Chapter 1076: The President''s Daughter (2)


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    Erik and the Chimaeric Demon in charge of the operation left the building. A cool-looking flying car hovered nearby, waiting to pick Erik and the Chimaeric Demon. The others were already there.


    An operation like this required lots of time and preparation, and since there were guards, workers, and people with Veritas Lenses, they needed to take care of that first.


    Besides, they had to get a hold over the control tower because it was there that news about arriving nes got first.


    If there was a change of schedule, a change of ns on the enemy side, it would get there first.


    "Your transport is ready, Master," the Chimaeric Demon said, gesturing towards the flying car.


    Erik nodded. A door slid open, revealing a luxurious interior. How the Chimaeric Demons got the car was a mystery. It was probably stolen, but at this point Erik didn''t care. He climbed in, settling into the plush seat as the Chimaeric Demon took the pilot''s position.


    "Set course for the airport."


    The flying car started up with a soft hum. Its special engines lifted it into the air. As they flew higher, the buildings below looked smaller and smaller.


    Erik thought.


    <For years I fought against this organization... the ckguards... who, from the shadows, manipted governments and caused the deaths of countless people. And yet, here I am, plotting to take over countries and rece people exactly like they did.>


    Erik often wondered if he was going too far. After all, going to the extreme of recing governments'' leaders was not something anyone could or would do. It was morally bad, and for years, Erik only had his morality.


    When he didn''t have money, when he didn''t have friends, when he couldn''t ask for help to escape the Crystal Cross Gang, Erik used morality as hispass to behave. Sure, he did his fair share of bad things, but it wasn''t like the people he killed didn''t deserve it.


    His morality led him to help Liberty Watch, who went from a starving vige in the forest to a flourishing metropolis in a gigantic mountain. That allowed him to have a foothold in the world, a ce he could really consider his home, where he had friends.


    That foothold allowed him to get his people to safety when he got kicked out of Etrium, which allowed him to rescue his father, even if the result had been his death, regardless.


    Yet Erik felt bad.


    <It''s almost like it is me who is the bad guy.>n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But then the young man shook his head, trying to clear away the doubts. He reminded himself of his true intentions. <No, I''m not the bad guy here. I''m doing what needs to be done to stop the real monsters.>


    He realized his actions might look extreme to others. He thought about what his dad, Richard, Caiden, and Becker would think if they knew what he was nning. They probably wouldn''t like it.


    It would have been a scary thought for all of them-a single man putting the whole human world under control.


    <At least the ckguards are many, but I... I''m just one.>


    The amount of power Erik had was already enough to make people tremble and countries shiver, which most likely was the main point that the ckguards were using among their ranks as a justification for them to capture him.


    As for Becker and the others. He firmly believed that the only thing that prevented them from outright trying to kill him was that they needed him, and somehow trusted he wouldn''t misuse his powers.


    At least in theory, fear might have been another reason, one that he needed to address if he wanted to live peacefully after the ckguards got destroyed.


    Erik had thought little about how his actions might affect his rtionships, especially with allies like Becker.


    There was one thing he knew, though. That after defeating the ckguards, Becker might see him as dangerous and want to get rid of him. The trust they had built would fall apart.


    Erik''s ns to take control of governments were making things worse. He thought these actions were necessary to fight the ckguards, but others might see them as Erik abusing his power.


    He worried that the people who once supported him might be his enemies in the future. At that point, what would Amber and Emily do? Stand with their parents, or join him, turning their backs on humanity?


    <I wonder what would happen after all this...>


    Erik had no intention of abusing power once he gained control. He just wanted to eradicate the ckguards and their influence, then step back, retreat into some hidden part of the world, make a farm, and live a simple life, hopefully with the three women with him. Having kids, bringing them to school, the usual.


    Erik worried that his n for a peaceful life after defeating the ckguards might not be possible.


    He realized that his current actions and growing power could make it hard for him to just disappear and live a normal lifeter.


    He thought the world might not let him go easily once they knew what he could do and what he did to achieve the peace, he would gift everyone. This made Erik feel even more troubled about his situation.


    <This is just temporary,> Erik said to himself. <Once the ckguards are gone, I''ll make sure these countries return to proper democratic rule. Yes...>


    Erik tried to calm his racing thoughts and focus on the task ahead. He knew he couldn''t let his doubts and worries distract him now.


    The current mission was too important since a lot depended on it. He took a deep breath and pushed his mixed feelings aside.


    He couldn''t let his personal struggles get in the way of their n. There was too much at stake to lose focus now.


    <This is necessary. It is the only way I have to purge this world from the ckguards.>