Chapter 273: Group Reward
Grand Astel Hotel, Lohansburgh...
Ethan had just opened the door to the grand suite where the rest of the team was already settled in.
The room was lively in its own way. Percival was moving around in a white robe, some others were dressed similarly and they were either resting or sipping champagne.
Ethan stepping in had drawn their attention. He then said, "So guys... I was talking with the Prime Minister of the country."
He paused briefly before continuing. "Anyway, he extends his thanks... and he also offered us one million gold coins."
That single line changed the atmosphere.
Percival immediately turned his head with an expression that already told what he was about to say. "Please don’t tell me you refused that."
He looked at Ethan like he already knew the answer.
Ethan sighed. "Why do you assume that I did?"
"Because you always do," Hayley replied. "If it’s something you feel you did out of your heart, you’ll never take payment for it.."
Eduardo had a subtle smile to that. It was his way of agreeing to this two.
Then, Ethan raised a hand. "Here...A bill note for one million gold coins."
There was some silence, and even Percival was surprised for a second.
Ethan exhaled. "Uh, this was supposed to be for any of Grand Class they had hoped to reach, but it didn’t happen"
"And yes, at first... I did refuse it."
Percival shook his head amusingly as Ethan continued,
"But it felt selfish to do that when all of you were involved. So here’s what we’ll do."
He turned slightly toward the group.
"The government of Lohansburg has accounts in some of our banks. Once we return to Gritnia, Eduardo will go to the bank and withdraw it, then split it equally among every one of you here."
There was a sort of jubilation but mostly from the every energetic wolves. Then voices began overlapping each other.
Ethan then glanced toward Ishtar. "Oh—and Eduardo, make sure Ishtar gets an account opened too. She’ll get part too."
Ishtar’s expression softened into a happy smile. She gave a bow. "Thank you, Lord Ethan."
The room relaxed further, feeling almost celebratory. Some already began talking about how they’d spend their share.
Ethan, meanwhile, slowly walked toward Valerie. He pulled out a small card and handed it to her.
"Before we leave, schedule a meeting using this."
Valerie took it, listening.
"This is how we’ll reach the government of Lohansburgh. The Prime Minister also saw our jet and is interested in acquiring a few for use here."
He paused briefly. "So arrange a meeting through that number and we’ll decide how to proceed from there."
Valerie nodded. "Understood, Master Ethan."
Ethan turned away as the room gradually settled back into conversation.
Then Isabella quietly approached him almost immediately. "Hey babe," she said softly. "I actually have to go."
Ethan blinked. "Whoa—why?"
"It’s my brother," she said. "He was supposed to return this morning under my father’s summons. I haven’t heard anything yet... I just want to know how it went."
Ethan’s expression softened. "Oh..." then he added quickly, "but we’re leaving early tomorrow anyway."
Isabella shook her head. "I can’t wait till morning my love... I can’t reach his device, and I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep properly not knowing."
Ethan nodded in understanding. "Alright, one second I’ll get Eduardo, he’ll take you back on the jet."
She immediately shook her head again, now with a gentle smile. "No, no need babe, I’ll fly."
Ethan smiled too and nodded, "Alright then, let me walk you out."
They embraced each other once they were outside, then shared a light kiss.
A moment later, Isabella stepped back, and a magic circle flickered beneath her feet.
A sonic burst of force lifted her upward as she shot into the sky, and Ethan watched until she vanished from sight.
——
Right about the same time upstairs, Maya had reached out to Eduardo who currently stood at the balcony, away from all the happy noise in the room.
"Mr. Eduardo," she said.
He turned his head slightly. "Child of Heydrich."
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "I... I just thought you should know something."
His expression didn’t change. "Sure, say it."
Maya exhaled. "The family heads... they know you’re alive."
Eduardo returned his gaze back to the city. "That was never hidden."
"It’s not that," she quickly added. "It’s just... after everything that happened that time, most of them believed you’d gone off-grid. Some even thought you were dead. My father included."
A humorless breath left Eduardo. "And what use is this information supposed to serve me?"
Maya shook her head. "I’m not sure. I just thought you should know."
Then Eduardo asked, "So who told them? Was it you?"
Maya immediately shook her head. "No.. It was Lord Morgenstein."
That name made his eyes narrow slightly.
"About a month ago," she continued, "he reached out to a few family heads...his allies. Including my father. He said he had reliable information that... Mikael is alive."
At that, Eduardo gave a small nod. "I see."
And just like that, the topic ended.
Maya waited for him to say more, but he didn’t.
—-
Later that night, everyone else had gone to their rooms, leaving just Ethan sitting in bed alone, within the grand suite.
His legs were tucked under the duvet, and he had only begun looking at the system screens before him.
"Three special rewards! Niceeee"
But then a knock came at the door, which made Ethan take his eyes off. His gaze lifted from the screens, which in turn disappeared from view.
Anyone knocking right now had to be a member of the team, so he simply swung his legs out of the bed and crossed the space towards the door.
He peaked out through an inserted door hole, just to make sure. And when he saw who that was, a smile crossed his face.
He opened the door after, and Hayley stepped inside.
"Hey.." she said with a soft voice
-
A/N: I’m editing the last Chapter as we speak, so expect the fourth in like 30 mins to an hour max
