CHAPTER 179: DARK SCHEME

After everything, Darian stood at the top of a hill, watching people build and work. He turned to Niara, who was silent.

"Endi’s gonna help you now, so don’t worry. You can’t use your body, but since I’m your Summoner, I can help you create a physical manifestation like mine. That way you’ll be able to walk around on your own and even train. Just... since you don’t have rings, you won’t be able to change it after it’s created. But I promise, I’ll find a way to heal you faster. Soon, we’ll be running around like we used to."

A heavy silence filled the air. Darian found it strange but waited patiently.

A few minutes later, her voice echoed in his mind, quieter than usual.

’I don’t want a physical manifestation.’

"Oh? Planning to just... stay asleep inside your body until I come back to pull you out?" Darian asked, obvious confusion in his voice.

’Don’t play dumb, Darian,’ she snapped back, a hint of emotion in her words.

Then, a barely audible sigh. ’Sorry... you can move stuff between universes with that ring in your soul. And with my soul connected to yours... why... why don’t you take me to your universe?’

The question caught Darian off guard. He honestly hadn’t thought of that. He muttered, thinking, "Hmm... I guess it’s possible, but it wouldn’t make much sense."

He hesitated for a second before continuing. "I couldn’t take you out of me without revealing I’m a Summoner. I’m only known as a talented healer there, and I really don’t wanna draw too much attention."

’But...’ Niara tried to argue, her voice picking up speed. ’I don’t care about staying hidden all the time. You owe me! I want this.’

"You said I could bargain too, didn’t you?" Darian sighed, then softened his tone. "Look, if you stay here with a physical manifestation, you can practice other skills. You’ve shown insane talent for mental power. If Howlyn helps you, you could get really good at it. That way, when you get your body back, you won’t have fallen behind."

’I don’t want it!’ Her voice sounded straight-up pissed off in his mind.

Darian sighed. He was trying to be rational, but she just wasn’t having it. It felt like arguing with his sister... or sometimes even his mom. Women were complicated sometimes.

Seeing his silence, Niara got visibly nervous. ’Listen to me, Darian... I won’t get in your way. I can help a lot, noticing stuff you miss, just like earlier. I swear... I won’t tease you, or act irrational...’

"That wouldn’t be you. I’d rather you stay yourself all the time. Also, you’ve never been a bother. We’re partners, working together," Darian said calmly, feeling a strange emotion, almost a warmth, coming from her.

"Honestly, you’d be really useful. It’s always good having people I trust close. But that doesn’t change the fact that staying here and practicing mental power would be way better for both of us. Without a physical body, you can’t evolve."

"But... but... you owe me... I don’t wanna be far from you..." She tried to think of any argument, but failed. Frustration took over, followed by deep anger.

Darian sighed. She wasn’t gonna give up. His headache was only getting worse. Until...

...he felt footsteps approaching from behind.

When he turned, he saw the Dragoness Lanalia standing nearby, silent.

She had no idea he was having a serious internal conversation, so she just stared him straight in the eyes: "Sir... now that everything’s over... Oliver’s dead... I need to know... what happened to my baby?"

The moment she said that, Darian’s eyes lit up. There was a possibility.

Even though it would be better for Niara to stay, since she was so upset and insisting so much, he honestly didn’t mind taking her if he could. For some reason, he wanted to meet her demands... even if they were irrational.

But... that was gonna be complicated.

Darian took a deep breath. That painful conversation had to happen.

He told her everything he knew about Oliver’s death.

Then, he explained how everyone from the clan fought by his side to get the egg back... which, because of Earth Empire rules, ended up in the hands of a sinister person.

Darian explained how he killed Raon, then also took out his father... but... the tragedy had already happened.

When he told her what Freon did with the eggs and what his goal was, Lanalia’s eyes and face crumbled in despair. It was one of the hardest things Darian had ever done in his life. But the truth wouldn’t change.

"I’ll bring everyone here next time I come back. Then they can apologize to you directly. For now... I’m sorry I’ve been useless in helping," Darian said, clearly hurting as he watched Lanalia completely break down in tears.

"No... you... none of you are to blame..." Lanalia tried to whisper through the sobs. "But... my baby didn’t suffer... never had a soul... never had a chance to live..."

Niara heard everything for the first time and was just as shaken by the story.

Then Darian spoke softly: "Sorry to ask you this... but... I need your permission."

Lanalia turned to him, took a deep breath, and steadied herself a little.

"I wanna use that body... your baby’s body," Darian said seriously. "I think I can make Niara use it. She’s gonna help me a lot with that body. I need all the help I can get to get stronger and have more resources."

Lanalia swallowed hard, then nodded. "If at least that lifeless body can help Sir save my universe... then it won’t have all been in vain. I... and Jhun too... we’d be really happy."

She painfully murmured the name of her deceased partner.

"Thank you. I’ll do my best," Darian said softly.

Meanwhile, Niara sounded like she’d just heard something extraordinary.

Lanalia bowed and slowly walked away... Darian sighed. She was a really strong woman. Just like her, countless people were going through tragedies in this universe. He had to use that body and do everything he could to get stronger.

A few seconds later...

"You heard that, right? Are you really sure you wanna come back with me? Earth is... complicated and messy. And you... you’ll basically be considered my pet."

’It’s a half-dragon body like me, right?’ She asked, excited.

"It’s a mutant. With an atavism even more intense than yours. Physically... I don’t even know what it’s like, it was still inside the egg. But don’t think your powers from here can just... wait?!"

Darian jumped, suddenly remembering something important.

Inside the array, he had gotten two techniques that, for him, were completely useless. One, he needed to be a Chromaraic. The other... he needed a powerful Bloodline... now, the Technique: Celestial Bloodline Clone might finally show its value. (Chapter 71)

Darian ran... well, floated really slowly with his body.

He got to the front of the academy core, where Niara’s body was.

"I’m gonna pass you a complex technique. If you can pull it off... this could completely change everything for you once we’re back on Earth."

Niara nodded, completely surprised. Then, Darian slowly transmitted all the knowledge to her.

The spiritual root stayed with the soul, not the body. She’d already take that with her. But if she could also use the technique... she’d basically be like Darian in this universe, able to use about a third of her true power.

...

The final hours of Darian in that universe passed slowly.

At some point, news arrived that all the Spiritual Guardians who were attacking the galaxy had retreated. They realized something had gone wrong, and that the central planet now had a barrier that wasn’t something from the Risen.

They returned to Celestia Academy and started trying to communicate with the core of Divine Dragon Academy.

That made Endi’s job easier. He soon sent Darian’s message. From that day on, two academies controlled by the living existed in the universe. But the new academy, Shadows of Heaven, would be completely independent.

That caused a huge stir. First, a celebration: they had managed to take back an academy... then, in secret, the traitors received the news and orders from the Risen Lords.

And soon... a dark scheme started unfolding in that universe.

...

And then, the thirty days in that universe finally came to an end.

That day, Darian moved with the twins to the center, where everyone was waiting.

"The protective barrier will stay at 100% for at least a year. I’ll be back before that. Then we’ll start the plans to take over the galaxy again. Until then... get ready."

Darian spoke, and everyone roared with excitement. In that moment, he felt his vision go a bit blurry.

He moved over to Niara’s body. When a Spiritual Guardian left that place, their body stayed with the Summoner to be kept safe. Niara couldn’t store anything, so her body would stay inside the core next to hers.

As soon as he arrived, his consciousness faded.

Not just his. Niara, who had been anxious, suddenly felt her strength disappear... and she blacked out too.