Transmigrated with my corruption system

Chapter 191: Chapter 189: The Path Beyond [II]

Raising his head, his thoughts were cut short as he caught sight of familiar figures.

Amber and the rest could be seen rushing forward, their faces beaming with multiple emotions. It was almost as if they were afraid he would simply leave them behind.

Or maybe he had just underestimated their excitement. They looked just as eager as he was, perhaps even more, to explore the world beyond Tempest.

Having lived in Tempest all their lives, they must have wondered what life was like beyond the city gates. I have assumed everyone had. Beyond the vast stretches of the wastelands, what lies there?

Previously, it had only been a flicker of curiosity, but now that they had the means, it seemed to have only fueled that innate curiosity.

Besides, they each had a few people close enough to say their goodbyes to each other.

Before he had met Amber, she had been a discarded servant, while Lyra had been an orphan. Perhaps that was why they had been so close even as little children.

Ulric mused. Aelira had been a clan leader, but after meeting him, she had cut all ties and aligned herself with him.

Of all of them, he supposed Tara was the only one with someone truly close to her.

That was why, while the rest of the girls rushed inside the carriage, but not before circling around the large Procan Python, no doubt admiring its features while coming up with a name for it, she remained outside beside Ulric. Her gaze swept across the crowd repeatedly as if searching for someone.

The longer she looked, the more dispirited she became. Just as she was about to give up, her eyes lit up with uncontainable joy as they fell upon a middle-aged woman draped in a stealth suit that accentuated her large bust.

Without a moment of hesitation, she sprang forward, rushing to embrace the figure tightly.

***

At the side, the crowd stared blankly.

At first, they had been shocked as they watched Ulric summon a deadly beast from the wild and use it as his mount.

But soon, their attention shifted as they caught sight of Amber and the rest.

Even from afar, they had long noticed that each of them was exceedingly beautiful in their own right.

But now, their beauty seemed to have grown even more. They couldn’t help but stare as the girls playfully poked at the large Procan Python.

Such a large and mighty beast. Why did it seem so docile before them?

To tame beasts, one would have to do so while they were still cubs and raise them until they matured so they wouldn’t attack their masters in the future.

However, even tamed beasts could burst into fits of aggression every now and then, especially when other people tried to get close.

That was why the crowd kept their distance, even when the Procan Python showed no signs of aggression.

***

Mistress Aria’s face scrunched slightly as she rubbed her nose every now and then.

Ever since Ulric’s great battle, they had taken him away to look after him while they entered seclusion.

Barely a few weeks had passed since then, yet their beauty had grown to this level.

What had the young lord been feeding them?

She paced restlessly, pondering the thought before she couldn’t take it anymore and walked forward.

Despite being a healer and a respected elder, she was still a woman after all. If there was a way to increase her beauty, she couldn’t pass up the chance.

In the distance, Astra, who had been following behind Mistress Aria, watched with interest as she approached a girl with silvery-white hair and striking purple eyes, Lyra.

Almost everyone in Tempest recognized the women who surrounded the young lord. Besides their unnatural beauty, their talents weren’t something to be taken lightly.

Leaning forward, she watched as Mistress Aria whispered something into Lyra’s ear.

Lyra’s initially blank expression quickly curved into a mischievous smile. She then leaned closer and whispered something back.

But the more she spoke, the warmer Mistress Aria’s cheeks became, a blush spreading all the way to her neck.

Before long, she scampered away, unable to take any more, her head lowered toward the ground.

Resuming her position beside Astra.

Astra asked, curiosity flickering across her eyes.

"What did she say?"

Mistress Aria remained silent for a few moments, her cheeks reddening even further before she hurriedly shook her head.

"N-nothing."

Astra hummed softly, her brows furrowing slightly, but she didn’t dwell on it as her thoughts wandered elsewhere.

With Ulric’s departure, what would happen to his master? Would she remain sealed within that crystal shard forever?

The thought alone caused her expression to fall.

She wouldn’t let that happen.

She would grow stronger... strong enough to reverse the power that had sealed her.

***

"Mother!" Tara chirped excitedly as she sank into Amelia’s embrace.

Before Amelia could even say a word, Tara broke free and began rambling.

"Where were you? I’ve been looking for you. For a moment I almost thought you didn’t want to be found. But that doesn’t matter... Quick, come with me and you can tell me all about it later."

She grabbed Amelia’s hand and moved to drag her toward the carriage in the distance.

Before she suddenly paused, turning to stare at Amelia, who remained unmoving.

Her brows furrowed slightly, although she didn’t think much of it.

"What are you doing? The carriage is right there..."

Before she could continue, Amelia let out a quiet sigh. A slow smile spread across her face as she raised both hands to cup Tara’s cheeks.

"I’m not... leaving," Amelia muttered, pride flashing across her eyes as she looked at Tara.

Even though she hadn’t been close, for the past few months she had always been watching. And the more she watched, the happier she became.

In such a short span of time, she had watched Tara bloom from merely an assassin into so much more. Even now, she could already feel a heavy pressure weighing on her just by standing nearby.

She couldn’t even imagine how much her talent and power had grown in such a short time.

But one thing she was certain of was Tara’s happiness. With this overwhelming fire talent, it seemed to bring out the very best in her.

Perhaps... she would even be the one to break the lineage of assassins and rise to become something greater.

As Amelia relayed all this to Tara, the girl’s eyes grew watery as tears threatened to spill free.

At the side, Ulric watched Tara return. She looked a little gloomy, but her eyes shone with determination as multiple thoughts swirled through her mind while she climbed back into the carriage.

Exchanging glances with Amelia for a few seconds, Ulric gave a slight nod.

Landing atop the carriage as Amber and the rest hurried inside, he prepared to leave.

Tapping into his shared link with the Procan Python, he was just about to issue the command to move.

Before a voice suddenly echoed into his ears.

"Wait... I want to come too!"

Astra yelled, finally coming to a decision as her gaze fell upon the figure atop the carriage.

If she wanted to unseal her master, she had to grow stronger, and she doubted Tempest would be enough.

Ulric opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected this.

Before he could answer, Lyra’s head popped out of the carriage, looking mildly intrigued.

"Hmm... you’re a little too weak. But..."

She paused, staring at Astra’s lithe figure.

The mischievous glint returned to her eyes.

Before she could say another word, Ulric flicked her forehead, sending her back inside.

Astra lowered her head slightly.

Despite being in the same rank as Lyra and most of the others, the gap between them was simply too large.

If she tagged along now, she would only become a burden.

Staring at her for a moment, Ulric thought quietly before tossing her a dark shard of glass inscribed with mystical runes.

"Take this."

Astra hurriedly caught it before looking at it in confusion.

"You’re weak as it is. But once you’ve refined your strength, crush it and you’ll know what to do."

Ulric ignored the puzzled look on her face.

It was something akin to a talisman. At least, a crude imitation.

Within it, he had laced a trace of his aura. Once crushed, it would summon a few of his shadow beasts.

By then, he would have already carved a path through the wastelands, making it easy enough for them to follow.

He had also left a few within Rysten and several other select figures, each serving different purposes.

Tucking the mysterious shard away, Astra nodded slowly.

She didn’t know what it was for, but she had a feeling it would become useful someday.

Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice echoed into his ears, causing his brows to furrow slightly.

What was it again?

"Lord Ulric... Lord Ulric... Lord Ulric!"

Following the voice, his eyes narrowed before lighting up with surprise.

"Little Mira?" Ulric muttered, watching her rush over with a small bundle tucked in her arms.

Once she arrived, she handed it over while explaining,

"It’s part of Grandpa’s tea collection. He wanted you to have it for the journey ahead."

The crowd watched curiously.

Ulric merely smiled before storing it away.

Strange. He hadn’t expected the old man to be this generous.

Ruffling the girl’s hair, Ulric leaped back atop the carriage before issuing the command.

The next instant, the Procan Python stirred before emerging into the distance, vanishing from sight.

***

Above the clouds, atop a mystical flying treasure, Alaric slowly stroked the white stubble beneath his chin.

He had rather grown fond of the little brat. Watching him leave left a faint trace of disappointment in his heart.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Just as he was about to depart, his gaze caught sight of Mira, causing his brows to arch in confusion.

What was she doing here?

His curiosity deepened as he watched her hand something over to Ulric.

If he didn’t know any better, he would have assumed it was part of his exceedingly precious tea collection.

The longer he watched, the stronger that suspicion became.

His lips twitched. Then he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

Before he could even demand an explanation, the little brat seemed to sense his presence and vanished into the distance without so much as a backward glance.

"...My tea..." Alaric muttered weakly, his weathered face twitching in disbelief.