1152 Premonition and Pursuit 2 (1/2)
Beside them, the Two-Faced person and the Four-Armed woman were not as casual and nonchalant. Right now, they were reporting the latest changes in the situation to Garen.
After giving them simple instructions for what to do from now on, Garen told them directly that he might have to go into isolation for a long time, and might not be able to come out for a while, so he needed them to handle a lot of things on their own. Then, he taught them a few contingency plans for emergencies.
”Alright, you guys can retreat now, I want to have a few words with Lonnie and the others in private,” Garen said.
”Yes, Alliance Leader.”
The Four-Armed woman lowered her head in a show of respect and led the other higher-ups down the tower together with the Two-Faced person. Soon, they vanished into the Teleportation Point.
Only then did Garen look at Baylon and the others, who were still bickering.
”Alright, stop your fighting. I have a few things I need to tell you guys.”
He spoke, so naturally Clint and the others gradually quietened down. Although they still glared at each other, they had already settled down, waiting for Garen to speak.
Garen waved his hand, and instantly, a protective force field fell around them.
”This tower has already been covered with countless security and protection measures. If anyone wants to enter, even the legal processes would be picked up by internal servers, so even Perpetual Motioners would not be able to enter unnoticed. Big Bro, just say whatever you want to say,” said Clint nonchalantly. ”There is no issue with defense at all!”
Garen was just being extra careful, so he nodded.
”Where's Red Moon?”
”I'm awake.” Red Moon's voice spoke, reaching their ears. ”Looking for me for something?”
”You need to hear what I'm going to say as well,” Garen said solemnly.
Seeing how stern he was, the rest also stopped goofing around, their relaxed expressions slowly turning serious as they waited for him to continue.
Garen waved one hand, and a bright black Space Ring shot out, falling into Baylon's hand.
”This is?” Baylon pinched the ring, slightly confused, but as soon as she reached her Willpower inside, her expression changed abruptly. ”S-So many things!!?”
She was shocked, there was a veritable ocean of rare metals in there, as well as many other precious materials. She could even see some parked giant Battleships and Mechs, all of them the best of the best in terms of quality.
”I'm leaving this all to you guys,” replied Garen calmly.
”Leaving?” Baylon's expression immediately changed. ”Big Bro, are you going somewhere?!” She was unnaturally aware of such vocabulary, so she instantly noticed something was amiss.
Garen nodded.
”This might be my last time coming out.”
He told them all about his relationship with the White King, and also came clean with them about his own condition.
”A Confinement Essence that even the White King can't do anything about?!” Red Moon was at a loss for words as well.
Upon hearing such shocking news, the rest had completely lost their good mood from before. Instead, their hearts felt heavier and heavier.
”Something like this… Is there really no other way?” A hint of sorrow rose in Baylon's eyes. After losing her relatives one after the other, it had not been easy for her to regain a hint of her original personality. But now, she seemed to be relapsing into her most extreme state.
Garen shook his head.
”Sorry.”
The snow slowly penetrated through the force field, falling onto everyone's heads.
The whole tower fell quiet.
”Next time, I might not be able to come out again at all… From now on, everything will be on your shoulders.” Before Garen finished speaking, Baylon had turned around and strode into the Teleportation Point, vanishing without a trace.
She had tossed away the ring, and it spun a few times in the air before Clint caught it, holding it in his hands.
Garen's gaze also fell on Clint.
”I understand.” Clint did not look as carefree and half-hearted as he usually did, nodding solemnly. ”I will take care of Lonnie.”
”Sorry…” Garen said again. ”I have failed in my responsibilities as an older brother.” Although he did not particularly feel for Baylon, he still felt guilty for failing to uphold his promise to Nono.
”You have taken up enough responsibilities as it is,” said Clint seriously.
Garen took a deep breath. He no longer required oxygen to live, but it was still a habit of his.
His gaze swept past each of them.
Clint's determination, White Winter's steadfastness, the green-haired man's seriousness. These were all companions who had gone through life and death together, they were all people who could entrust their lives to each other.
Trust could be very simple sometimes, but it could also be extremely difficult.
In truth, Garen envied them, he envied the way they could trust each other wholeheartedly. But no matter what, he could not do that himself.
”From now on, it will be your era…”