Chapter 204


    The World System was evil. Well, maybe. Noele didnt know for sure. Even after consulting with Arthur, a former [Priest], a former Lich King, and a former Vessel of the Voidgod, she still had no answers. He couldnt help her no one could. After all, this was such a ridiculous assertion. No sane person would ever utter such a statement. The only ones who would believe such a thing were those who worshiped the Void.


    The Sect of the Abyssal Thorns, was a contemporary example. Although, there were many such simr groups in the past. They believed that the World System was an oppressive power, and instead they chose to draw their strength from the Fal-Deus.


    They were the only ones the Noble Spellsword could turn to for answers. They could shed some light for her on the truth behind the World System. But there was only one problem with that.


    The Fal-Deus the entity which was the God of the Void and imed to be the True God of Vacuos was most <em>definitely </em>evil.


    ording to Arthur, he had seen its intentions. When it had possessed him, he had peered into its heart. And all he saw was darkness. All he saw was an unending rage. All he saw was a desire to destroy Vacuos.


    And Amelia could concur with that fact. After all, she had said that she saved Vacuos from the Voidgod. So the fact that it only wanted destruction was indisputable.


    There was no reliable source for Noele to learn more about the World System from. All she could do was specte based on what those who worshiped the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns knew. That was how she came to her decision today to leave Wolfwater.


    It was a decision she had made on her own. She hadnt told anyone else about it just yet. But she thought it would be appropriate to first confide with the person who brought her back here to her home.


    Noele sought out her mentor Amelia. It was early in the morning when the blonde girl stepped out of her papas farm. She made the short walk to the farming vige or rather, it was called a farming town now, considering its size. Noele took her time as she took in the sights all around her.


    When she first made her returned, she observed how Wolfwater had changed drastically since she was a child. The farming vige had grown significantlyrger after the first attack of the Miststorm Riders a decade ago. And those changes she noticed were still quite new to her.


    There were new buildings more houses and more farms. There was even arge inn for passing travelers, when there had been no proper ce to stay for those who were stopping by in the past. And there were even now a few taverns too, while there had only been a single one back then.


    However, ever since Noele returned to Wolfwater, she had seen even more <em>changes </em>develop firsthand. There was, obviously, Buckys Out of this World Restaurant which Amelia started with Xakor. But that was what spurred the sudden growth in the farming vige, that clearly made it into a town.


    Noele spotted a second inn that had just finished its construction out of the corner of her eye. It wasrger than the first inn, made to amodate the growing number of visitors who were attracted by the rumors of Buckys Out of this World Restaurant. There was also a new market street as they called it growing by the day.


    She wouldnt really define it as a street, by any definition of the word. But there was a section in Wolfwater full of tents where the visiting [Traders] and [Merchants]id out their goods to be sold.


    Andstly, Noele heard word of a sort of town guard being set up. Apparently, Lucas, who was the highest-leveled [Hunter] in Wolfwater, was organizing a few of his friends to protect the farming town from nearby monsters and enforcew and order amongst the visitors.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    So Wolfwater was growing to be quite the hub for travelers, thanks to Amelia and Xakor. Noele would have loved to stay here to continue watching the town grow. Perhaps, one day, it could even be a city.


    Although Noele wasnt sure how feasible that idea was. But she didnt want to leave she wanted to continue witnessing this growth. And yet, she had to.


    She had already resolved herselfst night. She closed her eyes as she came to a halt right outside of Buckys Out of this World Restaurant. It was still early in the morning, so the restaurant wasnt open just yet. However, she could enter as she pleased.


    Still, she paused, trying to steel herself. This was something that needed to be done. No one else was capable of doing it. Because she was one of the few who were free from the World Systems influence.


    Alright lets do this


    Noele whispered as she pushed the doors open. She opened her mouth, looking up at her master standing in the middle of the room.


    Amelia


    And she paused as she heard a cacophonous buzzing thunder back at her. The blonde girl froze at the sight of what she saw. Arge shadow towered over the room. A mass of ck and yellow figures gathered around, practically swarming over a brown-haired woman standing there.


    Amelia looked up as she was covered from head-to-toe by the colony of the baby bastion bees.


    Oh, hey Noele.


    And the blonde girl just blinked. Uh, can we talk in private?


    Well thats going to be a little bit hard, Amelia said in response as the baby bastion bees continued swarming her.


    --


    So, I see youre still having problems with the baby bastion bees, Noele said, looking me up and down.


    I could barely hear her words over the loud buzzing surrounding me. I looked down at myself. The baby queen bastion bee was clinging onto me, and the rest of her hive refused to leave her. So they surrounded me, following me wherever I went.


    This was almost a familiar sight. Except, thest time around this happened, the baby bastion bees were attacking me. It didnt hurt, of course. I waspletely unbothered by their weak stingers. However, it was a lot more annoying than <em>this.</em>


    This time around, they were just there. They didnt bother me, but they stuck close to me. Sometimes, theyd be flying around me in a swarm. Other times, they would just rest on me which was honestly more ufortable than dealing with their constant attacks.


    And considering that they werent doing anything other than following me, I didnt know what I could do. When they had been attacking me, I could just tire them out. But right now, they saw me as their protector. They associated me with their safety. I was their sanctuary.


    So I had no way to get rid of them.


    I tried talking to Dorien, I said as I gestured at the baby bastion bees. Their queen fluttered her wings when she realized I was looking down at her. She was resting on my shoulder like she was a bird or a butterfly. In reality, she was a terrifying-looking bee that was the size of my hand. He said that I am going to have to bond with them until they can understand me.


    Understand you? Noele blinked, looking at me curiously. Do you mean you have to learn an [Animal Speaking] Skill?


    I shook my head. Nope dont ask me how it works either. But apparently theyll be able to understand me in the same way Bucky understands us if I spend enough time with the baby bastion bees.


    I see. The blonde girl just furrowed her brows. She was as perplexed as I was.


    I didnt question it. Instead, I shook my head as I leant back against a table. Anyways, if you want privacy I cant really give you privacy, since these guys wont leave me alone. However, if you dont mind them, we can talk.


    She stared at the swarm of baby bastion bees as they circled around me. I watched as Noele chewed her lips for a moment, before she sighed.


    And what about Han or Edlyn? she asked, ncing towards the empty kitchen. Are they around?


    Nope I sent them out to stock up on our meat. But Arthur is in the back, getting ready for the day. I gestured vaguely towards where the bathroom was. It wasnt exactly a modern ce to shower, however it did its job just fine.


    Arthur isnt a problem, the blonde girl said as she nodded at me. Alright I guess I can tell you this now. But how do I even say it?


    I looked on as she shifted her feet ufortably, muttering to herself. I just crossed my arms and waited. Until, finally, Noele was ready to speak. She stood up straight and looked me in the eyes.


    And she said, I have decided I am leaving Wolfwater to hunt down the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns.