Legacy of the Dark Sage

Even without Cyneah voicing her thoughts, Kyran could almost hear her say she did not want to be left behind again. He understood her sentiments and, surprisingly, rather than feel guilty once more from suddenly leaving her in Somuli, or frightened by the dangers that would come their way if he did bring her along, he felt happy— fortunate, even.

Knowing someone would want to stay with him regardless of the dangers filled him with a deep sense of gratitude. This was especially true with Cyneah, whom he initially wanted nothing to do with the first time they met.

"Transmission scroll can only take two people at most," Aillos said, looking at Kyran with a slight frown. "But this scroll... rather than tweak it a little... you changed it into something completely different."

Kyran looked at Aillos with a slight smile. He wanted to say he was surprised that he managed to find the changes he did to the scroll without opening it, but then again, he was an existence closest to the most powerful being in the Higher Realm. It should have been expected. But this also made him realize how trivial Array seemed in the Higher Realm.

Almost everyone could understand changes made to a known formation even without deciphering them.

When Kyran pretended to be Tyr, he incorporated Array whenever he used magic to conceal his innate magic. But even when he did not have to conceal them, he found how advantageous it was to use Array in a fight. Others also practiced that.

But because of the Array's limitations, which involved specific items required in making one, and how long one could make, mages used pre-made arrays that were not too complex.

Kyran was different, though. Since he could easily create materials so long as they were present in the place he was in, creating array formations was quite easy. As for how long he could create one, Kyran knew that as long as he learned more about the Higher Realm's Array, his speed would be similar to when he was in the Lower Realm.

"I see that you have inherited Zane's Array talents, at least," Aillos continued, his face remained indifferent but the sudden warmth in his voice betrayed his cold exterior.

It seemed he truly cherished the previous Dragon Lord, inciting Kyran's curiosity at what they had gone through together to forge such a tight bond.

It was no wonder that the Dragon Emperor refused to meet with Zane's descendants after his death. He probably did not want to be reminded of Zane.

But those things were a story for another time. Right now, Kyran had to focus on winning over the thing that was trying to take over his Draconic core.

"Usually, a transmission array can only accommodate up to two people," Aillos continued. "But this one is different."

"I've enlarged the array circle to accommodate more people," Kyran admitted. "One of its ingredients is far too painful to use and I want to maximize its use."

He remembered the first few times he created a transmission scroll and suffered a lack of blood every day. Anette's blood-replenishing potion barely helped, ensuring that he did not pass out cold after making a scroll.

"Hm…" Aillos grunted in agreement. He knew exactly what ingredient Kyran referred to. "Let's go then."

"Kyran-."

"If the scroll can take more people, Sisi and I will go, too."

While Ames understood why Kyran did not want Cyneah to come with them, she also sympathized with the latter. Thus, she decided to join as well, thinking that Kyran would feel more at ease if she was there to keep an eye on Cyneah.

"You have to stay here, Ames."

Unfortunately, Aillos did not share her sentiments and still wanted her to stay.

"Father—."

"We are not sure how Coelus's corpse will react when Kyran gets near, so it is better for you to stay here and prepare with Ducal for the worst," Aillos cut her midsentence while giving her a meaningful look. "Even if The Emperor took Kyran's bait, we don't know how long we can fool him. He is not stupid. He will soon realize something is amiss.

"He will target the Blade Dancer Clan for giving him the information first, but he will soon realize the connection of the information's release from his visit here. We need to make preparations, but we can't do that without explaining the details to the others. You understand what I am trying to say here, right?"

Ames pursed her lips. As much as she hated it when her father treated her like a child at times like this, she understood where he was getting from. Acting stubbornly at such a crucial juncture in their situation was immature. She had to see the bigger picture and move accordingly.

"She can come," Aillos concluded while looking at Cyneah.

Everyone in the room was surprised at his response, especially his follow-up words.

"I will keep her safe, while you deal with your matter," he said, looking at Kyran coldly.

Ames's brow twitched slightly.

Was it not supposed to be Kyran who needed 'keeping safe,' because there was no telling what Coelus's corpse would do?

"That will not be necessary—."

"If you're saying that because you're still insisting, I stay—."

"That is not it…" Kyran shook his head while smiling at Cyneah wryly. After that, he called, "Auto-one."

Krsskh!

"Yes, Master."

As if like lightning, Auto-one materialized in a flash at Kyran's bedside.

"Y-You? H-How… when...?"

When Kyran was transferred to the Main Palace, selected members of the Regis Family were the only ones who came with them, which was why Ames was surprised to see Auto-one appearing there. Besides that, the latter's energy core was related to Lightning magic, not Void or Space. Thus, he should not have the capability to teleport or warp. How could he suddenly appear there?

Not only that. He also managed to appear in the Main Palace, which was protected by a highly advanced defensive array. How did he bypass that?

"I have been on standby since Master lost consciousness," Auto-one started to explain matter-of-factly. "Now that he is awake, it is only natural that I come as soon as he called."

"This is the Main Palace," Ames scowled. "Besides, this is my father's mansion. How did you…?"

"…"

On the other hand, Aillos did not seem to mind Auto-one's presence. In fact, he was looking at him curiously.

Auto-one looked at Ames in confusion, and using a tone as if he was speaking to an ignorant individual he asked, "Is it really strange for a servant to come when his master calls for him? I find your question perplexing."

"Your action is the perplexing one!"

"Auto-one can protect, Neah," Kyran replied to Aillos as if their conversation had not been interrupted.

Cyneah's face brightened after hearing Kyran's response. She unconsciously squeezed his hand, which she held while preventing him from keeling over.

"I see."

Ames looked at her father incredulously. She could not believe that he just accepted the situation as if nothing was strange.

"Father—?"

"Dragon Emperor, I would like to ask for a favor," Kyran continued, without giving Ames the chance to question her father.

Aillos's eyes narrowed as he looked at Kyran, "I see that you've gotten pretty confident just because I am being gracious."

Kyran shook his head, "I'm not. But I believe the favor I'm about to ask will also benefit the Dragon Clan when the time comes."

"'When the time comes,'" Aillos repeated, seemingly understanding which time Kyran was referring to. "I'm listening."

"I have sent a message to the Lower Realm," Kyran explained. "In particular, the Human plane."

Ames's and Cyneah's ears perked up at his words. Earlier, when Kyran mentioned using the principle of Void in sending a message, they had the impression that he was only pertaining to messages sent within the Higher Realm.

Could it be that he actually found a way to send a message to the Lower Realm from the Higher Realm as well?

"It's nothing like that," Kyran hastily added, as if reading their thoughts.

Actually, it was not that hard to guess what they were thinking given their earlier conversation. But that had nothing to do with the message he had sent.

Fortunately, Aillos did not seem to share the same thoughts and waited for Kyran to continue.

"In the Tower of the Ancients, I met the Tower," Kyran started to explain. He then explained how he asked the Tower for a favor. Apparently, it was about sending a message to the Lower Realm.

Aillos's eyes narrowed as soon as Kyran told them the message.

"You…" he started but then paused. "Are you serious?"

"I did not want to involve the Dragon Clan with my affairs. However, I understand The Emperor's character enough to know that he would find a way to link us together."

"He is indeed capable of doing that."

"That's why, rather than not involving the Dragon Clan, I want to minimize the damage."

"And you plan to implicate your whole family instead?"

"That may be the case, but it is not like I'm going to throw them into the pit to die."

Aillos did not respond. He tried reading Kyran's intentions and after a moment's pause, he replied, "Alright. I'll allow it."