My Ultimate OP System: Summoning All Dragons, Gods, Heroes & Villains

Several minutes later...

Ethan was outside the manor, staring at Bella’s face on the screen of his Arcphone as they spoke over the video call.

Their conversation had only been for a few minutes but it was regarding the situation at the palace.

"Actually," she continued, "some of the family heads who were captured came directly to my father with details of how it happened."

Ethan exhaled lightly, leaning the side of his shoulder on the pillar close-by as he listened.

Bella went on with a few more details about what had happened at the palace before Ethan cut in with another question.

"What was his reaction to your siblings?"

"He didn’t react the way I expected," she said. "I mean, he was mad, yelled at them for being stupid, and then told them all to return to their rooms."

Ethan looked surprised.

"I know, it was weird. I thought he’d throw me in the dungeons for sure... although he did say he’d decide on their punishments later. They’re under heavy guard too."

"He’s probably under the most pressure he’s ever felt as a king," Ethan said, laughing a bit. "I almost feel pity for him."

Isabella gave faint smile. "Yeah... he’s been in his quarters ever since and hasn’t stepped out. There’s too much happening at once... I don’t think he knows what to do next."

He deals wants to go after Audrey, but her life being linked with the those people makes it really hard for him to do that.

"Oh yeah, speaking of Audrey" Ethan cut in, "we might actually have a way to deal with her now"

Isabella’s eyes sharpened. "Oh, thank goodness."

"Yeah," he replied. "It’s not perfect, but we should be able to subdue her without killing her... at least until the spell is undone."

He went on to explain more of how they intended to handle it, and Isabella added her own input, noting that the real caster of the spell linking those lives, Audrey’s assistant, would also need to be either eliminated or subdued.

Ethan exhaled. "Yeah..."

His eyes moved briefly to the time display at the top of the Arcphone. It was already past six, and the sun had almost gone down completely.

"As soon as I’m done talking with Ms. Jenner, I’ll make my way to the palace to speak with your father," he said. "We need to align before we make any move against Audrey."

She nodded. "Alright."

There was a brief pause as Ethan turned his head back to the entrance of the manor.

He had just felt the presence of his new summon.

He then returned his focus back to the screen. "Okay babe, she’s here. I’ll be off now"

She nodded again, and right then the call ended.

He turned immediately and walked back into the house.

Voices carried from the main room.

When he stepped in, he saw Valerie standing beside a woman who bore a significant resemblance to her, only that she was much older.

Jenner Hemilton.

Valerie had just introduced her grandmother to the others, and Ms. Jenner, in turn, was making her acquaintance—at the moment, with Eduardo.

"You look familiar..." said the smiling old lady.

The butler smiled back. "I was in the service of Master Nathan."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh! Now I remember you."

She tilted her head , a teasing glint in her gaze. "Do you grow backwards, or have you always been this handsome?"

Francesca stared in mild surprise.

Valerie groaned. "Grandma..."

Eduardo laughed a bit, scratching the back of his neck.

—

Percival on the other hand had just leaned in closer to Ethan when he had entered back into the manor.

"I’m not gonna lie, I see where she gets those hips from." He said, staring between Jenner and Valerie.

Ethan smiled and shook his head. "Idiot"

It wasn’t immediately obvious, given the gown she wore, but on closer look, the resemblance between her and her granddaughter became clearer, and it wasn’t just in the face.

Ms. Jenner then turned and walked towards Ethan whom her spirit body was bound to.

"Fate is such a funny thing," she began. "The last time we met, I was placing some parts of you under a seal."

"And now, here I am. Summoned."

There was no bitterness in her tone as she inclined her head slightly.

"My granddaughter has explained the situation," she said. "If there is any way I can be of help... then I will."

Ethan held her gaze for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, we’ll be counting on that"

——-

Back at the hidden house...

Merlin set the final component into the artificial body.

He had just placed a mechanical heart into the hollow’s chest. Its structure was lined with fine channels that connected directly into the network of artificial vessels running through the body.

It would draw on magic as its driving force, pulsing steadily to circulate blood through the entire system, sustaining the body the same way a natural heart would.

All that was left now, was a soul. And in this case... his own.

Merlin observed the construct in silence for a moment, then gave a nod, satisfied with the progress.

In the last few hours, he had avoided informing his summoner about what had happened to his siblings in this place.

Partly because he wanted the quiet to finish his work. And moreover, Alistair had not returned since leaving with Audrey.

However, through the connection between their minds, Merlin could tell what Alistair was doing. Right now, he was preparing to speak to the press.

"Stupid kid," Merlin muttered. "Well... here you go."

And in that instant, he released everything; every thought and every scene he had gathered from his inquiry into Anton.

He pushed it all directly into Alistair’s mind.

—

Alistair was currently sitting before the camera.

One journalist stood behind the lens, recording. Another was by the side, directly conducting the interview.

Audrey and Anton were behind the camera, with Esmeray a step behind.

The recording was live.

"Citizens of Gritnia, I am Prince Alistair Tudor—"

The words stopped. Because the moment they left his mouth, the images hit.

Not just images, full scenes, with voices and motion, forced directly into his perception.

His eyes widened as he lifted his head instinctively turning toward Audrey and Anton behind the camera.

Then he looked away. ’What is the meaning of this, Merlin? Why are you putting these vile things in my head?’

[It is exactly as you’ve seen it] Merlin’s voice answered within his mind.

[The woman you’re doing all of this for has been lying to you. These are not false scenarios, Summoner]

"My prince...?" the presenter asked cautiously.

Audrey made a small motion with her hand, urging him to continue.

Alistair then stood. "I’m sorry. I need a moment. Excuse me."

He stepped away immediately, heading toward the corridor. Leona moved after him, but he raised a hand slightly.

"Stay."

Audrey’s expression hardened for a brief second before she followed after him without hesitation.

Esmeray turned to the crew. "Cut the recording."

Anton exhaled lightly and dropped into a nearby seat, watching as Audrey disappeared down the corridor.

Alistair entered a room and stopped for a moment. He didn’t turn when Audrey came in behind him.

"What the hell was that?" she asked.

But there was no response from him, because he and his summon were currently going through a back and forth inside his mind.

’I gave you a command,’ he said inwardly. ’Be silent.’

But Merlin didn’t stop. Commands from his summoner had no effect on him.

[Have you never wondered why it’s just been the both of them over the last one week?]

[Just Ask her]

The voice repeated it. Again, and again.

[Ask her]

Audrey stepped closer. "Alistair."

He went quiet for a moment, then he turned and looked directly at her. "Are you having an affair with Anton?"