Chapter 49: Journey South

-Alexander POV-

“The more I hear about your home the more I can only shake my head,” Renji said, his bafflement clear as he shakes his head. I could only chuckle, more than aware of how crazy 2025 was shaping up to be in my home dimension.

Normally I would feel bad about exposing Renji to politicians, especially the ones back home, but he’s the one who asked.

It had been a week since we left Hyderabad. For the first few days I was on edge, expecting strike teams to teleport into the tunnel and try to kill us, which ended up not happening. After finally admitting we were likely in the clear I took Renji’s advice and began resting more regularly.

My sleeping schedule before the German city was sporadic, at best. Never feeling tired was an advantage I had taken to with relish, after all if you didn’t need to sleep why would you?

Maybe not the best idea, looking back.

With consistent sleep I was feeling a lot more…centred. Like the walls weren’t suddenly about to start caving in. I was taking things slower, lacking a manic energy that seemed characteristic of my days of travelling.

I was feeling pretty zen, actually.

Not perfect, and the nightmares weren’t great, but better.

“Yeah, those were some pretty stupid policies,” came my reply. I was hands deep in our travelling vehicle, manually performing maintenance simply for the heck of it. Certain parts had some built up dust, not nearly enough to even begin affecting the performance, yet I was still taking care to meticulously clean each part.

“Maybe this world isn’t that bad, after all!” I turn and give Renji a light-hearted glareat the cheeky comment before snorting and continuing cleaning.

“The grass is always greener on the other side?”

“Something like that.”

I wet my lips, considering, before I shake my head.

“No…no, I’m pretty sure the Eldritch horror plaguing this Earth is worse than some politicians…probably.”

Renji shrugged, turning back to the handheld game I had made him earlier. I didn’t bother checking what he was playing, hopefully it wasn’t some low-effort slop that seemed endemic to Earth Bet.

Minutes passed like that, the gentle creaking of metal as my crystalline hands pressed against the frame of the vehicle to support my efforts. The mashing of buttons intensified for a moment, before Renji let out a sigh of disappointment as a familiar game over sound played.

Ah, Mario. Classic.

Renji leaned over to pace his console down, before rolling over onto his back – staring up at me.

“So, what’s the plan?”

I glanced at him, unsure of whether he was asking purely out of boredom or because he had genuinely forgotten.

“Go to the South Pole. Make a home. Research ways to kill God. Kill God. Profit.” I summarise.

Renji throws me an annoyed look. “That’s a big leap after building the base. Also, are you just going to be staying at the South Pole until we have a way to kill Scion?”

I stop, my hands remerging from the insides of the bus – a quick use of Matter Manipulation rendering them completely clean. I frown in confusion at the question, uncertain as to where this conversation was suddenly headed.

“Well, yeah. Isn’t that the most efficient use of time? It’s not like I can continue making cities after what happened with Hyderabad,” I defend my plan, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.

Perhaps Renji notices, as his expression softens. Then, to my slight unease, his expression morphs into sheepishness

“About that…”

I still.

“Renji, no.”

“I really think-“

“Renji, no.”

“-you could use a little more-“

“Renji, this is a terrible idea!”

“-socialisation!”

“Renji, the last time we interacted with people I did a Godzilla!”

Renji clearly had no idea what Godzilla was, but pushed on anyways.

“It’s still a good idea, and not just because I don’t want you holing up in your room all day.” I wince at the harsh, if true, idea. “Alexander, how do you think people would react if you stayed in the South Pole for years on end?”

I tilt my head in confusion, to the rest of the world I was a walking calamity – an immortal agent of death. Sure, Jinzhou would be sad if they never saw me again but wouldn’t the rest of the world be pleased?

“Joy, I imagine” My reply is laced with bitterness. Sure, I get it, I’m an Endbringer, but it still hurts to know the world would cheer for my death.

“Not in the slightest,” Renji replied blandly before handing me a tablet – one I had made as a matter of fact!

I was actually pretty proud of them. Sleek, robust and none of that planned obsolescence bullshit that companies liked to pull to sell more stuff. The internet connection, which required magic due to being several miles underground, was lightning fast and completely untraceable.

All in all, it was an electronic beauty.

Eat your heart out Apple.

I glanced at the page he had left for me. It was a PHO page, discussing none other than yours truly.

Reading through it was fucking surreal, just like reading through those interludes I loved so much. Unfortunately It was discussing my least favourite subject: me, so it wasn’t quite as fun to read as I remember it being.

Pretty standard fare, honestly. Lots of despair over an Endbringer that can Alt F4 most capes, hate, external screaming, geopolitical concerns, hate, people wanting to leave Earth Bet -which, same- right this second, more hate and treating me like I was some 5D chess master.

Man, now I know how Ainz feels.

Sasuga Alexander-Sama, indeed.

Still, I couldn’t find a single scrap of reasoning as to why I should continue city building, if anything this seems like the opposite.

“I don’t follow,” I finally answer, honestly expressing my confusion.

“It’s because they’re being paranoid, too paranoid.”

I blankly look at Renji for a moment.

Then it clicks.

I glance back down. Entire pages of people panicking, wondering what my next move was as they compared me to the fucking Simurgh.

‘Ohhh’ I think, sickeningly putting the pieces together.

The commenters were going over everything. Replies were going in circles, every scrap of information was eagerly fed on – regardless of the source – and used to feed the resulting fire.

‘Ohhhhh’

They expected something of me. They would not, could not, be convinced otherwise.

‘Ohhhhhhh, shit.’

“Alexander, if you hide away for entire months then people will get suspicious as to what you’re actually doing! They believe you to be some malevolent puppet master, so they’ll obsess over your inactivity! Eventually they’ll come to you, regardless of whether it’s a good idea or not!”

I sat back, my throat clenching as I digest that.

As much as I wanted to argue that Renji was wrong, that nobody would be so stupid as to confront me after I had killed hundreds of capes with ease, I knew he was not. Humanity’s greatest fear has always been the unknown. If I showed no hint of my presence, of any grand plan…

“They’d have to, they wouldn’t be able to live without fear otherwise.”

The conclusion made me sick. The idea that my very presence could smother people so easily was heartbreaking. Renji only nodded.

“They’d assume you were working on a plan that requires months, or even years, of preparation. After seeing what you could do with only a month…” Renji trails off, but I understood his point.

If I could destabilise a continent in only a month, what could I do with years of time?

“Not to mention I will be orchestrating a plan years in the making! The death of Scion! The one the world believes to be their greatest hero!”

Yeah, no. That would very quickly become me against the world. Everyone would assume my reasons for taking Scion out would be self-serving in nature, to take out my only obstacle for world domination – or something stupid like that.

Even if Cauldron tried to interfere in my favour, I don’t think it would be enough.

“So that’s why you want me to continue. To feed the world a lie,” The words feel like fire on my tongue as I spit them out.

After being misunderstood for so long the idea of lying, of playing into the role I had inadvertently created, felt sour. It left a leaden feeling on my heart, as if it was being constricted by some great serpent.

“You wouldn’t have to do it at the pace you’ve been going at so far. You could go for a month or two without anyone suspecting, assuming you remained unobserved.”

I lift my head up, some energy returning to me at those words.

Right, Endbringers have periods of dormancy, the world should believe I have those too.

“I’ve attacked three times in a row, though. Won’t they find that suspicious?” I point out, spotting the flaw in Renji’s logic.

Renji shook his head, hand running through his hair as he took on an amused mien. “Funnily enough, no. It seems everyone is struggling to justify to themselves that all of that was just one attack.”

I stare at Renji.

He stares back.

“How?!”

He shrugs. “Beats me, I guess they just really don’t enjoy the idea of an Endbringer attacking multiple places in such a short span of time.”

The words make my mind turn to a certain teleporting asshole of an Endbringer, causing me to wince. Yeah, I can see why people wouldn’t want that. Khonshu had been a real menace in Canon, constantly teleporting around whenever he faced too much resistance.

That and trapping people in areas of altered time.

“Okay, that’s fair enough.”

“Mhm”

“So, I have to go out and continue building cities – at least one every few months or so.” I continue, still hating the idea.

“Yeah, matching you up with the other Endbringers schedules will be a pain. Hopefully we’ll come up with something halfway believable,” Renji said, chewing at a finger as he considered the timings.

That was true. Given that I wasn’t under the restrictions of the other Endbringers, they likely weren’t going to accommodate me in the rotation.

“I think the more important consideration is how we won’t turn the next city into an absolute cluster fuck. The last three have, in one way or another, fucked over the world pretty significantly.”

“The only reason things turned out so badly was because of, in order; the location you chose, your decision to upend the continent and the Protectorate interfering. If not for those, things wouldn’t be quite so bad.” Renji raised his head towards the cavernous ceiling before continuing. “Granted I don’t think I can blame you for two of those.”

I raise an eyebrow at that.

“Oh?”

“China was a travesty, I don’t blame you for not wanting to gift-wrap an advanced city for them – even if your chosen option caused disproportionate amounts of chaos.”

Yeah, that was fair. I wonder what Sun Wukong was doing nowadays?

“Hyderabad was solely because of the Protectorate choosing to attack us, they got what they deserved,” Renji bit out, hand reaching for his sword in anger before he caught himself.

I frown, as I realise I clearly wasn’t the only one to be effected by what had happened. The vitriol in Renji’s voice made clear his opinion of the Protectorate.

Gingerly, I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.

My friend’s face calms as he visibly collects himself.

“Right. Sorry,” he apologises, clearly not pleased by the lapse in control.

“It’s fine Renji, it’s simply the part of us that’s human,” I gently reassure.

Besides, you won’t find me disagreeing.

“Japan, however.” Reni continues, looking unsure for a moment before his expressions firms and he turns to look my straight in the eyes.

“That was your fault. You gave an advanced city to an island with a weak government, criminal organisations running wild and many surrounding enemies and interests. It’s a miracle things didn’t end up worse.”

I could have said something to defend myself. Could have pointed out that Japan was where I was first dropped. That I was distraught and confused, not in the right state of mind to be considering such things. Perhaps I could have argued that the responsibility fell to the people of Japan, but the thoughts died the moment they crossed into conscious thought.

There were extenuating circumstances, yes. Other people held some responsibility, yes.

But that wasn’t an excuse.

I had still gone head first into something I should have known would garner international attention. Something that would have been messy, even in my own world let alone Worm. All those years of criticising thoughtless and ignorant politicians back in my old life only to find out I wasn’t much different when given power, the realisation of that fucking stings.

But at least there was something I could do to begin making up for it.

“I know. I’m sorry, I don’t have an excuse and will try to do better in the future.”

Renji only nodded.

So I should probably decide my targets months ahead of time, then?” One of my many hands raises to my chin in contemplation. “I’d have to decide on a location that isn’t too unstable, and choose not too actively interfere beyond what is needed.”

Then my face scrunches up as my thoughts return to the loathsome Protectorate.

“But I can’t control the Protectorate, I can’t decide what they – or any other group – do. So how do I stop a repeat of what happened in India?”

Renji stiffened at the mention of the American organisation, but just as quickly relaxed.

“If you were hurt again, do you think the same thing would happen?” He asks, eyes narrowed even as he spoke those words. He clearly didn’t enjoy the idea of me being hurt, but Renji had always been a realist when it came to battles.

It was something I appreciated.

“Maybe, I don’t think it would be anywhere near as bad if it happens again. In India I was caught off guard, it’s not something that will happen again,” I swore.

And I meant it. The idea of losing control, of surrendering agency to that sickening algorithm was an abhorrent thought to me.

I could still remember it, almost. My mind full of cobwebs, agony wracking my every thought. In that horrible inky blackness I had almost forgotten everything but the pain.

I shuddered, no – not again.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. They won’t get another hit on me again.”

Renji seemed taken aback by my confidence, not expected the surety in my voice. I could understand, the rest of my convictions weren’t nearly so steady after Hyderabad.

But, fighting the Protectorate? Fighting Cauldron? No, I was completely sure I would crush them if we fought again.

The battle against Legend proved that. He had gone from landing solid blows on me to being unable to scorch even a glancing blow upon my body in only a few short minutes. However much of a curse my new form was, it certainly came with an abundance of benefits.

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Then, with a mental nudge, the last component within the bus was cleaned and secured, having never fully turned my attention away from the mundane task of vehicle repair.

The engine purred to life, the smooth velvety roar bringing a smile to my face. Yeah, I could get used to owning this wonder of technology. One of my hands reached down to stroke the exterior lovingly.

‘Good bus’.

“Ahem,” Renji coughed into his hand – clearly amused by my treatment of our ride.

“Should I leave you two alone?”

“Yeah, feel free to get lost in these tunnels, Renji!”

Renji laughed as I returned his jab, the mood swiftly becoming more joyous as we returned to happier topics.

The two of us returned to the bus, Renji taking a leap into his seat (like the try hard he is) and let out a happy sigh, sinking into the soft leather.

I fiddled with the radio, again magic, and a song I had never heard of echoed through the metal structure of our ride.

It was nice, some type of jazz.

Peaceful.

Relaxing.

Which was when Renji had to ruin everything.

“So, are we there yet?”

My head hit the horn. Why Renji! Why would you ask that question?!

“What?! I was just asking!”

Renji, I can hear you grinning from here!

“…No Renji. We aren’t there yet.”

“Oh. So where are we now?”

Dammit Renji, do you think I just memorise the names of all the oceans in the world?!

Well I don’t!

Wait, I’m connected to the internet. Fuck, I can be dumb sometimes.

A quick search, literally picoseconds long, I have my answer.

“Somewhere in the Indian Ocean. We haven’t quite reached the Southern Ocean just yet, but we’re close.”

“Huh,” Renji looked surprised. “For some reason I assumed you wouldn’t know.”

Ha! Internet, bitch!

“Well I do,” I say, trying not to feel too smug about it.

That seemed to satisfy Renji, as he leaned back in his chair once more to begin browsing the internet. Probably searching for more samurai movies to watch, which he would inevitably drag me into.

It’s not my cup of tea, reminding me a bit of those cowboy films my father forced me to watch when I was a kid. Just a bit though, the wild west was in no way similar to Japan.

Except for the bandits.

And the long poignant silences.

And the dramatic showdowns happening at dawn.

And the-

“So, are we there yet?”

“Renji, I swear to God! I will turn this bus around and go throw down with the Protectorate again! Don’t think I won’t!"

AN: So, planning for the future! Yeah for both Watson and Doylist reasons Alexander can’t just turtle in the South Pole, like he’d prefer. It wouldn’t make for a good story and the people of Earth Bet would get twitchy if he did.

So the city building will continue. This time Alexander will have plans laid out months in advance. All while preparing to throw hands with any cape he comes across. Yeah, he doesn’t know about the plans the U.N. have in place for him yet.

Also, more Renji and Alexander bonding. Yay!

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment so I know my audience didn’t starve to death.