Chapter 162: The Proposal (1/2)

Letting out a breath of air, Aiden looked at the woman who was watching him with keen interest. He didn't know what to think about her anymore, this person was just too strange, she was shrouded with too much mystery.

Just who was she? Aiden wasn't even sure that she was human anymore. She looked like one, but just like him, she could also have a human form. Her voice, her strange alluring ability… There were just too many questions regarding her background.

Even his system couldn't provide any help in judging her intentions. Was she an ally? Or a very powerful enemy? He didn't know. He only knew that this was the only path he found so far, his chance at finding any clues about this mysterious place.

The Demon Grotto. It had a very ominous, eerie feel to it. As if it was some sort of dark place. Could it have a connection with Aiden, or with his origin?

As question after question started to pop up in his mind, Aiden shook his head. Steeling his resolve, he decided to put his trust in this mysterious woman.

”I am looking for a place called 'Demon Grotto'. Do you know anything about it?”

A strange, uneasy expression surfaced on the Leader's face as soon as Aiden mentioned the name of the place he was looking for. It was a mixture of shock and surprise with a tinge of sorrow as well.

”Why are you looking for it?” She asked with forced calmness in her voice. She looked into the boy's golden eyes, looking for hidden, unsaid clues.

”Does it matter? I need to find that place. As I said, if you can show where I can find the entrance to this 'Demon Grotto', then and only then will I help you in return.” Aiden responded calmly despite the Leader's piercing, penetrating stare plastered on him.

The Leader did not answer immediately to Aiden's offer. She turned back towards the window and silently gazed at the flow of people walking by, living their daily lives, oblivious to the struggles of those above them. They were happy and content as long as their own personal living wasn't affected. They wouldn't need to care about who governs the city, they only cared for their own wellbeing. The ones above them didn't care about these ants either.

”Could you answer me a question, that I have been wondering about for a while now?” The youth's crisp voice woke her from her reverie. Turning around, she looked at the boy, with the previously friendly smile as she asked.

”Sure, go ahead and do what you would like to know, I will do my best to alleviate your concerns.”

Aiden walked next to her and looked out at the window as well. Seeing the busy townsfolk, he asked after a moment.

”Why isn't the ruler of this kingdom, or the royal family appoint someone in place of the previous City Lord? What is the need for all this hassle? I don't understand. From what I heard, there are multiple candidates this time. Who will decide, and how?”

Hearing the question, her previously forced friendly smile didn't change, but at the same time, it had a qualitative improvement. From its previously fake, political curves, it became gentler, more honest.

”That is an excellent question, Aiden! You see, while you are right and the Royal Family would indeed have the power in paper to simply appoint someone as the next one, they would earn the ire and contempt of the Nobles they so heavily rely upon. If they turn the powerful households against them, they could face a catastrophe or even full-on destruction. The royal lineage is powerful, but it's not the only strong and ancient one.”

She looked at the boy who was focusing on her words with such focus, with such attention that she rarely has seen before. She smiled and continued.

”The most powerful households in the kingdom are all ancient, very powerful bloodlines.”

”So, while the Royal Family lords over the land in theory, in reality, they heavily rely upon these noble households to keep their place. So then doesn't that mean that the true leaders are these powerful households? How many of them are there?” Aiden interjected.

This whole situation about the kingdom seemed weird and too complicated. Shouldn't this be easier? The strong should rule over the weak. That's what his instincts were telling him anyway.