We convinced Jane to go rest, and Ashley stayed with me for a while in silence. I just looked back at all the noise of the city. It represented what I had accomplished. What we had accomplished. I realized I wasn't being very friendly to Ashley either. Maybe that or I'm feeling very emotional, but it seems to me to be both.
"As much as you're the leader, I've left you in charge of a lot more than you should be carrying," I commented.
"Don't worry, you're doing what's necessary. After all, I believe you're enlightening us all and showing us the path we should take. You didn't leave us without orders or guidance," he replied with a warm smile.
—I know... I think the complaint comes from me... Normally I'm on top of everything, maybe a mistake is being made and I'm not realizing it.
"Don't you dare say that, Sean Dorvin. Look at your hands, destroyed by relentless training. How long have you been sleeping on this wall? You can't be everywhere, Sean, you can only do your best and try your best."
—You're partly right… But if effort were enough, I wouldn't have to be here.
—But I'm sure you'll make it.
His smile and green eyes penetrated deep within me, as if calming the fear inside me. In that moment, my determination grew. It won't be long before they tell me where the meeting is; until then, I must grow stronger.
I was just thinking that when a sound from the distance was heard, a loud metallic noise, I peeked over the wall and using my acquired magic enhancement skill, I increased my vision, it was Mason and Azumi, who still had the bandages, she attacked Mason, but Mason had metal bracelets, the bastard didn't use magic because he didn't have any. Azumi hit as hard as the son of the fire god, that Mason could keep up with simple brute strength was admirable, it should be noted I mentally shuddered with every blow, unlike Mason who simply seemed to hit without fear of repercussions.
—They're training. Mason's been visiting Azumi lately. I guess Azumi asked him for help.
—But I'm surprised considering Mason doesn't have magic, I can barely even learn how to use magic to fight like that.
—I'm afraid you still need to spend time with Mason. The bastard has beastly strength and agility that rivals hers, pure muscle. Of course, he'd lose even to Azumi, but look closely, Azumi isn't launching any magical attacks, at least not visible ones. The boys and I know that. Mason let you win, although we also know you surprised him with the key.
Ashley's words made me pay more attention to Azumi. That surprised me even more. Azumi wasn't just not using any magical attacks, she wasn't actually enhancing herself with magic. She knew how to enhance herself with magic. I guess she didn't have time to explain it to me, even within the basics, and since Jane had become my teacher, she decided to train herself to become stronger. Which made me realize that the one suffering from every blow wasn't Mason, but Azumi.
I was just thinking about telling Ashley that I was going to train her, but she seemed to notice and interrupted me.
"I want you to go down and look around. The new recruits have barely seen you, and the city has food. They're happy, but they want to hear from you. I did my best with management, with the knowledge I had when I wanted to join your company."
—We taught them management because an old sergeant told me that if my junior officers know what the higher-ups have to do and realize that the higher-ups know even more than they do, then they don't just trust blindly, but they are proactive in creating the necessary environment.
—Was it helpful?
—I guess it helped with the confidence of my people, and from time to time they came up with incredible ideas for stupid problems, but it's really something I feel I could do without. Still, I had an extremely large management team; they were truly monsters in the field, obviously hand-picked, because I know nothing compared to them. I only know a couple of things, probably the same as you.
—Well, at least those studies taught me management, which is useful to you right now.
After saying that she started to go down the stairs of the wall, I followed her.
—Have there been problems with people's behavior?
—No, which seems strange even to me. They seem quite conformist, but they simply have an absurd and surreal sense of determination. The treatment for these people was the same as always: beatings, mistreatment, forced 18-hour labor, and little food; however, I don't think anyone appreciated their freedom as much as they did.
"I know what you mean. Normally, they'd complain about something, and some stray sheep would mess things up. Maybe they're just afraid of getting in our way and falling back into the clutches of the 'Fire.'"
"So many people? That seemed so odd to me that I went crazy looking for something, but Grayson told me that's how it was here. They uphold strong teachings, because those who didn't follow them were expelled in ancient times, and I believed him.
As soon as Ashley finished speaking, I knew something was wrong. She knew something else, it was obvious. "I believed him." That word gave her away. I waited for her to continue, and after a moment of silence, she answered my question before I even asked.
"I... Asked around, I came across a group from another city who just transferred to this one. I spoke to them, and they told me the other cities have a serious corruption problem. That's what sparked the creation of 'Cartels.' The Fire God doesn't deal with them because he doesn't know they exist. I doubt he even cares, but they operate behind the scenes," Ashley said.
—What the hell are they trafficking?
"They fake deaths to have workers replace others at a cost in gold, food, or supplies. Of course, they also produce drugs to make the workers perform even better. They also offer services, so we should be careful with Jane."
"A double-edged sword. Her determination to finish them off would be a good ally, but that might be why she makes mistakes," I replied.
—They tell me they're too big, and they're rejected. In fact, their biggest customers aren't people, they're soldiers.
—It means that in the next cities, we have to face them.
—Yes, but please leave it to me, I dare say I know more about this than you.
"Oh, really?" I raised an eyebrow, though she didn't see it as we continued down the endless stairs.
—You know about total war, I've seen you fight. You probably also have a lot of knowledge of guerrilla warfare, but you said it yourself: you're not a street person. I've seen and experienced this before, but I've never been the one to face it.
"It wasn't my job, it fell to my admin team anyway..." I trailed off because I quickly realized Ashley was right. "Do what you have to do, but talk to me before you make a move. I remind you, even after all that, I can make heads roll."
We finally reached the top of the stairs; the entire camp was moving boxes everywhere, unorganized, but at least they were getting the job done. There were plenty of people for our infrastructure, but there was little we could do. Ashley set up several stoves around the city to feed everyone.
Grayson's group was gathered at the door chatting with some newbies while watching the show Mason and Azumi put on.
I also saw in vivid detail how Azumi's defense faltered and Mason landed a punch in her stomach, knocking all the wind out of her and sending her flying upward. At that moment, Mason leaped in a way I'd only ever seen at the Olympics, landing a punch in her face that sent her hurtling toward us.
Azumi bounced like a rubber ball rolling on the floor. She tried to get up, but fell. Her lower lip was split. Mason's blow punished her for training like that, despite the bruises and wounds that, thankfully, had already healed. Still, they were extremely tender. She couldn't hide the small spasms of complaint her body gave.
Mason ran at her, and I thought he was going to land another blow. When I saw Azumi was barely standing, I ran to get in the way. The girl didn't even have her cat ears up. She had completely lost. I recovered with magic and boosted my body. I still didn't have all my magic, but I had enough for a short exchange.
I was so fast that when I stopped, I skidded on the ground, Mason seeing my intention smiled sadistically, the bastard wanted to hit me, I closed my fist and clenched my teeth, I aimed and slammed my fist against his, I felt no pain, but I did feel Mason's strength. His strength rivaled my magical reinforcement, It couldn't even be superior. It felt like I had hit a wall. A force that would easily shatter my arm.
Although humans in this dimension have a different limit and biology, I believe Mason breaks those laws even for his people. When the force of our blows stopped, Mason relaxed.
"He's gotten stronger overall." Mason smiled at me, his smile as if what he'd just done anywhere else wouldn't have been punishable by imprisonment.
"Azumi can't get up anymore, and she's still hurt," I commented.
Mason ignored me and continued on toward Azumi.
"Even if I stopped, neither you nor she would let me," Mason told me.
Azumi tried to complain, but the pain wouldn't let her. She desperately gasped for the air that had left her lungs.
But she couldn't deny that he was right in this case. Azumi fell back to her knees, gasping for air. Just as the boys and Ashley arrived, Azumi began to vomit. The soldiers they were talking to had remained at the door.
Doc quickly approached Azumi. A small girl (compared to Doc's height) followed him.
"Let me see, lie down," Doc said as he helped her lie down and wiped the vomit off her face with his hand.
I could see Rango and Tech grimace in disgust.
"Your ribs are fine, you just went into shock. Your body is already very weak. You shouldn't train without magic. In fact, you shouldn't train at all. But for you, a doctor's orders are just suggestions," the doctor said ironically.
"I have to get stronger. We still have so much ahead of us. I can't keep lying down," Azumi said, still catching her breath.
"I understand your feelings, but you'll be lying down longer at this rate. But maybe you can learn dragon magic from me."
—Yeah, you're an idiot. I heard them say something she forgot to mention or didn't even know about. Why do you think it's called "Dragon Magic"?
"Come on, how did you even hear us?" I asked.
Azumi pointed at her large ears covered in black cat fur.
—I have extensive knowledge of magic. Dragon magic, as she says, is indeed lost. No one uses it these days because they don't know how to use it and because they can't. It's something only gods can use. That is, a dragon or someone like you. Even if you don't have the fusion yet, your magic is different from mine or anyone else's. That starts with where and how it's produced. You see, our bodies produce magic, but there's no specific organ for it. It's our soul within our bodies that is responsible for creating spiritual veins and energy. The way those veins, those spiritual organs of the soul, are composed are totally different between yours, Jane's, Doc's, and mine.
—But you can recreate it if you feel how it's composed, right?
—If you do it like that, you're wasting too much magic in the process; only a god has that. I don't have any other techniques like that; I literally have to invent one myself to reach the level you'll reach with that technique.
—Then use your mind, use your knowledge.
—That's what I'm doing, if I improve my body, if I improve my stamina. That's what I'm after! The strength to kill a god!
"Do what you have to do, but don't be an idiot and not be ready for the fight," I told her.
Saying this, Azumi remained silent and nodded.
"By the way… Azumi told me about Jane," Mason said quietly, though I could sense his typical frustration when he gets upset.
"Azumi, you're a damn gossip," Ashley insulted Azumi.
I raised an eyebrow as I glanced at Doc, Rango, Tech, and Grayson.
"And if Mason knows everything, then so do you," I commented disapprovingly, as everyone admitted they did.
Pretty hypocritical, considering they didn't tell me about Mason's past when I met him. In fact, to be exact, I heard it when he told Azumi. I shouldn't even know.
"We're like brothers. You can't ask us not to tell each other things, but we promise no one else knows, and no one else will ever know," Tech added.
My gaze went back to the gossip.
—I swear I only spoke to them. I thought they should at least know. They're the group closest to you, and they were taking on leadership roles while you were training on the wall.
—I guess you're right in a way, but Jane barely had the confidence to tell us, and now you all know —I reasoned with Azumi.
—But I had an idea: if she's been living in a cave for so long, how about we make her a cave away from the noise of the city but close enough to protect her, so she feels comfortable and safe? She sleeps hidden in a hole with a rock she uses to cover herself in the forest 5 miles from here, the same one where the soldiers train running and take advantage of the opportunity to see if they can catch something, —Azumi commented.
"How would we make a cave for him, Azumi?" Ashley asked.
"We can take out a block of stone and carve it," Tech suggested.
"So, who has the strength for that?" I asked.
—Between Grayson, you and I, we should be able to do it easily. There are several large rocks nearby, Mason suggested.
"I can carve it quickly," Azumi pointed out.
So, with that plan, we headed toward the rocks, telling a few jokes along the way. Frost, the white-haired girl, had been saying that all the old soldiers were like older brothers to the rookies, and Ashley took advantage of that to assign them roles and create a functioning hierarchy, where they trained, taught, and educated the new soldiers.
Mason, on the other hand, mocked them, saying that they were all still too weak. It was hard to argue with him in this argument, because even Tech, who tried his best, was weaker than him. Rango took advantage and said that with his aim, his muscles wouldn't be of any use, and the whole way there, the argument revolved around a test of manhood to see who could defeat Mason.
When we finally arrived, we held the rock for Azumi. The logic was that we should carve it here, because the idea was to transport this thing with us.
She used magic to make some strange bone claws. It took a while, but after about twenty minutes, she was finished. As she hammered at the stone, I realized how irresponsible it had been of me to leave the city, and I was a little worried that I might be attacked while I was out of town. However, what's done is done, it's done, and I just had to make sure it didn't happen again, or at least warn Sabimbi, which I imagine the soldiers at the gate would tell him anyway.
Once Azumi finished, she said.
—One thing that occurred to me while carving the stone was that we should do something to reproduce the sound of rain, and we should do it here to make sure it's transportable.
"Azumi, did you smoke anything today? Did you find any green mushrooms on the tree?" Ashley began attacking Azumi.
"It's actually possible," Tech said. "If we place a crystal with water and boil the water in another container that holds all the steam, we can wait for it to rain and have it fall into the same container, creating a cycle. I can do it; I learned magic for this kind of thing," Tech finished.
"Amazing, Doc told me he knew the most," I commented.
Doc nodded and Tech refused.
—I know almost as much as he does, except I know tricks for making things, and he knows tricks for medicine. I never told you where I come from; my father had a gadget shop, made all sorts of crazy things, and he taught me how to do them.
He used his hands, and I saw a flash as if he were drawing the entire crystal structure interestingly quickly; once he finished, he indicated that he'd left a space for water. Grayson took out a large canteen and emptied it. Tech sealed the crystal and held it to the fire Doc had started.
"And will that be enough water to maintain a constant cycle?" I asked.
"My father made a similar one when he was little. I made it similar to his, only I applied techniques to make it fall in large drops. It should work, I'm just not sure how much constant heat it can receive. Sooner or later it won't be cold enough for the water to fall, but Jane can use magic. She should be able to heat and cool it to her liking. Besides, the stone inside will make exactly the same noise," Tech said.
Tech was very proud of his work, and the contraption was indeed large, at least 1.40 meters tall.
Sure enough, it worked. We were all delighted. Azumi prepared a hollow above the carved cave to hold the contraption, then we covered it with wicker, which Ashley and I made.
The way back was somewhat winding, because it was indeed a lot of weight, but as soon as we arrived and chose our spot, we looked at each other with a look that was a combination of pride and excitement.