Chapter 316: Scarlet Collection—No Escape

Wondering why Rakshala is calling him, Auren briefly gathers his thoughts while the little snake continues to play in its ice-water bath.

Picking up the call, her voice makes him feel like she is standing right in front of him.

“Hello, Auren. I hope you are doing fine,” she says in a soft voice, somehow making Auren feel cared for.

“Indeed, I am. Busy lately?” Auren asks, remembering that she did not pick up his call recently.

“That statement is fairly accurate,” Rakshala replies. “Talks are in process, not only with the Empire, but also, more importantly, the V5. It has finally progressed to such a point where we are simply too large to ignore. The time for backroom deals is over. For now, there is an agreement to come to a peaceful solution, which I am not against. At least for now, while we are still at a notable disadvantage.”

So she does not truly want peace but would accept it out of necessity... and should the balance ever change, she’ll reveal her true colors. It’s quite obvious.

“Frankly, I feel bad for not having the time to talk with you more often. I dread these boring meetings. Talking with these so-called leaders takes every ounce of concentration and patience I have in me to keep myself from simply disposing of them. But it turns out that the V5 has hired the strongest Hunters in the Association, including almost all of the Zodiacs. They’ve even been bragging about being able to call the Chairman should the need arise. Pariston tells me their intentions are quite comparable to mine. This will be a deal born out of necessity, though I am acting in the interest of Hollow Blade and every citizen I am responsible for, while they’re acting solely out of personal interest. Our situations aren’t quite comparable.”

“Do you need my help?” Auren offers immediately. “I am not the least bit afraid of the Zodiacs.”

Why... am I offering my help just like that? I didn’t even think about it...

“That won’t be necessary, but thank you for offering. That’s very kind of you. The talks will end tomorrow, and as usual with politicians, nothing will be resolved. I figure it will take at least a year to reach some kind of semi-permanent agreement. Until then, we can only hope for a temporary solution that doesn’t change the status quo,” Rakshala explains. “So there is no need to worry. Tell me about the exam and your training.”

Auren then explains the current situation to her while watching the snake enjoy her ice-water drink, which is now slowly emptying again, as Auren decides to stop Heavy Rain; the Aura drain is not something he’s enjoying, especially after training with the Zoldycks.

“How curious... a snake vaguely resembling a tree, grass, and leaves,” Rakshala says. “I’d love to see it. Her need to consume large amounts of water; the connection couldn’t be simpler. The reasons and details surrounding these facts are what’s truly interesting. I’d love to see it myself. Why don’t you visit our new country? I’ll also be back at our new home soon.”

“I was thinking of going back to Heaven’s Arena for a bit,” Auren explains. “Just to teach the rookies the basics. I’m not quite sure if I take them all along, but I made a promise to the Zoldycks who also, in turn, are more than open to... collab with us should the need arise. I’d suggest sending someone purely for business. I don’t want to mix business and private business, so I don’t want to do it myself.” 

“They could be useful. The advantage is that they openly admit their doings and still get away with almost anything,” Rakshala replies, sounding intrigued. “I’ll send your instructors for a brief visit at some point. They’ve been lazing around for too long anyway, and they have at least some connection to the Zoldycks.”

“...”

The Marshmallow brothers? I don’t think she knows how Zeno views them... well, I believe they’re still a decent choice.

“Do you disagree”? Rakshala asks.

“No, I believe that’s the correct decision,” Auren replies, before addressing his next move.

“After we’re done at Heaven’s Arena, I plan to leave the four of them alone to do their own things. Is Kurapika from the Kurta Tribe of any interest to you? His motivations are fairly radical and dangerous. While I am confident that he will not simply rush to his death, his attitude and goals will probably be his end. The question is when.”

“The former Kurta Tribe is of no interest to me,” Rakshala states. “Seeing someone so willing to throw away his future and individuality in blind hatred to avenge them confuses me. When that child was born, I had already left that tribe behind. We share no connection.”

“I was just offering,” Auren says. “There is no need to justify yourself. I wasn’t implying anything.”

“It is a kind offer... from what you’ve been telling me, he wants revenge against the Troupe? A rather lofty and ambitious goal. He also wants to retrieve the eyes of his comrades? That will be even more difficult because, thanks to our recent growth and expansion, I own the majority of all the eyes. Though there are notable exceptions.”

“You... you own them?” Auren stutters.

She has the Scarlet Eyes? A majority of them? Why?!

“Why... do you own the eyes? Why did you gather all of them? It couldn’t have been easy... or cheap.” Auren asks, more than confused. “I thought you didn’t care about the Kurta.”

“These powers interest me,” Rakshala says. “I know best what these eyes can do, thanks to you, Auren. Without you I’d have simply disregarded them as a silly gimmick, more akin to a curse, but you opened my eyes, so to speak. I’ve also noticed a rather curious thing. They retain a small amount of Aura, much like your treasured items you can’t get enough of, and you yourself collect by the hundreds. If a Kurta dies while their eyes are red, not only does the color remain, but the Aura does so as well. Lingering Nen, or to be more specific, post-mortem Nen, is a worthy research topic, wouldn’t you say so? If I can somehow use that Nen... the possibilities are almost endless. Perhaps they can even be transplanted with some degree of success. Every Kurta gains unique abilities when their eyes turn red, as well as a general increase in Aura. I plan to harness that power and make it my own.”

“That’s quite interesting,” Auren replies. “I guess... if I were in your position, I’d give it some thought as well.”

“Do you disapprove?” Rakshala asks.

Do I? 

The Kurtas are dead... does it matter if they’re in Kurapika's possession, or displayed by some stupid collector? In the end... the Kurtas remain dead. It’s not like their spirits can’t rest or something.

“No,” Auren replies honestly. “They are dead. Their eyes are merely organs. While a hint of their Nen remains, it shouldn’t have anything to do with their souls, should such a thing exist.”

“Do you believe in life after death? That’s surprising, Auren,” Rakshala says, softly giggling. “I’m pleasantly surprised; that’s an unexpectedly cute side of you. I want to learn more.”

How could I not... in my position? At least a small part must remain.

“In any case, tell him about me and what I am doing,” Rakshala finally decides, surprising Auren. “I don’t want you to outright lie. Stick to the truth. You may stretch it a little if you so desire, but do not lie to him. If he wants to meet me, I guess I owe him that much,” Rakshala offers, her voice almost playful.

“As long as you do not use that invitation to add another pair of eyes to your collection... I will,” Auren responds, a little wary.

“It’s his own choice and risk,” Rakshala says in an eerily calm voice, showing not a hint of hesitation or emotion. “If he becomes a problem for me in the future, I’ll simply dispose of him. At least inside this lake, he can neither run nor hide. We have Nen users in our midst who can find anyone; the only way to avoid my gaze would be if he were to rip out his own eyes, but as long as he carries them, I can always find him.”

A Nen user who can... track others? I guess something as unique as the Scarlet Eyes might be sufficient. Can she use one pair to track his? Is that how she acquired a majority of them?!

“I understand,” Auren replies. “I’ll let him decide....”

“I’ll call you soon, Auren. Once I’m back, I’ll have a lot of time. We should talk a couple of times per day. I want to know more about you; it’s always business lately; this simply can’t go on like this.”

“Per day? You mean... per week, or month?” Auren mutters, not quite comprehending.

“I meant what I said; I’ll call you soon,” Rakshala says. “Please enjoy your time and keep me updated. Please greet Neffi and Vanessa for me. I’m missing them too and will call them as well.”

“I will,” Auren replies, ending the call, still not fully understanding.

Still deep in thought about the conversation, Auren suddenly jolts as a wet snake approaches him from above, having slithered up the cone before jumping down towards him.

Catching the snake, water splashing against his face, Auren can’t help but stare directly into its emerald-green eyes. The snake looks back at him with affection and joy.

“I believe... green eyes are certainly better than red ones,” Auren mutters, petting the snake and placing it on his shoulder.

Walking towards the main gate and heading for the caretaker’s shack, Auren sees a group of butlers carrying various tools and supplies in the direction of the flooded area.

Curious, Auren takes a brief detour and, to his surprise, sees a small lake at the very edge of the property, unable to drain because the large wall blocks it.

The water is muddy, and various trees and plants are floating on top of it, looking like a chaotic swampland.

Even the snake, now wrapped around Auren’s neck again, seems uninterested, looking at the water with disgust.

A couple of butlers, their suits lying on a nearby rock at the edge of the water, are diving beneath the surface.

Trying to drain the water? That looks complicated... as much as it’s my fault, it’s not like I can help.

Intending to leave, Auren sees Gon, Killua, Kurapika, Leorio, Leroute, and Neffi arrive as well.

Standing a little way away, Auren approaches them.

“Auren,” Neffi says, noticing him immediately. “Didn’t you say you did this accidentally? This looks... like a natural disaster struck this place. The scale of destruction is frightening.”

Auren shrugs. “Accidents happen.”

The other five, now noticing Auren as well, look visibly surprised.

“How... did you do this accidentally?” Leorio asks. “That’s not possible!”

“The flooding was accidental?” Kurapika asks, raising a finger and pointing towards the sky, where the cloud still hovers above them. “I figure... it’s related to this phenomenon?”

“Yes, I simply slipped up and opened the... faucet a little too much,” Auren says, shrugging. “Even I can make mistakes. Nen is something you learn over your entire life. You’ll never stop learning as long as you continue to pay attention and try new things. I’m just a rookie myself. Only those with limited ambitions will ever say something as silly as claiming they’ve truly mastered Nen. If you’re pushing your own limits, accidents, some of them deadly to yourself or others, are just part of the course.”

“I... I can sense something around you... Auren. Your neck!” Killua says, his eyes suddenly widening.

“I’ve also sensed it...” Gon mutters. “A snake.”

“Huh?!” Leorio exclaims, stepping closer and lowering his head, only to see the snake’s emerald-green eyes directly in front of his face. He yells in surprise and stumbles backward, slipping on the muddy earth and falling into the muddy lake.

“...”

“That was entertaining,” Leroute says. “I’d give him a 6.5 out of 10. Great job, Auren. It’s quite difficult to draw out his potential, but it looks like he’d make a fine comedian or clown.”

“... Are you still hung up on what he did during Trick Tower? It was your suggestion,” Auren reminds her.

“I’ll neither forget nor forgive. Never!” she replies confidently as Leorio struggles to pull himself out of the water, the weights making it almost impossible.

His suit completely drenched, Leorio truly looks helpless as he lies on the ground, completely covered in mud.

Everyone around him stares at him with a hint of amusement but also pity, except for Leroute, who couldn’t be happier, her eyes full of glee.

“If you’re done spectating natural phenomena and performing comedy acts...” Auren finally says. “It’s time you show me how far you’ve come.”

“But it’s only been eighteen days,” Kurapika says, a little surprised.

“With the additional help I sent you every day, that should have been plenty!” Auren points out. “You delivered it again today, right, Neffi?”

“Of course,” Neffi says, smiling. “They’re even fighting over the snacks Marsha is making for them.”

“Now I see,” Kurapika says. “Okay, I’m ready to take on your challenge.”

“Me as well!” Gon says, smiling as he stretches out his hand, while Killua merely crosses his arms, not caring all that much.

“Then show me what you can do!” Auren says, moving towards the Trial gates, with everyone following, only the drenched Leorio lagging a little behind.