"Where is your Main Body?"
The Clone, who was currently reviewing documents on Earth, suddenly heard a familiar voice. It was the great Ancient One who had arrived. She carefully observed the Clone in front of her, sensed the difference between the Clone and the Original Body, and immediately understood that this was a Clone created by Artoria using that special energy. This Clone was unique because it had a physical form, yet it wasn't as strong as the Main Body. The Ancient One, knowing Artoria's strength, easily realized that the 'Artoria' before her was not the Original Body.
"The Main Body has already left Earth aboard the hyperion."
The Clone hesitated before speaking to the Ancient One. After all, she was a figure of great importance, and this matter could not be concealed from her. The Clone honestly revealed Artoria's whereabouts. As for Artoria's destination, she would let the Ancient One guess!
"Honestly, you girl, it's so dangerous out there. I don't know what to say to you people, but I suppose 'A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger.' You cannot possibly imagine the crises in the Universe."
The Ancient One shook her head and sighed as she spoke to the Clone. Only she was truly qualified to say such things. Knowing the future, the Ancient One understood the dangers ahead. Even now, if she hadn't led the Kamar-Taj Sorcerers to resist foreign enemies, Earth would have long become a battlefield for major powers and a meal for those Demon Gods.
"Is there anything you need here today, Teacher Ancient One?"
Since she had once been her Teacher, it was normal for the Clone to call the Ancient One 'Teacher.' Although she had been lectured for no clear reason, the Ancient One had at least said those words out of concern for Artoria. If it had been anyone else, she would have first beaten their Soul out of them, silently waited for the other party to stop arguing, and then talked to them.
"I only came here today for one reason: this sword. It is time for it to return to its Master. Have your Main Body come back to unseal and open it, or else a riot will occur."
Hearing the Clone's question, the Ancient One stopped sighing about youthful impulsiveness. She reached out, and a golden circle appeared above the desk in front of the Clone. It grew larger and larger, and a lavishly decorated long box dropped from the golden circle, crashing heavily onto the desk in front of the Clone.
After the golden circle disappeared, the Ancient One quietly stared at the box and spoke to the Clone. She had deliberated for a long time. Initially, she didn't plan to give it to Artoria so soon, but the sudden riot of powers inside Earth recently made her feel uneasy. She was afraid of unexpected situations, so she prepared to give the Holy Sword to Artoria ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, Artoria was not on Earth right now, so she gave the Holy Sword directly to the Clone to deliver to Artoria. She hoped that the bad feeling was just an illusion, and that the future she saw at the kabbalah tree of life was merely one possibility.
She truly didn't know whether giving the Holy Sword to Artoria was right or wrong. If, in the future, Artoria really used this Holy Sword to cleave the Earth open, then she herself would be considered one of the accomplices in destroying the world.
"This is...?"
Although the Ancient One had explained clearly, speaking so much information at once required time for anyone to process. The Clone only understood that this was a sword, and that the Ancient One wanted the Main Body to come back to touch the seal. Why did the Main Body need to come back? What kind of unspiritual Divine Artifact was this? Why don't you fly back to your Master yourself, trash!
"You will understand naturally once Artoria opens it."
After giving this instruction, the Ancient One immediately opened a golden Hula Hoop... cough, cough! After leaving those words, the Ancient One instantly vanished, not giving the Clone any chance to ask questions. After the Ancient One left, the expensive office desk made a crack, crack! sound and broke in half. This was caused by the heavy impact of the long box, demonstrating the object's weight and the height from which it dropped.
"Leaving a mess for me—you are truly naughty, Sorcerer Ancient One."
Seeing the Ancient One leave, the clone squatted on the ground and poked the box sealed by the Ancient One with her finger, silently grumbling. Little did the clone know, a small golden ring had opened behind her head, and a hand emerged, inconspicuously swatting toward the back of the clone's head. Although the clone sensed something was wrong and tried to dodge, she was unfortunately not as fast as the other party.
"Smack~!"
Although the force wasn't heavy, the sound was quite loud. The clone didn't dissipate, but having not expected the Ancient One to pull such a stunt, she could only rub the spot where she was hit. Fine! She didn't dare speak anymore. Calling her a'stingy person' in her heart, the clone began to clean up the mess on the ground. She was a heartless clone, a clone who couldn't complain even when being disciplined.
"Are we really going to do that? Maximus."
"Call me King, kid. If I didn't need a witness to history, I would have controlled you long ago. I, Maximus, am destined to become the King of the Inhumans. That throne must be mine."
The thin youth personally witnessed this deal between the 'King' and those warmongers, the Kree. After the Kree left, the youth questioned Maximus. Once this plan begins, many Inhumans will die, and who knows how many Inhuman families living in peace will be destroyed.
"Conveniently, the visitors from Earth have drawn my foolish brother's attention. I must take advantage of this plan to make my move and force my foolish brother to give up the throne that belongs to me."
An evil smile appeared on his face, but one could tell his name was Maximus, the younger brother of the current King of the Inhumans, Black Bolt. However, from his alternating moments of calm and madness, it was clear that his mental state was unstable—commonly known on Earth as 'crazy'. From his words, his ability was also clear: he could actually control others. But like a typical villain, he just had to leave a 'witness' to see how he ascended the throne.
"Come! It is time for the Inhumans to welcome their new King."
Easily kicking the angry youth aside, Maximus raised his hands to the line of people standing behind him and cheered. A twisted smile appeared on his face; he had finally waited for the opportunity to march toward the throne once again. Why say 'again'? Because he had tried this dozens of times before, all failing because they were minor skirmishes. But now he was not afraid, with the help of the Kree and the specialized equipment he made to deal with Black Bolt.
And with that mysterious Earthling helping to distract everyone, Maximus felt for the first time that the Goddess of Luck was by his side, that he was someone favored by the Goddess of Luck. This time, he would surely take the throne that belonged to him, because the Goddess of Luck was on his side.
"Ahhahahaha~!"
With a wide, triumphant grin, Maximus's laughter echoed throughout the entire secret Base.
"What's wrong, Sister Angela?"
Crystal, who was about to continue the tour with Artoria, asked curiously as she saw Artoria suddenly stop.
"It's nothing. I just felt like I was being targeted by some idiot."
The chill passed, and Artoria spoke to Crystal with a smile. Although she didn't know what was happening, she felt like something was about to occur, though it didn't seem like a particularly big deal. Since she was on someone else's turf, it was better not to meddle too much. She'd finish the tour and leave in a couple of days. She was also fed up with the Inhuman diet; how could anyone eat meals without meat? She wanted meat. Fortunately, there was a large supply stored on the hyperion. If meat ran low, she'd have the clones use 'Heavenly Transfer Technique' to send some over. Although it might turn into meat paste, couldn't it still be used for dumplings?
Having made up her mind, Artoria followed Crystal to continue their sightseeing.
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