“What can someone do within 2 minutes?” The Personal Attendant to the Archduke, Raymond sneered. Even though he understood for a fact that Jin had saved Marvin from a precarious situation, he did not expect his sire to have taken him so seriously.
But as they were out of the room, Archduke Dyke did give explicit orders not for anyone to enter until two minutes later, which his personal bodyguards compiled.
“And Raymond. Your thoughts?” Dyke asked, as he saw his personal attendant staring intently at his watch to make sure that Jin was given exactly two minutes.
“Scam. Sham. Whatever you attach a prefix to a swindler. Maybe he even stole Marvin from the prying hands of a rescue team and shoved it to you.” Raymond complained. Even though Raymond had always been seen as a veteran personal attendant who was skilled in arms and the art of serving, he could not deny that there was something peculiar about Jin but he did not wish to say it out to his Sire.
“But you saw the logs and even acknowledged that it was possible despite the impossible,” Dyke said as it was the first time in a long while he needed to wait for something even though it was just two minutes. He leaned near a wall and spoke to Raymond casually with his bodyguards still on the lookout.
“The scouts and commando team we sent had confirmed whatever the logs had shown and there were indeed a few survivors stuck underground. Naturally, they thought they were saved by their comrades until they saw the Archduke’s banner. They fought to their death and even wanted to end their lives on the spot.” Raymond reported with a smirk.
“But our commandos managed to stop them from suicide and we have acquired two Rebel Commanders who were part of the Ultra Revolutionists terror group.”
“Did they specifically attack Artridge because my child was there?” Archduke said this despite knowing that Marvin was there as part of his trials to be a respectable lord. He was given little to no support by being assigned as the town’s lead bureaucrat, and he had to pass the trial by developing Artridge into a decent bustling town within a year. Of course, they had disguised him as a teenage prodigy and not the Archduke’s kid. But everyone who was in knew him well enough all casually joked about how short he was and that their kids who were younger than him could be his elder brother or sisters.
“No, initial reports from our interrogation team stated they wanted to take that place as a permanent forward base that aided with their comrades’ resupply. They had no idea how the Empire could respond so fast by sending an ‘elite’ squad to them, decimating their numbers.” Raymond air quoted the elite part.
“If I was in a similar situation as them, I would have also said that Jin’s methods were unorthodox.” Dyke smiled, know how absurd it was.
“But thorough investigation had shown that the Grey Bear Squad had been in debts, and how their commander was an asshole. Not to mention they had a high death ratio in previous missions. The mission they took was supposed to be the life changing mission that they can return here safely.” Raymond tried to warn that this Jin was not a guy to be trusted.
“And the past combat logs and current combat logs indicated that his direction of commanding had changed so drastically that it felt like he was a different person.” Raymond added.
“The logs did say that he temporarily flatlined for a moment, right?” Dyke asked.
“Yes, we do not have information on how he managed to wake up, especially when once someone flatlined, they should be forced out of the Synthesis World Server.” Raymond said and suddenly his body felt extremely heavy with his internal holographic console warnings blaring.<.com>
“Raymond… Please remember that those words are taboo. It is the agreement that we had taken to partake in this… world.” Archduke shook his head slowly, but he knew that Raymond might have unknowingly blurted those last few words.
“In any case, there were two possible reasons. It’s either his Biomonitor malfunction momentarily or he had some crazy split personality that forced him to be this good. So, I suggest that-“
“I am done.” Jin said as he walked out of the door and closed it. The two were talking, not taking the time into consideration.
“We can talk about this later, Raymond. Let’s go in.” The Archduke said but Jin stopped them.
“I am sorry, before going in. I would need two of your guards as volunteers. Either them or those police officers over there if you want to er on the safe side.
“Why would you need volunteers?” Raymond asked and Jin replied saying that its the nature of the business that he would be conducting.
“Kurt and Lark, Go. I will protect the Archduke.” Raymond said which the Archduke gave permission as well, allowing the two bodyguards to salute and acknowledged their orders.
“Thank you. I have sent an invitation through your messaging system.” Jin said as he know that the tactical system was merely one of the systems they have. He would have said ‘the System’ which was commonly known to them as that but he somehow did not wish to diminish the name of a friend that he possessed.
“I received the invitation.” Kurt said and Lark did as well.
“To spectate?” Raymond asked as he received the invitation from Jin as well. While Jin did try to send the invitation to Dyke through the short range messaging system, all of it was intercepted and redirected to Raymond as part of the security protocol.
“Yes. Kurt and Lark would be the one joining and the points to enter would be waived as this is a demonstration. Spectators usually do not need to pay any money but they are welcome to bet whether or not they could complete this…demonstration.” Jin replied.
“So you are truly doing a business… with points.” Suddenly, Archduke Dyke had a sinister smile.
