"Are many people coming back?"
"That means everyone on the list Sonia gave me will return, right?"
Sara asked curiously as she listened to Kael.
"I'm not sure who's on Sonia's list," Kael replied. "But I do know most of the people I recognize will be back. Even those from Mogli Star, who we hardly see all year, will come for the New Year's pilgrimage."
He gestured toward a spaceship gliding gracefully above them. "Look, that spaceship up there belongs to Mogli Star."
"Mogli Star has members in the Void Church?" Sara exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Of course! There are over fifty Void compatriots from Mogli Star." Kael smiled. "Their leader, Lix, is a top-tier powerhouse."
"Lix? That name sounds rather intimidating," Sara admitted, feeling a bit apprehensive.
"Don't worry. Even if Lix hasn't met you yet, he'll be eager to talk to you once he learns you're a recorder," Kael reassured her.
"Why is that?" Sara inquired, puzzled.
"Seeing is believing. You'll understand once you meet him," Kael responded with a grin.
Anyone who had encountered the compatriots from Mogli Star knew they were a fervent bunch. While recorders may not have special powers, their position was established by Kassadin himself. Thus, even if Sara had minimal abilities, Lix would surely be inclined to learn more about her.
As they conversed, Sara drove toward the expansive landing area, where multiple spaceships were neatly parked. At that moment, four new starfighters from the Nova Corps descended from the sky.
"The Nova Corps has members of the Void Church?" Lalatina remarked, surprised to see the familiar Nova ships.
"According to Darm, they've been advised by Sonia to stay away from the island as much as possible," Kael explained. "So it makes sense you haven't seen them in months."
"Why would Sonia want them to come back less often?" Sara pondered, trying to grasp Sonia's reasoning.
"Considering that even a one-star officer in the Nova Corps holds significant power on Sandar Star, they could apply for special privileges for the Void Island," she noted.
"I don't know," Kael shrugged, expressing his uncertainty.
"If you don't know, then why do they agree to follow her?" Sara asked, intrigued.
"Even if we don't know the reason, Sonia wouldn't make such a statement without justification," Kael said confidently.
"They weren't officers in the Nova Corps at first, right?" Lalatina interjected, curious.
"Yeah, Darm and his group have been with the Void Church for a few years," Kael affirmed. "But they only joined the Nova Corps this past year."
"Mr. Kael, the Void Church, and the Nova Corps shouldn't be considered allies, right?" Lalatina asked thoughtfully.
"I haven't heard of any cooperation between them," Kael replied. "And honestly, I'd rather not be under someone else's command for a measly salary; I'd prefer my independence."
"Now I understand why Sonia urged Darm and the others to limit their visits to the island," Lalatina concluded. "It's probably to avoid putting them in a difficult position within the Nova Corps."
"What kind of difficult situation?" Kael asked, his curiosity piqued. "Do you think the Nova Corps would dare to bully our Void Church members?"
Sara responded, "Darm's connection to the Void Church ensures the Nova Corps will treat him with respect."
Kael's eyes widened. "You don't need to get so upset about it," he said, realizing the implications of her words.
"Darm has the backing of the Void Church. The Nova Corps needs to consider their stance carefully."
Sara reflected on her previous experiences with Nova Corps officers, recalling many instances of them venting their frustrations after drinking. Though the Nova Corps functioned as a coalition, they still had internal factions to navigate.
While Darm and his friends were now four members of the Nova Corps, their close ties to the Void Church meant they might be viewed as pawns within the organization. As long as the Void Church didn't interfere too much, things would likely remain stable. But if those ties became too overt, it could spark conflict.
"Still, it's not my place to worry about them," Kael said, shaking off the thought. "Darm can always retire back to the Void Island if things get tough. There are plenty of ways to make money beyond being a Nova Corps officer."
As they were conversing, Darm, Barnett, Primo, and Philip emerged from their starfighters, exuding confidence in their new Nova uniforms. However, the imposing figure of a three-meter-tall man with red skin and fiery hair approaching from a massive spaceship instantly shifted the atmosphere.
"Lix, it's been a year. Looks like you've grown stronger," Darm greeted with a smile.
Lix, radiating an aura of immense power, replied, "I've dedicated myself to the great Void God, Kassadin. My strength has indeed progressed."
"Lix? What are you doing here?" Lix's expression shifted to one of displeasure as he noticed Darm and his friends' attire.
Note: If you are interested, read up to chapter 309 at patreon.com/MythicForge11
"By joining the Nova Corps and gaining access to the Nova suits, our strength has significantly increased," he continued.
"And, within our official capacity, we can occasionally lend a hand to Miss Sonia.
"As we rise through the ranks, we'll be able to further solidify the Void Sect's standing on Xandar."
Darm and the others had known Enma Lix for a long time, fully aware that Lix had a zero-tolerance policy for anything that threatened the purity of the Void Sect.
They knew Lix viewed the Void Sect and Lord Kassadin as supreme, so when explaining their actions, they framed everything as being for the benefit of the Void Sect.
If they didn't, Lix might grow displeased, and once that happened, he'd start an endless stream of corrections aimed at anything he deemed impure or unworthy of the Void Sect.
"And what does Miss Sonia think about your plan?" Lix asked, his stern expression softening slightly, though skepticism still lingered in his eyes.
"Of course, Miss Sonia knows all about it. She's overseeing our progress," Darm replied, confidently thumping his chest in assurance.
"Is that so? This plan does offer some benefits then," Lix said, his mood improving significantly. He smiled and gave Darm a heavy pat on the shoulder.
Even though Darm stood at an impressive 2.1 meters, Lix, towering at 3 meters, made him look small in comparison.
"And how are things on Mogri Star? Any changes?" Darm asked, pleased that Lix's earlier irritation had shifted to approval.
"So far, only 57 people on Mogri Star have received the blessing," Lix replied with a frown.
"Too many of them still have impure thoughts. That's why they haven't received the great blessing from Lord Kassadin," he added, a look of frustration crossing his face.
"But I'll keep spreading the teachings of the Void Sect. I'll make sure Lord Kassadin's greatness reaches every corner of the universe."
Darm used to Lix's zealous nature, smiled and said, "Take your time. We've got plenty of it."
The group continued to walk and chat, as always.
"That guy over there, is that Enma Lix? He looks terrifyingly big and intense," Sara whispered nervously as she saw Lix towering over the crowd in the distance.
"Lix is incredibly strong," Kael replied with a reassuring smile.
"But don't worry. He behaves himself on the island. The worst thing he'll do is be a bit blunt and say some odd things," he continued.
"Whenever you hear him say something strange, just agree with him. As long as you acknowledge his words, he's easy to get along with."
Sara hesitated. "But I'm not a full member of the Void Sect. Will it be that easy?"
"Well, if you find it too difficult to deal with him, you can always mention Miss Sonia's name. Lix respects her a lot," Kael advised after giving it some thought.
"Don't worry, Sara," Lalatina chimed in. "Tony said that while your role may not come with much authority, it does earn you a lot of respect around the island."
As the conversation continued, Lix overheard a few members mentioning that they needed to report to a record keeper named Sara after returning from off-world.
"Who is this 'Sara'?" Lix asked, immediately stepping in front of them.
"She's the record keeper for the Records Hall. She tracks the comings and goings on the island," one of the members replied without fear, even when confronted by Lix's towering figure.
"Records Hall?" Lix mused. "She lives in the hall? And where is she now?"
"It's still early, she's probably still sleeping," one of the others said.
"Yeah, her shift doesn't start until 8 AM, and it's only a little after 6 now," another added.
"Sleeping? On such an important day, when we're about to begin the New Year's worship? Unbelievable!" Lix's expression darkened.
Without hesitation, Lix shot into the air, determined to find out where this lazy record keeper lived.
It wasn't long before he spotted someone familiar—Kael.
Lix knew that Kael, rarely leaving the island except for missions, would know everything happening on the island.
With a thunderous crash, Lix descended, landing directly in front of Kael.
Lix, standing at a massive 3 meters, towered over the 2.5-meter Kael. Together, they looked like giants.
Meanwhile, Sara and Lalatina, though tall for women at 1.7 meters, seemed like children in comparison.
"Kael, do you know a record keeper named Sara?" Lix demanded without preamble.
Kael glanced at Sara before nodding. "Yes, I know her."
"I've heard she's the record keeper for the Void Sect, and on a day as important as today, she's lazing around, still asleep. That's outrageous!" Lix barked. "Where is she? I need to remind her of her duties."
"Sara's not slacking off—she's right here. There's no need to accuse her of being lazy," Kael replied calmly.
Lix looked down at the two women in confusion. He scanned them briefly, dismissing them as ordinary people. "I don't see anyone here who looks like a proper record keeper."
"Uh… hello, I'm Sara, the record keeper you're looking for," Sara stammered nervously, raising a hand in timid greeting.
Lix, taken aback, shot a disbelieving glance at Kael.
"She's not lying—this is Miss Sara," Kael confirmed, nodding firmly.
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