242 A Public Meeting, Problems that Popped up Due to Marks Display of His Abilties (1/2)
Day 36 – 2:47 PM – Meeting Room, Military Headquarters, Port of Real Settlement, Barangay Ungos, Real, Quezon
Amihan flew beside Mark's face and patted his head gently. Although she was surprised, since it was the first time that she saw Mark actually showed such expressions on his face, she was also relieved. At least, she knew that she did not choose the wrong person to accompany. This was how he valued the people important to him and for sure, she was among them.
Family, a word very important to Mark especially since his real family could be described as a wreck. His family was a not expressive one. To say, there were no morning greetings, night greetings and even apologies and words of gratitude were rare in his family. Not to mention the words of affection and love. Furthermore, each of the members had a fatal trait which was something that pushed him further and further away from them.
His father was close minded and self-centered, his mother was not working on her duties as a mother and a parent, his younger brother who was lazy and was like a cat that would snarl and scratch at the slightest misstep and his youngest brother was a spoiled brat. If there was better in his family, it was his younger sister who also had flaws but was still within an acceptable range.
Thus, he really never felt the warmth of a family even though he had one. Although it was bad to say, his life even became peaceful after they left.
He now had a family of his own. With what it was going, it seemed that it would end up as his ideal one. Because of that, he could not help but feel the desire to meet them as soon as possible. Still, he had things to do. For now, just being able to hear their voices gave him the joy and motivation he needed.
Ignoring the time, the Mark and Mei started to talk and narrated their experiences after Mark separated from them. Still, even though Mark had nothing to hide from Mei and Odelina, he hid a lot of details and it seemed that Mei and Odelina also understood the reason. They were currently using a military frequency to communicate and the possibility of being wiretapped was very high.
Still, it did not hinder both sides from enjoying the talk but Mark was scolded when he narrated the events that happened after he lured away the stone clad woman and the frog headed infected. Mei said that he was too careless but Mark gladly accepted her scolding.
When Mei told their experiences in the settlement, he felt proud that they were also getting stronger and a bit sad that he was not there to watch them improve. Hearing that they were experiencing some harassment and annoying people were repeatedly trying to recruit them, Mark felt angry. Still, he was glad that General Perez and his entourage did not shirk their promise and took care of Mei and the others.
It was a nice time but a problem came up however.
”By the way, where's Iola.”
Mark asked. The time Mark spent with her was not even a whole day so he understood if she was not as enthusiastic as Mei and Gale but it was bad if he neglected to talk to her.
”Gege, wait, she's here.”
When the little girl spoke however…
”Uhm, You Majest-… Uhm, not that… Papa?”
Mark sighed hearing that. For sure, Iola was suffering from identity problems. Her first address even though she immediately cut it off was for sure, the address Keeper used when greeting Freed.
It was not new to him that Iola was the inheritor of Keeper since Freed mentioned it before. Iola inheriting Keeper's powers and part of her memories was not the problem. The problem was the timing that she woke up the memories and it was when she lost her own. Without Iola's past memories, it was as if she received Keeper's memories as a replacement. Although she knew that she was not Keeper, it would still cause confusion like what happened just now.
”Iola, are you having trouble with your memories?”
Mark asked and Iola on the other side seemed to hesitate before she replied.
”Uhm, yes.”
”Then, just wait a little more. When I return, I'll try to fix that.”
”Yes…”
***
Half hour, one hour, one and a half hour…
This was the longest time Mark had spoken with someone on a communication device. Normally, he stayed away from this since he could not judge what the other side was exactly feeling and thinking but this was different this time. Mei would not hide anything from him and he was sure of that even if he had to bet his life.
Still, the good times had to end soon. Not only that they were using a military frequency and equipment but both sides had things to do. Even if they wanted to spend more time talking, they could not. At least, the farewell this time was not a bad one.
”Gege, we'll be waiting for your return.”
”Papa, bye bye!”
”Uhm, Papa, bye.”
”Master, rest assured. I'll take care of everyone.”
”All of you take care of yourselves. Wait for me, it won't be long.”
***
Mark tidied up the equipment and stood up to leave the room. This time, he felt lighter not just his body but also his mind.
”You really took your time, huh.”
Someone spoke after Mark went out of the room. He already knew that there was someone waiting for him outside but he still ignored it, after all, the guy outside was someone really annoying, the Mercenary, Jones Galley.
”It's not like I'm given a time limit right?”
Jones scratched his head. Although that was true, it was very unlikely for someone else other than Mark to think of hogging a military communication line for almost two hours for private use.
”By the way, why are you here in the first place?”
”Hah, do you really hate me that much? It sounds like you don't want to see me.”
Jones droop his shoulders as if he was crestfallen. However Mark just stared at him with a cold gaze. It was just an act. Mark would not fell for it.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
Seeing Mark's gaze, Jones stopped acting.