Wandering Tech-Priest in Multiverse

Tpm chapter 206

The tent was quiet.Not empty quiet, but the kind that settled when everyone understood they were being observed. Lamps cast steady light across the fabric walls, shadows held in place by tension rather than darkness.

Luthar stood near the central crate, helm still on, posture unchanged from the moment Lily had led the others inside.

Lily stopped first.

Daphne and Cassandra followed more slowly, careful not to disturb whatever invisible boundary they had crossed. Cassandra's grip tightened briefly on Daphne's sleeve before she forced herself to let go and stand on her own.

Natasha watched from the side.

She said nothing. Her attention remained on Cassandra—measuring her breathing, the stiffness in her posture, the way her eyes kept drifting back to Luthar despite herself.

Luthar's gaze passed over Lily first. A single nod of acknowledgment. Arrived in a single day.

Then Daphne.

Then Cassandra.

"Tell me what you saw," he said. "In your dreams."

Cassandra swallowed.

"I saw destruction," she said. "Too many dead to count. You were standing in the middle of it, and there was—"

She stopped. Not from fear, but confusion.

"…something beside you," she continued slowly. "Made of metal and crystal."

No reaction.

"I tried to ignore the dreams," Cassandra went on. "But when Apollo started speaking to others—about pressuring you—I realized they weren't just dreams anymore."

Luthar tilted his head slightly.

Cassandra flinched, then pushed on. "In every future I've seen, people die. Not just my familia. Others. Adventurers."

Silence followed.

Natasha shifted her weight, eyes narrowing. Not disbelief. Assessment.

Luthar regarded Cassandra for a long moment.

"You have seen outcomes," he said. Not a question.

"Yes."

"Fragmented."

"Yes."

"You do not know when."

Cassandra hesitated, then nodded.

Another pause.

Then Luthar spoke again.

"If it is Apollo," he said, "his actions are predictable. Greed has always guided him."

The tension in the tent shifted as he continued.

"Normally, I'd go knock some sense into him," Luthar said calmly. "But I'm busy."

His attention already began to drift past the conversation.

"As for you, I have advice," he said. "Do not return to Apollo. It is only a matter of time before he realizes you have already betrayed him."

Cassandra nodded, breath unsteady but resolute.

"But we don't have anywhere else to go."

"If you wish," Luthar said, "you may follow me. I can always use more manpower."

The words landed with quiet finality.

They continued talking about dreams, futures, countermeasures—while far above, Apollo was preparing for a gathering that was already irrelevant.

---

Apollo stood alone before the mirror.

The chamber had been prepared hours earlier. Drapes drawn. Sigils aligned. Light positioned to strike gold and leave shadows where weakness might hide. Every detail intentional. Every reflection rehearsed.

He adjusted his mantle, smoothing fabric that did not need smoothing.

This meeting mattered.

Apollo had already decided Luthar was a resource—a vein of gold waiting to be mined. Today was about securing support. Or, at the very least, ensuring others would not interfere when he began mining.

He closed his eyes.

And remembered the meeting with Ganesha.

It had taken place the day before, in a public administrative hall near the Guild. Not a private residence—one of the buildings Ganesha still used when paperwork or oversight was required.

Ganesha had been seated at a broad table, laughing with two Guild officials as they concluded a discussion. When he noticed Apollo approaching, he waved them off with an easy grin.

"Later," he said. "I'll review it."

The staff bowed and withdrew.

Apollo did not bother with pleasantries.

He laid out his concerns directly. Luthar's activities. The weapons. The speed at which they were spreading. The precedent they set. The imbalance they threatened.

He framed it as responsibility—ensuring the source became public knowledge and confirming the weapons were not the work of a dark god.

Ganesha listened with his usual relaxed expression, hands folded over his stomach. He nodded occasionally. He did not interrupt.

When Apollo finished, Ganesha leaned back.

"I understand why you're worried," he said. "I just don't agree that it's my problem."

Apollo frowned. "You oversee public order. You work with the Guild. This affects both."

"I still do that," Ganesha replied cheerfully. "It's just that matters related to Luthar fall under Hephaestus now."

"And did she inform you where those weapons are being made?" Apollo asked sharply.

"No," Ganesha said, still smiling. "But she's visited the site. Confirmed there's no issue with the people involved."

"So we're simply trusting her judgment?" Apollo pressed.

"You should be careful with your tone," Ganesha said mildly. "Hephaestus has no reason to deceive us. The weapons are a problem, yes—but she's handling it. And I trust her judgment."

"This isn't about one person's judgment."

"From where I'm sitting," Ganesha replied, "it is. She is the expert when it comes to weapons, not me or you."

Apollo stared at him. "So you won't help me investigate the source."

"Nope."

Just like that.

"No sanctions. No pressure. No backing you in a gathering," Ganesha continued. "If you want to push this, that's on you. I'll make sure unrelated people aren't affected."

"You're washing your hands of responsibility," Apollo said.

Ganesha laughed. Not mockingly. Almost fondly.

"I already did," he said. "Let me tell you, it's really good for mental health."

There was nothing left to say.

Apollo turned and left, irritation burning beneath his composure.

Behind him, Ganesha reached for the stack of reports the officials had left behind and returned to work.

--

When Apollo opened his eyes, he straightened his shoulders, expression settling into something worthy of worship.

This time would be different.

He had names now. Allies. Gods who still believed the world could be directed—if pushed hard enough. He didn't need unity. Only pressure.

A soft knock echoed through the chamber.

"The gathering is ready," a voice announced.

Apollo smiled at his reflection.

"Good," he said. "Let's not keep them waiting."

He turned toward the doors, fully aware that if this failed, there would be no second meeting.