Last Born Of The Desdemona

Chapter 374: Chapter 374: Mission Start

Chapter 374 – Mission Start

"Today, the mission starts." Cassius whispered with a smile. He was eager for it, especially since it had been a while since he’d last stepped foot outside the Academy.

He was starting to feel cramped. A small mission, even a potentially dangerous one, could be a good way to let off some steam.

"Especially with the whole Isolde situation," he muttered, turning towards the bathroom, his steps slow but purposeful. "She sent me a message, but I still don’t know what state she’s actually in."

He simply hoped it was nothing too nightmarish. He wasn’t sure how he’d handle it if it was.

Whether he’d understand her, knowing she hadn’t wanted to burden him. Or whether he’d feel angry and uneasy, knowing his own wife had chosen to go through hell alone, just to spare him the trouble.

Cassius knew he’d likely end up upset; not only with her, but with himself too. Because Isolde would only do something like that if he’d let himself appear overwhelmed. Burdened.

His own weakness would be the cause of it all.

[You’re too hard on yourself,] Ananke sighed, catching his thoughts.

Cassius didn’t answer. He simply stepped into the bathroom, stripped off his clothes, and lowered himself into the bathtub.

His body ran naturally hot now, thanks to his Sun Concept. So he pulled out a small artifact, a gift from Meadow, and set it to a few degrees below freezing.

Only then could he actually relax. Only then did he begin washing up, doing his best to picture the best outcome for Isolde, instead of the worst.

Once he was done, he dressed in casual clothes, left his room, and headed towards the meeting point for his group.

"Well," he cracked his neck, "here we go."

...

The room felt hot, Meadow thought. She wasn’t sure if it was the temperature itself, or the fact that she was about to attempt something she’d wanted to do for a long time.

No, not the heist of MasterofPaths’s artifact. What she wanted to attempt, much to her own shame, was to hug the annoyingly clueless man standing in front of her.

"Is everything ready?" Omm asked with a bright smile, helping Meadow prepare for her mission. "Do you need anything else, Miss Meadow?"

Meadow looked at him, sweat beading on his forehead, his black hair pulled back stylishly. His hazel eyes were deep and thoughtful, but there was a new maturity to him now, a presence she couldn’t quite place.

Omm had changed. She didn’t know why, or how, but he had. And not knowing bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

She’d known him since he was simply Omm, the commoner, a young man from a poor family, working hard just to get by.

Now Omm carried a presence that sometimes intimidated her. As if she stood before someone greater than herself.

Meadow wasn’t arrogant. At least, she didn’t consider herself so. But she admitted, reluctantly, even a little ashamedly, that she hated the feeling of standing small in front of him.

She narrowed her pink eyes, unsure what to do. The more time passed, the more her hope for a future with him seemed to slip away, into nothing.

First there was Jeanne. And now...

"Who styled your hair?" Meadow asked, stepping closer, pushing chairs out of her way.

"My hair?" Omm said, then, with a shy smile, "Ah, that was Georgina, Miss Meadow."

"You call her Georgina?" Meadow felt her anger flare. "When no matter how many times I’ve told you to just call me Meadow, you never have?"

Omm was startled by her small outburst. He stared at her, unsure why she was reacting so strongly. But he didn’t want any friction with anyone, least of all Meadow.

So he bowed his head, voice low, tone apologetic and sincere. "I’m sorry, Meadow."

Meadow froze, and it felt like she’d been struck. Instant guilt washed over her. She pressed her lips together, her chest tightening, realizing that jealousy had pulled out the worst version of herself, and she was hating every second of it.

At last, she sighed. "Sorry. Call me whatever you’re comfortable with," she said, then gathered all the food and artifacts and stored them in one of her space rings.

"I’m heading out. Lock the door behind you when you leave. You have my keys."

Meadow walked away, feeling worse than ever.

Omm watched her go, feeling like he had to say something. Seeing Meadow like that unsettled him deeply. So he opened his mouth and said the first thing that came to mind, hoping it would help:

"Good luck, Meadow!" Omm called out, and Meadow paused mid-step, turning to look at him. Omm smiled, simple and genuine, and the young tycoon felt her heart claw its way up into her throat.

"I know you’ll do your best. But don’t get hurt too badly, and take care of yourself," he added, giving her a thumbs up. "I’ll clean your room every morning until you’re back!"

Meadow’s lips trembled slightly. She hesitated one last time, then finally found the courage to speak:

"Can I hug you?" The room went dead silent, as if every sound had been sucked out of it.

She forced herself to hold his gaze, though it took more willpower than she’d ever known she had.

Omm himself was caught off guard. But he wasn’t a fool, and he understood Meadow was embarrassed. What he didn’t understand was why.

He didn’t dwell on it, though.

He nodded shyly, smiling awkwardly, eyes darting around nervously.

"...Yes?"

That was all Meadow needed. She practically launched herself at him, pulling him into a tight hug.

Omm was nearly crushed. But he didn’t mind it.

His boss smelled amazing, or maybe just expensive. Hard to tell the difference sometimes.

Meadow enjoyed the hug even more than she’d imagined she would. Omm’s body was cool, welcoming. His scent was addictive.

It ended sooner than she wanted. Then shame hit her like a punch to the gut. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she spun around and bolted away from Omm, even as he kept calling out after her:

"You’ve got this, Meadow!"

’Argh. He’s so cute!!!!’ Meadow was ready for the mission.

...

"Kiss me, Julaibib."

"I’ll slap you."

"On the cheek?"

"I’ll give you an uppercut."

"Hug me, then?" Diaila grabbed Julaibib forcefully, though really he was the one letting her, otherwise she’d never be able to touch him at all. "You call yourself my daddy and can’t even hug your own daughter."

"You only call me Daddy when it suits you, huh?" He shot her a nasty glare, heading towards the kitchen to make breakfast, dragging Diaila along with him.

"I can call you Daddy anytime. Daddy?"

"I don’t like the way you say it. Sounds perverted, and I’m not a pervert."

"You go after mother, Lazy," Diaila said, disgusted, "and you say you’re not a pervert?"

"Is it a crime to have a type now?" He made a shocked face.

"Why not go for someone your own age, then?"

"I’m too old for any of you."

"You’re the same age as us!"

Julaibib gave her a strange smile. "My soul, dear friend. My soul is very old. So old, even seeing your mother as ’old’ takes effort. Maybe I should’ve gone after a goddess instead. One of me even claims he was once with one. Strange fellow, that one. Whenever he speaks up in my head, it’s always about women. Still better than that other fool going on about fighting all day."

"...You’re talking nonsense again."

"You’re the nonsense!" He grabbed her by the collar. "Now off you go! You’d better work hard on this mission. I don’t accept useless children!"

Before she could even react, he shoved her out of his room and locked the door with his key.

"Bastard!" Diaila shouted, annoyed. But then she checked the time, and realized she was about to be late.

She cursed Lazy again, jumped to her feet, and bolted straight for the meeting spot.

...

When Cassius arrived, William was already there, leaning against the wall in complete silence.

Cassius walked over and greeted him. The man replied with a nod, then closed his eyes again. Cassius’s lips twitched.

He stayed quiet, waiting patiently. He didn’t wait long.

A few minutes later, Meadow arrived, a big smile on her face, followed shortly by Diaila, wearing an annoyed expression.

Once all four of them were gathered, Cassius pulled out the mission notice Meadow had given him, checked the location and time of the meeting, then looked at his teammates:

"Shall we, then?"

Seconds later, Cassius and his teammates descended out of the Sky City, heading straight for the Hushsight Domain, just outside the kingdom, where the museum stood.

None of them noticed the presence of White, the vice dean, who’d been hiding there the entire time.

He grinned wide, cackling.

"The little dragon is finally out of the nest."

—End of Chapter 374—