263 Warning, The First Sign of the Devastating Storm (1/2)

Day 41 – 9:24 AM – Dining Room, Salvador Mansion, Inner District, East Port Settlement, Barangay Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon

The situation in the dining room was quite peaceful and as Mark could observe, the Salvador Family was truly an amiable one. Despite the traits of a rich family that could be seen from them, they were humble and straightforward but of course, as a business family, they had a hidden cunningness behind. However, that cunning trait of them seemed to only be targeted at their enemies and other things than their own people and allies.

In fact, Darren, the head of Salvador Family, was quite tense that Mark would not agree to cooperate with them despite the generous offer their family gave. When Mark agreed, Darren sighed in relief inwardly.

Mark could say that the head of the family was quite desperate for him to offer those terms. There should be some hidden circumstances only known to him and not the rest of his beloved family. He was desperate enough to put her daughter in jeopardy for a gamble. The gamble was whether he could trust the actions that a friend of his made. It seemed that his trust towards Major Bautista was not low at all.

Luckily for him, he made the right gamble and won the cooperation of Mark.

To tell the truth, Mark did not think much about the percentage of the produce since he was planning to create his own plantation and farm near his base since it was quite a flat land in the middle of the mountain range but what made Mark agree was the ability of Annica.

It would not matter much since he had his own methods to bind another creature to him like what he did with Chaflar and how the dragon's mind was connected to his. However, Annica's ability could benefit anyone despite the limit it had.

Finally, they finished eating their breakfast and everyone had to do what they needed to.

”Hey, Big Bro, can you call the dragon here? I want to see it now.”

Annica stood up from her chair and leaned forward on the table. It seemed that her family was already used to her behavior but they could still not help but had wry smiles on their faces. Not only that she leaned on the table without manners but she even called Mark in a way like they had known each other for a long time.

Mark only shrugged to this and looked at Darren.

”Is something wrong?”

His gaze made Darren feel stifled. Only after that question that Mark spoke.

”Since we have entered into cooperation or should I say, an alliance, I think, I have to warn you all about something.”

Mark spoke in a serene tone that even Alana and Karlene could not help but keep silent and listen. They did not know why Mark's tone had changed but there should be something important about what he was going to say.

”It's better if your family and men evacuate this settlement before the storm arrives.”

His words brought confusion to everyone. It seemed that they thought that Mark was worrying about the flood.

In terms of elevation, the land in Infanta was lower compared to others and it was prone to flood. It was due to Infanta having a lot of rivers that could overflow and the whole municipality was half surrounded by the ocean. A lot of measures to prevent the municipality from being flood had been in progress over the years and in some parts of Infanta, the measures had been proven useful.

After the outbreak however, even more measures became available due to the abilities of Mutators and the enhanced strength of Evolvers. It became easier to create dikes and even create walls to block the floods. Not only the Salvador family but all the people inside were confident to some extent that their flood prevention measures would work.

”Is Sir Mark worried about the flood? If that is the case, we already have dozens of preventive measures against it.”

Raybert spoke confidently about the flood control measures but unexpectedly, Mark shook his head.

”The incoming storm is not your typical one.” Mark spoke in a serious tone. ”It's not a naturally occurring storm. Not only that it is stronger than a super typhoon but there are more to it.”

They all looked at Mark with askance. It was obvious that Karlene and Alana were still not informed about the storm until Darren mentioned it. Even his family had just been informed earlier about this. Considering Mark's reaction that time however, he was not surprised at all. Unfortunately, they only noticed now.

”How did you know that? What is that more you are talking about. Also, if it is not a naturally occurring storm, you meant that something caused it?”

Karlene asked a barrage of questions regarding what Mark had just said.

”Yep, something caused that storm to occur and that something is coming along with the storm. The measly walls of this settlement will not be able to withstand that thing. After the walls fall down, the flood comes after and that creature will come to shore. It is a triple disaster.”

Although what Mark was saying was quite unbelievable, his expression was saying otherwise.

”Are you sure about this?”

Darren sat on his chair with a stern expression.

”A hundred percent.” Mark replied. ”I don't know why that thing is going this way but I'm sure that it will. Also, what I said is the softest estimate, it could only be worse.”

”Evacuate...” Darren muttered. ”I can't only evacuate my family but also the residents of the settlement. However we can't just move all the people like this without proof. Do you have any?”

Mark sighed. He had not though that the head of the Salvador Family would include the residents in the evacuation since the situation was really urgent. However, it was also a trait of a good leader that managed the whole settlement. Even to Mark, if something like this happened to his base, he would surely try to evacuate everyone unless he had no choice but to abandon them.

Everyone looked at Mark waiting if he had proof for his. Unexpectedly, he pointed at Annica.

”She's the proof.”

”Wha-What?! What? Me?”

Annica panicked as she suddenly became the center of attention.

To her panic, Mark spoke.

”You can see the energies that can't be seen with the naked eye right?”

”W-well, yeah. I could. But I can only see it inside a person's or an animal's body or at least a few seconds after the energy left their body.”

Annica affirmed.

”Then, can you see the energy inside her?”

Mark pointed at the surprised Amihan on Mark's shoulder.

”M-my lord? Why me?”