Edited by: ASaltedFish
Sponsored by: Yaaslin. Thank you for completing the Ko-fi goal (and on your own)! You are amazing 😀 I hope you enjoy this chapter.
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Ellery looked down the hallway and saw that the walls and the floor were completely different from the rest of the palace. The cave walls looked frozen in time because there wasn’t even a speck of dust or dirt.
At the end of the tunnel, there was a light that made it seem like the cave was opened to the sky.
“This…” Akimitsu looked around and touched the walls. The walls felt real, but at the same time, they felt fake, like an illusion.
Eliane didn’t look at them and slowly walked down the long tunnel. “This is a space created by the Beast God. He left this behind for the first Emperor. From what I know, there was never a time when the Beast God’s gift had to be used. Even so, we, as members of the Imperial family, had been tasked to protect this crystal for when a crisis happens that we are not capable of solving.”
Eliane stopped at the entrance of the clearing, staring at the perfectly carved crystal orb. It was clear, but when the light touched it, people could see rainbows inside the orb.
“Unfortunately, the only ones who can use this crystal are guides. The Beast God created this for their lover, who was a guide. In turn, when it was given to the Imperial family, we were told only a guide could use it.”
Ellery was in awe at the crystal. “How do we use it?”
“When the guide puts spiritual power into the crystal, it will create a line that will point in the direction of the Beast God. The more opaque the line is, the closer you are to the Beast God.”
Eliane looked over at Ellery with a serious expression. “Ellery, I would feel more comfortable if you and Aster were the only ones using this divine crystal. If the other countries were to find out we have this, it may start a war for it.”
Being able to find the Beast God accurately was akin to keeping the country safe from the ever-growing threat of the Ineks.
“Even if this was a gift from the Beast God, the other leaders wouldn’t care about that. They will do anything to have this in their hands.”
It was no wonder only the Emperor knew about this.
“I understand, Your Majesty… I will be sure to be the only one who knows of this. I will keep it safe and return it when I am done.”
“Thank you, Ellery. I trust you. Do you need this now?”
Ellery shook his head. “No, not yet. I need to find my brother first, and then I will ask you for it.”
He wanted to find Orin first because he felt a bit guilty for not trying to find his brother in his previous life. No one else but Aster knew about his rebirth, but this matter weighed heavily on his mind.
Not only that, but he felt he was running out of time. If Orin was still alive, he didn’t have anyone to guide him. That meant if he got into situations where he needed to use spiritual power, he could die from the corrupted energy.
For him, finding his brother was more important. His and Aster’s situation was more stable at the moment, while his brother’s situation was unstable and uncertain.
Finding the Beast God could be put off for a while.
“I understand, then, let’s add each other on the terminal. When you need the crystal, let me know, and I will arrange a time for you to pick it up.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty.”
“You can just call me Eliane when it’s just us. Let’s go back to the study. I still have one more question to ask you before you go. It will be quick.”
The four of them made their way back to the study and felt a lot more relaxed with each other.
“For my last question, will you and Aster be staying in the Zephyrus Empire?”
Aster responded. [I will go where you go even if we are able to separate from each other…]
Ellery also already had an answer to that. “Aster said he would go wherever I go, and I will be staying here. My parents gave their lives to protect the Zevaria Empire, and my brother also went missing while scouting for the First Fleet. This country has protected me even when I lost my parents and brother… Edros also saved my life. I can’t imagine leaving.”
Eliane felt a weight come off of her shoulders. It was good that Ellery and Aster would be staying in the Zevaria Empire.
“I understand. Please know that the Zevaria Empire appreciates your family for protecting our country. If you need anything, let Edros or me know. We will do what we can to help you.”
“Thank you, Eliane.”
With all the questions answered, Eliane and Ellery felt a lot better after this meeting.
“When you have the time, you should come and visit. My wife and kids would be happy to meet you, and thank you for saving Edros’ life.”
“I will try to make time.”
“We know, you are probably the busiest guide in our Empire.”
Eliane made sure Ellery, Edros, and Akimitsu left safely before going back inside the palace. Though she couldn’t say everything to her wife, she should at least let her know that Ellery would not be leaving the Empire.
*****
Meanwhile, while Orin was on a mission, he saved a wealthy businessman. The Ineks attacked their vehicle, and when the businessman and his family thought they were going to die, Orin saw them and saved them. He easily took down the level 1 and 2 Ineks.
Orin took out the cores from the Ineks and saw the family of four coming out of the vehicle, looking at him with grateful expressions.
It didn’t matter if he saved them or not because these Ineks were the ones he was commissioned to kill.
“Excuse me, Sir, we would like to thank you for saving our lives!” The man spoke a bit loudly because he was afraid that Orin would walk away without hearing him out.
Orin finished taking out the cores from the last Ineks and looked over at the businessman and his family. They were looking at him with awe in their eyes.
“It is no problem.” Orin wiped his hands with a cloth he carried around. “I was commissioned to get rid of these Ineks. Just think of it as the right time and place.”
“Still, you saved our lives; is there anything I can do to return the favor?”
Orin looked at them and realized they were considered a rich family. Most people didn’t even have hovercars here. Normal people could only go around on public transportation, while the rich had hovercars.
“I do have something I would like to ask, but let’s go back to town first. It is dangerous out here.”
They were out in the wild, so there were no soldiers in the area. The soldiers only protected the towns and the cities, while the mercenaries went out to kill the Ineks that got too close.
“Of course, of course, please come with us. I will, of course, give you compensation for escorting us to town.”
To Orin, that was fine. He wasn’t expecting compensation for this escort anyway.
Orin followed them into the hovercar and saw that they had a driver and a butler. They were normal people, just like the man and his family.
He sat next to the man and his son while the man’s wife sat with their daughter.
“Sir, what should I call you? My name is Logan Winchest, and this is my wife, Miya Winchest. As for my son and daughter, they are Michael and Lily.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Orin Aster, but you can call me Orin.”
With the introductions out of the way, Logan asked, “What kind of favor do you need?”
“I need to get a terminal as soon as possible. Do you know anyone who sells them? I would like to get a discount if possible.”
If he could get the terminal at a cheaper price, it would mean he could contact Ellery or Darya sooner.
He didn’t originally think about this after saving this rich family, but now that this opportunity was in his hands, there was no way he would let it slip by.
Logan was surprised to hear that a mercenary knew what a terminal was.
“As a matter of fact, one of the items I sell are terminals. Lucky for you, we just got a shipment of them. I can sell you one at a discount, but may I ask what you need it for? It’s not every day a common person would be asking for one. They don’t know of its existence, unlike the upper echelon.”
“I am not from this planet. A couple of years ago, I crash-landed here, and my terminal broke. I’ve been saving up money for one so I can contact my wife and my little brother. They are from a distant planet close to the Imperial Star.”
Orin didn’t want to say that his family was on the Imperial Star. Who knew if this man had any malicious intentions… Still, he needed that terminal, so he chose to tell him some truths and lies.
“Ah, that makes sense. A sentinel as strong as you wouldn’t be from a tiny and distant planet like ours. I can sell you the terminal for half the price. This is the most I can do for you after saving our lives.”
Logan was a businessman. He wouldn’t give away something so expensive for free, but giving Orin a 50% discount for something he needed should be enough.
Orin thought this was fairly reasonable. “That is fine with me. I have enough money for it, so I would like to get the terminal as soon as possible.”
“Of course, of course. We just need to go back to my mansion, and I will sell you the terminal there.”
After everything he had been through, he didn’t know that all of his luck would come to him at that moment.
Finally, finally, he would be able to see Darya and Ellery.
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Grandpa Marky: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter sponsored by Yaaslin. Give thanks to them hohoho. Also, I figured out why I haven’t gotten accepted from the numerous remote jobs I’ve applied to. It’s stupid honestly. I should have read each of them carefully but they wanted hardwire internet (aka wired network. basically a wire connecting to your specific router). It’s more expensive than just regular wifi though. It sucks but hopefully, I can figure out how to get the funds for that. Urgh. So inaccessible. I hate capitalism.
Anyway, that’s it from me! I will see you all sometime next week. Screw the schedule I am tired LOL. Have a lovely day/night my beautiful grandchildren <3Â
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