254 Under Attack Yet Again (1/2)

”What's the matter, soldier? Is something wrong?” A well-built man sat up from his cot, giving the tired soldier a curious look.

Amidst his heaving, the soldier managed to squeeze out the news. ”Sir, Assitant Loire just returned in critical condition. They need you in the back tent immediately!”

Back on his feet, the official's eyes shook. ”What?! What happened?”

”I'm not sure. All I know is that he cam back with a hole in his chest.”

”Out of the way!” The official threw his coat back on and nudged Jack to the side to exit with utmost haste.

”But Official…”

Turning back with annoyance in his eyes, the official barked back, ”What else is…”

Silenced by a knife through his throat, the official shivered as the soldier who did him in whispered, ”I'm sending you to him now…”

As the official tried to reach out to the soldier he gave up the ghost and fell lifeless to the floor.

'I'm screaming in 3… 2… 1…'

”AAAAAHHH!!” Jack burst through the tent door with his vocal cords stressed beyond what he thought possible. ”The official… The official's been killed!”

All surrounding soldiers bolted into action, dropping everything as Jack's voiced expanded through the camp. And thanks to Jack's worry, the entire camp came to life in search of the truth.

Everyone ran around slightly manic, yet orderly enough to keep things in order. That was until another shout sounded out from across the camp, followed by a pillar of fire destroying one of the tents.

As the confusion and chaos ensue beyond what the camp had prepared for, Jack slipped away with the crowd, changing his face and appearance yet again.

*****

Daliea patiently waited near her target, visualizing what would take place once she made her move.

The best choice of action would be to assassinate the official with her first move and then deal with the captain afterward since he wasn't even lv. 30. It may cause some noise but that would be unavoidable in her predicament.

However, when Jack's target suddenly changed and he was then supposed to make a scene, it was exactly what Daliea needed. With some luck, she thought it might be possible to kill the captain while the rest of the camp is abuzz about the first official's death.

'Okay, I'm entering the tent now.'

Hearing her cue Daliea waltzed up to the tent door, yet another voice sounded in her head.

'Daliea, don't be afraid to cause a scene. No matter what, a fight will break out after Jack draws everyone's attention, so adding to the chaos is fine.'

'Understood, Rydel.'

Surprised to hear that, Daliea kept the thought in mind as she announced herself, ”Sir, I have news from Assistant Loire.”

”Well get in here and make it quick!”

The official nonchalantly flapped his hand up and down to the messenger, not daring to look away from his poker game. ”What is it? Is the assistant back already?”

”Yes, sir. He just arrived and is wanting all officials and captains to meet him in the back tent.”

”Oh? Looks like we're both unlucky this time,” joked the official, looking at the frown of the man across from him. ”How urgent is it?”

”He requests you come immediately. It seems that we may need to leave sooner than expected,” replied Daliea, bowing her head to not disrespect the superior officers in any way.

”Looks like I win again!” The captain snatched the pile of silver and copper coins from the center of the table. ”Now we can go.”

Sighing in displeasure, the official stood up and stretched his back before grabbing the coat lying across his cot. ”The back tent, right? We can get there on our own so you're dismissed.”

”Sir, I was given orders to inform you, as well as escort you as quickly as possible,” retorted Daliea. ”Please understand sir, I'm just following orders.”

”Sounds like Assistant Loire is as uptight as ever,” sighed the captain. ”Whatever, it doesn't change anything. Let's go.”

'I'm screaming in 3…' Jack's warning caused Daliea to take another moment to breathe and commit to her targets.

Finishing the last of his buttons, the official agreed, ”Right, off we go.”

'2…'

Daliea bowed one last time, then she held the tent flap open for the other. ”After you.”

”Well, at least you respect your superiors!” The captain quickened his pace to beat the official out.

'1…”

As the official stepped up, his casual face became tense and serious, like he was putting on a show for the whole camp to see.