New Game+

Alexander Lanterk kept in mind his discussion with Lara. Despite the apparently fruitless discussion, Alexander had already been pondering how phallic techs can screw him. He began to look into the multiple information that he had access to and even made use of his Planted spies spread across various Pioneers. While the Presiders had command of various Pioneers, Lanterk had communicated with an army of Planteds and enforced various means even to plant them as if they were humans.

Lanterk appeared to have no team of his own on Earth as he had shown no interest in gathering people, but the truth of his childish facade was a means to prevent others from being suspicious of his activity. Since his arrival, he had been sowing various intrigues among Planteds, which led some to commit crimes against each other.

All that Lanterk needed was a few Pioneer to enact his dirty work to complete it.

Feltrick-Unglaive in Malay-Pangea, another deceased Pioneer in China, and a few in Africa, and a few in the Americas were his only contact. Lanterk had an easy means of hiding this secret allegiance from the more heartless Presiders who enslaved their Pioneers. 

These Pioneers had a second personality. The science of Lanterk was something sinister that it was already affecting the thought process of the brain. And with these groups in place, the Pioneers would secretly fund and provide resources to a few Planteds that would brainwash and create agents not among the Pioneers and Planteds but on humans instead.

While the Pioneers and Planteds had already created various means to ensure that their race would be hidden from the world, Lanterk knew how Pioneers operated. And this knowledge allowed him to place spies on key places that can allow the humans to send vital information back and forth his communication system.

With this in place, he was able to confirm the emergence of the rumored Phallic tech. The war on the shores of the Caliphates centered on this elusive tech. A surviving soldier who witnessed the battle and deflected to Africa and was treated as insane told of tales that made Lanterk even more curious.

The Pioneer Flantter, who was also a well-known General, was seen at the battleground. Strange whale-like submarines and the fearful retreat of the WGP Exoskeletons of Admiral and Commander were soon confirmed.

The presence of a strange lightning technology that destroyed the base was also centered in this Phallic tech.

And there was also the bizarre naked man who appeared at the climax of the battle.

"These reports would have been ignored by any Presider that doesn't know of Phallic tech. But now..." Lanterk kept on secretly reading the reports around the world.

"It really exists. But what does it mean? What did Zeraphine mean by 'it can screw me?'" Lanterk continued to ponder.

While this was happening, Zeraphine was on her room making another set of preparation. She had no choice but to use this technology, and it would cost him another considerable amount of Universe Energy.

Zeraphine's consciousness somehow superimposed itself on one of the spies she has placed near Straviaa, but now, this spy became an important communication channel.

"Lanterk is strong?!" Straviaa was stunned at Zeraphine's conclusion.

"That's right. The mysterious Progenitor told me about him. He said that I should be careful of the kid with four horns."

"Kid? As in the child of the goat? It can't be! Lanterk is part of that family?!"

"It does make sense. That family once defeated principal Merrik. He could have been forced to do this as a cover. Perhaps everything about Principal Merrik's apparent fondness and over-protectiveness was all a ruse! This mission on Earth is far more complicated than it seems!" Zeraphine explained.

"What is your plan?" Straviaa then asked an important question. She was afraid that the pressure and fear of having enemies by Zeraphine's side would get to her.

"Hmph! I already dealt with it! It's a pity that I have to reveal the existence of that accursed tech."

"A tech?"

"Yes. It's a certain tech. I guess it's no use hiding it anyway. Soon it will be all over the place. Ugh. Such embarrassing tech. And I swore never to use it. But I guess I have to. Straviaa. You might as well use that tech. This place will be littered with people looking for it. Even this Lanterk asked me about it pretending to be an idiot. I'll have to thank this Progenitor for giving me the warning. I wouldn't have known about the elemental diversity of that tech! Straviaa. We have to come to an accord. I'll tell you what I know, and you tell me what you know!"

"The what?" Straviaa was confused.

"What else? The Ignition Accrue Essence of that tech! I'm sure your father already gave you that as a precaution. For someone in a family that is expected to have a Prime in the next century, I'm sure that you already have that! Just tell me the phrase, and I will tell you my phrase. We don't have to explain it all the more. Of course, I will not deny that this will be more advantageous for me. The truth is I already understand three Ignition Accrue Essence of that technology. I know that it's disgusting, but it's time to use Phallic Techs." Zeraphine calmly explained.

But when she said that, Straviaa felt her heart jolt.

"You want to talk about Phallic techs and trade the Ig-Ignition Accrue Essence?" Straviaa frowned and gave a disgusted look at Zeraphine.

"Yes." Zeraphine answered directly and gazed at Straviaa's eye directly.

What Zeraphine didn't know and couldn't detect, Straviaa's current soul was linked with Enderks.

"Phallic techs? So it really exists. To think that a Prime's daughter like Zeraphine has it. And by the looks of it, more Presiders know of it!" Enderks was amazed.

"What is this Ignition Accrue Essence thing she keeps talking about?"

"I have no idea. But it looks like we have to change our perception of what Zeraphine is. She could be stronger. But there is also a possibility that she is lying! This is her means to probe us. In this case, it is better to feign ignorance."

"Right." Straviaa had already decided on this.

"No. Don't think I'm a child like that Lanterk. You could be making these things up. Ignition Accrue Essence? What is that?" Straviaa gave a sarcastic smile and even shook her head.

"Fine. Play those mind games. Lanterk already knows one Ignition Accrue Essence, but I gave him the hardest. So I don't think he can figure it out. But keep that in mind. Lanterk is strong and is playing the harmless little lamb card. I already gave him a beating for it and took a tech from him. I urge you to do the same. I won't contact you again for any development. We will be reaching the World Governing Trading Hub shortly. We will see each other in South America." The eyes of the woman before Straviaa suddenly changed, and she fainted.

"Do you really think she's lying?" Straviaa immediately asked.

Enderks appeared nearby through teleportation.

"The problem is... it's from her. If it was some other Presider, then I would have concluded that it is a lie. But it's from Zeraphine."

"Right. She's not so scheming. Not unless Lanterk is allied with her."

"That is another possibility. We will find out soon in South America. Let's hasten our assimilation of each other techs. We don't know what battles we will face in South America." Enderks frowned.

Back in the World Governing Trading Hub, Seeker and his team met once more with Phoenix Everhiss.

They were in a large open chamber that was used for Emperors to train or fight each other. Now, it seemed like an altar. Right in the center of this room stood a long, tall pillar that was made with basic metal. There was nothing special about it. But inside the room was the silent and invisible Origin energy that the WGP had been creating.

"The arrangements are now complete. We are ready to board the two Presiders. The Asherah Pole is ready. I don't see why we need to do this."

Seeker smiled.

"Two Presiders believe the existence of what is called the Phallic Tech. Your Origin power is something incomplete. It uses the same basis for the ability that my future is called Realm. With it, you have been able to create that power through the Unlocking. We are somehow able to communicate and link our minds into our surroundings and environment. So, if they see a strange power that logically should only belong to someone at their level or beyond, then it will spread even greater doubt. Our goal is to make them suspect and even kill each other. They will be walking among their peers, wondering just who is among them who has that! This is also a way for us to discern what lies Zeraphine gave that kid Alexander."

"Then you will present the facade?" Pheonix asked.

"Yes. As long as there is Origin in that room, I'll be able to give them a show. Of course, the only thing I will be showing off is telekinesis. I already talked with Charles. One of his diseases will be released in my body, and I will allow it to infect me. This will give more reason for me to have a chance to meet Zeraphine alone. I plan to use the Eeyore on her." 

"The Eeyore?" Pheonix frowned.

"It's one of the Courtship strategies in A Game of Attraction. It's when a guy or a girl uses pity, pain, and whatever to draw attention to the girl. In this case, Seeker plans to trigger the emotions of Zeraphine. By awakening her desires to help and nurture Seeker, Seeker plans to use that to spark possible romance and attraction." Lynd explained as he yawned and walked out of the room.

Meryl was silent, but he followed Lynd while Seeker continued to lay out the plans with Charles and the rest of the Everhiss Emperors and Empresses.

"Meryl... Don't try to get Zeek and Alphie together." Lynd suddenly mentioned.

"What? Where's all that coming from?"

"I know you. Listen, Seeker really loves that Alphie girl. But the reason why Seeker is harsh and distant to this girl is that Alphie fell in love with Seeker."

"Exactly! I mean, Kristine and Seeker are forced. Zeraphine and Seeker is just plain twisted!"

"And Alphie and Seeker just won't float. Don't try to ship them. Seeker is distancing himself from Alphie and limiting interaction because he really did care and love Alphie. Just not the romantic type."

"Then what was it?"

"The same love he has for me."

"Gay love?"

"Platonic! Jeez."

"I know what you mean." Meryl chuckled.

"But you know me! such juicy potential for love! I just can't help it! You know I'm a helpless romantic. I can't help but root for this Alphie girl who clearly loves Seeker more than Kristine or Zeraphine."

"And that's exactly why Seeker doesn't want to have her fall in love with him again. He wants Alphie to be happy and find someone in this world. Don't think that Seeker doesn't care for Alphie. He does. I saw the pain in his eyes when he recounted seeing Alphie's dying body. Do you get it? Seeker loves Alphie so much that he wants her to be happy, which means not making Alphie fall in love with her now."

"So you mean... there's a chance that Seeker will fall for Alphie?" Meryl smiled mischievously.

"Nutterballs.." Lynd cursed.