"What the hell is going on here, Salim?"
"You already saw what's happening. There's a big rebel group waging war on the country. Why do you think my sons and daughters multiplied to hundreds?"
"You mean…"
"Yes," Salim let out a long and deep sigh as encased the man that Charlotte caught in stone, with only his head exposed, "Aside from those that were left behind by those who died during Explorations, I have also taken into adopting the children that were left behind by the war."
"Such a noble deed," Artemis could not help but comment, "Such kindness and charity is rare even amongst the greatest of people."
"...You hear that, Charlotte?" Salim blinked a couple of times in surprise before smirking towards Charlotte, "At least your friend appreciates me. Anyway, the three of you should return and hide, this is my country's problem and foreigners shouldn't get involved."
"Oh, you don't have to worry. We're here for an entirely different matter."
"The Pit, right?" Salim quickly smirked at Charlotte, "You don't have to worry, we're preparing it as we speak and doubling the security on the Prisoners so you can get whatever you need there. The sooner you're out of this country, the better."
"...You seem to know a lot about our little adventure."
"That tends to happen when you're on live television for almost 24 hours. I know the King there is your friend, but to think the hot-headed Charlotte would allow such a thing to happen. If it was you from the past, I am sure you would have just rammed your way through."
"We get old, Salim," Charlotte let out a short sigh, "But it seems you can't let go seeing as you're still stuck in your shell."
"This and that are an entirely different matter," Salim waved his hand. And as soon as he did so, the man from the ESE was swallowed into the ground, "I'll take this one for questioning. You guys go and relax yourselves in the meantime while I fix the city."
Salim did not even wait for Charlotte to respond as he disappeared the way he came, his body being swallowed back to the ground. The three waited inside the building until an announcement once again echoed through the air, saying that it was safe to go outside. The bars that were blocking the rooms immediately retracted back into the wall as soon as the announcement was over.
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The people inside quickly rushed out, trying to see the situation outside. Van and the others also went back outside, and as soon as the sun hit Van's face, his eyes could not help but blink a couple of times in shock.
The smoke, the watchtower, and the other broken buildings were now nowhere to be found. Instead, a newly built infrastructure stood in its stead. They were just inside for less than an hour, and everything seemed new again. Van had already noticed it before, but everything in this country was made in bricks and stones-- most probably Salim Said's influence.
The one that repaired everything was also probably him as well. Truly, the power of Platinum-rank Explorers could not be dismissed. But… one of that Platinum-rank Explorer was no match against the woman beside Van.
He still hasn't gotten over the fact of how strong Charlotte was, and now their new companion, Artemis, could play with her like she was nothing. Just what kind of fate did the future actually hold for him now?
"Mr. Van, Madame Charlotte!"
As the three were checking their surroundings, Nadeen Said suddenly ran towards them, waving her hand so that she would be noticed.
"We really apologize that this happened right at the time of your visit," Nadeen was obviously out of breath, but still, she tried to collect herself, "The President is already at the presidential mansion, mother and he prepared a feast for you."
"...We're still having a feast after what just happened?" Van could not help but comment.
"Yes. Mother said that if we do not go on about our daily lives with each of the ESE's attacks, then they would have succeeded in their goal-- to disrupt the status quo. Instead, we should show them that we are unaffected by their provocation."
"That… sounds idealistic," Charlotte could only let out a small chuckle as she heard Nadeen's words.
"A little," Nadeen also let out a chuckle of her own, "Mother has lived a very long life… but it would seem that it made her even more of a believer than anything. Now if you would, please follow me."
Nadeen then gestured to the three to follow her as she led them to a vehicle waiting for them on the road. Unlike the first time it happened, Van was no longer surprised to see a bunch of cars lined up. There was even that flying vehicle earlier.
Van could not help but wonder why Charlotte didn't really interfere since she knew all these things existed outside of America. She had the power to do so, and their country could have prospered and lived more conveniently…
...So why exactly didn't she do anything? Instead, her influence seems to be more felt in other countries. She knew the King of Africa, and now she seemed to be friends with the one who held the highest authority in Egypt. Just what kind of past did she have, exactly?
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"...Why are you looking at me like that?" Charlotte could not help but raise an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you're really falling in love with me? I told you your godly allure thingamajig doesn't work on me," Charlotte said as she entered the car prepared for them.
"No. I was just wondering why you let the Circle roam around freely in our country," Van replied without any hesitation as he also got inside the vehicle.
"Oh? Why the sudden thought? Are you starting to develop a conscience for us lowly humans?" Charlotte teasingly giggled as she slightly nudged Van, almost pushing out Artemis who was still on her way inside the vehicle.
Artemis, however, didn't seem to mind as she just casually scooched in and even had words of her own, "I too, am curious," she said, "Perhaps it would be better for Evans to hear it as well, as he would be leading his own people in the future."
Nadeen, who was seated in the front passenger seat, could not help but slightly tilt her head closer to the back as she too was quite curious of Charlotte's life. Their adoptive father, Salim Said, didn't really have many friends because of his… peculiar personality. So one could not help but wonder what kind of friends he would have.
"Well," Charlotte slightly scratched her chin as she looked at the moving scenery outside the car, "It's simple, really. I didn't want the responsibility that comes after."
"...The responsibility?"
"Take a look at this country, for instance. Or even the way the people of Africa treated me," Charlotte continued, "Once you move in a certain way that affects the lives of thousands of people, they would start expecting something of you. They will look towards you to lead them, and you will have no choice but to act on it because...
...it has already become your responsibility."
"..." Van could not help but remain quiet from Charlotte's words.
"And we've been together for more than a whole month now, do you really think I have the qualities of someone that can lead people?" Charlotte then chuckled, "I can't even manage my own son. Politics? No, thank you. I'll just give that to someone who actually gives a damn about people. That's why your father, Salim… take care of him while you still can. He's one hell of a person."
"While… I still can?" Nadeen could not help but wonder what Charlotte's words meant. But Charlotte didn't really follow up as she just looked at the scenery outside.
"You should take heed of your companion's words, Evans." After a few moments of silence, it was Artemis that spoke up as she turned to look at Van, "Your fate will decide the fate of this world, whatever choice you make, they will be the ones to experience the aftermath-- such is the responsibility of a god…
...and no matter how much you try, you can not escape the future that the Fates have foretold on you. It is both a blessing, as well as a curse."
"..." Van continued to remain quiet as he absorbed Charlotte and Artemis's words. Once again, the talk of him having to decide the fate of the world was opened up. Did he really not have a choice in the matter? Why was everyone telling him that he didn't have a choice?
And if the time does come that he has to choose whatever it is that needs to be decided…
...what kind of choice will be presented to him?
Nadeen, on the other hand, was filled with confusion. She didn't really have any time to watch the television or go on the internet as her schedule was filled up so she didn't have that much information on Van and the others… but why are they talking about gods and stuff?
Were they in some kind of… cult and they were making Van into some kind of messiah? Nadeen quickly shook her head off the thoughts. It wasn't really her business, she was just tasked to assist and guide Van and the others with whatever they needed. Fortunately, after a few more minutes, they were nearing their destination.
"That's the Presidential Mansion."
The trio all turned their heads at the same time to look towards where Nadeen was pointing to, only to see a colossal triangular building. Although the country being lower than the sea level was already quite a sight to see, this triangular building made it even more spectacular to the eyes.
"Mother made it," Nadeen held a proud expression as she saw the look of awe on the other's face, "She told us that the country had a similar infrastructure before the Portal Calamity. It served as a tomb for royalty. She found it fitting to recreate it into the country's most important building, as she said that in death, there will always be rebirth. Back in the year 1000s there were--"
*BOOM*
"There were… there…" Nadeen could not help but repeat her words as her eyes reflected the sudden blaze of fire that lit up from afar. The excited look on her face as she explained the history of her country slowly faded as darkness slowly loomed over the skies.
The thundering noises continued to echo through the air, even causing the windows of their car to tremble.
The Presidential Mansion went up in flames.