The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

His tone sounded almost accusing. Like he’d been tracking time and Aisha had been too efficient at finding chaos on her own.

In truth, Nykos had been quite preoccupied with some of his own adventures. Particularly, the pursuit of the Federation had completely drained his time to look for her, much less make true to his promise to abduct her.

It was all because of that damn Federation. If they hadn’t chased after his tail after he visited Sector 5, he would have had so much time strolling around and taking his sweet time by getting Aisha’s guard lowered and taking her with him.

But everything worked out fine. Maybe?

After all, he had arrived on time.

"Did I miss all the fun?"

He looked around, his crimson eyes moving slowly to the guards who were mostly affected by the impact of his hover car exploding with the palace wall. Then, he met Zeke’s stormy gaze and gave him an insufferable grin.

"Oh, you’re out of your nest? That’s surprising."

"Nykos, what the hell do you think you are doing?" Zeke moved to block him from getting closer to Aisha, but Nykos seemed to have already predicted his move.

Aisha saw Nykos turn into tendrils of shadows before feeling him reappear behind her. Before she could even respond, he had her held in his arms, arms snaking over to wrap around her waist and chest as his chin found its perch on her shoulder.

"Come on, Zeke. You either nag or fight me whenever we meet. Are you sure you’re not going through aging already?"

Aisha froze under his touch, but she didn’t immediately get out of his embrace.

Did they know each other? She had expected that much if they were nemeses, who existed to battle each other to the death. One was the Supreme Commander of the Association and the other a notorious wanted criminal that forced hundreds of star systems to warrant a huge bounty on his head.

But it didn’t seem to be the case.

Zeke replied with a narrow of his eyes. "If you weren’t such a lunatic that needed psychiatric help, I wouldn’t have to say a word to you."

"That hurts, brother."

"Brother?" Aisha stared at Zeke, seeking some sort of explanation.

Zeke shook his head and replied, "I could never be blood-related to a mental man like him."

Aisha’s body shook as Nykos chuckled from behind her, the rumbling of his chest making her shake as well. Then she heard him say, "Blood isn’t always thicker."

His words only deepened the frown on Zeke’s eyebrows.

Whatever their relationship, Aisha could guess that it wasn’t what people truly assumed it was. Although that might make things complicated for her. If they weren’t gunning for each other’s neck, their interest in her would become an irritating knowledge. She could only hope that they would grow bored with her sooner.

I can’t allow them to see my real power. She decided that it would be best that she didn’t show what she was capable of doing to anyone.

Right now, the only ones who had seen her work her power were her two spiritual beasts. Nykos might have suspected to some extent as well. However, he had been corrupted by miasma, and his overloaded psychic energy should have made his memories slightly blurry.

At the very least, he knew she was the one who guided him. As per how? It was probably the reason behind his appearance around her. He was curious to know and find out how she did it.

He should have already investigated her, along with her data that had been recorded the moment she awakened as a Guide. A D-rank Guide who successfully guided him was anything but surprising. Thus, his only purpose in showing up in front of her from time to time was because he wanted her to guide him once again to make certain of his suspicion.

It should be the same as well with Zeke.

Both had their own suspicion and wanted to confirm it. Too bad, Aisha had no intention of proving anything to them.

As the air was finally cleared of the dust, what happened here should have already alerted everyone inside the imperial hall. Aisha could already hear the voices and hurried footsteps of people coming towards them. In a minute, they should reach them and see the chaos the wanted criminal had wreaked.

To be honest, Nykos was far bolder and more fearless than she thought. Or perhaps, Zeke was right... A lunatic doesn’t see anything worthy of their notice or fear.

The guards around them also started to come to their senses. They started getting up and pointed their weapons, ready to shoot at any second they made a move.

Zeke turned to the guards and told them to stand down. "The Association will handle this matter. There’s no need to alarm the citizens and block them from coming into this place."

The guards hesitated, looking at each other, as if they were asking what they should do. Before them were two people they knew they couldn’t afford to fight. One was the Supreme Commander of the Association, and the other was the Commander of a criminal organization who had made his existence a problem for every star system.

Even the herald hesitated upon hearing Zeke. So, he sought somebody else’s opinion.

Just in time, the emperor had also received word of the disturbance in the corridor and had asked him what happened.

Speaking into this light brain without uttering a single sound, the herald explained everything and told him what the young admiral instructed him to do.

After a few seconds, the herald heard the emperor’s voice in his light brain.

Follow what Admiral Valaerion said. However, the girl must stay and bring her to my residence this instant.

The herald’s eyes widened upon receiving the emperor’s order. But he couldn’t stall for time to think about what he meant by his last words because more people were already heading to them.

"The emperor has ordered the imperial guard to support His Excellency in capturing the criminal Nykos."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The guards roared as if they were directly answering to the emperor. They moved in unison to block the people inside the imperial hall from coming toward their direction, pushing them back inside the hall before they could see anything.

Zeke nodded in approval, his gaze moving to stop and look at Nykos, who responded with a cold narrowing of his red eyes, identical to crimson orbs. "It’s best you stay away from here if you don’t want to die."

Nykos only grinned at him. "You speak as if teaming up with those small fries will defeat me."

"I don’t need them to deal with you."

It was a fact that both knew long ago. Neither needed anyone’s help or backing to deal with each other. Their power alone could instead bring harm to the people who came to support them. Hence, whenever they faced each other in the past, they would do it one-to-one.

Aisha’s attention drifted to both of them. The more she became involved with them, the more she became confused. Just earlier, they seemed fine and acted like they were close acquaintances. Yet, not even half an hour passed, they were already at each other’s necks again.

Suddenly, she wondered if it was wise to even have any further involvement with them.