Chapter 1124: Preparing For The Exploration
Chapter 1124: Preparing For The Exploration
If Paradise was making such grand moves, they needed to participate at the forefront rather than remain comfortable, waiting for their deaths. With such an exploration about transpiring, how could they sit back and merely observe the dangers ahead?
Orion looked at Former Village Chief Brane's resolute expression, then shifted his attention to Former Chieftess Zara, who wore the same determined look, indicating her agreement with her husband's words.
"Okay, you two can join us. We'll do our best to protect you and ensure nothing bad happens," Orion nodded. Even though he respected their decision, he still cared deeply about their safety as his predecessors.
"While we appreciate the protection, Supreme Leader Orion, we are not that weak. I believe we'll manage just fine on our own," Zara replied, clicking her tongue in mild annoyance as she glanced at him.
"Haha! After my wife received her Vylkr Fusion armlet and equipment, her gift leapt by bounds. She can now see the future of an object or event in close proximity without needing to touch it. However, she's concerned that your presence while exploring this pocket dimension might render her gift useless again," Brane said with a hearty laugh.
Orion smiled wearily. Certainly, Former Chieftess Zara's gift would make their exploration much easier by allowing them to avoid disaster before it struck. But with his mere presence still capable of nullifying her abilities despite her enhancement to the level of a one-star warrior, it was understandable why she remained irritated by him.
Zara reached over and pinched her husband painfully on the side of his waist. Even though his skin was soft, it was elastic enough to send a sharp sting through his body.
Brane sealed his lips, falling silent.
"Ahem, the team you've assembled is strong enough for the mission to succeed. However, I don't think taking Seth is advisable. His strength will be restricted by the environment within the pocket dimension. It would be better to bring someone with a more versatile, water- based gift-Fifi. While her strength doesn't compare to Seth's, she'll be able to do more and might even become a key player," Reena said, glancing at Seth before refocusing on Orion.
"True. Although it would be nice to explore alongside my son, his abilities will be limited in that environment, especially since he's only mastered elemental fire and earth-based Divine Arts," Zara added, agreeing with Reena.
Orion thought deeply. He understood the value of bringing warriors with water-related gifts. Still, he focused on ensuring they were strong enough to face the enormous entity he had witnessed through Morphic Puppet's shared vision. That was why he had chosen Seth, whose strength alone was formidable, even without his gift.
Also, he hadn't considered taking Fifi because he didn't want to leave his manor unprotected in his absence. But someone needs to stay and keep watch over the fleeing Runaway Cities.
Orion sighed, concluding. "You're right. Given her versatile water-related gift, it makes more sense to bring Fifi." Orion nodded, then turned to Seth. "Is that alright with you, Seth? Would you be willing to give up your position so that Fifi can come along?" Zogar was out of the question due to his current task.
As the Stronghold Leader of Paradise, Seth held significant authority and strength, so Orion couldn't exclude him from such a critical mission without hearing his opinion first. Who knows, Seth might have a hidden Divine Art that could take their enemies by surprise.
Seth nodded and replied, "Although I'd like to come along, Chief, I'm not confident I'll be able to participate actively in the exploration. But if it's Fifi taking my place, I don't mind. I trust her skills and capabilities. Just make sure my parents don't do anything foolish."
He couldn't control his parents' decisions, but that didn't mean he wanted them to put their lives at risk.
Brane and Zara sighed tiredly at their son's words. It felt like just yesterday they had given him the same warning.
"Okay," Orion replied, nodding with a smile.
"Have you decided who will be joining you on this exploration?" Ilse asked.
"Yes. There will be five of us, including Fifi," Orion answered. "Could you please bring her and Iris here?" he requested.
Ilse nodded and stretched her hand into the air, tearing a rift in space with her finger. She was familiar with Fifi and many of Orion's household members, as they frequently visited her Golden Palace to see Liora and Aurora. As one of her favoured children, Iris was also well- known to her.
As the spatial rift expanded, a ripple formed on its surface, and Fifi suddenly emerged, appearing before them.
She landed in a defensive stance, but upon recognizing her surroundings, she relaxed. However, her body tensed again as she noticed the strange entity suspended in the air.
The rift shifted once more, and moments later, Iris emerged similarly.
Like Fifi, Iris froze in place, her eyes fixed on the entity before her, a mix of confusion and horror crossing her face.
"Can someone explain what's going on? What is 'that'?" Fifi asked with a deep frown of disgust on her face as she pointed toward the suspended entity.
Iris nodded, also eager for an explanation.
"It's like this..." Aurora said, swiftly explaining the situation to them.
Fifi's expression shifted from bewilderment to shock, then horror, before giving way to a determined expression.
Iris also displayed the same expression; her fist clenched, and her expression filled with intense anger.
After about ten minutes, Aurora finished her explanation.
Having understood the gravity of the situation, Fifi regained her composure and nodded firmly. "In that case, I'll be coming along," she said, her tone firm.
"I will also be coming along," Iris said with a nod.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Since that's settled, I'll give you a few gifts," Ilse announced. Moments later, she reached into her vault and pulled out several items.
Instantly, four beams of light shot from the vault toward Iris, Former Chief Brane, Chieftess Zara, and Fifi.
The light transformed into bronze armour with detailed, beautiful inscriptions covering their torsos, arms, and legs. The armour didn't restrict their movements, allowing them to move as
freely as before.
"What I've given you are high-grade Mythical-ranked artefacts, comparable to divine artefacts. You will naturally understand how to use them to their full potential," Ilse
explained.
Fifi and the others nodded in response, already sensing the information about the Mythical artefacts flowing into their minds.
With a bright flash of light, the bronze armour vanished, transforming into small bronze pendants that hung around their necks.
They bowed respectfully to Ilse, thanking her for the gifts.
"If you all perform well in your exploration, I'll allow you to keep the armour and use it as you
see fit," Ilse said, nodding in satisfaction.
She was pleased with Paradise's strength. Though it couldn't compare to the power of the Great War era, based on her knowledge of the current world, it was still something she could
work with.
"Tsk! As the goddess of treasures, I expected you to give them divine treasures at the very least," Aerialia remarked, unimpressed by Ilse's generosity.
Only Ilse could hear her words at that moment.
Ilse's brow twitched, but she chose to ignore Aerialia. She then shifted her focus to Orion and
Aurora.
"Unfortunately, there's nothing I can give you that surpasses what you already have. I can only wish you good luck and hope the exploration is successful. I'm eager to understand how my children became like this," Ilse said.
One was a newly ascended goddess, with strength surpassing that of a First-Order demigod, wielding dual divine and a Vylkr energy artefact. The other possessed a divine and Vylkr artefact and a legitimate goddess companion. Ilse couldn't think of anything more to give
them without embarrassing herself.
Orion and Aurora nodded in understanding.
"We promise to do our best, Goddess Ilse," Orion said.
"Remember to keep that key safe," Ilse replied with a nod. "You can all leave and prepare to
head out. Aurora will show you the way. Selene, come with me-it's time I make you my first Divine Apostle." She gestured for Selene to follow her as she turned and soared into the Majestic Kingdom, the suspended entity following behind her.
Selene nodded at Orion and the others before rising into the air and following along with Ilse.
"Wait here, I'll get Liora," Aurora said. She had left one of her spawns to watch over Liora, and before they departed, she needed to place her with the household for proper care, knowing Ilse would soon be unconscious and unable to watch over her.
Aurora quickly soared into the distance, disappearing into the Majestic Kingdom. A few minutes later, she returned with Liora in her arms and led the group out of the Golden Palace.
...
Thirty minutes later, they all stood before the enormous spatial rift, ready to venture into the pocket dimension.
Seth was the only one who had escorted them.
"I'll keep watch until you return," Seth said, nodding at them, his mind replaying his private
conversation with Orion. He wouldn't have to worry about their safety if everything went
smoothly.
They nodded in response and, one by one, advanced into the spatial rift.
Please read below!