729 Mars' Situation
The war between earth and the demon abyss ended shortly after Varian's message.
The Xanders and Abyssals realized Dreamer killed their princes and now saw the ongoing conflict as pointless.
Earthlings and even humans on other planets welcomed the decision with open arms.
Varian's reputation, especially among earthlings, grew by leaps and bounds.
Of course, there was still a general opinion that he wasn't helping humans with the treasures he got from the ruins.
However, it wasn't so one-sided anymore.
'Maybe he has difficulties.'
'We don't know what he's facing.'
'If someone like him who desires peace has the chance and isn't doing it, he might be facing issues we don't know of.'
Bit by bit, Julius' words took a backseat and Varian's image was seen in a positive light.
At the same time, tens of thousands of families were grieving.
The war came at a cost. And even though they were prepared, they didn't like it.
Due to this, even though the war was over, the atmosphere seemed to be gloomy.
But even then any martian would prefer earth any day.
Because the current Mars' only inspired fear.
It all started two weeks ago.
[ The daughter of Sovereign Kreo is missing.]
Following that announcement, intense scrutiny that was never seen before began.
Every city, every neighborhood, and every street were searched.
Billions of Nanobots were sent to search every nook and corner of the planet
Hundreds of high awakeners moved from city to city as they searched for traces of Kristine. Their senses scanned the city over and over.
In places with even the slightest suspicion, a lockdown was imposed.
Sometimes, it was only streets with less than a hundred people. Others, an entire neighborhood with a few hundred members.
Quite a few times, an entire city with more than ten million people was locked down.
The freedom that people took for granted was suddenly snatched away. Even though everyone could move within the city, in this day and age where interplanetary travel was the norm, this felt no different from being jailed.
But that was only the beginning.
Individuals were taken for questioning upon suspicion. No court order. No arrest permit. Nothing.
The complaints online were censored. The protests were crushed.
More than ten thousand people were taken in for questioning and faced heavy interrogation.
For some, it was three days without food or water. For others, it was a heavy beating. For a few though, it was being pushed to the brink of death.
Thirty people died under such methods.
And almost everyone taken to interrogation was traumatized.
The lawyers, the media, and the social activists that questioned the activity in the court were given one answer.
It was Sovereign Kreo's daughter.
It was a relatively short time, but people were already terrified. In recent history, this was the worst infraction on every human right.
And naturally, a wave of hatred spread against Kreo and his people.
Right from the high generals at the top to the lowest police officer carrying out orders on the ground, resentment grew.
This man, this one man, using his status as Sovereign, took the entire planet a hostage.
They had no one to complain to.
Even other Sovereigns were helpless because Kreo was really going crazy.
They tried to convince him, cajole him, and even threatened him, but Kreo remained adamant.
After the Sovereign meet, he even made an announcement.
It was only a voice announcement, so people didn't see his hateful face, but his words crushed the last thought of resistance.
"If you don't let me find my daughter, I'd stop fighting. You can defend Mars yourselves."
Coming from a Sovereign, it was the lowest of low.
The public felt betrayed and hated him even more as they accepted their helplessness.
The people who knew Kreo on the other hand were shocked.
Normally, Kreo was composed and clever. He was someone who considered the consequences of his actions and used his brains to get things done.
But now…
What happened to that man for him to spout such things?
'His daughter…'
The people close to Kreo only knew he loved his mentally challenged daughter. Since Kreo didn't about her, they thought he got over the incident.
But only now did they realize something.
'He's crazy for his daughter.'
He was willing to put the entire mars at risk for her sake.
Thankfully, no one saw his current state. Or they'd be freaking out.
"Kris…"
In the depths of a large pink castle built for Kristie rang a cry.
"Princess…"
The voice was dry, but eager, with undying hope.
"Little girl…when are you returning?"
No. It wasn't hope. It was denial.
In a room filled with fluff toys sat an old man.
His eyes were red and his face was ghostly pale. Despite his expensive clothes, he looked like a beggar in countenance.
Kreo held the teddy bear Kristine used to play with and opened his mouth.
"Kr-Kristine, if you don't return, Mr. Bear will run away…"
Decades ago, when Kristine was a real kid and didn't sleep on time, he said those words to her.
His words worked and the little girl held the teddy bear and fell asleep.
After the incident, despite growing up, she continued to hold the teddy bear.
Kreo looked at the giant hologram displaying the results of the search.
Mars was undergoing a carpet search and problems kept arising.
Kreo's comm kept ringing with calls from mayors, army men, and business owners.
He didn't care.
His attention was fixed on the search.
"E-Evander…" Kreo gritted his teeth as blood leaked out of his mouth.
Kreo hated Evander to the core.
But he hated himself equally.
"I-If only I wasn't so confident in Evander and underestimate Enigma…"
If he took enough precautions, he was certain in capturing Sia and Enigma.
Then, using their blood, Julius would create a potion.
Even though it's not perfect, the potion could act as a substitute for Galini Herb.
It could cure his daughter.
Now, forget the cure, he lost his daughter!
"I'll find you at any cost."
Looking at the picture of a woman, he swore.
With pale skin and dark green hair, she seemed to be in her late twenties. Yet, she wore a pink princess dress and had an innocent smile on her face.
Kreo's eyes burned with determination as he reaffirmed his vow.
"Any cost."
