NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68: There is always a bigger fish
"Ehhh…"
Hearing the news all I could do was releasing a deep, exhausted sigh. Instead of flaring up or even worse, giving up to the powerlessness of my situation I simply accepted the new reality I had to face.
"It seems that we will be having guests, everyone."
Turning back to the crowd I didn't dare to let the insane news sink in. If I failed to react quickly, some people might let their fears to take over, making them assume that the government stance was right. It was no coincidence that only those who were daring to take their chances ruled the world.
"There are two reasons why our new visitors won't do anything. Actually, there are three, but let's focus on those that matter."
Gracing everyone with a big, charming smile I looked towards the distance with a joyful look in my eyes. Even though the government would still take a while to arrive, this gesture allowed everyone to understand who I had on mind.
"We all know that the safety of our new reality is way lower than what we are all used to. Surely, there was some crime, but on the general scale, normal people like you weren't affected by it."
Lowering my hands down and putting them leisurely in the pockets of my robe I swept the entire area with a perfectly calm smile. Feeling the coldness of the metallic material that made up the recently salvaged tools from the apocalypse, my chin moved even higher than before.
Just like earthy guns were insanely effective in Ayda's world, the magic from her homeworld that was perfected over millennials could be of great use on earth. But with earthy magic still in its diapers, I had no doubt the potential opposition from cultivators wouldn't be that much of a problem.
And that feeling only reinforced in me when two additional bracelets found their way on top of my wrists. Even though I have yet to fully test their potential given how I was rushing everything so far, no one could claim that I wasn't confident in the imminent showdown.
"Something like this must end."
Forcing my thoughts back to the reality I smiled towards the people once again.
"We all know that powerful families and government are doing whatever they like. They are aware that a normal person has absolutely no power to stand against them. Give the current situation of our country another look and its no different from anarcho-oligarchy."
Throwing a complicated term didn't seem to be a good idea… But only at the first glance. By using a word that not everyone was sure to understand I made everyone focus for a bit.
"In other words, from a great and complex civilisation, we returned back to the law of jungle. Those who are strong can wreak havoc amongst those who are weak. Just like back during the period of partition. As if we were invaded and conquered."
Thoroughly explaining how the gathered crowd should see the current situation I made sure that now everyone knew what I meant previously. And with that little trick of mine, I could hope that most of them understood their sudden agitation with the topic as a sign of support!
"But let me remind you all."
I pulled my hands from my robe. Once again turning my gaze towards the distance, a small wrinkle appeared on my forehead. And that alone was enough for some amidst the crowd to turn their heads around. And then the rest of the crowd did the same. If one had a slightly more elevated position, he could see that the police was already approaching.
The sound of signals could be heard not long after. Still faint for now, it was growing with each passing second.
"Back in those dark times of our history, our nation always stood up to its oppressors. We fought even when we couldn't win and in spite of all the logic of this world, we prevailed. It was this madness of few that explodes in our spirits when we are facing an enemy at our gates."
Descending down the stage I couldn't be bothered to carry the microphone with me. Influenced by some kind of spirit that ravaged my soul I managed to create witchcraft on the spot that worked in the same way. As little and as wasteful as it would be for a witch to waste entire emotion of something so simple I didn't need to be bothered with this. I just knew that thanks to being a true mage, I could freely modify it later on.
And that meant, there was no lasting cost to doing so while the aura that I gave off changed instantly.
"Back in the days, our ancestors created the idea that we are the saviours of all nations. That our suffering is a price the earth has to pay for salvation. That we are some tragic heroes of this world, too busy following our own ideals instead of adapting to the harshness that surrounds us."
Turning slightly more mystical I already made my way to the middle point between the stage and the simple, metal fence that separated the construction site from the street. Away on its end, the police was already pouring out of their vehicles and forming ranks.
"What our faith calls forth is the wisdom of Boruta. I noticed the stir in social media. Everyone is curious just what values stands behind our name. So let me shed some light on this matter for you."
With only a quarter of the distance remaining, I knew my time was quickly approaching its end. For the first time ever since I recovered them, my additional bracelets activated. Although only thanks to the interface of the basic tool I was already used to, it still made me see something flashing through every single figure in the formation of police already marching towards me. With their batons already smashing rhythmically against their shields, no one could have any doubts what they were here for.
But instead of worrying about it, I could see… No, see was a wrong way to describe that feeling. It seemed as if the flow of my inner magic was disturbed, forcing all the knowledge that my brain would otherwise register as seeing into my mind. It was as if someone planted a chip in my brain and now it was flooding me with info… But without confusing me at all.
It was as if everything strange that was happening was taking place in the passive part of my mind, allowing my senses to stay sharp and my attention focused.
"Boruta was originally a provincial noble. One that didn't negotiate with the devils that surrounded him. One that didn't confront reality. One that took the action and declared war against those who wronged him. It's funny how the great nobles that later pushed our nation to collapse and years of slavery turned his history around and made him into a devil."
With the police right across the gate, I could feel the tension of the crowd behind my back. Right now, the only thing that kept everyone relatively calm and steady was the story that I was telling.
"Isn't this a situation perfectly familiar to us right now? I know what stance will I take against the fate of the devils that surround us."
Not even bothering to end this sentence with a boom I simply cancelled my magical megaphone before approaching the gate and opening it up.
"What business do you seek with us, gentlemen?"
With only those closest to me capable of hearing my voice, the atmosphere turned intimate. As wrong as it seems to describe it like that, this was the cumulation point. The high moment of the entire event. Everyone wanted to know its outcome. No one dared to act.
And then I saw it.
Way before the police actually took any action. With my mind suddenly turning sharp, the entire world around me seemed to come to a stop. By the time the hands of the officers just a few meters away from me managed to throw away the batons and reach for the guns I was already locked and ready to fight.
But I couldn't.
Even though I knew what would happen, even though those tools from apocalypse finally proved what they were capable off… I couldn't be the one to act first. Even though I was perfectly ready to call my repulsion forth, disturbing the enemy formation before they could act.
And then, in the eerie silence, the time rushed forward. In a flash, the front row of police dropped their batons. The thundering of them falling to the ground seemed to shake the earth around me. With their hands still in motion, the police raised their handguns and pulled their triggers.
When the muzzles of their guns flashed, the time stopped once again. My mind exploded with a plethora of possibilities as if those additional bracelets could project every single possible way of shaping my magic to repel the attack. And before I could even realise it, I knew all the options by heart.
The bullets flew forward. Right towards my face, right towards the crowd behind me.
And then my repulsion kicked in. But not in the way it used to do so far. Not like a simple wave that even if directional, would still only force everything away from its path. This time, it felt as if my magic divided into an enormous army of tiniest strands, each reaching from my body towards the nearest bullet.
By the time when the police expected at least some causalities, the entire crowd was staring at the wall of lead handing in the air. Forming a wall of failed death.
"As for the other reason why I believe the government is not stupid enough to make a move against everyone here."
Delighted in the perfect silence that surrounded me, I picked up where I left just a moment ago. My voice, crispy clean in the silent atmosphere felt as if gospel recited by a prophet.
"As for the second reason, if they were to openly act against the population, then no matter how remote we might be in this new, huge world. There is someone bound to take action. How do they say it in the east?"
Taking a moment to pose by scratching my chin in a silent attempt to recall the right words I felt as if I could bask in the glory of a thousand stares directed at me.
"Ah! I get it!"
Snapping my fingers and raising to accent the success of my attempts I smiled towards the police.
"There is always a bigger fish."