Chapter 458 459-Savior

Chapter 458 459-Savior

"Well, it really depends on what your quest entails.

If you're asking me to go slay a dragon with a sword, I'm nowhere near ready for that," Howard said, spreading his hands and shrugging as he got up from his chair and walked into the tavern.

"Come in. There aren't many patrons right now, plenty of seats are free. You wouldn't want to just stand outside, would you?"

Nula followed Howard's steps, exchanging glances with Antalya.

She had been keeping an eye on Howard's movements, and although initially curious why she appeared in such a modest place, after seeing her performance with Lorinda, Antalya understood.

Here was another person ruined by hatred.

Their gazes diverged, and Nula saw Vivia standing by a wooden table, offering a slight smile.

"You must be Nula," Vivia's voice carried a hint of chill.

"He told you?" Nula's face briefly registered surprise as she looked toward Howard, who was leading the way.

"Part of it," Howard turned his head to reply.

"And what about yourself? Did you share as well?" Nula's gaze was teasing.

Howard's identity as an extraterrestrial seemed astonishing to her; she wondered how the others would react to this revelation.

"Not yet, but there's no time like the present. Today's as good as any," Howard smiled, glancing towards Vivia.

"Could you please call Jelia, Ali, and Greg? Tell them I have something very important to discuss."

His gaze then shifted to Antalya.

"Shopkeeper, could you come over, please?"

Vivia paused, her gaze lingering on Howard's face for a moment before she turned to fetch the others.

Antalya set aside her ledger and came out from behind the counter, pulling up a chair to sit down.

She harbored her own speculations about Howard's origins and identity, as people naturally harbor curiosity towards secrets.

A refugee from another nation? Howard didn't seem to fit that mold, lacking the aura and the preoccupation with vengeance that might typify such a person.

An heir to some family or minor legacy? But Howard's fundamentals were evident; even the smallest legacy wouldn't neglect the basics, as those directly impact how far a magus can progress.

A rogue, independent magus? Howard seemed to fit this profile at a glance, yet his capabilities diverged sharply from those of typical independent magi.

Without a systematic method of training, it's generally understood that a magus's strength can't match that of one born from a legacy.

Unable to align her theories with reality, Howard's identity only seemed more mysterious to Antalya.

Soon, Greg and Ali entered the hall, their gazes naturally falling on Nula.

Greg showed little reaction, but Ali became subtly alert.

"Howard, what's this all about, calling me over so suddenly? I was in the middle of sorting some impurities," Greg's gravelly voice filled the room as he entered.

Finding someone in the vast expanse of the land was no small feat.

Even as an "otherworlder," Howard's differences from the indigenous population would likely be dismissed as those of a foreigner.

Without deploying significant resources, Nula wouldn't be standing before Howard right now! The resources she utilized might even be on a national scale!

Such an investment, merely for a few quests, begged the question: what exactly are these quests about?

"What's wrong? Is the identity of an 'extraterrestrial' sensitive here?"

Howard interjected, breaking through the silent standoff between Antalya and Nula with a furrowed brow.

"Sensitivity? Yes, you could say that. Ali, you explain."

Antalya massaged her temples; Howard's revelation had thrown all her plans into disarray.

"I was wondering why I couldn't find any information about you. Turns out, with such an identity, it's no wonder." Ali smiled at Howard.

"You don't suspect I'm joking?"

"Would you make a joke that could potentially cost you your head?"

"Given your brief time here and limited exposure to our culture and magus traditions, it's understandable you haven't grasped the significance of your identity.

After all, it's not something the average person would know."

"Here, the term 'otherworlder' is directly linked to 'Savior'!"

"'Savior' is a legend among magi of Avala Continent."

"I think I've mentioned before that the civilizations of Avala Continent have undergone numerous cycles of rise and decline, possibly due to natural disasters or human actions. Kingdoms have risen and fallen, many races have vanished over time, while new ones have emerged from the mana seas. Each cycle from one civilization's resurgence to its next decline is called an 'era'."

"For instance, to the layperson, it is currently the 220th year of the Silverwind Era. Ask in another kingdom, and you'll get a different answer."

"However, to magi, it is actually the 2701st year of the Post-

Pastoral Era, over two thousand years since the last civilization's collapse!"

"And the 'Savior' is the being that always appears at the end of an era, guiding and protecting living beings into the next era!"

"Their appearances and even their races might vary, but there's one thing they all have in common—they are all otherworlders!"

"It might not be that every otherworlder becomes a 'Savior', but every 'Savior' is, without a doubt, an otherworlder! This is a rule set by the gods."

Gods, again with the gods!

Listening to Ali's explanation, Howard's brow remained furrowed.

"So, you're saying that I... might be a 'Savior'? My appearance now signifies the end of this era?"

"Perhaps, or perhaps not. Until events unfold, we cannot make such determinations."

Ali shook her head.