Hm !!" Agna shook her head quickly accompanied by furrowed brows. Then the girl pointed at Ain. "Bro... Brother! Brother! Ain! Brother!" she said loudly as she looked at the woman who, for him, mistook them for lovers. Her face was flushed red.

"What ...? Oh ... Hahaha, yes-yes ... You are brothers, huh? Hahaha, sorry sorry," the woman treated Ain and Agna with a tasteless smile.

'Agnaaaaaaa!' Ain wanted to scream like that, but he only kept his voice in his heart. "Uh ... Yes, this is my little Sister. Haha," Ain rubbed Agna's head which was peppered with irresistible irritation, as well as a smile that was obviously too artificial.

But on the other hand, Ain felt that Agna's actions were not wrong. Their 'play' looks natural enough.

"Alright, come on," said the woman, changing their awkward conversation. During her time as an informant, this was the first time she encountered such an incident. 'So there are someone like this in Cerberus,' she thought with an amused laugh in her heart. Then she called a girl and told her to look after the shop while he was away.

---||---

The woman led Ain and Agna to a dead end alley in the city of Refario. Only after confirming that no one was there did she open his mouth. "I have to confirm your identity first," said the woman seriously. Her attitude changed drastically from when they were in the shop.

Ain nodded in understanding then introduced himself by mentioning his Cerberus ID. Also Ain quickly introduced Agna, he didn't want Agna to do things that were no longer needed.

After confirming their ID's through the hologram that appeared on her watch, the woman introduced herself as an informant from Left Head Cerberus.

Without prompting, Agna raised her index finger. It is certain what will happen next. "Irina Daedalus, Ex-Cerberus Force ID: S-267-684L. Height: 161cm, Weight: 48kg, Blood Type: A, DNA-Fighting Type .. 7-T," said Agna in detail.

Ain could only hit his forehead, feeling that he was not quick enough to prevent Agna from doing strange things. But he couldn't stop thinking, why does Agna only speak clearly when detailing someone's data? Well, he had to save that thought immediately so he could focus more on the task at hand.

The informant, Irina, only gasped with her mouth half open. Then Irina turned her gaze towards Ain.

Ain only shrugged, indicating that he himself did not know anything about Agna's abilities. His face looked a little tired with the girl's innocent behavior.

"Looks like I know why you brought her. I was confused, why did you bring a little girl. Haha. Alright, your name is Ainlanzer?" asked Irina while looking deeply at Ain after seeing Ain's data from the hologram.

Ain nodded in agreement. "Ain is fine," he replied simply.

"I got some information about Grief. Indeed, this morning Grief and his group of about 8 to 9 were here. But he was already heading northeast in a plane I had never seen before.

Before they left, I had time to overhear their conversation a little. They alluded to the 'meeting of the rulers' and 'the opportunity to fill the void'. Any hints what he will do?" Asked Irina after giving important information to Ain, she herself did not really understand the information she had obtained.

"Hmm ...." Ain thought hard. He made up his mind to re-digest all the information he got from Orland and Irina then, combined it with the current situation to find a common ground between the two information.

" Earlier they are heading to the Northeast, you said? "Ain asked to confirm. Irina nodded in confirmation.

"If they really intend to sabotage the meeting, they should take the west direction for the fastest route to the Left Head," Ain thought after checking all the information.

Ain closed his eyes while sighing deeply. He was remembering the overall picture of Logard's landmass which he had seen on the map during this morning's briefing. "Northeast of Refario ..." he said to himself as he imagined the straight line of Refario, stretching towards the Northeast of the map he had memorized.

"Ah!!" Ain shouted loudly after realizing something. "I know what he's up to! Shit! We've been set up!" Ain clenched his right palm furiously while blaming himself for being consumed by Grief's trick.

Irina raised an eyebrow, still in confusion.

Without delaying the time, Ain immediately gave his presumption.

Ain said that Grief and his group's aim, was not to sabotage the meeting. It was just a trap set up so that everyone's focus was on the event for the Logard top brass.

Grief's original aim was to take advantage of the 'void' that was occurring in Rovan, far off the North side of Logard, northeast of Refario.

But, why Rovan? Ain thought of Rovan, an area that was still a kingdom and very famous for the strength of its troops. No Logard security nor military forces can fight Rovan forces. But of course, Cerberus doesn't count.

In terms of strength and weaponry, of course Cerberus is superior. But Cerberus had no power, more so badly outnumbered.

Irina gasped again. Earlier, she was stunned after seeing first-hand Agna's ability which she had doubted. Now, she was struck by Ain's analytical power.

"Grief and his group intend to take control of Rovan. Rovan is now in a fragile condition with the departure of the King and his strongest troops to the Left Head. Of course, surely Rovan did not predict this. Because, for them the big threat only comes from Munkan and Zinzam. I don't know if there are outsiders who are actually more threatening than Munkan or Zinzam. I'm sure, they didn't make any anticipatory measures for anything." Ain finished his explanation, His face looked worried as he explained what he expected.

"Very well, I'll contact all the Maestros. Hopefully we'll be on time. You better hurry back to Left Head for the next step!" Irina's words seemed to be a command for Ain and Agna who immediately took a firm stance and then saluted, clenched fists crossed in front of their chest before finally heading towards Trava to return to the Left Head.

Before leaving, Irina gave something to Agna. A necklace that has the shape of a symbol, shaped like a pair of golden dragon wings that flank the red 'V'. A symbol of the unity of the Logard mainland that has been forgotten for who knows how long. "Take good care of your brother," Irina ordered Agna while gently rubbing Agna's head.

In the middle of their conversation earlier, Irina realized something about Agna. But she couldn't tell Ain anything. He did not want to break Ain's concentration who focused on the mission.

Agna nodded with a very sweet smile then, accompanied Ain back to Trava which was parked not far from the gate of Refario.

Quickly, Ain entered the coordinates to the Left Head then set the maximum speed for their Auto-Pilot Trava.

"Uh... Agna. Next time, you don't need to use your abilities for unnecessary things like that," Ain said as soon as their Trava aired.

"Um!" Agna shook her head, refuting Ain's words. "Need!" she argued briefly but firmly.

"Alright, whatever...." thought Ain. He still doesn't understand how to respond to Agna's childlike attitude, knowing that she is a teenage girl.