The Guardian

Chapter 264: This Time

Aurora received some world-wide news while traveling in a car.

Most notable was about reports regarding the world her group had returned to.

While the report was limited with respect to what they did, it was revealed about that world and combined with some interview and stories from the goblins.

The idea of having the goblins give interviews and report on their world was to try to get humanity to begin to accept them.

Even if their acceptance was out of pity or empathy for what such creatures lived for.

Regardless of the reason, there was talk of that world with two suns, their lands and their state, then to enter the tragedy of Chaos.

The fall of what the goblins called Guardians of Abakas and the destruction of the other races.

Such a scenario left too many questions and generated more concern.

From understanding that the guardians of earth were also weakening and even wondering what would have happened if the God of Time and Space had not helped them years ago.

Of course, such questions were few, because most were relieved and thought they had those primordial gods to lean on.

“What do you think?” Cardinal Brousseau, who was driving the car, asked and next to her was Cardinal Najjar.

It had been about four days since her group had arrived from the other side and while the situation worldwide seemed pleasant, Aurora still remembered the end of that world.

Those two suns illuminating as the land was destroyed and corrupted. It was certainly a scenario that would remain etched in her mind.

“What did this abyssal portal appear for?” Aurora asked curiously.

Cardinal Najjar, who was in the back seat escorting them to their destination, gave her a look.

“I don’t know,” Cardinal Brousseau replied and glancing at her at her calm expression, asked. “What do you think?”

It was a curious question, and Aurora pondered the answer.

“The voice that spoke to Zrag was not the Guardians of Abakas. Zorkas can confirm that point because he seemed to have a closer proximity to such deities,” Aurora said, settling the basis of her idea and looking part way across the fields of Romania, she murmured. “Nor can one think of an evil plan of some other god... After all, it was goblins who came.”

Aurora had understood that while monsters or creatures could pass through the abyssal portal from the other side, it was not on the level of the Great Worm... That meant there was no greater danger than goblins.

As for the rift, it was human circumstances and there was no divine intervention as to say it was some evil god’s plan to destroy the world.

Maybe she was overthinking it, but she felt that the goblins did not pose as much danger when compared to the Chaos and corruption that was on the other side.

The forces of humanity could also defeat the great worm, but it was that corruption that was terrifying.

The lack of vitality in the land, the corruption of water, sea and nature, only to reveal the destruction of a world in the end.

There was no doubt that someone or something started the portals, but the reason was not destruction or spreading Chaos as some terrifying deities promoted.

“Evil and goodness are one, there is always balance.” Cardinal Brousseau mentioned and approaching a camp in the area, she explained. “Those were the words the voice spoke to Zrag.”

Aurora descended from the car accompanying the two cardinals, not knowing how to respond to that sentence.

She wasn’t too knowledgeable about theology, which meant she couldn’t understand the gods and also didn’t know their words or holy books of such churches.

Perhaps an expert would find the quote in some of their religious books and they might even be able to determine from that phrase the possible deities that would say such words.

“Sounds like ‘Order’ to me,” Aurora murmured, observing her companions.

When she thought of ‘balance’, the first thing that came to mind was ‘order’.

“Right, that’s what everyone in the know thought when they heard that phrase and while when you look at the context, you may have some assumptions. They are just that, assumptions,” Cardinal Brousseau replied and parking herself near the camp she stated. “Now quite a few theologians are in search of ‘who it was,’ and then answer the ‘why’ and ‘what for.’”

The context she was referring to was the reality that an abyssal portal appeared and the Primordial Gods, who were considered extremely powerful, stood by and reported nothing.

At the same time, the God of Time and Space acted when they prayed to him and closed the crack in the dimensional barrier, but he did nothing with the portal and it closed by itself when they arrived.

There was no doubt that such a context generated quite a few assumptions and more when this phrase was added.

Knowing who the entity was that made the abyssal portal appear would lead those in the know to find the reason why it did so.

Still, regardless of the reasons, the answers that could be discerned were superficially present, and one of them was the salvation of the goblins.

“It is better to leave such topics aside and more so when they are overwhelming,” Cardinal Brousseau said and giving a nod, she added. “Let’s go look around.”

Where they were was the temporary camp where the goblins were located.

That race was stranded at this site and while Aurora knew that in the lands of Zerzura, the church was preparing the official shelter to receive it; they needed time to mobilize.

They were going to move by means of portals to reduce the time, and now they had finished the different medical checks.

The place was full of tents with extended spaces and in such space there were simple rooms.

Goblins were everywhere and while the young women and children were regaining their vitality due to the good food and residence, there were other mixed looks.

Grief for the dead, some rancor and sometimes a hint of savagery.

“Zrag, during the assault on the abyssal portal, ended up poisoning and murdering all those who objected to living with humans. Many of those soldiers were of the lower caste and their leaders,” Cardinal Najjar reported and looking around, she explained. “The middle-and upper caste are the most numerous, while the lower caste are those of which there are fewer left.”

The middle caste was quite numerous, becoming the majority, followed by the upper caste and leaving the lower caste as the minority.

Aurora listened to the reports of both cardinals explaining and commenting on the subject.

Under where the abyssal portal had been, there had been about four thousand ‘civilians’ that had been taken by Cardinal Najjar before the Great Battle.

The low numbers of the lower caste were normal when one thought about how the goblins moved... Using the lower caste as advance guard or cannon fodder.

“Of the five hundred soldiers that had been left before. During the assault on the portal, one hundred were killed and two S-ranks,” Cardinal Najjar reported and giving Aurora a look, asked. “What do you think we should do with Zrag and those who acted in this manner?”

Aurora met Cardinal Najjar’s gaze squarely, but then gave Cardinal Brousseau a glance, not knowing the reason for the question.

The latter shrugged and gave her a smile, which made Aurora think about the answer.

“They did this to reduce problem of conflict among our people, but that doesn’t mean they are forgiven. They must follow human laws to be accepted, and that means such acts must be punished,” Aurora replied after thinking about it and shrugging her shoulders, she added. “They must have expected it by now. In my case, I would recommend volunteer work using their strength to show themselves to the world.”

These past few days, she had been filling herself in on everything that had happened during her absence, trying to catch up with the various events.

She had heard some of the information that was now being revealed to her and when one thought about the Zrag situation and the ultimate cause of the killing of his companions, that was the answer she had come to.

The humans were ‘protecting’ the goblins, so they could not murder those they protected or punish them with the idea of preventing crimes, at least not until they went against the ‘human’ rules.

That was why the goblin leader took the job into his own hands and solved the problem, understanding that he would take the blame for his actions.

Since they came in and agreed to cooperate with the humans meant following their rules, it wasn’t just for the simple action of ‘obeying’, it was to try to show that they could be cooperated with.

Abiding by the rules and accepting human morals by following the laws was the best way to give a sense of assimilation.

This prevented people who wanted extermination from using savagery and danger against them, trying to put pressure on the church.

Zrag solved the internal problem of his people, but externally, he made it seem as if the goblins were creatures that killed each other and only thought of their own interests.

Even in complicated moments, as was the capture of the abyssal portal and the closing to the rift.

“Zerzura has too many natural dungeons and temporary dungeons appear frequently. They do not pose a great danger and it is a good means to make themselves known among the people, to show that they are just like them... Just like former refugees.” Cardinal Brousseau stated, agreeing with her point of view.

For her part, Cardinal Najjar gave her a smile, managing to make Aurora’s expression quiver at the sight of such an individual.

She had met her years before, but at that time she wore a mask by acting as a ‘heroine’.

However, now that woman generated a feeling of closeness before walking on.

Aurora stopped thinking too much, the truth was that she had been hiding for a while and while she hadn’t appeared for quite a few years, some knew that part of her past.

As for the goblins, Aurora didn’t deny that Zrag’s decision was quite bold, yet useful.

Now among the goblins with strength there remained those who were more loyal or understood about what was going on.

What remained to be sorted out was the animosity that a few held, but all that was to be done once they moved in.

The other most important point was to assimilate their culture and values into a modern teaching education.

Prioritizing future cooperation between the goblins and humans without them giving up part of their general culture.

It was true that part of their culture and values would conflict with what the humans supported, but what was wanted was for them to adapt, and that was why some things had to be changed.

Perhaps it was not the best method, but what was sought was the coexistence of both races in a context where part of humanity wanted to exterminate them.

Another of the actions to be taken was to record the history of the goblins and that of their world to be taught in the future to the next generation.

In this war against the goblins, in the end, it was shown that there was no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ side, they were simply two races that failed to understand each other for different reasons and came into conflict.

Only cooperating when a greater danger arose.

Aurora listened to the plans and projects that were sought to be realized, but did not participate fully.

After a moment when she was invited to meet the goblin leaders, she immediately withdrew, declining the invitation.

Walking back to the entrance, she could notice both the two of the road tents and the goblins that were in place.

She could see quite a few goblin infants frolicking about without the savagery the players were talking about.

Some of the mothers who were present caring for their children nodded when they looked at her.

It wasn’t because they knew her, they simply seemed to nod at much of the humans who pulled them out of malnutrition and what could be considered their doom.

Aurora’s expression froze for a brief moment and then continued.

She felt nothing at seeing the people safe... No. She was lying; she did feel something.

It wasn’t gratitude or happiness at seeing them safe, it was the harsh reality that to get to this point, she had to murder many of them.

Some could be the parents, relatives or acquaintances of those who were here and perhaps unknowingly, they were thanking the murderer of a family member.

Aurora took a deep breath.

It was for that very contradictory reason that she knew she was not a hero.

She was just a person doing what she thought was right and bearing any consequences as now, when she continued walking without looking back.

******

Alice watched the messages that were coming to her.

She didn’t know how, but some media had gotten her number and were now asking her for an interview.

The reason was not because she murdered Marius in cold blood; it was because everyone knew her as a student of the Hero Academy.

Precisely her title of glutton that became recognized during the international tournament was taking effect and many wondered why a student had been participating in this event.

Aurora was also a student, but since she did not participate in the international tournament, she did not gain ‘fame’ and very few knew her.

Reading such messages, she rejected them all.

She did not care about such things and did not wish to do a boring interview in which she gained nothing.

When she was done rejecting everyone and leaving many unanswered, she read Liam’s report she had just received.

The situation in the guild, ‘The Custodians’, had become difficult.

They had been in a lousy position since their former leaders had participated in the expedition and although Marius had managed to stabilize the guild when he took over; they were now back in a complex situation.

That they had not fallen to his rivals who sought to bring it down or the government who sought to eliminate it, was proof that as a guild they had a strong base and were powerful.

They had read the reports of what happened inside the abyssal portal and while they did not seek to indict her for Marius’ murder, they wished to move all their misdeeds to him.

A dead man could not defend himself.

Unfortunately, part of their plan was to reveal that she murdered him to turn the situation mediatic before Marius’ misdeeds came out.

The problem was that it would not leave a good image for her, since she would be treated as a cold-blooded murderer, seeking to divert some of the future attention.

Alice ate some chips with an amused smile as she read the report.

“Have you read the report?”

At that moment, Aurora entered the room and asked curiously.

“I’m just finishing up,” Alice replied, hiding her smile and with a curious tone, she added. “Simple, but effective.”

The idea that the new guild leaders of the guild ‘The Custodians’ was not to defend Marius, it was to push the public’s attention towards her and not have it affect the guild.

Public pressure was a force to be reckoned with and that was why the guild wanted someone else to draw attention to it, while they tried to solve their problems by pushing their misdeeds on Marius quietly.

It was simple, but if no one intervened, it would prove effective, at least in terms of public opinion.

“So, how do we solve it?” Aurora asked and, giving a thoughtful look, stated. “Liam has taken a job uncovering part of their crimes. If we reveal it suddenly and then keep pushing, they won’t have time to bother you.”

The concentrated, thoughtful look on her sister’s face was very entertaining for Alice to watch.

Perhaps Aurora had taken a certain liking to her tipping the scales by using the media or Liam had rubbed off his way of moving on her, but she seemed to be learning fast about moving in secret.

Force was certainly an effective method, but it was by this more secretive means by which people moved before the Great Cataclysm, and history made it clear that it was effective.

“No need to worry. I’ll take care of it on my own,” Alice replied and, receiving an intrigued look from her sister, she commented. “It’s best if you stay out of it, I don’t want you tarnishing your image.”

Her comment was directed that there could always be mistakes and things could end badly.

In that sense, that only she was the one affected and not her sister was the priority.

“I don’t mind having a bad image. Besides, the problems we should both carry,” Aurora said bluntly and shrugging her shoulders, she added. “I also participated, so you could say I’m an accomplice.”

Was what they committed a crime?

It was cold-blooded murder and, in a way, it was revenge by one’s own hand.

Morals aside, the situation and the context in the eyes of much of the public and the law determined that what they did was wrong.

Sure, this wasn’t the first time they killed someone out of revenge or for some goal in mind, but this time was different.

“If it comes to it, it’s better that I bear the bad reputation,” Alice replied, giving her a serious look.

“Why?” asked Aurora immediately.

It was clear that if she didn’t get a logical answer, she wouldn’t let her act as she wished.

“Because, unlike me, you’re moving for something bigger and you’re trying to go further. Even if you don’t like it, reputation is necessary and I would say important,” Alice explained, getting Aurora’s expression to turn solemn, but she continued. “That’s why I don’t wish to get you in trouble and more for my actions.”

Aurora remained silent.

It was one thing to say she took out a warlord or finished off some lunatics and quite another situation to say she participated in cold-blooded murder without being in a battle.

There would be people who would question them due to the fact that, if he waited a little longer, and they entered the portal, Marius could have been tried to the fullest extent of the law.

They had witnesses, and the evidence was present, following the laws of society would be the logical thing to do.

What they both did was a premeditated murder, in which they waited until the end of the battle and after they had used Marius for their purposes.

It was clear how eyes would look at her and even if people denied it, reputation was important.

It gave her recognition in front of other people and avoided trouble, but it also helped her goal.

It wasn’t the same as people knowing someone for finishing off ‘warlords’, who were known to be evil, to cold-blooded murder for revenge.

No doubt people would think the former was about experience, while the latter would seem like someone emotional who got carried away and had no respect for values or laws, being similar to cold-blooded lunatics.

Reputation would help her goal because of when she needed to be known, it was better to be known for her good deeds rather than her bad ones.

“It’s worth it though,” Aurora replied and with a solemn expression, declared. “You’re worth it.”

Her solemn expression made it clear that she wasn’t joking, and that made Alice smile.

“Thank you, but this time I’ll take over...” Alice said and seeing that her sister’s gaze was still on her, she added. “Or at least I’ll order others to take care of my problem.”

Aurora nodded in understanding with a smile.

Her expression changed completely at her last words, as if it now made more sense and was easier for her to trust her.

“Anything I can help with. By the way, what do you want for dinner? I’m in the mood now,” Aurora commented quickly, escaping as she saw Alice looking at her strangely.

Aurora had little confidence to her taking on the task, but it was different if she used others... Yes, she certainly deserved to be looked at strangely.

Still, the change of subject was interesting and Alice gave her demands, trying to reward her lack of confidence.

Then, after hearing the acceptance, she went to her room and activated some barriers.

They had both stayed in Romania for a few days, due to Aurora having work and keeping an eye on the goblins, but also Alice knew that her sister was looking forward to one particular day.

Of course, them being in Romania; it was also the best method to pay attention if someone wished to move against her using the report that was delivered.

However, that problem had to be solved without leaving future consequences.

Alice did not regret murdering Marius and would do it again as many times as necessary.

But she only regretted not acting sooner and getting her sister involved.

Sitting down on the couch, she used her holographic watch to call someone and only a brief moment later, she was answered.

“I want you to take care of the guild ‘The Custodians’ and cover what I did, avoiding future complications.” Alice ordered in a simple tone.

The gray-white-haired old man in the projection put on a serious expression upon hearing that order.

“As you command Your Excellency,” James replied, bowing respectfully.

Alice this time did not correct him.