Chapter 947: Alternate Timeline: Return of Kiara

For the next few hours, Lucian Storm, with the patience of a courteous host caught between admiration and anxiety, remained by Vann Silver’s side while Noah stood near the entrance like an unmoving sentinel, his sharp eyes never straying far from the store that Kiara had entrusted to his care.

Because Noah was under strict instructions not to leave the premises, he refused every request to demonstrate the weapons himself.

And when Lucian, unable to suppress his embarrassment, reminded him that Vann Silver was now a paying customer, Noah merely pointed to the rules board with the same calm certainty with which a judge points to the law carved in stone, where it was clearly written that the right to deny demonstrations belonged entirely to the employees of the store.

"The scriptures of a temple do not bend because a king enters barefoot," Noah said in his usual flat tone, as though he were reciting an obvious truth. "In the same way, the rules of this store do not change because a powerful customer steps inside."

Lucian could only press his lips together and sigh.

Vann Silver, however, was neither offended nor impatient.

If anything, the old swordsman seemed increasingly fascinated.

He listened carefully to Noah’s explanations, memorized every instruction with the focus of a scholar committing sacred verses to memory, and then proceeded to test the weapons one by one by himself in the testing grounds, with the curiosity of a veteran warrior discovering a new school of swordsmanship.

Each gunshot cracked across the training ground like a whip striking the sky.

The heavier weapons kicked against his shoulder with startling force, making the old man’s robes flutter with every blast.

Explosions sent tremors through the earth and lifted waves of dust into the air.

More than once, Vann’s eyes narrowed with genuine amazement.

There were no sword techniques here.

No seals.

No incantations.

Only a mortal finger pressing a trigger and unleashing destruction that would make many Spirit Warriors think twice.

By the time he had finished his testing, seven hundred and fifty-one gold coins had flowed into the store through ammunition and explosives alone.

Even the old ancestor of House Silver, a man who had lived for more than a century, found himself quietly acknowledging that every coin had been well spent.

Once the demonstrations were over, Lucian returned the borrowed weapons to Noah, who inspected each item with the same care a jeweler gives to priceless gems, and only after confirming that everything was in order did he return to his position behind the counter.

Vann then placed his order.

His voice was calm, but the list he recited was enough to make Lucian blink twice.

"One Panzerkampfwagen I (Panzer), one thousand rounds of 7.9mmx57mm ammunition, one Panzerfaust 3-IT-600, and one hundred 110mm warheads."

Noah’s fingers moved swiftly over the register.

He looked up.

"That will be a total of three thousand gold coins."

Then, in a tone so respectful that it seemed to belong to a completely different person than the one who had denied him entry earlier, he asked, "Would you like to make the purchase in your own name, or in Young Lord Arceus Silver’s name, since you stated that these items are intended for him?"

Lucian nearly coughed.

A few hours ago, he had spoken to Vann Silver as though he were a loitering stranger.

Now, because he was spending a fortune, he treated him like honored royalty.

The transformation was so abrupt that it was almost artistic.

Like master, like servants... Or so Lucian thought.

Vann, however, was unsurprised.

To him, Noah was a puppet. If he shifted from icy indifference to polished courtesy based on the size of a transaction, then that was simply how his creator had designed him.

He asked, "Does it matter whose name is used?"

Without speaking, Noah raised one finger and pointed to the rules board, where the benefits of VIP status were listed in clear detail.

Vann read the section, nodded, and replied, "In that case, register the purchase under Arceus Silver’s name."

Although Arceus was already a Level-2 VIP customer and the transaction would not dramatically change his status, Noah accepted the decision without comment.

Three thousand gold coins changed hands.

The order was completed.

And after the transaction, Vann resumed waiting.

Noah even offered to serve him the Premium Spirit Rosemary Tea or the Wine. Vann chose to drink the tea instead.

Lucian watched this with a strange expression.

The tea itself was excellent, fragrant and smooth, but he could not help thinking that Noah and Kiara were remarkably alike.

Both could be blunt enough to irritate saints.

Both could become unexpectedly warm the moment profit was involved.

The apple, he once again thought, had fallen very close to the mechanical tree.

More than half an hour had passed since the transaction was completed.

The store remained quiet except for the occasional clink of porcelain as Vann set down his teacup.

Then, without warning, the old man’s eyes sharpened.

He rose to his feet in one fluid motion. The chair scraped softly against the floor.

He turned toward the entrance.

"What was that sound?"

Noah’s face brightened instantly, and for the first time since Vann’s arrival, genuine excitement appeared in his eyes.

"My master is here."

He stepped away from the counter and moved to the entrance with the eager precision of a child running to greet a beloved parent.

Moments later, the low thunder of rotating blades grew louder.

Wind swept across the training ground.

Dust spiraled upward.

The helicopter descended like a steel dragon settling onto its nest, and when the blades slowed, two figures emerged from the aircraft.

Kiara.

And Zion.

Kiara had already been telepathically informed of Vann Silver’s arrival, so she was not surprised to see the old man waiting for her.

Still, experience had taught her caution.

After all, she had recently dealt with one king who turned out to be an impostor.

Before speaking, she activated her appraisal.

Vann Silver

Race: Human

Age: 118

Rank: 9-star

Spirit Path: Swordsman

Attribute: Wind

Affiliation: Phoenix Empire

Description: The former head of the House Silver, a master swordsman, and a 9-star rank.

Kiara’s eyes flickered.

So he really is a Supreme Realm expert.

The revelation did not shock her.

Both Lucian and Arceus had hinted as much.

But seeing the confirmation in front of her gave the title a different weight.

If she had met this man before her trip to Celestra, she might have felt a measure of caution.

Now, after killing an eighth-rank elder of the Church, her confidence had grown sharp enough to cut steel.

As she entered the store, Lucian leaned toward Vann and whispered quietly, "The man with her is Zion, the one I told you about."

Vann narrowed his eyes. In one instant, he sensed that Zion, just like Noah, was a life puppet as well.

He stepped forward and spoke in an even tone.

"For someone who is rumored to command an eighth-rank Beast King, you took your time returning, Miss Kiara."

His face was calm.

His words could have been a simple observation.

Or a subtle reproach.

Kiara’s eyes narrowed slightly at those words. She was not the sort to leave a thrown stone unanswered.

"And for a Supreme Realm expert, you are remarkably patient," she replied, removing her gloves one finger at a time, "The last time I heard of someone at your level, he was forcing Emperor Alexander himself to kneel because of a noble’s foolishness."

Lucian froze.

The remark struck like a hidden blade.

Vann, however, merely smiled. "Fair enough."

He inclined his head.

"Let us speak of the matter at hand."

"Of course." Kiara turned toward Noah. "Noah, bring down Young Lord Arceus."

Noah’s smile widened. "Right away, Big Sis."

His voice carried unmistakable delight.

He practically flew up the stairs and returned moments later with Arceus Silver.

The moment Kiara saw him, she noticed the relief blooming across his face like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

For a brief second, she found herself wondering what exactly had caused that expression.

Was he happy because his great-grandfather had come to take him home?

Or because she had returned?

The thought drifted through her mind like a feather and vanished just as quickly.

Arceus stepped toward her. "You are finally home."

He exhaled deeply, as though releasing a burden he had been carrying for days.

"You were gone for three days. I was worried something might have happened."

Kiara blinked. "Well, I only intended to go for lunch."

She rubbed the back of her neck with a rueful smile.

"But then things became complicated. There was a kingdom to restore, a branch to open, and..."

She stopped.

Arceus was staring at her with a bewildered expression.

Kiara frowned.

"Wait."

She turned slowly toward Noah. "Didn’t you explain what I was doing?"

Noah stiffened.

For the first time that day, he looked genuinely flustered. "Big Sister never instructed me to inform Young Lord Arceus."

Kiara sighed.

Sometimes, these Androids’ obedience was so exact that it became its own form of comedy.

She shook her head and turned back to Arceus.

"It is a long story. I will tell you later."

Then she looked toward Vann Silver, whose ancient eyes were studying the two of them with keen interest.

"But first, let us settle the matter that brought everyone here."

She folded her arms and addressed him directly. "Lord Silver, you may now tell us how you intend to help your great-grandson."

Arceus blinked, then turned sharply toward the old man.

He hurried forward and greeted. "I am sorry for making you wait here for so long. I had no intentions to disrespect you."

Vann’s stern features softened. He looked at Arceus with the mixture of affection and authority that only an elder who had watched generations rise and fall could possess.

"I came to take you home, Ark."

His voice was steady and warm as he further stated. I kept my promise to Lucian Storm. Your marriage to Jennifer Drake has been put on hold."

A flicker of hope passed through Arceus’s eyes.

Vann then continued. "If you do not wish to marry her, then your wishes will be respected."

For a brief moment, the room seemed to breathe.

Then Vann’s expression grew more serious.

"However..."