The hermit sat atop a boulder, his weathered, wooden staff leaning against him, and the faint, ethereal glow from the ancient lantern casting a pale light on his figure.
But no matter what, the shadows of his hood could not be penetrated by the light. Even Adam’s Sphere of Resonance couldn’t sense what the elderly man actually looked like.
He was... mysterious, to say the least.
"What do you wish to know about the Heavenly Demon?" Adam asked, standing a few ters away from him.
"What can you tell ?" The hermit faintly smiled.
Adam couldn’t help but scoff as he massaged his forehead. "At least you’re aware that I do not trust you," he grumbled under his breath.
Suddenly, he froze. "Did I say that out loud?"
The hermit simply smiled in return.
Adam’s lips twitched. "Anyway, the Heavenly Demon’s a friend. Rest assured, he won’t plunge this realm into chaos or whatever."
"Are you aware of what he’s done in the recent past?" The hermit asked in a gentle voice.
Adam suddenly found himself at a loss for words. He tried to co up with an excuse. "I can assure you that he wasn’t always like that. All that senseless cruelty... I don’t know, it’s unlike him."
The hermit remained silent for a few monts before saying, "Well, at the very least, he hasn’t hard a single innocent mortal. I suppose that is sothing. But the number of Arakuro Magi he has killed, and the manner in which he has committed said killings..."
Adam sneered. "They were the ones who started it. I was minding my own business when I ca to this continent. That guy... what’s his na? Damn it, I even forgot that man’s na. But yes, it’s his fault. And I’m not trying to shift the bla. It really was his fault."
"We are beyond pointing fingers now, young Magus," the hermit said in an even voice.
He paused for a mont, then asked in a solemn voice. "Can you tell the Heavenly Demon’s identity?"
Adam’s lips ford a smirk. "Can’t you divine his identity yourself? Elder Li Shuren claid that all Sect Leaders of the Shadow Sect were masters in the School of Divination."
The hermit sighed. "Divination isn’t all-powerful. Besides... the Heavenly Demon has left behind very few clues for to use."
Adam’s expression gradually turned grim. "I apologise, Sect Master, but I cannot disclose the Heavenly Demon’s identity."
He paused before quickly adding, "However, I can assure you that he is an ally. The reason why he’s waged war against the Arakuro Clan is to help get them off my back."
The hermit nodded. "Is that why the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult hasn’t attacked the Tsuitsui Clan?"
"Indeed."
"What is his end goal?" The hermit asked. "What is your end goal?"
"The Heavenly Demon’s objective?" Adam slipped into deep thought. "I guess he just wants to help out..."
"To what end?" The hermit pressed.
Adam intently studied the elderly man sitting atop the boulder. At last, he said, "He will not harm the innocent mortals, if that’s what you’re worried about."
"There are plenty of ways to destabilize the realm without harming innocent souls," the hermit spoke matter-of-factly.
The hell does he want from ? Adam was flabbergasted.
"...What else do you want to say?" he shrugged. "I can’t speak for him. You want his word? Why not ask him yourself?"
"Now, why would I want to approach a bloodthirsty madman?" The hermit chuckled.
"I’ve lived to this age because of my wariness. Besides, aren’t you aware of how weak Diviners are in a direct confrontation? Chiyo’s death should serve as an ample reminder, don’t you think?"
Adam’s lips twitched incessantly. I’ve never t soone who takes pride in his weakness and cowardice!
He couldn’t help but massage his head, trying to think straight amidst the storm of incessant ravings.
"I don’t know what else you want to say. The Heavenly Demon’s primary objective is to help . Other than that, I don’t know what else he’s planning. He sure as hell isn’t proactively seeking to destabilize this continent, if that’s what you’re asking."
The hermit sighed. A mont later, he asked, "And you? Hisaki tells you are hellbent on visiting the Dark Valley. Adam, tell , are you not aware of the horrors of that forbidden zone?"
"I must go there," Adam spoke resolutely.
He suddenly thought of sothing and added, "Oh, well, even if I didn’t have anything to gain from going to that place, I’m sure I would have ended up there one way or another."
The hermit frowned. "What do you an?"
Adam smirked. "I’ll let you in on sothing, Sect Leader."
He paused for a mont, then said, "This world has gained sentience. It is guiding to the Dark Valley. So, no matter what... that’s exactly where I’ll end up."
The frown on the hermit’s aged face deepened. "The world has gained... sentience? How can that be possible!"
Adam shrugged. "Well... stuff happened. I can’t get into too much detail. But I will tell you one thing, though."
He paused, his expression turning grim. "If you see too many coincidences happening around you, best believe the Will of the World is pulling the strings from beyond the heavenly curtain."
The hermit remained silent.
Adam cupped his fists and gave a slight bow. "Well, then, Sect Leader, if that will be all, then I shall return to the army’s camp. Or else they might send soone here to look for ."
"I have one last question, young Magus." The hermit rose to his feet.
Adam arched an eyebrow. "Alright. I’ll try my best to answer."
The hermit paused for a long mont. At last, he asked in a solemn voice:
"What are you truly planning? What will you do once you... if you erge from the Dark Valley?
Adam’s lips twitched. "That’s two questions!"
Seeing that the hermit was still intently staring at him, the youth helplessly sighed. "Alright, I’ll be honest with you."
He raised his head and faced the twin moons. Or perhaps, he was facing the distant cosmos.
At last, he said in a gentle voice:
"I’m trying to save this world from damnation. The stars hold countless adventures for , I know that, I truly believe that. But if I cannot protect the world that raised , how can I ever hope to wander among the distant stars?"
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