In the afternoon, as David flew the splinter, he could see the walls of the [Pitreres]. A stream of people moving in and out of the gate below, they could be explorers, researchers, fugitives, and many others. The city would accept all, the city’s blood flow, as Asha would call it.
Its metal wall stood 50 meters above and below the ground, combined with an arcana-shield generator, forming a dome over the top of the city. Those shields are capable of withstanding even a class 10 Mana beast’s attacks, there were even those that boasted that they could even withstand a mystic. But that’s none of his problems anyway, if such things were to appear, he would be long gone.
Arriving at one of the air docks on the upper part of the walls, ignoring the curious looks from the people around him, a clapping sound could be heard from behind him.
“It’s good to see you again in one piece, David. How were the ruins today, found any interesting artifacts?” the man asked, dressed in a luxurious suit and tie of gold and ivory, his fingers clad in jewelry. A cascade of blond smooth hair reached his back. His face seemingly glowing with smooth white marble-like skin, the embodiment of ‘born in purple’, Asha Tallard, son of the E-wild corporation’s CEO. A genius businessman at the age of 22, and an adept historian of human history by the age of 23. An utterly perfect example of human potential. And a huge pain in the ass, according to David.
“The fuck you do want? Don’t you have some tax crimes to commit?” Quipped David, waving his hand dismissively at Asha’s arrival. Looking back at the damage on his fighter, letting out a sigh.
“My my, what could have caused that much damage? And to someone as skilled as you?”
“Just shut up and leave me alone.”
“Really now, That’s quite a lot damaged and I am sure you are running quite low on cash lately… Isn’t that why you are going back to mercenary work?”
David sighed, a tired look in his eyes as he look over “What do you want exactly? either spit it out or shut up.”
“Oh nothing, I was just wondering if you were free for a dinner trip with me to the Exaca restaurant tonight.”
Asha revealed a dashing smile, directing it at David. He could only sigh as he looked around at the docks. The workers moved about doing their jobs, the guards carefully watching out for any potential dangers from beyond the walls. He, on the other hand, could see the attention drawn towards them. there are people watching their every movement, every word spoken, every minor expression that they made. And yet this bastard still acts this way…
“When?” asked David, a frown on his face as he turned back to his fighter, deciding to ignore the man standing by his side.
“Tonight, remember to dress well.” A satisfied expression on his face as he turned back.
“No.”
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Pitreres, what was once merely a military outpost built by the Mataph empire 50 years ago, a frontier to invade the Diocese of Newbigia. And yet, the city had somehow developed itself into a trade center between the 2 powers. Even declaring itself a neutral city 20 years later, causing the empire to go into a rage, if it weren’t for the guarantee of independence from Newbigia. One could say the current city would be nothing but a molten heap of concrete and metal.
One nation lost a developing city and the other was more than willing to help weaken them, now with the new discovery of a ruined city predating the Calamity south of the city 10 years ago. The value of one such city will only increase exponentially, pushing the 2 powers closer and closer to the brink of war.
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Dressed in a black suit and tie that doesn’t seem to fit him, David walked through the glass door of a large restaurant, a large display at the front showing the name of Exaca. A towering skyscraper nearly 60 meters tall, it is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the city, its menu made from the flesh of Mana-beasts, processed in meticulous details to feed mortal man. One could expect only the wealthiest of people to be allowed to enter such places.
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Entering through the beautiful gold-rimmed glass door, he stepped towards the reception.
“Hello sir, do you have a table reserved?” asked the beautiful hostess, David responded with a grumbled nod. “David Vohler.”
“Oh, I see, yes we do have a private room preserved for you and Mister Asha. Please come with me,” the hostess walked out from her own desk and lead the way.
“You sure it’s ok to leave the reception like that?”
“Please don’t worry sir, there will be another hostess there for the other guests.”
The hostess lead them to the elevator, it seems that the table was set to be at the roof garden atop.
As the elevator opened to reveal a scenery of green and ivory, the many bushes revealed countless roses and violets. Beyond it lies the lights of the city below, people moving and in a rush between the roads and intersections.
At the far center lies a fine dining table of white marble, two chairs sat on opposite sides. It was there that Asha sat, he called out
“Stop inviting me to dinner, people get weird ideas. In fact, many have.” Sitting by the other side, unbuttoning his collar for a more comfortable breathing. Revealing a firm and built chest, in spite of his height.
“I mean, I don’t really mind,” a smile on Asha’s face, revealing a slight blush on his cheek. David could only sit in silence, mouth twitching subtly at those words. “What’s the job?”
“Straight to the point, you never disappoint. I am sure glad I got you out of that ice block.”
“…”
“By the way, you know I love to study history, but you never once told to me what life was like all those years ago. What was it like before the calamity?”
“…” Silence overtook the room as David’s eyes faded. “…Life was simple, no giant monster threaten to flatten towns and villages, people would camp in the wild for fun, not for survival. Enough games what do you want, who do you need killing?” tired of his constant teasing, David simply asked as he rubbed his temples.
"Oh no, I don’t want you to kill anyone. No no, I need you to do something else,” answered Asha, taking out a black box. “I need you to take this to Berton.”
David frowned, a courier job is not something he was expecting.
“why not send it to the caravan guilds, I’m sure they can do it safely and fast. Certainly more so than me.” David Laid his back on his chair leisurely.
“The item within this box is very important. And you know what I’m planning on doing, there are most definitely spies within those guilds… And, you’re the only one I trust enough for this.”
"…who am I getting it to?”
“Morel booker”
Just as Asha spoke those words, the door to the elevator opened, and the server lead a tray filled with a variety of food from within, each of them letting out a scent of Mana. As the two began their dinner, David was the first to bite into the weird-looking sausage. Feeling the explosion of flavors, leaving a rare grin on his face which Asha took note of.
David, picked at the piece of stir-fried, naturally grown carrot, as he bit into it, the crunchy and sweetness seems intoxicating. Taping on the black box by his side, pushing for an answer. This is much better than those nutrient blocks, that’s for sure.
“Back to the matter at hand, Morel Booker. Fugitive of Mataph empire, ex-military, Luarian birth. What am I transporting to him?” asked David, swiping his oiled mouth with a handkerchief
“It’s a Cypher, a level 3 to be more specific. And the expected term limit is by the end of this month, that’s 2 weeks from now.” Asha answered perfunctorily, a nonchalant smile as he bit on a slice of meat.
David froze at those words, his voice speechless, his eyes wide. A Cypher is not something one can just transport so easily, it is the pinnacle of human arcana research. And Asha just decided to dumb this to him?!
“What the fuck?”
“What’s wrong?” Asha, clearly amused by his expression, continued to act leisurely, like asking a simple favor from a friend. “It’s just a courier mission, nothing you can’t handle.”