Wace received Avalon''s warning about the Empire''s Fleet…


    "A hundred and twenty hours, huh…"


    He was a bit impressed considering the distance they have to travel.


    Their speed is actually extremely fast. The empire has surely improved its propulsion technology by leaps and bounds.


    After all, Ace was only able to achieve a faster speed due to the existence of Mana that he could use indefinitely.


    For now, he could guess that the Empire has found another method of harnessing the Aether aside from the GH Drive.


    "Right, you also mentioned that they are sending out Mech Frames from time to time?"


    [ Correct. We assume that they are conducting some anti-ambush protocols. ]


    Avalon replied.


    They already left the floating ind when they received the update about the Empire''s descent. They are now back at the Mt. Ravencroft where they are inspecting the Mech Knights that the factory has recently made.


    "I see. They are being careful. I hope they can act recklessly afternding here."


    It seems that the Empire would only stop in some coordinates that would appear to have a perfect spot for an ambush before moving ahead.


    For now, they are still unsure whether the fleet can already detect some remnants of their Mana.


    Wace sat on a chair at the side while he''s watching the automatons get busy assembling the Mech Knights'' parts that were just delivered.


    "Very well… We are almost ready here as well."


    Their preparations may not be enough but this should bring them good results. At the very least, they wouldn''t be helpless once the Empire descended unlike what he had dreamed before…


    ''That won''t happen again…''


    As his thoughts reached this point, he recalled something important


    "Avalon, where do you think they''llnd this time? Do you think that it would be the same region?"


    [ Calcting the probability… ]


    Wace waited as the A.I. would perhaps consider the rotation of their once the Empire gets closer or perhaps find a decent-lookingnd or sea near the continent…


    ''If theynded on the sea, it would be difficult for us tounch an attack it, but if it''s on the maind, it would create huge damage in the area instead…''


    Either way, the nearest people in the area of their descent would surely suffer first….


    So Wace was a bit hoping that the Empire would decide tond in some mountain range rather than the far sea.


    [ Unable to calcte with the limited information we have. ]


    It appears that Avalon requires more data to draw some conclusions. Nevertheless, it is indeed extremely challenging to calcte such a thing.


    "I''ll be visiting my family, Avalon. If anyone would look for me, you can tell them to wait here…"


    [ Affirmative. ]


    Wace then stood up and used his Void Phase…


    After a few jumps… He arrived at the Luna Lake of the Red Star Town.


    Theke is still serene with unique flowers growing around them. He can see a couple of wooden boats at the side and a newly painted sign beside it that introduces theke and the flowers beside it.


    Wace smiled seeing this… He still recalls that this is the ce where his soulpletely merged with this body through the Cube of Paradox or Pathfinder''s help…


    After reminiscing for a moment, he headed towards the familiar house of his parents, a ce he could call his home on this.


    This ce, or this town, received several improvements on their Town Barrier through Ace''s sponsorship. It means that even if the Empire still decided to descend here, they would have enough time to prepare or even fight against them.


    Wace nced behind him and found the mountain range where the Empire descended in his dream.


    Most of the starships were focused in the Ste Region and a couple of Conqueror Starship that went in this direction seem like they were only tasked to clean up the area… The forces of their fleet were still focused in that region if he remembers it correctly…


    Now that he thinks about it, he found it weird for them to descend here… It''s not like they are actually looking for him…


    "Ste Region…" Wace muttered as he thought of something…


    "Son? You''re here? Why don''t you enter? Don''t just stand there…"


    Chase noticed the young man standing in front of their house looking at the sky… He didn''t want to interrupt him at first but he thought that he was just being shy or something, so he decided to call him out.


    "Father… Yes, I''m going in…"


    "Right, I heard you mutter about the Ste Region is there something wrong?"


    Chase has many questions about the situation of their and about his ns but he decided to ask about Wace''s words just now.


    "Ahh… You heard that… I was just curious about the Ste Region. Is there anything special there?"


    "There is… Of course, I''m sure that you already know of it."


    Wace nodded slowly. His father is right, he knows what''s special in that ce…


    It is the only region where the Memory Crystals can be mined in the country. These Crystals can store a massive amount of knowledge and are now being experimented to be used as a medium to make normal humans be Magicians like them.


    "Is it a coincidence... Anyway... About the Seed Holdings… How are they progressing, father?"


    "Haha… So you''re interested in our work there?"


    Chaseughed and was about to exin the details of their job when ine, rice, and ire greeted him…


    "Wee home, Brother!"


    "Wace, why did just visit us now? Have you eaten yet?"


    "Ahh… I haven''t yet." Wace smiled as he replied to her mother.


    "Let me prepare now…"


    The young man felt rxed being here as he felt guilty about Ace''s situation.


    ''Ahh… I should bring him here next time.''


    Wace smiled at the thought as he brought out some gifts to his family. He used his dimensional storage space to store the 7th Generation Mana Artifacts that he received from Aeolia.


    He knows that these advanced level Mana Artifacts would certainly help soldiers or magicians in real battles… Giving them to his people might be more beneficial if one would look at it.


    However, he wanted to ensure the safety of his family first.


    He lost his family in his previous life, but now, he wouldn''t let it happen.


    It is as simple as that…


    That is why he doesn''t think that it''s a waste giving them thetest generation of mana artifacts. He only wanted to provide them additional security.


    "What are these, Brother? Wait---"


    rice asked but she suddenly had a hunch about the item in front of her.


    "Is this the 7th Generation you''ve mentioned before?!"


    Even Chase and ine were shocked after seeing Wace''s gift.


    They could see a small bottle with ck liquid on it. They thought that it''s some kind of unique potion or perhaps some tonic that has been popr recently…


    "Son, is that true?"


    "Yes, mom… This is the Seventh Gen…"


    "Haa~ I didn''t think that I would live until the creation of 7th Gen…"


    Chase muttered after hearing his son''s confirmation.


    His thoughts weren''t baseless considering the gap between the Fourth Gen and the Fifth Gen, then the Fifth Gen to the Sixth Gen Mana Artifact.


    Decades if not centuries would pass before another Generation was made… They have just heard about the 6th Gen that has been a hot topic a few weeks ago…


    However, Wace is already introducing the Seventh Gen to them.


    "How does it work?"


    "You can say that it will help us magicians create a synthetic mana core, a sentient mana and…"


    Wace shared his knowledge about the 7th Generation and spend the whole day with his family.


    He discussed to them his ns, he told them the ces they needed to hide in once the Empire descended… He also let his father exin the progress of their task about the Inheritance Pill.


    Finally, he left them a couple of superiorbat automatons that he pulled out from his dimensional storage space.


    "Right… Onest thing, please don''t sacrifice yourself when we''re in danger… You have to trust me… I''m very strong, mother… father…"


    Wace seriously looked at his parents before ncing at the rings on their finger…


    Chase and ine squinted their eyes after noticing this.


    They were a bit surprised but they also couldn''t hide the happiness in their eyes after seeing that Wace looks so reliable even at a young age.


    They nodded at their son and promised that they''ll trust him.


    The young man smiled and left the town after a while…


    He alreadypleted his arrangements for his family.


    ***


    Wace returned to hismand center within his territory at Mt. Ravencroft.


    "Did anyone look for me?"


    [ Yes. Charles Mavis visited once. He hinted that he discovered the floating ind you''re hiding and wanted to get into one. ]


    "Urgh… Anyone else?"


    Wace understands the man''s curiosity but he can''t allow him there at this time.


    [ None. ]


    "I see… How''s the situation above?"


    [ The Empire''s Fleet just passed over the Moon Base and is now heading here. Ace also wanted us to finish all the preparations. ]


    "We''ve been ready for several days now…"


    Wace smirked as he sat down on his chair and closed his eyes…


    Finally, it''s time for them to act.