Chapter 1110: Heads Held High, A Future To Rebuild
Chapter 1110: Heads Held High, A Future To Rebuild
"People of the Sleeping Fox Runaway City..." Orion's voice reverberated through the air. "This is Goddess Aurora, one of the goddesses of Paradise. She single-handedly dealt with the divine being who dared to seize control of your Runaway city!" He gestured towards Aurora.
Orion then pointed to the unknown woman's body, held by the Vylkr winged construct. "This is the fallen divine being beside me," he continued. "You once believed them untouchable, beyond your reach. But even she could not escape the power of Paradise. The invincible cannot evade our strength!"
He lowered his hands and spoke again, "You have lost your foundation, your home, and you have every right to grieve. However, I am here to show you what has been won, not lost. So, regardless of what has transpired, hold your heads high. You participated in the defeat of a divine being. Share this privilege with your fellow brethren from the other Runaway Cities, for they, too, serve Paradise as you do.
"To the inhabitants of the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise and the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City, welcome your brethren as though you've reunited with beloved, long-lost family. They have sacrificed much for you to share in this glory, so treat them as if they were your blood kin!"
Orion's voice cut through the air, echoing in the ears of everyone below, etching itself deep into their hearts, leaving an unforgettable memory.
The people of the Sleeping Fox Runaway City, heartbroken at the sight of their ruined home, suddenly felt their spirits lift. As they gazed at its remains, their sorrow transformed into exhilaration.
Lakul clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with emotion as he looked at the Supreme Leader and the shattered remains of their Runaway city. He had already sworn allegiance to Paradise, so why mourn the destruction of a Runaway City when it had helped them achieve such a grand feat?
They had slain a divine being!
Who else could proudly make such a claim?
Even the gods' chosens of the former Sleeping Fox Runaway City observed the scene above, their eyes filled with hope and reverence.
'That should be enough,' Orion thought.
"You can drop the remains of the Sleeping Fox Runaway City near the Outward Stronghold and choose a place to keep the enemy's body in stasis in the meantime," Orion said, shifting his attention to Aurora.
Aurora nodded and commanded the Vylkr constructs forward. They flew towards the destroyed Outward Stronghold, dropping the remains of the Sleeping Fox Runaway City beside it, except for the mechanical halo and power core. Once Ilse awakened, the core, the unknown woman's body, and the miniature halo would be handed over to the research centre. Meanwhile, the rest of the scraps could be recycled.
Then, the Vylkr constructs are dispersed into countless strands of Vylkr energy, wisps of divine energy, and drawn into Aurora's body.
Aurora then flew twenty kilometres from the Vylkr alloy mine and descended. With a wave of her hand, the darkened, ashy sands surged to life, rising into the air in a bellowing sandstorm. Soon, the swirling sands merged, forming complex structures that became more discernible with each movement.
After a few minutes, the shape became clear.
It was a two-story building.
Utilizing her power over the world's laws, Aurora transformed the sand into wood, creating a two-story building with a tower to house the unknown woman's body, the mechanical halo, and the power core.
"Although I can watch over her from Paradise, I think it's best to stay nearby, considering the enemy's unknown capabilities. You can help me bring Mother and Liora here so I can learn more about the divine and properly care for our daughter while I'm here," Aurora said, turning her gaze to Orion. Her spectre turned into a ray of light and vanished into her.
Orion nodded. In the past, he would have disagreed with letting his wife and newborn stay outside the protection of the Primordial barrier. But with Aurora's current abilities and Aerialia's presence, he no longer had reason to worry.
He noticed a new confidence and divine aura in Aurora, one he had only felt from other divine beings. This change wasn't present before, and it was clear to him that Aurora was evolving and was a natural result of her new divine status.
As he looked around, Orion saw the Vylkr vines retreating from Aurora's building. Even the distant Vylkr vines, crushed beneath the enormous feet of the Runaway Cities like ants, were receding like a tidal wave.
The Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise and the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City soon halted as they, too, noticed the abnormality of the situation.
Orion turned his focus to Aurora.
"While I'm here, I've decided to eliminate the Vylkr vines in this territory. I can handle it easily, so you don't need to worry. If the warriors want to gain experience, they must go to the border. It will be created soon," Aurora said, indicating her involvement.
Orion smiled in response. Truly, adding one more divine being in Paradise had caused tremendous, almost unbelievable changes. He couldn't help but imagine what would happen once Aerialia rebuilt her body.
Soon, Seth, Zogar, and Iris landed beside them.
"Chief, what's happening?" Zogar asked, his tone filled with astonishment and disbelief.
Seth and Iris also wore similar expressions.
It was apparent they were reacting to the retreating swarms of Vylkr vines.
With a smile on his lips, Orion gestured toward Aurora. "To show her benevolence and care for Paradise and its development, goddess Aurora has decided to clear parts of the territory of the Vylkr vines."
Upon hearing his words, all three were momentarily stunned before joy lit up their faces.
They immediately bowed silently to Aurora. There was no need for words-Aurora was part of Paradise, and her actions naturally worked toward its betterment. They bowed to show their respect and reverence for her newly attained divinity. Moments later, they raised their heads. "Chief, we came to inform you about the spies captured by Commander Sy'ra and the rest of the gods' chosen from the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City," Zogar said. They hadn't informed him earlier due to their previous unfortunate circumstances.
Orion listened intently as Zogar explained the apprehension of the Stowaways. Now that their previous issue has been dealt with, they can focus on lesser issues.
After Zogar finished speaking, Orion nodded and turned to Aurora.
"I'll be taking my leave. I'll bring Liora and Aerialia myself," Orion said, removing his mask. He raised his head to give Aurora a kiss.
Feeling her incredibly tender and succulent lips and their lingering pleasant aftertaste, Orion admitted it was divine.
"Alright, I'll be waiting," Aurora replied, leaning forward. "Now that I'm fine, we should fulfil our parents' roles and give Liora some siblings. Don't forget we must fulfil Mother's
dream of bringing back the One-winged race."
Orion gulped. Liora already has siblings at home, he wanted to say.
But he knew better than to utter such words. Despite Aerialia's promise to help him only when he rebuilt the One-winged race, she assisted him regardless, providing countless techniques and arts, personal guidance, and information regarding the divines. Paradise's entire growth was primarily thanks to her.
Even Aurora's current state and growth were due to her guidance. Having grown attached to Aerialia due to their unique connection, Orion also desired to rebuild the One-winged race-
and her body.
But-
Aurora's fiery gaze as she spoke left him unsure whether to advance or retreat. Her previous physique was already formidable enough to handle their battles, no matter how much effort
he put in.
Orion knew his limits and wasn't sure if he could go toe-to-toe with a goddess.
Aurora's eyes flashed with a glint as though she had read his thoughts. "Don't worry; I'll go easy on you," she said with a smile.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"... We'll revisit this conversation later when everything is settled," Orion said, clearing his
throat.
But the smile never left Aurora's lips. She simply nodded, straightened her posture, and walked toward the front door of the building.
Orion's eyes focused on her feet as she entered the building and closed the door. They had never touched the ground! It was a minor detail he had noticed with Ilse and other divine beings he had seen in Aegis of the Arctic Deity's memories.
They had been constantly soaring around earlier, so he hadn't had the chance to notice until
now.
Suddenly, a familiar desire grew more powerful within Orion's heart.
He needed to grow more powerful. He couldn't leave the burden of protecting Paradise solely on Aurora and Ilse while he played the role of Supreme Leader.
The only way to do that was to throw caution to the wind and consume as many Vylkr vines as he could daily or grasp the opportunity to use the information Aerialia had given him to be recognized by the Divine Mysteries. It shouldn't be too hard for him to accomplish... right?