Ethan shook his head, his expression hard and resolute. "I refuse!"
Abdul's expression didn't change a bit. He calmly asked, "Can I ask why?"
"I would have gladly accepted your offer, but my goal is too big to be shackled by these responsibilities," Ethan replied gently, his voice firm but not unkind.
"So what is your goal?" Abdul asked back, leaning forward on his throne.
"To save everyone. From the age of chaos!" he replied firmly, his voice echoing slightly in the grand room.
A look of confusion spread across both Abdul's and the others' faces, except for Cassandra, who remained as still as ever.
"Age of chaos?" Abdul repeated, the words feeling strange in his mouth.
Ethan nodded. "You have helped us enough, and that's why I'm telling you this. Also, I knew I would have to tell everyone else about it one day or another," he said, looking at Emma, Violet, Sylvania, and Belta, his gaze softening as he looked at his friends.
"I have communicated with an entity, likely a constellation. He showed me a vision, a distant future where the Demon King will rise again and bring chaos everywhere!" he explained. He didn't tell them about him being a regressor, not wanting to make things even more awkward and unbelievable.
There was a look of pure shock on everyone's face already. Their mouths were slightly open, and their eyes were wide with disbelief.
"Constellations? Gods actually exist?" Violet muttered in shock, her voice barely a whisper of course that was a fake shock since she had communicated with one herself.
But because of this, Believing in Ethan's words became even easier.
"And you communicate with one of them? Like the legendary hero Reinhard, who was said to communicate with gods as well!" Sylvania said in awe, her usual playful tone replaced with wonder.
She was shocked at the point that Ethan's constellation actually showed him visions about future which her constellation didn't do at all.
"Of course not. I'm nothing compared to the legendary hero," Ethan politely refused, feeling a bit embarrassed by the comparison.
He then turned to look back at Abdul. "My goal is to stop that, and even my own survival is not guaranteed," he said with a heavy sigh, the weight of his mission pressing down on him.
He turned around, looking at the faces of his dear friends. "The same goes for you all as well. I have put you all in enough danger already. There's no need to follow me anymore if you don't want to. You guys have done enough for me," he said, his voice laced with deep emotion, almost begging them to leave and be safe.
"Of course not! I'll always be with you!" Violet didn't hesitate for a second, stepping forward and taking Ethan's hand firmly, her grip strong and sure.
"It's kinda bizarre to hear all of a sudden, but I trust your words as well," Emma said, a determined look on her face as she grabbed the same hand as Violet, creating a stack of support.
"Me as well," Sylvania added with a firm nod, her eyes shining with loyalty.
"Belta is also with you. Besides, Belta wants her revenge!" Belta said firmly, a fierce look in her eyes as she took Ethan's hand, her claws gently pricking his skin.
"It was not a question from the start. We were always a team," Cassandra smiled faintly, as she patted his back lightly.
"Thank you, everyone!" Ethan smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. There was a hint of warmth and happiness in his tone that had been missing for a long time.
Meanwhile, Abdul watched their little happy moment of companionship. It was quite hard to see such loyalty and friendship these days, and it touched him.
"It's said that the Demon King was also a constellation, but he later became a fallen constellation, thrown out of the cosmic realm. And even then, he started spreading chaos here. He is a common enemy of all humanity," he muttered lightly, more to himself than to them.
"And only one who can protect us is the constellations. And if one of them has communicated with you, then there's no doubt you are quite special," he added, his eyes filled with a new understanding.
"Maybe me meeting you was fate as well," he sighed with a smile. "Well then, just like I said, I would still help you even if you refuse!"
"Are you sure?" Cassandra asked with her flat voice, her eyes questioning his motives.
"Yes. Who knows, history might have my name written down as an important subordinate and friend of the new generation's heroes," he answered with a chuckle, his merchant's mind already seeing the long-term benefits of being on the right side of history.
****
In the Vanara-occupied Anastasia kingdom, the moonlight of the night was pouring down, making bright, shimmering shades in the stored water near houses.
Inside Lortell's palace, Maruti and Kailith had been invited for dinner. Of course, the invitation was for everyone, including Ravenna, Alice, and Brenna as well.
But Alice was too afraid to come here. The same went for Ravenna; the last person she wanted to deal with was Lortell. Brenna wasn't used to this kind of dinner between all strong Awakened and influential people. It would likely be an awkward situation for her, so she didn't come as well.
So right now, sitting at the table in front of Lortell and Esdeath, both Maruti and Kailith could feel Lortell's intense glare at them. It was heavy and uncomfortable, making the air feel thick.
"Once again, fuck you, Fable!" Maruti cursed Esdeath in her mind. There was no doubt Lortell was still upset with Maruti and Kailith for all the things they had done.
"Where is Selene?" Lortell looked to the side to ask Esdeath, trying to break the tense silence.
"She is busy reading. She'll join later," Esdeath said with a calm smile, trying to ease the mood.
The next moment, maid after maid came in one by one, presenting the meals on the table. The food looked and smelled delicious, with steaming meats, colorful vegetables, and fresh bread.
Maruti couldn't help but gulp, but she held herself back. She knew she was not in her own house but at a professional dinner, and she needed to be on her best behavior.
"Have you talked with Kailith and the others about the training?" Esdeath asked, getting straight to the important topic.
Before Maruti could say something, Kailith nodded. "Yes, and I agreed. But I don't think Igret will be of any help. And can someone explain to me when did the Pope of the Church Kingdom turn out to be a succubus queen?" she said, still looking completely shocked by what Maruti had explained to her earlier.
"It's true, I met her myself. She's actually quite easy to get along with," Lortell replied as she took a bite of meat, her voice casual, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"But the main problem is the rest of us. Who's going to train Ravenna, Brenna, and specially that idiot Alice?" Kailith said with a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples.
"Oh, you can leave that to me. I'll think of something by the time Esdeath and Maruti return from the demon realm," Lortell took the responsibility confidently, her voice firm and reassuring.
"I have already told Meldia to do some research on them. We'll find the perfect teacher for each of them," Lortell explained, her mind already working. "But I want Ravenna to give some basic training to Brenna. They both have an affinity with nature, after all," she added, thinking it would be a good match.
"Okay, I'll talk to her," Kailith nodded in agreement, relieved that Lortell had a plan.
Brenna and Ravenna were getting along quite well anyway. Even if Kailith didn't say anything, it was only a matter of time before Ravenna started teaching magics to Brenna for fun.
"I never had any great expectations from her anyways. I just need her to be strong enough to defend herself," Esdeath exclaimed calmly, her practical side showing.
"Yes, I'll be sad if she dies by some random person. She's quite good at cooking," Maruti added out of nowhere between her eating session, her mouth still half-full. It was a simple, honest reason that made everyone pause for a second.
"Well, this is it then. We should focus on the meal now," Lortell said with a warm smile, glad to have the serious talk over.
But then Esdeath interrupted, her brow furrowed in thought. "I think we are forgetting one person. Corin!"
"Corin? When did he become our subordinate?" Kailith asked in confusion, the name not ringing any bells of importance.
"Quite a long time ago. Not like i have any great expectations with him either, but he can be of some use," Esdeath replied lightly, waving her hand dismissively.
"Then we'll see after we assign everyone on their respective training," Lortell replied with a clap, deciding to deal with it later.
"Okay then, the meal is getting cold. We should start," Esdeath replied with a smile, finally ready to relax.
They all started their meal, the clinking of cutlery and the soft sounds of eating filling the room. The tense atmosphere from before had melted away, replaced by a sense of shared purpose and the simple comfort of a good meal together.