Chapter 706 Departure
Two days went by after Noah's party. The next day, Erik found himself seated in Mayor Bonner's lavishly decorated office, facing her. As she laid out her proposal, her sharp and calculating eyes met his masked gaze. "I'd like your guild to take over the city's defenses."
The conversation progressed so quickly that it felt like it was over before it even began. Both the Mayor and Erik were individuals who did not appreciate beating around the bush. Their main priority was to be efficient and thorough, so they strived to work at a fast pace, overlooking nothing.
Their conversation unfolded with a brisk efficiency, each word and gesture aimed like a well-placed chess move.
The Mayor, was a woman whose shrewdness was as clear as her well-crafted words, navigated the dialogue with the precision of a seasoned diplomat.
Her eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to dance with a cunning spark as she spoke. Erik, attuned to the subtleties of her demeanor, could not help but notice how her gaze seemed to assess and dissect each of his responses, her mind always several steps ahead.
Despite their shared appreciation for directness, Erik couldn't shake off the feeling that beneath her straightforward exterior lay layers of strategic thinking, each sentence a calculated play in the grand game of politics and power.
Erik scrutinized the contract with a keen eye, searching for any hidden clauses or unfavorable terms. He expected to find something amiss, something that might be a drawback.
Yet, as he delved deeper into the document, his surprise grew. Page after page, the terms were simple, fair, and free of any negative aspects.
This unexpected discovery left Erik taken aback. He had braced himself for a catch, a twist in the fine print that would demand caution, but it simply wasn't there.
The realization that the contract was genuinely straightforward, with no hidden traps or disadvantages, was a rare and unforeseen outcome for Erik, who was accustomed to navigating more treacherous waters in his dealings.
"I accept your offer, Mayor. However, you'll need to coordinate the details with my right-hand man, Noah."
The Mayor's smile, thin and almost predatory, spread across her face. "Very well. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly on our end."
…
Because of the Mayor's generous financial support, Erik wasted no time in implementing his new plans. The purpose of the emergency meeting was to outline the expansion of their operations, so he had called Noah and his other clones to attend.
He gave explicit instructions to expand their operations. His orders included increasing the fleet of vehicles, recruiting additional members, and boosting weapon production. His aim was clear: he intended to elevate the guild to a higher level of operation and influence.
Noah and the clones had wasted no time, diving headlong into the logistical maze that such an expansion entailed. His guild was growing and evolving, and he was the architect of that transformation.
…
Erik stood at the entrance of his guild headquarters, his backpack slung over his shoulder and his beloved Flyssa sword safely sheathed by his side. Among the items he had on were a mask, a long coat, and winter clothes.
No sooner had Erik left the guild's main building than he caught sight of Mira, who was positioned next to a luxurious and stylish limousine. She looked at his masked face, and in the depths of her gaze, he could discern a blend of concern and longing.
As he drew nearer, she closed the distance that separated them and enveloped him in a warm embrace, her arms encircling him tightly.
"Do you really have to go?" she asked. She was worried. Erik announced he was going to train in the White Desert, alone at that. She knew he could defend himself even there, but it was still a very dangerous place.
"I have to," Erik said. He was feeling a swirl of emotions, but he knew he had to do that. Everything he had done until now was to have the guild backing him. He needed soldiers, he needed weapons. All with the single purpose of then going to investigate the blackguards.
"But why?" Her eyes scoured his masked face for answers, like a detective examining a cryptic puzzle.
"I need to train," was all he said, his tone final.
Mira let out a sigh of frustration, causing her shoulders to droop a little. "I know you're strong, Erik, but venturing outside the city is risky, even for you."
His eyes concealed by the mask, Erik locked his gaze with hers, his eyes reflecting a strong sense of resolve. "Don't worry, Mira. I'll be fine."
Despite Mira's protests and attempts to dissuade him, Erik remained steadfast in his decision to go. In the end, she was convinced by something in his voice or his body language. After a moment, she nodded and loosened her grip on the embrace. "Alright, just...be careful, okay?"
Erik nodded, his hand touching hers, like a leaf drifting onto the surface of a still pond, sealing his promise. "I will."
After exchanging their goodbyes, Erik turned around and made his way into the luxurious limousine.
While settling into the plush seat, his gaze shifted towards the window, where he caught sight of Mira standing there, her figure receding into the distance as the car lifted off the ground and began its ascent towards the entrance of the city.
As the limousine glided through the air, the view of the city's familiar skyline grew smaller and smaller, gradually fading into the distance.
With a slight recline, Erik's focus shifted towards the imminent training that lay ahead, the obstacles he expected, and the individual he was determined to evolve into.
Deep within the corners of his thoughts, the lasting image of Mira's worried expression. Separating from her didn't make him feel good.
He could have acted differently, but Mira's expression unnerved him, reminding him of Amber. He wondered if Amber had shown a similar face upon hearing of his supposed demise.
His hope lingered on the clue he left behind that Amber and the others would discover his survival, confirming he was still very much alive.
…
…
…
With a smooth landing, Erik's opulent limousine made its way to the entrance of the city's prestigious gate mall, leaving onlookers in awe.
When the car door swung open, the young man emerged and found himself surrounded by a chaotic symphony of diverse sounds permeating the atmosphere.
In a constant and chaotic flow, people from all walks of life moved, their voices blending together into a symphony of human activity.
The vendors hawked their wares with enthusiasm, shouting over one another to entice customers. With their bags filled with the day's acquisitions, the shoppers haggled, argued, and laughed amongst themselves.
The delightful aromas from the food stalls filled the air, creating a tantalizing mix with the less desirable smells that are inevitable in such a crowded place.
Above everything else, the hum of machinery from the gate's defensive systems served as a constant reminder of the structure's main purpose: safeguarding the city from any external threats.
Erik made his way through the bustling crowd, his unwavering focus directed towards the towering doors that served as the exit point. Moving with urgency, he took long and purposeful strides that showed a clear sense of determination.
The people in the crowd seemed to have a sense of his intent and moved apart, creating a small path for him to pass through.
Before stepping through the doors, he couldn't resist the urge to cast one last look over his shoulder at the hive of activity he was leaving behind.
After pausing for a moment, he inhaled, mustered his resolve, and passed through the gate, embarking on a journey into the realm beyond.
The moment Erik set foot outside, he wasted no time and began sprinting. The stark contrast between the bustling gate mall, filled with people and activity, and the vast expanse of muted land that stretched out in front of him was incredibly jarring.
No more was the sounds of commerce and conversation. Instead, the rustling of the few leaves stubbornly clinging to the trees and the distant calls of the winter wildlife filled the air.
Erik bravely ventured into the forest, feeling as if the towering trees, resembling silent giants draped in the icy embrace of winter, surrounded and enveloped him entirely.
The trees stood tall with their towering trunks and branches, some bearing the weight of the snow, and created a realm that seemed otherworldly, separate from the chaos of human life.
Erik was enveloped by a sense of freedom, as crisp and invigorating as the winter air, which beckoned him to let go of the complexities of his life, much like leaves falling from trees in autumn.
As he took each step forward, the city and its bustling gate-
mall slowly slipped away from his minds, like the fading glow of the winter sun.
With each step, Erik ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, feeling the frosty air sharpen his senses and embracing the challenges and discoveries that lay hidden beneath the forest veil.
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