196 Derrick Jones - Major Chapter - Down Under Bellow (1/2)
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”It has been two days, but this place is ghostly quiet, huh,” whispered Miranda.
The two of us were a bit far away from Aya's room, about a few hundred meters. We proceeded further into the belly of the beast, and even so, nothing showed up. Not even the Anciles, who we thought were patrolling the area. Their absence these past two days sent chills down my spine.
Where is everyone in this HQ?
”This is the furthest we have gone now...” I pointed out.
”True that. Look, that's the elevator leading down towards the underground factory.”
”Ah... that one.”
I only had entered the factory a few times before. The underground factory back then was used to ma.s.s-produce Anciles, and also give birth to potential Aegis Users. Right now, I was actually curious as to what had happened to the kids down there. I remonstrated to the higher-ups— about using young kids as to produce talented Aegis Users. However, it fell on deaf ears.
Once, I heard that kids had greater potential to master Aegis, and to develop a unique Aegis specialty. Take Ava for example— Her Aegis possessed emotions, and her second Aegis could steal other Users' Aegis.
Simply put, the younger the Users are, the higher the chance they would awaken powerful Aegis specialties.
Anyway, the scientists had escaped to Neo Africa, so perhaps the C.U had somewhat abandoned the 'Aegis Project' entirely. But, that was just me being rather optimistic. It was not like Amathelia couldn't bring in more talent to continue and develop the decade-long project.
”Should we head back first to inform everyone?” Miranda asked.
”Yeah.”
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Aya's face darkened when we finished explaining the situation to her. She sighed and proposed that Miranda and I should proceed to explore the underground factory without her.
”After all, I need to protect Eugene and Aya here. Still... if things go wrong, or like, you feel the need to call for help, I'll come real quick, got it?”
”I can take care of Elle after that. I swear on my life,” said Eugene firmly.
Surprisingly, Elle didn't throw a tantrum this time, and she obediently stayed behind. I asked Aya, what brought the sudden change in Elle, and she just shrugged.
”...I threatened her a while ago, saying that, ”If you make a fuss about every little thing, I will make sure your father, and of course you as well, will regret it... real bad,” and she becomes a very obedient child immediately. What a miracle!”
Miranda said those words with an evil grin on her face, which caused Elle to shudder and hid behind me. My mouth curved into a wry smile as I watched the scene unfolding— Miranda glaring at Elle as she buried her face in my jacket.
”But seriously, this makes things so much easier,” confessed Miranda. ”You should stop that nice guy act and be really strict on your daughter. Being austere won't hurt her.”
”But this is just how I am...”
”Eh, not my problem. Hit her once a while too. Make sure she remembers the pain you inflicted on her.”
”Wow, that's just... evil!” said Eugene.
”By once a while, I mean every day. If I have a kid, that's how I will treat him or her,” said Miranda without a hint of hesitation.
”Then I will wish that you will not get married and have a kid.”
”...Eugene.” Aya and I sighed heavily.
”Anyway, we'll head over to the underground factory right now. Stay safe, everyone,” I said.
”Yeah.”
”Come back soon, Papa!”
♢
The elevator leading down to the underground factory— it descended ever so slow. I already had an escape plan ready if, by chance, the Pillars or some strong enemies popped up once we arrived.
The last time I was here, Alicia and Alexander were waiting for me. We were to run through what we had learned of Amathelia, when she was still in her liquid chamber. And now, I was about to do the same thing again— meeting them in person.
This rescue mission was in effect because of Aya in the first place. I had to admit, that I wouldn't be a part of this if I were to do it alone. Realistically speaking, I wouldn't make it this far without everyone else helping me.
”Why the long face, Derrick?” said Miranda.
Her voice snapped me back into focus and I cast a glance at her. ”...It's nothing.”
”Don't think too much about what awaits us.”
”...Yeah.”
I was actually surprised by how calm Miranda looked. Back then, she said she tagged along purely because of our mission. But right now, she was the most determined person out of all of us, making it seemed like my resolve was only an iota of hers.
As if she was reading my mind, Miranda scratched at her cheek. ”Don't get me wrong... I don't have ulterior motive whatsoever. Rescuing those two pitiful Aegis Users is my... only goal.”
”...You want to avenge Hughes, right?”
”Huuuh?!” Miranda looked petulantly at me. ”Don't push that chivalry thing on me, wouldya'? I am here because I want to. Because I think it's the right choice.”
”A choice that both me and Hughes would take, regardless of who we will be up against.”
”Ah... I see.”
When she spoke of those words, I could see Hughes in her eyes. Like father, like daughter, I suppose. When I was still a general serving the former His Supremacy, Miranda always brought up her father's name ever so often. I could only take it that she admired him so much.
And deep within me, perhaps because it was just me being a father, I wanted Elle to do the same, albeit a little. Though this was only a fragment of my deep desire, nothing more to it, nothing less as well.
”Be on guard,” said Miranda after the elevator stopped moving.