CH.345 Bringing Cailie Home
<span style="font-weight:400">After a good night’s rest at a high-ss inn, or maybe I should just call it a hotel, I met up with again. I do have to question her job still. Is keeping an eye on me really that important? … that was a joke. I know it probably is.
<span style="font-weight:400">From there, we headed for Cailie’s house. It was located in an underwater residential area inside the city. Basically an underwater apartment building for mer-folk and other aquatic races. There were only very few of them inside the city, as the space was limited, so Cailie originally lived in one in theke surrounding the city, but after she became a singer, her managementpany moved her to live inside the city.
<span style="font-weight:400">’s card got us inside the building itself, and from there we went to the door leading to Cailie’s room. It was quite small, nothing more than a small apartment. Not really something you’d expect a rising star to be living in. Some of the room was underwater, but there were also a few spots where you could stay above the water.
<span style="font-weight:400">… Actually, do mer-folk usually sleep in water or above water? Well, at least for Cailie, her bed was about half-way in the water, so that when sheys in it, just a bit of her would be in the water, while the rest would be above the water. But she can also sleep fully outside of water, as I learned from the time she spent with us. The part I don’t know is if they can live fully submerged. I mean, mer-folk do have gills, so maybe? But for gills to work properly, you have to have water flowing through them, so perhaps it is only possible if there is a fan or something moving the water. So maybe just sleeping half-submerged is the easiest?
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good morning, Cailie.” I greeted the girl inside. She had seemingly packed all of her stuff, as all of the closets in the room were empty. There was still furniture and things like tableware, but those are probably a part of the house, not something Cailie owns.
<span style="font-weight:400">All of her stuff was inside a backpack style magic bag that I’d given Cailie. It was actually kind of cool, because it could be used under water. Most magic bags, if opened under water, would fill themselves with water, but Cailie’s wouldn’t, so the one she had was a bit special in that way. And it was of course waterproof.
<span style="font-weight:400">“M-morning, Brian.” Cailie responded to my greeting.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see you’ve packed. So no change of heart.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No! I still want to go with you.” Cailie said, clearly with determination in her voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Happy to hear that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“At least two of us are.” mented.
<span style="font-weight:400">“, this isn’t about you.” I pointed out. “Sure it will be a bit more paperwork, but do you even have to deal with it? Don’t you have someone to pawn it off to?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I wish I did.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... you don’t? Maybe you should get one.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can’t for security reasons.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, then I’d like to apologize for the trouble. Is there something I can give you that will make it better?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... maybe an airship like the ones you have?” asked, probably jokingly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I can look into that. I think you know that for now it is impossible, but I can check if I can make it into something that you could use.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wait? Are you serious?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure, why not? But it will take some time, so I can make the mapping software, I’ll also have to install the location beacons, make some sort of power source that doesn’t rely on HomeBase and so on, so don’t expect one any time soon. But maybe in a year or something, I might have them. And I might just think about giving one to you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... maybe something more simple would be better after all.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, maybe. And I feel like your higher-ups will purchase a few ships from me anyway, when they are avable.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Most likely yes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, since you don’t know what you want, I can at least give you this.” I said, as I got a letter exchange box out of Storage.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... and this is?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A letter exchange box. If you put a letter, or anything small really, inside of it, it will instantly be transported to its other half. Which I will set up in my office. So when youe up with something you want, send me a letter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Are you sure you want to give me one of these?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure. Why not? Admittedly, they aren’t that difficult to make.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then why didn’t you give one to Miss Cailie when you left her here?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I hadn’t designed them at that point.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“So you made these … in two months?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Actually it took me about three hours. As I said, they are simple. And as I also said, if you want something as an apology gift, even if it is something that doesn’t exist, I might be able to make one. As long as you give me a bit of time.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I … I’ll think about your offer and I’ll be in contact.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You can… you can also send me letters, . I’ll respond to them.” Cailie told her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you, Cailie. This city will be more quiet without you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... that’s fine. It is too loud anyway.”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">After making sure Cailie had all of her stuff packed, it was time to tell the people she is quitting. Cailie said that thedy at the herb store will understand, so we decided to start with her first. And while it got a bit tearful on the part of the store owner, she understood why Cailie wanted to quit and let her go. As a thanks for the store owner being so understanding, I ended up buying a bunch of her herbs.
<span style="font-weight:400">After that was all dealt with, it was time for the idol agency. It isn’t actually called that, but that is what I’ll call it, because it sounds almost like a Japanese idol agency. Just because how controlling the people are, and so on. And with me using an intermediate water spirit as a booster, since I didn’t have that rebreather thing today, we again zoomed across the city so we arrived at the idol office quite quickly.
<span style="font-weight:400">I have to say, zooming in water like that is really fun. Maybe I should turn one of the water floors of HomeBase into some sort of underwater race track? It probably wouldn’t even be difficult and all I’d have to develop is a rebreather, which I already wanted to make, and an underwater booster thingy.
<span style="font-weight:400">And think about this. If I turn the booster thingy into a duel disk, then we could have underwater duels. Card games on motorcycles don’t got nothing on card games underwater. It could evene with limits like only being able to use cards that can survive underwater, just limit deck building.
<span style="font-weight:400">Well, before I worry about all of that, I need to figure out we can have regr duels. I mean, we can have duels already, but even though Lua and Alice know the basic rules of Yugioh, they haven’t really put any time into understanding deck building, so we really just don’t do it. We did have a few duels with decks that I made for us, but I’m not sure if either of them are sold on the idea of really getting into Yugioh. Maybe I should speak Lady Janina into it. I feel like she might enjoy it more and she does seem to have the time to build custom decks.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">The building where the idol agency was housed wasn’t actually one that had a water entrance, so Cailie and I got out of the water at a near-by spot that had some dressing rooms. Because and I had to take off my swimwear. Unlike the rebreather, I did purchase my swimwear yesterday, and carried hers in a magic bag.
<span style="font-weight:400">I also got the wheelchair out for Cailie, so I could push her into the building. With ’s help, we quickly got inside the building and from there, Cailie was quite quickly able to get a meeting with someone from thepany. Though it did seem to be rare for a mer-folk toe to the main office, instead of sending a message through their manager.
<span style="font-weight:400">But despite us taking the abnormal route, Cailie was given the opportunity to meet someone.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“I quit, effective immediately.” Cailie just said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You can’t. You have a contract.” The man quickly said. He wasn’t a human man, but some sort of dog-folk actually.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t recall signing one.” Cailie said. “Would you show me this contract?”
<span style="font-weight:400">What Cailie was saying was something and I came up with yesterday, after we heard she doesn’t actually have a physical contract. So all that actually ties her to the idol work is a promise she made to both her manager, as well as the manager that first realized her talent. They legitimately have nothing they can use to force her to keep working.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You gave us your word.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Did I? I don’t recall doing so.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t screw around with me!” The dog got quite angry with Cailie’s tone. “What do you think your fans will say?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“They’ll be quite disappointed, I’d imagine.” Cailie said nonchntly. I guess all of that singing practice has given her some acting skills.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And what are we supposed to say to them!?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“How about ‘We are an evilpany that tries to force people to do what they don’t want to do?’” I suggested. I was going to have Cailie say it, but it might be a bit too much.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And just who are you?” The dog asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Honorary Baron Brian Wood, at your service.” I introduced myself.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Some wannabe noble thinking they can do whatever they want. What did you do for your title?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just founded a dungeon, nothing much.” I said as I revealed my terminal. “But you do realize, Cailie isn’t asking for permission to leave. She is informing you she will leave.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And just so both of you know, if Miss Cailie is to leave ourpany, she will never work in this industry again.” The dog-folk said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good.” Cailie responded. “I never really wanted to work in it in the first ce. Bye.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You think I’m going to let it go like that?” The dog called after us.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. I expect that you do.” I told him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“At least you will pay out the money to refund every ticket to Cailie’s next concert, won’t you mister noble?” The dog egged me, and I will admit, I 100% want to fall into his bait.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Sure, I can do that. How much?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... what?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I asked how much. Or do you want me to count? The tickets I picked up were two small silvers each. I think there were around 1000 or so people in the audience, so all those tickets would be about 100 gold.” I did the quick math. “But to be fair, my audience estimation might be off, so let’s double it. Here are your 200 gold.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I got a pouch filled with gold coins out of Storage and not so gently threw it right at mister dog’s head. Trying to slow it down at least a little, he put his hands in front, but it didn’t matter and the bag ended up crashing into his face with enough force that his chair fell over and the dog ended up on the ground.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... is he okay?” asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">I quickly checked up and the man was breathing. I then got a Goblin''s Secret Remedy and shoved the leaf it gave me directly into the dog''s mouth. It was an effective healing method, but I didn’t usually use it because the taste left a bit to be desired, but it was perfect for this dog.
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’ll live.” I told . “Let’s go.”
<span style="font-weight:400">With our message delivered, we left the room. Surely someone will check on that dog-folk man soon. And if they don’t, that is their problem.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">Once outside, I decided it was time for us to leave this city, before this idolpany has the time to do something stupid, like sending a task force after us. And I got to vent some of my anger with that money toss, so let’s get out of here before I actually punch someone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will take you to the airstrip then.” said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nah. We aren’t flying back.” I told her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... you aren’t?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nope. Teleportation.” I just said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... okay? Why didn’t you arrive that way?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry. I can only teleport back home.” I told her. “Please tell Lieutenant Jawy that I don’t need his services. I’m guessing he is waiting for me somewhere near the airstrip.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll be sure to do that.” said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Cailie, you ready to go?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. … Do I need to do something special?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not much, but I do need to hold you in my arms. I hope you don’t mind.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No. It’s fine.”
<span style="font-weight:400">After Cailie said that, I picked her up into my arms. While it might be a bit … wrong to say, she had gained a bit of weight since thest time I carried her. Not that it is a bad thing, as she was quite thin back then. She is clearly much better now.
<span style="font-weight:400">After that, I took both Cailie’s magic bag and the wheelchair into Storage, and we were ready to go.
<span style="font-weight:400">And as I said, we are teleporting home. Not with Space Magic. I’m not quite there yet. But I don’t need Space Magic when I have HomeBase cheats. Both Agunan and I can teleport back to HomeBase’s True Core. It is an emergency feature of the Chaos God Core, after all. And anything we happen to be holding closely wille with us. That is why I had to take Cailie into my arms. If I didn’t, there is a full chance she would have been left here, instead of teleporting with me.
<span style="font-weight:400">So after a goodbye to , we disappeared from the Hero’s country.
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">As soon as we arrived in the True Core room, I teleported us out of there and directly into my office. Because while I do feel like Cailie will eventually learn about the existence of the True Core, for now she doesn’t have to know about it.
<span style="font-weight:400">I then got out Cailie’s wheelchair and ced her back onto it.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wee back, Master.” Endy weed me. “And wee to HomeBase, Miss Cailie. My name is Endymion, but please feel free to call me Endy.”
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“H-Hello, mister Endymion.” Cailie responded. “... Brian? Where are we?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is my office. Inside HomeBase, aka my home.” I told her. “Endy, anything I need to know now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nothing major. We have some movements on Princess Nevelle as well as a report from Miss Alice.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. I already know Alice’s report, as I heard it from her in the Factory, and I’ll hear about Nevelleter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you wish.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Also, can you send a few maids to prepare one of the water rooms for Cailie?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tinkhec is active today, and I don’t believe she is the best fit for it. Do we have the permission to activate someone else?” Endy asked.
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah. Give the avatar room the permission to activate Nudyarl. She can deal with it, and keep going for her tomorrow’s shift with a short rest, I believe.”
Spoiler
[copse]
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you wish, Master. It shall be done.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright. Thanks.” I thanked Endy for his work. “Cailie, you ready to have a tour?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... I … Yes?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. I’ll push you around and introduce you to everyone new.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“O-okay?”