Chapter 179: Buffet

Words : 1299 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 179: Buffet It was one hell of an afternoon for everyone in the know. On the one hand, the newbie guild leader was all smiles as they completed their first-ever mission, but inwardly, Luca had wanted to bolt back into the space after a series of alarming prompts from D-29. And alarming was actually just a nice way to put it. But he had to see off their first client and would just have to hope that Jax was still alive. He was. But he was battling with one determined tortoise to save his children’s next-door neighbors. So, Luca had to trust in him as they figured out how to deal with the family before them, who were partially mortified yet wholly grateful. Theo was generally thankful and ready to prostrate in veneration for the people who helped him when no one else could. Aside from that, he would offer to work in Noah’s family store for free as a thank-you for recommending this guild. And for being brave enough to walk through those doors that screamed potential crime scene. The budding pharmacist was never going to forget this grace. So, when the guild leader said, "Thank you for choosing DG. We’re glad to have you as our first customer," Theo could only promise to recommend them! But because he was too blinded and elated at how everything had gone way smoother than expected, the young lad couldn’t see his father and brother flinching over to the side. Flinching. Fiddling. And low-key hyperventilating. Don’t get them wrong, they were extremely thankful and would be willing to etch the names of these people in their family history. It was just that both the retired and active soldiers saw things —things that now had to be attributed to these young adults. Kael tried looking at the younger men before him, apparently just freshmen at his brother’s Academy. They were neat, good-looking, and honest—well, honest-looking, and that’s if he could just forget how the guardian tortoise disappeared at the hands of these younger boys. But they weren’t one to bite the hand that just fed them, and his father especially promised to not speak of things until he died, or until they all died. It was to respect the people who helped them and, hopefully, allow them to leave the ship in one piece. However, they were surprised to hear an explanation from the young man who had earlier introduced himself as Xavier. "It’s a project being worked on by the Duchy of Kyros, and we’d be thankful if you could keep the details a secret until all necessary developments have been dealt with." Talen’s eyes widened at the explanation. It was the Duchy of Kyros. And before them stood Luca Kyros, the heir to the said House. Then, it was no wonder they’d never seen such technology and style of fighting. Was this the fruit of secluding for all those years? It seemed so. "I see, no wonder..." Talen trailed off before realizing he had to thank them even more. "We sincerely thank all of you for even using such technology to aid us. And we look forward to hearing more good things." Praying for it, in fact. Because what they saw back there looked so much like the future they thought would never come. "We’re hoping for the same thing, and while we’d be thankful if you could recommend our services when applicable, we’d prefer if you kept the other things a secret," Kyle smiled as he clapped on the fat wads of documents, which he even printed out on hard copy as a stark reminder. The father and eldest son understood and nodded in complete understanding. It wouldn’t be good to call attention to developing technology. What if the federation got any ideas? Thought a retired soldier who knew that beasts weren’t the only enemies around here. However, Talen wasn’t the only one thinking up worst-case scenarios. Ollie watched all of it with a small smile, which he painstakingly practiced in the bathroom. But he was a nervous wreck the whole time. Even when things were partly going according to plan. They all talked about this; even the Duke said we’d eventually have to do it this way—because who would believe it when a planet miraculously gets cleared of corruption? Also, would all of them really be able to keep something this vital to themselves? Probably not. But more than that, were they planning on hiding Luca’s greatness forever? Definitely not. This was all his good brother’s work, and he deserves to be recognized for it! But he also deserves not to get kidnapped when they’re unprepared. So, they will let the Duchy carry the pot. They just had to make sure that there was something to carry! Before the Belgraves disembarked, Kael actually mustered all his willpower to ask if they could commission collection missions for the Jade Vine. They were given some now, and it was more than they could ever ask for or even pay for! But he knew that it would be a problem once it ran out. So, he hoped to ask if they would accept such missions. About that, Luca wanted to say that they were technically trying to grow it too, but right now he wasn’t even sure if there was a space to come back to. "That should work! And worst case scenario, you can check back with us to see if we’ve managed to come across some Jade Vine." Luca smiled, very thankful for a possible returning customer but internally hopeful that they would still have something to sell. The Belgraves were relieved and very thankful, leaving with peace in their hearts. Now, if only everyone could have such peace. Because three creaking elders and one redhead were really up in arms, just trying to stop a giant tortoise from staging a massive heist. D-29 was practically raining prompts everywhere and trying to erect barriers, but it was difficult when the tortoise ignored all his holographic prompts. And Sid was taking strays for not doing anything when they were being raided! But what could a mecha without its own energy source do with a system that could only flash warnings? Weren’t they both useless? So, why was he the only one getting sacked for it?! The other guild members rushed into the space the moment Luca ran back in, figuring that something might have gone wrong for him to look a little sick. And they were greeted by a scene of tendrils trying to swipe more of the lettuce on the ground. D-29 had been able to block the giant tortoise, but the tendrils kept on passing through the small gaps to collect more of the coveted goods! And Jax had never been this stressed in his life! His house was so near that if this lettuce field was breached, he feared that his cabin would be next! That would have indeed been the case had Luca not come in with Xavier in tow. The surprised prince wasn’t sure what was happening save for Sid’s unstoppable lamentations about D-29 and some lettuce. But this ’some lettuce’ actually meant a mountain, as the tortoise went on a vegetable buffet. Luca forgot about this part. While they could store the giant tortoise in space, how exactly were they supposed to feed a beast who had been ravenous after centuries of relying on its own energy? "Lord! Please! You have to shrink this beast! There is no way we could feed something the size of a mountain over here!" Wailed Elder Shen, who was using all his available bones to shield what lettuce they could still rescue. Shrink the tortoise?! He could do that?! Well, yes, he definitely could. Thank Heavens.

Chapter 179: Buffet

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