Somewhere Someplace

Antica stood there with rather the tonal whiplash. So sharp this sudden authoritative shift had been in the officer’s voice, that Antica was pierced quite; her conditioned Remnant instincts were immediately triggered. Indeed, without any true desire, will, or even intention…her demeanor had stiffened with militarized discipline, her standing posture now at attent.

The officer, eyes stern and commanding, stared her down with a lean and interlocked hands. “To finally introduce myself: I am Lanford Faulkner, Colonel of the 13th Grand Exiled Regiment of Light Guard—though, we are hardly a conventional ‘regiment’, ‘grand’ or otherwise—, Senior Adjutant Officer of Observation to the Captain General of the Exiled Legions, the recently appointed Chief Commissaire of the 7th District of the Central Company’s Armies – Strawberry, amongst many other titles and responsibilities.” thus, he so ‘introduced’; “Although, you may simply call me Colonel Faulkner.”

« … » Antica had to process all of that… Even though she was unfamiliar with much of these terminologies and labels, it was obvious to her that this officer was a type of higher commandant—he certainly sounded like one.

“Now then,” the officer—or rather ‘Colonel Faulkner’ now—so continued, “by the formal signed assents of Marshal Olfred of the United Central Company’s collective armies and Captain General Jehan-Rebelle of the Exiled Legions, with permission from Sergeant Major General Royçois of the Western Exiled Legion and Major General Daysman of the Coastfield Occupation Authority, and with consent from Captain Renard of the Volunteer Service Corps, you have been officially transferred to my oversight and that of the 13th Grand Exiled Regiment as a volunteer…‘specialist’—initially as part of the Coastfield matter, now officially pending new orders.”

« … » Once again, Antica had to process all of that… Truly, whatever point he was trying to make, he had made it. Hmm… Nevertheless, interesting phrasing, she had picked out… Not transferred to this ‘13th regiment’ or whatever, but merely transferred to the oversight of… Regardless, for all intentions, this ‘colonel’ whoever was her higher commandant, then.

“I see…” she began to speak, “and, so, I must ask—”

Yet, “Volunteer de Relevancia, save your questions until permitted to ask.” Colonel Faulkner immediately intercepted.

« … » Antica immediately silenced her mouth. Indeed, already, it was as if a spell had been so enacted upon her. Although her demeanor was not necessarily more…submissive, it was certainly more adhesive to this perceived superior command authority. This ‘colonel’ being a primitive denizen did not counteract any of her Remnant instincts and internalized conditioning, seemingly; the marginal uniform similarities between the Far West and Remnant proper certainly did not help, either.

“You are doubtlessly eager for the specificity of causality, and now with those introductory technicalities out of the way,” Colonel Faulkner thus carried on, “to explain: words had reached the ears of higher officership that, in concurrency with the Adventurer Guild’s cooperation with us in the search for Blossom Coastfield-Sunnycloud, they have also begun ‘behind-curtain’ correspondences with both Oceanfield and, more pressingly, Boundless Sea. In light of this, the United Central Company has lost confidence in the Guild’s commitment in this…specific joint-endeavor, as well as trust in their intentions with regards to their lead involvement.”

Antica acknowledged with a simple nod, adhering to the mandated silence.

“Consequently, the decision was made to take total-encompassing initiative to ensure the safeguard of Company interests in Coastfield. Accordingly, we approached and successfully enlisted the assistance of a long-spanning corporate partner, sir Earl Walnut the Twenty-Second of Northern Creamlight.” Colonel Faulkner thus disclosed, speaking as straightly as he could.

Ah… So that must be that ‘relevant status’ whoever Novea had mentioned, Antica surmised in mind.

“His, as he would say, ‘overeducated’ daughter has come of suitable age, and he was already in the process of searching for a suitor amongst the lower nobility specifically.” Colonel Faulkner thus continued; “Of course, now he is planning a large, surprise, sweeping tour of the lesser houses of Huckleberry’s eastern bulge, ostensibly to look for this suitor, though prioritizing the provided list of narrowed potentials.”

Antica, again, just acknowledged with a nod.

“His landed tilted status allows him to essentially appear and enter any lesser house personably, allowing him and his trusted personal guards to directly inspect, thoroughly search, take notes of possible candidates, and inform us. More especially, once Earl Walnut is confident in having confirmed Blossom’s identity, he and his men will directly see to it that she is transferred to our custody, and we will see to her return to Coastfield. Neither the Guild nor its Bureau will be involved in this process.” Colonel Faulkner thus stated.

“Mh…” Antica’s closed mouth mumbled partially… Truly, it was perhaps more difficult than she cared to admit…to not blurt some form of verbal acknowledgment.

“This tour is expected to last throughout the remainder of Autumn’s Eve and well into Autumn’s Feast, perhaps even beyond. Even with that narrowed list, it is still extensive, and each visit is a day’s commitment or more. Nothing is without risks, likewise. However, as the Bureau’s ears have doubtlessly acknowledged, all things considered, this is amongst the most optimal present plans for finding Blossom Coastfield-Sunnycloud.” Colonel Faulkner’s voice sounded as if finishing.

“And that is why you consider this ‘matter’ to be ‘largely handled’ and why my ‘direct involvement’ is ‘no longer necessary’…” Antica ultimately blurted…

“I did not give you technical permission to speak, volunteer de Relevancia. But yes. That is everything relevant regarding to why your direct involvement has been deemed no longer necessary—of which was provided as a courtesy, as I was under no obligation.” Colonel Faulkner thus stated; “Although, considering circumstances, this reassignment would have likely came regardless of the state of the search.”

“Of course…” Antica just muttered.

“Now then, before I continue, you may now levy your questions.” Colonel Faulkner finally permitted; “However, for brevity’s sake, you are limited to only five questions and no more than two follow-ups; keep in heart, I will only be offering concise answers.”

“Hm…” Antica began to cogitate… Truth be told, she had not any the clue as to where she should even…begin.

Colonel Faulkner allowed a brief silence to ensue, letting her…parse through what had been quite the ‘dump of information’, so to speak…

Hmm… Well, she might as well…start chronologically. “You said that…the Company has lost the trust with the Guild because of…these ‘correspondences’ with Oceanfield and Boundless Sea… With respect, sir, may you elaborate?”

“Certainly. The Guild has binding prearrangements with the Dutchy of Oceanfield, even if not to the extent as it had with Coastfield-Sunnycloud; Oceanfield’s acquisition of Coastfield would allow the Guild’s Coastfield branch to continue operating, nevertheless. The Company, however, would have to renegotiate our exclusivities under tenser inter-political conditions than decades prior.” Colonel Faulkner answered.

Antica ever-lightly nodded her head, trying to understand; “…and Boundless Sea?”

“The so-called ‘Oned Baronies’ of Boundless Sea is a nascent creation, relatively speaking. The Guild has no prearrangements, but Boundless Sea is not directly antagonistic; she is open to negotiation. The Guild could potentially entice the Oned Baronies to agree to a beneficial arrangement in exchange for supporting her claims over Coastfield.” Colonel Faulkner answered.

“Hmm… I see…” Antica acknowledged, thinking… “You implied that this Boundless Sea was…a more pressing concern… But I was with the impression that this ‘Sunflower’ was the pressing concern?” She wanted to…better understand these underlying contexts—as best she could, at least.

“Sunflower is the Guild’s chiefest concern—not the Company’s. Sunflower’s posturing are considered bluffs; she cannot afford a protracted conflict, not with her arch-rival, Sunshine, leaning over her shoulders.” Colonel Faulkner frankly explained; “Boundless Sea, however, is a commercial empire on the rise, having westernized her corporate practices. Since her formation, she has actively sought to contest the United Central Company’s influence within the western coast; consequently, she is our chiefest rival and threat.”

“I see…” Antica tried to process…

“And, suffice it to say, the Company considers any potential acquisition of Coastfield by Boundless Sea to be an intolerable outcome to be avoided at all cost.” Colonel Faulkner finished; there was more…affect in his voice, seemingly.

Antica was not going to pretend she understood all of these…denizen-political nuances, much of which went over her head more than she cared to admit; nevertheless, however, the picture was clear. “I take it, then, that the concern either case…was that, because of these ‘correspondences’, the Guild could potentially…change its goals because it made a better ‘agreement’? That it could give Blossom to these realms instead?”

“Or that Blossom would have a most tragic ‘accident’ whilst in Bureau custody… But, overall, precisely.” Colonel Faulkner so stated; “It presented the possibility that, should the Guild and its Bureau lose confidence in the feasibility of enthroning Blossom, they could abruptly shift plans and thus…intentions.”

“Hmm…” Antica processed… “But I thought that…the point of this was to ensure that both of your interests would be met? Why would the Guild…go against your interests, then?”

“It is business and politics.” Colonel Faulkner was blunt; “They are preparing contingencies to ensure their interests are ultimately met, which happened to be incompatible with ours; so, we prepared our own. I should stress, however, that the working relationship and trust between us has always been circumstance by circumstance, and our trust on this specific matter does not apply to other matters in which we are still cooperating quite happily.”

Hmm… Frankly, this sort of…extreme pragmatism seemed almost to the point of being unpragmatic to her, never mind dysfunctional long-term.

However…

“I should caution, you only have two questions left.” Colonel Faulkner abruptly stated.

Indeed, Antica could not continue pressing this… “It is understood…” She moved on in her head, cogitating… “This ‘Earl Walnut’ person… He is the principal part of this plan… However, to rely on one person…”—her attention focused—“With respect, sir, are you with certainty that he will accurately identify Blossom?”

“Earl Walnut is a man of resourcefulness and cunning intelligence. Higher officership is confident in his ability to successfully identify Blossom. The girl’s pinkly hair is already a rarity even in this continent, and her eyes are also fairly unique; there are many other differentiators, likewise.” Colonel Faulkner replied.

“But I heard that these houses could have hundreds of staff… That is a lot for one person, no?” Antica inquired.

“Nominally, yes. However, there are a few conveniences of this continent’s practices, principally servants and slaves being considered icons of wealth and status; the lower nobility tends to overcompensate in this regard. Earl Walnut’s abrupt arrival would doubtlessly cause any lesser house to mass display their servants to impress, allowing for easier inspection; they would likewise be submissive to any of his requests no matter how bizarre.” Colonel Faulkner stated; “There are many methods of assessing, truly.”

“Hmm…” Antica began to cogitate… “I take it that he could exploit this by requesting these houses to ‘display their staff’ for him within given narrowed…differentiators?”

“You are certainly strategic.” Colonel Faulkner simply remarked; “However, you have one question left.”

“Hm…” Antica was not sure if she had any more…

“He’s an opportunist and sleezy bastard, so it is possible that…” Abruptly, such words so flashed into her head… Right, although Novea had tried to keep the extent of the Bureau knowledge vague, she nevertheless insinuated…

Indeed, Antica’s attention sharpened. “You said that, ‘nothing is without the risks’… So, then: what are the risks?” she straightly inquired with reinforced interest.

Colonel Faulkner leaned forward, having noticed the shift in Antica’s assertiveness; “Negligible.”

“But not absent.” Antica immediately countered; “If the concern was that Guild would ‘change intentions’, then are you certain that this earl is not going to do the same if he finds Blossom?”

“I was not involved in the planning, I should state. However, higher officership is very confident in Earl Walnut and his commitment.” Colonel Faulkner thus stated.

“…‘higher officership’, hm…” Antica murmured, taking notice… Indeed, Colonel Faulkner had done the same moments before: specifying ‘higher officership’, not implying he himself. “You speak of ‘higher officership’ having confidence, but what…of you?” she bluntly asked.

Colonel Faulkner…leaned back a bit; “I imagine this persistence is not from thin air…” He took a moment… “Earl Walnut… Well, I suppose I could say… He is an interesting fellow; a new breed of nascent capitalists in this land; his mind is less of a noble and more burgeoning bourgeois… It is why the Company and him get along so well… But, well, everything is always done from opportunism, competitive advancement, and potential returns with these sorts.”

Hmm… There was a shift in the colonel’s voice, Antica felt.

Colonel Faulkner paused, organizing his mind and picking his words… “I have had the luxury of meeting with that man on many occasions…” he thus spoke; “And it was rather apparent he cares for only two things: growing his enterprises by bludgeoning competition—friend or foe—and…family… Yes, he is actually quite the family gentleman; he loved his now deceased countess, and he loves his only surviving child: his daughter. For most nobles, daughters were merely political objects to be married off—not to him…”

Antica, however, sharply noticed… “You speak as if these are weaknesses…”

“Weaknesses… Not necessarily. However, in consideration to his nature, should he find someone whom he solemnly believes would be a good fit for his daughter, that could…complicate matters—such as ending the tour early, for example.” Colonel Faulkner stated, yet…

“You speak as if there are more possibilities…” Antica noticed…

“Well, it is amongst my duties to contrive of all these…possibilities of risks and dangers.” Colonel Faulkner just replied.

“What is the worst ‘contrived’ possibility, then?” Antica immediately asked.

“Hm, you seem oddly interested.” Colonel Faulkner frankly remarked; “The worst I could contrive is if three improbabilities aligned: Earl Walnut somehow finds both Blossom and a potential suitor whom he deeply fancies within the same house which also happens to be, for whatever reasons, irrationally stubborn regarding his choice. That could present a grave complication.”

“…elaborate?” Antica swiftly asked.

However…

“Unfortunately, you are out of questions, volunteer de Relevancia.” Colonel Faulkner thus stated; “Though, to address: Earl Walnut has been incredibly picky with his search so far; he would only dare to announce interest if he was already convinced the suitor would be a perfect fit. It is highly unlikely that he will find a suitor for his daughter, let alone one within the same house as Blossom.”

« Sed adúc non-zero… » Antica murmured; high unlikely, but still non-zero.

“Regardless, potential complications notwithstanding, the Company considers this handled, and I consider your involvement no longer necessary.” Colonel Faulkner reiterated; “And I believe we must move on.”

“My attention is to you, sir…” Antica acknowledged…

Colonel Faulkner straightened his posture and cleared his throat, giving it a momentary rest as he regathered his words… “I will be frank with you, Nilia de Relevancia…” His voice changed tones… “The United Central Company is in dire straits, a commonality we share with the Guild. However, unlike the Guild, this company’s single exclusive obligation is to the six signatory powers of our charter and our shareholders in the mainland—both of whom are already…deeply upset. And recent events have placed the future of our charter into even greater question.”

“I see…” Antica acknowledged, following along.

Yet Colonel Faulkner paused momentarily… “The Bronzegate incident…” These words immediately snatched Antica’s attention… “You are doubtlessly familiar, considering your prior referenced heroics… However, twelve men were still butchered in that single event… And, make no mistake, once news reaches the mainland of what will undoubtedly be called the ‘Horrific Massacre in Centralish Lands’, it will be another reckoning to add on top of the Coastfield disaster…”

Antica could feel the seriousness in his voice… Truth be told, she could not help but feel guilty…deep down within.

“However,” Colonel Faulkner continued, “even with recent advancements, news is still slow to travel across the Great Ocean… This gives us time; time to return home with news of retribution and redeeming victory.”

“You want to retaliate, then?” Antica deduced.

“Not ‘want’, for a desire implies choice, and we have none. It is either decisive retaliation or face certain liquidation; we must avenge the butchered twelve.” Colonel Faulkner was very frank; “Besides, the culprits have interfered with our operations enough.”

“So, you imply, then, that you know whom to retaliate against?” Antica remarked.

“Yes. We do.” Colonel Faulkner leaned in; “In light of the Bronzegate massacre, our partners in the Adventurers’ Guild have informed us that they strongly suspect that incident is connected to a greater coordinated movement; a vast coalition of underworld ‘fiends’—elves, ‘greenies’, gnomes, and the like—whom they dub ‘the Fallen’.”

“…the Fallen?” Antica tilted her head a little…

“Myes. The Fallen.” Colonel Faulkner repeated; “The Guild, of course, was vague regarding the details. It appears they have been trying to keep the existence of this coordinated group of under-dwelling hooligans…well, underground.” he thus remarked; “Nevertheless, even before the Bronzegate massacre, both the Company and the Guild were already cooperating regarding the increased activities of goblin and orc bands throughout the Huckleberry Dutchy and beyond, the Company itself experiencing increased raids by goblin bands.”

“Goblins, huh…” Antica began to muse, reflecting on things etched into her mind…

“Myes. And, strikingly, these raids left negligible causalities besides injuries and a mass of missing supplies—firearms and powder, especially.” Colonel Faulkner stated; “And, I should clarify, I know coordinated guerrilla tactics when I see them. These attacks were what I was previously investigating prior to being dragged here, in fact.”

“Hm… May I speak?” Antica requested.

“Go ahead…” Colonel Faulkner allowed.

“I… We encountered goblins too on the way to Huckleberry and within, primarily the remains of their attacks. However, these attacks had…excessive deaths, survivors being presumed to have been captured and killed… I am not sure if these are connected or random incidents, but… Hm…” She cogitated… “It could be a distraction… Sporadic cruel attacks with mass deaths would attract far more attention, pulling away from their deathless raids focused on supplies… It could also make to create the sense of unrelatedness to activities which are in truth…related…”

Antica quickly became lost to her musing, her hand instinctually finding itself upon her chin.

“And considering that the Bronzegate deaths is causing this…planned retaliation, but prior attacks on the Company were deathless, then…if this was truly the same group, then maybe they…were trying to avoid provoking a big retaliation, suggesting that they might not be prepared and that…” Antica abruptly paused, having realized that she had perhaps become… Indeed, her attention immediately returned; “Oh, I give sorry, I…” Yet she paused again, seeing…

Indeed, Colonel Faulkner stared quite sharply and attentively, his chin resting atop his interlocked hands. “No. By all means, do continue.” His eyes conveyed quite the piqued interest.

« …ehm… » For whatever reason, Antica felt…very strange in this moment. Embarrassed? Flattered? She could not comprehend; it felt weird, nevertheless. “That is…all…”

“Hm.” Colonel Faulkner simply mumbled, before sighing; “Certainly, impressively deductive; those are all valid possibilities…” His attention abruptly sharpened, looking straight into her; “This only reinforces my decision. Nilia de Relevancia, it is of my belief that your unique prowess would be of greater use in being our spearhead in the United Company’s retaliation against the Fallen. All things considered, we can neither afford to have a bronze abomination running amuck in our routes nor even more angry shareholders.” he thus stated; “Therefore, as soon as possible and able, you are to head for our detachment in Grandberry and assist in our efforts.” And, thus, new orders had been given.

“It is understood, sir…” Antica acknowledged; even if she wanted to, she was unable to refuse… Yet, even so, her mask-obscured eyes drifted… Indeed, she had still kept in mind… “However, I was…explicitly told that I must remain here in Strawberry no matter what; that Grandberry was to be avoided…” Her attention returned to the colonel; “And you have not clarified my…position with the Bureau, either…”

Colonel Faulkner sighed; “Myes, I was about to get to that, in fact… Hence why I said ‘as soon as possible and able’…” he remarked, voice relaxing… “Doubtlessly, the Bureau wants to keep you secluded and especially away from Grandberry because of the Security Office…”

“…Security Office, hm…” Indeed, Antica recalled hearing that name well-enough, and not even the day prior. That receptionist in Coastfield had brought it up during… Actually, for reasons untold, Antica did not want to think about…that receptionist whose name she still remembered… ‘Lavender’.

“Myes. The Security Office. It and the Bureau tend to engage in quite the bureaucratic squabbling… After all, the Guild nor the Company for that matter…are homogenous entities…” Colonel Faulkner thus remarked; “And the Security Office is in the process of taking over the Huckleberry Guild branch due to another, presumably unrelated, matter.”

“Missing receptionists…” Antica mumbled, recalling… That particular issue still lingered within…

“The Guild’s Security Office has been cooperating with us, however…it has a tendency of…intruding on the Bureau’s things, and doubtlessly the Bureau does not want the Office to have their grubbing hands on you.” Colonel Faulkner thus continued.

“So, what am I to do…” Antica wondered.

“Nothing.” Yet Colonel Faulkner frankly answered; “Despite all of my words, I am in no interest to antagonize the Bureau any further than I doubtlessly already have. The Bureau is undoubtedly going to vehemently protest, and I will be consumed with days of talking. Thus, for the time being, you will remain here in Strawberry, potentially helping us with other matters, until the details are sorted out. However, within a week’s time, you will be on-route to Grandberry.” he thus stated; “We played our cards, and now it is their turn to play theirs, simply put.”

“Oh, I see…” Truly, this was surprisingly a mundane outcome for what seemed urgent… In the end, she was…still…to do nothing… “So, then, I am to return to my…partner and the Bureau?”

“Essentially, yes.” Colonel Faulkner confirmed.

Hmm… However, Antica began to suddenly cogitate… This colonel, in spite of their initial ‘chat’, was being…fairly straightforward; Antica felt she had a decent enough understanding of…what they wanted her to do and why, especially in contrast with the Bureau.

Yet, frankly, in retrospect, much of the Bureau’s secrecy and…distrust felt more reasonable to her now—to a point. Indeed, Antica this entire time was ultimately ‘lent’ to the Bureau by the Company… Novea herself had mentioned such in Coastfield. This dual affiliation made her an information liability, and there was always possibility of…well…exactly this happening…

However, such only made her wonder… “You have told me…a lot of things… Are you not concerned that I will—”

“Leak to the Bureau?” Colonel Faulkner plainly interposed; “No. I am not. Because I know you will not.”

“How do you know that I will not?” Antica immediately inquired, frank.

“Because I am your superior officer, and I am ordering you not to. You are not to disclose the contents of this meeting without approval.” Colonel Faulkner, voice authoritative, so ordered.

And Antica stood there as if conditioned instincts enacted their will. “It is understood, sir.” Just like that, her lips were guaranteed to be sealed.

“That being so, however, I shall specify what you are permitted to disclose—amongst other fine details, of course…” Colonel Faulkner thus continued on, specifying exactly what and what not.

Ah… Truly, no advanced manipulation or charm is necessary

All it takes is simply structural familiarities and ordered mandates

Though, nevertheless…

‘Earl Walnut of Northern Creamlight’, was it now?

I will have to mark note that name…

For this plot appears to be shifting…