Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 1000: Renna’s Headache

". . ."

Alice sat in the chair, one leg crossed over the other, her heel tapping impatiently against the stone floor. Each click carried a fragment of her annoyance. Each one causing the guard to flinch as the floor was cracking apart.

They tried their best not to show it but the presence of a Lord behind her was terrifying!

’Mama mia why did the captain tell us to detain them!?!?’ One of them cried out in his heart, hoping, begging even, that nothing bad happens.

Praying that they don’t offend the Lord behind the split haired girl.

But that prayer seemed to fall on deaf ears with Alice’s expression slowly turning into one of anger.

"TCH!" Alice clicked her tongue. The guards around them flinched.

One almost raised his weapon but managed to hold back.

They had been stopped the moment they reached the gates. Not because they caused trouble. But rather...

The pressure of a Lord terrifying the guards!

A presence that made one feel like suffocating just being in the vicinity, the fear that comes with seeing an apex predator. The chill down their spine knowing death was around the corner!

Anyone with a hint of self preservation would find themselves in terror when Lab approached!

Therefore, the guards reacted immediately, detaining the trio before things could escalate further.

And the worst part?

Alice hadn’t even noticed.

She had grown too used to this level of pressure.

Too accustomed to standing near people who could swat her down and turn her into paste.

Lords, sealed Abyss Lords of old, Apostles.

Even Gods!

So a presence like Lab was no longer registered as anything unusual or even dangerous. What should’ve felt overwhelming was... painfully ordinary for Alice.

Her fight or flight response was never triggered.

Which, in hindsight, was probably more concerning than if she had actually felt something.

A sign of the last remnants of her normality flying away.

As for Lab, she had already apologised.

This body was nothing more than a mirror clone formed from Faust’s power. Even if she tried to suppress her aura as a Lord, it would leak regardless. And if anyone noticed her actively suppressing it, that alone would raise more suspicion than simply letting it flow.

So she chose the safer option.

Let it be.

From the Guard’s perspective, those who never reached the power of Lord, they would sense something akin to a calamity slowly approaching the city gates.

By this point, none of the guards spoke. They could only hope that someone comes and fast.

"So." Alice stopped tapping her heel.

"How long are you going to waste my damn time?" She asked coldly.

The guards shot quick glances at one another.

A silent communication.

"You tell her!" One would eye.

"Me?! Why don’t you go! I don’t want to die!"

"Oh so it’s okay if I die? You go the higher station than me, you go talk to the child with a Lord behind her!"

"B*tch! I’m the one who introduced you to your wife! Shouldn’t you owe me!?"

The silent communication stretched between them and had it not been for Lab’s presence, they would’ve started fighting already.

Just as Alice was about to say something else, she noticed a rather large presence approaching their room.

Not quite oppressive but not weak either. If anything, they felt harmonized with their surroundings.

She narrowed her eyes.

’A Lord.’

Opening the door, a woman stepped through as the guards collectively let out a sigh of relief.

A blonde elf adorned with silver armour.

Alice blinked her eyes.

She recognised that face.

"All of you can step out now." Renna ordered as the guards all left without hesitation.

"Renna, a Lord affiliated with Extalia, one of the- Never mind... May I know who I’m talking to?" Renna introduced herself, pausing when she was about to mention her role as the King’s Guard.

Alice glanced back at Lab.

"Lab, a Lord affiliated with the Underground." Lab performed a slight bow. "Right now, I am assigned to Lady Agnelia."

Renna raised an eyebrow before looking at the split haired girl.

It was strange...

Something felt off.

The girl was calm... Eerily so. It wasn’t the confident kind where they don’t know fear.

The kind where they’ve been protected all their life so they don’t understand the consequences out in the real world. Renna had seen that kind often enough among nobles and talented fools.

Instead... It seems to be a type of calm that can only be gained through confidence in their power. The kind that knows they can deal with whatever is in front of them.

Renna narrowed her eyes.

This girl...

’She thinks she’ll be able to survive if we fight.’

With this kind of realisation, Renna couldn’t help but feel a little insulted. Was it because the girl didn’t know what kind of Lord she is?

Or was she that confident in her strength.

"Agnelia." Renna spoke.

"Just call me Alice." Alice smiled.

She had not expected to see a familiar face here.

Even now, she could still remember her first time seeing the three Lords who belonged to the surface during the Academy days.

"In that case, Alice. Is it safe to assume you are affiliated with the Underground? Or have you simply hired Lab for her services?" Renna asked.

"I didn’t hire her no. She was assigned to me."

Renna creased her brows.

Wasn’t hired but rather... assigned.

Either Alice was someone of high standing in the Underground or someone who’s earned their favour.

"May I ask what your purpose is coming here?"

Having another Lord suddenly enter Thalmyra was a cause for concern. Especially when their presence could cause the balance to shatter.

"We’re just taking a temporary stop here. A small pause in our journey to restock before making our way to the capital." Alice replied truthfully.

With a major branch of the Underground operating in Thalmyra, this was the most efficient place to arrange the transport of supplies back to Grand Cathia. Miki would need them.

It’ll help stabilize the city and give them whatever they needed. Be that food or other necessities.

Not only that, but some materials that couldn’t be normally accessed can also be bought here. Beast parts, rare ores, special metals.

Materials that Suyin would find very useful and difficult to obtain normally.

Renna tapped her finger against the table slowly.

"A temporary stop?" She repeated, wanting to make sure she heard things correctly.

"Indeed." Alice nodded.

"To restock?"

"That is what I said, yes."

Renna exhaled slowly through her nose.

It was hard to believe. Especially when Lab wasn’t holding back her aura at all.

If anything, it felt more like a declaration of war. A giant sign saying, look here, a Lord has arrived.

With that kind of pressure, even if they are indeed just stopping here temporarily, the other factions in Thalmyra won’t take things simply.

She studied Alice’s expression for a few moments. Checking to see if it was a bluff or not. To see if there was any hints of the truth.

Yet there was nothing of the sort. Alice was completely relaxed, speaking her mind.

Renna clenched her jaw in frustration.

It was too good to be true!

Something this convenient won’t appear so easily! In fact, it would’ve been better had Alice shown a sign of bluffing because at least then, her heart would be at ease.

But here they are, the three in front of her seem to be one hundred percent honest about why they were here.

Was it truly just a temporary stop? Really?

Then why the hell was the Lord behind her not holding back her aura at all?!

She held back the urge to hit the table. Her throat was parched and she desperately wanted a drink right now to clear her mind.

"So you’re stopping here for some supplies and... the Underground has assigned you a Lord to help?" Renna calmed her mind and asked.

Alice glanced up at Lab who shrugged.

"Kind of? She’s more here as an assistant for any services I may require." Alice chuckled.

". . ."

Renna really, really wanted to toss a table at Alice right now.

’What do you mean she’s an assistant!? A LORD, as an ASSISTANT?! What standing do you have for the Underground to give you a Lord as an assistant???’ She screamed internally. Confusion filling her mind as she couldn’t comprehend the thought process behind something like this.

Lords, strategic weapons for factions to keep others at bay. And yet this one was reduced to an assistant...

Jobs like this was usually reserved for literally anyone who is NOT a Lord!

Renna took a deep breath and tilted her head back.

She stared at the ceiling...

’I want to cry...’

"How many days will you be staying?" Renna asked, massaging her temples.

She could already feel a headache worse than any hangover she’s ever had.

"Depends on how long it’ll take for the supplies to arrive. Maybe a day maybe a few days. Ideally no longer than 3 days if possible." Alice calculated. If they get the supplies to Suyin and she makes the improvements to the memory device, they’ll be able to speed up their travel significantly.

"If that’s the case... can you do anything about that Abyss Lord aura? I’m sure you don’t need me to explain why having that completely exposed is a bad idea." Renna smiled bitterly. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Three days... possibly more.

Alice glanced back at Lab.

"I’m already trying to suppress it as best I can. This is the current limit."

Upon hearing this, Renna only had one thought in her mind.

’I need a drink...’