Ace's expression instantly taut when he heard Cyrus calling someone 'strong,' which means at least an Ascension Solider-level existence!
"Is it stronger than you?" Ace hurriedly asked as he was ready to spend another precious teleportation talisman.
However, Cyrus confidently replied, "No, it is as strong as my talons! And I didn't sense any bad intentions. Do you want me to burn it?" He excitedly asked.
Ace was somewhat speechless when he heard this strange comparison, but he quickly shook his head, "There is no need to fight meaninglessly. It might be some curious beast who's observing us, and it hasn't attacked yet because it might've sensed your presence like those rhinos pulling Pascal's carriage. Just keep observing for now, and it might give up soon. But if it didn't, then..." His eyes turned cold as Cyrus's words put him at ease.
As long as they didn't encounter someone more powerful than Cyrus, Ace wasn't worried about anything. Right now, their only purpose was to get away from these mountains as quickly as possible. Cyrus then nodded obediently and silently kept an eye on their unknown pursuer. A few hours passed, and the sky started to illuminate, but this unknown pursuer was still stealthily following them. Furthermore, the water current was becoming increasingly powerful, and Ace mused that there might be another waterfall coming soon.
Moreover, this mysterious pursuer was starting to get on his nerves as he didn't like the feeling of being watched.
"Cyrus, take care of this nuisance! But be careful; your safety is of utmost importance!" Ace finally gave Cyrus the free rein to deal with this annoyance.
Cyrus's beady eyes shimmered with elation as he chirped happily, "Leave it to me; after all, I'm an adult now!" He turned into a dark streak and vanished into the forest.
'He still has ways to go. Will, I guess, it's partly my fault for always keeping in the thief's space. I wonder if I'm restricting his growth by protecting him all the time. Whatever, he's not a tool for me to use. He can enjoy his life and live it as he wishes. This is the least I can do as you, Big Brother.'
A warm smile appeared on Ace's face, and he also felt slightly worried while he kept looking in the direction where Cyrus had left.
'What's with this strange logic?' Ace was speechless as Cyrus getting a hamster as a maid was the least thing he was expecting.
Furthermore, this cute hamster named Chuchu seems to have submitted to Cyrus on her own accord, and the brat took this entire thing the wrong way.
'There is definitely more to this! Furthermore, this hamster is definitely not an elemental state realm magic beast, and it's obviously more intelligent than Cyrus. So, why did it suddenly want to become Cyrus's follower?' Ace thought as his eyes narrowed slightly, making the little hamster or Chuchu hide even more timidly behind Cyrus.
"Hey! You're scaring my maid! You can't bully Chuchu or take her away from me. You already have too many!" Cyrus quickly protected Chuchu while opening his wings.
Ace gave him an impassive, reproachable glance and started to think about handing the little brat upside down like Eva so more blood would flow in his head instead of his stomach.
But he knew it wasn't the right time. He had to act like a big bro and protect Cyrus from harm. He couldn't let anyone hang around him, especially when they were powerful and their motives were unknown.
"Do not speak and come here," Ace said in an irrefutable tone, making Cyrus shudder as if he were seeing Eva. It was his first time seeing the gentle Ace react so sternly towards him.
Still, he obediently flew towards Ace and sat on his shoulder silently since he could tell Ace was serious this time around, leaving the startled Chuchu behind. No matter what, Ace was the most important person for him!
Ace was very satisfied with Cyrus's response but didn't show it. He kept his strict act up because he knew he couldn't be too lenient in this situation, or Cyrus might harm himself.
He then coldly looked towards the cute hamster and asked, "If you want to follow him, give me a good reason that could satisfy me. If I deem it good enough, I'll let you follow him, but if you lie or hide it, then I'll let you leave this place without any harm for Cyrus's sake.
"But then you'll have to forget about following him, and this will also be the last time I'll let you walk away or give you any chance to convince me!"