Chapter 145: Rumors
In her room, Aurora held the phone to her ear, turning up the volume.
“Remember, daughter, if you need anything, you can ask,” said her father over the phone.
His voice was kind and warm, but Aurora could hear a slight echo... As if he was hiding to call her.
It wasn’t as if her mother would prevent it, but…
“If you tell me to come back and help you. I’ll do it right away,” announced her father in a heroic tone.
Aurora’s expression quivered for a moment.
If her mother was an indifferent woman who only cared about her family, Aurora came out just like her father.
A person who liked to help others selflessly.
Her parents had helped the land, and it was not because of her mother’s consideration, but because of her father’s enthusiasm.
It was that man who got his wife’s help by actions and for several years, that woman followed him.
However, everything had to come to an end and at this point, he had to follow her.
Aurora understood the relationship her parents had and if she asked that man to come back, her father would and her mother would accept it.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to worry,” Aurora replied in an honest tone.
Was she feeling nervous about what was to come?
Yes, there was no use denying it.
That didn’t mean she would ask for her parents to come and support her, she from a young age was someone who took her goal and tried to carry it out on her own without her parents’ intervention.
Alice would follow her, as they were inseparable, and that glutton was easily bought, but she couldn’t ask her parents to give up their vacation just because of her wishes.
“I understand.”
Her father muttered in response and then let out a laugh that carried amusement.
Wasn’t that normal? Just as Aurora knew her parents, they knew her and understood her.
“We’re retired. I won’t deny it. However, remember, we can’t retire from being your and your sister’s parents,” her father announced and in a loving voice, added. “Your mother may seem like someone cold, but when it comes to our family, she has no boundaries.”
A noise of someone entering the room was heard from the other side and her father quickly continued.
“I have to get back. See you, daughter. Say hello to your sister and don’t overdo it. Protecting and doing what you wish is fine, but it doesn’t have to outweigh the cost you will pay,” said her father and after a farewell to Aurora, the call was cut off.
Aurora looked at the old phone and sighed, realizing it was another day not knowing where they were.
She didn’t deny that she would like them to send her some postcards or souvenirs.
“They are truly retired,” Aurora muttered, shaking her head.
It was a rather serious retreat, as there were a little means of communicating with them and they basically showed that they were removed from the world.
Shaking her head, not wanting to think about her parents, she made her way downstairs to the living room of her brother’s mansion, who by this point, had settled in.
In the living room, she found Cithrel and Venali both sitting on the couch watching a projection; the latter being the one lying on the former’s shoulder.
Aurora pretended not to notice them, as they were both enjoying the bouts together.
While Cithrel and Venali attended several classes, they didn’t have to attend the academy every day.
Today was one of those days to stay home and enjoy the break.
Which was boring for Aurora and instead of wasting time, she prepared lunch while checking the tournament news.
The battles for places continued and Érica had already taken her place among the B-Ranks and was now keeping it.
Nicole, Leslie, and Marc were also similar, defending their positions against the tenacious challengers.
The positions were already taking shape with the ten B-Rank students, and it was the same for the A-Rank section.
Niels had taken his place easily and had defended it boldly.
While checking the roster from time to time and all those who withdrew from combat, Aurora began to cook.
She had become independent from her parents at a young age and at a fairly young age was on another continent living on her own.
Nothing strange when in this world some teenagers surpassed the strength of a normal adult.
And since Alice always accompanied her, she learned to cook, and the years helped her to perfect her art.
Though more than a professional, she was someone who liked to cook and, more so when it helped her relax, mostly getting away from work or any responsibilities.
This week was ending, and at any moment, the trip to South America would be reported.
The international tournament gained momentum in the international media and many were paying attention to it, occupying the principal focus.
Leaving aside the Abysmal Portals whose signals were still present.
A distraction to keep calm and lessen the worry and, therefore, panic was well accepted by all.
Reading the news, her holographic watch glowed, and Urfin’s call suddenly appeared.
Letting lunch cook, she made her way to the downstairs office and took the call, after erecting soundproofing and sealing barrier.
“So how’s it going?” Aurora asked after saying hello.
The video call projected Urfin, and that dwarf were resting, looking like he had just worked for hours.
Seeing him, Aurora, instead of asking about work, asked a general question.
“Good and bad. On a territorial level, we have secured the lands of Greece and protected our borders. On a diplomatic level, we have started relations to act on the Abyssal Portals of other countries and although there was some resistance, the European Union has agreed, but at the same time securing their protocols for defense on their lands,” Urfin reported understanding what Aurora liked to be informed about, and with a sigh, he added. “But no matter how much we want to create a united front in the face of this situation, it is difficult.”
The Falion Empire was powerful... Such an idea was a fact.
The Terranovians could use multiple magics if they studied it, and as a result, their people ended up being very skilled.
The ability to level up helped them reach great heights and since to gain experience, they needed to eliminate living beings of their own level or close to it; it meant that they were professionals in battle.
And that empire came to Earth to help humans against demons.
“Some countries and other regions have no desire to accept or make it complicated. For example, ‘The United States of Arabia.’ Their monarch accepts help, but only if their forces cannot take over. I understand, they are strong and powerful, but some countries also took that position and they are not strong,” Urfin explained, rubbing his temple.
Aurora frowned slightly at those words.
The United States of Arabia was known for its King who was not only a former player but was said to have known Terra nova was real before the Great Cataclysm and had been preparing accordingly.
He had now unified the entire Arabian Peninsula and even though his border was bordering the lawless lands where demons were found; he kept his lands protected and safe.
The problem went to the other countries that did not wish to form a united front with Greece and the Falion Empire behind it, even though some nations could not match the power of that empire.
However, Aurora understood what Urfin was referring to.
“We don’t know what it holds, but there are already countries influenced by greed and interests,” Aurora muttered, and giving a sigh, she commented. “This should be a problem for all mankind.”
She liked to think that she was not being idealistic, but following common logic.
They weren’t facing a regional or continental phenomenon or anything like that. They were facing an unknown situation that the gods themselves spoke about and which affected the entire planet Earth.
To think about the interests that could be generated by the Abyssal Portals and governments being influenced by other organizations or being driven by their greed was stupid.
The political implications for Aurora were of little consequence when a country risked the lives of innocents all to gain control of an Abyssal Portal.
They were taking a chance to see if the Abyssal Portal could provide benefit before asking for help.
“The unknown is dangerous, but Earthlings have faced demons and traveled to another world. For many, the danger is proportional to the benefit,” Urfin replied, shaking his head at the situation.
That thought was a norm among former players or adventurer guilds that were once players’ guilds.
The opinion of the guilds influenced the politics of some countries or sometimes practically depended on the decision of those guilds.
And more so small countries that the only way to defend themselves was to depend on powerful people.
Aurora understood that this relationship between the government and the guilds was inevitable, even so, she still believed that it was best to relate with Greece and the Falion Empire.
Or to another extent, with those powers such as the European Union, the United States of Arabia, or the American giants.
Even if the disaster was worse than she could imagine, in those nations, there were SSS-Ranks that could stop the worst calamities.
“I just hope nothing bad happens. Some have refused or hesitated because of the power of the Falion Empire and its history, but it’s not like we have bad intentions,” Urfin said sincerely, and when Aurora looked at him curiously and somewhat strangely, he joked. “If you have any doubts, you can ask Her Highness.”
Aurora laughed at that joke.
The fear of the Falion Empire and its supposed control and imperialism could only be taken as a joke when its future ruler was enjoying a vacation in this world.
Even if one looked at the political or military level, invading Earth was unfeasible because the connection depended on the will of the God of Time and Space and not the Empire.
Unlike the Earthlings who did not have a high devotion to the gods, the Terranovians respected them and more so a Primordial.
They weren’t stupid enough to turn against a Primordial who could cut their connection and leave them stranded.
“Anyway, I’ve already arranged with Director Vincent to give you a support position so you can accompany Her Highness Cithrel,” Urfin reported, switching to work and with a serious expression, added. “We have also informed Emperor Victor, and you will surely have to participate in some diplomatic matters. Opening parties for the international tournament and stuff.”
Aurora nodded.
The international tournament gathered several major academies from all over the world, and it was impossible for Emperor Victor not to gather the important people behind those academies.
“Be careful in South America,” Urfin said suddenly, and seeing Aurora frowning, he explained. “Because of the Emperor’s recent clashes with the cartels in America, there are rumors of revenge.”
Aurora, who had been keeping up with the news, nodded in compression.
She had heard about the enthusiasm Emperor Victor was putting into eliminating the drug cartels and underworld mafias in his empire.
So much influence and enthusiasm that it had spread to areas within the neighboring country to the north.
Although tensions had decreased and the conflict had ceased, giving rise to the international tournament, the rancor was present.
Urfin’s words were a rumor and perhaps the posters were only using it to mislead the authorities, however, she as the princess’s charge did not want to leave anything out.
“Her Highness Cithrel stopped us from sending extra escorts and silenced my boss. So it will be up to you to stand by her side,” Urfin announced, giving a serious expression and an apologetic look.
“I understand,” Aurora muttered, giving a slightly surprised half-smile.
As much as she joked about Cithrel being her boss’s boss, this time she proved to her that it wasn’t a joke.
It wasn’t about Cithrel moving in secret; it was about the authority she had to do as she wished.
“Try to take care that she doesn’t get into trouble. Her Highness Cithrel is strong and intelligent. It is for that reason that no one can stop her journey and even her father, but that does not mean that those who see her as a target are intelligent,” Urfin remarked solemnly.
The future heiress to the Falion Empire was not a spoiled child who did as she wished, but, on the contrary, she was a ruler with too much power and authority.
Urfin, as a member of the Falion Empire and the one who was in charge of protection, knew that, if Her Highness wished for something, no one in the empire could deny her.
The Falion Empire was in its golden age and the Royalty of the empire had absolute control of their subjects.
“I understand. I’ll do my best,” Aurora replied, taking her job seriously and smiling in a slight calm she added. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you informed if anything gets out of hand.”
Sending someone who wasn’t part of the Falion Empire as a bodyguard was a move to try to make sure Cithrel was protected at all times and that she didn’t make use of her authority to get rid of her escorts through orders.
But it was also useful for another matter.
If someone started something against Princess Cithrel, it was very possible that the bodyguards would act on their own and it would be problematic, in this case, Aurora would not.
Protection went beyond force to protect Cithrel, if not to keep others from causing trouble or her from getting into trouble while ensuring she had a pleasant vacation.
Urfin gave a smile and took his leave.
When she was alone, Aurora couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
It was hard to say she was doing a good job when she took Cithrel to a gang den and ended up beating up gang members or inviting her to do missions in Japan.
Aurora liked to believe she was doing her best, though.
—...
Her silent system let out three small dots for her weak and shallow excuse, leading Aurora to let out an amused chuckle.
She couldn’t deny that Cithrel was good at getting her to loosen up.
“Let’s get back to cooking,” Aurora muttered.
As she was about to go back to check on lunch, she received a couple of messages on her holographic watch.
They were notifications that the preparations for the international tournament were ready.
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