SL: Chapter 752 – Day 28,214 – Forced Vacation

We had arrived at Purgatory in Clarissa’s airship. She had sent mine to some base so the crew could rotate out and relax a bit without me looming over them. She truly was worried about my mental health. I was fine, just realistic about what my life had become.

There was a customs point and I was introduced as a guest. With my casual shirt and shorts and concealing my stats, it was impossible for anyone to know I was Emperor Michael.

“They really built this place up,” I said looking about at the buildings that reached into the sky. Purgatory was doing even better than when I had been Emperor.

“The plans Doctor Katz had left for growing food have been put into widespread use. While they had failed in the past, that was due to the destruction of everything, not their failure. The population of various cities is a concern, but the points flow. The top grinders live in the towers and get waited on hand and foot when they return,” Clarissa said.

“Hmm, and the outskirts?” I asked.

“There are slums, but there is only so much that can be done. With the Rift in the middle, there hasn’t been a conflict with Ascension yet,” she said. That was the Empire to the West. We made our way out of the airship port.

“Clarissa, welcome back. Your food offerings are amazing,” a man walked up and greeted her.

“Thank you, Jean Paul. But unfortunately, I don’t have anything else prepared at the moment. Perhaps in a hundred days or so, there might be something new,” she replied.

“Of course. Your food is the talk of the towers. We must keep up with the latest offerings,” he said. He then looked at me in poor gray clothing. I didn’t care for anything fancy anymore. Colors were just a distraction when fighting. I had tested a range of colors against the monsters to see if I got a different response. Nothing and I had settled on plain gray as my clothing, which I was wearing now. It took almost no thought to replace it with my portable store if it was damaged.

I could tell this Jean Paul with his multi-colored ensemble and personal guards was trying to figure out why I was next to Clarissa. “And who is your guest? I have an array of fashion options and other wonderful choices for discerning guests,” he said.

Clarissa glanced at me, and I let out a small sigh. She wasn’t going to introduce me unless I introduced myself. “Just call me Michael and I am just visiting for a short while,” I replied.

“Oh, the legendary name of the Missing Emperor. Are you a fan of The Lost Story? I heard there is a new volume coming out. I could get you an advanced copy if you are interested,” he said.

“Sure. I prefer quiet though. This place, it is so busy,” I said.

“Well, this is the crown jewel of the Eastern Empire of the Systemic Lands. Not that anyone sits on the throne. Father John claims he is only a steward, but people wonder you know,” he said.

“A smart man. Emperor Michael is very real and very dangerous. With a single thought he crush this entire city,” I replied with a slight smile.

“You…you have seen him?” he asked. Clearly, he didn’t understand Clarissa’s true background if he was asking that question.

“Yes. But enough talk of such things. I was told this city has excellent food,” I replied.

“Ah, a connoisseur. No wonder why you are traveling with the Mistress of Food herself. I know the best restaurants. The Golden Duck is the best, occupying an entire tower.”

“Reserve the entire top floor for me. I don’t wish to be disturbed. This should cover everything,” I said and pulled out two level 10 crystals and held them out. Jean Paul took them and held one up to his eye.

“Bigger than what I usually see. Level 7?” he asked.

“A bit higher. But still pocket change. Now hurry and make arrangements. I will be there within an hour,” I declared.

“But I can’t just clear the top level on your word and two crystals,” he declared with a touch of concern.

“Do it under my name. Anything my companion requests. Consider it coming directly from me with the highest priority and not to be questioned. If anything is lacking, I will be displeased, very displeased,” Clarissa said.

“Um…of course, right away,” he said and rushed off.

“When do you think he will realize?” I asked Clarissa.

“Probably when he checks the crystals,” she replied. “Level 10?”

“Yes. I find it amusing to use them as my currency to pay for things. Anywhere to go in particular besides enjoying a fancy meal?” I asked.

“There is a nice bookstore nearby. Most towers have shops on the first floor in the main commercial area,” Clarissa said. I just nodded and walked beside her. She had purchased a complete five book set of The Lost Story.

As we made our way to the Golden Duck, I flipped through the first book. I was quick at reading, with my stats. By the time we reached the restaurant I had read half way through the book. Jean Paul was standing nervously at an elevator with the staff. As we entered they all bowed towards us.

“What did you think of the book?” Clarissa asked me.

“Hilarious drivel. The amount of romance is frankly ridiculous. Saving women from monsters and forming a harem. Whoever wrote this is a complete idiot,” I replied.

“Hah. At least it got you a bit annoyed,” she teased and I rolled my eyes. We reached the top floor and exited.

“Welcome Miss Clarissa and Guest Michael,” the host said. “We have prepared our finest table on the outdoor balcony overlooking the plaza along with the finest dishes from our award winning chefs. If you need anything, our servers will handle it immediately.”

“Do not disturb me. I wish to enjoy a quiet meal with Clarissa,” I said, and the host gave several affirmatives.

After being shown to our seats, I order fruit juice. “More airships than I would have thought.”

“The top grinders are grinding in level 6 zones now. Airships are necessary,” Clarissa said.

“No one grinding in level 7 zones?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, no. I have tried to encourage people, but it has been difficult,” she answered.

“They are slow. Very slow. That was the case before, and now there is just disappointment,” I said.

“You can’t blame them. Grinding for years to just grind some more with increased danger is not something regular people can endure,” she said.

“Weakness but it is what it is. I understand,” I replied as the first courses were brought out.

“You look unhappy, is the food not good?” Clarissa asked me.

“It is excellent. Just looking at all of this…I have missed so much. But none of it is me. I am so far ahead that I can’t see anyone behind me,” I replied.

“But we are cheering you on,” Clarissa said.

“Perhaps, perhaps. Any luck on getting someone to request a growth weapon?” I asked.

“No. But I did manage to get another portable store,” she said.

“Of course. Now that they are useless to me, you get another one,” I replied.

“Isn’t that how it always is? The Almighty System gives nothing of value,” she jokingly replied and I nodded at that.

“Venerating such a thing. It is a god, but my heart has hardened quite a bit over the years. Where is my next meta-point?” I joked.

“Lost in shipping,” she replied, and I chuckled lightly at that.

“Probably. Perhaps I should have gotten a meta-point extraction point skill or something. Hunt people down and get their meta-points or something. Well, it is too late to complain. I chose the stat increases and that isn’t changing,” I replied.

We continued to chat and joke while course after course was served. It was all quite good. Even the more exotic dishes, they had a wide range of spices and the chef put them to good use. As desert was being served, I heard several people talking loudly back inside the restaurant near the elevator.

“Stupidity?” I asked quietly. Clarissa looked at me but didn’t say anything. I wanted peace and quiet during my visit. I didn’t want to deal with headaches or drama. A group of four men walked out onto the balcony.

Only combat level 6 at best. Nothing to worry about. “Who do you think you are forcing us to cancel our celebratory dinner?” one asked.

“Dressed in gray rags as well.”

“Perhaps you should leave, before you get hurt,” a third said.

“Miss Clarissa, we understand that you are an honored guest in this city, but this man isn’t affiliated with any of the advanced teams. He has no connections or background,” the fourth man said.

“My apologies, but they forced their way past,” the host said. One of the men glared at him and he shut up.

I let out a long sigh. “You should leave my sight. I will give you three seconds. Then I will get up. You do not want me to get up and ruin my dinner,” I calmly said. “One.”

“Do you know who we are? The elite team Heroes, we are at combat level 6, known in both Empires,” one of the men said.

“Two,” I replied. I wouldn’t make a mess. My energy control was too good now. After years of nothing better to do, I had practiced. Practiced so much that I even scared myself sometimes with how skilled I had become.

“You start a fight here, you will be put on the blacklist,” another man declared. That sounded a bit exciting. Then I could kill everyone who dared to even think about putting my name on such a thing.

I didn’t even bother standing up. There was no point in saying the number three. They weren’t leaving. There was a small flash of light. And now they were dead.

All four of them collapsed to the ground, their heads rolling away from the top of their necks. Smoke was curling up from where their necks and heads had been separated from each other.

Even Clarissa had a stunned look on her face. “How?” she whispered in shock. There had been no warning, nothing.

“Just a very focused annihilation beam shaped as a plane across their necks. My control is that good now. I had a lot of time to practice. Decades,” I replied.

“I…Miss Clarissa, this will ruin me,” the host said with panic on his face.

“As long as you say my guest was Michael, then no one will take offense, or even dare to take offense. You are free to tell everyone what you saw here,” she said.

“And remove the corpses. They annoy me,” I declared. The host quickly called over a group of servers who all quickly carried the four corpses away and their heads.

“Now my dessert is warm,” I said with a sigh.

“I will get new ones for you immediately,” the host said and a server took the warm desserts away.

“There won’t be any issues?” I asked Clarissa.

“Do you care or are you worried about me?” she asked.

“I wanted to know if I should wipe out a city or two to send a message,” I replied.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. The death of those four sent a strong enough message already,” she replied.

“Hmmm. If you say so. I will leave such things to your judgement.”

“While I have enjoyed living a relatively quiet life, reminding people I know you is important,” she said.

“Well, you are welcome to use me as bludgeon. It is amusing,” I replied with a smile. I didn’t mind Clarissa manipulating me. It was honestly refreshing that there was something to be manipulated about besides endless grinding.