Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1070: Project X

”Since all the Ebon Stones have now been activated, the remaining Empires wonʼt take long to regroup... and align with one another,” Aether said with a heavy, thoughtful tone, his eyes tracing the old, creased maps spread across the large round table.

He leaned forward in the chair, his fingers lightly drumming against the wood.

”So... these are the borders between Pyra and Naidia Empires, right?” he asked aloud as he slid the two-cornered maps together, aligning their territories. His gaze then shifted to the remaining three maps scattered across the table. He turned to Sera and Maelona with a furrowed brow.

”We still canʼt be sure whether your two Empires will first join together and approach us as a united front... or if only one will step forward directly. The whole situation is a wild card right now. Until one of the Empires moves closer, everything remains uncertain.”

The group nodded silently.

Then Sandra leaned,

”Just to be cautious, you all need to be prepared for anything,” she said, her voice firm but layered with concern. ”Even if the thrusters are built on schedule, thereʼs still no guarantee that nothing will malfunction. It only takes one miscalculation to throw everything off...”

Aether nodded deeply, placing a comforting hand over hers for a moment. ”I know. But I can vouch for you—Lyirrs handled everything flawlessly within my Empire. Ninety per cent of the setup is solid. I believe in her. We built it like solving a puzzle… every piece locking exactly where it should.”

The others nodded in agreement, reassured by the conviction in his voice.

”But...” Aether began again, his tone dipping into something darker. ”Thereʼs still one variable that keeps pulling at my nerves...”

”Void Empire,” Dora muttered quietly, her voice low as a whisper.

”Yeah,” Aether grunted and frowned, rubbing his thumb along the edge of the table. ”Mary hasnʼt even entertained the idea of making a deal. Sheʼs... unpredictable.” He turned to Dora, meeting her eyes. ”Do you think you can convince her?”

Dora exhaled slowly, her lips curving into a small, frustrated frown. ”Itʼs complicated, Aether... you know her. Sheʼs stubborn, secretive. Reaching her is like trying to hold mist in your hands.”

Aether bit his lower lip, his expression tense. ”What about Lia? Maybe... I could talk to her, explain the gravity of this... maybe through her—”

Dora shook her head firmly, interrupting him. ”No. That wonʼt work. At this point, youʼre just putting pressure on yourself for no reason. Mary is the Empress of her Empire—itʼs her decision, her duty. Lia isnʼt the Chosen One. If anything, you should be targeting Nyx. If Nyx agreed, it would be easy, but she barely cares for anything outside of Maryʼs voice.”

Aether sighed heavily and leaned back, shaking his head with tired eyes. ”This is getting more tangled than I imagined...”

”And...” Dora added, crossing her arms as her eyes darkened, ”the Origin Pillars... theyʼve begun surfacing. Theyʼre pushing up from underground. Iʼve already stationed professors to secure the site and contain the energy with barriers, but...”

Aetherʼs brows shot up in surprise. ”Theyʼre already coming out...? Damn,” he muttered, his voice carrying a tense mix of awe and dread. ”I guess... the time really has come. Everything weʼve been preparing for...”

”The Beginning...” Sera whispered in a solemn, steady tone, her fingers lightly brushing across Aetherʼs wrist.

None of them truly knew what awaited them. The unknown loomed like a shadow at the edge of every step. But even so... they had to be ready.

”Also... thereʼs something important I want you all to look at,” Aether said, pushing a sealed document across the table. His fingers lingered on it before he let go. ”Iʼve been thinking about this for a long time—ever since I knew the Motherʼs energy going to come back”

Curious and alert, the group leaned forward as he peeled the seal and revealed the project notes.

On the cover page, it read in bold: Project X.

”My puppets are already working on the basics, but this is far from a one-man job,” Aether continued. ”Iʼll need all of your help—your resources, your minds. This isnʼt just strategy... itʼs survival. Please understand what this means.”

Sandra was the first to pick it up. Her expression shifted quickly—brows rising, lips parting as she scanned each line with growing realisation. She passed it silently to Sera, who reacted the same way, her eyes widening as a shiver ran down her arms.

Dora took it next, and her lips parted into a small, shocked gasp. Maelona, ever the careful one, studied it intently before her jaw dropped in surprise.

”I-Is that... even possible?” she asked breathlessly, her voice genuinely shaken by what she had read.

Aether gave a subtle nod, ”I recognise her energy signature... without question. Thatʼs why I know itʼs real.”

Everyone exchanged intense looks, and then, slowly, each of them nodded—one after the other—committing themselves to the impossible.

”Yes... itʼs risky,” Sandra admitted softly, touching Aetherʼs hand again, this time not letting go. ”We donʼt know what the future holds... but this might be the only way to save everyone. I support it.”

One by one, the rest agreed.

Except for Maelona.

”I...” she hesitated, her voice strained with guilt. ”I canʼt make any definitive decisions right now... not while the competition for the Throne in my Empire is still ongoing.”

Aether leaned closer, gently cupping her chin to lift her eyes to his. ”When will it end?” he asked softly.

Maelona blushed faintly under his touch, thinking. ”If we speed up the process... we could select the Ruler within one or two weeks.”

Aether nodded after a short pause. ”Then finish it within two weeks. Donʼt delay any longer. Meanwhile... Iʼll start working on the other Empires. Weʼre running out of time,” he said as he glanced at the Log Time... the countdown quietly ticking.

He couldnʼt afford delays now. Every second was gold. Every decision, a ripple through the future.

Leaning forward with intent, he turned back to Dora. ”Dora... do what you can about the Void Empire. We canʼt leave them isolated like this.”

Dora sighed and stepped closer to him, brushing her lips near his ear as she whispered, ”Iʼll try, Aether. I really will. But I canʼt make promises where sheʼs involved...” She raised her hand with a serious look, kissed his cheek, then vanished in a glimmer of magic.

Aether turned to Sandra next. ”Find a land... an empty one, untouched. We need a place where nothing already exists. Can you do that?”

Sandra smiled softly and stepped closer, pressing a slow, teasing kiss on his lips. ”Of course. Iʼll find the perfect place for you... for us,” she whispered, then disappeared in a gentle swirl of wind and flame.

Aether shook his he knew why they were being clingy, but he felt good, so he didnʼt ask... He turned toward Sera last. ”The land you promised... itʼs big enough for Project X. But for now, focus on preparing the thruster stations. Make your people feel safe, calm them down. And just so weʼre clear—I am not a damn god, alright!” he said with a tired but fierce tone.

Sera giggled softly, stepping closer. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, whispering, ”Aether~ you might not be a god, but to me... You sure feel like one.” She pecked his lips teasingly, winked, and disappeared in a shimmer of sparkling light.

Aetherʼs face softened, his shoulders slumping slightly as he let out a low, vulnerable murmur.

”Please... I donʼt want to be a god...” he whispered under his breath, his voice husky from fatigue or perhaps something else. Then, almost as if switching masks, he turned toward Maelona, letting his lips curl into a more relaxed smile.

”So... howʼs the progress with the Thrusters going over here?”

Maelona returned his smile, her posture confident and radiant.

”Itʼs going good. Steady and smooth. If nothing unexpected happens, Raven and the others might be able to finish it within this week.”

Aether nodded, the corners of his lips tilting up in a soft, grateful smile.

”Thatʼs reassuring. Youʼve all really stepped up.”

But then, a brief shadow flickered across Maelonaʼs expression. Her smile faltered—just for a second—and her gaze dropped slightly as if hesitating.

”You... you havenʼt forgotten, right?” she asked quietly.

Aether blinked, puzzled by her sudden shift.

”Forgotten what?” he asked with a mild tilt of his head, genuinely clueless.

Maelona blinked in return, then gave a soft, almost mischievous smirk as she waved her hand casually, ”Nothing... Nothing at all,” she said, brushing the question away with a suspiciously casual tone.

Aether frowned slightly, crossing his arms as he leaned toward her, ”Oi... youʼre hiding something, arenʼt you? What is it? Spit it out.”

Instead of answering, Maelona simply gave him a smug, haughty little smile. Then, with an elegant flick of her wrist, she snapped her fingers.

A faint, bluish spark crackled at her fingertips—and from that tiny flash of energy—

”Papa~”

A tiny voice echoed sweetly, just before a cute, shimmering blue butterfly burst forth from her magic and zipped through the air with unnatural speed—straight at Aether.

”HOLY SHIT!” Aether screamed as he ducked just in time, nearly falling over himself to dodge what looked like an innocent, fluttering insect of doom.

Maelona burst out laughing, clutching her sides, ”Haha! Donʼt worry... Elona wouldnʼt hurt you!” she said through her giggles, her eyes gleaming with playful mischief.

Aether stared wide-eyed, still breathing heavily from the near-death experience, ”Wouldnʼt hurt me...?!” he exclaimed, stepping back as the butterfly circled him.

But then, the blue-winged creature slowed... gently fluttering its way to him, landing softly on his extended finger.

At first, Aether winced, feeling a faint stinging tingle run through his skin. But then, it vanished just as quickly as it came, replaced by a strange calmness... warmth, even.

He stared at it, mesmerised.

”So delicate...” he whispered, lightly running his fingertip along its wing. The butterfly shimmered in the light, like tiny fragments of the moon woven into its body.

”Mmm~”

A soft, trembling sound escaped Maelonaʼs lips.

Aether blinked and turned to her instantly.

Maelonaʼs face was flushed, her breath shallow, ”Elona and I are... connected,” she murmured, eyes slightly dazed. ”Whatever she feels... I feel it too.”

Aetherʼs eyes widened, ”Elona?”

Maelona nodded, her blush deepening, ”Yes... itʼs her name. Isnʼt it adorable?”

Aether smirked, watching her with a mixture of amusement and affection, ”Of course it is. I mean... the name came from you, after all.”

Maelonaʼs cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she looked away, lips curling in shy delight.

Aether turned his attention back to the butterfly, still resting so peacefully on his hand.”You know... this really cute,” he said slowly. ”But how are you doing this? Before, no one could even touch itwithout being drained. And now Iʼm literally petting it like itʼs a kitten...”

Maelona smiled gently, her eyes softened with pride and vulnerability, ”As long as I keep my emotions steady... I can control her. Sheʼs born from me, tied to my heart. If I falter emotionally, she acts out. But when Iʼm calm... so is she.”

She raised her hand again and gave the faintest flick of her fingers. Aetherʼs fingertip briefly turned grey—but then returned to normal within a breath.

Aether stared in awe, his voice now lower, a little more serious.”Looks like youʼve become really dangerous... I should probably watch my back around you now,” he said with a slight grin tugging at his lips.

Maelona puffed her chest slightly, proud and radiant, ”Oh, come on, Iʼd never hurt yo—”

”Otherwise youʼll suck me dry, right?” Aether interjected with a slow, cheeky grin, leaning close, his voice a husky tease as he stared straight into her eyes.

Maelonaʼs entire face exploded in a deep crimson blush.”W-What are you even talking about?!” she stammered, her eyes darting everywhere but his.

Aether kept the innocent look on his face, blinking with an innocent face, ”Of course Iʼm talking about my life force... What else would I mean?” he said, his grin widening as he leaned in closer.

Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he traced his fingers across the butterflyʼs wings, his eyes never leaving hers.”So delicate... and soft...” he whispered with a sultry edge.

Maelonaʼs knees nearly buckled under her as she covered her face with both hands... All she could do was lower her head, completely overwhelmed by embarrassment.

Her face was burning.