Chapter 110: See you soon - (2)

Chapter 110: See you soon - (2)

Mercury grimaced at the crowd's applause. Priam had turned Claire into a symbol of the hardships raining down on them. Most were thrilled to see humanity striking back. Even if it meant taking the life of a young woman, he lamented.

Mercury's perspective was more nuanced, understanding that certain deeds were necessary. Claire's death was a grim necessity, but rejoicing in it? That was a different matter.

His gaze shifted to Priam. The Champion was undeniably strong and charismatic and vowed to slay their enemies. How could they not be enamored by him? Had they even realized that he never promised to shield them? They revered the Spear for its strength, but they'd need a Shield. Priam would never allow himself to be bound in such a way...

From the corner of his eye, Mercury noticed the Champion's somber expression. A man who was both strong and honest, who took no pleasure in killing or manipulating his kin? That was a pleasant surprise.

Despite his flaws, I've bet on the right horse.

When Priam swung open the infirmary door, he was greeted by the sight of Sphinx hopping about on Blueberry's belly. The colossal bear had been laid out across two rows of five beds each. It was the only way to let him lie other than having him sprawl on the floor.

Sphinx's leaps seemed to tickle Blueberry. Despite the latter's flailing, the beds held firm. A few planks creaked from time to time, but one thing was for sure: the System churned out quality.

"Sphinx, give him a break, he's convalescing," Priam said, shutting the door behind him.

"He's not convalescing, he's just too lazy to get up!" Sphinx exclaimed, bounding onto the ursine's muzzle.

"I specialize in strength, not vitality," grumbled Blueberry, shoving the tyrannical Lord aside. "Do you realize how much energy I need to rebuild my muscles? If only I could nibble on some fire-roasted wyvern..." he said, giving Priam puppy-dog eyes.

A bear wasn't built for puppy-dog eyes. "If I didn't know you better, I'd say you want to eat me," Priam said.

"I am actually quite hungry."

"You'll taste my spear if you keep it up."

Promesse hummed in recognition of the word.

"You know what, I'll stick with the wyvern," Blueberry relented, eyeing the weapon with concern. Was Promesse old enough to grasp sarcasm? Blueberry didn't want to bet on it.

"Only the Earls are entitled to this delicious dish, you commoner," Sphinx declared, leaping into Priam's arms.

"I'm a Viscount, as you were yesterday!"

"Commoner, commoner, commoner!"

Priam burst into laughter.

"She just wants to humiliate me, and you're encouraging her," Blueberry grumbled.

Priam stopped laughing and wiped his eyes. "Forgive me, Blueberry."

Positioning Sphinx in front of him, he pinched her cheeks. "I'm proud of you for your promotion, Sphinx! But we mustn't be mean to our friends, okay?"

Nodding weakly, Sphinx mewed. Priam's eyes widened in surprise.

"You... You meowed?"

"Rose told me that if I was cute, you'd forget about my mischief..." Sphinx meowed again, and Priam held her tightly. Her fur was so soft

Well played, Rose! Priam was aware he was being manipulated, but he accepted his fate.

Blueberry grumbled as he watched the scene. Sphinx meowed again upon seeing the bear roll his eyes.

"Can I keep bothering him?" she whispered.

"Later," Priam replied, straightening up. "Let's head to the garden; I have a proposition for you."

"Awesome!"

Blueberry didn't respond. The bear sulked in silence, and Priam decided to give him some motivation. "Shall we discuss this over a wyvern barbecue?"

A mass of fur leaped towards the nearest window, shattering it along with the wall it was set in. Priam laughed before following suit.

To cook a wyvern, you needed hot embers. Blueberry had laboriously stacked a few branches of greenwood twenty minutes earlier. The pile resembled a giant game of pickup sticks that Blueberry struggled to ignite. Sphinx's advice didn't seem to be helping him.

Priam shook his head, refocusing on Louis. The spirited old man regaled them with his surfing experience, shooting glances towards Mirscella every ten seconds.

"...riding a wave single-handed. When you're upside down, the connection with the water is incredible. You feel like you're merging with the wave. Once, when I was vacationing near Sumatra..."

Mirscella cleared her throat. "I'm sure we all love Sumatra, Louis, but I have a question for Priam."

In the end, it took Blueberry over an hour to light the fire.

From the window of his suite, Bechar watched the humans in the Dome frantically bustling about. With a thought, he could have observed the other domes. It was of little use; he'd have witnessed the same spectacle. Merchants packed their goods, artisans stowed their tools, and parents sought their children.

In the Colosseum - or rather, the Colosseums - some warriors attempted to surpass their limits. All hoped to level up one more time just before the end of the Reunion.

It was a bit too late. The portals would open in a few seconds. A final glance at Priam made him smile. He had figured out how to create a passage between his inner world and the outer world, but the path was too narrow for Blueberry.

The poor bear was trying to make himself as small as possible while Priam spent Potential to widen the passage. Sphinx, three elderly individuals, and a teenager were pushing the bear into the bluish portal. The upper body went in easily, but the hips were stuck.

Suddenly, Sphinx returned to her true size and gave the bear a paw swipe, sending him through the passage in one go. Bechar winced. She must have broken two or three of his bones...

A few moments later, only Priam remained in the garden.

Simultaneously, billions of portals opened on the surface of the Moon. Taking a deep breath, Priam stepped into the closing passage.

See you soon

Status: (Average value for a Homo sapiens male before integration: PHY 10 / MEN 10 / META 0)

PHYSICAL:

Strength 317

Constitution 448

Agility 304

Vitality 465

Perception 521

MENTAL:

Vivacity 282

Dexterity 345

Memory 72

Willpower 464

Charisma 384

META:

Meta-affinity 249

Meta-focus 183

Meta-endurance 161

Meta-perception 77

Meta-chance 207

Meta-authority 12

Potential: 779

Tier 0

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: One Tribulation pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 180 days 0 hour 38 minutes 12 seconds.