Chapter 186 - Back home

Cale had already comprehended the lightning physique and, from that understanding, created a technique of his own, the [Thunderspark Movement Technique].

Of course, anyone else who tried to use it wouldn’t get anywhere near the same effect as someone with a true lightning body like Cale’s. And it wasn’t simply a footwork technique either. It was a movement technique in the fullest sense, synchronizing thunder with the entire body’s motion so that every step became a burst of lightning.

The two of them reacted the moment they sensed his arrival. Scared, they quickly drew their weapons, their hands tight around the grips as they looked up at the figure descending from the sky.

Cale slowly drifted down, his mechanical wings still humming faintly behind him.

"Hey, what kingdom are we in?" he asked.

The master moved quickly ahead of his disciple, narrowing his eyes as he studied the stranger. After a moment, he answered carefully, "This is the Ithrandis Kingdom."

Cale nodded. "Oh, so I’m not that far. Half a day would do."

He drifted a little closer, his wings flaring softly, and tilted his head.

"What all has happened in the past few years? Tell me."

’Am I imagining this, or are they scared of me?’

They were fidgeting quite a lot. Their shoulders were tense, their eyes kept darting between his face and the sky, and the disciple’s grip on his sword had gone white at the knuckles. Did they realize who he was? And if they did, was it really that easy to recognize him?

Then it hit Cale. His presence! He hadn’t even noticed it himself, but with everything he had absorbed and everything that now lived inside him, even without releasing his aura, the people around him would still feel pressed down by his mere existence.

’Would they be squashed if I release a bit of aura?’

It was definitely an interesting thing to try out. Later, perhaps. For now, he let the thought drift away and listened.

They explained a great deal. The master spoke first, quite respectfully at that.

"...The princess of the Velard Kingdom has even opened a lot of auction houses. Maybe she wants to take part in the fight for the throne. People say she’s been quite flaunting ever since her fiancé became the topic of news, but that’s not even the real point. For the first time in many decades, we have again been contacted by people from the surrounding continents."

"Oh?" Cale nodded.

"Yes. They’ve been saying things like a calamity is going to befall us, and whatnot. The ones from the north are even engaging in battles on the borders! They’re planning to unite all five continents, whether by mutual agreement or by forcing others."

"And what about Velard’s decision?" Cale asked.

"They’ve already agreed from the very start. And since they’re the strongest of the four, the other three won’t decline, from the looks of it."

’Well, that’s about what I expected. They’ve been managing well, huh.’

"Oh, this fiancé you speak of..." Cale started, but the man bowed quickly, nearly bumping his forehead against the ground.

"Lord, I’m just an instructor. Please don’t put me in such a tough position. He’s someone from a ducal house."

Cale grinned. The only image of him that people ever properly saw in Vaeloria was of a boy with blonde hair and a slim, thin body. This body was nothing like that.

It carried tattoos across one half, two different eyes, a lean and slightly muscular physique, and silvery snow-white hair. Even he himself wouldn’t have been able to distinguish it from the old one at a glance.

Sighing, Cale tossed a few elixir bottles and several medium-grade spiritual stones toward the pair. The disciple scrambled to catch them.

"Thanks for the information."

With that, his wings burst into flame, and he vanished the very next second, leaving only a faint trail of heat and sparks in the air.

The master disciple let out a long breath, staring at the empty sky. "To think we encountered someone so strong. The world is becoming a mess. We won’t be at peace for long."

"Master, come on, didn’t he give us some treasures too?"

Finally, Cale entered Velard and made his way to one of the estates of the Midgar Duchy. This wasn’t even the main mansion, and yet it was already luxurious beyond anything he had expected.

The Midgar Estate was like a palace carved from the dreams of the gods, its magnificent spires piercing the heavens in a dazzling display of golden grandeur.

Countless towers of ivory stone and gilded architecture rose toward the sky, their intricate designs adorned with delicate carvings, towering arches, and ornaments that shimmered beneath the warm radiance of the setting sun.

At its heart stood a colossal central palace, surrounded by an endless sea of elegant structures, each seemingly competing to outshine the others in splendor.

Vast bridges stretched between the towering edifices, their polished surfaces reflecting the golden light, while pristine waterfalls cascaded from elevated terraces, flowing into the depths below like silver ribbons descending from heaven.

Majestic golden statues stood watch over the grand pathways, their divine forms lending the estate an air of solemn magnificence. Beyond its walls, snow-capped mountains rose beneath the evening sky, their rugged peaks contrasting beautifully with the estate’s immaculate splendor.

The entire domain seemed bathed in celestial radiance, so breathtaking that it scarcely resembled a mortal residence.

Cale smiled and landed softly on the marble. "How long has it been since I’ve been to this place? I spent most of my life in the western mansion, so this one is quite new to me."

Even if the guards had wanted to, they couldn’t have noticed him. He moved through the grounds like a shadow passing over water.

A window was open on the third floor. Cale flew toward it and slipped inside.

The room was quite girly. Well, of course it was, since it belonged to a girl.

As he walked further in, he spotted someone sprawled lazily across the bed, sleeping soundly. It was Emma.

"Heh, not a single bit of aristocratic behavior. What noble lady sleeps like this?"

But it wasn’t as though he was one to talk.

Spreading his senses outward, he let out a sigh of relief. "Phew... Father isn’t here."

Cale sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze falling upon Emma as she slept peacefully beneath the soft light.

Her raven-black hair had come undone from its usual arrangement, spilling across the pillow in delicate, disheveled strands, while her long ears twitched faintly with the occasional movement of her dreams.

Clad in a loose camisole and panties, she lay curled against the sheets, utterly unguarded, her breathing slow and even.

There was something strangely endearing about the sight. A faint blush lingered upon her cheeks, one arm rested beneath the pillow while the other lay loosely folded near her face.

Cale watched her for a moment, an amused smile touching his lips.

He reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, careful not to disturb her slumber. For once, he found no particular reason to rise or speak. He simply sat there, enjoying the rare tranquility of the moment.

"Well... you’re quite cute if you shut your mouth."