Chapter 335 (2/2)
The Aether connection between them existed still, Aether traveling cleanly back and forth. He had restricted it as best he could, making sure it wouldn’t swell to the size of the other connections that he had, but there seemed to be little he could do to sever the connection.
“So I propose that I pay ‘rent’ while I’m here. In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, I’ll tell you a secret about Ten’Malla. My view of the outside world is limited to your perspective, but you are wondering what her endgame is, yes? I believe I have the general idea.”
“What sort of rent?” Randidly asked, ignoring the obvious bait. Following the direction that Lucretia wanted you to focus on was extremely dangerous. And his every instinct was sharpening as the conversation continued, and she remained… amicable with him, who effectively trapped her here in this strange inner world.
“Assistance…” Lucretia’s voice was oddly seductive, and her eyes glowed. She raised her hands, pointing to the ground beneath them. To their side, the Thief coughed, blood staining her lips. “With understanding this world. You have the skills, but you don’t know what is at this world’s core, yes? No offense, but you don’t seem to have the artisanship to create such an exquisite work… I believe I can help you understand and harness it.”
Now that was a disturbing offer. Randidly knew he couldn’t just let it sit there, especially when there would be intermittent mentions of the composition of the clockwork world changing, perfecting itself and moving forward. If it were to transform into something unrecognizable while he watched, without him understanding it, it would be a disastrous blow to his Soul Skill.
And yet the prospect of Lucretia getting her hands on it…
On the other hand, it’s not like he could really even stop her, if she tried to work on it. He simply didn’t have enough Progenitor’s Influence to intervene in the world. Even just talking like this was only possible due to Lucretia’s abilities, rather than his own presence in his Soul Skill
If he didn’t give Lucretia the go ahead, she would likely do it anyway, and would be out of the loop. But there would be no benefit to agreeing if she simply lied to him…
It made Randidly want to scratch his head in frustration. But he was distracted by a small voice from the figure in front of him.
“...Are you…. proud of me…..?” The Thief on the ground seemed to struggle for a second, then realize that it was impossible, and slumped back on the ground, her breathing heavy. Randidly frowned, and Lucretia folded her hands.
“I’m…. the best Thief… this world has ever seen…. I’ll die like this…. And the legends about me will spread… But I’m so sad…. They won’t ever- ever know my name, you know? I’m sure….. I’m sure you understand. Is it hard, being only the Progenitor to them. You…. you…. you…. have a name…..too?”
The Thief, with a supreme effort of will, rolled the spear off of herself, and reached up to the sky, straining for something.
“My name’s Tatilia. You will remember it, at least…. Won’t you…?”
Randidly pressed his eyes shut, unwilling to watch as the Thief strained further, reaching for the sky.
“I can-” Lucretia began, but Randidly cut her off with a harsh gesture, his eyes hardening as he opened them and looked closely at the small body on the ground. Of all the outcomes here, Lucretia’s influence was the most dangerous. Better to keep her uninvolved. Then the only decision remaining was….
But it was an easy decision. She was a fool, and had effectively been the lever that freed Lucretia, but she was still a person of his world, bearing one of his gifts. She surely had a great will inside of her, and a great destiny ahead of her, if she were to accomplish so much, at such a young age. If she was to burn brightly and then die out, she would become a legend, but if her life was saved, and that light was allowed to continue… the world might change.
Randidly gave a level of his Bacterial Regeneration to bring it to the world, giving another dose everywhere, but concentrating half of it in the body of Tatilia. Immediately, she gasped, as her wounds began to slowly come together, her bone marrow going into overdrive to produce more blood to replace what had been lost.
It was a long and painful process, but after about 15 minutes, Randidly comforted himself with the fact that she would live. Her light had not left his world. Almost bemused, he wondered what she would do next.