I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1269: Not Alone

After Northern returned to the Thunderhead Dreadnought, he finally met Shin—who looked like he had fought death itself and, by some divine miracle, survived.

Northern was particularly confused because all of Shin’s bodily injuries had somehow healed. The only problem was that he wasn’t waking up, which had led him to conclude that whatever the Patriarch had done was probably more mental than physical.

And Braham’s seemingly amazing talent actually could not heal non-physical wounds.

’Quite a funny but sensible limitation.’

The room was sparse. There was only Eisha with Silver in her arms, sitting on a wooden chair placed beside Shin’s bed. That had been her station—where she’d sat, slept, and nursed him until he woke up.

The second chair, along with its round table, sat in the center of the large room. There was a coffee table nearby, polished ceramic gleaming under the lamplight. A large brown couch pressed against the far wall. And a vast rug with delicate, intertwining designs sprawled across the floor. The room was a great flex.

And it had all come with the Thunderhead Dreadnought package. It was as though when the Tower of Trammel was copied and evolved, everything inside it followed that same line of transformation.

It made Northern almost confused why he couldn’t copy a damn book. Of course, the Tower of Trammel—even if it didn’t particularly have a soul—had an essence signature.

If somehow, through research, he could find a way to create a library with an essence signature, perhaps he would be able to construct something similar. A library that consumed books and knowledge, upgrading itself perpetually. He had the Tower of Trammel as a model for that.

But for now, his focus was his parents.

Northern sat on the other chair, looking carefully at Shin. There was actual care and concern in his eyes as he studied his father’s pale face, the shallow rise and fall of his chest.

”How do you feel?”

Shin coughed, then grinned.

”What?” His voice was hoarse, almost straining to form words, but it didn’t lose that cocky edge he always carried. ”You think I’m going to die from something like this...” He coughed again.

Eisha shot him a glare that communicated everything: ’you know you shouldn’t be doing that.’

He leaned back with a long exhale. ”Haaa...”

Northern smiled.

”You should take as much rest as possible. We have time.”

Shin nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

Afterward, Northern’s smile lingered. Eisha’s eyes met his, and there was a silent communication in them too—one Northern didn’t quite get at first. But then he could see it: she looked worried and wanted to talk, but didn’t want Shin to overhear whatever it was.

All his suspicions were confirmed when she stood up, cradling Silver in her arms, and gestured for both of them to step outside.

Northern followed her lead. She closed the door behind them, and they stood in a passageway lined with cabin doors, walking toward the end where a short staircase led to the upper level of the airship.

”I saw a fleet of Empire ships earlier,” she said, her tone careful but concerned. ”What are they about?”

Northern smiled.

’I knew this was coming.’

”Reimgard Empire sent some envoys to Ryugan. The main reason, based on my observation, is to bait Ryugan and create a narrative—justification for the violence they’re planning.”

Eisha looked even more worried now. ”And?”

”It worked. The First Prince fell for it.” He paused, letting the weight of that settle. ”And now, I’m sure the Empire will most likely march here soon.”

They reached the thick metallic railing of the stairs. Beyond it, a transparent floor panel gave a glimpse into the colossal assemblage of engines that powered the vessel—gears the size of carriages turning in synchronized rhythm, steam venting through copper pipes.

Northern sighed. Then his gaze turned sharp.

”But all of that is bull crap. The Empire knows exactly what they’re doing. And I think they may be pushing for domination of the whole Central Plains.” His brow furrowed. ”What I don’t understand is why. Is my supposed true father really that greedy?”

Eisha cradled Silver gently, soothing her as thin cries began to rise.

”Well, don’t think too much about it for now...” Her voice was soft but steady. ”Everyone in their own world has a justifiable reason for the things they do. Although reasons don’t often excuse the consequences of certain actions, it does beg us to at least understand them.”

She smiled.

”I’m sure this would be a great moment for you—for all of us—to confront ourselves too. But beyond that, we need to survive. Stay alive.” Her gaze turned sharp, gaining a striking resemblance to Northern’s own expression just moments before. ”So, tell me whatever it is that you need. I have relationships with people. There are some elven ones out there too, and they respect me. They’ve been preparing an insurgency army for when we finally get the opportunity to strike at Stuart. But if you need them, I can pull them in for you.”

Northern looked at his mother.

Surprised. Intrigued. Grateful. Amazed. All of it crashing through him at once.

’She’s been preparing for this. All this time.’

She continued. ”Your father—I mean, your father here—also has relationships. More bad than good, but good nonetheless. People who owe their lives to him.” She tilted her head slightly. ”We spent almost ten years of our lives being Travelers, you know.”

It was difficult to erase the stunned expression from his face.

His mother’s gaze only grew more stern.

”You’re not alone, La’el.”

He smiled—a real one, warm and full.

”Of course I’m not. I have a wonderful mother such as you.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then hugged her carefully, mindful of Silver nestled between them. The baby squirmed but didn’t cry.

”Thank you, Mother.”

He pulled away and asked, ”Oh, right. Is it okay if we stay in Ryugan for a few days? I don’t know—it may bleed into months...”

She smiled and tilted her head.

”Oh boy, do you still not realize?” Her voice carried gentle amusement. ”It’s fine as long as we’re here.” She caressed Silver’s cheek softly. ”Silver is. Your father is. You are. This is home, as far as I’m concerned.”

Northern smiled.

”Good.”

”So... what do you want to do?”

Northern thought for a moment, then responded.

”I should speak with the King first. If we can secure a piece of land, I can establish our base there. Then I should send a message to the others.”

There was a blue spark of passion in his eyes—something fierce and determined kindling to life.

”Let’s make the Empire piss their pants.”