Chapter 69

I'm posting some chapters ahead of time on my discord server: https://discord.gg/r2VSvS5kaH

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Absolutely no clash followed Ashborn's appearance. The forest fell dead silent, no living being made a sound. The mana beasts hid in their lairs, trying to not show themselves to the sun. The Alacryan soldiers dropped the weapons, as the leader who once arrogantly commanded them was now dead.

They followed his example and died right after him, Ashborn's army was craving for blood. This batch of shadow soldiers particularly never fought for their liege, it was time to show his greatness, what they were capable of.

Ashborn, meanwhile, returned to the group of people he met before right after dropping the Scythe's dead body in front of the Alacryans. He had no doubt that his army could take care of a bunch of Alacryan meat when they were so demoralized.

How much time has passed since he last saw Tessia or any other of Arthur's classmates? Quite a lot of time, but how can he answer Tess? In the end, he didn't come back with Arthur, well, not yet. Hopefully, she will understand it.

With his thoughts concluded, Ashborn took a step toward the group. His appearance was a little too shady for most people, except for Tessia and Elijah. They happily came to his aid and hugged him like a dear old brother.

"Ash!" They exclaimed joyfully. Both of them were expecting him since they relied only on him. He was the only one who they could rely on since there was no Arthur.

Elijah was trying to get stronger, but the only thing he got was frustration at his inability to reach even a lance's strength. He wanted to aid Ash in his endeavors. Even if his life was a cost, he was ready for it, but there was a low possibility of his death helping out Ash.

Tessia loved Arthur was a well-known fact. Ash, her lover's brother, and her grandfather were the first to know about this. Quite cold, but he played a big role in her life, so she treasured him the same way as Art. With formalities aside, she considered the Leywins to be her family.

Ash tapped on both of their backs with his palm, "Yes, I'm back... not for a long time though." He yet had to face the main challenge ahead. There was no time to rest. He thought it'd be proper to tell them this immediately.

"What do you mean, Ash?"

"I just came here to take you to a safe place. You did really well. Now it's my turn to fix the mess... I made."

The younglings were confused. The mess he made? They asked themselves, but couldn't find how he could be related to what was going on... Ash couldn't possibly raze this war. It was the opposite, Ash was helping them.

Indeed, the shadow monarch couldn't blame those young people for their blindness to see the root of the current problem. They were just mortal beings; he couldn't ask for more from them.

"I'll explain when we get there." Ashborn tapped on their shoulders, making them turn around and walk with him. Once they were close to the group of lances and Xyrus students, the first thing the auburn-haired did was greet them all.

Amusingly for the elven lances, the human lance flinched when he heard Ashborn greet him. The latter remembered their first meeting, it wasn't enjoyable and pretty much ended on a bad note. Hopefully, even if he isn't forgiven, the human lance accepts their relationship of just colleagues for the time being.

"We haven't met before, but I suppose you are aware of the plan."

"Yes, we are. The council has warned us of the incoming... events. We made sure that the entire Dicathen was ready for what was to come." The dark-haired elf told Ash, now with her soothing and alluring voice. Although her tricks were deemed to fail on him.

The teenagers had no idea what they were conversing about, so they inquired about it. The lances didn't dare to answer, so Ashborn brought out his palm forward. The black hue escaped from his hand as it expanded, forming a purple portal right in front of them.

"Will this work out? There are still many Alacryans on the continent."

"I have... taken care of them." Not to sound too harsh, Ash didn't go into detail. The teenagers, after all, nonetheless, from their battle experience, would be terrified to hear what the shadow army did. Absolutely annihilated enemies.

These were enough words for lances. Alea realized it was stupid to even ask such questions. This person was even stronger than Alacryan scythes. Despite his younger appearance...he took out oldies like Mica and Olfred, whom the elf considered stronger than her.

"Let's get in."

With this said, Ashborn and the rest of the group walked into the portal. Before they'd go to the safe place, there were a few people who they had to take. Everyone Ashborn knew so far was already waiting for him on the other side. The only ones left are the Leywin family, but it'll be him taking them.

The group exited the portal after experiencing vastly different feelings from the Dicathenian portal. They were now in the nest with the Leywin family.

The reunion was cut short with just Ellie clinging onto Ash, not intending to let go of him anyhow. From a different perspective, this scene looked like a cute brother and sister moment. Yet, the Leywin family wasn't so sure about it.

"I know you haven't met them before, but they are Arthur's classmates. Also here's Elijah and Tessia. You have known them for years already."

"No, I've met them before. right at this place."

"Well, maybe I missed something..." Ashborn couldn't recall from the memories of his shadows if his parents ever met with Arthur's classmates. Maybe he was getting rusty? Nah, there's no way.

That wasn't it. Alice and Reynolds just met with Tessia in the nest a few months ago. It so happened that she was with her classmates. Alice and Reynolds still didn't know their names anyway; they hadn't introduced themselves as the meeting lasted for a few seconds before they had to get out of the nest.

"And the people in white are the lances. They were once shown in Xyrus with those projectors of theirs, you must remember."

"It's an honor for us to meet you, Mrs. and Mr. Leywins." The three lances lowered their heads just out of respect for their son.

"Oh no no, it's unnecessary. It's an honor for us to meet protectors of our land in person." Alice and Rey hurriedly stopped the lances from continuing. The one who deserved respect was their son, not them. They did only a little to contribute compared to him.

"I'm not against chatting, but there are more important matters now."

"Certainly my lord, we shouldn't waste any more time. We are already losing too much of it."

The menacing shadow soldier walked out of the corner, and it was followed by a navy-haired girl named Caera. Agrona looked even more massive than Bairon, who in comparison to Caera was two times bigger.

"What in the…"

"He is my trusted soldier. There is no need to be afraid of him. I assure you, he is under my full control. Even if you tried, you wouldn't be able to harm him."

"...Sorry."

Ashborn waved it off, "Agrona, is everything ready?" Some people who had a little bit of insight about the situation in Alacrya heard once of the name Ashborn just mentioned. Their expressions stiffened a little, but they tried to hide as much as they could.

The shadow soldier, on the other hand, nodded with its dark head.

That was all the auburn-haired needed to know. Ashborn closed his eyes and imagined himself to be in every place his shadow soldiers were currently located. Those places were located throughout the entirety of Sapin and most of the Alacrya.

With the connection between his shadow soldier being as strengthful as ever, Ashborn proceeded with his place. Opening up the portals.

Thousands, if not more, of cracks, popped on the earth's surface. The cracks expanded, forming the gateway to the place Ash had full control over. The relictombs were one safe place, Ash could hide his family. With his authority, nobody shall be able to breach nor destroy it…of course. This is if he remains…otherwise, it is all lost for.

"*Phhhhh-*"

The heavy breathing died down and Ashborn exhaled. The portals were now open all across the two continents.

"We may go in."

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It was all too beautiful. The world they entered was something out of their minds, and the more the people arrived, the more of them marveled at this creation. Everyone, including Leywins, had the same expression. Tessia's eyes were sparkling, along with his classmates. This was just too unreal for them.

It seemed like they were in some kind of closed space, but it was so large that the tower, kilometers in height and width, was located right in its center. It has an open grass field surrounding it and animals running around it.

A city was built around the tower. With architecture resembling that of a medieval. Still, each building was a piece of art, with an uncountable number of ornaments only strengthening its beauty.

This was Ashborn's dream world. He'd like to spend his time, rest if possible, and have his closest around. You'd believe this was the end... But no, not exactly. This dream world of his had a lot more surprises, and one of them was... this was just the first floor.

There were ninety-nine more vastly different floors, with unique terrain and architecture.

"Oh, my god. Where did you find this place, Ash?! It's so freaking cool!"

"I never found such a place. It's indeed very captivating. It is somewhat good to have somebody who likes the same thing as you. Maybe that's why the people with the same tastes bind into conversations a lot easier.

With control over aether and having authority over three of the relictombs, Ashborn could pretty much create a world of his own in reality, although only in relictombs. Not just in his dream world, where he used most of it fully, creating a safe, fun, and gorgeous place.

"Tess, I think you want to meet your parents. Why don't we check on them? Let's take a little walk as well."

"Alright."

Nobody was against seeing this beautiful city. As the people who were just arriving confused stood near the teleportation gates, Ashborn and his group calmly walked through the lanes of his own city.

Even Bairon was surprised by the city. He couldn't help but stare at every passing building in awe. The most interesting part, though, only appeared as they closed up to the tower, just when they entered the market. There were already people there, and interestingly enough, they already had conversations.

"There are already people here."

"Well, of course…although there is a catch with. All of them are just part of the dream world…"

"What do you mean?" Everyone wondered what Ash meant by that, and the response from him wasn't a happy one.

"They aren't real anymore. All of them were once you call dead."

Absolutely bone-chilling! He said it so casually, that even the lances had a hard time containing themselves. Now imagine how Alice was feeling? Terribly, that is! Then, how were those people walking around?

"What matters the most is that they aren't against it." As he said that, Ash approached one of the many stands located in this marketplace. He asked something and the seller who was managing the stand gave him certain sweets. The shadow monarch thanked the seller and gave a payment.

The auburn-haired awarded everyone with a sweet for their hard work.

"Here take this. Something sweet on the tongue always elates you from stressful information. By the way, we are here."

The group stopped in front of a villa, one of a kind. This was the place where everyone should be arriving soon, those who Ashborn knew personally. He had a few words to say today...