God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 496: A Deal with the Envoy

Sophie met the man's eyes for a moment before she responded. Sunlight bathed her face, while the warm breeze beyond the gate brought dust and the subtle noise of boots shuffling behind her. Cassie lingered a half-step back, rigid and silent, as the guards by the wall continued casting looks at Sophie with altered faces.

"I am completely safe here," Sophie stated with calm assurance. "Nobody has hurt me, nor compelled me to remain. I am well."

The towering man observed her quietly. His piercing gaze shifted beyond her shoulder, scanning the walls, the gate, the guards, and the laborers bustling within the camp. He observed how everyone regarded Sophie. Fear was absent from their stares. Respect shone clearly instead. Even the armed sentries at the gate held themselves taller in her presence, not due to her status alone, but from genuine faith in her.

Chaos was what he had anticipated. He had foreseen Sophie concealed or beleaguered, encircled by idiots exploiting her gentle nature. Yet the camp gleamed with order, watchtowers stood vigilantly staffed, and folks at the entryway advanced purposefully.

"Your Highness," he declared, his resonant voice firm, "I am glad to find you unscathed, yet my commands stand firm. I came to escort you home, and depart I shall not without your consent to come along."

The guards trailing Sophie tensed at his declaration. Cassie gripped her sleeve edge tighter. Even Sarah, observing from her perch above, sharpened her gaze.

Sophie stayed silent briefly. Then her lips parted just a touch.

"Uncle Darius," she murmured gently, and for the first instance since emerging from the gate, her tone shed some remoteness. "Please... I must remain here a while longer."

The imposing man's rigid features stiffened in shock.

Such words were not for a mere messenger from a princess, nor was her delivery stiffly official. It held reluctance, yet trust unbroken by the years apart.

Cassie glanced from one to the other, then dropped her gaze.

Darius breathed out steadily via his nostrils, tension easing from his countenance.

In Sophie's youth, the palace loomed vast and chill around her. The king remained a remote presence glimpsed rarely, ever hemmed by authority and scrutiny. Darius, however, stood apart. He instructed her in bearing, discourse, manners, and discerning motives veiled in grins. He guided her through errors, shielded her escapes from studies, and once bore her slumbering form from the training hall to her chambers.

Sophie had conversed with him more often than with the sovereign himself.

Now facing her as emissary, Darius regarded her not merely as obligation, but as the young charge he once mentored.

"You named me uncle once more," Darius noted, his voice restrained yet gentler. "Thus, not all is lost to memory."

Sophie averted her eyes. "I never forgot."

A subtle, authentic smile graced his mouth. "Evident it is. You've transformed, Sophie. Your stance is correct, your words precise, and..." His gaze drifted over her shoulder to the camp anew. "You've forged something impressive to behold."

Sophie held her peace, though her hands unclenched at her back.

Darius placed one hand behind his back. "I take pride in it. Still, I cannot venture back with nothing."

Sophie lifted her head swiftly, anxiety resurfacing, but Darius lifted his other hand to forestall her.

"Thus, a bargain we shall strike," he proposed. "Should you decline to depart now, I shall abide here alongside you until you're set to go. In my report, I can affirm locating the Princess and staying near to convince her."

Sophie blinked, astonishment lighting her eyes. "You'd remain?"

"I would," Darius affirmed. "It allows me to witness this site firsthand. To champion your decision, more than assurances suffice."

After a short hush, Sophie nodded. "Very well. I agree."

Darius dipped his head, and strain at the gate eased. Cassie behind Sophie released a held breath. From the wall overhead, Sarah leaned elbows on stone, a faint, perceptive smile playing on her lips.

Soon after, Darius strode through New Dawn flanked by Sophie and Cassie. Afternoon rays elongated over the path and tidy camp. He spoke sparingly initially, yet nothing escaped his notice.

Patrol paths hugged securely. Stores received vigilant watch. Inhabitants progressed rhythmically, sans frenzy. Fresh recruits too followed crisp guidance.

"Sloppy this is not," Darius finally remarked, satisfaction evident on his features.

Sophie eyed him sidelong. "Indeed not. Credit goes to Gabriel, our leader."

Darius offered no remark, peering forward as a patrol marched by and saluted Sophie with deference. "The true head here... Gabriel. Though unmet, his exceptionality dawns on me. One instilling such order in this setting, securing your loyalty besides, merits no disdain. Curiosity stirs within me for him."

...

Distant in the Stellar Kingdom, Gabriel occupied his inn chamber solo. Window light had dulled, quiet reigning save faint stirrings beyond the lodging. He reclined a bit, exhaling deliberately.

"Venturing life-endangering into that fortress," Gabriel murmured, "means no more procrastination."

His eyes gleamed intensely. Moments later, he summoned his status panel and allocated more than nine hundred unbound stat points.