Despite just returning towards the airship, Auren is already looking back towards the city, intending to leave again. However, before he can act, he spots someone else making a move.
"I'll check this place out. See you tonight. Marsha, please cook a lot for tonight—I'm hungry already," Neffi says, activating Ren.
"Sure, dear. Just be careful," Marsha replies, smiling at her.
Neffi then turns around and focuses all her aura into her feet, jumping into the sky. The elevated deck of the airship gives her additional height. She then controls her wings, doing a few more flaps to gain even more height before gliding into the container city.
"I'll also take a good look," Eren says. "This reminds me a little of the slums in Yorknew—and not in a bad sense... everyone working hard towards their future. I'll be back soon."
"I'll leave as well. I want to check out the edge of the forest and talk with the workers," Leira explains, following after Eren.
Both of them quickly leave the airship and vanish into the city.
"I'll see you later," Auren says, nodding towards Jolt and Marsha, before turning around.
However, as he turns, he feels someone grab his arm.
"Don't leave me alone here!" Vanessa complains angrily. "I'm a city woman. Take responsibility for bringing me here and let me come along."
"You asked to come along, didn't you? Also, you are a Hunter, this shouldn't be too much," Auren notes, visibly confused.
"So? You still need to take care of me!" Vanessa barks back, raising her arms like it's obvious.
I don't understand her, but... I might as well take her along.
"You're free to come along, but I'll be treating the people. You might even risk getting infected, since I've been told diseases have been discovered," Auren explains.
"So? Even if I get infected, you can just heal me too!" Vanessa counters.
Auren nods, a little impressed. "That is true. Sometimes you're rather quick on your feet."
"Hehe, of course I am! I always outwitted my little brother when we were kids. Don't underestimate me," she declares proudly.
Grabbing his arm, she presses forward, pulling Auren along with her.
As the two of them walk through the container city, Vanessa looks visibly excited. "This looks really awesome! I'd love to live in a place like that!"
"You can... though it's hell, I assume." Auren glances around at the noise and constant movement. "At least Elder Kirda begged to be allowed to sleep on our airship. Maybe wait until the construction has died down, it could be nice to live in one of the upper floors, I imagine," he suggests, staring at the various buildings surrounding him.
"Fine, I can wait a little," Vanessa relents rather easily. "This is really interesting. I didn't think I'd get to experience something like this. Will we take over the world in the near future? I feel like a super villain."
Auren sighs. "As much as I want to call you crazy, I'm not certain either. How did I even land myself in this situation?" He shakes his head slightly. "It's best not to think too deeply about it. Sometimes you need to follow what fate has in store for you. Despite my own doubts, I think most people here are good-natured. They may have a lot of hatred in their hearts, but that's solely focused on people from the outside. Trying to build a place for ourselves instead of choosing to engage in war against everyone else is a step in the right direction in my book."
"I agree," Vanessa says. "Thankfully, you're not like Konrad. It's fun following along—this is how I expected it would be to have a cool younger brother. Konrad is way too serious and boring."
I've been told I'm needlessly serious as well... let her think what she wants.
As they leave the container city, they reach the large field of tents, with many children, women, and elderly people scurrying about—either playing, or working hard.
"The men are all at work, huh?" Vanessa comments. "This is a little backwards for me. Don't you think so, Auren?"
"No comment," Auren replies. "They're people from all over the world. They have different cultures and views. You, as a city dweller, obviously have a different view as well." He shrugs lightly. "I don't care either way. Everyone should do what he or she thinks is right."
"I like it," Vanessa replies, rushing towards a football that's flying towards them. She catches it with her chest, then kicks it back skillfully towards a few children in the distance.
"Wow! That sister is great!" a boy says, his eyes drawn to Vanessa.
"So cool!" another girl says.
"If you're done impressing children... let's move on," Auren comments, picking up the pace.
"Wait for me," Vanessa says, quickly following him.
As they leave the tents behind and walk towards the edge of the large construction going on, Auren can't help but blurt out, "Why are you following me in the first place?"
"Why not? Going alone is boring," she replies.
"No, I mean in general," Auren clarifies. "You know about Nen. I taught you more than you need. You're rich, and your family can always provide you with more. You now have the best of both worlds. Most people wouldn't risk their lives doing Hunter jobs, or even... participating in this operation." He glances at her. "I know you're a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but there must be more interesting alternatives."
"Heh, it's fun! I like adventure, I like new things, I like things that are hard to acquire," Vanessa declares. "It's as simple as that. My dad wants me to marry someone and live a boring life back home... In fact, he's been at it for almost a decade now." Her tone turns stubborn, her defiance clear. "I'd rather follow you, and if it kills me, then so be it. I don't believe it will end like that any time soon, though. I've got a gut feeling that this is the best decision of my life, and I'd regret it forever if I just relax. Just lead me towards the edge of what I can even imagine, and I'll do my best to help you out whenever I can."
We'll see if that's really the case....
As they slowly leave the huge construction zone behind, the forest comes nearer and nearer. On many sides, they see large lumber camps. They aren't simply destroying the trees with heavy equipment—they're cutting them down more carefully, turning them into precious building material.
It's best to use whatever we have available here. I guess most of the construction will be done with the wood. At least the trees are old and seemingly sturdy—this should be helpful.
"Do you recognise these trees?" Auren asks. "I see at least ten different varieties. I believe I saw a tree that looks like an Oak."
"A tree is a tree. I don't care," Vanessa says, shrugging.
"..."
Perhaps I should have taken Leira along... I can still ask her later.
Approaching one of the lumber camps, Auren asks one of the workers in charge, "How are these trees? Any good ones for construction?"
"Construction? Heh, I guess so," the worker says, grinning. He's a middle-aged man with a long beard, smoking a cigar. "Boy, these trees would sell for a fortune! Silver Oak, Iron Spruce, a few varieties even I haven't seen before—take your pick! They're all worth a fortune!" He jabs the cigar towards a stack of logs as if pointing at treasure. "Not only can we build beautiful buildings with it, but our people will also live in places filled with luxury furniture. We're storing some of the most valuable wood in a few warehouses on the harbour, and sending the rest towards the construction crew. I've been told when we're a little more established, we will export our most precious goods and sell them for a fortune, though that isn't the priority right now."
"This is a dream. I've had my own little company back in the Union. With wood like that, I'd be one of the richest men in the world." The man lets out a satisfied laugh, almost shaking his head at it. "Also, usually the best wood isn't found at the edge of the forest, so I'm really excited about what else we'll find. Frankly, the soil here is bad because it's so close to the coast, so a forest like that is already a miracle. Some trees here look many hundreds of years old."
He takes another slow drag from his cigar, eyes glinting.
"I've always joked about turning a few century trees into furniture for my mother-in-law, but it looks like this is actually possible here." He grins wider. "Once the settlement is constructed, I've applied to start an operation more inland. I hope we can quickly finish here and start new settlements soon."
"It's a good goal," Auren agrees. "I'll ask the Elders about it. We need people like you who are actually willing to take a risk and know what they want." He nods towards the forest. "Get acquainted with the trees here and get ready. With the amount of people and resources we're pouring into this project, it shouldn't take too long to expand."
"Okay? That sounds great, kid. Do your best and convince the Elders!"
"I will," Auren says, smiling. "Where is the hospital for our injured people?"
"Are you or your big sister injured? Back at the container city near the port," the man replies.
"No, I'm talking about the more serious cases, not the place for work injuries," Auren clarifies, mildly offended about Vanessa's characterization, especially since she's grinning, standing next to him, her hand on his shoulder.
"Wait... are you... Auren?" the man asks, now realising who he's talking to. "I'm sorry for the disrespect, Vice-Leader. This is all a little new to me."
"It's fine. Just point me towards my goal," Auren says, focused on the important things.
"It's the outpost there... our first cuts went there," the worker says, pointing towards a small cluster of long wooden shacks, barely visible in the distance.
"Thank you," Auren replies, moving forward. "Let's hurry up a little," he adds.
Now jogging, Auren and Vanessa quickly approach the shacks.
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