Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 101: Two Awakened

Kaiser slowly opened his eyes, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above.

Without moving an inch, he used his shadow senses to scan the surroundings. He sensed the shadow of a bonfire dancing as the flames burned. Then he sensed the shadows of two humans seated opposite him.

’Looks like I was carried away from where I passed out.’

He thought to himself, then sat up. His armor had been removed, and his upper body was heavily bandaged.

The white bandages had turned red, but he no longer felt the sting of the injuries.

’My physique is really...’ He sighed in amazement.

"Oi, are you done admiring yourself?"

A sharp voice said to him. He turned to look at the person. A red-haired lady with a muscular but enchanting build. Her fiery red eyes burned with the fighting spirit of a seasoned warrior.

Seeing him gaze at her silently, the woman grinned.

"Oh, now you’re admiring my body?"

The other person snorted. "Stop being narcissistic, sister. There’s no lust in his gaze."

She also had long red hair tied neatly. Her figure was leaner, but she still had the charm of an endowed teenager.

"Oh, little sister. You very well know how dirty the mind of young boys are."

Before they could continue their conversation, Kaiser interrupted them. "Are we underground?"

Both sisters looked at him in surprise.

"Hah? Aren’t you supposed to thank us for rescuing you?" The younger sister asked, frowning.

Kaiser gave her a blank stare. "I’m 99% sure that my surroundings were safe for at least five minutes after I passed out."

The sisters became speechless, bewildered at his argument.

"So what if a monster arrived after five minutes?" The girl asked.

"I..." Kaiser blinked. ’I’d have recovered enough to escape instinctively.’

He wanted to say that, but he didn’t. After all, not everyone would believe such a thing.

He sighed in resignation, then said. "I understand. In return for your help, I’ll allow you to ask me seven questions. I have the rights to not answer one."

The sisters stared at each other, once again astonished. Was this how to thank someone for saving your life?

Unexpectedly, the elder sister agreed. "Alright, boy. We’ll play your game."

She then turned to her sister. "Alex, you have three questions. I have four."

The girl flared up immediately. "What?! Why do you have more than me?"

The lady simply smiled. "Because I’m stronger and older."

"Ugh..."

Unable to retort, Alex fell silent. Gritting her teeth, she asked the first question.

"What is your full name, and how old are you?"

Kaiser frowned slightly. "That’s two questions."

"Tch, forget about the age then." She snorted.

"Alright. I’m Kaiser Solace." He answered plainly.

Alex tapped her chin curiously. "Is it just me, or that sounds boring and dry?"

Her elder sister laughed, then nudged her. "He himself is bored, so of course it’ll be boring." She grinned and turned to Kaiser.

"My own question. What’s your purpose of appearing in the Aether Skies?"

His gaze remained indifferent, and he replied mechanically. "I’m here to train. Nothing more, nothing less."

Suddenly, Alex interrupted. "Wait. How do we know you’re not lying?"

The blue-haired boy shrugged indifferently. "That’s for you to decide."

"Ugh. Big sis, I’m not liking this guy."

Surprisingly, the young lady simply said. "Ask your question, Alex."

’Why does she seem confident he’s not lying?’

Alex didn’t know why, but she went ahead and asked her own question. "What rank are you? I already know you’re an Awakened."

Kaiser crossed his legs, sitting more comfortably. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I’m a Rank 1 Awakened."

Again, he answered mechanically. He wasn’t the least bit interested in the sisters, and only wanted to answer their questions and leave.

"Are you trustworthy to join us?" Anna; the elder sister asked, surprising Alex.

Kaiser was also surprised, but he answered anyway. "I am not."

Anna nodded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

Next, Alex asked him if he had any ulterior motives of coming to the Aether Skies.

To this, Kaiser experienced a subtle shift in his expression. "I will not answer this question."

The sisters were surprised, then grew wary. He instantly became suspicious, but they didn’t question him about it any longer.

"I have two questions to ask you, right?" Anna leaned forward, her expression solemn.

Kaiser nodded calmly.

"Are you a human?"

Kaiser paused, staring at her for some time, then asked. "Excuse me? Is that your question?"

Even her sister, Alex was surprised. "Big sis! What kind of question is that?!"

"Shush it, Alex. Let him answer." Anna remained serious, as if her question wasn’t weird.

’Is she suspicious of something? Or could it be that she’s had experience with skinwalkers or voidborne creatures?’

Kaiser thought and replied.

"I am human. May I know why you’re asking this?"

Anna lowered her gaze, staring at his bandaged torso. "Your wounds. They heal too fast, almost like a demon."

Alex blinked, realizing this fact too. "Wait. You’re already healed?"

She moved closer to him, stretching forward curiously.

"Don’t be rude." Anna spanked her, making the girl grunt and sit back.

"I see. It is not a surprise you are actually astounded." Kaiser nodded. Then, he tilted his head. "Your last question?"

Anna ignored the fact that he hadn’t said anything about his body, and asked her last question.

.........

After some time, Kaiser joined them around the bonfire. The corpse of the Fog Predator he had killed was being roasted, a tantalizing scent wafting from it.

"Your story is... a bit complicated." Kaiser massaged his forehead.

According to the sisters, they were from the Emberheart Clan, one of the most prominent fire element-affiliated clans in the world.

The reason why they were here was to find a legendary fire dragon scale and bring it back to the clan.

"So you’re here looking for a rumor in the middle of nowhere, hoping you’d stumble upon it?"

Kaiser asked plainly, his gaze carrying a hint of disappointment.

Alex shrugged helplessly. "That’s what the elders want. And there’s no going around it. It’s either we find it, or die trying."

Kaiser clicked his tongue, displeased. "And you can’t run away?"

"Run away?" Anna laughed. "That is our home. We can’t run away from it."

Hearing her answer, Kaiser lowered his head, his bangs covering his face.

’Responsibilities. Expectations. Chains disguised as virtues.

A genuine article should be free of them all—answering only to oneself. That... is the ultimate state.’