Chapter 195: The Eternal Embryo

The night had grown quite late when Julian and his group left Cleenah’s residence. As agreed, they would depart without drawing anyone’s attention.

There were no guards or elders who came to see them off. In the fairly spacious courtyard, only Cleenah was waiting for them, with her cane in hand and a cheerful smile that appeared at once when she saw Julian.

"Ah, Lord Julian! You’ve finally come!"

"Good evening, Lady Cleenah. Sorry for making you wait."

"Not at all! I only just arrived myself."

Cleenah giggled softly, then looked at Monk and Lumi near Julian. The Dragon girl looked so adorable, as if Garph and Julian’s group leaving for several days were nothing that troubled her mind.

"Is everything ready? Your journey may be quite long, so don’t leave anything behind, alright?"

"Monk checked the bags twice!" Monk answered confidently.

"Wonderful! In that case, I don’t need to worry."

Lumi lifted its head when Cleenah turned to it. The little fox watched the Dragon girl carefully, but still chose to stay close to Julian rather than move away.

"You should be careful too. Don’t wander too far from the group."

"I know. I won’t go off alone to dangerous places!"

"Fufu, that’s a relief."

Julian watched how casually Cleenah spoke to them. Now that he knew her real plan, the girl’s smile felt somewhat troublesome to him.

But Julian had no intention of bringing it up now. He could only hope Cleenah truly took care of herself until the time she had calculated arrived.

"Garph, I entrust this journey to you," Cleenah said, looking at the old Dragon standing beside them. "If any Clan refuses to help, don’t force the matter. I don’t want you to get into trouble."

"I understand, Lady Cleenah. However, I also hope you won’t push yourself too hard while I’m away."

"Umm, of course! There’s still a lot of work, but I’ll take good care of it."

Garph was silent for a moment. There were probably many things he wanted to say, but in the end the old Dragon only bowed his head.

Julian had no intention of prolonging the conversation. If they kept talking, Garph might end up reconsidering the decision he had already made.

"In that case, Lady Cleenah, we’ll be leaving."

"Alright, I hope your journey goes smoothly!"

Cleenah raised her hand and waved cheerfully.

Garph then walked a little way off, giving them space before his body changed back into a great Dragon.

Monk flinched slightly as Garph’s wings spread. Lumi also pressed close to Julian’s side, even though both of them knew that the Dragon before them had no intention of hurting anyone.

"...Boss, do we climb up now?" asked Monk.

"Yes, let’s go. Garph is waiting."

"Alright...."

Monk followed him carefully. As for Lumi, it glanced at Garph’s huge body before moving closer, choosing a spot not far from Julian and Felicya.

It didn’t take long before everyone was on Garph’s back. Julian adjusted Felicya’s position in his arms, while Monk made sure she had a firm enough grip.

"Is everyone ready, Lord Julian?"

Garph’s voice came from beneath them.

"We’re ready."

"Then I will begin to fly."

The great wings moved, and before long, Garph’s body began to rise from the courtyard. Monk flattened both ears as they left the ground, while Lumi lowered its body for a moment until the motion of flight became steadier.

"Safe travels!"

From below, Cleenah was still waving her hand.

"Don’t forget to rest when you’re tired, alright!"

Julian returned the wave. The little girl’s figure slowly shrank, then disappeared along with the Qiezhuran buildings left behind them.

***

The night wind blew quite strongly, but Garph flew steadily, so Julian had no great difficulty sitting while holding Felicya.

Below them, the mountains and forests slowly changed. In some places, light could still be seen in the distance, while other parts appeared only as dark shadows stretching out amid the mist.

’...The view is still incredible.’

Julian took a moment to enjoy it.

Riding a Dragon was certainly not an experience he could have had in the human world, especially when they could see so many lands from a height like this.

Monk herself glanced down several times, though her hands still gripped tightly. When the wind blew harder, she quickly turned her attention back to her seat.

"Boss, are we going to fly all night?"

"Not necessarily. We may stop before that."

"Oh... In that case, Monk will just stay here until we land."

’Well, where else would you go?’ Julian felt a little amused hearing that, but didn’t comment.

Meanwhile, Lumi had found a fairly safe position nearby. The little fox didn’t say much, though its ears twitched now and then when it heard the beating of Garph’s wings.

After they had left the Qiezhuran far enough behind, the old Dragon finally opened a conversation.

"Lord Julian, may I ask something?"

"Sure...?"

"Do we truly need to visit the Clans Lady Cleenah mentioned?"

"No need," Julian answered directly. "We only have to go halfway, then stop at a suitable place."

"...Halfway?"

"Yes, we won’t be meeting those Clans."

Garph seemed to need a moment to accept the change. But he didn’t question Julian’s decision any further.

"I understand. In that case, I will look for a safe place to stop."

Julian looked toward the mountains ahead of them again.

The reason was simple. All the Clans that were their destinations were already on the Drazhuel’s side, so a journey to ask for support would produce nothing.

There was no point in spending several days just to meet parties who had never intended to help in the first place. Besides, Julian had far more important business of his own.

Earlier, he had secretly used [Oracle’s Revelation] and spent a very large amount of Mana.

He had needed a clearer vision of what would happen while the festival was underway. And now, at least, Julian knew the time he had to watch out for.

’...The problem is, knowing the time isn’t enough.’

Julian still had to prepare something before that moment came. That was why he had asked Garph to stop in the middle of the journey, rather than returning to the Qiezhuran or continuing an expedition that would only waste time.

He needed a chance to do one thing that might determine the success of his plan. And for that, Julian looked once more at the goat girl in his arms.

’...Felicya.’

The girl was still resting comfortably. Even the rush of the wind and the beating of Garph’s wings didn’t seem to disturb her at all.

Julian felt a little amused watching her.

’...You’ve got it easy, don’t you.’

But he quickly refocused.

A familiar system screen appeared before him.

[Disciples Insight]

Name: [Felicya Luphas]

Rank: [E] — [2.97%]

Talent: [Cosmic Progenitor] — [SSS]

Potential: [Cosmic Progenitor] — [SSS]

Skills:

• [Eternal Embryo] — [SS] — [0.01%]

• [Cosmic Rupture] — [S] — [6.70%]

• [Absolute Sanctuary] — [A] — [17.88%]

• [Primordial Pressure] — [S] — [34.12%]

• [Spatial Passage] — [B] — [11.40%]

• [Worldbinding] — [A] — [10.17%]

Condition: ALL SKILLS AND RANK CONDITIONS SEALED.

Worthy of Being a Disciple: Worthy! Very Worthy!

’...Oh?’

Julian read the last line again to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

The system’s recommendation had changed.

Before, his Authority had not suggested that Julian try making Felicya his disciple. But now a very different assessment had appeared, as if the system itself were urging him to seize the opportunity.

’...Good. So now I can try.’

Of course, Julian didn’t know what would happen afterward. The change in assessment was no guarantee that Felicya would accept, much less that all his problems could be solved just by making her his disciple.

But based on what he had seen through divination, Julian needed another possibility if he wanted to face the coming attack.

The strength he had now was clearly not enough, while Garph couldn’t possibly handle everything on his own.

And among all the options he had considered, Felicya was the only path Julian could still see.

Julian shifted his arm slightly so that Felicya could lie comfortably. The girl seemed to be getting drowsy again, unaware of what Julian was looking at through his system screen.

’...Alright, Felicya. I hope you’re willing.’

He didn’t need to ask for an answer right now. Once Garph found a place to stop, Julian would have a chance to talk it over with Felicya.

It was only that he couldn’t wait too long.

Before the time he had seen through [Oracle’s Revelation] arrived, Julian had to try making Felicya his disciple.