Master Of Astral Summoner

Chapter 222: Polaris

The twinkling stars adorned the night sky over Riverglace City. A gentle breeze and the chirping of crickets accompanied the stillness of the night. A married couple and a little girl lay on a vast expanse of green grass, enjoying the view of the sky—a sight too beautiful to miss.

"Daddy, what’s wrong with that star?" the little girl asked, pointing toward one of the stars overhead. "Why doesn’t it shine as brightly as the others? Is it sick?"

The purple-haired woman beside her chuckled softly and gently stroked the girl’s head.

"Haha, no, sweetheart. That star isn’t sick." "That star is called Polaris," her father explained. "It’s a very special star to me."

"Po... Polaris?" The little girl sat up and looked at her father with curious eyes. "Why is it so special to you?"

"Because Polaris always shows people the way home." Her father smiled and gently brushed her hair behind her ear.

"No matter where I go, it reminds me of where I belong."

He looked at his wife before turning back to his daughter.

"Just like you and your mother. You’ll always be my home."

The little girl’s face lit up with a bright smile. "Then I’ll always be your Polaris, Daddy."

Her father fell silent for a moment before a warm smile spread across his face. "Do you promise?" He raised his little finger.

"I promise." The little girl smiled as she hooked her pinky around her father’s. "I’ll always protect you, Daddy."

The memory flashed through Chelsie’s mind as she raced after the Resistance leader. Her heart pounded against her chest. Each breath came harder than the last as she sprinted down the endless cathedral corridor. Pain spread through her legs, and every step tempted her to stop and catch her breath.

"No..." Chelsie shook her head and forced herself onward.

"I can’t stop now. I... I can’t let Lira and Theo down."

She gathered every ounce of strength she had left and pushed herself forward. At last, the Resistance leader came into view. A storm of emotions swirled inside her. She had finally caught up to him. Which meant... She would see her father again.

But doubt crept into her heart. Would he even recognize her? The memory of their first reunion still lingered in her mind. The coldness in his eyes. The way he had treated her like a stranger. Chelsie clenched her fists.

’This is my chance. I have to stop him.’ She came to an abrupt halt and shouted with all the strength she could muster. "Dad, stop!"

Chelsie’s voice echoed through the cathedral corridor. The Resistance leader and his men stopped in their tracks. They turned around. Their cold stares fell on the lone girl standing behind them. Chelsie swallowed hard and tightened her grip on her staff.

"...Dad?"

The Resistance leader let out a mocking laugh. "Dad?" He looked at her with open disdain. "Who exactly are you calling ’Dad’?" His smile disappeared. "I’ve told you countless times. I’m not your father!"

Chelsie drew a deep breath before taking a hesitant step forward. "Dad... It’s me." Her voice trembled. "I’m Chelsie."

Tears slowly welled up in her eyes. "D-Do you remember... what you told me when I was little?" She took another step.

"The night we lay beneath the stars with Mom..."

"Hm?" The Resistance leader frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You... you once told me..." A tear rolled down Chelsie’s cheek. "That one star meant more to you than any other."

"..."

"You called it Polaris." Another tear followed.

"You said it would always remind you where—"

"That’s enough!" One of the Resistance members strode forward and shoved Chelsie to the floor. "You’ve got some nerve walking up to our Commander." He glared down at her. "Try that again, and you’ll regret it." Then he turned toward the Resistance leader. "Commander, we can’t waste any more time. We must keep moving."

"You’re right." The Resistance leader turned his back on Chelsie and started walking again. "We’re moving on—"

"The star that always showed you the way home." Chelsie slowly stood up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Just like Mom and I will always be the place Dad can come home to, no matter where he is," Chelsie said, her voice breaking. "Dad... you remember those words, don’t you?"

The Resistance leader stopped once more. Silence settled over the corridor. The Resistance members exchanged confused glances. They had never seen their commander hesitate like this.

"Commander... is something wrong?"

’Yes...’ A faint smile appeared on Chelsie’s face. ’Maybe... It’s working. Nalira was right. I need to wait until Dad is truly...’

"Hahaha..." The Resistance leader suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed so hard that tears formed in the corners of his eyes. "You really think a few cheap words can turn me back into the man I used to be?" His voice dropped into a deep, menacing growl.

For a brief moment, a dark crimson glow flickered across his eyes. "That trick won’t work on me twice."He raised a hand and pointed straight at Chelsie. "Kill the nuisance."

"Yes, Commander!" Every Resistance member answered in unison before rushing toward Chelsie.

The resistance leader just kept walking, leaving Chelsie behind as if nothing had happened, along with some of his followers. Chelsie, seeing this, froze in place. Then the strength left her legs, causing her to slump down to the ground.

To be honest, she never expected things to turn out this way. The reality was that her father had truly forgotten her. Just moments ago, she had believed her words would reach him.

She thought he would become the father she had always known once more. Instead... Every hope she had held onto shattered before her eyes. Her gaze went blank. She had absolutely no intention of dodging or running away when she saw several members of the resistance walking toward her, drawing their swords. As several Resistance members closed in with drawn swords, Chelsie quietly lowered her staff onto the floor. She accepted her fate.

’Mom...’ Her voice trembled. Tears streamed down her cheeks. ’I-I’m sorry... I couldn’t bring Dad home.’ Her shoulders shook as she lowered her head. One tear after another splashed onto the cold stone floor. ’I failed. I couldn’t become Dad’s Polaris...’

’I couldn’t guide him back to us. I’m sorry...’

When she saw the resistance member swing his sword upward, ready to finish her off, she felt a wave of heat coming from behind her. Strangely, it wasn’t just one wave of heat but several, all moving past Chelsie. In an instant, all the resistance members surrounding her collapsed weakly to the floor, completely helpless.

Chelsie blinked in confusion. "What... just happened?" She slowly turned around. Two figures sprinted toward her at full speed."W-Who are they?"