Chapter 498: Dignified Young Adventurer (2/2)

“Is that Zara’s aunt? The one who went to Greenstone with her?”

“Yes.”

“We met briefly. I don’t think she liked me.”

“She didn’t. This little display was her idea. To raise your profile, as you say. This was my idea.”

Liara took a small piece of card from a dimensional pouch and handed it to Jason, who read it and stopped walking.

“Mr Asano?”

“Thank you for this,” he said. His expression had no trace of the usual snark. “Genuinely, this is very considerate.”

Her expression softened.

“We did treat you poorly, Mr Asano. I don’t regret doing so as we now have some important prisoners, but you deserve compensation for the liberties we have taken.”

“I appreciate that. And I do want to contribute to the fight against the Builder.”

“I’ve seen your unabridged records, Mr Asano. I believe you.”

They resumed walking.

“So, what now?” Jason asked.

“Have you heard about the dimensional cities?”

“Just rumours. Flying cities full of Builder armies.”

“They don’t all fly. Somewhere in the Great Western Ocean, there is a city floating in the depths. His ancestral majesty has been monitoring it personally as there are multiple diamond-rank auras within.”

“You’re talking about Soramir.”

“Yes.”

“Nice to know I’m not the only one he’s keeping tabs on. The diamond-rank auras are why no one has launched a massive invasion on this underwater city?”

“Precisely. Thus far, it hasn't gone past an aura clash. We believe the city had already deployed several expeditions before it was discovered and we are still attempting to track their activity. From what we've found, we believe they may be doing what they failed to do several years ago.”

“They’re going after the astral spaces?”

“Yes. Prior to your departure from our world, the Builder cult claimed a number of such spaces. The results were disastrous for the surrounding landscape and anyone living on it. In most cases, however, their efforts were defeated. You and your companion both died making sure that was the case.”

“And now you think they’re making a second run?”

“It is the prevailing assumption, but nothing is being ruled out yet. For the moment, known astral spaces are being monitored. We anticipate that open conflict will soon begin.”

“Just let me know. I’ve picked up some new tricks while I was away that the Builder’s little minions aren’t going to like.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Jason looked around at where Liara was leading him.

“This isn’t the direction of the Builder response unit’s offices.”

“No. Tomorrow is the Builder. Today is politics.”

“Zara.”

“For the moment, we’re positioning you as a valuable asset to the Builder response unit. It has the advantage of being true. That’s why you’ll be seen meeting with me, even when you’re meeting with Vesper. Or Zara.”

“I’ve been wondering when that was going to happen.”

“She’s been told that you’re back. She is sorry that she used you.”

“Everybody’s sorry. Never seems to stop them though, does it?”

Liara and Jason passed through a maze of corridors in the Adventure Society’s main administration building. Every hallway was busy except the last, which was completely devoid of people. She led him into a nondescript meeting room, closed the door behind him and then tapped a crystal on the wall. A privacy screen encapsulated the entire room.

The other occupant of the room was Vesper Rimaros, who stood from her chair and came around the table where she and Jason assessed one another. She was largely unchanged from their previous meeting, three years earlier. She had the same gracefully restrained aura, brimming with confidence. It was no longer overwhelming to Jason, now he matched her silver rank, but he respected the level of control she demonstrated. She had the signature caramel skin and shimmering blue hair of the Rimaros family, but hair was longer than Jason remembered. It was now a gemstone waterfall, cascading down over her shoulders.

Compared to the practical hairstyles Jason was used to seeing from adventurers, it was quite striking. Knowing there was a good chance that Soramir was watching his aura, he tried to push aside his concern that he was developing a celestine fetish.

Jason had changed much more, with his strange eyes, facial scars and features smoothed into the handsomeness typical of silver-rankers. His outfit, however, was identical to what he had worn at Emir’s barbecue: bright floral shirt, shorts and sandals.

“Why are you dressed like a fool?” Vesper asked by way of greeting.

“I came by it honestly. I am a fool.”

“Not anymore,” she said while moving back to the table and sitting down. “Now you are a mysterious and – this part is important – dignified young adventurer. You’ve been away from our world, thought dead, conducting enigmatic affairs related to the Builder invasion and now you’re back to play a critical role. Is that understood?”

“I can sell that,” Jason said, taking a seat across the table. Liara sat next to Vesper.

“Can you?” Vesper asked.

“Aside from the dignity part, it’s pretty much true, so yeah.”

“I think you might be overestimating your actual value,” Vesper said.

“I’d be interested in hearing about those affairs related to the Builder invasion,” Liara said.

“I bet you would,” Jason said. “Vesper, if you’re looking to turn me into a respectable young man of society, you’re trying to validate Zara’s claim. You aren’t looking for me to actually marry her, right? I agreed to help you but that’s further than I’m willing to go.”

“We’re going to pass it off as a one-sided infatuation on her part,” Vesper said. “The foolish act of a foolish girl. It doesn’t matter if it’s true, just that it’s at least vaguely plausible enough that people can save face. Which means you need to play the mysterious stranger from another world and stop wearing shorts and absurd, flowery shirts.”

“I have been meaning to update my wardrobe,” Jason said. “I’ll miss the shirts but I’ve already been recommended a tailor.”

“You can’t just use anyone,” Vesper said. “Who are you going to?”

“Sensual Attire for the Sensual Gentleman.”

“Alejandro Albericci,” Vesper said. “Alright, that’s acceptable, but I’m going to be sending him some instructions.”

“I’m sure we can find an acceptable stylistic comprise,” Jason told her. “You still haven’t told me what all this is in aid of, though. We need to have a conversation about Zara.”