"Don't get me wrong… it's not because I hate him! Hmm, well, I do hate him a little… the essence and foundation of the Golden Hawk Squad began as a distinguished mercenary group known for its achievements. They imposed themselves on the Empire itself… and how many dirty jobs did we finish at the emperor's command, even without tarnishing his army's reputation, until they were dismissed from the palace, and Karl was the reason for that…
The squad was disbanded, and most of its members abandoned Karl…
but Karl couldn't accept defeat and began his attack on the Sword Gangs, sabotaging their headquarters, erasing many of them from existence while keeping the truly skilled people… so that they would be suitable for all fights and battles…
In this way, Karl renewed the Golden Hawk Squad to become known as the unleashed Sword Gang, while making the other gangs mere empty shells."
"From one of his sayings: Any idea that crosses your mind is just a meaningless dream unless you make it real…!
Karl, yes, that genius young man… his sword skills and insight are both far greater than his years; he is truly an exceptional person…"
I let Tarkus speak without interrupting him; any additional information is valuable, and everything he said about him made me eager to face him and fight…
"I see you've drifted in thought and entered a circle of doubt! It doesn't matter how strong he is; a man remains just a man! There's no guarantee of living long and overcoming all obstacles; death can take anyone."
I knew where he wanted to lead this conversation and what he meant by that… I puffed Kiseru smoke in his face.
You've heard about me from that man named Yuri, haven't you? He told you my little secret?
"In fact, yes, he praised your sword skills along with your immortal body!"
"You and I, Brando, we can crush Karl! Together!"
I extended my hand to my cup and sipped my special tea…
The situation seems really exciting! So I think I'll let you live; if I weren't sure you couldn't kill him, I wouldn't have spared you.
He clasped his hands at his mouth. "Is that your answer? It wasn't a bad deal for you or for me… so what's the reason for your refusal?"
Call it a hunch or a nearby scent; I consider Karl a "sacrifice" for my return to the normal human world. He's an offering for atonement.
"You and I share the same aura; we are killers and live for that... there are others like us out there… we don't acknowledge this life until we witness the flow of blood!
It's better for you to abandon the idea… that I surpass others to become number one.
People like us, when they possess power and strength, it means one thing: a massive slaughter!
Tarkus stood up from the chair, grasped his staff, and adjusted his hat on his head! "Heh heh heh! More excuses, Brando!"
"If we worked together, we would rule this world! Well, that's truly unfortunate."
There is no world ruled by more than one person; if we worked together and reached world domination, you would revolt against me or I against you—there can only be one leader.
"A real surprise; I didn't know that the so-called Brando has a real conscience."
Ha ha ha! Thank you.
"That wasn't a compliment! It's a damn shame; you and I both understand each other."
I didn't know where he got the dagger… I was waiting for him to leave, my eyes never leaving him. He was supposed to walk away, but with the first step he took in the direction of his departure, suddenly I saw him attacking me with a dagger in hand! There was no time to block it, but yes to inflict the same damage. I took Koutingo, or as I like to call it, the little devil… and inflicted upon him the same curse I had received from him…
I fell from the chair with him on top of me, along with two punctured bodies! Then I heard Eva's scream…!
She arrived, holding a piece of domashi candy. "Brando, are you alright?"
Finally, you showed up! Where have you been all this time? Come on, help me lift him off me.
I leaned on Eva to get back on my feet…
What the hell was going on in his mind! He was stabbing that little dagger into my body, knowing full well that I was immortal. It's truly baffling! Does he think he can kill me with such a weapon?
"Who is this and why did he want to kill you?"
It's Tarkus, from the Golden Hawk Squad. Apparently, I've gained quite a reputation over the past few days…
I retrieved my weapon, Koutingo, from his body and we headed to the waitress to pay the bill…
Come on, Eva, pay for the tea, the sweets, and even for this dead man behind us…
I see the waitress covering her mouth in horror, as if it's the first time she stands next to a dead man. She apologized for the mess I was involved in, but her eyes weren't focused on me; they were on the body lying behind me—Tarkus.
Alright! I turned behind me to find Tarkus trying to stand. How is that possible!? He was on his feet, blood dripping from his mouth…
"I'll say it… one more time… you and I… are supposed to understand each other."
Hmm! It seems I understood his message from that sentence.
Is this the doing of the old witch?! Come on, tell me… you wouldn't have gotten those snakes in your body from anyone by mere coincidence. As far as I know, there aren't many who carry these snakes…
I'm asking you whether the old witch is the one who introduced those immortal snakes into you?
"I don't know who you're talking about! She was an old nun, and she had a tattoo on her forehead and chin."
Eva didn't expect to hear that and said, agitated, "No, that's impossible! That's not her! It can't be that she helped the Golden Hawk Squad!"
"You're mistaken, little one. I've been carrying these immortal snakes for a long time, even before any member of that group dreamed of something called the Golden Hawk."
Since when exactly? Or in other words, how old are you?
"I stopped counting, but it's no less than 200 years."
Wow! Damn, 200 years!
"But at that time, it was still the Takio era," said Eva, astonished.
"But at that time, it was still the Takio era," Eva said, astonished.
"I understand your astonishment about this; damn it! With these eyes, I've witnessed the fall of many lineages and rulers," Tarkus
said.
Eva turned her gaze to him and said, "That means the witch is much older."
Tarkus continued speaking, "I married nine women and had many dear friends back then… but they're gone; they all left before me. Death is a harsh thing, but let me say that the delay of my prophecy and my inability to die is even harsher..."
"Who knows, perhaps there's something that can work with that."
He unfolded his umbrella. "Brando! Nothing in this existence can live forever, and we are no exception, as you'll discover for yourself tonight!"
Tarkus placed his hat on his head and left…
What the hell is he saying?! We're no exception?! Then how can I die with these snakes preventing that?
"H… who is this man! And… you too?" the waitress said after hearing the conversation.
The place of the stab hurts me; unlike usual, it was just a dagger, and the wound hasn't healed yet? How is that possible? I received a bullet to my head, and the hole disappeared in moments, so how can this stab be causing so much pain...
Eva placed her hand on the bleeding spot. "Brando! Are you sure you're okay?"
How is this possible?! Those snakes haven't appeared yet!