Chapter 92 - 92: Smartass Blabbermouth
A while later, Lucien and Valerie headed out through the estate gate, walking past the garden outside the forest. Lady Varlyeth remained on her balcony, watching them until they left the garden entirely.
Her expression betrayed concern and doubt until they finally vanished from sight, and she retreated into her chambers.
Lucien and Valerie continued their trek. The young girl bounced energetically beside him, thrilled beyond measure for the adventure ahead.
Ten minutes passed—they were still walking. Twenty, thirty—still walking. They were, in fact, drawing closer to the canal docks now.
Valerie cast a worried glance at Lucien. After hesitating for some time, she finally asked:
"Adventurer Cien…"
Lucien looked down at her, his expression masked by White Crown.
"Yes, my lady."
"Do you perhaps not know where to find Caisson? If not, we could ask around?"
Lucien fell silent. When Valerie looked down in dejection, assuming he wouldn't answer, his voice came.
"I hear you're going to Ustrus to become a Mage…"
"Correct, Adventurer Cien. I want to be a Mage as great as The Greatest Mage in the entire universe—Lady Gayanna of the Golden Heavens."
Lucien chuckled.
"Haha, that's quite an extravagant title."
Valerie beamed, her voice taking on a lecturing tone.
"I must tell you, Adventurer Cien, it's as literal as it sounds extravagant. Lady Gayanna of the Golden Heavens was incredibly powerful. They say she controlled seven golden heavens. Do you know what heavens are, Adventurer Cien?"
"I presume where people go when they die?"
"Wrong! According to the Historians—the real ones who cared deeply to discover the intended meaning even though hieroglyphs became twisted—they said the Heavens are actually a metaphysical world that one's soul originates from. It's the ground and unseen foundation for every race's evolution. There is the Heaven, and everyone has a soul Heaven—everyone has just one, but the Great Mage Gayanna had seven…"
She shook her head in awe of the person whose tales she shared.
"It's seriously insane. I wonder what my Soul Heaven would be like—maybe I can have even two. Many people say it's impossible to have more than one Soul Heaven, and they even claim that Lady Gayanna's story was merely folklore written to make Mages work harder. But I don't believe that. I believe she was real, she existed, and she was truly powerful."
Lucien exhaled inwardly.
'This one sure is a chatterbox. But it's fascinating information… even I never knew these things about Gaya.'
The girl stared at him intently.
"What do you think, Adventurer Cien?"
Lucien smiled behind his mask.
"I believe you, actually. Gayanna did live, and in fact—to tell you the truth—she still lives. I know her personally, in fact."
Valerie stopped and crossed her arms, forcing Lucien to turn back, puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
The young girl's gaze darkened.
"It's not supposed to be funny, Adventurer Cien. You don't have to agree with me, but don't mock my beliefs."
Lucien stared, stunned.
'Eh?'
He chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head.
"I apologize, Valerie. That wasn't my intention. Also, could you stop addressing me in every statement you make? People are staring."
She glanced around quickly and stepped closer.
"Oh, oh, I'm sorry—you're supposed to be undercover."
Both continued walking forward. She bounded ahead, turning back with a knowing grin. Lucien found it peculiar.
"What now?"
She faced forward again.
"So… which is it—trying to con my mother, or do you really not know where the carriers are?"
Lucien would be lying if he said her statement didn't shock him.
'She's pretty damn sharp… unlike her mother.'
"I wouldn't say con, but I do intend to teach her a lesson."
The girl looked at him and nodded.
"Oh, fair enough—that's reasonable, I suppose. My mother is incredibly arrogant, and she makes countless enemies because of it. That's why the family elders decided she should stay indoors. Wherever she went, she tainted it with her pride and insults. She's a spoiled brat, really."
Lucien paused and stared at her, genuinely shocked.
"Uhm… are people allowed to say things like that about their mother?"
Valerie shrugged.
"People are allowed to speak the truth, right? And I'll speak truthfully about anybody, even if that person is my mother. The family Elders fear her, though. She's pretty clever and knows how to make money flow, so they're always seeking her favor."
'I think this one is just a chatterbox, really.'
She studied Lucien once more as they walked.
"So. What is it? What do you want to do? How can I help?"
Lucien glanced at her and sighed.
"Valerie, at the end of the day, you're still my enemy's daughter. I appreciate your concern, but I expect you'd put your mother first. So I cannot share the details of my plans with you. That would be self-sabotaging."
She looked somewhat disappointed.
"Oh, I see… that's unfortunate. But does your plan involve us walking all the way to Ustrus?"
Lucien glanced at her.
"Are you worried? Can't walk? I hear that a Mage must be fit, though. Walking is one of the most important exercises—running too. So I'm actually doing this for your benefit."
Valerie looked down, nodding.
"Interesting. You're helping a stranger? Even when her mother offended you. You really are a man of honor, as the whisperers say."
[Your favorability with Valerie has increased]
Lucien felt a flicker of surprise.
'To think that would actually work.'
They finally stopped at a dock and paid to board a ferry.
The ferry resembled a swan—carved with delicate white wood—and as they glided across the water's surface, they added to the area's tranquil ambiance.
They drifted slowly downstream and came to a stop at another dock.
At this point, Lucien began to detect the choking, revolting stench that rode the air.
He sighed as he disembarked and helped Valerie down.
The young girl paled slightly and hesitated.
Lucien observed her for a moment.
'Right—she's been kidnapped here several times…'
He crouched down and patted her head, whispering softly.
"Trust me. I'll ensure no harm comes to you."