System's POV
chapter-363

Later that afternoon, several of the most influential people in Pangea arrived at the Dvalinn Federation by plane.

Some of the High-Ranking Officers whom the Federation had stationed in Cygni, Sirius, and Aldebaran Continents also made their way back to their Headquarters to participate in a grand meeting of sorts.

With so many big shots arriving one by one, the security of the Island Fortress was raised to its highest level.

Among the ones who arrived were none other than Arthur, accompanied by the Leventis Family Guards who had participated in the battle in the Arcadia Archipelago.

There was an unexpected individual who came with them—that person was none other than Hans, whom Thirteen was surprised to see.

"My Lady is very worried about your safety, so she asked me to come and protect you," Hans bowed respectfully to the teenage boy. "And I'm sure that you will work these old bones of mine until they break. I'll do my best to keep you alive, Young Master, even if I have to sacrifice my life for it."

"No one's sacrificing any life, Hans," Thirteen said with a smile. "I still need you to work for me for many years to come. You ain't kicking the bucket until I give you the permission to kick the bucket."

The Old Butler smiled faintly and nodded his head. "Your wish is my command, Young Master."

Hans came to the Dvalinn Federation under the order of Lady Callista. Even Arthur didn't have the authority to order him around, for he would only listen to Zion as per her Lady's command.

Arthur knew this as well, so he didn't make any comments. He simply rested his hand on his grandson's shoulder, giving it a firm grip.

"Slam Dunk?" Arthur asked.

"Slam Dunk," Thirteen replied.

The two then exchanged knowing smiles with each other after speaking in code words.

Zion's answer just now meant that the Leventis Family was bound to profit greatly from this expedition, which was the only thing that Arthur needed to hear.

The bulk of their naval forces would be arriving in a week. Arthur was supposed to travel with them, but Zion asked him to come in advance, so he went ahead.

The plane of the Remington Clan landed at the airport right after the Leventis Plane landed.

Thirteen watched as the Monarch of the Remington Clan, Trevor Remington, descended from the plane, followed closely by the Patriarchs of the Smith and Lockwood Families.

Morris Smith and Steven Lockwood decided to come along, which meant that all the Monarchs and Thrones of the Aldebaran Continent were currently in the Dvalinn Federation's Main Headquarters.

"You should have just come with us, Arthur," Trevor said with a smile. "My plane is big enough to fit all of us."

"No, thank you," Arthur replied. "Morris likes to fart, and Steven has an athlete's foot. I'm surprised that you managed to survive that flight with these two stinky fools by your side."

"Shut up, you old fart," Morris commented with a smile. "Your old age has made you senile. What's the problem? You can no longer get it up to satisfy your beautiful wife?"

"Don't be like that, Morris," Steven, who had been accused of having an athlete's foot earlier, chuckled. "Arthur is already old. Be understanding. Who knows? He might kick the bucket one of these days."

Trevor chuckled after hearing the usual banter between the heads of the three Prestigious Families of the Aldebaran Continent.

All of them had known each other for years. Although they didn't get along, they also didn't go out of their way to antagonize each other.

They only exchanged barbed words whenever they met, but that was it.

In the end, their relationship had kept the Aldebaran Continent peaceful for many decades.

"I've been wanting to meet you for a long time, Zion." Trevor gave the boy a curt nod. "I'm a big fan of yours. One of these days, the two of us should have lunch or dinner together. I'd love to hear you share the stories of your adventures in Solterra.

"Also, I have many beautiful granddaughters who are of the same age as you. I'll make sure to invite you when we celebrate something in the Remington Residence."

"I'd be happy to accept such an invitation, Sir Trevor," Thirteen replied.

Out of all the Monarchs, Thirteen didn't hate Trevor Remington as much. When Aaron had killed his previous host, the man before him had attempted to heal the latter's wound.

However, Aaron Ashford stood in his way and threatened him, preventing the only Healer among the Monarchs from doing anything.

"Guests, it will be best if all of you come inside," Wendell, the Monarch of the Elrod Clan, said to everyone. "Come. We have refreshments waiting for all of you. The Grand Marshal and the Field Marshal are already waiting in the grand hall."

"Good." Trevor smiled as he shook hands with Wendell. "Lead the way."

Limousines arrived at the airport and drove their VIP Guests to the Tower of Dvalinn.

This was the place where all important talks were held, serving as a Five-Star Hotel for important guests who visit the main headquarters of the federation.

Shortly after the plane of the Remington Clan left the main runaway, another plane descended. This time, it carried the other High-Ranking Officers of the Federation, who had come from the Cygni Continent.

Inside the plane was the Grand Strategist of the Dvalinn Federation, who was supposed to command their soldiers who had already been stationed in the Cygni Continent in preparation for the first wave of the invasion that would happen in a few months.

"Welcome back, Sir." one of the staff saluted a tall man with gray hair, and blue eyes as soon as he disembarked from the plane. "The Patriarch is already expecting you."

"Take me to him," the gray-haired man replied.

He was none other than Renz Elrod, the younger brother of Wendell and the one acting as the second-in-command of the Elrod Clan.

He was hailed as a genius when it came to strategies. Through his effort, the Dvalinn Federation had avoided calamities, which would have destroyed their foundation completely.

Since a grand counterattack was planned to be executed soon, Wendell decided to call his brother back and ask for his help in their upcoming counterattack.

When Renz arrived at the Tower of Dvalinn, he headed straight to the highest floor, where the guests were currently enjoying a fancy meal made by the best chefs in the Federation.

Only the Monarchs and Thrones, along with the important members of their families, stayed on the top floor.

Their guards and subordinates were directed somewhere else to eat and rest after their long journey.

"You're finally here, brother," Wendell said as he walked up to his brother with a smile.

"I came, but you weren't there to receive me." Renz snorted.

Wendell patted his brother's shoulder because he knew that he was at fault for not being there when he arrived at the airport.

"Yeah, my bad," Wendell commented. "It won't happen again."

"It better not," Renz replied before walking toward one of the tables and making a gesture for a waiter to serve him.

Thirteen observed the sharp-eyed strategist of the Dvalinn Federation and smirked.

'Heh, it seems that this guy is a villain,' Thirteen thought. 'Good. I can use this guy.'

Renz felt someone staring at him, so he raised his head to look in Thirteen's direction.

The teenage boy didn't avert his gaze and simply gave the strategist a curt nod, which made the latter narrow his eyes.

The two stared at each other for nearly a minute before Thirteen broke the connection first.

With that simple interaction, the teenage boy could tell that Renz was someone who didn't like to lose. He decided to take a step back for now and let the other party have the win in a shallow staring contest.

Thirteen had always been someone who saw things in the bigger picture, and he had no time for petty things.

Just as expected, Renz scoffed, thinking that the teenage boy was intimidated by his stare.

He wasn't aware that the boy, whom he thought he intimidated, was laughing inside his heart and thinking of the many ways he could break his second villain. The mere thought of it made the teenage boy look forward to it more.

Arthur and the rest of the important people noticed this exchange between the two people, whom they believed would play an important role in their upcoming counterattack.

They didn't miss Zion backing down first, and the majority of them smiled in the belief that Zion was intimidated. After all, in their point of view, he was just a child.

However, Arthur, Michael, and Hans were already pitying Renz, knowing that he was about to face the second black sheep of the Leventis Family.