Chapter 672 - Crystallus Notitia Coetus, The Hideout Inside the Military Settlement (1/2)

Day 148 - 3:24 PM - Crystallus Notitia Coetus Hideout, Catanduanes Military Settlement, Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes

Excusing herself from her duties, Vanessa left General Padilla's side. As she was a hardworking individual that barely took breaks from her duties, she was allowed to leave without question. It was not like Vanessa wanted to go. However, she received a message from Roach using his little underlings.

This settlement was run by the military. However, it was unknown to everyone. There was a house here being used by a secret organization as a hideout. No one suspected it as the home was listed to a Mutator and his group. And by the records, that Mutator was Vanessa's brother. That was why no one would find it strange that Vanessa would appear here from time to time.

The organization was called Crystallus Notitia Coetus. A worldwide secret organization with a similar structure to Auraboros. Its members were not only humans but also beings that lurked in the darkness of modern society.

However, while being similarly structured, Crystallus Notitia Coetus or CNC, was far too different from Auraboros. The latter was more or less considered as a terrorist group. The former was more of a black market organization.

As long as it could be sold, the CNC had them. From information, illegal firearms, drugs, and even human slaves, they had it. For the people of the dark side, they might also sell magical treasures and even non-human slaves.

Another difference between CNC and Auraboros was that CNC had no fixed base for the whole organization. They had businesses and hideouts around the globe. However, no place could be considered the organization's central area of operations.

Instead, all members could manage their own businesses. They could also group up and conduct business in their own ways. The only thing that put the whole organization together was their leader. No one knew who or what the leader was. However, whenever a new member passed the organization's trials, he would appear like a phantom wearing a mask to give them a mark and a unique way of communication with other members.

The only times that the members of CNC gathering on a large scale were when a commissioned mission occurred or when the yearly black market was happening.

Vanessa arrived at the hideout. It was located in the easternmost area of the settlement. She knocked at the door in an inconspicuous but rhythmic manner, and the door was opened by Roach. Without a word, Vanessa entered. Roach then closed the door after securing that no one followed her.

The hideout was not too spacious. It was just a bungalow with three small rooms, a kitchen, a toilet, and a living room.

As Vanessa entered the living room, she was greeted by a woman who vowed to her with respect. With a collar on her neck with the symbol of the organization, she was definitely a slave. She was in charge of the house chores while the members of the organization were doing their job.

”Elena, you can go back to your work.”

Vanessa said to the maid.

Without a word, Elena nodded and walked to the kitchen. There was a smell of meat being boiled. It was likely that she was in the middle of cooking.

Vanessa turned back at Roach with a look telling asking him where. In reply, the man pointed to the innermost room in the house.

Usually, there was only Roach and Elena in this place. Because Roach was in charge of communications and, from time to time, scouting and tailing people, he would not have much to do and would only stay home. Then, of course, Elena, who could not leave the house without permission.

Now, however, two people were here in an untimely manner.

Vanessa opened the door and entered. There, the young-looking Felix was sitting on a chair without care. On the bed, an unconcious woman was lying down.

”Yo!”

Felix waved with a smile.

Seeing that behavior, Vanessa could only shrug. Out of all the members of their group on this island, Felix was the oldest. And yet, he was the most childish.

”Is the message Roach sent me real?” Vanessa asked as she turned to the unconcious woman, who was without a doubt, Emellynn. ”Is the faction you looked after already gone? What happened?”

”Heh, that courier got us.”

Felix shrugged with a smile.

”Courier?”

Vanessa was confused.

”Did you forget already? That guy you told Roach to tail.” Felix replied and turned to Roach. ”What's his name again?”

”Mark.”

Roach replied.

”Yeah, that guy.”

Felix nodded.

”I didn't forget, alright?” Vanessa said in annoyance. ”I just don't understand why he would do that. Are you sure that it's him?”

”He's wearing a mask and a full-body armor, but you know my eyes.” Felix pointed at his eye. ”Even if one put on a disguise, as long as I saw them before, it would be hard for me not to recognize them.”

Vanessa could not retort to that.

”I talked a bit with him, and he said that our men did something to offend him. Gravely if I say since he just went on killing without saying anything. Probably, the only people left alive at the base now are those people that were captured for labor.”

Felix added.

”So, your men offended him.” Roach chimed in. ”Is it possible that it's connected to what happened this morning?”

”What happened?”

Felix asked.

There, Roach and Vanessa exchanged information with Felix after moving to the living room. In a few minutes, the three had full knowledge of what transpired on both sides.

”So, from the information, we had so far, it is possible that the rebels ended up killing his family after being driven away by that soldier.”

Vanessa surmised.

”What do you think?”

Roach asked Felix.

”It's really possible.” Felix nodded. ”Those bastards of Renz had been doing things behind our backs. I shouldn't have turned a blind eye to them if I knew this would happen.”

But then, Felix added.

”That's if he's saying the truth when he said that his family members are all dead. It's also possible that he's lying to conceal the truth.”

Since that could also happen, Vanessa and Roach could only nod.

However, it was hard to determine the truth. The clues were too vague. Furthermore, Mark's actions were erratic and hard to predict.

Moreover, even though Felix already mentioned their organization, Mark still showed hostility and threatened to kill. Was it worth it to go against a worldwide organization if it was only for mere deception?

The more the three mulled over the topic, the harder it became to gauge Mark's intentions.

What was the truth, and which was the lie?

If Mark was really deceiving everyone, he made it hard to decern.