He did not accelerate to his full capability, yet it barely took an hour to return to their starting point. Unlike before, Agnes had to clutch to him tightly, while [Void Shroud] protected them to have a smooth journey.
Midway, they encountered the Imperial prince advancing toward the core with his group of soldiers and nobles.
Although the source of all darkness had been claimed, the residual dark essence still made it difficult for them to see anything. The prince's group had not noticed them flying above, and he decided to avoid them for the time being.
After covering another great distance, Agnes decided it would be better if they did not exit together. She planned to join the prince later and go through the same loop with him again. She already had her excuses ready for why she had disappeared.
Finding her plan sound, he let her go and decided to return to the second layer. Finally having time to himself, he decided to check out his new abilities. First, he sought to explore his new spiritual awareness, which was like nothing he had experienced before.
Before the advancement, he could only make out vague outlines, but now, it was far clearer and more vivid, albeit there was nothing too colourful within this realm. As for the distance it covered...
He pushed his awareness forward, meter after meter, yet hadn't found its limit even after covering a mile. He pushed further, the dark forest appearing in his mind's eye, until he finally came across a couple of rankers who seemed to be amidst a battle. It was not a battle against any forsaken or corrupt creatures; they were fighting each other.
Curious, he flew in their direction, and within a few seconds, he hovered above the so-called battle. Both parties were people he recognised. It was none other than Cassandra of Azalea Garden fighting against the noble scion Tayl Alebson.
The suppression had lifted after he took away the sceptre, yet neither of the two seemed to be in fair condition. He did not know how good a chance Tayl Alebson had in a fair fight, but looking at how weary he was, he did not seem to stand a chance against the Siren.
Unfortunately for the Siren, Tayl Alebson wasn't alone. She probably hadn't noticed it yet. While she had her opponent under control, a couple of archers were on high branches of the trees, with arrows aimed at her.
Tayl Alebson was clearly losing it. Exhausted and worn out, he could not withstand the power of the Siren.
That was when the arrows showered down on Cassandra, who was completely oblivious to it. The warden moved before he could even think and swooped her up. Cassandra let out a shrill scream, which hurt his ears, but he paid no mind to it.
He let [Void Shroud] envelop them both, and all the arrows bounced off its defence.
"We all have burdens we have to carry," she said, offering no further explanation.
He narrowed his eyes and scanned the woman with his spatial awareness. Cassandra physically stiffened, though unaware of what was happening, her aura flaring up unconsciously. He retracted his awareness when suddenly something unexpected happened.
"Huh?" He turned to where he had left Tayl Alebson, only to find his form disappearing into thin air. "Oh shit, teleportation?"
Cassandra sighed. "I guess he had that with him," she said, feeling at a loss.
"Will you get into trouble for this?"
She shrugged.
"I shouldn't have given him a chance," he muttered.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this," Cassandra said, her eyes glowing with coldness. "Anyway, with this, I have nothing more to do here. Should we depart, or do you have some unfinished business left?"
"Nah, I finished up most of it."
"Was it you that caused the earthquake?" she asked, curious.
"What earthquake?" he said. "Sorry, I was advancing and barely noticed anything."
Only then did she notice the changes in him. "You have advanced into..." her voice fell short, her eyes twinkling in purple shimmer. "What are you really?"
"Just a fool trying to figure out the ways."