Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 173: Even So ()

"Flight patrol schedules have been adjusted accordingly. The third and fifth squadrons have returned from the fodder."

"The ninth and twelfth squadrons prepare to take flight, their flight path has already been assigned."

" According to reports of suspicious activities from the common folk in Maneward and Downtown districts, the assigned route is a little different than usual." Kirgan began,

"There has been multiple reports of the appearance of dwarven troops at these two districts, but there is yet to be any cause for alarm."

"Dwarves of Hidden City are not outlawed from stepping foot in Keep Skies, but I have given orders for close watch to be kept, just in case there are ulterior motives."

"The ninth squadron patrols Maneward district where the reports mostly source from,"

"They hold orders to take action as the situation demands, but I believe Hidden City is not daring enough to stir trouble." Kirgan reported, placing a scroll down on the table.

"The Lord of Dusk Castle has sent word, the dissent between the autumn fairy clans and the merfolk have reached a tense standoff, he foresees a battle might begin soon."

"Dusk castle is the closest Asvarian fortress to the shores of the mer sea, if a battle ensues, the dusk dragons cannot stay uninvolved." Kirgan continued, placing down another scroll on the table.

"Being caught in the middle of a crossfire will be unpleasant, the dusk lord seeks a squadron to quell the dissent before it progresses further..."

"If left unchecked, the merfolk and the autumn fairies will grow too audacious, if My Liege permits... I will handle it in person." Kirgan asserted before pausing slightly,

Kirgan’s gaze furrowed as he watched King Jian who sat at his desk, there was a scroll spread out before him but the far away look in the dragon king’s eyes was prove enough that his thoughts were elsewhere. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

’Three days...it has been three days already. We should have found her by now alive...or dead. How could she just disappear?’ King Jian pondered to himself.

Try as he might, King Jian could not understand exactly how a person he watched fall with his own eyes was suddenly nowhere to be found.

"My Liege?" Kirgan called King Jian’s attention.

King Jian’s gaze moved back to Kirgan, it took him a moment to register all the words Kirgan had just said before King Jian nodded slowly.

"... Lead the regimen you deem most suitable. If you see to it in person, the dusk lord will be assured." King Jian replied to Kirgan’s words.

Kirgan sighed quietly, he doubted King Jian was in the right mood to hear of all these affairs, yet as King of the supreme empire, King Jian could not afford to neglect his duties for even a day.

"The second squadron was dispatched to the cliffs, they have scoured the banks for days and will keep searching..."

"It is My Liege’s will, the dragon guards will not relent, one way or the other, the girl will be found." Kirgan assured with certainty.

King Jian frowned slightly, he had said nothing of his thoughts yet Kirgan immediately concluded he was burdened by thoughts of Neveah.

Kirgan was not wrong...but it did bother King Jian that he was right.

Yes, she had fallen off a cliff...but why exactly did it concern him so much? Why did he even feel so guilty?

"How many have survived a fall from the cliff?" King Jian asked after a moment of quiet.

Kirgan did not respond immediately, unsure if King Jian truly wanted him to answer or was just asking a rhetorical question.

Eventually, Kirgan did respond, his tone grim as he spoke the truth.

"The cliffs are suitable only to beasts of flight... for everyone else, it is a fall high enough to be tagged as certain death. And the currents beneath..." Kirgan trailed off at this point.

It did not seem suitable to say any more, all that Kirgan could possibly say were facts King Jian already knew quite well.

"Then it is a hopeless venture..." King Jian murmured to himself just as his doors came open.

King Jian and Kirgan both lifted their gazes to see Menarx walk in, as always, his expression was set in a glower and his aura was distant and unapproachable.

But what was different about him was the look in his eyes, as brothers...King Jian and Kirgan both knew Menarx’s eyes showed all that he would not reveal otherwise.

But this time, Menarx’s eyes were completely blank, revealing nothing of how he felt at this moment.

"My Liege." Menarx greeted, lowering his head to a bow.

"Narx... I did not expect your presence." King Jian said in honesty, placing aside the scroll in his hand.

"Flight patrol departs soon, I will not take flight and Imagor is incapable at the moment. I will have to trouble Cassian to retain the coming days." Menarx relayed.

King Jian thought to argue but decided against it, nodding his permission.

"I see... Kirgan will let him know." King Jian decided.

"How is it...at the cliffs?" King Jian asked after a moment of quiet.

"The same as when you left." Menarx replied calmly.

His tone and bearing seemed perfectly natural...a little too natural even.

"...Xenon...?" King Jian asked warily.

"He has not left the banks since he heard...he has not taken human form either." Menarx replied.

"The wild haze? Is he sober?" King Jian asked.

"I cannot tell for certain, but he pays attention to no one else... I believe he is in control of his thoughts, at least to a reasonable extent." Menarx relayed thoughtfully.

"Never has the wild haze faded so quickly..." King Jian murmured in wonder.

"It seems he suppressed it himself." Menarx replied, his tone finally revealing a tinge of relief.

"To suppress the wild haze...is his worry for her truly so great?" King Jian murmured before he shook his head slightly.

"And you Narx... how long do you intend to search the cliffs?" King Jian asked with a sigh.

"Do you intend to order me to withdraw?" Menarx asked back, his gaze slightly narrowed.

King Jian regarded Menarx in silence for a moment before he shook his head slightly.

"I should know that much... I will have your duties handled properly in your absence." King Jian finally said.

Menarx sighed in relief to see King Jian was on his side.

"I will return with her..." Menarx assured before he took his leave.

King Jian stared after him before he let out a quiet sigh.

"Narx... when he hides away his thoughts like that, it bothers me most..."

"Ever since she arrived, it has been one trouble after the other...but even so..." King Jian murmured, trailing off and keeping the rest of his thoughts to himself.