Chapter 222: No

Chapter 222: No

So needy. Astrid kicked a nearby boulder on her way over to the castle, shattering it into fragmented shrapnel.

The thought of having to maybe kill Lord Darian didn’t sit well with her. From what she could see, he was a good man. Conflicted with violence and war, but a good man nonetheless.

But there was a bigger issue at hand. Defeating him, or taking this ‘Aura’ from him was one thing, actually doing it, was another. Astrid had watched him in battle. She shivered. It wasn’t a fight she could win. No way in hell.

So that meant that she had to walk the diplomatic route. Yes! How difficult would it be to extract vital information regarding a Lord’s secret technique that he had used to dominate countless battlefields before?

Yeah... Astrid didn’t fancy her chances.

Astrid threw a rock with her mind this time, crashing it against the ironwood tree. Thwack.

Well whatever. No-one can refuse my overwhelming noble presence! Let’s just ask. The worst he can say is no... right?

“No.” Lord Darian shook his head. He was standing at the large table with arms crossed. Unlike what Astrid believed, the lord of the castle didn’t look angry at her request. Rather, it was helplessness.

“What do you mean no?” Astrid pouted.

Lord Darian shook his head. He picked up a pitcher, and poured the rosy liquid into two cups, then offered Astrid one of them. He picked the other up, and drank it in one go.

Picking up her cup, she sniffed it. Sweet like honey, with a scent of plucked flowers. It smelt delicious. Astrid brought it to her lips, then sipped. It tasted delicious. She quickly finished the cup, then tapped the rim, asking for more.

Lord Darian poured until her cup was full.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” He said. “You have helped us greatly. Hugely. I can’t even begin to repay you for what you’ve done.”

“Huh?” Astrid tilted her head. “For bringing war on both sides?”

Astrid was referring to both the Ixtalians and the Sovereign. Although the gateway was closed, who knows what danger she had put them under? Who was to say that the gateway would open once more, and they would send in a proper army this time for revenge.

“Well I admit, your actions placed us on unsteady grounds,” Lord Darian continued. “More accurately, they were the cogs to the war machine.”

“Right...” Astrid shrunk her shoulders.

“Right. You were right. And I was wrong.” Lord Darian poured himself another drink and slammed it down the hatch. “I can’t avoid war. No matter how far I travel. No matter where I go. It will always find me in this god forsaken world. That is what you reminded of, Astrid. And now I have a powerful ally.”

“The Ixtalians...”

“The Ixtalians,” Lord Darian repeated. “With their help, their technology, we can reclaim our land. Reclaim our world. One step at a time.” He paused. The room turned silent. Then he said, “You are from another world aren’t you?”

Astrid stood still then burst out laughing. “Me? Don’t be ridiculous.” She continued laughing, holding her stomach. But Darian wasn’t laughing.

“You asked me why I ran from war?” Lord Darian released a weak smile. “If you were from this world, you would know what is happening to it. The world is being devoured. It won’t be long until nothing is left.”Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Glancing down to the Lord, Astrid shouted, “What are those islands in the distance?”

“The ruler of the Anchorage Isles. He’s a good man with a loving wife. His people adore him.” Lord Darian’s praising words were cold.

Astrid found out why in the next second.

The little purple dot in the distance exploded. The air distorted. And then, like a divine monster had raked open a tear in the fabric of space, it transformed into an enormous purple scar that turned darker the further it travelled.

From it, thousands of dots left and descended upon the island.

“Should we do something?” Astrid shouted, but Lord Darian didn’t move.

“There is nothing I can do. We need to get ready. The void won’t spare us, no matter how far we travel to escape.”

“There must be something?” Astrid fidgeted with her fingers. She floated down, stopping in front of the Lord. It was time to ask him the question. “Your aura. Why can’t you teach me?”

Lord Darian shook his head. “It’s not something I can teach. Not usually.”

Astrid perked up at his words.

“It’s my people's bloodline. I have it. My father has it. My generals have it. It is called an internal engine. From it, I transform mana into pure energy. Like an engine.”

“And I need this engine?” Astrid asked to which Lord Darian nodded in response.

Continuing, Astrid asked, “Can I see it?”

It might be an intrusive question, but Astrid had to see it. The Eye-Queen made it very clear that she was capable of learning how to use it. Or how to create an internal engine, or whatever. That crazed woman wouldn’t say something for no reason. Especially saying it with that almighty bloodlust...

Astrid’s heart beat faster at the recollection.

“Why–”

“Because I want strength,” Astrid said honestly. “The strength to protect my friends and my family. The strength to travel to where I want to go. Wherever that may be. For that reason, I risk offending you. Please?”

Lord Darian gazed at her in silence, then turned his attention to the massive tear raked into the sky. He smiled. “That’s a good reason, Astrid. Go ahead. You must have some ability to do that yourself? Otherwise I’m afraid I can’t show you, even if I wanted to.”

Astrid nodded. “I do, just hold still. And Lord Darian?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

Astrid used Psych Domain and sunk her mind into the Lord’s mind. It didn’t take her long to find what she was looking for. And right where the mana container was, Astrid’s eyes widened in shock at the incredible sight...