A few days later…
Arthur was leaning against the white walls of a long hallway in front of a door. He wore a clean red suit with black interiors, his shimmering silver hair was combed into a side-part. He scrolling through his phone when he heard footsteps approaching. After a few minutes, an individual appeared wearing the same suit as him. He had yellow hair and green eyes with a smile that would induce any lady that glanced at him. The general of the Special ops – Lancelot Clover strode with confidence and dignity as he approached Arthur.
"Lieutenant Arthur, Are your prepared?" Lancelot spoke smugly.
"…Yes, I am. Now, let's hurry before the audience get bored."
Arthur tucked his phone as Lancelot put on a gentle smile. They entered the room and instantly, flashlights flickered; taking photos. They sat down in their chairs while the crowd clapped. Lancelot especially was waving his arm and putting on a soft smile, entertaining the crowd. Eventually, the lights died down, and large hall filled with reporters from various news stations.
Lancelot coughed, drawing the crowd's attention before speaking in the microphone stationed in front of him.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this press conference held personally by me – the general of the special ops and…the lieutenant general."
The crowd clapped as he finished speaking. After a few moments, a man stood up. He was wearing a brown suit. He held a notebook and a pen and looked to be in his 30s.
"I'm from the Ashlandic Times. I would like to ask this question to the Lieutenant General. What exactly happened at the warehouse?"
Arthur pulled the mic closer to himself and answered the man's question.
"An alpha level chaos fragment opened in the old warehouse."
The man sat down, satisfied. Next, a woman in blue stood up.
"I'm from News today. I would like to ask this question also to the Lieutenant General. How many casualties did the division suffer from said chaos fragment?"
Lancelot shifted in his chair and gave a side eye to Arthur. His soft smile covered his faint intent.
'Can't he suppress himself for once?'
Arthur thought as he once again answered question.
"The casualties were 5 in number. The rest are being treated as we speak."
The crowd suddenly fell silent. The woman who had asked the question was trembling.
"B-But sir, isn't that twice the average f-for an Alpha level chaos f-fragment…"
Arthur sighed and looked at the crowd.
"Yes, it certainly is but that is just what happens to those who face chaos. The strong survive and the weak suffer."
The woman sat back down in awe and the crowd started to whisper amongst themselves. Eventually, another reporter stood up. The man was looked to be his twenties wearing a classic black suit and spoke in a polite manner.
"I'm from ARD news. I would like to ask this question to the General. Sir Lancelot, what was the unknown aircraft that entered our airspace a few days ago? It has caused rumors across the entire nation so we need a definitive answer."
Lancelot blinked and narrowed his eyes to a slit.
'This fool…trying to dig your grave. Bastard? This involves international ties it's better you keep your head out of this…but I suppose you can't because your just a curious fish like the rest of the pokers here…Your lucky I don't speak my thoughts out loud because I need to maintain my image.'
He took a deep breath and leaned back.
"We believe that the air-craft was originally sent from Rome. We've also received news that enforcers from Rome had been submitted to a hospital near the recent chaos fragment…coincidentally, it was also the first unit…As you know, we're still investigating but spring your own theories as you like."
The reporter nodded and sat back down. Then, another reporter stood up, it was an old man in his 50s wearing a blue suit. He spoke in a grumpy tone.
"I'm also from the Ashlandic times. It's for the Lieutenant General. Tell me, what caused the chaos fragment?"
Arthur shifted in his chair and thought for a while. Then, he answered the old reporter's question.
"It was due to rouge chaos incarnates. Those idiots dug their own grave."
"Was it really? And what happened to them?"
The reporter's question was immediately answered by Arthur.
"The majority fell to their own foolishness, and the beasts merely finished the work. One survivor remains."
"Can we get a name?" The old man probed.
"His name is not yours to know nor is it yours to ask. Sit down."
The reporter grumbled something under his breath and sat down, cross-armed.
***
Five hours went by with an endless volley of questions, some were skeptical, and some were satisfied. Arthur's patience grew thinner with each passing minute. Most of the press asked for details of the incident that happened at the warehouse. They got some information, but some was also not disclosed. After a while, a woman asked in a serious tone.
"What is the future of the Special operations division after this? Since, your forces have been thinned down, who will protect us?"
Lancelot was silent for a moment and then he intertwined his fingers and placed his arms below his chin.
"The future of the Special operations division is unknown and that will be discussed at the board meeting in the next three days."
The woman sat down and then Lancelot announced in a loud manner.
"That is all for today. I hope you were entertained. We will inform you of the future of the Special operations division once the board meeting concludes."
The crowd cheered after hearing his announcement. Flashes covered their visions as the reporters tired to ask last-minute questions. Arthur covered his eyes from the light and grimaced. He rose and turned his back to the crowd as if the conference was unworthy of his time. Lancelot stood up after the cameras died down and left the conference.
"That was a rough one, wasn't it, Arthur…Arthur?"
Lancelot called out to Arthur, but he was already walking towards the exit. Lancelot clenched his teeth – a bit annoyed by his behavior. Either way he followed him out of the building where they were attacked by harsh winds. Arthur strode over to his car – a super car with a sleek black and read design. He opened the driver's seat and entered the car.
"Leaving already? Are you?"
Lancelot came up to his window and teased him. Arthur looked at him with cold eyes and replied in an indifferent manner.
"I have no need to be here anymore. You're beginning to stink the air I breathe, Clover. Move it."
Hearing the insult, Lancelot tilted his head and said in a passive aggressive tone.
"Didn't your brother teach you respect your superiors? It's a tradition to teach elders and superiors with utmost respect."
"He also taught me to only give people the respect they deserve. Now, move it!"
Arthur rolled up his window, removing Lancelot's face from his vision. He turned on the car and drove off into the city.
'Petty bastard…'
Lancelot cursed Arthur in his mind. He headed towards his car, entering the passenger seat. The driver kickstarted the engine and drove off.