My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 984 - 986: Call Him Back

Aboard the deck of a colossal vessel slicing through the surging waves, a golden-haired young woman stood clad in radiant armor forged from pure light.

Wind tugged fiercely at her hair and cloak, but she held her ground steadily, hands lightly gripping the railing as her keen golden eyes mirrored the turbulent sea far below.

The ship beneath her was among the grandest afloat. It dwarfed the waves into insignificance, its immense frame resembling a floating city gliding over the endless ocean. Surrounding it sailed numerous smaller vessels, each a mighty giant on its own, serving merely as escorts loaded with troops and bearing the banners of her noble house.

This formidable fleet belonged to House Brightwater.

Far off on the horizon, beyond the ships flying her family's crest, another fleet clashed fiercely. They unleashed relentless barrages of magic and cannon fire toward the demon continent.

Streaks of multicolored magical energy lit up the sky like rainbows, ripping through the air as vessel after vessel bombarded the mountains beyond the shoreline.

Her eyes narrowed just a touch, silently observing the ongoing assault.

She spotted the latest advanced automata providing backup. Combat drones launched from the decks soared ahead, detonating explosively once they hit enemy ground.

These ingenious machines came from Lazarak, the guild Damon had founded alongside Lilith Astranova, and it was raking in massive zeni profits for him.

Her grip tightened subtly on the railing.

That sensation returned once more.

A subtle twinge of annoyance.

Bordering on jealousy.

Every bit of magical tech deployed in this battle tied back to Lazarak somehow. The name got shortened since the full one was ridiculously lengthy, but she recalled it perfectly.

Logistics, Arcana, Zenith Applications and Research of Aetherus Kinetics.

Damon had outdone himself with that overly creative moniker.

"How did he even think of that?"

Naturally, it paid tribute to a long-forgotten dark god who had once been his close companion.

Evangeline let out a slow breath, pressing a hand to her chest.

Concern gnawed at her for him.

She despised him utterly.

Yet she cherished him deeply.

For such were the bonds of family.

She bit her lower lip, her stare shifting toward the far-off demon continent.

Were he aware of her feelings, he'd mock her mercilessly.

"That bastard," she whispered to herself.

Her gaze remained fixed there, unwilling to shift away.

Deep in enemy territory, he undertook a covert mission.

"Why didn’t they send me too."

"Are you worried about Damon again."

A serene voice from her grandfather sounded right behind her.

Evangeline startled and whipped around. She hadn't detected his presence whatsoever. Impossible to do so—he was seventh class. When he chose to remain hidden, none could sense him.

Her flinch stemmed more from mortification than shock.

"I... I... Grandfather, what are you doing here."

The Grand Duke shook his head, clasping his hands behind his back.

"You’ve been gazing at the demon continent with that wistful expression since our arrival. If you miss him, just admit it," he remarked coolly, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"What. No. I don’t. I can’t stand him. We always fight. You know that," she protested vehemently.

The Grand Duke shook his head faintly, observing her flustered state.

"I see then. I was wrong," he replied with a playful wink toward his granddaughter.

"Dead wrong," she shot back sharply.

He smiled as she spun to storm off hastily.

"Oh, I see. So you don’t want to hear any update on him then," he tossed out nonchalantly while the communication orb beside him started glowing.

Evangeline halted abruptly mid-stride.

She pivoted back slowly, a spark igniting in her golden eyes.

"I... I... yes, please," she murmured, averting her gaze from him.

He chuckled gently and approached, giving her head a light pat.

"You really need to be more honest with yourself."

"I am being honest," she muttered.

"And it’s not like I’m worried about him or anything. It would just be bad if something happened to him," she added, still dodging his eyes.

The Grand Duke drew out his communication crystal, preparing to respond.

"He’s with Seras Blade. He should be fine."

Then he lifted a hand subtly, gesturing for silence. This secure line was for top military brass only. Best if Evangeline didn't eavesdrop.

He hesitated briefly.

Then dismissed the concern entirely.

This was his granddaughter checking on his grandson.

Protocol be damned.

He embodied the protocol.

This channel linked elite rulers, bypassing the temple.

Seras Blade's composed, unwavering voice emerged from the crystal.

"I have a report updating you on the circumstances of our arrival on the demon continent, and I believe this is worth reporting as the decision is sensitive and would be best decided by the council."

At those words, a chill dread coiled in Evangeline's gut. What decision would force Seras to defer? She was Seras Blade, after all.

"We are currently in the information gathering phase of the Snake Temple operation, and I may have dispatched a specialized unit to go to nearby settlements disguised as demon kin to obtain information and update our long outdated knowledge of the demon continent. My reasoning was that a lot can change over the years."

The Grand Duke and fellow listeners on the line remained silent.

"The team who volunteered was Damon Grey."

Evangeline's hand shook faintly.

That spelled trouble.

Who allowed Damon to venture solo.

He acted with wild abandon.

And Damon's recklessness always spelled disaster.

Seras paused momentarily, then pressed on calmly.

"I can assure you he is alive. It’s just that he somehow managed to infiltrate the demon city of Trace."

Evangeline glanced up at her grandfather, noting his face drain of color.

Was that dire?

Another voice rang out through the crystal.

Kadelas.

"Huh. That wretch actually threw himself into the dragon’s den."

Seras continued undeterred.

"Actually, he is now one of the lords competing for rule of Trace and part of the vanguard of its defending force."

"This is strategic for us," the Emperor's voice boomed across the connection.

"Call my grandson back," the Grand Duke commanded firmly.