Chapter 66 – Departure (II)

“What do you think? Is this information worth of it?”

When the words of the old man sounded, the entire room fell silent.

Even Lia, who had been showing signs of anger, calmed completely after hearing it.

Although neither Aiden nor Lia had clarified it, both of them knew that Lia’s situation was not normal.

From that night in the forest, Lia had been losing control of her emotions more and more easily, and the second soul inside her had influenced her actions more often.

Though it had not caused any problem until now, and instead, had helped the pair when they were in a tough spot. Lia knew that it was only question of time before something irreversible happens.

Her second soul, hidden inside her, had become more active lately. Lia could hear its mutters practically every day and the voice inside her continued tempting her towards leaving behind her humanity.

Currently, Lia feared having to leave Aiden behind one day.

Or even worse, awakening a morning and learning that she hurt him.

Because of it, when the old man’s words left his mouth, Lia’s body trembled slightly.

Aiden was able to notice Lia’s odd state immediately.

After all, they had been together for a long time. Aiden was sure that he knew her better than anyone else on the entire world. So, when her body trembled, he noticed it.

Because of it, he could not answer the old man’s words immediately.

If you looked to it objectively, the value of such information was almost null compared with the method to cultivate without a spirit. But, as the old man said, it was different if the other side were Aiden and Lia.

After all, information about the situation of Lia was too difficult to obtain.

Aiden was sure that not even his clan had information about the situation of Lia. If he wanted to investigate it, probably only the most powerful influences in the world or the scattered survivors of God’s Hand had such information.

However, how could a little boy with core-fusing cultivation and without an influence behind obtain such information from these sources.

Because of it, when the old man mentioned the content of the information, Aiden knew that he would be unable to reject him.

Aiden could no help but smile bitterly to himself while wondering how powerful the influence behind Heavens’ Net was to get such information so easily.

“… If I agree, how do you expect receive the information? You are not planning to send someone to follow me around every day, right?”

“Hahaha, of course not. I know it is impossible for you allow something like it. Actually, it’s very simple. You simply must write a letter with your progress every time you visit a city. Heavens’ Net have offices in practically every important city in the continent, and I will inform them about you. When you enter one, you simply must explain that you will send a message to me, Felm Birntem.”

“… Very well.” Said Aiden with a sigh. “I agree.”

“Haha, good choice youngster.” Said the old man with a smile in his face. “Take it, I hope you find it useful.”

Receiving the papers with a hand, Aiden looked through them quickly and confirmed their contents before guarding them in his newly received spatial ring. Then, standing up, he prepared to leave.

“Many thanks for it, Mr. Felm.” Said Aiden, this time in a more respectful tone. “If you have nothing more to say me, I will leave.”

“Hold on.” Called the old man. “Allow me give you something more like a proof of our partnership. After all, even I found that information a bit lacking to exchange for your method.”

Touching a ring on his hand, the old man took out a parchment made of skin. Giving a quick glance, Aiden noticed that it was a map.

Taking a pen from the drawer, the old man drew a circle in a corner of the map. Then, he passed it to Aiden.

“You are not sure about the place where you will go after leaving the town, right? Take this map then. It’s from the lost forest, I think it’s the best place for you go.”

“Why do you think so?” Asked Aiden.

“You see the place I signaled? It’s a tomb discovered a few months ago. Apparently, it’s going to open around two years later, and the entrance will be restricted to people in the Spirit DecipheringSpirit student stage and below. Many young geniuses around the continent are going to attend.”

“… Do you mean for me to go with my cultivation?” Asked Aiden again, a tone of incredulity in his voice.

“I know what you are thinking.” Said the old man with a serious expression. “But the truth is, you will have to increase your cultivation quickly if you want to be together the missy behind you. Becoming a spirit student in two years is perhaps the lowest requirement.”

Aiden could not understand the words of the old man. What is the reason because he must increase his cultivation? Is it related to Lia? Apparently, the old man was able to notice his doubts, because after a moment, he signaled to Aiden’s ring and spoke in a serious tone.

“You will understand when you read the information I gave you… To be sincere, you two are very unfortunate, but I hope you can overcome it. After all, your talent is not lesser than your bad luck.”

Seeing the joking smile in the old man’s face, Aiden shook his head and laughed bitterly. He didn’t know if feel happy or offended by the old man words.

“A last thing, boy.” Said the old man. “Noah clan’s young miss went to Allgod kingdom’s main branch of Heavens’ Secret. She asked for you.”

Once more, an awkward silence appeared inside the room.

“… Did you say her something?” Asked Aiden after thinking for a moment.

“No. I wanted to consult with you first. Though she was apparently very worried.”

Aiden was not able to speak for a moment after hearing the words of the old man. Actually, his relationship with Sia, Noah clan’s current young miss, was very good before losing his spirit. Though he was unable to see her after it, he didn’t have a bad impression from her. Because of it, he wasn’t sure about what to say when he learned that Sia had been searching for clues about him.

However, when he saw Lia’s worried face looking towards him, Aiden did not hesitate to make his choice.

“I would like if you hide everything about me. I don’t wish see her.”

“… Are you sure?”

“… Yes. I repaid my debt to the clan when they took my spirit. From now onwards, I have not any relation to them.” Then, without waiting for the old man answer, he walked towards the exit.

Aiden knew. If he returned to the clan now, he probably will be received happily. After all, a method to cultivate without a spirit was incredibly valuable.

However, he didn’t wish to do so.

When he left the clan back then, he naively dreamed of one day getting a new spirit and returning to the clan in glory. Then, show to all the people who harmed him that he was able to rise even against the greatest adversities. He dreamed of gaining the respect of everybody around him.

However, it was different now. Every day, he found it harder to see his clan in a good light.

How could he know if the clan would not harm him for “the greater good” again if he returned?

His wishes for glory and recognition faded the more time he spent with Lia, and loyalty became more and more important to him.

Now, when he looks back to the events in the clan, he only felt disgusted.

Even if he knows that it was probably the best choice the clan could have made back then, he felt disgusted for it.

How can they use the feelings of a child in such way? He was only eleven back then!

The current Aiden didn’t have any wish to be related to such clan. For Aiden, Lia was more than enough.

As for everytbody else, they could eat s**t.