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"Welcome to Ridgemark," said the giant stranger in a soft voice that didn't quite match his bulk. "Mr. Vance has been awaiting your arrival. If you like, you can follow me to meet with him right now, or you can take a few hours to rest from your trip first. Personally, I recommend the latter. I think you'll find the Ruby 88 to your liking, if you do."

The Rainlords exchanged looks with one another. They hadn't come here for generosity or pleasantries, and the offer seemed doubly strange considering the fact that there was a battle raging only a few kilometers away, if that.

Zeff stepped forward to speak for everyone. "We'll meet with Mr. Vance first, thank you."

"Alright, then. Follow me, please." The giant turned, and the wall of soldiers behind him parted again, this time staying open for the Rainlords to proceed through as well.

They soon reached a staircase flanked by an elevator and chose the prior, since there was no way an elevator would be able to carry all of them in a single trip.

As they were descending, Mevox, the reaper of Salvador, decided to speak up. 'You're the Linebreaker, aren't you?'

The large man kept descending until he reached the next intermediate landing, then turned around to look up at all of them again. "I am. Heard of me, have you?"

'Only your moniker,' said Mevox. 'What's your real name, if you don't mind me asking?'

The giant waited a moment, perhaps wondering if he should answer that. "...My name is Linus Maximilian."


Chapter Two Hundred Sixty-Six: 'The breaker on the ridge...'
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Linus eyed the Rainlords, gauging their reactions. He wasn't in the habit of telling people his last name like that, mainly because it often prompted so many unpleasant responses, but he'd decided to make an impulsive exception here. Truthfully, these Rainlords intrigued him. They'd left the Vanguard, too, so perhaps they would understand him.

And from all he'd heard about them over the years, he highly doubted that they would be afraid of a mere name.