Chapter 37: Chapter 36: A Poisonous Woman (1)

After leaving the Holy Temple and arriving at the main street, it was dark out. Instead of returning to the mansion, Lucius said there was a place he needed to drop by.

The busy street was decorated with fancy lanterns that lit up the night sky and various stands selling all kinds of things.

Aurora was never allowed to participate in a festival due to her royal title. She only watched from a distance. Even after she left the palace, she was too busy trying to survive to bother with such events.

Still, she was quick to walk pass everything, disinterested. Such a boisterous atmosphere didn’t suit her.

Not long after walking down the main street, the two entered a valley. It was a dirty, ugly place where beggars and criminals gathered. It wasn’t a place where proper Nobles would dare to enter for fear of their life. And yet…

Lucius glanced at Aurora.

She stood straight and tall with composed dignity. As if what she was seeing wasn’t anything that could shake her. As if it wasn't her first time seeing such an appalling sight.

It was as if this was normal for her.

If she was truly the Black Witch’s daughter, then it was to be expected. Her life couldn’t have been one of contentment. It would have been one of pain and suffering.

They entered deeper into the alley, where their figures could no longer be seen as easily. Lucius’ eyes immediately became accustomed to the darkness, while Aurora was gradually getting used to it.

After a short more distance, they reached a shabby house. She heard a faint clanging sound coming from inside. While the outside house looked quite ordinary, the interior was neat and tidy. A large-built man with cuts all over his body and spiky long blue hair sat in front of a hearth.

While sweating profusely, he was immersed in his work without realizing that people had entered.

Flames emitted within the coal furnace, scorching the big lump of iron and heated the entire room. The hammer collided with the iron lump again and again as it rang with a clear and melodious sound.

DONG.

DONG.

DONG.

The sweat pouring down his face didn't cause him to lose his concentration. He continued to hammer the iron as if it was his most prized treasure.

Lucius put his finger over his lips, signaling Aurora to not bother him. He guided her to a place to sit and the two waited for the man to finish. 

Aurora wondered who this man was, to make the Duke of Rizar wait without any grievance.

The room was so hot inside that not any ordinary person could handle the heat. But to Lucius and Aurora, who both have a superior affinity for one of the eight elements, it didn’t make any difference to them.

Lucius decided to use the time to read the letter written by Dorsen.

Seeing him read the letter, Aurora wondered who it was from but didn't disturb him.

When the Duke finished reading, he frowned.

The Rune Mage explained how he wasn’t able to find out much about what happened during the summoning ritual. Fortunately, he found an ancient book in another Kingdom that should shed more light on the mystery. Unfortunately, the person who has it can only send it to him after three months.

Dorsen however said he was able to deduce that a familiar contract between two people with a 'mana core' is two times stronger than that of a human with a spirit beast. It meant that his connection with Aurora was also stronger. This included their mana, abilities, emotions and...

Their desire to want to be near each other.

And protect each other.

A spirit beast didn't have a mana core because they were made entirely of mana in the first place. The 'median' of the contract between a summoner and a familiar is mana. But to Aurora who didn't need Lucius' mana to maintain her form in this world, what was the median?

The Rune Mage believes it's the mana core. He thinks that Lucius' and Aurora's mana cores are connected, but because they haven't completed the contract yet, the effect of that connection isn't too noticeable.

As Lucius continued thinking about the letter, an hour passed.

It was at that time when the hammering sound stopped. The man stood up, washed, and dried his hands with a towel. He moved towards Lucius who still had his eyes closed. “Why are you here?”

The man’s voice was low and deep. Even more so than Lucius. With light brown eyes, he looked to be around his late thirties. He wore a black shirt and blue pants. The shirt was completely wet, sticking to his body like glue.

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Lucius opened his eyes and pulled a small box out from his pocket. He opened it and revealed the item inside to the man.

It was a small black crystal.

The man picked it up to take a closer look. “You were able to get it earlier this time.”

“I ran across a rank S mutated beast in the outer region.”

The man looked startled at first but then confused. “When?”

“Recently.”

“Why did you go there before the Grand Purging?”

Lucius stayed silent.

The man scrutinized Aurora.

He had a feeling it had something to do with this girl by the Duke's side. This cold hearted man had never kept any women next to him. He didn't care for their presence and he surely didn't show them any mercy.

Aurora felt his stare but thought that he was just curious about who she was.

“Did you tell your cousin?” The man asked Lucius.

“No.”

The man glared at Lucius. "When will you?"

Lucius didn't answer him. Instead, he took out the paper High Priest Mikhail gave him earlier. “I also want you to give her a rune."

“You know I no longer do that.” His lips formed into a straight line in a scowl.

Lucius ignored his rejection and turned to Aurora. "This is Gaius Lancaster, as you can see, a blacksmith."

Aurora nodded her head in greeting. Before she could formally introduce herself, the man, Gaius turned away from her. "Lucius Rizar, what are you playing at?"

He pointed at the paper in the blacksmith's hand. "Read."

Gaius sighed and unreluctantly opened the scroll and read the contents. When he saw the young girl’s results, he was surprised.

Lucius studied the blacksmith's reaction. “You’re the only suitable person.”

“...I knew you were up to something." The blacksmith scratched the back of his head in frustration. "Fine! But it’ll take me a while to get the materials ready.”

“I’ll have Dorsen prepare…”

“No." He quickly interrupted the Duke. "I don’t want to use anything from those bastards.”

Lucius paused. “Alright. Inform me when you have everything ready.” He stood up and Aurora followed but stopped just as he opened the door. “How is your little sister doing?”

Gaius slammed his fist into the wall, making a deep hole. “You don’t have the right to ask!” He answered through his gritted teeth. 

“……I know.” Lucius left without looking back.

Aurora nodded her head at Gaius and intended to leave until he stopped her.

“Wait.” With his back towards her, he said with his voice lowered, “Stay by his side.”

His attitude towards her right now greatly perplexed Aurora. She thought he didn’t like her at all from the way he acted towards her. Aurora realized that he was similar to Lucius, in the way they both tried hard to hide their emotions.

Without giving him an answer, she ran after Lucius.

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