Others Summon Dragons, I Summon Legendary Knights Chapter 355: Returning To The Mansion

After extracting his soul, Godfrey needed to depart for the mansion. He had contemplated relocating the orphanage to Pendragon Island, yet this would entirely contradict the old man's solitary lifestyle.

Pendragon Island was a spectacle of dragons gracing the skies, Dragon Officers traversing with wyverns, and a populace deeply engrossed in summoner games. The world of the orphans was a stark contrast to his own. Out there, summons commanded the screens, with summoner wrestling matches being a common sight, though this particular aspect wasn't the most concerning.

What truly posed a threat was the insidious propaganda fueling animosity between beast summoners and humanoid summoners, a division that had permeated not just the screens but the very minds of the public.

Paradise might have offered solace, but ever since discovering that Gabriel was merely Cain in a different guise, the allure of Paradise had irrevocably faded. His parents' sole intention was to lull him into a false sense of security.

However, Godfrey remained uncertain of its efficacy. It was precisely for this reason that his parents had instituted a failsafe, a mechanism designed to instantly teleport them to the Pendragon mansion should an attack occur.

He had also stationed a knight there, ensuring a swift 'Exchange' could be enacted if, by some unforeseen circumstance, teleportation proved impossible.

Yet, the old man was resolute in his decision to remain in his current location. He had resided there for several decades and showed no inclination to depart.

Ultimately, Godfrey could only entrust the orphanage to a detachment of ten Great Bow Knights. They artfully concealed their presence, their vigilant watch over the compound remaining entirely imperceptible, their auras undetectable.

Additionally, he deployed an Origin Tier Crimson Taotie Cavalryman. This formidable warrior was the first within the ranks of fifty thousand Crimson Taotie soldiers to attain the caliber of an Origin Tier.

With these guardians in place, the orphanage was rendered reasonably secure. He was certain of this, having ascertained that no other child had parents, thereby eliminating the possibility of further Miquellas.

***

He materialized within the chamber housing the piano. After a cursory glance around, Godfrey slipped his hands into his pockets and proceeded towards the exit.

'I'm rather hungry,' he mused, patting his stomach. Opening the door, he stepped out, his gaze immediately falling upon Isaac, who was approaching, undoubtedly en route to the sitting room.

"You've returned," Isaac greeted with a smile. "Lucy has departed, and we still have no idea of Snow's whereabouts. Where did you go?"

"To an orphanage," Godfrey simply replied.

"Oh?" Isaac tilted his head, clearly taken aback by the unexpected answer.

"Surprised?"

"Indeed. What prompted such a visit?" Isaac inquired, genuine curiosity lacing his tone.

"My summon. Regrettably, I was compelled to witness a mother harm her own child."

A silence descended upon Isaac. "You jest... surely?"

Godfrey met his gaze, then turned, resuming his walk toward the main sitting room. Isaac hastened to follow.

"You're serious! Who perpetrated such an act?!"

"Miquella."

"That woman. What did you do to—?!"

"I eliminated her," Godfrey interjected, preempting Isaac's unspoken question. He observed Isaac's composure return before adding,

"I also attended the funeral of the young girl. She was a Titled God."

Isaac's eyes widened, blinking repeatedly in disbelief. Miquella had killed her own child, a Titled God Tier summoner?!

"How is such a thing possible?"

"Well, her summon's Factor was exclusively dedicated to Recovery, much like my mother's. She had only recently awakened and lacked the means to evolve and excel in other aspects," Godfrey explained.

"I detested Miquella, but this is an act of unparalleled cruelty. She's lost her mind," Isaac muttered.

"Much like Jon," Godfrey added, his voice low.

"He's pursuing Snow. Should we not intervene?"

Godfrey shook his head. "I doubt he can defeat Snow, not in his current state. If they were to confront each other, I cannot predict the outcome, but without the ability to counter Snow's illusions, Jon stands no chance. Even if Jon could inflict damage, what if Snow retreats into an illusion where he is perpetually healing or effectively immortal?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Snow is no longer entirely human. His physiology remains a mystery. Would decapitation prove fatal? If so, vanquishing him would be simpler. However, if not, it might be impossible without superior tier points."

"Who knows what else he's capable of now? I must elevate my own power," Isaac declared, clenching his fist.

Godfrey halted his steps, turned, and regarded his friend.

"Do so. You possess the capacity for rapid advancement. However, this path will erode your morality until you resemble a savage beast. With each desire for growth, apart from utilizing a core, you will be forced to grapple with your conscience repeatedly, targeting new individuals until your conscience is entirely extinguished. Alternatively, you must choose with utmost care those whose memories you extract, selecting only those you deem deserving."

"But..." Isaac averted his gaze. "Does anyone truly warrant such a fate?"

"Yes," Godfrey's resolute affirmation stunned Isaac. "Many are deserving."

"I understand." Isaac's fist tightened, his resolve hardening.

Godfrey turned, took a single step, and then halted, his gaze snapping back. "Where is Isolde?"

"I believe she had a prior engagement. She asked me to relay that the Guild Master of the Gate Defender’s Guild was looking for you," Isaac replied, running a hand through his hair with an apologetic grin. The information had completely slipped his mind until Godfrey inquired.

Godfrey's thoughts drifted to Charles, Falco, and Lotus, whom he had encountered alongside Percival. A sudden realization dawned upon him: had he actually missed Percival?

A scoff escaped Godfrey's lips. Perhaps he had. If Godfrey considered himself the offensive striker, Percival was undoubtedly the perfect defender, the one he'd trust implicitly to guard his flank, to hold the line while Godfrey launched his assault on the enemy.

Where had that quiet, blue-haired individual vanished to?

"She left a letter for you at her office. Guild Master Johan wants you to join their forces for a raid on a purple gate dungeon. It's a Titled God Tier dungeon," Isaac relayed, a shiver tracing its way down his spine.

"He's utterly insane," Godfrey muttered.

"Hmm," Godfrey hummed, his eyes narrowing in thought. 'Purple gates yield dungeon cores, much like their green counterparts. Obtaining a core from a Titled God boss, in addition to the standard dungeon core, means a double reward from a single raid. A single core could propel Tempest and Toria closer to the Titled God Tier, offering a monumental advancement.'

"The Guild Master is specifically after the boss core, though. He's offering two hundred million for it," Isaac added.

'An immense sum of money and a coveted dungeon core, a fact they are unaware of. Astonishing,' Godfrey mused internally.

"Where did you say that letter was located?" he inquired.

The risks associated with a purple gate were undeniably substantial, yet the potential rewards were equally staggering. Risk had always been an inherent component of the game; all he could do was ensure adequate preparation and then face the challenge head-on.