System's POV
chapter-437

Since they were getting short on manpower, Michael didn't hesitate and asked for more engineers to be sent to the Rigel Continent so that they could start mining right away.

'This nephew of mine really knows how to do business,' Michael thought. 'Well, since he can't raise his rank, becoming a businessman might also be a good option.'

Even Arthur believed that his no-good grandson had great potential when it came to making money by scamming people and monsters.

He even told Michael to be careful of the teenage boy because he always said that they would become their Branch Family in the future.

Michael only laughed it off in front of his Father, but deep inside, he was also feeling a little anxious. For some reason, he find these words similar to a prophecy that might happen in the future.

Knowing how resourceful his nephew was, he felt that it was really possible for the Leventis Main Family to become the Branch of Zion's Family.

After making sure that everything was in order, and the Earth Dragons were satisfied with their new Transporters, Thirteen finally bid goodbye to them.

But before leaving, he told them that if they had other concerns, they should just call his Uncle right away as long as it was within his working hours.

Since the threat of the Jinns was now under control, Thirteen decided to return to the Aldebaran Continent with his troops so that they could rest.

Also, he planned to temporarily assign the command of the 69th Battalion to Cristopher because he believed that his right-hand man was capable of doing it.

But before leaving the center of the continent, the teenage boy went to talk to Erasmus first.

He and the Death Lord were planning something big. Erasmus had no intention of staying in the Rigel Continent for a long time.

But, due to certain factors, he was unable to leave the Rigel Continent because he was bound to protect the Dimensional Gate, like the Earth Dragons at all cost.

Because of this, he would need Thirteen's help to regain his freedom.

However, in order to make it happen, the teenage boy would need to convince Metatron first.

He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he believed that if he used the right words, the chances of his mission succeeding would increase drastically.

In all honesty, the thing that he was most worried about was his next missions in Solterra.

Knowing The One, he was certain that the God of Wanderers wouldn't send him to a normal mission. So as a safety precaution, he needed to prepare in advance.

However, no matter what obstacle he faced, Thirteen wouldn't allow them to get the better of him.

After all, he now had a family waiting for his return and an old friend who needed his help to exact his revenge on Aaron Ashford, whom he hated the most in the world of Pangea.

"How long do you think it will take?" Erasmus asked when he was certain that Thirteen's subordinates wouldn't hear their discussion.

"Until the Cygni Invasion ends," Thirteen replied.

"So… three to five years?" Erasmus rubbed his chin. "I've already waited for three hundred years, a few more years will not be a problem."

Thirteen nodded. "It's good to know that you still look at the bigger picture."

"That's the problem," Erasmus replied. "Only you and I are looking at the bigger picture. The rest just want to gain benefits and squeeze each other dry."

Thirteen nodded in agreement because it was the truth.

"Make sure to send any valuable monster parts to the Transporter that I built for you," Thirteen said. "My father is getting better at his craft. Sooner or later, he will be able to craft Mythical and above even without my help."

"I have my Cursed Artifacts with me, so just give those weapons to your people," Erasmus stated. "They will need it more than I do."

"Understood." Thirteen looked at his former host with pride. "I'll do my best, so you should also do your best to break through to Rank 9 within three to five years."

Erasmus chuckled. "You make it sound so easy. But I'll see what I can do. If you need my help, you know where to find me."

Thirteen nodded and handed Erasmus a military-grade Cell Phone.

"It is connected to Athena, so you can contact me as long as I am in Pangea," Thirteen said. "I'll be here until the Night of the Solstice, so if you need something, I'll have it sent right away."

"Well, the good thing about being an Undead is that we don't really need to eat and drink," Erasmus smirked. "Still, I feel a little jealous of the Earth Dragons because they seemed to be enjoying life.

"Perhaps after killing that bastard, I can focus my attention on how to form a flesh body and truly live my second life."

Thirteen smiled faintly. "Well, I will also do my best to help you. I'm sure the two of us can come up with something."

As the System of Cannon Fodders, Thirteen did have some effective ways to give Erasmus what he wanted.

However, it required luck, vast resources, and fortuitous encounters to find these extremely rare herbs, which could be used to make an elixir.

Also, because of Erasmus' current Rank, there were other things that needed to be added to ensure that his new body would be able to hold his strength.

'One step at a time,' Thirteen thought. 'There's no need to rush. As long as I am alive, I can do it.'

Thirteen first need to survive his missions in Solterra and earn more Apocalypse Points to strengthen himself with Divine-Grade Artifacts.

He also needed to repair and modify Nautilus.

This project would need a month to complete, but once he had finished calibrating the ship, he was certain that it would be stronger after its trial run.

He was already looking forward to checking the recorded data during this expedition.

If Nautilus' Main Cannons wouldn't go out of commission after firing the same output that made the Earth Dragons accept his proposal, then he would have more leeway to use it effectively in the future.

"I'll go now," Thirteen said. "Be safe until I return from Solterra, Erasmus."

"You too." Erasmus chuckled before lightly patting the teenage boy's head. "I am strong, and not even the Monarchs of this world can kill me easily. You, on the other hand, are just a Rookie.

"I don't know where The One is planning to send you on the night of the Solstice, but I wish that he will have mercy and give you a normal mission for once."

Thirteen nodded because he, too, wished that he would get a simple mission this time around.

"Well, then. I'll see you later," Thirteen said as he reached out his hand for a handshake.

"See you later, Thirteen," Erasmus smirked, but he took the boy's hand and shook it twice before letting go. "I look forward to hearing the adventures that you will be doing this time around."

After bidding their farewell, Thirteen left the Ruins where Erasmus lived, and went back to the helicopter, where Cristopher and Colbert were waiting for him.

"Where are we headed now, Young Master?" Colbert asked.

"Back to the North," Thirteen replied. "Our duty here is done."

Colbert nodded and waited for his Young Master to climb the helicopter before he, too, boarded it.

'This trip to the Rigel Continent is truly full of surprises,' Thirteen thought as he looked down on the ground from the window of the helicopter. 'Coming here was worth it.'

At first, he only came to the Rigel Continent to train his people, get the Cursed Artifacts, and acquire some resources while he was at it.

But one thing led to another, and before he knew it, he was now leading the Alliance into battle.

Thirteen knew that things could have ended differently if he didn't take that step to look for Erasmus in order to propose a deal with him.

The mere thought of him orchestrating the Death Lord's demise made him shudder.

Fortunately, a tragedy was averted, allowing him to reunite with an old friend whom he had to leave for the time being.

He hoped that this short goodbye would pave the path for a better and brighter future.

A bright future not only for his family, friends, and subordinates but also for the cannon fodders whom, to this day, was very dear in Thirteen's heart.