After the meeting was done, Caelus dismissed everyone except for the three… well, four. He didn't know when Akihiko arrived, but he was already sitting when every other person except for the Founders was out of the Meeting Hall.
"Well, long time no see."
"We thought you died." Akihiko said bluntly.
"Akihiko!" Asahi was quick on flicking a finger on the child's forehead.
"What! I'm just stating the truth! He was gone for two months! Even Sanctuary couldn't reach him." Akihiko rubbed his forehead that got flickeed by a finger and pouted. "It's usually those kind guys that die fastest." he muttered while averting his gaze.
Caelus was observing the kid because he was the first to talk, hence, he saw how the emotion quickly surfaced and vanished in his eyes.
*Did I misjudge Akihiko? Is he not just a bratty kid that hates me? He seemed happy seeing that I'm alive. It's more like he was scared that I'll die because I'm acting like a good guy? Maybe I should get to know this kid better…*
"I can't blame you if you thought of that. I was actually locked in a Hidden Quest Zone so I wasn't able to exit until I completed it. And what's more, I didn't expect the timezone to vary too much. I only stayed there for one month but it had been two months here."
"You've finished a Hidden Quest Zone? Wait! Can we call Alisa so we can discuss this?"
"Hikari, I think now is not the time. We have other urgent things that need Sho's permission."
"Hm? Permission? Go on?"
"We actually wanted to have Information Arrangement. But because we don't know how to do it plus with the things that we had to do, we weren't able to start with it."
"Information Arrangement?"
"We want to create a Library inside Sanctuary."
"Oh! So that everyone could gain information about the world?"
"Yes. This way, we can also compile information available. But we would also have to restrict it depending on Ranks as they won't even remember information above their rank. Also, it would be an exchange platform. For example, if they wanted to get information, they could either pay GP, information or Mana to help us function better."
"Ah! This is actually a good idea. You should've proceeded with it!"
"Yes, but we don't have authority over creating a Library inside Sanctuary."
"Huh? Why?"
[Let me explain, Master. Creating something inside me is akin to using the Mana to expand my core. Currently, my core is hidden inside the Sanctuary Shelter and only the owner can feel it. To expand my core, you need to go over and insert Mana consistently until my core could host a Library. The other way is to get another Safe Zone's core for me to expand.]
[So far, the founders have been doing that. But there are too many trivialities between humans that they had lost too much time just to pacify those who were being used by greedy hungry people.]
Sitting in his throne, Caelus could only massage the back of his neck as he sighed. "Even in the current destroyed world, those who love powers won't even vanish."
"Contrary, they even rise. It's reasonable since they were suppressing that desire from when our society was established. Now that almost all previous politicians are out of the picture, they wanted to bite the pie while it's hot."
Gouki shook his shoulder as if that was only natural.
"It's easier to just kill them to stop them from thinking about it. But that's also not a solution we can afford. If we do that, people would lose trust in us. Especially since many of the residences were already in the hands of greedy hungry humans."
"Ugh. This is making me feel older just hearing it."
"Sho-niichan, it's only natural. If you have encountered Common Zones, you would see how chaotic it is."
"I feel so sheltered."
[Thank you.]
The five suddenly paused before bursting into laughter.
"Okay. That was unexpected." Asahi said as he laughed.
"Indeed." Hikari was still chuckling, she was covering her lips with a palm as she tried to force herself to stop.
Gouki and Akihiko weren't different. Gouki was pursing his lips amidst a small smile escaping while Akihiko was shaking from uncontrolled laughter.
*Ah… this… is actually good.*
It was his first time seeing the four laugh heartily. He felt that the Sanctuary Shelter did them good as they started to relax and show hope in the new world. Even if the outside world was chaotic, at least, inside, they could start making things organized. In this Shelter, they have the power to protect.
He was happy to see his goal slowly getting achieved.
Caelus cleared his throat. "I saw what you did here. I was right in choosing you all as Founder. Even Akihiko did his part. I actually have little things to do because you took care of the worse. For now, Registration would be mandatory. This way, we can monitor our members.
"When the Registration is done, we can even track down who are inciting people to overthrow us. Those greedy hungry humans can be taken care of by Asahi and Gouki.
"As for the Library, I'll head over to the core as soon as I can.
"Oh, right, my System is currently upgrading so I'll be almost defenseless. I might need some bodyguards while I go over to the core."
"I can come. I'm the least busy, anyway."
Caelus was shocked to see that it was Akihiko who volunteered first.
"I think that would be good. I'm too busy handling all those egoistic members. I need to drill them so they won't even think of opposing us. Asahi is busy looking out to improve the defense and Hikari is busy with appeasing people. Akihiko usually goes around and talks to the kids, but since most are going to the Academy now, he has little things to do."
"Gouki-nii! I-I have many things to do! You are just too busy to even take care of Sho-niichan that's why I've volunteered! Plus, I'm enough as a bodyguard!"
"Hmm… if it's Akihiko, I can rest assured then."
"Right."
"We are too busy as it is. If one of the three of us went missing, those bastards would take advantage of the situation. If they saw Sho, they would think he is just someone wet behind his ears. They would surely attack us." Gouki agreed.
*Huuuh… they trust Akihiko this much. I should trust their judgment. As Sanctuary said, it's not every time the three agree on the same thing.*
"Okay. I'll take Akihiko with me. Sanctuary, prepare the route for us, please."
[I'll see to it as soon as possible.]