Extra's Death: I Am the Son of Hades

Chapter 689: Julie de Beaufort

“They have the support of Forgotten Suns. If things get bad, they can call for reinforcements.”

Nyxtharion’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You know Layla and the others don’t like the Forgotten Suns. They won’t ask for help until the very last moment.”

Jack didn’t answer immediately. He gave a half-shrug, flagging down a passing server.

“A drink,” he said, before leaning back again.

While the drink was being prepared, he found Nyxtharion still watching him.

“What do you want me to do then?” Jack asked. “Last time I barely escaped from Earth. I’m not going back there. It will be just another fight with her.”

“Jack—”

“I’m not going back, Nyxtharion.”

The dragon’s tone dropped slightly. “Amelia knows your history with Layla. She wouldn’t have contacted you unless it was urgent.”

“…”

“Jack, you should return.”

Jack took the drink when it arrived and stared into the glass for a long moment.

He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t repeat his refusal either.

…

Morrigan’s POV

Planet Olyndra

The streets were crowded, though the faces were all human.

Still, this wasn’t Earth.

The people here were of a different branch of humanity. Their mannerisms and style were distinct from what she had grown up around in this life.

Morrigan walked beside Percival, both of them keeping a steady pace.

Their boots tapped against the street as they passed small market stalls and rows of weathered buildings.

“Is Julie really here?” Morrigan asked without turning her head.

“She should be,” Percival said. “But honestly… tracking her is never straightforward. We’ve been at this for fifteen thousand years, Morrigan. I wouldn’t be surprised if we failed again—”

He stopped talking when her sharp look cut his words short.

He gave a faint, bitter chuckle instead.

They eventually reached the shoreline.

Waves rolled against the pale sand, and gull-like birds circled above.

Somewhere ahead, their target—Julie de Beaufort—was supposed to be.

Morrigan suddenly stiffened.

She caught Percival’s arm and spoke in a low voice. “Don’t move.”

“What do you—”

He stopped when a man walked past them.

Percival only caught him from the corner of his eye, but the moment he did, every muscle in his body locked up.

His breathing stilled on instinct.

Morrigan was the same.

She remained frozen, and unmoving.

Her gaze was fixed forward as the man continued down the path.

He didn’t spare them a glance, stepping onto the beach and vanishing into the sparse crowd there.

Only when he was gone did they breathe again.

Percival turned to her. His expression was full of nervousness.

His thoughts were practically shouting in her head.

’Why is Professor Daniel here? No… is that even Professor Daniel? Just being near him—’

’It’s not him,’ Morrigan answered in his mind.

She kept her eyes on the beach where the man had gone.

’That’s Veydran. The Leader of the Eternals.’

Percival’s mental voice spiked with alarm.

’What is he doing here? He should be—’

His thought cut off. They both knew it didn’t matter where he should be. What mattered was that he was here.

Morrigan’s gaze didn’t waver.

’It seems Julie really is here after all.’

They had finally found her.

But they were late.

…

On the Beach

The afternoon sun was bright, and the air carried the faint scent of salt.

Julie lay stretched out on a lounge chair.

Her bare skin caught the light.

A wide-brimmed hat rested beside her, but she wore sunglasses instead, keeping her eyes closed as if the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Her beachwear was simple, comfortable, and paired with a faint smile that hinted at quiet contentment.

The sound of footsteps crunching lightly on the sand didn’t make her stir.

It wasn’t until a shadow passed over her face that she spoke.

“Did you bring the flavor I told you—”

She stopped mid-sentence when she opened her eyes and saw the man standing in front of her.

He was wearing a suit, a tie, and polished shoes.

He wore an easygoing smile on top of everything.

On a beach filled with shorts, swimsuits, and flip-flops, his appearance was out of place enough to draw a few curious glances.

He didn’t seem to notice or care.

Julie adjusted her sunglasses slightly, took in his face for no more than a second, and then leaned back again, closing her eyes.

Her body remained relaxed.

Veydran chuckled at the sight.

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this. I only entered this universe because of something else, and then… well, I was pleasantly surprised.”

“Is that so?” Julie’s tone was calm, and casual, as if they were speaking about the weather.

Veydran stepped to the side, standing near her lounge chair but turning his gaze toward the sea.

The water stretched endlessly toward the horizon.

The waves broke softly in the distance.

“Fate is quite a thing, isn’t it?” he said. “We haven’t been able to track you down no matter how hard we tried. And now, without even looking for you, I find you here.”

“Fate has always been fickle,” Julie said.

He laughed. “That, I do agree with”

There was a pause before his smile settled back into place.

“Julie, since we’ve now met, you should know you can’t run again. Tell me where the child is, and I might let you go.”

She remained relaxed.

“Why are you speaking like you have the power to make me answer?”

“Because I can,” he replied without hesitation.

Her lips curved slightly. “I wonder if that’s true.”

Veydran studied her for several seconds.

Before he could speak again, another shadow joined his on the sand, falling partly across Julie’s chair.

He turned slightly to see a large man behind him.

The newcomer ignored him completely, stepping forward until he was standing beside Julie.

In his hand was a tall cup filled with something cold. The condensation trailed down the cup’s surface.

“Here,” the man said, handing it to her.

Julie opened her eyes just enough to glance at the cup. “Did you bring the flavor I asked for?”

“If it’s wrong, then try to remember the name next time. I’ve made five round trips already,” the man said with an exasperated sigh.

Julie chuckled.

She took the drink from his hand, placed the straw between her lips, and took a slow sip without moving from her reclined position.

Veydran’s gaze had shifted fully to the man now.

Then his attention went back to Julie.

“So, Ultris was with you. That explains your confidence.”

Julie took another sip, the corner of her mouth lifting just barely in response.