The town was small. It was more like a village really.

The residents here must be quite close knit, he thought, Surely, someone would know where he is.

There were a few people at the square. Perhaps he could ask one of them. Seeing a friendly looking lady across the street, he decided that she was his best bet. He advanced towards her, raising up a hand when she sees him. She seemed to understand. Made her way to him, until they were face to face.

But before he could say anything, she did.

"Looking for Ludwig?"

He would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised. He was and he let his guard down enough to let his face show it. Even though it was only for a split second, the woman caught it. A knowing smirk found its way to her face.

"How'd you know?"

He had to ask. Or maybe it was more like he wanted to. Or needed to. The woman could be dangerous if she knew why he was here. She could either be one of them or snitch him out to them later.

"You're not from around here. No outsiders ever come here to sightsee. They all come to see Ludwig."

That would explain it but he wasn't completely sure he could trust her. People, he knew, may not be what they seem to be. He made that mistake once with an innocent looking girl named Lili Zwingli. He still had the scars today to prove it. In this world he lived in, you can never underestimate anyone. Especially not a Zwingli.

"You'll take me to him?"

"Yeah, sure. Come with me."

Eyebrow raised, he looked at her questioningly.

"Don't worry, I won't bite." she said, "Promise."

He was reluctant, he knew better than this but there was something about her he found reassuring.

"Alright, lead the way."

And he gave in to it.

But not without making sure his gun was secure. He didn't want to have to shoot her but if that was what it came to, he wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

They came to a humble little antiques shop.

He thought it was a horrible cover. An antiques shop. In a virtually simple town. It was just so obviously out of place. Honestly, this 'Ludwig' person used to be a master mercenary and a skilled soldier-or so people say- and yet here he was in the most conspicuous disguise a man could think of. What on earth would the people here do with antiques anyway? It was a wonder how his enemies haven't found him yet.

But then again, he hadn't known it was an antiques shop either, so he couldn't really say anything. Man, did he feel stupid. Seriously, he was itching to facepalm.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go in."

"Ladies first." he said, accenting unnecessarily heavily on the last bit and completing charade with a gentlemanly gesture to the door.

She looked at him with a somewhat incredulous stare but went in anyway. Triggering a bell above the entrance as she opened the door.

"What do you want Elizabeta?"

"Gee Luddy, what a great way to greet a friend."

'Luddy' was a big man. Burly. Muscle. Even after years of not being on the field. Though he still lost when compared to the monstrosity that was Ivan Braginsky.

Slicked back blond hair and striking blue eyes, he had to admit, Ludwig was a good looking man. He was quite young too, surprisingly. Couldn't be more than thirty-five. Spoke with an accent that gave away his German roots.

It was only then that Ludwig finally noticed the man standing next to his female friend.

"Who are you?"

He took in a deep breath. Regained his composure.

"I need your help."

"I can see that. I was asking for your name." the German's words stung. It had taken so much of him to come out and say that and to hear the man he traveled so hard to find say that…

It was like taking a stab. Right through his pride. However little it had been at that moment.

"I'm A-"

Hesitation.

"Alfred. My name is Alfred Jones."

Ludwig eyed him skeptically, "I don't know any Jones. Any relation to Kirkland?"

"No."

They stared at each other for about the longest time. Both with stone cold expressions on their faces. Pushing each other. Until one cracked.

Still bearing a poker face but now no longer able to meet eye contact with the other man, Alfred admitted, "Not anymore."

"What is it that you need?" Ludwig decided not to press on the previous matter. It was currently unnecessary. Besides he wasn't that cruel.

"I need to disappear."

"Alright. I'll give you a one way ticket to-"

"No. That's not enough. I need to disappear from everything. Government files, agencies, anyone or anything that's ever heard of me."

For a moment, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That was until Alfred's words finally sank into the Ludwig's brain. Then, the momentary silence was replaced by a German rage fit.

"WHAT?! ARE YOU MAD?"

And all he did was add fuel to the fire.

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"WHY SHOULD I? THIS IS INSANE!"

"Well, I'll help you."

Both men turned to face the source of the voice. Someone whom they had previously forgotten was still there. Ludwig still fuming but Alfred with a look of confusion and perhaps even amazement. Elizabeta.

"Yeah, I'll help you. I know people that will be willing to as well."

"Who?"

"Ever heard of Vargas?"

Had anyone been looking at Ludwig's face at that moment. They would have noticed the horror in his eyes.