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"GaidĹ (Outsider)."
"It's only been half a year since you last left the village. I won't ask you why, but you mustn't come back covered in wounds like last time."
The middle-aged man turned to look at him, his voice heavy, his face filled with worry.
"Shanto will worry."
"I know, I will."
Amagiri GaidĹ lowered his gaze, nodding.
At this moment, a samurai walked over and handed a katana to the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man took the katana and handed it to Amagiri GaidĹ.
"I hope you'll never have to use it."
The middle-aged man patted Amagiri GaidĹ's shoulder, then turned and walked towards the door, departing. Two samurai followed closely behind. He was left standing alone in the cherry blossom courtyard, filled with a faint floral scent, in silence.
Time: April 1, 1986.
Location: Kakin Empire, North Coast, Leimeisos.
Leimeisos is the fifth largest city in the Kakin Empire. It is located at the innermost part of Limassol Bay on the southern coast of the island of Cyprus. Bordering the Malsol Sea, it boasts picturesque scenery.
Leimeisos is now a modern coastal city. Its main industrial product is the ancient and renowned Lemurian liquor, and the Kakin Empire's two largest distilleries are located here.
And in the central area of this city, at Gessak Castle, a banquet was being held.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
"To celebrate everything that is to come, I want to introduce a true Kakin hero."
"He is a hero with brilliant military achievements, once awarded the Medal of Honor. He fought bravely in the Gagatz Battle, defeating the valiant Shaleshal people."
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce..."
"Seventh RegimentâCaptain Orson Nage!"
"Clap, clap, clap..."
When the host spoke the name of the "hero." For a moment, applause filled the venue.
"Thank you, Mr. Maikan, you flatter me."
A thirty-year-old man in military uniform, with an extraordinary aura, walked out from the crowd below. He first embraced the host, then came to the center of the stage and looked down at the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Orson Nage."
"I once followed General Owen of the Kakin Empire's Seventh Regiment, conquering the northern part of the Empire..."
Next, Captain Orson Nage recounted his past experiences and illustrious military achievements to the audience.
"So that's the commander arranged by the Kakin Empire?"
Illumi sat on a sofa, holding a glass of red wine, gently swirling it.
"Just a puppet, no need to pay attention."
King Bradley also looked at Captain Orson Nage, who had finished speaking on stage and was walking towards them, his expression calm.
He arrived at the Kakin Empire earlier than Illumi. He first went to the imperial capital, Tobomorley, to meet the current king, Nasubi Hui-Guero, then came to Leimeisos to prepare for boarding.
During his meeting with the current King Nasubi Hui-Guero, the King expressed that for the Kakin Empire to become a civilized powerhouse, one of the representations was to explore the Dark Continent and return.
For this, Nasubi Hui-Guero was willing to spare no expense, inviting a team of professional Hunters from around the world to form a vanguard investigation team, to clear obstacles for their army and expert team.
If they performed well, they would gain immense wealth and enjoy many welfare policies of the Kakin Empire. Whether they engaged in any industry or started businesses or engaged in various Hunter activities in the future, they would receive the greatest support from the local government.
Now, the Kakin Royal Family had simply arranged a "farewell banquet" for everyone on the eve of their departure.
Looking at the people reveling in the banquet, King Bradley felt a little amused in his heart. These people still thought they were going to the New World, but in reality, 99% of them would die there.
That's right, the Kakin Empire sending people to the Dark Continent wasn't just simply sending some experts and explorers, hiring Hunters, etc., for exploration. They also sent an army of no less than five thousand.
Those who hadn't been to the Dark Continent, or hadn't understood it, only knew that they were about to go to a new continent, a new world. When they returned gloriously, they would gain honor and wealth.
"Mr. King Bradley, a pleasure to meet you for the first time."
While King Bradley was in thought, Captain Orson, the puppet he mentioned.
"Hello."
King Bradley slowly stood up, shook his hand, then sat down and began to converse calmly.
"This is..."
After a long while, Orson seemed to just notice Illumi and looked at him, who was sitting beside him, narrowing his eyes and asking.
"This is Illumi Bradley, a family junior, and also a member of the team."
King Bradley simply introduced him. Illumi didn't even speak, just nodded slightly at Captain Orson.
"Mr. Illumi, a pleasure."
Captain Orson didn't care much about Illumi's attitude. He had no authority to command these people; these Hunters weren't even from the Kakin Empire.
This mission was given to him by his superior, Lieutenant Colonel Godwin. After understanding the reasons for some matters and the benefits of returning from the mission, Orson resolutely decided to execute the mission.
He then exchanged a few words with King Bradley, then stood up and left for another corner of the banquet, where a group of idle Hunter teams were also sitting.
They weren't singing and dancing like the other people present; they were just drinking and chatting with their companions.
"Just an ordinary person..."
Illumi gazed at Captain Orson's back. If someone like that goes to the Dark Continent, wouldn't that just be suicide?
It seemed the Kakin Empire's royal family hadn't told them the true danger of this mission, so as not to dampen their enthusiasm.
"Heh heh heh..."
Just as Illumi was lost in thought, a very familiar laugh sounded behind them.
"King... no, I'll still call you Bradley, so I don't keep getting confused."
Netero circled the sofa, then sat down beside Illumi, opposite King Bradley.
Greed, Pride, and Sloth merely glanced at him. They were all acquaintances and didn't pay much attention.
King Bradley showed no reaction. Netero could call him whatever he wanted. And calling him by his surname directly was more intimate than calling him by his given name.
"Oh, young Illumi is here too."
Netero deliberately looked at Illumi with a surprised expression. He knew his true identity and wanted to tease him. As for why he looked like this, it could only be attributed to Nen abilities, just like Bisky.
Illumi narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.
Netero's personality, if he were a child, would be a mischievous one, liking to play and cause trouble like a child. He clearly knew Illumi was there, yet he still acted surprised and deliberately called him "little friend."
"Bradley, as a former comrade-in-arms, I have something to say."
Netero stroked his goatee, his tone relaxed, his expression calm.
"Please speak."
King Bradley's expression was serious, giving him sufficient respect.
"You must not go to the Dark Continent!"
Netero's face remained calm, but his tone and aura were completely different from before.
Illumi and Pride looked at Netero, who still calmly stroked his beard. But at this moment, Netero was exuding a powerful presence.
"That old man is...?"
Not far away, several men and women in suits and dresses were startled by Netero's powerful presence. Like weak animals invaded by a tiger in their territory, they left the area in a panic.
"If I say I must go, what do you intend to do?"
Before King Bradley could speak, Illumi spoke first. His tone was calm, but the meaning in his words was unmistakable.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy. Netero and Illumi's four-person aura opposed each other. Vaguely, they made the area around them a vacuum, where no one dared to approach.
In a distant corner, Beyond, who was conversing with Captain Orson, also instantly noticed and shifted his gaze to the corner where Illumi and the others were.
"Mr. Beyond?"
Captain Orson looked at Beyond, who had been conversing happily with him a moment ago, and saw his suddenly serious expression, his brow slightly furrowed.
He scanned the surroundings and found that the other members of this Hunter team also shifted their gaze to the direction Beyond was looking. Some frowned, some had arrogant smiles at the corners of their mouths, some looked indifferent, and some had excited expressions.
But no matter what, the atmosphere instantly changed from lively to silent and serious.
Out of curiosity, Captain Orson followed everyone's gaze.
"Oh, that's Mr. King Bradley's team."
"As a fellow professional Hunter team, Mr. Beyond, why don't you go and make contact? After all, in the upcoming mission, both sides will be working closely together."
Orson clapped his hands, trying to attract everyone's attention, but everyone's gaze remained fixed over there.
"However, that old man in white... I don't remember seeing him on the guest list."
The atmosphere remained tense. Captain Orson, seeing his attempt to attract attention fail, changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.
"Mr. Beyond?"
Suddenly, Beyond's grave expression eased. His eyebrows unfurrowed, and he stepped towards them. Orson called out to him, but received no response.
"We should also join the fun."
After Beyond stood up, Cervantes and a group of Hunters all stood up and followed behind Beyond. Seeing this, Captain Orson, fearing a conflict, had no choice but to follow.
A group of more than ten people grandly walked towards Illumi's side, naturally attracting the attention of some interested parties.
"Don't worry about us first. If you have the ability, control your own family."
Illumi slowly turned his head to the right. Beyond and his group were slowly walking over. Captain Orson, seeing the atmosphere grow heavier, stepped up his pace and went to the center of the crowd, introducing everyone to each other.
"Mr. King, this is from the Ozma Federation..."
"Dad, are you trying to stop me?"
Before Captain Orson could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Beyond's "Dad." With a shocked expression, Beyond stepped forward and sat on a single sofa, looking at Netero with a smile on his face.
"Dad...?"
Captain Orson repeated the two words from Beyond's mouth. His gaze scanned back and forth between Netero and Beyond, his face filled with disbelief.
These two, although there was an age gap, he felt that the difference between seventy and sixty years old shouldn't be enough for Beyond to call him "Dad," right?
"That's right, I was planning to stop you."
"But I didn't expect to unexpectedly meet an acquaintance."
Netero chuckled. Beyond heard this and scanned the five people presentâIllumi, King Bradley, Pride, Greed, and Slothâthen shifted his gaze to King Bradley.
King Bradley also looked at Beyond, who was dressed as an ancient general. Beyond at this time was not much different from ten years later. The only difference was that he didn't have that cross-shaped scar on his face.
"You're King Bradley, who explored the [Spitel Ruins]? It's true what they say, seeing you in person is more impressive than hearing about you. Your aura is truly intimidating."
"Your team also consists of formidable individuals. Would you like to join me?"
Beyond's lips curled into a grin, his tone arrogant yet exuding a sense of magnanimity. But his opening words, inviting Illumi and the others to join him, were clearly a provocation.
But Illumi and Pride merely looked at him with cold expressions. Greed shook his head, his face full of disdain. As for Sloth, he wore a blank expression, wondering about something, completely indifferent to Beyond's words.
"Boss, I think you're wasting your time."
Behind Beyond, a white-haired man dressed as a mercenary.
Johnny looked at the guard's back, feeling somewhat amused. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, was about to light it, but then remembered he was in a warehouse and had to put it back.
"Hiss~"
Just as Johnny regained control of the forklift and lifted the freezer from the ground, a leaking sound came from the freezer. Johnny's face instantly changed, and he couldn't help but curse.
"Son of a..."
But fortunately, he remembered the guard from before. If such valuable goods were damaged by him...
Thinking this, Johnny's back broke out in a cold sweat. He pretended nothing was wrong, started the forklift, and moved the freezer to a heavy truck with the Umbrella Corporation logo on the other side.
"Why am I so unlucky?"
Inside the heavy truck's compartment, Johnny dismounted from the forklift and crouched in front of the freezer.
"What's this?"
The crouching Johnny immediately noticed the freezer's abnormality. The freezer's lower corners flickered red, accompanied by a "drip-drip" sound.
"It wasn't really broken, was it?"
Johnny's face was sweating. If he broke such valuable goods, how much would he have to pay?
"I hope it's just a small problem."
Thinking this, Johnny carefully inspected it, even patting the freezer a few times. The freezer's surface was heavy steel, making a "bang, bang" sound.
"Damn, it's really broken?"
Johnny suddenly noticed a crack in the red-flashing area at the bottom of the freezer. He bent down, slowly bringing his head closer to the red crack.
"This is..."
Johnny looked at the pale object inside the freezer, his brow furrowed. He wasn't sure what it was. He moved his body again, adjusted his angle, and finally saw the full picture of the object.
"Human!?"
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