Legacy of the Dark Sage

Chapter 997: Alta (1)

Kyran did not say anything throughout the briefing with Oceanus and his people. Since they would only scout the location and find a route to get closer to the portal, they did not need to have an in-depth discussion about the members of The Council staying in their camp.

They also mentioned the possibility of a High Sovereign's presence overseeing the area so they could stay on their guard and act accordingly in case they encountered her or him.

After the briefing, Kyran went back to his room while the others gathered in the dining hall for dinner. Oceanus invited him, but he declined, saying that he wanted to rest early.

Oceanus did not insist because he more or less guessed that Kyran wanted to read and review the information Maren distributed during the briefing. For this, Oceanus admired Kyran's attitude. On the other hand, he felt a little disappointed that Cove and Irving chose to improve their relationship with his daughter.

Although it was true, they would only be scouting the location, and they had pretty much gathered the intel they needed, except for the route they would use to get close to the portal; reviewing the intel they had and making their own preparation was always welcomed.

Alas, the two talents Leif had said were worth cultivating would rather build a good rapport with her than take their scouting task seriously.

Oceanus did not show his disappointment to the others. However, Leif accurately guessed it. In fact, she felt the same. She, too, was disappointed in Cove and Irving. Nonetheless, they had a pleasant talk over dinner before they retired to their rooms.

The portal's location required at least two days' journey, even when riding a transcendent-tier ship. Thus, Oceanus let the others do as they pleased inside the ship and only forbade them to enter a couple of rooms.

While he placed little restriction on everyone, Oceanus still kept a close eye on them. In particular, he was very interested in Kyran.

As a matter of fact, during dinner, Oceanus was monitoring what the younger man was doing.

Unfortunately for Oceanus, he only saw Kyran browsing the temporary portable tablet he issued him. When, in fact, Kyran was having a somewhat heated conversation with Shaiha.

Shaiha was horrified at Kyran's lack of reaction after hearing there was a High Sovereign overseeing The Council's camp. She admonished him for this and persuaded him to rescind his agreement with Oceanus.

Before Kyran could respond, Shaiha continued and reminded him that he and Oceanus had yet to finalize his remuneration, so they could back out of the agreement at any time.

In the end, Kyran chose to ignore most of Shaiha's ramblings. Besides, Oceanus's side only mentioned the possibility of a High Sovereign present in The Council's camp. There was no evident proof that there really was one.

Until they confirm this, they should not overthink. Of course, that was not to say they should not be prepared. Kyran was memorizing the plane's terrain at that moment for that very reason. In any case, in the worst-case scenario, he would just go straight to the portal and force it to open.

Kyran knew he could do that. If not, what was the point of him being the Void Master?

The journey to the portal's location was uneventful. Shaiha, who had been worried Cove and Irving would pick a bone with Kyran, was somewhat disappointed.

To be honest, Shaiha was waiting for them to challenge Kyran, so when they fought, and Oceanus witnessed it, he would know for a fact that Kyran was not simple. Maybe then, he would change his mind about taking Kyran to the portal's location where The Council was.

Because if the Council noticed Kyran's prowess and decided to recruit him, Oceanus would have lost his chance to have a very rare talent like Kyran in his clan.

Shaiha was overthinking things.

Oceanus would not recruit Kyran even if he showcased his potential because the more he appeared amazing, the more the former felt the latter was part of a big clan. This was why Oceanus, was very adamant about not recruiting Kyran to his clan until he knew his origin.

Oceanus activated the ship's camouflage array and let it hover outside the plane where the portal was located. After that, he summoned his own portal and took the rest to the makeshift camp his people prepared beforehand.

The makeshift camp was far from The Council's camp. Oceanus's people also set up a highly advanced array that shielded it from other's prying eyes.

The Council might have Array Saints, but since the advanced array was of the same level, even an Array Saint from The Council would be hard-pressed to detect it. If they did not know there was an array there, then they could not decipher it and counter it.

"Before we scout the area and secure a safe route to the portal, we will dedicate this day to familiarizing ourselves with the plane's terrain. The plane's environment is full of life, which means there are also a number of beasts in the area.

"While I do not doubt your capabilities, try to avoid confrontation with these beasts as we have yet to understand what they were capable of."

'Beasts, huh?' Kyran thought with a deadpan face. 'Will they steer away from me as how most beasts in the Lower Realm did?'

Shaiha, who had a similar deadpan expression, replied with a similarly deadpan tone.

[If I answer that, will you seriously accept the fact that you are the Realm's Scion—.]

'Can't I even have a moment to speak my mind to myself? Where's my privacy?' Kyran inwardly complained.

Ever since Shaiha took form, Kyran's thoughts have been exposed to her. This kind of connection was different between him and True Void. Even if they were connected, they still had moments when they kept their thoughts to themselves.

[Do not compare my existence with sir True Void. You both are connected, yes. But your relation with him and our connection are two entirely different matters.]

'Right.'

Kyran tried not to let Shaiha's words get to him. Sadly, his comprehension capability decided to kick up at that moment, and he immediately picked up on her use of relation when talking about True Void and connection when talking about herself.

Kyran did not know whether there was a deeper meaning to it or Shaiha simply said that to make a point but ultimately referred to the same thing. What he did know was that her way of throwing offhanded remarks here and there was getting to him real fast.

He initially did not want to hear anything about being the Realm's Scion, but the more she said those offhanded remarks, the more he took an interest.

"Thus far, there are only Sovereign level beasts here. But since most of you are on the same level, depending on your magic mastery, taking one down will still be tricky," Oceanus continued. His expression then hardened as he added, "And I know you've already noticed it, but the dominant element in this plane is Earth. Need I say more?"

Everyone's expressions turned grim. As mages specializing in Water magic, Earth magic was a bane for them. Although they would not be totally helpless against it, depending on how an Earth mage used their magic, they would have a hard time.

"I will keep an eye on everyone, so there is no cause for worry," Oceanus assured them after seeing them understand the situation. The last thing he wanted was for his people to be caught up in a fight against a beast with powerful Earth magic attacks and draw The Council's attention.

"I will now assign you to a group—."

"Overlord Oceanus, if I may speak?" Kyran raised his hand before Oceanus could finish speaking.

Everyone, except for Leif, immediately frowned at him. Did he not know it was disrespectful to interrupt Overlord Oceanus when he was speaking?

On the other hand, Leif looked at Kyran in amusement. These past two days, the latter had mostly kept to himself. She did not mind it and was very interested to know what he had been up to. In any case, Kyran's eyes were overflowing with confidence. He did not even care how others were frowning at him.

"Go on," Oceanus was of a similar mind to his daughter. Not only did he see the confidence in Kyran's eyes, but when he reminded them about the plane's dominant magic energy, Kyran was the only one who remained unfazed.

As a visitor in Ogen, Kyran's innate magic did not necessarily have to be Water magic. Unfortunately, like his origin, Oceanus and his people failed to grasp his innate magic.

"I will venture alone."

It was not a request but a statement. Kyran would go alone, and Oceanus could not change his mind.

"You are being overly disrespectful of Overlord Oceanus—!"

"All right."

Cove, who refuted Kyran just now, was rendered speechless when Oceanus readily agreed.

"Overlord...?" he stammered while looking in Oceanus's direction.

But Oceanus was not even looking at him. His attention was focused on Kyran.

"I suppose you do not want me keeping an eye on you as well?"

"Yes," Kyran replied. But then he realized he sounded too curt and added, "... please, and thanks."

"Very well."

"Overlord, it is dangerous to venture around here alone..." Maren tried to dissuade Oceanus's decision.

"It is fine. Null has concealment ability. If I, an Overlord, are having trouble detecting him, what can a beast sovereign do?"

"If you put it that way, Overlord, then..."

"Let us not waste time and meet back here in three hours."

"Yes."