Supreme Paragon Reborn: Humanity's Rise To Galactic Supremacy-Chapter 244: Gathering Pieces

’For a person who just became a Grandmaster and defeated that towering robot, you don’t seem too happy about it.’ Devil’s Tongue remarked.

’It’s called overexertion, nothing out of the ordinary.’ Michael answered.

Truthfully, he felt weird. Every plan he had devised for meeting Nicole had fallen apart. He still carried the golden token Connor had given him on Neptune, but meeting Nicole had turned out to be far easier than he had expected.

With a shake of his head, Michael focused on the important tasks at hand.

First and foremost, he headed toward the remains of the metallic beast, Cyberfang, still lying on the solid rock.

"Amelia and Claire will definitely build you an even sturdier body, buddy," Michael whispered, carefully retrieving the AI chip.

It was bizarre. Michael had just destroyed a sentient AI responsible for the deaths of millions, yet he still found himself caring for the beast that had followed him all the way from Neptune.

Quietly he made his way back to the capital, killing any aliens that interrupted his path.

Even if the two Monarchs were dead, the other Hreh’tar, which had emerged from the molten lake, still ravaged the lands.

The soldiers stationed near the lake watched him with a mix of emotions. Though the battle with the robot and the Monarchs had taken place far from the defensive line, they were all shaken to see a Grandmaster emerge from the battlefield nonchalantly.

Wordlessly, they made way for him.

Swiftly Michael tested the new limits of his body, springing at full force towards Magmorious. It didn’t take long before the colossal capital appeared over the horizon.

Climbing upon the massive walls, he assessed the damage. Every step the towering giant had taken had reduced the houses beneath it to rubble. The aliens and androids that had run amok didn’t help the situation.

Fortunately, no androids appeared to be left standing. If Michael had to guess, the destruction of the sentient AI had either shut down the other androids or broken their will to fight, leaving them hopeless of any retaliation.

After all, they were rogue AIs, trying their best to mimic human behavior. Hopelessness and despair were emotions that were part of being a human.

"At least one good thing has happened." Michael mused, moving towards one particular building.

Not bothering to knock, he entered, his gaze settling on a lying man with two children trying their best to wake him up.

"Max, are you sure he is alive?" The girl asked her twin, clearly concerned.

"Damn it, Mia! This isn’t the time for hesitation! We have to do our best to help the soldiers!" The boy replied as he attempted to shake the man awake.

A faint smile tugged at Michael’s lips. Here were two twins who, rather than cowering in fear from the man who had crashed down from their ceiling, were doing their best to wake him up.

It didn’t take long for the twins to notice Michael’s presence.

"Who are you?" The boy bellowed, hiding his sister behind him.

"A soldier. Just like him." Michael pointed to the man the twins had attempted to awaken. "I’m here to take him to first aid."

Dropping their caution, the twins urged Michael to take a closer look.

"Mister!" Mia pleaded. "Please tell us that he is alive!"

Michael didn’t answer right away, his eyes scanning the unconscious man. His long green hair, the closed eyelids hiding his violet eyes, and the makeshift bandages the twins had used to patch him up.

This was none other than Lord Robert.

"He is alive... Thank you for stopping his external bleeding."

Exhaling a sigh of relief, the twins bade Michael farewell as he took the Lord with him.

"Quite popular you are..." Michael chuckled as he carried Robert’s unconscious body to a certain place.

Nonchalantly entering a bunker, he proceeded forward. The stationed guards were about to interrupt until they felt his Grandmaster aura.

Undisturbed, Michael entered the heart of the bunker where the Minister of Defense resided. Inside, Livia had been busy barking orders, but she froze when she saw Michael carrying Robert’s body.

Gently laying the body on a table, Michael took a few steps backwards. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

With shaky breaths, Livia neared, the edges of her vision blurring.

"Is... he...?" The words caught in her throat, refusing to escape.

"Robert is alive. Exhausted, battered... but alive."

In a heartbeat Livia took the Lord in her embrace, tears seeping from her eyes.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why did you have to risk your life like that?!"

Her voice cracked.

"What would I have done if you were to die?"

Michael watched silently as Livia wept.

"Do you love him?" Finally, he asked.

"What kind of question is that?!" Livia snapped. "It’s obvious that I do!"

Michael tilted his head to the side.

"That’s not how I see it. I don’t judge a character by their empty words, but by their actions."

His tone remained calm, yet his words seemed to carry a cutting edge.

"To be honest, I’ve probably forgotten what true love is myself... But one thing I can say with confidence: he is a Lord, and you are a mortal. Cultivation doesn’t just make a person stronger, it makes them live longer."

He stared into Livia’s eyes.

"If you truly love him, you’ll begin cultivating to extend your lifespan. Otherwise, you’re condemning him to eventually feel the same torment you’re experiencing now."

Michael’s goal was by no means to cause Livia distress in her moment of weakness. He genuinely liked the two and wanted the best for them. But he also knew how such relationships tended to end.

"I—I..."

For a moment, Livia was at a loss for words as she stared at Robert’s handsome face.

She wasn’t a woman driven by physical power, but Michael had offered her a perspective she had never considered before.

"Thank you."

With a simple nod, Michael turned, ready to head out.

’Even though I have faith in my crew, it would be wise to check on them.’ He thought, his vision starting to darken.

As Livia stared at the unconscious Robert, still reflecting on Michael’s words, a worker hurried into the bunker with a concerned look on his face.

"Miss Livia! The man who brought Robert just collapsed outside your office!"

Livia’s eyes narrowed.

"Michael?"