Second Life's Revenge

The air that filled the room was tense. Laura's hand continued to tremble as she lowered her head. She felt the masked man looking at her, leaving her clueless, not knowing what to do.

Zeke took a step front and replied, "We're here for some information. You don't need to be warry about the money."

"Come take a seat," The man offered, and the three followed.

The man walked to his desk that was position right in front of where the three were sitting. His elbow leaned on the desk, crossing his fingers together. 

"What information do you want to know?" The man asked.

"Marquess Rogen or High Master," Zeke hesitantly answered.

"High Master...what part about him, everything?" The man snickered.

"Everything, who is he, what connection he has with the organization, the amount of taxes increased the past few months just to build this place up, everything," Zeke answered, clenching his fists.

The man sighed, shaking his head. As if he didn't want to answer or give information. He continued to stall time with silence, trying to make his mind up. A hint of hesitation reached Erwin's head as he continued to observe the man.

According to Zeke, there some revealers who sides with the high master or Marquess Rogen. It's most cases, Marquess Rogen either bribed them with money or threatened with something.

But in this case, the man didn't look like that. He just wanted to tease them. The man stood up, walking towards Laura and smirked, "Why don't you reveal your face first?"

Laura flinched, while Erwin instantly shielded Laura away with an arm and scowled. Just what is this man thinking? Erwin thought. 

"I see," The man nodded his head and backed off.

"And you aren't you supposed to be warry about yourself, Your Grace?" The man asked, pointing his finger towards Erwin.

Erwin looked at the man giving a cold expression and shrugged it off. Erwin didn't care if others knew who he was. It was his fault for not bringing a cloak with him, but it's not like he cared either.

"I see the silent treatment. It's alright. I'm used to it," The man chuckled and sat back on his chair and continued, "I don't think I can give you the information."

Laura flinched and bit her lip. She was disappointed and was desperate for the information. If it's just about Marquess Rogen, it'll be fine. At least one useful information that she could use against Tine.

"Why?" Zeke asked and cut off the man before speaking, "Is it because you're working for him, or is it because he paid you to do so?"

"Is that what you're thinking, Zeke?" The man questioned.

"Don't fool around me. Don't you dare think I've forgiven you," Zeke coldly answered.

"Because I betrayed you on that day?" The man asked.

Zeke looked away and didn't answer back. While the man removed his mask, revealing his burned face. Almost two-thirds of his face was burnt, and his left eye couldn't see anything.

"I already paid it by burning my face that day, Zeke. You do know how much I regret doing it. I can't escape from his chains," The man frowned.

Zeke clicked his tongue, walking towards the man and pushed the two men onto the ground. He grabbed the man's collar, and while shaking the man, he yelled, "Then tell me so that I can help you!"

"I'm sorry, Zeke...I can't do that," The man said, ordering the two buff men to pull Zeke away from him.

As the two buff men grabbed Zeke on the shoulder, he struggled and kicked one of the men, releasing him onto the floor. Zeke gave a cold shoulder at the two buff men and sat back on his seat, fixing his clothes.

"Then help me," Zeke said, showing a pained expression.

"I-I...you two get out of this place," The man ordered while the two buff men looked at each other and didn't follow. Not until the man assured, saying, "Don't worry, I won't say anything to them."

Convinced, the two buff men walk out of the room, leaving the four of them alone in the white room. As soon as the door shut, the man stood away from his seat, rampaging his drawer and getting out a brown envelope.

The trio was confused as the man walked towards them, putting his finger on his lips, signing them to be quiet. Zeke saw the determined eyes of his old friend as he handed the envelope to him.

A voice rang inside the trio's head, and the man's voice was echoed. The man spoke and said, "This is all the information I have about him. I know it's too late to apologize to you, Zeke. But I hope this can help you."

Zeke gave the envelope to Laura, and she nodded her head as an appreciation. She didn't know what to feel about the man. Laura had mixed feelings. At first, the man acted rudely, and now he's helping them.

Questions like, what past did Zeke and the man have? Were they friends to begin with? But what Laura did know that he was a former member of Silence who left since long before.

"Thank you, J," Zeke mouthed and smiled.

"Also, I'm sorry, Your Grace and this young lady about my rude actions. I had no choice but to act like that earlier. The two men are from Marquess Rogen, and they're the ones who stop me from saying things about him," J apologized and sighs.

"It's alright," Erwin said as his voice ringed into J's head.

"I know you may not trust me, but I want you to be free out of this place. Isn't that your dream?" J spoke and noticed the door opening and immediately walked back to where he was in the first place.

Laura hid the envelope before the two men would notice something and continued to lower her head. The envelope is her job to protect, and if J gets caught, it might be the end of him.

"What are you two doing? I haven't permitted the two of you to enter." J said, wearing his mask back.

The two buff men looked at each other and nodded. They walked towards J and kicked him on the stomach, making him collapse onto the floor while groaning. Laura's body froze as she watched the wounded J, signaling them to run.

But before they could run away, J was kicked in the stomach once more, and he coughed blood out. Laura gasped, reaching her hands towards J but was pulled away by Erwin, who yelled, "Get a hold of yourself!"

"Tch, those bastards. How dare they hurt J?" Zeke growled as he held his knife out.

"Stop it, Zeke! You can't defeat them. Just run and leave me," J said, wiping the blood off his face.

"I can't do that!" Zeke answered back, griping his knife tightly.

Zeke thrust his knife towards one of the buff men but missed. His eyes widened as he turned his body, but failed when one of the men hit his neck's back, making him unconscious on the floor.

"Zeke!" Laura screamed his name out loud as she ran.

Laura held her tears in as she ran away. She wanted to run back to Zeke and save him. But then she remembered. One cannot get out of the market safely. It pained her that such a thing could be real.

Erwin held Laura's hands tightly when he saw the pained face that Laura made. He didn't like seeing it and wanted to rush in and save Zeke, but they were already far. 

They ran up the stairs, but they were stopped by a group of men wearing a black cloak to their surprise. Erwin stopped and gently pushed Laura to his back and got his sword out of the scabbard. 

Erwin pointed his sword towards the men and glared at them. His face was saying if you dare to touch or hurt Laura, no mercy will be shown. 

"Laura, close your eyes and do not open it. Only open your eyes if I tell you to do so," Erwin said, charging into one of the armed men.

Laura followed and shut her eyes tightly. Her heart was beating fast as if it was going to explode. She felt useless and wanted to help, but how can she help when she didn't have any powers?

"Angelo!" Erwin exclaimed as he thrust his sword into the man and removing it after.

Hearing Angelo's name Laura sighed out of relief. There was someone to help them, but until how long does she needed to closer her eyes? 

"I'm sorry I've arrived late. What happened to Zeke?" Angelo asked, knocking one of the men out.

"He...I'm sorry. I couldn't help him," Erin frowned as his back touched Angelo's.

"It's alright, Zeke won't die so easily," Angelo assured as he charged into one of the men.

Only two men were left, and one of them ran away into the forest. Angelo decided to go after him while Erwin stayed by Laura's side. 

"One versus one who do you think will win?" Erwin coldly smirked.

The man stayed quiet, and out of nowhere, he threw a small knife towards Laura, who was unaware of what was happening. Erwin clicked his tongue and used his sword to deflect the blade.

Erwin turned his back at Laura, checking whether or not she was wounded. But because of this, he was unaware of the man charging towards him. As Erwin turned his head, he felt something piercing into him.

The man who trembled in fear ran away, leaving the blade in Erwin. Erwin splattered blood out of his mouth and fell onto his knees.

Upon hearing a thud behind Laura's back, she opened her eyes and turned around. She gasped, and her hands trembled as she reached for Erwin, who smiled despite the pain he felt.

"Erwin?"