Chapter 290: Experiments (1/2)
As Aiden's erratic aura quietened down, the thin figure lowered his arm.
”Now, now, boy. Calm down, there is no need for that. I have said that this is the current theory. No one knows for sure, and even fewer even knows about them at all. There are no definite records surviving from their era. What we know is coming from myths and legends going from mouth to mouth.” He said with a calm tone.
Aiden was flabbergasted, and to be perfectly honest slightly wary of this man. With a single move of his hand, he forcibly calmed the violent, raging storm that was his emotions. He had incredibly powerful servants with mysterious origins, he controlled and manipulated the Horde, this gathering of creatures without even moving a finger.
”What was your purpose with these Orcs? What was the plan with the Horde?” After calming down a bit, Aiden asked the question, that he was originally tasked to come here for answers.
The thin man chuckled at the boy's inquiry once more, before answering.
”Hehehe, I guess it's not that important now…” He muttered to himself, before answering. ”While I could answer with big words like 'This land originally belonged to them, they were the natives while these big families, this empire filled with racists were the invaders… But the truth is… this was all just an experiment that mostly I was interested in.”
He flicked his right hand again, and a short, gnarled stick with a scarlet ruby gemstone etched in its top materialized from thin air.
Seeing the familiar 'sacred stick' that granted power and also corrupted the holder's mind appear in the figure's hands shocked Aiden.
”Y-you…” He muttered, as he slowly pieced all the puzzle pieces together. ”Did you create these objects? Are you the one manipulating all the orcs and goblins?”
Seeing the boy's reaction, the thin shadowy figure chuckled once more.
”Ahaha, yes that is right. I needed willing test subjects to examine the effects of what the power would have on these primitives. I have to tell you… It was an incredibly fruitful experiment! I received such varying results, you wouldn't believe!”
”You… You are the one that caused all the suffering to all of them…”
”Oh and what of it? They are just ants.” He sneered. ”Besides, they were useful in providing useful data at the very least, and at the same time, they were working towards a goal that they all truly wished for. Their desires were true, I have not planted false thoughts into them. Everything they did was their own decision.”
Listening to his words, Aiden could feel his blood boil, his anger rising. He clenched his fists tightly as he forced to remain seated and not act rashly. Just from their menial interaction, he has already realized that this figure was incredibly powerful.
”What was the point of all these… experiments? What were you... testing?” Forcibly calming himself, he slowly growled out a question. Although this information was already probably enough to mark the quests and even the Madame's mission as completed, he wanted to learn more about this man, this unfathomable opponent of his.
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While Aiden was facing off against someone or something shrouded in complete darkness and mystery, at the other side of the forest, a large convoy of people, after trekking with a forced pace, finally arrived at the edges of the treeline.
As they finally left the territory of this godforsaken forest and stepped on the dewy emerald grass, one of the two girls leading the front, a disheveled, weary woman with a haystack of purple-colored shoulder-length hair fell on his knees. She almost cried as she finally felt the first rays of the dawning sun caress her mud-, blood- and sweat-covered glistening face. Finally, they survived this nightmare, this hellish ordeal.
”Finally… It's over…” She sighed in relief as she gazed at the gradually lightening gray sky. However, as the words left her dried lips, the figure of a creole-skinned, golden-eyed boy popped up in her mind.
With worry and concern, she hurriedly looked behind her, trying to pierce through the thick woods, hoping to see his figure emerge from behind them.
”Waiting for someone, girl?” A cheeky remark came from her right. A blonde, tall woman, draped in ragged, torn cloaks plopped down on the grass next to her. There was a mysterious aura, a strong presence oozing out from her.
”He is still at the orc camp. Last I felt his presence was hours ago, then suddenly…” She mimicked an explosion with his hands as she continued. ”Puff! He just vanished. My guess? He is either dea-”
Before the amazon, or more precisely the presence controlling her could finish, the purple-haired girl's eyes lit up as she turned to look at her with a scowl on her face.
”Don't you dare finish that thought. I don't care how powerful you are, I promise you I will end you.” She growled, muttering the words under her breath.