CHAPTER 249: DOMINION SANCTUM [ 1 ]

The golden sunlight began its slow descent, tilting westward and casting a warm, honey-hued glow over the expansive tarmac of the private Osborn airstrip.

And by now five lore massive airplanes had already touched down on the runway.

These behemoths weren’t just any planes; they were laden with the family’s loyal servants and precious cargo, luggage, books, paintings, and all the treasures that defined their legacy.

Suddenly, a chorus of roaring engines drew everyone’s attention.

Heads turned instinctively as wide eyes fixated on what was approaching.

From the far end of the runway emerged a convoy of elongated, obsidian-black luxury buses, gliding smoothly into view.

Their surfaces gleamed like polished jewels under the sun’s rays, reflecting fluffy clouds above.

Each bus was a marvel in design,sleek and regal, unmistakably Osborn.

The family crest adorned each side panel in shimmering silver and gold: a phoenix rising from flames with wings spread wide and haloed by a golden laurel, symbols of rebirth, power, and an everlasting legacy.

"Are those... our rides?" Bella whispered to Eva beside her.

"They look more like moving five-star hotels," George murmured in awe.

As the buses came to a gentle stop before them, pneumatic doors hissed open with an elegant whoosh.

Inside glowed soft candlelight-like illumination as uniformed attendants stepped out gracefully to bow and gesture toward the inviting entrance.

Arthur’s calm voice cut through the excitement: "Okay everyone, board."

Without hesitation,even Ashley paused mid-rant to take in this spectacle, fifty-four members of the Osborn family began filing into one massive bus while servants took their places in others.

Stepping inside felt like entering a luxurious sky lounge fused with an opulent palace sitting room.

Plush velvet seats lined both sides in elegant semi-circular arrangements rather than cramped rows.

Each seat boasted interactive screens, massage controls, custom climate settings, and ambient lighting that shifted hues throughout the day.

Thick carpeting cushioned footsteps like walking on clouds.

Overhead hung a retractable skylight allowing sunlight to pour in or black out entirely at will,just press a button!

A stunning miniature chandelier yes, that’s right a chandelier, sparkled at its center amidst artificial vines and crystalline lighting.

Refreshments! Books! VR headsets!

And even a built-in espresso bar flanked the corners. This wasn’t just transportation; it was a mobile throne room!

Arthur entered last; his presence commanded silence for just a heartbeat as he strode forward dressed sharply in matte-black attire with their crest subtly woven into his shoulder, boots polished to perfection.

In his arms rested an adorable bundle.

"Eve!" Liz exclaimed excitedly as she leaned over her armrest. "You brought her with you?!"

Eve, a three-year-old with cheeks as round as cherries and hair that shimmered like honeyed silk, she is more like a distant cousin to Arthur.

She is the daughter of Julian’s wife’s brother, who had married into the clan years ago.

Yet somehow, this little whirlwind of joy had managed to worm her way into Arthur’s notoriously cold heart.

As he settled into his seat near the center of the bus, Arthur gently placed Eve on his lap. Instantly, she grabbed at his collar and began tugging while babbling in her adorable baby language.

For once, a smile, faint but undeniably real, flickered across Arthur’s face.

The moment the doors sealed behind them, their convoy began its elegant departure.

Outside the expansive panoramic windows, Varenya’s breathtaking landscape unfolded like a beautifully painted scroll: misty mountains loomed in the distance, lush green plains stretched endlessly, and newly laid infrastructure whispered tales of an empire being born.

"Okay, spill it!" Billy leaned forward eagerly from across the aisle. "How much did that airport cost?"

Arthur paused mid-peel of an orange for Eve. "Why do you want to know?"

Billy shrugged nonchalantly. "Let’s just say... some of us might have made a few friendly bets."

Arthur raised an eyebrow and then looked at Ashley with with a look that says ’ I think it’s you brought that up’.

Ashley immediateky raised her hand like an eager schoolgirl and quickly said while shaking her head" Hey! Don’t look at me like that it wasn’t my fault! These guys had wild guesses,Edward thought it cost ten billion! Can you believe that?"

Edward shot her a glare. "That was before I saw those fighter jet hangars!"

Arthur blinked slowly before responding. "That airport covers 52 square kilometers and houses 47 active runways along with 78 hangars and twelve towering nine-story logistics buildings.

It has enough fuel reserves to power a fleet for six months and boasts a next-gen radar system capable of detecting aerial threats from 500 kilometers away."

He handed the peeled orange to Eve with a flourish.

"And?" someone prompted.

"And," Arthur continued with a glint in his eye, "it’s integrated with an anti-air defense system featuring 17 hidden missile turrets and five kinetic dome interceptors." He raised one finger dramatically. "Meaning..."

"Ten trillion," he declared.

Silence enveloped the bus as everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief; mouths dropped open so wide that you could fit a goose egg inside!

"WHAAAAT?!" Ashley screeched, nearly dropping her water bottle in shock.

Kaia clutched her chest dramatically. "Oh God! I might actually need a heart specialist if I keep hanging out with you people!"

"Ten trillion Unicreds?" Charlotte echoed incredulously as her jaw hit the floor. "Are you serious?!"

Oscar leaned forward skeptically. "But isn’t that... overkill? For an airport?"

Arthur merely smirked knowingly. "What I just told you is only scratching the surface; the real costs are buried underground.

Everyone leaned in, curiosity etched on their faces,even Julian and the adults in the car perked up, straining to hear what Arthur would say next.

But instead of continuing, he sat there peeling a starfruit for Eve, playfully pinching her round, bouncy cheeks.

Ashley couldn’t contain herself. She reached out and tugged at his sleeve. "No way! You can’t just drop that bombshell and leave us hanging! Spill it!"

Arthur glanced down at her hand with a smirk. "I said what I said."

Even Liz, who usually maintained an air of cool indifference, turned to him wide-eyed. "What’s underground?"

"Let’s just say," Arthur murmured as he shifted his gaze out the window, "that someday... when you’re ready... you’ll see it for yourselves." His tone was firm,no room for debate.

A hush fell over the family, not from fear but from awe.

It was that thrilling anticipation that tingled beneath your skin when you sensed something extraordinary was just beyond reach.

Oscar whistled in amazement. "Ten trillion for an airport? What on earth could be beneath?"

Kaia leaned toward Billy and whispered conspiratorially, "Do you think he’s built some giant secret lab down there or something?"

Billy chuckled and replied, "With Arthur? More likely a nuclear bunker, a teleportation gate, and maybe even a few world-ending weapons thrown in for good measure!"

Laughter erupted around the bus as the tension lifted like a balloon floating into the sky.

From that moment on, the bus ride transformed into a joyful memory, cousins teasing each other, uncles cracking jokes with their nephews, and Arthur cradling Eve on his lap while humming a soft tune under his breath.

Outside, the Varenyan wind gently swept across rolling hills.

Inside the bus, however, something magical began to take shape, a dynasty not just built on structures or airports but woven through laughter, shared secrets, and precious moments like these.

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Time continued to pass by as everyone in the bus was happy and immersed in their own world of conversations.

The luxury Osborn bus glided effortlessly along the polished highway,

its sleek frame whispering against the road. Inside, a symphony of velvet coolness and animated chatter filled the air.

Plush ivory leather seats embraced each family member, while deep-blue ambient lighting bathed the cabin in a futuristic glow.

Gentle orchestral melodies floated from hidden speakers, nearly drowned out by the lively buzz of overlapping conversations.

At the front near the door sat Arthur in a spacious two-seater, cradling young Eve in his arms.

At just three years old, she already exuded that signature Osborn elegance,her black curls bouncing with every bump in the road, and her silver-laced dress shimmering like moonlight.

Laughter erupted from a group of cousins engaged in a playful debate over whose sunglasses were more extravagant.

Meanwhile, Ashley and the girls excitedly showed Kaia pictures of trendy clothes, cosmetics, and designer bags, comparing them with enthusiasm.

Suddenly, Arthur rose from his seat and faced everyone with an air of authority. He raised his hand and cleared his throat softly.

The effect was immediate,like a royal decree,rhe entire bus fell silent.

Dozens of heads turned to him; even Liz paused her game on her large laptop and removed her headset.

Curious eyes met Arthur’s as Eve looked up before snuggling back against his chest.

Holding Eve securely with one arm, Arthur flicked his fingers through the air.

In an instant, an array of holographic screens blossomed into existence above them.

They hovered in layered rings down the center aisle, transparent yet solid,displaying rotating views, topographical scans, security schematics, and time-lapse videos that captivated everyone’s attention.

Then one display surged to life,a breathtaking aerial view unfolded before their eyes.

From above, a sprawling estate stretched across vast land, a shape unmistakably reminiscent of the Osborn Crest: a phoenix rising triumphantly from flames.

Gasps rippled through the cabin like waves crashing on shore.

"Welcome," Arthur said calmly but powerfully. "To our future’s heart,the Osborn Dynasty Estate or as it will be known to all, Dominion Sanctum."

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