Chapter 178 - Investigate

"So what's your plan with the kid?" I asked and looked at the kid once again. He was still mesmerized by his new green hair and was leaping in joy because of it.

I am not angry in particular. It's just that I feel unnecessary actions hinder us. If Ellena takes this kid, we might have to go through less dangerous places, which might take too much time to be cautious.

We don't need to be cautious if we don't have a kid with us. I can scout the area, and Cules and Ellena will kill the monsters. Easy as that, but with this new situation, we must guard the kid.

Sighs... Ellena, what a soft heart you have.. It's not bad and I like it, but why is it always at crucial times?

'I want him to at least know how to survive,' she said, but I knew that she wasn't confident as her voice was rather reluctant.

"And how will you do it?... Hm?" I asked her but it seemed that it pressured her so that she sighed after my question.

'Do you know how to raise a child?'

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I know, but I don't know how to be emotional." I retorted.

'Then it left us with no choice. I will leave him at an orphanage and maybe along the way donate some money for the orphanage.'

"Then what was your promise of helping him have the ability to survive?"

It's ridiculous. She isn't thinking of what to say, just because he's a child? What if he is more mature than she thinks?

Earlier, he could keep up with the conversation as if he were not being pressured or reluctant about talking to an adult.

He's a weird kid for an 8-year-old, you know. I don't dislike him, but kids... are bothersome in reality. Ellena doesn't have every responsibility in the world.

'Ugh... I get it. In the meantime, I will have him join us and I'll give him an option to follow you or become independent.'

"Now that's more appropriate. Everywhere you go, you like to collect kids. I won't be surprised if you try to buy a bunch of kids and train them for the context of 'helping them'."

'Don't be absurd. You're overreacting.'

"I am not. Ugh... Just do what you want."

A few moments later, the kid finally had the strength to go with us. Even though he was riding on Cules's back with Ellena, he was still not used to the movement.

We decided to visit their village. Well, we don't intend to nag the villagers. I know that they have stupid beliefs, but if it's not about Ellena, then I can turn a blind eye.

But I am not enraged this time. The kid was an orphan in the first place, and the village wasn't in a position to take him as their responsibility. I am just sensitive when it comes to family matters. Nevertheless, I can still overlook some atrocious sides of society.

"Kid. What's your name?" Ellena asked while she was slaying some monsters.

"Gero. That's my name," the kid answered with a clueless face.

"That's a funny name. But don't worry, I won't laugh at it. Where was your village?" Ellena then asked.

The kid was curious after hearing it. I can understand him though. Because if Ellena wants to take him as her responsibility, why would they go back to his village?

"Why do you ask...?"

"Because I want to. Where is it?" Ellena insisted.

"It's near across the river. It has the weaker monsters in the area and is also the nearest to the city."

"There's a city? That's nice. I wonder which part of Phobious I am right now."

Our map doesn't literally mention the small areas and settlements. Even cities must be popular to be included in the map. And that's just bullshit.

However, I can understand it since it takes time to create a map and this was just from the mansion given by Lushana.

Let's say it's a freebie.

"Can I ask about your name?" Gero suddenly asked.

"I am called Noelle," Ellena answered.

"Okay."

Ellena just didn't bother the kid and didn't ask more questions. Instead, she told Cules to make the pace faster as the time was getting closer to nighttime.

"Goooh...!"

I heard Cules complain to me, but I just shrugged it off. What can I do about it anyway? I am still in possession of Ellena's possession, and I have a responsibility to assist her. It also means my property in that case.

"Stop complaining about it. We still don't have much time." I said to him and he just grumbled about my words. What a weird pet.

"By the way, how long were you in the forest?" Ellena asked as she was almost near to finishing every monster in the area.

While she was killing them, she also multi-tasking took the materials to Inventory. In this way, we can still earn money even in just our leisure or travel time.

I must say, we are going to be a billionaire in no time. This is totally farming.

"Maybe a week?"

"A week?!" Ellena checked immediately, as it was almost absurd to believe what Gero said. But I know that he isn't lying though. Perhaps humanity has become crueler here.

It's because of this Cursed Child belief. It makes me ask, wherein the hell does this kind of knowledge come from? I mean, it's the source of it in reality.

Humans are naturally scared of new things, but the Earth wasn't this stupid though. I mean, they were open to new things as time went on, especially in modern times, since innovation keeps on thriving in civilization.

However, I can't really just think about it. Maybe to be appropriate, I should stop this habit of comparing Earth to this world.

Well, I've been thinking of it but still can't stop. I guess it's true that habits are had to kill.

"How come you are still alive?" she asked, still surprised in her tone.

"Well, there were some mysterious shadows that followed me. And when the time that they were gone, I was attacked by monsters."

Shadows... now that makes sense and is mysterious, just like what he said. If it's true, then this might have a connection with being a cursed child.

Ellena's was just like mine. It's our first time hearing about it, and totally, we must comprehend it slowly.

Ellena asked more about it and just as he described it, they were like his guardians.

Were they witches? But I thought witches were just attracted to cursed children that's why those who were nearby got unfortunate.

But, I don't know what I can use for this knowledge. There's nothing in particular that says it's important.

'Then, how about we investigate about it, Aaron. While we are on the way, maybe I can understand why kids like him suffer.'

I will really keep on saying this... "Do what you want."