Chapter 227 - 227: Another Wall
"This is…"
Van has seen his few shares of colossal Walls in his time. The first one was the Wall inside the Pit, which almost looked as if it could reach the skies themselves. The second one was the New Wall they built outside the Portal of the Pit, an even taller one.
But now, Van found himself once again looking up towards the skies as a new Wall welcomed him. It wasn't fair to the two previous walls, however, if he were to compare the wall in front of him to them.
The wall in front of him seemed to be completely made from metal, warm to the touch as it absorbed the warmth of the blazing sun. But most importantly, this wall was probably about 200 meters high, four times as tall as the Wall inside the Pit. And if Van wasn't mistaken, the wall stretched more than he could count.
There were also people manning the wall, looking like small ants from the distance.
"Most of this country's budget goes to this huge chunk of metal," Charlotte then approached Van as he has been staring at the wall for almost half an hour now with his jaw slightly open, "It's to keep the monsters and other unwanted things out of the country."
"So on the other side of this gate is the Deadzone?" Van said, "But I have seen people coming in and out, I thought people weren't allowed there?"
"The forbidden area is farther to the east," Charlotte shook her head, "Only Explorers are allowed past this gate, and then about 800 kilometers or so, there will be another wall even bigger than this one, that's the area where we will be going to."
"...Another wall?"
A wall even bigger than this one? Van truly found it admirable how they spent so much to ensure the safety of their citizen. The Relic Graveyard that Van used to live in was right in the center of a Deadzone, the only reason why they were able to remain there safely was that an outpost of the Explorer Association was nearby.
Once again, Van was in awe of the difference between this country compared to America.
"...And what about the thing we are wearing?" Van then slightly rotated his body as he examined the outfit he was wearing. It was some sort of tight suit, padded in what seemed to be an armored material coated in silver color.
"That's the standard issued armor for the Explorers in this country. Yours has a silver color, and mine is a little bit darker, representing our ranks." Charlotte said, "It's added protection, especially for the squishy types. The material they used is from Portals, you'll be seeing a lot more artifacts here since they aren't controlled by the Circle."
"Why did I have to wear it as well? What kind of treatment is this?"
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Angela appeared in between the two, causing Van to slightly squint his eyes as the color of her suit reflected the sun due to its golden brilliance.
"Pft," Charlotte quickly let out a slight chuckle as she looked at Angela, "You two look like you're just going to a costume party," Charlotte said before her eyes also strayed towards Van.
The two of them were almost of the same height, with Van only 2 inches taller than Angela. And now, seeing them side-by-side wearing almost the same thing but in just different colors, one could not help but automatically burn the image of them in one's mind.
And that's exactly what the people that just arrived in cars did, instantly pointing their cameras towards the two as soon as they arrived.
"Who is this? You were with another person?"
"A golden armor? You're with a Gold-rank Explorer? Where did she suddenly come from?"
"Hmph," Angela could only look to the side as she was bombarded by the cameras, "How long will we be waiting? We should be outside right now so we can get this over with and move on to the next country. We've been here for like almost two weeks now and we still haven't started what Mr. Evans here is meant to do."
"...Why are you talking like you were invited to come with us?" Charlotte quickly rebuked, "You just suddenly appeared out of nowhere and now you're complaining that we're not moving as fast as you thought we would?"
"Just muscle your way out and let's go. Isn't that the only thing you're good at?" Angela said, "Oh wait, you're also good at seducing the person your best friend is in love with!"
"At least I am good at something. Anything you're good at comes from other people."
"Well, that's what my System is. Take your System away and you're just an old washed out grandmother who couldn't even hold his own son when he was born."
"..." Van could only slightly step back as the two once again started clawing at each other. The media people, who were first excited that they were having the first-hand insight into Charlotte's private life were now sweating buckets.
"...Should we delete this part of the footage?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
Although what the two were arguing about could make a good headline, they couldn't possibly release it to the public, doing so might release the wrath of the White Imvubu into their country.
Angela and Charlotte continued their heated conversation, but even then, Van noticed that neither of them was threatening to make things physical. Unlike when Charlotte was arguing with Evangeline, it was as if there was like a thin line wanting to break at any moment.
Their hurtful words echoed through the air until finally, another batch of cars arrived.
"Va-an."
"Mi-- Adia."
Van was about to bow towards Adia as she got out of the car in front of the convoy, but then he remembered that there were cameras watching them. The two had an agreement, as long as they were with other people, in this case, the cameras-- they were to pretend like an actual couple.
Their exploration would and could be watched by almost all of the people of Africa, almost all the time. Adia had already told them the reason for this arrangement.
One being a play in power. If somehow, they were really able to explore and clear out the Deadzone, then a part of the feat would be attributed to the royal family, seeing as Van was the Princess' fiance.
Two-- was that they had the White Imvubu. As long as a monster as strong as the Black-class Cyclops doesn't appear, the princess should be safe. It was also the best time to make and introduce a team of Explorers personally baptized by King Badru.
The team was composed of 3 Silver-ranked Explorers and 2 Gold-rank. And this team was currently making their way towards Van and the others.
"Finally," Angela quickly breathed out her frustration, "For a team composed of professionals, you lot seem to like making your superiors wait. Even Mr. Evans here is better than all of you and he was barely excelling in class."
"Superiors?" The tallest one of the group, a man with a long but scruffy beard stepped forward as he heard the haughtiness in Angela's tone, "As far as I can see, the only one superior to me here is the White Imvubu herself. We may both have the same rank, little girl. But I assure you, I am stronger than you."
"Pft," Charlotte could not help but let out a snort as she heard the man's words, "You heard that, Angie? He's apparently stronger than you."
"Ah! Forgive me for not introducing myself, White Imvubu. I am called Duma," The man that just confronted Angela quickly changed his expression into that of a smile as he looked at Charlotte.
"Although this is the first time we are meeting, I could feel how unearthly your strength is. It is truly a blessing for us to have your presence in our exploration to the unknown."
"Oh? You could feel how strong I am?" Charlotte let out a slight chuckle.
"Indeed, Great White Imvubu," Duma nodded, "And I am sure my team feels the same."
As soon as he said that, the people behind him all nodded at the same time.
"I see. You could feel how strong I am, interesting…" Charlotte placed her hand on her chin, "And yet you don't see how strong she is compared to all of you?" Charlotte then weakly whispered as she took a slight glance towards Angela.
"What was that, White Imvubu?"
"Oh, it is nothing," Charlotte smiled as she waved her hand, "I take it this is all of you?"
"Yes," Duma said. He was about to introduce the team one by one, but Charlotte stopped him before he could do so.
"Let's leave the introductions once we're inside the car."
"Of course, White Imvubu! You heard her, prepare the truck so we could all prepare to take off!" Duma started giving orders to what seemed to be the Standby team from the Explorer Association. Afterward, he then approached Adia, who was quietly standing beside Van.
"What about you, Princess Adia? Will you also be riding with us on the truck?"
"Of course, I will stand beside my fiance wherever he chooses to go," Adia quickly nodded.
"Are you sure? We can prepare an enclosed vehicle for you. The road ahead would be humid, not to mention rough."
"It is fine. You don't need to worry about me, Duma. Just do what you have to do and focus on the Exploration."
"Very well," Duma only took a slight glance towards Van, not even greeting him before he turned around, going back to his team to talk to them.
"...I take it he's a failed suitor of yours?"
"Wha… how did you know!?"
Adia could not help but slightly back away as she heard Van's words.
"I didn't," Van said, his face completely stoic, "I just assumed since he is giving me the cold shoulder."
"Yeah," Adia let out a long and deep sigh as she shook her head, "It was only grandpa that wanted me to marry him a few years ago. Duma and you actually have something in common."
"...What?" Van could not help but blink his eyes a couple of times as he looked at Duma. Duma was taller than Charlotte and was probably only second to Mr. Jacobs in terms of manliness… What exactly do the two of them have in common, exactly?
"Well, he has another name he is going by-- Bolt."
"..." Once again, Van's mind was filled with confusion, "...I still don't see how that makes us similar."
"Well, let's just say that the two of you…
...are both very fast."