The Ancients World

Chapter 76: The journey to Zenith city XIV

My idea isn’t one I’d usually get since I’m so solo heavy, but a lizardman and dwarf as travel companions for the time being would be nice. It wont be a permanent thing, but fighting monster of such a high level near Zenith will prove tough without being tier 1 yet. No point in waiting any longer to ask, now is a golden opportunity. “Why don’t all of us travel to Zenith, while Zenith isn’t that far from here I know that the areas around the capital is full of powerful tier 1 creatures. That’s probably the reason your escorts are stopping here in Nelmorp isn’t it.” Tokil looks at me with questioning eyes, as if certifying the offer as genuine. He smiles and seems satisfied with what he sees. “This party will only last till we get to Zenith, I’ll have a new quest that will take me somewhere far from Zenith most likely.” He nods his head in understanding, mana aura is one of the most studied subjects in Ancients World. Every NPC knows that once you complete your tier up quest you’ll need to do your mana aura quest next.

Traveling with the 2 of them will increase the odds of getting there faster, its a days walk from Nelmorp. So we can take our time and talk, we can ensure none of us die on the dangerous roads. Since the war has ravaged the country of Zenith many monsters have gotten bold, I wouldn’t doubt the roads are closed for all official travel. Tokil hasn’t given an answer yet, but by the look on his scaly face he is ready to answer. “I think that is a good idea, while I’m tier 1, my dwarf friend isn’t. You are more than welcomed to fill the role he would have had to play, I’ll definitely count on your help.” Looks like I got myself a party, parties work different with NPC’s then with players.

Players can use the system to divvy up exp and rewards, with NPC’s you don’t share exp. In a way its better for levels, but worse for gear. “I’ll go and let my short friend know, when do you wish to head out. I recommend we wait till tomorrow so he can sober up.” Guess that means I’m staying the night in Nelmorp. That’s fine by me, gives me some time to spend with my family. “My companion and I are staying in this inn, will you be as well?” I look over to the barkeep and get his attention, I lay down the required amount of gold and he throws me a key. I hold it up for Tokil to see and he just chuckles, he finishes his food and gets up. He heads over to his dwarf friend who is to drunk to even care that he’ll be traveling with a new person.

I watch Tokil go over to his escorts and begin chatting with them again. I head back over to my family and take a seat as well, it’ll be nice to fill the silence of a lonely travel. It will only last till Zenith, while I do party up sometimes. I’m a solo player at heart, who knows what will happen on the road there. It will be nice to have some back up. As Cera hangs out at Giovani’s pub with his family and has a good time, there is a meeting in the Holy City. The one leading the meeting this time is Saintess Lucy, she is reporting on the state of Alsoma’s capital city.

I cant believe the carnage this new enemy is capable of. The bodies of men and young boys lined the streets, and all the females no matter how old or young were taken. It makes me sick to my stomach that this has happened, a woman should never have to go through such a thing. The worst part of it all is we don’t even know where they took them, and by the look of the capital I can say they tramped over every city they came across. I’m currently looking through a hologram at the rest of the attendants and this time I see members of the coalition.

I take a breath to clear my head and prepare the news, this is going to be more ammo for the elf queen and her agenda. “There was nothing left, and all fatalities were of the male gender. No female bodies were found and barely any monster corpses were uncovered. Its safe to say that the country of Alsoma has fallen, and it would be wise to fortify the borders and place in new emergency alarms no matter the cost.” Many just nod their heads in agreement and stay silent. The queens in the room look like they are about to be sick, I would be to if I was in their shoes. I hear a voice that ticks me off more than anyone else’s.

The elf queen Syndra begins to speak about her only demand once again. “This is why I think its fair for us to receive The Son of Arch-Angel Michael. The women of my country are the most coveted in the world, and I will surely lose many in this war. I want fair compensation for their sacrifice, and I expect it.” My blood boils even more as she shuts off her hologram so no one can dispute her at this moment. I look over at Alex and he flinches at my angry face, I will not tolerate such disrespect and neither should he.

He just sighs and sits in his seat, he takes off his hat and sets it down. He takes a hard and individual look at everyone in this room, the fairies aren’t here anymore. They don’t want anything to do with the war, if the armies come for their country and kingdom they will unleash Fenrir. Alex begins to speak about the main goal of this cooperation. “While the elves and fairies help will be missed, I know that if we all work together this will be a swift war. I’ll need all of the countries here to open their borders to church occupation, we will cover the cost for the emergency alarms.” I’m about to protest and make sure that the kingdoms are the ones that pay, but I’m beat to it.

Gregory stands up and crosses his arms. “The kingdoms will pay for the emergency alarms, we’ll be giving full cooperation in this war. Is that understood everyone.” He looks around to the kings and queens both young and old, many have sour faces from the prices. None dispute Gregory’s words though. “I’m certain that your daughters and wives would agree that the price is small to pay for their safety.” Many of the males faces pale at the thought of losing there wives and daughters like that. Same goes for the queens and their daughters, Gregory showed them what was really important.

He sits down and I watch a newly crowned king stand up, Baron Jackson has become the new ruler if Zenith. I guess calling him King Jackson is in order. “You can be sure that Zenith will help in anyway it can, but with the recent war all we can do is afford the emergency alarm. We wont be able to spare any troops since we are rebuilding the country at its foundations.” I understand and agree with his decisions he’ll make a great and wise ruler for Zenith, but many of the other rulers in the room don’t think its fair. I’m tempted to turn off my hologram and let them argue it out all they want, but I care to much to do that.

While this is happening in Ancients World, J&X is having a private discussion with the rest of the investors. The one leading this conversation is Jericho, he is the one better with words after all. “You will all give as much money as we say. None of it has any value anymore, so stop being so damn greedy and help us save lives!” I slam my fist on the table and look at the sickly pale faces of my investors and shareholders. I need to get the point that money has no value on their heads, only then will they help. I watch them all pull out their phones and start transferring money to the J&X’s account. “I’m glad that you all have let go of your money for the greater good, and when the time comes many will know about what you have done to save lives.” I don’t know if that will make the mood better, but it should ease their hearts.

I end the call and head back over to the lab, there has been a new development and not a good one. I stand next to my friend Xander and look out into the room full of technicians and specialists helping in this crisis. “So is it as bad as you say it it?” Xander said he has some news that will throw a wrench into our efforts saving as many lives as we can. The human population is around 17 billion, and only around 5.5 are playing right now. The homeless and penniless can already be counted as dead and that’s around 2 billion. So we are missing around 10 billion people who haven’t gotten on yet.

Its time to hear the bad news now, and bad news it is. “Angelus is trying to speed up the collision, and we have stopped her for now. We cant forever though, and I’m certain by the next week or so the count down timer will shrink massively.” This is something that will kill billions, I waste no time and rush to my office to get the UN on. If we are to reach our goal of saving 10 billion out of the 17 we need all the factories in the world working on this. My and Xander’s creation of Angelus has truly doomed us all, and we will have to pay for it someday. I just pray I can find a way to keep my family safe after I’m good and dead from my crimes against humanity.