CHAPTER 28 : COOPERATION (1)

"After that, Miss taught me how to use mana. Her lessons were periodic and always at night. However, before disappearing for long periods, she would leave me detailed instructions about what I had to do in her absence. She also gave me a manual with light-based skills, which I was to destroy once I had mastered them."

"When I turned eighteen and was nearing what you call the 'middle level,' she concluded her teachings. That's when I began carrying out my duties as an apostle in the center. After that, I saw her occasionally. I would usually tell her everything I had done during the months we hadn't seen each other."

"I stopped seeing her when I turned twenty, around six years ago."

That's how Aiden finished his story.

"…"

"…"

Alice and I remained silent for a moment.

That story…

God… If I didn't have the truth skill activated, I wouldn't believe a single word of what I just heard.

Especially the final part.

To think Mother took on a student… someone outside the Evans clan, without telling anyone. And she even gave him a skill manual she created herself. That would be considered a serious crime within the clan.

That's why his story is so hard to believe.

But…

Now everything makes sense.

The fact that he doesn't hate us for being Evans. That he never tried to kill us, despite standing against us.

His strength… of course. He was trained by someone from the elite rank. Like my mother.

And even though her specialty was healing, she was without a doubt a better teacher than anyone else.

Also, his affinity with light-type skills makes complete sense now. Healing techniques are a subclass of that same type, and my mother was probably the only truly competent Evans in that area.

I also understand his personality better. His obsession with eradicating evil comes from his deep faith, from his fervent desire to be an apostle.

The apostles… the Church's main force.

The Church is a powerful entity in the galaxy. Unlike the great clans, their territory is small, and they usually stay out of the clans' affairs. That's why, for the most part, they're ignored.

However, the reason no one dares to challenge them is because of the apostles.

It's said that the three most powerful ones are on the level of a paladin, and the leader of the Church is considered the strongest being in the entire galaxy.

In other words, the Church's military force is even stronger than that of the great clans… with the exception of the Evans.

That's why, as long as they don't intervene directly against the clans, no one dares to touch them.

There was a time, millennia ago, when the Church and the clans clashed. It all started because some clans, already ruling several territories, began adopting authoritarian methods. That didn't sit well with the faithful, and several violent conflicts broke out.

Both sides came out deeply wounded.

Since then, to avoid future conflicts, the clans adopted forms of government that, at least on the surface, wouldn't severely harm the population.

Nowadays, most planets aren't even governed directly by clan members. There are too many planets and too few members. So each planet has near-total autonomy. In exchange, they must pay tribute and cooperate with the clan when requested.

Today, the Church limits itself to preaching God's word, and the apostles usually travel from planet to planet to make sure no injustices are being committed.

If they detect something minor, they deal with it themselves.

If it's something major like an insane governor whose removal could destabilize the planet they inform the corresponding clan to take action… or to authorize them to intervene.

The clans usually respond quickly to those reports. Because if they don't, chances are the apostle will act on their own, without thinking of the consequences.

You could say the Church serves as a balancing force in the galaxy and limits, to some degree, the clans' power.

Of course, this is only lightly touched upon in the final years of school. The pride of the great clans prevents them from admitting that, in many cases, their authority is not absolute in their own territory.

I look Aiden in the eyes once again.

Without a doubt… he has all the qualities the apostles look for.

Though he seems colder than the boy in his story.

Well...

After everything he must have lived through as a child… the lives he likely had to take to fulfill his duty…

It makes sense that his personality became colder.

But I can still see the boy he talked about in his story.

I have no more doubts.

I'm sure we can trust him.

After all, he was my mother's student.

"Alright. You've convinced me we can work together. We'll help you take down the Shadow Fang. The only thing I ask is that, if Jacob turns out to be the one behind the murder… we'll need to take him back with us to the clan," I said seriously.

"That's fine," Aiden replied.

At his response, I stepped closer and we shook hands in agreement.

But when I tried to let go, he held my hand firmly, stopping me from pulling away.

Surprised, I looked at him.

He seemed hesitant… like something was weighing on his tongue.

Until finally, after a few seconds, he spoke.

"Your mother… Like I said, I haven't seen her in over six years. Is she alright?" Aiden asked.

I could see the expectation in his eyes. An anxious light that broke through his composure.

"My mother… died on a mission. Five years ago," I replied.

For the first time, I saw a clear emotion on his face.

He was no longer the vigilant apostle.

He was the boy he spoke about in his story.

I saw an immense sadness reflected in his eyes.

The same sadness I felt when I got the news.

My mother cared for him, trained him…

To him, she must have been a mother figure.

"I'm sorry…" I said, almost without thinking.

Aiden looked up, surprised.

"No… she was your mother. I should be the one who's sorry," he said, his voice trembling with grief.

I smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You know? I'm sure my mother would be proud of you. And she'd be happy to see us working together."

Aiden nodded in silence.

Then, I let go of his shoulder and stepped back.

"Well, it's almost dawn, and the Iron Jackals will probably start moving soon. Alice and I should head back to Lisa's place. Tonight, we'll meet to plan the attack. Sound good?"

"Yes," Aiden replied.

"Then, see you tonight," I said, and got ready to teleport with Alice.

But just before we left, Aiden spoke once more.

"Your mother… I'm sure a woman like her has a special place in heaven."

His words caught me off guard.

I looked at him for a moment.

"Yeah… She's watching over us," I replied with a faint smile.

Then, Alice and I teleported.

It seems our mission in the slums… is close to coming to an end.