Pioneer of the Abyss - Book 3 - Intermission 2 (Patreon)

For those of you who are reading this on a website that is not Patreon, please stop. You're reading a pirated version. Instead, if you would be so kind, please click on the table of contents link below and go to my Patreon instead. Or even read it off of Royal Road, which is free.

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Table of Contents

As usual with intermissions, the chapter is shorter than usual.

Also, I finished listening to the last audiobook of Wolf of the Blood Moon today. So I won't have as many audiobooks to listen to in the near future.

Although I will be signing for other audiobook series eventually. Which will bring that count back up again.

But there won't be as many soon.

Click the following link for the Intermission 2:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X710-7-WaQlwc0VJsjRIndKygULg3dEvwJfIv5eTXRg/edit?usp=sharing

Or you can read the unformatted version below:

Back on Oceana

“Your responsibility now is to help govern the planet of Oceana when Aqua and I are absent,” Seravina says with a calm smile as she looks at Viridia, who is currently standing behind a large desk in what is now her office. “Please take this promotion as my thanks for everything you have done for my daughter.”

Viridia feels a strong urge to run away from this new job position, just like how she felt with the previous positions she had dumped on her by Aqua. But, unlike with Aqua, Viridia feels too intimidated to even attempt to say no to Seravina. Just the Bloodliner’s mere presence, that of someone with a level in the five digits, is enough to put extreme pressure on Viridia. So much pressure that all Viridia can do is just nod her head in agreement at Seravina’s words.

“If you ever need anything, feel free to ask and you shall receive it,” Seravina says while nodding her head. “I will try to be here to personally govern as often as I can, but I have galaxies that I need to clean up and won’t be available all the time. You have shown talent at management, and you have my assistants here to help guide you.” She then bows deeply towards Viridia and declares, “Again, I thank you for everything you have done for Aqua. You have my eternal gratitude.”

“There’s no need to thank me for taking care of that br-” Viridia begins to answer, only to barely cut herself off before she can call Aqua the brat that she is. Then she continues speaking, “Of Aqua. I couldn’t sit back and leave her alone.”

Seravina’s smile grows wider as she says, “You’re a good person.” Her smile fades a little as she looks down at the terminal screen that appears on her armor’s inner arm. “An update has just arrived about the quarreling Ancient Monsters.” She turns to look at Viridia again. “I will have to go to the Bloodliner Council Meeting about this, so I trust you to handle Oceana in my absence.”

Viridia sees all of the work involved with this flashing through her mind as she barely manages not to cry figurative tears of blood. But despite this, she bows her head and says, “Of course.”

And the moment Seravina leaves the room, Viridia reaches to drink some water from a glass on her desk. Only for her to lose control of her strength in her anger and crush the glass of water in her hand as shards of glass pierce into her palm and the remaining water spills over her desk.

The next time I see that brat, she’s gettin’ a wallopin’.

Despite thinking this, Viridia quickly begins to calm down as she lets out a sigh. But whether it’s because she feels indebted to Aqua for benefits she’s been given on top of the work, or because she’s getting used to people tossing extra work at her regularly. She doesn’t know.

All she does know is that she likely won’t even be able to get the brat back for this. Not with all of the work she has to do now.

Viridia lets out a sigh as she looks at the paperwork piled up on the desk. A sight that she is growing too used to seeing now.

And it’s a sight that is beginning to make her feel the instinctive urge to run away.

She lifts her head to stare at the ceiling of the office for a few moments before finally getting to work on the paperwork.

The only bright side about Oceana is that the planet is a largely undeveloped ocean planet. Leaving significantly fewer people to govern. So the majority of her work is the development of the planet.

Which is still a lot of work.

At least I’m not under that taskmaster Hydra anymore…

Viridia feels the corners of her lips quirking upwards at that thought. Only for her face to go blank when she receives a call and sees who it is.

After staring for several seconds, she answers the call to find Rhett appearing in the form of a hologram above her arm.

“Hello, Miss Viridia, and congratulations,” Rhett greets the moment the call connects, giving Viridia a bad feeling. “The ruling powers over Equeter have decided to give over the entire planet to Aqua. Therefore, it is now under your management while Aqua is on her leveling mission.”

Viridia’s mouth opens in shock, but she fails to verbalize anything no matter how hard she tries.

“I will assist you in managing the planet as the deputy-governor,” Rhett continues with a nod. “Please ask me any questions you may have, and I will be sure to answer them.”

Silence fills the office for several seconds before Rhett finishes, “I have more work to handle regarding Aqua’s first fan meeting scheduled for months from now, so I will leave you be. Again, congratulations.”

Then the call cuts off, leaving Viridia staring blankly ahead in shock.