Chapter 152: Sympathy
Inside the apartment, the cult leader and Bewitcher locked eyes.
Why?
Upon hearing Ashes question, Freya was caught off guard. After a moment of thought, she replied, Im still a legal citizen. I can rent a place to shelter you, I can work to support you, whatever inconveniences you have can be left to me I would do anything you ask.
Though Im pleased youre willing to work to support me, Ashe said, unable to suppress a smile, my question isnt why should I take you with me, its why do you want to come with me?'
Freyas face blushed slightly and she looked down at Xiao Xian who was rubbing against her feet, No reason I just want to be with you.
Let me rephrase then. Why cant you accept me leaving you?
Freya opened her mouth but found herself speechless.
She bit her lip, feeling a pain in her heart she didnt know how to articulate.
Years of indoctrination had taught her not to expose her vulnerability.
Suddenly, she remembered what Ashe had said to Xiao Xian: From now on, if you feel pain, dont keep it to yourself. Cry out, or no one will know.
Because it would hurt, she whispered. The thought of never seeing you again, never tasting the food you cook, not being able to converse with you it makes my heart ache. Its uncomfortable, almost to the point of tears.
As she spoke, Freya began to feel aggrieved, Even though everything will return to normal after youre gone, why does it hurt so much? Its not any different from before, but your presence has thrown my emotions into chaos. Why is this so?
Because you feel lonely.
Lonely? She seemed puzzled. But we-were all lonely. It says so in the books, that loneliness is the wings of freedom, that freedom shines because of loneliness
Ashe took Freya by the hand and sat her down in the entranceway, gently saying, But youve never truly embraced loneliness, you were only running away from it. However, because you were young and the world was novel to you, life was interesting, so you could always run. Loneliness could never catch up.
Youve seen Fernand Snows speeches, havent you? Do you know why he sought out his descendants? Because loneliness caught up to him. He was too old, the world was no longer novel to him, and life was nothing more than a series of calculations. Faced with the pursuit of loneliness, he had nowhere to hide. So he urgently needed to find another container to bear his loneliness-theres nothing better than seeing ones own lineage continue to alleviate the pain of solitude.
What I did was establish a bond with you. When were together, the bond can dispel loneliness; when I leave, the other end of the bond will be connected to loneliness. Thats why you feel pain-youve been caught by loneliness, you cant escape.
Freya looked down at her beautifully manicured toes and murmured, Youre so cruel
In your eyes, I must seem like a villain, Ashe laughed, Actually, your point of view isnt wrong, and the teachings of the Blood Moon are for your benefit. If you never engage in any intimate relationships, never establish any bonds, you wont experience disappointment, loneliness, or pain. Since you never had it, youre not afraid to lose it.
But I reject this kind of for your own good.
Ashe beckoned Xiao Xian over, lifted him high, and looked at where his testicles used to be, The pet store neutered them before selling them to you, because for cats, being in heat is very uncomfortable, painful, and can lead to a lot of complications. Neutering them is for their own good.
In my view, what the Blood Moon has done to you is no different from neutering a cat. You dare not step into intimate relationships, being careful even when confronting marshmallows. This indeed lets you avoid many potential harms, but it also robs you of humanitys greatest abilitythe ability to love.
But humans are not pets, at least they shouldnt be.
Im glad, Freya. Ashe met Bewitchers gaze and said, Youve learned to love, and you know to resist instead of running from loneliness. This shows that its not me whos crazy, but this realm.
Ashe, youre really a thoroughgoing Cult Leader. Freyas smile was somewhat sorrowful. So, what should I do?
Dont resist entering intimate relationships; actively seek new bonds, be it friendships or romances. That way, you can resist the loneliness, Ashe advised. But the way you love needs some adjusting. Youre too extreme, even saying things like wanting to support me through part-time work. Switching from complete independence to total reliance like this, you could easily be deceived by scoundrels.
Stay true to yourself, learn to love. As long as you achieve these two points, you can live well in this mad realm, or rather, live happier than others.
Freya stared at him intently, Can I really not follow you?
Its not that you cant, Id be very willing. Ashe said, But that would mean you have to give up your achievements of over a decade, risk becoming a wanted criminal, give up the degree within your grasp, abandon the resource-rich Swordflower College, forsake the mature Sorcerer training system of the Blood Moon Realm, and even give up the opportunity to become a Spirit Art Master Are you willing?
Bewitcher was taken aback.
Ive spent five days and four nights with you, compared to the over ten years youve spent in Caimon City, this is barely significant. To you, Im not that important. Youre just a bit impulsiveof course, Im glad for this impulsivity, as it means your love is sprouting.
Ashe couldnt help but laugh, Speaking of which, I once invited someone to leave with me, she decisively rejected me due to realistic factors. Now that youre actively following me, Im actually rejecting you.
Freya grumbled, You yearn for the unattainable, and reject the ones who throw themselves at you.
Ive been scolded by you so much that Im starting to doubt my noble character. Ashe grinned, But my thoughts have always remained the sameI can give you this choice, but you need to think it through.
I can be your regret, but I cant be your disaster.
Freya hugged Xiao Xian and slumped on the ground, deep in thought for a long time. Eventually, she slowly said, So you plan to toy with me until theres no turning back, then just up and leave?
With Ashes persuasion, she calmed down a bit. Becoming a Spirit Art Master was her dream. At this moment, her love seemed greater than anything, but that was because she hadnt made a strict comparison, or rather, she didnt want to. But when Ashe placed her dream and love on the two sides of the scale before her, she could no longer run away.
Visible things are always important, invisible things can always be easily discarded.
Youre suddenly so harsh, making me out to be some scoundrel, but I really havent done anything. Ashe was somewhat at a loss whether to laugh or cry, And Im not saying I wont pay Didnt I give you a spirit?
He paused then added, If you havent found new bonds temporarily, just look at the spirit and miss me. Missing someone can alleviate loneliness, can brew anticipation.
Looking at the Compassion Art Spirit in the Glowing Sphere, Freya suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.
Are all the nice things youve done for me, all your actions these days, just out of sympathy?
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