Chapter 58: Chapter 57: Announcement

Lillim’s anger drained from her as she approached and picked Klaire up before holding her in a warm familial embrace, both confusing everyone and delighting them at the same time.

They were expecting capital punishment, but whatever she had seen had disarmed her and she moved to pick up and hold Omedra and finally Carl himself.

She was actually so happy it made them paranoid in their ignorance, aside from a few completed missions on his system screen, he didn’t see much to be celebrated.

Klaire was in the same position, she was looking at her screen but not seeing anything that she felt could not only warrant such praise, but do so after stopping a rampaging Lillim in her tracks.

Omedra especially was confused, she hadn’t noticed anything different about her screen at all.

“Lillim, let’s make it truly special, since the idiots haven’t noticed… Let’s see if they figure it out before you tell them.”

“Ah! A fine idea Fay, I’ll message the chief of diplomatic affairs and tell him they need to gather everyone for a grand feast! I’ll invite Nergal of course… Oooo, I wonder if I should have Equinox summon the lizards here for this.” Her excitement was both palpable and contagious.

As she sent the invite she groaned, simply muttering “buzz-kill” under her breath, then shook off the negativity.

“Perhaps we should get the Bashe clan here as well, it would be rude to induct them after.” Kyubi suggested, trying to keep the three distracted to avoid them figuring it out.

[ FACTION MESSAGE RECIEVED FROM GILLIAN : HI EVERYONE, JUST RECEIVED WORD THAT CARL IS AWAKE AND “MORE THAN WELL YOU LOVABLE IMBECILE”. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO ANNOUNCE A “GRAND FEAST”. DUE TO SPACE ISSUES I HAVE DESIGNATED DIPLOMACY HQ AS PARTY LOCATION… LILLIM GAVE THE ORDER, SO BEST TO ASSUME ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS INCASE THE NOTIFICATIONS ANNOY HER. ]

Kyubi laughed at the message before she, Faylorna, Danielle and Maeb left to gather the Bashe clan. “If I remember they designated a homeworld, so let’s take everyone there, I know a place on that world the Bashe clan will do well.”

As Kyubi and the Bashes left through a portal, Lillim realised that she was alone by Carl’s side. “What are you waiting for girls? You couldn’t wait for him to wake up a moment ago, don’t just sit there frozen.”

Klaire didn’t need anymore prodding and was draped over him almost completely before anyone could blink. Omedra, was also eager, but not willing to intrude. “Sweetie get over here now or you’ll be waiting forever. Carl, I’ll apologise and make you do the same later, but I’m not ruining the moment by talking again.”

Omedra approached and held his hand timidly. “Omedra, I gave you the “Human Transformation” skill, you picked an adult form because you’re so mature, but I’m sure if you focus you could choose something more child-like. Then you should be able to get a bit closer without me being crushed by both of you.”

Omedra considered it a moment then tried, but then her clothes started to slip off as she shrank and she returned to normal. “Guess I’ll have to get some stretchy clothes first.” She finally grumbled.

“I’ll have you get something that shape-shifting demons wear. You have a twin brother too, don’t you? I’ll have one made for him too, though you could just as easily go shopping, the human’s fashion sense is dull but not terrible.”

“Err, thank you, Lady Lillim.” The words wounded her more than she would have thought, suddenly realising how detached she had been since they met.

“Dear, I’m sorry your parents are immature, foolish and annoying, but please don’t worry about formalities and know it is rare for them to inspire such a dramatic reaction.”

“Yes, Lillim.”

“Okay, do you even know I’m Leanna’s mother?”

“I do, but you still left him to suffer, I won’t forgive that so quickly.” Omedra clammed up after that, leaving Lillim to consider what she had otherwise overlooked in her single-minded determination to get the truth.

“That’s fair, I shan’t intrude further, I’ll send word when it’s time.” Lillim turned on her heel and walked away.

“You shouldn’t be too harsh on her, her willingness to do whatever is needed saved us when we were still racked in fear after the wyvern killed us.” Carl said whilst only able to rub her hand in an attempt to comfort her.

“That’s my choice Dad, we were all worried sick and she wasn’t doing anything, ask Mum.”

“No sweetie, Dad is right, I was just impatient… She and Kyubi always plan out every little thing and when we let them it’s always perfect, but this time I just couldn’t wait for perfection.”

“Ugh. Fine, I’ll apologise later.”

Klaire chuckled, there may not have been any blood relation between the two, but she truly felt a bit of kinship with this daughter in a way that she didn’t with the others. It wasn’t that she was making Omedra her favourite, but simply that she found it nice to see a bit of herself in one of the creatures calling her “Mum”.

Lydia had been sat quietly a short ways away. “Ahem!” The sudden noise startled them all and she grumbled about being ignored. “Klaire, I see you survived. Carl, same. Omedra, the next time you bathe me in fire, I expect a little heads-up and at least an ultimatum before you destroy the door.”

“Sorry Lydia, I didn’t want Lillim to stop me.”

“Neither did I, that’s the only reason you aren’t in more trouble. Well that and the fact we had maybe five minutes before Klaire caused enough chaos to abscond with him.”

“Well, if Faylorna weren’t here, I wouldn’t have needed to do anything. I could have just ordered it as the Matriarch of the faction.” Klaire grumbled.

“Anyway, do you mind climbing off of him so I can make sure you actually healed everything. His right lung was almost completely torn to shreds.”

Lydia spent the next few hours checking him over and running every test she could think of to keep them in suspense as her own petty payback for being scared half to death by his condition.

When Lillim finally returned, she was uncharacteristically sheepish. “Apologies, I feel I should offer them for my behaviour today. Klaire was right, I am a perfectionist and making mistakes haunts me… Especially when the stakes are so high.

I never meant to prolong Carl’s suffering, or to ruin your reunion so thoroughly. It was a cruelty neither of you deserved. Especially when the situation with that discussion is the perfect example that I am unable to plan for everything.”

“Honestly, I’m happy you were, I don’t really remember anything between seeing Ishtar and meeting with Margo. If I had died and been replaced by something, you’d be the only reason any of them are alive to complain.”

“Right, well, that’s enough sappiness dear. Everyone, follow me, we have guests waiting.”

Lillim didn’t leave any room for slacking, all but pushing them through the portal she had waiting.

When they exited, they found every member of the faction as well as their sub-contracted family members, as well as the very confused Bashe clan and finally Bahamaut and Tiamat, who were not only just as confused, but annoyed in equal measure at being summoned by Lillim directly.

“Greetings everyone we are here to celebrate not only a very special occassion, but also the first time a human has had the opportunity to celebrate it. Before we get to that however…”

Faylorna took the spotlight. “Those of clan Bashe, rise.” Her words were met with absolute obedience. “I have named young Klaire my successor, since she is wed to patriarch of another faction, this will be a complete merger. She is still young however, so in her place, the clan shall be led by Danielle as steward.”

The clan didn’t look particularly surprised, though they were to see Carl look so surprised and he was clearly about to object until he caught a sharp jab in the ribs from Klaire. “Just sign it, we’ll explain tomorrow.”

Carl just nodded and signed the document that Faylorna produced.

[ CLAN BASH HAS JOINED THE FACTION ]

[ CONTRACT OUTLINES EACH FAMILY HEAD AS A MEMBER ]

[ FACTION MEMBERSHIP 50/50 SYSTEM CALCULATING REWARDS ]

“With that, I think it’s time to get to the main item on tonight’s agenda…” As she spoke Alysse stepped out looking just as confused and clearly following a scripted routine, pulling out two of the system projection chairs from her armlet using her faction privileges. “Now if you two would kindly take your seats…”

Lillim’s grin made them uncomfortable, not least because they still hadn’t realised why she was so happy.

That feeling was then compounded by the gasps and chatter that spread throughout the room until the two dragon’s auras demanded silence and they stood to approach.

Tension built with every step they took, the only thing keeping most people calm was the fact that Lillim, Kyubi and Faylorna were.

Then the dragons kneeled.

“We wish our congratulations and offer our respect enlightened, may you continue to grow and bring enlightenment to your people.” They spoke in unison, as though reciting a ritual that held personal importance.

“Have you figured it out yet you idiots? You both earned your first star, not just you two either, all of the pets that call Carl father have as well.”

Carl and Klaire looked at each other in bewilderment and then Kyubi took the spotlight. “It isn’t all that special in itself, aside from the fact Carl is human, the reason why Tiamat and bahamut respected the old custom of immortals is because when a creature reaches their first, the system usually reveals their limit.

These two are the first to not show that limit, which means they have the ability to reach full ascension.”

The crowd slowly started clapping, cautiously as they didn’t know how to properly grasp the situation.

All anyone could do is stare at the two stat blocks being projected holographically.

[ SYS BUILD = NEO PRIMORDIA V -2.1.6 ]

[ NAME = CARL BASHE-REAGA ] [RACE = HUMAN * ] [LEVEL = 86 ]

[ VIT = 300,000 + 4250 ] [ DEF = 298,427 + 4250 ] [ INT = 574,356 ]

[ PWR = VIT +DEX ] [ DEX = 248,972 + 4250 ] [ CHA = 197,471 + 4250 ]

[ MP = INT +CHA ] [ HP = VIT + PET VIT ] [ DIV = LVL / 3 X 1000 ]

[ SKILLS = NEO GOVERNOR, NEO GROWTH, NEO PET, NEO PRIMORDIA, NEO CHIMERISM, NEO SANCTA, NEO GENESIS, NEO MAGICKA, NEO DEUS, NEO PROGENY, NEO MATERIUM, NEO SYNTHESIS, NEO PET TELEPATHY, NEO PET MENAGERIE, NEO SPEAR THRUST, WYVERN SLAYING SPEAR THRUST, NEO SPEAR TECHNIQUE = MAX, NEO AUTHORITY, ]

[ SPECIAL SKILLS : NEO REJUVENATION, FOCUSED RECOVERY, SACRIFICIAL REGENERATION ]

[ SINGLE USE SKILL : DESIGNATE SAFE PLACE ]

[ SKILL RANKS = F = 0, E = 0, D = 0, C = 0, B = 0, A = 1, S = 2, SS = 1, SSS = 12, ??? = 4 ]

[ ABILITIES = ANALYSE, CURIOUS CREATOR ]

[ ADDITIONAL…]

[ NEO PET SLOTS = 28 ]

[ TITLE = MINUS ONE SUCCESSOR, THE KING OF ENDEAVOUR, HOUSE-HUSBAND, LOVING HUSBAND, MEWLING VIRGIN, SYMBOL OF UNITY, LOVING FATHER, ISHTAR’S MASTERPIECE, PROTAGONIST, BOY-CHICK ]

[ JOBS SLOTTED : CRYPTO-ZOOLOGIST, ZOOLOGIST, ARCANE-ZOOLOGIST, XENO-XOOLOGOST, DEMON ZOOLOGIST, CELESTIAL ZOOLOGIST, DRACOLOGIST, NECRO-ZOOLOGIST, CREATOLOGIST, FATHER, ICHTHYOLOGIST, HERPETOLOGIST, ENTOMOLOGIST, ORNITHOLOGIST, ARACHNOLOGIST, PALEOZOOLOGIST, SHADOW-KIN ZOOLOGIST ]

[ JOB OPTIONS = JOB OPTIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SELECTED WITHOUT LIMIT UNDER THE POWER OF THE “ISHTAR’S MASTERPIECE” TITLE ]

[ TALENTS = WELL-LOVED, MASTER HOUSEKEEPER, HAND OF GOD, LOVING SPIRIT, COSMIC KNOWLEDGE ]

[ MAIN MISSION : DESTROY MARGO ]

[ SINGLE PARTICIPANT MISSIONS = CREATE CHIMERAS 1/10, CREATE PETS FOR EVERY FACTION MEMBER 3/50, SYNTHESISE NEW MATERIAL, CLAIM ONE HUNDRED WORLDS 45/100, COMPLETE INITIAL SURVEY OF EVERY FACTION WORLD, CREATE AN INITIAL SETTLEMENT OR BASE ON EVERY FACTION WORLD, CREATE THE PARADOX BLACKOUt ]

[ MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT MISSIONS = HAVE A REALM GATE OPERATOR ON EVERY FACTION WORLD 1/45, FILL FACTION, MIN POP 10 – 50/250 ]

[ COMPLETED MISSIONS = HIDDEN MISSIONS: REACH ONE STAR, SURVIVE THREE ENCOUNTERS WITH MARGO, LEARN YOUR ORIGINS. COMPULSORY MISSION: DISTRACT MARGO TO AVOID HIM ATTACKING DIRECTLY. MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT MISSIONS: FILL FACTION, MIN POP 10 – 50/50 ]

[ SYS BUILD = NEO STARLIGHT V *1.2.3 ]

[ NAME = kLAIRE BASH-REAGA ] [RACE = HUMAN/BANSHEE HYBRID * ] [LEVEL = 140 ]

[ VIT = 300,000 ] [ DEF = 275,000 ] [ INT = 230,000 ]

[ STR = 310,000 ] [ DEX = 310,000 ] [ CHA = 200,000 ]

[ HP = VIT + DEF ] [MP = INT + CHA ] [ DIV = LEVEL /3 *1000 ]

[ SKILLS = NEO GOVERNOR, NEO GROWTH, NEO DEUS, NEO MAGICKA, NEO COSMA, NEO LAW, STELLAR INSTINCTS, STELLAR NAVIGATION, BANSHEE HOWL, CREATE BANSHEE, SUMMON BANSHEE, NEO PET TELEPATHY, NEO MENAGERIE, NEO ARMOUR, NEO SIDEARM, NEO ARM-BLADE, NEO MARKSMAN, NEO HEAVY-GUNNER, NEO SHOOTING PROFICIENCY = MAX, NEO MELEE PROFICIENCY = 3. COMET, SOLAR FLARE ]

[ SKILL RANKS = F = 1, E = 0, D = 0, C = 0, B = 0, A = 0, S = 0, SS = 0, SSS = 18 ??? = 2 ]

[ FACTION SKILLS = MATRIARCH’S AUTHORITY ]

[ ADDITIONAL…]

[ NEO PET SLOTS = 5 ]

[ TITLE = FACTION MATRIARCH, LOVING WIFE, LOVING MOTHER, SHORT-TEMPERED, HEIR OF FAYLORNA ]

[ TALENTS = HOUSEKEEPING =1, KIN CONTROL ]

[ SINGLE PARTICIPANT MISSIONS = PUNISH THOSE WHO TOYED WITH YOUR HEART 0/2 ]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep