Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1388: Headaches

"George," Anita called, realizing that her fears during the previous exchange of glances had come true, but refraining from adding anything else.

George had recently officially become the Ildoo family’s Patriarch, and for good reason. No candidate had ever been more fitting in the history of his family, leading to a seamless and unhindered promotion.

Yet, that meant that Anita’s behavior toward George in public had to change. She had long since adjusted to her married status, and the area only featured their son and their private security personnel, but that still prevented her from arguing vehemently.

The kid’s presence also made Anita stop from saying what she truly wanted to say. The last thing she needed was for Michael to worry. Luckily, she didn’t need to add anything else for George to understand her.

"I’ll just take a look and help with the evacuation," George reassured, his gaze still on the dark horizon while he accepted the item that a soldier had hurriedly retrieved from one of the ships.

George didn’t need to look down at his left arm to know the item that had ended in his palm. His fingers clung around the familiar, cold, dark grey scabbard, finding reassurance and completeness in the weight of the sword inside it.

Of course, George planned to do far more than that, and his calm, easy-going words did nothing to reassure Anita.

Aynor wasn’t equipped to deal with the Scarlet Eyes, and that flaw extended to the entirety of the Global Army.

Less than four months had passed since Khan had shared the footage of his battle against the two alien scouts. The preparations and tests to find ways to counter the True Chaos’ troublesome effects had started right afterward, but the progress had been minimal and limited to Khan’s forces.

Even with the Niqols’ help, Khan’s forces had barely devised one experimental product, which only a few parties had access to, parties that didn’t include most of humankind, especially Aynor’s soldiers.

George obviously was in that list, but he didn’t bring that product to the now-ruined family holiday. Still, he had other ways of making himself useful against the True Chaos. At least, George believed he could, and that was as good a chance as any to test it out.

Moreover, George’s intentions of joining the messy fray downstairs didn’t only have to do with his desire to limit casualties and test the results of his training.

The politics inside the allied front were still an unreliable mess. That alliance of many different forces had no leaders, joint structures and organizations, or singular flag. Meanwhile, victory in that war would demand unity, and achievements were the best way of establishing it.

Khan’s forces were also at the forefront of that war, so it was George’s job as a core member of their inner circle to step forward and prove his reliability. He represented that organization, so he had to play the part to earn public support.

The reassurance George had felt after feeling his sword’s weight faltered when he saw the distant, black cloud stretch in the city’s direction. His worst fears had come true, and the clock had also started ticking.

"What’s the word from Baoway?" George asked, turning toward his family and soldiers, not bothering to inquire about the Global Army’s status.

"Baoway has deployed its forces as soon as the invasion began, Patriarch," The team leader in George’s security detail revealed, "But they are having problems stabilizing the connection with Aynor’s teleports."

"Color me surprised," George exclaimed. "Keep coordinating with them, and don’t forget to mention that we need evolved warriors."

Anita couldn’t help but worry even more at those words. She had realized that the threat wasn’t something a single fifth-level warrior could handle, but the situation sounded even worse than she thought.

"Patriarch," The team leader called, lifting his stern gaze from the phone. "All the mana-based tech in Aynor is already showing signs of malfunction."

"That’s why you have to bring my wife and son out of here immediately," George announced, stepping toward Anita but kneeling upon reaching her, supporting himself on his scabbard.

"Michael, remember what I told you," George said, placing a hand on his son’s blonde head. "When I’m away, you are the man of the family. What does the man of the family do?"

"Protect," Michael replied, still clinging to Anita’s dress but unable to look away from his father’s eyes.

"Good boy," George chuckled, ruffling Michael’s hair. "Protect your mother and little sister until I come back."

Michael pouted while his hair was being ruffled, but found his father standing once that ended. He looked up, and his father and mother’s expressions somehow told him that something was wrong.

Anita’s deep, dark eyes were full of worry and stark desire to scold her husband to no end, but George smirked before her silence, doing his best to reassure her, even placing a hand on her big belly.

"I’ll be careful," George promised, "And the guys on Baoway will send the big guns in no time. I won’t even have the time to show off."

"You’d better not show off," Anita scolded. "I have so much to be angry about, so make sure to come back to listen to it."

"To think I gave up on all the women in the world for you," George sighed, shaking his head. "And I don’t even regret it one bit."

Anita summoned every ounce of self-restraint she was capable of, but a smile broadened on her face anyway. Still, worried tears also tried to arrive. After all, the man she loved so much was about to jump alone into a war, and nothing she could say would stop him.

So, Anita didn’t say anything and just leaned forward, clinging to George’s white shirt to leave a quick kiss on his lips.

"Come back to us, okay?" Anita whispered after slightly retracting her mouth.

"Of course," George promised. "And make sure to remember this valiant deed the next time you have one of your headaches."

Anita could only laugh and kiss George again, hoping from the bottom of her heart that it wouldn’t be the last time.