Boundless Cultivation - [Isekai Progression Fantasy with Light LitRPG Elements]

For a moment, silence reigned before Rubina continued, "I suggest you gather more forces, Inquisitor. They are quite powerful, but if you manage to capture a few members, they might lead you to your prey."

What followed was a discussion on how to prepare for the approaching battle while mitigating risks to Alaric. But he tuned all the noise out of his mind.

Alaric's mind teemed with questions. Who was this scar-faced witch, and why was she targeting him? Things suddenly started to feel much more complicated, and it seemed he would have to investigate more about the different enemy factions of his land to remain one step ahead of them.

The Inquisitor was passionately discussing strategies with Rubina on how to handle these enemy witches. He didn't want to call for reinforcements from the capital before Alaric's departure since it could compromise his safety. But without strong reinforcements from the Church, the battle would be hard fought.

Suddenly, Dominus glanced at him and flashed a cheeky smile. "Don't worry, kid, I won't let anything happen to you, especially because of that scar-faced witch." Alaric was genuinely taken aback to hear that, along with his father and Edgar.

"What? I'm not the monster you guys make me out to be!" he scrunched his brows. "I only punish vile witches that deserve it."

Alaric couldn't help but crack a smile. He still didn't know whether the Inquisitor could be trusted fully, but his heart wanted to believe his words.

"Oh, I almost forgot to hand you the gift!" Dominus retrieved a small package and presented it to Alaric. Inside it was a small metal plaque with some engravings.

"It is inevitable that you will catch the notice of other church members in the capital," explained Dominus. "That plaque denotes you as a friend of the Church and bears my seal and signature. It should absolve you from any suspicions should you ever land yourself in trouble with Church officials."

Alaric didn't know what to make of it. If what the Inquisitor said was true, this gift could prove to be immensely valuable. He simply bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Just ensure you don't piss off another Inquisitor or do something truly atrocious. My name is on the line here!" Dominus chuckled, to which Alaric couldn't help but respond with a cheeky smile.

"Wait, kid. Please don't abuse that plaque." Dominus smiled uncomfortably. Everybody burst into laughter.

***

Rubina had pulled Alaric to the side to confide something in secret. He was really curious to learn what she had to share.

Alaric expected her to disclose some more enemy intel, or perhaps even another gift. It was his birthday after all! However, what she conveyed twisted his heart.

"Alaric," she hesitated a little. "Your mother has been trying to reach out to you through your dreams. But for some reason, she has failed to connect with your mind!"

Oops! Alaric winced internally. That was my mother? But I thought…He couldn't help but smack himself in the head. He had wondered about so many possibilities, but the thought that it could've been his mother never crossed his mind.

He hadn't reflected on his biological mother for a long time since he didn't really feel the need to do so. Elara had never let him feel the absence of his mother.

Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for the huge oversight. Especially considering that his mother must be worried sick, unable to reach him.

"I may have something to do with that," admitted Alaric with a grimace. "I had sensed the presence of a cat, an unfamiliar entity in my dreams, and banished them from my mind space."

Rubina looked a little shocked at hearing that confession, as if she couldn't fully believe it. Alaric could understand why. A child like him wasn't supposed to possess such strong willpower or mental defenses.

When Rubina asked for further details on how he had managed to execute such a feat, he merely shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't really going to share his secrets with just anybody.

Now that he realized it was his mother who had been striving to reach him, he was ready to invite her into his dream world without any hesitation. However, Rubina informed him that his mother had become so anxious that she departed the capital, risking her life to meet with him directly.

Unfortunately, she had to keep a low profile for now, lest her enemies catch wind of her absence. So, Rubina couldn't communicate with her as freely. The witches had numerous ways to trace such communications.

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It also explained why he hadn't detected her presence in his dream last night. A tight knot coiled inside Alaric's chest. How could I have been so dumb? He felt an intense fear for his mother's safety.

Alaric couldn't really blame her if she had given up on contacting him through his dreams. Or perhaps there were other restrictions or conditions that prevented her from communicating with him at this moment.

All he wished was that his mother remained safe. The fact that he had to leave for the capital in a few days further complicated things. When he expressed his concerns to Rubina, she assured Alaric that his mother was already aware of his schedule.

So, there was still a possibility that his mother could rendezvous with him in the capital city or on his way to it. Alaric desperately hoped that would happen. The capital would be the safest place for them to reunite, considering the current circumstances.

They discussed a few more things before Rubina left him alone with his thoughts. Alaric gazed at the night stars, wishing for the ability to astral travel at that very moment. It would've allowed him to locate and communicate with his mother.

But there was no time to waste now. He had to fix his body asap, and escape the city. He wasn't really too concerned for his own safety.

Alaric was really afraid of the sacrifices that so many people would inevitably be forced to make, just to preserve his life. He didn't want to be burdened with that guilt.

***

Rubina POV

Rubina studied Alaric one last time, before leaving him to process his thoughts. She regrouped with her clanmates and decided to secure the perimeter once more.

Shadowing the Inquisitor could've been useful; he was hiding some secrets, and she didn't fully trust a Church official. However, she really didn't want to leave Alaric's side in this moment of crisis.

That child had the knack for attracting trouble in the weirdest ways.

When Princess Seraphina had entrusted Rubina with the mission to safeguard Alaric, she had been reluctant to leave her side. Her clan had raised her since childhood not only to protect the princess but to become her closest companion.

It was her devotion to shielding her only true friend that enabled Rubina to reach the height of cultivation she had touched today. If she couldn't stay by Seraphina's side, and something disastrous happened to the princess during her absence, her whole life would become meaningless.

However, once her anxiety and anger had settled down, Rubina had realized she was entertaining unreasonable thoughts and emotions. Seraphina could take care of herself. She was a powerful witch in her own right - a descendant of the royal witch bloodline, no less.

Besides, her life wasn't in any immediate risk, at least not compared to her son, who had a direct claim to the throne. So, even though Rubina's absence posed a significant risk to the princess's safety, she couldn't ignore her commands.

And when she and her clanmates had to protect Alaric from the tribe of werewolves, she thanked the heavens for heeding the princess. Call it a mother's intuition, but Seraphina's premonitions had never steered her wrong.

If she had hesitated longer or failed to protect Seraphina's son, she didn't know how she could've ever faced her best friend again. Ever since then, she and her clanmates had continued to monitor Alaric from the shadows, content to keep their distance.

Alaric wasn't at all as she had pictured initially. Truthfully, she hadn't known what to make of him at first.

The witch bloodline didn't bless both genders equally; it favored females and didn't manifest as powerfully in males. This was the reason why the most formidable witches were predominantly female.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was far more common for witches to bear a female heir than a male. And a male awakening their witch bloodline was exceedingly rare.

So, by all accounts, she hadn't expected much from Alaric. He was supposed to be a naive child, ignorant of the nuances of witch culture. And, for the most part, he was, since there was nobody to instruct and guide him properly.

However, when she briefly examined Alaric today, she was stunned. Defying all odds, Alaric had managed to awaken the royal witch bloodline within him entirely on his own. And it was potent, almost demanding obedience from her lesser bloodline.

She had wanted to scrutinize him more deeply, but found herself facing a defense of formidable willpower that couldn't be breached without alerting him. At first, she couldn't believe it.

She assumed somebody must've prepared that shield to keep him safe. However, when Alaric admitted that he had raised a mental shield to prevent Seraphina from breaching his mind, she finally realized that his willpower was extremely potent.

Upon further examination, she verified that his early Tier 2 foundation had deep roots with no flaws.

It finally dawned on her that Alaric wasn't an ordinary child; he was indeed a direct descendant of the royal witch line. A male heir, but it wasn't a weakness as she had once assumed.

Yes, his fate is different from the rest of us. Even before ascending to the throne, he was making waves.

Alaric hadn't shown a sliver of anxiety or fear upon learning of the imminent battle that could potentially claim his life. If anything, she perceived a flicker of concern for everybody else, like a true king who was worried for his subjects.

She suddenly realized that Alaric had acted as the bridge between an Inquisitor and a witch, for God's sake!

Perhaps, he could cultivate a stronger relationship with the Church and end the cycle of animosity between the two factions that had raged for centuries? She shook her head, acknowledging it was an impossible dream. She shouldn't burden a child with such nonsense.

The excitement she had curbed earlier bubbled inside her chest once more, expressing itself as a grin on her face.

Alaric, you have a strong potential to harness your bloodline powers. She absentmindedly chewed on her thumb. And with that strength, you hold the opportunity to transform countless lives for the better.

Once again, she recalled the odd sparkle in his eyes that made him appear wise beyond his years. Seraphina, your child would make you proud.

At that moment, Rubina made a vow. Until now, she had been acting on Seraphina's order.

However, having witnessed Alaric's promise and kind spirit firsthand, she swore to defend the hope of her people's future until he managed to claim his true potential.