Chapter 167: The Journey to the Upper World
[Next Day.]
[Star Nation.]
"My Queen, why are you suddenly going on a trip?" Gabriel asked, his confusion mirrored on the faces of the nine senators behind him.
Matilda’s gaze swept over them, her authority unwavering despite her diminished power. "You saw what happened in the throne hall yesterday. I want answers," she stated, her voice firm. "Senator Gabriel will be in charge while I’m away. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I will try to make this quick. Two weeks at the absolute most."
With a final, meaningful nod to Gabriel, she turned and entered her personal starship. The engines hummed to life, and the vessel ascended into the sky, a silver dart against the blue. Gabriel and the senators watched it become a speck of light before it shot out of the planet’s atmosphere.
’Be safe, My Queen.’ Gabriel thought, a quiet prayer in his heart.
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[In the Starship.]
Matilda settled into the command seat, her eyes fixed on her three: "Where to?" she asked, a sense of unease settling in her stomach.
Jabez, simply smiled. "To the sun."
Matilda’s jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"
"Yes, My Queen. We’ll drive straight into the sun," he said, his smile widening. "What better place to hide a gateway in space?"
Matilda stared at him, a myriad of thoughts swirling in her mind. Despite the strange request, these three had always served her with unwavering loyalty. She had to trust them.
"Okay then, to the sun it is."
Alastor nodded and increased the ship’s speed, piloting it directly toward the colossal, blazing star.
The ship’s AI instantly shrieked its warnings:
[Alert! High temperature detected!!] [Warning! High temperature detected!!]
Alastor, unfazed, simply shut the AI down, silencing its frantic beeps and continuing their course. Matilda watched as the sun grew larger and larger, its fiery surface filling the viewport.
BOOOM!
The ship shuddered violently as it slammed into the sun’s energy field.
"Are you trying to get us killed?!" Matilda yelled at Alastor, unable to hold back her fear. He ignored her, his concentration absolute as he pushed the ship faster.
"Now!" Jabez yelled. He pressed a button on his wristband, and before Matilda’s stunned eyes, a shimmering gateway materialized in front of them.
BOOOOM!!!!
Something slammed into the ship, a powerful impact that ripped a section of the hull open.
"What the—?!" Matilda muttered, her gaze darting to the monitor. On the screen, she saw a figure rising from the ground below, and her next word was lost as the ship plunged into the gateway, disappearing from the Lower World.
____
[Pirates’ land - Now know as Eldoria’s first conquered territory.]
In the command center, Sunny sat before Vancouver, David, Nioh, Nicolas, and Blood Eye.
"Good job, you three," Sunny said, his voice a low, rumbling force. He directed his words to Nioh, Blood Eye, and Nicolas.
"In one month, everything will be ready."
"All possible because we have enough funds," Nioh replied, a smile on his face.
Sunny nodded, then turned to David. "You got the money?" he asked.
"Y-yes. Yes... but... it’s too much," David stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had never seen so much money in his life, and the responsibility of handling it was a daunting prospect.
"Twenty billion is too little," Sunny said, his arms resting on the table as he met David’s gaze:
"David, you’re a smart kid. It’s time to use that brain of yours." He pointed to a small chip on the table:
"You said this is the drone’s brain. Get started. You now have enough money for any parts, and if we don’t have them, you can send one of them to get what you need." He gestured to Nioh, Blood Eye, and Nicolas.
"You must never leave this planet without telling me first. Your safety is crucial."
He then turned to Vancouver. "You... just stay here and continue your training. Get stronger, show me your worth, and one day, you might become my subordinate."
Vancouver and David exchanged a look, and nodded.
"I will let my godmother know that I am here—" David began.
"—That won’t be necessary," Sunny interrupted gently:
"She already knows you’re here and safe. Just focus on the task at hand. You have one month to deliver your invention. If you wow me, I will promote you to my royal inventor. You will get the chance to build even more amazing things." He turned and walked out of the room, leaving the group to process his words.
__
’There are so many things I have in mind.’ Sunny mused:
’With money, David will build them all. And lucky me... I have so much money.’
He walked toward a powerful battleship, his steps purposeful. He climbed aboard, and his eyes fell on Ellen, who was already seated in the co-pilot’s chair, a look of eager anticipation on her face.
"Are you ready to go hunting?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Yes!" Ellen yelled, her excitement barely contained.
"Remember, Ellen, this is dangerous," Sunny said, his tone serious.
"I’m taking you with me so you will have more fighting experience and get stronger. Before we get back, you must be a Heavenly Rank or, even better, a Celestial Rank."
"I won’t disappoint you, Dad!" Ellen said, her gaze resolute.
"Good. First target, the Wendigos’ smallest base. We’ll increase the difficulty as we go," he said, and the battleship lifted off the ground, shooting out of the planet’s atmosphere:
"Let’s go hunting."
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[The Upper World.]
A figure with long red hair, piercing eyes, and a pale face emerged from a huge, eerie black mansion. She stopped at the golden gate, a small smile gracing her lips as she watched the starship land on the lush green field before her. The powerful aura of a First Order radiated from her.
"Finally! I’m back to my full strength!" Jabez exclaimed, unleashing the energy of a Second Order.
"Hahaha! We’re back to a normal world that won’t restrict our powers!" Alastor laughed, his voice a thunderous roar.
Matilda descended the starship’s ramp, her gaze fixed on the mansion. Behind her, a red-furred, one winged humaniod cat respectfully followed. This was Vinous, now at his full Fourth Order strength.
"Lord Jabez... welcome back," the pale lady, looking her early twenties said, bowing respectfully.
"Butler Georgia! It’s so nice to be back!" Jabez said, stopping before her.
Georgia’s eyes fell on Matilda, and her brow furrowed. She glanced back at Jabez. "What happened to the Mistress?" she asked.
"She is the mistress!" Jabez said, gesturing to Matilda, his words confusing Georgia even more.