"Uhrm…."
"Huh.. That's odd."
"Hey Rayna, didn't you say the contract was at a former office building? Cuz it closed from bankruptcy?"
"... Ahem."
The Satoya-less Gang peered into the lobby of a two story office building, and surprisingly. There were actually employees. Primarily just Maehwan salaryman and women. Behind them, a Starlit Gate tore open, with Ludwig and Sendo calmly stepping out. The sounds of their weapons and attires rustling as they walked closer. Sendo still had his chest covered in bandages, just difficult to notice due to his Semi-Elite Rank attire, which is a tailcoat with plated sleeves, however the material used in the plating is called "Deltinium-A3." Which is quite durable (but costs nearly 600,000 Alikurs to repair the damaged plating, but also more expensive if the fabric is damaged).
"Huh? Aye blonde gal, ain't ya say di's wa'z a bankrupt'd office buildin'? Sure as hell look fully operatin'." Sendo pointed out, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. Rayna's expression darkened briefly, before going back to her usual demeanor.
"Maybe they got back into business..?" Kohayuki suggested as she was using her hands to scope out the interior of the office building through the glass door. The interior of the two story office building, or at least the first floor, was pretty calm, just a simple lounge, and an elevator presumably leading to the higher floors that contain most of the employees.
"Y'know what? I don't even care at this point, let's just go on with it." Edward shrugged, opening a glowing green tablet out of thin air. He had grown quite accustomed to using his Verity, and had gained quite the experience using it as well, granting him more abilities to use.
"So.. What's the plan, and why did we bring Ludwig and Sendo? I was in the bathroom while ya'll were discussing." Kohayuki asked, and she then leaned against a concrete pillar. Rayna turned to her, before speaking, "we brought them so they can act as our captain or reinforcement. Y'know.. I don't want to pay too much on hospital bills."
"I suggest you all split up to finish this contract more efficiently." Ludwig suddenly spoke. The group all glared at him, and a minute long silence began, although not entirely silent due to the people walking around them in a hurry considering it's 9:53 am, and they have to go to work. The surrounding was honestly pretty nice, considering the autumn season is around the corner, which means the temperature is going to get colder, the trees are also beginning to change color as well.
Sendo coughed awkwardly, "so are ya'll goin' to speak?" He scratched his chin, glaring at the Satoya-less gang left and right.
"Abso-fucking-lutely not." Isaac said finally. They then enter the office building.
Upon entering the office building, obviously the interior wasn't different from how Kohayuki observed through the glass door, however, what they found weird was how as soon as they entered, there were no employees in sight. Could it be a coincidence? The Satoya-less Gang in all honesty wasn't finding it suspicious, except of course, Ludwig, Sendo, and surprisingly Kohayuki.
"Sendo and I will reside here, until you all clear the Alsaia Syndicate activity." Ludwig spoke dismissively, as if speaking to them was a waste of time. He then went in his own path, presumably to investigate or get something, with Sendo finding a cushioned chair, and placing his sheathed odachi against it before sitting on it, then kicking his feet up on the small table in front of the chair.
"Damn it, I need a nap." Sendo groaned as he covered his eyes with his arm.
The Satoya-less Gang glanced at each other, then collectively shrugged, and went to the elevator. As the elevator closed, Rayna began to click on the button leading to the upper floor. As the door opened, there was an indescribable feeling of tension maybe? There were multiple cubicles lined up in one area, with a large mess of papers and scraps being discarded everywhere. However the more odd part was how the employees were appearing rather distressed by the Gang's appearance.
"Ha! Look! Our A rank Regulator status is showing off!" Isaac gleamed in pride, until Rayna pointed at his chest. She then attempted not to laugh in disappointment, and held it in as she began to tell him, "you forgot your badge."
"What?"
"Did you not notice? Everyone else got their badges on their shoulders or chest, you don't.. That's the one thing you said you wouldn't forget.."
"Guys maybe we should finish the contract before arguing?" Kohayuki suggested, resting her crowbar on her shoulder. "Fair point." Rayna replied as she went back to observing the surroundings.
Kohayuki however continued to speak, "I mean, to admit it, Edward's 'infinite rank up glitch.' worked too well. We got to A rank within like what? 2 weeks of just doing contracts? We need to explain this to Satoya if we ever find him, and then maybe we can get to Elite Rank by the end of the year." Despite the optimistic idea, the others weren't sure if she was joking about reaching Elite Rank in the next couple of months, but they hesitatingly nodded before walking ahead.
They began to walk around the floor, with Kohayuki peeking over a cubicle seeing a salaryman sitting upright at his computer, not moving a single inch of muscle. She then narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Hmm, why is he so nervous? He's practically sweating, he should go drink water."
Kohayuki thought momentarily, until some of the salarymen and women stood up, holding a weapon. A peculiar detail about these people were, their clothes were different, and that 'different' was that, it reminded them exactly as the very first contract 'they' or Satoya had done when he first became a Regulator under the Regulator's Committee. These people had suits that were littered and speckled in blue musical notes.
"Wait, hasn't it been like, a long time since we fought a Musician? I'm surprised how we didn't remember." Rayna pointed out, taking out her dagger with her right arm.
Musicians are the lowest rank of the Alsaia Syndicate, who are more or less like regular foot soldiers, however not all of them are of equal strength. They are also characterized by the musical notes that are colored blue that are literally sprinkled everywhere on their fancy suits.
Then, a door creaked open behind the several Musicians, and two men stepped out. One man was wearing an oddly royalty aesthetic clothing, which was specifically, a lightly plated knight armor, and a weird crest on the left breast, with the letters: AZF. The royal aesthetic part was the white furred cloth draped over the man's shoulders. He was also holding a sabre with a gold and blue hilt. The other man standing beside him, was wearing the same exact suit as the Musicians, however this man's musical notes were red instead of blue.
"A Section Leader? Edward commented, activating his Verity and taking out a steel longsword, and then summoning a floating iron shield that circled around him.
"Fellas, let's not get into the fight just yet." The noble appearing man said enthusiastically as he raised his arms. "These guys look pretty strong." The man beside him commented quietly to him. Then the noble man replied to him in a whisper, "for you at least, pathetic Section Leader."
He then turned to the Satoya-less Gang, and asked them a simple question.
"Do you all know of an individual named Ludwig Azure?"
Meanwhile at the bottom floor of the two story office building.
"Aye Lud, why ya always drinkin' black coffee? Shit sucks, tastes like one of those Huangfun fermented tofu." Sendo asked, staring at the cup of coffee Ludwig's holding with disgust.
"Huangfun fermented tofu is an acquired taste, although it is not to my liking."
"That's not what I fuckin' meant ya idiot, go drink beer like a real man."
"I see. Then mind elaborating to me on why you're faking an accent?"
"What!?" Sendo jolted up and slammed the table.
"If I recall, I briefly remember Rin talking to me about how your accent is based on a movie made 12 years ago (10013)." Ludwig commented before taking another sip of the black coffee.
"What did you fucking say? I'll tear you apart with my Merit."
"Mhm." Ludwig scoffed dismissively.