As these words reached Benjamin's ears, his brows furrowed in contemplation. Still, he held his silence, attentively listening to Venn's continued tale."Just over a fortnight ago, we chanced upon you and the young lady of the Broly lineage aboard a wooden vessel. You, Captain, were enveloped in a deep slumber, and the maiden bore many a wound. Initially, our men wished to bring you to our camp for healing. However, orders from the high command summoned you for inspection and scrutiny. This directive, impossible to refuse, labeled you as delusional, potentially harmful to those around. Thus, they've isolated you here, not in a mere infirmary, but a secretive research institution established some years prior, rumored to be Elmer's own brainchild. As of now, only Venn, Noam, and I have permission to communicate with you. So, should you wish to venture beyond these walls, I must, by duty, hinder your path."Reaching this point, Venn's voice wavered, his throat dry. Yet his gaze revealed
"Sir, we have arrived!"The sudden sound of the driver's voice brought Benjamin back to the present, his eyes taking in his surroundings.The landscape before Benjamin was a serene rural area. Around him were a few wooden houses, each enclosed by fences of green trees, giving off a feeling of simplicity and intimacy.It had been a long time since Benjamin had felt such peaceful ambiance. Stepping out of the car, he took a deep breath of the clean, cool air. Then his eyes settled on a nearby wooden house.In front of the house lay a small garden, flanked by plots of verdant vegetables. Particularly striking was a trellis heavy with ripe melons, giving Benjamin a sense of returning to the countryside of the 1980s.However, his attention quickly focused on a figure standing in the garden—an old man in his late seventies or eighties. Though slightly frail, his body was robust and vigorous.To any onlooker, he might appear as an ordinary old farmer, but Benjamin knew well that this was non
Yet, resentment towards the elder never burgeoned within Benjamin. Instead, his eyes glittered with a trace of curiosity as he beheld the elder, questioning: "Pray tell, to whom shall I deliver this letter?""Miranda Byner!"The elder's three uttered words resonated like a seismic jolt, leaving Benjamin utterly staggered."Byner... Miranda Byner?!"A look of incredulity washed over Benjamin's features as he beheld the figure standing before him."Yes, that's her! Moreover, she's my daughter!"Once more, Benjamin felt as though a bolt of lightning had fiercely struck his very core.To the uninformed, the name Miranda Byner might not ring a bell. But Benjamin knew all too well—she was one of the three deputy leaders of the Moonlight Religious Sect, an infamous cult with vast influence across Southeast Asia. Rumored to be the consort of the current sect leader, she had reportedly reached the pinnacle of her powers two decades ago. As for her present capabilities, Benjamin was unsure. Yet
As for being discovered by Miranda regarding the nature of his space storage artifact, Benjamin was utterly indifferent.Of course, he did not entirely trust Miranda. Conversely, he felt somewhat concerned and cautious about this occurrence. Anyway, when he was transported out of the Ancient Battlefield, he didn't know what had happened. Suddenly imprisoned, the Dragon Guardians members who had followed him were scattered, isolated. This made Benjamin wary.Someone might be targeting him, and they seemed powerful. He did not believe that the Lee family alone could overshadow everything. Perhaps his trip to the Ancient Battlefield was revealed, leading the government to investigate secretly.In short, except for his own strength, Benjamin had entirely stopped trusting anyone, even those he had known before."What good is inside this? Just give me a similar space treasure, and I'll help you with anything, no matter what?!"At this point, Miranda seemed not to have noticed the change in
Having checked in, Benjamin realigned his thoughts. With the address in hand, he once again stepped out briskly."Hey, mate, need a ride?"Barely moments outside the hotel, an aged taxi edged closer to where Benjamin stood. The thickly-accented voice of the driver took him by surprise, but he'd prepared himself for such encounters, enabling him to comprehend the offer at hand.In the delicate veil of the moonlit night, he fervently expressed: "I wish to go to the address written on this paper."With a refined cadence, Benjamin responded in a most pristine English.After all, in this land of New Braum, the mastery over the English language was quite ubiquitous. So, upon hearing his response, the taxi driver just slightly nodded in understanding. He then swiftly took the slip of paper from Benjamin's hand, skimming its contents with a cursory glance.As the driver discerned the written address, a fleeting shadow crossed his countenance. Had Benjamin not been keenly observant, this swift
At this moment, a wave of relief washed over Irina. The situation had been precarious, but thankfully, the timely intervention of this woman had scattered the goons. Gratefully, she bowed slightly to the woman, expressing her thanks."Thank you, I'm fine."The woman nodded in acknowledgment. But a moment later, she regarded Irina with a peculiar glint in her eyes, as if an unspoken mystery lurked within."Indeed, why do you stand alone in this place? This city, though largely safe, becomes a haven for sinister souls as night falls. If you have no purpose here, it would be wisest to return to your hotel, avoiding the streets alone at this hour. Especially, given your undeniable beauty."Hearing the words of the middle-aged woman, a hint of confusion danced across Irina's delicate face. In the next heartbeat, her eyes darted, desperately searching for any trace of Benjamin.Yet, the streets betrayed no sign of him. For a fleeting moment, an overwhelming disappointment clouded Irina's ga
Startled, she swiftly turned around. Behind Azaria stood a man with a flat cap, his face concealed behind a voluminous black mask. Clasped in his arms was a woman whose features were indistinct, but the attire she wore seemed eerily familiar to Azaria."Boss... Boss!"Upon recognizing the figure, Azaria exclaimed in surprise."Shush! We can't stay here for long. Follow me outside, and we can talk later."Benjamin gestured hastily for Azaria to be silent, then silently carried the unconscious woman towards a place outside the harbor.Just then, the city's patrolling police and the fire department hurriedly arrived, surrounding the entire harbor area. Even some key figures from the Rosé organization, accompanied by their entourage, appeared on the scene.Of course, their identities were hidden, watching from a distance, not directly intervening with the local police's firefighting activities."Boss, why..."Azaria's gaze lingered on the unconscious woman, now seated in the backseat of a
Indeed, Benjamin had been acting. Hadn't Dermot been trying to gauge him as well?After all, Benjamin was part of the Dragon Guardians, a target with a bounty set by the head of the Moonlight Religious Sect. Perhaps because of a debt owed to Elder Byner, Dermot had dared to offer a clandestine entrance to the Sect's assembly.Yet, this was undeniably risky for them both. If their actions were discovered, given the temperament of the Sect leader, dire consequences awaited.That's probably why Dermot crafted that tale to diplomatically decline Benjamin's request, all while gauging his reaction.Seeing Benjamin's direct refusal, Dermot viewed him in a new light."He truly lives up to his reputation as a top figure of the Dragon Guardians. Regrettably, times have changed. One man's strength can't alter the entire situation."Dermot pondered: "Why would that venerable person risk revealing the identity of the lady at such a sensitive time? If exposed, even she may not escape misfortune."A