After learning of a way to train her Anima control, Amelia worked Night and day using the image training that Rory gave her, to improve herself. She practiced until she was completely drained of anima and wasn’t able to move.
Rory told her that this was a good thing, since repeatedly pushing past her limits will increase her anima capacity and enable her to use anima longer than before. But, he also advised that she get lots of rest, so that she doesn’t burn out.
Amelia was in the middle of her training, while Rory was talking with the nymph Aqua.
“Thanks again, Rory.”
Aqua, who was in the river, bowed to Rory who was sitting on the banks.
“Because of you staying here this past month, every hunter that came here searching for us have been eliminated. I heard from the wind nymphs that there’s a rumor that entering this forest will result in death. Because of that, no one comes here anymore, and the creatures each are free to play like we use to.”
Aqua explained.
“I see, but that doesn’t mean that you all should get careless. There are people who tend to be attracted to dangerous places. The rumors might keep out normal people, but it will attract these thrill seekers. So I advise that all the creatures in the forest work together and create a surveillance network that alerts all of you when hunters are coming. That way, you all can hide and won’t fall prey to their hands.”
Rory said.
“We’ll listen to your advice.”
Aqua replied with a respectful tone.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
Rory replied.
“While this forest was a great place for Elia to practice her anima control, just practice alone isn’t enough. For one to truly improve in their skills, they need to compete against others and put those skills into practice. For warriors like ourselves, the battlefield is the ideal place to put our skills to the test and learn our limits and break them.”
He said.
“As such, Elia needs to find people to clash against and widen her horizons, only then can she improve.”
“Despite your carefree behavior, you’re actually a serious person aren’t you?”
Aqua said.
Rory laughed.
“You misunderstand me. I do what I want, it’s just that what I want currently includes making Amelia stronger. That’s all. I’m not a serious person at all.”
The next day, Amelia and Rory bid farewell to Aqua and the forest where she resided.
“According to Aqua, there’s a kingdom not too far away from here. It’s called the Marigold Kingdom.”
Amelia said.
“Marigold huh? I finally have an idea where we are now.”
Rory smiled and said.
“You’ve been there before?”
Rory nodded.
“Back when Pandemonium was still active, we were hired by the then king to fend off the attacks of the neighboring country. We did and has a show of thanks, the king asked us to stay for a while.”
He answered.
“Pandemonium huh. Despite everything, I still find it hard to believe that you led that legendary group of mercenaries.”
Amelia said.
“I mean, you guys were so famous back then that even now you’re a household name, and that was 100 years ago.”
“Well, we did go bit wild back then.”
Rory said with a laugh.
“Since we’re on the topic, there’s always some stuff I heard about you guys that I wanted to verify.”
Amelia said.
“Go ahead. Ask whatever you want. Although I might not answer depending on the question.”
Amelia nodded indicating that she didn’t mind. Everyone had stuff that they didn’t want to take about, which was natural.
“Alright, this is what was really bugging me. Even though it said that you guys were active a century ago was that really the case, or is that just an exaggeration?”
“In other words, you want to try and figure out my age?”
Amelia nodded.
“You should’ve just asked.”
Rory grinned and then said-
“I’m over 150 years old.”
“Wha?!”
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Even though she prepared herself for Rory’s answer, she never thought that he would be almost 200 years old.
She started looking at him from head to toe.
“Even if you look at me like that, you won’t be able to see through me.”
Rory placed his hand on her head pat it.
“It’s good to be young and innocent.”
Amelia slapped his hand off her head.
“Ow! Don’t be so rough with the elderly. We’re delicate. Seriously, kids these days.”
Rory said.
“A delicate person wouldn’t be able to kill a bear with his bare hands.”
Amelia replied.
“How do you look so young despite being a geezer?”
“Because once you reach a certain level of anima mastery you can slow down your aging or stop it completely.”
“Like the Night God and the Sacred God who lived for several thousand years?”
“Well, they’re an exception. Only they can live that long and retain their youth for so long and not weaken in any way.”
Rory answered.
“Then is there anyone else like you who can appear young for centuries?”
“Yeah. There’s a lot of people I know who are as old or older than me but still look young.”
“What about those in Pandemonium? Are they alive, and do they look as young as you?”
Rory smiled at her and looked ahead.
“Looks like we’re entering the kingdom’s territory.”
Amelia frowned because she knew that he was dodging her question.
She looked ahead and saw a village in the distance at the end of the forest. She could see a lot of people working hard to make their daily bread.
They walked out of the forest and took a closer look. They saw men and women working on farms, attending to livestock, tidying up their surrounds, or just taking a break under a tree.
“They sure live simple out here.”
Rory said while looking at the people.
“Well, once we enter the capital there will be a more modern setting.”
He said, and leaped out of the forest and landing on the road that ran through the village.
He naturally frightened some of the villagers, but after talking to them he was able to convince them that he wasn’t someone dangerous.
‘I don’t really want to admit it, but he really knows how to win the heart of others. Well, if you can read them it isn’t that hard to win someone’s heart.’
Amelia thought, before leaping out the forest as well. This time when the villagers saw her they weren’t frightened and only smiled at her.
“I already told them that I was traveling with my wife, so they won’t be cautious of you.”
Rory explained beside her.
“When did I become your wife?”
“A long time ago. You just haven’t realized as yet.”
Rory shamelessly said.
He started walking down the road before saying-
“Just so you know, I don’t plan on having one wife so don’t get mad if you see me flirting.”
“When have I ever cared about who you flirt with.”
Amelia walked behind him and said with a frown.
“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Rory smiled at her and said.
Amelia ignored him and looked around the village while following behind Rory.
“Do you know the name of this village?”
“Nope. Even if I did, it might not have the same name it did a century ago.”
Rory replied while waving at a pair of beautiful mothers.
“Then what do you know about this kingdom? It’s the first kingdom I’ve been to besides Buchse, so I’m curious.”
Amelia said.
“There isn’t much to know, since all human kingdoms are the same in my eyes.”
Rory replied.
“They were formed by a group of people following a single person. This person was either charismatic or really strong. There are times when they were important individuals from other countries like royalty, who had to go on the run; because something was preventing them from returning home. The rarest case is a country being form by a band of thieves or criminals who came across a large number of funds.”
“You sound like you’ve experienced these places being founded.”
Amelia said.
“Of course. I’ve seen countless countries rise and become prosperous. I’ve also seen countless countries fall. The scenes of a dying country are never pretty. It’s time like those that you witness the harsh reality of life and the ugliness of humans.”
Rory smiled.
“No, not just humans. All intellectual beings. As long as they possess the ability to reason what is good and what is evil, they will have a seed of hypocrisy in them. Its when this seed bear fruit that you’ll see the hidden ugliness in them.”
He shook his head.
“I’m straying off topic.”
He said.
“The Marigold Kingdom like every other ha its ups and it’s downs, as for what those are depends on the person you are asking. In my opinion, one of the ups is that the people are naturally joyful and knows how to enjoy life with even the simplest of things.”
He gestured at a group of children not too far away. They were playing with some dolls that were made from sacks with hay or feathers in them, with some stylish stitches to make them more human looking.
The boys were playing with wooden swords and were laughing as they fought against each other. Of course, there were some elders overseeing the children’s fun, to make sure they didn’t get hurt.
“When you come these part of a country, you’ll begin to appreciate the simple life more than the rowdy cities.”
Rory said.
“Do you wish to live a simple life like these villagers here?”
Amelia asked.
Rory was an extremely powerful person. He was also famous and surely had lots of enemies. So it was impossible for him to live a life of simplicity, especially after all the things he has done.
The reason Amelia asked him if he wanted to live simple, was because she wished to understand him better. Even after being with him for months, she still couldn’t grasp the person who was called the Devil King. She couldn’t even see his shadow much less his true face.
“A simple life, huh?”
Rory began pondering her question.
“Well, I guess a simple life would do me good.”
He said after pondering for a bit. He then smiled and looked back at Amelia.
“Especially since we’re broke anyway.”
“What do you mean we’re broke? What happened to the money you had?”
She asked with a frown.
“I spent it.”
“Spent it? Where? We were in a forest for a month.”
“I snuck out of the forest and went to a pub behind the mountains. There was a small town there with some tasty beer and beautiful women at their brothel.”
“You went to a brothel while I was training?”
Anemia asked with shock. Rory spoke as if it was just a 5-minute walk away, but the mountain he was referring to was at least 10 miles away and had to be either climbed or walked around if you wanted to reach the other side.
It would take the normal person hours to go there and back, but she never noticed Rory being missing for long periods of time. That meant that he traveled hours worth of distance in a short amount of time, enjoyed himself and came back before Amelia woke up.
“I don’t know if I should be impressed or angry that you’re playing around as usual.”
She sighed.
“Anyway, since you’re broke I’ll lend you some money. You can pay me back later.”
She said while taking her card from her pocket.
In this world, if someone had a large amount of money and didn’t want to walk around with it, they could store the money in one of the countless branches of the Sacred Bank, and use their cards to make purchases.
“Once we get to the capital I’ll go to the bank and withdraw some money and give you.”
She said.
“You can’t.”
Rory put on a serious face and replied.
“Why? Do you have something against borrowing money? I don’t mind lending you really.”
Rory solemnly shook his head.
“You can’t lend me any money because I’ve already maxed it out and emptied your accounts. Those beers and women were more expensive than I thought.”
He clenched his fist tightly as if he was frustrated.
“…………..”
Amelia froze in place and stopped walking when she heard that she was broke too. She looked at Rory who was still walking cursing his inability to deny the women and alcohol.
She silently drew her saber and rushed towards him.
That day a violent fight broke out in the peaceful village.