Rising god
Chapter 101: Not Even a Goodbye

Chapter 101: Not Even a Goodbye

Baines crossed the threshold of the Darkan gate, his eyes narrowing at the gathered crowd, a mix of nobles, clan members, and curious onlookers. His gaze settled on the figure at the forefront: the 5th Imperial Commander, resplendent in a golden robe emblazoned with five sun stars, the fabric rippling as if kissed by divine light. His hair, a cascade of gold and cream, framed piercing green eyes that marked him as a battle mage of fearsome renown.

Baines’s memory flashed to the last time he saw the commander, his single, cataclysmic strike from the sky. It was a blow that had ended the war in an instant.

Dolik, beside him, froze, whispering, "Shit, 5th Imperial Commander," before bowing deeply. Baines, sensing the gravity, mirrored the gesture, his respect calculated.

"So, you are Jin," the commander said, his voice cutting through the murmurs, the first words he’d spoken in days. Reports had labeled Baines a mid-6th star, but the aura before him pulsed at high-6th-star strength, a discrepancy that piqued the commander’s interest.

Baines nodded, his attention shifting to the Darkan Head, who stepped forward, his voice tinged with formality. "Ah, yes, the family wishes to express our gratitude for your service. As a token..." A servant approached, presenting a parchment and two leather-bound tomes, their covers etched with runes. "These books, from the 5th floor of our library, though, cannot match your contributions, but we hope they serve you well."

The moment took on the air of an award ceremony, the crowd watching in hushed reverence. The Darkan Head continued, "From today, you are dispatched to the capital to serve the empire directly. Once again, thank you for your service."

"..." Baines remained silent, his face a mask as he faced the imperial commander. ’The Darkans have served their purpose. Now, it’s your turn, Emperor.’ His voice was steady. "I’m ready."

The commander’s brow lifted. "Aren’t you going to say goodbye? Surely you’ve made connections here." He didn’t want to think that Baines didn’t make even a friend here.

"Soldiers don’t say goodbye," Baines replied, echoing his earlier words to the Darkan Head: Soldiers don’t have a choice.

’This boy...’ The commander’s gaze lingered, reading the fury coiled within Baines.

The Darkan Head, moved by the words, felt a pang of guilt but remained silent.

"Come," the commander said, raising a hand. Magic enveloped Baines, lifting him into the sky as the Sun Destroyer materialized itself.

The vessel fully materialized, its immense form blotting out the sun. Nearly as vast as the Darkans’ ancestor dragon, its rune-carved hulls gleamed with arcane power, cannons poised to unleash devastating sun beams.

As soon as Baines saw it, his eyes glowed. The vessel was almost as large as the ancestor dragon of the Darkans. ’I want this, Eye, when we get on it, scan it and show me.’ Just seeing it was giving him ideas on how to use it. The danger he was sensing from this piece of metal was on another level.

Below, the crowd wrestled with conflicting emotions.

The guests had watched the whole situation from the beginning, but Baines didn’t even look at them. It was like they were invisible. And as for the Darkan members, they were experiencing what he did the day he left the Last Front. The fact that he didn’t look back or even thank them spoke loudly.

Some frowned in anger at the audacity, others were solemn, and a few didn’t care. They had used him, and he was leaving after taking them to the top; they won’t forget his works, but if he leaves, he leaves.

Tasha broke the tension by stepping forward. "After everything, you won’t even look at us?" Her shout startled the crowd, whispers rippling.

Were they close? All eyes turned skyward, awaiting a response, but Baines remained impassive, the Sun Destroyer’s hull sealing with a resonant clang.

Aires, frowning, moved to console Tasha, her eyes glistening. ’Why’s he so cruel?’ A simple acknowledgment would have sufficed.

The Darkans watched the vessel ascend. Their pride had been wounded by Baines’s indifference.

...

’This boy cares for nothing,’ the commander concluded.

From gestures to his emotions, he didn’t care to look at the Darkan he had spent some months with. They say war brought men closer; however, for Baines, it was like, and so?

"It’ll take four days to reach the capital, you can do what you want in the meantime," The imperial commander said and left him in the hands of his secretary.

"Sir Jin, follow me," the secretary said, her tone professional. She guided him through the Sun Destroyer’s labyrinthine corridors. Rooms bustled with cooks, soldiers, medics, and control masters; basically, this vessel was a self-sustaining organization and all subordinates of the 5th imperial commander. Eventually, they reached a compact compartment, its walls sleek with embedded panels.

"Food will be brought here, and if you need anything, please press that button; someone will attend to you." With that, she left.

’It seems in this vessel, Wick won’t be able to sneak in,’ He nodded once again. One way or the other, he would get his hands on this vessel.

He lay on the bed and closed his eyes, ’Eye, transfer everything you can on techniques within these four days, and don’t forget to scan this destroyer.’

That was how he slept through his whole stay.

...

The secretary navigated to the control center, a vast chamber dominated by a throne-like seat on a raised platform, surrounded by consoles manned by control staff. The commander looked up. "What did he say?"

"He’s been asleep since arrival. He hasn’t even taken his food," she reported in a neutral tone.

’Hmm,’ The main reason they had brought Baines through the Sun destroyer was to entice him. Let him see a taste of what he would experience if he continued accumulating achievements, but it had already been three days, and he hadn’t done anything other than sleep.

"Let’s keep watching," He said, and she nodded and left.

***

On the fourth day, they had arrived.

In the center of the Solaris Empire, the capital of the land of the sun, Zorath. The last name of the sun god was used as the capital name. That way, no one would forget his name.

The capital was a stark difference from a place like Darkan. People wearing cleaner and luxurious clothes passed by the paved and clean roads, with expensive and luxurious buildings at each corner. Almost everyone who passed here looked like a noble.

Then amidst it all, a golden palace spanning hundreds in meters was parched. The building almost seemed divine. This was the Sun palace. The home of the emperor.

Baines’s eyes opened as the vessel touched down, a glint of clarity in his gaze. ’We’ve arrived.’ He rose, his mind sharp despite days of dormancy.

It was time for another beginning.