~January 21, mid morning~

  “Are you sure about this Jet?” Loina asked. Again. For who knew how many million times it's been.

  Jet rolled his eyes. “Yees mother. Don't worry. At the very least, you could trust those Fugio sorcerers, right?”

  Loina nodded, unconvincingly. But there's nothing else she could say.

  Aelius then thought of something. “Perhaps I should station a few sentries around you.”

  “Awh father. I am very grateful for your concern. But that would defeat the purpose. We are trying to trick the Brandrs and the Prism twins here. You staying with me for a week is already highly suspect.”

  Aelius waved his hand. “You don't have to worry about that. I got that covered. Right now, they all thought we were going to Foedus.”

  “Huh? Why would you say that?”

  “Because we're going there after this.” Loina added.

  “Oh…”

  Jet was speechless. He didn't know whether going to Foedus would be a good idea or not. Because he knew why his parents were going there. And he was worried his parents would get tangled up with Doleon, Yurena and Apep.

  That would be lethal!

  “I…don't think investigating my abduction is a good idea. What if it alerted the princes?”

  Aelius and Loina looked at each other, seemingly amused. Then, Aelius burst out laughing. While Loina grinned from ear to ear as she hugged Jet. “Awhhhh, I'm so happy to have such a caring son!” She said.

  “Hahahaha, you brat! Don't think so highly of yourself. We're not going there for you.”

  “You're not?” Jet immediately brightened up. “Then…why would you go there?”

  Loina looked Jet straight in the eyes. “We're going to have a talk with the Stone Bears.”

  “The barbarians? What for?”

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  Aelius smiled. “You've been following me to war meetings for a while. What do you think, son?”

  Jet thought for a bit. Trying to recall his information on the Stone Bears. Hypothesis cannot be made without data.

  From what he can remember, the Stone Bears were a barbarian tribe living in the cavern labyrinth of the mountains. Their country remained nameless, for they couldn't bother with it.

  While the people of their nation lived on the flatland, the Stone Bears preferred the mountain range surrounding their nation. In fact, they could even terraform the inside of the mountain so they could even farm inside the mountain.

  Although they are called barbarians, they do not go and make trouble with other nations in Foedus. They chose to live peacefully in their own land. Too bad that they are constantly harassed by the other nations bordering them.

  Wait. Perhaps that's it.

  “Are you offering the Stone Bears to relocate to Ottilia?” Jet carefully answered.

  Loina clapped enthusiastically. Aelius gave his son a thumbs up. “You really are my son. It is indeed so. The Stone Bears just wanted to live in peace, and we appreciated their strengths. So, who knows. It could be a win-win situation.”

  “...Where would you place them?”

  “The Styx Archipelago.”

  “Wow, brilliant!” Jet nodded. Gaining a strong ally, and strengthening border security at the same time.

  “I can't take credit for it. It was the King's idea. Still, it is as you said. A brilliant plan.”

  Jet smiled. “I wish you a successful and fruitful journey, father and mother.”

  Aelius turned to Ida and the group tasked to guard Jet. “Please take good care of my son.”

  The ten strong unit saluted. “Rest assured Duke General. We will die before anything happens to Lord Jet.”

  Aelius's smile startled them. “Good. I am glad. Tell your Commander I will personally reward all of Helldoor Fortress when I return.”

  Everybody was super pumped up. “Then we wish you a safe return, Duke General!” Ida exclaimed.

  Aelius, Loina and Jet burst out laughing hearing Ida's response.

  ###

  Jet waved to the sky as the Sky Turtle made its way to Foedus.

  “Great! Now's the time for the first mission. Hehehe.”

  When Jet returned to the peak of Ember Hill, his guards were busy with their sparring. Jet decided not to disturb them. Instead, he took a spot not far from them so he could observe.

  “They're so strong!” Jet complimented honestly. If they are judged based on fighting strengths alone, they are on par with those guys at Phoenix Military Complex. Perhaps even stronger.

  Sadly, physical strength is not enough.

  “What a shame!” Jet shook his head. Then he brightened up a little. “Thankfully, Lord Kamiryuu came up with a possible solution. Ooohhh, can't wait to test it out!”

  Observing the way they spar, Jet was intrigued by the different fighting styles of the different elements.

  Fire element core is always full of energy. They have the tendency to drag the battle out. When the opponent is gas out, it will be easier to bring them down.

  Water element core fights with high intensity. Multiple skills are thrown out to the opponents, overwhelming them. The flexibility in their attacks makes it hard to defend.

  Earth element core usually is the healer in battles. But those that do fight, have their strength and robust physical defense to rely on. If that wasn't enough, they are unkillable. Besides using a sure killing move, they can heal from injuries. In short, regeneration.

  Although, they will be a bit of a glutton to replenish themselves.

  Lastly is the wind element core. These guys are precise. Like the bow and arrow they use to fight, they are sharpshooters. Multiple calculations and strategies constantly revolved in their heads so that, regardless of an arrow or a knife, all it would take is one hit to kill.

  “Wow! I only read about this. Actually watching it in action is even more amazing.” Jet said, imagining in his head what it would be like if Lord Kamiryuu's theory came to fruition.

  Finally, the sparring session ended. Well, Jet assumed it ended. Since the wind element Kylo managed to use his wooden arrow to ‘stab’ Ida.

  That's when he noticed Jet watching them. “Hey, it's the little Lord. Hehe, care to join us?”

  Jet rolled his eyes. “You just wanted to bully little kids, brother Kylo.”

  “Pfft, what little kid?! Your strength is almost on the same level as this monster Ida here.”

  Everybody nodded.

  “Hehehe, maybe next time. Although…there's something I need to ask your help for.”

  Jet's wicked smile causes all eight of them to shudder involuntarily. “Help with what?”

  “Lend me your energy cores. I want to test something out.”

  All eight of them looked amongst themselves. In their heads, they were only thinking about one thing.

  Had their little Lord gone crazy?