Free Web NovelChapter 106: _If I Don’t Make It...
Not long after Gabriel left, Devon came into the suite. However, neither he nor Ambrose got the chance to linger around, both packing their bags alongside Orion before stepping out.
They trailed past the hallways and then took the elevator. Throughout all that time, Devon stole glances at Ambrose.
If the Guide was still upset at him, he didn’t show it. His face was expressionless, eyes distant as if he were thinking deeply about something.
And in reality, Ambrose really was pondering something.
He was about to leave Vatican City and still had no clue who sent that B-Rank psychic. He didn’t see himself coming back here in the near future.
Still, there was a high chance that whoever sent him wasn’t even anywhere near Vatican City. And also... he was certain they might be aware that something had gone wrong with the mission.
’Maybe I’m overthinking things.’ He thought to himself as they approached the exit at the lobby. ’I’m surrounded by some of the most powerful men in the world right now. I should be fine as long as I lay low.’
He told himself that to reassure himself yet he couldn’t tear his mind off the possibility of them coming for someone more vulnerable.
Orion.
Until he was able to find some kind of evidence linking this to someone, he couldn’t afford to bring the boy outside his suite back at Phoenix Flight.
At the thought of that, he subconsciously glanced at Orion—walking between both his fathers with no worry in his eyes.
Ambrose took in a deep breath, his smile faltering. ’Hopefully, I’m able to get him back before anyone looks too deeply into him.’
They finally got outside the hotel and sure enough, they met the rest of the team waiting ahead for them. Viktor, Gabriel and of course... Valentine.
The Necromancer had his hands in the pockets of his black coat but slid one out just to bring down his sunglasses a bit. His red orbs were pinned on the boy strolling casually between Devon and Ambrose.
’Why hello...’ his mind came alive with thoughts. ’This... boy. He looks so much like the Guide and Magnus’ grandson. Like a perfect mix of their features.’
Anyone else would probably look at the kid and think he only resembled Ambrose at first glance. Not him.
Meanwhile, Viktor’s jaw ticked.
He still hadn’t forgotten the way the kid called him ’uncle’. Or the way Devon and Ambrose desperately tried to shift the topic of his presence to literally anything else.
Now they were waltzing out of the hotel like two parents who came to the holy city for a vacation with their dear son. Yeah... something was off.
"Alright." In contrast to the Ice Prince and Necromancer, Gabriel was unbothered, clapping once. "I believe everyone is ready."
He paused, eyes flitting from Ambrose to Valentine and then to Devon and Viktor. "And I believe none of us needs any form of introduction to each other."
Everyone shook their heads.
With that, he snapped his fingers to his left. The fabric of space folded in on itself, twisting a single spot before expanding into a portal with glowing white edges.
"When each of you is stepping in, imagine the point in space you want to go," Gabriel murmured, taking the first steps forward. "Do not make any mistakes with what you’re imagining. I’m sure you two should be very familiar with the Phoenix Flight Guild."
He said that last part to Ambrose and Devon. They both nodded, watching as Gabriel got swallowed by the light of the portal.
"Wait," Viktor frowned. "He didn’t say how we were going to meet up at the Echo Rift."
Valentine finally withdrew his attention completely from Orion, adjusting his collar. "He’ll pick each of you up himself anytime now. So you’d better hurry with what you need to do."
He walked in next, leaving the rest of them.
Viktor huffed, whispering something under his breath. He gave Devon and Ambrose a sideways glance, the wind from the portal blowing back his snow-white hair.
"See you at Norfolk then."
Viktor didn’t wait for a response.
He stepped forward, coat swaying behind him as the light swallowed his figure whole.
Silence followed for half a second.
Then Ambrose moved.
His fingers tightened instinctively around Orion’s hand, squeezing just enough to ground himself. "Listen to me," he muttered, crouching slightly to meet the boy’s eyes. "When we step in... I need you to picture our suite. The kitchen. The table."
Orion blinked up at him.
"And pancakes," Ambrose added, softer now. "Hot ones. Syrup dripping everywhere."
A small smile tugged at the boy’s lips. "Okay."
Devon watched the exchange, something unreadable flickering across his face before he looked away. "Let’s go."
Ambrose straightened, inhaling once before pulling Orion along. Devon fell into step beside them.
And together, they stepped into the light.
★★★★★
The world twisted.
For a split second, everything felt like it was being pulled apart—threads of space stretching, folding, snapping back into place.
Then—They were standing in a familiar hallway.
Ambrose staggered slightly, his grip on Orion tightening as he blinked rapidly. The sleek, polished walls of Phoenix Flight’s residential wing stretched ahead of them, quiet and empty.
"We’re here," Devon murmured.
Ambrose didn’t respond. He was already moving.
Devon lingered for a second before exhaling sharply. "I’ll... see you later."
Ambrose only nodded.
Reluctantly, Devon turned, heading toward the elevator at the far end of the hall. He didn’t look back and Ambrose didn’t watch him leave.
He hurried down the corridor instead, Orion’s smaller steps barely keeping up until they reached the door. The lock beeped, the door slid open—and Ambrose was already inside.
He guided Orion toward the kitchen.
The fridge door opened with a sharp pull. Containers. Juice. Bread. He grabbed whatever was quickest, setting them down in front of the boy. "Eat something."
Orion nodded, though his eyes stayed on him.
Ambrose didn’t linger.
He turned, striding into his room and dragging open the wardrobe. The familiar weight of his Hunter uniform settled over him as he changed with practised speed.
"Orion." His voice softened as he stepped back out.
The boy looked up.
"If... after a while, you don’t hear from me..." he paused, jaw tightening. "And someone knocks... You can open the door."
A beat.
"...Except if it’s Guide Han."
Orion frowned. "Why—"
Ambrose didn’t let him finish. He crossed the space in two steps and pulled him into a tight hug. "Just remember what I said."
For a moment, he didn’t let go.
Then he did and turned, waving a final goodbye.
The door slid open. He stepped out but stopped almost instantly.
His breath caught.
A few people were blocking the hallway.
At the centre of them, a familiar face tilted slightly, a smile stretching too wide.
Guide Han.
"...Well," Han hummed, eyes glinting. "That saved me the trouble of knocking."
