Chapter 394: Disappointed (2/2)
”Have you two noticed anything interesting about this world?”
Fin and Thorn looked toward one another, confused about the question. Wasn't this supposed to be about Leonel? Why were they suddenly talking about Terrain?
”… Please enlighten us, Commander Scithe.”
Scithe's head tilted slightly as he observed the two before him. It didn't seem like a normal human quirk at all. When his pale skin and sunken eyes were taken into account, he looked like a predator watching his prey.
His black eyes darted between their vital points as though always calculating the fastest way to kill them. The feeling was like a coldness seeping into their veins.
”If you two really have no idea, I would be greatly disappointed.”
Fin and Thorn shivered, their teeth chattering. For some reason, it felt as though the temperature in the room had plummeted.
”Tell me, why is it that you detained this Leonel Morales in the first place?”
”We… We detained him because of a tip given by a teleportation station attendee. Our organization's motto is to be a Shield across the Stars, but in order to do so we need to work together with the local governments. The officials of Terrain were worried about the sudden activity of a few fugitives, so we began to monitor anyone who looked suspicious.”
Thorn explained quickly. In fact, her response was so textbook that she forgot to take out things that Scithe obviously knew already. But, it just went to show just how nervous she was feeling.
Scithe looked back toward the documents on his desk casually. But, his subtle action took a world of pressure off of the two of them… Until he spoke his next words, that is.
”'Work together with the local government', huh?... For a small fee, though, is that right?”
Thorn and Fin froze, beads of sweat pouring down their faces and backs. All the words they wanted to speak got lodged in their throats, unable to form into proper sentences.
”… Some corruption is inevitable in such a large organization. In fact, I would argue that it's necessary in many cases. But, that doesn't give you license to be stupid. Such a big secret is looming over your heads and you don't even realize that you're being used to keep it as such.
”Disappointing. Truly disappointing.”
Scithe closed the documents once more and stood. By this point, Fin and Thorn were trembling uncontrollably. It felt as though there was only a thin string dangling from the tops of their heads to the ceilings above, stopping them from collapsing to their knees.
”There's no point in explaining these things to you. Since you haven't understood it by now, it will only be a waste of my time.”
Scithe crossed his arms to his back and looked out toward the blank wall. His actions seemed to be out of habit, but the fact there was no view to see made it all seem somewhat odd.
However, with the amount of fear the two officers were feeling, they didn't even pick up on this detail at all.
”The recruitment process of Valiant Heart Mountain won't finish for another one to three years. By then, there will be plenty of chances to complete what needs to be done. I'll have you two complete some preparations, I only hope you don't disappoint me again.”
Hearing these words, the two could no longer stand it and collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath as Scithe strolled out from the hidden underground room.