God's Avatar

They Can Return Now

“We really did some considerable damage to nature hehe…”

“I couldn’t agree more…”

They both sigh, praising their destructive power as they glanced at their surroundings. A gaping hole in mountains, dilapidated earth, stump trees, and so on.

If it was a game, then the surrounding damage will turn back to their original state, however, it was not a game, it was now their new reality.

“Let’s meet the ar—”

Their body stopped.

Their hands, limbs, eyelids, and even breathing were stopped instantly by something unknown.

“You guys really did create a huge mess, tsk tsk tsk.”

A man’s voice sounded from above, since they were rendered immobile, they can’t even take a peek at who’s causing it. But the voice that called them was from someone familiar to Ian and Jasper.

‘Matthew?’

His name is Matthew.

With this information, they figured out instantly what was rendering them immobile.

[Time Lock]

A level 65 skill of an Oracle Mage that locks an enemy in a time-sphere, creating a time-loop that restrains them for a certain period of time.

“I may not be good at science, but I can tell you that any physical movement is useless when time and space itself stops.”

“Jasper, it was the captain's fault. He didn’t tell us that we were expecting some guests. I tried my best to chase you after knowing about it but seeing you fighting seriously with Ian, I had to call someone that will break the fight...sorry”

Angelica said with an apologetic expression on her face.

“Jasper and Ian, I am not against dueling between ourselves. However, today is a bad time, as Angelica mentioned, we are expecting guests from this world, and you’ve made them uncomfortable by showing off your skills. Please reflect on your actions while on that spell.”

Matthew chided the two and glanced below, an army that looked like ants filled the view, most of them were shivering and trembling on their feet. Probably by Ian and Jasper duel.

And Matthew teleported in front of the army, leaving Ian and Jasper locked in his skill.

The first one that met his glance was a tall muscular man, his armor is different from the rest, Matthew deduced that this man was somewhat a leader or general of the army.

So he approached the man, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

“Greetings, I am Matthew, I am one of the Surrender@20. I came here to receive you…”

Angelica also bowed her head as she followed Matthew’s dignified and humble introduction.

In the eyes of Alexander, these two in front of him are not someone to be messed with. He saw this young handsome man restraining and scolding the two who were fighting and destroying anything on their battlefield.

Beside him was a woman, probably in her early twenties, her beauty is comparable to a goddess. However, the scythe sheathed on her back tells him that this woman is not an ordinary one, but someone in the level of Ian, or probably higher than him.

“I-I’m...Alexander, one of the generals of the Bethia Kingdom army, pleased to meet you…” He introduced himself with the utmost respect.

“Hoh, generals huh? Then, it seems that you’re the person that we are looking for.” Matthew said.

“What do you mean?” Alexander asked curiously.

“We didn’t expect that you’re bringing an entire army to our doorstep. Sorry to tell you that we won’t be able to accommodate the whole army, so Matthew told you that you’re the only one who we’re looking for.”

Angelica explained fluidly as her soothing voice eased the atmosphere of the side of Bethia's army.

Maybe she figured out that a spectacle of the two is enough to traumatize almost everyone in the army. She was able to tell since she was among the battle gods who watched the battle between Ian and one hundred monsters,

“Then, you’re only taking me?” Alexander asked.

“You can bring someone along with you. After all, this is just an exchange. Once you answer our question, we will return the princesses promptly…”

“Wa-wait...that looks like…” Alexander interrupted, the way Matthew talks makes it look like a hostage situation…

“Don’t misunderstand it, you just need to think of it as our reward of taking care of the princesses,” Matthew assured.

“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask,” Angelica added.

“No...no, I don’t have anything in mind for now. Please lead us the way…”

As Alexander gave his consent. Matthew snapped his finger, ending the [Time Lock] spell, followed by teleportation that somehow teleports Ian and Jasper in their location in an instant.

“You two, I believe that it was enough time reflecting on your mistake...Now it's the time for you to make amends, you will watch Alexander’s army while Captain and he talk about things...Don’t worry, it will end in thirty minutes tops.”

Jasper and Ian sighed deeply, it was no other choice but to follow his command.

“Understood,” Both of them said in a depressed tone.

“Then Alexander, you mind taking someone with you? Just so you know, you can bring one or two of them.”

“If you insist, then I’ll take someone…” He turned around and pointed his finger to someone… “Oi kid, you’re coming with me…”

“Me?” The terrified young soldier pointed at himself as he saw the general pointing his finger directly at him.

“Yes, you.”

That young man moved forward and stood beside Alexander.

“I’ll take that you’re ready? Now, please standstill as I’ll teleport you to our mansion…”

“Teleport?”

Alexander muttered to himself as he stroked his beard with his hand. In his knowledge, teleportation is a spell exclusive to the high-ranking mages or top-hero mages. Hearing the word teleportation doesn’t surprise him—Only this time.

His mouth open wides, eyes widened in exclamation. A pitch-black eclipse-shaped portal appeared in front of them. It was not the teleportation that he was expecting where a mage will chant some incomprehensible words and a magic circle will be drawn on the earth. Matthew did nothing, he simply turned back and that’s it. Nothing special and yet a gate so wide that a battalion of the army entered one at a time.

‘Surrender at 20, just what kind of people are you.’

With that on his mind, they entered the gate without hesitation. They placed their trust in Matthew who looks reasonable.

Then with just one step inside the portal, they arrived instantly in front of the majestic mansion, rivaling the houses of nobility and dukes.

‘That portal could be useful in logistics, I hope our mage will be able to learn this magic.’

Matthew and Angelica escorted the two to the captain’s office. Alexander carefully and covertly looked around at his surroundings like a general observing the battlefield.

He knew that he might get in trouble and must find an escape route—.

“Beyond this door is our captain and the two princesses. They have been waiting since morning and are eager to talk a lot of things about your country. Are you ready?” Matthew said with a serious tone.

Alexander stretched his hands.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

With that answer, Matthew opened the door, behind it was in fact the two princesses and a knight.

“Your royal highnesses!” Seeing both princesses in fine condition, he immediately knelt down in front of them valiantly.

“Alexander!”

Somehow, Christine seems to know Alexander.

“I’m so happy that both of you were fine...I’m very sorry for not getting there in time.”

He bowed deeply this time, his forehead kissing the ground as if he is performing a kowtow.

“Please don’t ever blame yourself for something you don’t know. I should be the one who needs to be wary of someone around me...If I was careful, then this won’t happen.”

Since Christine is telling him that it was fine, Alexander rose his head and once more and looked at Fiona. She didn’t react to his coming, she only sat there in the seat provided by the Captain’s office with a faint smile on her face.

Looking at both princesses, Alexander concluded that they were okay and is doing fine in this mansion. Thanks to the benevolent guild that didn’t exist in Bethia or in any other country.

“Are you perhaps, the guild master of the Surrender@20?”

He asked the knight seating behind the desk with the utmost respect.

“Yes, my name is Ethan, I’m so glad to see some reunification happening in front of me. But to make it official, I need you to gather some information about your country.”

“Understood, I’ll do my best to answer any of your inquiries truthfully, however, as a knight and a general of my country. I will keep any confidential information from you. Is that okay?”

Alexander asked.

“It’s okay, I will not confidentially ask something that threatens your national security. I will only ask about how your country works. That’s all.”

Then they proceeded to a 55 minutes discussion. Ethan asked for any necessary information that could help them in the forthcoming movement of the Surrender@20.

“Interesting, I have learned a lot from you, Alexander. You have my gratitude…”

“The honor is mine, sir Ethan. Then does that mean that the princesses can now return to their country?”

“Of course, you answered a significant question of ours after all. As a captain of the Surrender at 20. I shall keep my words and. Then, if you’re ready to leave, Matthew will use the gate spell and transport you back to your army. If you want extra security, I can send someone…”

“Please don’t mind it sir Ethan” Alexander interrupted. You’ve done a lot for us...we can take it from here, we assure you...we will protect the princesses at all cost.”

Declining the offer, Ethan could simply nod at his reassurance.

“Then, we’re finished. Christine and Fiona, it was just one day but I’m thankful that we met both of you...It was our first time meeting a real princess.”

With a wholehearted smile on Ethan’s face. Christine and Fiona blushed at his soft farewell voice.

“It is also an honor to meet all the members of Surrender at 20. A truly interesting guild.” Christine said.

“Uhm, Sir Ethan, we will next time right?” Fiona asked timidly.

“Of course, I believe that we will have our rewards on helping the Bethia Kingdom, right Alexander?”

“That’s right, your highness, I believe that the king will offer them a grand welcome to our country as a token of his appreciation. Sir Ethan, we will send you a letter via bird delivery in at least four days.”

“Okay…” Ethan nodded.

“Uhm...sir Ethan, is it possible to talk with sir Jon once more?” Christine heeds.

“I’m here.”

A golden speck of light faltering in beside Ethan materialized. It was Jon in his casual attire.

“What is it that you want from me?” Jon with his fierceful glare asked the princess.

His scary yet dignified voice pierced her very soul. But it was not the time to be scared, she had something to say to him before leaving.

“Please come over here…” Christine beckoned Jon with her hands, her face turned crimson.

“I refuse.”

“Wh-why are you refusing? Just come here...Mou…”

“I don’t like being ordered around by someone…”

A fierceful and deadly gaze of Ethan interrupted Jon's lofty attitude.

“I’m sorry, what was it again?”

Jon asked Christine, but she only beckoned him to get his face closer as if she would whisper something to him.

He moved over to Christine.

“More.”

“Can you just tell me what is—”

When he stepped forward Christine kissed him on the lips.

Everyone in the room was surprised at the sudden move of Christine though the most surprised of them all is Jon who received such a kiss.

He doesn’t know how long it took but she separates her body quickly.

“...That’s a thank you kiss...it was my first time though…”

Blushing bashfully Christine looks down.

He doesn’t know what she was thinking but he won’t shame her here.

“Hmm, then I received something precious then. Thank you.”

“It’s time, Jon.” Matthew breaks the romantic development happening between the two. “Jasper and Ian are getting impatient and want to return home.”

“Okay, then Alexander.”

Jon looked at Alexander with his crimson eyes.

“Protect Christine and Fiona at all cost...do it even if you have to sacrifice your life.”

“Don’t worry sir, I’ve already sworn as a knight that I will protect her royal highness with my life.”

Alexander bows deeply.

“Okay, Matthew you may now leave, I need everyone at the meeting room at 1600hrs later.”

“Okay”

A portal materializes again, connecting two points. Matthew escorted them.

“Be careful on your way home, Alexander,” Matthew said.

Alexander nodded and began to order his army to leave the premises.

Matthew and the rest of the battle gods in the area watch as the army of Bethia shrink in distance.

“Everyone meeting at 4 pm”

They entered the gate, returning to their Estate.