" ...So she says." Dieter closed his eyes in thought. Aaron with his hood up once again stood in the middle of his office. "Are you sure the girl is telling the truth?"

"She sounded genuine. Ever hear of an ancient sage called Lili?"

"No. But why mention the Space- time sorceress? If records hold true, Sozopolis was destroyed long before Her time. Where is the connection?"

" I don't know?" Aaron clicked his tongue. "She kicked me out even before I got a chance to ask her."

Dieter heard a hint of bitterness from Aaron's voice. Whoever this mysterious woman was, she didn't leave a good impression on the boy.

" Well, we have to do with the information we have. Are you sure there was nothing else in the ruins besides the golem and the hologram woman?"

Aaron stared straight in his eyes.

" Yes, that was all that was important to report."

" All right, then take care. If there are any troubles in the future, Don't hesitate to report in. Remember you are a member of the Varangian Guard. We always have your back."

Aaron bowed and rushed out of the room.

Dieter narrowed his eyes. He didn't like it. After 3 months, Aaron who had left for his investigation had finally returned. Within that time he didn't hear from him once. When he finally did hear back, it was a doctor's bill from the city near Sozoplish's ruins for the treatment of a broken rib.

"And he dared to claim nothing significant happened in the ruins."

Dieter rubbed the wariness from his eyes. Aaron was hiding something and It was dangerous. The boy made his intention clear he was only going to be using the name Varangian Guard to travel around and would not seek any help from it. He had hoped to assign bodyguards to aid Aaron but he left by himself. Viltautas said it would be alright as long as he gave Aaron the name of locations Viltautas had previously prepared.

Dieter sighed.

This agreement already seems like it was a mistake. He trusted Viltautas and Aaron. But he could tell Aaron didn't feel the same. Dieter hoped he would gain Aaron trust by aiding in his investigation. But, in the end it will not be easy. He knew it was impossible for the boy to not have any misgivings with the Varangian Guard after what happened with his brother. Now all he can hope is that Viltautas' prepared locations are safe enough to keep the boy out of danger.

  * * *

   Aaron walked back to the barracks. Space-time Sorceress. A strange sorceress with a strange title. He recognized the name from his brother's notes. Apparently she was an important figure from 1200 years ago, during the great war. Any person earning the title Sorcerer alone proves that they had no equal during their era. But the Space was even more special. She stood above all others sorcerers before and after her time. However who she was and what she did was clouded in myth. Though since His brother was previously studying this era with the help of the Varangian Guard, he had some notes on her. But he never finished his research. The only thing Aleifr knew for sure was she was without a doubt a human. Which makes the title space-time sorceress weird. Only Faileas, creature of ether, can cast spells to control space-time. Well that was what most of the world believed. Aaron knew better than anyone that wasn't the truth. However her legacy should be ancient history with no connection to the present. So why did the sage Lili ban him from her sanctuary? He wanted to investigate more, but Viltautas told him to stick with his brother's research. Speaking of Viltautas, what with these leads he got from him. They were all too old for the time period his brother was studying. With the proof of Lili, he thought he would be able to convince Viltautas to let him skip this roundabout way of investigation and go straight to the source of corruption. But Viltautas refused. He tried to go around Viltautas by talking to Dieter, but even he remained stubborn. Aaron rubbed his hair. He was stuck.

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"Hey, kid stop ignoring me."

Aaron blinked. In front of him stood a 3ft tall Fae. The Fae was rubbing his whiskers with his paw and tapping his foot impatiently.

" Ah, sorry Mr. Cedric. I was lost in my thoughts. What can I do for you?"

Aaron removed his hood and stood up straight as possible. Mr. Cedric was the official of the Acquisition Corps in the Varangian Guard branch facility. He was in charge of assigning jobs and paying the mercenary. A work-alcoholic who rarely left his office. Most of the time only each of the squad's captains met with him. If you did somehow meet with him, you best not test his patience or your pay might be docked.

"I'm here to see you. It's annoying that you are not part of any squad and you can't use communication devices. So I have to individually track you down."

"Sorry." Aaron scratched his cheek.

" Anyway, I'm here to give you a mission."

" Huh, I thought I was told to not go on any mission and only focus on my investigation."

Mr. Cedric's nose scrunched in annoyance.

"I don't know what Dieter is thinking of giving you all these special treatments. The situation has changed. We are currently running low on members. You are a member so I'm going to make use of you."

" What do you mean we are low on members?"

" Didn't you hear? The main branch had been pulled into a war. They requested many of our troops to join."

Aaron's eyes narrowed.

" No I didn't. It seemed like Dieter didn't inform me. Could you please elaborate. "

" Of course." Mr. Cedric motioned Aaron to follow him as he turned into a hallway to head back to his office. "The Kingdom of Aragon attacked their neighboring kingdom of Navarre. However since the Navarre kingdom is only a small agriculture country they were completely taken by surprise. Since the Varangian Guard is a charity mercenary to help the weak, General Kreger decided to send aid and become the standing army for the Navarre kingdom."

Mr. Cedric stroked his whisker as they entered a busy corridor.

" How badly do you think the war is going to be?" Aaron side-stepped as a squad rushed past them.

" With luck there shouldn't be any fighting." Mr. Cedric turned his head to inspect another squad rushing past. "Even with our aid the kingdom has no chance. General Kreger is only using the mercenary to give the kingdom some leverage during the treaty negotiation."

" It would be good if it ended without any bloodshed."

Mr. Cedric humph in agreement.

" I too hope it will go well. This war is an important milestone for the young Ervin Kreger. How he handled the situation will cement his reputation of being a General and of the Varangian Guard under his leadership."

They reached the Acquisition office and Mr. Cedric stopped in front of his door.

" However, until then they need the troops to be on standby in the Navarre kingdom. Leaving only newbies left to take care of the other missions."

" So that's why you need me."

" Correct, I already told a village's mayor ahead of time that I would be sending some help. However now only one person will be able to go. It's an easy enough request that he should be fine on his own, but he is still a newbie. I would like to at least send one other member."

" Understood. I can spare some time to help."

" Good. The appointment is tomorrow. Make sure to be on time for the train. You are dismissed. I already had wasted too much time." he turned around, but paused at the door.

“One more thing. The guard reputations on thin ice. Stay out of trouble and keep up appearances.” With no other words he entered his office.

"Yes, sir." Aaron saluted him goodbye.

When Mr. Cedric closed the door, Aaron’s arm drooped and his smile faded. He just met with Dieter but he didn't mention anything about a war. Why? Dieter wasn't the type to let things slip. Unless he deliberately failed to bring it up. Which meant it was something he didn't want Aaron to know. Aaron rubbed his eyes. He was getting tired being kept in the dark. He needed to find a real lead and fast, or he might have to take Vincent's offer in the end.