Chapter 215 - Day DCXXXIX, Part I

After waking up, way later than usual, and taking the usual bath, and visiting the cafeteria, I went to finally have the talk with Hatta.

I found him in his office with Will, Boris, and Amit. They were discussing something, but as soon as guards let me in, they stopped.

- Morning Peter. Did you sleep well? - he asked.

- Morning.

- Oh! Come here, my little lovely son! - said Will, and rushed to me, clearly to give me a kiss.

I almost jabbed him in the balls, but he avoided it at the last moment.

- You little shit! How dare you!

- Fuck of Will.

Boris just laughed observing the situation. Hatta seemed unmoved.

- Enough dorks. We have serious business to talk about.

- Which is? - I asked.

- The founds you brought. We were just discussing where to put them. With what others donated we managed to build four towers next to the gate leading to goblin territory. They all have positions for cannons and can have arquebalists at the top. We also widened the walls a bit there, so we can also put cannons straight on the walls. We should do the same with other gates.

- Then do it -  I shrugged my shoulders.

- We will, but that still leaves us with plenty of points left. Even if I give a bunch to Rishi and Jayadeva.

- We should renovate some buildings, and make flats in them for people to live in - said William, turning around to face the leader of Wuxia.

- I agree - said Boris. - We could also found a little training ground, so we actually would have a proper place to train, as we planed a while ago.

- Yes. Yes... We did plan that. Well... I think the flats come first though. There is still plenty of people just sleeping in the ruins. With those points, we should solve that problem, and finally focus on upgrading the device. I need to talk with the rest first, though.

- How goes the forest clearing? - I asked.

- Slow - replied Hatta. - But steady. We will get it done soon.

- Everything seems to go rather well, then?

- Well... We dealt with most of our problems, and are more or less ready to face the next invasion, but it wouldn't end well for us, although if the enemies would be the same, I think we should survive. We still need the outposts, but those can wait for now.

- Ok. So that concludes the discussion part, I guess.

- Not really, because we need to still go through future funding, but I won't stop you if you want to go, Peter. By the way, you should talk to Maia. She has been annoying lately.

- Yes - Will said immediately. - You need to talk with her about my foursome, ha ha ha ha!

I summoned my shadows, and send them to attack that asshole. He slapped them to death easily.

- Hey! You idiots! Stop it! You will demolish my office!

- Come on Hatta. We didn't see each other for so long, we need to catch up - was Will's response.

- Then catch up somewhere else.

- How about a beer then, Peter?

- But you are buying.

- Fine, I'll buy it.

And the two of us left, leaving Boris and Hatta to discuss whatever they were discussing before I came.

- So, how was the canyon?

- Tough, but manageable.

- You got stronger?

- A bit. We gave most of our score to Hatta. Next time though, I'm only investing in myself. How about you?

- Oh, I'm a beast now. With the weapon from Rishi. Hooh!

He laughed.

- So when do we get the revenge?

- Soon. I've been thinking about this a lot, and I shouldn't rush things. I was so damn stupid...

- You indeed were. You made your mom worried, son.

I chuckled a bit.

- So... The fanatics... Sorry, it ended like that. I forced you to help me convince Hatta, and then the whole story with that girl Maia, and everything... It seemed like a great idea to make you their leader though.

- I'm past my anger phase. Now I want this shit to be resolved.

- So will you become the messiah of the people?

- I'm no messiah. You know me. These people are delusional. I just don't want Maia feeding them whatever she had in her head.

- I do know you. You are just a good struggling guy. Like many others here, but that you achieved because of your bravery... It can inspire people.

- I know it can, and that's what I want to do. Inspire them to be their own selves. We all are gods in this place. All we need is time and effort. It's out there, to be taken. And then we can fix so much. 

- Should I go with you? - he asked suddenly.

I stopped for a moment, he did the same, and I looked him straight in the eyes.

- Yes, please.

He patted me on the shoulder.

- Just remember, those people are not your enemies. Be calm, explain everything, and tell them how you achieved what you have. I'm sure, even if they will still insist that you are their messiah, that if you tell them to follow in your footsteps, and work hard for a better future, we can avoid any conflict, and also you becoming a cult leader.

- I bet Maia has diffrent plans.

- Who cares? Steal them from her, point in the right direction, and let them go. Even if they won't let you go, don't worry, if you will suddenly have some stupid ideas, I'll be there to kick the shit out of you.

- Thanks, mom.

- No worries son.

- It's really good to have you back. I've been stressing over this stupid thing for weeks now. I had all of this crazy shit in my head. I didn't know what to do. I was so fucking afraid of turning into Mark.

- Because you banged three chicks? I bet it was more about Nadia, didn't it?

I sighed and nodded. He shook his head.

- Let's get that beer and talk while sitting. To be honest, my legs hurt like hell after that canyon.

I laughed shortly.. Then we made our way to the pub.