With Kreuger's and Altius's intervention in Amber's fight against Theodore, the situation became pacified. Both forces decided to withdraw due to the injuries suffered on both sides and law enforcement showing up later...as usual.

On all accounts, everything seemed resolved; everything except for Amber's concerns.

* * *

Back at the Enlightenment Program's campus, Amber and Altius occupied an infirmary room. While Amber, dressed in a hospital gown (her locket necklace still around her neck), sat on the infirmary bed, Altius sat on a chair near the door.

Amber's injuries were tended to, as seen with her left arm set in a cast and her right bandaged.

Tension was palpable in the room as Altius noticed Amber's distressed expression.

"...Do you want to say something to me?" Altius asked the soldier.

"...Why did we let that criminal go?" Amber inquired. "And why did you say that he wasn't a criminal?"

"Tsk, I knew you were thinking about that," Altius responded as he clicked his tongue.

"With all due respect, there's no way I wouldn't be thinking about that," Amber said. "It just doesn't make sense why we would willingly let that person go."

"Sigh, that bastard is from the mafia," Altius suddenly revealed while scratching his head. Hearing this, Amber's eyes widened with surprise.

"T-The mafia?"

"His name is Theodore Dexter, a London Mafia Dexter's Family boss. The mafia made a deal with the Chief of Defense to help them defeat criminals in return for overlooking their activities as long as it's legal enough." Altius explained.

"B-But...why?"

"I stopped you and Kreuger from attacking him further because taking out Theodore would cause tensions between the mafia and law enforcement," Altius continued. "And the worst thing that the Chief of Defense could think of is having the mafia as enemies while Jack the Ripper is still out and about."

"...How could the Chief...make a deal with the mafia...?" Amber asked. "They've murdered...trafficked weapons...played with people's lives...and we're working with them...?"

"Sigh..."

"The person I saved from Theodore just wanted to pay for his poor daughter's treatment. But instead, he wanted to sell his organs and kill him," Amber said with rising anger. "...Is that poor man fine at least?"

"Tsk, he's fine. He's been taken in by the police for protection," Altius replied. "A runt like you managed to save him."

That's good...I'm glad. Amber thought. "How could you just accept allying with evildoers like them!"

"Tsk, I didn't know you'd be such a damn pain in the ass with criminals!" Altius suddenly uttered, which shocked Amber. "But, you remind me of myself." He said as he strangely and genuinely smiled.

"Huh?"

"When the Chief of Defense told me about the deal he made with the mafia, I was just as pissed as you were," Altius said. "Even though I understood his reasons, I still hated that he made a deal with a group that ruined many lives."

"...W-What? Y-You cared?" Amber asked with genuine surprise at Altius's change of demeanor.

"Ah, shut it. I know what you're thinking. ''The professor that's always angry can get like this?'' The reason I seem angry at everything is because of past experiences. I've lost people I cared about by criminals. It's angering seeing people with blessings using it for evil and ruining others."

"...Yeah."

"And instead of dealing with everything ourselves here and now, we're growing new generations in this program. You soldiers were deprived of normal lives because of these bastard criminals, which is why I acted so strict and cold to you guys," Altius explained. "I thought you guys would have quit and lived normal lives. Even though a lot quit, I still couldn't get you all to leave."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I never...thought you cared that much..." Amber said. "And to think I was so afraid of you...I'm sorry."

"Well, being angry also helps with my blessing," Altius added.

"What--"

"Amber! Are you okay!" Ariel said as she burst through the door. Along with her were Sariel, Aiden, and Ivory.

"You guys!?" Amber uttered with a bewildered expression. She had not expected them to visit her here.

"We heard you got into a scuffle with a mafia boss and got injured," Sariel said. "So, of course, we're here to check on you."

"How did you guys find out about that?" Amber questioned.

"Kreuger told us," Aiden answered. "We had to pressure that guy quite a bit, though."

"Oh yeah. I did tell Kreuger about Theodore's identity," Altius said.

* * *

A bit earlier, Kreuger was seen sitting by himself on a bench on the campus when he was greeted by Ariel and her group. Ivory and Baran were also there.

"Huh...why the hell are you guys here?" Kreuger asked with a drip of confusion on his facial expression.

"We just saw Amber being rushed to the infirmary," Ariel said with a concerned expression. "You returned at the same time as her. You know something about it, don't you?"

"Oh. that."

"Heh, it seems the weak Amber finally met her ma--"

Before Baran could finish his comment, he received an elbow to his abdomen from an annoyed Aiden.

"Ouch!"

"Shut it!" Aiden demanded. "If you know something, Kreuger, then tell us!"

"Heh, to think you guys confronted me like this," Kreuger teased. "Even though you guys never spoke to me from before--"

"Just hurry up and tell us!" They all uttered synchronously, much to Kreuger's shock.

"No one has time for this!" Aiden added.

In shock, Kreuger looked at all their stressed faces.

What the hell? Kreuger thought. I'm getting pressed by these guys...?

* * *

"I never expected you to encounter the mafia on the first day of patrolling," Sariel said. "It must be very daunting, but you saved that man. Good job, Amber."

"Thanks, Sariel."

"You know, if you find yourself in a hard situation like this, you should call a friend...you can call on us," Aiden suddenly said. "The strength of several people will be more effective than a single person."

Hearing this, Amber smiled happily.

"Thank you, guys," Amber expressed her gratitude. She also held her locket necklace. Thank you...truly.

"Hurry up and get better," Altius said. "Things will probably become more hectic soon."

"...Alright," Amber responded.

* * *

On a different side of the city, a gated community resided. From the large sizes of the homes, their intricate designs, and supercars parked in garages, the community was well developed.

The house situated in the center was even more developed. From the numerous floors, it could pass as a grand hotel. In one of the intricately designed rooms, the injured Theodore rested on a king-sized bed.

It was clear he did not enjoy having to rest right now. Or it could be the bandages wrapped around his head and face. His expression was filled with rage from the wounds he sustained from Amber's assaults.

Knock...Knock...

A pattern of knocks was audible on the other side of the door. Without waiting for Theodore's response, however, the door flew open. Entering the room were his siblings, Harvey and Amelia, and an unfamiliar face.

Silence filled the room as his siblings looked upon Theodore's state.

"Ahem, we heard what happened, Theodore," The unfamiliar woman said as she smoked a pipe. From her mature style and facial features, she seemed to be in her thirties, just like the others. She wore a black, Victorian-styled dress along with a black feather hat.

"When I get better, I'm going to kill that woman..." Theodore declared in a sinister tone.

"Tsk, that's the type of irrationality that will stunt the good of this business," The woman added.

"She damaged my damn casino, Luna. Do you know how much cash it will take to fix that?" Theodore argued. "And not to mention, she injured me after getting in the way of conducting business with that bastard Dave!!!"

"Do you know who the woman was?" Harvey questioned.

"...All I know is that she's from the Enlightenment Program," Theodore answered. "The same military course we went through in the past."

"I see."

"We can use our contacts to find her information," Amelia mentioned.

"How about we stick to expanding our business," Luna suggested. "Instead of doing anything that'll risk our deal with the Chief."

"Who gives a shit about the Chief! He's the supervisor of all things military, which includes the Enlightenment Program!" Theodore yelled. "And someone from that program launched an unprovoked attack on me. If anything, they are the ones who should be worried about the deal falling apart."

"Yeah, Theodore's right," Amelia said. "The deal doesn't matter, because..."

"They attacked a close family member of ours," Harvey said as he finished his sister's sentence. "Reparation is necessary."

"Sigh, fine...whatever," Luna relented.

"Don't worry, We should have some rationality, as you say," Harvey added. "We might overlook this if the Chief does something for us."

"Oh?"

I'll have a little 'talk' with the damn Chief...