Restart:Untalented Man

The carriage transporting Evan rumbled through the streets toward the restricted area known as Bideford Arsenal.

Being the off-limit area as it is, he was blindfolded to keep him clueless about the activities inside.

Nevertheless, his sense of hearing still captured the cacophony of noises such as the sounds of conversations, clanging machinery, and the various noises typical of industrial areas he often hears on a daily basis.

Yet, if there were one notable difference, it would be the occasional explosions and gunshots that punctuated the air, constantly startling him.

The carriage eventually came to a halt, and Evan could hear the sounds of the door being opened.

Shortly after, he was unceremoniously dragged out.

As his feet touched the solid and hard surface of the ground, someone pushed him in a certain direction, urging him to walk.

Evan didn't know about the specific detail but he was certain that he had entered a room.

The ambient sounds changed, suggesting a confined environment with distinct acoustics.

And again, before he could fully comprehend his surroundings, a forceful hand pressed against his shoulder, abruptly causing his knees to buckle and his butt collide with a rigid surface.

"Ouch!" he groaned and felt a little angry too. They could just tell him to sit. There's no need to be so harsh.

"Mr. Evan," a voice called out, breaking through the tense atmosphere. "As you promised His Majesty earlier, tell us about the woman called Irene."

'Aahh! So this is what's all about.' Evan begins to understand why he was brought here.

"Just a reminder," the voice continued, each word laced with seriousness, "If your information proves significant, death won't be your punishment. However, if you lie, death will also not be your punishment."

A shudder ran through Evan's body, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Though the words sounds the same thing, he knows just how wrong to think so.

Evan nods his head vigorously.

"Now, don't be so nervous," the voice reassured. "All we want to know is her characteristics."

Evan tried to compose himself but he couldn't shake the feeling that his words could determine his fate.

"She has an oval-shaped face with black hair that cascades down to her waist and hazelnut-coloured eyes. Her height is just around my shoulder and has snow-white skin but has slightly darker shade. Just by looking at her, you could tell that she's someone who has occasionally been under intense sunlight. On her right pinky finger, there's a scar that looks like it was caused by a sharp object. It was barely noticeable." he recalled the details of Irene.

"And where did you meet her?"

"I met her at Robick's tavern where she took a seat near me."

"Was the rest of the table occupied that she had no choice but to sit close to your table?"

"N-no." that question made Evan realize something. "There's plenty of empty seats."

"I see. That's all I need to know. Soldiers, bring him to wherever you wish."

Without a moment's hesitation, a soldier grabbed Evan by the neck, pulling him up from his sitting position.

"Let's go," the soldier gruffly ordered and with a forceful tug, Evan was ushered out of the room.

The abruptness of the movement left Evan stumbling as he tries to keep pace with the soldier who showed no consideration for his comfort.

With each step, the sounds of waves grew louder and louder.

Evan could feel the cool breeze, and the distinct scent of the sea filled the air.

He realized that he was being guided towards a ship.

Suddenly, Evan felt a profound weakness in his legs. Every step grew weaker as if they were resisting any further steps.

He understood that boarding this ship meant bidding farewell to the life he once knew.

He will no longer return and will be left to rot on that island.

'I thought they would be lenient on me since I cooperate.'

His reluctance did not go unnoticed by the soldiers escorting him.

However, they simply don't care about whatever he is feeling.

They just want to get this job done.

"Stop dilly-dallying around and move!" a soldier barked, impatience evident in the tone.

The command was accompanied by a forceful hit to Evan's back, urging him forward.

Evan reluctantly steps his foot onto the ship's deck.

The ship swayed with the rhythm of the waves.

The hissing and churning of the steam mechanisms became more pronounced, intensifying his fear.

Now that he's on board, there's no more hope left for him.

He was briskly ushered into one of the many rooms, a precautionary measure taken by the soldiers to stifle any impulsive actions.

Despite the unlikelihood of Evan attempting a reckless escape, the soldiers were not willing to take any chances.

Inside the room, Evan sits still and blindfolded too.

The soldiers appear to have no intention of letting him see anything.

'Are they trying to make me lose the sense of time? Is there a need for that?' he thought to himself.

Hiss—

The steamship commenced its departure, and the rhythmic sound of steam escaping from the engines filled the air.

Evan, whose question remained unanswered, felt the subtle shifts and movements of the ship beneath his feet.

....

Back in a certain hideout, the place underwent a meticulous cleanup.

Files were swiftly secured, sensitive documents stowed away and evey evidence was carefully removed.

The walls, once adorned with charts and diagrams, were stripped bare, leaving behind an unassuming facade.

It was a measure they took in anticipation of an impending raid.

Overseeing the whole process was a woman with black hair and hazelnut eyes.

"Miss, there are too many things to pack. I don't think we had enough time to smuggle everything out."

"Don't worry, just burn whatever we can't take. And leave some miscellaneous documents untouched to get their hopes up." Irene replied.

She doesn't care if SIN finds this hideout. It means nothing if they can't trace them.