CHAPTER 210: THAT SMILE DOESN’T WORK ON ME
“...”
Silence.
The raiding party arrived quietly at the camp and all they heard were the moans of their wounded comrades and the cries of the medics, healers, and priests who were in charge of tending to the wounded.
“Are you okay?” Alice asked as she quickly approached after leaving the wounded she had swallowed in the shadow.
She could tell that Alice had heard that she had taken a direct kick after those creatures got a surge of strength.
“Yeah, it’s nothing... It was just an oversight,” she muttered, and looking at the soldiers, she asked. “The casualties?”
Her gaze was on the medical center where the wounded were still being taken.
Some had horrible cuts in their eyes, others had wounds of a too unpleasant color, which made it clear that they were poisoned.
Some lost arms, legs, and there was even someone who had a large cut on his stomach.
“Dead on our side, still none... The medical equipment and high-quality supplies helped to stop the death,” Alice commented and, giving a sidelong glance, added. “As long as there are signs of life in a person, we can always help them.”
Although the ‘still’ upset her, the last words helped the morale of the assault team a little.
Now they would enter a new battle and even though the healing magic was advanced, there could always be complications.
The priests of the Church of Time and Space were present and although they were not as skilled as the High Priestess Xaali, they could pray to their god to borrow the power of that deity.
Adding that supplies were of the best quality thanks to the pharmaceutical and alchemical companies that supported the allied forces against the abyssal portal, the chance of survival was high as long as they had any sign of life.
In a few weeks or months, those who lost limbs could regain them back thanks to the support of the Church that had S-Rank healers performing treatment.
Still, that didn’t dampen how they felt.
“What the fuck just happened?” a young man asked in a strange tone.
He was the Romanian hero who had accompanied the raiding party and one could tell he was shocked by what had just happened.
It wasn’t just him, but her group was surprised as well.
The mission was a success, as the team of Executors of Order ended up capturing an S-Rank, but there were too many things to worry about.
The quick and sudden ambush they suffered, the lack of information about the number that ended up being higher than normal, and, as if that wasn’t enough, the way they were hiding underground.
Nobody knew about it, even the SS Ranks did not know about it.
And as if that wasn’t enough, in the end, they use a strange artifact that made all the goblins have an increased strength that in just a few seconds increased the wounds and the pressure of the allied force.
In that sense, they managed to discover part of the goblins’ hidden cards, although it was difficult to assimilate that ability.
However, Aurora had her mind elsewhere.
Those creatures were around the portal, bringing more and more of their people, but at the same time giving the feeling that they were running from something.
That feeling was troubling in many ways, and if one added to it that the SS Ranks didn’t move, then it managed to bring another, more troubling kind of idea.
Whatever it was they were running from made both SS Ranks hesitate to act as if they feared their attacks would make the Abyssal Portal completely unstable, or as if they pushed the goblins hard enough, they would make it unstable.
Aurora had seen that magic circle on the portal, and it was logical to think that if the goblins had a way to stabilize it, they could also do the opposite.
The answer to her doubt brought too many questions, some more troubling than others, though all equally important.
And one of them was... What were they escaping from?
The answer seemed too heavy when one realized that the goblins had the will to take on an SS Rank, but they fled from wherever they came from all the same.
******
In the break room of the private room, Aurora watched the projection of the group.
“Is everything okay on your side?” Clémentine asked again in a worried tone.
Aurora could see that Nicole, Leslie, Érica, Andrés, and even Cithrel and Akira, who were connected to the group video call, were showing the same concern.
“Yes. It was a tough and fucked up battle,” Aurora replied, and seeing the word she used, she gave a reassuring smile and announced. “On our side, there were no casualties, and at least we are fine.”
Omitting that she had a hectic battle and took a hit from her own inattention, she downplayed what had happened.
“That smile doesn’t work on me,” Akira muttered, looking with a seriousness.
The murmur was inevitably given... After all, Akira had known that smile that gave calmness to those she rescued.
Though Akira’s answer managed to make the gazes of the others become more piercing and Aurora, realizing that they wanted an answer, told about the battle detail by detail.
The difficulty of the operation and the truth about that chaotic battle along with the misinformation problems.
She did not reveal her doubts about the feeling that this was not an invasion, and neither did she tell of her concern about what was on the other side of the portal.
It was unnecessary to worry them, and more so when that information remained hidden from the public.
“No wonder they say there were casualties in the Romanian army,” Nicole muttered and, with an abnormal tone, she added. “I was worried when the news revealed that... There is too much disinformation, and it generates panic.”
The allied forces revealed the success of the mission, and at the same time they also told of casualties and that was more on the Romanian side where the group was more disunited.
The authorities withheld a lot of information and the main reason was that they needed to analyze carefully what was going on.
The world was watching and the Romanian government, who were the leaders of these lands, had to show a strong image to their people and to the world.
Adding that this event represented too many concerns on several levels.
On legal issues: How should these creatures be treated?
On medical issues: Could goblins bring diseases?
These doubts also extended to race scholars who debated whether they were ‘monsters’ or a ‘race’... And when an answer would be found, other questions would arise.
If it was a race, then what kind of ‘rights’ did it have, and at what level should it be treated.
Leading to the question; how should that race be treated on a diplomatic level or if they were an invading nation or a whole race.
That happened with the magical beasts that for quite some time were treated as just that... Beasts that could be hunted and their bodies dismembered to create weapons and armor.
All when they were intelligent, had feelings and emotions, holding grudges and feeling affection.
As the allied forces confronted the goblins as enemies, the world analyzed them from different points of view.
That generated different opinions and led to general misinformation... After all, in the strangest matters, people doubted everything, believing that the government was lying to them and even thinking that some events were false.
“It sucks to be a student,” Érica muttered helplessly.
“...”
The students fell silent at Érica’s realistic and accurate words.
They were students, and that wasn’t just because they were at the Hero Academy, but on a professional level that’s what they were.
They were not even comparable to the third-year students, who were more experienced than normal students... They were all young people who had only the year before finished high school.
The lack of experience led to the fact that, if they faced an A-Rank goblin it was a fight to the death... Maybe not all goblins were experiments, but just looking at the casualties and wounded made it dangerously obvious that it was for them.
For veterans and professionals who had trained for over a year.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“It always is,” Akira said, and looking at the students, she added. “But remember that feeling and use it.”
A former student who rose through the ranks gave the words and, as if that wasn’t enough; she created her own guild and turned it into a medium-sized guild, gaining some influence in Asia.
Aurora sighed inwardly when she saw that the students understood the danger this represented.
She did not wish for them to come here to help her or try to make a change when they could not ensure their survival.
It would not be the same here as in Africa, where she had made preparations to try to avoid the greatest dangers.
“Patience is hard, but it pays off,” Aurora commented and, changing the subject, asked. “How are you guys doing?”
Her comment pointed out that it was better to take things slowly, trying to use that time to get better, and then, when they got better, they would act.
“Good. School is over and most of us have gone back to our families to get ready for the annual holidays,” Leslie commented in a simple tone.
It was December and that meant there were quite a few holidays to enjoy, such as Christmas and New Year’s, which were always celebrated.
Whether or not they believed in what was being celebrated; enjoying was something they all shared.
“...”
There was silence again, and some let out tough expressions again.
Most of the world’s population was preparing for the holidays with all the festive atmosphere, but here a battle was going on.
Aurora understood those pessimistic thoughts, she just didn’t fully share them.
That was happening all the time and worrying was too distressing... After all, when she fell asleep, something she didn’t want could be happening.
“Oh, also students from our academies have received elixirs. Jordan took it and eventually ascended to A-Rank. They say Oliver beat him up to ‘test’ his limits,” Clémentine said, changing the atmosphere again and with a wondering tone, muttered. “He ascended immediately.”
Aurora let out a laugh at hearing that story, knowing that Jordan and Oliver were good friends, and it was certain that they both tested themselves for fun.
“Many of the B Ranks want to wait to take the elixir when they promote to A-Rank. I’m one of them,” Leslie revealed and, letting out a long sigh, she gave a smile and pointed. “It’s too frustrating to fall behind, but I feel I can excel and I’d rather save it to give myself opportunities to move up to S-Rank.”
The different ranks had different complexities and difficulties that extended differently for each person.
However, what they all agreed on was that it proved to be very difficult to ascend to S Rank and involved too many factors.
It was an abyss that very few could cross.
That was why everyone wanted to use the elixir once they had reached A-Rank, to enable them to lighten that burden.
Leslie was the only B Rank in the group and being alone was frustrating, but that would not shake her goals and morale... The goal was to advance as far as possible and she would not shorten the path for lack of time.
“Terrifying. You’re already a B Rank with an attack ability capable of taking down an A-Rank and with a normal physical ability of a B Rank fighter being possible to increase to A-Rank,” muttered Nicole, looking at her strangely.
Aurora laughed and her laughter was contagious, which caused everyone to laugh as she looked at Leslie, who was embarrassed.
Nicole wasn’t lying.
Leslie hadn’t reached Rank A in her weapon mastery talent, but in strength, she was already at that level.
After all, here present had seen her powerful and terrifying shots, along with that armor that greatly increased strength.
Perhaps because of their laughter, the others began to tell a little about what was going on.
Classes at the Hero Academy were over and even though they were home for the vacations, they also had things to do.
One example was Andrés, who, according to him, was scolded in a rather peculiar way by his boss, who gave him a rigorous and hectic training, where in his free time he had to play games.
His expression was strange when he told about it, but he didn’t explain too much... No, it was more like he didn’t know how to explain it.
Leslie let it be known that she was preparing to continue training with the goal of moving up in rank, and she looked very motivated to achieve it.
Akira told a little about the job, but mostly she invited the students to visit her and work for her.
That young lady was an S-Rank adventurer who could get some temporary dungeons or island clearing missions without too much trouble.
They could even train with the A-Rank groups under her command.
“Oh, also the extra rewards have arrived,” Leslie said after remembering and hesitating for a moment, commented. “Although the rewards are a little strange in some cases. For example, I got to go to the military barracks in Atlantis City.”
“That’s true. To me, they said I have to go to a meeting in Elelin City... But it’s not like they said anything else, they just mentioned that my reward would be in that place and if I don’t go, I lose it,” Nicole counted and Leslie nodded, affirming those words.
“In my case, I have to go to a desolate place in the Argentine region,” Érica revealed and with a strange expression, she joked. “If it wasn’t because this is coming from the South American Empire, I would have thought they wanted to kidnap me.”
A member of a wealthy family related to the British Royal Family due to her father’s guild... Adding that she was an only daughter, she was a perfect target for those who wished to kidnap and ransom her.
“And here I thought looking for my reward at the Cosmos Enterprise headquarters was weird,” Andrés muttered, giving Érica a hard look.
Going to a desolate place was weirder than all the others, but Clémentine gave a sympathetic smile.
“Well, we’re not that far away. In my case, I have to go to a Buddhist temple in Nepal. Although it’s not desolate, it is in the middle of nowhere,” Clémentine explained in a simple tone.
“Why?” Akira asked, without understanding how she could relate to her reward.
“That’s the same thing I’m wondering... I actually did some research on the temple, but I have found nothing,” Clémentine replied, shaking her head.
Such an answer caused Akira to put on a strange expression because of the ‘random rewards’.
“What was Alice’s reward?” asked Cithrel curiously.
As a participating member, Alice would also receive a random reward, and Aurora shook her head.
“I don’t know,” Aurora replied, and seeing them look at her funny as if her not knowing about her sister was shocking, she gave a smile and commented. “She’s been very busy lately.”
The students nodded as if they understood the reason why Alice wasn’t here talking to them, but Aurora continued.
“Urfin is our boss and mostly cooks for us, so she’s very vigilant about that issue. If we add that among the members of the Falion Empire are elves and humans from various parts of Terra nova, then her time diminishes,” Aurora counted as calmly as she could.
“Basically, she’s trying new dishes?” Cithrel asked, discovering what her words hid, getting Aurora to nod seriously.
Alice was a glutton who was very easy to please.
Being in this place for her was like glutton heaven and that was because of Urfin, who was an excellent chef.
Adding that Alice was strong and beautiful, there was always a member of the Terranovian team who wanted to show off their cooking skills and would prepare something new in a style unique to their world to please her.
That was amazing, but it didn’t end there.
The Apicius Company also supported the allied forces and while it could not give weapons like the Taranis Company or did not give important technology like the portals of the Cosmos Company, it provided many types of high-quality foods and ingredients capable of restoring energy and aiding the body.
It was known that the Apicius Company had relations with the Falion Empire and with the traders coming from that world, so it was normal to think that exotic ingredients arrived regularly.
All of that merged together, leading to Alice finding herself in a place where she was fed all kinds of high-quality dishes... It was certainly her ‘heaven’.
Some gave odd looks, and at the same time, nodded strangely.
They all knew Alice’s ability to get away from reality when she ate.
Chatting a bit about random things, slowly the students began to say their goodbyes as they realized it was getting late.
The raid was done in the morning and their call was made immediately when they heard the news that worried them.
That’s why they started to say goodbye quickly, wanting to let her rest.
In the end, only Akira and Cithrel were left, the latter being the one who gave a serious look.
“Aurora, if you need help, you know you can count on me,” Akira said and, looking at her seriously, announced. “If you make room for me, I can go help you.”
Aurora gave a smile at those words.
They were true that the Abyssal Portals were already here and many were just watching from afar for various reasons.
Some didn’t care, some thought it was far from them, and some simply let others take up the task.
However, among them were individuals like Akira, who had to run a guild and frequently do quite a bit of work.
Temporary dungeons were frequent and natural dungeons were quick to recover and if one added islands or sea creatures that were always dangerous, then they had a lot of work.
At present, the Abyssal Portals posed a danger, but that danger was a latent one that remained to be fully exploited.
Goblins could be killed, which meant that the real concern was the uncertainty on the other side.
Still, the land faced a variety of dangers without the intervention of the Abyssal Portals.
Sea creatures could wash up on beaches and murder innocents, temporary dungeons could overflow and eradicate entire villages.
Adding that random monsters would randomly appear in cities from time to time, it all became a big problem that could not and should not be ignored.
Akira, who completed those kinds of tasks, usually for free, had too much work.
However, even with all that work, she was willing to give it up to come and support her.
Aurora laughed happily, which made Akira feel shy.
“Come on, I’m being serious,” Akira muttered, trying to cover her shyness in her frown.
“I know and that’s why it’s funny,” Aurora replied with a big smile, and without helping herself, she commented. “You don’t need to come. I know you have a lot of work and responsibilities.”
The comment was given with a slight smile that calmed Akira, and Aurora continued.
“Regardless of what happens, I’m in an excellent position,” Aurora added, and looking at Cithrel, she pointed out. “Oddly enough, I’m a captain of the Imperial forces and that means I have some freedom and at the same time some say in everything.”
It was true that she had to follow her boss, but in this case, her superior was Urfin, and not only had they worked together, they also knew each other very well and as if that wasn’t enough she was ‘recommended’ by the boss at the top.
Cithrel gave a smile at her slightly grateful look and, after exchanging a few words, Akira ended the call, leaving the two alone.
Before Aurora could thank her again, Cithrel began.
“I will also be leaving the academy,” Cithrel revealed, and without the need for her to ask, she explained. “Now that you’re gone, my distraction is gone. So now I can do what motivated me to come to this world.”
Marking it as ‘distraction’, her eyes flashed with a flirtatious tone that she didn’t even try to hide.
“Well, you have Taqiyya,” Aurora joked with a smile, shoving that young blacksmith into the predator’s mouth.
It didn’t feel so bad to leave her with the gallant knight, as that little white bunny by the name of ‘Taqiyya’ was going alone to that predator’s lair.
“She also has her random reward, so she’ll be very busy. I’ll just spend these Earthly holidays with her since she’s an orphan and I want to keep her company,” Cithrel revealed and before Aurora could give a pleasant smile at hearing it, the princess looked at her and, with an ambiguous tone, commented. “You don’t have to get jealous. She knows I’m interested in you and she doesn’t mind... So I can keep you company too.”
A flirtatious comment that laid bare quite a few peculiar things and made Aurora blush slightly red and embarrassed.
Cithrel let out a laugh as she moved the camera on her holographic watch so she wouldn’t be recorded.
It wasn’t her fault.
Cithrel had too many charm points, and they were just as effective in reality as they were through a camera.
—...
Her system, which had been quiet lately, blurted out three dots as if to say that her mental excuse was unnecessary.
After several minutes, Aurora pulled herself together and looked back at that princess, who was giving a big smile.
“If you want me to help you with anything, you can always let me know. I’m attentive and willing to lend you a hand. Not just to thank you, but as my friend.” Aurora said calmly as she saw the smile of that princess.
Cithrel had helped her a lot and even if she hadn’t, she would offer a helping hand as well.
“Even if I’m not what I seem and keep too many secrets?” Cithrel hesitated with a raised eyebrow.
Aurora’s expression didn’t change upon hearing that question.
“Even if you’re a pervert like Alice always says, I wouldn’t mind too much. As for secrets... Who doesn’t keep one?” Aurora said with a smile, intermingling slight seriousness with a joke.
She had secrets from her system, her masters, or her past.
Seeing Cithrel’s expression change in different ways, trying to hold in her laughter and at the same time feeling a bit touched, Aurora continued.
“Friendship to me isn’t about finding out each other’s secrets or trying to get each other to reveal it... It’s about mutual support.”
She had her own secrets and even with Alice... Who basically hid from her that she had met with Kairos multiple times.
Maybe it wasn’t anything ‘worrisome’, but it was a secret and she knew Alice kept secrets of her own as well.
“I understand. It’s not necessary, I haven’t formally started yet. However, I do have an idea where to start my search,” Cithrel revealed and, with a half-smile, murmured. “Though I doubt I’ll find anything.”
She revealed to her that she was looking for someone, but Aurora didn’t ask further, and accepting the fact that Cithrel wanted it, she would tell.
Still, Aurora knew who it could be about.
After their farewell, she let out a long sigh at this long day.