System's POV

"Then what do you suggest that I do?" Shana asked.

"Hide away in a place where he can't find you," Thirteen replied. "I'm sure it would make him more pitiful and desperate, but at least, he will not break apart. Perhaps, after a bit of soul searching, he will be able to find a new goal in life, allowing him to stand back up."

Shana pondered Zion's words before asking another question.

"Then where should I hide?" Shana asked. "Do I have to go to Solterra? We are supposed to head to the Cygni Continent after the competition to raise the morale of the defenders. Does that mean that I shouldn't go there?"

Thirteen nodded. "The real invasion will only begin two years from now. At most, Tier 6 and Tier 7 Gates will open. In any case, that is still manageable. The Tier 8 Gates and above will only open two years from now, so there's still a lot of time before you truly need to go to the Cygni Continent."

Because of Project Athena, Thirteen was able to monitor all the Dimensional Gates present in the Cygni Continent.

Even the Dimensional Gates hidden underwater didn't escape her line of sight, allowing Thirteen to know exactly when the big guns of the Jinn Invasion would make their appearance. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

"Then, where do you suggest I go?" Shana asked.

"To the Temple of Zaphiel," Thirteen replied. "Ask the Celestial, Zaphiel, to make you one of her disciples. I'm sure she will not turn you away."

Shana was shaken by Thirteen's proposal.

The Celestials and Fiends of Solterra were the strongest beings that governed over their world. If Shana really became one of her disciples, then she would stand to gain unmeasurable benefits from her teachings.

"Will she really take me in as one of her disciples?" Shana asked.

"I'm sure you're Fated to become her disciple." Thirteen forced himself to speak about Fate at this moment because it was the most fitting word that he could think of. "Don't worry. I will accompany you to her Temple. I also will not leave until she accepts you as a disciple."

"And what if she rejects me?" Shana asked in a worried tone. "What will I do then?"

"We'll cross that bridge once we get there," Thirteen answered. "For now, ask your parents permission first. I will also talk to them later and explain the situation. I'm sure they will agree as long as I promise to personally take you there…"

Thirteen also glanced at Diana, who was pretending that she wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Diana can also join you," Thirteen added. "I'm sure the two of you will learn a lot from Zaphiel."

The Saintess and the Crusader were also special existences whom Fate cared for.

Since there wasn't a conflict of interest, he was certain that Fate wouldn't make a move to stop him from taking the two young ladies to the Celestial who had led the army that pushed back the Jinn Invasion hundreds of years ago.

Similar to Shana and Diana, Zaphiel was a being who gave blessings to those who wished to strengthen their faith.

She also would not hesitate to impart her wisdom, which would improve her follower's spiritual growth.

As long as she recognized Shana and Diana as her disciples, they would grow many times stronger, allowing them to play important roles in the invasion that would start in full after two years.

Derek and Mildred looked at Shana and Diana before exchanging a glance with each other.

The two of them then nodded their heads at the same time as if agreeing on something.

Derek then approached Thirteen with an expression that wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Master, how about me and Mildred?" Derek asked. "Should we also look for a Celestial to train us?"

Thirteen looked at the Swordsman from head to toe before letting out a light snort of contempt.

"You want to see a Celestial?" Thirteen asked. "Do you really think you can see them just because you want to? And even if you succeed, you'd be lucky if they didn't kill you on the spot for irritating them."

"B-But isn't this unfair?" Derek insisted. "Shana and Diana get to see a Celestial, while me and Mildred are left behind."

"Life is never fair," Thirteen replied coolly.

"But Master, how about us?" Derek inquired. "What should we do? Now that the members of our Party are going their separate ways, what will happen to me and Mildred?"

Derek's voice had become a lot louder, making Clark, Char, and Vincent look in their direction.

Even Lawrence and Tristan, who were doing their best to hide the shock on their faces when Thirteen stated that he would take Shana and Diana to see one of the Celestials, couldn't help but worry for the members of the Hero Party.

They had formed this group to encourage the younger generation to do better as Wanderers and protect their world from the Jinn Invasions.

The Hero Party was a symbol and had become the idol of the masses. If it were to break apart completely, then there might be consequences that might spiral out of control.

"Fine," Thirteen replied. "I will take you and Mildred to another place."

"Are we going to see a Celestial?" Derek asked in a hopeful tone.

"Not a Celestial," Thirteen answered.

"Um, then are we going to meet a Fiend? I heard that Mammon tried to kill you when you first met him."

"Are you asking to die? The temper of Fiends is worse than that of Celestials. You'd be lucky if you manage to live to tell the tale after meeting them in person."

Derek, whose hope had been shattered, almost collapsed on the floor.

However, since he didn't want others to see the "uncool" side of him, he endured and asked his Master to clarify where he was going to take them.

Thirteen looked at Derek and Mildred before shifting his gaze to Clark, Char, and Vincent, who were all starting to have a bad premonition.

"Don't tell me…" Clark muttered.

"I think whatever you're thinking is the same thing Zion is thinking," Char said in resignation.

"… Is Mildred still single?" Vincent asked, which made his two comrades look at him in disdain.

The handsome young man could only cough lightly because he didn't expect to speak his inner thoughts out loud.

If what they were thinking was right, then they would gain two more members in the Knights of the Apocalypse.

They had already been told that they would soon undergo a hellish training under the guidance of Metatron, who was more than happy to make Thirteen's private force stronger so that they could help him in whatever plans he had that would take him one step closer to fulfilling the mission of the Order of the Apocalypse.