Chapter 206 In the Dark II (2/2)
”It's Master!”
”Huh?”
”Master's trying to reach me through the talisman!!”
”W-what?! Well answer him, goddammit!”
”Yes, yes!!” Felix quickly whipped out the talisman and burned it up, causing a small screen to form in front of the two. On the other a familiar face slowly popped out, smiling faintly while drinking. ”M-master! You're fine!”
”... eh? Of course I'm fine,” Lino shrugged. ”Why wouldn't I be fine?”
”Because you fought a God-Devil and apparently won?” Lucky questioned with dubious expression.
”Oh, right. N'kthur bastard.” Lino sighed. ”He really did a number on me. I barely killed him.”
”...”
”...”
”He he, wow, this was so worth it just for those expressions alone.” Lino chuckled.
”Yeah, we should probably stop feeding his ego. If we go on any more, he just might explode.” Lucky was the first to recover, commenting.
”Ah, anyway, I can't chat for too long,” Lino interrupted suddenly. ”What's going on over there? What about the war?”
”...”
”...”
”What?” Lino asked, seeing their dubious expressions.
”You've been gone for a whole week now,” Felix said. ”And you just now remembered there was a war?”
”... I refuse to make an official statement.” Lino said.
”Ah, fuck it,” Lucky shrugged. ”Anyway, we found something odd.”
”Odd?” Lino asked, arching his brow.
”A few million corpses hoarded by the Empire,” she explained. ”It seems pretty much everyone on the up-end is in some way linked to it. Do you have any clue what's it for?”
”... corpses?” Lino thought for a moment as the conversation he had with Rothar flashed through his mind. ”They figured it out too...?”
”What?” Felix and Lucky asked.
”Nothing,” Lino shook his head. ”Drop it until I return.”
”And when's that?”
”Three-four weeks at most,” Lino said, his expression turning serious. ”I'm not joking here, Lucky. If I'm right, then this involves both the Devils and the Empire. For now just hide on the ranch; I've reinforced it with several formations. The Core is in my bedroom, so if you ever need to activate them do it from there. Don't leave the ranch at all if possible.”
”... yup. I know as much as I knew before you called. Thanks a lot, asshat!” Lucky growled.
”...” Lino looked at the two of them for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. ”Apparently, the reason why the Devils invaded the Continent was due to an item currently inside the Titan Realms, the source of the Empire's growth. I imagine their next assault will be directly on the Capital as they'll try to get through before I return. The corpses could do with the fact that the old Emperor is trying to refine the item or awaken it or something like that. That's why I'm telling you to stay on the ranch; an item worthy of sending a God-Devil as the Commander isn't something a few ordinary Titular Voids can do anything with. So stay out of it.”
”... fine.” Lucky nodded lightly as she realized there was no wiggle-room any longer.
”... Master, what if they start killing ordinary people because they lack corpses? This could be the Empire ensuring another card before the continuation of the War.” Felix said after a short thought.
”Could be,” Lino nodded. ”And no, you're not allowed to interfere -- especially you Felix. However much bravado that hulk next to you is trying to showcase, she's at the very least trained in this and has learned to be careful.”
”What do you mean hulk, you bastard?!! I'm perfectly fit!!” Lucky growled out.
”Anyway, stay put. I'll try and get back as quickly as I can and deal with everything. Until then, I'm still expecting that grandson, you know?”
”Go fucking die, you piece of shit!!” Lucky exclaimed.
”Who are you talking with, Lino?” a rather melodic and charming voice startled both Felix and Lucky as a realization hit them.
”Oh, just my Disciples. Look at them,” he pointed forward. ”Aren't they adorable? They've promised me a grandson soon. I can't wait.”
”Oh my, they're really quite adorable,” a masked woman showed up on the screen, pushing against Lino's face. ”Hello guys! Remember, when making a child, it's best if the lady lifts her legs over the man's shoulders while she lies down, rising her buttocks slightly off the bed. The man can help by holding her hips, and this position ensures he can reach quite deep, and I hear it's also quite pleasurable for both parties. Have fun!”
”Hey, how the hell do you know all that?” Lino asked with a quizzically comical expression. ”Fuck, do you have a kid?! Oh my god you have a kid! Just tell me if you have a kid?! Am I wasting my time here?! Do you have a husband? Fuck, you definitely have a husband! Is he handsome?! Why the heck are all the women around me already wedded and bedded! What's wrong with me?!...”
”...” Lucky and Felix stared at the screen long after it had disappeared, their minds spinning. They finally realized why would Lino take three-four weeks to 'recover', and they also realized meeting any person even remotely close to Lino would drive them mad for he's the embodiment of insanity, and is quite contagious.