A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 233: Back To The Tiger Clan
Chapter 233: Back To The Tiger Clan

Arix answered each question with patience, aware of the thinly veiled disapproval for the Alliance in their words. Yet, she kept her responses positive, offering a few kind words about her home back at the Alliance, all while maintaining a warm smile.

After what felt like an endless stream of questions, Arix finally found a moment to sit down, choosing a spot next to Drexel.

”You really have lost weight, Arix. Make sure to eat plenty,” said Krylak from the head of the table, his smile full of warmth and pride for her. Arix, after all, was the clan’s shining star.

”Will do,” Arix replied, her smile sweet and sincere.

Nearby, Fleur and Thaddeus exchanged a glance, taken aback by the outpouring of affection the Tiger Clan had for Arix. Their fondness for the clan grew as they watched the scene unfold.

As the feast officially kicked off, the bond between the Kering family and the Tiger Clan grew even stronger. They shared drinks, food, and laughter, the atmosphere becoming more and more like that of one big, happy family.

Arix had expected to see Scion at the feast, but as time passed and he was nowhere to be found, her worry deepened. Her thoughts drifted to a recent, unsettling dream, prompting her to reach out to Targon through her opticomputer.

”Arix: Hey, Targon, where’s Scion? I haven’t seen him around today.”

Targon, mid-bite, paused at the sound of his opticomputer pinging. He read the message and quickly typed a reply.

”Targon: He’s over at the Moon Goddess Temple. He’s about to become the Pontifex, so he couldn’t make it.”

Arix’s heart skipped a beat as she read his response. Scion had told her he wouldn’t take on the role of Pontifex. ’Has he been forced into it? Or has he not been honest with me from the start?’

She clenched her fists, not in anger, but out of worry. ’Is Scion under pressure from the Moon Goddess Temple? And what does this mean for Grandpa’s position?’

After a deep breath, she sent another message to Targon.

”Arix: What’s going on? Why is Scion suddenly becoming the Pontifex? And is my grandfather okay?”

”Targon: I’m not sure. Outsiders aren’t allowed in the Moon Goddess Temple, but I heard that the temple’s elders asked your grandfather to step down. Scion’s the next candidate for Pontifex, so he left with the temple folks two days ago.”

Targon assured her, ”If Scion becomes the Pontifex, your grandfather will definitely come back to the Tiger clan. The clan leader will likely arrange for us to bring him home, and we can all go together.”

In the Empire, becoming the Pontifex is a huge honor for the clan, so Targon wasn’t too worried about Scion leaving with the Moon Goddess Temple. In fact, he felt a mix of pride and happiness over it.

But Arix couldn’t shake off her unease. Something about the situation felt wrong.

After sending a quick reply to Targon, she set her opticomputer down, her mind spinning with thoughts. ’What could have happened at the Moon Goddess Temple that they were in such a hurry to replace the Pontifex?’

Arix had a strong sense that if Scion took on the role, something terrible would follow.

’But how can I stop it?’ She dropped her head, lost in thought.

”Arix, Arix...” Krylak’s voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to the present.

”Yes?” Arix asked, trying to push aside her worries as she looked at him with confusion.

”I heard you’re getting engaged to that boy, Cassian?” Krylak asked, sounding casual.

”Yes, after the mecha tournament, we’ll have the engagement party,” Arix answered, her mind still elsewhere.

”Haha, that’s just a month away. Cassian made a smart move. Arix, you won’t regret this engagement. His talent, strength, and character are all solid,” Krylak said with a warm smile, clearly approving of Cassian.

If Arix was the bright hope of the Alliance, then Cassian was the Empire’s pride. With his exceptional talent and strength, boasting both psychic and physical power at the Supergiant+ level, Cassian was a standout. Most notably, he was the only pureblood royal born in nearly a thousand years. To Krylak, Cassian was more than worthy of his niece.

Arix returned his smile but kept quiet. If it weren’t for what Fleur had said, she wouldn’t have agreed to this engagement so soon. It wasn’t that Cassian wasn’t a good match—he was. But Arix felt they were all too young to be tied down by marriage. At this stage in their lives, learning and growing should be the priority, not romance.

But...

Arix glanced around at her clan members, who were eagerly discussing the engagement, and at Thaddeus and his wife, who were beaming with joy. In the end, she just lowered her head and kept her thoughts to herself.

...

After the welcoming feast, Arix made her way back to the cozy room that the Tiger Clan had arranged for her.

She knew she needed to get some rest, with a visit to Cassian’s parents and the task of choosing her engagement dress on the schedule for tomorrow. So, she decided to call it a night early.

But sleep didn’t come easily. Her mind was swirling, and when she finally drifted off, she found herself caught in a dream. In it, she was standing in front of the grand Moon Goddess Temple.

The place was alive with energy. A festival seemed to be in full swing, and the temple’s entrance was packed with therians, all buzzing with excitement. Their faces were lit up with joy, but try as she might, Arix couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Then, the doors of the Moon Goddess Temple swung open. First came eight knights on beasts, leading the way. Behind them, a stream of believers in priest robes flowed out of the temple.

Some carried baskets brimming with flower petals, scattering them as they walked. Others played lively music, while a few danced with ceremonial objects.

Arix stood there, confused, unable to grasp what was happening at the temple.

It wasn’t until she saw twelve believers carrying a lavishly draped white carriage that the pieces started to click. This was the ceremony for the new Pontifex’s inauguration.

Standing alone in the sea of people, Arix felt a wave of sadness as she locked eyes on Scion, seated in the carriage. He wore the ornate robes of the Pontifex, yet his cold face remained unchanged.

Scion, who had once sworn to Arix that he wouldn’t take the role of Pontifex, had now accepted the position.

As the celebratory procession moved further away, Arix remained frozen, lost in thought. But then, she snapped out of it and quickly made her way toward the Moon Goddess Temple.

Her pace slowed only when she reached the hall dedicated to the Moon Goddess. Cautiously, she approached the entrance, intent on sneaking a peek inside. Just as she got close, a loud shout rang out from within.

The sudden noise made Arix jump, her heart racing. She nearly collapsed in fright. Taking a moment to steady herself, she pressed her ear against the door, trying to catch what was being said.

”Vezgor, oh Vezgor, who would’ve thought you’d end up like this? How does it feel to be crippled and stuck in a wheelchair?” Ignathor’s voice, once so careful and respectful toward Vezgor, was now dripping with arrogance and delight.

Outside the hall, Arix’s eyes widened in shock. The man who had once been so powerful—her grandfather—was now crippled.

She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the urge to burst in. She needed to stay calm and figure out what had led to her grandfather’s downfall.