Chapter 4544: A Bigger Plan (Part 2)
Chapter 4544: A Bigger Plan (Part 2)
’Bright green Awakened core confirmed.’ Said a third.
’Body refining is consistent with her mana core.’ The fourth and last agent said. ’It’s not a meat puppet either. Jirni Ernas’ identity is confirmed.’
Jirni always moved with her usual precautions and a security detail of elite Knight Guards, but there was little anyone could do while crossing a bustling street or entering a crowded government building.
There was always the opportunity for a faceless person to brush against her for the split second Invigoration needed for a cursory examination.
The Gernoff operatives were so skilled and fast that sometimes Jirni didn’t even notice the small sliver of their mana coursing through her body after they brushed against her.
When she did, the scout disappearing amid the crowd before she could understand to whom the mana belonged was no rare occurrence. The Gernoffs didn’t just wait for good opportunities to examine her; they created them.
Once they stepped in, they had a route to their target and a quick exfil strategy ready. It was what Jirni herself would have done, but she also knew that exploiting chaos also meant facing many unforeseeable factors.
As soon as she realized someone scanned her, she used her own tactile communication device to alert her agents.
’Target one lost.’ Leari the Thunderborne said.
’Target two lost.’ Gulfort the Moonhound said.
’I have eyes on target three.’ Protheus the Doppelganger said. ’I’m in pursuit.’
Jirni had missed the scout who had examined her armor, so the former Thrud’s generals hadn’t even tried to follow him.
’Never get too close.’ Jirni replied. ’Keeping your cover intact is more important than success. If the Gernoff notice you, the entire operation will go up in smoke. If you lose your target, there will be another chance.’
’Copy that.’ Protheus replied.
’There is still no clear pattern in the Gernoffs’ scans.’ Jirni thought. ’I doubt they are closing their net. More likely they are checking whether I’m really leaving myself exposed in public or it’s just a trap. This is just a small step in a bigger plan.’
Nothing of her worries and hopes transpired from her face. She instructed her security detail to rearrange their formation and prepared for the worst.
***
Blood Desert, a few days later.
Marth and Ryssa appreciated Lith’s thoughtful offer to visit them, but they politely declined. The Dryad was still shocked and in no mood for guests, while Marth was too busy with the preparations for the First Griffon Award and the start of the academic year.
’It’s no big deal.’ Lith inwardly sighed. ’Zogar delivered me the details of the Murder magical formation, and we’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit Ryssa once our Void Magic lessons begin.’
Meanwhile, the triplets, Aran and Leria, were strolling in the Heavenly Plume tribe’s oasis with Althika. Ever since the Titania had recovered enough to entertain guests and leave her bed, the kids visited her often.
"This is so cool!" Falco stared at Althika’s swollen womb with starry eyes. "Do you think Erkin will be born a Tiamat like Uncle Lith, Auntie?"
"Don’t you mean a Demon?" The Titania shrank to Elina’s size, not to tower over the children and interact with them without having to kneel.
"No, a Tiamat!" Falco replied. "After all, Uncle Trion is a Sigil Demon, so he has his own Void side. Erkin could be the first Tiamat not born from Auntie Kami!"
"Oh, that." Trion cleared his throat in embarrassment. "It’s unlikely. Fae have strong life forces and amazing regenerative powers. There is no way to predict how Erkin’s bloodlines will mix or even if he will awaken his Divine Beast side."
He often accompanied Althika to maintain the pretense of being the baby’s father.
"Don’t be stupid, Falco." Teryon tutted. "Cousin Erkin could never become a Tiamat. As Uncle Trion said, you have to consider his plant side. He’s going to be a Timattia!"
"A what?" Trion and Althika asked in confusion.
"A Timattia. A Divine Beast born from the fusion of a Tiamat and a Titania." The young girl said as if it were the most logical conclusion.
"That’s not how life forces work, you dummy!" Lenart said. "Uncle Erkin might not be a beast at all. He might become a Bloomed Indech if his human and plant side prevail."
"That sounds horrible!" The other two triplets replied in unison. "What do you think Erkin will become, Uncle Trion?"
"Healthy." The Sigil Demon gently caressed Althika’s womb. "Everything else is irrelevant. As long as Erkin is healthy and has his family by his side, everything will be fine."
"From your lips to the gods’ ears." The Titania blushed a little, making the children giggle.
"By the way, how did you two meet?" Falco asked. "Uncle Trion can’t get far away from Uncle Lith, and we’ve never seen you around, Auntie."
"It happened during a mission." Trion and Althika said in unison, sticking to the cover story they had prepared. "Althika/I was still a Dryad back then."
While the triplets giggled again, thinking the Demon and the Titania made a cute couple, Aran and Leria knew better.
’These two are terrible liars.’ Leria said via a mind link. ’How can my siblings buy this nonsense?’
’They’re kids.’ Aran inwardly snorted, sounding as if he were at least thirty. ’The real question is, why are we playing along? Althika isn’t Uncle Trion’s girlfriend. She’s Meln’s ex. She can’t be a good person.’
’Uncle Lith says she is.’ Leria replied, believing her uncle’s white lie. ’Also, what about Erkin? We can’t expose Althika without affecting him. On top of that, she’s Grandma’s guest. We can’t make trouble for her.’
Aran furrowed his brows. He hated Orpal for what he had done to his father, but he felt towards the unborn baby the same brotherly instincts he felt towards Surin. On top of that, Lith bringing Erkin into the family and naming him further tilted the scales of Aran’s heart.
’I hate it when you’re right.’ He replied. ’Still, I think this is not fair!’
’I don’t know what you’re talking about, but being Meln’s son sure isn’t nice.’ Leria replied. ’You should have more compassion for my cousin and your nephew.’
’I have nothing against him!’ Aran said in outrage. ’I was talking about his bloodlines. Erkin has the Titania bloodline that will make him as strong as a Griffon, and Val’s Life Flames stimulated his life forces.
’I placed Althika’s hand on the Infirmary’s crystal via the Warp Mirror while she was asleep, and the display says Erkin has already more chances than us to awaken his Divine Beast bloodlines. It was almost at 0.3%!’
’0.3%?’ Leria was flabbergasted. ’The last time we checked, we were barely at 0.2%, and we are much older than Erkin and Awakened. That’s not fair!’
’That’s my point! We should ask Val for help. Maybe he can help us like he helped Erkin.’ Aran and Leria acted as kindly and politely as they could, but the difference with the triplets and the babies was like heaven and earth.
Elysia, Valeron, and Raldarak hugged and kissed the Titania with the same affection they showed any other family member, whereas the older kids always kept their distance.