Atticus’s Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1504  Next Move

“Sure, ‘persuasive’.” Magnus chuckled. “I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Memories of Anorah being ‘persuasive’ raced through Atticus’ mind and he exhaled.

“If it’s any consolation,” Magnus said, glancing at him, “I’ve never once regretted my decision. Even now. There’s no one I’d rather be with than Freya.”

Atticus smiled softly and looked toward a distant direction where a lone woman stood.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” he said quietly. ” I know Grandma Freya feels the same way.”

Magnus’ expression tightened, and he slowly curled his fingers into a fist.

“…yes.”

Atticus excused himself after that, appearing before a vast field. His eyes immediately found Anorah, standing in brooding silence before a long stretch of graves. Noctis, having apparently accepted his fate, was plopped on her head, fast asleep.

Her silky golden hair swayed gently in the night wind. While Atticus had spent the last hours scouring the region to ensure every last Redflame was dead, Anorah had instead focused on gathering the fallen resistance members.

 It didn’t matter if their heads were severed or their bodies burnt to ash, she gathered whatever pieces she could.

As the bonfire was lit and the survivors partied behind them, she had been here, digging graves for the dead.

“They died fighting for their beliefs,” Atticus said as he advanced beside her. “There’s no prouder death.”

Anorah didn’t look away from the graves.

“I used to think the same thing,” she murmured, a sad smile on her lips. “But dead is dead. Either way, your beliefs end with you.”

“But they don’t.”

Anorah slowly turned toward him.

“You hold the same belief. And so do the dozens of others still alive. They died knowing you’d carry it with you.”

Anorah clenched her fist, her eyes softening as she nodded.

“…Mhm.”

Silence settled between them for a moment.

“So… what now?”

“This again?… You’re the man, remember?” she murmured.

“Oh? I would think you already collected that title from me after everything.”

“What are you talking about?”

Atticus suddenly took a dramatic step back, raised his arm to the sky like he was lifting a heroic sword, and, using the highest pitched voice he could muster, declared:

“Protect your home! Never give up!”

Anorah’s face instantly flushed beet red.

“Atticus…”

But Atticus didn’t stop. He manipulated glow around him, letting it radiate off his body like some holy beacon.

“For the resistance!”

“You…!” Anorah lunged at him, but Atticus was already retreating at full speed.

“For the resistance! For the resistance!”

“You’re courting death!”

Anorah’s speed doubled, and the two of them turned into blurs streaking across the field. The commotion jolted Noctis awake.

“Kuu… dada!”

The moment he realized Atticus was the target, the little creature’s eyes narrowed. Finally able to take revenge for earlier, he joined the chase with enthusiasm.

“Come back here!”

“Kuu!”

“Alright, alright!” Atticus finally stopped, throwing his hands up. “Take it easy on me!”

Anorah didn’t. She tackled him hard, slamming him into the ground. Noctis happily drenched his face with slobber while she sat on him, staring directly into his eyes.

“Making jokes, aren’t we.”

Atticus coughed, looking away.

“No, of course n—”

A sharp stab of ache shot through him as she pinched him again.

“Alright! Alright! I’m sorry, okay?”

“Apologize properly.”

Atticus sighed, then another wave of pain forced him to straighten his voice.

“I’m sorry for mocking such a valiant moment. That was cowardly of me.”

“Kuu!”

Atticus turned to see Noctis also staring at him, little chin raised like a tiny judge.

“Apologize to him too,” Anorah said.

“What?… do you even know why… ouch!”

Atticus turned to Noctis. “I’m sorry, little guy. I’ll do better.”

Noctis’ eyes lit up and he wagged his fluffy tail before launching forward and licking his entire face.

“Dada!”

‘You’re easy to please.’ Atticus laughed.

As he finally peeled Noctis off him, he suddenly realized the situation.

Anorah was seated directly on his… crotch. A rush of heat hit his face instantly.

“Ahem.”

Anorah frowned. “What?”

“…you look cute.”

She followed his gaze, noticed exactly where she was sitting, and her face exploded red.

“You… pervert!”

She shot to her feet so fast the air whooshed out of Atticus’ lungs.

‘You were the one sitting on me!’ he wanted to scream, but wisely said nothing.

Once the tension cooled, Anorah finally voiced the question on both their minds.

“Now, we ascend?”

Atticus nodded, gently brushing Noctis’ soft fur.

“Now. We ascend.”

…

As the night wore on, the resistance members, after hours of laughing, drinking, and sharing stories, finally drifted toward the mass graveyard Anorah had prepared. One by one, they paid their respects before retiring.

Ozeroth and Ozerra argued the entire night, and not once did either of them acknowledge their painfully obvious connection.

The night passed quickly, and peacefully.

By morning, Atticus found himself inside a tense room with his people.

Anorah stood at his side, along with several council members, Whisker, Magnus, Ozeroth, and Ozerra.

The tension came from two directions.

First were the council members, especially those who had previously clashed with Atticus. After witnessing his battle with Merek, their entire demeanor had shifted into stiff, fearful silence. None of them even dared to breathe too loudly.

The second source was Ozeroth and Ozerra. Despite their shouting match the night before, they were now locked in a silent standoff, eyes burning with intensity. Whisker seemed thoroughly entertained by the spectacle, while Atticus simply shook his head. He could practically see the sparks flying between them.

He cleared his throat, drawing the room’s attention.

“Alright. Now that we’ve dealt with the most pressing issue,” he said, “we need to decide our next move. Ascending.”

The darkened gazes from several council members didn’t escape him. He understood their hesitation well. They had just wiped out the Redflames in this layer, ascending meant diving straight into new problems.

“Before we ascend,” Whisker said, “I suggest you capture all the territories in this layer first.”

Atticus nodded. “This will be our next move.”

The meeting didn’t last long. After outlining everything that needed to be done, they set off immediately, roaming across the layer in search of the remaining territories.