Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 86: He’s here

They reached the Core in four days, and Vale rented one of the most luxurious inns he could find. The first thing he did was soak in a hot bath for an hour, washing away the weariness of the travel.

Although he didn’t feel physical discomfort, he was still a bit weary, and a hot soak was just what he needed.

Back at the Clan, it was something he did every day after training, and Cleir would put medicinal herbs in the hot water to soothe the body. The smell alone could clear the head.

Vale felt a sudden wave of hollowed loneliness as he got out of the bathing tub and began to dry himself. Everything had been so simple and easy when he was at the Clan and didn’t know better. He ate, trained, played, and dreamed, and he had the tender love of his almost-mother.

"I miss them. And that Nadia... had she reached the rank of Errant Knight already? I wouldn’t put it past her; she had high potential. And then Thrain..."

His mood darkened as he remembered his stepbrother, who mocked him as he rotted in the prison. "I can’t wait to see Father’s face when I return from here. He’s one that doesn’t show emotions easily, but he’d be totally caught off guard."

Then he grunted as he came out of the bathing area, fully naked. The bedroom was high up, overlooking a garden with a small pond set in it. The setting sun still cast enough light for him to see himself in the full mirror.

His eyes were an intense green, like colored fire. His face was hard but softened by his lips, and his hair, now full, crowded around his face.

Vale looked at himself for a moment longer, then got busy dressing. Afterward, he made his way out to join the others for dinner.

☆☆▪︎☆☆

The next morning came soon enough, and his stomach was wound tight with tension. This wasn’t because he was meeting the Ten but because this would be a big step. Whatever happened next would determine and have a lasting effect on his plans.

He was also feeling a bit nervous. No matter how strong he knew he was, he was still walking into the den of those who represented the most powerful of his rank here in the Borderlands. What would happen if they ganged up on him?

He pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he dressed. ’I have to remain active throughout to spot their traps and tricks.’

"Are you ready?" Xan asked as soon as Vale opened the door. He nodded and followed him down the stairs to meet the others.

To make an impression, they all dressed in fashionable yet practical ways there might be fighting. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Xan wore black clothing tailored to his size, and his new sword was strapped to his back. Tiber and Slya dressed similarly but more practically. Tiber wore a casual white shirt with black trousers, and Slya dressed like him, though her trousers were on the bigger side.

Vale, however, stood out. He wore a crisp white linen shirt with a flared collar. His overwear was a black velvet coat embroidered with purple and red threading. His black leather shoes had metal footings for good kicking.

He wore no accessories and left his hair as a small wave of trailing darkness.

The noisy inn quieted immediately upon seeing him. The way he moved and casually surveyed the room made everyone instinctively bow their heads, as though they stood before nobility.

Vale ignored them, gestured to the others, and they followed. He glanced at the sky and sighed. "Really. It’s good to have money. Team 34 really helped us this time. Come, let’s see how tiresome it is to form a team."

A rested carriage awaited them outside. They arranged themselves inside as the carriage began to move. It didn’t stop at the admin building but went farther. They approached the big wall, stopped at the gate, where an attendant was already waiting, and then entered the Core.

The first thing Vale felt was the aura of powerful, active ruins so close together that they made the Core’s sky dark and gloomy, as though a thunderstorm might start at any moment or monsters might descend themselves.

Looking through the window, he saw wavy lines in the middle of the dark clouds, like the eye of a storm. ’Below that on the ground must be the Seed Ruin.’

The carriage passed along a well-planned path that didn’t go too close to any of the ruins. Eventually, they arrived at a sprawling building—a small castle that flew the flags of the different factions.

They were quickly ushered in by another attendant, who led them through the great hall, down various hallways, and spent considerable time convincing them that the meeting was taking place underground.

Vale followed her, staying on high alert with his formation ready to go. She led them down a staircase and through a dark hallway, which opened into a coliseum—a vast space lit with yellow light. The stage was a massive hole in the ground.

"Where is this?" he asked suspiciously. The hallway had led them to the stands above the coliseum.

"This is where your meeting will take place," the attendant explained, gesturing toward the people seated at the edge, looking down at the coliseum and chatting among themselves.

"This is the Coliseum, where the leaders of the teams amuse themselves after a rough day. I’ll leave you here." The attendant quickly disappeared, blending into the shadows as she slipped through one of the doors set into the walls.

Vale paid her no mind. His attention was on the people sitting at the edge. There were more than ten, but they seemed split into five groups. ’The teams from rank 18 to 1 must be here.’

Just then, a penetrating gaze locked onto him, sharp as an arrow. He tensed, expecting an attack, and traced the source. It was a tall man, larger than Algar but with a similarly rough build. Vale immediately guessed he must be the Rank 5 of the Forsaken Tribes.

Others noticed the exchange, but the man soon looked away. Then Jenna’s voice rang out.

"Good. He’s here, Vale of the Steelclaw Alliance!"