"Tell me, what's going through his mind right now?" Reggie's expression was dark, his frustration palpable.
Cedric paused, choosing his words carefully. "If you had played it cool, pretended you knew nothing, and approached him differently, perhaps…"
Reggie's eyes narrowed. Cedric's words hung in the air. If Reggie hadn't questioned Harry so directly, if he'd merely acted as if everything was normal, maybe Harry wouldn't have felt compelled to seek out Madam Fulin. At least, that was Cedric' perspective.
"After all," Cedric continued, "Harry was willing to share everything that happened yesterday, which suggests he wasn't plotting anything sinister. But your sudden interrogation? It's a clear sign of mistrust."
A heavy sigh escaped Cedric' lips. He had warned Reggie before they set out, but his words had fallen on deaf ears. Now, with tensions escalating, what could be done?
"Or…" Cedric ventured, "you could consider giving him the rest of the Violent Bear Breathing Technique. There might still be a chance to mend things."
"Give him the rest of the Violent Bear Breathing Technique?" Reggie hesitated, his brow furrowing. "But… he's just—"
"Even if he's an illegitimate child, he's still your brother," Cedric interrupted firmly. "Lord Ethan has never denied Harry's place in the Cecil family. He deserves the chance to learn the technique."
Reggie rubbed the back of his neck, uncertainty etched across his face. "Let me think it over."
As Reggie hesitated, Cedric felt a twinge of frustration. 'If you can't decide, maybe it's best to eliminate the problem altogether.' In his mind, the option to have Harry removed became increasingly appealing.
Meanwhile, Harry stepped out of Reggie's camp, alone. He paused at a fork in the road, glancing back at the sprawling camp behind him. It was a disorganized mess, likely a reflection of Reggie's lack of respect for Harry's capabilities.
He assessed the situation, realizing that with the right strategy, he could easily disrupt Reggie's forces with a small, determined group.
"Lord Harry, would you like me to lead the charge?" Maro stepped forward, his enthusiasm evident. He stood beside Harry, eyes gleaming with excitement as he surveyed Reggie's camp. "I've gathered over 200 warriors from the tribe, ready to fight."
Harry considered Maro's eagerness for a moment. "Patience," he replied. "Let's see how Reggie responds first. We need to be strategic."
Maro nodded, though the anticipation was palpable in his stance. Harry turned his gaze back to the camp, weighing his options carefully. The tension between the brothers was reaching a boiling point, and he needed to choose his next move wisely.
"Maro stepped forward, his eyes bright with excitement. 'With you leading us, we can take this camp with just one charge,' he declared, a fire igniting in his voice. 'This territory will be yours!'
His confidence was infectious; he believed that as long as Harry was in command, nothing could stand in their way.
Harry chuckled softly, shaking his head. 'No need for that,' he replied, his tone calm and measured. 'I brought you here to be prepared for any eventuality, but since all seems well for now, I think it's best to enjoy some peace and quiet.'
Harry had always preferred a cautious approach. Before coming to this meeting, he had braced himself for a potential conflict. If Reggie had turned hostile, the orcs lying in ambush would have rushed in, ready to assist Harry in a decisive strike against him. That scenario would have been the worst outcome, but since Reggie had chosen not to escalate things, Harry was content to hold back and focus on what truly mattered.
'Should we just let them go?' Maro's tone was laced with disappointment. 'Opportunities like this don't come around often.'
Harry smiled reassuringly. 'Don't worry,' he said, his eyes glinting with determination. 'There will be a chance. Once I finish what I started, everything will fall into place.'
He raised his gaze toward the distant chaos of Reggie's camp, a frown crossing his face. 'This place is a mess, too much of an eyesore. It's time for a change.'
With that, Harry turned on his heel, striding away. Maro and the others exchanged glances before quickly following his lead, eager to return to the hunting grounds.
The hunting grounds looked different now, brimming with life and activity. Orcs toiled in the fields, working diligently for Harry. In this world, many lived as slaves, but Harry treated them as equals. They received most of the harvest, with only a small portion going to him, fostering a sense of community and trust.
In less than six months, the first batch of crop had been harvested. It was this vision of a better life that motivated Maro and the other orc warriors to risk everything for Harry. They could see the potential for improvement, a future where they weren't just surviving but thriving.
As Harry rode across his land, he made his way to a secluded cave, a hidden refuge he had discovered long ago. Inside lay supplies he had stockpiled: enough food and medicine to sustain him in case of emergencies. It was a small base, simple but cleverly concealed.
Once inside the cave, he blocked the entrance, ensuring his privacy. As he surveyed the space, he couldn't help but smile. 'Even though I've been through this once, I have to admit, I'm still looking forward to what comes next,' he said to himself, anticipation bubbling within him.
After stepping into the cave, Harry took a moment to arrange his supplies, meticulously placing everything in its proper place. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he surveyed his work.
In his mind, a thought flickered to life, and the purple crystal began to glow softly, its light pulsing gently like a heartbeat. Harry looked down, focusing on the energy readings displayed before him.
Simulation Energy: 284.
After months of relentless effort and countless travels, he was nearing the critical threshold of three hundred.
"Not quite where I hoped to be," he mused, "but it should suffice for one shuttle trip."
He felt the energy coursing through him, a mix of anticipation and caution. Originally, he hadn't intended to initiate the next journey so soon; he planned to gather more energy before taking the leap. While the energy required for a simple trip was manageable, the return trip would demand a significant amount as well. He needed to bring back the strength he gained from the other world, and the gap between the two would be considerable.
But time was slipping away. With that realization, he decided to move forward.
Harry began to outline the specifics of his next trip. "First, the time ratio must be established. That's non-negotiable."
He paused for a moment, contemplating the second condition he wanted to set. "I need to go to a world where the Knight's Breathing Technique is not just present, but widely practiced."
This was a crucial change from his previous journey. During his first trip, he had requested a world with the Knight's Breathing but had found nothing during his ten-year stay. Despite his efforts, he hadn't encountered a single example of the breathing technique, leading him to suspect it had been lost to time.
This time, he wanted to ensure that the method was not only available but also taught openly. He understood that while something similar might exist in that world, it could be hidden, its lineage severed over the years.
Harry sighed, recognizing the weight of the risks involved. The price for such precision would be steep. He glanced at his dwindling energy reserves, feeling a mix of determination and unease.
"It will come back," he reassured himself. "There will always be opportunities to regain what I've lost."
With a renewed sense of purpose, he closed his eyes, allowing the flickering light of the purple Simulation Coin to fill his mind. He could feel the energy pulsing softly, a harbinger of the new journey about to unfold.
As the light flickered, he knew he was on the brink of something significant. The adventure awaited, and he was ready to embrace it.