"Is that really the case? Isn't that too convenient?"
"I don't know. I'm only banking on what I observed and experienced. Look, I got to this point without consuming any of these."
"Alright. I believe you, I'm going to try that. Anyway, next time you're going somewhere to seclude yourself, notify me first. If something happens when I'm not looking, I will not be able to save you." Alwyn nodded before switching to a different topic which clearly tells that for her, what I told her was simply unbelievable. She just said that to move on from that topic.
It's understandable. I'm just a Rank 1 Transcendent in her eyes. Even if I found it beneficial for me, it wouldn't be the same for her.
Fighting someone at the same rank isn't as easy as I make it to be for others. Most of the time, they will find themselves in a stalemate.
"How can I notify you? I still have six days before we can go out of here. I planned to benefit from what I discovered by cleaning up the ruins surrounding the first fortress."
I don't know if I can reach the 5th realm here but if I continue at this pace, I might complete the 4th realm and catch up to Yuko and the others at the same level. Going up from 1st stage to 3rd stage used up the gathered energy from the three giant statues and more than 100 stolen regular-sized statue kills.
"Use this. Inject your energy into it. Your voice will be delivered to me." Alwyn produced a diamond-shaped crystal wherein one could see that a certain type of Formation was embedded inside.
As soon as it landed in my hand, its description and uses entered my mind. It's like that communication device of Yumiko, but unlike that one, this crystal doesn't necessarily need Dark Energy to activate.
"Okay, I will tell you where you will find me if ever. You're my ticket back to the Mortal World after all." I pocketed the crystal. "By the way, are you going to fight at the front line?"
Upon hearing my question, Alwyn's eyes rested on my face for a good two minutes. Perhaps she's trying to find out why I am asking the obvious.
"Yes, I will. Apart from the Great One's command, it's also my duty as a part of the tribe."
After saying that, she exclaimed as if she got an epiphany.
"Are you worried that something might happen to me? Well then, if after you use that crystal and I don't reply, it means I might've been seriously injured or worse, dead. Still go out after the Space opens up for you again. Even if I fall here, I'm sure the Great One has prepared something in case something like that happens."
"I didn't mean to spell your doom like that. I'm just a little curious about the role of an Exalted in this kind of battle. Well, now that it comes to this…" I pulled up my system in my mind and put her in as one of my allies. Just like with Udann, I gave her 50%. "This is a small enhancement compared to your current strength but think of this as my gratitude to you."
"This… Despite your cold demeanor, you're surprisingly a good guy."
"Only to those I acknowledged. Don't die out there on your own."
"I won't"
I don't care if she's just following the Great One's orders but I have a good impression of this woman. Also, I've fairly grasped her character now, it's better to entrust my return to her than hand it over to a new Exalted.
-
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After that little talk with her, Alwyn brought me back to where she picked me up. Although I haven't seen her in combat yet, just the fact that she reached Rank 3 Transcendent is enough to imagine her capability.
Once her noticeable Transcendent Sense that was focused on me disappeared, I went back to the fortress.
The traffic from yesterday was already gone. Those cowardly freed Rank 1 Transcendents were apparently sent away after they're done with their task. They chose to wait out the next six days somewhere safe and not help the tribe further. They're only here to repay the Great One who freed them after all. It's already good that they chose to do that rather than ignore her graciousness.
With that out of the way, although it's already silent in the fortress, there were more people in there than before. Mostly those Rank 2 Transcendents from the Dafirae Tribe and some of the freed Rank 2 who came back from the front to get the Thunder Rippers to set it up at the defensive line or pick up supplies of stones, food and other necessities.
As I walked inside the fortress, the ground was already sparkling clean, as if the mess from yesterday's battle where dead bodies and crumbled statues lay here and there was just an imagination. The tower-like structure has also opened up and upon entering it, I could see the tribe members of the Dafirae Tribe running here and there to organize the place.
"Did you hear? The Oxflame Monarch fought another Monarch from the enemy world yesterday. The battle was too intense that the vibrations we felt yesterday were caused by them when their skills contended against each other to feel out each other."
As I entered the fortress to look for Udann, my feet stopped moving when I heard one of the few freed Rank 1 Transcendents who chose to continue assisting the tribe gossiping with his buddies resting on a corner.
I remembered those vibrations. At first, I thought the hole I buried myself into was about to cave in and trap me in there. So I stuck my head out to see what's happening. And there, at the direction of the front line, crimson and coarse yellow colors dyed the sky for more than five minutes until the coarse yellow color completely dyed it. And that means the crimson aura lost against it.
After that, the Dimensional Space calmed down. I waited for a while to see if there will be changes before going back to continue absorbing the gathered energy.
Going by this gossiper's world, then it must be related to that.
"Didn't he retreat because there were two Monarchs on their side?"
"Not just two. There were three of them and both are at almost the same level as the Oxflame Monarch. If he didn't retreat, he would suffer injuries on the first day of the Defense. That's why look, the Dafirae Tribe asked for someone to aid the Oxflame Monarch…" The gossiper Transcendent pointed in my direction and everyone's gazes followed it.
I thought they were pointing at me but as it turns out, they're pointing at someone entering from the entrance. As they all followed his finger, not only those gossiping with him, even the ones from the Dafirae Tribe all stopped at what they're doing at the arrival of the newcomer.
And since I'm also curious, I turned around to see what the buzz was about.
However, before I could even process what I saw, the one they were pointing out opened her mouth first, surprise and confusion apparent in her face.
"You…"
And there she was, stood frozen just a few steps away from where I was standing. That scarlet hair and that silver-plated armor made from numerous blades. Blade Monarch Remilia.
Although she was surprised, she instantly recovered from it and completely ignored my existence before I could even utter a response to her surprise upon seeing me. Because of that, the others in this place hadn't noticed that change in her.
As she continued her steps inside, I instinctively stepped to the side to allow her to pass by me. And at that exact moment, her voice echoed in my mind.
"For you to be here… You truly caught me off guard, Daisuke. Let's talk later."
Although it's only words, I could imagine that she would be saying that with an amused expression plastered on her face.
But this woman… If she's here… Is she sent by Worldy or Illiana?
"We welcome the Blade Monarch. We apologize if we welcomed you in this kind of fashion."
From behind the tribe members of the Dafirae, the Exalted who explained to us about our duty back then appeared and welcomed Remilia in full respect.
"Stop the pleasantries. I had enough of that outside. I am here at the behest of the Great One Zaraya. Tell me a quick rundown of the situation." Contrary to their expectation, Remilia sternly waved her hand and stopped any kinds of flowery words that would come out of their mouths to praise her. She immediately went straight to the purpose of her arrival here.
Since everyone here was beneath her, none voiced an objection. After that, she was led by the Exalted to the interior of this tower-like structure, leaving the Rank 2 and Rank 1 Transcendent gazing at her back. Some were mystified with her appearance and some were admiring her exquisite appearance. Even the gossiping Transcendents at the side were all tongue-tied and left speechless for a long while.
The place could only regain the previous buzz when the Exalted and Remilia went into a room where she would receive most of the information from the frontline.
Well, unlike them although I also admired that alluring figure and appearance of hers, I was more focused on what she said.
Remilia was sent here at the behest of Great One Zaraya… She didn't mention any tribe which means she's like Alwyn right now, working under the command of a Great One.
Also, the words she sent to me… Talk later, huh? Should I run away now?
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