"Why'd they get the strong sword guy.." Rayna sulked inside a corridor of a dilapidated apartment complex within a vacant city. The reason for the vacancy was quite obvious, for people who read and watch the news like a normal person – Except Satoya of course. This city was one of the smaller cities of Rieamaius, formerly called GeraldTown, that was vacant due to a small incident, along with a minor drug war between 2 gangs.
"I'm surprised you didn't call him hot…" Edward looked up at Rayna, clutching onto his pistol that somehow has enough ammo to be 'enough for the mission' quoted by Ludwig Azure.
"I'm not into the edgy-cold people."
"I thought you swooned over a truth seeker in high school.." Edward pointed out, taking out his phone to try to find a video that he recorded sometime last year.
Rayna shook her head dismissively. She started to take out the sheathed military knife before remarking, "I will stab you."
"You can probably just pick him up and throw him off." Johnathan interjected, staring down on Edward. Johnathan is actually the tallest yet youngest out of the Satoya gang, being 187cm (or about 6'2). Rayna wheezed from the interruption.
"I wonder how their group is doing, I'm surprised that Ludwig dude decided to split us up for this contract, but I forgot the contract details though.." Edward tried to squeeze his head, attempting to remember any word of the contract. Unfortunately, he isn't a Regulator, which means he doesn't have access or can't receive anything Regulator contract related.
"Find it odd how, despite Satoya being a Truth Seeker, he lacks a Verity, what if he's born in the wrong direction?"
"Edward, you don't describe people that way, that's mildly f***ed."
"But still, if Ludwig is a Truth Seeker and he has a Verity, what was it called?.. Right, Starlit gates, then why don't Satoya have one?" Edward wondered.
Rayna shrugged, "Could be Satoya just didn't have powers or any byproduct.." Just like how Rin elaborated to Satoya—who should've known but due to him lacking any common knowledge on anything from him zoning out for all of his life—All truth seekers have a Verity, even if it doesn't grant the person powers as a byproduct, which makes Satoya's Verity-less case to be stupendously strange.
"What if his Verity is just him paying attention to everything?" Johnathan smirked as he joked. Which abruptly caused Rayna and Edward to start cackling.
Despite the curiosity of this group, otherwise referred to as Group 2 by Ludwig, Group 1 was having an entirely different conversation while they were exploring a run down middle school that was located in the edge of GeraldTown.
"Ah c'mon, Takeda Bakery is glorious in terms of their pastries!'
"Absolutely not! Eunji bakery is better!"
Even though the atmosphere of the abandoned middle school was eerie with the added uncomfortability from Ludwig's overwhelming presence, Shizune and Isaac were discoursing over bakeries. Satoya himself rarely eats any pastries, the last pastry he had was a stale croissant he nearly died in the bathroom from.
Ludwig was busy scanning the surroundings, lightly holding onto the sheath of his sword. Despite the intimidation radiating from Ludwig, Satoya asked him a simple question.
"Why did you choose to be with us?"
Ludwig took a short glance at him, then mumbled, "Curiosity."
"Yeah right, curiosity my ass, you are just here to watch us get demolished then save us at the last second!" Satoya spoke in disdain. Even if Ludwig is directly the reason why Satoya—and the gang—are still alive, he can't help but feel somewhat salty about it.
"I'm fine with just watching you all die."
"No? Won't it be your responsibility that we died? And also, the others aren't Regulators, they are NORMAL citizens."
"You are aware that the RC aren't those hero organizations right? Hell, go ask the Regulators in The Jurisdiction Court to save someone who they deem guilty."
What the hell is The Jurisdiction Court?
"Aside, I don't even know you all's names."
"Great, now you're changing the subject."
Shizune raised her hand, before introducing herself happily, "Shizune Itose!" Her first name is actually Itose, everyone just calls her by last name for no apparent reason.
"I'm Isaac." Isaac introduced blankly, without any emotion at all. Shizune and Isaac went back to their pastry argument.
"And you?"
"Huh? Oh right, Satoya Murayama."
"But answer my question! Why'd you decide to split us up and go with us?"
"Like I said, curiosity."
"Curious about what?"
"Curious on why you don't have a Verity. Aside, group 2 looks like they'd work as a good team."
"Wow.. so insightful.."
Shizune then chuckled, before pointing at Satoya with a smile, "Lord Sarcasm!"
"Don't call me that!"
"Lord of Sarcasm! Ha!" Isaac started laughing, filling the middle school with echoes of laughter.
Amidst the laughter, Ludwig stopped in his tracks, letting the trio banter while walking ahead.
Ludwig turned, facing back into the empty dark hallway. He narrowed his eyes, cautiously gripping his sword's hilt.
The sound of ammunition reloading.. Is it The Consortium or The Compass Treaty?