His words naturally surprised the group; their dumbfounded expression was evident. They could not exactly know if Rise was joking, but if the rumors were true, then his words were likely his real intention.
For a mont, the group fell into silence, unable to speak. In terms of numbers, they had the advantage, but in front of Rise and not to ntion Kamille, the chances of escaping were slimr than those of the natives.
Not like they would escape; they were not ungrateful since it was really Rise who saved them.
After a mont of contemplation, Dan took a deep breath and was about to speak when his words were interrupted by a laugh.
That was right.
Rise was laughing; his body leaned slightly at Kamille, who imdiately supported him.
Question marks seed to appear on their heads, not knowing why Rise was laughing.
Rise waved his hand; his laugh gradually died down, but the playful smile remained.
"I was just joking." Rise’s words did not make the group feel at ease at all. "Well, you’re all looking stiff, so I just help to disperse the tension."
If Dan and the others could argue, they might already say, ’You’re not helping at all.’
Kamille would also agree to them. Even he thought that Rise was serious.
Seeing no one was getting his humor, Rise felt dejected for a while, but he soon switched to a more serious mode.
"I saved you and it’s not free." This, Dan and the group could tell and would prefer to be so.
As Espers, they did not trust to free stuff, especially if it concerned their lives. Their reactions made Rise smile; he gave each a glance before stopping to et Dan’s gaze.
"Don’t worry, I won’t require your life, not directly." Rise laughed again, but sadly, no one laughed with him since the group was already tensed. He cleared his throat and decided to stop going around circles.
Finally, the smile faded from his lips, but his eyes still showed a gentle and satisfied glow. He was in a good mood.
"I want you to sign a contract with . Be my subordinate."
And Rise’s plan to recruit his old enemy and his gang, was successful.
The forces under him had undergone a new transformation.
Rise signed a contract with Dan and the group using an artifact, and he did not use the seed of betrayal this ti. They were more precious than the underground wild Espers.
He did not want to limit their potential, and Dan was worth the investnt. Rise did not need his loyalty; as always, he wanted his competence and the potential chaos he could create.
As the group disappeared in front of them using the rings that Rise provided, Rise stared for a mont.
Make yourself more useful, Dan.
A few seconds later, Rise finally turned to Kamille.
"Let’s go back, Guild Leader."
They detoured so much, and it was ti to return.
***
"When, When will you return?" Zenos asked, slightly awkward this ti since the status of the two had tilted.
Rise’s status in the clan was even higher than that of his father and basically the master of the clan now.
Rise looked at this timid lion, who did not have the deanor of a second lead at all.
"After so ti," Rise answered noncomitally. aning, he also did not know. His priorities were elsewhere. As for the war, he did not need to be there to create chaos there.
As for this man, Rise would set the affairs about him aside for now. He already got the result of an experint, and he knew that he could not handle ssing with Zenos’ threads yet.
Zenos was the second male lead, and obviously were more important than Dan and his group. The consequence might be more intense, and he did not have the ti to try.
Still...
"Zenos." Rise called him, his tone light, but his eyes said otherwise.
"Ah, Yes!" Zenos straightened instinctively; he glanced at Kamille at the sidde before he evaded his gaze and lowered them. He could not look into Rise’s eyes so casually!
Rise noticed this, and he also made sure the conversation would be short.
"After Zarilan returned, tell him, the war is not for you to interfere."
These words had a lot to interpret. Zenos could only nod while contemplating his words. Rise did not add more as he had already turned around.
Saying more would only lead to more undesirable effects, especially as about Zenos’ identity to the whole sche.
After a few goodbyes and instructions, the group, after spending almost two weeks inside, finally returned to their world.
And this was not a permanent goodbye.
The coordinates of the ring were fixed; they would still exit to the gate they entered. As soon as they arrived, the scenery imdiately changed.
"Another batch returned!"
"Guides! Please standby!"
It had beco quite a lively place. Espers exited and entered; guides were scttered about with the staff from the Union being busy to attend to everyone.
It was not long before the group was recognized.
"Oh? Guild Leader Kamille?" A staff from the Union approached them and another; their eyes then stopped to the won behind them, especially to Thalia.
"Guild Leader... Thalia?"
"The Dark Crimson and Evergreen Guilds!"
"They return at the sa ti!"
"Hey, no gossips!"
"Guides, we need guides!"
The lively place had beco even more lively with their arrival. Soon, a group of guides arrived before them, prioritizing them over the others.
Rise looked at the guides as they approached; he held Kamille’s arm as he clicked his tongue.
"Annoying." He could not help but say.
Kamille heard him; he glanced at him and beca amused.
"Want to refuse?" He whispered.
Rise was tempted to say yes, but... What would be the reason for Kamille to refuse, unless he was already guided? When there weren’t any Guides inside the gate!
The natives? Who would believe that? They both utilize their mana differently.
"It’s fine." Rise then smiled. "I’m also about to be guided."
This ti, the ghost of smile on Kamille’s lips faded at the realization. Rise only laughed as he winked before leaving, taking the initiative to approach a Guide.
Since, no one would be brave enough to volunteer.
Kamille chased Rise with his eyes. Rise, despite sensing his gaze, never looked back once.
"He’ll lt." A teasing voice made him shift his gaze and turn to his side.
Beside him, there was only one woman, soone he had known since they were young, Thalia.
At this mont, she exuded a different vibe. Not that she completely changed; there was sothing that changed for sure.
Thalia smiled at him. "It’s good to see you... Kamille."
Kamille did not react; he only looked at her. Thalia did not seed to be expecting of any response. She turned and look at Rise’s direction for a few seconds.
"Let’s work harder this ti."
Thalia returned her gaze to him and nodded before she too left with a Guide.
Kamille watched her back, unfazed.
She really changed. She matured.
Work harder, huh?
"Uhm, Gui-Guild Leader Han... let ... Let guide you." A low and timid voice cut his thoughts. His gaze landed on a guy, looking shy and blushing as he tried to make eye contact with him but never could do so.
Kamille’s expression returned to one of indifference. As the man reached out, wanting to touch him, Kamille casually evaded the touch as he walked forward, leaving a small, emotionless remark.
"No need."
Prior to eting Rise, Kamille never liked being guided, especially by Guides with obvious motives. He did not lack unpleasant experiences and encounters with overclingy and overintimate guides.
Kamille’s gaze automatically landed on Rise’s position as he was being guided; a girl was holding his hand. A rather simple contact, the lowest guiding requirent.
Still, it pissed him off. A stranger held Rise’s hand, a hand that was not his.
His jaw clenched slightly.
Kamille averted his gaze and continued forward. This ti, it was Rise who was chasing Kamille with his gaze.
Wait... Did he provoke Kamille too much?
Rise bit his lips and withdrew his hand, surprising the girl guiding him.
"I-It’s not finish..."
Rise almost roleled his eyes. He did not need to be guided.
He clasped his hand and stood.
"No need, I’m good."
Without waiting for her, Rise was already following Kamille, who quickly disappeared from his eyes.
Damn it. Kamille was too fast!
Looking left and right, and at every direction, even at the sky, Rise frowned. How co Kamille had left? And where was he going?
As he was searching for Kamille in the building, he almost bumped into soone.
"Can you look where you’re going?"
Rise was not in a good mood so, he did not even look who it was and planned to continue on his way but was stopped by a hold in his arm.
"Rise," the tone was light, even gentle.
Rise imdiately recognized the voice. Sure enough.
"Mitchel," Rise glared and pointed at his arm. "Let go. I’m not in the mood to play gas."
He always felt uneasy about every change related to Kamille. He was sensitive to it now. Without knowing the problem, he would not stop.
"Ouch." Mitched chuckled, letting Rise go. "I never played gas with you."
As he said, Rise was not in the mood and was about to turn around again when Mitchel spoke again.
"Are you looking for Kamille Han?"
Rise quickly looked behind, eager.
"Yes, did you et him?"
Mitchel did not answer Imdiately, but then he sighed.
"You really..." Mitchel licked his lips, taking a deep breath. Rise waited.
Mitchel wore a conflicted expression and answered.
"He t the Union’s General, then they left together."
Rise did not even let him finish, as he was already running towards the elevator.
Mitchel paused and chased Rise with his gaze.
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