Walking into the coffee shop, Richard quickly spotted Leon. Seated beside him was the short and stocky Inspector he had met earlier in the day.
He raised a brow but didn't say anything as he walked up to the seat before sitting across the table.
"So? What is this you wanted us to hear?" Inspector Ludwig said in a gruff tone.
Richard could tell the Inspector was a rather brash person and didn't seem interested in him.
He smiled. He liked that.
Seeing Leon urging him, he cleared his throat and quickly explained.
"Hm. That is indeed cause for alarm. But I do not believe it is anything too serious."
Leon raised a brow, "You think so?"
Ludwig nodded,
"Over the years, there have been dozens of lunatics trying to damn the world for one reason or the other. But in the end, they all failed. Because the have no idea and do not understand the powers they are dealing with."
Richard frowned,
"Then what about this 'First Horseman'?"
Ludwig shrugged, "Most likely a phony poser and idiot who gets people to do his dirty work. The Four Horsemen are just a fantasy story. They aren't real."
Seeing him dismiss it like that, Richard couldn't help but feel off.
'This dude...'
The Inspector didn't seem like someone who enjoyed having a lot on his plate.
Leon chuckled wryly,
"But you can never say never, right? Let's order some coffee while we have our chat..."
Ludwig shrugged,
"Believe what you want to believe. The reason this world is running mad is exactly because of these messed up fantasy stories. Everyone wants to be a hero or a villain. Instead, they all turn into a bunch of crazy people." The inspector ranted.
Richard couldn't help but agree with him.
"So? Is that all you have to tell me?" The Inspector said, staring right at him.
Richard nodded,
"I am formally requesting permission to look into this personally."
Ludwig raised a brow,
"You?"
Richard nodded,
"Yes. Me."
Ludwig turned to Leon,
"Are you sure he's not your kid?"
Leon's expression was pale and dark at the same time. Still, he managed to swallow his words in time.
"Surely, you jest." Then he turned to Richard,
"You want to go after this horseman yourself?"
Richard nodded,
"Quite frankly, although I think it might be a bit farfetched, I do think there is some truth to it. And even if this 'horseman' isn't the one from the legends, we still have a lunatic with too much resources on his hands sponsoring and breeding trouble in this city."
Ludwig fell silent. Then his gaze became as sharp as a knife. Richard's throat suddenly dried up,
"Why? Doing something like that will be dangerous. I refuse to believe you are one of those good willed kids."
Indeed, Richard was not one of those that had a penchant for running off and trying to save everybody.
Instead, his true goal in doing all this was to get access to the resources of this so-called 'horseman'.
If he nabbed this person, Circle policy dictated that he would receive a portion of the resources retrieved, the same policy that applied for defeating abyssal creatures.
However, even then, anything he found during his 'investigations' would belong completely to him.
Someone that could sponsor the summoning of a Lich definitely had a heavy pocket. One he wouldn't mind making lighter.
Still, he couldn't be so blunt.
So instead, he decided to say;
"You are right. I don't have any intentions of being a hero. But I am concerned about the well-being of my city. I grew up here after all. I'd rather not have it turn into a breeding ground for the terrors of Hell."
Ludwig raised a brow,
"I'm not buying it."
Richard chuckled nervously.
"Stool, it isn't something that can't be arranged. However, I won't be responsible if something happens to you. And you have to take it on with your team."
Richard's face immediately soured,
"Glorious Inspector, I can handle something trivial like that on my own. You saw my spell, right? There isn't much I can't handle myself."
Ludwig sneered,
"Oh? Just because you have a fancy spell, you think you are some kind of special chosen one?"
Richard went silent, a frown on his face.
Ludwig chuckled with a sneer,
"Let me tell you something, kid. You have talent. But there are many before you that were just as talented, with some even more so. Just talent is not enough to get you by in this world."
"Don't treat me like I'm just some kid." Richard said coldly, "I've seen my fair share of the horrors in this world and the next."
Ludwig shook his head,
"It doesn't matter, kid. That's my only condition. If you agree, meet up with me before the week runs out." With that, the inspector stood up.
"Leon, try to keep these kids alive. The darkness encroaches on us everyday and we are doing our best not to get swallowed by it. The best we can do is keep those that will fight in the future alive."
Leon sighed tiredly,
"I know."
Ludwig nodded and gave Richard one last glance before heading out, his black trenchcoat fluttering with the wind.
A long silence stretched between the remaining two.
"You didn't tell me he was going to be here." Richard said, the frown on his face still there.
Leon sighed "The old man wanted to meet you. He told me to keep it a hush too. I had no choice."
Richard clicked his tongue,
"That old bastard sure has some tongue on him, talking to me like that."
Leon laughed, "Well, that old man is also a Fourth Rank sorcerer. He can turn you into dust as easily as waving a wand."
Richard's expression worsened.
Leon sighed. Tapping the table, he spoke calmly,
"I've read your file, Richard. You went to Gehenna. Those who can survive such a place are definitely premium cut. You've also had a lot of real world experience. However..."
"You are not immune to error. Or a blade. If you aren't careful and cautious, you will end up rotting in a pile of shit in the abyss. Or worse, you could put someone else in danger."
Gehenna, a famous magical institute and university that took in only the best of the best of the younger generation of sorcerers to train them in the arcane arts.
Richard had graduated a year ago before spending an entire year under the tutelage of a master who had taken him in.
The years had been grueling, tiresome and life threatening. A lot of people that had gone down the same path he had eventually killed themselves due to bouts of madness after acquiring knowledge that no human should have, or seeing things beyond what mortal eyes could comprehend.
But he had endured and managed to survive until the end.
Although he had been left with a lot of mental and physical scars...
"So have you decided? Are you going to accept his offer?"
Richard chuckled darkly,
"Do I even have a choice?"
Leon paused for a second then shook his head,
"You don't. Ludwig is rather... strange. But he seems to have taken an interest in you. By the end of the week, you all will likely be receiving a summons."
Richard clicked his tongue in annoyance,
"I thought so as well. These old bastards are always so forceful."
Leon laughed,
"Don't think about it too much. In any case, well done. You have been doing well so far, I'd say."
He paused for a moment and asked curiously,
"Still, to defeat a Lich with a single blow as a Second Rank Sorcerer. Quite frankly, I would have found that hard to believe if I didn't see it in person."
Richard shrugged and waved dismissively,
"Most of the power within the spell comes from the Demon itself. Demons and Devils have near infinite mana pools. Although it is risky, drawing from it boosts the effctiveoof the spell." Richard replied.
"I see... Then, what's it like having Demons in your head all the time?"
Richard was a bit taken aback by the question. He paused for a moment, then smiled,
"More than anything, I'd say it is damning"
Leon raised a brow, "Is that so..."
***
The vitality of a city was heavily determined by its nightlife.
Neon flashing lights. Cars zooming down the busy streets, their horns blaring loudly.
Loud music playing at every nook and cranny.
Richard took a step out and heard a deep sigh.
He thought about heading back home, but hesitated for a moment.
Suddenly, he heard a voice call out to him,
"Richard?"
Turning around, his brows went up as he witnessed the glorious sight behind him.
Dressed in a short, white dress, Celine stood behind him, a light dusting of makeup on her face and a hand on her hip, she looked up at him with narrowed eyes, her gaze suspicious.
Richard took in the sight greedily. Although he thought the young lady was too arrogant and pompous, he couldn't deny her decadent beauty.
"What are you doing here?"