Chapter 182: Pendragon Island

"See who it is."

Seeing Godfrey walk into the Vagabond base with both hands in his pockets, clad in an unzipped jacket, black pants, and sneakers, walking in through the two pillars which were like a gate into the base, Dax nudged Percival.

Both of them, along with several others, were clustered around six large vehicles, as if preparing to leave for a raid.

"I told you he’ll be back before the raid," Percival replied as others began to turn toward Godfrey.

"Godfrey!" Thalia, who sat on the rooftop of one of the vehicles, waved her right hand at Godfrey.

He smiled softly and jogged over. "You guys are about to leave on a mission and no one informed me?"

"It was the Captain’s orders," Oliver replied as he opened the door to one of the vehicles and entered the driver’s seat.

Seeing Percival and Dax’s expressions, Godfrey knew Oliver wasn’t joking. Every Elite Class seemed to be going on this mission except him.

"I had a feeling you would appear before we leave. Meet the captain, he might change his mind," Dax said while Percival patted Godfrey’s shoulder.

"Hurry." Both of them entered the vehicle behind them, Dax in the driver’s seat, Percival and a female Regular Class in the other two front seats.

As the vehicles roared to life with the Regular Class taking their seats at the back like soldiers, Godfrey went to the first vehicle.

There, he saw Arian in the driver’s seat with one hand outside the window. Arian looked at him from the corner of his eyes.

"Tsk! You’re like those people who suddenly arrive right when the food is on the table."

"What’s going on? Why wasn’t I informed about the mission?" Godfrey asked.

"It’s about the Elite Class Vagabond you haven’t seen since you came. Well, she’s fond of going on long trips like this one, but this time around, we haven’t heard from her for two months now. She usually sends word on the first of every month without fail," Arian explained and lightly hit the metal door.

"I know with you on this mission, finding her would be much easier, but she’s my fiancée and my responsibility," Arian added.

"So? You’re my captain. I am supposed to help. You’re not making any reasonable sense with this excuse. If she was your sole responsibility, you wouldn’t be going with every other Elite Class except me," Godfrey countered.

"Exactly. She’s my fiancée and my responsibility. I said that because the Pendragons will be hosting quite a large party now that their daughter has come of age. You know, these great houses and their traditions. Announcements were made yesterday, though it will be more of a family thing. I have a feeling you need to be there more than with me."

Godfrey waved his hand. "They’re not going to marry her off."

"I’m saying go there. You’re the public’s favourite for now. Before the authorities ruin it once more, use this opportunity to get closer. Dating a Pendragon heir is being involved in their politics, so go introduce yourself. That’s your responsibility."

He chuckled. "Make sure you have a ring in case it goes well. Life is short in this era. Each dungeon raid is a wager on your life. Tying the knot earlier is better. You don’t know how long it will last."

Arian started his vehicle. As it roared to life, Godfrey couldn’t help but see that his confident and imposing captain might currently be concerned. Anything could have happened to his fiancée in a dungeon.

Whatever could silence a squad led by a King or maybe Throne Tier Elite Class and about a dozen other summoners of varying tiers had to be worth this reinforcement.

’I bet Isolde would have desperately wanted to inform me, but I don’t have a phone. I’ll still wear my Divine Tier hoodie. It wouldn’t hurt to be extra careful.’

Godfrey said as he turned. He paused after a few steps.

He was going to see Isolde and meet her parents again... should he get a haircut?

His heart pounded.

’Come on, Godfrey, you’re a man. Be a man!’ He encouraged himself, but now that he thought about it again, this was harder than it seemed. Was he already perspiring?

God!

***

The next day, Godfrey, with a backpack beside him, sat in a taxi driving through Manhattan. He could see his face on many screens; it looked like he was famous once more, and for good reasons.

Debates were ongoing concerning his current actions and his past actions, and whether the bounty on his head should be lifted or not.

The Authorities were still stoic about the whole thing despite Gate Defender’s Guild and Justice Guild stating that he should be free from his wanted status, as people like him would help save thousands more lives.

’It feels like the authorities are hellbent on my mother’s summon. Well, I’m certain they’ll do something soon, but coming after me right now will put them in a bad light. They’ll lose the faith of the people... it’s not like they haven’t already messed up the world.’

He scowled inwardly.

Pendragon Island was actually in a blue gate dungeon located on one of Manhattan’s islands. He would have to board a ferry.

Sure, Cain might be everywhere, but he had been there from the start.

Knowing about it just made him much more conscious, and if not handled properly, he might go around suspecting every single individual he met, maybe even the taxi driver.

Taken wrongly, what Gabriel revealed to him might end up destroying him.

With a lot in his mind, Godfrey leaned back, sighing softly.

The taxi eventually got him to his destination. He came down, paid the man, and turned.

"Pendragon Island it is."

He boarded the ferry, and it took him to the island. As he descended with the other passengers, Godfrey began pondering how to get to the Pendragon mansion when he saw Isolde’s driver at a distance looking at the passengers.

Godfrey wore a hood and a face mask; he couldn’t be easily recognized, but knowing there was a good chance that man was here for him, Godfrey approached him with his backpack.

"You’re Godfrey?" the driver asked when he drew near.

Godfrey nodded.

"I was sent to pick you up. This was my last day here. I wasn’t sure if you would come," the man said, sounding quite friendly.

Godfrey smiled behind his facemask.

’This might not be as tough as I thought. Maybe everyone would warm up to me after what I did in Brooklyn. I have to thank Gabriel when I get back.’

***

A/N: Thank you for reading!