Exodia 189: Countdown to Zero (3)

As the ferry continued to sail, Regulus explored the ship and found the dining area. Many people conversed in the room while eating.

He recognised many people since he met them as he worked as Hunter.

He found his table and ordered food from the waiter. The waiter took his order and left the table. Regulus continued to observe those around him.

(I'm surprised that, right under my nose, they entered Altria illegally to attend to drug deals and trades. Now, they're doing it under Kamish's nose, which is even more terrifying. Well, I'm also one of them now.)

He sighed, looking over at the person approaching him. It was one of his servants, Faith.

She sat next to him.

"Do you remember when you first made us?"

"Of course, how would I forget? You've always been a hot head."

"Shut it!"

Faith smacked his head.

Faith and Ophelia are homunculi. They were artificially crafted by combining embryos with resources from monsters and their growth was accelerated with runes.

Faith retained the qualities of wolf monsters. That is where her quick temper and extraordinary strength come from. She uses guns to limit her brutality.

Ophelia retained the qualities of serpent monsters. Her reserved, yet, sly personality comes from the serpents. She thinks before every action she does. Ophelia is good at assessing people's mental state and fights with a spear despite specialising in hand-to-hand combat.

"You said something back then... You said, 'Join me on my journey to recreating the world.' You never said anything about making the world so everyone can live safely."

Regulus kept silent as the waiter came and gave him the food he ordered. He picked up his knife and fork, cut into his steak and ate it.

"Don't get me wrong, Master, I don't give two shits about what happens to the world. I'll follow you no matter what you do. But... I just want to know your goal. Your true goal. Not the lie you said earlier. I'm sure Ophelia also noticed."

"I said that I can't tell you everything."

"Then, could you at least tell us what you'll use the Key for?"

"The Magician."

"What?"

"The Key is the Magician. The Magician is powerful. Once the Magician awakens, then she will get a large boost of power needed for my plan. I need to use the essence of the Magician since the Fool can't be found."

Faith furrowed her brow.

"The Magician, as in the one who's on the side of humanity? That girl is the Magician? One of our greatest enemies?!"

"Greatest item. We just need to use her correctly."

He continued to eat his steak.

Regulus still had not answered Faith's question. She ignored that fact and got up from her seat.

"Sure, whatever you say."

"Faith."

"Hm?"

"I want to remake the world. Will that be a sufficient answer?"

The woman smiled before turning away.

"Shut up. I don't care anymore."

"Sassy..."

The man muttered to himself.

"What did you say?!"

She beat him mercilessly, rendering him unable to eat on his own for a short while.

·———·

The time went by quickly and the ferry had already converted into a submarine, swimming through the ocean. It was able to penetrate through the city's barrier, without suspicion, and they stopped at their underground dock.

"Thank you for your journey."

The inspector said as they left.

Through a secret exit, they were able to enter the city without others seeing. They were up north in the city, which is away from Altheria, which is in the east.

"We made it to Altheria..."

"I'll change your face, Argent, just in case."

Regulus used his active Singularity and Argent appeared to be an effeminate boy.

"What will we do first, Master?"

Ophelia asked.

"It's almost 5 am, so we'll start by travelling to Altheria from here. Faith, what day is it?"

"Saturday."

"We'll survey the Key's actions for a while before we take action. Ophelia. Make sure we have a boat back by Tuesday."

"Yes."

Regulus smiled.

"I'm not going to let anything stop me from interfering with my plan."

·———·

[Hey, it's been a while.]

I'm in a dream right now. In a pitch-black space, a man stood in front of me. He looked identical to me but he was taller and had a different aura about him. His eyes were also a different colour.

"Altair... Where have you been?!"

I shouted.

[Relax. I can't do anything about it right now, but I can give you a warning.]

"A warning? What about?"

[Solomon is awakening. There's nothing anyone can do to stop it but I just wanted to give you a warning.]

"If you're warning me, then he'll come for me, right?"

[Solomon will most likely come to you as soon as he awakens. He'll kill you as a warning for the other Mortal Sins and Emperors.]

The king who singlehandedly took the world by storm during the Paladin War. He'll be after my life...

"So, I should be careful, right?"

When I asked him, Altair stayed silent. He looked at me with downcast eyes.

[This time, Shoya, you are truly destined to die.]

"What?"

[Don't get any of the Emperors involved with this.]

What's he talking about?

"Come on, Altair, don't say that. I wouldn't get them involved anyways. The last time I was destined to die, you were there for me. My partner. My friend. This time, I won't die. Whether I have your help or not."

[Shoya. This isn't like before. I'm warning you because I can't be there for you.]

I wonder where Altair went for all that time but I won't ask since he's deliberately avoiding the subject.

[This opponent is not like Aden-Lada. You'll—]

"Thanks for warning me, but I'll be fine. If I die, then I guess I die. Though, I won't be open to being killed."

Before I wasn't serious so that I wouldn't make Altair worry but seeing how insistent he is, I have to reassure him.

The man smiled as his body slowly began to fade away.

[Alright. Don't die by the next time I see you.]

"Then don't disappear on me."

I teased him.

Altair faded and I began to lose consciousness.

·———·

"Shoya-senpai?"

I heard Kisaki call out to me as I suddenly awoke from my sleep.

"You look like you had a nightmare. Do you want tea?"

I blankly stared at him.

"I'll have cold water..."