Cygnus could hear them shouting that they were already at one hundred ten. He watched in fascination as they did the exercise in complete synchronization even after he let out his magic aura that could overwhelm anyone. Linius also felt his presence so he stopped watching his soldiers and looked behind to see that Cygnus was walking towards him.
He waited as he asked after the man finally reached him, "What is it?" The frown on his face made Cygnus laugh.
"It's still the day and yet you are already frowning. What puts you in a bad mood?" Cygnus asked as he looked around.
Linius sighed, "Just tell me what you want." Linius walked to one of the empty benches and sat down. He waited for his younger brother to sit down too.
"I will be borrowing Nina for the meantime," Cygnus answered after he sat down. He placed both of his hands on each side as he held the end of the bench. He was not looking at the general even after he finished speaking.
"Why are you telling me this? Nina has been working for you ever since, so there's no need for you to ask for permission when you want to pull her out." Linius had no control over what the man wanted to do with his men, that was why he did not expect that the man would go to him like he was actually asking for permission.
"This is just for formality because she had been working for your Magic Brigade and it would be rude of me if I don't inform you and one more thing, I'd also like Lieutenant Ainglar to join me," the master explained.
"Why would you need him and why would you suddenly pull-out Nina? What are you planning?" Linius couldn't hold it any longer and asked.
He had received reports that the master had been visiting the Hero Association and was interacting with the people there. Now, he came here to ask for his lieutenant's help without even telling him what was happening. He needed to at least stand his ground this time.
"I'm planning on collecting a debt and I need their help to make that happen," Cygnus grinned. Well, this was the main reason why he went there but on the other hand another agenda popped up and he was not about to tell the general about it.
"From whom?" the general's brows knitted together when he heard that someone actually owed a debt to the master.
While he thought about it, he realized that he too owed the man a debt because he had helped them plenty of times. This was also the reason why they were supporting him and going along with his whims. It was fine as long as it did not bring harm to his family or to his people, they wouldn't mind going along with him.
"A hero who thought that he could get away with injuring my dragon," Cygnus laughed. "Remember that person during the dragon attack in the city of Alfonso?"
Linius recalled that incident and he also recalled that hero. He appeared to be amiable but all he cared about was his looks and in the end he ran away. He vaguely recalled that there was also that time when a hero became popular because he defeated a dragon.
At that time, he did not think that it was the same hero they encountered. He was also swamped with many things that he did not have any time to think about. Linius once again looked at the master.
"How could he have a debt with you when you sent your dragon to destroy that town? In the first place it was your fault," he commented which made the master freeze.
He looked at the general with wide eyes and unbelief written all over his face. "You are kidding right?" He gasped.
Linius did not answer but the master could clearly read his mind. The general was serious about it. Cygnus sighed and shook his head before his expression returned to normal.
"Then it doesn't matter what my reasons are. I'll just let your lieutenant work with the Hero Association to capture those bandits." Cygnus did not elaborate and just told him the main reason why he needed the lieutenant's help.
Linius was silent for a moment before he finally relented. Since he was bound by a contract, there's really no use in denying the master's request. "Then I will send Ainglar to you later. Are you going to the palace then?"
"Yes, as much as I love chaos, I needed to refrain for now so I need to ask for the king's approval." Cygnus finally stood up after he got the general's permission. He bid him goodbye and gave the soldiers one last glance before he finally left.
After he left, the soldiers were finally given the chance to rest. They looked at the general and his dark expression made them a bit apprehensive. They did not have the courage to even speak.
"Are you sure that you'll let him be?" Lieutenant Lisbon was the only one who had the courage to do so. He heard what they talked about since he was not an outsider as to who the young master was.
Although he was reluctant, the general still agreed to let him do whatever he wanted. "There's nothing I could do and instruct the men to stop following my brother and let him be. Call Lieutenant Ainglar and Nina then direct them to my study."
The lieutenant nodded as he looked back behind and dismissed the soldiers. Linius left the training grounds to wait for the two of them to come. He also needed to organize his thoughts after he had a talk with them.
Lieutenant Lisbon used the gate and went straight to the Magic Brigade's training grounds where he saw Nina and Leif arguing with each other again. They have been at each other's throat ever since Nina was assigned to the brigade. The woman was feisty and did whatever she wanted which always got on the lieutenant's nerves.
"Enough of that, the general is looking for the both of you." Lisbon spoke while walking towards them.
Both of them stopped and looked at the man. They saw that he was serious which means that the general needed them for something serious. Leif stood straight and straightened his clothes while the woman frowned because she didn't like being called. In her opinion only the master could command him.
"What does he need now?" She sighed and crossed her hands in front of her chest. Her words and actions made Leif more irritated once again.
"He has something important to do," Lisbon answered. He did not elaborate on what it was about and made it strictly business. "The general would explain everything to you, so you should go now because he is waiting for the two of you."
Without questions, Leif gave Lisbon a salute and left first. He had no time to spend in useless squabble with the woman. The general's orders come first. Lisbon's gaze bored at the woman who had no intention of moving. Nina then reluctantly followed behind Leif who was already nowhere in sight.
Leif was the first one to arrive in the general's office and he was told to sit down as they waited for Nina who was taking her time in walking. After ten minutes of waiting the woman finally arrived and reluctantly sat down. Linius looked at the both of them and observed that the both of them were avoiding each other's eyes.
"I've called you here because Rigel came to me a while ago. He wanted Nina to return to him and he also requested for your cooperation, Lieutenant Ainglar," the general dropped the bomb without any prior notice which caught the both of them off-guard.
Nina broke out into a brilliant smile when she heard that she would be returning to his master but this happiness died immediately after she heard that Leif was also being requested. The smile on her face was replaced with a cold gaze that was directed towards Leif. On the other hand, the lieutenant was shocked because of what he heard.
He did not expect that the young master of Ginehart would request his help. "What kind of mission are we going to do?" He asked after he managed to calm the beating of his heart.
"Rigel will discuss with you the details. So, tomorrow you will report to him and assist him to the best of your ability." Linius looked at them while speaking. He too did not know what they were going to do so it was better for Rigel to explain it to them.
"I understand," Lieutenant Ainglar nodded towards the general. This was an opportunity for him as well to know the young master more. He had been amazed by the young man so it was really his pleasure to be able to assist another Ginehart member.
"I hope you survived," Nina on the other hand couldn't help but sneer at the lieutenant's direction.
