Chapter 2947 Changing Plans (Part 1)

Chapter 2947 Changing Plans (Part 1)

Luckily, after getting rid of Thaymos and the destruction of the Black Tide, there had been just a few skirmishes that required Orion's direct intervention. As long as he didn't use magic, the pain disappeared and his mana core reverted to its dormant state.

"Are you sure that you don't want us to stay and keep you company, Dad?" Friya asked before leaving the quarantine room in Valeron.

She and Quylla were free to go after a routine check-up thanks to darkness fusion cleansing their system from any lingering pathogens whereas Orion was just a fake mage. At least on paper.

"I'm sure, my Little Rainbow." He caressed her hair covered in seven elemental streaks that she no longer needed to hide from the world. "Go to your mother. She's been alone for all this time and I'm worried sick about her."

"Because she's pregnant, moody, and someone could take advantage of her state?" Quylla asked.

"No, because she's pregnant, moody, and there's no one to keep her temper under control." Orion replied. "Just because your mother doesn't show emotions it doesn't mean she has none. She's just that good at keeping them under control."

"Are you telling me that under her hardened shell Mom's actually a softie?" Friya said in joy.

"Are you listening to me?" Orion pinched his nose in frustration. "I'm talking about the kind of emotions that make your mother great at her job and difficult to find an open spot in the graveyards of the Ernas region."

"Come on, Dad. It can't be that bad." Quylla replied. "It's not Mom's first rodeo and there are Tulion and Gunyin by her side."

"Indeed, but there's also Morok." That was enough to make Quylla turn pale.

The Tyrant's brashness was well known and any indelicate mention of the fate that had befallen Phloria might have turned Quylla into a widow.

"Don't worry about me and go." Orion pointed them to the door.

"We'll call you as soon as we get home." Friya and Quylla left the room in a rush.

Vastor waited for them to go past the security checkpoint outside the quarantine zone before sealing the door and making sure that no one would disturb them.

He was wearing a Life Ward plague doctor mask. It generated a hard-light construct that covered him like a second skin and kept any dangerous substance out. The darkness magic of the beak flooded the air before he breathed it, turning every substance it carried into inert dust.

"I heard you went through a lot in Jiera. How are you feeling?" The Master chanted all the routine spells, making small talk while also establishing a mind link to start the real conversation.

'Because if I'm right, we have found a way to make your body refinement match your mana core.' Vastor replied.

'Are you telling me that I can Awaken?'

'No. at least not right now.' Vastor said. 'Yet by using a Blade Spell to stimulate your core and then using your counterflow technique to suppress it, your body should gradually get accustomed to high-pressure mana.

'On top of that, by adjusting the size and position of your impurities as your body refinement improves, you should have a concrete chance to survive your Awakening.'

'Let's say you are right. How long would it take?' Orion asked.

'If we want to make sure, a year. Maybe more.'

'I don't have a year! Please, you have to find a way to speed things up.'

Vastor was taken aback, checking Orion's life force just to discover that he was a healthy man with at least 50 more years of good health left.

'What are you talking about? What's the rush? I thought you wanted to Awaken only to live as long as your wife.'

'That was before. Now I need to Awaken to defend my wife and I've only got a few months left.' Orion didn't trust Vastor and his many secrets much, but with the term of Jirni's pregnancy approaching, he preferred to dirty his conscience if it meant keeping her alive.

As Vastor performed the check-up, Orion told him the truth about House Myrok and Gernoff.

***

Ernas Arch Duchy, a few minutes later.

The moment the Royal Guard inputted the coordinates of the Ernas Mansion and the Gate opened, Quylla and Friya took their first sigh in relief. The second came after they stepped through the dimensional corridor and the house staff greeted them instead of offering them their condolences.

"Welcome back, Lady Quylla. Welcome back, Lady Friya. I've read many great things about you two on the interlink." Deiter, the old family butler, gave them a deep bow. "Thanks to you, the name Ernas is once again spoken throughout the Kingdom with the respect it deserves."

"Thank you." Quylla nodded. "Where is our mother?"