Bab 20: Lance and The Skeleton Medallion

For the rest of the banquet, Chiaki only spoke with Gin on a couple of occasions, and those were even necessary interactions since the reception provided an open bar. Chiaki didn't drink and Lance Hua himself drank a little, but he had to accompany his Guardian wife to mingle with the guests.

"I'll introduce you to some of the elders who didn't come to our wedding," she snaked her hand around Lance's elbow to show him around.

"For a Guardian, does feigning happiness stay on the top items of your job description?" he snorted, not exactly lowering his voice but not deliberately broadcasting it either.

Chiaki's brief smile paid respects to the elders. Azure Ao soon accosted them and behind him walked Gin Burtenshaw, a glass of beer in each hand. Since Chiaki knew firmly that Azure didn't drink, she knew that the purpose was Gin making it known to her that he made his own choice now.

Her lips could only twitch lest their verbal confrontation ruin everyone's party. She made indirect references to him, saying, "Perhaps, Elder could teach Gin on his sword technique better."

The elder replied, "Wouldn't General Spring be the best person to instruct him? Without a physical sword, you are the sword, intelligent and almost emotionless, a perfect weapon to protect the Dome from the anomalies."

Almost? You just don't know how I die inside every day living with this ticking atomic bomb.

"I think Elder sells yourself short. I'm sure you imparting your knowledge to me will progress my learning more than not," Gin's smile didn't reach his eyes while provocatively gulping his beer. Chiaki's eyes squinted.

She couldn't help but say, "Don't drink too much. You'll embarrass yourself in front of General Ao."

As if the universe had been specifically coded that this day was not her day, Azure Ao waved his hand, "That's okay, Chiaki. This is just beer."

She was out of her depth. Better the devil she knew. She wanted to talk more with the elders and Guardians group, but Janice was approaching.

Chiaki's face went from pale to red to ashen. She was totally okay with Janice peacocking in front of her and Lance, showing strong interest in the latter. It was her real motive that she was unsure of. It couldn't be just she had fallen for Lance Hua. Although System had instructed her to nurture the friendship with all three Guardians, she was as clueless as driving in the depth of the night with only the front lights. She could only make ten metres ahead, then another ten metres as she advanced, and so on.

What if the Guardians also had a hand in the matter of Gin's parents? She knew nothing of their background. And with the handsome men and pretty ladies, she ever heard a saying.

The more beautiful people are, the more dangerous they are. They use their physical allure to win favours.

How dangerous was her profession in this realm exactly? Chiaki mulled over many times as she meditated for hours in the night, gazing at the pyramid's summit from her guest room.

In the original game, the objective was so simple. The Evil Lord Hua was the mastermind, and the player had to defeat his henchmen throughout the levels until battling him themselves at the final level.

Since it was a game, the worldbuilding and mechanism were also simplified. A boss enemy to defeat, multiple attacks on the territory launched by him, strategising the troops, and managing the trade. But here, Chiaki fought against the anomalies from unknown sources. The changed genre was one part, but the mysterious mastermind was a different story. It confounded her no end.

From the start of the mingling session until the end, she chatted with everyone who approached them in their circle, but her eyes couldn't stop wandering to register their builds and facial features, mind making up scenarios of what diabolical plan these allies might brew in their lair.

"Where is Oriole?" she heard Jasper asking to her ear, catching her unawares. Was she too deep in her thoughts until she barely heard the coming staggering footsteps and alcohol scent wafting to her nose?

She swiftly stepped over to Lance's side, her shoulder bumping the top of his chest.

"Sorry," she mumbled. But the next thing she knew was a thick warmth of his forearm rounded her waist, pulling her closer to his body until her right leg was between his two long, muscular legs.

From the corner of her eye, Gin glowered at this sight and curled down his lips before averting his gaze. Too loathsome for him, probably, the traitor of their family with the murderer in an affectionate contact. She withdrew herself to no avail as the familiar cedarwood scent teased her nose, replacing the previous liquor smell with a sudden sense of calmness.

"Thank you," she murmured again without knowing why.

The rest of the group, minus Gin, who was swigging the beer from another glass — the other had been finished — were back to the question without anyone answering.

That deep, lulling voice that reverberated in Lance's warm chest, sending the vibration to her adjacent body, replied, "He left after the competition was concluded."

She felt like listening to it directly over his chest, which hit differently. How his husky voice could be even more profound and hoarser, the rise and fall of his ribcage with each breath as he spoke.

Does this sociopath learn a seduction technique, too? Well, in that case, he and Janice could make a study group, and Chiaki would stand a wide berth from them.

Just like what Gin did to them.

Jasper shot a long laugh. "It's weird, he usually stays around in the events of poetry and music. That man wants to look like he belongs to the elegant literati so much it contrasts his fire-like temperament."

"Maybe he has something in his mind, so he left early?" Chiaki suggested.

Jasper gave her an inspecting look like a snooping dog that raised her hackles as if being judged in a cattle competition. With Lance's arm claiming Chiaki's waist, he only took a small step closer while whispering to her face. "Does it bother you, Chiaki? But you never care whether the West Manor's practice room is missing your presence."

"Jasper!" Azure Ao glared at him from the opposite side of the circle, his sharp blue-green eyes sending daggers to the West Guardian. West Manor's practice room was the chamber Jasper usually used to sleep with Chiaki. His statement obviously alluded to their old activities, infuriating Chiaki and Lance.

The latter only scoffed.

"General Wymark has been too pleasant for his guests, not many hosts could display this hospitality prowess at your level. We feel so welcomed with the banquet, competition, and after-party like this. But the South Manor also has our tradition that I must carry on. To prepare for autumn, some rituals must be conducted. So, allow us to take our leave," Chiaki said.

It was better for them to leave than to let the enmity cook any longer, lest anyone draw their sword.

Jasper Wymark only cleared his throat and gulped more from his hard liquor bottle that Chiaki didn't know the name of.

After saying goodnight to the drunk Jasper and wheedling Azure to bring her nephew home, she left with Lance. The curfew had been lifted since the barrier all over the Dome had been repaired, so there were more people in the stations and horse park.

Not only were there no more gasoline-fuelled private vehicles, but the designers of the Dome realm also barred firearms from manifesting in this world. They did embody the real spirit of The Great Reset. The competition to strengthen the barrier, the defence weapons from the anomalies, none involved guns and pistols, but more mechanical and traditional weapons.

Chiaki also noticed that there was no nuclear power plant. Indeed a world envisioned by the designers eliminated the necessities of the two, reducing a handful of consequences.

No mass killings at schools. No power plant incidents. A reset for the ideal society.

"My lord, may I know why you laughed at the medallion?" she asked as the servants took their horses to the stable. Night had fallen when they reached the South Manor. Chiaki ordered the Sentalu house staff to prepare for two separate hot baths.

"I don't even know why it's called 'skeleton'. There's nothing skeletal about it," she added.

Chiaki had a glimpse of the jewellery when Janice held it high to the guests before awarding it to Lance Hua.

He took it off from his neck. Her closer look at it as Lord Hua flattened it to his palm didn't change this opinion. The medallion had a thin gold chain with a distinctive pattern; on it hung a gold medal like the north star, irregular rays as the depiction of brilliant light dispersing round the centre transparent locket.

Her right index finger traced the chain and the rays carefully like stroking a small animal.

"People were astounded that Jasper gave this away. It looks like this medallion is so special."

"How come you not know? They gasped because it was given for free. The stash in the Wymark residence has a collection of luxurious items. Notice how they dress. Naturally, everyone will also think this medallion is a rare, expensive gift. What a cheat he is."

"What do you mean? Does this medallion hold no special power, then?" she urged.

Lance Hua tossed the jewellery to her study table. "You can keep it. I have no use for it. Neither do you."

Chiaki tilted her head as she removed the bobby pin that held her right braid, letting it down her shoulder. "And why is that?"

"Because the medallion is just a vessel, a casing. The most important part of it is missing."