Chapter 1328 Task Done

Michael's mood improved slightly.

With his mind already made up, Michael decided not to waste any more time. There were several matters he needed to handle.

However, before leaving, he took one last look in Lily's direction. The Ancient Giant was still recovering from her recent evolution, but everything appeared to be proceeding smoothly. Her aura had stabilized, and Michael couldn't detect anything unusual through their connection.

Seeing this, he felt reassured.

With a thought, Michael disappeared from his location.

When he reappeared, he was standing on the familiar platform of his substation. A moment later, another figure appeared beside him.

It was Jester.

The undead looked around with obvious curiosity, his gaze moving from the platform beneath his feet to the surrounding environment. This wasn't the first time he had been here, but compared to last time, there were many more changes around. For one, this place was much livelier.

Michael didn't bother giving Jester much time to admire the surroundings.

"Alright, I'll send you to Lily's territory now."

Jester turned toward him.

Michael paused briefly before adding,

"Also, if you happen to meet Arianne, Ace and Lia, make sure you greet them for me. Of course, greet Lily for me too."

It was a simple instruction. At least, Michael thought so.

However, the moment Jester heard it, something about his expression changed. The undead's lips slowly curved into a smile. It wasn't his usual smile either. There was something strangely mysterious about it.

"Of course, Master."

Jester nodded.

"I'll make sure to greet her properly."

For some reason, he placed a little more emphasis on the word greet than necessary.

"..."

Michael stared at him.

What was that supposed to mean? Michael suddenly felt uncomfortable.

After staring at Jester for another moment, Michael finally couldn't help himself.

"Stop smiling like that."

Michael frowned.

"It's disgusting. Don't do it again."

"..."

This time, it was Jester's turn to be stunned.

"Master, I..."

Unfortunately, he never got the opportunity to finish speaking. Before another word could leave his mouth, his figure vanished from the platform.

Michael had already activated the teleportation. In the blink of an eye, Jester was gone, leaving Michael standing alone.

"..."

Michael stared at the empty spot where his undead had been standing. Then he shook his head.

What a troublesome fellow.

Still, despite his complaints, there was a faint trace of amusement in his expression. Whatever Jester was planning, Michael hoped he would behave himself. After all, he was sending him out to pursue an opportunity, not to cause trouble.

Although, considering that it was Jester...

Michael suddenly wasn't so confident about that last part.

The last time he gave Jester freedom and the reins to do something for him, the undead had massacred a lot of people. Granted, it did help him gain better control over his empire and those people also courted death, but it also showed Jester's nature.

Shaking his head, Michael could only hope that Jester would find whatever he was looking for. Strangely enough, he also felt a little anxious.

It was an unfamiliar feeling. He felt like a father sending off his child to school in a faraway land.

After dismissing the matter from his mind, Michael turned his attention to the remaining affairs within the Origin Battlefield. He spent some time communicating with the people responsible for managing the territory, reviewing their reports, and giving instructions concerning matters that required his approval.

Seeing that everything was proceeding normally, Michael's figure disappeared from the Origin Battlefield with a thought and returned to the Mausoleum of Endless Dominion.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Zeroth Layer of the Origin Battlefield.

A figure suddenly appeared in a vast stretch of wilderness. The environment was peaceful, with the occasional cries of birds coming from the nearby trees.

"So this is the Zeroth Layer."

Jester's expression carried a trace of curiosity. He had learned quite a bit about the Origin Battlefield through Michael and Lily whenever they were free to visit.

Jester lowered his gaze toward his hands.

He could feel it. His power had been suppressed.

Not merely a portion of it either. The overwhelming strength he ordinarily possessed had been reduced to a level that was almost laughable compared to his true capabilities.

Jester flexed his fingers experimentally. He attempted to circulate some of his power.

The result was exactly as he expected. Most of it remained inaccessible. Even his Law seemed to have vanished.

It caused no small feeling of discomfort, making Jester feel a rare trace of vulnerability.

Just as Jester was considering where to begin, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"Hey! You there!"

Jester turned his head.

A short distance away, an Awakener was approaching him. It was Bok, who appeared to be patrolling the surrounding area. He had noticed Jester's sudden appearance and was naturally curious, especially since this person had a very familiar appearance, making him suspicious.

After all, this wasn't somewhere strangers usually appeared without warning.

"Who are..."

Bok opened his mouth, intending to question him. However, before he could finish speaking, his eyes suddenly turned blank.

The words he had been about to say disappeared, and his footsteps came to an abrupt halt. For a moment, he simply stood there, staring at Jester without any expression.

Jester watched him calmly. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Seems like only higher powers beyond unranked awakeners are sealed. Racial abilities only seem to be severely suppressed but still work fine."

Jester approached Bok, who remained standing motionless with his eyes completely blank.

"Forget what you just saw," Jester said softly, adding, "You didn't see anyone appear here, and you didn't speak to anyone."

As the words left Jester's mouth, a faint fluctuation passed through Bok's eyes before disappearing. Without waiting for a response, Jester walked past Bok and continued toward the inhabited area ahead.

Several seconds after Jester had passed him, Bok blinked.

"Huh?"

He looked around in confusion. For some reason, he had the strange feeling that he had been about to do something important. However, no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't remember what it was.

He scratched his head.

"Strange."

After standing there for a few more moments, Bok eventually dismissed the matter and resumed his patrol. As far as he was concerned, nothing unusual had happened.

Meanwhile, Jester had already entered Lily's territory.

Compared to the wilderness outside, the place was considerably livelier. Naturally, Jester's appearance attracted some attention. However, the attention never lasted. Whenever someone noticed him, the same strange phenomenon that happened to Bok occurred.

It wasn't that Jester had malice toward these people. He just felt it was fun to test his limits in the Zeroth Layer while avoiding unnecessary trouble. After all, he carried Michael's appearance on his face.

In any case, he just needed to greet who had to be greeted and get along with his business.

Soon, Jester left Lily's territory, rushing off in a particular direction.

Aside from Arianne, Ace, and Lia, who now possessed new memories of having a brief conversation with Jester, no one else in the territory could remember his presence or was even aware of his existence.

*

A/N: Forgive the author for bragging too much, forgetting he's only human irl.