Chapter 127 - He’ll Be Alright
The Bounty Hunters hesitated after listening to the player before watching the person leave without further explanation.
"What should we do, Boss? Should we risk it?" A Bounty Hunter asked.
"Well... Yeah, why not?" The Bounty Hunter Leader nodded before saying, "This is the first time we've seen such a red name."
"Although the person might be very strong and bounty says zero, this might not necessarily be true. At most, we will just lose some account EXP since we already banked all our loose cred—"
"Ah!" Another Bounty Hunter suddenly exclaimed, causing the leader to frown.
"What is it?"
"The person logged off..."
"..."
"..."
The group of Bounty Hunters fell silent.
...
<Disconnecting from Hunter World>
<Please wait patiently without removing the VR Dive-Helmet>
<3...>
<2...>
<1...>
Shortly after the countdown finished, darkness filled Albion's vision before he removed the VR Dive-Helmet that obstructed his sight.
Light quickly refilled his vision—only to be slightly obstructed by a huge head, or rather, a person's face looking back at Albion up close.
"What the f—!"
Peng!
Albion immediately slapped Polemos flying away on reflex, sending the person crashing into the metal wall and heavily deform it to his human shape as he was embedded into it.
Shortly after, Polemos peeled himself off the wall before speaking awkwardly, "My apologies, my Lord. I did not mean to startle you."
"There are some details about the banquet arrangements that require your opinions, but seeing as you were preoccupied in VR, I could only wait for you, my Lord."
"Does waiting require your presence so up close and personal? Nearly gave me a bloody heart attack." Albion rolled his eyes.
The last thing he needed to see after opening his eyes is an old man's wrinkly face.
Shortly after massaging his brows, Albion asked with a frown, "Speak. What is it?"
"Y-Yes, my Lord! I was wondering what would be the best time for you, my Lord? After all, it is your welcoming party."
"Anytime. It does not matter. You can decide that."
Albion furrowed his brows slightly at such a simple question before noticing the clipboard in Polemos's hand.
"What's that in your hand?"
"Oh, this?" Polemos lifted the clipboard before continuing, "Excuse my impudence, my Lord. Considering you have decided to settle down in the mortal world, I went ahead and made a simple candidate list of potential spouses for you, my Lord."
"I do not need something like this." Albion raised an eyebrow before taking the clipboard from Polemos's hand for perusal anyway.
"Oh, these ladies are not bad," Albion made a simple comment without much thought while scanning through the list of names with their photos attached.
Albion had seen more beautiful women in Dark Emperor's memories, but outer beauty was not what he was looking for in a woman.
At least, if he was to ever seriously consider a partner, a woman's character was more important. He had put up with enough crazy in his past life.
"Are they associated with us?"
"Yes, my Lord. The candidates are selected from all the top families associated with us or supporting our cause."
"It seems you have been quite active in the Asiana Continent and Sahara Continent despite being forced into outer space by the other three," Albion casually said, having seen a couple familiar faces on the list.
Suddenly, his hand froze after gazing at the list of men on the following page.
What is the meaning of this list, Polemos?" Albion asked with a darkened expression.
After Polemos took a glance, he answered honestly, "Considering my Lord has never touched a woman in all these years, I figured that perhaps, my Lord simply has no interest in women."
"Hmph! So you went ahead a made a list of men instead? Do you think I have such taste?! You even went ahead and put your own name on the list?!" Albion spouted with a dark look.
"Ahem." Polemos cleared his throat before speaking shamelessly, "As your most loyal and longest-serving subordinate, I believe there isn't anyone else more understanding of your character than I, my Lord."
"I believe I am the best candidate amongst the men if you were to look for a partner among the male candidates," Polemos stated as a matter-of-fact with an upright pose.
"Go die!" Albion's darkened expression became black completely before lifting his feet...
Peng!
Polemos was given a strong kick and went flying out the cabin before crashing some distance outside with a loud bang that shook the area.
Albion shortly walked out with a furious look before raising his leg again.
Polemos saw this and quickly cried with his hands raised in surrender, "Mercy, my Lord! It was a joke! A joke!"
"Hmph!" Albion snorted before stating, "Go fetch Wudi for me. I want him to join the space hunting early to increase his Hunter Level. His training will start after he reaches an adequate level."
"Y-Yes, my Lord!" Polemos immediately scurried to his feet and left in a hurry.
...
Sometime later, Albion began pacing back and forth with impatience before Polemos eventually showed up with Cao Wudi in his grasp.
"What took you so long?" Albion questioned.
"My Lord, Cao Wudi was not in his assigned cabin when I looked for him. I had to drag him out of hiding from the nearby vents," Polemos explained.
Albion shifted his gaze to Cao Wudi with a frown.
"Why were you hiding in the vents?"
"I-I was..."
Cao Wudi stuttered for an answer before Albion rubbed his forehead as he recalled the person's nature.
"Nevermind. Polemos, where do you gear up your men and deploy them to space hunt? Take us there."
"Yes, my Lord."
Polemos quickly agreed before leading them out of the first ring and headed over to Damocles's main body, where an entire section was dedicated to space hunting, the hunting hangar.
Numerous black space suits made of Phantasmium metal lined up neatly against the walls on the side while a steady stream of Hunters could be seen launching into space to hunt.
"Your Majesty, how can I help you?" A subordinate asked after being called over.
"Bring a battlesuit over for my junior here. He'll be joining the hunt with the others shortly." Polemos spoke calmly.
"Right away, Your Majesty!" the subordinated complied and left swiftly.
It did not take long before the subordinate returned with a black battlesuit possessing an in-built life support system.
"I will be right back with the other part, Your Majesty," the subordinate stated before leaving again shortly after helping Cao Wudi equip the battlesuit.
"Un." Polemos nodded.
Seeing the ongoing battle against space-type interdimensional creatures occurring in the distance, Cao Wudi turned to Albion and wryly said, "I've never fought in space before, Master... I don't think I can do this..."
"You have a strong battlesuit protecting you and other Hunters out there, who are ready to give their support if you ask. So, stop being a coward and just get out there already!"
Albion immediately gave Cao Wudi a sudden kick and launched the person straight out into space.
"Noooo—!" Cao Wudi immediately cried after being caught unprepared.
At the same time, Polemos was stunned by the Lord's action before hesitating to speak, "T-This..."
"Hm? You got some to say, Polemos?" Albion quickly noticed.
"Ugh, yeah... Cao Wudi's battlesuit hasn't been equipped with thrusters yet..."
"Ahh... I see…" Albion fell silent for a moment before reassuring himself, "Well, he'll be alright..."
However, his lips shortly twitched while watching Cao Wudi drift off into space in a spinning motion without any control.
"Masterrrrr—!"
Cao Wudi's distant scream trickled over before Albion quietly added, "Probably...."