Chapter 151 - Leverage (1/2)
Balthazar just lay resting in the pod for some time before Richard came to his room along with Robert and Lucius at half past ten. The three of them were already in combat suits and the gave one to Balthazar too along with Ellie's promised inventions in his room and insisted that he gear up before leaving.
Balthazar was now sure that something had happened, and the others weren't informing him. The mansion was considered to be very secure and they would only have such preparations if there was an incident which prompted them to up the security.
They made their way to the ship that was placed behind the mansion, he noticed that they were going to a battleship instead of a commercial one. He also noticed that a battleship was being stocked up with provisions silently. It was clear to him that something was afoot, and they didn't want to let him know of it.
He messaged Winston quickly about it, but all he received was a reply that told him that the things that he way didn't concern him and to concentrate on his own task and it was the best that he could do right now.
He was frustrated and was sure that it was related to Walter and most probably hints of the event would be common knowledge soon enough. Else, Winston would have told him that it wasn't related to Walter. He felt that he was owed the information as he was responsible for realizing it in the first place.
As he was boarding the ship, Lucius laid a hand on him and pulled him aside. ”Look kid. I know that you want to help. Winston sent me a message. Let me inform you. I and Richard are here to protect you from any human interventions in this trial,” said Lucius.
”So, something did happen? Can you tell me what it is? Is Walter safe?” asked Balthazar.
”You still don't understand. I am considered one of the strongest among my generation and so is Richard. There are few things that Walter wouldn't be telling me and I am sure that anything that Walter doesn't want me to know wouldn't be told to Winston either,” said Lucius. ”He is safe, but he called for a meet with his predecessor.”
”Walter's predecessor? The previous head of the table?” wondered Balthazar loudly. ”What could be so important that he would need an old man?”
”I don't know, and I still am not informed of anything. I was only tasked to keep you two safe in case something unexpected happens,” said Lucius. ”It is just a precaution and I am sure it has nothing to do with Nirbaadh pirates. If it were them, I would have known about it all along and you would be probably informed.”
”Do you understand, why I am explaining this to you?” asked Lucius.
”Yes. I understand. It is best that I concentrate on the task at hand and not worry about it and I probably couldn't do much if I were informed of it,” said Balthazar nodding his head.
”Yes, both Arthur and Winston had repeatedly told me to keep you safe at all costs. I will be trailing you at a certain distance. You are being monitored by us closely. It is unlike the previous trials. It is best if you could satisfy the minimum requirements of the trial and signal for a retrieval,” said Lucius.
”If it was Winston who told me, I wouldn't have cared. But Arthur was the one who warned me. He is currently the acting head of the table in absence of Walter,” said Lucius stressing on each word so that he would understand the significance of it.
It clearly meant that there was a high chance of him being in danger and it is best if he were aware of the surroundings. ”I will be on lookout for anything odd,” said Balthazar.
”That isn't the main thing you need to do,” said Lucius shaking his head. ”You are to take care of Robert and keep him safe. You are both going through the trial together and will be dropped together. You will be monitored by Salazar too. We are already telling the trial judges that you have a death threat and we are here to trap any attackers,” said Lucius. ”Arthur had already told them that you are qualified by him to be capable and this entire thing is just a trap set by us.”
”What? Is he serious?” asked Balthazar shocked to hear his words.
”I don't think anyone is actually after you. Else, Winston and Walter wouldn't have let you out. But this is the best way to keep a close eye on you during the trial,” said Lucius. ”If you are tensed, go play that gave for a while. Don't forget. You need to keep Robert safe. It is not a big issue if you fail, there is still a good chance for Robert to become an elder. If he fails, your entire plan goes down the drain. Considering the fact that Arthur vouched for you, this entire trial is not necessary, and you can still continue to participate in the competition for elders even if you fail the trial.”
”I will keep it in mind,” said Balthazar and both of them made their way to their room. The room was quite spacious and had a couple of beds, tables, chairs, drinks and was attached to the cooking room. It was like a luxury cruiser. Balthazar didn't expect them to be travelling in such a fashion and was quite surprised to see this.
”Surprised? Right? We were supposed to go on a newly made battleship outfitted with new tech that could hasten our travel. But we had a sudden visitor who requested for it. So, we got this instead,” said Richard as he pointed to a sofa to have a seat.
”Hmm. That is unexpected,” said Balthazar with a smile and head nod indicating that he is aware of the situation. He saw Robert already wearing the somnium headgear and laid down on a bed.
”What is he doing?” asked Balthazar tilting his head towards Robert.
”Your proposal to Elias made him value you and Robert. He offered Robert an automated reality where he can practice his skills. He had been trying it out most of the time these days. He isn't even concentrating on his job at the hospital much and applied for a managerial post. We suggested that a long time ago, but he refused it before as he wanted to work on the patients and on his research. I guess, a brush with death changed his priorities,” explained Richard.
”Do you also want to try it out?” asked Richard.
”Not now, but I surely will try it out,” said Balthazar. ”I thought that they would contact me also for when they develop a decent framework for training people. It is best if I could get a lower level training for the guild too,” thought Balthazar.
”OK, I was also asked by Leon and Elias for you to contact them before the trial. He seemed to have thought of something that would be mutually beneficial to both of you. They had something in plan and wanted you to have a look at it. Elias told that he had been working on something that would be useful to you. Something that would help you with the game and improve your guild strength or something like that. He left a mail for you,” said Richard.
This piece of news was something that he hadn't expected at all. He had invested in a cyber cafe and had set up a workshop, but he didn't think that Elias would also know about the guild. It was a welcome development that he never thought of. He was sure that anything related to guild that Elias could provide would be a training environment, but he didn't understand how he came to know of it.