NOVPUB
Chapter 1088: Final Agreement Before Departure
Vicente and his group traveled with haste along the grandiose Humfail Reef. Their luck was that it would take any of the fugitives from that previous situation as long to reach people who could share what they knew as it would have taken for Vice’s group to reach the coast.
After six days of intense travel and great tension, worried about being caught by some 9th stage specialist, the group spotted the beach.
Seeing from afar where their ship was moored in the large local port, the group softened their worried expressions a little.
The last few days had been uneventful, as was to be expected when traveling the safe roads of the Humfail Reef. Apart from the tension each of them had in fear of fighting, nothing had really come their way, as their rational sides claimed.
"This will also be my last trip by your side, master," Rex said when the group stopped for a moment before continuing their journey to the ship, waiting for them. Like Larissa, he was determined not to get in his master’s way any more and to find a place to continue his journey alone.
Vicente looked at the Flaming Lion at his side, whom he had given this opportunity since they had started their journey out of Light Cay.
Rex was his mount, an old enemy conquered through combat. But Vicente had never treated him like a mount or pet, but rather had given Rex opportunities and options to make up his own mind.
Hearing Rex’s decision that late afternoon was no stranger to Vicente. ’It has to happen. It’s going to happen sooner or later, so there’s not much more I can do. He thought for a moment before smiling at his companion and nodding positively.
"You and Larissa can stay together on the same island. If you need each other, you can support each other, even if you choose to go your separate ways." He directed until they entered the town ahead.
Larissa and Rex agreed, while Lyra still hadn’t decided where her journey would end. But from the beginning of her journey with Vicente, she had been certain that she would leave him when she found a good place.
Lyra wanted to choose this only when she had the chance to set foot in a place that interested her. She wouldn’t be staying at Humfail Reef and she didn’t know what their next stop would be. Maybe that would be the place she would part with Vicente, or maybe not. She still wanted to decide that later.
So they entered that coastal town, each of them paying attention to the local guards. The battle of that day returned to their minds, making them wonder if Vicente’s curse ritual was still in action, but also if any of the fugitives had spread the word about what had happened.
Some fugitives had seen part of the battle, in other words, Vicente’s powers. Although none of those who saw the end of the dispute escaped without suffering Vice’s curse, the information about his pentagrams, before the final evolution, would have been enough to disturb the island’s powers.
But they kept their cool, as far as possible, even though their hearts were pounding.
As strong as Vicente was, they would rather not have to face a Sorcerer right now. They were mere minutes away from leaving Humfail Reef and continuing their journey. This was a moment they wanted not to be prolonged by a battle.
Even though the Sea of Stars was more dangerous than low-level Sorcerers on this island, they preferred the dangers of the sea at this point, looking forward to their next steps.
Halfway through the city, they felt the tension of this passage that seemed never-ending. But when they reached the end of their path, seeing the entrance to the port just a few meters away, they gradually changed their thoughts.
"Vicente Fuller." Suddenly, however, a thick voice called out Vicente’s name, making the four of them shiver as they looked to the side.
On the opposite side of the harbor entrance stood an old man at the peak of the 8th stage, the same one who had given them permission a few days ago.
The four people about to leave the island froze, each of them thinking exactly the same thing.
’Have we failed?’
Larissa and Lyra looked at Vicente doubtfully as the young man took a step forward, prepared to fight right there.
"Senior?" Vicente asked, not wanting to take the drastic and irrevocable step before seeing what it was all about.
The old man smiled knowingly. It was clear that he knew something. But he was peaceful as he showed both hands and pointed towards the port. "I’m not here to hinder your departure from the island, boy. Before you move on, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about."
Vicente felt the tension of the battle ebb away, but he remained attentive. However, he approached the old expert, who was accompanied by two young men. The two of them were looking at Vice as if he were some kind of abominable monster.
’It’s not possible that those royal guards have already had their curses lifted! It looks like someone sent by that old man has seen me!’ Vicente concluded, using some of his common sense and experience built up on this magical journey.
"Hmm?" He closed enough to the local 9-Star Grand Magus for one to be able to reach the other with their arms.
"There’s something here I’d like you to leave on the highest level island you pass before becoming a Sorcerer. In return, I’ll give you the resources that are in this storage item." He gestured to Vicente, showing in his hands two items, a storage bracelet and a small brown box, about the size of a shoebox.
Vicente saw that this was a mission and frowned. "What’s that?" He asked, not taking so kindly to a strange item that could have some kind of trap.
The old man smiled before explaining. "That’s a teleportation device. My island isn’t exactly technologically advanced, but we do have some interesting tools. In particular, we’re always on the lookout for strong groups to help us carry these devices of ours. That’s how we intend to avoid the Sea of Stars."
"Oh?" Vicente looked at that little box with more interest, sensing great potential in it. "Are you serious? Is there any way I can learn to do something like this?" His tone changed from the caution of a moment ago to one of interest in something that could change a lot of things for him.
The old local expert had expected such a reaction. Vicente really was a great talent. Naturally, he would see the great advantage of having something like this for himself.
"Hehe, it’s possible. I’m willing to negotiate the books and basic materials for you to study, but there’s something else I’d like from you in return." He tried to negotiate what had really made him move so far.
"What would that be?"
"A favor. Owe us a favor. Swear to the heavens that one day you’ll accept a mission from our empire, no matter what it is, as long as it doesn’t go against your principles and interests."
If it hadn’t been confirmed that this old man knew about his pentagram configuration, it was now proven. But he wouldn’t fight there because of that. If the old peak Grand Magus wanted to negotiate, he preferred it that way!
The corners of Vicente’s lips lifted, as he quickly took the two items already presented by the old man, before shaking one of the hands of this humanoid magical being. "We have a deal."
The man smiled back, handing Vicente another item, this time something containing the materials needed for one to learn how to build a teleportation formation.
They didn’t exchange many more words after that. Vicente headed for the port, his companions looking back and forth, while the old man stayed where he was with his disciples.
"Was that really the best, master?" The young woman with the two disciples asked in awe. "That person... He’s a monster. What he did that day... I never want to see someone like that in front of me again."
"It’s someone like that we need to do us a favor. Today he’s just a 5-Star Grand Magus. But soon he could become a 5-Star Sorcerer!" The old man said with wide eyes, looking forward to the future they would have with influence over someone with such potential.
As long as Vicente didn’t die in the Sea of Stars, sooner or later he would become the most valuable card in Humfail Reef!
’Losing a violet pentagram is nothing compared to having the favor of the terror of the Sorcerers!’
