Tales of Revenants

Chapter 48 – Deal of Assistance

The unhesitant decision Laken undertook isn't superficial. His choice works under the favor of the two parties no matter what could be the price of the information they needed.

He figures Alice was also in a confusion that Nightbeasts usually nocturnal are suddenly appearing during the day.

The most unbelievable truth the fate forced them to accept was that the cult known as Midnight Pentagram was able to command these atrocious monsters at their behest.

Laken showed her palm to Luciella indicating he needed the shard Alice wanted.

She complied and grabbed the Shard of Cosmos glimmering with thousands of stars.

The decision will surely help for the better, Luciella handed to him the shard, “Here it is.”

It was without a doubt the Shard of Cosmos. The endless twinkling heavenly bodies it presents is the only proof of its endless power.

Without a second thought, Laken seizes Alice's hand and gracefully gave her the thing she asked for.

“Now tell us everything from the very start.” Laken was very serious.

Alice firsts probed the Shard of Cosmos thinking it was fake and there's no way they would have an instant compromise.

It turns out it was the real shard when it fitted on the empty space on the orb of her wand.

Laken doesn't regret his decision nor is he anxious that Alice will ditch them right after, but he perceives he will not do such a deceitful thing.

“You're nerve-wracking! Ugh!” Alice groaned from disliking Laken's guts.

“Either way, a celestial like myself will never back down on her words, so where do you want to start?” She instigated the exchange of information solely because she agreed to do so once she had her shard back.

“From why the celestials asked the mechanoid defenders to assist with their fights.” Laken set the point where he wanted to learn up to the present events. The other attentively listens carefully.

“I have to start from that...? Welp...” Alice picked a vial of mana on the stocks near the equipment rack and cleared her throat by drinking from the vial without leaving a single drop.

“As you all are well aware, we have a joint raid unit with the five Heavenly Heroes including me to dispose of you three. I won't forget our defeat when the Voiceless Revenant stole our shards and saved you all.” Alice glared at Xenon with an expression of contempt.

“My name is Xenon, thank you.” Xenon inserted.

“I know so shut up!” Alice ruthlessly brushed him off.

“Anyways, after that encounter, the higher-ups of the council in the Astral Kingdom ordered me to be the temporary commander of celestials' battalion representative,” Alice told that got Laken's attention.

Laken raised his arm to deliver a question, “Where is the Battalion Commander of the Astral Kingdom's representative?”

Things got serious when Alice's ire displayed when she bit her lips from the things she remembered.

“Well... when he raided the location where the enemies camp from the second barrier's vicinity, mysteriously, the entire battalion is wiped out together with the commander.” Alice doesn't want to say it in words but she did so.

Everyone was upset and can't believe what they heard, “An entire battalion disappeared in an instant?!” Xenon faltered.

“Wait, that's not possible, right?” Eirisse fixed the bridge of her eyeglasses facing straight to Alice.

She gritted her teeth for a moment, “That's exactly my expression when I heard of it. But things became worse when I neglected my duties by thinking the Midnight Pentagram were just a bunch of crazy people.” Alice is implying that's just the tip of the iceberg.

“Tell us more,” Laken placed his hands on the table. He did not expect problematic turns of events were on a larger scale where the Heavenly Heroes were in distress.

“You all who know the sixth Heavenly Hero right?” Alice confirms and everyone nodded except for Luciella.

“The Heavenly Hero hailing from the prosperous land of Zargon Republic, Zoroaster, who was blessed by the Alpha Core. Meaning he is the strongest mechanoid defender.” Xenon asserted fully aware of who he is.

“Not just the strongest mechanoid defender. I do believe he is the strongest amongst us Heavenly Heroes. The rank doesn't signify our might, but our deeds as heroes that's why I'm last because I'm absolutely lazy,” Alice told contradicting her vain.

The Heavenly Heroes are ranked from the things they achieve which constitute the very founding idea of a true hero rather than their strength and might alone.

Given that hierarchical promotion, the best example is the twin sisters; Lena successfully subjugated the legendary sea monster from the Ashfall Sea that's causing trouble for seafarers.

Her sister Luna froze an active volcano in Volcanyon that might kill an entire village if it was not frozen.

The sisters did save a lot of people from their doom and earned themselves the position of the fourth and fifth Heavenly Hero.

Zoroaster was one of the chosen mechanoid defenders to be blessed by the Alpha Core which is not unique amongst the other.

The special core gives him the perfect ability, like fast recovery, perfect emotion, and perfect choice which is why Alice thinks he is the strongest Heavenly Hero in terms of all-out capability.

“Hey don't tell me what's in my mind.” Laken got not just the gist, but the next thing Alice will tell them.

“You have a sharp perception. Zoroaster himself went to purge the Midnight Pentagram where our forces were wiped out, and guess what? He never returned.” Alice spoke the truth and everyone even Laken himself couldn't believe.

Xenon geared up his chest changing his attribute, “Tell me, Eirisse, is she telling the fact?” He requested a piece of advice from Eirisse because she knows if a person is lying or not.

Eirisse gazes upon the deepest parts of her eyes only to witness the endless horizon of constellations.

Alice's grimace wasn't meant for hatred but for her unyielding honesty considering the fact she spoke to her enemies, the Revenants like they are confidants.

“Yes.” Eirisse simply responded.

“Impossible... this is Zoroaster we are talking about. But if he really hasn't returned yet, someone powerful in the ranks of the enemy can constrain him.” Xenon guesses the possible.

“Is it the Dimension Reaper?” Luciella suggests tilting her head.

“Barbaros betrayed his own race, the celestials. I know the extent of his spatial magic but I can't see the reason why Zoroaster could be defeated easily by him.” Alice remarked.

“It's not him then... what is done cannot be undone, you must take countermeasures before facing such adversary.” Laken stands and went to the entrance. He beckoned the rest to follow him.

“Wait, are you leaving?” Alice anxiously asked.

“What? Do you think we are going to help you out? Why not seek help from the other Heavenly Heroes since we have different goals that we need to achieve, so if you'll excuse us...” right after Laken bid his farewell, Alice fluttered over and reaches for him.

“This is a task I must do without the help of the Heavenly Heroes. I actually have another proposal...” Alice restrains herself to not sound like she's audaciously pleading for help on a wanted criminal.

“Ho? Let's hear it out.” Laken takes the lead.

“I recognized you three Revenants are strong, and I feel a surprisingly strange magic affinity on the half-elf lady, so I'll propose this.” Alice presented them her wand which contains the Shard of Cosmos.

“I won't ask why you all wanted to collect these useless shards given to us since I only kept mine 'cause it looks cute. But in exchange for this, I want all your strength in fighting the Midnight Pentagram forces.” Alice dropped her proposal and marked it on a stone.

Laken secretly grinned for took hold of the reality that even if Alice is a Heavenly Hero, she wanted the aid of someone strong enough to face the unfathomable fellow who defeated Zoroaster.

His choice is simply what gives him the most advantage, “Deal.” Laken accepted her proposal and shakes Alice's hand for temporary cooperation.

Alice became too flustered when she beholds his solemn fervor painted through the azure flames burning in his profound gaze that pierced her heart.