11.2. The Leaker Uncovered - Part 2

The bodyguards nod and pull the screaming and cursing Paul outside. Hana takes away Anna. She's disappointed with her junior but stays gentle and tries to comfort her.

"God, I'm tired!" Liana takes a deep breath. "Bring us breakfast at once!" she shouts after other servants.

"Li? What did you mean by banish?" I ask, afraid to hear the answer. I'm still shocked how ruthless my kind viceroy can become if there's a need.

"Exactly as it sounds," she says. "That traitor won't be able to buy even a train ticket. Not to mention a decent job or a house."

"So it's true!" Fefnir is astonished. "I've heard about it but I also thought it's only a made-up rumour."

"Is such a thing even possible?" Ingri opens her mouth.

"It's actually very simple," Liana yawns. "Adding his ID on the black list means that he'll be refused everywhere when he tries to identify himself. He might have his three million but he won't be able to use it in the EU."

"Poor fella," Fefnir utters but he doesn't care.

The servants come with our breakfast. It must have waited for us for quite some time because everything is under heating lids. We start eating in silence, the atmosphere is too heavy. Not even Fefnir has anything funny to say.

I'm shocked, Erik says to me. She didn't hesitate to use violence. Can we really trust her?

She was merciful to Anna, I remind him. Besides, I don't feel she's a violent person. I guess... she just has to be ruthless sometimes? Consider her difficult position.

Liana leans towards the bread but it's too far for her to reach. I don't think hard about it and use telekinesis to pass it to her.

"Oh, did you get the hang of it?" she's pleasantly surprised and her emotional state brightens.

"This morning," I nod. "The key is not to overthink it. Just think you're moving the object and it does move."

"Pass me the sausages!" Fefnir nudges me and his mood also improves.

I focus on the plate and land it in front of him.

"And I want that salad," Ingri demands as well.

"I'm not your butler," I roll my eyes but pass her the bowl to make her happy.

"You need to practice it anyway," Fefnir shrugs and ravenously gobbles his meat. Ingri wrinkles her nose. She's still far behind us with her transformation but it seems meat is starting to stink for her. Erik takes notice.

"Do you mind me eating meat so near you?" he asks me because he also grabs a sausage.

"Nope," I shake my head. "And my nose isn't that sensitive anyway. Except for the eyes able to handle even the brightest sunlight and an excellent eye-sight in general, Celestials don't have super senses."

"The game was very balanced when it comes to races," Fefnir says between munches. "Celestial magic might seem over-powered but Celestial bodies are extremely weak."

"Every race has its strengths, weaknesses and special abilities," I explain to Erik and bite into a toast.

"Which is fascinating beyond belief," Dr Stein suddenly emerges. I was wondering when she was going to show up. "I barely slept, the doctors and scientists are getting more and more intriguing data on patients. What about your telekinesis, Ryuuto?"

I make a few pieces of cutlery levitate as a demonstration.

"Unbelievable!" Dr Stein is touching the floating objects and is anxious that she can't film it. She'd love to make it public but she isn't as stupid as Anna. She knows well what is Liana capable of if she breached the contract.

We continue eating breakfast while Dr Stein is documenting our new dietary preferences. When we finish, Liana is strongly advised to return to bed.

"Do you need company?" I ask because I feel she's reluctant to leave... without us.

"Is it that obvious?" she looks at me with reddish sleepy eyes that are turning golden.

"I would be scared shitless without Erik," I say.

"I'd really appreciate it then," she murmurs.

"I don't want to invade your private rooms, but what about moving us all here?" I suggest. "I bet you have more than one bathroom on this floor and beds can be put anywhere in these ridiculously huge spaces."

She's thinking about it for a while, then she slowly nods.

"Ok, let's make our headquarters here," she agrees. "Ingri can sleep in a room next to my bedroom, Fefnir can take the lounge and you two the salon."

*****

It doesn't take long for the servants to move us. In just an hour, I'm sitting with Erik in our new room, a luxurious salon. Our double bed was positioned to the left corner which required to move some furniture but it's still spacious.

Because we're much closer, I can now feel Liana. She's sleeping soundly and Dr Stein is looking after her. Fortunately, my headache didn't develop into a migraine so I didn't have to take any painkillers.

"What is it?" I ask because Erik frowns while looking at his phone.

"A text from work, they want to cut my holiday," he says. "The hospital is full of Draconians and they need all the help they can get."

"Draconians?" I blink. "Is that the official term?"

"Seems so," he shrugs. "I saw it twice already on the news and now my superior has called you that in her text. What, aren't you called like that?"

"Not really," I shake my head. "Sure, the game was called Draconia but we never used any term describing all races altogether."

"Well, get used it. It seems to be catching on."

"What about your job? Will you go?" I get nervous. I can't imagine being without him even though I realise how selfish I am.

"No way."

"Won't they be mad?"

"I've just texted them back that I'm taking care of a Draconian. They can't say anything against that since it means one less patient in hospital," he says.

"What would I do without you?" I hug him.

"You'd still have Liana," he reminds me. "By the way, you did feel something strange from her, right? I mean besides all the drama. The way she acted... I know that she's a big shot but even super rich people wouldn't push someone on their knees, would they?"

"I think our mentality might be changing as well," I say slowly. "Liana actually acted as a true Celestial viceroy would."

"But you stayed the same... I mean mentally," he opposes.

"I don't know, Erik," I sigh. "I guess I was always weird so there's not that much difference."

"Liana... she was... scary. I don't want you to be scary," he shivers.

"I most certainly won't become scary," I assure him. "Not in my nature. Liana is probably inclined to it and the transformation is making it stronger."

"But it's in the Celestial nature in general?" Erik is finally realising that we're really not peaceful angels.

"We're actually the least peaceful race in Draconia," I admit.

"The least peaceful?" He gasps for breath. "B-but... I thought it's the Dragonkin who must be violent... or those Clawfangs."

"The Dragonkin are actually the most peaceful race, they're really phlegmatic," I'm amused by his judgment based on looks alone. "It's my race that thrives in conquest. We might not seem like it but according to the lore we treat other races as inferior. Which was something I was constantly standing against and I hope won't transfer here."

"No shit, can you imagine that?"

"I don't even want to imagine that."

*****

"Li, how do you feel?" I gently catch her hand to check up on her.

She was walking just a few hours ago but it was only thanks to adrenaline. Now that the leaker is uncovered and gone, her body finally gave in.

"Shitty," she's breathing with difficulties.

"Can I see your back?" I ask because so far she has been shy about it.

"Be my guest, I don't care at this point," she half-closes her eyes. "Doc?"

Dr Stein carefully pulls up Liana's pyjamas so that we don't see more than we have to. Damn, did I look like that as well? Liana's back is all swollen and the bone structure of forming wings is clearly visible from under the skin. It looks horrid... alien even.

"How come you're fine?" Erik asks Fefnir. "Your compatibility level was just two percent lower than Liana's, right?"

"You mean except for the fact that I almost can't sit down normally because of my tail?" he laughs. "Well, I do feel pain but somehow... I don't mind that much?"

"The Dragonkin resilience," Ingri comments. "I'm afraid my transformation will be similar to the Celestial one. I feel weaker and after our breakfast this morning I had to spend an hour outside... sunbathing."

My phone starts ringing so I take it out of my pocket. It's Gotrid.

"H-hey," he's panting and this time he's not half-naked. The room behind isn't the same as before. Did he move to meet other players?

"What's wrong?" we're all startled, even Liana opens her eyes because his voice sounds serious and disturbed.

"They voted just a few minutes ago... it got through," he gulps.

"Voted what? Who did?" I'm confused. Only Fefnir who is constantly glued to the news understands right away.

"The Congress?" Fefnir guesses.

"Yeah, they've announced the state of national emergency," Gotrid says. "Guys... I've just seen a tank in the street under my window."