"A wall, hmmm I guess you desire to fixed the old one right?!"
"Yeah basically. And this is the most important part, if you can't do nothing else, then at very least, hear me out on my request out on this...if possible can you make my wall's out of reinforce steel?"
"Steel walls, huh? That is a bit unusual, but still possible. Still though, it is not the kind of thing clients usually ask for unless we're building a military compound. The more common request would be reinforced steel fencing. That said…
She paused, tapping a finger against the table as she thought back.
"I do recall one or two clients in the farmlands who wanted solid steel walls. Their problem wasn't burglars, though, it was due to fluxes getting extremely close to his house, with things like skinwalkers, orcs, goblins, kobolds, even black snakes slipping onto their land, stealing, eating, and killing their crops and livestock's."
Hearing this Nier eyes open up in suprise as he replied.
"Oh my?!"
"I take it the countryside has a lot of Fluxes?"
"You have no idea, Flux incidents happen a lot more in the countryside than in locally populated areas. However, that's only because cities have the constant protection of Public Safety. Fluxes can naturally sense the presence of the extremely strong, and each city basically has about one or two squads at all times, meaning at the maximum two captains are usually stationed there as well."
"Oh really, I never knew that."
"Ahhh, it is quite common knowledge among us company owners, since we're tasked by law to accommodate their needs. Being part of Public Safety, they're guaranteed free meals, housing, and entertainment, the privileges of the strong, you know. The cities wouldn't be as safe without them... Even though it is not 100% safe, compare to before, it is alot safer now."
Hearing this, Nier then looked at Lorraine and asked.
"By chance, do run-down places like Sector-38 have these squad and captains too?"
"Hmmm... oh no. Sector-38 is a crime zone. Besides, Sector-38 also has the Mercenary Organization alongside the Private Guild House. They’re more than capable of protecting themselves. Public Safety can't extend their protection to places like that...it's too violent henceforth disruptive. They would be fighting crime more than Fluxes their and that isn't their job. That is also why we have the superhero system implemented in the Mercenary Organization and Private Guild houses. The Witches and sorcerers are the main backbone of that horrific sector."
Hearing Nier nodded with smile and replied.
"Good to know… still, why can't Public Safety extend their reach into the countryside?"
"It's not so much that they can't. You should know, Public Safety isn't just some local force, they're an independent paramilitary organization that coordinates with every major military body across the Ten Great Nations. They operate on a global scale. The problem isn't authority, it's manpower, or more specifically, the lack of Captains."
"Now, I don't know if this is widely known public knowledge, but Captains aren't just strong soldiers. Each one is classified as a strategic-level asset, comparable to a natural calamity."
"My uncle likes to say that a single Captain in public safety should be seen in the same light as the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs back on Ancient Gaia. Without one, you can't even form an official squad, because every squad requires a Captain which is Level-5 Hesta, or something with the natrual power of a Level-5 Hesta, and a Lieutenant to anchor it, but Lieutenant's are quite easy to find. Captain like existence on the other hand are not, it like finding a single diamond inside a city full copper's."
"And right now, their numbers are stretched thin. The entire organization only fields about 112 Captains and an equal number of Lieutenants. That is the current global roster. With numbers like that, they simply can't cover rural zones, despite Public Safety immense strength they are not Omnipresent, as every available unit is already tied down protecting designated population centers and critical infrastructure."
"Wow, they seem to have their cut out for them indeed."
Said Nier.
"You have no idea?"
"Yeah, Sector-7 is home to the Garbutt Family, also one of the Family head daughter's my cousin also goes to one of private university here as well, and from what I heard she is also working part time for the Garbutt family since she and the first lady of the house don't get along well. And I also live in Sector-7, and Losmora Family is station here as well, alongside two of the Elder apart of the National Constitution. And most importantly our Nation Archive is also here as well, so you could say Sector-7 is overly protected just because of those factor's l."
Lorraine answered, almost willingly, she has no idea, but the curse itself was already making her see Nier unconsciously as a close friend.
"Thanks for sharing all this with me, but I have more question."
"Sure, I will answer anything for you."
She said, touching his hands smiling.
Seeing this Nier already knew, the exposure is starting to take it's deep root.
"Can you tell me the name of these Captains, and if possible their abilities?"
"Like I said I don't know much about the male, apart from his name that being Snake, but I do know that guy isn't normal even by standard of a Captain, given he can keep of with Lady Scáthach and Astolfo so easy, even going as far as to knocked out Astolfo, and beating Scáthach at her own game, he is quite the outlier, ability wise apart from his insane speed, strength and durability, he haven't seen him use anything else."
"Wait who Scáthach?"
"Ohh she is the next Public Agent I was telling you about, she is the current eldest daughter of the Aeloria family - Family Head."
"..."
"I see... And do you know what she is capable of?"
"Scáthach sorry I can't tell you?!"
'...Hmm she was so willingly informative a while ago, but at the mere mentioned of the Aelorian family member's she remained silent even under my curse influence. I think I need to corrupt her more if I want any information on this so called Scáthach... For now this information will have to do, I don't want to push her too much. But so much for my other question's about this Astolfo guy as well, sigh...but for now I am satisfied atleast I know what I am up against... Note to self Nier... Don't approach the one call Snake, not yet atleast... If he is treated as an Outlier even among the Monster's that are the Captains, this alone speak value of his strength.'
With this in mind, Nier got up and said.
"Well then Ms. Zane, that will be all from me, do you need anything else I don't think you can give me a proper price as yet, am I right?"
'He is right, normally we would just email him the receipt and call it a day, but I have a feeling if I don't act now, I will never see him again... Ahh I know what I am doing is wrong, but I can't help it... Ahhhh... Ok, ok just calm down... This isn't cheating, this is just, yeah a meeting between friends.'
With her own mind made up.
Lorraine got up as well after saving her documents, closing her laptop, and putting it back her bag as she said.
"Yes, umm, I will need your mobile number so I can text you the information, on where we can meet up, so we can discuss the price."
"My number, haaa... Sure... Here...
Said as he grabbed her pen and notebook that she has beside her laptop.
"It's XXX-XXXX."
"THANK YOU!!"
She shouted excitedly then realized her over exaggeration.
"Ahh my apologies I am just excited when it come's to work. Still it was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Augustus."
"Likewise Ms. Zane... Now then, if you will excuse me, I still have other things to do. You can exit the property the same way you came, we will keep in touch."
With that Nier got up, turn his back, his hands in his pockets, as he went back inside.
And Lorrain watch as he walked away from her, she instinctively raise her hands as him to catch him as she mentally said.
'Please, don't go, not yet... Ahhh... I am a total mess right now, you just met this man, and yet, he has left a deep impression on me for some reason!'