Chapter 96: Debrief 4/4

Chapter 96: Debrief 4/4

“Astrid, what is the meaning of this?” Heath sat up in his seat as he glanced at Lord Sinwen, then back to the young woman with golden hair.

Malina warned. “Girl, do not give up your future for a wasted warrior who would run away from battle.”

“The rumours about your daughter are true, Lord Sinwen,” Faris said. “She is indeed a mischievous little brat.”

The young wayfarers looked at each other in worry. The same thought seemed to surge within their minds. Would Lord Sinwen sit back while he insulted his daughter?

It was especially true for the top brass up above. Others may not know, but they would stupid not to understand that the Lord doted on his mischievous daughter above all else. If it was anyone else, they would have been dragged out to the oceans long ago for causing so much trouble at a young age.

Instead of Lord Sinwen frowning, or displaying any semblance of disapproval, a low chuckle left his mouth.

The concern on the young Wayfarers faces turned to confusion and bewilderment. The Spearhead of humanity is... laughing? Well, it was barely discernible, but it was definitely still a laugh!

Astrid could tell what they were thinking, not from mind reading, not that she had that ability any way without creating her Mind Domain. But because she was also thinking the same.

It was the first time that he had ever displayed a semblance of emotion in a public space. After years of retaining his steel-like expression, it had finally broken.

“You’ve always done as you wanted,” Lord Sinwen flashed a prideful smirk. “Knowing you, you thought very little of this decision. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Actually dad, I gave it a lot of thought this time,” Astrid said. “This is what I want.”

“Very well,” Lord Sinwen’s smirk turned into a smile at the mention of dad. “Effective immediately, Astrid Sinwen is stripped of her military rank and will no longer be involved with the Wayfaring division’s responsibilities.”

Leena wryly shook her head.

“Sorry Leena,” Astrid said. “You were enjoying your time as a wayfarer, it seems I’ve ruined that for you.”

“You’re wrong, my lady,” Leena continued. “I just enjoyed my time with you. Wayfarer, no Wayfarer, it makes no difference to me.”

Astrid smiled and tapped her hand on her friends’ upper back.

“Then what happened?” Faris said.

His expression told her that he was getting bored already. The excitement from her throwing the badge on the ground only lasted a moment for him and it seemed as if he just wanted to crawl within a beer keg already.

Calum turned to Astrid. It seemed like he was also curious as to how she had defeated Prince, the very man who had massacred his entire team as if they were naught but chickens ripe for slaughter.

“After a long fight,” Astrid said. “I killed him.”

The top brass frowned at the simplicity of her words.

“How?” Milana asked. “You have been a Wayfarer for what, two months, if that?”

“The method isn’t important." Astrid crossed her arms. "Is it?”

“I guess not.” Milana nervously said as she glanced at Lord Sinwen.

“We’ll conclude it there then,” Lord Sinwen said. “We have a lot to discuss. Wayfarers, that will be all.”

The young Wayfarers bowed their heads as they all headed out of the room. As they entered the wide all of the headquarters, a collection of sighs all left their mouths.

Betrayal.

It was rife within a newly formed team, so the vetting process had to be extensive.

The best way was word to mouth. Building up a reputation over time with other teams until your loyalty and character was solid and everyone knew you could be trusted. Only then would one get invited to the better paying missions that held a lot higher risk.

It was also the benefit to living on Rebirth. It was a lot easier to vet each other if one knew their families and friends.

But, she had a team already in mind. If they wanted... no, if father would allow them to join her, that was.

Once they left the headquarters, they all split ways. The young Wayfarers were battered, exhausted, and couldn't wait to get back to the comfort of their own homes. Back to their families.

All except Calum. He followed behind Astrid and Leena like a lost puppy. He held his ribs as he seethed in pain.

“Don’t you need to go to the healers?” Astrid spun on her heels and crossed her arms.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Calum gritted his teeth. “Goddess knows I don’t deserve it, but it’s eating away at me. I–”

“Want another chance?” Astrid said.

“Need,” Calum shook his head. “I need another chance. I will do anything to secure a spot in your team. I will cook, clean, prepare camp, and carry the equipment. Anything, as long as I can fight, grow stronger, and eventually have my revenge. I know it's a lot to ask.”

“I’ll give it some thought,” Astrid continued. “I still don’t know if I even have a team yet.”

“Thank you, that's all I could ask for.” Calum bowed his head, despite being a noble himself.

Astrid shook her head. “I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You did,” he said, “you saved all of us, even if you don’t grant me a spot in your team. I will always remember. If you ever need anything, you only need to ask.”

Astrid smirked and turned around once more.

“I’ll remember that.” Astrid waved the back of her hand and walked off into the distance, toward the Sinwen manor.

The old beaten walls that somehow still stood used to fill her with a dread of everlasting boredom. Yet now it only filled her with a kindling warmth. The beaten-up manor that had managed to withstand anything thrown at it, was filled with her family.

A Sinwen guard approached her. The signature darkened metal armour gleamed in the sun as it struggled to penetrate the thick clouds overhead.

“My lady,” he said. “Lord Sinwen has sent a message, he wishes for you to wait for him in his study.”

Astrid nodded. “Thank you, what’s your name?”

“I–Joffrey, my lady.”

“Joffrey, good work,” Astrid said.

She patted his arm as she passed by. She was so busy sinking into her own thoughts that she didn’t see the soldier’s dumbfounded expression.

I doubt it’s about me giving up my Wayfarer’s badge. So it must be about the gateway. No doubt he caught onto my lies as did the others. Astrid shrugged.

From her father, she wouldn’t hide a thing.