Legacy of the Dark Sage

Oceanus's side had three groups, with Cove, Irving, and Maren leading one group each. Each group decided to explore the lush forest to the east, the mountain range to the north, or the woodland to the west. Kyran was the only one who chose to venture toward the south, where the marshland was located.

After Kyran unceremoniously left the makeshift camp after deciding where he would explore first, the three leaders exchanged a look of disdain. They avoided choosing the marshland because there were few places to hide, and most beasts hid while waiting for an opportunity to prey on an unassuming target.

Moreover, The Council's Camp was located toward the southeast, which was pretty close to the marshland. Chances of them venturing into the marshland in broad daylight might be low, but if Kyran was caught by a marshland beast and a commotion broke out, then The Council would definitely investigate.

These were Cove, and the others' thoughts as they watched Kyran leave.

On the other hand, Oceanus and Leif did not try to dissuade Kyran because they knew about his concealment ability. If anything, they believed he could escape to safety.

Oceanus initially planned to explore the plane as well, but at the last minute, he opted to stay in their makeshift camp with Leif. He reasoned monitoring their movement and progress would be easier if he stayed put rather than venturing out. If trouble cropped up, he could also respond with ease. They all believed his reasoning was fair; thus, no one commented on it.

Besides, as long as Oceanus was not with them, in the event that The Council caught one of their group, they could say they were out there for training and did not know they were there.

However, Shaiha was not convinced that Oceanus wanted to stay behind so he could monitor everyone and provide support in a timely manner. She felt that he was only interested in monitoring Kyran's progress, and only by staying behind would this be possible. Thinking of this, she was suddenly tempted to lower her concealment to ensure he could keep proper track of Kyran's whereabouts.

In the end, Shaiha rejected the idea. Though she wanted to promote Kyran's value so Oceanus would decide to recruit him, the Council's presence posed too much risk to Kyran. Shaiha did not want to risk Kyran's safety so that she could secure it with Oceanus's help.

It sounded contradictory, but that was how complicated and perilous their situation was. And Kyran did not seem to realize it, much to Shaiha's grief.

Besides, there was also the effect of Kyran's innate ability, which covered him like a cloak that only beasts could sense—the Veil of Nothingness. This veil was something that even Shaih's concealment could not hide, and it was also the reason beasts feared him.

Fortunately, Kyran's mastery over this veil was still low and could only be sensed by beasts. However, beings with mythical beast bloodlines could also feel it, and whether they would fear him depended on his strength.

Considering this, how could Kyran's value increase in Oceanus's eyes if no beast dared come near him?

Thus, Shaiha no longer considered lowering her concealment.

At the end of the day, it was better to ensure Kyran's safety at all times rather than as a result. Besides, she admitted that his plan to look for the Dragon Clan's portal in the Tower of the Ancients was more promising than getting Oceanus to help them.

A neutral clan like Oceanus's could only protect Kyran for a short time. The moment The Emperor pressured him by mobilizing his Elite Mages, Oceanus would definitely choose to surrender Kyran. That was the problem with neutral clans. They would always agree to a compromise if it would ensure their safety.

[Oceanus will keep a close eye on you. My concealment may hide your presence, but he can see you as long as he places a tracker on you.]

Shaiha warned Kyran after putting aside all other thoughts she had.

'I expected that much. He did put a tracking formula inside the portable tablet he lent me,' Kyran replied nonchalantly while pulling out a bunch of potions from his storage pouch.

Kyran had not only focused on researching information in Hu Whenever possible and as long as materials were available, he stocked up on various potions and pills.

Coincidentally, the area where Kyran built his temporary lodging was abundant with herbs and materials for Alchemy.

If it were not for the fact that he could not use his Void magic, or else Oceanus would notice the strange fluctuation of unknown magic energy in his plane, he would have already created rare materials and ingredients out of pure magic energy, concocted more advanced medicines, and crafted pre-made arrays as well.

Although Kyran could have sold the potions and pills he concocted to buy more rare herbs and materials, he decided not to. First, his potions and pills were pretty average in Hull. Besides, almost everyone could concoct high-grade healing and energy-replenishing potions. They would only be interested in buying saint-grade potions.

Now, liquid gel pills with far more potent efficacy than regular pills could still sell well, even if they were only high-grade in quality. However, Kyran did not want to sell them for the same reason. Depending on the situation, he would normally consume potions first, which was why his potions would run out before his pills.

On the other hand, he would use pills for emergencies and if he ran out of potions.

Although potions would take effect faster compared to pills, the latter's medicinal efficacy was more concentrated than the former. Thus, a high-grade pill was still better compared to high-grade potions, which was why Kyran preferred to keep his pills than sell them.

Shaiha frowned after hearing about the tracker. She remembered Kyran putting the tablet in question in his storage pouch as well.

[If you knew, why do you take the tablet with you?]

'Just because,' Kyran replied with a shrug. He then drank a couple of potions before returning the empty bottles to his pouch.

[Why did you drink a potion?]

'I need the marshland beasts to come after me.'

[...You... seriously...]

'Marshland beast parts sell pretty well. I need some money.'

[I told you to sell your pills first, then buy more ingredients, concoct more pills, then sell them again.]

'That's too tedious,' Kyran replied and made his way to the marshland.

[What tedious? You can concoct high-grade pills in less than ten minutes. Since those pills can be sold pretty easily, you can dispose of them, buy new ingredients, and concoct again.]

'Yes, you're right. In the meantime, I'd also attract more attention. A visitor who sells high-grade pills then buys more ingredients just to sell more pills.'

[...]

Shaiha did not want to admit that she had forgotten about that. Actually, it was not that she forgot, but because of the unexpected development in their situation, she had forgotten that they were visitors.

Kyran was relieved when Shaiha fell silent. To be honest, her constant side commentary in his head was exhausting. He wanted to cut off their connection and give himself some peace and quiet, but it seemed impossible after she regained the ability to manifest in her human form.

Sensing Kyran's thoughts, Shaiha gave a short puff and said.

[Even if you find a way to cut our connection, don't think I could not reestablish it.]

Kyran sighed in exasperation and said, 'Seriously? Can't I really have my privacy back?'

[If you accept your identity as the Realm Scion, then—.]

Kyran heaved an exaggerated sigh to interrupt her. He already had a lot of things on his mind and did not want the Scion matter to add to them. Even if it was a little annoying to have Shaiha invade his thoughts all the time, he could endure.

[Will you still say that if you wanted to be intimate with the Young Mistress?]

'...!'

Kyran tried to remain calm, but the idea shook him. To be more accurate, he was rendered speechless. The thought never crossed his mind because he never really gave too much thought to the relationship between a man and a woman.

No. Actually, he knew. Or at least, he had his personal view about it. But because he was so used to seeing a naked female back when he was still in military school and even experienced sharing a room with them as part of outdoor training, he never gave much thought to the intimacy between a man and a woman— not to mention the same sex.

For this reason, when Kyran decided to be open about how he felt for Cyneah, such thoughts did not cross his mind.

...

That was a lie.

Kyran did. He was a man, after all. However, he was able to put those thoughts aside because he wanted to let Cyneah get accustomed to the change in their relationship. As a matter of fact, the kiss they had only happened because Kyran's restraints kind of snapped.

Fortunately, Cyneah responded well... too well, as a matter of fact.

Shaiha blushed after sensing Kyran's thoughts. She could not help but snort and huffed in indignation.

[Men!]

'And this is why I need my privacy.'

Before Shaiha could give Kyran a piece of her mind, she sensed a malicious intent directed at Kyran.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Kyran reacted even before Shaiha noticed the malicious intent. He took out his black swords from his storage pouch and countered the incoming golden blades from his right and left sides.

Clang! Clang!

FOOOM!

The two golden blades stopped in midair. It then emitted an ear-deafening sound, which was aimed at Kyran's direction.

[Stay away from the sound's range!]