"Why are you being so kind to me? I know it isn't because I am a new member."

I was travelling in a jeep with Veronica and other SUITE agents on a road that lead directly to Burten town. It had been hours since we started our trip and the city was long gone from our vision.

"I wasn't lying when I said you reminded me of my brother. You have the same eyes and aura is similar to him. I almost thought he came back to life when I noticed you."

"It's probably a coincidence right?"

"Yeah, it is. I said it was just similar, not the same. Also, you are talented, so it won't be bad to have you attached to SUITE."

"You aren't supposed to tell me that."

"You would have figured it out anyways."

She then went behind me and hugged me. I could feel her breasts pressing on my back.

"Can you stop that?"

"No. You are too fun to tease~. I'll only stop if call me big sis."

"Big sis, can you stop doing that?"

"Wow, decisive."

"Well, it was getting awkward."

She then let go and moved to another seat. I still wasn't used to her charms, so I was blushing furiously.

The other agents weren't bothered by this farce. They then continued the conversations they were having.

***

After an uneventful couple of days, we arrive in Burten Town. It was merely a shell of what it previously was. There was a foul stench of bodies rotting.

"If you want to deal with the smell, try to channel mana to your nose to block it off. Treat this as training. You are also coming in whether or not can block the smell, so learn fast."

I barely had enough time to digest what Veronica was saying before she dragged me into the town.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

I had never really probably channelled mana before and had only used instinct. I tried to channel mana toward my nose but failed miserably. The smell got so bad I felt like vomiting. To stop the smell, I kept trying until my nose started bleeding.

Veronica recognizing that this challenge of hers was injuring me, asked me to stop and told me to wait in the graveyard and allow her subordinates to collect the bodies.

She meant it is a joke as trying to channel mana without understanding how mana flows through our bodies is a recipe for disaster.

After a couple of hours, all the bodies in our village were buried except one. In front of me. Even though his face had holes and it looked like a zombie, I knew it was definitely him.

I carried his body to a nearby hill and started digging. After burying him completely, I took a stone and used it as a makeshift gravestone. I carved these words into it:

Here lies Joseph Argenti.

He was a loving father and husband who gave his life for his family.

Rest In Peace

My eyes started becoming blurry when I started digging his grave and when I was done, tears were falling down full force. I couldn't stop this. I didn't want to stop this.

Even though I hated feeling vulnerable, keeping my emotions bottled up was a bad idea in the long run. I was already angry enough with Carl in the first place. Keeping more might destroy me.

Veronica and the other agents were a respectful distance away, standing solemnly.

"Dad, I promise to bring back Mother. I am sorry it took so long to come back. I love you."

I don't know how long I was standing, but by the time I was finished, the sun had already started to set. The whole time everyone hadn't moved at all.

"Sorry about that."

"No worries Jules, you needed that."

As we passed through the city, memories of my 8 years of growing up here flashed by me.

Me and Charlotte playing a prank on some adults.

How our friend group tried to sneak out of the town and explore the forest.

All of our messy clothes when playing in the mud.

It was nostalgic.

We soon reach the front gate and start to drive back to La Empresa. I wave behind me as Burten Town where I grew up was fading in the distance. It was probably the last time I was coming here.

'I'll try to find and free you guys.'

"By the way Veronica, what rank are you?"

I was going to ask before, but it completely slipped my mind.

"Hm? Oh, I am A rank. The mission where I found you was the first I completed after I advanced."

No wonder her strength seemed so unfathomable.

***

We arrived back in La Empresa and returned the horse. We were going to take a train from here to the SUITE main headquarters.

The other agents had not left yet and were given a week-long break to experience La Empresa. La Empresa was a central trade hub of goods and you could find many goods that came all across the human domain. Many industries were thriving here. One could call it the economic capital of Califordia.

We arrived at the station with the other agents. A train soon arrived in front of us. We got on and sat in a luxury carriage with butlers working around the clock to ensure maximum comfort.

The train we were on was owned by Umbra Moria and used exclusively for the movement of SUITE agents in a discreet manner. On the days it wasn't used by SUITE, it was a luxury liner used exclusively for the rich.

I sat back and relaxed. I was going to enjoy the journey to the headquarters.