Wallace received Avalon's warning about the Empire's Fleet…

"A hundred and twenty hours, huh…"

He was a bit impressed considering the distance they have to travel.

Their speed is actually extremely fast. The empire has surely improved its propulsion technology by leaps and bounds.

After all, Ace was only able to achieve a faster speed due to the existence of Mana that he could use indefinitely.

For now, he could guess that the Empire has found another method of harnessing the Aether aside from the GH Drive.

"Right, you also mentioned that they are sending out Mech Frames from time to time?"

[ Correct. We assume that they are conducting some anti-ambush protocols. ]

Avalon replied.

They already left the floating island when they received the update about the Empire's descent. They are now back at the Mt. Ravencroft where they are inspecting the Mech Knights that the factory has recently made.

"I see. They are being careful. I hope they can act recklessly after landing here."

It seems that the Empire would only stop in some coordinates that would appear to have a perfect spot for an ambush before moving ahead.

For now, they are still unsure whether the fleet can already detect some remnants of their Mana.

Wallace sat on a chair at the side while he's watching the automatons get busy assembling the Mech Knights' parts that were just delivered.

"Very well… We are almost ready here as well."

Their preparations may not be enough but this should bring them good results. At the very least, they wouldn't be helpless once the Empire descended unlike what he had dreamed before…

'That won't happen again…'

As his thoughts reached this point, he recalled something important

"Avalon, where do you think they'll land this time? Do you think that it would be the same region?"

[ Calculating the probability… ]

Wallace waited as the A.I. would perhaps consider the rotation of their planet once the Empire gets closer or perhaps find a decent-looking land or sea near the continent…

'If they landed on the sea, it would be difficult for us to launch an attack it, but if it's on the mainland, it would create huge damage in the area instead…'

Either way, the nearest people in the area of their descent would surely suffer first….

So Wallace was a bit hoping that the Empire would decide to land in some mountain range rather than the far sea.

[ Unable to calculate with the limited information we have. ]

It appears that Avalon requires more data to draw some conclusions. Nevertheless, it is indeed extremely challenging to calculate such a thing.

"I'll be visiting my family, Avalon. If anyone would look for me, you can tell them to wait here…"

[ Affirmative. ]

Wallace then stood up and used his Void Phase…

After a few jumps… He arrived at the Luna Lake of the Red Star Town.

The lake is still serene with unique flowers growing around them. He can see a couple of wooden boats at the side and a newly painted sign beside it that introduces the lake and the flowers beside it.

Wallace smiled seeing this… He still recalls that this is the place where his soul completely merged with this body through the Cube of Paradox or Pathfinder's help…

After reminiscing for a moment, he headed towards the familiar house of his parents, a place he could call his home on this planet.

This place, or this town, received several improvements on their Town Barrier through Ace's sponsorship. It means that even if the Empire still decided to descend here, they would have enough time to prepare or even fight against them.

Wallace glanced behind him and found the mountain range where the Empire descended in his dream.

Most of the starships were focused in the Stella Region and a couple of Conqueror Starship that went in this direction seem like they were only tasked to clean up the area… The forces of their fleet were still focused in that region if he remembers it correctly…

Now that he thinks about it, he found it weird for them to descend here… It's not like they are actually looking for him…

"Stella Region…" Wallace muttered as he thought of something…

"Son? You're here? Why don't you enter? Don't just stand there…"

Chase noticed the young man standing in front of their house looking at the sky… He didn't want to interrupt him at first but he thought that he was just being shy or something, so he decided to call him out.

"Father… Yes, I'm going in…"

"Right, I heard you mutter about the Stella Region is there something wrong?"

Chase has many questions about the situation of their planet and about his plans but he decided to ask about Wallace's words just now.

"Ahh… You heard that… I was just curious about the Stella Region. Is there anything special there?"

"There is… Of course, I'm sure that you already know of it."

Wallace nodded slowly. His father is right, he knows what's special in that place…

It is the only region where the Memory Crystals can be mined in the country. These Crystals can store a massive amount of knowledge and are now being experimented to be used as a medium to make normal humans become Magicians like them.

"Is it a coincidence... Anyway... About the Seed Holdings… How are they progressing, father?"

"Haha… So you're interested in our work there?"

Chase laughed and was about to explain the details of their job when Elaine, Clarice, and Claire greeted him…

"Welcome home, Brother!"

"Wallace, why did just visit us now? Have you eaten yet?"

"Ahh… I haven't yet." Wallace smiled as he replied to her mother.

"Let me prepare now…"

The young man felt relaxed being here as he felt guilty about Ace's situation.

'Ahh… I should bring him here next time.'

Wallace smiled at the thought as he brought out some gifts to his family. He used his dimensional storage space to store the 7th Generation Mana Artifacts that he received from Aeolia.

He knows that these advanced level Mana Artifacts would certainly help soldiers or magicians in real battles… Giving them to his people might be more beneficial if one would look at it.

However, he wanted to ensure the safety of his family first.

He lost his family in his previous life, but now, he wouldn't let it happen.

It is as simple as that…

That is why he doesn't think that it's a waste giving them the latest generation of mana artifacts. He only wanted to provide them additional security.

"What are these, Brother? Wait---"

Clarice asked but she suddenly had a hunch about the item in front of her.

"Is this the 7th Generation you've mentioned before?!"

Even Chase and Elaine were shocked after seeing Wallace's gift.

They could see a small bottle with black liquid on it. They thought that it's some kind of unique potion or perhaps some tonic that has been popular recently…

"Son, is that true?"

"Yes, mom… This is the Seventh Gen…"

"Haa~ I didn't think that I would live until the creation of 7th Gen…"

Chase muttered after hearing his son's confirmation.

His thoughts weren't baseless considering the gap between the Fourth Gen and the Fifth Gen, then the Fifth Gen to the Sixth Gen Mana Artifact.

Decades if not centuries would pass before another Generation was made… They have just heard about the 6th Gen that has been a hot topic a few weeks ago…

However, Wallace is already introducing the Seventh Gen to them.

"How does it work?"

"You can say that it will help us magicians create a synthetic mana core, a sentient mana and…"

Wallace shared his knowledge about the 7th Generation and spend the whole day with his family.

He discussed to them his plans, he told them the places they needed to hide in once the Empire descended… He also let his father explain the progress of their task about the Inheritance Pill.

Finally, he left them a couple of superior combat automatons that he pulled out from his dimensional storage space.

"Right… One last thing, please don't sacrifice yourself when we're in danger… You have to trust me… I'm very strong, mother… father…"

Wallace seriously looked at his parents before glancing at the rings on their finger…

Chase and Elaine squinted their eyes after noticing this.

They were a bit surprised but they also couldn't hide the happiness in their eyes after seeing that Wallace looks so reliable even at a young age.

They nodded at their son and promised that they'll trust him.

The young man smiled and left the town after a while…

He already completed his arrangements for his family.

***

Wallace returned to his command center within his territory at Mt. Ravencroft.

"Did anyone look for me?"

[ Yes. Charles Mavis visited once. He hinted that he discovered the floating island you're hiding and wanted to get into one. ]

"Urgh… Anyone else?"

Wallace understands the man's curiosity but he can't allow him there at this time.

[ None. ]

"I see… How's the situation above?"

[ The Empire's Fleet just passed over the Moon Base and is now heading here. Ace also wanted us to finish all the preparations. ]

"We've been ready for several days now…"

Wallace smirked as he sat down on his chair and closed his eyes…

Finally, it's time for them to act.