31. A New Mission 3

CHAPTER 31: A New Mission 3

"I won't let you get the Duchess!" Freya exclaims and suddenly charges at me with her sword.

Without holding anything back she swings it towards me with full strength. I guess I overestimated her composure. Anyway this is the perfect excuse to try something I've been meaning to do. I calm my mind and gather Ki to my hands. Her movements are so slow to me. I guess that's why she's an Elemental. So anyway I reach my hands open palmed and slap them together to catch the sword. She stops and hesitates from the sheer awesomeness of my move.

"I just came her to talk. I don't need kill your Lady friend anymore." I assure her. A few passers by notice us in the alley. I quickly release her sword and step back.

"What exactly is your problem!?" She snaps in frustration.

"I told you it's not personal. It's just something I had to do." I answer.

"Something you had to do? So why won't you do it anymore if it was something so important!?" Her sword is still raised and her killing intent is not dropping one bit. All of it is aimed straight at me. I can even see her magical energy surfing throughout her body.

"It was something that could be avoided but the price to pay for it was simply too high." Just tell part of the truth. Too many details and you lose track of your own lie. Keep it close to the truth but don't actually touch it. It's a fine balance to maintain.

"I figured as much from our conversation that day. So what price was so high you risked receiving the wrath of the Gods?"

That is a good question. The thing is I can't afford to use a single one of those tickets just yet. I'm still only on mission 3 of 100. Is it worth it to face the wrath the of supposed Gods then to save a single ticket that might prove invaluable in the future. I think you know the answer to that.

"Yes it is?" I answer her firmly.

"And if I was pregnant?" She quickly asks again.

Interesting analogy. She did say based on our conversation that day. I think I'm getting her way of thinking. She's smarter than I gave her credit. To answer her question let me explain. I was desperate to be honest. The final hour was approaching and I was really worried about this Godful wrath. Asking her about having children was a desperate ploy to help make up my mind. Of course I have always wanted kids, it's basically a biological how do I say this? Uhm duty if that's correct.

My plan was always successful career and children. Choosing between the two is for people who aren't good enough. It's in your DNA to pass on your genes. If you're saying you don't want kids then to me you're just stupid. A fool, a biologically retarded fool. You can be the most famous person in the world for all I care. In a hundred years no body gon know your name. In a thousands years the only thing left of you is your descendents. I think I'm forgetting my point. Lets just get back Freya who I've ignored for almost a minute now.

"If you were pregnant that would possibly change things." She's visibly surprised by my answer. It's an honor to keep you on your toes.

"Is having an heir really that important to you?" She asks. Slowly lowering her sword. Her magical energy dissipates as well.

"Not for a while. I'm still not sure how a few things will proceed for me. Once I know my destination I can think of that." I only lie when it's necessary. Otherwise I just tell half the truth. Never the full truth.

My answer gets her thinking. Thinking what? I have no idea. All I know is she's become an eery calm. Like the calm before a storm. My best guess is she's putting together everything I've said and done since I met her that first night at her father's inn.

"Answer me one more question?" She asks with a serious look. If I don't answer her in a satisfying way I think I would need to learn to fly fast to exit this fortress. That's the kind of vibe she's giving me. I think I know her question though but let's just let things play out.

"Go ahead?" I allow her. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. With a calm resolve she opens her eyes.

"Why did you need to kill Helena Detalia? Did someone hire you?" As I expected.

A question to see if I'm worth it. Worth the trouble I seem to cause. All her contemplation, all her doubts about her judgement of me. She wants to know if I'm worth it. If I'm worth her trust once again. If I'm worth her forgiveness. She's trying to determine that by that simple impossible question. That's my guess anyway.

So here's the deal. I'm not some hero who will solve all her questions. Not some guardian angel to see her through this troublesome times. I have my own plans. I have a world to see. Missions that will most likely make me the villain of many stories. Missions so random that I can't even begin to imagine where they will lead.

So back to her question. Her real question that is. I'm not worth it. I will most likely betray her again if a stupid mission comes up. Kyle warned me already. I will have to do some terrible and dangerous shit. So what is my answer to her other question? Do I tell her the truth? Do I lie? Do I avoid the question? Seeing her face, the last two aren't real options. It will probably make my day a living hell with this much soldiers to flee from. So an answer that satisfies her curiosity while giving her the illusion I'm worth it. That is a very fine line to walk on.

"I wasn't hired or anything of the sort. It was just an order. In the end it came down to Helena, my life or a very expensive… let's just call it a favour. In the end I decided my life and the 'favour' outweighed the life of a woman I just happen to meet on my way home from another order. No political agenda, wealth or power." Did I say too much or too little? I can't really judge from her expression.

"Then why are you not after her anymore?" She follows up.

"Remember the guy who showed up from lightning the other day? He informed me my order was rescinded due to the situations going on in Rostalio. Killing Helena would greatly affect the status quo of the country. Meaning it would benefit a lot of people. My orders don't have a side. Most of the time they're neutral." That should be satisfying enough. I think, this is all just speculation.

"What happens next time you get an order? Who gives you this orders? Who was that guy the other day? I have so many questions!" She snaps. I expected as much.

"SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETED"

"MISSION 3 UNLOCKED"

"RESCUE JAKE DAVIDS FROM OKUTAKE FAMILY AND ESCORT TO THE CAPITAL"

Looks like the system is back online. What the hell Kyle? This isn't what we agreed on! So anyway, Jake Davids huh? I'm guessing he's the envoy from the empire.

The Okutake family? I remember reading about them in the library. Originally a clan from Tartaros who settled on the east of Artaros some 300 years ago. They are a powerful noble house involved in pretty much everything from slave labour to assassinations to mercenary work. So they are involved in all this mess. Thank you Kyle? This should help with the motivation. I was thinking of blowing this stand any day now if my new mission was different. Fuck the Wrath of the Gods.

"Hello!? I'm waiting!?" Freya suddenly snaps me awake from deep thought.

"I know who has the Envoy from the empire!" I tell her. Her jaw drops open from shock. That's my girl. Who's your daddy?