Unlimited Power 03: The Sinful Ruler

"Wow… and when I thought you couldn't have become even creepier," Lana said while frowning. "If anything, I would be the elder sister. Your high and mighty attitude proves that."

"The fact that you worry about that only shows how much immature you still are," Jake said.

"I see… so you see her as a little sister," Louise said. "I guess that does make sense."

"Don't think too much about this," Jake said. "It is just a small feeling that I have, and It isn't like I don't gain anything in exchange. Pissing off someone like Lana is a good way to kill time."

When Jake stopped talking, he noticed the eyes of the kiddos in the group on him. They were the youngest ones of the group, so perhaps they were waiting to be pampered like younger siblings. They had no idea that things didn't work like that… it wouldn't be as fun to mess with them as it was with Lana.

"You look awfully relaxed, considering how mad you got last night," Karina said.

"I am not an example of how to live a good life, kiddo," Jake said. "But even I know that you won't go far if you let the problems of life get you down for long. You should get angry when you feel angry instead of carrying that weight for who knows how long."

"That seems like the advice of someone emotionally unstable," Karina said.

"That is why I said that I am not a good example," Jake said.

"Jake, do you want to spar a little?" Luke asked. "I want to practice what I learned last night. That Justin guy sure put me in a bad spot with his speed."

"No, I don't want to. This might be… never mind," Jake stopped before he could say that it could be the last time he would have some peace and quiet. "You guys have mentioned him a bunch of times, but isn't he just a fast cockroach?"

"He endured the attack of one of Louise's thunderbolts, even if it was a weak one… it was enough even to kill giants," Julian said.

"So, he has a bit of endurance as well," Jake said. "The guild masters had some sin skills when I defeated them, but it seems that they got new ones that boost the parameters of their allies tremendously."

"It is an area of effect skill that doesn't consume mana… Frederick decided to call ruler skills since the groups had different types of skills due to the guild masters," Louise said.

"What do you know about that, Virgilius?" Jake asked.

"I don't have any observation data since they escaped before we arrived, and they didn't leave traces either," Virgilius replied.

"Well, as long as the leaders are killed, the others will go down easy, so nothing to it," Jake said.

"You look awfully calm considering that you are going to decrease the number of your species that much," Arilene said.

"We all already died once, we weren't supposed to exist here, so our deaths won't change much," Jake said. "It seems that we have been brought here to deal with the shadow since it was a problem from our universe, but since we already failed once, the pressure isn't that high… in fact, few people know the severity of the situation since only a handful o guys were alive back then."

"I suppose it is better to act like this instead of just letting fear control you all," Arilene said when she looked around and saw their somber faces.

"Anyway, I am glad that this group is back again and even bigger than before," Louise said and sat down on the ground to relax as well. Karina, Julian, Arilene, and Virgilius also joined us, and I feel even more confident than before."

"You also consider myself a part of this group?" Virgilius asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't you be?" Louise asked.

"Because I am just a tool, and my body is just a massive spaceship," Virgilius said.

"If you are helping us, then you are a friend, and that is enough to be a part of this group," Louise said. "... That being said, you are truly a robot or something?"

"He is between a robot, an AI, and a homunculus, I guess," Jake replied.

"Now I am curious to see him," Lana said.

"Virgilius, send some of the jetpacks and the uniforms that can withstand space," Jake said. "You guys can go and give me a few moments of peace."

The group left and then returned after a couple of hours. They looked as impressed and as surprised as they could be.

"What about you, commander?" Virgilius asked. "You also consider me a part of this group?"

"Don't get all sentimental on me…" Jake said and then sighed. "Let's just say that you are as annoying as Lana but slightly more useful."

"I see. If you think that highly of me, in comparison to someone you treat like a younger sister, then I am truly proud of being part of this crew," Virgilius said.

"Yeah, keep raising the death flags and move them wildly from one side to the other with all your might," Jake said. "Now I regret saying something so…"

"Don't let that bother you, commander," Lana said. "Instead of that, we should get some rest since we are going to move at first light."

"Ish," Jake said.

"Yes… first light-ish," Lana said and then sighed.

The group was extremely relaxed, even though such an important Battle that would determine the destiny of all of them was going to take place. Still, the mood wasn't that tense, so it was only natural that they wouldn't feel like that. Besides, they felt almost invincible while working together. The last time they did it, even all the monsters of a dungeon break didn't even scratch them, and now, they had even more reinforcements… all of them went to sleep knowing that they would do their best the next day.