Chapter 221: Going With the Flow
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The War God's sudden generosity caused the Voidwalkers to be a little on the edge. Baiyi was still faring pretty well though. Although it was a risk to gain this advantage, he was not afraid of failing. Additionally, he was just not about to be someone's soft punching bag to be toyed around with. No matter what the War God had in store for him, he would decline immediately if he does not like it; even if it had been a bomb hidden within a piece of candy, Baiyi was determined to eat up all the candy and return the bomb.
The Void was nothing to be scared about. With double the amount of power he possessed now, even if the War God himself made an appearance, he would not gain any benefits out of it — yes, Baiyi was that reassured. Furthermore, his body was still located at the forbidden fringes of the Void, untouchable by the gods, further boosting his level of confidence.
However, in the midst of leisure banter between the Voidwalkers, fervently discussing the War God's intentions, the Oracle — who was usually as quiet as a corpse — shared four pieces of memories with him out of the blue. It was one more than what was given previously. Baiyi stopped short and opened the first piece. It only contained one simple sentence:
"Just go with the flow."
'What a psycho?' What's with this random message at a time like this? Baiyi grumbled. He was very annoyed with this cryptic way of communication and could not help but feel irritated.
It was not surprising that the second piece of memory said:
"You're the psycho!"
'This whole over-the-Void way of bickering is kinda bizarre…' Baiyi mulled, as he opened the third memory.
"If you thought that was bizarre, then just believe in me! I'll lead you all in the right direction!"
'Hmph, once he talks, he just wouldn't stop, eh? Isn't this pretentious bastard afraid of being struck by lightning?' Baiyi thought as he opened the last memory.
"Lighting will not strike me."
Baiyi was completely at a lost for words. Although this was the second time it happened, this whole predicting-what-one-is-going-to-say way of communication was getting a little spooky, so he decided to consult the other Voidwalkers on this matter.
The Second Walker, also known as the Swordsman, was usually a man of few words, but he still spoke in support of the Oracle. "If he advised you to just go with your heart, it wouldn't hurt you to just do whatever he says, would it? He wouldn't harm you. Wasn't that little village girl sufficient evidence?"
"The Fourth Walker? To be honest, I always thought he was the most mysterious one amongst us," recalled the Third Walker. "When I first met him in the Void, I could barely feel any energy left in him, but yet he defeated all odds and managed to live on. His mind was even more composed than the three of us like he already expected to encounter you… come to think of it, it's pretty incredible."
"I know that his abilities are fairly exceptional, which was also precisely what I was annoyed that — if he is so capable, then why doesn't he show himself and take one for the team? What's with all the hiding?" Baiyi was still irritated about the Fourth Walker's attitude.
"Predictions wouldn't work as effectively without a pinch of ambiguity, no?" explained the Sorcerer, defending the Fourth Walker. "He asked you to go with the flow, instead of constantly being on your guard; maybe the situation wasn't as complicated and disastrous as we thought. Well, putting it in another way... the everchanging future is still within your capabilities. Honestly speaking, it does sound a little bit more assuring that way."
Having an Oracle like the Fourth Walker to do the War God's bidding, Baiyi could let it go for the moment. With that, the trip to Gouve drew its curtains. Baiyi began to ponder on the right method to part ways with the Brotherhood as he prepared to leave, for the harvest festival was to take place the next day.
As he opened the door, he saw Aya standing just before it. She looked extremely frustrated, and her brows furrowed deeply as her thin lips pressed into a tight line. Both her arms were folded in front of her chest, as though she was weighing out her options before making a big decision.
"What's wrong? Is something going on?" asked Baiyi.
"— OH...! Since when were you here?" gasped Aya, shocked at his sudden appearance. She was so absorbed with her thoughts, she did not even notice Baiyi's presence.
"Ah... uhm... I..." Aya stared longingly at Baiyi. She might be someone's mother, yet at the moment, she looked like a little girl, wearing an expression full of hope. "Mister Hope, I was wondering... would you care to attend the harvest festival with me tomorrow?"
This invitation used up all of her courage. As soon as the words left her lips, she did not dare to look into Baiyi's eyes. She bowed her head low instead, not wanting Baiyi to notice how quickly her cheeks had gotten red. She stared at the tip of her toes, which were shyly peeking from the bottom of her skirt, as she awaited Baiyi's answer.
'Haven't you noticed how this little girl had begun to address him as Mister Hope, rather than Sir Hope?' Baiyi mentally shook his head, with the idea of rejection churning within his heart. However, at that exact moment, Mia and the rest of the girls entered the room, talking about the harvest festival with much enthusiasm. They seemed like they were truly looking forward to it and were completely unaware that Baiyi was already prepared to leave Gouve.
Baiyi hesitated for a moment, and finally agreed, "Alright, I got it."
A girl's expectations must always be reciprocated. Furthermore, he had already resolved the anomaly. Gouve was a calm realm once more, and there was no sign of the cult's minions wreaking havoc. The harvest festival should be able to carry on without any accidents — what could go wrong, right?
"That's great." Aya lifted her head once more with a sweet smile, and her face glowed with radiance. She scurried away quickly like a happy little bird.
"Why was she so happy? It was just a celebration, right?" Seeing how elated Aya was, Baiyi wondered peculiarly. Clearly, he was not aware of the romantic legend behind the harvest festival, or Aya's romantic intent behind her invitation.
And with that, the harvest festival began. Although it was postponed for a few days later than its original date, this did not stop the people of Gouve from celebrating in full swing. By dawn, a variety of creatures were released like flocks of pigeons into the skies from the neighboring sky islands, hovering at different heights in the fresh morning air. They were all flying towards the same destination — the sky island in which the Citadel was situated in. Almost all of Gouve's population had already left their houses to attend the grand celebration, including the young men of the Brotherhood who were not on duty. Dressed handsomely, they all gathered in a carriage of a knight who was on duty and headed straight for the Citadel.
The higher ranks of the Brotherhood of Fire Wyverns were also quick to participate in this festive event. Both Yosef and Kandor were both required to attend the royal dinner. Hence, Aya brought Mordred and the rest of the girls to hitch a ride on Lancelot — the gigantic dragon who had shared a fated encounter with Baiyi not too long ago. Upon seeing Baiyi, it bowed its head in fear, being a good, well-behaved form of commute.
The girls did not seem all too surprised when they were on the dragon's back. It seemed like they had gotten their fair share of rides secretly when Baiyi was not around... with an extraordinary girl like Mordred, getting to ride a dragon was not too hard of an opportunity to enjoy.
The most noticeable of all was Aya. Her long, golden mane was swept into an elaborate hairdo, and she had deviated out of her usual style of luxurious, modest garbs. Instead, she wore a plain black slip dress — an off-shoulder design paired with a deep V at the front — making her fair skin even more contrasting against the dark fabric; the hem of her skirt was impossibly short, complemented with a pair of black silk stockings snugly hugging against her thighs, the shy of her skin an intimate territory between them. She was a such a sight to savour — and one to remember.
Aya did not look like a young mother today. In fact, she looked like an adventurous maiden bravely seeking for her own happiness.
"D-do I… look good?" asked Aya nervously. She was wearing black silk gloves which extended up to her elbows; her arms dangled before her chest as she waited for Baiyi's reply.
Before Baiyi had a chance to reply, Mordred interrupted. "Mama is so good-looking today! This is the first time I've seen Mama dressed up so beautifully!"
"Yes! Sister Aya looks so young; she doesn't even look like Mordred's mother. They looked more like sisters now!" said Tisdale helpfully.
"You look beautiful," admitted Baiyi.
"Then that's great!" Aya smiled in satisfaction. "I don't always wear such short dresses because they're too bold for my taste, honestly speaking..." She lowered her gaze as she pulled against the hem of the dress, giving herself a moment for the blush on her face to subside.
"But... seeing that Mia and the girls are always wearing them, I just thought that perhaps... you might like it too?"
'Hmph, so now I'm a 'you' instead of 'Sir Hope', huh?' Deep down, Baiyi felt like laughing. Personally, he still preferred modest, long skirts…
Baiyi and the rest of his party were greeted with a vibrant, bustling scene as they entered the Citadel. Shoulders rubbed against shoulders in the streets, giving Baiyi a festive vibe like that on Earth. Above their heads, skycruiser rays were descending like pieces of falling paper, each carrying a happy family upon them.
Gouve had more land than people – the population of the Rohserlian kingdom was pretty low, barely passing the hundred million mark. Only during festive seasons did the country seemed more populous and vibrant, as all had gathered at the Citadel's sky island.
Baiyi and the girls strolled along the streets and explored the city during the day. Accompanied by a troupe of young maidens — each exuding their own standards of ground-breaking beauty — it was only natural that their little party received a lot of attention and many wishful looks.
Baiyi did not join in the girls' shopping and squandering. He spent most of the time silently accompanying them, appreciating the beautiful scenery before him. All this time, Aya stood by him obediently like a loyal little wife.
Overhearing comments from a few passer-bys wasn't something that could be helped…
"What a blessed and beautiful family. The daughters are so attractive. Enviable indeed."
"The missus is also very young, and so good-looking! But why is the mister wearing such heavy armor on this occasion?"
"Perhaps it's some kind of weird obsession? But wait — that lady in the black dress... she's a missus already?!"
"But of course — didn't you notice her hairdo? That style had always been used by affluent ladies with children..."
Such were the gossips that trailed behind them wherever they went. Baiyi, naturally, chose to ignore them; Aya, who was walking alongside him, thought that she would be annoyed or disgruntled at such gossips, but her reaction was only that of calmness. Turning her back against Baiyi, she hid her smile, amused.