Chapter 92: Contingency Plan

"I will see what I can do," she stated, giving a slight bow before leaving with an urgent step. As she departed, she pondered her next course of action.

The portal closed as the Demon King stood in contemplation. He pulled a square device from his pocket, adorned with blue engravings and small holes on one side. Pressing a button on its side, the device began to ring.

(---- Meanwhile, somewhere far away ----)

In a quiet room, a man with glasses sat writing notes and jotting things down. Across from him, another man was engaged in discussing battle plans.

The bulky man finished wrapping bandages around his bleeding arm as he spoke out, "So Jalen, what are the plans for when father returns?"

"I was thinking about asking him to head back to the academy to learn more about using spirit energy. But the cost is severe, and I don't know if he would be able to afford it," he pondered aloud.

Jalen, brushing back his hair in a messy fashion as his oversized glasses obscured his face, replied, "Alfred, I think we should just focus on what we can control right now. "The village is already suffering from the great blight." Jalen was about to add something more when he was abruptly cut off.

A blaring sound erupted from his footlocker, shoved in a corner of the room and shrouded in a dark, ominous aura. "What is that? Some kind of animal?" Alfred asked, startled.

"No," Jalen replied with a slight chuckle. "It's an emergency item for a later raid I've been working on. It's still in the beta phase, so it's a bit finicky. Listen, I've got to finish working on it. Please head back to the guild house, and I'll meet up with you later, okay?"

"That's a little sudden, don't you think?" Alfred asked as he started to get up, picking up his sword and shield.

"Yes, I know, but this is urgent. Trust me," Jalen said, hastening Alfred out of the room before slamming the door shut.

"Understood, my King," came the reply from the cube. "What presence level should I maintain on Scylce?"

Another question followed swiftly. "Also, isn't your daughter stationed on that planet?"

"Yes, I want her involvement kept to a minimum due to her abilities and the planet's current standing."

"Very well, I will wrap up the events here as best I can and head out. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity, my King."

"Good. Don't let me down, and I will have a file sent to you going over all the important details and the three people I need you to ensure don't die."

"It is unlike you to be this invested in an event, but I will not let you down, my King."

"Good," the Demon King stated before the transmission cut off, leaving Jalen alone in the room with his thoughts.

"Well, things are definitely about to get fun," he stated out loud, as the fur and his eyes returned to their original state.

"For now, the best I can do is prepare Alfred for his endless challenges."

Standing up fully, Jalen placed the cube back in the box. It swirled and locked back into place, returning to its original blackened state. "Well, all I can do right now is focus on Alfred and his family."

"The blight is a nasty issue to deal with. I wonder if he will be able to handle it fully when winter comes. Perhaps I can lead him to find some allies with a strong magic affinity against diseases." Jalen mused to himself.

Pulling on the handle, he headed out of the room, stating, "Well, time to get to it."