Chapter 1126 (2/2)

As the landed on top of the courtyard wall, Azriel nodded. “Yes… it does. During the mobilization of the team to intervene in that conflict… it was discovered that there is a vast and… strange ruin underneath the border between the two larger countries. Based on what we discovered… no one else has found explored it, or even uncovered its existence. And initial scouting reports indicate there are treasures like we’ve never seen before inside of it.

“So instead of mobilizing for the Class Lighthouse, the Armgrast empire or more honestly Lazareth Armgrast, has been secretly preparing an expedition to explore that ruin. To which I have been invited as a member.”

That made Randidly’s eyebrows shoot upward as they lightly flitted across the rooftops of the city. “And you are running away from that? I know that you said you wanted to find another type of strength, but I never thought-”

“God, no. I don’t run away.” Azriel said dismissively. Her scarlet eyes flashed in the darkness as the passed over a street that was particularly well lit by lanterns when Randidly gave her frank look. “Hah. Well, I don’t run away without a reason. But me fleeing will be what they assume, at least at first, and I suspect they will spend some time searching for me and wondering why I fled so suddenly. Perhaps Lazareth will even suspect I defected to the Shelly Kingdom. Either way, it should delay the expedition.”

“...during which time,” Randidly said slowly as it dawned on him. “You are going to go into the ruins alone and explore.”

“Exactly. You’ve certainly gotten sharper since I’ve seen you last. Much more engaged as a listener. Did something traumatic happen?” Azriel said with a sidelong gaze.

“I’m somewhat disturbed that my listening made you assume something traumatic happened,” Randidly said rather sardonically.

Shrugging, Azriel said. “Well, you were quite oblivious in the past. Debilitatingly so. Too focused for your own good on your own problems. And now… well, it seems you’ve truly grown up. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

They both hopped down off the roofs after they vaulted over the walls and the buildings became more sparse along the road. With his bare feet on the dusty ground, Randidly turned and regarded the Azriel-turned-lady. As he looked at her face, half-hidden in the shadow of the night, he wondered how her pursuit of a non-martial strength was going. Seeing the confidence in her stance and the lift of her chin, he had to assume it was going well.

But how well must it be going that they are inviting her on this dangerous expedition? Randidly wondered. Maybe it’s because of her… relationship with Lazareth, but still… Yet I suppose the real question is what sort of ruin is it? If it’s just a cave with more than one Class Lighthouse, that’s one thing. But if it involves something deeper… a remnant of a past Soulskill, for example…

“Do you want company for your expedition?” Randidly asked quietly.

Azriel pursed her lips. “How much spare time do you have? Even traveling quickly, it might take us a day to reach the ruins from here. Once there, the exploration itself seemed like it would take at least a week. Can you be away for that long? I have seen your track record at enticing individuals to kill you. You are practically irresistible when you put your mind to it.”

To that, Randidly could only wince. “I wish you wouldn’t have put that so bluntly…”

“I wish so many people weren’t out there trying to kill my friend,” Azriel admitted frankly. “One of my… oldest friends now. Because-” Then she shook her head. “...well, before I met you, I didn’t give myself much time for friends. So look out for yourself.”

Friends… Randidly nodded slowly as he studied Azriel. She boldly met his gaze, not looking away. Due to the movements of her Master, they had been on opposite sides for Randidly’s second visit to Tellus, but that was only late in the game. Leading up to that point, Randidly never would have gotten as far as he had without Azriel’s extremely pointed guidance on how he should improve.

And to hear the word friends made some part of Randidly still and reflect on it. Because he couldn’t forget the vast gulf of awkward and unsaid things that existed now between him, Ace, and Sydney. Especially so after Randidly had watched Ace saying all those extremely… envious things as he confronted Straud.

Because Randidly also didn’t have many friends. Perhaps subordinates and those he trusted… but friends had somehow become a complicated word. As the most powerful Earthling… his supply of friends was dwindling. And despite the strange struggle of the feelings Randidly felt toward Vualla now, that was a completely separate relationship issue.

There were so few people that Randidly could meet truly as equals. They all seemed to slowly align themselves behind him or against him. He was a polarizing figure, and his sway meant that the intermediate tier of relationships was slowly pushed away.

“Fine then,” Randidly said lightly. He offered Azriel a hand. “But as friends… you be safe too, huh? I don’t think I need to tell you about having some extremely dangerous individuals influencing me in the past… so don’t take risks you don’t need to.”

“Obviously,” Azriel said dismissively. She took his hand and shook it. “I will weigh every choice and select the most optimal option. But due to that very danger you are referencing… there is no need to have a dozen of the locals die to your hidden demons, Randidly Ghosthound. It is safer for me to proceed alone.”

Randidly chuckled, but now it was a bitter laugh. “Heh. Let’s hope you aren’t being prescient about what is hiding within the depths of these ruins. Because if it really is my demons… then opening them up is extremely dangerous.”