Chapter 11
Caliente Outpost, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire
This was the worst ending possible for an unofficial campaign. Dekert fumed as he and his group headed for the Caliente outpost. They arrived in good time, but he wasn't pleased about reporting the dismal results of what had yet to happen.
"Sire, what should I do next?" Dekert asked his emperor, who was his father, silent while listening to his report. They faced each other through a transmission crystal.
"You shall go to the Galos Empire and then to the Naxos Kingdom," his father informed him coldly. "There will be no further wild goose chases." He made it clear that Dekert was no longer allowed to run wild. "You shall complete the original mission of being part of a diplomatic delegation going to the Galos Empire."
A sigh escaped the emperor when Dekert scowled. "While in Galos Empire, you shall find three potential Omega mates and send them to Bellonia for further evaluation. You shall do the same thing in the Naxos Kingdom. We don't have time to waste further wandering all over wild wastelands that have no potential for conquer."
That was what his father hoped he would discover out there? Dekert grunted. "I will have the warriors, mages, and scholars report on what else was found. You'd find it beneficial to expand the territory before another republic is founded." He knew his father was still infuriated that citizens flocked daily to the Republic of Shantu and other neutral zones rather than remain in Bellonia and Galos.
Part of his mission was to find ways to prevent more citizens from fleeing the empire's lands.
As for his unofficial mission, Dekert ground his teeth. "May I have permission to deal with the Jesso Cousins, Firenze, and Chester, who deserted the delegation mission before it was concluded?"
His father eyed him in askance. "You may not." He told Dekert sternly. "I'm being harassed about their disappearance because of your foolish actions. The two of them were affianced, and now you've lost them because they despised your free-spirited decision to go searching for a missing dragon knight."
Dekert winced upon hearing that. "I see," he sighed. "Neither of them actually spoke of having fiancées," he admitted with some chagrin. How irritating, but Dekert wasn't too shocked, really.
After all, it wasn't the first time they'd told Dekert that they'd had someone of interest in their lives but refused to introduce him to them. So, they'd actually been in formal arrangements after all? He'd thought that was some deception designed to ruin his plans for finding and capturing the dragon knight.
Well, no matter. He might be able to salvage something from this mess after all. "I have reason to believe they were able to locate the dragon knight," Dekert revealed what had been discovered in the twins' possessions before they vanished into thin air after the monsters invaded the campsite.
The emperor shrugged. "I don't care. I want you to focus on state matters now." He sighed. "I've tolerated all your flightiness, but now you must start acting like a true statesman unless you wish to renounce your position of crown prince."
Dekert scowled. "I do not want to do such a thing." He informed his father. What should've been a successful retrieval mission turned into an embarrassing failure that would give him far too many demerits for the amount of time and resources spent tracking down that damn retired dragon knight.
"Then give up on that flight of fancy of yours," the emperor snapped. "Otherwise, I shall select one of your acknowledged cousins as a candidate for the crown prince position."
In other words, shape up or lose everything. Message received. Dekert sighed. "Yes, father." He would simply find another to attain his goal.
*
Ruins of ancient Dracaenae enclave, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire
Now, to deal with his guests. Should they be wary of the hot springs, Clarence couldn't do anything about that. He just hoped they had the common sense to use something that could remove all debris, sorrow, and pain accumulated through separation from loved ones.
"Ah, right. I must tell the men I've retrieved the remainder of their belongings. He headed into the hot spring cavern to see the two brothers almost entirely immersed in the waters.
One was in the lukewarm chamber, but the other was swimming quickly in the scalding temperature. Amused, Clarence watched the two of them. Their contrasting natures are also shown in their appearances. No one would ever know they were twins.
One of them turned his head to regard Clarence steadily. His aura indicated his mated status because he was too calm. So, this one was Firenze.
"Greetings, Sir Delarosa." Firenze inclined his head to Clarence. "I apologize for our presence here when it shouldn't have been necessary."
Clarence sighed. "I accept your apology. I was able to retrieve items that you might've left behind in your tents."
A faint smile curled Firenze's mouth. "That's a relief to hear," he admitted. "I just realized I had nothing spare to wear." He shrugged. "I don't know about the knucklehead scalding himself in the other chamber."
Knucklehead, huh? It's an excellent nickname, but at least it was polite compared to some Firenze called Chester earlier, Clarence remembered. "I'm Clarence, and you are?"
Firenze blinked. "Oh, I'm Firenze Jesso of the Lamberton Merchant group."
Clarence nodded. "I've dealt with many of your caravans when they reached the Naxos kingdom in the past." He turned his attention to the other, who'd finally noticed his presence. "You would be?"
Chester pulled himself halfway out of the water and leaned against a pillar. "I'm Chester Jesso, the curious idiot who involved you in this mess." His combined introduction and apology made Clarence smile.
He had to commend Chester for his honesty. "Well, it was only a matter of time before that jerk came after me." Clarence acknowledged. "I think it was just accelerated due to your diligent research." There was no reason for Chester to feel guilty about something Clarence should've remembered about Dekert Jesso. He was obsessive about power and all the ways of acquiring it by any means at his disposal.