System's POV
chapter-271

When Thirteen opened his eyes, the sun was already about to set, turning the sky a purplish orange.

His head still ached a bit, but it was manageable. After thanking Tiona once again for her hard work, he went to meet Raon, and the other Wanderers, who were already grilling several fish for their dinner.

The moment Thirteen appeared, the leader of the Wanderers asked him to join them, which he happily accepted.

He was truly feeling hungry, and because of that, he ate at least four grilled fish, surprising the Wanderers, who didn't expect that the younger boy had a strong appetite.

After eating, Thirteen asked Raon to talk with him in private.

The latter agreed, so the two of them went near the beach, so that no one would be able to hear what they were going to talk about.

"I plan to explore the other islands," Thirteen said after Vassago informed him that the surroundings were safe. "I believe that there are other Wanderers out there who have the same mission as we do. Maybe we can all work together to complete the mission."

Raon didn't reply right away.

Instead, he stared at the two moons of Solterra in the distance.

"Zion, please tell me the truth," Raon stated. "Are you Zion Leventis?"

"Yes," Thirteen replied. "I am Zion Leventis."

Raon sighed deeply before shifting his gaze to the younger boy beside him.

"I had my doubts the moment you introduced yourself to us," Raon said. "You are still too young to have been Spirited Away, so it was not very hard to guess who you really are. Do you know? You're very popular in Pangea. People are actually looking for your whereabouts even now."

"I know," Thirteen replied. "I came across a few Wanderers who asked me for an autograph."

Raon chuckled after hearing the younger boy's answer.

"I'm glad you're here," Raon commented. "You have become a pillar of hope for all the Wanderers who are about to get Spirited Away in Solterra for the first time. For some reason, knowing that you have the same mission, I feel like we will be able to pull through this mission just fine."

"… Don't set up a flag." Thirteen shook his head. "You sound like someone who will soon die a heroic death. I'm guessing that you'll even have flashbacks mid-battle, just before you die."

"Flag?" Raon tilted his head in confusion. "What flag?"

The ten-year-old's face palmed because he forgot that people in Pangea didn't understand the reference.

"Never mind." Thirteen sighed. "Just don't say things as if you are about to kick the bucket. If you do, there is a high chance that it will come true, you know?"

Raon nodded in understanding. "Understood. Will you return here after visiting the other Islands?"

"Yes," Thirteen answered. "I'll be back in a few weeks."

Thirteen wanted to say that he would return after seven weeks, but there was a chance that his conversation with him might be leaked to others.

After seven weeks, the Lunar Eclipse would begin, which would also be the start of the Moon Ceremony.

However, the information he had wasn't complete. Just like he expected, he also needed to visit the Fourth Island where the Beholder was located.

Until he understood everything, he didn't dare to make guesses based on assumption.

For something like this, he needed hard facts, and for that to happen, he would have to take another risk and send Tiona on another scouting mission.

When he finished talking with Raon, Thirteen bid his goodbye and whistled.

A moment later Blacky arrived, making Raon almost jump back in fright.

"Relax, he is my friend," Thirteen said before mounting the Nightmare Black Hound's back. "I'll see you soon. Stay safe, Raon."

"I will," Raon replied. "I'll wait for your return."

Thirteen nodded and urged Blacky to leave the first island under the cover of darkness.

Although his visit was short, he managed to gain everything he needed about the pyramid.

Raon watched as Thirteen and Blacky disappeared in the distance.

When he was certain that he could no longer see them, he turned around to look at the young lady, who was standing right behind him.

"Did you hear everything?" Raon asked the young lady, who was also his sister, Rio.

"I did," Rio replied. "I never thought that we would actually meet him here."

Roan walked towards his sister and patted her head.

"So, why are you here?" Roan asked. "Did that scumbag send you?"

"No," Rio shook her head. "The Unicorn said that we could go wherever we wanted for the next two days. He sealed himself inside the Pyramid. It seems that he felt a presence there earlier, and is currently trying to capture whoever it was."

The corner of Roan's lips curled up into a smirk.

"I think he has just become paranoid," Roan commented.

"Or someone or something really did enter the depths of the Pyramid without his permission," Rio stated. "That was the first time I saw him look so angry, and it scared the girls around him.

"Perhaps, knowing that his mood was affecting everyone, he told us to do whatever we wanted and not come inside the pyramid for two days. Because of that, I decided to visit you here."

"Perhaps, knowing that his mood was affecting everyone, he told us to do whatever we wanted and not come inside the Roan nodded in understanding. "How is your investigation? Have you found his weakness?"

"No," Rio shook her head. "It is impossible to kill the Unicorn with just us. Perhaps he can help us."

Roan didn't need to know who her sister was referring to because he was also thinking the exact same thing.

"Let's wait for him to return." Roan glanced at the second island in the distance. "Cristopher Rotombus said in his interview that Zion always keeps his promise. So, I'm sure that he will be back just as he said."

"He didn't promise anything, Brother," Rio said. "He just said that he will be back in a few weeks."

"It's the same thing," Raon insisted. "Since he said it, he will do it."

"Hah~ you're being childish again."

"I am younger than you, so it's perfectly fine for me to be childish, no?"

Rio shook her head helplessly before she, too, looked at the Second Island.

"We can't let him handle everything," Rio crossed her arms over her chest. "We need to work hard too. For now, make sure that you gather enough weapons, avatars, and skills. I havea feeling that we will need a miracle to get through this mission."

Raon didn't deny, or affirm his sister's words.

Just like her, he believed that they needed to contribute something to the mission, so if they were to pass it, they would be rewarded handsomely for the effort they put into their first mission in Solterra.

Vassago, who had stayed behind according to Thirteen's orders, watched the twin brother and sister, and listened intently to their discussion.

When the two finally left to return to Raon's Camp, Vassago spread his wings and flew away.

He had made hooting noises earlier to inform his master that a young lady was hiding, and listening to their conversation. But, Tiona hissed and told him that it was fine.

Since Thirteen couldn't make any weird sounds because Raon might become suspicious, he asked Tiona to relay his message to the Pocopoco.

Vassago was impressed by the discussion between the brother and sister because Rio was actively looking for the Unicorn's weakness, which might help them deal it a serious blow.

They had already deemed the Unicorn an enemy that they needed to defeat in order to complete their mission.

So, although Thirteen didn't ask them to do anything, they decided to take the initiative to lay down the groundwork for his return.