Crownless: The Fallen World - Chapter 45

Axel and the others were inside a spacious room, sitting on the soft cushions of the sofa as they were being served with tea and meals. The guards that shot their yacht down were always bowing and apologizing about what they did without thinking.

Suddenly, the huge door of the room was heavily opened as it scratched the varnished wooden floor. A tall blonde woman entered, with her academy logo on her chest shined under the light of the sun from the large window.

“President!” They all greeted her. She just dismissed them with a wave then sat in front of the group that continued eating their meals.

“I heard about the news of the scam school about our prestigious academy and the news about the grayed out name of Aires. However, where is our prized Vice President?” Zadie McKenna crossed her stocking covered legs and took a cup of tea from the table as she sipped it.

“He’s with Sir Aires. They were in the City of Gavin the last time I knew,” Axel informed, but Zadie’s hold to the cup suddenly tightened and it completely shattered the cup, the hot water splashed on her uniform.

“Is there something wrong, President?” Axel asked, as he was the only one who can talk to the president since his companions were just ordinary students.

Zadie leaned back and sighed, “It’s destroyed as of lately. That was Kassean reported to me and I still haven’t checked anything about it. Arya told me that there are a total of 846 deaths and still counting. Also, the number of people missing are 507.”

The others in the room simultaneously widened their eyes. Adelaide couldn’t help but interrupt, “W-what happened to Master Aires and Sir Hale?”

“Golding!” Axel tried to warn her but she ignored it and slammed on the table, tea was spilled and the food on the plates were in shambles.

Zadie raised her hand at Axel, instantly calming down the tense atmosphere. She gave a half-smile towards them, “We confirmed that Aires is dead and Hale is now in the settlement the Gavin residences built. But there was something peculiar…”

The group was so silent, even a drop of water could be heard. They didn’t question her last words as their eyes were too unfocused and blank. Julian drew his lower lip between his teeth, glancing around the room, and then he took the initiative to ask, “What is it?”

“In Aires’ Holowrist, we detected an activity. Just like how an item disappeared in the system and new things even entered,” Zadie spread her hand just beside her head and an assistant came then handed her a small tablet. She pointed at the center of the table then quickly swiped her finger to the side. Clatters were heard and before they knew it, the center of the table was cleared and the plates were messily at one side of the wooden furniture.

The female president gently placed the tablet at the center of the wooden table, tapping it then multiple screens came into their sight. Zadie began, “These charts showed the recent activity of Aires’ Holowrist. In the middle of the day, just the other day, he received a call from Hale−”

“Wait for a moment,” Kaia interjected, “Why are you keeping track in Sir Aires’ Holowrist?”

“Little Lass, we created the Holowrist. We installed and programmed the system into it. We won’t open it unless incredibly necessary. Also, they were all recorded in the data chip and will be stored upon death. But when we tried to eject Aires’, our request was rejected and we couldn’t store it. That’s why we have to intervene and check. And look, what a surprise! A peculiar case just presented to us. Wouldn’t you think it’s exciting?”

“Think about it, a dead man’s Holowrist’s data chip should be in our hands, but this certain chip is still working. Indeed, a very peculiar case. Isn’t it like… Aires is still alive despite the status of death?” Zadie grinned so wide that her perfectly aligned white teeth showed and her eyes hid behind her eyelids.

“I don’t understand where you’re coming from, President. What exactly are you planning?” Axel furrowed his brows 

“Find any traces of Aires. We will see him for ourselves,” Zadie smirked, strenghtening her uniform coat then stood up. “Report to me immediately when you found him. I would very much appreciate the gesture.”

With that she turned her heels around, ready to go out of the room, but Axel’s question stopped her from her tracks. 

“What of the mission? Are you just going to abandon it?” 

Zadie took a deep breath then sat down again. Her eyes were so sharp and dangerous, flickering with rage and irritation. She gritted her teeth, trying to be calm when she said, “The team I dispatched apart from yours were all dead. I sent another team for investigation but they were reported as dead just a day after. The previous week was so hectic that we sent you last without Aires and Hale. I already lost 25 students under my watch. We still haven’t contacted their family and we were under grave pressure about it.”

“Do you still want to continue the mission? Even Aires is under the dead status. We already lost our hope for discovery and safety. What I only wanted you to do is to find Aires, dead or alive, and Hale then go back here. Understood?” The president’s voice was getting heavier and heavier in each words that came out of her mouth. 

“How about Bonham and Cielle?” Kaia interjected. 

“I have to rely on all of you to retrieve the two back. Call them and give me the news, now.”