System's POV
chapter-416

After the deal between Arthur and Douglas had been finalized, the Patriarch of the Leventis Clan took a temporary leave from the alliance and accompanied Douglas back to the Cygni Continent.

The two traveled incognito, intending to keep the exchange they would be doing from the Ashford and Stallard Clan, thus avoiding a mess.

Eight days later, Arthur was back on the Aldebaran Continent and personally delivered the Arm of the Black Dragon to Gerald.

Since it had been a while since he had last seen his wives, including Lady Callista, Arthur decided to stay in his residence for two to three days and spend some time with his women.

While this was happening, Gerald and Thirteen were having a serious discussion about how to handle the Arm of the Black Dragon of Destruction.

"Pops, you will not be able to melt the Dragon Bones, Claws, and Scales with normal flames," Thirteen stated. "If you want to forge this, you will need the help of the Order of Raziel. I already talked to them a week ago, and they should have already made adequate preparations to receive you.

"It doesn't matter if you could only make Gold-Grade Armaments with it. As long as you don't waste the ingredients, that's already considered a success."

Gerald crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at the projection of his son, who was arrogantly sitting on a throne while drinking a glass of fruit juice.

"Son, just who do you think I am?" Gerald asked smugly. "With this kind of materials, wouldn't it be a shame if I don't create a Mythical Rank equipment?"

Thirteen smirked. "Pops, the chances of you successfully crafting a mythical equipment is only one percent, while the chances of you failing to craft even a peak Gold Grade Equipment is sixty percent. Do you really want to take a gamble?"

"What a stupid question." Gerald sneered. "Why would I settle for Gold Grade Equipment? Even if I fail, I will only aim to craft Mythical Armaments and above!"

The no-good son and the no-good father pair stared at each other for a full minute before smiling at the same time.

"Pops, if you waste the Black Dragon Arm, I will kill you~"

"Hahaha! I dare you to kill me~"

The two laughed evilly. Rhia, who was cluelessly listening to the conversation between her father and brother, laughed alongside them while Alessia and Remi only shook their heads helplessly.

"Pops, just settle for Gold Grade, okay? You still have skill issues!"

"How dare you talk to your old man like that? Skill issue? Your mother and I had been at it for sixty rounds when she conceived yo—argh!"

Alessia smacked Gerald's head with her fist before dragging him away to a corner.

Remi and Rhia blinked their eyes because they had no idea what their father was talking about.

While Alessia was busy grinding her husband's head with her hands, Rhia and Remi talked to Zion and told him how they were doing.

The talk between the siblings was harmonious. It was as if Gerald's earlier comment was never spoken.

When the henpecked husband finally returned, the smugness he had earlier had disappeared without a trace.

Seeing his father's defeated look, Thirteen sighed before nodding his head.

"Fine," Thirteen replied. "Aim for the Mythical Rank and above. That Dragon's Arm is just a bonus anyway."

Hearing his son's words, Gerald regained his confidence and laughed loudly.

"That's the spirit!" Gerald stated. "Either we go all in or nothing! The more desperate I am, the more powerful my creation will be."

"Sure." Thirteen shook his head helplessly. "Just make sure to wear a disguise. Now is not the time to antagonize Death Wish. Your priority is to craft anything from that Dragon Arm and send it to Nautilus. I will handle the rest."

Three hours later, Gerald had already packed up everything he needed before bidding his family goodbye.

He then entered the portal inside their family home and was teleported to Lancaster City, which was Gerald's base in Solterra.

As soon as he arrived, he went to the tavern called The Drunk Tavern, where the representative of the Order of Raziel was waiting for him.

When Gerald arrived at the tavern, he noticed someone drinking at the corner, wearing a black robe with the insignia of the Shadow Union.

This was one of the branches of the Order of Raziel, whose help Thirteen asked for back in the battle in Arcadia Archipelago.

"The Union finds its strength and unity," the robed individual answered. "You're 'Pops,' I presume?"

The corner of Gerald's lips twitched after hearing the robed individual's question. However, he knew that he should answer seriously or risk losing his contact.

Gerald didn't hesitate to sit beside the robed individual and ordered a mug of mead. "In the depths of the shadows where light dares not tread," Gerald said in a tone that only the robed individual could hear. "The Union finds its strength and unity," the robed individual answered. "You're 'Pops,' I presume?"

The corner of Gerald's lips twitched after hearing the robed individual's question. However, he knew that he should answer seriously or risk losing his contact.

"Yes, that's me," Gerald replied. "Did my no-good son ask you to call me that?"

The robed individual suddenly giggled after hearing Gerald's reply.

Thirteen's father couldn't help but arch an eyebrow when he met the robed individual's gaze.

Red eyes that glowed faintly within the darkness met Gerald's own green eyes.

The moment he saw those eyes, a grin appeared on Gerald's eyes.

"So it's you, Adira." Gerald chuckled. "Why the need to act mysterious when we already know each other?"

"That's because this is business, Pops," Adira replied in a teasing tone. "Finish your drink, so we can go. We'll be traveling for a few hours before we reach our destination."

Gerald nodded and emptied the mug that was just given to him by the barkeep. After paying for his drink, the two left and entered the Teleportation Gate.

After an hour of constantly jumping from portal to portal, they appeared in a city that was under the control of the Shadow Union.

When Adira entered their secret headquarters, a teenage boy with black hair and green eyes looked at them with a smile.

"What took you guys so long?" Thirteen asked.

"Shut up, brat," Adira replied before giving Thirteen a tight hug. "You haven't shown yourself for three years, and you come to us asking for favors as soon as you make your appearance. You sure treat us like your servants, huh?"

Thirteen averted his gaze as he decided to endure being hugged by the Drow, whom he had seen a week ago.

Gerald looked at his son and gave him a thumbs up in his heart. Even though Adira was a Drow, she was a very beautiful one, especially when it came to Drow standards.

"I can't stay for long, so let's go to the Main Headquarters first," Thirteen proposed.

Adira clicked her tongue before reluctantly letting go of the boy. "Let's go to the courtyard."

The Drow dragged Thirteen, and Gerald followed with a faint smile on his face.

This was the first time he saw his son being dragged around like this, and it lifted his mood.

When they arrived at the courtyard, Rocky's head poked out of the ground and swallowed Gerald and Adira.

Thirteen then clapped his hands together and used his artifact that allowed him to teleport to a place once a day.

He brought his father to the Main Headquarters of the Shadow Union, intending to borrow their forge, which housed the Flames of Sylvanna, one of the few Unique Flames in the world that could melt even the bones of a Rank 9 Black Dragon.