The Outgroup.
Despite their small size, they continued to be a major threat to everything Jared had built. Not only were they hidden from his United Nation's detection, but their assaults were also extremely thought-out.
This mysterious and highly competent band of outcasts always found a way to get under his skin, and he could attribute it to mainly one person.
'Neron…' Jared gritted his teeth.
'Could this be the work of Neron? Has he figured something out? Did he make something else this time? Something dangerous?'
A bead of sweat fell from Jared's forehead as he tried to think of any possible explanation for the Outgroup having such a power.
'What could he be up to now…?'
>SHUUUUU<
An incorporeal figure suddenly moved close to Jared, grabbing both of his shoulders with its skinny fingers while leaning down to his ears.
~Don't be too sure it's Neron~ The ghost-like being said.
It had a nearly transparent form, with a glowing pale-like complexion, and a very distinguished robe to cover its thin skeleton-like body.
~Ciel. This could have been the work of that wretch, Ciel.~ The ghost added.
Jared's eyes slowly trailed to the face of the one who spoke.
The flowing white hair, the obsessive eyes and the cold, unfeeling face could only belong to one person.
'I understand the possibility, Merlin. I'll keep that in mind.'
~Do more than that. Ciel is a major threat. The most major of all the Outers, and even the Midas Empire.~
'I won't let her get in our way. Don't worry about it.' Jared sighed and shut his eyes for a few moments.
At that moment, he heard a hissing sound, and the heaviness in his heart and soul slowly lifted. It seemed the ghost had vanished.
Opening his eyes, he watched as his four generals watched him with expectations. None of them could see Merlin's ghost, but this was already old news.
Even though he had been seeing and speaking to the spectre of the legendary Mage ever since he was a mere teenager—bitter about his ineptitude in magic and Inept identity.
If it hadn't been for Merlin's intervention and their fated encounter with each other, he wouldn't have risen to become the man he was today.
In a way, Merlin was his mentor. However, their relationship ran deeper than that. Too deep to consider at the current moment.
"Now, then, where was I?"
Finally getting back on track with the topic, Jared decided to resort to the only thing he could at the moment.
"Tighten security in all our major regions. Ensure there are more than enough troops on standby. And also, prepare the big guns. We need to be more vigilant at this point in time."
Without knowing what exactly caused the energy surge, they could only be as prepared as possible.
"Begin to make the preparations immediately. That is all."
His generals instantly rose to their feet and nodded.
This marked the end of their meeting, and while it had been short, the uneasy atmosphere that clung to everyone in the room made it evidently clear that they couldn't afford any errors in their duties.
Something big was happening… and Jared's ever-expanding empire had to be prepared.
Failure was not an option!
*
*
*
"How do you feel?"
Once everyone left, only two people remained in the room.
"You look a little bothered." Jane Ursula moved close to Jared, a smile plastered on her face. "Is it because of what I said?"
Jared, who was still seated in his chair nodded slowly.
"Yeah. It's a bit worrisome. I don't like the idea of someone possessing a power that even you are unable to pinpoint."
"Haha, you give me too much credit." Jane drew closer until she was right in front of Jared.
"Do I, now? Aren't you the most brilliant mind in the world?" Jared smiled, gazing at her passionately.
"Second only to yours, I'm afraid." She returned his gaze.
For a brief moment, they simply stared at each other in silence. And then—
"Mmmph… mmmh"
It all happened in an instant, but Jared and Jane were now passionately kissing. The Fairy sat on his lap, and he caressed her while they engaged in this act.
No one could see the both of them like this… in this shameful state of emotional weakness and utter indulgence.
"Haa… Jared, I've missed you so much. Hmmm…" Jane moaned, enjoying more of her partner's warmth.
Jared was too occupied to speak, but he definitely felt the same way.
No one had managed to make him feel anything remotely close to how this woman did. They were both made for each other.
Their similar love for Magic had evolved into an inevitable attraction that drew them closer and closer together. Jane Ursula was his best friend and best partner.
They were soulmates, which made this whole venture even more worthwhile.
"You know, what, Jane? I'm excited!"
Still in each other's embrace, Jared finally halted their kissing, smiling widely at his lover.
The glimmer in his golden eyes displayed the level of sincerity he had in his statement. When it came to Jane, there was no need for lies or bravado.
No one understood him as much as she did.
"I can't wait till we conquer this world and then expand to the other ones that exist beyond this place."
More kisses interrupted his words.
"I can't wait too, Jared. Hehe… to explore Magic with you and conquer everything that exists. Haa… it's a dream come true."
Their skins grew warmer—too immersed in their depravity to care about anything else.
"We'll let go of this small rock… and explore even far greater ones."
Their passion evolved into something greater and deeper as more time passed. It was almost… Magical.
"The universe is ours!"
