Chapter 9
2037 Words
"Hugo Murphy, you're not tricking us are you?" Asked a journalist who looked incredulous.
"No, I'm not deceiving you. The Australian government has given me its blessing to undertake this task later. However, we need time to develop projects that can safely send us into their world."
"Mr Murphy, how long will it take you guys to complete the project?" Ask one of the young female journalist.
"I don't know, but we're trying to finish this project as quickly as possible."
"Mr Murphy, is this part of your plan to clear all of your names from yesterday's failure?"
"You could say yes, but I'm doing this because the Australian government is giving us a second chance to atone for our mistakes. This project is a sign of the Australian government's concern and desire to help those abducted victims."
For the last time, the crowds greeted Hugo Murphy's response. Only, this time their commotion was colored by cries of hope and shouts of joy.
The reporters seemed to be asking Hugo a lot of questions. However, Hugo felt that he had explained enough to all of them for today.
"I think we've made enough statements for today. See you all." Hugo immediately said goodbye to the masses and withdrew from the podium.
The other heroes immediately followed Hugo who withdrew from the stage. The heroes left the stage which was bustling with the cheers of the crowd trying to hold them back.
The clearing of the Perth city and the search for the missing victims continued into the night. The city clean-up is almost half done, but the thousands of other missing victims have yet to be found.
Right now, Hugo was busy drinking at the bar in Perth's Hero Headquarter bar. The Headquarter was built by the Australian government to accommodate Australian heroes and other heroes from Australia's friendly countries. The bar there was built with a dark interior and a typical bar design. The bar has several round tables and large sofas surrounding it.
At one of the tables and sofas in the corner of the bar room, Hugo Murphy was seen enjoying his time there. On the table where Murphy sat was a glass and a bottle of Australian wine. Murphy's face looked dull and full of burdens.
Hugo poured the bottle of wine into the empty glass he had prepared, only he could only fill the glass halfway. That's because the wine in the bottle have run out. Hugo immediately put down his finished wine bottle in annoyance and immediately downed the glass of wine he had just poured in one gulp.
After drinking, Hugo leaned back on the sofa like a confused person. Hugo stroked his hair like a confused person.
"Enjoying your sad time?" Asked a voice.
Hugo looked at a woman in her casual clothes. Her hair is long brown, her eyes are golden yellow, and her face is very beautiful. In his right eye, it appears he is wearing an eye patch because of the wound from the yesterday battle. She is Dakota Pearce, a member of the Perth Heroes. Dakota Pearce was seen wearing a bright red shirt and a dark gray denim jacket. The bottom part looks Dakota Pearce wearing black jeans and black women's boots too.
"You look pathetic." Dakota Pearce said.
"You too. How are your eyes?"
"Still hurt."
"You look beautiful with that eye patch on."
"Thanks, everybody said so."
"What do you want girl?" Hugo ask.
"Maybe talk to you a little, you look lonely."
"You don't have to worry, I work alone. You should know why I'm alone."
"You have no friends. Working alone doesn't mean you shouldn't be friends with anyone."
Dakota Pearce immediately sat down on one side of the sofa where Hugo was.
"What are you drinking?"
"Wine, you don't drink?"
"I was going to drink by myself, but seeing you from a distance intrigues me. Let me order a drink for you."
Dakota immediately summoned a male servant to their table.
"What would you like to order?" Asked the male servant who came.
"Bring both of us two glass of bourbon." Dakota order.
The waiter went to bring Dakota's order. After a while, the service brought two glasses of bourbon and placed them on the table for the two of them. Hugo immediately red one glass of bourbon and immediately drank it.
"Wow, you seem really thirsty." Said Dakota.
"Yes, I'm thirsty for love. Since I'm a little dizzy and can't control my mouth, why don't you start asking questions?"
"I was really surprised by what you said on stage earlier. Actually, we were all very surprised by your statement earlier. Is it true what you said? Or you just want to quell their sadness."
"Everything is true, I have discussed with the government about the project and made a deal with them. Otherwise, how could I have attended with you guys earlier and accepted the blame."
"No wonder, I was very suspicious since earlier because at the meeting you didn't seem to agree with the government's request."
"Obviously, I have no desire whatever to defend the government."
"You're asking the government to work on the project to find the people kidn*pped by the orcs?"
"Obviously."
"But isn't traveling between dimensions dangerous? And indeed, what advantage do you get if you search for these people?"
"Not only looking for the people they been kidn*pped, but also seeking revenge. That way I will feel better."
"Why would you do that? It's too dangerous to go into their world alone."
"I'm not alone, the government will provide military troops who will accompany me there. After all, going into their world is not as dangerous as staying here with the cruel hatred and accusations of Australians."
Dakota paused and took a sip of her drink.
"Thank you."
"Why?"
"You saved the careers and reputations of all of us. If it weren't for the decisions you made, maybe the citizens would have lost faith in us all."
"I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing this with the lost citizens. After all, why do you want to be the government's shield to accept all these accusations and insults?"
"Yes, being a hero is not always about positive things. On addition, thanks also for willing to calm Fault earlier. He almost thwarted all our efforts."
"Yes, the bastard can not close his mouth, again, who let him go upstairs. Instead, of him no doubt when the meeting last night?"
"Yeah, we all didn't realize he was standing there. He really is a sly person. Huh, you two just made us all tense."
"Not my fault, I just told him to back off."
"I thought you two were going to kiss earlier, your faces are so close. Even so, Fault could have killed you earlier."
"No, Fault wouldn't dare to kill me in front of thousands of people. Also, my super vision doesn't see any movement from him."
"Yes you are right, I will not kill you. I will not waste my power to kill someone like you." The male voice that Hugo and Dakota recognized seemed to startle them.
Dunno since when he came, Fault was already standing a few meters in front of their table.
"You guys seem to be busy chatting, sorry if I interrupt."
"Yeah, if you're just standing there. Why don't you sit down with us?" Hugo Ask.
Dakota looked at Hugo in disbelief, she wanted to make sure that Hugo wasn't drunk and in a clear mind.
"Fine if that's what you want."
Fault immediately sat down on the sofa together with them at one table. Now, Dakota was sitting between Hugo and Fault.
Fault looked at the wine bottle and the two empty bottles in front of Hugo.
"Looks like you're busy drinking."
"Yes, she suddenly came here." Hugo said.
"If I may ask, what are you two talking about?" Ask Fault.
"Something about you nearly thwarted our plans at the press conference earlier." Hugo answered.
"I'm sorry, I can't stand playing drama with all of you. I'd rather reveal the bitter truth to people."
“Fault, what exactly do you want? Don't you feel that you have failed enough to protect the people. Thousands of people died because of our failure." Dakota ask.
"We didn't fail. We were all injured from fighting the orcs, monsters and armored warriors that attacked from the giant gate. It is the government that is failing." Fault reply.
"So you prefer society to rampage and riot?" Ask Dakota.
"It was their choice because they could not accept the truth." Fault answer.
"Hugo, is it true that you made that deal?" Fault ask.
"Yes, the project is in the works." Hugo answer.
"How do you guys track their world location?" Dakota ask.
"Government scientists have advanced technology there is a magician who can track their world." Hugo answer.
"Fault, whose side are you actually on?" Ask Dakota.
"I'm not on either side. I don't like dirty governments that always blame heroes. I don't like hiding the truth for whatever reason. Hugo, so you're right about the project?"
"Yes, I will carry out the mission once the project is complete."
"Who will you go on the mission with?" Fault ask again.
"The government has promised me a group of military soldiers to participate. However, it looks like I can recruit other heroes to participate. Would you like to join?"
"I don't know, if I may know what the Australian government will gain if it succeeds with this project?"
"I don't know, it looks like they got nothing but their citizens back."
"It's hard to believe in such a thing."
"Yeah, I can hardly believe they did this right without taking any advantage." Hugo say.
"They've been taking advantage of you since your speech on stage earlier. You cover up their mistakes as well as clean up their mistakes in the public eye." Fault say.
"Hugo, are you planning to invite the other heroes on that mission?" Dakota ask.
"Perhaps, if I could I would apply for help to the academy."
"What academy do you mean?" Dakota ask.
"You must know, that academy." Hugo answer.
"You're kidding right? You're not going to take the kids on this dangerous mission are you?" Dakota ask.
"You don't have to worry, those children have been trained and injected with expensive fluids. They will be very difficult to kill." Fault answer.
"It all also depends on the Australian government." Hugo added.
"Perhaps you can get some students from the academy who have great abilities with a bit of a mental breakdown." Say Fault.
"Hey, they're just not ready to be heroes. On average they're too young to fight super villains and doing some dangerous task. After all, they're all just starting out." Say Hugo.
"If they were in training like me. They must all be dead. They all won't be able to stand what I've been through." Fault say proudly.
"You're being too proud. They were taught to sacrifice their lives to protect people."
"Huh, I guess I talked too much that I forgot to buy a drink."
Fault immediately summoned a servant by raising his hand to shoulder height and sticking out his two fingers. A waiter walked over to their table.
"Give me a bottle of vodka. Do you guys want anything?"
"I'd like some more beer." Say Dakota.
"I'd like another glass of bourbon again." Say Hugo.
The waiter immediately went to take their order.
"Dakota, how are the rest of your members doing?" Fault asking.
"They are fine, but it looks like some of their data need further treatment."Dakota answer.
"I thought you guys were up against the orcs as well as some other monsters."
"If you know, there are some enemies that are giving us trouble." Dakota say.
"If I may know, what's wrong with your eyes."
"A soldier in heavy armor yesterday punched me. He doesn't seem like an ordinary soldier."
"Does he have any special abilities?"
"Looks like that, he can move in the wind and of course with his strength he managed to throw me a few times."
Hugo looked surprised, he didn't even know there was such an enemy yesterday.
- Writer
