Lost Lands [5]

"I have one condition..." Void said, emerging from the dry branches.

"Yeah, yeah... Just say what you want," Kaiser shrugged. "If it's money, don't worry, I'm a billionaire on Earth, hahaha." he added with a sense of grandeur.

Void was silent for a few seconds, wondering if he should really join. He sighed. "Whatever... My condition is to work alone..."

Kaiser, who was staring up at the pristine night sky, remained silent, thoughtful as the smile slowly faded from his face.

Slowly, he turned his gaze to Void, who was expressionless. "Hey..." Kaiser broke the silence. "Are you stupid?" he added with concern.

A vein popped out on Void's forehead. "I mean... Maybe that's why you want to be alone," Kaiser said as he approached.

Those words bothered Void, not because he felt insulted, but because Kaiser said it with concern, as if that were truly the reason.

"It's not because of that..." Void stammered, annoyed, though unable to do anything. "Are you in, yes or no?" he asked, trying to end the conversation.

"Yeah..." Kaiser watched him, his gaze scanning him as if searching for something.

"Do you really want to be alone?" He paused, tilting his head. "There are a lot of people in the group... Maybe you'll find someone who doesn't mind that you're an idiot."

Void grabbed Kaiser's head and pulled it away. "I told you it's not that." His veiny face was about to pop.

"Hey, Blake, let the group know if anyone wants to go with an idiot," Kaiser said, this time trying to make Void angrier.

Void squeezed harder. However, he felt something running down his face, something liquid. With his other hand, he brought his fingers to the liquid flowing from his forehead. After touching it, he looked at his fingers. "Shit..." he muttered, staring at his bloody fingers.

Meanwhile, Kaiser tried to escape Void's weakening grip. "What the hell?" he asked, finally free of the hold. He watched. "Pft... Hahahahaha, the vein in his forehead popped, hahaha..." he laughed uncontrollably.

At the same time as all this was happening, Blake watched with a small smile on his face. He walked toward them.

"Are you sure you're not forming a group?" Blake asked, his voice calm. Void looked at him, trying to hide the blood oozing from his forehead.

"Yeah... After this idiot explained the groups to me, I think I could make a good spy or something..." Void explained.

Blake put his hand to his chin. "That's a good idea... I'll consult with the leader," he said, considering the possibilities of the idea.

Void, on the other hand, was confused. He had always thought Kaiser was the leader, but isn't he? Who was strong enough to take his position?

"We'd better go to our hideout now. During the day, we might encounter Imperial Knights, which would be troublesome," Blake said, turning around.

Without a word, Void followed him, and Kaiser stood beside him. As they walked, an awkward silence reigned between their footsteps.

"I never thought Kaiser could be so silent..." Void thought, puzzled.

...

Hours passed. The sun began to rise over the horizon, and with it, the forest slowly seemed to be coming to life.

Kaiser snorted. "Can't we raise a dragon or something?" he exclaimed tiredly.

Blake smiled slightly. "It won't be long now... Besides, it's good for training your poor physical fitness," Blake said. He glanced to his other side. "Are you okay?" he asked Void.

"Yes..." he replied without taking his gaze off the horizon. "I'm used to walking," he said.

"...I see," Blake said, curious about Void. "Finally!" Kaiser shouted, who hurriedly ran forward.

"There's a trap..." Blake tried to warn, but failed. Kaiser was lifted up by a rope that held his foot.

"That's why you need to stay still..." Blake said, passing by Kaiser.

Void, who also passed by, looked at him sideways with a mocking laugh. "Idiot."

'I set the trap myself...' Kaiser thought, disgusted. "Void, help me with your skill..." he said as he moved from side to side.

"Sure," Void replied. "Exchange."

Kaiser was exchanged with a small rock. A small rock that was in the distance...

"Get some training, man," Void mocked as he turned around.

When he turned around, he saw the ground open up, like a zipper. "Get in," Blake said.

Void didn't hesitate and jumped inside. It was a drop of about three meters.

When he touched the ground, he saw something strange. Beneath the earth above, there was no more land, but a vast space.

"What is this?" he wondered, looking at the darkness around him, barely lit by the rays of sunlight that filtered in from above.

Blake, who descended behind him, tapped forward a few times. "What you're seeing isn't real," he said, and at the same time, he tapped a few times in what seemed like thin air. However, the sound of a knock on a wooden door could be heard.

"What do you mean?" Void asked, puzzled. In front of him, a door began to open.

Blake glanced sideways. "It's an illusion created by one of our members," he clarified.

The inside of the door became visible. It seemed to be a huge room, with a round wooden table in the center.

Blake entered. Void, taking slow steps, began to approach the door. He gulped. "Inside, there are going to be immensely strong people... Some even stronger than Kaiser," he thought, trying to convince himself that it was safe to enter.

He took a step inside and curiously looked around. However, all the nervousness he felt quickly faded.

The interior was luxurious, similar to the royal chambers, although smaller. Seven chairs sat carefully at the table; a golden chandelier lit up the room on the marble ceiling; and several paintings with disgustingly bad drawings hung on the walls.

'Is that the taste of the rich?' Void thought, confused.

The floor was smooth and wooden. Finally, on either side of the room were two large sofas. On one of them, two people were... playing Uno?

Void saw this as a surreal situation. 'Isn't anyone normal?' he thought. And, without fully analyzing the situation, Void felt a chill run down his spine.

"Introduce yourself, doing a handstand," a strangely vengeful voice ordered.

Slowly, his body began to react. It was Kaiser again.

He began to walk on his hands, approaching the two people sitting on the sofa. On it were a young woman and a young man.

The young woman's skin was pale, her hair so blond it was almost white, and curiously, she had yellow eyes, just like Blake's.

The young man, on the other hand, had red hair, slightly wavy, and his eyes were turquoise.

They both wore a completely black suit, reminiscent of that of an ancient aristocrat.

"My name..." he stammered, trying to resist the command. "...is Void, I'm... twenty-one years old, and I like... scrambled eggs."

Both young men remained silent, observing the situation, surprisingly not laughing.

"I didn't think there would be another person joining us..." the young man said, returning his attention to the cards.

"Where's the leader?" Blake asked.

The young woman also turned her attention to the cards. "They haven't come back yet."

"Wow..." Blake found himself thoughtful.

"Tsk... That's why I don't like this group, it's just bitter people," Kaiser said, annoyed.

Void stopped feeling forced and slowly stood up. As soon as he stood up, he placed his hand on one of the cards.

"May I?" Void asked the young woman with a forced laugh. The young woman nodded. Gently, Void tossed the card into the air.

"Exchange," he whispered.

Plop... Kaiser fell on the cards. "I was going to win, damn it!" the red-haired young man shouted.

The two began to struggle, while the others just watched the scene.

However, in the meantime, Void gulped for some reason, feeling uneasy.

A sigh. A light, almost lazy one. "Stay still."

It wasn't a shout or a threat. Just two words spoken calmly. But as soon as they echoed in the room, the air seemed to thicken.

Void felt his legs buckle without his permission. His bones creaked. An instant later, everyone was on the floor.

'What is... this?' Void thought. His weak gaze focused on the door, where a man was standing.

This feeling was different from Kaiser's obligation; it was as if gravity had suddenly increased...

"This is not a place to play. Sit down, I'll explain the situation," the man said as he sat down.

The pressure instantly disappeared. Those young people, who had previously been expressionless, now obediently made their way to the round table. The situation was so serious that even Kaiser's head was downcast.

Blake was the first to sit down. "What's the situation, Leader?" he asked with a serious expression.

'So he's the leader...' thought Void, who watched cautiously.

The leader wore a black kimono, his skin was pale, and his hair was black with white tips. His eyes were black and empty.

He sighed. "We're going to overthrow the Azkai Empire," he said resolutely.