Regnum Aetern: Dual Rebirth

Chapter 70: Start of another little adventure

Wearing a simple white tunic and grey pants, Adrian stood by the large door of Ravenshade’s estate, waiting quietly. After some time, he turned his gaze toward the mansion, as if trying to spot someone. But the one he was looking for was nowhere to be seen.

He turned away with a sigh.

"Alisardarc, I have a question."

The moment that low whisper escaped his lips, mana began condensing above his shoulder and materialized into a black bird.

A deep abyssal voice entered his ear.

[Feeble one, you have a lot of questions. Just why are you so curious?]

Adrian ignored the small jab from the bird and asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Why do Eternarchs make contracts? How does it benefit them?"

The concept of a contract seemed like a deal of mutual benefit for both parties, but that wasn’t actually the case. The only one really benefiting seemed to be the summoner.

Over the years, Adrian had learned a great deal about Etarnarchs and the Eternal Realm from Alisardarc. While the black bird was incapable of speaking about a lot of things, Adrian had formed a solid picture in his mind from what it actually could tell him.

Eternarchs were immortals in every sense of the world; it was absolutely impossible to kill them. They also didn’t have any necessities required for their sustenance. There was absolutely nothing one could need as an Eternarch.

"From what you told me, the Eternal Realm sounds like some sort of paradise. What would even compel a being living in that realm to make those kinds of contracts?"

Apparently, the terms of the contracts were usually very light. Alisardarc’s terms had been a bit on the extreme side. Most Eternarchs asked for simple things, like being fed a certain food after being summoned, having to play with it every week, or touring a certain place.

Eternarchs had everything a life form could possibly want, so why would they make such unfair contracts?

On his shoulder, the black bird remained perfectly quiet, not giving an answer.

"Does the answer involve something you can’t talk about? If so, just nod once."

But instead of nodding as he had expected, Alisardarc spoke in a low tone. Adrian sensed a hint of vague emotion behind its words.

"...The image of the Eternal Realm in your mind is not even close to the real thing. Besides, if all your desires were fulfilled, what reason would you have to live?"

He was just about to speak, but paused.

He spotted a young girl around his own age skipping in his direction, her long pinkish-purple hair bouncing gently. Stopping only a step away, her violet eyes locked with his own.

She smiled excitedly.

"Sorry for the wait, now let’ssss~ goooo~."

Saying that, she made a strange, exaggerated pose with her hands, causing him to frown. Maybe not getting the reaction she was expecting, her excited smile slowly turned awkward.

Adrian began walking.

"Sure, let’s go."

She hurriedly followed along as they left the Ravenshade estate.

It had been a week since their previous ’adventure,’ as she called it, and it was time for another ’adventure’.

Walking at an unhurried pace, he calmly asked.

"Where do you wish to go this time? It would be better to think about it beforehand to make sure that this ’adventure’ doesn’t feel aimless."

"Oh!" she readily nodded. "Great idea!"

Then a thoughtful look appeared on her face as she gazed into the empty air.

"Hmm... I kind of feel like seeing magical stuff or something like that. How about some kind of magic shop? Some place that sells magical items and such?"

’Magic shop? That’s quite a strange way to refer to them.’

But he had an idea of their destination.

"Those kinds of shops cater to the rich; we would probably find them in the district of the wealthy."

She nodded excitedly. They changed their course, walking toward their new destination. After about half an hour of walking, their surroundings began to change.

The houses and other buildings around them were made entirely of stone, the streets were not as crowded, and the people walking around them wore somewhat luxurious designer clothes, unlike the plain or shabby clothes they had seen other people wear.

Since Adrian had already come here before during the test his mother had given him, he was now somewhat familiar with this place, which was why they were able to navigate here so easily.

Soon, the two of them stopped in front of a shop. Seemingly made from some sort of white stone, the shop seemed large and well-maintained.

Adrian turned to the girl beside him.

"This is it. I believe this shop would be the closest to what you described."

She didn’t say anything in reply, but her excitement had clearly spiked after hearing his words. She seemed rather eager to go into the shop.