Chapter 39: Righteous
’Hi—his cultivation... what the hell?’
She hadn’t paid attention before because she never expected such a drastic change in Sunless’ cultivation, but... what the hell had happened to him in just a few days?
Jane’s dry, trembling lips parted as though she wanted to say something. She wanted to ask her brother how his cultivation was increasing so rapidly.
She was just a fourth stage beginner martial warrior, while her brother, who she rarely saw cultivate, was already at the seventh stage.
Could anyone explain the current situation to her?
’Does he have a cultivation technique better than the one I’m cultivating? Perhaps one at the god rank or even primordial?’
The thought was far-fetched, but believable. Extremely believable given Sunless’ current situation. The thought of her brother’s strength made her even more confident in her plan.
Meanwhile, Sunless was finally able to return his gaze to his surroundings.
He noticed they had appeared in a forest with dense trees, obscuring the sight of a few glowing red eyes hidden behind rotting, mossy trunks and the darkness of the sky.
As they were in a fetid, swamp-like area with a massive umbrella tree looming over them and blocking most of the sunlight, they could only rely on the faint, dim light filtering through to glimpse their surroundings.
"Where to next?" Ella turned to Jennifer, waiting for her directions.
Suddenly, Jennifer’s pale face became solemn as she spoke in a low voice.
"Sigh... actually, guys, I lied."
Everyone’s expression shifted drastically as they turned to look at her.
Jennifer gave a wry, tight smile, then explained, "The treasure we’re coming to take is a dragon egg. I heard news that it had just recently given birth. As such, its strength should be drastically reduced."
"All we need to do is simple. Sneak in, take the dragon egg, and swoop right out. It’s really that simple. We just need to be cautious."
"What?" someone from the group exclaimed, and even Sunless glanced up at her in stupefaction and sheer horror.
Sonia looked as though she had expected it, but her mouth still hung open in frozen shock. She had never trusted the woman in the first place.
Jane’s sharp eyes flashed with an intense, dark, calculating light.
This completely toppled everything she had planned so far.
’So she’s here for the dragon egg!’ If that was the case, then it explained everything, but also complicated things to a large extent.
The reason Jane had finally agreed for her and Sunless to come was because she recalled hearing something about the birth of a divine dragon around this time, in this area.
Most thought it was an ordinary dragon, but it was only later realised that the dragon possessed a rare, mutated bloodline.
’It seems we’ll have to double-cross her... and steal the dragon egg.’ Jane’s eyes flickered with cold ruthlessness.
Since she’d made the decision, she knew Sunless would follow her without hesitation. Now all she needed was to find the right time to tell him about the change of plans.
"Are you kidding me?" one of the twins narrowed his eyes, while his sister clicked her tongue.
"We didn’t sign up for this. Stealing from a dragon? We want out. Now!"
The muscular brute shook his head as well and lowered his sword, clearly signalling he had no intention of stealing from a massive dragon.
Even a weakened adult dragon was still at the advanced martial warrior rank.
The stages of being a martial warrior were beginner, intermediate, advanced, master... and so on.
All of them were merely beginners. No matter how weakened the dragon was after giving birth, there was no way they could handle it.
Jennifer glanced around at everyone’s expressions before finally letting out a breath.
A silvery light flashed on her hand, and a badge appeared in her grasp.
"By order of the special commander, this mission to retrieve the dragon egg is now in effect. Everyone within a hundred-meter radius is to comply, or it will result in execution upon return to the real world."
Jennifer’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried authority as it resounded in everyone’s ringing ears.
Seeing the badge in her hand, everyone’s pupils constricted, and subconsciously, Mical took an involuntary step back.
"That badge..." Jane whispered, then glanced up at Jennifer, finally connecting the dots in her mind.
’This girl... she’s the legend of a thousand swords?’
In Jane’s memory, the image of a toned young woman with a ruthless expression, ruling a battalion of thousands of sword-wielding soldiers, flickered vividly past.
This young girl was one of the major reasons humanity would later gain victory against demonic creatures in the southern district.
The realization was unexpected. Although Jane had felt some familiarity toward Jennifer, she never imagined this was the reason.
For now, Jennifer didn’t yet have an army, nor control over anyone.
In fact, the badge she held belonged to her father. However, upon returning and discovering her father’s assassination by demons, she would take control of the southern district. After that, she would enter a forgotten ruin, inherit the mantle of an imprisoned god, and dominate her region.
’Things are happening too fast. Killing her would change the future in the worst way and lead to the loss of countless lives, accelerating the destruction of this world...’
The thought sent cold shivers up Jane’s spine, and she shook her head subconsciously.
’Why can’t I tell my brother about all of this? Carrying this burden alone is too much...’ Jane felt a throbbing headache creeping up her aching skull.
Trying to steady herself, she began rationalizing her actions and thinking up ways to pass information to Sunless indirectly, so they could change the future for the better.
’Did she return to the real world with the dragon egg or not?’
That was something Jane desperately wanted to know.
What if they never obtained the dragon egg at all?
What if there was no dragon egg to begin with?
’So much to think about...’
While Jane’s mind ran through endless simulations, the others visibly tensed up upon seeing the gleaming silver badge.
Mical forced a chuckle. "You can’t be serious, Jennifer."
Jennifer gave him a look that made it clear she was deadly serious.
Everyone let out stiff, nervous laughs.
With bitter smiles, they nodded in agreement.
"How can we resist a mission from the commanders of humanity?"
Although the twins were clearly displeased, they didn’t dare disobey after seeing the badge.
Jennifer felt a twinge of regret. She hadn’t wanted things to reach this point, but she had no choice.
She had to get that dragon egg at all costs.
Sunless watched the drastic shift in everyone’s expressions, feeling slightly confused and wary.
Why were they so afraid of a mere badge?
With no objections of his own, he decided to go with the flow. He’d ask his sister about it later.
He noticed a silvery light appear briefly on Jennifer’s hand, and an old, crinkled, worn-out map materialized out of thin air.
She studied it briefly, then said, "Our destination is to the northeast. Before the stench of blood attracts other hungry wild beasts, everyone move out!"
"Yes, commander!"
