The Ancestor 1 E-Book

Teuvo Virén

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: The Ancestor
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 839

Beschreibung

Archaeologists Constance Arca and Leann Ito, along with their most trusted subordinate, Halmar Getzin, received an invitation to meet with the director of the world's largest company. After their previous mission ended in a predicted failure, the sidelined trio was offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Arca, Ito, and Getzin have the opportunity to express their wishes for their upcoming archaeological find. They each choose a site and receive a map that leads them close to it. The soon-to-arrive guide will lead each expedition to the destina-tion chosen by its leader. None of the trio believes that anyone could know the locations of the sites they are seeking, which were lost thousands of years ago. Expeditions sent over the past few centuries had uniformly failed, and Arca, Ito, and Getzin knew that their fate would be the same. However, it was a small price to pay for the chance to choose their own destinations in two months and start exploring them.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Preface

Warning!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Preface

A new series, new antics, and the same utterly appalling crap from start to finish. Neither of us is particularly sensible. I can’t write anything better to read, and you, despite your countless previous disappointments and against your better judgement, believed so when choosing this book. What sets this series apart from Flac? The Ancestor series takes place in a parallel universe, where human history bears little resemblance to our own.

Teuvo Virén 25.10.2022

Warning!

I didn't have the money to have this translated by a professional, so I did it myself using AI and my limited English skills. Although I managed to fix quite a few translation mistakes, there are certainly still plenty of errors and awkward phrases remaining.

Arba, 455-, country

Cerv, 205-, country:

Athlonier, 433-877, a fortress

Naraca, Giumlin, king 2443-2491

Kurda, 561-877, a fortress

Tordo, Rud, 2955-3009, Chairman

Dirmel, 133-677, country

Glann, 677-, country:

Lanvar, Ada, 2983-3352 ambassador

Hadalda 677-, country:

Arca, Constance, 2970-3066, Chief Archaeologist of the Archaeological Institute of Recr

Body Hill, a hill in Recr

Brendbrach, 859-899, king

Cadracc, coastal area

Caumann, Medr, 838-894, leader of The Protectors

Cave of Knowledge, 500-, legendary hideout of wisdom

Ceiliau, Aldor, 2952-3017, director of television camera crew

Cerellini, Nicklas, 2966-3038, director of excavators in Leann Ito's expedition

Cerria, 642-715, queesn, Joleus’s spouse

Challat, Grika, 2070-3044, supervisor of the excavators

Corath,Meel, 2962-3028, government special investigator

Cula, 732-, city

Daznar, Jyb, 2957-3039, leader of The Protectors, Opren’s brother

Daznar, Opren, 2955-3028, Uu’s deputy chief of the border office, Jyb´s brother

Dreknar, 901-938, king, spouse of Ninea, father of Prolleus and Limne

Magn, Chrowan, 2957-3011, tax chief of Recr

The Echoes, written 298-655, national epic

Egat, 662-698, Joleus and Cerria’s son, one of the Triplets

Elss,Kirsten, 2955-3032, Krafa Fannrak's secretary

Etnec, border area

Fannrak, Jaze, 2945-3033, president’s spouse

Fannrak, Krafa, 2944-3029, president

Getzin, Halmar, 2069-3045, supervisor of the excavators

Glazzak, Tuur, 2955-3017, security adviser

Horwar the Honorable, 473-533, king, Zaznat’s son

Ito,Leann, 2974-3054, Constance Arca's closest subordinate

Joleus, 637-677, king

Komra, Hierondymos, 802-862, baron of Jacda

Korban, Huz, 2965-3041, supervisor of the excavators

Kraknau, 1551-1633, King

Kronnius the Younger, 1203-1255

Kyznar, Er, 2956-3022, Director of Science

Lachten, 122-677, capital of Dirmel

Lardell, Samuel, 2935-3012, Director of the Recr Archaeological Institute

Larra, Eciel, 814-855, founder of The Protectors

Limne, 935-977, princess, daughter of Dreknar and Ninea,

Prolleus the Four-Eye’s sister

Lochke, 662-698, Joleus and Cerria’s son, of the Triplets

Milia, 982-1051, historian

Muldon, Germel, 2001-2045, baron

Morac, 662-698, Joleus and Cerria’s son, one of the Triplets

Mtongo, Ellen, 2955-3018, Head of Hadalda in PUP

Nene, 344-, city

Ninea 903-938, queen, Dreknar’s spouse, Prolleus and Limne’s mother

Nizra,Meilin, 2965-3037, Uu’s Chief of police

One Stone Castle, 100-, mythical fortress

Plenius, 1517-1588, historian

Prolleus the Four-Eye, 933-990, king, Dreknar and Ninea’s son, Limne’s brother

The Protectors, 877-, ancient organization

PUP, 851-, Parallel Universe Products

Zumme, Ellen, 1320-1377, leader of The Protectors

Rauan, Mizle, 2968-3019, border guard chief

Recr, 187-, capital from 677-

Recr University, 940-

Rutte,Yrmel, 215-286, army commander

Ruun, Gazmir, 2949-3022, bank director

The Silent, gladiator legend

Tornol, river

The Triplets, Joleus and Cerria’s sons Egat, Lochke and Morac

Uu, 201-, city

Vaderov, Vacu, 2973-3055, one of The Protectors

Zada, 953-1011, queen, Prolleus the Four-Eeye’s wife

Zaznat, 455-510, king

Zezlii 634-672, Joleus's sister

Zizlee 642-683, Joleus's sister

Rexar, 209-, country:

Rugenic, 207-, country

Ryndd, 211, country:

Mohmot I, 2812-2844, dictator

Mohmot VII 2956-2989, dictator

Mohmot VIII, 2982-, dictator

Zall 677-, country

1

Constance Arca wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. She let her gaze wander over the rugged slopes of the rocky hill in front of her. Of the funds granted to her by the Recr's Archaeological Institute, there was still enough remaining for her to thoroughly investigate either one location or, perhaps hastily, two or even three.

Her expedition was one of the many searching for Joleus’s tomb. All previous attempts had ended in failure. Arca had an unpleasant feeling that her name would join those of the previous leaders on the forgotten pages of history.

The three previous excavation sites had been predetermined. The semi-sane leader of The Archaeological Institute had studied ancient drawings based on legends and attempted to find Hadalda's last great king's tomb using these and more recent maps. Arca had doubted Lardell's success, and despite thorough excavations at the designated sites, nothing had been discovered.

Having taken a couple of sips from the water flask hanging on her hip, the very exhausted Arca glanced at the sun blazing overhead. It was precisely the hottest time of the day. And of the entire summer, to be exact.

– Set up camp here, Leann, the leader of the expedition, commanded her subordinate.

– You might get complaints.

– No need to remind me. I’ll hear grumbling through my tent walls anyway. You can, of course, ask them if they prefer to go down as the evening snack for millions of whining insects or spend the night up here, higher.

– What if they want to go by the water?

– Feel free. I am staying here anyway. The ground is mostly bare rock, but the wind blows those damn flying nuisances elsewhere. Oh, by the way, that patch of grass is reserved for my tent, Arca announced, pointing to the designated spot a little away from their current location.

About half of the expedition's members had decided to spend their night by the slowly flowing river. Let them have fun, muttered the leader of the expedition, engrossed in a tattered map found from who knows what surplus crate at the bottom.

A quick glance revealed about one million five hundred possible burial sites in the area. Every slightly larger hillock could conceal the remains of Dirmel's last ruler. Countless depressions and valleys could accommodate the bones of an entire nation. Not to mention the lakes along the flowing river nearby.

According to the legends, Joleus was buried in the grand hall of his castle. Complete nonsense. Even ordinary kings were invariably laid to rest in caves or specially made tombs as a tribute to those resting within. Placing the great king with all his treasures in a completely unprotected place was absurd, even considering the grave robbers.

The maps of the region, were old and quite undetailed. The oldest of them had been created hundreds of years ago. Most of them were based on even older descriptions. Someone had once attempted to refine the maps but, for some reason, had changed their mind and abandoned the effort. As a testament to the person who momentarily lost his or her sanity, a small part of the area surprisingly held up quite well.

– Come in! Arca exclaimed upon hearing someone’s approaching footsteps in the tent, which was three times larger than usual.

– Am I disturbing?

– No. I'm trying to find a suitable place to squander our money.

– Any pile of rocks will do for that, Leann Ito, who had taken off her wide-brimmed hat, laughed.

– I know. Since the three excavation sites assigned to us, unsurprisingly, turned out to be damp squibs, we can't fare any worse with the option left entirely to our discretion. On the other hand, I would like to find some promising spot.

– I understand. Have you found anything?

– No. If you have nothing better to do, I wouldn't mind if you lend a hand. There are three extra camping chairs on the left side of the entrance.

Leann turned around, spotted the mentioned seats, and fetched one of them. Placing it next to the makeshift table, she then focused on discussing various possibilities for Joleus's burial site with the tent’s occupant.

A couple of hours later, the duo had identified several dozen of potential sites within just a fifty-kilometer radius. After doubling the distance, the number of possible excavation locations had become staggering.

– This won’t work, Arca leaned back, frustrated, and almost toppling over due to the missing backrest.

– Even if we divide those marked locations in half, choose the closest ones, and each get our own subordinates, we still wouldn’t have enough time to go through them in our lifetime.

– What if we tried to narrow down the places?

– Haven’t we already done that?

– Yes, but we did it by thinking about where the fortress could be built, Leann came up with the on the fly.

– What if we spend a moment thinking about where the fortress should be built? Or, well, where it was worthwhile back then.

– You want us to find the best place for defense? Arca got excited.

– The palisades were wooden. There may not be much left of them. The same applies, of course, to possible towers.

Half an hour later, the duo had narrowed down the potential excavations to eighteen. After diligent consideration, they had six left, with at least three too many.

– I don't see any practical difference with those, Arca grumbled and was ready to draw lots for the site when she thought of something.

– There have been many people in the fortress. They must have had access to an unlimited amount of water.

– A well? Lake? River?

– A well may not be enough. The water needed to suffice for hundreds, or even thousands, of people.

The new method identified about twenty lakes and one river in nearby area. There were approximately three times as many potential fortress sites. After choosing those that dominated their surroundings, thirteen options remained. Some were eliminated due to poor accessibility. A river flowing too fast also ruled out a few presumed castle locations. Hauling extremely heavy foundation stones up steep hills also did not sound promising with the technology available at that time.

Two. Constance Arca, the leader of the expedition sent by the Recr Archaeological Institute, grinned with satisfaction as she thought about the result of their efforts. Finally, they had the future excavation sites identified. The available funds wouldn’t be enough for an in-depth investigation of both, but they would focus on the more promising location after the preliminary examination.

– Sounds good, Ito admitted after measuring the distance between the excavation sites on the map.

– Three kilometers aren’t much per se, but trudging back and forth is pointless.

– Three? Did you check the scale correctly?

– Oops. Do you really want to choose the site thirty kilometers away?

– What’s wrong with that? Arca surprised her nearest assistant.

– You’ll have eleven subordinates. I’ll have ten.

– Why do you want to ride such a distance? Ito asked, looking suspiciously at the woman sitting across from her.

– Didn’t you look at the map closely? I am not going much more than a few kilometers extra. My destination is almost on the straight route home from your site. We can go there together and share our subordinates there.

Ito concealed her confusion more or less successfully. The though of beating herself with some of the accompanying sledgehammers came and went. The recent mistake wasn't the first, and certainly wouldn't be the last.

– I would hope that those maps were in the same scale, Arca chuckled upon seeing her subordinate’s self-examination.

– Or even in two. But each one has its own! Guess how many times I led us to the wrong place?

– I thought you were navigating around the terrain.

– I was doing that too, but at least five times, I disguised my navigation error by claiming to want a better view of the surrounding terrain.

– So, you didn't bother asking anyone to read the map for you?

– And admitted that I'm terrible at that? Never. My all-knowing leader role would have crumbled.

– What difference would it have made? Ito wondered, feeling slightly better about herself.

– We are archaeologists. I doubt anyone expects us to be perfect in everything else. I'm not particularly good at any sport. I can't cook. And I can’t sing.

– I know. The last time, unfortunately, I was within earshot when you decided to sing. My horse went wild and almost threw me off. I had to calm the panicked creature for quite a while before it agreed to come near our camp.

After the conversation continued in the same manner for some time, the actual topic was forgotten. The discussion trailed into the thorough examination of both of their immensely tragic family trees, followed by the unfortunate traits of the disputing parties and their incomplete brain functions. Finally, they ended up with in-depth analyses of each other’s questionable zoophilic sexual preferences.

– Come in! Arca ordered to get the nuisance outside the tent, who was rattling a cowbell-like noisemaker, to stop.

– Could you perhaps be a bit quieter? the leader of the excavation team, poking his head into the tent, inquired, shifting his gaze between Ito and Arca.

– What are you babbling about?

– Your yelling prevents anyone in either camp from sleeping. It’s nice to listen to you and learn new curse words, but if we’re supposed to either use our shovels of move somewhere tomorrow, we’d better do it well-rested.

– Are you claiming we’re keeping everyone awake?

– I am sorry, Const, Halmar Getzin spread his hands in an apologetic gesture.

– Are you going to cease your verbal slaughter, or should I move camps to the other side of the lake?

– Well, if you’re so inclined to bother? Arca delighted at the thought of being left in peace.

After the muttering Getzin left on his own, the female duo decided to go for an evening swim. With the same effort, they could both stretch their muscles and cleanse themselves.

Upon reaching the riverbank, Arca and Ito noticed that they weren’t the only ones who had come up with the same idea. About a dozen others were splashing in the river. Some in swimwear and some without.

The undressed women ran in the rapidly deepening shore water and then plunged into the water. After a couple of dozen strokes, they stopped and turned to swim upstream.

About a kilometer away, the duo stopped swimming, looked around and noticed a large, shallow rock near the riverbank. A minute later, they enjoyed the evening sun naked on top of the boulder.

– Damn light orb, Ito muttered discontentedly, watching the sun descend behind the treetops.

– Just when you get to enjoy the warmth, night comes. The temperature would have been perfect for relaxation during the day. Unfortunately, that and this should somehow switch places. It would be a bit cooler earlier, and when resting in the evening, one could enjoy the warmth.

– Judging by your expression, you have some absurd idea?

– All my ideas are brilliant, Const. What if we rest during the day and continue our journey in the evening?

– If that was your excellent idea, I don't want to hear the bad one. We can’t know in advance how long it will take us to find a suitable campsite. Horses don't like walking in the dark. Neither do I. Besides, moving in the light of torches is very slow.

– If even bats can move in the dark, and we are smarter than them, we should easily do the same, Ito expressed her unwavering opinion.

– We don't fly. Should we perhaps leave? I don’t want to bump into every rock waiting for us along the way. Besides, those morons might not have lit a fire, and in the worst case, we swim past them.

– Let's go. The splashing downstream shouldn’t take long.

– Have you ever done this before and swam in the wrong direction first?

– Once, Ito admitted, grimacing at the memory.

– We enjoyed so much good company that we forgot we had to swim back. It took quite a few hours.

– I made the same mistake with a canoe in my youth. Since then, I've always gone either upstream or against the wind.

– Have you tried a canoe with additional floats and a sail?

– Tricanoe? Of course. I've had one for a couple of years now.

– Does it go as fast as I imagine?

– It depends on your imagination a bit, Arca chuckled, glanced around and slid into the water.

– In the right wind, it goes fast. Although, I have never dared to try it in a proper gale. You can test it yourself if you ever want to borrow it.

– I’ll consider that, Ito quipped, took a run, and jumped feet first into the water.

– Let’s swim to that bend and float the rest of the way?

2

PUP was a company whose successful products included, for example, electric toothbrushes, washing machines, drills, computers, solar panels, geothermal heating, locks and shoes. Release dates had been provided for items such as wood fiber-based clothing and many other accessories, five electric car models, and an airplane. Additionally, an advertising campaign had been launched for one upcoming product.

A couple of months ago, PUP had also introduced a rather intriguing device on sale. No one knew what it would do. The gadget would commence its operation shortly. Until then, its buttons could be turned and twisted without the slightest sign of life.

The cars and airplanes had caused bewilderment because both were already on the market. PUP had been involved in the marketing, production and laying of lines for electricity, as well as in the battery industry. The company collaborated with various schools, and often, a completely new field of study had begun even before the announcement of the related invention.

Many viewed PUP with skepticism. In practice, one company controlled, in a near-monopoly fashion, the sales and manufacturing of almost all new products. For many, it simply seemed impossible that all revolutionary inventions originated from Parallel Universe Products.

Meel Corath fumbled with the order that had come from the government, resisting the temptation to tear it apart. How is PUP so far ahead of the best minds in the military and civilian sectors? Where do the company's researchers draw their ideas from? Who are these brilliant minds? Who leads the multinational giant?

The last item on the list had been attempted to be studied for decades. The deputy director and all other personnel paid their taxes normally. The mysterious owner of PUP had never been seen in public. The person in charge dutifully paid their taxes in every country where their company operated. PUP used well-known accounting firms. Its entire operation was completely transparent. No surprise audit by the tax administration of any country had ever revealed anything illegal.

Corath went to get some food and continued his contemplation. Employees at PUP, regardless of their position, received significantly better-than-average wages. They could study anything for up to ten hours a week without losing any money. Additionally, they benefited from flexible working hours, working six hours five days a week, a reform proposed by PUP. Daycare took care of employees' offspring as mothers and fathers worked diligently. Health services were efficient, hobbies were supported, and employees were offered free meals.

However, PUP did not focus solely on the well-being of its own employees. Every year, the company donated large sums to various charitable organizations and sometimes a reasonable amount of money to individuals as well. In other words, whoever was at the helm of the company did not prioritize maximizing the company's profit and, consequently, their personal gains.

If any company introduced a novelty to the market, it typically focused on amassing as much money as possible at a high price before competitors entered the scene. PUP broke this unwritten rule by selling its new products at a modest profit.

Following an exhaustive search across the planetary net, Corath then turned his attention to PUP’s website for a long while. It was clear, everything seemed logical, and the colors used created a calming impression. Someone had undoubtedly employed various professionals in creating the pages.

After reading everything possible on the homepage, the government special investigator knew the next step was a visit to the company in question. Most likely, he wouldn’t uncover anything. However, before leaving, he could try to find the answer to the question that troubled his mind.

– Magn.

– Meel Corath, government special investigator.

– I know. Your number is on our list. Otherwise, I wouldn't have answered because we have a meeting starting in a few minutes.

– Apologies for the bad timing. I can contact you later as well.

– Let's see if I can answer your questions now before the appointment.

– I’ve been tasked with finding out the names of PUP's brilliant minds, Corath declared his mission.

– Probably the government wants to inquire about their willingness to transition to military service. Additionally, I need to uncover the name of PUP’s owner.

– Good luck with the latter, Chrowan Magn laughed.

– When I started in this agency, the then-director had unsuccessfully employed our own researchers, authorities and private detectives to accomplish that task. The operation ended with a clear-cut prohibition from the government.

– Why?

– You meant, why the government wanted us to stop, not why we did it, right? The order we received was simply justified by necessity. PUP is the largest single taxpayer in our country. Its board announced that if the investigation into their leader’s identity continues, they will not only relocate their headquarters to another country, but also cease their production here. The Ministry of Finance was appalled at the possibility following various calculations. After consulting, the government not only gave us an order to stop investigation but also pushed through a new law stating that PUP’s leader doesn’t have to disclose their identity. You might remember the equality debate that arose from it?

– Vaguely. I was a kid back then.

– The law concerning one individual was created solely because our economy would collapse without the taxes paid by PUP and its employees. It’s, of course, unfortunate that a single company has such power, but on the other hand, each of us has saved a considerable sum due to that decision. Personally, I understand the government of that time. However, it was a potentially dangerous and discriminatory precedent. Upon hearing the government’s approval, PUP announced that they would pay all possible fines related to their operations double for the next thirty years. That period, as far as I understand, ended last year.

– How many fines have they received so far?

– A few. In the early days of their operation, and even then, over two thousand years ago, they were mostly extortionate monetary demands. I don't know the reason, but the general understanding is that PUP got their money back each time.

– Maybe they sent assassins to negotiate with the issuers?

– Perhaps, Chrowan Magn laughed.

– Times were different back then, and whoever held a higher position was usually considered right. On the other hand, power was wielded delicately, and the most ruthless had the advantage.

– In that case, hiring a gladiator would have been a good solution. Those killing machines had no conscience.

– I’m not sure. Not all of them could have been emotionless. Masters in their field, they certainly were. However, their careers seldom lasted beyond five fights. Those who made it to ten were already legends. Wealthy ones at that.

– What about The Silent? It was claimed that he won a hundred matches. Based on that, he should have been some sort of demigod.

– The number is undeniably staggering, Magn admitted.

– Especially when he was said to have faced other champions and opponents produced from other countries. On the other hand, many renowned historians mentioned him.

– And that, according to the last command given by King Zaznat on his deathbed, The Silent was to carry out his punishment to the end.

– Don't forget that his heir stood with sword in hand against The Silent to make amends for his father's deeds. If it weren’t for the historians I mentioned earlier, Plenius, Milia and Kronnius the Younger, I would consider the events to be mere legends.

– What do you think of PUP's official name? Corath changed the subject.

– Parallel Universe Products? I’m not quite sure what to make of it.

– Why is that?

– Physicists have only recently begun to discuss the possibility of parallel universes. PUP has been using the same name for over two thousand years. Either someone was significantly ahead of their time, or they got lucky.

– There is a solution to that, Corath grinned broadly.

– The company's double-sided logo has remained the same since the beginning, and its background is said to depict the backside of the moon. You just need to go around the moon and compare its posterior to the background of the emblem.

– That would require either a rocket or an airplane functioning in space. The latter is impossible, and no one has yet managed to launch a rocket from the atmosphere.

– The thirty year limit you mentioned might explain why I was assigned to this, Corath pondered.

– Maybe. I do not believe it.

– Why is that?

– According to my secretary, you have the same security clearance as I do, Magn stated.

– As per our legislation, that means that we can share information with each other.

– Yes. What does that have to do with anything?

– If I reveal something to you, will you promise to keep it strictly confidential?

– Only between the two of us? I promise.

– Okay. The board of PUP announced last summer the restructuring of their company into separate entities and requested tax statement and various information from us. In other words, the government is now free to investigate the identity of the mysterious leader of that large company.

– But they pay taxes? Doesn't that mean you should know who it is?

– As the state revenue collection agency, we don’t care about who pays taxes in which company, as long as they are paid. According to the law, anyone can stay off the tax roster if a sufficiently large portion of their salary is withheld, ten percent to be precise, before the remaining funds are released.

– Bank account? Corath tried once more.

– No use. Nowadays, everyone establishing an account has to be identified. It wasn’t mandatory previously. And before you inquire, that legislation can’t be retroactively applied to accounts initiated prior to the law coming into effect. There are some of those, although a few percent are closed every year when the account holder dies.

– Just out of curiosity, what kind of people have opened such accounts?

– In the oldest accounts, it has mainly been about nobles and wealthy merchants. Even among them, this account format was not very popular because each person mentioned in the account’s founding document had the right to withdraw any amount of money. Even empty the entire account.

– I understand. Do you see who the account holders are?

– No. You can try your luck at the nearest bank, but I don't believe you’ll succeed.

– You’re authorities, right? Have you requested banks to provide information on the accounts?

– Of course. It was one of my predecessor's first tasks when investigating the name of PUP's CEO.

– And? Corath continued his inquiry, wondering about the laughter coming from his phone.

– I have to go. I’ll be late for my meeting soon. When you go to the bank, you’ll surely understand my amusement. If you still have questions, call my secretary and set up an appointment.

After Chrowan Magn hung up the phone, Corath was left scratching his head for a moment. He had known everything Magn had said, but had wanted confirmation for the information he had read earlier.

PUP would soon be a former giant company. After the breakup, people could, if they wished, buy its shares. From the perspective of the state tax revenues, a couple of dozen smaller companies would be a safer option than one massive one, although no one in the board believed in the bankruptcy of the wellthriving multinational conglomerate.

What Magn hadn't mentioned was PUP’s training program for future leaders, which had been running for years. The best students recruited from the universities continued their paid paths to the leadership of PUP's segments. At least three young talents per factory were guided under the current leaders of PUP to learn and apply the new skills they had acquired during their university education.

As these were companies with at least tens, mostly hundreds of millions, or even billions in revenue, Parallel Universe Products, before contacting its chosen apprentice, had requested a security clearance report about them. Only after obtaining the authorities' approval did the company present its offer to the respective individuals. The majority of the candidates had accepted the opportunity they were given.

Financial information. Corath returned to what he considered the most likely way to accomplish his task. Banks would not provide information related to it even to authorities without a court decision. That, in turn, would require a crime or a serious suspicion of one. PUP used the best accounting firms and provided annually all the information regarding its business to the tax authorities.

PUP not only offered its employees a good salary and generous benefits but also took a strong stance against undesirable behavior, such as stealing information and products. Essentially, even a strong suspicion was enough to derail a career in the company.

According to individuals examining old archives, PUP had followed the same policy from the beginning. It had been an exceptional practice because, at the time of its founding and well into the subsequent period, nepotism and moderate embezzlements had been more of a rule than an exception.

Perhaps PUP played a part in the famous honesty of the Hadalda people? Corath first smiled at the thought, but became serious when he realized that there might be some truth behind it. Example had power. Especially with one that had lasted so long.

3

Bathing in the lake was both a favorite activity and not for Arca. During field trips, there wasn't always a proper opportunity to scrub off the sweat and mud from digging work on both clothes and skin. Every chance had to be seized to take care of personal hygiene and ensure gear maintenance, not to mention replenishing the water supplies.

However, there was quite a difference whether the water was pleasantly warm or just a few degrees above freezing. On the other hand, in the northern regions, there were also countries where lakes were completely frozen for over a meter in winter before the icy hell. Fortunately, conducting archaeological excavations was challenging enough in snowy and frosty conditions, preventing expeditions from being sent to be frozen in such circumstances.

After drying herself, Arca dressed, glanced at the sun barely rising above the treetops on the opposite shore, and then moved to her dismantled tent. The first trench latrine had already been taken apart and its waste pit covered, and the second forest toilet would experience the same fate before the expedition’s departure. What would happen, Arca looked around thoughtfully, in less than an hour.

– Should we try to get there at once?

Arca turned to look at the woman who appeared next to her without notice and shook her head.

– In this terrain, it’s definitely not possible. With some luck, or rather by reading the map, we might make it halfway.

– Shall we go ahead together?

– Leann, Arca sighed, the rest of the day’s pay is at stake. Do you really think they will hurry after us?

– Of course. They could possibly arrive in six months. Or at least within a week after their spy confirms that we’ve done all the excavation work on their behalf.

– What are you blabbering about? I'm the expedition leader and I won't dirty my hands with a shovel.

– So you’d leave all the hard work to me?

– I take responsibility for this expedition, Arca defended herself.

– Bullshit, Leann Ito snapped.

– This was a doomed journey from the start. The Institute imbecile sent us here just to get rid of us and to give the impression that he’s doing something for his salary.

– Well, we do get something. Fresh air and exercise, that is.

– I'd prefer them both in cash. What kind of route plan did you come up with?

– We’ll first ferry our expedition across the lake, climb the steepest rock slope on the opposite shore, and then proceed from there.

– Didn't it occur to you to go around either obstacle?

– Why? A man goes through anything. That puddle won’t even slow us down. Not much.

– Constance. We are women.

– So what?

– It’s just that we women are more sensible. Surely you understand that by going around the obstacles you described, we could progress much faster. Not to mention that at least half of our workers and horses will drown in that lake. Lifting the remaining ones with winches to the top of the cliff will also take a while and certainly won’t be without casualties.

– So you really want to avoid a couple of minor inconveniences? Arca wondered, staring at her open-mouthed conversation partner.

After Halmar Getzin had announced that everything was ready for departure, Arca cast a disappointed look at her nearest subordinate and complied with their earlier request to circumvent the lake. With the same effort, she led the expedition, progressing in a long line, towards a valley that roughly headed in the right direction.

The progress of such a group was slow. Arca, having reached the top of the hill, looked frustratedly at the winding procession far below and decided to take a break. Horses, especially draft horses, needed rest. According to her estimate, they had covered about twenty kilometers as the crow flies. Since they had no chance of reaching their destination today, overtaxing everyone would be foolish.

– I find the terrain becoming too challenging over there, Ito, who had used binoculars, remarked, pointing in the direction she meant by stretching out her hand.

– Any suggestions?

– According to the map, the route to the right is better. Although it is a few kilometers longer.

– It might also be faster. The limp of the pack horse Halmar mentioned probably hasn’t stopped. If we intend to keep that animal with us, an easier route seems like a more sensible solution.

– Probably. Unless our intention is to replenish our food supply.

– According to the chef, we have provisions for another month. We can also fish and hunt if needed.

– Or send a few of our subordinates to the nearest town.

– Brilliant idea, Leann, Arca praised her underling.

– Do you want to ride back and forth with a few extra nags?

– Absolutely not. The nearest larger settlement is about a hundred kilometers to the west. However, smaller towns marked on the map are closer by.

– This is a fertile land, Arca scanned the surroundings.

– Yet there are only a handful of inhabitants.

– Further north, the land is even better. And in the end, people settle where it's easiest to live. Most of them, anyway.

– That’s understandable, Ito admitted, but why was this region a residence sometime in the past?

– Security? According to the history records, even before the time of Joleus, there was long-lasting peace here, even when neighboring countries sent their forces in various directions. People surely wanted to live in a place where they didn't have to fear and sacrifice their young men for what could at worst be half a lifetime of military service.

– Dirmel's reputation as a peaceful state had spread far and wide. In fact, even historians from other continents have written about it.

– I know. We should ride down and guide the caravan in the right direction before they start climbing up here, Leann Ito reminded the expedition leader of their reason to come to the top of the hill.

– Let's go, Arca, who had mounted her horse like her companion, instructed after glancing once more in every direction.

– And no racing. I don't want to bury either of us here due to tripping over the plug.

– How do you plan to bury yourself after breaking your neck?

– I’ll grab a shovel, dig a pit, jump in and toss dirt over myself?

The sixth and final break. Constance Arca lifted her widebrimmed hat from her sweaty hair, clinging to her head in tendrils. The options had been to stay in the valley or climb up. Many had wanted to leave the ascent for the following morning, but Getzin's fiery speech had swayed the tired excavators towards the evening’s final effort. After the break, they would continue to the lake about three kilometers away.

As far as Arca was correct, they had covered approximately what she had assumed to be the best day's journey. There had been a couple challenging spots, but, in turn, they had made good progress for long stretches.

– Shall we take a longer break or just catch our breath for a moment?

Getzin's question prompted Arca to shift her gaze from the surroundings to the leader of excavators.

– You decide. You’re better at assessing the condition of the staff and horses.

– A few of the pack horses look quite tired. On the other hand, too long a break means their muscles will cool down. I’d say give the animals something to drink and let them graze for a while. Not too long, though.

– Which means?

– A quarter of an hour. At most, half an hour. Oh, by the way, that one horse is limping worse than before. I was told it’s due to overexertion and that the leg will heal on its own.

– Will it endure tomorrow's walk?

– I don't know, Getzin waved his hand hesitantly.

– At the very least, it needs to walk without a load. In fact, all our nags could use some rest after this journey.

– We're planning to split up once we arrive, Arca informed the excavation leader about the decision she made with Ito.

– Ten of you will come with me, and eleven will stay with Leann. We have funds for one proper or two half-decent explorations.

– Why are we splitting up?

– We chose two destinations. Unfortunately, their distance apart is about thirty kilometers, Arca began and fell silent, realizing her previously unnoticed mistake.

– Forget it. We'll superficially investigate both destinations with the whole crew. If we don't find a reason to stay at the first destination, we'll move on to the next one. From there, we'll take the shortest route back home.

– I wouldn't recommend it.

– Why not?

– Because Leann showed me both destinations you chose. Between the latter and the railway, there is a river. Unfortunately, there are a few rapids that no sane person would navigate by raft or any other contraption. I strongly recommend taking a detour and using horses for health reasons.

– Anything else? Arca inquired, suspecting that the other hadn't said everything.

– I think it would be wise to head to the nearest bypass track. There are unlikely to be empty cattle cars for our horses on the train, and in any case, an extended stop on the tracks means, or at least could mean, a halt to the entire train traffic.

– Any suggestions?

– We need to stop a train and ask those on board to relay a message to the nearest station. We probably need two trains. The first one can leave the cattle cars on the siding if we can’t load our rosinantes into them quickly enough. The next engine can pick them up from there. If we know the exact time our horses need to be loaded, we don't have to keep them in the cars all the time.

– We can probably obtain the schedules from the drivers, Arca speculated.

– Of course, we can place a lookout on the nearest hill.

– That might not be a good idea, Getzin smiled amusedly.

– We may not have time to load all the horses before the train arrives, even if we load all the goods in advance.

– You could be right. The train seems to be the best option?

– Absolutely. Unless you absolutely want to sit on the saddle for at least an extra week.

– This will do, thanks. I'll leave the transferring from the siding to the broad shoulders of yours, Halmar. No. You won't get paid more. Don’t even ask.

Getzin, who was vociferously airing his objections, gave up and turned around. As the man went to distribute instructions to the weary excavators who had been leading their horses to the makeshift camp, Arca scanned her surroundings to find a suitable rock to sit on.

The scout, who had continued her journey in plain sight, guided the approaching expedition to its chosen destination. After the last had found the best tent spots, half of them focused on constructing the camp, and the rest attended to the horses. Following the unloading of the cargo, the animals were led to drink and quickly released to a cordoned grassy area, from which they were fetched one by one for inspection and rubbing down.

Constance Arca sidestepped a man carrying firewood and could already feel the preliminary pangs of hunger, which had been gathering strength since she became aware of its existence earlier. Having searched for the woman serving as the expedition’s cook, Arca knew that she wouldn’t get food for another couple of hours. The leader of the expedition sighed heavily, received a meaningful eye roll from the chef, and a piece of slightly hardened bread from the previous day with a grumble.

– Couldn’t keep your mouth shut?

Arca swallowed the piece of scallion in her mouth before turning her gaze to Ito, who was shaking the apple.

– She could have had fresher bread.

– When would she have had time to bake?

– She still shouldn't have used such language.

– You'd be glad she had other things to do, Ito laughed.

– You narrowly escaped. Last time you had to pick up your hair half a day's journey away.

– That woman needs to do something about her character, Arca snorted.

– She will never get a spouse if she drives them away with her tongue.

– Oh? There are more men around her than around all the other women in the expedition combined.

– Are you bitter?

– No. One man is enough for me. If only I could find him.

After the evening swim, preparing for bedtime, Arca measured the distance they had covered today with her fingers and compared it to what awaited them. About thirty today. Only about twenty left for tomorrow. The terrain didn't look bad, although it was no guarantee of its navigability, as maps had proven to be kindling before.

Arca, who had once been on an archaeological expedition in the north, although not all the way to the Arctic Ocean, longed for the perpetual day she experienced then. She had been able to read around the clock without a candle. Sleeping had been difficult due to the constant daylight, but that hadn’t been the worst part. The endless clouds of mosquitoes had sucked liters of blood from the expedition members and made windless days feel like nightmares. Moreover, the then-expedition leader had lingered too long at the excavation site, and they had had to flee hundreds of kilometers to the ships waiting on the south coast quickly due to the rapidly approaching winter.

4

The young bank clerk twirled the identity card handed out by Corath for a painfully long time in his hands before asking another staff member for help. After three minutes, several glances at Meel, diligent chatter and two short calls, the first clerk got up from behind his counter and asked the special investigator to follow him.

The wide corridors were fairly undecorated, with stone floors instead of the thick carpets familiar from many other stateowned buildings. After the elevator took the duo to the fourth floor, Corath was shown the third door on the right. After thanking his escort, Corath raised his hand to press the doorbell and was startled by the door opening before he could touch the button.

– Corath? Come in, please.

Meel followed the advice of the man who had turned his back to him and sat down in the chair that was pointed out to him.

– Gazmir Ruun, a medium-sized and neatly dressed bank manager, introduced himself while extending his hand across the table.

– How can I help the government's special investigator?

– I apologize for my unexpected arrival, but I would like some information.

– Ah. What kind?

– I would like to know the name of the director general of PUP. I understand he has an account with you.

The smile on Ruun's face reminded Corath of Magn's reaction to a similar question. However, the tax manager had openly laughed.

– As far as I know, the person in question has an account in every slightly larger bank in Hadalda. A similar arrangement is probably also valid in, if not all, at least many other countries. However, I can't help you with the name you want.

– Why not? Bank secrecy?

– That too. The real reason is that I don't know it.

– So you have an account whose owner is unknown?

– Approximately. Except we know who he is. Or rather, we know his position but not his name or gender. Because the original account founder was assumed to be male given the era and his wealth, his successors or descendants have also been treated as male. So, even though I refer to him as male, he could be a woman as well.

– How does he use his account?

– By bank and credit card. PUP's inventions too, Ruun smiled crookedly.

– Sometimes I wonder if they came to the market to give the CEO of the company an opportunity to use their money without personally visiting the bank. On the other hand, the cards in question have already proven their usefulness many times.

– So that the mysterious director general of PUP goes to the nearest Automated Teller Machine to withdraw the money he needs?

– Maybe. However, he actually manages the currency in his accounts. Pays bills, invests, buys smaller companies and takes care of various grants to organizations that help the less fortunate.

– I thought his subordinates take care of that last one?

– That's what they do, Magn admitted, but sometimes the CEO wants to make decisions about the object of their care themselves.

– In other words, you don't really know anything about the man or woman in question?

– At PUP's request, they always add the user's name to the card itself upon its renewal. And before you ask, purchases made with it are recorded in the company's internal procurement account with each payment transaction. In other words, since the method is approved by the tax authority, it's impossible to trace the original card user. He might use someone else's card, or someone might use his.

From Corath’s perspective, finding out the identity of the director general of PUP became more and more difficult. On the other hand, Ruun had just said something that could be useful.

– If the person in question travels a lot, the border authorities probably have information about him?

– Maybe. However, I think that since he keeps a low profile, it must be difficult to recognize him, the bank manager added to his guest's enthusiasm.

– How can he have an account if his name is not mentioned in the information?

– Because at the time of opening the account, not everyone wanted to be associated with banks. The officials knew the dignitaries personally. The state wanted the money to be used instead of being tucked away in various hiding spots. The rich transferred part of their wealth to banks and not only received interest income but also saved security costs.

– What if the original account holder dies? Riches pass to his relatives?

– Generally. Sometimes some of them went to some good friends or women who brought comfort to loneliness. In some cases, for men. In practice, the clerks knew who was managing the account after the previous owner left, so nothing really changed. After various frauds, more or less successful, the accounts were named the owner or owners.

– So I can find out the name of the main owner of PUP by contacting the genealogy agencies?

– It would be pointless, Ruun returned Corath, excited by his idea, to the surface of the earth.

– The account in question has never been passed on in the family or otherwise. Strictly speaking, its owner is still the same as when it was founded. Of course, he's been dead for a very long time, but legally, that's how it is. Most likely, the account has been transferred from one person to another without official confirmation.

– Is it mandatory?

– No. The authorities enter the game only after someone files a criminal report. Before finding out the account owner, the person submitting the report must prove his or her right to the account or part of it.

– There must have been entrepreneurs, because it's quite a lot of money?

– Of course. So far, no one has managed to prove their right to the account. If the judgment is not in favor of the applicant, they lose the amount they gave in advance as a deposit.

– Is that legal? In principle, it's about filing a criminal report, and it's not allowed to pay?

– Yes and yes, Magn spread his hands.

– It's about an exception in a normal legal matter. The deposit payment was introduced because at one point, almost everyone put in an application for fun to be part of one of the money in these anonymous accounts. Of course, the judiciary was congested, and the government was either forced to end anonymous accounts or set minimum amounts for investigation bonds. Needless to say, what was PUP's stance on protecting the identity of their CEO?

– I can guess. How many other directors of that company have an anonymous account?

– None. At least in our bank, Ruun elaborated.

– I'm already stretching the bank secret a bit, so I hope you won't ask more about the subject. If someone had an account, I wouldn't have been able to tell you their name.

– I understand. Would you perhaps have a suggestion on how I could find out the name of the CEO?

– I don't think so. Many rich people live lavishly. They let their wealth be seen and sometimes also heard. Personally, I have never heard of anyone who knows the CEO. He doesn't attend parties and nobody seems to know him. In other words, I don't think he wants to be stared at by people. If you had to guess, he lives somewhere like an ordinary person, possibly in a detached house or an apartment building. And even though he's in Recr a lot, that doesn't mean he necessarily lives here.

– So that my next target is the head of the border agency?

– To be honest, I don't think you'll do any better there than here, Gazmir Ruun guessed with a regretful smile.

– Whoever the director general of PUP is, will certainly not announce it when crossing the border. He probably also dresses quite normally.

– This is like hunting a ghost, Corath snorted as he got up from the chair.

– So far I don't have any facts about that person.

– You do have something. The CEO must be at least thirty years old, as they must have education and experience. No one gives Parallel Universe Products to the responsibility of a minor. Especially now, when the company is being split up.

– Forty or fifty, the minimum age, the government's special investigator concluded at the end of his quick reflection.

– If the border agency has some kind of passenger-specific statistics to present, I might be able to narrow down possible director candidates.

– Maybe. Because I don't think that the man or woman in question will admit it, even if you ask it directly.

– I can combine different registers, Corath grinned.

– Immediately, I’ll see who can't be CEOs. The remaining ones must be taken into account in more detail.

– This is none of my business, but why does the board want to find out the name of the CEO?

– No idea. Maybe they're tired of the multi-genius that no one knows who is constantly coming up with new inventions. Or they want to talk to him about making a rocket to send to the moon.

– If anyone can help with that last one, it's the person you're looking for, Ruut said, amused by her guest's words.

– Are you going to go to PUP's car announcement competition?

– I don't know. I would like to see first that particular car and then the expressions of the people who make cars today. If the past guarantees success, other factories will soon be on the verge of bankruptcy.

– I was thinking of going. Both for personal reasons and because there might be an opportunity to talk to representatives of both PUP and other factories about the services offered by my bank.

– It might be that I will come too. If I happen to be in town, then, Corath reconsidered and walked to the door.

– Thank you for your time. I'm going to give my boss a verbal report on my progress and try to call the head of the Border Patrol.

So far, the result had been some walking and sweat, Meel Corath assessed his performance while sitting four hours later at home. Mizle Rauan's call to the border guard had mostly revealed that no one matching the person he was looking for had presented themselves. However, Rauan had promised to send his office a list of border crossings in the last five years, allowing him to soon study the relevant data and integrate it with various registers.

Parallel Universe Products. The name of the world's largest company was strange. If physicists had only recently begun discussing the theory of parallel universes, where had the company, which had started its operations ages ago, taken its name from?

Corath pondered this for a while but couldn’t find an answer. Perhaps someone who had some understanding of the universe over two thousand years ago had had an epiphany.

The special investigator appointed by the government opened his computer and searched the Planet Net for the history of PUP. He should have done this right away instead of traveling around the city, Corath scolded himself. More thinking, less passion.

The text about the history of PUP, retrieved from their own website, told of the growth of the company that started from a small workshop to become the world's first real powerhouse in the trade industry. The last reported combined turnover was, Corath swallowed, much more than the gross national product of even the richest countries. No wonder the government had given up after receiving the ultimatum.

In principle, Meel Corath thought, PUP could easily have passed favorable laws in any state. However, the company remained, and had remained since its foundation, separate from politics. It followed local laws in each country. As far as the special investigator could conclude, hiding the identity of the CEO was the only requirement put forward by PUP.

As a private company, the owner of PUP could decide on everything. Where to set up a business, where to take it off, what to sell and at what price. Even if it was a company selling unique products, it still wouldn't have survived with incompetent management.

In fact, Corath confirmed his memory, PUP had often allied with a company it had almost ousted. After a few years of training the staff and improving the manufacturing process, PUP had sold the majority stake it owned in the company it had bought back to its former management and employees at a downright ridiculously cheap price. In other words, Parallel Universe Products had, for some inexplicable reason, secured a competitor for themselves, practically for free. One that, without PUP's aid, would have quickly gone bankrupt.

Corath wasn't a businessman, but he knew exclusivity was the fastest way to riches. Competition lowered prices. The shrinking of the margin meant a decrease in the cash flow that was ringing in the coffers. It could be compensated with higher sales, but profit per unit would shrink.

Why would anyone want to earn less? It's as if PUP wanted to make sure that something else was producing the same kind of goods as it.

After continuing long enough to find out the founder of the company, Corath was left staring at the name he had dug up. However, it was not about one person, as he had thought, but about the monastery.

The Protectors. Oh hell. Meel Corath groaned knowing that he would have to find out the history of that idiot sect next. Except that The Protectors didn't even have a website, let alone phones. Or if they did, they had unlisted numbers. In other words, he would have to travel to the middle of nowhere to be able to ask a lot of questions that he probably wouldn't get the answers to.

5

Constance Arca woke up to the sounds of the camp being dismantled and breakfast being prepared. The expedition leader enjoyed a moment longer under the warmth of her blanket before reluctantly emerging. After quickly dressing, it was time to start a new day.

– Good morning.

– Same to you. Hopefully, those aren't rain clouds.

– At least they’re not sprinkling too quickly, Ito offered her assessment after glancing at the sky.

– There’s still some breakfast left. Or at least there was.