Chapter 199: Before the Journey (2/2)

Looking up, Aiden smiled at his friend while shaking his head.

”No, don't worry, I will be fine. Trust me when I say, I can handle a lot more trouble than what you have seen so far. And…” Looking down, he gently grabbed the still sobbing girl's chin and raised her head so she would look at him with her blurry, watering eyes as well.

”And, if it would come to it that I couldn't handle it myself anymore, I still have a few tricks to ensure my safety. I WILL come back, hopefully in only a few days or at most before that stupid Wargame event for the City Lord position. I have promised the guild to assist them, after all!”

He gave them a reassuring smile, as he continued to pat the girl, who still couldn't completely calm down and collect herself. Cole did not speak anymore, but it was clear he wasn't entirely convinced and had several thoughts in his mind. Still, he decided to voice them out, and looked down, at his empty plate.

A few minutes passed in this awkward state of silence before finally, Mary separated herself from the welcoming warmth of Aiden's chest. Rubbing her bloodshot eyes with her hands, she spoke with a meek voice.

”I… I can't say that I am a deeply religious, devoted person. I do not go to any of the temples and do not expect anything from the gods. But! From now on, until the day you return, Aiden, I will pray to the gods that you return safely to us!” In a much lower tone, only audible to herself, and unbeknownst to her, to Aiden as well, she added. ”...and to me...”

”Yes, Aiden, come back to us safe and sound, okay? After all… I still haven't met the famous sister, who you keep talking about!” Cole added, with a smirk, trying to lift the mood.

As they were not in the mood to continue with their breakfast, and that Aiden had to leave for the eastern gate, they shortly left their tables and left the inn. Outside Aiden, walked with them to the Adventurer's Street in silence, before with one last heartfelt goodbye later, they finally separated.

As he turned around, and slowly left towards the gates, he felt the worried and longing gaze of the curly, brown-haired woman as she kept looking at his back all the way until it eventually vanished amidst the crowd. Once it did, she sighed deeply, looking at the boy's direction one last time, before turning around, and following after Cole. She could only pray and hope that the boy of her dreams, the owner of her heart, would return to her safe and sound.

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Leaving his friends and being alone once again Aiden kept thinking about his experiences so far since he left the safety of his home, just for the sole reason, to complete a System assigned quest. That was the reason for his arrival to this city that he had mixed feelings for, and also the reason why he went to the Adventurer's Guild.

After all, he wasn't on the same thought as his sister was, he had no dreams about being famous, nor did he care at all for others besides his loved ones. While he did have a thirst for adventure, and a deeply-rooted, instinctual thirst for finding more out of the world and to get to know and collect samples from all the various life forms inhabiting it, he did not care for any race in particular.

After all, whilst he could take their life essences, and create a form similar to them… in truth, he wasn't kin to any of them. When he first saw humans back then, many years ago, he thought he felt something in his soul, that interest quickly soured and turned to something bordering disgust and contempt. This race, their world was full of darkness, many of their kin were hellbent on hurting not just other races, but even members of their own race. They were highly destructive, and it was a complete mystery to Aiden how they could be still the most populated, dominant race?

But then, just when he thought there would be no hope for them, he met with kind souls as well. Cole, Mary, the elderly couple of the Nortons were all prime examples that even amidst them, there are souls worthy of salvation, worthy of his attention.

As for the masked mistress, and her daughter, Aiden wasn't sure they could still be classified as humans… They had this strange vibe, a feeling that they were something else, something more...

'Maybe it's their bloodline… Just like how she explained…' Thinking about it, it may very well be the case, but if that was the case, then why didn't he have the same feeling when he met up with the estranged crown prince and his sister? What was the difference?

Deep in his thoughts, Aiden didn't even notice when his leg carried him back in front of the gate. He was only brought back to reality when he heard the excited yell of the usually majestic sounding girl in front of him.