Chapter 71 - Whispering Night and Departure

No matter what, the battle was over, and Richard prepared to leave.Under the cover of night, within the camp’s tents, a private conversation was unfolding between Richard and Gro. Pandora was eavesdropping on the side while searching for shiny silverware.

“Lord Richard, are you leaving now?” Gro spoke, his voice tinged with concern, “If you leave now, what if those people come back… what then?”

“You’ll have to figure it out yourself,” Richard replied indifferently. “After all, I can’t protect you forever. Actually, you don’t need to worry too much; if that group’s morale has collapsed, they won’t be coming back anytime soon. Once it’s daylight, leave the forest and head back to the Royal Capital as fast as you can. Then you’ll be safe.”

“But I’m afraid something might happen on the way,” Gro said, his eyes flickering, “With the matter of Count Vick before, I’m worried there might be people in the group who are against me.”

“That’s possible,” Richard didn’t deny, “But there’s one person you should be able to trust.”

“Who?”

“Lansite.”

“Lansite? Him?” Gro paused, pondering for a moment with hesitation before speaking, “Although he has always seemed reliable, I haven’t been in contact with him for long. I don’t understand him, so… I can’t trust him too much.”

“You should think of it this way,” Richard raised his hand and said, “You are in his territory right now, so if something happens to you, he will definitely bear the main responsibility and might even become the scapegoat. Therefore, he is the last person in the entire group who wants you dead, without a doubt.

Unless his brain isn’t functioning properly, he wouldn’t be involved in any actions related to assassinating you. If you’re really concerned about danger on your way back, after you leave the forest, stay in the castle on Lansite’s territory for ten days.”

“Ten days?” Gro was startled, “Why should I stay for ten days, and what after that?”

“Staying for ten days because, during this time, you can definitely assemble enough loyal soldiers to protect you on your return. Also, after ten days… our trade will be completed, so your life will no longer be of any significance to me by then.”

“I…” Gro was speechless, staring at Richard. Although what Richard said made sense, wasn’t it a bit too blunt?

“Of course, I still hope that you will survive,” Richard continued, “Because before long, I might visit the Royal Capital of the Jade Kingdom to try to make contact with wizards of the current world, or attempt to board a ship heading to the continent. If you’re still alive in the Royal Capital at that time, it could be somewhat helpful to me.”

Gro felt somewhat dumbstruck; this seemed even more blunt, a naked attempt to use him.

“Actually, you need to understand something,” Richard looked at Gro with a serious tone, “I might be able to help you, but it only makes sense to be helped if you become a little stronger. In the end, one must rely on oneself.”

“Uh…” Gro fell into thought.

“Alright, that’s it then. It’s getting late, and I really must be leaving,” Richard said as he and Pandora walked out of the tent, adding, “I hope you do become a wizard, and I hope you survive and that we meet again someday. That’s all, goodbye.”

Waving his hand, Richard disappeared from Gro’s sight, then stepped out of the camp, into the darkness, and towards the hill.

In the tent, Gro’s eyes shone: “Become a wizard, is it possible?” he muttered, involuntarily gripping tight the small bottle of Ether Richard had given him.

In the night, the sound of “da da da” footsteps echoed.

Richard and Pandora walked, their presence in the forest like two chunks of succulent flesh, exuding an enticing aroma. Many nocturnal beasts, drawn by the scent, swarmed towards them, then upon seeing Pandora’s appearance, turned tail and fled in panic.

Their journey was not tedious but rather lively.

Yet in the midst of this liveliness, Pandora walked while biting on a silver fork, her demeanor somewhat despondent.

Walking alongside, Richard looked at Pandora and spoke, “I know what you’re thinking.”

“Scared?” Pandora turned her head with a startled remark.

Having interacted with her frequently, Richard had figured out the general rules of Pandora’s one-syllable communication:

When she spoke in a level tone (first tone), it usually indicated affirmation, or conveyed a calm, indifferent emotion;

When she used a rising tone (second tone), it generally represented doubt, or an expression of surprise and amazement;

When she used a departing tone (fourth tone), it signified rejection or denial, or expressed anger, irritation, or displeasure;

Now it was a rising tone—an expression of questioning.

Richard replied, “You’re thinking about what just happened in the camp, aren’t you? You could have done it yourself, right? You could have chased them away much faster than I did, but I stopped you and didn’t let you act, which must have been quite boring.”

“Crack!” Having heard this, Pandora bit off the tine of a new silver fork in her mouth and then nodded her head seriously, affirming, “Scared.”

Level tone, affirmation.

Then came another rising tone: “Scared?” She was asking Richard why he had done that.

“It’s simple, I don’t want you to kill too much.”

“Scared?” Pandora was puzzled again.

“People and animals are different, yet they have similarities. If you get involved in too much killing before you’ve developed a complete worldview, outlook on life, and value system, it can affect your personality. Of course, you could say that you’re willing, but… Ultimately, it’s not good,” Richard explained.

“Killing can serve as a means, but it should not become a hobby. For a certain purpose, killing numerous animals and humans is called a cost. But to kill out of preference, to satisfy your twisted heart, is, well… not bad, just foolish.

It’s easy to provoke the anger and resistance of others, followed by a joint retaliation. By then, you might be able to flee or even fight back, but you could also get hurt or die.”

Richard paused before continuing, “In fact, you’ve been doing very well so far. For example, in the Beast Tide, you could kill numerous creatures without blinking an eye, but normally you maintain order when many animals drink water. Even if an animal breaks the rules, you only beat it severely. I stopped you just now because I want you to keep behaving this way until you grow up and develop neutral values, and then you can choose what to do and how to do it.”

“Scared?” Pandora sounded, indicating a deeper confusion. Richard knew what she was asking.

“I can’t always stay in the forest; I’m going to leave. In fact, once the current research comes to a halt, I’ll be leaving. To achieve some of my goals, I need to meet the real wizards of the present world and understand the real Wizard World to continue more smoothly.

To be honest, you, and Gregory, are in some ways more advanced than wizards. But precisely because of this, my current preliminary research here through you might be too ambitious and may even disrupt the entire research process.

Perhaps, after leaving for several years or a decade and achieving some results, I will come back. But after all, that is something for the future; I still have to leave now. Gro is just a little groundwork I’ve laid, or you might say a springboard.

That’s why I’d like for you to maintain a relatively neutral set of values and not indulge in too much killing, lest when I come back I can’t find you or Gregory. Do you understand?”

“Scared!” Pandora stood still, her eyes wide as she looked at Richard and expressed her denial in a heavy tone.

Richard chuckled and shook his head, “You don’t need to be like that; I know you’ve understood. Alright, let’s go back. Anyway, I won’t leave immediately. At the very least, I must deal with the Beast Tide first.”

With those words, Richard extended his hand.

“Scared—” With a tone of hesitance, Pandora frowned at Richard for a while but eventually took Richard’s hand.

The two silhouettes, one tall and one short, walked back to the hillock through the night.