I nod at Ciel's words in understanding.

Even I think the same way regarding the Harbinger Pathway.

One thing this whole revelation has taught me is that nothing comes without a price. The invincible power of Leviathans has the cost of lifespan attached to it.

It's no wonder we require something to supplement our existence and curb Deficiency, especially when we keep expending lifespan to use our powers.

Others may see us as invincible deities, but that is far from the case. This great power comes with its fair share of problems.

Life is balanced that way.

The greater the power one possesses, the greater the freedom they are able to obtain, the higher the cost is to achieve and maintain.

Hence—

'My Harbinger Pathway surely has its own hidden caveats. I should be careful…'

If I had Backflow like Zarius, I could somehow preserve lifespan. After all, that's what he used to live so long.

But I don't regret it too much, since Backflow merely slows down the Exemplar's time and gives the illusion of lifespan being lengthened.

In actuality, they are merely moving slower than the rest of the world.

Since I am a busy man, every time is precious to me. I can't afford to be slower than the current rate of the world.

Backflow would do me no good.

The more I think, the more I resonate with Sir Arthur Snow's words.

'Could the Exemplar Pathway really be trash?'

No!

How could I possibly think that?

Frontflow is my greatest weapon in combat, and since the Exemplar Pathway is only average in lifespan expenditure, it's still a desirable Pathway.

'Maybe my view will change when I know more about the other Pathways, but for now there doesn't seem to be a terrible one.'

"Javier…" Ciel stirs me from my thoughts, and I turn to her yet again.

"We'll be leaving this place tomorrow, won't we?"

"Yes." I curtly respond.

"Where to?"

"Brad's village. My priority is bringing them here. Once that is complete, I'll return to the Academy. Knowing my friends and the level of influence I have in the Academy, no, the Kingdom, it's likely that a search party will be sent to this mountain to look for me. I'll reveal myself during the period of the search."

"I see. And where do I come in?"

"You and I will be found. The Vey'lithar Sanctuary mission was only privy to a few people, even among the Royal Knights. I can only assume that the search party won't have knowledge of it. I will address you as the one who saved me. I will then have an audience with the King and explain the situation in a way that casts blame on his own rash actions while framing the Vey'lithars as the ones who helped to stop the Magivore Beast Tide."

"He will naturally be grateful, but I'm sure his greed will still make him desire our Sanctuary." Ciel sighs in worry.

"Yes. But I will tell him to back off, since you and I have an alliance. Your identity as a Leviathan should also be enough to ward him away. With the two of us united, the Kingdom won't be able to do anything about it. I will also ensure the King doesn't spread the notion of Vey'lithars existing in this mountain range to anyone."

"You'll use the Black Heart Vow?"

I laugh at her words and shake my head.

"It's likely that the king will have a way to get rid of it. I will simply use the same approach I used with you. Reward and punishment. With sufficient incentives, like two Leviathans protecting the Randalorion Kingdom if there is cooperation, and two Leviathans destroying the Kingdom if he chooses otherwise… it's clear which direction he will swing in."

"Oh? Wise choice!"

I smile mischievously, and Ciel joins me.

The both of us laugh together in the room, clearly enjoying ourselves as we discuss the matters of the King as though he were nothing but a powerless child.

******

[Two Weeks Later]

"T-this is… the Sanctuary?!"

The Village Chief falls to his knees the moment his eyes are graced with the astounding beauty of the Vey'lithar Sanctuary.

I can't blame him.

Even I was mesmerized when I first arrived.

The sweet-smelling fragrance in the air, and the wonderful pink-colored sky, coupled with the vast field filled with resplendent flora and a rich atmosphere.

This is the closest thing to paradise.

'Although the Sanctuary suffered a lot of damage, it seems the Vey'lithars and their Magivores have been hard at work in our absence.' I glance at Ciel, who is still being surrounded by the villagers, especially the children.

They find her appearance fascinating, which isn't out of the ordinary considering how peculiar she appears compared to everyone else.

Although a smile is fixed on my face, I can't deny how tired I feel.

The past two weeks have been hectic.

We had to hurry to Brad's village, arriving after five days even though we rode Cadre 4 Direwolves. Then, we had to return with nearly a hundred people to the Sanctuary, which took slightly longer due to the sheer scale.

Thankfully, we brought sufficient Direwolves with us to carry everyone and even bear their loads.

I was afraid we would bump into obstacles or run into people during our travels, but with Ciel constantly helping with Prophecy and my reliance on Clairvoyance, we avoided all the routes with people and had a rather smooth journey.

Now, a huge burden has left my body.

"Javier… Thank you." The village chief approaches me and bows.

Every single villager also does the same.

They all bow to me.

"You fulfilled your promise to Brad. And to us. For that, we are eternally grateful. We will never forget this great thing you have done for us and will swear our utmost fealty to you!"

I smile and nod.

Although the Vey'lithars and I are allied, it's not like they are my direct subordinates.

But, with this declaration, I can see an opportunity present itself. I have direct subordinates in the form of these people within the Sanctuary.

They are my inside men and also hostages that the Vey'lithar can exploit. It's the same way Ciel is also the inside woman of the Vey'lithars as well as a hostage I can exploit.

There is balance.

This means we can better trust each other.

'Once they settle in, they will undoubtedly seek to learn more of the Vey'lithar way and will eventually become a part of the culture. Hopefully there is a lot of interracial union between both parties, since that will make everyone more united. After only a few generations, I doubt there will be any pure-blooded Nowe'arn in the Sanctuary any longer.' I continue to analyze the matter while smiling tiredly.

I have a positive feeling about this.

The Vey'lithars are not naturally xenophobic.

Their wariness is justified.

I'm certain the villagers will prove themselves during their time here, and once enough time passes, everyone will be one race.

Of course, I'm not just leaving things to chance.

Ciel and I will be visiting the Sanctuary at regular intervals, which means we will supervise this systemic integration.

'But since Ciel will be with me for the most part, the Sanctuary might need another Leviathan to govern its affairs and also protect it from harm.' After realizing this problem, my brow furrows mildly.

To become a Leviathan, one has to witness Apotheosis.

Ciel can undergo Apotheosis and let her successor become a Rank 1 Leviathan. But it is too dangerous, and there is a high risk of Ciel failing.

I can't risk that happening.

Not right now.

Ciel is a Senior Alchemist and an experienced Leviathan that I managed to obtain after much effort. I can't just throw her away like that.

Not when I'd need a long period and a lot of resources to nurture other Leviathans to reach her level.

Heck, even I am not at her level yet.

No…

There has to be another way.

Until then, Ciel will simply have to multitask with her commitments to her people and to me.

'On my way to migrate Brad's people, I did some rudimentary investigation regarding the surviving students and staff. They were rescued by a search party, thankfully.' I sigh deeply, realizing that the only thing left is for the search party to find me and Ciel.

This whole tragedy should all come to wraps after that.

"Come on, everyone!" I muster my strength and shout aloud. "Let's get you some rest. I'll introduce you to everyone and also show you around starting tomorrow."

"YAYYYY!!!"

After this, we all embark to the vast community, and we lodge the villagers in their temporary lodges.

To foster cohesion, Ciel and I agreed to have each villager be paired with a Vey'lithar group, which will teach them their ways and help them grow accustomed to life in the Sanctuary.

In exchange, the Vey'lithar groups will also satiate their curiosity about the outside world and catch glimpses into Nowe'arn civilization.

This way… everyone learns.

"I reckon that the search team will close in either this week or next week. You should prepare yourself to leave here for a while once that happens." I whisper to Ciel as we walk next to each other, and she nods resolutely.

It's good that we understand each other.

Once we are rescued by the Search Team, which will likely be composed of Royal Knights, I'll see the King and sort out all the loose ends.

Then, I'll return to the Academy.

Seth, Seraphina, everyone…

It's only been two weeks, and I already miss them dearly. But I have to get used to this feeling, especially since I will be leaving the Randalorion Kingdom eventually.

Once that time comes, I will be separated from everyone for much longer.

This is life.

But, regardless of that inevitable eventuality, I still can't help but cherish these fleeting moments with all of my heart.

The present will remain valuable regardless of the past or future.

That is because it is the only certain point: the only true moment that matters in existence.

The past is lost

The future is in flux.

But we all live in the "here" and "now".

So why not make the best of it?

[A/N: Ah, Javier… My sweet, sweet summer child. You should know better than to say that as a Leviathan. In any case, the second Arc will be coming to an end soon, so brace yourself for the upcoming one… hehe!]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.