39 Be It

Stanley put away the long sword back into the sheath on his back while the barrier at the door dissipated away as well.

"I will relay back the information," George said. "Try and find more if you can. Every bit of information will help you with not having to go to the farms."

The man nodded and made an effort to smile. "Thank you, sir George," he said.

"It's no matter," George said. "Also, go get some medicine for your arm. Why the hell are you even hurt? I didn't even hit you."

"Huh?" the man turned to look at his bandaged arm and noticed that it was bleeding quite profusely. He quickly grabbed his arm and smiled. "Oh, it's nothing to worry about. Someone crazy attacked me two days ago, but I'm fine now."

"You call that fine?" George scoffed a bit. "Whatever, don't die. I still need you to gather as much information as you can on what's happening amongst the civilians."

"Yes, sir George," the man nodded.

"Let's go," George spoke, and walked out of the room with the chubby man's men standing on either side of the hallway as they walked out.

Stanley made certain to note anyone who could attack at any moment. They were all angry, so being attacked wasn't an impossibility here after all.

Thankfully, no one attacked them and they safely walked out of that shady place.

After walking outside, George stopped right outside of the house and scoffed once again. "Those fucking women are trying to go at it this time? For what? Equality? Rights?" the man spoke to himself.

"They think they don't have enough rights already? Why do they want to be equal when they are treated as better? It's us men that have to go and fight the crawlers while they can stay safe. It's the men that have to go work on the farm, while they enjoy life in the town," George spoke to himself. "Fucking rights! They want the right to kill themselves, don't they? Argh, this is making me angry."

Stanley and Freddy said nothing and let the man vent for a while in front of them. After they were done, George took them around the city to find out more about this other resistance that had been forming for women's rights.

However, apart from hearing rumors about it, none of the others that he went to be helpful at all.

Stanley was still following George around the town when he heard someone call out his name.

"Hmm?" he turned around to find Bradley making his way toward him alone. "Brother?"

George turned toward Bradley and made a weird face. "He's your brother?" he asked Stanley.

"Yes," Stanley quickly said before turning around to his brother. "What are you doing here, brother? Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"No, my work is complete for the day," Bradley said. "Speaking of which, why are you guys still working? It's late already, isn't it?"

"I work until I don't want to," George said. "What's it to you?"

"You're overworking my brother. That's what is to me," Bradley said.

"They're under me today," George said while staring back at Bradley. "They work until I let go of them."

"Their working hours are already over. They can leave as long as they want to," Bradley said while staring directly at George as well.

The two seemed to have some sort of tension between them. Stanley understood that his brother thought that George wasn't a very good guy, but he didn't expect him to be so openly hostile against him.

"Heh! Are you talking back to me?" George asked.

"Why not?" Bradley asked. "We have the same rank as each other, so there's no reason for me to be polite. I could be respectful, but we both know I'm not going to give you any."

George only smiled in response. "You must think it will be you, don't you? That's why you think you can afford to be disrespectful. I can't wait to see your stunned face when it will be me."

"We'll see who it will be in due time," Bradley said and looked at Stanley. "Let's go. You don't have to keep working anymore."

Stanley was practically dragged away from the group by Bradley. He went with his brother a bit further away before stopping.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Why do you sound angry?"

"Angry?" Bradley asked before shaking his head. "No, I'm just annoyed. Did he treat you two wrong?"

Stanley thought for a bit and shook his head. "Not differently from how he seems to treat everyone," he said. "He might even have been a little generous to us, most likely because we're Defenders."

"That's good then," Bradley said.

"What did you guys mean back there?" Stanley suddenly asked. "What did you two mean that it will be either of you?"

Bradley shook his head. "You don't have to worry about that right now," he said. "Let's leave."

Bradley started walking away and Stanley followed behind him. "What are you hiding from me, brother?" he asked.

"Nothing," Bradley said.

"Come on, you're clearly hiding something," Stanley said and annoyed him so he would give up and say.

However, it didn't look like Bradley was going to budge at all. After walking a few ways up the slope, Stanley finally gave up.

"Fine, if you're not going to tell me, then accept my demand," he said.

"Huh? What demand?" Bradley looked at his brother weirdly.

"I want to eat those noodles again," Stanley said. "I'm craving for them."

"Noodles? Oh, the one in the 3rd Quadrant?" Bradley asked. "Actually, you know what? I've been craving them too. Let's go eat."

Stanley gave a wide smile as he was happy to hear his brother agree to his demands. "Oh right, you made me pay last time because you had to leave. I don't have much money, so you will have to make sure to pay this time."

"That was the money I gave you in the first place," Bradley felt wronged. "Whatever, just come. You won't have to worry about money. I have plenty."

Stanley happily put his arm around his brother's shoulders and started walking down to the noodle shop that he had been wanting to go to once again.