Genie's Importance

Kairo gathered all his friends at his villa to discuss their plan of attack. They were standing around the dining table, studying a long map stretched out on it. Naturally, they would help him recover Genie, but his thoughts constantly searched for a way to bring them both back to Earth.

Of course, he couldn't let anyone know his priority had changed. Yet, he was uncomfortable leaving Lucasyna and Lyon to face the Civil War without Genie. He knew he had to resolve this issue, as Genie wouldn't accept being on Earth while their country was at risk.

"According to Zindor-sekkan's spirit energy readings, Genie's lifeforce was detected in this area of Etshian." Jan pointed to a spot further west of the continent, which looked barren and rocky within a mountain range.

Kairo's thoughts were drawn to the black smudge, concealing a majority of the area.

"What's that smudge?" Adell-guard soberly noted.

The annoying door horn blasted through the place, which had Henka-guard grumpily yanking the doorbell crystal off the wall.

"Well, guess I need a new bell." Kairo chuckled.

The door opened to allow Kalious-janissary inside and Nik-guard trailing behind him.

"Sir!" Kalious-janissary gave Kairo a stiff salute.

Kairo nodded.

Everyone returned to the map.

"According to our scout intelligence, this smudge is the strong magic region of the Alurian Gardens Palace." Kalious-janissary informed them.

"Alurian Gardens Palace. Isn't that Manfred-nun's throne city?" Jan asked.

Kalious-janissary nodded. "Was. Our spies reported that the city was emptied and taken over by the Shadow Cabal when the Demon King conquered the country. Our young prince will likely be at the heart of the former throne hall."

"Why there?" Kairo asked.

"Because our spies reported sightings of Demon King Alric in that area, along with the strongest concentration of magic."  Kalious-janissary rubbed his chin as he added. "My reports say they've turned the area into a laboratory."

"A laboratory. What's that?" Nik-guard asked.

Kairo sighed. "If it's the same as on my planet, it's a place of testing."

He hoped it could be something else. After all, the Mage Library was a jungle and rainforest from monster hell; Ancestral Records Archive was a dungeon filled with carnivorous fishes and bugs with hearty appetites. So the laboratory might surprise him as being a grab-game arcade.

A thought occurred to him. "What does our Demon King want with Genie?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Lyon's weakness, maybe."

Kairo frowned, not buying it. He and Genie had been attacked by the Shadow Cabal many times, when he was the target. At the beach, they specifically targeted Genie this time, and when the man was free from the Soul Bell's curse.

He ran through memories for clues, then gasped with a realization: Genie had placed pieces of his spiritual consciousness into his Spiritual Sea multiple times. A piece still lingered. During the Soul Bell's curse, his sea even housed Genie's entire soul, which fed off his spirit energy to repair it. He never tried to take anyone else into his sea. It made him wonder.

"Sorry, Henka-guard, can I try something real quick with you?"

Henka-guard blushed, barking that his body was only for Lady Bluesteed. Kairo groaned and grabbed his hand, entering into his Spiritual Sea. Henka-guard wasn't there. He exited it.

"Just because you like guys doesn't mean I do." The burly guard rigorously rubbed his hand, which had Kairo flick his forehead.

"Like I would. And what's this about Lady Bluesteed?" Kairo teased him.

The centurion coughed to draw attention to herself beside the hearth next to Adell-guard. The guards chuckled. Both men hastily returned their attention to the task.

This test confirmed a strong reason for Genie's kidnapping, he possessed a similar cosmic power. If Kairo had the Cosmic Seed energy to return to Earth, then Genie's power might be the Star Crystal noted at the Weystone Altar. The ticket to make it all happen.

"But this is just my theory. If they want him for something else, this means nothing."

Regardless of the what-ifs and risk, he had to go through this rescue. The stakes were ten times higher for him now, considering a chance was possible if the theory proved true. But there was still the issue with the Civil War.

"Kalious-janissary, are you certain the Demon King will be with Genie?"

"Nothing is certain. But I know the man enough to know Genie is invaluable to him for his plans. He'll be there."

"Plans to win the civil war?"

"That too."

"What else can it be?"

Kalious-janissary sighed when he said, "I once attended an open courtyard address where the Demon King had promised to save the world."

"From what?"

Jan sighed as he stepped in to answer. "From itself. The Demon King believes Lux is dying, which is the reason we have monsters."

"What happens if you find the Demon King there?"

Adell-guard frowned, wondering what angle Kairo was trying to play. Lyt-guard's snort and heavy snoring at the table made her grit her teeth and rock his chair to jolt him awake.

Kalious-janissary carefully answered. "Our priority is Genie. But we can't upset the balance of the civil war right now, and spoil the hard work you and Genie did to achieve it."

Kairo understood. He listened to the plan, which was to have him, Lady Bluesteed and Henka-guard go in stealth to the palace. Henka-guard was apparently good with healing and antidotes. Either way, the beefcake would be a solid vanguard. Lady Bluesteed's beastkind ability allowed invisibility cloaking for a short period.

"I use pheromones and air magic to create the illusion of invisibility."

This fact had Henka-guard blushing like an idiot.

Everyone carried on until plans were eventually set.