Chapter 298: Something Worth Seeing

Aelric’s casual declaration did little to alleviate the uneasiness that had settled over the group. If anything, it raised further questions about what the green-eyed youth intended to show them, particularly considering that he had just announced that several dangerous creatures might already be making their way towards the ruined temple.

Caelestra turned towards him, regarding him with the expression of someone who had discovered that a perfectly sensible acquaintance had developed an inexplicable fondness for courting death.

"You are aware that we’re talking about potentially dangerous Animas and Netherytes that are probably closing in on us as we speak, aren’t you?" the silver-haired Merchant asked, disbelief colouring her voice.

"I mean, I understand that you’re probably strong enough to contend with those sorts of monsters, but what I want you to understand is that we—"

She gestured towards her companions, including herself, with an eloquent sweep of her hand.

"—might not be able to fight against them."

Her point was difficult to dispute. Whatever Aelric’s capabilities might be, the rest of them could hardly claim the same degree of confidence.

They had only recently survived a gruelling battle against the Ratchyrs, and although the Aether Cores they had collected had helped replenish their reserves, recovering their energy was not the same as restoring their bodies to their previous condition.

Besides, there was a considerable difference between being willing to fight a dangerous creature and possessing the strength necessary to survive the encounter.

Aelric, however, seemed entirely unconcerned by this distinction.

He was already walking towards a collapsed section of the temple wall, his steps so leisurely that he might have been strolling through a marketplace rather than approaching something that could potentially attract the attention of the Nether Lands’ more vicious inhabitants.

Upon hearing Caelestra’s impassioned objection, he paused and glanced over his shoulder.

"So?"

The single word carried such infuriating indifference that Caelestra briefly wondered whether he had heard anything she had said.

"So?" she repeated, her eyebrows rising. "That’s your response?"

"What I want to show you is something of considerable importance," Aelric explained, apparently finding her incredulity somewhat puzzling. "I doubt you’d allow such trivial creatures as Animas and Netherytes to become an obstacle to seeing it."

For a moment, Caelestra stared at him in silence.

Then she opened her mouth, seemingly preparing to deliver a rebuttal lengthy enough to bankrupt his patience. Unfortunately, whatever words she had assembled dissolved beneath his utterly untroubled expression.

There was something particularly irritating about arguing with someone who behaved as though the conversation had already been settled in his favour. It robbed her of the satisfaction of making a convincing point, especially when the other party appeared unwilling to acknowledge that a point had been made at all.

Despite the purported significance of his discovery, Aelric remained as relaxed as ever. His indifference seemed almost tangible, hanging around him like a thick veil that no amount of urgency could penetrate.

The group exchanged bewildered glances.

They could not understand the sudden change in his behaviour. Earlier, Aelric had shown little interest in their activities, occasionally offering a remark or observation without displaying any particular enthusiasm. Even the extraordinary ascensions of Regaleon’s Soul Essences had failed to provoke more than a few sardonic comments from him.

As a matter of fact, he hadn’t even reacted like that to the silver-haired Knight’s ascensions.

Yet his demeanour had changed noticeably when he discovered the Key of the First Oath.

At that moment, the usually languid youth had become startlingly serious. His attention had sharpened, his words had carried unusual weight, and his behaviour had suggested that they had stumbled upon something far more significant than an ordinary relic.

Indeed, the intensity of his reaction had been so unexpected that the group had briefly wondered whether anything could make Aelric abandon his customary nonchalance.

Apparently, something could.

Barely a few hours had passed since that discovery, and he was now insisting that they follow him to examine another object or phenomenon that he considered immensely important.

The fact that he was willing to delay their departure despite the possibility of approaching danger suggested that whatever he wanted to show them was not merely interesting. It was something he considered worth their time, perhaps even worth the risk of remaining in the ruined temple a little longer.

Unfortunately, Aelric seemed determined to preserve the mystery surrounding his discovery until the very last possible moment.

Regaleon studied him for several seconds before speaking with a measured expression.

"Aelric, what exactly are you going to show us?"

Considering the degree of respect Aelric had demonstrated towards Regaleon, one might reasonably have expected him to offer a more straightforward answer. The youth had occasionally teased the silver-haired Knight, but he generally acknowledged his judgement and rarely dismissed his concerns outright.

This time, however, he merely turned towards Regaleon with a knowing look and the faintest suggestion of an enigmatic smile. "Something you would definitely appreciate."

Regaleon furrowed his brows.

"That still doesn’t tell me—"

But his words trialed off because Aelric had already turned away and resumed walking.

Regaleon sighed inwardly.

He had long since learned that extracting a straightforward answer from Aelric could be more exhausting than fighting a powerful Anima. The green-eyed youth possessed an extraordinary talent for providing the smallest possible amount of information while behaving as though he had delivered a comprehensive explanation.

Attempting to press him for further details often produced nothing except additional riddles, accompanied by the infuriating impression that Aelric was enjoying himself.

Regaleon had therefore developed the habit of choosing his battles carefully. There were occasions when persistence was necessary, but this did not mean he intended to waste his breath arguing with someone who seemed determined to remain cryptic.

Nevertheless, he could not deny that Aelric’s judgement had generally proved reliable.

The youth’s casual attitude was not necessarily evidence of carelessness. Beneath his apparent laziness lay an experienced practitioner whose survival in the Nether Lands had demanded considerably more than luck. If Aelric believed something was worth examining before they departed, there was probably a reason for it.

And if he was willing to attach the word important to it, then Regaleon suspected the discovery might prove more consequential than his companion’s manner suggested.

With that in mind, he turned towards the others.

Their expressions ranged from reluctant curiosity to outright disbelief, with varying degrees of exasperation scattered between them. Caelestra looked as though she was mentally calculating the cost of following Aelric’s advice, while Kaeloris seemed torn between his scholarly curiosity and the sensible desire to avoid being eaten.

Veyrath, meanwhile, had the expression of a man who had already begun composing a lengthy complaint about the unreasonable circumstances of his existence and Valmyr... Well, Valmyr was just being Valmyr.

And Regaleon could hardly blame him.

"I guess we have no choice but to follow him," the silver-haired Knight said with a resigned shrug. "Besides, we should at least see what he intends to show us. It might prove useful, and considering how determined he is to keep us here, I doubt he’s asking us to admire another pile of broken stones."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Although, knowing Aelric, I suppose we shouldn’t rule out that possibility entirely."

Kaeloris adjusted his spectacles, apparently uncertain whether the remark was intended as a joke or a genuine warning. Caelestra, on the other hand, gave a small sigh and shook her head, though the tension in her expression eased slightly.

Regaleon’s words eventually persuaded the group to abandon their objections, albeit without much enthusiasm. Their reluctant agreement was accompanied by several grumbles and muttered complaints, most of them originating from Veyrath, Vaelorin, and Valmyr.

Honestly, had Regaleon not supported Aelric’s proposal, they would probably have abandoned the matter altogether and returned to the cave.

The battle against the Ratchyrs had already taken a considerable toll on their bodies. Their limbs remained heavy, their muscles ached from exertion, and the lingering strain of combat had not entirely disappeared. Although the Aether Cores had replenished much of their depleted reserves, the recovery was far from complete.

Physical exhaustion, after all, was only one part of the problem.

The mental fatigue remained, settling over their thoughts like an invisible weight. Every unexpected sound demanded attention, every shadow invited suspicion, and every decision required more effort than it ordinarily would have.

Even Kaeloris, whose curiosity could usually overcome his instinct for self-preservation, seemed less inclined to investigate every mysterious feature of the temple.

They needed rest, not another excursion into the unknown.

Yet Regaleon had a point. Aelric’s insistence was unusual enough to warrant consideration, and the youth had never struck him as someone who would deliberately waste their time without a compelling reason.

Whatever awaited them beyond the collapsed wall, it might offer information, an advantage, or an opportunity they would regret overlooking.

With no better alternative, the group reluctantly fell into step behind Aelric.

The green-eyed youth continued towards the ruined section of the temple without bothering to explain himself, leaving the group to follow with curiosity, apprehension, and a dwindling supply of patience.

For the moment, they could only hope that whatever Aelric intended to reveal would justify the additional trouble.

After all, if he considered it important enough to delay their retreat into the approaching night, then it had to be something worth their while...