Chapter 1127 - Returning Home (1/2)
The space shuttle glided, before landing silently on the tarmac like a piece of origami. The metallic ramp ejected slowly to connect to the jet bridge and the hatch opened.
Looks like I’m finally back…
Rhode sauntered out of the space shuttle, taking in everything with complicated emotions. Be it the towering buildings or pleasant country sceneries on the other side, everything seemed so familiar to him. In an instant, he felt as if it were all from a lifetime ago. He thought he was dreaming. This clear view in front of him became a distinct comparison to the Dragon Soul Continent in his memories. At that moment, the Dragon Soul Continent was slowly becoming indistinct as though it were nothing more than a thrilling dream. On the other hand, this modern city was spreading its arms apart to embrace and welcome his return. At a glance, the familiar scenes around him were as though reminding him silently that this was his true home.
“Your Majesty Rhode, what’s wrong?”
Erin’s voice sounded beside him. Like some sort of magic, the instant he heard her voice, the hazy sceneries in his head once again became clear. The title that Erin addressed him with made him recognize his identity. He was neither an online player nor university graduate who should be looking for a proper job now, nor an ordinary civilian. Right now, he was the one of the rulers of the Dragon Soul Continent, one of the five Creator Dragons, the owner of the Void Territory, and the Void Dragon.
“I’m fine, Your Highness Erin. Thanks for your concern.”
Rhode said, nodding to her and turning around to head down the ramp.
There wasn’t anything peculiar ahead of him. There were neither ferocious, fully-armored soldiers nor armored tanks nor special forces clad in black and wielding mysterious weapons, not to mention any guard of honor or important figures donned in expensive suits welcoming their arrival. The entire airport was silent. In fact, this was to be expected since civilians had already evacuated after the terrorizing attacks on the moon. Before the matter came to an end, it was likely that they wouldn’t return to the moon through this space airport. Perhaps this was why no one was here. Apart from some service personnel, it was noiseless like on ordinary days.
“You can stay at the hotel temporarily. I’ve arranged the accommodations already.”
At that moment, Orchid Heart yawned, sauntered to Rhode, and said. Frankly, judging from her look, one would think she didn’t sleep for days. But in fact, Rhode was aware that she had slept all the way since boarding the space shuttle and had only just woken up.
Why is she so tired though?
“I’m surprised, Senior Heart. I thought there would be a grand welcome ceremony.”
“Those higher-ups aren’t dumb. Do you think it’s beneficial for them to blow up the matter now?”
That makes sense.
Upon hearing her response, Rhode nodded in agreement. Come to think of it, so what if the higher-ups deployed an entire missile force at them? Aside from Lydia and Erin, even Canary, Mini Bubble Gum, and him could comfortably stop the intercontinental ballistic missiles. When that happened, Rhode might not even need to retaliate as the angered Lydia and Erin could probably destroy the city together in minutes. That city in North America was still fuming with billows of smoke. No other cities had the intention of helping them attract the attention of Lydia and Erin. This was why the best thing for them to do was to pretend to know nothing and treat the unknown beings as ordinary people so as to reduce suspicions in other countries. After all, with Orchid Heart around to mediate the situation, it was easier for the higher-ups to approach the unknown beings compared to other countries and this was naturally a good thing. However, it was apparent that the other countries wouldn’t think of it this way. If the other countries learned that Rhode’s group was related to that country in some ways, they would surely suspect that the country had secret weapons that were beyond their imagination. When that happened, the problem would become much bigger. This was why pretending to know nothing and laying things out in secret was the smartest choice for the higher-ups.
“How’s the situation now?”
“They have agreed to all conditions in the joint meeting. Not only will they publicize the ‘Apocalyptic Slate’ plan, but they will also coordinate with us.”
“Wow, that is hard to come by.”
Rhode couldn’t help but blow a whistle. If it were in the past, perhaps the higher-ups wouldn’t treat the situation seriously even if the world was against them. But now, ‘a phoenix with its feathers plucked wouldn’t be as great as a chicken’. The status of them being the ‘boss’ of the world was gone and now, they couldn’t even lift their heads proudly. Rhode initially thought there would be more troubles… but it seemed like Erin’s threat worked well on the politicians.
“So then, what’s your request, Rhode?”
“Just like before. When we investigated the base, we learned that their excavation of the slate began after they uncovered certain ruins and obtained essential details from it. Of course, we have to personally head down to the ruins and conduct an investigation ourselves. For that, I will need your help. As for the other…” Rhode paused. Earlier on, he had investigated the situation with his younger sister. The other party’s illegal technologies were built on the basis of the slate’s energy. In other words, the ‘Akashic Slates’ were used by them as energy sources, just like how magic crystals were required to activate magic cannons in the Dragon Soul Continent. Without the power of magic crystals, not even nuclear power generators could activate the magic cannons. And now, Rhode had obtained all the five Akashic Slates and only the key was left. In other words, the splendid machines in that unfortunate country had all become scrap metal…
Come to think of it, they were really pitiful as decades of hard work was ruined. The pieces of equipment constructed through spending hundreds of billions of dollars on research and development simply turned into a pile of junk. The painstaking construction of the moon bases was also razed to the ground. Half of their city was sacrificed, as well as tens of thousands of lives. Yes, let’s observe a moment of silence in tribute to them.
“… if possible, we hope you will pay attention to a small, ancient relic that should look like a black slate. If you find it, you don’t need to bring it back. We have our own ways to retrieve it.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Orchid Heart agreed and didn’t feel strange at all. If her team brought the relic back, it would expose their relationship with Rhode and cause more troubles. That was why she didn’t oppose Rhode’s suggestion. She nodded in agreement and gazed at him.
“Leader, you’ve changed…”
“After going through all sorts of challenging experiences, it is impossible for me not to change. But as for you, Senior Heart… will everything be fine?”
Rhode said, before pondering in silence and gazing at the young lady in the military uniform. Honestly, his impression was fixed at her being the older female adult who wore sloppy clothes and stayed up all night doing improper businesses. Right now, even though she had the same dark circles around her eyes, her hair was neatly combed and she also wore a smart uniform like an ‘upper-class’ senior. This was all too peculiar to Rhode.
“It will be fine after you get used to it. Everyone changes, just like you… yawn…”
Orchid Heart replied and let out a yawn. She waved her hand to three other men in the same uniform and left from the other side.
“Alright then, you guys can go for a stroll. I’ve given you the phone and contact number. Call me if anything comes up and make sure you keep an eye on the two Highnesses. I don’t want them to cause any troubles here.”
Just like that, Orchid Heart handed over the most troublesome task to Rhode irresponsibly, before turning around and hopping onto the car. Rhode couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his brow while he watched as the black car go farther away.
Look at her go and leave all the troubles to me!
But it was a pity that he had lost his chance for regrets. He sighed helplessly, turning to Erin and Lydia who smiled cheekily and Canary (x2) and Bubble (x2) as though they were twins. He let out a cough for their attention.
“Okay then, let’s…”
“Go shopping! Since I made it to this world, we must properly admire the differences between this world and ours.”
Lydia interrupted, sizing up the bustling scene outside the window curiously. Meanwhile, the other Bubble standing behind Mini Bubble Gum raised her arms high up.
“Me too, me too. Leader, I want to check out the CD shop, I haven’t bought the CD for the latest theme song! And also that MP3… I’m gonna bring everything back this time!”