[Melas] Chapter 124. Project (Patreon)

I stood right by the gates of the MTC, staring out into the busy streets of Jahar’taw. The inner city was busy as always. Dwarfs bustled about, rushing down the sidewalk for whatever job they had to attend to. Streetlights shone a bright yellow, powered by mana crystal, the mana tech which they so prided themselves in. Cars drove past slowly, not nearly as fast as the cars in my world could go, emitting a loud whirring noise which almost reminded me of a vacuum.

As diverse as the city already was— being split to an inner city and an outer city— the inner city was not a simple, uniform terrain. As I discovered not too long ago, there were other parts of the inner city which were far more… privy to activities that were not too gazed well upon by the law. They comprised mostly of the western parts, although crime couldn’t possibly be stymied even at the heart of a sprawling city such as Jahar’taw.

The eastern part of the city was definitely richer, however, with less reported crimes. At least, according to Gennady.

It was where Tinkers and Inventors and Engineers and Alchemists lived. They set up their shops at the first floor of their homes, usually using their basement for experiments and tests while the second storey was where their sleeping and arrangement was located. While that might not have sounded like the most extravagant lifestyle, they were somehow in the upper middle class of the city.

Because factory workers and miners lived in terrible living conditions, no matter the world or time period. They took up a majority of the southern section of the city, and that was where the smog in the air was the thickest. Granted, it was not comparable to certain countries or cities in my world. The use of mana tech actually made industrial activity more eco-friendly.

But those that carried out said labor still had to work arduously; I wasn’t deluded into thinking Jahar’taw was a paragon of basic rights which were so horribly absent everywhere in this world. And to further perpetuate the perception of a harsh working-environment, the largest population of Goblins in the inner city lived in the southern section, mostly working in factories.

They could be miners. But they weren’t good miners, compared to Dwarfs. Their physical strength was just too lacking. So, they were relegated to jobs at assembly lines or using machines. They weren’t treated well, either. Usually underpaid compared to their working Dwarf counterparts. Perhaps that was why so many of them converted to the Dark Crusaders.

My lips pursed at the thought.

There were so many innocent lives in the Dark Crusaders. Sure, they could be characterized as terrorists— I didn’t deny that. They were capable of cruel and terrible things. I, myself, was there to see the most vile acts of the group. But if I pretended that they never saved my life, that they were all-bad, then I would be nothing more than a massive hypocrite (to some extent, I probably was one, but I didn’t want to be more of one than what I already was.)

The very reason why I left the Dark Crusaders was because I couldn't look past their misdeeds. Victor— I wasn’t going to stand idly by and allow him to hurt others just for his own pleasure. So, if I couldn’t turn the other cheek to their sins, why should I look away from the good they’ve done?

Especially for me.

Karna was… had been my friend. At one point. Now, he thought of me as an enemy. And I couldn’t fault him for it. But I could try and clear things up. Right my wrong. And do it all before the Holy Knights and Lilith decided to purge the city of all Goblin presence.

It was in the news. Oh, I heard it. I saw it. I got to my feet as I heard a passing Dwarf beyond the MTC’s gates whisper to a friend.

“...honestly, as much as I hate tha damned Saints and their foolish Church, it’s a good thing they came when they did, eh?”

“Now, the question is, are those terrorists acting up because they’re here or—”

Those ‘terrorists’ were not acting up. Yes, the Dark Crusaders have been more active because of Lilith. But they never intended or planned to cause any rolling destruction that I knew of to Jahar’taw. Especially what happened that night: it was kind of my fault, to a certain extent.

Not entirely. But I could’ve tried talking. I froze up. I was scared. The only thing I knew to do then was to run. I had to speak with Karna. Clear up this issue with him, even if it was risky.

So, I stood up. I got to my feet, knowing I had to act. I wasn’t going to exit the MTC immediately. Especially not in broad daylight. But I was going to begin my plan. It was a vague plan. One that I knew I could only carry out because Elara was watching over me.

I reached the west building of the large complex, pushing a door open— and paused as a Dwarf nearly bumped into me. I blinked, murmuring an apology.

“Sorry—” I stared at the man and woman. “Do I know you?”

The Dwarf man furrowed his brows. Then he grinned. “Ah, you’re Melas, aren’t you? Yes, we met. Once, before.” He offered me a hand. “Very briefly. I am Erzhan. Gennady has told me a lot about you.”

“Oh.” I hurriedly shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Melas… although you already know that.”

He gestured at the woman standing next to him. “And this is my to-be wife, Bakyt.”

She bowed her head slightly. “Pleased.”

I wasn’t sure whether to shake her hand or return the gesture. I settled with doing both at the same time. “Likewise.” I glanced up, looking between them. “And congratulations… if that’s a recent development?”

“It is.” Erzhan laughed. “But our apologies, it seems we interrupted you in a rush.”

I raised my hands, shaking them. “No, no, no. I was just searching for Bertrand myself. I have to speak with him.”

“Ah, the old Human.” Bakyt made a sound. She was rather plump, even for a Dwarf. Although by the way Erzhan seemed to swoon over her, I assumed it made her only more attractive to him. “We were hoping to speak with him ourselves, but he wasn’t in his office.”

“He’s not?”

“No.” Erzhan said, pointing past me. “He’s in the central building. We were just heading there. Come, walk with us.”

I found myself being swept by the couple. I knew about Erzhan, from all Gennady talked about him. Also, because he had given Ginah a job while helping her with the situation back in the country of Laxis.

I knew he was a good man. His fiancee, I wasn’t so sure about. But if he was marrying her, she was likely not a bad person at all. I mean, she was fine with me even though I was a spellcaster. That was always good, right?

“What did you need to see Bertrand for?” I glanced over at them, and Erzhan smiled.

“Ah, just for a little project of ours.” The look he gave Bakyt made me think it wasn’t something for his company, but for them. “What about you, young Melas?”

“There is… a favor, I need to ask of him.” There was only something he could do. He was an Inventor, a Scientist. But most importantly, he was the head of the MTC. The one in charge of it all. With access to complex machines and tools.

There was some way he could help me find Karna, right?

“Secretive, I see.” Erzhan chuckled as he entered the central building.

It was shaped almost like a box, except with a curved roof. It reminded me of a cake.

He shook his head as I followed after him. “It is fine for you to keep your secrets. Just know that I have a very keen ear. Word gets around to me whether most like it or not, and from what I hear about you, I find you highly admirable.”

“You do?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Indeed. While I won’t comment on your actions here in public, to have gone through what you did and still be who you are? That is strong.”

I ducked my head slightly, feeling embarrassed at the praise. “Oh… thanks.” What else should I say? I didn’t like getting praised!

This main building was by far the largest of them all. It was crowded with Engineers and Scientists and simple laborers carrying boxes down different hallways. I have been here before. This was where I came to visit Bertrand in the psat, back when he gave me the Dimensional Storage Box.

“Do you know where Bertrand’s office is?” Erzhan inquired.

I cocked my head. “I do not believe so.”

He stopped right before a corridor with a gilded double door at the very end. Four more doors lined either side of the hallway’s walls, and mana tech lights flickered from the ceiling above. “Are you willing to wager a guess?” He grinned, and his fiancee snorted.

I looked at the room. My focus was entirely captured by the grand doorway at the end. But that couldn’t be it, could it? I pointed at the side. “Bertrand is quite modest. I believe his office is one of the ones to the side.”

“That is correct.” Erzhan started forward, pushing open the closest door to the right. “Bertrand!”

“Erzhan, Bakyt.” The Human man stood up. He grabbed his cane off his desk and took a step forward before spotting me. “Melas, too. What brings you three here?”

“We simply ran into each other on our way you.” Erzhan smirked. “It seems you’re rather popular.”

Bertrand let out a laugh. “Sit, sit.”

I awkwardly followed behind the couple as they took their seats. Bertrand poured us all cups of tea and coffee. I accepted simple water. Not the biggest fan of coffee, and wasn’t in the mood for tea.

“I believe you’re here about your deal with the MTC, Erzhan?” Producing a pipe from his pocket, Bertrand lit it and gave it a puff. “A shipment of fifty golems from Project Gold?”

“That’s right. We’ve been having problems with Abominations raiding our men leaving Jahar’taw. We’ve tried equipping them with better weapons, even having Steel Golems accompany them, but the Abominations are too numerous. We have decided that it is better to flee than to fight them if our shipments are attacked.”

I knew it was rude to interrupt adults when they were talking, but I felt like I needed to speak. “Wait, what about Ginah?”

Erzhan glanced over at me, blinking. Then he made a sound. “Ah, your friend. No, she’s fine. While sea Monsters have been more aggressive as of late, the Abominations aren’t truly a danger in the depths. The harsh environment is too much for them, I’d wager.”

I sighed in relief, but Bertrand shook his head.

“I wouldn’t say that so soon. The fact that Abominations have yet to be prevalent in attacking voyaging ships does not mean they aren’t a threat while in the water. They are not to be underestimated.” He looked at Erzhan, meeting his gaze. But he smiled. “As for Project Gold, unfortunately we’ve met setbacks—”

They discussed business for what felt like an hour. I grew almost bored by it, and it seemed like I wasn’t the only one. Bakyt turned to me as the two men spoke to each other about business.

“Tell me about yourself, Melas.” She peered at me, running a hand through her orange-ish red hair. “I have only heard about you, but never heard from you.”

I hesitated. “Oh, um, I’m just Melas? I… uh… what do I say?” I really didn’t know what else to add.

“Well, there’s plenty of things you can talk about, can’t you?” She leaned back on her seat slightly. “For me, for example, I’d say that I’m Bakyt Nazerev, one of the last few nobles in the Taw Kingdom. I adore balls and parties, with a taste for sweet things.” Placing a hand on her chin, she creased a brow. “How about you? What do you like to eat? What do you like to do? You’re a spellcaster, aren’t you? What made you decide to learn magic?”

“I guess I like food?” It was such a weird thing to say. “In general. Not any specific kind. And that’s because… the reason I learned magic is…” There really was too much to explain. But her interest seemed piqued.

“Well, go on then?”

I sighed. “I think I need some tea.” I began telling her about myself.

Author's Note:

This chapter went on longer than i thought it would, so split in half. It ran late because I'm doing editing for Tian!