Chapter 253 - 249: Overlord System?
<Nothing major happened. Janus has gone through the Third evolution. It's more feasible now>
"More feasible to do what?" Ryder asked Janus in confusion. He didn't understand the meaning of Janus.
<More feasible to involve me more, but it's still not perfect. There are many problems. Many eyes are seeing Janus. Things will get bad if anything over the radar is done>
Janus replied to Ryder in a more human-like tone.
"Many eyes are seeing you? Who? Are there more systems like you? Is there an overlord system that keeps an eye on you all?" Ryder asked Janus out of curiosity.
He remembered reading a story like this in a book when he was young. It was about the gods playing a game where they have each user some powers and a system, but the system wasn't allowed to tell them anything. He wondered if this was the same kind of story.
<There are no systems like Janus. There is no overlord system, either. Instead, there is a...> Janus was about to continue, but he stopped.
"There is what?" Ryder asked as he frowned.
<Don't take the Glasses off and don't interfere in her destiny. She will be in danger otherwise>
Janus' voice was grim as he said it as if he had never been more serious.
"Fine. I'm not doing it," Ryder muttered as he agreed. If Janus was being so severe, then it was better for him to stay away. He didn't want Janus to give him another weird mission just because he ignored his words.
"But if you're wrong and Alice is harmed because of Divinity, then..." Ryder let out in a heavy tone as if he was warning Janus in return to be serious about Alice's life.
<That depends on you just like it did last...> Janus muttered softly but didn't finish his sentence.
Ryder turned back and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Ryder entered his room and sat on the bed.
"Hey, Janus, you said you went through the third evolution? How come it was so sudden? Why didn't I know anything about it like last time?" Ryder asked as he thought about Janus.
The last time, Janus had given him a difficult mission, and the Reward for him was the second upgrade of the system. He had to work hard for that upgrade. This time, however, Janus didn't pull any trick like that; instead, Janus upgraded on his own without even thinking about it.
<It had to be done> Janus replied.
"What had to be done? The upgrade? Of course. It's a good thing, after all. Just upgrade as many times as you want, and I'll be happy," Ryder said to Janus as he smiled.
<It was because of the Bracelet of Immortality. You are using too much power of the Time Fragment. It is creating instability. Even though the instability in time is only minor, If it goes on for long, they will sense it. I had to evolve to help you>
" You upgraded to keep the time stable? I didn't think it had consequences like that. I can't control that, though. You know that I don't intentionally die or use the Time Power. I do it only when it's necessary, especially the Power to revive by time reversal," Ryder replied as he sighed.
<Janus knows. You need to use the power of the bracelet to get everything back. That's why I haven't told you to stop it; instead, I decided to do something entirely different. Now, as long as I can fool them, we would have more time. Just keep the progress like it is. Everything will be clear when it happens>
Janus replied to Ryder in a kind tone.
" You always throw these curveballs towards me. Talking like the old man does in those weird Cultivation Novels. You must've read a lot of them to get this character," Ryder replied in an annoyed tone.
"Who will sense it, by the way? Just be clear for once. Don't be that old man," Ryder told Janus as he sighed.
<Even the words have powers. Only when the time is right>
Janus didn't answer clearly; instead, he talked about something that Ryder once again didn't understand.
"Even the words have powers? What did he mean by the phrase ``words have powers?" Ryder muttered as he thought about the words.
"What does that mean?" Ryder asked Janus.
< Find for yourself>
Janus answered Ryder without answering anything, but before Ryder could reply, Janus continued.
<The sudden upgrade took a lot from me. I would not be able to talk for some time. You can use the Powers of the Bracelet but be careful. Don't overuse it before you're ready for the consequences>
After saying that, Janus went silent. Ryder kept trying to ask him, but Janus didn't reply.
" It must be something. Last time, he went silent before the upgrade, but this time, he went silent after the upgrade," Ryder let out as he got off the bed.
Ryder went to the shower and came out after a short 10 minutes. He changed his clothes and laid down on the bed.
" My poor Whirlwind is wrecked, and now I'm technically without a car. All because of that idiot. He already crossed my bottom line. He needs some consequences, but if the person Stanner saw was actually a spy placed after me, then I can't be careless. It's not a light offense to thrash the police chief of the city," Ryder muttered as he stared at the roof.
"I'll think about it later after getting the identity of the girl who was spying on me. For now, I'll just stay under, I guess. The whole Federal debacle is already doubtful of me. I don't want to get the police after me as... Wait!" Ryder was casually speaking his thoughts out loud, but he stopped suddenly as if he realized something.
"Is it the Feds? It must be! They let me go after the test and made it seem like they weren't doubtful of me, but when it comes to that, it shouldn't be that easy. They might be pulling the old trick of letting the bait out to catch the big fish. They either want me to lead them to the Uprising unintentionally, or they want to catch me red-handed if it's them. Either that or the person is working for the Police Chief. Things will be clear soon," Ryder muttered as he came to an assumption.
Even though he had a general idea about who it could have been, but he knew that he had to wait for Stanner's return before forming an opinion.
'I'll deal with it depending on who it is,' Ryder thought as he clenched his fist.
He brought the Divinity Glasses out and wore them.
"Take me to Divinity," Ryder muttered. The Divinity Glasses activated, and a link was established which brought Ryder to the World of Divinity.
Ryder appeared outside his room, where he had disappeared from when he logged out.
He looked around and found the hallway empty.
Ryder opened the door and entered the room.
As soon as he entered the room, he found Rale. He imagined Rale to be sleeping, but Rale standing near the window, looking outside.
"What are you looking for outside?" Ryder asked after entering.
"Your Highness," Rale turned back and greeted Ryder while getting down on one knee.
"Stand. I already told you that you don't need to go down on your knees when greeting me while we're alone," Ryder told Rale as he walked closer.
"A royal etiquette should always be followed," Rale let out in full seriousness as he stood up.
" You follow the rules, which is your biggest positive side, but sometimes you're too stern," Ryder responded as he smiled.
He walked closer to the window and looked outside.
"The view is really pretty from here," Ryder muttered.
"It is. If we come here during the Third Month of Demon Calendar, we might even be able to see an even greater view," Rale suggested.
"Why? What happens then?" Ryder asked as he looked back in curiosity.
Rale walked closer to the window and pointed outside in a certain direction.
"A rainbow fountain appears right around there during that time which showers over the whole city. It's a majestic view that can only be seen inside Duke Devilia's City. People from all around the Demon Realm come here to see that," Rale explained.
"Did you come here last time it happened?" Ryder asked Rale.
"Yes. It was fun. I came here with all my men," Rale replied.
"What is it like? What happens other than the rainbow fountain? Is there a celebration or a festival of sorts?" Ryder asked in curiosity.
"No. People just come here, watch, and leave. There is nothing else," Rale said, shaking his head.
"That's sad. Alright. Remind me about this a month before this happens. If I'm free, we'll make it a big event," Ryder told Rale as he smiled.