Beatrice’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious! She tagged along? Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know…” Lila replied, exasperation spilling into her tone. “All I know is that….” She trailed off, taking a deep breath.
“He paid more attention to her…”
Lila sighed deeply, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the confusion clouding her thoughts. “I just don’t know what to think anymore.”
Beatrice placed a comforting hand on Lila’s shoulder with a look of understanding on her face.
“That sounds really complicated,” she said gently.
Lila let out a sigh reluctantly, her shoulders slumping slightly as she finally replied, “I guess you’re right. I just… I don’t want to dwell on it.”
Beatrice nodded, her expression softening. “Well, you should put that behind you and relax for now. Focus on helping out here like you planned to.”
Lila managed a small smile, appreciating Beatrice’s encouragement. “You’re right. I need to get back to work. There are still a lot of tasks to finish before the day ends.”
“Exactly!” Beatrice replied. “And you know how much the team relies on you. You’ve got a knack for organizing things.”
Lila felt a bit more at ease, the weight of her worries lifting slightly. “Thanks, Beatrice. I really needed that.”
Beatrice gave her a reassuring pat on the back. “Now, let’s get to it! We’ve got this!”
With that, Lila nodded and turned to head toward the workstations, ready to involve herself in the tasks ahead, leaving her worries behind, at least for the moment.
… freeweɓnovel.cm
Alister made his way back to his quarters just outside the main hall, carrying several bags filled with the clothing and accessories he’d acquired earlier in the day.
Beside him, Cinder carried a few bags herself, the two of them walking under the soft glow of the street lights.
As they walked, Alister glanced over at Cinder, as he asked “So, what did you think of today?” Cinder’s expression was hard to read at first, her gaze seemed focused ahead. After a moment, she sighed, tightening her on one of the bags.
“I suppose I was… surprised by what humans can create,” she spoke reluctantly, as she glanced at him.
“Some of it is… intriguing, I’ll give them that. But don’t get me wrong,” her eyes narrowed, “I still don’t like them.”
Alister nodded, a small smile spreading on his face. “I understand,” he replied. But before he could ask any more questions, the sound of footsteps and laughter interrupted their conversation.
“Alister!” a familiar voice called out to him, as Axel and Blitz, the energetic prankster twins, came bounding over, their faces lighting up when they spotted him.
Axel’s eyes widened as he took a moment to observe Alister’s new look.
“Wow, look at you!”
He exclaimed, nudging Blitz with his elbow. “I mean, if you’re trying to make an impression, mission accomplished!”
Blitz grinned, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Honestly, Alister, if I were a little more innocent, I’d definitely have fallen for you on the spot.” She gave him a playful wink, clearly impressed by his new look.
Alister chuckled, raising a brow at her comment. “Well, thanks for the compliment, Blitz.”
Axel pointed at the bags they carried, recognizing the style instantly.
“Seems you went out to restock your wardrobe. Partly due to tomorrow’s meeting, right?” he asked.
Alister nodded with a sigh. “Yes, courtesy of Aiko. She certainly made me spend a lot.” The twins exchanged knowing looks and nodded. “We get it,” Axel said with a laugh. “She’s done the same to all the team leaders at one point or another.”
“True,” Blitz added, grinning. “She’s got a knack for making anyone shell out.”
Alister smirked as he agreed with them but then noticed that Axel and Blitz were both staring, though not at him but a Cinder. Before he could speak, Axel pointed toward Cinder with raised eyebrows.
“So,” he said, a sly grin creeping onto his face, “this is Cinder.”
Cinder stiffened slightly, her gaze sharpening. “State your business here, and why you both have chosen to delay my lord for returning to-.”
“Calm down Cinder” Alister suddenly interrupted her before she could speak further.
The twins went pale for a moment, clearly taken by surprize by her intensity. “She’s as intense as Lady Aiko!” Blitz remarked.
Alister raised an eyebrow, curious. “You guys already know her name despite this being the first time you’re seeing her…”
Blitz pulled out her phone, holding it up for Alister to see. “Daww, who doesn’t know her?” “She’s a trending topic! Everyone’s saying she might be more than just a summon to you.” Alister sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t believe every rumor you read online.”
“Oh, we don’t,” Axel said, chuckling. “We just wanted to liven things up a bit.”
Alister narrowed his eyes, sensing there was more to this. “So, is there something you wanted to talk about? This path doesn’t exactly lead anywhere but my quarters.” The twins exchanged a brief, silent look before they finally responded…
leaving Alister with narrowed eyes as he absorbed their words.
“Is that so?” he asked, with a look of suspicion in his eyes.
Axel simply shrugged. “Well, that’s all. Good night, Alister.”
With that, they both strolled past him and Cinder, leaving a lingering sense of mystery in the air as Alister watched them go.
…
Alister and Cinder arrived at his quarters, the massive metal doors slid open before sliding shut behind them.
Everything went silent again, and the room’s soft lighting settled over them. Setting his bag down, Cinder turned toward him, eyes narrowed with lingering curiosity.
“Do you believe what they said?” she asked.
Alister gave a thoughtful hum, placing his bags carefully on the edge of the bed. “There was no harm intended, nor any malice in their words. I trust them-for now. But, as always, there’s a chance we could be wrong.”
Cinder raised an eyebrow but nodded, and together they droooed the clothing bags on the
bed.
“Anyway,” Alister continued, dismissing the thought, “that shouldn’t be our problem for
now.”
Cinder tilted her head, she could tell that his focus was shifting elsewhere. “What do you mean my lord?”
He glanced at her, a hint of seriousness in his gaze. “For now, we’ll need to carry out our usual hunts. But I plan for us to go on a little search, something a bit more…”
Cinder’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “A search? For what?”
Alister’s lips curved into a small smile. “Let’s just say… dragons.”
Alister then told the system to equip his roughed-up, all-black battle equipment.
As he suited up, Cinder was encased in a radiant light, her horns and tail shimmering as they
materialized along with her armor.
Once fully equipped, Alister turned his attention back to the system.
“Open the rift,” he commanded.
The system responded immediately, and a vibrant yellow portal began to materialize before
them, swirling and crackling with mana.
Alister looked at Cinder, an intense look in his eyes as he then spoke. “Let’s go.”
With a nod from Cinder, they stepped through the portal together.
…
As Alister and Cinder stepped through the portal, they found themselves in the desolate wastelands, with the full moon hanging in the night sky, casting a silver glow over their
surroundings.
The air was thick with dust, and the only sound that could be heard for miles was the distant whisper of the wind across the barren ground.
For miles around, there was nothing but rocks and the occasional scrub brush, creating an unsettling atmosphere of isolation, with no monster in sight.
Just as Alister began to look around the vast emptiness, he sensed a sudden presence behind
him.
One by one, his generals materialized from the shadows, stepping into view as if willing themselves out of the mindspace.
Alzuring, Draven, Terra, and Mar’Garet gathered around, their expressions a touch of
curiosity and excitement.
“My lord!” Mar’Garet squealed, rushing forward with an embrace that nearly knocked him off
balance.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly, her cheeks flushed as she smiled. “I missed you!
It’s not fair that you only let Cinder follow you around… You’re starting to make me jealous.”
Cinder shot her a sharp gaze but chose to say nothing.
“Hands off our lord, Mar’Garet! Do you have no respect for personal boundaries?” Draven
yelled, slightly irritated.
With a sigh, Alister gently pushed her back, regaining his composure. “Mar’Garet, as much as
I appreciate your enthusiasm, I’d prefer if you gave me some space. We have alot to do
tonight.” Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she looked away, a touch of embarrassment and excitement in her eyes.
“Understood, my lord,” she replied reluctantly, stepping back but still casting glances his
way.
As she did, she and the others got on one knee, bowing their heads as they spoke, “We pay our respects to our lord.”
Once they had spoken, Alister took a steadying breath. “Tonight, we’ll do things differently,”
he announced.
The other generals leaned in, their interest piqued. “Some of you will hunt down monsters
while the rest of you guard my body. I want Terra and me to check out the Dragon Stratus Tree. I wish to explore its uses and want ample time to do so.”
Terra nodded, her expression serious. “The Dragon Stratus Tree? According to dragon texts, it’s believed to be a divine ability of the overlord to determine the capabilities and growth
rate of the dragon race!”
Mar’Garet perked up again, clearly eager. “So some of us have to go? Hmmm? My lord, may I be so honored as to be given the role of protecting your body? I can keep you safe, I
promise…”
Alister spoke calmly as he fixed her with a bold gaze. “No, Mar’Garet. You need to lead the wyverns on the hunt with Alzuring. Your skills are better utilized there than guarding me.”