There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)
Chapter 534 - 527. Star Call

Chapter 534: Chapter 527. Star Call

Eastern Federation was in an uproar ever since the clip of the Deathzone’s big battle circulated. Some thought it was just an edited stuff, since no reporters actually saw the scene. But some argued the other creatures matched the reporter’s account, and there was no need for Trinity and Mortix to do that kind of fearmongering.

Dividing opinions was never new for Trinity--it had been there ever since the reclamation project was announced. The opinions also tipped to the side who believed them, since in the end, Trinity and Mortix never asked for anything; they did not ask for the public’s help or government support. They just announced it so people would be ready for the worst-case scenario.

Or so they said.

Radia’s main objective with that announcement, however, was the people he truly wished would reach out their hands; the Rankers.

Ideally, he would visit those people himself and tell them the news personally. But even for him, it was hard seeing those people.

In the first place, those strong individuals were powerful enough without any organization shackling them down. Especially those in the top ten; most were people who were either part of an Old House, or had enough authority to challenge the government.

Among them, however, six were veterans who had amassed enough wealth and trauma to last their whole life. With their wealth, they chose to claim a secluded corner of the world and live their life peacefully. They no longer wanted to have anything to do with dungeons, and they had the right to do so.

To be a Ranker, prowess wasn’t the only consideration. It was experience and merit; naturally, most people only achieved the top rank after decades of experience. And decades of trauma.

Those who were still active seldom stayed in one place, feeling that one region was too small for their ability. Or they chose to stay in their luxurious manor, only receiving a job with a blank check as payment--a very expensive mercenary, to put it simply.

Those rankers were usually only moved by two things; something that piqued their interest, or something that would harm their self-interest.

Radia was hoping he could fish out the Rankers with the clip, which provided both a new challenge and a new threat to Eastern Federation--if not humanity.

He had tried, quietly, to contact those Rankers before the operation began, as insurance. He used his connection, his House’s connection, and pulled out all kinds of favors but still...he only managed to meet five of them. Three just laughed and said he was doing something useless, and the other two said they might help if the price was right, and only in an emergency.

And the right price was enough to put hundreds of purification devices in the red-zone and turn it into a habitable place.

Honestly, Radia could liquidate some of his personal assets if it could help, but...

It didn’t sit right with him to ask for those people’s help. Not unless he was truly, truly desperate.

But he was not that desperate yet. He was hoping that the clip would bait the hidden rankers out. Perhaps, it would be enough for them to finally respond to his calls.

"Sir!" the head of the external affairs department burst into his office--an act that warrants a deep frown, usually, but not this time. "We’ve got a message from the East Sun’s assistant."

Radia smiled. Seemed like his endeavor was fruitful after all.

* * *

While Radia was looking for reinforcement, Zein and Bassena returned to the Deathzone only two days later once Nyx could make a portal again.

So much for ’rest’.

But for those two, staying in Althrea wouldn’t be much of a rest anyway. Thanks to the circulating clip, reporters have been trying to get ahold of them ever since they found out that Bassena was there for the funerals. Even if they stayed home all the time, there would still be persistent reporters hounding them around the building.

For Zein, even the Deathzone was a better place.

Of course, they could opt to stay on the lakeside instead, but they were worried something would happen while they were away, and the journey from the lake house to the Borderland was even longer than the Borderland to the Deathzone. They wouldn’t be able to use Nyx’a express service anymore, since the summon would have to stay by Radia’s side for the Star Call initiative.

And so, they decided to just return to the Deathzone for their peace of mind.

Such a weird concept, feeling more relieved in the Deathzone rather than in the outside. But even in the Deathzone, there was a small sanctuary that was a bit better than the green-zone.

On the evergreen grass of the lower lakeside, Bassena and Zein were enjoying the rest that House Mallarc’s agents and the Iron Shield provided them. More supplies were provided to renew the defense line in all three borders--the desert, the mountain, and the river. Radia spent no expense to make sure the defense was going up before the troops came back...

If they came back.

"Do you think they will?" Zein asked. For the first time, he actually entered the lake to swim--or rather, float with Bassena’s platform. Without anyone around, he had no qualms about taking off his shirt.

"Do you think they won’t?" Bassena propped his head on the platform Zein used as a floating tube while the guide played with his hair.

"I don’t know, but I won’t blame them even if they don’t come back," Zein exhaled slowly as he stared at the dome above them.

They might have been there for more than two years already, but the battle they did the last time was harder--way harder than what they did before. It was also the first time they had death among them, which was enough reason for anyone to want to back off. It might be bearable if they were just going against beast hordes or Specter--hell, even a horde of the fragments.

But that hulking mountain of eyes that almost killed a Saint class? Yeah--that was a different case altogether.

After knowing they would have to fight an even stronger version of that, would they still have enough wit to go forward?

"What if they end up not coming back?" Zein turned his head and looked at Bassena.

"Some will--those in Anzus will," Bassena replied confidently. He knew his squadmate enough to never doubt them. "I’m not sure with Hagalaz, but I know Ashur won’t back down. And if he doesn’t, the rest of his team will be here."

"And the other?"

"I can’t say for sure, but..." Bassena drummed his fingers on the platform, turning it wider. "Those who no longer want to be here, or are too afraid to do so, shouldn’t be here in the first place."

Zein nodded in agreement. Right--forcing people whose hearts and minds were no longer on the mission would only hurt the operation. They were not soldiers; their attack force relied on formation and teamwork. Thus, having one or two people in a daze or paralyzed from trauma would only bring disaster.

"What will happen to them if they’re not returning?"

"Nothing," Bassena shrugged. He hopped onto the larger platform and sat on the edge, taking a break from the water. "There won’t be any penalty, considering the situation. Radia will give them the option to stay in the guild still, but..."

Zein raised his brow. "You don’t think they’ll stay?"

"I don’t think so," Bassena sighed. "Because it’ll be awkward; whether it’s the relationship with those who continue, or the other guild member in Althrea. Sure, no one would blame them, but..."

"That’s too bad," Zein muttered. "I just hope no one gets peer-pressured to return."

"That would be equally bad..."

Ah...what a depressing topic. Bassena shook his head and took out a picnic basket from his storage ring to lighten the mood. Zein didn’t even know when the esper prepared it, but it was nice to have such a relaxed day. There had been no movement in sight ever since the last battle, except for a few lesser specters and wights born out of the beasts’ corpses, so they could afford to have this temporary peace.

"Have you talked to your kids?" Bassena put a bottle of cider in Zein’s hand.

"No," Zein fiddled with the label. "I don’t want them to get influenced to stay by talking to me."

At first, Zein didn’t want to get distracted from destroying the fragments. But when he remembered how shaken the guides were, he decided he wouldn’t talk to them until they decided by themselves whether they would stay or not. He did tell them to talk with their family and do more counseling sessions with a therapist before they left the Deathzone, but he didn’t think he was the right person to be consulted about their decision to stay.

After all, Zein had a clear objective here; something he had to do. He wouldn’t be able to give a neutral opinion to people who didn’t have to be there. It wouldn’t be fair to them to see things from his perspective.

So, he just waited. He waited for them to decide whether they wanted to walk with him through this Hellgate. It didn’t matter if only half turned up, as long as there were some. No matter what, Zein didn’t think he could do everything alone.

What he didn’t expect, however, was that no one--no one--stayed behind.

"Captain!" Dheera’s cheerful voice greeted him one afternoon when the first batch of returnees came from the Borderland.

And after that, everyone else.

"Do you miss me, Captain?" the girl grinned, looking fresh and bright as usual.

"It’s fine if you stay in Althrea, you know?"

"But you’re here, Captain!" Dheera pursed her lips. "You don’t think we’d leave you alone, do you?"

Only then did Zein realize that he had been missing these cheerful voices and the sheepish grins of his chicks a lot.

And only then did he realize how much he wished for them to be there with him.