Chapter 5: Aftermath

The Red hawk unit returned to the capital city of Arlisia, back to the merchant guild head quarters but where immediately stormed by the media.

“ Sir, Is it true that you have cleared a ruin with a centurion centipede as its guardian.”

“ Yeah” replied jack.

“Did you know the ruin would have the centurion centipede as its guardian?”

 “I was sceptical but Kirima said it was highly likely” replied Blake.

“How did Kirima know? If he knew why didn’t he personally take leadership?”

“Kirima saw an difficulty increase in the level of the ruins and deduced this ruin would be the one that would confirm his theory. As for the second, if his hypothesis was true and an s-class guardian would be in an A-class ruin  then what kind of guardian would be in an S-class ruin? Therefore he could not take the risk of injury when such a danger loomed on humanity.” Replied Jack.

“Wouldn’t that mean he was afraid to enter the ruin?”

“Can you enter a S-class ruin?” asked Harris infuriated.

....Everybody of the media went silent.....

“If the difficulty of the ruins has increased, then it is the duty of everybody raiding ruins to get stronger.” Replied Blake.

“We rose to this challenge and accomplished something those stronger than us couldn’t. This was all possible because of Kirima’s planning. Know if you would excuse us we have to report to our boss.” Says Jack walking into the headquarters.

The unit walks in to the building and enters the elevator to reach the top floor. They exit the elevator and knock Kirima’s office.

“Come in” remarked Kirima.

As the unit enters they see that Kirima is watching the news and their response at the gate is being broadcast.

.....Kirima switch’s the T.V. off....

“ Was that statement required?” asked Kirima.

“Not required, but it was necessary” replied jack.

“I assume that bit about my planning was asked by Asahi” enquired Kirima.

Everybody nods..

“Anyway, congratulations are in order. Don’t you think? You guys just became legends. The team that killed a centurion centipede without a single casualty.” Said Kirima with a bright simile.

The team looked at each other as if they were disappointed.

“Don’t worry about Asahi. I know what’s going on his head about this achievement. You should enjoy the glory he gifted you.” Said Asahi.

The team still looked disappointed as Asahi wouldn’t get credit for this historic victory. And they felt like this achievement was handouts  by Asahi for them.

“ Don’t think that this is a handout or feel pity towards Asahi. On the contrary you should feel proud” advised Kirima.

The team looked confused...

“Everyone of you came back alive from a situation that you had no ability to overcome.” Said Kirima.

The team looked displeased at this comment.

Kirima continued “Yet you are here. Not because of Asahi’s pity. Take this to heart when i say this Asahi is not the kind of man to show pity. He only helps those he acknowledges. The fact that all of you are alive and you where the one dealt all the blow to the centurion centipede is proof of his acknowledgement. Go and flaunt your victory for you have achieved far more than defeating a centurion centipede.”

By this statement from Kirima the spirits of the Red hawks was lifted and after they submitted their report they prepared to leave the office along with the bonus received from Kirima. Everyone exited the office one by one but Jack and Blake stayed back.

“Did you need anything?” asked Kirima.

Blake and Jack looked at each other..

Jack stated “At ruin the last attack that we delivered hinged on the 1 second window that Asahi promised. We charged up as instructed by him” Blake continued “ Jack is about to hit the S-class, if he pooled all his strength he could pull off a attack strong enough to be S-class attack.”

......Kirima listen’s silently....

Jack continued “but centipede completely ignored me and charged up to Asahi.”

“the centipede ignored an S-class attack and targeted a D-class fighter” stated Blake.

Both of them asked in sync “How strong is Asahi?”

“A good question. But a question I cannot answer. Simply because I don’t know. All I know is he is strong. I don’t intend nor do I want to find out.” replied Asahi with serious bit fearful expression.

“ I suggest you not to look more in to this after all it is better not piss off a dormant beast.” Advised Kirima.

The two exited the office after hearing this.

...

...

Kirima starts thinking to himself “ Judging by the report it seems like Asahi has concluded the ruin difficulty increase is not a natural phenomena. Now the report that I put together will it be enough to convince him, if not will he verify it himself. If so it’s going to be a pain dealing with everything know how the Senshi imperium and Akahoshi clan work. Lets hope it does not reach to that point.”

Kirima picks his phone to call Asahi

Dialling....Ring...Ring...Ring...Ring...Ring...clank

“Heellooo” sounding sleepy

Kirima asks with a  disappointed expression “ Are you still in bed?”

“Yeeah! Why?” replies Asahi still in a sleep trance.

“Dude! Its 4 in the evening. Huh... Drop it. I called you to tell you that I finished investigating the rumour. You should check it yourself.” Said Kirima.

“ I’ll be there in half an hour and this time inform your reception”  said Asahi Sarcastically.

“Yeah! Yeah! Then I I’ll”.... Clank....

Kirima visibly angry thinking “ let the other person finish his sentence”

........

Asahi arrives at the merchant guild and arrives at Kirima’s office. He opens the office door.

“took you long enough. Well here’s the report.”

Asahi goes through the report with a serious look. After finishing the report stares Kirima for a while. Kirima starts to panic a bit seeing Asahi stare at him. Asahi rubs his face and asks Kirima “ this report only states that this creature the rumours talk about is not a fiend that is known to us. There are species that we might not know about. I cannot decide with this much. I agree the ruin difficulty increase is forced and not a natural phenomenon, but with the report being lacking ( Kirima thinking “ Please no. Don’t say what I think you are going to say”), it seems I have to personally verify it.”

.....Kirima dies a bit inside .....

A frustrated Kirima “ Fine you go to the imperium ahead. I take care of your housing and spending there too. I don’t think I can arrive immediately it take about 2 weeks for me to get there, so take this.”

Kirima hands a identification card and an emblem. Asahi looks at the emblem thinking what the hell it was

Kirima continued “ that’s emblem that signifies you are my proxy, you have all rights that I have as member of the council of five. So unless you encounter another council member your orders cannot be denied by the armed or the political administration of the imperium. But don’t go too overboard the you know how the Akahoshi clan can be.”

Asahi nods...

“I assume you will want to travel as early as possible?”

Asahi nods...

“All preparations will be completed by tomorrow and your travel will be in the morning, so please do try to wake up early” asks  Kirima  with a creepy smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be on there on time.” Replies Asahi and leaves the merchant guild.

Kirima thinks “ I hope nothing major happens. That too when the council meet is around the corner. If what I fear is true convincing them will be a pain too, as Asahi circumstances don’t allow him to directly interfere with this situation. Huh.. where did my stress free dominating life go?”

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