Gradually the journey towards the heart of Neptune's dark side progressed. Several more strategically important settlements had been liberated by the human troops.

"With this I conclude my report." Grandmaster Alice saluted, feigning respect towards Azure's Lord that she no longer carried in her heart.

"Good." The holographic projection of the city ruler nodded.

"What about your secondary objectives?" He asked a second later.

Exchanging glances, Grandmaster Noah replied. "We are getting closer to the theoretical location of the enemy, Lord. As for killing Vespera's troops, we have yet to initiate any kind of confrontation. We believe that it would be more beneficial to kill them after the primary goal is accomplished."

The Grandmaster lied as easily as he breathed. "Fortunately, we are certain that when the time comes, we will have the upper hand. Last time we were ambushed, Vespera's troops suffered heavier casualties than us."

"..."

Silently the Lord observed his troops for several suffocating seconds. Judging their obedience satisfactory, he nodded in content.

"Good work. You may treat yourself to a well-deserved rest. According to the broadcast, something that you all have been waiting for is about to happen."

Naturally the troops knew what the Lord was talking about. Neptune's blizzards were going to subside after raging nonstop for numerous days!

After more than a month stationed on Neptune, Michael and his crew were finally able to establish contact with those beyond the planet's range.

Of course, in case of emergency, contacting the outside world was still possible. However, since it was a very lengthy and expensive procedure that would take time from their training and fighting, they had delayed it until today.

Without hesitation, Michael contacted Scarlett, his sister. Despite knowing that members of the Golden Vanguard were keeping his family safe, he still felt concern and wanted to confirm their safety with his own eyes.

"Brother!" Scarlett's eyes sparkled with happiness when she saw who was calling her.

"How are you doing?" Michael asked, hoping that Earth wasn't too affected by the aliens that had broken past the asteroid belt.

"Better than ever!" She exclaimed before going into a long explanation.

Since Michael had made it so that the money he earned from his military service would automatically get sent to his family, he had been able to give them something precious that they hadn't ever enjoyed before.

Peace of mind and stability. Now they weren't forced to choose between starving or paying for their father's medical bills.

"Gabriel is starting to look healthy!" Scarlett's eyes gleamed as she reported the state of their father's health. "The doctors said that it will be a lengthy process, but there is a possibility he will make a full recovery!"

By the end Scarlett's eyes began to tear up. At long last she could speak in a positive light about the future of their father.

"That's nice to know." Michael chuckled warmly. "Things haven't exactly been easy for you these past few years. So, please don't shy away from buying yourself a few nice things. You deserve it."

If his intuition was correct, his sister was probably juggling part-time jobs on top of attending school. Otherwise, she would have felt too guilty letting her brother and mother shoulder the responsibility of supporting their family.

"Not easy? What are you talking about?!" She bellowed, pointing a finger at him. "You are the one that has it the hardest! You are on the front line risking your life all just to earn money for us!"

She was unable to hide the admiration in her eyes as she looked up at her brother.

After they finished catching up, Scarlett shared the biggest news she had seen online, along with updates on how things were going on the front lines around the asteroid belt.

"I see…" Michael nodded.

'Things have definitely strayed far from the original course of events. It will be wiser to finish here quickly and get home. My family will be the safest with me guarding them.' Michael concluded.

Once Michael finished his conversation with his sister, he contacted Conor. The Expert assigned to guard Jasmine, the young prodigy back in Azure

"Sir Michael!" Conor instantly saluted, seeing who the caller was.

"I want you to fill me in on your progress." Michael requested.

Conor obliged, explaining how the young girl had rapidly transformed the outer area of the city. In the outskirts, it was now rare to see anyone starving or lacking access to medicine.

"I expected no less." Michael nodded in approval.

"What about Azure's Lord?"

Since Michael had his suspicions, he wanted to confirm them before proceeding with his plan.

"Human greed… The biggest threat to our kind…" He shook his head in disapproval.

Unfortunately, his theory was proven correct. With no other choice, he went towards Victoria.

"Can you do me a favor?" He asked shamelessly.

Victoria arched an eyebrow. This was the first time Michael wanted a favor from her.

Given her background, she was no stranger to people requesting things from her. Yet before she realized it, her lips instinctively curved into a breathtaking smile. Rather than feeling disdain, a warm feeling suddenly surged through her heart.

'So many people have begged me for favors from my family, hiding their ulterior motives. Yet why do I feel that whatever he asks, I would gladly give him? I never noticed how much trust I placed in him until recently…' She realized, listening to his request.

For a moment she went silent, deep in thought, her fingers trailing over her tender lips.

"A Legendary Rank treasure?" She mumbled, finding the request puzzling. It wasn't the rather daring appeal, but the treasure itself. As the granddaughter of the Golden Vanguard's leader, Victoria had access to sources of information many could only dream of.

Yet this was the first time she was hearing about the existence of such treasure. Something capable of what Michael was describing would certainly be sought after by many. How could she be hearing about it only now?

"And you are sure that this thing exists?"

"Certainly." Michael nodded eagerly.

With a sigh, Victoria obliged, sending the request. In order to increase the chances of it being fulfilled, she added a bit of information upon Michael's suggestion.

"Thank you! You are a lifesaver!" He proclaimed with a warm smile.

"N—No problem, your help has saved me numerous times by now, not to mention that without you I would still be stuck at the Middle stage of the Master realm." She exclaimed, looking to the side in an attempt to hide her rosy face.

"And… don't hesitate to come to me if you need help with anything else." She added in a timid voice. "It feels unexpectedly pleasant to be useful to people I deeply cared about…"

Fortunately, due to Victoria's status, she had access to the Golden Vanguard's upper channels. It would be only a matter of time until it was read.

At the headquarters of the Golden Vanguard, King Arthur sat on his throne, a deep frown etched on his peerless face.

"Things are such a mess! Emperor, why do you refuse to take any drastic action?!" The King murmured in disdain. He often felt that humanity's ruler wasn't doing enough to help them, yet he had no right to defy the Emperor's orders.

Just when Arthur was about to call upon the sisters, Eliza and Elina, to ask them for their opinion, a message caught him off guard.

"Victoria?" This was unexpected. His granddaughter was meant to be in Neptune. What could she possibly want?

Curious, the King opened the message and scanned its contents carefully. Slowly the frown on his face deepened.

"How does someone as young as her know about the existence of the forbidden treasure?!" He bellowed in bewilderment.

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