Chapter 537: Listen, Esma, as I noticed, you like it here
Arabel watched with some regret as Iona left with his three companions. Of the ten Awakened Ones present, she was the only one with a rare System, and like Arabel herself, she had an affinity for the element of Ice. However, unfortunately, Iona has made it clear that she does not intend to leave the Association.
Arabel could tell by the look in Jonah’s eyes that she had come here to see Idan, the one who had saved her. But unfortunately, Arabel was in front of her. And from the disappointment that flashed in Iona’s eyes, Arabel realized that their System was keeping its Hosts in the dark about her relationship with Idan.
“Are you going to let her go just like that?” asked Hailey, turning to Arabel.
“She has made it clear that she has no intention of leaving the Association and joining our Guild,” Arabel replied. “Let her stay there. Perhaps she can be useful in the future. No matter how much she wants to, she won’t be able to renounce the oath of allegiance given by her System.”
“Oh, so she’s going to be some kind of secret agent? A spy?” suggested Hailey.
“If that makes it easier for you, then yes,” Arabel agreed, glancing once more at the departing SUV.
“Follow us,” — Arabel called to Nico and his five companions.
Unlike Iona, Nico’s group followed their comrades with the firm intention of joining their guild. Seeing their desire, Arabel did not immediately refuse.
The guild needed Awakened Ones and mortals to advance the Path of the Beast Tamer, and Nico’s group seemed like the perfect candidates for Arabel to start.
“I take it you don’t like being a manager?” Arabel asked Hailey as they entered the building.
“Yes, I prefer fighting and acting, rather than planning and commanding,” Hailey honestly admitted.
“Hmm. Okay, then after tomorrow’s meeting, you can stop running errands. Someone else will take on this role, and you can do what you like best,” Arabel said, making Hailey happy.
“Heh heh. Thank you, Mi… Miss Elsa,” Hailey thanked, almost addressing Arabel as mistress in front of strangers.
After taking a short walk and inspecting the building, Arabel was satisfied.
Soon Esma and Hazel drove up to the building. Yulai was not among them, and Arabel immediately realized that, most likely, she was busy with the affairs of her guild and the investigation of yesterday’s incident, as were Irene and Arslan. Unlike Esma and Hazel, who seemed to be free.
“Little sister,” — Esma called out when she saw Arabel, and ran over and hugged her.
It looked a little strange for Niko and her group, because it was Esma who seemed like a younger sister because of her height, and not the other way around.
But then Hazel caught their attention.
Nico’s group immediately recognized her as one of the heroines of the Federation. As one of the first ten awakened ones, she was famous, and few people didn’t know about her.
“Okay, that’s enough, Esma,” Arabel said, smiling.
“Heh heh.” Esme began to enjoy imitating Hazel and hugging Arabel. As Valkyries, they weren’t used to greeting their sisters like that, but seeing how Hazel threw herself into Irene’s arms every time she met her, she decided to follow her example.
“Hazel” greeted Arabel, who nodded in response.
“Listen, Esma, as I noticed, you like it here. How would you like to become the Leader of our Guild’s branch in the Federation Capital?” Arabel asked, deciding that it was time for Esme to take charge of the Guild’s affairs. Out of respect for her, she used a mental link to ask the question directly.
“You can ask your new sisters for help. One of them is already in charge of her Guild, and I think that you, as an older sister, should also keep up,” she added.
Esma pouted and looked at Arabel with some displeasure. She didn’t want to take on all this responsibility at all; she wanted to walk freely more.
“You can open your own store, I’ll let you,” Arabel said, seeing that Esma was in a bad mood.
“Really?” — Esma’s eyes shone with joy.
“Yes, you can use the Guild’s influence and resources to open a store,” Arabel confirmed.
“Hehe, then I agree to become the branch leader of your and Idan’s Guild, little sister,” Esma enthusiastically agreed. Looking at her joy, Arabel began to doubt whether she had done the right thing by allowing Esme to spread her creation in their world.
However, on the other hand, Arabel saw Esma’s store as an opportunity to earn System Points.
“Before you open the store, don’t forget to discuss business with me,” she reminded Esme.
“Hehe, that goes without saying,” Esma agreed.
“First, Esma, take these six Awakened Ones under your wing. They will be the first Awakened Ones to become Beast tamers,” Arabel pointed at Nico and his group.
“Oh, good,” — Esma agreed, eyeing her future assistants with interest.
“As for the rest of the issues, you can talk to your younger sisters and Irene about hiring ordinary employees and Guild staff,” Arabel added. “And we will discuss our Guild’s goals, development strategy, and immediate plans at the general meeting tomorrow.”
After dealing with this issue, Arabel, Esma, Hailey, and Hazel went down to the lower underground level of the building, which was already fully completed.
Having found a suitable place, Arabel decided to install a permanent Access Portal here.
She and Idan had already discussed this earlier and had come to the conclusion that the only permanent Access Portal available to them should be located right here, in their Guild’s Branch building.
Similar to the permanent Access Portal installed in Limbo, this new portal had a rectangular shape and dimensions, like a regular door.
“Now, anyone who has our permission can use this portal to enter the Kingdom,” Arabel addressed the audience.
“The Kingdom?” asked Esma in surprise.
“Yes, Dan and I decided to give our territory a name and named it the same as our Guild, the Kingdom. Eventually, this territory will become the headquarters of our Guild,” Arabel explained.
“Um…” Arabel Hazel said, raising her hand. “Do I have a permit?”
“Esma, Irene and Arslan have expressed their support for you and Yulaya, so yes, you have our permission,” Arabel replied. And she added: “I hope you and Yulaya won’t disappoint their trust.”
“Thank you for giving us permission. Rest assured, we will not let you down,” Hazel said confidently.
Having completed her plan, Arabel used the portal and returned back to the Kingdom.
Once inside, she looked up at the artificial sky and stared at it intently. As one of the owners of this territory, she had noticed subtle changes in the fluctuations of the elements of darkness and light.
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