Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 256: Lives to save

Was Rowman surprised to see that William had not come alone?

Not at all.

He had already heard how inseparable the young man was from his lover.

When Rowman took interest in someone, he investigated thoroughly. He preferred knowing how a person would react under pressure, what choices they would make when cornered. Nothing was left to guesswork.

He even knew what had transpired at the church between the High Priest and the exchange student, Brutus. William had not hesitated for a second before thrashing the transfer student when Emma was involved. That alone spoke volumes about their bond.

And the attachment clearly was not one-sided.

Emma had never revealed to others that she was the sole heiress of East Wind, yet she had recently brought the junior Delimore into her own home.

That level of trust was not given lightly.

’Both of them will play significant roles in the future,’ Rowman thought. ’They are destined either to become renowned figures... or to perish before reaching such heights.’

Experience had taught him a simple truth. Those with strength either rise to legend or are erased from history. Power placed one on a narrow edge. Arrogance invited ruin. Wisdom carved a path to greatness.

Delimore Carter had once been a man who could have destroyed himself with his temper alone.

Yet he had humbled himself, formed alliances, and risen to become a feared presence in the East. A man whose name alone unsettled enemies before the battle even began.

’Let us see whether you can carry his legacy forward,’ the chief strategist muttered under his breath before finally stepping forward to greet them.

"A very pleasant morning," he began smoothly.

He was not met with pleasantries.

Instead, William stated flatly, "Emma is coming with us. Otherwise, I am not going."

Rowman let out a soft chuckle. "Is that your decision alone? Or are you being compelled to say those words?"

William almost laughed at the implication. In truth, Emma had insisted on accompanying him, though her persuasion had been far from forceful.

The silver-haired girl cleared her throat lightly.

"I am his team member," she said with calm confidence. "The one who watches his back. It is only natural that I be present as well."

Rowman inclined his head slightly.

"I understand. But allow me to warn you, young lady. The front lines are unpredictable. Anything can happen there, and no one will be responsible for your safety. Keep that in mind."

Emma gave a short nod. She was well aware of the risks, especially in a sector overseen by the special unit. If that fleet had been deployed, then the threat level had to be far beyond anything she had personally faced before.

Seeing that she did not waver, Rowman said nothing further and gestured for them to board the cabin.

Once again, the Aether Rail proved its value. When time was critical, nothing matched its efficiency.

As they stepped inside, a voice echoed through the cabin.

"We will proceed toward the northern nation of Galour via teleportation portal. Our departure point is the capital, approximately three hours away. Please make yourselves comfortable."

William and Emma took seats at the rear of the cabin. Rowman sat at the front. A lone soldier remained stationed near the entrance, only sitting down once the cabin lifted several feet above the ground.

Before they had even fully settled in, the cabin surged forward.

Emma’s eyes widened slightly.

"Huh? This speed... it feels different," she muttered.

William nodded, feeling the force pressing lightly against his back.

"We are traveling much faster than the last time we headed to the border city."

Back then, William had assumed the increased speed was simply because only a single coach had been running on the railway line.

But this was on a completely different level.

The scenery outside the window dissolved into a continuous smear of green and brown. Fields, trees, hills, all reduced to indistinct streaks.

"We made some modifications."

Rowman turned slightly in his seat, glancing over his shoulder.

"The base design came from East Wind. However, to reduce travel time in emergency situations, we consulted Madame Merlin and implemented several improvements."

Emma narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Merlin..."

The genius sorceress and inventor. Someone who mentored Emma for a short while too.

So they had taken her foundation and refined it further.

For a brief moment, her pride stung. But the feeling was quickly overtaken by curiosity. What had they changed? Where had they optimized the flow? Structural reinforcement? Aether compression efficiency?

Before she could dive deeper into speculation, a hesitant voice came from beside her.

"Couldn’t you... accuse them or ask for compensation or something?"

Emma turned to William, confused. "Hmm?"

He scratched the back of his head.

"I mean... they kind of modified your creation without you being there. That does not feel right."

She blinked, then laughed softly at the awkward but genuine concern in his expression.

Shaking her head, she reassured him. "It is fine. I only created the base structure. As generations pass, others will build upon that foundation. That is how progress works. Every improvement stands on something that came before it."

William fell silent for a second.

Then he muttered quietly, almost to himself, "Then I will earn enough to buy the original version."

Emma tilted her head. "Why?"

He looked away slightly, ears faintly red.

"I would rather have something you made, untouched by stupid modifications."

A warm rush of affection flooded her chest.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his and leaned closer, pressing against his side.

"What was that? I did not quite hear you," she teased.

William groaned. "You heard me perfectly."

Emma burst into soft laughter, unable to help herself. Seeing him, usually composed and confident, turn shy over something so simple was unexpectedly adorable.

After a moment, her laughter faded into a gentle sigh. She rested her head on his shoulder, her voice softer now.

"Then one day, I will create something meant only for you," she murmured. "Something that exists for you alone."

William’s expression eased into a quiet smile. He intertwined his fingers with hers.

"I will wait for it," he said calmly. "As long as it takes."

It truly took no more than three hours, perhaps even less, before the blur outside began to slow.

The cabin gradually came to a halt, and when the doors opened, they were greeted by a sight that left them momentarily silent.

The imperial palace stood before them.

The cabin had stopped at the rear side of the massive structure.

Golden walls gleamed under the sun, and the crystal white marble flooring reflected light so intensely that William had to squint. The brilliance was almost painful to look at.

He turned his head slightly toward Rowman.

"Was there no other way to display wealth?" he asked dryly.

Rowman offered a faint smile. "It was designed that way to make it nearly impossible for archers to aim accurately at individuals around the palace during daylight."

Emma crossed her arms lightly. "Ambushes usually happen at night."

Rowman closed one eye in mild amusement. "That is true."

Then he added calmly, "But His Majesty also happens to have a fondness for gold."

Emma arched a brow but decided not to comment further.

Rowman stepped forward, his tone turning firm.

"Come. We do not have the luxury to admire architecture."

He glanced ahead toward the grand structure before adding, "We have lives to save."