Extra's Descent

It was a lot more physically taxing compared to his first day. Maybe it was because of the hang–over, or maybe because of all the physical activity they had done, exhausting their mana, and their energy to the brim.

They were dismissed soon after changing into cleaner clothes.

Feeling the tension, Brandon massaged his shoulders.

"Hey, we\'re renting a training facility to spar with each other. Wanna come with?"

Raven\'s voice reached his ears. Brandon turned around, meeting his gaze.

"Not today. I\'ve got some things to do."

"Oh, okay. I\'ll send the address anyway. We\'ll be there for quite a while. Stop by whenever."

"Alright."

The two ended their conversation there, and Brandon stepped out of the combat hall.

There were things he needed to do at the moment.

To– Tok.

A single knocking on the door, and a voice coming from the other side of the door echoed shortly after.

—Who is it?

"It\'s your favorite cadet."

—Oh, come in, Cyrus Rosewill.

"...."

The hell?

That was surprising.

Brandon scoffed and twisted the doorknob, pushing the door open.

Bellion raised his head and soon frowned. Tiling his head, he pursed his lip.

"Oh, it\'s just you. How can I help you?"

"Just me…?"

Brandon\'s brows twitched slightly.

\'This old man….\'

"Wait, who are you again?"

"...."

Brandon shook his head and sat on the seat across Bellion.

"About the last surviving syndicate head you took custody of, is he still being interrogated?"

"Yes. He\'s being cooperative. But even if others testified for him, we can\'t let someone like him loose."

"You have a point. But there\'s a better way to utilize him. Think about it, he\'s an invaluable asset."

"Still, we can\'t assure where his loyalty lies. Didn\'t you say you two were working together under mutual benefits? And now that he\'s gotten what he wanted, what makes you so sure he won\'t betray you?"

Brandon leaned back and crossed his arms after hearing those words.

Bellion\'s words were quite valid. He couldn\'t deny that his partnership with Zed was now null.

"What if I tell you there\'s a way to guarantee he won\'t ever betray us?"

"Go on, I\'m listening."

"But before that, can I trust you, Bellion?"

Bellion\'s brows furrowed, hearing those words.

"That\'s Field Marshall Van to you."

"No, no. I\'d like to form a partnership with you, Bellion. For that to happen, you must see me as an equal."

It was a bold statement coming from a 17–year old. Though what Bellion didn\'t know was that Brandon was mentally older.

Way older.

"I\'ll hear you out. Don\'t expect anything from me though."

Thankfully, his stunt during the auction had bought Brandon enough respect for Bellion not to look down on him.

"So…."

***

After convincing Bellion, Brandon was taken to the Imperial Army\'s penitentiary center.

Standing right behind the glass window, Brandon surveyed the room.

There, he could see Zed, sitting on a chair in front of a desk.

He looked like a psych patient, if Brandon had to be honest. After all, he was wearing all white.

Behind Brandon, was Bellion, crossing his arms.

"Go, but remember, the entire conversation will be recorded. If he tries anything funny, the deal is off."

"Have some faith in me, Bellion."

"It\'s not you, it\'s him. I don\'t trust him. For that reason, I don\'t trust this will work out at all."

"You\'ll see."

Snap—! Snapping his fingers, Brandon winked at Bellion and entered the interrogation room shortly after.

Zed\'s eyes traced his movement as Brandon slowly walked towards the seat across from him and sat down.

"Yo, Zed. You look like shit."

"...."

Zed raised his middle finger with a frown on his face.

He may have looked like a psych patient. But it seemed like Zed was doing fine.

"As promised, I\'ll get you out of here."

"Oh? You\'ve managed to convince that comedian?"

"Comedian…? Pfft…."

Brandon couldn\'t help but chuckle.

Then, Brandon turned around and looked at Bellion. Pointing at Zed, Brandon opened his mouth.

"Does this count as something funny?"

"...."

However, Bellion just frowned.

Then, Brandon turned back around.

"It\'s simple, Zed. We just have to renew our contract."

"Oh, nah. I don\'t even think I want to leave this place. It has everything I need, it\'s kind of like a five–star hotel if I had to be honest."

"I helped you with your revenge, it\'s your turn to help me out."

Zed pinched his chin.

"You\'re playing that card then…. Alright, you have a point. I\'ll hear you out."

"Here, read this, no skimming."

Brandon retrieved the documents from his envelope and slid it across the table.

Zed leaned close and scanned for a brief second. Then, he raised his head and looked at Brandon.

"An actual document contract now, huh?"

"Just read it."

"Alright, alright."

Zed began reading the terms of the contract.

By the time he finished, Zed set the paper down and closed his eyes, seemingly pondering.

Then, he blinked twice and pursed his lips.

"I get it. It\'s not a bad offer. But that \'guy\' over there doesn\'t seem to trust me. How can a piece of paper be a form of assurance? If anything, I can just flee this country, you know?"

"You skimmed."

"No?"

Zed tilted his head.

Brandon added.

"Read the last part."

Zed scanned the documents again.

"Read it out loud?"

"Yes."

"I don\'t see the point of this, but whatever. Kuhum…."

Zed cleared his throat, then began to utter the exact words written on the contract.

"I, Zed Alistar, will be working under Brandon Locke. I vow to finish each and every request of his to my utmost capabilities. If I were to betray, or even have any thoughts of betraying him, or the Holy Continent of Britannia, then I shall offer my life."

Brandon\'s lips curled up to a smirk.

"Conditions met."

"Huh—Ah!?"

"You feel it?"

Zed clenched his chest. A crease formed on his temple.

He looked as if he was having a heart attack.

After the pain seemed to have subsided, Zed\'s eyes widened and opened his mouth.

"You—What did you do?"

"It\'s a contract. If you break your vow, the chains will pierce your heart. It\'s as it says in the contract. I told you, don\'t skim."

"I didn\'t….."

As expected, [Retribution] worked.

It was an ability Brandon had to reveal to Bellion, just so this exchange could be granted.

Bellion didn\'t believe him at first. However, after experiencing it for himself, Bellion couldn\'t doubt his words any longer.

Yes, at the moment, Bellion too had chains ensaring his heart.

"It\'ll expire in a month. But just like what the contract says, we have to renew it every month for assurance."

"Assurance, huh? Guess they really don\'t trust me."

Clink—!

Brandon flipped a coin towards Zed and smiled.

"Guess you work for me now, Mister John Smith."

"Now that I think about it, you\'re thirteen years younger than me. Shouldn\'t you treat me with respect?"

"Respect this."

Brandon held up a finger.

The same finger Zed held up in response.

***

Brandon, Bellion, and Zed, arrived at a secluded building.

The same building Brandon had instructed Matthew to purchase.

Despite being located in a secluded area, it was quite expensive. But it came with a reason as it was fully furnished.

"Yer finally here, Lad!"

Ironaxe turned the seat around and hopped down. Scurrying off to Brandon with his small legs, he took in the sight of the people along with Brandon.

"Yo, Ironaxe. How\'ve you been?"

"Pretty shit. Took ye so long."

"Sorry, I had to tie up some loose ends."

"Whatever, don\'t care as long as ye fulfill yer promise. So? Who are these people with ye?"

Brandon turned around, meeting Bellion\'s gaze.

Since Zed already had an idea of what was about to happen, there was no need to debrief him.

"Bellion."

"What\'s all this?"

"The company the Imperial Army will be supporting."

Then, a couple of figures emerged.

Matthew and Deus.

They stood right next to Brandon, along with Ironaxe and Zed.

Brandon spoke with a determine looked on his face.

"Locke Enterprise."