Nego

"What is happening, Caedman?"

Qadir tried to compose himself, trying to get rid of getting ahead of everything.

"Reports have been all over about the increase of the number of rogues taking refuge in the forests of Nego."

Still his head on the rail, Caedman raised his bottle of wine and twirl it. His eyes are staring at the swirling wine and after a few seconds, he put it down and gulped a few.

"The fact was troubling... was it intentional?"

"Yes."

Caedman didn't think twice and said it directly. Qadir was lost for words and gawked at him.

"…"

"The commander let them in exchange for the knowledge in creating the barrier."

It was like a statement that doesn't concern the entire nation, Caedman kept his impassive demeanor.

"What?!"

Falling on his stance, Qadir was obviously maddened and agitated. "What on earth was that guy's thinking? Has he really gone insane?" He thought.

"It was the first step of the experimentation in Nego. Eventually, if it will be a success, the Capital will also have the barrier."

"How about the oracles?"

"They were kept in the central as captives until the barrier was finished."

Putting the bottle down on the table, Caedman stood up and walked towards the window, and stared at the central castle which was entirely seen from it.

"They wouldn't let this go."

"That's what I have in mind also. But things have been strange lately. With the incidents that happened in the other parts of Irca… I guess things have been foreseen by the oracles."

"Does the commander know beforehand that something will arise?"

Pausing for a while, Caedman walked towards his table and grabbed a paper stand with the emblem of the west. Staring at it, he commented.

"The commander has lots of things in mind that I haven't been informed about. Regardless of it being involved in the military, Nego's, or even Irca's everyday lives… he seemed to do things on his own. And apparently, we are living a high-end life here in Nego."

"I doubt it is still because of the deal with the rogues, right?"

"That's what I also thought about... It's so good to be true. It can't be denied that compared to other territories, we are on the lead. We have the most skillful and smartest people and yet Nego couldn't get the better of the Capital."

"What do you mean? Does Nego plan to overtake the leadership?"

"No, no. It's such a preposterous comment. It's just something you can think of when you have the ability and yet you chose not to lead a nation."

"You... you don't have the mind of reporting this?"

"Not to the general yet. But to you. I wanted to gain evidence first before announcing this to the general. Besides, it is still the commander we are talking about."

"Have you found solid ones?"

"I haven't and it is undeniably frustrating me how can I not acquire any single thing. Also, the fact that I can't grasp where to start is indeed driving me mad."

Anxious and irritated, Caedman clenched his fists on the table. His brown eyes are stricken with remorse and frustration.

"Come on, Caedman."

Qadir sent a concerned look to his friend.

"Even a good hunch diverted out of the possible expectations."

"What do you mean?"

"The rogues are still weak compared to our magic power but once they unite, they can overpower a territory. It's not that I am proud to say that the commander cheated the rogues knowing this but of course, the commander wouldn't let his territory get destroyed. I guess he pushed through with the deal without anticipating that at any time now, something like the prophecy would come. It's like he was sure that it'll come in a later time."

"So, you also have the prophecy in mind?"

"Also?"

Qadir just looked at him waiting for an explanation ignoring Caedman's curiosity.

"Anyway... when Nego created an agreement with the Capital, the oracles protested. The commander remained silent until three days before the construction of the barrier. It was all planned with the wizards and select mages. Then suddenly, the oracles gave in and they were held in the central palace."

"That's also the reason why we can't get through anyone in Nego."

"But it doesn't worry the oracles which put me into contemplation."

"Were you able to talk to them when the troops from the Capital and Leyte came?"

"They would only talk to other oracles and they planned to go to Leyte directly with the commander."

"It seems you are a piece of the puzzle that is hard to complete, brother."

"But you know I hate thinking too much. Tsk!"

"I am in."

Qadir walked towards Caedman and stood in front of him. But as if Caedman didn't hear anything, he continued talking.

"If the oracles nor the commander won't give any details, I have to work on my own. There are lots of things I don't understand and even I don't know how to question."

"I said I'm in. You can't let me out of the picture just because I'm from another territory, right? Our nation is still good as one piece and not meant to be divided."

"Why can't you just let me mature on my own, eh?"

Caedman gave a playful smile and glanced at Qadir.

"It's not like that. What's happening to a territory will affect other territories and you know that we are just waiting for another destruction to come to create another history, right?"

"Fine! You keep pissing me off, Ravioli."

"Since you are the only closest family I have, I would rather—"

"Who is getting emotional now?"

Avoiding another drama, Caedman interrupted Qadir from talking. Qadir never felt anger nor held any grudge for Caedman after his sister died. They grew up together and he knew how much this man loved his sister. Even until now, he knew he's been keeping her in his heart along with their promise—"until death do us part".

Getting started with their investigation, Caedman wrote some ideas to start with.

*Rogues?

*What's the reason for the deal?

*Why cooperate with them?

*When did it start?

"Are we analyzing the situation properly?"

Qadir was swept away by the thought and tried to contemplate.

"I mean, would it be better if we should start with the questions about the commander."

"What do you mean? This whole thing is the knowledge provided by the rogues. And we have no idea what's in his mind."

Qadir stared at Caedman for a while and showed a somehow satisfied smirk.

"You actually do."

"Huh?"

Confused with his friend's remark, Caedman massaged his nape while narrowing his eyes.

"You saying, 'isolating the territory and creating an indestructible barrier'."

"..."

"Why did the commander wanted to isolate Nego and thought about creating a barrier? That's the biggest question then we come to the rogues."

"You are right. It started with the commander after all."

"But I won't assume it is because he's a narcissist and greedy person. This is too big for an investigation."

"I agree. He wouldn't connive with the rogues even if it's the end of the world if he has a choice after all. He wouldn't waste his youth and his family's heroism to betray Irca."

"W... wait."

Qadir suddenly jerked from his friend's observation and hastily held his shoulders.

"You could have a point, Caedman. As a matter of fact, it could be..."

Contemplating on the possibility, Qadir couldn't help but to suddenly lament on the situation.

"Since you decided to involve yourself, I'll let you do the deduction then I'll try my best to help you with the deliberation."

Caedman tapped Qadir and grinned at him like teasing him. The latter responded to him with an ambiguous expression of neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"End of the world... choice... isolation… barrier. We could surmise that those are possible things. The question now would be—"

"How was he able to come up with such things? It's a given fact that we are just waiting for the coming of destruction but Irca has been preparing for it, years and years ago."

"It seems that Nego is something more than Leyte, eh?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's just a hunch of course. However, if the commander went such lengths, we can say that what we have thought are possible reasons why the commander didn't say anything to you and why the rogues are continuously infiltrating your territory."

"Will anyone believe us if even the oracles won't speak up?"

"Ilo might be more subjective when it comes to Nego however, Commander Oahk will definitely have a say to this."