Chapter 73: Returning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Returning
Watching the two Gamies stand with their hands on their hips, Xie Bai let out a soft chuckle.
"Alright then. I’ll come find you both again when I have some free time."
The two Gamies froze for a moment upon hearing her reply.
"Eh? Sister Xiaobai, are you leaving so soon?"
"We only just met a little while ago."
Surrounded by the two little girls, Xie Bai felt a bit flustered.
"Well... I have other things to attend to right now, and there are people waiting for me. Um... how about I come back to see you later?"
Hearing this, the two Gamies let out a synchronized sigh.
"Fine. Since Sister Xiaobai has more important things to do, we won't bother you. But you absolutely mustn't forget us. It took us so long to finally meet a big sister before."
"We just don't know why, but that lady hasn't visited in a long time. We can't find her on any timeline. We aren't sure if she forgot about us, or if..."
Sensing Gamie’s worry, Xie Bai gently pulled both girls into a hug.
"There, there. I definitely won't forget you. How about this—I’ll come back in ten days. Does that sound good?"
Though Xie Bai’s stature wasn't particularly large compared to Gamie’s, she still provided a sense of familiar warmth.
Faced with Xie Bai’s promise, one of the Gamies pulled out a pocket watch and began fiddling with it.
Xie Bai watched with curiosity. "What are you... doing?"
Gamie looked up as she worked. "Recording Sister Xiaobai’s time scale. We have to make sure the time you're gone doesn't exceed ten days."
"After all, the timeline here is quite chaotic. It only stabilizes when a Third Observer is present."
Hearing the explanation, Xie Bai felt a pang of guilt. "I see... Alright then. When I come back next time, I’ll bring some gifts for you both."
The dejected expressions on the two Gamies finally softened slightly.
"You said it, Sister Xiaobai!"
"Come on, pinky swear!"
Seeing the two little fingers extended toward her, Xie Bai nodded gently. "Alright."
After she hooked fingers with both Gamies, two notifications promptly appeared before her eyes.
【Obtained Blessing of Time: Time-type skills from Demigods and below are ineffective against you.】
【Obtained Blessing of Space: Space-type skills from Demigods and below are ineffective against you.】
"In that case, Sister Xiaobai, go ahead and get to work. Gamie and I will wait for you to come back."
"Don't forget—you can't just come back once. You have to keep coming back from now on."
Faced with their earnest reminders, Xie Bai gently squeezed their hands. "Mm, I will."
After a few more words of comfort, Xie Bai returned to the outside world through Gamie’s shadow.
*
"I’m telling you, back in the day, there was this True God who didn't know his place. He led a whole army of God's Favored to attack humanity, thinking he could wipe us out all by himself. Hah! It took someone like me, personally leading the troops, to kick him right back to his nest!"
"Then you really are a hero, brother. If you’d died then, you’d have been a shoo-in for Valhalla."
"Stop, stop! Don't go saying such unlucky things."
"Haha, my bad, I went too far. But I’ve got another question for you."
"Ask away! My best trait is being well-traveled and knowledgeable. I can give you an answer to just about any weird problem."
"It’s nothing major. I just wanted to ask... why were you pestering that little blonde girl back then? You don't seem like that kind of guy to me, brother."
The atmosphere in the control room suddenly froze.
Even Thanatos, standing off to the side, couldn't help but cast a glance over.
"Ahem... Brother Strife, you really have a way of catching people off guard. Let me state for the record: I am not the kind of man you’re thinking of."
"Oh? How so?"
After clearing away the bottles around him, Brandon began to recount some of his past.
"It all starts with my Emperor. Of course, I’m talking about the Emperor of Rolands from thirty million years ago. Ever since my Great Emperor’s name was erased by the gods, I’ve lived a life of drifting from place to place. It wasn't until a hundred years ago, when I met Emperor Atoris of the Aodu Empire, that I remembered the days I once fought for Rolands. Atoris was a man truly worthy of the title of Emperor. Unfortunately, I received news of his death not long ago, and I fell back into a period of aimlessness."
Halfway through, Brandon picked up a new bottle of booze and took a swig.
"But soon after, Mr. Thanatos found me. He told me a new Sword of the Empire had inherited Atoris’s name. Later, when I saw that Sword of the Empire in person, I saw the shadow of Emperor Atoris in her. It made me feel... nostalgic, I suppose."
Strife looked puzzled. "And what does that have to do with you harassing that little girl?"
Brandon choked on his drink the moment Strife finished.
"Cough... What do you mean 'harassing'? I was asking for her first official autograph! You have to understand—that Sword of the Empire carries the duty of protecting the empire while also serving as a national idol, all while carrying the shadow of the late Emperor. That kind of intense contrast... an old fossil from thirty million years ago like you could never understand it."
With that, Brandon took another long gulp of wine.
Strife listened to the explanation, looking utterly dazed. "Wait, aren't you also from thirty million years ago?"
Though he didn't quite grasp Brandon’s logic, Strife chose to respect him nonetheless.
"By the way, it seems the Master doesn't have anything urgent lately. Maybe she can give you some time off."
Brandon’s eyes peeked out from under the brim of his hat. "Since you put it that way, Brother Strife, you better not go back on your word."
Strife gave him a boisterous slap on the shoulder. "Hahaha! As long as you don't mind, brother. I’ve never been one to deceive people."
Listening to the conversation between Brandon and Strife, Thanatos pressed a hand to his forehead. "Some things... are better left unsaid..."
Just as the atmosphere was getting lively again, a figure appeared beside Thanatos.
"Thanatos, what are those two doing?"
Seeing Xie Bai’s return, Thanatos immediately straightened his posture.
"Master, have you reclaimed the Authority of the Void?"
Even though he could sense the familiar aura of the Void on her, Thanatos chose to confirm it verbally.
"I have. Why?"
"Master reclaiming the Authority of the Void means we can reopen the Void Tunnels. This is a fundamental requirement for using the Void to control the mortal realm. It is of immense significance."
Having said that, Thanatos turned to answer Xie Bai’s previous question.
"As for Brandon and Strife, they have become sworn brothers during your absence. It seems they are getting along quite well."
"I see. It’s good that Brandon is fitting in."
Xie Bai turned her gaze back to Thanatos.
"By the way, we need to establish a base of operations for the Wheel of Fate in the mortal realm. Do you have any suggestions?"