NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 146: Celestium Shard
After a moment of feeling sweet, Lily said in an old, rough-sounding woman's voice, "I was sleeping."
Lily hated liars, so of course, she would not lie… completely. After all, her Big Brother Lucian's secrets had to be kept as secrets!
Despite finding it odd, James smiled and said, "I see. I hope Miss Owner enjoys her meal."
He then returned to his Sous Vide Filet Mignon.
On the other hand, Lily started gobbling down the food, while occasionally taking sips of the refreshing Berry Juice. It was a perfect palette cleanser.
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Lucian was enjoying the cold wind brushing against his face and the sound of the Fire Hoof Horses galloping on the dirt ground.
He was sitting in James' luxurious carriage with Lily, and James sitting opposite of them.
After Lily enjoyed her feast, Lucian closed his restaurant and followed James to where his carriages had been parked. Sometime later, Garrett and the rest of the Lion's Livers arrived. With that, they departed for Harmony City.
They were only a minute into their journey, and Lucian was finding it a nice change of pace. Though he was used to the monotony that came with doing one task repeatedly, occasionally, a break was needed even for an Ancestral God.
[What are you thinking about, Big Brother Lucian?] Lily asked from beside him.
Lucian turned his face away from the window to Lily's direction and smiled, [I feel it's nice being away from my kitchen once in a while.]
Speaking of his restaurant, Lucian could have taken it with him, but he saw no reason to. He was going on a trip to acquire Magical Beasts, not to cook.
[Lily understands what Big Brother Lucian means. Lily also likes going on adventures!]
[Then we'll go on many adventures.] Lucian simply said, not mentioning that their adventures would be Multiversal. It was not the right time to divulge such information.
James simply watched the silent interaction between the two, neutrally. He could tell from their minute movements that they were using Voice Transmission. But he did not find it rude.
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In a completely futuristic room, a woman with silver hair and silver eyes, dressed in a black gothic outfit, was sitting on a metallic throne connected to tubes filled with nano liquid. In her hands was a metallic cube pulsating with life and emitting a faint, rhythmic hum.
This cub was the culmination of everything she had learned from her father and mother. Explore more stories at empire
Her father and mother were the Rulers of Astoria Planet, renowned not only for being two of the strongest individuals in the entire Astral Nexus Universe but also for their unparalleled intelligence and technological advancements.
As Luna gazed at the cube, a predatorial grin spread across her beautiful face, "With this, my Darling will never be bullied!"
[System, can you hear me?] Luna spoke to the System, using the connection.
[Yes, Mistress.] The System responded immediately despite being in another Universe.
[What do you think of my creation?] Luna tenderly caressed the cube, imagining how excited her Darling would be upon learning who created it.
The System did not respond. Even though it was connected to its Host's Soul, it had a special connection with Luna; therefore, it could speak and watch her. Of course, only when it was given permission!
[It's a bit too much, no?] The System asked carefully.
[Humph, nothing is too much for this Empress' Darling! Now do your job and give the Celestium Shard to this Empress' Darling! With the Artifact made, this Empress has to find a way to bypass the Universal Laws. Thankfully, this Empress has the perfect test subject.]
[As Mistr- *Cough*] The System coughed and corrected its mistake. [As Empress Drak-thor wishes.]
The System internally sighed. Ever since its Host's Soul had perfectly fused into one, its Mistress had started calling herself 'This Mistress'.
At least the System could console itself with knowing its Mistress was busy trying to create a device to allow her to bypass the Universal Laws. It was a fruitless endeavor, much to its delight, which meant it could continue with its plan, without being punished.
'Now, how do I give the Celestium Shard to the Host?" The System pondered for a while before giving up.
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Many hours later, the Orchard Family carriages arrived near the Southern City Gates, instantly attracting the attention of the people queued up to enter the city and the guards on duty.
"The Golden Tree!"
"Is the Orchard Family here to attend Young Master Wang Chen's funeral?"
"Tch! Why would the Orchard Family care about random people? They are giants! That carriage belongs to Sir James Orchard. He is probably here to transport goods."
"Again? I swear, I saw Sir James not too long ago."
"If that carriage belongs to Sir James it would make sense why he's here."
"Big Brother, what do you mean? How can Wang Chen's funeral be more important than a Secret Realm? If I wasn't a weakling, I would have wanted to enter!"
"Secret Realms are too dangerous. They are mysterious, and there's no telling what might happen inside them. A giant like the Orchard Family can easily obtain the Secret Realm's resources by buying or trading for them. Furthermore, did you guys forget? The Wang Family is one of Sir James' clients. It only makes sense for him to be here.
Even if it's just to keep up appearances."
"Ahh! That makes sense!"
Meanwhile, within the frontmost luxurious carriage, Lucian, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them upon hearing chatter.
[Did you have a good sleep, Big Brother Lucian?] Lily asked gently.
[Mn.] Lucian nodded.
Soon, the horses began pulling their carriages as the people in front of them went into the city.
Sometime later, it was finally their turn to enter the city. The guards below the gates approached the frontmost carriage and bowed, "Welcome back to Harmony City, Sir James."
James nodded at them out of the window, prompting the guards to quickly check the carriages, while noting everything in the book.
After they were done with their inspection, the two guards exchanged a puzzled look before one of them said to James, "Sir James, are you not here to deliver Magical Beasts to the Dragon's Feast Restaurant or sell wares to the Three Great Families?"
"Haha." James laughed. "Not today. I'm here to attend the Dragon Phoenix Auction."
'Dragon Phoenix Auction?' The guards became even more stunned. For a merchant to attend an auction was not shocking. After all, auctions contained rare and priceless wares that merchants could buy and resell to others. However, with the Secret Realm on the verge of opening, why was James here and not in the Moon Grove Forest?
Despite their questions, they did not dare voice them out loud and simply nodded to the guards in the tower to open the gates and allow James in.
Once inside the city, the horses slowly maneuvered the winding streets until reaching an elegant three-story mansion.
"Senior, welcome to my mansion in Harmony City." James pointed to the white-marble mansion with a wide small.
However, Lucian frowned, "Why are we at your mansion? Is the Auction House not open?"
James nodded. "That's right, Senior! The Auction House opens at 7 in the evening. As there are still five hours until the Auction House opens, I thought it would be best if Senior spent it in the comfort of my home. Would Senior do me the honor?"
"I don't mind," Lucian shrugged and looked at Lily for her opinion.
"I'll go wherever Big Brother Lucian goes!" Lily said with red cheeks.
[Wow, she's not even hiding her affection for you!] The System said, shocked by her boldness.
Lucian, on the other hand, was pleased with the development.
"Since that's the case, please come inside." James opened the door of the carriage and walked out, followed by Lucian and Lily.
As for Garrett and the rest, they had already exited their carriages with confused expressions.
"Welcome back, Master James." The guards stationed at the front gates bowed to James before bowing to the rest with the same amount of respect in their voice, "Welcome Senior and esteemed guests to the Orchard Family Mansion."
Prior to their Master's arrival, they had already been informed about the esteemed guests he was bringing. Although they were curious about the young and handsome-looking man, they did not dare question their Master. There were plenty of methods to physically appear young. To deduce an individual's Mage Rank from their physical appearance alone was the biggest folly a Mage could do.
"Mn." James nodded pleased with their conduct. He then turned in Lucian's direction and said, "Let's go, Senior."
At that moment, the guards opened the gates, and Lucian and the rest proceeded toward the mansion behind James.
On their way into the mansion, James explained to Garrett and the rest about the Auction House's opening time.
"A nice hot bath would do wonders after that carriage ride!" Hervy stretched and smiled as he walked into the mansion.