20demayo Chapter 682 Good Deeds - II
Chapter 682 Good Deeds - II
This gate hadn't existed in the original timeline. Undoubtedly, it was a disturbance caused by the elusive Evora. Whether she had intensified the fire element in that part of the Enigma, or the location itself was the Sky Conquering Ruins causing elemental chaos, it merited investigation.
If fortune favored them and he captured the injured, hiding Evora, she would be eliminated immediately. Failing that, finding clues as before would suffice. At worst... plundering the Sky Conquering Ruins would be acceptable.
Ansel observed the teetering corpse, seemingly on the verge of collapse. "You've come with her message, seeking cooperation?"
"No. Valrhona warned me... not to cooperate with you... lest I die... horribly."
The corpse's response was sincere: "I merely hope... given your acquaintance... with Valrhona... that any conflicts... remain restrained."
"At the very least... I will surrender."
With these words, the corpse disintegrated into a pile of rotting flesh.
The commotion atop the wall drew attention, and more people recognized the stern-faced youth as the one who had recently caused a stir in Dispute Fortress - "the most Faust-like Faust."
Though his deeds paled in comparison to Seraphina's feat of single-handedly defeating a fifth-stage dragon while at the fourth stage, cleaving Dispute Fortress in two was still noteworthy. Bolstered by the name Faust, Ansel's exploits had spread widely.
"That corpse... was controlled by Valrhona's necromancer, right?"
"Does Faust know Valrhona's people?"
"Seems so. I heard Valrhona's folks say Faust has some connection with Valrhona herself."
"Oh? So he's the real deal?"
Ansel ignored the adventurers' murmurs. He had intended to teleport directly to his tent outside the city, as the deathly environment within was far worse than the exterior. However, upon seeing the corpses and rubble strewn about, the young Hydral suddenly halted.
There should still be living people in this city.
— Not the current adventurers, but survivors of the war.
In Red Valley City, a border town of the Duke of Bloodust's domain, residents were well-versed in self-preservation. Most households had cellars or safe rooms. Those who sought shelter immediately might have escaped the calamity.
Though 99% likely perished from the shockwaves of extraordinary beings' battles, this didn't deter Ansel from performing a simple task within his capabilities.
Surviving this war made them extraordinarily lucky, yet truly fortunate individuals would never have encountered such conflict. A lamentable situation indeed.
Ansel's reason for saving them was simple — he needed to assess his own state of mind.
The young Hydral had long recognized that his two cherished girls exerted a profound positive influence on him. Ansel did not shy away from meeting their expectations, yet he would not allow these aspirations to render him indecisive or timorous.
When faced with perplexity, he sought resolution. Ansel refused to postpone confronting matters of the heart until they became unavoidable—unless he himself remained oblivious to their existence.
On this occasion, Ansel had become acutely aware of Seraphina and Ravenna's hopes for him, as well as the instinctive choices he had made in response.
However... Ansel did not perceive this as a significant dilemma.
After all, when fulfilling commissions from the common folk at Dispute Fortress, he had genuinely experienced a sense of ease and joy. This suggested that, at his core, he leaned towards the aspirations of his two girls... For they were not the type to capriciously impose their visions upon others; had they not sensed this inclination in Ansel, they would not have broached the subject so frequently.
[I know Ansel wishes to help them]
Indeed, as long as it did not interfere with his contest against fate, Ansel had never been miserly with his benevolence, nor did he object to improving the lives of the vast majority.
Now, he had progressed from tacit acceptance to active pursuit.
Kindness...
In Ansel's mind, the gentle words and countenance of Aenelisa lingered persistently. At the mere mention of that word, he could think only of his mother.
Try to be less malevolent and utilitarian, Ansel. As Seri had said... Now that you have more latitude, it is time to make better choices.
If for nothing else, do it for Seri and Venna, for mother.
*
I had a long lost vacation last week without notifying you guys...
I'm sorry, was too tired and I could barely turn on my PC to write. The moment I saw my draft I fell in the abyss of headache LOL
Now it's better, let's move on.