"How many times did you use the mask?" Rio said, as he took off the mask of deception and his appearance of Shiva was changed back to his original looks. It was almost night time already, and he had to go back, as Amelia and Esme had told him about it hours before.
"Two times." Ryan said as he passed him a file "I didn't use it to fight and all, that was just for some meetings and to get a deal with some people who wanted to do it face to face."
Rio looked at the files which held a recording crystal, which probably had recordings of both times he wore his face, and the file which had the background of the people who saw him or met him at that time.
The Mask of Deception couldn't be used to copy someone's face and then to fool others easily. But since it was made by Loki, if you can get him to help you, you can do it.
Rio knew that there might be situations in the future where he couldn't be available due to various reasons, and Shiva might have to make an appearance. Or times when the world needed to see both Rio and Shiva together at different stages - so he made a deal with Loki when he got the mask, to let someone else use it for him for three times without any conditions.
Two years ago, before he went to that dungeon and to take part in the academy tournament, he gave some of his artifacts to Ryan for safekeeping, as the academy didn't allow the artifacts inside without permissions. And he didn't have the cheat like system storage space to fool everyone, he had to let go of his artifacts. He had also given Ryan the permission to use them if any situation arises.
And after that time on the tournament, he got trapped in the dungeon and couldn't come out for two years.
Though the whole world believed that he was dead, Ryan, Riley and a few others, were the only ones who knew he wasn't. Because one such artifact that he left behind was bound to his soul. And that artifact still maintained his ownership even after he was declared 'dead'.
But since they didn't have any direct proof and a way to get him out, they could only wait for his family to find him and free him.
That's why even when he wasn't around, they all kept working on his past orders and making connections, and making their name famous all around.
Though without his knowledge of the plot and the important characters to hire and target, their progress till now was subpar at best. But it still laid a foundation for him, and now that he was back and this time he could act on his plans himself.
Today, he just wanted to vent his stress, and let go of the anger that's been piling up in his head ever since he came back to the academy.
Seeing those traitors and cowards alive, and living free with a reputation of geniuses all around him. Seeing Saisha and Katherine here, and learning about all the changes and his past - his emotions were a mess. And he needed to let all that piled up anger out before he completely lost control and did something that could affect everything.
Dante was just a bonus gift, he never expected to appear here and catch easily.
But since he found him so early and unexpectedly, he had no idea how to deal with it. That's why, until he decided if he should kill him, buy him, torture him or turn him into a slave - Dante would have to wait in some dark cell.
After putting the file and the recording crystal inside his storage ring, Rio closed his eyes and laid back on the seat. While Ryan kept reporting all the things they did, or people they made deals with and hired under them. Rio kept listening to them, and at the end, he had only one thought in mind.
'What a waste of my money and resources. I thought they'd create an empire that could control the floating islands from the shadows, and they just made some stupid underground thug shop.'
'What a letdown. For me to wait two whole years and only get this result.'
[They didn't have the knowledge like you do. They didn't know which people and businesses would shine and which would drown. Nor who could grow and who would die - they did an average job in my opinion.] System came out and spoke to him.
'Average job doesn't suit the supporters of the main villain. If they're just average, sooner or later they, me and everyone else - would be killed in Leon's hands.'
'Should I just crush everything and start from scratch myself?' Rio thought in wonder, because this was nowhere near enough to his ambitions and needs.
Two years till the phase 2 of Emergence starts, and that is the only time he has for his growth. After that, there'll be too much chaos for him to handle business.
'I'll need to think more about this.'
"We've also collected the herbs you requested. Since you said to buy as much as possible, without making any loud noise, we've done our best." Rylie said something which finally caught Rio's interest and he opened his eyes. "We've also secured the lands we were keeping an eye on. Since we didn't know what you wanted to do with them, or which one you needed exactly, we just bought them all."
Rylie finished her words, and passed him another file from the front seat. Rio looked at all the deeds and details of everything - and finally a small smile came to his face.
'So you guys aren't completely useless yet. At least they did one thing right.' Rio thought and put away the file.
[Isn't that the place where…]
'Yupp, it's a backup against the Gods.'
[Are you planning to release them early? Or..]
'It'll depend on how strong I am at that time. Don't worry, there'll be no more mistakes in my plan this time.'
Since Riley and Ryan were the public figures working for Eclipse and Shiva, they could never be seen along with Rio. He had made preparations for these things and had briefed them in the past. But sadly these guys had made so little progress that no one even recognizes them yet, unless they say their names themselves, so she was still driving him back.
Ryan had changed cars and went back. While Riley chose to drop him where he needed to go and then leave.
"You've gotten more cruel now." Riley said when they were finally alone.
"Try living in a dungeon for two years." Rio scoffed hearing that and said "I've seen so many dead coming back to life, and trying to kill me, that being soft before killing anyone is a thought that doesn't even come to mind now."
"I'm sorry." Riley said, as she looked at him through the mirror.
"Naah, don't worry about it. I'm back and that's all that matters." Rio said, as he smiled and changed the topic, since the atmosphere in the car suddenly turned gloomy and awkward. "So what's going on with your life? Found someone yet?"
"Nope. No one's as good as you. I could only wait for you to come back." Riley said as she smiled.
"Cheesy, and a lie. You're getting better at it." Rio said and ignored her.
Just like this, while talking Riley kept driving him to the place where Amelia and others were waiting. It was a famous restaurant called 'Dorsia' , which always reminded Rio of that American Psycho movie - no matter how many times he heard it.
Rio was about to go out, when he saw a scene which made him silent.
Through the tinted black windows, he saw that protagonist Leon was standing at the door of the restaurant, arguing with some security guard. Rio turned his head and saw Amelia, Becca, Rubina and Ayla sitting inside happily chatting with each other.
But then he focused and found there was one more person sitting at their table, a girl with long white hair and those symbolic pointy ears of the elves.
"Saisha" Rio muttered as he recognized her. 'What the hell is she doing here?'
[6 heroines in the same place, along with the protagonist and the main villain.]
[What a good stage for a big drama.]
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A/N - The car is covered by arrays and formations, which makes it impossible for others to see who's sitting inside. Or to hear what they're talking about.
The materials used in making these kinds of cars are hightly resistant to mana and can ever block mana sense to a certain degree. So unless gods directly interfere or you encounter someone who's a very strong awakner or has a special skill, you're safe and happy to enjoy your private trip.
Usually these vehicles are only used by very very rich people. nd those who had ton of connections.
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