Saying our goodbyes and completing the other formalities, we left Earth.
It wasn't teleportation this time.
Teleportation is used only in intragalactic missions.
We were inside a freaking spaceship. Sometimes I wonder whether we are sorcerers or scientists.
Well, this spacecraft works on Dark Energy Reserves and weird spells, so I conclude that we are sorcerers.
It's been two hours since we departed.
Master Krishna explained a few things, but I couldn't understand half of them, so I just ignored it.
The most important thing that matters is time.
He said that according to Karyo Physics, the universe is divided into various zones, and time passes differently in each zone.
It was just normal physics, right?
Nope. He said the place where we are heading is huge, super huge, and possesses immense mass, yet time there doesn't pass with many irregularities.
In simple words, two weeks on that planet or galaxy would be equivalent to two days on Earth.
The difference isn't that great.
That's the only thing I understood.
I am not an idiot, he is just a terrible explainer.
When I tried looking outside the spacecraft, it was complete darkness.
Inside the spacecraft was my team.
I am not the leader though.
[Mala]: Listen everyone, assemble.
Here we go again.
Everyone took their place around the table in the spacecraft. I said table because we forgot about chairs.
[Kel]: What is it?
[Mala]: How about we play Imposter Guy?
I wanted to throw her outside the spacecraft.
How can she act so comedic in such a serious situation? Doesn't she understand the gravity of our mission?
Hahaha.
Mala was looking embarrassed now.
Looks like everyone voted her as the imposter.
Serves her right.
The next day, Mala made breakfast for us.
I was slightly scared.
My friends called me paranoid.
I couldn't accept that accusation, so I joined them for breakfast.
After eating a teaspoon of whatever that thing was—probably not poison—I felt my stomach screaming for mercy.
I immediately ran into the bathroom.
All my teammates, who hadn't started eating yet, looked at me with slight surprise before taking a bite themselves.
A few moments later, everyone came running toward the toilet.
Maybe they missed me too much.
[Lila]: Open the door!! Please open the door!!
[Grimori]: Fast Pratik, fast! Use magic!
[Kel]: Just come out already! That itself would be great magic!
I opened the door and stepped out.
Grimori pushed me aside and rushed inside the toilet himself.
Lila and Kel looked at me with hopeful eyes.
Haha, serves you right for trusting Mala.
Haha...ha?
Huh?
Oh no...again?
I started slapping the door desperately.
[Pratik]: Open it fast!
Kel and Lila pushed me aside.
[Kel]: First come, first serve.
[Lila]: Yes, we were first.
Fine lads.
I still had my trump card.
I disabled the illusion magic, revealing another hidden toilet beside us, and quickly entered it.
Kel and Lila were shocked beyond belief.
[Lila]: He cheated! He cheated!!
[Kel]: I will kill him! That punk!
Hehehe...
I learned a few tricks from my treachery master.
Finally, we reached Dragon Galaxy.
It was named Dragon Galaxy because of its appearance.
From afar, it resembled the gigantic head of a dragon.
Regardless, we entered it.
None of our business.
We should be more serious now.
Within this very galaxy lies the terrifying Dragon Empire.
I have no idea what kind of empire it is, but the name sounds incredibly cool.
[Mala]: Which faction are we supporting again?
Huh?
I never gave that a thought.
Which side are we supporting again?
My teammates stared at me, expecting an answer while I secretly sweated bullets.
[Pratik]: Oh yeah, we are supporting the good side!
I declared confidently while radiating excitement.
[Mala]: Which side is the good side again?
[Pratik]: I don't know.
Guys, stop staring already.
They were looking at me with blank expressions.
I couldn't help but look elsewhere.
We didn't even realize we had already arrived.
Looks like the coordinates had been set beforehand.
I am a late learner.
[Pratik]: It doesn't matter. We are here on a mission to reduce the damage. If war is inevitable, then saving innocent people is our duty. Whatever remains after that... isn't our problem. As long as we can save lives, we have succeeded. Come on guys, we are sorcerers.
*
Monster Realm,
Tai appeared once again before the majestic man seated upon the throne.
[Tai]: I have arranged all the pawns exactly as you wished, my Lord.
"As expected of you. Swift and precise. Has he arrived?"
At those words, Tai became slightly tense.
[Tai]: Y-Yes, my—
Before Tai could finish, a man cloaked in black and hiding his face began walking toward the throne.
Every Asura Soldier present rushed to attack the mysterious figure, yet before any of them could even reach him, their bodies were bisected instantly.
Tai froze in terror.
He could clearly sense the overwhelming power this being possessed.
The man was K-3.
At least, that was the name he introduced himself with long ago.
K-3 approached the throne, grabbed the man seated upon it by the neck, and hurled him away effortlessly.
[K-3]: You disappoint me, Kae.
So the man's name was Kae.
Tai couldn't accept such disrespect and immediately attempted to slash K-3, only to be thrown away before his attack could even begin.
The difference in power was absurd.
Kae coughed roughly, though his calm smile remained unchanged.
[Kae]: Must you always greet me with such violence?
Kae glanced toward Tai and silently ordered him to leave.
Though deeply concerned, Tai obeyed and exited the courtroom.
Kae slowly stood up, dusting his clothes.
[Kae]: That was unnecessarily rough.
[K-3]: Was it not you who desired this little performance for your own convenience?
[Kae]: Perhaps. Though it seems the plan moves precisely as I intended.
[K-3]: I see. So this is the path chosen by the Seventh Ruler of the Asura Community.
[Kae]: You speak of it as though it were some grand title. It merely burdens the shoulders.
[K-3]: Even so, reaching that throne itself is a feat beyond imagination.
[Kae]: True. Yet the future ahead is far more troublesome than the road behind.
[K-3]: Few understand that truth better than I.
[Kae]: Naturally. As for the present, I destabilized Dragon Empire and forced Immortalus Society to intervene. They will dispatch sorcerers to minimize the destruction. I predict the team shall include Pratik, Mala, and the others.
[K-3]: You believe they possess potential?
[Kae]: They do. Yet potential alone means little. At this stage, even the slightest miscalculation may destroy centuries of planning.
[K-3]: Then my presence here is no longer necessary.
[Kae]: Indeed. The Pikra War can sleep for another five years. And even then... you shall not cross paths with Krishna.
[K-3]: I am aware. My path has already been decided. I came merely in case you required assistance. I shall return to the Time Gap. One such as I cannot remain in this world for long.
[Kae]: Then perhaps this shall be our final meeting.
[K-3]: Farewell, Kae.
With those words, K-3 vanished through teleportation.
Kae simply stood there smiling quietly.
As though he had already foreseen everything.