There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)
Chapter 555 - 549. Dream Team

Chapter 555: Chapter 549. Dream Team

When the Iron Mountain arrived at the main base, everyone--espers and guides alike--couldn’t help but look at him with awe and nervousness.

People in Trinity had, to some extent, used to the presence of a Saint class because of Bassena. But Bassena was young, and even though he was scary at first, he was rather friendly when they became familiar with him. Furthermore, he had become even softer after Zein’s arrival in his life.

The Iron Mountain, on the other side, had a different aura that not only came from age, but also experience. He was around the same age as the old patriarch of House Horin, but they had completely different gazes and physiques. As someone who was always in the field before, and kept his exercise on the mountain, Tian Yu did not look as if he had taken almost four decades off the field.

Naturally, the ones who were most excited--but turned to be staying still, stunned, and star-struck--were the Iron Shield and the defenders. Even Banner, who was usually reserved, came forward to have a better view.

For the Iron Shield, especially, it was even more special because the Iron Mountain was Alteroan’s teacher, so they couldn’t help but look at him with reverence.

"You did a good job," the old man commented as he took a look around.

"We tried our best," Zein smiled, unknowingly feeling proud.

"You surely aren’t shy about using your money."

Zein smirked and said quietly. "It’s not my money."

"Right, it’s the money of this rascal’s husband," the old man laughed while pointing at Han Joon who was escorting him, startling the people in the main base who were pretending like they weren’t gawking but the stare could easily be felt even without the mighty detection skill. "And what about yours?"

Zein wouldn’t react usually, but for some reason, he felt rather bashful. Perhaps because Tian Yu for him kind of felt like a grandfather, as someone who knew Alteroan--even more than the Iron Shield, if Zein could be honest.

"He’s in the fog field I told you about," Zein replied after clearing his throat.

"Mm, let’s go then."

And just like that, the people in the main base saw the bigshot leaving just five minutes after arrival.

But they had a lot of time to get to know the old man in the future. Bassena and Zein, however, were scheduled to go inside the dungeon as soon as Tian Yu came--and by soon, it meant that night. So they really didn’t have much time--not even for proper greeting and welcome feast.

The old man didn’t mind though; he actually liked it more than the youngsters worked this hard. Besides, spending decades in the mountain by himself, the old man cared little for things like feasts and parties.

"That looked ominous," the old man frowned when he laid his eyes on the curtain of void-like fog.

"It’s the only direct access, unless we can destroy the northwestern mountain range," Bassena said grimly. "But we’ll get through."

"You better."

Bassena glanced at the old man and moved closer, speaking with a quieter voice. "Please don’t help them too much with the fog. The operation manager will come to you when it’s time we need your power."

The old man raised his brow slightly, but soon smiled beneath his beard. From Bassena’s firm and sincere gaze, he could see that it wasn’t an attempt to not let outside involved. It was purely to make sure that the espers--who needed to be more powerful than their current state--weren’t getting carried by a stronger esper.

It was why Bassena did not come inside the fog himself. He wouldn’t be there from tomorrow onward, perhaps until they found a path from the dungeons to the fog field. They had to be able to operate without him as the Commander, so he had been letting Naoya take charge of the operation for the past three days.

"I agree," the old man nodded, acknowledging Bassena’s intent. "Is it that one; the archer?"

"Yes," Bassena smiled. Naoya had been doing a good job leading despite it being his first time, just like his older sister in the Borderland base. "Ah, I still hope you’ll give some pointers to our defenders, though."

"...but I wouldn’t be able to get them, then..." Cohen muttered quietly behind Zein, sounding a little bit sullen.

How rare--Zein chuckled. He didn’t know this man could act like this.

"You’re the one who will be guarding Zein in this...dungeon hopping thing?" the old man glanced at the brokenhearted defender. "Worry not, I’ll give you a private lesson if you protect him properly."

Cohen flinched, perked up, and then tried hard to hide his excitement by keeping his head low--making it seem like he was bowing endlessly.

"That being said," the old man shifted his gaze to Zein. "Do take care of yourself."

He came far from the northern border because of Zein, but he could only meet his almost-disciple’s son for a few hours before...who knew when they would see each other again?

"I’m all about survival," Zein shrugged. And while it was a wobbly settlement before, it was particularly true now that he decided to look forward to his future.

As a lover and a patriarch, his life did not belong to just himself anymore.

"Just keep that in mind," the old man patted Zein’s back, holding back his sigh.

Even for a veteran like him, this moving from dungeon to dungeon sounded crazy. Especially since he had yet to get used to the idea of guides placing themselves in the middle of danger. He understood its benefit, however, and why it was imperative in the Deathzone.

It wasn’t just the old man who was worried. Senan, who kept cursing himself for not climbing the tower higher, was almost in tears. He trusted Cohen, of course, but he wouldn’t be able to rest well if he wasn’t there himself. Still, what could he do?

There was also someone who could come along, but also...couldn’t.

Radia, who came a bit later, was staring at Han Joon wordlessly. Angrily. The ex-soldier, with a temporary borderland unit’s contract in his pocket, chuckled as he tried to appease his husband.

"I know you still look cute even when you sulked, but can’t you smile for me, darling?" the man said while stroking the summoner’s cheeks, before kissing the stiff lips.

Han Shin almost got a heart attack seeing his ’stoic’ older brother acting all flirty and sweet.

Apparently, the others were too. Even Zein, who had witnessed some of Han Joon’s hidden side before.

"I’m going to chain you to the bed after this is all over," Radia hissed.

"Oh, don’t you worry--I’ll put the cuff myself," the ex-soldier let out a low laugh. "Keep missing me while I’m gone."

"Is eleven years not enough?" Radia grumbled and clicked his tongue, before sighing in acceptance. "Just go."

Han Joon smiled and kissed the back of Radia’s hand for the last time, before stepping back to fix his new combat gear--not the military one he used to have, but something Radia carefully prepared himself, including a pair of new wires.

Despite feeling pissed about it, the summoner couldn’t just send his husband in without the best equipment there was. His rationality told him that yes, Han Joon’s stealth was needed for the dungeon operation, but his heart was crushed at the thought of not seeing the man for weeks...probably months.

Alright--he understood why Han Shin would whine so much about being away from Reina.

He took a deep breath and looked at the small, but probably the mightiest lineup. Bassena and Zein, obviously; Han Shin who finally fulfilled his dream of fighting alongside his dear brother Han Joon; Cohen as the team’s and Zein’s defender, Ashur who had grown bored of staying in the Castle, Jock who was in charge of miscellaneous things, and an addition that Radia borrowed from his grandmother; a five-star support magician that had been working for House Mallarc for nearly two decades.

A team consisted of a Saint class, five-star espers, and a Saint candidate guide. Even Tian Yu didn’t think he could win against this team.

Still, no one was complacent enough to think they could take the Fallen Star just with this team.

"Go, and keep in mind that your safety comes first," Radia gave his farewell. The crimson eyes did not blink as the back of his husband was getting swallowed by the gate. He only let out a stuttered breath once the mana fluctuation from the gate stabilized, letting himself become vulnerable for a few seconds.

"You... seem more humane than what the public thinks," Tian Yu glanced at the summoner.

Radia closed his eyes for a second before chuckling bitterly. "The public prefers their stocks’ guardian to be capable rather than humane," he said. "And honestly, I’d rather become capable than humane."

The old man scoffed, but he did not refute the cold truth. People loved the idea of a compassionate leader, but in the end, they would smite such a person when failure struck. At the end of the day, people like Radia Mallarc--who could judge loss and benefit with a cold, capable mind--were needed.

"Alright," Radia clapped his hands and turned to look at the other executives in charge of each base and operation--minus those in the ship. "Let’s do our best from this side."

"Yes, Sir!"

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