System's POV

Chapter 331 Tell Me A Lie

??Since they were intruding on the territory of others, Michael ordered all the ships to come to a complete stop. However, he also made sure to tell all personnel to be combat-ready, just in case something unexpected happened.

The Fleet from the Dvalinn Federation also stopped a good distance away from them, but the formation of their ships made it so that the Naval Forces of the Leventis Family wouldn't get through them without their permission.

"Sir, the officer in charge of the Aircraft Carrier wants to talk to you," one of Michael's officers reported.

"Connect the line," Michael ordered.

A second later, a man whom Thirteen had never seen before appeared on a projection in front of them.

"Michael, it's been a while since we last saw each other," the Captain of the Ship said with a smile.

"It's been three years, Dominic," Michael replied as he adjusted the glasses on his face. "You look the same as ever."

Dominic Riggs was the highest commanding officer of the Riggs Naval Fleet, which was stationed in the Dvalinn Federation. He and Michael had been good friends for many years.

"As do you," Dominic smirked before glancing at the teenage boy standing beside his friend. "I finally get to see the most famous Rookie in the world. Tell me, Zion Leventis—do you plan to create another miracle and rid the Rigel Continent of the Jinns and Majinns who have conquered it?"

Thirteen shook his head. "With all due respect, Sir, I'm just a rookie. It's impossible for me to do the impossible."

"But you've done impossible things before you even became a Rookie," Dominic replied. "Since you're a Rookie now, wouldn't that make you even more powerful?"

"Sir, if Rookies alone can make a difference, the Rigel Continent wouldn't be in its current state. I hope you don't have any expectations of me because I will tell you now that you will be greatly disappointed."

"You shouldn't say things like that, Zion," Dominic stated with a solemn look on his face. "You are no ordinary Wanderer, and everyone knows it, especially after the world has come to learn about your adventures.

"News of your arrival has already spread in the Dvalinn Foundation, giving people hope that you might be able to create a miracle to reclaim our lands. Although it is too much of me to ask you, I hope that you won't say anything to destroy that hope by choosing your words wisely.

"Even if you can't do it, just smile and say that you'll just go and take a look to see if there's something you can do about it.

"By the way, some of the Wanderers you saved in the Valbarra Archipelago, the Desolate Mountain, and the Arcadia Archipelago are from the Dvalinn Federation. They are also looking forward to meeting you again."

This time, Thirteen nodded and didn't say anything.

If his existence could somehow give the Cannon Fodders hope, then he would not say anything to break it.

The Desolate Mountain that Dominic spoke of was the place where Mikhail appeared when he was sent to Solterra for the first time.

There were over two thousand Wanderers sent to that place, and all of them were endlessly dealing with Rank 1 Monster Swarms until Thirteen appeared to help them clear their mission.

The Desolate Mountain's difficulty paled in comparison to the Valbarra Archipelago and the Arcadia Archipelago.

However, it didn't change the fact that it was still an extremely dangerous mission, for it was a battle of attrition between the Wanderers and the Monsters whose number surpassed theirs a thousand to one.

It was one of the Legendary Feats under Thirteen's belt, and only those who experienced it firsthand were able to share it with the world.

Dominic then raised his hand to Salute Thirteen.

"Please, allow us to escort you to the Dvalinn Federation," Dominic stated.

Thirteen saluted back. "Thank you, Sir. We are in your care."

After exchanging pleasantries, the wall of ships of the Riggs Family parted, allowing Michael's forces to advance.

They rearranged the formation of their fleet so that the two Aircraft Carriers moved close to each other.

An hour later, an old man jumped from the Riggs Aircraft Carrier, casually landing on the Leventis Aircraft Carrier.

"Brat, get your sorry ass over here now," Benedict Riggs shouted. "I'm here to talk."

Since the ships were moving at high speeds, the gusts of wind blowing across the deck were enough to send anyone flying.

But Benedict stood as if he was just enjoying a passing breeze while waiting for Zion to appear.

"Sir Benedict, please come inside," Michael said through the ship's speakers. "Zion might get blown away if he steps onto the deck right now because of the strong winds."

Benedict frowned, but in the end, he still left the deck in order to meet the boy whom he had seen at the Remington Clan's party several years ago.

A few minutes later, the Old Man and the teenage boy sat in the command room, facing each other.

Behind Thirteen were his Six Captains, and seated by his side was Michael.

Although he was certain that Benedict wouldn't harm the boy, Zion's Uncle didn't want to take any chances, so he accompanied him in this meeting.

"Boy, what are you planning?" Benedict asked. "Also, don't give me that crappy answer that you just want to train in the Rigel Continent. The moment I saw you at the party, I instantly realized that you are a wolf in sheep's clothing. Tell me the truth. Why are you coming to the Rigel Continent?"

"I plan to do a lot of things," Thirteen replied.

"What kind of things?" Benedict inquired as he rested his chin on the back of his intertwined hands.

"Collect Monster Parts," Thirteen replied.

The corner of Benedict's lips twitched because his ability to tell if the person he was talking to was lying or not didn't sound.

This meant that Thirteen was telling the truth, but he still felt something fishy, so he asked him more questions.

"Aside from collecting Monster Parts, what else do you plan to do in the Rigel Continent?"

"Train my men of course."

"Aside from training your men, what else?"

"See what kind of Jinns and Majins inhabit the Rigel Continent."

"And what will you do with that information?"

"Make a strategy for how to deal with them effectively."

Benedict asked Thirteen a lot of questions, and the teenage boy answered all of them without telling a single lie.

After asking for the umpteenth time, Benedict was starting to doubt whether his ability was working on the boy or not.

"Tell a lie," Benedict ordered.

"I'm more awesome than you'll ever be," Thirteen replied in a heartbeat.

The corner of Benedict's lips twitched once again because his skill didn't activate. This meant that the boy in front of him really thought that he was more awesome than him, which gave Benedict a very strong urge to slap the boy silly.

"Boy, will your expedition in the Rigel Continent benefit the people of the Dvalinn Federation?" Benedict inquired.

"Absolutely." Thirteen answered.

"In what way?"

"In many ways."

"Are you messing with me?"

"No."

Benedict glanced at Michael with a fed-up expression.

"Tell me a lie," Benedict stated.

"You're more handsome than me," Michael replied.

Finally, Benedict's ability activated, but he wasn't the least bit happy about it!

He felt as if he was being insulted by the Uncle and Nephew pair, who were both laughing at him in their hearts.

Benedict's purpose for talking to Zion was to ask the questions that the Higher-Ups of the Dvalinn Federation wanted to know the answer to.

However, Thirteen was like a slippery eel, only answering him with half-truths.

"Fine," Benedict sighed. "No matter what you plan to do, I'll find out about it eventually. Do you know why?"

"I'm guessing that Sir Benedict is going to accompany me to the Rigel Continent?" Thirteen said.

"That's right," Benedict didn't deny and directly admitted that he was tasked to monitor whatever Thirteen was going to do on the Rigel Continent. "So, if you do anything fishy, I'll give you a good spanking."

Thirteen didn't reply, but he was laughing internally.

He already expected that the Dvalinn Federation would do something like this to monitor his movements, and he was fine with that.

It didn't matter if Benedict or several others joined him in his journey.

Actually, having a Champion as his chaperone wasn't a bad thing.

Not only would he get a strong bodyguard, but it would also allow him to form connections with one of the high-ranking members of the Riggs Family, who had a deep history with his grandpa and grandma.

Benedict observed the teenage boy with a critical gaze, but the more he looked at him, the more he felt that the boy was up to no good.

But, for the time being, he gave him the benefit of the doubt, as he stayed on the ship until Michael's fleet finally arrived in the Dvalinn Federation after a week of travel in the sea.