System's POV - Chapter 1291
Chapter 1291: No Bad Guys Can Hurt Us
After seeing the rebel armies’ pillaging and other horrific acts, the people of Artem were forced to take action.
Disgusted by the traitor Celestials and their armies, all the able-bodied warriors of the realm volunteered to rally under the King’s banner and headed to the City of Lyra to join the war.
Thirteen had already expected this to happen, so he ordered the Jinns to guide these people to the teleportation gates, which were still functioning albeit under strict conditions.
The teenage boy arranged this deliberately to condition the Artemians, to make them accustomed to the sight of Jinns. Once they grew familiar with them in battle, they would be more accepting when the Jinns settled in Artem after the war.
“There’s one thing I don’t understand, Zion,” Rana said with a frown. “Azrael has been using guerrilla tactics to whittle down the two armies. But why aren’t you asking me to accompany him? If the two of us fought against either Castor or Regulus, we would definitely be able to defeat them.”
Thirteen shook his head. “You’re underestimating them, Lady Rana. I’m sure they came prepared and are probably carrying powerful artifacts in their possession.
“I didn’t bother asking you to help Azrael deal with them because he might not be able to protect you once our enemies use their trump cards.”
Thirteen looked at the map laid out on the table, which detailed the path the two armies were taking.
“Azrael can escape by himself as long as he’s alone,” Thirteen added. “So let him deal with the guerrilla tactics for now.”
Rana sighed in frustration because Zion was right.
Truth be told, she was very wary of the two Celestials. After all, they had been in that rank far longer than she had.
It was also no secret that they possessed powerful artifacts with them, which they had repeatedly used to help prevent their armies from getting annihilated by Cranky’s relentless surprise attacks.
“At this rate, they’ll reach us in two weeks,” Thirteen said after making a few calculations.
“Can we win?” Rana asked in a serious tone. “Even if Azrael had decreased their manpower, their High-Ranking fighters are still very much alive.”
The City Lord’s words referred to the High-Archons and Archons accompanying Castor and Regulus. Each of them basically counted as a one-man army. In other words, even if their weaker forces were wiped out, they could still turn the tide of battle in their favor brutely through overwhelming strength.
A single High Archon almost made the world of Pangea kneel.
If not for Cranky’s timely evolution into a Celestial, King Astrion might have already added another world under his control.
“Winning is the only choice we have, Lady Rana,” Thirteen replied. “Losing means living a life worse than death.”
Rana’s hands slowly curled into fists. “Then tell me what to do, Zion. I refuse to stand idly while my people may be dying somewhere out there.”
Thirteen’s gaze softened for a moment. “You won’t be idle. Your role is far more important than simply fighting.”
He tapped a point on the map of the city, not on the front lines, but behind their defensive line.
“You will protect the teleportation gates. If the worst happens and the walls fall, we need a way to evacuate our warriors to Velgrande. If the Celestials destroy the gates, this entire region becomes a slaughterhouse.”
Rana blinked. “You’re asking me to guard the rear?”
“I’m asking you to safeguard our hope.”
Rana stared at him, speechless.
Most commanders would have thrown her onto the frontline for raw power. But Zion saw further.
What would happen if one stray blast from a Celestial destroyed the only means of evacuation? How many would die trapped inside the city?
“In the worst-case scenario, you’re the only one strong enough to stop them while everyone else evacuates,” Thirteen continued. “And if Castor or Regulus try to teleport behind our defensive lines, you must be there to confront them.”
“… I see.” Rana’s voice was barely audible, but her eyes grew steady. “Then I’ll hold the gates. I won’t let them destroy it. But are you sure you won’t need me on the front lines?”
“I’m sure of it,” Thirteen replied. “Don’t worry. They will pay a heavy price if they want to break through this city by force.”
Suddenly, a messenger barged into the command center, gasping for breath.
“L-Lord Zion! Someone is looking for you!” the guard reported. “Two little girls and one teenage girl.”
Thirteen blinked because a thought suddenly passed through his head.
“Where are they?” Thirteen asked. “What are their names?”
“At the front of the palace gates,” the guard answered. “Their names are Maple, Cinnamon, and Stella. Those two little girls said that you are their big brother.”
Rana looked at Zion in surprise, first time learning that the teenage boy had sisters.
Thirteen didn’t waste a second and hastily headed to the door to meet the two gluttons, as well as their sister, whom Thirteen owed a great favor.
If not for Stella, they might have completely lost the war in Cygni, which would have been a disastrous ending for them.
“Big Brother!” Maple immediately greeted Thirteen as soon as she saw him.
“Big Brother! Cinnamon is here, too!” Cinnamon also waved her hand, which made him smile helplessly.
“What are the three of you doing here?” Thirteen asked as he patted the heads of the two little girls, who hugged his waist and clung to him like koalas.
“We’ve come to visit!” Maple said.
“Sister also wants to see you!” Cinnamon stated.
Thirteen glanced at Stella, who was looking at him with a solemn expression.
“It feels like it was just yesterday when we fought a war in Cygni,” Stella said. “And now you’re here, fighting another war—this time far away from home. Is this one of your hobbies, Zion?”
“Of course not,” Thirteen replied. “But I have no choice but to be here.”
Stella smiled wryly but no longer said anything. She could tell that Zion wasn’t really fond of wars. But since no one could pull off his role as well as he did, he had no choice but to play the role of the bad guy every time.
“Let’s go inside,” Thirteen said, sensing the ones guarding the gates looking at them with curiosity.
Even Rana paid close attention to Maple, Cinnamon, and Stella, who seemed to have a good relationship with him.
A few minutes later…
“These cookies are good, but the cookies you make are the best, Big Brother,” Maple said as she nibbled on the cookies.
“Cinnamon likes Big Brother’s cookies too!” Cinnamon smiled. “Big Brother, do you also know how to make pudding?”
“I’ll make you pudding next time,” Thirteen replied before sipping his tea. “I can let you girls stay here for a week, but after that, all of you need to go home. The bad guys are coming, and I don’t want them to catch the two of you.”
“Hehehe. Don’t worry about us, Big Brother,” Maple patted her chest with confidence. “No bad guys can hurt us.”
“Yes!” Cinnamon imitated her sister. “No bad guys can hurt us.”
Rana found the two little girls quite endearing because they looked so cute and adorable. Also, the way they talked melted her heart, and she wished nothing more than to hug them tightly.
‘I miss my kids,’ Rana thought.
She had asked them to go to the shelter inside the Royal Palace in Velgrande, where they would be safe.
Although she would often talk to them, especially Carina, through their Aether Links, not being able to see or hold them made her feel lonely.
“Still, you should return home before the bad guys come,” Thirteen insisted. “Stella, you should take your sisters with you and leave this place after a week.”
“I will ask my sisters to leave, but I’ll be staying here,” Stella said firmly.
Thirteen was about to dissuade her, but when he saw the determination in her gaze, he understood that he’d just be wasting effort if he were to try swaying her decision.
“Only on one condition,” Thirteen said. “You will not do anything reckless like you did last time.”
The young lady smiled faintly, feeling the concern in the teenage boy’s voice. She hadn’t expected such a reaction from him, but it was a pleasant surprise.
“Okay.” Stella nodded. “I won’t do anything reckless like last time.”
Thirteen stared long and hard at the young lady, who had risked her life to help him for something that he couldn’t fathom.
Stella had admitted the reason why she was trying to get close to him. She wanted to regain the colors of her world, something only he could give her.
He still didn’t understand how he would be able to return what she had lost. Perhaps if he regained his powers, he might be able to find something from his System Shop to cure her condition.
But until then, the only thing he could do was to ensure that she would be safe, for her death would weigh heavily on his soul.
Several hours later…
A shooting star streaked across the night sky, a good distance away from the city of Lyra.
These past few days, thunderclouds had gathered within the territory, casting a gloomy sight to the people who were preparing for war.
From the dark clouds, an eight-legged horse broke through before hovering mid-air.
“We have arrived in Artem,” James said. “Remember your promise, okay? We won’t interfere in this world. We are only spectators here. Understood?”
“I know, Gramps,” William replied before glancing at the city in the distance. “Are my daughters in that city?”
“Yes.” James nodded. “We arrived a few hours after them, but they should be right there.”
William narrowed his eyes before swiping a hand over his face.
He had changed his looks, as well as his aura, so his daughters wouldn’t be able to recognize him.
The Half-Elf wanted to see who this Zion Leventis really was. This was the perfect opportunity to discover what kind of person could earn the favor of both his daughters and the Gods.
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A/N: Only one chapter tonight, but I will post the chapters tomorrow very early so you guys can read it before reset. Thank you for always supporting me. I’ll do my best to stay healthy and finish this novel for all of your sake.
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