Twenty-ninth day of Sat’xahr, 4043 AOT
Arbhur City
Fred has already started the legal steps to become the children’s guardian. He is also working on legally acquiring the land where their house stands in Wave 5. Currently, they are planning on fixing the house little by little as they live there. It will take some time for them to finally live the life they dreamed of but this time they are working on it with a clearer image of the future.
To prepare for that future, they started by purchasing some necessities. Fred bought a car two days ago so that they could easily move around from Wave 5 to the city. Most of the things they need are not available in Zone-0. Hence, Fred brought Jad and Romi for shopping in Arbhur City. For now, they need more change of clothes that are new and not ripped in some areas. Having more foldable beds would help in their situation too. Then phones for communication, and add in some groceries too.
After buying some of the things they need, Jad is waiting beside the car while scrolling on his new phone.
“Unfortunate Twist of Fate: The Witch is Slaying Demons and Allies Alike”
“A Hunter or a Witch? Slaying for Money!”
“Aesbyl in Peril! Azalea “The Witch” is Starting a Big Revolution”
“A Hunter Hunting Plantations: Destroying Our People’s Livelihood!”
“Y. Entus Shortage: Pharmacies to Increase Medicine Prices due to Sabotage”
“What the hell are these articles?!!” Jad says in rage. “It hasn’t even been a week since Lea left but there’s a bunch of bullshit already written about her. There’s no way she could have killed everyone in her previous party! These are lies!”
Jad had stumbled upon multiple sites and news agencies publishing articles about Azalea. The stories are not entirely false but they are written in a way that misdirects the reader into painting Azalea in a bad light. These news outlets seems to be adamant at tarnishing her reputation to turn the unsuspecting citizens against her.
“Wow! I just bought you a new phone and that’s what you check first?” Fred responds while putting the stuff they bought into the car.
“I was just curious, you know. See this? It like they are saying that she is a terrorist. Do they think people are these stupid?”
He scoffs. “Unfortunately, they are. Where’s Romi?”
“Here!” Romi responds while carrying a box.
“Put that in the car now.”
“Yes sir!!!”
“It hasn’t even been a week since she left but there’s these much bad stuff already written about her.” Jad grumbles. “Why are they making it sound like she’s the villain? They know the truth about this country, they should talk more about that.”
“Let me see…” Fred takes a peek at the articles then he burst out laughing. “Bwahahaha!!! Maybe they should apply as comedians instead! Hahahaha!”
“Are you supposed to laugh at this now?”
“Right, it’s no laughing matter.” He says while taking the driver’s seat. “But there’s nothing much we can do about what they publish. We have no power in that area… for now. Get in the car, Romi. We’re going home.”
“Coming!” Romi follows sitting at the passenger’s seat. “We bought a lot of clothes for everyone! Thank you, new dad.”
“You can just call me Fred.”
“Yeah, that sounded really weird.” Jad fixes his seatbelt. “It’s frustrating how we still have to endure so many bad things even after all that. Someday, we’re going to clear all of these misconceptions. I want to become stronger too.”
“Me too! I want to be stronger too! Even though I don’t have powers like boss Jad!” Romi says enthusiastically.
“Sure, we can work on that.” Fred replies as he starts the engine. “For now, we’re having a feast when we get home. I bought a lot of delicious ingredients!”
Meanwhile, on Qin’s side, he and Cyan are currently on a meeting with the investor for a simple greeting and introduction. They arrived this morning and wanted to meet after resting for a few hours. They decided to share a meal in the restaurant in the same hotel where they are currently checked in. They sounded very interested in the pranite mine.
According to the information that Qin was able to obtain, Daphne Treant is part of the Sentinel Corporation. It is a large organization that has plenty of pranite mines under their management and has been around for more than 100 years. Not only do they own these mines, they also process it into usable energy. They have different companies and research groups under them that develops various products from simple pranite batteries to pranite energy converters that can run ships and trains. They also involved in other businesses such as the medical industry, drug development, fashion industry, and many others. They built their wealth and reputation through decades of good service.
Sentinel Corporation have a charity department known as Sentinel’s Shield Foundation. It is a charity organization mostly sponsored by the corporation and also accepts donations from various other companies. They are known to help impoverished communities in countries that are not under the protection of ICA. They have earned an extremely good reputation among the public especially those who lives in the underdeveloped areas. Because of this, their group has acquired the ire of ICA, though it’s not a public knowledge.
Qin and Cyan sits in a reserved table in that luxury restaurant. The waiter places the menu on the table and leaves. Qin picks it up and stares at it.
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“Miss Treant said we can order first if we arrive before her.” He said calmly.
“Great.” Cyan also picked up the menu.
Before they could raise their hand to call for the waiter, their guest arrives. Daphne Treant gracefully sits with them. She has short black hair that is neatly brushed. Her brown eyes looks very assertive. She has a facial tattoo of a crescent moon and an inverted cross. She is wearing a maroon suit with white blouse inside paired with a high heeled shoes of the same color.
“Good afternoon.” She greets while passing her business card. “Sorry, it took me quite a while to get ready.”
“No, it’s okay.” Qin accepts the business card before handing his own. He looks around. “Where is your companion?”
“Oh, him. I sent him on an errand. He should be back by the time our meal is ready.” She raises her hand after taking a peek at the menu.
They gave their order to the waiter.
“Back to business.” Qin says with a calm and serious tone like an adult businessman. “What made you interested with our new company? You see, we haven’t even got into the legal procedures yet.”
Daphne smiles. “We’ve been eyeing that mine since the previous owner was unable to maintain it. Since it has a new owner, the higher ups decided to join in.”
“Is your intention really just to invest not to acquire?”
“We do not intend to monopolize the pranite energy industry. We’d love to support new and rising companies that we think are worth investing on.”
“You’re not here for charity are you? What do you get from this?”
She chuckles. “Charity is part of our business model. I know it sounds too good to be true. That’s why in a society where kindness is rare, we strive to show that kindness is still a choice.” Her smile is full of confidence. “So, do you already have a name for your company?”
“I’m just acting as the middleman for now. I’m not the owner of this new company so you will most likely meet with a different person in the future. The company name was only decided a few days ago.” Qin recalls back to that time.
∞×∞
“Company name?” Fred says acting nonchalantly.
“We are starting a completely new one, so we need a name for it.” Qin responds while looking at his tablet.
“What do you guys think?” Fred looks towards the kids.
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought something like this would ever happen.” Mary says closing her eyes deep in thought.
“It should sound special.” Mark adds.
“Just make it sound cool.” Jad suggests.
“I can’t even think of a name for my pet.” Romi scratches his head.
“You have a pet?” Jad raises a brow.
“Should we name it after Lea? Since she’s the one who opened this path for us.” Brenda suggest looking a little embarrassed.
“It would be better if you keep your ties with her more private.” Qin shakes his head.
“Why? She has that one cool sounding alias, right?” Jad raises his voice. “Heaven’s Wing!”
“Sorry, I’m with Qin this time.” Fred gestures an ‘X’ with his arms.
“Why?” Leika frowns. “Is she not coming back here?”
“I don’t know if she’ll be back or not.” Fred pats her head while wearing a solemn smile. “But Azalea made a lot of enemies recently. She also would be bothered if we get targeted because of her. Let’s keep a low profile for now.”
Qin nods. “Mhm… Bad publicity won’t help you start up.”
Mark claps his hands to turn their attention towards him. “Since this is a new beginning for us, let’s call it… The New Dawn!” He proposes actively.
Jad frowns in disgust. “That sounds so cheesy. Hmm… Twilight sounds cooler!”
“What’s Twaylet?” Romi looks confused.
“Just make it simple.” Brenda sighs.
“Then…” Mary raises her hand. “For our new beginning and upcoming bright future, let’s call it--”
∞×∞
“Sunrise Company.” Qin continues.
“I see that sounds like a good name.”
While they are in the middle of the conversation, a man wearing full-suit military grade armor, complete with helmet, arrives. He stood in a distance and then nodded at Daphne.
“Ah-! My companion is here.” Daphne gestures politely. “Sir Vaness Tinker. It seems he has something to report regarding the errand. Please excuse me for a moment.”
“Sure, don’t worry about it.”
She then walks towards the man. Meanwhile, Qin turns toward Cyan who has been quiet all this time. He waited until the two guests are far enough and are busy talking to each other.
Qin uses his hand to slightly cover his mouth. “What do you think of them?”
Cyan turns his head towards Qin in an angle where his face is not in full view of the two in case they look at them. “I sensed no hostility… Not from that woman, or that man just now.”
“I see… I guess, it’s safe to trust them a little for now.”
“Yeah, only for now…”
On the other hand…
“Vaset, did you find the target?” Daphne asks softly.
The man in military suit looks at Qin’s direction for a moment before turning his sight back to her. “The target is no longer here.”
“W-what?!!” She almost screamed.
“I have scouted the potential places where she might stay and searched for her traces. I believe she has already left Aesbyl. It could be that she has already planned to leave after the hunt... Or, she decided that leaving is the best option due to the information manipulation being done by her enemies.”
She sighs. “Either way we have to report this as soon as possible. Yhor will need to put more effort into tracking her.”
“I have already found the most possible route that the target took, and took into consideration the possible locations she might go to.”
“Great. I’ll make the report to Hawkweed tonight. What a pain in the ass.”
“Should we wrap up our operations here now?”
“No… There’s merit in having good relations with these people, and there is still a small chance that the target might come back here. We’ll wait for further instructions after the report. We must get to her before ICA does.”
“Understood.”
The two returned to the table and saw the waiter already delivering their orders. They took their seat and continued the meeting. They decided to schedule the site visit within the week and also provide a part of the needed manpower to open the mine. Qin will introduce them to Fred in their next meeting so they can all see the mine and then draft a plan.
∞×∞
Twenty-eighth day of Sat’xahr, 4043 AOT
Arbhur City, Zone-0, Wave 5
It is early morning before the sunrise. Azalea has donned her new armor and has prepared for her next journey. Qin prepared her clothes and other necessities since she cannot enter the city without starting a ruckus. Mary and Mark woke up early to prepare some easy to eat food on the way for her while Fred, Renan and Cyan are up to see her off.
“Is this how you sneaked out to see that demon?” Fred asks satirically.
“I’m not sneaking out now, come on. You make it sound as if I’m about to elope.” She raises a brow.
He laughs. “You don’t have to worry about this place. I’ve also called the other guys we hunted with… They should be here around next week. Cass also sent a word that she’ll come once she’s done dealing with the problem in her hometown.”
“She doesn’t really have to come. She can take her time there.”
“Jad is going to be upset once he wakes up and finds out that you’ve already left.” Mary says as she stuff the bag.
Azalea chuckles. “I’m sure he’ll get over it pretty quick. The quieter I leave, the better.”
“More bounty hunters are flocking keeping watch outside.” Cyan says. “They are weighing the risks with us here. A full on battle will leave them with more to lose than to gain if they carelessly attack.”
“Once they realize that I slipped away, they’ll immediately disperse. Those vegetation outside will also soon wither away. I already filled out the required files in the Hunter’s Council’s website. Fred should be able to claim the rewards tomorrow.”
“Great.” Fred responds casually. He takes a deep breath. “A lot of things will happen after you leave... The Shilans will not let this pass easily.”
“Whatever happens, don’t worry about us.” Mark adds.
Azalea nods with a soft smile. “Yeah. I believe in you all.”
“Have a safe trip.” Mary hands her bag to her.
“This Zone-0 may be engulfed in complete chaos.” Fred whispers while patting her back. “The change that’s you worked so hard for will come with a heavy price. Will you be able to carry that weight?”
“I don’t know… but I have to…”