CHAPTER 171: TRUST
Aurora looked at her holographic watch, that was connected to a video call.
“I’ve already solved this little problem, but the most important part remains,” said the old man with graying and, seeing Aurora’s serious look, he explained with a laugh. “You have to get her to agree to the final little duel.”
Without giving Aurora time to respond, James continued.
“This is a minor matter. Now you can relax your expression,” the old man said and with a half sigh, he added. “I have to carry out some sudden investments in China and I can’t call her, so the last step is up to you.”
Sudden investments sounded like an excuse and, just as she expected, he continued.
“Oh, let me know if she hasn’t been treated well and fed properly.”
“Thank you, James,” Aurora replied, giving a half-smile.
The old man waved his hand as if it was a minor issue and, after saying goodbye, ended the call.
Aurora, being left alone, looked out the living room window and her serious expression didn’t change as she realized it was night.
Rising from her seat, she left the small room and headed to where Alice was being held.
At the moment, she was in a hotel and it was in this place that Alice was taken.
From this, it could be gathered that the authorities wished to keep everything quiet, and that they did not want what had happened to become public and turn into a scandal.
The whole thing could become murky and problematic for them.
Aurora knew who Xu Long’s family was and if they came to a secret agreement with the Emperor, then things would become difficult for her.
There were laws and an ‘attempted murder’ between skill users would be punished by paying a large sum, but if things got complicated and went into the judicial, Alice could end up in prison.
Adding that they were in an empire where the emperor could decide everything as he pleased, the punishment could be much worse and while it could be better, Aurora was leaning towards the worst possibilities.
Was she being paranoid?
Her sister was locked up!
Trying to calm her nerves, Aurora got her expression back under control and stepped into the elevator, heading for the floor that was her destination.
When she reached the floor, a pair of guards were waiting for her and guided her in.
This was the security that an S-Rank deserved and while there were means to stop some individuals from using their magical energy, things were complicated when dealing with someone with an innate ability.
It was useless to restrict magical energy when the ability did not work that way.
There were means to restrain Alice such as using a barrier, but this security let it be seen that it was all superficial.
Aurora’s gaze remained serious as she walked beside the guard.
“Our mission is over. We will stand down now,” the guard reported and, seeing Aurora’s expression, stated. “His Majesty awaits the acceptance of the duel on her part and also reminds everyone that the battles must be conducted within the arena.”
The guard, after leaving that clarification that gave the impression of being a basic scolding, withdrew along with the other guards, leaving her completely alone.
Aurora did not relax her expression, although she was secretly relieved.
However, she maintained her caution and opened the door with slight anxiety.
The room on the other side was large, comfortable, and pleasant, resembling a hotel room.
And in the center of the room was Alice sitting on a couch reading a book while on her lap was a bag of chips.
Alice had a relaxed and intrigued expression about the book, and it was obvious that she was enjoying the reading.
When Alice noticed Aurora, she stopped her hand inches from her mouth, looking a little surprised by her entrance.
Proof that she was completely focused on the book.
“...”
They both looked at each other for a few seconds and Aurora, seeing her sister as usual, breathed a sigh of relief.
“Are you alright?” Aurora asked with concern as she approached.
She was relieved to see her well and although Alice seemed to be in the mood to read and eat, Aurora was still worried.
If things became difficult and her contacts didn’t help, Aurora was thinking of jumping into the fire for her sister.
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Did she notice the look she was giving? The concern?
Alice gave a small, inevitable smile and waited for her to approach.
“Sorry,” Alice muttered under her breath, as she smiled faintly.
Such a smile showed that she was a sorry for making her worry, though it was hard to tell if she was sorry for making it all happen to this point.
An assassination attempt was no small matter, and depending on how it was handled, the consequences could be hard to bear.
“It’s all right,” Aurora replied as she listened to her sister.
Alice didn’t need to apologize for getting into trouble, though.
“But why did you do it?” Aurora asked helplessly.
Her question didn’t just carry her curiosity, it carried a deep and slightly dark tone.
Aurora knew Alice better than anyone, and it was inevitable when they had been together since they were children.
Something that would lead to Alice overdoing it was certainly a matter of concern.
And if that issue affected her sister, Aurora wouldn’t let it go easily.
She wasn’t a saint or a hero.
She enjoyed saving people, but if necessary... Things could turn scary in an instant.
“He deserved it. He threw my chips on the floor,” Alice reported with a slight pout and an innocent victim look.
She was trying to get her to relax by acting so charming, and Aurora couldn’t help but hug her with a half-smile.
“You had me worried,” Aurora murmured, hugging her tightly.
Alice was strong, very strong.
Aurora could leave any worrisome matter of life and death to her, and Alice would cope, but Aurora knew her better than anyone.
Very few things could cause that outburst and having her chips thrown away was not one of them.
Just like Oliver and Jordan when she started the academy, Alice didn’t try to murder them and controlled her strength to hit them a little.
She never seriously hurt or terrorized them by keeping her ‘revenge’ in another aspect, such as dragging them all over the academy, ruining both of their reputations.
Now that something brought out the worst in her meant it was a significant issue for Alice.
“It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me, but if you need my help... I’ll back you up,” Aurora whispered in a simple tone.
Aurora had boundaries, and her own rules, but when it came to her sister... She could go into the darkest abyss if necessary.
Alice was in her worst moments by her side.
She held her when she cried and supported her when she was weak, always being by her side.
Now Aurora was willing to do the same.
“You don’t have to worry,” Alice replied, giving a gentle hug and seeing Aurora relax, she murmured. “He said something bad about you and when I imagined it, it made me want to kill him. Right now, I want to kill him.”
A cold, emotionless tone that would make those with faint hearts tremble.
Aurora neither trembled nor was she surprised.
Alice’s dark eyes showed that the ‘assassination attempt’ was serious.
Was she planning something? The depth of the gaze was sometimes hard to comprehend, and for Aurora, it was the same.
“If you want...”
I can help you...
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m still mad because he threw my chips,” Alice interjected, without letting her finish.
It wasn’t that someone was listening, but that she truly didn’t want to worry her and so she changed the subject and gave the impression that it was about her snacks.
Even though Alice sometimes gave the impression of being indifferent and somewhat treacherous when it came to food, she still showed unique care and affection.
Aurora laughed softly at the sight of her.
She couldn’t deny that seeing her well relaxed her.
“So, what do I have to do to get out of this problem?” Alice asked and seeing Aurora’s surprised look, she explained. “James informed me that it was all taken care of and forgot to tell the details.”
Aurora’s expression quivered at the thought of the old man, and she finally sighed.
“It’s a duel in the coliseum, most likely with everyone watching,” Aurora replied, revealing some concern.
Especially at the thought that everyone was watching... If Alice was still angry, the worst place to act would be in a match that was broadcast to everyone.
“I will go and win simply. I won’t do anything extreme,” Alice said and with a low tone, she muttered. “I already revealed the warrior form and now we won’t be able to use it to hide.”
Hearing those last words that seemed to sound like an apology, Aurora couldn’t help but laugh.
The ‘warrior form’ was what they both called it, and it involved turning the shadow into a dark mass and creating a creature with Alice inside.
In this form, Alice had increased physical strength and high stamina, managing to take on fighters of her own rank.
They used it to attack General Kavuri’s camp when they were in Kenya during the Ark mission and used it before to hide.
Everyone thought she was a ‘monster’ and, as such, they could never blame her.
Sure, this form had the flaw that it couldn’t extend the shadow to the ground and take care of many enemies, but in single combat, it was very useful.
Since they modified the voice with a holographic clock application, it was impossible to connect to Alice, at least until now.
And...
“That’s the least of it,” Aurora said without giving it too much importance.
Aurora also had her way of hiding and that she used to cause trouble without being connected to the Protector of Zerzura.
The truth was that when one reached the position where one had responsibilities, it was complicated to exceed, and more so when one’s actions brought consequences to the surrounding people.
When personal desires and responsibilities collide... Aurora employed such methods to act freely.
They both fell silent and Alice looked at her faintly, hesitating for a moment.
Noticing her gaze, Aurora waited calmly, noticing that Alice was having difficulty speaking.
“If I am arrested for ‘doing something wrong’, would you help me?” Alice asked nonchalantly.
Aurora froze at that question.
Her nonchalant tone seemed to carry no emotion, but Aurora could sense a hint of fear and dread that they would both walk away if something happened.
They both had two ways of looking at reality.
Alice was cold and might be able to casually murder someone without giving a damn, while Aurora tried not to murder unless it was necessary or she had no other options.
She did not wish to stain her hands with blood in a nonchalant manner, but such an attitude did not make her superior to another person.
Each person had their perspectives and in the end, it was those perspectives that led to conflict... And they could drive friends apart.
To what limit could one give in for their friendship or affection?
Alice was strong, no doubt very strong, but she was not perfect and she had her weaknesses.
The only answer Aurora could give at this moment was simple.
“Yes, I will help you,” Aurora announced.
She didn’t need to make promises or say flowery, impressive words to show the firmness of her words.
Alice’s lips couldn’t help but lift into a smile, and she averted her gaze somewhat sheepishly, causing Aurora to giggle.
—I’ll inform Liam that he doesn’t have to infiltrate the empire’s networks.
Her system gave its report, and Aurora just enjoyed teasing her sister for revealing a trace of weakness.
She wasn’t lying about helping her and she wasn’t lying about jumping into the fire for her, either.
And if that fire meant having to plan an assault to rescue her sister... Then it was a small price to pay.
Aurora was willing to risk it for Alice, no matter what she did or why she was accused.
She trusted her sister, and that trust was all she needed to believe in her.