James currently has his slave Oliver, Tyrus, and the Stratos Queen's child, who is hidden and wrapped in Tyrus's tail.
For now, she isn't a slave, but who knows what James might turn that small, innocent girl into in the future?
(Author's Note: Warning to the MC - Don't you dare make my sweet, innocent, and cute little princess a part of your slave list. If you do, Author-kun won't spare you, crazy bastard!)
After a while, the Green Guard opened the gate and called them inside, starting to ask for identification, as it was his job. When anyone entered through the gate, he had to gather their information, which he was now doing.
"Tell me your names, all three of you," the Green Guard asked arrogantly.
James ignored the Green Guard's tone and gestured to Oliver.
Oliver nodded in agreement and began to introduce them.
"This is my master, James Cattson, and my name is Oliver Cattson," he said, pausing for a second before continuing.
"And the Sanatorus we're riding is named Tyrus, Sir."
The Green Guard listened and began to note down the names Oliver had provided. After a moment, he repeated Oliver's name in the same arrogant tone:
"What did you say your name was, hmm... Oliver... Cattson... Tch... Can you drop the 'Cattson' part?"
He then glanced at his seniors and smirked as he asked them,
"Sir, should we take him to the HUNTER FACTION?"
The Senior Green Guard laughed loudly and responded,
"Jack, are you crazy? You can't just take anyone with that name and expect to get the prize money. You won't get 500 million Zyphorins just because someone's name is Oliver, you idiot."
"And that Oliver Grayson's photo has been spread all over Zyphoria. You should give up on capturing him."
Hearing this, everyone started laughing at Jack.
Embarrassed by his senior's words, Jack looked at Oliver and said,
"Sorry, my friend. Who doesn't need money in this world, right?"
"If you don't mind, how about we team up, and split the prize money 50-50? What do you think?" Jack suggested, his voice filled with eagerness.
Before Oliver could respond, the Senior Guard interrupted him,
"Enough, Jack! Stop joking around. Don't tempt him with greed. If you mess up this time, it could cost you your life."
"The Grayson family matter is extremely serious, and your lie will be uncovered quickly."
He gave this stern warning and then fell silent.
Hearing all this from the Green Guards, Oliver was filled with rage. His anger was so intense that it radiated from him like a powerful aura.
His eyes turned red, as if blood was pouring from them, and he was seething with fury, barely able to control himself.
Oliver's hand had already moved to his sword when James placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
Activating his Telepathy skill, James sent a message to Oliver,
"Don't do anything now; the time will come."
After saying this, James turned to the guards and asked,
"Once you have our information, can we go inside?"
Guard Jack looked at James and replied, "You'll need to wait five minutes while your [ASH ID] is being made. The entry fee is 200 Zyphorins, Sir." With that, Jack walked over to his seniors.
James glanced at Oliver, signaling him to calm down. Oliver, now somewhat composed, snapped his fingers, producing a pouch with 200 Zyphorins and set it down.
A little while later, Guard Jack returned with the ASH ID in hand and handed it to Oliver, saying,
"Don't lose this ASH ID." He took the 200 Zyphorins from Oliver's hand and added,
"Enjoy your time in Ashford Town, Sir."
Guard Jack left, and James said to Tyrus, "Let's go, Tyrus."
The three of them entered the town. James observed the large houses made of wood, noticing how clean and well-maintained the wide roads were. Every 10 meters, a security guard stood watch.
Seeing this, James remarked,
"The security here is pretty strict."
Oliver replied, "Yes, Master. This town is under the jurisdiction of multiple countries, so they maintain strict security to prevent any conflicts or illegal activities.
Each guard reports directly to their own country's authority, which keeps everyone on edge and ensures that the rules are followed strictly."
He paused for a moment, scanning the surroundings, and continued,
"It's not just about keeping the peace. There's a lot at stake here—trade deals, alliances, and power plays. They can't afford to let anything slip through the cracks. We need to move carefully, Master."
James nodded, taking in the information as they walked further into the town, their presence blending into the strict, orderly environment.
---
After walking for a while, they stopped near a lodge named "FORD STAY," a three-floor building.
James and Oliver got off the Sanatorus. Tyrus, wagging his tail, came over to Oliver's side and placed Stratos Princess in his hands before sitting down.
James looked at FORD STAY and said,
"It's evening already. Let's stay here for the night and explore the town tomorrow."
Oliver replied, "Alright, Master. I'll arrange for a room. You can wait inside, and I'll be back with the room key in ten minutes." Saying this, he handed Stratos Princess to James and headed towards the counter.
James, who was still outside, took the baby and went into the waiting room, where he sat on a chair, looking at the baby and asked UNI,
"UNI, how is this Stratos baby still maintaining a human form?"
UNI responded, "Host, when this baby was in her mother's womb, some Astral Energy entered her body, which is now providing the power to maintain the human form."
Hearing this, James asked,
"Oh, I see. Then how did she learn to take on a human form immediately after birth?"
UNI answered James's question,
"Because the Stratos species ages very quickly; they mature within a year."
"So, UNI, does that mean this baby will start speaking in a few days?" James asked.
"Yes, Host," UNI replied.
James smiled and said,
"Well, that's good. I'll be able to have proper conversations soon."
The baby raised her head and looked at James.
"Kuuu," she said.
"Nothing, Cutie," James responded.
At that moment, Oliver came in and said...
---
"Master, the room is ready," Oliver said as he picked up the Princess and started walking towards the room, with James following behind.
As they walked, James asked, "Oliver, where will we make arrangements for Tyrus?"
Oliver replied, "Master, there's a special resting area here for Sanatorus. We'll take Tyrus there, where he'll undergo a medical checkup, be fed, and even have a guard assigned to him."
Hearing this, James said, "That sounds good."
By then, they had reached their rooms. James's room was on the left side, and Oliver's was on the right, right next to each other.
Oliver and Stratos Princess went into one room, while James went into his and lay down on the bed, which was soft, clean, and obviously an expensive one.
Lying there with his eyes open, James asked UNI, "Can you tell me something about Astral Energy?"
UNI replied, "Astral Energy is a divine energy, from which worlds are born and destroyed. I don't know how it originates, though."
Hearing UNI's words, James's mouth dropped open in shock, and he thought to himself, "Wow, this energy is on a whole different level. It can destroy worlds—I'll have to be very careful using it. But what does it mean for a world to be born?"
Thinking this, he asked, "UNI, what do you mean by the birth of a world?"
UNI answered, "With this energy, you can create a new world, and you will be the creator of that world."
Shocked, James sat up from his bed and said, "What? I can create a world? How?"
UNI responded, "You can create a world in the Astral World."
James asked, "Oh really? Can I create one in my Astral World now?"
UNI replied, "It's not possible yet, Host. You still need to acquire powers first."
"There's still a long journey ahead," UNI added.
---
James thought to himself, "Hmm... I guess I'll have to wait. That's fine, I'm not in a hurry. My plate is already full; I can't add anything more right now."
Suddenly, a memory of something UNI had mentioned flashed through his mind, and he asked,
"UNI, you said that the Astral World is a kind of energy storage, right?"
"Yes, that's correct," UNI replied.
"Then how do I send my energy to the Astral World?" James inquired, a hint of curiosity and determination in his voice.
UNI said, "You'll need to first enter the Astral World and guide that energy with your soul form."
Hearing this, James closed his eyes and lay down, feeling the Astral Energy and entering the Astral World in his soul form.
"This is my second time here, and yet I still feel an immense emptiness—there's nothing here at all."
He saw black darkness and purple Astral Energy floating around; nothing above, nothing below, nothing on the right, and nothing on the left.
Thinking about all this, he asked UNI,
"UNI, it feels like this is a completely different dimension."
UNI replied,
"Yes, it's a type of energy dimension."
---
Just as James was deep in thought, a loud knock echoed through the room, snapping him out of his focus on the Astral World. The sound grew more insistent, urging him back to reality.
He quickly exited the Astral World and moved toward the door, a sense of unease creeping in. As he opened the door, he found Oliver standing there, his face pale with panic, eyes wide with fear.
Before James could ask, Oliver blurted out in a shaky voice,
"Master, Ty... Tyrus has been taken!"
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