𝑂𝐕𝓛xt.𝗇𝓔t

Aurora saw Daimon and the others returning and she approached them accompanied by Patriarch Underwood, who came to see how his daughter was doing, since he has been busy lately.

“How did things go, we are almost ready on this side”, said Aurora to Daimon, she could see Vincent was in a great mood, so she supposed something interesting happened back at the mansion of the Minister.

Daimon nodded in response; he had already dealt with what he needed for the time being in the Mermen Sea.

“We are ready, are those three inside of the citadel?”, asked Daimon.

“Mm, that black armored guy brought the Skelefiend and the woman from Black Wave is also inside”, answered Aurora.

Daimon asked Horals to bring Shirel, since the Bone Sea is closer to the Elemental Sea, so they will be paying the Skalia continent a quick visit to make a deal with her father, as for Olivia she will also be coming to arrange a meeting with the leader of Black Wave in the Elemental Sea.

Aurora wanted to get rid of that cancer which has grown in the shadows of her territory, so they will either join the alliance or be purged by her.

“I’ll be entering first to adjust the route… we’ll make a detour based on the information that black armored guy got, Underwood will guide you to your room”, said Aurora as she left.

Horals didn’t make suffer Carlos for nothing, he made him draw a map and very exact instructions on how to find the underwater grotto where Annete’s mother was buried.

Daimon nodded and then turned to see the queen before saying.

“We’ll be back for the royal ball at the end of the week”.

“Mm, I’ll guard the fort, keep an eye on that little sister of mine”, said the queen, she then dragged Mellie to the side to have a small conversation in private.

“We’ll also stay behind per the orders of the Empress… don’t let her cause troubles on my stead”, said Karmandi, he and Lina will be staying behind as well.

“Humph, what troubles are you talking about, you old snake, this Empress is going as an envoy”, said Thea with a slightly annoyed voice.

The Duchess also approached Daimon, she is a person of few words, but her eyes are quite expressive a trait she shares with Daphne.

“I’ll leave Daph in your care, I will have what we discussed ready for when you return, so don’t die”, she said with her usual stern but calm expression.

Daimon bitterly smiled, the Duchess was as straightforward as always, now that everyone had said their goodbyes patriarch Underwood guided them towards the Flying Citadel.

Daimon looked at the big structure which caused him a big impression, back at the four galaxies they have barely started to enter the age of airship, thanks to the Greenwich Sage creating the planes for the flying carriages.

Though the dwarves are considered the biggest experts in magic forging, and they produce flying carriages in mass, Liz has taken a step ahead of them with her latest creation, which is the flying ship.

Here in Neptune the flying ships have been around for quite some time, it was a necessity as they have to navigate through the chaotic seas.

But the flying citadel is different, not only is many times bigger than any flying ship, the whole thing is made out of an alloy that no one has been able to analyze so far, and it is said that it can even resist the attacks of a Maximum Stellar ranked.

It is basically a mobile fortress, the only downside to it, is that it has no offensive means, and for some reason new arrays can’t be added to it, at most they can use some magic cannons like the ones the flying ships use.

It still caught Daimon’s curiosity, what kind of man from the modern era isn’t marveled by futuristic concepts such as spaceships, that’s in part why he helped Liz develop the flying ship.

And now he has found an even more advanced version of it, naturally he is excited about it, he even asked Aurora to allow him to inspect the arrays and other things that let the flying citadel work, and to his surprise she easily accepted without even asking for something in return.

Many people had taken a look at the legacy treasure of her family but no one has been able to discern anything, in fact the notes from her ancestors say that it is treasure that comes from the outside world, that’s why she left Daimon do as he pleases, maybe he can discover something.

“Watch your step little fellows”, said Underwood, the large platform descended from the sky and landed in front of the group, they got up and then the platform floated towards the main body and attached once again.

Underwood then guided them to the residence Aurora assigned to them, the citadel is divided in two areas, the outer ring where the people from the sects is temporarily staying, and the inner ring which is where normally Aurora and Jazmin stay.

But this time the group will be staying in the inner ring, which is a first, the fact that Aurora allowed Daimon to take a look at the secrets of the citadel without any condition, doesn’t mean she is so generous with others, besides her direct family this is the first time anyone else sets foot into the inner ring.

Even the patriarchs are only allowed to go when there is an important meeting, with Aurora’s permission.

With Underwood’s guide they soon arrived at the border of the outer ring, on the way Daimon noticed that the whole place is made of a single piece of material, all the structures were smoothly attached to each other, a strange architectonic style indeed.

The outer ring was separated from the inner ring with a river and a silver metal wall, to reach the other side one could only use the transportation formation, and apparently even Maximum Stellar ranked couldn’t fly over that.

Daimon’s eyes contracted as needles when he took a peek at the silver wall, there weren’t arrays engraved on it, but he felt his head pulsating just by stealing a gaze with his infinity yes.

‘Damn… those are a lot of laws’, he thought.

Jasmin took out her token of identity and then used it to open the portal to the inner ring, the group entered through the portal and appeared at the other side a couple of seconds later.

“Woah, it’s like a completely different place”, mumbled Leslie as she saw the difference between the outer and inner areas.

Outside the buildings were made with the intention of maximizing the efficiency of space, you could compare with barracks for soldiers, but glorified.

On the other hand, the inner area was focused on the elegancy, large mansion-like buildings with beautiful gardens, clean modern looking paths, fountains, recreation areas, it was the epitome of luxury.

Underwood took them to the biggest mansion on the area, which was near the captain’s cabin at the top of the citadel, this is the mansion exclusive for the Light Palace’s reigning family, in other words for Aurora and Jasmin who are the only ones left.

“Lady Aurora told me young miss Jasmin knows this place better than herself, so this is as far as I go, please enjoy your stay… little friend Daimon can I have a moment of your time?”, said Underwood.

Daimon raised an eyebrow, Aurora has told the truth regarding his identity to Underwood, as he is part of the alliance having signed a contract and all, so he isn’t surprised that he speaks to him using his real name, but why is him wanting to have a private discussion, he wondered.

Still, he nodded in response and then looked at the girls before saying.

“Ladies you go ahead and unpack, I’ll stay behind to have a small conversation with senior Underwood”.

Jasmin laughed and then dragged Mellie and Daphne with her, it’s been a long time since she was here, her grandmother grounded her back then when she sneaked into this area with Cassy when they were little girls, Cassy and Chris tagged along too.

The Risha sisters on the other hand seemed to have something to discuss with Aisha, so they grouped and then entered the mansion, Femi and Tessa followed them too, as for Thea she had separated from them some time ago and was wandering around, with the excuse of enjoying the sight, in truth she just wanted to have a couple of drinks, Marlene also went with her, leaving only Daimon and Underwood behind, well and of course Rita who never leaves her young master’s side.

Underwood invited Daimon to take a seat on a bench that was placed at the street in front of the mansion, Daimon took off his mask since they were safe here, it was the first time Underwood has seen Daimon’s real appearance.

“I won’t take long since you probably have your own things to do, I just wanted to confirm a couple of things, lady Aurora told me Neptune might be destroyed at the end of the week so… in case something happens to me, can you please take my Cassy and her mother to your galaxy”, he said with a serious expression.

Daimon could understand Underwood’s worries, he isn’t a native of Neptune, but hearing that your homeplace is probably reaching its end, for sure puts a lot pressure on you, especially when you can’t do anything but trust in others, like in this case.

Let alone Underwood, at first even Vincent and Aurora felt powerless knowing they can’t do anything about it, but they changed their focus now, they can always show their support those who can change the future, in this case Daimon.

“I don’t mind inviting your family to visit the White Fang galaxy later, but I’m not planning on letting this planet disappear”, calmly said Daimon, according to the system his mission required him to win the global raid, which is equal to saving Neptune.

Underwood stayed silent for a moment, he carefully looked at the confident eyes of the black-haired youth in front of him, after a couple of seconds he nodded with a smile on his face.

“Now I understand why lady Aurora has entrusted you with the little princess’s safety, in that case my Bamboo Forest sect is at your disposition, you can consider me Tucker Underwood a friend”, said Underwood as he extended his hand towards Daimon to offer a handshake.

Daimon accepted the offering, Underwood previously joined because he trusted Aurora, his sect has been subordinated to the Light Palace since its foundation, light and wood go along since they both represent life, but now Underwood has decided to follow Daimon, and that means the destiny of his sect is linked to Daimon’s victory.

“Certainly, as senior Aurora mentioned, your Underwood family is quite straightforward when it comes to friendship”, said Daimon, which made Underwood laugh.

“What can I say, the lady surely knows me”, said Underwood as he stood up to leave, he only wanted to see with his own eyes the type of person Aurora chose to believe in, so he had no more to say.

“Ah, I almost forgot about it, that fellow Skyfire has a grudge against you, his younger son is nothing compared to you since you defeated the crowned prince so easily, but his older son is a peak Mortal realm and he is also in love with the little princess since he was a kid, with lady Aurora he can’t do anything, but Skyfire’s father who died in action, was Lord Shaman’s sworn brother, so there might be some troubles… if someone asks, you didn’t hear this from me, Lady Aurora doesn’t tolerate internal fights and she will get angry if she hears me badmouth her husband after all”.

Daimon shook his head, he doesn’t have the time to fight in some childish “duel for the love of the princess”, he still had to deal with the scheming guy, not to mention the White Ancestor who even Vincent can’t say with confidence he is strong enough to defeat, there is also Adam and Marcus, who have been out of the radar and should be doing their own plans.

“Thanks for the warning, I’ll have it in mind”, still he thanked Underwood for the information, now he knows that the Skyfire might try to cause him troubles, but so what, considering how chaotic will the next days will be, there is high chance that anyone who isn’t on the same side as Aurora in other words allied with him, ends up dead or in a cell.