Chapter 161 - Days CDLXXVI - CDLXXXII

There was a bit of a fuss with Jayadeva changing his mind about this whole operation, and his son's involvement, but Hatta and Amit remained adamant. There were too many points and time already invested in Rishi, to just let the boy go.

We all were not proud of it, but the decision has been made, and there was no backing away from it. The boy understood it better than his father, but Jayadeva still didn't want to back down, so we ended up just taking the kid from him, and putting Jayadeva behind locked doors.

Things became heated, but I progressed with the hunt and did my best to provide Rishi with the agreed amount of points.

Aisha had to step in, so things wouldn't go out of control. Fortunately for us, she was back in the city. For the first time since her betrayal, I felt like she was useful to us. Still, she demanded her share of the 'magical equipment' if they actually managed to make it.

With the help of her girls, craftsmen were kept busy in Velvet Lotus, instead of scheming against Wuxia. And those who weren't... We kept a close eye on them.

We had few close calls during those days, and Amit got wounded pretty heavily. I helped him with my healing skill, but the device had to finish what I barely started.

On the last day's evening, both father and son reunited in Hatta's office. It was only the three of us, and the two of them. I almost teared up seeing them hugging each other. It made me feel like a monster, but things had to be done this way.

- I should have never allowed this! - cried Jayadeva while keeping Rishi in his arms. - You are not a fighter my son! You should have never gone through this!

- I'm fine, dad! Everything is ok.

- Nothing is ok. They kidnapped you! They imprisoned me!

- Because you wouldn't let me go. We agreed to this, father.

- We didn't understand what we agreed to. Somebody else should do it, instead of you. They kidnaped you, my son. Back home they would be punished for such a thing!

- But we are not home. We are here father.

Jayadeva sighed heavily and turned to Hatta.

- You will pay me for what you did.

- Jayadeva... We agreed about this whole endeavor. With our investment in crystals, we couldn't just allow you to resign.

- It's my son! We are talking about my son!

- Your sone went to battle and returned stronger. I know we did something terrible to you, but there is no place here for wasting resources. We are in a very tough situation ourselves - Amit joined the conversation. - All I can say is that your son was safe all the time. We did our best.

Jayadeva snorted, still not convinced.

- Dad! Please... I wanted this, and it all ended up well, so, please... Let's put this behind us.

- Is that what you really want, son?

- Yes.

- Very well then. But let me warn all of you. If you ever try again to rise you rand against my family, ill kill you all! Even if it is the last thing I do! - he yelled, and stormed out, pulling Rishi with him.

- Good job guys. That ended well - I said and went to grab a glass, to pour myself some alcohol.

- You were involved in this just as us - Amit pointed out.

I just shredded, and went to sit down on the couch, and enjoy my disgusting drink.

- We still need to keep an eye on them - said Hatta. - I don't want them to side with Blue.

- I made sure Rishi won't do that. His father might be angry, but the kid isn't. He did well.

- What about the classes?

- He picked engineer class, and fighter so far. The rest of the points is unspent yet. We consulted this, and they will need some time to think the combinations through. Jayadeva was mentioning Marcella before. She knows a lot.

- Keep your hand on the pulse Amit. And you Peter... Thanks.

- I want a nice pudao after this is all done - I said, and finished my drink in one go. - And now a bit of a break. So don't you dare to come anywhere close to me and Nadia.

Hatta smiled.

- I make sure you are not disturbed. Just remember there are still many things to be done.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah - I said, waving my hand at him, then left.

I headed to the bathhouse, to clean myself up, and then to the cafeteria, to eat something warm. Then the grand search for Nadia started. She wasn't in her room, but I managed to catch her in the city center, as she was walking back to the barracks. 

- I thought you were back.

- I had to talk with the others. Why are you so late? I looked for you everywhere.

- Busy day. Some problems with craftsmen...

- I guess that's partially my fault.

- Yes, but let's talk about something else...

- Like what?

- I have a bottle of wine in my room.

- And what after we are done with the wine? - I tried my best to not show my emotions.

A smirk appeared on her face.

- We will see... 

I went closer, to grab her hand, and together we went to her room. Opened the bottle of wine, and finally relaxed. I talked for a moment with her about my worries involving what we did to Jayadeva and Rishi.

She actually agreed that had to be done, and reassured me that sometimes the tough decisions, involving hurting other people, are the best we can do. This world was different from earth, and we couldn't rely on the law and police. Everything was in our hands, and our resources were limited, so we had to try to do the best with what we had.

Still, I was sad, but she knew exactly how to cheer me up.

This period came to an end with 7 745 071 points remaining on my account.