Baldwin clenched his teeth as the man hidden behind him raised a stick, pointing it towards Baldwin.
Obviously, it wasn't a stick. Baldwin could easily deduce what was held against him could kill him in a heartbeat.
Fight against mages was always tricky.
"Now, General, Speak!" The stranger snarled. His face turning redder with increase angry every second.
"You knew what that symbol was, my son was kidnapped few years ago, and now I receive a clue. So, believe me I will beat the answers out of you if you don't speak." The stranger continued.
Baldwin was cautious toward the new individual. He slowly grabbed Urumi and proceeded to unsheathe it. Then Urumi raised itself in the air surrounding Baldwin, preparing for a bloody massacre about to take place.
"Huh!" The Commander sighed and got up from his chair. Then he picked up his Warhammer and readied himself for a fight. "I would sheathe my weapon, if I were you, general." Holdum said. "Let me introduce you to David Braveheart. A four-star mage from the Braveheart family. Someone you do not wish to fight. If you do and manage to gain a winning hand, I swear that it will be a two against one against you. Now talk!"
Baldwin analysed his position he was sure that he could beat David. But the commander aiding his opponent would be impossible even for him.
Commander Holdum Vancouver was known as a veteran that had survived countless wars. He had the nickname as the "Holdum the calamity," a nickname feared by the enemies of the kingdom.
Baldwin weighed his options and came to a decision. Whether it was a right one only time would tell.
Baldwin then asked, "When did you first hear from this group?"
"Today morning." Both Holdum and David replied.
Baldwin then calmed down. Then, he sheathed Urumi.
Meanwhile, David and Holdum who had readied the weapons thightened their grips, as if fearing of what thoughts Baldwin's unearthed secrets held.
Baldwin had gone through a lot last few days, he lost his friend, people dead because of him, even finding multiple bodies in a burnt house belonging to his friend.
Enough— he has had enough. No more would he stand himself being questioned for his loyalty to the kingdom. He unbuttoned his collar, and took a seat comfortably in the chair in front of Holdum.
Baldwin then turned to Holdum and said, "You got scotch in your office?"
Holdum seeing the calm Baldwin lowered his weapon and released the grip.
He felt a bit offended by the lacking respect in the words Baldwin used, but he let it slid.
Then he walked over to a nearby cupboard and pulled out a bottle of vintage scotch. Then he threw the bottle towards Baldwin, who caught it.
"Lower your weapon, David." Baldwin said.
David was unsure of what was going through Baldwin's mind. He needed confirmation. So, he looked at Holdum who in turn nodded at him.
David then lowered the wand, walked over to Baldwin who was drinking scotch directly from the bottle. Then, David snatched the bottle and said, "Now talk. What do you know about this group? And where is my son? Is he still alive?"
Baldwin glared at David for a second for taking away his scotch. Then he sighed and continued, "I was contacted a few days ago from these people. They provided me two letters so far."
Then Baldwin reached out for the bottle and yanked it out of Davids hand.
"The first letter contained a letter from Claus addressed to me. The second was a message guiding me through my personal quest." Baldwin said taking a gulp from the Scotch.
"What quest?" Holdum asked, curiously.
"Tell me Commander why did Claus betray the kingdom. I mean he was a loyal man when I met him. Or when fought side-by-side with him. So, why?" Baldwin asked now looking straight at Holdum.
"No! First you tell me about the organisation. Then, Holdum answers." David ordered raising his wand again to threaten Baldwin.
"Your threats have no grit, David." Baldwin retorted sarcastically muttering the last word.
"He is right, David. Lower your weapon. I am sure you will get your answers in due time." Holdum said.
David did not lower the weapon but nudged at Baldwin's shoulder with the wand and ordered, "Alright! Continue."
Baldwin raised his head to look at David with a confused look then he looked at Holdum and gestured him to continue.
Holdum then continued, "Well, I do not think of Claus to be the type to betray anyone. But, the facts remain that he did."
Baldwin then nodded at Holdum's answer and continued with his monolougue, "The letter from Claus stated that there were discrepancies across the military. I looked into the Mission Firebird finding a new mission being held on that exact date. I enquired into it further."
Then, Baldwin finally finished the bottle. His eyes eye's were lowered looking at the table. For a second, Holdum thought he could see on Baldwin's face, what could only be considered as sadness.
"Fourteen…..Fourteen.... That's the number of people died. Just, because of my enquiries into the deleted mission. I am alive because, the clerk took the blame for my enquiries."
"After dig further secretly I arrived to one piece on evidence last night. It was a list... a list of names."
Baldwin had intentionally skipped over the finding inside of Claus's Cellar.
He removed the list for his pocket and laid it on the table.
Holdum came closer
Then, he picked up the sheet.
Slowly yet steadily, confusion creeped across his face.
"I know of five of the locations stricken of. A few years ago, I led a team to hunt down on those location. The tip suggested of the existence of vendors — one that sold unquestionably evil stuff." Holdum said, "The products confiscated that day still brings horror till today. Just to name a few, we found— A baby's heart, mutilated fingers, barrels of blood, and what not."
With every item Holdum listed, David's face crunched not just with disgust, but also anger.
"When, I was a noble I heard of an unground black market. A market that sold thousands of similar products." David said, lowering his wand. "Please.... Please tell me how is this relevant to my missing Victor." His tone begging towards Baldwin for answers. Any answers that he may cling his hope on to.
"I think it is relevant David. I've read Victor's file. The last location he was seen at matches one of the names on the list." Holdum said pointing at a name written on the list.
The name Holdum pointed to read— The dancing Griffin's bar.
Holdum then, looked at Baldwin and asked, "Now what do you know about organisation."
"Nothing else. They seem to have all the answers I need and use letters to guide me. I believe the reason why David was contacted is because his case is connected to Claus somehow."
Holdum nodded and then turned towards David. "Any other questions you got David?"
David took a pause.
Then, he sheathed his wand and said to Baldwin, "Please find my son."
Holdum understanding the message, nodded.
Then he lifted the empty bottle and threw carefully packed it in his bag.
Alcohol was not allowed to be consumed in the headquarters.
He then turned towards Baldwin and handed him the note.
"Baldwin, you are handle this case from tomorrow. Go home today, you are drunk."
Then, he turned towards David, who tapped his bracelet three times, turning invisible.
As Baldwin reached his home, He fell asleep on his bed the moment he laid on it.
Meanwhile, in a dark room, four mysterious people gathered together around a massive round table.
"Cross, what's the status of Arrow last request." A man wearing a cloak with a massive golden embroidery of a circle asked.
"Arrow, AKA Claus the 'Invincible'. Asked for us to accept General Baldwin to join in his place in case he died. But, because Baldwin killed Claus, we are making sure he is on our side." A lady wearing a Cross embroidery said.
"What about the Braveheart family?" Then Circle asked another person wearing a Triangle.
"We have prepared all the evidences. We have made sure that the Festuring dragon rider has not yet approached the said family. Also, I happy to mention that both my and Cross's targets are working on our clues together."
"Good, is it stands we have shut down five more locations in last few years. So, in total seventeen of seven hundred and three locations. The problem is that they have already replace and opened seventy new locations across the kingdom."
"Now that is a problem, isn't it. Now worries leave the new locations to me. Now, I shall declare the meeting adjourned." Circle said.
Everyone except Circle got up, and left through an open door. The door locked revealing a symbol.
A symbol of a severed dragon head, and a man posing on it.