Silence permeated the dimly lit room as Neron and his allies sat.
The lounge was a place they often sat down to discuss random ideas, or even silly ones. It was the one place in their invisible fort that was notorious for the amount of noise that leaked out if it, yet today… this place was quiet.
Each member of the Outgroup sat on a comfy sofa—courtesy of Magic and Engineering—and they either looked too stunned to say anything, or too conflicted about where to begin.
Ciel wasn't present, though. After teleporting the whole team, she was too exhausted to move, so she was taken into her room to rest.
All that was left were the rest of the team members, and none of them was speaking. This threatened to go on forever. However—
"I would like to apologize, everyone. I put your lives in danger, despite thinking I had everything planned out. I really am sorry."
Neron was the first to speak, rising to his feet and bowing his head before every other member. He had a genuine expression to show how sorry he was, and his tone proved it too.
Everyone either watched him with stunned reactions, or understanding ones.
"Neron, it's fine. I don't think any of us could have expected that outcome." The first to speak was, of course, Karlia.
It was expected that she would support him, though her tone sounded a little off. It was clear that she was angry… even though she said it was fine.
"Karlia is right. Something must have happened that caused such a drastic shift in their security." Beruel added, rubbing his chin as he considered the options.
Back when he ruled, Beruel was known as 'The Wise King.' This was due to the fairness he displayed to his people, as well as the policies he enacted.
He had to consider the strategy a ruler would utilize, especially when that ruler was Jared.
"Agreed, Beruel. It must have been a new policy from Jared." Vaizer added.
He too was revered among his people back when he was king—though it wasn't due to wisdom or anything of the sort. For Beastfolk, strength was everything.
The moment he lost to Gerard, he had forfeited that right. He would have gladly stepped down had it not been for Gerard's affiliation with Jared—or rather, his subordination to him.
As a result of his weakness as former king, his entire race was subject to such a tyrranical monster. That was why Vaizer knew Jared's twisted wisdom when it came to leadership.
"Hmm, could it be something we didn't notice? We've been more concerned about this raid for some time now. I believe there could be some things going on behind the scenes." Kido added.
He was his brother's counsel many times, so he was adept at givng insightful comments on matters like this.
No matter how one looked at it, the plan was perfect. Neron wasn't at fault.
"They could have developed new Magic Technology to detect us sooner. Perhaps they already pepared for our assault…"
None of them even suspected the existence of a mole among them. No, that would be absurd. They were family. None of them had that capacity.
"Maybe it has to do with the other world Jared's return." Stefan suddenly blurted out, causing everyone to look in his direction.
He looked nervous at first, but after a pat from Reed Sterling, and an understanding nod from Neron, he proceeded to divulge his thoughts.
"I was studying, back in Ainzlark, about the Cosmological Variance Theory. It's a long experience, but it seems this world has its variables and constants, which won't be interfered with unless an external source acts on it. If that happens…"
"... The Variables will shift." Neron completed Stefan's words for him, smiling at the young boy for bringing out something so insightful.
Not even the adults had thought of that.
'He really is a genius—not only in Magic, but also in study. It would be nice to see how far you can go.'
It all added up to Neron now. Everything about the absudity of their recent experience became unraveled.
"They must have tightened security and focused more on their defenses than ever before. Who would have thought they would cease attacking the Midas region and halt their expansion. Even Gawain was dispatched, which means the situation is grim."
At this point, Neron had to subscribe to Stefan's opinions.
"Stefan is right. Jared's sudden appearance in this reality is what caused the active caution of the enemy camp."
"I knew that kid was trouble." Karlia gritted her teeth and frowned, while folding her arms in anger.
"Relax, Karlia. He saved our lives." Neron sighed. "And in the most absurd way too."
"Finally! Are we finally going to talk about that?!" Edward jumped from where he was partially asleep on the sofa, his eyes now beaming with excitement.
It was understandable, since he must have been exhausted from the fight, so no one had disturbed him. Who would have thought that he was waiting for everyone to talk about the new Jared.
"To think we thought that we could take him on…" Beruel whispered, shivering a little.
"Did you see how he easily beat Gawain like he was nothing?"
"That last spell he used, just before he vanished… do you think he was able to wipe out the rest?"
"Based on that unbelievable intensity, I would say so!"
"Simply astounding!"
Everyone was beaming with such surprise and wonder that most of them forgot the peril they had been in just moments ago. This gave Neron the perfect opportunity to talk to Karlia.
"I know you're angry at me, Karlia. I know you didn't want me to die back then, or to leave you alone. I broke my promise to you… that I would always remain by your side." He knelt as he spoke to her.
Their eyes connected, and teats began to fall from the Succubus's angry face.
"Y-you…" Her voice was shaky, but her frown easily melted to that of sadnss and then devolved into a purely teary baby.
"Y-you… never do that again!" She hit his chest, crying some more.
Neron understood her frustration, and the overwhelming emotion she was feeling.
After losing her family to Jared's evil plan, this group was all she had left. Neron was the anchor that kept her here, and his death would devastate her.
He knew that ver well, yet he told her to live on without him.
'In the end, I was just being selfish…'
Her tears soaked his shoulder, and as she cried loudly, her voice echoed into the noisy room. Even with the sound of the other Outers chatting in the backdrop, Neron and Karlia had their intimate moment.
Everyone knew better than to interrupt them or pay any attention. They simply focused on the amazing sight they had experienced… wondering just how powerful this new Jared was.
However, there was still a prevalent thought on their mind.
Even with all that power… was he a match for the threat that plagued their own world? Could this newcomer beat the horrific existence born in their world?
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[A/N]
Here's the link.
