Legacy of the Dark Sage

Although Kyran did not elaborate, Aron and Jared seemed to understand what he meant. Their expressions turned solemn, and Aron turned to Jared and said, "Go take Kyran to the Regis Terram and see if the transmission array can be fixed. If not, go to the underground shelter. I will gather the rest and prepare the council."

"Yes, father."

Aron's words made Rin realize something, and she immediately looked at Kyran and said exhortingly, "No matter what, you have to come with your uncle after checking the transmission array. Don't try to run off on your own. I know time is critical right now, but that is not a reason not to discuss your plans with your family. Understand?"

Max and Reuben looked at Rin in awe. As expected of a woman's instinct— or, to be precise, a mother's. They had only known Kyran for a while, but they more or less had a grasp of his character after fighting him and listening to his plans when they were in the Void World.

Kyran had the tendency to act based on his emotions. Even if he had a solid plan at hand when he got pissed, the plan was practically thrown out the window, and he would improvise. And though they said it, he was improvising; it was basically him going on a rampage and bullying everyone who pissed him off.

The way Rin exhorted Kyran showed how much she knew her son.

Kyran looked at Rin and smiled slightly, "I'm sorry, mother. But I will have to disappoint you."

"Kyran—."

"We don't have the time to check the transmission array now," Kyran felt bad for interrupting his mother, but he really was pressed for time. If Neo got destroyed, he did not have the materials to fix him. Losing a fighter with strength comparable to a hundred Exalted was such a huge loss.

Kyran looked at his grandfather and uncle and continued, "I have two ways to get you out of this place. One is to take down the barrier and rendezvous with Mannick outside. He can help create a large transmission array to send everyone to a safe location."

He paused, thinking about the possible effect Mannick's help would incur because of his special identity, before adding, "This one I won't really recommend because his identity is a little troublesome."

Although Kyran did not elaborate, Aron, Jared and Rin agreed. However, they only thought Kyran meant Mannick's identity as a Deputy Marshal was troublesome, not because he was the current Sovereign.

In any case, Kyran did not try to correct their thinking and continued,  "The second one is far more reliable."

He looked at Jared and said, "Uncle, I have an improved formula of the Regis's transmission scroll. With your Array attainment, it will be easier to create several scrolls simultaneously."

Jared raised his brows in surprise. He knew the family's transmission scrolls and how its core ingredient was their blood. Creating several scrolls was practically telling him to forfeit his life— not that Jared minded. If it would help the clan, he would gladly do so. However, he still needed to activate the Regis Grand Array with Cade and Kyran, so he could not die yet.

Seeing the hesitation on Jared's face, Kyran guessed what he was thinking and explained, "I've improved the formula and will no longer need our blood. Although it will still require a Regis to create them for it to succeed."

"Seems like you haven't been idle all these years."

Kyran's response to Rin's greeting earlier already confirmed their assumption that he had been away for several years. And the likely place he had gone to was the Tower of Tribulations.

Unfortunately, their situation did not allow them to really catch up, and Kyran had yet to confirm it.

"Keep the barrier intact to give our enemies the idea that everyone is still inside. But warp outside and rendezvous with Mannick. Just don't ask him to do anything, or our situation will turn out for the worse. Also, don't worry about getting seen. There are others outside securing the place."

Aron, Jared and Rin finally sensed from Kyran's words that he was not talking about Mannick's identity as the Deputy Marshal. But they refrain from asking questions and let Kyran continue.

Kyran had another option: to take all of them in his Void World. However, because of what happened to Cyneah, he was worried that those little ones who had yet to awaken their magic cores might not have the ability to protect themselves from the rich Void energy in that world, thus he did not mention it.

"There are so many things happening outside now. I'll leave Max and Reuben here and let them brief you on everything."

Kyran looked at his grandfather and said, "Grandfather, I need a couple of people to come with me if I leave them here. Initially, I'd like to ask you to come, but the family needs you here."

Aron sighed inwardly. As much as he wanted to go outside and check the situation himself, Kyran was right. His people needed him.

"Take Myst and Raya with you. They are well-informed of the Regis's situation and can assist you well."

Kyran knew Myst and Raya. The two used to spar with him when Cade was not around. Regarding their combat abilities, they were indeed good candidates to assist him. As for their innate magic, he had no idea, but that was unimportant. He could ask them after meeting up with them.

"Thank you," Kyran said. Finally, he looked at Max and Reuben and said, "I'll leave my people with you two. Protect them."

The two lowered their heads and replied respectfully, "Yes, master."

Before Kyran could say more, he paused after sensing 'something' closing in outside the Regis's barrier, and a smile appeared on his face.

Kyran turned his attention back to Aron and Jared and said, "Another of my Sigil will arrive in a moment. He can help find a better place to hide everyone. When everyone is settled, gather all abled Regis members. When I get back, there is a good chance we'll go to war."

*

Neo's energy core emitted a blinding light, countering most of the invisible pressure before it could damage his body.

By the time the blinding light receded, Neo's system had already recovered, and he put up the barrier at once. Nevertheless, his insides received some damage, and warning messages kept popping up in his vision, telling him which part of his body had suffered.

"Impressive," the ancient-sounding voice commented after seeing Neo recover almost immediately after receiving his attack.

Although it appeared that Neo avoided it, the man was sure that he still suffered internal injuries. But the man was surprised to see that although Neo had suffered, no blood or visible physical trauma could be seen.

If Neo knew the man's thoughts, he might have given him an incredulous expression. He was a puppet; there was no way he would spit out blood, nor would his body show deformation. His exterior was made of the best materials from another plane, and his inner parts received superficial damage because the exterior received the brunt of the invisible pressure's might.

"For someone skinny, you have a very sturdy body. Something that most mages failed to possess."

Neo let out a pained grunt before saying, "Yeah? I know a number of mages with huge sturdy frames nowadays. Which era are you born in, old man?"

"Those mages, or to better differentiate them, those combat mages, cannot be called natural mages. They intentionally improved their physical bodies, but because of this, their magic output has suffered."

"Sorry to burst your bubble, old man. But I'm not a 'natural' mage, myself. My body is not buffed up as them because I am utilizing my Strengthening magic."

"That is why I said what I did," the man replied. "Now, if you possessed a far more powerful innate magic, if you became the Crown Princess's consort, you two would definitely produce a powerful heir."

Neo's database was far richer compared to the other puppets. Nevertheless, he failed to understand what the man meant and could not provide an appropriate response.

Because of Neo's lack of response, the man thought he was stunned by the idea of becoming the Crown Princess's consort. Somehow, the man found that unacceptable. Before he could punish Neo again, he received a telepathic message, changing his mind at once.

"You are lucky young man, to have gotten the Crown Princess's favor."

As the man said this, Neo noticed the pressure and vibration that covered the hall lifted slowly.

"Since the time is nigh, we can stop this nonsense."

"Nonsense— oi!"

A two-meter radius light golden array appeared on Neo's feet.

Without even checking the whole array, Neo already knew that it was a transportation array. And wherever the old man was planning to take him was definitely not a good place.

"I'm taking you back. The Crown Princess has called."