Chapter 448 Duties
"Principal, is my father still out there. That place you showed me where he's fighting someone, it's from Mars, right?"
While we're being led towards the location of one of the Pocket Dimensions located here in Northern America or specifically at the state of Alabama, USA, I opened a conversation with the Principal.
The five women were silently following us with Avelin sticking close to me.
When we stepped out of the Portal the sly old man opened, we came right out in front of the State Capitol. The white Greek Revival structure stood tall before us while the flag of the country was currently waving on top of its roof.
Apparently, the Pocket Dimension was located beneath the State Capitol itself.
As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by a congressman from the Federal Government and a Commander General of the Earth Defense Army. That rank was granted to someone who reached Rank 5 Mortal or the 5th Realm of their Mortal Pathway.
For the EDA, there were only five ranks. Private, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and General.
I only had one instance interacting with the soldiers of EDA but seeing that there's already a Rank 5 Mortal among them, I guess they're not slacking off in that world. My estimate of a few months for a Transcendent to show up in their ranks might be off. If these guys assimilated the Level 3 Earth Energy then their progress would be accelerated.
Although we didn't need that kind of welcome because we could just stroll inside without any of the Mortal Ranks detecting us, I guess this was the Principal's way of informing the whole world that we're the ones responsible for the restoration of the Source Energy.
"Correct. He's still there."
"What did you tell my mother about his absence?"
"That he's out on an overseas business. Don't worry, they could still contact each other. Do you also want to talk to him?"
"No. As long as he doesn't neglect my mother. If I'm not wrong, his job not only included giving birth and raising me. He's like you after all. Is he a Rank 3 or a Rank 4 like you?"
At this point, the tone I was using when speaking to this sly old man was intentionally informal. I was gauging if he would reprimand me and show me my place.
Well, it's just temporary. He's still Yuko's father in this lifetime. Once everything settled down, I would treat him like I treat Old Man Reol for being Erin's grandfather.
"Currently, he's still a Rank 3 Transcendent. However, once he returns to Earth and restores his Source Energy, he will become like me."
"I see. That's a relief. To have two Rank 4 in our midst. And more importantly, to think that you have stowed away a Space Vessel to reach Mars in less than a day."
Upon hearing that, the Principal shook his head. "No. Mars is three days away from Earth even with the fastest Space Vessel we managed to salvage.
"Are there no civilizations on Mars?"
"None, it doesn't have its own Source Energy. However, it can be assimilated to expand a world. By then, Source Energy will start flowing in its atmosphere."
Surprisingly, he's continuing to answer my inquiry. I guess he already removed the limitations on the information I could get.
Then I'm going to make use of this trip to the Pocket Dimensions to ask more questions and learn more. He could probably answer everything… except the secret about my identity.
And who's to say that my memory would include every miscellaneous thing? With an information bank right in front of me, it's a waste not to make use of him.
For that peaceful future that I wanted to give for my Companions… There's no other choice but to remove every threat that would come our way.
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While Daisuke and the others were on their trip to restore the inherent Source Energy of Earth, Yuko, with the assistance of his other Companions, started discussing the exposed Breached Portal locations.
Using one of the assembly halls in the Hope Peak Academy, she gathered every Hero and had them attend it.
By letting them feel her Rank 2 Transcendent Aura even those foreign Heroes who were not used to being commanded by someone else obediently followed it.
At the moment, Yuko was at the front while Daisuke's other Companions were all grouped at her side.
Because they were women with different charms, the ignorant Heroes still continued to steal a glance at them. However, as soon as they were caught, tremendous pressure would fall upon their shoulders as numerous Transcendent Aura would be directly targeted to them.
In the end, they could only keep their eyes at the front to wait for the designation of their duties.
"Miss Sugawara, here are the scout reports about the Breached Portal locations all around the country. Our soldiers already barricaded the premises to stop the citizens from approaching them. However, in light of what happened yesterday, trigger-happy citizens wanted to assault it by themselves."
One uniformed EDA Soldier that was clearly a Japanese handed a report to Yuko as he summarized the content of it.
After skimming through the five-page report, Yuko passed the paper to her sisters so that they could also offer their opinion when she started delegating the duties.
Upon seeing that, the uniformed soldier was somewhat confused. He was ordered by his superior to deliver the report specifically to Yuko and await her answer.
He knew Yuko and Yumiko's identity but the other women with them, he had no idea.
They had a list of Heroes that they needed to memorize so seeing a group of Transcendent women that was clearly stronger than the Heroes obediently sitting at their places, he felt like he needed to report this information.
After a while, the paper was already read by everyone and the women started discussing it among themselves.
And a moment later, Yuko activated Interdimensional Communication to consult Daisuke.
The Heroes and the soldier who was watching that occurrence could only wonder who was the lucky guy. Since the cold demeanor of the women somehow warmed when speaking to the guy that was shown on the screen.
While the soldier was still trying to guess Daisuke's identity, Yuko directed her voice to him, devoid of the warmth she showed earlier.
"Stand up. Tell your superior. Use neutralizing force to the citizens who will go past your barricades. In one hour, Transcendents will be dispatched to the Breached Portals near Tokyo first. If you, soldiers, want to send a squad or a battalion, you have that time to prepare."
"But… the media."
"There's no reason to entertain those from the media. Just remove them from the site. You're not inept enough to be unable to accomplish that, am I right?"
"... Roger that!"
Faced with that question, the soldier could only salute before dashing out of the assembly hall. He's a Rank 3 Mortal, faced with someone as strong as Yuko, it's already a wonder that he didn't lose consciousness at the spot
"Now then, let's start here." With a smile that's not a smile, Yuko straightened her back as she faced the Heroes who started gulping down their saliva.
Although it's probably not her intention, the Heroes started thinking that Yuko was about to send them to their graves.