Chapter 83

Yes, of course. I thought previously that the sect gets its food and resources from buying from the empires, but I was wrong. It would become suspicious if people suddenly bought a large bulk of stuff from the empires. Even if they send multiple people to buy from the empires to lessen the suspicion, it would still cost a bit of manpower and resources. Bandits are present everywhere in the Bronze and Silver Continents, that's why nobody can just move.

Not taking in the account of the two other sects attacking the caravans of transportation, there would still be people among the bandits that could use mana, and that's dangerous. The sect could lose a few of its disciples if they send them to be the bodyguards.

The higher ups, however, won't send stronger disciples as they are needed in case the sect gets attacked. My master is playing cautiously so that they won't get losses.

Disciples are important to the sect as there are so few of us.

There are only 7280 disciples in the sect, and the numbers of new disciples entering the sect has been a bit slow, slower in the past century. I know that because the patriarch of this sect is my master and he has explained that to me.

In fact, me and my 40 other siblings along with the maids were the only people to enter the sect this year. Well, at least they're working hard, I heard. Many of them are already in the Foundation Establishment Stage, but they couldn't enter the competitions as they were, not to sound harsh, far too weak.

Flare has also been working hard with her cultivation, as the last time I saw her she was already at Foundation Establishment, level 6. She could've entered the tournament but chose not to as, unlike me, she is actually quite updated with the things around the sect and knows that many demi-human clan heirs were participating in the rank battles.

I swear to god, for someone like her, she is too good at socializing. Are girls naturally able to do that? Hmm, I guess not, my sweet Alice exists. She is too antisocial, Alice, I mean.

She doesn't have that many friends besides me, Scarlet, Randy, and Vane. And my albino brother has known her for many years in the orphanage, so she has just acquired 3 more friends. Not very big, not very small either.

I guess she picks her friends well. I mean, I'm one of them, so that got to count.

Anyway, I'll talk about the clan heirs and stuff to my master later after he returns. I'll go relax somewhere for now. Maybe in that guest room.

After washing my plate, which undoubtedly caused more chaos than I could ever imagine as the maids tried to stop me, wanting to wash it themselves instead, I returned to the guest room, where I found my eyes twitching.

Frostine was sitting on one of the sofas, calmly smiling at me, gesturing for me to sit beside her.

"Come, Auguste, sit here and let's have a chat," She said, smiling lovingly at me.

I turned around to leave, but I felt something bind my entire body, and I was dragged towards her.

As I laid there, on the sofa, I scowled. She had just used magic to drag me towards her. Now that's just unnecessary! Oh for the love of f*ck, can't I just rest normally!?

"Why were you leaving? It's fun having conversation with you. You're so smart for a child!" She said, putting as much emotions in her voice, and I instinctively cringed as she grabbed me by my waist, lifted me up, then sat me on her lap while hugging me.

I had a black look my face, trying my best not to explode.

"Mhmm, you're so smooth and soft. You're the cutest!" She said, hugging me tightly.

I was trying my best not to yell or hurt her as she seems so sincere with her words, it's just that she's looking quite creepy while doing it. Frostine is a kind woman, don't get me wrong, but she is too clingy for a grown woman.

I sighed in defeat.

If I can't escape, at least I'll try to enjoy it.

(Hours Later)

Night soon fell as I decided to humor Frostine and we both fell asleep after playing with each other. We played tag, chess, and many board games that she surprisingly has.

I went out of the guest room, leaving the sleeping figure of the sky-haired woman, and walked around the hallway, finding my way to the kitchen.

As I grabbed the cup, my mind wandered to my father-figure, who has not returned from his trip. I don't know where he is, and that doesn't sit right with me as his son.

I need to know where he is, I figured. I wasn't able to ask him back then, but now…

Footsteps echoed around the hallway outside of the kitchen, and I raised my eyebrow at that.

I sensed my master approaching, so I went out of the kitchen, only to see him at the end of the hallway.

"Auguste," he said, "Have you not fallen asleep yet?" Clad in his night gown/pajama, he approached me.

"I was a bit thirsty. Sodas aren't exactly for quenching thirst. It gets dry after a while," I said dryly. There were only sodas in the refrigerators in the guest room.

He nodded, understanding me, "Mhm, you can go back now," He said, gesturing for me to return to the room.

"But I want to ask something about Alexander. Where is he? What mission did you put him in?" I said, getting a bit agitated.

He frowned at that, then looked as if he was in deep thought.

"Hmm, you really want to know?" He asked me, his voice sounding solemn, and I nodded for confirmation, "Then follow me to my office, and I'll explain everything there."

And follow I did.