When Kyran abruptly stopped the hunt, the transportation array on the platform outside the Tower of the Ancients, designed to return each clan representative to their respective portals, failed to activate. While this would have been a predicament for most, Kyran's innate magic and Array Knowledge allowed him to fashion a new transportation array in an instant.
His swift action also became instrumental in accomplishing his objective in a timely manner. Even so, it still took a whole day to send back every clan representative and destroy their portals.
The creation of the new transportation array also played a crucial role in their group reaching the portal leading back to the Dragon plane as soon as Kyran completed his task. Because their portal was located in another floating fortress several hundred kilometers from the platform, it would have taken them a week to reach it if they had traveled by normal means.
"The arrangement of your transportation array looks different from the ones we know of," Leif could not help but voice her fascination. She was not an Array Saint, but her Array Knowledge was quite good.
Leif was fascinated with Kyran's transportation array because of its seemingly inexhaustible magic energy reserves, allowing one to travel back and forth without exhausting or overheating the formation.
"Apart from that, you've been using it for more than a day and yet it is still functioning well."
"Aren't transportation arrays supposed to be like that?" Kyran wondered out loud, finding Leif's remark somewhat odd.
"That's right," Auto-one also voiced his opinion. "There is nothing wrong with Master's array."
Leif rolled her eyes at them and said, "You and your unconventional thinking. I should not have said anything in front of you."
She could understand why Auto-one would think that way because he was created by the Ancients, a clan who gave birth to several branches of Magic, including Array. It was not wrong to think that he inherited most of the knowledge of the Ancients.
But Kyran was different. Leif had yet to uncover everything about his background and origin, but one thing she was sure of was that he possessed an Ancient Magic Core that the Ancients had created. She could not judge if his Magic knowledge were on the level of the Ancients, but so far, she found the things he did to be unconventional.
"I actually agree with you as well, Lady Leif," Ladon agreed. "Except, transportation array like this is only possible if one knows how to use Void runes."
"Well... you're right," Leif nodded. The array Kyran created included unfamiliar dark purple runes that they guessed were Void runes.
"Stop wasting time and get in," Kyran told them in exasperation.
Did they think the transportation array was truly inexhaustible?
The only reason the array's magic energy reserves appeared limitless was because Kyran was the one supplying it. He did not have a problem replenishing his magic energy because of the thick magic energy in that space. But maintaining the array and ensuring all of them would not be nauseous when being transported by it was mentally draining and physically exhausting.
And this was already considering his body was comparable to a young dragon.
It would have been easier if Kyran could warp them to the Dragon Clan's portal. But it was impossible to do because he had not been there specifically, and the coordinates he received from Kairos did not work when he used it as a reference to teleport. Apparently, the coordinates only worked in an Array Formation.
"He is right," Cyneah immediately agreed after sensing Thorn about to snap at Kyran. She knew better than anyone how exhausted Kyran was. He would stubbornly dismiss it, but he could not lie to her. At least, he could never lie to her senses. "Let's go back."
"Lady Leif..."
The other Ogen representatives, whom Kyran also decided to keep by his side, all looked at Leif apprehensively. In a sense, they were glad Kyran did not kill them like how he did with the other clan representatives. But being a hostage or even a deadweight for Lady Leif did not sit well for them.
Leif looked at them and smiled, "It's alright. As long as we follow his arrangements, we can go back."
"But..."
In the end, Maren was the first one to step into the array without saying anything else. Leif inwardly smiled at Maren's unwavering resolve and complete confidence in her decision. Once they returned to Ogen, she vowed to give her an appropriate reward.
Seeing Maren's action, Cove and Irving had no choice but to follow suit.
Leif followed after them and then Aki and Auto-one, and then Ladon and Thorn.
When it was only Cyneah and Kyran, she stopped at the edge of the transportation array before saying, "You did not have to exhaust yourself, you know. I can always help ease your fatigue."
Kyran smiled wryly at Cyneah's words. It was so like her to be worried about his wellbeing after all this time. Before he could assure her he could still manage, she faced him and, while blushing furiously, tiptoed and tried to kiss him.
She tried because her sneak attack failed miserably, with her miss missing her mark and only managing to kiss his chin.
"Ha... right. I should not have bothered asking."
"You don't have to worry, Lady Leif. The Dragon Emperor is actually very kind and understanding," Cyneah assured her with a smile.
"You are a guest of honor of some sort. At least based on my understanding. It is natural for the Dragon Emperor to show some respect to his guests. But we are not his guests. We... well...
what exactly is your relationship with the Dragon Clan anyway?" Leif suddenly directed her question at Kyran.
"Good question."
"Oi!"
Kyran sighed exasperatedly and said, "It's complicated. I suppose there are families like that."
"What are you even saying..." Leif's voice trailed off as the implication of his words sank in. "F-Family?"
"I thought that's already obvious."
"It's not!"
"I'm pretty sure you've heard me and Aki talking earlier."
"I have, but most of the things you said sounds foreign to me!"
"...I see."
"You see?" Leif was almost hysterical.
In a way, she did have an inkling about their connection but dismissed it because she found it absurd. She might also have been looking too deeply into their conversation, misinterpreting some of the things they were saying.
To think that her suspicion was right all along!
[Master, the Dragon Emperor, allowed your passage.]
'The Dragon Emperor is there?'
[Yes. And Lady Ames, too.]
Kyran groaned inwardly. He knew he had to meet the Dragon Emperor eventually, but to meet him too soon was a little... He had heard how fond the latter was of the previous Dragon Lord and did not know what he thought about him becoming his successor.
"They approved our passage," Kyran told the others. "Let's go."
This time, Kyran decided to lead the group. It was not right to let Leif and her people go first in this situation, after all. Besides, he could act as Cyneah's escort.
Leif and the rest of the Ogen representatives exchanged nervous glances. Just as Lady Leif had said, they would not be meeting just anyone but the Dragon Emperor. In terms of ranking, he was far superior to Overlord Oceanus.
"I hope we keep our heads at least...."
Kyran heard Cove mutter as he entered the portal with Cyneah.
The moment the scene before them cleared, Kyran saw a huge and handsome man with long silver hair and glowing silver-gold eyes, wearing intricately designed silver armor.
He looked not much older than Ames, but he had the air of someone with great authority.
As the man's eyes fixed themselves on Kyran, his first words almost sent chills down the younger man's spine.
"So you've finally decided to show up, you b*stard."