OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 134: Back Home

Chapter 134: Back Home

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Exiting the portal, Emir finally returned home after many months of training on a foreign planet, in a distant realm.

The air of the ruins enveloped him, carrying a sense of familiarity mixed with an eerie stillness.

The memorial room's walls, adorned with intricate carvings and weathered by time, stood tall and proud, a testament to Marcus Aurelius, to Silent.

Breathing deeply, Emir savored the scent of the place.

The tranquil ambiance provided a brief respite from the battles he had faced and the challenges that awaited him.

But, he knew that he couldn't afford to bask in this moment of calm.

The Order... Magnus was on the move.

So, snapping himself out of that comfort, he tightened his grip on his daggers and headed toward the ruin's exit.

He navigated through the dimly lit corridors, where shafts of light pierced through from unknown sources, casting ethereal beams that danced upon the ancient stone floor.

Soon, a single word echoed behind him as he left the Silent Archive, carried on an unseen breeze:

"Farewell."

...

[Hey, Lyra, it's been some time, hasn't it?] Emir said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, as he approached Lyra, who had just exited a sleek cruiser.

Running up to him, she threw her arms around him, engulfing him in a tight embrace.

Her cascading white hair fell around them, momentarily obscuring his vision.

Emir chuckled and playfully ruffled her hair.

"Thanks for the warm welcome."

Looking up at him, her eyes shimmering with affection, Lyra exclaimed:

"I missed you so much!"

Emir gently kissed her forehead and stepped back as he glanced back at the cruiser.

"Mom's company really got big, huh?" He remarked, a hint of pride evident in his voice.

Lyra nodded, a mix of admiration and amusement on her face.

"Yes, we called it Prince Emporium."

"Oh... So yall included my name in there... Nice." He said with a hearty chuckle.

A smile graced Lyra's lips as she met his gaze.

"Well, we had to make sure your name stayed in people's hearts and minds, even in your absence."

"Thanks for that... And I can see by how you're showing yourself that the Order has already figured out everything."

Lyra nodded solemnly.

"Yes, although we expected it, this is too early. Your being gone for so long expedited the process. But that doesn't matter, you are now way stronger than they planned you to be."

Emir smiled at that comment.

"True that, and well... We were going to butt heads sooner or later. Better to do it on our terms when we're ready."

Lyra smiled, her admiration for him shining through.

She had always loved his ability to accept challenging situations and face them head-on without complaint.

Entering the cruiser, Emir's eyes scanned the interior.

It was minimalist, with state-of-the-art technology seamlessly integrated into its design.

The center console was adorned with holographic displays, showcasing information and the route back to the sector.

His eyes flickered with amusement as he glanced toward the back of the cruiser, where his beloved bike was securely strapped.

The corners of his lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"You even brought the bike," he remarked, a hint of appreciation in his voice.

"You know me real well, don't you?"

Lyra's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"Of course, Emir. I knew you would've wanted to ride it again."

With a playful pat on her head, he walked past her, unstrapping the bike from its confines.

He hoisted it effortlessly onto the ground, the familiar weight of the machine comforting in his hands.

Settling onto the bike's seat, the engine roared to life, and the familiar rumble danced to his ears as if the bike itself was welcoming him back.

Emir chuckled and cast a glance back at Lyra, who now stood on the trunk of the cruiser.

"You even bought a Blade Runner, I see," he said.

"I must say, I'm impressed... You must have brought your A-game and perhaps involved yourself in a few questionable activities~."

She winked at him and replied, "I had to, you've already become a paladin, while I'm still a Knight. This was the best way I could think of to remain useful to you."

Emir chuckled, saying, "Drop the act, Lyra. We both know I'll always need you by my side. Now, let's go. We can talk on the way."

A broad smile spread across Lyra's face as she returned to the driver's seat, starting up the engine of the cruiser.

Emir took the lead on his bike, relishing the thrill of the ride as they traversed the wasteland at the bike's top speed.

The barren landscape stretched out before them, a desolate tapestry of ruins and remnants.

They rode in harmony, the hum of the bike's engine blending with the rumble of the cruiser as they weaved through the remnants of a forgotten world.

During their journey, Lyra filled Emir in on everything he needed to know about the current

events.

She also shared information about the state of Prince Emporium.

It had started as a small and upcoming business focused on relic trade, but with Lyra's assistance, they managed to expand rapidly.

They were now proud owners of a shop in the lower district, where they showcased their

wares and conducted transactions with customers on the daily.

And as she finished briefing him on the details, they arrived at their destination.

They then parked their vehicles in an allocated section for the lower district.

Stepping off his bike, Emir joined Lyra, walking silently beside her.

While they walked through the bustling lower district, a place teeming with life and activity,

he took note of their surroundings.

Many buildings with worn-out signs adorned the streets, while the air carried the scent of various vendors' offerings.

People went about their daily routines, their conversations overlapping in a symphony of

voices.

Turning his attention to his front, he looked at Lyra, noticing that her flowing white hair caught the attention of those around them, drawing curious gazes from both hunters and

simple workers in the area.

At first, he flinched, assuming they were being eyed for a potential fight.

But then he remembered that her appearance had reverted to her true looks, showing a face, and body too beautiful, not to look at.

The thought of him being the one a lot of the girls were looking at never crossed his mind.

Although he was aware of his own good looks, he never considered himself a head-turner. His focus was always on evaluating the potential dangers in any situation, not on the

admiration he might receive.

'Are some of them spies?'

'This guy is acting suspicious...'

'Are we being followed?'

Those thoughts constantly ran through his head, never-ending.

"Emir!"

But then a single word drowned them all out as he finally noticed who was standing in front of

him.