Returning to No Applause, Only More of the Same

Chapter 4, Exchange of Business Cards

The lesser officer returned, speaking into his superior's ear. The interrogating officers face changed in a moments notice. Is that so Really now? I see Dismissed. He turned back to Kreig. Ten years ago, a teenager by the name of Kreig Wiedemann was reported missing by his family. Now how come you, an otherworlder, knew of this?

Kreig really shouldnt have had to explain that part. I am him.

So you say. I suppose you have no real evidence of why that mig-,

SIR!! The door burst open, revealing the form of a man Kreig didnt recognize in the least. He seemed lesser in rank than the man in front of him, who had turned to look at the intruder with an annoyed stare. Sorry for the intrusion, sir! I need to speak with the otherworlder, as well as you!

Right. So? Go ahead, Adam. Im not stopping you.

Uh? Huh? Oh, um. Okay! Adam stomped through the hall and over to Kreigs cell. Their eyes met, and for some strange reason, this man, Adam, stared at him with a crumble of the same fear as almost everyone else did, apart from this man in front of him. He seemed to hold the same fear as most everyone back on Owred did. You Are you War of the North?...

Kreig drew a blank. ...?

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As a matter of fact, Kreig could remember gaining many titles during his years in that hellscape. Holy Guardian, Prisoner, Captain of the Royal Guard, Royal Missionary, Fugitive, Prisoner again It wouldnt surprise him if hed been bestowed with yet another ill-fitting nickname. Though, calling himself war No, he wouldnt like that. Not at all.

Adam seemed as confused as Kreig felt. You-, youre not? Wait, no, that isnt The man backed into a wall, eyebrows furrowed. ...Wait, hold on, um, sir Is it possible that you can check your status?

Kreig wasnt sure where Adam got that idea from. If anybody back in Owred asked that of him, he wouldve been somewhat scandalized. That is, if hed been about fifty years younger. After all, the only ones who could see their status, the only ones who could make use of skills Were advocates of the Holy Order of White Roots. Sure, only few of the people of that long-dead religion could see the statues, but they were considered the most unholy of heretics in modern times.

Nevertheless Here, things might be different. Furthermore, the Holy Order did teach their followers that honesty was a virtue. -Yes. He had no reason to disagree.

Divine Human, Lv. 999+

War of the North, Survivor, Fugitive

Purge of the Holy(X), Devotion (X), Shine of Divine Light (X), Warrior's Breath (X), Undeath (X), Dragon's Perception (X), Holy Swordsmanship (X) (...)

...There it was. War of the North.

What do you see? Adam asked, leaning in closer to Kreigs glass cage. A bold move for someone so visibly frightened.

Kreig glanced up at Adam. The truth was that Kreig hadnt checked his status in thirty years. After all, when youre constantly fighting people and monsters and armies, stopping to check your status wasnt very optimal. Then again, he wasn't surprised by what he saw. Though, as odd as it was, he could never remember seeing anybody else with a level of 999+. The closest hed seen was an arrogant dragon who had challenged him with a level of 800. The strongest human hed seen had a mere 400. -Nothing new.

Adam stared at Kreig. You know on the way here, I met an officer who told me something very interesting. Are you really from Earth? Kreig didnt answer, but his silence was enough of an answer. Really now? I dont suppose youve got a family? Brother, sister Mother and father?

Kreigs eyes widened. Family. A brother and a sister. He he did have those, didnt he?... Yes. He did. A mother who made food and a father who worked, and and a brother and a sister. He couldnt recall their voices, their faces felt as blurry and distant as how he looked when he was summoned, and, if he was completely honest he couldnt even recall their names. But he knew he had them. People he cared for.

He hadnt met them in 130 years, but in all the worlds he had been to, they were the only ones alive that he could possibly care for. ...I do.

Adam grinned. Would you like to meet them?

Of course. There was only a single answer to that question. And yet, Kreig hesitated to speak it. Something in Adams smile made him feel unsure. As if to agree would be to submit himself to their will. Though, in all his years had he ever not submitted to the will of another? ...Yes.

Adam silently pumped his fist before leaning in to whisper something into the ear of his superior. The man turned to him, and they exchanged a series of whispers that Kreig was privy to account of his extremely well-honed senses.

...Adam, we cant let him meet his family.

I understand, but this is our golden ticket! Whatever his level is, hes clearly still human! Despite what the other recovered otherworlder said...

As far as we know, he might be trying to fool us. We cant know for sure whether he cares for his family or not, or if hes willing to follow directives to meet them. Its too risky. The best bet so far is to either try to nudge him back into the other world or to do him like they did Famine.

...Before we make any such decision, can we at least make him give us his card?

... The first interrogator turned back to Kreig, his face hard and stoic. Then, he removed one of many blank cards out of a pocket on his shirt. It was blank and the approximate size of a business card. Although there was no slit for him to put it in to give it to Kreig, he was able to place it in a small box that could then be turned over to Kreigs side. Kreig took it from inside the box and held it up to his face. White and clear. ...Sir, will you please remove your gloves?

Right, Kreig was still wearing his full set of armour, bar the helmet. Carefully, with the honed skill of a seasoned knight, he removed the gauntlets and placed them on the floor before grabbing the business card again.

The white card suddenly gave a light shine before abruptly blackening, the few spots not turning black and remaining white displaying what seemed to be Kreigs status.

-And now, place it back in the box. Kreig hesitated. He hadnt been thinking much until now. If he let these people know how strong he was, what would happen then? How would they handle him if they knew what he could do? Would they still let him meet his family? Could he still return to his life?... The card weighed heavy in his hands. He should just destroy it. He had a lot of skills. Purge of the Holy could encapsulate anything in a white fire that destroyed it fully, leaving only snow behind. They wouldnt see him destroy it. ...If you want to meet your family, I suggest you do as ordered.

Kreig glanced up. Met the eyes of his captor and saviour. And placed the little card in the box. Unlike the societies in that damn hellscape of a world, he could remember those in his homeworld being far less corrupt. Less morally repugnant.

Forgiving and honourable. -Or so hehoped.

The officer looked over the card. Showed it to Adam. Looked at it again.

Fished another blank card out of his shirt pocket. -Here, do it again.

Now that Kreig knew how to do it, the process took much less time and effort than before, and his hesitation was much lesser than the first time around. Within less than a minute, the officer had the little card in his hand, looking at it like a loving and happy husband might look at divorce papers and a restraining order. Yeah. Okay. Alright. Henceforth, we will be acting under the assumption that what you tell us is the truth, the full truth, and nothing but the truth. Unless you agree to this, our nation and by extension, your nation will have no choice but to deem you an enemy of the people. How do you speak?