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Chapter 031: Gregory Once Again

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Electra understood his point and nodded weakly but the crackling lightning on her fists still left the room a little bit hot.

Siva then said, "Prepare your tribesmen. There may be a struggle later tonight. So that they might do not get surprised, tell them that you're planning to ambush the Church outside the city tonight."

Electra understood this tactic and nodded, "Yes."

Just as she was about to turn around, Siva then turned to her, "One more thing. Can you... look for a Master Blacksmith amongst your people?"

Electra was puzzled but still bowed her head, "I will try to search for someone."

"Please do. The superior the skills the better... and also tell them that they can also bring their family to their new working environment. Tell them that the pay is high and that the grade of work will help them improve their craft."

"Yes. Right away."

Electra briskly darted off. Siva was left in the room sighing at the sight. He couldn't help but think of the reason why they, the NPCs around him, all act this way around him.

His other identity, [Siva], as a Trinity God, was the sole reason why they even follow his commands in full sincerity.

Fear...

It was because of fear.

And he hated it but he was helpless because he also knew that he needed this —his— strength.

"At least only until I save Baron." He murmured. "I can only take one small step at a time."

*****

A Hybrid G6 twinjet coursing through the mist of the clouds... through the years, this one is used as symbol for wealth for the rich and powerful. It has so many modifications to its model but its overall purpose and form retained its classic simplicity and grandiose image for its passengers.

The group left the country with complicated faces.

Amanda, especially, was very disturbed.

The seats in the plane were separated and only a single seat on the two sides is present with a table in the middle of two adjacent seats to share.

There were three compartments in this Hybrid-G6 and on them were the 'guests' of this trip; two pairs on a single side and four pairs on each cabin part.

For some odd, malicious, and questionable reason, one of the 'two pairs' on Amanda's side is the last person she wanted to see even during the end of this world... Angus Gregory. In front of him was his Uncle Howard Gregory.

How Howard Gregory was included in this private trip reserved only for those invited to the Conclave was a mystery.

Alice, seated in front of Amanda, could only glare at the man seated behind her friend.

On the other side was Matt's group of four, happily chatting and exchanging stories.

"Hey." Angus tried to break the silence. "Would you like to go to the back cabin?"

The back cabin had a recreational area. It had all of the things one can wish for when bored on a long flight like this one.

"I'm sorry, who were you?" Matt asked on the side as he was in-line with Angus. He was friendly as he didn't know who this person was.

Angus stretched a hand, "Angus Gregory. This is my Uncle Howard. You might have heard of him in news articles."

Anna who was sharp saw the pride on his tone and he looked at Uncle Howard who was smiling at the group like a kind old man.

"The politician." She said blandly.

Howard beamed wider and nodded at her, "You're quite knowledgeable in the current events, huh. It is really worthy of note."

Matt shook the hand and smiled, "Call me Matt and this is my sister, Anna. That's Rio."

"Hi."

"...and that's Agatha."

"H-Hello."

Angus, Howard, and Matt laughed at the red-faced Agatha who shrunk back at her seat, planting her face on the book in her hands. She looked really adorable and actually pretty.

"Nice to meet you everyone." Angus said, his skills in socializing displaying its might. "It seems you are all familiar with each other. This might not be your first time attending the Conclave."

"This is actually our first time." Said Rio, noticing the slight arrogance on his tone. "We just made a few accomplishments and so we were invited."

Right after she finished, Agatha looked at Rio with a "why are you lying" face but Rio only gave her a stare to not expose the lie she just made. Agatha shrunk back.

Angus didn't notice it since his attention was on the next topic of his introduction.

"I also would like to introduce you to these two beautiful ladies on the other side. That one's Alice and this one..." his tone changed to gentle and a slightly caressing voice, "...this beautiful lady, is my fiancée, Amanda."

"I am not your fiancée."

"Come on, Mandy, your dad already agreed to—"

"—so you can marry my dad then. I give you all my blessings. May you guys live happily ever after."

Pfftt~

Contrary to Angus' expectations, Alice laughed but was still able to hold it in at the last moment. She then stared at Matt's group who understood the source of Angus' pride.

They did their best to hide their smiles. Even the usually timid and easily embarrassed Agatha could only hide her beaming lips behind her book.

Angus was too proud to notice the change on his new found friends as he sat back down and began to chat with random things about himself and his accomplishments for being invited in the Conclave.

To Matt and the group, they immediately assumed the situation. They gave Alice a glance and a smile at the frowning Amanda who ignored Angus.

Howard was engrossed on his world of politics so he didn't pay too much attention to the young lads.

But to Matt and the rest, they understood why the usually steamy Alice was smiling at this instant.

This was going to be a good show.

*****

For the next three hours, the group talked about Angus as a bright star in the recreation room. To Rio, it was hell. Agatha just read her book on her seat and didn't go with them.

It was only Matt, Rio, and Anna that listened how Angus created history about himself.

"Oh, so you're also a player of Terroa and you just joined a group in Jeremiah?" Said Matt. This was a bit of Intel and Rio understood it.

"Right." Angus said proudly. "Right now, I can be considered one of the strongest players in Terroa and was hired by a King Candidate."

—now THIS is good Intel.

Matt, as a King Candidate himself, found this piece of news really to his liking and so he just continued to ride the waves. Anna, unknown if she was just going on with the flow or was innocent, actively asks about a few things at Angus who happily told her the answer without hesitation.

"So Knights, huh..." Matt was deep in thought.

Even now, he was still clueless on how to actually proceed with his campaign for popularity.

He said, "Is it really hard to gather this [LIKE] of the citizens of Jeremiah?"

Angus shook his head, "There are many ways on how to approach this and the boss chose three of those ways. Firstly, it's not that you can't buy and bribe a few of the Local Nobles to like you. That is already an advantage on his part. The point is, you can't force your way in to be liked so any tactic that won't make you force someone to [like] you is one of the legitimate actions that doesn't violate the rule imposed on the test."

Matt and the rest had a sense of realization and he praised Angus for being smart.

"So you guys re players of Terroa as well? Where ae you right now? If you're strong, I can make an introduction for you to my employer but whether you'd be hired or not is still up to you guys."

Rio declined, "Nah. We'll pass. Actually, we're on our way to hunt strong monsters right now and we aren't that much interested in the King Candidate."

"True." Angus didn't detect the sarcasm in her tone as he was still bathing on his light. "Aside from the ones involved, nothing's interesting in this entire event in Jeremiah... perhaps only until a test of the Military Ability of the King Candidate."

"There is such a test?" Matt and Rio was alerted.

"Mn. There should be." Angus said like a hermit in a cave, "Every year's King Test is different aside to a single particular trait that is necessary for a King."

After he spoke, he used a finger to point upwards.

"Military Ability is an essential skill a King must have and is one of the core standards that a strong King is chosen."

Matt and Rio exchanged looks. Matt doesn't have a military unit... while every other candidate had their guild backing them up. Will Pistareen form a private military for his sake? He doesn't think so. This last attack in Jeremiah crippled the Grand Mansion of a quarter of its people.

Having gotten essential Intel, Matt had lost interest in listening further to his boasting and so told him his farewell and went back to his seat.

Anna followed him and just as Angus was about to tell another story, Rio stood up and silently walked into her seat and pretended to sleep.

Matt, losing all interest in the matter, thought of ways on how to solve his issue with military might.

Although Thorn can lend him the members of the TOS Guild, they are still too few to be called an army in any standard.

"How about we use your picture for promotions?"

Matt, seeming to have been poured a cold water, looked at his sister. How could he forget? There is still the current issue of his popularity being in the lowest rankings of the King Candidates.

"What picture?" he asked curiously.

Anna showed him [Iron Volt] and Matt felt choked.

"No! I will never—"

"—but you will lose this chance."

"..."

"Anna's right, Matt. You have no choice." From the entrance, or exit, from the back, Rio came in. "This is the only card you have in your sleeve. Or you can always forfeit. It's your choice."

Why did he even join this race to be King? It was because if he so happens to be chosen as one, he can help Rex have a place to retreat to when all else collapses. It wasn't even mandatory. It was just his way of helping him out.

"But it's embarrassing." It was the reason why Matt doesn't want to dig this memory up.

"We'll make a movie." Anna said eagerly. The brio in her expression showed her burning enthusiasm.

"But wouldn't that leave that impression of me in the hearts of the people? There's a candidate who was nothing more than a Hollywood actor."

"Don't sweat the small stuff. You can always say it as being your hobby. Remember the issue is being loved by the people and not about image. At most, you'd only have an impression to the masses but it won't be bad one. In fact, if this goes well, you can even ride its coattails to stardom! Hehe..."

"You are so looking forward to me making a mess of myself out there."

"I'm being serious."

"I don't see you being serious with that impish grin plastered on your face."

"Argh! Just ignore the small stuff. I'm serious!"

Matt thought. Rio was right. Ability is what matters and in this round of the King Test, it was a matter of how you can be [LOVED] or [LIKED] by the people. Accomplishing it wasn't important. What is important is the result. Altair said so himself.

Population statistics... children is always numerous than adults. Children love heroes and he can be a hero —the target of this move was the children.

A smile beamed on his lips.

Rio sat on Anna's arm rest while the two watched as Matt thought deeply and hard before nodding.

"Alright. let's do this."

Rio stretched out her fingers and Anna began to type on her panel, creating a script.

"What about the production?" Matt asked.

"Have you forgotten what Fuma did with Red Metal in the Asgard? That guy's talented in so many ways it's unfair to all the people in the world!"

Matt blinked and then laughed followed by the rest of them. How could he have forgotten Fuma?

"What are you guys up to?"

Alice came over and asked, sitting on the arm rest on Amanda's seat sexily. Although she and Rio were at odds before, it didn't mean it's personal.

Now that they've all resolved their differences during their time in Asgard... aside perhaps from Loni who was as secretive as a mole, Rio and Alice can be considered as already being friends to some degree.

"We're going to make a movie." Anna said happily.

Amanda's ears perked up as she joined in the talk.

The group laughed and Howard was awakened on his sleep and stared at the group, pondering. At this time, a bored Angus came in and wanted to start a conversation but Alice disengaged followed by Amanda, then Rio... and the brother and sister became quiet as they manipulated their consoles.

Angus felt that something was wrong and he look over at Matt and Anna, then to Agatha who now fell asleep while reading her book, and then to Rio and over at Alice... who glared at him while raising a left brow with an unusual sharpness.

Finally, he looked down at Amanda and was about to open his mouth when she perked up and made a surprised expression.

"What is it?" Alice asked but then Amanda made a smile and so she immediately knew the reason and lost interest to her reply. "Don't tell me. I already know. You go by yourself."

Seeing the happy expression on her face, Angus got a bad feeling and just as he opened his lips to say something, Amanda shot him an acid glance.

"Would you mind?"

"Who was it?" Angus asked.

"My boyfriend." Amanda said with acerbity at him.

Angus' expression sank and he frowned. "I'm your fiancée, Mandy, how could you meet a man behind my back?"

"Who did you propose to? Wasn't it to my dad? So if you want to marry someone, then marry him. I did not even know anything about it. And to tell you honestly, dad doesn't even like you one bit. If it wasn't because the firm is pressuring my dad at his work, you wouldn't even get a glimpse of me, how much more is talk to me directly."

Amanda looked over at Alice who had a mockingly provoking smile on her lips. Angus followed her glance and saw this, making his scowling face even uglier to behold and more amusing to talk about.

He recalled the humiliation he suffered from Rex and this made his expression distort even more on the ugly path.

Meeting his glance, Alice made a shooing gesture and the defeated Angus backed off, having no face to explain things on his new found friends.

He only said, "I'm sorry guys. This is just a minor lovers' quarrel." Angus still wore a kind smile.

"Hmp... lovers your ass." Alice whispered.

Rio couldn't help admitting. The Gregory Family of politicians were all thick skinned and trained to be able to show this kind of smile even though they're burning within.

Amanda knew of the 'play' earlier and so told the uninterested Alice about the content of the email.

"It's Rex."

"So?" she said, apathetically.

Amanda ignored it, speaking louder, "He said there might be moles of the Demon Armada hiding in the Terran Alliance and want me to tell Gaia as soon as possible to warn them."

Demons amongst the Terran Alliance... it was an alarming issue. It affects everything.

Matt's group frowned slightly and even Alice was a bit concerned about this news. If this is true, and if something worse happened in the Terran Alliance, then it will affect Baron's safety in an unimaginable scale.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't even told him about Julian yet."

When Amanda was about to compose the email, Alice spoke in an irritated manner, and just looked outside the window on her side.

"Save it for when you meet him."

Amanda could only sigh and stop, "You're right. It can wait until we meet in the Conclave."

Right after that, she proceeded to secretly share the information to Matt and the rest of the Asgard on her contact list, even including the snoopy cat.

Meanwhile...

The name "Rex" caught Angus' attention and as he heard the words Amanda said, he couldn't help but frown at this small fact.

Rex is a player of RPG: Terroa and was someone that has direct contact with a member of the Terran Alliance... the Terran Government... and this link to the Terrans' upper echelons was "Gaia".

—I must research it.

This piece of news affected his plans to make an impression of his might to Amanda greatly.

He did not expect that Rex was deep in this game.

Although it was natural for him to play the game his parents created, it was still a surprise to Angus that Rex was actually a big player. He must find out his Avatar name and eliminate him or else, he won't be able to get Amanda to look at him.

He won't give up. Getting Amanda to marry into the Gregory Family will elevate their family's status in the country.

Although it's still a secret to others about her family background, Gregory Family was already aware of who Amanda's maternal side was.

This is their only chance to glory and Angus was willing to do anything to make it happen.

He can endure this humiliation. He will endure.

—but who is Amanda in the game?

When he thought of this, Angus couldn't help but stand and ask, "Mandy, you also play Terroa?"

Amanda didn't look at him and just manipulated her console panel, "What if I am? And please don't call me by my nickname or I will get nightmares. We're not even friends so what gives you the right to call me by my nickname as if we're close?"

His brows twitched. He ignored the last statement.

"That's great! We can hunt monsters together."

"I don't like to hunt and I am not interested in going to places with you."

"Come on... I can at least show you around Castle City Jeremiah. I'm a big shot there."

"Really? Are you one of the Council of Elders?"

Angus' face twitched, "No. But I..."

"Then are you at least one of the Grand Knights of the Nine Factions?"

—she's aware of these facts?!!

Panic rose on Angus' heart, "No. But I am one of the Guardian Knights of a—"

Amanda cut off his speech, "You're not one of the Council of Elders and you're not a Grand Knight of any of the Knight Orders of the Nine Factions in Jeremiah... how can you be a big shot then?"

Pffftt~

Alice who was listening at her seat looked like a tomato as she tried to hold in her laughter.

"Brutal." Even a playful Anna shivered on her seat.

Angus's face was red in humiliation. He really lost a lot of face right now.

A gentle hand tapped on his shoulder as Howard shook his head and pulled him back. Angus went to the back of the plane to cool down his nerves.

Howard went to Amanda, "Little Mandy, you could have handled him a little gentler. He's really just a jealous boy. He'd courted you for many years but suddenly, you come home and introduce another man to your family without even making things a bit clear to him. Your father had already agreed to you being engaged to him, why must you make things hard for the boy?"

It could be said that this was a good move from the Minority Leader; using carrot when the stick didn't work well.[i]

([i]: idiom: using soft tactics when hard tactics fail)