CHAPTER 124: LORD CAIN

In a grand hall without a known location, almost a hundred people in black robes stood in rows like court officials. Their hoods covered their faces, and their eyes were fixed on the massive glass box, over twenty feet tall, situated on an elevated platform.

This glass box was filled to the brim with water, and there was a man inside. He had long black hair, lots of gashes, and a hole in his chest.

This tall man, who would naturally tower over an average man because of his build, was none other than Cain.

He wore a crown with spikes facing skyward. Though dead, his corpse looked majestic and awe-inspiring, especially in the eyes of these individuals in black robes.

Everyone in the hall was silent, as if waiting for something. Just then, the door swung open, and the Grand Silver Moon, with a few Grand Black Moons, walked into the hall.

Walking beside them on both sides were twelve- to thirteen-foot giants with dry skin that stuck to their bones, wearing tattered loincloths and iron helmets that hid their faces except for their shriveled mouths.

Upon seeing the Grand Moons, everyone in the hall bowed their heads and only lifted them when Nerissa, the Grand Silver Moon, and the Grand Black Moons ascended the platform.

Nerissa pulled down her hood, removed her glove, and touched the cold glass wall.

"My Lordship, Cain... you shall soon be revived." She tilted her head, speaking with a loud voice.

"Praise be his name."

"Praise be his name!!" everyone in the hall chorused.

Right then, a man in a wheelchair entered the hall. He had gray hair and a beard, with a symbol of the black moon etched into his forehead. A muscular humanoid, whose lower body was nothing but smoke, a genie-like summon, floated beside him with its arms crossed.

"You called for me, Lady Nerissa."

"I did." Nerissa slowly descended the platform and stretched out her hand. The old man grabbed it and kissed it lightly.

"Lord Cain is pleased with your deeds. The wish made to your genie has worked so well. The number of dungeons across the globe has been increasing. I am even stunned at the marvelous ability of your summon."

The Grand Black Moon smiled proudly. "May Lord Cain be praised."

Nerissa smiled ever so softly. "Your reward shall be the meat of a queen-tier Phoenix summon."

Seeing the glee in the genie’s eyes, Nerissa chuckled. "If I’m not mistaken, your summon still has one wish left. Since its wishes are only dungeon-based, it would suit my current need perfectly."

***

In Skyline 88, Valentina brushed her summon’s fur on the balcony while Mrs. Joy watched. White looked different now, with well-developed horns that had turned almost crystalline. It looked magnificent, like a being of peace.

It calmly allowed Valentina to brush its fur with closed eyes.

"I remember how White looked back then. He was quite young and active. Now he’s more mature. You can brush its fur without a commotion," Mrs. Joy chuckled.

Valentina smiled. "That was long ago. When I gave birth to Godfrey, I was twenty-three, and then White was just thirteen. In a few months, it will be thirty years." Valentina smiled sweetly.

Mrs. Joy nodded. "I can’t believe you, White, and Godfrey’s birthdays are on the same day."

***

A few peaceful days passed by in Manhattan. All Godfrey and the other members of the Shadow Club did was study and chat when they had the time to.

This was their last sophomore month, but the peace of the school took a sudden turn when it was announced that New London High and New Fukushima High’s top ten elites would be dueling Manhattan’s elites.

It was an annual event that usually took place close to the end of the year.

Sebastian stared at the top ten standing in his office. "You all know this match matters a lot for us. It determines this region’s place and the resources, majorly the dungeon cores, that would be sent here," he began, noting their facial expressions.

"Without such resources, our next top ten might be weaker. Now, we would have had the advantage had the Mana Tree incident not occurred. Now, their summons have evolved. The information we have might not be of much use anymore," Sebastian declared solemnly.

"We can handle it," Damien said calmly. "We won’t be the group that allows Manhattan to fail."

Everyone else in the room seemed to agree with what Damien said, including Isolde and Percival, who barely showed much reaction.

"I’m sorry, but I won’t fight. Get a substitute."

Godfrey’s declaration made everyone in the room stare at him.

"Why?" Sebastian asked.

"I’m a humanoid summoner. From what I’ve heard, this tournament will be aired since it has to do with three regions and several countries under these regions. It would reveal my summons to the world, and we both know that the world at large dislikes humanoid summoners and their summons. They still haven’t stopped talking about the slaughter during the Great Vanishing."

Godfrey exhaled, knowing that this decision would cost him a lot of points, but did it even matter?

Sebastian shut his eyes for a long while before opening them again. "Alright. I believe we can at least manage without you."

"Thank you," Godfrey replied.

’Good! If everyone knew we were harboring a humanoid summoner of his strength, Manhattan’s name will fall—and so will the credibility of the students’ certificates, and that includes me.’ Damien said inwardly but did not dare say it out loud.

Godfrey had already proven he could kill them with one blow. Challenging him with brute strength alone would bring the same end. Damien tilted his head, looking at Tyla.

From Tyla’s distorted expression as she looked at Godfrey, he was certain her hate for him burned strong. So knowing he wouldn’t be participating in a contest that would put them live, receiving the praise of tens of thousands, made her feel gleeful.

....

A/N: