Chapter 23 New World Problem
Jason
“How is the training?” The black dragon came down to the training ground himself. Something must have happened.
“Everything is going smoothly as the prince commands, Lord Shadow. We are ready to move.” Grandfather nodded and looked out at the training ground. Two hundred mana users and eleven players are training below. We have learned the biggest difference between mana users and players is the player’s access to the deeper functions of the system. Market, news, and chat functions. Our civilization is advanced enough to have a worldwide communication network, but having access to a universal or multi-dimensional chat network is even more valuable than any magical power.
“Come” Grandfather walked back into the building and I followed closely behind. We went into Grandfather’s library. No one comes here except for him. Grandfather sat down on a plain wooden chair and signed from weariness. His body has been rejuvenated by mana, the 120-year-old man now looks to be in his 40s. He is one of the newly awakened mana users. And yet, weariness of the mind remains. “We got a report from our people in the government. Portals are appearing all over the world.”
“....... What has come out of the portal?” We are not nearly strong enough to fight an army of kobolds, let alone something stronger.
“Nothing so far. No one has gone inside either. Local governments are stationing heavy troops in front of the portal for now.” Grandfather stops and signs. “The problem is the number of portals. So far, we know of 260 portals spread across the world. Humanity can not endure these attacks no matter how we split our defenses. This is the end of humanity.”
“............. What is the president going to do?” President Theodore is a vile man possessed by lust, but competent and seems to care about people’s lives. It's hard to admit, but he is one of the better leaders we have in recent memories.
“He wishes to petition the dragon queen. That's the problem. If the prince asks a favor from the queen, it could put his life in danger. I don't think we should ask him to do this.” I have never seen grandfather acting with this much hesitation. This is the man who broke into the presidential residence and knocked out all the guards just to ask him a question.
“It is not our decision to make.” I immediately sent a message to the prince. We are using public software to communicate, the prince is trying to bait a big fish. After a few moments, a message came back.
[I will ask the knights for advice]
“Knights? They have knights in Nevani?” Grandfather’s eyes are shining. He found a new toy.
“Lord shadow……..Grandfather, how did you become so young?” It has been bothering me for a while now. “We have other older members that have become mana users as well, but none of them got younger like you did.”
“I have regeneration skills,” he said while looking at the sky. “I don't know why, but it feels like heavenly providence. At the end of my life, to get this skill. The heavens are not done with me yet.”
“.......” I watched Grandfather look outside the window at the monster city in the distance. The prince gave him such convictions. I have seen the capability of the prince with my own eyes, but to garner this level of loyalty, there is something I missed.
Beep Beep
[Move our family into the jungle. Try to be discreet. We will meet you at the bridge.]
Ring ring ring ring
Someone is calling suddenly. Not my phone, grandfather’s.
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“Hello, Mr. Heilong. We would like to meet with the representative of the queen as well.” A slimy voice from the other end of the phone. A big fish.
—-------------------
Theodore
A few hundred people are moving over the bridge towards the monster city. Mr. Heilong’s family. We are watching them from a tall building in front of the bridge. I read from the missing person report that his grandson went missing inside the dome, but that missing grandson is standing next to him over there. Who is he in contact with inside the city?
“Mr. President, is this wise? I believe we should send the secretary of state to meet the queen, not yourself.” One of my aides said, A cute girl with a big butt. She is a nice sight to see in the morning.
“She is a powerful dragon queen, not some jackass head of state. We need to show proper respect. I have to go in person.” We are waiting for the caravan to make contact with the city’s representative. A few reporters and internet clout chasers are taking pictures of the caravan moving towards the forest. We intentionally allow the public to see this to put pressure on the city. If the public can see everything, people are more likely to be compliant.
The caravan suddenly stopped in the middle of the bridge. The blue forest has already spread that far. Perhaps the entire world would soon be covered by those blue mana trees. The science team has been working nonstop to make use of these new materials, but if one does not possess mana, it's not even possible to interact with mana-enhanced materials in any way. Hundreds of scientists looking into those tree barks for weeks with zero progress.
A young man, a young woman, and a few orcs walked out of the forest edge. A middle-aged woman ran up to the young woman and hugged her. Mr. Heilong and a few of his family members walked up to the young man and bowed their heads low. What is this? Who is that?
“Monique, who is that young man?” We have files on everyone, how could I not know someone that Mr. Heilong bowed his head to? My aide flipped through the files on her phone.
“Sir, that is Mr. Heilong’s friend's son. Yuelian Lee. His father is only an ordinary supermarket owner.” She said while looking at the young man on the bridge with a confused expression. I understand that feeling. Mr. Heilong is someone so influential that he could break into my home, knock out all my guards, and walk out without being arrested. That man is bowing his head to a normal kid? No way!
“Let's wait until their caravan has moved into the forest before we go over.” That young man might be the key to this negotiation.
—----------------
“Mr. Heilong! It's good to see you again.” This old monster looks even younger than me now. I need to awaken my mana too if this is the result.
“Mr. Theodore, what can we do for you?” The old monster used to be quite handsome, I am so jealous he was able to regain his youth. Maybe the immorality reward from that alien game is real after all. Heilong stood tall in front of us, blocking the views of people behind him.
“Good evening to you, Mr…..?” I moved around the old man and got a good look at the two young people behind him. A handsome young man who looks a little bit like Heilong himself. They are at the very least related in some way. A delicious-looking girl stood next to him with fierce eyes, but no time to admire that for now.
“Yuelian. President Theodore, it's nice to meet you.” The young man stretched out his hand. I took a step towards the young man. Immediately, the people around us put their hands on their weapons, even the orcs standing far away at the forest edge. Who is this kid? I stopped moving and carefully reached out with my hand.
“Mr. Yuelian. What a pleasure. You are the representative of the dragon queen?” I have to be careful here. This kid is not only important to Heilong and his people, but those monsters seem to value him as well.
“No, I am not.” I felt like I got slapped. “No one can speak for Her Majesty.”
Veeeee
Hell. Indescribable pain. The heat is melting my body, maybe my soul as well. I wanted to scream, but my body was no longer capable of such actions.
I was on my knees, sweat pouring out of my body, breathing heavily like I had just run a marathon. I instinctively felt her presence in the sky. Indescribably beautiful red woman floating above the jungle edge. What did she do to me?
“My queen, normal humans can not withstand your mana.” The young girl next to Mr. Yuelian said to the queen as she floated down to us.
That feeling finally stopped.
Everyone in the area instinctively got down on one knee. My body feels like it moved on its own. The only three left standing are Yuelian, the pretty girl next to him, and the Red Queen.
“..........that” The queen pointed at my aide’s phone. Monique crumbled like a puddle on the floor, completely unconscious. Whatever the queen did, it was too much for a normal person. One of the orcs retrieved Monique's phone and offered it to the queen with both hands. She took the phone and looked at it curiously before moving behind the orc bodyguards. Now that I pay more attention, the famous Green Knight is here as well. “Boy, handle it.”
“Looks like I am her representative.” The boy, Yuelian said, bowing to his queen as she played with Monique's phone. I hate his smile. This kid might be worse than the old man.
—---------------
????
In a building a distance away from the bridge
“Equipment check”
“Potions fully stocked”
“Buffs are on”
“Return gems?”
“Got it”
“Everyone in place?”
“Yea!”
“Let's fucking go!”
“Attack!”