章節 14: Meeting with the Navy
As they soared high above the ground, everyone rode atop Cryselia, who had transformed into a magnificent giant phoenix. Gliding at a moderate pace, their destination was the harbor, where they intended to rendezvous with the naval forces.
"I find myself quite intrigued by the visage of the individual who so effortlessly obliterated my meteor," Lucius murmured softly, his gaze fixed on the full moon illuminating the night sky.
He vividly recalled the immense power of the crimson magma dragon's assault, which had melted his colossal meteor with ease.
Eleonora approached Lucius, standing close before him. "May I sit beside you?" she inquired gently, her eyes meeting his with a serene gaze.
Lucius responded with a warm smile, nodding lightly in affirmation. "Of course, feel free to make yourself comfortable," he replied softly, gesturing graciously for her to take a seat.
Adjusting her skirt, Eleonora settled in comfortably beside him, drawing herself closer to the firm and warm presence of the man at her side.
Lucius was slightly taken aback, feeling the delicate and smooth texture of Eleonora's form pressed against his left side.
Contrary to his initial assumptions, Lucius sensed no trace of reluctance or opposition from her regarding their abrupt engagement.
Now, he began to comprehend that women were indeed beings of complex emotions, with thought processes that were difficult to decipher. Despite possessing the ability to employ his Aura of Empyrean Dominator to read Eleonora's thoughts, he chose to refrain, fearing it might wound her feelings.
"May I call you by your first name, in a more familiar manner?" Eleonora glanced sideways, admiring the amethyst eyes of Lucius, and asked with a crisp voice.
Her expression was adorably anxious, concerned about receiving a negative response. Contrary to her expectations, Lucius smiled warmly and readily gave his approval, clearly delighted.
"From now on, feel free to address me informally. After all, we're only two years apart. Hence, I shall also address you with familiarity from now on," Lucius declared cheerfully, ending his statement with a playful wink.
"Hehehe—you truly are a masterful charmer," Eleonora chuckled, teasing Lucius gently without any intent of belittling or insulting.
"Not really, I am seldom this familiar with a woman. Only remarkable women like you have the power to stir my heart," Lucius replied with tenderness, smiling enchantingly as he gazed closely at Eleonora's face.
Eleonora and Lucius shared a closeness that was both palpable and undeniable. Liora, Celestia, Isolde, and Melina could only offer wry smiles, feeling somewhat like intruders or third wheels amidst the pair who seemed to be in a world of their own.
Before long, they arrived within the airspace of the harbor. The entire shipyard was bustling with activity, filled with small naval vessels. Large tents had been erected throughout, serving as rest areas for the soldiers and storage for crucial equipment and logistics.
Admiral Emilia, who commanded the fleet, was resting in a bungalow set within expansive grounds. This accommodation boasted modern and functional facilities, providing a comfortable retreat for the leadership.
"Cryselia, let's land. Follow mama's instructions, sweetheart," Isolde instructed gently, directing the Frostfire Phoenix.
"Okay, mama," Cryselia responded cheerfully, nodding lightly.
To Cryselia, Lucius was not only a father figure but also the most trusted being in her life. She regarded Celestia, Isolde, Liora, and Eleonora as her mothers, a belief instilled by Lucius himself.
Under Isolde's guidance, Cryselia maneuvered through the air for a minute before they all descended onto the bungalow's front yard, free-falling from a height of 100 meters.
Cryselia's massive phoenix form made it impractical for her to land directly on the front lawn. Furthermore, she had yet to fully master her ability to transform at will. Thus, she was guided to fly low over the bungalow's airspace.
Upon their arrival, none of the soldiers attempted to intercept or even caution them. Every soldier recognized the illustrious figures before them, understanding the stature and prowess of these extraordinary individuals.
The front door of the bungalow creaked open gently. Emilia, still clad in her uniform, stepped forward to greet Celestia and Liora with utmost respect.
"Good evening, Lady Celestia." Emilia spoke formally, bowing with deference.
She extended the same courtesy to Liora, though she opted for the title 'Matriarch' instead of 'Lady.'
After exchanging pleasantries with Eleonora and Isolde outside for a few minutes, Emilia finally invited everyone inside.
Cryselia had already resumed her humanoid form, adorned in her distinctive dress crafted from Frostfire. Unlike the others, she seemed indifferent to the formalities and remained closely attached to Lucius's side, even as they made their way into the bungalow.
"Hello, young master. I'm Emilia, Admiral of the SSA Navy. It's a pleasure to meet you." Emilia settled into the sofa opposite Lucius, greeting him warmly while extending her right hand for a handshake.
Lucius extended his hand with a graceful gesture, shaking hands with a gentle motion. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Emilia. I am Lucius Shadowbane, delighted to make your acquaintance," he spoke with utmost politeness, all the while subtly assessing Emilia's comprehensive strength through his aura of Omniscient Perception.
Raising an eyebrow, Lucius was taken aback by the level of power Emilia possessed. 'She is an incredibly strong woman, nearly on par with my sister Isolde. Yet still far beneath the levels of Aunt Liora and Mother, whose strength is beyond measure,' he thought, critically analyzing and comparing Emilia's power.
"Let's get straight to the point. What is the current situation, and what new intelligence have you gathered about the high-level threat we are about to face?" Liora inquired with a neutral tone, sipping the warm tea that had been prepared.
"We have discovered indications that a foreign organization known as Three-headed Cerberus, masquerading under the name Silverwolf, is the main orchestrator behind the rising threats in our country," Emilia stated, delivering information that piqued the interest of both Celestia and Liora. "Initially, they intended to act recklessly, attacking a mall like a band of low-tier terrorists, showcasing their amateurish and weak nature to avoid being considered a significant threat by the major powers."
"Three-headed Cerberus, huh? It's been quite some time since I've heard that name," Celestia murmured softly, her lips curling into a dangerous smile that sent shivers down everyone's spines.
Even Emilia, who had maintained a calm demeanor, broke into a cold sweat, feeling unnerved by the pressure emanating from Celestia.
Liora patted Celestia's shoulder, attempting to soothe her mood, and then expressed her opinion. "Most likely, they are aiming to exploit Cryselia as a vessel to resurrect Cerberus or that damn Succubus Goddess."
Hearing this, Lucius furrowed his brows tightly, a storm of anger welling up inside him.
"How dare they think of claiming something that is rightfully mine!" Lucius exclaimed with a voice heavy with suppressed rage.
Suddenly, a dense violet aura of oppression emanated from Lucius's body, spreading throughout the bungalow and casting absolute terror upon all the naval officers present, rendering them paralyzed with excruciating physical and spiritual pain.
Some of the naval officers fainted, unable to withstand the simultaneous assault on their physical and spiritual selves.
"Young Master, please calm yourself. If this continues, my subordinates might suffer from PTSD and become incapable of performing their duties," Emilia pleaded earnestly, her voice tinged with an unusual awkwardness and nervousness, starkly contrasting her usual calm and confident demeanor.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Lucius quickly reined in his emotions, calming the oppressive aura emanating from his being. Clearing his throat gently, Lucius offered an apology with a slightly guilty expression. Emilia could only sigh in relief, grateful for his understanding.
Celestia approached Lucius, gently stroking his hair, attempting to comfort her son with a soothing touch. Observing this, Cryselia followed suit, albeit in a stiffer, yet endearingly awkward manner.
"Nyx," Liora called softly.
As usual, Nyx instantly emerged from the shadows, swiftly kneeling before Liora.
"Awaiting your command, Matriarch," she declared with utmost reverence, poised to receive Liora's instructions.
"Activate the Absolute Citadel Barrier, then evacuate all residents to the secret underground shelters," Liora commanded with a firm voice and a serious expression.
"Understood, Matriarch," Nyx replied, bowing her head before vanishing into the shadowy darkness.
[Warning, Absolute Citadel Barrier activated in full protection mode]
A mechanical voice resonated across the entire island, announcing the activation of the defense mechanism.
Island residents formed orderly lines, calmly entering specialized portals strategically located throughout the settlements. These portals guided them directly to the secret underground shelters.
The naval forces began preparing various conventional and magical armaments to ensure the island's security.
Rapid footsteps echoed from the bungalow's courtyard. A female soldier from the sensor team delivered startling news.
"Reporting, Admiral, a massive space-time ripple has appeared 15 miles off the port."
Emilia smiled gently, "Finally, they make their move." She murmured softly, her expression brimming with anticipation. "Mobilize all forces; we are about to commence the battle!" she continued, issuing her orders with unwavering firmness.
"Understood, Admiral!" came the crisp response.
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