Chapter 425: The Truth
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 425: The Truth
Ariel gazed up at the sky, which was completely obscured by dense foliage. She let the evening breeze tousle her hair, her heart heavy with melancholy.
A month ago, she had followed Liya’s trail into that unknown ruin.
She had intended to be the hero who rescued the young girl, but instead of becoming a hero, she had found herself ensnared in various crises and shackles.
That ruin was far more dangerous than she had imagined. For an ordinary Third-Tier, entering alone was practically a suicide mission.
Fortunately, she was no ordinary Third-Tier, so she didn't just throw her life away. Even so, she had been dancing on the edge of a blade the entire time, enduring countless trials and hardships, teetering on the brink of death several times.
It had taken her an entire month to finally clear the ruin.
But while the ruin was conquered, she hadn't found a single trace of Liya from beginning to end.
"Liya, you weren't in the ruin at all. Where are you?"
Ariel called out to the night sky once more with heartfelt longing, even though she knew such a cry was futile.
“Sigh... look on the bright side, Ariel.”
Her teacher’s sigh echoed in her mind.
“Even though you didn't find that little girl Liya, your strength has indeed made significant strides.”
"But Liya..."
“That little girl won't meet her end that easily.”
Ariel pursed her lips, the grief and indignation in her eyes dissipating slightly.
It was true; the ruin had been terrifying.
However, the rewards brought by the crisis were equally bountiful.
In just one month, her realm had jumped an entire major stage. In her teacher's words, this was a speed that was likely unprecedented.
One had to remember that a month ago, she had only just reached the Third-Tier.
Moreover, compared to the powerful thing she had obtained at the very end of the ruin, even her skyrocketing cultivation level seemed somewhat insignificant.
If she were to face that Radiant-Tier mage from a month ago again, the outcome might be different even without her teacher’s intervention.
This trip to the ruin had transformed her in almost every way, causing her strength to explode.
"But..."
Ariel couldn't help but recall the girl’s delicate face. The thought that Liya might be suffering somewhere in this terrible world made her restless.
"Even if I’ve gained such great power, what’s the use if I can't save Liya? No, I have to keep looking for her!"
With a look of determination, Ariel prepared to head deeper into this dangerous forest once more.
Liya might still be in the forest; she couldn't give up.
Even though they had missed each other at the ruin, she still believed that a bond of fate existed between her and Liya!
Liya, I will definitely find you!
"My... My Lord?"
Just as Ariel was about to move, she heard a shout from not far away.
Hmm?
Hearing the call, Ariel looked down. Only then did she finally notice the soldier and the captain standing before her.
The two were kneeling on the ground, still trembling, thinking they had encountered that legendary "terrifying existence."
Fortunately, the captain was a bit braver. Seeing that nothing had happened for a long time, he peeked up to observe for a while. Sensing that this "terrifying existence" had no intention of eating them, he called out tentatively.
Ordinary people?
Her gaze swept over the two suspiciously. Ariel’s brow furrowed slightly, a look of confusion appearing on her face.
Strange. This was the Forest of Death, an Imperial Forbidden Zone. Aside from insects and crows, there were usually very few living things here. How could there be people—and ordinary people without a trace of fighting spirit or mana at that?
"Who are you?" Ariel asked.
"We..."
Seeing that this "terrifying existence" had actually initiated a conversation and didn't seem intent on eating them, the captain was overjoyed. He kicked the still-shivering soldier beside him and spoke quickly:
"We are soldiers of the Empire."
"Soldiers?" Ariel scanned the leather armor they wore.
"Yes, we are the border defense army under Count Eller. Our unit designation is 'Iron Hammer.' We..."
"Wait, wait, wait. I’m not interested in your unit's details."
Ariel cut off the captain’s rambling and asked, "What I want to know is... why are you here? This isn't a place where the border defense army should be."
"That... that is true."
The captain and the soldier exchanged a look before confessing, "We entered this forest to find someone."
"Find who?"
"To find a young girl named Ariel."
The captain gestured with his hands. "She’s about 1.5 to 1.6 meters tall, eighteen years old, on the thinner side, and her defining characteristic is being flat-chested."
As he spoke, the captain let out a surprised sound. "Come to think of it, that girl looks quite a bit like you, My Lord."
Ariel: "..."
What do you mean "looks like"? You're talking about me!
And what do you mean "defining characteristic is being flat-chested"? Since when did being flat-chested become a defining characteristic? You should apologize to every girl under the age of ten in the world!
Besides, I’m not flat-chested! It’s just... not very prominent!
"Wait."
Ariel suddenly snapped out of it.
The point of that sentence wasn't some fabricated flat chest, but... someone was looking for her!
Who?
The Academy?
Right, she had "disappeared" while following the Academy on the way to the Holy City. It was only natural for the Academy to send people to look for her.
Thinking of this, Ariel’s eyes lit up.
If they were looking for her, they would definitely be looking for Liya too. Which meant...
"Then have you found the girl named Liya? You should have a mission to find her as well!" Ariel asked urgently.
She didn't place all her hopes on these people being able to find Liya, but even if they hadn't, they could at least help narrow down the search area in this massive forest...
But to Ariel’s surprise, the two men before her wore expressions of utter confusion in response to her question.
"Liya?" The captain frowned. "I’m sorry... My Lord, we haven't heard that name."
"Eh?" Ariel froze.
"What... what do you mean you haven't heard of her? Liya! Liya Angel! A beautiful girl about my age, with a chest slightly larger than mine. She should be lost in this forest too."
Even if Liya had been found midway or had made it out, as searchers, they should at least know of her. How could they not have even heard her name?
"I’m very sorry, My Lord."
The captain shook his head and said earnestly, "We received no orders regarding the Miss Liya Angel you mentioned. From beginning to end, the only person we have been searching for... is Miss Ariel."
"..."
Looking at the captain and the soldier, who showed no signs of lying, Ariel’s mouth hung open involuntarily.
She didn't think the school would forget to look for Liya. Therefore...
Ariel suddenly had a realization that made her want to burst into tears...
*
"Yes, Young Master Muen and that Miss Liya successfully walked out of the forest a month ago."
Following the captain, Ariel soon met Count Eller, who was stationed outside the forest.
From the mouth of the armored Count Eller, she received the news that—unsurprisingly—turned her to stone instantly:
"For this past month, the person we have been waiting for... or rather, searching for, has only ever been you, Miss Ariel."
"Eh? The only one... was me?"
Ariel staggered back a few steps. In that moment, countless images flashed through her mind.
There was the image of her walking into an unknown ruin without hesitation to find Liya.
There was the image of her fighting among terrifying mechanical puppets, blood spraying, yet showing no fear.
There was the image of her on the brink of death, drawing endless strength from the thought of a lonely Liya.
But...
Now, those images shattered.
Because the Liya she wanted to save had never been there to begin with.
Liya had successfully escaped the peril-filled forest a month ago and headed to the safe and warm Holy City.
And apparently, she was with that detestable Muen Campbell!
"Then... then I..."
Ariel shook her head, tossing away the image of Liya leaving her behind. With a dazed expression, she murmured:
"Then what was the point of all my hard work this past month?"