Chapter 440: Leaving Gritnia (III) (2nd Bonus) (LAST VOLUME Chapter)
"She might be able to explain what I’m actually going to have to deal with. I could probably learn more from her than I could by trying to figure everything out myself."
She took a breath. "So, yeah. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to ask if you’d let me come with you."
Ethan was quiet for a moment. "Okay, I—"
Before he could finish, Hayley immediately stepped forward and took Bettie’s hand. "Of course. Of course he’ll let you."
Ethan looked at her. "Hayley—"
"I want her to come." She said, then turned toward Bettie with a smile. "I think i’d like you being there too."
Bettie smiled, but her eyes soon returned to Ethan.
Hayley continued holding her hand as they both waited for his answer.
Ethan stared at her for a moment, then sighed. "I don’t think I need to reiterate the risks to you. I’m pretty sure you’ve already thought this through before coming to ask me."
He shook his head, then shrugged. "So, you know what? Fuck it. Sure. You can come."
Both Hayley and Bettie smiled at that.
The rest of the night passed rather peacefully.
With the matter of Ethan’s departure settled, the atmosphere gradually became lighter, and the conversation among everyone grew more relaxed and lively. They talked about various things, moving from one subject to another as the night continued.
The truth was, Ethan could be incredibly opinionated about a great many things. He had his own views on almost everything, and he rarely hesitated to express them when the situation called for it.
But there was something else about him that very few people probably realized.
He genuinely cherished having friends.
It was something he hadn’t really experienced much in his previous life.
As a lawyer, he had known plenty of people. He had acquaintances, colleagues, and people he could speak to whenever necessary.
The life he had lived and the amount of work he had put into reaching the position he attained as a lawyer at such a young age had left very little room for close relationships. His world operated differently, and there had never been many people he could truly call his own.
But in this world, he had friends.
They were the people who laughed with him, argued with him, stood beside him, and, when necessary, were willing to put themselves in danger for his sake.
And Ethan cherished them more than he usually allowed himself to admit.
But somewhere deep inside, he knew it.
For all the dangers that surrounded his life, having these people beside him was something he would never take for granted.
——
The next morning, at the front of the Stark Residence...
Ethan, Eduardo, and Valerie were all ready to leave.
Ethan was at the entrance, speaking with Ishtar for a few final moments.
"Be safe while I’m gone, alright?" he told her. "And look after Madam Francesca for me."
Ishtar nodded.
"And if there’s anything you need, anything at all, just ask Madam Francesca. She’ll make sure you have it. You won’t lack anything while I’m away."
Ethan had never considered bringing Ishtar along with them. Regardless of her age or the extent of her abilities, this was the Demon Continent—the very place she had once fled from and one that still carried too much trauma for her.
He had no intention of forcing her to return there simply because he was going.
Moreover, it was best she stared out of Nathan’s reach too.
Ishtar understood that as well and had never really asked to come.
She inclined her head. "Thank you so much, Lord Ethan. I will always be grateful for your kindness."
Ethan smiled and reached over, gently patting her hair like a man reassuring a child. "Just take care of yourself."
He gave her one last nod before turning around.
Three of his summons stood nearby.
Joe Sanderberg, the hitman. Finn, the shoot. And Rue of the Clowder.
These were the three he had decided to leave behind while he was gone.
Ethan turned toward Joe first. "You’re in charge while I’m away."
Joe inclined his head.
"I want you to keep an eye on everything here, especially the companies. Make sure the operations continue properly and deal with anything that requires immediate attention."
Ethan then turned toward Rue and Finn. "You two will stay close to Francesca and Ishtar. Keep an eye on them and make sure nothing happens while we’re gone."
Both summons nodded in acknowledgment.
"Good." He said.
A short distance away, Francesca and Eduardo were engaged in their own conversation, taking the opportunity to speak before the group departed.
"I’ll be looking forward to all of you returning with Lady Irene. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong, but please... make sure nothing happens to our boy." Francesca said to him, her voice carrying a gentle and warm tone.
She had once experienced the dangers of dragons herself, and because of that, she understood just how dangerous the journey ahead could become.
The thought of Ethan venturing into such a place naturally left her uneasy, and she could only place her trust in Eduardo to watch over him.
Eduardo smiled. "Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to him."
He paused, then a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Although, I wouldn’t count on you waiting for us for too long. Given how old you are, you might die before we finally come back with Lady Irene."
Francesca stared at him in sudden surprise for a moment before smiling. "You fucking rust bucket."
Eduardo chuckled.
For a few seconds afterward, they both stared at one another. Then, almost as though they had silently understood themselves, they both gave an acknowledging nod.
Francesca then turned toward Valerie. "And you, young lady, be careful out there. I can only ask that you watch over them as well. I wish all of you the best of luck."
Valerie inclined her head respectfully. "Thank you, Madam Francesca."
With that, the group finally departed.
Francesca and Ishtar stood at the entrance, waving as the vintage sedans pulled away from the residence and disappeared down the road.
——
Half an hour later...
Their vehicles eventually arrived at an open area within the Stark Industries distribution facility, where a private jet was already parked and waiting for them.
As Ethan’s group arrived, the others began showing up as well.
Miss Bernadette was already there, fully packed and waiting. She had always been the punctual type.
Hayley and Percival arrived shortly afterward in their own vehicles. Bettie had come along with Hayley, while Aliyah had ridden with Percival. Everyone was already dressed and prepared for the journey.
Percival stepped out of his vehicle and walked over to Aliyah for one final goodbye. He kissed her before they separated, and she wished him and the others a safe journey.
Soon, everyone had gathered around the jet.
Ethan was dressed in his usual black overcoat, while Eduardo wore a neatly fitted three-piece suit. The others were dressed just as appropriately for the journey, their belongings packed and ready to go.
Then, one after another, they boarded the jet, each carrying themselves with their own little airs and graces.
Everyone was seated as Eduardo and Hayley eventually made their way toward the cockpit.
Hayley took one of the seats beside him and smiled. "We meet again, co-pilot."
Eduardo smiled back. "Ready?"
"Ready." She nodded and began checking the controls.
Meanwhile, Ethan turned toward Miss Bernadette. "What about the old man? He said he’d be here."
Bernadette sighed. "Your Father always had a talent for arriving late."
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, a swirling distortion suddenly appeared inside the jet.
A figure emerged from it; Nathan, but he wasn’t alone.
Isabella appeared out alongside him, wearing a warm smile as her eyes immediately found Ethan who smiled back at ber
She walked toward him, and he tapped his thigh, silently gesturing for her to sit.
Isabella took the invitation, settling onto his lap. Ethan crossed an arm around her from behind and they both leaned forward to kiss each other.
Nathan watched the jet’s interior for a moment, looking amazed.
"Impressive." He said, then walked toward the cockpit. "Alright. Let’s go."
Eduardo glanced back and gave him a nod. "Very well."
He began pressing the controls while giving Hayley a few instructions. She immediately followed them, working alongside him as the jet’s systems came fully online.
The engines roared to life and the jet gradually lifted into the sky.
Its landing gear folded neatly into the underside as the engines and thrusters engaged, pushing the aircraft forward and carrying it higher.
They were finally on their way to the Demon Continent.
—————END OF VOLUME THREE————
——
Author’s Note/References & Gentle Reminders:
Vote Bonuses: [99/116]
+2 bonus Chapters added to the queue for reaching 150 tickets
+2 additional bonus Chapters added to the queue for reaching 200 tickets
+4 bonus Chapters for hitting 150 PS in the last two weeks since i posted this
Gifts Bonuses: [13/52]
(Last time this was updated was chp 408, and about 15 bonus were paid back since then)
Road to 250 tickets and hopefully 300 PS THIS WEEK?
————
Ethan’s current summons:
1. Nina Dragonheart (Half Dragon Summon)
2. Albedo (The Sedductress)
3. Arael( Angel summon)
4. Rue (Mrs. Cat Woman)
5. Joe (The Hitman)
6. Bierzim (Old Demon/Gotten from Dante)
7. Xylo (Demon Taint/Assassin who came for Ishtar)
8. Whispering Corridors Of Slow Madness (The Maze)
9. Finn The Shot
10. Andrea Tudor
11. Emperor Nishi Imagawa [Gotten from Lucien, same way Bierzim was gotten from Dante]
12. Casper Novachrono
13. Titania
14. Arthur Pendragon
15. Jenner Hemilton
16. Norman (Dark Nova)
17. The Usurping Hunger
—-
Q/A: What did you like most about this volume? What did you hate? What changes would you like to see? Leave your comments here or on discord.
SEE Y’ALL IN THE DEMON CONTINENT!