Chapter 413: Self growth

Kyle had arranged a barbecue for his guests, though not everyone intended to stay. Some had already expressed their desire to leave, including both of Tyr’s worshippers. Dominic and Araya had also decided not to attend.

Araya had been apologetic since she had somewhere urgently needed to be. It wasn’t an emergency but the invitation to the meeting arrived at an unexpected period. So she had to leave.

Others had their reasons, and Kyle made no attempt to stop them. He had already conveyed what mattered most. Everything that followed was simply a gesture of goodwill toward those who had answered his call.

Those who wished to leave were free to do so. Surprisingly, however, quite a few chose to stay.

“Oh, this is great!” Alya cooed, a fond smile spreading across her face as she savoured the meat freshly cooked on the grill.

The maids had taken responsibility for preparing the ingredients, setting up the grills, and cooking for everyone. Maya and Lamia had joined them as well, partly to lend a hand and partly because they genuinely enjoyed cooking. It also gave them an excuse to chat while going about their work.

Yumiko was accompanying Alya, helping the little girl pick out whatever she wanted to eat. Veronica and Amanda had settled on the other side, enjoying their food while chatting among themselves. Arthur, meanwhile, had been assigned the responsibility of transporting people, so he wasn’t present at the gathering.

Ethan remained standing off to the side, keeping an eye on everything to ensure things continued running smoothly.

Kyle wanted to tell his Apostle that he could finally relax and enjoy himself. However, seeing the determination in Ethan’s eyes made him reconsider. The man seemed far too committed to his responsibilities to appreciate such a suggestion.

In the end, Kyle simply picked up a plate of barbecue ribs and made his way toward Elena.

“Oh, you didn’t need to..,” Elena said, visibly surprised when she saw him approaching.

Truthfully, she had been feeling somewhat out of place. She wasn’t accustomed to meeting people these days, and almost everyone present seemed to have someone they already knew. It hadn’t taken long for the guests to form their own little groups, leaving her with few opportunities to join a conversation.

She had been looking around, wondering what to do with herself, when Kyle finally approached.

“Here, have something.” Kyle handed her the plate before taking a moment to add, “I’m thankful you came despite the circumstances.”

He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that her parents must have placed considerable restrictions on her movements following the incident. Getting permission to attend a gathering like this couldn’t have been easy.

He could have simply asked Arthur to teleport her over, but Veronica had assured him that Elena would manage to come on her own. And, as it turned out, she had.

“It was actually nothing. I just told them I needed to meet a few friends and left,” Elena replied, feigning nonchalance despite knowing how delicate the situation was. Her mother would undoubtedly be furious by now, especially after learning that she was visiting another city actually.

The fact that she hadn’t received a single call yet suggested that her father had somehow managed to hold the fort, at least for the time being.

Kyle, who could easily read the emotions playing across her face, smiled faintly.

“If you want, I can come and visit you from time to time. I doubt you’ll be allowed to leave the house very often for a while.”

Elena felt a faint blush creep across her cheeks.

So he knows… Haah, why was I even trying to hide it?

She considered his offer for a moment. Despite the warmth spreading through her chest, she eventually shook her head.

“No. I can’t remain cooped up in my room while the world is on the verge of a war. I need to make some difficult decisions, even if that means going against my parents.”

Kyle hummed thoughtfully.

“I respect your dedication, but you don’t get several lives to spend with the people you love, Elena.”

The redhead turned toward him, her attention drawn to his unexpectedly serious tone.

Kyle continued looking ahead as he spoke. “I encourage you to go out, experience the world, and grow stronger. But try not to ruin your relationship with your parents in the process. Look for a middle ground where you can have both.”

Elena shook her head.

“You don’t understand my mother, Kyle.”

“I don’t need to. The person who need to certainly does. And that person should be able to find a way to appeal to her emotions and convince her.” A faint smile appeared on Kyle’s face as he added, “You just need to figure out how to use that understanding to your advantage.”

Elena was visibly taken aback by his response. However, after giving his words some thought, a smile gradually found its way onto her lips as well.

“You’re right. I could try that.” She nodded before looking at him with renewed interest. “However, may I ask for your guidance on how to grow stronger in the fastest possible way?”

Kyle nodded.

“Of course. I’ll help you with that. But take it easy, alright? The world isn’t ending this weekend.”

Elena couldn’t help but chuckle at his remark before finally turning her attention back to the food on her plate.

Kyle then shifted his gaze toward Amanda, observing her for a few seconds.

The girl suddenly turned in his direction, as though sensing his attention. Which, in fact, she had.

Kyle didn’t bother speaking aloud. Instead, he sent her a message through their mental connection.

‘Mind keeping Elena company for a bit?’

Amanda nodded from a distance before saying something to Veronica. The two then began making their way toward him.

Kyle headed in their direction as well. When they met halfway, he stopped and said, “I’ll be back in a moment.”

Veronica blinked, seemingly confused by his words, while Amanda simply nodded in understanding.

“Come along, Commander. The new recruit might need your guidance.”

With that, Amanda led Veronica toward the startled redhead, who was currently occupied with pulling the meat off the bones.

Kyle, meanwhile, turned his attention toward a certain woman standing off to the side, silently observing something in the distance.

He picked up two glasses of champagne and approached her.

“Ah, my Lord.”

Daina immediately turned toward him, accepting the drink with a grateful smile.

Kyle took his place beside her and glanced in the direction she had been watching.

“Curious?”

Daina looked slightly surprised, though her expression soon shifted to one of understanding. Of course, he already knew what had caught her attention.

“A little.” She returned her gaze to the distant figure before asking, “That’s not exactly human, is it?”

Kyle followed her gaze.

Standing atop a distant building was a cloaked figure, its entire body concealed beneath a white garment. The only visible features were its golden eyes, which remained fixed directly on Kyle.

“No, not quite. Then again, the Watchers of the Realm, the Apostles of the God King, are meant to exist somewhere between this side and the other.”

Daina let out a quiet sigh.

“So much to bear, with no one to share their burden.”

“That’s what makes them special.”

Kyle took a leisurely sip of his champagne, his eyes still resting on the distant figure.

“They are the reason I can bring forth the others and make my plans without having to worry about everything happening beyond our reach. Their role is just as vital as that of the Temples.”

Daina remained silent for a while, her eyes fixed on the distant figure. Eventually, she broke the silence.

“Will they be operating any differently now that the situation has become so much more severe?”

Kyle narrowed his eyes as he considered her question.

“I haven’t figured that out yet. But as things stand, I have a feeling that every single being standing on this side of the line will eventually be dragged into this battle, regardless of what they want.”

Daina nodded, though the concern in her expression remained.

“I fear that, my Lord. But if this is what fate has chosen for us…”

Kyle let out a quiet sigh.

Right. Fate.

The only Fundamental susceptible to even the slightest deviations in the natural course of life.

And yet, because of Kyle, that once predetermined course had split into several different branches, each leading toward an outcome that might never have existed otherwise.

He had already dictated how the Apostles would assist him. His reinforcements, though relatively weak and far from cooperative, were finally in place.

That was one matter taken care of.

Now, it was time to focus on his own growth.

And he knew exactly who could help him with that.