Chapter 355: Returning To The Mansion

After leaving his soul space, Godfrey had to leave for the mansion. He considered moving the orphanage to Pendragon Island, but that would ruin the old man’s desire to be isolated from the world.

Dragons danced in the skies of Pendragon Island, Dragon Officers moved about with wyverns, there were a lot of people with summons there, with games that featured summoners using their summons.

The world these orphans were used to wasn’t the same as his own. Out there, summons dominated the screens; there were wrestling matches between summons, but this wasn’t the harmful aspect.

It was the propaganda of hate between beast summoners and humanoid summoners that wasn’t just on screens but in the minds of the public.

Paradise might be better, but after knowing Gabriel was just Cain with a different personality, Paradise lost all its appeal. His parents were only there to deceive him into being relaxed.

Godfrey wasn’t sure it would work, though. That was why his parents had set up a mechanism that would teleport them straight to the Pendragon mansion the moment there was an attack.

He also placed a knight there so he could quickly use Exchange in case, for some reason, he couldn’t teleport over there.

But the old man was adamant about remaining where he already was. He had been here for several decades already and wasn’t planning on leaving.

In the end, Godfrey could only leave a squad of Great Bow Knights. All ten of them hid their presence. Even while they guarded the compound, no one could notice them or even perceive their aura.

He also left an Origin Tier Crimson Taotie Cavalryman. This soldier was the first Cavalryman to gain the strength of an Origin Tier amongst the fifty thousand Crimson Taotie soldiers.

With him and the Bow Knights, the orphanage was relatively secure. He was certain because, after asking questions, no other child had a parent, so no more Miquellas.

***

He appeared in the room where the piano was. After looking around, Godfrey slid his hands into his pockets and walked toward the door.

’I’m quite hungry.’ He patted his stomach, opened the door, and stepped out. His eyes went to Isaac, who was heading in his direction, most likely toward the sitting room.

"You’re back." Isaac smiled. "Lucy left, we still don’t know where Snow went. Where did you go?"

"To an orphanage," Godfrey replied.

"Oh?" Isaac tilted his head. That was not what he expected.

"Shocked?"

"I am. What took you there?" Isaac asked, genuinely curious.

"My summon. Unfortunately, I had to witness a mother killing her child."

Isaac was silent. "You’re joking... right?"

Godfrey looked at him, turned, and began to walk toward the main sitting room. Isaac quickly followed him.

"You’re serious! Who did that?!"

"Miquella."

"That woman. What did you do to—?!"

"I killed her," Godfrey interjected, answering the question Isaac wanted to ask. He saw Isaac calm down before adding,

"I also attended the little girl’s funeral. She was a Titled god."

Isaac blinked several times. He couldn’t believe his ears. Miquella killed her child, who was a Titled god Tier summoner?!

"How?"

"Well, her summon’s Factor was solely focused on Recovery, just like my mother. She had just awakened and couldn’t evolve toward gaining ground in other factors," Godfrey replied.

"I hated Miquella, but this is just cruelty in its highest form. She’s mad," Isaac muttered.

"Just like Jon," Godfrey added.

"He’s going after Snow. Shouldn’t we do something?"

Godfrey shook his head. "I don’t think he can kill Snow, not with what he’s become. If they both meet, I can’t determine the end, but unless Jon can counter Snow’s illusion, he can’t win. Let’s say Jon can damage him — what if Snow puts himself in an illusion where he just keeps healing or where he can’t die?"

He squinted. "Snow isn’t human anymore. We don’t understand his anatomy. Will he die after his head is removed? If yes, then killing him will be less of a hurdle, but if not, then it might not be possible unless you have greater tier points."

"Who knows what else he can do now? I need to step up my game." Isaac clenched his fist.

Godfrey stopped walking, turned, and looked at his friend.

"Do so. You have the potential to grow really fast. It’s only going to eat away your morality until you become a human walking beast. Every time you want to grow, other than using a core, you’re going to have to battle your conscience over and over with every new target until, one day, your conscience is gone. Or you’re going to have to choose those you take their memories from wisely, those you think deserve it."

"But..." Isaac looked away. "Does anyone truly deserve it?"

"Yes." Godfrey’s firm reply stunned Isaac. "Many deserve it."

"I see." Isaac clenched his fist.

Godfrey turned, took one step, and paused, then turned back. "Where is Isolde?"

"I think she has a meeting. She told me to inform you that the guild master of Gate Defender’s Guild came in search of you." Isaac scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly. He had totally forgotten until Godfrey asked.

Godfrey remembered Charles, Falco, and Lotus, when he met them with Percival. Wait... did he actually miss Percival?

Godfrey scoffed. Maybe he did. If he was the striker, Percival was the perfect defender he would also trust to have his back, to hold the fort while he charged toward their foe.

That silent, blue-haired dude... just where had he gone?

"She left a letter at her office for you. Guild Master Johan wants you to join them and raid a purple gate dungeon? It’s a Titled god Tier dungeon." Isaac shivered.

"He’s insane."

"Hmmm." Godfrey squinted. ’Purple gates have dungeon cores like green gates, though? A core from a Titled god boss and a dungeon core is double gain from just one raid. One core can bring Tempest and Toria closer to the Titled god Tier, that’s a massive boost.’

"The guild master wants the boss core, though. He’s offering two hundred million for it."

’Money and a dungeon core, which they don’t know about. You don’t say.’

"Where did you say that letter is?"

There were tremendous risks to a purple gate, but the reward was also immense. Risk was always part of the game; he could only prepare enough and face it regardless.