Chapter 420 – The Failed Request

The alley in Rock Sand City was now utterly silent. After Ovakain swiftly cast a Formal-Level “Creature Repulsion Spell,” semi-transparent ripples slowly emanated from him like water waves. Whether it was ordinary pedestrians on the streets, stray cats that favored dark corners, or even rats—none would approach this alley at this moment. Thus, the alley had become a private space solely for Ovakain and Aisha. Only in such an environment could the troubled black dragon and the anxious young girl safely confide in each other, sharing intelligence as confidential as state secrets through casual conversation.

Noticing the magical fluctuations imperceptibly enveloping her surroundings, Aisha realized it must have been the young man before her who cast the spell to disperse passersby. With this assurance, the girl no longer held back, and her voice immediately grew louder:

“After discovering the cult’s spread, my great-grandfather took immediate action. He has always harbored a deep hatred for such mind-manipulating cults and personally launched an investigation. At that time, the Kingdom’s intelligence network hadn’t yet been infiltrated by the cult, so my great-grandfather successfully located their stronghold.”

“And then your great-grandfather charged in alone, didn’t he?”

Rubbing his forehead in exasperation, Ovakain felt the remaining details would be too embarrassing to voice aloud.

Clearly, most single-minded warriors, when consumed by fervor, fail to guard against enemy traps. They trust their fists far more than their brains. Judging by how the Kingdom Protector King only barely noticed the cult’s near-overthrow of the Kingdom after it had almost succeeded, it was evident that the great-grandfather Aisha spoke of must have been a “tyrant” who ruled solely through brute force. As for brains… were they ever as useful as violence? With all-powerful violence at one’s disposal, who needed brains?

Well, even without having met him, Ovakain could guess that this “King” he’d never encountered was likely a thoroughbred “warrior.” Having been entrenched too long in this backwater with few powerful figures, such a warrior, long accustomed to being invincible, had probably forgotten the adage: “There’s always someone better.” Perhaps he thought his Level 16 warrior rank was decent enough, believing he could at least escape if he couldn’t win… But now, reality must have dealt him a heavy blow.

Sighing inwardly for Aisha’s great-grandfather, Ovakain continued listening to the girl’s outpouring with utmost seriousness. Indeed, the young girl was less conveying intelligence than venting her grievances. After Ovakain reached out to stroke her hair, even Aisha herself likely couldn’t distinguish whether she was merely complaining to the young man before her or earnestly seeking help.”The Nightmare Cult is truly deeply hidden. It wasn’t until my great-grandfather stormed into the cult’s stronghold that he discovered, to his astonishment, the sect actually had three Master-Level powerhouses. A despicable trap laid by a Minotaur Shaman, a female ranger, and a mad mage left my great-grandfather severely wounded.

Though he eventually escaped using a precious scroll obtained in his youth, his soul was struck by a sinister curse. Though he managed to flee back injured, his wounds proved incurable. The Temple of Greed’s price was something even the entire Huaibien Kingdom couldn’t afford. The royal family could only watch helplessly as his condition deteriorated day by day…

Over a hundred years later, about five years ago, my great-grandfather finally collapsed and became bedridden. The current Huaibien Kingdom only maintains its fragile unity through his deterrence. If… if my grandfather were to die now, this country, this country would……”

As she spoke, glistening teardrops streamed down the maiden’s face, each one eventually drying up in the desert dust beneath their feet.

Aisha’s weeping contained three parts genuine emotion and seven parts performance meant to evoke sympathy. Though she knew the young man before her might only be seeking more information, the fact that Ovakain hadn’t outright refused without listening reignited a spark of hope in the maiden who had initially held little expectation. Now she only hoped her emotional appeal could move Ovakain.

However, in this aspect of emotional manipulation, Aisha was destined to be disappointed.

In fact, the more sympathy Aisha aroused in Ovakain, the more the anxious black dragon wanted to quickly leave this kingdom. The black dragon knew how terrifying the enemies pursuing him were – he didn’t want the tragedy of the Dragon Roar Kingdom to repeat itself in this desert nation called Huaibien.

Therefore, with a trace of sorrow, Ovakain whose eyes had dimmed, stroked the maiden’s dashing pink short hair while speaking softly:

“Though I know my refusal may seem cruel… I’m sorry, I cannot stay long in your kingdom. In fact, you must have noticed – I’m being pursued by a ruthless and terrifying enemy. When I followed you here, I had even considered seeking help from this kingdom’s Kingdom Protector. How could someone like me possibly help others?”

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, and after a moment’s hesitation, Ovakain subtly loosened the maiden’s fingers tightly clutching his clothes.

“How could this be……”

Hearing Ovakain’s response, despair surged once more in Aisha’s eyes. The greatest despair comes from having hope only to lose it again – this was what Aisha was experiencing now. When she cautiously looked up, the sorrowful maiden only saw the resolute yet helpless determination in Ovakain’s eyes.

“How could this be, how could this be… Is our kingdom really going to be destroyed like this……”

Collapsing to the ground with vacant eyes, Aisha momentarily didn’t know what to say – should she beg pitifully? Or argue reason?After all, Aisha was just a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. After her emotional outburst, she immediately lost all sense of direction.

“Sigh”!

Heaving a deep sigh, Ovakain helped Aisha up from the grimy ground.

“Although I cannot stay in your country to become a Kingdom Protector, I can still meet your great-grandfather. I am a mage with considerable achievements in the field of alchemy—perhaps I can offer him some advice. And…”

At this point, Ovakain narrowed his eyes and cast a complex gaze filled with hatred, sorrow, helplessness, resentment, anger, and other turbulent emotions toward the direction of Hazelwood Town.

“…I also have some matters to discuss with your great-grandfather. Regarding the Cult in this area, and… my sworn enemy who will never rest until one of us is dead!”

(End of Chapter)