Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 266: Unfounded worries

Chapter 266: Unfounded worries

The city of Thebes was a unique city with a unique structure, one that could hardly be replicated by other nations present in Ra’as.

However, just like several other states, it also had its own intricate set of tunnels dug at its depths, constructed during the Dark Ages to safeguard the true extent of its population from the vampires that came regularly to collect tribute.

They were well constructed unlike the tunnels in BoneHaven that seemed more like something hastily built, with houses built into the walls, and even the ground was paved with clean-cut stones with several other facilities in place, causing the area to look like an underground city.

It was indeed an awe-inspiring sight as Alex found himself in a portion of the tunnels after he’d left Evernight to find Elena along with Arthur.

After Arwen had informed him about what happened with Elena, he immediately left as he held a feeling that the issue concerning the coincidence that had bothered him so far was about to be resolved.

Slightly nervous, he was also quite expectant.

And so, once he’d tracked the trace he’d left on Elena, he immediately teleported to its location which inadvertently led to him finding the intricate city underneath a city.

"Incredible," Arthur muttered as he scrutinized the area with an intrigued look.

"The technology of the Thebeans is at a level where it should be considered impossible."

Alex nodded. "Perhaps this is the difference between a city that built itself on a Branch and one that didn’t."

And they were right in their thinking.

The technology of Thebes was comparable to what was available in the current age which meant only two things; it was either they traded with the Goddess of Automation early enough or they had created it themselves.

Naturally, considering the Goddess was a being that didn’t condone favoritism, bestowing the world with whatever technology she invented, it was hard to imagine that she had ended up favoring a particular kingdom.

This meant the rapid development of Thebes was a result of the God Particle they once housed.

Unfortunately, considering what Alex now knew, it was safe to assume that after it had given them so much, it ended up taking a lot as well.

Quite unfortunate but understandable.

Regardless, Alex wasn’t here to admire the innovation of Thebes though he had to admit it was incredible.

He was here to meet with a certain enigmatic figure that had been troublesome to Aragon for a long time.

As though in response to his thoughts, she appeared.

Elena walked out of one of the houses etched on the walls and followed a series of steps to stand on the platform Alex and Arthur were on.

Silence reigned for a moment as the duo regarded her with interest.

Elena didn’t meet their gaze, instead, her eyes trailed the underground city with a nostalgic look on her face.

Her lips trembling, she began. "I don’t remember much but I remember there was a time when this place... wasn’t so empty."

Alex and Arthur said nothing, the latter even going ahead to conjure a chair made from earth for himself before casually taking his seat.

It seemed he was prepared to hear quite the tale.

Ignoring Arthur’s action, Elena continued. "Everything was beautiful at that time, especially after we’d discovered the God Particle. It established paths we could have never imagined. It allowed us to create a suitable location to begin the rise of the Human Wheel yet again."

Unlike Arthur however, Alex wasn’t patient enough to listen to her ramblings, no matter how empathetic and curious he felt.

At this point, a more potent curiosity gnawed at his thoughts. "Who are you and why have you brought me here?"

Elena paused, her head dropping for a moment as she seemed to be pondering something deeply before she finally replied.

"I...I can’t remember much but I know that I am, no, I was a princess and a scholar..."

"Is that all??"

"I am not real," Elena said, turning to face Alex.

Alex raised a brow. "Oh?"

"My... real self is stuck in an alternate dimension as a result of an accident with Ashtyx that happened several hundred years ago. She wishes to meet with you."

"Why?"

"... She wants to be saved."

"And she thought I would be a good candidate to be her hero?" Alex couldn’t help but grow amused at the audacious thought.

Elena shook her head. "She... has grown weary. The constant deaths have caused her and in extension, those trapped on the other side, to wish for death...true death. Imagine being stuck in a world that doesn’t progress, unable to feel, eat, drink, sleep... watching as the outside progressed while suffering constant deaths at the hands of that man and his people."

As she spoke, Elena pointed at Arthur, earning a sigh from him.

"It’s not like I or my people enjoyed killing you.... Whatever you are." Arthur remarked.

Elena snorted. "But you did and even though I wish to have you pay for what you have done, I know that it’s pointless, so I ask for your aid."

"Alright, just out of curiosity, how do you expect me to save you?" Alex inquired.

Elena glanced at him. "Ashtyx. It holds the power needed to take care of the dimensional accident my real self is embroiled in. But it’s currently in the hands of the traitor."

"Go on."

"I can’t remember much but what I do know is that the accident wasn’t natural, but orchestrated by a certain someone. I don’t know who it is but I will surely remember as long as I have time, time that I’ve been unable to get because of the meddling of the beasts."

Alex nodded thoughtfully, taking a moment to organize his words before he began. "So let me understand this; due to being stuck in a parallel dimension that allows you to watch the world progress without being able to interact with it, your real self learnt about me while I was scoping out Thebes but was unable to reach me."

"Yes."

"And so she hatched a plan to have her... doppelganger emerge in a location where my subordinate was so it would be easy to facilitate a meeting and also ensure your safety."

"Indeed."

"And why she did all this was to request my aid in freeing her and her people from the unfortunate circumstances they find themselves in."

"... You are correct."

"..." Alex remained silent for a moment before bursting into laughter, his voice echoing in the dark caverns that held the remnants of what was once a great underground city.

Elena’s expression quickly distorted as she noticed that his laughter was partly in relief and also slightly mocking.

"Are my words that amusing?" Elena couldn’t help but ask in slight annoyance after watching him for a few seconds.

Alex didn’t immediately respond, instead laughing to his satisfaction before finally deeming it appropriate to tender an answer.

"Well, you see, I was worried... worried that whatever you had for me would be earth-shattering. I’ve already experienced playing in the hands of an incredibly deadly foe so I don’t plan on repeating the same. Thankfully, my worries seem unfounded considering the naivety of your princess."

Elena paused, her expression taking on a sour tone as she replied. "Do you feel nothing?... These are fellow humans asking for your help. You are already planning on going after Ashtyx, this is..."

"None of my business." Alex curtly replied, his voice taking on a rather icy tone. "You must be mistaken about something, princess, the reason I saved you wasn’t because I’m some sort of hero, I did it because I need you alive to carry out the rest of my plan. The sooner you understand that, the better for us, so I would appreciate it if you don’t waste your time with this and come with me nicely. I’d rather not want you dead before I’m done with what I have planned."

Arthur couldn’t help but spare a glance at Alex’s back, quickly realizing he’d underestimated the sort of man Alex was.

Meanwhile, Elena stared at Alex, unable to come to terms with what she’d just heard.