"What kind of bet, Nobu-san?" she asked, her tone respectful despite her higher status.
Respect for the elders was deeply ingrained in their culture, a sign of their disciplined upbringing.
"Seki-sama, someone called Alfonso, an Ex-Platinum Mercenary, is fighting an unknown individual," Oda Nobu answered.
He wore a simple black jacket with a minimalist design, his appearance reflecting his straightforward nature.
They came from an island nation in the Far East, one of the few places that had not yet been conquered by the Demons.
The East was known for its tough and strong willed people who never gave up, even when things were really hard.
"Platinum? Is that rank renowned for their strength, Nobu-san?" she inquired, showing her unfamiliarity with Western rankings.
Having been sheltered in a temple, her exposure to common knowledge beyond spiritual teachings and martial arts was limited.
The concept of this new hierarchical rankings in Western territories, particularly regarding combat power, was intriguing to her.
"Seki-sama, their rankings here are also unfamiliar to me, but observing the battle will allow me to gauge their combat power," he responded without sounding too confident.
Coming from a family of Shinobi, he held the rank of Master, but even he was unsure how he would fare against a Platinum Rank.
It wasn't because he doubted his own skills; rather, his culture placed a high value on respect and honor.
In his training and doctrine, he had learned that underestimating an enemy was a grave mistake.
He understood that without comprehensive knowledge, making assumptions could lead to catastrophic failures.
'To know your enemy is to be prepared; to underestimate him is to invite defeat.' he muttered to himself.
"Very well, Nobu-san, let us observe. I am curious to witness the ability of those from the West as well," she nodded in agreement.
People might think that the Easterners were weak because they had lost much of their territory to the demons, but that was far from the truth.
In reality, the demons had focused on the East first because it was a place where even a simple drunkard could be a formidable martial artist.
And despite the Demon's aggressive invasion, some nations still stood strong, showcasing their enduring strength and readiness for battle.
"A pair of relics, Seki-sama?" he repeated.
"It's important for our people's survival. Sadly, some greedy individuals only saw them as two expensive-looking pendants, Nobu-san," she sighed.
"Do you believe it's linked to the recent surge in Corrupted activity around here, Seki-sama?" he asked, his tone reflecting concern.
"It's possible, Nobu-san," she nodded, her eyes narrowing in thought.
Those pendants were made to store a single soul, which goes against the natural order. It could very well be the cause of all this. If that was the case, then Brentwood was their best bet.
As Seki and Nobu discussed their next steps, they finalized their plan to investigate Brentwood thoroughly. They knew they had to tread carefully in unfamiliar territory.
"Perhaps we should consider hiring a Westerner, Seki-sama," he suggested, acknowledging the practicality of seeking assistance.
She hesitated, uncertain about involving outsiders in their mission. "But how can we be certain of their trustworthiness, Nobu-san?" she questioned, her brow furrowing with concern.
He reassured her calmly, "Seki-sama, we can keep our intentions a secret and reveal only what's necessary. A trusted individual could offer invaluable insights without attracting unwanted attention."
She nodded slowly, recognizing the wisdom in his words. "Very well, Nobu-san. Let's proceed carefully and find someone who knows Brentwood well but can keep our mission confidential."
As the train continued its journey, various agendas began to form among its passengers—not just theirs. Many others where here for a purpose, all converging on one common destination: Brentwood.
But despite the tension brewing on the horizon, one person was sound asleep in his bed, his dog resting on his stomach out of sheer boredom from waiting.
"Is it still far?" Reign asked aloud, itching to stretch his wings but holding himself back.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Wick barked playfully.
"You're hungry again? Want to go grab dinner?" he asked.
"Woof," Wick replied, tongue out.
"Alright, let's go to the Diner," he chuckled and gestured Wick to follow.
As they walked through the long corridor, he noticed two mysterious individuals wearing hoodies and sunglasses.
'What a bunch of weirdos,' he thought to himself.
Then, with a sudden realization, he burst out laughing—realizing he, too, was wandering around with a blindfold on.