Limitless Fortune: I Collect SSS-Rank Skills as Payment-Chapter 171: Look Who Appeared?

[Carag Continent, Edoria Kingdom, Somewhere around Northern Sea]

"Swish!"

High above the sky, above the vast sea with no boundaries visible, a flash of huge shadow flashed in at incredible speed, heading toward a certain direction.

Despite the shadow being too large, due to its incredible speed, nobody could recognise or even feel what it was.

Yet if someone could look at it somehow, he could see a huge owl the size of a mansion flying silently with two beings atop its massive figure.

"Grandpa, why is Dorian opening the Shadow Kingdom ahead of time? Did something happen?"

Lucien suddenly asked Malcolm while taking in the scenery of the passing ocean.

Surprisingly, he realised the more they got near to the portal leading to that domain dungeon, the more he felt the mana getting scarcer and scarcer.

By now, he felt almost no mana in the air.

"I don't know. But he must have some plans. Don't worry about what he wants to do. It must be related to Soren's disappearance."

Malcolm said with a solemn look.

"The priority now is to use the Circle of Nobility, gain a place and then shift to the World of Origin. We can't leave Cedric and Seraphine in this world anymore."

Lucien already knew that after one year, this world, Soren, might disappear from existence.

Although at that time, the inhabitants of this world wouldn't die outright, if they didn't willingly shift to the World of Origin, they might get transported randomly anywhere.

Just like half the world that disappeared before. It would be very bad if that happened.

Hence, Malcolm had decided to return after a few months when he got a place inside the Shadow Kingdom to shift Lucine's father and mother, along with other close ones.

To be honest, they were already pressed for time.

"Yeah, don't worry. I will also try to look for a way."

Lucien nodded, understanding his grandpa's view.

"We are here."

Just as they stopped talking and looked at their shifting surroundings with their own thoughts, suddenly Velmara shouted before decreasing his speed and size rapidly.

"Haha…I knew Sir Malcolm still had ways to enter this place. Just…never thought you could even allow someone to enter with you."

As soon as Velmara stopped, a sudden, booming laugh echoed through the surroundings, followed by the appearance of a luxurious boat floating effortlessly in the air.

Its sleek wooden hull was smooth and polished, with graceful, minimalist lines and subtle carvings that spoke of quiet elegance without any unnecessary ornamentation.

Regardless, it looked quite exquisite. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

'Is that the portal for Domain Dungeon? So big!'

However, Lucien's attention wasn't on the boat but rather a large portal suspended mid-air.

The portal hovered in mid-air like a dark, swirling void, an endless black hole that seemed to pull in the surrounding light, its edges shimmering faintly with a cold, ominous glow.

"Second Prince Dorian is early. It is just…isn't your team a bit big?"

Malcolm raised an eyebrow at the massive boat hovering in front of a huge portal. He never thought that Dorian would use a magic boat to enter the Shadow Kingdom.

'What is he planning?'

For a moment, he was confused and alert until he saw a few people come out of the boat right beside Second Prince Dorian.

"Haha…Malcolm, you still haven't changed. As cautious as ever."

Suddenly, another loud laugh echoed, this time in an old voice.

"Hmm? Grand Magister Orin, what are you doing here?"

When Malcolm looked to see who the voice belonged to, he was once again surprised.

After all, the person in front was actually Grand Magister Orin, the same person who opened the Genesis Rift Dungeon for the class awakening before in the capital.

'Hmm? Damn, why the heck is Lilith here too?'

While Malcolm was surprised by Grand Magister Orin's appearance, Lucien, on the other hand, was shocked to see the Third Princess in the crowd.

He never thought that he would see her like this in this place. After leaving the mansion that day, Lilith completely disappeared from his view.

Unlike Sera, she didn't come to meet him a second time. Maybe it was because of the Seraphine's shadow or something else, he didn't know.

'Why is she here? Did she also get an invitation like me?'

Lucien was guessing when, suddenly, he met the eyes of Lilith from afar. Unlike him, she didn't seem surprised to see him in this place.

Rather, she just smiled sweetly at him with that seductive charm briefly before ignoring him altogether.

"Haha…Malcolm, you know why. Sigh…our world is finished, and we are like a bird that lost its nest. Of course, we have to search for another one."

Grand Magister Orin sighed loudly as if he were distressed. But Malcolm didn't care about his plight; rather, he placed his hand on his beard while his eyes shone lightly as he realised something,

"Did he…order you?"

Malcolm suddenly asked, stifling the atmosphere with his words.

Lucien could clearly feel the change as soon as Malcom said those words. Even Lilith looked a little uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"...yeah, it was an order."

For a moment, Grand Magister Orin also went quiet. But at last, he nodded solemnly, affirming Malcom's words.

Here, the 'he' Malcolm was saying was the King of the Edoria Kingdom.

Only when he ordered could Dorian take such a large ship and Grand Magister Orin with him like this inside the Domain Dungeon.

Otherwise, he didn't have the guts to ask Orin, a Lord Rank entity, to tag with him.

"Malcolm, can you help me a bit? I heard it was you who found the token to the Shadow Kingdom. You must have fairly explored that place too, right?"

Grand Magister Orin suddenly asked Malcolm. When he saw him nodding, he continued,

"Very good. Then, please tell me all the things you noticed and the information you gathered inside the Shadow Kingdom."

"Don't worry, I won't take it for free. I can give you one favour within my ability. What do you think?"

Orin asked lightly, causing Malcolm to briefly fall into silence.

Although Orin was requesting, Malcolm knew he couldn't refuse. In fact, even if he could, he would never as it wasn't wise.

Besides, seeing their massive boat like this, Malcolm already had something to ask for from Orin anyway.

So, he readily took out a memory foam and took a minute or two to record his thoughts before throwing it in the direction of Orin, who caught it with a smile.

"Grand Magister Orin, it is my pleasure to help you at this time. These are all the important things I know about the Shadow Kingdom."

Malcolm said and then requested with a solemn look,

"Although I don't want to ask for anything for such a small favour, the situation isn't favourable. So, forgive me for asking for your help this time."

"Haha…Malcolm, you know how I am. There is no need to be so serious. Ask what you want."

Grand Master Orin briefly scanned the memory crystal and laughed with a satisfied look. He liked smart people who knew how to do things.

It was better if things didn't get too ugly.

"Very well then."

Malcolm breathed a sigh of relief seeing Orin satisfied and then requested,

"You know how the situation of this world clearly. Although I heard there is still one year for the event, I don't know if something will happen before that. So, my request is…"

"...If something happened and I couldn't come back in time, please take care of my family until then. I hope you can safely relocate them if possible."

This was what Malcolm was worried about. This was also the reason he asked if the King had ordered Orin to come here.

And since he did so, the situation seemed more dire than he thought. Although he did tell Lucien that everything was alright, who could say for sure?

Especially when it came to such a mysterious place as World of Origin. It was best to secure another portal for his loved ones.

"Haha…okay, Malcolm, I, Grand Magister Orin, promised that as long as I am here, I guarantee that nothing will happen to your family until you return. Happy?"

Orin seemed to know what Malcolm would ask. So, he didn't take the time to accept his request readily.

"Thank you, Grand Magister Orin. Then, I am relieved."

Since the word had been spoken, Malcolm, along with Lucien, also felt happy. Now they didn't need to worry too much about family while outside.