Unlike the day of the conflict at the plaza, the weather was rather gloomy. Clouds began to form over Bauner, indicating that rain was soon to arrive.
Ernst had woken up fairly early today. Prepared to learn the truth, he made his way back to where he encountered life-threatening danger.
Rather than taking a motor taxi, he decided to walk. The plaza had returned to normal in the mere couple of days since the "accident." Although whispers of what had happened made way into his ear, he paid no mind to them, continuing to walk toward the address he was given.
Eventually, he found himself in front of a brick building. An oak sign was cleanly placed beside the entrance, greeting passersby.
"Incisca Guidance Office…"
I had my suspicions, but I guess they really are in the psychology business…
What do they know about Christopher, though…
Ernst steeled his resolve and walked through the door.
Bells jingled, announcing his entrance, while also signalling a woman who was sitting across from him at a desk.
The woman looked up from her papers and made eye contact with the young man who had just entered.
She had brown hair and brown eyes. Her hair had a slight texture, encompassing an enchanting wave. Her face was youthful. Evident signs that she was at least in her early 20s. She wore similar clothes to Sonia —outerwear that was not typical for the average lady living in a major city.
Ernst promptly took off his tweed cap. Pressing it against his abdomen, he cleared his voice and introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Ernst, I'm here at Ms. Sonia's request?" he spoke in a clear and professional tone.
The young woman got out of her chair. She then walked through a door that was located to her side without uttering a single word.
Okay…?
Confused by her actions, Ernst imagined that the young lady was off to get who he was looking for.
However, not long after she left, the expected party had arrived.
Exiting the door was a beautiful, dark brunette-haired lady wearing an outfit very similar to the one the woman who had just left was wearing.
"Ernst! I'm glad you could make it."
Ernst smiled politely at her greeting.
"Well, I was initially supposed to be here a few days ago." He let out a small chuckle sprinkled with tones of banter.
With a desire to learn more about the events at the plaza, Ernst held back on making any related comments for the time being.
"Please, come in."
Guiding him through the door, Ernst saw the other brown-haired woman sitting on the couch. Other than her, there were two others in the room. One was the man who had saved him at the plaza. The other was the handsome man he recalled seeing at his family bakery, seemingly preoccupied with an abundance of papers. Each of them sat at their respective desks.
He's here too…
Naturally, Ernst expected to see his rescuer, considering that Sonia had referred to him a day prior. Currently, he was not wearing the uniform he had been seen in at the plaza. Instead, he wore a simple white button-down with greyish khakis.
Calming his nerves, he was then offered a seat at one of the couches that surrounded a small rectangular coffee table.
"Before we start, would you like anything to drink?" Sonia asked.
Still maintaining an overly positive form, Ernst responded.
"No, thank you. I've just eaten recently, so I'm still full."
"In that case, I'll grab some coffee for myself," Sonia hummed while making her way to a kettle.
Ernst, maintaining his seat, distracted himself with his own thoughts as an attempt not to draw attention to himself. The woman who was beside him seemed a bit familiar; however, he could not make any immediate connections.
Then, he looked at the man from the plaza who seemed to be typing up a work report.
The other man was someone who he had seen at the bakery. He, too, was carefully engrossed in his own labour. He was by far more attractive than the average Gaudnarian man. Complimenting his dark brownish hair as well as tall, yet sturdy figure, was a sense of elegance that traced each of his movements.
Making eye contact with Ernst, a smile emerged on his face, followed by a light nod of acknowledgement.
Each person within this small room, other than the woman he had first seen at the entrance, were individuals he had seen not too long ago. It never crossed his mind that they would later become his potential employers and colleagues.
The whistling of a steaming kettle eventually filled the room.
After some time, Sonia had finally prepared her drink. Walking toward the couches surrounding the table, she placed her mug down while sitting beside the other young lady. The other two men saw this as a cue to leave their seats and also gather near Ernst.
"Alright! Since we're all here, I think it's best we first introduce ourselves," Sonia spoke cheerily.
One of the men stepped slightly forward while delivering a slight bow.
"My name is Otto. Otto Amtmann. It's very nice to meet you. Although I do believe we've met rather recently."
Ernst acknowledged his introduction with a nod.
Then, the other man stepped forward with a similar introduction.
"I'm Lev. Lev Ritter. Pleased to meet you."
Ernst nodded politely once more with a smile toward his introduction. He then noticed Sonia nudging the lady beside her.
"Your turn," she spoke in a soft, but energetic tone.
The young lady put down the book she had been reading and let out a soft sigh.
"Leva..."
She seems shy… kind of reminds me a bit of Hannah when she was younger…
That reminds me…wasn't there an Iscalvian among them?
Realizing that he had now been fully acquainted with his new colleagues, Ernst stood from his seat and delivered a similarly professional introduction.
"My name is Ernst. Ernst Adler. Although I do believe Sonia informed all of you of my visit, it is very nice to meet all of you."
Clasping her hands together, Sonia made a satisfied look upon completing their pleasantries.
"Now then, I suppose it's about time to get started."
Lev made his way over to a desk and grabbed two chairs to surround the table. On the other hand, Ernst noticed Otto gradually closing the windows, shielding the sunlight with curtains.
What are they doing?
Although he wished to question what the four had in mind, he decided to continue to remain quiet, waiting until a more appropriate time.
The room now had little light peaking through the crevices of the curtain. Sonia pulled out a lamp from under the coffee table and placed it in front of her.
Feels like she's about to tell a ghost story…Ernst thought humorously, comparing the atmosphere to a group of children trying to scare each other with tales of ghosts and monsters.
Sonia then pulled out a few papers and an ink pen, sliding them to the young man.
"Before we start, I will need you to sign these confidentiality documents. You may read through them at your own pace. We will begin once you feel settled."
Now holding the papers in his hands, Ernst quickly scanned their contents.
The following was a mere non-disclosure agreement, stating that he was not to mention anything related to the current meeting.
Ernst read through the contents carefully. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.
Grabbing the bullpoint pen on the table, his eyes traced downwards where he would sign his signature. He felt that there was no reason for him not to back out of the offer in front of him. Sonia had already inferred her knowledge of the events at the plaza. Not to mention that his saviour was right next to him.
The past week moved quickly, yet so much had happened. Everything seemed interconnected to Ernst. From Sonia's party dining in their family baker, to the events about Christopher. Fate, a concept that he did not believe in, seemed to be taking shape in his life.
He then handed the documents back to Sonia.
After a few moments, the patient Sonia placed them to the side and cleared her throat.
"Ahem."
"Everything looks to be in order."
She looked over to Lev as if she were awaiting some sort of approval.
Nodding his head, she smiled and began to speak once more.
"I'm sure you have many questions regarding what happened at the plaza that day. In truth, these are things that many people will come to know in the near future."
Ernst straightened his back, carefully focusing on her words.
"There are things in this world that are beyond comprehension…things that shouldn't be known…and things that are best left forgotten…"
"For centuries, it has been our sole duty to ensure that such events do not occur in the public eye. However, as you have seen, some monsters exist among humanity."
Although he had seemingly returned to normal, Christopher had also showcased monstrous abnormality. Regardless, seeing his usually caring friend turn crazed was a sight he did not wish to see. If it had not been for Otto, he believed he would not have been able to return to the bakery that evening.
Looking toward his hand, Sonia noticed how Ernst had gripped a handful of the fabric of his pants.
"I know this is a lot to take in. These things are not so easy to digest. However, that is why people like us exist."
"I only say this as a reminder, but if you've read thoroughly, you would know that we will only be able to answer four of your questions — mainly, for confidentiality's sake."
While the terms were clearly listed out in the fine print of the document. The situation in itself was strange. As a result of these conditions, the young man did not mind the odd nature of their agreement. Ernst already had an idea of what he wanted to know. Such decisions were made through the rigorous thinking that had befallen him over the past couple of days.
Although he was only able to ask four questions, if he accepted the job, he was free to learn more about the history of his potential colleagues. Furthermore, so long as subsequent questions were related to the topic at hand, they would not count as one of the four.
A chill ran down Ernst's spine. His body felt numb as he recalled the wriggling fingers on the distorted man that he saw at the plaza. The sight of "that" creature had been deeply ingrained in his memory. From the way it flaunted the decapitated head of a leading officer, to the bloodied, dismembered corpses that lay around it, this event had caused significant trauma to him.
Releasing his inner tension, Ernst took a breath and spoke.
"What exactly happened at the plaza…why did Christopher act as if he was possessed by some…demon?"
Rather than Sonia responding, Otto spoke a single word in a deep, yet surreal, tone.
"Eiter."
Eiter?
"That is what was responsible for the pain that this side of Bauner had most recently faced."
"It exists everywhere. It creeps out of the darkest areas where suffering is most prominent…"
"It arises from the extreme sufferings of the human mind…"
"It may also be directly conjured into this world…"
"In truth, it is something that should not exist. It is an unnatural force that plagues mankind."
Ernst replayed Otto's words in his head as he tried to sort his ambiguous description.
The name of this force itself echoed corruption and decay. A word that is commonly associated with disease and infestation.
"So…'eiter,' is what infected them that day?" Ernst inquired.
Reaffirming his claim, Otto nodded.
"That is correct."
Otto then dug into his pocket in search of something. He then placed a small silver container on the table.
"Open it."
Looking to Otto, Ernst received a reassuring nod.
Sonia grabbed her mug and took a sip as she watched the young man hesitantly extend his hand toward the metal cartridge.
The other members of the business did not seem opposed to Otto's request. Thinking that his actions were safe, he held the container in his hands and began to slowly remove its lid.
In it was a small piece of flesh. Due to its texture, it looked like it could have belonged to a human heart.
It seemed to pulse as if blood was being pumped into it continuously. It eerily beat in place with black strains spanning across its surface.
"This is from the other man, isn't it…?" Ernst spoke. His hand nearly fumbled at the grotesque object in his hands.
"Good observation," Lev said in a flat tone.
"Don't try to touch it, though."
Hearing this, Ernst immediately closed the lid of the cartridge and placed it back down.
"What if one touches it?" he asked.
"Your mind would implode. You'd feel as if the world is collapsing in on itself. And, you would slowly go mad, eventually turning out like your friend at the plaza. Perhaps even akin to the other individual that day."
Ernst stared at the silver box with a frozen expression. Although he felt a slight sense of relief, he could not imagine what disaster might have occurred if he had been careless enough to touch the seemingly "sentient" piece of flesh.
Noticing his worried look, Lev interjected.
"However, there is no need to worry…"
"We'd be here to ensure that you wouldn't get to that stage."
Now that they mention it…I believe that Otto forced a vial into Christopher's mouth…after he drank the liquid, he seemed to return to normal…
"And what of my friend? Will he be alright?" Ernst could not help but ask. Last he had seen him, he was in a fragile state — despite reverting to "normal."
Sonia smiled before speaking.
"He should be fine. Although he was taken by the Gaudnarian military, he should be released in the near future. They're most likely ensuring that his condition is stable."
Ernst felt an extreme amount of relief overcome him. While there was still a bit of doubt in his mind, some part of him felt he could trust Sonia's words at this moment.
"While you've already agreed not to share any of this information, we do appreciate it if you continue to keep it to yourself…"
"Sonia here has already advocated for your candidness, " Lev said. He then picked up the cartridge and placed it promptly into his pocket.
"As for that job offer…you still may take up on it so long as you wish to."
"You'll be compensated according to your abilities. Of course, you will begin with a starting salary of 4,500 markings, which, I assume, Sonia has disclosed. Your job would be to simply assess clients before they meet with either Sonia or Otto."
I guess I still have a say in whether or not I accept their offer… Ernst thought humorously. Although he had expected this outcome, there remained a chance that the four would stray away from hiring an outsider. Such hidden secrets would only create a greater divide between people. But this led to more questions arising pertaining to why they were still willing to give the young man a chance.
"Why are you so willing to share this information with me?" For some time, Ernst could not help but wonder about this question. He was no stranger to the notion that figures with authority may enforce secrecy for a variety of reasons. However, the information that had been exposed to him so far seemed like something that could shatter society as a whole.
The very existence of hidden monsters and madness threatened the very peace of the commonfolk.
"Many people catch wind of such occurrences and label them as work done by evil itself. However, sometimes, there are cases in which people such as yourself become too intertwined with the events." Sonia spoke with objectivity.
"Although you were initially offered the job as an intaker by chance, after some discussion, your encounter at the plaza piqued the interest of Otto, who had partially witnessed how you defended yourself…not many can incapacitate individuals infected by eiter."
It was all by chance, though…
Although Ernst was still put off by the information that had just been shared with him, he continued to think of his sister at home. He believed that his survival was a matter of luck rather than his own innate abilities.
"And what if I decide to leave Bauner? Would that not be a good alternative?" he questioned.
Otto spoke up, "As I've said, eiter is everywhere. There is nowhere to go. Nowhere to run. You cannot escape it. The Eidenshire Empire has the means to dispel anything surrounding the supernatural."
"As for other countries…we can't be too certain…"
Eidenshire? Hearing him mention their neighbouring country, Ernst's curiosity grew further.
"No matter where you go, there will be a chance for eiter."
"However, should you stay close to people like us, you have some guarantee of safety…"
While he received some answers to the questions he had been longing to be answered, Ernst could not help but feel that their explanation still held a great load of ambiguity. Moving to the western continent no longer seemed like a viable option. Although they vaguely mentioned the Eidenshire Empire's prominent role in the world, hidden from the public, moving there did not seem possible under their current financial circumstances.
"Although you may work with us, ultimately, it is still your choice on whether or not you would like to participate in hunting and containing the eiter. While Otto believes you have a talent for combat, Sonia believes that your character is fit for the job that was initially proposed to you," Lev added.
Ernst recalled the death he had witnessed that day. He imagined how each soldier hada familys to go back to. Children and wives awaited their spouses and fathers to return, yet no one would come home that evening. Once again, he thought of how he, too, would have likely been among the casualties.
"I have a sister."
"Would that be the best thing I could do for her…to join you?"
He then scanned the room for a response from any of the four members of the small business.
While a pained look formed on Sonia's face, Lev simply nodded in response. Otto, more focused on keeping watch, instead, peeked behind the blinded windows. Although three of their members had been proactive in their meeting, Ernst could not help but notice that Leva had not spoken a word other than her name.
"I see," Ernst softly spoke.
A void of silence filled the room once more.
"Since it was not directly related to the topic at hand, I won't count that as one of the four questions," Lev said indifferently.
Seizing the opportunity, Ernst thought carefully about what his third question should be.
"Take your time."
Ernst recalled the vivid memories of struggle and blood.
As he stared blankly, he thought once more of the soldiers on the ground. Images of the destruction in the plaza resurface.
The man consumed by eiter shrieked in the center. With its inhuman abilities effortlessly massacring half of a small squadron lingered in his head.
Seemingly concluding, his eyes directed toward his left.
Now facing Otto, he asked, "How was he able to fend off those who were infected by this corruptive force?"