Chapter 978: You’re Too Smart For Your Own Good, Brat

Published Mar 17, 2026, 08:02 AM

Inside Rocky's Mobile Fortress… "Don't hesitate to call for me when you need help," Thirteen said as he held Princess Aracelle's hand. "My number is already registered in your communicator. Also, I will leave two of my demons to watch over you." The teenage boy then pulled out a ring from his hand and gently placed it on Princess Aracelle's ring finger. "This is the Ring of the Apocalypse," Thirteen stated. "This will let you into the domain Metatron gave me. If anything urgent comes up, you can find me there." Princess Aracelle looked at the ring on her finger before reaching out to hug Zion and pulling him into her embrace. "Thank you, Zion," Princess Aracelle said. "I will treasure it for the rest of my life." "You do that," Thirteen replied. But before he could say anything else, his lips were kissed by the Princess, not once, not twice, but four more times. Each kiss was passionate, lasting for a few seconds. Pica and Pico happened to be around, so Giga quickly covered the twins' eyes. The two Pocopocos were still too young to see such things. "Ei! Is this what they call a Director's Cut?" Pica asked. "Uncle Giga, we're already adults, you know?" Pico complained. "Pocopocos mature early!" The Blaze Skunk ignored the complaints of the two birds and made sure they would stay put. Sherry, who had also come to see Princess Aracelle, smirked. 'I guess Shana will have competition in the future," Sherry thought. Princess Aracelle was supposed to get Erica's and Shana's approval first. But due to the urgency of the situation, she skipped those steps and went for the home run instead. However, the Princess didn't know that Thirteen had already asked the permission of his three lovers before he made love to Princess Aracelle. Erica, who had already had a talk with the Princess, had given her blessing, but Shana opposed. Thirteen didn't know how Erica did it, but a few minutes later, Shana changed her mind. But, she gave a condition. "You will visit Livia City after Princess Aracelle leaves." The teenage boy agreed, and only then did the Saintess reluctantly agree to making the Princess one of her sisters. Sherry had already told Zion that she would follow Erica's decision. Since the Sorceress had already agreed, the princess automatically had her blessing. When the kisses finally ended, Princess Aracelle reluctantly pulled back and went to hug Sherry before thanking her for everything. Sherry hugged her back and asked her to take care of herself as well. "Rocky will take you to Livia City," Thirteen stated. "Since your Big Five is there to protect you, I believe you won't have any trouble after you return. But remember this, the other Jinns might cause a commotion, so protect yourself as much as possible." "I will." Princess Aracelle nodded. "For your sake as well." After bidding their final farewell, Thirteen and Sherry left the Mobile Fortress. Rocky then traveled deep underground as he headed towards Alcove City. This trip would last for a day and a half, and the Hellfire Bal-Boa would meet up with Zion in Livia City, where the Hero Party was currently stationed. He had made a promise to Shana, and he had already talked to Tristan about it. After their conversation, the Field Marshal made arrangements to ensure Zion's safety. There were only four more days before the High-Tier Gates opened. Simply put, they only had four more days of peace before the real invasion began. Of course, it wouldn't happen right away. The Jinn Armies still needed to gather information about the Wanderers first before they made their move. But it didn't change the fact that things would no longer become peaceful, and Thirteen would have no choice but to once again head to battle. Meanwhile, in the Sirius Continent… "Father, are you sure about this?" Claude, who was still the Patriarch of the Ashford Clan, asked. "This… might be a bad idea." "I'm not asking for your opinion, Claude," Aaron said. "I'm asking you—have you recalled our forces and briefed them of the situation?" "I have already done that, Father," Claude replied. "They are now returning from their missions as we speak." "Good." Aaron nodded. "You told them to prepare themselves for war, right?" "Yes, Father," Claude answered. "But most of them think I was referring to the Jinn Invasion in the Cygni Continent." Claude's face was a bit pale because, within the Ashford Clan, only he knew what his father was really thinking. "Excellent," Aaron smiled faintly. "If you do this well, I will consider letting Clark return to our family. But only if you do well. So, make sure that this operation will not fail. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Father." Claude nodded. Aaron and Norman were both preparing for war. But their enemies wouldn't be the Jinns that would invade the Cygni Continent. No. They planned to wipe out several families in Pangea who were opposing them. The one on the very top of the list was the Leventis Family. When the war in the Cygni Continent was at its peak, the forces of the Ashford and Stallard Clans would mobilize and head directly to the Aldebaran Continent. They would first eliminate the Leventis Family before shifting their target to the Remington Clan, which was the Monarch Clan ruling the Aldebaran Continent. After that, they would force the Smith and Lockwood Prestigious Families to become their dogs, or else, they would risk a family extermination. They planned to conduct a blitzkrieg attack, not giving the Central Government time to do anything. When it was over, they believed that Tristan and Lawrence would have no choice but to turn a blind eye to their action. Aaron and Norman timed it so that the rest of the world would be busy fighting against the Jinns while they made their move. The last thing they wanted to happen was to get stabbed in the back when the majority of the forces of the Central Government were in the Cygni Continent. Aaron had also made a contingency plan just in case Lawrence decided to attack them after they had fully claimed the Aldebaran Continent as their own. Project Exodia would deal with Lawrence, which the Ashford Clan had built for decades just to counter the Grand Marshal's undying ability. "Remember, Claude, this is your last chance to redeem yourself," Aaron stated. "If news of this comes out, I'll make you personally witness how terrible I can be." "W-Worry not, Father," Claude replied. "Your secrets are safe with me." "And it should remain that way." Aaron nodded. "Now go. Make sure we will have enough resources to complete our mission in the fastest way possible." Claude nodded before leaving the room to do his father's bidding. Aaron glanced at the TV, where news of Zion visiting Livia City was being broadcast. "You're too smart for your own good, brat." Aaron sneered. "It's time to nip you in the bud before you become more annoying in the future." Aaron had deemed that Zion's threat was greater than Lawrence's. Although he was only a Rookie, his charisma and ability to make people follow him made him a thorn in their side. He had also recognized the teenage boy's wisdom, and although he found it regretful, he decided that since he couldn't make Zion work for him, he would just eliminate him and the rest of his family together. The Leventis Family had now become an eyesore, and Aaron would no longer tolerate their existence.

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