Tonight, the Federal Department of Internal Security has announced that the emergency curfew law will remain in effect countrywide, albeit will be reduced from ten hours - from 20:00 to 06:00, to seven hours - from 22:00 to 5:00. However, fuel rationing will still only be limited to registered private vehicles only.
The Secretary of the Department of Internal Security - Mr. Valery Dmitry, has put out this statement: ‘The fuel supply has yet to be stabilized despite the expansion of the oil fields in the Black Plain. We estimated that the fuel supply had only reached 60% of demands as of today. Therefore, food and fuel rationing laws will continue for the foreseeable future.’
Due to this, many private vehicle owners in major cities have begun to put their cars up for sale, unable to get fuel from stations around the city. Several groups have taken up firearms to protest this afternoon to Arden, demanding a return to a state of normalcy.
‘This is fucking unacceptable! These infringements on our rights this past month are getting more and more totalitarian! I paid for my goddamn car! Give us our gas!’ A man waved his assault rifle up in the air, before being pulled down by fellow protestors to prevent unnecessary escalation. ‘Calm down buddy! We’re not here to kill people!’
‘My bar lost more than half of our customers since most of ‘em frequent at night. The new timeline for the curfew was thankfully relieved today, but the damage has already been done.’ A disgruntled man said to the TV news lady.
The Department of War had announced additional deployments of the following Army divisions to maintain order following emergency executive order 171 by President Irwin into Arden, Arishanovsk and Tel-Aliya respectively:
- The 3rd ‘Iron Wolf’ Armored Division
- The 3rd ‘Peacemaker’ Mechanized Infantry Division
- The 9th ‘Krovni Anhely’ Motostrelkovaya Division
- The 6th ‘Sonyashnyk’ Armored Division
- The 8th ‘Beer Mazal’ Light Infantry Division
- The 6th ‘Lancelot’ Motorized Infantry Division
And finally,
- The 3rd ‘David’s Sling’ Air Assault Division.
In addition, the 193rd “Doorkicker” Counter-Terrorism Regiment has been put on high alert for any emergency deployment.
Critics and protests have spoken out against the executive order, calling for a withdrawal of more than 160.000 troops and still growing across all three states of the United Federation. Many others argued that due to the growing escalation of violence and looting, the current national police force was simply inadequate in dealing with the growing unrest. For now, we will wait and see the result as the news comes in.
Recent breakthroughs have been observed in the technological sector, with Malachi TechnoGroup currently at the forefront in terms of magical gem research. The gems were used by the people of the Eastern Continent as an energy source for daily use, from generating fire, water and even healing wounds.
Shocking news of a cancer treatment solution has been found through the use of the Life Gem. Through a week-long procedure, even a stage four patient can now recover from what was previously a death sentence! Many Azurian mages and healers were hired by private healthcare companies around this country, with some receiving high wages for their services. Reportedly, the first stage-four patient has fully recovered and is expected to be discharged at the end of the week!
‘How they work is still a mystery to me, but I can see great potential in applications. From battery breakthrough, to household goods, healthcare and military technology. These gems have been a blessing, nothing short of God’s gifts to mankind.’ - Nathan Tzion, the CEO of Malachi TechnoGroup.
Despite being hit hard by the Transference, investors and shareholders of Malachi TechnoGroup still have strong confidence, having only suffered a ten percent drop in share price in comparison to the twenty to thirty percent average nation-wide. Only a question remained: Is the future of technology… magic?
Jane Karol, Federal News Network, reporting from Arden. Remember, please stay in-door after 22:00. Stay safe, and have a good night.”
– –
Outskirt of Dulbu Mine, Principality of Lior.
As the three entered the main highway from their eventful detour, Kreuger couldn’t help but notice the long line of wagons trekking down the highway on the opposite side of the road, no doubt transferring processed ore to Freyra or other places to sell.
He looked to his right, looking at the magical cloth made by AMRA wrapping around Livna’s injured arm. The cloth was connected to a magical battery unit via a series of neatly arranged wires, with the computer sitting on the dashboard acting as the control unit. A green-colored gem - also known as the Life Gem, sits inside the magical battery unit, transferring its arcane energy to Livna. A reminder of the many wonders of the new world they’ve found themselves in.
“I guess I’ll thank the lab pukes for this one.” Livna shuts off the device, unwrapping her bandages as she checks on her injury. Her arm has been fully healed, without even a scar remains like she had expected from a slash like that.
Sasha looked around, scanning the line of merchants marching down the road. “How much further are we from the mine?” He asked.
“Not far. We’ll arrive just ahead.” Vaughan stated confidently, familiar with the road they’re marching down on. “Ah, there it is!”
Sasha lifted himself up, trying to catch a glimpse of the area which laid beyond a treeline, just out of sight.
Soon enough, they made the final turn and a grand sight of the iron mine opened before them. The three operatives had their jaws dropped, with Kreuger taking off the sunglasses he had put on earlier as he rubbed his eyes, not believing what he’s seeing.
The gargantuan mine sprawls across a long stretch of a valley, like a massive wound Kreuger had only seen when a 127 mm artillery shell detonated next to some poor chap. Its main pit is a colossal crater, tiered with winding switchback paths where carts and workers constantly move like ants in an endless march. Smoke rises in curling plumes from large buildings just outside the mine’s perimeter, with many smaller buildings dotted around the area - a mining town, Kreuger made a guess.
At the top, wooden scaffoldings and crude cranes swing heavy baskets or ore from the depths, creaking and groaning with strain along with the shouting of workers. He could see that a few areas of the mine were modernized to some degree, with the workers wielding higher quality steel tools in place of cheap wrought iron pickaxes, which were placed half-heartedly nearby. Despite the apparent ban on imported tools by the guildmaster, it appears that some overseers have adopted Elysian tools in an effort to meet their quotas regardless. A sign of progress, Kreuger must admit.
Yet, tens of thousands of other workers toil across the vast mine - grimy, hunched figures clad in minimal clothing which could barely qualify as clothes, their hands calloused and their eyes rimmed with exhaustion. Some ventured deep into mineshafts, joining others in laboring away their strength to harvest ever more ore. Many of them look young, barely qualified as adults.
He has read of the low social development level in Lior even before his deployment here, but to see it with his own eyes? Well that just brings back sad memories in poor countries that the Department of War shipped his ass to in order to destabilize.
While slavery had largely been eliminated in the Eastern Continent, his country had to compromise their morals in order to have rights to purchase raw material and oil from Lior. Debt slavery, as he recalled, was still the most common form of slavery back in third world countries in Elysium - their old home planet. Looks like this world - Sorval, is no different.
“Yeah, I had that look on my face when I first came here too.” Vaughan comments. “You Elysians get surprised by the most common things to us. The few tourists that arrived in Freyra a couple of days back were shocked at basic magic spells, even.”
“We’re from a place… well, let’s just say that magic isn’t a thing. Stuff of legends and bedtime stories, if anything.” Kreuger said through the open window.
“I’m surprised that your device worked.” Thorcass joined in. “I thought only the Celestials and the Florentines knew how to build magitech items?”
“Hm? Who are they, and what? I heard of ‘em before, even looking at copies of Azurian archives, but that’s the first time I’ve heard the term ‘magitech’.” Kreuger asked Thorcass, still raising an eyebrow despite still keeping his eyes on the downward slope down a hill.
“Well, I supposed I forgot that you aren’t of this world…” Thorcass cleared his throat, his animal ear twitching as he tried to explain the concept to the bearded man on the driver seat. “I don’t know much about the Celestials and the Florentines , but I do know about their magitech. Basically, magitech is like a hybrid of mechanical tools and magical elements. I don’t know how to explain this, but they work like more advanced tools that could create or harvest the power of magical gems to use without the need for mana.”
“Mana?” Livna leaned forward, intrigued by the information.
“Oh, they’re like your inner strength that you can manifest into raw magical power. Summoning fire, wind, water, rock, ice, lighting and healing power. We call people who could manifest mana into power, mages.”
“Ohh…” The three let out the sound in unison.
“So that’s how it is.” Sasha said.
Kreuger steered the vehicle by Vaughan’s guidance, heading for the mining town sitting below the valley. “I guess it’s very hard to manifest magical power, I assumed, sir Thorcass?”
“Indeed. An individual is usually born with some magical aptitude, but tends to lose it over time if not used. Certified mages usually take in young disciples - mostly children, to train. A process which could take years but often a decade or more depending on the aptitude.”
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“Why only young disciples? Surely we could learn it too?” Livna asked him. “Would be helpful to be able to use magic.”
“Most lose their aptitude completely by the age of twenty.” Thorcass lifted his hand up, looking at it with some sadness as he closed it. “At that point, you can’t learn magic anymore.”
“Looks like we passed our prime a long time ago, boss. Ha! Ha!” Sasha broke a small laugh, causing Kreuger to smile slightly.
“Eitherway, we’ve arrived. On time, too.” Thorcass refocused, pointing at one of the larger buildings which looks like a warehouse located outside and just ahead of where they are currently.
Kreuger parked the small truck outside and shut off the engine, disembarking from the vehicle to stretch his back after the long drive. Despite being a good bit away from the mineshafts, the air here has a smokey quality to it all thanks to the mineral processing operation. Sounds of metal smashing against each other emanated from tool repair shops dotted around the town, giving the place an atmosphere no different than a third world scrapyard.
He walked back to the truck, joining Sasha in helping Vaughan and Thorcass unload their cargo, leaving behind the MRE boxes for their second commission.
“I supposed we parted ways here,” Vaughan handed Kreuger a small coin bag. “Forty silver coins. That should last you guys a week if you spend it well, I’ll also give half the cut of the collected bandits’ equipment to you three.”
“Nah, that’s fine. You can keep the money.” Kreuger replied. “Consider it your payment, held in trust that you won’t sell us out. We don’t need it.”
Vaughan smiled, giving Kreuger an arm clasp and a big hug. “Thank you! If you need help with anything just reach out to us! We’ll be more than happy to-”
“Mmhm!!! Mmmhm!!!” A sound rang out from a larger chest they took from the previous encounter.
“-help you out…” Vaughan finished his sentence, switching his eyes to the chest.
“Liv, put her back to sleep.” Kreuger ordered, nodding his head at the chest.
“Aye, boss.” She exited the vehicle, climbing on to the back of the truck before opening the chest.
The previously kidnapped bandit woman laid inside, her limbs and mouth taped shut to prevent her from annoying the group while in transit.
“Shhhh…” Livna puts a finger on her lip. “Just go back to sleep, sis.”
She quickly gave her a punch in the face, which knocked the bandit woman out cold. “Don’t even know why they elected her to be their leader, she’s so annoying.” Livna comments, quickly closing the chest again.
Thorcass looked at a small poster on the wall, seeing a familiar face drawn on it. He ripped it off gently, handing it to Livna. “I think I found who she is.”
The poorly drawn poster was certainly better than a five years old’s drawing, but definitely nothing close to an artist’s interpretation. She read the line outloud: “Wanted. Seren Llywelyn. For crimes of running away from debtor and stagecoach robbery. Last seen in Torpa Valley. The reward shall be fifteen gold coins for anyone who successfully captured this individual alive to any Red Dragon Guild joint.”
“Well, let’s just consider our bonuses then.” Kreuger grabbed his bag, ready to head out.
Sasha entered the driver seat, turning the keys on. “I’ll handle the second commission, boss. Should give you both some time to explore around here.”
“Alright.” Livna and Kreuger nodded, packing their gears. “Report to me if you find anything.”
“Copy, boss.”
– –
Kreuger and Livna dragged the large chest towards the Red Dragon Guild office in the mining town, passing through rows of curious onlookers.
Livna put a piece of cloth up her mouth, but not after spraying a bit of perfume on it. “I think I’m gonna get sick with the air quality here.”
“Where do you think we need to go?” Kreuger asked her, also having his shemagh up.
“I’ll probably hit the entertainment district, boss. I saw a lot of freelancers, merchants and adventurers there. Lots of potentially valuable information.” She replied.
“Hmmm… Decent idea.”
They eventually arrived at a nicely decorated stone building, with guards and what appears to be overseers chattering about as they drowned themselves in conversations and booze outside the large building itself.
Reaching up to almost ten floors high, the building’s interior was a mix of extreme opulence and wealth in poor taste. With gold decorations and well lit areas, it easily made the hardships of the massive mine nearby even rougher in comparison.
The whole place just reeks of alcohol, with few staff walking around sober and fewer paying any attention to their job. Having profited greatly from the mineral wealth shipped to the United Federation at exorbitant prices, the employees here seemed to have been enjoying themselves.
Kreuger’s father used to say that underlings are usually the reflection of their leadership, back before he served his time in the Army as a conscript. Looking at them, he can’t help but think: Is this what their leader is like?
“Not a bad idea...” Kreuger pushed the door inward, dragging the chest through the crowd of drunkards and bums.
Both of them eventually arrived at a decent looking joint, staffed by a burly man in a lightly worn suit of armor reading through some paper.
“Is this joint open?” Kreuger knocked on the desk.
The man looked up from a “Huh? What do you want, Azurian?”
“I’m here to hand over this lovely lady here.” Kreuger gestured for Livna to open the crate, revealing the tied up bandit woman inside, now awake.
He pulled out the wanted poster from one of his pouches, putting it on the desk. “Heard she’s been troubling ya.”
“Mmmhm! Mmmhm! Mmmmmhmm!” She tried to yell, but was unable to as the duct tape still sealed her mouth tight. Her eyes suddenly widened in terror, realizing where she is currently.
The burly man leaned forward, dotting his eyes between the wanted poster and the woman inside. “Huh… let me call the Guild Master.”
Livna and Kreuger raised their eyebrows. “The Guild Master?”
The burly man leaned back on his desk, pressing on a series of buttons on what appeared to be a manacomn device on the counter. “Master Llywelyn.”
Kreuger and Livna quickly looked at each other, recognizing the Master’s name.
“What is it?.” A roughened voice came over the manacomn device, with sounds of women laughing along sounds of water splashes mixed in with the audio.
“Sir, I believe we have found one of your women who ran away from you.”
“Huh? Which one?”
“It’s Seren, Master.”
“Oh finally! Who found her, and where? She’s been away for months!”
“It’s a small group of Azurians, Master.” The man looked up at Kreuger and Livna, seeing them both giving three fingers at him. “Three adventurers. C-tiers. They found her at Torpa Valley.”
“Alright then, make sure to pay each of them the amount I put up. I’ll be there shortly to pick her up personally.” The voice over the manacomn device said with excitement.
“Yes, Master Llywelyn.” The man turns off the manacomn device, switching his attention to Kreuger and Livna. “You two may wait in the private lounge for the Guild Master.”
The receptionist gestured for the guards, giving them instructions before having the armor-cladded men escort both Kreuger and Livna inside the building while others took the bandit woman away. They eventually stopped in front of a large and intricately decorated pair of doors, where another guard was standing next to a rack of chests.
“Please dispose of any weapons you have on yourself before entering. House policy.” The guard guided his hand towards the chests. “I’ll guard your belongings during your absence, I’ll be taking the responsibility for them as well, should any be lost.”
Kreuger and Livna shared a look with each other. This is troubling. What if he lied, and someone tampered with their equipment? Did the two merchants sell them out? Aren’t they supposed to just receive the money and go?
Noticing the pair’s nervousness, the guard bowed. “This is just the Guild Master’s personal way to thank adventurers - formalities, if you could say so, for those who complete his commissions. He prefers to be generous.”
Kreuger flashed his gaze at the other chests on the rack, noticing several locked ones before looking at the door upon hearing muffled sounds of music from within. “Are there others inside?”
“Oh yes, he has been putting up quite a number of commissions lately and many have taken on his requests. You may enjoy yourselves along with others.” He answered. “I understand that not many adventurers are thrilled with having to leave their trusty weapons aside. But I assure you, that you have nothing to worry about.” The guard at the medieval pseudo-footlock said.
“I’ll take on your words then…” Kreuger puts his sabre into an empty chest, along with his knives.
Livna did the same, throwing her bladed weapons into the wooden container along with her PDW after carefully wrapping it with her cloak so as to not alert the guards on who they really are.
Kreuger closed the chest, finding himself handed a lock along with its key. “Here you go.” The guard said.
“Thanks…”
After securing their weapon within the chest and handing it over to the guard. As the doors to the private lounge opened up, the muffled music within became clear to their ears.
A large jacuzzi, bars, long sofas, and live music performances are all features within, with several dozen adventurers gathered relaxing and indulging in luxuries. Many of these adventurers wore similar outfits and markings, indicating that they were part of the same clan while others bore none, working as lone adventurers.
Lightly dressed women - almost naked, walked around in a mix of transparent veils and light golden body chains. They carried drinks and food to the guests, acting as alluring, but ultimately normal waitresses in their roles.
Kreuger and Livna walked in, settling themselves on the corner of a wooden bar, far away from any potential eavesdroppers or curious onlookers. He observed his surroundings, taking notes of every detail. This must be where the man over the manacomn device spoke from, but where is he?
“Two drinks, please.” Kreuger ordered the bartender, placing two silver coins on the bar.
The bartender took notice of his order, quickly preparing drinks before pouring them into cups with great precision. He placed the drink down, yet pushed the pair of coins back to Kreuger. “No need, the drinks are on the house. Enjoy.”
“Things are going way too smoothly…” Livna mumbled, her words barely audible to Kreuger and impossible to hear by anyone else. “The Guild Master is coming. I still got a small pair of knives tucked in my boots.”
Kreuger reached into his back waist, checking the metallic object he had kept hidden from the guards. “Got my emergency pocket hammerless. Seven rounds, plus another mag. That’s fourteen in total.”
Their luck was simply out of this world. Or rather - literally, because they aren’t in their world anymore? Either way, a massive opportunity had opened up for them. Cotris Llywelyn - The Guild Master of Red Dragon Guild, one of the three priority targets assigned for them to ‘neutralize’. The other two were Prince Eirian, and the Guild Master of the White Tassel Guild - Lanto Heddwyn.
The bandit woman named Seren that they have captured before was suddenly brought to the lounge room, wearing an elaborate mix of expensive robes and translucent veils as she was escorted by a pair of guards cladded in metallic armor.
“Take your hands off of me! I can walk on my own!” She lashed out at them.
Strangely enough, Seren had fully healed from the roughen state from when they had captured her. Perhaps this is from healing spells - or the effects of the Life Gem, the two guessed. She sat down at the largest lounge area in the room, where adventurers and outsiders weren't allowed to be in.
“Interesting…” Kreuger mumbled at the peculiar sight.
“Must be Cotris’s favorite.” Livna comments, sipping on the familiar blue-colored drink she had had the day before.
The backdoor was suddenly opened, and a plump man in a stylish - almost excessively elaborate outfit walked inside with confidence. Adventurers in the room raised their cups simultaneously, cheering for his arrival while the female servants bowed in respect.
The man continued to walk, paying little attention to the cheering meant for him as he made his way towards the private lounge where Seren is seated with a confident smile on his face.
“That must be the Guild Master…” Kreuger said, observing the plump man.
He walked towards Seren, placing himself in front of her as she returned a disgusted expression at him. “You…” She mumbled angrily.
Cotris lowered himself down on his knee, staring at her in the eyes. “You are a very difficult lady to find, Seren. I had to raise the reward to fifteen gold coins for someone to finally catch you.” He calmly spoke, but Seren could tell that deep inside, he was excited beyond reason. “You shouldn’t have run away… After all, you still have a big debt to pay.”
“I have nothing to offer to you. You took everything from me, and that debt wasn’t mine!” She retorted.
“And yet, you took it on for your husband. Or should I rather say, your old husband, Howell?”
“Tsk!” She quickly spat at him, causing him to slump back before the guards tackled her down to the floor. “DO NOT MENTION HIS NAME! HE’S WORTH TEN OF YOU, YOU WRETCHED AGH-!” She yelled angrily, despite the guard’s attempt to restrain her.
“HA!” Cotris laughed excitedly, standing up after wiping away her spit on his cheek. “That’s the Seren I remembered! You still got that fire in you! I must say, you’re getting to new heights now, forming a gang of bandits in Torpa Valley to make a living and disrupt my guild’s operation? That I didn’t expect you to do, of all the things.”
“Make sure she never runs away again, and bring her upstairs to my residence.” He ordered the guards, who quickly heed to his command.
Cotris made his way to the adventurers’ area, clearing his throat before yelling. “Who brought her to me? Come forward!”
Kreuger disembarked from his stool, walking towards the plump guild master. “I did, Guild Master Llywelyn.”
“Ah!” Cotris gave him an arm clasp and a pat on the shoulder. “You must be the leader of the Azurian adventurers that my concierge mentioned earlier.” He snapped his finger, prompting one of the female servants to bring a well decorated box up to Kreuger. “Here is my payment, for your trouble.”
Accepting the heavy but fancy box, Kreuger bowed. “Thank you for your generosity, Guild Master.”
“Say, how many of the bandits did you defeat in Torpa Valley?” Cotris asked him.
“I couldn’t count them all, sir Llywelyn.”
“So you have killed many, no?” He inquired.
“Yes, we have.”
Cotris laughed, patting Kreuger’s shoulder. “Well that’s good then! We can use the shortcut through Torpa now, all thanks to you and your team.” He turned around, watching the guards dragging Seren away. “Well, I still have matters to attend to. As much as I would like to continue to be here, sometimes you have to...” He flashed a glance at Seren being dragged away. “discipline the disobedient.”
“I understand, Guild Master.” Kreuger replied, secretly gesturing sign language to Livna before bowing. “May you have a nice day.”
Livna puts on an earpiece, covering it with her hand. She listened in, making sure the small bug that Kreuger slapped on the Guild Master’s clothes worked. Cotris’s voice echoed clearly through the earpiece, prompting her to nod in approval.
As Kreuger returned to the bar, she gave him a thumbs up before taking another sip at her blue-colored drink. “Phew. Got it, boss. I’m surprised you didn’t try to speak up for Seren.”
“First of,” Kreuger raised a finger. “She tried to kill and rob us in that valley with her gang.” He raised another finger, trying to make a point. “Second, sometimes you have to make moral compromises in order to get the mission done. You know that better than anyone.”
“Yeah, boss…” Livna returned to her drink, still angry at Kreuger for not doing what’s right.
“Look, Liv” Kreuger leaned against the bar table on his back. “If we want to help her, and many other people like her, we have to finish this mission. We fight in the dark, so that ordinary people can live in the light, and we will go to Hell for what we did throughout our service to the country.”
“Do you have a family, boss?” She asked him.
“No woman deserves me.” He answered, lighting a cigarette using the candle nearby before taking a long puff. “Family life just isn’t for me, I supposed.”
She lowered her face down, feeling somewhat conflicted at their situation. “You know that of us can have a family of our own, don’t try to act cool. Being in the 101st, and a Stalker… There is no going back home, or to Heaven, for any of us.” She continued on, slowly crying a bit. “Our crimes, the people we kill, and what we did…!”
“I suppose so.” Kreuger took another puff, before quickly downing an entire glass of drink in one gulp. “C’mon now, you get drunk easily. Let’s find a rest before tonight’s op.” He picked Livna up, carrying her to the exit.