"By the way, Javier?" Garius glanced at him.
"Yes, Father?"
"Do you think this one could also join us?" Garius glanced up to his side.
Javier looked up at the golden, massive Pekko.
Ah... Father’s Pekko. Giddie. The King of All Pekko. He’s going to join Father as well, huh?
Looks like this Pekko really can’t leave Father if he wants to go sowhere...
I guess Buddy will have to behave... or be forced to.
Javier nodded. "Yes, esteed Father. Giddie can join us as well. The GAASAD is designed to carry up to six grown Pekko along with all the passengers and supplies. Since only Buddy will be going with , there’s plenty of space."
"Mm..." Garius turned and headed inside the GAASAD with Francesca and the others, while Giddie gave Javier a smirk and a sidelong glance before smugly following Garius from behind.
Javier exhaled and looked at Buddy, who had stiffened. Liana glanced up and smirked, seeing Buddy "behaving" properly for once.
Once they all headed inside, Javier took the pilot’s seat. He turned on the systems, pressing the glowing rune panels with practiced ease.
Liana sat beside him in the co-pilot’s seat, while the others took their places behind them. Garius and Francesca sat in the first passenger row, with Alf and Erinette beside them. Gloria, Felicia, Delya, and Mimi settled into the seats behind, with Buddy and Giddie occupying the spacious rear cargo area.
Javier put on the mana headset, and Liana followed suit, adjusting hers gracefully.
He glanced at the screen and pressed another rune. "Activating secure protocol. Linking with mana satellites and Sky Eyes. Setting destination: Mathrias Estate."
His voice ca through the cabin speakers, calm and clear. "Everyone, please fasten your seatbelts. We’ll be departing shortly."
The sound of clicking seatbelts filled the cabin as everyone secured themselves.
The huge transport drone humd to life, its mana engines glowing softly as it slowly lifted off from the courtyard, rising smoothly into the air.
He snapped his fingers, and several high-end, newly designed battle drones materialized around the transport drone. Each was equipped with the latest gatling mana guns, layered magic barriers, and mana-tipped missiles.
Javier pressed a rune on the console, setting the battle drones into a guarding formation. Two of them flew ahead to scout and ensure a smooth flight path.
Beside him, Liana pressed another set of runes, activating the GAASAD’s defensive systems. Layered magic barriers, mana rockets, advanced mana cannons, and other defensive counterasures.
A calm, automated voice echoed through the cabin: "Preparing to depart in three... two... one..."
There was a sudden, powerful surge as the GAASAD accelerated to full speed, the force pressing everyone gently into their seats. The world outside blurred into streaks of color as the transport drone shot forward, cutting through the sky with incredible velocity.
anwhile.
Mathrias Region.
Mathrias Estate.
In a certain room, Rolland watched several healers casting their healing magic on a young girl lying weakly on the bed.
Beside him, his wife Sylvia buried her face in his shoulder, weeping softly as she held onto him.
The lead healer shook his head, and the others stopped, their mana exhausted and their expressions weary.
The leader slowly walked toward Rolland and bowed deeply.
"We are truly sorry, My Lord. But we cannot do anything more. We’ve exhausted our abilities, but we cannot detect the nature of this sickness. It defies all known healing magic."
Nearby, the lead priest sat in exhaustion, shaking his head before rising and approaching with his team. "We are sorry, My Lord. We’ve tried every curative and purifying skill we possess, but the illness only worsens. It doesn’t respond to purification, and we cannot identify the curse or affliction causing it. It’s sothing beyond our understanding."
Rolland looked at both the healer and the priest.
"Couldn’t you both do sothing more? Anything at all?" He glanced between them, his voice strained. "You were able to stabilize her before, weren’t you?"
The lead healer stepped forward, his expression weary and apologetic. "My Lord, we were able to temporarily soothe her symptoms, but the underlying illness only grew more aggressive each ti we intervened. It’s as if our healing magic is being consud or twisted by sothing within her. We don’t understand why. It defies all known healing principles. Each ti we treat her, her condition deteriorates faster afterward."
Sylvia’s lower lip trembled as she turned to the priest, her voice breaking with desperation. "Please... is there nothing you can do? She’s our only daughter..."
But the head priest shook his head, his expression heavy with regret. "I am deeply sorry, My Lady. When fate has been sealed and death approaches... no magic, no prayer can hold it back forever. We have done all we can."
Sylvia buried her face into Rolland’s shoulder, weeping softly as he held her, gently patting her back. The head priest and his team bowed respectfully before quietly leaving the room, followed by the lead healer and his exhausted team.
After they all left, Sylvia, who was crying, heard a soft, low voice from the bed.
"M... mo...ther..."
Sylvia’s eyes widened, and she rushed to the side of the bed, taking her daughter’s hand.
"Yes, Gracelle? Mommy is here." She spoke gently, trying to keep her voice steady.
Gracelle smiled weakly, gathering the last of her energy, and looked at her mother.
"I’m... so... sorry... mo...ther..." She tried her best to inhale, her breathing shallow, and forced a faint smile. "I’m sorry... for being... a burden... to you both."
"No, don’t say that, Gracelle, please." Sylvia soothed her, stroking her hand softly. "You’ve never been a burden. Never."
Gracelle shook her head weakly. "No... I... can feel it... coming... the pain... is no longer... there..." She smiled weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "I... can’t even... feel... my legs... mo...ther..."
Sylvia’s eyes widened in panic as she rubbed Gracelle’s cold hands, trying to warm them. "Please, don’t say that, Gracelle. Please hold on. We’ll find another healer, soone who can help you. Just hold on a little longer."
Gracelle smiled faintly, shaking her head weakly. "No... mo...ther... what... the priest... said... is true... We cannot... fight... death..."
Her eyes shimred as she forced her weak smile. Sylvia began crying harder, noticing Gracelle’s breath growing heavier and more labored.
"I... if only... I could... see... soone... before... I..."
( End Of Chapter )
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