Chapter 139: A Blink of an Eye III

When Killian finished his explanation, Regis already felt a wave of headache.

However, when he heard Pandora’s exclamation and discovered the reason behind it, he felt like just wreaking havoc with his demon form.

’Well, let’s not do that– no, maybe I’ll use it as a last resort...’

Fortunately, Regis was able to remain rational despite the seemingly endless headaches.

The first reason was the high chance of conflict between them and the Ashen Axe Corps.

Unlike official parties, corporations were on another level as it comprised at least five parties.

It also wasn’t hard to investigate them as it was common knowledge that the Ashen Axe Corps were supported by the Ploro Family.

With the fall of both the Orpheus and Gladius families, the Ploro Family was the highest noble power in Corelli Fortress.

However, what made Regis dislike the Ashen Axe Corps was their arrogance.

They acted like everything must go their way without any care in the world.

’I remember one of the fairytales I read where every character shouts ’courting death’ at the slightest disrespect...’

The second reason, however, was the fact that the name of their official party was...

...not quite good.

As Regis finished reading the document, he couldn’t help but look at Killian, who still had his head lowered.

"Killian, we can still do something about this, right? We can still change our name, right?"

"It’s not that it’s impossible..."

"Speak louder, idiot." Pandora lashed out, not being able to believe what was happening.

Killian closed his eyes tightly, "I said that it’s not impossible..."

He peeked a little and saw his companions’ serious expressions, making him gulp as he continued, "...we can change our name if we develop our party into a corporation."

Pat—

Regis couldn’t help but facepalm as he didn’t know how to react.

Feeling another thing inside the envelope, he reached inside and was able to get a gray card with an insignia in it.

The insignia consisted of a white, brush-like drawing of a tea cup with a black dagger impaling it.

"What’s this?" Regis asked with a tired expression.

Killian raised his head a little, "Oh, that’s our Official Party Card... it acts as a communication device between us and the Adventurer Guild."

"Oho?" Regis became a little intrigued, "How can we use this?"

As if trying to make up for his mistakes, Killian excitedly explained, "It’s a new technology developed with the collaboration from the dwarves. A mage needs to insert their mana in the card..."

As he spoke, Pandora took the card and injected her mana just like what he had said.

WUNG—

It was at that moment where a system interface instantly showed up like a hologram coming from the card.

It didn’t have many details as it only shows if there were any quests that were currently undertaken by the group.

[Decadence Tea Party

Current Quests: None]

"I must say, this is quite impressive..."

Hearing Pandora’s praise, Killian couldn’t help but feel a little relieved.

"...if it only weren’t for that shitty name. Seriously, what were you even thinking!?"

However, her next words made all of Killian’s relief dissipate.

At this moment, Regis intervened, "What’s done is done. We just need to make do with it, so stop fighting, okay?"

"Okay, Brother." Pandora answered with a pout while Killian looked at him as if he was looking at his savior.

In the next second, Regis glared at him, "Make sure that this won’t happen again."

"Yes, Boss!"

"Hmph, if you ever get honey trapped again, I’ll personally cut that little worm of yours."

As Pandora made a spiteful remark with an emotionless face, both Regis and Killian flinched as they both closed their legs.

Killian’s expression was just like that of a prisoner who had been pardoned from a life sentence.

After a few moments, Pandora asked, "But Brother, what are we going to do?"

"I’m still thinking about it... we shouldn’t be swayed by external forces. Instead, we need to get them to follow our rhythm."

Regis answered with his chin propped on his hand.

Killian also made a suggestion, "What if we aggressively take quests, so that we can develop our party faster."

"Although I don’t want to agree to this idiot, I think what he said makes sense."

Pandora spoke with a disgusted expression on her face, "Since we’ve already antagonized them, we should just make the best of it."

Regis nodded, "What the two of you are saying makes sense, but..."

"... aren’t you tired?"

Confused by his words, Pandora and Killian tilted their heads.

"What?"

A small smile found its way onto Regis’s lips as he spoke, "It’s just what you heard. We’ll take this chance to lay low for a while."

"After all, we just finished a quest and what welcomed us is dizzying politics?"

Regis further continued, "Besides, I’m sure that those fuckers are also expecting us to do what the both of you thought."

Hearing his words, Pandora and Killian glanced at each other with wide eyes.

’He cursed...!!!’

Although it wasn’t strange for Regis to curse, he normally did it as a joke or as an expression.

However, right now, his curse had a certain malice to it that made the two feel goosebumps.

Oblivious to what they were feeling, Regis looked at them with a smile, "We’ll stay out of the spotlight for a few months and just train inside the mansion."

Although they had some reservations, Pandora and Killian agreed without a second thought.

’He’s smiling like a villain...!’ Despite their thoughts, it was a testament of how deep their trust towards Regis was.

After all, the numerous adventures that they had were enough for them to see how capable he really was.

***

Three months later...

A bald man with a face filled with scars had just finished reading a few documents.

He then raised his head to look at the servant in front of him, "What’s the meaning of this? Are you trying to tell me that they just holed up inside the mansion without taking even a single quest?"

"W-Well, it is what the spies have reported. Besides, spying in the mansion of the Gladius Family is too dangerous..."

The servant stuttered as he sensed the dissatisfaction of the Ploro Family Patriarch.

"Haaa..."

Baran couldn’t help but lean on his chair while breathing a deep sigh.

’Just what the hell are they thinking? I have purposely set the spotlight for them. I even used a honey trap on that useless hedonistic successor of the Gladius Family...’

That was right, the Maryutorry Party that seemed to have no connection with the Ashen Axe Corpse was also under him.

Baran’s plan was quite straightforward.

Simply put, his plan was to urge the group of Regis to take an aggressive route in the development of their party.

This would, in turn, lead to them antagonizing many of the existing parties in the fortress.

Then, when all went according to his plan, Regis and company would inevitably face a deadend as the hatred of the other parties accumulated.

It was at this time where Baran would appear, being the salvation of Regis and his group which would also make them at least feel somewhat loyal to him.

In short, he would create a problem for them that only he could resolve, thus gaining their trust.

’I didn’t expect my plan to work smoothly. I also didn’t expect that they would be completely loyal to me...’

’...but for my plan to not have any effect at all...’ Baran felt helpless.

After all, he also understood his servant’s worry as he knew that the secret force of the Gladius Family was currently roaming around the mansion.

Although he didn’t really view them as a threat, the losses he would sustain from the confrontation would not be worth it.

***

Meanwhile, back in the Gladius Mansion at present...

"Okay, now I have some time alone again..."

Regis muttered under his breath as he smiled in a carefree manner.

Of course, the reasoning he said to Pandora and Killian earlier were true.

However, his main reason was the fact that he needed to train in solitude in order to discover more about his abilities.

"This year has been a phase of rapid growth for all of us..."

It was a given that both Pandora and Killian would also grow to some extent in the past year.

Firstly, Killian was able to grow from being the Early Stage in the One Star Realm, to the Late Stage of the same realm.

Secondly, Pandora was able to grow from the Middle Stage of the One Star Realm, to the Late Stage.

Lastly, Regis was able to improve both his aura and mana stars.

In the path of aura, from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage of the One Star Realm.

In the path of mana, he could feel that he was close to breaking through to the Middle Stage of the One Star Realm.

Their progress was by no means slow.

The main reason that held back the development of their stars was because they also practiced some aura arts and magic spells that contributed to their strength.

If the aura and mana stars decide the raw power and quantity of their energy, then the aura arts and magic spells decide the variety of ways they could utilize said energy.

Of course, if they didn’t need to train their energy techniques, then they would be able to reach a further realm in their paths.