41 – The News

Kolvar, the elf, found Trish lying on the floor of her room. Several empty liquor bottles were around the female warrior.

"It seems she really loves her job as a government lackey." Lyra hissed. "I've seen Trish upset and drinking, but nothing as bad as this."

Leonard scratched his head. "While living here, she only cooks, eats, drinks and sleeps. It doesn't bother us since she still receives a salary, allowing her to support herself even without working. But… We worry about her.."

"That's why we called you." Lyra sighed. "Perhaps you can help her."

Smiling faintly, Kolvar looked at the husband and wife. "Why the fuck do you guys think that way? I've known her for a long time, but that doesn't mean I understand everything that's on her mind."

"Just do it, Kolvar." Leonard tried to convince the elf. "She's your friend."

"Oh, my god." Kolvar took a deep breath, squatted down next to Trish, then poked her stomach with the tip of his bow.

"Ummm? Spaghetti?" Trish opened her eyes, then made a movement like someone was about to vomit. She sat while scratching her hair, which was messy like wild weeds.

"You are a bit fat. Fat is already lining your stomach."

The female warrior rubbed her eyes. "Hmmm? Kolvar? Why did you come here?"

A knock came from the front door.

"Let me open the door." Lyra leaves.

"Can't I meet an old friend?" the elf smirked. "This couple has to take care of the fields and livestock, so they can't go out as they please. Let's go on a little adventure, just you and me. Maybe that's what you need."

Instead of answering, Trish closed her eyes in a sitting position. "I am still sleepy."

Kolvar glanced at Leonard, who could only shrug.

"Trish!!!" Lyra's screams echoed from the front of the house. "These are your friends from the government!!!"

At first, Trish's sleepy expression remained, but then she widened her eyes and ran.

The female warrior found some military guys standing in front of the house door. They saluted her.

"Excuse me, ma'am Hawke!" One of them spoke. "We came to pick you up!"

"Pick me up?" Trish walked over to them with a frown. "Will they restart the project?"

The soldier cleared his throat. "I will explain it. But could you change your clothes to something more appropriate?"

Trish checked her clothes, which were just pajamas with lots of boobs painted on them. "Sorry! I'll change clothes in a bit!"

"Don't forget your hair." Lyra gave advice to the female warrior who ran back into the room.

Meanwhile, Leonard exchanged glances with the soldier who gave Trish the information.

"Is something wrong, sir?" The soldier asked.

Leonard sneered. "I simply want to invite you and your subordinates to come in. Maybe you want to drink tea and eat cake. You guys have never eaten ma'am Trish Hawke's cake, right? It was very delicious, very different from any cake you've ever eaten. This is a rare opportunity, you know? I don't think you guys will get it anymore once Ma'am Hawke starts working."

The soldiers exchanged glances, while Lyra walked away holding a laugh.

"I'll prepare the tea and cake," the wife said. She then whispered to herself. "Ma'am Hawke? What the fuck? It's sounds weird."

"Ah." Kolvar raised both hands. "Maybe you think I'm a refugee elf. Don't worry, I'm not from the Virnerios Kingdom that Zashrend destroyed. I entered Celestenia legally."

***

Lance enters a room and finds Eve inside a clear tube in a fetal position. Her body was not covered by a single thread, and she was drowning in a transparent red liquid.

Arthur just arrived a few hours ago, and he set up this device for Eve.

"It's okay. She can still breathe." Arthur, standing near the tube, explained. "We will also fill this fluid with nutrients, so that she won't die, and her muscles will re-form."

Lance observed a magic circle at the bottom of the tube. "When will she wake up?"

"We don't know for sure. Originally, this method is for accelerate baby homunculus growth. But we can tweak it a little to increase her lifespan instead." The council member continued to look at his daughter. "And we also don't know how long she can live after this."

Lance studied the witch's face. She closed her eyes like she was asleep in peace.

"We can only wait for the results, huh?" The engineer muttered.

They then fell silent, looking at Eve's body floating in the liquid.

"Thank you, Lance. Without your ideas, I wouldn't be able to use this technology. I would lose hope." A faint smile graced Arthur's face.

"You're welcome, sir." Lance shrugged. "Eve is one of our most important members. Of course I will help her as best as I can."

"And it seems like God rewarded your kindness, Lance. Apart from treating Eve, I will give you good news. I received this information right before I left and thought it would be best to tell you in person."

Lance also wore a smile, but it was much wider. "They agreed to continue with our project, right?"

Arthur nodded. "It's that obvious, huh? You will leave tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, Eve can't come along for obvious reason."

Lance can barely contain his excitement. "Without your network, I could not carry out this project. I also thank you, Sir Arthur."

"The government has requested that you also design long-range weapons for those powered armor." Arthur crossed his arms. "Zashrend has big bows and arrows with very high destructive power."

"Bows and arrows, huh?" Lance's smile turned into a smirk. "Well, I have a better idea than that."

Arthur was silent for a moment. "But Zashrend may attack the fortress again at any moment. Do you have enough time to make a new armor model?"

The engineer chuckled. "I have a plan that may surprise you, sir. But we'll discuss that tomorrow. I need to pack my things and share the good news. I'll take my leave. Once again, thank you."

After saluting the council member, Lance left the room.

"You have a wonderful friend, Eve." Arthur spoke to his daughter, even though she was still unconscious. "But he's also scary."