Chapter 200 Breaking You Was Worth It
"So, everyone, let me introduce to you my Pops," Thirteen said. "Gerald Leventis, the Patriarch of the Main Branch of the Leventis Family. He was studying some ruins, and before he knew it, he was teleported to my location.
"I don't know how it happened, but all I can say is that it's a happy accident. With him by our side, we will be able to do many wonderful things!"
Cristopher, Rianna, Harry, and the rest of the Wanderers blinked in surprise after hearing Thirteen's explanation.
It was truly surprising for the seven-year-old's father to coincidentally appear where his son was.
Although some were still in doubt, they had no choice but to accept Zion's story. After all, they couldn't come up with a plausible explanation as to how Gerald got teleported to their location.
But, Gerald's appearance wasn't the only thing that surprised them. It was actually Zion's announcement that his Father was the Patriarch of one of the Ten Prestigious Families.
As citizens of Pangea, it was impossible for them to not know who the Patriarch of the Leventis Family was.
After all, there were only Five Monarch Clans and Ten Prestigious Families.
Everyone in the world of Pangea knew who the Patriarchs of these families were, so Zion's statement made them all wonder if he was just joking with them.
"Hello, I am the Patriarch of the Main Branch of the Leventis Family and Zion's Father," Gerald declared with a devilish smile on his face. "Thank you for taking good care of my son. Now that I'm here, I'll make sure that you kids get back home, especially you, Harry."
Thirteen nodded in agreement. "That's right. I still need to cash out my Attack Helicopter from the Remington Family for saving your life."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Even Gerald, who was feeling smug earlier, couldn't help but pretend that he didn't hear his son's statement. He might be very close with Harry's parents, but his skin wasn't thick enough to ask them for something like an Attack Helicopter just because Zion saved their son's life!
Harry, on the other hand, wasn't able to stop himself from lowering his head to avert his gaze.
He had a feeling that if Zion were to appear in the Remington Clan's Main Residence, his parents might have no choice but to accept his demand due to how pushy the seven-year-old was.
"I know that you still have doubts, but my father really is the Patriarch of the Leventis Family." Thirteen raised his chin in arrogance. "My Grandfather, Arthur, even knelt and begged him to not make this knowledge known to the public. So, for the time being, please keep this a secret, okay? I don't want my Gramps to lose face."
"Well, although my Old Man is a good-for-nothing, I, as his son, still think of him as my family." Gerald smiled as if he was a very kind and benevolent person. "For this reason, I allowed him to call himself the Patriarch of the Leventis Family until Zion comes of age.
"After that, I will announce the news to the public that I am the new Patriarch of the Leventis Family. Until then, let's all get along, okay?"
What followed next was an awkward silence because none of the Wanderers seemed to know what to do.
However, all of this was broken by the sound of someone clapping, pulling everyone's attention to the source of the sound.
"As expected of Lord Gerald and Young Master Zion," Colbert said as he continued to clap his hands. "It is my honor to meet the true Patriarch of the Leventis Family. I, Colbert Riggs, am lucky enough to be blessed by your presence."
Gerald looked at the young man fondly and nodded his head in satisfaction.
"I like you, kid," Gerald commented. "My son said that you are his left-hand man. I look forward to working with you from now on!"
"Yes, My Lord!" Colbert placed his closed fist over his chest and bowed very low. "I am yours to command."
Thirteen gave Colbert a thumbs up in his heart.
'As expected of a First-Rate Bootlicker. Breaking you was worth it,' Thirteen mused as he gave Colbert a faint smile.
Cristopher, who suddenly felt as if the new guy was trying to usurp his position, felt threatened and wanted to also try his hand at bootlicking.
But before he could do that, Giga Chad hugged him from behind and covered his lips, preventing him from saying anything.
Thirteen understood what was going on in the chubby boy's head, but he didn't want Cristopher to copy Colbert's way of doing things.
As his right-hand man, he wouldn't allow Cristopher to grovel and lower himself to such a level.
Because of this, he gave Giga Chad instructions beforehand to stop Cristopher if the boy ever tried to imitate Colbert's methods.
The Trolls, Ogres, Tigerkins, Warsor Blackhounds, Rocky, and Hercules were all standing behind the Wanderers, observing the man whom Zion introduced as his Father.
They were paying close attention to him because if he was really their devilish Master's Father, then they might share the same characteristics, which was making them feel anxious.
Gerald, who had no idea what the others were thinking about, started his speech.
"I heard the general situation from my son." Gerald crossed his arms over his chest. "And truth be told, this upcoming war will be extremely dangerous. However, do not fret. As long as you follow my son's lead, everything will be fine.
"I am not here to give you any orders. I'm only going to play the role of a supporter. The one whose orders you will take is Zion, and only Zion," Gerald declared. "As the man who raised him, I know that he is just as capable as I was when I was his age. So, all of you are in good hands."
Zion, who had just been praised, also crossed his arms over his chest and made his own speech.
"Although my father is a henpecked husband, I guarantee you that he is a very formidable person," Thirteen stated. "He will play a vital role in the upcoming war, so although he said that you'll only be taking orders from me, I hope that you will assist him in any way that you can."
Gerald, who was standing beside his son, fought the strong urge to smack his son's head for calling him a henpecked husband in front of everyone.
If not for the fact that the boy was acting as the supreme commander of everyone gathered today, he would have already given him a good smacking!
"Pffft!"
Rianna couldn't help but giggle after hearing Zion's words. Her reaction somewhat eased the tense atmosphere, making the other Wanderers and slaves breathe easy as well.
"My Father is a Blacksmith, and he is proficient in creating Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Mithril, and low-grade Adamantine Weapons and Armor," Thirteen scanned the faces of the people around them, highlighting his father's importance. "His role is to arm all of us to the teeth because we will be participating in this war.
"Of course, those who don't wish to fight may stay on the sidelines. But you will not be idle and will be put in charge of the logistics. Your job will be making sure that we have enough supplies like food and ammunition for the war that will take place in two to three months.
"You will also be in charge of all the miscellaneous tasks needed to guarantee our victory. Remember, the bigger your role in this endeavor, the greater your reward will be when you rank up to Rookies."
The Wanderers, who easily caught Thirteen's meaning, all stood at attention.
They had already forgotten that the rewards for clearing the mission would depend on the contribution that one had given to the cause.
If the mission was completed, and they didn't do anything substantial, they would gain very small and mediocre rewards from The One, who governed all Wanderers in the world.
This made all of them take Zion's words seriously, which was what the seven-year-old was aiming for.
"My father will be busy in the next few days, but feel free to write down your name and your preferred choice of weapon and armor that you would like him to craft," Thirteen said with a smile. "Making Peak-Bronze weapons and even Pseudo-Silver grade weapons is easy for him, so I guarantee that you will get the best weapons and armor at your disposal with your current Rank."
"Of course, the priority is given to those who will be accompanying us on expeditions. But, even those who are playing the supporting role will also get their own share. I just want to give all of you one order and one order only."
Thirteen, who had now assumed full command of everyone, including Rianna's Hunting Party, stared at all of them with a solemn expression on his face.
"Don't die," Thirteen ordered. "Your families, friends, and loved ones are all waiting for you back home."
All the Wanderers' eyes moistened after hearing Thirteen's orders.
Even though life in Solterra was hard, they still hadn't given up on going back home to Pangea.
Percival and the other Tigerkins clenched their fists because they, too, had people waiting for them back home.
They had no plans on dying, and they would do everything in their power to survive.
Seeing everyone's current expression, a faint smile appeared on Thirteen's face.
Although it would be difficult to save everyone, he would do his best to let the kids go back to Pangea and escape the Calamity that would befall the Valbarra Archipelago.
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