Chapter 2.2 sneak preview

L'Esterspelle was still the same in Lucan's eyes: an artful nation with beautiful scenery. His mother had took him to this paradise of Arcen several time because his father 'worked' here. Little Lucan loved this place. All kind of festivals were held all year long, celebrating every little things. He always waited for the next visit eagerly, even it meant he must see his father every time. Lucan remembered he rid ferris wheel repeatedly while he was munching on his favourite snacks.

Even Auillevich, the gate city where Helwina Station located at, was always decorated to bid interest from the visitors. The city felt different today, though. Lucan was not as excited as he used to be. Perhaps he was already 15 years old then, thus forgetting the little happiness he got from this place. Or was it because the city looked gloomier than he ever remembered?

"Oh, Sir Rothstein! Welcome! And welcome to you, too, Young Master Rothstein." The receptionist from their client welcomed them. His voice was less enthusiast when he was greeting Lucan. "You look tired. Do you want to take a rest before going to Vi Aletti?"

"Thank you, but no," said Uncle Maximillian.

---

 "This is the only chance to go," Lucan told himself, spying at Stefano and Sebastian outside. He waited for awhile before sneaking through the cafe back door and arriving at another side of Vi Aletti. He had never thought that even the beautiful city had a slum area. He suddenly felt guilty for leaving Sebastian who had been helping him, but he could take care of himself from now on.

He was walking down the alley when a homeless man whistled at him. "Hello there, missy~ Whatcha doin', alone here?"

Lucan threw a disgusted look at the homeless -- his smell was unbearable. He wanted to snap at the bum, but he was too tired for that. Besides, the homeless looked as if he wasn't right in the mind with those empty eyes. "Go away," Lucan said weakly.

"Oh, don't be like that! It's dangerous down here, let me accompany you. Ehehe~" The bum pulled Lucan's sleeve and was about to embrace him.

"What are you---"

"This missy is with me." Another hand pulled Lucan, rather roughly, away from the bum. Lucan's heart almost stopped -- that pompous-looking young man from Ophelia's sketch. The homeless backed away from them, seemingly intimidated by the young man's presence. 

"En. I've found him." The young man spoke to a bracelet on his wrist. 

"Return to the designated place. You copy?" A woman's voice responded.

"I copy. Let's go." The young man dragged Lucan away, ignoring the young Rothstein's grumbles. "What were you doing at such place?"

"Yes, yes, I know I should haven't been there. Who are you and what is your business with me?" asked Lucan bitterly.

The young man let Lucan go as they arrived at the main road. "Rothstein's business is Odzwielg's. And Odzwielg business is my business. Why did you conclude that I have no business with you? Do you know who I am, Sir Lucan Rothstein?" he asked arrogantly.

THUMP. This young man knew he was a Rothstein. Lucan frowned in attempt to look intimidating. "Very well. What do you want from a Rothstein exile like me?" 

"I am tasked to supervise your actions. Do you know Pris Gladami?"

"I know Pris Gladami and its taradiddle. And their interest concerning the mighty Odzwielg." Lucan added cynically.

"Then I assume you have known of Pris Gladami's task on corrupted eon. And its effect on your condition."

"My condition?"

"Are you feeling anything strange? Inexplicable fatigue or psychological change? Corrupted eon cause those. Moreover you got in direct contact with corrupted eons in Eldera," explained the young man.

Corrupted eons... So the discomfort and fear he had been feeling were caused by corrupted eons. "So? What concern does the important Pris Gladami have with me?"

"Tsk. I've told you that Rothstein's business is also our business. It will be bad if something happens on one of the Rothsteins... even if it's one of their garbage."

Lucan's anger was ignited. Nobody had called him that for ages. "How kind of a dog of Pris Gladami worrying this garbage."

The young man lost his usual arrogant face. His lips curved to a smirk, and then he chuckled. His fingers combed through his redish hair. Shaking, he had lost his temper. "Oh? Is that so? A dog? Very well... How dare you...!" He pulled out a silver, kris-like small staff out of somewhere. Lucan, with a weapon pointed at his face, summoned his Sistostar.

Both were ready to exchange spells; not caring there were people watching, not caring they were in another nation, not caring about given forewarning.

"Forvrængning--"

"Volatile--"

Before they could finished their spell, they heard a loud CLICK and felt a muzzle on their temple.

"Ein, I've told you not to act on your own. Sir Lucan, please take your weapon away." A woman, another person in Ophelia's sketch, were pointing her handguns at the young mages. Her short, wavy blonde hair was blown by the eon-wind from spellcasting effect.

The Odzwielg boys ignored her and were about to continue their spell.

"Cool your head. Or I will cool your entire body," the woman warned. She pressed the trigger deeper. Her eyes had lost their tenderness.

"..." The boys lowered the, but not their hatred to each other.

"I didn't expect it would turn out like this," said the woman, sheathing her firearms. "Ein, you will be taken into account when we get back."

"But it wasn't my---"

"It's your fault," said Lucan. Ein was ready to strike Lucan again, but the woman held them away from each other.

"Enough. Enough! Ein, remember our agreement. Sir Lucan, I implore you to keep calm."

Lucan and Ein snorted indignantly, still wanting to release their fury on each other.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Sir Lucan. I am En, Lovelace family's maid and a Pris Gladamian." The woman bowed. "Ein, have you introduced yourself properly? We are facing a member of Rothsteins. Be polite."

"...Eindride Hanstveit," the young man said grudgingly.

En nodded with satisfaction. "Now that both of you are ready to sit together... Why don't we look for a place to converse?"

"What are you going to talk about? Corrupted eons? Pris Gladami and its authority? First, I have had enough that I will fall asleep if I hear any more of them. Second, I am not a child anymore! I don't want to be watched by anyone anymore, especially by you Odzwielg military!"

"I understand your uneasiness. Nobody likes to be watched all the time. We are going to speak about something more important... Like what side you will choose."

Silence.

"My side?" Lucan smiled sarcastically. "What does my choice -- an exiled Rothstein -- have to do with anything?"

"Everything. Let's talk somewhere free from prying ears." Ein waved to a cafe which Stefano and Sebastian were supposed to be at. "We also must neutralize the eon effect off of you."

Lucan wanted to refuse, but he felt that paranoia again. Earth below him was ready to catch his trembling legs, into the darkness--- "Very well, but be fast."

"Worry not. Pris Gladami always gets things done fast and precisely."