Chapter 57: Naoto Vs Randy (I)

Decided to start the new week off with the last event of volume one. Enjoy (:

Don't forget those power stones!

*

S1192, April.

Forest outskirts of Trista. Osborne Villa.

Deeper into the forest before the plains that had the Nortia Line railroad, which was connected to the city of Roer, many figures be seen crouched behind individual trees. Right now, the sun was starting to set. But if one had a close look, out of every single figure, they were all wearing the same colored armor, letting the sun reflect off of it. Some more fancy than the others, which detailed their current rank in this troop. Or depending on the situation, would it be closer to that of a squadron? A few tens of figures could be seen here.

A couple of them wore fully plated armor much more clothed than the rest, helmet included. Special orbal headgear could be seen over their eyes, which if looked at closely, could be seen zooming in and out every so often as these couple of figures scanned the trees. These couple of figures could be seen placed further ahead than the rest of the figures, they were your so called scouts. From their end, despite the sun still setting, they were already acting as if it was night time. All they could see was night vision as they scanned through the dense forest of threes.

On the other end of this forest was a certain villa, which was not far away from Trista and Thors Military Academy. The Osborne Villa, home to current general of the 5th armored division, of the Imperial Army, Giliath Osborne.

Once the couple of armored scouts finished looking around, one of them gave a signal, raising their hand, revealing a palm. They then spoke out.

"All clear, Boss. No foreign entities have been detected.", One of the scouts said. After the scout finished saying that, a heavy but silent footstep struck the others close by, only to reveal a rather large figure. This figure was akin to more than that of a beast, but he was still a human. A huge war axe could be seen effortlessly held by one of his hands. He was quite tall too almost reaching six feet and four inches.

Besides this bulky fellow with imposing muscles, a smaller figure could be seen next to him, appearing quite similar, but minus the bulk. He appeared to be more of a child, but sported the same wild hair as the tall person next to him did. He appeared to be around nine years old. But the child could be seen having no life in his eyes, and remained silent.

As for the tall one, he spoke out to the scout who finished their surveying.

"Good. Any sign of the package?"

"None. It is only trees and shrubs around here. There are wears of battle happening further down, but nothing too serious. Likely the result of a training of sorts. We would have to go in deeper to come within distance of the package. We can confirm a villa resides there.", A scout said, finishing his report.

"A villa eh? Looks like we're right on the Mira. Continue the same pace as we are doing now, but we will not strike until it is dusk. We must secure the package's position first.", The tall figure said, seemingly to be the boss of the group.

""Ja!"", The scouts said in unison, giving an acknowledgement to the boss-like figure. To which he gave a beast-like grin, only to let out a laugh. At the same time, the scouts slowly began to wander further into the forest.

"So Randolph, you think you're up for this mission? it hasn't been long since you joined my corp.", The boss said. "We've received quite a bounty for this mission too. Something about being a good vessel or something. I couldn't care less, but our target seems to be a fancy prince.", The boss said, looking down at the child, only to see him unresponsive.

"...", The child, who was called Randolph, remained silent. However, before he could even try to answer, a shadowy figure slowly approached the group from behind. This person appeared to be wearing fancy priest robes of sorts, revealing many colors like teal, magenta and gold, and went as far as to be wielding a staff. He had pale blue hair and red eyes, and was also wearing glasses.

"We are on a tight schedule you know. I can't have you squander the benevolence I gave you.", The man said, slightly annoyed. The people around the boss became alert, but the boss only let out another laugh.

"Hahaha! It is true, Mira might as well be counted as Aidios's blessing. To think someone like you would have enough funds to beat those stuffy nobles. There were some who didn't like the package, but you straight shut them down. Now that I think about it, you didn't even reveal your name yet.", The boss said with a laugh as he looked at the priest-like figure.

"Hmph, with a pea-sized brain like yours who knows nothing but how to fight, saying my name has little significance. But partners we temporary may be, I guess I have no choice but to say who I am.", The priest-like figure said with a grunt. "Be grateful, you can call me the High Priest.", The priest said.

"High Priest, is it? We kinda have a reputation around these parts, but I'm the current sub-leader of the Red Constellation, Sigmund Orlando. Not a lot of other jaegers can match our strength, haha!", The boss said, introducing himself as Sigmund Orlando.

"I could care less at who you are, but you do state a valid point. That's exactly why I chose you guys, since you guys have an amazing success rate on your portfolio. You get what I want, and you get what you want.", the High Priest answered, revealing a smile of his own.

"And might I had, you must secure the package with absolutely zero injury caused on their body. The more perfect the vessel, the better result my experiments can reach. But that is only one part of this mission. This is a good chance to deliver a good blow to the Erebonian Empire. Leave no one alive.", the High Priest demanded.

"Mira to our ears. That's what we excel at doing.", Sigmund responded back, before he turned around to look at his group, before continuing to speak. "You hear that boys? Besides the package, leave no one alive! Kill to your hearts content!", Sigmund announced, letting his battle qi leak a bit. That only stirred the jaegers around him.

""Ja!"", The jaegers responded.

However, just as they were getting excited for the mission later, one of the scouts hurriedly came back, which drew Sigmund's attention.

"B-Boss, we've been spotted!", One of his jaeger scouts said, somewhat panicked.

"Hah? How could our cover get blown? There's still several hundred arge's distance to the villa from here.", Sigmund asked.

"I never said this mission would be easy. I doubt you even read the file.", the High Priest said, shaking his head in disappointment.

"It might be best to see it for yourself, Boss...", the scout tried to say, only to take his helmet off. Sigmund immediately grabbed it and put it on. He then crouched behind one of the closest trees nearby, and started to scan toward the other end of the forest. They were far in to where they could see a big villa on the outskirts with a few floors.

After finding his target, Sigmund narrowed his scanning, only to find himself looking at one of the rooms on the second floor. He soon saw a violet haired kid around four feet tall. However, expecting his back turned, it was actually the opposite. He saw this child looking out the window. If one looked closely, the violet haired kid had golden eyes, and they were currently wrapped in a vermillion hue. His eyes were not moving, as his pupils were currently latched onto something within the forest.

Sigmund saw this kid staring right at him, only to see the violet haired kid holding a board of sorts. His eyes slowly shifted downward a bit, and actually saw something written on the board. On it was written, "Is it already time to play hide-and-seek?".

Seeing this, he determined the scouting helmet served no further purpose, and tossed it back at the jaeger. He then let out another laugh.

"Haha! This kid has quite the scary perception. But that won't stop us. In fact, let's go take the hunt to him. It's hunting time, boys!", Sigmund said, declaring the signal to start the attack. Even he drew his war axe into a readying position.

As for Randolph, he remained silent, but proceeded to take out his chainsaw-like sword. It wasn't exactly his Berserker as shown in the games, but it was getting there. Inserting orbal energy into it, it started to rev up.

That's right, this was the start of the raid on the Osborne Villa, on that fateful day of April S1192, only to be lead by none other than the Red Constellation. (A/N: I've changed the mastermind and the jaegers. I will still have Lechter's dad trigger the Hamel incident though.)