Eternal Elysium

I listened to Bob as we moved around the base.

According to his words, his mind is currently a little empty, as if a shackle has been removed.

Previously he was somewhat aware of his actions, but not too much. It only recently changed when he had said about looking around for someone to his friends unconsciously. This resulted in an unexpected development.

Of course this development came at its own cost as well. Bob, being honest with his friends, had told them everything—well, not clearly, as this made his friend think he was thinking about a woman and searching for her.

I remember Bob's hands shaking and face turning red in anger as he told me how much he was teased by them. He even muttered several curses, forgetting my presence.

Maybe it was at that moment he became subtly aware of his own weird action. Not entirely, but enough to know what he was going through.

However, right now, due to my intervention, and showing him people going through similar situations as him, has made him open up even more so.

Bob thinks the shackles on his brain are lifted, but I think that's the wrong way to express this situation. It would be more correct to say the haze in his mind has cleared but not entirely removed; after all, he still doesn't know what he was looking for—this was a phantom memory, an aftereffect of the being who made people go missing.

"This is the third barracks; mostly people of the second division live here." Bob said, raising his hands to point at those large blocks, "Divide in two parts."

"I see. What about other workers? Who don't fall under the category of soldiers."

I asked, even while nodding my head.

"Oh, well, some of them also stay here. The main reason we try to put people of similar division at the same place is to make sure that in case of an emergency they can react fast and be more coordinated. This led to people with separate jobs becoming more widespread."

"Really? Do they not complain about not having a separate space like other divisions?" I asked, walking forward.

Bob shook his head, his voice coming sharp as he answered my questions one by one.

"The people working separately from soldiers are in a unique position from the rest of us. While many people frown upon them due to their low-risk jobs, several also respect them." Bob paused, his eyes watching me with uncertainty before adding. "I am one of those few."

Bob sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"They keep records, connect all three bases of Kalista, and also work to create these roads, buildings, and almost everything. I am aware that each awakener has their use no matter what their element or ability is, and luckily I am not the only one as well."

'That's quite an exceptional mind… Totally unexpected.'

My lips started to curl up, but I soon suppressed it.

"The department of internal affairs—what you call workers—are experienced and diligent, so they don't really mind knowing the practical application of these actions."

I nodded, my head turning to look at soldiers helping with constructions and repairs of buildings, my brows furrowed together, as I asked.

"Even though you say they get looked down upon, I don't really see that happening. Why is that so, Bob?"

I knew it was a good thing, but still, asking questions was necessary to create an image of getting a tour. A soldier from the second division talking too much with the captain of another would raise suspicion, especially if we did it secretly.

This was the reason Bob was showing me around to hide the fact we were discussing something else. And as a diligent guide, he was actually showing me around, and I would also keep asking questions to make the act look real. My real questions regarding the base would be asked cautiously when no one was around and very subtly.

"Hmm, that's actually common here."

Bob gave me a sheepish smile and answered.

"Common?"

I tilted my head in confusion.

"Sorry, Captain Asher. It seems you misunderstood; those who look down on the Department of Internal Affairs are new recruits. Older ones are on the respectful side, and they are mostly on the majority side." Bob licked his lips and shuddered slightly as if remembering something bad.

"The department of internal affairs is quite the menace as well. If a soldier mocks them, they would stop providing them their services or make it so much worse that one might cry."

"Ah."

I unknowingly gasped.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

This guy was one of those who looked down on them, didn't he?

He must have gotten some kind of beating from them.

'Poor guy.' I almost pitied him but also got annoyed knowing his words weren't reliable at all!

This guy was a walking contradiction that knew how to annoy someone.

He would speak half the original story, and when I was about to reach some conclusion, he would add more, confusing me. I wasn't being hasty this time, but simply put, this guy was slow, too slow in fact.

'How vexing.'

I felt my mood sour as I gave Bob a small glare.

He immediately avoided my gaze, feeling chills run down his spine.

"Ahem. The department of internal affairs holds a grudge; just remember that, Captain Asher."

"Grudge, huh."

I remembered the lady in the main office, who was precise and direct with her words. She didn't offer any greetings or advice but rather just stared at me till I told her my reasons for coming.

At first I had thought she didn't like me, but it turns out she was simply wary of me; knowing the history of new recruits, it was a reasonable action.

"Alright, I will keep that in mind." I said, nodding my head.

Not like I had any plans to treat someone improperly to begin with; unlike Bob, I had no interest in suffering meaninglessly. Rather, from his story, it felt like he was a child with lenient parents who never scolded him; this led to the stick approach from the Department of Internal Affairs, who punished him.

I looked at Bob as he started to show me around excitedly.

We talked more as he told me about his past missions and how dangerous these lands truly were.

The work here was truly unique; the awakeners here would travel far and fight creatures from beyond endlessly, yet have no idea what is beyond Kalista, as these mountains have not been conquered yet.

The strangest place here was the swamp at the east, an anomaly for me. A place where mountains and barren land exist, the presence of a swamp doesn't make sense.

I stared back at Bob, my eyes moving away from the walls.

Bob suddenly stopped, his eyes wavering for a split second as he asked.

"Sir, do you know who we are looking for?"

"No, I don't."

I lied, shaking my head.

"I see…"

Bob nodded, clearly disappointed.

There were more than a hundred people who had gone missing here just in the central base. While in the other two bases the numbers were still unclear.

Temple did give me a list made from the joint efforts of both the guild and themselves, but talking about it openly would not be a good choice.

After all, they were most likely dead.

Bob may not have realized this, but fear and worry were still visible in his eyes.

Maybe deep inside he knew that he had lost someone he previously knew of, and he could never see them again, or worse, even remember them.

They could have been a friend, a family member, a simple comrade, or even a lover.

Those memories were buried so deep in his mind that his actions had taken over to search for them by themselves.

Bob started speaking again, his voice a bit softer.

"You know, I sometimes think I might know something about the missing people, something that's just on the tip of my tongue. It's like a name or a place, but every time I try to remember, it just slips away like sand in my hands. It's... it's frustrating, sir." Bob's voice was a mix of sadness and agitation.

"I understand that feeling pretty well." I muttered, my hand patting his shoulders softly as we moved from place to place, the sounds of people walking around softening slowly.

"But we need to focus... I don't know who you are looking for. However, I will find the truth; that's my promise with you."

I said, my voice firm and filled with determination.

"Do other captains also know about this event?" Bob asked, his voice coming cautiously.

He must have thought the commander had asked me to investigate this, or someone of a similar position, which wasn't wrong to begin with.

I shook my head.

"No one knows it... well, now you know. But don't speak of it to anyone."

"Why?"

"Hmm, if you want to die, be my guest. I would like to see how memory alteration is happening anyways." I said with a small voice.

Bob's eyes widened as his jaw tightened. He was about to open his mouth but closed it.

I knew he understood the severity of the situation. If the wrong people found out, the consequences could be dire for both of us.

'I wasn't joking though. I want to actually see how the memory vanishes from everyone's head.'

This could either let me understand the situation or make it worse.

'Ah, then it's not a good idea. Yeah, let's avoid getting my memory altered.'

Just as I was thinking that to myself, I stopped, feeling a presence behind me.

"Captain Asher—"

I turned around, stepping back, catching a hand in my arms. Just as I was about to plunge my other arm forward, I stopped.

In front of me was a petite woman, her hair black and open, her face showing a shy expression as she stared at me with a dazed look.

"Oh, sorry." I let go of her hand instantly, but she didn't move back as I expected her to.

"No, it's okay." She said calmly and then turned her gaze at Bob standing not far from here.

"What are you doing here, Bob?"

Bob hesitated but then said in a clear voice.

"I was showing Captain Asher around at his request, Madam Sion."

I looked at their interaction silently and then stepped forward.

"It seems you were looking for me. Is there any problem?"

"Ah, yes. Commander has summoned you, Captain Asher; please follow me." She said, bowing her head softly.

I nodded and turned my head to look at Bob.

"Thank you for showing me around, Bob; you were a big help."

"No, it's my duty, sir." Bob said, and paused, glancing back at Sion. "I should take my leave then."

I nodded and saw him turn around and leave.

He had followed my request well and acted like he was just a guide. That made Bob more than capable enough.

Sion watched Bob leave in silence, her eyes looking at his back till he disappeared in the crowd.

"Shall we go then?"

She asked, smiling politely.

"Let's go."