Inside the Auburn's private plane, Zold saw a beautiful brown-haired woman sitting on one of the seats.
Noticing his presence, Maria shifted her gaze, smiling sweetly.
"You're here."
Zold gave a brief nod and took the seat beside her.
"Let's go."
"Sure."
Maria smiled faintly, not minding his indifference. She raised her hand and pressed a button on the armrest.
"Ashkal Region, please."
After a while, the plane rose into the air.
As the two sat beside each other, Maria glanced at Zold, seeing his indifferent and calm appearance.
His eyes were closed, head resting against the chair.
Her mind couldn't help but fly back to their conversation last night, remembering how much she embarrassed herself.
Although she was extremely disappointed by his response, it was indeed true that it was none of her business.
'Still… isn't he going to clarify things?'
Maria was upset, glaring at Zold.
The longer the silence stretched on, the more she believed he was simply going to sleep the whole ride!
It was one thing for him not to clarify, but he wasn't even going to speak to her?!
'... I'm not ugly, am I?'
Maria couldn't help but doubt herself, feeling depressed.
She was very well aware of her appearance; at least, she hadn't seen anyone more beautiful than her, only equal and inferior.
Yet, she was sitting next to him, and he didn't even snatch a few glances.
It was as if Maria were a mere passenger in an airplane he just rode.
"... But that means he doesn't care about looks, right?" She muttered under her breath.
While that comforted her, it made her doubt her confidence a little.
'How childish!'
Maria sighed. Ever since she acquired that second talent, she had become more and more childish.
She shook her head, shifting her attention back to Zold.
'But Zold… he's not really planning to sleep the entire ride, is he?!'
Thinking of this, she grumbled to herself before opening her mouth.
"... How have you been?" Maria asked softly, then chuckled. "It's only been a couple of days, but you already have a few kids."
But immediately after she said that, she couldn't help but regret it.
'What if he gets angry again?!'
But contrary to her expectations, Zold answered her without batting an eyelid.
"It's nothing,"
It was clear that he didn't want to talk about it any further.
Maria felt glum but didn't show it outwardly. She shifted the topic.
"The Global Summit is coming in two weeks. Are you ready?" She asked, humming.
"I'm okay," Zold said. "You should worry more about yourself. You've been busy lately, right? How's your strength?"
"Huh?" Maria was bewildered, but still answered. "It's okay. It's just a matter of accumulation anyway. I should be able to ascend to the Vital Spark stage before the Global Summit."
Then she paused, thinking of something.
"... All of us should be the same, right?"
Zold didn't answer immediately.
'I was right.'
After a brief pause, he replied vaguely. "Maybe."
Maria was confused, but didn't think too much of it.
Zold changed the topic, asking. "Did any of the others reach out to you?"
"Morgana did," Maria smiled. "She wanted me to form an alliance with her. What do you think?"
"Do what you want," Zold replied. "Since she contacted you, then she probably already reached out to Emperor Ye, Southeastern Wayfarer, and Lofas."
"That's right. We five already formed an alliance." Maria couldn't help but smile wryly, shaking her head. "The Global Summit is going to be our first meeting since we regressed. I'm supposed to be excited, but I don't think that it's going to be like the meetings we had before."
"Naturally." Zold agreed. "We could all cooperate back then since we all shared a common goal and had no conflicting interests. It's hard to tell this time around."
"How troublesome." Maria simply smiled. "But I hope they don't get too far, it's a pity to lose one of them."
He instinctively shifted his gaze to Maria, sensing the coldness in her tone.
"But," Maria paused, then chuckled. "Maybe we're just overthinking it. Besides, when they see you, they should think twice about what they're planning."
Zold simply fell silent.
If that was enough to deter them, then they wouldn't have been part of the fifteen that survived until the end of the calamities.
One thing was for certain.
The upcoming Global Summit was going to determine their relationship as a team.
It was good if nothing happened.
But…
Fifteen of the strongest Awakeners in human history, all with knowledge of the future, scheming against each other.
Perhaps the real Ninety-Ninth Era Ending Calamity was them.
Ashkal Region, Salted White Ridge.
Tall, pointed mountain hills coated with white flakes stretched beyond the horizon.
With the rise of Spiritual Energy, the Salted White Ridge's ethereal beauty became even more apparent.
However, above the mountain peaks, dark unidentified shapes occasionally flitted across the skies, revealing that it wasn't as peaceful as it appeared.
Despite its serene appearance, the Ridge was a near-certain death trap, one of Lunaria's eight high-risk areas.
Outside the Salted White Ridge's entrance, an army was situated, guarding the periphery.
Upon seeing Zold and Maria, the army commander straightened up and saluted.
"Mr. Starks and President Maria! I'm Nautila Damon, the 45th Brigadier General of the nation!"
He looked at the two of them, feeling deeply shaken.
The Grand Awakener of the Awakener's Association!
The President of the Awakener's Association!
Either of them was already enough to command the nation's full attention. But together, they made even a veteran military leader like him feel uneasy.
Maria nodded slightly, smiling gently.
"Thank you. The General should already have informed you about our arrival, right?"
Her soft voice made Nautila pause. For a moment, all the tension in his mind seemed to melt away, as if a warm breeze had swept through his unease.
'President Maria's voice is as pleasant as ever. Why am I being nervous?'
Nautila thought as his mind loosened up. He raised his head and smiled slightly at the two of them.
"Yes, I was informed by the General." He looked at the two of them with a hesitant gaze, then, after a moment, he bowed deeply: "If I may presumptuously request, can I accompany you two inside?"
Maria frowned, her smile suddenly fading.
"Is this the General's idea?"
Nautila felt his heart skip a beat, as though he had committed a grave mistake.
He hurriedly replied: "Yes!"
Maria's gaze lingered on him for a moment. Soon, her gentle, unassuming smile returned.
"Unfortunately, no."
Feeling relieved, Nautila sighed while he kept his head lowered.
"Alright, President Maria. I understand. I apologize again."
"Thank you for understanding. It's okay."
Maria showed a kind smile, making Nautila feel extremely guilty.
She shifted her gaze to Zold and nodded. "Let's go, Zold."
But she discovered that Zold was looking at her quietly.
She tilted her head, confused.
"Is there something wrong?"
Zold shook his head. "No."
'Maybe I'm just imagining things…'
He thought to himself as he walked up to her.
Soon, the two of them entered the Salted White Ridge, disappearing from the army's view.
Nautila stared at the two of them, feeling greatly disappointed.
'It's a pity I couldn't accompany President Maria…'
Then, his adjutant suddenly walked up to him and asked in a hesitant tone.
"Commander, don't you think it was unwise to admit that it was the General's idea…?"
"Hmm…?"
The adjutant's words suddenly made Nautila pause.
But after a brief pause, he shook his head.
'It's fine. President Maria is kind anyway, she wouldn't make it a big deal…'
Nautila thought, smiling slightly.
"It should be okay."