Chapter 414 - 409 — Paradise

Chapter 414: Chapter 409 — Paradise

By dawn, Zephyrion discovered that most of the Aerelith in camp carried different crests, meaning they had been assigned to different bastions at the end of their Unbound Journey. Last night had simply been one last hurrah for the strays of the Kasner Colony.

Fortunately, this significantly reduced the number of Aerelith Zephyrion had to journey with. Unfortunately, that didn’t include Lariat. Somehow, in his infinite bad luck, she had also been assigned to the Vaelcrest Bastion.

The Ferran hater had kept her intense gaze trained on him throughout their journey. It certainly didn’t help that while every other Aerelith had taken to the skies, he’d chosen to travel on foot.

He could practically feel the weight of her stare. Zephyrion wasn’t sure what was running through her mind. Revenge for his earlier insult? Wariness of his power? Or... did she know something? The uncertainty was torturous, and the fact that she hadn’t approached him despite everything only made matters worse. At least if she made a move, he could deduce her intentions.

But all she did was stare. He was starting to hate that stare.

It wasn’t long before they reached their destination.

Emerging from the forest, Zephyrion lifted his head, and the sight that greeted him almost made him forget his troubles.

The hill rose towards a massive mountain that pierced through the clouds. Perched atop it was an enormous walled temple of white stone, its surface reflecting the morning sun and illuminating the surrounding landscape.

Here and there, several Aerelith mounted on beasts soared through the sky. The wind was fierce, constantly whipping at his clothes and hair. Were it not for his steel-like weight, he would’ve been blown away.

’Beautiful,’ Zephyrion thought silently.

It was a far cry from any Ferran bastion he’d seen. They were usually dull, grim, and filled with death. But this... this felt like...

’Freedom.’

There are already several Aerelith gathered around, from the other colonies, Zephyrion assumed. He could even see the broad, heavily muscular Gular at one part of the clearing.

As the other Aerelith could to descend, Zephyrion suddenly noticed the unusual silence beside him. Usually, Nourald would have been rambling on and on about something. But when he turned towards him, he frowned. Nourald was staring at the sky, his usually cheerful expression replaced by a tense, almost grim look.

’What’s gotten into him?’

Zephyrion felt them before he even turned. A heavy, oppressive pressure suddenly descended upon the area. Even the fierce winds that had been whipping at his clothes came to an abrupt halt, leaving the surrounding air unnaturally still.

’This presence...’

He could feel it. Powerful people were approaching.

Above, several figures silently emerged from the clouds. They all wore the same attire, pure white military uniforms with varying numbers of golden lines on their right chests. But it wasn’t their attire that caught his attention. It was the sheer weight of their presence.

Every single Aerelith in the area immediately fell silent, standing straight and still. Even Lariat was no exception, facing forward with an expression of utmost deference.

Crack! Crack!

Zephyrion glanced to the side and found Nourald clenching his fists so tightly that blood was dripping from them. His frown deepen. Nourald was glaring at the group of figures, particularly the one hovering in the middle, a man sporting a bushy beard and stern green eyes.

Simply looking at him was enough to send a spike of pain through Zephyrion’s head. There was no doubt about it, this man was the strongest of them all.

What Zephyrion couldn’t understand, though, was why Nourald was staring at the man with such hatred and determination.

’Oho, looks like someone has a grudge,’ Demorian suddenly chimed in with a laugh. ’Who knows? Maybe that old bastard was the one who took his precious little flower when he was a boy.’

’...What kind of grudge is that?’

Zephyrion immediately dismissed the thought. If that were the case, there should only be anger. But he could tell that while Nourald’s hatred was directed at the man, his determination seemed to be directed at himself. Which meant...

’Could it be that—’

"Strays."

The voice boomed like thunder, echoing directly in his ears. It was as though the world itself had spoken. Zephyrion lifted his head and found that same man now hovering ahead of the others, regarding them with a solemn expression.

"I am Chief Commander Kons Hu Deens, commander of Vaelcrest Bastion, and behind me stand the masters who serve under me." He paused for a moment.

"For the past year, you academy graduates from all four colonies have been allowed to roam the world, experiencing pure, uninterrupted freedom. The Unbound Journey. You’ve tasted what it means to live without restraint, to go wherever the wind takes you. But that freedom was never without a price. Now, it is time to repay the Empire that made it possible."

"If you’re standing here today, it means you’ve been assigned to Vaelcrest Bastion. I welcome you, strays. Unfortunately, that is the warmest reception you can expect from me. From this moment onward, you will cast aside everything you’ve grown accustomed to over the past year and surrender yourselves to absolute discipline."

He allowed a moment to pass, sweeping his gaze over the strays.

"Now, strip."

There was a brief silence. Several of the strays couldn’t help but exchange confused glances, wondering if they’d heard him correctly.

Of them all, only a few complied. Zephyrion heard the sharp sound of fabric being torn apart beside him, then turned and found Nourald completely naked, still glaring up at the man.

’Well, there goes my dignity.’

Zephyrion didn’t exactly care about being naked. What concerned him were the marks of other elements on his body. Luckily, he’d already concealed them beneath thick, skin-colored patches before entering the Aerelith Empire.

A few seconds later, he was also stark naked. Soon, seeing the others comply, and especially the stern look on Chief Commander Kons’s face, the rest hesitantly followed, stripping off their clothes.

’P-protégé... have we... have we finally reached paradise?’ Demorian emerged from his rod and gazed at the scene as though he’d just witnessed the most beautiful sight in his entire life. ’Look at them... all those glorious, plump bodies... ah, if this is a dream, I beg you, don’t wake me...’