Eternal Elysium

I had returned back home last night, not wishing to give Elric any more clues regarding the connection between me and the reaper persona I had created.

The plan was discussed in detail with Ains, but it would still require a lot of work from my side. A dandling amount at that, but I was not truly worried, really.

To others, being in the middle of big merchants, who also wish to kill you, using their powers and influence would look bad.

However, I was not just anyone, not anymore at least.

I have faced beings far stronger than me and more cunning than me and seen horrors no other could ever dream of. If someone was confident enough to face the Hollows while just its projection could reach the skies and its sound could drive you insane. And still live to tell its tale; only then can I fear you.

I also had all the tools needed to get rid of Elric; the only trouble I was even facing was the people he had sent for Ains.

Even then we had suffered no loss, according to Ains, at least.

He had simply stated with a subtle smile.

'I never had any desire to get a noble status for a prolonged period of time; while it's useful for now, in the long run it's a deadly poison for me. A noble house without a transcendent is nothing but a sheep playing wolf. I had given the insignia to someone else secretly the day it came.'

'It will later be given to House of Clouds; I have good connections with them after all.'

Even though Ains didn't say it directly, I could pretty much guess what he was planning to do. And it was very simple actually; anyone could have guessed this.

By giving his insignia to an already existing house, he plans to become a branch family to them. Probably in one or two years I would hear the news of Ains getting married to someone from the House of Clouds.' I thought and found myself smiling over this.

Ains could have profited a lot from this, but Elric must have thought of this as well. Otherwise, taking such drastic actions in such a short amount of time would have been disastrous from his side.

The only thing common in both the uncle and the nephew was the fear for those above them—Transcendents—they fear them more than things.

After all, fear was as natural as breathing air when you think of the bigger picture.

Ains and Elric are humans; even awakeners and awakeneds like me are still bound by the limits of humans as well.

But transcendents were different; their life span consisted of centuries; their strength rivaled that of nature itself. If someone were to get on their bad side, life would turn into a living hell.

Even I never dared to get on a transcendent bad side—

"You seem to be in deep thoughts, Asher."

A sweet voice asked curiously; opening my eyes, I looked at Elda sitting in front of me.

The carriage shook gently, carrying us both to our destination. I remained silent, feeling the bumpy road and the open market we were moving through.

And then gently answered back, shaking my head with a smile.

"Hmm? Well, I am in deep thoughts; yesterday was very chaotic. So, I am a little worried."

Elda took a deep breath; her cheeks tightened as a sharp sting was felt over them from yesterday's slap.

Hearing Asher's words filled her with several feelings—a part of her felt happy knowing he can at least talk about his worries to her. The other simply felt guilty knowing she was the reason for his worry.

Elda sighed, her fingers brushed the leather seat, and she paused before saying.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"... You came late last night; did you deal with it? The trouble, I mean."

"Trouble, huh." I repeated her question as my mind rustled to find the correct answers. I was at a loss, feeling empty from the inside.

"No, I have not… The trouble will take time to be dealt with, but it will surely be over by the end of this month."

"...I see. But then what were you smiling for, Asher? You looked amused."

"Amused?" I asked, raising a brow, but then nodded.

"Maybe you are right, I am amused. Hmm, last night Ains mansion was attacked; a very big fight happened there between several awakened and awakeners."

Elda looked at me in surprise; her eyes widened for a moment as she asked.

"Really? So, are they alive, or did they die?"

"...You sure are hasty. But no, they didn't die; I was there after all. They are alive, most of them at least."

Shaking my head, I denied her thoughts and gave the correct information.

"You should find out about this soon… Several Templar knights also came last night to investigate."

Elda nodded.

"What did they find?" She asked, curiously.

I shrugged my shoulders and leaned back, crossing my legs.

"I don't know; I left before they could get me."

"...You sound like a thief." Elda muttered, her shoulder slouched down as she sighed.

I frowned and shook my head. Getting irritated by her comments would do nothing right now.

'I had won the bet; I can take revenge any time I want!'

Elda, seeing Asher silent, rolled her eyes, unknowingly smiling at him.

"Stop plotting. We are about to reach the workshop!" She said, looking out of the carriage window.

"Then when you reach the place, make sure everything runs smoothly. Also place recruiting offers for people… we will be expanding." I said matter-of-factly.

Elda frowned; she tapped her arms twice, thinking before speaking with a confused look.

"We were attacked just last night; do you think this is the correct option? And are we not moving too fast?"

I nodded.

"We are moving fast, and that's for the better. This will at least show workers we are not going to stop just because of someone attacking us." I said, then added calmly. "Also, I will place a recruitment offer in the guild for awakeners to act as guards."

"H-how many…?" Elda's breath hitched as she heard me.

Confused at her reaction, I tilted my head.

"Two, I suppose. More if needed."

"And how much will you pay them?"

"A gold coin every two weeks… I think. The awakeners here do not have many opportunities, so this should be a safe option."

Elda froze, her fist clenched tightly as she looked down, mumbling. 'So much money… he spends it like water.'

Hearing her small voice, I sighed and patted her shoulders.

"Don't worry, we are going to make a lot more than what we are giving."

Looking up, she asked in a small voice, which to me seems to hold a lot of expectations.

"... Really? How much?"

"Um, a little over a million?"

Elda smiled and gently combed her hair, leaning back, a satisfied smile curling over her lips.

"...I see. I will work hard."

Looking at her in a daze for longer than expected. I hastily nodded.

"Ah, yes."

"Oh, my stop came. Hope you have a nice day, Asher!" Elda smiled cheerfully and hopped off the carriage, leaving a small giggle behind.

Seeing her go merrily on her way to work, I sighed. The workers from the slums would probably be resting at home right now. I could see them later.

"Go to the guild after that, then to the temple." I said to the carriage driver as he nodded from outside the carriage window.

"Alright, boss!"

Seeing the driver's enthusiasm, I smiled softly and leaned back. We were lucky to find a driver earlier than we thought because of Albert's help. He, in a way, needed more credit than we gave. If Elda manages internal issues, Albert on the other side manages outside work by selling the stuff they make and creating new links and connections.

So in a way he was very busy and constantly on the run from one place to another.

Without much trouble or any sound, we reached the guild.

Coming out, I swiftly made my way inside and filled the request form in haste, afraid Miss Betty would see me and start another talk. I clearly wasn't in the mood for it.

Paying the small amount required by the guild, I was about to leave, but then my eyes locked with someone.

A young lady wearing a receptionist dress, in her hand she held a large stack of files and paper that towered over her to make her look like a dwarf.

"S-Sir Asher??" Betty said, her face flushed.

'Shit!' I cursed in my heart and smiled at her.

"Ah, Miss Betty, how are you? I was just about to come see you." I said in a polite tone and took half of the files from her hand, placing them on the small table-like place.

"Eh? Really… Hehe, thank you." Betty smiled.

'Betty, Goddess has finally blessed you!' She whispered to herself, making my lips twitch even more.

'Those words… didn't come out right, did they?'

"Um, did you come to meet me? Just me?!" She took a bold step forward, pushing herself towards me.

My smile started to waver as my chest tightened, feeling overwhelmed by her intense emotions.

"No, no." I said, shaking my head. "I had something else in mind, to make a request, to be exact." I paused, taking a step back. "But I thought I should greet you as well… We are close acquaintances after all."

"Acquaintances… just… acquaintances." Her world seems to crumble.

"Close, I mean. But I would be more than happy to be friends, right…?"

Betty's smile beamed, and just as she was about to say her next word, she stopped as a shout came from the back.

"Betty! Come fast, they are about to leave!"

"Ah, Sir Asher. Sorry, I will come meet you later, I promise!" Taking the files from the table, she again took off.

Seeing her run off in a hurry, I was left speechless for a few seconds. My mouth opened and closed several times.

Then I whispered, running a hand through my hair.

"Does she…like me?"