24:09

The group walks around the city, trying to find some old friends of the three people that know each other the best which they talked about. But as they do so, LUK3 seems a bit drunk as he tried the drink that the ruler had out of curiosity, yet CHE5TER doesn't seem to be affected, not even a bit.

[LUK3]-I think... I will need... to take a rest... after... this.

[MY4]-Oh, gods... LUK3, do you want us to stop and carry you to the base?

[LUK3]-...NO! ...I'm... fine...

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...I told him to not try it. Yet he seems a bit more stubborn than usual when it comes to what I say.

[N04H]-How come he is like this and you don't have any kind of problem?

[CHE5TER]-That's because it isn't my first time having a drink like this. Well, this and another reason... Mr. LUCAS here had drank a heavy liquid without having loss of energy... so, the energy was most of it wasted and the drink worked only as a drug. It is a possibility he could use his powers without him in control just 'cause of the amount of energy he gained in plus, so we have to keep an eye on him for now.

[KYR4]-And how come I am the one that has to carry him??

[CHE5TER]-I simply don't want to be responsible for him again. Isn't it obvious already?

Meanwhile, C0NNER seems to be by the Great Leader's side again, only talking with Him as he walks.

[C0NNER]-...How much did this all cost?

[CHE5TER]-Around 170.000 Novha.

[C0NNER]-So we add that to the monthly payments of the base?

[CHE5TER]-No. It's just for the satisfaction. Everything still remains up to 45.000.000.000 Novha.

[C0NNER]-So we will give Mr. XANTH3 the information when we get back?

[CHE5TER]-You mean I will give him the information. And no. I will wait until the end of the day.

[C0NNER]-...Alright. Understood.

[CHE5TER]-I know you want to help me, C0NNER, but you really shouldn't bother yourself with my work. Leave it to me. Just focus on what you are already doing. These things aren't meant to be a burden to you at all.

[C0NNER]-...Yes, Master.

Yet again, N04H notices C0NNER's discomfort, so he tries to change a bit the subject to do him a favour.

[N04H]-Mr. CHE5TER, how do you know so much about the City of Above, if I may ask?

[CHE5TER]-Simply because of my title. I have people everywhere across these lands, not only in this tiny city. I stay a lot up there just to get the information I require, so of course it's always the possibility for me to learn something new every day. An explanation for the earlier scenario might be that the bars are simply to my liking.

[N04H]-You sure seem to drink a lot...

These words crack a smile on the man's face. He doesn't seem to be mad about what he said, rather impressed that he had the audacity to tell Him this.

[CHE5TER]-...Let's just say they give me a bit of nostalgia every time I enter them. It's not about the drinks they serve or anything like that, it's more about the memories I have around them. It is true that I take a drink once in a while just to relax for a bit, yet I do not like that much to take them in an unknown place to me for example.

As they talk, they seem to have finally arrived at the location LUK3 decided for everyone to meet. There are lots of people who seem to be old classmates or just friends of KYR4, MY4 and LUK3, so these three go close to their friends so they can greet them, while KYR4 and MY4 are trying to help LUK3 walk. N04H looks excited to go and meet them too, as they all seem so happy about the reunion. But when he wants to go, he notices that both CHE5TER and C0NNER don't seem to want to join.

[N04H]-...Hm? Why don't you guys go as well?

[CHE5TER]-It is only their reunion. I have nothing to do with them.

[N04H]-Then... did you arrange a reunion with your classmates too?

[CHE5TER]-Even if I wanted and if it wasn't for me to hide myself in the shadows, I'd rather refuse to make one. I didn't get along so well with my classmates.

[N04H]-Why not?

[CHE5TER]-Let's just say that... I didn't really have that many friends when I was in school apart from Officer RY4N.

[N04H]-...And you, C0NNER?

C0NNER seems to watch everyone enjoying talking about anything they came up to. He doesn't seem to be so happy about the situation. Both N04H and CHE5TER notice that, but before C0NNER could say a word, CHE5TER adds another sentence.

[CHE5TER]-...Same situation for him as well. Not everyone is lucky to have some good memories during these years unfortunately. But it's just how fate is in the end.

They look at the people in the distance for a while, but then the Great Leader decides in His mind that He wants to leave alone, letting these two behind.

[CHE5TER]-You could go with them if you want. I do not obligated you to stay with me. It is a fine opportunity for you to meet new people anyway.

[N04H]-But what about you?

[CHE5TER]-I... need to go to a specific place. I will be back a bit later. Do not worry about me. Just... make sure that LUCAS doesn't... puke or something.

The Great Leader leaves, letting C0NNER and N04H alone. N04H seems to be looking at C0NNER to see what plan he has in mind, but he notices that he wants to follow his Leader.

[N04H]-Hey! He said that we should stay with them! Why do you still want to follow Him?

[C0NNER]-...He was only talking to you.

[N04H]-No, He wasn't! What are you talking about??

[C0NNER]-Listen... Just stay with them and we will meet later, alright?

[N04H]-But why don't you stay with us as well, C0NNER? They are your colleagues from your work place, your friends, aren't they? I understand you barely know me and probably I mean nothing to you, but what about the others?

[C0NNER]-I just... have some work to do as well. I will see you all later.

Yet as C0NNER leaves, N04H seems a bit annoyed by the response.

[N04H]-...Following the Great Leader? Yeah, sure you have work to do, man...