The Guardian

Parallel Story New Beginning Chapter 13: Favor

In a large meeting room, Aurora surveyed those present as she projected a map.

“We have heard rumors and news about what is happening outside the borders of Chad... Africa is a very dangerous and troubled place. The most turmoil is in West Africa, where ‘Warlords’ of S Rank and ‘Great Warlords’ of SS Rank are present,” Aurora reported, projecting the map of ‘West Africa’.

Several countries formerly existed in those lands, but now they were the playground of many warlords and other individuals, such as player guilds.

Despite the diversity of the area, all wished to fulfill their goal... Power, wealth or authority and even fun.

The driving factors could be multiple, though the danger posed was the same and more the people who inhabited that area.

There was no country and there was no law... S-Rank Warlords were lords of plots of land and Great Warlords were kings in their areas.

Why was an SS Rank in those lands?

Aurora surmised it was because of the feeling of being powerful and the benefit of becoming kings.

While some nations would welcome SS Ranks with open arms, not all could promise them the freedom, authority and power of being absolute rulers.

They in those lands could commit heinous crimes and then return to ‘civilization’ and be treated with respect.

“Even though the Apicius Company is supporting us, we have no information network and rely on rumors, old news and even information from friends or acquaintances,” Aurora added earnestly.

The holographic clocks could now connect in a satellite way, which made it possible for anywhere in the world to connect to the network.

However, the area they were talking about was a war zone where holographic clocks were so expensive that not everyone could afford them.

While some cities were still standing and some Warlords treated their people well, most only wanted to satisfy their interests and make a profit.

If to get to that point required exploiting other people, then many would accept.

“Also, in that area and part of the ancient country of Nigeria is covered by the magical forest and if what I was told is true, then conflicts with magical beasts are more common than I can imagine. Hunting and fighting for territory or enmity,” Aurora added, giving a glance at those present.

She had talked to James on the subject of magical beasts and it ended up being decided that they should not hunt them.

James seemed to have his eyes on the magical forest and its resources, while Aurora did not wish to cause an unnecessary confrontation.

It had been reported that it was forbidden to hunt some magical beasts, particularly those that Cynda and other connoisseurs managed to put on a list.

Of course, if they attacked, one had to defend oneself, but one had to be very careful and not cause unnecessary confrontations.

From what she had heard, the new rule caused rejection from some mercenaries and adventurers who were arriving from abroad in search of opportunities.

Aurora didn’t know if it was right... James put her as the second shareholder of the company, then turn her donation into profit, but she knew that the reason he accepted her words and moved around her decision was because of Alice.

Now she was about to move again and here present were the only ones she could trust.

Makeba, Turay, Cynda and her husband Zhan Tian, Abdellah and Nicholas, along with Cardinal Brousseau who gave up some of her time.

Alice had been so lazy that she had been left eating, so she was not present.

“In that kind of hectic and dangerous scenario, I wish to conduct an Ark mission abroad,” Aurora announced and looking at those present, she added. “However, I have neither the resources, manpower, expertise, experience, knowledge or general ability to do so.”

No one scoffed at her last words.

She had been moving around Chad, guiding people on long treks that sometimes lasted days, but what she now sought to accomplish was a more complicated and difficult mission.

It was a long and dangerous journey to try to help people in another country.

Jame could provide the resources and she had already spoken to the man and offered her a budget so that she could acquire everything she thought was necessary.

However, the budget came first, but not foremost.

Aurora did not deny that she lacked experience and even though it bothered her, the others were right when they said that she was a teenager who did not have the knowledge or the experience to carry out these missions.

She was strong, even though she had stopped training with her sword, she was still an S rank of great strength.

Still, she felt she could not ensure the success of the mission with the best results she desired.

“Now I’m looking for help to see if you guys would like to volunteer to give me a hand,” Aurora added earnestly.

That was the reason she had brought them together today.

James would help and support her, but he wouldn’t tell her what to do.

Alice didn’t care about the others and she would just follow her around like a puppy waiting for her food.

At this moment where she had nothing to do, she was feeling agitated... She needed to keep moving.

She needed to keep working and doing the Ark mission abroad was a perfect target for someone who at this point wanted more work.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have the experience and had learned from her first mistake in taking so many people, and that was why she now wanted to go prepared.

That preparation needed the experience and help of others.

“Sure, James has given me a budget to take on this mission and you will receive payment with respect to the difficulty of the mission and we can even do the contract through the Mercenaries Guild or the Adventurers Guild.” Aurora said trying to get the necessary support.

She would force no one to work for free... Maybe she was moving for her personal reasons, but she couldn’t force others.

“We will help you. Our group has arrived and while we don’t know if they will accept, the two of us will support you for free,” Cynda interjected and, with a serious tone, added. “I think that’s the best way to pay for the crimes we have done.”

Beside her, her husband, Zhan Tian, nodded with a serious expression.

“Apicius Company paid the militiamen and also receive equipment from them. It is already unnecessary to pay more,” Makeba said seriously and, looking at her with a solemn expression, he added. “That is why we will obey the order.”

Makeba’s expression made Aurora feel slightly nervous... His seriousness made his words seem too ‘loyal’.

“No more need be said,” Cardinal Brousseau interceded and, looking at Aurora, she explained. “While we are not yet a city and still have too many flaws in our organization, James has already fixed several points.”

Aurora listened to her, and the woman continued speaking.

“The militiamen are part of Zerzura’s forces and are funded by the Apicius Enterprise. Their duty at the hands of Makeba is to follow orders. As for Abdellah and Nicholas with the mercenaries, they are on a contract with the Apicius Enterprise, whereby they will accept the mission,” Cardinal Brousseau explained as both mercenaries nodded and, looking at Cynda, she stated. “You are a case apart. However, you should accept payment. Equipment upgrades, emergency supplies and custom weapons are necessitated by the situation.”

Cardinal Brousseau was pointing out to Aurora that every part of the forces were on Zerzura’s side and thus did not require further investment from her.

Defining capabilities and limits was critical to the organization.

In this case, the militiamen commanded by Makeba were a militia that belonged to and obeyed Zerzura.

The mercenaries were already hired by the Apicius Company, who were the ones paying them.

Aurora sighed... This was what she needed. She lacked the experience and knowledge of how Zerzura was being organized.

And even she didn’t realize that Cynda and Zhan Tian, having been captured for a while, had surely lost their equipment and were empty-handed.

She had been on the verge of agreeing to let them work for free, not seeing that the lack of equipment could cause her problems.

Cynda and Zhan Tian’s expressions changed, and they were silent, at that fact that perhaps even they didn’t think of.

“You should talk to James. Perhaps you guys can be funded to participate in missions voluntarily and for free. Although if so, you should keep in mind that to do so you need to have the resources to live on,” Cardinal Brousseau added with a soft smile and then, looking at Aurora, she commented. “The church will support you. We’ll see if we manage to send support.”

“Here too. I will try to offer the best help and prepare for the reception,” Turay said and, giving a bitter half smile, he remarked. “That’s the only thing I can help with.”

He looked slightly discouraged, as because everything was growing and the things he could help with were becoming less and less.

“As Cardinal Brousseau said, we are already hired and we just need to be designated the mission,” Abdellah revealed and looking at Aurora, he defined. “That said, it won’t be easy at all. We need a lot to arrange. From transportation, information, military forces and different security measures.”

Nicholas nodded in agreement and looked at her.

“Being an Ark mission in an area that may be in influence of a ‘Warlord’, we have to prepare beforehand. Send a team beforehand to be in charge of the situation, verify the personality and danger of the local rulers. Then gather people to wait for us and also see if on our way we can offer help otherwise,” Nicholas said. “There is too much work and the mission will not start right away.”

Now they were not going on an Ark mission to help a random village move... Now they were going to bring in real refugees from conflict areas ruled by powerful individuals.

What if such individuals wished to stop it?

Or worse, what if they bought the trucks for the trip and someone wanted to requisition them along the way?

Or if they were carrying too many S-ranks and wanted to attack them because they were seen as a threat?

The problems were present, and the possibilities were too many, with consequences that were too heavy.

It was why Aurora tried to assemble a group that would help her decrease those possibilities, or at least reduce the consequences of the mission.

“I understand. Still, I expect you to help me with this,” Aurora asked, lowering her head.

She would not deny that the reason she was moving was because of her eagerness to work and try to push her passed away, just focus on that issue.

Nor would she deny that she still continued to have nightmares at night and sometimes cried over the memories.

Aurora accepted that she was moving to bring some light into the abyss she found herself in.

Still, for reasons that may not have been the best, she wanted to help, and she wanted to do it well and without mistakes.

All present nodded in agreement.

******

Aurora left the building where she had found herself and, looking out at the sunset, noticed a tall figure waiting for her.

“I didn’t know you had arrived, father,” Aurora said and giving a long sigh, commented. “I didn’t know you were waiting out here. If you had warned me, I would have finished the meeting early.”

She had spent several hours preparing for all the possibilities and organizing from that point.

It was just the beginning, and they were arranging the preliminary preparations, however, it was a time-consuming job.

Of course, she was welcoming it with open arms.

“Don’t worry, daughter,” The man said as he approached, patting her head with his big hand.

Aurora had to lift her head to look her father in the eyes.

“Have you grown any taller?” Aurora asked curiously.

She could tell he looked a little taller and more muscular.

“Yes, I had some troubling confrontations that caused me to push myself more than I should have,” Her father murmured and giving a smile changed the subject. “You look tired, but better.”

They both started walking side by side and Aurora, hearing those words, gave a half smile.

“Work is nice.” Aurora muttered under her breath.

The job managed to push her and drove her to push herself as hard as she could by learning.

It forced her to learn new things and by keeping up with different subjects that she couldn’t have managed before.

Learning about the magical beasts, about the situation in Africa and even now preparing for the future mission... The obligations and responsibilities were something that helped her to keep going and not stagnate.

Her father wrapped an arm around her warmly as they walked around.

They were walking along the sidewalk near the main street while looking at some buildings on the sides.

James’ ambition was revealing itself as he ordered tall buildings to be built in the modern style of a city.

The urban areas were being built to the north, but it was the center of what the city would be, which showed the ambitious future James wanted.

A city with tall buildings, businesses, manicured streets and wide sidewalks for passersby.

The buildings that stood out at a glance was the medical hospital, which was one of the first to be built, and also the holographic school, which was a multi-story complex and more important than the entire building that was to be the Apicius Company’s headquarters in the city.

The hospital was equipped with everything necessary and had state-of-the-art medical equipment, while the school was prepared by the Church of Time and Space and was designed to be a school where teachers taught the class holographically.

Such a teaching modality was the most ideal at present and more so now that not many teachers would risk coming to Zerzura even if they were well paid.

The idea of preparing this center, which was now only a main block, was to let it be seen that Zerzura had a future as a city.

Of course, the roads were still being built, preparing the construction of the city at a general level.

Sewage, waterworks and power plants... These were the main facilities.

As temporary cabins were used before for the construction of the houses, it was now easy to make the basic constructions to guarantee the simplest needs and comforts.

Such as electricity and drinking water.

The use of technological means and the fact that the Apicius Company had business with the Cosmos Company made it possible for new technology to be used here.

Electricity generators that converted magical energy into electricity, or drinking water generators that basically converted magical energy into water through magic.

Magical energy was dense in this area, which made it easy for those machines to gather it easily and, thanks to the technology the city used, they reduced several drawbacks that before the Great Cataclysm would have been difficult to solve.

James had hired many professionals of all kinds to design the city, and the first thing they sought to ensure was the basic infrastructure and the most basic services for the entire city.

The drinking water system, light and electricity, sewerage, street lights... Aurora knew that he was surely carrying out many more projects than she knew about.

The constructions that were being carried out with hired laborers and even the construction robots that worked day and night without stopping, was proof that James was investing more than Aurora believed.

She assumed that once they had basic services, it would increase the attractiveness to investors and the image from the outside.

That was also why the streets were being prioritized for construction, as they wanted to get transportation up and running.

The wall covered a large area and even though there were over thirty thousand people, most of the inside of the wall was empty.

Aurora walked until she reached the place where she currently resided.

Along the way she stood watching as people worked and toiled to build the city from scratch and, without realizing it, she had not conversed with her father, who was now looking at her with a smile.

“Come on, let’s go,” urged her father with a soft smile, and they both entered the building.

Walking down the entrance hallway, she smelled an appetite whetting the smell of food and when she reached the living room; she froze.

“Surprise!” her father exclaimed with amused laughter at seeing her stunned.

Her mother and Alice applauded with big smiles.

On the table were two cakes, and all around were decorated with a big ‘happy birthday’.

“Is it that date already?” Aurora asked incredulously.

February 12 was her birthday and the day Alice had designated as her birthday.

Alice didn’t have the details of her birth date, so when she was adopted by her parents, they told her to choose the date as she pleased... Which is why it ended up being celebrated on this day.

“Sorry, I forgot,” Aurora said, hugging her sister, who gave her a smile and pats on the back.

“Don’t worry. I know you have work,” Alice replied, hugging her gently and then pointing to the food on the table, she pointed. “Besides, it worked as a surprise.”

Alice looked proud and very happy that she had managed to ‘surprise’ her, which made Aurora smile warmly.

Honestly, she had forgotten about the date because of her constant work, so she didn’t deny that she was surprised.

“You have a big smile honey, is it because you are proud of our daughters?” her father asked, hugging her mother and with a big smile he looked at both of them and announced. “I am very proud.”

Aurora scratched her cheek, while Alice raised her gaze up high, very pleased with such comments.

Her mother elbowed her father, which seemed like it might break her because of the difference in their height and build.

“Yes, I’ve always been proud of my daughters... Even if one is more trouble than the other,” said her mother, managing to make Aurora scratch her cheek in embarrassment.

Even though those words were a simple joke and her parents didn’t care how much of a troublemaker she was, Aurora couldn’t deny it.

She was trouble, and it was because of her, which was why her sister followed her everywhere.

“Let’s enjoy ourselves. I have a favor to ask today, so I won’t say too much,” said her mother with a smile, hugging both of them.

Aurora relaxed a little, but looked at her curiously.

“Don’t worry, it’s something simple... Just babysitting a young man for a while,” Her mother added and then gave a mysterious smile.

Although ‘babysitting’ sounded strange, it gave the impression that it was going to be complicated, and Aurora simply nodded.

Her mother wasn’t one to ask favors and always helped her, so she wasn’t going to refuse now that she was asking for a favor.