" Major General, we welcome you to the Melbourne. "
It was after midnight that, Governor and all family heads hurriedly reached City's airport to welcome the important guest.
' A woman... ' Other family heads were slightly uncomfortable seeing that the person sent by Government to use Stage 4 token and protect them was a woman.
Her rank and heroically beautiful appearance slightly eased their discomfort.
So, they didn't show this patriarchal mentality on their faces and saluted excitedly as if this woman was their mother and father.
Standing before them, a tall and heroic beauty clad in blue military uniform nodded with solemn attitude.
She had an athletic figure that would be envied by any woman and an attractive face that could only be wished for.
Her tall figure was clad in impeccable blue military coat over the black bodysuit that hugged her curves, with Royal insignia on her right shoulder and military sigils on her left.
Her legs were covered in knee length boots and from the side slit of her blue skirt one could barely see the milky white skin between her thigh length bodysuit and her long boots.
Her expressionless face further turned the air around her untouchable and graceful.
" Alsa Ashford, Royal Advisory and Major General of Albigion. I hope for a pleasant cooperation. "
If Alex had been here, he would easily recognize this woman as the one he had met back in Hiesta city, the one who had ability to locate treasures!
Later, she became the personal servant of Cynthia Iwanosky in Aquarion, who had been marked by him.
His relationship with Alsa was also quite complicated...
After formal greetings, Alsa and Kennedy shook hands before Kennedy started introducing each family heads individually.
Alsa also didn't put on any airs and calmly greeted everyone, since she knew that these were the real power holders in the city and had cooperated a lot in getting Stage 4 promotion token.
Besides that, Government actually planned to incorporate this idea of mutual cooperation with local powers in multiple cities in Albigion, for that, this first example had to be flawless.
Otherwise, if these local powers were treated badly then no one will be cooperative in future.
After intial talks, all family heads' expressions eased and everyone made their way to Governor's mansion.
There, Governor quickly called out and an officer came out, holding a box.
Everyone knew that the box contained one of the most precious thing in current World.
A Stage 4 Promotion Token!
" Major General I'm sorry for being presumptuous now, but, I wanted to ask if have you planned on how to deal with the situation in city? " One of the family heads asked now.
Alsa's eyes had been glued to the box, before she turned to the man.
" As per the conjectures, the Player we're against is the same one who is controlling Hiesta city. Alex Mastiford, " She spoke.
" H-How is that possible? Isn't that Player unable to leave his city? "
" It was just another speculation from your side. Government and Royal family has spies in Hiesta city. As per latest information, the Player is no longer in city. "
Hearing Alsa's words, other family heads were shocked.
Being so close to Hiesta city, they all obviously had spies and informants in there.
But, it seemed Royal Family and Government's spies were even in core section of the city!
But, this information didn't bring them relief. Not at all.
"If that Player is actually here... Then isn't everything useless? he at least has 10 Stage 4 subordinates... "
" The only way is to bomb the city. We have nuclear weapons! "
" Yes. Exactly! We have tolerated that alien far enough! "
Hearing everyone's clamoring, Alsa coughed to bring all attention back to her.
" Government and Royal Family will never allow the nuclear deployment on its own citizens. Hiesta city is currently the residence for hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens including children, women and old... " Alsa explained.
Initially the world had drowned into chaos, but now slowly the major countries were retaining back control over the situation alongside Players' help.
At this time, every country still had to keep their hands clean. Albigion being a strong power holder in West naturally didn't want to become a mass genocider of its own citizens.
" But... Major General, then what are we going to do? "
" You all need not worry. We already have a plan. But, for the sake of confidentiality I cannot disclose it now, " Alsa confidently spoke.
Other family heads weren't convinced but they had no choice to but acquiesce.
" Open it, " Governor now nodded at the officer who brought the box.
That officer carefully started unlocking the safe-box and that alone took 5 minutes.
During this period no one spoke.
Finally when the box opened, everyone in the room couldn't help but stare at the only stone slab placed inside it with heavy breathing.
It had irregular margins and some indescribable letters were written over it, which none could understand or read or remember.
" So, this is it... " Even Alsa couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Her excitement at this moment was also natural, because she was going to use this Stage 4 token!
Every living being had this instinctual awe towards evolution, the Royal Servant of Albigion wasn't different.
She quickly removed her gloves and reached out for the token.
As soon as her fingers touched the slab, it melted.
An unnatural power invaded her body, as the comfortable feeling washed over her.
Alsa closed her eyes, as she could feel things that she could never before.
' So, this is mana... ' she thought, feeling the dense foreign particles around her.
With a single thought, she inhaled a part of it and suddenly her whole being changed.
Her senses, strength, and thoughts became incomparably stronger than before, as if she had reached a completely new plane of existence.
She didn't know how long it took for her to finally grasp this extraordinary and dreamy power.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back at the place where she was.
" How long was I unconscious? " She asked.
" For over an hour... Are you now at Stage Stage 4, Major General? " Kennedy who was still nearby, promptly asked.
" Precisely, " Alsa said, as she checked her status panel.
Her stats hadn't changed by much, but her level had increased by 1, surpassing the insurmountable wall that she wasn't even able to touch before.
" Congratulations Miss Alsa, " Just then Alsa heard another voice from the side that couldn't help but shock her.
After incorporating mana, her senses were incredible, but still she hadn't felt this person.
Only now, when she saw this person with her own eyes did she notice that there were two of them.
A woman of incomparable beauty and a handsome young man with extraordinary aura.
Alsa calmed down when she finally remembered their identities, " Georgia Wales, the Queen of Spades and you must be Franklin Hunters... "
" Pleasure to have your acquaintance beautiful lady, you can call me Ace of the Spades, " Franklin charmingly bowed like a gentleman.
Alsa couldn't help but smile slightly, after all Franklin really was way too handsome.
Men might not be able to understand this, but for a woman like her he certainly left a nice first impression.
" Calling me beautiful right before Miss Georgia, are you not afraid of causing misunderstandings? " Alsa casually smiled.
But, she was surprised when Georgia actually didn't dismiss her words, but came forward and congratulated her with a hug.
" You too, Miss Georgia. You're more beautiful than the last time I saw you, " Alsa confidently replied back, noticing that Georgia's aura had also reached Stage 4.
' It seems their relationship is closer than it looks, no wonder Franklin didn't use Stage 4 token himself when given chance... '
Uncountable thoughts went through Alsa's mind, as she looked at two people before her who each held Stage 4 strength and weren't part of her country's strength.
Georgia Wales was popular in Albigion because she was a female tycoon who single handedly recovered the fortune of Wales family which was declining.
She also had a terrifying reputation of fratricide to gain power, which always made people think twice before judging her as an charming and harmless female she looked like.
But, Alsa had to agree that, this woman was certainly charming with perfect hourglass figure and graceful design.
The slight clevage exposed from her white shirt made one have infinite thoughts about things hidden inside.
The waist belt highlighted her narrow waist, while her hip hugging pants made one drool at the bulging curve above her shapely thighs.
Her smile was similarly dashing like a cunning fox hiding infinite schemes. But, for ignorant ones she was nothing but a dangerous but beautiful trap.
At this moment, Georgia as well smiled, " Your words are certainly sweet, Miss Alsa. We're going to be allies for a while now, so please take care of us. "
Alsa nodded, " Naturally... "
To deal with Alex, it was certainly impossible to send Alsa alone.
Prince Dalton had his hands full in World Dungeon, Cynthia was unreliable and had refused to help deal with southern Player who controlled Hiesta city.
So, authorities had made a deal with the mysterious organization 'Play Cards' to clean the Player in South.
Georgia being a regional leader of organization accepted the deal which led to Governor Kennedy taking the lead in persuasion of all family heads.
" Now, all things aside... How are we going to kill that Player? " Franklin raised the main question.
" There are 3 of us with Stage 4 strengths. But, if our opponent is really Alex Mastiford then... " Georgia didn't complete the sentence but her thoughts were clear.
If there wasn't a good plan, then she wouldn't continue with this.
Alsa knew this, " Miss Georgia doesn't need to worry. We naturally have a plan. "
" Oh. Really? " Franklin interestingly asked.
Alsa nodded and continued, " Around a week ago, after Hawks family was taken over by that Player's women, for a brief period they started searching for two particular people. "
After speaking she took out two photos from her pocket.
" They are? " Georgia asked.
" Victor Mastiford and his wife Aurora Mastiford, " Alsa stated the names of two people, pointing at the middle aged handsome man and beautiful young looking woman in photos.
Franklin frowned, " The man is certainly handsome. Obviously not as handsome as me... So, is he related to that Alex Mastiford? "
" Obviously. They are parents of that Player. If we kidnap them, then the Player will definitely come to rescue them. At that time we can arrange a trap for him! " Alsa clearly stated.
But, Kennedy now frowned, " Major General, but you should know... These Players aren't really the people from our World. I don't think, he will really come to save them at the cost of his life. "
At this moment Franklin laughed, " You're wrong Governor. That lustful bastard will definitely fall in the trap. We don't even need to kidnap both of them. Just look at that mother of his, she looks so young. If we just bring that woman here and threaten him in certain way with her.... He will come hopping like a rabbit. "
" Sure enough, one of a kind knows the other, " Georgia softly commented from the side.
Franklin rubbed his head embarrassed, " I was just saying... "
" Hmph, " Georgia snorted, but the her eyes said that she was just joking.
At this time, Alsa nodded, " That's the plan. We will kidnap Aurora Mastiford before the morning and threaten the Player with her. As for the trap... The strongest weapon against a Player is none other than other Player. "
People in the room were all smart and had researched enough about Players and 'The Game' that brought them here, they didn't need to be told what trap was.
* * * *
It was nearly dawn in Hawks family controlled area.
Outside, it was still dark.
But, the horrendous cold of the night had decreased.
Aurora got up on a cold bed with aching body, looking at the cramped cabinet that barely had any space to even stretch her legs.
There were no windows, no soft mattresses. Even her bed was just simple wood plank that had gotten cold enough to freeze her.
Aurora rubbed her hands together, thinking this was still better than what shit hole she was living into before last week.
At least, now she didn't need to sleep in disgusting filth which smelled of human excrement.
Here she had a job which wasn't unbearable, food to fill her growling stomach and place to come back to every night...
Thinking so, with some effort she bent down, and pulled out a small leather pouch from below the wooden plank she called bed.
While pulling the box, her hand was slightly scratched by wooden edge making her frown.
But, after rubbing the place for a moment, she naturally ignored it as if it wasn't a big deal.
For the previous her, who would have directly called multiple physicians for home visits for such scratches, that was a complete change.
" Ah. Old auntie, you woke up early again to disturb my sleep again... It's so cold..."
The lazy voice of her female bed-partner jolted Aurora awake from daze.
" I-I'm sorry. I'll not make noise again, " Aurora apologized hurriedly.
Her haughty demeanor was long lost.
" Hmm... " Her lazy bed-mate didn't speak again.
She just pulled Aurora closer, hugged her from behind with all four limbs and went to sleep.
Aurora sighed, feeling the softness warmth of her bed-mate's body on her back.
Due to lack of space, everyone had to adjust in this place.
The cabinet given to her had 6 female residents, each had to share a one person bed with another female.
Hugging each other at night to preserve heat was natural practice that they had come to learn.
These Cabinets were obviously divided on gender basis and were only allotted for specific people.
Majority of people had to sleep in open halls which every night expected at least few deaths due to freezing to death.
Aurora had gotten one quota here entirely based on her beautiful appearance, so her other cabinet members weren't bad in appearance and were young.
Coincidentally, her bed-mate was even a classmate of her daughter from Unison High, who had brought an unfortunate news for her from Hiesta city...
Obviously, even at her age she was more beautiful than these younger women.
Feeling a rare proud moment, she took out a photo from the pouch she was holding.
Her eyes now couldn't help but tear up while staring at the family photo of four.
At the center of the photo was a cheerful little girl wearing a white princess dress, her smile so wide that even through crumpled paper it could alight her innocence and charm.
Behind her to her right was a handsome middle man, with tall build. Holding the little girl's hand, he was smiling at her with a doting smile.
To the left of the man, was a young woman in flaming red short skirt. Her bare lower thighs were sexy and her long legs were similarly hot.
She was leaning on the man's arm with dazzling smile, while also holding the little girl's other hand.
There was one more person in the image, and as Aurora now looked at the lonely figure of her child standing at one side and enviously staring at their family of three, her heart was filled with guilt.
It was obviously her family photo taken at her daughter's 10th birthday.
She couldn't understand, why she had been so indifferent to her own child for his whole life.
What hurt her the most was remembering that even in their last meeting he called her mom, looking at her with his innocent eyes hoping for reciprocation.
But, just like in his whole life, all he had gotten was her cold shoulder.
It was only when she completely lost her both children, did Aurora understand how much both Alina and Alex meant to her.
They were her precious children..
Trrrrrr...
Aurora was suddenly stunned, when next moment a weird noise struck her ears.
She instinctively clutched the photo to her heart and looked up, only to see that the roof above her head was gone.
Replaced by it was the dark sky filled with stars.
Aurora felt like it was dream, because there were at least 4 floors above hers...
" W-What happened? What happened!? What happened!??? " Her bed-mate who had always been a light-weight sleeper woke up and shrieked loudly as she looked up.
This woke up others in the cabinet, but before they could say more the roof returned to its place.
" Why are you shouting? Are you crazy? " Others asked.
Aurora's bed-mate was still stunned silly, " The roof was gone! It was gone! Like really! Auntie Aurora saw it too... Wait... Where is she??? "
Right at this moment, a woman in blue military uniform was holding unconscious Aurora and rapidly flying through the dark sky.
" Well done Miss Alsa, your mastery over mana is already precise, " Franklin praised as he flew besides her.
Georgia was also surprised by such a great control over mana and praised.
Alsa naturally had learnt many things from Cynthia, so she wasn't exactly clueless.
But, that previous act really took a quite a lot effort.
" Thank- " Just as she was about to politely say thank you, she felt something approaching from behind at immense speed.
All three of them turned back and held out their hands to neutralize the impact of the attack.
" These monsters! That could have killed thousands... And why are there three of them?! " Alsa muttered.
Looking ahead they saw three feminine figures rapidly approaching.
" We were right to not take frontal battle. Not just three. There might be even more of them, " Georgia also frowned.
While talking, they had already flown into clouds, thousands of meters into skies, leaving Melbourne far behind.
But, the three chasers had also drown closer.
" Where are you taking my mom?! " The beautiful girl in the lead yelled out loudly.
Loose sleeves of her white leotard fluttered in air, as clouds around her dispersed.
Like the Godess of thunder, she raised her small hand creating two massive bolts of mana.
Feeling destructive aura around her, Alsa shouted back, " Stop! This woman is just a weak human. She might mistakenly die if we fight! "
Alina couldn't help but become inwardly conflicted, but remembering how these people had protected Melbourne's people before, she became confident.
"... Doesn't matter! It's better for her to die than getting humiliated! I'm sure my mom will thank me! " Alina seriously spoke and threw down those bolts aiming directly at Alsa.
Alsa gritted her teeth and protected Aurora behind her.
But, before she could make a move Franklin flashed past her.
The massive bolts were suddenly stopped at the place by a thick mana barrier.
Alsa was stunned by Franklin's handsome back profile. As her heart was stirred.
In her life she was never protected by anyone.
But, now this man's broad shoulders gave her a sense of security.
Franklin at this time spoke, " Alsa, escape to the place we decided on. Georgia and I will hold them back. "
" B-But there are three of them... "
Georgia also smiled, " Don't worry about us. We aren't made of paper. "
Hearing her, Alsa looked at Franklin, seeing him nodding confidently, she hummed back, " Okay. Take care of yourself. I'll arrange everything on that side! "
Saying so, she turned to leave while carrying unconscious Aurora.
" What the fuck are you two doing?! Stop that bitch! " Alina roared to Cecelia and Vienna.