Chapter 1337 (1/2)

Warlord’s smile was wide. “Would you like to meet sometime? For dinner or drinks? Just the two of us?”

Alana tilted her head to the side and tapped her finger rhythmically against the table as she sized up the man in front of her. Powerful, sure, but lacking in originality. Slightly sloppy, as well. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

Chuckling, Warlord nodded. The two were sitting in a small cafe on the East side of Kharon, slowly eating their pastries while sitting at the same table. Alana had been the first one here, arriving quite early for a meeting with another individual when Warlord had turned up. He wasn’t someone she had really planned on interacting with while she remained in Kharon, but Warlord had walked by and greeted Alana, prompting her to invite him to sit down at her table. Now she wondered whether it really was a coincidence that he turned up in the same place as her.

In addition, she was mildly disappointed she wouldn’t even be able to get some information about Zone 11 before she cut this conversation off.

“Not interested,” Alana said shortly with a shake of the head. “Plus, it seems politically dangerous for us to be involved romantically. No need to waste our time.”

In spite of her firm refusal, Warlord’s smile just widened. “Why? You aren’t in any sort of position of power in Donnyton any longer, correct? You left to pursue your own journey, which I have a deep amount of respect for. So I think-”

“In addition, I already have a partner,” Alana cut him off quickly. Not that Warlord wasn’t a very handsome and charming man, but she trusted her instincts on this. Alana would never be anything more than distant friends with the man sitting in front of her. After all, it was difficult to believe that his original name was Warlord. Which meant that he had changed his name purposefully to be Warlord after the arrival of the System. Even with a focus on fantasy games spurring Zone 11, Alana found it distasteful.

Then again, it’s hard to argue that Warlord is a stranger name than Randidly Ghosthound...

Finally, Warlord rolled his eyes. “Your dragon doesn’t count.”

“She would disagree,” Alana said with a slight smile. Then her eyes scanned the entrants and exits to the cafe. Aside from them, there were only two other people and the owner remaining. “But in truth, I meant Hank Howard. We’ve been working together because each of our strengths compensates for the other’s weaknesses quite nicely. And I am well aware of how much you dislike each other.”

This time, Warlord’s smile had a harder edge to it. “Your friend Hank Howard was a little too forward with my subordinates, and I-”

“Just like you are now being forward with me?” Alana asked with as much irony as she could force into her voice.

Warlord at least had the decency to look genuinely hurt by that comment. “It’s not… okay fine. Just tell me one thing, before I leave you alone. And be honest, I’ll be able to tell if you are not. What sort of man are you looking for?”

Alana genuinely thought about the question. Then she chuckled and said. “Not a helpful answer, I know, but… someone who would do for me what Tatiana does for Randidly Ghosthound. Someone who would understand me implicitly, and take all the small steps I am too distracted or busy to notice in order to accomplish my goals. Someone who would take care of the home while I’m away, fighting monsters. Someone who can watch my back with a deep empathy for what I am experiencing.”

The bell on the door rang as someone opened it and walked into the room. Warlord joined in Alana’s light laughter. “So basically you want a 1950s housewife. Wouldn’t we all? But no man is going to just give up his pride and do that for you. Your expectations are slightly ridiculous-”

Warlord paused as the new arrival walked up next to the table and didn’t continue moving. When Warlord finally looked up, Han Yazhu bowed. “I’m sorry that I arrived early, Miss Donal. If necessary, I can wait outside until your current business is finished.”

“You have good timing; we just finished things up here.” Alana glanced toward Warlord. And this time, the Angel of the Red Dust spread her wings. Even though Alana kept her image well under control, the rest of the cafe were frozen. A pale sun over an endless clay desert seemed to appear like a mirage in the cafe. “Don’t bring up this issue again. Understand?”

The angel's wings were so white they couldn’t be looked at directly without being blinded. Such was the force of the phrase that even Han Yazhu rocked back on his heels. An ashen-faced Warlord nodded slowly then departed from the cafe. Alana released her image with a light breath. Although the cafe owner continued to look over fearfully, she didn’t come and talk to Alana about what just happened.

As it turns out, power in moderation is a certain type of currency. Alana thought, her mood morose. I wonder what the woman I once was would have thought about using my image to intimidate others…? Would she recognize who I had become…?

Acting as though the previous display hadn’t happened, Han Yazhu sat down at the table. Or at least Alana thought he was going to let it pass without comment before he grinned. “I shouldn’t admit it, but I am glad to know that the discussions with Zone 11 were not going well. We are certainly looking forward to doing business with you, Ms. Donal.”

Alana smiled blandly. “Certainly, my goal has always been a cooperation with Zone 7. I believe your Zones culture will make establishing some boundaries more feasible.”

“When it comes to honor and understanding, none compare to our glorious republic.” Han Yazhu inclined his head. Then he flicked his hand and produced a stack of documents. “This is the amount of land that we are willing to give to you in order to establish a dragon settlement in Zone 7. I believe you will find everything to your liking.”

As Alana read through the papers, her grin widened.

*****