Change In Plan

"What?! You think you can comprehend the Law of Time?! That's impossible!"

The leader of Morten Family exclaimed, his voice full of shock and outrage. Ryker rolled his eyes, not bothering to say anything.

After all, action speak louder than words.

The man was about to throw more words around when he freeze, his eyes watching as Ryker revert a cup he broke back its previous unbroken state.

The other leaders looked at him in disbelief, with some rubbing their eyes, thinking they are seeing things.

"This is why Ryker is important to the expedition and why the Duke order a Genesis Foundation to join the expedition force," Hilar told the others, his voice calm.

Though inwardly, Ryker knew the man is groaning, annoyed by him for suddenly dropping such revelation.

Though he is surprise that the Duke did not tell him that. After all, he had been forthcoming of his desire to enter the Noble Garden to master the Law of Time. At least after he somehow find himself engage with Hylla.

'Maybe the Duke don't want too many people knew of it,' he reasoned.

However, since they will depends on others, he likely would not be able to master the Law of Time without interruption.

At least with them knowing they will not bother him while he spend some time outside the Temporal Forest.

 "Are we sure of letting this man does as he please?" the leader of Morte Family exclaimed loudly, "What if he does this to trick us so he could get all the treasures inside?" his words seem to struck chords with the others as they murmured.

 Hilar looked displeased as he roared, "If you don't want to get a share, then go search for other opportunities then! The Duchy Force will just have to work with the Inter-Realm Organizations then," 

 His words cause the others to panic, their pupils dilating. The one who had the worst reaction is the leader of Morte Family, who did not expect such large consequences.

 "You can't just drive an entire group!" the Morte Family leader yelled, hoping to pressure the Duchy Force.

 However, Hilar merely snorted as his eyes narrowed on the man, "Why should we not do so? In the end, the reason why the Duke allowed those from other factions that is not his own to enter the Noble Garden is on his whims. 

 However, if he heard of this, he could easily prevent the Morte Family from ever entering the Noble Garden," the man stiffen at the blatant threat, paling. If the Family Leader knew he was the reason their entry into the Noble Garden waa cut off, death is the less of his worry.

 "Remember, the reason why you can enter the Noble Garden is because of the Duke's grace. The Duke can easily take his grace anytime," the man nodded in fear, not even daring to retort less the threat was fulfilled.

 "Does anyone had any other things to say?" Hilar asked.

 "Yes, how long do you think it will take for you to master the Law of Time? There still the time limit of the Noble Garden," the others nodded, remembering what the Duke had told them.

 "I will do my best, but Law of Time is one of the hardest Paths to comprehend. I estimate around 4 weeks," the others talked with one another, clearly unsure of letting his spend so long mastering the most esoteric Path of them all.

 "The 4 weeks can be spent on searching for other treasures. The only one that should not follow are the Formation Specialist. Since Ryker will spend most of his time near Temporal Forest, you should try and study the Formation.

 Does anyone disagree? If they do, they can talk to me," the others did not raise their hands, conveying their silent agreement to Hilar.

 "Ryker, you will spend all your time to comprehend the Law of Time. There will be three people protecting you, and that does not include the Formation Specialist. 

 However, if you can, try to stabilize some of the anomalies so they could study the Formation and devise a way to break it," Ryker nodded in return.

 "In that case, each group can make their arrangement. As long as the Formation Specialist left behind, you can even take the rest of your group," the leaders nodded as they head straight to their team, likely to discuss of their course of action.

 Hilar turned to Ryker, a serious expression on his face, "Do you best to master the Law of Time. You need to if we want to obtain the pills," Ryker nodded again, knowing the importance of the roles he will play soon.

 "I will study the weaker temporal anomalies first so I can learn the basic," he already able to reverse the time, but the area of effect and how long he can reverse it is still something he is not sure of.

 Hilar nodded before pointing to Mashia and two other guards, "The three of you will protect him. Make sure no harm will come to him," the three nodded as they soon followed Ryker to the Formation.

 "Captain Hilar, what will you do now?" Hylla asked the older man.

 "I will order my men to get as much resources as we can. If this plan fail, we will suffer a great loss. This will hopefully mitigate it," Hylla nodded as she looked with complicated eyes to the leader of the Duchy Expedition Force. 

 Hylla had knew the man since she was small. How could she not when he is her main bodyguard? The man had been protecting her even before she could crawl.

 While Hilar looked young, his age is at least 80 years old, making him old enough to be her grandfather. However, Hylla see him as an older brother who will do his best to protect her. He had been in charge of guarding her for a long time. 

 She remember the crush she had on the man, before burying it, knowing it could never be to their both seeing one another more as Family than possible love interest.

 She sighed. The reason for the train of thought is because she could not help but wonder what their relationship would be when he get older and he married her.

 Of course, such thing would not came to be, but at least the possibility was there until Ryker sweep her on her feet.

 Speaking of Ryker, she could not help but wonder how strong he would be when he mastered the Law of Time.