Eros examined his car. It was in terrible condition: the headlights were broken, the front tyres were missing, and mud was smeared across it.
Frustrated, Eros folded his arms and grunted at the girl. Despite his meticulous care over the past eighty years, the car had never been in such a state.
"Were you driving blindly? Even kids drive better than you." He exploded. " My Aston Martin!"
Eros clenched his fists as struggling to control his rage.
Veronica, her eyes filled with guilt, replied gently. "The hordes were attracted to the colour. They must have thought it was prey and attacked it."
"Can't you drive faster?" Eros snapped. "I've seen worse drivers, but never one an idiot like you."
Unable to hold back, Eros turned away to avoid further confrontation.
Having no options left, they walked towards the Rainstar checkpoint in the scorching heat. Their rations were limited.
The Rainstar checkpoint, located five kilometres away, was the main entrance connecting the Har Desert and the Zaos Continent. Zaos is renowned for its infrastructure, magic school, and progressive leadership. It is a vast continent with a population of 22 million, divided into five counties. Ricco is one of the wealthiest and most peaceful countries, with a population of 5 million. Sagessa Equation is the second country in Zaos, which is a hub of science and technology and is home to many bronze mutants and humans. The third county is a military base where most soldiers were recruited.
When they finally reached the Rainstar checkpoint, they observed a green building with a flag waving on the rooftop.
Their exhaustion faded. They rushed forward, only to be halted by a barricade.
A guard, initially hostile, recognised Eros and lowered his weapon. "Lord Eros, please come in. Your subordinate is waiting inside."
The guard's attention shifted nervously to Veronica, as Eros had Zaos citizenship but she did not. Eros handed over a card, and they entered the building. It was a VIP card, which would allow migrants to enter for a period of time.
Inside, Eros was greeted by confetti and grand music, his face a mix of bewilderment and disapproval. Disappointed because he didn't order for this. These guys were too much. Around forty soldiers were there to welcome him.
"Welcome back, Sir Eros."
"Finally, you arrive, Lord Eros."
"You look lovely today."
Suddenly, Eros's eyes fell on a flag with bold letters: "Sex is not everything!" The man waving it, his butler, was chanting that sex is a sin and not good for life. Eros was confused about whether he should be laughing and crying at his butler's antics. Whoever said that friends were the perfect example of a lizard. They were right.
Veronica, reading the flag, commented sarcastically, "Sex is not everything. Your friends are wiser compared to you."
Eros glared at his butler with disdain. "Butler, what the hell are you doing? You're a piece of trash." Turning to Veronica, he added, "Ignore his nonsense. He went mad after losing his wife and pet."
Veronica studied the butler, noting his purple eyes, long beige hair, and eccentric shoes. When their eyes met, he waved back.
All of a sudden, the same man tapped Veronica on the shoulder. "Welcome back, my lady."
Startled, Veronica stumbled, and Eros caught her swiftly. "Butler! You can't scare her like that," he said, rolling his eyes and almost ready to punch him. The man was so agile that even Eros couldn't sense that.
"I apologise for my mischief," the butler said with a slight bow. "I'm Charles Smith, Lord Eros's loyal servant."
Charles smiled at Veronica, who blushed, not used to such respect or seeing someone so attractive. "Hello, Charles. I'm V-fift—Veronica! Nice to meet you." She extended her hand, and Charles did the same.
"You have a beautiful name, Miss Veronica. I hope you'll be different–"
Eros coughed loudly to interrupt. "Butler, did you prepare what I asked for?" He wanted to keep any dirty secrets out of Veronica's ears.
"Yes, my lord. Everything is ready."
One of the long lists, Eros, demanded to prepare a jet. They headed towards the private jet, which would get them home faster. Having a personal jet was rare in Ricco County; only 0.1% could own it. Eros was one of them.
Veronica walked beside them, still dazed. She was feeling out of this place, being an ex-mercenary and slave. For her it was heaven.
Charles asked, "What happened to your old car?"
Eros turned to Veronica, disdain clear in his eyes. "Don't ask. The trip was so exhausting."
It had been a long time since Eros went on a solo trip; he usually let his subordinates handle errands.
"A good bath and your favourite meal will recharge you," Charles suggested.
Before Eros could respond, he felt a menacing presence. He turned to see Veronica attacking his arm. He dodged swiftly, twisting her arm before she could strike again. Veronica managed to escape, glaring at him with malice.
"You're Eros McFlan, aren't you? You're the reason for my suffering," she hissed.
Soldiers, who were previously calm, aimed their guns at her.
"Drop the gun!" Eros shouted anxiously. "Nobody can harm her. Drop your gun, dammit."
Veronica smirked to watch that, ready to attack again. She threw a blade at Eros's neck, which he blocked with his elbow.
"Why are you doing this?" Eros demanded, confused by her sudden hostility.
Her voice echoed in the building. "Why? You're supposed to be dead. I thought you were a good guy. But I was wrong; you are a monster. "
She threw a smoke grenade; the misty air obscured everyone's vision. It was lethal; anyone who inhaled it would be unconscious of it.
How did she get a grenade? She had stolen this from a gas station for emergencies. Was she planning for a while, and then all the feelings she felt were lies?
"Eros!" Charles yelled in a troubled face,
and dismayed at the treatment of his master.
Suddenly, Charles knocked Veronica out within three seconds. "My lady, you need some rest."
He tossed her like a baseball, and Eros caught her. Eros grunted at her, concentrating on her beautiful face.
Charles was himself a golden mutant and could defeat the whole army. His knowledge of everything was unparalleled, yet he was so loyal to Eros.
Someone tried to buy him, but he refused it all. His reason was, 'You are not as hideous as my master. Charles' sense of pride in seeing another handsome man was unacceptable.
Charles opened his mouth coldly. "The girl you are holding grudges against. It will be interesting to watch how you will persuade her." His eyes were cold and distant. " I hope you don't make mistakes like other times."
Eros ignored Charles' words and focused on Veronica's unconscious face. "Troublemaker!"
Petrified, Eros didn't know what would happen next. The girl he presumed was an airhead turned out to be the biggest threat to him. The first question that rose in his mind was why she wanted to kill him.