Albert was shocked.
It wasn't because the friend that everyone considered dead for the last five years had returned as if he had just gone out to shop for groceries, that wasn't surprising at all.
The rest of it, was what surprised him.
He had first heard of the traitors. That wasn't that shocking either, though the confirmation did hurt a little. Before Eugene, there wasn't a method for them to escape the monstrous senses of people like the Elf King and the Vampire Progenitor, but with his return it was an easily solved matter.
The Elf King was clean.
The Vampire Progenitor wasn't. If that wasn't enough, almost more than half of the Hallopara, the world where the vampire progenitor and his vampires, zombies, and spectres lived, was all completely compromised to the Outer Gods.
It wasn't that shocking, it was a matter of fact.
That Eugene had kidnapped the Outer God he was planning to get for himself and was currently using it to send transmissions to the other Outer Gods and tipping them off on where to attack wasn't that bad either.
Currently, the Vampire Progenitor and everyone from Hallopara had returned back to their world under different pretexts. But it was clear already what was the reason.
Eugene, dressed as Retro Builder, emitting the same presence that the Outer Gods did, had told that traitorous bastard that Hallopara was one world they wouldn't attack. Of course, Retro Builder, being controlled by Eugene, had told the Outer Gods first and foremost that Hallopara was the place they absolutely HAD to attack.
This still wasn't shocking, Albert would have done the same. And any way, Eugene had always been smart and decisive when it came to work. It was natural that he would cut off rotting branches and do so sincerely.
Sincerely.
He was a good person, a good leader. Someone who handled things properly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAlbert remembered well the amount of work Eugene had put in to take down the Duchy of Fonias and eventually take over the East, even his speeches in Hell and in Apollon were all revised multiple times over in Albert's own presence to give the most impact possible.
Then why.
Why, after asking Albert to gather the top 10 rankers in the Worlds Alliance and the other important folks.
Why was that guy being carried over to the place on Luka's back as he dozed off?
Albert stood tall in a large clearing behind the village of the Dark Moon. People had to be avoided, but this place didn't have to be a secret against the ones gathered here anymore.
"What is this all about, Albert Pinot?" Asked the king of the elves, the second ranked person in the entire Worlds Alliance. His long ears stuck out while his cold, regal gaze stared Albert down.
His every breath was that of a ruler, and his young and beautiful visage that just pushed the feeling further ahead.
"Well, I have informed you of the Vampire Progenitor's betrayal and the measures we are taking."
He had. After all, not only was Luka bringing in Eugene on his back, he was also bringing him in late. Late as fuck.
Now that the Vampire progenitor had left, they were going to close the portal leading to Hallopara from all the worlds and have this matter dealt with in a very quick and efficient sweep.
"This is about the rest of it, in the next four days, the Outer Gods will attack truly."
"How do you know that?" Asked Han Jun Ho, the man standing at the back of the group with his arms crossed. He just had to turn around to see Luka and Eugene, and while they may have sensed Luka, Eugene was currently as silent as a corpse.
"We have instigated it ourself," It was Lethe who answered instead of Albert. He sighed a little at his senior's intervention. Controlling this group was child's play a while back, but with Eugene around, he had to be careful of many things.
Albert usually knew what was going on in Eugene's head, usually.
"Instigated it?"
This time it was Bael's turn to speak, all the while most of them reacted, but only the one called the strongest, Rathnaar, remained pensive.
Albert's eyes kept fluttering to that guy too. He was extremely kind, but also extremely unpredictable.
And his strength was no joke, Albert had seen things with his own eyes.
Maybe a little worse than the display that Eugene had given them? It was possible.
"With the captive?" Mamon asked. "What was its name, Retro something?"
Albert nodded.
"How could you even converse with an Outer God? It's impossible!"
Yvas added on. Out of everyone here, Bael and Yvas, along with Kaiser and Lushan were the ones who knew the worst of the Outer Gods.
Their worries were clearly understandable.
"It should be," Albert sighed, placing a hand on his head. "But not for that guy."
All of them turned back.
"Luka Rune?" Charlotte muttered.
"Nope, the one on his back."
Still dozing off, Eugene was dropped over to the ground by Luka. Even after such an impact, he did not wake up. Was he sleep deprived or something?
All of their eyes widened.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMost of them had not noticed Eugene.
Even Rathnaar who was just watching this entire time opened one eye and stared at Eugene.
"Who is this now?" The Elf King asked.
Thankfully, there was no need for Albert to explain.
"That is!" Lushan yelped.
"E-Eugy!?" And Kaiser exclaimed back. "Eugene Hall?!"
"Haaaahm~"
Eugene suddenly sat up and stretched this hands above his head. He wiped his eyes and looked around himself.
"Morninggg…hmmm. I drank too much…"
Kaiser rushed to Eugene Hall and grabbed his shoulders. "Eugene!? Is it really you, Eugene!?"
Eugene, still sleepy, shook under his hand for a while before snapping his eyes wide open.
"Kai...?"
"Eugy!!"
"KAI!!"
"EUGY!!"
Kaiser, in a burst of joy, wrapped his hands around Eugene's back in a tight embrace.
"Hmf. Can't… Uwaaak!"
And Eugene puked all over his back.