New Game+

Chapter 459 – Garenjazz’s Conflict

The appearance of his grandmother and Zoe in this strange space made Seeker cautious.

"Do you sense him?" Seeker asked the Adult. But surprisingly, the Adult didn't reply!

Seeker took hints from the silence of the Adult and believed that the enemy could be in this very space, and there was a possibility that even his thoughts were being read. All he could do was keep lying.

"Grandma. What are you doing here? And how?"

"Well, you know how some of the Progenitor's allies are worried of you. Well, worry is not the right term, to be exact. They are concerned about your plans. So they sent me in here to spy on you. But I had to blow my cover when I sensed a strange power reaching out for you."

"Yes. This Zoe is one of my souls sent in by the Progenitor. What happened?"

"I… I don't know. I saw a man and the next thing I know, I'm here with you. And… Grandma? Is this part of the attack? Anyway, Seeker! Be careful!" Zoe warned.

Garenjazz watched from the background and sighed. He could sense a strange power locking into him and knew that this 'Zoe' was Shakstress.

"Damn it. Just when I was enjoying the scene…" Garenjazz sighed and stepped forward.

His appearance caused the rest to react.

"Hello." Garenjazz greeted.

"Now, who is this young fellow? Is this still part of your wet dream?" Granny frowned and turned to Seeker.

This time both Seeker and Garenjazz gave an exasperated sigh.

"Granny…" Both of them expressed.

"I'm the person who was trying to spy in the dreams of little Seeker. But… as it turns out, this Progenitor of yours seemed to have made protocols to prevent me from spying on him. Not to mention, it seems there are other spies around. This gives me the impression that the team of the Progenitor isn't as united as it seems…" Garenjazz observed the old lady with a curious look.

"That's some strange power. That's not your soul. It's like you managed to create a link directly into the mind of someone else…"

"Whoever you are, get out! My father will-"

"Spare me the threats, kid. This is just payback for those two who your father probably sent. Still, by the looks of it, your dad just wanted to see my form. So I guess it's not really threatening. But anyway, while I can't force out any more details from you, this little mission of mine has proven its worth. I'm here to inform you that I'm the ward of Zeraphine."

"Ward?"

"As in guardian. Well, you might have noticed, or father might have noticed that little Princess Zeraphine is… a bit special among Presiders."

"Is her father a Principal?" Seeker asked randomly.

"A Prime."

Seeker was stunned as he heard those words.

"A Prime?"

"Yes. So, please forgive me when I came snooping around to check out what kind of relationship she and you have. I still have my duties, after all. I don't want Prime Zephirus to punish me. Although there were no clear instructions on how I am to act if Zeraphine falls in love… Frankly, I never expected this to happen. I was prepared to see a harem of famous young celebrity around her, and here she is, sticking her heart out to one person."

"Who is this Prime Zephirus?"

"What's there to say? He's a Prime! Ask your father."

"…She never told me."

"She hates her father. It's complicated. Look, I know that a Presider War is happening, but frankly, I don't want to get entangled in any nets of war. At least not yet. So, please tell your father to leave me be. At least for now. You could say that I'm scared of him considering the rather unique means to communicate with granny over there."

"Oh, please stop. You're making an old woman like me blush." Granny chuckled.

"In any case, Seeker. It seems my mission here is a failure, and I have to apologize to those sponsors who asked me to spy on you, but your life is more important. I'm sure even they agree. You haven't had dreams about the Lost Primordial, have you?"

"Do you see that succubus coming in my dreams? I haven't. I've completed the training, Grandma. I wasn't just guarded against this guy." Seeker frowned.

"I'm just asking. You haven't been visiting me ever since this whole thing started."

"Grandma, you know I'm busy."

"Yeah… I'mma take my leave now. I don't think I should stay and listen to this conversation. We'll talk outside in our real bodies." Garenjazz sighed and moved away.

Seeker then turned towards Zoe and gave a meaningful glance.

Zoe nodded.

"I'll walk you out, kind sir." Zoe chased after Garenjazz.

"So cautious…" Garenjazz sighed and opened a strange portal towards another realm.

As the two walked out, they were once more in the memories of Shakstress, and the planet Aragar was once more shown.

"How have you hidden this from the boy?"

"Well, the Progenitor made it look like he's just instilling another soul inside of him, and I simply demanded privacy as a woman. The others agreed. Especially Greg. He's an idiot."

"How strong is this woman claiming to be the Lost Primordial? I believe I met her in my dreams."

"Ah… That bitch. I hate her. She's strong. So strong that the Progenitor is actually afraid of her. They have some sort of a peace treaty now between them. Both sides know each other and would consider each other the lesser threat. Compared to the coming Presiders. So they decided to go on a little agreement. So it may even seem that both of them are helping each other in the fights ahead. I think the Progenitor would rank you only second in might for Presiders here on Earth. Funny, isn't it? A human Presider is actually the most dangerous one in the Progenitor's eyes." Shakstress laughed.

"You really accepted your fate here… How sad."

"I have already lost, Garenjazz. What is a Conqueror if she has lost?"

"… Fair enough. Then I bid you goodbye, Shakstress."

"Garenjazz. Did you know about the curse of the Primordial?"

Garenjazz paused and turned towards Shakstress.

"What curse?"

"Figures that you wouldn't know. When I lost my body and was considered by all accounts as dead, I felt the great release. The bindings and curses that urge all Aragarians to climb the ladder as a Conqueror or flee from the wrath as a coward was released."

"What do you mean, curse? Theres no curse."

"The longer I spent my time here, the more I believed it. The Progenitor and the one masquerading as the Lost Primordial was able to secure various legacies from the real Lost Primordial. But there is a difference between the two. That woman claiming to be the Lost Primordial is an Earthling, while the Progenitor is an Aragarian. So he is bound by this curse. But in their battles, both sides realized something. The Progenitor is driven by something. There was a conflict within him which he resolved right before you guys arrived. You see, the Progenitor is a Conqueror. I'm sure you figured that out. But now, he conquers not out of the desire to win the Prime Wars or out of cowardice to flee from it. He wants to stop it." Shakstress smiled.

"Stop the Prime Wars?"

"That's probably what the original Lost Primordial wanted. He doesn't want to ascend to the highest heavens and explore all dimensions. He is rather content with what he has. And frankly, even we Presiders who have a very minuscule chance of even winning the Prime Wars should statistically not bother or desire to fight in the Prime Wars. Why are we driven with the same desire to ascend and see something we have no hopes of seeing? Have you ever thought of that? You guys are still under a curse. Well, I'm sorry for telling you this. But I liked you as a Presider. Eccentric, brash, and cool. If we weren't under the curse of being Conquerors, I would have settled and pursued you to be my husband." Shakstress laughed.

Garenjazz smiled.

"Why, thank you! Honestly, you do look amazing and rank number fourth among the Presiders I lust after!" Garenjazz approved.

"Anyway, nice discussion, Shakstress. Fascinating theory, though. See you around."

"Well, you've killed your share of Aragarians. How many of them had the same reactions as I did? Did they share of how sweet a release from their burdens their death was?"

Garenjazz suddenly froze at Shakstress's statements. It was the first time he felt it. A conflict within himself. Something wasn't right, and his zone could feel it.

"Oh? Struck a nerve, did I? I wonder. Which one of us truly is free. Me? I'm employed and honestly thankful I can still draw breath if whatever this is called breathing. But you… you are still a slave to your nature. Pitiful. I am freer than you, Garenjazz."

"Goodbye, Shakstress. May we never see each other again.." Garenjazz departed moved his soul out of the area.