Capítulo 35: A staring contest

A night of happy chatter could be heard around the once solemn military institute. The dark night was lit with bright lights. From every corner, soldiers were getting drunk and being merry. This was once in a lifetime experience they could get ever since they became soldiers.

Dreigh and the others walked through this merriment with frowns on their faces. They were not expecting to run into this kind of scene after they left their 'prison'. "Don't mind them, we are here to meet the legendary Supreme Commander so none of them matters."

"Is it really okay for us to come with you?" Endo asked him with doubt. According to their conversation, Dreigh was the only one invited for lthis party but he still dragged them along.

"It's okay besides I don't want to be on the line of fire alone," he gave them a smile as he walked towards the main hall.

The moment they entered, the hall fell into silence and all eyes were focused on the group that just came in. The group could feel the prickling gazes thrown their way but they steeled their resolve and followed Dreigh forward. It was no use for them to be scared now or be intimidated least these people would add another insult to the already piled up mockery they had against them.

The Supreme Commander watched as the group approached them, he also observed the young man who was leading the group. He was wearing a simple black coat over a fitted gray shirt, black pants and sporting a black boots. His appearance was sleek and his dark blue eyes was brighter than the others. He has an unusual authoritative bearing to him that is rare to see from anyone. According to profile given to him by General Rozen, this Dreigh Straut was the son of a migrant merchant family in Westdenn, so the way he held himself was a little bit out of the ordinary.

The group stopped in front of the Supreme Commander's table. The silence went on for a few minutes now but no one dared to talk. "Are they having a stare down?" Endo whispered to Vira who was tensely standing beside him. Vira gave him a glare and didn't speak.

"Insolence! You should give the Supreme Commander a salute!" with a loud slap on the table, General Rozen stood up in anger. The disrespect this remnant has shown the Supreme Commander was equivalent to death. "Do you want to die!?"

"Enough," the Supreme Commander spoke in a not so loud voice but everyone inside still heard him.

Rozen was shocked at the Supreme Commander and looked at him with wide eyes, "but your excellency-"

The Supreme Commander waved his hand to stop him from further speaking. Rozen grudgingly sat down and gave Dreigh a dark glare. Endo can't help but snicker at what happened which earned him more glare from the other officials inside the hall. He coughed lightly and smiled sheepishly to cover up his embarrassment.

"You are an interesting individual," the Supreme Commander started but as expected of Dreigh, he didn't answer. "You don't seem like a big talker like that remnant behind you."

This time Dreigh smiled, "I was taught not to speak to a stranger, that is why I have the tendency to ignore people."

A laugh came from the ruler of Glasfale, he was amused at this young man's wit. "You're smart, well then I'll introduce myself, Kaius Orpheun, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Dreigh Straut."

Dreigh nodded in acceptance and didn't spoke further. "Find a seat for yourselves and enjoy the night. Serious talks can be left for the remainder of the night." Kaius gestured for them to find their own seats and did not give them any attention for the rest of the occasion.

Although they were invited, they felt unwelcome and uncomfortable that for the rest of the night, not one of them was able to eat food. They would just take a bite and stare around in paranoia but Dreigh was a different case. He was able to eat properly and probably even enjoyed the plethora of dishes in front of them. He had such a thick skin as he remained indifferent and numb to everything. They passed the time in agony until Kaius stood asked them to a more private room.

They followed Kaius into a room at the back of the hall, only their steps could be heard through the dimly and quiet hallway. The guard who was leading the group stopped before a door and opened it for them. Kaius stepped inside and proceeded to make himself comfortable on one of the couches inside. Dreigh stopped and looked at his friends and signaled them with his eyes to stay outside the room.

The door closed with a click and only Kaius and Dreigh remained inside the room. Dreigh chose a seat directly facing Kaius and sat casually. A noiseless face off was currently happening with both participant not willing to give way, this lasted for at least fifteen minutes now. While this deadlock was underway, the people outside were anxious.

"You faced a Singular and yet you are still alive, is it a coincidence or a miracle?" Kaius leaned on his seat and stared the young before him. Normally this stare would immediately intimidate people even the generals and his ministers would bow their head when faced with this kind of intense stare but Dreigh didn't even flinch.

"It was a little bit of luck, if not for the friends I have, I might have really died that time," he steadily answered. It was not easy for him to hold his own against a true ruler but he can't show any weaknesses to this man. He had the feeling that if he would lower his guard, this man will be able to devour him. There was something dark in those eyes, a hidden malice and danger that could cause destruction.

"Can you describe this Singular? I want to have grasp of his identity in case he appears again in the future and cause problems to our kingdom," he offered a smile and waited for an answer.

"Truthfully I didn't have the time to stare at his face or ask his name because if I do so, I might have died faster than what you think." Kaius could not see any trace of untruthfulness from Dreigh's words thus he nodded. He was not expecting anything from this conversation, it was just pure curiosity and the moment he saw this remnant his curiosity shifted to him. He was more inclined to know more about this remnant.

"The matter that is baffling me until this moment is that if he was so intent on killing, why didn't he kill you or even go after the rest of the group who were able to escape? Why did he leave you there to be saved by your friend?" Kaius rested his head on his palms and observed any unnatural reaction from Dreigh.

Dreigh held himself from showing any odd behavior as the thought of the mysterious man's bewildered look as he looked at him, "I also don't have any idea about that and I don't have the ability to read minds to know what that Singular has been thinking."

Kaius hummed and the stillness returned to the room. "I see. If that is the case then we don't have anything to talk about. I'll let my red knights handle the matter then, you may go now."

Without further ado, Dreigh stood up and left the stifling room. Once he was able to step outside, he could invisibly sigh in relief. The people with him, approached him and looked him from head to toe.

"I'm fine. Let's go." Endo and the others restrained themselves from asking any questions and followed suit. They left the institute and returned to their designated residence. Upon reaching the old dormitory building, Dreigh did not utter any words and bid goodnight to his friends. Endo and the others only looked at each other in confusion at the way Dreigh was acting.

"Is he really okay?" Endo can't help but ask his peers as they watch Dreigh's back disappear behind his room's now closed door.

"I don't know but it's better to leave him be for now. We can always ask him about it tomorrow." Rond was the one who spoke and turned his back. They went to their own rooms and rested for the night.

Kaius remained inside the room in deep thought. A malicious smile appeared on his face as he thought of the talk he just had with the remnant. It seems that he found a treasure as he observed the young man while he was talking. Another name would be added to the list of people he was fond of. A sudden thought flashed in his mind and his eyes widen at the sudden realization he had. If what he was thinking was true then he don't need to waste more time in finding the perfect remnant for his plans.