亚洲综合中美

“Are we going to Alphia now?” asked Arle.

“No, we’re heading to Rotherham first,” he explained to which the Emperor nodded about and fell asleep. The informal attitude born off their relation means that manners weren’t such a necessary attribute. Not that anyone would be disrespectful, dropping certain aspects of being well-mannered and being oneself was what the Nobles and Royalty often sought – to be themselves, nothing more, nothing less. “I’ll give the explanation later; we’ll be there faster than you’d think.” Upon the last words being said, the engine went full-throttle, a high-pitched whistle followed by the Jet getting air.

A few minutes later at Rotherham, Cake received news of the Boss’s arrival. “Alright everyone,” she said inside an office with many strongly built guards standing, “-be at the ready. The Boss is coming with a special guest, I want the runway to be secured, don’t allow anyone in and out.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied in tandem and left. Leaders of Platoons were the first and last life of defense in case the airfield was under attack. Fierce fighters with real-life combat experience.

“Why did you call me?” asked a rather flirtatious voice, her fingers went up and down Cake’s neck.

“Lady Courtney,” she shook her head out of the pleasant moment, “-please, thy brother is arriving soon.”

.....

“Yes, I know,” she turned and rested against the desk, “-what do you want me to do?”

“Didn’t you ask for an audience with him? The future of Phantom and all that, I’m sure that should jog the memories.”

“Dear me,” she pitched her forehead in shame, “-my bad, I forgot of so many things. Forget I said anything,” with a tiny push, she stood straight and went for the door, “-the job has been completed.”

‘I see,’ thought Cake with the blinders opened, the melancholic sky had a sense of comfort within.

Soon came the sound of the Jet; they were lined and readied to land. Over yonder peering out the tall-office and onto the airfield, she spotted the jet touchdown. ‘Good luck boss,’ her hands reached for another door, ‘-I’ll continue to do as I must to have Phantom be the strongest.’ *Meeting room,* was written on a bronze wall next to where she entered.

Down on the runway after landing, came many of men with guns. Amidst the bunch, a flash of white-hair caught his eye.

“Shadow,” said Staxius off the jet, “-good to see you after long.”

“Good to see me after long?” she continued walking with the others stuck behind an invisible line. “Has my brother grown so dumb as to forget what it means to keep a lady waiting?”

“How quaint,” he smiled, “-I didn’t think you’d care that much about being on time. Besides isn’t my being here comfort enough?”

“Thinking too highly of yourself will be thy downfall one day,” she refuted.

“That’s why I have a reliable sister,” he smirked, “-you’ll catch me, won’t you?”

“Yeah, I suppose I will,” a rather peculiar conversation ending with a hug.

“What’s the deal?” he asked seeing the fighters and luggage being readied.

“Cake wanted me to come with, thus, I saw fit that I bring a few weapons to keep me company.”

“A FEW WEAPONS!” he pointed to a tank, “-covering that with a piece of CLOTH isn’t going to happen.”

“WHY NOT,” she argued, “-LET ME BRING THE TANK, IT’S CUTE.”

“No you don’t,” he refused, “-and the weapons, you think bringing live explosives a good idea?” facepalming, he faced away, ???-Sister, you’ll be fine with a sword. Drop the act, we need to take off, don’t we?”

“So no tanks?”

“OBVIOUSLY!”

“H-hey...” whispered Sultria beside Arle.

“What is it?”

“Is my mind playing tricks or did the king refuse the lady from bringing a tank...”

“Y-yeah, I think that’s what happened. I mean, how would they even carry such a beast.”

“It’s baffling,” commented the Emperor, “-I’d never guessed that the Federation would have such expensive weaponry and act as if they were but toys. Did you see the compound, look over yonder, those three sky-high building looks as if the guardians. I dare to think about how much money was spent here.” Few meters away, the argument between twins seemed to settle into silence. The lady took up a backpack with the king leading the way.

“Did you have a pleasant dream?” asked Staxius to Sultria.

“Y-yes,” the reply was less than impactful.

“Here’s the son-in-law I’ve not heard about,” said Courtney rather passionately.

“I’m Sultria VI Emperor of Alphia, it’s a pleasure to make thy acquaintance.”

“Courtney Haggard, twin-sister of Staxius Haggard and aunt to Eira Haggard,” she leaned with a strong aura, “-it’s finally nice to see the lady my niece chose.”

“Excuse me, but it’s actually man,” interjected Arle.

“My oh my,” she glanced up and took a step back, “-I can sense your female aura from here, pseudo-man. What joke does thou take this for?”

“Joke... my lady, surely you must be in mistake.”

“No, I think not,” her imposing voice and glare had Arle trying to look away.

“We should get on board,” interjected Staxius, the situation grew out of control. The engine soon toggled and the jet flew off to conquer the skies.

“Was there a need for such a strong impression?”

“Of course,” replied Courtney with the Emperor quietly gazing upon the hublot. “I need to affirm my position as an enemy, one who will stop at naught to have what she wants. That’s the perception I want him to have. It will be easier for us to move around the chessboard when needed.”

“You’re right, what of this talk Cake referred too, what is it?”

“Oh yes,” a screen manifested with classified information, “-I wanted to speak about our involvement as a Family in the Underground. Since we’re allied with Renaud, we can be sure that our back is secured since he’s the right-hand man of the Overlord. For the past five years, our team has been all over the globe. I can say one thing, the underground runs even deeper than we know. There are even more prominent figures out there, waiting to pounce at weakness.”

“I know that what of the talk, what is it you really want to say?”

“We’re becoming too powerful too quick.”

“And, isn’t that the basics of growth?”

“No, you don’t get my point.”

“I think I do,” Refuted Staxius, “-we’re catching the eye of many, many unwanted attentions. Phantom is getting big, and there’s no stopping the growth. Instead of blaming the growth, let’s focus on having a strategy ready, one to safeguard our asses if it goes bad.”

“What do you mean by safeguard?”

“Don’t you know,” he smiled, “-read my mind.”

“Property?” she said silently, “-are you sure about that?”

“Yeah, investing in property is the next best thing. Even if it goes sour, the money would have been turned into something physical and of value. I don’t see the need for such worries. Besides, our less than legit transaction happen inside Hidros, the place where the Argashield Federation is monarch. I can do what I wish for my word is the law. Tis not a lie for tis how the hierarchy is. Have you forgotten, that we are mere suppliers outside the reach of our kingdom’s law and regulation? The distributors are the ones who need to be careful.”

“Don’t tell me,” she shook her head, “-don’t tell me you’ve foreseen...”

“Yeah, I did,” he quietly gazed out onto the empty sky, “-I love and respect Godfather Renaud. He’s a man I deem as a father, one who’s taken care of me for many, many years. Yet, if things were to go bad, I’d not bat an eye and leave him to die.”

“What of loyalty?”

“I’m loyal, I give him what he wants and he gives me what I want. That’s the extension of our relation,” holding her shoulder, “-if Godfather Renaud is ever in trouble, Phantom will not help. Heed my words well, Phantom will not get involved.”

“Does the cruelty know no bounds?”

“I never said that I wouldn’t help. I rather risk myself than the company for it’s the only thing that can ensure a nice future for those in my entourage. And I’m to guess that was what you wanted to hear, where my loyalty stands?”

She nodded, her brother read her words, mind, and emotions perfectly. He knew what to say and what to do. The conversation ended in peace. Courtney decided to pay Sultria a visit and speak a little of Eira and their relationship. Peering to their direction showed an awkwardly suffocating scene, ‘-I don’t envy you.’

Over the horizon rose the sun; the sudden change of light had many wake from sleep. The plane had been flying for more than 12 hours.

“Boss,” said one of the pilots returning from a toilet trip, “-we’re here.”

“The continent of Alphia,” said the Emperor, “-I forgot how unnecessarily long it is,” he laughed.

“Father,” he moved over, “-could you please ask the pilots to land at these coordinates?”

“Not that it troubles me.”

“Arle, what is the Emperor up to?” asked Courtney.

“Nothing much, he’s just making sure that we land at the capital at not some other province. You’ll see when we get close, besides, the King of Arda knows how it is.” He avoided her gaze and fixated on the screen. ‘The Alphia Empire split into seven-provinces which each having their law and regulation. One could say it’s the same as Hidros, though, it’s the people who decide on who is to lead them. A democracy where votes are what dictates the leaders of the provinces. As for the Emperor, that position is always assumed by the Sultria. A country where politics serves to better the living conditions. There’s a heavy focus on movies and entertainment. Books, picture books, and more, a heaven for any child wishing to travel. The trade-in precious stones as well as the increase in tourism have the continent in a good spot. Many famous companies outsource their production to Alphia’s industrial district which is expansive. More jobs, more money, and more tax.’

“Have you decided where to land?”

“Yes, we’re going to Marrowy,” said the emperor, “-it’s a small mountainous village with an airfield. The quiet and indiscretion should do us wonders. The only downside is transportation. We might be stuck for a few days.”

“Should be fine,” reassured Staxius who ignored the trouble at hand, “-let’s land first.” The runway was short and, on a hill, peering from up above, one could see not many buildings and a station, a train station to be precise with not many roads nor cars. The mountains in the background were beautiful but scary for the pilots who focused tremendously. The sudden gust made being stable hard. Gritting their teeth, the jet continued its approach with a sigh of relief being breathed after they touched down. No control tower nor anyone to give directions, “-head to the hangar,” said Sultria, “-Marrowy is the Sultria line’s holiday destination.” Taxied slowly, the door opened to a cold and silent environment. The hangar despite being small seemed large for the lack of items. The loneliness seemed inviting, an oxymoron that would have many speechless.

“Welcome to my village,” said the son-in-law rather happily.

“Yeah, guess this is it,” thought Staxius walking down the stairs. He soon walked out to the runway, “-wow,” no more no less. A gentle mist had wrapped itself around its limited vision to but a few kilometers, yet, in that distance, one could see how melancholy stood the mountain filled with dark-green leaves. The runway in on itself was situated higher than the village which could be seen down the gravel road. One constant remained nature and its beauty.

‘We’re in the Alphia Empire.’