Chapter 521 – First-class Seats
“Who are you?” The Defender Guardian, the gorilla-like figure, bellowed in a bold, resounding voice that echoed across the ruins. “Why have you awakened us from our slumber?!”
“It’s me, Morel,” Morel replied firmly. “I bring grave news for the tribe. This is our last effort to avoid extinction. We have only one request—we need your assistance to destroy everything in your path.”
The Defender Guardian let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground beneath them. “Why should we follow your orders? You are nothing, not even the Tribe Leader!” Morel raised his hand, revealing a ring with a sparkling green stone. “I don’t think I need to explain why I have this ring, do I?”
The Defender Guardian roared again, louder this time. “You are cunning! You have defied the orders of your Tribe Leader! A great curse will come upon you for this betrayal.”
A smirk played on Morel’s lips. “A great curse has plagued this tribe for hundreds of years already,” he said confidently. “I’m not afraid of any curse. I’m willing to die for the actions I’ve taken. Everything I’m doing is to protect this tribe from extinction.”
The knights behind him shifted uneasily, and one of them spoke up. “But, Sir Morel… wasn’t it said that Lady Elaine lost the ring a long time ago?”
Another knight said, “So it was you who took the ring all along?!”
Morel turned to them. “My Lady Elaine is too kind-hearted. She would never summon the Faery Guardians, not even in times of crisis. So I made sure this ring was put to use for the right purpose.” The knights fell silent once more after hearing Morel’s firm voice. He then turned back to the three guardians. “I may not be the Tribe Leader, but I have the authority to command you. And with your strength, we will crush those who threaten our existence.”
The Defender Guardian’s eyes burned even brighter. “You dare speak of purpose and strength while defying your leader’s orders?” it thundered. “Very well. We shall obey—for now. But know this, Morel, betrayer of your own kin: should you fail, the curse you fear will pale in comparison to the wrath you will face.”
Morel’s smile remained steady. “I understand,” he said. “As long as this tribe is protected, I will bear any consequences.”
ROARRR!
The Forest Guardians bellowed in fury, shaking the forest with their rage.
“Kek! This world is developing at a painfully slow pace,” said the Shaman Defender, who took the form of a monkey and wore a mage’s robe.
“What do you mean?” asked the SpellWeaver, the one with the crow’s head.
“The average level of those around us is so low. Who dares to threaten the Moonlight Fae? Whoever it is, they will face a heavy punishment.”
Morel’s lips curled into a faint smile as he turned around and approached Cedric, pulling out a knife. The moment Cedric saw the blade, panic washed over his face, and he tried to break free, struggling to escape.
Morel’s eyes flicked to Cecilia, “Let her speak.” He then gripped Cedric’s arm tightly.
Instantly, Cecilia screamed, “Please, don’t do anything to Cedric! Please!” Her voice was filled with desperation. “Please, let Cedric go.”
Cedric tried to meet Cecilia’s eyes, as if he was about to say something, but his mouth was covered, silencing him.
Without hesitation, Morel plunged the knife into Cedric’s shoulder, and a torrent of blood poured out. Yet, even as the pain surged through him, Cedric continued to shake his head furiously at Cecilia.
“Cedric… No… don’t do it, please don’t,” Cecilia cried out.
“You have only one job, Cecilia,” Morel said. “I’m sure you understand what it is.”
“Please, release Cedric, don’t hurt him, please don’t,” Cecilia continued to beg, her eyes brimming with tears.
Morel drove the knife into Cedric’s other shoulder, eliciting a fresh gush of blood.
Cedric’s pain was evident—his eyes reddened, and his body trembled as he fought against the agony. But still, he shook his head violently at Cecilia, as if to say, Don’t do it. Don’t listen to him. Let me die, Cecilia. Don’t do it! But the words could not escape his lips.
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it,” Cecilia finally said.
“Good girl,” Morel replied, releasing Cedric, who slumped to the ground.
As soon as Cecilia was freed, she immediately ran toward Cedric, but Morel caught her by the arm.
“Please, let me check on Cedric,” Cecilia pleaded.
Cedric struggled to his feet, his body drenched in blood. “Let go of Cecilia, you traitor, Morel!” he shouted, but the other knights held him back.
“Cedric, no… please, don’t hurt him,” Cecilia begged, her voice trembling.
“Cecilia!” Morel snapped. “You only need to do one thing, just one. Do your job properly, and I promise I’ll let both of you go free,” he said.
Cecilia was the only Faery among the group with a high affinity for the Ancient Dimensional Element, a rare power that allowed her to create long-distance portals linking one location to another. Although the Moonlight Fae themselves couldn’t use the portal due to being trapped in their realm within the Moonlight Land, the Faery Guardians could. If this portal was successfully created, it would grant them the ability to send the Guardians and a massive army of monsters anywhere Morel wished. Cecilia slowly raised her hands, her movements heavy with reluctance.
“Cecilia, don’t do it, Cecil…” Cedric began to shout, but he was silenced once more as his mouth was forcibly covered.
Two of the Faery Knights moved closer to Cecilia, channeling their Mana to support her, ensuring the portal could handle a larger capacity. They had been preparing for this, and this was meant to be a gateway capable of transporting an overwhelming force.
A vortex of energy began to swirl and gradually expanded, growing larger and larger.
Morel approached Cecilia, “Make sure the portal opens close enough to those pesky humans.”
Cecilia nodded slowly, and through the shimmering portal, the outline of a city wall and a small coastal town appeared in the distance.
***
Leon, Freya, and Lily walked in line to board their plane, it was nighttime.
“Lily, is this really your first time flying?” Freya asked, chuckling softly.
“Yeah… Freya, how on earth could we have managed to buy plane tickets before? We were so poor,” Lily replied.
Once inside, they took their seats in the front row.
“So, this is the most exclusive seat on the plane—first class!” Freya said, her tone bright and cheerful.
The three of them settled in, each taking in their surroundings.
“Wow… these first-class seats must be so expensive, right? I mean, I know they are. How did we afford this? Did Leon pay for it?” Lily asked with enthusiasm.
“Don’t worry,” Freya responded, equally excited. “Your brother is quite wealthy now.”
“Is it really wise to spend your money on these tickets, Leon?” Lily asked.
“I’m not the one who paid for it,” Leon said.
“Then who did?” Lily pressed.
“I’m not sure either,” Leon replied, glancing over at Freya. “Who was it?”
“Goldrich,” Freya answered with a playful giggle. “He’s a major shareholder in the company that owns this airline. He arranged these flights for us.”
“Oh, my goodness… you’re sure making some cool friends these days, Leon,” Lily said, amazed.
As the plane took off, they continued to chat, enjoying the beginning of their journey.