JOURNEY TWENTY-FOUR

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TRAINING TIME, COSMIC STEWARDS HQ

~Emperor Sage~

"Now's the time to strike, or is it?" I sat thinking about the situation that led to my friend's death. "Eternal Strength" that was his steward name; if he hadn't been banished, he would have been eons above me in terms of power. I buried my head between my palms in anguish; he had always been a good friend and a very solid shoulder to lean on. I couldn't just get his memory off my mind.

I retreated from my thoughts when vMax alerted me that someone was currently at my door. When I saw his pic, I realized that it was Mark, my personal assistant. Although he doesn't really look fit, he is very efficient and, most importantly, he is tight-lipped. I permitted him in and was greeted with his usual plump and funny-looking figure.

"Any news?" I asked with expectancy.

"Yes, boss," Mark replied as he got ready to explain. "After acquiring the burnt-down house from the government two years ago, we have been scouring the whole place every day