Edited Chapter 48: Yearning Sweet Town Is Untouchable

As for me, I’ve never cultivated either, because most of my powers, as a priest, comes from my lord Ensieth. As for what will power I was personally born with, I am unable to truly tell, as of now, but I am also certain that I have an innate will power of sorts, that I’m currently investigating. This is truly the reason why I’m so fascinated with the historical records of the past. Maybe one day I’ll be able to answer that question for myself.

The will power of gods are too mysterious, and there are no historical records that I’ve come across that truly goes into depth on how they truly work. So I can only state for certain that I’m neither an immortal nor a celestial, but I am unsure if I’m a god, as there are many other unknown will powers aside from the previously mentioned three in this world.”

While Lain, was busy contemplating the words ‘divine massacre’, and the ancient human race that was just mentioned by Hui Shi, Annette, feeling slightly jealous by both of their answers, couldn’t help but say in shock, “Does that mean, you two were born with innate will powers, and can potentially rival gods in the future?”

Hui Shi, immediately chuckled upon hearing her words, as he replied with a dashing smile, that eased her jealous heart, “I am unable to state that my will power can rival gods, because not all gods are created equal, but I hope to find out the limits of my capabilities in the future.”

Lain, after a moment of thought, also added, after hearing Hui Shi’s words. “Maybe before my teacher limited my abilities, I could maybe rival a god. But right now, I can only say I’m much weaker than some cultivated immortals. And this may never change in the future, if I can not control my powers. For my teacher is very strict in the way he teaches, and will never remove my limits, until he’s sure I no longer need it.

As for the identity of my teacher? I’m truly not certain who or what he is, but I do know that when he trained us in the past, he was capable of easily defeating all four of us siblings, even at our maximum strength, and I’m starting to believe all my siblings, must each also have innate will powers as well.”

“Yearning Sweet Town was it? That’s definitely a place I would need to avoid in the future, in order to not offend your siblings or teacher who may be able to rival gods.” Annette said, as she felt tired from the feeling of defeat that washed her soul. ‘I can’t believe there are multiple gods in this world, much fewer people that can rival gods’ she thought in slight jealousy.

Hui Shi hearing her words, could only say in empathy, “There’s probably no need to be afraid of Yearning Sweet Town, if you're not an evil demon going there to harm its residents. I’m also not surprised that such a place exists, where people at the level of gods reside.

Edited Chapter 47: I’ve Never Cultivated

Gods are born with a will power that grants them the ability to control the heavens, giving them the ability to supervise certain aspects of reality. An immortal is born with a will power that grants them a unique form of immortality, giving them the ability to live forever in their own unique ways.

And lastly, a celestial is born with a will power that grants their souls the ability to temporarily control a certain aspect of reality, giving them the ability to change the rules of the world, and create something out of nothing.

There are countless types of will powers in this world other than the ones that grant godhood, immortality, or a celestial soul, but humans in general are more likely to be birthed with the immortal and celestial will powers. With very few gods being born within our race.

As for my lord Ensieth, although I do not know his real race, due to it being blasphemy to record his real image, I do know he is a god that governs nature’s prosperity, and is publicly acknowledged to have the heaven’s will of nature’s prosperity. That means, wherever there’s nature, my lord will always ensure that it prospers, and wherever nature prospers, my lord will be there.”

Annette couldn’t help but murmur “I see.” after listening to Hui Shi, before she then said out loud, “It seems these will powers are more complex than I thought. And since I am cultivating a will power from a book, I should be considered a cultivated immortal, right? I guess I should stay away from true immortals in the future. Brother Hui Shi, and brother Lain, are you two cultivating will powers as well?”

Lain, hearing her question could only say, “No…I’ve never cultivated my entire life. That means I should be some sort of god, immortal or celestial from birth. My teacher was very secretive about my powers. Even now, most of my strength is restricted by my teacher, so that I can gain better control over myself in the future.”

Hui Shi, thinking back to Lain’s previous outburst that occurred due to Elder Mica's emotional manipulations, couldn’t help but say after hearing Lain’s words, “With the power that you showed me earlier while in front of Elder Micas, I can guess that your powers may be related to your race, as I’ve read records of an ancient race of humans with similar powers like yours in the past, but I am not sure what will power you have either, or the real details about your that ancient race.

But I do know that all members of that race, including their divine beings, have an innate ability related to something called a divine massacre. An ability that makes them a terror of destruction.

Edited Chapter 46: Will Power

“Our ancestors who were primarily birthed with the powers of immortals and celestials, pitying their children who weren’t born with such powers, decided to create the cultivation systems that we know of today. These systems create a process in which we can gain the powers that they gained naturally from birth through sheer effort.

From then on, the cultivation systems that we all use today were born. Those who cultivated their powers were called celestials or immortals, while those who are born with theirs were termed true celestials, and true immortals.”

After speaking, Hui Shi couldn’t help but caution the other two with stern words, as his face became somber, “Since most people tend to be cultivated celestials or immortals, I am assuming you two are in this category. So I must give you a word of caution.

A cultivated celestial or immortal is incapable of defeating any divine beings who were birthed with their divine powers, as cultivated celestials and immortals are only fake replicas of the real things, and can never truly be an immortal or a celestial. Even a million cultivated celestials or immortals cannot trump a single true immortal or celestial. So if you ever encounter one, please be very cautious.”

Annette, hearing his explanations, couldn’t help but ponder, as she finally began to understand what a celestial and an immortal truly is. But as she was thinking to herself, Lain couldn't help but ask a question, “Brother Hui Shi. I’m sorry for this question but what is the difference between a celestial, an immortal, and a god. Are they all equal in power, or are gods stronger?”

Hui Shi, who heard his question, couldn’t help but pray in his head for a few seconds, as he begged for forgiveness from his god for what he was about to say. He then said, with a look of reverence on his face. “A true celestial or a true immortal, from the records that I’ve read, is capable of defeating a god in general. But like all powers in this world, each individual has their own strength.

Some true immortals or celestials may never be capable of defeating a god, while some gods may never be capable of defeating a true immortal or celestial.

Lastly, the difference between a god, an immortal, and a celestial, is their will power, which is the source of their strength.

Divine beings are called so, due to them being born with a unique trait called will power. This will power grants them unique abilities, and characteristics that other lifeforms do not have.

Edited Chapter 45: Celestials

Annette quickly replied, hearing Lain’s words as she smiled in understanding, “You’re fine. I grew up here in the Peaceful Shiler District as an orphan as well. Unlike you though, I had to live on the streets, until I was fortunate to be graced by a mysterious man, when I was six years old, who gave me a mysterious book that taught me how to cultivate a unique ability, that’ll turn me into an immortal.”

After talking up to here, you could see the complicated look in Annette’s eyes as she continued slowly. “Cultivating that ability, my body grew stronger, and the constant hunger for food that used to cause my small developing body to feel ill, and exhausted also slowly disappeared, until I was able to stand on my own two feet, and help the city’s law enforcement fight crimes. I also did a lot of miscellaneous jobs here and there growing up, in exchange for monetary benefits.”

Hearing her life’s story, Hui Shi, and Lain, couldn’t help but empathize, as they started to feel sorry for the orphaned Annette who could only live on the streets and fend desperately for herself.

Feeling slightly depressed by the mention of her past, Annette continued, as the other two quietly listened with empathetic looks written on their faces, “Due to the difficulty of having to raise myself, I didn’t have much time to go to school like most children, and I only have basic knowledge of the kingdom, based on word of mouth.

A year ago, I applied to become a hero of the city after turning 18 years old, that way I can take on more difficult tasks that will help save the lives of our fellow citizens. I was just coming back from an investigation mission given by the city’s law enforcement agency to one of the local towns, when I chanced upon the two of you at the gates.”

At this point, Hui Shi, after listening to Annette and Lain’s life stories, couldn’t help but feel guilt ridden by his well-educated and glorious background, as he replied in slight shame, “I’m sorry for the both of you. May lord Ensieth ensure that the past doesn’t repeat itself. I wish your missing parents great health, so they can one day unite with the both of you.”

Annette quickly nodded at his words, while Lain smiled slightly as he reminisced his own past in his head.

Hui Shi, after a moment of somber silence, couldn’t help but say, “Since you two are not well versed about the knowledge of celestials, let me fill you in.”

He then stretched his neck a bit on the chair, before relaxing back again on it and continuing, “This world has many divine beings. These beings from birth wield powers that can manipulate the world to do their bidding. Some of these beings are called gods, with the power to create worlds, and control the rules of reality, while others are called immortals who can live for eternity and celestials whose souls have the ability to force the world around them to do their bidding.”

Edited Chapter 44: Mysterious Eyes

Hui Shi, noticing her actions, as well as their questions, nodded to the two of them as he answered them with a slight smile on his face, as if in understanding. “It’s highly possible that Elder Micas may have manipulated us when he first arrived in order to understand our strengths and weaknesses. The Groundworth family’s main ability from certain hidden records that I’ve read, has been stated to be related to the moon, and there are records of them being able to manipulate the emotions and minds of those around them. But that was records of the family over a billion years ago, when it was still in its prime.

Currently, the records of the Groundworth family and their current strengths and weaknesses in recent times are very few in number. Making it hard to know exactly how powerful they truly are, and what means they can currently use to defeat their enemies.”

Pausing here to see if anyone had any more questions, Hui Shi continued. “The Groundworth family from my understanding, in general have innate abilities that are related to their eyes, as well as a system to cultivate their eyes beyond normal capacity. Once successfully cultivated, their eye abilities turn them into powerful celestials that can easily destroy countless enemies.

The Groundworth family, from what I remember, also share a common ancestry with the royal family of the Sval Kingdom. But they should not be directly related to them.”

Lain, hearing his explanations, couldn’t help but question further, as his understanding of a celestial was very limited, growing up in such an isolated, normal town called Yearning Sweet Town, that lacked the technology that the rest of the world seems to have. “What is a celestial? I was born in a town where our townsmen rarely met with outsiders, and lived primarily on farming and hunting.”

Hearing Lain’s words, Annette started to understand Lain’s current circumstances. So she couldn’t help but reply to him, with a look of realization on her face, “I see. I guess it’ll be hard for you to truly understand the world, living in such a remote town as Yearning Sweet. I’ve heard of this town before, although I’m not truly familiar with it. It should be one of the distant towns that’s situated around this city, closer to the edge of the kingdom.”

Lain, hearing her words, quickly replied, with a slight nod, “Yes, It is a very small town, that can even be considered a village. I grew up with two brothers and one sister in an orphanage. Growing up, I was raised by a strict teacher that taught me how to fight, as well as a foster father that taught me and my brothers and sister how to read and write from a young age.

This is my first time leaving the city to learn more about our kingdom, so I may not understand a lot of the current situations going on within it. I beg your forgiveness for my lack of knowledge.”

Edited Chapter 43: Groundworth’s Mystery

From a few of the hidden records that I read in the past, I learned that the Groundworth family was a noble family that was already at its end, with only less than 40 members of the family still alive. But that changed after the birth of Micas, whose talent in their family’s secret arts helped him gain a foothold in the kingdom and become a proud general of the kingdom’s army.

After becoming a general, he then used the lands and money awarded to him for his services to invest in all types of businesses across his home city, Yearning Trust. After that, his family members who could barely make ends meet, slowly began to thrive, as they finally became wealthy and married with confidence that their children will not starve to death in the future.

Due to Micas’ ingenuity and business acumen, most of the newer sects and businesses that were created within the past 300,000 years, within Yearning Trust City all have connections to the Groundworth family, and can be said to be primarily owned by them monetarily.

But although Micas was a proud general in the army, I am still unable to determine his true strength even though his acts of bravery have been well documented in the past, due to the army’s privacy clauses, as well as the years that have passed since he did anything remarkable.

Our kingdom also rarely has strife that require nobles who usually control our cities to act personally, so the abilities of Micas, as well as the entire Groundworth family, like those of most nobles are generally unknown. But the powers of nobles are publicly recognized as the strongest in the kingdom, aside from certain sects, and the military of the kingdom.

I believe the Groundworth family definitely isn’t a weak family, although it has had a rocky past.”

Lain, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but think back to when Micas first appeared before them, earlier. During that period of time, he felt slightly driven to attack him due to feeling an extremely discomforting pressure. But now that he was thinking about it, he finally realized that maybe his actions weren’t under his control at that period of time.

So he couldn’t help but ask Hui Shi, based on his suspicions, saying, “Does Elder Micas possibly have the ability to affect our behaviors or control our emotions? Because earlier when I met him, I felt a strong urge to assault him, even though I usually would never assault an elderly man unwarranted.”

Annette hearing Lain, immediately shivered because she also felt slightly pressured to attack when she met Elder Trent as well. She then responded with a question of her own, “I also felt the same way earlier as well. Do you mean to say that Elder Micas was somehow trying to force us to attack, using powers we were unable to defend ourselves against?”

Edited Chapter 42: The Shiler Family’s Illusions

Annette, also had a look of understanding on her face, as she thought in her head, ‘No wonder the grasses when cut, always grew back to the same length within 30 minutes in the past. This district has always been very secretive about the environment, with no one teaching us anything about it.”

Looking at Annette, and Lain, Hui Shi couldn’t help but ask, “I bet you’re wondering, if this was an illusion, how come when you cut a blade of grass or when you pluck a fruit from the trees in the district, you can still eat and cook with them? Well, it’s because as long as your mind believes what you’re experiencing is not an illusion, then everything around you will function as if it is real. That is the power of an array.

A powerful illusion array has the power to convince your mind that everything you see and feel inside of it is real. If I were to tell you that the elder Trent and Micas that we met earlier weren’t their real selves, would you believe it?

The truth is, even I do not know if the two elders that we saw earlier were their real selves. Lastly, you may not believe this, but if you were to die inside an array’s illusion, by the illusionary mechanisms of that array, you will likely suffer real death.

Powerful spells that create illusions, also have the same permanent death effect as arrays. The illusions created by the Shiler family can be used not only to deceive people, but to also harm them as well, when needed.”

Annette hearing his warning couldn’t help but ask in doubt, “So you’re telling me that this entire district can be weaponized by the Shiler family at any point in time to harm enemies that enter it? Forgive me for my lack of knowledge. The Shiler family has always been mysterious and hidden from the public’s eye, since I was born.”

Hui Shi quickly nodded to her question, as he said “Yes. But this kingdom is usually very peaceful, even here in its outskirts, where we’re closer to our neighboring empire. That’s why the array that encloses the entire district has never been used to harm others before, but theoretically it is possible to use it as a weapon.”

Lain, understanding Hui Shi’s words and realizing the powers of arrays and the Shiler family couldn’t help but question. “So what about the Groundworth family? Are they just as mysterious as the Shiler family?”

“The Groundworth family was once a noble family on the decline about 400,000 years ago, until the birth of Micas Groundworth, from the historic records that I’ve read in my free time. You see, I love acquiring old books, and archives from the past as I try to understand certain things about my mother’s family history.

Edited Chapter 41: Array

Elder Trent, after founding the Peaceful Shiler District billions of years ago, has been known to wander around the city, and has barely done anything notable since the foundation of the district. His family is also known for creating illusionary arrays, and own countless businesses all over the kingdom that were built around the creation of these types of arrays.”

Hui Shi couldn't help but catch his breath, after speaking for so long. He then looked at the two, as if in understanding, before asking. “I guess, you may not know what an array is, right?”

Lain quickly answered in slight awkwardness, “You’re correct. I’ve never came across an array before.” Annette also chimed in as she blushed in shame, “I also may need a better understanding of these things called arrays.”

Hearing their answers, Hui Shi nodded with a dashing smile, then answered them gently, “An Array, just like runes, is a type of formation. Any time energy is constructed in a certain manner in order to create a magical effect, that construction is called a formation. Arrays are formations that are created using special items that are rich in energy.

Unlike a rune that is created strictly by using the blood of creatures, an array is created using items like rocks, trees, instruments, and even animals, and other lifeforms.

The noble Shiler family are not only powerful celestials that use spells to create illusions, they are also well versed in the use of items to create arrays that have illusionary effects.

For example, our Peaceful Shiler District is actually situated on one giant array. The trees, creatures, and grasses that we see around us, does not technically exist. Neither does the sky above us nor the earth below us. The only thing that exists within this giant district, are the people, buildings, and certain pets and creatures that the citizens of the city have allowed into the district.

Billions of years ago, the trees and grasses of the district were 2000 feet in height. Billions of years later, the trees and grasses of the district are still the same height, and in the exact same location as they were billions of years ago, with the exception of places that have been excavated by its citizens to build roads, houses, and other infrastructures.”

Hearing his words, Lain finally came to an understanding as to why the forest of grasses all looked identical in height. He then sighed in wonder, and respect for such power. For he wasn’t even aware that he was in an illusion. The air within the district was still as fresh as those outside the city gates. The sounds of the various animals, echoing within the forests of grasses, were also just as real and intriguing as those of a real forest.

Edited Chapter 40: Vanished

Seeing them vanish, the others who had words of thanks still stuck in their mouths could only close their mouths in regret. Hui Shi then walked over to the sofa and sat down in a relaxed manner in the vacant position that Micas was previously sitting in.

After sitting down, he slowly said to the other two, with a questioning smile on his face. “I know you two are wondering about the backgrounds of the two elders, right?”

Lain, and Annette, couldn’t help but nod, after hearing his words, before they also relaxed in their sitting position on the sofa, and listened to Hui Shi quietly.

“Well, to start off. I’ll begin by letting you guys know about Yearning Peace City. Yearning Peace City, as we all know, has 18 districts. Each district of Yearning Peace was founded by a different noble family.

You see, when a man becomes a noble in our kingdom, they’re awarded a plot of land for them and their family to use. Our 18 noble families, instead of creating their own individual cities, decided that it was best to extend the current city, and become mayors of a district within the city instead.

The original land of Yearning Peace City was the Holy Myan District, where I grew up. After billions of years, a general of our Sval kingdom’s army who grew up in the city decided to retire. After he retired, he was awarded a noble title.

He then used his noble title to extend Yearning Peace City, with the approval of the noble Myan family, who governed Yearning Peace City, at that time. From then on, Yearning Peace city created the district system, where nobles could extend the city, and call their individual lands districts, with a governor overseeing the entire city, and district mayors overseeing each individual district.

As a district of the city, the noble families who govern the district as mayors must follow the city’s original rules and regulations, but they also have their own individual rights to rule their lands as they wish. This means, each district functions as a separate city to a certain extent. But its citizens must not only follow the rules created by the nobles who govern the district, but also the rules of the city, the rules of the Sval kingdom and lastly, the rules of our Gilagesh Empire.

Elder Trent from my understanding, is the founder of the Peaceful Shiler District, and should be the first noble of his family. But not many people know this, due to the fact that many noble families like to keep their pasts a secret, with the Shiler family being one of them.

Edited Chapter 39: Thank You

He then came back empty-handed, although it seemed he was rummaging through his belongings when he visited each room. Seeing him empty-handed caused Lain, who saw him to wonder in his head, ‘Does Mr. Edward have a storage device of sorts, where he keeps his belongings that’s powered by runes? It must be…’

After coming back, Edward quickly knelt in front of Micas again. He then said to him, “I’m ready, my lord. I have all my necessities packed, as well as those of my daughter. Where’s my daughter, if I may ask? I couldn’t find her anywhere.”

Hearing his question, Trent replied to him with a slight smile on his old face, as he walked over and patted him on his shoulder gently. “Little Elena’s sleeping outside in a chariot. Why is she outside? It’s a long story, so don’t bother asking.”

Micas slowly opened his eyes, after hearing Trent’s words to say, “Don’t worry about my granddaughter. I’ll teleport her, along with Emily, with us on our way out.”

After saying these words, he then leaned forward and stood up in front of the kneeling Edward, before reaching his right hand out in front of him, saying “Where’s the key to this house? This boy here is called Lain. He was the one who requested for our little priest here to come help inspect your conditions, when he found my granddaughter outside the city gates.

Due to his help, we were able to come to your rescue. So, for his help, I believe it won’t be too much to reward him with the deed of this shoddy house of yours, since it currently looks like he needs a place to stay. We can always buy trillions more trash homes like this in the future.”

Hearing his words, Edward quickly acquiesced to his request, as a ring on his right hand’s finger lit up in a light blue glow. Then a small rectangular white, granite-like stone tablet appeared in his right hand. He then passed that stone tablet onto the outstretched hand of Micas.

After receiving the stone tablet, Micas quickly turned towards the sitting Lain on his right, before giving it to him, as he said to him, “Thank you son for helping my granddaughter and son-in-law. If you ever need my help in the future, you can always find me in Yearning Trust City. Just mention my name at any of the business offices that my Groundworth family owns, and they’ll notify me.”

Trent, after hearing Micas’ words, also added “Thank you children. If you ever require the help of my Shiler family in the future, do the same thing as well. I’ll be glad to lend a hand. Okay Micas, let’s get going.”

Right before Hui Shi, Lain, and Annette could say their thanks to Trent and Micas, Micas slowly raised his cane from the ground. Trent, Micas, and Edward then quickly disappeared from the room, as if they were specters.

Edited Chapter 38: Dead And Gone

After a couple months of waiting, I received a heart-wrenching reply from Bishop Hao Shi. He told me that although he couldn’t locate my daughter’s body, he was 100% sure from the indication given to him by lord Ensieth, that she had died years prior. Just a couple of days after giving birth to her child.

After hearing his reply, I could only leave Yearning Peace City in agony and regret. My only child had died, and there was nothing I did to stop it. Since then, I never returned to this godforsaken city that took away my daughter again, until yesterday.” Tears couldn’t help but fall from Micas’ old eyes, as he finished his last sentence. Lain, and Annette also felt extremely depressed listening to his words, as the room fell into silence for a couple of minutes after his speech ended.

After weeping for a couple minutes, Micas slowly wiped away the tears falling from his eyes, before he turned his head towards the door, to see Hui Shi, Trent, and Edward walk into the living room from it.

Entering the room, Edward quickly felt the depressive aura coming from the bodies of the three sitting on his sofa. He then walked in front of the depressed Micas, before kneeling down and bowing his head, as he said, “Great lord, I beg your forgiveness.”

“He’s the father of your grandchild, Micas. Go easy on him. He’s not a bad man to have as a son-in-law.” Trent, seeing this, couldn’t help but chime in as well, as he started to see the anger well up in the eyes of Micas, as Micas stared at the kneeling Edward.

Sighing, after feeling the healing warmth that emanated from Hui Shi’s glowing body, Micas finally let go of his hatred for the kneeling Edward before him, before saying to him, “Get up, child. Pack your bags, and I’ll take you and my granddaughter back home where it’s safer under my protection.”

After saying this, Micas couldn’t help but lean back on the sofa, as he rested his head, and closed his eyes in sadness.

Edward on the other hand, quickly rushed into his bedroom, for a few minutes, before heading to the kitchen, for another few minutes, and then heading to another room, with a doorway that led to it from the right side of the kitchen.

By the time he was done packing his items, and came back to the living room, over 40 minutes had passed.

Edited Chapter 37: Missing

After getting married, Michelle, with her husband, came back home to me, to announce that she was pregnant with a child in great jubilation. But I at that time couldn’t accept it. Not only did she get married behind my back, after going missing for a few years, she also slept with a random stranger of poor economic background.

How could I accept it? My child who could’ve been a great general in the kingdom’s army, got married, and now wanted to settle down with a stranger? Impossible!” After spitting his last words out, the temperature of the room dropped suddenly, as Micas’ eyes started to change from his previous dark brown, to a pale white color, as if he was going blind.

A baleful aura then started to leak out from him, as his face twisted in slight anger. A few seconds later, he couldn’t help but sigh in sadness, as regret filled his mind. The baleful aura around him then slowly disappeared, before his eyes turned back to their original dark brown color.

He then continued, with a sad tone of voice that made Lain, and Annette a bit melancholic. “Driven into anger by the situation, I warned them to never return to my house ever again, as I stormed off in anger.

A year later, I received a message from Edward that my daughter had gone missing. She and Edward, fearing for their lives, as the number of missing people in our city increased, moved to a different city, hoping it was safer there. Just so you know, for decades now, periodically people will randomly disappear within our Yearning Trust City.

Noticing the issue, our Yearning Trust City, with my help then spent countless amounts of resources, trying to find out why this missing person phenomenon was occurring and what was causing it, but till this day, we still haven’t found the reason for these people’s disappearances.

As a result of the casualty numbers of this strange problem increasing, it seems my pregnant daughter, and Edward moved to Yearning Peace City, hoping it would be safer for them to raise their child here. But shortly after childbirth, my daughter went missing as well. Leaving her husband and child behind.

Hearing the news, I was immediately inflamed with anger. So I rushed over to this city, and almost killed that foolish son-in-law of mine. But due to the pleading of old Trent, and the fact that he was the father of my newborn granddaughter, the only blood of mine left to continue my heritage, I could only calm down my anger.

I then sought the help of this city’s law enforcement agents to help locate my daughter, but after years of searching, it all came to naught. In the end, I could only turn to the great priests of the Holy Cathedral here in Peaceful City to see if they could plead with Lord Ensieth to help me find out if she was still alive, and where she may currently dwell.

Edited Chapter 36: Michelle Groundworth

Back in the living room, Lain, who was mesmerized by the chair, finally woke up from his entrancement, to ask a question that’s been on his mind since yesterday morning, when he met little Elena. “Elder Micas, I beg your forgiveness for asking this question, but what happened to Elena’s mother?”

The old Micas, who was busy watching the cartoon that was showing on the opposite wall of the room, while lost in melancholic thoughts, couldn’t help but answer his questions, after a few seconds of deliberation.

“My daughter, Michelle, was a strong-willed child. Growing up, her head was filled with the desire to help those in need, like the heroes she saw on the news, and on the children’s cartoon series, Powerful Boys. Which was a show that she loved growing up. It is also the cartoon that’s currently playing on the holographic screen in front of us right now. It seems, my granddaughter also watches it.”

Hearing his words, Annette and Lain, couldn’t help but look towards the opposite wall, where a cartoon was playing on the holographic screen. The screen showed three children, fighting a villain with all their might, as a man watched from the side and cheered the three on.

Watching the screen for a few seconds, Annette and Lain could only sigh, as micas continued. “With a head filled with dreams of being a hero, she wouldn’t listen to my advice, and after she turned 18, signed up to be a hero of the kingdom.

After years of being a hero against my will, she met a young man, who was at that time being bullied, and harassed by an underground crime gang called The Reed Establishment. That young man was called Edward Montiff, a fool, who grew up impoverished. That fool coincidentally also shared the same dream as my daughter. He swore to spend his life helping others the best way he could, and the only way he could do that with his poor economical background, and lack of strength was by becoming a teacher, and a role model for the younger generation.

Feeling the determination within Edward, as my daughter worked with him for months, as they looked for the whereabouts of the crime gang that she and her group of heroes were trying to get rid of, she couldn’t help but fall deeply in love with him.

After a couple years together, my daughter and her group of heroes, with the help of the daring Edward, easily rooted out The Reed Establishment, and all its syndicates from our city. The two of them then quickly got married, behind my back.

Edited Chapter 35: Healed

Hui Shi, hearing his words, could only nod before walking forward to stand by the stone bed, as Trent gave way. He then placed his left hand on the forehead of the sleeping man, as he muttered under his breath, “Praise my great lord Ensieth!”

After saying these words, the body of the man lying on the bed started to glow a deep golden color, as playful butterflies of beautiful colors, manifested all around the room like illusionary fairies, before flying into the man’s body.

In just a few seconds of the phenomenon, Hui Shi withdrew his hand. The golden glow that emanated from the man also slowly disappeared, along with the room filled with butterflies, as the man, slowly opened his spirited eyes.

His body, which once looked pale and sickly, now had a healthy tanned color. His breathing, which once was slow and uneven, now was rhythmic and steady.

As the healthy, middle-aged man opened his eyes, he couldn’t help but look around the room, as he saw two people. Soon he realized that one of those people looked very familiar.

Looking at Trent, the middle-aged man couldn’t help but nervously sit up on his bed, as he muttered in surprise, “Lord Trent? Why are you here?”

Hearing his words, and seeing his reaction, Trent and Hui Shi couldn’t help but smile, as Trent replied to him, “Son, you’ve been ill for the past few months. Me and Micas came with this priest, to help heal you of your ailment. It seems you couldn’t handle the death of your wife, and suffered ill health from depression, and anxiety.”

Hui Shi, then walked over to the man, as he reached out his hand towards him and said, “My name is Hui Shi. I came on behalf of your daughter, Elena to help you. Please praise lord Ensieth for his mercy and grace.”

Seeing the outstretched, glowing hand of Hui Shi, with a glow that filled his heart with warmth, the middle-aged man, couldn’t help but reach out to grab it as he replied in thankfulness, with a smile full of happiness written on his face. “Thank you, great priest. May lord Ensieth’s grace last for eternity.”

Hui Shi then gently pulled him up from the bed, as the man slowly found his footing on the ground before standing up.

Trent then said to the two, “Let’s go to the living room. Micas is waiting there, along with a couple other helpers.” as he began walking back toward the doorway that led to the living room, with a slight smile on his old face.

Edited Chapter 34: The Middle-Aged Man

Watching Hui Shi, and Trent leave, Annette couldn’t help but say lightly, “May Ensieth guide him to full health.” before walking over to the sofa and sitting down. Lain, also snapped out of his marveling, and also sat down as well, on the stone sofa, that felt extremely soft and comfortable when sat down on.

The texture of the sofa was very interesting to Lain, due to the fact that the sofa from his point of view was obviously made out of a large, granite-like stone. The same type of stone, that was used to make the hard walls, and doors of the house. Yet it seems from Lain’s point of view, that the light blue runes on the sofa, had somehow made the rock hard texture of the sofa, much softer than it should’ve been.

While Watching Lain touch and caress the sofa in awe, Micas couldn't help but look at his attire that looked slightly worn and old, as well as his face that looked ordinary and plain, and think to himself with a soft sigh, ‘I would have never believed in the past that I'll be sitting next to a young thug like him, who obviously looks like he has no future. At least he's a young thug with a kind and thoughtful heart.’

Annette, who was also looking at Lain for the first time in detail, couldn't help but marvel at his ordinary facial features as she thought in dismay, ‘He truly has a face that I'll never call handsome.’ She then began to fawn over the extremely handsome looks of Hui Shi in her mind before looking away from Lain, in slight boredom, while thinking to herself, ‘Men truly are born unequal.’

Meanwhile, after leaving the living room, Hui Shi, and Trent entered a room that was also covered in microscopic sized light blue runes that were barely visible to the naked eye.

Inside the room, Hui Shi saw a dark blue, granite-like bed that was placed against the wall that was opposite the doorway. Above the bed was a holographic picture frame that featured a handsome man, standing behind a beautiful young lady, with his arms around her. The two people within the picture frame could be seen occasionally looking at each other for a few seconds with love in their eyes, before looking forward again towards the camera, as if within the picture frame was a short 20-second video, and not a still photograph.

On the bed, Hui Shi saw a very pale, middle-aged man who looked to be in his early 40s, lying in the fetal position with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. His breathing was also very slow, as if he was already at death’s door.

Trent, also seeing the man, couldn’t help but walk forward to inspect him, before saying to Hui Shi, “My little priest. It seems he’s already at death’s door. If he wasn’t a strong-willed man, I doubt he would’ve even lived this long without food or water. Please help him quickly.”

Edited Chapter 33: Inside The Stone House

After the door opened, he then slowly entered the house, along with Micas, who softly said to Emily, “Sorry, little Emily. You know you can’t be allowed inside the house, so please wait outside for us.”

Hearing his words, Emily nodded, before obediently standing by the side of the door, as everyone else walked pass her, into the house.

As the last to enter the house, the first thing that Lain saw, other than the people in front of him, was the inside of a stone house, with a small living room. On the green colored walls, furniture and green colored floors of the house, extremely small, light blue runes could be seen, etched all over them. These runes however weren’t glowing, except in certain locations.

In the living room, was a 2 sectional dark blue sofa, placed directly against the left side wall of the room. On the right side of the sofa, was a door leading to another room.

Opposite the sofa was a wall of glowing light blue runes, with a holographic screen hovering in front of it, that was displaying what seems to be a cartoon of sorts. It seemed to Lain that the holographic screen functioned like a holographic television.

Sounds of what was occurring on the holographic screen also echoed all over the small room, yet Lain was incapable of pinpointing where the sounds originated from.

Opposite the outside doorway where Lain came in through from, was another doorway 30 feet away, that led to what looked like a kitchen. Inside the kitchen, from Lain’s vantage point, was a clear, see-through floor to ceiling window, situated another 20 feet from the kitchen’s doorway that showed the grass forest behind the house, with 2000 feet high, light red, evergreen-like trees mixed in.

The temperature within the home was slightly cooler on the inside, than outside the home, with slightly cool air circulating around the living room, making Lain feel refreshed and at ease. He couldn’t help but realize that there was some sort of cooling nature to the runes situated in the house, that was causing cool air to circulate, without wind.

As Lain, was marveling at the uniqueness of the house in front of him, Micas on the other hand, gently sat down on the sofa in the living room, before saying to the group. “I believe that foolish son-in-law of mine, must be sleeping in the room on the left. Old Trent, please help me escort our dear little priest here to him. If I go with you, I may not want to see him healed. Everyone else, please sit down, and let’s wait for the results.”

Hearing his words, Trent couldn’t help but sigh and say, “Your son-in-law has lived a hard life, Micas. My child, let’s go help him.” before gesturing for Hui Shi to follow him into the room.

Edited Chapter 32: Teleportation!

Lain, Annette, and Hui Shi, started to look around the moment their visions cleared. What they saw intrigued their minds. Their environment looked almost identical to before. They were still standing on the large road that was over 10 miles wide, with its length stretched all the way to the horizon on both sides.

But unlike before, situated in front of them, next to the right edge of the road that they were standing on, was a small granite-like, stone paved path that led to a small granite-like, stone house that was nestled between the tall 2000-foot grasses that could be seen everywhere their eyes looked, except on the large granite-like road that they were currently standing on.

Strangely, as they looked left and right, they couldn’t find another house in sight. Only the long, wide road, and the small house was all that greeted their eyes.

As the three were marveling at their environment, Micas began walking in slow and steady steps towards the house, with Trent and Emily quickly following along behind him.

After a few minutes of walking, the two old men, and Emily reached the front door of the house, before Trent called out to the three still on the road in the distance. “Kids, stop daydreaming, and let’s go inside.”

Hui Shi, who was lost in his own thoughts about the origins of Trent and Micas, as he looked around, was the first to awaken from Trent’s words. He then quickly walked over to the waiting three at the door. Annette, also awakened soon after, she then quickly held onto the reigns of her chariot, and walked over as well as she thought to herself in lamentation, ‘Teleportation truly is a wonderful spell to learn. Too bad I’m not a celestial, and can’t learn spells.’

Lain, being the last to awaken from his thoughts, couldn’t help but wonder as well, as he walked towards the house, ‘I wonder why there’s only one house in this area? Also, why are all the trees and grasses in the area the same length? It seems there are a lot of mysteries to be explored in this city.’

After the three arrived, Micas quietly looked at Trent, who was also by the door. Trent, noticing his gaze then said, “Although entering a house without the owner’s permission is against the rules. I don’t think the owner will mind in this case.”

He then extended his left hand towards the door, as a ring on his old, wrinkled, pinky finger lit up in light blue runes. The moment the ring lit up, the stone door of the house also lit up in a glowing shade of light blue, as tiny light blue rune carvings that were engraved all over it started to shine. Trent then gently pushed the glowing door, until it opened all the way.

Edited Chapter 31: Ill Omen

Micas couldn’t help but scoff in slight dissatisfaction by his words as he replied in anger, “That fool of a son-in-law of mine shouldn’t have married my daughter! If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have moved to this city years ago. That fool was definitely an ill omen to my family. It was only a matter of time that he killed himself somehow.”

He then said to everyone. “Since you all believe his life’s in danger, let’s quickly teleport to his home, and see what's wrong with that good for nothing teacher. Although I haven’t visited them in a while, I still remember their old trash of a home.”

After saying this, you could see his old face twist in sadness as he lamented in his mind, ‘It was already bad enough that my poor daughter decided to be a hero against my will. But to also marry a useless teacher? My dear god, Ensieth? Why did you bring that ill omen into my life? What did my forefathers do for me to deserve your curse, my great lord?” as a tear couldn’t help but escape his poor old eyes. He then sighed in deep grief and melancholy, as he looked up at the night sky.

Seeing the poor old Micas’ extremely sad eyes, everyone couldn’t help but become slightly melancholic.

Trent, upon seeing his melancholic behavior, easily understood his current issues, and couldn’t help but walk up to him, pat his shoulder to say, “It’s going to be okay, Micas. Although your daughter is dead and her body is missing, at least you still have a kind granddaughter to dote on. Let’s hurry to her home, before she loses not just her mother, but her father as well.”

Lain and Hui Shi immediately looked at each other, after hearing the old man Trent’s words as Lain finally realized in slight sadness that he was right on his earlier conjecture, that Elena’s mother had truly passed away.

Annette, also realizing the issues facing Elena, also couldn’t help but become melancholic as well. She then hastily said to Micas. “I hope I’m not bothering you elders, but may I tag along as well? I’m truly sorry for your loss. Your granddaughter is a beautiful young lady.”

Micas could only nod slowly as he looked at Annette, before he said, “Sure, little girl. I’ll take you guys there now.”

He then raised his cane off the ground, as everyone’s vision became blurry for a short second. A second later, the raised cane then fell back down to the ground lightly, as the blurred vision that everyone experienced quickly disappeared.

Edited Chapter 30: Foolish Son-In-Law

Hui Shi then pointed to Lain, hoping he’ll help him explain further. “Hello Elders. Sorry for my previous bad manners, but when I met little Elena a few hours earlier, she mentioned to me that her father had been sleeping for a few days, and hadn’t woken up since. So I assumed that something must’ve happened to him.

Feeling that I should help her, I requested for brother Hui Shi to escort me to her house, that way he can help cure her father using his god’s divine powers. We were on our way to her house when the two of you found us. I’m sorry if there’s been a misunderstanding.” Lain said, after seeing Hui Shi’s gesture in awkwardness.

Annette hearing their words couldn’t help but apologize to Hui Shi and Lain, as realization dawned upon her, and she said, “I didn’t know you two were on an urgent mission. I’m sorry for occupying your time to ask my silly questions.” She then turned to the two old men and said, “Elders, I am simply a passerby who decided to tag along, after meeting these two brothers at the front gate. They were very kind and courteous to little sister Elena, so I as a hero of the city didn’t think there was something wrong with the situation.”

“It’s fine, young ones. Earlier, when I saw you put my granddaughter inside your chariot, me and old Trent here couldn’t help but play a little trick on you in order to understand your current situation. You see, a while ago, I received a message from my men while in Yearning Trust, that there had been reports that my granddaughter had been frequently exiting the city alone, for months now. Due to fear that something bad may be happening to her, I couldn’t help but ask my old teacher Trent, who knows the ins and out of the city, for help.

As we were coming to get her, we chanced upon a warning that her life may be at risk, but that warning quickly went away, as I was told that a priest of Ensieth helped resolve the matter, by healing her of her ailments, which was extreme nausea and fear.

Feeling blessed that she was cured, we decided to take our time and meet her when she arrives inside the city gates, while observing your actions from the side.

After seeing your actions, we decided you weren’t bandits and decided to reveal ourselves. We also mean you no harm.” Micas replied as his weathered, old voice sounded a bit long-winded, and tired at the end of his words.

Trent on the other hand couldn’t help but say towards Micas, “It seems something has truly happened to your son-in-law, Micas. That fool was definitely distraught by the death of your daughter. I knew his weak body was going to give out sooner or later due to me always receiving reports that he was always in an anxious and depressed state. I feel sad that he had to lose the mother of his child, soon after her birth.”

Edited Chapter 29: Trent Shiler

The old man, then stopped a few feet away from the stunned Hui Shi, and Lain, who couldn’t help but look towards the chariot in bewilderment, wondering who this second old man was, and how he arrived at their location.

As the two were watching Trent Shiler steady himself after coming down off the chariot, he lazily replied to the old man with a slight smile, “Your grandchild is fine, Micas. If I didn’t see the priest of Ensieth within this group of kids, I would’ve thought they were kidnapping her.” He then let out a light chuckle as he stared at the bewildered Hui Shi, and Lain as if he was questioning their morals.

Emily, who had been watching from the side the entire time, soon softly called out gently for the first time since Lain had met her, as a low, baritone sound of a fowl left her mouth. She then began walking towards the old man called Micas, with a slight tinge of happiness in her eyes.

Lain, seeing this, could only calm down a little more, because he finally realized the truth. With Emily walking over without the slightest bit of fear in her eyes, and understanding the words that escaped from the two old men’s mouths, these two old men whose weathered faces looked like they’ve been through decades of hard labor, may not be enemies, but relatives of Elena.

After a few steps, Emily reached the old man called Micas, before using her giant bird-like head to rub against his chest affectionately, as if she just met a long-lost loved one. The old man called Micas, also couldn’t help but rustle the feathers on her neck affectionately with his left hand, as his right hand held onto the cane that was used to support his body to the ground.

He then looked at Lain, Hui Shi, and Annette who just came out of her chariot and said softly, “My name is Micas Groundworth, from the Groundworth family of Yearning Trust City. I am the grandfather of little Elena. Pleased to meet you.” While Emily was still nestled in his chest, fawningly.

“I’m called Trent Shiler. I wonder what you three kids were doing with our gullible little Elena?” Trent questioned, as he stared into the eyes of Lain, Hui Shi, and Annette as if questioning their behavior and actions.

Hearing his accusatory words Lain, and Annette couldn’t help but scoff at him, while Hui Shi explained with a bright, and charming smile, that calmed Trent’s doubting heart, “My fellow elders, my name is Hui Shi. I am a humble priest of Ensieth. These two are my fellow brother and sister, Lain, and Annette. We were on our way to help cure an ailment that we believe the father of little sister Elena is currently suffering from.”

Micas, hearing his words, couldn’t help but raise his white colored brows, and say “Ailment? What do you mean?”