Chapter 2

*Date: 22nd day of the 3rd month of year 1934

Time: 09:25:39

Location: Royal Barracks of the Imperial*

I disembarked on the car that transported me here into my new mission. This place is way too big when being seen in person. From here in my current position, I can see one huge building. I slowly took my step going inside and the men who were guarding the gate gave me a salute by placing their clenched right hand into their left chest.

They opened the gate and I entered. I saw some men who were holding guns and were about to leave the area. This place is the Royal Barracks of the Imperial. This is where the elite soldiers resides and for the high ranking officials to held their strategy meetings. There are also soldiers here who worked directly under the command of this officials.

The saber on my left waist, that was placed downward, is a proof that I'm also a high-ranking official, specifically an elite. I held it as I walk and the soldiers that I met on the eay halt and salute me.

I arrived at the front of the room where my direct superior is waiting. I let out a long breath before knocking on the wooden door.

"Come in."

The door is not locked because I easily twisted the doorknob clockwise so I decided to come in. On the right side, a bearded man, around the age of 60, who sits beside a large rectangular table. He is currently smoking and the windows are closed so it is slightly foggy inside.

"General Flennar," I said and saluted at the man.

"Sit down, Elite Ren."

The sofa in front of the table is the one I where decided to seat in. The man in question is General Dave Flennar, one of the Seven Imperial Generals. In terms of experience, he's the first in ranking. His body is muscular and his height is almost near to tall. I can say that he has the perfect physique.

"So, this will be your first day as my Elite," General Flennar said as he pinched his cigarette into the ashtray.

"It is. I humbly offer my thanks for choosing me as your Elite, General Flennar."

"Don't sweat it. I've witnessed your growth for this past 14 years. Your abilities are what caused you to become deserving for it."

Elite is what you called on the individuals that were recommended by the generals of the Imperial to become a part of their military force. There is no need for you to undergo military training or being an actual soldier as long as you have the fighting capabilities that can strive in a battlefield.

They are not just randomly selected. They were strictly picked by the generals because if their elite failed, it will affect their reputation.Only one elite can be supervised by a general.There are only seven generals in total so there are only seven elites in the military of the Imperial.

In terms of ranking, Elites were below generals so me, as an Elite, has the authority to command all those that have lower rank than mine.

"Is your decision as a counter-intelligence against enemy counter-intelligence final?"

"Yes, General Flennar. I prefer hunting down predators in their own territory rather than some petty preys in our own lands"

"If that is, then Your Majesty will surely recognize you as an Imperial trump card," he said and grabbed another stick of cigarette in a small case above his table. "You will be the first to do that kind of job among all ranks."

"I'm flattered by your words, General Flennar," I replied and lowered my head at him.

"Remove the formalities, Ren. For now, just look at me at the fatherly side."

"I understand."

General Flennar became my adoptive father when I was saved from the annihilation of my village 14 years ago. The skills I acquired were being taught to me on the first seven years and I was able to do some basic missions on my eighth year. My capabilities were tested during my first big mission five years ago and I accomplished it with ease.

"What sex do you prefer? Male or female?"

"I want a female. I don't care whether she has an ability or not. As long as she follows me obediently, I'm fine with it."

"So you will proceed with that method..."

"Yes. There are things that only women can do. Of course, seducing male targets is a given."

"Still heartless as ever, Ren."

"That's what I learned, General. There's no helping it."

General Flennar released smoke again that filled the entire room. I slightly hate the smell but I quite enjoy it.

"I'll assign someone for you among my subordinates. It is better for that person to already have an experience in the field."

"I gladly appreciate it."

"Eventhough you're now here, you still don't want to work with a team."

"They will just be a burden to me. I would rather sacrifice them in exchange of the mission completion."

"Well, that's expected of you."

General Flennar sighed and slightly chuckled. Knowing him, he is surely amused by my responses. Few seconds later, a knock resounded and when General Flennar gave the person the permission to enter, it was a soldier that is holding a rifle on his left hand. He saluted on both of his superiors.

"The girl we've been searching for two months was being captured and is now under interrogation," the soldier reported.

"I see," General Flennar replied and stood up. "You can go back now to your work."

"As you wish, General."

The soldier left the room. General Flennar organized some of the things that were scattered on his table and headed for the door.

"Follow me, Ren. We will go to the basement prison."

*****

*Date: 22nd day of the 3rd month of year 1934

Time: 09:52:47

Location: Underground Prison of Royal Barracks of The Imperial*

The walls of the basement prison is made of bricks. Based on my assumptions, the facility is too old because of the cracks on the walls. The path is also covered by dust. The iron bars were fully coated in rust and behind it, there are people, which are the prisoners, inside. Most of them were already thin and laying down on the floor. The entire place was not being taken care of.

As we go deeper, a shout was echoing at the hallways. There is two soldiers who are standing and when they noticed me and General Flennar coming, they saluted.

"Tell me! Where are your companions!"

A shout of a man can be heard. I looked at his direction and saw him holding a girl on her head. His grip on the girl's long blonde hair is so tight that it be separated on her scalp.

The same girl has a rope that was encircled around her body. Her hands were also included that greatly restricts her movement… Or should I say, this caused her not to move voluntarily even a single centimeter. In front of her is a drum full of water.

The soldier that is holding her submerged her into the drum. It took her 10 seconds before being lifted up and after it, she received a strong slap on her right cheek.

"You will still don't tell anything, huh?!"

The soldier is already annoyed. He repeated what he did earlier and this cause the girl's tattered shirt to be completely drenched. She is also covered in mud, thanks to the dirt that covers her body. She can't resist anymore because of lack of strenght.

"According to reports, that girl excels extremely on sneaking and concealing her presence," General Flennar said, who is also watching the girl being tortured.

The girl looked at me with her chestnut-colored eyes. Despite of repeatedly being drowned in water, I can see tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

A picture of someone suddenly flickered inside my mind. She greatly resembles her, who is very important to me… that person who I failed to protect. If she's still alive, she will be absolutely look like this tortured girl.

"I'll talk to her," I said and entered without waiting for permission.

The soldier raised the girl's head when he daw me coming. He saluted at me without releasing the girl.

"What's her crime?" I asked.

"She often steal foods from the stalls in the Seventh Street, Sire," the soldier answered

"I see," I looked again at the languid girl before continuing. "Let me talk to her. Remove your hand."

"Y-Yes."

The soldier unleashed his grip on the girl. I knelt down at the front of the girl and held both of her shoulders.

"Don't be afraid of me. I promise you that I'll get you out of here," I said with a voice full of concern towards the girl's status.

Her face slightly shone and slowly raised her head to look at me.

"Just answer my questions, okay?" I said. "What did you do for you to end up here?"

"I-" the girl's voice is void of energy. The trace of exhaustion is obviously in her. "I just stole food for us to become full. We haven't eaten for three days."

"I see."

The girl can't contain her feelings anymore. Tears flowed on her wet cheeks.

"H-Help me."

Those words struck my heart. Maybe those are the last words my childhood friend said before dying. My heart bleeds because of this girl in front of me. I shifted my look at the soldier earlier.

"Who is the authority assigned here?"

"I ordered one of my captains to do the job," General Flennar, who is still outside of the cell, said.

"If that so, then you're fine with whatever I do to this girl?"

"Of course. Just inform the person-in-charge."

My eyes met the girl's. The feeling of fear manifested on his swollen face. I'm sure she did not anticipated my words. She must thought that I'll save her. Well, that is what I intend to do.

"Release her," I commanded, directed at the soldier who tortured the girl.

"But S-S-Sire, she committed a crime."

"You heard him, soldier. Just follow the order handed down to you," General Flennar supported.

"I-I will."

The soldier quickly removed the rope that entangled the girl. Her body immediately collapsed forward after it, making her fall into my body. It must be really hard for her, being tormented because of a sin caused by survival.

"Take her to the infirmary. Give her everything she needs to have fast recovery. Also, tell the doctor to prioritize her."

"As you wish, Sire."

When the soldier grabbed the girl's body, I stopped him for a while and removed my black coat. I placed it on the girl's back and ordered the soldier to continue. He was shocked by my actions. He rushed, carrying the girl on his hands, going to the infirmary and the two guards escorted him.

"Well… Presence concealment and sneaking are both good skills," General Flennar said and followed the soldiers through his gaze. "Don't tell me you're planning to use her on seducing male targets."

"I don't know, General..." I replied. "The only thing I know is that-"

"You remember her on that girl. I understand that, Ren."

I won't lie on what General Flennar stated. I don't personally saw what happened to her during that time but different scenarios keep bugging my mind. Just the thought of it scares every fiber of my entire being.

"But she's not a soldier, Ren. At most, she is a criminal that lurks on the streets."

"I'll bring her to my custody… And about her of not being a soldier, I have something to do to her."

"You're making it sound like she will agree to you."

"There's no way that she will decline, General. I'm sure of it."

*****

*Date: 24th day of the 3rd month of year 1934

Time: 23:47:18

Location: Infirmary of Royal Barracks of The Imperial*

After finishing some paperworks and studying the documents that was given to me, I headed to the infirmary to check that girl's status. I wasn't able to visit her these past two days because of my hectic schedule.

The infirmary has a total bed capacity of 50, which makes the room very spacious. When I entered, a nurse greeted me and she immediately called the doctor. After few seconds, a man, wearing a while long coat that extends down to his knee, welcomed me.

"Good evening. You're the new Elite, I assume," the doctor said.

"I'm General Dave Flennar's Elite, Ren Nirialle."

"It is a honor to meet General Flennar's new Elite. I'm Fladino Gerfgor, the head doctor of Royal Barracks."

When he finished his introduction, I noticed a girl on sitting in a bed on the far side. She's staring on the window without paying any attention to her surroundings.

"Ah. You're the one who sent that girl here, am I wrong?"

"Yes. How's her condition?"

Doctor Fladino took an envelope on his desk and removed the papers beside it.

"Let's see… She's now in good condition. Her bruises are all treated but still need some medications. The only problem we see right now is that she's not speaking when we're talking to her. It must be the cause of her trauma."

"Is it okay if I talk to her? I might be a disturbance to you."

"You're free to do so, Elite Ren," he replied and chuckled. "Then, if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact my nurse."

"I will. Thank you very much."

Doctor Fladino nodded and returned to his office. Aside from the staffs, the only person inside are me and the girl. I leisurely took my steps, slowly coming nearer and nearer towards her. When I got close to her, I saw that she has my black coat on her back, probably to protect her from the cold. The way she wears it reminds me of my late bestfriend.

Upon noticing me because of my resounding footsteps, she turned her direction towards me and she was surprised because of my appearance here. I'm sure she wasn't expecting me.

"Y-You're-"

"How's your health? I heard that all of your wounds were already treated."

The blonde-haired girl stared at me blankly. My presence must be a tightening feeling for her. After all the pain that she experience two days ago, it is understandable if she will suffer in a traumatic experience. But based on her looks right now, she seems she also recovered from the said condition.

"I-I'm already fine now..." she said as she slowly lowered her head. "About my friends-"

"They're all in my custody right now. You can visit them when you're in a good condition."

I just issued an order on some soldiers that are patrolling the 7th Street to gather all streetchildren that they will see and place them in a house, that became one of my assets when I became an Elite. It took almost one and a half day when the soldiers I commanded successfully took 12 streetchildren.

"How can I believe that? I don't want to trust a military personnel like you, who is an Elite," the girl asked with a voice full of piercing tone.

"I will gain nothing from lying on you. And besides, is saving you still not a proof?"

"I-I see. Thanks for that."

"By the way, I'm Ren Nirialle, General Flennar Aldosre's Elite. What about you?"

"Alice… Alice Liarenn," she said as her fists clenched.

"What a nice name. You-"

"To be honest…" Alice interrupted after taking a deep breath. "It is against my pride that someone from the military, not to mention an Elite, will save me. If not because of my friends, I would rathet accept any kinds of punishment that the law will hand down to me, who is a criminal. That's why… That's why…"

Alice eyes' became wet because of the tears that are forming on its corners. She grabbed a portion of the white blanket and slightly pulled. Her feet is what makes the blanket not to be totally taken by her force.

"Please let me thank you for your kindness. Let… Let me do anything for me to repay you!" she said and bowed her upper body.

"Anything? Are you sure?" I asked and fixed the position of my square-framed glasses.

"As long as I can do it."

"Let me ask a question first. When and how did you learned your presence concealment and sneaking abilities?"

I noticed that her expression became very gloomy. Her eyes hollowed quickly as if she saw a bloody massacre in front of her.

"I…"

Her voice became dead serious as she spoke her first word. Based on her responses right now, she must got her skills during a traumatic event she experienced.

"If you don't want to say it, then it's okay," I said to comfort her.

"Y-Yes... I'm sorry."

"If you don't want to feel indebted, then be my apprentice."

Alice's eyes widened because of my offer. She looked at me and saw that I'm not joking around. I noticed that she gulped and seems like she didn't know how to answer.

"I'll let you know your job description once you agreed to my invitation."

"B-B-But I don't want to enter the military. And I don't the capacity to become an Elite's apprentice."

"That is where you are wrong," I said and sighed. "You don't need to enter the military because the Elites that didn't entered military can gather personnel from the outside. And about your capabilities, I'll train you until you can master all of what I know."

"If I will accept it, what benefits will I get?"

"Of course, there is the military benefits like 5 golds per month, free travel within the entire Imperial Continent, and access to restricted areas. I'll also guarantee that your friends will have a better life under my custody. I'm sure that it is not a bad offer."

Alice lowered her head again and plunged herself into deep thinking. I patiently waited for her by looking outside the window. There are only few lampposts for the purpose of providing minimal amount of light in the grounds.

"I don't have the guts to fight against other people. Just the thought of it scares every inch of my entire being. But if it will be the key for my friends to have the best future they can get, then I'll accept your offer," Alice said with a voice full of conviction.

"Good," I replied. "Come to my office once you're fully recovered. I'll explain to you there what you will do," I continued and started to walk away from her.

"Wait!"

I halted and slightly tilted my head going to her direction.

"What is it?"

"Thanks again for saving me."

"Don't mind it."

As I walk, the thought of her came again into my mind. She really resembles Alice. One may think that they're identical twins but the only difference are their hair and eye color. The scenery I witnessed 14 years ago is still bugging my mind. I'm still blaming myself for not saving her. I want to go back to that time and warn her about the enemy attack but it is impossible.

The only memento of her that I have right now is the red necklace on my left hand. It is now too tight on my hand but I sworn that I won't never remove this for this one is the last remembrance that I have on my first love.

"Don't worry, Mirika . I won't let that thing happen again."