Extra's Descent

Inside the VIP chamber.

"I've heard of his name before. But is it really him?"

"It has to be. Otherwise, why would Zed pick him specifically?"

The other heads began discussing among each other.

The revelation of the masked man's codename had taken them aback.

Moriarty.

A name some of them were quite familiar. After all, it was the most gossiped news a little over a year ago.

But as fast as the news came, it quickly died down shortly after.

However, the chain effect of Moriarty's actions. From killing the CEO's son, to exposing the CEO's biggest secret, and completely destroying the company.

Others speculate it was all according to plan.

But then…. Moriarty disappeared sooner after.

And now, a year later, a masked man who claimed to be him suddenly appeared inside the colosseum.

They couldn't believe it.

"Zed, are you really sure about this? He could be a fake."

"I'm not sure. I've only seen his registration. That's why I specifically registered his name for the arena battles, just so we could catch a glimpse of this man."

Zed stated as his gaze lingered down. For him, the words that seamlessly flowed out his mouth were all bullshit.

'Haha.'

Indeed, everything had been going according to plan.

Leaning close and pursing his lips, Zed massaged his temple.

"We have no confirmation if we have the right guy. But he has proven his strength, right?"

Zed looked around, scanning all the other heads present. Discover content at NovelFire|em|p|yr.

The looks on their faces told him they had the same thoughts as him.

Nodding their heads, one of the heads spoke.

"He has potential. He's probably stronger than some of us here."

"Indeed. In my opinion, we must get him to our side. He'll be a valuable asset during the war."

As the word 'war' came out of the head's mouth, Zed sported a frown.

They had knowledge about this 'war', since it was leaked to the public a while back.

After pulling some strings, Zed had managed to frame someone as the 'potential leaker', and had him executed.

'This war….'

They had no idea just how massive the scale was going to be.

For the heads, they had only thought of a war between the syndicate, and the Imperial Army.

The Milis continent….

They were the invaders, hell bent on taking control of the entire continent. For reasons, Zed had no idea.

In fact, he was quite unsure how the leader had managed to get in contact with them.

Their goals, their purpose, Zed was truly at a loss.

Regardless, he couldn't allow their plans to flourish. The syndicate had to be destroyed, and the war had to be prevented.

Then, one of the heads turned his head and looked at Zed.

"We've all got our own bodyguards, Zed. Although you've brought that man here, you already have a bodyguard of your own, right?"

"Yeah."

'Got him.'

"Then, I'd like to propose to Sir Moriarty to accompany me during the auction as my bodyguard."

Then, the Twilight head looked around, observing the looks of the other heads.

"Does anyone object?"

"No. Regardless of who that man works for, in the end, he works for the syndicate."

"Indeed."

Zed turned around and subtly shook his head.

'Greedy fucks.'

Then, as he was about to lean back, one of the head's voices reached his ears.

"Okay. If no one else voices their objection, I'll call for that man to come up here. We can evaluate him then."

***

"Uh…"

Brandon stood by the chamber's entrance.

It felt like a job interview.

The entire time, the heads had asked him to confirm his identity. Since he actually was Moriarty, he was able to answer their questions with ease.

Thankfully, they had never asked for him to reveal his identity.

It was then when they started asking for his whereabouts, and why he had only appeared now.

"Here and there."

That was all he could say.

The man who seemed bent on appointing him as a hired bodyguard, had introduced himself as Kael.

Kael, a Twilight Syndicate head.

"Here are the terms of the contract."

Kael handed a document and Brandon accepted, scanning the contents thoroughly.

[800,000,000 Credits per month.]

Even the sight had left Brandon breathless.

It was a lot of money.

Kael followed up.

"If you sign now. You'll receive a downpayment of fifty percent."

"....I see."

He had already read the contract thoroughly. Despite the syndicate indulging in illegal matters, it was surprisingly fair and honest with its clients, and workers.

If only they weren't in cahoots with the invaders, then this community would've been left alone.

Brandon glanced at Zed subtly. Zed flashed him a wink.

Brandon understood the message. The contract was safe, and there was no foul play involved.

With such thoughts, Brandon nodded his head.

"Okay, I'll sign."

*

"Huaam…"

It was an exhausting day for him, if he had to be honest.

It didn't seem like Ironaxe would return his mask at all. And so, it took him a lot of convincing for the midget to give the mask back.

Thankfully, there were no hassles after signing the contract. Finally, he had managed to infiltrate the syndicate's ranks that easily.

It was all thanks to the Moriarty moniker, and Zed.

Cautious of peering eyes, Brandon took detours before he headed home. Even hiding and activating his [Curse Asssimilation], just to change his whole appearance.

Finally, he safely arrived home.

"Haaa…"

"Shhh…."

"...."

As Brandon entered the apartment, what greeted his sight was Amelia—seated on the couch, putting her finger on her lips.

On her lap was a sleeping Aurelia.

It seemed like she had just put the little elven girl to sleep.

Then, Amelia stood up and carried Aurelia, walking towards Aurelia's room.

"...."

Brandon scanned, unable to make out of the situation.

It was then when he started to ponder, walking towards the couch.

'Aurelia….'

Sooner or later, humanity would come into contact with the elves.

And most likely, Aurelia would be a game changer when it came to the negotiations.

Brandon could already surmise what Aurelia actually is.

She could've been the lost elven princess for all he knew.

It was a plausible theory.

"Did it go well?"

He was snapped out of his thoughts as Amelia came out of the room, slowly closing the door.

Clank—!

"Yep. Even better than I hoped."

"Good work."

Amelia neared him and sat beside him.

Brandon raised his sleeves, and slowly took off his gloves, revealing his hands with bandages on each tip.

Amelia stared at his hand with a worried gaze. But it seemed like she pushed down such thoughts as she spoke.

"My proposal has been accepted. Though I have to attend the academy after the operation."

"Oh? That's great. Guess we're attending together then."

"Yup. And I'm not your senior anymore, since we'll be in the same grade level."

"You're still a General though. That still makes you my senior."

Brandon leaned back, nonchalantly clasping his hands behind his head.

Amelia frowned at his words.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it, I'm old."

Amelia leaned back as well and looked up.

She changed the topic, and the atmosphere in the room became serious all of a sudden.

"That girl you talked about. Rachel, was it…? How do you plan on approaching her…? I heard she was at the academy."

This question again.

Amelia was the least person he had expected to ask this question.

Brandon already knew how to respond.

"It was a year ago. You could say we were kids. Kids often have crushes, right?"

Brandon turned his head and looked at Amelia—who looked back at him with a curious gaze.

"I've never had one…."

Amelia bashfully responded.

Brandon continued.

"That's you. But that's not my point. People's feelings change. She's probably moved on. I was comatosed and was deemed missing for a year after all."

'Plus, those feelings…. they were never mine to begin with.'

He thought to himself. But he couldn't tell Amelia that.

"So… what's on your mind?"

Amelia asked.

"Uh…. I'm not romantically interested anymore?"

"Ah."

Amelia looked away. The look on her face told Brandon that she seemed disheartened.

As if the words he had said were meant for her as well.

Brandon pressed further.

There was no doubting it.

This senior of his who was two years older, and his sister's best-friend…..

She was developing feelings for him.

It was obvious in plain–sight.

However, developing feelings, and actually becoming in love were two different matters.

For all he knew, it could've been infatuation.

But he didn't want to lose this chance.

A chance to keep her close by his side.

"In her."

"Hm…?"

Amelia abruptly flicked her head.

Then, she asked.

"In her?"

"I said what I said."

"What do you—"

"But there's someone else I've begun to become interested in."

"Ah…."

Amelia looked away. Her face seemed to gradually turn red.

'Wow, how arrogant. I only said those words, and now she's jumping to conclusions.'

But…..

'She's not wrong.'

All of a sudden, Brandon gently touched Amelia's chin, turning her head for her eyes to meet his gaze.

Then, he leaned close to her ear.

"Hieee—"

Amelia yelped in shock and closed her eyes.

Brandon whispered into her ear.

"Can you guess?"