Already on the ship en route to Aesop, the Ringo clone stopped suddenly, not only that, Ringo himself inside Ames was surprised.
Ames felt the fluctuation inside her and asked. -What happened?
-We have a problem.- Ringo sighed.
Ames frowned slightly, a problem at this point might be related to Aesop. -What is it?
-Aesop has disappeared, I can't see him anymore.- Ringo said, confused.
He wasn't predicting anything, but Ringo received a warning from "fate" itself, after all, he was going after Aesop and Aesop's disappearance would greatly change his destiny, which is why he received a passive vision.
-What?! How?! - Ames stood up, his energy fluctuating abnormally, her face covered in surprise and confusion.
Ringo didn't answer at first, but continued thinking until he came to a conclusion, Aesop might have noticed something. -It's probably related to you. I should have stuck to the original plan...- Ringo sighed.
-What do you mean?- Ames asked, frowning.
-Just as I received a warning as soon as Aesop disappeared, he probably received a warning as soon as you disappeared. Aesop may have noticed something and asked for help.- Ringo shrugged.
Ames was quiet for a moment, so it was her fault? Her thin face went through a myriad of emotions before she sighed slightly. She adapted quickly, she had been through this countless times before, from expectation to disappointment. Sometimes she really wanted to punch that old man in the face.
-So, what do we do now?- Ames asked.
Ringo spoke. - We can't change our strategy. If you reappear in his sight, he'll know he was right, but he probably won't withdraw the protection he managed to get. But... Aesop is also the type of guy who wouldn't run away from something so "interesting", so what we should do now is stick to the plan and improvise. At least, for now, both sides are in the dark.
Ames clenched her fists, but didn't disagree, Ringo was right. Even so, Ames cheered up again. She'd done this dozens of times, at least this time she had a real chance.
-Okay.- She agreed, sitting down again, trying to calm down.
Ringo, on the other hand, was thinking about what to do now. Aesop was on a planet, he probably wouldn't leave anytime soon, but with both sides blind, he needed to figure out how to lure the old man out.
Ringo began to remember how Aesop was caught in the original story, and in the end, his eyes gleamed slightly, it seemed they would still have to rely on luck!
Ringo knew he was somewhat lucky, after all, he'd played Wayne Cards when he arrived in the galaxy and won most of the time. But he didn't know exactly how lucky he was, not without comparing himself to someone he knew who possessed exceptional luck.
From what he remembered, Ames had an ability that increased her luck, but it was random, he didn't know if she was lucky at that moment. Even so, Ames should have at least medium luck, which was already very good in the galaxy.
Thoughtfully, he spoke. -Ames, let's play a game of Wayne Cards.
Ames, who had been pensive and frustrated, paused for a moment and could only manage a soft -Huh?
//-//
(Aesop's POV)
Aesop was lying in a beach chair in front of a pool with bright purple "water". This was an extremely tall commercial tower, more precisely a penthouse apartment. The night sky was barely visible due to all the light pollution of the city, if it weren't for the high floor, they would even be affected by the noise pollution.
He was comfortable, drinking wine with Austin, the wine coming straight from his collection, saved for special occasions, drinking with a BGA could be considered such.
-Looks like the game between you two is about to start again.- Austin said in a slightly animated voice. He loved this kind of fun, especially when it involved powerful characters like other BGAs.
Aesop smiled and spoke. -Ames really has a good subordinate, it seems I'll have some difficulty in our future games.
Austin raised an eyebrow and asked. -Black Spider, right? That guy passed by my planet not long ago, if it weren't for Ames' energy, I wouldn't have even noticed.
-Well, I don't know much about him either, but his skills are really good.- Aesop spoke lightly, but inside, he was thinking about Ames and whether Black Spider would be a blessing or a curse for Ames.
Austin seemed not to notice, taking a sip of the wine, his young face nodding firmly, it was a good wine.
-So now that neither of you can see each other, how do you plan to play?- Austin asked.
-I can still see Black Spider, so he'll be my focus. As for Ames, if she shows up, you might cause some trouble.- Aesop shrugged.
Austin smiled, if it were a serious fight, he would never agree, but just to disrupt Ames? That was easy.
Ames had the best relationship with him among the other two BGAs of the Shattered Star Ring, but precisely for that reason, when she was bored, he was her first choice for "training".
Austin didn't care much, but that didn't mean he couldn't "get even" a little now, in any case, Ames wouldn't be in danger and at most she'd get angry with him and provoke him into fighting her again.
Moreover, what Aesop promised was enough to get him excited, for Austin, it not only gave him something for free but also let him "play fun games", which was a truly unexpected joy.
As for tying up Aesop and taking him to Ames? Austin wouldn't do that, not only would he lose something he wanted, but he would also earn the old man's antipathy, even if Ames thanked him and offered him a favor, it was likely that his relationship with her would sour.
Who asked for this father-daughter duo to be so strange? Ames wanted Aesop, but using him as a bargaining chip would irritate her, she was really that stubborn. In the end, Austin knew how to weigh the pros and cons.
in the thoughts of Aesop, if it hadn't been for predicting that Austin wouldn't act against him, he would never have invited the Mage either, so the two reached an agreement easily.
-All right, I can hold Ames for you.- The little boy floated through the air, his cheeks slightly rosy, swinging his little legs with a mischievous smile on his face. - Don't forget your promise!