章 64: Alliance Planning
- It seems that the investigation of the financial statements of the Marquisate Gutierrez managed by the Rufasto's will take some time... - mentioned an old gentleman inside one of the offices of the royal palace.
- How long? - asked Lisbeth.
- About a couple of months ... we haven't even decided which auditors to send, but the most problematic thing is how we will evaluate the citizens of the territory. - replied the old butler, Walter.
- Why?
- There are rumors that the Rufasto's along with minor families who have been bribed have put pressure on the citizens not to say anything 'inappropriate' about them. Some sources mention that they have imposed some unwritten 'rules' for those who try to rebel or spread certain information.
- ... How come I haven't heard anything about that, does Sofia know anything about it?
- ... I wouldn't know ... I think she has also been kept in the dark ...
- How is it possible that these months have already come to this if it is true?
- My lady, the ambition for money and excessive power will always end in the same thing. You already know that.
- Yes... What about the Sotomayor family... Have they intervened at all?
- No, princess ... we have not yet seen them in action.
- ... And the Valladares?
- They have only been seen visiting the Rufasto's last month, although we don't know the reason.
- ...
- Well, we will send infiltrators inside the territory of the Marquisate to investigate the situation of the citizens; it will be as we have planned together with Emily. The first part will be the infiltration and investigation of the quality of life of the settlers for a period of two months; if what happens inside is as we believe, then we will move forward with the second part which will be to encourage the citizens against the Rufasto and those who support them ... we will establish a citizen satisfaction form and collect corresponding signatures ...
- So ... What will happen with the audit?
- Let them still have fun spending as they want ... I don't want them to have any clue what we are planning. - Lisbeth replied.
- Understood, I will prepare things and let Count Beltran and Miss Emily know about the execution of the plan.
- Yes...
- On the other hand, how shall we proceed with the other thing?
- We won't waste time, is the exploration equipment ready? - Lisbeth asked.
- Everything is ready, we just need to choose which point to go from the alternatives.
The young princess, who was sitting at her desk, took that little purple book, the Pbook and the map given by Lois.
As she reviewed them, at her side she had other reports about that strange organization.
- We have more information about their activities in Luesia, but I am concerned about the report left by those who came that night.
Taking that report, Walter spoke.
- I understand ... as written, there is a base of theirs here in Madrid; however, we have no information on their personnel, leaders and exact location. It only says that it is east of the capital ...
- If what the report says is true, I am worried that we will act late. On the other hand, if we were to attack Luesia first, they might inform the base here and take countermeasures ... the risk is too high.
- I would advise giving a check first in the capital, in case we don't find anything, we will proceed to Luesia. - commented Walter.
- Yes, I think it is the best thing to do ...
The old butler noticed that the princess was reserved and thoughtful.
- What is it, my lady, is there something else that is troubling you?
- ... It is about the structure of that organization ... the content of that USB mentioned that this organization is operating in more than 67% of our territory, that is to say that they have infiltrated in at least 12 regions.
Yes, an alarming figure.
- The number of operational personnel in charge of kidnappings and assassinations tends to be 3,400 people approximately.
- I understand, princess. But it was to be expected, wasn't it?
- ... Yes, but the worrying thing is that it is a strict and well-thought-out organization. For each region, they have positions of provincial leaders, district leaders as well as deputy leaders and officers not to mention regional leaders. In addition, they have as supervisors and auditors ... ... On the other hand, they have top managers and a council who seem to be the absolute and representative leaders.
- What you mean is ...
- Yes, they seem to tend to be more of a country than an organization ... it's as if we cohabit two nations within the same territory.
That statement left the butler trembling.
- Th-That's just ... a guess ... we can't conclude anything yet ...
- Yes, I know.
As if to stop beating around the bush, the young woman gave the last order.
- Send the scouting team to check the eastern area. Be cautious and watch out for any tattoos with those acronyms, understood?
As if involving the old man as well, the butler answered - Of course. - He clenched his fist, which exerted great pressure and released a puff of air that was not possible for a normal person to do.
Inside one of the classrooms of the R pavilion, the organization and academic levels of the students were explained to the new freshmen.
- As you can see, all of you are at the lowest step in your specialty within ARET; however, let's explain from the beginning. - said Professor Amanda.
As if it were a tree, that flow chart represented the classes of the students in the Reformed specialty.
- First of all, the applicants of this specialty are concentrated in four groups: Referrals, those who have been appointed by the Reformed to take the extraordinary exam; Sponsored, those who have caught the attention of businessmen or people of high status by seeing potential in these people; Selected, those who are selected by the academies to be prepared to take the entrance exam; and finally the Remnant, those people who somehow have not been identified in a timely manner as potential Reformed.
"I see ... So it was true that ARET was the last academy to create its own prep school for this specialty ... " thought Liam.
- All those who pass move on to the first step. During your first year of study you will be known as Novices who will learn all the theoretical basis for the first three months. From the seventh month onwards you will be taught the practical. At the end of the year, you will take a class change exam; those who pass will be known as Recognized Level 1. You will then spend the remaining two years at the Trained and Senior levels where you will increase your class change tests until you reach Instructor level where you will serve the academy for one year being officially qualified as Reformed on behalf of the four great academies.
Everyone was attentive, except for the repeaters who were upset, as if the image reminded them of unpleasant things.
- As you can see, being Reformed is not the pinnacle, but it is the threshold that will lead you to know and have the opportunity to develop into greater things.
One of the students raised his hand.
- Excuse me, teacher, what are those pictures after Reformed in the picture?
- Oh, right. A common question. Some of you seem to recognize that you have certain particular abilities: some control of the basic elements, water, earth, air and/or fire ... others may be a little more far-fetched ... manipulation of chemical elements, for example. Some exhibit colossal strengths either reflected in brute strength, sports or martial arts. Others have powers considered as mythical or spiritual and finally those who have powers that do not fall into any of the above descriptions ... all these we call Reformed Classification existing 5 officially registered classes; this will be explained in more detail after the first three months of theoretical teaching.
- One question ... As far as I know, our profession is mostly practical, not to say that it is completely so. Why do we take courses in humanities, biology, letters and science? - asked one of the new students somewhat frustrated.
- Oh, clearly you must have a basic understanding of these subjects, especially biology and science; however, to answer your question, haven't any of you taken the time to ask yourselves how you came to have these abilities that set you apart from the rest of average humanity? What is the origin of humanity's evolution? Where does the source of power come from that allows you to do these things that were once thought to be fiction? - the teacher answered confrontationally.
These questions were certainly not dispensable. The origin and development of present-day humanity was unclear and many researchers were focused on solving this unknown. Anatomists were trying to reveal the secret behind the human being's new abilities. Was his structure different from the rest? Were these abilities inherent or were they gained over time? How could the human body support these new abilities? These and more unknowns had not yet been answered with complete certainty.
- Well, having said that, we will continue with yesterday's class ...
Another student raised his hand.
- Professor, I have a question ... What about the uniforms worn by the upperclassmen?
- Oh, right. As you may have seen, only those in the Reformed major generally known as the R class have to wear a uniform that distinguishes them from the rest of the majors. This is because the other students will have to be careful that they are dealing with people who may not have 'control' of their abilities ...
Everyone understood what the woman was referring to. More than a distinction over the rest, those uniforms were like a certain cautionary notice for the rest of the ARET students.
- Your uniforms will be delivered next week according to the measurements received by you. A message will arrive today for you to answer these questions during your workshop. When you receive them, I will mention some information you should know about the uniforms, so please be patient. - replied the teacher with a smile.
Having explained all this, the class continued.
Inside the facilities of the Valdelomar group in the capital, Lois and Victoria, who was temporarily taking refuge in that place, were talking alone.
- It seems that the princess has decided to have the review in the capital first. - said Lois.
- Yes ... I think we all would have decided the same thing if we were in her position. The main thing is to find one of their bases and capture some of their leaders.
- True, but the question is what they are planning. They have practically been attacked twice already and I don't think they won't show up again... we must be ready if they come back.
The concern on the young Valdelomar's face left Victoria depressed, because she felt like a burden.
- ... How will the exploration team be made up? - asked the mayoress.
- On our side there are eight people including Thomas and Eric, I have left Hayato for our protection, while the men sent by the princess are fifteen considering only one leader on their side.
- Only one leader?
- Yes, although they say the whole group is highly qualified for this kind of operation.
- Do you know who is leading them?
- Do you remember that old butler next to the princess?
- Yes... Is that him?!
- Yes... I see...
- I see... When will they start the operation? - Victoria asked.
- At 17 hours.
After hours passed and it was already afternoon, inside a teacher's room of the ARET, some teachers were chatting. Suddenly, a woman entered.
- Oh, if it isn't our dear teacher, how are you doing with the new ones? - asked one of the teachers.
As she put her bag on the table and sat down near the group, the woman spoke.
- So far so good ... although I don't expect to know when the fights will begin. - Amanda replied.
One of them laughed.
- You're still the same, huh? Have you told them about that? - said another teacher.
The woman smiled sinisterly.
- Nope... I'll let them find out for themselves. It will be a surprise.
The other teachers smiled, but nervously at such an expression on the woman's face.
At about four o'clock in the afternoon, a young man stood inside a female room with an expression of discomfort and disinterest.
- Did you think we wouldn't have this conversation? Ah?!
- ...
- Come on ... How about telling me how come you abandoned me leaving me to be chased by the officers?
- ...
That woman who was sitting on her bed in front of the man seemed to be extremely furious.
- ... I'm sorry. - Aren replied.
The woman began to laugh sarcastically.
- You really think everything will be solved with an 'I'm sorry', huh? - said Melissa who seemed to restrain herself from punching the young man in the face in front of her.
- ... No ...
- I don't know what you're getting into, but ... you owe me one. - said the woman.
- What?
- When I need something from you, you will not refuse in any way, understood? - said Melissa standing a couple of centimeters away from Aren's face.
- I understand... Eh... You are very close.
Finished with the conversation, the young man left the room with a big sigh only to encounter another problem.
- It seems that your friend has retired. He left me a message along with his cell phone number. - said Emily who seemed to have been waiting for a few minutes.
- ... What did Glen say?
- 'Let's all get back together later.'
- I see... Emily, there's something I want to talk to you about.
The young woman who had always been looking for him was now called. A certain joy appeared in his heart.
Standing in the young woman's room, Aren spoke.
- I need to take a trip ... I'll go back to where I came from, to Loarre.
- What?
- I must go to pick something up.
More than picking up, it was actually to be in that room where the seven coffins were inside the abandoned castle in Loarre.
The idea certainly did not please Emily.
- Is it absolutely necessary? It might be dangerous for you to go alone ... you still haven't told me what happened to make you stay in a hospital. - commented the young woman.
- ...
- At least tell me exactly what you are going to do.
Understanding the girl's position, Aren answered somewhat thoughtfully.
- There is an abandoned castle in Loarre, in one of its towers there is a room containing seven coffins. I must pick up the coffin in the middle of them.
- A coffin?
- Yes ... it is necessary for me to go and see it; I plan to leave today.
- ...I see, but is it necessary to have to go there? What if you had it here?
- What?
- I'll tell my uncle to fetch him and bring him from there.
The idea didn't seem to please Aren at all.
- No, I won't bother your uncle with this. Like I said, today itself.....
- I don't see the problem. - Roger replied, interrupting the young man's words as if he had been listening to everything from the beginning.
Aren turned and saw Count Beltran, then he knew that both Emily and Roger had planned this.
- But, first, will you tell me... What really happened the day before yesterday? - said Roger with a totally serious and determined face.
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