Chapter 297 - 250 : Departure (1/2)
When the atmosphere started turning a bit awkward, the copy raised one finger and stated:
”I can give you a small space to do whatever you want with but there's a condition attached to it.”
With a casual tone and the same smile on his face, he gazed at Lolitta, who forgot what just happened a second ago and looked at him with expectations as she continuously nodded her head in approval.
The copy had a face similar to the people who just tricked little kids into doing something, he chuckled and resumed:
”Give me the core of the previous AI. I know that the system deleted it but seeing how smart you are, I'm sure you've managed to secure a backup core? Isn't that right, Miss Meredith~~?”
The girl's eyes widened when she heard him. She slowly closed them as she struggled into making a decision, finally, her urge to build a suitable pink room for herself right now won over the so little loyalty she had to the System.
A fingernail-sized bead appeared in the girl's hand, she gently pushed it toward the copy, who happily received it and waved dismissively at the other party, indicating that she could build whatever she wants as long as she doesn't exceed the area he arranged for her.
The bead flew next to the rotating cube and soon merged with it, causing the latter to flash with a white light for several seconds before it resumed its usual and slow rotations.
The copy closed his eyes as he rampaged through the new information that was added to the ARK.
”I see... they sure are busy dealing with the Joker. Idiotic if you ask me, a bunch of lifeless robots trying to fight what cannot be killed, they really never learn...”
He went over a bunch of details, most of them were about Astria, secret places, hidden creatures, and ancient treasures but they were all useless to the current Arthur.
The AIs would receive updates every three to four months, it's like a newspaper that informs them about what's happening outside. Thanks to this, the copy came to know one or two things, the main thing was about the Joker, also known as the Magician. Apparently, he caused a big ruckus in the central area of the System's Universe, and in retaliation, a lot of machines and systematic weapons were dispatched to kill him, unfortunately, the results were pathetic.
The second and less important piece of news is the Celestial Tribulation that occurred five years ago. This was still a hot topic in all three Universes. There are many potential candidates, those who most likely caused this tribulation to appear. Some denied the claims and others chose to remain silent, there are also those who proudly claimed they were the ones who defied the Heavens and achieved the impossible, unfortunately, they didn't have evidence to back up their claims.
...
Arthur, who just leaped through space and appeared on top of the high tower situated at the center of the MoonStar sect, was in a good mood as all the past hurdles were finally gone.
In a short while, he'll go to Earth and meet his wife, at last, it's been so long, longer than what it seemed to most people.
Although only five years passed, he lived much, much more than that. Excluding the amount he passed training after the 'Divine Fight', he was forced to live inside bears, eagles, and even a Human, and for long periods of time too.
He was mentally exhausted, and he truly needed a small vacation where his mind isn't worried about his wife and daughter or anxious about enemy attacks.
His copy informed him that the System was added to Earth too, which means there's an 'office' hidden there too. Seeing how Earth isn't a place where there's Gods and Divine Beings, the AI will certainly be weak, and lower in grade, lower than even the one which was on Astria, precisely in the Westia Continent.
”Astrith should be able to locate the office with Lolitta's help.”
Arthur talked to his copy as he gazed at the MoonStar sect, which has flourished even more after five years have passed. There were much more buildings and the road was wide and bituminized, it no longer resembled a newly founded sect but a bustling capital city.
The few kilometers around the High Tower was only meant for Core disciples and those affiliated with the sect, as for the rest of the territory, a fifth of it was turned into one of the biggest cities in all of Astria.
With a sturdy defensive wall surrounding the whole territory, three bones dragons guarding the skies and a mutated red minotaur protecting the main gate, nothing could invade this land and remain unscathed unless it's a Divine Being.
”Thanks to the little girl's help, I can make a device that will act up if we're close to an office, it should help in the search.”
The copy stated proudly as he fiddled with the ARK inside the white space and after a few seconds, he pulled a metallic black card.
With a wave of his hand, the black card appeared in front of Arthur, who inspected it and then put it in the storage ring.
With a call from his master, the blue lightning wolf, Astrith, appeared from within Arthur's consciousness.
After absorbing some of the Celestial lightning and hibernating for an extra five years. The wolf no longer had a blue or brown fur, he was now jet black with two blood-colored eyes that emitted small sparks of red lightning every now and then.
....
As Arthur descended the stairs, intending to go meet with Anastassia and co, but from out of nowhere, a dark shadow assaulted him.
The silhouette was shorter than him but it was agile and flexible.
Arthur didn't dodge or block the incoming attack, he stood there, motionless, as he watched what's happening with a smirk on his face.
A dagger was stabbing at his head and all that could be seen was a red shadow, a violet burst of Blood Magic followed right after the dagger, trying to injure vital spots of his legs to immobilize him.
Unfortunately, once the dagger touched his chest, it shattered instantly, like broken glass, it fell on the floor after breaking into countless pieces.
The Blood Magic hit the intended spots but did no damage, not even the clothes were affected, even a breeze of air would cause more of a reaction than this.
Arthur swiftly moved his hand and grabbed the enemy from his legs, turning his body upside down thus leaving him dangling in the air and trying to viciously attack him as he sent small but deadly bursts of Blood Magic at his face, unfortunately, they did no damage as Arthur's defense was impenetrable at this state.
As he had a closer look at this defenseless chicken who has been caught by its leg, Arthur remembered this young face. Although it's been five years, his memory is fresh and it only took him a small glance to know the identity of this person.
This dark-haired young man was Rey, the kid who was about to be killed by Arthur only to be spared when Robin intervened and begged him to spare that little boy, who looked pitiful but was a scheming little bastard in reality.
Apparently, after he got picked up by Robin and properly taken care of, the kid became docile and less aggressive than before. He would still act cute in front of Robin but he no longer did evil things like back then when he was cooperating with the black mages.
”Well, isn't this one small black sheep.”
Since Arthur's appearance was a bit different from their last meeting and with the additional scar on his face and having his head upside down, Rey wasn't able to identify Arthur, only when the latter spoke and the young man had a close look at the invader did he realize who he just attacked.
”Let me down!”
The boy wriggled his body and tried to shake off Arthur's hand but to no avail, Arthur's grip contained more than two billion points in Strength, not even a Sovereign could escape his grasp, much less Rey.
The youth was going to shout again but suddenly froze when he caught sight of Astrith, who just appeared behind Arthur. The size of the wolf decreased to be able to fit inside the stairs but the menacing aura he was emitting and the ferocious eyes were still present.
Rey felt suffocated as his eyes met with wolf's, he ceased any prior movements and patiently waited for Arthur to let him go.