With the pleasantries out of the way, Mi-Yung accepted this forceful and slightly bothersome situation with a casual excuse. “My business, my rules, Reawe.”

  “That can't be right,” Reawe said with a smile.

  “Old Dream and Rey were understanding enough to keep me running wild, and who are you to tell me I can't? Aren't there many youths who caught your eye? Or never? Waste is one word you dislike, yet never care to fix.”

  “Rey did? Well, maybe there are many fascinating kids, but do we have to handle them all? Nah, that's stupid.” Cloud said, frowning.

  Reawe nodded and spoke next. “We are of the Assembly. We might keep our acts going, but having disciples and caring for personal affairs is another story. Interest in generations has come a long way over the years, and it is busy year by year, but never too busy. Taking it by force and popular benefits is easy enough. What you've done is like a slap to all the Pillars.”

  “As if.” Cloud snorted. “She would've done more if she could because, again, she could do more than she can do any day, but didn't because she is clever. Pissing off her boss is harsh, aye?”

  “True, and you aren't very clever, Cloud,” Mi-Yung laughed and agreed. “I was curious about someone and found out what I wanted, but that is probably already in your heads. Assembly was a way to go, but I am no thief, even with disloyalty or dents on the Assembly. That is all. If it's not bothering you, I will watch for a bit before going out there. Don't look at me more or I will kick your ass, Cloud.”

  “No problem at all. Another presence of beauty is much more appreciated. Am I right, brother Rey?” Cloud grabbed a slouching shoulder beside him and dragged a busy man into this conversation who was clearly unwilling to speak.

  “I-I have no idea, Cloud. Don't bother me. I am watching the show,” Rey said to Cloud, before shoving his arm away in a simple sweep.

  “How boring,” Cloud complained once more, noticing Seong's and Reawe's approval. Having three beauties so close was indeed thrilling, but having the 'Association Pillar' was not.

  Mi-Yung was quite familiar with Cloud. He was an outgoing person who appreciated women, but not in a way he showed it here. Reawe was his fighting partner in a very long-lasting duo that was rare to last a whole generation. Both were of Rank 7 for an entire decade, while Cloud was the closest to 8 out of anyone in the Assembly. As for what they could or couldn't do, that was not important at the moment.

  Their duo was quite powerful, and Mi-Yung would never match them even with decent aid. Not one of them was a High Pillar, whose positions were quite haughty. Below every High Pillar were several Lower Pillars who might or might not get a chance to vote on important matters, depending on the schedule, presence, or topics. Each was more like a sub-position under their bosses. It wasn't about discipline, but rather about work, connection, and supporting the leadership. Each Lower Pillar was as busy as their boss could be, acting as an agent to their needs.

  For the most part, this group of four took their words lightly and didn't mind what Mi-Yung had done. Their partnerships or friendships were important, and this occasion was not about them. It was her personal business, and if all knew what was right, then having Mi-Yung do what she wanted for ten years was reasonable.

  The Assembly wasn't here to make worrying political statements or deal with foreign forces. This was a time for new blood to rise and grow. Their expertise was well-suited to this event, and some might give it a shot, given their substantial status.

  Time went on, with small chat reaching far or low depending on the mood, but Mi-Yung didn't mind Seaong or Reawe, who surrounded both of her sides. At least Cloud wasn't annoying, and soon an exciting youth arrived at the bunker. Mi-Yung smelled the mood shift, and Cloud perked up.

  “There goes the number 70! Wanna know about her? I have full authority over her secrets, and it is very, very juicy fun!” Cloud glances at his friends and colleagues proudly. Unbeknownst to him, Mi-Yung was leaps better at secrets about number 70 than he was. But again, with Rey beside him, his High Pillar, it could be less than she knew.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Mi-Yung was more shocked that he spoke like this; she would guess everyone already knew how she got involved in Celeste's businesses, but if they weren't aware, even better. Cloud often got what he wanted anyway, and with Rey's innate curiosity and work behind the scenes, Cloud knew how to take advantage of it.

  In his hand, a private monitor displayed details about the participants, which the standard monitor screens also showed, but not in as much detail. It had its privileges, so he presented his findings to others, and Seong was the first to take his bait. She wasn't too aware, which was why she expressed her wonder.

  “Go on. Number 70 is obviously under everyone's scrutiny, all because of these tasty rumors and events that have occurred recently. She is... well, I don't know all those pesky details, so I am listening. Mi-Yung does too, right, or are you smiling for a reason?” Seong said, sitting closer than she should to her, and poked her side.

  Mi-Yung didn't want to elaborate, and not out of principle, or pain.

  “Right?!” Cloud said, excitement visible on his face. “Named Celeste, she comes from Australia and was part of Dreadus's most recent mission. Omitted by many because of the Crystal Water Sea, which is also a big deal, some folks noticed her weeks later, and perhaps way too late, because her situation is extraordinary. It is a shame. Aged fourteen and seven months, she is rather young, yet... Australia is insane, so what to think of her, or those rumors? Some call it fake news. I heard rumors that her Emblem effects can unleash quite a devastation while being only Rank 0. That went through the Association; not Outside or that mission, by the way. I heard a rumor that she was directly involved with that Sea, so isn't it cute and charming? She is soooo young. That alone is worth no mere rumors, but directly engages her and Dreadus. I mean, he anointed himself as her guardian?! He invaded the Assembly, right? Shame I wasn't there... but someone was.”

  “What a striking tide,” Rey suddenly said aside. “That is a rather forceful term, don't you think? Did she kill Darks, or live in peace with Australia's inner regions, or hide like a rat with that Sea? Rumors are weak for a reason, and what she did out there is largely unknown. Regardless of that, any mentions of the Holy Land are not to be taken lightly, no matter where those rumors are circulating or coming from. They might as well be fake and misguided. Validating truth is the rule! A law!”

  Rey contended his little Pillar because he couldn't help himself. His usual lower voice deepened, and he leaned closer to Cloud, speaking what he believed to be honorable. Did it get through? Only a little.

  “Brother Rey is not curious about this? I am! I would say her capabilities can exceed our expectations. What might be ahead of us? Right before our eyes. Now, rumors are like lies. They can hide the truth, brother!”

  Rey squinted his eyes at him. “Fascinating... Fascinating,” he muttered in an inaudible voice and paid no more attention to the happenings to his side. He obviously knew what was up, and Cloud was spouting the usual bullshits.

  Then, Seong gave him her comment. “There are occasional youths who make less sense from time to time. Outside is that sort of place, and many unexplained occurrences happen all the time. Sometimes, they are, in fact, a hoax, or they end up as a disappointment. The question is what happens to them and what their past is. This one went through Dreadus, so that is bizarre, Cloud. Maybe you should ask Dreadus about her, rather than take questionable rumors or words for granted. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot to say about this girl. She is a mystery even to him, I bet.”

  “Bet? Oh, I know that! Dreadus is a goner. I don't care about that guy. Fucking lucker. He got that Crystal Water Sea, and he's suddenly so good and turned into a saint? Bullshits.”

  “That was rude,” Mi-Yung argued aside, aware that Cloud had gone to Australia on numerous occasions, and how his talk was mostly a petty, entertaining shit-talking. They were buddies, that's why. Some of his missions were similar to what Dreadus had done, and they often teamed up from time to time. That created friction until it turned into healthy motivation.

  “Rude?! Oh, wait... You sure know more about it, don't you? I read the reports weeks ago, so the details are hazy for me, but didn't you go there yourself because of your own troubles? What was that... that one?” He ascertained her hugging partner, but Reawe didn't flinch over a minor detail. He enjoyed the thrill of the unknown and wished to discover it alone.

  “Nothing. I know what's up with Celeste, so what are you gonna do about it, Cloud?”

  “You are weaker than I am!”

  “Is that a bet, or a lie?” Mi-Yung taunted him with light giggles. Cloud laughed and didn't care for her knowledge unless they would be worthy. For once, Seong, Reawe, and even Rey didn't chat about these things with him, and William and Celeste were not very common topics. But this was not one of those times, for that mystery walked out of that tunnel. Cloud was about to understand it, and he might regret not thinking about it much earlier.

  “I will see the results anyway. Don't bother giving anything up! It is irrelevant because that girl is not about you, or like you.”

  “I wouldn't bet on that; she is much more wicked.” Mi-Yung grinned his way and looked forward to what Celeste might do.

  “Let's see what her talent is. Any bets?” Reawe offered and pointed to a window in front of them. Everyone refused her idea, except Cloud, who would never refuse his partner in crime.