OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 212: A Warning

Chapter 212: A Warning

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Together, they made their way to the building's exit, where a crowd of reporters had indeed gathered.

Cameras were thrust forward, their operators eager to capture every word and image.

"Mr. Emir, how does it feel to have your family's personal life under such intense scrutiny?" Emir's gaze momentarily flickered to something in the distance.

"I'd say it's quite... eye-opening."

"I don't know why people are so interested, but that doesn't Matter to me. A private life is what I and my family want so please show us some respect."

"We've heard some allegations of impropriety in your personal finances. Care to comment on that?"

Emir's face showed a soft smile.

"Well, I can assure you that our financial matters are in Good hands. In perfect Order, one could say "

"Ms. Amanda, some have suggested that your relationship with Mr. Emir is purely strategic. Is that true?"

Lyra's lips curled into a faint smile.

"In every partnership, there's a certain degree of strategy involved, wouldn't you say?"

"Ms. Laura, how do you respond to accusations that your son's activities are putting your family at risk?"

Laura glanced at Emir and then back at the reporter.

"We're a resilient family, and we support each other through thick and thin."

"Ms. Lily, how do you feel about your brother overshadowing you as such?"

Lily rolled her eyes.

"Pride."

"Ms. Amanda, your history is a bit of a mystery. Can you share more about your background and how you became involved with Mr. Emir?"

Lyra's gaze held unnoticeable contempt towards the reporter.

"...Let's just say that sometimes the most intriguing stories remain untold."

"Mr. Elijah, we've heard of your sudden 'departure' from the MoonScribe family; can you comment on that?"

Elijah's face contorted for a moment, but after a pat from Lily, he sighed and simply answered:

"...No."

"Mr. Emir, can you explain how you managed to 'convince' the judge to rule in your favor this time?"

Emir let out a chuckle.

"It's all about... Using Strategic and morally right perspectives."

"Mr. Elijah, do you feel that you're being unfairly treated by Emir and his family?"

Elijah showed a wide smile, almost dazzling the reporter.

"We didn't live long together, but I already feel at home. I could've never asked for a better family to have taken me in-"

"Ms. Amanda, your association with Mr. Emir is highly controversial. Do you feel like you're living in his shadow?"

Lyra leaned closer to the microphone.

"Sometimes shadows hold their secrets, don't you think?"

"Ms. Laura, your company's rise has been meteoric. Can you honestly say you've never done anything illegal?"

Laura's tone was unwavering.

"Our success is a result of hard work, integrity, and-"

"Mr. Emir, rumors suggest you have a private army. Are you preparing for some kind of coup?"

Emir chuckled softly.

"I've always believed in being prepared for the unexpected. You never know when situations might... Call Me or my team into action."

The reporters descended upon them like a wave.

Cameras constantly flashed, questions came fast and furious, but they maintained

composure.

Laura stood by Emir's side, and they were a reassuring presence to the little ones behind.

She even occasionally fielded questions herself, speaking of her children's bravery and the family's unity.

Lily lashed out a few times when some reporters suggested that she was envious of Emir's accomplishments.

Lyra kept her mysterious demeanor, dancing around every question.

Elijah was the only quiet one of the bunch.

These people were his family and Emir was grateful for them.

They had always been there for him, supporting him through every challenge.

They were his rock, his motivation, and the source of his strength.

And so... he would never allow anyone to ask too rude a question, even to their new member.

A calm center in the storm, Emir's subtle projection of Death's Shadow was hidden beneath the surface, affecting only those who sought harm.

Those who showed respect saw only a composed, charismatic, and slightly scary young man who 'honestly' answered questions.

Completely unaware that he was providing subtle hints to a certain someone in his answers. As they continued to clamor for attention, he took a moment to glance at Lyra.

She gave him a nod, and he knew their time to leave had come.

"Sorry everyone, we'll get going now! Make way!"

Emir led his family through the crowd, pushing those who blocked his path away while keeping his family within arms reach in case anything unexpected happened.

And soon, they escaped the premises.

Yet the reporters remained hounding them, following them into the streets.

But that didn't matter to them as they had an escape plan ready.

Lyra already prepared a vehicle outside, parked near the sidewalk.

Emir was informed of its location and then headed towards it, ignoring the pests surrounding

them.

...

Slam!

A sighing Emir closed a door behind him as he sat in the front seat of their Blade Runner.

He glanced in the rear-view mirror, watching his family make themselves comfortable in

their seats.

"Nicely done, everyone; keeping calm with those things must've been tough."

"Of course! I'm the best."

Lily's voice boomed after his, causing them all to join each other in laughter.

But suddenly, a ring echoed through the cruiser, bringing silence in its wake. Emir didn't bother picking up his terminal and used the center console to answer the call.

With his finger tapping on the steering wheel, he said:

"Hey, Magnus! Glad you heard my message; I've wanted to talk to you for a long time now...."

Muffled gasps resounded behind him, but Emir paid them no heed, concentrating on the

conversation instead.

"....."

"A convo between the noose and the neck is long overdue, don't you think?"

"...So no more playing who talks first?"

Magnus's voice reverberated through the cruiser's speakers, unexpectedly friendly, not high

in pitch nor low, sounding like the average everyday man...

"No... I've had enough mind games. We've been playing around too much...."

"And I think it's better that we get to the point."

"So... what do you want? What do you want from me?"

Magnus sounded a chuckle.

"What do I want? Me from you? Are you sure you're asking the right questions? You-"

"Get to the point." Emir cut him off, his tone cold.

"...My friend, you're many years.... Actually, you're hundreds of years away from thinking of

asking me such questions."

"Shut up, seriously, I've had enough..." Emir mumbled out.

"You wanted to control me since the day I was born."

"You, you tried, but you failed."

"And now... You involved my family."

"I've sworn to kill you once, and I'll do it again."

"You know the saying, give me liberty or give me death?"

"No, stop rambling-"

"Well, I'll take my own freedom." Emir cut him off again.

"Magnus one day...."

"One day you will have to answer for your actions, and unlike those 'gods,' I'll not be so

merciful..."

"My blade will find itself through your brain."

"Your heart will find itself crushed by my hand..."

"I swear this Oath to you."

Magnus's laugh boomed within the cruiser.

"Oath?"

"You? And oaths?"

"?????????? -"

"Ugh, too loud; shut up!"

Magnus's maddened laugh quietened at Emir's words.

"Haaaah.... You, my friend, talking about oaths is a funny thing...."

"Not when I know that you still have the dirt on those Moonscribe ants."

"But that doesn't matter."

"Go ahead. Release it..."

"Let's light this candle, huh?"

"I mean, sure, I'll lose everything, but then..."

"I'll have nothing to lose."

Emir sneered.

"We both know neither you nor I want that."

Magnus and Emir understood the consequences.

If the Order was discovered to be going against the same rules that all other factions and

galactic federations abided by, then....

A war would ensue.

Spanning the entirety of the universe.

Those at the Paragon rank would be involved. Maybe even those primordials of the long past. And at the end, this war would bring about Magnus's head.

But before it could even take place, Magnus would make sure of Emir's demise.

"You've been too disobedient lately, and I've been lenient with you...."

"I'll still be."

"You see, I can't afford to lose you...."

"I can still control you, subject 777, an Eternal Star."

"And trust that I won't fail next time."

"I'll never fail."

"But you did." Emir rebuked.

"Shut up! ... You know the future, don't you?"

Emir nodded.

"Hm-Hm."

"Well, this time, my hounds will be directly involved...."

"So, just be sure to keep your promise... after all, it's the Earth's lifeline."

Emir scoffed, his fingers still tapping. "Whatever you say." After a quick pause, Magnus added:

".... And by the way, is Lyra there? Say hi to her, now won't you?"

"I'm still excited to see how your story will unfold."

His words caused Lyra to show surprise as she immediately asked:

"Were you the agent?"

Emir turned to her with raised brows.

[You know him?]

"Yes, she does." Magnus answered in her stead.

"And don't worry, she's not cheating on you."

"I just controlled one of my agents back then to keep a direct eye on you and her. But I guess I

should've done more to keep you asleep."

"Who would've known that those of the Star had such capabilities..."

"And here I thought that AIs wouldn't be becoming sentient after The Age of Koh-I-Noor."

"...Heh, I'm fine; that thought never crossed my mind... I mean, if you could see her face right now, you'd think the same."

Emir commented while looking at Lyra's rage-filled form, similar to the past and current Lily,

both barely able to suppress themselves from lashing out at Magnus.

Sounding a laugh, the Order's Tenth leader spoke, his voice now low:

"I am sure you realize this already, but I have to ask...."

"This game that we have here. It's a rigged one. It's been rigged from the start, and you..."

"You're on the losing side of it."

"So do you think that you are up to the task of winning?"

||

11

"...It would be hard for me too, so I definitely wouldn't like to be you."

Tsk!

Emir clicked his tongue and slammed his hand down on the steering wheel; his constant

tapping had now stopped.

'I'll end the talk; I ain't getting anything more out of this.'

"Just fuck off with this shit!"

"You're crazy, man, like a different type of crazy. You seriously need to be studied..."

"Actually, you know what?"

"What, you mad-"

"Just go choke on an alien sandwich and die, you greedy dick head, filthy—"

Toot toot~

Emir let out a chuckle as the call ended.

"...Well, I guess that got him."

"And sorry about all the swearing, Mom; just please don't lecture me later."

A trembling sigh escaped Laura's lips.

"...I won't. Let's just go home."