Chapter 110: Long Time No See

Though I was not part of the nobility yet, Felix had graciously given me access to the royal cabin. He had already told the staff of my arrival and had them on standby.

Though, it is strange for me to bring along an unknown person with me. No one was notified of this before.

Kathlyn sat opposite to me. Her hands trembled and her face was an open book.

"May I ask you a question out of curiosity, ma'am?" I said, breaking the silence we had between us.

"Yes, you may," She granted permission.

"Why are you in such a rush to meet him?"

Her trembling stopped. She looked away and stared out of the window.

"A week ago, before he left. We were talking when I received a letter," She began explaining. "It was from an uncle I hadn't heard from in years,"

"That seems like great news!" I said joyfully.

"It was the contrary,"

Her words left me feeling sorrowful. To describe her own family as contrary to happiness…

"He was coming to meet me and extort money from me, even though I assume he is well off,"

"Then why!?" I raised my voice. "Why would your own uncle do such a hideous act!?"

"I'm… not sure,"

Hearing her story, I felt regret. I did not wish to stand and watch as an innocent woman was extorted of money

Not to mention, it was from her own family member. She lives as a simple florist, her family is well off. Yet, this man wishes to force her into submission.

"Father… your hands are shaking," Kathlyn took my attention away.

"Oh, sorry," I replied with a smile. "I was just lost in thought. To think people would do such things to their own family…"

"It's nothing," She smiled with mellow eyes. "I've become used to such forms of inequality,"

Seeing her smile made me realise what type of person she is. Even though she must have had a hard time without support from her family, she smiles through it and does what she loves.

Her past is full of sorrow. Even though I hadn't learnt much about her, I reckon she had a difficult past with how she describes her family.

"May I ask you another question?" I asked selfishly.

"You may," She moved her bangs to one side.

"I recall you mentioning a past with Artorius. Why aren't the two of you close anymore?"

Her eyes widened as I asked the question. Perhaps I struck a bad memory.

"Well… I cannot answer that. It's a long story… and it's tragic to remember,"

"Ah, never mind then," I replied and laughed softly. "I respect your privacy."

The train moved at a speed that amazed me. Never had I thought such a vehicle could be created. To cut travel time between nations to such little, it was a true work of art.

"How is it like being a priest?" Kathlyn asked me as she stared out the window.

"Oh, it is a delightful job!" I said cheerfully. "I feel at peace and always blessed to have this as a career. It is all due to the blessings of the Primordial God."

A soft chuckle escapes her mouth. "Is that so? I remember working at the church when I was younger. I worked as a florist who watered and maintained the flowers."

"Having any work at the church always pleases the Gods. You must've been blessed in one way or another,"

"Truthfully, I'm not so religious anymore," She turned to me with a resting smile. "But, I would agree that I had been blessed. The blessing has helped me live,"

"That is most wonderful!" I exclaim with happiness.

She laughed softly, seeing me be so giddy with joy. "I owe my work to a sister. She had taught me healing magic in her free time. It helped me on so many occasions,"

"Wait," I stopped her from continuing. "You know healing magic?"

"I have a basic grasp of it," She moved away her hair once more. "I use it weekly to rejuvenate my plants. I reckon I could use it on humans too,"

"But it must come at a cost, right?"

"My mana core is not that strong," She admitted directly. "I cannot hold much mana. If I overuse it, I may fall ill and exhausted of mana,"

I nodded my head to every word she said. She seemed knowledgeable in healing magic.

Healing can only be learned from the church. It is forbidden to be taught anywhere outside of churches. Healing is a blessing that had come from the Primordial God himself.

He blessed us mortals with the ability to regrow ourselves using magic. It can only help with recovery and regrowth–It cannot attach a severed limb.

The only reason it is not taught outside of churches is due to its power. It is a powerful form of magic that can be used for mass destruction–as much as it can be used for the greater good.

Necromancy is derived from healing magic. It's a much stronger form of healing, reanimating the dead and bending their will to your command. A form of magic that is looked down upon by the entire continent.

Yet, a select few wish for such a horrendous power to become a norm.

ARTORIUS' POV

After our short meal, Felix and Vincent decided to head out. They didn't wish to stay in the cave any longer. Amelia and I had no protests against them.

We both grew tired of staying in this cave. I hadn't slept properly in a week, barely managing six or seven hours within the week.

Amelia grew weary and didn't wish to fight any longer. She grew tired after fighting Asim. The only reason she hadn't given up on this cave was for me. If it weren't for me, we would be out two days ago.

Felix and Vincent led the way as I followed behind them. Amelia lay atop my head, resting and energizing once more.

"How long did it take you to make it to the end?" Felix asked while chatting with Vincent.

"It took… I'm not sure,"

"Why am I asking for days!" Felix facepalmed, realising his stupidity. "You were in a cave with no sunlight!"

"Growing senile now, are we?"

"Damn, you too!?" Felix shouted in anger.

Even if he didn't appreciate my witty joke, Vincent did. He chuckled to himself, trying to suppress his laughter.

"Oh, we're at the maze already," Felix said, taking all of our attention away from the conversation.

"Ah, this is where Amelia killed that,"

The Alpha wolf's body still lay dead, as it should. It had started to rot and smell. The smell of rotten flesh was not pleasing to any of us.

"Tsk, it stinks," Vincent held his nose and complained.

We walked past the corpse of the wolf. Amelia and I stared at it while reminiscing the day. It was the first day. We took a short break here before getting up again.

"Do you know the path?" Vincent asked Felix. "You led us around like headless chicken at first,"

"No, I don't," Felix replied with a stoic voice.

"Huh!?" How do you expect us to get out then?"

Felix pointed at his nose and smiled arrogantly. "With this," He said with pride.

He turned around quickly and sniffed the air. Within an instant, he seemed to have picked up a trail and began to walk.

Vincent slows down and begins to walk alongside me. "Has he always had this ability?" He whispered to me.

"Not sure," I answered in a hushed voice. "But does it work?"

"He led me through here once, I suppose it should work twice,"

Felix had us walk around the maze-like tunnel for a while. At first, I was beginning to lose hope of ever coming out of this.

"How did you figure out this?" Vincent asked, trying to make up small talk.

"We chased a pack of wolves into this, that's how,"

Vincent made a repulsive face as he looked at me. "Chasing away wolves, huh?" He scoffed. "Beating a horde of giant insects, chasing and killing wolves and their leaders, killing dwarf skeletons and then finally killing a legendary warrior from centuries ago to discover a hidden library,"

"You're good at recounting," A gleaming smile came across my face. "Have you considered being an accountant?"

"Ah, we're out," Felix said, taking the two of us by surprise.

We stood at the chamber where Amelia and I slaughtered the wolves. It felt like a trip down memory lane while walking through the cave.

"The smell has become worse," Vincent held his nose and squinted. "It's absolutely horrific!"

"Get over it, you whiny baby!" Felix insulted nonchalantly as he stepped over the piles of corpses.

Amelia had fallen asleep on my head, as usual. My hair felt messy and dirty for a while. It's a surprise to me that she could fall asleep on my head.

Though, my horrible conditions would not last long. We were only a few minutes away from our escape.

The closer we get to the exit, the wearier I feel. My head felt light and my body ached. Every inch of my body ached. My once dislocated shoulder still hadn't healed properly.

All I could do was hope for a healer to be at the camp. If I don't get it healed quickly, it might prove to be a weak point in the future.

My body was already full of scars. After the way, I had a body full of scars. The only place I wasn't scarred was my face. Even that, I cannot guarantee for long.

"Do you have any weak points anyways?" Amelia suddenly voiced in telepathy. "I've never seen you protect one specific body part,"

"I'm not sure," I thought to myself. "I've never had any weak points as far as I remember,"

There is only one place that makes me think is a weak spot.

After the war, when celebrating at the festival, Kathlyn tried to grab my pouch which was tied to my waist. An odd shiver went through my spine when she touched my hip.

Though, I'm not quite certain about it.

"Oh, we're almost here," Felix announced.

The first room we entered. We had massacred countless insects here. I couldn't remember anymore.

All I remember was swinging mindlessly and using magic at any convenient moment. It was all a daze by now.

"How much did Amelia help you?" Vincent asked me as he nonchalantly walked past the corpses.

"A lot," I picked her up from my head. "Without her, I would be dead,"

"You mentioned she was a big help when fighting Asim, or whatever his name was,"

"Asim would be unbeatable without Amelia,"

Vincent crosses his arms and shivers. "Eugh! Hearing you say it would be impossible makes me shiver,"

I kept Amelia in my arms and held her tightly. She slept soundly but was awake.

Her fur had accumulated a lot of dirt and blood, as expected. Her fur became rough and coarse, contrary to her natural soft and fluffy fur that once was.

As we got to the slope, my body begin to cave in. I felt a lack of air and my legs began to give in.

"Artorus, are you alright?" Felix asked, watching me struggle to walk and breathe.

"I'm… fine," I replied hesitantly. "I'm just really tired."

I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping it would fool him. Felix gave me a stern gaze before turning around and continuing.

"We don't have any healers in the camp, as far as I remember. If Father Sven is there, you would be lucky,"

A lack of sleep fatigued me, causing me to lose all my will to continue. I wished to lay down and sleep.

"Hang in there, Artorius," Vincent exclaimed, giving me a small thumbs-up

"Papa… I don't feel that good either…" Amelia whispered, barely being able to speak.

"Hang in there," I replied. "We're nearly out."

The climb up the slope felt long and gruelling. I don't remember this slope being so long, let alone having such difficulty walking up the slope.

"I see the light!" Vincent exclaimed. "We're out!"

He ran towards the light, leaving Felix and me in the dust.

Felix gave me a look of concern, knowing I was not in good condition. I would admit, I didn't do a good job of hiding my exhaustion.

He walked out first, leaving me in the dark tunnel, illuminated by the light outside. I couldn't see outside because of the strange barrier that made it seem like an illusion.

Even still, I haven't figured out why the cave has such an entrance. From the outside, it looked dark, even though torches are lit up on the inside. From the inside, the light from the outside shines brightly.

I squint and enter through the angelic light, exiting the cave once and for all.

In front of me, a crowd had gathered. There were many faces I couldn't recognize, It was a blurry vision. My eyes were not used to the outside world after a week of staying in the dark.

The bustling sound of the camp, and soft whispers of rumours and opinions spread across the air. A cold breeze gently blew with the sun's glow giving off heat. I took in the feeling of nature and its beauty.

"Artorius…" A sweet voice called out, taking me out of my daze.

I opened my eyes wide, recognizing the voice instantly. It was a voice I could listen to for hours, one I could never get tired of. It was one of the only things that gave me peace.

"Kath…lyn…?"

She stood before me with eyes of horror. It had been a while since I saw her. But, before I could say anything else, all my legs gave in.

I fell to my knees and let go of Amelia from my arms. Before I could hit the floor face first, a gentle embrace held onto me.

"You're alive, right?" Kathlyn asked me as I struggle to stay awake.

"It's been a while… I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what?" Kathlyn laughed softly. "I'm glad you made it back,"

"G-get a healer! Quick!" Amadeus' panicked voice suddenly boomed through my ears.

I closed my eyes, giving in and letting loose for once. The sounds of the camp slowly deafened out. Before I knew it, I heard nothing and my sight became dark.