Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 555 The Star Realm
Previously on Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill...
Guided by Yasmine and Fiona, who were familiar with the coordinates, the group of four soared toward the Star realm.
"Are you aware of our circumstances yet?" Yasmine inquired, despite having been present when Vritra recounted the entire history.
"Yes, I am informed," Teresa answered, her voice remaining entirely neutral.
"That is excellent, regardless..." Yasmine immediately began chatting with her, acting as though they were long-time companions.
In contrast, Fiona maintained a more guarded demeanor.
The four travelers reached the outskirts of the Star realm rapidly, wasting no time during their flight.
A contingent of guards obstructed the entrance; it appeared the realm had gone into lockdown following the wedding events.
Of the three ruling powers, only the monarch of the Star family remained alive, as the other two families had seen their leaders perish.
The gateway to the Star realm was hidden within a marketplace in a nearby city; currently, all passage in or out was strictly prohibited.
Vritra and his three female companions touched down before the sentries. Thanks to an illusion, Teresa’s actual identity remained concealed from public view.
Furthermore, she was encased in various protective barriers; not even a stray bug could breach her personal space.
"My apologies, but the Star family is currently not receiving any visitors," one guard stated with a respectful bow as they drew near.
Vritra weighed his options: he could either force his way inside or attempt a diplomatic approach.
He chose to try the peaceful route first.
"Go and report that Art Yates, Fiona Arclis, and Yasmine Arclis have arrived," Vritra commanded.
The guard, who had been staring blankly at Fiona and Yasmine, snapped back to attention with an expression of mingled shock and skepticism.
Although he had never personally seen the two empresses, the gate was frequently plagued by imposters claiming high status.
Before the sentry could respond, however, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Greetings, sir. I shall personally notify our monarch of your presence." The Star family, after all, specialized in the trade of information.
It was impossible for them to fail to recognize this quartet; the common guards simply lacked the necessary clearance and knowledge.
The guard who had spoken first felt a cold shiver run down his spine, realizing he had just narrowly avoided a fatal mistake.
"Very well," Vritra said with a nod. He glanced back, curious about what sort of things Yasmine was whispering to the naive Teresa.
He watched as his new bride nodded incessantly, her head bobbing like a mechanical doll.
"Sir, please enter. Our monarch is on her way to receive you," the man reported after a short delay.
They could not risk offending such powerful individuals.
Even putting the other three aside, just one or two of the artifacts crafted by Teresa held enough value to buy the entire Star realm or wipe it off the map.
The items she produced were of that much significance.
Vritra gave a nod, and the four passed through the gateway, materializing instantly within the Star realm.
This domain felt starkly different from the vibrant world outside; a heavy silence hung over everything.
The storefronts were shuttered, and the streets were nearly deserted.
In short order, a silhouette appeared in the sky, racing toward them at incredible speed.
She touched down in front of them, scanning the group with a forced, welcoming smile.
"Greetings Art, Empress Fiona, Empress Yasmine, and Teresa. You are all welcome in the Star realm. If I had received prior notice, I would have made proper arrangements for—" the monarch began, her tone full of flattery.
Vritra cut her off mid-sentence.
"There is no need for such formalities. I have a specific question for you."
"Of course. If I possess the knowledge you seek, I shall provide it for free as a gesture of our bond. But first, shall we move inside?"
She gestured toward her nearby palace as she spoke.
"Fine." Vritra felt a surge of anxiety now that he was close to a potential lead.
He feared that if this path proved to be a dead end, he would be truly lost on how to find Yennefer, though he trusted that Divine had not deceived him.
The monarch escorted them into the palace and into a private hall, dismissing all guards from the room.
They gathered around a circular table.
"Allow me to have a banquet prepared. There are local rarities that—" the monarch tried to please them once more, but Vritra stopped her again.
"That won't be necessary. Tell me, do you recognize this?" He produced the glass sphere, the artifact forged by Teresa.
A miniature, swirling cyclone was trapped within the transparent vessel.
"Oh, that... yes, I believe I recall it. W-What is the issue, Master Yates? I... I only sent it as a gift..." It was impossible for her to forget it.
She was the one who had dispatched it to the Ford realm specifically to incite turmoil.
Had it not been for Teresa’s intervention, that single cyclone would have ravaged a significant portion of the realm before being contained.
The monarch trembled, fearing they had come to settle the score.
Vritra easily discerned her anxiety.
"We are not seeking retribution. I simply want to know the source of this object," he demanded.
"Well... it was recovered from a realm our family attempted to survey in the past. It proved to be far too perilous, so we abandoned the expedition, only managing to secure that cyclone. Since it was useless to us, we..." she trailed off, stealing a nervous glance at Teresa.
Fiona had executed two other monarchs with ease; the Star monarch, being even weaker than the heads of the Trant and Grant families, was naturally terrified.
"I understand. Do you still have a way into that realm? I intend to go there."
While Vritra spoke, Yasmine and Fiona played their parts, exerting pressure through their cold silence and piercing stares.
"T-That location is exceptionally dangerous; one could easily be lost there forever. I would advise—" she started, only to be silenced.
"Just give me an answer." Vritra’s eyes flashed with light as the weight of his aura suddenly crushed down on her.
He seemed even more menacing than the three women combined.
"Y-Y-Yes, but locating that specific realm again will be difficult and could take time. We severed the links once we halted our exploration," she stammered out. She felt that a single misstep would result in her death and the destruction of her home.
"That is not an issue. We can track it ourselves. Just take us to the portal utilized for your realm expeditions," Yasmine interjected.
If they could locate Yennefer, the bulk of Vritra’s burdens would be lifted.
"Very well, please follow me. But do be cautious, that place is simply too lethal—" catching Vritra’s gaze, the monarch went quiet and led the way.
They traversed several hallways before descending deep underground.
After traveling dozens of meters down, they emerged into a vast, hollowed-out cavern.
Vritra had no desire to admire the architecture; he pressured her to move faster.
Soon, they stood within a massive chamber.
Upon a raised dais stood a large, circular metal ring, measuring roughly fifteen feet across.
"Sir, this is the gate we use to scout various realms."
"Understood. You may leave," Yasmine said, beginning to inspect the device.
The monarch bowed and exited, locking the door behind her and sealing the chamber.
She remained outside, heart pounding with dread.
"Wife, how shall we proceed?" Vritra turned to Yasmine, his primary strategist. She nodded and walked toward the portal.
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