Chapter 148: Cogstown

Chapter 148: Cogstown

Zacs headache was only growing as he walked the movie star to one of the empty courtyards on his compound. He had been forced to let Emma stay here until the promised mansion was built, and he had decided that the construction would be fast-tracked.

Ogras had wanted to accompany them, but Alea arrived which seemed to make him change his mind. The poison mistress didnt have her usual playfulness, and she simply left after she had thrown a glare at the movie star, which was returned in kind. For now only Emily was accompanying them.

So you really are the Super Brother-Man? Jules told me she suspected that you were him, and the demon confirmed it. Why do you have that stupid nick-name? Sounds like the alias of someone trying to lure kids into their van, Emma said, obviously not caring to choose her words more carefully after learning who Zac was.

Zac only sighed and shook his head. It seemed that him being the top ranker couldnt subdue the mouth of the renowned movie star completely. Still, it was thanks to her that he still could attain the first Lord-title and benefits, so he chose to simply endure it for now.

At least she would be someone elses problem soon enough, as shed be barred from his compound the moment she got her mansion built. And if she kept making a racket or cause problems in Port Atwood he wasnt above throwing her in jail, even if he had to build one just for her. There were limits to his patience.

You can stay here for now, Zac said after they arrived at a small but exquisite courtyard that just so happened to be on the opposite side of the compound from where Zac usually meditated. It might be a week or two before we can construct your permanent home, as our force is a bit occupied with a few things right now.

Well, its passable I suppose, Emma said as she walked around.

Zac nodded and turned to leave, but a shout stopped him.

Wait. What about me? Emma said with a glare.

What about you? Zac asked.

Will you just leave me here? What am I supposed to do? Youre the worst host ever, Emma said with a huff.

Emily can take you to Port Atwood. Julia should be there somewhere also. Youre also free to stay with Ogras in his palace, Zac said, hoping she would take him up on his offer.

Why in gods name would I live with that bastard? Cutie, take me to Julia please, she said and hooked her arm in Emilys to her visible excitement.

Finally the two left together, leaving Zac alone with his thoughts. He opened his quest screen and took a look at his quest.

Incursion Master (Unique): Close or conquer incursion and protect town from denizens of other alignments for 3 months. Reward: 5 E-Grade Nexus Crystals, town upgraded to City, status upgraded to Lord. (2/3) [02:15:23:14]

Less than three days remained until the third and final wave. He went over his things and felt as prepared as he could be. He already had two of the Lightning Punishment arrays that he bought for the ant waves, and an ample amount of crystals he got from Rydels Cosmos Sack and the mining operations.

He also had the high-quality siege machines from the sack, which even low leveled people could utilize. They might not gain energy from the kills, but at least they would contribute to the war efforts. Depending on the nature of the waves he would either have the Valkyries use the siege engines or gain experience from fighting by hand. He honestly did not know what else there was to do before the wave hit, apart from preparing the general population.

After resting a bit he went to the town to meet up with Adran, who usually was up to date with everything happening.

Greetings, Lord Zac, the demon said as Zac entered his office, which was still the large tent. He still hadnt bothered with having a proper structure built, as it would be moved shortly in any case.

How did it go with the new town-people? Zac asked after greeting the administrator.

Yeah, you know I sometimes dreamed of moving to some tropical country and opening a beach bar back when I worked a dead-end job. Who knew that the apocalypse would turn it into reality? Ryan answered with a widening smile.

Zac wouldnt have minded staying a bit, but the anxious Ishiate made him remember his tasks.

I will talk to you later, Zac said as he left with the two beastmen in tow.

Zac also brought the fisherman and one of the demons who participated in the original scouting mission and immediately set sail. The island was over six hours away, and he didnt want to waste any time. Soon they were cutting through the waves in breakneck speed as Zac once again sat in the fore contemplating the Dao.

The two Ishiate were extremely intrigued about the vessel they used. They likely had studied human technology quite a bit since the integration, but this vessel was something else entirely. They kept excitedly talking about the construction and tried to hypothesize how it worked as they furiously scribbled notes in notepads. It was as though the vessel had opened up a new world to them.

Zac was happy to see their excitement as he had hopes that he would be able to relocate at least part of the Ishiate back to his town in order to gain some craftsmen. The humans he brought from New Washington was a good start, but Earth had very few proper craftsmen before the fall. Zac suspected that things like blacksmiths, tinkerers and even alchemists where more common concepts among the Ishiate who was essentially a medieval society hungering for technological advancements.

Finally as the suns started to set they arrived at their destination, a decently sized island that was slightly larger than the ones hed visited so far. The climate was the same as on his island, but the forests looked quite different. They were far more colorful, with many trees having red leaves instead of green, and many trunks were blue-ish.

The town they were visiting wasnt originally a seaside town, so it was some ways inland, and they started traveling through the beautiful forests. A weird small critter with three eyes and six legs suddenly skittled in front of them, startling Zac.

Its a Prikka, one of the Ishiate explained, I havent seen one since the fall. This whole forest feels like home, though it has grown quite a bit from whats normal.

After an uneventful trek of five minutes they arrived at the walled city, and Zac looked at it with some interest. Its architecture looked quite different from anything hed seen so far.

The wall was made of some metal, and on top of it there were huge brass cannons mounted. Both the cannons and the walls looked somewhat new, even though they werent in great shape. Zac assumed they had been erected or improved in order to combat the monsters of the island. That would also explain the craters on the ground around the wall, and the fire-licked trees at the edge of the forest.

Were home, the female Ishiate said with ripe emotion in her voice.

As they approached the town Zac kept looking over the area. It was clear that the town hadnt been unscathed over the past months. There were clear signs of battle all around the town, and the metal plating was dented or even missing in various spots. It gave a battle-torn image, though Zac noted that the town still stood, as no parts of the wall were completely ruined, and there were figures patrolling its wall walk.

The group made no effort to hide and openly walked toward the main gate. Their approach was quickly noted, and the guards shouted down at someone below. Soon they arrived at the gate which still was closed.

Hello? Im Shea Moon of Cogstown, daughter of Basso Moon. With me are my husband Porro Moon and some human friends who helped us return home, she shouted up at the wall.

There was no response for a minute, and Zac started to frown.

What now? Zac asked at the Ishiate, who also looked a bit confused.

Wait a bit longer. The guards might be getting reporting to those in charge, Shea answered hesitantly.

She was quickly proven right as after another minute a roar could be heard over the wall.

Open the god damn gate, you idiots! a deep voice resonated, almost immediately followed by the gates slowly opening with a creak.

Zac and the others didnt have time to enter before a giant Ishiate rushed at them.