Chapter 171: Private Vessel

?He couldn’t save everyone in the Astral Dominion just yet.

?But he could save them.

?And for now, that was more than enough.

?After exchanging a few final words with the residents, Cassian officially concluded his business on Planet Roca.

His family’s quality of life had been secured, their complex was structurally sound and heavily fortified, and his neighbors had been granted a second chance at a peaceful future.

?There were still endless tasks demanding his attention, but he couldn’t afford to remain on Roca any longer.

?The Orion Rift was calling.

?Cassian turned toward Nyxara, who had been waiting quietly nearby throughout the entire affair. "It’s time for us to leave."

?The Undead Champion gave a firm nod. "As you command, my Lord."

?Cassian cast one last look at the renovated complex. He had resolved every lingering issue on Planet Roca.

?Now, it was time to plunge into the depths of the Orion Rift and uncover whatever secrets had driven the Arachnid Empire to risk a galactic war.

....

Cassian stood before the mirror, adjusting the collar of his black shirt before slipping into a lightweight jacket.

His golden hair was neatly arranged, and his piercing blue eyes carried their usual calm confidence. Satisfied with his appearance, he picked up his communicator and checked the time.

?It was almost time to leave for the Lord Transit, a specialized space station operated by the Lord Association.

Unlike ordinary civilian spaceports, the Lord Transit was designed specifically for Lords, providing rapid transportation between planets, interstellar sectors, and designated regions of interest.

Its advanced spatial transit systems made traveling across the Astral Dominion considerably more convenient for those possessing the necessary clearance.

?Today, Cassian and Nyxara were heading there to begin their journey toward the Orion Rift.

?He stepped out of his room and found his mother and daughter waiting in the sitting room.

?"You’re leaving already, Dad?" Ruby asked, her expression carrying a distinct hint of dissatisfaction.

?"Unfortunately, yes." Cassian crouched slightly and patted her head. "I’ll be back as soon as I finish what I need to do. Make sure you listen to Grandma while I’m gone."

?Ruby puffed out her cheeks. "Why does everyone keep telling me that?"

?"Because you keep giving everyone reasons to say it."

?"That’s not true!"

?Cassian chuckled before turning toward Seraphina. "Mom, I’ll leave Ruby in your care."

?Seraphina smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair away from Ruby’s face. "Don’t worry about us, sweetheart. Focus on your work, and make sure you don’t get into unnecessary trouble."

?"I’ll try."

?Seraphina gave him a knowing look. "That’s what worries me."

?Cassian laughed before embracing his mother. After exchanging a few final words with his family, he turned toward Nyxara, who was waiting quietly near the entrance.

?"Ready?"

?"Yes, my Lord."

?Unlike their previous outings, Nyxara wasn’t wearing her usual violet armor dress.

Cassian had purchased several sets of civilian clothes for her before leaving Planet Roca, sparing her the inconvenience of wearing battle gear everywhere.

?Today, she wore a simple dark top, fitted trousers, and a lightweight jacket. The ensemble complemented her pale complexion and flowing purple hair without drawing unnecessary attention to her unusual features.

?Cassian had chosen something similar for himself, comfortable, understated, and practical for long-distance travel.

After all, there was no reason to dress like a Lord preparing for battle when they were merely heading to a transportation station.

?The two stepped outside, where their vehicle awaited them.

?Cassian approached the passenger’s side while Nyxara paused beside the door, as Cassian opened it for her with a small smile.

?"After you."

?Nyxara blinked, looking momentarily startled before climbing inside. "My Lord, you don’t have to do that for me."

?"I know."

?Cassian closed the door gently, walked around the front of the car, and settled into the driver’s seat.

?He leaned back into the plush leather and activated the ignition.

?A soft chime sounded as the dashboard illuminated. The vehicle’s personal AI came online, performing a quick diagnostic scan before confirming that all internal systems were operational.

?Moments later, the thrusters hummed to life, and the antigravity system lifted the car smoothly off the driveway.

?The vehicle rose above street level before accelerating smoothly into the morning sky.

?Nyxara’s eyes widened slightly. She turned toward the window, watching the city unfold beneath them as the vehicle joined the elevated traffic lanes.

?The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. The seats were upholstered in luxurious, temperature-regulating material, allowing passengers to adjust heating and ventilation with a simple vocal command.

A sleek dashboard displayed navigation maps, vehicle diagnostics, and communication channels through a responsive holographic interface.

?The rear compartment was spacious enough to accommodate additional passengers or heavy cargo without making the cabin feel cramped.

?Everything had been engineered for absolute comfort and efficiency.

?Nyxara looked around with undisguised curiosity. "This vehicle is rather impressive, my Lord."

?Cassian glanced sideways at her. "Do you like it?"

?"Very much. The technology is quite different from what I’m accustomed to."

?"That’s understandable." He smiled, guiding the vehicle smoothly between two high-altitude transit lanes.

?Cassian possessed [Gate], which allowed him to teleport across the Astral Dominion without relying on conventional transit.

However, the skill had one major limitation: he couldn’t bring other living beings along with him.

?At least, not yet.

?Taking Nyxara through public transport networks was an option, but it would have introduced unnecessary security checks and unwanted attention.

As his Champion, she accompanied him on high-stakes missions, and he preferred keeping their movements as swift and discreet as possible.

?Purchasing a private luxury transport had therefore been a practical choice.

?Besides, he had more than enough funds to spare.

?Nyxara continued examining the cabin, occasionally glancing at the central display whenever the AI voiced a navigation prompt.

?Cassian found her quiet curiosity endearing. Despite her terrifying combat abilities, there were still many mundane aspects of modern civilization that fascinated her.

Watching her experience them was an unexpected pleasure.

?"Since you like it so much," he remarked lightly, "you can pick out the next vehicle we buy."

?Nyxara turned toward him, her long elf ears twitching slightly. "Really?"

?"Of course. Just don’t pick something that gives people the wrong impression."

?She stared at him for a quiet moment before realizing he was teasing her. "My Lord, I would never do such a thing."