Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

Despite already determining that there were no problems with the core, Cedric still acted as if he was inspecting it closely along with the rest.

He didn't want attention for now, besides he still hasn't figured out where the real problem lies so pointing out his discovery now was unnecessary.

"...the core is a little uneven." Someone spoke from their group, catching the attention of the rest. "I think that's the problem. A rather complicated device like this requires precise measurements, and even the slightest bit of miscalculation would cause everything to fall apart."

The one who spoke was a man with short spiky ginger hair. He was of average height and appearance but he exuded a noble presence which made him seem special.

"As expected of Master Mark! You've noticed the problem right away!" Another one from their group exclaimed with a fawning expression.

Cedric instantly became weirded out because the rest of his group looked as if they completely agreed with the one called Master Mark.

"I think it's best if we ask the Supervisors first. After all, that 'dent' you say might be intentional." Cedric stated, causing the rest to look at him.

Their expressions varied from doubt to displeased, causing Cedric to smile wryly underneath his facemask.

"...well, it wouldn't hurt to confirm right?" One seems to agree with Cedric's line of thought.

"I don't think so." Master Mark said with a stiff expression, still staring at Cedric. "I have participated in a mission similar to this one. The problem's almost the same actually. I'm pretty sure that my guess was spot on."

"Hey, man!" The one guy who was determined to lick the boots of Master Mark interjected at this point. "I don't know who you are...we don't know who you are or what you've achieved so far, but the rest of us here know Master Mark. His reputation is stellar in this city, you should know that too. If he says that the problem was that 'dent', then the problem is that 'dent'.

Just sit back and relax, your opinion is appreciated but not needed."

Cedric blinked at the two...and then he blinked some more. He was waiting for Master Mark, or anybody, to say something to pacify the tension but nobody spoke. After a brief silence, he couldn't contain the laughter that bubbled from his chest.

Seeing him laugh caused Master Mark and his bootlicker to have dark expressions. Both of them got the subtle hint that he was mocking them, but before they could say anything, Cedric beat them to it...

"Alright, sure. I'll shut up. I'll leave this to your...'expert' hands." Cedric smiled underneath his mask, even bowing a little as he retreated a few steps away from the table.

Everybody in the group could clearly tell that he wasn't taking them seriously but some of them also think that it's too much for those two to completely disregard this man's suggestion.

As for Mark and his lackey, they just glared at Cedric. However, since he was clearly disinterested in whatever they'd say next, they could only do just that...glare.

Cedric laughed coldly inwardly. He found himself a seat and decided to watch as the events unfolded.

Their little quarrel didn't seem to be noticed by the supervisors since they were busy talking with the Engineers and Mechanics. He didn't mind that, of course. In fact, that's better. At least that way, the show later would be spicier.

Now that he excluded himself from his group, Cedric decided to chill. He already discovered the problem anyway and was at least 95% sure that he was correct. There's no need for him to socialize with narrow-minded and pretentious people, that'd just stress him out.

So, while he was waiting for the start of the show, he decided to order iced coffee online to enjoy while watching a documentary online.

His group saw what he was doing and felt weirded out. As for Mark and his lackey, they just sneered at him.

Cedric could almost read their thoughts with how obvious they were, but he didn't care so he ignored them.

While Cedric chilled on the side, the rest of the experts converged and decided to share their discoveries with each other while also allowing other groups to inspect the parts handed to them earlier just in case they missed something.

Mark along with the other Master Scribes participated in this of course. The supervisors were also paying attention to their little brainstorming group.

"Hey, are you guys not calling your other teammate over there?" One of the Master Smiths asked.

"Tch, forget that bufoon. He's just a waste of space and doesn't know his place. Anyway, Master Mark's here, he already discovered the problem so just chill and let him do the rest."

The lackey sneered at first and smugly stated, causing the Smith to wince. Noticing that, the lackey asked: "What's with that expression?"

"Your break stinks, Fatty. That's why!" Cedric hollered behind them, sporting a smile beneath his mask. "It smells like yesterday's dinner but spoiled, there's even bits and pieces stuck in between your teeth. Honestly, do you not know what a Toothbrush is?"

"Imagine attending a public event and confidently speaking to others without brushing your teeth...ugh, couldn't be me."

Slurp!

Cedric said all of that without even looking and while casually drinking his iced coffee.

"You—!" The lackey turned red from anger, but before he could continue his words, the smith he was talking to earlier stopped him.

"Relax." The guy said, frowning at him. The lackey huffed in anger, thinking that Cedric should be thankful that somebody pacified him, but the smith's next words caused him to blanch.

"He's not wrong. Your breath does smell bad. That's why I winced. You even spat even my face." The smith grumbled while taking a few steps back.

"Pfft—!" Some experts blurted out, trying to stifle their laughter.

Cedric on the other hand, had no qualms about that.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" He smacked his thigh as he laughed heartily.

The fat lackey almost turned purple in anger but beyond that, he felt shame dousing his entire body. As much as he want to erupt and beat the living crap out of Cedric, he couldn't.

"Hey, hey! Make sure to wash your mouth first before you beat me up. I don't wanna die being suffocated from your bad breath, that's like the worst way to go! HAHAHAHAHA!" Cedric was relentless, he was almost crying from laughing too much.

But before the situation became even worse, the Supervisors stepped in.

"That's enough." Commander Wilson sternly remarked. "Please remain professional."

He then turned his attention to Mark and said: "I heard that you have discovered the problem?"

"I actually discovered another one," Mark stated confidently, shocking the entire group.

"Can you please tell us what you've discovered?" The Archbishop interjected, wearing an expression of urgency.

Seeing all of them looking at him in anticipation caused something within Mark to writhe in pleasure. Inwardly, he reveled at the attention he was getting. He couldn't help but feel pleased but he disciplined his expression to make sure it didn't show.

He cleared his throat before speaking...

"The first problem lies on this...the core." He stated, looking all professional and shit. "I actually can't believe that none of you have noticed it, but the core had a 'dent' in its surface."

Mark looked at the supervisors with an expression that screamed: 'You careless apes, how did you not notice this? And you dare call yourselves Supervisors of this place?'

"As we all know, even the slightest bit of difference would create a large impact as a whole. This 'dent' is—"

"...intentional." The old and wizened Archbishop gave him a frigid look, and so did the Field Commander.

"I'm sorry?" Mark blanched ever so slightly.

"That 'dent' you speak of, is intentional. It is designed that way. You said it yourself, even the slightest bit of flaw will cause this entire thing to fail. I do recall us telling you that we've got experts of our own. I also distinctly remember us telling you that we combed through every possibility we could find.

What makes you think that we weren't aware of that 'dent'?" The Archbishop coldly remarked, causing Mark to pale in fright.

"Master Mark." Commander Wilson said, though the way he called him 'Master' sounded rough on his ears. "The Lighthouse is the Legacy of our 'House of Light'. Our forefathers were the ones who invented it. We could confidently say that we know more about it than most folks out there. Please don't insult our knowledge."

There was absolute silence in the surroundings right now. The Supervisors, as well as their aides, were now looking at Mark with hostility in their eyes.

The fat lackey was sweating, if he could crawl into a hole to hide from this thick tension, he would've done so already. The rest of the Master Scribes were looking at Mark discontently. Since he's one of them and also the one who spoke first, he left an impression that he was speaking on behalf of the group.

It would've been fine if he was right, but he's not, so now it appears that they were in cohorts with him, and that wouldn't look good on their profiles.

"See? I told you to ask them first."

Cedric's condescending voice broke through the tension.

Slurp!