As someone who had been the frequent victim of a parent attempting to set her up in awkward forced proximity with someone of the opposite sex, Helen immediately recognized the ingratiating smile on the spiky-haired man’s face. Except there was something particularly chilling about the generous expression from this man, considering the fact that every instinct Helen possessed urged her to lay down and submit to him.

Helen glanced sideways at Claudette, the target of the expression who Randidly had so casually rescued earlier. Is this bitch some sort of a princess…?

At the powerful man’s words, a teenager stepped forward from the group behind the man and raised his chin proudly. They had exactly the same spiky yellow hair. Helen snorted, drawing some glances from the group behind the powerful man, but she couldn’t help her reaction. Heh, truly, shameless parents are the same in every world. How the hell are these two a similar age? If that boy is a day over sixteen, I’ll eat my fucking spear.

The woman in question, Claudette, smiled politely as the boy stepped forward. “Truly, Seeker Thunder Wing, it is a pleasure to meet Eashen; he is as heroic as I have heard. However, I am currently honor-bound to assist my companion. He rescued me from the Engraving Guild earlier today. As soon as I am finished, I will gladly come to visit the Thunder Wing headquarters.”

Claudette continued to offer a smile that dripped honey, while casually gesturing at Randidly next to her. As Seeker Thunder Wing looked from Claudette to Helen’s superior, the Pinnacle Seeker’s gaze accumulated an overwhelming amount of mass. Although the man didn’t manifest his image, it was clear that he was casually pressuring the man that Claudette was using as an excuse to test Randidly’s depths. Such a meddling parent wouldn’t allow Claudette to avoid spending time with his young son easily.

And beyond even that central figure that looked balefully forward, Helen could sense that none of the individuals that had come over to investigate their group was weak. From their expressions, it was clear they didn’t take kindly to outsiders. Without Claudette’s presence, it was difficult to say that the Pinnacle Seekers’ reception wouldn’t have just killed them outright.

Helen clenched her fists and fought to keep her spine straight as the pressure against them mounted. Meanwhile, the Ghosthound didn’t even bat an eye, simply meeting the gaze of the Pinnacle Seeker in front of them.

Cheh, acting cool, even now… Helen thought sourly. But even so, she drew strength from Randidly’s resistance; he was the most reliable support that Helen ever had. Which was the reason she had followed him for so long.

The silence became heavy as five seconds passed without anyone saying anything. Claudette continued to smile, but Helen could recognize that her expression was becoming brittle. It was clear that Claudette had some influence, perhaps because she belonged to a Pinnacle Seeker organization, it would be insufficient to stop this Seeker Thunder Wing if he truly wished to push the issue.

We pay our debts, Miss Claudette, Helen thought sourly as she continued to resist the significant pressure. Had she not spent five years training with Vualla within Randidly’s Alpha Cosmos, it would have been impossible to remain standing. You might be the reason they are willing to talk to us amicably… but if you have just drawn a heap of trouble onto our heads, we won’t forget.

At ten seconds of escalating pressure, as DiOrtho Vant next to Helen began to tremble, Seeker Thunder Wing smiled and all that oppression vanished. “Oh indeed? Since that’s the case, maybe we can assist. What’s your name, friend?”

What the Seeker didn’t say was that if Randidly had faltered even slightly underneath his aura, he wouldn’t have received this chance. His gently smiling face hid a callous heart.

Randidly stepped forward and nodded at the surrounding individuals. “My name is Randidly Ghosthound. I’m here in pursuit of a few specific individuals from the NLC who attacked a subordinate of mine. I can sense at least one of them in that retreating force.”

A thoughtful expression came across Seeker Thunder Wing’s face. He looked more closely at Randidly’s figure. Based on his expression, Helen guessed that the man recognized the name; apparently the Head Drill Sergeant was important enough of a position to reach this man’s ear. Which meant that he likely also knew that they were from Military High Command.

Yet just as the Seeker was going to say something, Claudette interjected. “Any assistance in fighting against the NLC forces would be appreciated, Seeker Thunder Wing.”

As the powerful man considered that, Helen’s eyes flashed as she spared another glance for Claudette. By framing it as a private vendetta against the NLC, it will be easier for the Pinnacle Seekers to accept we wish to run counter to our organization's interests. And in the end, what do they care about infighting amongst the orthodox forces of the Nexus?

...but truly, this Claudette is too deft. Martial might isn’t the most frightening aspect of a woman like this… tsk, hopefully we can get rid of her as soon as possible.

“...indeed? If that’s the case, why not allow my son Eashen to ensure your safety on this dangerous battlefield?” Seeker Thunder Wing returned to his original goal without missing a beat. Helen’s mother would have nodded in approval. “In addition, I’ll send word to Mynway, who coordinates the right flank. He will help you assault the NLC lines and locate the individuals you are seeking.”

Claudette didn’t didn’t attempt to struggle any further. She nodded and smiled demurely, the very picture of a maiden who was honored to receive the assistance of a capable elder. While Seeker Thunder Wing turned back to the battlefield to issue some orders, some of the sundry other individuals who had accompanied him stepped forward and enthusiastically introduced themselves to Claudette Beigon. They even were polite enough to greet Randidly.

However, Helen didn’t miss the way that Claudette gave Randidly a pleading expression exactly as the Seeker turned to the battlefield or the way Randidly’s lips twitched in a way that meant he was both amused and exasperated. She clicked her tongue. Do you think Lady Vualla would like how friendly you are acting with your new lady friend…? Forget it, she’s strong enough to kick your ass without my help…

Hehe, I’ll just keep this little secret up my sleeves for when I finally decide to take a vacation...

“Apparently, we don’t even exist,” DiOrtho muttered as the individuals standing behind Randidly and Claudette were completely ignored.

“Do we possess sufficient clout to merit recognition?” Raymund responded just as quietly. But on the far side of Raymund, the barbaric Narthalla looked at Raymund with obvious surprise and respect.

After most of the gathered individuals had the opportunity to enthusiastically shake Claudette’s hand and praise her ‘poise and presence,’ the boy Eashen stepped forward and spoke in an immature voice while staring at Claudette’s armored chest and blushing furiously. “Ah… Father says everything is ready. Follow me and I can take you to the battlefield.”

The strained silence as the Seeker had tested Randidly seemed to have lasted an eternity, but in truth, it had been less than a minute since the Ghosthound’s group had arrived in this isolated space. While they had conversed with the Pinnacle Seeker forces, the battle had continued to rage but hadn’t changed drastically.

On the broken ground of the basin, the forces of Military High Command and the NLC continued to struggle to retreat as they were bombarded with attacks. They had almost ascended the slope entirely, nearing the far edge of the isolated space. But unlike the usual foggy glass that refracted light, this wall was covered in a complex network of black lines. As they grew closer to the far wall, the forces of the Pinnacle Seekers mobilized their images and intensified their strikes.

Led by Eashen, their group rushed over to the far side of the battlefield where the NLC forces were stationed. Meanwhile, Seeker Thunder Wing returned to the main camp of the Pinnacle Seekers. In the depth of that grouping, Helen sensed at least two other monstrous individuals that made her feel just as fearful as Seeker Thunder Wing.

In the end, our arrival is a small matter. As long as we don’t cause trouble, we can be safely ignored. What shit. Helen pressed her lips together. Sometimes, I fucking hate the Nexus. Why does everyone else here seem to get off on making others seem powerless?

Ahead of them, Randidly spoke to Eashen. “Why are all these forces fighting here?”

“What? Ah… the Nexus people were building up fortifications to stop us from going any deeper, so of course we are gonna kill them.” Eashen said rather proudly. He snuck another glance at Claudette and blushed, before turning back to Randidly. His voice got rather high-pitched as he spoke excitedly. “Don’t worry, with my help, you won’t have any trouble killing these schmucks from the Engraving Guild. I learned my image directly from Father.”

“Perfect,” Randidly said rather dryly. Helen covered her mouth to hide another snort.

When they arrived on the side of the field dominated by the NLC, the fighting had grown increasingly intense. There simply wasn’t any more space for the orthodox forces to retreat. If they wanted to buy time and prevent the Pinnacle Seekers from reaching the spatial wall that was covered in black lines, they had to make their stand and face the Pinnacle Seekers’ images directly.

Sensing the change in the opposition’s philosophy, the Pinnacle Seekers gleefully charged forward. Part of it was the obvious joy they experienced as they battled, but it was obvious even to Helen that the black lines on the spatial wall were growing increasingly dark.

Above their heads, the thousand-armed titan continued to smash apart the Nether Rituals created by the Engraving guild. A humanoid with a smooth, featureless face turned from the fight and bowed once each to Eashen and Claudette Beigon. The being reminded Helen of one of the mannequins she had seen on Expira. “I have heard about your arrival. I am Mynway. Please follow me and we will assist you in your assault.”

Claudette nodded. “Perfect. Ah, Mr. Ghosthound, who exactly…?”

But Claudette paused in her speaking as she turned to Randidly; his eyes were so intense that it was difficult to meet his gaze. The intensity there wasn’t the same as the pressure that the Seeker Thunder Wing had unleashed, but Randidly’s ability to utilize both Aether and Nether meant that his focus demanded acknowledgment from those around him. His every aspect seemed to deepen to the point of unfathomability. Eashen and Mynway both took a half step back, shocked by the sudden change in demeanor.

Meanwhile, Helen followed Randidly’s gaze into the enemy lines and gasped; she finally understood why they had involved themselves in this strange battlefield.

Only fifty meters away, a blazing gold spear clashed against a flaming giant. The wielder spun the spear expertly and executed a flawless thrust into the flaming giant’s joint. The monster roared, but the spear wielder moved too quickly to follow. His spear struck downward with all the blinding speed of a viper to extend the wound and then the spear-user was gone streaking across the battlefield. The blue-skinned man was a golden phantom whose spear undulated like a serpent, unleashing powerful blows to the left and right, keeping the Pinnacle Seekers at bay.

“Shal,” Helen breathed out. Both DiOrtho and Raymund looked at her curiously, but it was not easy to quickly convey the significance this figure held in her and Randidly’s past. As she observed his spear usage, Helen couldn’t believe how much Shal had improved. She had understood from conversations with Randidly that the man had allowed Tellus to defeat the Second Calamity by adjusting his image at the last moment, yet it now seemed that Shal had managed to incorporate both Hero’s Spear with the Spear Phantom Style with the Serpent Spear from his childhood. And in terms of spearplay, the result was overwhelming.

Yet Helen frowned as she continued to watch. Why does Shal’s image feel so…?

Randidly completely ignored Eashen and Mynway and instead walked calmly forward on his own toward the battlelines. He flicked his wrist and produced his leafy spear Acri. Perhaps unconsciously, spectral flames surged to life up and down the Ghosthound’s limbs. His roaring fighting spirit was so condensed that Helen could feel it radiating off of him from ten meters away.

The apprentice had grown, and he was now here to show his master everything that he had learned.