Wein quickly sat up, rubbing his eyes as he processed the sudden information.
'Eric Merlin, the Baron's assistant coming here personally was not a normal thing. Something must have happened.'
He jumped off his bed and stood. Throwing his robe away, he went for his draw. "Inform him, I will be there shortly," he responded, his tone firm.
Astra acknowledged his command, and moments later, on the roof where Eric and his men landed, an android came to receive them, unfazed by the growing winds ravaging outside.
Eric was at the forefront and his men followed closely behind, through the android, Astra notified them that Wein was coming while they entered the mansion.
Wein, who did not know the real purpose of the visit chose to wear something more comfortable. Beside his shorts, he wore a long-sleeved white t-shirt. With that, he grabbed his slippers and hurried to his guests.
Wein met them midway just as they had just entered the mansion. He was the only one out of place amongst the men who were all wearing suits and were formal, while he casual.
The first person his eyes met was Eric who was at the centre. His atmosphere and aura were enough for Wein to know he was at least 5-star Shock Trooper level. Eric removed his sunglasses and tucked them in his long black trench coat.
"Mr Wein Serin" he spoke extending his right arm out to shake Wein's. "My name is Eric Merlin, I am the assistant of his lordship."
His voice was steady but urgent, Wein shook his hand back.
"Wein Serin, a lieutenant in the…"
"No need for that, we know who you are" Eric interrupted, opting to get to the specifics. "Mr Serin, your presence has been requested by his lordship. Let's go, you are coming with us."
That alone was enough to make Wein's heart pound. He had not seen nor met Nielson in years, he thought their connection would be limited after the massive gifts he gave him, meeting once in a while.
But here was Eric, his personal and trusted assistant requesting for him to come with them, something must have happened.
"What is this about?" was the only thing he could ask.
"We don't have time, please follow us."
Eric's reply was followed by them escorting Wein out of the nearby entrance. Wein protested to get more clothes, but Eric was in a rush, so they did not allow him that courtesy.
In the fierce winds and the rain, Wein was the only one showing the skin of his legs while the other three men were warmly covered in black from head to toe. Their walk to the ship was hurried leaving no time for the rain to fully affect Wein.
As they were rushing up the metal railings to the roof, Wein could perfectly see the ship they had come on. It was a specialised dropship, smaller and more advanced than the ones he had used in the military. On the side, he could see another man in a suit waiting patiently with a weapon guarding the opened doors.
They quickly entered and the ship took off.
Behind Wein could roughly see his estate shrink as the drop ship hovered further away. Thankfully, he was assured that Astra would take care of the safety and the running of it while he was away.
Wein was seated on one side near Eric and across from them were the three other men in suits. That dropship was more different than he thought, in that it had normal A-class chairs and wide windows on the side, reserved for first class persons.
As it flew across the sky over the land, the inside remained eerily silent. It was only cut by the howling winds outside and the rain that hammered against the sides and windows. That and the soft hum of the engine.
Below everything was a blur of mist and rain.
After some time, the ship arrived at its destination, descending on the landing platform. When the engines were shut down, Eric slid the doors open, and he led Wein out. The weather at this location was severely worse than at Wein's so the group had to run faster.
Once inside there was no sound, just a weird silence that made Wein uneasy. The mansion as expected was vaster and more exquisite compared to Wein's but for some reason it was strangely empty.
Eric who knew why, did not waste time and led Wein through the halls at great speeds.
After what took a long time, Wein and Eric reached a room behind which two men were guarding. Knowing who Eric was, they let them pass without question.
As the door slid open Neilson appeared before them seated on the medical bed as if he had woken from a long coma. Eric was startled and pleased that he was awake, and Wein was surprised at how bad in shape the Baron was.
Besides him in the room were four other people, some Wein had seen on the news and the others were a mystery.
"My lord, you've awoken" Eric's words jolted Wein attention away from the people who were drawing his attention back to Neilson. He was before his lord, the leader of the House he had served for four years.
Without question, he offered the correct courtesy and bowed as Eric did.
"Wein… You have grown up" Nielson's voice was strained, and weak even Wein could tell he was terribly ill, besides the weakened look he was showing.
"It is all thanks to the opportunity you have given me, my lord" he replied not daring to look Nielson in the eye.
A smile curled on Nielson's face only to be disrupted by a rough cough, that caused one of the people in the room to spring into action for him.
"My lord… do not strain yourself" the voice belonged to an older-looking man at most twice the age of Wein.
The grey hair on his face spoke volumes of his expertise and the white coat he covered himself in was enough for Wein to pick up on that he was a doctor, probably the Baron's personal doctor. "You did not have to hurry through this."
"I don't… have much time as it is. Belson…"
With Nielson's response Belson, his doctor could not do anything.
"Come… over here Wein, let me… observe you."
Wein looked up and approached. He could see the thin stretched-out hand of the Baron as if clutching to its last ray of hope. It was stretched out for his head, so Wein leaned in, and Nielson wrapped his hand on his head.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence as Nielson did this and then he stopped jumping off the bed with the assistance of Belson and Eric.
"You must be confused but bear with it… follow me," he said. "Oh, allow me to introduce you… you know Eric, he brought you. This here is my personal doctor Belson Jamo, he is the best on the planet."
Belson who was carrying Neilson replied with an awkward smile as he did not see it urgent for introductions in the state Nielson was in.
"Over there, you have seen them before I'm sure, is the Prime Minister Vern Caldic, he is one of my most trusted people who helps me in my duties as lord. And beside him, as you have probably seen in the army is Marshal Alexandria Velis."
Wein's gaze shifted toward the two figures standing near the room's entrance. He had seen them before usually on screen or in magazines. One was a tall man with neatly combed silver hair and sharp calculating eyes dressed in a formal grey two-piece suit adorned with a pin having the insignia of House Voss.
That man, the Prime Minister was well-known being more like the spokesperson of Nielson and was the one some people saw as the leader of House Voss's territories.
Since Neilson did not like being in the public's eye, he was the one he was known as the leader. He was an elderly-looking man but much younger than Belson.
Within Velmora and all affiliated territories, he held immense power enough to rival even people of noble blood, but he was loyal to the core.
To the side was a woman, slightly younger dressed in the same military uniform Wein had seen his superiors in but with more badges and a more demanding aura. She was young but Wein who had seen nearly most of the army's high-ranking officials could tell she was the most intimidating.
She much like Eric gave an aura of one above 5-star Shock Trooper level and despite her young appearance she was a beast.
The Marshal, Alexandira was a mean-looking woman, ready to fight but despite her role she was quiet. She had short black hair with no scar on clean her face a testament to her capabilities. She was the second most powerful person in that room second only to the Baron.
Those two were the top dogs on the Barony enough to make Wein nervous.
Vern was the first to respond, he gave a small nod and a neutral expression. "A pleasure, Mr Wein." His voice was smooth and charismatic, expected of a world leader.
Alexandria on the other hand reached for Wein's hand to shake. "It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Lieutenant Wein. I have heard a lot about you" her voice was calm and professional.
As they shook hands, Wein could tell the strength she possessed just from the grip alone.
"And finally, this is Keyna Kross, she is the Grand Inquisitor of House Voss" continued Neilson.
Keyna Kross, Wein had heard of her before, but this was his first time seeing her in person. She was middle height and had her face covered by a black dark coat and hood that stretched to the floor.
All over her coat were insignia of House Voss and unlike Vern who was polished and refined, Alexandria who was formal and precise, she exuded an aura of lethality and fanaticisms. Her face was hidden behind the hood only revealing her deep purple eyes glowing through the dark.
Keyna Kross was the loyal enforcer of House Voss and was the one who kept it safe from the shadows and from enemy spies. Her duty was to maintain the security of House Voss along with its reputation.
At that moment Wein realised that not only was he meeting elite people, but they were among the top of the Baron's people. He wondered why was he there?
He couldn't help but wonder, he was so out of place, despite all his achievements.
"My lord, why have I been summoned."
Nielson smiled as he was placed in a wheelchair nearby which Belson pushed out.
"You'll find out… Follow us."