Chapter 24

Eric van Genus' Audio Journal #25: Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy. Now that is something that was common back home on Earth and in certain parts in the multiverse. Which I hope to avoid assuming that I didn't do anything that is hypocritical. At least I hope. But I suppose a church dedicated to Isekai in a place that has rejected religion is a bit hypocritical. I admit that and willing to take responsibility for my own failings. Which not a lot of people are willing to do.

Back on Earth, throughout its history, there were always hypocrisies being performed. Let's take a look back at the earliest ones I can think of; religion. The reason why is because back when the bible was created, it is supposed to follow the teachings of the holy hippie, Jesus Christ, which tried to have people be peaceful folk. In the ten commandments, people aren't supposed to kill, steal, commit adulterous acts, not covet, bear false witness and idols. In the middle ages, or the dark ages which I prefer to call it, the teachings of Christianity was supposed to unite people through peace, love an unity. But in truth, everyone was brutal, selfish and just kill those that stand against them. In the commandments, you weren't supposed to make idols, as in anything like a symbol or whatnot. But that is where the cross with Jesus Christ on it comes in. To me, that's considered an idol. Plus lets not forget about the aristocracy and prostitutes of that time. Not to mention the crusades that bishops claim that you can be absolved by killing people yet the holy book says to abstain violence and blood. Along with the corruption of the church that wanted money from the war efforts and let their greed consume them. If the people of Remnant have played the game, Dante's Inferno, they might get it. Although I forgot to mention the witch hunts were hypocritical because of false witness. That's another case of religious hypocrisy.

But let's head to another point in time about ideologies. More specifically; communism. Communism, in the terms of the common people, it was meant to have all workers and commoners be equal with the abolishment of aristocracy or any form of plutocratic oligarchy or monarchy. It was meant to put an end to the famines, corruption, and be free from the fear of being subjugated. Instead what they got was a corrupt dictatorship that sends out a secret police that kills anyone that oppose them or make points on the flaws of communism. And let's not forget about the temperance leagues that were supposed to abolish adultery, gambling, taking drugs and drinking alcohol. Instead they've fallen for the same vices as any common person would. Especially the religious. There is also the Imperium of Man, the biggest example of hypocrisy. And Rick Sanchez when he made a microverse battery that powers his car that uses the inhabitants as slaves and someone did the same thing in that microverse battery yet Rick became hypocritical and that guy became hypocritical when the guy in his microverse battery did the same.

*sigh* You know what, I'm just gonna write a book about hypocrisy alongside justice and whatever else I may record which go into greater details about what is being recorded here.

End of recording.

Mantle, Hotel Room 414, Daisy Taggart's Room

Daisy Taggart is sitting in front of her mirror with a large arrange of make-up and a light blue bowl of some skin-colored substance next to a plastered head. Daisy applies some make-up on the mask she is wearing as she makes sure each wrinkle is in place and make it look natural. Then applies some pink lipstick before she hears five knocks at the door.

She lowers her lipstick as she looks at the door in her middle-aged woman voice, "Yes?"

A male's voice is heard through the door in a polite manner, "Pardon me, madam, but I was told to inform you that your floating mansion has finally arrived from Goldshield Banks."

"Thank you." She continues to apply her make-up.

"Should I inform Mr. Steelden?"

"Please do."

"Right away, madam." and footsteps can be heard going away from the door.

Daisy looks at herself in the mirror and speaks in her more youthful voice, "Yes. Soon we shall all be free. No more masks and no more lies." She smiles a little, "Then I can be the first woman to go on the moon."

Hotel Hallway, Approaching Room 501

The human bellhop in green uniform and grey trimmings walk down the halls after getting off the elevator. Yet as he approaches Eric's room, he hears screaming coming from that room.

From it, he hears, " WHAT THE FUUUUUUUCK!? FUCK IT! AIYYEYEYEYEY! FUCK GRAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!" and it is followed by more screaming and furniture being smashed.

The bellhop quickly runs over and knock five times.

Eric opens the door and seems exhausted as he says, "Yes!?" Yet he has the same disguise as he did back at Beacon.

The bellhop is terrified by Eric's appearance. Yet he swallows and asks, "Sir, is everything all right?" He peer behind Eric and see that everything is surprisingly intact. Completely clean.

"Sorry about the racket." Eric quickly apologizes and straighten up, "I was forced to relive a very horrible experience when making my memoirs. But I shall leave as soon as I can. Is the flying mansion here yet?"

"It is, sir."

"Okay, good, good. I'll head over there immediately after I'm done with this one passage and pay for any disturbances I may have cause."

"Very well, sir."

Eric close the door and goes back to his recording. The bellhop then goes back to the elevator, yet he remembers something. He looks back and tries to remember.

"Wasn't Hank Steelden ordered a room for one? Who was that?"

Taggart's Flying Mansion, Sunset...

The sun is setting over Atlas as many flying limbos make their way towards the giant floating mansion above Atlas itself. As if to mock the very people of the floating city that has its white gleam fall to decay while Mantle itself is a more shining city that outshine the floating, high-tech city above it. The floating mansion is five stories high that has an art deco-style to it with Victorian and gothic-style architects infused with it that is reminiscent of the different styles of the Wayne mansion from different Batman sources. There is a large garden in the front yard with a beautiful fountain in the shape of a woman clad in an Arabian dress with her hands holding out as water spouts out along with water dripping out from her eyes and hair. A variety of beautiful flowers that can survive the cold altitudes and weather of Atlas in an arrange of light blue, dark blue and gold. Below the mansion are hangars where the limos land along with some other flying craft carrying the press, a few admirers and the Happy Huntresses along with the Ace Ops.

Inside, the grand hall and the ballroom are one room that can be accessed by four elevators close to the front door. This room has white marble floors with some grey swirls on it, luxurious blue carpets with gold trim patterns that are similar to gold chains that intertwine. Gargoyle statues are seen at every column on ground level with each one being unique and different, not a single one being identical to another. On the ceiling are painted murals that depict space and various planets with sleek starships traveling through along with strange, alien figures with blue skin, six dark blue eyes, gills for mouths, small spikes on the back of their scaly heads, have three fingers and the legs looking like the hind legs of an animal with two-toed hoofed feet. Beautiful chandeliers hang from the ceiling made of white crystals that glow like light bulbs yet slightly brighter that have been woven together in waves with some beads hanging from these spherical lights that hang a ring of the same crystals. Robotic servants with human-like features are doing the catering as they wear blue velvet uniforms and their appearance is similar to NS-5 robots from I, Robot.

Some of the guests do find the robots a little startling but the robots do smile to ease some of them, yet they are still disturbed. Ironwood, along with Sleet and Camilla, entered through the elevators and are taken in by the aesthetics.

"My word." Camilla is impressed by the decor.

Sleet looks at a painting of a knight in silver armor and has silver eyes to match while having black hair and wielding a great sword while on a blizzard background. "That is one impressive portrait." he approaches the portrait, "It looks so life-like. As if the artist has captured the very essence of this warrior."

"Excuse me." Ironwood says to Sleet, "But we need to meet the newest member of the council."

"Right. Right." Sleet compose himself, "Sorry, I was taken in by the art." Then looks at one of the gargoyles, "And these gargoyles also have life-like details to them."

The three head upstairs while being followed by Robin and her Happy Huntresses and the Ace Ops. Ironwood is suspicious about Daisy Taggart as he expects something is amiss. Especially after what happened to the polls.

One of the robots got in their path and said, "I'm sorry, General Ironwood and Ms. Robyn Hill, but we cannot allow any military presence or Huntsmen in the mansion at this time. They make the guests uneasy and it would be appreciated if they wait outside for the time being. Don't worry, we have a special area for them to enjoy the festivities for tonight. And our state-of-the-art security of this mansion is able to detect and eliminate any form of wrong doing."

Robyn approaches the robot, "But you can't-"

Ironwood raises his arm to stop Robyn. "It'll be alright." he says, "We are guests and we should follow the rules."

Robyn is frustrated by it yet has to oblige. She signal the Happy Huntresses to follow the robot with Ironwood doing the same for the Ace Ops.

"Thank you. Please follow me." The two groups follow the robot.

"Ironwood?"

Ironwood turns around and sees Willow Schnee with Whitley. Both of them are shock to see each other as the others head up.

"Willow? Whitley? What are you two doing here?"

"We were invited. We were also invited to meet with Ms. Taggart, even during your meeting with her."

"Why?"

Whitley approaches Ironwood and asks in a more timid manner. But seems to be ashamed, "Is my sister here?"

"Y-...yes. She is in the meeting room waiting for us."

"Thank you." and Whitley heads up the stairs.

Ironwood watches Whitley go up the stairs.

Willow explains, "Since the truth about his father was exposed, Whitley is...conflicted. Whitley used to look up to his father, followed his example. But since I helped expose him as a fraud, Whitley...well..."

Atlas Prison, Same Time...

Jacques is sitting in his cell in a force field cube as he waits. He is wondering if Whitley is going to call a lawyer and get help. He is also planning on getting revenge on his wife. But he is also wondering what is taking so long.

"What is going on?" he says in a harsh tone, "My son should've got someone to get me out of this miserable place by now."

"Oh really?" says a voice of a young man.

The force field suddenly dissipates and turns off. He gets up from his bed and looks around. Yet everything is dark and hard to see. But he sees a shadowy figure in the darkness.

"Who are you?"

The figure pulls out a gun with a silencer and fires a round right between Jacques legs. More specifically; his nuts. Jacques fall and screams in pain with his voice raised a few octaves.

"AAAAAHHH! MY FUCKING TESTICLES!" he falls down to the floor while placing his hands on his bleeding privates, "FUCK! FUCK! FUUUUUUCK!"

The figure giggles at the irony.

Jacques looks at the figure, "Why?! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

"Isn't it obvious." Some of the lights flicker on to reveal Schwarz Lamb-Schnee holding a steel pistol with a white silencer on it. An M92 model with a black handle. Schwarz's expression is a sinister grin, "Hello, father."

Jacques's eyes widen in shock as he immediately recognizes him. "You?!" he is bewildered, "But you're supposed to be dead!"

Schwarz aim his weapon at Jacques and fires another round into Jacques's right shoulder.

"Gaw!" Jacques involuntarily shout in pain.

Then Schwarz fires a few in his knees. "So how does it feel, father?" he starts to show an angry expression, "To have everything you ever hold dear taken away and on the edge of death? That's how I felt when you tried to get me killed and killed my mother."

Jacques tries to sit up and angrily shouts, "YOU ARE A MISTAKE THAT NEEDED TO BE RECTIFIED! NOTHING MORE!"

Schwarz fires another round into the lobe of Jacques right ear. Jacques falls back onto the floor and screams in pain. Schwarz approaches and stomps on Jacques right ribs while he aims his gun at Jacques's head.

Jacques gets scared and pleads for his life, "Wait! Son! Please. I'm sorry! I'll make it up to you, I promise! I'll give you whatever you want! Anything!"

Schwarz looks with a great amount of anger burning in his eyes as he stares back at his father, "Anything?"

"Yes, anything!"

Schwarz fires the rest of his ammo at Jacques with five new holes on his head. Then the silencer sprouted five claws as Schwarz stabs his father in the heart with a great amount of rage. Up to twenty times. Blood starts pooling on the floor as Jacques lays lifeless.

He stops and looks at the dead eyes of his father, "I want my mother back, you treacherous sonuvabitch." and spits at him. He cleans his weapon as he looks up, "Mother. You've been avenged." and gets out through a portal created by Gris.

A few minutes later, a few guards enter in the room with their rifles aimed as they search.

One orders, "Find Jacques Schnee! He may have an accomplice during the blackout to help him escape."

One of the soldiers found Jacques's body, "I don't think he would escape. Because he's dead."

Back at the Mansion...

Ironwood, Councilman Sleet, Councilwoman Camilla, Robyn Hill and the Schnee Family entered into the upstairs meeting room where Daisy Taggart is waiting on the other side of the table. Winter is right by the door and was waiting.

"General Ironwood." Daisy greets everyone with a pleasant smile, "Councilman Sleet. Councilwoman Camilla. Robyn Hill. And Willow Schnee. I've been waiting for you. Shall we begin?"

Once everyone is inside, the door automatically closes. Whitley then starts to have a conversation with Winter and apologizes for everything.

Ironwood asks, "Where's Hank Steelden? I thought we would be attending."

"Oh I'm afraid that he's called away on business back in Atlas. We can start our meeting without him."

Everyone take their seats at the round meeting table and start to discuss politics. But Ironwood has an uneasy feeling in his mechanical gut as he looks at Daisy Taggart. He's not the only one. The two council members were skeptical about Daisy Taggart being part of some grand scheme but after what happened to the polls, now she falls under suspicion. Robyn Hill is also uneasy and after some of the false statements and accusations, she has a burning desire to learn the truth. Ironwood had already inform them about his suspicions about Daisy Taggart being an Evolutionary supporter, and now they all look at this strange woman with hostilities. Willow has no idea what is going on or why is she and her family there.

"Shall we begin?"

Eric van Genus' Audio Journal #26: Aerial Airheart, Howard Goldshield, & Gris Lobo

Aerial Airheart. She was a sweet girl during our childhood. Even when she was placed in that awful orphanage and forced to work her fingers to the bone. Yet she always managed to weasel and lie out of many situations and manipulate people like a true con-artist. She is also a strong willed and very independent. Now she's a deadly woman with a serpent's tongue and a masterful deceiver. However, she also has a heart of gold in which she is quite charitable. During the early years, she was quite the actress at deceiving the cops whenever we get in trouble with some of the hooligans back at Vale. That's why she is the perfect woman for playing Daisy Taggart. But her biggest dream is able to go to the moon and able to fly beyond the sky. I promise her that once we reformed the world, she will be the first woman to be on the moon. As a matter of fact, she wants to start a zero-g flight school on the moon.

I already mentioned Howard Goldshield, but let me explain a bit further. Unlike Aerial, he prefers a more honest approach, especially when it comes to business. He loves money, but doesn't let his greed consume him. He prefers an honest living in order to make money. Howard has his own unique code of honor that he wants every corporation to have. He even enforce it on the companies we have back at Enlighten Valley. Like I said before, Howard worked hard nearly every single day in order to save money to get out of the orphanage. But the caretakers took every penny he made and wasted it. Despite making an honest living, we have to make sure to keep our cover until the time is right. Howard is one hell of a negotiator too when it comes to business and setting up trade.

Now Gris Lobo. That one is an oddball if I ever seen one. Back then, however, he was a broken child who lost everything when I first met him. He barely said a word, had psychotic breakdowns, night terrors. The caretakers didn't help much. From what I was able to gather, he lost his parents in a bandit raid before the Grimm attack. He was alone, mentally unstable and had a tendency to lash out to those that approach him. Although why he was never admitted into a mental hospital is beyond me. One night, some bandits try to enslave us a week after I killed the caretakers. Before I had a chance, Gris jumped in and attacked the men with a knife. He recognizes the bandits and took out his revenge while manically laughing. That was the start of the Gris Lobo we know today. Psychotic, mentally unwell, bloodthirsty, and not someone you want to make enemies with. He does have some sanity but not enough.

I think that is all for now. End of recording.

AN: Hey everyone! Did you all get your shots? Well I'm about to soon. In any case, I hope you guys are hanging in there and staying safe. Now for something interesting from Connor-C996.

Okay, I cannot progress through this story (or any other 'isekai' empire) without imagining someone saying (in a sentence, at least)… "Our Last Crusade Or The Rise Of A New World". I don't know why but I just feel that it would be of great 'significance' to the Evolutionaries… like a rousing speech by Eric van Genus, perhaps.

If not then I would, at the very least, like to hear about your 'absolutely honest' opinion about the light novel/manga/anime, titled… "Our Last Crusade Or The Rise Of A New World". (The reason I'm doing so is because I cannot get past all those BOOBS! So I'm hoping that someone else might have better perseverance in doing so…)

There will be a speech once the artifacts have been gathered. As for the anime, a war of ideologies is nothing new. I mean if we look at history (again), there has been a few wars on different ideologies. Lets look back at the Dark Ages. We have holy wars about religious ideologies such as Christianity and Islamic. Each of them believe that it is their divine destiny to spread their faith and whoever seizes the holy land; their religion is considered the most dominate. Then we have World War II where we had fascism and communism. One side focuses on progression and focuses on a government based on social equality and collective ownership of the means of production. Whether that is Marxism, Leninism or Stalinism. While the other is more focus on authoritarian nationalism, racial supremacy, corporate economics, and the conservatism of old traditions, including religion. As we all know from history, both sides are evil in the extremist sense. Then we have the A Certain Magical Index, which focuses on a shadow war between espers and mages.

In this anime, this one is more about technological progression versus magical conservatism. One side wants to seal up the planet's energy and uses to fuel their technologies in order to progress and believe that the planet's unsealed energy to be hazardous. The other is more focus on having the planet's energy flow freely in order to gain power and should leave these fountains of power as they are. And yes, I did get pass all the boobs.

Once again, war of ideologies are nothing new. But if you want some ideas, check the web or animes similar to it assuming you can get past the boobs and scantly clad/naked women.

And as for JUICEHEAD; Daisy Taggart is more based off of Dagny Taggart from Atlas Shrugged than Daisy Taggart from Doom. To be honest, I did not know that. But thanks for the information.

Until then, later!