Chapter 85 - Five Years

"Ah, but wait, Sir Teren. What about the Spirit War?" 

Eron asked since that was supposed to be the main topic yet they went tangent. Now that Teren was walking back, he remembered and asked.

"Hm?"

Teren looked at him with a face of 'you still don't get it?' which Eron waved both hands and said.

"I get it, I get it. I just don't want any miscommunication so I want confirmation if I understand it correctly. It goes like this; the Solari House is affiliated with the entertainment industry while the Lunari House, the politics with many of its elites being department heads of the government. We all know that the Lunari House is close to the SSDA because of their relationship to the government."

"That's right. The SSDA tells the Lunari the exact date of the Spirit War, helping them prepare. Since the Lunari knows then the Solari knows too. Since the Solari is acting so unintentionally blatant, it means that the SSDA knew about the secret between the Solari and Lunari. Anyway, backtracking a bit, it just means one thing."

"The Spirit War is approaching?"

"Yup, correct."

"This... this is a bit too sudden. There have been just a few years since the last Spirit War..."

"Five years."

Teren muttered.

When they were near where the others are, they could hear shouting.

"Do you seriously think any of you can go against those types of opponents?!"

"Those are people aren't humans! If this... big crater isn't here, I would doubt my own memory!"

"Yeah, it's normal to be afraid! Aren't you just afraid of Boss Hark too?"

"Come on, man, Uncle Jo! Just release us, I'm not up for this kind of shit!"

Multiple complaints could be heard one after the other. This was to be expected due to Teren's absence. He and Eron slowed down as they watched what was happening from a distance.

The people from the Drago House, Eron's people were still formal and quiet as they silently watch the drama in front of them.

Leading the rioting complaints was Sik who seemed to be filled with tears and mucus on his face. Meanwhile, Uncle Jo and the rest tried to ignore them. However, it is evident that their expression says that they are unable to keep ignoring them. Even people like them have plenty of shame, guilt, and compassion.

"Sir Teren, they are not really a loyal bunch. They are people with different goals and intentions, they are not really united. I think that's how weak a group can be. Is it really worth keeping them?"

Eron whispered to Teren.

"Every person has their value. People are not born with loyalty, they learn it. Also, I'm not the leader-type of guy. They just follow my orders because it benefits them. By giving them a choice whether or not they will follow me, you can see who have loyalty or not."

"But-"

"Yes, I know. The six who stayed don't have that too. But it's not too late to control them. Those who stayed are unique whether they are too smart, too dumb, too brave, or too cowardly, they don't belong to the average people."

"I'm not certain if I follow your logic, Sir Teren."

"It's fine, you will see what I mean. The middle which is the majority relies on one another. The top carries the most while the bottom receives the most pressure."

"I see...?"

"Well, enough talk." Teren finally moving forward again, showing himself to the others which instantly silenced them.

"I've heard everything."

With that one sentence, those who complained almost peed their pants.

"Eron, will the decision be made on Saturday?"

Eron who disappeared and appeared in front of the other Drago people answered.

"Yes, Sir Teren, but why Saturday? Tomorrow, the decision should already be ready to be passed whether or not these people can be taken in."

"Well, I have school."

"Ah... is that so..." Eron didn't expect that kind of reply and he almost rebuked the Devil Himself.

You, the most-wanted Aberrant, prioritize school over this matter?

However, he could only swallow that back. At the very least, Teren has his study as priorities, right?

"Saturday, 10 o'clock in the morning, every single one of you should be here." Teren ordered, "You all can go home now."

Although they were scared of what will happen in the coming Saturday, they were relieved that they can finally go.

When they were about to turn their backs and walk away, Teren spoke again as a leaving remark.

"Remember, each and every address of you people."

Those who have their back turned momentarily froze. Teren didn't directly threatened them but in their heads, what's the difference!?

"Also, the six who stayed ealier, I still need to talk to you." Teren said, stopping Nathan and Nick's retreating action.

After calling them, Eron walked to Teren and said his goodbye which Teren replied-

"I don't think there would any stalker left so you can stop following me too."

"Stalker? Oh, the spies from the other houses, I thought you're talking about the girl who kept following you since yesterday."

Eron casually dropped a piece of information that made Teren looked at him with a face of 'Wait, what did you say?'

"Huh? You don't know?"

"Are you joking with me? There are exactly twenty people who are following me. Four from the Lunari House, five from the Serpen House, and thirteen from the Drago House. The four from the Titanes didn't follow but instead, Daikan tracked me down and sent his three men. Are you saying I missed one?"

Teren was not trying to boast about his capability to discern the people in the shadows but he just couldn't believe what Eron was saying.

"W-what?" Eron looked back and saw just seven people showing themselves. However, he knew that there are five more who have yet to reveal themselves by taking off their hoods from the start so how did Teren know that?

"How did you...? But what I said is true. While following... ehem, guarding your behind, we have seen a girl who has been following. I think she's your classmate or something so we didn't think she's a threat. But... for you not to notice her... maybe she's a threat?"

"If that's true... no, definitely not..."