Chapter 435

There really doesn’t seem to be any way that Cain can get Misha back without becoming powerful enough to go to that other world and get her. But just as importantly, the feminine voice said that disaster was coming for this world, and the world itself was unlikely to survive at its current power level.

Cain isn’t sure what that means, but there are a lot of possibilities, given the little bit that he knows about this world’s history, and none of them are at all good for him. Especially if it’s the human Gods or someone else at that sort of level that is returning. The ley line device in the Ancient City said that the planet is currently below ten percent of what it took the Ancients to even fight to a stalemate last time before those who could flee did, and the rest were annihilated.

This says to him that he needs to start working not only on his own power level, but that of his friends, and the world itself. The obvious first option is to go visit the ruins again and see what he can learn from the Ley Line device. It’s been over a thousand years since the point in time that the quest sent him to, so there is a good chance that the lines might have recovered somewhat.

Of course, there is the possibility that the Great War set everything back again with the creation of the System and the spell that created the dungeons. The System seems to be self-sustaining, possibly powered by the Laughing God, but the Dungeons appear to be running off the energy of the Ley Lines to sustain themselves. That might be helping draw mana to the lines, but it might also be slowly bleeding them dry, there really is no way to tell unless he can do a full set of tests on one.

That’s hard to focus on though, Cain is simply too enraged at the audacity of stealing his family, no matter what they said their intentions were. Who are they to say that their location is better for children to grow up in? The Companions can all sense his growing rage, but it is Moana, the newest addition to his group that moves first to help calm him down.

“They would never hurt a member of the collective, it is the greatest sin to the Ancients. If they said they will protect the children they will, down to the very last of their species. That’s just how they are, I don’t even think they are capable of lying. It certainly hasn’t ever occurred to them to try, they much prefer horrifying people with the honest truth.”

That shouldn’t be reassuring but somehow it is. They said they would keep the children safe, and that this world was in danger because it was too weak, so he will take that as the truth for now. They also said that he just needed to gain the power to ascend, whatever that means so that he could be reunited with them. Gaining power is Cain’s forte. He might not be able to do much from here in the Central Continent, but he shouldn’t have much trouble in the South. 

The locals talked with fear about a place called Spirit Woods. To Cain that suggests spirit awakened fighters and Spirit Beasts. Even if they take 99 percent less damage from him, he should still be able to take them out one at a time, and it is bound to give him a decent amount of experience. There’s also the crazed to deal with. They are all over the awakened zones, so he can send the Echoes hunting for them all day every day until they no longer exist. And then they can do it again in the morning when they spawn again.

The Guild Members have heard of the incident now after a few members saw Cyrene heavily injured and discretely listening in on the conversation and incident in Cain’s bedroom. In her position as Guild Officer and organizer of events, she has become much like a mother figure to many of the transfers, and the loss of her is a severe blow to them. 

They don’t know the full details, only that someone dared to abduct her from her own home, and that is a direct insult not only to the Guild but all that they stand for. They have been working so hard to get everyone to like and accept the Darklight Host, who would actually do such a thing to them?

The question goes through the whole of the Guild over the course of the afternoon while Cain is working on a plan to increase his strength.

Cain’s presence is inspiring them to do better, thinking that they missed something important that led to the incident. But a large part of the feeling of strength and inspiration is Cain’s presence on the Central Continent. Accessories don’t have a stated range limit, but moving between continents put him out of range of the Guild while he was in the South. But now that he’s back the [Regalia of the Beloved Leader] is affecting the entire guild, stacking a large amount of bonus stats on every single member, as well as many of the unguilded followers who are working for them.

The tension of the members is obvious to everyone who talks to them that day, and most don’t make a secret of the fact that someone attacked their Guild Headquarters, though they don’t divulge any details to outsiders.

It doesn’t take long until the news makes it back to the Capital of Landis, where Carlos is at the fairgrounds with his daughter. He obviously knows at least the basics of what went on, but the rumor is that someone has assembled a force in an attempt to wipe out the Guild that has set up all the hospitals and the Dungeon escort services for the commoners. In a nation that is still on edge from a rebellion, the news is almost enough to start witch hunts against anyone who has openly spoken against the Guild in the past.

It might not be their center of power, but the public outreach work that they have been doing has made the Guild the heroes of the commoners in the nation. Carlos watches them looking suspiciously at those who have been against the guild and sees a familiar glint in their eyes, the dedication of a religious zealot whose faith was insulted.

“I will have to go to Skyview and talk to the Guildmaster tomorrow. If this keeps up, things are going to get out of hand.” Carlos tells his daughter who nods her agreement.

“Would it really be that bad though? It’s just one Guild.” She asks, confused.

“Something else has changed. There are locals without systems challenging the low-level dungeons and succeeding without any skills. They are telling people that their faith in Cain has given them a bonus to their abilities as strong as a level ten transfer. Until I know what is actually going on, it’s better if someone tries to keep the people from going hunting for whoever attacked Misha.” Carlos explains and his daughter sighs.

“May the Gods help them. Of all the stupid things they could have done, they enraged Cain and injured his pregnant wife.” She responds, shaking her head and a number of bystanders turn her way, not having heard the full details. But since it is coming from an actual Guild Officer and his daughter it should be true.

Back at the Manor in Long Fang Valley, things had already switched from somber to lively though. The locals decided that the best way to break the mood was to hold a welcome home festival for their Duke, a tradition that many regions maintained when their liege lord had been away for an extended time.

“So, are we going out to say hello? Everyone has gathered in the city to welcome you back.” Cyrene asked Cain, wrapping herself around his waist after he switched back to a human appearance.

“It should help calm them down. I can see how the rumors have spread through the Guild Chat logs. It’s good to feel wanted.” Cain gives a strained smile, patting the Lamia’s head.

“Plus, it’s all-new food to Moana.” Laura points out, indicating the spot where the Leviathan was staring out the window at the tables that were being set up in the city center.

“I like how your people celebrate your return, boss. Putting out a huge feast shows just how much they appreciate you.” Moana nods happily, not taking her eyes off the tables. Cain isn’t sure if the rumors in his past life about Leviathan appetites are true, since Moana has been eating fairly regular meals so far, but she does look at the buffet the way most people look at their lovers.

“Alright, let’s go make an appearance. All of us together, to show that we are unified and that the locals aren’t in any danger from what happened in the manor. Just keep the details to yourself and things should blow over.” Cain decides, getting ready to go socialize when all he really wants to do is smash something.