V3 Chapter 10

The fire was low and warm, the stars high and cold.

Beyond the reach of flames, the stream babbled softly.

Although Asceius did say that they didn’t need rest, however, continue walking through the forest for, perhaps, a day or two, indeed needed appropriate rest to recover energy. In addition, their bodies might be fine, but fatigue accumulated through fighting and walking through the woods without rest.

Cian was not certain of the time, but he did feel that he had been walking over 24 hours already, measure through his biological clock. And yet, the night is still young.

What is going on here?

Why is the night so long?

Is there no day in this place?

That can’t be right…

Asceius told him that the sun would rise up in the sky and take his throne to glorify the living, or some shenanigans he thought made by a bard or something. But now, he’s starting to doubt the authenticity of that information. Though, of course not him, since Asceius wouldn’t have any reason to lie about it. But perhaps, this time around, the setting would be in a dark age. And this causes the danger level of the Ruins to skyrocket. After all, the senses are being restricted by some unknown force, and in addition, the entire world was obscured by darkness. This is the greatest advantage of the monsters.

Cian took the first watch. He sat with his back against the soft fur of Leona, his black fur-cloak around his shoulders, listening to the night. With a bored look, he turned towards Asceius while leaning against Leona lying behind him. His eyes found his, no exhaustion or sleepiness could be found in the latter’s expression.

“What? Can’t sleep?” he mused.

“…sleeping with you wide awake, dangerous,” Asceius replied with a smirk.

“You think I would assault you? Well, that’s intriguing,”

“Who are you, Cian…you look like one of the Fox tribe, but clearly you are far different.”

“What difference do I have? A pair of wings? Hardly something that would be enough to separate me from my kind, don’t you think?”

Cian smiled wryly as he grabbed one of an apple-like fruit beside him and took a bite. There were actually quite plenty of fruits found along the way and picked as their meal. Fruits that looked like Mangoes, Bananas, coconuts, and other things that are edible and sweet and most of all, contain quite a significant amount of magical power that invigorating flesh and blood, and clear one’s fatigue. And most of all, it also increased one’s magical power, a precious magical fruit so to speak.

Asceius had said that these fruits are extremely valuable and would be sold at a high price in the outside world. Well, all things found in the Ruins of the Gods would actually fetch quite a high price, in fact, and fruits, woods, and herbs are among the most common, but most in demand.

Most of them seemed to be rare and some even extinct in the outside world. And although Cian wanted to take everything with him, sadly, bringing an entire floating island with him is completely impossible.

Asceius shook his head, “Far more than that. The air around you makes you different from all the people I know.”

“And you can’t trust me because of that?”

Cian glowered at him, his obsidian-like eyes glittering but less luminous.

“… …”

For some strange reason, Asceius actually felt bad about disappointing him. His hurt and bothered expression unexpectedly pierced through him, which was completely absurd in any way.

Truthfully, although he still didn't trust the mysterious Foxman, deep down, Asceius felt that although Cian was quite toxic in tongue and action, having spent a long time with him had made it more comfortable to be around him. Hence, he couldn’t help but started becoming interested in him.

It was a strange feeling. No matter what Asceius said, Cian did not judge or get offended. In fact, he would even return it with humor. And the same applied to him, whatever the foxman said or do that angers him, he just take it with a grain of salt. Although he wanted to freeze him alive sometimes, it would never last, and be forgotten the next moment. Thus, their journey was peaceful but not boring. Harmonious and even fun.

It's as if they have known each other for a long time already. They understood each other better than those who know them. A strange feeling. But something that, Asceius who never had friends or anyone that he could be treated as one, felt incredibly foreign, but utterly pleasant.

But . . . very little people could do that. Especially for someone like him.

However, Cian’s disappointed expression was only for a moment, as his look returned to normal in an instant. The corner of his mouth quirked and he suddenly stood up, walking towards where Asceius was. The Ice Prince frowned and was about to stand up, but Cian arrived faster and his hand propped his shoulder, stopping him from getting up.

“You might as well sleep. We still have a long day tomorrow,” he said gently pushing him down. “And also, even if you were a woman, I don’t find pleasure in forcing myself to you. Much less, you are a man.” He chuckled. “You can’t trust me, I know but you know that you are my precious ticket in this place. I would do nothing to upset you, love, you can vouch for that yourself. So sleep. It would be best for us if you get proper rest, and you know that.”

Asceius face was red.

His eyes shook somewhat anxiously.

“H, hmph! Don’t delude yourself! If you ever try to do something, I can make you regret you were ever born!” he said as he turned her face away and looked away from the mischievous fox.

While he did say that, he was still edging away from him. It was obvious that he didn't trust him. The awkward atmosphere didn't vanish and become even tenser.

Do I really look like someone so hungry that I would assault even a man?

Cian shook his head helplessly.

“There are many things I can’t tell you,” he started. “But be rest assured, I can even give you my word. As long as you and I are friends, I would never do anything against you. Betraying friends and family is something I would never do,”

“Friends…huh,”

Asceius raised his eyes and stared at Cian in the eyes. He was trying to confirm if the latter was telling how he truly felt.

“…right?” Cian smiled. His expression this time is more genuine and true that Asceius had this strange urge to believe him. But all great liars look innocent. In fact, the more innocent and harmless the person is, the more horrifying they are in secret.

But still, there would never be a start, if one didn't even try. And Asceius somehow feels that it is right to trust him. To believe in him. So, Asceius didn't say anything back, like he usually does.

“...whatever.” he had stared at him for a while, but he eventually gathered himself and shrugged while lying down on the ground.

When this man jokes around he's incredibly sly, but when he's serious he can properly behave like a dependable man...At the same time, he slightly corrected his evaluation of Cian.

“…Cian, I don’t trust you, you know that…?”

“… …”

“However, if you really do what you said, I will respond in kind. There are only few, I, Asceius, acknowledged, and considered friends. I hope you can be one.”

Asceius regarded him. His mesmerizing blue eyes stared at him.

Cian grinned.

He turned up and looks at the sky.

Friends, huh… what he said was actually just an exaggeration. He didn’t have any friends and never wanted one. He was different, and he knows that since he was a child. Because of that, he felt a distance between him and the other children, which of course, he himself, never wanted to cross.

As he grows up, he learned that friends are in a sense, benefits. Those that could give him benefits and has uses, he would treat them as a friend. Although he indeed, never betrayed anyone, unless they betrayed him first, he still sees them as nothing but tools in his trade.

Simple as that…

There was no flowery meaning in that kind of word.

A friend is always another name for a tool.

Isn’t that right…? Mother…

As time went by in terrible silence, the shadow in Cian’s heart grew larger and larger. When a cold wind blows, it slowly blows away the black clouds in the sky. Little by little, the stars began to appear in the sky, faint starlight drives away from some darkness. After a while, the moonlight shone from the sky brightens the silent forest.

Cian continued to stare into the sky.

The full moon in the sky shines a dazzling light. And he felt, once again alone…just like before.

Without Sibylla, Ruka, Oriel, or anyone he had loved by his side, he felt unprecedented sadness. It seems like, one way or another; he had begun relying on them. Something he, in his entire life, had never done before. This realization startled him.

What change? He doesn’t know. But Cian knows what this feels like…like someone who had been in a winter world but had experienced the heat of the fire for the first time—he became addicted to them without him noticing.

Had he become a failure of an assassin?

Dad and Mom would surely be disappointed in me.

… …

Next day...

The path they walked on led straight toward the lake alongside big puddles and ponds hidden by enormous oak-like trees and filled with the noise of small monsters and insects, large and small. It was still perfectly dark, despite Asceius sleeping for an entire day, or at least, that’s what it seemed like, followed by Cian, making it almost two nights.

Visions could not extend over a radius of a few kilometers…well, that is only for Asceius and the Manticore however, Cian’s Eye can see as far and wide like a telescope.

Did this land go through its days of darkness or something?

Cian couldn’t help but wonder. This is, perhaps, the twenty-second time he had think of that, which seemed amused him apparently. There can never be a fitting atmosphere for deadly adventure, aside from a world veiled by eternal darkness.

Danger and Treasure sat idly side by side, giving the utmost thrill and excitement a man bored of life would ever want.

Still, Asceius didn’t have any clue as to what was going on in the world they came into.

The Ruins of the Gods have always been mysterious. Time and Space are erratic every time it opened, and it has never been the same every time it appeared. But what Asceius knows is that the Ruins of the God run time difference compared to the outside. Though, how large the difference is, no one knows as it is different every time it opens.

Towards the west, a cloudy belt, clearly visible at the horizon, increased the gloom, and the eye could barely discover the floating clusters of islands, hence flying towards them would be quite a challenge, or perhaps, even a thrilling and deadly adventure as well. Far more than walking through the dark forest, full of monsters. Especially not knowing what kind of predator hiding somewhere, waiting to pounce on.

There were even Dragon-like monsters constantly flying in the air, Wyvern and humongous birds of prey with power simply could terrify even Cian, the Demon Prince himself. However, what made Cian certain was that the land they were in now was one of these floating islands.

And it’s extremely big…perhaps bigger than the Continent of Asia back on Earth.

And it was floating, and moving ever so slowly.

Cian and Asceius, followed by Leona the Manticore turned the south angle and followed the left bank of the river, which was abandoned at the point where it formed an elbow towards the southwest. The path, already trodden under the evergreen towering trees, was found. The ground, till then, very little undulated, boggy at first, dry and muddy afterward, had a gentle slope, which ascended towards a small hill.

A very few timid beast and magical creatures were seen under the forest-trees. Leona quickly started them, but Cian soon called her back, for the time had not come to commence hunting. And besides, Cian was more interested in exploring than fighting—since the slightest of battle would attract more monsters, powerful and annoying, just like whatever happened on the way. The danger is not worth it.

At this moment, following behind them, Asceius suddenly looked around.

“Someone’s following us,” he said in a whisper.

Despite not having the aid of his Energy Sense, he is still quite sensitive in the watchful eyes of his surrounding, and his honed instinct always helping in his time of need.

“And there’s more than one,” he frowned.

“Incredible that you were able to notice them,” scoffed Cian much to the other's chagrin. “And here I thought they were more squirrels and hares watching,”

“Do you know what?” growled the Ice Prince in annoyance.

“The closer we get to the edge of the world, the sharper your wit becomes and more annoying you turned into. I dread to think what it will come to!” he snarled in anger.

“Then, you’re in for some surprise, my dear princess,”

Cian smugly answered, laughing.

Asceius arched a brow.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” he beamed. “I’m a naturally positive, happy person. Finding everything fun is my forte. Living life in boredom is my greatest adversary.” Asceius glared at him. “However, be that as it may… you sure are quite popular, Bellisima,” Cian turned towards him with a playful grin.

Long before Asceius and the Manticore had felt anything, Cian already noticed it. But he acted like he didn’t notice anything at all for various reasons. With his [Night’s Eye] in this world that seemed to be covered by a strange thick fog, blocking every people in using Energy Sense, Cian can see through it without a problem.

Ever since they had arrived near the long river, humanoid figures started to appear, leaping and rushing from behind them. Their numerous fiery hot gazes penetrated the cover of the forest. However, what made Cian felt somewhat strange was that they seemed to be ignoring him as they stare intently at the figure of Asceius-be it hatred or anger—all of them were concentrated towards him.

Despite this clear intention, the murderous intention in their hearts surely currently burning their rational thoughts, no one dares to make the slightest unusual movement. Are they perhaps worried about the frightening strength of Asceius? Cian wondered. Even he himself has to admit that the current him would find Asceius a great, and difficult adversary. And there might even a chance of him being defeated, even if he went all out, using all his powers. So, perhaps fearing Asceius is a wise decision.

However, for sure this state of tracking would instantly be broken with the increase in one’s impatience. And this impatience is starting to work its effect, as it even affected their concealment, enough to let Asceius notice something strange.

I guess, not anyone would have the patience of steel.

Though, if it was him, even if he needs to follow his target for a month or two, no one will be able to notice him. And he had a lot of patience store in his arsenal.

The first thing that he had learned before becoming a true assassin was to be patient. If not, you might be good at fighting or killing, but you will only end being a third-rate hitman in your entire life. And at some point in life, you will surely reach your limit.

People who cultivate the virtue of patience tend to live longer than those who are strong but did not.

But I guess, these people are just third-rate killers in the end?

Still, they indeed quite good at concealing themselves.

Was it inborn talent?

Animalistic tendencies?

“What? Are you now scared?”

Asceius smiled tauntingly.

Cian rolled his eyes. Clearly he was trying to provoke him. But this childish taunting wouldn't work on him.

“Don’t worry, our cooperation stands for this kind of reason. Your enemies are my enemies. If they made a move, I will slaughter them all.”

“… …”

There it is again…

Asceius frowned.

The desire to kill from him was like a demon incarnate…

Asceiys who felt Cian's suppressed killing intent, couldn’t help but furrowed his brows in apprehension. Though he was happy that Cian sticks with him even with this danger, still… the Foxman's bloodthirst makes him somewhat apprehended.

Just what kind of beast lurked beneath his handsome human exterior?

And would he purr if he tickled him behind those interesting ears?

As the group continued through the woods as if not noticing anything, Cian’s eyes suddenly narrowed.

A commotion suddenly occurred within the crowd that was following behind them while this thought flashed through his heart.

Cian slid his eyes over when he sensed the commotion.

His lips curved upwards, “Are they about to strike?”