Edgar Castle

Hector Edgar was having a conversation with his sons Darryl and Marlon as they discussed many affairs ranging from better protecting their family to what was best for the city.

It had been a week since the events at the Payne Estate and so far, Gregory and no one in his family had made a move and all had been relatively quiet.

The discussion was progressive but would soon be interrupted by a man in combat attire who seemed to be there to deliver news.

"My Lord" The man bowed as soon as the door was closed. While his clothes looked tidy enough, there was an haggard look in his eyes that teased the ordeal he had only recently been through

"Karon, I expect you have news to share" Hector said in his calm aged voice prompting Karon to speak

"Yes my lord. I arrived at the Salmon lair and it had been reduced to rubble" Karon reported

"Really? Are you certain?" Darryl asked

"Quite certain"

As the day for the salmon hunt grew closer, Hector began to feel the need to check up on the Salmon lair. When he was a young man he had gone on the hunt as well and like many more before him, he had not a single hope of defeating the 'Ghost Salmon'. Even at his current realm and strength he lacked total confidence.

His sons would also be involved in the hunt centuries later. The break between the hunt usually stretched across at least a century because as mentioned before there was hardly anyone who started a family before the peak stage of the cosmic pearl realm at which point they were usually at least 150 years.

Even though it should have been clear from how many times the past generations failed that the 'Ghost Salmon' was immortal and virtually could not be defeated, the young generation would still go after the salmon

"Was the journey too dangerous?" Hector inquired

"Nothing I couldn't handle"

Hector mused for a while. Even if Salmon had only decided to migrate, it did not change the fact that something must have caused the demolition of it's lair which begs the question; What or Who was it?

"Father, this is good news" Marlon was glad which was understandable as he knew salmon was a menace that only still lived because no one knew how to defeat it.

"It is good news, if it it is really gone and not just doing some renovations or moving to a new residence" Hector said in an inquisitory tone towards Karon

"I searched the whole forest up to the borders of the city and there was no sign of the Salmon anywhere" Karon reported with confidence

Hector sighed. He did not believe the Salmon to be the type to just up and leave, But At least it was now gone. Maybe it was now time to put one of his ideas into action but first he needed to catch an eavesdropper...

Hector waved his hand and the door opened wide by virtue of cosmic energy to reveal Alexander Edgar who stumbled in as he had had his ears pressed tightly against the now open door.

"Alexander, what are you doing? This is a meeting for adults" Darryl was irate, he had warned Alexander against such actions

"I wasn't eavesdropping" Alexander said without missing a beat

"What were you doing then?" Marlon asked in a falsely curious tone that showed an obvious disbelief

"I was passing by. Grandfather called me in here by opening the door just now" Alexander lied through his teeth and hector chuckled before waving for silence

"It's good you're here anyway. You should be among the first to know that in one week there will be a competition between the young generation of salmon city. Anyone would be allowed to compete as long as they are confident in their strength. From the Great families to the Plebeian families and even commoners, all are allowed but, No one above the age of 50 will be allowed to compete. Other details would be kept quiet for later" Hector announced

Alexander smiled. This could be it. What higher glory could there be than proving through competition that he was the best of the young generation?. He would not underestimate anyone. Not after discovering that the one he believed to be a nobody was now the Payne family heir and was ready to kill his own brother in cold blood.

***

Melinda's Mansion. West wing

Hal sat cross legged in the room and absorbed cosmic energy to further bolster his strength at the Cosmic pearl realm Early stage and try to push for a breakthrough which even he knew was greedy.

A figure stirred on the Large bed behind him and Rita sat up on the bed to watch him

"Damn it" Hal cursed as he opened his eyes.

In a flash Rita was behind him and hugging his midsection and pressing her naked mounds to his back

"Trying to be greedy again? She whispered while nipping at his earlobes playfully

"of course I was" Hal said and brought her to his lap and kissed her.

After installing the array Hal decided to spruce up the room and the most important was adding a bed in which, He, Melinda and Rita could take breaks while cultivating.

Outside it had been a weak but inside the array it had been Two and a half months (10 weeks), during which he had successfully formed his cosmic pearl which at the early stage was 5cm(1'8) in diameter, and it's purity surpassing that limit and guaranteed he could most probably defeat someone at the mid stage. As for late stage he should be able to escape. His speed and strength had increased along with improvement in his cultivation base. Meanwhile his flesh had surpassed the limit of the mid stage and stood very close to the peak.

Melinda and Rita had not been idle either as Rita had formed her Cosmic Armament ensuring that Hal's essence was enough for a steady increase till she was ready for the next realm but of course. for a much faster speed she cultivated along with the other two. Hal has replaced the technique she had received from his mother (Green grade) for an ungraded one from the Grimiore.

Melinda was at the peak of the Cosmic pearl realm and getting ready to form her armament However all work and no play was not the 'Hal way'.

"So when are we doing it?" Rita asked

"Whenever you're ready. It's your ass not mine" Hal did in a seemingly innocent tone of voice and Rita slapped him lightly across the arm

"Pervert. What are you thinking about? I was talking about the raid"

"Soon" Hal smiled

The door opened and Melinda walked in with an envelope in hand.

"This just arrived for you" she said before handing it to him and she sat by his side.

Hal opened up the envelope and it contained the competition the Mayor was bidding all eligible youths to participate in. A competition Hal had no real intention of joining. At least not for now.

He handed it to the two so they could read it as,well but their views were not very different from his.

He walked out of the room, faintly sensing the increase in the flow of time. Castor bowed to him

"Master. Eugene Swanson is here" He told Hal

"Finally, lead him to the lounge"

"As you wish Master" Castor said and left, leaving Hal to ponder his decision of signing a contract with Castor to ascertain his loyalty.

It seemed alright.

Hal returned into the room almost instantly returned with Melinda and Rita and together they went to the lounge to finally have their meeting.

...

Eugene Swanson sat in the lounge and couldn't help but be amazed by the orderliness of the maids and servants in the house not to mention the quiet reverence in the air. Even the man that had brought him here had wasted no time with chitchat and left after informing him that his Master was on his way.

He need not wait long for said 'master' as Hal would soon arrive in the lounge clad in casual robes. The two ladies were also dressed in the same manner albeit a little more proper.

"Eugene" Hal greeted once he took his seat,

"Hal. Ladies" Eugene replied in greeting, the two ladies gestured in greeting but otherwise were silent, not because they had no respect for him, but because they had nothing to say.

"So I will get straight to the point. I want to end the slave house" Hal said in a neutral tone

Eugene's eyebrows went up briefly "okay, what is the plan?" He asked

"Relatively simple. I had Castor investigate thoroughly so I have a pretty good understanding of their battle power and everything should be fine"

"I never liked the Holgers anyway however there are a lot of families who would be ready to stand up in it's defense" Swanson said gravely

Those families would definitely see this as a means to gain favor and maybe a discount in the next slave auction.