Chapter 33: Hundred Years Mission

‘That much is expected’. Zax thought after hearing that Bin Bin’s destination is the Savage Caves; hence very little emotion was stirred in him, a bit of curiosity to see how Bin Bin intends to handle the obstacles of the second Savage Cave. ‘Perhaps he has a safe way to open the lock... ‘

“Tour New Earth to your heart’s content, but to the Savage Caves you will enter with me in your presence or not at all”. Zax placed an ultimatum.

“That’s fine with me”. Whether it upset Bin Bin or not, he did not show it. “When can we leave?”

“I’m currently preoccupied with other commitments, so it would have to be in a few months ... two and a half to three”.

“Can’t it be sooner?” Bin Bin pressed.

“Out of my control”. Zax dropped to the living room’s sofa and leaned back with his hand raised high, he pointed at Bin Bin. “Till then, I won’t monitor your movement in New Earth, so I hope you won’t do anything to disappoint me”. Or rather, he wanted Bin Bin undermine him ... If he will attempt to sneak to the Savage Caves and head directly to the third, then perhaps he possesses external means to cross it, something he would prefer to hide because others can take it...

Bin Bin sighed. “It really saddens me to know how low I am in your priorities ... Oh, well, I’ll hang around until I’m bored and if by then you won’t contact me, I’ll find something temporary to do”.

...

“You can leave”. Zax notified Sister Iaura upon her return, which caught her by surprise.

“But I just got back”. Sister Iaura confusedly uttered.

“Dad, we spent couple of hours taking Iaura sightseeing, eating and playing”. Niel said.

“You can return to Onzengvas is what I say”. Zax clarified.

Actually, she could have left a while ago for all he cared...

After the Godly Retribution in Niel’s Soul was dealt with and he got over her crazy spewing, Zax calmed down and deduced that the association of Sister Iarua and The Almighty’s actions is unrelated. Although the condition of his spirit was static, Sister Iarua was not responsible for it and on the contrary, it was thanks to her that no danger loomed over Niel anymore.

With this conclusion, Zax allowed Sister Iaura to roam New Earth, outside his house from sunrise to sunset. Despite the lass having three personalities and he only met two, while one was rebellious toward him, she quite innocently obeyed him, never attempting to escape. The sole reason Zax did not return her himself was the dent the conflict form in his relationship with Luminous Church. Moreover, letting Archbishop Silternjan and the rest stew in their concerns for her was a sort of wide retaliation.

“Then ... Can I go back to His Young Holiness... ?”

“Yes, and take him with you!” Zax irately gestured over to Bin Bin, who decided to linger...

Apparently, the uninvited guest reconsidered the snacks offer and with nothing to talk about with Zax, he lay on the sofa, watching the Screen and spilling crumbs after every bite of biscuits and pretzels.

“I’m not harrying anywhere”. With his mouth stuffed, Bin Bin waved for them to disregard him and slurped coffee so the snacks will be easier to swallow.

“Eh, dad, old man Bin Bin came to visit?” Niel dipped his head to the side and excitedly remarked.

“Hey, hey, it’s Old Man Bin Bin!” Jingrow was no less exhilarated.

They ran for him, while Shadow quietly left now that there was no need for him to keep watch on them and Sister Iaura.

“Hahaha, Imp1, Imp2, greet this Old Man properly”. Bin Bin shifted to a sitting positing with his chin up and a grin.

“Imp1 greets Old Man”.

“Imp2 greets Old Man”.

First Jingrow then Niel, they cupped their hands up as if facing a Master or a Tal.

“Good, good. If it wasn’t for you, Imps, about seventy percent of my visits to Rising City would have been unbearably dreary. Your father, Imp2, is pretty terrible host, you know...”

“I know, I know...” Niel sighed dependently. “Fortunately mom always treats Old Man as should be”.

“Right, as should be”. Jingrow nodded.

“As should be”. Bin Bin attested.

The three’s exchange caused Zax internal convulsions. If asked, he would adamantly argue that among all plagues, the infestation known as “Bin Bin” is the most contagious around children.

Before they got to know him, neither Niel nor Jingrow could be accused of having a morsel of mischievousness. Sadly, one day Bin Bin discovered solace to his frustration from the inability to enter New Earth by impressing the pair of boys with all sort of adventurous story, typically with him in the role of some great hero, whilst those companions of his who frequented Zax’s place in Rising City, Liminton, Vals, Enderta, Zenkai, Benni, Nirik Je, Hason and Shila, as the incompetent lackeys always in need of saving.

“Imp2, you breakthrough the second realm”. Bin Bin noted after an inquisitive glance. “For someone at your age ... superb! Now you are not too far from Imp1”.

As they continued to chat, Sister Iaura’s juvenile personality took command after being overwhelmed due to the permission to leave.

In a reserved tone she had not used with Zax before, she said. “I can’t take him with me if he refuses. Can I still go alone?”

“Yes, Iaura”. Anet answered. At the beginning she might have keen on the perspective of killing the girl as an expression of mother’s rage, but when Niel was safe and sound and she came to learn about Sister Iaura’s mental state, Anet softened toward that specific personality.

“Wonderful!” Sister Iaura clapped in a gleeful manner only Stelero Mars on this planet was familiar with. “It would be much more pleasant to see New Earth as a welcome visitor than a prisoner. Can I still stay here?”