They had been sitting together for almost half an hour and didn't say a word.
The hunters began to feel uncomfortable with the silence, but the department head just kept leafing through the report.
Carolin, Kreuzberger and the other nine hunters who had survived the little excursion to the park sat on simple wooden chairs in front of the desk.
Files were piled up on the desk and the small nameplate could only be found if you knew where to look.
On it was the name in gold letters: Erika van Mark.
Finally the head of department put the report back on the pile of files.
After a heavy sigh, she began her lecture.
"Well, if I understand all of this correctly, the hunt for the Warrior has started on schedule.
After a chase, which alone resulted in property damage of 12,000 marks, the troop turned the hunted down in a city park.
In the ensuing skirmish, sixteen of our hunters died, six others were injured and three of them ultimately died from their injuries, which makes nineteen deaths.
The situation could only be brought under control through the use of our warrior, Mr. Kreuzberger.
Nevertheless, he too suffered a severe cut.
For his commitment alone he charged us a sum of 6,000 marks, and due to his injury he charged us another sum of 3,500 marks, that is 9,500 marks.
Despite this high level of commitment, the hunted warrior could only be recovered dead.
His corpse, his clothes, his weapon as well as his papers and two strange black eggs are all our department got from it.
The incident was two days ago and the follow-up costs have now been determined. This includes on the one hand the amount for equipment and ammunition, 3. 550 marks, the amount for the repair of minor damage, 6. 520 marks, then the amount that goes to the department for ´manipulation of public opinion´, 1.352. 000 marks and, last but not least, the costs for funerals and compensation for the bereaved, 750. 230 marks.
If you add the money for our warrior and the damage from the chase, that makes a total of 2,133. 600 marks.
With an annual budget of 20,000. 000 marks means that a tenth of our money was wasted in a single hunt.
The thing has only one pleasant aspect from a financial point of view:
Our expenses for our people's salaries are cut in half. Unfortunately that is unacceptable.
When I think about it, in one night the number of our people went from 42 to 23. What should I think of that?
Ms. Human, Mr. Kreuzberger, I expect a justification! "
Since Kreuzberger remained silent, it was up to Carolin to ´justify´ herself.
With a shrug and another look in the direction of Kreuzberger, she surrendered to her fate.
"First of all, you forgot one thing, Ms. Head of Department."She literally spat out the salutation, and the challenging and scornful tone could not be ignored.
"I, Mr. Kreuzberger and seven of the nine survivors already had experience fighting with warriors and brokers. Those who died were fresh recruits, just recruited and not yet fully trained.
I wouldn't have taken her with me this time, but you insisted that I introduce her to her work as soon as possible. You have just presented the result to us yourself.
But it was also my fault, I shouldn't have given in to you guys.
Actually I had assumed that the hunt would be a trifle. A warrior is usually not as dangerous as a broker, but this one just got what it takes.
And now don't blame me for everything, you are at least as much to blame!
I am responsible for the costs of the funerals and the compensation for the bereaved, I owe that to them. "
The head of the abnormal hunt looked composed, her face relaxed, her posture as calm as before.
Only Carolin seemed to notice that she almost squashed the pen in her hand and that her knuckles protruded white.
"It may be that I gave you the instruction to instruct the new ones as soon as possible, but I didn't mean that you should lead them to their death! I would like to throw them on edge from the department!
Unfortunately I still need it. And now get out of here, everyone goes back to their posts! "

When the group of hunters left the office, Kreuzberger just passed Carolin.
He whispered:
"But you did enjoy it, despite the losses, didn't you?"
A crazy smile spread across Carolin's face and her eyes literally sparkled with madness.
"Of course," was her answer, which was just as quiet.
With an amused grin, the warrior moved on.


The week started when he received a message.
It said that an old childhood friend had been captured by the ASC, the first druid ever captured by the ASC.
The news was bad, and he had problems too.
A relatively large number of warriors had come together in the last few weeks to form a well-structured group, something that was rare among warriors. It was the first time ever that such a large group had formed.
According to rumors, a broker was responsible. He supported them and provided the necessary change.
That meant a lot of work for James.
For three days he had been in contact with one of the warriors, he couldn't explain why they helped him.
Apparently the Warriors had fundamentally different lines of thought than Druids, but as long as James took advantage of it, he didn't care about the rest.
James needed information, without it he wouldn't be able to make plans.And a good plan was the foundation of any fight, especially when faced with many opponents.
Just storm in and slaughter everyone was the worst possible plan. Before he could do any serious harm, he would die.
It was also clear to him that he had no chance against so many opponents alone.
Three days ago, James had sent a message to the council asking for assistance.
The answer came this morning:


I greet you, James Nightingale,

unfortunately we feel compelled to refuse your request.
We politely point out that you are responsible for the current situation.
If they had reduced the large population of warriors early on, they would not face such an enemy now.
Even if we sent them support, it wouldn't make much difference.
The council has decided to cede Black Wood territory to the Warriors.
The territory is now officially owned by the Warriors, all operations of the Druids are to be stopped immediately.
The warriors should now have a similar document, which also makes it clear to them that this is an offer of peace.
Every druid in Black Wood is outlawed.

I wish you a nice day and send you warmest greetings.

Your secretary
Lothar Amadeus blacksmith[/i]


At the moment, James was sitting with his informant in a suite on the fifth floor, looking out a large window.
While his informant read through the letter, James once again allowed the sight of the small suburb to captivate him.
As darkness fell, more and more lights began to illuminate the windows of the houses. In the distance, the shadows of innumerable, huge buildings could be seen, the actual city was about an hour's drive from here.
Black Wood was originally intended as a slum for English refugees. However, in the thirty years of its existence, Black Wood had become a recognized part of the city, with many hotels, restaurants and shops.
The English had their pride, you had to give them that.
For a moment James felt something like regret. He himself was not yet born when England was crushed by the Japanese forces. A year before he was born, the Western Alliance launched a war of liberation to regain England.
At that time the German Reich refused to send troops for support.
As it turned out, rightly so.
Japan had destroyed the whole island. If they couldn't have this land, no one else should have it.
For the Druids it was the blackest day in their long history. The English Isles were home to some of the most powerful artifacts of their race, not to mention the numerous casualties.
"So that means you will retire, Mr. Nightingale.It's actually a shame, I was so looking forward to a little war. "
James didn't know what the brown-haired was talking about at first. It was only when his informant waved the letter around that he realized that he was referring to its contents.
With a few big steps the warrior stepped to James' side and looked down at Black Wood for a moment. Then he sighed.
"Really a shame, I would have liked to have seen all of this surrounded by blazing flames. If the council of druids backs down, I'll have to wait for the next opportunity."
With a sideways glance, James looked at the warrior.
He looked downright unashamedly serene.
"Was that the reason?"
The warrior turned from the window and looked directly at James. He looked a little confused.
"The reason for what?"
"The reason you helped me. I just can't believe you're serious."
The warrior began to laugh out loud. For James, that only made him less likable.
"Of course I mean it. I want to see the whole world in flames, that's all. Is that really so strange to you? You don't have to answer that, just think about it. Think about what you are going to let go down in flames just think about it, maybe you will understand me better then. "
For a long time not a word was uttered.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, the warrior began to speak again.
"When will you go?"
James looked sideways at the warrior again.
"I think you didn't read the letter correctly. It was never mentioned that I would be withdrawn."
The warrior furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the letter he had previously placed on the low table in the center of the room.
"But it was said that the druids should stop all actions in this area. That means that you should go."
James shook his head, it was a sad, powerless movement.
"As long as we have not received specific orders, we are not allowed to leave our post. The addition that all druids in this area are outlawed applies to me and only me. This tells me that, should I return, I will die too. You mean." So not that druids