Chapter 281: The Devil's Vacation

The morning sun was shining. This was the 50th vacation island on Riva Archipelago. Usually, the eastern continent was very cold. Most of its regions experienced heavy rainfall and winter throughout the year.

Even the other islands of the Riva Archipelago were like that.

But the 50th island was different.

It rained here occasionally, but mostly, warm sunshine bathed the place. The kind of sunshine that was not too hot and too cold. The kind that was refreshing.

Because of this, its beaches were frequented most of the time.

Currently, the sounds of giggles reverberated across the place.

Male hands clutched female hands as couples walked through the beach hand in hand. A man chased a woman and hugged her from behind.

A woman screamed playfully that her man was tickling her too much.

A little boy’s eyes widened in fulfillment as he stared at the mighty sand castle he had just built.

His elder sister patted his head.

Somewhere, some people played volleyball. Others surfed across the tides beyond the beach.

Music of all kinds played over the place as people chilled in restaurants.

The atmosphere across the beach was lively, recreational and energetic.

This was how this island always was.

But lately, things had taken a higher turn. Because of the end of the Paranormal Liberation Order, many citizens of Endra were still in a celebratory mood.

Although ecological threats like chaotic beasts and pocket world/gate incidents still existed, the people of Endra treated them like natural threats they had come to accept and live with.

Humans were adaptable. However, the Paranormal Liberation Order had been a different kind of menace. No one felt safe on the planet with their existence. One could be walking the streets peacefully, and suddenly, a lunatic would appear suddenly and self detonate themselves and kill you. Even your own husband or wife could turn out to be a member of that lunatic Organisation.

It was alright to say that, ever since Excellency Aiden Vhorn and the International Union got rid of the Order, many Endreans had realised how physiologically tense they had always been because of the Order’s existence.

Due to this, many had taken serious vacations to chill.

And the Riva Archipelago in the Eastern Continent was the best place for vacations. Also, the 50th island of the Riva Archipelago was known for its beachy atmosphere and mostly sunlit summer-like, spring-like environment.

This was why the place was crowded with people from all walks of life like that.

Currently, a group of six lay leisurely on various mats below a summer hut. All of them were in different shades. The gentlemen wore loose summer shirts, and shorts. The ladies wore shorts, and crop shirts.

They didn’t prefer bikinis because they didn’t see the reason to expose their skins just because they were at a beach.

Most importantly, the men they would have exposed their bodies to—their partners—were right here with them. They had the bedroom for things like that. Why show so much skin in public?

“Man, we really needed a break, didn’t we?” Asmodeus said as he took a sip of an alcoholic beverage in glass and flipped through a new issue of a popular comic book he was catching up on.

“We really did,” Desmonda said. “Since after this vacation, we are all going to plunge ourselves into serious training and increase our strength when Aiden leaves Endra.”

“You guys… can’t you talk about something other than cultivation for once?” Candice rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, guys, try to be considerate here. We came here for a vacation, not to plan a training schedule,” Aiden added with a smirk as he busily played some online game on his phone.

“Tsk. Last time I checked, you beat us up in the training hall in the villa last night. Hypocrite.” Luke clicked his tongue humorously as he gave Aiden a fearful glance.

Everyone did the same. They remembered the beating Aiden put them through last night. Even with the movement techniques, affinity related skills, and high tier cultivation manuals from the Han Yi Ancient Sect they had trained with, alongside the resources of the International Union at their disposal, this dude could see through all their movements and dismantle them with simple, direct precision, even without trying.

Although, they had to admit that Aiden’s methods were efficient and they had noticed their flaws in combat and improved each time he sparred with them.

But still… only maniacs like them would be willing to train with this lunatic.

Sigh…

“Seriously, though… apart from Aiden’s gruesome training, this vacation is the best I’ve had in a long while,” Seraphina added.

“What surprises me is that no one has recognized any of us. Not that I’d prefer it otherwise, though,” Candice said.

Everyone nodded. It was good that no one realized them and swarmed them for autographs.

Even with Aiden aside, everyone in his circle was a genius in their own right known across Endra for some accomplishments.

For example, Desmonda, Candice, Luke, Asmodeus and Seraphina had closed a special rank 2 gate in just a few days in Sauna City, during the time Aiden was away in the Serma Empire. The mission was a terror difficulty mission. The news took Endra by storm. But naturally, because of Aiden’s monstrous feats, it was overshadowed.

It was safe to say it would be normal for people to approach them for autographs and all that. This was because they had been experiencing such things for a while now.

“I guess it’s because we are wearing shades, that’s why no one is recognizing us,” Luke said.

“Or, people’s lives don’t revolve around us and they are busy having fun rather than caring about us?” Aiden said. He didn’t want unnecessary attention in the first place.

“At least it’s easier for you. You are a mythic figure, Aiden. Only a few people among those who adore you can even have the courage to approach you for an autograph,” Desmonda said.

“That’s true. Plus, you are called the Devil of Endra for a reason. You are feared,” Asmodeus added.

“Also, I guess the reason why people may not be approaching is that the old people didn’t come with us on this vacation. Those guys are too high profile,” Desmonda added.

Everyone nodded. Had it been just their parents, Cosmo, Pamela or Arica, keeping a low profile would have been easy. But people like Ashbourne Cane, Vandaport, Wembley and Armstrong Lee would be easily recognized.

“Also, no one would usually expect a mythic figure like Aiden to be at a place like this taking a vacation, so, even if people see him, it won’t register at the moment that he’s the Devil of Endra. Perhaps only someone who pays close attention will recognise him, and us,” Luke said.

“Hehe. Speaking of the Devil of Endra, have you seen the movie?” Candice chuckled.

Everyone looked at her, then looked at Aiden, who was surprised because he had no idea that they had even made a movie about him.

The group broke into serious laughter when they saw the look on his face.

“Dude… the guy who played Aiden is so cringe!”

“What the fuck was the production company thinking!”

“They are facing serious backlash from the public.”

“The movie is rated 2.3 on Bigger tomatoes by critics, because of the bad acting.”

“But because it’s about Aiden, the public has rated it 9.6.”

“Yeah. Don’t forget that people also played us in it!”

“Damn it. We should sue the company. The acting is so bad that when I watched it I wanted to vomit.”

The group laughed.

“Seriously? Is this where this has gotten to?” Aiden shook his head. Well, whatever, not that he cared. People could even make cartoons of him; as long as it didn’t affect him in any way, he didn’t care.

The group continued chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, a group of six youngsters looked their way.

“Babe, your dad is the owner of the Archipelago. Why are we struggling to find a place to sit and chill?” A lady tugged a gentleman’s hand.

“Yeah, dude. The place is packed. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do what we want, right?”

“You just have to tell one of these people that your father owns the Archipelago and they will kiss our ass and hand their mats to us. After all, your dad is a legendary rank 3 warrior and a big business tycoon on the planet.”

The gentleman’s female and male friends said.

His heart swelled up with pride.

The group stared in the direction of Aiden’s group.

“Those guys seem like easy targets,” the young master said.

“Yeah. The girls are pretty too. I bet they will swoon all over us that they will like to hook up with us,” a gentleman in the group said. The other gentlemen nodded.

“We will also have the gentlemen to ourselves,” a lady in a skimpy bikini said. The other ladies nodded.

“Alright, let’s go.” The young master and his group swaggered towards the direction of Aiden and his group.