Sighing with relief, Auren is still staring at his phone.
This will end up troubling me for a long time... but I didn't expect anything else.
Pariston may have accepted this deal, but his entire life is on the line as well. He betrayed the V5 and the Empire, as well as the Association. He backstabbed the entire world for personal gain—it's the highest form of corruption I can possibly imagine. He essentially just became a rogue... he knows that I will never expose him, because that would bring destruction upon myself, but at the same time, if he chooses to destroy us, we can drag him down with us.
This might seem like a one-sided deal, but that just isn't the case. It's a deal that, if broken, will lead to mutual ruin and destruction... which is the best I can hope for and the thing that I have to fear the most. Pariston thrives on games and destruction.
Auren quickly dials Rakshala's number and swiftly explains the deal to her.
"Reasonable requests," she comments after Auren relayed the conversation in great detail, not leaving out even the tiniest details.
"His decision-making, on the other hand, is anything but. Making such a deal on the spot, just for personal gain and frankly his own entertainment, is frightening. Such a life-changing decision, and he made it within minutes? That is not something a logical person would do. He is highly unpredictable and intelligent. Choosing such a person as a partner, someone who enjoys and thrives on chaos and opportunities, who views life as a game, will lead to great problems in the long run. Someone like him can never be fully predicted, and there is a great deal of risk and volatility involved. Should it fit his personal ambitions or mood, he would sell us out even quicker than he did the Association. However, given the circumstances, this couldn't have gone any better. I must say, Auren, you did a phenomenal job. You saved countless lives and our entire operation. I will reward you for your loyalty in due time."
Reward? Why do I feel like getting stabbed in the back when I hear words like these... I trust her. I loathe politics... this whole vice-leader business has already escalated to a point I never wanted to reach. I need to focus more on myself and my goals.
"Now don't say that," Auren replies after a short pause. "That only scares me... anyway, as you know, this is still not over. I must now try to convince the Hunters. As far as I know, Morel is not only a loyal man but also incredibly good-natured. I'll try to appeal to his character, and I've chosen to be honest. I think that's our best bet. If you have any suggestions, please tell me. You also need to come up with a way to deal with Pariston. It could all be a ruse to draw you out and swallow us whole instead of just busting our operation in the East of the Yorbian continent."
"I'll deal with Pariston. Text me his contact information later," Rakshala states calmly. "As for the Sea Hunter and his students, I'll leave it to you—there is nobody more suitable for this task. I can't wait to see you again. Please take care of yourself."
"I'll see you soon," Auren responds, ending the call.
With the situation under control, Auren returns to the meeting room, seeing Knuckle sleeping on a chair, while Morel smokes from his pipe.
Shoot just sits there silently.
Meanwhile, Vanessa is eating, the table in front of them now filled with various snacks and drinks. Only Neffi and Eren still look tense and a little confused.
"Oh, the mighty Vice-Leader is back," Morel jeers, exhaling a large cloud of smoke from his pipe, forming a vague copy of Auren, lifting Eternity towards the sky.
"I don't think mocking me is appropriate, especially after what just happened," Auren suggests, shrugging. He then walks to the table, grabs a can of soda, and empties it in one big gulp.
"So, what is it? Have you decided to get rid of us after all?" Morel asks mockingly.
"Get rid? In a sense. I'll be leaving this place in a few days, and I'll give you a ride back to Yorknew. Consider your boat seized, a punishment for your theft of the uniforms and weapons. I take it nobody was killed during that theft?"
"Of course not," Morel states, looking slightly offended, pausing before perking up, realizing what Auren just said. "You... just let us go? Really? What happened?"
At the same time, Morel's phone rings.
"Go ahead," Auren gestures, pointing towards it, sitting down at the table.
Time to enjoy the show.
Morel answers the phone, his face filled with doubt.
"Yes..."
"Indeed."
"What?!"
"You... you can't be serious?!"
"I... why are you doing this?"
"I... hey, I'm not finished, don't just end the cal—"
He stares at Auren in shock. "How... what kind of magic did you use?!"
"The Hunter Association may be a tool for the V5 and the global elites, but it's still an organisation formed to help people," Auren explains, pretending to be reasonable. "Thankfully, the lives and futures of our refugees who have fled terrible oppression seem to matter, at least to some people. I hope you can respect that decision."
"..." Morel does not reply. He just stares at Auren, deep in thought.
"I have a request," Auren states. "Before we leave in a few days, can you do one thing for me?"
"What do you want?" Morel asks, now sounding confused, yet also a little more hopeful. "I might be inclined to give you that, at least."
Auren smiles. "With an open mind... or at least anything close to that. Can you take a good look at the people in our home? You can move however you like—no guards, no supervision. You can do whatever you want and can go wherever you please. Please take a look around, talk with the people, and form your own opinion. I don't know what you've been told, but without trying to deceive or fool you with empty words, this place... is a refuge for people who can go nowhere else. We value isolation, community, peace, and family. We take care of each other, we loathe corruption, and we try to be fair to everyone. We do not want war, conflict, or destruction, but merely want to peacefully build something on our own."
Before he can respond, Auren adds, "Just please, confirm on your own what's going on."
"... why?" Morel asks. "I've been told to stand down and keep quiet about it. My mission is finished. Why are you doing this? It's all over for you."
"Because I believe you are a good and honorable man," Auren replies confidently. "If you think we are some kind of terrorist group, or a danger to people, you will not stay quiet, regardless of what will happen to you or your position in the organisation. You are a Hunter, a true Hunter. I just want you to make up your own mind before you make that decision. If you think you need to expose and thus destroy us, I can't and won't stop you, but I at least want you to form your own opinion and not rely on... whatever you've been initially told by the V5 and Pariston, who changes his mind as often as he changes his suit."
"You could kill us right here, right now... and the rat... Pariston, he could try to erase whatever happened," Morel states. "Why would you take that risk?"
"I won't kill you. I really don't want to do that. Also, I think if you just take a good look—not in the shadows of the night, but during the bright light of the sun—you will see that this is not a place of destruction. I'm willing to risk it because I believe in this place and the people living here, risking it all for a shot at freedom and a better life. As for the market manipulation... I am not sure we did anything wrong. I guess for the V5 and the Empire, only their chosen people may actually profit. Outsiders are simply supposed to lose their money... I think we broke no rules. However, that will stop... I had to give that much to Pariston... so in essence, your core mission is still fulfilled," Auren argues, not a shred of doubt on his face.
"In any case... let's leave this place, follow me," Auren says, standing up.
Glancing at Knuckle, who still seems to be asleep, he loudly snaps his finger, using a generous amount of Nen.
A chilling, loud snapping sound later, Knuckle jerks forward, hitting his head on the table with a dull thud.
"Hey, that's cool. You gotta teach me how to do that later!" Vanessa remarks, her eyes full of desire as she smiles deviously.
"Never do that," Neffi mutters, even Eren nodding along in the background, clearly agreeing.
Urging Jolt to land at the airport, the group enters the airship and quickly flies back toward Landing Point A.
Eating a delayed and warmed-up dinner, swiftly provided by Marsha, the atmosphere is awkward, but not negative or depressing at all.
People like Vanessa and Knuckle, with their confident and upbeat attitudes, don't hold back and seemingly compete on who can eat more, going for seconds like it's a challenge.
Even Shoot looks quite relaxed, quietly sipping a cup of tea.
"Marsha," Auren says to his pilot's wife, turning towards her. "Can you help me prepare three rooms for them? They'll be living with us for a few days. Afterward, they'll accompany us back to Yorknew."
"Of course," Marsha replies with a warm smile.
After the late dinner, Auren returns to his room and conjures Eternity, contemplating the change that took place and all the events that happened.
It was a long day... so much happened. I guess... things turned out okay. I did everything I could have done, so in any case, now I can at least rest with the knowledge that I gave it my all.
He quickly calls Elder Kirda and explains the situation to her, having a lengthy discussion with her. After some clarification, she fully acknowledges Auren's request, now properly aware of what's going on.
The next day, Auren wakes up early and decides to sit in the dining room, waiting for his guests to arrive.
It doesn't take long until Morel, Knuckle, and Shoot, as well as the others, including a slightly confused Leira, arrive.
"So what are we supposed to do here? We can just wait or walk around?" Knuckle asks, looking around, expecting more.
"Whatever you want. Go take a walk, talk with people, go eat somewhere, I don't care," Auren says, rummaging through his pockets, grabbing a few vouchers, and handing them to them.
He immediately explains the colorful vouchers now resting in their hands. "In case you want to buy something or need the various services, we don't accept Jenny... yet. It won't be long until we leave, so please spend the few days however you like... as long as you don't storm the armory or try to forcefully capture an airship or boat, I won't stop you. I don't believe there are any other limits."
"Now that I think about it," Auren says, tilting his head a little. "You guys are Beast Hunters, right? Though I could be wrong. I didn't fully memorize the specializations of all hunters, just the ones that caught my eye. Leira here is an expert in the field, and we recently took down a parasitic fungus that infected a nest of colossal spiders. We managed to kill them all and destroy the fungus, and we decided to save the eggs so that their tribe can live on. We also have many other parts of the beasts living around here. While most of them are hostile, some of the smaller ones are not, so why don't you take a look? Some are even kinda cute."
"Oh?!" Knuckle perks up immediately. "I want to see."
Shoot also looks somewhat intrigued, and even Morel's face shows interest.
As for me... it's time to say goodbye.
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