Chapter 996 996: Living in the moment
For the next two days, Lucifer didn't see the Empress. It was said that she had gone somewhere to take care of some matters personally. However, only a few people knew where exactly she went.
During the two days, Lucifer did nothing other than train. He even refused to meet anyone who arrived, including the people that he had known for years from back on earth, including Kellac.
In the past, he never would've refused to meet Kellac but currently, he paid them no heed. For some reason, Kellac felt strange when he was sent back without even getting an audience. He couldn't help but glance at the palace for quite some time before turning around and leaving.
Not only did Lucifer stop paying attention to his ship, but for the time being, he assigned a new Captain to command his ship in his absence, making all of them feel as if they were abandoned.
However, he didn't select a random person. He selected the Heir of the Ostrin Clan, who had become something akin to a friend since they went through the Captain Trials of the Star Alliance together.
As soon as Ron Ostrin came to know where he was being assigned, he came to meet Lucifer. For some reason, he found it strange that Lucifer was letting him take over the ship whose control he worked so hard to win.
Unlike Kellac and others, Ron was allowed inside the palace since he was the grandson of one of the top Generals of the Star Alliance. Moreover, then Lucifer didn't refuse him.
"May I ask why you're doing this?" Ron asked as soon as he opened the room of the training arena.
In the center of the Arena, Lucifer stood, topless. In both his hands, there were gauntlets made from black lightning. However,all around him, cracks were visible, including on the ground.
Some signs of decay could also be seen in places, as if the surroundings itself had decayed.
"Why am I training? Is that even a question?" Lucifer turned around as his gauntlets dispersed.
He picked up a towel and wiped the seat off his well chiseled body.
"I need to stay ready for whatever may come my way," Lucifer further stated. "Besides, with the state of the world today, being prepared for anything is more important than ever."
"That's not what I'm talking about." Ron closed the door behind him as he landed in the middle of the training arena as well. "I'm asking you about your position, that you're giving me. I want to know why?!"
"It's only temporary," Lucifer replied. "I will be going somewhere and might be busy, so I don't have time to take care of that. And who better than you to take care of them? In any case, I'm sure you'll be much better than me in that regard..."
Even though he said that, only he knew that this wasn't the entire reason. After what he heard last time, he didn't want to face them. He had a feeling that they would've liked to work with someone like Ron much more than someone like him.
At the same time, he also needed someone to protect his home world. Since it was in his territory, someone else had to do that in his stead when he was absent, and he believed that Ron was the best for that.
Not only was he honest and genuine, but he also had high influence thanks to his grandfather. In the Star Alliance, if there was someone he could trust with this responsibility, it was Ron.
"Why do I feel like there's something more to it than that?" Ron had known Lucifer for quite some time, and he understood the young man quite a lot.
As he saw Lucifer avoiding his gaze as he answered, he could feel that something was wrong.
Unfortunately for him, Lucifer didn't answer.
"Since you're here, how about we train one last time before I leave?" Lucifer changed the topic as he tossed the towel away.
The lightning gauntlets appeared around his arms once again. However, he didn't use anything else other than the Black Lightning which was the specialty of Ron's bloodline.
Ron momentarily forgot what he was talking about as he heard about a training battle. His eyes shone brightly. His mind was very simple and he loved fighting.
He took off his jacket and tossed it away. Two gauntlets made from black lightning appeared around his hands. At the same time, lightning appeared covering his entire body.
"Definitely!" He exclaimed.
For the next four hours straight, explosive battle noises could be heard all around the Palace. The maids and the servants could feel the walls vibrate occasionally.
Some of the guards checked to see if they were under attack. However, when they found out that it was just their Prince Consort training with his friend, they were all surprised.
It was like the battle of two beasts. The crack on the wall outside the training hall kept getting bigger until the entire wall broke apart.
A figure covered in pitch black lightning Armor shot out of the training hall, crashing in the hallway. It was none other than Ron.
However, instead of growing in pain or getting angry, he only laughed. He was truly enjoying the battle.
Just like him, Lucifer had also suffered quite a lot. His body was bleeding. However, he was forcefully preventing his Healing from working since he wanted to enjoy this battle like it should be, without using any other abilities.
It was like the two men wanted to give it their all during this battle, only talking with their fists.
Ron flew inside the Training Hall once again and the battle resumed, causing more and more destruction around the place.
The battle only stopped after an entire ten hours passed.
Both, Ron and Lucifer, lay on the Floor a few meters away from each other, breathing heavily. However, both of them appeared to be very refreshed. Even Lucifer felt much lighter now.
"Thank you." He told Ron out of nowhere. Since the last few days, there were many thoughts in his head which made him feel like he was going to go crazy.
However, in this fight, he didn't have to think about anything. He could finally relax himself and just enjoy the moment, forgetting everything about the present and the future.
"We should do it again when you return from wherever you're going." Ron laughed in response. "This was fun."
Lucifer didn't reply to Ron. He had a feeling that when he returned, things were going to be much different... This was a moment that might never return for him…