An unknown amount of time passed. Lennox had a meaningful expression as he looked at the sleeping Everly next to him. The magic circle floating above her head faded the moment he withdrew his hand.
' So it was like that....'
Although he is not fond of violating other people's privacy and peeking into their memories, Lennox really wanted to know why did she suddenly turn insane. Thus, Lennox only disclosed her deepest memory and the one with the most psychological effect. According to what he saw, this peach spirit master of her willingly consumed his already very little amount of mana, exhausting his spirit core in the process. In other words...
' He fucking killed himself??! You dumb pretty idiot! It's fine if you die secretly at some corner, but why do it right in front of this kid?!! '
Loves are beings that needed to be loved. They have to be the priority of those they like the most, being second to whoever is intolerable. It could be said that to them the mental damage of not being able to obtain a significant person's affection is on the same level as killing one's wife and abducting their son. However, due to the pure and benevolent nature of Loves, it's rare for them to hold grudges or be stained by malice. This explains her fast forgiving, constant cheerfulness and why Lennox couldn't grasp her thoughts. But her emotions shot high when she woke up and couldn't find Lennox, assuming he abounded her and left. She had already experienced losing one of her toys, but for another one to ditch her is certainly impossible to bear.
' Wait a DAMN minute! When did I become one of her favourite toys?? '
Lennox felt a headache raising. He gave up on trying to understand the situation and tugged himself under the blanket.
Sick people should rest.
Lennox slept for an entire day. The A-class healer from Bernard's people did quite an excellent job. Lennox's internal organs were glowed back and the injury was half-healed, it might leave a scar but it was still acceptable.
The next morning, they planned to head back to the imperial palace. At first, the mansion's steward insisted on staying a few days, since Lennox won't be able to raid the horse with his injury, but after Lennox explained that his father would skin him alive, the steward gave up.
Thus, the two kids departed from the village. It takes six hours to reach the nearest city with a teleportation gate, yet with their speed now they might take some more hours.
Two hours later, Lennox's body gave out. He felt his head spinning and couldn't balance himself on the horse, so they had to take a break for a while.
' ugh, I feel like shit....can't be helped, Anemia isn't something a healer could fix. This needs a real doctor '
Everly assisted him to lay under an old tree. She looked a bit nervous, probably because she felt guilty for almost killing him.
" Um, Lennox. We can take it easy and rest for a few days, I am sure his majesty won't be angry if he knew that you are hurt "
" if we tell him that I am injured then forget about that manual, you even won't see me again "
Lennox glanced at her distressed face before continuing:" you see, a few years ago I went to the Welfmore's mansion, we are basically a family so half my day at that time was in their mansion. Anyways, one day I found a rare poisonous herb growing at some corner of the garden...and I ate it. It has been about six years since then, and I haven't stepped a foot there ever again "
It could be said that Lennox's birth left a deep scar in Jennings's heart. He gets so worked up whenever anything insignificant happened to his kids. Although Jennings gets upset when Lennox sneaks out of the palace, it's because his kid was the one to beat people and always returned unscathed that Jennings didn't take action to stop him. With only the pain of wiping his son's butt, and cleaning the troubles he created. However, if a day comes and something happened to Lennox, do you really think that the Emperor of the largest Empire in the continent can't tame his kid?
Everly looked dumbfounded. She wanted to ask questions like ' why would you eat that?' Or ' why is there a rare poisonous herb at an unknown corner ' Or ' how did you actually survive through your life?' But for now, she didn't ask them.
" my point here is that telling him I am injured won't lead to any good. I might end up prohibited from leaving the palace for a couple of years, or we won't be allowed to meet again. Both of them is a pain in the ass, so if I got found out, tell him some pretty lie "
" you want me to lie?!!!! "
Lennox rolled his eyes at her shocked expression. Someone who kills people without batting an eye was concerned about telling a lie?
" girl, it's time you learn to lie, your life will be tough at this rate "
Everly seemed to have understood something as she pondered with a serious face. Not long after, Everly snapped, she looked at Lennox's face, he looked as pale as a lifeless corpse. She hesitated for a moment before asking.
" Lennox, why do you know where Rakshata's manuals are? "
Lennox answered with his eyes closed. His tone was a bit sleepy.
" he left them for me "
" eh? But you weren't even born at that time. Even if you were, why would he do so? "
" I am 379 years old, I told you before. Plus, he is my father, naturally, he had to leave some worthy beneficiaries for me, don't you think so? "
Everly had a blank expression. After digesting the new information, she frowned and exclaimed.
" Lennox is a lair! There was nothing about great Rakshata having a son, only a beast egg, where did you come from?!!! "
" hn. My name is Shianl "
...
...
...
Shianl ––––> black shell QAQ!!!!
At first, Everly thought ' what a lame father giving bad names', then she realized this was not where she should focus on. Everly yanked his collar, shaking him and shouting on his face.
" AAAA??? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!! THIS IS NOT A JOKE RIGHT?!! IF YOU LIE EVERLY WILL HATE YOU!!! "
Just as Lennox thought that his head will fall off his shoulders, a bone-chilling screech sounded above them. Lennox's eyes widened.
" Hey, you! Come back here!! "
He quickly stood, walked two steps before making a long and loud whistle. A moment of silence passed before a huge body landed on the open spot in front of them.
The giant beast spread its broad wings, letting another screech. Lennox walked towards it with a smile on his face, saying:" oi, Maitea. We found our way back home "
Seeing Lennox approach him, the beast lowered its head, allowing Lennox to rub its nose. Everly, who was petrified at the corner, instantly sparkled.
" A wyvern! "