An open window.
Looking inside revealed a man with curly hair digging through documents. The only light came from the crescent moon's glow.
"Trash, trash, trash. Garbage…" Aurelian muttered to himself. It's awesome being a commander of the Royal Attack Force, but they dumped the entire workload on me… All these guys have zero talent.
He skimmed through paper after paper. Twenty thousand applicants—only fifteen to be chosen.
*The Lord Emperor gave specific instructions— assess by medal and Soul Pact… but what about skill? Experience? Do we just throw that out the window?*
Aurelian ran a hand through his hair.
*No. We have to catch the Reaper. I'll choose the best of the best—skill included.*
Train tracks cluttered, lights filled the path ahead. A voice screamed, alerting everyone aboard the train—
"2 HOURS UNTIL GREENWOOD MEGACITY!" The conductor screamed.
The sounds of cards stacking on top of each other.
"Shit! You beat me again." Lloyd had put his hands in his face. Imaez and Lloyd had been playing card games for hours.
"You need to get talented at something. Can't have your little sister beat you at everything." Imaez nonchalantly said.
Lloyd had looked to his right side and seen Marie sleeping soundly with her head rested on the window.
"Marie really is talented, isn't she?" Lloyd put a cover on her.
Imaez had soon fallen asleep too— a well deserved sleep.
The hours slowly passed, Lloyd had been viewing out the window and finally, he had seen large cathedrals.
The view was ethereal.
"Cathedrals, castles, state buildings. All constructed beautifully. Wow… I just can't believe it." Lloyd's eyes were filled with light.
Imaez looked at Lloyd, "Seems like you're enjoying yourself. We'll get to an inn when we get there, get some good sleep."
Marie had slowly woken up— "mmh… It's time already?" Her mumbles were low and slow.
The train had stopped, and they were at the Greenwood Train Station.
Grabbing their luggage, the Deathslingers had walked out the train, viewing the train station.
"Just the train station alone looks marvelous…" Marie said drowsily.
Imaez had taken all their luggage— "Come on, I know an inn."
Inside of the Royal Headquarters, Aurelian walked with a mug of coffee—
"Man… I need to sleep real soon… I can't continue." He bumped into a man.
Wearing a traditional black uniform, his ruby star medal on his chest. His face stern and a well groomed beard. This was the Major General.
"Ma-Major General Julius! The humility.. I apologize for my indecency..!" Aurelian stammered. He was faced with the Emperor's right hand.
Julius turned around, facing his back towards Aurelian— "Follow me."
The two had walked to a balcony on the 8th floor. Overviewing the common folk's area of the Capital.
"I hear you are pretty close with General Romulus, is that right?" Julius looked at Aurelian.
"Yeah… General Romulus and I are drinking partners, we drink after late night shifts." Aurelian gave an awkward smile.
"What do you think about the Royal Attack Squadron?" Julius abruptly asked.
*W-What? Where did this come from?!* Aurelian had a pale look on his face.
*I don't want to disappoint the Major General..*
"Be honest with me, I'll keep this between us two." Julius' eyes had no intention of lying.
Aurelian sighed—
"I think it was best if we just had gone through ranks instead of organizing 20,000 soldiers in the auditorium. And the Squadron? It will work, because I'll be the mind behind it, I'll make sur-" Julius interrupted.
"Aurelian, you have to see it through to the very end. The Reaper is a Special National Threat, Lord Emperor has even given a speech for the first time in 3 years, specifically about him. Two days, find him and fulfill your destiny." Julius walked to the door.
"The die is cast."