Novel Full Chapter 877: Surprise
Chapter 877: Surprise
The imperial cultivator fell silent.
He knew the man was right.
They had come here under direct orders to observe the ruin and ensure the safety of the imperial expedition. But the situation had already slipped beyond their control.
Even if they suspected something, they had no way to prove it. And here, surrounded by so many factions and powerful figures, the empire’s authority alone was not enough to enforce its will.
After a few moments of thought, the old man slowly reached a conclusion.
If the prince had disappeared during the collapse of the ruin, then it would be simple enough to say the ruin had claimed his life. At least for now.
Once the empire conducted its own investigation later, the truth could still be uncovered.
Having reached his decision, the imperial cultivator lifted his head again.
His expression remained firm as he looked at Princess Priscilla.
"My lady," he said calmly.
"This matter is far from over."
His voice carried clearly across the clearing.
"The disappearance of a royal prince cannot simply be ignored."
The atmosphere tightened slightly.
But the imperial cultivator continued.
"However, the collapse of the realm has created an abnormal situation."
His gaze swept across the gathered factions once more.
"For now, we will withdraw."
A faint ripple passed through the clearing.
The imperial cultivator’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"But understand this."
"The empire will investigate this matter."
His voice became colder.
"And if it is discovered that someone here knows more than they have revealed..."
The pressure around him rose briefly.
"The consequences will not be light."
With those final words, he gave Princess Priscilla a brief nod.
Then he turned and began ascending back into the sky, signaling the imperial group to prepare to leave.
Everyone watched as the imperial group rose into the sky and slowly departed from the clearing.
Only after their figures disappeared into the distance did a faint wave of relief spread through the gathered factions.
No one spoke about it openly, but the pressure that had filled the clearing moments ago had been suffocating.
Even so, everyone present understood that this matter was far from over.
The empire had withdrawn for now, but the disappearance of a royal prince would not simply be forgotten.
Still, that was a problem for the future.
For the moment, most people were simply glad to have survived the ordeal.
High above the clearing, Princess Priscilla watched the imperial group disappear before finally relaxing slightly.
Then she turned her attention toward the Lionheart delegation.
"Although the realm closed earlier than expected," she said calmly, "the flying ship had also arrived earlier."
Her voice carried clearly across the clearing.
"Everyone prepare to leave immediately."
Several elders nodded.
The ruin had already collapsed and the situation had become far too complicated. Remaining here served no purpose.
Below, the participants slowly began gathering with their respective factions as preparations to depart began.
On the ground, Arianne turned toward Michael.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Sir Mic," she said softly. "Let’s move."
Michael returned the smile.
"Alright."
They began walking together through the clearing.
However, after only a few steps, Arianne suddenly stopped.
Michael had barely turned his head when she suddenly stepped forward.
Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him in a quick, tight hug.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The words were soft but sincere.
Then, before Michael could even respond, she quickly pulled away.
A faint blush appeared on her face as she turned and hurried off toward the Lionheart group.
Michael stood there for a moment, slightly confused.
He watched her retreating figure as she disappeared into the crowd.
After a moment, the confusion on his face faded.
A thoughtful expression slowly replaced it as he continued walking across the clearing.
Meanwhile, in the real world back in the academy’s secret realm, a youth could be seen seated cross-legged in a dark room.
A few seconds later, in the silence, a pair of green eyes opened.
Michael clapped his hands and light immediately filled the room.
A wary smile appeared on his face.
Michael would not consider himself the smartest person. But he was not stupid either.
If even at this point he could not understand the atmosphere between himself and Arianne, then his entire generation might as well die with him.
The signs had been obvious for a long time.
Her attitude. Her tone. The words she used.
And now this.
Michael slowly exhaled.
Only now did he truly acknowledge something he had been quietly avoiding.
His feelings.
It was not that he disliked Arianne. Quite the opposite. Though the feeling was not very intense and remained mostly on the surface.
But perhaps because she existed in what he subconsciously viewed as another world, he had never taken those feelings seriously.
For an Awakener like him, this place functioned almost like a game.
A battlefield where he fought monsters, gained power, and continued growing stronger.
Everything here felt temporary.
No. Maybe unreal.
Even the people around him sometimes felt like characters he had little connection with. People he simply happened to meet along the way.
Because of that, he had never allowed himself to think too deeply about things like relationships.
But now that line felt a little less clear.
It was not only because of Arianne.
There was Uga, Renn, and even the two troublesome youths back at his domain.
Michael shook his head slightly and continued walking.
Meanwhile, in another part of Aurora, inside another academy secret realm, a youth could be seen shouting in the middle of a desert.
"Fuck you! Fuck you, bastard! Fuck you!"
Around him, several other students looked at him strangely.
"He’s been like that for a while now. What happened to him?"
"How would I know? I’m not his friend."
"Maybe heartbreak?"
"What kind of heartbreak makes you scream like that?"
Suddenly everyone stopped talking when they saw another youth making his way toward the screaming student.
"Hey, would you shut up already? It’s one thing for you to scream for five minutes straight, but doing it again every five minutes like it’s some kind of cooldown skill is crazy. Do you want to die? This is a simulated space for training, not a place to scream."
Surprisingly, the screaming student did not defend himself.
If Michael were here, he would recognize them.
The one who had just spoken was Brian, his former classmate.
And the other was the Awakener he had just killed in the Land of Origin.