Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 234: It’s been a while

The black tower cut through the air like a sword, a black blur that moved so fast it sounded like a small thunderclap, creating its own booming sound.

Vale wasn’t going to the army, not directly. He had something he needed to do, something he had been putting off. It was cowardly and a little selfish.

He knew Nadia must have finally gotten the news about his death and how Thrain took over. That wasn’t what he was actually worried about. It was how he was going to break the news about her mother’s death—by the hands of his own brother.

Already, the bond they once had was strained by what happened when Vale let jealousy and anger fill it while he was imprisoned. And now, another thing might have finally snapped it.

He knew it was Thrain who did it, but he couldn’t help the anxiety that seeped into his body. After all, he knew how he would react if he were in her place. He wouldn’t ever look at himself the same again.

He flew his tower faster as his thoughts spun, pouring more essence into it until finally, he hovered far above the town. The light of the rising sun shone gently on the roofs, and the streets were waking up.

But there were also signs of tension. The shield that covered half the town was still in place, and armed guards walked the wall on patrol.

From their place inside, Slya asked, "What are you waiting for, Vale?"

Vale grimaced. "We’re meeting someone... and I don’t know what will happen. You remember my almost-mother? Her daughter is here."

Shock made the two of them exchange glances in their room within the tower. Of course, they knew about Nadia. Vale told them about her long ago—how she was his best friend and one of the only two people who stood by him when he was imprisoned.

Slya’s smile dimmed, and she raised her head. "You should just do as you always do, Vale. Don’t overthink it. Just go there and do what you have to do. You can only react to whatever happens next."

"Yes," Tiber echoed her. "She also knows your brother is a crazy bastard, so that should help."

Vale couldn’t help the laughter that escaped his mouth. "Very well then! My personal guards have spoken!"

Then he paused and said in a much lower tone, "Thank you, guys."

The tower swooped down like an angry bird. The shield reacted when he got close, flaring with light and blaring an alarm. The guards turned their heads up in fear, their weapons raised. The enchanted tools by the wall turned their rods up toward the tower, ready to shoot beams of essence.

"I can’t imagine how it must be for this town, surrounded by the army in the front and now by another one behind, all the while not knowing what the capital has planned for them," Tiber said as he watched through the viewing wall.

Slya grinned. "All that is about to end now!"

In the next instant, Vale’s voice rang out from the tower and rolled across the town in a wave of sound. "Your Clan leader is here!"

The guards on the wall looked up in shock. The townsfolk who were close enough to hear the voice froze. They had heard of the Clan leader, but not all of them had seen him. But he was here?

The guards didn’t believe it so easily, though. Although they wore the purple of the Clan, they had heard the news of what happened. They knew the Clan leader wouldn’t be here without fanfare.

Besides, they had received no such word.

"Who are you?" one of the guards shouted back. The enchanted rods sparked and crackled with essence, ready to fire in an instant.

The tower spun and came downward, closer to the shield that rippled, reacting to his proximity. Vale was prepared to say his name when a voice answered from below.

"Vale! He’s Vale Athrimir! Lower the shield! Lower the shield!"

The voice was female, but it had a muscular tilt to it. Nadia.

There was hesitation, but then the guards did as Magister Nadia said, and the shield fizzled away.

The tower didn’t immediately come down because Vale was frozen in the air. He was looking at the daughter whose mother his brother killed. It made his heart clench, and he wished he was facing the so-called Golden Knight at that moment.

But he did finally lower his tower. The massive black and red structure cast a shadow over the wall and directly in front of Nadia. She stared up at it.

"Are you really Vale?"

The voice was low, as if speaking loudly would dash the last bit of hope she had left. Nadia was clad in armor, a purple sash around her waist, and a sword by her side. Her brown eyes were like two glistening marbles.

Instead of answering, Vale simply brought himself and his companions out of the tower while it shrank. The three of them landed on the wall.

Nadia sucked in a sharp breath when she saw him. Vale didn’t know what she was expecting, but it must not have been how he looked now.

Before—just months ago—Vale looked as if a stray breeze would carry him away, with his hollowed eyes and bony head full of lice.

But now, he stood taller, his eyes a blazing green, and his black hair thick and wild. His body was covered in lean muscle.

They stared at each other. Vale easily saw the shock on her face.

"Vale?"

He managed a smile. "It’s been a while, Nadia." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

She was just as he remembered. Maybe she’d gained more muscle, but her face was still the same. She shook her head, and then she was running at him—throwing herself forward before she even reached him. He folded her into a hug, letting her weight slam him into the ground.

It was how she usually greeted him. It started when she realized she could make him fall if she threw herself at him hard enough when they were small.

The guards were shocked and confused. Why was the Magister acting that way? And was that truly Vale Athrimir?

To the side, Tiber and Slya watched them with a smile.