"W-What?"
"Praise the God Emperor! The Eden is ours! Jai is invincible!" Varian proceeded to shout the most famous slogans used in the training of soldiers, particularly in academies.
Nevar took a breath and turned his offensive posture into a defensive one. While maintaining a sharp gaze over the two women, he focused on the man.
"Who are you? What's this game? Do you think I'd just believe you because of some slogans? State your purpose and surrender. I will spare your and their lives." Nevar's voice was bone-freezingly cold and laced with thick killing intent.
Varian's face didn't change much in the face of the threat.
But a tinge of sadness filled his face as he uttered in a desolate, bitter, and helpless tone. "Who are we? Right, who are we? Even if we serve the motherland for so long in silence, in darkness, in expecting nothing in return, not even recognition from my fellow warriors. Is this all we get? Who are we?"
Nevar was a very experienced man. He wouldn't have survived for so long in the military and bagged enough merit to retire otherwise.
But the same experience that taught him the skills of survival also burdened him with memories of military brotherhood he could never forget.
While the primary reason he retired was to finally live in peace and safety, he stayed until then because he wanted to protect the brothers and sisters who joined the service alongside him. He didn't want to leave them behind.
But they left him behind. Everyone left him. So, he too left.
So, despite all his rationality, there was an emotional baggage he always carried regarding soldiers. Particularly, abandoned soldiers.
Before Sage Nevar could reply anything, Varian spoke up.
"My apologies for the unsightly display. You do not know any information, not even the basics. It was my fault to expect a heartful meeting when Duke Jataur hadn't told you anything."
"…What exactly are you talking about?" Nevar was caught between two conflicting thoughts.
He wanted to let down his guard and talk a bit more as Varian knowing about Duke Jataur already proved a lot of things.
On the other hand, he wanted to up his guard and interrogate the young man, threatening him to reveal how he learned the duke's name.
"The duke was right when he said you're a military man to the core. Everyone might leave when things get tough, but you'll stay and finish the mission." Varian didn't answer his question, instead, he nodded at him appreciatively.
Even Sarah and Sia nodded at that statement.
Though they did nothing substantial, the unexpected praise from a stranger after rebuke from his own prince and the pure contrast in treatment of the two women compared to earlier had an effect.
Nevar maintained an expressionless face but he was no longer as defensive against them.
"Talking in riddles isn't what one appreciates in the military." He said in a stern but non-hostile tone.
"Ahaha!" Varian rubbed the back of his neck. "Forgive me, even though I've sworn my life to this, I haven't been to the homeland many times. I am guilty of my code of conduct. I just can't help but praise you for your dedication."
Nevar nodded lightly in acknowledgment. "So, who planted you here? What's your objective? And more importantly, what's the proof of your identity?"
Even though he had a good impression, Nevar demanded verification. Words alone wouldn't work!
"We are not from here," Varian raised his hands and the two women released their auras.
'Gravity and Time. They don't occur in the same regions. And he is space.'
Nevar pursed his lips and quickly checked the public records of humanity.
It suddenly clicked.
He didn't say it out loud. But this was already proof enough.
It made no fucking sense for someone like Varian or the two girls to just pop up. They had to be from somewhere else. And with those paths, where else other than the Jai Empire?
That's the only probable truth!
"The Pala kingdom needs to be punished for its transgressions. Their recent action against Princess Eshala deserves a bloody message."
"P-Princess Eshala?" Nevar would shiver to even utter that word.
"Are you perhaps unaware, Sage Nevar?" Varian looked at him in confusion, apparently wondering how a man he apparently respected could be not informed.
"About what exactly?"
"The Princess wanted something from Centaurus. Miss Calamity blocked the agent she sent." Varian swiped in the air and a bunch of holograms floated around Sage Nevar.
All were trusted sources with detailed information, backed by authority figures. Not just the ones from Alliance, but even from the Jai Empire!
After a few minutes of understanding the material, Naver clenched his fist. "Baldur deserves to die!"
"He deserves a lot worse," Varian showed a cold smile. "At least, that's what my orders say. So, we lured Baldur here with a false promise, which ended up luring the princes, and then sent them to Zion duchy.
My superiors have been in touch with Duke Jataur, of course. That's why you were sent here. To eliminate the close aids of the Prince while the duchy ends the Princes themselves."
Nevar stood frozen in shock, his mind already blank.
"What the fuck are you saying? It's all bullshit! Proof! Give me proof! Your special I.D. or your orders or even your citizenship of the empire! Give me proof to believe you! Connect me to your superiors! Prove everything you claimed!"
The calm and collected Nevar lost his cool for the first time.
He couldn't help it. If what Varian claimed was true, then everything he believed about this mission so far was wrong. He's not a player but a pawn of a higher-up.
And this wasn't just a normal hit job but an important mission that concerned Princess Eshala herself!
"Proof?" Varian's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Aren't our actions enough proof? We were laying dormant in this land for so long just for an opportunity to serve the motherland! Now, we have that opportunity!
Prince Rudolph has returned with severe injuries. The duke had tried his best but the prince, like the roach he is, managed to escape. The three of us are now going to end that low life and prove our loyalty with his blood.
I thought you'd join us in this glorious battle, as you were meant to. But you're asking us for proof. Hah. How pathetic."
Nevar was under a strict inner conflict.
He couldn't believe someone based on words alone and without proof. That's just the standard protocol.
But if Varian was really going to do what he said he was going to do…wasn't that the best proof in itself?
Despite Prince Rudolph's weakened condition, attacking him was a major risk. If they're willing to risk dying, wasn't that proof enough, at least for now?
Varian knew that if he gave enough time, Nevar could cool down and start nitpicking things one by one, eventually unraveling this scam.
So, he didn't give him any time.
"We're going now. Follow us if you want to. Or stay here." With the precise aim of getting Nevar caught up in his tempo, Varian acted fast and headed to the exit.
"For The God Emperor!" He yelled as he stepped out.
""For The God Emperor!"" The women followed.
"Ahh, fuck it!" Nevar ran after them.
