"…" Theo furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the incoming group. "Hmm…"
Agata approached him and whispered. "Theo, they are…"
"They should be like what they said since Alea confirmed their identity. However..." Theo frowned, feeling something wasn't right.
"That's right. I believe she wants to use her family influence to make the person targeting you fear their presence. I mean, this will make them stop what they are doing in this expedition just by making them realize that the Eilric Group may appear suddenly."
"Yeah." Theo nodded in agreement.
"But…" Agata also added, "Can't she understand it won't solve the roots of problems? If you are targeted like this, I doubt they will stop after this just one incident."
"Well, I have mixed feelings about it. First of all, if you saw Alea a few months ago, you would realize she had grown up… Enough to bring tears to your eyes. But yeah, I may need to change my plan a bit." Theo shrugged.
"What are you planning to do?" She asked.
"Hmm, with the appearance of the Eilric Family, I guess I can draw them out. Just follow me later." Theo smirked.
"I guess someone is going to have trouble." She couldn't help but feel excited, knowing Theo had something up his sleeve.
Suddenly, Theo pointed his finger in another direction.
There was another group of people coming out of the forest facing their direction.
"Hmm?!" Agata turned around and squinted her eyes, realizing that there was another group of twenty people.
Alea also noticed it and looked to the side, finding a group of people wearing their military uniform.
"I am Major Sam, I have brought with me my deputy and eighteen soldiers to help you."
"Huh?" Both Agata and Alea widened their eyes, not knowing why the army reached this place.
"Theo, what did you do?" Agata asked with a dumbfounded expression.
"You want to know?" Theo smirked.
…
Two days ago.
A red-haired man watched the conversation of Theo, Xavier and Alea. However, he soon found something weird in Xavier's facial expression as if he had another plan.
It was when the red-haired man confirmed their intention and turned around, leaving the plaza where the group gathered.
Instead of wandering around, the red-haired man hurriedly made his way to the military's station inside Ark City.
It was a building next to the teleportation circle. He entered it without hesitation, finding a huge receptionist desk with a middle-aged man sitting behind it. The middle-aged man also wore a military uniform, so the red-haired man politely greeted him.
"Hello, Sir." He smiled.
"Hmm?" The middle-aged man furrowed his eyebrows. "It's rare to have someone visit this place, but you need to know we are not dealing with search and rescue, okay?"
"Yes. I would like to report an anomaly." He shook his head and explained the reason he came here.
"An anomaly?" The middle-aged soldier straightened his back as his expression became serious. "What kind of anomaly?"
"The anomaly is a Mutated Chimera Wolves pack. There are more than a hundred of them and I have learned that they have begun to transform into humans. I'm afraid they have killed and devoured many humans." The red-haired man explained with a calm expression.
"Mutated Chimera Wolves…" The soldier started searching for the information and found it. However, he soon found someone entering the office and quickly stood up to greet him. "Major."
He saluted another middle-aged soldier whose face was very familiar to the red-haired person.
"Major Sam." The red-haired man called his name with a surprised face.
"Hmm?" The Major frowned and tilted his head. "Yes? Do I know you?"
"You don't know my current appearance… But I guess this will jog your memory." The red-haired man smiled as his hair turned blue and his face slightly changed.
"!!!" Both middle-aged men gasped and said his name at the same time. "Theodore Griffith."
"I'm glad that Major Sam remembers me. Thanks to your extra 'love', I could become a participant in the Grand Gaia Competition." Theo smirked.
"Heh, you are teasing me now." Major Sam harrumphed and asked, "Why are you here? And why are you changing your appearance?"
"I can't really come out without it, no?" Theo shrugged.
"Fair enough." Sam nodded in understanding, feeling that celebrity life was kind of a hassle.
"He is reporting an anomaly of Chimera Wolves. It's been mutated to a human, so I'm afraid they will trick other humans and kill them. If this continues, it may become a problem for us." The middle-aged soldier explained everything to Sam.
Hearing the report, Major Sam looked at Theo for a moment and patted his shoulder. "Come with me. I will take care of the report myself."
The middle-aged soldier saluted and let the two go.
As soon as they reached his office, Theo cut to the chase and said, "Major, how about we make a deal?"
"Oh?" Major Sam understood Theo's talent and sat on his chair. His interest was piqued by what kind of deal this little genius had for him, so he asked, "What is the deal?"
"This anomaly may be related to my assassination. However, the others only know about it as an anomaly." Theo stated with a smile.
Major Sam instantly understood what he wanted. "So, you want me to follow you to deal with this problem. I can take the credit for this anomaly while you can save your life. It's an interesting deal to be honest, but it's not enough to convince the soldiers and me you know. Especially if we need to follow you, considering you are on an expedition to exterminate the dragon, no? And there is a chance that this is not an assassination attempt and the entire anomaly is just a coincidence."
"Major knows about me in the expedition?"
"There is an official document for it." He nodded. "I signed it two days ago. Your name just piqued my interest, you see."
"Ahaha, that's true. That's why I don't want to beat around the bush." Theo raised his hand, showing the ring on his finger. "If everything isn't an assassination attempt, I will give this ring to the country. I'm sure this will bring the country's honor, right? And you who can make me give this to the country will certainly get a promotion.
"Besides, it won't be good if I die right now since the country will be seen as one who can't even take care of their own champion who has brought them so much glory, no?" Theo smirked. "And do you know if this is my real body or my clone? There are many things I can put as my leverage, but I will only tell you one thing. Trust me and you will get profits whether it's a success or a failure."
Major Sam only clapped his hands with a smile. "To be honest, I'm impressed. If you make a written statement for this deal, I will believe you."
"I can send you one later." Theo nodded in agreement.
However, Major Sam simply pointed at his desk. "Just sit here and make one. I will wait."
"You sure?"
Major Sam only gave a thumbs up.
Seeing the problem would be able to be solved immediately, Theo spared no effort in making the document and signing it.
Major Sam, on the other hand, added after the document was in his hand. "Actually, there are already many reports stating a huge number of casualties in the east. Since you are reporting this, I believe the place is in the east Ark City, no?"
"…" Theo's eyebrows twitched and he chuckled. "I guess even without me, you are already about to act."
"I won't have this seat without this level of shrewdness. But either way, this is a win-win agreement, don't you think?"
"Fair enough." Theo nodded with a smile, extending his hand. "I guess I can rest assured now."
"You do." Major Sam made a smug smile.
"Then, it's time for me to leave. I believe your words are easier to accept by your soldiers." Theo smiled and disappeared, revealing that he was only a mere clone.
"Heh, I guess I can't say I won either…" Major Sam shook his head helplessly when he saw Theo was just a mere clone. That ring must also be a clone or an illusion. "I guess this is what you get when you win too much… The epicenter of trouble. Poor him."
…
Remembering and telling Agata a bit of his story, Theo smiled, "Well, with the Eilric Family and the military joining in, it's time to turn the situation in my favor."
