My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 860 Meeting Old Friends

My discussion with my grandmother had lasted significantly longer than I had anticipated.

We delved into memories of the past, touched upon my parents, discussed the destiny of Vaythos, and recounted the peculiar journey that had taken me far beyond the borders of this realm.

The communicator situated on the kitchen counter suddenly began to chime.

Grandma gave it a brief look before rising to approach it.

"That must be someone of consequence," she murmured as she reached out to grab it.

The moment her gaze fell upon the caller ID, her brows arched in surprise.

"Well," she remarked, glancing back at me with a playful expression, "that was certainly prompt."

"Who is it?" I inquired.

Ignoring my query, she went ahead and answered the call.

"Yes?"

A voice I recognized whispered faintly from the device.

"Lady Elena… please forgive the intrusion. I was curious if the rumors I just heard hold any truth."

Grandma favored me with another look.

"They do," she stated calmly.

"So he has truly returned."

There was a momentary silence before the voice continued.

"Would it be permissible for us to call upon you?"

Before she could respond, I gave a subtle shake of my head.

A soft smile touched Grandma’s lips.

"He declines."

Another silence followed.

"Then please convey to him that it would be the Emperor's honor if he were to visit the capital."

After a few final words, she terminated the call and returned the device to the counter.

"Well," she said, making her way back to her seat, "it appears the royal house has already gotten wind of your arrival."

"That hardly surprises me," I replied with a shrug.

"You really ought to pay them a visit," she suggested.

"I intend to," I agreed.

We chatted for a little while longer. She posed several more inquiries regarding the various worlds I had explored and the conflicts I had endured, and I once again gave her my word that I would return before finally departing Vaythos.

Eventually, I stood up.

"I ought to be going."

She escorted me as far as the door.

"See that you do not keep them waiting for too long," she advised.

"I won't."

Stepping outside, I drifted effortlessly into the sky.

The familiar cityscape of Cairo unfolded beneath me as I ascended higher. Rather than speeding toward the capital, I flew at a leisurely pace, taking the time to observe the land below.

Vaythos had undergone a profound transformation.

Urban centers had sprawled across the terrain, with roads bridging regions that once felt isolated. Military outposts were scattered throughout the countryside, and training fields were visible near nearly every settlement.

The world had grown more formidable, and the people inhabiting it had evolved alongside it.

I maintained my steady flight, letting the breeze rush past me as the scenery shifted underneath.

Then, suddenly—

A burst of violet flames erupted directly in my path. The fire spiraled briefly before contracting, and Vivi emerged in her petite phoenix form, flapping her wings rapidly as she hovered inches from my face.

"Why are you flying at such a sluggish pace?" she demanded immediately.

I blinked.

"Because I choose to."

She offered a slight frown.

"That is hardly efficient."

As she cocked her head, her wings fluttered once more.

"I could transport you directly to your destination. There is no need for you to fly like this."

I let out a soft laugh.

"I am well aware."

"Then what is the point of it?"

I cast my gaze back to the earth.

"I am simply absorbing the sight of the world."

Vivi’s wings slowed their beat.

"But I have already shared all those memories with you," she reminded me.

"That is true."

A faint smile formed on my lips.

"But witnessing it with my own eyes is an entirely different experience."

She remained quiet for a moment before drifting to my side to accompany me in flight.

Together, we looked down upon the landscape.

City after city passed by, each more expansive and advanced than the last. Straight highways linked them together, with a steady flow of activity moving between them. Inside one sprawling urban cluster, I spotted dozens of young soldiers in the midst of their drilling.

Their instructors barked orders as the recruits practiced their weapon techniques and formation maneuvers. Nearby, a group of younger children trained with weapons under the watchful gaze of senior officers. A small smile tugged at my lips.

Vivi observed silently beside me. After a quiet interval, a thought struck me.

"Whatever became of the realm I left behind?" I asked. "The small pocket world?"

Vivi gave a quick nod.

"It is still in use."

"Oh?"

"Indeed."

Her wings gave a small flutter as she elaborated.

"The imperial military utilizes it for the training of their elite forces."

I nodded slowly in acknowledgment.

"That is good to hear."

"They did change the name, however."

I lifted an eyebrow.

"What did they decide to call it?"

"The Guardian Realm."

I let out a soft groan and shook my head.

"Why is everything lately being branded as 'guardian'?"

Vivi canted her head slightly.

"Because they worship you as a deity."

I released a sigh.

"That seems excessive."

Vivi, however, appeared entirely indifferent to that thought. The capital city began to emerge on the distant horizon, its massive fortifications rearing up over the landscape.

Vivi slowed her flight as she looked toward the walls.

"Well," she remarked. "You are nearly there."

I offered a nod.

"Thanks for keeping me company."

She smiled.

Violet flames flickered briefly around her body.

"Farewell."

In the next instant, she vanished into a surge of violet brilliance, leaving me alone in the sky while the capital loomed even larger ahead.

As I drew near, the defensive wards identified my presence. However, before the system could initiate a response, the world core recognized me. The barriers parted without any friction. I slipped through the capital’s defenses as if they weren't even there. Moments later, my awareness expanded to cover the city. Within seconds, I zeroed in on the familiar signatures I was searching for.

In addition to the Emperor, I sensed Arkas, Edgar, and Damien.

They were currently gathered within the Emperor’s private courtyard.

I smiled softly.

Space rippled in response. With a single stride, I manifested directly before them.

The reaction was instantaneous. Four pairs of eyes went wide in disbelief. For a moment, nobody said a word. Finally, Edgar was the first to regain his composure.

"Well, I’ll be damned."

He stared at me for a long moment then erupted into laughter.

"Look at you!"

He stepped forward, gripping my shoulder tightly as if testing to see if I were merely a phantom.

"You really did come back."

Arkas remained in place, his sharp eyes surveying me from head to toe much like a general inspecting a soldier who had returned from a perilous trek.

"You have grown formidable once more," he stated at last with a broad grin.

"Is it that obvious?" I countered.

Edgar snorted.

"Kid, I can’t even discern your presence properly anymore. That alone tells me everything I need to know."

Behind them, Emperor Lucien Rayleigh moved forward with a composed smile on his face.

"Welcome home, Guardian Billion."

I bowed my head in respect.

"Your Majesty."

Lucien swiped his hand to dismiss the formality.

"You haven't needed to address me like that for a long time."

Damien Rayleigh stood a few paces behind him, silent and vigilant as ever. His gaze lingered on me briefly before he spoke in his characteristically calm voice.

"How did you manage to enter Vaythos so discreetly? You bypassed every single defensive formation we have in place."

"I didn't intend to, it just happened," I replied.

Damien gave a single nod.

"That, in some way, actually troubles me."

Edgar clapped his hands together and turned toward a small table situated in the courtyard.

"Well, standing around like statues is a bore."

Reaching into his coat, he produced a familiar metal flask.

"Good thing I came prepared."